cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acoustic-ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of double-braided nylon ropes using the stress wave factor

Abstract Acoustic-ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) has been conducted on a new dry Samson double-braided 2-in-1, 0·64 cm ( 1 4 in ) diameter nylon rope using the stress wave factor (SWF) measurement at various rope tensions. The rope samples considered were undamaged ropes and damaged ropes with core cut, core removed and cover cut. It is observed that different types of rope samples have their own SWF versus load characteristics. A SWF model based on two competing mechanisms for stress wave conduction in ropes has been developed. The two competing mechanisms are the decreasing transducer-rope contact area with increasing rope tension and the increasing rope compaction versus increasing rope tension. This competing-mechanisms model is found useful in describing the SWF characteristics for damaged and undamaged rope samples. Thus, this study indicates that the SWF can result from combined complex mechanisms and that the proper use of the SWF as an NDE technique must be accompanied by adequate SWF modeling.
Increasing Yields of Caged Channel Catfish in a Farm Pond by Sequential Harvests, with Notes on a Supplemental Harvest of Blue Tilapia

Abstract Our objective was to test a management scheme in which farm pond production of fishes could be increased by sequential harvesting. Periodic harvesting of caged channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus that were fed a formulated feed, caged blue tilapias Tilapia aurea, and wild fishes resulted in a gross yield of 3,207 kg in 6 months from a 1.6-hectare farm pond. Previously, gross yields of caged channel catfish from this pond had been less than 1,360 kg/season. By stocking three sets of cages with three sizes of channel catfish fingerlings (averaging 54, 105, and 173 g) at the rate of 300 fish/0.9-m3 cage and harvesting each set as they reached a market size of 0.5 kg, the standing crop of caged catfish was kept below 1,000 kg/hectare and the gross pond yield of this species was nearly 2,000 kg/hectare. Periodic harvests and low standing crops avoided the need for progressively higher feeding rates that usually lead to progressively greater enrichment, phytoplankton abundance, and water quality degrad...
Tangent lines of contact for the infinity Laplacian

In this paper, we will prove a “tangent line touching” condition for supersolutions of the infinity Laplacian. This is a kind of quantitative estimate for the failure of the strong maximal principle. When n = 2, this also implies the failure of the principle of unique continuation. In addition, we will establish a theorem of continuation.
Erosion of elephant trunk Dacron graft limb by thoracic endograft causing acute aneurysm expansion

We recently treated a patient in whom a Gore TAG thoracic endograft (W.L. Gore and Assoc, Flagstaff, Arix) had been used to repair a descending thoracic aneurysm as the second stage of a hybrid procedure. This patient had previously undergone repair of ascending and aortic arch aneurysms, with an elephant trunk graft limb placed in the descending thoracic aorta for subsequent repair of the descending thoracic aneurysm. Eight months after placement of the thoracic endograft, the patient presented with an acutely expanding and symptomatic thoracic aneurysm. The patient was operated on urgently. The proximal portion of the endograft had eroded into the previously placed Dacron elephant trunk limb. The proximal portion of the endograft was removed and was replaced with a Dacron graft. The management of this patient forms the basis of this report.
Chromosome localizations of genes for five cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases in man and mouse

Cyclic nucleotides are important second messengers that mediate a number of cellular responses to external signals. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases play a role in signal transduction by regulating the cellular concentrations of these messengers. Here, we have applied Southern analyses of somatic cell hybrid lines and of recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strains as well as fluorescence chromosomal in situ hybridization (FISH) to chromosomally localize five cAMP-specific nucleotide phosphodiesterase genes in human and mouse. GenesDPDE1, DPDE2, DPDE3, andDPDE4 that share sequence homology with theDrosophila dunce gene were assigned to human chromosomes 19 (DPDE1 andDPDE2), 5q12 (DPDE3), and 1p31 (DPDE4) and to mouse chromosomes 8, 9, 13, and 4, respectively. The high-affinity cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase gene (HCP1) was mapped to human chromosome 8q13-q22. Since these genes are potential candidates for involvement in psychiatric or behavioral disorders, knowledge of their chromosomal localizations will facilitate the discovery of their association with disease genes as they are being mapped by linkage studies.
Cosmic origins spectrograph: a Hubble replacement instrument for the 2002 reservicing mission

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph is a new instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope that will be installed in 2002. It is designed for high throughput, medium resolution spectroscopy of point sources, allowing the efficient observation of numerous faint extragalactic and galactic UV sources. The primary science objectives of the mission are the study of the origins of large scale structure in the universe, the formation, and evolution of galaxies, and the origin of stellar and planetary systems and the cold interstellar medium.
The heat of formation of uranium carbide

Abstract The heat of combustion for UC0.996 ± 0.005 and UC1.032 ± 0.005 has been determined and −23.3 ± 0.9 kcal/mole and −23.0 ± 1.0 kcal/mole have been calculated as the respective heats of formation at 298.15° K. By comparing this with previous combustion and vapor pressure measurements, the change in the heat of formation as a function of composition can be defined. This work provides strong evidence that the heat of vaporization of uranium is near 126.5 kcal/mole at 298.15° K.
Objectives to direct the training of emergency medicine residents on off-service rotations: Psychiatry

Objectives for Emergency Medicine residents on a Psychiatry rotation is the 33rd article in this continuing series of off-service objectives. Psychiatric presentations, including substance abuse and violent behavior, are ubiquitous in the emergency department. In addition, psychological issues influence every aspect of clinical care. A psychiatry rotation can be valuable in emergency medicine training. This experience can be enhanced by clearly defined learning objectives in clinical psychiatry.
A valuable book for understanding hormones and behavior

The third edition of An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology by Randy J. Nelson, is one of the most up-to-date and complete textbooks on the field of behavioral endocrinology. Written by an internationally recognized leader in the field known for his clear exposition, this text takes a different approach from two other books [Behavioral Endocrinology by Becker et al. (MIT Press) and Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations by Pfaff (Academic-Elsevier)] to the presentation of the relationship between hormones and behavior. This volume synthesizes some classical readings with the most current, controversial issues in research and in real life. This makes the book very interesting not only for scientific minds, but also for other readers who simply want to understand the hormonal languages of the body.Nelson's book is divided into 13 chapters that discuss the most important issues chronologically: from the history of the study of behavioral endocrinology to human behavioral disorders affected by hormones. To describe certain behaviors in humans and animals better, the book is rich in pictures illustrating hormone-dependent behavioral patterns and characteristics. In addition, there are useful descriptive graphs, diagrams, drawings, schemes and chemical formulas, all of which make it easier to visualize the text material. Each chapter is presented in a pleasing, logical order, beginning with basic ‘must know’ material and proceeding to more complex mechanisms, and is subsequently wrapped up by a clear conclusion and summary section. Chapters also contain questions for discussion and carefully selected suggested readings. The author took a clever approach to transmitting knowledge in today's computerized world by including electronic versions on compact disc of tutorials, videos, figures, tables and internet links for students and instructors. By representing the exploding field of behavioral and neuroendocrinology in this fashion, Nelson has provided an invaluable resource for students and other scholars interested in this field.
Antibiotic-induced recurring interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is often induced by drug therapy and accounts for 1%-3% of adult cases of renal failure. A 13-year-old white female with cystic fibrosis developed two episodes of biopsy proven AIN following antibiotic use over a 5-year period. The first episode resolved with pulse steroid therapy and the second resolved without intervention. Steroid therapy may play a role in aborting subsequent AIN attacks.
Step-Drawdown Test Analysis by Computer

Many geohydrologists believe that the step-drawdown test is useful in determining many important characteristics of a well, whereas others altogether question its utility. In addition to this controversy, its application is hindered because the graphical analysis of data is unwieldy. A computer code is presented for step-drawdown test analysis which is efficient and simple to use; moreover, it is an example of how optimization can be used in a practical way. A listing of the FORTRAN code is included along with some example calculations.
The Radical Perspective on Social Studies: A Synthesis and Critique

Abstract Radical writing in education suggests a) that emancipation should be the guiding social ideal; b) social life should be understood largely in terms of such concepts as domination, autonomy, contradiction, and the social construction of knowledge; and c) that teaching should emphasize the development of critical discourse. If potentially appealing aspects of these ideas are to be incorporated into social studies, research is needed to develop more specific social visions consistent with the value of emancipation, to determine what organizational changes must be made in schools, and to identify specific teaching practices that maximize the intellectual accomplishment and emotional rewards of critical inquiry.
INVASIVE SPECIES AND THE LOSS OF BETA DIVERSITY

Why should we avoid introducing invasive species? In this paper I argue that in addition to the more ordinary and visible types of harm that invasive species cause, they also cause a reduction in a particular kind of biodiversity—that of beta diversity. Rather than simply measuring the number of species found in a particular region, beta diversity measures the differences in the species found between regions. This difference between regions can be measured by comparing neighboring regions (local beta diversity) or by comparing distant regions (global beta diversity). Both types of beta diversity are reduced by the introduction of invasive species. I further argue that beta diversity is an important part of our concept of biodiversity and of what we value about the natural world. Thus the tendency of invasive species to reduce beta diversity gives us a substantial reason to avoid introducing them.
Association rule and quantitative association rule mining among infrequent items

Association rule mining among frequent items has been extensively studied in data mining research. However, in the recent years, there is an increasing demand of mining the infrequent items (such as rare but expensive items). Since exploring interesting relationship among infrequent items has not been discussed much in the literature, in this paper, we propose two simple, practical and effective schemes to mine association rules among rare items. Our algorithm can also be applied to frequent items with bounded length. Experiments are performed on the well-known IBM synthetic database. Our schemes compare favorably to Apriori and FP-growth under the situation being evaluated. In addition, we explore quantitative association rule mining in transactional database among infrequent items by associating quantities of items purchased; some interesting examples are drawn to illustrate the significance of such mining.
Application of capillary electrophoresis to stereochemical conversions. A case study: the photoracemization/hydrolysis of Cr(diimine)3 3+ species

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is shown to be a powerful probe of the stereochemical changes accompanying photoinitiated racemization and ligand substitution of optically active Cr(diimine) 3 3+ complexes (diimine=2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline) in aqueous solution. With dibenzoyl- l -tartrate as a chiral additive in the CE capillary buffer, the electropherograms of photolyzed samples of Λ-Cr(diimine) 3 3+ species display excellent separations of the Λ and Δ optical isomers of both the parent Cr(diimine) 3 3+ complex and the hydrolysis products. Therefore, we have utilized CE analysis as a direct probe of the extent of racemization of the parent Λ-Cr(diimine) 3 3+ complexes, while simultaneously determining the optical purity of the hydrolysis product. For pH 2 irradiations, racemization of both Cr(diimine) 3 3+ complexes proceeds without concomitant cis -Cr(diimine) 2 (H 2 O) 2 3+ formation. The corresponding data at pH 7.4 reveal that racemization and hydrolysis are concurrent processes, with formation of the hydrolysis product proceeding with complete loss of optical configuration . For photolyses at pH 11.6, extensive base hydrolysis is apparent (again with no retention of absolute configuration), but is accompanied by the absence of direct Λ -Cr(diimine) 3 3+ racemization . These results provide support for racemization and hydrolysis proceeding via a common intermediate.
An experimental study of natural convection in a volumetrically heated spherical pool bounded on top with a rigid wall

Abstract Flooding of the reactor cavity is being considered as a cooling strategy to prevent vessel thermal failure in the case of severe core damage accidents in which relocation of core material into lower vessel head occurs. A recent study carried out at UCLA showed that the flooding of cavity could indeed be a viable option. However, one important factor contributing to uncertainty in that study was the internal natural convection heat transfer coefficient. In the present work, experiments were conducted to examine natural convection heat transfer in internally heated hemispherical pools with external cooling. In the experiments, Freon-113 contained in a Pyrex bell jar, was used as a test liquid and the vessel was cooled from the outside with water. The pool was bounded with a rigid wall at the top, and was heated with a 750 W magnetron taken from a conventional microwave oven. The vessel inner wall temperature was not held constant and varied from the stagnation point to the equator. A series of chromel alumel thermocouples was used to measure the pool and wall temperatures at different locations. Experiments were performed for pools with nearly insulated and cold rigid walls at the top. The depth of the pool was varied parametrically. Both local and average heat transfer coefficients based on maximum pool temperature were obtained. The results have been compared with the correlations obtained for pools with free surface.
Cortical projections of ascending nonspecific systems

Abstract Areal distributions on cerebral cortex of several types of non specific activity were compared in cat. Spontaneous spindle bursts in pentobarbital and cerveau isole preparations, nonspecific cortical association responses evoked by peripheral stimuli in the chloralosed animal, and short latency cortical responses evoked by single shock stimulation of the midbrain reticular formation were all found to have essentially identical cortical distributions. These occurred in four major foci, two on the middle suprasylvian gyrus, one on the anterior lateral gyrus, and one on pericruciate cortex surrounding the cruciate sulcus.
Quantitative Evaluation of Fiber from Nonforage Sources Used to Replace Alfalfa Silage

The effectiveness of NDF from nonforage fiber sources was evaluated in two trials using midlactation Holsteins. Dietary NDF was added to the basal diet using either alfalfa silage or a nonforage high fiber feed. Diets were fed for 21 d. In trial 1, four amounts of alfalfa were fed. Basal milk fat percentage was 2.61% at 144 g of alfalfa NDF/kg of diet and increased linearly by .066 for each additional 1% alfalfa NDF added, up to 22.8 g of alfalfa NDF/kg of diet. Based on one amount of added nonforage fiber, the ratio of fat test increase to NDF added was .014 for brewers grains, .040 for oat hulls, and .047 for corn gluten feed. In trial 2, one amount of added alfalfa and each nonforage fiber source was used. The ratio of fat test increase to added NDF was .094 for alfalfa, .043 for brewers grains, .067 for oat hulls, .038 for corn gluten feed, .041 for beet pulp, and .044 for malt sprouts. When added to low fiber diets, NDF from the nonforage fiber sources elevated milk fat concentration approximately one-half as effectively as did NDF from alfalfa. Chewing activity was less affected by nonforage NDF than was milk fat concentration.
Mental and motor scores at 8 months in relation to neonatal photic responses.

SUMMARY Three physiological neonatal variables have been examined for their relationship to three behavioral 8-month variables in a group of 433 infants. All nine inter-age correlations were statistically significant. Among the neonatal variables, the correlations involving photic response latency and gestational age were about the same magnitude for each 8-month variable and were higher than the correlations involving birthweight. At 8 months, the mental test score had higher correlations with the neonatal measures than the fine motor or gross motor scores. Resume Scores mentaux et moteurs a 8 mois, en relation avec les reponses photiques neonatales Trois variables physiologiques neaonatales ont ete relevees et comparees a trois variables de comportement a l'âge de 8 mois sur un groupe de 433 enfants. Les neuf correlations calculees inter-âge etaient statistiquement significatives. Parmi les variables neonatales, les correlations impliquants la latence de la reponse a la lumiere et l'âge de gestation etaient de meme valeur pour chaque variable a 8 mois et etaient plus elevees que les correlations portant sur le poids de naissance. A huit mois, le score de test mental a une correlation plus elevee avec les mesures neonatales que celles donnees par les scores d'activites motrices fine ou grossiere. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Uber die Beziehung zwischen der geistigen und motorischen Entwicklung bei 8 Monate alien Kindern und den Reizantworten auf Photostimulation bei Neugeborenen Bei einer Gruppe von 433 Kindern sind in der Neugeborenenzeit drei physiologische Parameter untersucht worden und mit drei Parametern im Alter von 8 Monaten in Beziehung gesetzt. Alle neun Korrelationen zwischen den beiden Lebensaltern waren statistisch signifikant. Von den neonatalen Parametern zeigte die Beziehung ‘Latenz auf Photostimilation’ zu Gestationsalter zu jedem der Parameter mit 8 Monaten gleichhohe Korrelation, und diese war grosser als die Korrelation zum Geburtsgewicht. Mit 8 Monaten zeigte der Index fur die geistige Entwicklung deutlichere Beziehungen zu Befunden der Neugeborenenzeit als die Indices fur die feine und grobe Motorik. RESUMEN Habilidades mentales y motoras a los 8 meses con relation a respuestas foticas neonatales Se han examinado tres factores variables de la fisiologia neonatal para su asociacion a tres factores variables del comportamiento a los 8 meses, en un grupo de 433 lactantes. Todas las nueve correlaciones entre las dos edades tenian una significancia estadistica. Entre los factores variables en el grupo neonatal, las correlaciones que concernian la latencia de respuestas foticas y la edad gestacional eran de la misma magnitud aproxima-damente para cada factor variable a los 8 meses, y mas altas que las correlaciones que concernian el peso al nacer. A los 8 meses, los resultados del test mental tenian correlaciones con los resultados neonatales mayores de las que tenian los resultados motores o seleccionados o totales.
Preliminary experience with low concentration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: a potential regulator in preimplantation mouse embryo development and apoptosis.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.
Multiple copies of ammonia monooxygenase (amo) operons have evolved under biased AT/GC mutational pressure in ammonia‐oxidizing autotrophic bacteria

The recent availability of complete sequences of ammonia monooxygenase (16 amoA, 5 amoB and 5 amoC gene sequences) and particulate methane monooxygenase (2 pmoA, pmoB and pmoC gene sequences each) genes allowed for a detailed analysis of their relatedness. Nucleotide sequence analysis was performed in order to identify the origins of the nearly identical operon copies within a given nitrosofier/methanotroph strain. Our data suggest that amo-homologous gene evolution has occurred in individual strains (orthology) under biased AT/GC pressure rather than by horizontal transfer. The multiple operon copies within individual strains are the result of operon duplication (paralogy). While the near identity of the multiple operon copies makes it impossible to determine whether paralogous gene expansion occurred in the last common ancestor of ammonia oxidizers or after speciation took place, we conclude that the duplication events were not recent events. We propose that the elimination of third basepair degeneracy between copies within one organism is implemented by a rectification mechanism resulting in concerted evolution.
Ophthalmic Disease and Its Management

A variety of ocular disorders occur with increased frequency in aging patients. There are those, such as lens-induced uveitis, which simply represent the end stages of chronic disease. There are lesions of the orbit, eyelid, and uveal tract that epitomize the geriatric penchant for neoplasia. Calcific degeneration and endothelial dystrophy are among the disorders representing the degenerative side of the aging eye. Vision loss accompanies cataracts and retinal detachments. Though each of these disorders is potentially blinding, advances in medical and surgical management have improved the likelihood of lifelong vision in our veterinary patients.
Clinical management of the symptomatic but unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Pain or tenderness of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is widely believed to signify acute expansion and imminent rupture. To assess the potential benefit of emergency operation for the group of patients with an acutely expanding aneurysm, the clinical course of 19 patients with a symptomatic but unruptured expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm was compared with 117 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm resection, and 69 patients having operation for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Postoperative morbidity was high in the patients with an expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm, and included a 21% incidence of myocardial infarction, a 10% incidence of stroke, a 37% risk of ventilatory failure, and a 31% incidence of acute renal failure, which was not statistically different from the results in patients having ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm resection. Patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm resection had only an 8% risk of myocardial infarction, and only a 2% risk of stroke, ventilatory failure, or renal failure. The mortality rate for expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm resection was 26% compared to 35% for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (p = 0.31). Both emergency operations had a mortality rate more than five times greater than the 5.1% after elective procedures (p = 0.008). Our findings emphasize the need for early and aggressive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the elective setting, even in the patient at high risk, and suggest that the preoperative assessment and modification of risk factors is important to prevent the cardiac, cerebrovascular, pulmonary, and renal complications seen accompanying an emergency operation of this magnitude.
Social transmission of Pavlovian fear: fear-conditioning by-proxy in related female rats

Pairing a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; e.g., a tone) to an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; e.g., a foot-shock) leads to associative learning such that the tone alone will elicit a conditioned response (e.g., freezing). Individuals can also acquire fear from a social context, such as through observing the fear expression of a conspecific. In the current study, we examined the influence of kinship/familiarity on social transmission of fear in female rats. Rats were housed in triads with either sisters or non-related females. One rat from each cage was fear conditioned to a tone CS+ shock US. On day two, the conditioned rat was returned to the chamber accompanied by one of her cage mates. Both rats were allowed to behave freely, while the tone was played in the absence of the foot-shock. The previously untrained rat is referred to as the fear-conditioned by-proxy (FCbP) animal, as she would freeze based on observations of her cage-mate's response rather than due to direct personal experience with the foot-shock. The third rat served as a cage-mate control. The third day, long-term memory tests to the CS were performed. Consistent with our previous application of this paradigm in male rats (Bruchey et al. in Behav Brain Res 214(1):80-84, 2010), our results revealed that social interactions between the fear conditioned and FCbP rats on day two contribute to freezing displayed by the FCbP rats on day three. In this experiment, prosocial behavior occurring at the termination of the cue on day two was significantly greater between sisters than their non-sister counterparts, and this behavior resulted in increased freezing on day three. Our results suggest that familiarity and/or kinship influences the social transmission of fear in female rats.
Novel slab-pumped, high-power, glass amplifiers and lasers

We will discuss novel slab wave guide coupler designs that allow for efficient incoherent diode pump light absorption in highly-doped, high gain, short length fiber amplifiers and lasers. In contrast to end pumping, the pump light is absorbed uniformly along the active material thereby avoiding problems associated with spatial hole-burning during laser operation.
Information technology, employment, and the information sector: trends in information employment 1970–1995

Since 1970, there have been massive changes in both the U.S. economy and the technologies of information handling. Both of these have implications for employment in the information sector. This article updates the data on the occupational structure of information work, 1970–1995 inclusive. The data indicate that the information sector continues to grow as a proportion of all employment, albeit slower in recent years. The data also indicate that, within the information sector, information workers who handle information in non-routine ways are growing faster than information workers who handle information in routine ways. This article explores these trends in relation to the effects of information technology. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Subgrid Modeling of Soot Formation in Non-Premixed Turbulent Flames

A subgrid model for soot dynamics is developed for large-eddy simulation (LES) using the Method of Moment with Interpolative Closure (MOMIC). The soot model is implemented within a subgrid mixing and combustion model so that reaction-diffusion-MOMIC coupling is possible without requiring ad hoc filtering. The combined model includes the entire process, from the initial phase, when the soot nucleus diameter is much smaller than the mean free path, to the final phase, after coagulation and aggregation, where it can be considered in the continuum regime. The soot diffusion and the effect of the thermophoretic forces are included in the model. A relatively detailed but reduced kinetics for ethylene-air is used to simulate an experimentally studied non-premixed ethylene/air jet diffusion flame. In this formulation, acetylene is used as a soot precursor species. The soot volume fraction order of magnitude, the location of its maxima, and the soot particle size distribution are all captured reasonably. Along the centerline, an initial region dominated by nucleation and surface growth is established followed by an oxidation region. A possible initial log-normal distribution followed by a more gaussian distribution downstream the centerline is observed. Limitations of the current approach and possible solution strategies are also discussed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Life History of the Free-Living Marine Nematode Chromadorita Tenuis (Nematoda: Chromadorida)

The life history of the free-living marine nematode Chromadorita tenuis was studied in the laboratory at 2°C, 10°C and 18°C in agar plates based on 6°/oo S seawater. The duration of all developmental stages was temperature-dependent and increased with decreasing temperature; fecundity decreased with decreasing temperature. Juveniles of C. tenuis as well as three other chromadorids studied have a replacement tooth behind the dorsal tooth. The cuticularized linings of the buccal cavity and the oesophagus are renewed during the moulting process; the old lining is passed into the intestine, whereas the body cuticle is shed into the medium. The number of generations produced annually by C. tenuis is estimated at 8-10 under temperature and salinity conditions prevailing in the Baltic Sea.
Identification of a monoclonal antibody which interacts with the parathyroid hormone receptor-adenylate cyclase system in murine bone.

Abstract We have produced monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to mouse bone cells and then selected these monoclonal antibodies for their ability to inhibit parathyroid hormone (PTH) responses in mouse cranial bone treated with the (1–34) amino terminal peptide of bovine PTH [bPTH(1–34)]. One clone, designated 3–6, characterized as an IgM(k), significantly inhibited the accumulation of cAMP in response to bPTH(l-34) at concentrations of hormone between 10−9 and 10−7 M. This antibody was subsequently isolated by gel filtration and shown to bind to intact mouse calvariae, with saturation binding occurring at 3 μg/ml IgM. A maximal inhibition of approximately 70% of the cAMP accumulation produced in response to 2.5 × 10−8M (100 ng/ml) bPTH(1–34) was obtained with 7 μg/ml of the purified 3–6 IgM. At this concentration of 3–6 IgM, the half-maximal dose of PTH for activation of cAMP accumulation was increased from 5 × 10−9 M to 2 × 10−8 M with no reduction in maximal levels of cAMP production. The utility of this antibody as an inhibitor was further tested by its ability to block the binding of an iodinated PTH analogue, 125I-[Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]-bPTH(l-34) to mouse cranial bone. The 3–6 IgM at a concentration of 5 × 10−8 M inhibited 70% of the specific binding of the 125I-labeled analogue. In the absence of parathyroid hormone, 2 × 10−8 M 3–6 IgM produced a 4-fold increase in cAMP above basal levels, as compared to 40-fold maximal increases observed with PTH, indicating a partial PTH agonist activity of this antibody. When tested for effects on other hormones, 3–6 IgM did not inhibit cAMP accumulation produced in response to salmon calcitonin, epinephrine, prostaglandin E2 or cholera toxin. We propose that the 3–6 monoclonal IgM is specific for the PTH receptor or a component of the PTH receptor-adenylate cyclase system and that this or similar antibodies will serve as useful reagents for future molecular characterization of this receptor.
Morphometric studies on rat seminiferous tubules

The goal of this morphometric study was to obtain quantitative information on the seminiferous tubules of Sprague-Dawley rats, including changes seen at various stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Tissue from perfusion-fixed testes was embedded in Epon-Araldite; and sections were subjected to morphometric measurements at the light microscopic level, using point counting for volume densities and the Floderus equation for numerical densities. Changes occur in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule, as well as in the volume of the seminiferous epithelium and tubule lumen, from stage to stage during the cycle. A significant constriction of the seminiferous tubule accompanies spermiation. The volume of the seminiferous epithelium per unit length of the tubule begins to increase after stage XIV, and peaks at stage V of the next cycle. The tubule lumen increases dramatically from stages V to VII, at the expense of the epithelium. The number of Sertoli cells is constant per unit length of the seminiferous tubule at all stages of the cycle. This is also true for primary spermatocytes of various developmental phases and for round spermatids from step 1 through step 10 of spermiogenesis. The average number of younger (preleptotene, leptotene, zytgotene) primary spermatocytes per Sertoli cell is 2.34 +/- 0.082 (SEM), the number of older (pachytene, diplotene) primary spermatocytes per Sertoli cell is 2.37 +/- 0.064, and the ratio of step 1-10 spermatids to Sertoli cells is 7.89 +/- 0.27. By studying tangential views of serially sectioned seminiferous tubules at stage V, it is shown that the number of step-17 spermatids associated with each Sertoli cell averages 8.35 +/- 0.128, although the counts ranged from 6 to 11. The only appreciable occurrence of cell death after the last spermatogonial mitosis appears to be a 15% loss during the first meiotic division. From our morphometric results, corrected for volume changes during preparation for microscopy, there are 15.7 million (+/- 0.99 million) Sertoli cells per gram of fresh rat testis. The length of seminiferous tubule per gram of testis is estimated to be 12.4 +/- 0.56 meters, and the tubule surface area per gram testis is 119.7 +/- 2.57 cm2. The daily production of mature spermatids is 9.61 million (+/- 0.615 million) per gram of testis.
Interaction of NO2 with BaO: From Cooperative Adsorption to Ba(NO3)2 Formation

The adsorption and reaction of NO2 on a thick (>30 ML), pure BaO film deposited onto an Al2O3/NiAl(110) substrate were investigated using temperature-programmed desorption, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. For the first time, it was clearly demonstrated that BaO reacts with NO2 to initially form nitrite−nitrate ion pairs by the cooperative adsorption mechanism predicted by theoretical calculation. These NO2-/NO3- ion pairs readily form even at 90 K. In the decomposition process of these ion pairs, first the nitrite species release an NO molecule and then form BaO2. At higher temperatures, nitrate species decompose in two steps: at lower temperature as NO2 only, then, at higher temperature, as NO + O2. The results of NO2 adsorption/reaction on this model system are identical to those we have found on a high surface area 20 wt % BaO/γ-Al2O3 sample with the exception of surface nitrates that were only observed on the high surface area material.
Factors Influencing Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Egg Hatch and Larval Establishment

Alfalfa weevil embryo and larval establishment mortalities were assessed as a function of embryonic age (aged 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 degree-days Celsius) when development was interrupted, duration of the interruption (up to 60 days), and temperature at which development was interrupted (4, − 6, − 16°C). Based on the sequence of treatment combinations that significantly influenced mortality, it was concluded that the more advanced the embryonic age when development was interrupted, the longer the interruption, and the lower the temperature during the interruption, the greater the embryo mortality (EM), larval establishment mortality (LEM), and therefore the total mortality (TM) (TM = EM + LEM).
Racial differences in allergic sensitization: recent findings and future directions

Racial disparities are present in many facets of health and disease. Allergy and asthma are no exceptions. Secondary results from cross-sectional and cohort studies have provided information on the scope of racial disparities in allergic sensitization in the United States. African American/Black individuals tend to be sensitized more frequently than White individuals. Little is known about rates in other race groups. Genetics are unlikely to be the sole or major cause of the observed differences. Home dust allergen and endotoxin levels cannot explain the differences. Studies that have been designed to specifically address the sources of these racial disparities are needed. A “Multilevel Framework” that considers the roles of the individual, family and community presents an excellent approach to guide design of future studies of the causes of these disparities. Understanding the causes of the disparities could lead to interventions that would improve the health of all individuals.
WAVE PROPAGATION IN LAYERED COMPOSITE LAMINATES UNDER PERIODIC SURFACE LOADS

Abstract A matrix method is presented for the solution of wave propagation problems in multilayered anisotropic media subjected to time harmonic disturbances. The method is applied to obtain the formal solution of the response of layered composite plates to time harmonic and spatially periodic surface loads. It is shown that the solution leads to stable numerical schemes for the evaluation of the displacement and stress fields within the laminate. Numerical results for specific problems will be presented in a separate paper.
Exploring Confrontation: Sri Lanka—Politics, Culture, and History

Exploring Confrontation: Sri Lanka—Politics, Culture, and History. MICHAEL ROBERTS. Chur, Switzerland: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1995. xvi + 377 pp., plates, tables, charts, maps, glossary, notes, bibliography, index.
Marginalized discourses and scientific literacy

The central position of this article is that an important component of scientific literacy is an understanding of the reciprocal impact of science and the general culture on each other. The article focuses on the marginalized discourses that have arisen to oppose the racism, sexism, and classism espoused and advocated by mainstream science since its institutionalization until the first half of the 20th century. The article explores the pedagogical value of studying these oppositional discourses to demonstrate the permeability of the boundaries between science and the general culture. It also discusses how the issues raised by these discourses can be used to enhance the scientific literacy of students. J Res Sci Teach 35: 365–374, 1998.
The Doctor's Dilemma: Opiate Analgesics and Chronic Pain

Opiates are utilized routinely and effectively as a short-term analgesic treatment for a variety of acute pain conditions such as occur following trauma, and for patients with painful terminal diseases such as cancer. Because opiate analgesics are highly addictive substances, their use in the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain remains controversial.
Cerebral microvascular IL15 is a novel mediator of TNF action.

The blood-brain barrier is a gatekeeper and modulatory interface for the CNS. Cerebral endothelial cells are the major component of the blood-brain barrier, and they modify inflammatory signals from the circulation to the CNS by production and secretion of secondary substances. The inflammatory mediators induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) were determined by microarray analysis of RBE4 cerebral endothelial cells, at 0, 6, 12, or 24 h after TNF treatment. Interleukin (IL)-15 and its receptors were among the most robustly up-regulated genes. This was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. The three subunits of the IL15 receptor complex (IL15Rα, IL2Rβ, and IL2Rγ) showed differential regulation by TNF in their time course and amplitude of increased expression. Consistent with increased expression of the specific high affinity receptor IL15Rα, TNF increased cellular uptake of 125I-IL15 and enhanced the fluorescent intensity of Alexa568-IL15 in RBE4 cells. TNF treatment in mice also increased the level of expression of IL15 receptors in enriched cerebral microvessels. We conclude that the cerebral microvascular IL15 system is a novel inflammatory mediator that transduces the actions of TNF.
Continuous system and finite cell models: A statistical comparison

Abstract Response functions to delta function inputs for plug-flow with dispersion systems and completely mixed cells-in-series systems are compared by treatment as statistical distributions. The resultant comparison of variances provided a relationship between the Peclet number for the plug flow system and the number of cells for the cells-in-series system. A comparison of the means showed that a time shift can be applied to the cells-in-series analysis to provide a closer correlation to the plug flow with dispersion system response.
Transient sensitization by a contrast flash.

Abstract A large, annular contrast-flash that raises thresholds for a test spot under some conditions can lower theresholds under other conditions. Incremental thresholds for a 2.5° test flash were measured upon a 10° adapting field. When an annulus, 2.5–9°, was flashed shortly before or shortly after presentation of the test spot, threshold was higher than when the annulus was not presented. When the test spot and annulus were flashed simultaneously, however, test threshold was lower with the annulus than without. This transient sensitization occurs over a limited range of annulus and adapting field intensities. Under appropriate conditions, the effect exceeds 0.5 log units.
Age and Dietary Iron Affect Expression of Genes Involved in Iron Acquisition and Homeostasis in Young Pigs

To investigate the effects of dietary iron (Fe) and age on Fe metabolism, we used 36 weaned barrows in a 2 x 3 design with 2 concentrations of dietary Fe [97 (control) and 797 (high Fe) mg Fe/kg dry matter] and 3 time points of tissue collection (after 21, 42, or 63 d on diets). Pigs were weighed and bled on d 0, 20, 41, and 62. High Fe reduced feed efficiency but did not affect pig weight gain. Blood hemoglobin concentrations and Fe concentrations of liver, intestine, and heart were increased by high dietary Fe on all days. Concentrations of liver and heart Fe increased with age. As determined by quantitative real-time PCR, hepatic expression of hepcidin (HAMP) in pigs given the high-Fe diet was 6.25-fold that of control pigs. In the intestine, relative mRNA levels of ferroportin, divalent metal transporter 1, and transferrin receptor were downregulated by high Fe. Expression of an alternative route of Fe absorption, solute carrier family 39 member 14 (SLC39A14), was downregulated in the intestine of pigs fed high dietary Fe. Additionally, duodenal mRNA level of certain genes including scavenger receptor class A, member 5, and frataxin decreased with age of the animal. Our findings indicate new roles in Fe metabolism for several mineral metabolism-associated genes and that some of these genes, such as SLC39A14, may be regulated in response to dietary Fe in pigs. Additionally, the expression of some genes examined in this study was affected by age, suggesting age dependency of Fe metabolism in pigs.
Epidemiological differences between gastric cardia adenocarcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Purpose: It remains unclear whether gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) is a distinct malignancy from esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). We examined several epidemiological features of patients with GCA and EA in the US to elucidate differences|[sol]|similarities between these malignancies.
Neurodegeneration: paying it off with sleep.

A new study in fruit flies suggests modulation of neural activity links sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. Both sleep loss and amyloid beta increase neural excitability, which reinforces the accumulation of amyloid beta and shortens lifespan.
An introduction to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism refers to mineralogical and structural readjustment of supracrustal protoliths and associated mafic-ultramafic rocks at mantle pressures greater than ∼ 25 kbar (80-90 km). Typical products include metapelite, quartzite, marble, granulite, eclogite, paragneiss and orthogneiss; minor mafic and ultramafic rocks occur as eclogitic-ultramafic layers or blocks of various dimensions within the supracrustal rocks. For appropriate bulk compositions, metamorphism at great depths produces coesite, microdiamond and other characteristic UHP minerals with unusual compositions. Thus far, at least seven coesite-bearing eclogitic terranes and three diamond-bearing UHP regions have been documented. All lie within major continental collision belts in Eurasia, have similar supracrustal protoliths and metamorphic assemblages, occur in long, discontinuous belts that may extend several hundred kilometers or more, and typically are associated with contemporaneous high-P blueschist belts. This paper defines the P-T regimes of UHP metamorphism and describes mineralogical, petrological and tectonic characteristics for a few representative UHP terranes including the western gneiss region of Norway, the Dora Maira massif of the western Alps, the Dabie Mountains and the Su-Lu region of east-central China, and the Kokchetav massif of the former USSR. Prograde P-T paths for coesite-bearing eclogites require abnormally low geothermal gradients (approximately 7°C/km) that can be accomplished only by subduction of cold, oceanic crust-capped lithosphere ± pelagic sediments or an old, cold continent. The preservation of coesite inclusions in garnet, zircon, omphacite, kyanite and epidote, and microdiamond inclusions in garnet and zircon during exhumation of an UHP terrane requires either an extraordinarily fast rate of denudation (up to 10 cm/year) or continuous refrigeration in an extensional regime (retreating subduction zone).
Persistent junk solutions in time-domain modeling of extreme mass ratio binaries

In the context of metric perturbation theory for nonspinning black holes, extreme mass ratio binary systems are described by distributionally forced master wave equations. Numerical solution of a master wave equation as an initial boundary value problem requires initial data. However, because the correct initial data for generic-orbit systems is unknown, specification of trivial initial data is a common choice, despite being inconsistent and resulting in a solution which is initially discontinuous in time. As is well known, this choice leads to a burst of junk radiation which eventually propagates off the computational domain. We observe another potential consequence of trivial initial data: development of a persistent spurious solution, here referred to as the Jost junk solution, which contaminates the physical solution for long times. This work studies the influence of both types of junk on metric perturbations, waveforms, and self-force measurements, and it demonstrates that smooth modified source terms mollify the Jost solution and reduce junk radiation. Our concluding section discusses the applicability of these observations to other numerical schemes and techniques used to solve distributionally forced master wave equations.
A compilation of LD50 values in newborn and adult animals

Abstract A tabulation of LD50 values for newborn and adult mammals has been compiled from the literature and from the files of the Food and Drug Administration.