cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of noble metal nanoparticleζ-potential effects on single-cell exocytosis function in vitro with carbon-fiber microelectrode amperometry

Since noble metal nanoparticles are increasingly found in consumer goods, there is a need for information about potential impacts of these nanoparticles on cellular function to avoid environmental and health risks associated with exposure. In this study, spherical Au and Ag nanoparticles of similar size were synthesized and modified to assess the effects of ζ-potential on immune cell function. Nanoparticleζ-potential was controlled by employing surfactant exchange to generate nanoparticles with positive or negative surface charge. Mouse peritoneal mast cells (MPMCs) were then exposed to 5–15 µg ml−1 of these nanomaterials, and uptake was assessed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Uptake for positively charged nanoparticles was more efficient than for negatively charged nanomaterials, and all nanoparticles were taken up in a concentration-dependent manner. Following uptake, MPMC degranulation function was assessed using carbon-fiber microelectrode amperometry (CFMA), showing decreased quantal secretion of serotonin by MPMCs exposed to the positively charged Au nanoparticles and negatively charged Ag nanoparticles. The overall efficiency of the degranulation process (indicated by amperometric spike frequency) decreased for all Au-exposed MPMCs. However, only the negatively charged version of the Ag nanomaterial resulted in decreased MPMC degranulation efficiency. Further studies revealed that ionic Ag was partially responsible for the observed effects. Overall, these studies reveal the complex nature of interactions between noble metal nanomaterials and cells that result in perturbed cellular function and illustrate the necessity of thorough nanoparticle characterization for interpretation of cellular function assays.
Incorporation of labelled phosphate into phospholipids in squid giant axons.

— Inorganic phosphate labelled with 32P was applied to giant axons excised from squid (Loligo pealeii) by addition of 32Pi to the bathing solution, by injection into the axon, or by addition to axoplasm which had been separated from the sheath. The preparations were kept at 10 to 25° for various times up to 4 hr. When 32Pi was supplied by way of the bathing solution, axoplasm and sheath were usually separated at the end of incubation before extraction of the lipids. Lipids were extracted with chloroform-methanol and resolved by paper chromatography. The lipids which became labelled appeared to be the same in sheath and axoplasm. They were identified by cochromatography with known lipids and by chromatography of products formed from them by mild alkaline hydrolysis. They included phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, and probably somelysophosphatidylethanolamine. Some labelled components remained unidentified. Phosphatidylcholine was apparently present, but did not become significantly labelled either in sheath or in axoplasm, or in a squid's stellate ganglion. There was no evidence that separation from the sheath impaired the capacity of the axoplasm for lipid synthesis.
Variation in colorectal cancer incidence in the united states by subsite of origin

Background. Colorectal cancer incidence rates vary widely internationally, by race and gender, and have changed over time. Investigation of the patterns by subsite within the colorectum may suggest clues of possible etiologic significance for further study. Methods. Using population-based data on more than 120,000 cases diagnosed 1976-1987 in the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, colorectal cancer incidence was evaluated by subsite of origin. Results. Little racial variation was evident for cecum and ascending colon cancers; rates were higher among blacks than whites for transverse and descending colon cancers but lower for sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and rectal cancers. Rates generally increased over time for most colon sites, especially sigmoid colon among white men, but declined slightly for rectal cancer among whites. The sex ratio increased among whites monotonically from 1.12 for cecum to 1.71 for rectal cancers. The distal colon cancer excess among men was most notable at older ages, contrasting with slightly higher rates among women at younger ages. Geographic differences were particularly notable for transverse and rectosigmoid colon cancers. Conclusions. It may be fruitful for future studies to evaluate factors affecting colorectal carcinogenesis by subsite of origin.
Definiteness and number ambiguity in the superlative construction in Arabic

This paper highlights and accounts for some interesting properties of the superlative construction in Modern Standard Arabic that have not been addressed by previous research on Arabic. One property that is focused on in this paper is the interaction between number and definiteness in this construction. It is shown that superlative adjectives have properties that are different from those of the abstract adjectives, and similar to those of quantifiers and nouns. Superlatives are similar to nouns and quantifiers in that they can host clitics, modify or quantify over noun phrases, and that these noun phrases should always be assigned the genitive case. Given these similarities, it is argued that the superlative construction behaves like a Construct State (CS), which is a nominal construction in Arabic that roughly corresponds to the English genitive construction. On a par with other elements that can head the CS (i.e., numerals, quantifiers, and nouns), the superlative adjective has nominal head properties and is the head of the superlative construction. However, it is shown that there is number ambiguity in the superlative construction that is not present in regular CS constructions, with a noun or a quantifier head. Number ambiguity shows in this construction only when the noun phrase modified by the superlative adjective is definite and plural. In this case, the superlative construction can be either singular or plural. This paper attributes this ambiguity to the quantificational nature of superlative adjectives and its interaction with definiteness within the superlative construction. Superlatives in Arabic, thus, are established as quantifiers, and the superlative construction as a Quantifier Phrase.
Microfluidic interrogation and mathematical modeling of multi-regime calcium signaling dynamics

Through microfluidic interrogation we analyzed real-time calcium responses of HEK293 cells stimulated with short pulses of the M3 muscarinic receptor ligand carbachol in two different concentration regimes. Lower ligand concentrations elicit oscillatory calcium signals while higher concentrations trigger a rapid rise that eventually settles down at a steady-state slightly above pre-stimulus levels, referred to as an acute signal. Cells were periodically pulsed with carbachol at these two concentration regimes using a custom-made microfluidic platform, and the resulting calcium signals were measured with a single fluorescent readout. Pulsed stimulations at these two concentration regimes resulted in multiple types of response patterns that each delivered complementary information about the M3 muscarinic receptor signaling pathway. These multiple types of calcium response patterns enabled development of a comprehensive mathematical model of multi-regime calcium signaling. The resulting model suggests that dephosphorylation of deactivated receptors is rate limiting for recovery of calcium signals in the acute regime (high ligand concentration), while calcium replenishment and IP3 production determine signal recovery in the oscillatory regime (low ligand concentration). This study not only provides mechanistic insight into multi-regime signaling of the M3 muscarinic receptor pathway, but also provides a general strategy for analyzing multi-regime pathways using only one fluorescent readout.
THE CANONICAL GENUS OF WHITEHEAD DOUBLES OF A FAMILY TORUS KNOTS

In this paper, we show that gc(Km, n) - g(Km, n) = 2mn for m, n ∈ N, where Km, n is the connected sum of m copies of any Whitehead double of the (2n + 1, 2) torus knot.
Nurse practitioner and physician assistant physical activity counseling knowledge, confidence and practices

Abstract Objective This exploratory cross-sectional study examined nurse practitioners' (NPs) and physician assistants’ (PAs) perceptions about their physical activity counseling practices. Method Participants were currently practicing NPs (n = 240) and PAs (n = 78) primarily in Arizona, USA during 2010. Participants completed a modified version of the Promotion of Physical Activity by Nurse Practitioners Questionnaire either online or in person during a practitioner specific conference. Mann–Whitney U tests and Chi-Square analyses examined differences between NPs and PAs. Results NP respondents were older (48 vs. 40 yrs, p Conclusion Study results indicate that NPs and PAs are knowledgeable, confident and currently providing some level of physical activity counseling to patients. However, the majority of respondents are interested in receiving additional training to aid in providing physical activity counseling.
Spatial self-organization of vorticity in chaotic shearing flows

Abstract We examine two-dimensional incompressible fluid flows that are chaotic in time but have large scale coherent spatial structures. We show that spots of vorticity superposed on a chaotic shear flow can be robust and merge together if the shear and the vorticity have the same sign. We propose the hypothesis that the merging and stability criteria for spots can be derived by requiring that the energy in the time-averaged (non-chaotic) component of the velocity is minimized. Our numerical simulations of the dynamics of these spots is qualitatively similar to that of the Red Spot of Jupiter.
Deep Drilling and Deeper Oil Possibilities in Illinois

During the 4 years, 1944 to 1947, sixteen oil test wells were drilled in Illinois to the St. Peter sandstone, of which thirteen penetrated to various formations below the St. Peter, two reaching the basement rocks. Isopach maps of various formations between the St. Peter sandstone and the basement rocks, supplemented with cross sections, show the influence of the Ozark and Wisconsin positive structural areas. Notable variations in the stratigraphic sequence are the disappearance of the Galesville sandstone and the introduction of an oolitic limestone in the Cambrian strata in central Illinois. Maps show the structure of the Illinois basin on the top of the St. Peter sandstone and the general configuration of the basement surface so far as known. Isocons on the St. Peter map show the total mineral content of water in the St. Peter sandstone. Some of the geological factors that should be considered in prospecting for oil in these deep strata are discussed.
Isopiestic determination of the osmotic coefficients of Lu2(SO4)3(aq) and H2SO4(aq) at the temperatureT= 298.15 K, and review and revision of the thermodynamic properties of Lu2(SO4)3(aq) and Lu2(SO4)3·8H2O(cr)a

Abstract Isopiestic vapor-pressure measurements were made for Lu2(SO4)3(aq) at molalities from (0.35379 to 0.64478) mol ·kg−1and for H2SO4(aq) at molalities from (0.27470 to 0.70512) mol ·kg−1at the temperatureT= 298.15 K using KCl(aq) as the isopiestic reference standard; results for Lu2(SO4)3(aq) extend to slightly above saturation. These measurements encompass the water activity rangesawof 0.9902 ≤aw≤ 0.9783 and 0.9902 ≤aw≤ 0.9741, respectively. Molality analyses used for previous solubility, density (J. Solution Chem.1988,17, 499 –517), and isopiestic measurements (J. Solution Chem.1990,19, 525 –541) for Lu2(SO4)3(aq) from this laboratory were found to be slightly high due to absorption of water vapor during the analyses, as was that of the NaCl(aq) isopiestic reference standard from incomplete dying during the dehydration analysis. Those results were corrected and combined with the present isopiestic measurements to yield recommended values of osmotic coefficients, water activities, and mean activity coefficients of Lu2(SO4)3(aq), and the solubility and thermodynamic solubility product of Lu2(SO4)3·8H2O(cr), all at the temperatureT= 298.15 K. A detailed study was made of the extent of the retention of water vapor by Lu2(SO4)3(s) and other anhydrous rare earth sulfates as they are weighed in air. Methods were developed for accurately correcting each total mass of rare earth sulfate for absorbed water. In addition, isopiestic measurements were performed for H2SO4(aq) in the molality region where previous isopiestic results were found to be somewhat discordant in the critical review by Clegget al.(J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans.1994,90, 1875 –1894).
Subaqueous Pyroclastic Flows in the Ohanapecosh Formation, Washington

Subaqueous pyroclastic flows form almost one-half of the 10,000-foot Ohanapecosh Formation (Eocene and Oligocene?) in the eastern part of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Most of these flows probably originated by the sloughing of debris from the flanks of active underwater volcanoes during and after pyroclastic eruptions. Some of the pyroclastic flows caused directly by underwater eruptions may not have been completely quenched and could have traveled as steam-inflated slurries of pyroclastic debris and water. Most of them, however, were probably cold or only slightly warm as they flowed into deeper water. The Ohanapecosh subaqueous pyroclastic flows are extensive, nonwelded deposits of lapilli-tuff or fine tuff-breccia ranging in thickness from 10 to more than 200 feet. They are interbedded with thinner and generally finer turbidity-current and ash-fall deposits formed by smaller and more water-rich slumps of pyroclastic debris from the underwater volcanoes and by ash falls that rained into the water. The three main types of flows are thought to be related to three different kinds of volcanic activity. The most common flows—those containing a variety of lithic fragments and variable amounts of pumice—were probably produced by underwater phreatic eruptions. The flows rich in pumice and glass shards were probably caused by underwater eruptions of rapidly vesiculating magma which, on land, would have produced hot ash flows or ash falls. The least common flows—those containing only one or two kinds of lithic fragments—were probably derived from fairly homogeneous bodies, such as domes, spines, and lava flows that were erupted into water and fragmented by steam-blast explosions. Remnants of the underwater Ohanapecosh volcanoes consist chiefly of coarse tuff-breccia piled around filled volcanic vents. Unbrecciated lava flows are subordinate and were probably deposited on land when the volcanoes succeeded in growing into islands.
The effects of thyroid status on some properties of rat fast-twitch muscle.

The effects of different thyroid states on some histochemical and biochemical properties of fast-twitch muscle were studied using rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. This muscle was found to be much less responsive to thyroidal influence than the slow-twitch soleus muscle. In EDL muscles of hypothyroid rats, fast → slow conversions were observed in fibre type composition, myosin ATPase activity and light chain pattern, and in the subunit composition of lactate dehydrogenase, while the only significant slow → fast conversion observed in thyrotoxicosis was a decrease in the proportion of slow-oxidative fibres. Denervation of the hypothyroid muscle produced the highest degree of fast → slow transformation. These findings support the view that denervation and dysthyreosis alter gene expression in muscle by independent mechanisms.
Factors associated with nurse assessment of the quality of dying and death in the intensive care unit

Objective:To determine the feasibility of using nurse ratings of quality of dying and death to assess quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit and to determine factors associated with nurse assessment of the quality of dying and death for patients dying in the intensive care unit.Desig
Imaging nanostructured fluids using cryo-TEM

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) has gained increasing popularity among researchers in the field of amphiphilic self-assembly as an experimental method of choice because of its unique ability to visualize nanostructures in complex fluids. Due to many recent technical improvements in the instrumentation, cryo-TEM experiments are now common. However, some limitations and possible artifacts are still a problem, and awareness of them remains a prerequisite for reliable operations and interpretation. The goal of this paper is to provide a review of the basic methods and procedures by which the cryo-TEM experiments are typically practiced. As examples, this paper also presents recent results derived from our cryo-TEM studies of micellization of block copolymer blends which clearly illustrate the unique usefulness of the technique for exploring the unexpected, complex, and/or heterogeneous nanostructures in amphiphilic solutions.
On the asymptotic properties of solutions of linear functional differential equations with linearly transformed argument

We establish new properties of solutions of the functional differential equation {fx153-01} in the neighborhood of the singular point t = +∞.
The Rat Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula Model: Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase–2 and −9 at the Venous Stenosis

Purpose To determine whether a femoral arteriovenous (AV) fistula model in a rat was feasible and whether there is increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–2 and −9 and the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) at the venous stenosis of the fistula. Materials and Methods Fifteen male Sprague-Harley rats weighing 353 g ± 26 underwent creation of an AV fistula between the left femoral artery and ipsilateral femoral vein, with the contralateral femoral vessels serving as controls. The animals were euthanized at day 14 ( n = 5) and day 28 ( n = 10) after fistula creation. Zymography and Western blot analysis for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were performed at the venous stenosis and in control vessels. Hematoxylin and eosin, Verhoeff–van Gieson, Masson trichrome, and α–smooth muscle staining were performed at the stenosis and in controls at day 28 in four animals. The intima/media ratio was determined at day 28. Results By day 14, pro–MMP-2 measurements were 8.13 ± 1.06 at the venous stenosis and 4.1 ± 1.33 in controls ( P P P P P Conclusions A rat femoral AV fistula model was created with venous stenosis formation characterized by thickened neointima composed of α–smooth muscle actin–positive cells compared with controls. At the venous stenosis, there was increased expression of pro–MMP-2 and active MMP-2 by days 14 and 28, with significantly increased expression of pro–MMP-9 by day 28.
Formation of Cyanogen Chloride from the Reaction of Monochloramine with Formaldehyde

Methanediol dehydrates to give formaldehyde, which reacts rapidly and reversibly with monochloramine to form N-chloroaminomethanol. Under drinking water conditions, N-chloroaminomethanol undergoes a relatively slow decomposition that eventually leads to the formation of cyanogen chloride (ClCN) in apparently stoichiometric amounts. The following reaction sequence is proposed: CH2(OH)2 ⇆ CH2O + H2O; CH2O + NH2Cl ⇆ CH2(OH)NHCl; CH2(OH)NHCl → CH2NCl + H2O; CH2NCl → HCl + HCN; CN- + NH2Cl + H+ → ClCN + NH3. These reactions were studied at 25.0 °C and an ionic strength of 0.10 M (NaClO4). Stopped-flow photometry was used to monitor rapid, reversible reactions, and photometry was used to study relatively slow decomposition reactions. Equilibrium and rate constants for the addition of formaldehyde to monochloramine were (6.6 ± 1.5) × 105 M-1 and (2.8 ± 0.1) × 104 M-1 s-1, respectively. The dehydration of N-chloroaminomethanol was catalyzed by both H+ and OH-, with respective rate constants of 277 ± 7 and 26.9 ±...
Avalanche breakdown in polycrystalline selenium rectifiers

Measurements have been made at 113 and 296 °K of the reverse current–voltage and reactance–voltage characteristics of polycrystalline selenium rectifiers with an injecting nickel and a blocking aluminum or cadmium selenide contact. The voltage dependence of the reactance at low applied voltage is characteristic of a step junction at the blocking contact with 1/C proportional to (U + U0). Avalanche breakdown takes place at a field strength of approximately 1.5 × 105 V/cm at room temperature with a positive temperature coefficient. Avalanching is confirmed by the onset of multiplication of the photocurrent at essentially the same field strength as for multiplication of the dark current. Electroluminescence is observed in the avalanche regime. A mean free path for phonon creation of approximately 20 nm is estimated which is sufficiently small that the selenium grain boundaries can be neglected. Die Strom–Spannungs- und die Reaktanz–Spannungs-Kennlinie eines in Sperrichtung gepolten polykristallinen Selengleichrichters mit injizierendem Nickelkontakt und sperrendem Aluminium- oder Kadmiumselenidkontakt wurde bei 113 und 296 °K gemessen. Fur niedrige Spannungen entspricht die Spannungsabhangigkeit der Reaktanz derjenigen eines stufenformigen p–n-Uberganges am Sperrkontakt, wobei 1/C proportional zu (U + U0) ist. Der Lawinendurchbruch findet bei Zimmertemperatur bei einer Feldstarke von etwa 1,5 × 105 V/cm (mit positivem Temperaturkoeffizienten) statt. Das gleichzeitige Auftreten der Multiplikation des Photostromes und des Dunkelstromes fur dieselbe Feldstarke bestatigt den Lawinenprozes. Im Lawinengebiet wurde gleichzeitig Elektrolumineszenz beobachtet. Die freie Weglange fur Phononenproduktion ist ungefahr 20 nm und damit so klein, das Selenkorngrenzen vernachlassigbar sind.
The Effects of Type of Evidence and Favorability of Verdict on Perceptions of Justice1

This study examined the effect of type of evidence presented within an adversarial procedure on evaluations of pprocedural and distributive justice. Within the context of a simulated civil case, subjects were given supportive evidence that focused on either the legal aspects of the case or the extenuating circumstances surrounding the dispute. Following adjudication, subjects received either a favorable or an unfavorable verdict. Results revealed an evidential orientation by verdict interaction such that subjects with equity-based evidence made more extreme evaluations of the verdict than did subjects whose evidence was legalistic in nature. These findings are discussed in terms of the hedonic relevance and disconfirmation of expectations possibly associated with equity evidence.
A signal transformational framework for breaking the noise floor and its applications in MRI

A long-standing problem in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the noise-induced bias in the magnitude signals. This problem is particularly pressing in diffusion MRI at high diffusion-weighting. In this paper, we present a three-stage scheme to solve this problem by transforming noisy nonCentral Chi signals to noisy Gaussian signals. A special case of nonCentral Chi distribution is the Rician distribution. In general, the Gaussian-distributed signals are of interest rather than the Gaussian-derived (e.g., Rayleigh, Rician, and nonCentral Chi) signals because the Gaussian-distributed signals are generally more amenable to statistical treatment through the principle of least squares. Monte Carlo simulations were used to validate the statistical properties of the proposed framework. This scheme opens up the possibility of investigating the low signal regime (or high diffusion-weighting regime in the case of diffusion MRI) that contains potentially important information about biophysical processes and structures of the brain.
Are partners available for post-abortion contraceptive counseling? A pilot study in a Baltimore City clinic

Abstract About half of the 1.2 million abortions each year in the United States are repeat abortions. While most abortion providers counsel women about contraception, one reason for the high repeat rate could be failure to take into account the social context of the women—in particular, the male partner. To assess whether there might be a window of opportunity for a contraceptive intervention that includes the male partner at the time of the abortion, we undertook a pilot study at an urban abortion clinic to examine the role of the male partner among women receiving abortions. Between May 2001 and August 2002, two questionnaires were administered to 109 women receiving abortions in a Baltimore City clinic. On the procedure day, women were more likely to be accompanied by a male partner upon arrival (30%) or when leaving (34%) than by any other individual. The majority of women receiving abortions reported that their partners played positive decision-making and support roles throughout the abortion process. A significant proportion of couples could be available for contraceptive counseling following an abortion, providing rationale for couples' post-abortion contraceptive counseling for women whose partners are already actively and positively involved in the abortion process. Such an intervention may help to reduce repeat abortions.
A Combinatorial Approach to Measuring Anonymity

In this paper we define a new metric for quantifying the degree of anonymity collectively afforded to users of an anonymous communication system. We show how our metric, based on the permanent of a matrix, can be useful in evaluating the amount of information needed by an observer to reveal the communication pattern as a whole. We also show how our model can be extended to include probabilistic information learned by an attacker about possible sender-recipient relationships. Our work is intended to serve as a complementary tool to existing information-theoretic metrics, which typically consider the anonymity of the system from the perspective of a single user or message.
Computerized detection and classification of cancer on breast ultrasound

Abstract Rationale and objectives To develop and evaluate a two-stage computerized method that first detects suspicious regions on ultrasound images, and subsequently distinguishes among different lesion types. Materials and methods The first stage of detecting potential lesions was based on expected lesion shape and margin characteristics. After the detection stage, all candidate lesions were classified by a Bayesian neural net based on computer-extracted lesion features. Two separate tasks were performed and evaluated at the classification stage: the first classification task was the distinction between all actual lesions and false-positive detections; the second classification task was the distinction between actual cancer and all other detected lesion candidates (including false-positive detections). The neural nets were trained on a database of 400 cases (757 images), consisting of complex cysts and benign and malignant lesions, and tested on an independent database of 458 cases (1,740 images including 578 normal images). Results In the distinction between all actual lesions and false-positive detections, A z values of 0.94 and 0.91 were obtained with the training and testing data sets, respectively. Sensitivity by patient of 90% at 0.45 false-positive detections per image was achieved for this detection-plus-classification scheme for the testing data set. Distinguishing cancer from all other detections (false-positives plus all benign lesions) proved to be more challenging, and A z values of 0.87 and 0.81 were obtained during training and testing, respectively. Sensitivity by patient of 100% at 0.43 false-positive malignancies per image was achieved in the detection and classification of cancerous lesions for the testing dataset. Conclusion The results show promising performance of the computerized lesion detection and classification method, and indicate the potential of such a system for clinical breast ultrasound.
Multidecadal-Scale Beach Changes in the Zuma Littoral Cell, California

This paper describes multidecadal-scale beach changes in the 27-km long Zuma littoral cell, southern California, over 75 years (1928-2002) and suggests explanations based on ocean-climate forcing and other factors. Over this period, beaches within the cell, between Point Mugu and Point Dume, have experienced little human interference compared with other beaches in the region. The methods involve selection of eight target beaches and measurement of changes in beach width from vertical aerial photographs obtained at irregular intervals between 1928 and 2002, supported by archival studies, repeat field surveys and statistical analysis. The photogrammetric data show considerable seasonal and annual changes in width within and between beaches, but also significant trends at longer time-scales. In temporal terms, beach behavior throughout the cell is characterized by short-term episodes of erosion related to seasonal storms and recurrent El Nino events, and longer-term changes that appear to operate in a cyclic...
Identification of salt tolerant baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich) for planting in coastal areas

Coastal baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) forests are being killed in the southern United States as a result of saltwater intrusion. Tank studies have indicated substantial intraspecific variation in salt tolerance within baldcypress populations, but only one field study has been conducted and it used a limited seed source. The major objective of this project was to expand the collection range of baldcypress across the southeastern United States and determine if there are baldcypress populations that can survive and grow in saltwater damaged areas. Seeds were collected in 1996 from eight estuarine areas (James River = VA; Cape Fear River = NC; Winyah Bay = SC; Ogeechee River = GA; Ochlockonee River = FL; Mobile Bay = AL; Biloxi River=MS; Chalmette = LA). Seeds were stratified and planted, and seedlings were grown for 2 years before planting in two abandoned ricefields on Hobcaw Barony near Georgetown, South Carolina in 1999. Salinity levels reached 18.5ppt during 2001 at the peak of the worst drought on record. By 2002, the only seedlings surviving were those from LA, AL, and FL. After 5 years in the field, LA seedlings were the best performers with a mortality rate of only 27%. More detailed analyses of the biologic and genetic characteristics of trees growing in the LA site need to be completed to determine if they represent a source of baldcypress seed possessing greater tolerance to saline conditions. If so, seeds need to be collected and nurseries established to grow seedlings to help restore degraded wetland swamp areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
DIFFERENCES IN THE RESPONSE OF EUTHYROID AND HYPERTHYROID PATIENTS TO THYRO-INHIBITORY SUBSTANCES

The 24-hour thyroidal uptake of radioiodine (I131) was determined in control subjects and hyperthyroid patients before and after administration of either 500 mg. of thiourea or 4 Gm. of potassium thiocyanate. Thiourea abolished I131 uptake in 21 normal controls and in 2 patients with nontoxic goiter, whereas the mean uptake value in the hyperthyroid group (8 patients) was above 20 per cent. Potassium thiocyanate reduced the uptake values below 10 per cent in 18 euthyroid controls and 7 patients with nontoxic goiter, whereas in 15 hyperthyroid patients the values were significantly higher. The inhibitory effect of thiocyanate appeared to vary directly with the serum concentration of the ion in both the hyperthyroid and control groups. This difference in response to thiocyanate or thiourea may be a useful means to distinguish between normal subjects and patients with hyperthyroidism.
High‐Temperature Indentation Studies on the {110} Plane of Single‐crystal Magnesium Oxide

The indentation behavior (Vickers) of Single-crystal MgO was studied as a function of temperature (20° to 1000°C). Indentations were made on the {110} plane, with the indents oriented such that one indent diagonal was parallel to the 〈001〉 direction. Using etchant techniques, the dislocation etch pit structures were examined both in the plane of the indentation and in cross section. All the observed slip traces were found to be consistent with primary slip ({110}〈110〉), with no evidence of secondary slip, even at 1000°C. Radial cracking was observed only at the pair of indent corners joined by the indent diagonal parallel to 〈001〉. The crack length increased with temperature (T) for indentations conducted at T < 800°C. For indents made at 800°C or higher, however, no cracking occurred. These results are discussed both with respect to an existing slip-induced crack nucleation model, and the change in crack driving force and toughness with indentation temperature.
Reduction of large-scale systems via generalized Gramians

System analysis and control design of large-scale dynamic systems are important in many applications. However, due to high dimensionality of the system, practical implementation of the theoretic results in large-scale systems is a difficult and expensive task, even with the aid of modern computers. In this paper, a different approach is undertaken to overcome the computational difficulty which is often associated with the nearly singular large-scale mathematical models. Instead of using the standard dynamic equations to represent a large-scale system, mathematical models in the descriptor form (generalized dynamic equations) are used. It is shown that via numerically reliable algorithms, the generalized dynamic model can be balanced in the sense that the balanced model is equally controllable and observable. Moreover, the balancing transformation can be obtained by solving generalized Lyapunov equations for observability and controllability Gramians, Based upon the balanced model, reduced-order models which closely match the input-output behavior of the system can be derived. Computer simulations of a power machine system will be presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the model reduction algorithm.
Differential response of β‐adrenergic receptor—mediated heart rate and aortic blood flow acceleration to timolol

The apparent affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors for timolol in the sinus node and ventricular myocardium was compared in 11 normal male subjects. Sinus nodal function was assessed by heart rate, and left ventricular systolic function was assessed by Doppler-derived aortic blood flow acceleration. The dose of isoproterenol required for a heart rate or acceleration increase of 35% (I35) was determined before and 2 hours after an oral 10 mg dose of timolol. The apparent affinity constant (ka) for timolol binding to the receptor was calculated from the serum timolol concentration and the ratio of the I35 after timolol/I35 before timolol. The I35 for sinus node and ventricular myocardium were not significantly different from one another. The ka for timolol binding to the sinus node (1.14 x 10(6) mol/L), however, was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than ka for ventricular myocardium (7.85 x 10(5) mol/L). These findings suggest that beta-adrenergic receptors in the sinus node may have an overall greater affinity for beta-blocking agents than do receptors in the ventricular myocardium.
Highly compressed multi-pattern string matching on the cell broadband engine

With its 9 cores per chip, the IBM Cell/Broadband Engine (Cell) can deliver an impressive amount of compute power and benefit the string-matching kernels of network security, business analytics and natural language processing applications. However, the available amount of main memory on the system limits the maximum size of the dictionary supported by the string matching solution. To counter that, we propose a technique that employs compressed Aho-Corasick automata to perform fast, exact multi-pattern string matching with very large dictionaries. Our technique achieves the remarkable compression factors of 1:34 and 1:58, respectively, on the memory representation of English-language dictionaries and random binary string dictionaries. We demonstrate a parallel implementation for the Cell processor that delivers a sustained throughput between 0.90 and 2.35 Gbps per Cell blade, while supporting dictionary sizes up to 9.2 Million average patterns per Gbyte of main memory, and exhibiting resilience to content-based attacks. This high dictionary density enables natural language applications of an unprecedented scale to run on a single server blade.
ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE-CYCLE COMPARISONS OF RECYCLING, LANDFILLING, AND INCINERATION: A Review of Recent Studies

▪ Abstract This paper reviews and analyzes the major recent North American studies that have compared on an environmental basis the major options used to manage the materials that comprise municipal solid waste (MSW). The reviewed studies provide quantitative comparative information on one or more of the following environmental parameters: solid waste output, energy use, and releases of pollutants to the air and water. The review finds that all of the studies support the following conclusions: Systems based on recycled production plus recycling offer substantial system-wide or “life-cycle” environmental advantages over systems based on virgin production plus either incineration or landfilling, across all four parameters examined. Only when the material recovery or waste management activities are analyzed in isolation—which does not account for the system-wide consequences of choosing one system option over another—do the virgin material–based systems appear to offer advantages over recycled production plu...
Presenilin Overexpression Arrests Cells in the G1 Phase of the Cell Cycle : Arrest Potentiated by the Alzheimer’s Disease PS2(N141I) Mutant

To investigate the mechanism by which presenilin (PS) overexpression induces apoptosis, we studied the effects of these proteins on cell cycle progression. Transiently transfected HeLa cells were bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled to visualize DNA synthesis by immunofluorescence and stained with propidium iodide to measure DNA content by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). BrdU labeling was decreased in cells expressing presenilin-1 (PS1), presenilin-2 (PS2), an Alzheimer's disease-associated missense mutation PS2(N141I), and the carboxyl-terminally deleted PS2 construct PS2(166aa), compared with mock and neurofilament-light (NF-L) transfected cells. Analysis of BrdU incorporation in mitotically synchronized HeLa cells suggested that cells were arresting in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and this was confirmed by FACS analysis. Interestingly, cell cycle progression was more inhibited by the expression of PS2(N141I) compared with wild-type PS2. In addition, ATM, the gene product mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia, does not appear to be a downstream effector of PS-induced cell cycle arrest as transfection of PS constructs into an ataxia-telangiectasia cell line also resulted in cell cycle inhibition. Quantitative immunoblotting of whole-cell lysates from PS-transfected cells did not reveal increases or decreases in the steady-state levels of p21, p27, p53, pRb, or c-myc, suggesting that the presenilins mediate cell cycle arrest by mechanisms other than simple changes in the steady-state levels of these cell-cycle-related proteins.
Alien Revolt (2005-2007): A Case Study of the First Location-Based Mobile Game in Brazil

Location-aware technology and Internet connectivity embedded in mobile phones allow users to navigate physical spaces and be connected to other users, bringing many activities formerly performed "online" to physical hybrid spaces. Among such activities are location-based mobile games (LBMGs), which use urban spaces as the game scenario. This article is a case study of Alien Revolt (2005-2007), the first Brazilian LBMG, released in 2005 by the company Mind Corporation and the operator Oi in Rio de Janeiro. The game uses Java-enabled cell phones equipped with location awareness to transform the city into a battlefield. Following much of the Swedish game Botfighters' (2001-2005) idea, the first LBMG, Alien Revolt's goal involves virtually shooting other players within a specific radius in the city space. Alien Revolt exemplifies how cell phones strengthen users' connections to physical space, because they are used as collective communication devices, rather than personal private technologies. Moreover, when used for location-based activities, the cell phone plays the role of a location aware technology, rather than a mobile telephone used for two-way voice communication.
Microbial Transformation of cis-Abienol

A study was made of the microbial transformation of cis-abienol, a main precursor of the tobacco aroma principle, by an unidentified soil bacterium JTS-162. Four new compounds were isolated from the culture broth as transformation products. They were elucidated to be (12Z)-labda-8(17),12,14-triene, (12Z)-labda-8(17),12,14-trien-18-ol, (12Z)-labda-8(17),12,14-trien-18-al and 4,18,19-tri-nor-3,4-seco-5-oxo-(12Z)-labda-8(17),12,14-trien-3-oic acid by spectrometry and syntheses. Based on experiments with a degradation sequence, the biotransformation pathway of cis-abienol by the bacterium was proposed.
Comparison of the universal dynamic response power-law fitting model for conducting systems with superior alternative models

Abstract For at least 5 years there has been considerable controversy concerning the relative value of power-law and electric modulus formalism models for fitting and interpreting dispersed frequency-response data for ionically conducting glasses, melts, and other disordered solids. Conclusions of various authors have ranged from preferring one or the other to neither. Here, detailed complex-nonlinear-least-squares fitting of data for a trisilicate glass with several different dispersion models leads to the conclusion that ‘neither’ of the above is the correct conclusion for an adequate analysis of bulk-material behavior in this and other materials. The power-law model is nonphysical, and the usual modulus formalism approach is faulty in two different ways. For the near-room-temperature data set analyzed here, it was found that when electrode effects were included in a composite fitting model, they contributed significantly to high-, but not low-frequency response. Their presence may explain the increasing log–log slope of the real part of the conductivity with increasing frequency found for many materials. The corrected modulus formalism approach, involving a Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts model, the KWW1, was found to be the best of those used to represent bulk response. Contrary to common expectation, the original modulus formalism and KWW1 models do not lead to stretched-exponential response in the time domain. Best fitting required not only a model for bulk response but one for electrode response as well and necessarily also involved a separate fitting parameter to account for high-frequency-limiting dipolar dielectric effects.
Sampling Plan for Population Estimation of Northern and Western Corn Rootworm Adults in Iowa Cornfields

Sample sizes were determined for three adult corn rootworm sampling techniques. Sources of variation in the sampling plan used were analyzed with a nested analysis of variance. Plant-to-plant, ear-to-ear, and trap-to-trap variation accounted for the greatest percentage a variability, on a within-field basis, in their respective analyses. Optimum allocations of sample units were two plants per site, five ears per site, and one trap per site. Comparisons of precision and cost of the three methods revealed that plant counts provide the most precise estimate of beetle populations for the least cost.
Developing a remote staring sensor for optimizing successful boost phase intercept

Interception of large missile systems during their boost phase has been a goal of the United States Defense industry for quite some time. Due to a variety of technical obstacles, however, defense scientists have focused their energy upon developing systems that are capable of intercepting the missiles in mid-course; so the boost phase interception (BPI) objective has, until recently, remained on the sidelines. Shortly following the change in Administration in January, 2001, it was announced that the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) would begin actively developing BPI capabilities. Although, perhaps, this change in agenda is primarily attributable to the different priorities of the respective Administrations, it may also be due in part to recent advances in remote sensing technologies. In this paper, we describe a theoretical space-based sensor that will be capable of cueing retaliatory forces in time for successful BPI. The specifications for the sensor in this theoretical system are developed using modeled missile signatures and scene data from the LANDSAT 7 sensor.
Is the partnership working?: evaluating the approval plan vendor

Abstract An evaluation of a Blackwell U.S.–U.K. approval plan is ongoing during 1997–98. The goals of this evaluation are: to determine if appropriate books are being received in each subject; to obtain feedback from faculty members involved in selection; and to evaluate Blackwell as an approval plan vendor. The plan’s purpose and context are also being reviewed, especially budgetary and staffing issues. An evaluation procedure was written, statistical reports and lists of titles received on each profile were produced and distributed to departments, and discussions were held among liaison librarians and faculty members analyzing this data. Blackwell’s performance as an approval vendor will be measured against specific performance criteria, including publisher coverage and prevention of duplication. Results from the project to date include revision and improved coordination of subject profiles, experience using Blackwell’s Collection Manager Web site, and preparation for possible participation in an OhioLINK statewide approval plan.
FIFTY:FIFTY OFFSPRING SEX RATIOS IN SAVANNAH SPARROWS (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS)

Abstract Over a 14 year period, we determined offspring sex ratios in a population of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) breeding on Kent Island, an isolated 80 ha island in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada, based on morphological measurements of 318 independent juveniles and 361 returning adults of known parentage. The mean annual offspring sex ratio was exactly 1.00 (±0.23, range= 0.61–1.41, n = 14). In no year did offspring sex ratio deviate significantly from 50:50, regardless of the sex ratio of breeding adults. Offspring sex ratio did not vary as a function of the timing of breeding, maternal or paternal age, or parental mating status (monogamy vs. polygamy). Overall, our data provide strong support for 50:50 offspring sex ratios at the population level (Fisher 1930), but no support for the notion of adaptive modification of offspring sex ratios by individuals (Trivers and Willard 1973).