cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Distributed Event-triggered Knowledge Sharing System for Agricultural Homeland Security

Government agencies globally are facing problems like illegal immigration, terrorism, and disease diagnostics and control. Solutions to these problems rely heavily on collaborating organizations' ability to effectively and efficiently share not only data but also knowledge embedded in organizational and inter-organizational policies, regulations, data and security constraints, processes and procedures. The United States Department of Agriculture has launched a multi-year national project to build the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) for strengthening the homeland security protection of food and agriculture by connecting five regional plant diagnostic centers with a national center. Complementing this effort, our research team has been developing a web-based, distributed system for event-triggered knowledge sharing among NPDN organizations. We capture multi-faceted knowledge using three types of rules and rule structures. A user-friendly interface is provided for collaborating organizations to define events of interest as well as knowledge rules and publish them in a global registry for browsing, querying, event subscription and notification, and processing. Event data are the dots that can be connected across organizational boundaries through the interoperation of knowledge rules and rule structures.
Insertions of intrafusal fibers in muscle spindles of the cat and other mammals.

The manner of insertion of intrafusal (IF) fibers of muscle spindles has been studied in serial histological sections of spindles from hindlimb muscle of the cat, opossum, mouse, rat, bat and gibbon. Four basic types of IF terminations in relation to the capsule were recognized: (A) direct insertion into the capsule; (B) strong lateral attachments to the capsule, though the fiber may continue beyond the capsule; (C) termination in the connective tissue beyond the limits of the capsule; (D) free extension of the fiber beyond the capsule. Bag fibers in all species generally extended beyond the capsule. The pattern of chain fiber insertion, however, varied with the species. Most rat spindles, for example, followed the D pattern, those in the cat pattern A, and the gibbon chiefly A and B. The bearing of these findings upon a postulated mechanism by which spindles may detect intramuscular pressures, as changes in length, is discussed.
Investigation of the 2-0 pressure-induced vibrational absorption spectrum of hydrogen at temperatures below ambient.

A theoretical fit has been made to our laboratory measurements of the 2-0 collisionally induced H2 absorption band for temperatures of 122 and 273.3 K and at a density of 20 amagats. A Lennard-Jones 6-12 intermolecular potential and a Birnbaum-Cohen line profile have been used. The fit resulted in a chi-square of 0.2%. Line widths have also been derived as a function of temperature. The lifetimes of the states have been calculated.
Randomized phase III trial of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim after autologus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Nonrandomized trials suggest that pegfilgrastim, a pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, could be used in lieu of filgrastim after autologus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. This phase III, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial compared the efficacy, costs, and safety of single-dose pegfilgrastim (single 6mg dose) versus daily filgrastim (5μg/kg/day) for this indication. Seventy-eight patients, matched for age, sex, underlying disease, stage, and CD34/kg transplant dose were enrolled. Cytokines were started on day +1 posttransplant and continued to an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 5×109/L for 3 days or 10×109/L for 1 day. The median time to neutrophil engraftment (ANC >1.5×109/L for 3 days or 5×109/L for 1 day) was the same in both groups (12 days). No differences in platelet engraftment (11 versus 13 days), number of platelet transfusions (5 versus 4), percent with positive cultures for bacterial pathogens (23% versus 15%), days of fever (1 versus 2), deaths prior to engraftment (1 versus 1), or duration of hospital stay (19 versus 19 days) were seen between the pegfilgrastim and filgrastim groups, respectively. Using the average wholesale price for doses used in this trial, there was a per-patient savings of $961 for the pegfilgrastim group (P
Effects of 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) on erythropoietin production.

The present studies were undertaken to assess the effects of 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA), an adenosine analogue, on erythropoietin (Epo) production. NECA (0.05 and 0.1 mumol/kg i.v.) produced significant increases in serum Epo levels (368.8 +/- 56.1 and 384.6 +/- 45.9 mU/ml, respectively) in exhypoxic polycythemic mice after a four hour exposure to hypoxia when compared with hypoxia controls (133.2 +/- 18.2 mU/ml). The hypoxic kidney Epo levels were 46.4 +/- 13.4 mU/kg kidney which were significantly higher than normoxic kidney Ep levels ( or = 10(-6) M) for 20 hours under hypoxic conditions (1% O2) produced significant increases in medium levels of Epo when compared with hypoxia controls. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells treated with NECA at a concentration range of 10(-7) M to 5 x 10(-5) M for one hour in a hypoxic atmosphere also had significantly higher cAMP levels than that of hypoxia controls. Scatchard analyses of [3H]NECA binding to membrane preparations of hepatocellular carcinoma cells showed low affinity binding sites with a dissociation-constant (Kd) of 0.44 microM and a binding capacity of 863 fmol/mg protein. These findings suggest that the increase in Epo production in response to NECA under hypoxic conditions can be attributed, at least in part, to stimulation of adenosine A2 receptors which is coupled to adenylyl cyclase activation.
Association of BK Viruria with Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Recipients of Bone Marrow Transplants

Abstract Fifty-three recipients of bone marrow transplants were monitored prospectively for urinary excretion of human polyomaviruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of urinary supematants and DNA hybridization assays of urinary cells. Excretion of BK virus was demonstrated in 47 percent of the transplant recipients and was the result of the reactivation of latent virus. Hemorrhagic cystitis of long duration (≥7 days) was associated with BK viruria. The disease occurred four times more frequently in patients who excreted BK virus than in those who did not, and the virus was identified in 55 percent of the urine specimens during episodes of cystitis as compared with 8 to 11 percent of the specimens during cystitisfree periods. BK viruria often preceded or coincided with the onset of the disease. Among 19 patients with BK viruria lasting seven days or longer, hemorrhagic cystitis occurred in 15. Occurrence of the disease was related to the source of marrow. The disease occurred in 50 percent of 38 rec...
Influence of subunit structure on the oligomerization state of light-harvesting complexes: A free energy calculation study

Abstract Light harvesting complexes 2 (LH2) from Rhodospirillum ( Rs. ) molischianum and Rhodopseudomonas ( Rps. ) acidophila form ring complexes out of eight or nine identical subunits, respectively. Here, we investigate computationally what factors govern the different ring sizes. Starting from the crystal structure geometries, we embed two subunits of each species into their native lipid–bilayer/water environment and investigate their dynamics by means of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium (steered) molecular dynamics simulations. For each species, by employing the umbrella sampling method, we calculate and compare the free energy profiles, as a function of the angle between the two subunits, for two representative separations of the subunits. We find that two subunits prefer to arrange at distinctly different angles, depending on the species, at about 45° for Rs. molischianum and at about 38.5° for Rps. acidophila , which is likely to be an important factor contributing to the assembly into different ring sizes. Our calculations suggest a key role of surface contacts within the transmembrane domain in constraining these angles, whereas the strongest interactions stabilizing the subunit dimers are found in the C-, and to a lesser extent, N-terminal domains. The presented computational approach provides a promising starting point to investigate the factors contributing to the assembly of protein complexes, in particular if combined with modeling of genetic variants.
Stratigraphy of the Wisconsin Range, Horlick Mountains, Antarctica

The Wisconsin Range consists of a basement complex of granitic and metamorphic rocks unconformably overlain by about 550 meters of Upper Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. The base of the Upper Paleozoic succession is composed of the Buckeye formation, a tillite, which varies in thickness from 80 to more than 140 meters. Overlying the Buckeye formation are the Weaver and Queen Maud formations, with a combined thickness of about 455 meters, characterized by a prolific Glossopteris flora, indicative of a Permian age.
The visual complex of the insect: Retinene in the housefly

Housefly heads were extracted with acetone and the extract chromatographed on columns of alumina. One of the eluted fractions had an absorption maximum at 385 mμ; when reacted with antimony trichloride, a transient blue color, with a maximum absorption at 665 mμ was obtained. This fraction was identified as retinene1. A rhabdomere fraction was isolated from the insect eyes by grinding the heads with buffered sucrose solution and fractionating by centrifugation. The rhabdomere fraction, when acetone extracted, also shows the presence of retinene1. It appears that a visual complex retinene1 isolated from the insect is similar to that of the retinal rods of vertebrates.
Antireflective coating optimization techniques for sub-0.2-μm geometries

As 248 nm DUV lithography is pushed to the 0.18 micrometers generation with logic features 0.14 micrometers and below, process control requirements become severe. Previously acceptable exposure latitude variations due to substrate reflectivity have become unacceptable. Additionally, next generation 248 nm steppers with extremely narrow band laser illumination cause significant increase in substrate interference effects. These factors create stringent requirements for anti-reflective coating (ARC) optimization. We present result of experimental work to fine tune inorganic ARC thickness and optical properties for subtractive and inlaid feature types at the 0.18 micrometers generation. This work focuses on cost and time effective single wafer ARC optimization methods for extension to 300 nm wafer sizes. The methods include reflectometry, spectroscopic ellipsometry, generation of test wafers with large film thickness uniformity and calibrated simulation.
Glomerular type IV collagen in patients with diabetic nephropathy with and without additional glomerular disease

6), but the intensity of type IV collagen staining in the human [17, 28‐46] diabetic and nondiabetic renal disdiabetic patients was significantly less than that seen in the ease. The study thus had three goals. The first was to LRD (P , 0.01). In DM1 patients, extramesangial type IV collagen was present. Fractional mesangial area and glomerular determine whether glomerular collagen a2(IV) mRNA collagen a2(IV) mRNA levels correlated (r 5 0.45, P , 0.05). levels and immunohistochemically identified glomerular Conclusion. These data are consistent with a view of diabetic type IV collagen are increased in patients with diabetic nephropathy as a lesion of increased a2 type IV collagen tran- nephropathy compared with healthy individuals. Previscription, increased total amount of collagen present, but decreased mesangial density relative to other matrix molecules. ous studies performed to examine this question in huThese data further demonstrate that glomerular injury super- mans used either no control tissue [39] or the tissue of imposed on diabetic nephropathy contributes to additional patients undergoing nephrectomy for renal carcinomas structural damage by inducing increased synthesis of type IV [28]. Second, we wished to determine whether type IV collagen at extramesangial sites. collagen and its mRNA are differentially expressed in patients with diabetic nephropathy alone compared with patients who have both diabetic nephropathy and superDiabetic nephropathy with or without arteriolar nephrosclerosis is the likely diagnosis in diabetic patients with: imposed renal lesions. A third goal was to demonstrate that the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) data obtained from glomeruli microdissected
Valuation of Drug Abuse: A Review of Current Methodologies and Implications for Policy Making.

This article reviews the use of several valuation methods as they relate to drug abuse and places them within the context of U.S. policy. First, cost-of-illness (COI) studies are reviewed and their...
Change You Can't Believe In

A prediction of the next twenty year under a re-elected Barack Obama: an Obama victory has the potential to inspire increased community involvement and shift some policy making. It comes with a great deal of individual and collective exertion and no small amount of luck. These institutional forces can create, at best, moderately positive outcomes. The alternative to an Obama victory is a future barely worth contemplation. However, there are problematic aspects to Obama's leadership. These aspects will continue to work at the disadvantage for the vast majority of Americans as well as global powers. Aggressive foreign policy and the curtailing of individual freedom is the disastrous hallmark of the American presidency, and it is not limited to Obama. Rather, the current power structure and economic drives reinforce institutional and global inequalities. Never trust a person who has an intimate knowledge of policy development and still wants to go into politics.
CATALASE ACTIVITY OF A CRUDE ENZYME PREPARATION FROM IRON-CHLOROTIC BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARIS) SEEDLINGS.

WE have reported that air ions of either charge accelerate the development of iron chlorosis in barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgaris var. California ‘Mariout’) cultivated in an iron-free nutrient solution1–3. During the course of experiments undertaken to explore the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, we observed that the addition of iron in the form of iron–potassium–ethylene-tetraacetate (Fe-EDTA) to cell-free extracts prepared from barley seedlings which had developed chlorosis as the result of growth in an iron-free culture medium in a normal atmosphere produced a marked increase in the catalase activity of the extracts. The results presented here indicate that the pattern of increase in catalase activity is related to the extent of chlorosis.
Compensating balances, deficiency fees, and lines of credit

Abstract Models of compensating balance decisions to date have implied that agreed-upon balances are not violated by borrowers. When compensating balance requirements can be deficient, the customer and bank must agree in advance what deficiency fee will be charged. This paper develops boundary conditions for such fees, both with and without lines of credit and with balance requirements on unused lines. This process uncovers a number of important attributes of such fees including dependence upon customer borrowing alternatives, situations of fee impossibility, and elements of practical application.
Coupling between martensitic phase transformations and plasticity: A microstructure-based finite element model

Abstract A microstructural finite element (MFE) model is developed to capture the interaction between martensitic transformations and plasticity in NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs). The interaction is modeled through the grain-to-grain redistribution of stress caused by both plasticity and phase transformation, so that each mechanism affects the driving force of the other. A unique feature is that both processes are modeled at a crystallographic level and are allowed to operate simultaneously. The model is calibrated to pseudoelastic data for select single crystals of Ti–50.9at.%Ni. For polycrystals, plasticity is predicted to enhance the overall martensite volume fraction at a given applied stress. Upon unloading, residual stress can induce remnant (retained) martensite. For thermal cycling under load bias, plasticity is observed to limit the net transformation strain/cycle and increase the hysteretic width. Deformation processing, via plastic pre-straining at elevated temperature, is shown to dramatically alter subsequent pseudoelastic response, as well as induce two-way shape memory behavior during no-load thermal cycling. Overall, the model is suitable at smaller imposed strains, where martensite detwinning is not expected to dominate.
Bacterial survival on fabrics laundered in cold water

The effect of detergent formulation and fabric type on bacterial survival after home laundering in cold water was investigated. Three fabrics, 65/35 polyester/cotton shirting, 100% cotton sheeting, and 100% cotton terry cloth, were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, laundered in cold 60 ± 5°F (16 ± 3°C) water and machine dried. Eight phosphorus-based powders and non-phosphorus detergents in both powder and liquid form were used. A control with no detergent was used. Percent reduction in bacteria after machine washing and after machine drying were determined. Of the eight detergents studied, only two effectively removed 100% of the bacteria from the cotton terry cloth after washing. These were sodium carbonate and aluminosilicate-based powders, one of which contained sodium perborate, the other included enzymes. All of the detergents used removed > 97% of bacteria from the polyester/cotton shirting and cotton sheeting fabrics. No significant cross contamination occurred with any fabric. A greater percent reduction of bacteria was obtained with the terry cloth samples after washing and tumble drying than after washing alone. The implications of the study are important for consumers who are using colder water in the laundering process. This study found that bacteria were removed more easily from the two plain weave fabrics than the looped terry cloth fabric. The effectiveness of tumble drying after cold water laundering to reduce bacteria in the terry cloth towelling was an important finding.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine insects

Abstract Total DDT concentrations in the oceanic Halobates were found to be 5–10 times higher (180–400 ng/g dry wt) than those of the related nearshore Rheumatobates ( Fucellia (18 ng/g). This difference could perhaps be explained by the different diets of these three marine insects; Halobates being a predator of zooplankton, while Rheumatobates feeds on phytophagous insects and Fucellia feeds on more or less decomposing seaweeds. The PCB concentrations (110–300 ng/g) were about the same in the two sea-skaters, but slightly lower in the beach fly (62 ng/g).
The utility of the Five Factor Model in understanding risky sexual behavior

Abstract The physical, emotional, and financial consequences of engaging in risky sexual behavior can be extremely high. This paper explores the relations between the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality and a variety of risky sexual behaviors using a community sample of 481 individuals who are part of an ongoing longitudinal study. More specifically, we examined the relations between the five major personality domains, as well as the 30 specific facets, and six risky sexual behaviors including number of partners, the use of drugs or alcohol before or during sex, number of sexual acts without using a condom, giving birth at an early age, sex outside one's primary relationship, and early sexual initiation. The results suggest that personality can make a valuable contribution to our understanding of several risky sexual behaviors. In particular, the domains of low Agreeableness, low Openness to Experience, and high Extraversion were significantly related to multiple high risk sexual behaviors. In addition, several specific personality traits made significant contributions (e.g., high gregariousness, high excitement seeking, low openness to fantasy, low trust, and low straightforwardness).
Acute nicotine reduces brain arachidonic acid signaling in unanesthetized rats

Nicotine exerts its central effects by activating pre- and postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Presynaptic nAChRs modulate the release of many neurotransmitters that bind to postsynaptic receptors. These may be coupled to the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), which hydrolyzes arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids. We hypothesized that nicotine would modify brain signaling involving AA by binding to nAChRs. Nicotine (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) or saline was injected 2 or 10 mins before infusing [1-(14)C]AA in unanesthetized rats. The AA incorporation coefficient k(*) (a marker of the AA signal) was measured in 80 brain regions by quantitative autoradiography. Nicotine, compared to saline, when administrated 2 mins before [1-(14)C]AA infusion, significantly decreased k(*) for AA in 26 regions, including cerebral cortex, thalamus, and habenula-interpeduncular regions, by 13% to 45%. These decreases could be entirely prevented by pretreatment with mecamylamine (1.0 mg/kg, subcutaneously). When administered 10 mins before [1-(14)C]AA infusion, nicotine did not alter any value of k(*). In summary, nicotine given to unanesthetized rats rapidly reduces signaling involving AA in brain regions containing nAChRs, likely by modulating the presynaptic release of neurotransmitters. The effect shows rapid desensitization and is produced at a nicotine dose equivalent to smoking one cigarette in humans.
Moderate and severe adverse events associated with apheresis donations: incidences and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate various donor and procedural variables as potential risk factors for different types of moderate to severe adverse events (AEs) during apheresis collections. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on all apheresis collections performed on Trima Accel (TA; CaridianBCT) instruments over a 28-month period were extracted from a donor database (Vista Information System, CaridianBCT) and reviewed along with AE reports from the same period. Donor and procedural variables were compared among uneventful procedures and those that resulted in various types of moderate to severe AEs, including presyncopal or syncopal (PS) episodes, citrate reactions (CR), reactions with both components (PS + CR), and self-reported incidents of significant venipuncture-related vascular injuries (VIs). RESULTS: A total of 59 moderate to severe AEs occurred among 15,763 procedures (0.37%), including 19 PS, 4 CR, 17 PS + CR, 12 VI, and 7 miscellaneous reactions. Greater blood loss and lower net fluid balance were associated with PS; female sex, older age, and smaller total blood volume (TBV) were associated with CR; and development of VI may be associated with female sex and smaller TBV. Younger age was not a risk factor for AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Apheresis collections performed by TA instruments are safe with a low incidence of significant AEs. Various types of AEs have different predisposing factors. Apheresis may be a safer option for donors with risk factors for PS reactions associated with whole blood collections, such as younger age, female sex, and small TBV.
Extraction of intersexual chemoattractants fromSchistosoma mansoni.

FemaleSchistosoma mansoni and their excretory-secretory (ES) products were extracted with a series of solvents to provide fractions of varying polarity. These fractions were assayed for chemoattractivity to males in vitro. One major component of these mixtures was found to be nonattractive and was identified as cholesterol.n-Pentane- and ether-soluble fractions derived from ES products exhibited chemoattractive activity comparable to that possessed by whole-worm extracts, but appeared to be simpler mixtures.
The proprotein convertase amontillado (amon) is required during Drosophila pupal development

Peptide hormones governing many developmental processes are generated via endoproteolysis of inactive precursor molecules by a family of subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs). We previously identified mutations in the Drosophila amontillado (amon) gene, a homolog of the vertebrate neuroendocrine-specific Prohormone Convertase 2 (PC2) gene, and showed that amon is required during embryogenesis, early larval development, and larval molting. Here, we define amon requirements during later developmental stages using a conditional rescue system and find that amon is required during pupal development for head eversion, leg and wing disc extension, and abdominal differentiation. Immuno-localization experiments show that amon protein is expressed in a subset of central nervous system cells but does not co-localize with peptide hormones known to elicit molting behavior, suggesting the involvement of novel regulatory peptides in this process. The amon protein is expressed in neuronal cells that innervate the corpus allatum and corpora cardiaca of the ring gland, an endocrine organ which is the release site for many key hormonal signals. Expression of amon in a subset of these cell types using the GAL4/UAS system in an amon mutant background partially rescues larval molting and growth. Our results show that amon is required for pupal development and identify a subset of neuronal cell types in which amon function is sufficient to rescue developmental progression and growth defects shown by amon mutants. The results are consistent with a model that the amon protein acts to proteolytically process a diverse suite of peptide hormones that coordinate larval and pupal growth and development.
Use of long-period surface waves for rapid determination of earthquake source parameters 2. Preliminary determination of source mechanisms of large earthquakes (MS ⩾ 6.5) in 1980

An inversion method for fast retrieval of earthquake source parameters developed earlier has been applied to 28 large (M_S ⩾ 6.5), shallow earthquakes which occurred in 1980. Rayleigh waves recorded by the IDA (International Deployment of Accelerographs) network were used for the analysis. For very shallow events, the inversion is ill-conditioned and two of the moment-tensor elements, M_(zx) and M_(zy), are unresolvable. Of the 28 events, a solution is obtained for 25 with the constraints M_(zx) = M_(zy) = 0. Although these constraints limit the solution to be either vertical strike-slip or 45° dip-slip, the method provides a useful first approximation to the mechanism solution. For deeper events, all of the elements of the moment tensor can be determined. After the seismograms have been retrieved, the solution can be obtained in ∼10 min for most events. The method would be adequate for preliminary cataloging purposes.
Clinical assessment of Alzheimer's disease

The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) was established in 1986 to develop standardized methods to evaluate persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and gather clinical, neuropsychological, and neuropathologic information about this illness. CERAD clinical battery. The clinical assessment protocol(table 1) was designed to provide clinicians with the minimum information necessary to make a confident diagnosis of AD.1 The battery includes reliable and validated measures or those of time-honored value. Information is obtained through semistructured interviews with the patient and an informant, a general physical and neurologic examination of the patient, and brief cognitive scales. Questions are asked regarding prior illnesses and injuries and symptoms of depression. Other questions cover the history of possible symptoms of dementia, medications that might contribute to such symptoms, and duration of the dementing process. We administer a modified Blessed Rating Scale for Dementia2 to determine informant-reported changes in instrumental and basic activities of daily living and the Short Blessed Test3 to measure orientation, memory, and concentration. We evaluate the patient's language, calculation, and visuospatial performance. Laboratory studies include a routine hemogram and biochemical screen, thyroid function test, and vitamin B-12 level. Neuroimaging of the brain by either CT or MRI is required. A protocol for obtaining and reading neuroimages has been developed.4 Global severity of dementia is staged in accordance with the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale.5(With evaluation of the cases until death, the stages assessed by the CDR have been validated and expanded to include profound [coded as 4] and terminal[coded as 5].)6 Diagnostic criteria for AD are those proposed by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association(NINCDS/ADRDA)7 modified to require memory loss of at least 12 months' duration (instead of 6 months), and …
Oxides of the type TlSr2Cu1−xMxO5 (M = Fe, Co) having the 121 structure☆

Abstract Oxides of the type TlSr2Cu1−xMxO5 (M = Fe, 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 0.75; M = Co, 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) have been synthesized and characterized for the first time. These oxides were monophasic and crystallized in a primitive tetragonal structure (c-parameters ∼9.0 A. Lattice parameters vary systematically with x. All the oxides show semiconducting behavior. Neutron powder diffraction study on TlSr2Cu0.4Fe0.6O5−δ shows structural features similar to those of other 121 oxides, but has comparatively less disorder in the TlO plane and has axially compressed Cu FeO 6 octahedra.
Finescale Radar Observations of the Dimmitt, Texas (2 June 1995), Tornado

Abstract The mature and dissipating stages of a strong tornado were observed from close range by the prototype Doppler On Wheels mobile radar. Volumetric observations repeated eight times over an 840-s period with resolution volumes at the center of the tornado as low as 61 m × 61 m × 75 m = 2.8 × 105 m3 revealed new details about three-dimensional tornado vortex structure and evolution. Observed structures included a conical debris envelope, a low-reflectivity eye, multiple windfield maxima, and multiple semiconcentric bands of reflectivity surrounding the eye. The three-dimensional structure of the debris and single-Doppler wind field were well characterized, as well as more rapid dissipation of the tornado aloft compared to near the ground. Volumetric measures of tornado strength are introduced. A downdraft exhibiting w ∼ −30 m s−1, indicative of a partial two-cell vortex, was observed only during the earliest radar scans when the tornado was near maximum intensity. Comparisons with simple conceptual m...
A unified theory based on SO(5) symmetry of superconductivity and antiferromagnetism

The complex phase diagram of high-critical temperature (Tc) superconductors can be deduced from an SO(5) symmetry principle that unifies antiferromagnetism and d-wave superconductivity. The approximate SO(5) symmetry has been derived from the microscopic Hamiltonian, and it becomes exact under renormalization group flow toward a bicritical point. This symmetry enables the construction of a SO(5) quantum nonlinear σ model that describes the phase diagram and the effective low-energy dynamics of the system. This model naturally explains the basic phenomenology of the high-Tc superconductors from the insulating to the underdoped and the optimally doped region.
Alcohol control and foster care

Parental alcohol consumption is often associated with an increased likelihood of child abuse. As consumption is related to price, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the propensity for increases in the full price of alcohol to influence entry rates and the length of time spent in foster care. Using alcoholic beverage prices and a measure of availability in combination with data on foster care cases, we find that higher alcohol prices are not effective in reducing foster care entry rates; however, once in foster care, the duration of stay may be shortened by higher prices and reduced availability.
Biologically active compounds in some flowering plants

Abstract In this study, aqueous and 95% ethanol extracts of both temperate and tropical flora were administered to mice to determine any possible pharmacological action and were analyzed chemically for the presence or absence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. Twenty-five species of plants, representing 19 families and 25 genera, were used. Pharmacological activity, mostly depressant, was recorded for 10 of the 25 plants. Tannins were present in 22 species, saponins in 13 species, flavonoids in 14 species, and alkaloids in 5 species.
Effects of localized grid refinement on the general circulation and climatology in the Community Atmosphere Model

AbstractUsing the spectral element (SE) dynamical core within the National Center for Atmospheric Research–Department of Energy Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), a regionally refined nest at 0.25° (~28 km) horizontal resolution located over the North Atlantic is embedded within a global 1° (~111 km) grid. A 23-yr simulation using Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) protocols and default CAM, version 5, physics is compared to an identically forced run using the global 1° (~111 km) grid without refinement. The addition of a refined patch over the Atlantic basin does not noticeably affect the global circulation. In the area where the refinement is located, large-scale precipitation increases with the higher resolution. This increase is partly offset by a decrease in precipitation resulting from convective parameterizations, although total precipitation is also slightly higher at finer resolutions. Equatorial waves are not significantly impacted when traversing multiple grid spacings. Despite the...
Prenatal administration of the cytochrome P4501A inducer, Β-naphthoflavone (BNF), attenuates hyperoxic lung injury in newborn mice: Implications for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants

Supplemental oxygen contributes to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal treatment of pregnant mice (C57BL/6J) with the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 inducer, ss-napthoflavone (BNF), will lead to attenuation of lung injury in newborns (delivered from these dams) exposed to hyperoxia by mechanisms entailing transplacental induction of hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A enzymes. Pregnant mice were administered the vehicle corn oil (CO) or BNF (40 mg/kg), i.p., once daily for 3 days on gestational days (17-19), and newborns delivered from the mothers were either maintained in room air or exposed to hyperoxia (> 95% O{sub 2}) for 1-5 days. After 3-5 days of hyperoxia, the lungs of CO-treated mice showed neutrophil infiltration, pulmonary edema, and perivascular inflammation. On the other hand, BNF-pretreated neonatal mice showed decreased susceptibility to hyperoxic lung injury. These mice displayed marked induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) (CYP1A1) and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) (CYP1A2) activities, and levels of the corresponding apoproteins and mRNA levels until PND 3 in liver, while CYP1A1 expression alone was augmented in the lung. Prenatal BNF did not significantly alter gene expression of pulmonary NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1). Hyperoxia for 24-72 h resulted in increasedmore » pulmonary levels of the F{sub 2}-isoprostane 8-iso-PGF{sub 2{alpha}}, whose levels were decreased in mice prenatally exposed to BNF. In conclusion, our results suggest that prenatal BNF protects newborns against hyperoxic lung injury, presumably by detoxification of lipid hydroperoxides by CYP1A enzymes, a phenomenon that has implications for prevention of BPD in infants. - Highlights: > Supplemental oxygen is routinely administered to premature infants. > Hyperoxia causes lung injury in experimental animals. > Prenatal treatment of mice with beta-naphthoflavone attenuates oxygen injury > Cytochrome P4501A enzymes play protective roles against lung injury« less
USE OF RECTUS ABDOMINIS MUSCLE FLAP FOR THE TREATMENT OF COMPLEX AND REFRACTORY URETHROVAGINAL FISTULAS

Purpose: Urethrovaginal fistulas are commonly repaired transvaginally with local tissue flaps, such as the Martius labial fat pad graft. Although this flap is ideal, if it fails and the fistula persists, subsequent treatment options are limited. We describe the use of a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap for the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. Materials and Methods: Six women with a mean age of 53 years (range 41 to 62) who had complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas were referred to our continence center. Mean number of prior attempted repairs was 1.3 and in all cases at least 1 Martius flap had failed. Transvaginal urethrovaginal fistula closure was performed followed by a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap interposed between the fistula closure and vaginal suture line. The muscle flap was based on the inferior epigastric vessels, and provided additional support to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder base. Results: Urethrovaginal fistula repair with the rectus abdominis muscle flap was successful in all cases. No fistula recurred. Of the patients 5 (83%) were continent and able to void to completion at a mean followup of 23 months (range 2 to 66). Conclusions: The rectus abdominis muscle flap is a useful adjunct in the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. It can be used with confidence to provide support to the bladder neck and proximal urethra in patients after failed prior repair with the Martius flap procedure. The pelvic surgeon may be able to recognize other applications for the rectus abdominis muscle flap in pelvic floor reconstruction.
Polybrene increases the efficiency of gene transfer by lipofection

Lipofection involves the introduction of foreign genetic information into mammalian cells through the use of lipophilic reagents that enhance cellular uptake of polynucleotides. Despite the use of currently optimized lipofection conditions, including the use of serum-depleted media, the efficiency of gene transfer is often low. We show here that, in a variety of cell lines, polybrene markedly enhances the efficiency of lipofection under standardized conditions and also compensates the serum-mediated inhibition of lipofection. Although the degree of the polybrene effect depends on the nature of the cell line, these results indicate that individually optimized concentrations of polybrene can be useful for increasing the efficiency of lipofectin-mediated gene transfer in vitro.
The metal-ferroelectric transition in TTF-TCNQ

Earlier incorrect proposals for organic superconductors have the virtue of pinpointing the need for a deeper understanding of the metallic state in organic materials. Accordingly, we consider the effects of interstack coupling on the electronic band structure of TTF-TCNQ, showing that a one-electron theory predicts semimetallic behavior. We argue, however, that this state is unstable at low T against a ferroelectric distortion perpendicular to the stacking axis, which produces a gap. With increasing T, the gap is filled by states which are localized (in the Anderson sense) by thermal disorder on individual stacks, thereby restoring one-dimensional metallic conductivity.
Interspecies variation of divalent cation-activated ecto-ATPases

Abstract 1. 1. Ecto-ATPase activity of intact cells was determined in a variety of cell types and species. Species variation for enzyme activity was substantial, e.g. avian erythrocyte ecto-ATPase was three orders of magnitude more active than the human erythrocyte enzyme. 2. 2. Ecto-ATPase require a divalent cation for activity. In species which occupy a low position on the evolutionary scale, Mn2+-ion produced optimal activity. It cannot be predicted, however, whether in any cell type or species Mn2+, Mg2+ or Ca2+ would satisfy the requirements for optimal activity. 3. 3. Ecto-ATPase is a plasma membrane enzyme which is characteristic of all eukaryotic cells, though its activity may be very low in some cell types or species.
5-Fluorouracil pharmacokinetics in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma after high-dose leucovorin.

The effect of high-dose leucovorin on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) pharmacokinetics was studied in 5 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Patients received leucovorin, 500 mg/m2, and 5-FU, 600 mg/m2, on 1 day and 5-FU alone 1 week later. Plasma concentrations of 5-FU and 5-FU anabolites were determined over 2 hr. Levels of 5-FU were highest initially and then fell rapidly. Plasma concentrationtime curves suggested a two-compartment kinetic model. Anabolite levels exceeded 5-FU levels after 15 min. When leucovorin was administered, the time of distribution (t1/2α for 5-FU increased from 8.9 ± 2.4 to 12.8 ± 2.5 min (p < 0.0005) and the volume of distribution (Vd) increased from 0.129 ± 0.039 to 0.237 ± 0.033 L/kg (p < 0.03). Elimination and plasma clearance of 5-FU were unchanged. Anabolite levels were initially lower (p < 0.05) with leucovorin, suggesting increased tissue extraction of 5-FU.
Commentary: why I am not a dynamicist.

The dynamical systems approach in cognitive science offers a potentially useful perspective on both brain and behavior. Indeed, the importation of formal tools from dynamical systems research has already paid off for our field in many ways. However, like some other theoretical perspectives in cognitive science, the dynamical systems approach comes in both moderate or pragmatic and “fundamentalist” varieties (Jones & Love, 2011). In the latter form, dynamical systems theory can rise to some stirring rhetorical heights. However, as argued here, it also triggers a number of serious and specific reservations.
Advances in ceramic radiography and analysis: Applications and potentials

Abstract X-radiography can be used to study a variety of features of archaeological ceramics in order to solve a broad range of archaeological and anthropological problems. Many of these have only recently become possible with improvements in ceramic radiographic methods. Hidden features that can be detected radiographically include coils, slabs, and their size, morphology, and methods of joining; the material type, approximate mineralogy, size, density, and orientation of aplastic inclusions or voids; fracture systems; paste texture; and hidden vessel parts. Under certain conditions, these features can be used to sort sherds by their vessels of origin, to identify the primary and secondary methods of vessel manufacture, to assess vessel function, to complement petrography when identifying and sourcing trade vessels; and to identify post-depositional alterations. Both the basic data and inferred identities can be useful when reconstructing learning pools, vessel trade networks, and settlement functions; when estimating site occupation spans, population levels, frequencies of vessel trade, and stylistic-based measures of social interaction; and when building chronometric models of ceramic technological change. Bridging arguments that integrate X-radiographic methods, data, and some theoretical agendas of archaeology are made explicit.
Analysis of a Combinatorial Approach to Flowshop Scheduling Problems

This paper presents a simple theoretical development of the combinatorial approach to flowshop scheduling problems where each job is processed on each machine in the same sequence and passing of jobs is not allowed. The objective function considered is the weighted sum of completion times of all jobs on all machines. Subsequently, a probabilistic analysis shows that this approach is not suitable to solve problems containing more than nine jobs. A theoretical analysis of the poor performance of this approach is described and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Centrographic analysis of 1-phase versus 2-phase treatment for Class II malocclusion.

Introduction: Cephalometric analyses have been used by orthodontists to track growth and monitor treatment effects. Most of these analyses have normative values to which patients are compared, but some "normal" patients vary quite a bit from the normative values. The centrographic analysis is a visual analysis with no angles to measure or normative values to compare. After a reference plane is developed, the relative position of variable landmarks can be seen. Methods: We used the centroid centrographic analysis to study the effects of 1-phase and 2-phase orthodontic treatment. Phase 1 treatment consisted of bionator (n = 66), headgear/biteplane (n = 69), or observation (n = 65) until a Class I molar relationship was achieved or 2 years had elapsed. After 1 year, all subjects underwent full orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. Results: Centrographic analysis showed that early treatment has effects on the mandible. However, the differences were not apparent by the end of fixed appliance treatment. Conclusions: The skeletal effects of phase 1 treatment disappear by the end of fixed appliance treatment.
Nanomechanical Function Made Possible by Suppressing Structural Transformations of Polyarylacetylenes

Self-assembling dendrons sterically disfavor the cisoid conformation through which 6π-electrocyclization proceeds in cis-polyarylacetylenes. Through the same mechanism, selected self-organizable dendronized helical cis-polyphenylacetylenes (cis-PPAs) undergo an unprecedented thermally induced cisoid-to-transoid conformational isomerism in bulk. The motion of helix (un)winding can be converted to unidirectional motion in self-organizable dendronized cis-PPAs. By eliminating 6π-electrocyclization, nanomechanical actuators capable of lifting a US dime have been prepared from self-organizable dendronized cis-PPAs.
Removal of Covalent Heterogeneity Reveals Simple Folding Behavior for P4-P6 RNA

RNA folding landscapes have been described alternately as simple and as complex. The limited diversity of RNA residues and the ability of RNA to form stable secondary structures prior to adoption of a tertiary structure would appear to simplify folding relative to proteins. Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence for long-lived misfolded RNA states, and these observations have suggested rugged energy landscapes. Recently, single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) studies have exposed heterogeneity in many RNAs, consistent with deeply furrowed rugged landscapes. We turned to an RNA of intermediate complexity, the P4-P6 domain from the Tetrahymena group I intron, to address basic questions in RNA folding. P4-P6 exhibited long-lived heterogeneity in smFRET experiments, but the inability to observe exchange in the behavior of individual molecules led us to probe whether there was a non-conformational origin to this heterogeneity. We determined that routine protocols in RNA preparation and purification, including UV shadowing and heat annealing, cause covalent modifications that alter folding behavior. By taking measures to avoid these treatments and by purifying away damaged P4-P6 molecules, we obtained a population of P4-P6 that gave near-uniform behavior in single molecule studies. Thus, the folding landscape of P4-P6 lacks multiple deep furrows that would trap different P4-P6 molecules in different conformations and contrasts with the molecular heterogeneity that has been seen in many smFRET studies of structured RNAs. The simplicity of P4-P6 allowed us to reliably determine the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of metal ions on folding and to now begin to build more detailed models for RNA folding behavior.