cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloud classes and radiative heating profiles at the Manus and Nauru Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) sites

[1] The tropical western Pacific is a convective regime; however, the frequency and depth of convection is dependent on dynamical forcing which exhibits variability on a range of temporal scales and also on location within the region. Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, lies in the heart of the western Pacific warm pool region and exhibits frequent deep convection much of the time, while Nauru, which lies approximately 20 degrees to the east of Manus, is in a transition zone where the frequency of convection is dependent on the phase of the El Nino−Southern Oscillation. Because of this difference in dynamical regime, the distribution of clouds and the associated radiative heating is quite different at the two sites. Individual cloud types (boundary layer cumulus, thin cirrus, stratiform convective outflow) do occur at both sites, but with different frequencies. In this study we compare cloud profiles and heating profiles for specific cloud types at these two sites using data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility. Results of this comparison indicate that while the frequency of specific cloud types differ between the two sites as one would expect, the characteristics of individual cloud classes are remarkably similar. This information could prove to be very useful for applying tropical ARM data to the broader region.
The peak temperature of lightning

Abstract In previous determinations of the temperature of the lightning stroke the assumption has been made that the stroke temperature remains constant during the time of the lightning stroke. Since this is not the case, average lightning temperatures have been calculated. It is shown that the procedure of calculating lightning temperature by assuming the stroke temperature to be constant yields a temperature which is lower than, but within 10 per cent of, the actual peak lightning temperature. Since numerous errors are present in determining the experimental spectral intensities, the temperature value obtained assuming the lightning temperature to be constant can be considered a reasonable approximation to the peak lightning temperature.
US Multicenter Experience With the Wingspan Stent System for the Treatment of Intracranial Atheromatous Disease Periprocedural Results

Background and Purpose— The current report details our initial periprocedural experience with Wingspan (Boston Scientific/Target), the first self-expanding stent system designed for the treatment of intracranial atheromatous disease. Methods— All patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting with the Gateway balloon–Wingspan stent system were prospectively tracked. Results— During a 9-month period, treatment with the stent system was attempted in 78 patients (average age, 63.6 years; 33 women) with 82 intracranial atheromatous lesions, of which 54 were ≥70% stenotic. Eighty-one of 82 lesions were successfully stented (98.8%) during the first treatment session. In 1 case, the stent could not be delivered across the lesion; the patient was treated solely with angioplasty and stented at a later date. Lesions treated involved the internal carotid (n=32; 8 petrous, 10 cavernous, 11 supraclinoid segment, 3 terminus), vertebral (n=14; V4 segment), basilar (n=14), and middle cerebral (n=22) arteries. Mean±SD pretr...
Surfactant Copolymers Prevent Aggregation of Heat Denatured Lysozyme

We investigated the ability of certain triblock copolymer surfactant poloxamers of the form polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide (PEO-PPO-PEO), to prevent formation of stable aggregates of heat denatured hen egg lysozyme. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were performed to study the thermodynamics and solution structures of lysozyme at temperatures between 20 and 90°C in the presence and absence of poloxamers with various molecular weights (8.4–14.3 kDa), but similar hydrophile/hydrophobe (PEO:PPO) ratio of 80%. Poloxmer 188 was found to be very effective in preventing aggregation of heat denatured lysozyme and those functioned as a synthetic surfactant, thus enabling them to refold when the conditions become optimal. For comparison, we measured the ability of 8 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) to prevent lysozyme aggregation under same conditions. The results of these studies suggest that poloxamers are more efficient than PEG in preventing aggregation of heat denaturated lysozyme, To achieve equivalence, more than an order of magnitude higher concentration of PEG concentration was needed. Apparently, the presence of a hydrophobic segment in the poloxamers increases their ability to target the hydrophobic region of the unfolded proteins and protect them from self association. Given their biocompatibility and the low concentrations at which they effectively facilitate refolding of denatured proteins, they may be useful in the treatment of burns and other conditions resulting in the denaturation of proteins.
Bringing Japanese Continuous Improvement Approaches to U.S. Manufacturing: The Roles of Process Orientation and Communications*

Continuous improvement (CI) has played a key role in Japan's quality management. U.S. companies have begun to adopt CI in recent years. This paper studies the implementation of CI in seven U.S. manufacturing companies. We view values as the core concept of culture that impacts CI effectiveness. Using both qualitative and quantitative data with a sample of seven companies, we observe empirically a relationship between process-oriented values and CI effectiveness. We also find that communications involving workers is strongly associated with CI effectiveness. Finally, we find an association between process orientation and communication frequency, and argue that communications act as an intervening variable between process orientation and effectiveness.
Weight and power considerations for the design of a cryogenically cooled HTS electronic system

Abstract Much progress has been reported on the fabrication of high temperature superconducting (HTS) electronic devices, circuits and systems. In some of these reports, comparisons have been made between the electrical behavior of HTS components and their “equivalent” semiconductor counterparts. Unfortunately, in almost all cases, the comparisons have been made at the device or circuit level. In an operational system, the HTS chip(s) must be mounted in an efficiently insulated cryogenic enclosure and integrated with a closed cycle cryogenic refrigerator (“cryocooler”) or an open-cycle dewar system. Therefore, to perform a meaningful comparison of an HTS system with a conventional (ambient temperature) one, the HTS system must include, in addition to the electronic chips, the cryogenic enclosure and cryogenic refrigeration system. In addition, the weight, volume, electrical input power and cool-down time for the cryogenic subsystem must also be taken into account in making such a comparison. That is, meaningful performance comparisons must be made at the system level.
Icons of Devotion/Icons of Trade Creativity and Entrepreneurship in Contemporary "Traditional" Ethiopian Painting

Neal Sobania and Raymond Silverman Aksum is one of Ethiopia’s major tourist destinations. Although only a small town in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, it is the spiritual home of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) and rich in ancient monuments. Archaeologically it has been occupied since c. 350 bce. Later, c. 100–600 ce, it is where the capital of the Aksumite empire once stood, and from where it dominated an area from the highlands of northern Ethiopia and southern Eritrea to the Red Sea and at times beyond. Its fine architectural stonework is plainly evident in the elite residences, tombs, and the carved stelae that dot the landscape. Coins of copper, bronze, and gold reveal the roots of an exceptional metalworking tradition, while works of stone and clay, including figurative sculpture, are evidence of a fine sculpture tradition. Not long after the introduction of Christianity to the region in the early fourth century, Aksum became a recognized center for the production of paraphernalia associated with the church. Today the production of metal objects, from censers, sistra, and horns to processional, hand, and neck crosses, continues to thrive. So too does a tradition of religious painting—illuminations in manuscripts, icons on wood, and large paintings on cloth destined for the walls of churches. A tradition that has been practiced for the better part of 1500 years, the paintings of the EOC have both taught and sustained the Christian faith. For those who could not read or write—which for many centuries was, and still is, the condition of most Ethiopians—the teachings of the church have been presented in pictorial narratives grounded in the Orthodox faith. Today, more often than not, paintings cover the walls of Ethiopian churches, and sometimes the ceilings as well (Fig. 1). Scores of metalworkers and painters in Aksum and the surrounding region remain prolific producers of such objects. Parishioners and church officials purchase and commission paintings and other religious paraphernalia directly from artists in their homes, and at religious festivals, where artists sell their work (Sobania and Silverman 2006). At the same time, the dozen or more tourist shops in Aksum are also full of their metalwork and paintings, often displayed and sold alongside much older objects. The range of souvenirs for visitors is extensive. There is archaeological material—primarily stone and clay figurative sculpture and metal coins associated with ancient Aksum, All photos by RAymond silveRmAn And neAl sobAniA
Serum lipid levels in a clerical workforce.

Abstract To determine their distributions, cholesterol and fasting triglycerides were measured in 10,991 black and white clerical workers. Among those workers solicited, 91% participated. Serum cholesterol level rose with age in both sex and race categories; there were no black/white differences for cholesterol. Cholesterol levels were similar between sexes until after the age of 50 when females had appreciably higher levels. In males, serum triglycerides rose sharply with age, peaking at the fifth decade and then falling. In females triglycerides rose with age. Within all age and race categories, whites had appreciably higher triglycerides than blacks and males higher than females.
Intersection bodies and Lp-spaces

Abstract We prove that the convex intersection bodies are isomorphically equivalent to unit balls of subspaces of L q for each q ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) . This is done by extending to negative values of p the factorization theorem of Maurey and Nikishin which states that for any 0 p q 1 every Banach subspace of L p is isomorphic to a subspace of L q .
Tolbutamide in chemical diabetes mellitus in children.

Abstract Tolbutamide or placebo was administered to five children with chemical diabetes for 2 mo, followed by a 2-mo course of treatment with the opposite agent. A sixth patient was given known drug. The administration of tolbutamide was associated with normalization of glucose tolerance and reduction of relative hyperinsulinemia, effects which persisted after the short course of treatment.
Effects of consequences of advice on patterns of rule control and rule choice.

Rules in the form of advice can inaccurately state the effects of recommended responses by overstating or understating size of the consequences. Three experiments investigated the effects of such inaccuracies on patterns of rule control and rule choice with female college students. In Experiment 1, signaled accurate, overstated, or understated rules specified that a given number of points would be earned by pressing a designated key. For some subjects, rules specified a number of points to be gained; for other subjects, rules specified a number of points to be lost from an amount given earlier. Point totals stated in the inaccurate rules averaged 25% more (overstated) or 25% less (understated) than those received. When subjects could choose either the response specified in the rule or an alternative response that produced an unpredictable number of points, they showed greater sensitivity to the inaccuracy of overstated rules than understated rules. In trials at the end of the experiment in which subjects could choose which rule to see, subjects did not always choose accurate rules and often chose inaccurate rules for which they had shown less sensitivity earlier. Experiment 2 replicated this pattern in which subjects could choose which type of rule to see on a greater number of trials. Some evidence suggested that subjects prefer an improvement from the outcomes promised to those later received. In Experiment 3, rules misstated by averages of 25% and 50% were compared. Evidence suggested that increasing the size of the misstatement reduced the discrimination of inaccurate rules from accurate ones.
Technology Movements and the Politics of Free/Open Source Software

Many technologies in our everyday lives are expressions of deliberate and protracted political struggles among interested groups. While some technologies are inherently political, other technologies become politicized through competition among different groups and organizations. How do seemingly apolitical technologies become politicized? In this article, the author examines the case of the “circuit riders,” a progressive technology movement in the United States that promotes information technology use among nonprofit and grassroots organizations, to show how a particular technology is politicized through field-level interactions. Applying and contributing to actor—network theory, the author finds that translation takes place as an organizational process by which actors associate the ideals of the technology in question with their political ideals and then attempt to enroll other actors to accept the resultant associations. Successful association depends on both discursive and organizational practices.
6-Bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino-6-deoxy-D-galactopyranose Hydrochloride: Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, Murine P388 Antitumor Activity, and Bone Marrow Toxicity

6-Bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino-6-deoxy-D-galactopyranose hydrochloride has been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for antitumor activity and bone marrow toxicity in mice. The 1D- and 2D-NMR studies show the compound to exist as a beta-anomer chair conformation (23%), alpha-anomer chair conformation (22%), and several equilibrating boat conformations or furanose forms (55%). A single ip LD10 dose of 15.0 mg/kg produced antitumor activity against the murine P388 leukemia superior to that achieved with an equitoxic dose of nitrogen mustard. In normal mice, this 15.0-mg/kg dose produced minimal depression of peripheral white blood cells and no significant decrease in absolute neutrophil counts. A reduction in toxicity was also demonstrated for human bone marrow CFU-GM, as compared with nitrogen mustard and L-PAM. This and other sugar-containing mustard compounds may represent a class of antineoplastic alkylating agents with reduced bone marrow toxicity.
A nonlinear compound representation of sea clutter

We explore the applicability of our recently developed Nonlinear Compound Gaussian (NCG) [1] distribution to modeling the statistics of sea clutter data. We first, for completeness, give a self-contained description of our NCG distribution; both its theoretical properties and the algorithmic details for parameter estimation. We then demonstrate the performance of NCG in modeling the range statistics of sea-clutter data [12]. The results clearly demonstrate the superiority of NCG in modeling sea-clutter phenomena over the compound Gaussian (CG) distribution. We conclude with a brief discussion of a phenomenological interpretation of these results together with directions for future research.
Electromagnetic wave propagation in discrete random chiral composite media

In this paper we examine the role of chirality on electromagnetic wave propagation in discrete random chiral composites. The composite is modeled as effectively chiral even though the medium is not chiral. The inclusion phase is randomly distributed and is associated with a chiral material constant (meters) which exists due to the handedness of the material. The effect of this parameter on the propagation of the em wave in an effectively chiral medium is examined.
Antihelical cartilage grafts for reconstruction of mohs micrographic surgery defects.

Objective To illustrate the safety, efficacy, and versatility of the antihelix as the preferred donor site for auricular cartilage autografts in the reconstruction of nasal and auricular Mohs micrographic surgery defects. Materials and Methods Retrospective chart review of all cartilage autografts performed at the Medical University of South Carolina for the 5-year period July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2011; 307 auricular cartilage autografts were performed in 297 patients. Each case was reviewed for demographic data, graft donor site, repair type, complications, and revisions. Results Three hundred five of the grafts (99.3%) were harvested from the antihelix and the remaining two (0.7%) from the conchal bowl. The donor site complication rate was 3%. No patients experienced cosmetic or functional deformity of the donor ear. No patients experienced cartilage graft resorption or infection. Conclusion Antihelical cartilage grafts can serve as safe, effective, and versatile alternatives to septal, conchal bowl, and costal margin grafts. The authors feel strongly that the antihelix donor site should be favored when harvesting auricular cartilage for its easy accessibility, large dimension that may be harvested without aesthetic penalty, character of graft, and minimal operative morbidity.
Lattice Chiral Gauge Theories with Finely-Grained Fermions

Abstract The importance of lattice gauge field interpolation for our recent non-perturbative formulation of chiral gauge theory is emphasized. We illustrate how the requisite properties are satisfied by our recent four-dimensional non-abelian interpolation scheme, by going through the simpler case of U (1) gauge fields in two dimensions.
Spin casting of polymer films

A versatile technique for spin casting of small polymer films within a cylindrical open faced mold is described. The high centripetal acceleration, about 500g, provides outstanding thickness uniformity and freedom from interior defects. The casting apparatus may be provided with pressure, temperature, and atmosphere control. A compact unit for simultaneous casting of four films is illustrated.
Kinetic Resonance Raman Spectroscopy: Dynamics of Deprotonation of the Schiff Base of Bacteriorhodopsin

We have developed a kinetic technique, combining resonance Raman spectroscopy and variable-speed continuous flow methods, to study molecular dynamics of isolated sites in macromolecules. Kinetic resonance Raman spectra of the retinylidence chromophore of bacteriorhodopsin have been obtained and the dynamics of the deprotonation of the Schiff base linkage is discussed.
Symptomatic carotid artery stenosis is best treated by carotid endarterectomy.

Introduction Ask a dysphasic patient who has received a carotid artery stent if he or she would instead have rather had a troponin enzyme leak or minor myocardial infarction (MI). Although the answer is clear to most of us, there are many interventionalists and clinicians who have inappropriately interpreted recent data from the CREST trial to conclude that carotid artery stenting (CAS) is equivalent to carotid endarterectomy (CEA).
Binaural hearing of speech for aided and unaided conditions.

Differences in speech intelligibility and identification between binaural, monaural near ear, and monaural far ear conditions were studied in sound field conditions. Scores from listeners with norm...
The Warburg Effect in a Chloroplast-Free Preparation from Euglena gracilis

A supernatant fraction, free of plastids, was prepared by centrifugation from Euglena gracilis and used to ascertain whether or not the inhibition of carbon dioxide fixation by oxygen, known as the Warburg effect, is entirely independent of the light-driven phase of photosynthesis. This fraction exhibited in the dark the main features of the Warburg effect; namely, an inverse relationship between the degree of inhibition by oxygen and bicarbonate concentration, reversibility of the inhibition when the oxygen partial pressure is lowered and an increase in the proportion of 2-carbon compounds. It is proposed, therefore, that the inhibition by oxygen is manifest in the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle and is independent of photosynthetic electron transport and phosphorylation.
Rhodium hydride complexes with phosphite / phosphito ligands: syntheses, reactions with isocyanates and the X-ray crystal structure of HRh{[P(OMe)2O]2H}2(PPh2Me)

Abstract The recently reported complex, HRh{[P(OMe)2O]2H}2(CO), is of interest because it contains both a metal hydride and an acidic proton. The carbonyl ligand in this complex is readily displaced by P-donor ligands. The bridging protons in the phosphite/phosphito ligands can be replaced by BF2 groups. These complexes do not react with carbon dioxide or carbon disulfide at room temperature and pressure, but the carbonyl complexes react with isocyanates to yield ureas and oligomers of the isocyanates. The major P-containing compound isolated from these reactions is [Rh{[P(OMe)2O]2H}3]. The reaction of HRh{[P(OMe)2O]2BF2}2(CO) with isocyanates gives a complex mixture of P-containing products in which cleavage of the POB bond has occurred. The X-ray crystal structure of HRh{[P(OMe)2O]2H}2(PPh2Me) is also reported. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna21 (a 19.523(1), b 13.510(1), c 12.353(3) A, V 3259.1 A3, Z = 4). The complex exhibits a distorted octahedral structure with the Rh displaced out of the plane of the phosphite/phosphito ligands towards the PPh2Me ligand. The two phosphite/phosphito chelate rings in this complex are quite different with one planar and the other significantly distorted from a plane. This appears to be due to the different orientations of the phenyl groups of the PPh2Me ligand.
Treatment of insomnia in adults and children: a practice-friendly review of research

Chronic insomnia affects nearly 16% of adults and up to 25% of children. Many clinicians are unfamiliar with the research and practice of psychological treatments of insomnia and thus do not use them with their patients. The primary goals of this article were to (a) review the research support for psychological treatments of adult and child insomnia, and (b) describe those treatments with the highest level of research support in enough detail to allow practitioners to begin to utilize them with their own patients. The adult psychological treatments with the best research support are stimulus control, progressive muscle relaxation, and multimodal cognitive-behavioral therapy, followed by multimodal behavioral therapy, sleep restriction, biofeedback, and paradoxical intention. The child psychological treatments with the highest level of research support are preventive parent education, unmodified extinction, and extinction with parental presence, followed by graduated extinction, bedtime fading/positive routines, and scheduled awakenings.
Changes in regional blood flow and cardiodynamics associated with electrically and chemically induced epilepsy in cat

Changes in cardiodynamics and regional blood flow were examined in chronically prepared paralyzed cats during seizures induced electrically by transcerebral or direct cortical stimulation or by administration of flurothyl ether (Indoklon) or pentylenetetrazol (Metrazol). Transcerebral and chemical stimuli produced the greatest vascular responses. During seizures there was an abrupt elevation of arterial pressure unassociated with consistent changes in heart rate. Vascular resistance was increased in femoral, renal and mesenteric arteries with variable reductions in blood flow. Resistance was decreased and flow passively increased in the common carotid artery reflecting the loss of cerebral autoregulation. Cardiac output was unchanged. With seizures associated with large elevations of arterial pressure, the central venous and left ventricular end-diastolic pressures were markedly increased indicating incipient congestive failure. The pressor response was blocked by alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine. Increased regional vascular resistance was abolished by regional sympathectomy. While either adrenalectomy or treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine alone failed to abolish the pressor response, combined, they did. Such treatment unmasked an atropine-sensitive bradycardia. The pressor response with seizures is a consequence of increased vascular resistance in viscera and muscles due to widespread activation of sympathetic neurons and release of adrenomedullary catecholamines. Co-activation of cardiovagal and cardiosympathetic neurons may underlie some associated arrhythmias. Cardiovascular events may severe, by redistribution of the cardiac output, to assure increased availability of oxygen and nutrients to brain to meet the metabolic demands of convulsions.
The Neural Basis of Birdsong

Songbirds represent an excellent model system for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning.
RAPID METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CASEIN IN MILK BY THE DYE BINDING METHOD AND FOR THE DETECTION OF MASTITIS.

Abstract The casein is removed by buffering a 1:10 dilution of skimmilk at pH 4.6. All operations are performed in a single 50-ml centrifuge tube. After centrifugation, the wet casein precipitate is redispersed and treated with a dye reagent. A standard curve relating absorbance of the remaining free dye to the casein percentage in the original milk is prepared, using reconstituted low-heat, nonfat milk powder of known casein content. When milks from opposite quarters of the same cow were compared, a highly significant difference in the percentage of casein in the total protein could be attributed to mastitis, as measured by the California Mastitis test. A total of 207 comparisons showed that a CMT-negative reaction corresponded to an average per cent casein of 76. As the CMT reaction increased, there was a 3% decrease in the percentage of casein for each unit increase in the CMT reaction.
Microstructures of defects causing noise in MOS devices

The low-frequency excess (1/f) noise of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices has long been known to depend strongly on defects at or near the Si/SiO 2 interface. We discuss several defect microstructures for oxygen-vacancy-related defects that are found via density functional theory to have energy levels consistent with 1/f noise. These include two variations of the so-called E γ ' center, one of which includes a fivefold coordinated, puckered Si atom. A stretched dimer O vacancy defect ( the E δ ') is also found to potentially cause MOS 1/f noise. These defects appear to be sufficient to describe much of the noise in many kinds of nMOS and pMOS transistors. However, pMOS transistors that show latent interface-trap buildup and/or buried channel conduction may present a special challenge for these or otehr noise models. O-vacancy-related and hydrogen-related defects that cause 1/f noise in larger devices will cause other kinds of performance and reliability problems in highly scaled devices, such as random telegraph noise, enhanced tunnel current, stress or radiation induced leakage current, and/or dielectric breakdown.
Properties of Zeolite- and Cornstarch-Based Electrorheological Fluids at High Shear Strain Rates

The mechanical and electrical properties of zeolite- and cornstarch-based ER fluids are explored using a concentric cylinder viscometer. With cylinder radius to gap size ratio on the order of 400, we achieved shear strain rates ranging from 3000 to 20,000 sec-1. Two different volume fractions of zeolite and cornstarch suspensions in silicone oil were tested at a constant temperature of 30°C. The shear stresses and electric resistivity of the fluids were computed from experimental measurements as functions of shear strain rate.Although the cornstarch ER fluids indicated anomalous behavior, the zeolite ER fluids were found to be more stable under high shear strain rates and electric fields and were characterized by a Bingham viscoplastic model-like behavior. Dynamic yield stress was increased in proportion to a power of the electric field. The higher the volume fraction of dispersions, the higher the yield stress. Plastic viscosity, as defined by the Bingham model, remained unchanged with the variation of e...
Tumoral pathology in spiders

Abstract The basis of tumoral pathology in spiders is shown through histologic pictures of three different morbid cases, each affecting a particular species. The first two are merely tumors in terms of new growth visualized by gross examination: parietal reaction granuloma of opisthosoma in Peucetia lucasi (Oxyopidae) and hypodermocuticular cyst by ventral tegumentary inclusion in Psechrus alticeps (Psechridae). More original, the third case is a genuine neoplasm in the female genital tract of Pachygnatha clercki (Tetragnathidae). Its heavy invading proliferation exhibits several malignancy criteria but excludes metastasis.
Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies in Human Anatomy & Physiology

Peer-assisted strategies foster learning in science courses. This article outlines a cross-year, peer-assisted learning program in a Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 course. The aim of this 2-year study was to implement the program and evaluate it on the basis of student performance and feedback. Former students were hired each year to lead optional discussion sessions. Student attendance was positively correlated with higher course averages and overall grade-point averages yet limited improvement in posttest scores. Students favorably evaluated the program and suggested improvements. Biology educators would benefit from a central interactive database devoted to peer-assisted learning in our discipline.
Assessment of selenium toxicity in algae using turbidostat culture

Abstract The sublethal toxicity of selenium (sodium selenate) was assessed for Chlorella pyrenoidosa using turbidostat culture techniques. In this system the maximum specific growth rate of the population, μ m , was a dependent variable monitored in real-time vs selenium concentration. There was a near linear decrease in steady-state μ m in response to 4 selenium concentrations (control, 0.53, 0.90 and 1.37 μg ml −1 ) with a μ m IC 50 (toxin concentration which inhibits a growth parameter by 50%) of 0.80 μg selenium ml −1 at a sulfur concentration of 2.70 μg ml −1 . Transient changes in μ m between steady states were also quantified using this system. The usefulness of the systems' ability to measure adaptation and recoverability of a population to toxins is discussed.
A semi-chronic electrode implant for very small animals

A light-weight electrode implant for recording electrophysiological variables from small mammals and birds is described.
Urine-based diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections using amplified DNA techniques: A shift in paradigms?

Amplified DNA techniques (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] or ligase chain reaction [LCR]) are now available as cost-effective highly sensitive and specific tests for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in first-catch urine samples. These tests are based on initial amplification of a segment of chlamydial DNA (usually from the cryptic plasmid) major outer membrane protein ribosomal RNA or gonococcal DNA. It is now possible to identify two of the most common treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents without performing a physical examination. Research is in progress to use these techniques for the detection of other common pathogens such as Trichomonas vaginalis and those causing syndromes such as bacterial vaginosis. Home collection of samples suitable for mail transport for testing is on the horizon; large scale screening for asymptomatic infection is feasible. (excerpt)
Establishment of the invasive perennial Vincetoxicum rossicum across a disturbance gradient in New York State, USA

Vincetoxicum rossicum (pale swallow-wort) is a non-native, perennial, herbaceous vine in the Apocynaceae. The species’ abundance is steadily increasing in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Little is known about Vincetoxicum species recruitment and growth. Therefore, we conducted a field experiment in New York State to address this knowledge gap. We determined the establishment, survival, and growth of V. rossicum during the first 2 years after sowing in two old fields subjected to four disturbance regimens. We hypothesized that establishment and survival would be higher in treatments with greater disturbance. At the better-drained location, overall establishment was 15 ± 1% [mean ± standard error] and did not differ among treatments. At the poorly drained location, establishment varied by treatment; mowed and control plots had greater establishment [10 ± 2%] than herbicide + tillage and herbicide-only plots [1.6 ± 0.5%]. Of those seedlings that emerged, overall survival was high at both locations (70–84%). Similarly, total (above + belowground) biomass was greater in herbicide + tillage and herbicide-only plots than in mowed and control plots at both locations. Thus, V. rossicum was successful in establishing and surviving across a range of disturbance regimens particularly relative to other old field species, but growth was greater in more disturbed treatments. The relatively high-establishment rates in old field habitats help explain the invasiveness of this Vincetoxicum species in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada.
Segmentation of Blood Clot from CT Pulmonary Angiographic Images Using a Modified Seeded Region Growing Algorithm Method

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a medical condition defined as the obstruction of pulmonary arteries by a blood clot, usually originating in the deep veins of the lower limbs. PE is a common but elusive illness that can cause significant disability and death if not promptly diagnosed and effectively treated. CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) is the first line imaging study for the diagnosis of PE. While clinical prediction rules have been recently developed to associate short-term risks and stratify patients with acute PE, there is a dearth of objective biomarkers associated with the long-term prognosis of the disease. Clot (embolus) burden is a promising biomarker for the prognosis and recurrence of PE and can be quantified from CTPA images. However, to our knowledge, no study has reported a method for segmentation and measurement of clot from CTPA images. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a semi-automated method for segmentation and measurement of clot from CTPA images. Our method was based on Modified Seeded Region Growing (MSRG) algorithm which consisted of two steps: (1) the observer identifies a clot of interest on CTPA images and places a spherical seed over the clot; and (2) a region grows around the seed on the basis of a rolling-ball process that clusters the neighboring voxels whose CT attenuation values are within the range of the mean ± two standard deviations of the initial seed voxels. The rollingball propagates iteratively until the clot is completely clustered and segmented. Our experimental results revealed that the performance of the MSRG was superior to that of the conventional SRG for segmenting clots, as evidenced by reduced degrees of over- or under-segmentation from adjacent anatomical structures. To assess the clinical value of clot burden for the prognosis of PE, we are currently applying the MSRG for the segmentation and volume measurement of clots from CTPA images that are acquired in a large cohort of patients with PE in an on-going NIH-sponsored clinical trial.
Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcome in Patients Undergoing Carotid Stenting

The outcomes of patients who underwent carotid artery interventions were evaluated by body mass index (BMI). Although there was no association between BMI and short-term outcomes, patients with small BMIs were susceptible to an exaggerated long-term mortality hazard.
THE EFFECT OF ACTH AND ADRENAL STEROIDS ON K TRANSPORT IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

The effect of ACTH and adrenal steroids on K transport in human erythrocytes has been studied. A new method of calculation has revealed that in normal human erythrocytes the K transport is not independent of external K concentration as had previously been thought. The equation describing the relationship is, K influx (m.eq./liter cells hour) = [K](pi)/(0.697 + 0.329 [K](pi)) in which [K](pi) refers to the plasma K concentration at the beginning of the experiment. At the physiological plasma K concentration of 4.65 m.eq./liter, K influx is 2.09 m.eq./liter cells hour; K efflux is 1.95 m.eq./liter cells hour and is independent of plasma K concentration. The effect of the infusion of ACTH and adrenal steroids on the K content of the erythrocytes was also studied. Infusions of ACTH or cortisone do not cause the expected loss in erythrocyte K content and may well cause a gain. Infusions of ACTH and cortisone decrease the rate of K influx and efflux slightly at all stages of the infusion, as measured in vitro in blood samples drawn at various times during and following the infusion. However, the erythrocytes incubated in vitro do not exhibit the same changes in K content as are found in vivo. Hydrocortisone added to normal cells in vitro also decreases both influx and efflux of K, without affecting the K content of the cells.
Impact of Metabolism on the Safety of Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen metabolism has received attention owing to the recognition that oxidative metabolism of these hormones could play a very important role in the initiation and evolution of estrogen-related cancerous processes. This review discusses principal metabolic pathways associated with the molecular constituents found in common hormone formulations. The focus is the formation of catechol estrogens that then oxidize to redox-active and electrophilic quinones, along with potential mechanisms by which these metabolites contribute to oxidative stress and induce damage to essential biological macromolecules. Recent investigations involving specific estrogen metabolites that may offer potential increase of therapeutic safety for estrogen therapy in the future have also been highlighted.
Receipt of Support from Family among Black Americans: Demographic and Familial Differences.

The impact of familial and demographic factors on the receipt of support from family members was examined among a sample of blacks (National Survey of Black Americans). The findings indicated that income, age, family contact, subjective family closeness, and proximity of relatives were determinants of receiving support. In addition, an interaction was revealed between age and the presence of a child in determining support from family members. The findings substantiate the importance of adult children in the informal social support networks of elderly blacks. The use of multivariate analyses extends previous work in this area and suggests that these relationships are more complex than originally thought.
New Studies of the Transient Glow Discharge in Parallel Electrode Gaps

Studies of the parallel transmission line phase conductor gap were conducted in order to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of lightning flashover of transmission lines. Improved techniques of digital transient recording and image converter photography were used to obtain detailed new data on the breakdown process. These data are used to evaluate models for (1) the growth of corona in the gap and for (2) the characteristics of the glow discharge phase which occurs after corona bridges the gap and before the final collapse of voltage. These models will be important for new transmission line studies, especially for those compaction studies which contemplate drastically reduced phase-phase clearances.
Impact of delayed reperfusion of myocardial hibernation on myocardial ultrastructure and function and their recoveries after reperfusion in a pig model of myocardial hibernation.

Abstract This study examined the effect of delayed reperfusion of myocardial hibernation from 24 hours to 7 days on myocardial ultrastructural and functional changes and their recoveries after reperfusion. Background: We have previously shown in pigs that after reperfusion the functional and structural alterations in short-term myocardial hibernation which was reperfused in 24 hours can recover in 7 days. The effect of delayed reperfusion of hibernating myocardium on the extent and severity of cellular and extracellular structural changes of hibernating myocardium, and their recoveries after reperfusion is not known. Methods and Results: A severe LAD stenosis was created in 27 pigs, reducing resting flow by 30–40% immediately after placement of the stenosis and producing acute ischemia as evidenced by regional lactate production, a decrease in regional coronary venous pH, reduced regional wall thickening (from 38.5 ± 5.1% to 10.4 ± 8.0%) and a 33% reduction of regional oxygen consumption. The stenosis was maintained either for 24 hours in 9 pigs (group 1) with LAD flow of 0.65 ± 0.13 ml/min/g (38% reduction), or for 7 days in 17 pigs (group 2) with LAD flow of 0.67 ± 0.14 ml/min/g (36% reduction). There were no differences (p = NS) in the reduction of wall thickening, rate-pressure product, lactate production, or regional oxygen consumption between group 1 and group 2. Quantitative morphometric evaluation of the ultrastructure on electromicrographs revealed a greater decrease in sarcomere volume and a higher incidence of myocytes with reduced sarcomere volume in 7-day than in 24-hour hibernating regions (53 ± 19% versus 33 ± 14%, p n = 5) and to 28.0 ± 3.6% at 3–4 weeks of reperfusion ( n = 7, p Conclusions: In a porcine model of myocardial hibernation with myocardial hypoperfusion, systolic dysfunction, and metabolic adaptations, a longer period of myocardial hibernation with delayed reperfusion was associated with more severe abnormalities of myocytes. an increasing interstitial fibrosis, and more protracted myofibrillar and functional recoveries after reperfusion. The extent of functional recovery is related to the degree of coronary flow reduction, the severity of the ultrastructural changes, and the extent of interstitial fibrosis.
dT/dΔ Measurements at Weston Observatory, USA

Summary dT/dΔ of mantle P waves for three azimuthal groups are shown to be consistent with each other to within 0.1 s deg−1. Results are discussed in light of measurements with more elaborate arrays.
Prevalence of Criminal Thinking among State Prison Inmates with Serious Mental Illness

To examine the prevalence of criminal thinking in mentally disordered offenders, incarcerated male (n = 265) and female (n = 149) offenders completed measures of psychiatric functioning and criminal thinking. Results indicated 92% of the participants were diagnosed with a serious mental illness, and mentally disordered offenders produced criminal thinking scores on the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) and Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified (CSS-M) similar to that of non-mentally ill offenders. Collectively, results indicated the clinical presentation of mentally disordered offenders is similar to that of psychiatric patients and criminals. Implications are discussed with specific focus on the need for mental health professionals to treat co-occurring issues of mental illness and criminality in correctional mental health treatment programs.
A noise-based IC random number generator for applications in cryptography

The design of a mixed-signal random number generator (RNG) integrated circuit (IC) suitable for integration with hardware cryptographic systems is presented. Certain applications in cryptography require the use of a truly RNG, a device which produces unpredictable and unbiased digital signals derived from a fundamental noise mechanism. For IC-based cryptographic systems, an RNG must harness randomness from a low-power noise signal yet remain insensitive to deterministic influences such as crosstalk, power supply noise, and clock signal coupling through the substrate. An RNG IC utilizing established analog IC design techniques was designed and fabricated in a 2-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. Sequences generated by the experimental system repeatedly passed many standard randomness tests for bit rates up to 1.4 MHz. No changes in randomness performance were observed as the system was exposed to power supply noise and substrate signal coupling. The system occupies a total chip area of 1.5 mm/sup 2/ and dissipates 3.9 mW of power.
Cognitive deficits in Down syndrome: narrowing ‘Down’ to Olig1 and Olig2

Olig1 and Olig2 triplication causes developmental brain defects in Down syndrome Chakrabarti et al. (2010) Nature Neuroscience 13(8):927–934
Growth of atmospheric nano-particles by heterogeneous nucleation of organic vapor

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols play critical roles in air quality, public health, and visibility. In addition, they strongly influence climate by scattering solar radiation and by changing the reflectivity and lifetime of clouds. One major but still poorly understood source of atmospheric aerosols is new particle formation, which consists of the formation of thermodynamically stable clusters from trace gas molecules (homogeneous nucleation) followed by growth of these clusters to a detectable size (~3 nm). Because freshly nucleated clusters are most susceptible to loss due to high rate of coagulation with pre-existing aerosol population, the initial growth rate strongly influences the rate of new particle formation and ambient aerosol population. Whereas many field observations and modeling studies indicate that organics enhance the initial growth of the clusters and therefore new particle formation, thermodynamic considerations would suggest that the strong increase of equilibrium vapor concentration due to cluster surface curvature (Kelvin effect) may prevent ambient organics from condensing on these small clusters. Here, the contribution of organics to the initial cluster growth is described as heterogeneous nucleation of organic molecules onto these clusters. We find that the strong gradient in cluster population with respect to its size leads to positive cluster number flux. This positive flux drives the growth of clusters substantially smaller than the Kelvin diameter, conventionally considered the minimum particle size that can be grown through condensation. The conventional approach neglects the contribution from the cluster concentration gradient, and underestimates the cluster survival probabilities by a factor of up to 60 if early growth of clusters is due to both condensation of sulfuric acid and heterogeneous nucleation of organic vapors.