cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracellular Zn2+ accumulation enhances suppression of synaptic activity following spreading depolarization.

Spreading depolarization (SD) is a feed-forward wave that propagates slowly throughout brain tissue and recovery from SD involves substantial metabolic demand. Presynaptic Zn2+ release and intracellular accumulation occurs with SD, and elevated intracellular Zn2+ ([Zn2+]i) can impair cellular metabolism through multiple pathways. We tested here whether increased [Zn2+]i could exacerbate the metabolic challenge of SD, induced by KCl, and delay recovery in acute murine hippocampal slices. [Zn2+]i loading prior to SD, by transient ZnCl2 application with the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione (Zn/Pyr), delayed recovery of field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in a concentration-dependent manner, prolonged DC shifts, and significantly increased extracellular adenosine accumulation. These effects could be due to metabolic inhibition, occurring downstream of pyruvate utilization. Prolonged [Zn2+]i accumulation prior to SD was required for effects on fEPSP recovery and consistent with this, endogenous synaptic Zn2+ release during SD propagation did not delay recovery from SD. The effects of exogenous [Zn2+]i loading were also lost in slices preconditioned with repetitive SDs, implying a rapid adaptation. Together, these results suggest that [Zn2+]i loading prior to SD can provide significant additional challenge to brain tissue, and could contribute to deleterious effects of [Zn2+]i accumulation in a range of brain injury models.
FACS analysis of neuronal-glial interactions in the Nucleus Accumbens following morphine administration

Glia, including astrocytes and microglia, can profoundly modulate neuronal function and behavior; however, very little is known about the signaling molecules that govern neuronal–glial communication and in turn affect behavior. Morphine treatment activates microglia and astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) to induce the synthesis of cytokines and chemokines, and this has important implications for addictive behavior. Blocking morphine-induced glial activation using the nonspecific glial inhibitor, ibudilast, has no effect on the initial rewarding properties of morphine, but completely prevents the relapse of drug-seeking behavior months later. We sought to determine the cellular source of these cytokines and chemokines in the NAcc in response to morphine, and the cell-type-specific expression pattern of their receptors to determine whether neurons have the capacity to respond to these immune signals directly. We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting of neurons (Thy1+), astrocytes (GLT1+), and microglia (CD11b+) from the NAcc for the analysis of cell type specific gene expression following morphine or saline treatment. The results indicate that microglia and neurons each produce a subset of chemokines in response to morphine and that neurons have the capacity to respond directly to a select group of these chemokines via their receptors. In addition, we provide evidence that microglia are capable of responding directly to dopamine release in the NAcc. Future studies will examine the mechanism(s) by which neurons respond to these immune signals produced by microglia in an effort to understand their effect on addictive behaviors.
Local diameters of compact planar sets

Given a compact setSĘE2 andP 1 eS, we consider sequencesP i , 1<i<∞, such that $$h_i : = \left\| {P_i - P_{i + 1} } \right\| = \mathop {\max }\limits_{R \in S} \left\| {P_i - R} \right\|$$ . Callh=limh i a local diameter ofS. It is realized by a line segmentPQS. In relation toD(S), the ordinary diameter ofS, we determine (with and without certain angular constraints) how smallh can be. For example, ifA, B e S and the line segmentAB is a diameter ofS, we determine best possible lower bounds for ∥P−Q∥/∥A−B∥ in terms of the smallest angle formed by the lines extendingPQ andAB. Local diameters arise from the problem of computing generalized transfinite diameters. Moreover, information about local diameters provides both upper and lower bounds on the isoperimetric quotient ofS.
Academic Freedom, Intellectual Diversity, and the Place of Politics in Geography

: This paper examines the conservative critique of higher education in the USA. I argue, first, that the right's call for greater “intellectual diversity” in American higher education should be understood as an attack on the professional self-regulation and disciplinary autonomy that are central to academic freedom in this country. Second, I suggest that the right's politicization of politics in the academy brings to light the importance of our developing a vision of the university that accounts for rather than disavows the political nature of the work we do.
A trapping principle for discontinuous elliptic systems of mixed monotone type

Abstract We consider discontinuous semilinear elliptic systems, with boundary conditions on the individual components of Dirichlet/Neumann type. The system is a divergence form generalization of Δ u = f ( · , u ). The components of f are required to satisfy monotonicity conditions associated with competitive or cooperative species. The latter model defines a system of mixed monotone type. We also illustrate the theory via higher order mixed monotone systems which combine competitive and cooperative subunits. We seek solutions on special intervals defined by lower and upper solutions associated with outward pointing vector fields. It had been shown by Heikkila and Lakshmikantham that the general discontinuous mixed monotone system does not necessarily admit solutions on an interval defined by lower and upper solutions. Our result, obtained via the Tarski fixed-point theorem, shows that solutions exist for the models described above in the sense of a measurable selection (in the principal arguments) from a maximal monotone multivalued mapping. We use intermediate variational inequalities in the proof. Applications involving quantum confinement and chemically reacting systems with change of phase are discussed. These are natural examples of discontinuous systems.
Technical Research Needs for Sustainable Buildings: Results from a Multidisciplinary NSF Workshop

Abstract This article describes research needs for sustainable buildings as defined in a July 2009 National Science Foundation-sponsored workshop. This workshop brought together building researcher...
Role of PKA and PKC in histamine H1 receptor-mediated activation of catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesis

Activation of the histamine H1 receptor stimulates tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to increase catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesis in mammalian brain and adrenal tissues. Histamine non-selectively activates both H1-linked phospholipase (PL) C/inositol phosphates (IP)/diacylglycerol (DAG) signaling and adenylyl cyclase (AC)/adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, confounding determination of signaling events involved in H(1)-mediated TH activation. This research uses two new functionally-selective H1 agonists, cis-PAB and trans-PAT, that selectively activate H1/PLC/IP/DAG and H1/AC/cAMP signaling, respectively, to characterize H(1)-mediated activation of TH in rat striatum and bovine adrenal chromaffin (BAC) cells. Histamine, cis-PAB, and trans-PAT produced a two-fold maximal TH activation by an H1 receptor mechanism in rat striatum and BAC cells. Histamine is more potent and efficacious in BAC cells (EC50 approximately 0.2 microM, Emax approximately 200% basal) versus rat striatum (EC50 approximately 0.4 microM; Emax approximately 150%). Cis-PAB and trans-PAT are more potent in rat striatum (EC50 approximately 0.1 microM for both agonists) versus BAC cells (EC50 approximately 1.0 microM for both), with similar efficacy in both preparations (Emax approximately 160% for both agonists). Signaling studies in BAC cells revealed that protein kinase (PK) A but not PKC is involved in H1 -mediated TH activation by trans-PAT and histamine, while, both PKA and PKC are involved for cis-PAB. Results for cis-PAB suggest H1/PLC/IP/DAG/PKC signaling activates PKA, downstream of cAMP formation, indicating apparent direct activation of PKA by PKC.
Performance evaluation of MoS 2 -WTe 2 vertical tunneling transistor using real-space quantum simulator

Layered two dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials enable vertical interlayer heterojunctions (HJ) without the requirement of lattice matching. Interlayer transport through a MoS 2 -WTe 2 vertical HJ transistor is studied by atomistic quantum device simulations. Ultra-steep subthreshold slope (SS) is obtained due to the utilization of band filtering as the switching mechanism. The simulator enables the investigation of the effects of atomic defects and trapped charges on the performance of the atomically thin HT transistor. It is shown that the ultra-steep SS in TMD vertical tunneling FETs is robust against both atomic defects in the TMD layers and charged impurity scattering.
RNA‐DNA ratio as an index to growth in salmonid fishes in the laboratory and in streams contaminated by carbaryl

Free nucleotides, RNA, and DNA were extracted from fish white muscle and analysed by a two-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) absorbance technique to determine their relation to growth rates in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. In the laboratory, fish given ample feed had higher growth rates than fish on restricted rations, and these growth rates were significantly correlated with RNA-DNA ratios. Wild brook trout from natural streams had higher average RNA-DNA ratios than those in the laboratory. Exposure of brook trout in one of the streams to low levels of the insecticide carbaryl (Sevin) that drifted from the spraying of nearby forests did not reduce RNA-DNA ratios.
Polyethylene glycol versus low-ionic-strength solution in pretransfusion testing: A blinded comparison study

BACKGROUND: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been shown to potentiate antigen-antibody reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To investigate the utility of PEG in pretransfusion testing, a blinded comparison study of PEG and a low-ionic-strength additive solution (LISS) was conducted. A total of 500 patient samples were tested in parallel with reagent antibody-detection cells using blind-coded PEG and LISS potentiators. RESULTS: In 34 (34%) of 100 samples with known antibodies in the Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and MNS systems, PEG antiglobulin reactions were stronger (total score, 382) than LISS antiglobulin reactions (total score, 216), and in 66 cases (66%), they were equal to those of LISS. Of 400 samples without detectable antibodies, 384 were negative with PEG and LISS, and 16 were positive in PEG tests and negative in LISS. Seven of the 16 were clinically important antibodies (D, 1; E, 3; Fya, 1; Jka; 1; Jkb, 1), and four were clinically benign antibodies (Le(a), 2; McCc, 1; Sda, 1). Five of the 16 demonstrated inconclusive PEG reactions, for a false-positive rate of 5 in 400 (1.3%). Of the 500 samples, none was negative in PEG tests and positive in LISS (0% false-negative rate). CONCLUSION: Although PEG demonstrates a relatively high false-positive rate, PEG is more sensitive than LISS in detecting clinically significant antibodies.
Scaling down the size and increasing the throughput of glycosyltransferase assays: activity changes on stem cell differentiation

Glycosyltransferases (glycoTs) catalyze the transfer of monosaccharides from nucleotide-sugars to carbohydrate-, lipid-, and protein-based acceptors. We examined strategies to scale down and increase the throughput of glycoT enzymatic assays because traditional methods require large reaction volumes and complex chromatography. Approaches tested used (i) microarray pin printing, an appropriate method when glycoT activity was high; (ii) microwells and microcentrifuge tubes, a suitable method for studies with cell lysates when enzyme activity was moderate; and (iii) C(18) pipette tips and solvent extraction, a method that enriched reaction product when the extent of reaction was low. In all cases, reverse-phase thin layer chromatography (RP-TLC) coupled with phosphorimaging quantified the reaction rate. Studies with mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) demonstrated an increase in overall β(1,3)galactosyltransferase and α(2,3)sialyltransferase activity and a decrease in α(1,3)fucosyltransferases when these cells differentiate toward cardiomyocytes. Enzymatic and lectin binding data suggest a transition from Lewis(x)-type structures in mESCs to sialylated Galβ1,3GalNAc-type glycans on differentiation, with more prominent changes in enzyme activity occurring at later stages when embryoid bodies differentiated toward cardiomyocytes. Overall, simple, rapid, quantitative, and scalable glycoT activity analysis methods are presented. These use a range of natural and synthetic acceptors for the analysis of complex biological specimens that have limited availability.
Transanal endoscopic microsurgical platform for natural orifice surgery

Background The excitement surrounding natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) remains tempered by concerns over safe access and closure of transvisceral enterotomies. Research in NOTES has commonly been described as using an oral transgastric access point. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for a full-thickness resection of rectal tumors and with suture closure of the resultant defect with highly specialized instruments. This technique has been used clinically in human beings for more than 2 decades. Entry into the peritoneal cavity during a resection of rectosigmoid lesions has been described, and safe closure can be obtained. Objective To assess the feasibility of transrectal NOTES procedures by using TEM instrumentation. Design Three porcine and 3 human cadaver models were studied by using standard TEM instrumentation and flexible endoscopes. NOTES peritoneal access, a peritoneoscopy, a liver biopsy, and colorectal resections were performed. Results True NOTES procedures facilitated with TEM instrumentation were successfully completed. Limitations This was a preclinical study, and several challenges to bridging to human clinical use exist: TEM instruments are currently designed for intraluminal tasks low in the pelvis, with 5-mm to 10-mm port sizes; the cost of the TEM instruments and insufflation system; and the learning curve to perform TEM closure. Conclusions Our preclinical study demonstrated the feasibility of several transrectal NOTES procedures, colorectal resection, and anastomosis when using TEM instrumentation. We, therefore, suggest TEM as a portal for NOTES.
Long-term outcomes associated with the transaortic approach to transcatheter Aortic valve replacement.

Objective We investigated the long-term safety, efficacy and clinical outcomes associated with transaortic (TAO) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States. Background We previously reported the technical feasibility and short-term safety of TAO TAVR. Compared to transapical (TAP) access, the TAO approach was associated with shorter median intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and more favorable technical learning curve. However, outcomes data beyond 30 days were lacking and the longer-term clinical consequences of this strategy were unknown. Methods Mortality outcomes at 1 year (and longer) of 44 consecutive patients who underwent TAO TAVR in our institution were compared with that of 76 consecutive patients who underwent TAP TAVR at our site. Risk-adjusted analysis was performed in propensity-matched patients (25 from each group) to account for baseline differences. Results TAO TAVR was associated with a trend towards lower all-cause mortality at 1 year compared to TAP TAVR (18% vs. 34%, P=0.09 in the overall sample; 12% vs. 40%, P = 0.05 in the matched cohort). The higher probability of survival with TAO TAVR persisted after a median follow-up period of 23 months (hazard ratio [HR]=1.96, P = 0.06 in the overall sample; HR = 3.4, P = 0.01 in the matched cohort). Cardiovascular mortality at 1 year was lower with TAO TAVR (2% vs. 22%, P = 0.01 in the overall sample; 4% vs. 28%, P = 0.05 in the matched cohort). ICU LOS (shorter in the TAO group) and implantation of second prosthetic valve (higher incidence in the TAP group) were independent predictors of long-term mortality. Conclusion The outcomes associated with TAO TAVR compare favorably with TAP TAVR. Our results appear to corroborate the long-term safety and efficacy of the TAO approach in TAVR patients with inadequate iliofemoral access. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Unpublished Chemical Essay of James Watt

An interesting chemical essay in a handwritten manuscript by James Watt, and which is in the possession of Major David Gibson-Watt, M.C., M.P., provides one of the earliest reactions to the new chemical nomenclature of 1787 and, more specifically, to the symbolism of Hassenfratz and Adet. The ‘Essay on a New System of Characters for Chemical Subjects’ (1), which is in Watt’s handwriting, consists of 12 pages, numbered 1 to 10, one unnumbered between pages 3 and 4 with the material crossed out, and two numbered ‘8’, as well as five pages of symbols which involve a fair amount of duplication. Some material has been added verso on pages 5 and 6. One of the pages of symbols entitled ‘Nouvelles Caracteres Chimiques proposees par J.W .’ seems to be a copy of a page of symbols sent to Berthollet 18 November 1788, according to a note at the top of the page. Watt, who is less well known for his chemical interests, presents ideas on chemical characters which not only indicate a symbolism for the elements and compounds and thus chemical composition, but includes also a symbolism for chemical operations, such as sublimation, distillation, boiling, and so on, as well as for the physical state of a compound. These symbols were intended as a laboratory shorthand notation rather than for publication and accordingly are not meant to be exhaustive but only deal with the most frequently used and well established compounds.
Lunar Organic Compounds: Search and Characterization

The carbon concentration in Apollo 11 lunar fine material is of the order of 200 ppm. By far the largest single amount of this carbon appears to be in carbon monoxide. Some of this seems to be in the form of gas bubbles in the glass spheres, but most of it could be in some complex form other than gas. This result would be consistent with the idea that most of the fines passed through a high temperature and that the carbon was oxidized by mineral oxides at that time.
A time sequence study of fat absorption in the rat jejunum.

Fat absorption and transport in rat intestinal epithelial cells were followed by electron microscopy and radioautography. Physiological fatty-chyme, prepared from fat-fed donor rats, was injected into ligated segments of the upper jejunum of fasting recipient animals. Samples of tissue were removed in a time sequence from 1 to 30 minutes. Oleic acid-H3 was added to the chyme for light and electron microscopic radioautography. The results indicate that fat is absorbed and transported through the epithelium very rapidly. Within 1 minute, fat droplets can be seen in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Fat is shown to be absorbed during, not prior to, experimentation by the radioautographic identification of labeling in the vicinity of fat droplets throughout the cell. Evidence of accumulation of fat within the Golgi apparatus appears between 1 and 2 minutes. Such accumulation may be indicative of a rate-limiting step in absorption. It is suggested that phenomena occurring within the Golgi apparatus are in part responsible for the appearance of cellular saturation with fat, which is evident in 8 to 10 minutes. The sequential pattern can be followed in cells along the entire length of the villus.
Contrast enema demonstration of a colon cut-off sign in a baby with perforated appendicitis

An abrupt demarcation between a narrow ascending colon and the transverse colon is a plain film finding that may be seen in the patient with acute perforation of the appendix. In an infant, contrast enema may demonstrate this sign when it is not apparent on the plain film.
Buying Fashion Impulsively: Environmental and Personal Influences

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop an explanatory model of impulse buying that addressed antecedents of impulse buying. For this research, impulse buying was defined as an unplanned, hedonic purchase that follows a sudden urge. Impulse buying reflects a rapid decision in response to a stimulus reflecting little cognitive consideration and disregard for consequences. Donovan and Roissiter (1982) suggested that a pleasant store environment (S) causes shoppers’ positive emotional states (O) and this in turn, yields shoppers’ approach behaviors (R), that is, a desire to remain in a store and explore its offerings. Applying this idea to impulse buying suggests that there are environmental stimuli in a store that could impact shoppers’ impulse buying tendencies and that individual shopper characteristics could moderate the influence of these environmental influences. Therefore, environmental influences on impulse buying and personal characteristics of impulse buyers were examined in a modified st...
Design and development of an LED-based optical communication system for autonomous underwater robots

Mobile networking and collaboration of underwater robots is of interest in many applications such as oceanography, environmental monitoring, and underwater surveillance. In this paper, an LED-based underwater optical communication system is designed and implemented for such applications. In contrast with laser-based communication systems, the characteristics of small size and low cost of the LED-based systems are very appealing, especially for small underwater robots. The presented system has a sound balance among desired characteristics of small size (in the order of centimeters), low energy consumption (500 mW on average), and median communication distance (20-30 m, in comparison with several meters available from most similar LED-based systems). The system design is described including the realization of the transmitter and the receiver, as well as the methods for achieving robustness to noise. System performance is experimentally tested in terms of signal strength and waveform shape versus communication distance and transmitting frequency. Experiments on data transmission is conducted to check the bit error rate under different baud rates. The experimental results show that the presented system has a good balance between communication performance and robustness.
Human Services Technology, 1980+: Retrospective and Perspective

The Journal of Technology in Human Services (JTHS) started in 1985, but had its roots in the Computer Use in Social Services Network (CUSSN) quarterly newsletter which I edited from 1981–1991. Thes...
One Bad Apple May Not Spoil the Whole Bunch: Best Friends and Adolescent Delinquency

This study compared the association of adolescent delinquency with that of their best friend and remaining social network. Findings are reported from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a multi-wave nationally representative panel study of adolescents who were in grades 7–12 in 1994. Four delinquent outcomes were examined: Smoking, getting drunk, fighting, and a variety index of general delinquency. All analyses were replicated for three distinct criteria for identifying a “best friend.” We also examined several moderating factors and potential interrelationships between the best friend and remaining friendship group. Relative to the influence of the best friend, the influence of the remaining friendship group increased with group size, and with larger absolute disparities in delinquency levels between best and remaining friends. Our findings extend knowledge on the influence of best friends, and further underscore the importance of whether peer behaviors are measured directly (from the peers themselves) or indirectly (when focal respondents estimate the delinquent behavior of their peers).
Thermoelectric Spin-Transfer Torque MRAM With Fast Bidirectional Writing Using Magnonic Current

In this paper, a new genre of spin-transfer torque (STT) MRAM is proposed, in which bidirectional writing is achieved using thermoelectrically controlled magnonic current as an alternative to conventional electric current. The device uses a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), which is adjacent to a nonmagnetic metallic and a ferrite film. This film stack is heated or cooled by a Peltier element, which creates a bidirectional magnonic pulse in the ferrite film. Conversion of magnons to spin current occurs at the ferrite-metal interface, and the resulting STT is used to achieve fast ( ~ nanosecond) precessional switching of the ferromagnetic free layer in the MTJ. Compared to the electric-current-driven STT-MRAM with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), thermoelectric STT-MRAM reduces the overall magnetization switching energy by more than 40% for nanosecond switching, combined with a write error rate (WER) of less than 10-9 and a lifetime of ten years or higher. The combination of higher thermal activation energy, subnanosecond read/write speed, improved tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), and tunnel barrier reliability make thermoelectric STT-MRAM a promising choice for future nonvolatile memory applications.
INFINITE DESCENDING CHAINS OF COCOMPACT LATTICES IN KAC–MOODY GROUPS

Let A be a symmetrizable affine or hyperbolic generalized Cartan matrix. Let G be a locally compact Kac–Moody group associated to A over a finite field &#x1d53d;q. We suppose that G has type ∞, that is, the Weyl group W of G is a free product of ℤ/2ℤ's. This includes all locally compact Kac–Moody groups of rank 2 and three possible locally compact rank 3 Kac–Moody groups of noncompact hyperbolic type. For every prime power q, we give a sufficient condition for the rank 2 Kac–Moody group G to contain a cocompact lattice with quotient a simplex, and we show that this condition is satisfied when q = 2s. If further Mq and are abelian, we give a method for constructing an infinite descending chain of cocompact lattices … Γ3 ≤ Γ2 ≤ Γ1 ≤ Γ. This allows us to characterize each of the quotient graphs of groups Γi\\X, the presentations of the Γi and their covolumes, where X is the Tits building of G, a homogeneous tree. Our approach is to extend coverings of edge-indexed graphs to covering morphisms of graphs of groups with abelian groupings. This method is not specific to cocompact lattices in Kac–Moody groups and may be used to produce chains of subgroups acting on trees in a general setting. It follows that the lattices constructed in the rank 2 Kac–Moody group have the Haagerup property. When q = 2 and rank(G) = 3 we show that G contains a cocompact lattice Γ′1 that acts discretely and cocompactly on a simplicial tree . The tree is naturally embedded in the Tits building X of G, a rank 3 hyperbolic building. Moreover Γ′1 ≤ Λ′ for a non-discrete subgroup Λ′ ≤ G whose quotient Λ′ \ X is equal to G\X. Using the action of Γ′1 on we construct an infinite descending chain of cocompact lattices …Γ′3 ≤ Γ′2 ≤ Γ′1 in G. We also determine the quotient graphs of groups , the presentations of the Γ′i and their covolumes.
Molecular simulation study of peptide amphiphile self-assembly.

We study the self-assembly of peptide amphiphile (PA) molecules, which is governed by hydrophobic interactions between alkyl tails and a network of hydrogen bonds between peptide blocks. We demonstrate that the interplay between these two interactions results in the formation of assemblies of different morphology, in particular, single β-sheets connected laterally by hydrogen bonds, stacks of parallel β-sheets, spherical micelles, micelles with β-sheets in the corona, and long cylindrical fibers. We characterize the size distribution of the aggregates as a function of the molecular interactions. Our results suggest that the formation of nanofibers of peptide amphiphiles obeys an open association model, which resembles living polymerization.
Decomposition Behavior of Plant Biomass in Hot-Compressed Water

Decomposition behaviors of bamboo, chinquapin (hardwood), and Japan cedar (softwood) in hot-compressed water (HCW) were examined using a HCW flow type reactor to achieve the maximum utilization of plant biomass. HCW was passed through the reactor (3.6 mL) loaded with the biomass sample powder (177−250 μm) at a flow rate of 10 mL/min under 9.8 MPa. The temperature of HCW was maintained at 180 °C for 20 min, after which it was raised to about 285 °C at a rate of 5 °C /min and maintained at 285 °C for about 7 min. By these operations, free sugars, some of lignin and most of hemicellulose, were first solubilized in water and flowed out during the initial 20 min flow of HCW. Cellulose started to decompose when the temperature of HCW was over 230 °C. The orders of elution of these components were common for three biomass samples, although the amount of products obtained during the heat-up period up to 180 °C and that of residue which finally remained in the reactor differed with the samples.
Regional mapping of root zone soil moisture using optical satellite imagery

Root zone soil moisture is a dynamic variable subject to rapid changes in time as well as space. Accurate, detailed information on the distribution of soil moisture is difficult to obtain. Ground based methods for the measurement of temporal and spatial changes in root zone soil moisture require much time and effort and, therefore, have limited value for soil moisture monitoring at the regional scale. Existing remote sensing methods use microwaves to measure soil moisture near the soil surface (0-10 cm). In this study, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) is applied to a series of LandSat TM optical images to determine the regional distribution of the evaporative fraction. From this, soil moisture conditions are derived using an empirical relationship between evaporative fraction and root zone soil moisture. Ground measurements available in the Middle Rio Grande Basin do not cover a sufficiently wide range of soil moisture values for validation of the soil moisture maps derived from optical satellite imagery. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative validation by comparing predicted soil moisture conditions along three transects perpendicular to the Rio Grande with ground observations. This analysis shows that the remote sensing approach is successful in distinguishing between moist and dry pixels in the Middle Rio Grande Basin. Further field investigation will be required to validate the product quantitatively.
Shoot development in plants: time for a change

The shoot system in plants progresses through several discrete phases during its development. Changes in the timing of these phases have important consequences for the morphogenesis of the shoot and are likely to be important in plant evolution. Genetic analysis of phase change in herbaceous plants, such as maize and Arabidopsis, has defined some of the genes involved in this phenomenon and has suggested a model for the regulation of this key feature of plant development.
Patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor and delivery in a parturient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Objective The anesthetic management of labor and delivery in patients with any form of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is not well defined. Using patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), or epidural analgesia, in such a rare clinical situation has not been previously reported. Case Report A 32-year-old, gravida 3, para 2, woman with a 2[frac12] year history of CIDP was admitted for labor and delivery at 38 weeks of pregnancy. At the time she presented for labor analgesia, she complained of bilateral hand and foot weakness and tingling. PCEA with 0.1% ropivacaine and fentanyl 2 μg/mL was used for labor analgesia. The patient was pain free during labor and delivery and had an uneventful postpartum course. Conclusion PCEA had no apparent detrimental affect on the patient’s disease and may be a reasonable option for patients with CIDP presenting for labor and delivery.
Improved coverage in dynamic contrast‐enhanced cardiac MRI using interleaved gradient‐echo EPI

An interleaved gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (IGEPI) sequence was modified for and applied to dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging of the heart. Using IGEPI, images with 3.0 x 3.9 mm nominal in-plane resolution are acquired in 100 ms, enabling eight slices per heartbeat for a heart rate of 60 beats/min. The acquisition speed and use of saturation prepulses allows acquisition of short- and long-axis images during the same contrast bolus. IGEPI maintains the acquisition characteristics required for performing a quantitative first-pass perfusion analysis as well as providing improved coverage compared with conventional fast gradient echo.
Observable coherence theory for statistically periodic fields

The framework of cyclostationary random processes is used to develop classical coherence theory for the measurement of statistically periodic stochastic optical fields, such as those produced by pulsed lasers. Cycloergodicity is invoked to show that precise and accurate inferences of the nonstationary process statistics can be made from a single field realization. In particular, many-pulse observations using nonlinear and/or nonstationary techniques, such as spectral shearing interferometry, can be used to fully characterize the standard two-time correlation function of a statistically periodic source. The theory is demonstrated through the simulation of spectral shearing interferometry and frequency-resolved optical gating measurements.
Effect of murine tumor sera on adsorption of IgG-sensitized erythrocytes by murine sarcoma tissue.

SummaryPrevious work in this laboratory has shown that the adsorption of IgG antibody-sensitized erythrocytes by tumor and normal spleen tissues can be inhibited by immune complexes and heat-aggregated IgG. The present study showed that sera from mice immunized with syngenic tumor cells inhibited adsorption of sensitized erythrocytes by tumor and spleen tissues. These sera inhibited also hemadsorption by allogenic tumor tissue and, significantly, by syngenic as well as allogenic spleen tissue.These results support the contention that sera from tumor-bearing animals contain immune complexes which block the Fc receptors of tumor and spleen cells indiscriminately.
Dynamically configurable and optimizable Zeeman slower using permanent magnets and servomotors

We report on the implementation of a dynamically configurable, servomotor-controlled, permanent magnet Zeeman slower for quantum optics experiments with ultracold atoms and molecules. This atom slower allows for switching between magnetic field profiles that are designed for different atomic species. Additionally, through feedback on the atom trapping rate, we demonstrate that computer-controlled genetic optimization algorithms applied to the magnet positions can be used in situ to obtain field profiles that maximize the trapping rate for any given experimental conditions. The device is lightweight, remotely controlled, and consumes no power in steady state; it is a step toward automated control of quantum optics experiments.
How Representative Are Mandated Citizen Participation Processes

Legally mandated citizen participation processes constitute a significant new element of urban politics. However, few attempts have been made to determine whether such partici pation is representative of the needs and demands of the public. A method for assessing the "representativeness" of alternative methods of public representation is demonstrated. Findings suggest that neither the citizen participants in mandated processes nor the tradi tionally recruited political elite consistently reflect the average view of the public, and neither is consistently closer to the public in its preferences.
Sensitivity ratings of soils to acid deposition: A review

Abstract The potential impacts of acidic deposition on soils are listed and discussed briefly. The difference between “soil acidification” and “acidic deposition” is explained. The ion exchange necessary for soil acidification is illustrated and some of the controlling factors discussed. Sources of soil acidity include several natural processes such as nitrification, organic matter decomposition and CO2 production by soil organisms as well as acidic deposition. The acid inputs from ambient atmospheric deposition are 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller than the effects of common agricultural practices such as N fertilization and liming. Soil sensitivity rating schemes by McFee (27) and Klopatek et al.(23) are compared with several others. The strengths and theoretical bases of each are discussed. All of the systems were aimed at broad regional mapping and contain many variations within units. They do not define areas where soil damage is occurring, but suggest which soils should be examined first in a search for acidic deposition effects.
Increase of anthropogenic CO2 in the Pacific Ocean over the last two decades

Abstract The multiple-parameter linear regression method (Monitoring global ocean carbon inventories. Ocean Observing System Development Panel, Texas AM Global Biogeochem. Cycles 13 (1999) 179) is used to compare inorganic carbon data from the GEOSECS CO 2 survey in the Pacific Ocean in 1973 to the WOCE/JGOFS global CO 2 survey in the 1990s. A model of total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) as a function of five variables (AOU, θ , S, Si, and PO 4 ) has been developed from the recent CO 2 survey data (namely CGC91 and CGC96) in the Pacific Ocean. After correcting for a systematic DIC offset of −30.3±7 μmol kg −1 from the GEOSECS data, the residual DIC based on this model as computed from GEOSECS data has been used to estimate the anthropogenic CO 2 penetration in the Pacific Ocean. In the Northeast Pacific, we obtained an increase of CO 2 of 21.3±7.9 mol m −2 over the period from GEOSECS in 1973 to CGC91 in 1991. This gives a mean anthropogenic CO 2 uptake rate of 1.3±0.5 mol m −2 yr −1 over this 17 year time period. In the South Pacific, north of 50°S between 180° and 120°W region, the integrated anthropogenic CO 2 inventory is estimated to be 19.7±5.7 mol m −2 over the period from GEOSECS in 1974 to CGC96 in 1996. The equivalent mean CO 2 uptake rate is estimated to be 0.9±0.3 mol m −2 yr −1 over the 22 years. These results are compared with the isopycnal method (Nature 396 (1998) 560) to estimate the anthropogenic CO 2 signal in the Northeast Pacific (30°N, 152°W) at the crossover region between CGC91 and GEOSECS. The results of the isopycnal method are consistent with those derived from the MLR method. Both methods show an increase in anthropogenic CO 2 inventory in the ocean over two decades that is consistent with the increase expected if the ocean uptake has kept pace with the atmospheric CO 2 increase.
On Monolayer ${\rm MoS}_{2}$ Field-Effect Transistors at the Scaling Limit

The ultimate scaling limit of double-gate molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistors (FETs) with a monolayer thin body is examined and compared with ultrathin-body Si FETs by self-consistent quantum transport simulation in the presence of phonon scattering. Modeling of phonon scattering, quantum mechanical effects, and self-consistent electrostatics allows us to accurately assess the performance potential of monolayer MoS2 FETs. The results revealed that monolayer MoS2 FETs show 52% smaller drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) and 13% smaller subthreshold swing (SS) than 3-nm-thick-body Si FETs at a channel length of 10 nm with the same gating. With a requirement of DIBL , the scaling limit of monolayer MoS2 FETs is assessed to be 8 nm, comparing with 10 nm of the ultrathin-body Si counterparts due to the monolayer thin body and higher effective mass, which reduces direct source-to-drain tunneling. By comparing with the international technology roadmap for semiconductor (ITRS) target for high performance logic devices of 2023; double-gate monolayer MoS2 FETs can fulfill the ITRS requirements.
BLOOD PLASMA PROTEIN PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION : THE INFLUENCE OF AMINO ACIDS AND OF STERILE ABSCESSES

When blood plasma proteins are depleted by bleeding with return of the washed red blood cells (plasmapheresis) it is possible to bring dogs to a steady state of hypoproteinemia and a uniform plasma protein production on a basal low protein diet. These dogs are clinically normal. Introduction of variables into their standardized life gives insight into the production of plasma protein. Casein retested as the basal protein in the ration may show high yield of plasma protein, equal to 33 per cent of the protein fed. This equals the potency of liver protein (17 to 33 per cent) and approaches the utilization of plasma protein by mouth (40 per cent). Zein has no effect upon plasma protein regeneration but when it is supplemented with cystine, tryptophane, lysine, and glycine, there is a doubling of the liver basal plasma protein production and a retention of the fed protein nitrogen. Threonine does not modify the above reaction. Liver protein supplemented with cystine, leucine, glutamic acid, and glycine in the basal diet yields double the amount of new formed plasma protein compared with liver alone. This combination is then as potent as plasma protein itself when given by mouth-40 per cent utilization. Tyrosine or lysine, arginine, and isoleucine do not modify the above responses. Methionine is not as effective as cystine in supplementing gelatin and tyrosine to produce plasma protein. Cystine, leucine, and glutamic acid appear to be of primary importance in the building of new plasma protein in these experiments. Plasma protein formation is dependent upon materials coming from the body reserve and from the diet. Given an exhaustion of the reserve store there is very little plasma protein produced during a protein fast (3 to 6 gm. per week). A turpentine abscess does not modify this fasting plasma protein reaction. Homologous plasma given by vein will promptly correct experimental hypoproteinemia due to bleeding. It will maintain nitrogen equilibrium and replenish protein stores. Even during hypoproteinemia plasma protein may promptly pass out of the circulation to supply body needs for protein. Perhaps the most significant concept which derives from all these experiments is the fluidity of the body protein (including plasma protein)-a ready give and take between the protein depots-a "dynamic equilibrium" of body protein.
Supporting Soft Real-Time Parallel Applications on Multicore Processors

The prevalence of multicore processors has resulted in the wider applicability of parallel programming models such as Open MP and MapReduce. A common goal of running parallel applications implemented under such models is to guarantee bounded response times while maximizing system utilization. Unfortunately, little previous work has been done that can provide such performance guarantees. In this paper, this problem is addressed by applying soft real-time scheduling analysis techniques. Analysis and conditions are presented for guaranteeing bounded response times for parallel applications under global EDF multiprocessor scheduling.
Rapid clearance of circulating haptoglobin from plasma during acute pulmonary embolism in rats results in HMOX1 up‐regulation in peripheral blood leukocytes

Summary. Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) causes pulmonary hypertension (PH) via several mechanisms including pulmonary vasospasm. We hypothesize that PE with associated PH leads to alterations in plasma protein concentrations indicative of disease severity and prognosis. Objective: To identify plasma proteins altered in abundance by PE in rats. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from rats at 2, 6 and 18 h after experimental PE produced with intrajugular injection of polystyrene beads at three different levels of severity (mild, moderate and severe). Total plasma protein was separated using two-dimensional sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D SDS-PAGE) and candidate protein spots altered in expression by PE were identified by mass spectroscopy. Haptoglobin identity and amount was verified by western blot analysis. Results: The PE model produced a dose-dependent increase in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (mmHg) at 2 h: mild 39 ± 1.7, moderate 40 ± 1.8 and severe 51 ± 1.3 mmHg, coincident with significant increases in free plasma (hemoglobin). Combined 2D SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis indicated time- and dose-dependant loss of plasma haptoglobin levels in response to acute PE. Haptoglobin (HP) was essentially absent from plasma within 2 h of severe PE. Clearance of HP from plasma was accompanied by increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 (hmox1) in peripheral blood leukocytes and in HMOX1 enzyme activity in the liver. Conclusions: PE that causes pulmonary hypertension is associated with haptoglobin depletion and up-regulation of HMOX1 enzyme.
Ionic and Neutral Species in Pulse Radiolysis of Supercritical CO2. 1. Transient Absorption Spectroscopy, Electric Field Effect, and Charge Dynamics

Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to study the mechanism for radiolysis of dense, liquidlike supercritical (sc) CO2 (T = 41 °C, ρ = 0.84 g/cm3). The 350−1500 nm spectra are decomposed into the contributions from the solvent radical cation, solvent radical anion, and a long-lived neutral product that we associate with singlet carbon trioxide, CO3(1A1). These three species are characterized by their optical spectra, chemical behavior, kinetics, and the response of these kinetics to external electric field. The following mechanism for radiolysis of sc CO2 is suggested: Ionization of the solvent yields ≈5 pairs per 100 eV. Most of these pairs are comprised of the solvent hole and a thermalized quasifree electron; the prompt yield of CO3- is <3% of the total ion yield. The electrons are trapped by the solvent in <200 ps. Because of high electron mobility, most of this trapping occurs after the charges escape each other's Coulomb field. Because of cross recombination of the electrons with nongeminate ...
Alleghenian age of the upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead deposit determined by Rb-Sr dating of sphalerite

MISSISSIPPI Valley type (MVT) ore deposits in North America are generally thought to have formed from warm brines which migrated from sedimentary basins to sites of deposition in sedimentary strata of the neighbouring craton long after Unification of the sediments1–3. When and how these migrations occurred is not well understood, but recent geological evidence suggests that continental-scale brine migration can be triggered by tectonic collisions4–6. Indirect evidence7– 9has suggested an association of North American MVT mineralization with the Late Palaeozoic Alleghenian/Ouachita orogeny; recently, however, Nakai et al.10obtained a Rb-Sr age of 377±29Myr for sphalerites from the East Tennessee MVT district, which they linked to the Middle Palaeozoic Acadian orogeny. Here we report Rb-Sr dates for sphalerites from the MVT 'type section' - the Upper Mississippi Valley (UMV) zinc-lead district. Rb–Sr data from two distinct sphalerite bands from the West Hayden ore body yield two independent but indistinguishable isochrons of Permian age (269 ± 6 Myr and 270 ± 4 Myr), consistent with a brine migration episode initiated by the Alleghenian/Ouachita orogeny. In conjunction with the previous data indicating a link to the Acadian orogeny10,11, our results indicate that North American MVT deposits formed in at least two distinct tectonic episodes.