cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of production and management between Wisconsin organic and conventional dairy herds

An observational study was conducted in Wisconsin to compare production and management on organic and conventional dairy farms. Thirty organic dairy herds, where antimicrobials are rarely used for calves and never used for cows, were compared with 30 neighboring conventional dairy farms on which antimicrobials were routinely used for animals of all ages. A seven-page questionnaire regarding milk production, milking practices, housing, incidence of the major dairy diseases and medical treatments was used to assess management and production during 2000–2001. Body condition scores (BCS) of lactating cows and environmental and animal sanitation scores (EASS) were also collected on each of two occasions. The organic herds had significantly fewer cattle than did the conventional herds (P=0.017). The average daily milk production per cow in organic dairy herds (20.2 kg/day) was lower than that of conventional herds (23.7 kg/day). The incidence of clinical mastitis (CM) on organic farms (28 cases per 100 cow-years at risk) was not statistically different from that of on conventional farms (32 cases per 100 cow-years at risk). No significant difference in bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) was observed between organic farms (262,000 cells/ml) and conventional farms (285,000 cells/ml). The average annual cull rate was 18.0 cases per 100 cow-years for the conventional farms and 17.2 for the organic farms (P=0.426). Our paired t-test results indicated significantly higher parasite burden on organic dairy farms; however, no significant difference between the two farm types when controlling for season (March and September), grazing intensity (no grazing, little grazing, grazing with access to housing and grazing only) and herd average milk production per cow. There was little evidence of other fundamental differences between the two farm types in other management and production parameters.
Reaction of living polystyrene with some natural polymers and their analogs

The preparation and characterization of graft polymers of methylated xylan and polystyrene are described. The copolymers were prepared anionically by reaction of polystyrylpotassium with the methyl glucuronate moiety, to give well-defined comblike structures. Polystyrenes of molecular weight 1,100 and 4,700 were used. The reaction takes place by attack of the polymeric anion at the ester function, which converts it into a ketone. Infrared analysis has confirmed this, since only a ketone absorption band is observed in the grafted products. Evaluation of intrinsic viscosity measurements on well-defined copolymer fractions was made in terms of branch density, branch length, and backbone molecular weight. These parameters generally affected the viscosity in the manner predicted for homopolymer branched structures. Reactions of the polystyryl anion with a polyester and a polypeptide were also considered. In general, unwanted side reactions were predominant in these systems. However, in the case of one polyester, polypropiolactone, indications are that block copolymers with polystyrene were prepared, but isolation and characterization of the products was not attempted, because of the low molecular weights involved.
Zero dark squared: Does the US benefit from more Special Operations Forces?

There is no question that the number of United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) is growing. This paper argues that focusing on the increase in size obscures what should be the real debate: what kind of SOF should the US employ in the twenty-first century? I conclude with two ideas: that SOF’s best capability is at the tactical level, and that the largest benefit they can provide a democracy is in the conduct of special warfare, and not the more popular surgical strike operations. It would be wise, therefore, for democracies to resist the natural inclination to grow SOF simply because they perceive a growth in asymmetric threats. SOF, conducting special warfare, can offer democracies both a “special” capability and also more subtle, longer-term influence than is normally associated with conventional armed forces.
Ferecrystals: non-epitaxial layered intergrowths

The synthesis, structure, and selected physical properties of a new class of layered intergrowth materials, referred to as ferecrystals, are reviewed. In these layered intergrowths, size and composition can be controlled at atomic length scales by utilizing structural interfaces between component compounds that lack an epitaxial relationship. Opportunities to observe and control size-dependent phenomena in intergrowths of technologically important compound semiconductors are discussed.
The effects of free-range domestic birds on the abundance of epigeic predators and earthworms

Abstract The integration of animals into cropping systems can provide a variety of ecological and economic benefits on farms. As part of a study on integrating domestic birds into small-scale horticultural systems, the effects were evaluated of free-range chickens and geese on the abundance of beneficial soil macroinvertebrates in a nonchemical apple orchard. Two groups of organisms were studied: epigeic predators and earthworms. The presence of the birds resulted in a reduction in spider (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones) activity based on pitfall trap catches, but no reduction in ground beetle (Carabidae) or rove beetle (Staphylinidae) activity. The reason for these differential effects may be attributable to differences in the diurnal activity patterns of these invertebrates. Overall, the effects of the birds on epigeic predators were relatively minor in comparison with intercropping practices in the orchard. No significant effects on earthworm abundance due to the birds were found. However, earthworm abundance in the orchard and surrounding areas was highly correlated with soil organic matter ( r = 0.78) and the relative distance of the sample from an old field which had never been tilled ( r = − 0.77). A statistical model based on these two factors accounted for most of the variance in earthworm abundance.
Analytical approaches to the combinatorial optimization in linear placement problems

A class of combinatorial optimization problems dealing with placing circuit elements on a single row in order to minimize certain costs associated with the placements is formulated and solved. This analytical formulation of the linear placement problem proceeds with the restriction that all nets are two-point nets. The objective function considered is the sum of the squared wire-lengths. The properties of the formulation are discussed and used to show why certain mathematical programming techniques fail in solving the problems. Solution techniques are presented wherein the search for an optimal solution proceeds within the infeasible region and moves toward the feasible region following the trajectories in which the cost (objective function) tends to be optimal. This important difference of the technique from the previously known heuristics and the associated analysis of complex mathematical structures of the linear placement problems is felt to be important in probing further research in combinatorial optimization problems. >
The evolution of polyandry by queens in social Hymenoptera: the significance of the timing of removal of diploid males.

Multiple mating by queens in social Hymenoptera with single locus sex determination may be an adaptation to reduce the effect of genetic load caused by the production of diploid males, if there is a concave relationship between queen fitness and the proportion of diploid male offspring in the colony. In this situation queens should be selected to reduce the variance in the production of diploid male offspring by multiple mating. It has been suggested that this concave relationship occurs in species such as the honey bee, Apis mellifera, in which reproduction occurs near the peak of colony population. This paper suggests that the timing of diploid male removal may influence mating frequency, with early removal of diploid males favoring multiple mating and late removal of diploid males favoring single mating. This idea is explored in two ways. A mathematical model shows that cell use in the brood area of species that rear young in cells will be more efficient with multiple mating. This would favor multiple mating in species, such as the honey bee, in which brood rearing is constrained by the usable area of the brood chamber. Secondly, comparison of polyandrous honey bees (early removal of diploid males as young larvae) with monandrous fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, and Melipona bees (non-removal of immature diploid males) suggests that in the species without diploid male removal, variance reduction may reduce queen fitness. Suggestions are made for testing this hypothesis.
Implementation of ab initio multiple spawning in the Molpro quantum chemistry package

Abstract The ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) method has been developed to solve the electronic and nuclear Schrodinger equations simultaneously for application to photochemical reaction dynamics. We discuss some details of the implementation of AIMS in the M olpro program package. A few aspects of the implementation are highlighted, including a new multiple timescale integrator and a scheme for solving the coupled-perturbed multiconfiguration self-consistent field (CP-MCSCF) equations in the context of ab initio molecular dynamics. The implementation is very efficient and we demonstrate calculations on the photoisomerization of ethylene using more than 5000 trajectory basis functions. We have included the capability for hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations within AIMS, and we investigate the role of an argon solvent in the photoisomerization of ethylene. Somewhat surprisingly, the surrounding argon has little effect on the timescale of non-adiabatic quenching in ethylene.
Spherically Corrected Reflecting Objective for Unit Magnification

Cassegrainian-type reflecting objectives are useful as in-line imaging devices for fast spectrometer systems. They are inherently free from chromatic aberrations and may be corrected for spherical aberration. A particularly simple design, consisting of two mirrors with oppositely equal curvatures, is possible when unit magnification is desired. This system has zero third-order spherical aberration, and all other aberrations are small also. Its main disadvantage is the loss due to the central obstruction of the beam, amounting to about 28% exclusive of reflection losses.
Livability and Fertility of Bovine Spermatozoa in Different Diluents

Summary By means of a 6×6 latin square design, six bovine semen diluents were compared. Sixty semen samples from ten Holstein bulls were subdivided into six portions and each portion diluted at a rate of 1:200 with one of the six diluents. Based on the per cent 60- to 90-day non-returns to approximately 1850 first service cows per diluent, the mean fertility level for each diluent was as follows: phosphate-yolk, 50.5; 3.6 citrate-yolk, 50.5; 3.6 citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk, 55.3; 2.9 citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk, 56.5; Ortho tablet-yolk, 56.4; and Ortho liquid, 55.0. The average non-returns for the sulfonamide-containing diluents (3.6 citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk, 2.9 citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk, Ortho tablet-yolk and Ortho liquid) was 5 percentage units higher than for those diluents not containing sulfonamides (3.6 citrate-yolk and phosphate-yolk). This difference was significant at the 1 per cent level of probability. Livability of spermatozoa during storage at 5° C. was satisfactory for all six diluents.
Menopausal women and the work environment

A survey was taken of working, post-menopausal women, concerning their menopausal symptoms. The survey addressed itself to any difficulties the women may have faced in the work environment as a result of their menopausal symptoms. The final sample consisted of N = 89 completed survey instruments. In addition to night sweats and hot flashes, other symptoms reported by at least 40% of the women included weight gain, irritability, depression, bloating, and mood changes. These symptoms were reported as being disruptive to their lives by 47% of the respondents, with 30% indicating that their job performance had been adversely affected. The symptoms of irritability and mood changes showed significant correlations with job performance. The sample was further analyzed with regard to whether the respondent was in a managerial or non-managerial position. Excluding the expected night sweats and hot flashes, the non-managerial group showed a significantly higher percentage reporting each symptom in seven of the eight symptoms listed.
LRFD of shallow foundations at the service limit state

The design of shallow foundations typically involves two-steps: (1) the calculation of ultimate bearing capacity based on general bearing capacity theories and (2) the calculation of maximum contact pressure to produce an allowable total settlement. The allowable bearing capacity for the shallow foundation system is the lesser of the ultimate bearing capacity, divided by a factor of safety, and the computed maximum allowable contact pressure. Currently, these calculations utilise nominal values of soil strength and stiffness parameters and do not explicitly account for their uncertainty. This paper develops a method for the calibration of resistance factors for load and resistance factor design (LRFD) of shallow foundations at the service limit state. The bearing soil strength and stiffness parameters are assumed to be random variables and the standard elastic settlement equations are combined with the Monte Carlo simulation technique to develop a series of probabilistic pressure–settlement curves. Based ...
Non-invasive Optical Detection of Cell Differentiation Status Using Endogenous Sources of Optical Contrast

Two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation images of mesenchymal stem cells undergoing osteoblastic differentiation demonstrate the cell redox ratio of FAD/(NADH+FAD) can serve as non-invasive biomarker of cell differentiation status.
Appalachian knowledge of cancer and screening intentions.

Background. This cross-sectional study was designed to assess levels of knowledge about cancer and behavioral intentions regarding cancer screening from a representative sample of adults residing in 51 Appalachian counties in Kentucky. Methods. A random-digit-dialed telephone survey obtained 696 interviews and provided a 4% margin of error. Results. Findings showed that knowledge of cancer screening was generally low and uniform by age and educational attainment. Logistic regression models demonstrated that possessing insurance was an important predictor of those likely to obtain cancer screening. Conclusions. Having a family history of breast cancer or a family history of prostate cancer were not significant predictors for obtaining mammograms or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
'Evorego': studying regeneration to understand evolution, the case of the serotonergic system.

their serotonergic system aft er injury in the central nervous system (CNS), I would like to introduce the concept of ‘evorego’. In this case, ‘evorego’ refers to the idea of how we could also try to understand evolution by studying the diff erences and similarities in the regenerative ability between extant species. In mammals, including humans, injury to the adult CNS usually causes an irreversible loss of function because of the inability of the mature CNS to regenerate. One of the main causes for the absence of recovery is the inability of injured axons to regenerate and reconnect with their appropriate targets. By contrast, teleost fi shes and lampreys are able to regain functionality aft er injury in the mature CNS. For example, both zebrafi sh and lampreys are able to recover locomotion that appears normal aft er a complete spinal cord transection [Becker and Becker, 2008; Barreiro-Iglesias and Rodicio, 2011]. Recent studies have shown that serotonergic neurons have an impressive regenerative ability aft er spinal cord injury in both zebrafi sh [Kuscha et al., 2011] and lampreys [Cornide-Petronio et al., 2011]. Using a double labeling tract-tracing tech‘Evodevo’ is an acronym from the words ‘evolution and development’ that is used to name the fi eld of life sciences focused on the study of diff erences and similarities in the developmental process of extant species with the aim of understanding how they have evolved from common ancestors. Th e ‘evodevo’ research fi eld has expanded greatly over the last century thanks to an increase in the number of research groups focusing their eff orts in this discipline and the appearance of science journals specifi cally devoted to publishing new advances in the fi eld (e.g. Evolution and Development ) or journals from a variety of disciplines that publish a considerable percentage of studies that use the ‘evodevo’ approach (e.g. Brain, Behavior and Evolution ). ‘Evodevo’ researchers use a comparative approach to study a specifi c developmental process in diff erent but related species to understand the evolutionary process and try to identify primitive and derived characters, homologies, parallelisms or phenomena of convergent evolution. Here, using as an example recent data [CornidePetronio et al., 2011; Hawthorne et al., 2011; Kuscha et al., 2011] on the ability of diff erent vertebrate species to regenerate Published online: December 6, 2011
Influence of direct myocardial revascularization on left ventricular asynergy and function in patients with coronary heart disease. With and without previous myocardial infarction.

The influence of successful aortocoronary artery bypass surgery on left ventricular asynergy and dysfunction was studied by hemodynamic and angiographic methods in 29 patients with coronary artery disease. Eight patients had the preinfarction syndrome, 10 patients had chronic ischemia without previous infarction, and 11 patients had chronic ischemia with previous infarction. LV asynergy was present preoperatively in 12 of the 18 patients in the first two groups. Marked improvement occurred in all and a normal wall motion was restored in the majority following surgery. More pronounced improvement was noted in the preinfarction syndrome as compared to the group with chronic ischemia and no previous infarct. The ejection fraction was reduced in 12 of the 18 patients in these two groups and significant improvement was observed postoperatively [0.45 ± 0.03 (sem) to 0.74 ± 0.03]. Increase in ejection fraction was primarily due to a decrease in the end-systolic volume (71 ± 12 to 23 ± 4 ml/m2). The end-diastolic...
5.6 Gb/s receiver with electrical overstress protection for GDDR in a 45 nm CMOS

A receiver circuit with built-in electrical overstress protection for a graphics double data rate, version 5 (GDDR5) interface is proposed. The new circuit in a fully functional memory controller system is fabricated in a 45 nm CMOS process using only native thin-gate transistors. The receiver's functionality and performance are experimentally verified at 5.6 Gb/s with 20 ps set-up/hold and 54 mVpp voltage uncertainty with better than 10−12 bit error rate (BER).
Disulfide Bond Formation in Yeast NAD+-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase

The tricarboxylic acid cycle NAD+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an octameric enzyme composed of four heterodimers of regulatory IDH1 and catalytic IDH2 subunits. Recent structural analyses revealed the close proximity of Cys-150 residues from IDH2 in adjacent heterodimers, and features of the structure for the ligand-free enzyme suggested that formation of a disulfide bond between these residues might stabilize an inactive form of the enzyme. We constructed two mutant forms of IDH, one containing a C150S substitution in IDH2 and the other containing C56S/C242S substitutions in IDH2 leaving Cys-150 as the sole cysteine residue. Treatment of the affinity-purified enzymes with diamide resulted in the formation of disulfide bonds and in decreased activities for the wild-type and C56S/C242S enzymes. Both effects were reversible by the addition of dithiothreitol. Diamide had no effect on the C150S mutant enzyme, suggesting that Cys-150 is essential for the formation of a disulfide bond that inhibits IDH activity. Diamide-induced formation of the Cys-150 disulfide bond was also observed in vivo for yeast transformants expressing the wild-type or C56S/C242S enzymes but not for a transformant expressing the C150S enzyme. Finally, natural formation of the Cys-150 disulfide bond with a concomitant decrease in cellular IDH activity was observed during the stationary phase for the parental strain and for transformants expressing wild-type or C56S/C242S enzymes but not for a transformant expressing the C150S enzyme. A reduction in viability for the latter strain suggests that a decrease in IDH activity is important for metabolic changes in stationary phase cells.
Mass transfer resistances in the palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation of methyl linoleate

Abstract The hydrogenation of methyl linoleate to methyl oleate and methyl stearate was studied in a 6-inch stirred batch reactor at 121°C and 45 psia. Several particle size fractions of a 1 per cent Pd-carbon catalyst were used to help separate the gas absorption resistance, the external mass transfer resistance, and the internal resistance to pore diffusion and reaction. Corrected to the same concentration of hydrogen, the initial rate of reaction for linoleate was 30 times that for oleate. This difference in reactivity and stronger adsorption of linoleate account for the high selectivity of 50–80.
Exchange of HCO 3 − for monovalent anions across the human erythrocyte membrane

A stopped-flow rapid reaction apparatus was used for measuring changes in extracellular pH (pH o ) of red cell suspensions under conditions wheredpH o /dt was determined by the rate of HCO 3 − /X − exchange across the membrane (X −=Cl−, Br−, F−, I−, NO 3 − or SCN−). The rate of the exchange at 37°C decreased forX − in the order: Cl−>Br−>F−>I−>NO 3 − >SCN−, with rate constants in the ratios 1∶0.86∶0.77∶0.55∶0.52∶0.31. When HCO 3 − is exchanged for Cl−, Br−, F−, NO 3 − or SCN−, a change in the rate-limiting step of the process takes place at a transition temperature (T T ) between 16 and 26°C. In I− medium, however, no transition temperature is detected between 3 and 42°C. AlthoughT T varies withX −, the activation energies both above and belowT T are similar for Cl−, Br−, NO 3 − and F−. The values of activation energy are considerably higher whenX −=I− or SCN−. The apparent turnover numbers calculated for HCO 3 − /X − exchange (except forX −=I−) at the correspondingT T ranged from 140 to 460 ions/site ·sec for our experimental conditions. These findings suggest that: (i) HCO 3 − /X − exchange for allX − studied takes place via the rapid anion exchange pathway; (ii) the rate of HCO 3 − /X − exchange is influenced by the specific anions involved in the 1∶1 obligatory exchange; and (iii) the different transition temperatures in the Arrhenius diagrams of the HCO 3 − /X − exchange do not seem to be directly related to a critical turnover number, but may be dependent upon the influence ofX − on protein-lipid interactions in the red blood cell membrane.
CHANGES PRODUCED IN THE LARVAL BRAIN OF RANA PIPIENS BY THYROID FEEDING

During the past decade, numerous investigations have been carried on, which have demonstrated that a very definite relationship exists between the thyroid gland and body growth. By the pioneer work of Gudernatsch in the field of thyroid feeding of tadpole larvae, a beginning was made which has since been so extended by numerous investigators that the field covered has grown most extensive in scope. Allen, in connection with his experiments on thyroid removal, has shown that the brain of thyroidless tadpoles does not proceed to maturity, but retains the early larval form. It has been shown by Larson and Rogers, that there is a definite relationship existing between the thyroid gland and the anterior lobe of the hypophysis, since normal development and growth does not occur in the absence of either. Felix Adler and P. E. Smith have done valuable work along the same line, while Swingle has shown that thyroid feeding has no influence on the development of the gonads of tadpole larvae.
Expectancy, anxiety, and the GSR

Traditionally, CR magnitude in classical conditioning was thought to be dependent only upon properties of the CS and UCS. This study investigated the cognitive factor of S’s expectancy of shock and his anxiety on GSR amplitude. Each S received 20 conditioning trials on a 50% random reinforcement schedule and had to state his expectation of shock before each trial. There was a significant correlation between verbalized expectancy and CR amplitude. High anxious Ss extinguished more slowly than low anxious Ss and had greater mean shock expectancies during acquisition.
Mathematical modeling for mixed culture growth of two bacterial populations with opposite substrate preferences

An unstructured mathematical model is proposed for mixed culture growth of two different bacterial species that exhibit "opposite" substrate preferences in response to the "same" environmental conditions. The model incorporates enzymatic control mechanisms such as induction, repression, and inhibition in the microorganisms as manifested in their preferential utilization of substrates and microbial interactions such as amensalism and competition. The model predicts cell mass, substrate concentrations, dissolved oxygen tension, as well as key enzyme levels. The predictions of the model are compared with experimental data for pure culture growth and for mixed culture growth on two substrates, glucose and citrate, in a batch reactor.
A study of the in vitro reaction of catalase and hemin with organic mercury compounds.

The relative inhibitory effect of a series of organic mercury compounds (phenylmercuric nitrate, phenylmercuric hydroxide, p -chloromercuribenzoic acid, Neohydrin, and Mercuhydrin) on the catalytic activity of catalase in vitro was studied. The inhibition is relatively less with the diuretics. Increasing the concentration of all of the mercury compounds gives greater inhibition. Spectrophotometric studies of catalase protein, Armour serum albumin and crystalline hemin were made. Interaction of the protein—SH with the organic mercury compounds does not explain the inhibition under the conditions of this study. The catalase activity of hemin is inhibited by the mercury compounds in a system completely devoid of—SH groups. The hemin itself is rapidly destroyed by the hydrogen peroxide and this reaction is also depressed by the organic mercury compounds. There is no spectroscopic evidence for a hemin-mercury or hydrogen peroxide-mercury compound. Spectroscopic and preliminary polarographic data indicate the necessity of postulating a ternary complex, hemin-hydrogen peroxide-organic mercury, which is relatively stable.
Diabetic myonecrosis in a previously healthy woman and review of a 25-year Mayo Clinic experience.

Objective: To describe a case of diabetic myonecrosis, an unusual complication of diabetes mellitus, and to provide an overview of an institutional experience with this condition. Methods: We report the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in a 50-year-old woman with no history of diabetes, who was hospitalized because of weakness in her left lower extremity and an infection in her right hand. Results: A morbidly obese woman had sustained several falls attributable to left leg weakness, which had resulted in repetitive trauma to, and subsequent infection of, her right hand. Laboratory studies showed a fasting blood glucose level of 204 mg/dL, a glycated hemoglobin of 12.8%, and a calculated hemoglobin Alc of 10.6%. Results of evaluations for retinopathy and nephropathy were negative. Electromyography of the left leg suggested the presence of a diabetic plexopathy. Two weeks after admission of the patient, severe left lower extremity pain and swelling developed abruptly. Ultrasound evaluation of the ...
Beyond the spatial paradigm: time and cinematic form in holographic art

The author discusses holographic art from the point of view of the temporal properties of the medium, using examples from some of the artists who have consistently worked with film, video, digital imaging and holographic animation proper. He suggests that any consideration of this new art form must take into account its dynamic, and not only spatial, qualities. The paper is also complemented with a survey of recent and current research towards holographic film and video, evoking the unique creative potential of these emergent technologies.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spectral mode assignment for binary silicate glasses using molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract The vibrational behavior of binary silicate glasses is modeled using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The prevailing procedure for assigning vibrational modes to structural features is through comparison with spectra of known substances. The explicit knowledge of atomic trajectories from MD simulations allows for a direct observation of vibrational motion in specific frequency bands and decomposition into the predominant vibrational modes. We demonstrate a Fourier transform method for determining the vibrational motion associated with a particular frequency. We compare literature assignments for α-cristobalite, vitreous silica, β Na2O 2SiO2 and vitreous Na2O 2SiO2 to this method. Our analysis shows that while it is necessary for the network to be disrupted and non-bridging oxygen atoms to form for vibrational motion to occur at 1205 cm− 1, the mode is in fact not specific to that structural moiety.
Activation of adrenal sterol ester hydrolase by dibutyryl cAMP and protein kinase.

Direct activation of adrenal Sterol Ester Hydrolase (EC 1.1.1.13) by dibutyryl cAMP, ATP and Mg+2 has been demonstrated in adrenal homogenates from three species. Variability in the degree of activation was minimized by preincubation of the tissue homogenate for two hours prior to addition of the cofactors and subsequent enzyme assay. Although baseline sterol ester hydrolytic activity, independent of cofactors, was present in all subcellular fractions, the cAMP-dependent enzyme was primarily associated with the 105,000 × g soluble fraction of the cell. A requirement for protein kinase in the system was demonstrated with a partially-purified enzyme from bovine adrenal.
High-resolution X-ray mapping of CdZnTe detectors

Recently the use of micro-characterization techniques employing synchrotron radiation permitted identification of the deteriorating effects associated with tellurium (Te)-rich secondary phases existing in CdZnTe (CZT) radiation detectors. These randomly distributed microscopic defects behave as trapping regions, where an unpredictable number of charges are lost leading to significant fluctuations in the total collected charge. Consequently, they adversely affect the efficiency and energy resolution of CZT devices, and are found to be the dominant cause of performance degradation in thick detectors. Mapping of the detector response with synchrotron radiation can reveal the details of transport properties and charge collection efficiency in semiconductor detectors on a spatial scale never before realized. A new dedicated beam-line has been recently established at BNL's National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) for detector characterization; it will assist with systematic studies focused on improvement of detectors and crystal-growth techniques.
Evaluation of local strain evolution from metallic whisker formation

The evolution of local strain on electrodeposited tin films upon aging has been monitored by digital image correlation (DIC) for the first time. Maps of principal strains adjacent to whisker locations were constructed by comparing pre- and post-growth scanning electron microscopy images. Results showed that the magnitude of the strain gradient plays an important role in whisker growth. DIC visualized the dynamic growth process in which the alteration of strain field has been identified as causing growth of subsequent whiskers.
Resolution of Seamount Geoid Anomalies Achieved by the SARAL/AltiKa and Envisat RA2 Satellite Radar Altimeters

The resolution of seamount geoid anomalies by the SARAL/AltiKa Ka-band radar altimeter is compared with the Envisat RA2 Ku-band altimeter using cross-spectral analysis of exact-repeat profiles. Noise spectra show white noise floors at root-mean-square levels around 8 mm per root-Hz for AltiKa and 19 mm per root-Hz for RA2, and are colored at wavelengths longer than a few km, with a spectral hump similar to that seen in Jason-2 data. The AltiKa noise level is lower than the RA2 noise level by more than one would expect from the ratio of their pulse repetition frequencies. Large outliers are present in data from both altimeters, always of one sign (range too long), and show little correlation with rain or other error flags. Seamount anomaly signal to noise ratios are 30 to 10 dB for AltiKa and 3 to 8 dB less for RA2, decreasing as seamount size decreases. Seamounts as small as 1.35 km tall are resolved by both instruments, with significantly better performance by AltiKa due to its lower noise level. If Alti...
Ultrastructural characteristics and conduction velocity of olfactory receptor neuron axons in the olfactory marker protein-null mouse.

Olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) axon diameters and the conduction velocity of the compound action potential along ORN axons were studied in olfactory marker protein (OMP)-null mice and genotypically matched controls. The compound action potential was distinguished from postsynaptic field potentials by its shorter latency, its persistence following application of cobalt or kynurenic acid that blocked postsynaptic responses, and its ability to follow paired-pulse stimulation at 300 Hz. Blockade of the postsynaptic field responses by kynurenic acid indicates that in the mouse, as in the rat, glutamate is the olfactory nerve transmitter. The mean conduction velocity of ORNs in wild-type control mice was 0.47±0.19 (S.E.M.) m/s (n=5), similar to the conduction velocity reported for other mammals. The mean diameter of ORN axons in control mice was 0.202±0.005 and 0.261±0.006 μm in the OMP-null mice. This increase in fiber diameter in the OMP-nulls predicts an increase in impulse conduction velocity. However, the mean conduction velocity of OMP-null mice, 0.38±0.03 m/s (n=6), was not significantly different from control (P>0.1). The conduction velocity predicted by the increase in fiber diameter in OMP-null mice was within the 95% confidence interval of the measured value. Thus, OMP-null ORNs are normal with respect to the conduction velocity of their axons. The number of axodendritic synapses in the glomeruli of OMP-null mice is higher than in congenic wild-type mice.
Visualization by chilling of protein bands in polyacrylamide gels containing 8 m urea: Preparation and quantitation of foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid proteins

Abstract Protein bands become visible in polyacrylamide gels containing 8 m urea after chilling the gels in air for 5 to 10 min at −70°C. Urea appears to crystallize preferentially as opaque bands in regions of the gel where protein reduces the amount of free water available as solvent for the urea molecules. Thus detected, the gel sections containing protein bands from foot-and-mouth disease virus can be immediately cut out, and their proteins obtained by electrophoretic elution or extraction procedures. Analysis of the proteins for purity and concentration is then carried out by electrophoresing measured aliquots on analytical gels, staining with Coomassie brilliant blue, scanning the gels for absorbance at 600 nm, and converting peak areas to micrograms of protein using Folin phenol standard curves determined for each purified capsid protein. The most basic capsid protein and its in virion proteolytic-cleavage products stain metachromatically.
Eosinophilia and gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion of shiitake mushrooms

Abstract Background: Shiitake mushrooms are a dietary staple in Asia and are increasingly popular worldwide. A cholesterol-lowering study with shiitake showed that 17 of 49 participants withdrew because of rash or abdominal discomfort, and two had marked eosinophilia. One of these latter participants was subsequently challenged for 14 days with shiitake powder and again had eosinophilia. Objective: We investigated whether ingestion of shiitake mushroom powder induces eosinophilia or symptoms. Methods: We studied 10 normal persons. Each participant ingested 4 gm shiitake powder (open label) daily for 10 weeks (trial 1), and the protocol was repeated in these same subjects after 3 to 6 months (trial 2). Blood counts and serum samples were obtained biweekly (trial 1) or weekly along with stool specimens (trial 2). Eosinophil major basic protein and IL-5, IgE, and IgG antishiitake antibodies were measured in sera. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin was measured in stool extracts. We defined responders as subjects having peak eosinophil counts four or more times their average baseline counts. Results: Each trial had four responders, and trial 2 had one new and three repeat responders. Eosinophilia ranged from 400 to 3900/mm 3 . Responders had increased blood eosinophils, serum major basic protein, stool eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and factors that enhanced eosinophil viability. Antishiitake IgE was not detected, and antishiitake IgG increased in two responders. Gastrointestinal symptoms coincided with eosinophilia in two subjects. Symptoms and eosinophilia resolved after discontinuing shiitake ingestion. Conclusions: Daily ingestion of shiitake mushroom powder in five of 10 healthy persons provoked blood eosinophilia, increased eosinophil granule proteins in serum and stool, and increased gastrointestinal symptoms. Shiitake ingestion suggests a model to study the eosinophil's role in the blood and gastrointestinal tract. Finally, our report raises concerns of possible adverse systemic reactions to this increasingly popular food.(J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;101:613-20.)
Cervical spine mechanics as a function of transection of components

Knowledge of the biomechanics of the spine following injury is essential to the surgeon in his management of patients. However, there is not much information available on the alterations of the biomechanics after injury. This experiment was performed to collect basic information, with the purpose of establishing thresholds of stability of the cervical spine under normal physiologic loads. Seventeen motion segments of the human cervical spine were studied. (A motion segment consists of two adjacent vertebrae and the interconnecting soft tissues.) A constant load of 25 per cent of the body weight was applied to the upper vertebra while the lower vertebra was fixed. Various ligaments, the intervertebral disc, and facet joints of the motion segment, here referred to as components, were dissected in two predetermined patterns: anterior to posterior or posterior to anterior. The load was applied to simulate flexion or extension. Motion was measured in the sagittal plane at each stage of the component transection. Results were plotted for rotation and horizontal translation of the upper vertebra—as function of transection of the components. In general, the elastic deformation was small, even when a majority of the components were sectioned. Failure was sudden and there was no consistent pre-failure phase. These in vitro studies have provided accurate information, which is clinically useful in predicting stability of the motion segments as a function of ligament, disc and facet transection.
Drunkenness in the Context of Political Culture: The Case of Russian Revolutions

The historian can provide quite a different explanation, other than the currently held views, for the emergence of the Red Terror in 1918.
Kupffer cells play a major role in insulin-mediated hepatic glucose uptake in vivo.

Summary The effect of insulin on the in vivo glucose utilization by different hepatic cells was investigated using the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp, combined with the 2-deoxyglucose tracer technique. Rats were infused with insulin at a rate of 2.8 or 9.0 mU/min/kg for 220 min, resulting in plasma concentrations of the hormone of about 80 μU/ml and 340 μU/ml, respectively. Glucose use by the whole liver was elevated by more than 200 % following insulin. However, glucose uptake by the parenchymal cells was only elevated by 50–60 %. By contrast nonparenchymal cells were more responsive to insulin. Glucose uptake by endothelial cells was increased 100 % and Kupffer cells displayed the most marked response to insulin showing a 3- to 6-fold increase in glucose uptake. These data indicate that the sinusoidal nonparenchymal cells are the major sites of the insulin-mediated increased glucose utilization by the liver.
Methane emissions from an anaerobic swine lagoon

Abstract Gaseous methane (CH4) emissions from a swine waste holding lagoon were determined periodically during the year. Micrometeorological techniques were used in order that emission rates from the lagoon were measured under ambient conditions with little disturbance to the natural environment. During the cold winter measurement period, CH4 fluxes were linearly related to lagoon water temperature below 22°C (r=0.87). During warmer measurement periods, both water and air temperatures and windspeed affected emissions rates. In general, flux rates followed a diurnal pattern with greater fluxes during the day when both temperature and windspeed were greatest. Mathematical models using air and water temperature and windspeed factors could explain 47 to 75% of the variation in fluxes. Daily emission rates ranged from 1 to 500 kg CH4 ha−1 d−1. The average flux for the year was 52.3 kg CH4 ha−1 d−1 which corresponded to about 5.6 kg CH4 animal−1 yr−1 from the primary lagoon.
C/V curves for gate-controlled diodes in silicon on sapphire

Experimental C/V curves are presented for gate-controlled diodes in silicon on sapphire and are analysed with a numerically implemented model, which shows the effects of a fixed layer of charge at the silicon-sapphire interface.
Spurious Velocities in Doppler Radar Data Caused by a Moving Antenna Feedhorn

Abstract Modern Doppler weather radars use clutter filtering to reduce the strength of ground targets and enhance the detection of meteorological echoes. WSR-88D [NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar) and TDWR (Terminal Doppler Weather Radar)] radars, for example, will automatically reject up to 50 dB of signal from stationary targets. Clutter rejection operates on the assumption that the targets to be rejected are really stationary. This assumption is correct for all true ground targets. Unfortunately, these targets are detected by radars using moving antennas. The design of these antennas usually places the feedhorn of the antenna some distance from the center of azimuthal rotation of the antenna. The WSR-88D, for example, has the feedhorn 4.78 m from the center of azimuthal rotation. One consequence of this design feature is that there is a relative motion between the feedhorn and stationary ground targets, which introduces a radial velocity that depends upon the distance from the feedhorn to axis of rotation...
General soil-landscape distribution patterns in buffer zones of different order streams.

Abstract Understanding landscape and soil distribution patterns in buffer zones along a stream network in a watershed can improve riparian zone management and the representation of soil-landscape parameters in watershed modeling. We analyzed landscape features and soil properties within a 300-m buffer zone of different order streams in a large agricultural watershed (the East Mahantango Creek Watershed) located in the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province in Pennsylvania, USA. The mean elevation displays an obvious decreasing trend downstream, and increases gradually with the distance away from the streams. Within the buffer distance of approximately 75 m, buffer zone's mean slope shows a rapid increase regardless of stream order; however, it starts to decrease after 75 m in the 1st to 3rd order stream buffers, but continues to increase in a more gradual manner in the 4th and 5th order stream buffers. Agricultural land area percentage increases by 10–25% from near stream area to about 100 m buffer, and becomes nearly the same in 100–300 m buffer zone. The opposite trend holds for forested land area in all stream buffer zones. The 1st to 2nd order stream buffers have 12–28% greater agricultural land area percentage and 0.45–1 m shallower soil depth than the 3rd to 5th order stream buffers, suggesting that the headwater areas in the study watershed are important in preventing nonpoint source pollution due to the more intensive agricultural land use and potential erosion in headwater catchments. The distributions of soil properties in the buffer zones are consistent with the observed landscape patterns. The top two soil layers (approximately A and B horizons) in the 0–100 m buffer zones of the 1st and 2nd order streams generally display a greater clay content and a higher bulk density, but a lesser organic matter content and a lower available water capacity, than those in the similar buffer zones of the 3rd to 5th order streams. Beyond the 100 m buffer distance and in the third layer of the soil profiles (approximately C horizons), the soil properties examined in all stream buffer zones become less distinguishable. With a few exceptions, soil clay content and bulk density increase with increasing buffer distance (particularly within 0–100 m range), while organic matter content and available water capacity decrease with buffer distance. Such patterns reflect the impacts from the landscape features, fluvial processes, and land use in the Ridge and Valley Physiographic region. The results of this study, though maybe specific to the watershed studied, suggest that soil and landscape distribution patterns along stream networks are helpful to guide riparian zone management and nonpoint source pollution prevention in agricultural watersheds.
Hypogonadotropic secondary amenorrhea in diabetes: Effects of central opiate blockade and improved metabolic control

The effect of improving diabetic control on secondary hypogonadotropic amenorrhea was investigated in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Second, the hypothesis that increased central (hypothalamic) opiate inhibition may have been responsible for the suppression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was tested by observing the effect of a four-hour naloxone infusion (1.4 mg/hour) on serum gonadotropin levels. All known causes of secondary amenorrhea were excluded before patients were eligible for the study. The median duration of amenorrhea was six years, and median body weight was 101 percent of ideal. After six months of improved metabolic control (n = 5) using intensified conventional therapy or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, the level of glycosylated hemoglobin dropped from 11.8 +/- 0.9 percent to 8.5 +/- 0.5 percent (p less than 0.005), and body weight increased from 60.5 +/- 1.8 kg to 64.7 +/- 1.4 kg (p less than 0.02). Menses did not, however, return in any patient. There was no significant change in serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, dihydroxyepiandrosterone, testosterone, prolactin, basal or GnRH-stimulated luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone. There was no change in the levels of luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone during the naloxone infusion either during poor metabolic control or after six months of improved metabolic control. In conclusion, a form of secondary hypogonadotropic amenorrhea was identified in patients with IDDM that did not remit with sustained improvements in metabolic control. It did not appear to be mediated through increased central opiate tone.