cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preservation and transplantation of dog organs maintained in vivo for 24 hours by mechanical ventricular assistance

Abstract Direct mechanical ventricular assistance offers a simple and effective method to restore the circulation postmortem and preserve organs in situ, for subsequent transplantation. In 12 dogs, MVA was employed for 24 hours after ventricular fibrillation was induced. After defibrillation, renal, hepatic, pulmonary, and cardiac function were evaluated and compared to results in nine control dogs which underwent thoracotomy and 24 hours of anesthesia with intact circulation. Five dogs in each group survived more than 48 hours. After death or sacrifice of the animals, gross and microscopic organ changes were evaluated. Abnormalities of structure and function were somewhat more severe in assisted dogs than in controls, but the changes appeared reversible. Two of three kidneys preserved by MVA for 24 hours functioned adequately after transplantation into nephrectomized recipients. Advantages of mechanical ventricular assistance in restoring cadaver bloodflow and the role of this method in a clinical transplantation program are discussed.
Density and Condition of Subyearling Chinook Salmon in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary in Relation to Water Temperature and Genetic Stock of Origin

AbstractWe examined the hypotheses that density and morphometric condition of subyearling juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha would decline during periods of high water temperature in the lower Columbia River and estuary. The hypotheses were tested using salmon density measurements and a condition anomaly calculated from residuals of the length–weight linear regression based on 5,536 subyearlings collected from brackish estuarine and tidal freshwater (TFW) habitats. We captured Chinook Salmon at all temperatures encountered (4.2–23.5°C). In the TFW zone, densities were highest at optimal temperatures and lowest at suboptimal and supraoptimal temperatures; in the estuary, density did not differ among temperature regimes. Fish condition was lowest in winter, when temperatures were suboptimal, and highest in summer, when temperatures were supraoptimal. Pairwise comparisons of fish condition between periods of optimal temperature (spring) and supraoptimal or stressful temperature (summer) showed ...
A scale for evaluation of self-stigma in adults who stutter

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the assessment review by Boyle, M. P. (2013). Assessment of stigma associated with stuttering: development and evaluation of the Self-stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S). Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 56, 1517–1529.Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and no conflicts of interest reported by the original authors of this research report.
Flocculation and Filtration Dewatering of Coal Slurries Aided by a Hydrophobic Polymeric Flocculant

This study investigated the adsorption behavior of a totally hydrophobic polymer, FR-7A, and its role in the flocculation and filtration of fine coal slurries. Adsorption of FR-7A on coal, pyrite, and shale minerals revealed that: (a) FR-7A had a higher adsorption affinity to coal and pyrite than that on shale; (b) an acidic slurry condition favored unselective adsorption of FR-7A on coal minerals, leading to improved total flocculation and filtration of fine coal slurries, while alkaline pH and the presence of SMP favored selective adsorption and flocculation of coal from associated minerals in the slurry; and (c) FR-7A aided the flocculation of coal slurries and improved the moisture removal by filtration from 42.4 to 37%.
General relativistic simulations of black hole-neutron star mergers: Effects of magnetic fields

Black-hole--neutron-star (BHNS) binary mergers can form disks in which magnetorotational instability (MRI)-induced turbulence may drive accretion onto the remnant BH, supporting relativistic jets and providing the engine for a short-hard gamma-ray burst (SGRB). Our earlier study of magnetized BHNSs showed that NS tidal disruption winds the magnetic field into a toroidal configuration, with poloidal fields so weak that capturing MRI with full-disk simulations would require $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{8}$ CPU hours. In that study we imposed equatorial symmetry, suppressing poloidal magnetic fields that might be generated from plasma crossing the orbital plane. Here we show that initial conditions that break this symmetry (i.e., tilted poloidal magnetic fields in the NS) generate much stronger poloidal fields in the disk, indicating that asymmetric initial conditions may be necessary for establishing BHNS mergers as SGRB progenitors via fully general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations. We demonstrate that BHNS mergers may form an SGRB engine under the right conditions by seeding the remnant disk from an unmagnetized BHNS simulation with purely poloidal fields dynamically unimportant initially, but strong enough to resolve MRI. Magnetic turbulence occurs in the disk, driving accretion and supporting Poynting-dominated jet outflows sufficient to power an SGRB.
Relative sensitivity of Cerodaphnia dubia laboratory tests and pond communities of zooplankton and benthos to chronic copper stress

Abstract In situ enclosure experiments were conducted in a pond in southwestern Ohio during spring, 1987, to evaluate the effects of copper on zooplankton and benthos. Total copper concentrations (0, 20 and 40 μg 1−1) were maintained in enclosures for a 5-wk period. In the laboratory, 7-day Ceriodaphnia tests were also conducted to evaluate this test's ability to predict copper-induced changes in field enclosure communities. Colonies of the alga, Uroglena, were significantly lower in 20 and 40 μg 1−1 copper treatments than in controls. The benthos community included snails, fingernail clams, mayflies, and midges, but densities of only small mayflies and chironomids were affected by copper (40 μg 1−1). The zooplankton community was strongly affected by both copper concentrations. Rotifiers and cyclopoid and calanoid copepods exhibited significant reductions in density in both copper treatments. Daphnia, however, achieved highest densities in the 20 μg 1−1 copper treatment and completely disappeared from controls. This unexpected response was accurately predicted by the 7-day Ceriodaphnia test, but this same test did not predict that other taxa would be more sensitive than Daphnia. We conclude that community responses are complex and cannot be reliably predicted with single-species toxicity tests.
AOTF-based remote sensor with sol-gel probe

Abstract We report the development and application of a sensor using acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) and sol-gel probe technology. A pH-sensitive probe is used as a model sensing system with dextran derivatives of pH sensitive dyes doped into sol-gel thin films. We used a unique combination of pH-sensitive and pH-insensitive dual-label dye system. For optimization studies, the performance of these films as a pH sensing probe was evaluated using synchronous fluorescence detection. The performance of the a prototype AOTF-based monitor using a low-power argon laser as an ion excitation source was evaluated.
Irrelevance of explicit cost-effectiveness thresholds when coverage decisions can be reversed.

Cost–effectiveness analysis (CEA) compares a new treatment to a standard, already covered treatment by estimating an incremental cost–effectiveness ratio (ICER) – the estimated incremental costs di...
Some Aspects of the Pharmacology of Clemizole Hydrochloride

Experiments have been described which demonstrate effective prolonged antihistaminic activity and other aspects of the pharmacology of clemizole HC1 (1- p -chloro-benzyl-2-pyrrolidyl-methyl-benzimidazole hydrochloride). A relatively high degree of antihistaminic specificity was observed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Clemizole was highly effective in antagonizing histamine aerosol bronchospasm. Spontaneous activity of isolated rabbit ileum and intestinal motility in anesthetized dogs were decreased. There was no significant effect on histamine-induced gastric secretion in chronic gastric fistula dogs. Enhanced responses to epinephrine appear to be due to a sensitization to this amine by the antihistamine. Acute and chronic studies showed a relatively low order of toxicity.
Information Technology Project Performance: The Impact of Critical Success Factors

In this exploratory research study the critical success factors resulting in Information Technology IT project performance were assessed. Previous research supported associations between critical success factors and information technology project performance. A survey of 116 different projects at firms in the United States was used as the context to examine the critical success factors in project performance. The examination of the data analysis showed the size of the project, clarity of goals and mission, availability of required technology, and client acceptance of the project had a significant impact on project performance.
Modeling and estimation of multiscale stochastic processes

The authors introduce a class of multiscale stochastic processes which are Markov in scale and which are characterized by dynamic state models evolving in scale. The models for these processes are motivated by the theory of multiscale representations and the wavelet transform. The authors formulate an optimal estimation problem based on these models, which has potential applications to sensor fusion problems where there exist data from sensors of differing resolution, and provide an efficient algorithm based on the wavelet transform. They give examples applying these models to first-order Gauss-Markov processes. >
Natural and Management-Induced Reduction in Monimolimnetic Volume and Stability in a Coastal, Meromictic Lake

ABSTRACT Lower Mystic Lake is a coastal meromictic lake with a northern and southern basin. Although the southern basin has remained meromictic, the northern, shallower basin became holomictic in the early 1980s. A secondary chemocline forms above the primary chemocline, so that mixing during autumnal overturn does not always reach to the depth of the primary chemocline. The secondary chemocline may develop and intensify during periods when wind action and seiche activity are not expected, and may persist as a distinct feature for over a year. The source of the solutes in the secondary chemocline appears to be the primary chemocline and the monimolimnion. The Amelia Earhart Dam, constructed in 1966, prevents any further influx of seawater that was necessary to maintain the meromictic stratification. As a result, depth of the primary chemocline has increased at an irregular rate since the last influx of seawater. Between 1966–1994 the chemocline was eroded downwards 12 m, causing a 95% reduction in monimol...
Magnetic resonance imaging for in vivo assessment of tissue oxygen concentration.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high-resolution morphological images useful in diagnostic radiology to differentiate normal from abnormal/pathological states. More recently, emerging developments in MRI seek to add a functional/physiological dimension to the anatomic images to provide better understanding of the physiology of pathological conditions. Three MRI methods offer the promise of providing important physiologic information, such as oxygen status and redox capability of tissues, and these are discussed in the context of their potential usefulness to radiation oncology. The techniques include blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI, Overhauser enhanced MRI (OMRI), and electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI). BOLD MRI provides information of tumor oxygen status by using the differences in MRI images from tumors obtained when breathing air or carbogen. Deoxyhemoglobin serves as an endogenous BOLD MRI contrast agent. OMRI utilizes the enhancement of proton MRI images by a nontoxic free radical contrast agent. The advantages of this technique are the very low magnetic fields used and its capability to provide quantitative information of tissue oxygen concentration. EPRI also uses free radical contrast agents and can provide redox and oxygen status differences between tumor and normal tissues. Some of the contrast agents used in EPRI have been identified as radiation protectors. The images obtained from each of the technologies may ultimately be used to overlay their respective views (containing spatial tissue physiology information) onto detailed anatomic maps.
Age-related changes in the retinal pigment epithelium of pigmented rats

Abstract A number of significant age-related changes were found to occur in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of normal pigmented ACI rats. Age-related morphological changes in the RPE included: changes in RPE cell height, an increase in lipofuscin content, alterations in the apical microvilli and basal infoldings, and an apparent thickening of the RPE basal lamina. Unusual banded structures were often seen within the basal infoldings of the RPE in senescent but not in young adult rats. Lipid droplets were relatively common in the RPE of senescent rats, but were quite rare in 4- and 11-month-old animals. In addition, contact between the RPE apical microvilli and the photoreceptor outer segments appeared to become less intimate with age. Phagocytosis of rod outer segment discs appeared to be reduced between 4 and 32 months of age. This reduction was greater than could be accounted for solely by a concomitant age-related decrease in the number of photoreceptors per unit retinal length. RPE-choroid acid phosphatase activity (a lysosomal marker), on the other hand, did not appear to change with age. The molar ratio of vitamin A-palmitate to vitamin A-stearate in the RPE-choroid rose significantly with age, from about 1·85 at both 4 and 11 months, to over 2·5 at 28 months. At each age, the palmitate- to stearate-ester ratio was the same in the dark-adapted and light-adapted eyes.
Calibration of dielectric constant probes using salt solutions of unknown conductivity

A new procedure for calibrating dielectric constant sensors was developed which used air, distilled water, and two saline solutions as references but did not require knowledge of the loss factors of the saline solutions. The use of the saline solutions was necessitated when a short circuit was found to be unsatisfactory as a calibration reference. When properly calibrated and handled, a set of gold-plated sensors measured dielectric constants to /spl plusmn/1% or better over a range of 50 to 150 MHz. The precision of the sensors declined below 50 MHz.
Subcellular distribution and developmental expression of cholesterol ester hydrolases in fetal rat brain cultures.

: Cholesterol ester hydrolase activities previously have been identified in brain and linked to the production of myelin, which has very low levels of esterified cholesterol. We have studied two cholesterol ester hydrolase activities (termed the pH 6.0 and pH 7.2 activities) in cultures derived from 19- to 21-day-old dissociated fetal rat brains and in developing rat brain. In vivo the levels of both the pH 6.0 and pH 7.2 activities began to increase by about 10 postnatal days, reached maximal levels at 20 days (20 and 1.5 nmol/h/mg protein, respectively), and thereafter remained nearly constant (pH 6.0) or decreased somewhat before becoming constant (pH 7.2). In contrast, in the cultures the pH 6.0 cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was low until 21 days in culture (DIC; 20 nmol/h/mg protein), increased to a peak activity at 31 DIC (60 nmol/h/mg protein), remained high for 24 days, and finally decreased (18 nmol/h/mg protein at 63 DIC); the pH 7.2 cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was very low until 20 DIC, increased to a peak activity at 31 days (3 nmol/h/mg protein), and thereafter decreased to a lower level (2 nmol/h/mg protein) that was maintained for about 24 days before decreasing (0.7 nmol/h/mg protein at 63 DIC). Therefore, (a) the time courses of appearance of both cholesterol ester hydrolase activities were delayed by 10–14 days relative to that seen in vivo, and (b) the specific activities observed in the cultures were transiently two- to three-fold higher than in rat brain, but then declined to levels characteristic of whole brain homogenates. Subcellular fractionation of the cultures demonstrated that the pH 7.2 cholesterol ester hydrolase activity, along with myelin basic protein and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphohydrolase activity, was enriched in a membrane fraction collected at an interface between 0.32 M and 0.9 M sucrose; the pH 6.0 cholesterol ester hydrolase activity, in contrast, was enriched in the microsomal fraction.
Empirical models based on the Universal Soil Loss Equation fail to predict sediment discharges from Chesapeake Bay catchments

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and its derivatives are widely used for identifying watersheds with a high potential for degrading stream water quality. We compared sediment yields estimated from regional application of the USLE, the automated revised RUSLE2, and five sediment delivery ratio algorithms to measured annual average sediment delivery in 78 catchments of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We did the same comparisons for another 23 catchments monitored by the USGS. Predictions exceeded observed sediment yields by more than 100% and were highly correlated with USLE erosion predictions (Pearson r range, 0.73-0.92; p 0.14). In a multiple regression analysis, soil erodibility, log (stream flow), basin shape (topographic relief ratio), the square-root transformed proportion of forest, and occurrence in the Appalachian Plateau province explained 55% of the observed variance in measured suspended sediment loads, but the model performed poorly (r(2) = 0.06) at predicting loads in the 23 USGS watersheds not used in fitting the model. The use of USLE or multiple regression models to predict sediment yields is not advisable despite their present widespread application. Integrated watershed models based on the USLE may also be unsuitable for making management decisions.
Temporal variability of vertical nontidal circulation pattern in a partially mixed estuary: Comparison of self‐organizing map and empirical orthogonal functions

[1] On the basis of a 233-day moored acoustic Doppler current profiler data set in an estuarine strait, temporal variability of vertical estuarine circulation is examined using self-organizing map (SOM) and empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). The SOM identifies a continuum of patterns of which eight have been selected. The best matching unit (BMU) time series shows distinct seasonal variation which separates the data set into three seasonal segments. Also, monthly variation can be discerned by BMU sequences, and the data set is further separated into seven monthly segments. The EOF analysis of the whole record identifies only four patterns which are contained in the SOM patterns. However, EOF analysis of the seven monthly segments shows distinct monthly variation of the first two EOF modes. Moreover, those EOF modes are compatible with the SOM patterns showing consistency between the two techniques. The synoptic variability is described by four selected events which correspond to particular BMU sequences and represent filling and draining processes. The pattern-forcing relationships are explored with EOF principle components. Long-term variations of circulation patterns are dominated by river discharge and winds. Short-term variations explored within seasonal and monthly segments indicate that the flow patterns are results of combined effect of forcing. Officer's (1976) analytical solutions of estuarine circulation are applied, and the results support the flow patterns and pattern-forcing relationship revealed by SOM and EOF analysis.
Abstract 3323: PRAF2 regulates Rab5-dependent endocytic trafficking of EGFR in neuroblastoma

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mediate extracellular signaling that activates downstream cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Through ligand stimulation, clathrin-mediated endocytosis regulates the EGFR signal transduction pathway. Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family, membrane 2 (PRAF2) is a novel 19-kDa protein with a prenylated Rab acceptor 1 (PRA1) motif and four transmembrane-spanning domains. Similar to PRAF1 and PRAF3, PRAF2 belongs to the PRAF family of vesicle transport-associated proteins. Our lab identified PRAF2 as a candidate prognostic marker of neuroblastic tumors. Using RNA interference, we showed that PRAF2 plays an essential role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis and metastasis. In the present study, we examined the function of PRAF2 in EGFR endocytic trafficking. We generated stable PRAF2-knockdown (SK-shPRAF2) and PRAF2-overexpressing (SK-PRAF2) neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell lines and stimulated both cell lines with EGF (10 ng/ml) for various time periods in order to determine the role of PRAF2 in EGFR endocytic trafficking. As judged by immunofluorescence microscopy, we detected larger Rab5-positive punctuate structures in PRAF2-overexpressing SK-PRAF2 cells compared to PRAF2-knockdown SK-shPRAF2 cells or control cells, after 15 min EGF stimulation. After EGF treatment, PRAF2 clearly colocalized with Rab5-positive punctae in SK-PRAF2 cells, suggesting that PRAF2 interacts with Rab5, a critical regulator for receptor endocytosis and early endosome fusion. Moreover, using a receptor internalization assay, we observed a delay in the internalization of EGFR in EGF-treated SK-shPRAF2 cells, in contrast to SK-PRAF2 and control cells. This is in support of our immunofluorescence microscopy results in which Rab5-postive punctae distribution is observed mostly along the membrane of the EGF-treated SK-shPRAF2 cells. Notably, the level of phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) transiently elevated in EGF-treated SK-PRAF2 cells after 15 min and diminished thereafter, suggesting that overexpression of PRAF2 accelerates the EGFR internalization and degradation. Based on our findings, we propose that PRAF2 affects EGFR endocytosis by regulating early endosome trafficking and Akt activation in neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Lisette P. Yco, Andre S. Bachmann. PRAF2 regulates Rab5-dependent endocytic trafficking of EGFR in neuroblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3323. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3323
The crystal structure of octachlorodibenzodioxin: Experimental and calculated

Abstract The crystal structure of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) was determined and compared with the calculated geometry obtained by the semi-empirical modified neglect of diatomic overlap (MNDO) method. Experimental and calculated geometries for OCDD show excellent agreement.
MOLECULAR RECTANGLES BASED ON RHENIUM(I) COORDINATION CHEMISTRY

There has been substantial recent interest in the assembly of rigid inorganic and organometallic host species based on transition metal corners and difunctional organic ligand edges.1-5 Most of these compounds are tetrametallic with a square geometry.6 Several have now been shown to bind small molecules,1a-c,2,3a and some have been used as solution phase sensors.3a,7 Because the cavities of the squares tend to align to form channels in the solid state,2,3b the compounds also are potentially useful in sieving and separations applications. Indeed, in initial electrochemical sieving studies involving redox active permeants, thin films of neutral rhenium-derived molecular squares have displayed sizeselective permeant transport capabilities.8 A compelling extension of the size-selective tetrametallic host chemistry would be the induction of significant guest shape selectivity. Toward this goal, we report the synthesis, characterization, and preliminary binding properties of two members of a new class of tetrametallic hosts featuring rectangular cavities. Our earlier attempts to make a mixed-ligand tetrametallic cyclophane, of similar dimensions to the rectangular cyclophanes reported by Odell and co-workers9 and by Geuder and coworkers10 and derived from the original tetrarhenium squares (i.e., alternating 4,4′-bipyridyl and pyrazyl edges), gave only the square molecules, not rectangles. Some success in rectangle synthesis was achieved by using a two-step process to synthesize first a relatively robust rhenium-thiolate dimeric edge and then the molecular rectangle.11 The cavity height (∼3.8 A) is insufficient, however, to allow the molecule to function as a host. Nevertheless, by building upon that strategy we have now been able to synthesize molecular rectangles by first creating a stabilized bimetallic edge by using a difunctional chelating bridge, 2,2′bipyrimidine (bpym), and then adding difunctional pyridyl-based bridges (Scheme 1).
Layoff Agency: A Theoretical Framework

The current downsizing literature has neglected the cognitions and behaviors of layoff agents. In this article, layoff agents are defined as employees who assist in the implementation of layoffs in their employing organizations. The article develops a theoretical framework that focuses on the cognitions and perceptions of those individuals. This framework suggests that layoff agents have the potential to experience cognitive dissonance as a result of their layoff agency activities, and under some conditions they will seek to reduce that dissonance by altering their perceptions of organizational downsizing. The framework specifies variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency and cognitive dissonance and also variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency—induced cognitive dissonance and agent perceptions of organizational downsizing. The moderating effects of these variables are captured in a set of propositions suitable for testing in future empirical research on the psyc...
Personalized- and One- Medicine: Bioinformatics Foundation in Health and its Economic Feasibility

Personalized medicine’s foundation rests on the use of molecular technologies, which are being used to identify genetic mutations, polymorphisms, and variants that can be associated with an individual’s genetic make up, revealing risk factors and predictive data. Needless to say this same analysis can be performed on various types of cancers, including samples stored for many years under the right conditions. For the most part, these technologies employ microarray and RNA-Seq methodologies, which examine large numbers of gene expressions at a time, providing clustering and patterns of this expression. The methodologies and their evaluative outcomes further demonstrate that more than a single gene is involved with various phenomena. However, given the mass of data emerging from this analysis, and commonalities they reveal between various phenomena/disorders, achieving 100% certainty may not be that easy. Another outcome from this massive store of molecular data is the concept of one medicine. This field has been developed by researchers in a variety of disciplines (e.g., medical and veterinary science) that advocate for greater integration of animal and human health. One medicine takes advantage of the fact that molecular commonalities in major biochemical pathways occur because of evolutionary conservation, which is dependent on stereospecificity. In this regard, the foci of personalized medicine and one medicine are quite broad and require trained professionals, as well as a lowering of cost in order to be better integrated into mainstream medical practice.
The anisotropy in the compton profile of magnesium

Abstract The Compton profiles of magnesium were measured in three directions: with the x-ray scattering vector along the c axis, along the a axis and along the bisector of the a and c axes. The profiles are free-electron-like but indicate some concentration of electron momentum density in the basal plane. As in previous measurements on polycrystalline magnesium, there is a significant high-momentum tail above the Fermi momentum indicative of electron–electron correlation effects. Comparison with previous measurements on beryllium single crystals indicates that the anisotropy in the valence electron profile is greater in magnesium than in beryllium (10% at the peak for magnesium versus ∼4% for beryllium). No band wave function calculations in momentum space are available for comparison.
Continental climate response to orbital forcing from biogenic silica records in Lake Baikal

CHANGES in insolation caused by periodic changes in the Earth's orbital parameters provide the primary forcing for global ice ages1–6. But it is not clear to what extent the climates in continental interiors are controlled directly by regional variations in insolation and to what extent they are driven instead by the highly nonlinear response of the oceans and ice sheets. Here we investigate this question using the record of biogenic silica in Lake Baikal as a proxy for climate change in this high-latitude mid-continental region. We find a good correlation between this record and that of marine oxygen isotopes4. Over the past 250 kyr the Baikal record exhibits both a strongly nonlinear component (manifested in a 100-kyr periodicity) and weaker direct-insolation components (manifested in the 41-kyr (obliquity) and 23- and 19-kyr (precession) orbital cycles). These results show that even though extreme continental climates such as this are influenced directly by insolation variations, they are dominated by the nonlinear rhythm of the oceans and ice sheets.
Leptogenesis from gravity waves in models of inflation

We present a new mechanism for creating the observed cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry which satisfies all three Sakharov conditions from one common thread, gravitational waves. We generate lepton number through the gravitational anomaly in the lepton number current. The source term comes from elliptically polarized gravity waves that are produced during inflation if the inflaton field contains a CP-odd component. The amount of matter asymmetry generated in our model can be of realistic size for the parameters within the range of some inflationary scenarios and grand unified theories.
A STUDY OF SMALL GROUP DYNAMICS AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE BSCS LABORATORY BLOCK PROGRAM.

The amount of work accomplished in the laboratory is often dependent upon the efficiency of group work. Here is an attempt to determine factors which may inhibit productivity of small group efforts.
Stress—strain behavior of a polyurethane rubber in combined torsion and tension or compression

The biaxial response, in combined torsion and tension or compression, of a highly crosslinked polyurethane elastomer has been measured at room temperature under equilibrium conditions with the Becker-Landel torsion-tension tester. Cylindrical specimens of four different aspect ratios were studied. Axial strains ranged from −33% to + 17%, and twists from 0 to 0.83 radians/cm. End effects were avoided by measuring both strains in the gage length at the center of the specimen. A small error in the twist parameter, probably arising from slight misalignment of the instrument, was unresolved. Within this error the normal forces and moments of all the specimens conformed to the neohookean (Mooney-Rivlin with C2 = 0) stored energy function for incompressible materials, and the moduli measured in extension and compression were equal.
Recent U.S. gambling legalization: A case study of lotteries

Abstract The decision to legalize gambling in the United States is made at the state rather than the federal level. Most forms of gambling were illegal in most states until a spate of legalizations occurred after 1964. A brief history of gambling legalization is presented. The largest number of recent legalizations has been state lotteries. Models were built to analyze which states were early adopters of lotteries and why. Early adopters (before 1980) were found almost entirely in the northeast and midwest, and nonadopters in the south and west. The conclusion using single variable models was that aging infrastructure was more closely associated with early adoption than other independent variables. In multiple variable models early adoption states were most accurately predicted by two characteristics: contiguity to states with legal lotteries and a low proportion Protestant church membership. Once these two variables are in the estimating equation additional variables—a senescent physical infrastructure, a “gambling culture,” fiscal exigency, metropolitan status, and a history of legislative innovation—are not useful predictors.
Deciphering Naturally Occurring Pb Contamination Impacting Drinking Water Wells: Shaker Village Catchment, Maine

Trace Pb concentrations in groundwater within glacial deposits across Maine fluctuate considerably. Deciphering the distribution and sources of naturally occurring Pb in groundwater with only the use of conventional anomaly identification techniques presents a challenge. In a representative catchment, a coupled Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model conditioned by 46 boreholes permits a visualization of a complex of ancient braided stream channels, possibly containing recurrent elevated groundwater Pb over 15 μ g L− 1. Stable Pb isotopes are reported to aid the source definition of dispersed groundwater Pb in the outwash deposits.
End-to-end support for statistical quality of service in heterogeneous mobile ad hoc networks

In heterogeneous mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), different types of mobile devices with diverse capabilities may coexist in the same network. The heterogeneity of MANETs makes end-to-end support for quality of service (QoS) guarantees more difficult than in other types of networks, not to mention the limited bandwidth and frequent topology changes of these networks. Since QoS routing is the first step toward achieving end-to-end QoS guarantees in heterogeneous MANETs, we propose a QoS routing protocol for heterogeneous MANETs. The proposed protocol, called virtual grid architecture protocol (VGAP), uses a cross-layer approach in order to provide end-to-end statistical QoS guarantees. VGAP operates on a fixed virtual rectilinear architecture (virtual grid), which is obtained using location information obtained from global positioning system (GPS). The virtual grid consists of a few, but possibly more powerful, mobile nodes known as ClusterHeads (CHs) that are elected periodically. CHs discover multiple QoS routes on the virtual grid using an extended version of the open shortest path first (OSPF) routing protocol and an extended version of WFQ scheduling policy that takes into account the wireless channel state. Moreover, VGAP utilizes a simple power control algorithm at the physical layer that provides efficient energy savings in this heterogeneous setting. Simulation experiments show that VGAP has a good performance in terms of packet delivery ratio, end-to-end packet delay, call blocking probability, and network scalability.
Pressure Waves in Microscopic Simulations of Laser Ablation Leonid

Laser ablation of organic solids is a complex collective phenomenon that includes processes occurring at different length and time scales. A mesoscopic breathing sphere model developed recently for molecular dynamics simulation of laser ablation and damage of organic solids has significantly expanded the length-scale (up to hundreds of nanometers) and the time-scale (up to nanoseconds) of the simulations. The laser induced buildup of a high pressure within the absorbing volume and generation of the pressure waves propagating from the absorption region poses an additional challenge for molecular-level simulation. A new dynamic boundary condition is developed to minimize the effects of the reflection of the wave from the boundary of the computational cell. The boundary condition accounts for the laser induced pressure wave propagation as well as the direct laser energy deposition in the boundary region.
Coping with errors in binary search procedures

Abstract We consider the problem of identifying an unknown value x ϵ {1, 2,…, n } using only comparisons of x to constants when as many as E of the comparisons may receive erroneous answers. For a continuous analogue of this problem we show that there is a unique strategy that is optimal in the worst case. This strategy for the continuous problem is then shown to yield a strategy for the original discrete problem that uses log 2 n + E · log 2 log 2 n + O ( E · log 2 E ) comparisons in the worst case. This number is shown to be optimal even if arbitrary “Yes-No” questions are allowed. We show that a modified version of this search problem with errors is equivalent to the problem of finding the minimal root of a set of increasing functions. The modified version is then also shown to be of complexity log 2 n + E · log 2 log 2 n + O ( E · log 2 E ).
Physiochemical processes in sterol absorption

Abstract Enhancement of intestinal absorption of cholesterol by micellar solubilization was demonstrated in experiments with intestinal rings. The rate of uptake during the first 8 minutes of incubation at 37° was one-third faster when cholesterol was offered as a mixed micelle with monoolein and Na-taurodeoxycholate compared to a micelle which contained in addition fatty acid, di- and triglyceride. Smaller particle size and greater sterol micellar dispersion were considered factors responsible for the faster uptake. The kinetics and temperature coefficient of uptake from micellar solutions suggest that cholesterol initially diffuses into or is adsorbed onto the plasma membrane. Binding to membrane components with appreciable sterol content or with very high affinity are possible alternative mechanisms.
Synthesis of maximally permissive non-blocking supervisors for partially observed discrete event systems

We present new results on the synthesis of safe, non-blocking, and maximally permissive supervisors for partially observed discrete event systems. We consider the case where the legal language is a non-prefix-closed sublanguage of the system language and non-blockingness must be ensured in addition to safety. Our approach is based on the construction of a new bipartite transition system, called the Non-blocking All Inclusive Controller (NB-AIC), that embeds all safe and non-blocking supervisors. We present an algorithm for the construction of the NB-AIC and discuss its properties. We then provide a synthesis algorithm, based on the NB-AIC, that constructs a supervisor that is safe, non-blocking and maximally permissive. This is the first algorithm with such properties.
Vasopressin-induced transfer via light vesicles of receptors and water channels from basolateral to apical membrane of toad bladder.

Toad bladder epithelial cells were homogenized and fractionated by Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. Binding of tritium-labeled vasopressin ([3H]AVP) was measured in surface membranes (SM), microsomes (M), and a 100,000 g (60-min) micrsomal supernatant fraction (S). More than two-thirds of the total receptors were in S. Receptors in SM — but not in S — were tightly coupled to G-protein as suggested by inhibition of [3H]AVP binding by GTP. GTP-sensitivity of [3H]AVP binding was not altered by vasotocin (AVT) stimulation, although the distribution of receptors shifted from SM to S. Intact bladders, exposed on the serosal side to 1-desamino, 7-lysine-(4-azidobenzoyl), 8-arginine vasotocin (d7-N3-AVT) in the presence of UV light, exhibited a persistent hydroosmotic response compared to controls stimulated with photoaffinity analog in the dark. Cell fractions from the irradiated bladders showed a reduction in [3H]AVP binding in SM and S. Intact bladders, exposed on the mucosal side to d7-N3-AVT in the presence of UV light (while stimulated from the serosal side with AVP) exhibited a decrease in [3H]AVP binding in SM compared to controls without d7-N3-AVT. These findings suggest the following working hypothesis for the hydroosmotic action of vasopressin: (1) Vasopressin binds to receptors at the basolateral membrane, which is water-permeable in the unstimulated state; (2) The hormone-receptor complex is endocytosed and, together with other components of the basolateral membrane containing “water channels”, appears in “light vesicles”; (3) These light vesicles (and/or similar vesicles in a cytoplasmic reservoir) move to the apical membrane where they fuse with the water-impermeable apical membrane and thereby render the rate-limiting barrier permeable to water.
The Insulin Receptor in Myotonic Dystrophy

Insulin binding was studied using circulating monocytes obtained from seven patients with myotonic dystrophy and seven control subjects. During an oral glucose tolerance test the 2 h plasma glucose value was significantly higher in patients with myotonic dystrophy compared to controls, and 5 out of the 7 patients demonstrated hyperinsulinemia. This combination of abnormal glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemia suggests insulin resistance. There was no difference in insulin binding to monocyte receptors between the two groups. These results suggest that no abnormality exists in the insulin receptor in myotonic dystrophy.
Depression of murine natural killer cell cytotoxicity by isobutyl nitrite

We have investigated the effect of isobutyl nitrite on murine NK-cell antitumor-directed cytotoxicity. This agent has been suggested as one of the factors underlying immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in man. We demonstrated that two injections, each of 0.25 ml isobutyl nitrite, resulted in significant depression of endogenous splenic and peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity against T-cell lymphoma, YAC-1. In addition to endogenous NK cells, activity of pyrimidinol-activated NK cells was also substantially depressed by this agent. The latter observation is of the utmost importance, since it suggests that the attempt to augment NK-cell activity (to promote resistance to infections and malignancies) could fail in patients with AIDS who are isobutyl nitrite users. Isobutyl nitrite was NK-cell-suppressive not only after in vivo administration but, most importantly, also after inhalation. This indicates that isobutyl nitrite, via its NK-cell suppressive effect, could contribute to immunodeficiency in AIDS. Studies on the mechanism of NK-cell depression by isobutyl nitrite demonstrated that the NK-cell tumor-binding properties as well as NK-cell cytotoxic potential were substantially depressed. Mixing experiments failed to reveal any regulation by suppressor cell activities. The results of these studies clearly indicate that isobutyl nitrite is an immunosuppressive agent and that its use should be avoided.
Topological Zone Organization of Scalar Volume Data

We present a new method for preprocessing and organizing discrete scalar volume data of any dimension on external storage. We describe our implementation of a visual navigation system using our method. The techniques have important applications for out-of-core visualization of volume data sets and image understanding. The applications include extracting isosurfaces in a manner that helps reduce both I/O and disk seek time, a priori topologically correct isosurface simplification (prior to extraction), and producing a visual atlas of all topologically distinct objects in the data set. The preprocessing algorithm computes regions of space that we call topological zone components, so that any isosurface component (contour) is completely contained in a zone component and all contours contained in a zone component are topologically equivalent. The algorithm also constructs a criticality tree that is related to the recently studied contour tree. However, unlike the contour tree, the zones and the criticality tree hierarchically organize the data set. We demonstrate that the techniques work on both irregularly and regularly gridded data, and can be extended to data sets with nonunique values, by the mathematical analysis we call Digital Morse Theory (DMT), so that perturbation of the data set is not required. We present the results of our initial experiments with three dimensional volume data (CT) and describe future extensions of our DMT organizing technology.
Droplet spreading: Theory and experiments

Abstract A hypothesis is presented that distinguishes the characteristics of spreading by hydrodynamic forces from those driven by molecular/kinetic effects, demarking the regimes by contact-line speeds and contact angles. Several applications of the criterion to experiments are discussed.
Characterization of neutral density filters for use in near infrared lasers

Neutral density (ND) filters are frequently used to vary radiant energy and irradiance in laser-tissue interactions. In the process of preparing an optical train for exposure of tissue to near infrared laser exposure, the absorbance of various ND filters was examined. ND filters were characterized for transmittance between 500 and 2000 nanometers using a CARY-500 spectrophotometer. By characterizing the optical transmittance of the ND filters we were able to accurately predict their effect on the near infrared laser beam. The ND filters were also characterized before and after laser exposure to see if any laser-induced changes in optical density occurred.
PVT gauging with liquid nitrogen

Abstract Experimental results are presented for pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) liquid quantity gauging of a 0.17 m 3 liquid nitrogen tank pressured with ambient temperature helium in the normal gravity environment. A previously reported PVT measurement procedure has been improved to include helium solubility in liquid nitrogen. Gauging data was collected at nominal tank fill levels of 80%, 50% and 20% and at nominal tank pressures of 0.3, 1.0, and 1.7 MPa. The test tank was equipped with a liquid pump and spray manifold to circulate and mix the fluid contents and therefore create near-isothermal conditions throughout the tank. Silicon diode sensors were distributed throughout the tank to monitor temperatures. Close-spaced arrays of silicon diode point sensors were utilized to precisely detect the liquid level at the nominal 80%, 50%, and 20% fill levels. The tests simulated the cryogenic tank-side conditions only; helium mass added to the tank was measured by gas flowmeters rather than using pressure and temperature measurements from a dedicated helium supply bottle. Equilibrium data for cryogenic nitrogen and helium mixtures from numerous sources was correlated to predict soluble helium mole fractions. Results show that solubility should be accounted for in the PVT gauging calculations. Mole fractions predicted by Dalton’s Law were found to be in good agreement with the compiled equilibrium data within the temperature–pressure range of interest. Therefore, Dalton’s Law was deemed suitable for calculating ullage composition. Gauging results from the PVT method agreed with the reference liquid level measurements to within 3%.
Constrained MIMO dynamic discrete-time modeling exploiting optimal experimental design

This article presents a new multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) constrained discrete-time modeling (DTM) approach for dynamic block-oriented processes that does not require the nonlinear steady state characteristics to be known prior to model development. This approach uses an efficient statistical experimental design to provide design points for sequential step tests. The DTM is developed from this data in two stages. In the first stage, the ultimate response (steady state) model is determined from just the ultimate response data of the sequential step tests. In the second stage, the dynamic parameters are estimated under the constraint of the fitted ultimate response model obtained in the first stage. The constrained formulation is given for MIMO Hammerstein and Wiener block-oriented systems. Comparison of the proposed constrained DTM method is made with unconstrained DTM and constrained continuous-time modeling (CTM). Prediction accuracy of the proposed method is significantly better than unconstrained DTM and comparable to constrained CTM for the process studied. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.