cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 16th, Houston, TX, March 11-15, 1985, Proceedings. Part 2

The present conference presents papers on the criteria, data and implications of pristine lunar glasses, lunar granulities and their precursor anorthositic norites of the early lunar crust, characterization and evidence for early formation in the megaregolith of Apollo 16 regolith breccias, and anorthosite assimilation and the origin of the Mg/Fe-related bimodality of pristine moon rocks in support of the magmasphere hypothesis. Other topics include the mineralogy of Yamato 791073 with reference to crystal fractionation of the howardite parent body, the geology and geomorphology of the Venus surface as revealed by the radar images obtained by Veneras 15 and 16, tidal dissipation in a viscoelastic planet, and cosmogenic neutron-capture-produced nuclides in stony meteorites. Also considered are the first results of hydrous alteration of amorphous silicate smokes, elemental analysis of a comet nucleus by passive gamma ray spectrometry from a penetrator, and uranium series dating of Allan Hills ice.
Bit velocity is not enough: content and service issues for broadband residential information services

This paper addresses the design issues for creation and management of content and services, which arose from our work at Hewlett Packard Laboratories in broadband residential information systems. Particular attention is given to the issues engendered by an emphasis on community-based content and services. Hewlett Packard has introduced the HP Broadband Interactive Data Solution (BIDS) product family. BIDS provides data communication services to residential customers over a variety midband and broadband access networks (e.g. HFC, ADSL). The applications use standard data communications technologies, based upon TCP/TP. Subscribers are provided with a LAN-like connection-less environment at their homes, enabling community network access without connection setup delays and time-based connection charges. Services include email, news, a World Wide Web (WWW) browser, and access to commercial online services and the Internet. Content is HTML-based. The HP cable modems connect subscribers' PCs to HP head-end modems, broadband Internet servers, and content servers. HP network management systems run the entire network.
Chiral anomaly and η − η ' mixing ∗

We determine the $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mixing angle via a procedure relatively independent of theoretical assumptions by simultaneously fitting $\ensuremath{\eta},{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ reactions involving the anomaly $\ensuremath{\eta},{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma},$ ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}.$ We extract reasonably precise renormalized values of the octet and singlet pseudoscalar decay constants ${F}_{8},$ ${F}_{0},$ as well as the mixing angle \ensuremath{\theta}.
Bridging decision networks for integrated water and energy planning

Abstract Integrated policy and planning is needed to effectively meet the challenges of growing water and energy inter-dependencies in many regions. Joint consideration of both water and energy domains can identify new options for increasing overall resource use efficiencies. In order to identify and realize such opportunities, however, detailed knowledge of current and emerging water–energy couplings is needed along with a nuanced understanding of key actors and agencies engaged in decision-making. In this paper we develop a systematic, analytical approach based on quantitative analysis of water and energy couplings, identification and characterization of key actors and groups using concepts from stakeholders theory, and employing notions from organization theory of boundary-spanning agents that can serve to bridge inter-organizational networks for water and energy planning. We apply this approach to conduct an in-depth investigation of water and energy resources in Jordan, a country that is at the cusp of developing new infrastructure that will enmesh its water and energy future. We find that oil-shale development (a strategic objective of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources) will create new water requirements and new sources (such as desalination of seawater and greater reuse of wastewater) will help in fulfilling demand. There may also be opportunities for creating water savings in the agricultural sector and using wastewater from the municipal sector for partially fulfilling water needs in the energy sector. Realizing such arrangements however will require joint cooperation across a number of different agencies such as the Water Authority of Jordan, Jordan Valley Authority, the Natural Resource Authority and municipal water management companies. This coordination can be facilitated through boundary-spanning agencies, such as international donor agencies and The Ministry of Planning that are already locally well positioned for such a role.
The Work of Environmentalism in an Age of Televisual Adventures

This article argues that the otherwise exemplary claims of contemporary environmental activism and activists who champion habitat protection, animal rights, and biological diversity are often uncannily complicit with long-standing and problematic tropes of adventure, danger, man-over-nature, and even the spectacular figures of fictional and real adventurers of another era. Employing this perspective enables us to make critical sense of the televisual world and ecopolitical implications of the media personality, Steve Irwin, better known to his global viewing audiences as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’. In these ‘documentary adventures’, Irwin captures dangerous reptiles and explains their behavior with the often-stated goal of generating support for his conservation efforts. A critique of Irwin’s visualization of environmentalism-as-adventure entails examining the comparisons often made between Tarzan and Irwin, exploring the place of the Crocodile Hunter in the history of documentary film’s depictions of nature ...
Ontogeny of mitogen responsive lymphocytes in the bovine fetus

Abstract Bovine fetal lymphocytes were examined for their ability to respond to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (ConA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the lymphocyte blastogenesis test (LBT). PHA-, Con A- and PWM-responsive lymphocytes appeared simultaneously at 75–80 days of gestation. The response increased with age of the fetus until, by 120 days of gestation, the response to PHA, Con A and PWM of many fetuses was in the range of values obtained with lymphocytes from normal adult cattle.
Characterization of a Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Mutant Having a Mutation in Elongation Factor-2

Retroviral insertional mutagenesis provides an effective forward genetic method for identifying genes involved in essential cellular pathways. A Chinese hamster ovary cell line mutant resistant to several bacterial ADP-ribosylating was obtained by this approach. The toxins used catalyze ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2), block protein synthesis, and cause cell death. Strikingly, in the CHO PR328 mutant cells, the eEF-2 substrate of these ADP-ribosylating toxins was found to be modified, but the cells remained viable. A systematic study of these cells revealed the presence of a structural mutation in one allele of the eEF-2 gene. This mutation, Gly717Arg, is close to His715, the residue that is modified to become diphthamide. This Arg substitution prevents diphthamide biosynthesis at His715, rendering the mutated eEF-2 non-responsive to ADP-ribosylating toxins, while having no apparent effect on protein synthesis. Thus, CHO PR328 cells are heterozygous, having wild type and mutant eEF-2 alleles, with the latter allowing the cells to survive even in the presence of ADP-ribosylating toxins. Here, we report the comprehensive characterization of these cells.
Improved Measured Mile Analysis Technique

Quantifying lost labor productivity on construction projects is difficult and sometimes subjective. A widely accepted way to quantify losses is the “measured mile” approach. It compares periods of a project that have been impacted by change to those that have not been impacted. As currently practiced the measured mile relies on subjectively identifying that reference period. In this paper the measured mile and a variant, the baseline method, are analyzed and compared to a new, proposed statistical clustering method. This new approach is advocated because it determines its reference period using objective criteria. A case study is included to show how the three methods work, and advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented in this paper.
Tunable light‐harvesting polymers containing embedded dipolar chromophores for polymer solar cell applications

A series of light-harvesting conjugated polymers were designed and synthesized for polymer solar cells. These newly designed polymers comprise an unusual two-dimensional conjugated structure with an electron-rich thiophene–triphenylamine backbone and stable planar indacenodithiophene π-bridges terminated with tunable electron acceptors. It was found that the electron-withdrawing strength of the acceptor could be used to manipulate the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and bandgap (as much as 0.3 eV), generating derivatives with complementary absorbance in the visible spectrum. This approach provides great flexibility in fine tuning the electronic and optical properties of the resultant polymers and facilitates the investigation of how these chemical modifications alter the subsequent photovoltaic properties of these materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
The relationship of cigarette smoking to end-stage renal disease

Cigarette smoking (CS) has been associated with augmented progression of nephropathies responsible for the 4 major causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. CS has well-described ways by which it causes tissue injury in other organ systems and the mechanisms by which it adversely affects nephropathy progression might be similar. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms for CS-induced nephropathy or progression thereof might yield important insights into the general mechanisms by which some or most nephropathies progress to ESRD. In addition, CS can be discontinued and so is a potentially correctable risk factor for ESRD, a syndrome whose incidence continues to increase. Therefore, the mechanism(s) by which CS induces nephropathy progression is an important area of investigation.
Effects of aging on gastrin and somatostatin secretion from isolated perfused rat stomach

We have examined the release of gastrin and somatostatin from the isolated perfused stomach of rats of three different age groups (4 months, 12 months, and 24 months old) in response to bombesin and carbachol. The basal release of gastrin was diminished in 24-month-old rats. Basal somatostatin release showed an age-related decrease. Bombesin (10−10 and 10−9 M) and carbachol (10−8 and 10−7 M) stimulated gastrin release in each age group. The integrated release of gastrin in response to bombesin (10−10 and 10−9 M) or carbachol (10−8 M) did not differ among the three age groups, although integrated gastrin release in response to carbachol (10−7 M) decreased in 24-month-old rats. Bombesin-stimulated release of somatostatin decreased in 12- and 24-month-old rats. Carbachol inhibited release of somatostatin in each age group. Compared with 4-month-old rats, the inhibition of somatostatin release by carbachol was less in 24-month-old rats at 10−8 and 10−7 M, and less in 12-month-old rats at 10−7 M. The decreased basal gastrin secretion and well-preserved gastrin response were further confirmed in conscious aged rats tested by means of oral gavage with 10% peptone. Our findings indicate that gastrin response to the stimuli is well preserved with aging, whereas the response of somatostatin diminishes in an age-related manner. Aging has different effects on the release of gastrin and somatostatin from the rat stomach.
Isospin and the proton-absorptive-potential anomaly near mass 100

An isospin coupled-channels analysis of sub-Coulomb-proton-absorption cross sections has been performed for $^{92,94,96}\mathrm{Zr}$ and $^{94,96,98,100}\mathrm{Mo}$. Introduction of coupling to the channel consisting of a neutron plus the isobaric analog of the target is shown to shift and damp the single-particle resonances, in addition to giving rise to isobaric-analog resonances. In spite of these effects due to the coupling, large variations in the absorptive potentials were still required to fit measured ($p, n$) cross sections. $^{96}\mathrm{Zr}(p, n)$ and $^{100}\mathrm{Mo}(p, n)$ cross sections were measured and analyzed with a standard optical model for this work. Other $\mathrm{Zr}(p, n)$ and $\mathrm{Mo}(p, n)$ cross sections were taken from previous results.
Effects of Visual Challenges on Steering Ability: Testing the Selective Degradation Hypothesis:

Most young drivers are comfortable driving at night despite the increased danger. The selective degradation hypothesis predicts that drivers' overconfidence at night is a consequence of their ability to steer being preserved even though their ability to recognize details is impaired. To test this hypothesis, ten participants drove a curvy simulated roadway with varying levels of luminance, blur, and visual field size. Steering performance, but not visual acuity, was degraded when the visual field was reduced. Acuity, but not steering performance, was severely degraded by extreme blur and extremely low luminance. These findings support the selective degradation hypothesis, suggest that separate neural mechanisms support visual recognition and visual guidance skills, and emphasize the problems that occur when unexpected low contrast objects are present in the roadway environment at night.
A safe and reliable method for temporary restraint of monkeys

Abstract A procedure is described by which macaques can be easily and safely put into primate restraining chairs. When needed, the chair is attached to the cage door and the animal pulled into it by a chained collar.
Tandem genomic arrangement of a G protein (Gna15) and G protein-coupled receptor (s1p4/lpC1/Edg6) gene

Abstract A genomic analysis of the s1p4/lpC1/Edg6 mouse sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) G protein-coupled receptor gene revealed it to be located on central chromosome 10 and to consist of two exons with an intronless coding region. Surprisingly, we found the gene encoding the promiscuously coupling Gα15 protein (Gna15) located in tandem just upstream, an arrangement conserved in the human genome (on chromosome 19p13.3). Given that Northern blots demonstrated similar tissue distributions of the mouse s1p4 and Gna15 transcripts, we propose that transcription of the two genes may be under control of the same enhancer elements and that their protein products may couple in vivo.
Fully dynamic epoch time synchronisation method for distributed supply chain simulation

A dynamic epoch time synchronisation method for distributed simulation federates is presented. The proposed approach allows federates to advance their local times at full speed to the global safe point, which is dynamically estimated using the look-ahead function for each federate. The simulation then slows for an interaction between federates. This approach aims to reduce the number of time synchronisation occurrences and duration of the conservative phase. The distributed simulation is implemented using the web services technology. The experimental results reveal that the proposed approach reduces simulation execution time significantly while maintaining complete accuracy as compared with two existing methods.
Initial clinical experience with a 48 by 48 element biplane transesophageal probe.

Abstract Recent technologic advances in ultrasound have resulted in the capability of transesophageal echocardiographic imaging in both transverse and longitudinal planes. Previous biplane probes suffered from inferior images because of reduced scan elements. We evaluated the utility of a prototype 48 × 48 element biplane transesophageal probe in 23 consecutive patients. Examinations were well tolerated with no side effects. In comparison to the single transverse plane, imaging with the longitudinal plane gave superior information on prosthetic valve pathology, atrial septal abnormalities, and pathoanatomy of the ascending aorta and mitral valve. Complementary information was provided by the longitudinal plane in patients with endocarditis and vegetations and in mitral protheses. Images obtained with this 48 × 48 element biplane probe along with color and spectral Doppler information were not perceptibly inferior to those obtained by single-plane probes. In conclusion, biplane transesophageal echocardiography with a 48 × 48 element probe indicates a great potential for enhanced three-dimensional understanding of cardiac pathology and diagnostic yield in specific pathologies.
Rhodium(II) complexes as hydrosilylation and hydrogenation catalysts

Two phosphine-rhodium(II) complexes, bis(tris-o-tolylphosphine)dichlororhodium(II) and bis(tricyclohexyl-phosphine)dichlororhodium(II), have been found to be active catalysts for the hydrosilylation of a variety of organic substrates, and, in conjunction with triethylaluminum, to be hydrogenation catalysts.
Single and double bubble tubular film extrusion of polyethylene 2, 6-naphthalate (PEN)

An experimental study of film formation and structure development of polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate (PEN) in single and double bubble tubular film extrusion is presented. PEN was largely stable in film blowing. The films produced were characterized with wide angle X-ray diffraction, DSC, and Abbe refractometer techniques. The structure and orientation in the films varied substantially with process and film formation history. Single bubbles exhibited polymorphs with considerable levels of orientation, while double bubbles possessed only the extended α-modification. With increasing planar strain, the naphthyl rings on the chain backbone became increasingly aligned parallel to the film surface. The mechanism of structure evolution in PEN was related to its behavior during the inflation period and compared with that found in polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Forget the good of the game: Political incivility and lack of compromise as a second layer of party polarization

The growing literature on American party polarization has focused on growing differences in partisan vote outcomes, political values, and policy position. We argue that a second layer of party polarization has developed that goes far beyond simply issue and ideological differences. A growing unwillingness to want politicians to compromise with the other side and a determination to blame growing political incivility solely on the other party characterizes this additional division. This second layer is important to gauge because an electorate with a significant portion of voters deeply separated on policy questions but open to compromise is appreciably different from an electorate deeply divided on policy and unwilling to budge based on policy and emotion. Our findings show that a solid percentage of the electorate holds strong partisan preferences and wants their party leaders to stand firm on principle rather than compromise with the other side. Furthermore, this strong partisan mood is not simply driven ...
Windblown dust on Mars: laboratory simulations of flux as a function of surface roughness

Experiments were conducted to determine the flux of dust (particles less than few microns in diameter) under Martian atmospheric conditions for surface of three aerodynamic roughness (z(sub 0)). For smooth surface on Mars (z(sub 0) = 0.00125 cm corresponding to 0.0125 cm on Mars) suspension threshold was not achieved at the highest velocities run (u(sub 0) = 322 cm/s); for a moderately rough surface (z(sub 0) = 0.010 cm corresponding to 0.01 cm on Mars), flux averaged 1.5 x 10(exp -7)g/sq cm/s; for a rough surface (z(sub 0) = 0.015 cm corresponding to 0.15 cm on Mars), flux averaged 5 x 10(exp -7) g/sq cm/s. Although the results are preliminary, flux varied widely as a function of wind speed and roughness, suggesting that raising dust into suspension on Mars is complex. Nonetheless, using these results as a guide, 9000 Mt of dust could be raised into the atmosphere of Mars per second from only 5% of the surface.
Playing Fair with Punishment

In his influential essay "Are There Any Natural Rights?" H. L. A. Hart appealed to a "mutuality of restrictions" to account for the obligation to obey the law. As Hart put it, "when a number of persons conduct any joint enterprise according to rules and thus restrict their liberty, those who have submitted to these restrictions when required have a right to a similar submission from those who have benefited by their submission."' As developed by John Rawls and others, Hart's ''mutuality of restrictions" acquired a new name-the principle of fairness (or fair play)-and soon played a leading part in discussions not only of legal obligation, but of legal punishment as well.2 For if considerations of fairness or reciprocity account for the obligation to obey the law, as the principle's proponents argued, then they should presumably justify the punishment of those who fail to fulfill this obligation. Now, nearly forty years after the publication of Hart's essay, the principle of fair play figures prominently in a lively debate on the question of whether there is or can be a general obligation to obey the law, with advocates and critics of the principle vigorously arguing their cases.3 Punishment remains the center of an equally lively debate,
Epidemiology of parturient paresis: predisposing factors with emphasis on dry cow feeding and management.

Abstract Dry cow feeding and management were examined for predisposing factors for parturient paresis in 1,983 Holstein cows from New York Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative records, monthly technician visits to 31 farms, and questionnaires. Variables were estimated transmitting ability, season of calving, lactation number, parturient paresis, estimated potential hours per day of exercise, and estimated nutrient intakes (protein, calcium, phosphorus, and energy) during the preceding dry period. Nutrient intakes were estimated by farmers for the average dry cow (season dependent) in their herd for the early (≥ 3 wk prepartum) and late portions of the dry period. Intakes were percentages of National Research Council requirements for a 550 kg dry cow in the last 2 mo of gestation. Nutrient intakes were coded by ranking the herds by percentage of each requirement. Codes represented the approximate lower third, middle third, and top third of the herds. Individual cows were assigned their herd nutrition codes by their season of calving. For stepwise discriminant analysis, the group variable was parturient paresis (94 cases, 1,889 controls). As lactation number (most important) and estimated transmitting ability (second most important) increased, incidence of parturient paresis increased. Parturient paresis was reduced with high dietary protein fed during the early stage of the dry period, with low phosphorus and high energy (lead feeding) closer to calving, and with decreased opportunity for exercise. Most cows were overfed calcium, especially in the late stage of the dry period, but calcium intake was not important when phosphorus was low.
Imaging treated brain aneurysms in vivo using optical coherence tomography

Angiography is currently used to assess post-treatment human brain aneurysm healing, which can reveal vessel shape only. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can reveal the vessel wall structure with high resolution, which has the advantage to assess vessel healing progress. An OCT endovascular catheter was designed and in vivo patients' studies were performed. Flush effect of saline and perfluorodecalin (PFC) were studies in rabbit aorta. The initial results show that OCT is a promising technology to assess post-treatment cerebrovascular diseases.
Early and long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting in dialysis patients.

Abstract Background . Dialysis patients frequently present with debilitating coronary artery disease but are regarded as challenging patients for coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods . The operative, early postoperative, and late results of 44 dialysis patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting from 1984 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Results . Compared with patients in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, only cerebrovascular accident and postoperative cardiac arrest occurred more frequently in dialysis patients. However, 73% experienced some type of complication. Operative mortality was 11.4%. Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction and severe distal disease were predictive of increased operative mortality. New York Heart Association angina class fell from 2.8 to 1.5, and New York Heart Association congestive heart failure class fell from 2.6 to 1.8. Overall quality-of-life scores did not improve; however, walking distances remained consistently improved. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 32.0% ± 12.0%. Five-year survival was 0% for smokers and 83.6% ± 7.6% for nonsmokers ( p = 0.0142). Causes of late death were myocardial infarction (4), sepsis (1), subdural hematoma (1), stroke (1), and unknown (6). Conclusions . Coronary artery bypass grafting should be avoided in dialysis patients with severe diffuse disease. A smoking history is associated with poor outcome. Coronary artery bypass grafting in dialysis patients is associated with a higher incidence of complications but can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality and is associated with good symptomatic relief of angina and heart failure.
Expression of interleukin 1-inducible genes and production of interleukin 1 by aging human fibroblasts.

Abstract The interleukin 1 (IL-1)-inducible mRNAs for plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2, manganese superoxide dismutase, and urokinase are overexpressed in old (greater than 70% of life-span completed) but not in young (less than 40% of life-span completed) human foreskin fibroblasts. Furthermore, the activity of this superoxide dismutase is greater in old than in young fibroblasts. IL-1 beta mRNA is detected by Northern blot analysis in old fibroblasts and its expression is further enhanced by a treatment with IL-1 alpha. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNAs are detected in old foreskin and lung fibroblasts by a sensitive reverse transcription-PCR assay. IL-1 mRNA is consistently expressed after fibroblasts have completed 85% of their in vitro life-span; an assay with specific antibodies shows that IL-1 alpha is present in these fibroblasts. Prolonged treatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist decreases the levels of IL-1 alpha and of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNAs. This observation suggests that IL-1 receptor antagonist inhibits an autocrine loop responsible for IL-1 expression. IL-1 mRNA accumulates in young fibroblasts treated with cycloheximide, suggesting that it is transcribed but unstable in these cells; accumulation of IL-1 mRNA in old fibroblasts may be due at least in part to increased stability. IL-1 alpha stimulates DNA synthesis in young fibroblasts but has progressively less effect as the cells age in culture. These data indicate that IL-1 is "constitutively" produced by aging fibroblasts and that IL-1 induces the expression of specific proteins in these cells. The mechanism for this constitutive production of IL-1 is explored in this paper.
Penetration of peroxidase into peripheral nerve fibers.

Penetration of macromolecules into living peripheral nerve was studied in vivo and in vitro using horse-radish peroxidase. Peroxidase penetrates the epi- and perineurium and is sequestered in the Schwann cell body. It then is apparent in the incisures (clefts) of Schmidt-Lanterman and the paranodal loops. After prolonged incubation the marker appears in the adaxonal Schwann cytoplasm and periaxonal space. It then is visualized inside the axon within vesicles and agranular endoplasmic reticulum both at the node and internodal regions. More rapid penetration occurs at the node of Ranvier than at the internodal region.
The Inaugural Issue of the IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems

Discusses the purpose, scope and articles that will appear in the IEEE Transactions on Control of Network Systems.
Ultrastructural studies of attachment site formation in aortic smooth muscle cells cultured on collagen-hydroxyethylmethacrylate hydrogels.

Hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels have a peculiar crater-like topography which renders them ideal for studying cell-to-substrate contact formation. The hydrogel is quite suitable for such studies since it is transparent, which allows for light microscopic observations, it is not toxic, and it will support cell growth only when an additional protein component such as collagen is integrated into its surface. Cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) were grown on collagen-HEMA hydrogels, and the ultrastructure of developing cell attachment sites was studied. By 3 hr after cell seeding, both the rounded and the spreading SMC appeared anchored to the hydrogel via extracellular connective tissue-like material. The fully formed attachment site present at 5–8 days was characterized by large bundles of intracellular myofilaments inserting onto areas of increased electron density along the plasmalemmal membrane; large amounts of extracellular connective tissue-like material also appeared attached to the areas of increased electron density. Fully formed cell substratum attachment sites were not observed when either elastin-HEMA hydrogels or hydrogels polymerized in the absence of protein were employed.
Elemental composition of cosmic rays using a maximum likelihood method

We present a progress report on our attempts to determine the composition of cosmic rays in the “knee” region of the energy spectrum. We have used three different devices to measure properties of the extensive air showers produced by primary cosmic rays: the Soudan 2 underground detector measures the muon flux deep underground, a proportional tube array samples shower density at the surface of the earth, and a Cherenkov array observes light produced high in the atmosphere. We have begun maximum likelihood fits to these measurements with the hope of determining the nuclear mass number A on an event by event basis.
EFFECT OF VARIABLE AXIAL CHORD ON A LOW-PRESSURE TURBINE BLADE

An experimentalstudy was conducted in a two-dimensional linearcascade,withfocuson thesuctionsurfaceof a low-pressureturbine blade. FlowReynolds numbers, based on exit velocity and suction surface length, werevaried from 50,000 to 300,000. The axial chord of the blades was varied by tail extenders from 0 to 15% beyond design. The effects of Reynolds number on a low-pressure turbine cascade blade with tail extensions were investigated. Separation wasobserved at all Reynoldsnumbers and in all e ow cases. This study has shown that for certain cases, changing the axial cord of a low-pressure turbine blade by use of tail extensions provided a clear improvement in boundary-layer behavior, which results in better overall blade performance. The most profound effect of the tail extensionswasseenwhenthetailwasshort.Therewasnoadditionaladvantagewhenthetailextensionswerelonger than 6.1%oftheaxial chord.Theshortesttail extension resulted in the greatest zoneof performanceenhancement. The longer tail extension resulted in a smaller region of performance enhancement.
Fruit-eating birds and bird-dispersed plants in the tropics and temperate zone

Tropical forests have been the showcase for studies on the mutualistic relationship between plants and their avian seed dispersers. Only in the tropics can one find such a bewildering diversity of fruit types, or birds that survive on nothing but fruits. But to what degree is the typical tropical plant-bird interaction qualitatively different from interactions in the temperate zone? The emerging view from a decade of research is that plant-bird interactions everywhere are ecologically important, complex, facultative, diffuse, asymmetric and fundamentally similar.
Geographic spread of Strumigenys silvestrii (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dacetini)

Strumigenys silvestrii is a tiny dacetine ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dacetini), apparently from South America, that has spread to the southern US and the West Indies. Strumigenys silvestrii has recently been found for the first time in the Old World, from the island of Madeira, mainland Portugal, and Macau. Here, we document new distributional records and the geographic spread of S. silvestrii. We compiled and mapped 67 site records of S. silvestrii. We documented the earliest known S. silvestrii records for 20 geographic areas (countries, major islands, and US states), including four areas for which we found no previously published records: Georgia (US), Grenada, Nevis, and St. Vincent. Strumigenys silvestrii is the only New World dacetine ant that has been recorded in the Old World. The distribution of its closest relatives and of known S. silvestrii specimen records supports the hypothesis that S. silvestrii is native to South America. Throughout its New World range (South America, the West Indies, and the southern US), many S. silvestrii records are from undisturbed forest habitats (usually indicative of a native species), but are very recent (usually indicative of a newly arrived exotic species).
Sporulation and toxin production by Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis in cadavers of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Laboratory experiments with 4th-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae) demonstrated that the entomocidal bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis , can grow vegetatively, sporulate, and produce toxin in cadavers of mosquito larvae. In A. aegypti , spore counts rose from 2 × 10 2 /cadaver 4 hr after treatment to 1.4 × 10 5 /cadaver approximately 72 hr later, whereas in A. albimanus spore counts per cadaver increased from 2.2 × 10 3 between 4 and 24 hr to 3.2 × 10 5 at 72 hr post-treatment. Bioassays of larval cadavers indicated that toxicity associated with sporulation of B. thuringiensis var. israelensis reached a maximum level approximately 72 hr after treatment. These results demonstrate that under appropriate conditions B. thuringiensis var. israelensis can use the substrates available in larval cadavers for growth and sporulation.
INFANTS EXPOSED TO METHADONE IN-UTERO: VARIABLES RELATED TO DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

Existing data on the developmental outcome of infants exposed to methadone in-utero consistently reveal performance on the Bayley Scale of Mental Development (MDI) to be well within the normal range. While these results are encouraging, they are based on group means. Little attention has been directed at intragroup differences that may be related to developmental outcome. In this study, six-month MDI scores for 68 infants exposed to methadone in-utero were examined in relation to maternal methadone dose at the time of the infant's birth, birth weight, and length of infant hospitalization. The mean MDI score for the total group was 103. A significant correlation (.29, p 110 (12 infants). A significant correlation (-.43, p 110 in that lower doses were associated with higher six-month scores. No relationship was found between length of hospitalization and MDI scores. These results suggest the necessity of examining within-group differences when identifying risk factors and the importance of clinical management and prenatal care in facilitating positive developmental outcome for infants born to women maintained on methadone.
Number of Offspring Sired by Cockerels Related to Social Dominance in Chickens

Abstract THE social organization in flocks of chickens described by Schjelderup-Ebbe (1922 Schjelderup-Ebbe (1935) has during more recent years received much experimental treatment by Allee and his co-workers, and has been discussed in summaries by Allee (1942, 1943, 1945) and by Collias (1944). The social hierarchy, or peck-order, is based on dominance-subordination relationships among the members of the flock. Cocks, however, normally do not peck the hens but form a social order among themselves. Evidences have been presented that high social rank may offer biological advantages for birds at the upper levels of the social order as contrasted with those at the lowest levels. In flocks of hens, those at the top half of the peck-order lay more eggs than those at the bottom half (Sanctuary, 1932). Dominant birds have a greater freedom of the pen and freer access to food (Masure and Allee, 1934). In small flocks of hens containing several . . .
Where the Gates Matter Less: Ethnicity and Perceived Source Credibility in Social Media Health Messages

Research indicates that minority populations—who have a greater tendency to mistrust health information unless it's delivered through interpersonal contacts—are using social media as a means of health-related information seeking. The current study examines how individuals make credibility judgments about health-related information from social media sites. Specifically, reposts of health information on social media were examined. A 2 × 2 experimental design tested the relationship between the race of the person reposting the health information and respondents’ race on perceptions of credibility. Results found differences in perceived credibility based on both the race of the profile owner and race of judge. Moreover, these results suggest that the source of the social media user-generated cue has an effect in the credibility of reposting of health-related information. Implications of these findings are discussed.
A Faith-Based Initiative Meets the Evidence: Does a Flexible Exchange Rate Regime Really Facilitate Current Account Adjustment?

It is often asserted that a flexible exchange rate regime would facilitate current account adjustment. Using data on over 170 countries over the 1971–2005 period, we examine this assertion systematically. We find no strong, robust, or monotonic relationship between exchange rate regime flexibility and the rate of current account reversion, even after accounting for the degree of economic development and trade and capital account openness. This finding presents a challenge to the Friedman (1953) hypothesis and a popular policy recommendation by international financial institutions.
Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The two foundation stones of public health have not changed. The philosophical base continues to be social justice in the application of scientific knowledge. The science base for defining problems, developing interventions, and measuring results is still epidemiology. However, as preventive medicine and public health make contributions in areas that were beyond our comprehension a professional lifetime ago, it is now not only accepted, but expected, that state and local health departments will respond to problems such as lead exposure, occupational hazards, tobacco, dietary fat, suicide clusters, violence, birth defects, and alcohol and other drug abuse. While the logic is inescapable, public health was slow to accept and even seek out the expertise of the social and behavioral sciences. Whether dealing with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its prevention, the treatment of tuberculosis, smoking cessation, or child abuse, the major intervention strategies require understanding human behavior, motivations, incentives, and thought
Inhibition of enzymic and non-enzymic lipid peroxidation of flounder muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by pretreatment with phospholipase A2.

Abstract Sarcoplasmic reticulum, isolated from the muscle of winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus ), was preincubated with phospholipase A; to determine the effects of enzymic and non-enzymic lipid-peroxidation systems. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) was preferentially released by phospholipase A 2 , but the percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) in the free fatty acids was similar to the percentage in membrane total fatty acids. A decrease in the production of both thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides was observed in both the enzymic and non-enzymic peroxidation systems upon preincubation with phospholipase A 2 . Addition of palmitic acid or lysophosphatidylcholine did not inhibit either peroxidation system. Non-enzymic peroxidation was inhibited by the addition of β-glycerophosphate, but enzymic peroxidation was apparently unaffected. A model is proposed to explain the inhibitory effect of phospholipid hydrolysis on lipid peroxidation in both systems, suggesting that fatty acids are structurally realigned upon hydrolysis, leading to decreased free-radical chain propagation. Additional factors appear to contribute to inhibition of enzymic peroxidation.
Remediating highway deicing salt contamination of public and private water supplies in Massachusetts

Abstract During the winters of 1974 1975 through 1989/1990, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works (MDPW) applied an annual average of about 196,000 tonnes of sodium chloride on state highways for snow and ice control purposes. During the period 1983–1990, MDPW received complaints of salt contamination of public and private water supplies frofm about 100 of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts. During this period, 103 private well complaints were resolved by a variety of remedial actions. These include: well replacement, public supply connection, water treatment and highway drainage modification. The average remedia cost per complaint was about 12,000. Two additional remedial actions used by MDPW to alleviate salt contamination of private water supplies are: 1. (a) reduced salting on state highways; 2. (b) use of salt substitute, calcium magnesium acetate. Examples of the effectiveness of each of these remedial actions are: 1. (a) reduced salting on Route 9, in Goshen, Massachusetts, during the period December 1983 to December 1988, reduced the sodium levels in nearby domestic wells from 79 mg/1 (milligrams per liter) to 36 mg/1; 2. (b) use of calcium magnesium acetate as a salt substitute on County Road, Freetown and Lakeville, Massachusetts, beginning with the winter of 1987/1988, reduced the sodium levels ion nearby domestic wells from 75 mg/1 in 1986 to 34 mg/l in 1990. Reduced salting is also used to aleviate highway deicing salt contamination of public water supplies. During the winter of 1990/1991, there were 14 specifically defined reduced salt areas on state highways for this purpose.
Non-Cell-Autonomous Effect of Human SOD1G37R Astrocytes on Motor Neurons Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Summary Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron death. ALS can be induced by mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1). Evidence for the non-cell-autonomous nature of ALS emerged from the observation that wild-type glial cells extended the survival of SOD1 mutant motor neurons in chimeric mice. To uncover the contribution of astrocytes to human motor neuron degeneration, we cocultured hESC-derived motor neurons with human primary astrocytes expressing mutated SOD1. We detected a selective motor neuron toxicity that was correlated with increased inflammatory response in SOD1-mutated astrocytes. Furthermore, we present evidence that astrocytes can activate NOX2 to produce superoxide and that effect can be reversed by antioxidants. We show that NOX2 inhibitor, apocynin, can prevent the loss of motor neurons caused by SOD1-mutated astrocytes. These results provide an assay for drug screening using a human ALS in vitro astrocyte-based cell model.
Dose-dependent effects of intraoperative low volume red blood cell transfusions on postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients.

Objective To determine the incremental risk associated with each intraoperative red blood cell transfusion in cardiac surgery patients. Design Retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data. Setting Single tertiary care hospital. Participants Seven hundred forty-five patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery between January 2010 and June 2012 who received between 1 and 3 units of red blood cell transfusion intraoperatively. Interventions All patients received between 1 and 3 units of red blood cell transfusions. All transfusions were with leukoreduced blood that had been stored for Measurements and Main Results Postoperative complications and length of intubation were associated with the number of red blood cell units transfused. Transfusion of each additional unit of red blood cells was associated with incrementally worse outcomes. Median length of intubation was 11 hours, 12 hours, and 13 hours in patients receiving 1, 2, and 3 units of red blood cell transfusions, respectively (p Conclusions There is a step-wise increase in length of postoperative intubation with each red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Each additional unit of intraoperative RBC transfusion also may increase postoperative infectious complications. Thus, even single-unit reductions in red blood cell transfusions may have significant impact on outcomes.
A status report on RNAi therapeutics

Fire and Mello initiated the current explosion of interest in RNA interference (RNAi) biology with their seminal work in Caenorhabditis elegans. These observations were closely followed by the demonstration of RNAi in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the full potential of these new discoveries only became clear when Tuschl and colleagues showed that 21-22 bp RNA duplexes with 3" overhangs, termed small interfering (si)RNAs, could reliably execute RNAi in a range of mammalian cells. Soon afterwards, it became clear that many different human cell types had endogenous machinery, the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which could be harnessed to silence any gene in the genome. Beyond the availability of a novel way to dissect biology, an important target validation tool was now available. More importantly, two key properties of the RNAi pathway - sequence-mediated specificity and potency - suggested that RNAi might be the most important pharmacological advance since the advent of protein therapeutics. The implications were profound. One could now envisage selecting disease-associated targets at will and expect to suppress proteins that had remained intractable to inhibition by conventional methods, such as small molecules. This review attempts to summarize the current understanding on siRNA lead discovery, the delivery of RNAi therapeutics, typical in vivo pharmacological profiles, preclinical safety evaluation and an overview of the 14 programs that have already entered clinical practice.
Utilization of Dietary Amino Acids in Lipid Synthesis by Aseptically Reared Musca domestica

Pupae obtained from house fly larvae ( Musca domestica L.) reared on aseptic synthetic diets containing alanine-U-14C, phenylalanine-U-14C, glutamate-U-14C, leucine-U-14C, or methionine-G-3H contained radioactivity in both fatty acids (84–95%) and unsaponifiable lipids (5–16%). As a lipid precursor, leucine and glutamate were the best and methionine, alanine, and phenylalanine the least utilized. Fatty acids found were myristic (1.7%), palmitic (28.7%), palmitoleic (39.7%), stearic (trace), and oleic (29.9%). Distribution of radioactivity in unsaponifiable lipids were mainly hydrocarbons (73%). A new biochemical difference between the house fly and other animals is reported, and their ability to convert amino acids into lipids and energy production is discussed.