cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opposing trends in crustal thickness and spreading rate along the back-arc Eastern Lau Spreading Center: Implications for controls on ridge morphology, faulting, and hydrothermal activity

Abstract Along back-arc ridges located near the arc volcanic front, crustal thickness is observed to vary systematically with arc proximity independent of spreading rate. This effect is especially well expressed by the ∼ 400-km-long Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC) where, approaching the arc volcanic front (from ∼ 100 to 40 km), crustal thickness nearly doubles (∼ 5.5–9 km) as spreading rates decrease by more than half (97–39 mm/yr). The crustal thickness variations at the ELSC appear to result primarily from changes in mantle wedge composition caused by subduction. We investigated the effects of these large and opposed crustal thickness and spreading rate variations on ridge morphology, faulting, and hydrothermal activity as part of the first phase of RIDGE2000 Integrated Studies in the Lau back-arc basin. We used deep-towed side-scan sonar instruments (DSL120A and IMI30) to continuously map the near-axis region within broader-coverage ship multibeam bathymetry and acoustic imagery swaths. An array of optical sensors (MAPRs) concurrently surveyed the near-bottom water for hydrothermal plume anomalies. Hydrocasts made at identified plume sites confirmed their hydrothermal origin. The data show that as spreading rates increase and crustal thicknesses decrease along the ELSC: (1) morphology transitions from shallow peaked volcanic highs to a deeper flat axis; (2) faults become larger and more widely spaced; (3) hydrothermal activity, as measured by plume incidence, increases and appears to reach levels higher than the global mid-ocean ridge trend with spreading rate. The observations indicate that crustal thickness (magma supply) has a greater control on ridge morphology and faulting than spreading rate, even at fast rates where the thermal lithosphere should be thin. However, heat input from mantle advection proportional to spreading rate, perhaps in combination with increased fault permeability, appears to have a greater control on hydrothermal activity than crustal thickness and the magmatic robustness of the ridge. Although subduction effects give rise to the opposed trends in crustal thickness and spreading rate at the ELSC, the observed effects may have generic implications for controls of seafloor spreading characteristics at mid-ocean ridges.
Protein Coarse-Grain Potentials for Folding Simulations

Protein coarse-grained models are simplified representation of proteins that in principle can be used to perform long time scale simulations for the study of their folding dynamics, thermodynamics, and native structures. The main challenge in realizing these models is to find a physically accurate energy parameterization. Here two approaches are considered for this purpose. The first is the popular knowledge based potential approach, where the energies are extracted from the sequence and structure of known proteins. The advantages and limitations of this approach are examined from the perspective of minimal lattice models. It is concluded that this approach is less accurate in the determination of non-bonded interactions. The other approach involves the straightforward coarse-graining of individual residue pairs by performing molecular dynamics simulations. This approach does not suffer from the approximations involved in knowledge-based potentials and have the advantage that their quality can be controlled. The final energy model is built from a balanced combination of knowledge based potentials and coarse-grained interactions from molecular dynamics. Applications of this model to protein structure prediction are presented.
1031 Renal dysfunction, in association with myocardial fibrosis leads to worse survival in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: a delayed hyperenhancement MRI study

Methods We studied 176 consecutive patients (61 ± 13 years, 73% men) with severe LV systolic dysfunction (mean ejection fraction (24 ± 8%) who underwent DHE-MRI on 1.5 T MR scanners (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) from 2005–6. DHE-MR images were obtained in standard long and short axis orientations (covering the entire LV), after injection of Gadolinium dimenglumine using an inversion recovery spoiled gradient echo sequence: TE 4 msec, TR 8 msec, flip angle 30°, bandwidth 140 Hz/pixel, 23 k-space lines acquired every other RR-interval, field of view (varied from 228–330 in the x-direction and 260–330 in the y-direction) and matrix size (varied from 140–180 in the x-direction and 256 in the y-direction). For DHE-MRI analysis, a custom analysis package (VPT software, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) was used to manually delineate endocardial and epicardial myocardial edges. Scar was defined as having intensity >2 SD above viable myocardium (identified by a user-specified region of interest). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR, ml/min/1.73 m2) was calculated using the following formula: 186 × (serum creatinine-1.154) × (age-0.203) × 1.212 (if black) × 0.742 (if female). We divided patients into 4 groups: 1) GFR > 60, no scar (n = 28) 2) GFR > 60 with scar (n = 85) 3) GFR ≤ 60, no scar (n = 9) and 4) GFR ≤ 60 with scar (n = 53).
RESPONSE OF HIGHLY DAMPED JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS TO EXTERNAL, LOW-FREQUENCY NOISE CURRENTS.

The dc characteristics of superconducting point-contact junctions subjected to external noise currents are measured under the condition that the noise-frequency spectrum is below the Josephson frequency. It is shown that the curves are in agreement with a model based on modulation of the noise-free dc characteristic. Although in the low-bias-voltage region the shape of the curves is qualitatively similar to previous theoretical predictions for the case of high-frequency noise, for higher voltages the shapes are different. Quantitative differences exist over the whole range of bias voltage.
Cloning and Identification of Regulatory Sequences of the Human Thrombin Receptor Gene

Thrombin, via activation of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell thrombin receptors, modulates vascular wall healing. To understand the mechanisms that regulate human thrombin receptor (HTR) expression, we cloned and characterized the HTR gene. The HTR gene consists of Exon I, which contains the 5′-regulatory region and 85 nucleotides of coding sequence; a ~15-kb intron; and Exon II, which contains the remainder of the coding sequence and the entire 3′-untranslated region. Multiple transcription initiation sites were identified by S1 mapping and ribonuclease protection assay. DNA sequence analysis indicated the presence of two SP-1-AP-2 consensus binding sequences, near or within the transcription initiation sites, and consensus binding sequences for numerous regulatory proteins that potentially modulate HTR expression. Functional analysis of the HTR promoter was performed by transfecting human microvascular endothelial cells with HTR promoter region-luciferase constructs. The highest level of expression was obtained with a 0.7-kb promoter sequence and was progressively less with fragments of 0.54, 1.16, 1.6, and ~3.2 kb. The data presented in this report provide a foundation for further characterization of the HTR gene and the mechanisms that regulate its expression within the blood vessel wall.
The Influence of Mentoring on the Peer Relationships of Foster Youth in Relative and Nonrelative Care

The influence of a mentoring program (Big Brothers-Big Sisters) on the peer relationships of foster youth in relative and nonrelative care was examined. Youth were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control condition, and changes in their peer relationships were assessed after 18 months. Foster parents were more likely than nonfoster parents to report that their child showed improved social skills, as well as greater comfort and trust interacting with others, as a result of the intervention. In addition, whereas the peer relationships of all nonfoster youth (N = 90) remained stable, treatment foster youth (N = 90) reported improvements in prosocial and self-esteem enhancing support, and control foster youth showed decrements over time. When the foster youth were differentiated further on the basis of their placement, a pattern of findings emerged in which treatment youth in relative foster care reported slight improvements in prosocial support, whereas treatment youth in nonrelative foster care ...
Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylations of highly hindered acetylenes in hexane

Hexane is particularly favorable as a solvent for hydrostannylation of hindered internal alkynes by minimizing the competing formation of H2 and Bu3SnSnBu3. The optimum conditions involve Pd(OAc)2 and a donor monophosphine (PCy3) in hexane at 23°C.
THE RANDOMZATION ANALYSIS OF A GENERALIZED RANDOMIZED BLOCK DESIGN

Suppose that t treatments are given whose properties (yields, responses, effects, etc.) we wish to compare when they interact with a given set of rs experimental units, the latter being classified into r blocks, each containing s = pt units. Suppose, further, that an experiment is carried out in which the treatments are applied at random to the experimental units, with the restriction that each treatment appears with p units in each of the r blocks. We refer to this design as the generalized randomized block design and note that it includes as special cases the completely randomized design (r = 1, p > 1) and the randomized block design (r> 1, p = 1). The object of this paper is to study the basis for statistical inference which is provided by the randomization procedure.
Cyclooxygenase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase reorganize the actin cytoskeleton for motility in HeLa cells.

The adhesion of a cell to its surrounding matrix is a key determinant in many aspects of cell behavior. Adhesion consists of distinct stages : attachment, cell spreading, motility, and/or immobilization. Interrelated signaling pathways regulate these stages, and many adhesion-related signals control the architecture of the cytoskeleton. The various cytoskeletal organizations then give rise to the specific stages of adhesion. It has been shown that arachidonic acid acts at a signaling branch point during cell attachment. Arachidonic acid is metabolized via lipoxygenase to activate actin polymerization and cell spreading. It is also metabolized by cyclooxygenase to generate small actin bundles. We have used confocal microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence to investigate the structure of these cyclooxygenase dependent actin bundles in HeLa cells. We have also employed cell migration assays and pharmacological modulation of cyclooxygenase and downstream signals. The results indicate that cyclooxygenase and PKA stimulate the formation of actin bundles that contain myosin II and associate with small focal adhesions. In addition, we demonstrate that this cytoskeletal organization correlates with increased cell motility.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli ribosomes by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene.

Abstract Treatment of ribosomes with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene leads to extensive loss of their ability to synthesize polyphenylalanine, bind phenylalanyl-transfer RNA, or display ribosome-dependent guanosine triphosphatase activity. When the 30 and 50 s particles of dinitrophenylated ribosomes are separated and analyzed in combination with unreacted subunits, it was found that the combination of reacted 30 s and unreacted 50 s particles was inactive for polyphenylalanine synthesis, phenylalanyl-tRNA binding, and guanosine triphosphatase activity; however, the combination of unreacted 30 s and reacted 50 s particles was active for the 50 s subunit-stimulation of phenylalanyl-tRNA binding as well as guanosine triphosphatase, but was still inactive for polyphenylalanine synthesis. Thus fluorodinitrobenzene-reactable ribosomal protein groups on the 30 s subunit are essential for the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA, and reactable groups on the 50 s particle are associated with peptide bond formation. Ribosomes containing polyuridylic acid and N -acetyl-phenylalanyl-tRNA are protected from inactivation suggesting that it is unlikely that the ribosome has multiple binding sites for tRNA which rotate during movement of the messenger RNA into configurations which then accept aminoacyl-tRNA.
Jejunal atresia with agenesis of the dorsal mesentery (“apple peel small bowel”)

Abstract Our surgical experience with five newborn infants with atresia of the jejunum associated with agenesis of the dorsal mesentery suggests that improved survival of these infants was possible with careful surgical technique and the addition of hyperalimentation to their management. The findings in these infants lend additional etiological support for an inutero vascular accident as the origin of the intestinal atresia, probably occurring after the 11th week of gestation.
Research Note: Anticoccidial Effect of Monensin Against Eimeria mitis and Eimeria dispersa

Four chick and five poult trials were conducted in order to investigate the anticoccidial efficacy of monensin against Eimeria mitis in chickens and Eimeria dispersa in turkeys. The chicks were fed a basal diet with either 0 or 100 ppm of monensin. The poults were fed a basal diet with either 0 or 60 ppm of monensin. Two days after the initiation of each experiment, the chicks and poults were crop-intubated with oocysts of E. mitis and E. dispersa, respectively. A group was also included that was not infected and not medicated. Growth and feed intake were recorded. At 6 or 7 days postinoculation, the birds were killed by cervical dislocation and were scored for the incidence and severity of intestinal abnormalities. The Eimeria mitis infection reduced (P less than .01) gain and the feed:gain ratio, compared with uninfected birds; the E. dispersa infection only reduced (P less than .05) gain. Although well-defined, discrete lesions were not observed, marked intestinal abnormalities were noted in birds infected with either E. mitis or E. dispersa. Also, the infected, unmedicated birds had increased (P less than .01) intestinal scores compared with uninfected birds or those with infection but treated with monensin. Monensin eliminated the reduction in gain and feed efficiency seen in the infected birds. The infected birds fed monensin had intestinal scores, gain, and feed:gain ratios similar (P greater than .10) to those for the birds that were not infected and that did not receive medication.
Alcohol use in adolescents whose fathers abuse drugs

Abstract This study examined the interrelation of several domains, including father attributes, father-child relations, peer influences, environmental factors, and youth personality, as they related to adolescent alcohol use. Several aspects of the father-child relationship were also examined as possible protective factors against adolescent drinking. Subjects consisted of 204 HIV-positive and HIV-negative drug-abusing fathers and their adolescent children between the ages of 12–20. Data were collected via individual structured interviews of both the fathers and the youth. Results indicated that several items from each domain were related to adolescent drinking, and that an affectionate father-child bond had a protective effect. Moreover, hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that the youth's personality mediated between all other domains and adolescent alcohol use. There was also a direct effect of peer influences on adolescent drinking. Findings extend the literature on the specific mechanisms w...
Template specificities of aclacinomycin B on the inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in vitro.

The effect of Aclacinomycin B (ACM-B), an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, on the DNA-dependent RNA synthesis using single- and double-stranded DNAs of known base content and sequence is studied. The data show that ACM-B effectively inhibits the double-stranded DNA-directed RNA synthesis with a preference of poly[d(A-T)] > poly[d(G-C)] > poly[d(I-C)]. In contrast, it has no inhibitory effect on the template function of single-stranded DNA (e.g. poly dA, poly dT, and poly dC). These results suggest that the mechanism of ACM-13 inhibition, like other anthracycline antibiotics, is by intercalation. In addition to the base specificity, there are also dramatic differences in inhibition depending on the base sequence in the DNA template. Thus, ACM-13 preferentially inhibits the alternating double-stranded copolymers over the double-stranded homopolymers; e.g. poly [d(A-T)] is inhibited to a greater extent than poly dA · poly dT and poly [d(G-C)] is inhibited more than poly dG · poly dC. Since the inhibition by ACM-13 can be totally abolished when assayed in excess amount of DNA, this result suggests that ACM-B inhibition of RNA synthesis is solely on the DNA template (which is in support of the intercalation model), and has ruled out the possibility that ACM-B may also exert an inhibitory effect on the activity of RNA polymerase per se.
Fluorescence energy transfer between active sites in aspartate transaminase.

Abstract The method of fluorescence energy transfer has been used to measure the distance between the active sites in a dimeric enzyme, aspartate aminotransferase. The procedure involves the prior preparation of a hybrid enzyme with the natural chromophore, pyridoxal phosphate, in one subunit as the aldimine and of the reduced aldimine in the other subunit. The two active site chromophores are used as donor and acceptor of the energy transfer and a distance of 21 A is obtained for the separation of the active sites.
Raising Hope: Hope Inducement and Voter Turnout

Politicians routinely invoke hope on the campaign trail, presumably because they believe that inducements of hope attract supporters and impel citizens to the polls. Social psychologists and political scientists similarly posit that activating positive emotions like hope and other powerful psychological mechanisms has the capacity to stimulate prosocial behavior, like voting in elections. In this study, I subject these claims to empirical scrutiny by designing and implementing a series of randomized field experiments to examine whether inducing hope raises electoral participation. Overall, I find little evidence that hope affects voting behavior, but I acknowledge the null effects may reflect the [im]potency of the treatment.
Marking Time With The Passé Composé: Toward a Theory of the Perfect

In this paper, it is claimed that PC is a unitary, but complex category. It is shown that in analyzing PC, four temporal elements must be used: the deictic zero point, the time of the auxiliary, the time of the participle, and the time of focus. Given these, there are two different formulations for PC, one based on its affinity with the simple tense-aspects (PC-1), the other based on its relation to the compound tense-aspects (PC-2). The relevance of both of these is shown through the history of PC and the existence of the passe surcompose. Evidence is also brought from iconicity (compositionality). All of this demonstrates that PC-1 and PC-2 are two endpoints of a continuum with many transitional uses in between. Various examples of these transitional types are given. Thus, it is concluded that PC evidences a dynamic counterbalance between polysemy on the one hand and general meaning on the other hand.
The economic implications of recycling exhaustible natural resources: The case for crude oil

Abstract Regardless of whether the bulk of decision-making in an economy is done by a central unit or by decentralized smaller units, the government can act to propose guidelines to individual agents. This is of particular importance when the activities of the latter cause aggregative or social problems which are not directly acted upon by the smaller agents. The purpose of this paper is to set up a model by which a central authority can make choices in the presence of two pressing social problems, namely, a diminishing domestic supply of an exhaustible resource and the contamination of the environment through discharged waste materials. The model itself takes the form of an integer-linear programming problem which runs through discrete time to a finite horizon. Besides the traditional modes of “virgin” exploration and production and/or importation from abroad, society is also given the choice of recycling. Society will choose combinations of the above three to minimize the costs of satisfying fixed (projected) oil product demands in the future. The costs include those for increasing exploration for virgin refineries; for collection, refining and transportation for refineries and for the cost to society of discharges of waste-oil into the environment. The constraints include process flow restrictions, import quotas, capacity limits and discharge restrictions as well as fixed demands. An effort was made to keep the model as general as possible. Although no numerical solution is obtained in this paper, we feel that the policy implications of some presumed solution (possible through the use of a well-known algorithm for mixed variable problems) are worth examining. They revolve around the model itself, citing the potential attractiveness of recycling as the other two alternatives become increasingly expensive, and as development of alternatives to oil progresses at an alarmingly slow rate. Also mentioned are problems relating to the potential demands for recycled versus virgin oil products, balance-of-trade problems, and the mutability of social and economic institutions in the crisis of economic adjustment that much of the world is now facing.
TISSUE RESPONSE TO PALLADIUM MICROPROBE, AS OBSERVED IN GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L. (MALVACEAE)'

Small (250 ,um diam) palladium microprobes, either sharpened or blunt-tipped, were inserted into peduncles and petioles of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. 'Deltapine 61'). Two weeks after microprobe insertion, tissue was harvested and processed for subsequent lightmicroscopic examination. Factors which influence structure and organization of wound response tissue, such as developmental stage of tissue at microprobe implantation site, are discussed. Patterns of differentiation in the wound response tissue which surrounds the microprobes are illustrated. There appeared to be direct rather than peripheral continuity between normal vascular tissue and vascular tissue formed within the wound callus surrounding microprobes implanted in petiole and peduncle. Apparently restoration of direct vascular connections between the original vascular tissue and the vascular tissue formed within the wound callus is a characteristic wound-healing response following microprobe implantation in cotton. SCATTERED EARLY REPORTS, which dealt with the insertion of microimplements such as steel needles (Nichols, 1925, Nitella sp.) and glass microelectrodes (Walker, 1955, Nitella sp.)
The creatine kinase response to eccentric exercise with atorvastatin 10 mg or 80 mg.

Abstract Introduction Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins are well tolerated by most patients, but can produce a variety of skeletal muscle problems including mylagia, creatine kinase (CK) elevations and clinically important rhabdomyolysis. We have previously demonstrated that the CK response to downhill walking is greater in statin compared to placebo treated subjects. This study examined the CK response to downhill walking in subjects treated with low and high dose of atorvastatin. Methods 79 subjects with LDL cholesterol>100mg/dL were randomly assigned to atorvastatin 10mg ( N =42) or 80mg ( N =37) for 5 weeks. Subjects performed a downhill walking exercise during the fifth week of treatment. Leg muscle soreness, plasma CK and CK-MB levels were measured daily for 4 days following the exercise. Results CK, CK-MB and muscle soreness increased above pre-exercise levels in all subjects after the exercise. There were no differences in the CK, CK-MB or soreness response between the high and low dose treatment groups at any time point. Conclusion The downhill walking model of muscle injury does not distinguish between high and low dose atorvastatin therapy either because this test is insensitive to differences among statin doses or because there is no difference in muscle injury between these two drug doses with this statin. Clinicians should be aware, however, that exercise can increase CK levels with even low dose statin therapy.
Identification of a molecule of Porphyromonas gingivalis that binds to Streptococcus gordonii

The molecules that mediate the adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, to Streptococcus gordonii, a commensal plaque organism, were investigated. Outer membrane proteins of P. gingivalis were labelled with biotin, extracted by EDTA and reacted with S. gordonii cells. Interactive porphyromonas components were identified by SDS-PAGE of the S. gordonii cells followed by electroblotting and visualization of the adsorbed porphyromonas molecules with streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase. A P. gingivalis molecule of 35 kDa bound to S. gordonii. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies to the 35 kDa protein inhibited binding of P. gingivalis to S. gordonii by 71%. The antibodies also reacted with the P. gingivalis fimbriae, indicating that the 35 kDa molecule is antigenically related to, or associated with, the fimbriae.
Temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient of polystyrene latex spheres

and its extensions, i.e., hydrodynamic properties of dilute solutions of macromolecules scale linearly with temperature and antilinearly with solvent viscosity. The accuracy of this rule was extensively studied by Longsworth,' who used a Rayleigh interference technique to measure the diffusion coefficient of materials with molecular weights of 20-68,000. While one cannot show the universal applicability of a rule, over the temperature range of 1-37"C, the diffusion coefficients of the macromolecular solutes studied in Ref. 1 were found to deviate from Eq. (1) by only f4%. Recently, Crossley et a1.2 used quasielastic light scattering (QELS) to measure the diffusion coefficient of polystyrene latex and low-density lipoprotein over the temperature range 25-50°C, finding large deviations (-0.6%/K) of D from Walden's rule. These workers also obtained the drag coefficient f of low-density lipoprotein by ultracentrifugation, finding a similar anomaly in the temperature dependence off. The paper of Crossley et aL2 thus joins a series of papers3 suggesting that QELS may not always measure the conventional mutual diffusion coefficient. It is somewhat difficult to understand how such a large effect could have been overlooked in earlier work. The anomaly found by Crossley et al.2 is smallest near room temperature, measured and calculated values for D being in near agreement a t 25°C. Since there have been relatively few studies of the temperature dependence of QELS spectra of macromolecule s ~ l u t i o n s , ~ ~ ~ it is conceivable that the agreement between light-scattering spectroscopy and other methods is in part a coincidence that unfortunately occurs a t the standard measurement temperature. Alternately, polystyrene latex spheres might be subject to a hitherto unnoticed change in diameter with temperature. Since these spheres are a calibration standard in light-scattering spectroscopy, an unnoticed dependence of their radius on T could lead to systematic errors in other experiments. In order to test these hypotheses, we made extensive measurements on the diffusion of 0.038-pm carboxylate-modified polystyrene latex spheres (Dow Diagnostics) over the temperature range 0-50°C. The spheres were suspended in 14 M a deionized water a t a concentration of -5 X by volume. At this concentration, multiple scattering and sphere-sphere forces are negligible. Our instrumentation and data-analysis techniques are unchanged from our earlier ~ o r k . ~ , 5 The observed spectra, S(k , t ) , were fit to a cumulant expansion.6 The best fit was usually obtained with a secondor, rarely, a third-order fit. The variance V
Natural Hybridization between Black Crappie and White Crappie in Weiss Lake, Alabama

Abstract Starch-gel electrophoretic analysis of 1,081 crappies collected from October 1990 through November 1991 revealed that black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappie P. annularis were hybridizing in Weiss Lake, Alabama. Crappie hybrids made up 22% of the population and were found in the 1988 to 1991 year-classes. First-generation (F1) hybrids were seven times more abundant than second-generation and higher (F x ) hybrids. The F1 hybrids expressed superior growth and survival, and they recruited into the fishery (254-mm total length minimum size limit) earlier than the parental species. Distributions of alleles among F x hybrids indicated that F1 hybrids were more likely to successfully mate and produce offspring with black crappies than with white crappies. Factors that may have contributed to hybridization between crappie species include failure to identify specific mates due to low water clarity during spring when these fish spawn, short and overlapping spawning times, and fluctuating wa...
In vivo label-free photoacoustic microscopy of the anterior segment of the mouse eye

Both iris fluorescein angiography (IFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) provide ophthalmologists imaging tools in studying the microvasculature structure and hemodynamics of the anterior segment of the eye in normal and diseased status. However, a non-invasive, endogenous imaging modality is preferable for the monitoring of hemodynamics of the iris microvasculature. We investigated the in vivo, label-free ocular anterior segment imaging with photo-acoustic microscopy (PAM) in mouse eyes. We demonstrated the unique advantage of endogenous contrast that is not available in both IFA and ICGA. The laser radiation was maintained within the ANSI laser safety limit. The in vivo, label-free nature of our imaging technology has the potential for ophthalmic applications.
Properties of the X 1Σ state of BF

Abstract A perturbation theoretical approach for treating electron correlation has been used to calculate the potential energy curve and dipole moment function of BF near its equilibrium bond length. A dipole moment of 0.89 D (B − F + ) is predicted at R e . When the bond is stretched by ≈0.2 A the dipole reverses sign.
Body mass index in relation to semen quality, sperm DNA integrity, and serum reproductive hormone levels among men attending an infertility clinic.

Objective To examine the association between body weight and measures of male reproductive potential. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Fertility clinic in an academic medical center. Patient(s) Four hundred eighty-three male partners of subfertile couples. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Standard semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation, and serum levels of reproductive hormones. Result(s) As expected, body mass index (BMI) was positively related to estradiol levels and inversely related to total testosterone and sex hormone-binding glogulin (SHBG) levels. There was also a strong inverse relation between BMI and inhibin B levels and a lower testosterone:LH ratio among men with a BMI ≥35 kg/m 2 . Body mass index was unrelated to sperm concentration, motility, or morphology. Ejaculate volume decreased steadily with increasing BMI levels. Further, men with BMI ≥35 kg/m 2 had a lower total sperm count (concentration × volume) than normal weight men (adjusted difference in the median [95% confidence interval] = −86 × 10 6 sperm [−134, −37]). Sperm with high DNA damage were significantly more numerous in obese men than in normal-weight men. Conclusion(s) These data suggest that despite major differences in reproductive hormone levels with increasing body weight, only extreme levels of obesity may negatively influence male reproductive potential.
Effect of central injection of bradykinin and bradykinin potentiating factor upon release of anterior pituitary hormones in ovariectomized female rats

The effects of third ventricular (IVT) injection of 25 micrograms of bradykinin (BK) upon plasma levels of LH, FSH, TSH, GH and prolactin were investigated in conscious ovariectomized female rats bearing indwelling jugular cannulae. Some animals were pretreated with bradykinin potentiating factor (BPF). Intravenous administration of BK had no effect upon hormone levels. IVT injection of BK significantly depressed plasma prolactin levels at 15 and 30 min post-drug, with levels returning to control values by 60 in. Pretreatment of animals with BPF (75 micrograms/3 microliter) prolonged the prolactin suppression induced by BK for up to two hours. Plasma LH, FSH, TSH and GH levels in BK-rats were not significantly different from those of saline-injected animals at any time point measured. Neither BPF alone nor in conjunction with BK had any effects upon plasma levels of TSH; however, BK plus BPF suppressed FSH concentrations at 75 min post-BPF, while BPF alone appeared to increase GH levels at 45 min. In vitro incubation of hemipituitaries with 0.083, 0.83 or 8.33 microgram/ml BK had no effect upon the release of LH, TSH or prolactin compared to control values. However, the secretion of GH and FSH was suppressed by the lowest dose of BK tested. These results suggest that BK may play a physiological inhibitory role in the regulation of prolactin, which can be augmented by preventing its degradation, i.e. via BPF. The effect of the peptide seems to be mediated by the CNS since neither intravenous injection of BK nor in vitro incubation of pituitaries with the peptide modified prolactin release. be augmented by preventing its degradation, i.e. via BPF. The effect of the peptide seems to be mediated by the CNS since neither intravenous injection of BK nor in vitro incubation of pituitaries with the peptide modified prolactin release.
Improving Reference Services Through a Library Website: Strategies for Collaborative Change

SUMMARY Websites are virtual front doors to the university library for many distance education students and for those simply choosing to access the numerous resources available to them through the library from off-campus. A driving force behind the redesign of the library website was to provide a user-friendly, content-rich website that offers assistance at the point of need, wherever the student is located. The University of Oklahoma Libraries' Web Committee's research and development focus combined with a collaborative environment provided a positive impetus for change to the library website and improved reference services to the University community.
Update on Validity of Required Competencies for Worksite Health Professionals

Background: To improve global health, the workforce capacity of health promotion professionals must be strengthened through the provision of competencies necessary to deliver effective programs. Purpose: This study provides an updated analysis of the validity of the worksite health promotion (WHP) professional competencies developed in 2000 by the Association for Worksite Health Promotion (AWHP). Competencies and subcompetencies included were in the areas of business, program coordination, and human resources, as well as education and experience requirements. Methods: Study participants were recruited through 3 professional organizations that distributed recruitment letters electronically to their members. Letters requested that participants complete an online survey on the current importance of the AWHP competencies. Results: A substantial majority of the respondents rated the 3 competency areas, the subcompetencies included under those areas, and the education and experience requirements as either somew...
Agile resource management in a virtualized data center

In this paper we develop, implement and evaluate an approach to quickly reassign resources for a virtualized utility computing platform. The approach provides this platform agility using ghost virtual machines (VMs), which participate in application clusters, but do not handle client requests until needed. We show that our approach is applicable to and can benefit different virtualization technologies.We tested an implementation of our approach on two virtualization platforms with agility results showing that a sudden increase in application load could be detected and a ghost VM activated handling client load in 18 seconds. In comparison with legacy systems needing to resume VMs in the face of sharply increased demand, our approach exhibits much better performance across a set of metrics. We also found that it demonstrates competitive performance when compared with scripted resource changes based on a known workload. Finally the approach performs well when used with multiple applications exhibiting periodic workload changes.
Atlases of Minnesota Water Sustainability: Creation from Models, Analytical Methods, and Database of Watershed Characteristics

Confident assessment of the numbers of regional water balance and water resources for Atlases of MN Water Sustainability (AMNWS) has to be based on the best science, advanced knowledge and modern technology. Creating a watershed characteristic database is the first and most significant step in the analysis of time spatial distributions of Minnesota’s water balance components. The database spatially associates hydrologic data (annual discharge, monthly proportion, and yield) with topographical, soil and vadoze zone, ecological and hydrogeological conditions and properties. USGS stream flow data for 129 gauging stations surrounding MN was manipulated within ArcGIS. Characteristics of the 129 watersheds (drainage areas 100-10000 square miles) were summarized to create a matrix database (1947-1971 (79 watersheds), 1955-1979 (93), and 1976-2006 (74). Model as formal integrator of knowledge plays a central role for hydrological process in the landscape environment study. The use of cyber model of landscape (Krcho, 1978) and watershed as part of it (Shmagin, 1997) provides research tasks for data analyses. Six research tasks implied 17 initial matrixes incorporated the existing longtime hydrological data (from 25 to 109 years). Special part of database includes temperatures and precipitation (from 56 to 106 years) for 90 meteorological stations for MN and surrounding states (from US Historical Climatology Network: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/epubs/ndp/ushcn/usa_monthly.html). The data analysis (multivariate exploratory techniques) operates with two kinds of data: time series and maps that are integrated with use of GIS. Statistic was used with this database to transform initial matrixes of watershed characteristics into linear components and residual matrixes, establishing characteristics interconnections. To combine the results of data analysis of layered quantities and qualitative information onto a map of water resources with defined unit boundaries requires the fuzzy logic approach for regionalization (Shmagin and Chen, 2006). For AMNWS future developments, the watershed characteristics database can be upgraded to include monitoring of the surface and ground water regimes.
A Nonparametric Test for Deviation from Randomness with Applications to Stock Market Index Data

The proposed test detects deviations from randomness, without a priori distributional assumption, when observations are not independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.), which is suitable for our motivating stock market index data. Departures from i.i.d. are tested by subdividing data into subintervals and then using a conditional probability measure within intervals as a binomial test. This nonparametric test is designed to detect deviations of neighboring observations from randomness when the dataset consists of time series observations. Simulation results and a comparison with Lo and MacKinlay's (1988) variance ratio test showed that our proposed test is a competitive alternative.
A cost-analysis of computed radiography and picture archiving and communication systems in portable radiography.

A total of 40,000 portable examinations are performed each year at Shands Hospital (Gainesville, FL), a 570-bed teaching hospital. Radiographs are obtained using a screen-film combination with the films digitized for transmission to displays in four intensive care units. A cost-analysis of replacing screen-film with computed radiography (CR) integrated into a filmless picture archiving and communication system (PACS) network was performed. Equipment requirements included two CR units, three high-resolution dual monitor displays, and an archive to store 3 months of image data. The capital costs were amortized over a 5-year period. Capital and operating costs of the proposed expansion to the existing PACS network, together with anticipated cost savings, were determined. The maximum data transfer rate for portable examinations was 150 MByte per hour and approximately 400 GByte of image data are generated each year. These figures were used to determine hhe hardware requirements for handling the acquisition, transfer, and display of the images. Annual costs of the proposed expansion were about $220,000. Cost savings were achieved by elimination of film, including its handling by technologists/library clerks, and amounted to about $200,000 per year.
Interactions of testosterone with amino acids

Abstract The solubility of testosterone in buffered solutions of 18 l -amino acids was determined. In solutions of l -tryptophan, l -tyrosine, l -phenylalanine, l -histidine, l -arginine, and l -lysine a significant increase was obtained above that observed in buffer alone at the corresponding ionic strength. The largest effect was obtained with l -tryptophan. A slight increase in solubility was noted in solutions of l -methionine and l -proline. With the other ten amino acids no increase was noted.
An Electrode System for Tetrapolar Electrical Impedance Plethysmography of the Finger

A rigid band electrode system is described which facilitates location of the recording electrodes of a tetrapolar impedance plethysmograph used for measuring pulsations of blood in a finger segment. The electrodes can be relocated accurately, and the volume of the finger segment under study can be precisely defined. The new system ensures good electrical contact and minimizes movement artifacts in the plethysmograph trace by holding the finger segment in a firm position.
Seasonally Hypersaline Estuaries in Mediterranean-climate Regions

Data collected in three Californian estuaries indicate that hypersaline conditions exist during the dry summers typical of a Mediterranean climate. The generalised seasonal and longitudinal hydrographic structures are described and explained. It is argued that this seasonal hypersalinity is common and that it represents a major class of estuaries. The observed accumulation of salt indicates surprisingly long residence times in small basins which have free exchange with the ocean. This semi-isolation of the inner basin leads to a large build-up or severe depletion of nutrients, pollutants and plankton in these systems. Of concern are the trends to increase pollutant loading in the same systems that are experiencing an increase in residence times owing to freshwater extraction in the watershed.
Online social networking and US poison control centers: Facebook as a means of information distribution

AbstractBackground. Online social networking services such as Facebook provide a novel medium for the dissemination of public health information by poison control centers in the United States. We performed a cross-sectional study of poison control center Facebook pages to describe and assess the use of this medium. Methods. Facebook pages associated with poison control centers were identified during a continuous two-week period from December 24, 2012 to January 7, 2013. Data were extracted from each page, including affiliated poison control center; page duration, measured in years since registration; number of subscribers; number of postings by general toxicological category; and measures of user-generated activity including “likes”, “shares”, and comments per posting. Results. Among the 56 US poison control centers, 39 Facebook pages were identified, of which 29 were currently active. The total number of active pages has increased by 140% from 2009 to 2013 (average of 25% per year). The total number of a...
Advanced Combustor Liner Cooling Technology for Gas Turbines

This paper briefly reviews some of the work on advanced liner cooling techniques - specifici~lly laminated porous wall cooling, angled-multihole (effusion) cooling ant1 composite metal matrix liner cooling. The concept definition, heat transfer design procedure and design problems including key materials and fabrication considerations associated with each basic concept will be reviewed. Published rig and engine experience of aircraft engine manufacturers and reseirch organizations will be cited. Some logical extensions of the current liner cooling schemes are suggested for future applications.
On the Spin of the K * Resonance

Author(s): Chinowsky, William; Goldhaber, Gerson; Goldhaber, Sulamith; Lee, Wonyong; O'Halloran, Thomas.
Ocular Pathology of MELAS Syndrome with Mitochondrial DNA Nucleotide 3243 Point Mutation

Purpose: The authors describe the clinical, histopathologic, and ultrastructural findings in two eyes obtained at autopsy from a 21-year-old woman with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS syndrome). Methods: The eyes were obtained immediately after death. The right eye was fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin and processed for standard histologic examination. The left eye was fixed in a neutral-buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution and processed for transmission electron microscopic examination. The authors compared the histologic and ultrastructural findings with the clinical features recorded photographically. Results: The main clinical ophthalmologic features were bilateral ptosis, chronic external ophthalmoplegia, diffuse choroidal atrophy, atypical pigmentary retinopathy with macular involvement, and patchy atrophy of the iris stroma. Molecular genetic analysis detected a tRNA Leu (UUR) point mutation at position 3243 of mitochondrial DNA (MELAS genotype). Results of histologic and ultrastructural examination showed ragged-red fibers in the rectus muscles, degeneration of photoreceptor outer segments in the macula, hyperpigmentation and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium of the macula, atrophy of the iris stroma, early posterior subcapsular cataract, and optic atrophy. The retinal pigment epithelium, inner segments of the photoreceptors, smooth muscle cells of the choroidal and retinal vessels, the dilator and sphincter muscle of the iris, cornea, lens epithelium, and ciliary epithelium all contained many, often enlarged, structurally abnormal mitochondria with occasional paracrystalline inclusions and circular cristae. Conclusions: The MELAS-associated mitochondrial DNA nucleotide 3243 point mutation can cause a spectrum of ocular signs and symptoms that may be dependent on the patient's age and the amount of mutant mitochondrial DNA in the tissue. MELAS syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, and atypical pigmentary retinopathy with macular involvement.