cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships between digital signal processing and control and estimation theory

The purpose of this paper is to explore several current research directions in the fields of digital signal processing and modern control and estimation theory. We examine topics such as stability theory, linear prediction, and parameter identification, system synthesis and implementation, two-dimensional filtering, decentralized control and estimation, and image processing, in order to uncover some of the basic similarities and differences in the goals, techniques, and philosophy of the two disciplines.
Utilization and outcomes of unprotected left main coronary artery stenting and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background Limited contemporary information is available on outcomes for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease who are revascularized. Methods We examined the relative frequency, severity of illness, and outcomes of stenting and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for treating unprotected LMCA disease in New York between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004. A total of 16,336 (98.7%) patients who underwent CABG surgery and 212 (1.3%) who underwent stenting were included in this study. Results Stent patients had higher preprocedural severity of illness (eg, they were older, more likely to be female, and had more comorbidities). A total of 135 stent patients were matched to 135 CABG patients on baseline characteristics identified by a propensity model as predictors of type of procedure received. At the end of follow-up on December 31, 2004, the respective 2-year survival rates were 94.1% and 82.0% (hazard ratio=0.32, p = 0.005) for the 135 pairs of matched CABG and stent patients. The respective 2-year rates for freedom from subsequent revascularization were 93.7% and 62.7% (hazard ratio=0.15, p p = 0.69) and repeat revascularization (hazard ratio=0.10, p = 0.03) were observed among the 56 pairs of matched CABG and drug-eluting stent patients. Conclusions Most patients with LMCA disease who needed coronary revascularization received CABG surgery; stent patients were sicker. This study found that surgery patients experienced lower risk of long-term death and repeat revascularization. However, more studies comparing these procedures are needed, especially in the drug-eluting stent era.
Integration of Family and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating Sexually Abused Children

This paper demonstrates the application and integration of family systems therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of symptomatic children with histories of sexual abuse. This is achieved via the case of Ryan, a 12-year-old boy who had been sexually abused by two family members and who was experiencing affective/anxiety symptoms and acting-out behavior problems. While this paper provides a theoretical rationale and comprehensive treatment plan, additional details of specific treatment interventions, from both treatment modalities, are delineated. From the family systems perspective, an emphasis is placed upon the discussion of realignment of family structure and changing familial communication patterns (including messages about safety, protection, and validation of children's experiences). From the cognitive behavioral paradigm, exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring are accentuated. Finally, the importance of the integration of both modalities without violating the theoretical assumptions of either is highlighted.
Instructible agents: software that just keeps getting better

Agent software is a topic of growing interest to users and developers in the computer industry. Already, agents and wizards help users automate tasks such as editing and searching for information. But just as we expect human assistants to learn as we work with them, we will also come to expect our computer agents to learn from us. This paper explores the idea of an instructible agent that can learn both from examples and from advice. To understand design issues and languages for human-agent communication, we first describe an experiment that simulates the behavior of such an agent. Then we describe some implemented and ongoing instructible agent projects in text and graphic editing, World Wide Web browsing, and virtual reality. Finally, we analyze the trade-offs involved in agent software and argue that instructible agents represent a "sweet spot" in the trade-off between convenience and control.
Status and capabilities of the National Full Scale Facility 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel modification

The background, requirements, and aerodynamic design of the modified NASA Ames 40 x 80 ft wind tunnel are reviewed, along with the systems integration and systems test results. Advancing vehicle sizes and airspeeds required a larger wind tunnel test section and a capability for 100 and 300 knots airspeed simulation. Acoustic mufflers at the inlet and exit of the nonreturn circuit provide noise suppression. The enlarged test section is intended to accomodate the complex flowfields of wings with high lift coefficients, and the drive system is designed with minimum residual swirl. Features of the fan blades are examined, along with characteristics of the test channels, control vanes and louvers, the exit, circuit losses, temperature rises during operation of the nonreturn circuit, and the facility acoustics. Specific construction problems and solutions for the conversion process are outlined, and it is noted that operational status is expected at the end of 1982.
Interfacial sliding near a free surface in a fibrous or layered composite during thermal cycling

This paper presents a simple shear lag model of interfacial sliding at a free surface in a layered or continuous fiber composite. The interface is characterized by a critical interfacial shear stress, tau0, which might represent the critical stress for frictional sliding at a weakly bonded interface, or the shear flow stress of a thin ductile interface layer at a well bonded interface. The history, during heating and cooling, of the relative normal displacement of the reinforcing inclusions and the matrix on a free surface cut normal to the inclusions is calculated and shown to depend on both the absolute value and the temperature dependence of tau0, as well as on the magnitudes of the bulk residual stresses. The variety of possible displacement histories suggests that they are a rich source of information about tau0 and the residual stresses.
Detergent-catalyzed autoxidation of hemoglobin — species differences and implications for methemoglobin analyses

Some mammalian hemoglobins, e.g., dog, cat and to lesser extents mouse and rat, exhibit a greatly increased rate of autoxidation in solutions containing low concentrations of a nonionic detergent. Human, rabbit and hamster hemoglobins were more stable toward detergent. Human hemoglobin was the most stable under these conditions, but even so its rate of autoxidation was at least five times faster with detergent than with saponin where the hemoglobins of all species appeared to be equally stable. Among the more unstable hemoglobins the rate of autoxidation in the presence of detergent was so rapid that it compromised the accuracy of methemoglobin analyses. The results of tests for detergent-induced heme loss suggested that the detergent did not significantly increase the thermolability of any of the hemoglobins tested.
Community-level enhancements of biodiversity and ecosystem services

A common management technique for preserving and maintaining biodiversity is the establishment of large refuges and preserves. Although extensive sanctuaries can provide crucial protection for many organisms and ecosystems, they cannot fulfill all the needs of regional conservation. An alternative to a few large refuges is to create many different habitats across the landscape that enhance and improve local and regional biodiversity and provide immediate benefits to nearby communities in the form of ecosystem services. Furthermore, these can all be initiated and achieved by individuals or communities. Some key landscape enhancements can be undertaken on a local level: the creation or expansion of small wooded areas, windbreaks, or hedgerows; the construction of small wetlands; and the release of some lands from heavy pressure for the reestablishment of natural ecological processes, namely, the natural accumulation of woody and other organic materials. Newly created ecosystems can be inoculated at the outset with soil biota such as seed banks, microbes, fungi, and organic material that can accelerate ecological functioning and balance. In addition to increasing much local and regional biodiversity, locally enhanced areas can provide fuel, plant and animal food and medicinal products, and agroforestry products directly to the nearby community. These small ecological oases can serve as nesting and overwintering sites for numerous pollinators that are hugely beneficial to agricultural production. Moreover, several ecosystem enhancements may contribute positively to local and regional hydrologic cycles and prevent prolonged droughts. Enhancements to local landscapes can take on many forms. We believe that any changes that increase structural complexity in natural systems almost certainly lead to increases in local biological complexity. In addition, wider landscape level considerations, such as corridors and connectivity of populations, can be integrated on a broader scale to improve regional biodiversity and ecosystem services. Small landscape enhancements undoubtedly cannot provide for all conservation needs, but they can greatly increase widespread biodiversity, restore local ecosystem services, and can be used to complement the relatively few larger parks.
Guilt and shame in therapeutic relationships

Abstract The ethical underpinnings of patient education require health care professionals to deal with patients' feelings of guilt and shame since both can negatively affect patients' adjustment to illness and adherence to medical regimens. These feelings, whether realistic or not, can play a role in the therapeutic relationship from the moment the first examination begins. This paper identifies sources of shame and guilt and suggests strategies for patient educators to minimize their effects.
Physisorption of deuterium on deuterated nickel clusters

The physisorption of deuterium molecules on small nickel clusters having chemisorbed deuterium atoms is identified. The principal evidence for physisorption is the appearance at reaction temperatures below 200 K of product species having more deuterium bound to them than the chemisorption maximum, and a lowering of cluster ionization potentials (IPs) for these species. It is argued that the IP lowering is a consequence of molecular physisorption, and that identification of the number of physisorption sites on cluster surfaces can be used to infer structural information.
Gender Differences in Economic Knowledge: A Reevaluation of the Evidence

This study examines the importance and significance of male-female differences in understanding and learning economics and attempts to assess whether the use of multiple choice questions, rather than essay questions, contributes to these measured differences. Do multiple choice questions favor men with their possibly superior spatial and numerical skills? Do essay questions favor women with their possibly superior verbal skills? Evidence based on a study involving 589 students using an examination including both types of questions is analyzed in this article.
Integrated endoscopic/photodetector evaluation of velopharyngeal function.

Abstract A new integrated videoendoscopic/photodetection system, including an endoscope with an internal instrument channel used for photodetection, was applied to the evaluation of velopharyngeal closure in a subject with marginal velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and in a subject with no speech disorder. Acoustic and aerodynamic speech assessments were used to establish the severity of velopharyngeal impairment in the marginal VPI patient. A light-out condition was used to establish the photodetector criterion for closure. The new system was effective for providing detailed phonetic assessment of velopharyngeal closure. Variations in degree of closure during select oral and nasal consonant productions were identified in the VPI subject but not in the normal speaking subject. The data show that important details of velopharyngeal insufficiency can be identified using the integrated endoscopic/photodetection system.
Cytological effects of salt-stress and localization of transport adenosine triphosphatase in the lateral nasal glands of the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis.

Each of the bilateral nasal glands of Dipsosaurus is surrounded by a thin cartilagenous capsule. A short excretory duct leads to the vestibule of the nasal cavity. This duct connects with the branched principal secretory tubules that end in small terminal segments. Tall columnar cells line the principal secretory tubules, but mucous and tuft cells form the terminal elements. In salt-stressed animals the spaces between dark and light principal secretory cells are dilated. Potassium-dependent, ouabain sensitive, adenosine triphosphatase (Ernst, '72a) was localized within the lateral plications of the principal secretory cells and in the apical microvilli of the tuft cells. These observations are consistent with current concepts of ion transport in salt-secreting epithelia, and they suggest that the tuft cells, not found in avian salt glands, play a role in the unusual physiology (Templeton, '66) of the nasal glands in this reptile.
Baseline K channels as targets of general anesthetics: studies of the action of volatile anesthetics on TOK1

Abstract A large body of evidence has accumulated in recent years pointing towards the GABA A receptor as a primary determinant of volatile anesthetic action ( Franks and Lieb, 1994 ). Nevertheless, our understanding of the function of the central nervous system (CNS) remains sufficiently incomplete that other mechanisms of CNS depression remain to be examined. We have studied a new family of potassium (K + ) channels which function as regulators of the baseline excitability of neuronal tissue. As such they must be considered potential targets for volatile anesthetic action and as a possible mechanism by which volatile anesthetics act to allow patients to undergo noxious surgical stimulation.
Numerical end-to-end model of the earth radiation budget experiment (ERBE): earth-viewing nonscanning radiometric channels

ABSTRACT The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment consists ofan array ofradiometric instniments placed in Earth orbit by the National Aeronauticsand Space Administration to monitor the longwave and shortwave components ofthe Earth's radiative budget. Presented is a high-leveldyn amic electrothermal model ofthe nonscanrnng Earth-viewing active cavity radiometers used to measure the Earth's total radiativeexitance. High accuracy is obtained by integrating an optical and thermal radiative model with both a transient conduction model ofthe Suprasil® filter dome and a dynamic electrothermal model of the active cavity. The instrument optical and thermal radiativeperfonnance is characterized by a Monte-Carlo ray-trace representation. Thermal diffusion in the Suprasil® filter dome is modeled bya three-dimensional transient finite difference analysis. Dynamic electrothermal behavior ofthe active cavity is described by a two-dimensional transient finite element model. The paper emphasizes the capabilities ofthe current models, including the ability to performsimulated calibration runs and to simulate the so-called solar blip" phenomenon.1. INTRODUCTION
Calculation of surface energies for low index planes of diamond

Abstract Surface energies were estimated for diamond (100), (110) and (111) planes in (1 × 1) patterns, using a molecular dynamics technique. For comparison calculations were carried out considering two different recently developed model functions for carbon. Both functions produced comparable results and for completely equilibrated systems calculated surface energy values were found to decrease going from (100) → (110) → (111), as anticipated. In all cases, a multilayer relaxation was found to be taking place during the equilibration procedure. Results indicate that for all three index planes, the top interlayer spacings contract while the second interlayer spacings exhibit an expansion. Percentage-wise the largest multilayer relaxation was found for the (111) surface.
Protein secondary structure prediction using support vector machine with advanced encoding schemes

Over the decades, many studies have been done for the prediction of the protein structure. Since the protein secondary structure is closely related to the protein tertiary structure, many approaches begin with the prediction of secondary structure and apply the results to predict the tertiary structure. The recent trend of secondary structure prediction studies is mostly based on the neural network or the support vector machine (SVM). In this study, SVM is used as a machine learning tool for the prediction of secondary structure and several new encoding schemes, including orthogonal matrix, hydrophobicity matrix, BLOSUM62 substitution matrix and combined matrix of these, are developed and optimized to improve the prediction accuracy. Based on the best encoding scheme, each protein sequence is expressed as consecutive sliding windows and each amino acid inside a window is represented with 20 different matrix values. Once the optimal window length for six SVM binary classifiers is chosen to be 13 through many experiments, the new encoding scheme is tested based on this optimal window size with the 7-fold cross validation tests. The results show 2% increase in the accuracy of the binary classifiers when compared with the instances in which the classical orthogonal matrix is used. For the training and testing of the SVM binary classifiers, RS126 data sets is used since this is the common set adopted by the previous research groups. Finally, to combine the results of the six SVM binary classifiers, several existing tertiary classifiers are applied and the efficiency of each tertiary classifier is compared.
Peripheral and central inhibitors of catechol-O-methyl transferase: effects on liver and brain COMT activity and L-DOPA metabolism

Inhibitors of the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) may be useful adjuncts to L-DOPA in the treatment of Parkinson's disease as they offer the possibility of increasing the availability of the amino acid. It is unknown whether a COMT inhibitor which penetrates the blood-brain barrier is preferable to one restricted to extra-cerebral inhibition. We measured liver and brain COMT activity two hours following administration of two COMT inhibitors: entacapone (ENT), mainly peripherally acting, and dinitrocatechol (DNC), peripheral and central acting. As expected, the full spectrum inhibitor DNC (30 mg/kg) induced a near total inhibition of liver and brain COMT activity. Unexpectedly, however, ENT, at 30 mg/kg, produced the same degree of liverand brain COMT inhibition as DNC; using 10 mg/kg, ENT still inhibited both liver and brain COMT activity by 80%. Only at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg did ENT achieve a differential inhibition of liver (80% inhibition) versus brain (10–30% inhibition) COMT activity. In a second series of experiments, we administered ENT (2.5,10, and 30 mg/kg) and DNC (30 mg/kg) to rats and monitored extracellular striatal dopamine and dopamine metabolite levels with cerebral microdialysis both under basal conditions and following L-DOPA/carbidopa administration. No compound modified basal striatal levels of dopamine. ENT at 30 mg/kg (but not 2.5 or 10 mg), as well as DNC, decreased striatal levels of the methylated dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA). When L-DOPA/carbidopa was administered, dopamine formation was greatest and HVA formation least in animals pretreated with DNC and 30 mg/kg ENT (but not 2.5 or 10 mg/kg ENT). The finding that ENT at doses relatively specific for peripheral enzyme inhibition did not promote dopamine or inhibit HVA formation is most likely due to the 20% residual liver COMT activity present when the inhibitor was used at less than full doses. Our data indicate that DNC and ENT both inhibit striatal HVA formation and increase dopamine formation from exogenously administered L-DOPA. The dopamine promoting effect of ENT is only present, however, at doses which inhibit central as well as peripheral COMT activity.
CCD detector development projects by the Beamline Technical Support Group at the Advanced Photon Source

This paper will describe two ongoing detector projects being developed by the Beamline Technical Support Group at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The first project is the design and construction of two detectors: a single-CCD system and a two-by-two Mosaic CCD camera for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). Both of these systems utilize the Kodak KAF-4320E CCD coupled to fiber optic tapers, custom mechanical hardware, electronics, and software developed at ANL. The second project is a Fast-CCD (FCCD) detector being developed in a collaboration between ANL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). This detector will use ANL-designed readout electronics and a custom LBNL-designed CCD, with 480 x 480 pixels and 96 outputs, giving very fast readout.
Comparison of the sensitivity of lateral neck radiographs and computed tomography scanning in pediatric deep-neck infections

Objective: To compare the sensitivity of lateral neck films and computed tomography (CT) scanning with contrast in evaluating children with a high index of suspicion for a deep-neck infection, either retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal, or combined based in clinical presentation. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of children presenting to the Children's Hospital of Buffalo, New York, with the diagnosis of a deep-neck infection between January 1991 and November 1997 was conducted. In total, 57 children were included in the study, ranging in age from 12 to 119 months (1-10 y). Methods: Charts were reviewed for presenting signs, symptoms, and laboratory values and included only those children with the presence of fever, limited neck range of motion, a lateral neck mass, dysphagia, and a leukocyte count greater than 15,000 cells/mm 3 . Results of lateral neck radiographs and CT scanning with contrast were evaluated and compared when available. Results: Lateral neck radiographs were found to have a sensitivity of 83% for determining the presence of a pediatric deep-neck infection, whereas CT scanning with contrast had a sensitivity of 100%. Conclusion: Lateral neck radiographs were found to offer no benefit in the workup of children strongly suspected of having a deep-neck infection based on clinical presentation. Despite the higher cost, CT scanning with contrast is the recommended radiologic test in such cases. This single study allows the determination of size, type, and location of the infectious process and is invaluable in treatment planning for pediatric patients with infection in deep-neck spaces.
Far-Infrared Acousto-Optical Response Of Bubbly Liquids

We consider acousto-optical Bragg scattering from inhomogeneous material composites of bubbles, shells, or voids generated within liquids. Because such media are compressible, their diffractive acoustic grating efficiencies can be improved in comparison to those of more common homogeneous far-infrared transmitting materials. Fundamental acoustic properties of mixtures containing bubbles, shells, and voids are analyzed by extending previous theories to these experimentally realizable configurations. The dispersive character of acoustic propagation in such multicomponen.t media is examined and is shown to lead to observable consequences in experiments such as far-infrared frequency mixing. For infra-red applications it is useful to form bubbles in nonabsorbing host media, such as nonpolar liquids. From this point of view, metastable nitrogen bubbles, having diameters of order 5-35 have been introduced into a flowing fluid consisting of several percent of low vapor-pressure silicone oil in 1, 1, 2-trichloro-1, 2, 2-trifluorethane. Our technique has produced mixtures having 10-20 volume percent bubbles.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Trabeculostomy for the Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma

Abstract During the past 24 months, 23 cases of advanced neovascular glaucoma, unresponsive to medical therapy, have been treated by a trabeculostomy procedure using a carbon dioxide laser. This procedure entails surgical entry into the anterior chamber from beneath either a conjunctival or scleral flap in such a way as to completely cauterize any neovascular tissue in the corneoscleral angle and to permit adequate drainage of the aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber to the periocular space. The average intraocular pressure prior to carbon dioxide laser trabeculostomy was 54 mmHg and these pressures were lowered below 18 mmHg in over 70% of the cases followed for longer than six months postlaser therapy. Treatment was considered a failure in 16% of the cases where the intraocular pressure was not lowered substantially. Fourteen percent of the treated eyes sustained a pressure decrease to within the 26–35 mmHg range. Carbon dioxide laser trabeculostomy provides a new method of lowering the intraocular pressure in severe cases of neovascular glaucoma without the hazard of intraocular hemorrhage common with other filtration procedures or the ciliary destruction present with the cyclocautery operations. The indications, surgical technique, and complications will be discussed.
Laser fluorescence spectroscopy from human spermatozoa

The native fluorescence spectra, intensity dependence on sperm density, relaxation decay time, and polarization were investigated on spermatozoa and their components (sperm heads and sperm tails) under laser excitation.
Tricuspid regurgitation with postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Severe tricuspid regurgitation became apparent in 2 patients who had acute inferior myocardial infarction after repair of a ventricular septal defect. Subsequent tricuspid valve insertion was performed successfully in 1 patient. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
Antenna synthesis and optimization using weighted Inagaki modes

Inagaki modes represent a new modal formalism for problems of radiation and scattering from arbitrary discrete and continuous structures. These modes can be generalized to be orthogonal over any sector of the sphere at infinity, as well as the source region itself. Theory and application of these modes to problems of pattern synthesis and array optimization, including constraints, are presented. Examples are given for a line source, an array of printed dipoles, and a dipole array in free space.
Spatial and temporal patterns of changes in protected areas across the Southwestern United States

Protected areas are the core units for preserving habitats and ecological processes. Yet in most regions of the world their geographic, categorical, and institutional evolution remains poorly understood. Here, we report on changes in protected areas in the Southwestern US from 1890 to 2005. Our analysis used the dates of protection of individual parcels in the region to analyze changes by: (a) designating authority (e.g., congressional, administrative), (b) managing agency, (c) protected area types (e.g., wilderness), (d) elevation, (e) ecoregion, and (f) land cover class. In the 1990s, protected area additions tripled compared with the previous decade. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed the most protected area after 1990, surpassing that of the US Forest Service. Prior to 1990, most protected areas were found at high elevations, but more recent additions occurred at lower elevations. Land cover types represented in protected areas changed significantly over the last century, with protected areas in forest and woodland systems added prior to 1930 and shrubland, steppe, and savanna systems added after 1980. Additions by BLM occurred mostly by administrative designation. These areas are not permanently protected and so do not provide the level of protection afforded other additions. However these additions are critical for conservation of biodiversity across the region because they occur at elevations and in ecoregions and land cover types that are minimally protected otherwise. Our analysis yielded new insights about permanency, level of protection, and spatial distribution of protected areas, characteristics critical for biodiversity conservation.
The Future of ‘Gender and Organizations’: Connections and Boundaries

‘Gender and organizations’, a fruitful connection between two previously separate areas of study, has had a relatively short but bountiful history. Much of the research and theorizing within the general rubric of ‘gender and organizations’ has required the breaking of conceptual boundaries and the forging of new connections that go beyond the coalescence of two fields of inquiry. We have not exhausted the possibilities suggested by broken boundaries and new connections. This may be a particularly auspicious time to be breaking boundaries, for the apparent worldwide changes in work and organizing are not well enough understood with many of our old intellectual tools. In this paper I discuss briefly what our studies of gender and organization have, in my view, accomplished so far, and then review some issues and questions stimulated by thinking about broken boundaries and new connections, possibilities that, for me, represent part of the future for ‘gender and organizations.’
Development, Survival, and Reproduction of Scymnus frontalis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an Imported Predator of Russian Wheat Aphid, at Four Fluctuating Temperatures

Development, survival, and reproduction of Scymnus frontalis (F.) were stud ied in the laboratory at four temperature regimes with means ranging from 15 to 30°C, with daily fluctuations of ±5°C. S. frontalis has four instars and a distinct prepupal stage. Developmental times from egg to adult averaged 79.7, 45.3, 21.4, and 17.2 d at mean temperatures of 15, 18.7, 26.2, and 30°C, respectively. Calculated stage-specific developmental thresholds ranged from 10.1°C for first instars to 13.0°C for fourth instars. Development from egg to adult required an average of 312.2 degree-days above a base of 11.7°C. Survival was highest at the two intermediate temperatures and lowest at a mean temperature of 15°C with mortality being highest in eggs and first instars. Preoviposition periods ranged from 20.5 d at a mean temperature of 15°C to 7.7 d at 30°C. Daily oviposition rates per female during the first several weeks of reproductive life were highest at a mean temperature of 26.2°C (7.25 eggs per female per day). The proportion of females ovipositing was highest at 26.2°C (0.97) and lowest at 15°C (0,42). Compared with its prey, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), the Russian wheat aphid, S. frontalis requires higher temperatures to complete development and reproduce.
Opposing actions of hepatocyte growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor on cell contact, intracellular free calcium levels, and rat ovarian surface epithelial cell viability.

Previous studies demonstrated that cell-to-cell contact stimulates a tyrosine phosphorylation signal transduction pathway that prevents rat ovarian surface epithelial (ROSE) cells from undergoing apoptosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also know as scatter factor (SF), is expressed by ovarian stromal and thecal cells and has been shown to reduce cell contact in nonovarian tissues. The present studies were designed to determine whether HGF/SF promotes ROSE cells to dissociate and subsequently become apoptotic. Because an increase in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) is often an early event in the apoptotic cascade, the effects of HGF/SF on[ Ca2+]i levels were also assessed. ROSE cells were cultured in serum-free medium with HGF/SF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), thapsigargin, Bay K, actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and/or BAPTA depending on the experimental design. Cell contact was assayed by time-lapse photography; [Ca2+]i levels were measured with Fluo-3, and apoptosis was assessed by in situ ...
Product ion studies of diastereomeric benzo[ghi]fluoranthene-2′-deoxynucleoside adducts by electrospray ionization and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry

Abstract The product ion formation characteristics of the protonated molecule ions generated from 10 different deoxynucleoside adducts of benzo[ghi]fluoranthene (B[ghi]F) have been studied using electrospray ionization (ESI) and quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry to gain a better understanding of the fragmentation mechanisms that govern structure-specific fragmentation. The reaction of the syn- and anti-diastereomers of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-5,5a-tetrahydrobenzo[ghi]fluoranthene with DNA produce four deoxyguanosine, four deoxyadenosine, and two deoxycytidine adducts whose structures differ based on the cis/trans arrangement of the hydroxyl groups and nucleic acids bound to B[ghi]F. Those adducts that have structures where the nucleic acid and 3′-hydroxyl group of B[ghi]F are cis with respect to each other undergo extensive water loss whereas those isomers where the nucleic acid and 3′-hydroxyl group are trans do not. These results are consistent with a mechanism of water loss initiated by a hydrogen-bonding interaction between the charge-bearing proton on a heterocyclic nitrogen atom on the nucleic acid and the 3′-hydroxyl oxygen on the PAH. The dG and dC adducts are observed to undergo more extensive water loss than the dA adducts. Molecular modeling indicates that the larger relative abundances of the product ions formed by water loss for the dG and dC relative to dA are due to stronger hydrogen-bonding interactions prior to fragmentation and the greater stability of the carbocations formed at the C3′ carbon after fragmentation.
The Relationship of the Chromosphere to the Lower Solar Transition Region

We examine the intensity correlations among lower transition region emission lines of N III, N IV, N V, O II, O III, O IV, O V, S IV, and S V. We find strong intensity correlations, with 1 σ deviations in line intensity ratios less than about 35% on spatial scales of 1''. For strong lines the percent deviations are significantly less than this. The line intensities were obtained from the Solar Ultraviolet Measurement of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) spectrometer on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). We find a dependence of the O II/O III and O V/N V ratios with intensity. The degree of correlation we obtain on arcsecond spatial scales is consistent with size scales for the basic transition region structures that are significantly less than 1'' (730 km).
Experimental investigation of the effects of ionic micelles on colloidal stability.

Abstract The effects of ionic micelles (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C 14 TAB) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)) on the stability of a dispersion of highly charged silica particles was investigated both visually and using UV–vis absorption. As the surfactant concentration increased from 0 to 30 cmc, a clear critical flocculation concentration was observed with both surfactants. For SDS, restabilization was observed at 20 cmc. These stability results were compared to energy profiles that were calculated using measured force profiles between a single silica sphere and plate obtained with colloid-probe atomic force microscopy. It was found that flocculation would occur once the energy well formed by depletion attraction exceeded 3 k B T , while restabilization occurred once the long range structural energy barrier exceeded 8 k B T . These values are consistent with the energy levels needed for flocculation and restabilization predicted by other researchers.
Algebraic Group Actions in the Cohomology Theory of Lie Algebras of Cartan Type

Abstract Given a Lie algebra g of Cartan type we construct an infinite-dimensional cocommutative Hopf algebraD(G)u( g ) which is the analog of the distribution algebra of a connected reductive algebraic group. We show that the simpleu( g )-modules lift to aD(G)u( g )-structure. This additional structure is used to formulate and prove relative projectivity theorems for Lie algebras of Cartan type. The support varieties of certainD(G)u( g )-modules are computed by using these algebraic group techniques.
Identification and characterization of dimeric and trimeric circular forms of avian sarcoma virus-specific DNA

Abstract Covalently closed circular forms of viral DNA are found in the nuclei of cells acutely infected by avian sarcoma virus. In this report we show that dimeric and trimeric forms of closed circular DNA are present, in addition to the previously characterized, predominant monomeric species. The identities of these oligomeric circular molecules were verified by their characteristic behavior during equilibrium centrifugation in cesium chloride-propidium diiodide gradients, rate-zonal centrifugation in sucrose gradients, and electrophoresis in agarose gels, before and after digestion with nucleases. Restriction endonuclease cleavage of isolated dimeric and trimeric molecules indicates that they consist of monomers linked in a “head-to-tail” orientation.
Modulation of Viscoelasticity and HIV Transport as a Function of pH in a Reversibly Crosslinked Hydrogel.

Materials that respond to physiological stimuli are important in developing advanced biomaterials for modern therapies. The reversibility of covalent-crosslinks formed by phenylboronate (PBA) and salicylhydroxamate (SHA) has been exploited to provide a pH-responsive gel for application to the vaginal tract. Dynamic rheology reveals that the gel frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties are modulated by pH. At pH 4.8 the viscous component dominates throughout most of the frequency range. As the pH increases, the characteristic relaxation time continues to increase while the G'Plateau levels off above pH 6. At pH 7.5, the elastic component dominates throughout the frequency sweep and is predominately independent of frequency. Particle tracking assessed the transport of both fluorescently labeled HIV-1 and 100 nm latex particles in the PBA-SHA crosslinked gel as a function of pH. At pH 4.8 the ensemble-averaged mean squared displacement at lag times greater than three seconds reveals that transport of the HIV-1 and 100 nm particles becomes significantly impeded by the matrix, exhibiting diffusion coefficients less than 0.0002 μm2 s−1. This pH responsive gel thus displays properties that have the potential to significantly reduce the transport of HIV-1 to susceptible tissues and thus prevent the first stage of male-to-female transmission of HIV-1.
Adenosine inhibits renin release induced by suprarenal-aortic constriction and prostacyclin.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adenosine can attenuate the renin release response to a reduction in renal perfusion pressure. To this end, the secretion rate of renin was measured in six beta-blocked dogs at ambient arterial blood pressure and after a reduction of renal perfusion pressure to 80 mmHg. These measurements were made during a control period, an intrarenal infusion of adenosine at 10 and 30 μg/min, and a recovery period. During the control and recovery periods renal artery hypotension significantly increased the secretion rate of renin. However, during the intrarenal infusions of adenosine, renin secretion rate did not increase significantly. Analysis of variance indicated that both doses of adenosine reduced the renin response to renal artery hypotension. In another six dogs with a single nonfiltering kidney, we again measured renin secretion during a control period, the intrarenal infusion of adenosine at 10 and 30 μg/min, and a recovery period; however, in this study PGI2 was used to stimulate renin release. Adenosine also significantly attenuated the renin release response to PGI2. We conclude that adenosine can inhibit the renin release response to both renal artery hypotension and PGI2 and that this effect is most likely mediated by a direct action of adenosine on juxtaglomerular cells. Also, since PGI2 may be a mediator of the renin response to renal artery hypotension, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that adenosine inhibits the renin response to renal artery hypotension by attenuating the response of juxtaglomerular cells to PGI2.
Determination of traces of amine salts in water by gas chromatography

Abstract A method has been developed for the direct determination of alkyl amine hydrochlorides in aqueous solution. The method involves conversion of the hydrochloride salts to the free amines in the injection port of a gas chromatograph, followed by chromatographic separation and detection of the free amines. Standard response curves for ech of a group of thirteen amine hydrochlorides have been determined. These curves cover a range from approximately 17 to 250 parts per million of the amine hydrochloride in aqueous solution. Primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines, as well as isomeric amines in the series methyl through pentyl have been tested. A single column system used at three different temperatures provides for the independent determination of any or all of the thirteen amine hydrochlorides tested.
Principal component analysis of aerial video imagery

Abstract Aerial video images of an agricultural test site were analysed using principal component analysis and image processing techniques. The site (six treatments and four replications of cotton, sorghum, cantaloupe, johnsongrass, pigweed and soil) was imaged using blue, yellow-green, red and infrared filters over the lenses of four black-and-white video cameras on 31 May and 24 July 1983. Separate principal component analysis procedures were applied to the May and July data as part of a methodology to assess data dimensionality and structure. Supervisedminimum Euclidean distance classification procedures were conducted on sets of data that consisted of all four principal components, the first three principal components, the first two principal components and the first principal component. Results indicated that the number of components required to represent the four band data sets accurately was three for the May data and two for the July data. Scatter diagrams of plant means for principal components 1...
Behavioral profiles for advanced email features

We examine the behavioral patterns of email usage in a large-scale enterprise over a three-month period. In particular, we focus on two main questions: (Q1) what do replies depend on? and (Q2) what is the gain of augmenting contacts through the friends of friends from the email social graph? For Q1, we identify and evaluate the significance of several factors that affect the reply probability and the email response time. We find that all factors of our considered set are significant, provide their relative ordering, and identify the recipient list size, and the intensity of email communication between the correspondents as the dominant factors. We highlight various novel threshold behaviors and provide support for existing hypotheses such as that of the least-effort reply. For Q2, we find that the number of new contacts extracted from the friends-of-friends relationships amounts to a large number, but which is still a limited portion of the total enterprise size. We believe that our results provide significant insights towards informed design of advanced email features, including those of social-networking type.
Gene–Environment interactions in the development of combined type ADHD: Evidence for a synapse‐based model

To determine the mechanism of interaction of prenatal smoking exposure and child genotype in the development of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), polymorphisms in the CHRNA4 gene were tested for interactions with prenatal smoking exposure on risk for ADHD subtypes using multiple logistic regression. An exon 5 polymorphism demonstrated a significant interaction with history of maternal smoking during pregnancy for increasing risk for severe combined type ADHD (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.4 for population-defined severe combined type, OR = 3.9 95% CI 1.2–13.1 for DSM-IV defined combined subtype ADHD). This interaction increased the effects of previously reported interactions for the DRD4 and DAT1 genes with prenatal smoking exposure. Given the known functions and the known areas of expression of these three genes at the dopaminergic synapse in the pre-frontal cortex, the results are compatible with a synapse-based model of the development of this form of ADHD. The subtype specificity of these findings supports the concept that ADHD is composed of a group of distinct disorders. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Urbanization and the loss of resource lands in the chesapeake bay watershed

We made use of land cover maps, and land use change associated with urbanization, to provide estimates of the loss of natural resource lands (forest, agriculture, and wetland areas) across the 168,000 km2 Chesapeake Bay watershed. We conducted extensive accuracy assessments of the satellite-derived maps, most of which were produced by us using widely available multitemporal Landsat imagery. The change in urbanization was derived from impervious surface area maps (the built environment) for 1990 and 2000, from which we estimated the loss of resource lands that occurred during this decade. Within the watershed, we observed a 61% increase in developed land (from 5,177 to 8,363 km2). Most of this new development (64%) occurred on agricultural and grasslands, whereas 33% occurred on forested land. Some smaller municipalities lost as much as 17% of their forest lands and 36% of their agricultural lands to development, although in the outlying counties losses ranged from 0% to 1.4% for forests and 0% to 2.6% for agriculture. Fast-growing urban areas surrounded by forested land experienced the most loss of forest to impervious surfaces. These estimates could be used for the monitoring of the impacts of development across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and the approach has utility for other regions nationwide. In turn, the results and the approach can help jurisdictions set goals for resource land protection and acquisition that are consistent with regional restoration goals.
Deciphering RNA structural diversity and systematic phylogeny from microbial metagenomes.

Metagenomics has been employed to systematically sequence, classify, analyze and manipulate the entire genetic material isolated from environmental samples. Finding genes within metagenomic sequences remains a formidable challenge, and noncoding RNA genes other than those encoding rRNA and tRNA are not well annotated in metagenomic projects. In this work, we identify, validate and analyze the genes coding for RNase P RNA (P RNA) from all published metagenomic projects. P RNA is the RNA subunit of a ubiquitous endoribonuclease RNase P that consists of one RNA subunit and one or more protein subunits. The bacterial P RNAs are classified into two types, Type A and Type B, based on the constituents of the structure involved in precursor tRNA binding. Archaeal P RNAs are classified into Type A and Type M, whereas the Type A is ancestral and close to Type A bacterial P RNA. Bacterial and some archaeal P RNAs are catalytically active without protein subunits, capable of cleaving precursor tRNA transcripts to produce their mature 5′-termini. We have found 328 distinctive P RNAs (320 bacterial and 8 archaeal) from all published metagenomics sequences, which led us to expand by 60% the total number of this catalytic RNA from prokaryotes. Surprisingly, all newly identified P RNAs from metagenomics sequences are Type A, i.e. neither Type B bacterial nor Type M archaeal P RNAs are found. We experimentally validate the authenticity of an archaeal P RNA from Sargasso Sea. One of the distinctive features of some new P RNAs is that the P2 stem has kinked nucleotides in its 5′ strand. We find that the single nucleotide J2/3 joint region linking the P2 and P3 stem that was used to distinguish a bacterial P RNA from an archaeal one is no longer applicable, i.e. some archaeal P RNAs have only one nucleotide in the J2/3 joint. We also discuss the phylogenetic analysis based on covariance model of P RNA that offers a few advantages over the one based on 16S rRNA.