cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN NF1-LIKE PROTEIN FUNCTIONS AS A REPRESSOR OF THE VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR PROMOTER

Abstract The expression of the von Willebrand factor (vWf) gene is restricted to endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. We have previously reported the identification of a region of the vWf gene that regulates its cell-type-specific expression in cell culture. This region (spanning nucleotides −487 to +247) consists of a core promoter (spanning nucleotides −90 to +22), a positive regulatory region (spanning nucleotides +155 to +247), and a negative regulatory region spanning nucleotides −312 to −487. To identify the trans-acting factor(s) that interacts with the negative regulatory region, we carried out gel mobility and DNase1 footprint analyses of sequences −312 to −487. These analyses demonstrated that an NF1-like protein interacts with DNA sequences spanning −440 to −470 nucleotides in the negative regulatory region of the vWf promoter. Base substitution mutations of the NF1 binding site abolished the NF1-DNA interaction. Furthermore, mutation of the NF1 binding site in the promoter fragment (−487 to +155) that contained the core and the negative regulatory region resulted in activation of the mutant promoter in both endothelial and nonendothelial cells. The wild type promoter fragment (−487 to +155) was not activated in either cell type. These results demonstrate that an NF1-like protein functions as a repressor of vWf promoter activity. In contrast, the mutation of the same NF1 binding site, but now in the context of the larger 734-base pair endothelial cell-specific promoter fragment (−487 to +247), did not result in promoter activation in nonendothelial cells. The data indicate that there are additional repressor elements within the vWf promoter region suppressing its activity specifically, in nonendothelial cells, and suggest that there is a secondary repressor element(s) that is located in the terminal region of the first exon of this gene.
Combination of cis‐platinum and bleomycin prior to surgery and/or radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone for the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Forty-one patients with unresectable Stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were treated with combined modality therapy (CM) consisting of induction chemotherapy followed by surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT). Treatment and survival results are reported and compared to results obtained in treating 41 historic controls with RT alone. No patient had distant metastases. Patients in the CM group received cis-platinum (DDP) 120 mg/m/sup 2/ on days 1 and 22 with prehydration and mannitol diuresis and bleomycin 15 ..mu../m/sup 2/ as a continuous infusion between days 3-9 started after a 15 ..mu../m/sup 2/ IV push. Patients underwent reendoscopy two weeks after completing chemotherapy to evaluate response. Subsequent surgery and/or radiotherapy were administered depending on tumor resectability after chemotherapy. Induction chemotherapy with DDP and bleomycn infusion followed by surgery and/or radiotherapy appears to be associated with a higher CR rate and prolonged survival compared to RT alone. (JMT)
A CNN Approach to Brian-Like Chaos-Periodicity Transitions

Chaos-periodicity transitions are studied within the framework of a one-dimensional CNN which are qualitatively similar to some brian-like transitions described in the literature. The nonlinearity of each cell is designed such that chaotic and periodic regimes coexist at the cell level. When a coupling between cells is considered, transition waves from chaotic behavior into a periodic one are observed to propagate along the one-dimensional array. The signals measured are qualitatively similar to some EEG measurements in biology. Here we present the study of these transitions for different types of couplings and parameters.
Simple Analysis of XCP Equilibrium Performance

The recently developed explicit control protocol (XCP) is a congestion control system well suited for high bandwidth delay product (BDP) networks. Low proves that the XCP equilibrium solves a constrained max-min fairness problem, and derives the explicit formulas for the link utilization and the common flow rate bottlenecked at the link by applying the derived window-based dynamic model. Furthermore, a lower bound and an upper bound of link utilization are given in Low's paper. However, the derived window-based dynamic model is so complicated that it can not be used easily. In this paper, a simple rate-based model is proposed for analyzing XCP equilibrium performance. Most results that appeared in Low's paper can be easily reproduced by applying our simple dynamic model. Furthermore, we prove that the shuffling parameter gamma is no more than the parameter alpha to achieve high link utilization.
Crack use by American middle-class adolescent polydrug abusers

A 77-item questionnaire on cocaine and “crack” use patterns, and on the addictive, medical, and criminal consequences of such use, was completed by 464 largely white, middle-class, suburban, teenage drug abusers registered in seven geographically disparate outpatient treatment facilities. Of the 130 (28%) who smoked crack, 87 (67%) were designated as “experimenters” (use of crack 1 to 9 times); 20 (15%) were in an intermedlate group (smoked crack 10 to 50 times); and 23 (18%) were heavy users (smoked crack more than 50 times). Sixty percent of heavy users progressed from initiation of crack use to its use at least once a week in less than 3 months. Almost 50% of the 87 experimenters and nearly all the 23 heavy users recalled preoccupation with thoughts of crack, rapid loss of the ability to modulate their use of the drug, and rapid development of pharmacologic tolerance. Susplciousness, mistrust, and depressed mood were associated with the increasing use of crack. Seizures occurred in none of those who used cocaine by snorting it intransally (without ever smoking crack), in contrast to 1% of the experimenters and 9% of the 43 respondents who had smoked crack at least 10 times. Seven percent of the 87 experimenters versus almost one fourth of the 43 who smoked crack more frequently had injected cocaine intravenously. The use of crack by middle-class adolescents is associated with rapid addiction and with serious behavioral and medical complications.
Constitutive Laws of Composite Materials via Multiaxial Testing and Numerical Optimization

A multiaxial loading on a laminate, combined with numerical optimization is utilized to determine the five elastic constants for a transversely isotropic composite material in this study. A special in-plane loader, capable of any combination of in-plane displacements plus a rotation is utilized for the testing portion. A corresponding finite element analysis model is created and numerical optimization is utilized to obtain the optimum engineering elastic constants. By utilizing only one test specimen geometry, the resources for determining the constitutive properties can be significantly reduced in terms of time and money, and more precise properties over a wider loading range are gained with this procedure.
Against the naming of fungi

The use of molecular bar-coding and consensus on nomenclatural practices has encouraged optimism about the future of fungal taxonomy and systematics. There are, however, profound deficiencies in our understanding of fungal diversity and broader problems with the taxonomic enterprise that deserve greater attention. For 250 years mycologists have tried to reconcile fungal diversity with the Linnean fantasy of a divine order throughout nature that included unambiguous species. This effort has failed and today's taxonomy rests on an unstable philosophical foundation. Rather than persisting with the present endeavour, it may be more fruitful to abandon the notion of fungal species pending further basic research. In the meantime, mycologists should consider tagging collections with digital codes and assigning these operational taxonomic units to higher taxonomic ranks whose objective reality is corroborated by strong phylogenetic evidence.
Manufacturing of Porous Coatings With Micro-Scale Features for Improved Boiling Heat Transfer

Several recent heat transfer studies indicated that porous surfaces with modulated porous surface features lead to an improved boiling heat transfer efficiency. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop a novel manufacturing process that will produce the modulated porous surfaces cost-effectively. In this study, compaction and sintering experiment were conducted to investigate the consolidation performance of the powder into micro-scale features. The effects of compaction force and sintering on the pore size and mechanical strength of the formed micro-features were investigated. It was found that sintering at 800°C for 20 minutes can significantly increases the strength of the compacted part, while the interconnected pore structure was maintained.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Maintenance and generalization of trained metamnemonic awareness by educable retarded children

Abstract The majority of educable retarded children (young group, MA 6; old group, MA 8) required to estimate their memory span was found to be unrealistic estimators. Following training in span estimation the older subjects improved under both explicit and implicit feedback conditions, while younger children only benefited from explicit feedback. Three posttests of the effects of training revealed long-term (1-year) maintenance of training for older subjects but younger subjects showed post-test improvement only on an immediate test. While long-term maintenance was found for older subjects, generalization to similar span-estimation tests was not found. The utility of training metamnemonic knowledge which does not generalize was questioned and alternate training procedures were proposed.
Vector potential of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) in dissemination of Salmonella enteritidis serotype typhimurium.

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica , is an effective mechanical transmitter of Salmonella enteritidis serotype Typhimurium via feces. Groups of restrained German cockroaches from a laboratory colony free of Salmonella were fed graded doses of S. enteritidis and their feces were assayed daily. The amount and duration of Salmonella in feces is dose-related, with outputs from 8 × 101 to 2 × 107 cells/defecation over a range of 3 to 20 days. The percentage of specimens excreting S. enteritidis is also dose-related and ranges from 8% with a 102 input to 70% with an infective feeding of 107. Salmonella multiplication in the gut or feces is a rare event. The ID50, or infective dose at which 50% of the feces will contain Salmonella during the first 10 days following ingestion, is 1.6 × 107. There were no significant sex differences in excretion of Salmonella at each dose. S. enteritidis is recoverable about 10 days longer in the cockroach gut than in the feces. Persistence is primarily in the hindgut and numbers of Salmonella decline over time in living cockroaches, with no recoveries from gut or feces after a month.
Iron stable isotopes: beyond biosignatures

Abstract The stable isotope geochemistry of Fe has attracted intense interest in the past five years. This interest was originally motivated by the possible use of Fe isotopes in biosignature applications, particularly in sediments from the ancient Earth or Mars. This application is still being developed, with particular attention to fractionation mechanisms. Understanding such mechanisms should also provide new insights into the environmental biogeochemistry of Fe. At the same time, the Fe isotope system holds promise for other exciting frontiers, including applications in oceanography, solid Earth geochemistry and biomedicine. Such applications will be increasingly attractive as Fe isotope analysis becomes routine.
National Changes in Spatial-Visual Ability from 1960 to 1980.

In both 1960 and 1980, the same test of spatial-visual ability was given to national probability samples of high school seniors in the United States. The students in 1960 were participants in Project TALENT and in 1980 were participants in High School and Beyond. In addition, a reading comprehension test was given to the 1960 students that subsequently was equated to a similar reading test given to the 1980 seniors. In 1960 the males had substantially higher scores in visualization and slightly higher scores in reading. Between 1960 and 1980 all means scores declined but substantially more so in visualization. However, the gap between males and females narrowed, particularly in visualization. In the absence of a clear explanation, the author attributes the general decline primarily to less student attrition in 1980 and the differential decline to convergence in the experiences of males and females.
1358 PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF HIGH FREQUENCY JET VENTILATION(HFJV) VS CONVENTIONAL VENTILATION(CV) IN SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

Despite potential reduction of barotrauma, no controlled data are available on the incidence of adverse effects of long-term high frequency ventilation(HFV). To compare HFJV to pressure-limited time-cycled CV we screened 208 1-2 kg neonates and randomized those fulfilling all of 6 criteria by 24 hr: l)FiO2>.50; 2)peak insp. pressure(PIP) ≥20cmH2O; 3)positive end exp. pres-sure(PEEP) ≥4cmH2O; 4)frequency(f) ≥20/min;5)PaO2 28 days)were performed. Subsequent assisted ventilation and O2 suppl. were comparable. Bronchoscopies(n=5) revealed no evidence of necrotizing tracheobronchitis. We conclude that 48 hr of HFJV: 1) maintained or improved ABG at lower Paw; 2) did not eliminate AL or CLD; 3) caused no apparent increase in adverse effects. This first randomized HFV trial indicates a comparable outcome to CV; larger trials will ultimately reveal if HFV is superior. ALA Ohio, ALANO
Denying the data: Learning from the accomplished sciences

Accomplished sciences are distinguished by an active orientation to data. Rather than explaining passive observations or even laboratory results, these sciences put a premium on creating effects or objects never before observed. Theories provide a basis for denying the data, in showing how nature can be better organized to produce some new effect or object. In this paper, a method for constructing these theories is developed. A sociological application is carried out to the point where an accomplishment is claimed. A very peculiar object is discovered — a relationship. Though it does not resemble anything we may have ever observed, it offers to groping actors a guide to something that works and hence could become something that is commonly observed. Likely scruples are addressed that might block the pursuit of such accomplishments.
Arterial Pressure Responses to Discontinuing Antihypertensive Drugs

A wide spectrum of arterial pressure responses to discontinuing long-term antihypertensive drug treatment was found in 65 patients. In five, spontaneous pressure variations prevented judging effects of drug discontinuance. Of the remaining 60, pressure returned to pretreatment levels in 21, and rose toward control levels in 37; while in two, diastolic hypertension did not reappear in more than 8 years. Rate of rise of arterial pressure seemed related to type of hypertension and to height of diastolic pressure and severity of vascular disease before treatment. In six of nine patients who had had malignant hypertension and six of nine with renal arterial disease, pressure rose promptly and treatment was restarted within a month. Among essential hypertensive patients, those who remained off treatment for 2 to 6 months had significantly lower pretreatment pressure than those whose hypertension returned in less than 2 months. The two whose diastolic hypertension seemed "cured" had no distinguishing features. T...
Eye blink elicitation and measurement in the human infant

Eye blinks elicited by a mechanically produced tap to the glabella (the flattened area between the eyebrows) are monitored by a device that projects low-intensity infrared light, which is reflected from the eyelid and detected by a phototransistor. Appropriate filtering and decoding circuitry insures reliable tracking of responses. Comparison of the optical eye blink monitor with a minitorque potentiometer monitor showed the two devices to yield similar recordings.
Impact of obesity on arteriovenous fistula outcomes in dialysis patients

Fistula use for dialysis is less frequent among obese than non-obese patients. This discrepancy may be due to a lower rate of fistula placement in obese patients, a higher primary failure rate (fistulas that are never usable for dialysis), or a higher secondary failure rate (fistulas that fail after being used successfully for dialysis). Using a prospective, computerized vascular access database, we identified all patients receiving a first fistula or graft at our institution during a 2-year period. The access outcomes were compared between obese (body mass index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI<30 kg/m2) patients. Fistula placement was equally likely between obese and non-obese patients (47.4 vs 47.1%). The primary failure rate of fistulas was similar in both groups (46 vs 41%, P=0.45). Among those fistulas that were usable for dialysis, the secondary survival was worse in obese patients (hazard ratio 2.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48-7.90; P=0.004). Secondary fistula survival in obese vs non-obese patients was 68 vs 92% at 1 year, 59 vs 78% at 2 years, and 47 vs 70% at 3 years. On multiple variable survival analysis with age, sex, race, diabetes, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, fistula location, surgeon, and obesity in the model, obesity was the only significant factor predicting secondary fistula failure (hazards ratio 2.93; 95% CI, 1.44-5.93; P=0.004). In conclusion, long-term fistula survival is worse in obese than non-obese patients, owing to a higher secondary failure rate.
Strategic Knowledge when Reading in Order to Write.

Abstract Students who are asked to write research reports need to apply both social and cognitive strategic knowledge to the task. They must interpret the social context and use their knowledge of the process of researching and the content of the subject as they negotiate the complex task of reading in order to write a report. This case study describes six high‐achieving eighth‐grade students who were asked to write a short report (3‐5 pages) about a significant person they would like as a personal mentor in high school. During the seven 40‐minute sessions, the investigators used a variety of sources (field notes, student interviews on audiotapes, and videotapes) for data collection. Results indicated that the students choose their research topics rapidly and all students but one created a task impression of the assigned report with little difficulty. Interview data revealed students using both content- and procedural-related goals to accomplish their task. The social and cognitive dimensions these studen...
Landslides in Valles Marineris, Mars

The morphology of the landslides in the Martian equatorial troughs, the geologic structure of the troughs, the time of emplacement, the similarity to terrestrial landslides, and the origin and mechanism of transport are analyzed. About 35 large landslides well-resolved on Viking images were examined, and it is found that the major landslides cover 31,000 sq km of the trough floors, and individual slides range in area from 40 to 7000 sq km. The morphologic variations of the landslides can be attributed mainly to their degree of confinement on trough floors. Many prominent landslides appear to be of similar age and were emplaced after a major faulting that dropped the trough floors. Most sliding occurred after the created scarps were dissected into spurs, gullies, and tributary canyons. Emplacement of the landslides approximately coincided with a late episode of major eruptive activity of the Tharsis volcanoes, and it is suggested that the slides may have originated as gigantic mudflows with slump blocks at their heads. The large size of many landslides is due to the fault scarps as high as 7 km on which they formed in the absence of vigorous fluvial erosion. The landslides suggest that Mars is earthlike in some respects, which may be important for further evaluations.
Reproductive Efficiency in the Reciprocal Pairings Between Two Strains of Channel Catfish

Abstract Seed production must be efficient for the particular crossbreed in a fish breeding program. In this experiment pairings of channel catfish (female x male), Marion x Marion, Kansas x Kansas, Marion x Kansas, and Kansas x Marion were evaluated in pens for spawning day, spawning percentage, fecundity, hatchability, fry survival, and total fingerling output. More four-year-old brood stock spawned than three-year-olds. Marion x Marion and Marion x Kansas pairings resulted in spawns earlier than Kansas x Kansas and Kansas x Marion pairings. Strain of the female was important in determining spawning date and may impede crossbreeding success. Spawning percentage in the pure-strain pairings (52%) was higher than in crossbred pairings (32%). No differences were found in fecundity and hatchability. Total fingerling output was higher from pure-strain pairings (1,630 fingerlings/kg female) than from crossbred pairings (1,210 fingerlings/kg female). When the fish were six years old the reciprocal Marion x Kans...
Custody Data as Decision‐Theory Information: Evaluating a Psychological Contribution by Its Value to a Decision Maker

Many issues raised by O'Oonohue and Bradley (this issue) are epistemologic in nature, challenging what we can understand and predict in the child custody area, both currently and in the future. Our commentary presents a four-tiered model that can be used to assess the degree to which a contribution to the field can be considered scientific. Proof is offered that data exist which conform to this model. The advantages of seeing psychology as a decision science are given. The main criteria of a decision science are detailed, along with the implications of these criteria for custody-relevant research. Validity studies are considered from the perspective of “value to a decision maker” (with an emphasis on relevance) rather than from the sole perspective of the point in time when such studies are conducted. Several areas often confused by commentators in the custody field are specified. These include confusing reliability and validity issues with the issue of the environments in which the predictions of a model are applicable, the misguided assumption that a concept cannot be validated and useful until its definition finds universal acceptance, and the important implications for validity studies in separating methods for recommending a legal custodian from those used to suggest a time-share plan. Next, the role of values in all sciences is considered, and the (negative) implications in assuming that values can be separated from so-called “facts.” Finally, the recommendation for a moratorium on practice advocated by O'Donohue and Bradley is considered from epistemological, ethical, and practical perspectives.
Influence of pre- and post-harvest factors and processing on the levels of furocoumarins in grapefruits (Citrus paradisi Macfed.).

Abstract The changes in the levels of three furocoumarins such as dihydroxybergamottin (DHB), paradisin A and bergamottin in Rio Red and Marsh White cultivars of grapefruits were monitored from November to May. The levels of DHB and bergamottin in both varieties of grapefruits decreased as the season progressed except for the bergamottin in Marsh White grapefruit. Influence of growing location, processing and storage on the levels of these compounds were also evaluated. Among the varieties the highest levels of DHB (2.266 μg/ml) and bergamottin (2.411 μg/ml) were found in Flame grapefruit grown in Florida. The highest level of paradisin A was found in Rio Red grapefruit grown in California and the lowest levels were observed in Rio Red grapefruit grown organically in Texas. Hand squeezed juice contained 1.98, 1.06 and 3.03-fold more DHB, paradisin A and bergamottin, respectively as compared to processed juice. The levels of furocoumarins showed a decreasing trend in all the juices with progress of storage. Levels of furocoumarins were more in cartons container than the cans and cardboard container juices.
Oxidative enzyme components of avian liver microsomes. Changes during embryonic development and the effects of phenobarbital administration.

Abstract Changes in the levels of oxidative enzyme activities and hemoproteins in chicken liver microsomes were studied during late embryonic and post-hatching development and following administration of phenobarbital at several developmental stages. 1. 1. During the developmental period studied, the oxidative N-demethylation and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activities increased markedly and in parallel fashion, while oxidative O-demethylation and cytochrome b5 increased only slightly and at a different developmental stage, and the cytochrome P-450 level did not increase. Phenobarbital treatment caused marked increases in the cytochrome P-450 level and N-demethylation activity at each developmental stage, but only minor changes in cytochrome b5 level, O-demethylation activity or capacity for electron transport from NADH or NADPH to cytochrome c or to oxygen. 2. 2. Spectroscopic studies with microsome suspensions indicate that the avian liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 is similar to the mammalian hemoprotein in its spectral properties and lability. 3. 3. The characteristics of the avian microsomal mixed-function oxidase system are considered in the light of the developmental and induced changes in the levels of oxidative components.
Linkage analysis using principal components of gene expression data

The goal of this paper is to investigate the effect of using principal components as a data reduction method for expression data in linkage analysis. We used 45 probes normalized using the Affymetrix Global Scaling that had evidence of high heritability to estimate the first 10 principal components (PC). A genome-wide linkage scan was performed on the 45 expression values and the 10 PCs using 2272 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Our conclusions were: 1) PC analyses under-performed the single-probe analysis for known signals; 2) the PC that best reproduced the single-probe analysis was primarily composed of that probe; 3) no new signals were detected in the PC analysis; 4) no new pleiotropic effects were detected in the PC analysis.
Maternal Microbe-Specific Modulation of Inflammatory Response in Extremely Low-Gestational-Age Newborns

The fetal response to intrauterine inflammatory stimuli appears to contribute to the onset of preterm labor as well as fetal injury, especially affecting newborns of extremely low gestational age. To investigate the role of placental colonization by specific groups of microorganisms in the development of inflammatory responses present at birth, we analyzed 25 protein biomarkers in dry blood spots obtained from 527 newborns delivered by Caesarean section in the 23rd to 27th gestation weeks. Bacteria were detected in placentas and characterized by culture techniques. Odds ratios for having protein concentrations in the top quartile for gestation age for individual and groups of microorganisms were calculated. Mixed bacterial vaginosis (BV) organisms were associated with a proinflammatory pattern similar to those of infectious facultative anaerobes. Prevotella and Gardnerella species, anaerobic streptococci, peptostreptococci, and genital mycoplasmas each appeared to be associated with a different pattern of elevated blood levels of inflammation-related proteins. Lactobacillus was associated with low odds of an inflammatory response. This study provides evidence that microorganisms colonizing the placenta provoke distinctive newborn inflammatory responses and that Lactobacillus may suppress these responses.
A common 8q24 variant and the risk of colon cancer: a population-based case-control study.

Three recent studies identified common variants on 8q24 that confer modestly increased susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Here, we replicate the association in a population-based case-control study of colon cancer, including 561 cases and 721 unrelated controls. The rs6983267 marker was significantly associated with colon cancer risk. Compared with those homozygous for the T allele, the heterozygous and homozygous carriers for the G allele had an age-adjusted odds ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.88) and 1.68 (95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.33), respectively. An additive model showed strong evidence for a gene-dose response relationship ( P trend = 0.0022). The association remained statistically significant when restricted to Caucasians only (527 cases and 679 controls; P trend = 0.0056). Further adjustment for other known risk factors did not alter the results. Stratified analysis revealed no evidence for effect modification by family history of colorectal cancer, age, or gender. These data replicate the association identified from recent studies, providing additional evidence supporting the rs6983267 genetic polymorphism as a marker predisposing to colon cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(2):339–42)
Bioenergetics of a Semi-Tropical Cladoceran, Daphnia Iumholtzi

ABSTRACT The bioenergetics of D. lumholtzi from Kentucky Lake U.S.A. was investigated across a wide range of temperatures (16–31 °C) and food concentrations. Ingestion and assimilation rates were measured using 14C as a tracer. Growth rate was observed in the laboratory at 23 °C with ambient food concentration from Kentucky Lake. Respiration rate and temperature dependence of respiratory enzymes was determined. Between temperatures of 16 and 30 °C, ingestion ranged from 0.214 to 0.316 μg C hr−1 and assimilation rate ranged from 0.084 to 0.181 μg C hr−1. Assimilation efficiency averaged 56% across this temperature range with a food concentration of 0.69 mg C L−1. Growth at 23 °C was described well by an empirical von Bertalanffy relationship and was quite rapid. Growth of neonate to first reproduction as adults was about six days. Release of offspring occurred on day 7 on the average, and clutch size ranged from 2 to 14. The magnitude of in situ respiration was in the range of that measured for other Daphn...
Three‐dimensional numerical inversion of pneumatic cross‐hole tests in unsaturated fractured tuff: 2. Equivalent parameters, high‐resolution stochastic imaging and scale effects

In paper 1 of this two-part series we described a three-dimensional numerical inverse model for the interpretation of cross-hole pneumatic tests in unsaturated fractured tuffs at the Apache Leap Research Site (ALRS) near Superior, Arizona. Our model is designed to analyze these data in two ways: (1) by considering pressure records from individual borehole monitoring intervals one at a time, while treating the rock as being spatially uniform, and (2) by considering pressure records from multiple tests and borehole monitoring intervals simultaneously, while treating the rock as being randomly heterogeneous. The first approach yields a series of equivalent air permeabilities and air- filled porosities for rock volumes having length scales ranging from meters to tens of meters, represented nominally by radius vectors extending from injection to monitoring intervals. The second approach yields a high-resolution geostatistical estimate of how air permeability and air-filled porosity, defined on grid blocks having a length scale of 1 m, vary spatially throughout the tested rock volume. It amounts to three-dimensional pneumatic “tomography” or stochastic imaging of the rock. Paper 1 described the field data, the model, and the effect of boreholes on pressure propagation through the rock. This second paper implements our inverse model on pressure data from five cross-hole tests at ALRS. We compare our cross-hole test interpretations by means of the two approaches with earlier interpretations by means of type curves and with geostatistical interpretations of single-hole test data. The comparisons show internal consistency between all pneumatic test interpretations and reveal a very pronounced scale effect in permeability and porosity at ALRS.
Minimum metallic conductivity and thermopower in thin palladium films

The effects of two-dimensional electron localization have been studied by measuring thermopower and resistivity of thin (18-25 \AA{}) films of palladium. "Metallic" samples have a small thermopower which tends to zero as $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. Insulating samples have large thermopower which increases as $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. The metal-insulator transition in Pd films thus involves the opening of a gap at the Fermi energy. With use of the thermopower to define the metal-insulator transition a critical resistivity of \ensuremath{\sim} 30 k\ensuremath{\Omega}/\ensuremath{\square} is found.
A conjugate gradient method for the unconstrained minimization of strictly convex quadratic splines

In this paper, we show that an analogue of the classical conjugate gradient method converges linearly when applied to solving the problem of unconstrained minimization of a strictly convex quadratic spline. Since a strictly convex quadratic program with simple bound constraints can be reformulated as unconstrained minimization of a strictly convex quadratic spline, the conjugate gradient method is used to solve the unconstrained reformulation and find the solution of the original quadratic program. In particular, if the solution of the original quadratic program is nondegenerate, then the conjugate gradient method finds the solution in a finite number of iterations.
Discovery of a predicted DNA knot substantiates a model for site-specific recombination

The mechanism of site-specific genetic recombination mediated by Tn3 resolvase has been investigated by a topological approach. Extrapolation of a detailed model of synapsis and strand exchange predicts the formation of an additional DNA product with a specific knotted structure. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of DNA reacted in vitro revealed a product, about 0.1 percent of the total, with the appropriate mobility. A technique for determining DNA topology by electron microscopy was improved such that less than a nanogram of DNA was required. The structure of the knot was as predicted, providing strong evidence for the model and showing the power of the topological method.
Hydrologic control of chemical disequilibria in soil and surface waters, Sogndal, Norway

Two small (96,290 and 7,220 m2) gneissic bedrock, alpine watersheds with thin (< 50 cm) Haplumbrept soils were used to quantify the role of antecedent soil moisture conditions in fractionating unsaturated zone flow. Soil solutions were collected with 66 lysimeters of two types, one proven to collect primarily gravitational (macropore) flow and one proven to collect capillary (micropore) flow. Irrigation experiments over a 4-year period used 30-mm events. The manipulated catchment received pH 3.4 water, acidified with sulfuric acid and LiBr tracer, while the control catchment was irrigated with unacidified water with LiBr. Waters were applied only to the terrestrial parts of the watersheds and not directly to the lakes. Antecedent soil moisture conditions ranging from 18 to 53 wt% water produce significant variations in soil solution flowpath in both watersheds. These variations, in turn, create significant differences in the compositions and relative volumes of macropore, micropore and surface waters. Tracer results from the manipulated catchment demonstrate that soil waters reach the lake sooner under the driest conditions and that flows are restricted to the upper 20 cm of soil under wetter conditions. Under progressively drier conditions, the pH of all soil waters (macropore and micropore, shallow and deep) decreases, while inorganic monomeric Al (IMAL), Ca and sulfate all increase in deep soil waters, but remain relatively constant in shallow waters. Saturation indices for aluminum hydroxide phases are constant, averaging −0.14 ± 0.11 fro microcrystalline gibbsite, only in shallow soil solutions. Deeper macropore and micropore solutions show increasing undersaturation with drier conditions. Drier antecedent conditions increase the importance of macropore flow, reduce the amount of flow along the organicmineral soil interface, decrease the contact and residence time of soil waters resulting in a faster release to lakes of more acidic waters with higher IMAL concentrations. Thus, precipitation events occurring during prolonged dry periods may create more toxic conditions than those observed during the “acid slug” events during early spring runoff.
An efficient message-passing scheduler based on guided self scheduling

While much work has been done to date on the study of task-scheduling schemes for shared memory machines, little of the knowledge gained has been transferred to distributed memory systems. In this paper we discuss the implementation and performance evaluation of various scheduling schemes (which have been widely used on shared memory systems) on the Intel iPSC/2 hypercube. Two benchmarks representing the two ends of the spectrum with respect to task sizes were used to carry out the experiments. The primary goal of this work was to test the performance of guided self-scheduling (GSS) [PoKu87] against other commonly used schemes, and implement an efficient dynamic loop scheduling mechanism on a hypercube. The results suggest that GSS would be a far more efficient and consistent scheduling mechanism for hypercube architectures, and across the range of applications.
Substrates for cell adhesion prepared via active site-directed immobilization of a protein domain.

Recent studies in basic cell biology and bioengineering call for model substrates that present active proteins, with control over protein density, pattern, and orientation, to more directly mimic the natural extracellular matrix. Herein we demonstrate a strategy for controlled, irreversible immobilization of a cell adhesion protein domain onto an otherwise bioinert substrate with well-defined protein orientation and density. Our approach uses a tri(ethylene glycol)-terminated self-assembled monolayer presenting a phosphonate ligand that is used to immobilize an engineered fusion protein. One component of the fusion protein, the 22 kDa serine esterase cutinase, reacts with the surface-bound ligand to form a site-specific covalent adduct, and the second component of the fusion protein is therefore immobilized on the surface. Here we use this approach to immobilize an engineered version of the 12 kDa 10th domain of fibronectin III (FnIII10Eng) to direct cell adhesion. Substrates presenting this protein media...
The isotopic composition of solar flare noble gases

The relative elemental and isotopic abundances of noble gases provide insights into a number of topics related to the solar system. Neon is in many ways the most diagnostic of the noble gases. The diagnostic character is mainly related to the variation in the relative abundance of the two most abundant neon isotopes, Ne-20 and Ne-22. The available evidence suggests that trapped neon found in meteorites and in lunar samples consists of as many as five isotopically distinct components, including neon A, B, C, D, and E. Neon B has been shown to be due to solar wind neon which has been directly implanted into the material found in a meteorite. It appears that neon E is extrasolar in origin. There exist ambiguities regarding the origins of the remaining three components. The present investigation is concerned with a reexamination of the existing data in an effort to eliminate or at least clarify these ambiguities. It is found that neon C is apparently due to directly implanted, low-energy solar flare neon nuclei.
Representation and compilation of knowledge in point‐based temporal system

We propose a temporal model based on time points which allows one to incorporate uncertain temporal relations, absolute sense of time, and partial temporal knowledge. It also maintains the status history and is persistent with respect to its present situation. In this article, we describe how to maintain, update, and retrieve data from this point-based temporal knowledge base. Temporal knowledge is acquired through reified sentences and temporal ordering relations. the temporal knowledge is maintained in a directed graph called Minimal Temporal Network, which is represented in a matrix called Ordering Matrix. This graph is minimal because any redundancy, if there exists any, is eliminated at the update time. to maintain complete world knowledge of past and present, this temporal system works in conjunction with a situational database. A simple deduction system can reason with the situational database and the ordering matrix. Temporal ordering matrix can be constructed in O(kN2) time and any new constraint can be propagated in O(N2) time where N is the number of transitions and k is the average number of out branching factor of the temporal network. With our approach, most of the temporal queries can be answered in a constant time.
Effects of Large Woody Debris Addition on Stream Habitat and Brook Trout Populations in Appalachian Streams

Large woody debris (LWD) was added to eight streams in the central Appalachians of West Virginia to determine if stream habitat could be enhanced and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations increased. Brook trout populations were assessed one year prior to habitat manipulation and 3 years post-habitat manipulation. LWD was added by felling approximately 15 trees per 300 m stream reach. Four of the streams had LWD added to one 300 m reach with 300 m unmanipulated reaches upstream and downstream of the manipulated reach to observe within-stream effects of LWD additions on brook trout density. The remaining four streams had LWD added to three 300 m reaches and these streams were compared to those with only a single 300 m manipulated reach to observe the effects of the extent of habitat manipulation on brook trout density. New pools were formed by the addition of LWD, but overall pool area did not increase significantly in reaches where LWD was added. The relatively high gradient and coarse substrate of these streams may have precluded the added LWD from having a significant influence on stream channel morphology and habitat complexity. No pools were formed in the highest gradient stream, while the stream with the most pools formed had the lowest gradient. Brook trout populations fluctuated following habitat manipulations, and there was no overall effect of the LWD additions on within-stream variability in brook trout density. When there were significant differences among-streams with different extents of LWD additions, those streams receiving LWD additions over a large extent had the greatest brook trout densities. The full potential of added LWD to change stream habitat and influence on brook trout populations may take more time to develop than the 3 years post-manipulation period of this study.
Modeling of realistic rectangular /spl mu/-coaxial lines

A comprehensive study of small inhomogeneous multi-layered rectangular coaxial lines (RCLs) with irregular cross sections is presented in this paper. An accurate and efficient quasi-analytical technique based on numerical implementation of simply and doubly connected Schwarz-Christoffel conformal mapping is utilized for modeling. Misaligned and offset layers, under-over cutting due to etching, nonuniform dielectric support, and other nonidealities due to fabrication of RCLs are studied and their effects on characteristic impedance, attenuation, bandwidth, and power-handling capacity are discussed. The validity of obtained results is verified with suitable published data, analytical models, and/or finite-element simulations
Short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of protein expression in Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal protozoan parasite of humans. The genome has been sequenced, but the study of individual gene products has been hampered by the lack of the ability to generate gene knockouts. We chose to test the use of RNA interference to knock down gene expression in Entamoeba histolytica. An episomal vector-based system, using the E. histolytica U6 promoter to drive expression of 29-basepair short hairpin RNAs, was developed to target protein-encoding genes in E. histolytica. The short hairpin RNAs successfully knocked down protein levels of all three unrelated genes tested with this system: Igl, the intermediate subunit of the galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable lectin; the transcription factor URE3-BP; and the membrane binding protein EhC2A. Igl levels were reduced by 72%, URE3-BP by 89%, and EhC2A by 97%. Use of the U6 promoter to drive expression of 29-basepair short hairpin RNAs is effective at knocking down protein expression for unrelated genes in Entamoeba histolytica, providing a useful tool for the study of this parasite.
Efficacy of Various Percutaneous Interventions for In-Stent Restenosis: Comprehensive Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background— In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a difficult problem in interventional cardiology. The relative efficacy and safety of available interventions is not clear. We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis using both direct evidence and indirect evidence to compare all available interventions. Methods and Results— We systematically searched electronic databases for randomized trials comparing ≥2 treatments for ISR. A network meta-analysis was performed using a Bayesian approach. Eleven treatments were compared in 31 studies with 8157 patient-years follow-up. Compared with balloon angioplasty, everolimus-eluting stent (hazard ratio [95% credibility interval], 0.13 [0.048–0.35]), paclitaxel-eluting balloon (0.32 [0.20–0.49]), paclitaxel-eluting cutting balloon (0.054 [0.0017–0.5]), paclitaxel-eluting stent (0.39 [0.24–0.62]), and sirolimus-eluting stent (0.32 [0.18–0.50]) are associated with lower target vessel revascularization. Balloon angioplasty is not different from cutting balloon (0.73 [0.31–1.5]), excimer laser (0.89 [0.29–2.7]), rotational atherectomy (0.96 [0.53–1.7]), and vascular brachytherapy (0.60 [0.35–1.0]). In drug-eluting stent ISR, balloon angioplasty was inferior to everolimus-eluting stent (0.19 [0.049–0.76]), paclitaxel-eluting balloon (0.43 [0.18–0.80]), paclitaxel-eluting stent (0.35 [0.13–0.76]), and sirolimus-eluting stent (0.36 [0.11–0.86]) for target vessel revascularization. There was no difference between treatments in probable or definitive stent thrombosis. The results of binary restenosis and target lesion revascularization were similar. Paclitaxel-eluting cutting balloon, everolimus-eluting stent, and paclitaxel-eluting balloon have the highest probability of being in the top 3 treatments based on low target lesion revascularization, but there was no statistical significant difference between them. Conclusions— Balloon angioplasty is inferior to all drug-eluting treatments for ISR, including drug-eluting stent ISR. Drug-eluting stent, particularly everolimus-eluting stent, or paclitaxel-eluting cutting balloon and paclitaxel-eluting balloon should be preferred for treating ISR.
Surface Waves in Acoustics

Abstract : The article surveys the essential results obtained concerning acoustic surface waves on curved surfaces, and establishes their relationships with the corresponding plane surface waves. In view of the limited generality of the existing literature, the excitation mechanisms considered here for the generation of such surface waves have mostly been taken as those provided by a plane incident acoustic wave; more general mechanisms are briefly mentioned. A classification of surface and lateral waves on flat surfaces, and with a description of their properties is given. Surface waves generated by sound scattering on surfaces of simple or arbitrary curvature, both penetrable and impenetrable is discussed. Theoretical results are considered mainly, but selected illustrative examples of the recent experiments are given also. (Author)