cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Models of Social Transmission to Examine the Spread of Longline Depredation Behavior among Sperm Whales in the Gulf of Alaska

Fishing, farming and ranching provide opportunities for predators to prey on resources concentrated by humans, a behavior termed depredation. In the Gulf of Alaska, observations of sperm whales depredating on fish caught on demersal longline gear dates back to the 1970s, with reported incidents increasing in the mid-1990s. Sperm whale depredation provides an opportunity to study the spread of a novel foraging behavior within a population. Data were collected during National Marine Fisheries Service longline surveys using demersal longline gear in waters off Alaska from 1998 to 2010. We evaluated whether observations of depredation fit predictions of social transmission by fitting the temporal and spatial spread of new observations of depredation to the Wave of Advance model. We found a significant, positive relationship between time and the distance of new observations from the diffusion center (r 2 =0.55, p-value =0.003). The data provide circumstantial evidence for social transmission of depredation. We discuss how changes in human activities in the region (fishing methods and regulations) have created a situation in which there is spatial-temporal overlap with foraging sperm whales, likely influencing when and how the behavior spread among the population.
Finding Tropical Cyclones on a Cloud Computing Cluster: Using Parallel Virtualization for Large-Scale Climate Simulation Analysis

Extensive computing power has been used to tackle issues such as climate changes, fusion energy, and other pressing scientific challenges. These computations produce a tremendous amount of data, however, many of the data analysis programs currently only run a single processor. In this work, we explore the possibility of using the emerging cloud computing platform to parallelize such sequential data analysis tasks. As a proof of concept, we wrap a program for analyzing trends of tropical cyclones in a set of virtual machines (VMs). This approach allows the user to keep their familiar data analysis environment in the VMs, while we provide the coordination and data transfer services to ensure the necessary input and output are directed to the desired locations. This work extensively exercises the networking capability of the cloud computing systems and has revealed a number of weaknesses in the current cloud system software. In our tests, we are able to scale the parallel data analysis job to a modest number of VMs and achieve a speedup that is comparable to running the same analysis task using MPI. However, compared to MPI based parallelization, the cloud-based approach has a number of advantages. The cloud-based approach is more flexible because the VMs can capture arbitrary software dependencies without requiring the user to rewrite their programs. The cloud-based approach is also more resilient to failure, as long as a single VM is running, it can make progress while as soon as one MPI node fails the whole analysis job fails. In short, this initial work demonstrates that a cloud computing system is a viable platform for distributed scientific data analyses traditionally conducted on dedicated supercomputing systems.
Lymphocyte subpopulations in otitis media with effusion.

Summary: The distribution of B and T lymphocytes and macrophages in the middle ear fluid (MEF) was studied in groups of children with otitis media associated with serous, seromucinous, or mucoid effusions in the middle ear. The subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes and macrophages were identified in the MEF by employing the techniques of spontaneous erythrocyte rosetting (E), membrane immunofluorescence, erythrocyte-amboceptor-complement (EAC) and erythrocyte-amboceptor (EA) rosette formation, respectively. A significant number of B and T lymphocytes or macrophages were detected in all specimens; however, certain differences were observed in their relative distribution in different types of effusions. Serous MEF was characterized by a cellular response associated predominantly with macrophages, although T lymphocytes were also seen frequently. No B lymphocytes were seen in such exudates. The seromucinous MEF contained B and T lymphocytes and macrophages in approximately similar proportions. Significantly, however, the mucoid effusion consisted mainly of B lymphocytes. Only macrophages and no T cells were observed in these effusions. The cytologic findings reported here may be helpful in a more definitive classification of middle ear effusions. These data may suggest a possible role of the different components of cellular immunity in the development of middle ear effusions. Speculation: E rosette-forming cells predominate in the serous and seromucinous effusions of otitis media. EAC rosette-forming cells appeared as a predominant cell type in mucoid effusions. The different types of effusions in otitis media may represent the various stages of the same inflammatory process. The differences in the types of immunocompetent cells observed may reflect the nature of the underlying immune response in serous, seromucinous, or mucoid forms of otitis media.
The Ice Cream Scoring Contest as a Means of Improving the Quality of Ice Cream

Summary 1. The sanitary quality of the 291 samples of ice cream entered in seven annual scoring contests held at the Kansas State Agricultural College, has shown a marked improvement from year to year. With a median count of 200,000 bacteria per gram in 1921 there has been, without exception, a consistent reduction each year to 32,000 in 1927. 2. The samples for each year have been grouped into four classes, excellent, good, medium and poor. A study of these groups reveals a definite improvement in the quality of the ice cream from year to year as evidenced by the increase in the per cent of samples in the better (excellent and good) classes. The per cent of samples classed as having excellent and good body and texture scores increased from 60.7 in 1921 to 64.4 in 1927. By classifying the samples on a basis of the total score minus the score for bacteria count, the excellent and good samples increased from 25.0 per cent in 1921 to 88.8 per cent in 1927. 3. While it is not contended that these scoring contests have been solely responsible for the improvement in the quality of ice cream as evidenced by these data, they have been a contributing factor in the educational program for the ice cream manufacturers of this section of the country. These scoring contests have been of inestimable value to the ice cream manufacturers of this section. The success of the system in this state and the evident improvement in the quality of the ice cream, commends the adoption of a similar plan by other institutions as a part of their educational program.
Acrylic Rx: A program evaluation of a professionally taught painting class among older Americans

Objective: The purpose of this arts program evaluation was to understand the impact of a professionally taught painting class on the health and well-being of fixed-income senior participants in San Antonio, Texas. Method: Data were obtained over a 14-month period through formal surveys, semi-structured and spontaneous interviews, and participant observation. Results: Meanings of art, aging, and health coevolved during the classroom experience to effect positive psychosocial change in participants’ lives. Participants perceived significant improvements in mental and psychosocial health through increased social engagement, self-awareness, empowerment, and a sense of calm and relaxation. Conclusions: Structural aspects of the class, free instruction and materials, flexible participation, leadership, and teacher pedagogies facilitated these improvements. Mandated funding through federal policy for senior residential complexes and nursing homes should explicitly include ongoing opportunities for professionally...
Cellular uptake of an α-AApeptide.

Some short and cationic peptides such as the Tat peptide can cross the cell membrane and function as vectors for intracellular delivery. Here we show that an α-AApeptide is able to penetrate the membranes of living cells from an extracellular environment and enter the endosome and cytoplasm of cells. The efficiency of the cellular uptake is comparable to a Tat peptide (48–57) of the same length and is unexpectedly superior to an α-peptide with identical functional groups. The mechanism of uptake is similar to that of the Tat peptide and is through endocytosis by an energy-dependent pathway. Due to the easy synthesis of the α-AApeptides, their resistance to proteolytic hydrolysis, and their low cytotoxicity, α-AApeptides represent a new class of transporters for the delivery of drugs.
Proton decay and cosmology strongly constrain the minimal SU(5) supergravity model

We present the results of an extensive exploration of the five‐dimensional parameter space of the minimal SU(5) supergravity model, including the constraints of a long enough proton lifetime and a small enough neutralino cosmological relic density. We find that the combined effect of these two constraints is never quite severe, although still leaving a small region of parameter space with mg,g<1 TeV. The allowed values of the proton lifetime should be fully explored by the SuperKamiokande experiment. The proton lifetime cut also entails the following mass correlations and bounds: mh≲100 GeV, mx≊1/2 mx02≊0.15mg, mχ02≊ mχ+1 , and mχ<85(115) GeV, mχ02,χ+1<165(225) GeV for α3=0.113(0.120). Finally, the combined proton decay and cosmology constraints predict that if mh≳75(80) GeV then mχ+1≲90(110) GeV for α3=0.113(0.120). Thus, if this model is correct, at least one of these particles will likely be observed at LEPII.
Spoof-surface-plasmon assisted light beaming in mid-infrared

We have investigated light beaming through a single slit in a silver thin film with periodic gratings on the output side in the mid-infrared wavelength range. We show that light beaming in mid-infrared is mainly controlled by spoof surface plasmons. We take account of both the dispersion relation and the phase-matching condition of spoof surface plasmons to obtain good beaming efficiency. Through engineering the geometrical parameters of the grating structures, we can achieve the desired near-field and far-field distribution in mid-infrared.
Prototype high-speed tape target transport for a laser plasma soft-x-ray projection lithography source

A prototype high-speed tape target transport is constructed for use in a high-repetition-rate laser plasma source. To reduce plasma debris, a 1000–5000-A-thick film of target material is supported by thin Mylar tape backing. Tape is transported to the laser focal volume at a maximum velocity of 356 cm/s, a rate sufficient to accommodate laser repetition rates of 1 kHz. The transport is fully vacuum compatible and can be retracted and then isolated from the laser plasma vacuum enclosure during tape reel replacement. The operating characteristics of the transport are described.
Freeform optical systems with prescribed irradiance properties

We review some new computational methods for freeform optical designs of refractive and reflective systems in 3D with capabilities to redirect an input beam and redistribute its radiation intensity in a prescribed manner.
Study of Subcooled Film Boiling on a Horizontal Disc:1 Part 2—Experiments

Experiments were performed to study subcooled film boiling of performance liquid PF-5060 (made by 3-M Company) on a horizontal copper disc. The experiments were performed for two regimes of film boiling involving departing vapor bubbles (low subcooling) and nondeparting vapor bubbles (high subcooling). By employing high speed digital camera, data were obtained for temporal variation of bubble height, bubble shape and bubble growth rate over one cycle. Heat flux data were deduced from temperatures measured with thermocouples embedded in the solid. The results from the numerical model are compared with experimental data and are found to be in general agreement. Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) experiments were performed for a configuration of non-departing vapor bubbles to study the flow field in the liquid phase. The PTV experiments point to the existence of natural convection flow in the liquid phase and is in qualitative agreement with the predictions available in the literature.
The evolution of crystal shape: A computer model

Abstract A numerical technique has been developed which is capable of calculating crystal growth for bodies of general shape growing subject to heat and solute transport, and an interface reaction. The technique uses a transformed coordinate system, within which heat or solute flow can be treated as one-dimensional. A “marching” procedure is used to generate and solve the transport equations subject to the boundary conditions of a crystal growing in an infinite supercooled bath. The validity of our approach was checked by studying the growth of an idealized needle crystal for which an exact solution is available. The growth velocities calculated are in good agreement with the exact values.
Three-dimensional mode growth in boundary layers with tuned and detuned subharmonic resonance

This work involves the use of controlled periodic disturbances to excite a plane Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) wave at one frequency ( f 2D) along with pairs of oblique waves with equal but opposite wave angles at a different frequency ( f 3D) in order to study the resonant growth of 3D modes in a Blasius boundary layer. In our earlier work (Corke & Mangano 1989; Corke 1990), the frequency of the oblique modes was exactly the subharmonic of the plane Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) mode. These modes were also phase-speed locked so that in terms of their streamwise wave numbers, α2D=1/2 α3D. This so-called ‘tuned’ subharmonic resonance leads to the enhanced growth of the otherwise linearly damped oblique waves, as well as the growth of higher harmonic 3D modes with frequencies and wave numbers: (3/2 f2d, 3/2 α2D, ±β3D), (5/2 f2d, 5/2 α2D, ±β3D), (f2d, α2D, ±2β3D) and (0, 0, ±2β3D). Even when the initial 3D oblique waves have frequencies which are close to the TS subharmonic frequency, a ‘detuned’ subharmonic resonance leads to the enhanced growth of the 3D mode. In addition, it promotes the growth of numerous discrete modes produced by successive sum and difference interactions. These interacted modes are also three dimensional, with higher amplification rates that increase with the interaction order. The growth of these modes accounts for the rapid spectral filling, and low-frequency modulation commonly observed in natural subharmonic transition. Starting from a ‘tuned9 resonance, this scenario then provides a mechanism for the generation of a broad spectrum at the later stages of subharmonic mode transition. However, the results also suggest that with ‘natural’ transition, starting from low-amplitude broadband disturbances, the most likely 2D/3D resonance will be ‘detuned’.
A kinetic study of PEEK sulfonation in concentrated sulfuric acid by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy

Abstract The sulfonation kinetics of poly(oxy-1,4-phenylene-oxy-1,4-phenylene-carbonyl-1,4-phenylene) (PEEK) has been studied at highly dilute conditions (∼0.02 gl−1) in 96.3% sulfuric acid. The sulfonation was observed from 35 to 75°C using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The fractional sulfonation has been calculated from the ratio, I − I 0 I ∞ − I 0 , where I, 0 and I∞ represent the spectral absorption of the reaction system at a time t, at the starting point and at the ending point, respectively. The I0 is extrapolated from a least-squares plot of the data calculated through a kinetic equation combined with the ratio cited above. The reaction rate was confirmed to be first order in the PEEK chain repeat unit and also inversely first order with respect to the concentration of the sulfonated PEEK repeat unit. The reaction follows the Arrhenius equation over the temperature range of study, with a calculated activation energy of 82.8 kJ mol−1 repeat unit. Good agreement has been obtained between these results and the data measured in a more concentrated system ( 20 g PEEK l H 2 SO 4 ).
The elusive benzocyclobutenylidene: a combined computational and experimental attempt.

Ab initio and density functional theory calculations predict that benzocyclobutenylidene (1) has a singlet ground state in contrast to the parent phenylcarbene and many other simply substituted arylcarbenes. Calculations also predict that 1 should lie in a relatively deep potential well, while its triplet state is 14.5 kcal mol-1 higher in energy. However, attempts to observe 1 directly by photolysis of two different nitrogenous precursors were not successful. Irradiation of diazobenzocyclobutene (7) (λ > 534 nm or λ > 300 nm) or azibenzocyclobutene (10) (λ > 328 nm) in Ar matrixes at 10 K leads to the formation of the strained cycloalkyne 7-methylenecyclohepta-3,5-dien-1-yne (3). 13C-Labeled 3 was also prepared in a similar manner. There is very good agreement between experimental IR spectra and computationally derived harmonic vibrational frequencies for 3 and [13C]-3 and excellent agreement between observed and calculated isotopic shifts. Prolonged short-wavelength irradiation converts 3 into benzocycl...
Identification of two telomere-proximal fission yeast DNA replication origins constrained by nearby cis-acting sequences to replicate in late S phase.

Telomeres of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe , are known to replicate in late S phase, but the reasons for this late replication are not fully understood. We have identified two closely-spaced DNA replication origins, 5.5 to 8 kb upstream from the telomere itself. These are the most telomere-proximal of all the replication origins in the fission yeast genome. When located by themselves in circular plasmids, these origins fired in early S phase, but if flanking sequences closer to the telomere were included in the circular plasmid, then replication was restrained to late S phase – except in cells lacking the replication-checkpoint kinase, Cds1. We conclude that checkpoint-dependent late replication of telomere-associated sequences is dependent on nearby cis-acting sequences, not on proximity to the physical end of a linear chromosome.
Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program

Relationships were investigated between home practice of mindfulness meditation exercises and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms, perceived stress, and psychological well-being in a sample of 174 adults in a clinical Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. This is an 8- session group program for individuals dealing with stress-related problems, illness, anxiety, and chronic pain. Participants completed measures of mindfulness, perceived stress, symptoms, and well-being at pre- and post-MBSR, and monitored their home practice time throughout the intervention. Results showed increases in mindfulness and well-being, and decreases in stress and symptoms, from pre- to post-MBSR. Time spent engaging in home practice of formal meditation exercises (body scan, yoga, sitting meditation) was significantly related to extent of improvement in most facets of mindfulness and several measures of symptoms and well-being. Increases in mindfulness were found to mediate the relationships between formal mindfulness practice and improvements in psychological functioning, suggesting that the practice of mindfulness meditation leads to increases in mindfulness, which in turn leads to symptom reduction and improved well-being.
Ecological processes and spatial patterns before, during and after simulated deforestation

Abstract Theoretical and applied research on the ecological consequences of deforestation has focused on the remnants of habitat in relative isolation, but recent thinking has theorized more realistic conditions in which the areas of altered habitat are not completely destroyed, in which they recover and the connectivity of the landscape changes, and in which disturbance regimes play a role. A competition–colonization simulation, in which these primary tradeoffs are represented in a spatially explicit model, is used to explore the consequences of additional aspects of landscape dynamics following deforestation for plant diversity and community structure. The dynamics are analyzed in terms of temporal aspects of community resilience and changes in its spatial pattern. Simulations indicate that the initial degree of habitat alteration has little effect on resilience. Allowing succession to follow disturbance has a strong effect, which differs among species. Adaptation to an ongoing disturbance regime, which should improve resilience, is not evident when the disturbance itself continues. Deforestation changes the spatial pattern of the landscape, and species respond differently because of their different dispersal abilities. The species in turn alter the spatial pattern. The basic lessons of competition–colonization models for deforestation stand, but the ensured extinction implied by the extinction debt concept is further ameliorated as more realistic pattern–process relations are theorized.
Differences in Substance Use and Substance Use Risk Factors by Asian Subgroups

The present study examined differences in lifetime use and initiation of substance use and associated risk factors for alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana among seven subgroups of Asian American (AA) adolescents: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Mixed heritage Asian. Sixth and 7th grade AA adolescents in Southern California were surveyed five times over three academic years. We examined subgroup differences in (1) lifetime alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use assessed at baseline, (2) initiation of each substance over three years, and (3) baseline individual (positive and negative expectancies about substances, resistance self-efficacy, and intentions to use), family (closest adult and older sibling substance use), and school factors (perceived peer use). Although there was considerable heterogeneity in lifetime substance use and initiation rates, subgroup differences were not statistically significant (ps > .20). Significant subgroup differences existed for negative expectancies about use, perceived peer use, and close adult alcohol and cigarette use (ps < .05). Specifically, Vietnamese and Japanese adolescents had the lowest negative expectancies about cigarettes and marijuana, respectively. Vietnamese adolescents reported the highest levels of perceived peer cigarette use. Mixed-heritage adolescents reported the highest frequency of alcohol and cigarette use by their closest adult. Although no differences in substance use rates were observed, these findings are an important first step in understanding heterogeneity in AA adolescents' risk for substance use and initiation.
Heterogeneous Vapor-to-Liquid Nucleation of Water on Individual Glass Particles

An apparatus that combines upward thermal diffusion with electrostatic levitation was used to study vapor-to-liquid nucleation on individual micron-sized clean glass particles. A vertical gradient in relative humidity was established in the chamber with the lower region being undersaturated while the upper region was supersaturated. Particles underwent vertical oscillatory motion when a fixed electric field was applied in excess of that required simply to achieve levitation. The period and the amplitude of oscillation were measured at varying electric field intensities. The balancing electric potential for several particles at a given elevation was also measured. The critical supersaturation, the radius, and the electric charge of the particles were then determined by using the equations of motion and condensational growth. Variations in the surface charge density for soda-lime glass particles of nominally the same size largely accounted for the particle-to-particle variability in the critical supersatura...
Magnesium as a neuroprotectant in cardiac surgery: A randomized clinical trial

Objective We sought to evaluate magnesium as a neuroprotectant in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods From February 2002 to September 2003, 350 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, or both were enrolled in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial to receive either magnesium sulfate to increase plasma levels 1½ to 2 times normal during cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 174) or no intervention (n = 176). Neurologic function, neuropsychologic function, and depression were assessed preoperatively, at 24 and 96 hours after extubation (neurologic) and at 3 months (neuropsychologic, depression). Neurologic scores were analyzed using ordinal longitudinal methods, and neuropsychologic and depression inventory data were summarized by principal component analysis, followed by linear regression analysis using component scores as response variables. Results Seven (2%) patients had a postoperative stroke, 2 (1%) in the magnesium and 5 (3%) in the placebo group ( P = .4). Neurologic score was worse postoperatively in both groups ( P P = .0001), who had prolonged declines in short-term memory and reemergence of primitive reflexes. Three-month neuropsychologic performance and depression inventory score were generally better than preoperatively, with few differences between groups ( P > .6); however, older age ( P = .0006), previous stroke ( P = .003), and lower education level ( P = .0007) were associated with worse performance. Conclusions Magnesium administration is safe and improves short-term postoperative neurologic function after cardiac surgery, particularly in preserving short-term memory and cortical control over brainstem functions. However, by 3 months, other factors and not administration of magnesium influence neuropsychologic and depression inventory performance.
Modeling Challenges in Molecular Electronics on Silicon

Molecular electronics on silicon substrates hold promise for new functional possibilities on silicon. One such possibility is a hybrid silicon-molecule device that shows negative differential resistance (NDR) when conduction through the molecular levels are cut-off as the levels are driven into the silicon band-gap region. We demonstrate through a self-consistent solution based on Non-equilibrium Green’s Function (NEGF) formalism that the NDR peaks show a clear polarity dependence, appearing for only positive bias on a p-doped substrate. We further discuss what determines the position of the NDR peaks and how the locations are affected by self-consistency.
Time to antibiotics for septic shock: evaluating a proposed performance measure.

Abstract Purposes International guidelines recommend antibiotics within 1 hour of septic shock recognition; however, a recently proposed performance measure is focused on measuring antibiotic administration within 3 hours of emergency department (ED) arrival. Our objective was to describe the time course of septic shock and subsequent implications for performance measurement. Basic procedures Cross-sectional study of consecutive ED patients ultimately diagnosed with septic shock. All patients were evaluated at an urban, academic ED in 2006 to 2008. Primary outcomes included time to definition of septic shock and performance on 2 measures: antibiotics within 3 hours of ED arrival vs antibiotics within 1 hour of septic shock definition. Main findings Of 267 patients with septic shock, the median time to definition was 88 minutes (interquartile range, 37-156), and 217 patients (81.9%) met the definition within 3 hours of arrival. Of 221 (83.4%) of patients who received antibiotics within 3 hours of arrival, 38 (17.2%) did not receive antibiotics within 1 hour of definition. Of 207 patients who received antibiotics within 1 hour of definition, 11.6% (n = 24) did not receive antibiotics within 3 hours of arrival. The arrival measure did not accurately classify performance in 23.4% of patients. Principal conclusions Nearly 1 of 5 patients cannot be captured for performance measurement within 3 hours of ED arrival due to the variable progression of septic shock. Use of this measure would misclassify performance in 23% of patients. Measuring antibiotic administration based on the clinical course of septic shock rather than from ED arrival would be more appropriate.
Effects of stimulators of protein kinases A and C and modulators of phosphorylation on plasminogen activator activity in porcine oocyte‐cumulus cell complexes during in vitro maturation

Effects of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), 6-dimethylami-nopurine (6-DMAP), and okadaic acid (OA) on plasminogen activator (PA) activity in porcine oocyte-cumulus cell complexes (POCC) in vitro were determined. Cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes were collected from 1–4 mm antral follicles and cultured in TCM-199 with 0.3% polyvinyl-pyrrolidone for 48 hr PA activities in POCC were quantified using SDS-PAGE, casein-agar zymography, and densitometry. Two plasminogen-dependent lytic zones (93–96 kD and 71–79 kD) were observed in POCC. Addition of amilorde to the zymograph, a competitive inhibitor of urokinase-type PA, failed to reduce activities in either zone, suggesting that the 71–79 kD band is a tissue-type PA (tPA) and the 93–96 kD band is possibly a tPA-inhibitor complex. Changes in PA activity due to the various treatments were expressed relative to the PA activity in 40 POCC. Increasing dbcAMP increased PA (P 75 nM. Treatment with 25 nM OA also induced the expression of an amiloride-sensitive PA (49–52 kD). Germinal vesicle breakdown and progression to metaphase II were inhibited (P <0.05) by 2.5 mM dbcAMP and 2 mM 6-DMAP, whereas 100 ng/ml PMA and 25 nM OA inhibited (P <0.05) only progression to metaphase II. These data suggest that PA production by POCC is influenced by protein kinases A and C and kinase inhibitors during oocyte maturation. Inhibition of intracellular phosphatases also induced novel PA production. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Atom-selective imaging of the GaAs(110) surface.

We report the first voltage-dependent scanning tunneling microscope images of a compound semiconductor surface, GaAs(110). Images show either only Ga atoms, or only As atoms, depending on the bias voltage. By combining voltage-dependent images with theoretical calculations, we quantitatively determine surface structural parameters which cannot be inferred from the images alone.
Detection and characterization of xenon-binding sites in proteins by 129Xe NMR spectroscopy.

Abstract Xenon-binding sites in proteins have led to a number of applications of xenon in biochemical and structural studies. Here we further develop the utility of 129 Xe NMR in characterizing specific xenon–protein interactions. The sensitivity of the 129 Xe chemical shift to its local environment and the intense signals attainable by optical pumping make xenon a useful NMR reporter of its own interactions with proteins. A method for detecting specific xenon-binding interactions by analysis of 129 Xe chemical shift data is illustrated using the maltose binding protein (MBP) from Escherichia coli as an example. The crystal structure of MBP in the presence of 8 atm of xenon confirms the binding site determined from NMR data. Changes in the structure of the xenon-binding cavity upon the binding of maltose by the protein can account for the sensitivity of the 129 Xe chemical shift to MBP conformation. 129 Xe NMR data for xenon in solution with a number of cavity containing phage T4 lysozyme mutants show that xenon can report on cavity structure. In particular, a correlation exists between cavity size and the binding-induced 129 Xe chemical shift. Further applications of 129 Xe NMR to biochemical assays, including the screening of proteins for xenon binding for crystallography are considered.
Intraportal prostaglandin E1 ameliorates the toxicity of intraportal 2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine in rats

Abstract This study was designed to see whether intraportal infusion with prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) could reduce mortality associated with high-dose intraportal infusion of 2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (FUDR). Thirty anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laparotomy and placement of osmotic pumps (Alzet 2ML1) infusing a branch of the portal vein. Animals were weighed and infused for 1 week with buffer (control), FUDR (3 mg/kg/day), or FUDR (3 mg/kg/day) + PGE 1 (0.1 μg/kg/min). Blood was then obtained for liver functions and white blood cell count. The body and liver were weighed. No animals died in the control group. Five animals in the FUDR group died during the fourth ( n = 1), sixth ( n = 2), and seventh ( n = 2) days of infusion. Only one animal in the FUDR + PGE 1 group died during the sixth day of infusion. Weight loss was greater in both treated groups than in controls. Animals receiving PGE 1 lost significantly less weight than animals receiving FUDR alone. These data suggest that intraportal PGE 1 ameliorates the hepatic toxicity of intraportal FUDR. The effect of PGE 1 on the tumoricidal properties of FUDR infused by either the portal vein or the hepatic artery remains to be studied.
Variability in Nose-to-Lung Aerosol Delivery

Nasal delivery of lung targeted pharmaceutical aerosols is ideal for drugs that need to be administered during high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) gas delivery, but based on previous studies losses and variability through both the delivery system and nasal cavity are expected to be high. The objective of this study was to assess the variability in aerosol delivery through the nose to the lungs with a nasal cannula interface for conventional and excipient enhanced growth (EEG) delivery techniques. A database of nasal cavity computed tomography (CT) scans was collected and analyzed, from which four models were selected to represent a wide range of adult anatomies, quantified based on the nasal surface area-to-volume ratio (SA/V). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods were validated with existing in vitro data and used to predict aerosol delivery through a streamlined nasal cannula and the four nasal models at a steady state flow rate of 30 L/min. Aerosols considered were solid particles for EEG delivery (initial 0.9 μm and 1.5 μm aerodynamic diameters) and conventional droplets (5 μm) for a control case. Use of the EEG approach was found to reduce depositional losses in the nasal cavity by an order of magnitude and substantially reduce variability. Specifically, for aerosol deposition efficiency in the four geometries, the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for 0.9 and 5 μm aerosols were 2.3-3.1 and 15.5-66.3%, respectively. Simulations showed that the use of EEG as opposed to conventional methods improved delivered dose of aerosols through the nasopharynx, expressed as penetration fraction (PF), by approximately a factor of four. Variability of PF, expressed by the coefficient of variation (CV), was reduced by a factor of four with EEG delivery compared with the control case. Penetration fraction correlated well with SA/V for larger aerosols, but smaller aerosols showed some dependence on nasopharyngeal exit hydraulic diameter. In conclusion, results indicated that the EEG technique not only improved lung aerosol delivery, but largely eliminated variability in both nasal depositional loss and lung PF in a newly developed set of nasal airway models.
Automatic Ki-67 Counting Using Robust Cell Detection and Online Dictionary Learning

Ki-67 proliferation index is a valid and important biomarker to gauge neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cell progression within the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Automatic Ki-67 assessment is very challenging due to complex variations of cell characteristics. In this paper, we propose an integrated learning-based framework for accurate automatic Ki-67 counting for NET. The main contributions of our method are: 1) A robust cell counting and boundary delineation algorithm that is designed to localize both tumor and nontumor cells. 2) A novel online sparse dictionary learning method to select a set of representative training samples. 3) An automated framework that is used to differentiate tumor from nontumor cells (such as lymphocytes) and immunopositive from immunonegative tumor cells for the assessment of Ki-67 proliferation index. The proposed method has been extensively tested using 46 NET cases. The performance is compared with pathologists' manual annotations. The automatic Ki-67 counting is quite accurate compared with pathologists' manual annotations. This is much more accurate than existing methods.
Sphingolipid perturbations as mechanisms for fumonisin carcinogenesis.

There is a great deal of evidence that altered sphingolipid metabolism is associated with fumonisininduced animal diseases including increased apoptotic and oncotic necrosis, and carcinogenesis in rodent liver and kidney. The biochemical consequences of fumonisin disruption of sphingolipid metabolism most likely to alter cell regulation are increased free sphingoid bases and their 1-phosphates, alterations in complex sphingolipids, and decreased ceramide (CER) biosynthesis. Because free sphingoid bases and CER can induce cell death, the fumonisin inhibition of CER synthase can inhibit cell death induced by CER but promote free sphingoid base-induced cell death. Theoretically, at any time the balance between the intracellular concentration of effectors that protect cells from apoptosis (decreased CER, increased sphingosine 1-phosphate) and those that induce apoptosis (increased CER, free sphingoid bases, altered fatty acids) will determine the cellular response. Because the balance between the rates of apoptosis and proliferation is important in tumorigenesis, cells sensitive to the proliferative effect of decreased CER and increased sphingosine 1-phosphate may be selected to survive and proliferate when free sphingoid base concentration is not growth inhibitory. Conversely, when the increase in free sphingoid bases exceeds a cell’s ability to convert sphinganine/sphingosine to dihydroceramide/CER or their sphingoid base 1-phosphate, then free sphingoid bases will accumulate. In this case cells that are sensitive to sphingoid base-induced growth arrest will die and insensitive cells will survive. If the cells selected to die are normal phenotypes and the cells selected to survive are abnormal, then cancer risk will increase. Key words: carcinogenesis, ceramide, corn, fumonisin, Fusarium moniliforme, glycosphingolipids, sphinganine, sphingolipid, sphingosine, sphingosine 1-phosphate. — Environ Health Perspect 109(suppl 2):301‐308 (2001). http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2001/suppl-2/301-308riley/abstract.html
Primary transcatheter treatment of congenital pulmonary arteriovenous malformation causing cyanosis of the newborn

We report on successful transcatheter therapy of congenital pulmonary arteriovenous malformation resolving persistent cyanosis and obviating the need for surgical pneumonectomy or lobectomy.
Zonal management of arsenic contaminated ground water in Northwestern Bangladesh.

Abstract This paper used ordinary kriging to spatially map arsenic contamination in shallow aquifers of Northwestern Bangladesh (total area ∼ 35,000 km 2 ). The Northwestern region was selected because it represents a relatively safer source of large-scale and affordable water supply for the rest of Bangladesh currently faced with extensive arsenic contamination in drinking water (such as the Southern regions). Hence, the work appropriately explored sustainability issues by building upon a previously published study ( Hossain et al., 2007 ; Water Resources Management , vol. 21: 1245–1261) where a more general nation-wide assessment afforded by kriging was identified. The arsenic database for reference comprised the nation-wide survey (of 3534 drinking wells) completed in 1999 by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in collaboration with the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) of Bangladesh. Randomly sampled networks of zones from this reference database were used to develop an empirical variogram and develop maps of zonal arsenic concentration for the Northwestern region. The remaining non-sampled zones from the reference database were used to assess the accuracy of the kriged maps. Two additional criteria were explored: (1) the ability of geostatistical interpolators such as kriging to extrapolate information on spatial structure of arsenic contamination beyond small-scale exploratory domains; (2) the impact of a priori knowledge of anisotropic variability on the effectiveness of geostatistically based management. On the average, the kriging method was found to have a 90% probability of successful prediction of safe zones according to the WHO safe limit of 10 ppb while for the Bangladesh safe limit of 50 ppb, the safe zone prediction probability was 97%. Compared to the previous study by Hossain et al. (2007) over the rest of the contaminated country side, the probability of successful detection of safe zones in the Northwest is observed to be about 25% higher. An a priori knowledge of anisotropy was found to have inconclusive impact on the effectiveness of kriging. It was, however, hypothesized that a preferential sampling strategy that honored anisotropy could be necessary to reach a more definitive conclusion in regards to this issue.
The protective effects of cromakalim and pinacidil on reperfusion function and infarct size in isolated perfused rat hearts and anesthetized dogs.

The direct myocardial protective effects of intracoronary infusions of cromakalim and pinacidil were determined in an anesthetized canine model of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. The left circumflex coronary artery was occluded for 90 minutes and reperfused for 5 hours, at which time the infarct size was determined. Cromakalim (0.1 μg/kg/min) or pinacidil (0.09 μg/kg/min) were infused into the left circumflex coronary artery starting 10 minutes preischemia. Cromakalim significantly reduced infarct size as a percent of the left ventricular area at risk (25±5%) compared with vehicle controls (55±7%). Pinacidil did not reduce infarct size at an equimolar dose, but at the higher dose also significantly reduced infarct size. Collateral blood flow was not significantly altered by either drug, though reperfusion flow was significantly higher in cromakalim-treated animals, particularly in the subepicardial region. When the same dose of cromakalim was given starting 2 minutes before the initiation of reperfusion, no significant beneficial effect of cromakalim was observed. In another study, isolated buffer-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 25 minutes of global ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. These hearts were treated with 7 μM cromakalim, either starting 10 minutes before ischemia or only during reperfusion, and its effect on reperfusion function and LDH release were determined. Cromakalim pretreatment (both when given throughout the experiment and when not present in the reperfusion buffer) resulted in significant improvements in the reperfusion function. Reperfusion contracture and LDH were also significantly reduced with this treatment. When given only during reperfusion, cromakalim did not reduce the severity of ischemia when compared with vehicle controls. Thus, both cromakalim and pinacidil reduce ischemic/reperfusion injury, though the timing of treatment may be important.
Changing the Clinch River into a Trout Stream

Abstract The construction and operation of Norris Dam has changed about 20 miles of the Clinch River from a warm-water to a cold-water stream as the water which is released from the base of the dam usually has a temperature below 50°F. Many of the warm-water fishes were killed by this change. It is hoped this portion of the Clinch River will develop into a trout stream. Rainbow trout were planted in 1936 and a few were taken during the 1937 season. Quantitative studies of the bottom organisms were made at four localities in this section of the river to discover changes in the warm-water fauna and to determine whether or not a cold-water fauna suitable as a food supply for trout was developing. These studies demonstrated that some of the warm-water forms had disappeared so that only a small residual population was present and that the bottom fauna was not as yet typical of a trout stream. Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera and Odonata were almost lacking. Snails were abundant and constituted 97.21 per cent of the ...
Social Heteroglossia: The Contentious Practice or Potential Place of Middle-Class Parents in Home--School Relations.

Middle-class parents have often been characterized as individualistic in their endeavors with schools and have been shown to advocate to the cultural advantage of their own children with questionable consequences or counter results for the children of others. This research paper situates the activity, influence, and multiple perspectives of the middle class upon school activity, even within a reform effort characterized by and supportive of diversity and community. School people and parent leaders in this research operated under the mandate of “promoting partnerships to increase parental involvement and school participation to encourage the social, emotional, and academic growth of children.” Findings feature contrasting elements of middle-class activity influencing and structuring home–school relations within a diverse school community. The research illuminates the tensions and possibilities within this urban community, raises questions, and offers alternative interpretations of middle-class activity to a greater degree than usual. The Bakhtinian concept of heteroglossia allows interpretations of the actions and motivations among parents, providing options when parent populations comprise contrasting social groups. The conclusion not only highlights middle-class standards at work within partnership activities but also raises questions about how to best utilize leadership potential of strong cadres of parent volunteers in activities of organizations like PATHWAYS and Parent Teacher Organization.
Effects of Tube Diameter, Length and Tube Numbers on Condensation of Steam in Vertical Tube Condenser

A heat and mass analogy study was performed for the steam condensation in a vertical tube where steam is completely condensed. In the analysis a single tube, tube bundle with four tubes and two different diameter tubes were considered. The two condensing tubes of same height (0.9m) but different inside diameters, 26.6mm and 52.5mm, were used whereas the tube bundle was made of four tubes of height 1.8 m and 52.5 mm diameter. The results showed that the operating pressure is uniquely determined by inlet steam flow rate for the complete condensation. The condensation heat transfer rate increases and the condensation heat transfer coefficient decreases with the system pressure. The condensation heat transfer coefficients (HTC) were obtained as function various parameters such as different primary pressure (150–450 kPa) and inlet steam flow rate, single tube and tube bundle and tube diameters. Comparison with experimental condensation rates for single tube of 26.6 mm and 52.5 mm and four tube bundle of tube diameter 52.5 mm were made and the agreement was good. The effects of these parameters to condensation performance were evaluated.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Abdominal and perineal muscle reaction to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure

The aim of this study was to observe the abdominal and pelvic floor muscle reaction to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure in both continent and incontinent women. We performed a case control study using a convenience sample of 100 women, seen at two sites. Forty-eight were taken from a group of women with urinary incontinence seen at a tertiary care center, and 52 were studied during a routine gynecologic evaluation at a primary care center. The examination consisted of observation and palpation of the pelvic floor and abdomen during the command to cough and tighten the perineal muscles. The majority of incontinent (93%) and continent (92%) women allowed their perineum to bulge during a cough. The women (88% incontinent and 95% continent) also demonstrated a simultaneous bulging of their abdominal wall during coughing. Continent women exhibited statistically greater perineal strength than the incontinent women (p<0.001). The majority of women bulge their pelvic floor during the increased intra-abdominal pressure of a cough.