cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of high-temperature desiccation on physiology and chemical composition of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) axis mitochondria

Hybrid maize {Zea mays L.) seed from desiccation-sensitive and desiccation-tolerant inbred lines B73 and A632, respectively, was harvested at moisture contents ranging from 500 to 400 g H2O kg ' fw and preconditioned at 35° C for 0 to 48 h to study the effect of desiccation injury on axis mitochondrial function and chemical composition. Seed quality, as measured by the standard warm germination test and soil-free cold test, was high (>95%) for all drying treatments. Although not as great as previously observed, high-temperature (45° C) desiccation had a deleterious effect on seed vigor of both genotypes. A632 was somewhat more desiccation-tolerant than B73, as evidenced by higher shoot weights, and preconditioning at 35° C increased desiccation tolerance of both hybrids. Differences in seed vigor among genotypes and drying treatments could not be fully explained by changes in mitochondrial composition. The ratio of raffinose : sucrose in axis tissue was lower for B73 than for A632, primarily due to the higher sucrose content of B73. Phosphatidylserine (PS) composition of axis mitochondria decreased and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) composition increased with seed maturation, with generally higher levels of PS and lower levels of PE in B73 as compared to A632. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) composition increased as seeds became tolerant to high-temperature desiccation during preconditioning. The ratio of PC/PE in axis mitochondria was higher in B73 than A632 and increased with time of preconditioning. In contrast, the ratio of PC/PE decreased as high-temperature desiccation tolerance was induced
Crack Tip Plasticity in Unidirectional Metal Matrix Composites

This paper presents the results from shear lag analysis of a unidirectional metal matrix composite (MMC) containing a central crack and extensive crack tip matrix yielding. The specimen is subjected to a uniaxial tensile load parallel to the fiber axes while the crack is normal to the fibers. The emphasis has been on studying the effect of crack tip damage on the stress concentration and fracture behavior of a unidirectional MMC such as Boron/Aluminum. Since the stiffness of the fiber is very large compared to that of the matrix it is assumed that the fiber carries all the axial load while the matrix transfers load between and amongst fibers by shear. Results show that the fiber stress concentrations at the notch are significantly higher for a finite width plate than those of an infinite plate and the maximum stress concentration does not occur along the crack plane in the presence of matrix yielding.
The corrosion susceptibility of 21/4 Cr-1 Mo steel in a lithium-17.6 wt pct lead liquid

Significant penetration at prior austenitic grain boundaries was observed in the heat-affected zones of 21/4 Cr-1 Mo steel GTA weldments after the metal was exposed to 500 °C for short times to liquid lithium containing 17.6 wt pct lead. To prepare larger, microstructurally homogeneous but corrosion-susceptible specimens for detailed study, coupons of 21/4 Cr-1 Mo steel were heat treated so as to simulate the coarse-grain bainitic microstructures found in the heat-affected zones of GTA weldments. The coupons were exposed to Li-17.6 wt pct Pb at various temperatures. Lithium corrosion was found to increase with increasing austenitizing temperature and to be insensitive to quench rate. The penetration kinetics for the corrosion-susceptible microstructures exhibited a change in mechanism which is hypothesized to be associated with the coversion of e-carbide to cementite. The initial penetration mechanism, with an activation energy of 22 kJ/mol, is thought to be controlled by carbon diffusion in liquid lithium. The secondary penetration rate exhibited an activation energy of 117 kJ/mol, which suggests that reaction of lithium with cementite at the grain boundaries might be the rate controlling step.
Cross-layer traffic analysis countermeasures against adaptive attackers of wireless sensor networks

In most Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications the sensor nodes forward their measurements to a central base station (BS). The unique role of the BS makes it a natural target for an adversary’s attack. Even if a WSN employs conventional security mechanisms such as encryption and authentication, an adversary may apply traffic analysis techniques to locate the BS. This motivates a significant need for improved BS anonymity to protect the identity, role, and location of the BS. Previous work presented distributed beamforming as a very effective anonymity-boosting technique. However, such work assumed that the adversary is unaware of the countermeasure, and thus the anonymity performance could be unattainable. In this paper we extend our preliminary work from Ward and Younis (Proceedings of the IEEE military communications conference (MILCOM 2016), Baltimore, MD, 2016) to show that the adversary could adapt the attack strategy when knowing of the use of distributed beamforming. We analyze two strategies for such an adaptive attack, one using Evidence Theory and one using Traffic Volume. We then develop a cross-layer countermeasure that incorporates distributed beamforming to successfully misdirect such an adaptive adversary and boost BS anonymity. The effectiveness of our approach is validated through simulation.
Mechanism of the selective penetration of azurin derived peptides into cancer cells

5623 The bacterial redox protein azurin preferentially penetrates a wide variety of human cancer cells, compared to normal cells. Azurin then forms a complex with the tumor suppressor protein p53, triggers apoptosis, and inhibits tumor growth. We have determined that the domain defined by aa 50-67 (p18) is the protein transduction domain (PTD) of azurin. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that both p18 and a larger fragment, aa 50-77 or p28, selectively penetrate a variety of human cancer cell lines 5-20 fold compared to a corresponding “normal” cell line. The latter peptide also exerts specific cytostatic effects on selected cancer cell lines. The entry of either peptide is distinct from that of the prototypical cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) Arg8 and pTat, as heparan sulfate which facilitates cellular entry of Arg8 and pTat does not block cell penetration of either p28 or p18. Incubation of human melanoma (UISO-Mel2) cells with p18, p28 and Arg8 (control) in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors of cell internalization suggested that nystatin (inhibits caveolae formation) and brefeldin A (disruption of the golgi apparatus) significantly inhibited the entry of p18 into UISO-Mel2 cells by 15% and 40%, respectively. However, chlorpromazine (blocks clathrin-mediated endocytosis), cytochalasin D (inhibition of actin polymerization), taxol (inhibition of microtubule depolymerization), sodium azide (metabolic inhibition), or staurosporine (cell cycle inhibition) had no measurable effects on internalization of p18/p28. Confocal microscopy confirmed colocalization of p18 with golgin-97 and caveolin-1 confirming that both the golgi apparatus and caveolae play a role in membrane binding and intracellular transport of p18. In vitro saturation binding studies in UISO-Mel2 cells using 125I labeled azurin and unlabeled azurin, p28 or p18 suggest that azurin binds with high affinity (Kd =1.0 x 10-8M) and low capacity (87.3fmol/million cells) to the cell surface, and both peptides compete with azurin for the binding sites. These initial observations suggest that after azurin binding, the protein/receptor complex localizes in the caveolae (known sites of receptor-mediated endocytosis of various microbes and bacterial toxins) and is transported to the golgi apparatus by caveolar-mediated endocytosis (bypassing the lysosome pathway thereby avoiding degradation). Therefore, these novel small molecular weight peptides could potentially serve as CPPs to transport cargos and improve on current chemotherapies and diagnostic techniques or act as specific anti-cancer agents.
Tinted Windows Usage in Vehicles: Introducing a Game that Evaluates It’s Impact on Driver’s Vision

In this paper we present our experience with the development of a simulation software for evaluating the use of tinted windows on the vehicle windshield as well as their effects on drivers’ vision. The motivation for the development of this study lies in the fact that simulation software can contribute to studies of human performance and its consequences in the area of vehicular technology. We present the specification of the application and the details of its implementation, as well as an analysis of the quantitative and qualitative results of the use of the simulation software.
On becoming a gerontological educator: A life course perspective.

It has been many years since I first joined GSA (1987) and taught my first course in aging (1991), yet I still smile every time I am asked “Gerontology, what’s that?” I know the next question will ...
Assessment of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Coatings on Magnetic Resonance Relaxation for Early Disease Detection

Objective : Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely researched as contrast agents in clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SPIONs are frequently coated with anti-biofouling substances such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to prevent protein deposition and improve circulation time in vivo . The aim of this study is to optimize SPION MR properties with respect to physicochemical properties of the core SPION and the polymeric coating to better understand the interaction of these parameters and the efficacy of the designed agent. Methods : We used different methods of chemical attachment of a polymer, polymer chain length, and polymer coating density and examined their effects on the MR relaxivities of SPIONs. Results : These studies indicate that the chemical composition and, in particular, the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the chemical group linking PEG chains to a SPION core may play a larger role in the resulting MR relaxivities than other variable properties such as SPION core size and PEG chain length. Conclusions : The method of SPION fabrication and chemical composition of the coating play a significant role in the MR relaxivities of the resulting particles. These results should be considered in the fabrication of particles for clinical purposes, particularly when optimization of the MR relaxivities is desired.
College Student Aspiration as a Motivation for Engagement: The Road to Academic Success?:

Student retention has not changed in almost 40 years despite the plethora of attention. Maybe it is time to look at it differently. The study examines the relationships of parental education level,...
Continuum gyrokinetic simulations of edge plasmas in single-null geometries

The first continuum gyrokinetic calculations of electrostatic ion scale turbulence are presented for the case of a diverted tokamak geometry. The simulation model solves the long-wavelength limit of the full-F gyrokinetic equation for ion species coupled to the quasi-neutrality equation for electrostatic potential variations, where a fluid model is used for an electron response. In order to facilitate simulations of highly-anisotropic microturbulence in the presence of strong magnetic shear and a magnetic X-point, a numerical algorithm utilizing a locally field-aligned multiblock coordinate system has been developed and implemented in the 5D finite-volume code COGENT. In this approach, the toroidal direction is divided into blocks, such that within each block, the cells are field-aligned and a non-matching grid interface is allowed at block boundaries. The toroidal angle corresponds to the “coarse” field-aligned coordinate, whereas the poloidal cross section, comprised of the radial and poloidal directions, is finely gridded to resolve short-scale perpendicular turbulence structures and to support accurate re-mapping (interpolation) at block boundaries. The 5D simulations explore cross-separatrix ion scale turbulence in the presence of a self-consistent radial electric field and address the effects of magnetic-shear stabilization in the X-point region.
County-Level Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, United States, June 1, 2020-January 31, 2021.

ObjectivesNursing homes are a primary setting of COVID-19 transmission and death, but research has primarily focused only on factors within nursing homes. We investigated the relationship between U...
Health Risk Assessment of the Migration of Unleaded Gasoline — A Model for Petroleum Products

Unleaded gasoline consists of over 100 chemicals. The risk assessment strategy proposed identifies benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, (o-, m-, p-) xylenes, n-hexane and methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) as the major components of health concern for humans from the migration of unleaded gasoline to groundwater and/or other potential drinking water sources. The mixtures model for human exposure to drinking water contaminated with unleaded gasoline proposed indicates that the greatest proportion of the total health risk is due to cancer risk from the benzene component. The extensive migration of the unleaded gasoline additive MTBE in groundwater indicates that human exposure guidelines are needed to protect human health. This paper proposes a maximum level of 0.2 mg MTBE/L in groundwater/drinking water to protect from potential central nervous system (CNS) depressant and other toxicity. More limited human exposure to contaminated air due to gasoline releases may occur. A mixtures model based upon limited dose-response data for expected predominant air components is also proposed.
The Theory of Large-Scale Ocean Circulation

Mounting evidence that human activities are substantially modifying the Earth's climate brings a new imperative to the study of the ocean's large-scale circulation. This textbook provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to the theory of large-scale ocean circulation, as it is currently understood and established. Students and instructors will benefit from the carefully chosen chapter-by-chapter exercises. This advanced textbook is invaluable for graduate students and researchers in the fields of oceanic, atmospheric and climate sciences, and other geophysical scientists, as well as physicists and mathematicians with a quantitative interest in the planetary fluid environment.
Application of Infrared Spectroscopy for Characterization of Dietary Omega-3 Oil Supplements

Fish oil dietary supplements have been linked with health benefits, due to high omega-3 concentration. The sources of these effects, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are almost exclusively found in seafood products. Our objectives were to characterize the composition of commercial omega-3 dietary supplements dietary supplements and to generate partial least square regression (PLSR) models using infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. Fatty acid (FA) composition of oils was determined by FA methyl ester gas chromatography. The supplements encompassed a wide range of FA profiles and delivery methods. Infrared spectral data were collected by portable mid-infrared Fourier transform infrared (MID FT-IR) equipment. Principal components analysis (PCA) separated samples based on the type of ester present in the fish oil dietary supplements, showing a strong influence of the 1038 cm−1 band, which is typically associated with C=C and C–O stretching vibrations. In addition, PLSR was used to correlate the spectra data with GC-FAME results. PCA using the spectroscopy data allowed for tight clustering of fish oil into distinct classes, depending on the source and processing. PLSR using MID FT-IR spectra and FA composition generated multivariate models with high correlation coefficient (R ≥ 0.93), and SEP between 0.53 and 2.13 g of FA per 100 g of oil. Our results indicate that IR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics provides for robust screening of FA composition of fish oil supplements, and discriminate types of FAs esterification.
Plasma Trace Metals During Total Parenteral Alimentation

The plasma concentrations of the trace metals zinc and copper were studied prospectively in 13 patients with gastrointestinal diseases treated with parenteral alimentation (TPA) for periods of from 8 days to 7½ weeks. Plasma copper levels fell rapidly and consistently in all patients, with an overall rate of −11 μg per 100 ml per week. Zinc concentrations declined in 10 of 13 patients at a more gradual rate. Analysis of the standard parenteral alimentation fluids revealed zinc content equivalent to 50% of the daily requirement and a negligible content of copper. From combined analysis of plasma zinc, hair zinc, and taste acuity, there is evidence that increased utilization or redistribution within the body may affect plasma concentrations in some patients. Neither an increase in urinary excretion nor a primary decrease in plasma binding proteins appeared to be a major factor in lowering plasma trace metal concentrations. These findings indicate that a marked decrease in plasma copper is regular and a decline in plasma zinc is common during TPA using fluids unsupplemented with trace metals. Supplementation of parenteral alimentation fluids with the trace metals zinc and copper is recommended.
Déjà vu: From Comic Books to Video Games: Legislative Reliance on “Soft Science” to Protect against Uncertain Societal Harm Linked to Violence v. the First Amendment

As children play kids’ games, the media, parents, legislators, and mental health professionals decry the unspeakable violence in these games and their effect on the psychological well-being of American youth. The controversy over how much violence is appropriate and whose role it is to decide what is or is not appropriate for children is not new. Ultimately, the Supreme Court decides where the line is drawn between protecting kids or society from uncertain harm and protecting First Amendment rights.Most federal courts reviewing government restrictions on access to or distribution of violent video games to minors have recognized the First Amendment protections afforded to these video games. Most courts determined that prohibiting the ability of minors to purchase, rent, or access violent video games was not the least restrictive means of achieving the state’s asserted interest in protecting children.This Article was written in 2010, just after the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Ass’n, a case involving statutory restrictions and labeling requirements on the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. The article looks at the First Amendment implications of restrictions on violent video games and the tension between social sciences and the law in protecting children from uncertain harm that may be caused by violent video games. It chronicles the history of industry measures taken in response to political pressure to shield young children from the perceived negative effects of violence in various media, addresses the First Amendment obstacles to imposing restrictions on violent video games, reviews the current state of the conflicted scientific literature on the issue of violent video games and their effects on children, and suggests that the Court set high standards for using and reviewing social science research in First Amendment cases. The article ends on a cautionary note, concluding that politics and “soft science” should not dictate York Times First Amendment jurisprudence, even for the laudable goal of protecting children.
An analysis of team web site content and college choice factors of ncaa division iii cross-country runners

The recruitment of student-athletes is important for the success of collegiate teams at all NCAA levels. However, for non-revenue sports, recruiting budgets are often limited. The Web presents a means to distribute program information that might be of interest to recruits. This dissertation sought to determine precisely what content is present on NCAA Division III cross country Web sites and what content is important to prospects as they make their college choice. Also examined were the uses of Web-based means of communication to begin a dialogue between coaches and prospects. A content analysis of 181 randomly sampled Web sites was conducted. Further, a survey of freshmen athletes from the same 181 programs was used to explore their college selection process. A series of One-Way ANOVAs were used to determine areas of significant difference between groups based on gender and ability. Results suggested that the Web, and specifically team Web sites, were important sources of information for college selection but that many team Web sites were lacking salient information. Web-based means of communication were preferred by prospects as they contacted coaches. In several cases, Web content was found to be most likely to influence the college choice of higher ability male athletes. This research is significant for the college coaches who are interested in recruiting in a cost-effective manner and in updating their Web site to assist in this process. Several recommendations are made based on the results that can help college coaches in constructing a recruit-friendly team Web site.
Experimenter and Subject Artifacts: Methodology

‘Experimenter artifacts’ and ‘subject artifacts’ refer to systematic errors that can be attributed to uncontrolled aspects of the interaction between the researcher and the research participants or to other potentially bias-prone aspects of a research situation, such as the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of the research results. Particular experimenter artifacts that have been studied include observer, interpreter, intentional, biosocial, psychosocial, situational, modeling, and experimenter-expectancy effects. Subject artifacts that have been primarily investigated are generally concerned with the motivation of the research participants and their sensitivity and compliance with task-orienting cues. Discussed in this article are the history of artifacts in the social and behavioral sciences, the specific nature and control of experimenter and subject artifacts, and the delicate balance between ethical accountability, and the avoidance of artifacts in research with human participants.
Nickel Hydrogen Battery Expert System

The Nickel Cadmium Battery Expert System-2, or 'NICBES-2', which was used by the NASA HST six-battery testbed, was subsequently converted into the Nickel Hydrogen Battery Expert System, or 'NICHES'. Accounts are presently given of this conversion process and future uses being contemplated for NICHES. NICHES will calculate orbital summary data at the end of each orbit, and store these files for trend analyses and rules-generation.
Habit Formation and Keeping Up with the Joneses: Evidence from Micro Data

This paper provides evidence of habit persistence in household consumption choices. I find that the strength of external habit, captured by the fraction of the consumption of the reference group that enters the utility function, is 0.290, and the strength of internal habit, represented by household past consumption, is 0.503. The results are robust to controlling for various measures of economic activity, tests for the presence of aggregate shocks, liquidity constraints, precautionary saving motives, and learning. Aggregation of the Euler equations as a weighted average of individual marginal rates of substitution accounts for heterogeneity and market incompleteness and preserves the results.
Migration, climate, and international aid: examining evidence of satellite, aid, and micro-census data

Over the last ten years, an increasing quantity and quality of data regarding migration and climate risk has become available, leading to a broad body of research examining the relationships between climate impacts on livelihoods and corresponding migratory patterns. This research has provided evidence that migration can serve as an adaptive strategy if local livelihoods are threatened. However, little research has examined the response – or lack of – from the international aid and donor community in response to these shifts. In this paper, we take the first step toward examining this relationship, utilizing a recently produced database on the sub-national spatial allocation of international aid from 1998 to 2012 in Malawi. We examine the research question: what is the sub-national relationship between international aid and migratory patterns? To analyze this question, we integrate sub-national micro-census information with satellite-derived measurements of climate and the spatial location and amount of i...
Tsunami mortality and displacement in Aceh province, Indonesia

A survey of 388 Indonesian households displaced by the December 2004 tsunami was conducted in Aceh province in February 2005. Of tsunami-displaced households in Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya districts, 61.8 per cent reported one or more family members as dead or missing due to the tsunami, with an overall mortality rate of 13.9 per cent (95% confidence interval (CI): 12.4-15.4). Risk of death was greatest in the youngest and oldest age groups, and among females. Overall, 36 per cent of tsunami-displaced households indicated an intention to return to their original community within three months, and displaced households residing in host communities were 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2-2.8) times more likely to state an intention to return to their original villages or another community as those residing in camps. The tsunami recovery effort should focus on strategies that facilitate either prompt return or permanent, voluntary relocation for those displaced.
Nonlinear Effects of Noxious Thermal Stimulation and Working Memory Demands on Subjective Pain Perception

Objective A bidirectional relationship between working memory (WM) and acute pain has long been assumed, but equivocal evidence exists regarding this relationship. This study characterized the relationship between WM and acute pain processing in healthy individuals using an adapted Sternberg WM task. Design Participants completed a Sternberg task while receiving noxious thermal stimulation. Participants received a pseudorandom presentation of four different temperatures (baseline temperatures and individually determined low-, medium-, and high-temperature stimuli) and four levels of Sternberg task difficulty (0-, 3-, 6-, and 9-letter strings). Subjects Twenty-eight healthy participants were recruited from Stanford University and the surrounding community to complete this study. Results A nonlinear interaction between intensity of thermal stimulation and difficulty of the Sternberg task was noted. Increased cognitive load from the Sternberg task resulted in increased perception of pain in low-intensity thermal stimulation but suppressed pain perception in high-intensity thermal stimulation. Thermal stimulation had no significant effect on participants' response time or accuracy on the Sternberg task regardless of intensity level. Conclusions Pain perception appears to decrease as a function of WM load only for sufficiently noxious stimuli. However, increasing noxious stimuli did not affect cognitive performance. These complex relationships may reflect a shared cognitive space that can become “overloaded” with input of multiple stimuli of sufficient intensity.
Goffman on Gender, Sexism, and Feminism: A Summary of Notes on a Conversation with Erving Goffman and My Reflections Then and Now

Often known as cynical, contentious, and exhibiting a complicated approach to objectivity, Erving Goffman could also be generous, civil, insightful, open to feminist ideas, and surprisingly political. A 1977 collective feminist writing project led to my conversation with Goffman in 1980 about his ideas on gender, sexism, and feminism. A summary of that conversation is presented, together with my formal reflections then (1980) and now (2013). While documenting the sociological practice of an earlier era, this paper concludes that feminist sociological theory must move beyond its locations in the past and the present into the liberating knowledge of the future.
Buoyancy effects on laminar impinging jets

Abstract A laminar, heated, two-dimensional jet impinging on an isothermal surface has been studied to determine the effects of buoyancy on the flow and thermal structure of the region near impingement. The parameters used include the jet exit Reynolds number, Richardson number, and separation distance between the impinging surface and the jet exit. Results of the velocity profile, temperature distribution, local friction factor, and heat transfer coefficient are presented for both upward and downward facing jets. It is found that the local Nusselt number experiences a peak away from the axis of the jet which is enhanced for highly buoyant flows. In general, the enhancement of the heat transfer rate is substantial for high Richardson number conditions.
Roads Impact the Distribution of Noxious Weeds More Than Restoration Treatments in a Lodgepole Pine Forest in Montana, U.S.A.

A century of fire suppression has created unnaturally dense stands in many western North American forests, and silviculture treatments are being increasingly used to reduce fuels to mitigate wildfire hazards and manage insect infestations. Thinning prescriptions have the potential to restore forests to a more historically sustainable state, but land managers need to be aware of the potential impacts of such treatments on invasion by exotic plants. However, the effects of these activities on the introduction and spread of invasive plants are not well understood. We evaluated noxious weed occurrence over a 9-year period (2001–2009) following thinning and burning treatments in a lodgepole pine forest in central Montana. Surveys were made in the treatment units and along roads for two shelterwood-with-reserve prescriptions, each with and without prescribed burning, burned only, and untreated controls. Five species listed as noxious weeds in Montana were recorded: spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale). With the exception of Canada thistle, noxious weeds were confined to roadsides and did not colonize silvicultural treatment areas. Roadside habitats contributed more to the distribution of noxious plant species than did silvicultural treatments in this relatively uninvaded forest, indicating the importance of weed control tactics along roads and underscoring the need to mitigate exotic plant dispersal by motorized vehicles. In addition, these findings suggest that roadways should be considered when evaluating the potential for invasion and spread of exotic plants following forest restoration treatments.
Distribution of fission yields in the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238U

Abstract The mass yield distribution for the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238 U has been measured radiochemically for 46 mass chains in the region A = 83–157. The absolute activities of each nuclide measured in this mass region were determined by gross beta counting and the cumulative fission yields were measured relative to 99 Mo. The yields determined in this work are compared to all known literature values. Eleven fission yields are presented that have been experimentally measured for the first time for the 14·8 MeV neutron-induced fission of 238 U. The yields measured make up about 115% of the total of 200% expected from fission. As reported previously in the literature, fine structure was observed to exist at mass number 134 and no clear evidence could be found for fine structure at other mass numbers.
Phosphodiesterase-5 Gln817 Is Critical for cGMP, Vardenafil, or Sildenafil Affinity ITS ORIENTATION IMPACTS cGMP BUT NOT cAMP AFFINITY

The side group of an invariant Gln in cGMP- and cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases (PDE) is held in different orientations by bonds with other amino acids and purportedly discriminates between guanine and adenine in cGMP and cAMP. In cGMP-specific PDE5, Gln(775) constrains the orientation of the invariant Gln(817) side chain, which forms bidentate bonds with 5'-GMP, vardenafil, sildenafil, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) (Sung, B. J., Hwang, K. Y., Jeon, Y. H., Lee, J. I., Heo, Y. S., Kim, J. H., Moon, J., Yoon, J. M., Hyun, Y. L., Kim, E., Eum, S. J., Park, S. Y., Lee, J. O., Lee, T. G., Ro, S., and Cho, J. M. (2003) Nature 425, 98-102; Huai, Q., Liu, Y., Francis, S. H., Corbin, J. D., and Ke, H. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 13095-13101; Zhang, K. Y., Card, G. L., Suzuki, Y., Artis, D. R., Fong, D., Gillette, S., Hsieh, D., Neiman, J., West, B. L., Zhang, C., Milburn, M. V., Kim, S. H., Schlessinger, J., and Bollag, G. (2004) Mol. Cell 15, 279-286). PDE5(Q817A) and PDE5(Q775A) were generated to test the hypotheses that Gln(817) is critical for cyclic nucleotide or inhibitor affinity and that Gln(775) immobilizes the Gln(817) side chain to provide cGMP/cAMP selectivity. Allosteric cGMP binding and the molecular mass of the mutant proteins were unchanged compared with PDE5(WT). For PDE5(Q817A), K(m) for cGMP or cAMP was weakened 60- or 2-fold, respectively. For PDE5(Q775A), K(m) for cGMP was weakened approximately 20-fold but was unchanged for cAMP. For PDE5(Q817A), vardenafil, sildenafil, and IBMX inhibitory potencies were weakened 610-, 48-, and 60-fold, respectively, indicating that Gln(817) is a major determinant of potency, especially for vardenafil, and that binding of vardenafil and sildenafil differs substantially. Sildenafil and vardenafil affinity were not significantly affected in PDE5(Q775A). It is concluded that Gln(817) is a positive determinant for PDE5 affinity for cGMP and several inhibitors; Gln(775), which perhaps restricts rotation of Gln(817) side chain, is critical for cGMP affinity but has no measurable effect on affinity for cAMP, sildenafil, or vardenafil.
An agent-supported simulation framework for metric-aware dynamic fidelity modeling

This paper presents a concept for metric-aware dynamic fidelity modeling (MADFM), a simulation framework capable of intelligently applying fidelity consistent with analysis goals. (Fidelity refers to the accuracy of a simulated representation when compared to the real world.) As part of efforts to develop this concept, JHU/APL has designed and implemented a multiple-fidelity simulation framework that relies on software agents to interface diverse analysis environments. We use our prototype to conduct a sample analysis, in which actions occurring in a user behavior model trigger network traffic in an application model that in turn affects traffic rates in a network simulation. We discuss our system design and present results that demonstrate the validity of the prototyped framework. Our ongoing research seeks to enhance this prototype by adding advanced capabilities for requirements analysis and dynamic model selection.
664 DIMINISHED POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE ADHERENCE AND CHEMOTAXIS FOLLOWING PROTEIN CALORIE MALNUTRITION IN NEWBORN RATS: EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL RESTORATION

Recent advances in neonatal intensive care have permitted the survival of very low birthweight infants who in the past might not have lived. Many of these babies, however, are difficult to nourish, and ultimately develop clinical and biochemical signs of malnutrition. These infants may be at greater risk for nosocomial infection than normally nourished hosts. We have compared neutrophil (PMN) adherence (ADH), and chemotactic response (CR) to formyl peptides in a rat model of protein calorie malnutrition (PCM). Wistar rats at 14 days gestation received either a normal (24% protein) or isocaloric (2.5% protein) diet. On day 3, rat pups were divided into 3 groups: 1) pups allowed to nurse on their own dam (normal); 2) normally nourished pups foster nursed onto a malnourished mother (depleted); or 3) malnourished pups foster nursed to a normal lactating dam (repleted). Daily wt. gain was significantly less in the depleted pups vs. the normal and repleted groups (p < .001). Fibronectin concentrations (ug/ml) were also less in the depleted animals (normal 220.5, repleted 218.0, depleted 151.2). PMNs from depleted pups demonstrated diminished adherence (p < .02) and diminished CR (p < .03) when compared to normal or repleted pups. Thus, PMNs from newborn rats demonstrate diminished ADH and CR following postnatal PCM, which may contribute to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. Postnatal repletion may restore PMN functional responses.
Characteristics of Motivation for Music and Musical Aptitude of Undergraduate Nonmusic Majors

Nonmusic majors in a music appreciation course were administered an experimental college version of the Musical Aptitude Profile (CMAP) and two measures of motivation for music. One motivation meas...
Multiple gas analyses using a mobile mass spectrometer

Abstract A truck-mounted mass-spectrometer gas analyzer is described and field examples of its use are given. This unit provides a gas analyzer that can be used in the field to rapidly analyze a large number of gases. It has enabled us to establish that gas anomalies occur over a variety of deposit types and in different environments. Gases may prove to be useful geochemical indicators in exploration for concealed mineral deposits.
One-Eyed Pinhead and Spadetail are essential for heart and somite formation

Mutant analysis in the zebrafish Danio rerio has demonstrated distinct developmental roles for the T-box transcription factor Spadetail (Spt)1 and the Nodal-receptor cofactor One-Eyed Pinhead (Oep)2 in the formation of mesoderm and endoderm. Here, we show that spt and oep genetically interact and are together essential for the formation of cardiac and somitic mesoderm. These two mesodermal defects are dependent on different effectors of Nodal signalling; cardiac mesoderm formation involves the mix-like transcription factor Bonnie and Clyde (Bon)3, whereas somitogenesis is dependent on a different pathway. Analysis of the somite defect in Zoep;spt embryos has provided insights into the control of somitic mesoderm formation by Spt, which was previously implicated in the regulation of cell adhesion and motility4,5. We show that the failure to form somites in Zoep;spt embryos is independent of this and that Spt must have an additional function. We propose that the major role of Spt in somitogenesis is to promote the differentiation of presomitic mesoderm from tailbud progenitors by antagonizing progenitor-type gene expression and behaviour.
A new surface runoff parameterization with subgrid-scale soil heterogeneity for land surface models

Abstract Soil heterogeneity plays an important role in determining surface runoff generation mechanisms. At the spatial scales represented by land surface models used in regional climate model and/or global general circulation models (GCMs) for numerical weather prediction and climate studies, both infiltration excess (Horton) and saturation excess (Dunne) runoff may be present within a studied area or a model grid cell. Proper modeling of surface runoff is essential to a reasonable representation of feedbacks in the land–atmosphere system. In this paper, a new surface runoff parameterization that dynamically represents both Horton and Dunne runoff generation mechanisms within a model grid cell is presented. The new parameterization takes into account of effects of soil heterogeneity on Horton and Dunne runoff. A series of numerical experiments are conducted to study the effects of soil heterogeneity on Horton and Dunne runoff and on soil moisture storage under different soil and precipitation conditions. The new parameterization is implemented into the current version of the hydrologically based variable infiltration capacity (VIC) land surface model and tested over three watersheds in Pennsylvania. Results show that the new parameterization plays a very important role in partitioning the water budget between surface runoff and soil moisture in the atmosphere–land coupling system. Significant underestimation of the surface runoff and overestimation of subsurface runoff and soil moisture could be resulted if the Horton runoff mechanism were not taken into account. Also, the results show that the Horton runoff mechanism should be considered within the context of subgrid-scale spatial variability of soil properties and precipitation. An assumption of time-invariant spatial distribution of potential infiltration rate may result in large errors in surface runoff and soil moisture. In addition, the total surface runoff from the new parameterization is less sensitive to the choice of the soil moisture shape parameter of the distribution.
Use of rate equations to describe laser excitation in flames

In describing the excitation of atomic and molecular species with lasers in spectroscopic applications, only the density matrix formulation is exactly correct. Many workers, however, have used the conventional rate equation formulation. The range of application of the conventional rate equations is examined and, for flames, shown to be valid for sufficiently slow laser pulse rise times under single-mode excitation and for certain special cases of multimode excitation.
Reducing cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose of reviewPatients with diabetes may be considered high-risk for management of cardiovascular risk factors not only because of increased rates of myocardial infarction but also because of a high prevalence of significant subclinical coronary artery disease and a poorer prognosis after myocard
Fetal and Neonatal Cerebral Metabolism Following Maternal Canine Starvation

Summary: Pregnant dogs were starved for 72 hr before a term delivery. Maternal (1.68 ± 0.39 versus 0.74 ± 0.20 mM) and fetal (0.39 ± 0.03 versus 0.22 ± 0.07) circulating free fatty acids and maternal (2.99 ± 0.79 versus 1.04 ± 0.84) and fetal (2.53 ± 0.35 versus 1.01 ± 0.32) ketones were elevated whereas blood glucose values remained unchanged at the time of delivery. After birth, pups born to starved mothers had significantly lower blood glucose values during 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours of neonatal fasting. Intracerebral glucose concentrations paralleled those in the blood as they were depressed at 3, 6, and 9 hours of age. Cerebral glycogen content was lower in pups born to starved mothers at 6 (2.72 ± 0.43 versus 4.32 ± 0.56 μmoles/g) and 24 (2.31 ± 0.17 versus 3.48 ± 0.39 μmoles/g) hr, whereas UDP-glucose concentrations were significantly elevated in these pups during fetal, 3, 9, and 24 hr of age. Phosphoenolpyruvate was higher after maternal starvation in the fetus and at 6 and 9 hr, whereas cerebral pyruvate concentrations were elevated at 3, 6, and 9 hr of age. The elevation of pyruvate with no alteration of lactate concentration resulted in an elevated cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio at 3 hr of age (1381 ± 194 versus 792 ± 198).
Failure of inbreeding to influence pineal-induced gonadal regression in short day exposed hamsters

The rate of testicular degeneration and the drop in plasma testosterone levels were compared in what were referred to as short-term domesticated (STD) and long-term domesticated (LTD) Syrian hamsters when they were maintained under short photoperiodic conditions (light:dark cycles of 10:14). STD hamsters were derived from wild stock captured in 1971; LTD animals were derived from the original stock captured in 1930. The rate of testicular degeneration as well as the fall in plasma testosterone levels were similar in both groups of animals. After 26 weeks exposure to short days, the testes and accessory sex organs regenerated to the fully mature state in both the STD and LTD animals; likewise, plasma testosterone levels had returned to normal in both groups. Pineal melatonin levels of STD and LTD female hamsters were compared during both the light phase (2000 and 0800hr) and dark phase (0200 and 0400hr) of the daily light:dark cycle. These animals were kept under photoperiodic conditions of 14:10 with ligh...
Diagnostic challenges in the evaluation of chronic epilepsy-related surgical neuropathology.

Abstract For patients with pharmacoresistent epilepsy, surgical excision is often an effective means of controlling and sometimes curing the seizures. Excised tissue frequently provides information regarding the precise etiology of the epilepsy. This review examines some of the more commonly encountered pathologies encountered in the neuropathology arena in this clinical venue. The most common identifiable causes of chronic epilepsy including low-grade tumors, hippocampal sclerosis, malformation of cortical development (cortical dysplasia), and remote infarcts will be discussed. Differential diagnostic difficulties will be examined.
Increased Prevalence of Renal and Urinary Tract Anomalies in Children With Down Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to investigate the prevalence of renal and urinary tract anomalies (RUTAs) in a Down syndrome (DS) population. METHODS: Data were obtained from the New York State Congenital Malformation Registry (NYS-CMR) in this retrospective cohort study. The occurrence of RUTAs was assessed for children with and without DS who were born in NYS between 1992 and 2004. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each malformation. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2004, 3832 children with DS and 3411833 without DS were born in NYS. The prevalence of RUTAs in the DS population was 3.2%, compared with 0.7% in the NYS population (OR: 4.5 [95% CI: 3.8–5.4]). Children with DS had significantly increased risks of anterior urethral obstruction (OR: 29.7 [95% CI: 4.0–217.7]), cystic dysplastic kidney (OR: 4.5 [95% CI: 1.5–14.1]), hydronephrosis (OR: 8.7 [95% CI: 6.8–11.0]), hydroureter (OR: 8.5 [95% CI: 3.5–20.4]), hypospadias (OR: 2.0 [95% CI: 1.4–2.9]), posterior urethral valves (OR: 7.1 [95% CI: 1.8–28.8]), prune belly syndrome (OR: 11.9 [95% CI: 1.6–85.4]), and renal agenesis (OR: 5.4 [95% CI: 2.8–10.4]). There was no significantly increased risk of ectopic kidney (OR: 1.6 [95% CI: 0.2–11.2]) or ureteropelvic junction obstruction (OR: 1.4 [95% CI: 0.2–9.9]) in the DS population. CONCLUSION: Children with DS have significantly increased risks of RUTAs.
Long-term Followup of Prenatally Detected Severe Bilateral Newborn Hydronephrosis Initially Managed Nonoperatively

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determine the outcome of severe bilateral primary ureteropelvic junction type hydronephrosis detected prenatally and managed postnatally with an initially nonoperative protocol.Materials and Methods: A total of 19 newborns (38 kidneys) with prenatally diagnosed primary grade 3 to 4 bilateral hydronephrosis were followed nonoperatively for a mean of 54 months (range 14 to 187). If urinary obstruction with evidence of renal deterioration (decreased differential function and/or progressive hydronephrosis) occurred pyeloplasty was performed.Results: Pyeloplasty was required in 13 kidneys (35%) in 9 patients (bilateral 4, unilateral 5). Age at pyeloplasty ranged from 2 to 22 months (mean 6.5) in 12 patients and 64 months in 1. The remaining 25 kidneys were followed nonoperatively (bilateral 20, unilateral 5). At last followup the Society for Fetal Urology grade of hydronephrosis in kidneys followed nonoperatively was 0 to 2 in 21 and 3 in 4, compared to 0 to 2 in 9 and Society for Fetal Uro...
Nurse Practice Issues Regarding Sperm Banking in Adolescent Male Cancer Patients

The impressive increase in the survival rate of childhood cancer patients has produced increased interest in quality of life issues. This research addresses nurse practice issues in determining whether the newly diagnosed adolescent male patient is offered the option of sperm banking before undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Questionnaires were distributed to nurses and nurse practitioners on 3 inpatient and outpatient units who care for adolescent male cancer patients at the time of diagnosis, during chemotherapy, and during follow-up care. Findings indicate that 96.3% of respondents agreed that all male patients undergoing cancer treatment with infertility as a potential side effect should be offered sperm banking. Respondents viewed oncologists and nurse practitioners as appropriate professionals to discuss the option. Lack of knowledge regarding sperm banking could be limiting nurses’ willingness to introduce the topic, and education regarding cryopreservation may improve their knowledge and practice.