cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating Within Tree Spatial Changes in Acoustic Velocity in Felled Douglas-fir Stems

Abstract Sorting logs for stiffness in the woods using acoustic devices mounted on harvesters and processors could improve the allocation of logs to their most appropriate processing destinations. Estimating spatial changes in acoustic velocity in felled stems, based on a limited number of measurements, will be essential if they are not to unduly impact harvesting or processing productivity and costs. The effect of five variables (length from butt, bark percentage, moisture content, green density, and oven dry density) and four velocity measurement approaches (time of flight [TOF] across the tree bole, resonance of the full tree length, resonance of the first 3 m butt log segment, and resonance of a log segment between 6 and 9 m above the butt) on the ability to estimate spatial changes in acoustic velocity were evaluated in felled Douglas-fir stems from five stands in southwestern Oregon. Distance from the butt was a significant predictor of acoustic velocity along the stem. TOF acoustic velocity measure...
Effects of alkaline pH on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and Ca2+ uptake.

Alkalinization-induced Ca2+ release from isolated frog or rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles appears to consist of two distinct components: 1) a direct activation of ruthenium red-sensitive Ca2+ release channels in terminal cisternae and 2) an increased ruthenium red-insensitive Ca2+ efflux through some other efflux pathway distributed throughout the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The first of these releases exhibits an alkalinization-induced inactivation process and does not depend on the ruthenium red-insensitive form of Ca2+ release as a triggering agent for secondary Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release. Both releases are inhibited when the extravesicular (i.e. cytoplasmic) free [Ca2+] is reduced. This may reflect an increased sensitivity of the Ca2+ release channels to Ca2+ at alkaline pH. The pH sensitivity of the ruthenium red-sensitive Ca2+ release channels could be of significance during excitation-contraction coupling. The ruthenium red-insensitive form of Ca2+ release is less likely to be physiologically relevant, but it probably has contributed greatly to reports of alkalinization-induced decreases in net sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake, particularly under conditions where oxalate supported Ca2+ uptake is much less affected, as here.
Shift-invariant grouped multi-task learning for Gaussian processes

Multi-task learning leverages shared information among data sets to improve the learning performance of individual tasks. The paper applies this framework for data where each task is a phase-shifted periodic time series. In particular, we develop a novel Bayesian nonparametric model capturing a mixture of Gaussian processes where each task is a sum of a group-specific function and a component capturing individual variation, in addition to each task being phase shifted. We develop an efficient em algorithm to learn the parameters of the model. As a special case we obtain the Gaussian mixture model and EM algorithm for phased-shifted periodic time series. Experiments in regression, classification and class discovery demonstrate the performance of the proposed model using both synthetic data and real-world time series data from astrophysics. Our methods are particularly useful when the time series are sparsely and non-synchronously sampled.
Biogas and energy production from cattle waste

Biomass is one of the longest used energy sources employed in human activity. The bioconversion of organic matter to biogas is a complex anaerobic fermentation process involving the action of microorganisms such as methane producing bacteria. In this paper, biogas and energy production from cattle waste is investigated. There are two significant reasons that motivate this study. First, treating animal waste with the technology of anaerobic digestion can reduce environmental pollution and generate a relatively cheap and readily available source of energy in dairy farms. The gas produced can be used for space and water heating of farm houses, cooking, lighting, grain drying and as a fuel for heating greenhouses during cold weather. It also has the potential to run other small industries. Second, it is an effective way of managing cattle waste as well as producing a quick acting, nontoxic fertilizer for agricultural use. A working model of a biogas plant is studied in this paper and its economic value as an alternative energy source is examined. An alternative to direct generation of electricity, is to convert the methane from the biomass to methanol. Methanol is an excellent fuel for internal combustion engines and can easily compete with gasoline in many nations where gasoline costs over $4 per US gallon.
Electrical conductivity as an indicator of iron reduction rates in abiotic and biotic systems

[1] Although changes in bulk electrical conductivity (σb) in aquifers have been attributed to microbial activity, σb has never been used to infer biogeochemical reaction rates quantitatively. To explore the use of electrical conductivity to measure reaction rates, we conducted iron oxide reduction experiments of increasing biological complexity. To quantify reaction rates, we propose composite reactions that incorporate the stoichiometry of five different types of reactions: redox, acid-base, sorption, dissolution/precipitation, and biosynthesis. In batch experiments and the early stages of a column experiment, such reaction stoichiometries inferred from a few chemical measurements allowed quantification of the Fe oxide reduction rate based on changes in electrical conductivity. The relationship between electrical conductivity and fluid chemistry did not hold during the latter stages of the column experiment when σb increased while fluid chemistry remained constant. Growth of an electrically conductive biofilm could possibly explain this late stage σb increase. The measured σb increase is consistent with a model proposed by analogy from percolation theory that attributes the increased conductivity to growth of biofilms with conductivity of ∼5.5 S m−1 in at least 3% of the column pore space. This work demonstrates that measurements of σb and flow rate, combined with a few direct chemical measurements, can be used to quantify biogeochemical reaction rates in controlled laboratory situations and may be able to detect the presence of biofilms. This approach may help in designing future field experiments to interpret biogeochemical reactivity from conductivity measurements.
Unboundable Spacetimes with Metric Singularities and Matching Metrics and Geodesics: A Black-White Hole and a Big Crunch-Bang

Singularity theorems of general relativity utilize the notion of causal geodesic incompleteness as a criterion of the presence of a spacetime singularity. The incompleteness of a causal curve implies the end and/or beginning of the existence of a particle, which is an event. In the commonly accepted approach, singularities are not incorporated into spacetime. Thus spacetime turns out to be event-incomplete. With creation from nothing, singularities are sources of lawlessness. A straightforward way around those conceptual problems consists in including metric singularities in spacetime and then matching metrics and causal geodesics at the singularities. To this end, a spacetime manifold is assumed to be unboundable, so that singularities may only be interior. The matching the geodesics is achieved through weakening conditions for their smoothness. This approach is applied to a black-white hole and a big crunch-bang.
Tropical Forests in a Future Climate: Changes in Biological Diversity and Impact on the Global Carbon Cycle

Tropical forest ecosystems are large stores of carbon which supply millions of people with life support requirements. Currently tropical forests are undergoing massive deforestation. Here, I address the possible impact of global change conditions, including elevated CO2, temperature rise, and nitrogen deposition on forest structure and dynamics. Tropical forests may be particularly susceptible to climate change for the following reasons: (1) Phenological events (such as flowering and fruiting) are highly tuned to climatic conditions. Thus a small change in climate can have a major impact on the forest, its biological diversity and its role in the carbon cycle. (2) There are strong revolutionary interactions, such as pollination seed dispersal, with a high degree of specialization, i.e., only certain animals can effect these activities for certain species. Global change can decouple these tight coevolutionary interactions. (3) Because of high species diversity per unit area, species of the tropical rain forest must have narrow niches. Thus changes in global climate can eliminate species and therefore reduce biological diversity. (4) Deforestation and other forms of disturbance may have significant feedback on hydrology both regionally and globally. The predicted decline in the rainfall in the Amazon Basin and the intensification of the Indian monsoon can have a large effect on water availability and floods which are already devastating low-lying areas. It is concluded that tropical forests may be very sensitive to climate change. Under climatic change conditions their structure and function may greatly change, their integrity may be violated and their services to people may be greatly modified. Because they are large stores of great biological diversity, they require immediate study before it is too late. The study requires the collaboration of scientists with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences including biologists, climate modellers, atmospheric scientists, economists, human demographers and sociologists in order to carry out holistic and urgently needed work. Global climatic change brings a great challenge to science and to policy makers.
Ex vivo gene editing of the dystrophin gene in muscle stem cells mediated by peptide nucleic acid single stranded oligodeoxynucleotides induces stable expression of dystrophin in a mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which result in the complete absence of dystrophin protein throughout the body. Gene correction strategies hold promise to treating DMD. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated the ability of peptide nucleic acid single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (PNA-ssODNs) to permanently correct single-point mutations at the genomic level. In this study, we show that PNA-ssODNs can target and correct muscle satellite cells (SCs), a population of stem cells capable of self-renewing and differentiating into muscle fibers. When transplanted into skeletal muscles, SCs transfected with correcting PNA-ssODNs were able to engraft and to restore dystrophin expression. The number of dystrophin-positive fibers was shown to significantly increase over time. Expression was confirmed to be the result of the activation of a subpopulation of SCs that had undergone repair as demonstrated by immunofluorescence analyses of engrafted muscles using antibodies specific to full-length dystrophin transcripts and by genomic DNA analysis of dystrophin-positive fibers. Furthermore, the increase in dystrophin expression detected over time resulted in a significant improvement in muscle morphology. The ability of transplanted cells to return into quiescence and to activate upon demand was confirmed in all engrafted muscles following injury. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using gene editing strategies to target and correct SCs and further establish the therapeutic potential of this approach to permanently restore dystrophin expression into muscle of DMD patients. Stem Cells 2014;32:1817–1830
The organizational impact of expert systems

Daniel E. O'Leary is an Assistant Professor in the School of Business at the University of Southern California. He received his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1986. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds his Certificate in Data Processing. He has served as a Management Consultant with a large public accounting firm and as a Vice President of Finance and Computing Operations for a national privately-held firm. His "rticles have appeared in the following journals, Decision Sciences, Advances in Mathematical Programming and Financial Analysis and Georgia Journal of Accounting and in the following books, Military Artificial Intelligence Applications, Production Management: Methods and Studies, Decision Making with Multiple Objectives, Expert Systems for Business and the Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Expert Systems and Their Applications. He currently is co-editing a book on expert systems in business. His professional affiliations include the Operations Research Society of America, The Institute of Management Sciences, The Decision Science Institute and the American Accounting Association.
Trends in processor and system design and the interaction with advanced packaging

The author briefly looks at trends in microprocessor development and system architecture. A detailed discussion of the system designer's challenges and of how an advanced packaging technology might help is presented. Trends in processor design, trends in system design, and opportunities and challenges for packaging technology are considered. >
A trial examining an advanced practice nurse intervention to promote medication adherence and symptom management in adult cancer patients prescribed oral anti-cancer agents: study protocol

Aim To report a study protocol that refines then examines feasibility, preliminary efficacy and satisfaction of ADHERE, an intervention using motivational interviewing and brief cognitive behaviorial therapy as a mechanism for goal-oriented systematic patient education to promote symptom management and adherence among cancer patients prescribed oral anti-cancer agents. Background Cancer treatment with oral anti-cancer agents shifts responsibility for managing treatment from clinicians in supervised cancer centres to patients and their caregivers. Thus, a need exists to standardize start-of-care to support patient self-management of care at home. Design A two-phase quasi-experimental sequential design with repeated measures. Methods Sixty-five adult patients newly prescribed an oral anti-cancer agent will be recruited from three community cancer centres. Phase 1 will enrol five patients to refine the ADHERE intervention prior to testing. After completion, Phase 2 will enrol 30 patients who receive usual care. Advanced practice nurses will then be trained. Thirty patients will be then enrolled in the intervention group and provided ADHERE, a 4-week intervention using semi-structured interactions (initial face-to-face session and once a week phone sessions over 3 weeks) and a Toolkit to promote self-management of care. Outcome measures include: oral anti-cancer agents adherence rate, symptom presence and severity, feasibility and satisfaction with ADHERE. This protocol was approved January 2014. Discussion This nurse-led intervention has the potential to standardize the start-of-care training for the patients to self-manage when oral anti-cancer agents for treatment were prescribed.
Nutrition Studies in Long-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders: Diet Composition and Monitoring

In patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LCFAOD): Energy requirements may differ from that of the normal population. Diets high in lean sources of protein appear to increase lean body mass and decrease liver lipid content. Plasma acylcarnitine profiles improve when dietary long-chain fat is restricted and MCT is supplemented. MCT improves exercise tolerance. Low-fat diets may cause deficiencies of essential fatty acids, DHA, and/or fat-soluble vitamins. DHA supplementation improves retinal function in patients with LCHAD. Lowering potentially toxic metabolites, the hydroxyacylcarnitines, in plasma slows the progression of retinopathy.
GermlncRNA: a unique catalogue of long non-coding RNAs and associated regulations in male germ cell development

Spermatogenic failure is a major cause of male infertility, which affects millions of couples worldwide. Recent discovery of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as critical regulators in normal and disease development provides new clues for delineating the molecular regulation in male germ cell development. However, few functional lncRNAs have been characterized to date. A major limitation in studying lncRNA in male germ cell development is the absence of germ cell-specific lncRNA annotation. Current lncRNA annotations are assembled by transcriptome data from heterogeneous tissue sources; specific germ cell transcript information of various developmental stages is therefore under-represented, which may lead to biased prediction or fail to identity important germ cell-specific lncRNAs. GermlncRNA provides the first comprehensive web-based and open-access lncRNA catalogue for three key male germ cell stages, including type A spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. This information has been developed by integrating male germ transcriptome resources derived from RNA-Seq, tiling microarray and GermSAGE. Characterizations on lncRNA-associated regulatory features, potential coding gene and microRNA targets are also provided. Search results from GermlncRNA can be exported to Galaxy for downstream analysis or downloaded locally. Taken together, GermlncRNA offers a new avenue to better understand the role of lncRNAs and associated targets during spermatogenesis. Database URL: http://germlncrna.cbiit.cuhk.edu.hk/
“The Abandoned Lower Class of Females”: Class, Gender, and Penal Discipline in Barbados, 1875–1929

Between 1873 and 1917, the numbers of Barbadian women committed to penal custody on an annual basis surpassed those of men. While women's per capita imprisonment rate was still somewhat below that of men for most of these years, given the wide margins by which women outnumbered men in the population and the labor force, these proportions were nevertheless unprecedented, not only in the British Caribbean but also in other parts of the world. Available figures for Jamaica and Trinidad over sections of the period hover around an 18–20 percent female proportion rate, while in Barbados the rate usually exceeded 50 percent.
Influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage among health care personnel in the United States.

Background Health care personnel (HCP) are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Maintenance of immunity is an essential prevention practice for HCP. We assessed the recent influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage among HCP in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from the 2007 National Immunization Survey-Adult restricted to survey respondents aged 18 to 64 years. Influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination coverage levels among HCP were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess factors independently associated with receipt of vaccination among HCP. Results Among HCP aged 18 to 64 years, 46.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39.6%-53.8%) had received influenza vaccination for the 2006-2007 season, and 70.4% (95% CI: 63.9%-76.1%) received tetanus vaccination in the past 10 years; 61.7% (95% CI: 52.5%-70.2%) had received 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccination among HCP aged 18 to 49 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being married was associated with influenza vaccination coverage, higher education level was associated with hepatitis B vaccination coverage, and younger age was significantly associated with tetanus vaccination among HCP. Among those HCP who did not receive influenza vaccination, the most common reason reported was respondent concerns about vaccine safety and adverse effects. Conclusion By 2007, influenza and hepatitis B vaccination coverage among HCP remained well below the Healthy People 2010 objectives. Tetanus vaccination level was 70%, and this study provided a baseline data for tetanus vaccination among HCP. Innovative strategies are needed to further increase vaccination coverage among HCP.
Re-evaluation of Constant Versus Varied Punishers Using Empirically Derived Consequences

Charlop, Burgio, Iwata, and Ivancic [J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 21 (1988) 89] demonstrated that varied punishment procedures produced greater or more consistent reductions of problem behavior than a constant punishment procedure. More recently, Fisher and colleagues [Res. Dev. Disabil. 15 (1994) 133; J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 27 (1994) 447] developed a systematic methodology for predicting the efficacy of various punishment procedures. Their procedure identified reinforcers and punishers (termed "empirically derived consequences" or EDC) that, when used in combination, reduced the destructive behavior of individuals with developmental disabilities who displayed automatically maintained destructive behavior. The current investigation combines these two lines of research by comparing the effects of constant versus varied punishers on the self-injury of two individuals with developmental disabilities. The punishing stimuli were selected via the procedures described by Fisher et al. and were predicted to be at varying levels of effectiveness. The varied presentation of punishers resulted in enhanced suppressive effects over the constant presentation of a punisher for one of two individuals, but only in comparison to a single stimulus predicted to be minimally effective. Even then, the differences were small. These results suggest that the additive effects of varied punishment are negligible if clinicians use stimuli predicted to be effective and are discussed in terms of the conditions under which stimulus variation could potentially enhance the effects of punishers.
On the asymptotic independence of the sum and rare values of weakly dependent stationary random variables

Abstract It is shown that if the stationary sequence { X i } has finite variance and satisfies a certain mixing condition, then the asymptotic distribution of ∑ n i =1 X n is unaffected by the information of whether the summands are in certain “rare” sets. An application of the result shows that ∑ n i =1 X i and the extremes of X 1 ,…, X n are asymptotically independent. This is in sharp contrast to the infinite variance case.
Multigrid algorithms on parallel processing systems

This thesis considers the parallelization of multigrid algorithms for the solution of elliptic partial differential equations. Multigrid algorithms are among the fastest methods for a wide variety of problems, and are now used in many scientific disciplines. Structurally, the algorithm proceeds by iterating on a hierarchy of consecutively coarser and coarser grids. While essential to rapid convergence, these coarser grids make it more difficult to efficiently parallelize the algorithm on massively parallel machines. That is, the presence of fewer points (and hence less computational work) often corresponds to numerous inactive processors during coarse grid computations. It is therefore the intent of this thesis to analyze the effects of the multigrid hierarchy on parallel performance and to propose and analyze new highly parallel multigrid-like algorithms. A variety of multigrid-like algorithms are presented. Each of these algorithms accelerates the convergence of the basic multigrid method by solving additional subproblems in parallel with coarse grid processing. The key to the success of each method lies in its ability to decompose the original problem into subtasks whose solutions can be constructively combined. The primary emphasis of this thesis is the extraction of two fundamental decomposition principles used to form subproblems. One of these principles relies on the cancellation of error terms between multiple coarse grid solutions. The other principle centers on creating noninterfering subproblems using approximate $A$-orthogonal subspaces. In addition to analysis, we discuss some of the practical tradeoffs associated with a few of these new algorithms such as numerical behavior, programmability, and applicability to complex problems. At the present time, it appears that both the problem to be solved as well as the machine to be utilized will determine which approach is most appropriate.
Erratum to: Channeling Power Across Ecological Systems: Social Regularities in Community Organizing

Relational and social network perspectives provide opportunities for more holistic conceptualizations of phenomena of interest in community psychology, including power and empowerment. In this article, we apply these tools to build on multilevel frameworks of empowerment by proposing that networks of relationships between individuals constitute the connective spaces between ecological systems. Drawing on an example of a model for grassroots community organizing practiced by WISDOM—a statewide federation supporting local community organizing initiatives in Wisconsin—we identify social regularities (i.e., relational and temporal patterns) that promote empowerment and the development and exercise of social power through building and altering relational ties. Through an emphasis on listening-focused one-to-one meetings, reflection, and social analysis, WISDOM organizing initiatives construct and reinforce social regularities that develop social power in the organizing initiatives and advance psychological empowerment among participant leaders in organizing. These patterns are established by organizationally driven brokerage and mobilization of interpersonal ties, some of which span ecological systems. Hence, elements of these power-focused social regularities can be conceptualized as cross-system channels through which micro-level empowerment processes feed into macro-level exercise of social power, and vice versa. We describe examples of these channels in action, and offer recommendations for theory and design of future action research. Springer regrets this error. The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s10464-013-9620-4. B. D. Christens (&) P. T. Inzeo V. Faust School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1300 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA e-mail: bchristens@wisc.edu 123 Am J Community Psychol DOI 10.1007/s10464-014-9626-6
Accretion onto stars with octupole magnetic fields: Matter flow, hot spots and phase shifts

Abstract Recent measurements of the surface magnetic fields of classical T Tauri stars (CTTSs) and magnetic cataclysmic variables show that their magnetic fields have a complex structure. Investigation of accretion onto such stars requires global three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, where the complexity of simulations strongly increases with each higher-order multipole. Previously, we were able to model disc accretion onto stars with magnetic fields described by a superposition of dipole and quadrupole moments. However, in some stars, like CTTS V2129 Oph and BP Tau, the octupolar component is significant and it was necessary to include the next octupolar component. Here, we show results of global 3D MHD simulations of accretion onto stars with superposition of the dipole and octupole fields, where we vary the ratio between components. Simulations show that if octupolar field strongly dominates at the disc-magnetosphere boundary, then matter flows into the ring-like octupolar poles, forming ring-shape spots at the surface of the star above and below equator. The light-curves are complex and may have two peaks per period. In case where the dipole field dominates, matter accretes in two ordered funnel streams towards poles, however the polar spots are meridionally-elongated due to the action of the octupolar component. In the case when the fields are of similar strengths, both, polar and belt-like spots are present. In many cases the light-curves show the evidence of complex fields, excluding the cases of small inclinations angles, where sinusoidal light-curve is observed and ‘hides’ the information about the field complexity. We also propose new mechanisms of phase shift in stars with complex magnetic fields. We suggest that the phase shifts can be connected with: (1) temporal variation of the star’s intrinsic magnetic field and subsequent redistribution of main magnetic poles; (2) variation of the accretion rate, which causes the disc to interact with the magnetic fields associated with different magnetic moments. We use our model to demonstrate these phase shift mechanisms, and we discuss possible applications of these mechanisms to accreting millisecond pulsars and young stars.
Crystal chemistry of oxide superconductors

Abstract The crystal chemistry copper oxide superconductors is reviewed with respect to defects, stability and the n-type phases. It is concluded that the n-type copper oxide superconductors are genuine examples of reduced systems which any viable theory for high Tc must explain. Defects are crucial for the control of carrier concentration and presumably critical current. They also cause troublesome and pervasive inhomogeneities. Most, and possibly all, high Tc superconductors are thermodynamically unstable at room temperature and below.
The Politics of Academic Freedom.

Institutional leaders, faculty, students, and the public need a better understanding of why academic freedom is essential to student learning and to a democracy characterized by open, reasoned, and vigorous political discourse.
Superconducting devices and system insertion

The U.S. Army's technical progress and technology strategy for microwave applications of high temperature superconducting (HTSC) thin films for system applications is described. Data is presented on an X-band oscillator, filters, and resonators. Information on film fabrication and preparation is included. The research is continual, and some of the results presented in this work are of a preliminary nature. A theoretical analysis on the effect of temperature variation on Schottky barrier diodes is also included.
Conversion of proline-C14 to peptide-bound hydroxyproline-C14 in a cell-free system from chick embryo.

Abstract Previous studies on carrageenin tumor slices (Lowther et , al ., 1961) and on intact chick embryos Lindstedt and Prockop, 1961 , Prockop et al., 1961 demonstrated the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline and suggested that the microsomes are the initial site of collagen biosynthesis. This paper presents similar results obtained in a cell-free system. In the presence of fortified microsomes from chick embryo homogenates, proline-C14 is converted to radioactive hydroxyproline which is found in microsomal protein. The hydroxyproline containing protein, like collagen (Fitch et , al ., 1955) , is soluble in hot TCA 1 . Some of the properties and requirements of this system are described.
A Chemical Abundance Study of Red Giants in Open Clusters NGC 2204 and NGC 2243

Detailed element abundances have been determined for 10-13 stars each in the open clusters (OCs) NGC 2204 and NGC 2243 based on Hydra multi-object echelle spectra obtained with the CTIO 4 m telescope. We have found average cluster metallicities of [Fe/H] = –0.23 ± 0.04 and –0.42 ± 0.05 for NGC 2204 and NGC 2243, respectively, from an equivalent width analysis. NGC 2243 is the most metal-poor cluster at its Galactocentric radius and is one of the most metal-poor OCs currently known. These two clusters lie ~1 kpc below the Galactic plane; it is therefore worthwhile to compare their abundance patterns to those of clusters both closer to and further from the plane. To that end, we combined the results of the current study with those of clusters from our previous work as well as from the literature. To minimize systematic differences between different studies, element abundances of many outer disk OCs as well as thin and thick disk field stars have been placed on our abundance scale. Plots of [X/Fe] versus [Fe/H] for NGC 2204, NGC 2243, other clusters from the literature, and thin and thick disk field stars show NGC 2204 and NGC 2243 to have element abundance patterns comparable to those of other clusters regardless of distance from the plane or center of the Galaxy. Similarly, no individual cluster or group of clusters far from the Galactic mid-plane can be identified as belonging to the thick disk based on their abundance patterns.
Our American mayors. XVIII. Daniel W. Hoan of Milwaukee

The colorful career of a mayor who is one-tenth Socialist and nine-tenths business man. The champion long-distance Socialist mayor.
Carbon based micro- and nano-opto-mechanical systems (C-MOMS/NOMS)

It is highly likely that future micro and nano-mechanical systems will be powered by light. However, the development of such micro and nano-mechanical systems is still in its infancy. Potential advantages include remote triggering and actuation, remote energy transmission, solar energy scavenging for useful work, and wavelength selectivity of actuation. In recent years, carbon based nano-materials such as carbon nanotubes have shown highly interesting optical to mechanical energy conversion. The development of optical to mechanical energy transducing mechanisms into practical applications is still in its infancy. Only a few devices have been reported till date. This paper presents some of the recent developments in the area of nanotube based photomechanical actuators with emphasis on micro and nanooptomechanical systems. Devices namely micro-cantilevers for detection of free PSA, micro-grippers for manipulation of small particles and micro-mirrors for light modulation have been developed that show both translational and rotational actuation. Finally, integrating nanowires on these platforms could lead to the development of nanooptomechanical systems. The future research of such systems and how they can play an integral part in electronics, sensing and actuation by integrating nanotechnology with mechanics, optics and electronics is discussed.o
Health information technology and health information exchange in New York State: New initiatives in implementation and evaluation

More research is needed to understand the effects of health information technology (HIT) and health information exchange (HIE) on quality, safety, efficiency, finances, consumers and providers in community-based settings. New York State is investing heavily in HIT and HIE adoption through the HEAL NY program. It has already provided $53 million in seed money and requires that grantee organizations match the funds. HITEC (The Health Information Technology Evaluation Collaborative) was established to measure systematically the effects of HIT and HIE on consumers, providers, health care quality, patient safety, public health, and financial return on investment in New York State, as no individual grantee is able to conduct cross-cutting evaluations. The results of these evaluations should inform decisions made by leaders in HIT and HIE in New York State and across the nation.
Effects of acetylcholine on neuronal properties in entorhinal cortex

The entorhinal cortex (EC) receives prominent cholinergic innervation from the medial septum and the vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MSDB). To understand how cholinergic neurotransmission can modulate behavior, research has been directed toward identification of the specific cellular mechanisms in EC that can be modulated through cholinergic activity. This review focuses on intrinsic cellular properties of neurons in EC that may underlie functions such as working memory, spatial processing, and episodic memory. In particular, the study of stellate cells (SCs) in medial entorhinal has resulted in discovery of correlations between physiological properties of these neurons and properties of the unique spatial representation that is demonstrated through unit recordings of neurons in medial entorhinal cortex (mEC) from awake-behaving animals. A separate line of investigation has demonstrated persistent firing behavior among neurons in EC that is enhanced by cholinergic activity and could underlie working memory. There is also evidence that acetylcholine plays a role in modulation of synaptic transmission that could also enhance mnemonic function in EC. Finally, the local circuits of EC demonstrate a variety of interneuron physiology, which is also subject to cholinergic modulation. Together these effects alter the dynamics of EC to underlie the functional role of acetylcholine in memory.
Optimal targeting of chaos

Abstract Standard graph theoretic algorithms are applied to chaotic dynamical systems to identify orbits that are optimal relative to a prespecified cost function. We reduce the targeting problem to the problem of finding optimal paths through a graph. Numerical experiments on one-dimensional maps suggest that periodic saddle orbits of low period are typically less expensive to target (relative to a family of smooth cost functions) than periodic saddle orbits of high period.
Entamoeba histolytica: flavins in axenic organisms.

Abstract The individual flavin species of axenic Entamoeba histolytica were assayed: separated riboflavin was assayed by the lumiflavin method; flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD), by an enzymatic method; flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was calculated from the difference, total flavin minus FAD and riboflavin. The amount of flavin in micrograms per grams fresh cells follows: total flavin, 7.6 ± 0.9 calculated as riboflavin; riboflavin, 1.6 ± 0.7; FMN, 6.6 ± 0.5; and FAD, 1.2 ± 0.1. Recalculated to nanomoles per milligrams total amebal protein these values were: total flavin, 0.21; riboflavin, 0.04; FMN, 0.15; and FAD, 0.02. The identity of each flavin was confirmed by a paper chromatographic method. Analyses on Panmede, the main source of flavins in the TP-S-1 medium, indicate that it contains all three forms of flavin. Its contribution to growth medium in micrograms per milliliters: riboflavin, 2.1 ± 0.3; FMN, 0.6 ± 0.1; and FAD, 0.4 ± 0.1. The in vivo biosynthesis of FMN and FAD from riboflavin by E. histolytica is demonstrated. A new and convenient method was found to separate riboflavin from flavin nucleotides in tissue extracts.
Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) HgCdTe flexible growth technology for the manufacturing of infrared photovoltaic detectors

In this paper we present p-on-n heterostructure HgCdTe photovoltaic device data that illustrates the high performance and flexibility in band gap control of the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technology. This flexibility demonstration was carried out by growing material for operation in the following cut-off wavelength ((lambda) co) ranges of interest: LWIR [(lambda) co(77 K) equals 9-11 micrometers ], MLWIR [(lambda) co(77 K) equals 6-7 micrometers ], and VLWIR [(lambda) co(40 K) equals 20 micrometers ]. Detailed analyses of the current-voltage characteristics of these diodes as a function of temperature show that their dark currents are diffusion-limited down to 80 K, 50 K, and 30 K for the MLWIR, LWIR, and VLWIR photodiodes, respectively. In general, the RoA device values were uniform for the three band gap ranges when operating under diffusion limited conditions. The planar MBE HgCdTe technology has been further validated with the successful fabrication and operation of 64 X 64 hybrid FPAs.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distribution of mercury among blood fractions and serum proteins.

Abstract Mercury, as isotopically tagged HgCl2, was injected intravenously into rats at dose levels of 0.12 mg/kg and 1.2 mg/kg. The rats were serially sacrificed over a time period of 3/4 hour to 96 hours after injection, and the partition of the circulating mercury between the erythrocytes and the plasma, and among the serum proteins, was determined. The most interesting observation in this study was that most of the serum-protein-bound mercury was initially associated with the alpha globulins. At the lower dose level, this initial fractional distribution remained about the same throughout the observation period. For the higher dose level, there was a shift with increasing time in the relative concentration of mercury from alpha globulins to albumin.
Chronic effects of nitrendipine on renal hemodynamics and tubular transport

The effects of nitrendipine (10 mg, during acute clearance experiments) given both acutely and after 2 weeks of administration were examined in normal and hypertensive subjects. At the initiation of therapy, nitrendipine caused an increase in glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow in the hypertensive, but not in the normal, group. Percentage excretion rates of sodium (%ENa) and phosphate (%EPi) and free water clearance (CW) increased in both groups at the initiation of therapy. After 2 weeks of nitrendipine therapy repeat acute clearance studies showed that the drug no longer increased glomerular filtration rate or effective renal plasma flow in hypertensive subjects, the increases in %ENa and CW persisted in normal subjects and trended upward in hypertensive subjects, and the increase in %EPi persisted in both normal and hypertensive individuals. We conclude that nitrendipine is not sodium retentive after chronic therapy and the acute increase in %ENa, %EPi, and CW after its initial administration suggests a proximal tubular effect. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1988) 43, 6–15; doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.5
Milling machine for coloring heat-vulcanizing silicone materials in maxillofacial prosthetics.

Abstract A portable milling machine designed for intrinsic coloring of heat-vulcanizing silicone materials for extraoral prostheses has been described.
Apoptosis and radiosensitization of Hodgkin cells by proteasome inhibition

Abstract Purpose: Malignant cells from Hodgkin’s disease have been reported to be defective in regulation of NF-κB activity. Ionizing radiation is known to activate NF-κB, and it has been suggested that this pathway may protect cells from apoptosis following exposure to radiation and other therapeutic agents. Defective NF-κB regulation in Hodgkin cells could therefore dictate the response of this disease to therapy, as well as be responsible for maintaining the malignant phenotype. The purpose of this study was to explore whether NF-κB activity could be modulated in Hodgkin cells and whether it determines the response of these cells to treatment with ionizing radiation and/or dexamethasone. Methods and Materials: Activation of NF-κB in cells is accomplished in large part by degradation of its inhibitor IκB through the 26s proteasome. HD-My-Z Hodgkin cells were treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 or transduced with a dominant negative super-repressor IκBα. Clonogenic survival, apoptosis, proteasome activity, and NF-κB binding activity were monitored in response to ionizing radiation and/or dexamethasone treatment. Results: HD-My-Z Hodgkin cells had modest NF-κB levels but, unlike other cell types, did not decrease their level of constitutively active NF-κB in response to proteasome inhibition with MG-132. In contrast, transduction with a non-phosphorable IκBα construct abolished expression. MG-132 did, however, induce apoptosis in HD-My-Z cells and sensitized them to ionizing radiation. Dexamethasone treatment had no effect on NF-κB activity or clonogenic survival of Hodgkin cells, but protected them from irradiation. Conclusion: We conclude that inhibition of 26s proteasome activity can induce apoptosis in HD-My-Z Hodgkin cells and radiosensitize them, in spite of the fact that their constitutively active NF-κB levels are unaltered. The proteasome may be a promising new therapeutic target for intervention in this disease. In contrast, the use of glucocorticoids in conjunction with radiation treatment for this tumor may require re-evaluation.
First generation of a new science: risk assessment in transition.

The greatest challenge facing human populations today is that of extraordinary rapid change. Such a change in the society is illus trated by the increasing public awareness of environmental issues, accompanied by continuously expanding scientific investigations of chemical pollution. Our industrial civilization has developed and introduced into the various environmental media many compounds affecting human health individually and as a society. The science of toxicology is the evaluation of the effects of chemical and physical agents in various biological systems. Most chemical compounds cannot be tested in man due to their possible carcinogenic, muta genic, teratogenic, or other long-term toxic potential. Therefore, carefully designed toxicologic studies in other species, especially mammalian, are conducted to provide biological dose-response data, which can be used to predict human response. Toxicologists have the responsibility of providing accurate scientific dose- response data based on experiments em...
Neopterin and Biopterin Levels in Patients with Atypical Forms of Phenylketonuria

The pattern of unconjugated pterins in liver tissue and in urine from patients with atypical forms of phenylketonuria with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) has been investigated with a high performance liquid chromatographic technique. Two patients with defects in the biosynthesis of biopterin have been shown to have higher than normal levels of neopterin and lower than normal levels of biopterin. In contrast, a patient with HPA due to a deficiency of dihydropteridine reductase has the reverse urinary pattern, i.e., high biopterin, low neopterin. These results indicate that the ratio of neopterin to biopterin in urine can be of value in discriminating between HPA due to a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (classic PKU), HPA due to dihydropteridine reductase deficiency, and HPA due to a block in the biosynthesis of biopterin.
TRANS-EFFECT IN EXTRACTION KINETICS: PALLADIUM EXTRACTION BY 7-(1-VINYL-3,3,5,5-TETRAMETHYLHEXYL)-8-QUINOLINOL

SUMMARY The rate of palladium extraction from chloride solutions by 7-(1-vinyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylhexyl)-8-quinolinol (KELEX 100) increased more than six hundred times when as little as 2 × 10−4M thiocyanate was added to the aqueous solution. Similar but smaller effects were produced by iodide and bromide. The influence of pH and the concentration of thiocyanate and ligand on the extraction rate indicated that the homogeneous chemical reaction of the type: is the rate determining step. The enhancement in the extraction rate parallels the size of the “trans-effect”, which decreases in the order of SCN¯> I¯>Br¯, in easing the replacement of a coordinated chloride ion by KELEX 100.
Threshold switching — A form of superconductivity?

Abstract Summary of what is known about the ON-state of amorphous semiconductor (“Ovonic”) threshold switches, and discussion of the possibility that the high density of electronhole pairs involved may result in exciton condensation, and thereby in a form of high-temperature superconductivity.
Clinicohistopathologic Correlations in Xerophthalmic Ulceration and Necrosis

• Corneal tissue from five eyes of three children with active xerophthalmic keratopathy and stromal loss was studied histopathologically. Stromal dissolution was strikingly focal, sometimes occurring beneath an intact epithelium and often, though not always, accompanied by extensive inflammatory reaction and bacteria.