cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EEG correlates of morphine challenge in post-addict rats.

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared with chronically implanted cortical and temporal muscle electrodes and i.v. cannulae. Morphine injections of 10 mg/kg were given i.p. to naive rats and to post-addict rats at successive intervals following morphine withdrawal. These intervals extended in a few cases up to one year. In the naive rat, high voltage EEG slow bursts associated with stuporous behavior appeared almost immediately after injection and prevailed for 60–90 min. This phase was followed by continuous EEG and behavioral arousal for another period of 60–90 min, after which sleep appeared. In contrast, morphine challenge to post-addict rats was followed by an EEG and behavioral arousal for as long as 180 min, the degree of which was less pronounced at the longer intervals following withdrawal. The EEG and behavioral arousal of the post-addict rat in response to morphine challenge is reminiscent of similar responses in human postaddicts already reported and may further emphasize the pharmacodynamic factors in morphine addiction.
High end scientific codes with computational I/O pipelines: improving their end-to-end performance

This paper uses computational I/O pipelines to integrate computations into the I/O path that perform data analytics on the data generated by scientific simulations. A novel attribute is the use of a pluggable execution environment in which analysis tools can be orchestrated into a multi-stage pipeline for processing simulation output data. Performance considerations are addressed through the use of a high performance data transport. The approach is evaluated with the end-to-end performance of a Magnetohydrodynamics application at large scale.
Variations in Arterial Blood Pressure after Kidney Transplantation Relation to Renal Function, Plasma Renin Activity, and the Dose of Prednisone

The course of hypertension within the first 2 months after kidney transplantation was correlated with renal function, plasma renin activity (PRA), and the daily maintenance dose of prednisone in 18 homograft recipients. During acute rejection blood pressure (BP) closely correlated with PRA. Patients with normal homograft function showed an increase in BP early after transplantation which in most returned to normal 3-8 weeks later. In the latter group no correlation could be found between the level of BP and PRA, however the BP correlated closely with the dose of prednisone. These observations suggest that during acute rejection the increase in BP may at least partly be mediated by a renal pressor mechanism, whereas with normal renal function the high dose of glucocorticoids may play an important role in the development of hypertension.
Effects of postweaning rearing conditions on emotionality and social-seeking behavior in the rat

Effects of postweaning contact with the mother or like-sexed age-mates were compared with isolation effects on the albino rat. Animals that had experienced some form of social contact weighed more, displayed more social-seeking behavior, and were less emotional than animals reared in isolation. Results were interpreted as showing that behavioral and physiological changes induced by prolonged maternal contact during postweaning life are attributable to the presence of another animal.
Rheology of zirconia-alumina gelcasting slurries

The rheology of zirconia-alumina composite slurries for gelcasting was studied in order to maximize the solids loading. The viscosity and yield stress were controlled by adjusting the pH. This approach allows the solids loading to be maximized for the gelcasting of near-net-shape composites. A strong correspondence exists among the rheological behavior, the surface charge on the particles, colloidal stability, and the maximum solids loading. The best pH conditions for gelcasting composites depends on the specific binary composition.
The Contralateral Eye in the Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome

Examination of six cases of iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome revealed that all the patients had subclinical abnormalities in the fellow eye. Of the six, four patients had iris transillumination, four patients had significantly decreased outflow facility but without elevation of intraocular pressure, and all patients had corneal endothelial changes as noted by specular microscopy. The asymmetric rather than unilateral involvement and the similar histopathology to posterior polymorphous dystrophy suggested that these two diseases may share a common pathogenesis. The occurrence of features of Rieger's syndrome and Axenfeld's anomaly in association with posterior polymorphous dystrophy suggested the hypothesis that all these diseases may be characterized by abnormalities of tissues derived from neural crest cells. A unifying hypothesis is presented to explain this group of diseases involving the endothelial cells lining the anterior chamber, namely corneal and trabecular meshwork endothelium, anterior iris stroma and iris melanophores.
Cayuga: a high-performance event processing engine

We propose a demonstration of Cayuga, a complex event monitoring system for high speed data streams. Our demonstration will show Cayuga applied to monitoring Web feeds; the demo will illustrate the expressiveness of the Cayuga query language, the scalability of its query processing engine to high stream rates, and a visualization of the internals of the query processing engine.
ADAMTS-13, VWF, inflammation, and thrombosis

Inflammatory cytokines can stimulate the release of ultralarge VWF multimers from endothelial cells, as well as affect ADAMTS-13 cleavage of VWF, thus demonstrating another link between inflammation and thrombosis. Systemic inflammation shifts the hemostatic balance in the direction of thrombosis
AINTEGUMENTA - LIKE6 regulates cellular differentiation in flowers

During flower development, pluripotent stem cells within the floral meristem give rise to proliferative precursor cells whose progeny eventually acquire specialized functions within each floral organ. The regulatory mechanisms by which plant cells transition from a proliferating state to a differentiated state are not well characterized. Several members of the AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE/PLETHORA (AIL/PLT) transcription factor family, including AINTEGUMENTA (ANT) and AIL6/PLT3, are important regulators of cell proliferation in flowers. To further investigate the role of AIL6 during flower development, we have characterized transgenic plants in which the coding region of AIL6 was expressed under the control of the constitutive 35S promoter (35S:cAIL6). These plants display changes in floral organ size and morphology that are associated with alterations in the pattern and duration of cell divisions within developing organs. In addition, we find that very high levels of AIL6 expression inhibit cellular differentiation. In contrast, ant ail6 double mutants display premature differentiation of floral meristem cells. These results indicate that these two transcription factors regulate both proliferation and differentiation in flowers.
The influence of insoluble spherical particles on the stability of a planar solidifying interface

Abstract The doping of a binary substance with a small volume fraction of second phase inclusions is used in the solidification processing of metal matrix composites to improve the material properties of the final cast. In this paper, we investigate the morphological stability of a planar solidifying front that is grown from a melt containing a small volume fraction of insoluble particles. For ( φ / k )≪1, we demonstrate that the presence of the particles modifies the solutal distribution coefficient as follows: k eff =k+( 3 2 ) (k−1)φ where φ ≪1 is the volume fraction of particles and k is the segregation coefficient in the absence of particles. The concentration far away from the interface, c ∞ , is chosen as the control parameter. A linear stability analysis of the planar interface reveals that the presence of the particles has a destabilizing influence. The threshold parameters for the onset of the Mullins–Sekerka instability are also altered. The dependence of the critical values of the concentration and corresponding wavenumber is calculated for a Pb–Sn alloy. For φ ⩽0.01, it is found that c ∞ *≈0.005695–0.01906 φ and α *≈14.69–11.81 φ .
Getting Real: The Authenticity of Remote Labs and Simulations for Science Learning.

Teachers use remote labs and simulations to augment or even replace hands-on science learning. We compared undergraduate students’ experiences with a remote lab and a simulation to investigate beliefs about and learning from the interactions. Although learning occurred in both groups, students were more deeply engaged while performing the remote lab. Remote lab users felt and behaved as though they completed a real scientific experiment. We also examined whether realistic visualizations improved the psychological and learning experiences for each lab. Students who watched live video of the device collecting their data in the remote lab felt most engaged with the task, suggesting that it is the combination of the realistic lab and realistic video that was of the greatest benefit.
X-ray localization of limbic structures in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

The anterior/posterior (AP) and dorsal/ventral positions of 3 subcortical structures, the amygdala, the mamillary bodies, and the anterior commissure, were estimated with respect to the skull in a series of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The distance from the external auditory meatus, from which stereotaxic coordinates are typically derived, to these structures was found to be highly variable. In contrast, radiography revealed that a skull landmark which forms part of the sphenoid bone lies at a remarkably constant distance from these 3 structures. The posterior clinoid process also proved to be a more accurate reference point than the auditory meatus, although it was less reliable than the sphenoid landmark. It is proposed that the position of the sphenoid bone could be used to localize a wide range of limbic and basal forebrain structures.
Pituitary-adrenal hormones and testosterone across the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual syndrome and controls.

Abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclic mood disorder, widely believed, yet not conclusively shown, to be of endocrine etiology. This study examines basal levels of several hormones reported, albeit inconsistently, to differ in women with PMS compared with controls. Methods: Subjects (10 PMS patients and 10 controls) had their blood drawn for one full menstrual cycle. Subjects’ mood and behavioral symptoms were assessed by daily self-ratings and objective ratings. Plasma was assayed for total and free testosterone (T), β-endorphin (β-EP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol. Results: No differences were observed between the PMS and control groups for β-EP, ACTH, or cortisol. PMS subjects had significantly lower total and free T plasma levels with a blunting of the normal periovulatory peak, a finding that may be epiphenomenal to age. Conclusions: This study does not confirm previous reports of abnormalities in plasma levels of either ACTH or β-EP in women with PMS; it also fails to replicate a previous observation of high free T levels in women with PMS. These results are not supportive of a primary endocrine abnormality in PMS patients.
Rethinking risk and return: Part 1 – novel norms for non‐normality?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper (the first of two) is to consider measures of risk commonly used in the analysis of both investment and insurance portfolios, and argue that there is a need for more appropriate measures to capture the uncertainty inherent in non‐normal (i.e. asymmetric and/or long tailed) probability distributions.Design/methodology/approach – In Part 1, the risk measures used most frequently in finance and insurance – i.e. the standard deviation (variance), value at risk, tail value at risk, default value, etc. – are reviewed and then the paper explores whether such measures are sufficient for all contexts, including those in which the subject random variable is characterized by asymmetry and/or long tails. As an alternative to conventional measures, the paper assesses the potential of a general p‐norm‐based definition of “risk”.Findings – Virtually, all commonly used risk measures, even those designed specifically to capture the behavior of asymmetric randomness, require that the und...
Generating Bispecific Human IgG1 and IgG2 Antibodies from Any Antibody Pair

Bispecific antibodies and antibody fragments are a new class of therapeutics increasingly utilized in the clinic for T cell recruitment (catumaxomab anti-EpCAM/CD3 and blinatumomab anti-CD19/CD3), increase in the selectivity of targeting, or simultaneous modulation of multiple cellular pathways. While the clinical potential for certain bispecific antibody formats is clear, progress has been hindered because they are often difficult to manufacture, may suffer from suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties, and may be limited due to potential immunogenicity issues. Current state-of-the-art human IgG-like bispecific technologies require co-expression of two heavy chains with a single light chain, use crossover domains to segregate light chains, or utilize scFv (single-chain fragment variable)-Fc fusion. We have engineered both human IgG1 and IgG2 subtypes, with minimal point mutations, to form full-length bispecific human antibodies with high efficiency and in high purity. In our system, the two antibodies of interest can be expressed and purified separately, mixed together under appropriate redox conditions, resulting in a formation of a stable bispecific antibody with high yields. With this approach, it is not necessary to generate new antibodies that share a common light chain, therefore allowing the immediate use of an existing antibody regardless of whether it has been generated via standard hybridoma or display methods. We demonstrate the generality of the approach and show that these bispecific antibodies have properties similar to those of wild-type IgGs, and we further demonstrate the utility of the technology with an example of a CD3/CD20 bispecific antibody that effectively depletes B cells in vitro and in vivo.
Stroke amplifier for deformable mirrors

We demonstrate a simple optical configuration that amplifies the usable stroke of a deformable mirror. By arranging for the wavefront to traverse the deformable mirror more than once, we correct it more than once. The experimental implementation of the idea demonstrates a doubling of 2.0 and 2.04 by two different means.
The Role of Representational Status and Item Complexity in Parent-Child Conversations about Pictures and Objects.

Abstract Mother–child conversations about pictures systematically differ from mother–child conversations about objects: Pictures are more likely than objects to elicit talk about kinds, whereas objects are more likely than pictures to elicit talk about individuals. The purpose of the current study is to examine whether this difference between pictures and objects is explained by differences in item complexity. Mothers and their 4-year-old children were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: simple or complex. In each condition, participants viewed 12 toy objects and 12 pictures, matched for content. The items were either highly detailed (complex condition) or very plain (simple condition). Replicating previous research, mothers and children provided relatively more focus on kinds when talking about pictures, and relatively more focus on individuals when talking about objects. The current results go further, however, to demonstrate that this effect is independent of the items’ complexity. We therefore propose that the picture–object difference is not due to low-level differences in amount of perceptual detail provided, but rather is due to the greater ease with which pictures serve as representations [DeLoache, J. S. (1991). Symbolic functioning in very young children: Understanding of pictures and models. Child Development , 62 , 736–752]. These data indicate the ways in which a fundamental conceptual distinction between kinds and individuals arises in different linguistic expressions and in different contexts.
Plasmid (1952-1997).

The term "plasmid" was introduced 45 years ago (J. Lederberg, 1952, Physiol. Rev. 32, 403-430) as a generic term for any extrachromosomal genetic particle. It was intended to clarify the classification of agents that had been thought of disjunctively as parasites, symbionts, organelles, or genes. For a decade or more it was confused with "episome," although that was carefully crafted (F. Jacob and E. L. Wollman, 1958, C. R. Acad. Sci. 247, 154-156) to mean agents with traffic in and out of chromosomes. Starting about 1970, plasmids became important reagents in molecular genetic research and biotechnology. They also play a cardinal role in the evolution of microbial resistance and of pathogenicity. The usage of the term has then escalated to its current peak of about 3000 published articles per year. The bedrock of genetic mechanism is no longer mitosis and meiosis of chromosomes; it is template-directed DNA assembly. This is often more readily studied and managed with the use of plasmids, which replicate autonomously outside the chromosomes. Some plasmids are also episomes, namely, they interact with the chromosomal genome, and other mobile elements may be transposed from one chromosomal locus to another without replicating autonomously.
Shielding of Gravitationally Induced Electric Fields

Gravitationally induced electric field shielding using whisker model with conducting metal surface for reducing strain dependence on altitude
IL-8-stimulated expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in human skin and human epidermal cells

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is essential for normal development and tissue repair. Although many roles for extracellular proteinases in the breakdown of ECM have been established, the regulations of these proteinases in human tissue are not fully understood. Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the regulation of several matrix metalloproteinases. To determine whether these mediators have a similar effect on fibrinolysis and the remodeling of the fibrin provisional matrix, we examined the role of cytokines on the regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in human skin. In this report, we show that interleukin-8 (IL-8), but not other cytokines tested, is a potent inducer of the 38-kDa uPA in organ-cultured human skin. In addition, the uPA inhibitor, PAI-1, was not affected by IL-8. When primary epidermal human keratinocytes were treated with IL-8, 55-kDa pro-uPA was significantly induced in the conditioned medium. The mRNA expression of uPA in the keratinocytes was found to be constitutively elevated and was not affected by IL-8. To support such a notion, activation of the 5'-flanking promoter of the human uPA gene was measured using the CAT reporter assay. Consistent with the results of mRNA measurement, the promoter is constitutively active in keratinocytes and is not affected by IL-8. In contrast, the promoter construct is neither active in the dermal fibroblasts nor stimulated by the cytokine. This differential transactivation of uPA gene in these cells indicates that keratinocyte-specific factors may govern the basal expression of the gene. These results indicate a complex regulation of uPA expression in epidermal cells.
A mechanistic mathematical model of temozolomide myelosuppression in children with high-grade gliomas

Temozolomide (TMZ) is currently being evaluated for the treatment of high-grade gliomas in children. Myelosuppression (the suppression of bone marrow activity) is the dose-limiting toxicity for TMZ in adults and children. Empirical methods (i.e. relations between the percent change in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) of TMZ or its active metabolite MTIC) showed poor results when attempting to describe myelosuppression from serial data derived during TMZ therapy in a Phase II study of children with high-grade glioma. Therefore, to improve our understanding of the myelosuppressive effects of TMZ and MTIC in children we developed a mechanistic mathematical model. The model describes the progression of neutrophils from their production in the bone marrow to their release in the plasma. Included in the model are the feedback effects of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which stimulates neutrophil production when there is a decrease in circulating neutrophils. The model is fit to serial ANC measurements obtained after TMZ dosing and it is able to explain, among other things, the lag in ANC reduction following a dose of TMZ, the ANC nadir, and the 'rebound effect' observed where the ANC recovers to levels greater than that observed pre-TMZ dose. This model will be useful for the prospective design of clinical trials of TMZ in children with cancer.
Mendelson v. Wright: Understanding the Contract Clause

XW5T ALLACE MENDELSON charges that Benjamin Wright in his The Contract Clause of the Constitution (1938) is guilty of Progressive "muckraking," a view holding that the Founding Fathers wrote into the Constitution protections on behalf of the existing economic elite composed of creditors in conflict with a large debtor class (Mendelson 1985: 262). Moreover, Mendelson attacks the conventional wisdom that Chief Justice John Marshall unjustifiably expanded the meaning of the contract clause to protect the monied interests against exercises of state power. Mendelson regards this "Populist-Progressive" position as historically untenable (1985: 264). Mendelson finds fault with all the major opinions upholding state power over private property. He applauds contract clause decisions with outcomes favorable to private property.1 With pleasure he reports a renaissance of the contract clause in the form of two recent Supreme Court decisions, one in 1977 and the other in 1978. He views these cases as ". . . a repudiation of the Populist-Progressive, in favor of the Founders' Lockean outlook" (1985: 274). Whether Mendelson or Wright is correct, or at least which view represents a closer approximation to the truth, is not a matter of idle intellectual curiosity. It is fundamental to an understanding of the role of the United States Supreme Court in constitutional history. Professor Mendelson has seriously threatened the foundation of what we think we know. His article cannot be ignored, lest his analysis, as mistaken as I believe it to be, become the prevailing interpretation. Wright maintains that the contract clause was intended as a prohibition on state impairment of contracts among private parties, and not relations between a state and private parties. That is, the state was not viewed as having the same status as a private party. Thus, John Marshall's decision in Fletcher v. Peck (6 Cranch 87 [1810]) went beyond what the Framers intended. Wright explains that John Marshall's view stemmed
Nitrovasodilator responses in pulmonary arterioles from rats with nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Background/Purpose Many infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) experience persistent pulmonary hypertension that is refractory to treatment with inhaled nitric oxide (NO). We have examined the responses of isolated pulmonary arterioles from prenatal and postnatal rats with and without nitrofen (2,4-dichlorophenyl- p -nitrophenyl ether)–induced CDH to a variety of activators of the NO–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. Methods Right-sided CDH was induced in fetal rats by feeding nitrofen to pregnant rats on day 12 of gestation. Control rats were fed olive oil (vehicle). Third-generation pulmonary arterioles were isolated from the right lung of prenatal rats at term and from newborn rats within 8 hours after birth. Responses to increasing concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), atrial natriuretic peptide, or 8-bromo-cGMP were measured in pulmonary arterioles from control rats and from rats with nitrofen-induced CDH. Postnatal responses to 8-bromo-cGMP were also recorded in the presence of zaprinast, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Results Pulmonary arterioles from prenatal rats did not dilate in response to SNP, atrial natriuretic peptide, or 8-bromo-cGMP. Vasodilatory responses of postnatal pulmonary arterioles from control rats to SNP and 8-bromo-cGMP were significantly greater than for arterioles from rats with CDH. Zaprinast pretreatment resulted in similar responses for postnatal CDH and control arterioles to 8-bromo-cGMP. Conclusions Postnatal pulmonary arterioles from CDH rats exhibit altered nitrovasodilator responsiveness, which may be due to rapid degradation of cGMP.
Chemoreflex and vagal afferent mechanisms enhance breath to breath variability of breathing

In anesthetized rats, vagal afferent activities activate slow central mechanisms which modulate the pattern of breathing over several breaths, giving rise to increased breath to breath variability of respiratory pattern. We hypothesized that variability in breathing pattern would produce variability in blood gases and further enhance breath to breath variability of inspired ventilation. Anesthetized rats were placed in a head-out plethysmograph and spontaneous breathing recorded during inhalation of room air and 100% oxygen. The standard deviations and coefficients of variation of ventilation were similar for both inspired gases, but the shapes of the power spectra of ventilation differed, indicating a relative increase in low-frequency power on room air in those animals exhibiting little low-frequency power on oxygen. Simple indices of variability cannot discriminate these temporal changes in breathing pattern variability.
Fuzzy objects for geographical information systems

Abstract Modeling, storing and retrieving geographical information has become an important part of our information society. Geographical information is typically specified in terms of collections of entities and phenomena that are structured aggregations of spatial entities. GIS features tend to form natural class hierarchies. Another characteristic of geographical information is that often it may be inexact or vague. With respect to these characteristics, the confluence of the two technologies fuzzy set theory and object-oriented databases could provide a powerful tool for knowledge representation underlying geographical information systems. The fuzzy object data model is currently being developed and prototype implementations have been undertaken using an integrative approach with existing software including an expert system shell and a commercial object-oriented database system. In this paper, the benefits of a fuzzy object data model for geographical information systems are examined, an overview of the model is presented, and the current prototype implementations are described.
Use of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test with low-functioning autistic children†

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (Dunn, 1965) was adapted to facilitate administration to low-functioning autistic children who do not have a pointing response. By cutting the plates into individual pictures, children can respond by giving the examiner the target picture. Ten autistic and 10 preschool-aged children were given both the standard form (Form A) and the adapted form (Form C) by the same examiner less than one week apart. Several t-tests were calculated to test the hypotheses that the adaptation would not affect raw scores of normal, preschool-aged children; yet lowfunctioning autistic children would score significantly better on the adapted version. It was concluded that the two forms of the PPVT are equivalent forms when a pointing response exists, and it is therefore valid to use the published norms for the adapted version.
Pangea's complex breakup: A new rapidly changing stress field model

Over the years numerous proposals have been presented describing the relationship between the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) and the break-up of Pangea. Recent proposals have focused on refuting the original proposal of a mantle plume origin for the large igneous province and attendant dikes, and instead propose an upper mantle or passive cause for the break-up and CAMP. In this paper we examine the fundamental assumption that the multiple dike orientations associated with the break-up are geographically or temporally delimited. New mapping and compilations of older local maps demonstrate that multiple dike orientations ranging from NW- to NE-trending were intruded throughout the western Carolinas and are not geographically limited. Further, new plagioclase 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dates indicate that all three orientations observed were emplaced within a 2 Ma period (c.a. 199–197 Ma). Based on this information we propose that a rapidly rotating stress field must be responsible for the emplacement of multiple dike orientations in the Carolinas and the break-up of Pangea and go on to propose several new tectonic models to account for this rotating stress field. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Generalized Benders decomposition

J. F. Benders devised a clever approach for exploiting the structure of mathematical programming problems withcomplicating variables (variables which, when temporarily fixed, render the remaining optimization problem considerably more tractable). For the class of problems specifically considered by Benders, fixing the values of the complicating variables reduces the given problem to an ordinary linear program, parameterized, of course, by the value of the complicating variables vector. The algorithm he proposed for finding the optimal value of this vector employs a cutting-plane approach for building up adequate representations of (i) the extremal value of the linear program as a function of the parameterizing vector and (ii) the set of values of the parameterizing vector for which the linear program is feasible. Linear programming duality theory was employed to derive the natural families ofcuts characterizing these representations, and the parameterized linear program itself is used to generate what are usuallydeepest cuts for building up the representations.
Caring knowledge and informed moral passion.

This article is based on an invited challenge address at the 1989 National Doctoral Forum related to future directions for substantive knowledge development. The focus is on the inclusion of caring knowledge into nursing's metaparadigm. Art and metaphor are used to make a case for caring knowledge and caring ontology as a metaphorical landscape for diverse epistemological "set pieces," all converging on a Commons Room of caring knowledge within a broader human and natural landscape. Such a framework links ontology and epistemology as both substance and form, and allows matter and spirit to be of a piece, but distinguishable; human caring knowledge then becomes Annie Dillard's "Absolute base" and "Holy the Firm."
Hydroxyatrazine in soils and sediments

Hydroxyatrazine (HA) is the major metabolite of atrazine in most surface soils. Knowledge of HA sorption to soils, and its pattern of stream water contamination suggest that it is persistent in the environment. Soils with different atrazine use histories were collected from four sites, and sediments were collected from an agricultural watershed. Samples were exhaustively extracted with a mixed-mode extractant, and HA was quantitated using high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Atrazine, deethylatrazine (DEA), and deisopropylatrazine (DIA) were also measured in all samples. Concentrations of HA were considerably greater than concentrations of atrazine, DEA, and DIA in all soils and sediments studied. Soil concentrations of HA ranged from 14 to 640 μg/kg with a median concentration of 84 μg/kg. Sediment concentrations of HA ranged from 11 to 96 μg/kg, with a median concentration of 14 μg/kg. Correlations of HA and atrazine concentrations to soil properties indicated that HA levels in soils were controlled by sorption of atrazine. Because atrazine hydrolysis is known to be enhanced by sorption and pH extremes, soils with high organic matter (OM) and clay content and low pH will result in greater atrazine sorption and subsequent hydrolysis. Significant correlation of HA concentrations to OM, pH, and cation exchange capacity of sediments indicated that mixed-mode sorption (i.e., binding by cation exchange and hydrophobic interactions) was the mechanism controlling HA levels in sediment. The presence of HA in soils and stream sediments at the levels observed support existing hypotheses regarding its transport in surface runoff. These results also indicated that persistence of HA in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is an additional risk factor associated with atrazine usage.
Energy development and Native Americans: Values and beliefs about energy from the Navajo Nation

Abstract Technical tools and techno-centric methods used for energy resource management and policy planning and development can miss important social and cultural factors. This can in turn result in a failure to recognize potential barriers and opportunities for energy and resource development in culturally diverse communities. Given the complexity of socio-technical energy systems, multidisciplinary analysis approaches are needed to ensure that modeling exercises more accurately represent real phenomena and outcomes of value. This paper describes the results of a public elicitation effort to gather information about stakeholder views and concerns related to energy development in the Navajo Nation, the largest American Indian group in the United States. Our results show that the potential for economic gain from energy resource development does not alleviate concern about environmental impacts, despite high poverty and unemployment on the reservation. Participants placed significant importance on environmental preservation, not only for the viability of future generations, but also for transmission of culture and identity that supports stewardship of the environment. Future work will use the results of this project to develop a survey that can be more broadly deployed across the Navajo Nation, and to develop a decision-support tool that links techno-economic energy models with socio-cultural attributes.
Aging in Human Attached Gingival Epithelium

The mitotic index of human gingival epithelium is not significantly different in men 18 to 22 years of age and in men 58 to 64 years of age. There is a significant increase in the cell density of the gingival epithelium and a significant decrease in connective tissue cells in older men.
Effect of Melanotropic Peptides on Adenosine 3′,5′- Monophosphate Accumulation by Regions of Rabbit Brain

A previous study in the rabbit showed that intracisternal injection of the melanotropic peptides ACTH and β-MSH caused a 10- to 30-fold increase in concentration of cerebrospinal fluid cAMP within 30 min. The present investigation aimed to identify the region in the rabbit's brain where this increment of cAMP originated. Brain tissue was incubated for 5–20 min in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution containing glucose and theophylline with or without specific dose of agonist, and the increment in cAMP in tissue plus medium was measured. We tested 18 brain regions in two groups: group I, six circumventricular organs: area postrema, subcommissural organ, pineal gland, and choroid plexuses of lateral, third, and fourth ventricles; group II, all other regions: brain stem, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, diencephalon, hippocampus, hypothalamus (anterior, mid, and posterior), medulla, midbrain and thalamus. The agonists were synthetic ACTH1–24, synthetic α-MSH, natur l β-MSH, and the bioactive amines...
Evaluation of intrinsic and inhibition kinetics in biological fluidized bed reactors

Abstract An experimental approach is developed in which batch experiments are directly performed in steady-state biological fluidized bed (BFB) reactors for the evaluation of biofilm intrinsic and inhibition kinetics. Experimental evidence verifies that intrinsic data can be obtained from the batch experiments performed over short periods of time without alteration of immobilized cell physiology in reactors. Furthermore, the phenomena of substrate inhibition can also be examined using the proposed approach. BFB reactors are capable of regaining their steady-state performance within 24 h after the termination of batch experiments without showing any distress symptoms.
Computational modeling of the binding interaction of Jasplakinolide and Phalloidin with mammalian and parasite F-actin

Actin,a component of the cytoskeletal system, is a polymer that is critical for maintaining the shape and motility of a cell. This is achieved by a complex dynamic regulation of rapid polymerization and depolymerization of actin. As part of its defense mechanism, certain species of fungi and marine sponges produces cyclic peptide compounds like Jasplakinolide and Phalloidin that interferes with the actin depolymerization in foreign species. In this work we use computational methods like molecular dynamics, docking and QM/MM with to elucidate the molecular details of the interaction of these compounds with mammalian and parasite actin filament. Our analysis, in addition with experimental observations from our collaborators, also helps us to propose possible mechanisms for the polymer stabilizing property of these compounds.
Quantum mechanics, interference, and the brain

In this paper we discuss the use of quantum mechanics to model psychological experiments, starting by sharply contrasting the need of these models to use quantum mechanical nonlocality instead of contextuality. We argue that contextuality, in the form of quantum interference, is the only relevant quantum feature used. Nonlocality does not play a role in those models. Since contextuality is also present in classical models, we propose that classical systems be used to reproduce the quantum models used. We also discuss how classical interference in the brain may lead to contextual processes, and what neural mechanisms may account for it.
Reynolds number effects on the vortical-flow structure generated by a double-delta wing

An experimental investigation of the high-incidence vortical flowfield over a 76/40° double-delta wing model with sharp leading edges was conducted in the Naval Postgraduate School water tunnel facility at three nominal flow Reynolds numbers of 15000, 45000, and 75000 (based on centerline chord). Extensive flow visualization studies were performed with the dye-injection technique, followed by laser Doppler velocity measurements. The primary objective of this investigation was the determination of the influence of Reynolds number on vortex interactions/trajectories, and breakdown. It was found that there is a significant influence of Reynolds number. Specifically, with the increase of flow Reynolds number the strake and wing vortex trajectories tend to move outboards and closer to the model surface, and the vortex breakdown location moves forwards toward the apex of the model. The intertwining or coiling-up feature of the vortex interaction phenomenon becomes less dominant and disappears altogether at high Reynolds numbers. These trends in the vortex interaction and bursting data are found to be in good agreement with previous wind tunnel data.
Capacity of channels with redundant multitrack (d,k) constraints: the k<d case

Run-length-limited or (d,k) recording codes are widely used in digital storage systems with peak detection. The channel capacities of the redundant multitrack (d,k) constraint are calculated and tabulated for k<d. The channel capacities table completes the table obtained by Orcutt and Marcellin (see ibid., vol.39, no.5, p.1744, 1993), who considered the k/spl ges/d case.
Effects of alumina dissolution and metal ion buffering on the dispersion of alumina supported nickel and ruthenium catalysts

Abstract The effects of alumina dissolution and metal ion buffering on the dispersion of alumina supported nickel and ruthenium catalysts were studied. It is shown that ruthenium salts are stronger buffers of the impregnating solution. As a consequence, at low initial pH values of each impregnant, more free aluminum is released to the aqueous phase in ruthenium electrolytes than in nickel electrolytes. For catalysts prepared from these electrolytes, the dispersions of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts vary dramatically with weight loading and initial impregnant pH. On the other hand, Ru/Al2O3 catalysts have comparable dispersions for more than a factor of five increase in weight loading. These results are consistent with the proposal that alumina dissolution facilitates continuous generation of adsorption sites, and thus higher concentrations of metal salt precursor can be accommodated during impregnation.
Model studies of the histidine-tyrosine cross-link in cytochrome C oxidase reveal the flexible substituent effect of the imidazole moiety.

Experimental and theoretical studies were carried out to interrogate the effect of an imidazole substituent in each of the ortho, meta, and para positions on the pKa, E°, and O−H BDE of phenol. The results reveal that imidazole substitution lowers the pKa of phenol and increases the E° of phenoxide due to its σ-electron withdrawing ability (σp- = +0.21, σm- = +0.45) but decreases the O−H BDE and E° of phenol due to its π-electron-donating ability (σp+ = −0.45).
The inhibition of human gingival collagenase by an inhibitor extracted from human teeth.

The activity of human gingival collagenase was inhibited by an inhibitor found in an extract of human teeth. This inhibitor, denoted Human Dental Collagenase Inhibitor, was partially purified and found to selectively inhibit human skin and gingival collagenase, as well as tadpole collagenase, but not the bacterial collagenase (Clostridium histolyticum). On the basis of gel filtration analysis we determined that the inhibitor has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 12,000 daltons, similar to that reported for other tissue collagenase inhibitors.
Altitudinal clinal variation in wing size and shape in African Drosophila melanogaster: one cline or many?

Geographical patterns of morphological variation have been useful in addressing hypotheses about environmental adaptation. In particular, latitudinal clines in phenotypes have been studied in a number of Drosophila species. Some environmental conditions along latitudinal clines – e.g. temperature – also vary along altitudinal clines, but these have been studied infrequently and it remains unclear whether these environmental factors are similar enough for convergence or parallel evolution. Most clinal studies in Drosophila have dealt exclusively with univariate phenotypes, allowing for the detection of clinal relationships, but not for estimating the directions of co-variation between them. We measured variation in wing shape and size in Drosophila melanogaster derived from populations at varying altitudes and latitudes across sub-Saharan Africa. Geometric morphometrics allows us to compare shape changes associated with latitude and altitude, and manipulating rearing temperature allows us to quantify the extent to which thermal plasticity recapitulates clinal effects. Comparing effect vectors demonstrates that altitude, latitude and temperature are only partly associated, and that the altitudinal shape effect may differ between Eastern and Western Africa. Our results suggest that selection responsible for these phenotypic clines may be more complex than just thermal adaptation.
Technology mapping of digital circuits

Technology mapping aims to achieve minimal area or minimal delay circuits. The problem is computationally hard. Rule-based methods and heuristic algorithms have been applied. The algorithms rely on two important tasks, namely, matching and covering. Matching detects if a portion of a network can be implemented by a library element. Matching can be based on structural or on Boolean operations. Covering consists of choosing an appropriate set of matched elements that implement the original network and that optimize the overall area and/or delay. The major approaches to technology mapping are reviewed, with an emphasis on the recent results achieved by Boolean matching methods that can exploit the don't-care conditions of a network. Specialized technology mappers that deal with functional-cell and programmable gate array libraries are described. >
Air-to-sea flux of soluble iron: is it driven more by HNO 3 or SO 2 ? – an examination in the light of dust aging

Abstract. Aeolian dust provides the major micronutrient of soluble Fe to organisms in certain regions of the global ocean. In this study, we conduct numerical experiments using the MOZART-2 atmospheric chemistry transport model to simulate the global distribution of soluble Fe flux and Fe solubility. One of the mechanisms behind the hypothesis of acid mobilization of Fe in the atmosphere is that the coating of acidic gases changes dust from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, a prerequisite of Fe mobilization. We therefore include HNO3, SO2 and sulfate (SO42−) as dust transformation agents in the model. General agreement in Fe solubility within a factor of 2 is achieved between model and observations. The total flux of soluble Fe to the world ocean is estimated to be 731–924×109 g yr−1, and the average Fe solubility is 6.4–8.0%. Wet deposition contributes over 80% to total soluble Fe flux to most of the world oceans. Special attention is paid to the relative role of HNO3 versus SO2 and sulfate. We demonstrate that coating by HNO3 produces over 36% of soluble Fe fluxes compared to that by SO2 and sulfate combined in every major oceanic basin. Given present trends in the emissions of NOx and SO2, the relative contribution of HNO3 to Fe mobilization may get even larger in the future.
The small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor NVP-BHG712 antagonizes ABCC10-mediated paclitaxel resistance: a preclinical and pharmacokinetic study

Paclitaxel exhibits clinical activity against a wide variety of solid tumors. However, resistance to paclitaxel significantly attenuates the response to chemotherapy. The ABC transporter subfamily C member 10 (ABCC10), also known as multi-drug resistance protein 7 (MRP7) efflux transporter, is a major mediator of paclitaxel resistance. Here, we determine the effect of NVP-BHG712, a specific EphB4 receptor inhibitor, on 1) paclitaxel resistance in HEK293 cells transfected with ABCC10, 2) the growth of tumors in athymic nude mice that received NVP-BHG712 and paclitaxel systemically and 3) the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel in presence or absence of NVP-BHG712. NVP-BHG712 (0.5 μM), in HEK293/ABCC10 cells, significantly enhanced the intracellular accumulation of paclitaxel by inhibiting the efflux activity of ABCC10 without altering the expression level of the ABCC10 protein. Furthermore, NVP-BHG712 (25 mg/kg, p.o., q3d x 6), in combination with paclitaxel (15 mg/kg, i.p., q3d x 6), significantly inhibited the growth of ABCC10-expressing tumors in athymic nude mice. NVP-BHG712 administration significantly increased the levels of paclitaxel in the tumors but not in plasma compared to paclitaxel alone. The combination of NVP-BHG712 and paclitaxel could serve as a novel and useful therapeutic strategy to attenuate paclitaxel resistance mediated by the expression of the ABCC10 transporter.