cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new metal-organic polymer with large grid acentric structure created by unbalanced inclusion species and its electrospun nanofibers.

A new acentric, open-framework metal−polymer created by unbalanced inclusion guest species has been synthesized. The new open-framework coordination polymer has been fabricated into metal−organic nanofibers using electrospinning techniques.
Sediment transport patterns in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System from cross-validation of bedform asymmetry and modeled residual flux

Abstract The morphology of ~ 45,000 bedforms from 13 multibeam bathymetry surveys was used as a proxy for identifying net bedload sediment transport directions and pathways throughout the San Francisco Bay estuary and adjacent outer coast. The spatially-averaged shape asymmetry of the bedforms reveals distinct pathways of ebb and flood transport. Additionally, the region-wide, ebb-oriented asymmetry of 5% suggests net seaward-directed transport within the estuarine-coastal system, with significant seaward asymmetry at the mouth of San Francisco Bay (11%), through the northern reaches of the Bay (7–8%), and among the largest bedforms (21% for λ > 50 m). This general indication for the net transport of sand to the open coast strongly suggests that anthropogenic removal of sediment from the estuary, particularly along clearly defined seaward transport pathways, will limit the supply of sand to chronically eroding, open-coast beaches. The bedform asymmetry measurements significantly agree (up to ~ 76%) with modeled annual residual transport directions derived from a hydrodynamically-calibrated numerical model, and the orientation of adjacent, flow-sculpted seafloor features such as mega-flute structures, providing a comprehensive validation of the technique. The methods described in this paper to determine well-defined, cross-validated sediment transport pathways can be applied to estuarine-coastal systems globally where bedforms are present. The results can inform and improve regional sediment management practices to more efficiently utilize often limited sediment resources and mitigate current and future sediment supply-related impacts.
Visual orienting and alerting in rhesus monkeys: comparison with humans

The behavioral capacities of the rhesus monkey for several sensory and cognitive tasks appear quite similar to those of humans. To evaluate the monkey's attentional capacities, we have compared monkey and human performance on a visuospatial attentional task, the cued target detection (CTD) paradigm. Animals were trained to fixate a small spot of light while a cue and a subsequent target, are flashed in the visual periphery. In valid trials, the cue and target appeared in the same spatial location; in invalid trials, the cue and target appeared in the opposite location; in double trials, two cues were presented and the target appeared in one of their locations; in no-cue trials, the cue was omitted and the target appeared in one location. In addition, we varied cognitive control over the task initiation by making the trial onset either self-paced or computer-paced. Reaction times (RTs) to target presentation, response accuracy, and frequency of aborted trials were measured for all subjects. No significant species differences were found for the patterns of RTs for different trial types or for attentional dynamics, as indexed by the decreases in RT with increasing cue-target interval. However, humans and non-human primates reacted differently to changes in cognitive control. Humans shows significant increases in no-cue trial RTs in the auto-paced task compared to the self-paced, but no differences in overall RT between tasks; monkeys showed a significant faster overall RT for the self-paced than the computer-paced task, but no difference between no-cue RTs. The performance differences between species may be related to the training history of the animals or to known anatomical differences in cortical organization, especially in the parietal lobe.
Authropogenic Warming in North Alaska

Abstract Using permafrost boreholes, Lachenbruch and Marshall recently reported evidence for a 2°–4°C warming in North Alaska occurring at some undetermined time during the last century. Popular accounts suggest their findings are evidence for anthropogenic warming caused by trace gases. Analyses of North Alaskan 1000-500 mb thickness onwards back to 1948 indicate that the warming was prior to that date. Relatively sparse thermometric data for the early twentieth century from Jones et al. are too noisy to support any trend since the data record begins in 1910, or to apply to any subperiod of climatic significance. Any warming detected from the permafrost record therefore occurred before the major emissions of thermally active trace gases.
Impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in therapeutic decisions for malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pelvis

The decision to give neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with localized high-risk soft tissue sarcoma is often based on tumor grade evaluated from biopsies, but biopsies can have the inherent issue of sampling bias. Incorporation of SUVmax and heterogeneity assessed by F-FDG PET/CT could be other crucial components in the effort to tailor treatment to an individual patient, providing valuable parameters to guide the selection of the most appropriate management schedule for an individual. We present 1 representative case describing how FDG PET/CT can assist in clinical management decisions for treatment of malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pelvis.
The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions in Competitive Sport

The use of psychological interventions in competitive sport to enhance performance has become increasingly popular. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has been questioned by some sports psychologists. In general, educationally-based psychological interventions have produced significant increases in performance. Specifically, it was found that 38 of the 45 studies examined (85%) had found positive performance effects, although causality could only be inferred in 20 of these studies. These interventions could be classified as relaxation-based, cognitive, cognitive-behavioural or behavioural in nature. Although general support was provided for the effectiveness of psychological interventions in competitive sports, a number of methodological shortcomings limit the application of the findings. For example, future intervention research in competitive sport should employ more detailed manipulation checks, include follow-up assessments beyond a mere post-test, include placebo-control groups to control for expectancy effects and include more diverse samples. In addition to the empirical intervention research, recent research employing qualitative methodologies has greatly added to our understanding of the types of interventions and what type of sport psychology consultants most positively affect performance enhancement, as well as the personal growth of athletes. Continued quantitative and qualitative research needs to be conducted so that a better understanding is gained of how to conduct psychological interventions with athletes that will enhance performance as well as personal growth.
A-150 plastic radiometric calorimeter for charged particles and other radiations

Abstract A local absorbed dose calorimeter with certain novel features has been designed and constructed of A-150 tissue-equivalent (TE) plastic. The radiation absorption properties of this material and the relative absence of core impurities make the calorimeter suitable for use in a wide variety of radiation beams. The low thermal diffusivity of A-150 plastic led to the development of a unique spiral electrical calibration heater that has a mass of only 0.1% that of the core. The calorimeter can be calibrated in the quasiadiabatic or the heat-loss-compensated mode to test for possible effects caused by temperature gradients. The details of construction and operation are described.
Leucine oxidation in rat muscle, heart, and liver homogenates.

Abstract This study was undertaken to investigate the rate of amino acid oxidation in homogenates of muscle, heart, and liver, and to investigate the rate-limiting enzyme in the oxidation of leucine. The rate of oxidation of leucine in homogenates was 3% the rate of palmitate oxidation for muscle and 15% for heart. The total capacity for leucine oxidation was largest in liver, followed by muscle, and then heart. Leucine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase appears to be rate limiting in liver but not muscle and heart. There was appreciable oxidation of leucine (25–60% of total CO 2 produced) beyond the α-ketoisocaproic acid dehydrogenase reaction in muscle, heart, and liver.
Initial Formulation of an Optimization Method Based on Stigmergic Construction

Sign-based stigmergic methods such as the ant colony optimization algorithm have been used to solve network optimization, scheduling problems, and other optimization problems that can be visualized as directed graphs. However, there has been little research focused on the use of optimization methods based on sematectonic stigmergy, such as coordination through collective construction. This paper develops a novel approach where the process of agent-directed stigmergic construction is introduced as a general optimization tool. The development of this new approach involves adopting previous work on stigmergic construction to a virtual space and applying statistical mechanics-based techniques to data produced during the stigmergic construction process. From this a unique procedure for solving optimization problems using a computational procedure that simulates sematectonic stigmergic processes such as stigmergic construction is proposed.
Application of Advanced Constitutive Models to the Simulation of Machining

Advanced constitutive models have long been used to describe plastic material response at high strains and high strain rates. These models include the Johnson-Cook, Zerrelli-Armstrong and Material Threshold Stress (MTS) formulations, each with a separate fidelity. The constitutive parameters for these complex models are commonly identified using laboratory techniques such as quasi-static load frames at room and elevated temperatures, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPB) in tension and compression, gas guns, and Taylor impact cylinders. However, while the models are able to adequately describe material response under high strain and high strain rate, the loadings are all uniaxial in nature. The ability of these constitutive models and parameters to describe a different dynamic loading event, namely shear dominated machining, has not been thoroughly investigated. This work will develop numerical simulations applying multiple constitutive models with material parameters experimentally determined for fully annealed copper samples. Ultimately, the machining simulation will be compared with high fidelity experimental machining data. The utility of this research extends to the fundamental questions that surround the machining process, such as tool forces, surface damage, precision and quality.© 2009 ASME
Ultraviolet radiation in the aging and cataractous lens. A survey.

An increase in the insoluble protein levels, in fluorescence, and a decrease in the SH concentration are three specific aging parameters in the mammalian lens. These can be markedly accelerated in human, rat and mouse lenses by in vitro exposure (for at least 4 h) to UV radiation (above 300 nm) and 3-aminotriazole (AT) and in vivo by exposing mice to UV and parenteral AT for 4–6 weeks. UV, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Lasar Raman Spectroscopy were performed on normal and UV plus AT exposed 4–6 week old rat lenses and normal and experimental human lenses (1 day to 75 years of age). These data demonstrate the presence and/or induction of at least one fluorescent compound (fluorogen) (360 nm activation, 440 nm emission) derived from tryptophan by a free radical induced photooxidation reaction. Similar studies on purified lens proteins and peptides indicate that this fluorogen is tightly bound to at least one specific peptide. The age related increase in the concentration of fluorescent compounds enhances the yellowing of the lens core and accompanies polymerization of soluble protein precursors into the insoluble protein fraction. There is also a progressive fall in SH levels (with age or UV exposure) and an increase in SS bonds without any significant alteration in the secondary configuration of the lens proteins (which remain mainly in the anti-parallel beta-pleated configuration). It is postulated that UV radiation (300–380 nm) plays a role in lenticular aging, particularly nuclear sclerosis and its extreme state characterized by the Brunescent Cataract.
Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Refractory to Transcatheter Embolization

Bronchial artery aneurysms occur rarely, but they are potentially life threatening and require treatment to avoid rupture and other complications. A 37-year-old man, who was otherwise healthy, presented with chest discomfort and was found to have a large right bronchial artery aneurysm. Despite two attempts at embolization, the aneurysm continued to have persistent flow. Aneurysmectomy with ligation of multiple collateral vessels was successfully performed through a standard posterolateral thoracotomy. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 2.
Solubility of KFe(CrO4)2·2H2O at 4–75°C

Abstract The solubility of KFe(CrO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O, a precipitate recently identified in a Cr(VI)-contaminated soil, was studied in dissolution and precipitation experiments. Ten dissolution experiments were conducted at 4–75°C and initial pH values between 0.8 and 1.2 using synthetic KFe(CrO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O. Four precipitation experiments were conducted at 25°C with final pH values between 0.16 and 1.39. The log K SP for the reaction KFe(CrO 4 ) 2 ·2 H 2 O ⇄ K + + Fe 3+ +2 CrO 2− 4 +2 H 2 O at 25°C is −19.39±0.13. From this measured solubility product, the free energy of formation of KFe(CrO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O, Δ G 0 f ,298 , is −2348.0±5.6 kJ mol −1 . For a constant heat capacity for the reaction, the log K SP over the range of temperature of 277 to 348 K is given by log K SP =331.476−16847.6/T−119.002 log T , where T is the temperature in K. Based on this temperature dependence of the solubility product, the enthalpy of reaction at 25°C, Δ H 0 r ,298 , is 27.54±1.38 kJ mol −1 , the entropy of reaction, Δ S 0 r ,298 is −280.8±4.8 J mol −1 K −1 , and the heat capacity of the reaction, Δ C p , r , over the temperature range of the experiments is −989±115 J mol −1 K −1 . The measured solubility indicates that KFe(CrO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O is stable under conditions of low pH and high Cr(VI) and K + concentrations. Such conditions are likely to be found in the immediate vicinity of a release of acidic, chromate-rich solutions.
C. C. L. Hirschfeld's concept of the garden in the German Enlightenment

Abstract In his own day and for more than a generation after, Christian Cay Lorenz Hirschfeld (1742–1792) was recognized in Continental Europe as an authority, if not the authority, on gardens—their history, their art, their meaning. Acclaimed as ‘father of landscape garden art’,1 his writings were influential not just in Germany but also in France, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Scandinavia and Russia, especially his five-volume Theorie der Gartenkunst (hereafter Theorie) which appeared simultaneously in German and French between 1779 and 1785.2 The Theorie was by far the most comprehensive of his publications but not the only source of his renown. Of his other dozen book-length studies, many appeared in more than one edition, sections were excerpted and anthologized, and six were quickly translated into Dutch. He was known to experts and amateurs alike, and soon became a great favorite of an increasingly voracious reading public. Late eighteenth-century ladies pored over his works with enthusiasm, and...
Specific risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a prospective, multicenter, case control evaluation.

Background Clostridium difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that is responsible for toxicity to the colonic mucosa, causing inflammation, necrosis, and, in some extreme cases, intestinal dilation and perforation. C difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) occurs when patients have a reduction in their natural gastrointestinal flora that allows for the proliferation of and toxin production by C difficile . Methods Using a multicenter, prospective observational case control study, we assessed and quantified risk factors associated with the development of diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile , with particular attention to antibiotic use. All hospitalized patients with diarrhea requiring a C difficile toxin test as part of their routine clinical workup were considered for study inclusion. Patients with a negative specimen (controls) were considered for enrollment if matched (by age, sex, length of stay, and institution) to a case. Variables associated with CDAD were identified using univariate analysis. Significant factors were then entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors. Results There were no significant differences in antibiotic use between cases and controls. Patient severity, classified by Horn's Index, was significantly different between cases and controls ( P = .0022). No other significant variables were identified. Conclusion The severity of illness of the cases was classified as more severe than the controls, but no significant differences in antibiotic use were identified between the groups. The negative C difficile toxin studies on the well-matched control patients indicate a different etiology of diarrhea (such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea), which may have developed in the presence of similar antibiotic use as the cases.
Time to Treat Problematic Sleep Disturbance in Perinatal Women

Guest commentary on: Swanson, L. M., Flynn, H., Adams-Mundy, J. D., Armitage, R., & Arnedt, J. T. (2013). An open pilot of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in women with postpartum depress...
Modifications to beam theory for bending and twisting of open-section composite beams

Abstract Modifications to beam theory are presented to describe the combined bending and twisting of anisotropic composite material open-section beams subjected to pure bending and transverse loading. The beams are constructed of thin panels of laminated fiber reinforced composite materials which have either anisotropic or orthotropic in-plane mechanical properties. Due to the anisotropic coupling between normal and shear effects, three modes of beam deformation under transverse loading are obtained; bending (deflection), twisting (rotation), and axial extension or contraction (displacement). The theory is formulated in terms of effective laminate properties and describes overall beam deformation. Numerical examples are presented in which the theory is applied to describe the behavior of typical open cross-sections under a variety of loadings.
A Comparison of Shrimp ‘Bran’ and Two Kinds of Fish Meal when Fed at a Level of Ten Per Cent in Diets for Growing Chicks

Abstract During the last two years the United States Department of Agriculture has received a number of inquiries regarding the nutritive value of different marine products, particularly shrimp “bran,” whole-fish meal, and fish-offal meal, when fed to poultry. The lack of comparative experimental feeding data on these three products made it desirable to conduct a feeding experiment with growing chicks to find out if any differences in growth would be obtained when these products supplied an appreciable part of the total protein of the chick’s diet. From a practical point of view, it seemed best to use diets containing the same percentage of these products, rather than the same percentage of protein derived from them. Accordingly, three pens of baby chicks were started on diets containing 10 per cent shrimp “bran,” 10 per cent menhaden fish meal, and 10 per cent North Atlantic fish meal, respectively, and growth and feed consumption . . .
Comparison of standard versus high-dose epinephrine in the resuscitation of cardiac arrest in dogs

A prospective, randomized, blinded study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of standard compared with high-dose epinephrine in cardiac arrest in dogs. Twenty-five mongrel dogs were anesthetized and monitored by central venous catheter, intra-arterial catheter, and ECG. A left lateral thoracotomy was performed, and the proximal left anterior descending artery was ligated. After ten minutes of myocardial ischemia, ventricular fibrillation was obtained by application of 6-V AC. Mechanical ventilation was stopped. Total arrest time was ten minutes. All animals were randomized into one of five resuscitation protocols; each protocol was identical except for the dose and route of epinephrine administration. Group 1 animals comprised the control group and received normal saline. Group 2 and 3 animals received epinephrine in doses of 0.014 mg/kg by central venous and intracardiac injection, respectively. Group 4 and 5 animals received epinephrine in doses of 0.071 mg/kg by central venous and intracardiac injection, respectively. None of the dogs receiving normal saline had a return of spontaneous circulation, defined as a spontaneous systolic blood pressure of more than 50 mm Hg. Nine of the ten animals from groups 2 and 3 and all of the ten animals from groups 4 and 5 had a return of spontaneous circulation. However, animals receiving the standard dose of epinephrine had a significantly longer resuscitation time compared with the high-dose group (P = .05) and required more doses of epinephrine for successful resuscitation than did animals receiving high doses (P less than .02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationships between Trends in Regional Development and Regional Policy Goals in Central Europe, 1950–1980

The paper presents results from empirical analyses of regional social and economic well-being in Central Europe between 1950 and 1980. Declines in regional inequalities during the study period are probably greater than can be explained by a coinciding trend toward greater regional dispersion of industrial employment. The latter, a goal of regional policy in all Central European nations, also has neither completely eradicated preexisting regional problems nor forestalled the emergence of new ones in old, highly specialized heavily industrialized areas. The lingering and the newly recognized regional problems have led many European regional scientists to call for new regional policies to cope with a new set of world economic conditions.
John Muir’s Orchard Home

The environmental pioneer John Muir spent most of his adult years living and working on a fruit ranch outside of Martinez, California. His entire domestic life unfolded among the orchards. Yet, repeatedly and explicitly, he rejected the ranch as his true home, claiming instead a spiritual affinity with the Sierra wilderness. That response famously helped launch modern, wilderness-oriented environmentalism, but less noticed was its role in closing an earlier horticultural movement that promoted the combined economic and environmental development of the landscape. Muir’s in-laws, John and Louisiana Strentzel, typified the horticulturalists. Contrasting how the two generations made their homes in the natural landscape demonstrates the diversity of environmental thinking in nineteenth-century California and reveals how much Muir left behind in turning toward the mountains.
Yerba mate enhances probiotic bacteria growth in vitro but as a feed additive does not reduce Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in vivo

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a tea known to have beneficial effects on human health and antimicrobial activity against some foodborne pathogens. Thus, the application of yerba mate as a feed additive for broiler chickens to reduce Salmonella colonization was evaluated. The first in vitro evaluation was conducted by suspending Salmonella Enteritidis and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in yerba mate extract. The in vivo evaluations were conducted using preventative and horizontal transmission experiments. In all experiments, day-of-hatch chicks were treated with one of the following 1) no treatment (control); 2) ground yerba mate in feed; 3) probiotic treatment (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus; 9:1 administered once on day of hatch by gavage); or 4) both yerba mate and probiotic treatments. At d 3, all chicks were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis (preventative experiment) or 5 of 20 chicks (horizontal transmission experiment). At d 10, all birds were euthanized, weighed, and cecal contents enumerated for Salmonella. For the in vitro evaluation, antimicrobial activity was observed against Salmonella and the same treatment enhanced growth of LAB. For in vivo evaluations, none of the yerba mate treatments significantly reduced Salmonella Enteritidis colonization, whereas the probiotic treatment significantly reduced Salmonella colonization in the horizontal transmission experiment. Yerba mate decreased chicken BW and decreased the performance of the probiotic treatment when used in combination. In conclusion, yerba mate had antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens and enhanced the growth of LAB in vitro, but in vivo yerba mate did not decrease Salmonella Enteritidis colonization.
Improved algorithms for translation of pictures represented by leaf codes

Abstract The paper deals with the translation of linear quadtrees, which are pointerless data structures used to represent images. A modification of Gargantini's algorithm is proposed which will make it more efficient and new translation algorithms are proposed based on adjacency algorithms. The algorithms of this paper translate as many leaves as possible without splitting them.
Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, affecting an estimated 2.2 million Americans and present in 8% to 10% of those older than 80 years old. 1 As the US population ages, the incidence and prevalence of AF is expected to increase. Although the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study demonstrated no clinical benefit from attempts to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with AF who have suppressive antiarrhythmic agents and repeated cardioversions, cardioversion was used as initial management in both arms of the study. 2 In addition, restoration of sinus rhythm may be an important therapeutic goal in patients who are younger or highly symptomatic. Therefore, cardioversion remains an important and frequently used intervention in patients with AF.
Energy reduction with run-time partial reconfiguration (abstract only)

We study whether partial reconfiguration can be used to reduce FPGA energy consumption. In the ideal scenario, we have a hardware accelerator to accelerate certain parts of the program execution. And when the accelerator is not active, we use partial reconfiguration to unload it to reduce both static and dynamic power. However, the reconfiguration process may introduce a high energy overhead, thus it is unclear whether this approach is feasible. To approach this problem, we identify the conditions under which partial reconfiguration can be used to reduce energy consumption, and we propose solutions to minimize the configuration energy overhead. The results of our study show that by using partial reconfiguration to eliminate the power consumption of the accelerator when it is inactive, we can accelerate program execution and at the same time reduce the overall energy consumption by half.
98 RIGHT VENTRICULAR ENDOCARDIAL ACTIVATION MEASURED BY CATHETER TECHNIQUE: VALUES IN CHILDREN AND INFLUENCE OF HIGH AND LOW FILTERS

To determine right ventricular (RV) endocardial activation (surface ECG to fast deflection of intracardiac electrogram) we measured activation of (a) right ventricular apex (RVA) (N=34), (b) right ventricular outflow (RVO) (N=6) and (c) right ventricular inflow (RVI) (N=3) using closely spaced (2mm) bipolar electrode catheter. Catheter positions were verified by biplane fluoroscopy with a C-arm rotated in the horizontal plane. Median age of children studied was 10 yrs (range 0.5-20.8). None had right bundle branch block (RBBB) on surface ECG. Using frequency band pass (15-300 Hz) RVA was 25.9±8.2 msec (10-42) and did not correlate with either age or RV pressure. RVI was 44.7±9.8 msec (39-56) and was 68% longer than RVA. RVO was 50.7±11.0 msec (33-66) and was 89% longer than RVA. The influence of high (150-1000 Hz) and low (15-300 Hz) filters on RVA was evaluated in 13 of these patients and 6 others with RBBB. RVA at high frequency band was on the average 1.2 msec shorter than and correlated well (r=.96) with RVA at the low frequency range. We conclude that RV endocardial activation, measured at cardiad catheterization, proceeds in the expected manner and time course, with no clinically important difference between RVA recorded at high and low frequencies. Thus the method may be useful in defining RV endocardial activation disturbances prior to and after intracardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.
Immunofluorescence detection of the denitrifying strain Pseudomonas stutzeri (ATCC 14405) in seawater and intertidal sediment environments

A strain-specific immunofluorescence assay for enumeration of a marine denitrifying bacterium was developed and applied in the marine environment. The polyclonal antiserum for Pseudomonas stutzeri (ATCC 14405) did not react with other pseudomonads, other heterotrophs, or autotrophic nitrifying strains. The abundance of P. stutzeri in the shallow water column of Monterey Bay was less than 0.1% of the total bacterial abundance and decreased with depth, whereas the total bacterial abundance was variable and nearly constant with depth. P. stutzeri was also detected in the sediments of a microbial mat from Tomales Bay. The relatively low contribution of P. stutzeri to the total bacterial abundance in both environments implies that it is not a major component of the heterotrophic assemblage. This conclusion appears to hold for most other strains for which specific assays have been applied in the marine environment. The isolation of several different denitrifying strains from local marine environments implies that the culturable population is quite diverse, even in the absence of different selective enrichment media. Thus, strain specific immunofluorescence is of limited use in quantifying functional groups of bacteria. Conversely, they provide specific information on the diversity of natural populations and their relation to culturable strains.
Chromosomal localizations by in situ hybridization of the repetitious human DNA families and evidence of their satellite DNA equivalents

Four of the five major repetitious human DNA families, have been mapped by the in situ hybridization technique at their TOPT values. Two of the lighter density DNA families have autoradiographic grain patterns over heterochromatic chromosomal regions that resemble those of known satellite DNAs. The two heaviest density DNA families have autoradiographic grain patterns of middle repetitious DNAs, with all chromosomes showing labelling. Some evidence suggests that one of these DNA families is concentrated in certain chromosomal regions. Both DNA families exhibit biphasic TOPT curves. The presence of two thermal stability classes of hybrids suggests sequence interspersion. By co-enrichment studies in Ag+-Cs2SO4 gradients, evidence suggests the origin of the three lightest density renaturated human DNA families to be satellites I, II and III.
How to Talk about the use and Abuse of Natural Family Planning the Importance of Accuracy in Translation and in Description.

This essay argues, through a close reading of relevant magisterial texts in the areas of sexual morality and of fundamental moral theology, that, contrary to opinions sometimes expressed by orthodo...
The determination of organophosphonate nerve agent metabolites in human urine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract A sensitive, robust isotope dilution LC/MS/MS method is presented for the quantitative analysis of human urine for the alkyl methylphosphonic acid metabolites of five organophosphorus nerve agents (VX, rVX or VR, GB or Sarin, GD or Soman, and GF or Cyclosarin). The selective sample preparation method employs non-bonded silica solid-phase extraction and is partially automated. While working with a mobile phase composition that enhances the electrospray ionization process, the hydrophilic interaction chromatography method results in a 5-min injection-to-injection cycle time, excellent peak shapes and adequate retention (k′ = 3.1). These factors lead to limits of detection for these metabolites as low as 30 pg/mL in a 1-mL sample of human urine. The quality control data (15 and 75 ng/mL) demonstrate accurate (−0.5 to +3.4%) and precise (coefficients of variation of 2.1–3.6%) quantitative results over the clinically relevant urine concentration range of 1–200 ng/mL for a validation set of 20 standard and quality control sets prepared by five analysts over 54 days. The selectivity of the method is demonstrated for a 100-individual reference range study, as well as the analysis of relevant biological samples. The combined sample preparation and analysis portions of this method have a throughput of 288 samples per day.
Electron Spin Resonance of Nitric Oxide-Hemoglobin Complexes in Solution

The electron spin resonance spectra of solutions of nitric oxide-hemoglobin and nitric oxide-methemoglobin, and whole blood treated at room temperature with nitric oxide, all exhibit resonance with a line width of 83 gauss, a g-value of 2.03, and a spin intensity corresponding to one unpaired electron spin per heme. The minimum detectable concentration of these nitric oxide complexes in solution is 10-5 M. Solutions were stable in a nitrogen atmosphere but when exposed to air in the absence of nitric oxide the spin intensity decreased with a half-life of about 5 hours. A preliminary examination of blood of rats exposed 1 and 9 days to 10 ppm of nitric oxide in air showed no electron spin resonance.
Evidence for plasticity in neurotransmitter expression in neuronal cultures derived from 3-day-old chick embryo.

Abstract We have previously reported the developmental profiles of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) bio- and immunocytochemically, assessing GABAergic and cholinergic neuronal phenotypes respectively, in neuroblast-enriched cultures from 3-day-old chick embryo, plated on poly- l -lysine. We have also reported that collagen as culture substrate inhibits neuronal aggregation and neuritic fasciculation in this culture system. In this study we assessed the same parameters for cultures on collagen. In addition, we evaluated the effects of nerve growth factors (NGF) on cholinergic and GABAergic expression on neurons plated either on polylysine or collagen. We found that non-neuronal cells and NGF prolonged the survival of cholinergic and GABAergic neuronal populations and that both markedly stimulated GABAergic expression. In contrast, cholinergic expression was only enhanced by NGF. Immunostaining for GABA and ChAT reflected the biochemical findings. Glutamine synthetase and cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase, used as markers for astrocytes and oligodendrocytes respectively, showed very low activity in both substrata and were not related to GAD or ChAT peak activities. Our findings suggest that humoral factors and cell—cell contacts markedly influence neuronal phenotypic expression in culture. Moreover, it appears that during early neuronal differentiation GABAergic neurons are more responsive to microenvironmental regulation compared to cholinergic neurons.
The X-ray photoelectron spectrum of iron

Abstract Core level binding energies and the valence band spectrum of a clean Fe(110) single crystal have been obtained by using X-ray photoemission. The valence band spectrum is compared with calculated one-electron densities of states.
Ultrasonic Reflectivity Determination of Interfacial Properties in Adhesive Joints of Aluminum Alloys

In studies of ultrasonic measurements of interfacial properties, it has previously been proposed [1] that an ultrasonic wave that produces shear stress on the interphase is sensitive to interphase properties. This may be achieved by utilization of interface waves [1,2] or guided waves in the bonded plates [3–5]. Another possibility is the use of obliquely incident ultrasonic waves for interphase evaluation, analyzing signals in the time or frequency domains [6–8].
Outpatient therapeutic ERCP with endobiliary stent placement for malignant common bile duct obstruction

Abstract Background: Since 1996 patients in stable condition who need therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at our institution have been treated as outpatients whenever possible. We reviewed our institution's experience and compared outpatient versus inpatient therapeutic ERCP for endobiliary stent placement in the care of patients with malignant common bile duct obstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of all therapeutic ERCPs for the palliation of malignant common bile duct obstruction with endobiliary stents was performed from March 1, 1996, through December 1, 1997. Results: One hundred nine therapeutic ERCPs were performed on 84 patients to place a polyethylene endobiliary stent for malignant common bile duct obstruction. Forty-three procedures were performed on 31 outpatients, 66 on 53 inpatients. There was no significant difference between outpatient and inpatient groups with regard to age, gender, procedure success rate, complication rate, need for endoscopic sphincterotomy, or whether the procedure was for initial stent placement or stent exchange. Inpatients had no procedure-related complications; outpatients had two. There was no procedure-related mortality in either group. Conclusion: Therapeutic ERCP for palliation of malignant common bile duct obstruction can be safely and successfully performed on an outpatient basis for selected patients. This should result in better quality of life for these patients with advanced cancer and substantial cost savings. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50:63-6.)
Annual and interannual variations in terrestrial water storage during and following a period of drought in South Carolina, USA

Summary The goal of this research is to quantify variations in both space and time of water stored in the terrestrial environment within South Carolina during and following a period of drought. We use a water balance approach that synthesizes observed and modeled hydrologic fluxes for sub-watersheds defined by the drainage area between streamflow gaging stations. We apply the approach for the period 1998–2007 to study the impact of a drought that occurred during the early part of this time period on terrestrial water storage within the state. Results from the analysis provide evidence of distinct annual and interannual variation in water storage for different regions of the state, with the fall season having a water surplus and spring season exhibiting a water deficit. The impact of the drought varied for different regions of the state depending in part on hydrogeological conditions including soil type and depth to the groundwater level. Comparing estimates of rate of change in terrestrial water storage with observed groundwater levels, as an independent validation of the terrestrial water storage estimations, shows that many of the sub-watersheds within the state exhibited similar patterns between variation of rate of change in terrestrial water storage estimates and observed groundwater levels during the period of analysis, as expected. However, some sub-watersheds did not follow general annual and interannual variations in groundwater level or in estimated rate of change in terrestrial water storage relative to neighboring sub-watersheds. We speculate that these abnormalities may be related to human influences that alter local water storage trends within specific sub-watersheds of the state, however future work is needed to further investigate this possible explanation. We conclude through this study that the water balance approach presented is a simple yet valuable means for estimating variations in water availability at a regional spatial scale by synthesizing existing observations and model output data within a geospatially-explicit context.
Fractionation and spectroscopic properties of fulvic acid and its extract.

Abstract Novel results were obtained when a fulvic acid was isolated from Acros humic acid and fractionated by traditional preparative thin-layer chromatography. Eight colorful bands were directly viewed and analyzed showing very different fluorescence and absorption properties. The fluorescence quantum yield of the bands ranged from 2% to 9.4%, significantly higher than that of natural humic substances. An aqueous fulvic acid solution was also extracted with methylene chloride (CH 2 Cl 2 ) by continuous liquid–liquid extraction. The CH 2 Cl 2 extract was further fractionated by thin-layer chromatography. Eleven highly fluorescent colorful bands and six weakly fluorescent bands were observed and examined. UV–vis absorption and fluorescence (including 3D matrix) spectra and fluorescence quantum yields revealed that each band still represented a mixture of compounds. Moreover, substantial differences in optical properties were observed among bands. A single band possessed the highest fluorescence quantum yield (6%) and highest specific fluorescence (fluorescence/mass), and accounted for 21% of the total fluorescence of the extract. The mass of individual bands varied from 1.6% to 14.1% of the total materials recovered. Components of all fractions were grouped into 11 fluorophore families according to their maxima on 3D matrix fluorescence spectra. No component is dominant in the whole fulvic acid or extracted portion in terms of optical properties. Over 40 natural products are proposed for model chromophores.
Wavelet analysis of microscale strains

Recent improvements in experimental and computational techniques have led to a vast amount of data on the microstructure and deformation of polycrystals. These show that, in a number of phenomena, including phase transformation, localized bands of deformation percolate in a complex way across various grains. Often, this information is given as point-wise values arrayed in pixels, voxels and grids. The massive extent of data in this form renders identifying key features difficult and the cost of digital storage expensive. This work explores the efficiency of wavelets in storing, representing and analyzing such data on shape-memory polycrystals as a specific example. It is demonstrated how a compact wavelet representation captures the essential physics contained in experimental and simulated strains in superelastic media.
Effect of equatorial plasma bubbles on the thermosphere

[1] Equatorial plasma bubbles are common in the low-latitude ionosphere at night, particularly at solar maximum. The bubbles form on the bottomside of the F-layer as a result of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and then drift upwards and to the east. As the bubbles evolve, the entire north-south extent of the plasma flux tubes in the bubbles becomes depleted, and the bubbles take the form of vertically elongated wedges of depleted plasma. The east-west width of a bubble domain can be several thousand kilometers and the plasma density depletion in the bubbles varies from a factor of 10 to 1000. Because equatorial plasma bubbles could have an appreciable effect on the upper atmosphere, a time-dependent, three-dimensional, high-resolution model of the global thermosphere was used to calculate the response of the neutral gas to “idealized” plasma bubble depletions. The model predicts that there are both neutral density and temperature depressions and enhancements in association with the plasma bubbles. The bubble regions can contain either neutral gas enhancements or depressions depending on the background conditions, which change throughout the night. However, the calculated neutral gas perturbations are small, with maximum neutral density perturbations of 6% and maximum temperature perturbations of about 35°K. Nevertheless, these results support the recent experimental evidence that plasma bubbles produce depletions in the neutral density.
Low latitude ionospheric electrodynamics

The low latitude ionosphere is strongly affected by several highly variable electrodynamic processes. Over the last two decades ground-based and satellite measurements and global numerical models have been extensively used to study the longitude-dependent climatology of low latitude electric fields and currents. These electrodynamic processes and their ionospheric effects exhibit large ranges of temporal and spatial variations during both geomagnetic quiet and disturbed conditions. Numerous recent studies have investigated the short term response of equatorial electric fields and currents to lower atmospheric transport processes and solar wind-magnetosphere driving mechanisms. This includes the large electric field and current perturbations associated with arctic sudden stratospheric warming events during geomagnetic quiet times and highly variable storm time prompt penetration and ionospheric disturbance dynamo effects. In this review, we initially describe recent experimental and numerical modeling results of the global climatology and short term variability of quiet time low latitude electrodynamic plasma drifts. Then, we examine the present understanding of equatorial electric field and current perturbation fields during periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity.
Integration Of Stereo Camera Geometries

One disadvantage of the lateral stereo model is that there always exists a set of image elements, in both images, for which there is no correspondence. Similarly, one disadvantage of the axial motion stereo model is that there always exists a set of image elements around the center of either image for which the absolute error in determining depth increases drastically as the distance between image element and image center decreases. However, the portion of the image which results in erroneous correspondences when utilizing one stereo geometry can be processed with no similar errors if the other stereo geometry is incorporated. Therefore, a stereoscopic system with no such disadvantages can be developed by integrating the two models. It is shown that this can be achieved without reducing the contents of the depicted scene. The zoom-based stereo camera model is also proposed as a possible replacement of the axial motion arrangement.
The Phonetic Context of American English Flapping: Quantitative Evidence

The phonetic context in which word-medial flaps occur (in contrast to [th]) in American English is explored. The analysis focuses on stress placement, following phone, and syllabification. In Experiment 1, subjects provided their preference for [th] or [[symbol: see text]] in bisyllabic nonce words. Consistent with previous studies, flaps were preferred before stressless syllables and [th] before stressed syllables, but the following phone also exerted a small degree of influence. Experiments 2 and 3 tested whether [th] or [[symbol: see text]] are associated with a particular syllable position in bisyllabic words. They demonstrate that [th] is favored in onsets, while [[symbol: see text]] is not consistently placed in either the onset or coda, nor is it generally ambisyllabic. These findings contradict analyses that posit syllable division as a conditioning factor in the appearance of [th] versus [[symbol: see text]]. Experiment 4 examined the pronunciation of 480 multisyllabic words from the TIMIT corpus. VCV was seen to favor [[symbol: see text]], while VCV favored [th]. In addition, flaps tend to be followed by syllabic sonorants and [th] by tense vowels. Because the following phones that influenced [th] and [[symbol: see text]] in Experiment 4 differ from those that were significant in Experiment 1, more research is necessary into the effect that following phones have on the appearance of [th] and [[symbol: see text]].