cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tectonic activity as a significant source of crustal tetrafluoromethane emissions to the atmosphere: observations in groundwaters along the San Andreas Fault

Abstract Tetrafluoromethane (CF 4 ) concentrations were measured in 14 groundwater samples from the Cuyama Valley, Mil Potrero and Cuddy Valley aquifers along the Big Bend section of the San Andreas Fault System (SAFS) in California to assess whether tectonic activity in this region is a significant source of crustal CF 4 to the atmosphere. Dissolved CF 4 concentrations in all groundwater samples but one were elevated with respect to estimated recharge concentrations including entrainment of excess air during recharge ( C r e ; ∼30 fmol kg −1 H 2 O), indicating subsurface addition of CF 4 to these groundwaters. Groundwaters in the Cuyama Valley contain small CF 4 excesses (0.1–9 times C r e ), which may be attributed to an in situ release from weathering and a minor addition of deep crustal CF 4 introduced to the shallow groundwater through nearby faults. CF 4 excesses in groundwaters within 200 m of the SAFS are larger (10–980 times C r e ) and indicate the presence of a deep crustal flux of CF 4 that is likely associated with the physical alteration of silicate minerals in the shear zone of the SAFS. Extrapolating CF 4 flux rates observed in this study to the full extent of the SAFS (1300 km × 20–100 km) suggests that the SAFS potentially emits ( 0.3 – 1 ) × 10 − 1 kg CF 4 yr −1 to the Earth's surface. For comparison, the chemical weathering of ∼ 7.5 × 10 4 km 2 of granitic rock in California is estimated to release ( 0.019 – 3.2 ) × 10 − 1 kg CF 4 yr −1 . Tectonic activity is likely an important, and potentially the dominant, driver of natural emissions of CF 4 to the atmosphere. Variations in preindustrial atmospheric CF 4 as observed in paleo-archives such as ice cores may therefore represent changes in both continental weathering and tectonic activity, including changes driven by variations in continental ice cover during glacial–interglacial transitions.
Incidence and predictors for late target lesion revascularization after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

Background In long-term follow-up after drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation, late target lesion revascularization (TLR) is occasionally required. However, the incidence and predictors for late TLR with DES have not been fully investigated. Methods and results Between August 2004 and March 2005, 249 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) at our institution. Angiographic follow-up data were obtained in 228 patients (91.6%) with 274 lesions (91.6%) at 8 months. TLR incidence was evaluated up to 5 years. The 5-year clinical follow-up data were obtained in 222 patients (97.4%) with 264 lesions (96.4%). The incidence of early TLR before 1 year was 16.7%, and that of late TLR (1-5 years) was 8.3% (2.1% per year). Multivariate analysis indicated that significant predictors for late TLR were insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (DM) (odds ratio (OR) 10.88, P=0.001), stent fracture (OR 27.24, P=0.012), and age (OR 0.94, P=0.026). No association was observed between late TLR and lesion characteristics, including parameters measured by quantitative coronary angiography other than stent fracture, at baseline, post procedure, and follow-up. Conclusions Late TLR after SES implantation occurred in approximately 2.1% of lesions per year after the first year without attenuation up to 5 years. Significant predictors for late TLR were insulin-treated DM, stent fracture and younger age. Careful long-term follow-up after SES implantation might be recommended.
WAIS-III FSIQ and GAI in ability-memory discrepancy analysis.

The present investigation compares WAIS-III FSIQ-WMS-III with GAI-WMS-III discrepancies in 135 male inpatients with suspected memory impairment. Full Scale IQ and GAI scores were highly correlated, r = .96, with mean values of 92.10 and 93.59, respectively. Additional analyses with the ability composites compared to each WMS-III index (IMI, GMI, and DMI), the GAI consistently produced larger difference scores than did the FSIQ; however, effect sizes were relatively small (ES = .12). Lastly, case-by-case analyses demonstrated concordance rates of 86% for the FSIQ-IMI and GAI-IMI comparisons, 85% for the FSIQ-GMI and GAI-GMI, and 82% for the FSIQ-DMI and GAI-DMI.
Pade approximants and the X and Y functions of radiative transfer theory

Abstract We demonstrate that the [1, 1] Pade approximant to the X and Y functions is a reasonable alternative to the exact solutions.
Use of Microbial Phytase in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Diets to Improve Utilization of Phytate Phosphorus

A 10-wk feeding trial was conducted in the laboratory during which channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (average initial weight: 6.5 g/fish) were fed five practical diets containing either 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 units of microbial phytase/kg diet. Fish fed diets containing 500 or more units of microbial phytase/kg consumed more feed and gained more weight than fish fed the basal diet without supplemental phytase. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) did not differ among treatments except the FCR for fish fed 1,000 units of microbial phytase/kg diet was lower than that of fish fed no supplemental phytase. Fish survival was not different among treatments. Contrast analysis showed that weight gain, feed consumption, bone ash, and bone phosphorus were higher and feed conversion ratio was lower for fish fed diets supplemented with phytase as compared to fish fed no supplemental phytase. The concentration of fecal phosphorus decreased linearly as phytase supplementation increased. Results from this study demonstrate that microbial phytase is effective in improving bioavailability of phytate phosphorus to channel catfish, which may eventually lead to a reduction in the amount of supplemental phosphorus added to commercial channel catfish feeds.
RESPONSIBILITY, PASSION, AND SIN A Reassessment of Abelard's Ethics

This article reassesses Peter Abelard's account of moral intention, or, better, consent, in light of recent work on his own thought and on the twelfth-century background of that thought. The author argues (1) that Abelard's focus on consent as the determining factor for morality does not rule out, but, on the contrary, presupposes objective criteria for moral judgment and (2) that Abelard's real innovation does not lie in his doctrine of consent as the sole source of merit or guilt, but, rather, in his exploration of the ways in which this doctrine affects our understanding of the objective criteria for moral judgment. In particular, Abelard is led by his doctrine of consent to a thoroughgoing reassessment of the moral significance of the passions, which, in turn, leads him to reject the view that actions should be evaluated in terms of the praiseworthy or vicious character of the passions they express.
Nature of the Urinary Androgens of Castrate Men

SummaryA pooled urine collection from 2 male castrates contained 6 I.U. per day of androgenic activity. Capon assay of the results of digitonin fractionation indicated an androsterone to dehydroisoandrosterone ratio of 4:1 compared with the approximately 1:1 ratio found in normal male urine. In the absence of the testis smaller amounts of the same or similar androgens are excreted in slightly different proportions.
The oxidation-reduction potential of copper in cytochrome oxidase.

The oxidation-reduction potential of copper in cytochrome oxidase from beef heart has been determined by titrations with ascorbate + cytochrome c and with sodium dithionite. The mid-point potentials using these two methods are 284 mvolts and 274 mvolts, respectively. Thermodynamically, the copper is located between cytochrome a and cytochrome a3.
Orbital forcing of Arctic climate: mechanisms of climate response and implications for continental glaciation

Progress in understanding how terrestrial ice volume is linked to Earths orbital configuration has been impeded by the cost of simulating climate system processes relevant to glaciation over orbital time scales (10 3 -10 5 years). A compromise is usually made to rep- resent the climate system by models that are averaged over one or more spatial dimensions or by three- dimensional models that are limited to simulating par- ticular ''snapshots'' in time. We take advantage of the short equilibration time (310 years) of a climate model consisting of a three-dimensional atmosphere coupled to a simple slab ocean to derive the equilibrium climate response to accelerated variations in Earths orbital configuration over the past 165,000 years. Prominent decreases in ice melt and increases in snowfall are sim- ulated during three time intervals near 26, 73, and 117 thousand years ago (ka) when aphelion was in late spring and obliquity was low. There were also significant decreases in ice melt and increases in snowfall near 97 and 142 ka when eccentricity was relatively large, aph- elion was in late spring, and obliquity was high or near its long term mean. These ''glaciation-friendly'' time intervals correspond to prominent and secondary phases of terrestrial ice growth seen within the marine d 18 O record. Both dynamical and thermal effects contribute to the increases in snowfall during these periods, through increases in storm activity and the fraction of precipi- tation falling as snow. The majority of the mid- to high latitude response to orbital forcing is organized by the properties of sea ice, through its influence on radiative feedbacks that nearly double the size of the orbital forcing as well as its influence on the seasonal evolution of the latitudinal temperature gradient.
Coulomb Fragmentation of Molecules Following Beta Emission

Nuclear resonance-fluorescence scattering from 364-, 637-, and 723-keV levels of ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{131}$ has been observed. The results obtained with a gaseous source of ${\mathrm{II}}^{131}$ were different from those obtained using a gaseous source of C${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$${\mathrm{I}}^{131}$. The significant differences are ascribed to the effects of Coulomb fragmentation of the ${(\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{Xe}}^{131})}^{+}$ molecular ion formed following the beta decay of ${\mathrm{I}}^{131}$.
Fall Migration and Habitat Use of American Woodcock in the Central United States

Little is known about the migration ecology of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). From 2001 to 2003, we began a 3-year study to document woodcock fall migration routes, rates, and habitat use from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, USA. Some 586 radiomarked woodcock initiated migration. During 224 hours of aerial telemetry, we located 42 radiomarked woodcock in 6 states. Using locations of radiomarked birds, we speculated woodcock migration routes in the central United States. Stopover duration often exceeded 4 days, with some birds stopping longer than a week. Radiomarked birds were located in upland habitats more frequently than bottomland habitats, and used a higher proportion of mature forest than expected. A Geographic Information System was used to map potential woodcock habitat in the Central Region. Based on our results, we identified possible fall migration routes and priority areas for woodcock management in the Central Region. Our results should be used by land managers to prioritize future land acquisition and management of woodcock habitat.
Plato's Theory of Late Life Reminiscence

Plato was a careful observer of the life review process and regarded it as an important source of philosophical insight. In several dialogues he presented a penetrating theory of late life reminiscence, anticipating much of what gerontologists now know about it. His treatment differs from recent approaches to life review by engaging epistemological, metaphysical, and ethical issues that this process implies. Exploring these philosophical issues through the eyes of the elderly Socrates, Plato articulates the subtle logical form characterizing certain life review judgments, arguing that they are based on a crucially important “retroactive” constitution of certain moral properties.
In-vitro and in-vivo effects of the CYP2C9*11 polymorphism on warfarin metabolism and dose

ObjectiveTo determine the in-vitro and in-vivo effects of the CYP2C9*11 polymorphism on (S)-warfarin metabolism.Methods and resultsThe *11 allele that results in mutation of Arg335→Trp occurred with a frequency of ∼1% in Caucasian and African-American populations. Four subjects carrying the *1/*11 g
Molecular characterization of a novel pattern recognition protein from nonspecific cytotoxic cells: Sequence analysis, phylogenetic comparisons and anti-microbial activity of a recombinant homologue

Nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) are the first identified and most extensively studied killer cell population in teleosts. NCC kill a wide variety of target cells including tumor cells, virally transformed cells and protozoan parasites. The present study identified a novel evolutionarily conserved oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) binding membrane protein expressed by channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) NCC. Peptide fingerprinting analysis of the ODN binding protein (referred to as NCC cationic anti-microbial protein-1/ncamp-1) identified a peptide that was used to design degenerate primers. A catfish NCC cDNA library was used as template with these primers and the PCR-amplified product was sequenced. The translated sequence contained 203 amino acids (molecular mass of 22,064.63 Da) with characteristic lysine rich regions and a pI=pH 10.75. Sequence comparisons of this protein indicated similarity to zebrafish (51.2%) histone family member 1-X and (to a lesser extent) to trout H1. A search of EST databases confirmed that ncamp-1 is also expressed in various tissues of channel catfish as well as zebrafish. Inspection for signature repeats in ncamp-1 and comparisons with histone-like peptides from different species indicated the presence of multiple lysine based motifs composed of AKKA or PKK repeats. The novel protein was cloned, expressed in E. coli and the recombinant was used to generate rabbit anti-serum. The recombinant ncamp-1 bound GpC and CpG ODNs and was detected with homologous anti-ncamp-1 polyclonal antibodies. Western blots of NCC membranes using anti-ncamp-1 serum detected a 29 kDa protein. Binding competition experiments demonstrated that anti-ncamp-1 antibodies and GpC bound to the same protein on NCC. Two different truncated forms of ncamp-1 as well as the full-length recombinant protein exhibited anti-microbial activity. The present study demonstrated the expression by NCC of a new membrane protein that may participate in the recognition of bacterial DNA and as such participate in innate anti-microbial immune responses in teleosts.
Dimensionality of the New Ecological Paradigm Issues of Factor Structure and Measurement

Dunlap and colleagues’ New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale is widely used and, thus, merits testing to determine whether it should be treated as one scale, a set of independent scales, or a set of ...
Literacy and the Decolonization of Africa's Intellectual History

In his book In My Father's House Anthony Appiah made a powerful argument for historians and intellectuals at large to recognize the diverse and complex nature of Africa's cultural and historical experiences. He stated, for instance, that: “ideological decolonization is bound to fail if it neglects either endogenous ‘tradition’ or exogenous ‘Western’ ideas, and that many African (and African American) intellectuals have failed to find a negotiable middle way.”During the past fifty years, Africanist historians have focused much of their efforts on the goals of decolonizing or Africanizing the study of the African past. These have been guided by the need to produce a more authentic and relevant history of the continent. The search for such authenticity has shown that African cultures and societies are often the result of a broad range of influences and that the notions of what is indigenous or authentically African needs to take into account this historical complexity. Intellectual historians, in particular, have faced this question with regards to written sources. The question of literacy and its impact on the intellectual development of Africa is an interesting example of how historians have made some strides towards redefining the notion of a decolonized African history.
The effects of uncertainty under a cap-and-trade policy on afforestation in the United States

To combat climate change, cap-and-trade policies have been proposed and implemented in countries around the world. The stochastic carbon price that results from a cap-and-trade policy makes investment decisions in carbon mitigating and sequestering practices more complex. This letter illustrates the consequence of uncertainty by analyzing forest carbon offset credits under a potential cap-and-trade policy in the United States. The effects of uncertainty on afforestation, carbon sequestration, cropland allocation, and commodity prices using a real option framework are assessed. When compared with deterministic models, less land gets converted from cropland to forestry over the projection period of 40 years because landowners find it optimal to wait before changing land-use to gain more information about the carbon price evolution. The simulation shows that most afforestation occurs in the south and the northeast with almost no conversion in the Corn Belt. The lesson for policy makers is that under carbon price uncertainty, lower afforestation and carbon sequestration takes place. To foster afforestation, mechanisms are necessary to reduce uncertainty at the expense of higher commodity prices.
Diode analysis of CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cells

Analysis of the J-V characteristics of CuInSe/sub 2//(CdZn)S cells have been used to examine the role of different current mechanisms in the device. No evidence was found for interface recombination or other mechanisms, although interface recombination is expected to limit V/sub oc/ to approximately 0.52 V. The light intensity dependence was examined, and it is shown that the diode quality factor, reverse saturation current density, and shunt conductance all vary with the intensity. Ways to improve V/sub oc/ are discussed. >
The Construct of Canalization and Tourette Syndrome

The construct of canalization reflects the resistance to variation of hereditary traits to genetic or environmental perturbations and appears useful when applied to the expression of Tourette syndrome and its common comorbidities.
A method for analyzing changes in response efficiency.

Although experimental effects typically are evaluated by summarizing levels of responding across time (e.g., calculating the mean levels of problem behavior during 10-min sessions), these data summaries may obscure important mechanisms that may be responsible for changes in responding. A case study is reported to illustrate alternative methods of data analysis when decreasing trends in responding may be due to increases in response efficiency.
Is TfR2 the iron sensor

Comment on Johnson and Enns, page [4287][1], and comment on Robb and Wessling-Resnick, page [4294][2] The liver has a central role in regulating the absorption of iron from the diet and the release of stored iron. How does the liver monitor the iron requirements of erythropoiesis? Two articles
Typical sources and locations where recent youth drinkers obtain and consume alcohol based on intensity of use

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether typical sources and locations where youth recent drinkers, defined as youth who drank alcohol in the past month, obtain and consume alcohol differed significantly based on intensity of use. Intensity of use was based on binge drinking, which was defined as drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in a row on the same occasion. Methods: Youth recent drinkers from 12 to 17 years of age (N = 2321) who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health were included. After running a series of logistic regression models, all statistically significant variables were retained and included in final multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Predictors for sources of last alcoholic beverage drank based on intensity were race/ethnicity, age, number of days drank in the past 30 days and usual number of drinks per day in past 30 days. Predictors for locations where alcohol users drank their last alcoholic beverage based on inten...
American Exceptionalism, Human Resources Management, and the Contract State

With the nature, scope, and pace of public sector contracting accelerating significantly during the Bush administration, and with the Obama administration promising to curb the contracting excesses of its predecessors, it is useful to take stock and ponder the consequences of this movement to date for human resources management (HRM). This article puts public sector contracting and its effects in a larger historical, political, and democratic context by: (1) reviewing the American propensity for market-based solutions (including contracting) to government problems, a disposition rooted in American exceptionalist values; (2) chronicling how that predisposition has manifested itself in four successive and now overlapping expansions of contracting (from products, to services, to core governmental functions, to HRM functions); and (3) showing how these developments have had significant consequences not only for the future of the public service but also for the values associated with democratic constitutionalism in the United States.
Visual Tracking Strategies to Move Scholarship Forward

Moving from the doctoral student role to the faculty member role is a challenging transition. Strategies that motivate and help keep scholarship moving forward can be invaluable in helping make the transition successful. The authors discuss 2 visual tracking strategies to promote the forward movement of scholarship. A whiteboard (dry erase) and a publication trajectory table to track manuscript and research ideas through grant proposal and manuscript submission to publication are described.
In vivo evidence that inhibin is a gonadotropin surge-inhibiting/attenuating factor

Hyperstimulation of ovarian function through exogenous gonadotropin administration suppresses the preovulatory surges of both LH and FSH. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to be the result of a non-steroidal factor released from the ovary that has been designated as either gonadotropin surge-inhibiting factor or attenuating factor (GnSIF/AF). To examine the possibility that inhibin might possess the activity ascribed to this factor, endogenous inhibin was immunoneutralized in female rats under conditions known to stimulate GnSIF/AF activity. Inhibin-like immunoreactivity was found to be significantly elevated in FSH-treated rats prior to the time of the gonadotropin surges. Spontaneous preovulatory surges of both LH and FSH were observed in saline-treated (control) rats that were subsequently treated with either anti-inhibin serum (AS) or normal sheep serum (NS). FSH-treatment completely prevented the occurrence of gonadotropin surges in rats subsequently treated with NS. In FSH-injected rats subsequently treated with AS, however, normal preovulatory surges of both LH and FSH were observed. These results indicate that inhibin may be the factor responsible for the suppression of the preovulatory gonadotropin surges in FSH-treated rats and, at least in this species, may be a GnSIF/AF.
AAEM case report #22: Polymyositis

Polymyositis usually presents with progressive proximal muscle weakness, increased serum levels of muscle enzymes, inflammatory changes on muscle biopsy, and characteristic electromyographic (EMG) abnormalities. Motor unit action potential (MUAP) changes of configuration, duration, and amplitude are the most frequently observed EMG abnormality. Fibrillation potentials are commonly seen and tend to reflect active disease, diminishing after successful medical management or disease regression. Other muscle diseases can present with similar electromyographic abnormalities, thereby necessitating muscle biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
Stored State Asynchronous Sequential Circuits

A method is described for realizing asynchronous sequential circuits in a manner analogous to the stored state method for synchronous sequential circuits. The method simplifies the process of constructing asynchronous sequential circuits, allows utilization of existing MSI parts, and avoids the necessity for concern with races or hazards.
Producing maintainable software

Abstract The increasing cost of software maintenance has resulted in greater emphasis on the production of maintainable software. One method used to enhance the development of maintainable software is to employ complexity metrics as a technique for controlling software complexity. In order to control complexity, it is imperative to plan for increases in complexity levels from code generation to code implementation. This paper presents a study of complexity increases during the testing and debugging phases of the software life cycle. The metrics used to measure complexity are lines of code, unique operators, unique operands, data difficulty, Halstead's effort and cyclomatic complexity.
Development of chloride transport by the rat choroid plexus, in vitro.

The uptake and efflux of36Cl in the lateral ventricle choroid plexus of 1–7-week-old rats were measured to determine if Cl transport changed with age and if such transport responded to inhibitors of CSF secretion and ion transport. The steady-state (30 min) Cl uptakes were148 ± 9.4 nmol·mg−1 dry weight at 1 week and139 ± 7.0nmol·mg−1 dry weight at 7 weeks, (P > 0.05). The36Cl efflux was significantly slower in 1 and 2 week plexuses compared to more mature tissues (P < 0.01) withk(rate coefficient) = 0.029 ± 0.004s−1,t1/2 = 24.1 ± 3.3s at 1 week andk = 0.041 ± 0.003s−1,t1/2 = 17.4 ± 1.3s at 7 weeks.36Cl efflux at 1 week was unaffected by acetazolamide, bumetanide and DIDS (4,4 diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2 disulphonic acid), however, all these drugs substantially reduced efflux from 2, 3 and 7 week choroid plexuses. In contrast, the Cl conductance blocker, DPC (diphenylamine carboxylate) at 10−4M reduced36Cl efflux from both 1 and 7 week tissues by 43% and 39%, respectively. These findings suggest that some transport systems responsible for movement of Cl out of the epithelium are either absent or less functional in the immature rat choroid plexus and may account for the relatively low level of CSF secretion in younger animals. The unidirectional efflux of36Cl,J, was calculated for 1 week and adult rats, as a function of the choroid plexus volume to surface area ratio (V / A). Efflux was close to 550 nmol·cm−2·s−1 at both ages indicating that enhanced36Cl efflux with age is mainly a function of increasing epithelial cell surface area.
Modal and Amodal Completion Generate Different Shapes

Mechanisms of contour completion are critical for computing visual surface structure in the face of occlusion. Theories of visual completion posit that mechanisms of contour interpolation operate independently of whether the completion is modal or amodal—thereby generating identical shapes in the two cases. This identity hypothesis was tested in two experiments using a configuration of two overlapping objects and a modified Kanizsa configuration. Participants adjusted the shape of a comparison display in order to match the shape of perceived interpolated contours in a standard completion display. Results revealed large and systematic shape differences between modal and amodal contours in both configurations. Participants perceived amodal (i.e., partly occluded) contours to be systematically more angular—that is, closer to a corner—than corresponding modal (i.e., illusory) contours. The results falsify the identity hypothesis in its current form: Corresponding modal and amodal contours can have different s...
Pseudohomophones and word recognition

Pseudohomophones play an important role in visual word recognition research, but they are not often themselves the object of experimental inquiry. In Experiment 1, we explored whether the status of body rime relations in pseudohomophone s—whether their body rime relations exist in actual words—predicts the likelihood of word pronunciations to pseudohomophone spellings. In Experiment 2, we tested whether extant body rime relations modulate performance to pseudohomophones, and their context effect on word trials, in a lexical decision task. Extant body rime relations increase the likelihood that a pseudohomophone will be given a word pronunciation, and they produce slower and more error prone performance to pseudohomophones and words in lexical decision.
APPLICATION OF EXPERT SYSTEMS IN EVALUATION OF CREDIT CARD BORROWERS

An appropriate approach to determine and measure the characteristics of “good” borrowers has always been the subject of inquiry by various lenders both in domestic and international financial markets. Cost of bad debts incurring from non‐payers and slow payers is a major source of loss which would affect profits and consequently the value of the lending firm. A carefully designed and economically feasible method to select the right borrowers is consistent with the goal of a modern lending institution which is to minimize the risk of bad debts and increase the wealth of its shareholders. The issue of selecting good borrowers is more serious in the case of potential credit card holders where the number of applicants is far greater than the number of commercial, real estate, and other institutional borrowers. Lending institutions cannot afford spending more than a certain limited amount of time to scrutinize the application of each applicant. Competition and increasing cost of information are other reasons that a lender should approve or reject submitted applications in a reasonably short period of time with minimum decision errors.
Charge dynamics and poling in glass waveguides

Germanosilicate glass waveguides were electrically poled using interdigitated electrodes. This poling resulted in a quasiphase‐matched second‐order susceptibility. Second‐harmonic light was observed. Measured intensities were one to two orders of magnitude smaller than expected based on previous electric‐field‐induced second‐harmonic (EFISH) generation studies with the same interdigitated electrodes. The dynamics of the EFISH signals were studied. Exponentially decaying signals suggest that through charge migration, via dielectric relaxation and electronic drift, a compromising field is established during the poling. This results in a weaker second‐order susceptibility.
Citrullinated calreticulin potentiates rheumatoid arthritis shared epitope signaling.

Objective Citrullinated proteins are immunogenic in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in patients who carry shared epitope (SE)–coding HLA–DRB1 alleles. The mechanism underlying this association is unknown. We have previously identified the SE as a ligand that interacts with cell surface calreticulin (CRT) and activates immune dysregulation. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of CRT citrullination on SE signaling. Methods CRT–SE binding affinity was measured by surface plasmon resonance. The role of individual CRT arginine residues was determined by site-directed mutagenesis, and nitric oxide levels were measured using a fluorochrome-based assay. CRT citrullination in synovial tissue samples and cell cultures was determined by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry techniques. Results Synovial tissue and fibroblast-like synoviocytes from RA patients were found to express a higher abundance of citrullinated CRT than samples from osteoarthritis patients. Citrullinated CRT showed more robust interaction with the SE ligand, and transduced SE signaling at a 10,000-fold higher potency, compared to noncitrullinated CRT. Site-directed mutation analysis identified Arg205, which is spatially adjacent to the SE binding site in the CRT P-domain, as a dominant inhibitor of SE–CRT interaction and signaling, while a more remote arginine residue, Arg261, was found to enhance these SE functions. Conclusion Our findings indicate that citrullinated CRT is overabundant in the RA synovium and potentiates SE-activated signaling in vitro. These findings could introduce a new mechanistic model of gene–environment interaction in RA.
Studies on the Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae and Pfeifferinellidae) of Pulmonate Gastropods1

Pulmonate and prosobranch gastropods collected in Minnesota and Washington were examined for the presence of coccidian parasites. Typical coccidian oocysts were recovered from the feces of 89 of 543 (16%) pulmonate snails representing the families Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Planorbidae, and Succineidae. No coccidial infections were apparent in 104 specimens representing the prosobranch families Viviparidae and Pleuroceridae. Oocysts identified as Pfeifferinella ellipsoides were recovered from 21 of 101 (21%) Stagnicola elodes, 2 of 94 (2%) Physa gyrina, and 4 of 67 (6%) Aplexa hypnorum although incidence of infection differed greatly (2–40%) dependent upon the locality sample. This coccidian has not been described previously from North America and is reported here from members of the families Lymnaeidae and Physidae for the first time. Twenty percent of Oxyloma retusa from one habitat were shedding oocysts slightly smaller than, but otherwise identical with, those of Alveocystis gugleri. A third as yet unidentified oocyst was recovered from up to 54% of Helisoma trivolvis. As a group, the coccidia of pulmonate molluscs have been poorly studied. The findings of this survey, however, suggest that these parasites may be more common and widely distributed in both the Basommatophora and Stylommatophora than previously believed.
A perceptibility curve comparison of Ultra-speed and Ektaspeed Plus films

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subjectively assessed contrast difference between Kodak's Ultra-speed and Ektaspeed Plus dental radiography films (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.) through the use of perceptibility curves. Design. Four series of 22 radiographs were exposed at 70 and 90 kVp with each film type by means of a Gendex 1000 dental radiography unit (Gendex Corp., Milwaukee, Wis.) for times ranging from 0.05 to 5 seconds at 10 ma. The test object consisted of a 7-mm-thick rectangular aluminum block with 10 circular depth cuts, each 2 mm in diameter, which created wells varying in depth from 50 to 500 microns. The corresponding films were processed concurrently (for 4.5 minutes) in total darkness with fresh Kodak Readymatic solutions (Eastman Kodak) held at a constant temperature of 28° C. The resulting radiographs were viewed in a predetermined random order under ideal conditions by 10 dentists. The evaluators recorded the maximum number of perceptible images on each film. A pair of perceptibility curves were generated at 70 and 90 kVp by plotting the log relative exposure versus the mean number of perceptible images. Results. There was no statistical difference between the two film types with respect to the mean number of perceptible images, as analyzed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test ( p = 0.22; p = 0.44). Conclusions. There is no subjectively assessed contrast difference between Kodak's Ultra-speed and Ektaspeed Plus films at 70 and 90 kVp.
Modeling Steel Frame Buildings in Three Dimensions. II: Elastofiber Beam Element and Examples

This is the second of two papers describing a procedure for the three-dimensional nonlinear time-history analysis of steel-framed buildings. An overview of the procedure and the theory for the panel zone element and the plastic hinge beam element are presented in part I. In this paper, the theory for an efficient new element for modeling beams and columns in steel frames called the elastofiber element is presented, along with four illustrative examples. The elastofiber beam element is divided into three segments—two end nonlinear segments and an interior elastic segment. The cross sections of the end segments are subdivided into fibers. Associated with each fiber is a nonlinear hysteretic stress-strain law for axial stress and strain. This accounts for coupling of nonlinear material behavior between bending about the major and minor axes of the cross section and axial deformation. Examples presented include large deflection of an elastic cantilever beam, cyclic loading of a cantilever beam, pushover analysis of a 20-story steel moment-frame building to collapse, and strong ground motion analysis of a two-story unsymmetric steel moment-frame building.
Atrial natriuretic factor receptor guanylate cyclase, ANF-RGC, transduces two independent signals, ANF and Ca2+

Atrial natriuretic factor receptor guanylate cyclase, ANF-RGC, was the first discovered member of the mammalian membrane guanylate cyclase family. The hallmark feature of the family is that a single protein contains both the site for recognition of the regulatory signal and the ability to transduce it into the production of the second messenger, cyclic GMP. For over two decades, the family has been classified into two subfamilies, the hormone receptor subfamily with ANF-RGC being its paramount member, and the Ca2+ modulated subfamily, which includes the rod outer segment guanylate cyclases, ROS-GC1 and 2, and the olfactory neuroepithelial guanylate cyclase, ONE-GC. ANF-RGC is the receptor and the signal transducer of the most hypotensive hormones, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). After binding these hormones at the extracellular domain it, at its intracellular domain, signals activation of the C-terminal catalytic module and accelerates the production of cyclic GMP. Cyclic GMP then serves the second messenger role in biological responses of ANF and BNP such as natriuresis, diuresis, vasorelaxation and anti-proliferation. Very recently another modus operandi for ANF-RGC was revealed. Its crux is that ANF-RGC activity is also regulated by Ca2+. The Ca2+ sensor neurocalcin  mediates this signaling mechanism. Strikingly, the Ca2+ and ANF signaling mechanisms employ separate structural motifs of ANF-RGC in modulating its core catalytic domain in accelerating the production of cyclic GMP. In this review the biochemistry and physiology of these mechanisms with emphasis on cardiovascular regulation will be discussed.
Understanding Sequence Variability of RNA Motifs Using Geometric Search and IsoDiscrepancy Matrices

Many of the nominally single-stranded hairpin, internal, and junction “loop” regions of RNA secondary structures, in fact, form uniquely folded 3D motifs. These elements are largely structured by non-Watson-Crick basepairs. Many 3D motifs are recurrent, meaning they occur in different RNAs. Recurrent motifs have the same 3D structure but not necessarily the same sequence. We describe a methodology for identifying the sequence variability of a given recurrent RNA internal loop that can be generalized to hairpin and junction loops. Since the database of RNA 3D structures now contains a significant number of biologically active, structured RNAs, including ribosomal RNAs, ribozymes, and riboswitches, we can directly observe some of the sequence variability for recurrent motifs in x-ray crystal structures. We use our search program, FR3D, to search the 3D structure database for geometrically similar motif instances that share the same spatial pattern of basepairs. We apply our analysis of RNA basepair isostericity and occurrence frequencies to suggest likely basepair substitutions. We use the IsoDiscrepancy Index (IDI), which we recently introduced to quantify basepair isostericities, to derive 4x4 IDI Tables for each base combination in each basepair family. We illustrate how these tables can be applied to predict the most likely base substitutions that occur in a 3D motif. By comparing observed motif instances, we also determine the most likely locations of inserted ("bulged") nucleotides. We compare the predictions from these considerations to observed variability in multiple sequence alignments of the motif.
Preoperative spinal tumor embolization: an institutional experience with Onyx.

Abstract Background Preoperative embolization has the potential to decrease intraoperative blood loss and facilitate spinal cord decompression and tumor resection. Objective We report our institutional experience with the embolization of hypervascular extradural spinal tumors with Onyx as well as earlier embolic agents in a series of 28 patients. Methods A retrospective case review was conducted on patients undergoing preoperative transarterial embolization of a spinal tumor between 1995 and 2012 at our institution. Results Twenty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 60.6 years. Twenty-eight patients had metastatic tumors. In 14 (50%) patients the metastases were from renal cell carcinomas. Fifty-four vessels were embolized using PVA, NBCA, Onyx, coils, or embospheres. Sixteen patients were treated with Onyx, 6 patients with PVA, 3 patients with embospheres, 2 patients with NBCA, and 3 patients with a combination of embolic agents. The average decrease in tumor blush was 97.8% with Onyx versus 92.7% with the rest of the embolic agents (p = 0.08). The estimated blood loss was 1616 ml (range 350–5000 ml). Blood loss was 750 cm3 on average with Onyx versus 1844 with the rest of the embolic agents (p = 0.14). The mean length of stay was 16 days. The mortality rate was zero. Pre- and post-operative modified Rankin Score (mRS) did not differ significantly in the series (3.12 versus 3.10, respectively, p = 0.9). Conclusion In our experience, the use of transarterial tumor embolization as an adjunct for spinal surgery is a safe and feasible option.
Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy: Aqueous Suspensions of Nanoscale Objects

Direct imaging of nanoscale objects suspended in liquid media can be accomplished using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Cryo-TEM has been used with particular success in microbiology and other biological fields. Samples are prepared by plunging a thin film of sample into an appropriate cryogen, which essentially produces a snapshot of the suspended objects in their liquid medium. With successful sample preparation, cryo-TEM images can facilitate elucidation of aggregation and self-assembly, as well as provide detailed information about cells and viruses. This work provides an explanation of sample preparation, detailed examples of the many artifacts found in cryo-TEM of aqueous samples, and other key considerations for successful cryo-TEM imaging.
Graphic Presentation: An Empirical Examination of the Graphic Novel Approach to Communicate Business Concepts

Graphic novels have been increasingly incorporated into business communication forums. Despite potential benefits, little research has examined the merits of the graphic novel approach. In response, we engage in a two-study approach. Study 1 explores the potential of graphic novels to affect learning outcomes and finds that the graphic novel was related to high levels of learning experiences. Study 2 compares the impact of graphic novels with that of traditional textbooks and finds that verbatim recognition was superior with graphic novel texts. Overall, we provide the first comprehensive examination of the graphic novel as a tool for effective business communication.
Hydrogen autoignition at pressures above the second explosion limit (0.6-4.0 MPa)

The investigation of high-pressure autoignition of combustible mixtures is of importance in providing both practical information in the design of combustion systems and fundamental measurements to verify and develop chemical kinetic models. The autoignition characteristics of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures at low pressures have been explored extensively, whereas few measurements have been made at high pressures. The present measurements extend the range of pressures up to 4 MPa, where few measurements have yet been reported. Using a rapid compression machine equipped with a specially designed piston head, hydrogen autoignition pressure traces were measured at pressures above the second explosion limit (p=0.6–4 MPa, T=950–1050 K). The measured pressure records show a more gradual pressure increase during induction time in this regime than in the low-pressure regime, indicating that the energy release becomes significant at conditions over the second explosion limit. By comparing the measurements and a thermodynamic model which incorporates the heat transfer and energy release, a modified reaction rate constant for H2O2+H=HO2+H2, one of the most important reactions for hydrogen oxidation at high pressure, and the reaction with the largest uncertainty, is suggested in this work as k17=2.3 . 1013exp(−4000/T) cm3/mol-s. The modeled pressure history with the modified reaction rate agrees well with the measured values during the induction period over the range of conditions tested. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 385–406, 1998
A ketamine mixture anesthetic inhibits neuroendocrine and behavioral consequences of cocaine administration.

Abstract Cocaine is known to affect different brain systems, particularly those associated with arousal, motor and motivational functions. In order to identify a possible neurochemical link among these systems, we investigated the effects of the non-competitive N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and dissociative anesthetic, ketamine (as a mixture with the sedatives acepromazine and xylazine) on the secretion of pituitary adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and on the development of behavioral sensitization induced by cocaine. Pretreatment with the ketamine anesthetic mixture (1.6 ml/kg; s.c.) completely blocked the stimulation of ACTH by cocaine (5 mg/kg, i.v.; administered 30 min after the ketamine mixture) without interfering with ACTH secretion induced by exogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF; 5 μg/kg; i.v.) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β; 100 ng/kg; i.v.). Administration of the ketamine mixture prior to each of five repeated cocaine injections (15 mg/kg; i.p.) also completely reversed the behavioral sensitization observed in saline-treated control animals. Administration of the anesthetic mixture did not appear to impair the dopamine (DA) re-uptake blocking properties of cocaine in the nucleus accumbens since substantial increases in extracellular DA were observed in the presence of the kitamine mixture. In addition to the present results, no behavioral sensitization was also observed in rats anesthetized with a different general anesthetic (pentobarbital, 50 mg/kg) under similar conditions to that of the ketamine mixture. Taken together, these results are in accordance with the hypothesis that stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptor function may be just one of the mechanisms whereby cocaine exerts its effects on neuroendocrine and behavioral activating systems. The significance of the behavioral results is also discussed in terms of the potential role of sensory processing capabilities for the development and expression of behavioral sensitization by cocaine.
Precipitation measurements using the QuikSCAT Radiometer

Microwave brightness temperatures are obtained from the SeaWinds scatterometer on the QuikSCAT satellite. These QuikSCAT Radiometer (QRad) measurements are used to infer instantaneous oceanic rain rates using a statistical retrieval algorithm that is based upon collocated TMI measurements. QRad instantaneous rain rate measurements have been binned in 0.5 hour local time windows onto a 0.5/spl deg//spl times/0.5/spl deg/ ocean grid. Also, an average rain rate product is produced, where QRad instantaneous rain rates have been averaged for five-day intervals (pentads) in the 0.5 hour local time windows. The scientific utility of QRad rain measurements is that they provide increased temporal and spatial sampling, which complements that provided by the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and the Special Sensor Microwave Imagers (SSMIs) on the three DMSP satellites. Examples for the year 2000 are presented with corresponding rain rate measurements derived from TMI and SSMI. The results demonstrate that QRad rain measurements agree well with these independent rain observations.