cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for and Characterization of Ca2+ Binding to the Catalytic Region of Arabidopsis thaliana Phospholipase Dβ

Abstract Most types of plant phospholipase D (PLD) require Ca2+ for activity, but how Ca2+ affects PLD activity is not well understood. We reported previously that Ca2+ binds to the regulatory C2 domain that occurs in the N terminus of the Ca2+-requiring PLDs. Using Arabidopsis thaliana PLDβ and C2-deleted PLDβ (PLDβcat), we now show that Ca2+ also interacts with the catalytic regions of PLD. PLDβcat exhibited Ca2+-dependent activity, was much less active, and required a higher level of Ca2+ than the full-length PLDβ. Ca2+ binding of the proteins was stimulated by phospholipids; phosphatidylserine was the most effective among those tested. Scatchard plot analysis of Ca2+ binding data yielded an estimate of 3.6 high affinity (Kd = 29 μm) binding sites on PLDβ. The Ca2+-PLDβcat interaction increased the affinity of the protein for the activator, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, but not for the substrate, phosphatidylcholine. This is in contrast to the effect of Ca2+ binding to the C2 domain, which stimulates phosphatidylcholine binding but inhibits phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate binding of the domain. These results demonstrate the contrasting and complementary effects of the Ca2+- and lipid-binding properties of the C2 and catalytic domains of plant PLD and provide insight into the mechanism by which Ca2+ regulates PLD activity.
MALE FITNESS, BODY SIZE AND TIMING OF REPRODUCTION IN SMALLMOUTH BASS, MICROPTERUS DOLOMIEUI

We conducted a mark-recapture study and a survey of nesting male small- mouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui, to determine the relationship between age at first reproduction and fitness among males of several cohorts. Males that spawned at 3 yr of age obtained on average many more eggs than males that delayed reproduction, suggesting that age at reproduction is a conditional strategy. Body size appears to be the trait used to determine the value of the life history decision; small age-3 males were more likely to delay reproduction than large males. The tactic adopted by males may also depend on events that occur well before the time of the life history decision, as males of a cohort that were large at age 3 were also large at age 1. Furthermore, growth over that time period was depensatory. Thus, environmental influences during early ontogeny could potentially direct males into alternative life history pathways. Males that delayed reproduction ultimately reproduced at a larger body size than males that spawned at age 3. Due to size-dependent reproduction within a spawning season, and indeterminate growth, males that delayed re- production also reproduced relatively early within a spawning season. The progeny of males that spawn at age 3 should consequently experience a relatively short period of growth prior to winter; males that delay reproduction should produce progeny that are large at age 1, whereas the progeny of males that spawn at age 3 should be relatively small. These patterns suggest that the association between timing of reproduction and body size within a spawning season will produce a negative paternal effect for age at reproduction such that the life history alternates in successive generations; males that spawn at age 3 produce progeny that delay reproduction and vice versa. Environmental changes at various stages of the life cycle could alter the proportion of males that adopt each tactic. Our findings suggest that details of early ontogeny and inheritance, in combination with estimates of fitness, may be necessary to understand the evolution of life history pathways in some systems.
Directional change in a suite of foraging behaviors in tropical and temperate evolved honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

The concept of a suite of foraging behaviors was introduced as a set of traits showing associative directional change as a characterization of adaptive evolution. I report how naturally selected differential sucrose response thresholds directionally affected a suite of honey bee foraging behaviors. Africanized and European honey bees were tested for their proboscis extension response thresholds to ascending sucrose concentrations, reared in common European colonies and, captured returning from their earliest observed foraging flight. Race constrained sucrose response threshold such that Africanized bees had significantly lower sucrose response thresholds. A Cox proportional hazards regression model of honey bee race and sucrose response threshold indicated that Africanized bees were 29% (P<0.01) more at risk to forage over the 30-day experimental period. Sucrose response threshold organized age of first foraging such that each unit decrease in sucrose response threshold increased risk to forage by 14.3% (P<0.0001). Africanized bees were more likely to return as pollen and water foragers than European foragers. Africanized foragers returned with nectar that was significantly less concentrated than European foragers. A comparative analysis of artificial and naturally selected populations with differential sucrose response thresholds and the common suite of directional change in foraging behaviors is discussed. A suite of foraging behaviors changed with a change in sucrose response threshold that appeared as a product of functional ecological adaptation.
Setting ecological restoration goals for technical feasibility and scientific validity

Abstract Major ecological restoration will not be undertaken unless human society approves the goals and objectives of restoration. In addition, restoration will not persist unless human society has sufficient esteem for the restored ecosystem to protect its integrity. Linking ecological restoration to sustainable use of the planet seems a promising way to foster society’s interest in and acknowledgment of human dependence on natural systems. An increase in environmental and ecological literacy is essential to achieving this end, as is an awareness of the goals and conditions of sustainability. If the science and technology underlying ecological restoration are not understood by the general public, implementation will fail for lack of public support. Ecosystem services, those functions of natural systems perceived as beneficial to human society, are likely to be understood and accepted if their value in the life support system of human society is explained. Emphasis in ecological restoration must shift from reestablishing a naturalistic community of plants and animals in the damaged ecosystems to restoring ecological functions, particularly those perceived as ecosystem services. Most restoration projects thus far have emphasized structure rather than function, although both are doubtless important to sustainable use of the planet. Nevertheless, support for ecological restoration may be enhanced by emphasizing the restoration of ecological services. An essential third consideration beyond technically feasible and scientifically valid goals is whether the goals are socially feasible. This manuscript will explore aspects of social feasibility because neither technically feasible goals nor scientifically valid goals will be possible in the absence of societal acceptance.
Coordinating a three-level supply chain with quantity discounts

Numerous examples exist that illustrate how companies enjoying a strong position in a supply chain unilaterally dictate terms to their suppliers and/or their customers. This paper suggests a mechanism by which a company can coordinate its purchasing and production functions and create an integrated plan that dictates order and production quantities throughout a three-firm channel. Specifically, we model a company that attempts to dictate channel lot sizes by obtaining a quantity discount from its supplier while offering perhaps a different one to its customer. Previous quantity discount research has examined supply chains consisting of only two levels, a seller and a buyer. This paper considers a three-level chain (supplier-manufacturer-retailer) and explores the benefits of using quantity discounts on both ends of the supply chain to decrease costs. We show that incorporating quantity discounts into both ends of the supply chain can significantly decrease costs compared to concentrating only on the lower...
A Rapid Scanning Spectrometer for Oscillographic Presentation in the Near Infra-Red*

A rapid scanning spectrometer for oscillographic presentation has been built for use in the “photo-conductive” infra-red region. It is designed to present spectra from 0.36μ to better than 5μ using a PbTe cell. The CO2 doublet at 4.2μ is resolved with a scanning rate of 120 cycles per second and a scanned interval of better than 1.5μ with fluorite optics. A wave-length calibrating device has been incorporated into the instrument; this presents a fiduciary scale, synchronized with the spectrum, on the second beam of the twin-beam cathode-ray oscillograph. Adequate solutions have been found for the problems of synchronizing oscilloscope sweep and scanning drive, and for the problems of amplifier design for the sensitive cells.
Changes in the strength of fibrinogen attachment to solid surfaces: An explanation of the influence of surface chemistry on the Vroman effect

Abstract The adsorption of baboon fibrinogen from buffer to glass, silicone rubber (SR), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) was measured after 2 h at 37°C using 125 I-labeled fibrinogen. Adsorption was greatest on PS (∼550 ng/cm 2 ) followed by PE (∼480 ng/cm 2 ), SR (∼440 ng/cm 2 ), and finally glass (∼240 ng/cm 2 ). The strength of attachment of fibrinogen to these materials was also examined by measuring the elutability of preadsorbed fibrinogen molecules by undiluted plasma as a function of adsorption time. Much of the fibrinogen adsorbed for only 1 min to SR, PE, and PS was displaced by plasma whereas only a small fraction of the fibrinogen adsorbed for 1 h could be displaced from these materials. On glass, practically all of the preadsorbed fibrinogen was displaced from the surface by plasma, independent of the adsorption time. The conversion or transition of adsorbed fibrinogen molecules from a weakly bound (displaceable) to tightly bound (nondisplaceable) state occurred most rapidly on PS followed by SR and PE. Estimates for the fibrinogen transition and displacement rate constants were evaluated from experimental data. A model describing fibrinogen adsorption from plasma was developed and solved analytically. The model predicts maxima in fibrinogen adsorption from plasma as both a function of contact time and plasma dilution on each of the materials studied and so appears to account for the presence of a Vroman effect as well as its variation with substrate surface chemistry.
3-D microscale simulation of dust-loading in thin flat-sheet filters: A comparison with 1-D macroscale simulations

Abstract In this work, a microscale approach is undertaken to simulate the instantaneous pressure drop and collection efficiency of fibrous media exposed to particle loading, i.e., filter aging. The air flow field through 3-D disordered geometries representing the internal microstructure of a fibrous filter is obtained by numerically solving Stokes' equations. A Lagrangian approach is used to track the trajectory of particles through our virtual filter media and determine the filter's collection efficiency under different dust-load conditions. The calculations were conducted using the ANSYS CFD code enhanced with a series of in-house C++ subroutines. To better illustrate the value of such CPU-intensive 3-D microscale modeling, we compared the results of our simulations with those obtained from a 1-D macroscale model developed based on some of the pioneering studies reported in the literature. It was found that while the 1-D macroscale models can provide fast predictions for the pressure drop and collection efficiency of a given filter, they require a series of empirical correction factors or case-specific assumptions that limit their usage for design and development of new filter media. The 3-D microscale simulation methods, in contrast, are self-sufficient as they are developed based on first principles. With the current rate of progress in developing high-speed computers, it is expected that 3-D microscale simulations will be the preferred method of filter design in the near future.
A collision prediction system for traffic intersections

Monitoring traffic intersections in real-time and predicting possible collisions is an important first step towards building an early collision warning system. We present the general vision methods used in a system addressing this problem and describe the practical adaptations necessary to achieve real-time performance. A novel method for three-dimensional vehicle size estimation is presented. We also describe a method for target localization in real-world coordinates which allows for sequential incorporation of measurements from multiple cameras into a single target's state vector. Additionally, a fast implementation of a false-positive reduction method for the foreground pixel masks is developed. Finally, a low-overhead collision prediction algorithm using the time-as-axis paradigm is presented. The proposed system was able to perform in real-time on videos of quarter-VGA (320/spl times/240) resolution. The errors in target position and dimension estimates in a test video sequence are quantified.
Dietary Capsaicin and Exercise: Analysis of a Two-Pronged Approach to Counteract Obesity

Obesity contributes to diabetes, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Exercise is an effective measure to counteract obesity. Recent research demonstrates a regulatory role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Here, we evaluated the effects of exercise ± dietary capsaicin (CAP, 0.01% of total HFD), an active ingredient in natural chili peppers and a TRPV1 agonist, on HFD-fed wild type and TRPV1-/- (TRPV1 knockout) mice. We evaluated the performance of normal chow diet (NCD) or HFD (±CAP)-fed mice on computer-controlled rotarod. Trained mice were exercised for 12 min./day for five days a week. HFD+CAP-fed mice walked on the rotarod for a longer duration of the exercise regimen (630 ± 69 sec.) and showed lesser weight gain after 25 weeks of feeding (11.5 ± 2.1 g) compared to exercised HFD-fed mice (440 ± 215 sec.; 27.5 ± 2.1 g). Both sedentary and exercised HFD-fed groups exhibited similar weight gain, albeit an increase in food consumption shown by exercised HFD-fed group. Also, exercised HFD + CAP-fed mice showed an increased metabolic activity compared to exercised HFD-fed group. Further, NCD-fed WT mice walked for longer duration on the rotarod (704 ± 14 sec) and gained lesser weight at 20 weeks of feeding (4.5 ± 0.7 g) than NCD-fed TRPV1-/- mice (665 ± 50 sec.; 7.7 ± 2.1 g). CAP prevented weight gain to a similar extent in both sedentary and exercised wild type mice. Also, Dietary CAP improved the endurance of mice on rotarod and counteracted HFD-induced suppression of muscle coordination. This suggests a novel role of TRPV1 in metabolism and muscle coordination function. Collectively, our data provide evidence for the role of TRPV1 and its activation by dietary CAP and exercise to inhibit HFD-induced obesity.
Differences in miRNA expression in early stage lung adenocarcinomas that did and did not relapse

Relapse of adenocarcinoma, the most common non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a major clinical challenge to improving survival. To gain insight into the early molecular events that contribute to lung adenocarcinoma relapse, and taking into consideration potential cell type specificity, we used stringent criteria for sample selection. We measured miRNA expression only from flash frozen stage I lung adenocarcinomas, excluding other NSCLC subtypes. We compared miRNA expression in lung adenocarcinomas that relapsed within two years to those that did not relapse within three years after surgical resection prior to adjuvant therapy. The most significant differences in mRNA expression for recurrent tumors compared to non-recurrent tumors were decreases in miR-106b*, -187, -205, -449b, -774* and increases in miR-151-3p, let-7b, miR-215, -520b, and -512-3p. A unique comparison between adjacent normal lung tissue from relapse and non-relapse groups revealed dramatically different miRNA expression, suggesting dysregulation of miRNA in the environment around the tumor. To assess patient-to-patient variability, miRNA levels in the tumors were normalized to levels in matched adjacent normal lung tissue. This analysis revealed a different set of significantly altered miRNA in tumors that recurred compared to tumors that did not. Together our analyses elucidated miRNA not previously linked to lung adenocarcinoma that likely have important roles in its development and progression. Our results also highlight the differences in miRNA expression in normal lung tissue in adenocarcinomas that do and do not recur. Most notably, our data identified those miRNA that distinguish early stage tumors likely to relapse prior to treatment and miRNA that could be further studied for use as biomarkers for prognosis, patient monitoring, and/or treatment decisions.
Oxygen dependence of promitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein synthesis in the formation of electron transfer complexes III and IV in adapting Bakers' yeast.

Abstract When anaerobically grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are aerated in the presence of cycloheximide, they accumulate precursor components of electron transfer complexes III and IV. The formation of these precursors is dependent upon promitochondrial protein synthesis and can occur in the absence of concomitant cytoplasmic protein synthesis. The levels to which these precursor components can accumulate during the cycloheximide incubation (phase I) are three to fourfold greater when the cells are grown anaerobically in galactose rather than in glucose. When such galactose-grown cells are sequentially aerated first in cycloheximide and then in chloramphenicol, adaptation responses are elicited with respect to cyanide-sensitive oxygen consumption (QO2), coenzyme QH2-cytochrome c reductase (complex III) and cytochrome oxidase (complex IV), all of which are exhibited during the chloramphenicol incubation (phase II). These phase II adaptation responses for QO2 and for both enzyme activities were observed to be dependent upon the continued presence of oxygen during both phase I (period of mitochondrial translation) and phase II (period of cytoplasmic translation). If one makes the assumption that mRNA's are neither imported into nor exported from promitochondria during adaptation, then one may conclude that oxygen independently and coordinately derepresses synthetic activity in both the mitochondrial and nucleo-cytoplasmic genetic systems. Other regulatory schemes are discussed.
Spatial correlations during Ostwald ripening—A simplified approach

Due to diffusional interaction between particles, spatial correlations naturally develop during the Ostwald ripening process. An analysis of particle coarsening, valid for low volume fractions of the precipitate phase, is presented which includes the effects of spatial correlations on the growth velocity. The present treatment examines the asymptotic late time limit. The form of the scaled particle size distribution and the volume fraction dependence of the rate constant are both in very good agreement with previous models and numerical simulations. In addition, a possible explanation for the discrepancy between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of the scaled size distribution is discussed.
The Preterm Prediction Study: association between maternal body mass index and spontaneous and indicated preterm birth.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between prepregnancy maternal body mass index and spontaneous preterm birth and indicated preterm birth. Study design This was a secondary analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network, Preterm Prediction study. Patients were classified into categories that were based on their body mass index. Rates of indicated and spontaneous preterm birth were compared. Results Five hundred ninety-seven (20.5%) of 2910 women were obese. Obese women had fewer spontaneous preterm births at P P =.012). Women with a body mass index of 2 had 16.6% spontaneous preterm birth, with a body mass index of 19 to 24.9 kg/m 2 had 11.3% spontaneous preterm birth, with a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 kg/m 2 had 8.1% spontaneous preterm birth, with a body mass index of 30 to 34.9 kg/m 2 had 7.1% spontaneous preterm birth, and with a body mass index of ≥35 kg/m 2 had 5.2% spontaneous preterm birth ( P P =.001). Obese women had lower rates of cervical length P =.012). Multivariable regression analysis confirmed a lower rate of spontaneous preterm birth in obese gravid women (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.83; P =.003). Conclusion Obesity before pregnancy is associated with a lower rate of spontaneous preterm birth.
Prostaglandin Dehydrogenase and Prostaglandin Levels in Periovulatory Follicles: Implications for Control of Primate Ovulation by Prostaglandin E2

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 produced by the periovulatory follicle in response to the midcycle LH surge is essential for successful ovulation in primates. Granulosa cells express the PG synthesis enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in response to the LH surge, but elevated cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA levels precede rising follicular fluid PGE2 levels by 24 h. Therefore, PG metabolism may play a significant role in regulating follicular concentrations of PGE2 during the periovulatory interval. To test this hypothesis, granulosa cells, follicular fluid, and whole ovaries were obtained from adult monkeys receiving exogenous gonadotropins to stimulate development of multiple, large follicles at times spanning the 40-h periovulatory interval. Ovarian expression of the NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxy PG dehydrogenase (PGDH) was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. PGDH mRNA levels were low in granulosa cells obtained 0 h after hCG, rose 10-fold 12 h after hCG, and were not different from 0 h by 24-36 h after hCG administration. Granulosa cell PGDH protein was present 0-12 h after hCG but was low/nondetectable 36 h after hCG administration. Follicular fluid PGE2 levels were low at 0-12 h, slightly higher at 24 h, and then rose 10-fold to peak at 36 h hCG. Levels of biologically inactive PGE2 metabolites in follicular fluid were also low at 0 h but elevated at 12-24 h after hCG, times at which PGE2 levels remain low. Therefore, PGDH is present in the primate periovulatory follicle in a pattern consistent with modulation of follicular PGE2 levels during the periovulatory interval, supporting the hypothesis that gonadotropin-regulated PGDH plays a role in the control and timing of ovulation in primates.
Osteoporosis in liver diseases and after liver transplantation

Osteoporosis is a common complication of chronic liver disease from cholestatic disorders to autoimmune, alcoholic and posthepatitic cirrhosis. Its aetiology is poorly understood and may vary in different liver diseases. Most symptomatic bone diseases in patients with liver disease are revealed only after liver transplantation (OLT) when early rapid bone loss leads to a high rate of fracturing in the first postoperative year. Reduced bone mass before OLT is the main risk factor for posttransplant fracturing and, therefore, its understanding and management are of prime importance. Optimal management of posttransplant osteopenia requires consideration of preand posttransplant factors. By WHO criteria, osteoporosis is defined as bone of reduced density to less than 2.5 standard deviations below normal adult peak bone mass, adjusted for male or female sex, i.e. T-score of less than 22.5. Implicit in this definition is that the bone, albeit of small volume, is normally mineralised (no osteomalacia) and has no other pathological changes. Reduced bone density of T-score of 21.0 to 22.5 is called osteopenia. Osteopenia is also used as a collective term for both osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) hardening and the consequences of pectin methylesterase activity in storage

Pectin methylesterase (PME) activities (degree of pectin esterification) and hardness (Kramer shear force) of decorticated Malawi bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris) were evaluated at 4 and 8 months storage at 0.55 a w and 0.85 a w , and 16˚C and 35˚C. PME activities were significantly higher at 4 and 8 months than in controls (2˚C, 0.30 a w ) and at 8 versus 4 months, irrespective of a w . Hardening increased with storage time, temperature and a w . Varieties showed significant hardness differences. PME activity influence on hardness was not clearly revealed during the 8 month storage period in the current study
Do regulable features of child-care homes affect children's development?

Abstract Data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care were used to assess whether regulable features of child-care homes affect children’s development. Child-care homes selected were those in which there were at least two children and the care provider received payment for child care (ns=164 when the study children were 15 months old, 172 at 24 months, and 146 at 36 months). Caregivers who were better educated and had received more recent and higher levels of training provided richer learning environments and warmer and more sensitive caregiving. Caregivers who had more child-centered beliefs about how to handle children also provided higher quality caregiving and more stimulating homes. In addition, when settings were in compliance with recommended age-weighted group size cut-offs, caregivers provided more positive caregiving. Quality of care was not related to caregivers’ age, experience, professionalism, or mental health, or to the number of children enrolled in the child-care home or whether the caregivers’ children were present. Children with more educated and trained caregivers performed better on tests of cognitive and language development. Children who received higher quality care, in homes that were more stimulating, with caregivers who were more attentive, responsive, and emotionally supportive, did better on tests of language and cognitive development and also were rated as being more cooperative. These findings make a case for regulating caregivers’ education and training and for requiring that child-care homes not exceed the recommended age-weighted group size.
Characterization of surgical adhesives from UV-polymerized poly(PEG dimethacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymers

Polymer samples that could be used as wound adhesives were prepared from poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymers in concentrations from 0 to 50 mol %. The UV copolymerization was initiated by 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) and ultraviolet light intensities ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 m W/cm. The volume shrinkage during photopolymerization was observed using a dilatometric technique. The overall volume shrinkage was affected by the comonomer ratio and the nature of the PEGDMA comonomer. The rate of volume shrinkage was higher at higher ultraviolet light intensities. PEG(400)DMA-based copolymers exhibited lower glass transition temperatures than those of PEG(200)-based copolymers. The introduction of HEMA to the copolymers reduced both their glass transition and degradation temperatures. The equilibrium water-swelling ratio increased with increasing PEGDMA molecular weight and HEMA content. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Structured highlight inspection of specular surfaces

An approach to illumination and imaging of specular surfaces that yields three-dimensional shape information is described. The structured highlight approach uses a scanned array of point sources and images of the resulting reflected highlights to compute local surface height and orientation. A prototype structured highlight inspection system, called SHINY, has been implemented. SHINY demonstrates the determination of surface shape for several test objects including solder joints. The current SHINY system makes the distant-source assumption and requires only one camera. A stereo structured highlight system using two cameras is proposed to determine surface-element orientation for objects in a much larger field of view. Analysis and description of the algorithms are included. The proposed structured highlight techniques are promising for many industrial tasks. >
Optic nerve responses to visual stimuli in squid

Single unit optic nerve responses were studied in isolated eye-optic lobe preparations ofLoligo opalescens. Units could be classified as fast or slow. Fast units were invariably receptor cell axons; slow units might be either receptor cell axons or centrifugal axons.On, on-off, andoff units could be found within these classes. A given unit was not stable with respect to these latter attributes which depended greatly on the history and level of illumination. The curve which relates quantal content of a brief flash to number of spikes in the response has a logarithmic phase, but it saturates as brightness is increased further. An inhibitory component has been demonstrated following the response to a flash. It is probably responsible for the non-monotonic relationship between frequency and light intensity which is observed for sustained stimuli. Background light or previous illumination can lead to a facilitation of the response to a flash.
Approximating Optimal Survivable Routing in WDM Optical Networks under a Scheduled Traffic Model

Survivable service provisioning design has emerged as one of the most important issues in communication networks in recent years. In this work, we study the problem under a scheduled traffic model in wavelength convertible WDM optical mesh networks. In this model, a set of demands is given, and the setup time and teardown time of a demand are known in advance. We propose an efficient capacity provision matrix based algorithm that uses different demand scheduling policies to solve the problem effectively under the scheduled traffic model. The objective is to minimize the total number of wavelength-links used by working paths and protection paths of a given set of demands by maximally exploiting network resource reuse in both space and time while 100% restorability is guaranteed against any single failures. Our simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is very effective in terms of total network resources required and computational time used compared with Integer Linear Programming based methods proposed in our previous work.
The relative abundance of ethane to acetylene in the Jovian stratosphere.

The inclusion of the results of laboratory kinetics studies on the reaction of C2H3 and H2 to yield C2H4, which is suggestive of an efficient chemical mechanism for the hydrogenation of C2H2 to C2H6, can be included in a comprehensive model of the Jupiter atmosphere hydrocarbon photochemistry to explain the observed altitude variation of the C2H6/C2H2 ratio. The sensitivity of these results to uncertainties in key low-temperature rate constants is demonstrated. These key reaction-rate constants decrease with falling temperature.
Dichlorvos applied as a vapor in a warehouse containing packaged foods

Abstract Field studies were conducted to determine the residues deposited on various packaged commodities exposed to weekly applications of dichlorvos, and to determine the effectiveness of these applications against adults of Tribolium confusum duVal and larvae of Attagenus megatoma (F.). A machine especially designed for dispensing dichlorvos as vapor into large storage areas was used to make the applications. Concentrations of dichlorvos vapor and its distribution were determined by chemical analysis of air samples. The test was continued for 21 weeks. Uniform concentrations and distribution of dichlorvos were provided with the vapor dispenser. The rapid decrease in dichlorvos in the air soon resulted in a concentration below 1 μg/l., the tolerance established for humans by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Results of the bioassay and residue analysis indicated that dichlorvos vapor is a safe, effective, space treatment for use in food storage areas to protect a variety of non-perishable, packaged commodities against insects.
Longitudinal study of awareness, recall, and acceptance of alcohol warning labels

This research reports the results of a 5-year (1989–1993) longitudinal study on consumer awareness of warning messages on alcoholic beverage containers. Adjusting for false positives, about one-third of respondents in the 1993 survey were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to believe that alcoholic beverages containers contain warning messages. However, reported awareness has shown only a small increase since 1991. Respondents were also asked to indicate the content of the warning message. Adjusting for false positives, about one-quarter of respondents mentioned either the birth defects or driving warnings. Recall of the birth defects message has shown steady growth, while recall of the driving message has failed to increase since 1991. The rate of learning about alcohol warnings varied by education level; more educated respondents learned about the warnings more quickly than did less educated respondents. Recall was greatest among young and “heavy” consumption segments; about 40 percent of respondents in these two segments recalled at least one of the warning messages.
CO2 and cost optimization of reinforced concrete footings using a hybrid big bang-big crunch algorithm

A procedure is developed for the design of reinforced concrete footings subjected to vertical, concentric column loads that satisfies both structural requirements and geotechnical limit states using a hybrid Big Bang-Big Crunch (BB-BC) algorithm. The objectives of the optimization are to minimize cost, CO $_{2}$ emissions, and the weighted aggregate of cost and CO $_{2}$ . Cost is based on the materials and labor required for the construction of reinforced concrete footings and CO $_{2}$ emissions are associated with the extraction and transportation of raw materials; processing, manufacturing, and fabrication of products; and the emissions of equipment involved in the construction process. The cost and CO $_{2}$ objective functions are based on weighted values and are subjected to bending moment, shear force, and reinforcing details specified by the American Concrete Institute (ACI 318-11), as well as soil bearing and displacement limits. Two sets of design examples are presented: low-cost and low-CO $_{2}$ emission designs based solely on geotechnical considerations; and designs that also satisfy the ACI 318-11 code for structural concrete. A multi-objective optimization is applied to cost and CO $_{2}$ emissions. Results are presented that demonstrate the effects of applied load, soil properties, allowable settlement, and concrete strength on designs.
A Model for Experimental Cerebral Arterial Spasm

Vasospasm of the basilar artery of the dog was induced by subarachnoid injection of arterial blood through the cisterna magna. Cerebral angiography was employed to evaluate quantitative assessment of the spasm. Chronic vasospasm was successfully induced in 100% of surviving dogs. Biphasic vasoconstriction was observed. The acute phase occurred within 30 minutes after the blood injection and tended to abate. Chronic spasm was demonstrated on the second day's angiograms and persisted to the seventh day in some cases. Etiology of the chronic spasm using this model is now under investigation. Vasospasm was not due to alterations in blood gas concentration or blood pressure, to increased CSF pressure or to injury from contrast medium or direct trauma. The primacy of blood as the offending agent is strongly suggested.
1403 COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS-ASSOCIATED ENTEROCOLITIS

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNSC) is an increasingly important pathogen in neonatal intensive care units, and is the causative agent for both bacteremia and focal infections (meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, UTI, septic arthritis, and shunt infections). Acute enterocolitis was the presenting symptom in 19 infants (xGA 29.9 weeks±2.2 SD; xBW 1281gm±530 SD) who, on evaluation for infection, were found to have CNSC sepsis. This CNSC-associated enterocolitis constituted 47% of the 40 cases of enterocolitis and 23% of the 81 cases of CNSC sepsis during the retrospective study period (April 1982-Aug. 1984). CNSC-associated enterocolitis was defined as 1)positive blood and stool cultures for CNSC, and 2)clinical acute enterocolitis syndrome with abdominal distension (19/19), bloody stools with mucus (gross blood 12/19, hematest + 7/19), abdominal tenderness (18/19), and gastric residuals (18/19). Abdominal x-rays showed markedly abnormal bowel gas patterns with distended bowel loops and bowel wall edema. Only one infant had pneumatosis intestinalis, and none had portal venous or free peritoneal gas. None of these infants required surgical intervention or ventilatory support. Although bloody stools often persisted for weeks, none of the neonates had prolonged feeding intolerance or development of stricture. We conclude that CNSC is a common cause of enterocolitis in the neonate, and that this association should be considered when selecting antibiotics for therapy.
A closer look at the treatment of approximate numbers in technical mathematics: do the rules really work?

ABSTRACT We find that the current treatment in technical mathematics texts of approximate numbers (obtained by rounding), and their accuracy and precision, lacks insight and can be misleading. Rules on arithmetic of approximate numbers are only rules of thumb. Used without perspective, they can produce surprisingly inaccurate answers and cause confusion. However, elementary interval analysis can exactly determine the interval of possible error. Simple examples of interval analysis can be used in the classroom for a better understanding of the subject.
An application of γ-scintigraphy to the observation of basipetal transport in moonflower.

A computer-monitored γ-ray camera was used to observe the basipetal transport of 99mTc-pertechnetate in moonflower Ipomoea alba L. Data collected in vivo at 1 min intervals from short, contiguous sections of stem indicated a strong apparent dependence of transport on water potential and are interpreted as supporting a turgor-driven mass-flow mechanism of translocation.
Labor Turnover and Employment Impacts in Regional Labor Markets

Employment impacts, from a proposed solvent-refined coal plant, are examined by use of an adjustment model which departs from the more conventional export-base and input—output approaches. Adjustments in the regional labor-market are outlined through the use of a Markov-chain model of job vacancy transfers. Adjustments, in response to labor-demand shocks generated by the projects, are specified for disequilibrium gaps in the open labor market, with in-migration of workers absorbing job vacancies. Empirical estimates of key parameters are derived from previous studies of impacts in order to make a preliminary simulation of the system. Implications for an area in West Virginia designated as a regional labor-market are discussed.
Characterization of quality-factor tunable integrated silicon microtoroidal resonators

Microresonators are basic building blocks for compact photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The performance of the microresonators depends on their intrinsic and loaded quality factors (Q). Here we demonstrate the optical characterization of a single crystalline silicon microtoroidal resonator with integrated MEMS-actuated tunable optical coupler. The device is realized on a two-layer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure. It is fabricated by combining hydrogen annealing and wafer bonding processes. The device has been demonstrated to be operated in all three coupling regimes: under-coupling, critical coupling, and over-coupling. At an actuation voltage of 114 V, the extinction ratio at the resonant wavelength of 1548.18 nm reaches 22.4 dB. To characterize these quality-factor tunable microtoroidal resonators, we have also developed a comprehensive model based on time-domain coupling theory. The intrinsic and loaded Qs are extracted by fitting the experimental curves with the model. The intrinsic Q is 110,000. And the loaded Q is continuously tunable from 110,000 to 5,400. This device has potential applications in variable bandwidth filters, reconfigurable add-drop multiplexers, and optical sensors.
ISOTOPIC EVIDENCE ON THE ORIGIN OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU URANIUM ORES

Uranium-lead isotopic ages of the Colorado Plateau primary-uranium ores have been measured by the isotope-dilution method on discrete mineral phases. The ages obtained from Jurassic rocks range from 65 to 175 m.y. (million years) and from Triassic rocks 22–220 m.y.; it is unlikely that uranium was introduced into the Plateau during a single period. The U 238 -Pb 206 ages from one mine vary up to a factor of three. The U 238 -Pb 206 and U 235 -Pb 207 ages on the same sample commonly differ by more than the experimental error. Two hypotheses proposed to explain these problems are based on (1) subsequent loss of radiogenic lead and (2) incorporation of old radiogenic lead at the time of mineral formation. The new data present serious questions for the original radiogenic-lead hypothesis. The isotopic ages obtained from the three ratios U 238 /pb 206 , U 235 /Pb 207 , and Pb 207 /Pb 206 on Colorado Plateau samples are usually not concordant, and no direct relationship to the absolute geologic age can be obtained. Under the lead-loss hypothesis, however, the U 235 -Pb 207 ages are considered the most reliable, providing at all times a minimum age. The theory of origin of these deposits that is most probable and also consistent with the isotopic data involves deposition of uranium by ground water in H 2 S-rich locations. This generally occurs shortly after sedimentation but may also occur later, if circulatory conditions are favorable.
A method for the estimation of 45Ca in biological samples using a specific adsorbant

Abstract Ca 45 may be specifically absorbed from solutions by the ion exchange medium “Chelex 100.” A procedure has been developed which takes advantage of this and enables Ca 45 to be simply and conveniently estimated with effeciencies in the region of 50%. The method is primarily useful where the isotope is present in dilute solution at moderate (0·1 Hc/g) specific activities as was designed for the radioassay of plasma or urine samples. A method for the routine assay of such samples is presented, and some further experiments are described indicating where the scope of the method may be extended to meet other problems of radiocalcium estimation. The technique may be further exploited by using other specific adsorbants where these are available; for example S 35 O 4 is specifically taken up by zirconium hydroxide. The possibilities of counting S 35 in this way are briefly indicated.
Finite element formulation for finite deformation, isotropic viscoplasticity theory based on overstress (FVBO)

The isotropic, unified state variable theory based on overstress consisting of a flow law and two tensor-valued and two scalar-valued stress-like state variables is extended to finite deformation. To this end the Cauchy stress rate and the rates of the two tensor-valued state variables are interpreted as Eulerian tensors. Their objective rates are based on the recently proposed logarithmic spin [Acta Mech. 124 (1997) 89] and on the fact that the logarithmic integration of the rate of deformation tensor results in the Hencky strain [Acta Mech. 124 (1997) 89]. The rate of deformation is equal to the sum of the elastic (the rate form of Hooke's law) and the inelastic rate of deformation, which depends on the overstress. Computational procedures are derived for the one-step forward gradient and the backward Euler methods. Numerical experiments show that no oscillations are observed in simple shear and that the integration of the elastic rate of deformation exhibits proper elastic behavior. Other numerical experiments show nonlinear rate sensitivity and the absence of strain rate history effects.
Process-variation tolerant design techniques for multiphase clock generation

This paper presents the design of a process-variation tolerant Delay-Locked Loop (DLL) for use in multiphase clock generation. A transistor sizing methodology to reduce delay variations with threshold voltage (V t ) mismatch in the Voltage Controlled Delay Line (VCDL) is proposed. Additionally, a new digital calibration scheme is proposed to further reduce the delay variations. A DLL was fabricated in a 0.6µm CMOS process and measurement results indicate reduction in the maximum mismatch in the timing error among the delay blocks from 40.1ps (3.28°) to 13.44ps (1.09°).
A unified voltage quality conditioner for wind power generation

Renewable energy technology has great potential for generating power at a profitable level that concurrently befriends the environment. However, some technologies come with negative factors that limit its market penetration. For wind power, the quality of the generated power limits its extensive use. The main concern for the quality of wind power installations is the fluctuation of voltage levels, which can be attributed to transient states where of the wind turbine generators are first connected to the grid, steady-state levels attributed to the inherent nature of injecting power to the grid, momentary disruptions due to wind gusts and general wind speed variations. This paper adopts the one cycle control (OCC) method in a series connection topology, which here acts as a unified voltage quality conditioner (UVQC), to deal with most of the problems identified above. The new OCC-UVQC has many advantages including no reference calculation resulting in great simplicity, fast transient response, high precision, and a constant switching frequency. The principle of the proposed UVQC is provided in detail. The performance of the voltage quality improvement to the wind turbine is verified to be excellent with the provided experimental waveforms.
The role of nurse practitioners in pediatric mental health.

Many of you will agree that expecting the unexpected is one of the best aspects of our role as nurse practitioners (NPs). For me, this has come in the form of a practice in developmental behavioral pediatrics and mental health that has brought me the opportunity to support families in needwhile gaining immeasurable professional satisfaction. I fell into working with children with developmental disabilities in 1995 when, as a faculty member, I participated in a grant from theMaternal ChildHealthBureau. Suddenly I was learning about conditions such as autism, attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech and language delays, learning disabilities, and individualized education plans. ‘‘Accommodation’’ and ‘‘advocacy’’ became my new favorite words. Since that time,my clinical practice has continued in this area, and now I am working as part of a subspecialty group (including one family NP, one registered nurse, a certifiedmedical assistant, andme) in a large pediatric practice. I have obtained my certification as a pediatric mental health specialist and assess, diagnose, and treat children and adolescents with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, developmental delays, genetic conditions, behavioral differences, and other disorders. I find myself advocating for these children and adolescents for