cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathways of nucleotide metabolism in Schistosoma mansoni—III: Identification of enzymes in cell-free extracts☆

Abstract A survey of purine anabolic and catabolic enzymes has resulted in identification of major pathways in schistosome nucleotide biosynthesis. It is shown that multiple pathways for the incorporation of purine bases and nucleosides exist. The evidence suggests that adenosine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) activity is about ten times greater than adenosine kinase activity. Furthermore adenosine is converted to AMP principally via the pathway of adenosine deaminase, followed by conversion of inosine to hypoxanthine. In this sequence hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) activity is rate limiting. On the basis of enzyme activities determined, one can suggest candidates of nucleotide analogs which might be useful chemotherapeutic agents.
Regulation of platelet-activating factor receptors in rat Kupffer cells.

Abstract Ligand binding studies indicate that 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC) down-regulates its own receptors on the plasma membrane of isolated rat Kupffer cells but has no significant effect on the binding affinity of the receptor for AGEPC. Exposure of isolated rat Kupffer cells to 10(-8) and 10(-6) M AGEPC resulted in a rapid, time-dependent reduction in the number of cell surface AGEPC receptors to a new steady state concentration (54.1 +/- 5.0% and 38.6 +/- 5.4% of control, respectively). During the observation period (6 h), the half-time of surface AGEPC receptors was about 60 and 45 min in the presence of 10(-8) and 10(-6) M AGEPC, respectively. Both the rate of loss and the maximal loss of the receptors were dependent upon the AGEPC concentration. With receptor synthesis inhibited by cycloheximide in the absence of AGEPC, the half-time of the surface AGEPC receptor was about 4 h, suggesting that AGEPC receptors are not recycled and that the loss of AGEPC receptors from the plasma membrane is accelerated by AGEPC binding. When incubated with Kupffer cells at 37 degrees C for 3 h, 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1.0 microM), an inactive metabolite of AGEPC, did not cause the loss of AGEPC receptors. Under the same conditions, AGEPC antagonists such as BN52021 (2 x 10(-5) M) or U66985 (2 x 10(-5) M) alone had no effect (97.0 +/- 3.9% of control for BN52021) or only a relatively slight effect (78.4 +/- 1.8% for U66985) on the number of surface AGEPC receptors. However, AGEPC antagonists inhibited the AGEPC-induced down-regulation of AGEPC receptors in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that the AGEPC-induced down-regulation of AGEPC receptors is a receptor-mediated process. The AGEPC-mediated decrease in receptor number on rat Kupffer cells is reversible. Upon removing AGEPC from the culture medium, about 67% of the lost receptors were replaced within 2 h. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, prevented the restoration of the AGEPC receptors. Similar results were obtained when Kupffer cells were incubated with Pronase followed by removing Pronase and reincubating the cells with or without cycloheximide. These observations suggest that the restored AGEPC receptor is newly synthesized rather than recycled. The present study demonstrates that under non-stimulatory (i.e. in the absence of AGEPC) conditions AGEPC receptors are lost from the plasma membrane and are reformed in the cells continuously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A Note on Presumptions with Sequential Litigation

This note extends the Bernardo, Talley & Welch (1999) model of legal presumptions to study situations where litigation efforts are spent sequentially rather than simultaneously. The equilibria of the litigation stage are presented as functions of the underlying presumption. The equilibria and comparative statics are shown to be qualitatively similar to those of the simultaneous version. However, sequentiality allows the principal to pre commit to a litigation strategy, and thus possibly preempt any litigation effort whatsoever by the agent.
Auditory Cortical Responses Elicited in Awake Primates by Random Spectrum Stimuli

Contrary to findings in subcortical auditory nuclei, auditory cortex neurons have traditionally been described as spiking only at the onsets of simple sounds such as pure tones or bandpass noise and to acoustic transients in complex sounds. Furthermore, primary auditory cortex (A1) has traditionally been described as mostly tone responsive and the lateral belt area of primates as mostly noise responsive. The present study was designed to unify the study of these two cortical areas using random spectrum stimuli (RSS), a new class of parametric, wideband, stationary acoustic stimuli. We found that 60% of all neurons encountered in A1 and the lateral belt of awake marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) showed significant changes in firing rates in response to RSS. Of these, 89% showed sustained spiking in response to one or more individual RSS, a substantially greater percentage than would be expected from traditional studies, indicating that RSS are well suited for studying these two cortical areas. When firing rates elicited by RSS were used to construct linear estimates of frequency tuning for these sustained responders, the shape of the estimate function remained relatively constant throughout the stimulus interval and across the stimulus properties of mean sound level, spectral density, and spectral contrast. This finding indicates that frequency tuning computed from RSS reflects a robust estimate of the actual tuning of a neuron. Use of this estimate to predict rate responses to other RSS, however, yielded poor results, implying that auditory cortex neurons integrate information across frequency nonlinearly. No systematic difference in prediction quality between A1 and the lateral belt could be detected.
Association of Zinc with Soy Proteins as Affected by Heat and pH

The effect of heat on the chemical association of 65Zn with proteins and of pH on the solubility of proteins, phytic acid, zinc, and their complex formation were studied in soybeans grown hydroponically and intrinsically labeled with 65Zn. 65Zn association with soy proteins was not affected by autoclaving. Zinc was not covalently associated with the major soy proteins, 11S and 7S. Protein, phytic acid and zinc content of the raw soyflour was determined at pH range 3.5–12 before and after dialysis. pH had only a slight effect on zinc solubility. Protein-zinc-phytate complex formation was maximum in the pH range 7.5–10.5.
Digitization for Preservation and Access: Restoring the Usefulness of the Nitrate Negative Collections at the American Geographical Society Library

Film-based photographic collections of nitrate negatives pose major challenges to preservation and access because of unstable media and the lack of item-level indexing. Digitization offers an opportunity to capture the content of deteriorating negatives, to extend access to them, and to restore their usefulness as information resources. Digitization as a preservation strategy has been the subject of ongoing debate. This article contributes to the discussion by exploring access to and the preservation of film-based photographic collections and by presenting the digitization project at the American Geographical Society Library as a case study. The project, Saving and Sharing the AGS Library’s Historic Nitrate Negative Images, was undertaken from 2010 to 2012 to preserve and provide access to over 69,000 nitrate negatives from its historic collections.
Analyis of the electro-optical search for current induced intragap states in blue bronze

No dependence of the electro-optical spectra of blue bronze on position and voltage has been observed; in particular, there has been no indication of intragap, soliton-like states at the contacts that can be associated with current conversion into the sliding charge-density-wave. These results are analyzed to show that there is less than one soliton per chain in the contact, phase-slip region.
Picturing Inflammation in Blood Vessels

Atherosclerosis—a build-up of fatty material, called plaques, in the arteries—is responsible for a majority of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Local vascular inflammation is well established as the critical driver of many atherogenic processes, including cholesterol accumulation and plaque instability. It would therefore be useful to picture all aspects of this inflammation so as to better understand disease progression and its mechanisms. In a new study, van der Valk et al . successfully imaged the involvement of white blood cells early in the process of vascular inflammation in humans. The investigators first used a clinically approved imaging modality, single-photon emission computed tomography with transmission computed tomography (SPECT/CT), to prove the feasibility of SPECT/CT for visualizing the trafficking of peripheral blood monocytes into atherosclerotic plaques in humans. Among 10 patients with known vascular disease and five healthy volunteers, monocytes were isolated from venous blood samples, labeled with a radioactive isotope, and reinfused. SPECT/CT was used to image the migration of the monocytes into the vascular wall over time. Vascular infiltration by monocytes corresponded to areas of atherosclerosis by means of magnetic resonance imaging and correlated with the degree of vascular wall inflammation by means of positron emission tomography. The kinetics of monocyte trafficking were evaluated, although not fully characterized. The technique used by van der Valk et al . will allow longitudinal study of the phases of plaque infiltration by monocytes. Different aspects of plaque inflammation have been evaluated in snapshots, but not dynamically, to see leukocyte trafficking characteristics. This new SPECT/CT approach could evaluate the mechanisms of vascular inflammation in a variety of disease states—such as acute myocardial infarction, acute stroke, chronic atherosclerotic vascular disease, and chronic aneurysmal vascular disease—providing not only mechanistic insights, but also the ability to evaluate new therapies. F. M. van der Valk et al. , In vivo imaging of enhanced leukocyte accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions in humans. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 64 , 1019–1029 (2014). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleID=1900753
Inherent Bias and Noise in the Hough Transform

Considering the Hough transformation as a linear imaging process recasts certain well-known problems, provides a useful vocab-ulary, and possibly indicates a source of applicable literature on the behavior of the Hough transformation in various forms of noise. A consideration of the analytic form of peaks in parameter space sets the stage for the idea of using complementary (negative) votes to cancel off-peak positive votes in parameter space, thus sharpening peaks and reducing bias.
The total energy cost of freight transport

Abstract In this paper, we provide an estimate of the total energy required directly or indirectly to ship 1 ton of freight 1 mile by rail, domestic water, local and intercity trucks, and air. For rail freight, a careful review of previous studies resolves several apparent contradictions.
Vehicle emission unit risk factors for transportation risk assessments.

When the transportation risk posed by shipments of hazardous chemical and radioactive materials is being assessed, it is necessary to evaluate the risks associated with both vehicle emissions and cargo-related risks. Diesel exhaust and fugitive dust emissions from vehicles transporting hazardous shipments lead to increased air pollution, which increases the risk of latent fatalities in the affected population along the transport route. The estimated risk from these vehicle-related sources can often be as large or larger than the estimated risk associated with the material being transported. In this paper, data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Motor Vehicle-Related Air Toxics Study are first used to develop latent cancer fatality estimates per kilometer of travel in rural and urban areas for all diesel truck classes. These unit risk factors are based on studies investigating the carcinogenic nature of diesel exhaust. With the same methodology, the current per-kilometer latent fatality risk factor used in transportation risk assessments for heavy diesel trucks in urban areas is revised and the analysis expanded to provide risk factors for rural areas and all diesel truck classes. These latter fatality estimates may include, but are not limited to, cancer fatalities and are based primarily on the most recent epidemiological data available on mortality rates associated with ambient air PM-10 concentrations.
Variability in the Case Patterns of Causative Formation in Romance and Its Implications

Taking Folli and Harley's (2007) analysis of Italian fare-causatives as a starting point, and focusing on Spanish, I examine variation in the distribution of the subject of the embedded infinitive in so-called faire-causatives, and I suggest that there is a robust correlation between the size of the embedded complement and the licensing of particular arguments. I reach this conclusion by investigating syntactic complexity in the domain of hacer-causatives, showing that richer structures obtain when Case factors associated with dative-case-marked arguments are considered. I further show that the specific conditions imposed by these arguments are language particular and arise in the language independently of analytical causatives.
Responses of neuroblastoma cells to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine

Dissociated mouse neuroblastoma cells were studied in vitro by using intracellular microelectrodes for electrical stimulation and recording. Some, but not all cells, which exhibited well developed action potentials to electrical stimulation also showed changes in membrane potential to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (ACh). The types of responses to ACh varied. Short latency depolarizing responses to pulses of ACh (similar to those obtained with skeletal muscle) as well as sustained depolarization to steady ACh application (D response) occurred. A longer latency prolonged hyperpolarizing response (H response) and bi- and triphasic combinations of H and D responses were also seen. Pairs of cells showing morphologic contact were tested for the occurrence of effective synaptic coupling by placing intracellular microelectrodes in each cell. In none of 95 cases tested did spike activity produced by direct electrical stimulation of one cell elicit a synaptic potential of 200 μv or more in the other.
Seeking restorative experiences: Elementary school teachers' choices for places that enable coping with stress

Teacher stress and coping research and restorative environments research were converged in this study to explore how elementary school teachers in Chicago seek out everyday places in their milieu to implement restorative coping strategies. Seventy-one survey responses revealed that teachers' spontaneous place choices are related to sources of stress and that the restorative potential of a place was related to its ability to support teachers'inward or outward coping strategies. Teachers implemented effective strategies in places such as home, nature, city places, third places, and church. The ways these places were experienced differed according to teachers' perceptions of frequency and type of stress and how the place enabled the inward or outward strategy as needed. Findings suggest directions for exploring restorative design interventions in teachers' environments, especially within school environments.
Detection and determination of 5,6-dihydrouridine and 4-thiouridine in transfer ribonucleic acid from different sources

Abstract Treatment of tRNA with sodium borotritiide in the dark leads to the selective reduction of the minor nucleosides 5,6-dihydrouridine to [1,1-3H]N-ribosyl-3-ureidopropane-1-ol, of N4-acetylcytidine to [4,6-3H]N1-ribosyl-N4-acetyltetrahydrocytosine and of 4-thiouridine to [4,4,6-3H]N-ribosyl-2-oxohexahydropyrimidine. The reduction of 4-thiouridine with sodium borotritiide has been studied in detail and the structure of the major reduction product, [4,4,6-3H]N-ribosyl-2-oxohexahydropyrimidine, confirmed by spectroscopic and chemical evidence. Based on these results a chromatographic method has been developed for the detection and determination of 5,6-dihydrouridine, 4-thiouridine and N4-acetylcytidine in tRNA from different sources. An average of 3.0 residues of dihydrouridine per chain of 77 nucleotides was found in yeast tRNA, of 2.5 residues in Escherichia coli B tRNA, of 1.3 residues in Bacillus subtilis tRNA and of 0.8 residue in rat liver tRNA. Only E. coli tRNA was found to contain 4-thiouridine (0.66 residue per chain). No evidence has been obtained for the presence of significant amounts of N4-acetylcytidine in the tRNA's investigated. No minor nucleotides susceptible to sodium borotritiide in the dark were detected in MS2 and tobacco mosaic virus RNA.
1414 Cancer: A family experience

Toffler stated in his book Future Shock, that the most difficult thing we would have to deal with as a society would be change. Our world is constantly changing, as are our perceptions and definitions of the traditional family. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the impact extends in a far reaching way to the individuals that are defined as “family”. This presentation will explore the ramifications of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer on the family. Each member of a family will respond differently to the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of cancer. The differences in individual responses are associated with where they are in the developmental life cycle and previous established coping styles. The changes in established relationships will also be impacted by the extent to which the individuals will need to modify and redefine their existence in the family. Interventions for assisting adults and children in their understanding of the cancer experience will be explored. Hope is one of a human being's most valued, private, and powerful intrinsic resources. The concept of defining the hopes and dreams of the family will be reviewed as a strategy for assisting families in coping with cancer.
BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF THE UTERUS OF THE NON-PREGNANT EWE

Observations on the coefficient of oxygen utilization of the uterus have been made for periods of days and weeks in a series of ‘unstressed’ non-pregnant ewes by means of indwelling catheters in an artery and the uterine vein. They indicate that the rate of oxygen transport to the uterus with respect to its oxygen consumption varies over a wide range. The two rates (ml./kg./min.) were estimated in twenty ‘unstressed’ ewes that had been divided into three groups on the basis of the appearance of the ovaries and uterus at laparotomy 2 or 3 days earlier. In ten ewes, at least one ovary contained a large protruding corpus luteum (Group I); in three, one ovary contained one or more large follicles (Group II) whereas in seven the ovaries lacked either of these distinguishing features (Group III). The average rates of uterine blood flow and oxygen consumption in these three groups were 119 and 5·26; 540·6 and 5·0 and 267·4 and 5·4 respectively.
The nitrogen budget of a salt marsh ecosystem

Salt marshes reduce oxidised nitrogenous compounds to ammonium and paniculate nitrogen and export these reduced forms to coastal waters. The internal demands exceed the net inputs of nitrogen by rain, groundwater flow and fixation, suggesting very active uptake, conversion, release and recycling of nitrogen within a marsh ecosystem. Nitrogen losses are mainly through tidal exchanges and denitrification, and these two outputs balance the gains. The chemical exchanges among uplands, marshes and coastal water are important in structuring these ecosystems.
Perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic transhiatal inversion esophagectomy compare favorably with those of combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy.

Wide acceptance of laparoscopic esophagectomy has been hampered by the technical difficulty of the procedure and inconsistent improvements in morbidity and mortality. Most case series have utilized a combined thoracoscopic–laparoscopic approach (TLE), but laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy (LIE), a method of transhiatal esophagectomy, has been proposed as an alternative. Inversion esophagectomy simplifies retraction and improves exposure during the mediastinal dissection; however, no previous studies have directly compared LIE outcomes with those of the combined approach. Between July 2003 and March 2008, 70 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy by LIE (N = 40) or TLE (N = 30). Data for all patients were collected prospectively and stored in a relational database. Recorded outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and perioperative complications. There were no significant differences in patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), or American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class between the groups, but LIE patients had lower stage of esophageal cancer, and were less likely to have received induction chemoradiotherapy than TLE patients. Patients undergoing LIE had significantly lower operative time (398 vs. 537 min, p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (100 vs. 200 ml, p < 0.001), and overall length of stay (9 vs. 14 days, p = 0.003) compared with TLE patients. LIE yielded a median of 10 lymph nodes removed compared with 13 for TLE (p = 0.016). Atrial arrhythmia and postoperative pneumonia were less common in LIE patients than in TLE patients, occurring in 17.5% vs. 27.1% (p = 0.036), and in 7.5% vs. 15.7% of cases (p = 0.029), respectively. LIE provides safe and effective approach to minimally invasive esophagectomy for patients with early esophageal cancer and high-grade dysplasia. Compared with TLE, inversion esophagectomy requires less operative time and has lower operative blood loss and length of hospital stay. LIE may also result in fewer perioperative cardiac and pulmonary complications compared with TLE. Based on these results, we reserve TLE for more advanced esophageal cancer and those undergoing preoperative radiochemotherapy.
Short-term surgical outcomes and characteristics of patients with mesh complications from pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgery

Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can include the use of synthetic materials. Placement of synthetic materials into the vaginal wall, through either the vagina or the abdomen, includes the risk of complications such as vaginal wall extrusion or pain. There is little data regarding outcomes following treatment of mesh complications. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent excision of mesh placed for POP or SUI between 1 January 2001 and 31 October 2012 was performed at the University of Virginia. Chart abstraction queried patient demographics, clinical history, physical examination, pre- and post-excision symptoms, and operative findings. The International Continence Society (ICS) and International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) classification system was used to define the nature and location of mesh complications. A total of 57 patients (26 mid-urethral slings, 23 transvaginal prolapse, 9 intraperitoneal prolapse) with the diagnosis of mesh extrusion into the vaginal wall were analyzed. Twenty-five (average 2.8 cases/year) original mesh surgeries occurred between January 2001 and January 2010 and 41 (average 20.5 cases/year) occurred after January 2010. The most common presenting patient complaints were chronic pelvic pain (55.9 %), dyspareunia (54.4 %), and vaginal discharge (30.9 %). At a 6-week post-operative visit, 57.3 % of patient’s symptoms were completely resolved and 14.6 % were improved. Clinicians should be cognizant of the variable presentations of post-operative vaginal mesh complications. Mesh excision by experienced pelvic surgeons is an effective and safe treatment for these complications; however, a significant number of patients may have persistent symptoms following surgery.
Sustained Effects of Platelet-Activating Factor Infusion in Piglets

ABSTRACT: Acute exposure to platelet-activating factor (PAF) causes severe pulmonary vasoconstriction (PV), but its action may be markedly limited by tachyphylaxis. To determine the effects of PAF exposure perse and the effects compared with the hypoxemic state (33 ± 1 mm Hg), PAF infusions (0.05–0.15 nmol/kg/min × 30–180 min) were administered to 15 open-chested, anesthetized, neonatal piglets before and during administration of selective receptor blockers to PAF (SRI 63 441, 5 mg/kg i.v. or WEB 2086, 10 mg/kg i.v.) or vehicle. Measurements included mean pulmonary (PAP) and systemic arterial pressures, cardiac index, right and left ventricular pressures and dimensions, and coronary blood flow. Mean PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance index rose in response to 30 min PAF infusion (14 ± 1 to 30 ± 1 mm Hg and 4500 ± 700 to 16400 ± 1900 dynes s cm-5·kg, both p < 0.01, n = 10). Similar changes occurred when PAF was infused for 180 min (n = 5). Other parameters were unaffected. Acute hypoxia also increased in PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance index (17 ± 1 to 32 ± 2 mm Hg and 6400 ± 900 to 17 100 ± 1800 dynes s cm-5·kg, both p < 0.01) and did not alter other measured variables. Treatment with SRI 63 441 prevented PAF-induced increases in PAP (14 ± 1 to 14 ± 1 mm Hg, p < 0.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (5300 ± 900 to 5500 ± 800 dynes s cm-5·kg, p < 0.05) but failed to alter the response to hypoxia. SRI 63 441 and WEB 2086, administered during PAF infusion, rapidly reversed PAF action. Vehicle had no effect. We conclude that PAF can produce severe and sustained PV in vivo and that PAF receptor blockade may be useful in treatment of neonatal disease featuring PAF-mediated PV. PAF receptors may not be involved in PV induced by hypoxia.
Relationship of Solubility of Whey Protein Concentrates to Thermal Properties Determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Twelve samples of whey protein concentrates manufactured under defined conditions were analyzed for their composition. Samples were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry to determine the onset temperature and enthalpy of denaturation. Solubility of the samples at pH 7.0 was determined using three procedures. In each instance, solubility significantly correlated with both onset temperature and enthalpy of denaturation. Enthalpy of denaturation may serve as a predictor for solubility of proteins.
Arabidopsis in planta transformation. Uses, mechanisms, and prospects for transformation of other species.

The ability to move DNA into an organism and thereby alter its phenotype is central to both basic and applied molecular biology. Transformation is a simple task with Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but is usually more difficult with multicellular eukaryotes and can be particularly challenging with some important plant species. However, for Arabidopsis, in planta transformation methods have been developed that are incredibly simple. Attempts to apply in planta transformation methods to other plant species have often failed. This may be due in part to a poor understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the successful Arabidopsis transformation method. Studies of Arabidopsis transformation have accordingly been pursued, and three groups have recently published relevant findings. Successful in planta transformation of the legume Medicago truncatula was also reported recently, showing that the method can be adapted to other species. The cellular target for transformation of M. truncatula may differ somewhat from the target in Arabidopsis. The above findings may guide future efforts to improve transformation of other plant species. This update opens by briefly reviewing transformation protocols that avoid tissue culture, and their impressive utility. Recent findings concerning Arabidopsis and M. truncatula transformation are then described. The review closes by commenting on possible avenues for improvement of transformation in other plant species.
Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) Scaling and Upgrades

Ventilation requirements for poultry and livestock operations can vary substantially, and there is a broad range in fan performance. Typical ventilation fans come in several standard sizes, and there is a need for a method to determine in-situ performance for this range in fan sizes. A device previously designed for in-situ fan airflow measurement of 92 and 120 cm (36 and 48 in) diameter ventilation fans, called the Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS), was modeled in three-dimensions using computer aided design (CAD) software. This allowed for efficient scaling of size to support smaller and larger fans. With this improvement, three new size configurations were designed and fabricated. The new design incorporates a custom hardware and software interface to reduce dependence on obsolete commercial instrumentation and includes additional sensor inputs for measuring building static pressure, temperature, and humidity in real-time. This paper describes the enhanced design features of the new FANS, including both hardware and software. Results from the calibration of fourteen newly manufactured units, and ten upgraded units, are provided.
An Advanced Model for the Estimation of the Surface Solar Irradiance Under All Atmospheric Conditions Using MSG/SEVIRI Data

A new advanced model for estimation of surface solar irradiance from satellite (AMESIS), designed to estimate with better accuracy the incident solar radiation at the surface from the spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) satellite measurements, has been developed. The new generations of sensors such as SEVIRI payload on board the geostationary meteosat second generation gives an opportunity to improve the solar irradiance estimation at surface with accuracy as well as the high spatial and time resolution for a large geographical area according to the needs of solar energy applications. The model developed takes into account the effect of aerosol, the overcast and partially cloudy coverage, and provides irradiance solar maps every 15 min both for monitoring purposes and for monthly, annual averages of surface solar irradiance. Cloud and aerosol microphysical parameters are retrieved by using VIS and IR SEVIRI channels, while surface solar irradiance is retrieved through the high-resolution broadband visible channel. Comparisons with the Global Atmosphere Watch station ground-based measurements of incoming solar radiation agree with the values retrieved with AMESIS model. The results show a very good correlation of about 0.99, a root mean square and a bias ranging, respectively, between 1 and 2.7 J/cm2 and -0.6 and 0.4 J/cm2 depending on the station.
STABILITY OF CAROTENOIDS IN MODEL AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

The stability of the carotenoids, beta-carotene, apo-8′-carotenal and canthaxanthin, was studied in the model systems of cellulose and starch equilibrated under different relative humidities. Water perse was found to exert a protective influence on these carotenoids and this effect was evident below and above the monolayer coverage for the two systems. The extent of protection increased with the moisture content and was also modified by the nature of the system and the type of carotenoid pigments. In general, canthaxanthin was the most stable and betacarotene was the least stable. The protective effect of water is probably due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between water and hydroperoxide molecules and the resultant extension of the monomolecular rate period.
Antitrust Immunity and the Economics of Occupational Licensing

Excerpt] The proposition that the common law tends to evolve in the direction of economic efficiency has been advanced by Posner and others. This proposition implies that, over time, legal precedent which promotes efficiency of exchange in the market, and thus maximizes the wealth of market agents, will displace precedent that is incompatible with this objective. In evaluating market impact, however, it is important to note that legal precedent which is perceived to be compatible with efficient exchange when viewed from the perspective of outmoded economic theory may not be as compatible as it appears.
Similar effects of different threats on perceptual processes

This study was conducted to determine whether repressors and sensitizers would show differential visual recognition in two types of threatening situations. The manipulations of threat were a factorial combination of neutral versus sexual materials and success versus failure feedback. Sixty-four female subjects were classified as either repressors or sensitizers using the Manifest Anxiety Scale. Subjects learned picture-nonsense word paired associates with either neutral (outdoor scenery) or threatening (nude male) pictures as stimuli. Subsequently, subjects were given false feedback (of success or failure) regarding their rate of learning. Subjects were then given a perceptual task which involved recognition of the previous nonsense words. There were no differences in recognition between repressors and sensitizers in the success condition, and when the nonsense words had been paired with neutral pictures. Repressors did take longer than sensitizers to recognize words after the failure experience. Repressors also look longer to recognize the words associated with the threatening pictures. The results support the operation of a generalized perceptual defensiveness in repressors. However, sensitizers showed no indications of perceptual vigilance.
Derepression of nitrogenase synthesis in the presence of excess NH4

Summary Methionine sulfone and methionine sulfoximine, inhibitors of enzymes involved in NH 4 + assimilation, cause nitrogenase to be synthesized in the presence of excess NH 4 + in Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae . These inhibitors also cause NH 4 + excretion by A . vinelandii . These results indicate that NH 4 + alone is not the actual effector of nitrogenase repression in these organisms.
Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase genes of human type 3 parainfluenza viruses isolated from 1957 to 1983.

Abstract We have sequenced the coding and noncoding regions of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes of six clinical strains of human type 3 parainfluenza virus (PIV3) isolated between 1973 and 1983, and compared them to the prototype 1957 strain. Sequence variability does not result from the accumulation of mutations over time, but represents genetic heterogeneity in HN genes within the PIV3 population. Most of the nucleotide diversity occurs in the 5′ noncoding sequences, exclusive of regions supplying transcriptional and translational control elements. Although the overall amino acid homology among HN proteins is very high, most variability is concentrated in domains at the carboxyl and amino terminus. This uneven distribution of amino acid diversity may reflect both functional and structural constraints on different HN domains and the epidemiologic features of PIV3 infection.
Viscosity Solutions for Hamilton-Jacobi Equations with Unbounded Nonlinear Term: A Simplified Approach

Abstract In a previous paper the author defined a notion for Hamilton-Jacobi equations with an unbounded nonlinear term 〈 Ax , Du 〉 and, for such solutions, proved existence and uniqueness results. Here we define an equivalent notion of solution for such equations, which in addition has the advantage of being simpler and more intuitive.
Violence Against the Young: The New Urban Challenges

This article examines the recent deaths of Chicago Public School students. It focuses on the school year between September 2006 and June 2007. At least 30 individuals were killed during that interval. In this school year, the homicides continue at about the same pace. Although violence within the schools had declined and violence (including homicides) was at a lower rate for the city of Chicago, some communities remained vulnerable to this threat. Neighborhood characteristics seem to be contributing factors, but family dynamics and an individual's life style comes into play. The person in the environment that we draw upon in social work has limitations, given new urban problems.
A note on exact finite difference schemes for the differential equations satisfied by the Jacobi cosine and sine functions

We construct the exact finite difference equation discretizations for the nonlinear differential equations whose solutions are the Jacobi cosine and sine functions. Our derivations clarify and extend previous work done on this topic.
Penetrant transport in polyethylene‐polystyrene semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks

Diffusion behavior is investigated for polyethylene-polystyrene semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (PES-IPN) with toluene and chloroform and for a polyethylene/toluene system. The results show that diffusion in the semi-IPN material consists of a continuous polyethylene phase containing disperse polystyrene and that the transport in this material closely parallels transport in the homogeneous polyethylene. Consequently, the measured diffusion coefficients can be correlated, using the free-volume theory and parameters which characterize the free volume of the continuous phase, as a function of temperature and concentration. In addition, from the diffusivities of toluene in the polyethylene and the solubilities in the polyethylene and polystyrene, the diffusion coefficients of the PES-IPN/toluene system are predicted with an unsteady-state diffusion model developed in this study. Predictions with the new unsteady-state model are comparable with the experimental data.
The Outsiders Within: Telling Australia's Indigenous-Asian Story

Voices, performances, novels, playscripts, poems, memoirs, re-enactments, all telling stories about past and present relations between Aboriginal people and Asians in Australia—these are at the cor...
An Analysis of Time and Staff Utilization for Open Versus Percutaneous Tracheostomies

Abstract Objective: We examined staff utilization and procedure length for percutaneous and open bedside tracheostomies in an intensive care setting Study Design: Prospective clinical outcomes study. Methods: Intensive care unit (ICU) tracheostomy consults meeting criteria for bedside procedures were randomized to open or percutaneous procedures. The Cook percutaneous kit and a prepackaged tracheostomy tray were used. ICU nursing and respiratory therapy staff was present for all procedures. The total resident time, staff time, and procedure length were recorded. Twelve patients underwent percutaneous tracheostomy, and 12 received an open tracheostomy. Results: An operating room nurse was present for 7 of the open procedures. Ancillary medical staff was present for 3 open tracheostomies: anesthesia for 2 and critical care for 1. Ancillary medical staff was present for 4 percutaneous tracheostomies: anesthesia staff for 1 and critical care for 3. The average resident presence, staff presence, and procedure length for open tracheostomies were 47, 30, and 12 minutes, respectively. For percutaneous tracheostomies, the times were 39, 29, and 12 minutes, respectively. One intraoperative complication occurred during a percutaneous procedure and 2 perioperative complications occurred: 1 in the open group and 1 in the percutaneous group. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in procedure length, resident time, or staff time between the 2 procedures. Ancillary staff was occasionally used but was not thought to be necessary for the majority of procedures. Both procedures can be safely and expediently performed in the ICU. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:109-14.)
Subcortical volumes in girls with Tourette syndrome: Support for a gender effect

Objective: To test whether girls with Tourette syndrome (TS) show subcortical morphology that differentiates them from control subjects. Methods: MRI-based subcortical assessment was completed on 19 girls with TS age 7 to 15 years, 11 with TS only, and 8 with TS plus attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (TS + ADHD), and on 21 age- and sex-matched controls. The structures measured were the caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and lateral ventricle volumes. Whole-brain–corrected volumes and asymmetry indices were compared using two- and three-group designs (i.e., TS versus control; TS-only versus TS + ADHD versus control). Results: Two-group comparisons demonstrated no robust significant differences between girls with TS and gender-matched controls. Three-group comparisons demonstrated that TS-only subjects had significantly small lateral ventricles compared with TS + ADHD and control subjects. Because the two-group comparisons of the current study differed from previous reports of putamen asymmetry index as a marker for TS, retrospective comparisons with data from boys were performed. These additional comparisons showed that girls with TS had putamen asymmetry indices similar to those of boys with TS; however, control girls also showed those same patterns. Conclusions: Basal ganglia volume and asymmetry differences do not distinguish the girls with TS from matched controls. Gender differences confound the association between putamen asymmetry and TS. Although the numbers are small and the clinical significance is unclear, this study further indicates that girls with TS-only have smaller lateral ventricular volumes than control subjects and those with TS + ADHD.
Language development after unilateral brain injury.

Abstract This longitudinal study describes the growth of syntactic abilities and vocabulary size in nine children with unilateral antepartum or perinatal brain injury. Five children with left hemisphere damage (LHD) and four with right hemisphere damage (RHD), ages 15 to 48 months, were evaluated on three or more occasions. Language samples generated from parent-child interaction were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using the Child Language Data Exchange System. Individual growth trajectories were constructed by graphing three dependent variables—MLU, scores on the Index of Productive Syntax (IPSYN), and number of different words—as a function of the child's age. One subject remained in a prelinguistic stage throughout the study. Simple linear functions best described the growth of MLU, IPSYN scores, and vocabulary in the other eight children. The slopes of the individual growth trajectories, the graphic representations of rates of progress, were comparable in the eight children. Seven children showed developmental delays in initial word use and five in the onset of multiword utterances. However, by age 24 months, four children with LHD and two children with RHD had syntactic capabilities comparable to those of children without brain injuries. The developmental patterns suggested that both cerebral hemispheres may play critical roles in the very earliest stages of language acquisition. Some unilateral lesions caused little discernible effect on language outcome in the toddler-preschool years after the initial developmental delays.
ESR study of a di-interstitial center in electron irradiated NaF : Li−

Abstract An ESR study of electron irradiated NaF : Li + shows that a center consisting of an F 3 2− molecule ion stabilized by a lithium impurity is formed at 77°K. The F 3 2− molecule ion replaces an F − ion in the lattice thus forming a di-interstitial center.
Isotope shifts of Zn neutral atoms measured by two-photon Doppler-free laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Two-photon Doppler-free laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy has been used for the first time to measure isotope shifts between the three most abundant stable isotopes of zinc (64, 66 and 68). A high-resolution laser system, consisting of an argon ion-pumped cw ring dye laser, a three-stage pulsed amplifier chain, and a doubling crystal, was used to generate tunable uv radiation for the experiment. Gas-phase Zn atoms were generated by laser-ablating a ZnS crystal. The Doppler-free spectrum was produced for the two-photon allowed 4s 2 1 S 0 −4d 1 D 2 transition (λ = 160 nm) of Zn by reflecting the laser beam back on itself. The measured isotope shifts were 976 ± 39 MHz for 64 Zn− 66 Zn and 888 ± 24 MHz for 66 Zn− 68 Zn. The technique of producing counter-propagating light by back-reflecting the laser beam has been used in situ to determine both the zero velocity frequency of particles in Doppler-shifted velocity distribution experiments and to measure the bandwidth of frequency-doubled laser light.
Preparation and optical rotatory dispersion study of tetracyclic diterpenoid intermediates

Abstract As part of a synthetic approach to the diterpenoid alkaloids, ajaconine and atidine, a number of optically active tetracyclic intermediates possessing a carbonyl group at C-7 and a bicyclo[2.2.2.]octane C, D-ring system was obtained. The ORD curves of these compounds provided interesting insight into the effect of C, D ring substituents on the conformation of the B-ring. A pentacyclic unsaturated ketolactam ( 25 ), useful for further conversion to ajaconine and atidine, has been synthesized.
Refinements to SSiB with an Emphasis on Snow Physics: Evaluation and Validation Using GSWP and Valdai Data

Refinements to the snow-physics scheme of SSiB (Simplified Simple Biosphere Model) are described and evaluated. The upgrades include a partial redesign of the conceptual architecture to better simulate the diurnal temperature of the snow surface. For a deep snowpack, there are two separate prognostic temperature snow layers - the top layer responds to diurnal fluctuations in the surface forcing, while the deep layer exhibits a slowly varying response. In addition, the use of a very deep soil temperature and a treatment of snow aging with its influence on snow density is parameterized and evaluated. The upgraded snow scheme produces better timing of snow melt in GSWP-style simulations using ISLSCP Initiative I data for 1987-1988 in the Russian Wheat Belt region. To simulate more realistic runoff in regions with high orographic variability, additional improvements are made to SSiB's soil hydrology. These improvements include an orography-based surface runoff scheme as well as interaction with a water table below SSiB's three soil layers. The addition of these parameterizations further help to simulate more realistic runoff and accompanying prognostic soil moisture fields in the GSWP-style simulations. In intercomparisons of the performance of the new snow-physics SSiB with its earlier versions using an 18-year single-site dataset from Valdai Russia, the version of SSiB described in this paper again produces the earliest onset of snow melt. Soil moisture and deep soil temperatures also compare favorably with observations.