cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SEASONAL PERIODICITY OF CHRYSOPHYCEAE AND SYNUROPHYCEAE IN A SMALL NEW ENGLAND LAKE: IMPLICATIONS FOR PALEOLIMNOLOGICAL RESEARCH1

The seasonal periodicity of taxa of Chrysophyceae and Synurophyceae from a small New England lake is described for the period September 1983 through June 1988. We found 51 taxa, including 29 that accounted for over 10% of the total in at least one collection. The taxa were fitted into one of five seasonal patterns. Patterns I and II represented taxa restricted to warm (pattern I) or cold (pattern II) months, respectively. Pattern HI represented organisms that began growth in the summer, persisted through autumn and disappeared with the onset of an ice cover. Pattern IV was an extension of pattern III, in which the taxon remained in the plankton throughout the winter and disappeared soon after ice out. Species without a clear seasonal pattern were grouped as pattern V. The seasonal periodicity of the flora, as examined with ordination analyses, was found to remain remarkedly similar during the 58–month study. Except for episodes of low pH during spring snow melt and unseasonally warm or cold weather, sample scores followed a fairly consistent pattern along the first and second primary axes. Water temperature, specific conductance, and pH were important variables that controlled changes in the species composition during the course of a given year. The flora was used to develop an inference model for water temperature. According to the analyses, the remains of a surface sediment sample represented a flora that grew primarily during the late autumn period at 7.6 ° C. Ways in which seasonal data could be utilized to improve paleolimnological inference work are discussed.
Alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed reduction of protein carbonyl derivatives

Abstract A simple method for measuring protein carbonyl derivatives is described. The assay is based on the catalytic reduction of protein carbonyl derivatives by NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase at pH 7.5. Bovine serum albumin, oxidized by a system that generates highly reactive hydroxyl radicals via a Fenton-type reaction, is reacted with NADH in the presence of the enzyme. The carbonyl derivatives are quantitated on the basis of absorbance changes at 340 nm using millimolar absorptivity of 6.2 mM −1 cm −1 . The method correlates well with a method that utilizes 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine 1 .
Partial characterization of an ∼20 K Mr retinal protein whose phosphorylation is inhibited by taurine

Abstract It has been demonstrated previously that taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is an inhibitor of protein phosphorylation in a mitochondrial fraction of the rat retina. It appears that taurine is most effective in inhibiting the phosphorylation of an ∼20 K apparent molecular weight ( M r ) protein found in the retinal tissue. This study further characterizes the location of the ∼20 K phosphoprotein by phase separation using Triton X-l 14 and also characterizes the nature of the phosphate bond by various solvent extractions and by exposure to acid and base conditions. Triton X-114 experiments indicated that the ∼20 K phosphoprotein is located in the aqueous phase and, consequently, is probably not an integral protein of the mitochondrial membranes. Treatment of the phosphoprotein with solvents, acid, and/or base determined the phosphate linkage to be through a phosphoester bond rather than an acylphosphate bond. The ∼20 K M r phosphoprotein was also isolated from one-dimensional polyacrylamide gels and subsequently digested with trypsin and hydrolyzed with 1 M HCl to break all peptide bonds. Analysis of the phosphoamino acids by two-dimensional high voltage electrophoresis on cellulose plates revealed that it is both the serine and threonine residues that are phosphorylated. However, phosphorylation of the serine residue(s) is predominant.
Binge ethanol prior to traumatic brain injury worsens sensorimotor functional recovery in rats.

A significant number of patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a high blood alcohol level at the time of injury. Furthermore, drinking alcohol in a binge-like pattern is now recognized as a national problem, leading to a greater likelihood of being injured. Our objective was to determine the consequences of a binge paradigm of alcohol intoxication at the time of TBI on long-term functional outcome using a sensitive test of sensorimotor function. We trained adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats on the skilled forelimb reaching task and then administered a single binge dose of ethanol (2g/kg, i.p.) or saline for three consecutive days (for a total of 3 doses). One hour after the final ethanol dose, rats underwent a TBI to the sensorimotor cortex corresponding to the preferred reaching forelimb. Animals were then tested for seven weeks on the skilled forelimb reaching task to assess the profile of recovery. We found that the group given ethanol prior to TBI displayed a slower recovery curve with a lower recovery plateau as compared to the control group. Therefore, even a relatively short (3 day) episode of binge alcohol exposure can negatively impact long-term recovery from a TBI, underscoring this significant public health problem.
Laws of the iterated logarithm for a class of iterated processes

Abstract Let X = { X ( t ) , t ≥ 0 } be a Brownian motion or a spectrally negative stable process of index 1 α 2 . Let E = { E ( t ) , t ≥ 0 } be the hitting time of a stable subordinator of index 0 β 1 independent of X . We use a connection between X ( E ( t ) ) and the stable subordinator of index β / α to derive information on the path behavior of X ( E ( t ) ) . This is an extension of the connection of iterated Brownian motion and ( 1 4 )-stable subordinator due to Bertoin [Bertoin, J., 1996a. Iterated Brownian motion and stable ( 1 4 ) subordinator. Statist. Probab. Lett., 27, 111–114; Bertoin, J., 1996b, Levy Processes. Cambridge University Press]. Using this connection, we obtain various laws of the iterated logarithm for X ( E ( t ) ) . In particular, we establish the law of the iterated logarithm for local time Brownian motion, X ( L ( t ) ) , where X is a Brownian motion (the case α = 2 ) and L ( t ) is the local time at zero of a stable process Y of index 1 γ ≤ 2 independent of X . In this case E ( ρ t ) = L ( t ) with β = 1 − 1 / γ for some constant ρ > 0 . This establishes the lower bound in the law of the iterated logarithm which we could not prove with the techniques of our paper [Meerschaert, M.M., Nane, E., Xiao, Y.. 2008. Large deviations for local time fractional Brownian motion and applications. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 346, 432–445]. We also obtain exact small ball probability for X ( E ( t ) ) using ideas from Aurzada and Lifshits [Aurzada, F., Lifshits, M., On the small deviation problem for some iterated processes. preprint: arXiv:0806.2559 ].
Postnatal development of glycine receptor subunits α1, α2, α3, and β immunoreactivity in multiple brain stem respiratory-related nuclear groups of the rat.

The respiratory system is immature at birth and significant development occurs postnatally. A critical period of respiratory development occurs in rats around postnatal days 12-13, when enhanced inhibition dominates over suppressed excitation. The mechanisms underlying the heightened inhibition are not fully understood. The present study tested our hypothesis that the inhibition is marked by a switch in glycine receptor subunits from neonatal to adult form around the critical period. An in-depth immunohistochemical and single neuron optical densitometric study was undertaken on four respiratory-related nuclear groups (the pre-Botzinger complex, nucleus ambiguus, hypoglossal nucleus, and ventrolateral subnucleus of solitary tract nucleus), and a non-respiratory cuneate nucleus in P2-21 rats. Our data revealed that in the respiratory-related nuclear groups: (1) the expressions of GlyRα2 and GlyRα3 were relatively high at P2, but declined after 1-1½ weeks to their lowest levels at P21; (2) the expression of GlyRα1 increased with age and reached significance at P12; and (3) the expression of GlyRβ rose from P2 to P12 followed by a slight decline until P21. No distinct increase in GlyRα1 at P12 was noted in the cuneate nucleus. Thus, there is a switch in dominance of expression from neonatal GlyRα2/α3 to the adult GlyRα1 and a heightened expression of GlyRα1 around the critical period in all respiratory-related nuclear groups, thereby supporting enhanced inhibition at that time. The rise in the expression of GlyRβ around P12 indicates that it plays an important role in forming the mature heteropentameric glycine receptors in these brain stem nuclear groups.
A multi-institutional internet-based hysterectomy database

Abstract Objective and methods: We have devised an easy to use, valid, comprehensive database for hysterectomy to measure patient care; to allow physician benchmarking, interaction, and collaboration; and to allow research investigations. It includes demographic stratification and medical, financial, and satisfaction factors. It can be used as a standalone or as an Internet system. A query is in place that allows surgeons to view their cases. It includes an automated summary of individual, overall, and the top quartile of selected variables. Results: An example of utilization from the patient care perspective showed that pain at discharge for all hysterectomies (2.5 ± 1.87 on a scale of 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain imaginable) was higher than anticipated from interviews and satisfaction ratings. Changing the pain medication schedule resulted in a decrease in pain at discharge (1.27 ± 1.39, P = 0.024). Benchmarking has pointed out differences in operative times and selection of operation for similar indications. Conclusions: The goal in creating this database was to provide easily available and workable datasets for any surgeon from any location. Although evolving, the goals of enhanced patient care and evidence-based medicine have been realized.
Pyroelectric Effect in Polyvinylfluoride

DURING investigations of piezoelectricity in polymers1–4, we observed that oriented polyvinylfluoride (PVF) has a large pyroelectric effect, which seems promising for eventual application as an infrared detector. This communication describes the orientation technique, sample fabrication and some of the characteristics when irradiated with infrared radiation. While this communication was being prepared, pyroelectric activity in polyvinylidene fluoride was reported5, but this emphasized its non-linear optical properties rather than its use as a detector.
Canopy Management Influences on Cool-Season Grass Quality and Simulated Livestock Performance

Inadequate energy intake across the grazing season can be a major limitation to performance of grazing ruminants. A small-plot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of repeated defoliation, based on canopy height and on the quantity and quality of tall fescue x perennial ryegrass (Festaca arundinacea Schreb. x Lolium perenne L.) hybrid, orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and prairie grass (Bromus catharticus M. Vahl) in the Central Appalachian Region of the USA. Energy determined from herbage quality data was used to predict growing steer performance. Early and repeated defoliation (T50, 20-cm canopy cut to 10-cm residue ; S50, 10-cm canopy cut to 5-cm residue ; and T75, 20-cm canopy cut to 5-cm residue) of the grasses resulted in greater herbage crude protein (CP) (202, 226, and 189 g kg -1 , respectively) and lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations (591, 572, and 596 g kg -1 , respectively) compared with the hay management (hay harvested at early seed head emergence followed by T75 management ; 152 g CP kg -1 and 620 g NDF kg -1 ). Cumulative metabolizable energy yield on a 1000-ha basis tended to be highest for hay (62 138 MJ ha -1 ) and T75 (49 678 MI ha -1 ), compared with S50 (40 373 MJ ha -1 ) and T50 (28 457 MJ ha -1 ) simply because of greater herbage mass. Greatest average daily gain was predicted when 250-kg steers grazed T50 (0.81 kg d -1 ) compared with S50 (0.70 kg d -1 ) and T75 (0.71 kg d -1 ). Total number of grazing days per hectare was lowest for T50 (431 d), compared with S50 (580 d) and T75 (690 d). Total annual gain was greater for T75 (690 kg liveweight ha -1 ) management than for S50 (580 kg ha -1 ) or T50 (436 kg ha -1 ). Using herbage earlier in spring before maturation may compromise total herbage productivity, but should sustain a greater number of grazing days and livestock productivity for a given land area.
TU‐C‐L100J‐07: US Population Dose From Medical Exposures: Analysis of Recent Trends

Background. NCRP Report 93 estimates that diagnostic x‐rays contributed an average effective dose of 0.39 mSv in 1980, and accounted for 11% of the total US population dose from all sources of man made and background radiation. The last 25 years has seen a dramatic increase of medical imaging, particularly CT, but corresponding data on US population doses are virtually non‐existent. Purpose. To estimate the average effective doses to the US population from diagnostic radiology. Method. We obtained data on the number of CT scans performed in the US in 2005 from M Bhargavan and JH Sunshine, PhD. Average effective doses for CT examinations were obtained from the 2000 UNSCEAR report. Assuming that CT accouts for about 70% of all medical exposures, as reported by Mettler et al we computed the average dose to the current US population of 300 million. Results. The average effective dose per CT examination is reported to be 8.8 mSv. The average dose from diagnostic radiology in the US in 2005, where 60 million exams were reported to be performed in 2005, would be approximately 2.5 mSv. This value is comparable to values reported in the literature, including 1.8 mSv for Belgium (1999), 2.0 mSv for Germany (1997) and 2.0 mSv for Luxembourg (2002). In the US, average natural background is 1 mSv from cosmic/terrestial/internal sources, and 2 mSv from Radon exposure. Medical exposures are becoming the dominant sources of population radiation exposure in industrialized countries. Conclusion. Population doses from medical imaging in the US may appear to have increased a factor of six or so in the last generation.
Valence and precedence in APL extensions

Extended operator syntax, defined operators, and strand notation are evaluated as APL extensions using the concept of syntactic binding, which is equivalent to the function scope rule and is more readily extended to other classes of objects. Changing syntax has wider impact than adding function, and its side effects should be considered before adoption.
Instrumentation of UALR labscale hybrid rocket motor

The Central Arkansas Combustion Group has used a NASA EPSCoR grant to improve the instrumentation and control of its labscale hybrid rocket facility. The research group investigates fundamental aspects of combustion in hybrid rocket motors. This paper describes the new instrumentation, provides examples of measurements taken, and describes novel instrumentation which is in the process of development. A six degree-of-freedom thrust system measures the total work done during a burn to compare the efficiency of fuels and fuel additives. The new system measures the forces and moments in three spatial dimensions. An accurate measure of thrust oscillations will lead to better understanding of the cause and eventual minimization of the oscillations. Plume spectrometers are employed to determine and measure the reaction intermediates and products of combustion at the exhaust. The new control system features an oxygen mass flow controller, which allows the accurate measurement of the oxidant introduced into the motor.
Two-photon sensitized visible and near-IR luminescence of lanthanide complexes using a fluorene-based donor–π-acceptor diketonate

A fluorene-based donor–acceptor ligand was successfully employed to sensitize visible and near-IR emitting lanthanide centers. The ligand construct is based on a donor–π-acceptor architecture with diphenylamino acting as the donor and a fluorenyl π bridge derivatized with a trifluoroacetonate moiety acting as both a strong acceptor and the classic bidentate scaffold for complexing metals. 1H NMR analysis in the polar solvents THF and CDCl3 revealed the enolic form of the diketone dominant in solution equilibria at room temperature. This preferred cis-enol form binds strongly to the lanthanide(III) ions (Ln = Eu, Sm, Dy, Tb, Yb, Nd, Er, and Gd) in the presence of phenanthroline affording the resulting ternary tris(diketonates) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline. Detailed characterization of these complexes was conducted, with particular emphasis on linear and nonlinear photophysical properties. Steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy and overall photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements were performed on all the complexes. Sizeable visible and near-IR efficiency for europium (room temperature, visible), samarium (low temperature, visible) and ytterbium, neodymium and erbium (room temperature, near-IR) was displayed, with long luminescent lifetimes for the europium and samarium complexes of 85 and 70 μs, respectively Measurement of the luminescence decay for the Yb complex at 976 nm, Nd complex at 874 nm, and Er complex at 1335 nm yielded mono-exponential decay curves, with lifetimes of ∼13 μs, ∼1.6 μs, and ∼2.5 μs, respectively, inferring that the emission was generated by a single species. In addition, fluorescence anisotropy and two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra (via Z-scan) were obtained for the ligand and europium complex, revealing a maximum 2PA cross section of 340 GM for the latter upon excitation at 760 nm. A quadratic relationship was found by varying laser excitation power vs. luminescence intensity of the europium complex, confirming sensitization via two-photon excitation.
The hysteresis motor

New design concept permits economical hysteresis fractional-horsepower motors which are comparable in size and efficiency to the more common induction motor. The smallest of this type, only one inch in outside stator diameter, is reputed to be the smallest a-c synchronous motor built in the United States.
HoWiES: A holistic approach to ZigBee assisted WiFi energy savings in mobile devices

We propose HoWiES, a system that saves energy consumed by WiFi interfaces in mobile devices with the assistance of ZigBee radios. The core component of HoWiES is a WiFiZigBee message delivery scheme that enables WiFi radios to convey different messages to ZigBee radios in mobile devices. Based on the WiFi-ZigBee message delivery scheme, we design three protocols that target at three WiFi energy saving opportunities in scanning, standby and wakeup respectively. We have implemented the HoWiES system with two mobile devices platforms and two AP platforms. Our real-world experimental evaluation shows that our system can convey thousands of different messages from WiFi radios to ZigBee radios with an accuracy over 98%, and our energy saving protocols, while maintaining the comparable wakeup delay to that of the standard 802.11 power save mode, save 88% and 85% of energy consumed in scanning state and standby state respectively.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of 4-Component Membranes with Novel Cationic Lipids Yield Insight into Apoe Binding

Delivery of siRNA to the RISC complex for therapeutic effect remains a difficult challenge. One approach investigated by Merck is siRNA delivery via an artificial membrane. By encapsulating the siRNA in membrane, these so-called lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are able to survive in plasma long enough to reach their target, e.g. livers cells. Multicomponent LNPs are investigated through large scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Specific LNP formulations comprising cholesterol, phospholipids, PEG-lipid and a variety of cationic lipids have been studied. The MD simulations were carried out using the GROMACS united atom potentials in the NPT ensemble with the temperature set at 310K. Each model LNP was simulated for ∼ 150ns. These large simulations were accomplished with 128 processors on Merck's Cray-XT5 and the support of MRL IT. Average surface areas (SA), lipid conformations and lipid order parameters are calculated from steady state trajectories for each of the cationic lipids. Simulations results can be compared to experimental observables such as ApoE binding and fusogenicity, providing an atomistic level hypothesis of measured differences. For example, larger SA/lipid appears to correlate with stronger ApoE binding.
Accuracy of numerical methods for solving the advection–diffusion equation as applied to spore and insect dispersal

Abstract Three algorithms for solving a simplified 3-D advection–diffusion equation were compared as to their accuracy and speed in the context of insect and spore dispersal. The algorithms tested were the explicit central difference (ECD) method, the implicit Crank–Nicholson (ICN) method, and the implicit Chapeau function (ICF) method. The three algorithms were used only to simulate the diffusion process. A hold-release wind shifting method was developed to simulate the wind advection process, which shifts the concentration an integer number of grids and accumulates the remaining wind travel distance (which is less than the grid spacing) to the next time step. The test problem was the dispersal of a cloud of particles (originally in only one grid cell) in a 3-D space. The major criterion for testing the accuracy was R 2 , which represents the proportion of the total variation in particle distribution in all grid cells that is accounted for by the particle distribution through numerical solutions. Other criteria included total remaining mass, peak positive density, and largest negative density. High R 2 values were obtained for the ECD method with (Δ t K z )/(Δ z ) 2 ≤0.5 (Δ t =time step; K z =vertical eddy diffusion coefficient; Δ z =vertical grid spacing), and for the two implicit methods with Δ t K z /(Δ z ) 2 ≤5. The ICN method gave higher R 2 values than the ICF method when the concentration gradients were high, but its accuracy decreased more rapidly with the progress of time than the ICF method with a combination of a large grid spacing and a large time step. With very steep concentration gradients, the ICF method generated huge negative values, the ICN method generated negative values to a lesser extent, and the ECD method generated only small negative values. It was also found that good mass and/or peak preservation did not necessarily correspond to a higher R 2 value. Based on the R 2 value and the requirement for concentration positivity, for simulations with steep concentration gradients, the ECD method would be most appropriate, followed by the ICN method, and the ICF method would be least appropriate due to large negative values. For simulations with low concentration gradients, the ECD or ICF or ICN method could be used, but the ICN method would not be appropriate for use in a combination of a large time step and a large grid spacing. The results from this study could help selection and use of appropriate numerical methods in studying the spatial dynamics of spores and insects.
Experimental study on water-rock interactions during CO2 flooding in the Tensleep Formation, Wyoming, USA

Abstract The conditions for mineral alteration and formation damage during CO2 treatment of Tensleep sandstone reservoirs in northern Wyoming, USA, were examined through core-flooding laboratory experiments carried out under simulated reservoir conditions (80°C and 166 bars). Subsurface cores from the Tensleep sandstone, which were cemented by dolomite and anhydrite, and synthetic brines were used. The brines used were (Ca, Mg, Na)SO4–NaCl solution (9.69 g/l total dissolved solids) for Run 1 and a 0.25 mol/l NaCl solution for Run 2. The solution used in Run 1 was saturated with respect to anhydrite at run conditions, which is characteristic of Tensleep Formation waters. Three major reactions took place during flooding, including (1) dissolution of dolomite, (2) alteration of K-feldspar to form kaolinite, and (3) precipitation (in Run 1) or dissolution (in Run 2) of anhydrite. All sample solutions remained undersaturated with respect to carbonates. The permeability of all the cores (except one used in Run 2) decreased during the experiments despite the dissolution of authigenic cement. Kaolinite crystal growth occurring in pore throats likely reduced the permeability. Application of the experimental results to reservoirs in the Tensleep Formation indicates that an injection solution will obtain saturation with respect to dolomite (and anhydrite) in the immediate vicinity of the injection well. The injection of NaCl-type water, which can be obtained from other formations, causes a greater increase in porosity than the injection of Tensleep Formation waters because of the dissolution of both dolomite and anhydrite cements.
Oscillations of a vertical elastically mounted cylinder in a wave: imaging of vortex patterns

A vertical, elastically mounted cylinder undergoes two-dimensional oscillations in a free-surface water wave. The cylinder has nonpreferential stiffness and a very low mass-damping parameter. Low damping is accomplished using a mini-jet air bearing system. Patterns of instantaneous vorticity are characterized in a horizontal plane using a technique of high-image-density particle image velocimetry (PIV) involving a two-camera system to preclude the effects of cylinder blockage during image acquisition. A generic trajectory of the cylinder oscillation is generated by tuning the ratio of the natural frequency of the cylinder to the wave frequency; this trajectory is representative of those measured in previous related experiments, for which quantitative flow visualization was not performed. In this investigation, a concept of relative wave velocity provides the most insightful link between the wave motion and the quantitative patterns of vortex generation and interaction; these features are characterized in relation to the instantaneous phase of the cylinder during its trajectory. Basic mechanisms of the vorticity patterns involve: (i) generation of large-scale concentrations of vorticity; (ii) short-duration Karman shedding; (iii) migration of large-scale concentrations about the periphery of the cylinder; and (iv) collision and distension of previously generated vorticity concentrations with the surface of the cylinder. The states of vortex formation are fundamentally different on each of the branches of the generic cylinder trajectory, even though it has nearly symmetrical left and right branches. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the vorticity concentrations decay extremely rapidly, which means that the in-plane vortex dynamics are essentially confined to the region close to the cylinder.
Prevalence of perforations in disposable latex gloves during routine dental treatment

Durability of gloves with respect to reducing cross-contamination and decreasing the risk of occupationally acquired infections was studied. In this study, pinholes were found in 1.8% of unused surgical latex gloves and 2.0% of latex examination gloves. The incidence of pinhole defects in gloves emphasizes the importance of operative techniques that minimize stress to the glove and the need to change gloves, especially for procedures lasting more than 2 hours.
Examining Emerging Strategies to Prevent Sexual Violence: Tailoring to the Needs of Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Sexual violence (SV) negatively impacts women with disabilities disproportionately, especially those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). The 2 populations are included in this article as there are overlaps in diagnostic criteria as well as similar risk factors associated with the experience of SV. Despite lacking comprehensive and consistent data, it is estimated that women with IDD are 1.5 to 10 times as likely to experience SV as nondisabled women. Furthermore, it is estimated that 97–99% of perpetrators in these crimes are well known, trusted by, and often service providers for women with IDD. Using the public health model to examine SV against women with IDD, 3 emerging prevention strategies are profiled in this article: bystander intervention, working with men and boys, and promotive and protective factors. Nuance is provided regarding the differences in deployment of the featured SV prevention strategies for women with IDD. In an effort to tailor the strategies to the needs of...
Standard potential of the silver electrode in propylene carbonate at 25°C

Abstract The cell Ptz.snfc;H 2 (g, 1 atm)z.snfc;Buffer soln.z.snfc;BNaClO 4 salt bridgez.snfc;BAgClO 4 z.snfc;Ag was studied at 25°C. The buffer solutions were composed of 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonic acid and its tetraethylammonium salt in propylene carbonate (PC). The standard potential of the half-reaction Ag + + e = Ag (s) was found to be 0.595 ± 0.001 V vs. the SHE in PC. The logarithm of the transfer activity coefficient was calculated for silver ion to be 2.0 from the difference between the potentials of the SHE in water and PC as estimated earlier from the ferrocene assumption.
Fixing the default position in Knobe's competence model

Although we agree with the spirit of Knobe's competence model, our aim in this commentary is to argue that the default position should be made more precise. Our quibble with Knobe's model is that we find it hard to ascribe a coherent view to some experimental subjects if the default position is not clearly defined.
Crystal Structure of a 1:1 Complex of Natural Diterpenoids: Absolute Configurations and Unambiguous NMR Spectral Assignments of Neoangustifolin and Epinodosinol

Diterp-Complex-RA (DCRA), a unique, inseparable, natural hydrogen-bonded 1:1 complex consisting of a novel diterpenoid neoangustifolin and a known diterpenoid epinodosinol, was isolated from Rabdosia angustifolia, along with daucosterol and the known diterpenes sodoponin, trichorabdal A, and cirsiliol. The binding mode of the complex and the absolute configuration of the two substrates were elucidated through X-ray crystallography. Unambiguous NMR data assignments were achieved by a combination of various 2D-NMR techniques. It was clearly demonstrated that DCRA consists of two different diterpene substrates that are bound together by an intermolecular hydrogen bond and the very good hydrophobic close approach of mutual matching surfaces. In addition, intramolecular hydrogen bonds also contribute to the stabilization of the complex.
Investigating gene function using mouse models

Mouse models have become central to investigating and understanding mammalian gene function. Since the development of the first transgenic and knockout models, new methods have been envisioned that both simplify and increase the specificity of mouse models. Combinations of genetic tools have also been applied to dissect gene activities and to provide systems that are both spatially and temporally regulated. Furthermore, novel technologies have been developed that can regulate biological information at each level from creating specific modifications in DNA, to inhibiting gene transcription, to regulating protein activity.
A Simple Numerical Model of Calcium Spark Formation and Detection in Cardiac Myocytes

The elementary events of excitation-contraction coupling in heart muscle are Ca2+ sparks, which arise from one or more ryanodine receptors in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Here a simple numerical model is constructed to explore Ca2+ spark formation, detection, and interpretation in cardiac myocytes. This model includes Ca2+ release, cytosolic diffusion, resequestration by SR Ca2+-ATPases, and the association and dissociation of Ca2+ with endogenous Ca2+-binding sites and a diffusible indicator dye (fluo-3). Simulations in a homogeneous, isotropic cytosol reproduce the brightness and the time course of a typical cardiac Ca2+ spark, but underestimate its spatial size (approximately 1.1 micron vs. approximately 2.0 micron). Back-calculating [Ca2+]i by assuming equilibrium with indicator fails to provide a good estimate of the free Ca2+ concentration even when using blur-free fluorescence data. A parameter sensitivity study reveals that the mobility, kinetics, and concentration of the indicator are essential determinants of the shape of Ca2+ sparks, whereas the stationary buffers and pumps are less influential. Using a geometrically more complex version of the model, we show that the asymmetric shape of Ca2+ sparks is better explained by anisotropic diffusion of Ca2+ ions and indicator dye rather than by subsarcomeric inhomogeneities of the Ca2+ buffer and transport system. In addition, we examine the contribution of off-center confocal sampling to the variance of spark statistics.
The role of the fetal endocrine glands in development.

I. INTBODUCTION THE many problems suggested by the title represent an aspect of endocrinology that is primarily characterized by neglect, and to the writer's knowledge has been brought forth for discussion only incidentally. The problems are of fundamental importance in relation to the physiology of development, to general endocrinology, to the biology of sex, and to basic problems of cancer.1 Whereas any discussion at the present time will lead to no degree of finality, it appears worthwhile to focus attention on some of these problems if only to point out some of the inadequacies in our present knowledge. Until they are well defined and some of the evidence is assembled to suggest a part of the available information, the accumulated observations will continue to be scattered, uncoordinated, uncritically evaluated and lacking in direct focus upon the central problem. The purpose of this discussion, therefore, will be to point out the types of approach that have been made and to assemble a part of the ava...
A reduced‐order simulated annealing approach for four‐dimensional variational data assimilation in meteorology and oceanography

Four-dimensional variational data assimilation in meteorology and oceanography suffers from the presence of local minima in the cost function. These local minima arise when the system under study is strongly nonlinear. The number of local minima further dramatically increases with the length of the assimilation period and often renders the solution to the problem intractable. Global optimization methods are therefore needed to resolve this problem. However, the huge computational burden makes the application of these sophisticated techniques unfeasible for large variational data assimilation systems. In this study, a Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm, complemented with an order-reduction of the control vector, is used to tackle this problem. SA is a very powerful tool of combinatorial minimization in the presence of several local minima at the cost of increasing the execution time. Order-reduction is then used to reduce the dimension of the search space in order to speed up the convergence rate of the SA algorithm. This is achieved through a proper orthogonal decomposition. The new approach was implemented with a realistic eddy-permitting configuration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Numerical results indicate that the reduced-order SA approach was able to efficiently reduce the cost function with a reasonable number of function evaluations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
My Green Crush

Election night 2008 and Inauguration Day 2009 seemed to encapsulate a national and international crush on Barack Obama, didn't they?
Evaluation of Rifampin and Other Antibiotics Against Listeria monocytogenes in Vitro and in Vivo

The activity of rifampin and other antibiotics against Listeria monocytogenes in vitro and in experimental animal models of listeriosis is reviewed. Rifampin appears to be bacteriostatic against Listeria in vitro, and it is reported to be no more effective than penicillin against experimental listeria meningitis in the rabbit. However, because of insufficient clinical data, the optimal antibiotic regimen for listeriosis in humans remains conjectural. At present, the most frequently recommended regimen is combination therapy with ampicillin and gentamicin; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may prove useful in the penicillin-allergic individual.
A predominantly nuclear protein affecting cytoplasmic localization of β-actin mRNA in fibroblasts and neurons

The localization of β-actin mRNA to the leading lamellae of chicken fibroblasts and neurite growth cones of developing neurons requires a 54-nt localization signal (the zipcode) within the 3′ untranslated region. In this study we have identified and isolated five proteins binding to the zipcode. One of these we previously identified as zipcode binding protein (ZBP)1, a 4-KH domain protein. A second is now investigated in detail: a 92-kD protein, ZBP2, that is especially abundant in extracts from embryonic brain. We show that ZBP2 is a homologue of the human hnRNP protein, KSRP, that appears to mediate pre-mRNA splicing. However, ZBP2 has a 47–amino acid (aa) sequence not present in KSRP. Various portions of ZBP2 fused to GFP indicate that the protein most likely shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and that the 47-aa insert promotes the nuclear localization. Expression of a truncated ZBP2 inhibits the localization of β-actin mRNA in both fibroblast and neurons. These data suggest that ZBP2, although predominantly a nuclear protein, has a role in the cytoplasmic localization of β-actin mRNA.
Auditory stimulation of ovarian activity in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract The ovarian follicles of female ring doves (N = 43) placed in sound-isolation chambers, declined in size over a 21-day period. When, during the subsequent 7 days, some of these females (N = 21) were allowed to hear the sounds picked up by a microphone in a breeding room, the size of their ovarian follicles increased by a factor of approximately two, in contrast to those of birds not allowed to hear dove vocalizations (N = 22), in which no significant increase in follicle size occurred. Oviduct weights were also increased in the birds allowed to hear vocalizations, by comparison with the control group. These data suggest that vocalizations have as one function the stimulation of the reproductive system of fellow-members of the species.
Positional change in blood pressure and 8-year risk of hypertension: the CARDIA Study.

Objective: To assess the relationship between positional blood pressure change and 8-year incidence of hypertension in a biracial cohort of young adults. Subjects and Methods: Participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study with complete data from year 2 (1987-1988), year 5 (1990-1991), year 7 (1992-1993), and year 10 (1995-1996) examinations were included (N=2781). Participants were classified into 3 groups based on their year 2 systolic blood pressure response to standing: drop, a decrease in systolic blood pressure of more than 5 mm Hg; same, a change of between –5 and +5 mm Hg; and rise, more than 5-mm Hg increase. Results: The number of participants in each group was as follows: drop, 741; same, 1590; and rise, 450. The 8-year incidence of hypertension was 8.4% in the drop group, 6.8% in the same group, and 12.4% in the rise group ( P Conclusions: A greater than 5-mm Hg increase in blood pressure on standing identified a group of young adults at increased risk of developing hypertension within 8 years. These findings support a physiologic link between sympathetic nervous system reactivity and risk of hypertension in young adults.
Herpesvirus replication in vivo.

Abstract The replication of equine herpesvirus (equine abortion virus; EAV) provides a unique in vivo system characterized by hepatitis and viremia that permits quantitative molecular biological studies. The replication of infectious cell-associated virus precedes by a short time the onset of viremia, based on the rapid (less than 2 hr) appearance of significant amounts of labeled virus in the blood, after injection of 3H-thymidine. Analysis of thymidine metabolism revealed that peak viral synthesis took place at 8–9 hr postinfection. DNA-DNA hybridization and MAK column chromatography showed that 85% or more of the newly synthesized DNA was viral. Host DNA synthesis, however, remained at a very low level throughout infection. The data show that EAV can replicate effectively in the absence of significant host DNA synthesis, a point recently in dispute.
Mechanical environment associated with rotator cuff tears

A simplified 2-dimensional finite element model was used to investigate the stress environment in the supraspinatus tendon. The extrafibrillar matrix and collagen fiber were modeled with fiber-reinforced composite elements. The stress was evaluated at humeroscapular elevation angles of 0 degree, 30 degrees, and 60 degrees. Two acromion conditions were simulated. In the first set of conditions there was no subacromial impingement. In the second set there was subacromial impingement of the bursal side. Impingement was simulated by producing a 1-mm indentation on the bursal surface, an indentation similar to the type of impingement associated with deltoid contraction. The results demonstrated that subacromial impingement generates high stress concentrations in and around the critical zone. Such high stress could initiate a tear; tears that result from stress point to an extrinsic mechanism. However, we found that high stress and potential tears caused by impingement may occur on the bursal side, the articular side, or within the tendon. This result is unaccounted for by traditional mechanical models in which only bursal-sided partial tears are initiated by subacromial impingement.
Accuracy and precision of objective refraction from wavefront aberrations

We determined the accuracy and precision of 33 objective methods for predicting the results of conventional, sphero-cylindrical refraction from wavefront aberrations in a large population of 200 eyes. Accuracy for predicting defocus (as specified by the population mean error of prediction) varied from -0.50 D to +0.25 D across methods. Precision of these estimates (as specified by 95% limits of agreement) ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 D. All methods except one accurately predicted astigmatism to within +/-1/8D. Precision of astigmatism predictions was typically better than precision for predicting defocus and many methods were better than 0.5D. Paraxial curvature matching of the wavefront aberration map was the most accurate method for determining the spherical equivalent error whereas least-squares fitting of the wavefront was one of the least accurate methods. We argue that this result was obtained because curvature matching is a biased method that successfully predicts the biased endpoint stipulated by conventional refractions. Five methods emerged as reasonably accurate and among the most precise. Three of these were based on pupil plane metrics and two were based on image plane metrics. We argue that the accuracy of all methods might be improved by correcting for the systematic bias reported in this study. However, caution is advised because some tasks, including conventional refraction of defocus, require a biased metric whereas other tasks, such as refraction of astigmatism, are unbiased. We conclude that objective methods of refraction based on wavefront aberration maps can accurately predict the results of subjective refraction and may be more precise. If objective refractions are more precise than subjective refractions, then wavefront methods may become the new gold standard for specifying conventional and/or optimal corrections of refractive errors.
On the positive roots of an equation involving a Bessel function

In this paper we shall discuss the positive roots of the equationwhere Iq is the modified Bessel function of the first kind. By means of a recurrence relation for Iq(r) [2, (5.7.9)], equation (1.1a) can also be written in the form
Isolation of human intestinal defensins from ileal neobladder urine

We describe the isolation of naturally occurring human intestinal defensins HD-5 and HD-6 from ileal neobladder urine and ileal mucosa. Using an antibody-based detection assay, we found multiple N-terminally processed forms of HD-5. The predominant HD-5 forms in tissue were longer than those in neobladder urine (amino acid (aa) 23–94 and 29–94 versus aa 36–94, 56–94 and 63–94) suggesting that Paneth cells store prodefensin that is processed to mature defensin during or after degranulation. Search for mature HD-6 yielded aa 69–100 as the predominant form in both sources. The ileal neobladder is a promising model to study human Paneth cell secretion.
ASSOCIATING CURRENT KNOWLEDGE WITH THAT OF PAST EXPERIENCE BASED ON KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AUTOMATA

Important to the performance of interactive systems is the ability of its members to associate current knowledge with knowledge of past experience. Knowledge association discussed here results in greater detail of a current knowledge and is demonstrated through the use of examples. It is based on knowledge about automata and the knowledge structures are in the form of graphs.
Ultra-Low-Loss Pure-Silica-Core Single-Mode Fiber and Transmission Experiment

A single mode (SM) fiber with extremely low loss and sufficient long term reliability is indispensable for the coming ultra long span optical transmission system. As a promising candidate for such a high grade fiber, a pure silica core SM fiber has been introduced.(1) Owing to the absence of additional metal oxide to the core region, the proposed fiber features the low transmission loss due to low Rayleigh scattering and the increased chemical stability against hydrogen.
Rural Area Consumer Demand and Regional Input-Output Analysis: Reply

The comment by Johnson and Capps on our note helps to clarify the alternative ways of incorporating consumer demand and income distribution analysis within input-output (I-O) analysis and regional modeling. They correctly note that induced output effects from secondary rounds of consumer expenditures are not captured in the "open" I-O model. To capture these effects, the "equilibrium" increment in the household final demand vector, F, may be found, as suggested in the comment, by an iterative solution, i.e.,
THE ROLE OF NITRITE AND NITRATE IN LEBANON BOLOGNA, A FERMENTED SAUSAGE

Production of Lebanon bologna by the traditional method using aged salted meat requires nitrate as the curing agent. The elimination of the use of nitrate in meat products is being considered by government agencies. The preparation of Lebanon bologna was investigated by two processes: either NaNO2 (0–1600 ppm) or NaNO3 (0–1850 ppm) was added to (1) aged meat or (2) fresh meat plus starter culture. Nitric oxide pigment content, pH, titratable acidity and nitrite concentration were determined during 4 days of fermentation of the bolognas. Sausages prepared with NaNO2 (78–100 ppm) were comparable to those prepared with NaNO3 (200–1850 ppm) by either process in pH, titratable acidity and cured meat pigment content. With starter culture and fresh meat, the formation of cured color and decrease in pH were more rapid than with aged meat. Low levels of NaNO3 (100 ppm) gave satisfactory color formation with both processes. In some experiments with bolognas prepared with nitrate, considerable amounts of nitrite were found during the early stages of fermentation. However, after 4 days of fermentation the nitrite concentration was less than 10 ppm.
Myoelectric transradial prosthesis prototype with intuitive single-grasp capability

An electromyography (EMG) acquisition/analysis circuit was created to facilitate intuitive, real-time control for a human/computer interface (HCI). Electrical activity in the user's target muscular region, which exceeds a specified threshold, translates into actuation of the designated primary grasp for the commercial product, MechaTE robotic hand. The interface was successful in a real-time demonstration where a user was able to catch a billiard ball moving across a pool table. This prototype provides the foundation for a more advanced HCI, with dexterous, multi-grasp capabilities. Future work aims to create a novel non-invasive brain computer interface (BCI) which can be used to restore partial functionality to transradial amputees.