cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infrared Warming Affects Intrarow Soil Carbon Dioxide Efflux during Vegetative Growth of Spring Wheat

Published in Agron. J. 105:607–618 (2013) doi:10.2134/agronj2012.0356 Copyright © 2013 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. S in terrestrial ecosystems contain 1550 Pg of carbon (Eswaran et al., 1993; Hibbard et al., 2005). Compared with gross primary production, soils provide the second largest exchange of carbon between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere at 68 to 80 Pg (C) yr–1 (Raich and Schlesinger, 1992; Raich and Potter, 1995; Raich et al., 2002; Schlesinger and Andrews, 2000). Because soils are an important source or sink of carbon, they are a primary determinant of net ecosystem carbon balance, and they provide seasonal and interannual feedback control on atmospheric CO2 concentration (Taylor and Lloyd, 1992; Raich et al., 2002). An increase in carbon influx from atmosphere to soil (e.g., sequestration) could mitigate the effect of atmospheric CO2 concentration and reduce global warming (negative feedback), whereas an increase in carbon efflux from soil to atmosphere (e.g., autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration) could intensify global warming (positive feedback) (Rustad et al., 2001; Melillo et al., 2002). Any change in Fs because of either thermal acclimation of the soil, substrate depletion of soil organic matter, or soil dehydration in response to warmer global temperatures could affect the direction and magnitude of any feedback between the terrestrial carbon cycle and global climate change in semiarid desert regions of the Earth. Soil CO2 efflux represents the net of total belowground carbon metabolism (Raich and Nadelhoffer, 1989; Schlesinger and Andrews, 2000). Biotic factors account for approximately one-half of Fs (Hanson et al., 2000; Bond-Lamberty et al., 2004; Subke et al., 2006; Schindlbacher et al., 2009). They include autotrophic respiration from rhizosphere microbes and plant roots and heterotrophic respiration from microbial decomposition of litter and soil organic matter (Hanson et al., 2000; Wan and Luo, 2003; Kuzyakov, 2006; Subke et al., 2006), and the dynamics of these microbial communities (Rustad et al., 2000, 2001; Melillo et al., 2002; Singh et al., 2009). Abiotic factors affecting Fs include atmospheric ABSTRACT
Substance P does not alter interleukin-1 expression by splenic or granuloma macrophages in murine schistosomiasis.

Abstract Substance P (SP) is an undecapeptide with neurotransmitter and immunoregulatory properties. In murine schistosomiasis, ova naturally induce liver and intestinal granulomas. These granulomas contain macrophages, and eosinophils that produce SP. A report showed that human blood monocytes isolated by adherence release interleukin-1 (IL-1) in response to SP (Lotz et al. (1989) Science 241, 1218). IL-1 is important for initiation of hypersensitivity granulomas. Therefore, it was determined whether SP modulates granuloma macrophage IL-1 production in murine schistosomiasis. Macrophages were obtained from lung and liver granulomas, and from spleens of infected mice. A thymocyte proliferation assay measured IL-1 activity in culture supernatants. Total RNA extracted from macrophages, was assayed for IL-1α and β mRNA by Northern blotting using cDNA probes. In response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), splenic macrophages and macrophages from young lung granulomas released appreciable IL-1. Macrophages from liver granulomas, that were lesions older than the lung granulomas, were unresponsive to LPS with regard to IL-1 secretion. Yet, granuloma macrophages spontaneously expressed IL-1α and β mRNA. LPS enhanced IL-1 mRNA expression in both splenic and granuloma macrophages. Exposure of macrophages from all sources to SP did not alter IL-1 secretion or gene expression. Similarly, the responsiveness of macrophages to LPS was not affected by concomitant exposure to SP. It is concluded that, in the murine system, SP does not directly influence splenic or granuloma macrophage IL-1 secretion or gene expression. Also, it appears that macrophage secretion of IL-1 is rapidly down-regulated following granuloma elicitation.
Zur elektrostatischen Aufladung von CdS-Einkristallen nach Stromdurchgang

The electrostatic charging od CdS-monocrystals by use of an electric current is described. A statistical analysis of a great number of measurements is given. A general formula for charging is given. The influence of crystal inhomogenieties, boundary layers and field excitation are described.
Cytoplasmic DNA: differentiation by reassociation kinetics.

Abstract Rat liver nuclear and cytoplasmic DNA samples were denatured and the kinetics of their reassociation was measured. About 85% of the soluble cytoplasmic (mitochondrial) DNA reannealed rapidly with a C o t 1 2 = 0.03 while 65% of the particulate (microsomal) DNA reassociated with a C o t 1 2 = 0.14 Both nucleic acids were clearly differentiated from nuclear DNA in their reassociation kinetics. The results indicate that both mitochondrial and microsomal DNA consist mainly of single components or closely related families with repetitive sequences.
Release-to-release binary compatibility in SOM

SOM (IBM's System Object Model) removes a major impediment to reuse in Object-Oriented Programming by facilitating the programming of release-to-release binary compatible class libraries. This is accomplished by supporting a large number of compatibility preserving transformations. Taken together these transformations compose a discipline for programming evolving class libraries.
Retinal histopathology of an autopsy eye with advanced retinitis pigmentosa in a family with rhodopsin Glu181Lys

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare histologic findings in an autopsy eye of an 84-year-old man with advanced retinitis pigmentosa and rhodopsin, Glu181Lys, with two cases of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (one with rhodopsin, Pro23His, and one with rhodopsin, Cys110Arg) and with a normal control, all of comparable age. METHODS: All eyes were prepared for light and electron microscopy within 6 hours after death. RESULTS: Extensive photoreceptor degeneration was revealed in the eyes with retinitis pigmentosa. Some macular cones showed membranous swirls only in the eye with rhodopsin, Glu181Lys. CONCLUSION: The retinal degeneration caused by rhodopsin, Glu181Lys, can feature membranous swirls in the inner segments of cones in the macula. These swirls have not been reported in other cases of dominant retinitis pigmentosa studied so far, and their pathogenesis remains to be defined.
Nanosecond Trigger Circuits

This paper presents a summary of switching properties of high-speed trigger circuits. The introduction of general characteristics is followed by a review of switching in tunnel-diode trigger circuits, and by an analysis of a simple transistor trigger circuit.
Modeling and simulation of PWM DC-DC converters

This paper describes a computer-aided-design package for PWM dc-dc converters. The package consists of input, modeling, simulation, and interface programs. It captures a converter circuit schematically and then provides steady-state solution, frequency responses, or time-domain waveforms of the converter.
Uremic syndrome and end-stage renal disease: physical manifestations and beyond.

Purpose: This review summarizes data concerning the incidence, definition, pathophysiology, and physical manifestations of patients with uremic syndrome. Data sources: Data sources utilized in writing this article included the National Kidney Foundation Guidelines, the United States Renal Data System, textbooks of medicine and pathophysiology, and medical care and nursing journals. Conclusions: Early identification of kidney disease in the early stages is essential to preserving kidney function for as long as possible. The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the manifestations of uremic syndrome leading to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) are often not addressed in the literature for nurse practitioners. Implications for practice: Patients with progressing CKD and ESRF often present in the primary care setting for treatment of acute and chronic conditions not pertaining to their renal status (e.g., viral upper respiratory infections, diabetes, hypertension). Nurse practitioners need to be knowledgeable about the subtle early presentation of uremic syndrome and ESRF, risk factors for kidney disease, assessment tools to make the diagnosis and stage the disease, treatment of this disease, as well as psychological, economic, and the social impact that ESRF imposes on individuals, families, communities, and the healthcare system as a whole when the chronic disease has progressed to end stage.
Trends in serious emotional disturbance among youths exposed to Hurricane Katrina

Objective To examine patterns and predictors of trends in DSM-IV serious emotional disturbance (SED) among youths exposed to Hurricane Katrina. Method A probability sample of adult pre-hurricane residents of the areas affected by Katrina completed baseline and follow-up telephone surveys 18 to 27 months post-hurricane and 12 to 18 months later. Baseline adult respondents residing with children and adolescents (4-17 years of age) provided informant reports about the emotional functioning of these youths ( n = 576) with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The surveys also assessed hurricane-related stressors and ongoing stressors experienced by respondent families. Results SED prevalence decreased significantly across survey waves from 15.1% to 11.5%, although even the latter prevalence was considerably higher than the pre-hurricane prevalence of 4.2% estimated in the US National Health Interview Survey. Trends in hurricane-related SED were predicted by both stressors experienced in the hurricane and ongoing stressors, with SED prevalence decreasing significantly only among youths with moderate stress exposure (16.8% versus 6.5%). SED prevalence did not change significantly between waves among youths with either high stress exposure (30.0% versus 41.9%) or low stress exposure (3.5% versus 3.4%). Pre-hurricane functioning did not predict SED persistence among youths with high stress exposure, but did predict SED persistence among youth with low-moderate stress exposure. Conclusions The prevalence of SED among youths exposed to Hurricane Katrina remains significantly elevated several years after the storm despite meaningful decrease since baseline. Youths with high stress exposure have the highest risk of long-term hurricane-related SED and consequently represent an important target for mental health intervention.
The role of second generation antipsychotics in autism disorder

EG is a 9-year old boy who is brought to clinic for evaluation; he is accompanied by his father who appears distressed. He apologizes for being late to the appointment, but he states that he had a hard time getting EG to leave the house because he would not stop playing with his Yu-gi-oh cards. When dad tried to take the cards away, EG became angry, began to cry loudly, and started to hit himself and his dad. Dad says this is common behavior for the past few years and now that he is getting older they are worried that he could hurt himself or others. He displays these behaviors both at home and at school with his teachers and therapists.
STUDIES ON THE ETIOLOGY OF HEARTWATER : II. RICKETTSIA RUMINANTIUM (N. SP.) IN THE TISSUES OF TICKS TRANSMITTING THE DISEASE.

The evidence offered in the first of these studies indicative of a causative relationship between Rickettsia ruminantium and heartwater is supplemented by the following observations concerning the ticks which carry the disease. When larvae, which had taken no food since hatching, were allowed to feed upon cases of heartwater, they acquired Rickettsioe which appeared to be identical with those in the tissues of animals suffering from heartwater, whereas control larvae hatched from eggs deposited by the same female and fed on normal animals remained free of Rickettsioe. After larvae presumably infective had moulted, the resultant nymphae containing Rickettsioe in their alimentary tracts, when fed upon susceptible animals produced in them typical attacks of heartwater, which the control nymphae, devoid of Rickettsioe, failed to do. The tissues of animals thus infected were found upon histological examination to contain typical Rickettsioelig;.
The statistical basis of neural network algorithms: Theory and applications

Abstract In a very general framework, neural network and related algorithms are discussed with emphasis on how the use of correlations between variables can improve on linear cuts. Mathematical results for a large class of neural algorithms are shown indicating the generic importance of high-order correlations between input variables. The dangers of the blind application of these newer techniques are stressed and suggestions are made for how to use them wisely.
SYMBIODINIUM (PYRRHOPHYTA) GENOME SIZES (DNA CONTENT) ARE SMALLEST AMONG DINOFLAGELLATES

Using flow cytometric analysis of fluorescence, we measured the genome sizes of 18 cultured "free-living" species and 29 Symbiodinium spp. isolates cultured from stony corals, gorgonians, anemones, jellyfish, and giant clams. Genome size directly correlated with cell size, as documented previously for most eukaryotic cell lines. Among the smallest of dinoflagellates, Symbiodinium spp. (6-15 μm) possessed the lowest DNA content that we measured (1.5-4.8 pg.cell - 1 ). Bloom-forming or potentially harmful species in the genera Alexandrium, Karenia, Pfiesteria, and Prorocentrum possessed genomes approximately 2 to 50 times larger in size. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that genome/cell size has apparently increased and decreased repeatedly during the evolution of dinoflagellates. In contrast, genome sizes were relatively consistent across distantly and closely related Symbiodinium spp. This may be the product of intracellular host habitats imposing strong selective pressures that have restricted symbiont size.
A Method of Objective Analysis for Currents in a Lake with Application to Lake Ontario

Abstract The mean circulation in large takes is nearly nondivergent in character. This paper takes advantage of this fact to represent the flow field in terms of the transport streamfunction. The horizontal velocity vector (v) and the vertical component of vorticity are then given by v = k × H−1ΔΨ and ζ = Δ · H−1ΔΨ, where Ψ is the transport streamfunction, Δ the horizontal gradient, and H = H(x,y) the equilibrium depth of the lake. If the vorticity field Ψ(x, y) is known, Ψ can be determined from the above inhomogeneous equation with H−1Ψ = 0 on the boundary. The current vector is then obtained from the other equation. In practice, however, currents are measured and not vorticity. Therefore, the proposed objective analysis procedure expands the transport streamfunction in terms of the eigenvectors of the self-adjoint problem Δ · H−1ΔΨα = μαΨα with H−1Ψα = 0 on the boundary. The eigenvalues μα and eigenvectors Ψα are characteristic of the particular lake and are determined numerically by a Lanezos procedur...
Effect of summer forage species grazed during finishing on animal performance, carcass quality, and meat quality.

Angus-cross steers (n = 60) were used to assess the effect of forage species [alfalfa (AL; Medicago sativa L.), bermudagrass (BG; Cynodon dactylon), chicory (CH; Cichorium intybus L.), cowpea (CO; Vigna unguiculata L.), and pearl millet (PM; Pennisetum glaucum (L. R Br.)] in replicated 2-ha paddocks for finishing on cattle performance, carcass quality, and meat quality in a 2-yr study. Steers were blocked by BW and assigned randomly to finishing-forage treatments before the start of the experiment. Steers grazing AL and CH had greater (P 1 kg/d). Finishing on legumes (AL and CO) increased dressing percentage, reduced Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and increased consumers preference, whereas finishing on grasses (BG and PM) enhanced anticarcinogenic fatty acid concentrations.
Transcription factors in primary glial cultures: changes with neuronal interactions

Several astrocyte gene products, such as enkephalin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), are expressed at higher levels under in vitro conditions relative to in vivo. We have observed that cultured glial cells express high basal levels of transcription factors, such as fos-related antigens (Fra), c-Jun, JunD, and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB). When neuronal cells are plated on top of the monolayers, the expression of Fra, c-Jun, JunD, and GFAP decreases in the astroglial cells. The DNA binding activity to the AP-1-like sites of the GFAP and proenkephalin genes was examined in these cultures. The protein complex from glial cultures which recognizes the GFAP AP-1 element contained Fra immunoreactivity while the DNA binding from mixed neuronal/glial cultures consists of CREB-immunoreactive proteins. In glial cultures, no binding occurred to the proenkephalin AP-1-like element but a CREB-immunoreactive complex recognized this sequence in the mixed cultures. Thus, with the addition of neurons, both transcription factors and target gene products decrease in astroglial cells. The proteins that compose gene modulatory complexes also change suggesting that regulation of astroglial gene expression is modulated by neurons.
Qualifications of Professionals in Educational R&D

O sign of progression towards maturity in a profession is an increasing concern with the qualifications of its members. Typically, a new profession begins with a little band of dedicated people, held together by strong mutual interests. It proceeds to expand its membership by advertising its aims and conducting deliberate recruiting drives, with the goal of establishing a formal society having a central organization and a continuously employed staff. It undertakes a number of annual and periodic functions, such as the publication of technical journals and the holding of annual meetings. With added membership, it begins to differentiate itself into a number of sub-specialties, each vying for notice, power, and reputation. At about this point in its development, the profession is likely to look inward upon itself and wonder what, in fact, it has become. As a corollary, it is likely also to wonder to what extent its members are truly well qualified to carry out the activities and public services reflected in the charter of the professional organization.
Absorption factors for a modified bacon preferred-orientation technique☆

Abstract Absorption factors for a modified Bacon preferred-orientation technique have been calculated for specimen sizes and densities encountered in practice. The technique is used in studies of film carbons deposited in fluidized beds.
Paranasal sinus fungus balls.

Background Paranasal sinus fungus balls (mycetomas) are a form of fungal sinus infection distinct from allergic fungal sinusitis, fulminant invasive fungal disease, and paranasal aspergillus granulomas. Methods The Mayo Clinic surgical pathology files of inflammatory sinus specimens from 1984 to 1994 were examined. Twenty-nine paranasal sinus fungus balls were identified. Cases of allergic fungal sinusitis and invasive fungal disease were excluded. Results The fungus balls occurred in 11 men and 18 women, with an age range of 28 to 86 years, mean 64 years. Sinuses involved included maxillary (20 cases), sphenoid (10 cases), ethmoid (9 cases), and frontal (6 cases). In 12 patients, multiple sinuses were involved in a variety of combinations. By culture the most common pathogens were Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Treatment was by a variety of surgical procedures. Follow-up in 28 patients showed two recurrences and three deaths due to intracerebral bleed as a complication of surgery. These deaths occurred in patients with sphenoid sinus fungus balls. Conclusions Paranasal sinus fungus balls occur in an elderly population and have a female predominance. They have a low morbidity and recurrence rate. Death can occur in sphenoid sinus lesions as a complication of surgery. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 19:481–486, 1997.
Exact ordered binary decision diagram size when representing classes of symmetric functions

An ordered binary decision diagram (OBDD) is a canonical, graphical representation of a switching function. The space complexity of this representation as well as the time complexity for manipulating functions in this form is determained by the number of vertices in the OBDD. Symmetric functions are a class of functions which include the basic Boolean gates such as NOT, AND, NAND, NOR, XOR, etc., as well as less basic functions, such as voter logic for redundant circuit implementations. Symmetric functions exploit the most powerful properties of OBDDs to a very great extent. OBDDs have been shown to have size of O(n2), where n is the number of switching variables. However, this says little of the actual performance of OBDDs in practice. Exact equations of OBDD size are derived for the common classes of symmetric functions, as well as an exact equation for the largest OBDD that can exist for any arbitrary symmetric function. It is shown that OBDDs are Ω(n 2) for the majority of functions from each common class of symmetric functions beyond the simplest Boolean gates. Since most functions can be expected to be more complex to represent than symmetric functions, this result has profound implications to the straightforward application of OBDDs to large functional problems.
Polyphosphoric Acid (PPA)-Modified Bitumen: Disruption of the Asphaltenes Network Based on the Reaction of Nonbasic Nitrogen with PPA

Relatively little is known about the effect of polyphosphoric acid (PPA) on bitumen chemistry and structure. In an effort to increase this understanding, the reaction of indole with PPA was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Indole contains a pyrrole functional group very common in bitumen. The results revealed that both the amine and the double bond of indole can be reactive and that the indole concentration affected the reaction pathway. All reactions began with the protonation of the indole double bond, which provided two reactive carbocation intermediates. When the concentration of indole was high, each carbocation coupled with unprotonated indole and two products were obtained. In one case, two N−H groups produced a N−N bond, and in the other case, two indole double bonds produced a cyclobutane ring. When the concentration of indole was reduced by dilution, N−H coupling proceeded without double bonds coupling and a reaction with the PPA anion was found to occur instead. These ...
Graft-versus-host disease after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: a case report and review of the literature.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after solid organ transplantation is rare and usually fatal. We present, to our knowledge, the second successfully treated case in a simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplant recipient. A 29-year-old female with end-stage renal disease from type 1 diabetes mellitus received an SPK transplant from a male donor, with rabbit-antithymocyte globulin induction. Twelve days posttransplant, she was readmitted with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. She developed leukopenia, abnormal liver enzymes, fever and a skin rash. Skin biopsy showed interface dermatitis consistent with allergic reaction versus GVHD. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of the skin biopsy showed 28% of cells had a Y chromosome confirming GVHD. Short tandem repeats (STR) enriched for CD3+ cells from peripheral blood showed a mixed chimerism. She was successfully treated with a single plasmapheresis to remove antithymocyte globulin, high-dose steroids, photopheresis and high tacrolimus levels (12–15 ng/mL). Five months after transplantation, she has normal renal function and white blood cell count, normal hemoglobin A1C and no evidence of peripheral blood donor chimerism. In conclusion, early diagnosis of GVHD after SPK transplantation may allow successful treatment. STR enriched for CD3+ may be useful to evaluate the response to therapy.
Outcomes analysis in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for hormonally active adrenal tumors.

Abstract Background. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the preferred method of removal of most adrenal neoplasms, but few studies have evaluated the functional outcomes of this approach. The purpose of this study was to analyze our operative results and the clinical and biochemical responses to LA in patients with various hormonally active adrenal tumors. Methods. From 1993 through Novenber 2000, 72 patients with functional adrenal tumors underwent attempted LA. Data were obtained retrospectively by review of medical records, during routine follow-up, and by patient questionnaire. Results. Indications for adrenalectomy were pheochromocytoma (n = 35), aldosteronoma (n = 29), cortisol-producing adenoma (n = 5), and adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome (n = 3). LA was completed in 70 of 72 patients, with 2 conversions (3%) to open adrenalectomy. Mean operative time for unilateral LA was 176 ± 60 minutes, and postoperative length of hospital stay averaged 3.0 ± 1.7 days. Complications, most of which were minor, occurred in 19% of patients; there were no serious complications or perioperative deaths. Two patients were unavailable for follow-up. At a mean follow-up interval of 37.6 months after LA (range, 2-90 months), resolution of clinical and biochemical signs of adrenal hyperfunction was accomplished in 34 of 34 patients with pheochromocytomas, 25 of 26 patients with aldosteronomas, 5 of 5 patients with cortisol-producing adenomas, and 3 of 3 patients with andrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Two patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 had contralateral pheochromocytomas removed 4 and 5 years after the initial surgery. Persistent hypertension necessitating medication was present in 72% of patients with aldosteronomas, although 92% of these patients had improved blood pressure control after LA. Recurrent hypokalemia developed in 1 patient (4%) with a cortical nodule in the contralateral adrenal. No local or distant tumor recurrences have occurred. Conclusions. LA results in an excellent clinical outcome in patients with various functional endocrine tumors. LA is associated with few major complications, and clinical and biochemical cure rates are comparable with those of open adrenalectomy during long-term follow-up. (Surgery 2001;130:629-35.)
Blanshard's Ethics of Belief and Metaphysical Postulates

In Brand Blanshard's major defence of reason in religion, Reason and Belief, he criticizes both Roman Catholics and Protestants for advocating contra dictory theological doctrines and for believing beyond what the evidence supports. Claiming belief to be an ethical matter, with one morally respon sible for one's religious beliefs, he holds that one is morally obligated in such metaphysical matters to believe only what the evidence warrants. Blanshard finds that religious beliefs typically fail to meet the standard of this ethics of belief, and thus his ethics appears inhospitable to religious belief. When one investigates Blanshard's own metaphysical views, as expressed in both his early and late works, one finds that his affirmation of the thoroughgoing rationality of reality amounts to a metaphysical postulate. That is, though Blanshard believes that reality is rational in a very strong sense, he candidly admits this thesis cannot be demonstrated and must instead be postulated. Now one possible view is that when one applies the ethics of belief used in his critique of religion to his own belief in the metaphysical postulate of the rationality of reality, one judges that the metaphysical postulate fails the test: Blanshard's belief in the thoroughgoing rationality of reality goes beyond the evidence. One sees here a tension in his philosophy between his desire to abide by such a strict 'evidentialist' ethics of belief and his desire to affirm that reality is thoroughly rational, and Blanshard's ethics of belief winds up being incompatible with the strength of belief with which he holds this metaphysical postulate. On the other hand, one can interpret Blanshard as claiming that one can hold to both a strong ethics of belief and a metaphysical postulate which goes beyond the evidence; on this view the tension does not result in an inconsistency. Blanshard does seem to feel the two are compatible, but I wish to suggest that if his ethics of belief is interpreted charitably as compatible with such a metaphysical postulate the door is open for the coexistence of such a strict ethics of belief with additional metaphysical postulates which Blanshard does not hold and does not think we should hold, namely postulates about a religious dimension to reality. If Blanshard's ethics of belief is after all compatible with such postulates it is not as hostile to religious belief as it first appears. I wish to discuss this tension in Blanshard's thought between his ethics of belief and his metaphysical postulate and explore how a religious 'rationalist' sympathetic to his evidentialist ethics of belief might respond to it. Toward
Evaluation of analytical techniques to determine AQUI-S® 20E (eugenol) concentrations in water

Abstract There is a critical need in U.S. public aquaculture and fishery management programs for an immediate-release sedative, i.e. a compound that can be safely and effectively used to sedate fish and subsequently, allow for their immediate release. AQUI-S® 20E (10% active ingredient, eugenol; any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government) is being pursued for U.S. approval as an immediate-release sedative. As part of the approval process, data describing animal safety and efficacy are needed. Essential to conducting studies that generate those data, is a method to accurately and precisely determine AQUI-S® 20E concentrations in exposure baths. Spectrophotometric and solid phase extraction (SPE)–high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) methods were developed and evaluated as methods to determine AQUI-S® 20E (eugenol) concentrations in water, methods that could be applied to any situation where eugenol was being evaluated as a fish sedative. The spectrophotometric method was accurate and precise (accuracy, > 87%; precision, 86%; precision
Intrapleural Fibrinolytics in Management of Empyema Thoracis

Study objective To determine the success and complication rates of fibrinolytic therapy (FL) in the treatment of thoracic empyema. Design and patients Between December 1992 and November 1994, all patients referred with empyema thoracis (ET) were offered FL. FL consisted of streptokinase (275,000± 170,000 IU) or urokinase (121,000±57,000 IU) daily for a mean of 6.2±2.1 days. Setting The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Results Twenty-six patients were treated. Sixty-two percent (16/26) had complete resolution (CR) of symptoms, near or complete normalization of chest radiographic findings, and required no surgery or empyema tubes. Eight percent (2/26) had relief of symptoms and partial resolution (PR) of radiographic abnormalities and were discharged from the hospital with empyema tubes in place. All patients with PR had empyema tubes removed within 30 days of hospital discharge. Thirty-one percent (8/26) of patients failed to completely improve clinically or radiographically (nonresponse) and were treated with decortication or empyema tubes for greater than 30 days. Bleeding occurred in a single patient (4%). There was no mortality associated with FL use. Conclusions The use of FL is associated with resolution of ET in 69% (18/26) of patients. This modality is safe, effective, and spares most patients with empyema the morbidity and mortality of thoracotomy.
Effects of cocaine self-administration history under limited and extended access conditions on in vivo striatal dopamine neurochemistry and acoustic startle in rhesus monkeys.

Rationale The transition from infrequent and controlled cocaine use to dependence may involve enduring changes in neurobiology as a consequence of persistent drug use.
The K2X: Design of a 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle

The K2X project was initiated at the University of Washington’s Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics in response to a design competition announced by Kistler Aerospace Corporation in September of 1998. The goal of the competition was to solicit concepts for a possible next generation Kistler K-1 reusable launch vehicle, which might be used at Kistler’s discretion. The K2X design was presented to Kistler in October, 1999. The K2X (Kistler 2 Experimental) design is a Two-Stage-To-Orbit (TSTO), Vertical-Take-off, Horizontal-Landing (VTHL), autonomous, Reusable-Launch-Vehicle (RLV). The first stage utilizes lifting surfaces and air-breathing propulsion to return to the original launch site, where it performs a controlled horizontal landing. The second stage is a nearly cylindrical, hypersonic lifting body with small aerodynamic control surfaces, and uses parachutes and airbags for the final phase of its descent. Both stages use derivatives of the NK-33/43 LOX/Kerosene rocket engines developed for the Soviet Lunar program, and are currently in use on the K-1 RLV. Several advanced technologies are incorporated into the design of both vehicle stages, including Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate (HAN) monopropellant based attitude control systems, ceramic vehicle thermal protection systems, and light weight composite structural design. The economic viability of the K2X concept was included in the very first phase of the design and three target missions were identified: multiple satellite deployment in LEO, supply missions to the International Space Station, and injection of payloads into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) using an expendable upper stage. The operations and performance of the completed design were also investigated and compared to the performance of other existing and near-term launch vehicles.
Expression of Period Genes: Rhythmic and Nonrhythmic Compartments of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Pacemaker

The mammalian circadian clock lying in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls daily rhythms and synchronizes the organism to its environment. In all organisms studied, circadian timekeeping is cell-autonomous, and rhythmicity is thought to be generated by a feedback loop involving clock proteins that inhibit transcription of their own genes. In the present study, we examined how these cellular properties are organized within the SCN tissue to produce rhythmicity and photic entrainment. The results show that the SCN has two compartments regulating Period genes Per1, Per2, and Per3 mRNA expression differentially. One compartment shows endogenous rhythmicity in Per1, Per2, and Per3 mRNA expression. The other compartment does not have rhythmic mRNA expression but has gated light-induced Per1 and Per2 and high levels of endogenous nonrhythmic Per3 mRNA expression. These results reveal the occurrence of differential regulation of clock genes in two distinct SCN regions and suggest a potential mechanism for producing functional differences in distinct SCN subregions.
Replication of RNA viruses: VIII. Direction of chain growth in the Qβ RNA polymerase reaction☆☆☆

Abstract The reaction catalyzed by the Qβ RNA polymerase isolated from Qβ phage-infected Escherichia coli has been examined with respect to the direction of RNA synthesis. Two alternative mechanisms were considered: that chain elongation is either (a) from the 5′- to the 3′-terminus with the addition of nucleotides to the 3′-hydroxyl end of the molecule, or (b) from the 3′- to the 5′-terminus, with a nucleoside triphosphate growing point. The results indicate that all RNA synthesis in this reaction is initiated by the incorporation of guanosine triphosphate at a 5′-triphosphate terminus. The radioactivity incorporated as [γ- 32 P]guanosine triphosphate into growing chains of Qβ RNA or the strand complementary to Qβ RNA was not displaced when an excess of unlabeled guanosine triphosphate was added to the reaction mixture. No other ribonucleoside triphosphate, e.g. [γ- 32 P]adenosine triphosphate, was incorporated. The incorporation of [γ- 32 P]guanosine triphosphate into Qβ RNA upon the initiation of synthesis, and not upon chain elongation or termination, was also shown by pulse-chase techniques and zone centrifugation of the RNA product. It is therefore concluded that the direction of growth of both Qβ RNA and the strand complementary to Qβ RNA is from the 5′-triphosphate to the 3′-hydroxyl terminus. The observation that guanosine triphosphate is the 5′-terminus of the complementary strand indicates that the Qβ RNA polymerase reaction in vitro does not give rise to a complete complementary copy of Qβ RNA since the hydroxyl terminus of the phage RNA is adenosine, not cytidine.
Investigation of the Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near-Infrared Absorption Spectra of Hydrogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Cations

The formation and the presence of PAHs containing excess H atoms, or hydrogenated PAHs (Hn-PAHs) in interstellar clouds has recently been discussed. It has been suggested that Hn-PAHs contribute to the IR emission bands andthattheymightbeamongthemolecularprecursorsofthecarbonparticlesthatcausetheinterstellar UVextinction curve. The spectroscopy of Hn-PAHs is investigated, and the implications for interstellar spectra are discussed. The UV, visible, and near-IR absorption spectra of a series of Hn-PAHs and their photoproducts formed by vacuum UV irradiation were measured for the first time in inert-gas (neon) matrices at 5 K. It is shown that the spectra of both the neutral Hn-PAH and cationic Hn-PAH + species exhibit vibronic band systems with similar spectral positions and relative spectral intensities to their nonhydrogenated PAH chromophore counterparts. The results are discussed in the context of the nature of the origin of the diffuse interstellar bands. Subject headingg astrochemistry — ISM: lines and bands — ISM: molecules — methods: laboratory — molecular data — ultraviolet: ISM
Logic synthesis for better than worst-case designs

In this paper we present a novel metric for measuring and optimizing the performance of circuits that operate with the clock period smaller than the worst-case delay. In particular, we developed an efficient logic optimization operation “balance” and a library mapping algorithm named BTWLibMap. Together they are able to reduce the probability of a timing error by 2.3X while only incurring a 4% area overhead.
Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety

Background: Many studies have reported beneficial effects from the application of near-infrared (NIR) light photobiomodulation (PBM) to the body, and one group has reported beneficial effects applying it to the brain in stroke patients. We have reported that the measurement of a patient's left and right hemispheric emotional valence (HEV) may clarify data and guide lateralized treatments. We sought to test whether a NIR treatment could 1. improve the psychological status of patients, 2. show a relationship between immediate psychological improvements when HEV was taken into account, and 3. show an increase in frontal pole regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and 4. be applied without side effects. Methods: We gave 10 patients, (5 M/5 F) with major depression, including 9 with anxiety, 7 with a past history of substance abuse (6 with an opiate abuse and 1 with an alcohol abuse history), and 3 with post traumatic stress disorder, a baseline standard diagnostic interview, a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and a Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). We then gave four 4-minute treatments in a random order: NIR to left forehead at F3, to right forehead at F4, and placebo treatments (light off) at the same sites. Immediately following each treatment we repeated the PANAS, and at 2-weeks and at 4-weeks post treatment we repeated all 3 rating scales. During all treatments we recorded total hemoglobin (cHb), as a measure of rCBF with a commercial NIR spectroscopy device over the left and the right frontal poles of the brain. Results: At 2-weeks post treatment 6 of 10 patients had a remission (a score ≤ 10) on the HAMD and 7 of 10 achieved this on the HAM-A. Patients experienced highly significant reductions in both HAM-D and HAM-A scores following treatment, with the greatest reductions occurring at 2 weeks. Mean rCBF across hemispheres increased from 0.011 units in the off condition to 0.043
Nivolumab: targeting PD-1 to bolster antitumor immunity

Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, blocks PD-1 and can restore anticancer immune responses by abrogating PD-1 pathway-mediated T-cell inhibition. Nivolumab is approved in Japan and the USA for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. A Phase I trial reported overall objective response rates of 17, 32 and 29% in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively, which included many heavily pretreated patients. 1-/2-year overall survival rates were 42%/24%, 63%/48% and 70%/50% for non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Nivolumab significantly improved survival versus dacarbazine in previously untreated patients with metastatic melanoma in a Phase III trial. Nivolumab is associated with a manageable adverse event profile. Numerous clinical trials are investigating nivolumab alone or in combination with other therapies in multiple cancer settings. This article summarizes the development of nivolumab as of November 2014.
Determining the effects of habitat fragment area on grasshopper species density and richness: a comparison of proportional and uniform sampling methods

The sampling methodology used in diversity studies may at times define perceived biological patterns. In this study we used urban grassland fragments in the Front Range of northern Colorado, USA, to determine whether grasshoppers exhibit a species-area relationship (SAR) and to examine the potential effects of sampling protocol, namely uniform and proportional sampling, and sampling biases on our ability to detect such a relationship. 2. A uniform sampling protocol was used to survey grasshoppers across 13 urban fragments and then sample-based rarefaction curves were used to determine how the SAR would have been modified had we used proportional sampling. We also used individual-based rarefaction curves to explore the issue of 'passive' sampling and used species richness estimators to address the efficacy of our sampling protocols. 3. We found that reductions in habitat area due to urban fragmentation lead to a significant SAR between grasshopper species density and richness and fragment size. Using field data we also show, that relative to a uniform sampling protocol, propor- tional sampling can lead to similar conclusions about the density of species found within an area with the potential benefit of not over sampling smaller relative to lar- ger areas. Finally, the estimators showed that most of the species in each fragment were detected and the individual-based rarefaction curves showed that the detected SAR was not due to 'passive' sampling.
Impact of lowering triglycerides on raising HDL-C in hypertriglyceridemic and non-hypertriglyceridemic subjects.

Abstract Although an inverse association between triglyceride (TG) and (HDL-C) is well documented, the impact of lowering TG on HDL-C levels has not been well established. Therefore, data were analyzed in 151 consecutive dyslipidemic patients who made multiple visits ( n =1830) to the University of Maryland Preventive Cardiology Center between 1991 and 2005. At baseline, fasting TG levels at or above the median (178 mg/dL) were associated with significantly lower HDL-C than TG levels below the median (32.6±11.1 mg/dL versus 45.1±14.2 mg/dL; P P P P =0.0003) and fibrates ( P =0.03) were also associated with significant increases in HDL-C beyond that anticipated with TG reduction. These data indicate that lowering TG is independently and inversely correlated with HDL-C, effects that are most pronounced in the absence of hypertriglyceridemia.
The Intracluster Medium

Clusters of galaxies are full of hot, diffuse plasma, with typical temperatures and electron densities of T ~ 7x107 K and n e ~ 10-3 cm-3, This intraclustermedium (ICM) produces copious X-ray emission, and typical cluster X-ray luminositiesare L x ~ 1043 - 1045 ergs s-1. The total mass of intracluster gas generally exceeds the mass of all of the galaxies in a rich cluster. The gas is probably nearly hydrostatic. From the distribution of the intracluster plasma, one can determine the total gravitational mass of the cluster and its distribution. These measurements indicate that much of the cluster mass is in the form of “dark matter.” However, the X—ray observations also favor a distribution in which the dark matter is more centrally condensed than the galaxies, which are in turn more centrally condensed than the gas. This suggests that at least part of the dark matter is baryonic. The X—ray emission processes and physical properties of the ICM are reviewed. The ICM is probably inhomogeneous, with blobs of denser and cooler gas intermixed with hotter, more diffuse gas. If this is correct, the density fluctuations may complicate eft’orts to use the ICM to determine cluster masses and distances. The intracluster medium also contains a significant magnetic field. Tangled magnetic field lines probably inhibit thermal conduction, and allow multiphase gas and cooling to occur. The magnetic fields are dramatically amplified by inflow and compression in cooling flow regions. These strong magnetic fields produce large Faraday rotations in many nearby radio sources associated with the central galaxies in cooling flows. I argue that similar cooling flow magnetic fields depolarize distant radio galaxies and quasars. In cooling flows, the magnetic fields reach equipartition with the thermal gas, and are probably quite important dynamically.
Hard shell gas-filled contrast enhancement particles for colour Doppler ultrasound imaging of tumors

Hollow hard shell particles of 200 nm and 2 micron diameter with a 10 nm thick porous silica shell have been synthesized using polystyrene templates and a sol–gel process. The template ensures than the hollow particles are monodispersed, while the charged silica surface ensures that they remain suspended in solution for weeks. When filled with perfluorocarbon gas, the particles behave as an efficient contrast agent for colour Doppler ultrasound imaging in human breast tissue. The silica shell provides unique properties compared to conventional soft shell particles employed as ultrasound contrast agents: uniform size control, strong adsorption to tissue and cells immobilizing particles at the tissue injection site, a long imaging lifetime, and a silica surface that can be easily modified with biotargeting ligands or small molecules to adjust the surface charge and polarity.