cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial Parameter Space As an Empirical Tool for Predicting Water Chemistry: Fe(II) Oxidation Across a Watershed

Fe(II) oxidation kinetics in surface waters are a complex function of the concentration of several dissolved species that vary geographically and temporally across watersheds. This work reports an empirical, combinatorial investigation of Fe(II) oxidation that simultaneously evaluated these variations across the pH, Fe(II), PO43-, Cl−, Br−, CO32-, and natural organic matter (NOM) axes. The work assayed the effects of independent and dependent variables through application of a novel experimental design that varied Fe(II), PO43-, Cl−, Br−, and CO32- along the pH axis. Each factor was varied across concentration ranges corresponding to the natural variation between typical fresh and salt water. The system was designed to describe the oxidation of Fe(II) that occurs when Fe(II)-rich groundwaters are mixed rapidly with oxic overlaying waters as a result of tidal movement, bioturbation, dredging, and other mixing/resuspension events. Factors and interfactor interactions were statistically evaluated to determin...
The elastic modulus for bone

Abstract The elastic moduli for human and bovine bone specimens were determined by compression and tension tests and compared. No statistically significant difference was found between the moduli determined in the two loading modes.
Calendar rhythm efficacy: a review

A population dynamics specialist and a reproductive health specialist conducted a literature review of eight English-language studies on the calendar rhythm method. Six of the studies are subject to interpretation and are questionable. All the studies provide Pearl rates as a measure of contraceptive efficacy but they have a user time bias resulting in high pregnancy rates for short-term studies and low pregnancy rates for long-term studies. The researchers used only five studies to conduct their analysis. They used least squares regression to estimate a 12-month Pearl rate for calendar rhythm since the data did not allow the researchers to estimate a life table rate. When they included data from the Jaramillo-Gomez and Londono studies the 12-month Pearl rate was 18.5. When these data were excluded it was 15. The latter estimate had a higher standard error than the former estimate (4 vs. 1.8). Nevertheless these two rates fall within the range of effectiveness as modern natural family planning and barrier methods. The calendar rhythm method is inexpensive has no medical contraindications and can be taught by paraprofessionals. Before initiating this method women should have records of the cycle length of at least their six previous cycles. Women with irregular cycles should not use the calendar rhythm method. Prospective clinical trials of this method are needed. They should specify the rule being used and collect data sufficient to determine both perfect and imperfect use.
A Dual Purpose Cost Based Quality Control System

This paper considers the development of a cost based industrial quality control system which functions both as an acceptance sampling plan and as a means for determining an assignable cause of quality variation in the manufacturing process. The manufacturing faci1ity studied normally produces items at a relatively constant proportion defective. The facility is subject, however, to random failures in time which cause the proportion defective to shift upwards. The objective of the paper is to develop a sampling plan which minimizes the expected total annual cost of quality control by determining t)he sample size, acceptance number, and time period between successive samples. The optimization technique employed is a combination of a multivariate search technique and a partial enumeration.
Laminar flow behind a two-dimensional grid

The production of a ‘wake’ behind solid bodies has been treated by different authors. S. Goldstein ( 1 ) and S. H. Hollingdale ( 2 ) have discussed the laminar wake behind a flat plate, while the wake of a two-dimensional grid has been treated for the turbulent case alone using L. Prandtl's ‘Mischungsweg’ theory by E. Anderlik and Gran Olsson ( 3 ), ( 4 ).
Expectations of Closed-Brayton-Cycle Heat Exchangers in Nuclear Space Power Systems

Performance expectations of closed-Brayton-cycle heat exchangers to be used in 100-kWe nuclear space power systems were forecast. Proposed cycle state points for a system supporting a mission to three of Jupiter's moons required effectiveness values for the heat-source exchanger, recuperator, and rejection exchanger (gas cooler) of 0.98, 0.95, and 0.97, respectively. Performance parameters such as number of thermal units Ntu, equivalent thermal conductance UA, and entropy generation numbers Ns varied from 11 to 19, 23 to 39 kW/K, and 0.019 to 0.023 for some standard heat exchanger configurations. Pressure-loss contributions to entropy generation were significant; the largest frictional contribution was 114% of the heat-transfer irreversibility. Using conventional recuperator designs, the 0.95 effectiveness proved difficult to achieve without exceeding other performance targets; a metallic, plate-fin counterflow solution called for 15% more mass and 33% higher pressure loss than the target values. Two types of gas coolers showed promise. Single-pass counterflow and multipass cross-counterflow arrangements both met the 0.97 effectiveness requirement. Potential reliability-related advantages of the cross-counterflow design were noted. Cycle modifications, enhanced heat-transfer techniques, and incorporation of advanced materials were suggested options to reduce system development risk. Carbon-carbon sheeting or foam proved an attractive option to improve overall performance.
Determinants of black and white attitudes toward gun regulation: A research note

Should one expect different determinants of gun regulation attitudes for blacks and whites? This question is addressed using survey information on 1,361 whites and 129 black from the 1976 National Opinion Research Center General Social Survey. Results indicate that the pattern of relationships on the issue of gun regulation differ very little by race. This does not, however, preclude the possibility of racially different reasons for the same association or a racially differentiated association.
Origin and development of optical activity of organic compounds on the primordial Earth

Optically active organic compounds origin on primordial earth, emphasizing role of asymmetric catalyst
Effect of Aerosol Variation on Radiance in the Earth's Atmosphere-Ocean System.

Calculation of the radiance at the top and bottom of the atmosphere with a realistic model of both the atmosphere and ocean. It is found that the upward flux at the top of the atmosphere, as well as the angular distribution of the radiation, changes appreciably as the aerosol amount increases from normal to ten times normal. At the same time, the upward and downward radiance just above the ocean surface undergoes important changes. The radiance does not change appreciably with variations in the aerosol distribution with height so long as the total aerosol amount remains constant. Similarly, changes in the ozone amount cause only small changes in the radiance at the wavelengths considered (0.7, 0.9, and 1.67 micron). Very little radiation returns to the atmosphere from the ocean at 0.9 and 1.67 micron because of the high absorption of water at these wavelengths.
Political News Use and Democratic Support: A Study of Uganda's Radio Impact

This study examines the role of radio during the democratization process in Uganda. It tests whether the use of political news and information on radio in Uganda leads to support for democracy, accounting for public interest in politics. Radio is the most accessed medium for current affairs in Africa, and remarkably so in Uganda. Public opinion survey data show considerable use of radio for political information, but no direct influence on support for democracy. Greater use of radio to get political news was strongly related to measures of political interest; which is also a moderating variable to democratic support. The utility of this study and its implications are discussed in detail.
Effect of diet-induced thiamine deficiency on visceral DNA synthesis and tissue composition.

Abstract The aims of this study were to assess the effect of dietary thiamine deficiency in rats on DNA synthesis and DNA, RNA and protein concentrations of heart, kidney, pancreas and liver. DNA synthesis rates, as determined by [14C]thymidine incorporation, declined in thiamine-deficient (TD) rats with neurologic signs to 36, 52, 32 and 64 per cent of pair-fed control (PFC) values in heart. kidney, pancreas and liver, respectively, 180 min after an intraperitoneal injection of the isotope (P
Assessing the role of differential frost heave in the origin of non-sorted circles

A. L. Washburn famously proposed and reviewed 19 hypotheses for the origin of patterned ground in periglacial environments over 50 years ago (Washburn, 1956). Of these 19 mechanisms, only a few have been analyzed starting from a fundamental description of the physics to assess their potential contribution to the initiation of patterned ground. Here, differential frost heave (DFH) is investigated as the origin of non-sorted circles in periglacial landscapes. Model results indicating that DFH can spontaneously lead to patterned ground are compared to measurements of patterned ground in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The characteristic size of the predicted emerging pattern depends strongly on the maximum depth of freezing but is only weakly dependent on the soil composition. The predicted emerging patterns may also be dramatically different in size with a small change in active layer when a relatively thin (~ 10 cm) insulating snow covers the ground during freezing. The model predicted trends agree with field observations of pattern size and active layer depth at two distinct sites. Although two data points cannot conclusively indicate a trend, this correlation gives support for the possibility of determining some subsurface properties using remote sensing images of surface patterned ground.
Message passing: from parallel computing to the grid

Over the past decades, the computational science community has debated the best architecture for parallel computing. However, experience has found there is an almost irreconcilable difference between the way users would like to write their software and the way machines must be instructed to run efficiently. The use of message passing in parallel computing is a reasonable decision, because the resultant code probably runs well on all architectures. This choice is not a trivial decision: it requires substantial work over and above that needed in the sequential case.
Collective polarization exchanges in collisions of photon clouds.

The one-loop ``vacuum'' Heisenberg-Euler coupling of four electromagnetic fields can lead to interesting collective effects in the collision of two photon clouds on a time scale order of magnitude faster than one estimates from the cross section and density. We estimate the characteristic time for macroscopic transformation of positive to negative helicity in clouds that are initially totally polarized and for depolarization of a polarized beam traversing an unpolarized cloud.
Controlling Regiochemistry in Negishi Carboaluminations. Fine Tuning the Ligand on Zirconium

The species on the zirconocene catalyst is changed from two Cp's to the Brintzinger ligand and catalytic amounts of MAO are used to usually effect a >99% regiocontrol of Negishi carboaluminations of 1-alkynes in toluene.
Takeoff and landing forces of leaping strepsirhine primates.

Knowledge of the forces animals generate and are exposed to during locomotion is an important prerequisite for understanding the musculoskeletal correlates of locomotor modes. We recorded takeoff and landing forces for 14 animals representing seven species of strepsirhine primates with a compliant force pole. Our sample included both specialized vertical clingers and leapers and more generalized species. Takeoff forces are higher than landing forces. Peak forces during acceleration for takeoff ranged from 6 to 12 times body weight, and the peak impact forces at landing are between 5 and 9 times body weight. There is a size-related trend in peak force magnitudes. Both takeoff and landing forces decrease with increasing body size in our sample of animals from 1 kg to over 5 kg. Peak forces increase with distance leapt. The distance effect is less clear, probably due to the narrow range of distances represented in our sample. A comparison of subadult and adult animals of two species of sifakas reveals a tendency for the young animals to exert relatively higher peak forces in comparison to their adult conspecifics. Finally, Lemur catta and Eulemur rubriventer, the "generalists" in our sample, tend to generate higher forces for equal tasks than the specialized vertical clingers and leapers (i.e., the indriids and Hapalemur).A broad-scale comparison of peak leaping forces and peak forces for quadrupedal and bipedal walking and running shows that leaping at small body size is associated with exceptionally high forces. Whereas relative forces (i.e., forces divided by body weight) decrease with increasing body mass for leaping, forces for walking and running do not change much with size. Leaping forces in our sample scale to (mass)(-1/3), which is consistent with expectations derived from geometric similarity models. Forces associated with other locomotor activities do not appear to follow this pattern. The very high forces found in strepsirhine leapers do not seem to be matched by bone robusticity beyond that documented for quadrupedal species.
Controlling enantiomeric populations in fluctuating Brownian monolayers of chiral colloids

An ideal parallelogram platelet, although achiral in 3D, has an identifiable chirality when confined in a 2D monolayer. We lithographically fabricate microscale parallelogram platelets, disperse them in an aqueous surfactant solution, and allow them to settle towards a lower glass wall. To reduce the thermal-gravitational height, we add polystyrene nanospheres as a depletion agent to create a depletion attraction between the parallelograms and the wall. Surprisingly, by increasing the volume fraction of the depletion agent, we show that a nearly enantiopure monolayer can be created. We explain this by developing a model of 2D monolayer formation based on anisotropic facial attractions; one face of a platelet is more strongly attracted to the wall than the other as a consequence of an anisotropy introduced by the lithographic process. We study enantiopure Brownian systems of parallelograms as a function of particle area fraction and show that oblique chiral crystals form at high densities. By mixing parallelogram platelets printed in opposite senses, we also dictate the chiral ratio in the monolayer over the entire possible range. This approach is not limited to parallelograms and provides a means for tuning the chiral ratio in fluctuating 2D monolayers composed of a wide variety of chiral shapes.
Hypnotizability and CSF HVA levels among psychiatric patients.

Hypnosis is best understood as a special state of concentration characterized by intensity of focus referred to as absorption accompanied by dissociation. To date, most studies of the relationship between hypnosis and brain neurotransmitters have involved endogenous opiates. Though in one study the opiate at~tagonist naloxone partially reversed the effect of hypnotic analgesia during a stressful task (Frid and Singer 1979), hypnotic analgesia works independently of endorphin systems (Nasrallah et al 1979; Goldstein and Hiigard 1975; Spiegel and Albert, 1983). However, Sjoberg and Hollister (1965) observed that amphetamine, which releases dopamine and norepinephrine, enhances hypnotic responsiveness. In order to examine the hypothesis that hypnotizability requires cortical activation involving dopaminergic and frontal lobe activity (Spiegel and Spiegel 1978; Pribram and McGuinness 1975), we chose to look for relationships between hypnotizability and homovanillic acid (HVA), a cerebrospinal fluid metabolite of dopamine partly derived from this brain region. In schizophrenic patients, HVA as measured in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is directly correlated with concentration ability on the Wisconsin Card Sort Task (Weinberger et al 1988)
Solvent effect on the anomeric equilibrium in D-glucose: a free energy simulation analysis

The calculated free energy difference is the result of near cancelation of two larger, statistically significant contributions, i.e., an intramolecular electrostatic term favoring the α anomer and an intermolecular solute-solvent interaction term favoring the β anomer. This result supports the conjecture that solvation stabilizes the β anomer in water. There is a large difference in the intramolecular contribution to the anomeric equilibrium calculated in solution from the free energy simulation and the gas-phase minimum; this suggests that conformational averaging, modulated by the solvent, is significant even for the internal terms. An examination of the rotamer distribution in the hydroxymethyl side chain shows that the trans, gauche conformer is strongly disfavored in aqueous solution, in accord with experiment
Sterility in relation to horticulture

The sterility problem in horticulture will be discussed from the standpoint of those factors which limit the crop. Since most of the principles involved are encountered in pomology, the discussion will be limited to this field. Recent investigations have dealt with many of the causes of what the fruit-grower designates as a crop failure. In the broader sense the sterility problem has its setting in the factors which influence the initiation and formation of fruit buds as well as in those which bear upon the set of fruit. It will be evident that, in all of those fruits in which the edible portion includes a ripened ovary, bloom must precede the production of fruit. Let us for the moment, then, keep in mind the point of view of the horticulturist in analyzing the causes which bear upon the set of fruit. Before taking up the discussion of the individual fruits, emphasis will be placed for the sake of clearness upon some general considerations. First: The variety is the unit in horticulture. Varieties may be discussed in the classroom and in the laboratory in terms of species, but in the orchard and on the market the variety is the unit. The present tendency, however, in breeding horticultural plants to make so many interspecific crosses will tend to bring the characteristics of the species to the foreground, and at the same time, especially in "wide crosses," to increase the difficulties in the setting of fruit because the hybrid condition may have an important bearing upon the formation of pollen and embryo sac. Second: The ratio between the number of flowers produced and the number of fruit to set, or to mature, varies in the different fruits. In the apple or plum, for iftstance, a set of five to ten percent of a full bloom is sufficient for a crop. It would be physically impossible for the tree to mature a fruit for each flower in the apple, pear, plum, or peach. On the other hand it is possible for all the pistils in the grape, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or currant to set and mature. Likewise, the number of seeds necessary for fruit development varies. Some fruits are seedless, like the banana and the seedless grape; others, like the peach or plum, require a single seed for development; while in the apple and pear the number of seeds present in ripe fruit differs with the variety and also from season to season. In the strawberry or raspberry, where the development of the edible fruit reaches perfection only when a high percentage of the achenes or drupelets set, many more ovules fail to develop in marketable fruit than 1 Read in the symposium on "Sterility in Plants," at the joint meeting of Section G of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Botanical Society of America, and the American Phytopathological Society, at Cambridge, December 27, 1922. 474
Chronic ethanol administration increases the binding of the benzodiazepine inverse agonist and alcohol antagonist [3H]RO15-4513 in rat brain

Chronic ethanol treatment which produced intoxication and physical dependence in rats, produced an increase in the specific binding of ethanol antagonist [3H]RO15-4513 in rat brain cerebral cortex and cerebellum, but not in hippocampus and striatum. The increase in both the regions was due to an increase in the number (Bmax) of receptor sites. These results suggest that the RO15-4513 binding sites on the oligomeric GABA receptor complex are altered following chronic ethanol administration, and support the notion of a unique role of RO15-4513 as an ethanol antagonist.
Identification of binding sites on protein targeting to glycogen for enzymes of glycogen metabolism.

The activation of protein phosphastase-1 (PP1) by insulin plays a critical role in the regulation of glycogen metabolism. PTG is a PP1 glycogen-targeting protein, which also binds the PP1 substrates glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase, and phosphorylase kinase (Printen, J. A., Brady, M. J., and Saltiel, A. R. (1997) Science 275, 1475–1478). Through a combination of deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, the regions on PTG responsible for binding PP1 and its substrates have been delineated. Mutagenesis of Val-62 and Phe-64 in the highly conserved (K/R)VXF PP1-binding motif to alanine was sufficient to ablate PP1 binding to PTG. Phosphorylase kinase, glycogen synthase, and phosphorylase binding all mapped to the same C-terminal region of PTG. Mutagenesis of Asp-225 and Glu-228 to alanine completely blocked the interaction between PTG and these three enzymes, without affecting PP1 binding. Disruption of either PP1 or substrate binding to PTG blocked the stimulation of PP1 activity in vitroagainst phosphorylase, indicating that both binding sites may be important in PTG action. Transient overexpression of wild-type PTG in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the insulin receptor caused a 50-fold increase in glycogen levels. Expression of PTG mutants that do not bind PP1 had no effect on glycogen accumulation, indicating that PP1 targeting is essential for PTG function. Likewise, expression of the PTG mutants that do not bind PP1 substrates did not increase glycogen levels, indicating that PP1 targeting glycogen is not sufficient for the metabolic effects of PTG. These results cumulatively demonstrate that PTG serves as a molecular scaffold, allowing PP1 to recognize its substrates at the glycogen particle.
An economic analysis of the US wireless telephone industry: responses to new technologies

Abstract The wireless telephone industry has seen dramatic changes. In the United States, for example, cellular demand continues to increase with high annual growth rates. In order to help meet this demand and to promote competition in the duopolistic wireless telephone industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supplemented the existing cellular industry capacity by auctioning spectrum for personal communications service (PCS). This paper analyzed the changing wireless telephone industry in terms of the emergence of new PCS providers. More specifically, this paper focused on the potential economic impacts of PCS providers on the traditional market structure of the wireless telephone industry by using industrial organization (IO) model and the concept of strategic groups. Because there are key strategic dimensions for grouping, the notions of strategic groups and mobility barriers seem to work well in the wireless telephone industry. Also, it is found that market concentration and conglomeration are more prominent than vertical integration in this fast growing, segmented and competitive industry.
Pharmacological characterization of BNMPA (α-benzyl-N-methylphenethylamine), an impurity of illicit methamphetamine synthesis

alpha-Benzyl-N-methylphenethylamine (BNMPA), an impurity of illicit methamphetamine synthesis, has previously been reported to produce convulsions in mice without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity or altering methamphetamine-induced increases in spontaneous activity. In this study the in vitro effects of BNMPA on a variety of neuronal receptor types was determined to better characterize the pharmacological actions of this novel compound. BNMPA and N-demethyl-BNMPA fully displaced the dopamine transporter selective ligand [3H]CFT (2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane) from rat striatal membranes with Ki values (mean +/- S.E.M) of 6.05 microM +/- 0.15 and 8.73 microM +/- 1.66, respectively. BNMPA also inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes with an IC50 value of 5.1 +/- 1.4 microM. The basal efflux of [3H]dopamine from striatal slices was slightly enhanced by BNMPA only at concentrations > or = 100 microM. BNMPA had no effect on [3H]norepinephrine efflux from hippocampal slices. BNMPA displaced tritiated paroxetine and prazosin binding from rat cortical membranes with Ki values of 14.5 microM and 11.7 microM respectively. In electrophysiological studies, BNMPA (100 microM) had no significant effects on either GABAA Cl- currents in cultured neurons or non-NMDA glutamate receptors expressed in oocytes. However, BNMPA significantly inhibited NMDA-stimulated currents in oocytes expressing the NR1/2A or NR1/2C receptor subunit combinations (IC50 values = 24.6 +/- 1.8 and 24.0 +/- 1.5 microM, respectively). This inhibition was rapid, reversible and voltage-dependent. These results indicate that BNMPA has multiple sites of action in the CNS that could be important in modulating a variety of behavioral effects upon exposure to this synthetic byproduct of illicit methamphetamine synthesis.
Least-squares time-of-arrival estimation for transient signals in a multipath environment

The authors consider the problem of estimating the arrival times of overlapping ocean-acoustic signals from a noise received waveform which consists of scaled and delayed replicas of a deterministic transient signal. They assume that the transmitted signal and the number of paths in the multipath environment are known and consider the algorithms that give least-squares estimates of the amplitude and time delay of each path. The Gauss-Newton algorithm converges quickly to a minimum of the error surface, but if the initial estimates are not sufficiently accurate, only a local minimum will be found. The authors compare several different methods for obtaining initial estimates, including coordinate descent and linear prediction. They demonstrate the performance of the complete algorithm (initial estimates followed by a Gauss-Newton search) on experimental data. >
High throughput slotted ALOHA packet radio networks with adaptive arrays

The authors consider the use of a multiple-beam adaptive array (MBAA) in a packet radio system. In an MBAA, a given set of antenna elements is used to form several antenna patterns simultaneously. When it is used in a packet radio system, an MBAA can successfully receive two or more overlapping packets at the same time. Each beam captures a different packet by automatically pointing its pattern toward one packet while nulling other, contending packets. It is shown how an MBAA can be integrated into a single-hop slotted ALOHA packet radio system, and the resulting throughput is analyzed for both finite- and infinite-user populations. >
The Seasonal Variations of the Per cent of Fat in Cow's Milk

Summary Data was presented showing seasonal variations of the percentage of fat in cow's milk derived from a study of 3763 Guernsey, 299 Jersey, and 95 Holstein-Friesian yearly records. The percentage of fat in milk when plotted follows a general curve, being lowest during the summer months, then gradually rising reaching a peak during the winter months and then again declining during the spring and summer. When the different seasons of the year are accompanied by varying temperatures, such as ordinarily prevail throughout the greater portion of the United States, the influence upon the per cent of fat in cow's milk is greater than that of the advance of lactation.
Railroad bridge instrumentation with fiber-optic sensors.

Fiber-optic sensors were installed on fatigue-critical components in the superstructure of a railroad bridge to monitor dynamic strains induced by trains crossing the bridge as well as to detect the onset of cracks. Each fiber Fabry–Perot interferometer (FFPI) strain gage was adhesively bonded to a stainless-steel strip to facilitate all-weather installation on the steel bridge members by spot welding. FFPI strain sensors were also installed on a rail at an approach to the bridge. Electrical resistive strain gages were colocated with the fiber-optic sensors on the bridge for the purpose of performance verification. In addition to the strain gages, fiber-optic continuity sensors for crack detection were bonded to the structure at critical locations. A telemetry system for transmitting the data over telephone lines was also installed at the bridge site. Dynamic response of the fiber-optic strain sensors is comparable with that of the electrical gages, and their performance has not degraded in the year since the initial installation.
Reward and learning in honeybees: analysis of an overshadowing effect

Previous experiments have shown that honeybees trained with colored targets baited with 5- versus 20-µl drops of sucrose solution fail to develop a preference for the 20-µl color when the location of the drop on each target is marked by a white dot (dot-color overshadowing) but that discrimination is not impaired by dots when the targets differ in odor rather than in color. In Experiments 1–3, dot-color overshadowing failed to appear with differences in concentration rather than amount of sucrose (50% vs. 20% or 0%), but it did appear in Experiments 4 and 5 with a difference in probability of reward (consistent vs. partial). Experiment 6 showed no dot-odor overshadowing with a difference in probability of reward. The results are not generally predictable from the Rescorla-Wagner principle of shared associative strength, but point instead (in conjunction with those of earlier experiments) to competition for visual attention.
Critical computational aspects of near infrared circular tomographic imaging: Analysis of measurement number, mesh resolution and reconstruction basis.

The image resolution and contrast in Near-Infrared (NIR) tomographic image reconstruction are affected by parameters such as the number of boundary measurements, the mesh resolution in the forward calculation and the reconstruction basis. Increasing the number of measurements tends to make the sensitivity of the domain more uniform reducing the hypersensitivity at the boundary. Using singular-value decomposition (SVD) and reconstructed images, it is shown that the numbers of 16 or 24 fibers are sufficient for imaging the 2D circular domain for the case of 1% noise in the data. The number of useful singular values increases as the logarithm of the number of measurements. For this 2D reconstruction problem, given a computational limit of 10 sec per iteration, leads to choice of forward mesh with 1785 nodes and reconstruction basis of 30×30 elements. In a three-dimensional (3D) NIR imaging problem, using a single plane of data can provide useful images if the anomaly to be reconstructed is within the measurement plane. However, if the location of the anomaly is not known, 3D data collection strategies are very important. Further the quantitative accuracy of the reconstructed anomaly increased approximately from 15% to 89% as the anomaly is moved from the centre to boundary, respectively. The data supports the exclusion of out of plane measurements may be valid for 3D NIR imaging.
Effects of Short-term, High Exposure to Chlorine Gas on Morphology and Physiology of Pinus ponderosa andPseudotsuga menziesii

Following an accidental spill, acute morphological and physiological eAects of chlorine gas exposurewere evaluated on two conifer species, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Pinus ponderosa (L.), growing in a montane, coniferous forest in the Rocky Mountains, USA. Foliar injury, consisting of chlorosis, necrotic mottling and necrosis was observed only on foliage that was directly exposed to chlorine gas. Necrotic needles of both species defoliated during the months immediately following exposure. Buds of both species within 50 m of the gas release were killed; this gave rise to secondary shoot growth for Pseudotsuga menziesii. Cuticular injury was assessed by measuring droplet contact and retention angles on 1-year-old foliage (directlyexposed) and current-year foliage (which flushed after the gas cloud had subsided). Chlorine gas exposure led to smaller droplet contact angles on needles in both age classes of Pseudotsuga menziesii (P 5 0.0001), but not on Pinus ponderosa. Moreover, exposure led to increased cuticular water loss and decreased total water content of needles in both age classes of Pseudotsuga menziesii, and for 1-year-old needles of Pinus ponderosa (P 5 0.0001). On exposed trees, needles in both age classes had lower Fv/Fm ratios (P 5 0.0001), suggesting reductions in photosynthetic eAciency. Thus, exposure of needles to chlorine gas may lead to increased drought susceptibility and damage to chloroplast membranes in conifers, and may have a negative influence on tree growth. Importantly, plant responses to chlorine gas are species-specific and are influenced by variation between sites and the stochastic movement of chlorine gas clouds. # 2001 Annals of Botany Company
Cancer incidence in HIV-infected versus uninfected veterans: comparison of cancer registry and ICD-9 code diagnoses.

Background: Given the growing interest in the cancer burden in persons living with HIV/AIDS, we examined the validity of data sources for cancer diagnoses (cancer registry versus International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD-9 codes]) and compared the association between HIV status and cancer risk using each data source in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS), a prospective cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected veterans from 1996 to 2008. Methods: We reviewed charts to confirm potential incident cancers at four VACS sites. In the entire cohort, we calculated cancer-type-specific age-, sex-, race/ethnicity-, and calendar-period-standardized incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) (HIV-infected versus uninfected). We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) to compare VACS and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results rates. Results: Compared to chart review, both Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry (VACCR) and ICD-9 diagnoses had approximately 90% sensitivity; however, VACCR had higher positive predictive value (96% versus 63%). There were 6,010 VACCR and 13,386 ICD-9 incident cancers among 116,072 veterans. Although ICD-9 rates tended to be double VACCR rates, most IRRs were in the same direction and of similar magnitude, regardless of data source. Using source, all cancers combined, most viral-infection-related cancers, lung cancer, melanoma, and leukemia had significantly elevated IRRs. Using ICD-9, eight additional IRRs were significantly elevated, most likely due to false positive diagnoses. Most ICD-9 SIRs were significantly elevated and all were higher than the corresponding VACCR SIR. Conclusions: ICD-9 may be used with caution for estimating IRRs, but should be avoided when estimating incidence or SIRs. Elevated cancer risk based on VACCR diagnoses among HIV-infected veterans was consistent with other studies.
Validation and clinicopathologic associations of a urine-based bladder cancer biomarker signature.

To validate the expression of a urine-based bladder cancer associated diagnostic signature comprised of 10 targets; ANG, CA9, MMP9, MMP10, SERPINA1, APOE, SDC1, VEGFA, SERPINE1 and IL8 in bladder tumor tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on tumor specimens from 213 bladder cancer patients (transitional cell carcinoma only) and 74 controls. Staining patterns were digitally captured and quantitated (Aperio, Vista, CA), and expression was correlated with tumor stage, tumor grade and outcome measures. We revealed a positive association of 9 of the 10 proteins (excluding VEGF) in bladder cancer. Relative to control cases, a reduction in SDC1 and overexpression of MMP9, MMP10, SERPINE1, IL8, APOE, SERPINA1, ANG were associated with high stage bladder cancer. Reduced VEGF and increased SERPINA1 were associated with high-grade bladder cancer. Disease-specific survival was significantly reduced in tumors with high expression of SERPINE1 and/or IL8. These findings confirm that the proteins in a urine-based diagnostic signature are aberrantly expressed in bladder tumor tissues, and support the potential additional utility of selected biomarkers for the clinicopathological evaluation of excised tissue or biopsy material. The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2014_200
Hydrolytic Stability of Calcium Acetylsalicylate Carbamide in the Presence of High Concentrations of Additives

The hydrolysis of calcium acetylsalicylate carbamide in aqueous solution at 25, 40, and 50° in the pH range from 1 to 9 has been studied. The effect of high concentrations of several additives, commonly used in pharmaceutical formulation, on the rate of hydrolysis was determined.
Neutrophil-derived 5′-Adenosine Monophosphate Promotes Endothelial Barrier Function via CD73-mediated Conversion to Adenosine and Endothelial A2B Receptor Activation

During episodes of inflammation, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) transendothelial migration has the potential to disturb vascular barrier function and give rise to intravascular fluid extravasation and edema. However, little is known regarding innate mechanisms that dampen fluid loss during PMN-endothelial interactions. Using an in vitro endothelial paracellular permeability model, we observed a PMN-mediated decrease in endothelial paracellular permeability. A similar decrease was elicited by cell-free supernatants from activated PMN (FMLP 10−6 M), suggesting the presence of a PMN-derived soluble mediator(s). Biophysical and biochemical analysis of PMN supernatants revealed a role for PMN-derived 5′-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and its metabolite, adenosine, in modulation of endothelial paracellular permeability. Supernatants from activated PMN contained micromolar concentrations of bioactive 5′-AMP and adenosine. Furthermore, exposure of endothelial monolayers to authentic 5′-AMP and adenosine increased endothelial barrier function more than twofold in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human microvascular endothelial cells. 5′-AMP bioactivity required endothelial CD73-mediated conversion of 5′-AMP to adenosine via its 5′-ectonucleotidase activity. Decreased endothelial paracellular permeability occurred through adenosine A2B receptor activation and was accompanied by a parallel increase in intracellular cAMP. We conclude that activated PMN release soluble mediators, such as 5′-AMP and adenosine, that promote endothelial barrier function. During inflammation, this pathway may limit potentially deleterious increases in endothelial paracellular permeability and could serve as a basic mechanism of endothelial resealing during PMN transendothelial migration.
Examining organic carbon transport by the Orinoco River using SeaWiFS imagery

[1] The Orinoco River is the fourth largest in the world in terms of water discharge and organic carbon export to the ocean. River export of organiccarbon is akey component of the carbon cycle and the global carbon budget. Here, we examined the seasonal transport of organic carbon by the Orinoco River into the eastern Caribbean using the conservative relationship of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in low salinity coastal waters influenced by river plumes. In situ measurements of CDOM absorption, DOC, and salinity were used to develop an empirical model for DOC concentration at the Orinoco River Plume. Satellite remote sensing reflectances were used with empirical models to determine DOC and Particulate organic carbon (POC) river transport. Our estimates of CDOM and DOC significantly correlated with in situ measurements and were within the expected ranges for the river. Total organic carbon transport by the Orinoco River during the period of 1998 to 2010 was 7.10 � 10 12 gCy � 1 , from 5.29 � 10 12 gCy � 1 of DOC and 1.81 � 10 12 gCy � 1 of POC, representing � 6% increase to previous published estimates. The variability in organic carbon transport responded to the seasonality in river flow more than to changes in organic carbon concentration in the river. Our results corroborate that is possible to estimate organic carbon transport using ocean color data at global scales. This is needed to reduce the uncertainties of land–ocean carbon fluxes.
Cost-effectiveness of inhaled steroids in asthma: Impact of effect on bone mineral density

Background The effects of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) preparations on bone health have been debated. Multiple analyses have been published examining the question, with mixed results. Objectives We examined how assumptions about the effect of ICS on bone mineral density (BMD) influence the cost-effectiveness of ICS in asthma. Methods We developed a mathematical simulation model to estimate clinical outcomes and costs for a cohort with mild/moderate asthma. The analysis conformed to reference case recommendations of the US Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. Sensitivity analysis evaluated the stability of our results to uncertainty in treatment duration, age at treatment, and ICS dose. Results Assuming a dose of 200 μg twice per day of ICS, a literature-based average effect of ICS on BMD and a 10-year time horizon, we observed a minimal increase in the costs attributed to hip fracture and incremental cost effectiveness ratio of $26,000 per quality-adjusted life-year and $14.00 per symptom-free day gained. Over an extended the time horizon (lifetime), the incremental cost effectiveness ratio increased to $42,000/quality-adjusted life-year. Only under a scenario of high-dose ICS, a lifetime horizon, and a large effect of ICS on BMD did the potential impact of ICS on BMD dramatically affect the economic attractiveness of therapy. Conclusion To minimize any potential impact, use of the lowest effective dose of ICS and measures to target and intervene in high-risk individuals are warranted. However, ICS therapy in mild/moderate asthma compares favorably with commonly accepted interventions over a wide range of assumptions regarding this treatment and its effects on BMD.
Association of a Pvull RFLP at the lipoprotein lipase locus with fasting insulin levels in Hispanic men

We present results from an association study between RFLPs in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene and lipid and insulin levels. The study population consisted of 102 Hispanic men and 97 Hispanic women. The subjects were genotyped for two previously reported RFLPs detected with the restriction enzymes HindIII and PvuII. The frequencies of the RFLPs in the Hispanic population are similar to those seen in other Caucasian populations. Strong linkage disequilibrium was detected between the sites in Hispanics. Genotypes were used separately in analyses of variance with fasting serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, HDL2/HDL3-cholesterol, and insulin levels, as well as two measures of adiposity: waist-hip ratio and body mass index. Men and women were analyzed separately. Mean fasting insulin levels of the LPL PvuII genotypes were significantly different from each other in Hispanic men. The mean fasting insulin level of men who were homozygous for the presence of the PvuII site (+/+) was 9.20 ± 0.24 μunits/ml, men who were heterozygous had a mean level of 10.54 ± 0.20 μunits/ml, and men who were homozygous for the absence of the site (-/-) had a mean of 12.91 ± 0.30 μunits/ml. This effect was not seen in Hispanic women. These results suggest that the regulation of LPL by insulin may be different in Hispanics with different LPL PvuII genotypes. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Canonical partition function and finite density phase transition in lattice QCD

We discuss the nature of the phase transition for lattice QCD at finite temperature and density. We propose a method to calculate the canonical partition function by fixing the total quark number introducing approximations allowed in the low density region. An effective potential as a function of the quark number density is discussed from the canonical partition function. We analyze data obtained in a simulation of two-flavor QCD using p4-improved staggered quarks with bare quark mass $m/T=0.4$ on a ${16}^{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4$ lattice. The results suggest that the finite density phase transition at low temperature is of first order.
Bone Formation: The Rules for Fabricating a Composite Ceramic

Bone, teeth and shells are complex composite ceramics which are fabricated at low temperature by living organisms. The detailed understanding of this fabrication process is required if we are to attempt to mimic this low temperature assembly process. The guiding principles and major components are outlined with the intent of establishing non-vital fabrication schemes to form a complex composite ceramic consisting of an organix matrix inorganic crystalline phase.
Shifts in temperature within the physiologic range modify strand-specific expression of select human microRNAs

Previous studies have revealed that clinically relevant changes in temperature modify clinically relevant gene expression profiles through transcriptional regulation. Temperature dependence of post-transcriptional regulation, specifically, through expression of miRNAs has been less studied. We comprehensively analyzed the effect of 24 h exposure to 32°C or 39.5°C on miRNA expression profile in primary cultured human small airway epithelial cells (hSAECs) and its impact on expression of a targeted protein, protein kinase C α (PKCα). Using microarray, and solution hybridization-based nCounter assays, with confirmation by quantitative RT-PCR, we found significant temperature-dependent changes in expression level of only five mature human miRNAs, representing only 1% of detected miRNAs. Four of these five miRNAs are the less abundant passenger (star) strands. They exhibited a similar pattern of increased expression at 32°C and reduced expression at 39.5°C relative to 37°C. As PKCα mRNA has multiple potential binding sites for three of these miRNAs, we analyzed PKCα protein expression in HEK 293T cells and hSAECs. PKCα protein levels were lowest at 32°C and highest at 39.5°C and specific miRNA inhibitors reduced these effects. Finally, we analyzed cell-cycle progression in hSAECs and found 32°C cells exhibited the greatest G1 to S transition, a process known to be inhibited by PKCα, and the effect was mitigated by specific miRNA inhibitors. These results demonstrate that exposure to clinically relevant hypothermia or hyperthermia modifies expression of a narrow subset of miRNAs and impacts expression of at least one signaling protein involved in multiple important cellular processes.
A review of dynamic security indices based on direct methods

This paper gives a comparison of various performance indices and criteria used in power system stability analysis. The focus is on stability criteria based on direct methods (i.e., Lyapunov stability criteria). The comparison is made by first recasting the performance indices, and their underlying system models, in a unified notation and then identifying all the salient features of the mathematical models. Both classical and structure preserving system models are considered.