cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GABA inhibition of central angiotensin II and hypertonic CSF pressor responses.

Abstract Angiotensin II (AII), hypertonic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serotonin produced an increase in arterial pressure when administered intraventricularly (IVT) in conscious rats. Injection of 25 and 100 μg (IVT) of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while producing slight hypotension, reduced the pressor effect of centrally administered AII and hypertonic CSF, but not serotonin. IVT-administered muscimol, a potent GABA agonist, also attenuated the pressor effect of IVT AII and hypertonic CSF. Thus, in addition to the profound depressor effect of large doses of centrally administered GABA, very low doses (25–100 μg, IVT) of this amino acid can alter the pressor responses caused by IVT injection of AII and hypertonic CSF.
Enzymatic mechanisms during temperature acclimation of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. II. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.

Abstract 1. 1. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of hepatopancreas glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) from acclimated blue crabs were studied to further investigate observed increases in specific activities following acclimation to 10°C. 2. 2. Km values for the enzymes were not altered following acclimation to 10 or 20°C, nor were the Km-temperature-dependent relationships. 3. 3. Changes in Ea of the enzymes did not appear to contribute to the altered specific activity of the enzymes. The differences in Ea values seen were attributed to the effects of temperature denaturation. 4. 4. A significant difference in ΔS∗ for 6PGDH at the higher temperatures studied was correlated with the difference noted in Ea for 6PGDH. 5. 5. A quantitative rather than a qualitative mechanism is suggested to account for observed enzyme specific activity changes. A contributory mechanism for 6PGDH may involve the enzyme's configuration following temperature acclimation.
Information and Knowledge Development Potential: The Public vs. Private Sector Jobs Demonstration Project

It seems clear from initial published reports and documents that the extent of knowledge development under the Youth Employment and Demonstration Projects Act of 1977 (YEDPA) has been disappointing. By presenting the findings from a specific YEDPA demonstration project, this article suggests that the rather limited success in meeting knowledge-development goals is due more to a misunderstanding of the phrase "knowledge development"than to an actual lack of important information. It illustrates the differential degrees of value of what was discovered concerning the ability of the private sector to improve work attitudes, skills, and youths' chances to find and keep unsubsidized jobs. It concludes with a discussion of the kinds of knowledge that can reasonably be expected from projects of this type.
Economics and Rational Conservation Policy

Energy analysts have long been concerned with the apparently low level of energy-efficient investments and have suggested the presence of various market barriers and failures that hinder investment. The concept of a barrier as defined here is some force that is working against investment in energy-efficient technologies. Market failures, on the other hand, are failures of the competitive paradigm that lead to economically inefficient outcomes. Market barriers require no particular response on the part of government while market failures may call for some policy response.
Gas chromatographic determination of acetic acid (in the hydrolysis of 1,1,1-trichloroethane) by direct aqueous injection

Le but de cette etude est de definir les reactions abiotiques du trichloro-1,1,1 ethane dans des produits de l'environnement
High-LET particle dosimetry in the ASTP-Biostack III: ZEA MAYS experiment

Abstract High-LET particle hits in embryos of Zea mays (corn) seeds, flown as part of the ASTP-Biostack III, were determined via plastic nuclear track detectors. Based on etched particle-track measurements, 41 embryos were hit in seed layer 1 which contained 80 seeds, and 49 hits occurred in layer 2 which contained 79 seeds. The mean LET value and range of atomic numbers of recorded hits is, respectively, 210 ± 57 keV/μm and 9 ≲ Z ≲ 26. Detailed analysis of one particular seed showing marked growth anomalies revealed two hits in the central region of the embryo. These two hits had LET values in the region of 100–150 keV/μm, and Z ≳ 20.
Increase in tissue concentration of acetylcholine in guinea pigs in vivo induced by administration of choline

Abstract Administration of choline chloride (200 μmoles/kg) intravenously to guinea pigs caused an increase in the concentrations of choline and acetylcholine in adrenals, heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver within 2 min. These results suggest that raising the concentration of choline in plasma will accelerate the formation of acetylcholine in the organs cited. No significant increase in concentration of choline or acetylcholine occurred in brain.
Structural adaptation to changing skeletal load in the progression toward hip fragility: the study of osteoporotic fractures

Longitudinal, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) hip data from 4187 mostly white, elderly women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures were studied with a structural analysis program. Cross-sectional geometry and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured in narrow regions across the femoral neck and proximal shaft We hypothesized that altered skeletal load should stimulate adaptive increases or decreases in the section modulus (bending strength index) and that dimensional details would provide insight into hip fragility. Weight change in the approximately 35 years between scan time points was used as the primary indicator of altered skeletal load. "Static" weight was defined as within 5% of baseline weight, whereas "gain" and 'loss" were those who gained or lost >5%, respectively. In addition, we used a frailty index to better identify those subjects undergoing changing in skeletal loading. Subjects were classified as frail if unable to rise from a chair five times without using arm support. Subjects who were both frail and lost weight (reduced loading) were compared with those who were not frail and either maintained weight (unchanged loading) or gained weight (increased loading). Sixty percent of subjects (n = 2,559) with unchanged loads lost BMD at the neck but not at the shaft, while section moduli increased slightly at both regions. Subjects with increasing load (n = 580) lost neck BMD but gained shaft BMD; section moduli increased markedly at both locations. Those with declining skeletal loads (n = 105) showed the greatest loss of BMD at both neck and shaft; loss at the neck was caused by both increased loss of bone mass and greater subperiosteal expansion; loss in shaft BMD decline was only caused by greater loss of bone mass. This group also showed significant declines in section modulus at both sites. These results support the contention that mechanical homeostasis in the hip is evident in section moduli but not in bone mass or density. The adaptive response to declining skeletal loads, with greater rates of subperiosteal expansion and cortical thinning, may increase fragility beyond that expected from the reduction in section modulus or bone mass alone.
MO-E-204B-05: A Novel Organ Dosimetry in an Anthropomorphic Phantom Using XRQA-2 Radiochromic Film

Purpose: A novel method to measure organ dose distributions in a phantom of heterogeneous tissue composition was established using radiochromic XRQA‐2 films. Film response accuracy was validated using thermoluminescent dosimeters(TLDs).Method and Materials: Film response accuracy and sensitivity in CT exposure geometry were verified by comparing TLD responses between two CTDI head phantoms. The phantoms were placed end‐to‐end to allow for a uniform scatter environment. TLDs and films were placed between cross‐sectional slabs of a 5‐yr old anthropomorphic phantom's thorax and abdomen regions. Software was written for dosimeter comparison within a complex anthropomorphic phantom. Film accuracy within the anthropomorphic phantom was measured by comparing TLD results within the lung,liver, and kidneyorgans.Results: Film and TLD dose response differences were measured for CTDI phantom, 45% (SD ± 2%), and for the anthropomorphic phantom in the lung, 28% (SD ± 8%), and liver/kidneys, 15% (SD ± 4%). Due to consistent response differences in low and high organ dose, a tissue specific correction was applied to the film organ responses. Corrected film response agreed to better than 3% (SD ± 2%), for CTDI scans, and 3% (SD ± 3%) for lungs, 5% (SD ± 3%) for liver, and 4% (SD ± 3%) for kidneys. Film measured a heterogeneous dose distribution within the organ volumes; the extent of which was not measured with the TLDs. XRQA film demonstrated an advantage over the TLD method by discovering a 15% greater maximum dose to lung in a region unmeasured by TLDs.Conclusion: XRQA films demonstrated lower sensitivity to absorbed dose measurements due to geometric inefficiencies of measuring dose from a beam situated end‐on to the film. Corrected film responses demonstrated equivalent measurement accuracy as TLD detectors with the added advantage of measuring high‐resolution dose distributions throughout an organ volume.
Solar minimum spectra of galactic cosmic rays and their implications for models of the near-Earth radiation environment

The radiation dose from galactic cosmic rays during a manned mission to Mars is expected to be comparable to the allowable limit for space shuttle astronauts. Most of this dose would be due to galactic cosmic rays with energies < 1 GeV nucleon^(−1), with important contributions from heavy nuclei in spite of their low abundance relative to H and He. Using instruments on NASA's Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft, we have made the most statistically precise measurements to date of the solar minimum energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei with charge Z = 4–28 in the energy range ∼ 40–500 MeV nucleon^(−1). We compare these measurements obtained during the 1997–1998 solar minimum period with measurements from previous solar minima and with models of the near-Earth radiation environment currently used to perform shielding and dose calculations. We find that the cosmic ray heavy-element spectra measured by ACE are as much as 20% higher than previously published solar minimum measurements. We also find significant differences between the ACE measurements and the predictions of available models of the near-Earth radiation environment, suggesting that these models need revision. We describe a cosmic ray interstellar propagation and solar modulation model that provides an improved fit to the ACE measurements compared to radiation environment models currently in use.
Presentation method in auditory identification learning

Anticipation and recall methods of paired-associate presentation were compared with stimuli difficult to verbally code (Morse code signals transmitted at a high rate). Experiment I (N = 520) used group administration to study learning method, degree of response learning required, and stimulus familiarization. Experiment II (N = 132) replicated the learning method and response learning comparisons with individual administration. Anticipation was superior to recall in correct responses in both studies, with increased superiority on later learning trials. Recall presentation facilitated response learning per se. The results support the position that knowledge of results is a critical variable with stimuli that are difficult to encode and that response learning and associative learning can be independent processes.
Discovery of potent inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase by combinatorial library design and structure-based virtual screening.

Structure-based virtual screening was applied to design combinatorial libraries to discover novel and potent soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors. X-ray crystal structures revealed unique interactions for a benzoxazole template in addition to the conserved hydrogen bonds with the catalytic machinery of sEH. By exploitation of the favorable binding elements, two iterations of library design based on amide coupling were employed, guided principally by the docking results of the enumerated virtual products. Biological screening of the libraries demonstrated as high as 90% hit rate, of which over two dozen compounds were single digit nanomolar sEH inhibitors by IC50 determination. In total the library design and synthesis produced more than 300 submicromolar sEH inhibitors. In cellular systems consistent activities were demonstrated with biochemical measurements. The SAR understanding of the benzoxazole template provides valuable insights into discovery of novel sEH inhibitors as therapeutic agents.
The entropy theory of glass formation after 40 years

Abstract It is argued that an equilibrium theory of the glass transition is required before a full understanding of the glass transition, as observed kinetically, can be obtained. The lattice model provides a basis for such a theory and predicts that vitrification occurs as the configurational entropy Sc approaches zero. Comparison with nine different classes of polymer experiments shows semiquantitative agreement in each case. An important aspect of glass formation in polymers is that the crystal phase is not ubiquitous so that amorphous polymer material exists necessarily at low temperatures. A low-temperature equilibrium theory for these materials is required. Using equilibrium theory as a base, a kinetic theory is developed and an equation for the relaxation function is derived which predicts the proper temperature dependence of the viscosity and shows stretched exponential-like behavior for the relaxation.
Observation of the wear surface by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Wear tests were conducted on hot-pressed silicon nitride under lubricated sliding contact against AISI 4620 steel using a block-on-ring test apparatus. The worn surfaces of the silicon nitride, coated with 10 nm gold film, and the steel counterface were examined by the scanning tunneling microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The scanning tunneling microscope was operated in air using tungsten tips. Examination of worn surfaces of the silicon nitride and the steel counterface revealed patches of thin film oriented in the direction of sliding, the thickness of which varied between 25 and 40 nm. Closer examination of 350 nm × 350 nm areas revealed the structure of the film. The analysis of the film by energy-dispersive spectroscopy in the scanning electron microscope showed that it consisted of a mixture of iron transferred from the steel counterface and organic deposits from the lubricant. The wear surface of silicon nitride also appeared much smoother than the unworn surface, possibly because of material removal by fine-scale polishing. Evidence of microplowing was also observed.
Temperature-dependent sensitivity enhancement of solid-state NMR spectra of α-synuclein fibrils

The protein α-synuclein (AS) is the primary fibrillar component of Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. Wild-type human AS and the three mutant forms linked to Parkinson’s disease (A53T, A30P, and E46K) all form fibrils through a nucleation-dependent pathway; however, the biophysical details of these fibrillation events are not yet well understood. Atomic-level structural insight is required in order to elucidate the potential role of AS fibrils in Parkinson’s disease. Here we show that low temperature acquisition of magic-angle spinning NMR spectra of wild type AS fibrils-greatly enhances spectral sensitivity, enabling the detection of a substantially larger number of spin systems. At 0 ± 3°C sample temperature, cross polarization (CP) experiments yield weak signals. Lower temperature spectra (−40 ± 3°C) demonstrated several times greater signal intensity, an effect further amplified in 3D 15N–13C–13C experiments, which are required to perform backbone assignments on this sample. Thus 3D experiments enabled assignments of most amino acids in the rigid part of the fibril (approximately residues 64 to 94), as well as tentative site-specific assignments for T22, V26, A27, Y39, G41, S42, H50, V52, A53, T54, V55, V63, A107, I112, and S129. Most of these signals were not observed in 2D or 3D spectra at 0 ± 3°C. Spectra acquired at low temperatures therefore permitted more complete chemical shift assignments. Observation of the majority of residues in AS fibrils represents an important step towards solving the 3D structure.
Opportunities in Multimaterial Fibers From nanofabrication to chemical reactions to novel device architectures

Multimaterial fiber devices share the basic functional attributes of their traditional electronic counterparts, yet are fabricated from metals, insulators and semiconductors using scalable preform-to-fiber processing methods, yielding kilometers of functional fibers. New discoveries extend the field of opportunities to nanofabrication and chemistry.
Standardizing cancer biomarkers criteria: data elements as a foundation for a database. Inflammatory mediator/M-CSF as model marker

The purpose of this position article was to design a set of criteria (data elements) for a wide range of cancer biomarkers (CBs) in an attempt to standardize biomarkers features through a common language as a foundation for a database. Data elements are described as a set of generic criteria, which should characterize nearly all biomarkers introduced in the literature. Data elements were extracted from the review of prominent features that biomarkers represent within various categories. The extracted characteristics of biomarkers produced a short list of shared and unique generic features such as biological nature and history; stage/phase of study; sensitivity and specificity; modes of action; risk assessment; validation status; technology, and recommendation status for diversified biomarkers. To tailor data elements on specific markers, a cytokine, such as macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), which has been proposed as a 'potentially suitable biomarker' for diagnosis of ovarian, lung, breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, was selected as a Model biomarker. Small scale clinical studies suggested the superior usefulness of M-CSF compared with traditional markers for cancer detection. A key criterion for selecting Model marker and tailoring data elements for detection of cancer was the comparison of data on its specificity and sensitivity with traditional markers. The design of data elements for standardizing CBs criteria is considered a Research Tool and a foundation for developing a comprehensive CBs database useful for oncology researchers for a wide range of biomarkers. Validation, integration and proper packaging, data visualization and recommendation of suitability of CBs, by a panel of experts, for technology development are important challenging next steps toward developing a reliable database, which would allow professionals to effectively retrieve and study integrated information on potentially useful markers; identify important knowledge gaps and limitations of data; and assess state of technologies and commercialization of markers at a point of need. Appropriate use of integrated information on biomarkers in clinical practices would eventually account for more cost-effective characteristics of an individual's state of health.
Steroid hormone metabolism in chronic lymphatic leukemia.

ABSTRACT. The pattern of steroid hormone metabolites was examined in a group of patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. Both men and women produced more tetrahydrocortisol than tetrahydrocortisone. The men showed a lower than normal production of metabolites of hydrocortisone2; the women had an approximately normal amount of these products. Both sexes showed a relatively low level of androsterone and etiocholanolone. The findings are not considered specific for the disease but, rather, indicate the direction for further study.
Optimal order release decisions for asynchronous production systems

Asynchronous production systems are classified into systems with fixed, unrestricted, and restricted work-in-process inventory. For each class routing optimization models are presented. Furthermore, extensions are provided in order to include optimal lotsizing and/or part mix decisions. These extensions find optimal solutions for two previously published problems with only heuristic solution procedures.
Beneficial Effects of Vitamin E in Sperm Functions in the Rat After Spinal Cord Injury

Male infertility as a result of spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with abnormal semen qualities including low sperm counts and poor sperm motility and morphology. Clinical studies suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related events might contribute to abnormal sperm functions after SCI. The current study examined whether impaired sperm functions after SCI can be ameliorated by an antioxidant, vitamin E. Vitamin E feeding of spinal cord transected (SCX) rats during the acute (maintenance) and chronic (restoration) phases of the injury partially preserved sperm viability and mitochondrial potential; similar effects were only seen in spinal cord contused (SCC) rats during the chronic phase. A beneficial effect of vitamin E on sperm motility, however, was only observed in SCX rats during the chronic phase of the injury. These results suggest that ROS-related events might account for some of the effects of cord injury on sperm functions, depending on the extent of injury and time postinjury. Furthermore, we found that sperm heads from SCC and SCX rats were less condensed compared to those from sham control rats. Such effects were attenuated by vitamin E, suggesting that ROS-related events may also contribute to abnormal sperm morphology after SCI. Partial restoration of male accessory gland weights in those rats fed vitamin E further suggests its beneficial effects on the functions of these glands. Conclusion: Vitamin E feeding attenuated some of the effects of spinal cord injury on sperm functions and male accessory glands in the rat. These results support a role of ROS-related events in deterioration of semen quality after cord injury. Further understanding of the underlying mechanisms for effects of vitamin E on sperm functions and male accessory glands will provide scientific rationale for the use of vitamin E or other antioxidant as therapeutic means to preserve sperm functions and semen quality in SCI men.
Interplanetary radio transmission through serial ionospheric and material barriers

Abstract A usual first principle in planning radio astronomy observations from the earth is that monitoring must be carried out well above the ionospheric plasma cutoff frequency (∼5 MHz). Before space probes existed, radio astronomy was almost entirely done above 6 MHz, and this value is considered a practical lower limit by most radio astronomers. Furthermore, daytime ionization (especially D-layer formation) places additional constraints on wave propagation, and waves of frequency below 10–20 MHz suffer significant attenuation. More careful calculations of wave propagation through the Earth's ionosphere suggest that for certain conditions (primarily the presence of a magnetic field) there may be a transmission window well below this assumed limit. Indeed, for receiving extraterrestrial radiation below the ionospheric plasma cutoff frequency, a choice of VLF frequency appears optimal to minimize loss. The calculation, experimental validation, and conclusions are presented here. This work demonstrates the possibility of VLF transmission through the ionosphere and various subsequent material barriers. Implications include development of a new robust communications channel, communications with submerged or subterranean receivers/instruments on or offworld, and a new approach to SETI.
TREC interactive with Chesire II

This paper describes the UC Berkeley's participation in the TREC-6, 7 and 8 interactive track experiments. In these three studies 24 searchers (four in TREC-6, eight in TREC-7, and 12 in TREC-8) conducted a total of 160 searches, half on the Cheshire II system and the other half on the ZPRISE system. In TREC-7 and TREC-8 questionnaires were administered to gather information about basic demographic and searching experience, about each search, about each of the systems, and finally, about the user's perceptions of the systems. In this paper I will briefly describe the systems used in the study and how they differ in design goals and implementation. The results of the interactive track evaluations and the information derived from the questionnaires are then discussed and plans for further research are considered.
Absence of metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated plasticity in the neocortex of fragile X mice

Fragile X syndrome is a common heritable form of mental retardation in humans. Recent neuroanatomical studies indicate an apparent immature appearance of neurons in fragile X syndrome patients and fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP)-knockout mice, an animal model of this condition. In this work, we investigated possible alterations in synaptic plasticity in the neocortex of FMRP-knockout mice. Extracellular field potentials were recorded from the deep-layer visual neocortex. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was severely attenuated in brain slices from knockout mice relative to that observed in slices from wild-type mice. Considering that neocortical LTP can involve both NMDA receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms, we attempted to distinguish the nature of LTP attenuated in the knockout condition. In slices from wild-type mice, LTP was partially attenuated by the NMDA receptor antagonist 3-[(±)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphate (CPP); however, the general metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) strongly attenuated LTP, resulting in a response indistinguishable from that observed in slices from knockout mice. The selective mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) attenuated LTP to a similar degree as did MCPG in wild-type slices, but MPEP did not alter the reduced potentiation in knockout slices. Our results suggest that LTP in layer V visual neocortex depends primarily on mGluR5 activation. Our data also indicate that mGluR5-mediated synaptic plasticity is absent in the neocortex of FMRP-knockout mice. Such an alteration may contribute to the cognitive and learning deficits exhibited in these mice as well as in fragile X syndrome.
Comprehension of illustrated text: Pictures help to build mental models☆

Pictures help people to comprehend and remember texts. We report two experiments designed to test among several accounts of this facilitation. Students read texts describing four-step procedures in which the middle steps were described as occurring at the same time, although the verbal description of the steps was sequential. A mental representation of the procedure would have the middle steps equally strongly related to the preceding and succeeding steps (because the middle steps are performed simultaneously), whereas a mental representation of the text would have the middle step that was described first more closely related to the preceding step than the middle step described second. After reading, strengths of the represented relationships between the steps were assessed. When the texts were accompanied by appropriate pictures, subjects tended to mentally represent the procedure. When the texts were presented alone or with pictures illustrating the order in which the steps were described in the text, subjects tended to mentally represent the text. We argue that these results disconfirm motivational, repetition, and some dual code explanations of the facilitative effects of pictures. The results are consistent with a version of mental model theory that proposes that pictures help to build mental models of what the text is about.
A study of locking objects with bimodal fields

Object locking can be efficiently implemented by bimodal use of a field reserved in an object. The field is used as a lightweight lock in one mode, while it holds a reference to a heavyweight lock in the other mode. A bimodal locking algorithm recently proposed for Java achieves the highest performance in the absence of contention, and is still fast enough when contention occurs.However, mode transitions inherent in bimodal locking have not yet been fully considered. The algorithm requires busy-wait in the transition from the light mode (inflation), and does not make the reverse transition (deflation) at all.We propose a new algorithm that allows both inflation without busy-wait and deflation, but still maintains an almost maximum level of performance in the absence of contention. We also present statistics on the synchronization behavior of real multithreaded Java programs, which indicate that busy-wait in inflation and absence of deflation can be problematic in terms of robustness and performance. Actually, an implementation of our algorithm shows increased robustness, and achieves performance improvements of up to 13.1% in server-oriented benchmarks.
GERMINATION OF LIGHT-INHIBITED SEED OF NEMOPHILA INSIGNIS'

A B S T R A C T Germination of Nemophila insignis seed is inhibited by light over a wide range of temperatures. At low temperatures the light intensity required for inhibition is higher. At 25 C there is little germination (in darkness as well as in light); at 27.5 C germination is inhibited altogether. Virtually complete germination in light is obtained when the endosperm directly covering the radicle is removed. This operation also improves germination in darkness at 25 C. Mechanical scarification performed elsewhere in the seed is without effect. As with Phacelia tanacetifolia, Nemophila seed apparently fails to germinate in light because the endosperm restrains the expansive growth of the embryo. The embryo of dark-imbibed seed develops a force which enables it to overcome the physical resistance of the endosperm. Light inhibits the process which leads to generation of "expansive force." Gibberellic acid at 5 X 10-4 M stimulates germination in light and in the dark. Abscisic acid at 10-4 M inhibits germination; at 10-6 M it inhibits only root growth. The inhibition of germination or root growth caused by abscisic acid cannot be reversed by gibberellic acid. Eighty per cent oxygen under certain conditions promotes germination. The rate of 02 uptake is enhanced in oxygen-enriched atmosphere; however, there is no corresponding increase in the rate of CO2 output. Thus high oxygen tension enhances an oxidative process other than respiration. This reaction is favorable to seed germination.
A comparative analysis of the photobiology of zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae symbiotic with the temperate clonal anemone Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt). III. Seasonal effects of natural light and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration

The sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima hosts two phylogenetically different symbiotic microalgae, a dinoflagellate Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae, ZX) and a chlorophyte (zoochlorellae, ZC). The photosynthetic productivity (P), respiration (R), and contribution of algal carbon translocated to the host (CZAR) in response to a year’s seasonal ambient changes of natural light and temperature are documented for both ZX- and ZC-bearing anemones. Light and temperature both affect photosynthesis, respiration, and CZAR, as well as various algal parameters; while there are evident seasonal differences, for the most part the relative effects on P, R, and CZAR by the two environmental variables cannot be determined. Net photosynthesis (Pn) of both ZX and ZC was significantly higher during spring and summer. During these seasons, the Pn of ZX was always greater than that of ZC. Regardless of algal symbiont, anemone respiration (R) was significantly higher during the spring and summer. The annual net carbon fixation rate of anemones with ZX and ZC was 325 and 276 mg C anemone−1 year−1, respectively, which translates to annual net community productivity rates of 92 and 60 g C m−1 year−1 for anemones with ZX or ZC, respectively. CZAR did not show a clear relationship with season; however the CZAR for ZX was always significantly greater than for ZC. Lower ZX growth rates, coupled with higher photosynthetic rates and higher CZAR estimates, compared to ZC, suggest that if A. elegantissima is simply carbon limited, ZX-bearing anemones should be the dominant symbiont in the field. However ZC-bearing anemones persist in low light and reduced temperature microhabitats, therefore more than the translocation of carbon from ZC must be involved. Given that global climate change will increase water temperatures, the potential for latitudinal range shifts of both ZC and ZX (S. californium and muscatinei) might be used as biological indicators of thermal shifts in the littoral zone of the Pacific Northwest.
Profile optimization for the prediction of initial parison dimensions from final blow moulded part specifications

Abstract The critical stage of the extrusion blow moulding process involves the inflation of a molten parison into the final part. Modelling of the inflation stage generally entails predicting the final part thickness distribution, given the initial parison thickness profile. We refer to this formulation of the process as the “forward formulation” or as the “forward predictor”. It would be more desirable to model the process using the inverse formulation, that is, given a final part thickness distribution, obtain the required initial parison thickness profile. We refer to this formulation of the process as the “inverse formulation”. Tooling costs and machine downtimes can be minimized with the information obtained from the simulation. Computational times and man-hours involved with trial-and-error runs with the forward predictor can also be minimized. The approach chosen involves placing a forward predictor in an iterative optimization loop. The loop searches for the parison thickness profile that results in the minimum overall difference between the specified final part thickness distribution and the individual iteration's output from the forward predictor. The forward predictor employs a discretized Newton—Raphson technique in the solution. The profiled optimization methodology utilizes updating techniques analogous to classical process control equations.
Communication network modeling and simulation for Wide Area Measurement applications

In the recent years, Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) based Wide Area Measurement System (WAMS) has been receiving ever increasing attention from the academia as well as from the industry. Power utilities have been designing and implementing WAMS to provide more intelligent monitoring, control, and protection of the power grid. In order to achieve real-time operations in the modern power systems, construction of an economic and efficient communication infrastructure is a necessity, and various utilities have been laying fiber optical network along their transmission and distribution right of way to leverage the abilities of PMUs in providing greater visibility over a larger area of the grid - thereby providing opportunities for better control and stability. The choice of network architecture, protocols, and various measures for quality of service guarantees must be made by the network architects at the utilities. In this paper, we present a methodology based on profiling data traffic for various WAMS applications according to their communication requirements, and then creating simulation models and scenarios to obtain various parameters for specific architectural and protocol choices. Our simulation results are encouraging in the sense that under modest choices all the applications meet the timing and bandwidth requirements. However, the main contribution of this work is the methodology that would allow the utilities to evaluate various communication infrastructure choices while deploying WAMS.
DSM for general nonlinear equations

Abstract If F : H → H is a map in a Hilbert space H , F ∈ C l o c 2 , and there exists a solution y , possibly non-unique, such that F ( y ) = 0 , F ′ ( y ) ≠ 0 , then equation F ( u ) = 0 can be solved by a DSM (Dynamical Systems Method) and the rate of convergence of the DSM is given provided that a source-type assumption holds. A discrete version of the DSM yields also a convergent iterative method for finding y . This method converges at the rate of a geometric series. Stable approximation to a solution of the equation F ( u ) = f is constructed by a DSM when f is unknown but the noisy data f δ are known, where ‖ f δ − f ‖ ≤ δ .
Platinum-group element concentrations in BCR-723: a quantitative review of published analyses.

Abstract BCR-723 is the only environmental certified reference material for platinum-group elements (PGEs) Pt, Pd and Rh. It has been an integral component of quality control/quality assurance procedures in environmental laboratories measuring PGEs, since 2001. Here, we present an extensive quantitative review of the published PGEs measured in BCR-723, since its introduction. A statistical examination of concentrations, measurement precision and accuracy for 25 studies is presented. Measurement typically starts with an aqua regia digestion, followed by some form of pre-concentration or separation procedure, and quantitation by ICP-MS. Use of a sample mass below the recommended value of 100 mg has been shown to produce biased results for acid-based digestions or with laser ablation. Platinum is the most precisely and accurately measured PGE in BCR-723, followed by Rh, and finally by Pd. Literature precision data for all autocatalyst PGEs did not differ significantly ( α = 0.05) from those obtained by the original laboratories used to certify BCR-723. Measurement accuracies for the literature tabulated PGE data did not differ significantly from zero, indicating an overall lack of directional bias. These results should be encouraging to the analytical community, but further advancements, especially for Pd quantification are required.
Cardiolipin-fluorescent (M1) antimitochondrial antibody and cholestatic hepatitis in secondary syphilis

A 27-year-old black male with secondary syphilis and cholestatic jaundice is presented. The liver biopsy was believed to be most consistent with large bile duct obstruction, but both the ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography were normal. Prior to treatment with penicillin, his serum was positive for antimitochondrial antibody. After treatment, the antibody was no longer detectable and the jaundice gradually resolved. The patient's pretreatment serum was, after further analysis, found to be positive for the antibody to the M1 antimitochondrial antigen subtype, which is identical to cardiolipin, the antigen in both the VDRL and Wasserman tests. A review of hepatic involvement in secondary syphilis is presented.
If you ‘watch and wait,’ prostate cancer may progress dramatically

Purpose: Observation has been proposed as an option for localized prostate cancer. However, most series reporting on ‘watch and wait’ include patients treated by TUR or hormones that may affect results. We retrospectively reviewed the natural history of truly untreated prostate cancer and report the outcome for these patients. Methods and Materials: From 1976 to 1992,34 patients of median age 70 years (range 56-88) with biopsy proven localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate refused therapy. All had negative bone scan and none underwent TUR or hormone treatment. No patient was lost to follow-up (median 76 months). Failure patterns and survival were analyzed. Results: At diagnosis 27 patients had palpable nodules (T2), of which 13 were well differentiated and 14 moderately differentiated. Seven had moderately differentiated T3 lesions. Mild prostatitis including nocturla, hesistancy, and urgency were reported in 16 T2 and 6 T3 patients. Within 36 months, local progression requiring therapy occurred in all T3, all T2 moderate and 5 of 13 T2 well-differentiated patients. Systemic progression occurred in 6 of 7 T3,9 of 14 T2 (mod), and 2 of 13 T2 (well) patients. Overall 59% are alive, 26% succumbed to prostate carcinoma and 15% to other causes. Conclusion: Observation results in a high rate of local progression requiring intervention (77%) and excessive systemic disease development (50%) for patients with clinically palpable disease. Perhaps this strategy is viable for earlier stage lesions detected bv PSA but it must be tested in a rigorous fashion before accepted. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Inc. Prostate cancer, Watch and wait, Observation.
Multispectral photographic analysis. A new quantitative tool to assist in the early diagnosis of thermal burn depth.

Intercomparisons are made between three spectrally filtered photographs of experimental burns on guinea pigs and accidental burns on humans. The original photographs are taken on Kodak 35 mm Plus X and High Speed Infrared films. The transparencies are digitized and processed by a computer to form three additional photographs, each of which has an optical density proportional to the ratio of the target spectral reflectances. These images are color processed to form a pseudo color photograph which indicates the relative magnitude of the spectral reflectance ratio of the injured tissue. It is shown that these ratios, displayed by color patterns, have potential diagnostic value for the determination of burn depth in man.
A numerical study of the asymptotic convergence characteristics of partial averaged and reweighted Fourier path integral methods

The asymptotic convergence characteristics with respect to the number of included path variables of the partial average and reweighted Fourier path integral methods are numerically compared using a Gaussian fit to the one-dimensional Lennard-Jones potential. Using harmonic inversion to determine the parameters of the Gaussian fit potential appropriate for neon, the energy eigenvalues and thermodynamic properties of the Gaussian fit and the Lennard-Jones interaction agree to better than 1%. Using Monte Carlo methods to study the Gaussian fit potential, the systematic error associated with the truncation of the number of path variables is found to be larger for the reweighted method than the partial average method for the same number of path variables actually used. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Acquired immune cytopenias post-cardiac transplantation respond to rituximab.

Hematologic abnormalities following solid organ transplantation are infrequently autoimmune in origin. We present a series of autoimmune cytopenias developing as a late complication of pediatric cardiac transplantation. Autoimmune cytopenias represented include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acquired Glanzmann thrombasthenia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Standard therapies were used in each patient without sustainable results. Eventually, each patient was treated with and responded to rituximab. In this report, we review these cases, propose potential mechanisms for development of autoimmune cytopenias, and discuss our experience with rituximab in managing refractory autoimmune cytopenias. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:339–344. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Imaging through random multiple scattering media using integration of propagation and array signal processing

Imaging of objects through complex environment is important in several applications, including imaging of hidden objects in obscuring media such as atmospheric and ocean turbulence, rough ocean surfaces, rain, fog, snow, and biological tissues. These media are often randomly varying in space and time, and statistical treatments are necessary to obtain images with useful spatial and temporal resolutions. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using signal processing and correlation techniques to improve resolutions and to distinguish images from clutter. This paper presents several imaging techniques for objects in the presence of random media. Time-reversal MUSIC (multiple signal classification) imaging has excellent resolution when multiple scattering is small or moderate. Modified beamformer imaging has moderately high resolution even at large multiple scattering. We also include time reversal (TR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging for comparison. The technique involves stochastic Green's function and mutual coherence function (MCF), eigenvectors of time-reversal matrix and pseudo spectrum. Numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of these imaging techniques.
Nacre Protein Fragment Templates Lamellar Aragonite Growth

Proteins play a major role in the formation of all biominerals. In mollusk shell nacre, complex mixtures and assemblies of proteins and polysaccharides were shown to induce aragonite formation, rather than the thermodynamically favored calcite (both aragonite and calcite are CaCO(3) polymorphs). Here we used N16N, a single 30 amino acid-protein fragment originally inspired by the mineral binding site of N16, a protein in the nacre layer of the Japanese pearl oysters (Pinctada fucata). In a calcite growth solution this short peptide induces in vitro biomineralization. This model biomineral was analyzed using X-ray PhotoElectron Emission spectroMicroscopy (X-PEEM) and found to be strikingly similar to natural nacre: lamellar aragonite with interspersed N16N layers. This and other findings combined suggest a hypothetical scenario in which in vivo three proteins (N16, Pif80, and Pif97) and a polysaccharide (chitin) work in concert to form lamellar nacre.
Characterization of events preceding the release of malaria parasite from the host red blood cell

The process of merozoite release involves proteolysis of both the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and red blood cell membrane (RBCM), but the precise temporal sequence remains controversial. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blotting of parasite-infected RBCs, we observed that the intraerythrocytic parasite was enclosed in a continuous ring of PVM at early stages of parasite development while at the segmented schizont stage, the PVM appeared to be integrated in the cluster of newly formed merozoites. Subsequently, such clusters were detected extraerythrocytically together with single merozoites devoid of the PVM at low frequency, suggesting a primary rupture of RBCM, followed by PVM rupture and release of invasive merozoites. Secondly, since cysteine proteases are implicated in the process of parasite release, antimalarial effects of 4 cysteine protease inhibitors (leupeptin, E64, E64d, and MDL) were tested at the late schizont stage and correlated with the integrity of PVM and RBCM. We observed that leupeptin and E64 treatment produced extraerythrocytic clusters of merozoites associated with PVM suggesting inhibition of PVM lysis but not RBCM lysis. Merozoites in these clusters developed into rings upon removal of the inhibitors. In contrast, E64d and MDL caused an irreversible parasite death blocking further development. Future characterization of the mechanism(s) of inhibition may facilitate the design of novel antimalarial inhibitors.