cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variational principles for boundary value and initial-boundary value problems in continuum mechanics

Abstract A procedure for setting up variational principles for a class of linear coupled field problems in continuum mechanics is presented. Some generalizations of the principle and their relationship with existing variational theorems are examined. Alternative schemes useful for direct methods of solution are discussed. Examples of typical application are included.
Influence of earthworms and leaf litter on edaphic variables in sewage-sludge-treated soil microcosms

A series of 48 greenhouse soil microcosms were established and treated with combinations of sewage sludge, Acer saccharum leaves, and the earthworms Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. The microcosms were incubated at constant moisture for 110 days. Samples were then taken and analysed for sludge depth, organic-matter content, and waterstable soil aggregates. Weights of surface leaves and weights and numbers of surviving earthworms were determined for each microcosm. L. terrestris significantly reduced sludge depth and the surface organic-matter content of microcosm soil and significantly increased percentages of 4-mm diameter water-stable aggregates. Leaf litter also significantly reduced sludge depth and increased 4-mm water-stable aggregates. E. fetida inhibited surface feeding by L. terrestris, reduced its 110-day survival rate, and inhibited the production of 4-mm water-stable aggregates in L. terrestris treatments. Numbers of E. fetida increased in L. terrestris treatments. Sludge depth, organic-matter content and water-stable aggregates were not significantly different from controls in E. fetida treatments.
Theory of Second Sound Absorption in Rotating Helium

1. H. Hall and W. Vinen, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) A238, 204 (1956). 2. H. Hall and W. Vinen, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) A238, 215 (1956). 3. L. Onsager, Suppl. Nuovo cimento 2, 249 (1949). 4. R. Feynman, Progress in Low-Temperature Physics, edited by C. J. Gorter (North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1955), Vol. 1, Chap. II, p. 36. 5 Additional dynamic complications for rotating systems (Coriolis effects) are neglected as higher order in Ω for absorption (quadratic). 6 Recalling that temperature waves support no first-order pressure fluctuations, we recognize that second-order processes assume primary importance. 7 Local density deviations from the ambient contribute positively to the potential energy, regardless of sign (consider the potential energy content of ordinary sound) 8 In contrast to the normally adiabatic nature of second sound, involving no actual conversion between phases. 9 Uupon conversion from superfluid, for example, there results a small portion of normal fluid travelling in the wrong direction, with consequent frictional retardation and degeneration of kinetic energy. The reverse process presents greater subtleties. 10 Note that whether in "closing' the normal component enters regions of greater or less wave energy remains immaterial, as either process produces irreversible energy transfer (thus the absolute value signs). Such a consideration also enters integration of Eq. (4). following. 11 Note independence on domain size upon normalization for density calculation. 12 The present result remains valid only for conditions wherein the wavelength greatly exceeds the domain size (λ >>a). A re-evaluation would be necessary for the opposite extreme, and in fact, for high enough frequencies (λ << a), the effect may conceivably disappear.
Kinetics and Mechanism for CO2 Scrambling in a N-Carboxyimidazolidone Analogue for N1-Carboxybiotin

The N-carboxyimidazolidone anion, 2-, was prepared as an analogue for N1-carboxybiotin, and the kinetics of its CO2-dependent chemistry were studied in polar aprotic media. The objective was to assess the viability of unimolecular CO2 elimination from N1-carboxybiotin as a microscopic step in biotin-dependent carboxyl transfer enzymes. The anionic 2- was prepared as its lithium salt by first deprotonating 2-imidazolidone with phenyllithium, followed by direct reaction with carbon dioxide. This procedure also permitted isolation of the 13C enriched derivative 2-{13C} by reaction with 13CO2. Proton and 13C NMR and isotope-dependent FTIR measurements confirmed that carboxylation had occurred at the nitrogen atom of 2-imidazolidone to give 2-. Time-dependent FTIR spectroscopy showed that Li2 undergoes carboxyl exchange with free carbon dioxide, with kinetics indicative of rate-limiting unimolecular dissociation of the N−CO2 bond. Under these conditions, the weak Lewis acid Mg2+ catalyses the exchange of 2- wi...
Related-to-receptor tyrosine kinase receptor regulates hematopoietic stem and progenitor sensitivity to myelosuppressive injury in mice

Maintaining a careful balance between quiescence and proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) is necessary for lifelong blood formation. Previously, we demonstrated that the Wnt5a ligand inhibits HSPC proliferation through a functional interaction with a noncanonical Wnt ligand receptor termed ‘related-to-receptor tyrosine kinase' (Ryk). Expression of Ryk on HSPCs in vivo is associated with a lower rate of proliferation, and, following treatment with fluorouracil (5-FU), the percentage of Ryk +/high HSPCs increased and the percentage of Ryk −/low HSPCs decreased. Based on these data, we hypothesized that one function of the Ryk receptor is to protect HSPCs from the effects of myeloablative agents. We found that Ryk expression on HSPCs is associated with lower rates of apoptosis following 5-FU and radiation. Transient inhibition of Ryk signaling in vivo resulted in increased hematopoietic-stem-cell proliferation and decreased hematopoietic-stem-cell function in bone marrow transplant assays. Furthermore, inhibition of Ryk signaling sensitized HSPCs to 5-FU treatment in association with increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Together, these results demonstrated an association between Ryk expression and survival of HSPCs following suppressive injury.
Circulating mediators of proteinuria in idiopathic minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome

The pathogenesis of proteinuria in idiopathic minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome (IMLNS) remains to be elucidated. The most-accepted hypothesis is that the increased glomerular permeability to plasma proteins results from the effect of circulating factors on glomerular capillaries. This report critically reviews the current studies that have attempted to isolate and characterize this putative factor(s). Products released from hepatocyte or peripheral blood mononuclear cells or isolated by chromatography from serum or plasma have been tested in rats for their role in inducing proteinuria. These factors have been infused into the isolated kidney preparation or into the intact animal as a single venous injection, or continuously by pump for a period of 4 h to 7 days. Several of these isolated factors have been shown to induce proteinuria in rats. However, their exclusive pathogenetic role is questionable since none is always present in all IMLNS patients during relapse. Therefore, the increase in proteinuria in these patients may result from a single or a variety of factors as yet to be identified.
Rapid characterization of cellular retinoid-binding proteins by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography

Abstract A high-performance size-exclusion chromatographic method was developed for the analysis of cellular retinol and retinoic acid-binding proteins. The chromatographic analysis of the retinol-retinol-binding protein complex or the retinoic acid-retinoic acid-binding protein complex requires 15 min. The use of high-specific-radioactivity retinoid ligand (30–40 Ci/mmol) allows routine detection of 25 fmol of retinoid-binding protein/mg of cytosolic protein. Thus, this method provides a rapid alternative to sucrose density gradient sedimentation analysis of the cellular retinoid-binding proteins. High-performance size-exclusion chromatography is well suited to screening novel tissues, tumors, and cell lines for the presence of retinoid-binding proteins and to the further characterization of these cellular proteins. This method was applied to the characterization of cellular retinol- and retinoic acid-binding proteins in fetal rabbit tissues. Both retinol- and retinoic acid-binding proteins were detected in fetal rabbit brain, intestine, kidney, and lung at a gestational age of 28 days. Neither retinoidbinding protein was detected in 28-day-old fetal rabbit placenta. Specific retinoic acid binding in fetal intestinal cytosol decreased as a function of increasing gestational age.
On the mechanism of the Wolff-Kishner reduction

Abstract The observation that Wolff-Kishner reduction of a δ,e-unsaturated ketone leads to the trans cyclized product supports the proposed intermediacy of a carbanion in this reaction.
The vascular contribution to Alzheimer's disease

AD (Alzheimer's disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown origin. Despite questions as to the underlying cause(s) of this disease, shared risk factors for both AD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease indicate that vascular mechanisms may critically contribute to the development and progression of both AD and atherosclerosis. An increased risk of developing AD is linked to the presence of the apoE4 (apolipoprotein E4) allele, which is also strongly associated with increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent studies also indicate that cardiovascular risk factors, including elevated blood cholesterol and triacylglycerol (triglyceride), increase the likelihood of AD and vascular dementia. Lipids and lipoproteins in the circulation interact intimately with the cerebrovasculature, and may have important effects on its constituent brain microvascular endothelial cells and the adjoining astrocytes, which are components of the neurovascular unit. The present review will examine the potential mechanisms for understanding the contributions of vascular factors, including lipids, lipoproteins and cerebrovascular Abeta (amyloid beta), to AD, and suggest therapeutic strategies for the attenuation of this devastating disease process. Specifically, we will focus on the actions of apoE, TGRLs (triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins) and TGRL lipolysis products on injury of the neurovascular unit and increases in blood-brain barrier permeability.
Angiogenin in Parkinson Disease Models: Role of Akt Phosphorylation and Evaluation of AAV-Mediated Angiogenin Expression in MPTP Treated Mice

The angiogenic factor, angiogenin, has been recently linked to both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson Disease (PD). We have recently shown that endogenous angiogenin levels are dramatically reduced in an alpha-synuclein mouse model of PD and that exogenous angiogenin protects against cell loss in neurotoxin-based cellular models of PD. Here, we extend our studies to examine whether activation of the prosurvival Akt pathway is required for angiogenin's neuroprotective effects against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), as observed in ALS models, and to test the effect of virally-mediated overexpression of angiogenin in an in vivo PD model. Using a dominant negative Akt construct, we demonstrate that inhibition of the Akt pathway does not reduce the protective effect of angiogenin against MPP+ toxicity in the dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, an ALS-associated mutant of angiogenin, K40I, which fails to induce Akt phosphorylation, was similar to wildtype angiogenin in protection against MPP+. These results confirm previous work showing neuroprotective effects of angiogenin against MPP+, and indicate that Akt is not required for this protective effect. We also investigated whether adeno-associated viral serotype 2 (AAV2)-mediated overexpression of angiogenin protects against dopaminergic neuron loss in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model. We found that angiogenin overexpression using this approach does not reduce the MPTP-induced degeneration of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra, nor limit the depletion of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatum. Together, these findings extend the evidence for protective effects of angiogenin in vitro, but also suggest that further study of in vivo models is required to translate these effects into meaningful therapies.
Target cell-directed rapid degradation of TNF-α messenger RNA in human cytotoxic T cells

Abstract Previously we have shown that upon exposure to sensitive target cells (TC), human cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and natural killer cells (NK) undergo functional inactivation and specifically degrade mRNA-encoding lytic proteins stored in cytoplasmic granules. These lytic proteins include perforin (PFP) and the serine proteases (granzymes). In this study we show that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA undergoes rapid down-regulation after interaction with TC, in a manner identical to PFP and serine protease mRNA. Both PFP and TNF-α messages are down-regulated and maintained at low baseline levels while effector cells (EC) are in contact with TC. Moreover, treatment of CTL with antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD8, and class I could not reproduce TC-directed mRNA down-regulation of TNF-α and PFP even though lytic ability was inhibited. Anti-CD2 and anti-CD3, however, markedly induced the expression of TNF-α mRNA within 15 min. The increase of TNF-α mRNA by anti-CD2 and anti-CD3 was offset by the presence of TC, suggesting that TC supply a negative signal to the CTL resulting in degradation of the TNF-α mRNA. Furthermore, treatment of CTL with cycloheximide (CHX) did not prevent PFP message loss and did not allow its recovery, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is not required for mRNA degradation. In contrast, whereas CHX did not prevent TNF-α message loss, CHX allowed recovery of TNF-α mRNA within 120 min after TC-directed degradation. Taken as a whole, these data suggest that TC provides a negative regulatory signal that triggers the degradation of TNF-α message.
Comparison of geometrical, kinematic, and dynamic performance of several potential field methods

The artificial potential field (APF) approach is a widely used path-planning algorithm for robot navigation. The method in some of its variants is known to exhibit several difficulties such as entrapment in a local minimum. In this paper, we compare the behavior of several variants of APF methods with emphasis on the quality of path geometry, and velocity and acceleration profiles. We argue that great improvement results when globally consistent potential fields (such as distance to the target) are used in conjunction with boundary following algorithm.
Image enhancement for low-bit-rate JPEG and MPEG coding via postprocessing

JPEG and MPEG compression standards are based on block discrete cosine transform (BDCT) and, when the bit rate becomes low, visually annoying blocking artifacts appear in decompressed images and videos. In this work, we attempt to characterize and quantify the blocking artifact, and then propose an iterative method for its removal by using block classification and space-frequency filtering. The proposed new method is better than the POCS (projection onto convex sets) method in terms of convergence rate, visual appearance and objective mean square error measure.
Optical coherence tomography for an adaptive optics retina camera

We have constructed a parallel optical coherence tomographic (OCT) system that is designed to work with adaptive optics (AO) for imaging single cells in the living human retina. The high-axial resolution of OCT combined with the high-transverse resolution of AO provides a powerful imaging tool whose image quality can surpass either methodology performing alone. 3-D reconstructions were obtained of a stack of cover slips and in vitro bovine retina. Reconstructions of the bovine retina contained sufficient sensitivity to reveal clear stratification of several retinal and choroidal layers, and arrangement of individual blood vessels. The results suggest that an OCT-AO camera should substantially improve our ability to detect single cells in the retina over the current state-of-the-art AO retina cameras.
Hyperfragment binding energies

A study of hyperfragments has been made in a 10-inch3 stack of Ilford G5 emulsion which was exposed to the Berkeley 4.7 GeV/c π- beam. In area scanning 66 500 interaction stars, 37 hyperfragments (12 mesonic decays - 25 non-mesonic decays) and 61 other secondary events (« Goks ») with connecting tracks < 15 μm were found. Some fraction of these 61 GOKS (undetermined in this study) represent hyperfragments. Binding energies for 6 of the mesonic hyperfragments have been obtained. Three of these binding energies are forZ ⩾ 3.
Human astrocytoma: Serum‐mediated immunologic response

An in vitro microcytotoxicity assay has been used to study the humoral immune response to human astrocytomas. Sera of 17 of 26 patients with these tumors produced significant cytotoxicity when tested against allogeneic astrocytoma cells. The cytotoxic response was found to occur both preoperatively and postoperatively without obvious relationship to the histologic grade of the patient's tumor. Three of 46 sera from normal controls and 1 of 12 sera from patients with non-neoplastic nervous system diseases were also cytotoxic in this test. Sera from each of 3 patients with non-astrocytic neuroectodermal tumors were significantly cytotoxic, while none of 4 serums from meningioma patients was positive. These results indicate that a humoral immunologic response directed against antigens present on the astrocytoma cell surface occurs in most astrocytoma patients. The use of this microcytotoxicity assay may prove helpful in the preoperative diagnosis of this tumor. Cancer 33:1512–1519, 1974.
Studies of Bacillus subtilis phage M2: a physical map of the M2 genome.

Abstract The growth characteristics and DNA synthesis of Bacillus subtilis phage M2 in sporulating cells of B. subtilis 168 were investigated and compared with phage SPO 1. Differences in both growth properties and DNA synthesis were observed at various stages of cell development. M2-DNA was analyzed by neutral and alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation and by agarose-gel electrophoresis and was compared with 4o-29DNA, M2-DNA is cleaved by restriction endonuclease EcoRl into five fragments, but the sizes of the DNA fragments are entirely different. M2-DNA extracted from purified phage particles contains tightly bound protein which appears to be essential for transfectivity. The four EcoRl restriction sites in M2-DNA have been mapped by analysis of partial digestion products and of fragments of the DNA-protein complex, using agarose-gel electrophoresis. The physical map of the M2 genome so obtained is compared with those of the φ29 and φ15 genomes.
SPONTANEOUS NUCLEAR REACTION IN MOLECULAR HYDROGEN

The probability that two protons in a hydrogen molecule spontaneously react to form a deuteron has been calculated by the use of WKB wave functions. The complete shape of the molecular barrier has been derived from spectroscopic data for the hydrogen molecule and from a perturbation calculation of the helium atom. Use of this potential function showed that the probability of penetrating the molecular barrier (for a ground-state molecule) is greater by a factor of ${10}^{15}$ than of penetrating a Coulomb barrier at the same internuclear distance. The half-lives for nuclear reaction in the isotopic molecules ${\mathrm{H}}^{1}$${\mathrm{H}}^{1}$, ${\mathrm{H}}^{1}$${\mathrm{H}}^{2}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}$${\mathrm{H}}^{2}$ are 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{57}$, 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{47}$, and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{54}$ years.
Controlled Near Infrared Laser-Activated Liposome Release

Liposomes have been evaluated as drug delivery vehicles for decades. However, it is hard to prepare liposomes to both balance enhanced drug retention and rapid and targeted content release. The challenge is to initiate the release of encapsulated drugs at the diseased site at a controlled rate. We recently developed a novel photo-activated approach by which near-complete contents release from liposomes can be completed within seconds by irradiating encapsulated or tethered hollow gold nanoshells (HGN) with a near infrared (NIR) pulsed laser. The rapid heating of the gold nanoshells leads to unstable microbubble formation and collapse, the same type of cavitation events associated with ultrasound. Our approach is conceptually analogous to the use of optically triggered nano-“sonicators” deep inside the body for drug delivery. We demonstrate that even though the local temperature surrounding HGNs can be very high, the bulk temperature of the solution only rises by ∼1°C. Results from electrophoresis and quantitative PCR all show no damage to DNA molecules mixed with HGNs after NIR irradiation. These results confirm the potential of using this optical approach to permeabilize lipid membranes and facilitate the cellular uptake of DNAs for gene therapy. Since DNAs are relatively robust macromolecules, we also investigated the more delicate dye molecule, carboxyfluorescein (CF), which contains a double bond; liquid chromatography followed by mass spectral analysis shows that ∼95% of CF molecules are intact. These results agree well with our hypothesis that only an few nanometer thick layer surrounding HGNs reach temperatures above the explosive boiling temperature (∼ 650 K), so that only CF molecules close to HGNs are damaged. Other NIR responsive materials, such as carbon nanotubes and solid gold nanoparticles were used as triggering agent for liposome release, and their release efficiencies are compared with those of HGNs.
Multiple handpiece delivery system for tooth preparation

Abstract A cart-type handpiece delivery system has been modified to provide the operator with five high-speed and one low-speed air-driven handpieces. This relatively simple dental unit is versatile and can be adapted to a variety of tooth preparation techniques. The product of organization is efficiency, which encourages optimum results with an economy of actions and a reduction of stress.
METALORGANIC CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION : EXAMPLES OF THE INFLUENCE OF PRECURSOR STRUCTURE ON FILM PROPERTIES

The influence of precursor structure and reactivity on properties of compound semiconductors grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is discussed and illustrated with examples for growth of GaAs, ZnSe, and AlxGa1-xN. Gas-phase and surface reactions of organometallic arsenic compounds provide understanding of variation in carbon incorporation levels with precursor structure. Surface spectroscopy studies reveal the critical role of hydrogen-arsenic bonds in reducing carbon levels. MOCVD of ZnSe with different organoselenium compounds demonstrate that the growth rate behaves as expected from the Se-ligand bond strengths, but also that unexpected minor pathways can make a precursor unsuitable by causing increased carbon incorporation. Interactions between organometallic precursors mean that the structure of the precursors cannot be manipulated independently for the individual precursors, but must be considered in terms of the overall growth chemistry. The use of a single-source precursor, versus separate precursors for MOCVD of compound semiconductors is discussed and illustrated with data for the growth of AIN and GaN.
Ellipsomyxa gobii gen. et sp. n. (Myxozoa: Ceratomyxidae) in the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Denmark.

A new myxosporean species Ellipsomyxa gobii gen. et sp. n. is described from the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Kroyer) (Perciformes, Gobiidae). Plasmodia with long branched pseudopodia in the gallbladder develop to subspherical bisporous plasmodia. The myxospores were found in the gallbladder, and the hepatic and bile ducts. The new genus is characterised by the morphology of the myxospores. The myxospores have smooth thin valves elongated in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the straight central transverse indistinct sutural line. The two spherical polar capsules open some distance from the sutural line on opposite sides. The new genus thereby differs from Leptotheca Thelohan, 1895. Ellipsomyxa gobii is tentatively placed in the Ceratomyxidae.
Is Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Possible

Advances in medical technology have led to potentially useful techniques for the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer. Early detection of ovarian cancer is crucial for survival as women found to have Stage I or II disease have a 5-year survival of 90% and 70%, respectively, whereas those with advanced disease (Stage III and IV) have a survival of approximately 20%. The circulating tumour marker CA-125 has been extremely useful in following women known to have epithelial ovarian cancers. It has been employed in differentiating benign tumours from malignancies, and is now being tested in a variety of programmes for its role in the early detection of ovarian cancer. The application of endovaginal ultrasound and colour Doppler flow techniques to early detection of ovarian cancer have resulted in several large series identifying ovarian cancer in 1: 1000 to 1: 2000 postmenopausal women screened. However, a high false positivity rate persists using CA-125 and ultrasound techniques alone or in sequence. ...
Mycosis fungoides with extracutaneous dissemination: a distinct clinicopathologic entity.

The clinical and histopathologic findings in 15 autopsied cases of mycosis fungoides with extracutaneous dissemination were reviewed. Mycosis fungoides involvement of the skin was present for an average of 22 months (range of 7 months to 6 years) from the time of diagnostic skin biopsy until the onset of clinical signs indicating systemic involvement. The clinical findings associated with dissemination of mycosis fungoides were fever, weight loss, generalized peripheral and hilar lymphadenopathy, palpable enlargement of the liver and spleen, and peripheral blood eosinophilia and lymphocytosis. The average survival from the development of these signs was 11 months (range of 3 to 18 months). At autopsy in all 15 cases cutaneous mycosis fungoides was associated with malignant lymphoma, mycosis fungoides type, involving lymphoid organs and viscera. The cellular infiltrates within extracutaneous sites of involvement were similar to those of the skin infiltrates and included variable numbers of pleomorphic mycosis cells admixed with many inflammatory cells. In none of the cases was there evidence of transition to a malignant lymphoma of a different cell type. Extracutaneous dissemination is a clinicopathologically distinct aspect of the natural history of mycosis fungoides and is not due to the development of a different type of malignant lymphoma.
Production of Hα, Hβ emission in low energy Li+, H2 and K+, H2 collisions

Abstract We have measured the total emission cross section for H α , H β production in dissociative collisions between Li + , K + and H 2 in the c.m. energy range from 40–500 eV. By applying a branching-ratio correction to the total emission data we calculate absolute total cross sections for these dissociative processes.
The isotope effect in very weak itinerant ferromagnets

Abstract In ordinary ferromagnetism, the dynamics of phonons plays no role. It is shown that in the case of weak itinerant ferromagnetism, phonon dynamics may play a significant role, resulting in an isotope effect on T c .
Paving over paradise: how land use regulations promote residential imperviousness

This paper examines the influence of residential zoning and subdivision regulations on the extent and distribution of impervious land cover in Madison, WI. Specifically, an analysis of approximately 40,000 single-family residential parcels in the Madison region is presented to assess the impact of land development regulations governing lot size, lot frontage, front yard setbacks, street width, and the neighborhood street network configuration on total parcel impervious cover. The results of this research suggest that lower density patterns of single-family development are associated with a larger area of impervious cover per unit of occupancy than higher density patterns. The paper argues that parcel-based analyses of environmental impact are needed to evaluate the role of specific land use planning policies on regional environmental quality. Based on the results of the analysis, we identify three specific strategies for reducing residential impervious area through municipal land development regulations.
Clofilium1--a new antifibrillatory agent that selectively increases cellular refractoriness

Abstract Clofilium is the most promising member in a new series of antifibrillatory agents to selectively prolong cardiac action potential duration (APD) and effective refractory period (ERP). In normal superfused canine Purkinje fibers, clofilium prolonged APD and ERP by a maximum of 35% (ED 50 =1.3 × 10 −8 M). The effect of clofilium reached equilibrium in 61±3 min but APD did not return toward control during several hr of superfusion with drug-free medium. No change in rate of rise, amplitude, resting potential or rate of diastolic depolarization was noted in the presence of clofilium (3 × 10 −7 M). Clofilium increased the canine ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) measured using gated trains of electrical stimuli. This effect occurred in a dose-related fashion following a 30 min infusion of a total of 0.5 or 1.0 μmole/kg of clofilium. The increase was evident within 30 min after ending the infusion and persisted for at least 4 hr. Following the infusion of clofilium (1.0 μmole/kg) 22% of the episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) spontaneously reverted to normal sinus rhythm without the use of direct current countershock; this phenomenon did not occur in dextrose-infused dogs.
Evolutionary Trace Residues in Noroviruses: Importance in Receptor Binding, Antigenicity, Virion Assembly, and Strain Diversity

Noroviruses cause major epidemic gastroenteritis in humans. A large number of strains of these single-stranded RNA viruses have been reported. Due to the absence of infectious clones of noroviruses and the high sequence variability in their capsids, it has not been possible to identify functionally important residues in these capsids. Consequently, norovirus strain diversity is not understood on the basis of capsid functions, and the development of therapeutic compounds has been hampered. To determine functionally important residues in noroviruses, we have analyzed a number of norovirus capsid sequences in the context of the Norwalk virus capsid crystal structure by using the evolutionary trace method. This analysis has identified capsid protein residues that uniquely characterize different norovirus strains and provide new insights into capsid assembly and disassembly pathways and the strain diversity of these viruses. Such residues form specific three-dimensional clusters that may be of functional importance in noroviruses. One of these clusters includes residues known to participate in the proteolytic cleavage of these viruses at high pH. Other clusters are formed in capsid regions known to be important in the binding of antibodies to noroviruses, thereby indicating residues that may be important in the antigenicity of these viruses. The highly variable region of the capsid shows a distinct cluster whose residues may participate in norovirus-receptor interactions.
Woody–Herbaceous–Livestock Species Interaction

Woody and herbaceous species interaction in disturbed and natural environments has attracted a great deal of research attention due to its implications for land cover change, land surface–atmosphere interaction, global carbon budget (House et al. 2003), biodiversity, primary and secondary productivity, and the associated land use management (Archer 1994). Ecosystems of mixed woody and herbaceous plants comprise 15–35% of the terrestrial surface area and are distributed from hot tropical to cold temperate climates across varying topography and soils (House et al. 2003). Mixed woody–herbaceous ecosystems are often heavily impacted by natural and anthropogenic factors such as fire and grazing (House et al. 2003).
Evolution of storage management: transforming raw data into information

Exponential growth in storage requirements and an increasing number of heterogeneous devices and application policies are making enterprise storage management a nightmare for administrators. Back-of-the-envelope calculations, rules of thumb, and manual correlation of individual device data are too error prone for the day-to-day administrative tasks of resource provisioning, problem determination, performance management, and impact analysis. Storage management tools have evolved over the past several years from standardizing the data reported by storage subsystems to providing intelligent planners. In this paper, we describe that evolution in the context of the IBM Total Storage® Productivity Center (TPC)--a suite of tools to assist administrators in the day-to-day tasks of monitoring, configuring, provisioning, managing change, analyzing configuration, managing performance, and determining problems. We describe our ongoing research to develop ways to simplify and automate these tasks by applying advanced analytics on the performance statistics and raw configuration and event data collected by TPC using the popular Storage Management Initiative-Specification (SMI-S). In addition, we provide details of SMART (storage management analytics and reasoning technology) as a library that provides a collection of data-aggregation functions and optimization algorithms.
A bone health intervention for older adults living in residential settings

Osteoporosis, a major health problem that increases with age, may lead to fractures and loss of independence. This study focused on testing a bone health intervention aimed at assisting older adults living independently in residential settings to maintain healthy bones with the long-term goals of fracture prevention and maintenance of independent function. Forty-seven participants (M (age) = 79.36 years) completed six 1-hour educational sessions. Pre-intervention testing of osteoporosis knowledge and healthy bone behaviors was followed by posttests at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 7(1/2) months. Findings revealed significant increases in knowledge and behaviors from baseline to 9(1/2) months, although a slight decline during the last 6 months when there was no reinforcement of learning suggests the need for periodic follow-up.
Possible Spin Pumping Effects on Spin Torque Induced Magnetization Switching in Magnetic Tunneling Junctions

Dependence of spin torque induced magnetization switching upon interfacial insulating layers properties of magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJ) are studied. For the same magnetic properties and patterning geometric dimensions, changes in MTJ interfacial insulating layers properties reveal interesting magnetization switching behaviors. These behaviors cannot be explained by conventional Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation with a spin torque term and an intrinsic ferromagnetic relaxation damping. However the magnetization switching dynamics can be understood through assumption of spin pumping effects in magnetic tunneling junctions. This is not only important for fundamental understanding of spin and electronic transport in MTJ but also important for practical trade-offs between critical switching current and MTJ resistance for spin torque random access memory.
State-of-the-Art and Trends in Scalable Video Compression With Wavelet-Based Approaches

Scalable video coding (SVC) differs form traditional single point approaches mainly because it allows to encode in a unique bit stream several working points corresponding to different quality, picture size and frame rate. This work describes the current state-of-the-art in SVC, focusing on wavelet based motion-compensated approaches (WSVC). It reviews individual components that have been designed to address the problem over the years and how such components are typically combined to achieve meaningful WSVC architectures. Coding schemes which mainly differ from the space-time order in which the wavelet transforms operate are here compared, discussing strengths and weaknesses of the resulting implementations. An evaluation of the achievable coding performances is provided considering the reference architectures studied and developed by ISO/MPEG in its exploration on WSVC. The paper also attempts to draw a list of major differences between wavelet based solutions and the SVC standard jointly targeted by ITU and ISO/MPEG. A major emphasis is devoted to a promising WSVC solution, named STP-tool, which presents architectural similarities with respect to the SVC standard. The paper ends drawing some evolution trends for WSVC systems and giving insights on video coding applications which could benefit by a wavelet based approach.
Nonsymmetric 9-Phenanthrylamines. An Improved Synthetic Procedure to a Useful Synthon

Abstract The ready availability1 of stilbene carboxylic acids and the ease of oxidative photochemical cyclization of these acids to phenanthrene-9-carboxylic acids 1, suggests this route as a straight-forward entry into natural products having unsymmetrical phenanthryl2,3 or phenanthryl - derived 4 structures. A major difficulty which has deterred the use of this approach in alkaloid synthesis is the difficulty of converting phenanthrene-9-carboxylic acids 1 into the corresponding 9-phenanthrylamines 4.2 Because of our need for a simple route to nonsymmetrical 9-phenanthrylamines 4 as key intermediates in the synthesis of the antileukemic lignan lactone steganangin4,5 and related compounds, we have developed improved synthetic procedures for conversion of phenanthrylic acids 1 to phenanthrylamines and derivatives 4 - 6. Results are shown in Table I.
Spatio-Temporal Event Model for Cyber-Physical Systems

The emerging Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) are envisioned to integrate computation, communication and control with the physical world. Therefore, CPS requires close-interactions between the cyber and physical worlds both in time and space. These interactions are usually governed by events, which occur in the physical world and should autonomously be reflected in the cyber-world, and actions, which are taken by the CPS as a result of detection of events and certain decision mechanisms. Both event detection and action decision operations should be performed accurately and timely to guarantee temporal and spatial correctness. This calls for a flexible architecture and task representation framework to analyze CP operations. In this paper, we explore the temporal and spatial properties of events, define a novel CPS architecture, and develop a layered spatio-temporal event model for CPS. The event is represented as a function of attribute-based, temporal, and spatial event conditions. Moreover, logical operators are used to combine different types of event conditions to capture composite events. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first event model that captures the heterogeneous characteristics of CPS for formal temporal and spatial analysis.
On the quadratic spans of DeBruijn sequences

The quadratic span of a periodic binary sequence is defined to be the length of the shortest quadratic feedback shift register (FSR) that generates it. An algorithm for computing the quadratic span of a binary sequence is described. The required increase in quadratic span is determined for the special case of when a discrepancy occurs in a linear FSR that generates an initial portion of a sequence. The quadratic spans of binary DeBruijn sequences are investigated. An upper bound for the quadratic span of a DeBruijn sequence of span n is given; this bound is attained by the class of DeBruijn sequences obtained from m-sequences. It is easy to see that a lower bound is n+1, but a lower bound of n+2 is conjectured. The distributions of quadratic spans of DeBruijn sequences of span 3, 4, 5 and 6 are presented. >
A model to describe ruminal metabolism and intestinal absorption of long chain fatty acids

Abstract A sub-model developed within the structure of the Cornell–Penn–Miner Dairy System (CPM-Dairy) predicts ruminal metabolism and intestinal absorption of fat in dairy cows. Data from 36 dietary treatments in eight published experiments that reported intakes and flows (g per day) of long chain fatty acids (LCFA) to the duodenum and feces were used to estimate rate constants and develop equations in the model. Similar data on 36 diets from another eight published papers were used to validate the model. Fat from each feed ingredient is specified in terms of its content of the major lipid components: glycerol, pigment and 10 LCFA (C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1c, C18:1t, C18:2, C18:3 and ‘COther’). Dietary fat is assumed to exist mainly in the form of triglycerides. In the rumen, fat is either lipolysed (defined as enzymatic cleavage of ester linkages and dissociation of salts of fatty acids) or escapes the rumen to the small intestine in the non-lipolysed form. Estimated rates of lipolysis are presented for fats from 27 different feeds. The lipolysis rates for fat from corn silage, alfalfa silage, ground corn, alfalfa hay, ground-roasted soybeans, hydrogenated tallow and calcium salts of palm fatty acid distillate (Ca-PFAD) were 500, 500, 309, 65, 35, 18 and 6.3%/h, respectively. Ca-PFAD was the only ingredient that showed appreciable protection against lipolysis. Lipolysed LCFA undergo biohydrogenation in a stepwise process: C18:3→C18:2→C18:1t→C18:0; C18:1c→C18:0; C16:1→C16:0. At each step, the specific LCFA either undergoes biohydrogenation or passes out of the rumen. The estimated mean biohydrogenation rates for C16:1, C18:1c, C18:1t, C18:2 and C18:3 were 39.3, 27.4, 22.8, 87.6 and 244%/h, respectively. In addition, within the rumen, small amounts of C16:0, C16:1, C18:0 and COther LCFA are produced de novo from dietary carbohydrate. Specific intestinal digestion coefficients are used to describe absorption of each of the 10 major LCFA in both the lipolysed and non-lipolysed forms. Digestion coefficients for most LCFA were generally in the range 0.7–0.9. For total LCFA and for the majority of individual LCFA, the model showed good concordance between measured and predicted duodenal flows and also for measured and predicted intestinal absorption. The quantity of specific LCFA absorbed from the intestines can influence milk fat percentage and fertility. This model allows nutritionists to more accurately formulate dairy cattle rations in terms of fat, and to examine productivity in terms of individual LCFA.
Distribution and Metabolism of 14C-Dieldrin in the Resistant and Susceptible House Fly

Studies on penetration of 14C-dieldrin into Musca domestica L. revealed that shortly after treatment, amounts of radioactivity recovered from head and thoracic cuticle were 2-fold higher in flies resistant (R) to dieldrin than in those susceptible (S). However, after 24 hr, recoveries were similar for both strains. Assays of radioactivity in the gut (including reproductive organs) and flight muscle showed consistently lower recoveries from R flies during the 1st 3-5 hours after treatment. In the metabolism study, 85% of the absorbed radioactivity was recovered as the parent compound from the R strain during the 1st 24 hours following treatment. The 48-hour R fly homogenate fraction represented approximately 2% of the applied dose and contained metabolites chromatographically similar 10 those in the feces fraction. Fly feces fractions from Rand S flies contained 5.7 and 1.2%, respectively, of the applied dose at 24 hours post-treatment. Of these quantities, 2.9 and 0.4% were metabolites. After the maximum holding period of 120 hours, 12% of the applied radioactivity was recovered in R flies, 2.4% as the parent dieldrin, and the remainder as more polar metabolites. The major water-soluble metabolite, representing about 9% of total radioactivity recovered from R fly feces 5 days after treatment, appeared to be conjugated with an unidentified macromolecule of low molecular weigh. Two minor organ soluble metalloids characterized in 5 chromatographic systems and by IR and mass spectroscopy could not be identified positively. Although R flies showed decreased rates of penetration and increased amounts of metabolites at extended periods after treatment, the quantitative differences between R and S strains do not explain adequately the resistance mechanism.
Analyzing quality of crowd-sourced speech transcriptions of noisy audio for acoustic model adaptation

The accuracy of crowd-sourced speech transcriptions varies depending on a variety of factors. This paper studies the impact of one such factor, namely, the quality of audio. We employed a speech database with babble noise at three SNR levels (clean, 2 dB and −2 dB) and asked workers on Amazon Mechanical Turk to transcribe it. Two interesting observations emerge. First, as expected, the quality of transcripts combined by word frequency based ROVER decreases with decreasing SNR. Further, we demonstrate that the use of some unsupervised reliability scores can improve the transcription quality, with increasing benefits at lower SNR. Second, we do not observe a significant drop in the performance of acoustic models adapted with increasing transcription noise. This highlights the surprising robustness of crowd-sourced transcripts for acoustic model adaptation.
The search for sanctuary.

ome things never change, surgical risks among them. From the time of Hammurabi, surgeons have been penalized for Sunexpected injuries. The 218th provision in Hammurabi’s code stated, “If a physician make a large incision with the operating knife, and kill him, or open a tumor with the operating knife, and cut out the eye, his hands shall be cut off” (6). Stiff penalty and stunning precedent, indeed. At the dawn of recorded civilization, 2500 years ago, in an oath for ensuing generations of physicians down through the ages, Hippocrates memorialized the responsibility to first avoid harm in the pursuit of the healing arts: “.and I will do no harm or injustice to them” (5).
Comparison of laboratory toxicity test results with responses of estuarine animals exposed to fenthion in the field

Acute, lethal effects of fenthion (an organophosphate insecticide) on mysids (Mysidopsis bahia), grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum) and sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) were determined in laboratory tests and after field applications. Exposures at four field sites ranged from short-term exposures (12 h or less) of rapidly decreasing fenthion concentrations to extended intervals (more than 72 h) with slowly increasing or decreasing fenthion concentrations. Laboratory-derived LC50s provided a reliable benchmark for predicting acute, lethal effects of fenthion on caged animals in the field when exposures persisted for 24 h or more but overestimated the toxicity for exposures of less than 24 h. Laboratory pulse-exposure tests with rapidly changing concentrations for 12 h were predictive of the nonlethal and lethal effects observed for short-term field exposures.
Electrically Injected Quantum-Dot Photonic Crystal Microcavity Light-Emitting Arrays With Air-Bridge Contacts

We demonstrate direct electrical carrier injection into membrane photonic crystal (PC) microcavities with quantum-dot radiating elements via metallic air-bridges. The bridges are 300 nm tall, 200-400 nm wide, 3-13 mum long, and have surface contact width ~200-300 nm. We demonstrate arrays of electrically injected membrane PC microcavities interconnected by nano-bridges. The technology demonstrated here represents an attractive route to fabricate densely packed electrically injected PC light sources