cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early changes due to sorghum biofuel cropping systems in soil microbial communities and metabolic functioning

Evaluation of biofuel production cropping systems should address not only energy yields but also the impacts on soil attributes. In this study, forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cropping systems were initiated on a low organic matter soil (<0.9 %) with a history of intensively tilled low-input cotton production in the semiarid Southern High Plains of the U.S. Sorghum cropping systems were evaluated in a split-plot design with sorghum cultivar as the main plot and the combination of irrigation level (non-irrigated and deficit irrigated) and aboveground biomass removal rate (50 % and 100 %) as the split plot. The sorghum cultivars used varied in yield potential and lignin content, which are important features for feedstock-producing crops. Within 1 year, the transition from long-term cotton cropping systems to sorghum biofuel cropping systems resulted in increased soil microbial biomass C (16 %) and N (17 %) and shifts in the microbial community composition as indicated by differences in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. Additionally, enzyme activities targeting C, N, P and S cycles increased 15–75 % (depending on the enzyme) after two growing seasons. Increased enzyme activities (16–19 %) and differences in FAME profiles were seen due to irrigation regardless of aboveground biomass removal rate. Biomass removal rate and the cultivar type had little effect on the soil microbial properties during the time frame of this study. Early results from this study suggest improvements in soil quality and the sustainability of sorghum biofuel cropping for low organic matter agricultural soils.
Effects of post-deposition heat treatment and hydrogenation on electrical conductivity of nanodiamond films

Abstract Effects of post-deposition hydrogenation on electrical conductivity of intrinsic and nitrogen doped nanodiamonds have been characterized. Nanodiamond films were deposited by means of microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition in gas mixtures of methane and argon with little or without hydrogen additives. For nitrogen doped nanodiamonds, nitrogen gas of varied flow rates was added to the gas mixture of methane and argon as a dopant. Electrical conductivity of as-grown nanodiamond films was measured by either (i) directly measuring the conductivity of a metal/nanodiamond/metal sandwich test structure or (ii) applying an electrical current through two terminals of a van der Pauw test structure while measuring the voltage across the other two terminals on corners of a nanodiamond film that was deposited on an electrically insulating surface of a substrate. The same measurement was repeated after subjecting the nanodiamond to a heat treatment and later repeated again after exposing the nanodiamond to hydrogen plasma. Effects of the heat treatment and the plasma hydrogenation on electrical conductivity of nanodiamond are reported and discussed.
Detergent toxicity: effects on esophageal and gastric mucosa.

(1975). Detergent Toxicity: Effects on Esophageal and Gastric Mucosa. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 399-404.
Digital Microfluidic Device for Hotspot Cooling in ICS Using Electrowetting on Dielectric

To meet the increasing demand of efficient cooling performance in small scale, this paper presents a digital microfluidics (DMF) microscale liquid cooling system which works on the principle of electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). In EWOD DMF, fluids are handled drop-wise by external electric field.When the dispensed liquid droplet arrives at the hotspot by EWOD DMF operation, it picks up heat and removes heat when it leaves. This process can be repeated for a series of droplets by using a completely automated LabVIEW controlled system connected to the PCB package. With the help of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film resistance temperature detectors (RTD) and pre-calibrated temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) data, the temperatures of the hotspot before and after the residence of liquid droplet (i.e., cooling) can be recorded for different frequencies (dwelling time period of droplet on the hotspot) of the drop motion and varying heater power. Future work will involve RTD resistance data collection to plot the heat flux and the temperature difference (before and after cooling) for different frequencies of drop motion.Although the primary focus is to study single phase cooling, the DI water drop will experience considerable evaporation resulting in higher cooling performance. The single phase cooling studies will help in establishing a robust platform for future two-phase cooling analysis in which evaporation effects will be considered.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Electrocardiogram and Spatial Vectorcardiogram of Localized Myocardial Hypertrophy

Diagnostic electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic manifestations of localized hypertrophy of the posterobasal portion of the left ventricle and of localized hypertrophy of the crista supraventricularis have been described. Recognition of the fact that only a portion of the myocardium may undergo hypertrophy is important in understanding certain types of electrocardiographic and spatial vectorcardiographic patterns. Several types of localized myocardial hypertrophy for which no characteristic electrocardiographic or spatial vectorcardiographic patterns have been described were also discussed. There is a need for further study of this problem, and, in particular, for detailed correlation of the necropsy data with the electrocardiogram and the vectorcardiogram.
Short-lived radioactivity induced in Ge(Li) gamma-ray detectors by neutrons☆

Abstract A number of low-energy transitions have been observed when a Ge(Li) detector is irradiated with neutrons having a broad spectrum of energies. Some of the transitions are from isomers produced by the neutron reactions on the germanium isotopes. Peaks at 53.53 and 66.59 keV are from 0.53 s 73mGe, 139.88 keV from 46 s 75mGe, and at 22.7, 175.2, and 197.91 keV from 21.9 ms 71mGe. The presence of these delayed transitions and those from other reactions can lead to misidentification of gamma rays in certain reaction studies since they are not broadened as are the peaks from inelastic neutron excitation. The half-lives of 71m, 73m, 75mGe have been determined to be (21.5±0.4)ms, (499±11) ms, and (45.8±3.1) s respectively.
Cerebral circulation during arteriovenous malformation operation.

The circulatory changes in the cortex around a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were studied in 18 patients. The AVMs had rapid circulation times with early draining veins on angiography. Local cortical blood flow (lCoBF) was measured with cortically applied thermister/Peltier stack arrays. The AVMs had a more pronounced effect on lCoBF at a 2- to 4-cm distance from the AVM margin than in the adjacent cortex. Mean preexcision lCoBF was 62.9 +/- 6.7 (SE) ml/100 g/minute (i.e., similar to normal controls) near the AVM margin and 43.0 +/- 4.2 ml/100 g/minute far (i.e., greater than 2 cm) from the AVM. CO2 reactivity (COR) before excision was 1.1 +/- 0.3 ml/100 g/minute/torr of CO2 (i.e., similar to normal controls) at near sites and 0.6 +/- 0.3 ml/100 g/minute/torr of CO2 at far sites. The mean postexcision near lCoBF remained stable at 55.8 +/- 5.1 ml/100 g/minute at near sites, but the far lCoBF significantly increased (P less than 0.05) to 57.2 +/- 6.8 ml/100 g/minute. The cortical feeding artery pressure was substantially below the normal cortical artery pressure in 50% of the cases studied. Pressure in these arteries normalized after occlusion and AVM excision, resulting in a rapid increase in cortical artery perfusion pressure. Draining red vein pressure, which was elevated before AVM excision, also dropped after excision, contributing to the increase in perfusion pressure. Two patients who developed the normal perfusion pressure breakthrough syndrome (PBS) after operation had low lCoBF and disturbed COR before AVM excision and marked increase of lCoBF after excision.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A comparison between modeled and measured clear‐sky radiative shortwave fluxes in Arctic environments, with special emphasis on diffuse radiation

[1] The ability of the Santa Barbara Disort Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model to predict clear-sky diffuse and direct normal broadband shortwave irradiances is investigated. Model calculations of these quantities are compared with data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program's Southern Great Plains (SGP) and North Slope of Alaska (NSA) sites. The model tends to consistently underestimate the direct normal irradiances at both sites by about 1%. In regard to clear-sky diffuse irradiance, the model overestimates this quantity at the SGP site in a manner similar to what has been observed in other studies [Halthore and Schwartz, 2000]. The difference between the diffuse SBDART calculations and Halthore and Schwartz's MODTRAN calculations is very small, thus demonstrating that SBDART performs similarly to MODTRAN. SBDART is then applied to the NSA site, and here it is found that the discrepancy between the model calculations and corrected diffuse measurements (corrected for daytime offsets) [Dutton et al., 2001] is 0.4 W/m2 when averaged over the 12 cases considered here. Two cases of diffuse measurements from a shaded “black and white” pyranometer are also compared with the calculations and the discrepancy is again minimal. Thus, it appears as if the “diffuse discrepancy” that exists at the SGP site does not exist at the NSA sites. We cannot yet explain why the model predicts diffuse radiation well at one site but not at the other.
Hypertension-Related Stroke Prevention in the Elderly

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Reduction of blood pressure by lifestyle measures and antihypertensive drug therapy reduces stroke in elderly men and women. The use of diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers causes a similar reduction in reducing coronary events and stroke for a given reduction in blood pressure. The American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association 2011 expert consensus document on hypertension in the elderly recommended that the blood pressure should be reduced to less than 140/90 mm Hg in adults younger than 80 years at high risk for cardiovascular events. On the basis of data from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly trial, these guidelines recommended that the systolic blood pressure should be reduced to 140 to 145 mm Hg if tolerated in adults aged 80 years and older. The 2013 European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommended that reducing blood pressure to less than 130/80 mm Hg in adults at high risk for cardiovascular events was unsupported by prospective trial data. The systolic blood pressure should be reduced to less than 140 mm Hg in these adults and to between 140 to 150 mm Hg in adults aged 80 years and older.
Reconsidering the social rejection of ex-mental patients: Levels of attitudinal response

Public attitudes are conceptualized as involving four levels: the ideal level, the level of expressed attitudes, the level of attitudes as acted upon, and the deep level. While direct assessments of these attitude levels are not possible, three indicators are developed to serve as preliminary assessments. An experiment was conducted in which labeling information (labeled a mental hospital patient vs. not labeled), behavior ("normal man" vs. "anxiety neurotic" vignettes), and the three indicators of attitude level were varied. A sample of 153 persons in a small midwestern city was asked to assess the vignette material presented to them by answering five social distance questions. The results showed that when an individual is labeled, ideal attitudes are more positive than attitudes as expressed. These are, in turn, more positive than an indicator of attitudes as acted upon and deep attitudes. Future research should develop strategies which assess these deeper attitudes before conclusions are made about the public's acceptance of former mental patients.
Using geo-spatial session tagging for smart multicast session discovery

IP multicast is increasingly seen as efficient mode of live content distribution in the Internet to significantly large subscriber bases. Despite its numerous benefits over IP unicast, multicast has not seen widespread deployment over modern networks. Network complexity and session discovery issues have plagued IP multicast since its inception. The Internet research community is in general agreement to move over to SSM (Source Specific Multicast).With IGMP v 3 (Internet Group Management Protocol) and SSM, the source discovery burden will rest with the end user. Channel discovery is one of the few stumbling blocks remaining to be solved for successful and widespread deployment of multicast. In an earlier work a DNS (Domain Name System) aware multicast session discovery architecture, mDNS, has been proposed which is distributed, hierarchical and globally scalable.This paper proposes to leverage the mDNS architecture by enabling multicast sessions to be tagged using geographical and spatial information based on the channel contents or service provider location. It further proposes automatic geo-coding of session registration information as the content provider registers session information with mDNS. It also provides necessary design changes and gives data models and data structures to support seamless location sensitive session retrieval as part of search query results to be furnished to the end user. The paper includes envisaged scenarios in which geo-tagging would enhance end user experience and would enable smarter query result generation.
Lena Horne and Judy Garland: Divas, Desire, and Discipline in the Civil Rights Era

The diva inhabits and elicits desire that exceeds and implicates the normal. Lena Horne’s 1963 duet with July Garland embodies a model for the ways a Black diva disciplines her body to occupy desire while simultaneously maneuvering against the disciplining clutches of racist desires that circumscribe her body.
The Problem of the Natural Reduction of Sulphates

The reduction of sulphates in natural waters through the agency of sulphate-reducing bacteria with the generation of hydrogen sulphide has been thoroughly established by the work of many observers dating back to 1886. The situations in which such bacteria have been found include river muds, brackish canal muds, sewerage, soils, lake sands, dune sands at depths to 37 meters, black muds of the ocean bottom to depths of 16 fathoms, and bottom muds of the Black Sea to depths of 2,118 meters. Three species of sulphate-reducing bacteria have been isolated and described. Many of the waters associated with petroleum in oil pools are so low in sulphates as to indicate that a natural reduction of sulphates has been in progress. This fact has been recognized by several observers but the reduction was attributed by them to the petroleum, that is, to dead organic matter. Available experimental data fail to afford any evidence that dead organic matter is capable of reducing sulphates at ordinary temperatures although such reduction can proceed at high temperatures. With the usual precautions observed in bacteriological work, water samples were collected from thirty producing oil wells of Illinois ranging in depth from 400 to 1,866 feet and producing from Ordovician, Mississippian, and Pennsylvanian horizons. These waters were low in sulphate, and all but two carried sulphate-reducing bacteria. The active bacterium was isolated from pure cultures and photographed. The study was extended to the Sunset-Midway and Coalinga oil fields of California, and a sulphate-reducing bacterium was found to be abundant there in many of the low sulphate waters of oil wells producing from depths ranging from 760 to 3,090 feet. The productive horizons are Miocene and Pliocene. Waters of the eastern and deeper part of the Sunset-Midway field though low in sulphates do not at present carry sulphate-reducing bacteria although they may previously have done so. The temperatures of many of the California waters are higher than for the Illinois waters, 40°-47° C. being not uncommon. The sulphate-reducing bacterium of the California wells functions similarly in general to that in the Illinois waters but appears to be tolerant of higher temperatures. It has not et been isolated from pure cultures.
A Benchmark Comparison of Curvature Matched Machining versus Three- and Five-Axis Machining Methods Applied to Industrial Part Surfaces

Parts representing the aerospace, automotive, and power generation industries were machined using Curvature Matched Machining, Sturz milling, and traditional 3-axis ball-end methods. The performance of these methods were compared using the benchmarks of tool path length, surface finish, and post-machining finishing time. Curvature Matched Machining proved to be superior method for the parts studied. Significant reductions in tool path length were observed (over 80% in some instances). Improvements were also realized in surface finish and post-machining operations.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Dispensable sequences and packaging constraints of DNA from the Streptomyces temperate phage φC31

Abstract Deletion mutants of the temperate Streptomyces phage φC31 were selected by two methods: resistance to the chelating agent sodium pyrophosphate, and plating of a φC31::pBR322 hybrid phage on Streptomyces albus G to obtain large plaque mutants. The deletions defined a 7.7 kilobase (kb) segment of the φC31 genome which is inessential for plaque formation, in addition to a shorter segment including the repressor gene. Analysis of deletions and insertions suggested that the minimum size of the φC31 genome allowing plaque formation is 37.5 kb (91% of the wild-type length of 41.2 kb), and the maximum is at least 42.4 kb (103%). These results indicate that it should be possible to introduce up to 10 kb of foreign DNA into a suitably developed φC31 vector.
APPLICATION OF LASER SPECKLE INTERFEROMETRY TO FRACTURE OF CONCRETE.

In-plane displacements in front of notched and precracked concrete specimen were monitored using single laser beam speckle interferametry. Exposures of specimen surface at unstressed and stressed states were recorded on the same film plate to generate speckle correlation fringe patterns. The presence and absence of fringe patterns at several locations in front of the running crack revealed the extent of microcracking zone.
Composition of gum turpentines of pines. XIX. A report on Pinus ponderosa from Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, and Northern Idaho.

The composition of gum turpentines of Ponderosa pine from four widely separated localities has been analyzed. Of interest is the presence of small amounts (1-2 per cent) of methyl chavicol in three varieties of Ponderosa pine, a large percentage of δ3carene and about 5 per cent of β-myrcene in the turpentine of a variety from northern Idaho.
METABOLISM OF THE STEROID HORMONES—THE METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE AND ETHYNYL TESTOSTERONE

This investigation is concerned with the possible conversion of ethynyl testosterone to pregnanediol-3(α), 20(α), the question of absorption of progesterone from the gastrointestinal tract, and the conversion of progesterone to pregnanol-3(α)-one-20. Allen, Viegiver and Soule (1944) reported the excretion of a conjugated steroid in the urine of patients suffering from secondary amenorrhea who had received ethynyl testosterone. Pregnanediol- 3(α), 20(α) was not actually identified but the authors suggested that the isolated material contained pregnanediol-3(α),20(α) or a related steroid. Other workers have been unable to demonstrate the presence of pregnanediol-3(α),20(α) after the administration of ethynyl testosterone (Goldberg and Hardegger, 1941; Hamblen, Cuyler and Hirst, 1940). During the course of our investigations on the absorption of progesterone from the gastrointestinal tract a paper by Masson and Hoffman (1945) appeared which demonstrated that progesterone may be absorbed from the gut in the r...
Recent Advances in Wetland Delineation—Implications and impact of Regionalization

Methodologies used to identify wetland boundaries continue to evolve and impact ecosystem management. Field testing conducted at 232 locations evaluated Regional Supplements to the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. These documents are used for wetland delineation by regulatory agencies and resource managers. Wetland delineations compared 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual guidance to Regional Supplement guidance. Supplement testing occurred in 37 States. This document examines changes in the wetland boundary, wetland delineation factors (vegetation, soils, and hydrology), problem situations, and comments provided by field teams. The wetland boundary did not change at 83% (192 sites) of locations. Where the boundary differed, wetland delineation based on Supplement guidance resulted in larger wetland in 12% (28 sites) of cases, while 1987 Manual guidance resulted in a larger wetland in 5% (12 sites) of cases. Changes in the boundary were reported at 25 locations and produced a mean increase of 5.8 m (median 4.6 m). Atypical or problem situations were reported at 22% (51 sites) of the sites examined. Supplement guidance was clear and easily applied at 84% (195 sites) of locations. Teams reported Supplement guidance as more defensible at 79% (183 sites) of locations compared to the 1987 Manual.
Film-induced incentive motivation and positive activation in relation to agentic and affiliative components of extraversion

Abstract Recently we argued that a core process underlying the trait of extraversion is positive incentive motivation, an association that particularly characterizes the agentic as opposed to the affiliative component of extraversion (Depue & Collins, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 22 , 1–79, 1999). Due to a paucity of methods that specifically induce incentive motivation–positive activation (as opposed to solely amusement and pleasantness), this study developed dynamic film material that activates such subjective experience. Moreover, the films represent three levels of magnitude of induced incentive motivation–positive activation, ranging from minimal to moderate to strong. Therefore, individual differences in film-induced positive activation could be expressed as a stimulus intensity–response function via the slope of positive activation ratings across the range of incentive magnitudes. Film-induced reactivity in positive activation, as opposed to pre-film basal positive activation, was preferentially related to extraversion. Moreover, the slope of post-film positive activation across films, reflecting a stimulus intensity–response function, was more robustly related to overall estimates of extraversion ( r =0.34, p r =0.32, p r =0.18, p =0.09) component of extraversion. The findings suggest that a unitary concept of extraversion may be incorrect, and that further research is necessary to characterize the nature of agentic and affiliative components of the trait. The film method reported herein provides one means of investigating the incentive motivation–positive activation nature of extraversion.
Switching Codes: Class, Clothing, and Cultural Change in the Works of Marivaux and Watteau

En examinant les scenes de transformation vestimentaire et sociale chez Marivaux et Watteau a l'interieur de leur contexte theâtral et artistique, l'A. tente de mettre en evidence la facon dont leurs oeuvres encouragent le questionnement des hierarchies sociales traditionnelles dans la France du debut du XVIII s siecle.
The Effects of Conducting Polymers on Formic Acid Oxidation at Pt Nanoparticles

Abstract The effects of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyindole and polycarbazole on formic acid oxidation at Pt nanoparticles are compared. The observed trend in activity (polypyrrole aniline > indole > carbazole), supporting previous evidence of electron donation from Pt nanoparticles into the π-system of a polycarbazole support layer. Density functional theory calculations on CO and carbazole binding to Pt 4 clusters show that the electronic effect of carbazole in a carbazole-Pt 4 -CO ensemble considerably weakens the binding of CO. The magnitude of this effect is comparable to the effects of graphite and graphene supports reported by other researchers, and stronger than the effect calculated here for indole.
Interpretive criteria for susceptibility tests with DU-6859a and FK-037 tested against Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Abstract Preliminary susceptibility testing interpretive criteria were determined for two investigational drugs, DU-6859a and FK-037, when tested against Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) methods with the Haemophilus Test Medium and GC agar base were utilized, and the study design conformed to the NCCLS M23-A guidelines. The proposed H. influenzae susceptibility testing criteria were for DU-6859a susceptible at ⩽1 μ g/ml (5-μg disk zone diameter correlate, ⩾19 mm) or ⩽2 μ g/ml (disk zone diameter correlate, ⩾16 mm) and for FK-037 susceptible at ⩽2 μ g/ml (30-μg disk zone diameter correlate, ⩾19 mm). No other susceptibility categories were proposed. The gonococcal susceptibility testing criteria were for DU-6859a susceptible at ⩽0.12 μ g/ml (disk zone diameter correlate, ⩾34 mm) and for FK-037 susceptible at ⩽0.5 μ g/ml (disk zone diameter correlate, ⩾30 mm) and resistant at >1 μ g/ml (disk zone diameter correlate, ⩽26 mm). No resistant criterion was proposed for N. gonorrhoeae tests with DU-6859a. No interpretive discrepancies were observed between methods using these proposed testing criteria.
Sensitivity to Distance and Choice of Destinations

A model of destination choice is derived from verifiable assumptions about people's perception of distance. It is postulated that differences between destinations at varying distances are only perceptible when they exceed some tolerance level. Under reasonable assumptions on the distribution of this level among the population, this leads to a sigmoid market share or choice function. The model can be estimated from observations of actual trip making, with no a priori specification of the probability density of the tolerance level. /Author/TRRL/
A BEHAVIORAL APPROACH TO MODAL SPLIT FORECASTING

MUCH OF THE LITERATURE ON MODAL SPLIT SUFFERS FROM EITHER EXCESS AGGREGATION OR INSUFFICIENT ATTENTION TO BEHAVIORAL CONSIDERATIONS. THIS PAPER FORMULATES A BEHAVIORALLY ORIENTED MODEL OF INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. THE MODEL IS COMPARED TO A NUMBER OF EXISTING MODELS ON THEORETICAL GROUNDS AND IS ALSO TESTED ON 1956 CHICAGO DATA FOR THE JOURNEY TO WORK. THE MODEL IS DESIGNED TO PREDICT THE DIVERSION EFFECTS OF GIVEN CHANGES IN SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS, E. G. A CHANGE IN BUS FARES OR PARKING COSTS, OR CHANGES IN COMMUTER CHARACTERISTICS. THE MODEL ALSO PROVIDES A NEW WAY OF MEASURING THE VALUE OF TRAVEL TIME. SPECIFIC ESTIMATES OF VALUE OF TRAVEL TIME, AND THE EFFECTS OF RELATIVE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, ARE CALCULATED. ALL OF THE ESTIMATED COEFFICIENTS AND RESULTS ARE IN GOOD ACCORD WITH "A PRIORI" THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS. /TR/
DNA polymerase active site is highly mutable: Evolutionary consequences

DNA polymerases contain active sites that are structurally superimposable and highly conserved in sequence. To assess the significance of this preservation and to determine the mutational burden that active sites can tolerate, we randomly mutated a stretch of 13 amino acids within the polymerase catalytic site (motif A) of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I. After selection, by using genetic complementation, we obtained a library of approximately 8,000 active mutant DNA polymerases, of which 350 were sequenced and analyzed. This is the largest collection of physiologically active polymerase mutants. We find that all residues of motif A, except one (Asp-610), are mutable while preserving wild-type activity. A wide variety of amino acid substitutions were obtained at sites that are evolutionarily maintained, and conservative substitutions predominate at regions that stabilize tertiary structures. Several mutants exhibit unique properties, including DNA polymerase activity higher than the wild-type enzyme or the ability to incorporate ribonucleotide analogs. Bacteria dependent on these mutated polymerases for survival are fit to replicate repetitively. The high mutability of the polymerase active site in vivo and the ability to evolve altered enzymes may be required for survival in environments that demand increased mutagenesis. The inherent substitutability of the polymerase active site must be addressed relative to the constancy of nucleotide sequence found in nature.
Inflation driven by energy and curvature dependent bulk viscosity

We study the relative rates of expansion in cosmologies admitting curvature dependent and energy dependent bulk viscosity. It is conjectured that curvature dependant bulk viscosity may be a phenomenological way of representing gravitational vacuum polarization around the time of the Planck era.
Insights Into the Carboxyltransferase Reaction of Pyruvate Carboxylase From the Structures of Bound Product and Intermediate Analogs

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a biotin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the MgATP- and bicarbonate-dependent carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate, an important anaplerotic reaction in central metabolism. The carboxyltransferase (CT) domain of PC catalyzes the transfer of a carboxyl group from carboxybiotin to the accepting substrate, pyruvate. It has been hypothesized that the reactive enolpyruvate intermediate is stabilized through a bidentate interaction with the metal ion in the CT domain active site. Whereas bidentate ligands are commonly observed in enzymes catalyzing reactions proceeding through an enolpyruvate intermediate, no bidentate interaction has yet been observed in the CT domain of PC. Here, we report three X-ray crystal structures of the Rhizobium etli PC CT domain with the bound inhibitors oxalate, 3-hydroxypyruvate, and 3-bromopyruvate. Oxalate, a stereoelectronic mimic of the enolpyruvate intermediate, does not interact directly with the metal ion. Instead, oxalate is buried in a pocket formed by several positively charged amino acid residues and the metal ion. Furthermore, both 3-hydroxypyruvate and 3-bromopyruvate, analogs of the reaction product oxaloacetate, bind in an identical manner to oxalate suggesting that the substrate maintains its orientation in the active site throughout catalysis. Together, these structures indicate that the substrates, products and intermediates in the PC-catalyzed reaction are not oriented in the active site as previously assumed. The absence of a bidentate interaction with the active site metal appears to be a unique mechanistic feature among the small group of biotin-dependent enzymes that act on α-keto acid substrates.
Rapid tissue tests as indicators of yield, plant composition, and soil fertility for corn and soybeans

Abstract Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rapid tissue test data for N, P, K, Mg, and Mn were obtained at two locations from experimental plots receiving varying rates and combinations of N, P, and K. Soil test, plant composition, and yield data for each plot were also obtained. Relatively precise tissue test readings were obtained by using color standard sheets. A simple correlation matrix was used to relate specific pairs of variables for corn and soybean data at both locations. The correlation analysis of five rapid tissue tests with plant composition, fertility, and yield levels for corn and soybeans revealed several significant positive nutrient‐same nutrient, and many negative cross‐nutrient relationships. Most negative correlations could be explained by ionic antagonism effects. The K tissue test proved to be the most applicable for both crops. Critical sap nutrient concentrations were established for four nutrients, in the case of K through the use of critical plant composit...
Web Subject Guides: Virtual Connections across the University Community

ABSTRACT A year ago, West Chester University Libraries began using the LibGuides library content management system. In the 1st year since implementing LibGuides (http://subjectguides.wcupa.edu/), our subject librarians have developed numerous subject guides, replacing outmoded and outdated Web pages with new guides that have a more appealing format. We have also found that Web guides can be used for projects beyond the traditional library subject guide. One of the best features of the LibGuides software is that it allows our subject librarians to easily repackage information and resources in multiple ways that suit different audiences. In this article, the authors describe how they have used these guides to respond to the needs of their university community and how they hope to expand the potential uses of the Web guides.
Isolated avulsion of a flexor digitorum superficialis tendon insertion

A case of an avulsion of a flexor digitorum superficialis tendon insertion of a healthy white man is presented. Five months after the injury exploration showed that the chiasma of the superficialis had retracted to the region of the distal palmar crease. Excision of the distal portion of the superficialis tendon, the scar surrounding the palmar plate, and release of the palmar plate and collateral ligaments was done. Four months after the operation the active range of motion of the proximal interphalangeal joint ranged from 20 to 105°.
Circadian influence on the frequency of labeled mitoses method in the stratified squamous epithelium of the mouse esophagus and tongue.

The frequency of labeled mitoses method (FLM) was used to study the cell kinetics in the stratified squamous epithelium of the mouse esophagus and tongue. FLMs were generated by injecting tritiated thymidine (TdR) at two different phases of the mouse circadian system: TdR was injected into one group of mice at 0900 and into a different, second group of mice at 2100. Three variables were monitored for each group; (1) the FLM, (2) the mitotic index and (3) the grain count over the labeled mitotic figures. In both the esophagus and the tongue there was a circadian rhythm in the mitotic index with the peak occurring during the first half of the diurnal phase and the trough occurring during the first half of the nocturnal phase. The FLM curves from each group revealed the following data: Text Table Text. Transit time in G2+1/2M (TG2+1/2M) Transit time in S phase (TS) hours hours Esophagus — TdR at 0900 2.5 5.3 Esophagus — TdR at 2100 4.5 3.5 Tongue — TdR at 0900 4.2 5.1 Tongue — TdR at 2100 4.2 5.5 Second waves of labeled mitoses were seen in the esophagus and tongue when TdR was injected at 0900. No second wave of labeled mitoses occurred in either the esophagus or the tongue when TdR was injected at 2100. For the esophagus the grain counts of the labeled mitotic figures in each group indicated that the rate of DNA synthesis was greater during late S phase, whether the TdR was injected at 0900 or 2100. During most of the S phase the rate of DNA synthesis was significantly greater in the TdR at 2100 group, which is the time of the circadian system when the esophagus demonstrated a relatively short Ts. In the epithelium of the tongue there were a few statistical differences in the rate of DNA synthesis between the groups and during the duration of the S phase within either group, but these data were difficult to interpret. The data demonstrate the influence of the circadian system in cell kinetic work and in the interpretation of data obtained with the FLM in renewing populations of cells which are not totally asynchronous.
Testing Theories of DNA Interaction and Condensation

By measuring and comparing DNA force curves under different temperature and ionic conditions, we investigate DNA condensation and interaction in dense aggregates. Oriented or unoriented bundles of parallel hexagonally arranged B-form DNA double helices are osmotically stressed in solutions of multivalent condensing counterions and simple monovalent salts. Helices are pushed together by known osmotic pressures. At each pressure, interaxial spacings are measured by x-ray diffraction. We observe osmotically induced phase transitions (DNA condensation) in force curves over a critical range of counterion concentrations that depend on the valence and type of the condensing counterion as well as the type and concentration of monovalent salt. We also determine critical osmotic pressures required to condense DNA. At certain concentrations of specific counterions, critical pressures can be temperature dependent. We investigate this dependence to distinguish entropic and enthalpic components of interaction. This allows determination of the binding properties of specific counterions to the DNA under osmotic pressures that induce phase transitions. In this way we can evaluate theories of DNA interaction in the presence of multivalent cations. A range of theories use diverse approximations to model and predict DNA interaction. Their different parameters are examined through controlled experimental variables. Mean-field electrostatic theories model DNA as a uniformly charged rod and neglect counterion correlations. They always predict repulsion between like-charged homogeneous surfaces and therefore cannot explain attractive forces. In the opposite case, under the assumption that attractive counterion correlations are very strong, counterions might form a Wigner crystal in a bundle of DNA helices. Formulation of electrostatic interaction that includes helical structure and distribution patterns of adsorbed counterions also predicts attraction and rationalizes counterion specificity of DNA condensation. These models can be distinguished, critically tested, and compared with the hydration force interpretation of counterion-induced condensation.
European Spatial Development, the Polycentric EU Capital, and Eastern Enlargement

Over five decades a new decentralized model for the European capital city has emerged through the distribution of European Union (EU) institutions and agencies, but as the result of national compromise and competition rather than the implementation of a vision of Europe. More than a purely administrative issue, the location of EU headquarters opens questions on the nature of European spatiality, the relation between politics and space and the role of headquarters cities in that space. To date, the decentralized unplanned structure has brought economic and symbolic benefits to the host cities and nations, but has also caused — notably in Brussels — the destruction of neighbourhoods and increased socio-economic disparities. This article argues that, given the particular history and structure of the EU and the Eastern enlargement of 2004, a deliberate polycentric headquarters policy is necessary: to balance competition and collaboration among host cities, to tie the political EU capitals into the larger economic network of cities, and to align it with polycentricity stipulated by the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). Such a policy would contribute to the emergence of a postnational European space, promote European identity and synergy, and facilitate the integration of cities and citizens in Eastern Europe into the EU.
Complex Adaptive Knowledge-Flows and Workflows

A new paradigm in various applications areas is emerging from the convergence of Grid technologies, semiotics methodologies and knowledge applications. This convergence is enabled by the duality between knowledge providers and knowledge consumers. The impact of such a paradigm on knowledge-flows and workflows interactions [3,4] will require to reason in terms of "Complex Adaptive Knowledge-Flows and Workflows". This paper presents the first two levels of the Knowledge-Work fractal double triads that are the basis for further in-depth analysis of these flows.
Genetics and genomics of alcohol sensitivity

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism incur a heavy socioeconomic cost in many countries. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to variation in the inebriating effects of alcohol and alcohol addiction among individuals within and across populations. From a genetics perspective, alcohol sensitivity is a quantitative trait determined by the cumulative effects of multiple segregating genes and their interactions with the environment. This review summarizes insights from model organisms as well as human populations that represent our current understanding of the genetic and genomic underpinnings that govern alcohol metabolism and the sedative and addictive effects of alcohol on the nervous system.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A Non-Invasive Method to Measure Neonatal Skin Thickness † 1028

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A Non-Invasive Method to Measure Neonatal Skin Thickness † 1028
Mammalian phosphorylating ion-motive ATPases.

Abstract The pumps discussed in this review are three members of the phosphorylating class of ion transport ATPases. They are the Na + -K + , Ca 2+ - and H + -K + - ATPases. Recent work on their topology, possible transport mechanisms, ion-binding sites and role of the different subunits found for the Na + -K + - and H + -K + - ATPases is presented, with a suggestion of a unifying 10-membrane segment model for the catalytic subunit of this class of enzyme.
The management of upper extremity pit viper wounds.

In a series of 56 rattlesnake bites, there were 31 injuries involving the upper extremity and hand with a clinical complication rate of 32% that ranged from Volkmann's contracture to coagulopathies. The most frequent was tissue necrosis with functional joint stiffness and loss of sensibility. Because these patients were treated with a variety of regimens, an animal model was developed to determine the efficacy of the individual treatments. Sublethal intramuscular injections of Crotalus atrox venom were made in the extremity of New Zealand white rabbits. Tissue reaction monitored by swelling and hemorrhage was decreased significantly (P
The role of deep processes in late 20th century subsidence of New Orleans and coastal areas of southern Louisiana and Mississippi

[1] Geodetic leveling observations from Biloxi, MS, to New Orleans, LA, and water level gauge measurements in the New Orleans–Lake Pontchartrain area were analyzed to infer late 20th century vertical motions. These data were used to test the validity of previous subsidence rate measurements and the models that predict the location and causes of subsidence. Water gauges attached to bridge foundations and benchmarks affixed to deep rods that penetrate Holocene strata subsided as much as 0.8 m locally between 1955 and 1995. The observed deep-seated subsidence far exceeds model predictions and demonstrates that shallow processes such as compaction and consolidation of Holocene sediments are inadequate by themselves to explain late 20th century subsidence. Deep-seated subsidence occurring east and north of the normal faults marking the Gulf of Mexico basin margin can be explained by local groundwater withdrawal, and regional tectonic loading of the lithosphere by the modern Mississippi River delta (MRD). Sharp changes in subsidence coincide with strands of the basin margin normal faults. Displacements are consistent with activity and show motions consonant with fault creep. Deep subsidence of the region to the south, including New Orleans, can be explained by a combination of groundwater withdrawal from shallow upper Pleistocene aquifers, the aforementioned lithospheric loading, and perhaps, nongroundwater-related faulting. Subsidence due to groundwater extraction from aquifers ∼160 to 200 m deep dominated urbanized areas and is likely responsible for helping to lower local flood protection structures and bridges by as much as ∼0.8 m.
Light and electron microscopic studies on osmoregulatory tissue in the developing brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus.

Abstract In larval and early postlarval brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus , portions of the branchial chamber are lined by a tissue which appears ultrastructurally to be modified for osmoregulation. The distribution of this tissue, the larval stages in which it occurs, and its appearance with the light and electron microscope are presented. The significance of the distribution and ultrastructure of this modified tissue is discussed.
Sulfate/bicarbonate antiport by lobster hepatopancreatic basolateral membrane vesicles

Sulfate transport across plasma membranes has been described in a wide variety of organisms and cell types including gastrointestinal epithelia. Sulfate transport can be coupled to proton or sodium symport or antiport processes involving a variety of anions. It had been previously observed in lobster hepatopancreas that sulfate could be secreted, however, the mechanisms for this potential secretory process had not been fully described. Therefore, the present study was done to delineate one of the potential processes for this transport. Purified basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) were prepared from lobster hepatopancreas by osmotic disruption and discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Transport of (35S) sulfate into BLMV was stimulated by an outwardly directed bicarbonate gradient compared with gluconate-loaded vesicles. An inside-positive membrane potential (valinomycin and K+) stimulated sulfate/bicarbonate exchange; whereas an inside-negative membrane potential was inhibitory. Sulfate/sulfate exchange was not affected by alterations of transmembrane potential difference. External protons stimulated sulfate/bicarbonate exchange although proton gradients had no effect on sulfate/bicarbonate exchange in the BLMV. The stilbenes, 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS) and 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS), strongly inhibited sulfate/bicarbonate exchange. These results suggest that sulfate/bicarbonate exchange in hepatopancreatic BLMV occurred by an electrogenic carrier mechanism exhibiting a 1:1 flux ratio. The possible physiological role of this antiport process in sulfate transport across the crustacean hepatopancreas is discussed. J. Exp. Zool. 284:158–167, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Extending flash lifetime in secondary storage

Unlike magnetic disks, NAND flashes can be written a limited number of times. As flash memory densities increase and cell sizes shrink, further decreases in write endurance is expected. Although some mitigation is achieved by wear leveling, write endurance remains a concern for write intensive applications. In this research, we use a DRAM cache to filter write traffic to flash by coalescing and merging overwrites. To handle integrity of data upon power failure, we use a supercapacitor to provide short duration backup power during which DRAM data can be retired to flash memory. The effectiveness of such a mechanism is not obvious considering that a large file-system cache already exists which also merges overwrites. We investigated: (i) a DRAM and a flash disk cache combo within a magnetic disk controller and (ii) a DRAM only cache when flash is a full secondary storage. Our simulations show that using a medium sized DRAM cache, flash lifetime doubles with lazy updates compared to early update policy. Moreover, miss ratio and average response times decrease as well. With little effort, our technique can be extended to improve the usable life of other emerging non-volatile memories, such as PCM and MRAM.
Should Bone Marrow Transplantation be Included in the Primary Therapy of Patients with Aggressive Lymphoma

Bone marrow transplantation is an increasingly. widely applied treatment for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease1. It is estimated that approximately 3,000-4,000 autologous transplants will be performed worldwide in 1991. The disease most frequently treated will be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.