cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-induced compaction and its inhibition in embryonal carcinoma cell aggregates

Abstract H6 embryonal carcinoma cells form aggregates of cells in culture medium which contains 2 mM calcium. These aggregates are described as uncompacted, indicating that the individual cells of the aggregate are spherical and are in limited contact with each other. In contrast, compaction of the aggregate, induced by increasing the calcium concentration, results in a tight mass of cells flattened against one another and connected by intercellular junctions. At least 85–97% of the aggregates undergo compaction in 7 mM calcium and are subsequently decompacted if removed to 2 mM calcium. Since calcium ionophore A23187 does not induce compaction, extracellular rather than intracellular calcium seems to be the limiting factor. We have demonstrated that this calcium-induced morphogenetic change is sensitive to inhibition by agents which also prevent the calcium-dependent compaction of the 8-cell mouse embryo. The cytoskeletal-binding drugs tetracaine HCl, colcemid, vinblastine, colchicine, and cytochalasin B each inhibit compaction of H6 aggregates. Interference at surface molecule sites by exposure to the lectins wheat germ agglutinin or concanavalin A or by interruption of glycosylation with exposure to tunicamycin, or by reaction with anti-H6 Fab or anti-F9, also prevent compaction. Since the mouse embryo and embryonal carcinoma cells share certain processes which are involved in initiating and maintaining compaction, these processes and their subsequent roles in differentiation may be examined using embryonal carcinoma cell aggregates.
Sampling stable properties of massive track datasets

Analysis of massive track datasets is a challenging problem, especially when examining n-way relations inherent in social networks. In this paper, we explore ways in which stable properties of sensor observations can be extracted and visualized using a statistical sampling of features from a very large track dataset, using very little ground truth or outside knowledge. Special attention is given to methods that are likely to scale well beyond the size of the Mitsubishi dataset.
Theoretical contributions to coherent pion production in subthreshold and relativistic heavy-ion collisions

The analytic results from a microscopic calculation for pion production in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate to relativistic energies both above and below pion threshold are presented and the most important terms that contribute to the pion spectrum are determined. The energy dependence and the effects on the pion spectrum due to the various parameters in the theory are examined. The model is applied to coherent pion-production in 16O + 12C collisions.
Contested Spaces and Contested Meanings in the Acts of Thomas

AbstractThe agonistic character of the Apocryphal Acts literature has been well documented. The vast majority of these traditions revolve around the apostolic figure battling both demonic and human adversaries. The Acts of Thomas is no exception, showing the protagonist as Christian hero par-excellence, navigating both cosmological and theological adversaries, always emerging triumphant. Beyond the narration of these competitions themselves, however, the reader also witnesses Thomas navigating different places and spaces in his journeys. The dichotomies of deserted/inhabited, public/private, sacred/profane, domestic/communal are all encountered and their meanings adjudicated through the apostolic competitions. This paper will use spatiality theory to interrogate the use of these narrative topoi. In so doing, the role of space will not only be explored in these imagined places of the Acts of Thomas, but implications for the lived experience of the community will be investigated.
Sheep Bot Fly Control Tests

Several systemic insecticides applied in different ways effectively reduced sheep bots, Oestrus ovis L., infesting lambs. Nasal sprays of dichlorvos in mineral oil at rates of 1.2 to 4.2 mg/kg of sheep reduced bots 87% to 99%. Doses of 4.7 to 9.8 mg/kg reduced bots 99% to 100% but were toxic to the sheep. When administered as oral drenches or feed additives, Bayer 9017 ( O, O -diethyl O (-3,5-dimethyl-4-methyl thiophenyl) phosphorothioate) at 30 mg/kg and Bayer 9018 (O, O -dimcthyl O -(-3,5-dimethyl-4-methyl thiophenyl) phosphorothioate) at 40 mg/kg reduced bots 99% to 100%. Both compounds showed promise as pour-on treatments. A nasal spray of Bayer 9017 at 5.1 mg/kg reduced bots 94%; a nasal spray of Bayer 9018 at 5.9 mg/kg reduced bots 54%; a nasal spray of trichlorfon-coumaphos at 5.4 mg/kg reduced bots 87%. A pour-on of trichlorfon applied at 100 mg/kg reduced bots 56%; a pour-on of Famophos ( O-p -(dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl O, O -dimethyl phosphorothioate) at 100 mg/kg was ineffective.
Gabaculine and m-carboxyphenyl-pyridoxamine 5-phosphate as probes of the catalytic binding sites of 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase.

A homogeneous 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase isolated from pig brain exhibits a kcat of 9.6 s−1 and contains one mole of pyridoxal 5-phosphate/mole of dimer. The reaction of the enzyme with gabaculine (5-amino-1, 3-cyclohexadiene carboxylic acid) was studied by observing changes in the absorption spectrum of the bound cofactor and by monitoring loss of catalytic activity. The enzyme is completely inactivated by gabaculine, but the dialyzed inactive sample containing 0.5 mol of gabaculine/mol dimer is fully reconstituted by addition of pyridoxal 5-phosphate. Stopped-flow kinetic studies reveal that gabaculine reacts with the cofactor bound to the aminotransferase with a second-order rate constant of 2.5 × 103 M−1s−1. Fluorometric titrations of the apoprotein with m-carboxyphenyl-pyridoxamine 5-phosphate show the binding of two moles of inhibitor/mole of enzyme. The binding process is reversible and the affinity of the apoprotein for the inhibitor is at least 10-fold higher than the affinity for the cofactor. It is postulated that the dimeric enzyme contains two potential active sites per dimer, but the binding site characterized by a weaker affinity constant for pyridoxal 5-phosphate becomes functional only after specific chemical modification of the molecule of cofactor tightly bound to the protein.
Fast automated determination of toxicologically relevant arsenic in urine by flow injection-hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Lower results for arsenic in urine are encountered when potassium iodide-ascorbic acid is used as a pre-reductant in flow injection-hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HGAAS). For the determination of toxicologically relevant arsenic in urine, i.e. the sum of inorganic As(III) and As(V) and its organic metabolites (monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate) has been elaborated a simple analytical procedure: ten-fold diluted urine is treated with l -cysteine (1%, m/v) in 0.03 mol 1 −1 hydrochloric acid medium for 1 h, and then a 500 μl aliquot is directly injected into an automated, commercially available FI-HGAAS system. The effects of most critical instrumental and chemical parameters have been studied and optimum conditions are recommended, comprising of relatively low sample and carrier acidities, 0.03 and 0.01 mol 1 −1 HCl, respectively, higher sodium tetrahydroborate levels (0.5%, m/v), lower flow rates of reagents than that typically recommended for this system to ensure longer reduction and residence times in the gas-liquid separator, and integrated absorbance measurements for eliminating the residual kinetic effects in hydride generation and transport of individual arsenic species. The recoveries of spiked As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA in urine are 100%, 100%, 96% and 95%, respectively. This procedure has been validated by analysis of several certified reference materials and collaborative study samples, the results being in good agreement with the certified values. The limit of detection (3σ) is 0.1 μg 1 −1 in 1 : 10 diluted urine, corresponding to 1 μg 1 −1 of As in undiluted urine. The relative standard deviation is 2% and 7% (within-run and between-run in three successive days, respectively) at 3 μg 1 −1 (1.5 ng) As level. The sampling frequency is up to 50–55 measurements per hour.
A Permutation Test for Correlated Errors in Adjacent Questionnaire Items

Response patterns are of importance to survey researchers because of the insight they provide into the thought processes respondents use to answer survey questions. In this article we propose the use of structural equation modeling to examine response patterns and develop a permutation test to quantify the likelihood of observing a specific response pattern. Of interest is a response pattern where the response to the current item is conditioned on the respondent's answer to the immediately preceding item. This pattern manifests itself in the error structure of the survey items by resulting in larger correlations of the errors for adjacent items than for nonadjacent items. We illustrate the proposed method using data from the 2002 Oregon Survey of Roads and Highways and report SAS code that can be easily modified to examine other response patterns of interest.
Polyaniline synthesis and its biosensor application

In this study, five polyaniline compounds were synthesized using different protonic acids and incorporated into a conductometric biosensor used for bovine viral diarrhea virus detection. The biosensor was developed and evaluated by the authors for bacterial pathogen detection in previous studies. The biosensor consisted of two parts: the immunosensor and the electronic data collection system. Liquid sample moved through the immunosensor surface by capillary action. The specificity of the biosensor was based on the unique binding characteristics of the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies immobilized on the immunosensor. Polyaniline was used in the biosensor architecture as the transducer due to its electronic and bio-molecular properties. Results showed that the biosensor was sensitive at a concentration of 103 cell culture infective dose per milliliter (CCID/ml) of BVDV antigens. The promising results on the BVDV detection demonstrated that the conductometric biosensor was interchangeable for different target molecules of detection. Further modification could be implemented to evaluate the biosensor as a rapid diagnostic device to detect other infectious disease outbreaks in livestock population.
The spatial distribution of visual attention.

We use a novel search task to investigate the spatial distribution of visual attention, developing a general model from the data. Observers distribute attention to locations defined by stripes with a high penalty for attention to intervening areas. Attended areas are defined by a square-wave grating. A target is in one of the even stripes, and ten false targets (identical to the real target) are in the odd stripes; the observer must attend the even stripes and strongly ignore the odd, reporting the location of the target. As the spatial frequency of the grating increases, performance declines. Variations on this task inform a model that incorporates stimulus input, a ‘‘low pass’’ attentional modulation transfer function, and an acuity function to produce a strength map from which the location with the highest strength is selected. A feature-strength map that adds to the attention map enables the model to predict the results of attention-cued conjunction search experiments, and internal noise enables it to predict the outcome of double-pass experiments and of variations in the number of false targets. The model predicted performance on a trial-by-trial basis for three observers, accounting for approximately 70% of the trials. Actual trial-to-trial variation for an observer, using the double-pass method, is about 76%. For any requested distribution of spatial attention, this general model makes a prediction of the actually achieved distribution. � 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Factors influencing fertility after ectopic pregnancy

Abstract Seventy-one cases of ectopic pregnancies that had been treated by salpingectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy were evaluated. All patients were attempting pregnancy after the surgical procedure. During a follow-up that ranged from 3 to 13 years the overall conception rate was 62%. Excluding the ectopic pregnancies, the uterine pregnancy rate was 52%. The repeat ectopic pregnancy rate was 12.6%. The uterine pregnancy rate was higher for patients treated by salpingectomv (p
Synthesis of oxytocin using iodine for oxidative cyclization and silica gel adsorption chromatography for purification.

Oxytocin (OT) was synthesized employing the solid phase method. Resins made of copolymers of polystyrene-1%-crosslinked with divinylbenzene gave better yields (73-95%) of Z-Cys(Bzl)-Tyr(Bzl)-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys(Bzl)-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (I) than 2%-crosslinked resins (10--56%). Reduction of I with Na-liq.NH3 and oxidation with I2-MeOH at -40 degrees minimized dimer and polymer formation, and resulted in good yields (49--54%) of OT. The large volumes of MeOH required when several grams of I are reduced and then oxidized were rapidly evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was desalted by dissolving the peptide in a small volume of glacial acetic acid and filtering to remove the salt. OT was purified by adsorption chromatography on a silica gel column with combinations of MeOH-CHCl3 of graded polarity. Oxytocin elutes with 33% MeOH-CHCl3. After two purification steps by adsorption chromatography, the resulting OT was found to be homogeneous. The hormone was characterized chemically and found to be active biologically.
Depression and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire in older adults

Purpose To examine the impact of depression in older adults on responses to the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) independent of demographics, vision, and general health. Design Cross-sectional. Participants We took the opportunity of an ongoing study on older drivers to address the specific aim stated above. The recruitment population consisted of 6342 older adults (≥60 years) who were licensed drivers residing in Birmingham, Alabama; who had been involved in a crash in the prior year, as identified by Alabama Department of Public Safety records; and whose phone numbers could be located. Additional eligibility criteria were visual acuity impairment, slowed visual processing speed, or both, and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of ≥23. Persons in the recruitment population who met these eligibility criteria and agreed to enroll in a study on driver safety (purpose of the main study) numbered 403. Methods The following questionnaires were interviewer administered in person and scored per standard procedures: the NEI VFQ-25, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a general health questionnaire, and a review of demographic information. Depressed persons were defined as those with CES-D scores of ≥16. There were complete data on 397 persons. Main outcome measure Reduced score on the NEI VFQ-25 (defined by a score of Results After adjusting for demographics, vision, mental status, and general health, depression was significantly associated with a reduced NEI VFQ-25 score for total score and the subscales of distance vision, peripheral vision, role difficulties, dependencies, and mental health. Odds ratio point estimates in these adjusted associations ranged from 2.9 to 4.6. Conclusions The results imply that older persons who are depressed may have reduced scores on the NEI VFQ-25 independent of the impact of vision problems. Depression in the elderly could be influencing their self-perception of the burden of eye disease and treatment effectiveness in clinical and epidemiologic studies.
PacMan returns: An electron-generated thermal anomaly on Tethys

Abstract New Cassini observations show that Saturn’s moon Tethys, like Mimas, has a region of anomalously high thermal inertia at low latitudes centered on its leading hemisphere. Derivation of the thermophysical properties of the surface across three representative regions indicate that the bolometric Bond albedo across Tethys’ leading hemisphere remains constant, within error, whilst the thermal inertia increases from 5 ± 1 J s −1 m −1 K −1 outside of the anomalous region to 25 ± 3 J s −1 m −1 K −1 inside. The thermally anomalous region is spatially correlated with a decrease in the IR/UV surface coloration. The discovery greatly strengthens the hypothesis that high-energy electrons, which preferentially bombard the leading hemispheres on both satellites, produce dramatic alterations in surface texture.
Increasing incidence of proteinuria and declining incidence of end-stage renal disease in diabetic Pima Indians

The introduction of more efficacious treatments for diabetic kidney disease may slow its progression, but evidence for their effectiveness in populations is sparse. We examined trends in the incidence of clinical proteinuria, defined as a urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio >0.5g/g, and diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD), defined as death from diabetic nephropathy or onset of dialysis, in Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes between 1967 and 2002. The study included 2189 diabetic subjects ≥25 years old. During follow-up, 366 incident cases of proteinuria occurred in the subset of 1715 subjects without proteinuria at baseline. The age–sex-adjusted incidence rate of proteinuria increased from 24.3cases/1000 person-years (pyrs) (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.7–30.0) in 1967–1978 to 35.4cases/1000pyrs (95% CI 28.1–42.8) in 1979–1990 and 38.9cases/1000pyrs (95% CI 31.2–46.5) in 1991–2002 ( P trend P =0.8). The age–sex-adjusted incidence of ESRD increased between 1967 and 1990 and declined thereafter. The incidence of proteinuria increased over 36 years in Pima Indians as the proportion of people with diabetes of long duration increased. On the other hand, the incidence of ESRD declined after 1990, coinciding with improved control of blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and perhaps other risk factors.
1158 LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION AND T-CELL SUBSET RATIO DURING CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION OF MICE

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections of humans and animals have been associated with altered cell-mediated immunity and enhanced susceptibility to secondary bacterial and fungal infections. In previous experiments, we observed that helper to suppressor lymphocyte (H:S) ratios were reduced during sublethal murine CMV (MCMV) infection. To correlate H:S ratios with T-lymphocyte function, we sublethally infected 3-wk old Balb/c mice with MCMV and measured the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to concanavalin A (Con A). Results indicate that PBL response to Con A was reduced in MCMV infected mice on days 3, 5, 9 and 16, and corresponded to reductions in the H:S ratio. Alterations in H:S ratios preceded changes in lymphocyte function, and both abnormalities correlated closely with recovery of infectious virus from PBL, spleen and bone marrow. These results demonstrate that reduced H:S ratios during acute MCMV infection are accompanied by an impaired response of PBL to Con A. These observations may be relevant to the association between CMV and opportunistic infections in human organ transplant recipients.
Quantitative assay of melanin in melanoma cells in culture and in tumors

Abstract A simple method has been developed for the quantitative fluorimetric determination of melanin. In these studies, we have used synthetic melanin prepared from l -dopa by mushroom tyrosinase and natural melanin present in B16 mouse melanoma cells grown in culture or as a solid tumor. In the assay procedure, the melanin is oxidatively degraded into soluble products by heating in an alkaline, dilute hydrogen peroxide solution under standard conditions. The resulting solution has a characteristic fluorescence which is quantitatively related to the melanin initially present. The assay is very sensitive and can be applied directly to tissues or cell cultures, without prior isolation of the melanin.
Witness to Violence: The Child Interview

In this paper, we present a widely applicable technique of interviewing the traumatized child who has recently witnessed an extreme act of violence. This technique has been used with over 200 children in a variety of clinical settings including homicide, suicide, rape, aggravated assault, accidental death, kidnapping, school and community violence. The easily learned, three-stage approach allows for proper exploration, support and closure within a 90-minute initial interview. The format proceeds from a projective drawing and story telling, to discussion of the actual traumatic situation and the perceptual impact, to issues centered on the aftermath and its consequences for the child. Our interview format is conceptualized as an acute consultation service available to assist the child, the child's family, and the larger social network in functioning more effectively following the child's psychic trauma.
Varicella-zoster virus detection by polymerase chain reaction using bronchoalveolar lavage specimens

We report the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques from a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen for the successful early diagnosis in a case of atypical but severe varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pneumonitis. Atypical presentations of disseminated VZV frequently prolong the time required for accurate diagnosis, resulting in increased morbidity, or mortality. Although further investigation is necessary to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of this test, PCR analysis of bronchoscopic specimens may expedite the diagnosis of disseminated VZV.
Increasing Ca2+ deposition in the western US: The role of mineral aerosols

Considerable research has focused on the role of industrial emissions in controlling the acidity of precipitation; however, much less research has focused on the role of mineral aerosols emitted from soils. According to data published by the National Atmospheric Deposition Network (NADP), over the past 17 years Ca 2+ deposition has increased over large regions of the US. A trend analysis to determine regions 2+ deposition revealed statistically significant increases in three broad regions within the western half of the country: the inter-mountain west, the midwest, and the northwest. We evaluated potential changes in sources of calcium to the atmosphere including soil erosion, industrial emissions, forest fires, and sea-salt aerosols to determine the cause of rising atmospheric calcium deposition. Based on our evaluation, the most parsimonious explanation for increased Ca 2+ deposition is an increase in mineral aerosol emissions from within the western US. This explanation is corroborated by independent evidence showing increases in the frequency of dust storms and low-visibility days across regions of the western US. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that the increase in mineral aerosol emissions is most likely due to (1) increased aridity and wind transport and (2) increased area and intensity of upwind human activities. Changes in atmospheric dust concentrations can have important ecological implications through the contribution of acid neutralizing capacity to both precipitation and regions of deposition. Thus increased dust emissions have the potential to ameliorate the detrimental effects of acid precipitation on terrestrial ecosystems, though dust may exacerbate the impacts of air quality on human health.
Cardiac electrophysiological characteristics of the mdx 5cv mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Cardiomyopathy, conduction abnormalities, and ventricular arrhythmias are significant complications of this disease. The mdx 5cv mouse carries a dystrophin mutation and demonstrates a more severe phenotype than the classic mdx mouse. Comprehensive electrophysiological phenotyping was performed in adult mdx 5cv and wildtype mice, including electrocardiography (ECG), implantable Holter monitoring, intracardiac electrophysiological testing, echocardiography, and exercise treadmill testing. ECG performed in mdx 5cv mice revealed significantly shorter PR intervals and prominent R waves in surface lead V1. During electrophysiological testing, mdx 5cv mice exhibited longer ventricle effective refractory periods and mildly increased ventricular tachycardia inducibility. There was no evidence for cardiomyopathy or ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography. Histopathology showed no increased myocardial fibrosis. Exercise endurance was lower in mdx 5cv mice without arrhythmias or other cardiac abnormalities. Taken together at the age range examined, mdx 5cv mice exhibit discrete cardiac electrophysiological dysfunction but display no evidence of structural or contractile abnormalities. Thus, the mdx 5cv mouse recapitulates some of the electrophysiological, but not hemodynamic cardiac defects present in human DMD. In certain settings, the mdx 5cv mouse may be an appropriate subject for studying electrical pathophysiology and therapy of the cardiac complications of DMD.
Protein isoprenylation: the fat of the matter.

Protein isoprenylation refers to the covalent attachment of a 15-carbon farnesyl or 20-carbon geranylgeranyl moiety to a cysteine residue at or near the carboxyl terminus. This post-translational lipid modification, which mediates protein–membrane and protein–protein interactions, is necessary for normal control of abscisic acid and auxin signaling, meristem development, and other fundamental processes. Recent studies have also revealed roles for protein isoprenylation in cytokinin biosynthesis and innate immunity. Most isoprenylated proteins are further modified by carboxyl terminal proteolysis and methylation and, collectively, these modifications are necessary for the targeting and function of isoprenylated proteins.
The early development of major projections from caudal levels of the spinal cord to the brainstem and cerebellum in the gray short-tailed Brazilian opossum, Monodelphis domestica

Abstract The Brazilian short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica, is born 14–15 days after copulation and is available for experimentation at stages of development corresponding to those which occur in utero in placental mammals. In the present study, we took advantage of the opossum's embryology to study the development of projections from caudal levels of the spinal cord to the brainstem and cerebellum using axonal tracing methods. In all cases, a 2–3 day survival time was used for axonal transport. When injections of Fast blue (FB) were made into caudal levels of the thoracic cord at postnatal day (PD) 1 or 2, axonal labeling could not be identified at supraspinal levels. When injections were made at PD3, however, labeled axons were found in the fasciculus gracilis at caudal medullary levels, within the ventrolateral medulla and pons, within an incipient inferior cerebellar peduncle, and within the cerebellar anlage. The dorsal root origin of at least some of the axons within the fasciculus gracilis was evidenced by the transganglionic transport of cholera toxin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase from the hindlimbs. After FB injections at PD7, a few labeled axons could be traced from the fasciculus gracilis into the nucleus gracilis and from the ventrolateral pathway to the inferior olive. Generally comparable results were obtained using wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). In cases injected with FB at PD9, the pattern of brainstem labeling was adult-like. Although labeled axons were present within the cerebellum of animals injected with FB on PD3, they were limited to the marginal zone. Axonal labeling was present within an identifiable internal granular layer in cases injected with either FB or WGA-HRP at PD16, and it appeared to be limited to specific bands which foreshadowed those seen at later stages of development and in the adult animal. In some cases, labeled axons were present within the molecular layer where they were not seen in the adult animal. Our results provide a timetable for the normal development of projections from caudal levels of the spinal cord to the brainstem and cerebellum in Monodelphis and show that such development occurs postnatally rather than prenatally. as in placental mammals.
Real-time behavior-based robot control

Behavior-based systems form the basis of autonomous control for many robots, but there is a need to ensure these systems respond in a timely manner. Unexpected latency can adversely affect the quality of an autonomous system's operations, which in turn can affect lives and property in the real-world. A robots ability to detect and handle external events is paramount to providing safe and dependable operation. This paper presents a concurrent version of a behavior-based system called the Real-Time Unified Behavior Framework, which establishes a responsive basis of behavior-based control that does not bind the system developer to any single behavior hierarchy. The concurrent design of the framework is based on modern software engineering principles and only specifies a functional interface for components, leaving the implementation details to the developers. In addition, the individual behaviors are executed by a real-time scheduler, guaranteeing the responsiveness of routines that are critical to the autonomous system's safe operation. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of this approach to provide predictable temporal operation, independent of fluctuations in high-level computational loads.
Solid phase transport of glycerol and sodium chloride in resin

Diffusivities and equilibrium absorption of sodium chloride and glycerol in cation exchange resin Dowex-50 were determined by making a two-constant fit of experimental data to a diffusion model. The variables studied were: resin cross linkage—2% to 12% divinylbenzene, temperature—25° to 80°C, concentrations in the equilibrating solution, resin particle size, flow rate of the eluting distilled water. Diffusivities increase with decrease in cross linkage and with increase in temperature. The ratio of the diffusivities of sodium chloride or glycerol in the resin to that in water is between 0.2 and 0.35 for 2% DVB and between 0.025 and 0.1 for 12% DVB. Diffusivities were found to be independent of the third, fourth, and fifth variables. The amounts of solutes absorbed at equilibrium also increased with a decrease in cross linkage and an increase in temperature.
Physics of transition metal carbides

Abstract The refractory compounds TiC, ZrC, HfC, VC, NbC and TaC comprise a family of materials characterized by high melting point, great hardness and low chemical reactivity. These properties, which are exploited in tribological applications, are reviewed and discussed in terms of models taken from solid state physics. Particular attention is given to the important role of non-stoichiometry in these compounds and its influence on bonding and on transport properties. It is argued that the non-stoichiometry is a metastable condition, however, in view of the presece of ordered phases at certain values of carbon-to-metal ratio. The substantial impact of order-disorder transformations on transport properties is analyzed. The partially covalent bonding is discussed in terms of mixing of 2p and metal 3d or 4d atomic states, and the high Peierls stress resisting dislocation motion is thereby justified.
A Linux kernel module implementation of restricted Ada tasking

An Ada tasking kernel is implemented as a layer beneath the Linux operating system on a PC-compatible machine. This implementation is derived from Yodaiken's Real-Time Linux kernel, with new scheduling and synchronization primitives introduced specifically to support the GNAT Ada runtime system. Primitive operations for real-time Ada tasks are directly implemented on top of the underlying hardware in the form of a loadable Linux kernel module. This design not only reduces execution overhead and improves control over execution timing for tasks, but also opens the door for a simple restricted-tasking runtime system that could be certified for safety-critical applications.
Green tea and grape seed extracts — Potential applications in food safety and quality

Abstract Using “natural green” plant extracts or their derived products in various food and beverage applications is an increasing trend in the food industry. Selection of these plant extracts and their application depends on their functional properties, availability, cost effectiveness, consumer awareness and their effect on the sensory attributes of the final product. Green tea extract (GTE) and grape seed extract (GSE) are two popular plant extracts that have been widely used in various food and beverage applications. Green tea is a widely consumed beverage that has attracted more attention in the recent years due to its health benefits like antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Grape seed extract is derived from the grape seeds that is extracted, dried and purified to produce polyphenolic compounds-rich extract that also has well documented antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These two plant extracts (polyphenolic and proanthocyanidin rich compounds) have potential antioxidant properties by inhibiting the lipid oxidation and warmed over flavors and antimicrobial activities against major food borne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter jejuni in preventing pathogen contamination. Furthermore, they have demonstrated synergism in antimicrobial activity when used in combination with organic acids (malic, tartaric acid, benzoic acids etc.), bacteriocins like nisin or chelating agents like EDTA in various model systems including fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), raw and ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Apart from beneficial effects of grape seed extract in food safety and quality, concerns regarding the side effects of GSE are also addressed. Nevertheless, persistent recalls of the food products involving foodborne pathogens despite various control measures calls for efficient bacteriostatic and bactericidal agents and technologies to deliver the active components for an effective inhibition of pathogens. Therefore, further research involving electrostatic spray and nanoscale delivery of the active components present in these natural, green, plant extracts and using them as a component in multiple hurdle approach would enhance the food safety and quality in addition to providing alternative “green” solutions to the food processors.
Cellular and subcellular localization of Kir2.1 subunits in neurons and glia in piriform cortex with implications for K+ spatial buffering.

Potassium channels of the Kir2 family are widely expressed in neurons and glia, where they form strong inwardly rectifying channels. Existing functional hypotheses for these channels in neurons are based on the weak outward conductance, whereas the leading hypothesis for glia, that they promote potassium spatial buffering, is based on inward conductance. Although the spatial buffering hypothesis has been confirmed for Muller glia in retina, many aspects of Kir2 channels that will be required for understanding their functional roles in neurons and other forms of glia have received little or no study. Particularly striking is the paucity of data regarding their cellular and subcellular localization. We address this gap for Kir2.1-containing channels by using light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. The analysis was of piriform cortex, a highly epileptogenic area of cerebral cortex, where pyramidal cells have K+-selective strong inward rectification like that observed in Muller cells, where Kir2.1 is the dominant Kir2 subunit. Pyramidal cells in adult piriform cortex also lack Ih, the mixed Na+-K+ current that mediates a slower form of strong inward rectification in large pyramidal cells in neocortex and hippocampus. The experiments demonstrated surface expression of Kir2.1-containing channels in astrocytes and in multiple populations of pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells. Findings for astrocytes were not consistent with predictions for K+ spatial buffering over substantial distance. However, findings for pyramidal cells suggest that they could be a conduit for spatially buffering K+ when it is highly elevated during seizure. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:877–893, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solar concept of flux transport by interchange reconnection applied to the magnetosphere

[1] The traditional concept of steady state convection of magnetic field-line foot points in Earth's ionosphere driven by reconnection between the interplanetary and geomagnetic fields implies that those foot points follow closed contours of circulation. Remote reconnection that occurs when the foot points cross the polar cap boundary controls whether the field lines are open or closed, but the foot points remain firmly rooted to their paths around the closed circulation cells. In steady state MHD models, however, this concept of convection breaks down owing to interchange reconnection between open and closed field lines. In the solar heliospheric community, interchange reconnection has long been understood as a means of flux transport. In the magnetosphere, flux transport by interchange reconnection causes field-line foot points to jump, or saltate, from one side of the polar cap to the other as part of the steady state circulation. We develop a definitive method for identifying interchange reconnection in an MHD model and illustrate the resultant foot point saltation.
Origin of the quiescent center in the root of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.

The origin of the quiescent center in the embryonic radicle of Capsella bursa-pastoris was investigated by in-situ hybridization to cellular polyadenylic-acid-containing RNA using [3H]polyuridylic acid as a probe. In the globular embryo, autoradiographic silver grains were localized in all cells of the presumptive root apex except in the hypophysis. As the inner cell formed by a transverse division of the hypophysis cut off new cells toward the central procambial cylinder of the embryo, these cells remained characteristically unlabeled, in contrast to the labeled cells of the rest of the embryo. In the embryonic radicles of mature seeds and of seedlings, cells derived from the hypophysis appeared as a nonmeristematic, unlabeled, hemispherical group, bounded by the procambium to the inside and the root epidermis to the outside. When root tips excised from 2-d-old seedlings were incubated in [methyl-3H]thymidine, sectioned, and autoradiographed, cells derived from the inner cell of the hypophysis were found to be unlabeled, thus showing that they constitute the specific cells of the quiescent center. These results present evidence for the single-cell origin of the quiescent center in an angiosperm root and a role for the hypophysis in it.
Performance of Cows and Their Calves Creep-Grazed on Rhizoma Perennial Peanut

Where tropical grasses such as bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) make up the base forage, creep-grazing legumes should be beneficial to calf performance. Treatments of creep with rhizoma perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) and no creep were set-stocked (n = 24, 20, and 32 cow/calf pairs per treatment/replicate combination in 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively) for an 84-d grazing period (June-September). Base pasture forage dry matter (DM) availability was similar all 3 yr (avg. 2.81, 2.63, and 3.13 Mg ha -1 for 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively) and for both treatments (2.84 and 2.87 Mg ha -1 for creep and no creep, respectively). Forage DM availability in the creep areas averaged approximately 3.0 Mg ha -1 and was composed of about 60% grass and 30% rhizoma perennial peanut (RPP). Nutritive value of RPP was usually 60 mg kg -1 higher for crude protein (CP) and 200 mg kg -1 higher for in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) compared with the associated grass (97.7 mg kg -1 CP and 415.8 mg kg -1 IVOMD). Utilization of creep area varied with year and breed of calf (Angus 50%). As a consequence, performance of Angus calves was not affected, but average daily gain (ADG) for Romosinuano calves with access to creep area was higher (+0.14 kg d -1 ) than that for calves with no creep. Also, body condition score (BCS) that was higher in August and September for creeped-Romosinuano calves. Creep grazing the calves had no effect on cow performance (weight, ADG, or BCS).
DNA-N-glycosylases process novel O-glycosidic sites in DNA.

After the hydrolysis of the N-glycosyl bond between a damaged base and C1′ of a deoxyribosyl moiety of DNA, human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG) and Escherichia coli 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II (AlkA) bind tightly to their abasic DNA products, potentially protecting these reactive species. Here we show that both AAG and AlkA catalyze reactions between bound abasic DNA and small, primary alcohols to form novel DNA-O-glycosides. The synthesis reactions are reversible, as the DNA-O-glycosides are converted back into abasic DNA upon being incubated with AAG or AlkA in the absence of alcohol. AAG and AlkA are therefore able to hydrolyze O-glycosidic bonds in addition to N-glycosyl bonds. The newly discovered DNA-O-glycosidase activities of both enzymes compare favorably with their known DNA-N-glycosylase activities: AAG removes both methanol and 1,N6-ethenoadenine (eA) from DNA with single-turnover rate constants that are 2.9 × 105-fold greater than the corresponding uncatalyzed rates, whereas the r...
Selective Advance for Accelerated Development of Recombinant Inbred QTL Mapping Populations

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping resolution of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) is limited by the amount of recombination they experience during development. Intercrossing during line development can be used to counter this disadvantage but requires additional generations and is difficult in self-pollinated species. It is desirable to improve mapping resolution for success of marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning. Here we propose a way of achieving this through recombination enrichment. This method is based on genotyping at each generation and advancing lines selected for high recombination and/or low heterozygosity. In simulations, the method yields lines that represent up to twice as many recombination events as RILs developed conventionally by selfing without selection, or the same amount but in three generations, without reduction in homozygosity. Compared to methods that require maintaining a large population for several generations and selecting lines only from the finished population, the method proposed here achieves up to 25% more recombination. The precision of QTL location is increased by up to 10% with negligible drop in QTL detection power at average marker intervals of 5 cM or less.
Ego‐strength revised:A comparison of the MMPI‐2 and MMPI‐1 versions of the barron Ego‐strength scale

This study evaluated the equivalence of the original MMPI and the shortened MMPI-2 versions of the Barron (1953) Ego-strength scale, an important research scale. Three hundred fifty-five subjects took the MMPI-2 and the 16 MMPI-1 items dropped from the original scale. The omitted items appear to contribute little to the original scale. The revised version compares favorably with the old in terms of internal consistency, and the two versions are highly intercorrelated. Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicates that four of Stein and Chu's (1967) five groupings of the original items provide a reasonably good fit for the MMPI-2 as well. Compared to the original, the new version was slightly more correlated with other paper-and-pencil measures of psychological health and well-being.
Manifold Gas Dynamics Modeling and Its Coupling With Single-Cylinder Engine Models Using Simulink

A flexible model for computing one-dimensional, unsteady manifold gas dynamics in single-cylinder spark-ignition and diesel engines has been developed. The numerical method applies an explicit, finite volume formulation and a shock-capturing total variation diminishing scheme. The numerical model has been validated against the method of characteristics for valve flows without combustion prior to coupling with combustion engine simulations. The coupling of the gas-dynamics model with single-cylinder, spark-ignition and diesel engine modules is accomplished using the graphical MATLAB-SIMULINK environment. Comparisons between predictions of the coupled model and measurements shows good agreement for both spark ignition and diesel engines. Parametric studies demonstrating the effect of varying the intake runner length on the volumetric efficiency of a diesel engine illustrate the model use.
Moiré patterns in scanned halftone pictures

We present a Fourier-transform analysis of the moire-pattern formation commonly observed in images reconstructed from scanned halftone pictures. The analysis takes into account the halftone screen frequency, the scanner sampling frequency, the nonzero size of the scanner aperture, the angle between the scan direction and the halftone screen and the shape (square or parallelogram) of the scanner sampling lattice. A fortran program based on the mathematical analysis is shown to permit not only simulation of a wide variety of moire phenomena actually observed in practice but also explanation of their origin. Several important observations are discussed, including the following: (1) Moire fringes can result from the beating together of clusters of Fourier spatial frequencies. (2) Moire patterns other than square-grid fringe arrays are associated with parallelogram (nonsquare) sampling lattices. (3) Fixed-value thresholding intensifies moire patterns.
A single-stage cryogenic LNA with low power consumption using a commercial SiGe HBT

A cryogenically cooled low noise amplifier (LNA) has been designed, built and tested at the Astronomy Instrumentation Laboratory at Arizona State University. The LNA uses low cost, off the shelf commercially available low noise SiGe hetero junction bipolar transistor (HBT) in a single stage surface mount package. The built LNA has been measured in a calibrated noise/gain/S-parameters setup and the data shows the LNA has a noise temperature of as low as 5K (or about 0.074dB noise figure) and more than 20dB of Gain on the 100MHz-1GHz band. The input and output of the LNA are matched to 50 Ohm, an S11 and S22 of less than -10dB at most frequencies have been measured. All these parameters were measured at different transistor bias points and power dissipations. The amplifier was operated at as low as 0.7mW power dissipation with a measured 8K of noise (or about 0.12dB Noise figure) and 20dB of Gain at 500MHz. The developed amplifier offered good performance at an extremely low cost and with a very short development time, this amplifier can be useful to a variety low temperature physics experiments.
Infrared-transmitting glass-ceramics: a review

A large body of literature was reviewed with the aim of identifying binary and ternary systems for producing long-wave infrared transmitting glass-ceramics for window applications. Known optical and physical property data was summarized for many ternary sulfides as well as their constituent binary sulfides. Some phosphide and arsenide chalcopyrite structures were reviewed as well. Where available, data on the transmission range, energy gap, refractive index, and hardness were tabulated. Several glass-forming systems were identified containing Ga2S3, GeS2, or As2S3.
DDT myoclonus: Sites and mechanism of action

Intragastric injection of the insecticide DDT produces a stimulus-sensitive myoclonus in mice and rats. Unilateral stereotaxic infusions of DDT into rat medullary reticular formation also induced generalized myoclonus, identical to that produced by systemic administration. Similar myoclonus, but of lesser intensity, occurred when DDT was injected into cerebellar nuclei, red nucleus, and the inferior olive. Multiple other regions of the brain were resistant to the myoclonic action of locally infused DDT. Direct infusions into the medullary reticular formation of allethrin, which has a similar action on neuronal membranes as DDT, or the glycine receptor antagonist, strychnine, also elicited myoclonus.