cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATIONS OF THE HARDINESS OF PLANTS BY MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

In a preliminary report, Dexter, Tottingham and Graber (3) have described a method of estimating the hardiness of plants as applied to three varieties of alfalfa, in which exosmosis of electrolytes from suitably frozen tissue into distilled water is determined electrometrically, and the magnitude of the electrical conductivity associated with the known hardiness of the samples. They found a progressive hardening of Grimm alfalfa, a hardy variety, as the winter season approached, and little or no hardening in a very tender strain, Hairy Peruvian. Utah Common alfalfa was intermediate in response. The principle of increased permeability and electrical conductivity of injured tissue is a familiar one in plant physiology, while the method of electrical conductance as a measure of changing electrolyte concentration has been more or less standard for many years. (See Osterhout (16) ; Dixon and Atkins (4) ; Hoagland and Davis (9) ; Hibbard and Miller (6) ; Hottes and Huelsen (10) ; Pantanelli (17) ; Merrill (13) ; Stiles and J0RGENSON (21).) In the papers listed above the principle has been applied to injuries resulting from freezing, from the action of various chemicals, from pathological causes, and from mechanical rupture. In view of the fact that the chemical and physical theories of winterhardiness of plants have been amply discussed in recent publications, and since the bibliography has been so fully covered there, the consideration of this phase of the problem will be dismissed by reference to several papers which furnish suggestive discussions and inclusive citations of the literature. Maximow (12) has reviewed the various physical and chemical studies of the hardiness problem in which compositional or osmotic and colloidal properties of plants are shown to be associated with hardiness. He cites, as well, numerous recent investigations in which growth recovery from controlled freezing treatment is used to estimate the degree of hardiness. Newton (15), Weimer (22), Steinmetz (20), Rosa (18) and Chandler (2) present excellent discussions, full bibliographies and additional data in regard to several chemical and physical methods of investigating the hardiness of plants. It may be stated briefly that most, if not all, of the theories of winter-hardiness are built around the idea of the water-relations of the plant, and that structural, osmotic or colloidal pro-
Investigating Using Oscillating Jets for Fluid Mixing

Scaled mixing experiments were conducted to evaluate maintaining mobilized particles in a uniform suspension (the condition of concentration uniformity) using jet pumps to mix the suspension. The study experimentally evaluated uniformity in a 1/12-scale experiment varying the Reynolds number, Froude number, and gravitational settling parameter space. The initial matrix specified only tests at 100% U0D0 and 25% U0D0. After initial tests were conducted with small diameter, low viscosity simulant this matrix was revised to allow evaluation of a broader range of U0D0. The revised matrix included a full factorial test between 100% and 50% U0D0 and two half-factorial tests at 75% and 25% U0D0. Adding points at 75% U0D0 and 50% U0D0 allowed evaluation of curvature. Eliminating points at 25% U0D0 decreased the testing time by several weeks. Test conditions were achieved by varying the simulant viscosity, the mean particle size (dp), and the jet nozzle exit velocity (U0). Concentration measurements at sampling locations throughout the tank were used to assess the degree of uniformity achieved during each test. Concentration data was obtained using a real time ultrasonic attenuation probe and discrete batch samples. The undissolved solids concentration at these locations was analyzed to determine whether the tank contents weremore » uniform ( ±10% variation about mean) in concentration. Concentration inhomogeneity was modeled as a function of dimensionless groups.« less
Searching for good mood: Examining relationships between search task and mood

We analyzed mood changes before, during and after online information search and examined effects of search tasks' type on the mood. Searchers' mood was measured using the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Search tasks were characterized by the topic, sequence in a search process, difficulty level, and searcher's interest in a task. Our analysis indicates that participants' mood remained stable during the course of the search and was not affected by the search task topic, sequence in a search process, difficulty level and searchers' interest level. Our findings suggest that searching is a complex experience and factors outside of the search task domain may contribute to searcher's mood.
The evolving role of intravenous leukotriene modifiers in acute asthma.

Despite significant advances in long-term preventative treatments that reduce the frequency of asthma exacerbations, acute asthma remains a common and important medical problem. In particular, some patients have an inadequate response to available first-line therapies for acute asthma, including inhaled shortacting b-agonists and anticholinergic agents and systemic corticosteroids. In this issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Camargo et al present a randomized controlled trial of intravenous montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (CysLT1) receptor antagonist, added to current standard care for the treatment of acute asthma. Based on the prespecified, primary end point of the time-weighted average change in FEV1 over 60 minutes after drug administration, the investigators found that intravenous montelukast resulted in greater improvement in FEV1 than standard care by a magnitude of 0.10 L. Despite this early improvement in lung function, there was no significant difference in treatment failures defined as hospitalization or as inability to discharge from the emergency department by 3 hours after study drug infusion; however, subgroups, including subjects with less severe exacerbations and enrolled at sites in the United States, did have fewer treatment failures after receiving intravenous montelukast. In a previous, dose-ranging pilot study comparing 7and 14-mg doses of intravenous montelukast with placebo, the investigators found that the improvement in FEV1 at 20 minutes after administration was 14.8% from baseline in the combined treatment groups compared with 3.6% in the placebo group, with no difference between the 2 active treatment arms. This prior study was criticized for not including an inhaled anticholinergic agent in the standard treatment regimen, and corticosteroid
Total Synthesis of (–)-Nakadomarin A

A concise diastereoselective total synthesis of (-)-nakadomarin A has been completed in 21 steps from D-pyroglutamic acid. Key steps include an enecarbamate Michael addition/furan-N-acyliminium ion cascade cyclization to provide the tetracyclic core and ring-closing alkyne and alkene metatheses to construct the fifteen- and eight-membered azacycles, respectively.
Wear of an alumina-silicon carbide whisker composite

Abstract The enhanced mechanical properties of alumina-silicon carbide whisker composites indicate a potential for good wear performance. Accordingly, the unlubricated sliding friction and wear of an alumina-20 vol.% silicon carbide whisker composite have been investigated. Pin-on-disc wear tests of like-onlike pairs resulted in mild wear behavior at 20 °C and severe wear at 425°C. The wear coefficients at 20 °C were in the range 10 −8 –10 −9 mm 3 N −1 m −1 while those measured at 425 °C were 10 −4 –10 −5 mm 3 N −1 m −1 . This result is almost two orders of magnitude lower than that obtained for commercial alumina in comparable tests. The friction coefficients varied with temperature and load, and correlate with the level of debris and damage observed in this interface. Scanning electron microscopy examination reveals an adhered debris layer on the largely undamaged mild wear disc surface while extensive fracture and agglomerated debris are seen on the severe wear interfaces. The transition from mild to severe wear was also observed and begins with the formation of small surface cracks on the mild wear surface.
Selective Atomic Hydrogen Heating In Plasmas: Implications For Quantum Theory

Abstract A new model of quantum mechanics, Classical Quantum Mechanics, is based on the (nearly heretical) postulate that electrons are physical objects that obey classical physical laws. Indeed, ionization energies, excitation energies, etc. are computed based on picturing electrons as ‘bubbles’ of charge that symmetrically surround a nucleus. Hence, for example, simple algebraic expressions based on Newtonian force balances are used to predict ionization energies and stable excitation states with remarkable precision. One of the most startling predictions of the model is that there are stable ‘sizes’ of the hydrogen atom electron (bubble diameter) that are smaller (‘hydrinos') than that calculated for the ‘ground state’. Experimental evidence in support of this novel physical/classical version of quantum is alleged to be found in the existence of super-heated hydrogen atoms reported by many teams in a variety of plasmas. It is postulated that the energy required for creating super-heated H atoms comes from the shrinkage of ground state H atoms to form hydrinos. This claim is discussed with reference to a brief review of the published studies of selective Balmer series line broadening in pure H2 and mixed gas plasmas, and astrophysical data.
The UHF and microwave dielectric properties of normal and tumour tissues: variation in dielectric properties with tissue water content

Dielectric measurements have been made on various soft tumour and normal tissues between 0.01 and 17 GHz at body temperature. At microwave frequencies above 1-5 GHz, the tissue dielectric properties can be fitted to Debye equations with the same relaxation frequency (25 GHz) as found for pure water at 37 degrees C. The tissue dielectric properties correlate well with their water contents. The conductivity of the tissue at 0.1 GHz (which is close to that of the cytoplasm itself) increases with the volume fraction of water in the tissue, in a manner consistent with that previously observed in proteins suspended in electrolyte solution. The contribution of the tissue water to the tissue dielectric permittivity at frequencies below 1 GHz is fitted by a function of water content different to that describing the conductivity data. Empirical equations that may be used to predict the dielectric properties of other soft tissues within this wide frequency range are suggested.
Defining the application portfolio for an integrated hospital information system: a tutorial

Although many successful applications in the hospital environment have been introduced and implemented, hospital information systems have had little impact upon the daily operation of hospitals. Furthermore, integrated hospital information systems, although vital to the hospitals' functioning, have proved to be more complicated to develop and difficult to harness than expected. This paper discusses the need for an integrated hospital information system and provides a framework for the development of its application portfolio. The scope of such a system is the integration of the medical, administrative and fiscal information elements of the hospital into a unified systems environment.
Neutrino masses in the minimal O(10) theory

Abstract Neutrino masses are discussed in the context of the O(10) grand unified theory. In the “minimal” form of this theory, with minimal Higgs and fermion content, the right-handed neutrinos acquire masses at the two loop level. The left-handed neutrino masses are correspondingly larger by a factor roughly ( α π ) −2 than they would be if the right-handed neutrino could acquire mass at the tree level. In the simplest form of this theory, the neutrino mass matrix is proportional to the up quark mass matrix, and the neutrino mixing angles equal the usual Cabibbo angles. The neutrino masses will be roughly in the range 100±2 eV depending on the strength of O(10) symmetry breaking, and on certain unknown ratios of masses and couplings of superheavy particles.
Applying electric field sensing to human-computer interfaces

A non-contact sensor based on the interaction of a person with electric fields for human-computer interface is investigated. Two sensing modes are explored: an external electric field shunted to ground through a human body, and an external electric field transmitted through a human body to stationary receivers. The sensors are low power (milliwatts), high resolution (millimeter) low cost (a few dollars per channel), have low latency (millisecond), high update rate (1 kHz), high immunity to noise (>72 dB), are not affected by clothing, surface texture or reflectivity, and can operate on length scales from microns to meters. Systems incorporating the sensors include a finger mouse, a room that knows the location of its occupant, and people-sensing furniture. Haptic feedback using passive materials is described. Also discussed are empirical and analytical approaches to transform sensor measurements into position information.
The interfacial tension between oil and gemini surfactant solution

Abstract The interfacial tensions between oil and solution of cationic gemini surfactants have been measured. It is found that gemini surfactants are more effective and efficient than corresponding conventional surfactants in reducing the interfacial tension and can lower the tension of kerosene–water interface to ultra-low at very low concentration without other additives. It is also found that gemini surfactants can reduce the interfacial tension to ultra-low only at a certain concentration range. The addition of salt results in more effectiveness of surfactant in reducing the tension of kerosene–water interface and shows that gemini surfactant has a good synergism with salt. For crude oil from Zhongyuan Oil Field of China, gemini surfactant is more effective on lowering crude oil–water tension and has an excellent ability in reducing the tension of crude oil–water interface. However, when the oil is hexadecane, ultra-low interfacial tension is not observed.
Mood and hormone responses to psychological challenge in adolescent males with conduct problems.

Background Relations between stress hormones and antisocial behavior are understudied. Methods A subsample (n = 335) of at-risk males recruited in first grade for a longitudinal study were recruited at approximately 16 years of age for a laboratory study, including two psychological challenges: describing their worst experience on videotape, and a task in which a loud tone could be avoided. Measures of affect, urine, and saliva were collected multiple times before and after challenges. Results Negative affect increased following the worst-event challenge and decreased following the avoidance challenge. Mean conduct problems (CP) across ages 7–17 years were positively related to negative affect and inversely related to positive affect. CP were inversely related to post-challenge urinary epinephrine (E) levels when baseline E and potential confounds were controlled. Cortisol concentrations in saliva collected soon after the first challenge were positively related to CP in a post hoc subset of youths with extreme CP. Conclusions Key findings A) associated persistent CP with more negative affectivity and less positive affectivity, B) replicated and extended prior findings of an inverse association of CP and urinary E, and C) suggested provocative hypotheses for future study relating CP, trauma history, trauma recall, and cortisol reactivity.
Seasonal anomalies in the Canary Current

[1] Along the northwestern coast of Africa lies an important fishery, stimulated by an upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich, deep-ocean water. Driven by a complex convergence of ocean currents, the waters between the coast, the Portuguese island of Madeira, and the Canary Islands are known to vary dramatically throughout the year, seeing coastal current reversals near the shore and the location of the large-scale Canary Current drifting seasonally, moving offshore in the winter before returning toward the coast in the summer. To sort out the trigger for this seasonal drift, Mason et al. produced a high-resolution model of the Canary Current that captures details of its interaction with the coastal region where the deep water upwelling occurs. The authors found a pair of circular seasonal anomalies that they suggest control the strength and location of the Canary Current. The first, formed in late autumn, is a persistent, clockwise-spinning region of elevated sea surface height and increased flow rates. Its counterpart, a counterclockwise-rotating sea surface depression, is formed in the spring. Both anomalies spawn near the African coast and meander westward at around 2.6 kilometers per day, pushing their way out of the region over the course of a year. (Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, doi:10.1029/2010JC006665, 2011)
Altered mandibular development precedes the time of palate closure in mice homozygous for disproportionate micromelia: An oral clefting model supporting the Pierre‐Robin sequence

Background Development of the human craniofacial anatomy involves a number of interrelated, genetically controlled components. The complexity of the interactions between these components suggests that interference with the spaciotemporal interaction of the expanding tongue and elongating Meckel's cartilage correlates with the appearance of cleft palate. Mice homozygous for the semi-dominant Col2a1 mutation Disproportionate micromelia (Dmm), presenting at birth with both cleft palate and micrognathia, provide the opportunity to test the hypothesis that mandibular growth retardation coincides with formation of the secondary palate as predicted from our understanding of the Pierre Robin sequence. The present study was conducted in embryonic day 14 (E14) mice, 1 day before palate closure, to describe the relationship between growth of the lower jaw/tongue complex versus genotype of the embryo. Methods Whole heads, isolated from E14.25, E14.5 and E14.75 wild-type and homozygous mutant embryos, were fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin, and serially sectioned. Mid-sagittal sections, stained with toluidine blue, were used to estimate growth of both tongue and lower jaw (Meckel's cartilage length) during a 12-hr period preceding palate closure. Results In control embryos, the largest increase in Meckel's cartilage length occurred between E14.5 and E14.75. Compared to control, the mean Meckel's cartilage length in the mutant was similar at E14.25, but was significantly less at E14.5 and E14.75. Absolute tongue size in control embryos increased linearly during this period of E14.25 to E14.75. Relative to the rapidly growing Meckel's cartilage, however, relative tongue size in control embryos actually decreased over time. Absolute tongue size in the mutant was not significantly different from that of control at any of the embryonic stages examined, however, relative tongue size in the mutant was significantly greater at E14.75 compared to control. Conclusion Mandibular growth retardation, coupled with relative macroglossia in E14 Dmm/Dmm mice, suggests that the concerted development of the palate and lower jaw complex in the mutant is aberrant. Detection of micrognathia and pseudomacroglossia in homozygotes, before the time of palate closure, supports the hypothesis that a relationship exists between growth retardation of Meckel's cartilage and malformation of the secondary palate, as predicted by the Pierre-Robin sequence. Teratology 65:116–120, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Infected Areas around the Ends of Roots of Teeth.

The spongy character of the alveoli in which the ends of the roots of the teeth are embedded leaves them especially vulnerable to purulent invasion. This portion of the alveolus is frequently referred to as the apical space, because so often the osseous structure around the apices of the roots is lost to a greater or less extent on account of an abscess forming in this region. The majority of these infections are alveolar abscesses arising from the death of the pulps of the teeth. There are also pericemental abscesses, existing coincident with living pulps which have not been infected. This latter class may he variously subdivided. The course of the ordinary alveolar abscess is generally marked by a crisis, at which time the pus escapes into the mouth, either through the plate of the alveolus, or between the periosteum and the root at the gingival border. Unless a radical
An interpretation of Choudhary and Felsen's perturbation method for tracing the phase paths of evanescent fields

A method for constructing the complex eikonal of an evanescent optical field, given its values on some surface, is described. It proceeds by successive approximations whose steps consist of tracing real rays in appropriate fictitious media. The first step, valid for weakly evanescent fields, is essentially a method previously described by Choudhary and Felsen.
Reaction of cyanide with the transaldolase-dihydroxyacetone complex

Abstract Cyanide has been found to react rapidly with the isolated transaldolase-dihydroxyacetone complex to form an inactive aminonitrile enzyme derivative. The extent of the inactivation was equivalent to that observed when the complex was reduced with sodium borohydride. In the presence of the corresponding substrates, both transaldolase and aldolase are slowly inactivated by cyanide. The slow reaction, as compared with the rapid reaction observed with the preformed transaldolase-dihydroxyacetone complex, is attributed to the removal of the substrates by formation of the cyanohydrin derivatives; this limits the rate of formation and reduces the equilibrium concentration of the enzyme-substrate complex. The formation of the cyanide adduct provides evidence for the formation of a Schiff base intermediate in the cleavage reaction of aldolase with fructose 1,6-diphosphate as substrate.
A vacuum manifold for rapid world-to-chip connectivity of complex PDMS microdevices

The lack of simple interfaces for microfluidic devices with a large number of inlets significantly limits production and utilization of these devices. In this article, we describe the fabrication of a reusable manifold that provides rapid world-to-chip connectivity. A vacuum network milled into a rigid manifold holds microdevices and prevents leakage of fluids injected into the device from ports in the manifold. A number of different manifold designs were explored, and all performed similarly, yielding an average of 100 kPa (15 psi) fluid holding pressure. The wide applicability of this manifold concept is demonstrated by interfacing with a 51-inlet microfluidic chip containing 144 chambers and hundreds of embedded pneumatic valves. Due to the speed of connectivity, the manifolds are ideal for rapid prototyping and are well suited to serve as “universal” interfaces.
Peak Minimization for Reference-Based Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Radio

We introduce a peak mitigation technique for reference based systems that is similar to the tone reservation scheme employed in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems but without the cost in data rate. A comparison of reference-based systems under either peak or average power constraints is presented.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Time Trends of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Northern California, 1996 to 2006

Objective To examine the incidence and prevalence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during 1996–2006 in a community-based health-care delivery system. Study design Members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California aged 0 to 17 years with IBD were identified by use of computerized medical information with confirmation obtained through review of the medical record. Results The average annual incidence of IBD per 100000 was 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-3.1) for Crohn's disease (CD) and 3.2 (CI, 2.8-3.6) for ulcerative colitis (UC). During the 11-year study period, the annual incidence per 100000 increased from 2.2 to 4.3 for CD ( P = .09) and from 1.8 to 4.9 for UC ( P P = .12), 0.3 in Hispanics ( P P = .04). The average length of enrollment during the 11-year study period exceeded 8 years. The point prevalence on December 31, 2006, per 100000 was 12.0 for CD (CI, 9.6-14.4) and 19.5 (CI, 16.5-22.6) for UC. Conclusions In this population the incidence of UC increased significantly by 2.7-fold and CD increased 2.0-fold without reaching statistical significance. Hispanic and Asian children had development of UC more often than CD, suggesting possible etiologic differences across racial and ethnic groups.
Representation as work in ‘America's most historic city’

This paper examines how the practices of heritage tourism reproduce identities in and of Fredericksburg, Virginia. In particular, we focus on the everyday practices of tourism workers who are essential in the representation and reproduction of this heritage space. In so doing, we want to move away from research in geography that theorizes representation and embodiment as distinct realms of experience and inquiry. Instead, we argue that representation is work and within this very material process, city workers weave memory with history as they guide visitors through ‘America’s Most Historic City'. Through an examination of three of Fredericksburg's tourism work environments we show how representations succeed in reproducing heritage tourism spaces precisely because representation is work.
Monoclonal antibodies specific for Laelius pedatus (bethylidae) and Bracon hebetor (braconidae), two hymenopterous parasitoids of stored-product pests

Abstract Before parasitoids and predators are fully endorsed as biological control agents in storage facilities, a reliable technique must be developed to determine how much they contribute to the overall insect contamination of stored commodities. Because determining the origin of insect fragments by visual examination is difficult, labor-intensive, and requires special skills, we propose using immunological techniques to differentiate among insect species biochemically. In the example presented here, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the parasitic wasps Laelius pedatus (Say) and Bracon hebetor Say. The MAbs reacted with all life stages and both sexes of the parasitoids. In Western blots of acrylamide and agarose gels, the MAbs recognized high molecular weight proteins (>500 kDa) composed of multiple subunits, with mildly acidic to neutral isoelectric focusing points. The MAbs did not cross-react with the additional 22 insect species we tested in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These data suggest that MAb-based immunoassays could be used to differentiate among beneficial and destructive insects found in stored products.
Perceived Action Units as a Function of Subjective Importance

The present study investigated the perception of action units in a videotaped behavior sequence as a function of the subjective importance attached to them. Subjects were asked to tutor a student and were promised payment depending on the student's performance. To manipulate subjective importance, some tutoring responses were labeled more effective in one treatment group than they were in a second group. Subjects were predicted to subjectively weight responses as more important for earning money when they were labeled more effective and, hence, should press an event-recorder button more often in that treatment condition. Results confirmed the prediction and indicated that greater subjective importance resulted in discriminating a larger number of action units in the behavior sequence. Findings are discussed in terms of the effect of subjective importance on perceptual segmentation.
Z-line formins promote contractile lattice growth and maintenance in striated muscles of C. elegans

Muscle contraction depends on interactions between actin and myosin filaments organized into sarcomeres, but the mechanism by which actin filaments incorporate into sarcomeres remains unclear. We have found that, during larval development in Caenorhabditis elegans, two members of the actin-assembling formin family, CYK-1 and FHOD-1, are present in striated body wall muscles near or on sarcomere Z lines, where barbed ends of actin filaments are anchored. Depletion of either formin during this period stunted growth of the striated contractile lattice, whereas their simultaneous reduction profoundly diminished lattice size and number of striations per muscle cell. CYK-1 persisted at Z lines in adulthood, and its near complete depletion from adults triggered phenotypes ranging from partial loss of Z line–associated filamentous actin to collapse of the contractile lattice. These results are, to our knowledge, the first genetic evidence implicating sarcomere-associated formins in the in vivo organization of the muscle cytoskeleton.
Statistical Analysis of Bending Strengths for Brittle Solids: A Multiaxial Fracture Problem

A general approach for the statistical analysis of brittle fracture under tensile multiaxial stress states was evaluated for a fracture criterion based on recent concepts of noncoplanar crack extension. The resultant failure expressions were applied to bend tests and used to interpret experimental results obtained with porcelain cylinders. Implications for the interpretation of bending tests and some important trends in the failiire strength with specimen size are discussed.
Information for People

Summary form only given. Ordinary people have access to unprecedented volumes of information today. Researchers in the fields of information management (IM) and human-computer interaction (HCI) are reacting to this challenge from their own unique perspectives. Having access to a billion records is cool, but having access to a billion people is awesome. In this talk, we look at recent research from both communities, and speculate on how interactions between the communities could enhance the use.
Coronal Heating and Photospheric Boundary Conditions

We present a simple model that demonstrates that regions of high current density cannot exist within the solar atmosphere in a quasi-stationary state if they do not already exist at the photospheric boundary. This result demonstrates that theoretical treatments of coronal heating by electrodynamic processes must take proper account of the photospheric spatial distribution of the forces that generate the currents (or equivalently waves) and not just the power contained in those waves that result in coronal heating.
Invasion pressure to a ballast-flooded estuary and an assessment of inoculant survival

The relationships between invasion pressure, post-transport inoculant survival, and regional susceptibility to invasion are poorly understood. In marine ecosystems, the movement and release of ballast water from ocean-going ships provides a model system by which to examine the interplay among these factors. One of the largest estuaries in North America, the Chesapeake Bay, receives tremendous amounts of foreign ballast water annually and thus should be at high invasion risk. To date, however, few introductions in Chesapeake Bay have been attributed to ballast release. To understand better the dynamics of this invasion process, we (1) characterized and quantified the biota arriving to Chesapeake Bay in foreign ballast water, (2) compared temperatures and salinities of ballast water and harbor water in upper Chesapeake Bay, and (3) tested experimentally survival of organisms collected from ballast water in temperatures and salinities characteristic of the region. From 1993 to 1994, we sampled planktonic and benthic organisms from 60 foreign vessels arriving to Chesapeake Bay. Our data show that the estuary is being inoculated by a diverse assemblage of aquatic organisms from around the world. Furthermore, the short transit time (≤15 d) for most vessels ensured that substantial numbers of larval and post-larval organisms were being deballasted alive. Most of the ballast water discharged into the upper Chesapeake Bay, however, was significantly higher in salinity (>20‰) than that of the receiving harbor. In laboratory tolerance experiments, ballast water organisms perished under such conditions. Thus, a mismatch in physical conditions between donor and receiver regions may explain the dearth of invasions in the upper Bay. It is likely that the lower Chesapeake Bay, which is more saline, remains at higher risk to ballast water invasion. Recognition of such intraregional differences should allow more focused predictions for monitoring and management.
Cost Effectiveness of Routine Screening for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia When Obtaining Pap Smears in Urban Adolescents

Background Most adolescent females are tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia during any pelvic exam. We hypothesized that empirically obtaining these tests at time of routine Pap Smear is not cost effective because the prevalence of gonorrhea and chlamydia in the subset population is low. Methods A retrospective chart analysis of 576 adolescent females obtaining Pap Smears in an urban adolescent medicine clinic from 7/96–6/97 was conducted. All patients received a gonorrhea culture and chlamydia DNA probe at the time of Pap Smear. Culture costs were detennined and cost estimates were made for complications of untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia based on our hospitals’ one year average charge for pelvic inflammatory disease admissions and published literature for ectopic pregnancy and infertility1. Cost-benefit analysis was constructed making use of odds ratios for risk factors predictive of presence and absence of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Results 453 charts of 576 PAP smear visits were reviewed. Incidence of gonorrhea was 5.1%(27/406), chlamydia was 6.8% (36/530), and either of the two STD's was 9.7% (52/532). 53% (24/45) of patients with positive cultures were treated at time of patient visit prior to knowledge of culture results. Independent predictors of chlamydia. gonorrhea, either, and no STD are as follows: [()=odds ratios, (*)>1000] Either STD Chlamydia Gonorrhea No STD admits sex intercourse(*) admits sex intercourse(*) admits sex intercourse(*) admits sex initiation (*) treated at visit (6.7) treated at visit (4.2) treated at visit (10.5) not treated at visit (6.6) PE vaginal discharge (2.7) trich on wet prep (5.3) PE cervix friable (3.6) PE no vag discharge(2.7) PE cervix friable (2.2) PE vaginal discharge (3.5) no friable cervix (2.2) >5 WBC wet prep (2.3) no trich on wet prep(3.2) (all odds ratios have p If 5 of the 6 above predictors of no STD existed. the incidence of gonorrhea was 1.3% (1/80) representing 17% of the tested population and the incidence of chlamydia was 2.5% (2/80). Using $30 as the cost of a culture (hospital charge) and Washington's $2114 estimate of direct costs for PID and PID associated ectopic pregnancies and infertility (compared with our hospital's average charge for PID in 1997 of $2100), cost savings of not obtaining cultures exist if the incidence of an STD is less than 1.4% in the subpopulation studied. Conclusions In 17% of our patients. the absence of predictors of a STD made omitting gonorrhea cultures marginally cost effective. However. this was not true of routine chlamydia diagnostic testing. Continued studies of diverse populations are necessary to bener establish cost effectiveness of these tests and of routine Pap Smears. In most adolescent populations. such testing will still be indicated.
Simulation study of electron cloud multipacting in straight sections of PEP-II

Simulation studies of electron cloud multipacting were performed for the SLAC B-factory vacuum chamber for different bunch trains and solenoidal magnetic field. Results show that increasing the number of positron bunches by a factor of two and keeping the same current per bunch means that the solenoidal field needs to be doubled in order to keep the same electron cloud density. Fortunately there are regions that are "free of multipacting" at smaller values of field where the electron cloud density can not get very high. To build the electron cloud, positron bunches have to lose some amount of their kinetic energy through the longitudinal electric field. When the cloud is already established, this longitudinal field acts as an oscillating force. This action is similar to the action of RF fields in a cavity. As a result the positron bunches will have different lengths throughout the train.
Deep-Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Excitation Profiles of NH4NO3, PETN, TNT, HMX, and RDX:

We measured the dispersion of the absolute-differential Raman cross-sections of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitroamine (HMX), and cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX) in acetonitrile and water solutions between 204 and 257 nm. The ultraviolet (UV) resonance Raman/differential Raman cross-sections of NH4NO3, PETN, TNT, HMX, and RDX dramatically increase as the excitation wavelength decreases deep into the UV to 204 nm. NH4NO3, PETN, and RDX are best resonance-enhanced by the 204 nm excitation used here, while the optimum excitation wavelength for TNT and HMX is ∼230 nm. The excitation profile of TNT roughly follows its absorption band shape. The excitation profiles for the different Raman bands of each explosive molecule differ, indicating that multiple-excitation wavelength spectra are not redundant and can offer additional information on the species present. We see no evidence of any nonlinear spectral response or sample degradation at the fluences and spectral accumulation times used here. However, we previously observed such phenomena at longer spectral accumulation times and higher fluences. These results are promising for the development of standoff deep-UV Raman methods for explosive molecule determinations.
Genetics of Growth Habit and Development of New Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd) Varieties with Trailing Habit and Bright Color

A high level of genetic variability for growth habit types is observed in tetraploid, cultivated coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd). Very few cultivars with trailing habit exist, and those that are available generally have dark green or purple foliage color. Coleus with trailing growth habit is desirable as it increases its utility for use in hanging baskets, mixed containers, and as ground cover. There is a lack of published information on the genetic mechanism controlling growth habit and the development of new trailing types with orange colors. Two commercial cultivars, ‘‘Red Trailing Queen’’ (RQ) with trailing habit and ‘‘Sedona’’ (S) with upright stature, were selfed and crossed (RQ S) to produce self and F1 populations. F2 populations were produced by selfing plants in the F1 population. For each population analyzed, growth habit was rated on a visual 1–5 phenotypic scale, where 1 5 upright, 2 5 semi-upright, 3 5 prostrate, 4 5 semitrailing, and 5 5 trailing. Genotypes were assigned to each phenotype, assuming that upright was dominant to trailing. In this study, growth habit was observed to be controlled by a single gene (U) with additive effects, with upright growth habit designated with a UUUU genotype and trailing growth habit designated with a uuuu genotype. In addition, foliage color was rated on a visual 1–5 phenotypic scale, and purple foliage color was found to be dominant to yellow–orange color. Several new coleus selections with trailing growth habit and orange foliage color were successfully developed.
Magnetic resonance imaging in an experimental model of human ovarian cancer demonstrating altered microvascular permeability after inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor

Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with macromolecular contrast medium was used to monitor effects of angiogenesis inhibition on tumor microvascular permeability and ascites volume in an athymic rat model of human ovarian cancer. Study Design: Groups of 6 athymic rats implanted intraperitoneally with SKOV-3, a human ovarian cancer cell line, were treated through a 14-day course with antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor or with saline solution for control animals. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a 92,000-d contrast agent, albumin-(gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)30. Vascular permeability was estimated from dynamic enhancement data that were analyzed with a unidirectional 2-compartment kinetic model. Results: Animals treated with vascular endothelial growth factor antibody accumulated significantly smaller volumes of peritoneal ascites (P < .05) and showed significantly lower magnetic resonance imaging–assayed tumor microvascular permeabilities (P < .05) than did control animals. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with a macromolecular contrast agent in an athymic rat model of human ovarian cancer treated with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor antibody can be used to measure a reduction in tumor microvascular permeability, corresponding to a reduction in ascites production. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:956-63.)
The dual PH domain protein Opy1 functions as a sensor and modulator of PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis

Phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate, PtdIns(4,5)P 2 , is an essential signalling lipid that regulates key processes such as endocytosis, exocytosis, actin cytoskeletal organization and calcium signalling. Maintaining proper levels of PtdIns(4,5)P 2 at the plasma membrane (PM) is crucial for cell survival and growth. We show that the conserved PtdIns(4)P 5‐kinase, Mss4, forms dynamic, oligomeric structures at the PM that we term PIK patches. The dynamic assembly and disassembly of Mss4 PIK patches may provide a mechanism to precisely modulate Mss4 kinase activity, as needed, for localized regulation of PtdIns(4,5)P 2 synthesis. Furthermore, we identify a tandem PH domain‐containing protein, Opy1, as a novel Mss4‐interacting protein that partially colocalizes with PIK patches. Based upon genetic, cell biological, and biochemical data, we propose that Opy1 functions as a coincidence detector of the Mss4 PtdIns(4)P 5‐kinase and PtdIns(4,5)P 2 and serves as a negative regulator of PtdIns(4,5)P 2 synthesis at the PM. Our results also suggest that additional conserved tandem PH domain‐containing proteins may play important roles in regulating phosphoinositide signalling.
Basis of Virulence in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strains are causing a severe pandemic of mainly skin and soft tissue and occasionally fatal infections. The basis of their success is the combination of methicillin resistance at low fitness cost and high virulence. Investigation of the virulence potential of CA-MRSA, a key prerequisite for the development of anti-CA-MRSA therapeutics, has focused on strain USA300, which is responsible for the most serious CA-MRSA epidemic seen in the United States. Current data indicate that in this strain virulence evolved via increased expression of core-genome-encoded virulence determinants, such as alpha-toxin and phenol-soluble modulins, and acquisition of the phage-encoded Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. All these toxins impact disease progression in animal models of USA300 infection. In contrast, the basis of virulence in other CA-MRSA epidemics, which also include PVL-negative strains, is poorly understood.
The Impact of Allowing Day of Registration Voting On Turnout in U.S. Elections From 1960 To 1992: A Research Note

In U.S. presidential elections, voter turnout dropped about 14% between 1960 and 1988. This drop in turnout has inspired many reform proposals to increase turnout. One such proposal allows voters to register on election day. Prior research has estimated the impact of day of registration voting using multivariate models with the individual as a unit of analysis; however, day of registration voting is no longer a hypothetical reform since it has been implemented in three states. A pre-post quasi-experimental design revealed that states changing their state laws to allow day of registration voting significantly increased their turnout compared to a control group of states that did not allow day of registration voting. The author estimated that a nationwide law allowing day of registration voting would increase turnout by 5%. The increased electoral participation found for day of registraton voting held for both presidential elections and midterm elections. However, the turnout increase for presidential elect...
Photoacoustic tomography of small animal brain with a curved array transducer

We present the application of a curved array photoacoustic tomographic imaging system that can provide rapid, high-resolution photoacoustic imaging of small animal brains. The system is opti- mized to produce a B-mode, 90-deg field-of-view image at sub-200-m resolution at a frame rate of 1 frame/second when a 10-Hz pulse repetition rate laser is employed. By rotating samples, a complete 360-deg scan can be achieved within 15 s. In previous work, two-dimensional 2-D ex vivo mouse brain cortex imaging has been reported. We report three-dimensional 3-D small animal brain imaging obtained with the curved array system. The results are pre- sented as a series of 2-D cross-sectional images. Besides structural imaging, the blood oxygen saturation of the animal brain cortex is also measured in vivo. In addition, the system can measure the time- resolved relative changes in blood oxygen saturation level in the small animal brain cortex. Last, ultrasonic gel coupling, instead of the pre- viously adopted water coupling, is conveniently used in near-real-
A bio-assay for parathyroid hormone in mice.

A bio-assay for parathyroid hormone based on the prevention of fall of plasma calcium in thyroparathyrocauterized mice has been developed. The assay is similar to the Munson procedure in rats with the advantage that it is cheaper, simpler, and has an approximate 10- fold increase in sensitivity over the rat assay. The routine log dose response to standard injections of parathyroid hormone is linear from 0.5 to 20 U and an average lambda of 0.27 is obtained. It has been in routine use in our laboratory for over 2 yr for the measurement of biologic extracts and for the monitoring of column and chromatographic procedures. (Endocrinology 81: 67, 1967)
Output Legitimacy and the Global Financial Crisis: Perceptions Matter

The global economic crisis has sapped support for the euro and lowered trust in the European Central Bank (ECB). In doing so, it has also exposed a weakness in the ‘output-oriented legitimation’ of Europe’s economic and monetary union. The common monetary policy and single currency have to be perceived as working if they are to maintain popular acceptance. Whether they actually work is less important than this perception. This raises the prospect that no matter how successful the ECB is in responding to moments of crisis, public opinion may begin to reflect the perception that it has failed. Indeed, the greater the uncertainty experienced during the crisis, the more likely it is that such negative perceptions will predominate. Worse, there is very little that the ECB can do to change popular perceptions or to create new channels for input-oriented legitimation without jeopardizing the credibility of its commitment to price stability or its reputation for political independence.