cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of prostaglandin synthesis on renal function and renin in the dog

THERE is considerable evidence for an interrelationship between the prostaglandin and renin–angiotensin systems in the kidney. Infusion of angiotensin II into the renal arteries of dogs and rabbits releases a vasodilator prostaglandin-like material into the renal vein1–4. It also seems that prostaglandins (PGs) induce renin release in the kidney. Riley and his coworkers5,6 infused PGE1 in to the dog renal artery and observed increases in plasma renin activity (PRA) of renal vein blood and in renin secretion. Elevated PRA was observed in blood from the inferior vena cava, just above the entrance of the renal vein, after aortic infusions of PGE1 (ref. 7) and infusion of PGE1 and PGA1 in to the stenosed renal arteries of hypertensive dogs, caused an elevation of renal vein renin8. PGE2 was shown to stimulate renin release in a rabbit renal cortex cell suspension9. Indomethacin decreased the PRA of normal and hypertensive rabbits10,11, and prevented the elevation of PRA in rabbits with glycerol-induced acute renal failure12. In contrast, however, Vander13 infused both PGE1 and PGE2 into the dog renal artery and failed to observe an effect on renin output.
An evolutionary algorithm for some cases of the single-source constrained plant location problem

An evolutionary algorithm for some instances of the single-source capacitated plant location problem encodes candidate solutions in two permutations, one of plant locations and a second of customers, with an integer that indicates the number of open locations. A greedy decoder identifies the solution such a genotype represents, and the EA searches for good solutions using only selection and mutation. In tests on 36 problem instances, the EA is competitive with a recent algorithm, though two superficially promising heuristic extensions do not improve its performance. The results support the general effectiveness of permutation codings in EAs that search for optimum subsets.
Fatigue Performance of Stiffened Pole-to-Base Plate Socket Connections in High-Mast Structures

AbstractFatigue performance of stiffened pole-to-base plate socket connection in high-mast lighting structures was evaluated by experimental and analytical studies. In absence of sufficient experimental data, constant amplitude fatigue limit (CAFL) of longitudinal stiffener terminations on pole walls is classified as Category E′ in the existing American Association of State Highway and Transpiration Officials (AASHTO) specification. Fatigue performance of this connection in the thin-walled tubular structures is controlled by localized secondary bending stress, the magnitude of which depends on the relative stiffness of the connecting elements. Ten full-size high-mast specimens having stiffened socket connection were tested under constant amplitude reversal loading to determine the fatigue resistance of this connection in finite and infinite life regimes. The specimen design was optimized by parametric finite-element analysis (FEA) and local stress approaches. FEA results were verified by conducting static...
Fatal Massive Cerebral Air Embolism in a Lung Transplant Patient

Introduction Massive air embolism has been described in multiple clinical scenarios, especially in critical ill patients who undergo invasive procedures. Nevertheless, air embolism is often unrecognized and a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose this entity. Two previous cases of air embolism in lung transplant patients have been described in the literature; we describe a third case of fatal massive air embolism and cardiovascular collapse in a lung transplant patient.
Spectral Analysis and Archival of NSTX Data Using a High Speed Digitizer

Digitally speaking, things have sped up considerably since the introduction of CAMAC in 1969. Although CAMAC is still very much alive and well as a workhorse in the physics research laboratory community, more and more physicists and engineers have been turning to commercially available, computer-based digitizers for their sampling needs. Increases in sampling rates and bandwidth have allowed us to use one such digitizer in acquiring National Spherical Taurus (NSTX) data here at PPPL. This paper will highlight some of the engineering design techniques employed in putting this card to use
Surface modification methodologies for polycrystalline alumina: effects on morphology and frictional coefficients

Several methodologies of surface modifications were applied to polycrystalline alumina (PCA) samples to study their effects on surface morphology and frictional coefficients. Modified surfaces were first tested in a specially designed frictional apparatus against wires of stainless steel (SS) and beta-titanium (β-Ti) alloys and then evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Techniques included ion implantation of chromium ions (Cr+), ion beam assisted deposition of diamond-like carbon (DLC), coatings of gamma-irradiated polymers (PEO), and electroless nickel plating of a composite material of polytetrafluoroethylene dispersed in a nickel phosphorus matrix, Niflor NT® (NF). Implanting ions into the bulk material had no effect on surface morphology. Although covering the surface, the DLC coating mimicked the underlying topography. The coatings of PEO and NF obliterated and smoothed over the normally rough and faceted PCA surfaces. When compared to control samples, neither the Cr+ or DLC process reduced the friction normally seen against SS and β-Ti wires. When tested in both the dry and wet states, the PEO coated samples retained their traditional levels of frictional resistance. Only the composite material, NF, successfully reduced the friction when compared with controls. Although this composite coating is not recommended for oral use, the results show that simply smoothing over the rough surface is inadequate for friction reduction; the surface must somehow also be made lubricious.
Impact of Social Work Spirituality Courses on Student Attitudes, Values, and Spiritual Wellness

This paper describes the development and evaluation of two courses in spirituality offered at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The courses have been offered for the last three years and an evaluative instrument, the Spiritual Wellness Inventory (SWI), was utilized as a pre- and post-test for each class. Results showed a significant increase in five dimensions of spiritual wellness and will be described in detail.
DOMAIN GROWTH IN COMPRESSIBLE 2D ISING MODELS UNDERGOING PHASE SEPARATION

High precision Monte Carlo simulations are used to study domain growth in a compressible two-dimensional spin-exchange Ising model with continuous particle positions and zero total magnetization. For mismatched systems, we measure significant deviations from the theoretically expected late-time domain growth, R(t) = A + Btn with n = 1/3. For a compressible model with no mismatch, we measure only a slight deviation from n = 1/3. Our results indicate that our current understanding of domain growth is incomplete.
The dependence of butyl branch density on slow crack growth in polyethylene: Kinetics

When the density of n-butyl branches in an ethylene–hexene copolymer increases from 0 to 4.6 butyls/1000 C, the rate of slow crack growth decreases by a factor of 104 . The activation energy for the process is nearly independent of branch density and is about 120 kJ/mol. It is the number of tie molecules and whether they are pinned that control the rate of crack growth which involves the disentanglement of the fibrils in the craze. Branching increases the number of tie molecules by decreasing the lamella thickness, while the branches pin some of the tie molecules to prevent them from sliding through the crystal or other points of entanglement.
Inducible syncope in anorexia nervosa: two case reports.

Objective Syncope is a potentially dangerous symptom of anorexia nervosa that is usually attributed to bradycardia, dehydration, or hypoglycemia. Methods This study describes two adolescents, one male and one female, with recurrent self-induced syncope associated with isometric exercise. Results In one patient, Holter monitoring showed that isometric exercise led to increasing bradycardia followed by asystolic pauses accompanied by presyncopal symptoms. Discussion We hypothesize that inducible syncope in these two patients is due to increased vagal tone and baroreceptor sensitivity. Physicians should be aware that patients with anorexia nervosa may be able to induce syncope with isometric exercise and that this potentially dangerous behavior needs to be addressed during treatment. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 359–362, 2004.
Biologically plausible speech recognition using spike-based phase locking cues

A biologically plausible algorithm is proposed for phoneme recognition that makes use of spikes for computation. The prototype system is demonstrated on voiced phonemes and shows competitive performance with state-of-the-art systems on a vowel dataset in the presence of noise. Using novel phase locking cues, the algorithm performs surprisingly well down to SNR values as low as 5dB, where the performance of the baseline algorithm used for comparison drops considerably. These results suggest, not only a possible explanation for the extreme noise robustness of human recognition, but also a novel technique for information processing for speech signals with computers.
Tetralogy of Fallot. The spectrum of severity in a regional study, 1981-1985.

• The combined medical and surgical mortality rate for 125 infants with tetralogy of Fallot registered in the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study from 1981 to 1985 was 28% (mean age at follow-up for living infants, 40 months). Despite early diagnosis and successful early repair in many infants, significant risk factors for death included pulmonary atresia, major additional cardiac anomalies, major noncardiac malformations, low birth weight, and prematurity. There is a wide spectrum of severity, ranging from infants with isolated tetralogy and no risk factors who have an excellent prognosis to infants with three or more risk factors and a high probability of neonatal death. Further treatment advances will improve outcome in some, but not all, infants. A regional all-inclusive study of a specific cardiac defect can define research and treatment challenges not obvious from selected clinical series. (AJDC. 1992;146:121-124)
A simple converse for broadcast channels with additive white Gaussian noise (Corresp.)

Sets of achievable rates for the additive white Gaussian noise broadcast channel have been found by Cover [1] for channels with two outputs and generalized by Bergmans [2] to channels with any number of outputs. In this correspondence, we establish a simple converse showing the optimality of these sets of achievable rates. The proof is made simple by use of special properties of the Gaussian channel.
Solution of three-dimensional supersonic flowfields via adapting unstructured meshes

Abstract Solution adaptive mesh refinement in three-dimensions on unstructured Delaunay meshes was used to solve the Euler equations for two supersonic flows. One case was uniform flow past a wedge within a channel, producing a shock wave and its reflection off a wall of the channel. The other case incorporated a similar geometry but with an inviscid rotational boundary layer as an inlet condition. This flow was used to model a swept shock wave/boundary layer interaction.
Elimination of residual RNase activity from purified preparations of RNA-directed DNA polymerase.

Abstract Preparations of RNA-directed DNA polymerase purified from RNA tumor viruses by standard methods generally contain trace amounts of single-stranded RNA endonucleolytic activity detectable only by relatively sensitive methods. This contaminating RNase activity has been found to be completely inhibited when RNA-directed DNA polymerase reactions are carried out in the presence of low concentrations of bentonite. Under these conditions, only minimal inhibition of the DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of the RNA-directed DNA polymerase was observed.
Line strengths of 12C16O2: 4550–7000 cm−1

Abstract Line positions and strengths of 12 C 16 O 2 were measured between 4550 and 7000 cm −1 using near infrared absorption spectra recorded at 0.01–0.013 cm −1 resolution with the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer located at the National Solar Observatory at Kitt Peak, Arizona. These were retrieved from 42 laboratory spectra obtained at room temperature with five absorption cells having various optical path lengths (from 0.1 to 409 m) filled with natural and enriched samples of CO 2 at pressures ranging from 2 to 581 Torr. In all, band strengths and Herman–Wallis-like F -factor coefficients were determined for 58 vibration–rotation bands from the least-squares fits of over 2100 unblended line strengths; strengths of 34 of these bands had not been previously reported. Band strengths in natural abundance generally ranged from 3.30 × 10 −20 to 2.8 × 10 −25 cm −1 /molecule cm −2 at 296 K. It was found that the high J transitions ( J ′ ⩾ 61) of the 20012 ← 00001 band centered at 4977.8347 cm −1 are perturbed, affecting both measured positions and strengths. Two other interacting bands, 21113e ← 01101e and 40002e ← 01101e, were also analyzed using degenerate perturbation theory. Comparisons with corresponding values from the literature indicate that absolute accuracies better than 1% and precisions of 0.5% were achieved for the strongest bands.
Korea and Its Futures: Unification and the Unfinished War.

Korea and Its Futures: Unification and the Unfinished War. Roy Richard Grinker. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998. ix + 316 pp., tables, photographs, notes, references, index.
WATCHING MOLECULES CROWD : DNA DOUBLE HELICES UNDER OSMOTIC STRESS

Simultaneous measurements on the packing and energetics of high-density liquid crystalline DNA phases show that the crowding of long DNA polyelectrolytes at ever increasing concentrations is accomplished through straightening of the random coils that the double helix assumes in dilute solution. X-ray scattering by ordered phases reveals that the local straightening of the molecules is also accompanied by their progressive immobilization and confinement within the molecular 'cages' created by neighboring molecules. These effects can be clearly observed through the measured energies of DNA packing under osmotic stress and through the changes in structural and dynamic characteristics of X-ray scattering from DNA in ordered arrays at different concentrations. The character of the confinement of large DNA motions for a wide range of DNA concentrations is dominated by the soft potentials of direct interaction. We do not see the power-law variation of energy vs. volume expected from space-filling fluctuations of molecules that enjoy no interaction except the hard clash of steric repulsion. Rather, in highly concentrated DNA mesophases we see a crowding of molecules through electrostatic or hydration repulsion that confines their movements and positions. This view is based on directly measured packing energies as well as on concurrently measured structural parameters while the DNA double helices are condensed under an externally applied osmotic pressure.
Locking profile of diamond-shaped particles of all aspect ratios

Abstract The locking profile describes the frequency distribution of locked particles that contain a specific volume fraction of one of the phases in a two-phase ore or material. Previously this profile has been derived only for spheres. The derivation for the case of diamond-shaped particles, which approximate the comminuted fragments of many ores more closely than spheres, demonstrates that the locking profile is deeply U-shaped, with nearly 28% of the locked particles having less than 1% of one of the phases in them. The Ferrara point, which describes the frequency distribution for particles exactly halfway between the two phase densities, has a value of 1 3 , which is significantly different from the value of 2 3 for spheres.
Polyisobutylene-supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium catalysts

Abstract This paper describes how the nonpolar polymer polyisobutylene (PIB) can be used as a handle to prepare PIB-bound NHC ligands that are soluble in monophasic mixtures of mixed solvents but phase separable when such solvent systems are perturbed to be biphasic. The results here show that such PIB-bound NHC ligands can be used to synthesize useful palladium catalysts. In this paper, both PIB-bound analogs of an N , N ′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl) heterocyclic carbene and simpler N , N ′-dialkyl heterocyclic carbene ligand were prepared and were successfully used to form palladium cross-coupling catalysts. The reactivity, recycling and reusability of these catalysts has been examined.
Assessing the differences in distance of interstate migration, 1980.

Abstract Distance is an integral dimension of migration; yet, in recent years, ignored in migration research except as a control variable. This study examines distance of 1975–80 interstate migration and several explanations for the relations between distance and characteristic of migrants and locations. While earlier research provides only a few findings to replicate, the literature is replete with suggestions concerning the relation between distance and both areal and individual characteristics. These include that distance represents transportation costs, psychic costs — e.g., separation from family and friends and cultural dissimilarity of areas — intervening opportunities and competing migrants, geographic scope of labor market and diminishing information about opportunities. Observations are individual records from the 1980 one-in-ten-thousand PUMS files. The sample is restricted to nonblack, noninstitutionalized head of households, age 25 to 64 in 1980. Respondents must be civilians and residing in ...
Numerical Investigation of Canard-Controlled Missile with Planar and Grid Fins

Viscous computational fluid dynamic simulations were used to predict the aerodynamic coefficients and flowfield around a generic canard-controlled missile configuration in supersonic flow. Computations were performed at Mach 1.5 and 3.0, six angles of attack between 0 and 10 deg, with 0- and 10-deg canard deflection, and with planar and grid tail fins, for a total of 48 cases. Validation of the computed results was demonstrated by the very good agreement between the computed aerodynamic coefficients and those obtained from wind-tunnel measurements. Visualizations of the flowfield showed that the downwash off of the canards produced a low-pressure region on the starboard side of the missile that, in turn, produced an adverse side force. The pressure differential on the leeward fin produced by the interaction with the canard trailing vortices is primarily responsible for the adverse roll effect observed when planar fins are used. Grid tail fins improved the roll effectiveness of the canards at low supersonic speed. Flow visualizations from the simulations performed in this study help in the understanding of the flow physics and can lead to improved canard and tail fin designs for missiles and rockets.
Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: current mechanism and futuristic needs

Mechanisms for the generation of hydrocarbon and oxygenate products from synthesis gas using the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis are presented. The data generated to date indicate that, while there are similarities between iron and cobalt catalytic synthesis mechanisms, the details differ. For the iron catalyst, it is concluded that an oxygenate mechanism is more appropriate in light of today's data. While less mechanistic data for the cobalt catalyst are available, it appears that a surface carbide mechanism is a better choice.
Oral Medicine: A Handbook for Physicians

An area of medicine that is frequently overlooked, often misunderstood, and potentially goes undertreated or untreated when signs and symptoms arise is pathology of the oral cavity and associated structures. In both ambulatory and hospital settings, diseases, dysfunction, and trauma of the teeth; periodontal tissues; bony elements; soft tissue structures; and salivary glands provide diagnostic challenges to the treating physician when she or he does not possess a thorough understanding of oral anatomy as well as oral medicine. In June 2008, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in collaboration with the American Dental Education Association, understanding the deficiencies in oral medicinethattraditionalmedicalschoolcurriculacontain,publishedareportofanexpert panelaspartoftheMedicalSchoolObjectivesProjectentitled,“ContemporaryIssuesin Medicine:OralHealthEducationforMedicalandDentalStudents.” 1 Thiswasanattempt to highlight and close the gaps in knowledge that exist in those who will be called on to evaluate the diseases of and related to the oral cavity in the practice of medicine. In this issue of the Medical Clinics of North America, Dr Stoopler, Dr Sollecito, and colleagues present nine articles that also attempt to reduce this knowledge gap by emphasizing the normal anatomy, common anatomic variations, as well as relevant orofacial pathology that can be applied to our comprehensive care of the medical patient.
The dilution of an undersea sewage cloud by salt fingers

Abstract A qualitative experiment is described showing that when sewage effluent is released from an undersea diffuser to form a submerged cloud salt fingers will form at the interface between the top of the cloud and the ocean water above. Calculations based on previous laboratory experiments show that in a typical practical example the flux through the interface due to the fingers may cause substantial dilution to an effluent cloud during the time that it drifts from the site of the diffuser towards the coast.
The effect of particle microstructure on the somatostatin release from poly(lactide) microspheres prepared by a W/O/W solvent evaporation method

Somatostatin acetate-containing poly(lactide) microspheres were prepared by a W/O/W multiple emulsion solvent evaporation method. The resulting microspheres were characterized with respect to encapsulation efficiency, drug release and morphological properties (scanning electron microscopy). The addition of various buffers (pH 2.2, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0) or salts (NaCl or CaCl2) to the internal aqueous and/or external aqueous phase affected the osmotic pressure gradient between the two aqueous phases and the solvent/ water flux during the microsphere formation. Addition to the internal aqueous phase promoted the influx of water from the external aqueous phase. This resulted in more porous microspheres. Reversing the osmotic pressure gradient by adding salts to the external aqueous medium resulted in the formation of a dense and homogeneous polymer matrix. Intermediate structures were obtained through variations in the salt concentration gradient. The drug release profiles consisted of a rapid drug release phase followed by a slow release phase. The initial peptide release from the microspheres could be controlled through changes in the microstructure of the microspheres, with the peptide being released faster from the more porous microspheres. Lower encapsulation efficiencies were obtained with the more porous microspheres.
The effects of strategy instructions and memory on concept attainment

One hundred twenty S s attained three conjunctive concepts under varying conditions of strategy instructions and memory aids. The hypothesis under test was: the conservative focusing strategy facilitates concept attainment performance by reducing the strain on the S 's memory. This hypothesis was tested in a factorial design with independent groups in which two variables were manipulated: strategy instructions, present or absent; and memory aid, present or absent. Support for the hypothesis was evidenced by an interaction. Strategy instructions were related to performance only when there was no memory aid.
Pre-resonance Raman spectra of adriamycin

Abstract Pre-resonance Raman spectra have been obtained for aqueous solutions of adriamycin. All bands are attributable to the anthracycline chromophore and are vibrations coupled to the first (20,800 cm −1 ) electronic transition of the molecule. Both ring modes and vibrations of the carbonyl, hydroxy and methoxy substituents are observed.
Strains in Magnetically Aligned Collagen Scaffolds as Determined by Displacement-Encoded MRI

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in a broad range of tissues, including ligament, cartilage, and bone. Collagen-based tissue constructs, including those with defined fibril alignment, have shown considerable potential for repair and regeneration of diseased collagen-rich tissues [1,2], where fibril ultrastructure of constructs emulate the native tissue counterpart. Magnetic alignment of collagen is an established method to control fiber orientation without undesirable changes in molecular stability and structure [5]. To date, studies concerning the magnetic alignment of collagen have shown the ability of fibril alignment to drive preferential cell growth characteristics [6]. While the bulk mechanical characteristics due to alignment has been investigated in our laboratory (data not shown), the mechanical strain throughout the interior of the scaffolds has not been investigated. Knowledge of internal strains is required to determine the degree that fiber alignment affects spatiotemporal mechanics of microenvironments within the collagen structures. Spatially-dependent mechanics, which could be tailored based on unique fabrication methods that control fibril alignment in three dimensions, would be expected to directly influence local cell-matrix interactions.© 2012 ASME
A Proposed Algorithm for Moisture Fluxes from Atmospheric Rivers

Abstract A new algorithm is applied to study water vapor fluxes in the troposphere using wind and moisture data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The fluxes are divided into filamentary structures known as tropospheric rivers and what are termed here broad fields. The results show that the tropospheric rivers may carry essentially the total meridional transport observed in the extratropical atmosphere but may occupy only about 10% of the total longitudinal length at a given latitude. The transient fluxes in traditional studies do not catch the filamentary structures completely and may therefore underestimate the fraction of transport assigned to moving systems, as well as omitting the geographical concentration. The mean flow and eddy fluxes evaluated by the new algorithm are considered to be more physically realistic.
Design of terahertz tunable filter using subwavelength metallic slit arrays

A high quality tunable filter at terahertz frequencies has been designed using subwavelength metallic slit arrays. The bandpass center frequency is tunable over the range of 0.592THz to 0.994THz. Tunning is achieved by relative vertical movement of the subwavelength metallic slit layers.
Aliasing probability transients

Test data reduction for digital systems is often accomplished through the use of a feedback shift register. This method, known as signature analysis, can exhibit error masking or aliasing. Recent analysis has shown that the use of a primitive polynomial for the register feedback can reduce the probability of aliasing. In this work we demonstrate that not all primitive polynomials are created equal. Some primitive polynomials can have very large transients in their aliasing probability. For example, 1 +X13 +X33 can exhibit an aliasing probability more than a million times larger than its asymptotic value of 2−33. An evaluation procedure is presented which can identify polynomials with good transient characteristics. Some recommended feedback polynomials are given.
High-throughput Bayesian network learning using heterogeneous multicore computers

Aberrant intracellular signaling plays an important role in many diseases. The causal structure of signal transduction networks can be modeled as Bayesian Networks (BNs), and computationally learned from experimental data. However, learning the structure of Bayesian Networks (BNs) is an NP-hard problem that, even with fast heuristics, is too time consuming for large, clinically important networks (20--50 nodes). In this paper, we present a novel graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated implementation of a Monte Carlo Markov Chain-based algorithm for learning BNs that is up to 7.5-fold faster than current general-purpose processor (GPP)-based implementations.The GPU-based implementation is just one of several implementations within the larger application, each optimized for a different input or machine configuration. We describe the methodology we use to build an extensible application, assembled from these variants, that can target a broad range of heterogeneous systems, e.g., GPUs, multicore GPPs. Specifically we show how we use the Merge programming model to efficiently integrate, test and intelligently select among the different potential implementations.
A comparison of tests of homogeneity for sparse contingency tables

Five tests of homogeneity for a 2x(k+l) contingency table are compared using Monte Carlo techniques. For these studiesit is assumed that k becomes large in such a way that thecontingency table is sparse for 2xk of the cells, but the sample size in two of the cells remains large. The test statistics studied are: the chi-square approximation to the Pearson test statistic, the chi-square approximation to the likelihood ratio statistic, the normal approximation to Zelterman's (1984)the normal approximation to Pearson's chi-square, and the normal approximation to the likelihood ratio statistic. For the range of parameters studied the chi-square approximation to Pearson's statistic performs consistently well with regard to its size and power.
Real-time monitoring of recombinant bacterial proteins by mass spectrometry.

Genetically altered bacteria manipulated to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used in an investigation of real-time monitoring for recombinant protein expression in cell by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). A significant advantage to whole cell MALDI MS is its ability to analyze bacterial cultures without pretreatment other than concentration. This paper describes the simultaneous analysis of overexpressed GFP recombinant Escherichia coli JM101 by MALDI-TOF MS and standard fluorescence measurements. Cells were harvested from liquid culture media during a 12 h GFP induced expression cycle to demonstrate the feasibility of near real-time monitoring of induced protein expression. The results show that although MALDI MS is not as sensitive as fluorescence measurements, expression levels of the targeted protein can easily be determined. Data available only through MALDI MS measurements reveal the presence of both native GFP and GFP-(histidine) 6 proteins. Additionally, biochemical processes not yet fully understood are observed in the presence and absence of ribosomal protein constituents. Thus, the work presented here demonstrates the ability of MALDI MS to monitor and characterize in real time the expression of targeted and unexpected genetically recombinant proteins in active cell cultures.
Social dynamics drive selection in cooperative associations of ant queens

Social dynamics, the emergent effects of interactions within structured groups, play a key role in shaping social phenotypes and fitness. We examined the potential positive and negative effects of social dynamics in simple groups, by creating social groups of harvester ant queens with 2 alternate nest-founding strategies, solitary versus cooperative. We compared social interactions, survival, and nest productivity of pairs containing queens from the cooperative founding population, the normally solitary founding population, or mixed pairs of the 2 types. Expressed social phenotypes of queens in pairs depended strongly on the lineage of the other queen. Two behaviors, aggression and brood care, showed simple social dynamical effects. Aggression escalated in pairs of normally solitary queens, whereas queens in cooperative pairs coordinated brood output, leading to more efficient worker production. These dynamics had context-based fitness consequences, such that cooperative queens gained a survival advantage in cooperative pairs, but neither type of queen experienced an advantage or disadvantage in “mixed” associations. The interplay between social dynamics and fitness in these associations provides an empirical example of social selection. It captures a likely scenario of the transition to and the early evolution of cooperative living, in which cooperative individuals interact with solitary individuals who lack a priori strategies for cooperation or cheating.
Persistent mobility deficit in the absence of deficits in activities of daily living: A risk factor for mortality

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the extent to which self-reported mobility deficit in the absence of impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) is associated with elevated mortality risk. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study, with annual assessments of mobility and ADL status and ongoing monitoring of vital status. SETTING: Population-based cohort drawn from Medicare enrollees in New York City. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand two hundred ninety-eight older adults reporting functional status at baseline (1992–1994) and 2 years later. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects reported mobility (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, and rising from a chair) and ADL (e.g., bathing, toilet use, dressing, grooming, and feeding) limitations. Two-year functional status trajectories were noted. We used two additional follow-up periods, at 2 and 4 years, to examine the likelihood that older people with mobility deficit may face an increased risk of death without first passing through a state of enduring ADL disability. RESULTS: At 2 years, 12.7% had incident mobility deficit without ADL disability, and 21.3% were persistently disabled in mobility without ADL disability. Relative to subjects free of disability at baseline and follow-up, risk of mortality in the incident mobility deficit group was elevated at 2 and 4 years but did not achieve statistical significance. By contrast, for subjects with persistent mobility impairment who did not report ADL impairment, the mortality risk was significantly elevated both at 2 years (relative risk (RR) = 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–5.7)) and 4 years (RR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.7–4.9)) of follow-up. Mortality was significantly elevated in this group in analyses restricted to respondents with no or only one comorbid condition. CONCLUSION: Continuing, self-reported mobility impairment in the absence of ADL deficit is a risk factor for mortality. Older people with self-reported mobility deficit face an increased risk of mortality without first passing through enduring states of ADL disability. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1539–1543, 2001.
Nitrogen-Induced Nanocrystallinity of CVD Diamond Films on Ti-6Al-4V Alloys

Microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was used to grow nanocrystalline diamond films by adding nitrogen to a high density plasma defined by a high operating pressure (125 Torr) and high methane feedgas concentration (15% in a balance of hydrogen). Films grown at these conditions but without nitrogen exhibited well-faceted, high phase purity crystalline diamond while those grown with added nitrogen showed a nanocrystalline structure and were an order of magnitude smoother. The nitrogen-induced nanocrystalline films are believed to be comprised predominantly of diamond nanocrystallites in a matrix of tetrahedral amorphous carbon. The films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, grazing-angle x-ray diffraction, surface profilometry, nano-indentation, electron microscopy, and pin-on-disc tribometry. In contrast to standard CVD conditions, the high density plasma results in adhered films on Ti-6AI-4V substrates even at substrate temperatures of 850°C. We present plasma optical emission spectroscopy results which are correlated with changes in the Raman spectra and the film microstructure. The hardness of the films (∼90 GPa), their low rms surface roughness (27 nm), and their good adhesion to the substrate makes these films potentially useful for tribological applications.
Efficacy of the gnrh agonist deslorelin acetate for inducing ovulation in mares relative to age of mare and season

Summary Deslorelin acetate (Ovuplant™, Fort Dodge), a GnRH agonist, is commonly used to induce ovulation in cycling mares. Although its efficacy in hastening ovulation has been previously reported, the effects of age of mare and month of administration on percent of mares responding and interval to ovulation have not been studied. Data was gathered from reproduction records of 376 mares receiving deslorelin acetate at the Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Colorado State University, from 1995 to 1999. Age of mare, date of administration, size of largest follicle at treatment, and interval to ovulation were recorded. Age of mare was categorized into five groups: 2–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–19, and greater than or equal to 20 years. Date of administration was divided into four groups: March and April, May and June, July and August, and September and October. A higher (p Deslorelin acetate was more effective in inducing ovulation in the July and August (95.4%) (p
L Stent for Stomal Stenosis in Catheterizable Channels

Purpose: Stomal stenosis in patients with catheterizable channels can be a difficult problem that is managed by surgical revision or dilation. The L stent is a short, knotted catheter that lies flush with skin. The stent is used for any stomal narrowing, typically overnight for several days. The stent bridges the area of stenosis without passing into bowel or bladder lumen. We assessed whether the L stent is effective for preventing and managing stomal stenosis.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with catheterizable channels. A telephone survey and chart review were done to identify patients who required an L stent and those with stomal stenosis. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with Likert scale questions.Results: We identified 50 patients with a total of 66 catheterizable urinary and enteric channels. Eight patients with a total of 11 (17%) affected stomas had stomal stenosis. Seven of 8 patients used the L stent for management and 100% reported improvement in st...
Revealing Writing, Concealing Writers: High-Stakes Assessment in an Urban Elementary Classroom

Drawing on the combined theoretical lenses of positioning theory and academic literacies, this article presents case studies of four children from one urban classroom, two of whom scored at or above proficient on the large-scale writing assessments required by their district and state and two of whom scored below. Using criteria from state rubrics, we closely analyzed the writing products children produced for high-stakes assessments and classroom writing projects as well as drew on a range of qualitative data to contextualize children’s writing within the complex relationships with writing observed across the school year. Our findings suggest test scores may be inaccurate or highly malleable based on relations between the features of the writing children produced, students’ identities as writers and preferred practices, quirks of the testing context, and arbitrary features of the test itself. Indeed, our analyses found that some children’s test scores misrepresented their capabilities as demonstrated in ...
Two-photon absorption studies in rare-earth-doped fibers for sensing infrared radiation

Two-photon absorption phenomena are useful for the generation of short wavelength radiation. When the same atom absorbs IR and visible photons it generates uv/visible energy. Such two-photon absorption phenomena in certain rare-earth ion doped materials have been implemented in our laboratory. The importance of these studies in fibers will be discussed. Infrared quantum counter studies in Eu, Tb, Ho, Er, and Pr doped fibers are proposed for future work.
Protein Phosphatase Type 1 Directs Chitin Synthesis at the Bud Neck in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast chitin synthase III (CSIII) is targeted to the bud neck, where it is thought to be tethered by the septin-associated protein Bni4. Bni4 also associates with the yeast protein phosphatase (PP1) catalytic subunit, Glc7. To identify regions of Bni4 necessary for its targeting functions, we created a collection of 23 deletion mutants throughout the length of Bni4. Among the deletion variants that retain the ability to associate with the bud neck, only those deficient in Glc7 binding fail to target CSIII to the neck. A chimeric protein composed of the septin Cdc10 and the C-terminal Glc7-binding domain of Bni4 complements the defects of a bni4Delta mutant, indicating that the C-terminus of Bni4 is necessary and sufficient to target Glc7 and CSIII to the bud neck. A Cdc10-Glc7 chimera fails to target CSIII to the bud neck but is functional in the presence of the C-terminal Glc7-binding domain of Bni4. The conserved C-terminal PP1-binding domain of mammalian Phactr-1 can functionally substitute for the C-terminus of Bni4. These results suggest that the essential role of Bni4 is to target Glc7 to the neck and activate it toward substrates necessary for CSIII recruitment and synthesis of chitin at the bud neck.
Phospho-specific flow: fixating on the target.

Targeted therapies are all the rage in oncology research these days. The problem remains as to how to confirm that the target is actually being hit in vivo. This report describes the application of phospho-specific flow cytometry to establish in vivo target inhibition in real-time.
A coronal magnetic field model with horizontal volume and sheet currents

When globally mapping the observed photospheric magnetic field into the corona, the interaction of the solar wind and magnetic field has been treated either by imposing source surface boundary conditions that tacitly require volume currents outside the source surface or by limiting the interaction to thin current sheets between oppositely directed field regions. Yet observations and numerical Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) calculations suggest the presence of non-force-free volume currents throughout the corona as well as thin current sheets in the neighborhoods of the interfaces between closed and open field lines or between oppositely directed open field lines surrounding coronal helmet-streamer structures. This work presents a model including both horizontal volume currents and streamer sheet currents. The present model builds on the magnetostatic equilibria developed by Bogdan and Low and the current-sheet modeling technique developed by Schatten. The calculation uses synoptic charts of the line-of-sight component of the photospheric magnetic field measured at the Wilcox Solar Observatory. Comparison of an MHD model with the calculated model results for the case of a dipole field and comparison of eclipse observations with calculations for CR 1647 (near solar minimum) show that this horizontal current-current-sheet model reproduces polar plumes and axes of corona streamers better than the source-surface model and reproduces polar plumes and axes of corona streamers better than the source-surface model and reproduces coro nal helmet structures better than the current-sheet model.
Differential Diagnosis of Asthma in Children Bronchial Asthma, Occult Asthma, and Pseudoasthma

Fewer aspects of pediatric medicine give greater credence to the cliche that children are not simply small adults than a consideration of the problem of the differential diagnosis of the wheezing and/or coughing infant or young child. In order to fully understand the continuing difficulties associated with accurately diagnosing asthma in this age group, it is necessary to first briefly review those anatomic and physiologic characteristics unique to infants and toddlers that make this task more precarious than at any other age.
Iterative Sentence-Pair Extraction from Quasi-Parallel Corpora for Machine Translation

This paper addresses parallel data extraction from the quasi–parallel corpora generated in a crowd-sourcing project where ordinary people watch tv shows and movies and transcribe/translate what they hear, creating document pools in different languages. Since they do not have guidelines for naming and performing translations, it is often not clear which documents are the translations of the same show/movie and which sentences are the translations of the each other in a given document pair. We introduce a method for automatically pairing documents in two languages and extracting parallel sentences from the paired documents. The method consists of three steps: i) document pairing, ii) sentence pair alignment of the paired documents, and iii) context extrapolation to boost the sentence pair coverage. Human evaluation of the extracted data shows that 95% of the extracted sentences carry useful information for translation. Experimental results also show that using the extracted data provides significant gains over the baseline statistical machine translation system built with manually annotated data. Index Terms: data extraction, comparable data, machine translation
A Low Power Tunable Delay Element Suitable for Asynchronous Delays of Burst Information

A low-energy delay element based on a thyristor-like circuit is proposed that is suitable for concatenation in dense arrays in order to delay narrowly spaced burst timing information with accompanying data bits. Handshaking is built into the cell to ensure no information is lost. There is no static power dissipation aside from leakage and the energy consumption is not a function of the achieved delay. A design fabricated in a UMC 90 nm CMOS process has delays from 5 ns to 1 mus, as tuned through an analog input port, require an energy consumption of 50 fJ/delay event with a supply voltage of 1 V.
Childbirth education, maternal attitudes, and delivery.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a childbirth education program (patterned after the Lamaze procedure) on maternal attitudes and the delivery process. Dependent variables included anxiety as measured by the anxiety scale of the IPAT, scores on the Maternal Attitudes to Pregnancy Inventory (MAPI), the duration of labor, and the amounts of premedication and anesthesia administered during delivery. Three groups of pregnant women were used as subjects: 70 primiparous and 48 multiparous women taking a 6 week childbirth education course and 41 multiparous women delivering at the same hospitals but not taking the course. In addition the data on labor duration and amount of medication administered to 1,400 multiparous and 1,015 primiparous patients delivering at one of the same hospitals as the other three groups were examined for comparison purposes. No differences were found between groups on the anxiety measure or on duration of labor. Some differences favoring women who had the childbirth education course were found on the MAPI and the medication and anesthesia measures. It was concluded that the childbirth education course had some beneficial effects.
Measurement of the bottom quark production cross section using semileptonic decay electrons in pp̄ collisions at √s =1.8 TeV

We present measurements of the bottom-quark production cross sections in pp\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} collisions at \ensuremath{\surd}s =1.8 TeV. From the inclusive electron production rate, we have determined the bottom-quark production cross sections to be 1010\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}270, 168\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}43, 37\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 nb for the rapidity range of \ensuremath{\Vert}${\mathit{y}}^{\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\Vert}1.0 and the transverse momentum ranges of ${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{T}}^{\mathit{b}}$g15, 23, 32 GeV/c, respectively. In addition, from the associated electron-${\mathit{D}}^{0}$ production rate, we have determined the bottom-quark cross section to be 364\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}80(stat)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}95(syst) nb for \ensuremath{\Vert}${\mathit{y}}^{\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\Vert}1.0 and ${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{T}}^{\mathit{b}}$g19 GeV/c.