cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage and dynamics in Corn Belt of Ohio USA.

Abstract No-till (NT) agriculture reduces soil disturbance, conserves soil and water, and lowers the cost of agricultural production. However, its role in soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration can be soil and site specific. The applicability of the results from long-term tillage experiments (LTTEs) showing positive rate of carbon (C) sequestration is being questioned under large scale farmers’ field conditions. Therefore, this study assessed the soil C dynamics under conventional till (CT) and NT practices using three LTTEs and three farmer's field sites in Ohio, USA with diverse soil types, and environmental and management conditions. The hypothesis tested was that reduced soil disturbance in NT management system enhances soil C sequestration in comparison to CT management. Soils were sampled (0–40 cm) from adjacent CT, NT and woodlot (WL) plots at each site. Total C and nitrogen (N) pools were calculated based on equivalent soil mass basis. The SOC was fractioned into old C and new (corn C) using δ13C natural abundance. The CT soils had 26–55% lower SOC and 7–34% lower N pool compared to forest soils. Most of the historic SOC and N losses in cultivated soils occurred within the plow (0–25 cm) layer. The SOC pool in the top 40 cm was significantly greater under NT than CT at LTTEs and Coshocton farm. There were no significant differences in SOC pool of the top 40 cm among CT and NT at Delaware and Hoytville farms. Old C accounted for 69% and 66% of SOC under CT and NT, respectively at Northwestern Agricultural Research Station. However, at Western Agricultural Research Station, corn-derived C dominated CT and NT soils, accounting for 55% and 66% of SOC in the top 40 cm, respectively. At North Appalachian Experimental watersheds, corn-derived C dominated NT soils (64%), while old C dominated CT soils (64%). Result of this study indicated that a decrease in SOC and N pools occurs when forest soil is cultivated. Conversion of CT to NT restores some of the depleted SOC and N pools. This supports our hypothesis that the reduced soil disturbance in NT system slows the decomposition of SOC which increases soil C sequestration. The quantity and rate of loss or sequestration depends on several factors including soil type, texture and drainage, tillage intensity, and duration of NT practice.
SU-FF-T-73: Effects of Beam Energies On IMRT Treatments of Large-Sized Prostate Patients

Purpose: The energy dependence of intensity modulated beams for prostate cancertreatments has been extensively reported for regular sized patients. In this study, we evaluate whether 6‐MV intensity modulated beams can be used for treating large sized patients (⩾ 25 cm in anterior‐posterior separation and ⩾ 35 cm in lateral separation). Method and Materials: Five prostate patients with AP separations of 25 to 34 cm and lateral separations of 35 to 47 cm were planned for IMRTtreatments. Each patient was planned with 6‐MV and 18‐MV beams for comparison. The plans were optimized using identical dose volume constraints on a commercial treatment planning system (Pinnacle, Phillips Medicals). To limit dose streaking effects outside of the PTV, we imposed the optimization constraints to the surrounding normal tissue extending from PTV with ∼1 cm margin to the skin surface. Dose volume histograms (DVH) of 6‐MV and 18‐MV plans were analyzed. Results: The DVH curves for PTV, GTV, rectum and bladder were found to be nearly indistinguishable between 6‐MV and 18‐MV treatment plans. The dose hot spots were marginally lower (0–2%) for the 6‐MV plans. The integral dose to the surrounding normal tissue was slightly (< 1% – 10%) higher for the 6‐MV plans. Considering the large volume of the surrounding normal tissue, such small difference suggested that the low entrance dose from the 18‐MV beam is mostly balanced out by the higher exit dose of the beam. Conclusion: Intensity modulated beams of 6 MV are equivalent to 18 MV for large prostate patient treatments.
Nucleosides with furanyl scaffolds

Synthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides with furanyl scaffolds is described. The 2-functionalized tetrahydrofuranol derivatives 12 and 15 were coupled with nucleobases through the Mitsunobu reaction. The methodology developed is general and can also be applied for an efficient synthesis of apionucleosides. In addition, the methodology was used for the synthesis of the unsaturated purine nucleoside 22. However, when the elimination reaction used to produce 22 was applied to the pyrimidine case, the stable anhydro compound 24 was produced. The structures of 18 and 22 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray data. Antiviral evaluation was performed.
Who Receives Their Complex Cancer Surgery at Low-Volume Hospitals?

Background Previous literature has consistently shown worse operative outcomes at low-volume hospitals (LVH) after complex cancer surgery. Whether patient-related factors impact this association remains unknown. We hypothesize that patient-related factors contribute to receipt of complex cancer surgery at LVH. Study Design Using the 2003–2008 National Inpatient Sample, we identified 59,841 patients who underwent cancer operations for lung, esophagus, and pancreas tumors. Logistic regression models were used to examine the impact of sociodemographic factors on receipt of complex cancer surgery at LVH. Results Overall, 38.4% received their cancer surgery at LVH. A higher proportion of esophagectomies were performed at LVH (70.3%), followed by pancreatectomy (38.2%) and lung resection (33.8%). Patients who were non-white, with non-private insurance, and had more comorbidities were all more likely to receive their cancer surgery at LVH (for all, p Conclusions In this large national study, non-white race and increased comorbidities contributed to receipt of cancer surgery at LVH. Patient selection and access to high-volume hospitals are likely reasons worthy of additional investigation. This study provides additional insight into the volume–outcomes relationship. Given the demonstrated outcomes disparity between high-volume hospitals and LVH, future policy and research should encourage mechanisms for referral of patients with cancer to high-volume hospitals for their surgical care.
Sensitivities in parameter estimation

The method of equivalent observation [1] is extended to vector-valued constant parameters and to uncorrelated measurement noise sequences. It is then used to determine easily calculated partial derivatives of final covariances with respect to parameter variances. Error matrices and bounds are developed in order to determine the range over which linearity may be assumed.
Measurement of Diffusion Coefficients in Polystyrene Using Xenon-129 NMR

A sample of polystyrene beads, 18 μm in diameter, has been sealed in an NMR tube under 10 atm of xenon gas. Two dimensional,129Xe NMR spectra show cross peaks between the resonances corresponding to xenon in the free gas and the sorbed state, indicating that appreciable exchange occurs during the mixing time of the NMR experiment. Selective saturation of the free gas resonance attenuates the integrated intensity of the sorbed xenon resonance as a function of saturation time, thus allowing the accurate measurement of the exchange rates between the gas and the sorbed states. A model has been developed using a slightly modified form of Crank’s treatment of diffusion in a sphere which allows for the accurate determination of the diffusion coefficient for xenon in the sorbed state. The diffusion coefficient for xenon in polystyrene at 25°C is determined to be 2.9·10−9 cm2/s.
Open‐Shell Hartree—Fock Molecular Orbital Theory of Transition Metal Ion Complexes: KNiF3

In order to investigate the magnetic properties of transition metal salts, we have developed the open shell single determinant Hartree—Fock SCF molecular orbital method for transition metal ion complexes. This cluster approach removes many of the shortcomings of earlier treatments1 and, in principle, provides a framework for obtaining fairly accurate and meaningful results within the single determinant approximation. These wave functions thus provide a realistic basis set for configuration interaction calculations of superexchange and other properties. By choosing a special one‐center basis set for the cluster, we are able to compute all matrix elements of the molecular Hamiltonian accurately including the effects of the crystal field external to the cluster. Furthermore, the computation is sufficiently fast so that we may include all electrons of the molecular cluster while allowing considerable variational freedom in all representations.Detailed self‐consistent field calculations have been made using, a...
Measurement of the π − p → n γ Differential Cross Section Near the Roper Resonance, P 11 ( 1460 )

We measured six differential cross sections for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n\ensuremath{\gamma}$ at 490-MeV/c incident ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ momentum. Our data do not agree with recent theoretical predictions. We find no evidence, in the sense suggested by Donnachie, for the classification of the Roper resonance, ${P}_{11}(1460)$, in an SU(3) antidecuplet. Our angular distribution is consistent with the classification of the Roper resonance in an octet, as predicted by the simplest quark models. Using detailed balance, our results agree well with the reported cross sections for the inverse reaction, which are deduced from $\ensuremath{\gamma}d$ data.
The imperfectly conducting cylindrical transmitting antenna

The properties of a cylindrical antenna with a continuous ohmic resistance along its length are of interest in the design of certain types of directive broadband antennas and in the determination of the efficiency of dipole antennas. Conventionally, the contribution by ohmic resistance to the distribution of current and the impedance is contained in a particular integral that is either ignored or treated as a higher-order correction to formulas derived for perfectly conducting antennas. An alternative and more useful form has been developed in which the integral equation for the current is rearranged to permit the introduction of a complex wave number k . An approximate solution of this equation is then obtained in terms of the three trigonometric functions, \sin k(h-|z|) , \cos kz-\cos kh , and \cos \frac{1}{2}k_{0}z - \cos \frac{1}{2}k_{0}h , where k_{0} is the free-space wave number. Expressions are derived for the coefficients of these functions and for k . Explicit formulas are given for the distribution of current and the admittance.
The role of maternal age in assisted reproduction.

There is a significant decline in human fecundity with advancing age. A significant decrement in success rates is also seen in older women undergoing assisted reproduction, including in-vitro fertilization. We have observed a drop in the ongoing pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, from 48.8% in women aged or = 42 years. Embryo implantation rates also decline in a linear fashion, from 29% in women < 34 years to approximately 5% at age 42. We observed that the impaired implantation efficiency seen in older women is apparently independent of the magnitude of their stimulation response. Oocyte factors are felt to be primarily responsible; however, some available data suggest that uterine factors, e.g. diminished endometrial receptivity, may also play a role. There are presently no treatment strategies apart from oocyte donation, which have been shown to significantly improve implantation efficiency in older women. However, recent efforts have focused on the continued development of improved stimulation protocols, facilitation of embryo implantation by zona pellucida micromanipulation, and the possibility of screening preimplantation embryos for aneuploidy.
Reliability of an observational tool to assess the organization of work

Abstract Aim This paper examines the reliability of an observational tool used to assess the organization of work. Scope The utility of the tool was assessed through inter-item correlations (Spearman coefficients), inter- and intra-rater reliability (kappa statistics), factor analysis (principal components) and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha). Conclusions Results from the study indicated one global underlying dimension measured by the tool items. Inter- and intra-reliability was good to substantial among tool items. Results indicate this tool has good utility in assessing work organization. Relevance to industry Research investigating the individual effects of work organization and its combined effects with physical workload has become an area of inquiry.
Amino acid requirements in the early post-implantation rat conceptus

Amino acid analysis has been performed on hydrolysates of embryos/fetuses, visceral yolk sacs and ectoplacental cones/placentae from early post-implantation rat conceptuses. The increments in each amino acid between 10.5 and 11.5 days, between 11.5 and 12.5 days, and between 12.5 and 13.5 days, are expressed as percentages of the total amino acid increment. These three profiles are very similar to each other and also strongly resemble the amino acid composition of hydrolysates of rat serum. The results are discussed in the context of the hypothesis that a transudate of plasma is responsible for the amino acid nutrition of the embryo at this stage of gestation, and that inhibition of this pathway can lead to the induction of congenital defects. The results suggest that an inhibition of pinocytosis or lysosomal proteolysis would affect the supply of all protein-derived amino acids to approximately the same extent: there is no indication that the supply of any particular amino acid would be particularly vulnerable.
Influences of heredity and environment on alkaloidal phenotypes in solanaceae

Abstract Modern biometrical analysis of reported data on Atropa belladonna L.indicates varying heritabilities at successive stages of plant ontogeny, exhibiting almost complete additivity at the early flowering stage.A discussion of the importance of this observation with accompanying consideration of more general implications is presented.
Vantage Points: Andeans and Europeans in the Construction of Colonial Quito

In the 1730s, the Spanish scientists and explorers Antonio de Ulloa and Jorge Juan penned a description of the city of Quito in which they marveled at the splendor of its plazas ‘that are beautifie...
Putting the ‘I’ and the ‘Me’ in emotion regulation: Reply to Northoff

Northoff's comment [1] raises important questions about the role of the self in emotion regulation. Space constraints precluded our addressing these questions in our original article [2]. We are therefore delighted to have the chance to consider them here.
Wire spark chambers with magnetostrictive readout

Abstract We describe here the design criteria, construction details and developmental tests of magnetostrictive spark chambers, particularly those used in the colliding beam experiments at the Cambridge Electron Accelerator. We also present results of tests on efficiency, resolution and shower detection of positrons and photons.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

We report on the isolation and characterization of five polymorphic microsatellites in the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae from genomic DNA-enriched libraries. Forty-four microsatellites were screened from the libraries with the oligonucleotide probe (CA)12. Five of the screened microsatellites were polymorphic. The levels of polymorphism found in 50 genotyped individuals from a single population suggest that microsatellites are useful tools for the study of genetic variation in gorgonians. These are the first microsatellite loci reported from any gorgonian species.
Surface diffusion of multilayer adsorbed species

A model based on kinetic theory is derived for surface diffusion of multilayer adsorbed species on a homogeneous surface. A simple solution is obtained for expressing the concentration dependence of surface diffusivity. For monolayer adsorbate, the solution is reduced to the classical HIO model. This solution, in principle, requires no fitting parameters and is capable of predicting the unique concentration dependent behavior exhibited by multilayer surface diffusion, where the diffusivity first increases with surface concentration to a maximum followed by a decrease. Seventeen sets of experimental data from the literature are used to test the model, with fair results. It is also shown that heats of adsorption can be calculated from multilayer surface diffusivity data by using this model.
Free energy of thallium-based superconductors.

Free-energy surfaces have been determined for both ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{1}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ and ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{10}$ in order to determine the thermodynamic aspects of vortex formation in the mixed state of these materials. For fields up to 5 T, the free-energy change, ${G}_{H}\ensuremath{-}{G}_{0}$, is found to be linear in temperature, over a wide temperature range, thus indicating that the specific heat is roughly independent of magnetic field. The slope of the upper critical field versus temperature plot is at least 20 T/K. These two materials obey a law of corresponding states.
Monensin-sensitive cellular events modulate neurite extension on laminin: An example of higher-order regulation of cell motility

NG108-15 cells extend “rapid-onset” neurites vigorously within the first hour after plating in minimal serum-free medium on Petri dishes coated with polylysine and laminin (1 ng/mm2). We recently reported that the initial rates of neurite formation and cell translocation are further accelerated in this system when nonspecific substratum attachment sites are partially blocked by polyglutamate, bovine serum albumin, or polyethylene glycol polymers [Smalheiser, N. R. (1991): Dev. Brain Res. 62:81–89]. When cells were plated in the presence of the monovalent cation ionophore monensin (1–5 μM) or hypertonic sucrose (50–100 mM), the initial rate of outgrowth on laminin/polylysine-treated Petri dishes was not affected, yet the acceleration produced by polyglutamate was strongly inhibited. These data indicate that monensin-sensitive intracellular events can regulate neurite extension on laminin indirectly, through modulating the effects exerted on cells by nonspecific substratum sites. Although the critical events affected by monensin remain to be identified, movements of laminin receptors (their clustering, internalization, and recycling) are likely targets for further study. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A knowledge‐based approach to adversarial decision making

Our focus here is to provide a methodology that can be used by a participant in an adversarial decision-making environment to help choose their action. Central to our approach is the use of knowledge and perceptions about one's adversary to obtain an uncertainty profile indicating which action the adversary will take. Once having this uncertainty profile, the problem of deciding which action to take becomes a problem of decision making under uncertainty. Here, we make considerable use of the Dempster--Shafer belief structure as a way of formalizing the uncertainties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response of soybean grain oil and protein concentrations to foliar and soil fertilization

Numerous studies investigated fertilization effects on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain yield, but few focused on oil and protein concentrations. This study determined fertilization effects on soybean grain oil and protein concentrations in 112 field trials conducted in Iowa from 1994 to 2001. Forty-two trials evaluated foliar fertilization (N-P-K mixtures with or without S, B, Fe, and Zn) at V5-V8 growth stages. Seventy trials evaluated preplant broadcast and banded P or K fertilization (35 P trials and 35 K trials). Replicated, complete block designs were used. Foliar and soil P or K fertilization increased (P < 0.05) yield in 20 trials. Foliar fertilization increased oil concentration in one trial (1 g kg -1 ) and protein in one trial (5 g kg -1 ) but decreased protein in two trials (6 g kg -1 ). Phosphorus fertilization increased oil concentration in two trials (6 g kg -1 ) and protein in five trials (5 g kg -1 ) but decreased oil in five trials (4 g kg -1 ) and protein in two trials (6 g kg -1 ). Potassium fertilization increased oil in four trials (3 g kg -1 ) and protein in two trials (9 g kg -1 ) but decreased oil in two trials (4 g kg -1 ) and protein in two trials (11 g kg -1 ). Total oil and protein production responses to fertilization tended to follow yield responses. Fertilization increased oil production in 20 trials and protein production in 13 trials. Fertilization that increases soybean yield has infrequent, inconsistent, and small effects on oil and protein concentrations but often increases total oil and protein production.
Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms

This paper presents a kinematic procedure to synthesize planar mechanisms, composed of rigid links and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of curves. These "morphing curves", referred to as design profiles, differ from each other by a combination of rigid-body displacement and shape change. Design profiles are converted to piecewise linear curves, referred to as target profiles, that can be readily manipulated. In the segmentation phase, the geometry of rigid links that approximate the shapes of corresponding segments from each target profile is determined. In the mechanization phase, these rigid links are joined together at their end points with revolute joints to form a single chain. Dyads are then added to reduce the number of degrees of freedom (DOF's) to any desired value, typically 1. The approach can be applied to any number of design profiles that can be approximated with any number of rigid links, which can then be used to construct a mechanism with any number of DOF's. Naturally, greater difficulty is encountered for larger numbers of design profiles and/or links and for more dramatic changes in shape. The procedure is demonstrated with examples of single-DOF mechanisms approximating shape changes between two and three design profiles.
The Setting and Management of Design Targets in Complex Systems Using System Norms: Extension to Multiple Attributes

This paper describes a novel approach to the design of complex systems with performance specifications from multiple disciplines. Rather than apply hierarchical optimization methods to the decomposed system, we cast the problem in the framework of robust control design. This reformulation allows us to apply existing resulsts from the field of robust control to traditional robust design. Key elements of this reformulation include using linear fractional transformations to pull out design variables and system parameters. The concepts of small gain and small μ are then used to determine limits on the magnitudes of the uncertain parameters that would enable the design of the subsystems to proceed in parallel, as called for by the Systems Engineering methodology. The uncertain parameters for one subsystem will include design variables and outputs from other subsystems that are needed in that subsystem analysis. The results are illustrated using a simple example representing a corner-car model.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Material Culture of Public School Classrooms: The Symbolic Integration of Local Schools and National Culture.

Yehudi Cohen (1970; 1971; 1975) has suggested that socialization and enculturation into national society and culture are symbolically reinforced by the integrative functions of customary public school classroom decoration and artifacts. This paper describes the material culture of classrooms within an elementary school in the rural midwestern United States. In support of Cohen's argument, it was found that classroom material culture symbolically represented national, rather than local community, sociocultural orientations and traditions. Cohen's thesis is expanded through (1) content analysis of grade-to-grade variation in classroom material culture and (2) by suggesting a hierarchy of local school integration, as represented in classroom material culture, with the national society and culture. It is concluded that classroom material culture reinforces the symbolic integration of heterogeneous local school communities into a national society and culture. Classroom material culture is an index of the relative degree of symbolic integration between local school communities and national society and culture.
Characterization of fracture toughness of renal calculi using a microindentation technique

Since the early 1980s extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has become the primary treatment modality for urinary stone disease [1]. Renal stones are fragmented by high-energy shock waves [2] or by the impingement of cavitation microjets [3, 4] into small pieces and are passed spontaneously. Because of the differences in chemical compositions and structural features of renal calculi [5], shock wave-stone interaction during ESWL [6], and thus the efficacy of stone fragmentation, may vary significantly. Clinically, among common stone types, phosphate (struvite and calcium apatite) stones are found to be easy to fragment, whereas uric acid and brushite stones are in the middle range, and calcium oxalate monohydrate and cystine stones are the most resistant types to ESWL therapy [7-9]. To improve the efficacy of ESWL treatment, it is desirable to identify the physical properties of renal calculi that can offer direct correlation with their fragilities during ESWL and thus can be used to guide treatment procedures for more effective stone fragmentation. The fracture toughness of renal calculi offers a direct measurement of stone resistance to fracture failure during ESWL. In this letter we report our results for the fracture toughness of renal calculi of various compositions. A microindentation technique was used to determine stone hardness. An ultrasound transmission technique was used to measure both longitudinal and transverse wave speeds, from which the Young's and shear moduli of stone materials were derived. Based on these measurements and the lengths of crack lines produced by the hardness indentor, the fracture toughness of renal calculi were calculated and compared with stone fragility obtained from previous studies [7-9]. Implications of the measurement results on an improved understanding of the mechanism of stone fragility and on enhancing the effectiveness of stone fragmentation during ESWL are discussed. Six stone specimens with crystal compositions determined by crystallographic analysis (Urolithiasis Laboratory, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA) were used. The densities of the specimens were determined using a pycnometer (2 ml in capacity) based on ~ Archimedes' principle [6]. Stone specimens were mounted in a self-curing cold-mounting material (Koldmount, VernonBenshoff Co., New York, USA), polished and prepared for microhardness measurement as described in [10]. Ten indentations were made in homogeneous crystalline regions of each specimen using a Vickers indentor at a load of 50 g with a dwell time of 15 s. Since renal calculi are essentially brittle materials, radial cracks (Fig. 1) were formed along the diagonals of the indentation after unloading [10]. The lengths of these crack lines reflect the degree of elastic recovery of the material and can be used to determine the fracture toughness of the stone [11]. We measured the crack length (c) and the size of indentor impression (l), and calculated the fracture toughness (Kic) for the stone material using [11]
A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS ON AN ACL DEFICIENT KNEE

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the more frequently occurring knee injuries plaguing both athletes and the general population [1]. This injury typically results in severe knee instability thereby limiting the activities the injured is able to perform. Currently, surgical reconstruction is the most common option to restore knee stability and allow the injured subject to return to full functionality (i.e. participation in athletic and recreational activities as desired). However, small populations of individuals who rupture their ACL forego surgery yet still remain fully functional [2]. We hypothesize that these subjects, referred to as “copers”, alter the control strategy of the muscles crossing the knee joint to compensate for their ACL-deficient knee.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Investigating reversals of association for utilization of recent mammography among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black women

Objective Several papers have found that Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black women have higher adjusted odds ratios for recent mammography when compared with Non-Hispanic White women, even though their crude percentages were lower than, or about equal to, Non-Hispanic White women’s. This paper investigates the existence of “reversals” of association for recent mammography and describes an analysis strategy for identifying variables that might produce them.
Immunolocalization of G(alpha)i-3 in foetal lung fibroblasts

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins or G proteins are involved in a wide variety of well-recognized signalling activities between cell surface receptors and effectors. The heterotrimeric G proteins have alpha,beta and gamma subunits organized in a trimeric structure. The aim of this study was to localize G(alpha)i-3, an important heterotrimeric G protein, in foetal lung cells. Using a foetal lung fibroblast cell line (RFL-6), the localization of G(alpha)i-3 was determined by immunofluorescence using a specific antibody to G(alpha)i-3, colocalization with a lectin known to bind the Golgi complex and Western blotting of RFL-6 cellular membrane proteins. This study identified G(alpha)i-3 on the Golgi membranes in rat foetal lung cells. Treatment with cycloheximide, to block protein synthesis, diminished the cytosolic distribution of the protein, but intense Golgi staining remained. G(alpha)i-3, therefore, appears to be part of the Golgi complex and not present transiently during protein synthesis. In the nonpolar foetal lung fibroblasts studied, the intracellular concentration of G(alpha)i-3 suggests a role for this protein in the intracellular trafficking and regulation of proteins needed for normal lung development.
Mitochondrial calcium signalling and cell death: Approaches for assessing the role of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in apoptosis

Local Ca2+ transfer between adjoining domains of the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) and mitochondria allows ER/SR Ca2+ release to activate mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and to evoke a matrix [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]m) rise. [Ca2+]m exerts control on several steps of energy metabolism to synchronize ATP generation with cell function. However, calcium signal propagation to the mitochondria may also ignite a cell death program through opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP). This occurs when the Ca2+ release from the ER/SR is enhanced or is coincident with sensitization of the PTP. Recent studies have shown that several pro-apoptotic factors, including members of the Bcl-2 family proteins and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate the Ca2+ sensitivity of both the Ca2+ release channels in the ER and the PTP in the mitochondria. To test the relevance of the mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in various apoptotic paradigms, methods are available for buffering of [Ca2+], for dissipation of the driving force of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and for inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ transport mechanisms. However, in intact cells, the efficacy and the specificity of these approaches have to be established. Here we discuss mechanisms that recruit the mitochondrial calcium signal to a pro-apoptotic cascade and the approaches available for assessment of the relevance of the mitochondrial Ca2+ handling in apoptosis. We also present a systematic evaluation of the effect of ruthenium red and Ru360, two inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake on cytosolic [Ca2+] and [Ca2+]m in intact cultured cells.
Redox-dependent dynamics of putidaredoxin characterized by amide proton exchange

Multidimensional NMR methods were used to obtain 1H-15N correlations and 15N resonance assignments for amide and side-chain nitrogens of oxidized and reduced putidaredoxin (Pdx), the Fe2S2 ferredoxin, which acts as the physiological reductant of cytochrome P-450cam (CYP101). A model for the solution structure of oxidized Pdx has been determined recently using NMR methods (Pochapsky TC, Ye XM, Ratnaswamy G, Lyons TA, 1994, Biochemistry 33:6424-6432) and redox-dependent 1H NMR spectral features have been described (Pochapsky TC, Ratnaswamy G, Patera A, 1994, Biochemistry 33:6433-6441). 15N assignments were made with NOESY-(1H/15N) HMQC and TOCSY-(1H/15N) HSQC spectra obtained using samples of Pdx uniformly labeled with 15N. Local dynamics in both oxidation states of Pdx were then characterized by comparison of residue-specific amide proton exchange rates, which were measured by a combination of saturation transfer and H2O/D2O exchange methods at pH 6.4 and 7.4 (uncorrected for isotope effects). In general, where exchange rates for a given site exhibit significant oxidation-state dependence, the oxidized protein exchanges more rapidly than the reduced protein. The largest dependence of exchange rate upon oxidation state is found for residues near the metal center and in a region of compact structure that includes the loop-turn Val 74-Ser 82 and the C-terminal residues (Pro 102-Trp 106). The significance of these findings is discussed in light of the considerable dependence of the binding interaction between Pdx and CYP101 upon the oxidation state of Pdx.
GEOCHEMISTRY AND ORIGIN OF LATE ARCHEAN VOLCANICS FROM THE VENTERSDORP SUPERGROUP, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract The Ventersdorp Supergroup (2700–2750 Ma) is comprised chiefly of mafic to intermediate subaerially erupted volcanics with smaller amounts of clastic sediments. The lower unit, the Klipriviersberg Group, consists of basal basaltic komatiites overlain by basalts which show a progressive increase in Mg number and Ni content and a decrease in incompatible element contents with increasing stratigraphic height. Volcanics of the overlying Platberg and Pniel Groups consist of basaltic andesites and andesites, and some felsic volcanics. All Ventersdorp volcanics exhibit a subduction zone geochemical component and are similar in incompatible element distributions to volcanics from continental-margin arc systems. Both tholeiitic and calc-alkaline trends occur in the Ventersdorp succession, with the former dominating. Crustal contamination appears to have played a minor role in the evolution of Ventersdorp magmas. With the exception of basaltic komatiite, the Klipriviersberg lavas can be related by progressive melting of a garnet lherzolite source (containing a subduction zone component) followed by up to 30% of shallow fractional crystallization. The basaltic komatiite can be produced from the same source at higher temperatures and the Pniel lavas by shallow fractional crystallization of basaltic komatiite. The Platberg volcanics must come from a within-plate enriched mantle source, and mafic and felsic members of this group can be related by shallow fractional crystallization. Geochemical and geologic data are consistent with a model for Ventersdorp magmas involving a subduction zone in which Klipriviersberg and Pniel magmas are produced from the mantle wedge and Platberg magmas come from an enriched mantle lithosphere with a superimposed subduction zone component. Secular trends in Klipriviersberg lavas can be explained by progressive adiabatic melting of an ascending plume rooted in the mantle wedge.
Sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern during breathing is related to the respiratory sinus arrhythmia: A case report

The sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern is a phenomenon of elusive pathophysiologic features and uncertain clinical significance. We present a case of sinusoidal fetal heart rate that occurred in association with fetal breathing. The degree and type of synchrony between the sinusoidal fetal heart rate and breathing movements suggest that the sinusoidal fetal heart rate and the respiratory sinus arrhythmia are related phenomena.
The molecular structure of a product of the reaction of bicyclo[6.2.0]deca-2,4,6-triene with diiron nonacarbonyl

Abstract The reaction of bicyclo[6.2.0]deca-2,4,6-triene with diiron nonacarbonyl affords at least four products, one of which is a yellow substance with the empirical formula C10H12Fe2(CO)6. The structure of this substance has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The organic portion consists of a 1,3-cyclohexadiene ring with a CH2 group at the 5 position and an allyl group at the 6 position. One Fe(CO)3 group is bound to the 1,3-diene part of the organic group and another Fe(CO)3 group is bound to the CH2 group by a CFe σ bond and to the allyl group functioning as a trihapto allyl ligand. The essential crystallographic data are as follows: The space group is P 1 with a a = 7.140(3), b = 10.029(6), c = 13.875(5) Ǎ, α = 110.09(4)°, β = 118.50 (3)°, γ = 77.65(4)°, V = 818.5(7)Ǎ3 and Z = 2. The structure was solved by Patterson heavy atom methods. With all atoms located the conventional R value for 1210 observed reflections measured with a Syntex P 1 diffractometer is 0.044.
A Stochastic Analysis of the Display Behavior of the Red-Breasted Merganser (Mergus Serrator)

1. We have used the methods of stochastic analysis to investigate the timing of two actions - the Head-flick and the Salute-curtsy - in the display of the Red-breasted merganser duck. 2. The intervals between Head-flicks by individual birds cannot be distinguished from a random, exponential time series, in which the occurrence of each event is independent of preceding events. 3. The intervals between Salute-curtsies are unlikely to be distributed exponentially. There is a deficit of short intervals and an excess of intervals between events of about 250 frames durtion. The Salute-curtsies do not occur independently of one another. 4. Variance-time curves and power spectra show that there is a marked periodic component in the timing of Salute-curtsies, but periodicity is not detectable in the performance of Head-flicks. 5. Cross-correlations analysis shows that there is a strong interaction between the occurrence of Salute-curtsies by the different birds in the group and between the performance of Head-flicks and Salute-curtsies. There is no detectable relation between the performance of Head-flicks. 6. We conclude that there is a strong tendency for birds to perform series of two or three Salute-curtsies with an interval of about 250 frames between each action. There is also a strong interaction between the performance of Salute-curtsies by the different birds. There is some tendency for Head-flicks to occur at greater than chance frequency during a period just before the performance of a Salute-curtsy. The remainder of the Head-flicks appear to be distributed randomly.
Development and Genetics of Glutamate Taste Preferencea

: The sodium salt of glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and certain other amino acids and ribonucleotides impart a unique taste sensation often called 'umami.' We have been studying preference for umami substances in two systems: inbred mice and human infants. In 48-hr tests, C57BL/6J (C57) mice exhibit a lower preference threshold for MSG than do 129/J mice. Moreover, C57 mice show a greater preference across a wide range of concentrations and, at high (e.g., 300-600 mM) concentrations, consume greater amounts of MSG. To examine whether the strain difference in MSG preference might be related to a similar strain difference in preference for sucrose and other sweeteners, as might be suggested from studies with rats, preferences for MSG and sucrose in the second (F2) generation were examined. Preferences for sucrose and for MSG were not positively correlated in the F2 indicating that these strain differences depend on different genes. For human adults, unlike mice, the taste of aqueous MSG is not palatable. Our studies of human infants also indicate that MSG alone is not preferred to plain water, but, when it is added to soup, the soup plus MSG is preferred to soup alone. Ongoing studies are designed to determine whether simple mixtures of MSG with other tastants, in particular NaCl, are preferred to water alone, NaCl alone, and MSG alone.
A Method of Removing Lamb Waves from Initial Data for Primitive Equation Models

Abstract A simple method of reducing the amplitude of Lamb waves in primitive equation model forecasts has been proposed and tested. This method makes use of a Boussinesq-type approximation in which the vertical mean mass divergence is set equal to zero. It effectively reduces the Lamb waves by a factor of 3 in the example shown here and does not degrade the forecast accuracy. The largest reduction in Lamb wave amplitude is found in the tropical regions.
Physical character of archean felsic volcanism in the vicinity of the Helen iron Mine, Wawa, Ontario, Canada

Abstract Archean felsic volcanic rocks form a 2000 m thick succession stratigraphically below the Helen Iron Formation in the vicinity of the Helen Mine, Wawa, Ontario. Based on relict textures and structures, lateral and vertical facies changes, and fragment type, size and distribution, the felsic volcanic rocks have been subdivided into (a) lava flows and domes (b) hyalotuffs, (c) bedded pyroclastic flows, (d) massive pyroclastic flows, and (e) block and ash flows. Lava flows and domes are flow-banded, massive, and/or brecciated and occur throughout the stratigraphic succession. Dome/flow complexes are believed to mark the end of explosive eruptive cycles. Deposits interpreted as hyalotuffs are finely bedded and composed dominantly of ash-size material and accretionary lapilli. These deposits are interlayered with bedded pyroclastic flow deposits and probably formed from phreatomagmatic eruptions in a shallow subaqueous environment. Such eruptions led to the formation of tuff cones or rings. If these structures emerged they may have restricted the access of seawater to the eruptive vent(s), thus causing a change in eruptive style from short, explosive pulses to the establishment of an eruption column. Collapse of this column would lead to the accumulation of pyroclastic material within and on the flanks of the cone/ring structure, and to flows which move down the structure and into the sea. Bedded pyroclastic deposits in the Wawa area are thought to have formed in this manner, and are now composed of a thicker, more massive basal unit which is overlain by one or more finely bedded ash units. Based on bed thickness, fragment and crystal size, type and abundance, these deposits are further subdivided into central, proximal and distal facies. Central facies units consist of poorly graded, thick (30–80 m) basal beds composed of 23–60% lithic and 1–8% juvenile fragments. These are overlain by 1–4 thinner ash beds (2–25 cm). Proximal facies basal beds range from 2–35 m in thickness and are composed of 15–35% lithic and 4–16% juvenile fragments. Typically, lithic components are normally graded, whereas juvenile fragments are inversely graded. These basal beds are overlain by ash beds (2–14 in number) which range from 12 cm to 6 m in thickness. Distal basal beds, where present, are thin (1–2 m), and composed of 2–8% lithic and 6–21% juvenile fragments. Overlying ash beds range up to 40 in number. The climax of pyroclastic activity is represented by a thick (1000 m) sequence of massive, poorly sorted, pyroclastic flow deposits which are composed of 5–15% lithic fragments and abundant pumice. These deposits are similar to subaerial ash flows and appear to mark the rapid eruption of large volumes of material. They are overlain by felsic lavas and/or domes. Periodic collapse of the growing domes produced abundant coarse volcanic breccia. The overall volcanic environment is suggestive of caldera formation and late stage dome extrusion.
Analysis of a Series Capacitor-Commutated Inverter Designed to Interface Solar Electric Sources with Electric Power Systems

Effective integration of solar photovoltaic systems with the electric power grid will require the design of special inverters and electric energy storage systems. This paper presents the analysis of the power switching section of a series capacitor-commutated (SCC) inverter specifically designed for this type of application. This inverter unit was designed to operate in conjunction with a 1-kW concentrating solar cell array developed by Sandia Laboratories.
Biased Estimation in Regression: An Evaluation Using Mean Squared Error

Abstract A mean squared error criterion is used to compare five estimators of the coefficients in a linear regression model: least squares, principal components, ridge regression, latent root, and a shrunken estimator. Each of the biased estimators is shown to offer improvement in mean squared error over least squares for a wide range of choices of the parameters of the model. The results of a simulation involving all five estimators indicate that the principal components and latent root estimators perform best overall, but the ridge regression estimator has the potential of a smaller mean squared error than either of these.
Design and Analysis of High-Capacity Anti-Collusion Hiding Codes

A new methodology for the design of high-capacity anti-collusion hiding codes in a large-scale fingerprint-based traitor tracing system is proposed in this work. We consider a hiding code of MN bits, where M bits are used as the user ID and N bits are the length of the spreading codes. Since each user is assigned one out of 2M ID numbers and one out of N spreading codewords, the total number of users is equal to 2MN. To accommodate an even larger number of users, we propose a shifted spreading scheme that shifts the spreading codeword circularly by a certain amount. By allowing P shifts (with P mod N), the total number of users increases from 2MN to 2MNP. When multiple users perform a weighted collusion attack, we show that the task of identifying colluders and their attack weights can be formulated as a user detection and channel estimation problem in a multiuser wireless communication system with a multipath fading channel. For the latter, there exist code design techniques that choose the spreading codes carefully so as to reduce multiaccess interference of users with different spreading codewords effectively. By exploiting this analogy, we develop an anti-collusion code called OSIFT (Orthogonal Spreading followed by the Inverse Fourier Transform). We compare several hiding codes in a fingerprinting system consisting of hundreds of colluders. It is demonstrated by computer simulation that, when the OSIFT code is adopted, colluders and their attack weights can be found by the proposed fingerprinting system more accurately.