cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of p66Shc suppresses oxidative damage in retinal pigmented epithelial cells and retina

The largest isoform of the Shc adapter protein, p66Shc, has been implicated in oxidative damage-induced apoptosis in vital organs, because mice deficient in p66Shc have a 30% increase in life span and are resistant to the lethal effects of systemically administered paraquat, a source of severe oxidative damage. In this study, we utilized siRNA directed against the CH2 domain of Shc, to reduce p66Shc, but not p52Shc nor p46Shc in retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE cells deficient in p66Shc had reduced susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Compared to control cells, those with reduced p66Shc had increased basal and oxidative stress-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity, increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, and less generation of reactive oxygen species when challenged with H2O2. The increase in oxidative stress-induced NF-κB activity was mediated by activation of ERK. Compared to eyes injected with GFP siRNA, those injected with p66Shc siRNA showed less loss of retinal function as assessed by electroretinograms from paraquat-induced oxidative stress. These data suggest that p66Shc and molecular signals involved in its regulation provide therapeutic targets for retinal degenerations in which oxidative-damage plays a major role, including age-related macular degeneration and cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 996–1005, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The transition between sharp and diffusive wetting fronts as a function of imbibing fluid properties.

The efficiency of one fluid displacing another in a permeable medium depends on the pore-scale dynamics at the main wetting front. Experiments have shown that the frontal dynamics can result in two different flow regimes: a sharp and a diffuse front. In the sharp front regime, the displacing fluid occupies nearly all the pores and throats behind the main wetting front and the saturation changes abruptly. In contrast, in the diffuse front regime, pores are filled gradually at the main wetting front, and the saturation change is gradual in space. The different fronts can greatly alter the relative permeability curves, the trapping mechanisms, and the displacement efficiency. Directly measuring the sharpness of the front is difficult. Instead, we correlated the front sharpness to saturation overshoot, which occurs for moderate- to high-flux vertical displacements of low-density fluid by a higher density fluid in one-dimensional, homogenous, permeable media. We hypothesized that the sharpness of wetting front can be explained by competition between two different pore-filling mechanisms (called snap off and piston like ), with the competition controlled by the velocity of the front and thus the injected flux. We conducted a series of infiltration experiments to determine the saturation profile as a function of flux for seven different fluids. We found that for each fluid there is a flux (called overshoot flux ) below which saturation overshoot ceases and the front is diffuse. We found that the overshoot flux depends inversely on the invading fluid9s viscosity and shows little or no dependence on the invading fluid9s surface tension, vapor pressure, or miscibility with water.
Active Na+ and Cl− transport by the isolated chick chorioallantoic membrane☆

Abstract Unidirectional Na+ and Cl− fluxes across 15–18-day chick chorioallantoic membranes were determined in vitro using the short-circuit technique of Ussing and Zerahn 6. In the absence of an electrochemical gradient across the membrane, the observation of any net ion movement indicates the existence of an active transport process. In the normal chorioallantoic membrane both Na+ and Cl− were found to be actively transported from ectoderm to endoderm. The observed short-circuit current could be fully accounted for by their algebraic sum. Upon removal of the acellular inner shell membrane from the ectodermal side of the chorioallantoic membrane, the direction of net Na+ transport reversed and net Cl− transport was abolished. The short-circuit current of these stripped membranes was nearly 3 times greater than the normal membranes and could not be entirely accounted for by the observed active Na+ transport. It is suggested that the active Cl− transport site resides in the ectodermal cells and that there exist two opposing active Na+ mechanisms presumably located in the ectodermal and endodermal layers, respectively.
Differential cholinergic activation of G proteins in rat and mouse brainstem: relevance for sleep and nociception.

Murine models are increasingly used for investigations of sleep, yet no previous studies have characterized cholinergic activation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) in mouse brainstem nuclei known to regulate sleep. This study used in vitro [(35)S]guanylyl-5'-O-(gamma-thio)-triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) autoradiography to test the hypothesis that muscarinic cholinergic receptors activate G proteins in C57BL/6J (B6) mouse brainstem. The nuclei studied are homologous to those known in rat and cat to modulate sleep and nociception. In B6 mouse, carbachol significantly increased specific binding of [(35)S]GTPgammaS in the pontine reticular nucleus, caudal part (79%); pontine reticular nucleus, oral part (131%); laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (56%); pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (86%); dorsal raphe nucleus (53%); dorsal medial periaqueductal gray (54%); and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (52%) when compared with basal binding. Carbachol-induced G protein activation was concentration-dependent and blocked by atropine, demonstrating mediation by muscarinic receptors. G protein activation by carbachol was heterogeneous across B6 mouse brainstem nuclei. Comparison of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding between mouse and rat revealed different magnitudes of G protein activation in the pontine reticular formation. In the same pontine reticular formation area of B6 mouse where in vitro treatment with carbachol activates G proteins, in vivo microinjection of cholinomimetics causes a rapid eye movement sleep-like state. These data provide the first direct measurement of muscarinic receptor-activated G proteins in B6 mouse brainstem nuclei known in other species to regulate sleep.
The requirement of reductant for in vitro biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase.

A source of reductant is routinely added to the in vitro iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) synthesis assay, although a requirement for reductant has not been established. This report demonstrates that the addition of reductant to the in vitro FeMo-co synthesis system is not required when Azotobacter vinelandii cell-free extract is prepared in buffer that lacks added reductant. The addition of reductant is required, however, if the A. vinelandii cell-free extract is chemically oxidized prior to addition to the assay. These results might suggest that extracts of A. vinelandii contain a physiological source of reductant that functions in the in vitro synthesis of FeMo-co. It is possible that the proteins required for FeMo-co biosynthesis (e.g. NIFNE and dinitrogenase reductase) are at the appropriate redox state to function in the in vitro reaction in the extract that is free of added reductant but not in the chemically oxidized extract. It is also possible that dinitrogenase reductase and/or NIFNE (both Fe-S proteins required for FeMo-co synthesis) might catalyze the reductant-dependent reaction for FeMo-co synthesis. Dithionite, Ti(III) citrate, and NADH are able to serve as the source of reductant for in vitro FeMo-co biosynthesis.
Analysis of dispersion effects and non-thermal equilibrium, non-Darcian, variable porosity incompressible flow through porous media

Abstract The present work involves the numerical simulation of forced convective incompressible flow through porous media, and the associated transport processes. A full general model for the momentum equation was employed. The mathematical model for energy transport was based on the two-phase equation model which assumes no local thermal equilibrium between the fluid and the solid phases. The investigation aimed at a comprehensive analysis of the influence of a variety of effects such as the inertial effects, boundary effects, porosity variation effects, thermal dispersion effects, validity of local thermal equilibrium assumption and two dimensionality effects on the transport processes in porous media. The results presented in this work provide detailed yet readily accessible error maps for assessing the importance of various simplifying assumptions which are commonly used by researchers.
Pretreatment with EDU decreases rat lung cellular responses to ozone.

Abstract The phenylurea compound EDU (N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolindinyl)ethyl]-N′-phenylurea) has been shown to protect plants from the damaging effects of ozone exposure. Models of rat lung injury, based on acute exposure to 2 ppm ozone for 3 hr and on exposure to 0.85 ppm ozone for 2 days, were used to determine whether EDU pretreatment of rats protected lungs from oxidant injury. Rats were pretreated with 100 mg/kg body wt EDU by ip administration for 2 days prior to and on the days of ozone exposure. No adverse toxicological effects of EDU pretreatment were observed. Lung superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly enhanced from 636 to 882 U/lung and from 599 to 856 U/lung, respectively. One day following acute exposure (2 ppm for 3 hr), an ozone-induced increase of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from 0.01 to 1.18 million cells/lung was decreased to 0.68 million by EDU pretreatment. No alteration occurred in the degree of lung permeability indicated by increased lavage fluid albumin. EDU pretreatment also significantly decreased ozone-induced increases in PMN recovery after 2 days exposure to 0.85 ppm ozone from 5.54 to 2.12 million cells/lung. However, in this second case, EDU pretreatment reduced the observed ozone damage, indicated by a decrease in lavage fluid albumin and by a decrease in the macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration associated with this length of ozone exposure. The observation that EDU-treated cultured pulmonary arterial endothelial cells increased SOD and CAT activities identified a potential lung site of EDU interaction. These data demonstrated that although EDU pretreatment appears not to prevent initial ozone damage, it does reduce the infiltration of PMNs and might therefore prevent amplification of the injury associated with this cell type.
Spectroscopic properties of spinach catalase

Abstract Spinach catalase (hydrogen-peroxide: hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.6) has been purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme has a specific activity of 25 000 units per mg protein. The presence of 2-mercaptoethanol and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) were required for high yields of the enzyme. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 125 000 by gel filtration. Subunit analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed a single peptide with M r 55 000. The enzyme, which exhibits optical absorbance maxima at 279, 403, 542, 592 and 723 nm and shoulders at 290, 500 and 630 nm, contains 2 mol iron per mol protein. One of the two irons can be attributed to protoheme, while the other iron appears to be present in a novel heme. The oxidized catalase exhibited two sets of high-spin, ferriheme EPR signals.
An objective rating form to evaluate grant proposals to the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health: a pilot study of implementation.

The lack of support for mental health–related projects by private philanthropy, even among those that express an interest in mental health, is due in large part to the subjectivity of the grant review process. To address this problem, Whaley, Rodriguez, and Alexander developed the Grant Proposal Rating Form (GPRF) to make the grant review process more objective at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The purpose of the current study is to establish the ecological validity of the GPRF by a pilot study of its implementation in the actual grant review process of the foundation. The overall results of this pilot study did not yield consistently favorable psychometric outcomes as the original study by Whaley et al. The implications of these results are discussed.
Effects of contour sharpness and check-size on visually evoked cortical potentials.

Abstract Averaged evoked cortical potentials were obtained from S s as they viewed three checkerboard stimulus patterns (checks subtended 12, 20 and 46 min visual angle) through a series of ophthalmic lenses (+6D to −6D). The checkerboards appeared to vary in sharpness of focus under these conditions. Two components of the evoked cortical potential are very sensitive to the sharpness of focus and to the size of the checks in the visual display, a negative one with a latency of 90–100 msec and a positive one with a latency of 180–200 msec. The amplitude of both components decreased as diopter settings were increased and the visual patterns became degraded. The late component was particularly sensitive to check-size under normal viewing conditions. The results suggest that it is possible to determine refractive error by observing the changes in these two components when a stimulus pattern is viewed through a series of lenses.
Social network effects on the adoption of agroforestry species: Preliminary results of a study on differences on adoption patterns in Southern Ecuador

Abstract A case study in South Ecuador serves as an example to understand the dynamics of adoption of agroforestry species. Qualitative research shows that there are potential differences in adoption between two ethnic groups. The adoption rate of Saraguro communal leaders may be an indicator of lower contagion than Mestizo-colonos. Thus, we propose a heterogeneous diffusion model that addresses network exposure effects and a generalized blockmodel for relational data analysis. We hypothesize that Mestizo-colonos have higher adoption rate than Saraguros. The Saraguro indigenous group may have lower access to the information necessary for the adoption of the innovation than Mestizo-Colonos.
Mechanical changes in squid giant axons associated with production of action potentials

Abstract The action potential of squid giant axons is accompanied by a quick and small swelling, about 0.5 nm in displacement of the surface, and about 1 dyne/cm 2 in pressure increase.
Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Flavonoids from the Stems of Tephrosia toxicaria

A new butenylflavanone, (2S)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-[(E)-3-oxo-1-butenyl]flavanone (1), and a new rotenoid, 4‘,5‘-dihydro-11,5‘-dihydroxy-4‘-methoxytephrosin (2), as well as three active flavonoids of previously known structure, isoliquiritigenin (3), genistein (4), and chrysoeriol (5), along with nine known inactive compounds, α-toxicarol (6), sumatrol, 6a,12a-dehydro-α-toxicarol, 11-hydroxytephrosin, obovatin, marmesin, lupenone, benzyl benzoate, and benzyl trans-cinnamate, were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stems of Tephrosia toxicaria, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells to monitor chromatographic fractionation. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. All isolates were evaluated for their potential cancer chemopreventive properties utilizing an in vitro assay to determine quinone reductase induction. Selected compounds were tested in a mouse mammary organ c...
Compressible plasma flow over a biased body

Abstract : The flow field of a compressible plasma over a biased body is discussed with special emphasis on the electrical characteristics. The governing equations in various asymptotic regions are investigated. A stagnation point probe theory, because of its great practical interest, is given in detail. An analytic current-voltage characteristic is obtained for this case under the assumption of a very thin electrical sheath.
Teachers and teacher-education: A view from the People's Republic of China

Abstract Providing an introduction to teachers and teacher-education in the People's Republic of China, this report describes the life of teachers in China; explains the necessity of strengthening teacher-education programs; details recent attempts to remedy China's ‘teacher crisis’; and illustrates the changing social and political status of teachers since 1949
H-33 -A histocompatibility locus to the left of the H-2 complex

Another minor histocompatibility locus, calledH-33, was found on chromosome 17. This locus was revealed by skin graft experiments between BALB/c and a new congenic strain, BALB.TTF.
Drug Control Policy and Smuggling Innovation: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

Noncooperative game theory has been proposed as a research tool to be used in the study of criminal decision-making processes. Despite this offering, game theory has enjoyed very little attention f...
An experimental investigation of the influence of agentic and communal Facebook use on grandiose narcissism

Abstract Does activity on a social networking site (e.g., Facebook) increase grandiose narcissism? It was hypothesized that the type of activity (agentic vs. communal) might make a difference. In the first experiment, 88 males were randomly assigned to one of three computer activity conditions (agentic Facebook activity, communal Facebook activity, control computer activity). In the second experiment a larger and more diverse sample ( N = 218) engaged in agentic, communal, or control activities either on a computer or not, in order to assess the impact of medium as well as thinking type. In both experiments, self-reported daily Facebook activity was correlated with narcissism. However, the experimental manipulation of agentic vs. communal Facebook use did not significantly increase state narcissism, as indicated by synthesizing the findings of the two experiments. The findings cast doubt on the notion that social networking site use promotes narcissism, though additional research on the topic is warranted.
Recycling of membrane proteins during endo- and exocytosis in amoebae

The fate of a membrane protein of the amoeba plasmalemma was studied by means of 125I iodination by lactoperoxidase, gel electrophoresis, radioautography and gamma counting. There was only one iodinatable polypeptide group with a molecular weight (MW) of 175 000 on the external surface of the plasmalemma. Two hours or more after induced phagocytosis, isolated phagolysosomal membranes contained two other smaller polypeptides with MWs of 70 000 and 35 000, respectively, suggesting that the 175 000 polypeptide was broken down to these smaller components during endocytosis. After 22 h of induced phagocytosis, isolated plasmalemma contained a 35 000 polypeptide group in addition to the 175 000 polypeptide species. The results suggested that some of the iodinatable membrane proteins were altered and recycled during endo- and exocytosis in amoebae, while others were recycled intact.
Axial Heat Conduction in Counter Flow Microchannel Heat Exchangers

This paper analyzes the effect of axial heat conduction on the thermal performance of a balanced counter flow microchannel heat exchanger. The ends of the wall separating the coolants are subjected to the mixed-boundary condition. Analytical equations were developed for predicting the axial temperature of the fluids and the wall as well as the effectiveness of the fluids. Moreover, equations for determining the heat transferred between the heat exchanger and its surroundings have been provided in this paper. The effectiveness of the fluids depended on the NTU, axial heat conduction parameter, manifold fluid temperatures and Biot numbers (of the manifolds). By varying the Biot number the model presented here can be used for designing a MCHXCF with Dirichlet, Neumann or mixed boundary condition at the ends of the wall separating the coolants. At very low values of Biot number the end walls act as if they are insulated. At these values of Biot numbers the effectiveness of the fluids degraded with increase in axial heat conduction parameter for a particular NTU. At very high values of Biot number the end walls assume a temperature that is close to the temperature in the manifold. At high values of Biot number the effectiveness of the fluids can either improve or degrade depending on the manifold temperatures. Moreover, the model developed in this paper has been verified using existing models that consider either adiabatic or isothermal condition at the end walls.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Production and use of radioactive 7Be beams

Abstract A beam of 7 Be 4+ ions having E = 20.7 MeV and intensity 1.5×10 4 s −1 has been produced via the 1 H ( 10 B, 7 Be) 4 He reaction. The beam had an energy resolution of 1.0 MeV FWHM, 1 cm spot size, and 3° angular divergence. The effect of a z -moveable secondary stop on beam purity was investigated. A 7 Be 4+ ion beam of E = 15.2 MeV, intensity 5×10 3 s −1 , and similar energy resolution and emittance characteristics was produced via 12 C( 3 He, 7 Be) 8 Be reaction. The maximum feasible 7 Be secondary beams from these two reactions are extrapolated to be 5×10 5 s −1 , respectively. Elastic scattering data for 7 Be from Au and C targets are presented as an example of the use of this radioactive beam in secondary scattering experiments.
Liver disease in Australia-antigen-positive blood-donors.

Abstract 25 of the 47 Australia (Au) antigenpositive donors identified in the screening of 20,304 units of blood have been evaluated for evidence of liver disease. Only 3 of the 25 donors evaluated may be totally free of evidence of liver disease, and none of these 3 had a liver biopsy done. The remaining 22 donors all showed some evidence of liver disease ranging from minimal histological evidence of present or past hepatitis to chronic aggressive hepatitis. These results indicate that a substantial proportion, perhaps the majority, of Au-antigenpositive blood-donors will have liver disease.
Development of a homologous radioimmunoassay for secreted hamster prolactin.

AbstractA specific and sensitive homologous radioimmunoassay has been developed for secreted hamster prolactin. Hamster serum and pituitary extracts showed parallel dilution-response curves with hamster prolactin. The sensitivity of the assay ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 ng/ml, and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 6 and 10%, respectively. Additionally we have demonstrated that the rat prolactin radioimmunoassay kit distributed by the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases is an inadequate method for the measurement of hamster prolactin.
A note on algebraic independence of logarithmic and exponential constants

This paper gives a corollary to Schanuel's conjecture that indicates when an exponential or logarithmic constant is transcendental over a given field of constants. The given field is presumed to have been built up by starting with the rationals Q with π adjoined and taking algebraic closure, adjoining values of the exponential function or of some fixed branch of the logarithmic function, and then repeating these two operations a finite number of times.
Trouble in the Backyard: Soviet Media Reporting on the Afghanistan Conflict

Une analyse qualitative de la couverture par les medias sovietiques des evenements d'Afghanistan de 1979 a 1986 montre que plusieurs themes familiers ― depuis les guerillas impopulaires jusqu'a la securite nationale ― sont utilises pour justifier la presence sovietique en Afghanistan. La comparaison avec la couverture par les medias americains de la guerre civile au Salvador, fournit un parallele troublant
Anomalous cardioregulator innervation in certain individuals of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

Several individuals within a population of crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) were found to have within their cardio-accelerator nerves not one but two accelerator axons and one inhibitory axon. The effects of stimulation of the new inhibitory axons are identical with those of the regular inhibitory axon present in the inhibitory nerves. Their action is blocked by picrotoxin. The new inhibitory axons are not branches of the regular cardio-inhibitor neurons, but represent processes of separate nerve cells.
Differentiation of delayed rectifier potassium current in embryonic amphibian myocytes

The developmentally regulated expression of prolonged outward potassium currents influences the extent to which sustained inward currents contribute to the action potential at early stages of differentiation. In amphibian spinal neurons, the long duration and calcium dependence of the embryonic action potential and the amount of calcium influx are largely determined by the extent of maturation of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKv). We have undertaken a parallel study of differentiation of myocytes, in which action potentials are brief and sodium-dependent even at early stages. The early expression of electrical excitability in embryonic amphibian myocytes growing in culture has been examined previously using intracellular voltage recording techniques. The membrane exhibits a delayed rectification in response to depolarization at times earlier than those at which impulses can first be generated. We have examined the differentiation of this outward current in embryonic myocytes developing in vitro, using whole cell voltage clamp. IKv is initially absent. When first recorded it is small and slowly activating but undergoes sixfold increases in both density and rate of activation during the first day in culture. This maturation is dependent upon transcription, and both rate and density are influenced by the presence of other cell types. The large amplitude of the outward delayed rectifier prevents expression of long duration action potentials.
Right Temporal Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia: A Clinical Introduction

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative syndrome that results in changes in personality, behavior, and language. The right temporal variant, a relatively under-studied and...
Geographical distribution of global greening trends and their climatic correlates: 1982–1998

We examined trends in vegetation activity at the global scale from 1982 to 1998 using a recently developed satellite‐based vegetation index in conjunction with a gridded global climate dataset. Vegetation greening trends were observed in the northern high latitudes, the northern middle latitudes, and parts of the tropics and subtropics. Temperature, and in particular spring warming, was the primary climatic factor associated with greening in the northern high latitudes and western Europe. Temperature trends also explained greening in the US Pacific Northwest, tropical and subtropical Africa, and eastern China. Precipitation was a strong correlate of greening in fragmented regions only. Decreases in greenness in southern South America, southern Africa, and central Australia were strongly correlated to both increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation. Over vast areas globally, strong positive trends in greenness exhibited no correlation with trends in either temperature or precipitation. These a...
Corresponding states, complex mixtures and mixture models

Abstract A three parameter Generalized Corresponding States Principle (GCSP) which allows a choice of reference fluids is reviewed. When combined with a new set of mixing rules proposed here, the GCSP method is shown to lead to accurate calculations of vapor-liquid and vapor-liquid-liquid equilibria in mixtures containing paraffinic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and water. The new method is also shown to work well for asymmetric mixtures (i.e., mixtures of large and small molecules). Our studies have established the accuracy and utility of the method for complex mixtures not heretofore treated by the method of corresponding states.
The role of paleochannels in groundwater/seawater exchange

Relict fluvial channels that are infilled with high permeability sediments act as preferred pathways for groundwater flow and solute transport. In coastal regions, such paleochannels can provide a hydraulic connection between freshwater aquifers and the sea, facilitating saltwater intrusion landward or freshwater discharge offshore. Although paleochannels have been implicated in several instances of saltwater intrusion, there has been little direct study of these channels to confirm their role. In this work, simulation modeling of a general multi-layered, coastal-plain-aquifer setting indicates that when a paleochannel breaches a confining unit offshore, submarine groundwater discharge of intermediate salinity occurs. This discharge is largely concentrated along the margins of the channel. Conversely, seawater inflow occurs along the channel axis, resulting in higher salinity in the middle of the channel relative to the flanks. Chirp seismic and electromagnetic data collected offshore Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA, confirm these simulation results and indicate fresher porewater along channel flanks and slightly higher porewater salinity along the channel axis. Hence, paleochannels contribute to the spatial variability in submarine groundwater discharge by serving as conduits of focused fluid exchange. Simulations also reveal that the freshwater/saltwater transition zone is closer to land below paleochannels than in locations with a continuous confining unit. This indicates that such channels are likely to be significant modes of saltwater intrusion into confined aquifers when excess freshwater extraction occurs on land.
Stark broadening measurements of Al(III) doublet lines in dense and optically-thin laser plasmas.

Abstract Line emission profiles of doubly-ionized aluminium doublets at 360 and 570 nm are measured in a laser-produced plasma (ne = 0.2–1.6 × 1019 cm−3, kT = 3–8 eV) to study line broadening in dense and cold plasmas. The density and temperature of the plasma are measured independent of spectral measurements using interferometry, absorption and absolute emission diagnostics. Experimental line widths are obtained by least-squares fits to composite Lorentzian curves corresponding to both uniform slab approximation and integration over plasma density profiles. Comparisons with semi-empirical line width calculations agree to within experimental error of 20%.
Mineralogical characterization of a lignite gasification ash from a low-BTU fixed-bed gasifier II. Scanning electron microscope phase analysis

Abstract A lignite coal ash produced in a low-BTU fixed-bed atmospheric pressure gasifier has been studied by scanning electron microscopy using both imaging and chemical analytical techniques. The primary phases of the dominantly crystalline ash are CaMgNaAl-silicates (melilite, merwinite, two C 2 S phases including bredigite, and nepheline/carnegieite) and oxides (ferrite spinel, quartz, periclase, and hematite). Additional secondary phases (calcite, portlandite, brucite, thenardite, ettrigite, gypsum, and goethite) apparently formed by reaction with water or precipitation from solutions used in ash handling. The individual grains of ash proved to be variable in bulk composition and mineralogic content.
A system for computing neuromorphometry from magnetic resonance images

A new technique for the automated measurement of a variety of gross neuroanatomical structures (such as cerebral ventricles) is described. The system exploits the local statistical properties of dual-echo magnetic resonance images of the brain to produce a fully unsupervised classification of these images into a variety of tissue types. Following this, a simple region agglomeration procedure aggregates the segmented regions by class, and submits these regions to a computational-geometric analysis from which a wide variety of measures are derived.
The synthesis of substituted 1,5‐benzodiazepines

The synthesis of some substituted 1,5-benzodiazepines are described. The route is based on the reaction between 1,4-phenylenediamine and its derivative with crotonic acid or methacrilic acid.
What's in the News? Information Content of S&P 500 Additions

I investigate the information content of S&P 500 index changes by examining the price and volume reaction of the industry and size matched firms. Using a sample of S&P 500 additions between 1976–2001, I find a significantly positive price reaction, but no volume reaction, for the matching firms. In addition, the matching-firm price reaction is negatively related to the added firm's weight in its industry. These findings suggest that the index addition conveys favorable information about the added firm and its industry.
Relationship between singular vectors and transient features in the background flow

The relationships between singular vectors (SVs) and transient features in the background flow are examined through both composite techniques and case-studies. The SVs are derived using the NOGAPS forward and adjoint tangent models based on 48-hour forecasts during the NORPEX period. Composite results and case-studies both reveal significant spatial relationships between the SVs and transient features in the background flow. The SV perturbations often occur below distinctive high potential-vorticity (PV) features in the middle-to-upper troposphere. Case-studies reveal that the SVs propagate upward rapidly and have an impact on these PV features through the end of the optimization interval. In order to investigate how these small, initial perturbations have such a large impact on future development, the relationship between SVs and the quasi-geostrophic forcing is examined through the use of Q-vectors. The SV perturbations, while scaled to have a very small impact on the temperature and wind fields, have a very large impact on the mid-tropospheric Q-vectors. In contrast, the impact of the SV on the Q-vectors is negligible when added to an analysis field for which it is not optimal (e.g. the analysis field from another day). These findings establish a significant relationship between the SV perturbations and dynamically active regions in the middle troposphere, and point toward an integral link between SVs and upper-level PV precursors in synoptic development.
Alcoholism Treatment Programming: Historical Trends and Modern Approaches

Based on an investigation of the literature from 1951 to 1975, it can be generalized that alcoholism programs featuring multiple treatment components and dealing with a patient class of good prognosis might be expected to achieve a 50% success rate at l-yr follow-up, in contrast to programs with limited resources and poor-prognosis patients, which can expect a success rate of only 15%.
Empirical pattern recognition/expert system for molecular weight estimation of low resolution mass spectra

Abstract A fast, personal-computer based method of estimating molecular weights of organic compounds from low resolution mass spectra has been redesigned and implemented with a rule-based expert system. It has a sequential design with a pattern recognition classifier followed by filter and molecular weight estimator modules for each of six classes. The classes are nonhalobenzenes, chlorobenzenes, bromo- and bromochloroalkanes/alkenes, mono- and di-chloroalkanes/alkenes, tri-, tetra- and pentachloroalkanes/alkenes and unknowns. The classifier was derived from 106 NIST/EPA/MSDC reference spectra. The filters employ computed series of allowed molecular weights and selected base peaks for each class, except unknown, to reduce misclassification. Empirical linear corrections from the training spectra are applied to two mass spectral features, MAXMASS and HIMAX1, to yield estimates and lower limits to the molecular weights. Extensive testing of the system was conducted with 32 test, 99 randomly chosen and 37 field gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) spectra and results were compared to those from STIRS. The median absolute deviations from the true molecular weights of the test, random and field GC-MS spectra with the expert system were all 1 dalton (average 5.6, 7.3, 5.9 daltons, respectively). This approach also was evaluated with 400 spectra of volatile and nonvolatile compounds of pharmaceutical interest. The median and average absolute deviations from the true molecular weights of the 400 spectra were 2 and 10 daltons. Classification of the evaluation spectra, including many incomplete spectra, was very good with accuracies of 97 (test, random and pharmaceutical) and 95% (field GC-MS).
Late Cenozoic offsets on the offshore connection between the Fairweather and Queen Charlotte faults off southeast Alaska

Abstract Closely spaced seismic reflection profiles permit us to extend the onshore Fairweather fault across the continental margin off southeast Alaska to the Queen Charlotte fault. Evidence for Quaternary movement along this major plate boundary includes 20–40-m high sea-floor scarps, offset subsurface seismic reflectors, sea-floor bathymetry that indicates as much as 70 km of right-lateral offset in the last 1 m.y., 5–6 cm/yr of movement on the onshore Fairweather fault, and recorded seismicity along the fault. The Fairweather-Queen Charlotte fault system, similar in dimension to the San Andreas fault system, is a dextral transform fault that truncates the continental margin of North America. Much of the late Cenozoic motion between the Pacific and North American plates has been taken up along the fault system. The Fairweather-Queen Charlotte fault evolved to its present form after passage of the Yakutat block, the youngest of the allochthonous terranes that form southern Alaska.
The prediction of broadband shock-associated noise from dualstream and rectangular jets using RANS CFD

Supersonic jets operating off-design produce broadband shock-associated noise. Broadband shock-associated noise is characterized by multiple broadband peaks in the far-field and is often the dominant source of noise towards the sideline and upstream direction relative to the jet axis. It is due to large scale coherent turbulence structures in the jet shear layers interacting with the shock cell structure. A broadband shock-associated noise model recently developed by the authors predicts this noise component from solutions to the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations using a two-equation turbulence model. The broadband shock-associated noise model is applied to dualstream and rectangular nozzles operating supersonically, heated, and off-design. The dualstream jet broadband shock-associated noise predictions are conducted for cases when the core jet is supersonic and the fan jet is subsonic, the core jet is subsonic and the fan jet is supersonic, and when both jet streams operate supersonically. Rectangular jet predictions are shown for a convergent-divergent nozzle operating both over- and under-expanded for cold and heated conditions. The original model implementation has been heavily modified to make accurate predictions for the dualstream jets. It is also argued that for over-expanded jets the oblique shock wave attached to the nozzle lip contributes little to broadband shock-associated noise. All predictions are compared with experiments.
The Effects of Sugars Intake and Frequency of Ingestion on Dental Caries Increment in a Three-year Longitudinal Study

A three-year longitudinal study was carried out with a group of children, initially aged 11-15, residing in non-fluoridated rural communities in south-central Michigan. This report analyzes the relation between caries increment and consumption of sugars from all sources to see if accepted relationships have changed with the caries decline in the United States. There were 499 children who provided three or more 24-hour dietary recall interviews, and who received dental examinations at baseline and after three years. Caries increment averaged 2.91 DMFS over the three years, with 81% of new lesions on pit-and-fissure surfaces. Consumption of sugars from all sources averaged 156 g per day for males and 127 g per day for females, an average of 52 kg per person per year. Sugars constituted one-quarter of total caloric intake for both boys and girls, and the average number of eating occasions per day was 4.3. Children who consumed a higher proportion of their total energy intake as sugars had a higher increment of approximal caries, though there was little relation to pit-and-fissure caries. The average number of daily eating occasions was not related to caries increment, nor was the average number of sugary snacks (defined as foods with 15% or more of sugars) consumed between meals, but the average consumption of between-meal sugars was related to the approximal caries increment. When children were categorized by high caries increment compared with no caries increment, a tendency toward more frequent snacks was seen in the high-caries children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Renal response to hemodilution with albumin or crosslinked bovine hemoglobin : Role of nitric oxide

Abstract The decreased hematocrit that occurs with hemodilution leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance while venous return and cardiac output increase. We determined systemic and renal responses to hemodilution with a solution of albumin or a crosslinked hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (XLHb) and the effect of inhibition of NO synthesis on the responses to albumin. Clearance experiments were done on anesthetized rats to determine mean arterial pressure (MAP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), and sodium excretion before and after isovolemic exchange transfusion (2 ml per 100 gm body weight) with either (1) 5% albumin (n = 5), (2) 5% albumin plus Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 3.5 mg/kg; n = 6), or (3) 6% XLHb (n = 7) and after administration of L-NAME alone (n = 4). Hematocrit decreased similarly in all exchange groups (from 42 ± 1.0 to 29 ± 1.3). MAP decreased with albumin exchange, increased with LNAME, and remained unchanged with albumin+L-NAME or XLHb. GFR, ERPF, and renal blood flow increased while filtration fraction and renal resistance decreased with albumin exchange; responses were the opposite with L-NAME, and with albumin+L-NAME and XLHb these parameters remained approximately the same as control values. Red cell delivery decreased with L-NAME, albumin+L-NAME, and XLHb but remained at control levels with albumin. In conclusion, renal effects of decreased hematocrit can be offset by decreased NO availability. The similarity of results with XLHb and albumin+L-NAME is consistent with NO scavenging by hemoglobin. Increased renal vascular tone with XLHb limits oxygen delivery.
Intracranial cystic malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a child: sonographic and CT findings.

Primary intracranial cystic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is an extremely rare tumor with only 15 cases reported [1]. Only three cases of cystic intracranial MFH are found in the literature. We present the sonographic and CT findings in a child with such a lesion.
SIGWEB history project

This article provides a brief history of ACM SIGWEB with the intention of launching an organized project for collecting and archiving resources relevant to the history of the SIGWEB efforts. Documents and media of all types are welcome. SIGWEB was founded prior to the World Wide Web but has evolved in parallel with it. A historical archive documenting the role of SIGWEB will be an invaluable resource for researchers and students interested in hypertext and Web technologies of the past that will affect a future Web. All SIGWEB members are encouraged to review their professional files for potential contributions. In addition, longtime members are encouraged to provide personal reflections and/or oral histories.
Kidney Transplantation Under a Tolerogenic Regimen of Recipient Pretreatment and Low-Dose Postoperative Immunosuppression With Subsequent Weaning

Objective: The purpose of this work was to perform kidney transplantation under a regimen of immunosuppression that facilitates rather than interferes with the recently defined mechanisms of alloengraftment and acquired tolerance. Background Data: In almost all centers, multiple immunosuppressive agents are given in large doses after kidney transplantation in an attempt to reduce the incidence of acute rejection to near zero. With the elucidation of the mechanisms of alloengraftment and acquired tolerance, it was realized that such heavy prophylactic immunosuppression could systematically subvert the clonal exhaustion-deletion that is the seminal mechanism of tolerance. In addition, it has been established that the rejection response can be made more readily treatable by pretransplant immunosuppression. Consequently, we conducted kidney transplantation in compliance with 2 therapeutic principles: recipient pretreatment and the least possible use of posttransplant immunosuppression. Methods: One-hundred fifty unselected renal transplant recipients with a mean age of 51 ± 15 years and multiple risk factors had pretreatment with approximately 5 mg/kg of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin) in the hours before transplantation, under covering bolus doses of prednisone to prevent cytokine reactions. Minimal posttransplant immunosuppression was with tacrolimus monotherapy to which steroids or other agents were added only for the treatment of rejection. At or after 4 months after transplant, spaced-dose weaning from tacrolimus monotherapy was begun in patients who had exhibited a satisfactory course. Results: One-year actuarial patient and graft survival was 97% and 92%, respectively. Although the incidence of early acute rejection was 37%, only 7% required prolonged treatment with any agent other than tacrolimus. After a follow-up of 6 to 21 months, the mean serum creatinine in patients with functioning grafts is 1.8 ± 1.0 mg/dL. Seventy-three percent of the patients met the criteria for spaced weaning. Although rejection episodes occasionally required restoration of daily treatment, 94 (63%) of the 150 patients currently receive tacrolimus in spaced doses ranging from every other day to once a week. Conclusions: With this approach to immunosuppression, it has been possible to avoid early posttransplant overimmunosuppression and thereby to promote the evolution of a degree of partial tolerance sufficient to undertake substantial dose reduction. The strategy, which is applicable for all organ grafts, constitutes a paradigm shift in transplant management at our center.
GABAB receptors and transmitter-stimulated cAMP accumulation in rat brain

Abstract Baclofen and other GABA B receptor agonists have little or no effect on cAMP production in rat brain slices. However, these agents potentiate the cAMP response occuring during exposure to norepinephrine, isoproterenol, histamine and adenosine. This interaction was apparent in only certain regions of the central nervous system. In contrast with neurotransmitter receptor stimulants GABA B agonists inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP production. These results suggest that GABA B receptor activation influences neurotransmitter-stimulated second messenger production by modifying some component of the cyclic nucleotide generating system.
Dispersion, mass transfer and chemical reaction in multiphase contactors: Part II: Numerical examples

A Numerical study, based on the theoretical developments of Part I of this series, has demonstrated that the chemical activity of a solute can have a significant effect on the convective dispersion behavior of multiphase reactors, and that the dispersion parameters estimated using inert tracers for the individual phases may not be representative of the parameters that should be used in the design of reactive systems. Moreover, the use of different transverse averaging procedures for the individual phases can give rise to additional interaction effects between the phases which are not accounted for in the traditional axial dispersion models. The predicted differences in dispersion parameter values depending on whether the solute is inert or not, are in qualitative agreement with published experimental results.