cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harvest levels that conserve spawning biomass can provide larger and more stable and sustainable yields in intermixed fisheries

Abstract We conducted a simulation-based evaluation of constant fishing mortality control rule performance for four intermixing fish populations patterned after lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) fisheries in the Great Lakes. Various scenarios consisting of different assumed productivity and mixing levels for the spawning populations were examined to explore how harvest level performance changed under conditions that lake whitefish, as well as other fish populations, may encounter. The simulation framework included an operating model that represented the true dynamics of the populations, the harvests from fisheries exploiting the intermixed populations, and a full age-structured assessment of each exploited stock. Four harvest levels were evaluated: a 65% total annual mortality harvest level that presently is used to manage lake whitefish fisheries in northern lakes Michigan and Huron and three more conservative levels (35, 45, and 55% total annual mortality harvest levels). Under many investigated scenarios, the current 65% harvest level was found to have a high risk of overexploiting lower productivity spawning populations, which reduced aggregate yield for the modeled system. The 55 and 45% harvest levels resulted in the largest aggregate yields for many of the examined scenarios, although the 45% harvest level was better at reducing risks to sustainability of individual spawning populations. Inter-annual variation in yield generally declined as harvest levels became more conservative. Our analysis suggests that harvest levels that conserve spawning biomass can provide multiple benefits for intermixed fisheries including greater yields, reduced inter-annual variability in yields, and lower risk of depleting low productivity spawning populations. We encourage the implementation of precautionary harvest rates for intermixed fisheries to help protect less productive populations.
NEUROENDOCRINE CONTROL OF PROLACTIN IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

SUMMARY Hypothalamic regulation of prolactin secretion in animals (mammals) and man appears to be similar, and no significant differences have yet been demonstrated. The hypothalamus contains neurotransmitters and polypeptides that can either inhibit or stimulate prolactin release, although the predominant influence under basal conditions is to inhibit prolactin release. Thus pituitary stalk section or placement of lesions in the basal tuberal region of the hypothalamus results in increased prolactin release and sometimes in initiation of lactation. Among agents in the hypothalamus that can inhibit prolactin release, the most important appear to be an as yet unidentified polypeptide prolactin release inhibiting factor (PIF) and dopamine. There is some evidence that dopamine may account for most, if not all, of the prolactin release inhibiting activity of the hypothalamus. Agents that increase dopamine activity, i.e. L-dopa, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, etc., depress prolactin release. Acetylcholine also can inhibit prolactin release, but it appears to act via the catecholamines. Of the agents in the hypothalamus that stimulate prolactin release, the most important appear to be an as yet uncharacterized polypeptide prolactin releasing factor (PRF), thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and serotonin. TRH is as effective in releasing prolactin as in releasing TSH, but under most physiological states, TSH and prolactin release do not occur together. Serotonin and its precursors, tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan, are powerful releasors of prolactin and have been shown to be involved in some physiological states in which prolactin is released, i.e. during suckling, stress, etc. Other agents in the hypothalamus that can stimulate prolactin release include GABA and some prostaglandins, but these have not yet been shown to be involved in physiological control of prolactin secretion. Exteroceptive stimuli that alter prolactin release act through the CNS and hypothalamus, but some hormones and drugs also can act directly on the pituitary to promote or depress prolactin release.
Origin of the Catalina Eddy

Abstract During late springs through early fall the normal regime of low-level westerly and northwesterly flow within the bight of southern California is occasionally interrupted by periods of southerly flow, elevated marine layers, and increased low-level cloudiness. This transition, often termed the Catalina Eddy, is limited to narrow zone of ∼100 km from the coastal mountains and brings cooler temperatures and improved air quality. This paper describes the initiation and evolution of Catalina Eddy events using both composite and case study approaches. It is found that this phenomenon is produced by the interaction between the synoptic-scale flow and the formidable topography of the region. As a result of synoptic-scale pressure falls along the central California coast and/or mesoscale lee troughing southeast of Point Conception, an alongshore pressure gradient with lower pressure to the north becomes established. The result of such a pressure gradient in a coastal zone with an adjacent topographic barr...
New blind steganalysis and its implications

The contribution of this paper is two-fold. First, we describe an improved version of a blind steganalysis method previously proposed by Holotyak et al. and compare it to current state-of-the-art blind steganalyzers. The features for the blind classifier are calculated in the wavelet domain as higher-order absolute moments of the noise residual. This method clearly shows the benefit of calculating the features from the noise residual because it increases the features' sensitivity to embedding, which leads to improved detection results. Second, using this detection engine, we attempt to answer some fundamental questions, such as "how much can we improve the reliability of steganalysis given certain a priori side-information about the image source?" Moreover, we experimentally compare the security of three steganographic schemes for images stored in a raster format - (1) pseudo-random ±1 embedding using ternary matrix embedding, (2) spatially adaptive ternary ±1 embedding, and (3) perturbed quantization while converting a 16-bit per channel image to an 8-bit gray scale image.
Approach and management of spider bites for the primary care physician

Summary The class Arachnida of the phylum Arthropoda comprises an estimated 100,000 species worldwide. However, only a handful of these species can cause clinical effects in humans because many are unable to penetrate the skin, whereas others only inject prey-specific venom. The bite from a widow spider will produce local symptoms that include muscle spasm and systemic symptoms that resemble acute abdomen. The bite from a brown recluse locally will resemble a target lesion but will develop into an ulcerative, necrotic lesion over time. Spider bites can be prevented by several simple measures including home cleanliness and wearing the proper attire while working outdoors. Although most spider bites cause only local tissue swelling, early species identification coupled with species-specific management may decrease the rate of morbidity associated with bites.
Development and evaluation of the electrosorption process for the desalination of water

Abstract The electrosorption process for desalinizing saline water was conceived in 1963. It is a cyclic process in which ions in the feed water are first sorbed into special three-layer membranes under the influence of a driving voltage and thus are removed from water and then desorbed from the membranes to regenerate them. Research on the process has been sponsored continuously since 1963 by the Office of Saline Water of the United States Department of the Interior. Methods of preparing acceptable three-layer membranes from available ion-selective membranes and non-selective materials have been developed. Electrosorption desalination experiments have shown that high coulomb efficiencies can be obtained, high degrees of desalination can be obtained, and desorption requires no more than 25% of the total time. Moreover, the results of short-term experiments strongly suggest that feeds containing CaSO 4 or Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 can be desalinized with no apparent cell blockage or damage to the membranes from precipitates.
Neutral Endopeptidase Modulates Septic Shocka

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) is a type-2 cell-surface metalloproteinase known by a variety of eponyms, including enkephalinase, common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), and CD10. Identified substrates are largely neural or humoral oligopeptide agonists, and the enzyme functions to terminate signaling by degrading the ligand, analogous to the acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase system. Targeted disruption of the NEP locus in mice results in enhanced lethality to endotoxin shock with a pronounced gene-dosage effect. The site(s) of action appears downstream from release of TNF and IL-1, as NEP-deficient animals demonstrate increased sensitivity to these mediators as well. This unexpected finding indicates an important protective role for NEP in septic shock.
Impact of transient soil water simulation to estimated nitrogen leaching and emission at high- and low-deposition forest sites in Southern California

Numerical solution of the Richards equation implemented in HYDRUS water module could improve response of surface soil water dynamics to precipitation pattern, compared to the original, and consequently it resulted in annual N gaseous emission loss about 1.5 ∼ 2 times higher. While the two flow modules predicted similar amounts of annual water drainage, the HYDRUS water module simulated more frequent, but smaller drainage fluxes, which favors soil mineralization and downward transport. In normal precipitation years, annual leaching losses predicted by the HYDRUS coupled DAYCENT model was about 5–18 kg N ha −1 higher due to different temporal patterns of daily water drainage. In dry and wet years, leaching losses were similar. Our analysis suggests that it is necessary to fully capture dynamics of transient water flow (e.g., by numerically solving the transient Richards equation) in order to adequately estimate soil N gaseous emissions and N transport and thus leaching, although it requires more computational resources while the uncertainty in model improvement is still large due to lack of measurements.
Mass spectrometric determination of ergosterol in a prairie natural wetland.

Abstract Fungi are the main decomposers of plant material in an aquatic system. Levels of ergosterol, a compound generally specific to the cell membranes of fungi can be used as an indirect measure of their presence and biomass. Described is a procedure utilising reversed-phase liquid chromatography with positive-ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–APCI–MS–MS) for full quantification and confirmation of ergosterol in various wetland matrices. Solid and liquid samples (0.2–1 g dry weight and 10 ml) were subjected to alkaline saponification followed by serial extraction using pentane (3×10 ml). The procedure was applicable to quantitative analysis of wetland samples with little or no clean up. Under low energy (CID) collision induced dissociation conditions the major product-ion formed from m / z 379.4 [M+H–H 2 O] + was m / z 69.4 [(CH 3 ) 2 CHCHCH] + . Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of this transition along with the retention time were used to confirm that ergosterol was widely distributed at ppm levels (2.4 to 303 μg ash free dry mass (AFDM)) in matrices of decaying willow leaves, Scirpus stems (living and dead) and sediment collected at the water–sediment interface. Comparison between LC–APCI–MS–MS (SRM), LC–APCI–MS using selected ion monitoring (SIM) and liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorption detection (LC–UV) indicated that SRM analysis was the most selective technique.
Structural characterization of human Uch37.

Uch37 is a de-ubiquitylating enzyme that is functionally linked with the 26S proteasome via Rpn13, and is essential for metazoan development. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of full-length human Uch37 at 2.95 A resolution. Uch37's catalytic domain is similar to those of all UCH enzymes characterized to date. The C-terminal extension is elongated, predominantly helical and contains coiled coil interactions. Additionally, we provide an initial characterization of Uch37's oligomeric state and identify a systematic error in previous analyses of Uch37 activity. Taken together, these data provide a strong foundation for further analysis of Uch37's several functions.
Viviparity and K-Selected Life History in a Mesozoic Marine Plesiosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia)

Viviparity is known in several clades of Mesozoic aquatic reptiles, but evidence for it is lacking in the Plesiosauria. Here, we report a Late Cretaceous plesiosaur fossil consisting of a fetus preserved within an adult of the same taxon. We interpret this occurrence as a gravid female and unborn young and hence as definitive evidence for plesiosaur viviparity. Quantitative analysis indicates that plesiosaurs gave birth to large, probably single progeny. The combination of viviparity, large offspring size, and small brood number differs markedly from the pattern seen in other marine reptiles but does resemble the K-selected strategy of all extant marine mammals and a few extant lizards. Plesiosaurs may have shared other life history traits with these clades, such as sociality and maternal care.
Herc5, an Interferon-induced HECT E3 Enzyme, Is Required for Conjugation of ISG15 in Human Cells

ISG15 is an interferon (IFN)-α/β-induced ubiquitin-like protein that is conjugated to cellular proteins during innate immune responses to viral and bacterial infections. A recent proteomics study identified 158 human proteins targeted for ISG15 conjugation, including the ISG15 E1 and E2 enzymes (Ube1L and UbcH8, respectively) and a HECT E3 enzyme, Herc5. Like the genes encoding Ube1L and UbcH8, expression of Herc5 was also induced by IFN-β, suggesting that Herc5 might be a component of the ISG15 conjugation system. Consistent with this, small interfering RNAs targeting Herc5 had a dramatic effect on overall ISG15 conjugation in human cells, abrogating conjugation to the vast majority of ISG15 target proteins in vivo. In addition, co-transfection of plasmids expressing ISG15, Ube1L, UbcH8, and Herc5 resulted in robust ISG15 conjugation in non-IFN-treated cells, while the active-site cysteine mutant of Herc5 or a mutant lacking the RCC1 repeat region did not support ISG15 conjugation. These results demonstrate that Herc5 is required for conjugation of ISG15 to a broad spectrum of target proteins in human cells.
Hydrophobic hydrogel caged H3PO4 as a new class of high-temperature proton exchange membranes with enhanced acid retention

We herein report a new class of high-temperature proton exchange membranes comprised of poly(acrylic acid-graft-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) (PAA-g-CTAB) or poly(acrylic acid)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PAA-g-PEG) hydrophobic hydrogel caged H3PO4. The membranes exhibit reasonable proton conductivity, enhanced H3PO4 retention ability and low solubility in water, making them promising as potential high performance and robust electrolytes for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Although the proton conductivity is still lower than that of H3PO4 doped PBI membranes, the new concept provides a different approach to proton exchange membranes for acid retention.
Small molecule inhibitors of DNA repair nuclease activities of APE1.

APE1 is a multifunctional protein that possesses several nuclease activities, including the ability to incise at apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in DNA or RNA, to excise 3′-blocking termini from DNA ends, and to cleave at certain oxidized base lesions in DNA. Pre-clinical and clinical data indicate a role for APE1 in the pathogenesis of cancer and in resistance to DNA-interactive drugs, particularly monofunctional alkylators and antimetabolites. In an effort to improve the efficacy of therapeutic compounds, such as temozolomide, groups have begun to develop high-throughput screening assays and to identify small molecule inhibitors against APE1 repair nuclease activities. It is envisioned that such inhibitors will be used in combinatorial treatment paradigms to enhance the efficacy of DNA-interactive drugs that introduce relevant cytotoxic DNA lesions. In this review, we summarize the current state of the efforts to design potent and selective inhibitors against APE1 AP site incision activity.
Psychological needs and emotional well-being in older and younger Koreans and Americans

Abstract This study tested the relevance of ten psychological needs in emotional well-being among older and younger adults in two cultures (the US and South Korea). Participants were asked to recall their “most satisfying event” for the past month, and then were asked to evaluate the relevance of ten psychological needs to that event. Results indicated that both age and cultural groups generally emphasized the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as proposed by self-determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1991). There were, however, some cultural variations. For Americans, self-esteem was the most important need for both young and old age groups. For Koreans, autonomy was the most salient need for young adults, whereas self-actualizing-meaning and popularity-influence were the most important needs for older adults.
Ligand-independent oncogenic transformation by the EGF receptor requires kinase domain catalytic activity.

The retroviral oncogene S3-v-erbB is a transduced, truncated form of the avian EGF (ErbB-1) receptor. Infection of avian fibroblasts with a retroviral vector expressing S3-v-ErbB results in ligand-independent cell transformation, which is accompanied by the assembly of a transformation-specific phosphoprotein signaling complex and anchorage-independent cell growth. It previously had been reported, using lysine-721 mutants (K721), that kinase domain function was required for ErbB-mediated cell transformation. However, since these initial reports, several studies using aspartate-813 mutants (D813) have demonstrated the ability of kinase-impaired ErbB receptors to induce mitogenic signal transduction pathways and cell transformation in a ligand-dependent manner. To determine the necessity of ErbB receptor kinase domain catalytic activity in ligand-independent cell transformation, we created S3-v-ErbB-K(-), a kinase-impaired oncoprotein constructed by replacing aspartate-813 with alanine (D813A). Subcellular routing as well as cell surface membrane and nuclear localization of the S3-v-ErbB-K(-) mutant receptor were unaffected by impairment of kinase activity. In contrast, avian fibroblasts expressing S3-v-ErbB-K(-) do not form the characteristic transformation-specific phosphoprotein complex, or induce soft agar colony growth in vitro. These results suggest that in contrast to ligand-dependent oncogenic signaling, ligand-independent cell transformation by a constitutively activated mutant form of the EGF receptor requires receptor kinase catalytic activity. In addition, these results demonstrate that phosphorylation and assembly of downstream signaling complexes require tyrosine phosphorylation events that are directly mediated by oncogenic forms of the EGF receptor.
Urban and Rural Immigrant Latino Youths’ and Adults’ Knowledge and Beliefs about Mental Health Resources

Immigrant Latino youth experience mental health problems in the U.S. Cultural beliefs and knowledge may influence help-seeking behaviors. Two hundred thirty-four immigrant Latino respondents between 12 and 44 years of age completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of and cultural beliefs regarding mental health resources for adolescents, symptoms, and help-seeking. Multivariate analyses showed that rural respondents were significantly less likely to know of mental health resources than urban-based immigrant Latinos. Knowledge and belief outcomes were also affected by age, gender, and length of time living in the community. Immigrant Latinos appear willing to seek professional help for mental health problems but may not know how to access this type of care, or may lack available services. Future research to inform interventions that increase awareness of accessible mental health services is suggested. Findings support systems-level changes including increased availability of culturally-specific mental health services, especially in rural areas.
Oral tobacco products: Preference and effects among smokers

Background Recently, oral tobacco products have been marketed specifically towards cigarette smokers. These products come in different nicotine doses and formulations (snus vs. lozenge). To date, little research has been conducted to determine how smokers respond to these products. The goal of this study was to examine if smokers prefer certain oral tobacco products based on their specific characteristics.
Interpreting Sedimentary Growth Structures from Well Log and Seismic Data (With Examples)

Growth structures develop when sediments are deposited during tectonic events such as normal and thrust faulting, diapirism, and subsidence. Information about sedimentary and tectonic history can be obtained by analyzing the depths to stratigraphic horizons within growth structures, either from well log or depth-corrected seismic data. For example, differences in depth between correlatable horizons are determined for two wells (^Dgrd), and then plotted versus total depth in the structurally higher well (d). Positive slopes on this graph indicate expanded sedimentary sections, negative slopes are condensed sections, and curves with no slope are environments free of differential tectonic motion. Changes in either sedimentation or tectonic conditions create discontinuities o changes in slope. Thus, the growth plots provide strong constraints on any interpretation. The plot of ^Dgrd versus d helps to distinguish faults from unconformities in well log data, to identify hard to locate sequence boundaries, and to locate stratigraphic miscorrelations, which appear as outlying points from the curve. This method for analyzing sedimentary growth structures can be applied to any tectonic or sedimentary environment and has many applications.
Improving Diffusing S-duct Performance by Secondary Flow Control

The objective of this research was to study ways to reduce inlet flow distortion (i.e., total pressure nonuniformity) and improve total pressure recovery in a diffusing S-duct. This was accomplished by controlling the development of secondary flows within the duct through the use of tapered-fin type vortex generators. Reported are results for the bare duct and seven different configurations of vortex generators. Data presented for each configuration include surface static pressure, surface flow visualization, and exit plane total pressure and transverse velocity. The performance of each configuration was assessed by calculating total pressure recovery and inlet distortion descriptors from the data and comparing them to the values for the bare duct. The best configuration tested reduced distortion (as measured by the DC(45) and DC(90) descriptors) by more than 50 percent while improving total pressure recovery by 0.5 percent. These results should provide valuable guidance in designing vortex generator installations in ducts and for assessing the accuracy of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to calculate duct flows with installed vortex generators.
A novel test of hypnotic anesthesia.

Abstract Many ambiguities are inherent in attempts to validate hypnotic anesthesia. In order to circumvent these problems, the present study employed a new, alternative procedure typically used in the investigation of perceptual adaptation to prim displacement. Results showed that adaptation to displacement which requires the presence of proprioceptive feedback and normally-felt arm sensations did not occur in hypnotically anesthetized Ss. All other conditions produced normal adaptation
Vygotsky and cognitive science: Language and the unification of the social and computational mind . William Frawley. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997. Pp. 384.

Vygotsky's social psycholinguist approach is not incompatible with computational approaches to the study of mind. In this way William Frawley sets the stage for a Vygoskyan cognitive science. Socioculturalists' theorizing on the work of the human mind has long maintained boundaries against cognitive science's information processing approaches and language, and vice versa. Frawley argues that no such division is entirely necessary and offers powerful ways of linking the two ways of thinking. Frawley's background in both Vygotskyan and other sociocultural theories, as well as in cognitive science and computational theories, places him in an important position to make these links.
Modeling Organizational Species' Interdependence in an Ecological Community: An Input-Output Approach

An organizational species' resource inputs and outputs comprise its most fundamental openness to its environment. An input-output model based on each species' resource exchanges with other species is a useful framework by which to operationalize and model the community-ecology perspective in organization theory. An input-output model provides a means of identifying each organizational species' niche within a given ecology and a means of modeling each species' direct and indirect dependence on other species for resources.
Industry turbulence and information technology structure: an empirical investigation

Examines ‐ in a study involving 92 large publicly‐held organizations ‐ the relationships between information technology (IT) structure, control and industry turbulence. Notes that despite the fact that some have called centralized systems electronic dinosaurs, many companies are turning to this traditional approach because it does offer one thing that decentralized systems generally lack, namely, control. Cites results indicating that information technology structure (centralized versus decentralized) is strongly related to management equity ownership, concentration of stock holdings, and the level of turbulence which firms face. Notes, for example, that an organization where top executives and managers own a relatively high percentage of the company’s stock possesses a more centralized IT structure than an organization with a relatively lower percentage of management ownership. Points out that this means that user departments in the latter have more control over their IT functions than do users in the former, but that, on the other hand, companies with high levels of stock concentration have more decentralized IT structures. In addition, concludes that the research revealed a statistically positive significant relationship between the level of turbulence firms face and the degree of IT centralization.
Evidence for a native donor in ZnSe from high temperature electrical measurements

Abstract The resistivity and Hall coefficient of cubic zinc selenide crystals have been measured at temperatures up to 1000°C in zinc vapor. The crystals are n-type, and the electron concentration increases with the 1 2 power of the zinc pressure. This behavior indicates the presence of a singly ionized native donor defect. The enthalpy of formation of this donor and its concentration along the zinc-rich solidus have been determined.
A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR DERIVING PROMINENCE MASS FROM SOHO/EIT Fe XII (19.5 NANOMETERS) ABSORPTION FEATURES

It is presently unclear what role prominences play in the initiation and dynamics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), although erupting prominences are strongly correlated with CMEs. The masses of prominences involved in CMEs are not generally measured, but the accurate determination of such masses may help in assessing the dynamical importance of prominences in CME events. In the technique for deriving prominence mass introduced in the present work, we use observations of coronal radiation in the Fe XII (19.5 nm) spectral line, which is absorbed by prominence material. This new method allows us to consider the effects of both foreground and background radiation in our calculations, and it can be applied to both quiescent and erupting prominences by using two versions of the method, which we label the "spatial-interpolative" version and the "temporal-interpolative" version. When both versions can be applied to the same event, we find that the temporal-interpolative approach yields the more accurate results. We have applied both versions to an erupting prominence observed on 1999 July 12 (this prominence has an associated CME), and we find that the two approaches result in similar mass determinations: (6.0 ± 2.5) × 1014 g for the temporal-interpolative approach and (7.4 ± 4.6) × 1014 g for the spatial-interpolative approach.
Noctilucent cloud formation and the effects of water vapor variability on temperatures in the middle atmosphere

To investigate the occurrence of low temperatures and the formation of noctilucent clouds in the summer mesosphere, a one-dimensional time-dependent photochemical-thermal numerical model of the atmosphere between 50 and 120 km has been constructed. The model self-consistently solves the coupled photochemical and thermal equations as perturbation equations from a reference state assumed to be in equilibrium and is used to consider the effect of variability in water vapor in the lower mesosphere on the temperature in the region of noctilucent cloud formation. It is found that change in water vapor from an equilibrium value of 5 ppm at 50 km to a value of 10 ppm, a variation consistent with observations, can produce a roughly 15 K drop in temperature at 82 km. It is suggested that this process may produce weeks of cold temperatures and influence noctilucent cloud formation.
Unraveling the 'TGF-β paradox' one metastamir at a time

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has received noteworthy attention in the recent past due to its unique characteristic of functionally switching roles from tumor suppressor to metastasis promoter. To uncover the black box surrounding the mechanisms of TGF-β, Taylor and colleagues performed global miRNA expression analyses using a murine mammary carcinoma progression model. They discovered multiple miRNA regulated by TGF-β and matrix stiffness. Focusing on miR-181a, they uncovered an intricate pathway regulating breast cancer metastasis that sheds new insight into metastasis regulation that may prove useful in clinical settings.
A Study of Sensitization in Types 304 and 304L Stainless Steels Using Mossbauer Spectroscopy

Abstract A relatively new research tool has been brought to bear on a relatively old problem. Mossbauer effect spectroscopy, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction techniques, were used to study the phenomenon of stainless steel sensitization. A ferromagnetic phase, thought to be pseudomartensite, has been found in sensitized Type 301. Stresses generated in the matrix by morphology changes of the precipitated carbides are deemed responsible for the creation of this phase. No such phase was detected in the Type 304L. It was confirmed that the precipitated carbides were of the complex type (Cr, Fe)2 3C6. Furthermore, it was established that these carbides are paramagnetic, In the presence of austenite, the mossbauer peak for the carbides is overshadowed
Salivary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Review of 76 Patients

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a relatively common salivary tumor with varying potential for aggressive behavior. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma grading has evolved from descriptive two-tiered schemata to more objective three-tiered systems. In 2001, we published a grading system Brandwein et al. in Am J Surg Pathol 25:835–845, (2001) which modified the prevailing criteria of Auclair et al. in Cancer 69:2021–2030 (1992), and included additional features of aggressive MEC. Here we seek to validate our modified grading system in a new multicenter cohort. The retrospective cohort consisted of 76 patients with confirmed MEC and known outcome data. The resection specimens were reviewed and uniformly graded according to our modified criteria Brandwein et al. in Am J Surg Pathol 25:835–845 (2001), and the Auclair criteria Auclair et al. in Cancer 69:2021–2030, (1992), Goode et al. in Cancer 82:1217–1224, (1998). Case distribution was as follows: Montefiore Medical Center: 41 (1977–2009), University of Alabama at Birmingham: 21 (1999–2010), and Rhode Island Hospital: 14, (1995–2011). Patient age ranged from 7 to 81 years (mean 51 years). The female to male ratio was 3:1. The most commonly involved sites were: parotid: n = 39 (51 %), palate: n = 10 (13 %), retromolar trigone: n = 6 (8 %), buccal: n = 5 (7 %), and submandibular gland: n = 5 (7 %). The modified criteria upgraded 41 % MEC; 20/25 MEC from AFIP Grade 1 to Grade 2 and 5/25 from AFIP Grade 1 to Grade 3. Eleven patients had positive lymph nodes; the AFIP MEC grade for cases were: Grade 1–3/11, Grade 2–1/11, and Grade 3–7/11; the modified grading criteria distribution for these cases were Grade 1: 0/11, Grade 2: 1/11, and Grade 3: 10/11. Nine patients developed disease progression after definitive treatment. High-stage and positive lymph node status were significantly associated with disease progression (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001, respectively). For the nine patients with disease progression, the modified grading schema classified eight MEC as Grade 3 and one as Grade 2. By comparison, the AFIP grading schema classified three of these MEC as Grade 1, and the remaining six as Grade 3. Despite the fact that this multicenter retrospective study accrued 76 patients with outcome, the predictive performance of the two grading schema could not be compared due to the few patients who experienced disease progression and were also reclassified with respect to grade (n = 3).
The effects of castration and sex steroids on ventilatory control in male guinea pigs

Male guinea pigs (N = 7) given progesterone hyperventilate with PaCO2 fallings from control levels of 39.0 ± 0.6 (SEM) Torr to 32.0 ± 0.7 Torr after 7 days of treatment. This response was associated with a rise in plasma progesterone concentration to approximately 15 ng ml−1 and a transient rise in plasma 17β-estradiol concentrations. To determine the role of the testes in generating teh transient estrogen increase as well as the significance of estrogens to the progesterone response, male guinea pigs were castrated and treated either with estradiol or a placebo. Estrogen-treated castrates (N = 15) had a mean PaCO2 of 36.1 ± 0.8 Torr and the castrates given the placebo (N = 7) had an average PaCo2 of 43.8 ± 1.2 Torr (P < 0.001). Both of these castrate groups were also different from intact, untreated males (P < 0.01). Progesterone concentrations were very low and not different. When progesterone was additionally administered, the PaCO2's fell to 33.0 ± 0.8 and 38.2 ± 0.6 Torr for the estrogen- and placebo-treated castrate groups, respectively. The male guinea pig hyperventilates when given progesterone with the magnitude and time course of his response comparable to the human's. The response to progesterone is not critically dependent on the testes or on plasma estrogen concentrations; however, both castration and exogenous estrogen appear to influence PaCO2 without altering plasma progesterone concentrations.
Optimum Snubbers for Power Semiconductors

It is generally necessary to connect an RC snubber across a power rectifier or thyristor to absorb the energy associated with the recovery current of the device and limit the resulting voltage spike and rate of rise dv/dt. For a given snubber capacitance, it is shown that there is an optimum damping resistance which minimizes the peak voltage, but a lower resistance is required to minimize the average dv/dt to the peak. Design procedures are derived for selecting the capacitance and optimum resistance to limit the peak voltage or dv/dt to specified values. The device recovery current is trapped in circuit inductance, and its energy must be dissipated, while the snubber produces additional losses as the price of performing its limiting function.
Formulation and evaluation of ethiodized oil emulsion for intravenous hepatography.

Abstract A study was conducted to prepare and evaluate an ethiodized oil emulsion for intravenous administration that would selectively opacify the liver. Several formulations with differing globule size were prepared and compared for their in vivo activity (degree of liver opacification obtained) and stability. Results of studies conducted in rabbits and monkeys revealed that the oil globules that concentrate most in liver were 2.0–3.0 ium in diameter. The formulation of choice was stable for 6 months at refrigeration temperature (2–6°). In monkeys, this formulation produced an improved diagnostic image of the liver using computerized tomography at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg. The potential use of such emulsions in diagnostic radiology is briefly discussed.
Publicity and advertising: what matter most for sales?

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between publicity, advertising activity and corporate sales in the context of a company’s existing reputation. Design/methodology/approach – The study brings together four unique industry datasets and uses discriminant analysis and multiple regression methods to examine the relationship between existing corporate reputation, publicity, advertising activity and sales levels for major multi-national companies in the technology products sector. Findings – Positive publicity is most important in distinguishing between firms with higher and lower sales. The effects of negative publicity and advertising are dependent on a firm’s existing reputation. For companies with weaker reputations, positive publicity in tandem with business-to-consumer (B2C) advertising is most highly associated with higher company sales. Conversely, for firms with stronger existing reputations, advertising has a significantly diminished role; positive and even negat...
Structures, Structural Defects, and Reactions in a Nickel Chevrel-Phase Sulfide: A High-Resolution Electron Microscope Study

Abstract High-resolution electron microscopy is used to illuminate the structure and structural defects of the nonstoichiometric nickel Chevrel-phase sulfide Ni2Mo6S7.6. The specimen consists of two phases, each showing threefold symmetry. The minor phase corresponds to that described by Guillevic et al. The majority phase has the same R3 symmetry with ahex = 6.78 A and chex = 14.5 A with 19 Chevrel clusters in a volume of 1732 A3. In extended defects such as dislocations and boundaries the clusters are preserved intact and behave as units. Electron-beam-induced decomposition does occur slowly during observation, first disordering and then reducing the clusters, yielding regions of Mo metal or Mo-Ni alloy in the edges. It has not been possible to interpret the nature of the disordered regions.
Mode of action of isoniazid on yeast.

Abstract The yeast Saccharomyces marxianus (NRRL-Y-1550) was grown in a chemically defined medium in the presence of increasing concentrations of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH), 0.4 to 2.4 mg/ml. It was found that the NAD content and the dry weight of the cells decreased with increasing concentrations of INH. Similar results have been reported for Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. The growth inhibition of the yeast by INH was completely reversed by l -tryptophan. When the yeast grew in the presence of INH, but in the absence of l -tryptophan. two growth factors for Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC 8014) were found in the culture medium. One of the growth factors has been identified as anthranilic acid while the other one was the N- D - glucosylamine derivative of anthranilic acid, shown to be an artifact of the isolation technique used. These results indicate that the primary mode of action of INH on yeast might be the inhibition of the biosynthesis of 1-(O-carboxyphenylamino)-l-deoxyribulose-5-phosphate.
An electrochemically driven actuator based on a nanostructured carbon material.

A new type of electrochemically driven actuator is described. This actuator uses graphitic carbon as the electroactive material (as opposed to the polymeric films used in previous devices of this type), and it is the first example of an actuator based on a nanostructured material. The actuator consists of branched carbon nanotubules embedded within the pores of a microporous alumina template membrane. Electrochemical Li+ intercalation causes this nanotubule-containing membrane to flex, and electrochemical deintercalation causes the membrane to relax to its original position. The characteristics of this new actuator are described here.
Recurrences associated with a classical orbit in the node of a quantum wave function.

Absorption spectra of atoms in magnetic fields reveal recurrences: manifestations of classical orbits (or quantum wave packets) that go out from the atom and later return. A formula from closed-orbit theory asserts that if the orbit lies on a node of the outgoing wave function, then the strength of the recurrence is zero. New quantum calculations, however, show that the recurrence strength is nonzero, though small. We derive a semiclassical formula for the recurrence strength associated with a classical orbit at a node of the quantum wave function. This formula is compared to the quantum mechanical calculation. Compared to other orbits, the recurrence is about 100 times weaker, and obeys a different classical scaling law.
A test of a causal model of communication and burnout in the teaching profession

The purpose of this investigation was to develop and test a causal model of the relationships among burnout, communication, and organizational stressors, and outcomes in the educational setting. Past studies of burnout have shown that the variables of overload, role conflict, and role ambiguity are associated with burnout, job satisfaction, and occupational commitment. Variables related to communication within schools mediate the burnout process, e.g., support from the principal and participation in decision making. The causal model developed in this paper indicates that teachers’ workload and support from their principal influenced role conflict and role ambiguity. These role stressors, in turn, influenced perceptions of burnout, job satisfaction, and occupational commitment.
Implications of a 125 GeV Higgs boson for the MSSM and low-scale supersymmetry breaking

Recently, the ATLAS and CMS collaborations have announced exciting hints for a standard model-like Higgs boson at a mass of $\ensuremath{\approx}125\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$. In this paper, we explore the potential consequences for the MSSM and low-scale SUSY-breaking. As is well-known, a 125 GeV Higgs implies either extremely heavy stops ($\ensuremath{\gtrsim}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$), or near-maximal stop mixing. We review and quantify these statements, and investigate the implications for models of low-scale SUSY-breaking such as gauge mediation where the $A$-terms are small at the messenger scale. For such models, we find that either a gaugino must be superheavy or the NLSP is long-lived. Furthermore, stops will be tachyonic at high scales. These are very strong restrictions on the mediation of supersymmetry breaking in the MSSM, and suggest that if the Higgs truly is at 125 GeV, viable models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking are reduced to small corners of parameter space or must incorporate new Higgs-sector physics.
Platelet anesthesia with nitric oxide with or without eptifibatide during cardiopulmonary bypass in baboons.

Abstract Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide or nitric oxide and eptifibatide (Integrilin) reversibly inhibit platelet activation and consumption during cardiopulmonary bypass and rapidly restore platelet numbers and function after bypass. Methods : Nitric oxide, a short-acting, reversible platelet inhibitor, was studied with and without eptifibatide, a short-acting, reversible glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, in 21 baboons that underwent 60 minutes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with peripheral cannulas. A control group, a group that received 80 ppm nitric oxide, and a group that received both nitric oxide and eptifibatide were studied. Blood samples were obtained at several time points to determine platelet count, aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate, and levels of β-thromboglobulin, prothrombin fragment 1.2, and thrombin-antithrombin complex. Template bleeding times were measured before and at 4 intervals after cardiopulmonary bypass. Results : Both nitric oxide and the combination of the 2 drugs significantly attenuated platelet consumption, improved postbypass function, and reduced plasma β-thromboglobulin release with respect to values in control animals. Both nitric oxide and the combination restored baseline bleeding times 55 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass ended. No significant differences between nitric oxide and the combination were found for any measurement. Conclusion : Nitric oxide with or without eptifibatide protects platelets during cardiopulmonary bypass and accelerates restoration of normal bleeding times after operation in a baboon model. Although nitric oxide and eptifibatide reversibly inhibit platelets by different mechanisms, in the absence of a wound no synergistic effect was demonstrated. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117: 987-93)
Insomnia: Prevalence, Impact, Pathogenesis, Differential Diagnosis, and Evaluation

When patients report problems sleeping, a psychiatrist must determine their significance based on frequency, duration, and daytime impairment. Because up to 50% of adults report sleep problems in any year, it is necessary to define when insomnia becomes long-standing, severe, and a complication to daytime function. Psychiatrists must determine if a sleep disturbance reduces mood, motor performance, or cognitive function. If insomnia syndrome is present, major depression, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders commonly are comorbid. To assist in evaluating insomnia, psychiatrists are urged to use the 6 Ps + M of insomnia model to conceptualize the characteristics of the insomnia and coordinate therapeutic intervention.
Explicit simulation of cumulus ensembles with the GATE phase III data: Budgets of a composite easterly wave

The mass, heat and moisture budgets of a composite easterly wave over the eastern tropical Atlantic are analysed from simulations of a convection-resolving model (CRM). The large-scale data from the GARP (Global Atmospheric Research Program) Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE) phase III are used to drive the CRM simulations. The simulated, composite easterly wave is reasonably comparable with the observed, except for the lack of shallow convection embedded in the simulated easterly waves. The mesoscale stratiform precipitation processes are found to be an inseparable component of cumulus convection embedded in the easterly waves. Their main differences from convective processes are twofold: (1) the distinct vertical structures of the budget components due to mesoscale updraughts and downdraughts, and (2) the phase lags relative to the convective processes in the temporal evolution of the easterly waves. Thus, theoretical studies should include both convective and mesoscale stratiform precipitation processes in order to further understanding of diabatic processes in the dynamics of the easterly waves and possibly other waves in the tropics. In addition, the budget analysis presented in this study also provides some details for improving parametrizations of cumulus convection.