cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Auction of Redemptioner Servants, Philadelphia, 1771–1804: An Economic Analysis

The redemption system transformed the American auction of immigrant servants. The potential for exploiting immigrants was created by search restrictions in the redemption auction. A model of the auction was estimated using 4,455 German and British servant contracts. Average servant compensation equaled resident free labor compensation, and the variance in servant compensation was systematically related to the variance in servant productivity, contract restrictions, and work amenities. Competition among buyers overcame the search restrictions placed on immigrants in the redemption auction.
Interactions of nickel/zirconia solid oxide fuel cell anodes with coal gas containing arsenic

Abstract The performance of anode-supported and electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells was investigated in synthetic coal gas containing 0–10 ppm arsenic at 700–800 °C. Arsenic was found to interact strongly with nickel, resulting in the formation of nickel–arsenic solid solution, Ni5As2 and Ni11As8, depending on temperature, arsenic concentration, and reaction time. For anode-supported cells, loss of electrical connectivity in the anode support was the principal mode of degradation, as nickel was converted to nickel arsenide phases that migrated to the surface to form large grains. Cell failure occurred well before the entire anode was converted to nickel arsenide, and followed a reciprocal square root of arsenic partial pressure dependence that is consistent with a diffusion-based rate-limiting step. Failure occurred more quickly with electrolyte-supported cells, which have a substantially smaller nickel inventory. For these cells, time to failure varied linearly with the reciprocal arsenic concentration. Failure occurred when arsenic reached the anode/electrolyte interface, though agglomeration of nickel reaction products may have also contributed. Test performed with nickel/zirconia coupons showed that arsenic was essentially completely captured in a narrow band near the fuel gas inlet. Arsenic concentrations of ∼10 ppb or less are estimated to result in acceptable rates of fuel cell degradation.
Parents’ Aggressive Influences and Children's Aggressive Problem Solutions with Peers

This study examined children's aggressive and assertive solutions to hypothetical peer scenarios in relation to parents' responses to similar hypothetical social scenarios and parents' actual marital aggression. The study included 118 children ages 9 to 10 years old and their mothers and fathers. Children's aggressive solutions correlated with same-sex parents' actual marital aggression. For children with mothers who exhibited low actual marital aggression, mothers' aggressive solutions to hypothetical situations corresponded with children's tendencies to propose aggressive but not assertive solutions. In a 3-way interaction, fathers' aggressive solutions to peer scenarios and marital aggression, combined, exacerbated girls' aggressive problem solving but had the opposite effect for boys. We address the complexity, particularly with respect to parent and child gender combinations, in understanding parents' aggressive influences on children's peer relationships.
The allopatric phase of speciation: the sharp-beaked ground finch (Geospiza difficilis) on the Galápagos islands

Abstract Using microsatellite DNA variation, morphological measurements and sonagrams made from tape-recordings in the field, we examine the allopatric differentiation of six populations of the sharp-beaked ground finch, Geospiza difficilis , in the Galapagos archipelago. We ask how and why the populations became differentiated, and consider what the differences imply about speciation. An important factor is time G. difficilis is one of the phylogenetically oldest species. Populations became differentiated by adapting in beak morphology to different food supplies. Since beak size and shape also function in conspecific mate recognition and choice, the potential for reproductive isolation from sister and parental taxa arose as a correlated effect of natural selection on resource-exploiting traits. This conforms to a standard explanation for the origin of pre-mating isolation as a byproduct of adaptive changes in allopatry without being adaptive itself. However, this explanation is incomplete. Vocal characteristics also differentiated, partly as a result of natural and sexual selection independent of beak size change in environments with different sound transmitting properties. An additional element of chance is indicated by a comparison of closely-related populations on two islands, Wolf and Darwin, that are geographically close, and topographically and floristically similar. The populations have markedly different vocalizations. Morphological characters, vocalizations and genetic traits do not vary concordantly among the six populations. One population (Genovesa) is genetically more similar to other congeneric species. Phenotypic similarities with G. difficilis are the result of a uniquely long retention of shared ancestral traits. Arguments under the phylogenetic species concept justify recognizing this population as a separate species, Geospiza acutirostris. Under the biological species concept it should remain as currently classified, G. difficilis .
Operational Characteristics of Super 2 Highways in Texas

As traffic volumes increase in many jurisdictions in both urban and rural areas, the demand on the highway network also increases. Specifically, as rural traffic volumes rise in Texas, the pressure on the state's network of two-lane highways rises accordingly. High proportions of heavy vehicles compound the problem and contribute to a decrease in safety as impatient drivers attempt to pass slower vehicles in no-passing zones or to pass trucks, despite diminished sight distance beyond such vehicles. Previous research in Texas demonstrated that periodic passing lanes can improve operations on two-lane highways with low to moderate volumes; these Super 2 highways can provide many benefits of a four-lane alignment at lower cost. The current Texas Roadway Design Manual contains these guidelines for highways with average daily traffic (ADT) lower than 5,000 vehicles per day. A current project expands on that research to develop design guidelines for passing lanes on two-lane highways with higher volumes. The pr...
Giemsa banding: karyotype differences in some species of Anemone and in Hepatica nobilis

Banding patterns were revealed in the karyotypes of six species of Anemone and in Hepatica nobilis using a Giemsa staining technique. — There was considerable inter-specific variation both regarding the amount and distribution of bands. Small but significant intra-specific differences in banding patterns were also found. The results are discussed both as they relate to the use of Giemsa banding in karyotype analysis and to understanding the nature of the banding phenomenon itself.
Curvature Operators on the Exterior Algebra

Properties of the exterior algebra of a vector space are used to investigate the curvature operator of a Riemannian manifold. Induced inner products and linear maps are used to establish results about the Euler characteristic of a compact manifold. An open problem about the decomposition of operators on A 2 V is discussed. This problem arises in the study of the codimension needed for isometric embeddings. A new algebraic consequence of the first Bianchi identities is established.
Observation of bipartite correlations using coherent light for optical communication

Bipartite polarization correlations of two distant observers are observed by using coherent noise interferences. This is accomplished by mixing a vertically polarized coherent light field with a horizontally polarized coherent noise field in a 50/50 beam splitter. The superposed light fields at each output port of the beam splitter are sent to two observers and then manipulated by using a quarter-wave plate and an analyzer. The bipartite correlations between the projection angles of two distant observers are established by analyzing their data through multiplication without any postselection technique. The scheme can be used to implement entanglement-based quantum cryptography in the future.
Molecular cloning and sequence determination of the fusion protein gene of human parainfluenza virus type 1

Abstract Undegraded mRNA transcripts were isolated from human parainfluenza virus type 1 (hPIV-1)-infected LLC-MK 2 cells and their size was determined through denaturing agarose electrophoresis. The two predominantly represented mRNA species (1.65 and 1.87 kb) are similar in size to other paramyxoviral mRNAs that encode their respective glycoproteins. The cDNA transcripts corresponding to these two mRNAs were used to construct two size-restricted cDNA libraries. A cDNA clone, containing a 1.87-kb insert, was identified as encoding the hPIV-1 fusion protein by positively hybridizing with a synthetic oligonucleotide mix whose sequence was derived from the conserved sequences of other paramyxoviral F 0 genes. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert was determined and found to contain a single, large open reading frame encoding a putative protein of 60,795 Da consisting of 556 amino acids. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with the fusion proteins of other paramyxoviruses enabled the identification of the highly conserved amino acids of the F 1 N-terminus. In addition, the positions of the hydrophobic signal and transmembrane regions, cysteine, and proline residues are all conserved. These analyses confirm that the cDNA sequence is that of the F 0 protein. The 5′ end of the fusion protein mRNA was determined by primer extension to lie 155 bases beyond the 5′ end of the cDNA insert.
A cross-cultural assessment of health promotion/disease prevention programs

This paper presents a preliminary report on a study of current health promotion/disease prevention efforts outside of the United States. This research has involved visits over the past three years to a variety of health promotion programs in Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and the Asian subcontinent, and Central and South America. The main goal of this study was to develop new insights into the more and less effective ways to promote health and prevent illness and disease by understanding how other cultures conceive of and approach issues related to health, wellness and illness. Another important goal was to analyze the ways in which these health promotion programs evaluated their effectiveness. The findings from the study demonstrated revealing differences in approaches to health promotion between Eastern and Western cultures and between developed and developing countries. In addition, there were important differences in epistemological approaches related to evaluation.
Gender differences in molecular remodeling in pressure overload hypertrophy.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine gender differences in left ventricular (LV) function and expression of cardiac genes in response to LV pressure overload due to ascending aortic stenosis in rats. BACKGROUND Clinical studies have documented gender differences in the pattern of adaptive LV hypertrophy. Whether these differences result from intrinsic differences in molecular adaptation to pressure overload between men and women, or are related to other factors is not known. METHODS Male (n = 8) and female (n = 8) Wistar rats underwent ascending aortic stenosis and were studied 6 weeks after banding with gender-matched control rats (male n = 7; female n = 7). The LV contractile reserve was examined in isolated hearts from each group. We compared LV messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), beta-myosin heavy chain, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+–adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na+–Ca2+exchanger. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to identify estrogen receptor transcript in cardiac myocytes and LV tissue. RESULTS The magnitude of LV hypertrophy (LVH) and systolic wall stress were similar in male and female animals with LVH. Male LVH hearts demonstrated a depressed contractile reserve; in contrast, contractile reserve was preserved in female LVH hearts. The expression of beta-myosin heavy chain and ANF mRNA was greater in male versus female LVH hearts. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase mRNA levels were depressed in male LVH but not in female LVH compared with control rats, and Na+–Ca2+exchanger mRNA levels were increased similarly in both male and female LVH hearts. Estrogen receptor transcript was detected in both adult male and female cardiac myocytes and LV tissue. CONCLUSIONS There are significant gender differences in the LV adaptation to pressure overload despite a similar degree of LVH and systolic wall stress in male and female rats. There is the potential for estrogen signaling through the adult myocyte estrogen receptor in both male and female rats to contribute to gender differences in gene expression in pathologic hypertrophy.
2007 – An Item Response Theory Analysis Of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Measured With Two Instruments In 6,733 9/11-exposed Youth

Introduction Item Response Theory (IRT) allows for dimensional scaling of the severity of a disorder, and comparison of symptoms’ properties across different measures of the same trait and across groups. IRT has never been applied to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Objectives To determine discrimination and severity parameters of PTSD symptoms measured with two instruments, and to examine gender- and age-related Differential Item Functioning (DIF) of PTSD indicators. Aims To inform the dimensional scaling of PTSD in youth. Methods IRT was applied to PTSD items measured with the DPS and the PTSD-RI in 6,733 9/11-exposed youths. DIF analysis was performed in the sample stratified by gender and age (8-13; 14-21). Results DPS and PTSD-RI items are most informative at intermediate and severe levels of PTSD, respectively. Across instruments, discrimination was greatest for insomnia and nightmares, and lowest for 9/11-related thoughts. Severity parameters were highest for avoidance and numbing symptoms, and lowest for 9/11-related thoughts. The majority of PTSD symptoms showed significant DIF across subgroups. Conclusion DPS and PTSD-RI criteria are informative at different levels of PTSD severity. PTSD symptoms differentially discriminate among individuals along the PTSD continuum, and are most informative at different levels of PTSD severity. These results could inform dimensional scaling of PTSD, and allow for flexibility in assigning cut-off points for facilitating clinical decision-making. PTSD criteria do not provide the same information across subgroups defined by gender and age, suggesting that symptoms differ in the way they represent severe post-traumatic stress reactions across groups.
Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Au–Pd Nanoflowers

Reduction of Pd ions by hydroquinone in the presence of gold nanoparticles and polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in the formation of nanoflowers with a Au core and Pd petals. Addition of HCl to the synthesis halted the reduction by hydroquinone and enabled the acquisition of snapshots of the nanoflowers at different stages of growth. TEM images of the reaction after 10 s show that the nanoflower morphology resulted from the homogeneous nucleation of Pd clusters in solution and their subsequent attachment to gold seeds coated with a thin (0.8 ± 0.1 nm) shell of Pd. UV-visible spectra also indicate Pd clusters formed in the early stages of the reaction and disappeared as the nanoflowers grew. The speed at which this reaction can be halted is useful not only for producing a variety of bimetallic nanostructures with precisely controlled dimensions and morphologies but also for understanding the growth mechanism of these structures. The ability of the AuPd core-shell structure to catalyze the Suzuki coupling reaction of iodobenzene to phenylboronic acid was probed and compared against the activity of Pd nanocubes and thin-shelled AuPd core-shell nanoparticles. The results of this study suggest that Suzuki coupling was not affected by the surface structure or subsurface composition of the nanoparticles, but instead was primarily catalyzed by molecular Pd species that leached from the nanostructures.
Plasma vitamin D-binding protein (Gc-globulin): Multiple tasks

Abstract The transporter of vitamin D and its metabolites in blood has received increasing attention in recent years, and is recognized to be a member of a gene family that includes albumin and α-fetoprotein. Identical to the group specific component (Gc-globulin) of serum, the protein is a single-chain polypeptide constitutively synthesized in liver that circulates in amounts in far excess of normal vitamin D metabolite concentrations in blood. It plays the major role in the egress of endogenously synthesized vitamin D3 from skin and appears to restrain D-sterols from too rapid/excessive cell entry. Along with plasma gelsolin, it comprises the plasma actin-scavenger system that facilitates removal of actin, liberated from lysed cells, by depolymerization and prevention of polymerization. Recently, the protein has been shown to behave as a co-chemotaxin specific for the complement peptide C5a, and its sialic acid-free form has been reported to play a role in macrophage activation. The latter functions strongly implicate its participation in inflammation responses. A unifying hypothesis might also suggest the protein to provide focal D-sterol delivery to cells that are important to the resolution of tissue injuries.
Long-term follow-up after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can result in a prolonged remission, although most patients eventually relapse and die of their disease. We report long-term outcomes of AHSCT for patients with relapsed low-grade NHL. Between May 1983 and 2001, 67 patients with relapsed or refractory stage III and IV low-grade NHL received an AHSCT at the University of Minnesota at a median of 2.3 years (range, 0.4-15.2 years) after diagnosis. At transplantation, 62 patients (92%) were in complete remission (CR) (6%) or partial remission (PR) (86%); 5 (8%) had resistant disease; and 9 (14%) had transformed to a higher-grade NHL. After AHSCT, 32 (49%) of 65 evaluable patients achieved CR, and 26 (40%) achieved PR. Overall survival (OS) was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38%-62%) at 4 years and 33% (95% CI, 20%-46%) at both 10 and 18 years, whereas progression-free survival (PFS) was 28% (95% CI, 17%-39%) at 4 years, 18% (95% CI, 8%-28%) at 10 years, and 14% (95% CI, 4%-25%) at 18 years. Transplant-related mortality in the first 100 days was 3% (95% CI, 0%-7%). Relapse occurred in 62% (95% CI, 48%-75%) at 4 years and 72% (95% CI, 56%-87%) at 10 years. Eleven patients (16%) developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia 1 to 8 years after AHSCT, and 3 (5%) developed solid tumors. In multiple regression analysis, the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score at transplantation was the most significant predictor for both OS and PFS. The median OS has not been reached in patients with an IPI score of 0 or 1 at transplantation (20 of 35 survive 2 to 18 years after AHSCT), whereas it was 2.3 and 1.6 years for IPI scores of 2 and 3, respectively ( P = .002). A good response (CR/PR) to AHSCT (relative risk [RR], 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9; P = .04) and age <50 years (RR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8; P = .01) were also independently significant predictors of good OS and PFS. We present mature follow-up data (median follow-up, 8 years; range, 2-18 years) of patients undergoing AHSCT for relapsed low-grade NHL and demonstrate extended OS and PFS. Very long-term remissions were seen in nearly 20% of patients. AHSCT remains promising, especially for patients with sensitive relapse and lower IPI scores. Recurrent lymphoma after AHSCT remains the major problem, and prolonged survival is further tempered by a significant risk of post-transplantation second malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia and solid tumors.
Desmosine Biosynthesis: Nature of Inhibition by D-Penicillamine

Administration of D-penicillamine and lathyrogens such as beta-amino-propionitrile to animals markedly alters connective tissue by preventing the normal cross-linkage of elastin and collagen. It had been shown that beta-aminopropionitrile blocks the cross-linkage of elastin and collagen by preventing the initial step in cross-linkage: the conversion of lysine in peptide linkage to alpha-amino adipic-delta-semialdehyde. We show that penicillamine acts after the initial step, causing the accumulation of an elastin rich in alpha-amino adipic-delta-semialdehyde.
Indirect Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Assay for Epoxide Hydrolase

Abstract An indirect atomic absorption spectrometric assay for epoxide hydrolase was reported. The enzymatic product 1,2-diol was oxidized by an excess of potassium periodate, and the unconsumed periodate was preferrentially precipitated by lead periodate. The precipitate was acid digested followed by atomic absorption determination of lead in the resulting solution. Trans-stilbene oxide (TSO) induced rabbit and tilapia epoxide hydrolase activities by 350% and 210% at the 490 mg TSO/kg treatment while Aroclor 1254(AR) only slightly increased their activities at the 200 mg AR/kg treatment. The 1,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane (TCPO) at 0.1 mM completely inhibited tilapia (control) and rabbit (490 mg TSO/kg) epoxide hydrolase activities.
Part I Nucleation kinetics of the β → αm transformation in Ti-ag and Ti-au alloys

Abstract Continuous cooling experiments were used to study the nucleation kinetics of the β → α m transformation in Ti-Ag and Ti-Au eutectoid systems. Combining the thermal arrest duration and temperature with stereological measurements of α m and β microstructures, nucleation rates were obtained as a function of temperature and were successively assumed to be a result from grain face, grain edge or grain corner nucleation. Two categories of nucleus models were tested for their ability to predict the experimentally determined rates at these sites: (1) The Clemm-Fisher spherical cap models, wherein all interphase boundaries are disordered and have high, orientation-independent interfacial energies, and (2) coherent models for which all or most of the interphase boundary consists of partially or fully coherent interfaces. Calculations based on classical nucleation theory and available ancillary data demonstrated that the disordered boundary nucleus models predict nucleation rates that are literally thousands of orders of magnitude lower than the experimental rates regardless of the nucleation site considered. Conversely, similar calculations suggest that the coherent critical nuclei are viable even at grain faces. These results show the necessity for the presence of low energy interphase boundaries during the nucleation process in massive transformations, and thus for the existence of specific and special lattice orientation relationships between parent and massive phases.
Molecular cloning of mevalonate kinase and regulation of its mRNA levels in rat liver.

Abstract Mevalonate kinase [ATP:(R)-mevalonate 5-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.36] may be a regulatory site in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, and a mutation in the gene coding for this enzyme is thought to cause the genetic disease mevalonic aciduria. To characterize this enzyme, a rat liver cDNA library was screened with a monospecific antibody, and a 1.7-kilobase cDNA clone coding for mevalonate kinase was isolated. The complete DNA sequence was determined, and the longest open reading frame coded for a protein containing 395 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 41,990. Identification of the cDNA clone was confirmed by expression of enzyme activity in yeast and by protein sequence data obtained from sequencing purified rat mevalonate kinase. The deduced amino acid sequence of mevalonate kinase contained a motif for the ATP-binding site found in protein kinases, and it also showed sequence homology to the yeast RAR1 protein. The size of mevalonate kinase mRNA in rat liver was approximately 2 kilobases. Treatment with diets containing cholesterol-lowering agents caused an increase in both mevalonate kinase activity and mRNA levels, whereas diets containing 5% cholesterol lowered the levels of both enzyme activity and mRNA. These data indicate that long-term regulation of enzyme activity in rat liver is controlled by changes in the levels of mevalonate kinase mRNA.
Pharmacotherapy for Adults with Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Tumors of the adult central nervous system are among the most common and most chemoresistant neoplasms. Malignant tumors of the brain and spinal cord collectively account for approximately 1.3% of all cancers and 2.2% of all cancer-related deaths. Novel pharmacological approaches to nervous system tumors are urgently needed. This review presents the current approaches and challenges to successful pharmacotherapy of adults with malignant tumors of the central nervous system and discusses novel approaches aimed at overcoming these challenges.
Convergence studies of least-squares finite elements for first-order systems

A least-squares finite element method for first-order systems describing two-point boundary-value problems is constructed. Comparison studies are made with the corresponding mixed Galerkin formulation for the same system. Numerical experiments on representative test problems reveal that the least-squares method has superior convergence behaviour to the mixed method. Some superconvergence properties of the least-squares method are identified.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF NEURAL NETWORKS IN CONCRETE CONDITION ASSESSMENT

A neural network modeling approach is used to identify concrete specimens that contain internal cracks. Different types of neural nets are used and their performance is evaluated. Correct classification of the signals received from a cracked specimen could be achieved with an accuracy of 75 percent for the test set and 95 percent for the training set. These recognition rates lead to the correct classification of all the individual test specimens. Although some neural net architectures may show high performance with a particular training data set, their results might be inconsistent. In situations in which the number of data sets is small, consistent performance of a neural network may be achieved by shuffling the training and testing data sets.
Adaptive mechanical properties of topologically interlocking material systems

Topologically interlocked material systems are two-dimensional granular crystals created as ordered and adhesion-less assemblies of unit elements of the shape of platonic solids. The assembly resists transverse forces due to the interlocking geometric arrangement of the unit elements. Topologically interlocked material systems yet require an external constraint to provide resistance under the action of external load. Past work considered fixed and passive constraints only. The objective of the present study is to consider active and adaptive external constraints with the goal to achieve variable stiffness and energy absorption characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system through an active control of the in-plane constraint conditions. Experiments and corresponding model analysis are used to demonstrate control of system stiffness over a wide range, including negative stiffness, and energy absorption characteristics. The adaptive characteristics of the topologically interlocked material system are shown to solve conflicting requirements of simultaneously providing energy absorption while keeping loads controlled. Potential applications can be envisioned in smart structure enhanced response characteristics as desired in shock absorption, protective packaging and catching mechanisms.
Folded and Unfolded Single Proteins Analyzed by Their Solid State Nanopore Translocation Dynamics

The translocation of biological polymers through individual nanometer-scale pores is vital to cellular function and has great potential for technological applications in protein or nucleic acid measurements and identification. Research into this area has been focussed on characterizing the physics of translocation through voltage-biased nanopores and exploiting it to identify or sequence biological polymers. Here we show that the DNA-calibrated translocation signals of s-lactoglobulin and histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein match quantitatively with that predicted by a simple sum of the partial volumes of the amino acids present in the pore when it stalls due to its primary charge. Our analysis suggests that the majority of the protein molecules were linear or looped during translocation suggesting that physiologically relevant potentials can unfold proteins. Our results suggest that the nanopore translocation physics and signals are sensitive enough to distinguish between proteins based on the excluded volume of a local segment of the polypeptide chain and the primary sequence of charges.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Intermediate filament-deficient cells are mechanically softer at large deformation: A multi-scale simulation study

Abstract The cell’s cytoskeleton, providing cells with structure and shape, consists of different structural proteins, including microtubules, actin microfilaments and intermediate filaments. It has been suggested that intermediate filaments play a crucial role in providing mechanical stability to cells. By utilizing a simple coarse-grained computational model of the intermediate filament network in eukaryotic cells, we show here that intermediate filaments play a significant role in the cell mechanical behavior at large deformation, and reveal mechanistic insight into cell deformation under varying intermediate filament densities. We find that intermediate filament-deficient cells display an altered mechanical behavior, featuring a softer mechanical response at large deformation while the mechanical properties remain largely unchanged under small deformation. We compare the results with experimental studies in vimentin-deficient cells, showing good qualitative agreement. Our results suggest that intermediate filaments contribute to cell stiffness and deformation at large deformation, and thus play a significant role in maintaining cell structural integrity in response to applied stress and strain, in agreement with earlier hypotheses. The simulation results also suggest that changes in the filament density result in profound alterations of the deformation state of the cell nucleus, leading to greater stretch in the direction of loading and greater contraction in the orthogonal direction as the intermediate filament density is increased. Our model opens the door to future studies to investigate disease states, the effects of amino acid mutations and how structural changes at different levels in the cell’s structural makeup influence biomechanical properties.
The fate of tree root and pruning nitrogen in a temperate climate alley cropping system determined by tree-injected 15N

Nitrogen (N) fluxes through the major plant pools of an alder (Alnus sinuta)-sweet corn (Zea mays) alley cropping system were determined over the course of two cropping seasons. Alder trees were injected with 15NO3–N to directly follow the flow of N between alder and corn. The contribution of the above- and below-ground tree N to corn was determined by exchanging the labeled above-ground prunings (green manure) with those from unlabeled plots. During the first growing season after coppicing of the injected alders, 18% of the alder 15N was taken up by the corn with 12% coming from the above-ground prunings. Of the 15N remaining in the tree/stump following coppicing, the majority was recovered by corn plants within the rows next to the labeled trees during the first growing season. Earlier recovery of 15N by corn in the labeled root plots compared to the labeled pruning plots indicated the importance of root turnover in supplying N to corn, especially following coppicing. By the end of the first and second growing seasons, 34% and 38% of the 15N initially present in prunings was recovered in corn plants, respectively. Approximately 80% of the total injected 15N was found in the soil during the second growing season; however, the turnover of above- and below-ground alder components supplied only 3–4% of the N required by corn during the year of green manure application. Thus, most of the corn N demand was met by mineralization of residual soil N within the 2 years of coppicing and green manure additions. Continued internal cycling of tree N and movement of soil N into more labile pools would presumably allow more alder N to become available over time. The synchronization between N mineralization from the hedgerow green manure components and nutrient uptake of the alley crop remains a major challenge in alley cropping and other green manure systems.
Some Boolean algebras with finitely many distinguished ideals II

We consider the theory Thprin of Boolean algebras with a principal ideal, the theory Thmax of Boolean algebras with a maximal ideal, the theory Thac of atomic Boolean algebras with an ideal where the supremum of the ideal exists, and the theory Thsa of atomless Boolean algebras with an ideal where the supremum of the ideal exists. First, we find elementary invariants for Thprin and Thsa. If T is a theory in a first order language and α is a linear order with least element, then we let Sentalg(T) be the Lindenbaum-Tarski algebra with respect to T, and we let intalg(α) be the interval algebra of α. Using rank diagrams, we show that Sentalg(Thprin) ⋍ intalg(ω4), Sentalg(Thmax) ⋍ intalg(ω3) ⋍ Sentalg(Thac), and Sentalg(Thsa) ⋍ intalg(ω2 + ω2). For Thmax and Thac we use Ershov's elementary invariants of these theories. We also show that the algebra of formulas of the theory Tx of Boolean algebras with finitely many ideals is atomic.
Determination of heroin and basic impurities for drug profiling by ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography

Rapid, precise, accurate, and reproducible methodology using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) for the analysis of heroin and basic impurities is described. The determination of heroin, morphine, O3-monoacetylmorphine, O6-monoacetylmorphine, codeine, acetylcodeine, noscapine, and papaverine is accomplished using reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), employing a 1.7 μm Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 150 mm) with a phosphate buffer (pH 1.6)-acetonitrile gradient and PDA detection. The target analytes are well resolved from each other and most adulterants in less than 20 min. For the few instances when adulterants interfere with target analytes, a 1.7 μm Acquity CSH Fluoro-Phenyl (2.1 mm × 150 mm) column is utilized with the same gradient conditions. The reported methodology can detect impurities as low as 0.02% relative to heroin, and is well suited for heroin profiling.
Effect of Heparin on Retrograde Blood Flow

ConclusionsFrom the data obtained, heparin arin has no influence on the rate of retrograde blood flow from the distal end of an occluded artery. Heparin is probably of value in arterial occlusion, not by increasing the rate of flow, but by inhibiting the growth of the thrombus at the site of the occlusion.
The lean flammability limit: A four-step model

Abstract Peters and Smooke [1] recently proposed a four-step model to explain the phenomenon of the lean flammability limit. Close examination of the model reveals, however, that the phenomenon is not exactly the lean flammability limit as customarily perceived, but what may be called kinetic extinction; the latter can be modeled by a simpler three-step model [2]. In this paper, using activation energy asymptotics, we study the lean flammability limit in the context of a four-step model which is slightly different from that of Peters and Smooke and obtain the result that a mixture will not burn if it is too lean.
Current and Future Therapeutic Options in the Management of Invasive Aspergillosis

The past decade has witnessed significant progress in the management of invasive aspergillosis. Potent, relatively non-toxic antifungal drugs, data on early chest CT scanning and the availability of a non-invasive diagnostic test (serum galactomannan) are the key advances; among these, the contribution of the recently available drugs is the most significant. Safer and earlier intervention resulting in reduced mortality and improved outcome is being demonstrated. Newer strategies enable clinicians to provide drug therapy in a highly targeted manner, such that empirical use of antifungal drugs may decline. Voriconazole has become the drug of choice for primary therapy, while posaconazole shows promise as a prophylactic drug. Echinocandins are effective for salvage therapy and are under evaluation for primary therapy. Preliminary data for efficacy of combination therapy with a mould-active azole plus an echinocandin are of promise and clinical trials are under way. Reports of emergence of less-susceptible Aspergillus spp. during azole therapy are of concern and close monitoring is needed. Remarkably, the era of polyenes appears to be nearing the end in the therapy of invasive aspergillosis. The promise of newer classes of drugs, immune-modulating therapies and vaccines are exciting future additions to the arsenal against invasive aspergillosis.
On the Use of Three -Dimensional Airfoil -Shaped Vaned Diffusers with Industrial Centrifugal Compressors

Low solidity airfoil -shaped vaned diffusers have been used successfull y as efficient and compact dynamic pressure recovery devices in industrial centrifugal compressor stages. Typically such diffusers consist of a cascade of two -dimensional blades distributed circumferentially at close proximity to the impeller exit. In this paper a low -solidity three -dimensional diffuser blade geometry is numerically investigated. The blades are stacked at a variable stagger angle in the spanwise direction. The proposed geometry has the potential of better aligning the diffuser leading edges with the highly non -uniform flow leaving the impeller. Moreover, this geometry has the effect of redistributing the blade loading and meridional streamlines in the spanwise direction leading to improved efficiency and pressure recovery capacity of the dif fuser. This paper starts by presenting a brief history of airfoil -shaped diffusers used with industrial centrifugal compressors. A description of the proposed diffuser geometry is presented. Three -dimensional Navier - Stokes numerical simulations of a number of centrifugal compressor stages are discussed. Comparisons between the performance of two and three -dimensional diffuser blade geometries are presented. The comparisons are performed in terms of work input coefficient, head coefficient, blade pressure, b lade loading and flow angle distribution. The comparisons indeed show improvement in the diffuser operating range and pressure recovery capacity over two -dimensional diffuser geometry.
Identification of the Kv2.1 K+ channel as a major component of the delayed rectifier K+ current in rat hippocampal neurons.

Molecular cloning studies have revealed the existence of a large family of voltage-gated K+ channel genes expressed in mammalian brain. This molecular diversity underlies the vast repertoire of neuronal K+ channels that regulate action potential conduction and neurotransmitter release and that are essential to the control of neuronal excitability. However, the specific contribution of individual K+ channel gene products to these neuronal K+ currents is poorly understood. We have shown previously, using an antibody, “KC,” specific for the Kv2.1 K+ channel α-subunit, the high-level expression of Kv2.1 protein in hippocampal neurons in situ and in culture. Here we show that KC is a potent blocker of K+ currents expressed in cells transfected with the Kv2.1 cDNA, but not of currents expressed in cells transfected with other highly related K+ channel α-subunit cDNAs. KC also blocks the majority of the slowly inactivating outward current in cultured hippocampal neurons, although antibodies to two other K+ channel α-subunits known to be expressed in these cells did not exhibit blocking effects. In all cases the blocking effects of KC were eliminated by previous incubation with a recombinant fusion protein containing the KC antigenic sequence. Together these studies show that Kv2.1, which is expressed at high levels in most mammalian central neurons, is a major contributor to the delayed rectifier K+ current in hippocampal neurons and that the KC antibody is a powerful tool for the elucidation of the role of the Kv2.1 K+ channel in regulating neuronal excitability.
Long-range correlations in pre- and post-fire satellite SPOT-VGT NDVI data

Pre- and post-fire dynamical trends in some two test sites of Italy were investigated, using the 1998 to 2005 time series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from SPOT-VEGETATION sensor. The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) was adopted as the suitable statistical tool for: a) identification, quantification and interpretation of long-range correlations, and b) characterization of the dynamical properties of vegetation. Our analysis reveals that vegetation dynamics is characterized by persistence, or positive long-range correlations, in both pre- and post-fire conditions, but the post-fire dynamical behavior is characterized by a larger degree of persistence. An interpretation in terms of resilience can be approached.
Methods for Reducing Biofouling of Moored Optical Sensors

Biofouling is one of the primary limiting factors in terms of measurement accuracy and deployment longevity for oceanographic studies involving autonomous sampling. Copper can significantly reduce marine fouling for long-term optical sensor deployments in coastal and open-ocean environments. Copper can effectively replace previously used highly toxic chemical antifoulant methods. Copper-based antifouling systems can be employed with three types of optical sensors: 1) open, 2) enclosed or semienclosed, and 3) shuttered. Copper plates on open-faced backscattering sensors can enable deployment periods of longer than 60 days in coastal waters without biofouling. In addition, copper tubing on nine-wavelength absorption-attenuation meters (ac-9s) has extended measurement capabilities from about 10 days to greater than 60 days with no signs of biofouling in coastal waters. Implementation of copper shutters on optical sensors in open-ocean waters off Japan has resulted in extended deployment periods (410 days and possibly longer) for optical measurements whereas previous optical measurements in the open ocean were typically degraded within several weeks to at most a few months due to biofouling.
Study of a circulation control airfoil with leading/trailing-edge blowing

An experimental study of the flow past a two-dimensional circulation control airfoil under steady leading/trailing edge blowing was conducted. The effect of varying jet momentum on the flow field was determined through the use of flow visualization and airfoil force measurements. The flow patterns associated with leading edge blowing, alone and simultaneously with trailing edge blowing, are described and correlated with the lift measurements.
Equilibrium profiles for RF-plasma sources with ponderomotive forces

An analysis is given of the influence of the electron ponderomotive force on the equilibrium plasma profiles of partially ionized, radio frequency discharge sources, The ponderomotive force can be written as a gradient of a potential varying with the square of the RF field in the plasma and is largest for electrons, The impact of this electron ponderomotive force on density and electrostatic potential profiles is demonstrated using a one-dimensional analytic model with supporting numerical solutions and a two dimensional fluid simulation. For nearly collisionless plasmas the ponderomotive force is valid when /spl omega//sub ce//sup h///spl omega/ 1, the ponderomotive force, is modified by other nonlinear force terms that need to be evaluated. >
Evaluation of the Influence of Climate Variability on Flood Risk in Moderately Impaired Watersheds

Annual maximum flood risk is commonly assessed under the assumption of stationarity, i.e. flood risk is unaffected by trends, periodicity, climatic variables and anthropogenic activities. In light of recent findings, however, this assumption should be reconsidered. Analyses of the non-stationary character of flood series induced by natural climatic variation, climate change, and/or anthropogenic activities are essential to develop more appropriate statistical models for flood risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate non-stationarity in annual maximum flood series for moderately impaired sites in the Eastern United States. Linear trends in flood series were identified for almost 30% of the investigated sites. A larger number of sites exhibited a change point implying a shift in the mean annual maximum flood magnitude. A high degree of correlation was observed between flood magnitude and associated precipitation series; however, no significant influence of temperature on flood magnitude was detected. Investigation of teleconnections between flood series and climatic indices revealed significant relationships with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) for sites located in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and the New England region; few sites exhibited significant correlation with the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI). Efforts were also made to distinguish the effects of anthropogenic activities on flood response from the influence of natural climatic variation.
4 Gbps high-density AC coupled interconnection

AC coupled interconnects enable multi-gigabit-persecond communication data rates between integrated circuits with very high pin counts and low power consumption. AC coupling can be realized with either series capacitive or inductive coupling elements. Capacitive AC coupling offers better performance when low power I/O buffers are required and when there is sufficient area to dedicate to coupling capacitors in the top-level metal of each IC. At a slight expense of circuit complexity, inductive AC coupling can be used to bring I/O pad pitches down to 75 /spl mu/m and maintain a controlled impedance connection. A novel physical structure, buried solder bumps, are used as a solution for providing DC power and ground connections across the same surface as the AC connections. When used in conjunction with NRZ-tolerant receivers, and current-mode signaling, highly effective interconnect structures can be built. As well as presenting both physical and circuit aspects of this work, experimental results are shown.
AOTF-Based Spectral Imaging for Balloon-Borne Platforms

A balloon-borne Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) hyperspectral imager is ideally suited to address numerous outstanding questions in planetary science. The spectral agility, narrowband wavelength selection, tolerance to the near-space environment, and spectral coverage afforded by AOTFs would enable investigations not feasible from ground-based facilities. Example use cases include synoptic observations of clouds on Venus and the giant planets, studies of molecular emissions from cometary comae, the mapping of hydrocarbon ices on the surfaces of Triton, and polarimetry. A notional AOTF imager design includes both visible and near-infrared channels to take full advantage of the spectral coverage of an AOTF. Although technical challenges such as detector cooling would require further performance modeling, an AOTF hyperspectral imager is a logical choice for planetary science investigations from a balloon platform and would constitute a logical next step in the demonstration of AOTFs as a enabling technology for planetary flight projects.