cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identity of Genes Coding for Soluble and Structural Dihydrofolate Reductases in Bacteriophage T4

By recombination between bacteriophage T4 wh2, a dihydrofolate reductaseless mutant, and T6, I have prepared T4 wh(T6), a T4 strain which codes for the T6-specific soluble dihydrofolate reductase. This strain has the heat sensitivity of T6, not T4, which provides direct evidence that the wh gene codes for both the soluble dihydrofolate reductase and the structural dihydrofolate reductase which is a constituent of T-even phage tail plates.
Hydrogen Generation by Solid Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolysis

The General Electric Company -water electrolysis technology, which is based on a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) concept, is presented for applicability to large-scale hydrogen production in a future energy system. High cell current density operation is selected for the application, and supporting cell test performance data is presented. The inherent system advantages of the acid SPE electrolysis technology are explained. System performance predictions are made through the year 2000, along with plant capital and operating cost projections.
A 240 GHz Fully Integrated Wideband QPSK Transmitter in 65 nm CMOS

In this paper, a 240 GHz 16 Gbps QPSK transmitter is demonstrated in 65 nm bulk CMOS process. The transmitter chain employs an 80 GHz local oscillator and a modulator to generate the data that is amplified by a class-E switching power amplifier. The amplified signal then drives the 240 GHz tripler to generate the required modulated data. By using on-chip slotted loop antennas, the transmitter achieves an EIRP of 1 dBm. A maximum data rate of 16 Gbps is achieved with a transmitter efficiency of 14 pJ/bit.
Data management and control-flow constructs in a SIMD/SPMD parallel language/compiler

Features of an explicitly parallel language targeted for reconfigurable massively parallel processing systems capable of operating in the SIMD (single-instruction-stream, multiple-data-stream) and SPMD (single-program, multiple-data-stream) modes of parallelism are presented (SPMD is a subset of MIMD (multiple-instruction stream, multiple-data stream)). All aspects of the language have been provided with an SIMD-mode version and an SPMD-mode version that are functionally equivalent. The language facilitates experimentation with and exploitation of massively parallel SIMD/SPMD machines. Aspects of data management (variable specification, data manipulation operations, etc.) and control-flow constructs (data dependent and processor address dependent) are examined. >
An application of least squares fit mapping to clinical classification.

Abstract This paper describes a unique approach, "Least Square Fit Mapping," to clinical data classification. We use large collections of human-assigned text-to-category matches as training sets to compute the correlations between physicians' terms and canonical concepts. A Linear Least Squares Fit (LLSF) technique is employed to obtain a mapping function which optimally fits the known matches given in a training set and probabilistically captures the unknown matches for arbitrary texts. We tested our method with 16,032 texts from the Mayo Clinic, and judged the results using human-assigned answers. In a test for comparison, the LLSF mapping achieved a precision rate of 89% at 100% recall, outperforming alternative approaches including string matching (36% precision), string matching enhanced by morphological parsing (51% precision), and statistical weighting (61% precision).
Rate and adaptation effects on the auditory evoked brainstem response in human newborns and adults

Auditory evoked brainstem response (ABR) latencies increased and amplitudes decreased with increasing stimulus repetition rate for human newborns and adults. The wave V latency increases were larger for newborns than adults. The wave V amplitude decreases were smaller for newborns than adults. These differences could not be explained by developmental differences in frequency responsivity. The transition from the unadapted to the fully adapted response was less rapid in newborns than adults at short (= 10 ms) inter stimulus intervals (ISIs). At longer ISIs (= 20 ms) there were no developmental differences in the transition to the fully adapted response. The newborn transition occurred in a two stage process. The rapid initial stage observed in adults and newborns was complete by about 40 ms. A second slower stage was observed only in newborns although it has been observed in adults in other studies (Weatherby and Hecox, 1982; Lightfoot, 1991; Lasky et al., 1996). These effects were replicated at different stimulus intensities. After the termination of stimulation the return to the wave V unadapted response took nearly 500 ms in newborns. Neither the newborn nor the adult data can be explained by forward masking of one click on the next click. These results indicate human developmental differences in adaptation to repetitive auditory stimulation at the level of the brainstem.
Beginning a molecular analysis of the eukaryal community in activated sludge

As a means to furthering our understanding of the eukaryal community in activated sludge, we have applied contemporary molecular techniques to an activated sludge community maintained in a laboratory-scale bioreactor. The initial inoculum was derived from a local wastewater treatment facility in East Lansing, MI and maintained with continuous aeration and a daily feeding regime that included glucose and peptone. Samples were taken on a weekly basis for 5 weeks and community DNA was extracted from 2-5 ml of activated sludge. Using a variety of oligonucleotide primers specific to eukaryotic small subunit ribosomal DNA, we PCR amplified rDNA from the total community DNA. PCR products were analyzed by three techniques, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and comparative sequence analysis of rDNA clones. Over the course of 5 weeks, analysis with DGGE revealed dramatic changes in the eukaryotic community based on differences in denaturation profiles. However, the analysis is limited to 5-6 bands corresponding to 5-6 different “ribotypes”. Analysis with T-RFLP also suggests changes to the eukaryotic community over time. Both increases and decreases in population size can be detected as a function of time. Up to 15 different terminal restriction fragments can be detected with T-RFLP indicating that this technique is considerably more sensitive than DGGE. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences from 11 cloned rDNAs indicate that all 11 clones are from the Ciliophora phylum .
Comparative Profiles of Men and Women with Opioid Dependence: Results from a National Multisite Effectiveness Trial

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates important gender differences in substance use disorders. Little is known, however, about gender differences and opioid use disorders. Objectives: To comp...
Calmodulin structure and function: Implication of arginine in the compaction related to ligand binding

Calmodulin (CAM) is a modulatory protein that regulates cellular activity by binding to a large number of proteins. Key elements in the Ca2+-dependent mechanism of interaction between CAM and the proteins it activates are the selectivity for Ca2+ ions and the requirement for Ca2+-dependent conformational changes. We report on results from a series of molecular dynamics simulations that identified discrete steps in the mechanism of structural rearrangement of CAM. The findings implicate the side chains of arginine residues in the bending of the central alpha helix. Structural and energetic considerations point to a dynamic hydrogen bonding pattern around the arginine residues as a ratcheting-type mechanism, causing the kinking of the central helix in consecutive steps stabilized by each new pattern of hydrogen bonds. Initial model building studies to locate potential binding sites of ligands such as trifluoperazine (TFP) indicate that the compaction of CAM results in several structural changes, that explain the selective binding of molecules such as TFP in the N-terminal domain. The present studies identify specific residues involved in the process of compaction and point to specific CAM residues involved in the binding of the ligand. These insights lead directly to propositions for experimental engineering of the molecular structure of CAM in order to probe the hypotheses and their consequences for the function of this important protein.
Explicit clock temporal logic in constraint checking for real-time systems

Abstract This paper introduces a knowledge-based approach to ensure the integrity of information in a real-time database (rtdb). A form of explicit clock temporal logic (called TL rt ) useful in specifying timing constraints on controller actions, rtdb items, and constraints in a real-time constraint base (rtcb), is presented. Timing as well as other forms of constraints are stored in the rtcb. The rtcb is realized as a logic program called Constrainer. The consistency issues for an rtdb and rtcb are investigated. The formal bases for a temporally complete rtdb and knowledgeably complete controller are presented. A partial TL rt specification of a knowledgeable controller for a Gas Burner is given. An illustration of a rtdb and rtcb in the context of the sample real-time system is also given.
Chloramphenicol Toxicity Revisited: A 12-Year-Old Patient With a Brain Abscess

Chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is rarely used in the United States due to its well-described adverse effects. Because of its limited use, many clinicians are unfamiliar with its indications, spectrum of activity, and potential adverse drug effects. We describe a 12-year-old patient who presented after two craniotomies for a persistent brain abscess complicated by long-term chloramphenicol administration. Findings for this patient were consistent with many of the adverse drug effects associated with chloramphenicol, including elevated chloramphenicol serum concentrations, anemia, thrombocytopenia, reticulocytopenia, and severe metabolic acidosis. Rare manifestations of chloramphenicol toxicity that developed in this patient included neutropenia, visual field changes, and peripheral neuropathy. Chloramphenicol administration was discontinued, and hemodialysis was initiated for severe metabolic acidosis. The patient recovered with severe visual field deficits. Although chloramphenicol is rarely indicated, it remains an effective antibiotic. Healthcare providers should become familiar with the pharmacology, toxicology, and monitoring parameters for appropriate use of this antibiotic.
Elite Recruitment and Political Leadership

Why should one study elite recruitment and political leadership in Japan? Because, our answer would go, we live in a world of ever deepening interdependence among nations where the peace, security, and prosperity of each is greatly influenced by policies and actions of another. This is particularly true when the latter is an economic superpower like Japan, the largest creditor nation and aid donor in the world of the early 1990s with a gross national product equal to about fifteen per cent of the world's total. Who makes Japanese domestic and foreign policies and how they are made has important implications for the welfare of other nations, including the United States, which maintains what a former American ambassador to Japan, Mike Mansfield, called the “most important bilateral relationship” in the world.“Elite” and “leadership” are two concepts that help us identify and analyze those who play central roles in a nation's policymaking process. Commonplace as they are in the vocabulary of both modern political science and the mass media, these words are often used ambiguously and interchangeably. They are, however, etymologically distinctive words that can serve us as useful analytical tools only if they are clearly and distinctively defined. In the discussion that follows, we use “elite” to refer to a group of individuals who hold privileged positions in society or organizations and “leadership” to refer to the exercise of power, broadly defined, to lead others in collective action. As William Welsh has suggested, elites are thus “set apart from the rest of society by their preeminence in political and governmental hierarchies,” while leadership means “ability to mobilize human resources in pursuit of specific goals.”
Characterization of LPCVD of Silicon Nitride in a Rapid Thermal Processor

Low pressure chemical vapor deposition of silicon nitride has been studied using a cold-walled, lamp heated, rapid thermal processor. Films were deposited at low presure using both silane and dichlorosilane, diluted in hydrogen and argon carrier gasses. The dichlorosilane and ammonia reaction was found to be unsuitable for use in the cold-walled system. Rapid thermal chemical vapor depositions using silane and ammonia did not result in “bullseye” non-uniformities reported for low presure depositions in conventional hot-walled tube furnaces. Ammonia to silane ratios of 120:1 were found to result in stoichiometric silicon nitride films. Deposition rates are well suited for dielectric applications. Electrical characteristics are comparable to those of films deposited using APCVD and LPCVD methods.
The promise of integrated representative surveys about sexually transmitted diseases and behavior.

Background: It has been difficult to conduct representative surveys measuring both sexually transmitted disease prevalence and behavioral data. This article reviews the literature, describes a recent pretest of the feasibility of integrated surveys, and discusses the potential implications. Methods: Several national surveys are reviewed, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, National Health and Social Life Survey, and National Survey of Adolescent Males. The 1994 pretest of the National Survey of Adolescent Males collected urine specimens of male respondents, which were tested forChlamydia trachomatisusing ligase and polymerase chain reaction tests. Results: There have not been any prior national surveys that collect clinical measures of STD infection and detailed behavioral data. In the pretest, 85% of the eligible interview respondents provided a urine specimen. Of those tested, 6% were positive forC. trachomatis. Conclusions: Combining behavioral surveys with collection of urine specimens for STD testing in representative samples is feasible. However, STD testing adds new operational and ethical challenges to the conduct of household surveys.
The neurobiologic aspect of three psychoanalytic concepts.

Summary Recent neurobiologic observations are placed into perspective with three basic psychoanalytic tenets (Pleasure-Pain principle, Repression and the Unconscious) to test the validity of present psychoanalytic ideas. The findings and reflections affirm the patency of the three concepts and consequently the current rationale of psychoanalytic treatment methods. At the same time they point in the direction from which basic innovations and modifications may be expected, namely quantification and eventually technical manipulation to expedite, implement and/or substitute certain psychotherapeutic measures.
On the existence of LOCC-distinguishable bases in three-dimensional subspaces of bipartite 3 × n systems

We present numerical evidence showing that any three-dimensional subspace of C 3 ⊗ C n has an orthonormal basis which can be reliably distinguished using one-way LOCC (local operations and classical communication), where a measurement is made first on the three-dimensional part and the result used to select an optimal measurement on the n-dimensional part. We also show that the order of measurement is essential, by providing an example of a three-dimensional subspace of C 3 ⊗ C 5 which does not have any basis that can be distinguished by measuring first on the five-dimensional factor.
Looking back at plan AHEAD™: exercising user- centered design in emergency management

Plan AHEAD™- All Hazard Exercise Development and Administration is a usability test development tool designed for emergency management agencies focused on disaster preparedness. Several user- centered design principles employed to develop Plan AHEAD are discussed including ethnographic research, rapid prototyping and iterative design. Specific design decisions that rely on these approaches are highlighted. Alternative design approaches that failed to meet user requirements are included. Plan AHEAD™ incorporated design elements that were novel to the Emergency Exercise Development domain. In part because of the intensive user- centered design approaches, Plan AHEAD continues to be used by emergency managers worldwide; even with the approaches described, the application can benefit from several usability improvements.
On the performance of turbo codes-based hybrid ARQ with segment selective repeat in WCDMA

In this paper, a new turbo codes-based hybrid automatic repeat request (TC-HARQ) scheme with segment selective repeat (SSR) is proposed. The main strategy is, upon retransmission, to repeat the data that are most important for the next round of decoding based on the distribution of residual errors after current decoding. The performance in terms of reliability and throughput is analyzed. To adapt to correlated fading channels where an inter-leaver is always employed before transmission, we further modify the SSR strategy so that data having experienced correlated deep fading are selected for retransmission. Finally, this proposed scheme is applied to the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system under frequency selective fading channels. Simulation results demonstrate that in all single and multiple user cases, SSR-based TC-HARQ leads to significant throughput improvement with similar bit error rate (BER) performance as compared to type-I TC-HARQ.
Scanning electron microscopy of primate chorionic villi following ultrasonic microdissection

Abstract Villi from human, macaque and baboon placentae were subjected to ultrasonication after prolonged osmication, and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The technique was often successful in removing the overlying trophoblast and revealing expanses ofthe trophoblastic basal lamina, a conclusion corroborated by transmission electron microscopy. These preparations bore a remarkable similarity in appearance to microvascular cast preparations of the fetal vasculature. Relatively straight parallel tubules appeared to correspond in position to the location of fetal vessels in intermediate villi, whereas portions of the basal laminae of terminal villi were in the form of convoluted, branched cylinders similar to SEM images offetal capillaries of terminal villi. The basal lamina did not have evidence ofpores as has been described in some basal laminae.
Homage to Patagonia from the hard-nosed palaeontologist

Bone Hunters in Patagonia: Narrative of the Expeditions. By J. B. Hatcher. Ox Bow Press, PO Box 4045, Woodbridge, Connecticut 06525, USA: 1985. Pp.209. Hbk 24; pbk 12.95.
Genetic control of immunity to Eimeria tenella. Interaction of MHC genes and non-MHC linked genes influences levels of disease susceptibility in chickens.

Abstract The relative importance of MHC genes and background genes in the genetic control of disease susceptibility and the development of protective immunity to E. tenella infection was investigated in eight different strains of 15I5-B congenic and four inbred chicken strains. RPRL 15I5-B congenic chickens that share a common genetic background but express different B haplotypes demonstrated wide variations in disease susceptibility and the development of acquired resistance to E. tenella infection. Infection of chickens sharing a common B haplotype but expressiong different genetic backgrounds showed quite contrasting levels of susceptibility to secondary E. tenella infection. In all chicken strains examined, infected chickens developed high levels of serum and biliary anti-coccidial antibodies regardless of their B haplotypes. Furthermore, no correlation between antibody levels and the phenotypically expressed levels of disease resistance was demonstrated. These findings lend support to the view that interaction of MHC genes and non-MHC genes influences the outcome of host response to E. tenella infection.
Tunneling radial cracks in layered structures from contact loading

Glass/epoxy laminates glued onto a compliant substrate are indented with a hard ball. The damage is characterized by a set of transverse cracks which pop out from the subsurface of the glass layers due to flexure and propagate stably in the radial direction with load in a bell-shape front under a diminishing stress field. Compliant interlayers, even extremely thin ones, are effective in inhibiting crossover fracture. This leads to crack tunneling and crack multiplication in the hard layers, which enhances energy dissipation and reduces the spread of damage relative to the basic bilayer configuration. The experiments show that the fracture in a given layer is well approximated by a power-law relation of the form c^(3/2)K_C/P = δ, where P, c, and K_C are the indentation load, crack length and fracture toughness, in that order, and δ an implicit function of the layer position and material and geometric variables, derived with the aid of available tunnel crack solutions. The model specimen studied provides a useful insight into the fracture behavior of natural, biological and synthetic layered structures from concentrated loading. The analysis shows that the crack arrest capability of a thin interlayer increases in proportion to the modulus misfit ratio between the layer and interlayer, and that the spread of radial cracks in a laminate of given thickness reduces in proportion to n^(1/3), where n is the number layers in the laminate.
Structural studies of cerebral cavernous malformations 2 (CCM2) reveal a folded helical domain at its C-terminus.

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are neurovascular dysplasias affecting up to 0.5% of the population. Mutations in the CCM2 gene are associated with acquisition of CCM. We identify a previously uncharacterized domain at the C-terminus of CCM2 and determine its 1.9 A resolution crystal structure. Because this domain is structurally homologous to the N-terminal domain of harmonin, we name it the CCM2 harmonin-homology domain or HHD. CCM2 HHD is observed in two conformations, and we employ analytical ultracentrifugation to test its oligomerization. Additionally, CCM2 HHD contains an unusually long 13-residue 310 helix. This study provides the first structural characterization of CCM2.
Ripening, storage temperature, ethylene action, and oxidative stress alter apple peel phytosterol metabolism

The chilling conditions of apple cold storage can provoke an economically significant necrotic peel disorder called superficial scald (scald) in susceptible cultivars. Disorder development can be reduced by inhibiting ethylene action or oxidative stress as well as intermittent warming. It was previously demonstrated that scald is preceded by a metabolomic shift that results in altered levels of various classes of triterpenoids, including metabolites with mass spectral features similar to β-sitosterol. In this study, a key class of phytosterol metabolites was identified. Changes in peel tissue levels of conjugates of β-sitosterol and campesterol, including acylated steryl glycosides (ASG), steryl glycosides (SG) and steryl esters (SE), as well as free sterols (FS), were determined during the period of scald development. Responses to pre-storage treatment with the ethylene action inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene, or an antioxidant (diphenylamine), rapid temperature elevation, and cold acclimation using intermittent warming treatments were evaluated. Diphenylamine, 1-MCP, and intermittent warming all reduced or prevented scald development. ASG levels increased and SE levels decreased in untreated control fruit during storage. Removing fruit from cold storage to ambient temperature induced rapid shifts in ASG and SE fatty acyl moieties from unsaturated to saturated. FS and SG levels remained relatively stable during storage but SG levels increased following a temperature increase after storage. ASG, SE, and SG levels did not increase during 6 months cold storage in fruit subjected to intermittent warming treatment. Overall, the results show that apple peel phytosteryl conjugate metabolism is influenced by storage duration, oxidative stress, ethylene action/ripening, and storage temperature.
Sex Role Expectations and the Assumption of Leadership by College Women.

Summary The assumption of leadership by college women was studied by pairing 30 female Ss with same- and opposite-sex peers for an experimental task in which one member had to take on a leadership role. A significant change in the women's leadership behavior across the two situations was found. Females were less likely to assume leadership when paired with males. In the cross-sex pairs the 30 female Ss played the leadership role only 33% of the time, as compared with 60% when in same-sex pairs. Differences in leadership behavior of the women and men were not related to California Psychological Inventory Dominance scale scores. Analysis of the decisionmaking process revealed that males and females were equally likely to make the decision about leadership assignment. However, both sexes assigned the role of leader significantly more often to males rather than to females, apparently in accordance with societal, sex-role prescriptions.
Thermal-to-visible face recognition using multiple kernel learning

Recognizing faces acquired in the thermal spectrum from a gallery of visible face images is a desired capability for the military and homeland security, especially for nighttime surveillance and intelligence gathering. However, thermal-tovisible face recognition is a highly challenging problem, due to the large modality gap between thermal and visible imaging. In this paper, we propose a thermal-to-visible face recognition approach based on multiple kernel learning (MKL) with support vector machines (SVMs). We first subdivide the face into non-overlapping spatial regions or blocks using a method based on coalitional game theory. For comparison purposes, we also investigate uniform spatial subdivisions. Following this subdivision, histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) features are extracted from each block and utilized to compute a kernel for each region. We apply sparse multiple kernel learning (SMKL), which is a MKLbased approach that learns a set of sparse kernel weights, as well as the decision function of a one-vs-all SVM classifier for each of the subjects in the gallery. We also apply equal kernel weights (non-sparse) and obtain one-vs-all SVM models for the same subjects in the gallery. Only visible images of each subject are used for MKL training, while thermal images are used as probe images during testing. With subdivision generated by game theory, we achieved Rank-1 identification rate of 50.7% for SMKL and 93.6% for equal kernel weighting using a multimodal dataset of 65 subjects. With uniform subdivisions, we achieved a Rank-1 identification rate of 88.3% for SMKL, but 92.7% for equal kernel weighting.
Urban structures for lower-cost housing projects☆

Abstract The use of computers in the analysis and design of individual structures is known and widely used in practice. There are many operational computer programs such as ICES-STRUDL, ELAS, NASTRAN, WANG, and others which are readily available at the computation centers around the world. These programs are able to perform the analysis, either by direct stiffness method or by finite element technique of various structures and some of these programs will carry the study into complete design. The profession of structural engineering is fortunate to have an access to such a wealthy software library. The theme of this paper is not to deal with any individual computer program applicable to a particular structural unit, but to integrate the analysis and design computer programs with the total analysis and design of a housing project in an urban area. This concept defines an INTEGRATED SYSTEMS APPROACH to total analysis and design. The value of this approach stems from the fact that a structural engineer can not develop an efficient design for a structure in an urban project unless he is fully aware of all pertinent factors which are related to his structural unit. The Integrated Systems Approach will secure an optimum design for the project. Since one of the major concerns of our civilization is the provision of decent lower-cost housing for every citizen, structural engineers need to participate in this great endeavor by extending the application of their technical knowledge to its solution. Due to the size and complexity of the problem, the use of the computers is imperative. The Integrated Systems Approach is defined by a set of individual computer programs linked together. The structural analysis and design programs incorporated in this system use the data generated by the other general project study programs. It is obvious that the structural programs form the major part of the programming system. The Integrated Systems Approach to analysis and design stresses the point that the structural engineer should not consider only the factors for an optimum solution from the points of view of strength, durability and materials used. He has to be aware of other very pertinent socio-economic factors to develop a design to be happily accepted by the public.
Austenitizing and microstructure of a HT-9 steel

Abstract The effects of austenitizing temperatures and times on the microstructure of a 12Cr-1Mo-V-W steel are reported. Austenitizing temperatures covering the range of 900° to 1225°C, and times of 30 minutes to 100 hours were used. Equilibrium microstructures were difficult to obtain because delta ferrite initially present in the steel resists dissolution during austenitizing. Austenitizing time at 1000°C had no effect on grain size or residual carbides. Grain size increased with both time and temperature at higher temperatures. In the region of 1050° to 1125°C, 10 hours were required to dissolve residual carbides, and 10 to 30 hours to eliminate delta ferrite.
Lethal disruption of the yeast actin gene by integrative DNA transformation

A mutant allele of the chromosomal locus corresponding to the cloned actin gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been constructed by DNA transformation with a hybrid plasmid which integrates into, and thereby disrupts, the protein-encoding sequences of the gene. In a diploid strain of yeast, disruption of the actin gene on one chromosome results in a mutation that segregates as a recessive lethal tightly linked to a selectable genetic marker on the integrated plasmid. The actin gene, therefore, must encode an essential function for yeast cell growth.
2D modeling of overpressure in a salt withdrawal basin, Gulf of Mexico, USA

This study demonstrates the utilization of 2D basin models to address overpressure development due to compaction disequilibrium in supra-allochthonous salt mini-basins with very high sedimentation rates in the Gulf of Mexico. By properly selecting 2D line sections with moderate stratigraphic resolution, it is possible to predict timing of overpressure development and approximate present-day overpressure distributions in the mini-basin. This study shows that even low resolution models with approximate information on the net-to-gross (sand:shale ratio) can average ±0.4 ppg with a maximum error of 1.0 ppg relative to pressure measurements in sandstones. The models based on age, depth, approximate lithology and an interpretation of complicated salt movement are adequate to evaluate pressure to address issues around trap containment and may be used for preliminary well planning. This study tested the results of overpressure prediction utilizing different stratigraphic resolutions and shows the sensitivity of overpressure modeling to 2D line selection. Also, three models were built to investigate how the permeability of salt welds affects overpressure development in an adjacent salt mini-basin. These results indicate that even a salt weld permeability reduction of 1.5 log mD results in a pressure difference between neighboring mini-basins. Additionally, these models qualitatively reproduced the seismic velocity volume which is supporting evidence that the salt welds in this mini-basin are at least partially sealing.
A Long-Term Assessment of the Variability in Winter Use of Dense Conifer Cover by Female White-Tailed Deer

Backgound Long-term studies allow capture of a wide breadth of environmental variability and a broader context within which to maximize our understanding of relationships to specific aspects of wildlife behavior. The goal of our study was to improve our understanding of the biological value of dense conifer cover to deer on winter range relative to snow depth and ambient temperature.
The enhanced endothelin-1-induced contraction in cultured coronary arteries from mature female pigs is not antagonized by 17β-estradiol

Abstract We have previously reported that organ cultured coronary arteries from market-age pigs (6–9 months of age) exhibit an enhanced contraction to the atherosclerotic-associated peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1). The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of 17β-estradiol with ET-1 in organ cultured coronary arteries from older female pigs (3–4 years old). A cumulative concentration–response relationship (1 × 10 − 9 M to 3 × 10 − 7 M) was generated to ET-1, and the isometric tension measured in fresh and organ cultured (4 days at 37 °C) arterial rings that were each pre-incubated for 50 min in different concentrations (1 × 10 − 9 M to 1 × 10 − 5 M) of 17β-estradiol. Compared to freshly used arteries, culturing induced a 2-fold increase in tension development to ET-1 (3 × 10 − 7 M). Although 17β-estradiol previously relaxed pre-constricted (with a 60 mM KCl solution) arteries, it did not affect the constrictive response to ET-1. Also, using an ET-1 ELISA we found that 17β-estradiol did not effect ET-1 production in intact arteries. Our results indicate that 17β-estradiol does not attenuate the production and constrictive properties of ET-1 in coronary arteries demonstrating a dedifferentiated cell phenotype.
Investigating A Novel Flame Retardant Known as V6: Measurements in Baby Products, House Dust and Car Dust

With the phase-out of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, the use of new and alternate flame retardants has been increasing. 2,2-bis(chloromethyl)propane-1,3-diyltetrakis(2-chlor...
Determination of apparent decomposition threshold energies of lithium adducts of acylglycerols using tandem mass spectrometry and a novel derived effective reaction path length approach

Apparent decomposition threshold energies for the fragmentation pathways of lithiated acylglycerols were experimentally determined by collisional activation in a quadrupole-hexapole-quadrupole (QhQ) mass spectrometer. A previously developed 'derived effective reaction path length' approach for predicting bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of simple dissociations of electrostatic complexes such as alkali metal adducts (Li+), or halide adducts (Cl(-)) of acylglycerols, was extended to predict covalent bond apparent decomposition threshold energies of lithium adducts of a mono-acylglycerol, a 1,2-diacylglycerol, and a 1,3-diacylglycerol. The ability of the model to treat relatively large ionic systems (e.g. more than 100 atoms) represents a huge advantage of this approach. The model's calculated apparent decomposition threshold energies (Ea) are used in conjunction with the method of energy-resolved mass spectrometry, employing breakdown graphs, to give a more complete quantitative description of the fragmentation processes. Calculated Ea values allowed ranking of the 1,2-diacylglycerol as more reactive than the 1,3-diacylglycerol; the mono-acylglycerol was ranked the least reactive. The method was applied to the low molecular weight product ions generally associated with the hydrocarbon series CnH2n+1+, where two separate pathways are deduced as contributing to the production of the abundant m/z 81 fragment ion. The favored ranking of the neutral losses of fatty acyl substituents for the 1,2-diacylglycerol was determined as: loss of lithium fatty acetate > loss of fatty acid > loss of fatty acyl chain as ketene. For the 1,3-diacylglycerol, the descending order of ease of neutral loss was: loss of fatty acyl ketene > loss of lithium fatty acetate > loss of fatty acid. The results of this study demonstrate that the newly developed method is general in nature, and it can be used for the measurement of covalent bond decomposition threshold energies, as well as for the previously documented electrostatic (noncovalent) bond energies.
Structuring silence: asbestos and biomedical research in Britain and South Africa

Over the last quarter of the twentieth century, asbestos-induced diseases began to attract widespread attention as a result of labour activism, media coverage, government regulation, scientific research and extensive litigation in North America and Europe. The consequences of asbestos mining and manufacture in producer countries, such as South Africa, where the multinational industry operated, however, remained largely invisible internationally. Historians of the asbestos industry have demonstrated that suppression and manipulation of scientific knowledge played a central role in the industry's efforts to escape accountability. What has been neglected are the ways in which mainstream asbestos researchers in the early twentieth century separated the physiological from the social context of disease in both the metropole and the colonies, thereby narrowing understandings of disease causality. It is argued here that narrow concepts of disease allowed for limited visibility and, in Britain, fostered prevention...
The Jovian magnetotail

The current understanding of the plasma, magnetic field, and plasma wave characteristics of the near and distant Jovian magnetotail is discussed. The properties of these two regions are compared, with particular emphasis given to the data on the distant tail obtained by Voyager 2. The Jovian tail has many unusual properties, such as the large scale sausage-string shape of its outer boundary, but some of its properties resemble those of the earth's magnetotail, such as its central current sheet and a surrounding region resembling a plasma sheet consisting of hot ions. Data are presented that support the view that plasma in the Jovian tail plasma sheet comes from Jupiter.
A Clinically Feasible Method for Determining Frequency Resolution

Psychophysical tuning curves were generated by normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects using two methods; a detailed laboratory method and a Bekesy method proposed as suitable for clinical use. The two methods were compared for stability, the amount of masking produced and the pattern of the masking functions. The two measures of frequency resolution were found to be equally reliable and showed the same range of repeatability as simple pure tone thresholds. The patterns of the masking functions were similar regardless of the method used. However, the absolute amounts of masking indicated with each method were significantly different, with more masking obtained when the clinical method was used.
Bounds on constitutive response for a class of random material microstructures

Abstract A novel procedure, called the method of neighborhoods, for calculation of a hierarchy of upper and lower convergent bounds on constitutive response of random microstructures, is outlined. The method is presented in the setting of a regular planar network of equilateral triangles with randomness present in the constitutive constants of vertex-vertex linear viscoelastic laws. Results on linear elastic networks indicate that a very good improvement on the conventional Voigt and Reuss bounds may be achieved with rather small neighborhoods, and thus with only a modest increase of the computational effort.
Death of a planning department: Challenges for regionalism in a weak mandate state

Advocates have long claimed that a regional land use planning approach achieves gains in equity, efficiency, and environmental protect, but few studies have empirically tested these claims. In this case study of a regional planning process in a weak mandate state, we find that the regional plan would have produced better land use outcomes, but its impact was severely limited by political conflicts at the county level, a recession that necessitated cuts to non-mandated services, and a lack of state leadership around regional planning. Ultimately, all these factors contributed to the eventual disbandment of the entire regional planning structure in the area.
Comparison of light rare earths N4,5-level soft X-ray and auger electron appearance-potential spectra

Abstract Appearance-potential Spectroscopy (APS) probes the binding energy of core levels and local conduction band states of atoms in the surface region. Soft X-ray APS (SXAPS) and Auger electron APS (AEAPS), respectively, measure the differential X-ray fluorescence and secondary electron yields as a function of incident electron energy. We have obtained the N 4,5 -level SXAPS and AEAPS spectra of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm metals. Both spectra exhibit multiplet structure below the expected 4 d excitation threshold and a broad, 10–20 eV wide peak above the threshold followed by small peaks of decreasing intensity. The data are used to gain an understanding of the decay mechanism following the excitation of the core levels in these spectroscopies. The strong similarity observed between the SXAPS and AEAPS indicates that the characteristic emission and not the bremsstrahlung dominates the spectral lineshape in APS.
Serum cefazolin levels during spinal fusion: effect of blood loss and duration of surgery.

Summary:Perioperative cefazolin prophylaxis is commonly employed in posterior spinal fusion (PSF) procedures, which are often lengthy and involve significant blood loss. In this study, serum levels of prophylactically administered cefazolin were measured serially during spinal fusion procedures, and
Selecting Weapons Systems 1960---The Builder's-Eye View

Caught by converging budgetary and technical constraints, weapons systems builders have discovered they cannot afford to pursue so many of the technically attractive potential new systems. They must ascertain which of these potential new systems will, in fact, evolve into operational systems. To do this, they have espoused operations-research methods and set about trying to select the potential systems which will meet three key conditions, that is systems which will answer a valid mission requirement and be economically and technically feasible, all in the future operational frame of reference. From experience gained in this selection process so far, the builders find that operations research needs to develop in certain directions if it is to meet their requirements. Looking ahead from this standpoint, it appears that the representative product of operations research increasingly may be the “white paper” on a broad issue, the general description of a broad problem such as ground warfare, the analysis of a broad concept or objective such as deterrence Interpretation will be emphasized at the expense of technical razzle dazzle. Significant negative findings will be disclosed more conscientiously.
Structural alterations of the coronary arterial wall are associated with myocardial flow heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Purpose To determine the relationship between carotid intima–media thickness (IMT), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and during vasomotor stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Facts, fallacies, fears, and frustrations with human pheromones

Among primates in general, pheromones are of variable importance to social communication. Data on humans have generated the greatest controversy regarding the existence of pheromonal communication. In this review, the likelihood of pheromonal communication in humans is assessed with a discussion of chemical compounds produced by the axilla that may function as pheromones; the likelihood that the vomeronasal organ (VNO), a putative pheromone receptor organ in many other mammals, is functional in humans; and the possible ways pheromones operate in humans. In the human axilla, the interactions between the cutaneous microflora and axillary secretions render this region analogous to scent glands found in other primates. Both the chemistry of axillary secretions and their effects on conspecifics in humans appear to be analogous to other mammalian pheromone systems. Whichever chemical compounds serve a pheromonal function in humans, another unknown is the receptor. Although the VNO has been implicated in the reception of pheromones in many vertebrates, it is not the only pathway through which such information has access to the central nervous system; there is ample evidence to support the view that the olfactory epithelium can respond to pheromones. Furthermore, if a chemical activates receptors within the VNO, this does not necessarily mean that the compound is a pheromone. An important caveat for humans is that critical components typically found within the functioning VNO of other, nonprimate, mammals are lacking, suggesting that the human VNO does not function in the way that has been described for other mammals. In a broader perspective, pheromones can be classified as primers, signalers, modulators, and releasers. There is good evidence to support the presence of the former three in humans. Examples include affects on the menstrual cycle (primer effects); olfactory recognition of newborn by its mother (signaler); individuals may exude different odors based on mood (suggestive of modulator effects). However, there is no good evidence for releaser effects in adult humans. It is emphasized that no bioassay-guided study has led to the isolation of true human pheromones, a step that will elucidate specific functions to human chemical signals. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.