cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced reactivity of disulfide-modified trypsinogen toward an active-site directed reagent.

Summary The reactivity of trypsinogen toward p-nitrophenyl-p′-guanidinobenzoate is increased when disulfide 179–203 is selectively reduced and converted to the S-aminoethyl-(179,203) derivative. The reaction of the modified zymogen and the active site titrant is characterized by an initial rapid rate (6.6 × 10 −3 sec −1 ) and a postburst steady state rate (1.5 × 10 −4 sec −1 ). The steady state rate is the same as that found with trypsinogen and trypsin. The enhanced rate of acylation of disulfide-modified trypsinogen must be associated with a change in conformation of groups at the specificity pocket, causing an increase in the affinity for active-site directed reagents.
Evidence that cholinergic axons from the parabrachial region of the brainstem are the exclusive source of nitric oxide in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat.

We investigated the source of axons and terminals in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus that stain positively for NADPH-diaphorase. The functional significance of such staining is that NADPH-diaphorase is identical to the enzyme nitric oxide synthetase, and thus it is though to reveal cells and axons that use nitric oxide as a neuromodulator. Within the lateral geniculate and adjacent perigeniculate nuclei, a dense network of axons and terminals is labeled for NADPH-diaphorase, The pattern of NADPH-diaphorase staining here is remarkably similar to that of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) staining, suggesting that the source of these axons and terminals might be the parabrachial region of the brainstem because this provides the major cholinergic input to the lateral geniculate nucleus. In other areas of the brain to which parabrachial axons project, there is also a similar staining pattern for NADPH-diaphorase and ChAT. Furthermore, the patterns of cell staining within the parabracial region for NADPH-diaphorase and ChAT are virtually identical. However, the relationship between ChAT and NADPH-diaphorase staining for the parabrachial region is not a general property of cholinergic neurons. Other cholinergic cells and axons, such as the trochlear nerve, the oculomotor nerve and nucleus, and the parabigeminal nucleus, which all label densely for ChAT, stain poorly or not at all for NADPH-diaphorase. It is significant that the parabigeminal nucleus, which provides a cholinergic input to the lateral geniculate nucleus, has no cells that label for NADPH-diaphorase. We used double labeling methods to identify further the source of NADPH-diaphorase staining in the lateral geniculate nucleus. We found that parabrachial cells co-localize NADPH-diaphorase and ChAT. Noradrenergic and serotoninergic cells in the brainstem also innervate the lateral geniculate nucleus, but we found that none of these co-localize NADPH-diaphorase. Finally, by combining NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry with retrograde labeling of cells that project to the lateral geniculate nucleus, we found that the cholinergic cells of the parabrachial region are essentially the sole source of NADPH-diaphorase in the lateral geniculate nucleus. We thus conclude that cells from the parabrachial region that innervate the lateral geniculate nucleus use both acetylcholine and nitric oxide for neurotransmission, and that this is virtually the only afferent input to this region that uses nitric oxide. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The triglycerides of sable fish (anaplopoma fimbria). II. fatty acid distribution in triglyceride fractions as determined with pancreatic lipase

Sable fish muscle lipids were fractionated on a silicic acid column with mixtures of chloroform and methanol as eluting solvents. Three main peaks containing only triglycerides were isolated; 11 additional peaks contained phosphorous. Each of the 3 triglyceride peaks was separately fractionated into 300 fractions on silica gel columns impregnated with silver nitrate. Mixtures of petroleum ether and ethyl ether were the eluting solvents. About 25 distinct fractions were isolated from each column. The fractions were characterized for fatty acid content by gas chromatography of the methyl esters. The results showed that the fractionation did not depend upon the presence of single fatty acids but upon total unsaturation. Fatty acid distribution within each fraction was determined with the use of hog pancreatic lipase, followed by thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography.
Soil detachment by water in erosion processes

Land erosion occurs as two independent events. The first is detachment, the tearing loose of soil particles; and the second is transporting them. Impact of rainfall consolidates some soils through compaction and cementation of particles. A soil that consolidates well and resists tearing apart, has low detachability. Soils of smooth grained sand which contain very little clay or other cementing materials have high detachability. During rainstorms there are two principal erosive agents which detach soil. Raindrops are one as they splash the soil surface. Flowing surface water is the other, as it runs off the land. Splash of raindrops detaches most of the soil carried off smooth surfaces of the land outside of rills and gullies. It has been estimated that these splahses may throw more than 100 tons of soil per acre several inches into the air during a beating rainstorm on a bare field of highly erodible soli. Surface flow detaches most of the soil that is removed from within gullies. Detached soil particles are ready for transport and represent an erosion hazard. The probability of detached soil particles being carried away varies with the transportation hazard. The steeper the slope, the greater this transportation hazard will be. Magnitude of detachment hazard that can be safely tolerated depends on the hazards of transportation. Soil detachment hazards are measurable, and they can be effectively reduced by erosion control measures and practices. To design effective controls we must first determine (1) the detachability of the soil; (2) the detaching capacity of each erosive agent;, and (3) the effects of impediments to the detachment process such as vegetation.
Age-Related Changes in Acoustic Characteristics of Adult Speech.

Abstract This paper addresses effects of age and sex on certain acoustic properties of speech, given conflicting findings on such effects reported in prior research. The speech of 27 younger adults (15 women, 12 men; mean age 25.5 years) and 59 older adults (32 women, 27 men; mean age 75.2 years) was evaluated for identification of differences for sex and age group across measures of fundamental and formant frequencies ( F 0, F 1, F 2 and F 3) and voice onset time (VOT). There were significant sex-by-age group interactions for F 0, F 1, and VOT, some of which were specific to individual speech sounds. The findings suggest that further research on aging speech should focus on sex differences and the potential influence such changes may have on communication abilities of older adults with hearing loss. Learning Outcomes : The reader will be able to understand and describe (1) possible changes in specific acoustic properties with age, (2) how these changes may differ for women and men, and (3) the potential impact these changes may have on the speech understanding of older individuals with hearing loss.
Interactions of α1–proteinase inhibitor with small ligands of therapeutic potential: binding with retinoic acid

Human α1–proteinase inhibitor (α1–PI), also known as α1-antitrypsin, is the most abundant plasma serine protease inhibitor (serpin). It is best recognized for inhibition of neutrophil elastase. The α1–PI interactions with non-protease ligands were investigated mainly in regards to those molecules that may block the aggregation of α1–PI Z mutant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of α1–PI to bind small non-peptide ligands of pharmaceutical interest that may attain additional properties to currently available α1–PI therapeutic preparations. Among putative ligands of bio-medical interest examined in this study, all-trans retinoic acid (RA) was selected due to its recently proposed roles in the lungs, and as an efficient optical probe. The results of this study, including absorption spectroscopy data, fluorescence quenching and the protein-induced chirality of the visible circular dichroism strongly suggest that α1–PI does bind RA in vitro to non-covalent complexes of up to two moles of RA per one mole of the protein. To our knowledge, this is the first report that provides experimental evidence of the α1–PI potential towards bi-functional drugs via a combination with RA, or potentially other molecules of pharmaceutical interest, that ultimately, may enhance currently available α1–PI therapies.
DESIGN OF MULTIPLE-VEHICLE DELIVERY TOURS II. OTHER METRICS

Abstract The methods described in Part I for a ring-radial metric are generalized to a network having a fine nearly rectangular grid of local roads, but possibly with a few fast roads superimposed. To select delivery zones, one should first draw the equi-travel-time contours from the source and then choose nearly rectangular zones with suitable width and orientation relative to the network grid and the local contour lines. Some illustrations are given for an idealized square grid of roads. In this case the rectangular delivery zones should be oriented at 45° to the grid, perpendicular to the contour lines.
Blind bedside placement of postpyloric feeding tubes by registered dietitians: success rates, outcomes, and cost effectiveness.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success rate, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of blind bedside placement of postpyloric feeding tubes by registered dietitians. Feeding tubes placed by a physician using fluoroscopy were used to benchmark certain study parameters. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent postpyloric feeding tube insertion between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2011, were included in the study. Medical charts were reviewed for the time span between physician order and procedure documentation, bedside feeding tube tip location, number of radiographic images to confirm placement of tubes placed at the bedside, physician clearance to use the feeding tube when applicable, and reported complications. Patient charges for each procedure were also compared. Results: Data were collected on 729 patient encounters, with 285 encounters per study group and 159 encounters excluded for incomplete documentation. The average time span to bedside procedure completion was 3.7 hours c...
Theory of resonance fluorescence

The problem of the interaction between a two-level atom and a quantum electromagnetic field is treated without the use of perturbation theory, without introduction of classical fields or factorization conditions for the states, and without assumptions about loss of memory. The calculation is carried out in the Heisenberg picture, without mode decomposition, and the conclusions all refer to physically measurable quantities, such as the fluorescence detected in the far field of the atom. It is shown that in a coherent field of constant amplitude the system always settles down to a quasistationary state, and that the stationarity is a manifestation of the quantum fluctuations. A solution for the growth of the fluorescent light intensity is presented that holds for any coherent exciting field. The two-time correlation function and the spectral density of the fluorescence are calculated, and are found to agree in the long-time limit with earlier results of Mollow. The two-time intensity correlation function of the field is derived, which corresponds to measurable photoelectric pair correlations, and it is found that this reflects several quantum features of the field. It is shown that quantum fluctuations are manifest more explicitly in two-time correlations in the steady state than in transient effects, like spontaneous emission in the vacuum. The measurement of such correlations therefore presents an opportunity for further experimental tests of quantum electrodynamics.
EFFECTS OF LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE ON THE TOTAL LEUKOCYTES AND EOSINOPHILS OF THE FEMALE RAT.

THE hallucinogenic drug, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), produces in minute doses marked aberrations in mental functions. The psychic symptoms of LSD-25 intoxication resemble aspects peculiar to schizophrenia1,2. As a result, the drug has been utilized as an effective tool to explore the induction of reversible psychoses in non-psychotic subjects. It has been assumed that the similarities produced by LSD-25 could yield information pertinent to the mechanisms and pathophysiology involved in schizophrenia2,3.
THE SEARCH FOR CRITICAL DIMENSIONS OF PERSONALITY PATHOLOGY TO INFORM DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING: A COMMENTARY ON HOPWOOD ET AL.

Hopwood, Wright, Ansell, and Pincus (2013) present an interpersonal theoretical orientation in an effort to demonstrate that the personality disorders are—at their core—interpersonal in nature. This is not a new idea as Hopwood and colleagues are joining a parade of individuals who identify interpersonal difficulties as central to the personality disorders (Bender & Skodol, 2007; Benjamin, 2005; Fonagy & Target, 2006; Gunderson & Lyons-Ruth, 2008; Kernberg, 1984; Livesley, 2001; Meyer & Pilkonis, 2005; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). What is new is the argument that interpersonal theory should have preeminence in future renditions of the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic system because of its empirically investigated assessment instruments. In this commentator’s view, the two issues are related but involve important differences in their goals and methods. It is important to place the issues in context. The leadership of the effort to generate DSM-5 posed the question: What are the crucial dimensions of pathology—with less emphasis on categories—that are central to the diagnosis and assessment of patients, dimensions that can be reliably and dimensionally rated both at assessment and as treatment progresses? The answer given by the personality disorders work group was judged inadequate in its current state and was placed in Section III of DSM-5 for further consideration and empirical investigation. There is much in the article by Hopwood and colleagues that is important to progress in the field and with which this commentator agrees with enthusiasm, not the least of which is their positive, energetic approach to the refinement of the diagnosis of personality disorders. The authors value personality theory and related empirical efforts in informing the individual markers of interpersonal and emotional difficulties as listed in DSM-IV.
Perfluoropolyethers as novel materials for soft lithography

Photocurable, liquid perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) are ideal materials for high resolution (<100 nm) pattern transfer and imprint lithographic processes. PFPEs possess attributes of both elastomers and rigid materials, exhibit a remarkably low surface energy, mold extremely small features with high fidelity (minimal shrinkage), resist swelling by most organics, endure repetitive molding procedures, and out-perform routinely-used polydimethylsiloxane when replicating sub-micron sized features. We report nanoscale replicas of substrates, and the use of these replicas as molds, having features as small as 70 nm with no apparent loss of resolution.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
When subjects behave like objects: An analysis of the merging of S and O in sentence-focus constructions across languages

This paper is concerned with the cross-linguistic expression of a universal information-structure category called the ‘thetic’ or ‘sentence-focus’ (SF) category. The SF category differs from the unmarked ‘predicate-focus’ (PF) or ‘categorical’ category by the absence of a topic-comment relation between the subject and the predicate and it differs from the marked ‘argument-focus’ (AF) category by the absence of a focus-presupposition relation between an argument and an open proposition. The theoretical issue explored here is the question of the relationship between the form and the function of SF constructions, i.e. the question of motivation in grammar. I argue that the form of SF constructions is motivated by the need to distinguish them minimally from corresponding PF constructions. The form and interpretation of a given SF sentence is thus determined not only by the syntagmatic relations among its constituents but also by the paradigmatic relation between the SF sentence as a whole and the corresponding PF sentence, i.e. in terms of a systemic opposition. Since the distinctive property of SF sentences is the absence of a topic-comment relation between the subject and the predicate, SF marking entails the marking of the subject as a non-topic. I show that across languages this non-topic marking of SF subjects tends to be done via those morphosyntactic, prosodic, or behavioral features which are normally associated with the focal objects of PF constructions. The analysis confirms the necessity to treat the pragmatic relations topic and focus on a par with the grammatical relations subject and object and the semantic roles agent and patient. In seeking to explain the form-function fit in SF constructions in terms of the structuralist notion of paradigmatic opposition the analysis challenges both functional and formal generative approaches to grammar.
TEM studies on phases and phase stabilities of zirconia ceramics

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool to study defects and structures of materials. A comparison between quantitative evaluation of micrographs and diffraction patterns with results of contrast simulations allows a quantitative determination of many parameters. TEM is applied to study phase stability and phase transformations in ZrO2. Number densities of point defects can be evaluated for cubic zirconia, the nucleation of stable m-ZrO2 at stress singularities of grain boundaries can be studied in situ. A quantitative evaluation of displacement fields in m-ZrO2 which exist close to terminating twins can be measured and stress concentrations can be evaluated. The information is useful for a better understanding of phase stability in ZrO2.
The influence of egg survivorship on the subsequent nest fidelity of female bicolour damselfish, Stegastes partitus

Abstract Abstract. In many animal species, females lay eggs within male territories. Research on female choice in such species has shown that females often assess male or territory quality indirectly on the basis of male characters that are correlated with male or territory quality. Researchers have given much less attention to the possibility that females can assess male or territory quality directly based on the survival of previous broods. This study demonstrates that in the bicolour damselfish, a species with exclusive male parental care of eggs, females use the survival of previously-laid eggs to avoid nests that have a low probability of offspring survival. Females mate repeatedly during a reproductive cycle and although they generally show high nest fidelity, this fidelity is broken when a nest loses an entire brood to nocturnally feeding brittlestars. Experimental removal of broods and addition of brittlestar odours to nests demonstrate that brittlestar odours are sufficient to cause females to avoid nests. Females may also respond to visual cues associated with brood loss. In addition, clutches laid in nests after nocturnal complete-brood losses are much less likely to survive than clutches laid in nests that have not suffered nocturnal complete-brood losses. Therefore, by avoiding nests from which brittlestars have recently removed eggs, females increase the probability of future egg survival.
Synthesis and intramolecular photoaddition of an indole quinonediazide

Abstract An intramolecular carbenoid photoaddition route to the unique spiro -cyclopropane indol-7-one ring system of the antibiotic CC-1065 has been explored. The diazo transfer reaction of a 7-hydroxyindole intermediate leads via a 6-diazo intermediate to an isomeric ring system.
The legal liabilities of mental health institutions

This article reviews the types of malpractice liability that mental health institutions experience and examines specific activities and practices that give rise to liability. Steps that institutions should take to lower their risk are also mentioned.
Studies of the mouse Rab geranylgeranyl transferase β subunit: gene structure, expression and regulation

Abstract The mouse Rab geranylgeranyl transferase β (Rab GGTase β) catalytic subunit gene was isolated and characterized. This gene ( Rabggtb) spans a distance of approx. 7 kb and is organized into eight exons. All the exon/intron junction sequences follow the GT/AG rule. Multiple transcription initiation sites are located within 384 bp upstream from the translation start codon. The 5′-flanking region contains several potential binding sites for transcription factors, but no TATA box is identified in this region. Expression of this gene was detected in all the major organs in adult animals. In mouse embryos, its expression was examined by in situ hybridization. Specific expression of this gene was elevated in mid-gestation stages, particularly developing liver and spinal cord. Northern blot analysis of an embryonic carcinoma cell line P19 showed that the steady-state level of Rabggtb mRNA expression was increased dramatically by cycloheximide (CHX) treatment as early as 2 h, suggesting a role of post-transcriptional regulation of Rab GGTase β gene expression. Actinomycin D was used to determine the half-life of Rab GGTase β transcripts. CHX treatment resulted in a dramatic increase of the half-life of Rab GGTase β transcripts, from 8 h to greater than 12 h.
A leukemogenic twist for GATA1

Mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factor GATA1 contribute to a specific type of leukemia in people with Down syndrome. This finding suggests a multistep pathway of leukemia development that involves GATA1 and one or more genes on chromosome 21.
Comparison of the Homogeneity of Breast Dose Distributions With and Without the Medial Wedge

Abstract Radiation of the intact breast often requires medial and lateral wedges to improve dose homogeneity of its pyramidal shape and to achieve acceptable cosmesis. There is some concern that radiation scatter from the medial wedge may contribute to cancer in the uninvolved breast, yet treatment without the medial wedge is associated with inhomogeneity of magnitudes that affect cosmesis. These homogeneities are identified on treatment plans generated at the central axis (CAX). It is not known if comparing isodose curves at the central axis reflect homogeneity in superior and inferior planes. A study was undertaken to both examine inhomogeneity with and without the medial wedge, and to determine if plan selection at the CAX was representative of homogeneity above and below the CAX. Ten consecutive patients with early breast cancers had cranial, CAX, and caudal CT images of each breast compared with two wedging conditions, lateral only (LW) and medial and lateral wedged conditions (dual wedges = DW). Dosimetry was optimized at the CAX for DW and LW conditions. Dose distributions and hot spots relative to prescribed dose were compared for cranial, CAX, and caudal images. Mean chest wall separations were measured. Six of ten patients had equivalent LW and DW distributions at the levels examined. Only one of these patients had a single off-axis hot spot > 20%. Six patients had comparable LW and DW dosimetry and acceptable hot spots at the central axis, as well as chest wall separations ≤ 22 cm. In conclusion, if isodose configurations are commensurate at the CAX, these patients will have homogeneity above and below the CAX. In patients with chest wall separations ≤ 22 cm, treatment without the medial wedge is feasible, sparing the contralateral breast dose with little compromise to inhomogeneity in the treated breast.
Distribution of the genus Cryptococcus in Southern California soils

Two hundred and twenty-six natural soil samples from 10 counties in Southern California were collected during the dry season and processed for members of the genus Cryptococcus. Eighteen positive samples were recovered from a total of 59 yeasts; a large number of these yeasts were found in the desert areas. The Cryptococcus isolates included 9 C. albidus, 7 C. diffluens, and 2 C. laurentii. An isolate of C. diffluens from Northern California was included in the study. Each species was associated with definite soil pH and temperature ranges, and these factors were found to be associated with distance from the west coast. C. albidus was recovered from the western areas of the survey, C. difflaens from the central and eastern area, and C. laurentii from the eastern desert only. The Northern California isolate was identified as C. diffluens and demonstrated temperature and soil pH associations similar to its Southern California counter-parts.
The PDM Concept: partially fulfilled and in need of expansion

The total systems cost concept of PDM can be made fully operable through a cost behaviour oriented accounting system. Accounting analysis can also promote the profitable use of PD services.
Stop that cell! Beta-arrestin-dependent chemotaxis: a tale of localized actin assembly and receptor desensitization.

Abstractβ-arrestins have recently emerged as key regulators of directed cell migration or chemotaxis. Given their traditional role as mediators of receptor desensitization, one theory is that β-arrestins contribute to cell polarity during chemotaxis by quenching the signal at the trailing edge of the cell. A second theory is that they scaffold signaling molecules involved in cytoskeletal reorganization to promote localized actin assembly events leading to the formation of a leading edge. This review addresses both models. It discusses studies demonstrating the involvement of β-arrestins in chemotaxis both in vivo and in vitro as well as recent evidence that β-arrestins directly bind and regulate proteins involved in actin reorganization.
Plant innate immunity against human bacterial pathogens

Certain human bacterial pathogens such as the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica are not proven to be plant pathogens yet. Nonetheless, under certain conditions they can survive on, penetrate into, and colonize internal plant tissues causing serious food borne disease outbreaks. In this review, we highlight current understanding on the molecular mechanisms of plant responses against human bacterial pathogens and discuss salient common and contrasting themes of plant interactions with phytopathogens or human pathogens.
Numerical modeling of ultrasound imaging using contrast agents for particle image velocimetry in vivo

Non-invasive in vivo medical ultrasound imaging using contrast agents requires further physical understanding of ultrasound wave propagation phenomenon in tissue and scattering from microbubbles. Cumulative nonlinearity exhibited by wave motion in tissue and local nonlinearity by microbubble dynamics are strongly influence the imaging technique and microbubble detectability. The wave propagation in tissue is studied using KZK-type parabolic evolution equation. This model considers ultrasound beam diffraction, attenuation, and tissue nonlinearity. Pressure-wave scattering from microbubbles, seeded in the blood stream, is modeled using Rayleigh-Plesset-type equation. The continuity and the radial-momentum equations of encapsulated microbubbles are employed to account for the lipid layer surrounding the microbubble. Numerical results show the effects of tissue and microbubble nonlinearities on pressure-wave propagation and scattering. These nonlinearities have a strong influence on the waveform distortion and harmonic generation. Results also show that microbubbles have stronger nonlinearity than that of tissue, and thus improves signal-to-noise ratio.
The Elderly in Prison: Issues and Perspectives

The elderly prison inmate is described in terms of a personal profile, social-psychological effects of the prison environment, prison peer relationships and status hierarchy, participation in basic social institutions, and conformity to prison rules and parole. Additionally, results are reported of a recent survey conducted by the author on the existence or lack thereof of special policies, programs, and facilities for elderly inmates in United States prisons. Coverage of these topics is followed by a critique of research methods and recommendations for future research.
Response to Stuart Kurtz and Ann Pederson

I respond herein to reviews of my recent book by Ann Pederson and Stuart Kurtz. With respect to Pederson's concerns, a constructive theology formulated from the ideas of communication theory need not necessarily neglect pressing historical issues of the poor and powerless. The potential for such relevance remains strong. This is true as well for the application of the system to particular myths and rituals. Also, while I speak positively of computers as instruments of disclosure and the theories upon with they are based as resources for theological construction, this should not be construed as an endorsement of just any application of information technology in a world that tends to distort all good things. With respect to Kurtz's concerns, while thermodynamics plays a role in discussions of the primordial chaos, notions from communication theory are far more central. Also, the use of the language of the theory for theology does not necessarily require theological relevance for all of Claude Shannon's technical conclusions. My uses of infinity are taken from traditional theology and analytic geometry rather than from pure mathematics, although fruitful development along those lines is entirely possible. Pederson and Kurtz are generous with both their praise and concerns. The praise will encourage me to further this project along lines provided by the concerns.
Experiments on the Radar Backscatter of Snow

The 1-8-GHz microwave active spectrometer (MAS) system was used to measure the backscatter response from ground covered with a relatively thin layer of snow (up to 15 cm) in the 1975 winter. Except for one dry snow data set, the results of this experiment pertain to wet snow conditions. The scattering coefficient was measured for all linear polarization combinations at angles of incidence between nadir and 70°. The ground truth data consisted of soil moisture, soil and air temperatures, snow depth, snow density, and snow water equivalent. The results of the experiment indicate that the radar sensitivity to the total snow water equivalent increases in magnitude with increasing frequency and is almost angle independent for angles of incidence higher than 30°, particularly at the higher frequencies. In the 50-70° angular range in the 6-8-GHz frequency range, the sensitivity is typically around -0.4 dB/0.1 g/cm2 of the snow water equivalent and the associated linear correlation coefficient has a magnitude of about 0.8.
Endogenous Synthesis of Arginine Plays an Important Role in Maintaining Arginine Homeostasis in Postweaning Growing Pigs

This study was conducted to determine whether endogenous synthesis of arginine plays a role in regulating arginine homeostasis in postweaning pigs. Pigs were fed a sorghum-based diet containing 0.98% arginine and were used for studies at 75 d of age (28.4 kg body weight). Mitochondria were prepared from the jejunum and other major tissues for measuring the activities of Δ 1 -pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) synthase and proline oxidase (enzymes catalyzing P5C synthesis from glutamate and proline, respectively) and of ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) (the enzyme catalyzing the interconversion of P5C into ornithine). For metabolic studies, jejunal enterocytes were incubated at 37°C for 30 min in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 2 mmol/L L-glutamine, 2 mmol/L L-[U- 14 C]proline, and 0-200 μmol/L gabaculine (an inhibitor of OAT). The activities of P5C synthase, proline oxidase and OAT were greatest in enterocytes among all of the tissues studied. Incubation of enterocytes with gabaculine resulted in decreases (P < 0.05) in the synthesis of ornithine and citrulline from glutamine and proline. When gabaculine was orally administered to pigs (0.83 mg/kg body weight) to inhibit intestinal synthesis of citrulline from glutamine and proline, plasma concentrations of citrulline (-26%) and arginine (-22%) decreased (P < 0.05), whereas those of alanine (+21%), ornithine (+17%), proline (+107%), taurine (+56%) and branched-chain amino acids (+21-40%) increased (P < 0.05). On the basis of dietary arginine intake and estimated arginine utilization, the endogenous synthesis of arginine in the 28-kg pig provided ≥50.2% of total daily arginine requirement. Taken together, our results suggest an important role for endogenous synthesis of arginine in regulating arginine homeostasis in postweaning growing pigs, as previously shown in neonatal pigs.
Improving the performance of DSP systems for MIMO processing

While the research into MIMO communications algorithms have reached levels of development that show important wireless systems performance improvements, the development of DSP systems to implement them has limited implementations to the simplest and least performing algorithms. This paper addresses this technological gap by studying how to design DSP systems to better handle the increased complexity arising from the operations typical of MIMO algorithms. Two approaches are considered: adding new instructions to the DSP instruction set and adding a hardware accelerator to the DSP system. Of the two approaches, the second was concluded to be best, resulting in notable processing speedups and more efficient use of the computational resources.
Scaling patterns inform ontogenetic transitions away from cleaning in Thalassoma wrasses

In fishes, cleaning is a mutualistic behavior wherein a species will remove and consume ectoparasites from other organisms. More than two-thirds of cleaner fishes display this behavior predominately as juveniles and discontinue cleaning as adults; such species are here referred to as ‘facultative cleaners’. Whether allometric changes in morphological traits coincide with ontogenetic shifts away from cleaning is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that transitions away from cleaning are associated with scaling patterns in the feeding apparatus of facultative cleaners, and then compared such patterns with those exhibited by non-cleaner congeners. We measured functional traits related to feeding, such as vertical gape distance, premaxillary protrusion distance and maxillary kinematic transmission coefficient (KT) in each ontogenetic series of 11 Thalassoma wrasses (Labridae). As these fishes predominately capture prey via biting, we modeled bite force using MandibLever (v3.3) to create an ontogenetic trajectory of bite force for each species. Our results indicate that cleaner fishes in Thalassoma , as juveniles, possess jaws with low mobility that exhibit weaker bite forces. Additionally, there was remarkable consistency in the range of body lengths over which we observed significant differences between facultative cleaners and non-cleaners in bite force, vertical gape distance and premaxillary protrusion distance. Through ontogeny, facultative cleaner fishes exhibit positive allometry for a number of functionally important feeding traits, which possibly obviates the need to continue cleaning.
Fast-scale adaptive changes of directional tuning in fly tangential cells are explained by a static nonlinearity.

SUMMARY The response of vertebrate motion-sensitive neurons to a directional stimulus is affected by the direction of the stimulus that immediately preceded it. These nonlinear effects are also observed for orientation tuning and are typically interpreted as fast-scale adaptive changes. We verified that similar effects are observed for spiking tangential cells in the fly lobula plate. We also investigated the spatial selectivity of these effects by presenting multiple patches at different positions within the receptive field, and found that the effects are strictly local. We modelled the data using elementary operators (linear filters and threshold nonlinearities). A satisfactory account of the results is obtained when an early static nonlinearity acts on the outputs of multiple front-end filters that are subsequently pooled in a spatially restricted manner by the tangential cell. In line with recent studies, these findings emphasize the importance of testing simple nonlinear models before attempting more elaborate interpretations of fast-scale adaptive phenomena in single neurons. We discuss a potential neural implementation of the model based on medullar projections to the lobula plate.
Finite element simulation of transonic flows with shock waves

Accurate and efficient tools are still in demand for analysis and design of transonic aerodynamic configurations. In this paper, the artificial viscosity method is adopted to solve the transonic potential flow equation. Several forms are studied. Finite elements techniques are employed to allow for handling complex geometries using unstructured grids. The advantage of using higher order elements even in the presence of strong shocks is explored. Comparisons of linear and quadratic elements on triangles as well as bilinear and biquadratic interpolations on four sided elements demonstrate the new capabilities of the proposed formulation. Application of the start "dard Galerkin procedure results in a nonlinear system of algebraic equations which are solved using both Newton's method with direct banded Gaussian elimination at each iteration as well as with a preconditioned conjugate gradient type algorithm. It is shown that the latter is more efficient even for a moderate size problem. Finally, possible extensions to three dimensional problems are outlined.
Functional antigen presenting cells generated from human dendritic cells (DC) derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines

Meeting abstracts Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) represent a unique source to create donor specific cells of choice. We here report the generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) lines from human dendritic cells (DC), through a non-integrating RNA virus, sendai virus, expressing
Reaction of Dog's Colon to Subcutaneous Injections of Morphine

Summary1. The immediate effect of morphine on colon motility resulting from the subcutaneous injection of ¼ grain is essentially a marked increase in the tone, with a diminution, frequently a disappearance of quiet periods. 2. Alternating with the periods of high tone is an exaggeration of Type I components of Type II contractions. 3. As far as the colon motility is concerned the dog shows no increased tolerance to ¼ grain of morphine given daily. 4. No evidence of a cumulative effect on colon motility was seen to follow daily injections of ¼ grain of morphine for a period of 60 days. 5. Twenty hours after subcutaneous injection of ¼ grain morphine the colon motility is practically the same as that prior to the injection.
New Concepts In Quality Control For 3D Near Surface Modeling

The ever increasing number of traces in land 3D surveys has prompted important developments in the field of near surface velocity modeling. One development that stands out is replacement of semi-interactively picked refraction arrivals with batch picked refraction arrivals (Tim Keho, personal communication). The objective of this study is to design and implement a robust methodology to quality control batch refraction arrival picks prior to their use in near surface inversion algorithms. Examples of new quality control tools presented here include: (1) decomposed relative arrival time versus offset and azimuth with optional overlay on shot records, (2) slowness maps which can be converted to velocity grids for potential input to near surface modeling packages and for comparison with hard data such as uphole velocity surveys, and (3) maps indicating the location of anomalous jumps in first arrival time picks. These anomalies, referred to as shingling, are usually associated with velocity inversions. Knowing where near surface velocity inversions occur is critical to identifying challenging data zones that may require additional near surface analysis or noise suppression processing. A key requirement of our approach is the ability to execute in a batch mode on large data volumes within a reasonable amount of wall clock time.
Research on Alternation Methods of Readiness Reserve Material Based on Storage Life

Aiming at the shortage of traditional alternation method in combat readiness reserve material,combining with less failure data of long storage material and unable real-time monitoring,a method of analyzing storage reliability of small sample with periodic testing data was put forward,which was used to estimate storage life for determination of alternation period.Particle swarm optimization was used to overcome the shortages of iterative method,which is long operation time and significant influence of selected initial value on convergence.It was proved that the method can get identical result with engineering practice.The purpose was to provide effective decision support for alternation of readiness reserve material.
Incidence Trend and Prediction of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Zhongsh an during １９７０－１９９９

Objectives：The aim of t his study was to explore th e incidence trend of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Zho ngshan based on the registered data of new nasopharyngeal carcinoma p atients du ring １９７０－１９９９，and to pre dict its incidence level in the near future （such as ２００１），to provide scientific foundation f or anti－cancer program me in Zhongsh an．Methods ：According to the registered data of new nasopharynge al carcinoma patien ts in Zhongshan during １９７０－１９９９，to calculate the crude incidence rate a nd the World Standardized Incidence rate of nasopharyngea l carcinoma in Zhongshan each year，and to set up the time series mod el of BOX －JENKINS on the basis of the World Standardized Incidence rate of nasopharyngea l carcinoma of Zhongshan，and to predict the incidence level of nasopharyngeal c arcinoma in th e near future（such as ２００１）with the model of BOX－JENKINS． Results：Although the nasopharyngeal carcin oma incidence during１９７０－１９９ ９in Zhongshan fluctuated，its incidence trend had increased as a whole with ２ １．４０％，and annually ave rage increasing ０．６５％．The ２００１incidence r ate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in ２００１would be １７．０３／１０ ５ according to the prediction of the BOX－JENKINS model．Conclusions ：It seem es that the nasopharyngeal carc inoma incidence rate of Zhongshan during １９７ ０－１９９９had show ed an increasing trend as a whole，and it was different from what had been reported before．Wh ether o r not it suggested the improvement of diagnostic techniques of nasophary ngeal carcinoma and ／or the quality of cancer registry since the late １９８０s or orther f actors had result－ed it deserved being researched further．
Evaluation of an Electronic Module for Reconciling Medications in Home Health Plans of Care

Objectives: Transitions in patient care pose an increased risk to patient safety. One way to reduce this risk is to ensure accurate medication reconciliation during the transition. Here we present an evaluation of an electronic medication reconciliation module we developed to reduce the transition risk in patients referred for home healthcare. Methods: Nineteen physicians with experience in managing home health referrals were recruited to participate in this within-subjects experiment. Participants completed medication reconciliation for three clinical cases in each of two conditions. The first condition (paper-based) simulated current practice – reconciling medication discrepancies between a paper plan of care (CMS 485) and a simulated Electronic Health Record (EHR). For the second condition (electronic) participants used our medication reconciliation module, which we integrated into the simulated EHR. To evaluate the effectiveness of our medication reconciliation module, we employed repeated measures ANOVA to test the hypotheses that the module will: 1) Improve accuracy by reducing the number of unaddressed medication discrepancies, 2) Improve efficiency by reducing the reconciliation time, 3) have good perceived usability. Results: The improved accuracy hypothesis is supported. Participants left more discrepancies unaddressed in the paper-based condition than the electronic condition, F = 22.3, p < 0.0001 (Paper Mean = 1.55, SD = 1.20; Electronic Mean = 0.45, SD = 0.65). However, contrary to our efficiency hypothesis, participants took the same amount of time to complete cases in the two conditions, F =0.007, p = 0.93 (Paper Mean = 258.7 seconds, SD = 124.4; Electronic Mean = 260.4 seconds, SD = 158.9). The usability hypothesis is supported by a composite mean ability and confidence score of 6.41 on a 7-point scale, 17 of 19 participants preferring the electronic system and an SUS rating of 86.5. Conclusion: We present the evaluation of an electronic medication reconciliation module that increases detection and resolution of medication discrepancies compared to a paper-based process. Further work to integrate medication reconciliation within an electronic medical record is warranted.
PARANEOPLASTIC BULLOUS STOMATITIS IN A HORSE

An adult horse with a 2-month history of anorexia, ataxia, and oral blisters had developed these clinical signs just prior to the appearance and growth of a cervical mass. Bullous stomatitis was characterized histologically as subepidermal clefting. Clinical signs were unresponsive to treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids; however, surgical removal of the mass coincided with remission of all signs. Histologic findings of the mass were consistent with hemangiosarcoma. Results of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation on frozen serum from the horse were characteristic of paraneoplastic pemphigus in human beings, a newly recognized mucocutaneous autoimmune disease associated with neoplasia.
Attributes That Confer Invasiveness and Impacts Across the Large Genus Bromus: Lessons from the Bromus REEnet Database

Bromus (L.) species are cool-season grasses of temperate regions and tropical high elevations. Some species in the genus Bromus have been widely introduced into new areas of the globe and are invasive in the Western United States, while others occur only in their native ranges. We developed a database with information about traits of Bromus species and their interactions with biotic and abiotic features of their environments. Using the collected data, we looked for correlations among wide introduction, weediness, a suite of traits including taxonomic section, year, life span, seed awn length, average seed mass, polyploidy, human use and cultivar availability, and climate factors. Annual Bromus species were often destructive crop weeds, ruderal weeds, and environmental (natural habitat) weeds. Long awn length was associated with wide introduction and weediness in annual Bromus grasses. Perennial Bromus grasses generally remained confined to their native regions unless they were polyploid species cultivated for hay, forage, and revegetation, and few were invasive. Invasiveness in Bromus species was associated with the ability to grow at high and low temperature and precipitation levels and with human activities. Most research focuses on highly invasive species such as Bromus tectorum L. (downy brome or cheatgrass) and cultivated species such as Bromus inermis Leyss. (smooth brome), while information about most other species is more limited. Information about Bromus species in a central location facilitates comparisons among species and provides data that can be used for modeling, prediction, management, and control of Bromus grass invasions.