cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cucumber fruit sucrose synthase isozymes

Two forms of sucrose synthase (SSI and SSII) were resolved from cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit pericarp and fruit peduncle tissue using DEAE-cell
Stability of Factor VIII in the Frozen State

A study has been made of factor VIII levels in plasma after storage at minus 30 C. Transfusion units of fresh frozen plasma (150 to 300 ml) and small aliquots (1 to 2 ml) were studied. After a mean storage time of 20 months, factor VIII in transfusion units averaged 73 per cent of normal. After 17 months' storage, no appreciable factor VIII loss had occurred in the small aliquots. Possible factors affecting factor VIII survival are discussed. It is concluded that under ideal conditions factor VIII in the frozen state can survive adequately for at least 20 months.
Vascular responsiveness of the in situ perfused dog pancreas.

Abstract The in situ perfused dog pancreas was utilized to investigate: (a) the contribution of humoral vasoactive agents which are released in shock to maintain the development of pancreatic hypoperfusion, (b) the effectiveness of glucocorticoids as splanchnic vasodilator agents as a possible mechanism of thier beneficial effect in shock, and (c) the pancreatic vascular response to the cardiac glycoside, ouabain. Close intra-arterial injection of norepinephrine, epinephrine, vasopressin and angiotensin in concentrations present in shock animals significantly increased pancreatic vascular resistance, whereas bradykinin, prostaglandins E 1 and E 2 exerted a vasodilator effect. The glucocorticoids, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone, were without net vascular effect in the perfused pancreas at concentrations comparable to those known to be protective in hemorrhagic shock. Ouabain produced a well maintained increase in pancreatic vascular resistance. It is concluded that the release of vasoactive agents may significantly influence the pancreatic vascular response to prolonged hemorrhage. Use of ouabain in the treatment of circulatory shock states could result in severe deleterious effects to the organism because of its prolonged vasoconstriction of the pancreatic vasculature. No evidence of a vasodilator action of glucocorticoids in the pancreatic vasculature was found, suggesting other mechanisms for the protective action of these agents in shock.
Effects of Apraclonidine on Aqueous Humor Dynamics in Human Eyes

Purpose: The mechanism by which apraclonidine, an α 2 -adrenergic agonist, lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) was evaluated in humans. Methods: In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 0.5% apraclonidine was given topically twice daily for 1 week to one eye in each of 21 ocular hypertensive volunteers. The other eye was treated similarly with vehicle. Before and after 1 week of treatment, aqueous flow, uveoscleral outflow, fluorophotometric outflow facility, intraocular pressure, tonographic outflow facility, episcleral venous pressure, and outflow pressure were either directly measured or mathematically calculated. Values were compared in treated versus contralateral control eyes and on baseline versus day 8 of treatment. Results: When compared with both contralateral control eyes and baseline day, fluorophotometric outflow facility in the apraclonidine-treated eyes increased by 0.09 to 0.10 μl/minute/mmHg ( P P P P P P P Conclusions: The apraclonidine-induced reduction in intraocular pressure was associated with an increase in fluorophotometric outflow facility, decrease in aqueous flow and decrease in episcleral venous pressure compared to baseline. The lack of a significant difference in aqueous flow and episcleral venous pressure between treated and contralateral control eyes may represent a contralateral drug effect.
Sediment and the environment

This symposium, held May 17–18 during the International Association of Hydrological Sciences Third Scientific Assembly, was organized and sponsored by the International Commission on Continental Erosion. The papers presented dealt with sediment problems and contaminants transport associated with both natural and disturbed environments. Topics discussed were divided into four general groups: sediment-associated transport of contaminants in nonpoint pollution; erosion control problems associated with mining, construction and waste disposal activities; time lag in sediment movement through drainage networks; and the modeling of runoff and sedimentation. Average attendance at each of the six sessions was about 50 persons. Of the 23 scheduled papers, 21 were presented by the authors; however, the two missing authors were replaced on the program by authors who had submitted abstracts but who did not complete their manuscripts in time for prepublication. Therefore 23 papers were presented and the program was complete. Participation by country was: Bolivia, 1; People's Republic of China, 2; Canada, 4; India, 2; Israel, 1; Netherlands, 2; United Kingdom, 1; and United States, 10.
Biochemical effects of salinity on oxygen isotope fractionation during cellulose synthesis.

Summary The current isotope tree ring model assumes that 42% of the sucrose oxygen exchanges with stem water during cellulose synthesis and that the oxygen isotope biochemical fractionation is c. 27‰. However, previous studies have indicated that this model can overestimate the cellulose oxygen isotope ratio of plants under salinity or water stress. Saline stress increases soluble carbohydrates and osmolytes, which can alter exchange and biochemical fractionation during cellulose synthesis. To test the effect of salinity as well as the synthesis of osmolytes on exchange and biochemical fractionation, we grew wild-type and a transgenic mannitol synthesizer Arabidopsis thaliana hydroponically with fresh and saline water. We then measured the oxygen isotope ratios of leaf water, stem water and stem cellulose to determine the effects on exchange and biochemical fractionation. Biochemical fractionation did not change, but oxygen isotope exchange was twice as high for plants grown in saline water relative to freshwater-treated plants (0.64 and 0.3, respectively). Mannitol (osmolyte) synthesis did not affect exchange or biochemical fractionation regardless of salinity. Increases in salinity increased oxygen isotope exchange during cellulose synthesis, which may explain the overestimation of cellulose δ18O values under saline conditions.
Drift modeling and monitoring comparisons

Abstract Ten drift deposition models are compared using a set of standard input conditions for a natural draft cooling tower. Most of the models agree within a factor of three. However when all ten models are compared, the predicted maximum drift deposition differs by two orders of magnitude, and the downwind locations of the maximum differ by one order of magnitude. The discrepancies are attributed mainly to different assumptions in the model regarding the initial effective height of the droplets. Current programs measuring drift characteristics at the tower mouth and drift deposition downwind of the tower are summarized. At the present time, drift deposition measurements, sufficiently comprehensive for model verifications, are unavailable. Hopefully, the Chalk Point Program will satisfy this need.
New generation intraoperative three-dimensional imaging (O-arm) in 100 spine surgeries: Does it change the surgical procedure?

The O-arm (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc., Memphis, TN, USA), an intraoperative CT scan imaging system, may provide high-quality imaging information to the surgeon. To our knowledge, its impact on spine surgery has not been studied. We reviewed 100 consecutive spine surgical procedures which utilized the new generation mobile intraoperative CT imaging system (O-arm). The most common diagnoses were degenerative conditions (disk disease, spondylolisthesis, stenosis and acquired kyphosis), seen in 49 patients. The most common indication for imaging was spinal instrumentation in 81 patients (74 utilized pedicle screws). In 52 (70%) of these, the O-arm was used to assess screw position after placement; in 22 (30%), it was coupled with Stealth navigation (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc.) to guide screw placement. Another indication was to assess adequacy of spinal decompression in 38 patients; in 19 (50%) of these, intrathecal contrast material was used to obtain an intraoperative CT myelogram. In 20 patients O-arm findings led to direct surgeon intervention in the form of screw removal/repositioning (n = 13), further decompression (n = 6), interbody spacer repositioning (n = 1), and removal of kyphoplasty trocar (n = 1). In 20% of spine surgeries, the procedure was changed based on O-arm imaging findings. We found the O-arm to be useful for assessment of instrumentation position, adequacy of spinal decompression, and confirmation of balloon containment and cement filling in kyphoplasty. When used with navigation for image-guided surgery, it obviated the need for registration. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Sequential effects of irradiation on the pulmonary surfactant system

Abstract This study examines the effect of irradiation on lung surfactant synthesis and secretion in mice. Animals were irradiated with 650, 1300, or 1950 rad and morphological and biochemical indices of surfactant system function were followed for 18 weeks. No changes were seen at 650 rad; the results at 1300 and 1950 rad were virtually identical. Increased amounts of alveolar surfactant phospholipid were measureable by 24 hours. This persisted for four weeks and returned to normal by 18 weeks. Tissue surfactant phospholipid was initially reduced, returned to normal by four weeks and was increased at 18 weeks. At 18 weeks there was increased incorporation of surfactant precursor and increased production of alveolar surfactant. These biochemical changes were reflected in morphologic alterations showing release of lamellar body contents into alveoli in the first week and an increase in Iamellar bodies in type 11 pneumocytes by 18 weeks. Elevated tissue protein levels and morphologic evidence of increased collagen formation were also found at 18 weeks. These findings indicate effects of irradiation on the pulmonary surfactant system and have important implications for the pathogenesis and potential therapy of radiation pneumonitis.
Hurricane Forecasting: The State of the Art

The purpose of this paper is to summarize forecasting practice, the performance of the forecasting enterprise, and the impacts of tropical cyclones from a meteorological perspective. In the past, a forecast was considered successful if it specified the position and intensity of the hurricane for times ranging from 24 through 72 hours after the initial time. By the 1990s, users came to expect a great deal of specific detail, including spatial distributions of rainfall, winds, flooding and high seas, for times as long as 120 hours into the future. Meteorologists have maintained reliable, homogenous statistics on forecast accuracy for more than a half-century. These “verification” statistics provide reliable metrics of meteorological performance. In terms of outcomes, late twentieth century forecasting prevents 90% of the hurricane-related mortality that would occur with techniques used in the 1950s, but it is difficult to demonstrate any effect on property damage. Also poorly known are the economic and human impacts of the response to forecasts and warnings. A final key concern is how to frame forecasts both to address users’ needs and to elicit optimum responses.
Small Molecules, Big Impact: A History of Chemical Inhibitors and the Cytoskeleton

Chemical inhibitors, whether natural products or synthetic, have had an enormous impact on the study of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. Here we review the history of some of the most widely used cytoskeletal poisons and their influence on our understanding of cytoskeletal functions. We then highlight several new inhibitors and the targeted screens used to identify them and discuss why this approach has been successful.
SECULARIZATION IN THE MIND OF MUSLIM REFORMISTS: A Case Study of Nurcholish Madjid and Fouad Zakaria

Nurcholish Madjid (Indonesia) and Fouad Zakaria (Egypt) represent the two most influential Muslim thinkers concerned with the issue of secularization. This article is a comparative analysis of their ideas, which have triggered intellectual debate on the term “secula­ri­za­tion” and its implications in the Muslim world over the last three decades. Positing the discourse on secularization and secularism as a means to confront the obscurantist Islamist tide, both scholars use it as a starting point to discuss im­portant issues in the context of their respective countries about the necessity to reform the current social, political, cultural, and intellectual stagnancy. They differ, however, in perceiving the extent of the discourse of secularism. Using the term “secularization” very carefully, Madjid makes clear that it should not be understood as leading to secularism in Indonesia. Unlike Madjid, Zakaria, inheriting the secularism debate from his predecessors, is more oriented toward rescuing secularism before it totally disappears in Egypt.
A method for the determination of heterogeneity of antibodies

Abstract The average number of univalent homogeneous hapten molecules bound per n-valent antibody molecule, ν ( H ) , is given by the expression ν ( H ) = ∫, 0 ∞ ( kH ) ( i + kH ) −1 n P(k)dk, where H is the concentration of free hapten, and P(k)dk is the probability that reaction between hapten and a particular antibody site will have equilibrium constant between k and k + dk. The integral equation is solved to give P(k) in terms of ν ( H ) ; no assumption about the form of the probability density function is required. Since ν ( H ) is experimentally measurable, the probability density function which describes the heterogeneity of antibodies can be computed directly from experimental data. Experimental considerations pertinent to the use of the solution are discussed. Binding measurements are required over a wide range of free hapten concentrations. The method of analysis should be useful not only for the study of hapten-antibody reactions but also, whenever the above relation is valid, for the analysis of heterogeneity of binding in other systems such as ion or dye binding by proteins or nucleic acids, hormone-protein binding, and binding of small molecules to cells.
Methods for inducing neuronal loss in preweanling rats using intracerebroventricular infusion of kainic acid.

Abstract Excitotoxins, such as kainic acid (KA), have been shown to produce neuronal degeneration in the adult rat brain. While preweanling rats have been shown to be relatively resistant to the neurotoxicity of lower doses of KA, the presence of neuronal loss at higher doses (of KA) has only begun to be investigated in such animals. A reliable method of producing neuronal loss in preweanling rats is to administer nmol concentrations of KA via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections on postnatal day 7 (P7). Using a three-dimensional, non-biased cell counting technique, we have shown that neuronal loss is observed in the CA3 subfield of the hippocampal formation at P45 and P75. Further, immunohistochemical studies of markers for cell death may be useful to examine the types of cellular processes associated with such neuronal loss. Data from our own experiments suggest the activation of immediate–early genes in the neuronal loss produced by KA administration at P7. This developmental animal model of neuronal loss may be useful in studying neurodevelopmental disorders where the onset of symptoms or cognitive deficits is thought to follow an early developmental insult.
BETTER PRICE FORECASTS WITH INTERNATIONAL BUFFER STOCKS? A BOX/JENKINS APPROACH FOR THE 1980 INTERNATIONAL COCOA AGREEMENT

Price stabilization in international commodity markets is a main element of the North‐South dialogue. Within the Integrated Programme on Commodities (IPC) of UNCTAD, it is intended to create buffer stocks for 10 core commodities: sugar, natural rubber, cocoa, coffee, tea, cotton, jute, hard fibres, copper, and tin. Several theoretical studies justify these plans by stressing the positive effects of a functioning buffer stock scheme on different economic goals. It is argued that price stabilization will, “potentially at least, improve aggregate welfare” (Turnovsky, 1978, p. 143) and that risk benefits in the case of risk‐averse producers “will be far more important” (Bigman, 1982, p. 1984; on the concept, see Newbery/Stiglitz, 1981, pp. 267 et seq.) than the transfer benefits, if income uncertainty is reduced by the stabilization policy. Other positive effects of buffer stocks are stressed with respect to food security (Bignan, 1982, pp. 129 et seq.) and, except for the case of supply‐induced fluctuations and a price elastic import demand, with respect to the stability of export earnings (Nguyen, 1980, pp. 343 et seq.). The export earnings stabilizing effect as well as a mostly earnings‐raising effect is confirmed for several core commodities by simulation analyses (Behrman/Ramangkura, 1978, p. 166) and by dynamic optimization (Lee/Blandford, 1980, p. 385). Moreover, stable export earnings of less developed countries (LDCs) are expected to induce higher growth rates of GNP than unstable ones (Lim, 1976, pp. 311 et seq.).
Antibody Detection of Marihuana

A reliable chemical means of assaying small quantities of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers in body fluids and cell preparations has long been sought. A possible immunological approach was suggested by work with oestrogen haptens. It was established earlier that diazobenzoic acid under appropriate conditions enters the A ring by virtue of the phenolic function of C-3, yielding oestrogen azobenzoic acid derivatives1, 2. These compounds are coupled readily through the benzoyl carboxyl to proteins and solid matrices containing accessible NH2 groups, retaining the important antigenic specificities contributed by the reactive −OH and = O groups as well as those associated with the ringed backbone1, 3. Other biologically important molecules which lend themselves to similar manipulation are the principal psychotomimetics. In our search for useful haptens and active antibodies to be used in a reliable model assay system, we have chosen to report the investigation of THC. Similar results have been achieved with the phenanthrene alkaloids (S. J. G., unpublished) preserving all the determinant functional groups * unlike the reagent for morphine assay recently reported4.
Reproducibility and treatment of exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract Fourteen patients with exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) underwent serial treadmill testing, and those with reproducible arrhythmia were treated with a β-adrenergic blocking agent. In 11 patients (79%), VT of similar rate, morphologic characteristics and duration was reproduced on 2 consecutive treadmill tests performed 1 to 14 days apart. Beta blockade prevented recurrent VT during acute testing in 10 of 11 patients and during chronic therapy in 9. Eight patients had a consistent relation between a critical sinus rate and the onset of VT. In these patients, successful therapy correlated with preventing achievement of the critical sinus rate during maximal exercise. Thus, serial exercise testing is an appropriate means of assessing efficacy of therapy in patients with exercise-induced VT, provided that reproducibility is established on 2 control tests before beginning treatment. Therapy with β-blocking agents is effective, especially when guided by the presence of a critical sinus rate-VT relation.
Locational Choices of the Ethanol Industry in the Midwest Corn Belt

The Corn Belt has experienced a rapid expansion of corn-based ethanol plants. This has provided researchers the opportunity to examine the relative importance to the renewable fuels industry of sev...
Efficiency and Stability of National Borders

This article reviews ideas and results from the politico-economic literature on the efficiency and stability of national borders. In particular, we discuss the relations between the determination of national borders and democratization, global economic integration, international and civil conflict, interregional redistribution, decentralization, and federalism.
Adolescent asthma self-management: patient and parent-caregiver perspectives on using social media to improve care.

BACKGROUND Self-management of asthma can now leverage new media technologies. To optimize implementation they must employ a consumer-oriented developmental approach. This study explored benefits of and barriers to improved asthma self-management and identified key elements for the development of a digital media tool to enhance asthma control. METHODS Between August 2010 and January 2011, 18 teens with asthma and 18 parent-caregivers participated in semistructured in-depth interviews to identify mechanisms for improving asthma self-management and propose characteristics for developing a digital media tool to aid such efforts. RESULTS Teens and caregivers enumerated physician-recommended strategies for asthma management as well as currently employed strategies. Both groups thought of a potential digital media solution as positive, but indicated specific design requirements for such a solution to have utility. Whereas most participants perceived mobile platforms to be viable modes to improve asthma self-management, interest in having social networking capabilities was mixed. CONCLUSIONS A digital media product capable of tracking conditions, triggers, and related asthma activities can be a core element of improved asthma control for youth. Improved asthma control will help decrease school absenteeism.
A potential role for insulin-like growth factor signaling in induction of pluripotent stem cell formation

Recent success in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) with a cluster of nuclear transcription factors, such as Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-myc, opens up a new era in regenerative medicine. However, reportedly poor efficiency and slow kinetics of the reprogramming process by viral transfection of the nuclear factors may create an obstacle that hampers clinical application of the iPS cell technology. Furthermore, the viral transfection may induce mutagenesis and raises the risk for cancer development. Hence, generation of iPS cells using a non-viral approach appears to be an important prerequisite for iPS cell-based regenerative medicine. Through its receptor/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) signaling pathway, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) plays a critical role in promotion of survival and proliferation in a diversity of cell types, including both embryonic and adult stem cells. In addition, IGF may enhance expression of reprogramming or surviving factors in reprogramming somatic cells. This review summarizes recent advances in IGF research and discusses the potential for IGF to act as a co-stimulatory factor for somatic cell reprogramming and iPS cell development. Currently available evidence from experimental animal and human studies highly suggests that IGF may contribute to reprogramming of somatic cells into iPS cell generation, and enhancement of iPS cell survival and growth, which will be instrumental in regenerative medicine.
Stability in a class of variational methods

Abstract The purpose of this work is to investigate the stability property of some models which are currently used in image processing. Following L. Rudin, S.J. Osher and E. Fatemi, we decompose an image f ∈ L 2 ( R 2 ) as a sum u + v where u belongs to BV ( R 2 ) and v belongs to L 2 ( R 2 ) . The Banach space BV is aimed at modeling the objects contained in the given image. the optimal decomposition minimizes the energy J ( u ) = ‖ u ‖ BV + λ ‖ f − u ‖ 2 2 . We denote Φ ( f ) = u ¯ this optimal solution. After recalling some properties of that optimal decomposition, we prove the stability of the mapping Φ. Moreover, we generalize the stability result to other models where the Banach space BV is replaced by other functional Banach spaces E.
A new concentrated emulsion polymerization pathway

To ensure the stability of the concentrated emulsions that are employed as precursors for polymerization, a two-step concentrated emulsion polymerization pathway is described. In the first step, the monomer is partially polymerized by heating at 50°C until a certain conversion is reached. Subsequently, the partially polymerized monomer is used as the dispersed phase to prepare a concentrated emulsion in which water constitutes the continuous phase. The concentrated emulsion has a large volume fraction of the dispersed phase (0.74–0.99) and the appearance of a gel. Several typical monomers are employed to correlate the stability of the concentrated emulsion and the extent of partial polymerization of the dispersed phase. It was found that monomers, which cannot lead to stable concentrated emulsions, can generate them after partial polymerization. Subsequent polymerization of the concentrated emulsion leads to latex particles. Copolymers and polymer composites were also prepared by the two-step procedure. In the latter case, water was replaced with a solution of a hydrophilic monomer in water as the continuous phase. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Scanning fiber angle-resolved low coherence interferometry

We present a fiber-optic probe for Fourier-domain angle-resolved low coherence interferometry for the determination of depth-resolved scatterer size. The probe employs a scanning single-mode fiber to collect the angular scattering distribution of the sample, which is analyzed using the Mie theory to obtain the average size of the scatterers. Depth sectioning is achieved with low coherence Mach-Zehnder interferometry. In the sample arm of the interferometer, a fixed fiber illuminates the sample through an imaging lens and a collection fiber samples the backscattered angular distribution by scanning across the Fourier plane image of the sample. We characterize the optical performance of the probe and demonstrate the ability to execute depth-resolved sizing with subwavelength accuracy by using a double-layer phantom containing two sizes of polystyrene microspheres.
Drug Dosing in the Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a common disorder that affects many patients with a prevalence approaching 19 million people in the United States. Kidney failure and renal impairment is a common occurrence in the geriatric population. Most types of kidney diseases are chronic conditions and frequently manifest at the late stages of life. Epidemiologic studies suggest that older patients are at a greater risk for renal failure if the kidney experiences insults from ischemia or exposure to pharmacologic and diagnostic nephrotoxins. Pharmacologic management of most common diseases in elderly individuals is a difficult task, particularly in older individuals with chronic kidney disease. Thus, primary care providers must proceed with caution when prescribing drugs for elderly patients with kidney disease.
Polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity of eggplant pulp

Abstract The influence of organic and conventional farming practices on the phenolic content in eggplant samples belonging to two cultivars, Blackbell (American eggplant) and Millionaire (Japanese eggplant) grown under similar environmental conditions was evaluated. Phytochemical investigation of the eggplant extracts showed that N -caffeoylputrescine, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, and 3-acetyl-5-caffeoylquinic acid made up the bulk of total eggplant phenolics. In addition, this is the first report on identification of trace quantities of three additional flavonols, namely, quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, and myricetin-3-galactoside in freeze-dried eggplant pulp. The phenolic content of the conventionally grown Blackbell variety was marginally higher or equal to those grown organically. However, the phenolic content of the Millionaire organic variety was much greater than the conventionally grown samples. Eggplant extract inhibition of cupric-ion mediated oxidation of low-density lipoproteins was highly correlated with the content of 5-caffeolquinic acid ( R 2 = 0.9124), the most abundant phenolic acid identified.
In Situ Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Carboxylate-Bearing, Siloxane-Anchored, Self-Assembled Monolayers: A Study of Carboxylate Reactivity and Acid-Base Properties

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the internal reflectance (attenuated total reflectance) mode (ATR-FTIR) has been applied to the study of carboxylate functionalized thin films. Both the monitoring of the self-assembly of an alkyl carboxylate-bearing siloxane-anchored monolayer and the use of pH difference spectra to directly assess (in situ) the acid-base properties of such a functionalized film have been achieved and are reported herein. This work has shown that the effective pK a , of carboxylic acid groups in such an assembly varies linearly with the coverage of the ionized carboxylate, with a limiting value of 5,4 as this coverage approaches zero. This acid-base behavior is in agreement with that reported for other carboxylic acid bearing surfaces, as determined by a variety of other techniques
NEW MODEL GEL SYSTEM FOR STUDYING WATER ACTIVITY OF FOODS

A new model gel system consisting of agar and microcrystalline cellulose has been developed. The moisture equilibrium and diffusion properties have been measured. The Deff for moisture is 10−9m2/s, similar to cereals, and the system shows marked hysteresis with both swelling and structure collapse. The model system can be used over the whole range of water activity for studies on packaging moisture transfer and kinetics of chemical changes in diverse food systems.
Extending photo-patternable low-κ concept to 193nm lithography and e-beam lithography

Increasing complexity and manufacturing costs, along with the fundamental limits of planar CMOS devices, threaten to slow down the historical pace of progress in the semiconductor industry. We have proposed and demonstrated proof-of-concept of a simple and low-cost way to fabricate dual-damascene copper (Cu) on-chip interconnect or Back-End-Of-the- Line (BEOL) structures using a novel multifunctional on-chip electrical insulator called a photo-patternable low dielectric constant (low-κ) dielectric (PPLK) material [Q. Lin, et al, Proc. SPIE, 2010]. This demonstration was accomplished with a silsesquioxane-based (SiCOH), κ=2.7 material which is compatible with 248 nm optical lithography. In this paper, we report on the extension of the photo-patternable low-κ concept to the ultra-low-κ (κ<2.5) regime and resolution down well below 100 nm with 193 nm lithography as well as e-beam lithography. We have accomplished this demonstration using the same silsesquioxane-based (SiCOH) material platform as that of the 248 nm photo-patternable low-κ materials. The 193 nm photo-patternable low-κ materials possess dielectric constants below 2.5 and are able to resolve 100 nm half-pith line/space features with dry 193 nm single exposure lithography. The resolution of photopatternable low-κ materials can be pushed down to 40 nm half-pith line and space features with a line-edge-roughness less than 3.0 nm with e-beam lithography.
An optimization approach to strategic sourcing: A case study of the United States Air Force

Abstract The DoD annually procures billions of dollars worth of systems, supplies, and services in support of the national military strategy. Faced with budget cuts and other resource constraints, the DoD must transform its procurement process to ensure cost-effective sourcing of critical supplies and services. One aspect of current transformation in the DoD is the use of a strategic sourcing approach for the procurement of services at military installations. Using the Air Force's strategic sourcing process as our context, we developed an optimization model for selecting a set of proposals from among multiple offerors for services to be performed at multiple installations. The selection achieves the most favorable objective by balancing the confidence level in an offeror's past performance with the cost of services to the Air Force. The research findings, which are based on a realistic scenario, demonstrate improvements over the current sourcing process in both overall performance and cost.
Ear differences in the recall of monaurally presented sentences.

Using a short-term memory paradigm, with an interpolated task, college students were required to recall monaurally presented sentences. Four types of sentences, representing a factorial combination of Surface Structure, either right-branching or self-embedded, and Semantic Constraint, either semantically normal or semantically anomalous, were used. Analysis of recall data indicated a right ear advantage (REA). This result clearly contradicts Kimura's (1967) “perceptual rivalry” hypothesis which assumes that auditory conflict as induced, for example, through dichotic stimulation, is necessary for producing a REA in verbal processing. It was concluded that short-term and attentional factors contributed to the presence of the REA. No interactions involving Ear and either Surface Structure and/or Semantic Constraint were obtained and, therefore, no conclusion could be drawn regarding the view (Kimura and Folb, 1968; Studdert-Kennedy and Shankweiler, 1970) that the lateralized speech encoding mechanisms operat...
Propagation of ultrashort light pulses in a laser medium

Abstract The set of coupled Maxwell-Schroedinger equations that govern the propagation of ultrashort pulses through a nonlinear laser medium are solved analytically in the steady-state regime. The periodic energy exchange, between the intense passing electromagnetic field and the stationary aggregate of two-level atoms, leads to doubly periodic jacobian elliptic-function solutions. Their modulus k is a function of the characteristic time length of the system τ and the pulse amplitude ξo. The physical properties of these steady-state solutions are considered. It is shown that there are in essence only four periodic pulse-train solutions sdu, ndu, and dn, where u is the retarded time t - z/v referred to the characteristic time τ. τ and the period of the pulse train T are controlled by the steady population-inversion density ηo, which is established by external means. Two of these solutions expand with intensified optical pumping while the other two contract under the same conditions.
Semi-iterative methods on distributed memory multiprocessor architectures

In the parallel ELLPACK (//ELLPACK) project we are developing a library of parallel interative methods for distributed memory multiprocessor systems and software tools for partitioning and allocation of the underlying computations. In this paper we discuss the implementation issues within the //ELLPACK environment and present preliminary performance results of some of the modules on three hypercube based architectures: NCUBE, iPSC/1 and iPSC/2. These results indicate that the iterative methods are capable of delivering close to optimal scaled speed-ups while the combination of concurrent/vector processing can lead to sizable improvements of the overall performance. These experiments have shown that distributed memory systems are capable of solving significantly large problems effectively.
Boundary processes between a desert sand dune community and an encroaching suburban landscape

In contrast to the body of work in more mesic habitats, few studies have examined boundary processes between natural and anthropogenic desert landscapes. Our research examined processes occurring at boundaries between a desert sand dune community and an encroaching suburban habitat. We measured responses to an anthropogenic boundary by species from multiple trophic levels, and incorporated measures of habitat suitability, and temporal variation, at multiple spatial scales. At an edge versus core habitat scale the only aeolian sand species that demonstrated an unambiguous negative response to the anthropogenic habitat edges was the flat-tailed homed lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii). Conversely loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) demonstrated a positive response to that edge. At a finer scale, species that exhibited a response to a habitat edge within the first 250 m included the horned lizards along with desert kangaroo rats (Dipodomys deserti). The latter species' response was confined to 25 In from the edge. For the flat-tailed horned lizard, edge effects were measured up to 150 m from the habitat boundary. Three potential causal hypotheses were explored to explain the edge effect on horned lizards: (1) invasions of exotic ant species reducing potential prey for the lizards; (2) road avoidance and road associated mortalities; and (3) predation from a suite of avian predators whose occurrence and abundance may be augmented by resources available in the suburban habitat. We rejected the exotic ant hypothesis due to the absence of exotic ants within the boundary region, and because native ant species (prey for horned lizards) did not show an edge effect. Our data supported the predation and road mortality hypotheses. Mechanisms for regulating population dynamics of desert species are often bottom-up, stochastic processes driven by precipitation. The juxtaposition of an anthropogenic edge appears to have created a shift to a top-down, predator-mediated dynamic for these lizards. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MMC04-5: A Peer-to-Peer Tree Based Reliable Multicast Protocol

Reliable multicast is critical to multicast based applications as it provides reliability over the unreliable network. Although the primary function of reliable multicast is loss recovery and flow control which are similar to that of reliable unicast, the inherent property of multicast that multiple receivers coexist in one multicast session imposes new challenges such as acknowledge implosion and poor scalability. Among existing reliable multicast protocols, tree based reliable multicast protocols can achieve the reliability in a scalable fashion. They group the receivers into a hierarchy called the ACK tree and the ACK/NACK messages and retransmitted packets are transmitted between adjacent levels. Since current tree based reliable multicast protocols construct the ACK tree based on the multicast tree which is constructed by the multicast routing protocol, the protocol performance greatly depends on the multicast tree. In this paper, we propose a peer-to-peer (P2P) tree based reliable multicast protocol which constructs the ACK tree in a flexible way as the multicast tree is constructed in a P2P system. In our protocol, any two receivers can be adjacent nodes in the ACK tree. The ACK tree construction process is based on a heuristic function which is designed to minimize the retransmission delay. The child node sends ACK/NACK to the parent node and receives retransmitted packets from the parent node. Our protocol uses window based flow control. The window in the parent node will not advance unless the parent node receives all the ACKs from its child nodes. We conducted extensive simulations to evaluate the protocol. The simulation results show that our protocol achieves good scalability with low retransmission delay and high throughput.
Experimental study of market reputation mechanisms

We experimentally compare low-information, high-information and self-reporting reputation mechanisms. The results indicate players strategically reacted to the reputation mechanisms, with higher information mechanisms increasing market efficiency.
THE ENDOSPERM OF ZEA AND COIX

The endosperm of the cereal grasses has been the subject of numerous investigations directed from many different points of view, but certain phases of its development, involving the differentiation of its tissues, the accumulation of food material, and the relations between the endosperm and the embryo, have not been thoroughly studied. The application of the principle of the alternation of generations to the higher plants during the latter part of the past century gave to the endosperm a new morphological meaning, which was modified and made more interesting by the discovery of "double fecundation" and by the studies on xenia at the very close of the century. In most studies of development, however, the embryo has been the structure emphasized, and the chief interest in the endosperm has been its r6le as a nurse tissue for the embryo. From the work that has been done on various grasses it is evident that there is considerable uniformity in the development of the endosperm. The polar nuclei remain in contact with each other, without fusing, until the time of fecundation. The union of a sperm with them has been observed in Zea (9, I2, I7) and in Triticum (ii), and all circumstantial evidences indicate that double fecundation regularly occurs in other species. After fecundation there is a period of rapid division of free nuclei, with a migration of nuclei toward the antipodal end of the endosperm cell (Randolph, I3). These nuclei are located in a thin wall layer of cytoplasm, and the center of the cell is a large vacuole (P1. XXVIII, fig. I3). The formation of cell walls apparently begins in the peripheral region, for a stage of development is soon to be seen in which the endosperm is a hollow mass of tissue surrounding a central cavity (text figs. I, 2). The steps of development preceding this stage have not been investigated in detail, but it is reasonable to assume that they are similar to those of corresponding stages in the development of the endosperm of typical angiosperms. It would probably be better to regard this hollow endosperm as a cellular mass having a large, multinucleate cell in the middle. This cavity is soon eliminated by further nuclear division and wall formation (text fig. 3 and P1. XXVIII, fig. I4). Of the course of development of the endosperm from this time onward we have only fragmentary information drawn from studies of different grasses. These studies long ago indicated considerable differentiation in the mature endosperm of the cereals. Publication 46 of the Waterman Institute, Indiana University. 37I
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: Patterns of occurrence in insects

Abstract Most published analyses of the fatty acid compositions of insect tissue do not record long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids beyond C18:3. When this is set against recent discoveries of important nutritional and prostaglandinogenic roles for arachidonic and other long-chain polyunsaturates in several insects of diverse taxa, the issue of a possible general occurrence of such material in insects assumes compelling interest. We used gas chromatographic methods to investigate the presence of fatty acids of more than 18 carbon atoms in lipid extracts from whole-animal and specific tissue preparations, and in particular fractions of lipid extracts. Results indicate that such compounds generally occur as a low proportion of the total fatty acids in whole-animal extracts and in neutral acyl fractions. Larger numbers and higher proportions of long-chain fatty acids were detected in extracts of certain tissues and in the phospholipid fractions of whole animal extracts than were found in the unfractionated whole-animal extracts. These findings show that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are a regular component of the tissues of the insects examined and, in the light of their known nutritional, prostaglandinogenic and presumed structural roles are of considerable biological significance.
The role of Loop F in the activation of the GABA receptor

Functional studies of the ligand gated ion channel family (nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin Type 3, glycine and GABA receptors) along with the crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP) and molecular dynamics simulations of the nAChR structure have resulted in a structural model in which the agonist-binding pocket comprises six loops (A–F) contributed by adjacent subunits. It is presumed that the binding of agonist results in a local structural rearrangement that is then transduced to the gate, causing the pore to open. Efforts are underway to better define the specific roles of the six binding loops. Several studies have suggested Loop F may play a direct role in linking the structural rearrangement within the binding pocket to the gate, although other investigations have indicated Loop F may be crucial for locking the agonist molecule into the binding site. This review will focus on the controversy surrounding the role of Loop F during GABA receptor activation.
Global assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility among Gram-negative organisms collected from pediatric patients between 2004 and 2012: Results from the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial

The Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial (TEST) was designed to monitor susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents among important pathogens. We report here on susceptibility among Gram-negative pathogens collected globally from pediatric patients between 2004 and 2012. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using guidelines published by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Most Enterobacteriaceae showed high rates of susceptibility (>95%) to amikacin, tigecycline, and the carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem); 90.8% of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were susceptible to minocycline, and susceptibility rates were highest in North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific Rim. Amikacin was the most active agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (90.4% susceptibility), with susceptibility rates being highest in North America. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) were reported for 11.0% of Escherichia coli isolates and 24.2% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates globally, with rates reaching as high as 25.7% in the Middle East and >43% in Africa and Latin America, respectively. Statistically significant (P < 0.01) differences in susceptibility rates were noted between pediatric age groups (1 to 5 years, 6 to 12 years, or 13 to 17 years of age), globally and in some regions, for all pathogens except Haemophilus influenzae. Significant (P < 0.01) differences were reported for all pathogens globally and in most regions, considerably more frequently, when pediatric and adult susceptibility results were compared. Amikacin, tigecycline, and the carbapenems were active in vitro against most Gram-negative pathogens collected from pediatric patients; A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were susceptible to fewer antimicrobial agents. Susceptibility rates among isolates from pediatric patients were frequently different from those among isolates collected from adults.
Transport of warm Upper Circumpolar Deep Water onto the western Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf

Abstract. Five thermistor moorings were placed on the continental shelf of the western Antarctic Peninsula (between 2007 and 2010) in an effort to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for delivering warm Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW) onto the broad continental shelf from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) flowing over the adjacent continental slope. Historically, four mechanisms have been suggested: (1) eddies shed from the ACC, (2) flow into the cross-shelf-cutting canyons with overflow onto the nominal shelf, (3) general upwelling, and (4) episodic advective diversions of the ACC onto the shelf. The mooring array showed that for the years of deployment, the dominant mechanism is eddies; upwelling may also contribute but to an unknown extent. Mechanism 2 played no role, though the canyons have been shown previously to channel UCDW across the shelf into Marguerite Bay. Mechanism 4 played no role independently, though eddies may be advected within a greater intrusion of the background flow.
Making selective 'cone-ections'

Defining the connections between the cells of the mammalian retina remains a major challenge. A new study shows how two types of cone photoreceptors selectively connect with the multiple types of postsynaptic bipolar cell.