cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PRIMARY EWING'S SARCOMA: 75% DISEASE-FREE 5 YEAR SURVIVAL WITH T-2 CHEMOTHERAPY – CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE THERAPEUTIC TRIALS

In 1973, we reported initial results of 4-drug chemotherapy, namely dactinomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (T–2) in children with Ewing's Sarcoma(ES). Twenty previously untreated children with primary ES and 8 with metastatic disease were treated with surgery or radiation therapy(RT)(6000–7000 rads) and T-2 chemotherapy. Of the 20 children with primary ES, 15 have no evidence of disease for from 25+-76+ months (median 41+ months)from the start of treatment. The actuarial disease-free 5 year survival rate for this group of patients is 75%. Of the 8 patients presenting with metastatic disease, all had a complete response to T-2, but 7/8 had tumor recurrence. Examination of the T-2 treatment failures revealed that all relapses occurred at the end of the second year of T-2 or after therapy was stopped. In addition, of 23 patients receiving “curative” RT to their primary, 5 had local recurrences(22%) and 6(26%) had severe functional debility secondary to combined RT and T-2 chemotherapy. The conclusions drawn from this experience have led us to consider a new approach to the treatment of ES, including more aggressive initial chemotherapy and the use of surgery alone or in combination with moderate doses of RT in those patients in whom we can predict a high frequency of local recurrence or of “functional failures”. Supported by NCI Grant#CA-08748.
Contradictions in the Role of Professor as Activist

Abstract Case studies of the author's involvement in political activities are presented. These are drawn upon to discuss issues raised by Foucault, Gramsci and others about the social roles of intellectuals. The professoriate is conceived to experience a contradiction, partly couched in terms of academic freedom as a “liberating right” versus an “immobilizing chain.” The author urges the professoriate to become activist in order to avoid their assimilation and conquest as intellectuals by and in the interest of elites.
Schematic concept formation with linguaform patterns

This study extends to linguaform patterns the results of earlier studies of schematic concept formation (SCF) with histoforms. Linguaform patterns were constructed as sequences of syllables into which schemata were introduced by a Markov process which favored the occurrence of chosen pairs of syllables. Different pairings of syllables produced different schemata. An oddity task was used to test for SCF; the problem required finding the odd sequence in a set of three sequences, two of which had the same schema. All Ss performed above chance and improved with experience, whether the odd pattern represented a different schema or a random sequence. Performance was equally good with and without knowledge of results.
Fluorescent antibody inhibition test for Coccidioides immitis antibodies.

The results of a study to develop a fluorescent antibody (FA) inhibition test for the demonstration of antibodies to Coccidioides immitis are presented. Endospores formed in vivo were used as antigen in this test; the conjugate used had been prepared from antiglobulins of rabbits infected with C. immitis. Ninety-one sera from confirmed human cases of coccidioidomycosis and 15 sera from individuals affected with other diseases were tested by FA inhibition, and the results compared with those obtained by the complement fixation (CF) procedure. These sera were tube precipitin (TP) negative. Of these 106 sera, 80 were positive by both the FA and CF tests, and 14 were negative by both, for an overall agreement of approximately 88%. Eleven additional sera that were TP positive but CF negative were positive by the FA technique. The findings indicate that the FA inhibition technique can be used for the rapid detection of antibodies to C. immitis in sera.
Multiple Gln/Asn-Rich Prion Domains Confer Susceptibility to Induction of the Yeast [PSI+] Prion

Abstract The yeast prion [PSI + ] results from self-propagating aggregates of Sup35p. De novo formation of [PSI + ] requires an additional non-Mendelian trait, thought to result from a prion form of one or more unknown proteins. We find that the Gln/Asn-rich prion domains of two proteins, New1p and Rnq1p, can control susceptibility to [PSI + ] induction as well as enhance aggregation of a human glutamine expansion disease protein. [PSI + ] inducibility results from gain-of-function properties of New1p and Rnq1p aggregates rather than from inactivation of the normal proteins. These studies suggest a molecular basis for the epigenetic control of [PSI + ] inducibility and may reveal a broader role for this phenomenon in the physiology of protein aggregation.
Ordering processes in polyester thermoplastic elastomers

Synthesis of thermoplastic elastomers derived from poly-tetramethylene glycol (PTME glycol), dimethylterephthalate and different mixtures of ethylene and butylene glycol is described. Extended heating near the crystalline melting point of these systems leads to a measurable increase in the melting point of 15–20°C. This ordering process can be reversed by heating at 250°C or well above the melting point. These results are interpreted in terms of sequence ordering within existing crystallites via interchain transesterification on heating near the melting point. Heating at 250°C is best explained as randomization of the ordered ester units.
Quantitative Restoration of Advanced Spermatogenic Cells in Adult Male Rats Made Azoospermic by Active Immunization against Luteinizing Hormone or Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*

Abstract The ability of testosterone to quantitatively restore spermatogenesis in rats made azoospermic by active immunization against LH or GnRH was examined. Sexually mature adult male rats (n = 15/group) were actively immunized against ovine LH or GnRH-human serum globulin conjugate, while control rats (n = 10) were injected with saline. After 10 weeks of immunization, five rats per group were euthanized. For each rat, trunk blood was collected for determination of LH, FSH, and testosterone by RIA; seminiferous tubule fluid (STF) was collected from one testis per rat, and testosterone concentration was measured by RIA; the number of advanced spermatids per testis was determined from the contralateral testis. The results obtained after 10 weeks of treatment were as follows. 1) Serum LH and FSH were undetectable by RIA in GnRH-immunized rats. 2) Serum testosterone was undetectable in both the LH- and GnRH-immunized groups. 3) The testosterone concentration in STF (STF-T) was reduced from the control valu...
Role for hepatic and circulatory ST6Gal-1 sialyltransferase in regulating myelopoiesis.

Recent findings have established a role for the ST6Gal-1 sialyltransferase in modulating inflammatory cell production during Th1 and Th2 responses. ST6Gal-1 synthesizes the Sia(α2,6) to Gal(β1,4)GlcNAc linkage on glycoproteins on cell surfaces and in systemic circulation. Engagement of P1, one of six promoter/regulatory regions driving murine ST6Gal-1 gene expression, generates the ST6Gal-1 for myelopoietic regulation. P1 utilization, however, is restricted to the liver and silent in hematopoietic cells. We considered the possibility that myelopoiesis is responsive to the sialylation of liver-derived circulatory glycoproteins, such that reduced α2,6-sialylation results in elevated myelopoiesis. However, 2-dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis disclosed only minimal alterations in the sialylation of sera glycoproteins of ST6Gal-1-deficient mice when compared with wild-type controls, either at baseline or during an acute phase response when the demand for sialylation is greatest. Furthermore, sera from ST6Gal-1-deficient animals did not enhance myelopoietic activity in ex vivo colony formation assays. Whereas there was only minimal consequence to the α2,6-sialylation of circulatory glycoproteins, ablation of the P1 promoter did result in strikingly depressed levels of ST6Gal-1 released into systemic circulation. Therefore, we considered the alternative possibility that myelopoiesis may be regulated not by the hepatic sialyl glycoproteins, but by the ST6Gal-1 that was released directly into circulation. Supporting this, ex vivo colony formation was notably attenuated upon introduction of physiologic levels of ST6Gal-1 into the culture medium. Our data support the idea that circulatory ST6Gal-1, mostly of hepatic origin, limits myelopoiesis by a mechanism independent of hepatic sialylation of serum glycoproteins.
Effect of atherosclerosis and vitamin A on glucose tolerance in dogs.

SummaryIntravenous glucose tolerance studies showed no impairment of glucose utilization in atherosclerotic dogs. It was observed, however, that administration of vitamin A to atherosclerotic dogs did produce a significant increase in glucose utilization.
A Non-Quasi-Static, Relaxation-Time Small-Signal HEMT Model Compatible with Large-Signal Modeling

A non-quasi-static, relaxation-time small-signal HEMT model is proposed that is fully compatible with large-signal modeling. The small-signal model is derived by linearization from a large-signal, charge-conserving model that uses a relaxation-time approximation. The model's topology is fully symmetrical with respect to the Gate, and makes use of a comprehensive extrinsic network.
TOPOCHEMICALLY RELATED HORMONE STRUCTURES: Synthesis of Partial Retro‐Inverso Analogs of LH‐RH

The syntheses of five partial retro-inverso luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)analogs, [g-Tyr5, m-Gly6]LH-RH, [g-Tyr5-r-Gly6, R,S-m-Leu7]LH-RH, [g-p-Glu1, m-His2]LH-RH, [g-p-Glu1 -r-D-His-R,S-m-Trp3]LH-RH, and [g-Pro9- propionyl-des-Gly10]LH-RH, have been accomplished by solution methods. The choice of sequence to be reversed was based on suggested biodegradation mechanisms of LH-RH. A (gem)-diamino alkylidene residue, which was produced via Curtius rearrangement of a peptide segment, and a 2-substituted malonyl residue mark the initiating and terminating site, respectively, of the reversed sequence.
RIGIDITY OF THE IDENTITY

The structure of the group Aut(ℂn) of biholomorphisms of ℂn is largely unknown if n > 1. In stark contrast Aut(ℂ) is rather small, consisting of the non-constant affine linear maps. The description of Aut(ℂ) follows from the observation that an injective holomorphic function f : ℂ → ℂ satisfying f(0) = 0 and f′(0) = 1 must be the identity. These considerations suggest that similar characterizations of the identity might be useful in understanding the structure of Aut(ℂn). Using geometric methods we prove that an injective holomorphic map f : ℂn → ℂn is the identity I if and only if the power series at 0 of f - I has no terms of order ≤ 2n + 1 and the function |det Df(z)| |z|2n |f(z)|-2n is subharmonic throughout ℂn.
“Ma'iingan Is Just a Misspelling of the Word Wolf”: A Case for Teaching Culture through Language

Framed by the English language and positioned as a distinct subject, Ojibwe culture and language are often appreciated by students rather than taught for a deeper understanding or fluency, or used as the language of instruction in tribal schools. Ojibwe culture and language have been “added on” to existing school curriculum, an approach that changes the meaning of culture. In this article I critique the add-on approach and propose that teaching through the Indigenous language (immersion) supports cultural and language revitalization in a more fundamental way.
Identifying Signatures of Selection at the Enhancer of split Neurogenic Gene Complex in Drosophila

The Enhancer of split gene complex (E(spl)-C) is one of the more highly annotated gene regions in Drosophila, and the 12 genes within the complex help determine the spacing and patterning of adult bristles. Any E(spl)-C coding, transcribed, or cis-regulatory regions experiencing nonneutral evolution are strong candidates to harbor polymorphisms contributing to naturally occurring variation in bristle number. We confirm that the E(spl)-C is strongly conserved and show that 74% of regulatory elements previously identified in D. melanogaster are conserved in D. pseudoobscura. Regulatory elements in enhancer regions show lower nucleotide diversity and more rare polymorphisms compared with adjacent nonregulatory DNA, suggesting they are under purifying selection, and these effects are particularly pronounced when considering only conserved regulatory elements. The ratio of polymorphism to divergence was significantly different between binding sites and nonbinding sites for transcription factors within enhancer regions, suggesting the action of some form of selection. Too few polymorphisms in regions of the 3' UTR harboring regulatory motifs prevents adequate comparison of diversity and the polymorphism frequency spectrum between 3' UTR motif and nonmotif sequence. We identified at least two broad regions of the gene complex showing strong population subdivision among four populations, which is suggestive of local adaptation or background selection. Finally, two regions of the E(spl)-C exhibit low nucleotide diversity, a high level of rare polymorphisms, and an increase in linkage disequilibrium, which together suggest the action of positive selection. Notably, the gene m2 shows a significant deviation from neutrality by the McDonald-Kreitman test and resides in one of the two regions putatively experiencing a selective sweep. All sites in regions apparently visible to various selective forces are candidates for future work to determine their phenotypic effects.
The effect of time-out release contingencies on changes in child noncompliance

This project evaluated the effect of time-out release contingencies on changes in child noncompliance to maternal instructions. Twenty-four clinic-referred, noncompliant, preschool children served as subjects. Each child was assessed under baseline conditions and then under one of three experimental conditions: Parent Release, Child Release, or Control. Children in the Parent Release and Child Release conditions experienced time-out contingent upon noncompliance. Temporal and behavioral time-out release contingencies were present in the Parent Release condition but not in the Child Release condition. A spanking procedure was used to inhibit premature escape from time-out for children in the Parent Release group. The results indicated that both time-out groups demonstrated increased compliance ratios. However, improvement associated with the Child Release condition was considered to be clinically insignificant.
Dipole radiative rates of metastable antiprotonic helium

A dipole radiative rate for metastable antiprotonic helium is estimated using an existing Born-Oppenheimer wave function and the velocity form of the transition matrix element. This rate is 4.7 times faster than the one computed using the length form. It is suggested that the velocity form gives a rate that is easier to reconcile with experiment, as interpreted with accepted notions about exotic atom formation.
Nicotine blocks quinpirole-induced behavior in rats: psychiatric implications

Rationale and objectives: Because of known and imputed roles of dopaminergic and nicotinic cholinergic systems in a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, combined neurochemical and behavioral methods assessments were made to study the intermodulatory roles of these neurochemical systems. Methods: Rats were treated daily during postnatal ontogeny with the dopamine D2/D3 agonist, quinpirole (QNP) HCl (1.0 mg/kg/day), for the first 3 weeks from birth. This priming process replicated previous findings of behavioral sensitization, manifested as hyperlocomotion, increased paw treading with jumping, and increased yawning. Results: All effects were partially or totally blocked by acute treatment with nicotine (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.). The effects of nicotine, in turn, were partially or totally blocked by the nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.). In concert with these behavioral actions, QNP-primed rats displayed greater binding of [3H]cytisine in midbrain and cerebellum and greater [125I]α-bungarotoxin binding in hippocampus and striatum. Conclusions: Accordingly, these selective ligands for α4β2 and α7 nicotinic receptors, respectively, demonstrate that nicotinic receptors are altered by dopamine D2/D3 agonist treatment of rats with primed dopamine receptors. We propose that nicotinic agonists may have a therapeutic benefit in behavioral disorders brought about by central dopaminergic imbalance.
Essential Hypertension: Could the Basic Defect Be in Blood Supply of Vasomotor Centre?

Various factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, although the exact cause of essential hypertension is still unknown. In this paper it is suggested that the basic pathology in essential hypertension may be an inherited defect in the blood supply of that part of reticular formation of rostral ventrolateral medulla which contains the pressor area. The posited defect is one in which the arterial branch supplying blood to the above-mentioned pressor area of vasomotor center arises from an artery which is stenosed. The other branches of this stenosed artery supply adjacent areas of medullary reticular formation concerned with other neurological functions. Due to this stenosis there is ischaemia of the pressor area resulting in increased systemic arterial pressure. During stress, the blood requirement of adjacent areas of the reticular formation (whose function is still not clearly defined) may increase, thus further decreasing blood flow to vasopressor area and increasing the cerebral ischaemic response. After a prolonged time, this increased blood pressure can cause hyaline arteriolar nephrosclerosis in kidney, which may participate in the maintenance of elevated systemic arterial pressure.
MK801-induced activated caspase-3 exhibits selective co-localization with GAD67

Blockade of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in postnatal day 7 (P7) rats can promote rapid and robust induction of the pro-apoptotic marker activated caspase-3 (AC3) and loss of the GABAergic marker GAD67 at P56. Thus, we hypothesized that NMDAR blockade-induced AC3 occurs in GAD67 positive cells at P7. To test this idea, we injected P7 rat pups with vehicle or MK801 and after 8h (peak of AC3 induction) we examined brain sections for both AC3 and GAD67. Compared to vehicle, MK801 profoundly induced AC3 in all brain regions examined but co-expression of GAD67 in the same cells was not observed. However, in brain regions where punctate (synaptic) GAD67 was abundant (for example, layer IV of the somatosensory cortex), AC3 was robust. These data suggest that whereas somatic expression of AC3 and GAD67 may be non-overlapping, areas that exhibit punctate GAD67 (and are high in synaptic turnover) may be more vulnerable to MK801 exposure.
Ionic Liquid Catalyst for Biphasic Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Ionic liquids have recently been used as solvents for biphasic atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to facilitate the separation of the products from the catalysts. Here we report an ionic l...
Winter's bracing approach revisited

Winter's classic bracing paper is reviewed and his method for full bracing is extended to cases when less than full bracing is used. Full bracing, as redefined in this paper, permits the column or beam to support load levels corresponding to an unbraced length of KL where L is the distance between braces and K is an effective length factor taken as 1.0. Using Winter's rigid bar model, an approximate buckling load for members with less than full bracing is developed that compares very favourably with an exact solution. It is also shown that Winter's model rigid bar model can be extended to cases where the brace spacing is unequal.
An advocate's perspective on cancer survivorship.

Objective : To illustrate the scope of advocacy in cancer survivorship and to emphasize the critical role that health care providers play to help improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. Data Sources : Published articles, government reports, and books. Conclusions : The delivery of quality cancer care requires not only an understanding of cancer survivorship issues but also a strategy for advocacy efforts for cancer survivors and their families. Implications for Nursing Practice : Advocacy efforts involve individual interventions and family-focused support, public and professional education, and programs and policies that enhance cancer care and quality of life.
Time for a new start

Summary The National Research Council (NRC), which carries out studies for the U.S. National Academies, released a scathing report in December that highlights the shortfalls of the Bush administration's effort to determine the environment, health and safety (EHS) risks posed by engineered nanomaterials – a backbone of worldwide innovation. The NRC report, which was authored by an independent body of experts, highlights how understanding risks will help foster innovation. The NRC report is – if nothing else – an ideal opportunity for a new start.
Trends in the Susceptibility of Tuberculosis in New York City, 1987–1991

The annual number of cases of tuberculosis in New York City has increased since 1978. In addition, in 1991 a 1-month survey of cases of tuberculosis in New York City found that 33% of all cases were resistant to at least one drug. To determine susceptibility trends from 1987 to 1991, a period during which an unprecedented rise in resistant tuberculosis occurred in New York City, we reviewed the microbiology records of 44 New York City hospitals (comprising > 14,000 cases). The percentage of cases resistant to at least one drug rose from 19% in 1987 to 28% in 1991, and the percentage of cases resistant to isoniazid rose from 13% in 1987 to 23% in 1991, while resistance to at least both isoniazid and rifampin rose from 6% to 14%. The rise of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis occurred in all four surveyed boroughs (counties) of New York City. These data demonstrate how rapidly multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can appear, and they suggest that initial empirical regimens should be broadened at certain hospitals.
SPRINT: Scalable photonic switching fabric for high-performance computing (HPC)

High-performance computing systems and datacenters will interconnect hundreds to thousands of heterogeneous general purpose or specialized cores in the future. As the number of network end-point sockets scales exponentially, the underlying communication fabric must deliver high bandwidth with low power and reduced switching complexity. While high-radix routers enable smaller diameter networks, the penalty is in increased switching complexity and router power. In this paper, we propose SPRINT (scalable photonic reconfigurable interconnect), which can scale to a large number of cores using photonic switching implemented with silicon micro-ring resonators (MRRs). MRRs are low power, high bandwidth photonic switching devices that can be arranged to function similarly to a high-radix router with reduced complexity and power. We will first show the design of a 64 core cluster using optical interconnects and electrical packet switching. To build scalable switching crossconnects, we investigate the design of 256-, 512- and 1024-socket versions of SPRINT connected to function as passive arrayed-waveguide gratings. Our proposed switching crossconnect with single and dual micro-rings minimizes the hop count to 4 for a 1024 core network while reducing the power dissipation, increasing the bandwidth and reducing the switching complexity.
Emergency medicine and the developing world

The developing countries of the world represent a new environment in which to apply the unique expertise and knowledge of emergency medicine. With an understanding of the cultural, political and economic forces that affect health care in developing countries, American emergency physicians should consider collaboration with their counterparts in developing countries in such areas as prehospital care systems, trauma care, disaster management, poison information and management systems, and education related to clinical services, administration, and research methods in emergency medicine. Such collaboration can broaden the field of emergency medicine and fulfill individual humanitarian goals.
Metapopulation Persistence with Age-Dependent Disturbance or Succession

Simple metapopulation models with random disturbances are used in species conservation or management, relying on the condition for persistence that the per-patch colonization rate be greater than the per-patch extinction rate. For a general model incorporating the role of succession or patch age-dependent extinction, I show that persistence requires the per-patch colonization rate to be greater than the inverse of mean patch age, where age is the time since the patch became available for colonization. Because mean patch age can be arbitrarily large relative to the extinction rate, currently persisting metapopulations may be persisting despite small colonization rates, and management approaches that do not consider the role of mean patch age may unnecessarily doom populations to extinction.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of aryl azide derivatives of combretastatin A-4 as molecular probes for tubulin.

Abstract Two new aryl azides, ( Z )-1-(3′-azido-4′-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxyphenyl)ethene 9 and ( Z )-1-(4′-azido-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxyphenyl)ethene 5 , modeled after the potent antitumor, antimitotic agent combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), have been prepared by chemical synthesis as potentially useful photoaffinity labeling reagents for the colchicine site on β-tubulin. Aryl azide 9 , in which the 3′-hydroxyl group of CA-4 is replaced by an azido moiety, demonstrates excellent in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (NCI 60 cell line panel, average GI 50 =4.07×10 −8 M) and potent inhibition of tubulin polymerization (IC 50 =1.4±0.1 μM). The 4′-azido analogue 5 has lower activity (NCI 60 cell line panel, average GI 50 =2.28×10 −6 M, and IC 50 =5.2 ±0.2 μM for inhibition of tubulin polymerization), suggesting the importance of the 4′-methoxy moiety for interaction with the colchicine binding site on tubulin. These CA-4 aryl azide analogues also inhibit binding of colchicine to tubulin, as does the parent CA-4, and therefore these compounds are excellent candidates for photoaffinity labeling studies.
Quantification of gas denucleation and thrombogenicity of vascular grafts

In vitro methods were developed to measure the air content of vascular graft walls and the thrombogenicity of this air. Gas content (volume %) of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts from different sources ranged from 75.5 +/- 0.4% to 61.8 +/- 0.3%. Exposure of Vitagraft ePTFE to a vacuum prior to saline immersion replaced 87.5% of the gas nuclei with saline (denucleation). Acetone and ethanol immersion produced 98.9% and 94.3% denucleation, respectively. Denucleation was essentially complete when vacuum exposure was followed by hydrostatic pressure treatment at 500 psig or greater. The influence of gas content on thrombogenicity was determined by immersing graft samples in whole canine blood and weighing the adherent thrombus. Denucleation significantly reduced adherent thrombus weight compared with control grafts (p less than 0.001). Air in Vitagraft walls was responsible for 84% of the adherent thrombus weight at four minutes. The described methods could be employed to assess the hemocompatibility of various biomaterials.
The effect of a subject-specific amount of lateral wedge on knee mechanics in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.

We examined if a subject-specific amount of lateral wedge added to a foot orthosis could alter knee mechanics to potentially reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis. Twenty individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis (>/=2 Kellgren Lawrence grade) were prescribed a custom laterally wedged foot orthotic device. The prescribed wedge amount was the minimal wedge amount that provided the maximum amount of pain reduction during a lateral step-down test. Following an accommodation period, all subjects returned to the laboratory for a gait analysis. Knee mechanics were collected as the subjects walked at an intentional walking speed. Walking in the laterally wedged orthotic device significantly reduced the peak adduction moment during early stance (p 7 degrees; however, no such issues were reported in this study. Therefore, providing a custom laterally wedged orthotic device may potentially increase compliance while still potentially reducing disease progression.
Spectral reflectance of solid sulfur trioxide (0.25–5.2 μm): Implications for Jupiter's satellite Io

Laboratory data on the UV and near-IR spectra of SO3 are compared with spectra obtained for the Jovian moon Io by the Voyager and IUE satellites. The experimental data were taken at wavelengths from 0.25 micron to nearly 6 microns, although only order-of-magnitude estimates could be made of the associated particle sizes. Tests were also performed to identify the spectral characteristics with succeedingly lower concentrations of SO3 relative to SO2, which is apparently abundant on the Io surface. No evidence was found for the presence of solid SO3 in the spectra of Io down to projected concentrations lower than 1 percent. The findings are considered surprising since it is known that particle bombardment will cause SO3 to form in SO2 concentrations. It is expected that SO3 will be detected by the IR mapping instrument to be carried by the Galileo spacecraft.
Microbial mobilization of barite

Abstract Bacteria from lake mud grown under anaerobic conditions with powdered barite present significantly increase the amount of barium that dissolves in the culture medium. Innocula of lake mud were added to a growth medium specified for sulfate-reducing bacteria. Powdered barite was added to each culture flask and flasks were purged with nitrogen, sealed and maintained at 20°C for 17 days. When the cultures were opened for analysis, hydrogen sulfide and iron sulfide had formed in all growing cultures. In cultures containing barite as the only sulfate, the barium content of the culture solutions had risen to an average of 3.3 ppm (maximum = 3.8 ppm, minimum = 1.8 ppm). Cultures containing ferrous sulfate and barite showed less than 0.1 ppm barium in solution. Cultures that had been sterilized by poisoning or autoclaving showed approximately 0.5 ppm barium in solution. Sulfate-reducing bacteria may be responsible for the high barium concentrations recorded in streams draining barite mining areas.
Detection and discrimination of landmines in ground-penetrating radar based on edge histogram descriptors

This paper describes an algorithm for land mine detection in GPR data that uses edge histogram descriptors for feature extraction and fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) for confidence assignment. First, an LMS algorithm for anomaly detection is used to focus attention and identify candidate signatures that resemble mines. Second, translation invariant features are extracted based on spatial distribution of edges in the 3-D GPR signatures. Specifically, each 3-D signature is divided into sub-signatures, and the local edge distribution for each sub-signature is represented by a histogram. To generate the histogram, local edges are categorized into five types: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, anti-diagonal, and non-edges. Next, the training signatures are clustered to identify prototypes. The main idea is to identify few prototypes that can capture the variations of the signatures within each class. These variations could be due to different mine types, different soil conditions, different weather conditions, etc. Fuzzy memberships are assigned to these representatives to capture their degree of sharing among the mines and false alarm classes. Finally, fuzzy K-NN based rules are used to assign a confidence value to distinguish true detections from false alarms. The proposed algorithm is applied to data acquired from three outdoor test sites at different geographic locations.
Comparative susceptibility in the laboratory of larval instars of Trichoplusia ni and Pieris rapae to Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis

Abstract The comparative pathogenicity between four commercial preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis and their laboratory-cultured counterparts was determined by feeding the materials on foliage to all instars of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae. Mortality counts were recorded daily up to 72 hr. Two of the commercial products were as effective against the imported cabbageworm as their laboratory cultures, but the other two were consistently less effective. Against the cabbage looper, the differences between the commercial products and their laboratory cultures were inconsistent up to 48 hr, but after 72 hr, the laboratory cultures were consistently more effective. When each of the five larval instars of both species was allowed a choice between treated and untreated foliage for 72 hr, the daily mortality of first-instar larvae of both species was similar. The daily mortality of second-instar larvae of each species was inconsistent, but that of the third- to fifth-instar cabbageworm larvae was higher. All instars of cabbageworms that were allowed a feeding choice had similar mortalities after 24 hr, but after they fed for 48 to 72 hr, the mortality was highest among the fourth and fifth instars; in contrast, mortality of the first and second instars of cabbage-looper larvae after 24 hr was similar, but that of all instars after 48 and 72 hr was erratic (no trend toward increased mortality among older instars as in cabbageworms). When larvae were fed only treated foliage, the mortality between all instars of cabbageworms was similar after each daily observation period, but mortality between instars of the cabbage looper was similar only after 72 hr. Furthermore, when each instar of both species was compared, the percentage mortality was the same after the 72-hr feeding period.
Non-exponential relaxation of nuclear magnetization in solid ortho-para hydrogen mixtures☆

Abstract We report calculations of the decay of the nuclear magnetization of different isochromats in the NMR absorption spectrum of solid mixtures of ortho-para hydrogen. The calculated decays show significant departures from exponential recovery and are in good overall agreement with experimental results reported elsewhere. A slowly component, characteristic of the quadrupolar glass phase is predicted at long times.
Graceful degradation via versions: specifications and implementations

Correctness of a fault-tolerant system hinges on the failure model, which typically constrains the number of concurrent failures in the system. These assumptions are sometimes violated in practice, inevitably leading to degraded system behavior that deviates from the system's specification and even causing complete unavailability of the system.This paper advocates the notion of graceful degradation as a complementary mechanism to fault tolerance in thedesign of highly available distributed systems. It provides three specifications for meaningful system behavior under degradation. The different specifications capture different tradeoffs between the gracefulness of degradation and the semantics preserved by a degraded view. The paper further demonstrates the practical relevance of the specifications by presenting three designs of versioned distributed storage systems that implement the specifications.
Optimizing the Search for Cost Deviation Sources

The typical statistical cost control model determines when a cost deviation is significant, but does not determine the optimum search procedure for restoring the process to a state of control. This search procedure is important because any given cost deviation may be the result of a number of individual causes and each cause requires different search activity. A model is developed and subsequently extended for determining the optimum sequence in which to examine the various possible causes.
Atomic layer deposition for fabricating capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers: initial characterization

In this paper, we examine the utility of a new method for fabricating capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs). The method is based on atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, which uses a self-limiting binary reaction process to produce ultra-thin membranes. Advantages of ALD include precise control of dimensions including gap-width between the capacitor plates, membrane thickness and radius, lower cost due to a reduction in the number of fabrication steps, the potential to use a large variety of materials, and increased reliability due to the enhanced surface quality of the membranes. These capabilities promise fabrication of transducers with superior operating characteristics. However, no study has yet documented sensitivity and power requirements for CMUTs created using ALD. We present here a first-order mechanical and equivalent circuit analysis along with a fabrication process to create and characterize CMUTs using ALD. Results show that these systems have the potential for excellent sensitivity and decreased power requirements. Work to test the fabricated elements is currently underway.
A new method of correcting the trajectory in linacs

The authors describe a novel method of reducing the transverse emittance dilution in linear colliders due to both transverse wakefields and dispersive errors. The technique is a generalization of the dispersion-free (DF) correction algorithm; the dilutions are corrected locally by varying the beam trajectory. This technique complements BNS (Balakin-Novokhatsky-Smirnov, 1983) damping, which primarily corrects the dilutions resulting from coherent betatron oscillations. The results of simulations are presented, demonstrating the viability of the technique. Since the proposed technique is very similar to the DF method, the authors know that it is a robust algorithm and is not sensitive to effects such as jitter and calibration errors. Furthermore, the technique will effectively decouple the emittance dilution from the transverse alignment of the quadrupoles and the beam position monitors. >
ROOT AND LEAF HERBIVORY ON LYTHRUM SALICARIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANT PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNITIES

Herbivores can have major direct impacts on plant performance, carbon and nitrogen content of plant tissues, nutrient cycling, and important ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Herbivory on a dominant plant can alter competitive interactions, which may have profound effects on plant community composition. We investigated the impact of herbivory by a root weevil (Hylobius transversovittatus) and a leaf beetle (Galerucella calmariensis) on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in large walk-in cages established in an invaded wetland in upstate New York, USA, from 1997 to 2000. We monitored how herbivory affected L. salicaria performance (growth and biomass allocation), litter dynamics, plant community composition, and changes in canopy temperature, humidity, and the amount of light penetrating through the canopy. Leaf herbivory had the greatest effect, reducing the height of L. salicaria shoots, reproductive effort, and aboveground biomass. Root herbivory also reduced L. salicaria leaf, stem, and in...
Heat capacities of Fe 2 O 3 -bearing silicate liquids

Direct measurements of liquid heat capacity, using a Setaram HT1500 calorimeter in step-scanning mode, have been made in air on six compositions in the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system, two in the CaO-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system and four of natural composition (basanite, andesite, dacite, and peralkaline rhyolite). The fitted standard deviations on our heat capacity measurements range from 0.6 to 3.6%. Step-scanning calorimetry is particularly useful when applied to iron-bearing silicate liquids because: (1) measurements are made over a small temperature interval (10K) through which the ferric-ferrous ratio of the liquid remains essentially constant during a single measurement; (2) the sample is held in equilibrium with an atmosphere that can be controlled; (3) heat capacity is measured directly and not derived from the slope of enthalpy measurements with temperature. Liquid compositions in the sodic and calcic systems were chosen because they contain large concentrations of Fe2O3 (up to 19 mol%), and their equilibrium ferric-ferrous ratios were known at every temperature of measurement. These measurement have been combined with heat capacity (Cp) data in the literature on iron-free silicate liquids to fit Cp as a function of composition. A model assuming no excess heat capacity (linear combination of partial molar heat capacities of oxide components) reproduces the liquid data within error (±2.2% on average). The derived partial molar heat capacity of the Fe2O3 component is 240.9 ±7.9 J/g.f.w.-K, with a standard error reduced by more than a factor of two from that in earlier studies. The model equation, based primarily on simple, synthetic compositions, predicts the heat capacity of the four magmatic liquids within 1.8% on average.
Research note: group decision making using knowledge-based systems. An experimental study

The authors present results of their preliminary study of the value of a knowledge-based system (KBS) on the effectiveness of group decision making in a business gaming environment. The authors developed a KBS that provided recommendations to the experimental groups regarding the quality of their decision making. The experiment involved 24 groups with 3-4 members per group. Twelve groups used the KBS in their decision making. The remaining groups were control groups. In KBS groups, the authors detected no significant effect on intragroup conflict, but found marginally increased group performance and decreased group member satisfaction and confidence with the decisions of their groups.
Bioavailability of copper from tribasic copper chloride and copper sulfate in growing cattle

Two experiments were conducted to determine the bioavailability of copper (Cu) from tribasic Cu chloride (Cu2(OH)3Cl) relative to Cu sulfate in growing steers. Experiment 1 compared tribasic Cu chloride to sulfate in terms of ability to maintain Cu status when supplemented to steers fed diets high in the Cu antagonists, molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S). Sixty Angus and Angus × Hereford steers (257 ± 2 kg body weight) were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of 0, 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg diet DM from either Cu chloride or Cu sulfate. All diets were supplemented with 5 mg Mo/kg and 1.5 g S/kg. The control corn silage based diet analyzed 4.9 mg Cu/kg and 6.9 mg Mo/kg and was calculated to contain 3.0 g S/kg. Plasma and liver Cu concentrations and plasma ceruloplasmin activity decreased (P < 0.01) in all treatment groups during the 98-day study. Copper supplemented steers had higher (P < 0.01) plasma Cu, plasma ceruloplasmin, and liver Cu than controls at the end of the study. Steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg had higher (P < 0.01) plasma Cu, plasma ceruloplasmin, and liver Cu than those receiving 5 mg Cu/kg diet. Bioavailability of Cu from Cu chloride, relative to Cu sulfate, was estimated from plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin on day 84 and liver Cu on day 98 using multiple linear regression and a slope ratio technique. Compared with Cu sulfate (1.00), relative bioavailability of Cu from tribasic Cu chloride was 1.32 (P < 0.08), 1.18 (P < 0.38) and 1.96 (P < 0.04) based on plasma Cu, plasma ceruloplasmin and liver Cu, respectively. In experiment 2, 43 Angus and Simmental steers (375 ± 7 kg BW) that had previously been depleted of Cu were used in a 21-day repletion study. Steers were randomly assigned within breed to treatment, and individually fed a corn silage based diet low in Mo (1.18 mg/kg). Treatments consisted of 0, 50 or 100 mg supplemental Cu/day from either Cu chloride or Cu sulfate. Plasma Cu, plasma ceruloplasmin and liver Cu increased (P < 0.01) in Cu supplemented, but not in control, steers. Plasma and liver Cu
A platform for ubiquitous sensor deployment in occupational and domestic environments

In this paper, we introduce the "Plug" sensor network, a ubiquitous networked sensing platform ideally suited to broad deployment in environments where people work and live. The backbone of the Plug sensor network is a set of 35 sensor-, radio-, and computation-enabled power strips distributed throughout the third floor of the MIT Media Lab. A single Plug device fulfills all the functional requirements of a normal power strip (i.e., four 120 V, 60 Hz electrical outlets; surge protector circuit; standard electrical connector to a US-style wall socket), and can be used without special training. Additionally, each Plug has a wide range of sensing modalities (e.g., sound, light, electrical current and voltage, vibration, motion, and temperature) for gathering data about how it is being used and its nearby environment. To our knowledge, the Plug sensor network is the first to embody the idea of designing sensor nodes to seamlessly become a part of their environment, rather than play the role of alien, if unobtrusive, observers. We argue this design principle is essential for sensor networks to succeed in the realm of ubiquitous computing. In this paper, we present an overview of the Plug hardware and software architectures, look at specific usage scenarios of a single Plug, and show example data taken across the entire Plug network to give a sense of the pulse of the building over a span of days. Finally, we present ongoing work interfacing heterogeneous devices with the Plug network for a variety of applications and discuss possible future work.
The relationship between magnitude of proteinuria reduction and risk of end-stage renal disease: results of the African American study of kidney disease and hypertension

Background The magnitude of proteinuria is associated with a graded increase in the risk of progression to end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to relate baseline and early changes in proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to long-term progression of hypertensive nondiabetic kidney disease. Methods Post hoc analysis of a randomized 3 × 2 factorial trial. A total of 1094 African Americans with hypertensive renal disease (GFR, 20-65 mL/min per 1.73 m2) were followed up for a median of 3.8 years. Participants were randomized to a mean arterial pressure goal of 102 to 107 mm Hg (usual) or 92 mm Hg or less (lower) and to initial treatment with a β-blocker (metoprolol), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ramipril), or a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) Results Baseline proteinuria and GFR predicted the rgate of GFR decline. For each 10–mL/min per 1.73 m2lower baseline GFR, an associated mean ± SE 0.38 ± 0.08–mL/min per 1.73 m2per year greater mean GFR decline occurred, and for each 2-fold higher proteinuria level, a mean ± SE 0.54 ± 0.05–mL/min per 1.73 m2per year faster GFR decline was observed (P Conclusions The change in the level of proteinuria is a predictor of subsequent progression of hypertensive kidney disease at a given GFR. A prospective trial is needed to confirm this observation.