cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfonylurea herbicides: growth inhibition in soybean cell suspension cultures and in bacteria correlated with block in biosynthesis of valine, leucine, or isoleucine

Abstract The sulfonylurea herbicides chlorsulfuron (CS) and sulfometuron methyl (SM) inhibit the growth of soybean cells ( Glycine max L. var. Amsoy 71) in suspension culture with 50% inhibition at 170 and 62 ppb, respectively, relative to the initial cell dry weight, and CS is not rapidly metabolized in these cultures. In Glycine max L. cv Merrill var. Mandarin, CS inhibits the growth by 50% at 4 ppm on the basis of initial cell dry weight. This inhibition is partially reversed by valine, leucine, or 2-ketoisovalerate, but not by pyruvate, isoleucine, or any other single amino acid. CS drastically reduces the content of free valine and leucine in soybean cells without significant effect on the amount of other free amino acids. Deoxyribonucleosides alleviate a portion of the CS growth inhibition in soybean cells in vivo , though CS and SM do not inhibit ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase in vitro . CS and SM are bacteriostats for Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium in minimal growth medium. E. coli growth is retarded at CS concentrations (100–300 μg/ml) that inhibit RNA and protein synthesis but not DNA synthesis. CS growth inhibition in E. coli is enhanced by cysteine and valine and partially alleviated by isoleucine and the aromatic amino acids, but not by leucine. The sulfonylureas appear to act in soybean by blocking the synthesis of valine and leucine between pyruvate and 2-ketoisovalerate and in E. coli by inhibiting isoleucine biosynthesis.
Scanning calorimetric determinations of the heat contents of diopside-rich systems during melting and crystallization

The results of scanning calorimetric measurements on crystalline albite, diopside, diopsideanorthite, and diopside-wollastonite-enstatite are reported in the temperature range of 1300 K to 1775 K. The results for albite agree with those obtained previously using a drop-calorimetric technique and confirm that melting takes place during a 300 K temperature interval starting near the accepted equilibrium melting point of 1373 K. The heat content, H(T), of anorthite-diopside mixtures is calculated numerically based on existing thermodynamic data. The results are compared to measurements on a mechanical mixture of 10 mol% anorthite-90 mol% diopside containing 3% of second phase impurities. Due to the presence of these impurities, the onset of premelting or melting occurs at 150 K below the An-Di eutectic and the heat of fusion at the liquidus (1665 K) is 114 ± 6 kJ/mol, which is 6% less than calculated for the pure mixture. Measurements of H(T) on a sample of 13 mol% wollastonite-83 mol% diopside are also presented. The measured heat of fusion at 1665 K is 125 ± 7 kJ/mol, in excellent agreement with the value of 124.8 kJ/mol calculate from existing thermodynamic data. Our data place au upper limit of 7 kJ/mol on the heat of mixing in this system at 1665 K.
A Heinous Act

Intuitively, rape is seriously morally wrong in a way simple assault is not. Yet philosophical disputes about the features of rape that make it the heinous act it is invite a general account of the difference between (mere) wrong-making characteristics and heinous-making characteristics. In this paper I propose just such an account and use it to refute some accounts of the wrongness of rape and refine others. Given these analyses, I close by developing and defending an account of a particularly important heinous-making characteristic of rape.
Temperature and Pressure Dependence of the AMOEBA Water Model

The temperature and pressure dependence of the previously developed polarizable atomic-multipole-based AMOEBA water potential is explored. The energetic, structural, and dynamical properties of liquid water are investigated via molecular dynamics simulations at various temperatures ranging from 248 K to 360 K and pressures up to 5000 atm. The AMOEBA model, derived solely from known gas-phase and room-temperature liquid properties, produces a maximum liquid density around 290 K at 1 atm. The quantitative agreement between AMOEBA and experiment is good in general for density, heat of vaporization, radial distribution functions, magnetic shielding, self-diffusion, and static dielectric constant. Based on comparison of two variants of AMOEBA water, as well as results from other water potentials, it is suggested that the temperature at which the maximum density occurs is closely related to the tetrahedral hydrogen-bonding network in the bulk. Explicit dipole polarization and internal geometry in the liquid pla...
Spins and Orbital Angular Momentum Configurations of Levels in Y 90

Polarization and differential cross-section measurements have been made for $^{89}\mathrm{Y}(p,p)^{89}\mathrm{Y}$ in the isobaric analog regions of the ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states at 2.48 and 2.63 MeV in $^{90}\mathrm{Y}$. An optical-model-plus-resonance analysis of the data indicates that these states can be described by a ${d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ state coupled to the ${\frac{1}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ target spin. The admixture of ${d}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ and ${s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ configurations in the ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ states, respectively, is found to be small. The spin sequence ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ with the higher spin lower in energy is strongly favored.
Diurnal O2 and carbohydrate levels in wheat kernels during embryony

Abstract In vitro zygotic and somatic embryogenesis procedures for wheat have been improved by simulating in ovulo nutritional, hormonal and dissolved oxygen (dO 2 ) conditions. However, diurnal fluctuations in these conditions during early embryony are not well characterized. In this study, dO 2 and water-soluble carbohydrate levels in wheat kernels were determined after 8 h of light and 8 h of dark at approximately 6, 12 and 18 day post anthesis (DPA). Clark style O 2 microelectrodes, having a tip diameter of approximately 115 μm, were inserted into intact kernels immediately distil to the developing embryo, and dO 2 levels were recorded at 50 μm intervals into the center of kernels. High-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection was used to quantify carbohydrate levels in endosperm sap. dO 2 levels in the chlorophyllous layer of the pericarp reached 190 mmol m −3 during the day, which probably represents, because of photosynthesis, a supersaturated O 2 condition relative to the external environment (21% O 2 ). At the embryo surface, dO 2 levels at 6 DPA ranged from 135 to 170 mmol m −3 . At 12 and 18 DPA, dO 2 levels at the embryo axis ranged from 100 to 150 mmol m −3 . At all three stages, dO 2 levels in the center of the endosperm were below 13 mmol m −3 . Extreme fluctuations in carbohydrate levels were observed diurnally during rapid seed fill (12 DPA). Levels of sucrose and short-chain fructans were much higher during the day than during the night. In contrast, fructose, glucose, and myo-inositol levels were much higher during the night than during the day. By 18 DPA (hard dough stage), carbohydrate levels tended to be similar during the day and night. These dynamic fluctuations may assist in regulating embryony in ovulo, and their simulation might improve the development of somatic and zygotic embryos in vitro.
Nanoscale structural and mechanical characterization of natural nanocomposites: Seashells

Seashells are natural nanocomposites with superior mechanical strength and toughness. What is the secret recipe that Mother Nature uses to fabricate seashells? What roles do the nanoscale structures play in the inelasticity and toughening of seashells? Can we learn from this to produce seashell-like nanocomposites? The focus of this article is nacre (mother-of-pearl). The recent discovery of nanoparticles in nacre is summarized, and the role these nanoparticles play in nacre’s toughness is elucidated. It was found that rotation and deformation of aragonite nanoparticles are the two prominent mechanisms contributing to energy dissipation in nacre. The biopolymer spacing between nanoparticles facilitates the particle rotation process. This article also presents future challenges in the study of nacre’s nanoscale structure and mechanical properties.
A NEW SYNDROME OF HYPERURICEMIA, PULMONARY FIBROSIS, AND RENAL DISEASE IN A KINDRED

A three month old male manifested failure to thrive, neurological dysfunction, moderate renal insufficiency, extreme hyperuricemia (16.5 mg%), and arterial hypoxemia and a radiographic picture compatible with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A sister had died at age 6 months with IPF proven at autopsy, mild glomerular insufficiency and a disproportionate elevation in serum urate (10.6). There was no parental consanguinity nor positive family history for similar abnormalities. On a purine-free diet and 50 mg allopurinol the proband's serum urate was controlled at 5.5-7 mg%. N-15 uric acid tracer was administered intravenously while continuing allopurinol. Miscible urate pool size was considerably increased (55 mg/kg). Urate turnover was 11 mg/kg/24h; this figure may reflect increased de novo purine synthesis but sufficient data on children receiving allopurinol are not available to warrant a firm conclusion. Known enzymatic causes for purine overproduction were excluded since the following activities (nmol/hr/mg prot.) in RBC hemolysates were normal: hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, 79-83 (nl. 81±13 S.D.); adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, 18-19 (nl. 21±5); phos-phoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase, 84 (nl. 66±18), with normal inhibition by ADP, GDP, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. We conclude that the proband and his sister are examples of a previously undescribed disease state, inherited in autosomal recessive manner.
Biological gas channels for NH3 and CO2: evidence that Rh (Rhesus) proteins are CO2 channels.

Abstract Physiological evidence from our laboratory indicates that Amt/Mep proteins are gas channels for NH 3 , the first biological gas channels to be described. This view has now been confirmed by structural evidence and is displacing the previous belief that Amt/Mep proteins were active transporters for the NH 4 + ion. Still disputed is the physiological substrate for Rh proteins, the only known homologues of Amt/Mep proteins. Many think they are mammalian ammonium (NH 4 + or NH 3 ) transporters. Following Monod's famous dictum, “Anything found to be true of E. coli must also be true of elephants” [Perspect. Biol. Med. 47(1) (2004) 47], we explored the substrate for Rh proteins in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . C. reinhardtii is one of the simplest organisms to have Rh proteins and it also has Amt proteins. Physiological studies in this microbe indicate that the substrate for Rh proteins is CO 2 and confirm that the substrate for Amt proteins is NH 3 . Both are readily hydrated gases. Knowing that transport of CO 2 is the ancestral function of Rh proteins supports the inference from hematological research that a newly evolving role of the human Rh30 proteins, RhCcEe and RhD, is to help maintain the flexible, flattened shape of the red cell.
Pore Pressures in Marine Sediments-1981 Test of the Geotechnically Instrumented Seafloor Probe (GISP)

The Geotechnically Instrumented Seafloor Probe (GISP) can make long-term, in-situ measurements of pore water pressure in marine sediments in remote, undeveloped areas. The seafloor package is completely self-contained and includes data processing electronics, solid-state memory, acoustic telemetry, batteries, and pressure transducers. Acoustic telemetry provides the communication link with a surface command and recording system. Two GISP units operated successfully for five months in a 1981 field test on the Mississippi Delta. Data obtained during this test, when combined with the results of SEASWAB I, indicate that from the mudline to a depth of 6 meters, excess pore pressure is near zero. From 6 to 15 meters (the maximum depth studied), excess pore pressure increases at about the same rate as total stress.
Dependence of the energy per ion pair on the photon energy below 6 keV in various gases

Abstract An attempt has been made to measure W ( E ), i.e. the energy required for formation of an ion pair, as a function of photon energy in various gases. The method consists in performing accurate measurements of pulse height spectra of K lines of low Z elements using a proportional counter. The W values obtained in the energy range from 277 to 5890 eV did not depart more than + 3% and − 1% from the value measured at 5890 eV in four investigated gases: Ar + 10% CH 4 , C 3 H 8 and two tissue equivalent gas mixtures. Below the carbon K line (277 eV) the incident photon beam consisted of a narrow band of soft X-rays obtained by filtration of bremsstrahlung. The mean energy as well as the width of the filtered X-ray spectrum were calculated. The measurement of W ( E ) in propane revealed a steady increase of W below 200 eV.
A model for electrcal stimulation of central myelinated fibers with monopolar electrodes

Abstract A mathematical model for monopolar cathodal stimulation of myelinated fibers in an anisotropic medium is developed. This model includes all of the factors known to affect significantly the stimulation properties of myelinated fibers. The quantitative relationship between stimulation current and electrode distance predicted by the model compares favorably with experimental data for stimulating electrode distances greater than about 500 μ. The model is used to predict electrical stimulation properties for myelinated fibers in other regions of the central nervous system.
Oceanography: The trouble with the bubble

Past studies have suggested that the ocean's nitrogen budget has a deficit of fixed nitrogen. This view may now change, thanks to upward revisions of the rate of nitrogen input through biological activity. See Letter p.361 Attempts to produce a balanced marine nitrogen budget on the basis of direct measurements have proved difficult, with nitrogen loss exceeding the gain by dinitrogen (N2) fixation. Here, Julie LaRoche and colleagues report a possible reason for this problem. They suggest that a method widely used to measure oceanic N2-fixation rates significantly and variably underestimates the contribution of microorganisms known as diazotrophs. This emerges from comparisons with fixed nitrogen measurements made with a newly developed method in the Atlantic Ocean. If the findings could be extrapolated to other ocean basins, N2-fixation rates would be almost double current estimates, a significant narrowing of the gap between nitrogen loss and gain.
Purchasing sleeping patents to curtail budget padding

Abstract This paper provides an explanation for sleeping patents based not on their ability to deter external competitors but rather on their ability to discipline actions of the firm's employees. By acquiring a patent upfront, a firm is able to issue a credible threat that it will switch technologies if a manager's cost budget for the existing technology is too high. This threat reduces the manager's propensity to pad budgets.
ROLL RESONANCE FOR A GRAVITY-GRADIENT SATELLITE.

Equation providing nodal angle for largest roll libration with twice orbital frequency derived for gravity gradient satellite
Stress intensity sensitivities via Hypersingular boundary integral equations

In sensitivity analysis for problems involving thin domains or cracks, conventional boundary integral equations must be supplemented and/or replaced by hypersingular ones. Hypersingular boundary integral equations for sensitivity analysis are developed here in two forms, using both a global and a local regularization. These regularizations are easily implemented, since the singularity order of the sensitivity BIE formulae are no stronger than those of the ordinary BIEs. A justification for this work is that obtaining stress intensity factor versus crack size curves is made easier using sensitivity analysis, since the computation of a function value and a derivative is less expensive than that for two function values. Examples of a circular bar with an embedded penny-shaped crack under tension, bending, and torsion loads are shown to be accurate and verify the formulation and the computer codes developed in this paper.
Prolonged Hypothermia Causes Primary Nonfunction in Preserved Canine Renal Allografts due to Humoral Rejection

Canine kidney preservation models have historically used autotransplants to avoid the complications of rejection, although clinically all transplants are allografts. This study investigated the effects of preservation time and method on early kidney function in a canine allograft vs. autograft model. Kidneys were harvested from beagles, preserved by cold storage (CS) in UW solution for 0, 24 or 72 h, or by machine perfusion (MP) with Belzer MPS for 72 h. In some experiments 45 min of warm ischemia (WI) was performed in situ before harvest. Allograft recipients received steroid immunosuppression. Kidney function was assessed by serum creatinine and survival for 7 days. Allografts preserved for 0 and 24 h performed as well as autografts. Allografts preserved for 72 h by either CS or MP had a higher incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) compared with autografts, as determined by survival (50% vs. 100%, p < 0.003). Primary nonfunction kidneys had thrombotic microangiopathy, vascular and peritubular capillary binding of IgM and complement C4d, and evidence of circulating donor-specific antibodies; all consistent with humoral rejection. These responses were dependent on hypothermia time and were not attributable to ischemia, immunosuppression, preservation solution, or cellular rejection. In conclusion, prolonged hypothermia can cause PNF in allografts owing to acute humoral rejection.
The Estuarine Surface Microlayer and Trace Metal Cycling in a Salt Marsh

The aqueous surface microlayer in a Delaware salt marsh carries an average of 10 percent of the copper, 19 percent of the zinc, and 23 percent of the iron relative to the total metal flux including the dissolved and seston components. Such trace metals cycle in the salt marsh by net import on the surface microlayer and net export in the dissolved and seston components during maximum monthly tides.
Dissolution And Swelling Studies Of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Resist Films

The swelling and dissolution of thin film poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and in solvent/nonsolvent mixtures of MIBK/methanol and methyl ethyl ketone/isopropanol have been investigated. Films were monitored using in situ ellipsometry. Parametric studies of the effects of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, softbaking quench rate, solvent size, and temperature were performed with MIBK. These parameters were shown to have a significant effect on dissolution. The effects of solvent composition and temperature on swelling and dissolution were investigated with the binary solvents. Ternary diagrams based on Flory-Huggins interaction parameters were used to interpret the thermodynamics of swelling and dissolution. A narrow transition region (NTR) where the developer changed from a swelling to dissolving agent with a small change in composition or temperature was observed.
Neuroendocrine dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: results following TRH stimulation.

Several neuroendocrine abnormalities, including abnormal responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), have been reported in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some (e.g., Sunderland et al 1985; Thomas et al 1987.) but not all (e.g., El Sobky et al 1986; Molchan et al 1991; Peabody et al 1986) studies have found diminished thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) responses to TRH in AD patients. Prolactin (PgL) responses to TRH have been found to be elevated (El Sobky et al 1986; Peabody et al 1986), diminished (Newhouse et al 1986), or unchanged (Franceshi et al 1988; Thomas et al 1987) in AD. Growth hormone (GH) responses have been found to be increased (Thomas et al 1987) or unchanged (Peabody et al 1986). Cortisol responses to TRH have not been studied by elevations in basal corUsol (Davis et a11986), blunted cortisol circadian rhythms (Raskind et al 1982), and escape from dexamethasone suppression (Greenwald et al 1986) have been
Low prevalence of flower cells in U.S.A. blood donors infected with human T-lymphotrophic virus types I and II.

Large lymphocytes with basophilic cytoplasm and cleaved/cerebriform nuclei called flower cells have been described in human T-lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) seropositive individuals and may be precursors of adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL). A cohort of 546 HTLV-seropositive former blood donors, 32 HTLV-positive sexual partners of these donors and 799 HTLV-seronegative controls has been followed as part of the Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study. A novel methodology was developed to systematically review peripheral blood slides from these subjects for HTLV-related lymphocyte abnormalities, using an algorithm based on morphologic features to objectively identify flower cells. The algorithm included: absence of azurophil granules; nuclear chromatin condensation; cell size >1.5 small lymphocytes; nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio >80%; and presence of nuclear folding/lobulation. Peripheral slides from subjects were screened by a medical technologist blinded to HTLV status. 6.8% of HTLV-I subjects (P = 0.0001 versus seronegatives), 0.9% of HTLV-II subjects and 1.1% of seronegatives were confirmed to have cells classified as flower cells by two haematologists using objective criteria, and blinded to serostatus. Despite the higher prevalence of flower cells in HTLV-I positives, no clinical correlations were found. Longitudinal follow-up may yield higher rates of cellular abnormalities as the sequelae of HTLV infection develop.
HPLC of plasmalogen-containing phosphatidylcholine under reverse-phase or argentation conditions

Two approaches to the high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) isolation of intact plasmalogens were investigated. The first used reversed-phase HPLC and sought to take advantage of subtle differences in the hydrophobicity of the alk-1-enyl chain from the acyl counterpart. On a C-18 column, bovine heart phosphatidylcholine (PC), which was 47% plasmalogen, was separated into a number of fractions that differed in their molecular species composition. One combination of fractions amounted to a 26% yield of PC enriched to 82% plasmalogen. The second approach sought to take advantage of the uniquely electron-rich functionality of the plasmalogens, the alk-1-enyl ether double bond, and its potential to coordinate with heavy metal ions. Specificially, bovine heart PC was applied to a cation-exchange type HPLC column in the silver ion mode. Although complete exchange of all the active sites of the column with silver ion led to complete retention of PC, partial activation with silver ion resulted in the separation of the PC into fractions, according to the degree of unsaturation. Plasmalogen-rich fractions eluted last and remained intact during the process. One combination of these fractions amounted to a 49% yield of PC enriched to 72% plasmalogen. Use of a cation-exchange system in the mercuric ion mode led to on-column hydrolysis of the plasmalogen; with palladium ion, the metallic species was stripped from the column by the eluting lipid.
Modeling, control and power management of inverter interfaced sources in a microgrid

Microgrid is a combination of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and loads that are connected within a locality. Microgrids are connected to the main grid through a Point of Common Coupling (PCC) which separates the former from the latter. In grid connected mode all the Distributed Generators (DGs) are PQ controlled with pre-defined set-points and the power imbalance is imported from or exported to the main grid. At the time of an intentional islanding or fault at the main grid level, a microgrid is able to disconnect itself from the rest of the grid and operate by itself. A microgrid may contain both directly connected and inverter interfaced sources with different control configurations. When disconnected or islanded from the main grid there are various approaches to share the load, one of them being the master-slave control where a storage device (battery) becomes the reference DG to set the nominal voltage and frequency for the entire microgrid. The State Of Charge of the battery is considered for the battery dynamics when in islanded mode for bi-directional flow. All the microsources, power electronics and their control with power management were developed in Matlab/Simulink.
Selection of Zinc-Supplemented Diets by Turkey Poults

Abstract In general, turkey poults consume more of a zinc-supplemented diet than a zinc-deficient one when given either of these diets. A part of the poor growth of the zinc-deficient poults can be explained due to their restricted food intake. The zinc-deficient rats are reported to discriminate between diets on the basis of their zinc content (Humphries and Quarterman, 1968). Do the poults have the capacity to differentiate between a zinc-deficient and a zinc-supplemented diet when given a free choice to do so? To answer this question, the present study was undertaken. Day-old turkey poults were wing-banded, weighed and distributed into ten groups of 4 poults each. Each group was of an approximately equal weight. The poults were housed in electrically heated stainless steel battery cages and had free access to both the zinc-deficient or zinc-supplemented diets placed in identical stainless steel feeders suspended outside the cages with 12 feeder slits.…
Differential effects of norm-referenced and self-referenced feedback on performance expectancies, attributions, and motivation

Abstract When feedback is provided to students in a norm-referenced manner that compares the individual's performance to that of others, people who perform poorly tend to attribute their failures to lack of ability, expect to perform poorly in the future, and demonstrate decreased motivation on subsequent tasks. The present study examined the hypothesis that the deleterious effects of failure might be attenuated when failure is expressed in self-referenced terms—relative to the individual's known level of ability as assessed by other measures. In this study, subjects received feedback indicating that they did well or poorly on an anagram test, and this feedback was described as either norm-referenced (comparing the individual's performance to that of others) or as self-referenced (comparing performance to other measures of the individual's ability). As predicted, compared to norm-referenced failure, self referenced feedback resulted in higher expectancies regarding future performance and increased attributions to effort. Contrary to expectations, attributions to ability were not affected. The implications of the results for the structure of academic feedback are discussed.
On Relative Precision in Stratified Sampling for a Mean with Fixed Cost

This paper considers the extrema of the relative precision (R. P.), or the ratio of the variance of optimum allocation to that of proportional allocation in stratified sampling for a mean (=Y) or total (=Y) when there is a fixed cost C=co+σnhch over L strata. The upper bound of R. P. is shown to be equal to unity, though the lower bound can be negative while approaching zero if the finite population size N∞. Numerical results (cf. Table) when the upper bound of R. P. = 1 is attained are included for the cases L≦4 with various combinations of {Wh}, {ch} and a fixed cost C; these give the appropriate sample sizes (=np) determined for proportional sampling in the cases of finite populations of sizes N=5000, 10,000 respectively.
Surgical time independently affected by surgical team size.

Abstract Background Team size and composition provide essential data for the study of operating room (OR) efficiency. Methods Laparoscopic procedures between July 2005 and July 2007 were reviewed retrospectively to record the number of OR personnel and the procedure time (PT). Results Of 399 procedures reviewed, 360 cases with complete data were analyzed. The average PT was 148 minutes. A mean of 8 different team members (range, 4–15) were involved. Surgeons and anesthesiologists stayed constant whereas the OR nurses were replaced more than once per procedure (mean, 4 nurses/procedure; range, 2–11). Multiple regression analysis revealed that both complexity of surgery and team size affected the PT significantly. When procedure complexity and patient condition were held constant, we found that adding 1 individual to a team predicted a 15.4-minutes increase in PT. Conclusions The surgical team is a dynamic system with a large amount of member turnover. Efforts to improve OR efficiency should focus on decreasing surgical team size, limiting staff turnover, and enhancing communication between team members.
ISP tiered model based architecture for routing scalability

Internet today is faced with problems due to the growing routing table sizes and high churn rates that occur subsequent to changes in routing information. With initiatives for new Internet designs underway, the problem can be addressed through new internetworking models that consider these factors. In this article one such model that is based on the tiered structure of ISPs (used to define their business relationships) is investigated. The model does not use IP and its routing protocols. An analysis of the model applied to the worldwide network of Autonomous Systems (AS) and ISPs shows the significant reduction in routing table sizes and churn rates that can be achieved with the proposed model even under an un-optimized case.
Feasibility of carotid artery stenting in patients with angiographic string sign

Background: Treatment of angiographic string sign (SS) of the carotid artery with carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been associated with a high incidence of periprocedural neurological events. We describe our experience with CAS in a case series of symptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis and angiographic SS. Methods: We performed a retrospective review from 1999 to 2009 using our cardiac cath laboratory database and identified nine patients with the angiographic SS who underwent CAS. All patients were referred for carotid angiography by a neurologist due to symptoms (stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)). All lesions were predilated and treated with self-expanding stents. Distal protection devices were utilized (six patients) once they became available. Periprocedural outcomes and long-term follow-up was reviewed when available. Results: The average time from onset of symptoms to CAS was 45 days. All CAS procedures were technically and clinically successful without acute complications. One year follow-up was available in eight patients. One patient had a possible TIA, and the remaining seven patients did not report any events (death, stroke, TIA or myocardial infarction). Carotid ultrasound evaluation at 12 months was available in six patients and showed no evidence of restenosis. Conclusions: In our experience, CAS in patients with severe symptomatic carotid stenosis and angiographic SS is feasible, with an acceptably low periprocedural complication rate. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interitem interval and total time in serial learning

Eleven groups of 12 Ss each were required to learn a list of eight CVC trigrams presented on a memory drum to a criterion of one perfect trial. The effect of dividing presentation rates of 2, 4, 8, and 16 sec into various periods of stimulus duration and interitem (blank) intervals was related to total time to criterion. It was found that the longer presentation rates did not facilitate learning the serial list and that there was a significant drop in efficiency in learning the list at the 16-sec rate. When the stimulus duration was varied within the presentation rates, the available stimulus time appeared to have minimal effect on learning, except at the 2-sec presentation rate.
Determinental formulae for complete symmetric functions

Abstract We translate Goulden's combinatorial proof of the Jacobi-Trudi identity into the language of lattice paths and then use the Gessel-Viennot technique to prove a general identity between a determinant involving complete symmetric functions and a sum of skew Schur functions.
Towards the standardization of performance measures for project scheduling heuristics

Performance measures that can be used to compare project-scheduling heuristics are presented. Quantitative measures relative to the project duration are proposed for the diagnostic analysis of activity-sequencing heuristics in PERT networks with precedence and resource constraints. The aim is to establish a basis for the standardization of performance measures for the heuristics. A project analyst can use the evaluation techniques presented in deciding which of the many available scheduling heuristics is most appropriate for a given project scenario. A comparative experiment indicates that heuristics perform almost equally well for small projects, while their performances vary considerably for large projects. Thus, small projects with mediocre complexity are not accurate performance-measurement agents for scheduling heuristics. >
Structure of a dimeric piperidone-aldehyde condensation product

Abstract The base-catalyzed condensation of benzaldehyde with 1-methyl-4-piperidone (5) gave two isomeric products which were dimers of 3-benzylidene-1-methyl-4-piperidone (7). Reactions of the dimers and their mass spectral data are examined on the basis of the X-ray structural analysis of the dibromo derivative of the dimer which was identified as 4-p-bromobenzylidene-9-p-bromophenyl-10a-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-2,7-diaza-10-oxa-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,8a,10a,-decahydroanthracene (10b).
Vβ CDR3 motifs associated with BP recognition are enriched in OX-40+ spinal cord T cells of Lewis rats with EAE

Spinal cord (SC) T cells were isolated at the onset of actively induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and sorted for the presence of the OX-40 activation marker. Previously, we reported an enhanced bias in V beta 8.2 expression as well as enhanced proliferative responses to basic protein antigens among the OX-40+ SC T cells. Here we demonstrate that CDR3 motifs associated with EAE are present at a significantly higher frequency in V beta 8.2 sequences of OX-40+ SC T cells (16/17) compared with those of OX-40- SC T cells (5/17). Thus, the OX-40 antigen may be useful as a marker to isolate and characterize autoantigen-specific T cells from the site of inflammation in T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Black and Hispanic Socioeconomic and Political Competition

Many U.S. cities are becoming significantly multiminority. How does the significant presence of one minority group affect the other minority group? This research explores the question of socioeconomic and political competition between blacks and Hispanics in U.S. urban centers. Based on data from the 49 U.S. cities of over 25,000 population with at least 10 percent black and 10 percent Hispanic in 1980, findings indicate that while there is little evidence of general black and Hispanic socioeconomic and political competition, Hispanics appear to prosper less well socioeconomically and politically in cities with black majorities or pluralities.
Observations on comparing digital systems synthesis techniques

Previously, much research effort has been aimed at developing automatic design methods for the higher levels of system design. This work has centered around developing methods of representation, constraint specification, and automatic design. Specifically, methods of representing systems at the behavioral and functional block levels were developed and implemented. Around these representations, automatic design methods have been developed. This paper describes the previous research efforts, highlights their results, and makes observations on the comparison of these design methods.
Abnormal manifestation of the high-temperature degradation of the weld metal of a low-alloy steel welded joint

We have shown that hardness, impact toughness, mechanical properties in tension, and the local parameters of fracture mechanics (static and cyclic crack resistance) are sensitive to the operating degradation of weld metal of steam pipelines of thermal power plants made of 15Kh1M1F steel. The simultaneous decrease in the resistance to brittle and plastic fracture (hardness, strength, and impact toughness) represents a phenomenon of the operating degradation of weld metal. We have established a specific correlation between the characteristics of plasticity and other mechanical parameters of operated metal: the increase in °5 of operated weld metal is in good agreement with the decrease in its strength, whereas the reduction of Ψ correlates with the lowering of resistance to brittle fracture. Electrolytic hydrogenation decreases the characteristics of strength and plasticity of operated weld metal much stronger than in the initial state. The absence of ferritic edgings on the boundaries of primary austenitic grains makes for a low resistance to brittle fracture, and the change in acicular ferrite deteriorates the mechanical properties. The ductile fracture of nonoperated metal is replaced by brittle intercrystalline failure in operated metal.
Multiple Activation States of Integrin α4β1 Detected through Their Different Affinities for a Small Molecule Ligand

We have used the highly specific alpha4beta1 inhibitor 4-((N'-2-methylphenyl)ureido)-phenylacetyl-leucine-aspartic acid-valine-proline (BIO1211) as a model LDV-containing ligand to study alpha4beta1 integrin-ligand interactions on Jurkat cells under diverse conditions that affect the activation state of alpha4beta1. Observed KD values for BIO1211 binding ranged from a value of 20-40 nM in the non-activated state of the integrin that exists in 1 mM Mg2+, 1 mM Ca2+ to 100 pM in the activated state seen in 2 mM Mn2+ to 18 pM when binding was measured after co-activation by 2 mM Mn2+ plus 10 microgram/ml of the integrin-activating monoclonal antibody TS2/16. The large range in KD values was governed almost exclusively by differences in the dissociation rates of the integrin-BIO1211 complex, which ranged from 0.17 x 10(-4) s-1 to >140 x 10(-4) s-1. Association rate constants varied only slightly under the same conditions, all falling in the narrow range from 0.9 to 2.7 x 10(6) M-1 s-1. The further increase in affinity observed upon co-activation by divalent cations and TS2/16 compared with that observed at saturating concentrations of metal ions or TS2/16 alone indicates that the mechanism by which these factors bring about activation are distinct and identified a previously unrecognized high affinity state on alpha4beta1 that had not been detected by conventional assay methods. Similar changes in affinity were observed when the binding properties of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and CS1 to alpha4beta1 were studied, indicating that the different affinity states detected with BIO1211 are an inherent property of the integrin.
Photoreversible multiple additions of hydrogen to a highly unsaturated platinum-rhenium cluster complex.

The compound Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3, 1, was obtained from the reaction of Re2(CO)10 with Pt(PBut3)2 in octane solvent at reflux. Compound 1 consists of a trigonal bipyramidal cluster of five metal atoms with three platinum atoms in the trigonal plane and the two rhenium atoms in the apical positions. The metal cluster is formally unsaturated by 10 electrons. Compound 1 sequentially adds 3 equiv of hydrogen at room temperature/1 atm to form the series of compounds Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3(μ-H)2, 2, Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3(μ-H)4, 3, and Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3(μ-H)6, 4. A small but significant kinetic isotope effect was observed, kH/kD = 1.3. The rate of addition of hydrogen is unaffected by the presence of a 20-fold excess of free PBut3 in solutions of 1. Compounds 2−4 each consist of a trigonal bipyramidal cluster of three platinum and two rhenium atoms similar to that of 1. The hydrido ligands in 2−4 bridge the platinum−rhenium bonds and are arranged to give structures having overall C2v symmetry for 2 and 3 and approxi...
Band-Gap Structure of the Spectrum of Periodic Maxwell Operators

We investigate the band-gap structure of some second-order differential operators associated with the propagation of waves in periodic two-component media. Particularly, the operator associated with the Maxwell equations with position-dependent dielectric constant e(x), x e R 3, is considered. The medium is assumed to consist of two components: the background, where e(x)= eh, and the embedded component composed of periodically positioned disjoint cubes, where ~(x) = r.,,. We show that the spectrum of the relevant operator has gaps provided some reasonable conditions are imposed on the parameters of the medium. Particularly, we show that one can open up at least one gap in the spectrum at any preassigned point 2 provided that the size of cubes L, the distance /= 6L between them, and the contrast e = eb/~,, are chosen in such a way that L--'~ 2, and quantities e- t6-3/2 and e62 are small enough. If these conditions are satisfied, the spectrum is located in a vicinity of width w~ (e.tS~/2) - ~ of the set {Tz2L-2k 2 : keZ3}. This means, in particular, that any finite number of gaps between the elements of this discrete set can be opened simultaneously, and the corresponding bands of the spectrum can be made arbitrarily narrow. The method developed shows that if the embedded component consists of periodically positioned balls or other domains which cannot pack the space without overlapping, one should expect pseudogaps rather than real gaps in the spectrum.
An East Coast Lightning Detection Network

Abstract A magnetic direction-finding network for the detection of lightning cloud-to-ground strikes has been installed, and it records most of the ground flashes from Maine to North Carolina and as far west as Ohio. This area includes or touches fourteen states and contains over a quarter of the population of the United States. Time, location, flash polarity, stroke count, and peak signal amplitude are recorded in real time. One result of our network is presented for an unusually severe storm (8–9 October 1982) that produced over 11 000 ground flashes. The observed cyclone development resembled a class of incipient cyclones with convection near the center, and were forecast poorly by existing operational models.
Food-associated stimuli enhance barrier properties of gastrointestinal mucus.

Abstract Orally delivered drugs and nutrients must diffuse through mucus to enter the circulatory system, but the barrier properties of mucus and their modulation by physiological factors are generally poorly characterized. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of physicochemical changes occurring upon food ingestion on gastrointestinal (GI) mucus barrier properties. Lipids representative of postprandial intestinal contents enhanced mucus barriers, as indicated by a 10–142-fold reduction in the transport rate of 200 nm microspheres through mucus, depending on surface chemistry. Physiologically relevant increases in [Ca 2+ ] resulted in a 2–4-fold reduction of transport rates, likely due to enhanced cross-linking of the mucus gel network. Reduction of pH from 6.5 to 3.5 also affected mucus viscoelasticity, reducing particle transport rates approximately 5–10-fold. Macroscopic visual observation and micro-scale lectin staining revealed mucus gel structural changes, including clumping into regions into which particles did not penetrate. Histological examination indicated food ingestion can prevent microsphere contact with and endocytosis by intestinal epithelium. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GI mucus barriers are significantly altered by stimuli associated with eating and potentially dosing of lipid-based delivery systems; these stimuli represent broadly relevant variables to consider upon designing oral therapies.
Calibration of thematic mapper thermal data for water surface temperature mapping: Case study on the Great Lakes

Abstract The potential utility of Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) thermal IR (Band 6) data for measuring and mapping surface water temperatures of the Great Lakes is analyzed. Two contiguous TM scenes were collected on 18 July 1984 over the Green Bay-North Central Lake Michigan and Milwaukee-South Central Lake Michigan regions, respectively. The TM thermal IR data were empirically calibrated using surface reference data. The regression model so developed, was then used to map surface temperature (°C) over the entire TM coverage area. Surface reference data points not used in the original calibration were used to test the predictive capability of the model over a wider geographic area. As part of the Landsat Image Data Quality Analysis effort (LIDQA), Bartolucci et al. (1985) have investigated the absolute calibration of TM thermal IR data. Application of these calibration equations to our data set verified their accuracy, resulting in a root mean square error of less than I(/dg)C.
Betting the bank on technology—Technology strategic planning at Bank of America

Abstract The traditional ground rules for banking have changed. The next decade will see a decline in the number of banks and also a decline in profitability due to competition, higher deposit costs and the development of new products. The new business of banking is market and technology oriented and to be effective in this era the financial services must develop strategic management processes.