cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of enthalpy relaxation times using traditional differential scanning calorimetry for glycerol and for propylene glycol

Abstract The isothermal enthalpy relaxation of glycerol and propylene glycol is studied for different subglass transition annealing temperatures using our usual method. The kinetics of the glass transition is analyzed using the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts model. The Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman model was previously used for the spectrometric specific heat analysis of glycerol and propylene glycol by Birge and co-workers at temperatures higher than the glass transition. We present the comparison of the enthalpy relaxation times as a continuation of their data for sub-glass transition temperatures. The results show an intermediate thermal domain between the liquid state and the glassy state. The relaxation times are experimentally determined within the model of the non-exponential relaxation theory. The effects of the cooling and warming rates are also investigated for their relevance in the determination of the relaxation times.
Assessment of Serviceability Based on Corrosion Cracking during a Long-Term Chloride-Induced Corrosion

In this paper, a non-destructive analytical method was proposed to predict the serviceability of corroded RC structure from corrosion cracking. Two models of corroded reinforced concrete were proposed to take into account the influence of corrosion pattern. Based on a three-phase model linking corrosion cracking and reinforcement corrosion and the transfer length, the models allowed quantification of the effect of the steel cross-section loss and the deterioration of the steel-concrete bond. Using a macro-element FEM analysis, the serviceability models were performed on a corroded beam stored in a chloride environment under sustain loading to predict the deflection of mid-pan under service load and compare with the experimental results.
New Mauna Loa coronagraph systems

A new set of instruments, consisting of two coronagraph systems, has been installed and is operating at the Mauna Loa Observing Station, Hawaii, operated by the High Altitude Observatory of Boulder, Colorado. The instruments are the 23-cm objective Mark III K-coronameter (K-III) system, a photoelectric instrument used to observe the inner solar corona from 1.2 R0 to 2.2 R0 and the 12.5-cm objective Prominence Monitor system used for the detection of Hα limb activity. New features of the K-coronameter system include the use of achromatic wave plates for wide bandpass operation and linear diode array detectors. Raster scans of the coronal image are obtained in 1.5 min for a critical sampling scheme of 20-sec of arc resolution (10 × 10-sec of arc pixels) in the coronal pB image. This represents a 350 information gain factor for each detection channel when compared with the previous Mauna Loa K-coronameters.
DFM, DFY, Debug and Diagnosis: The Loop to Ensure Yield

Semiconductor yield has traditionally been limited by random particle-defect based issues.However, as the feature sizes reduced to 0.13 micron and below, systematic mechanism-limited yield loss began to appear as a substantial component in yield loss. In addition, it is becoming clear that ramping yield would take longer and final yields would not reach historical norms.
Sunflower Resistance to the Red Sunflower Seed Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Is a major in sect pest of sunflower in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Economic damage is caused by the larvae which are internal seed feeders. During the 1992-1995 growing seasons, sunflower accessions were artificially infested and evaluated for resistance to the red sunflower seed weevil. Accessions 170411, 253417,and 170424 were resistant to the red sunflower seed weevil. Morphological types within accessions 170411 and 170424 varied for seed and pollen color and resistance to the red sunflower seed weevil. The resistant variant of accession 170424 had 45% of the seed damage of the susceptible type. In accession 170411, damage in the resistant type Was 55% of the susceptible. Antixenosis was the major resistance mechanism detected in accessions 170411 and 170424.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*23 variant allele, A*23:50

HLA-A*23:50 differs from HLA-A*23:01:01 by one nucleotide at position 112 resulting in an amino acid change, Arginine to Tryptophan, at codon 14 of exon 2.
STUDIES ON THE BACTERIOPHAGE OF D'HERELLE : VII. ON THE PARTICULATE NATURE OF BACTERIOPHAGE.

When filtrates of lysed cultures (bacteriophage) are subjected to prolonged dialysis under osmotic pressure against water, the presence of the lytic agent can be detected outside the membrane only during the first few days. The residue remaining inside the membrane contains the bulk of the original lytic agent, and yet it is no longer capable of diffusing into the outer solution. The interruption of diffusion is shown not to be due to any alteration in the permeability of the membrane. Moreover, the residue fails to diffuse through a fresh membrane of similar permeability, while the dialyzed portion of the phage passes quantitatively through a new membrane. When ultrafiltration under pressure was substituted for dialysis, the residue on the filter could be washed repeatedly with water without giving off into the filtrate any more active agent. However, if broth was substituted for water, a renewed diffusion of the active agent resulted. These results are interpreted as indicating that the colloidal particles present in the lytic filtrates (and apparently endowed with properties of bacteriophage) do not represent autonomous units of the active agent, but merely serve as a vehicle on which the agent is adsorbed. The vary in size within limits wide enough to permit fractionation by means of ultrafiltration. When the coarser particles retained by the ultrafilter are washed with broth, some of the active agent is detached from its coarse vehicle particles. The agent, now more highly dispersed, is capable of passing the filter which held it back previously. Preparation of a simple ultrafilter used in these experiments is given in detail.
Optical emission studies and preparation of high Tc TlCaBaCuO thin films

Abstract Thin films of Tl Ca Ba Cu oxide were sputter-deposited from dual oxide targets using a symmetrical RF diode sputtering system. Spatially resolved optical emission spectra obtained using a scanning optical fiber for CuO, BaO-doped CuO, and Tl Ca Ba Cu O targets suggest no significant bombardments of the growing film by energetic particles in the plasma, resulting in a film composition close to that of the sputtering targets used. The superconducting properties of these films were found to depend strongly on the post-annealing conditions as a result of a substantial loss of thallium during annealing. Highly textured c-axis oriented films comprised mostly of Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3Ox, with a zero resistance Tc of 122 K have been synthesized on MgO substrates by annealing in a sealed quartz tube of films wrapped in gold foil with Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3Ox powders.
COMPARISON OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL INTERFACE-FOLLOWING AND ENTHALPY METHODS FOR THE NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF PHASE CHANGE

The phenomena of melting and solidification occurs in a large number of processes that are of engineering interest. The phase change behavior of lithium is of particular interest at this time, because it is the working fluid of choice in many space-based thermal power system designs. An interface-following method has been developed for the numerical analysis of the phase change process in a one-dimensional pipe. The results from the interface method are assessed against an enthalpy method for iron, lithium, and an artificial test material that changes phase over a temperature range. Finite difference techniques were applied to one-dimensional versions of the governing equations from both methods, and a FORTRAN computer code was written to carry out the solution. The results of the three test cases established that the interface method is capable of correctly modeling phase change behavior in constant property materials with a discrete melting temperature, materials that undergo phase change over a tempera...
The perturbation of thrombin binding to human platelets by trypsin and neuraminidase

Abstract The initial step in the interaction of thrombin with human platelets in binding of the enzyme to the platelet surface. The effects of digestion of isolated platelets with trypsin and neuraminidase on aggregation, release of serotonin and binding of thrombin have been examined. Trypsin is a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation as well as the release reaction. The aggregation effect of trypsin may be blocked with disodium ehtylenediaminetatraacetate (EDTA). Further, in the presence of EDTA, trypsin-induced release of [14C]serotonin is 15–20% lower compared to controls and the initial lag period is prolonged. Conditions were developed under which trypsin did neither aggregate nor release serotonin from platelets. Even under these conditions, trypsin caused a profound loss in the thrombin binding capacity of platelets. Thus, the trypsin-induced fall in the thrombin binding capacity and the platelet response are dissociated. This loss in the thrombin binding by trypsin is due to a lower number of binding sites available on the platelet surface and is not due to an altered affinity. Neuraminidase did not induce platelet aggregation or the release reaction. The ability of platelets to bind thrombin was also unimpaired by prior digestion with neuraminidase. Thus, the sialic acid at the platelet surface is not essential in the function of thrombin recognition by the receptor. This moiety may nontheless be a constituent of a glycoprotein which might act as the thrombin receptor.
A periodic attractor determined by one function

Abstract We construct an example of a C∞ flow φ on R n (n ⩾ 3) and a real-valued function F on R n so that the velocity vectorfield φ φ = X is constant along level sets of F and φ possesses a (nondegenerate) periodic attractor. The example is related to work of R. McGehee and R. Armstrong and others, showing that a proposed formulation of the “competitive exclusion principle” of ecology does not hold in general for non-linear models.
Confidentiality and Statistical Disclosure Limitations

Under confidentiality, identifiable data provided for statistical purposes is protected from unauthorized disclosure. Organizations acting as brokers between respondents and data users seek to disseminate useful data products while keeping low the risk of confidentiality disclosure. Recognizing that deidentification of each data record is generally inadequate to protect its confidentiality against attack by a data snooper, agencies restrict the data they release for general use. Typically, these restricted data procedures have involved transformation or masking of the original, collected data through such devices as adding noise, topcoding, data swapping, and recoding. Another approach is to use the original data to determine a statistical model and use it to generate synthetic data. Generically, statistical disclosure limitation is a body of restricted data procedure that transforms data so that release of the transformed data adequately limits disclosure risk. Desirably, statistical analysis of the transformed data leads to inferences similar to that obtained by analysis of the original data. The technical procedures for implementation of disclosure limitation involve a range of mathematical and statistical tools.
Robustness of vortex streets.

We study the robustness of the vortex street behind a circular cylinder when there is transfer of momentum between the wake and the surrounding fluid. The model used to represent exchanges of momentum is based on L\'evy walks, as implemented in lattice-gas hydrodynamics. We show that the transverse velocity, considered as a function of the maximum length of exchanges, is a good order parameter for describing how the coherence of the vortex street is affected by transport of fluid in and out of it.
A Family of Well-Clear Boundary Models for the Integration of UAS in the NAS

The FAA-sponsored Sense and Avoid Workshop for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) defines the concept of sense and avoid for remote pilots as "the capability of a UAS to remain well clear from and avoid collisions with other airborne traffic." Hence, a rigorous definition of well clear is fundamental to any separation assurance concept for the integration of UAS into civil airspace. This paper presents a family of well-clear boundary models based on the TCAS II Resolution Advisory logic. For these models, algorithms that predict well-clear violations along aircraft current trajectories are provided. These algorithms are analogous to conflict detection algorithms but instead of predicting loss of separation, they predict whether well-clear violations will occur during a given lookahead time interval. Analytical techniques are used to study the properties and relationships satisfied by the models.
Population-based genetic screening for reproductive counseling: the Tay-Sachs disease model.

Since 1970, more than 1.4 million individuals worldwide have been screened voluntarily to determine if they are carriers of the mutant gene for Tay-Sachs Disease (TSD). Employing both enzymatic and molecular methods (for optimal sensitivity and specificity) more than 1400 couples have been identified to be at-risk for TSD in their offspring, i.e., both parents heterozygotes. Through prenatal testing of more than 3200 pregnancies, births of over 600 infants with this uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disease have been prevented. In the United States and Canada, the incidence of TSD in the Jewish population has been reduced by more than 90%. More that 100 mutations in the hexosaminidase A gene (the TSD locus) have been identified to date. Some are associated with later onset or more chronic forms of neuronal storage disease. Two mutations cause a carrier-like “pseudo-deficiency” when enzymatic testing is used (false positives). A number of practical, social, and ethical complexities have been identified in this prototypic population-based effort. Educational and counseling components must be provided both before and after screening. Issues of privacy and confidentiality of test results must be addressed. In certain cultures insurability and employment may be involved. The public perception of the biomedical community as advocates for wide-scale testing and screening may be interpreted, in some systems, as conflicts of interest on the part of entrepreneurial scientists, clinicians, and institutions. Conclusion Many new opportunities for population-based screening will be evident in this era of genome-related discovery. Accordingly, some of the experiences with Tay-Sachs disease prevention may be instructive.
ENERNET: Studying the dynamic relationship between building occupancy and energy consumption

With cities accounting for approximately two thirds of the global demand for energy, there is significant scope to optimize energy usage of cities, in particular by improving the use of the built form. Large non-domestic buildings are increasingly the focus of attention, due to their substantial demands and associated environmental impacts such as CO2 emissions. Various approaches have been adopted to address building energy efficiency, with more recent studies relating consumption patterns to human occupancy. This paper proposes a new method to measure activity, using WiFi connections as a proxy for human occupancy. Data on the number of WiFi connections and energy consumption (electricity, steam and chilled water) were compared for two buildings within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's campus. The results of the study demonstrate: the operation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems adhered more closely to factors other than occupancy i.e. external temperature, whilst a small part of the electricity levels did correlate with the occupancy. In order to present possible solutions to address the disconnect between the HVAC system and occupancy levels, this paper identifies future steps that could begin to improve energy usage.
Early Earth's climate: cloud feedback from reduced land fraction and ozone concentrations

Two features of early Earth—reduced ozone (O3) concentration and land fraction are investigated with a general circulation model (GCM). These features are components of a paradox (Faint-Young Sun paradox) which has intrigued researchers for more than two decades. In this study, land fraction and O3 concentrations are uniformly reduced by 100 percent. The reduction in O3 takes place in the troposphere and stratosphere with all other variables held constant including present-day land fraction. Two sensitivity tests under global ocean conditions are reported: one case with implied oceanic poleward transports of heat, the other case with no implied oceanic poleward transports of heat. The results show that the removal of land under present-day conditions increases cloud fractions and cool surface temperatures, unless heat is transported poleward by oceans. In a third sensitivity test with zero O3 concentrations, global mean air temperatures are increased by 2 K because of an increase in upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric clouds. The clouds enhance the greenhouse effect within the troposphere, increasing downward longwave radiation to the surface, melting sea ice and snow. Similar studies using radiative-convective models which do not include interactive clouds do not show such surface warming.
Persistent behavioral and neurochemical sensitization to an acute injection of methamphetamine following unpredictable stress

Abstract Prior research in humans and animals suggest that exposure to chronic stress alters the response to drugs of abuse, increasing vulnerability to drug addiction. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) has been shown to augment the increase of dopamine in the striatum when challenged with high doses of methamphetamine immediately following stress exposure, however it is not known whether this neurochemical stress-sensitization continues after the cessation of the stressors or if behavioral sensitization is also present. Therefore, the current study examined the immediate and delayed effects of CUS on methamphetamine-induced behaviors and striatal dopamine levels. Male rats were exposed to 10 days of CUS and then tested in either an open field box to assess locomotion or underwent in vivo microdialysis to measure striatal dopamine levels immediately following CUS or after a 1–2 week delay. All rats exposed to CUS showed a potentiated locomotor response immediately following an acute injection of 7.5 mg/kg methamphetamine compared to non-stressed control rats. Both groups of CUS rats also showed augmented dopamine release and rectal temperatures following methamphetamine with prolonged increases in the CUS rats tested after a delay. These results suggest that CUS increases the sensitivity of a rat to a single injection of methamphetamine and that the increased sensitivity persists for up to 2 weeks following the last stressor.
Death in the operating room : an analysis of a multi-center experience

To characterize causes of death in the operating room (OR) following major trauma, a retrospective review of admissions to eight academic trauma centers was conducted to define the etiology of death and challenges for improvement in outcome. Five hundred thirty seven OR deaths of 72,151 admissions were reviewed for mechanism of injury, physiologic findings, resuscitation, patterns of injury, surgical procedures, cause of death, and preventability. Blunt injuries accounted for 61% of all injuries, gunshot wounds (GSW) accounted for 74% of penetrating injuries. Sixty two percent of all patients arrived in shock. Average blood pressure (BP) was 52 mm Hg at the scene and 60 mm Hg on admission, with the period of shock > 10 minutes in 74%. Only 56% were resuscitated to a BP > 90 mm Hg before surgery. Average time to the OR was 30.1 minutes and mean best postresuscitation pH was 7.18. Mean best OR temperature was 32.2 degrees C. Recurrent injury patterns judged as the primary cause of patient death included head/neck injury (16.4%), chest injury (27.4%), and abdominal injury (53.4%). Actual cause of death was bleeding (82%), cerebral herniation (14.5%), and air emboli (2.2%). A different strategy for improved outcome was identified in 54 patients with the following conclusions: (1) delayed transfer to the OR remains a problem with significant BP deterioration during delay, particularly following interfacility transfer; (2) staged injury isolation and repair to allow better resuscitation and warming may lead to improved results; (3) combined thoraco-abdominal injuries, particularly with thoracic aortic disruption, often require a different sequence of management; (4) aggressive evaluation of retroperitoneal hematomas is essential; (5) OR management of severe liver injuries remains a technical challenge with better endpoints for packing needed; and (6) resuscitative thoracotomy applied to OR patients in extremis from exsanguination offers little.
Equity theory as a predictor of payoff apportionment among partners in coalition formations

The Adams equity model is extended to predict the apportionment of payoff among coalition partners in two experiments. The results partially support Adams in coalition formations among equals but not in coalition formations among unequals. The perception of equity in the females is different from that in the males. The females view equity as nondifferential outcomes, where coalition payoff is divided equally, regardless of the initial resources. The males view equity as differential outcomes, where coalition payoff is divided equally after the payment of initial resources.
A double replication of a “small‐sample” study of the sexual behavior of DBA/2J male mice

The sexual behavior scores of three different groups of DBA/2J male mice, run at different times of the year, in two different places, and by different observers, were compared. Of 46 comparisons, two revealed statistically significant differences. It was hypothesized that one measure (% Move) was subject to much environmentally determined variation, while for the other measure (III), the significant difference may have been due to sampling error. Furthermore, substitution of the data resulting from either replication for the data of the DBA/2J males of the original study did not result in any changes as regards significant differences in sexual behavior among DBA/2J, C57BL, and BALB/c male mice. The results, in general, supported the hypothesis that intensive study of a small sample from an inbred strain would yield replicable results.
Internally mixed atmospheric aerosol particles: Hygroscopic growth and light scattering

[1] Internally mixed aerosol particles consisting of one or more hygroscopic compounds can contain both solid and liquid parts, the details depending on the relative humidity (RH). The solid-to-liquid transition of such particles as the RH increases influences their light-scattering properties through changes in particle shape, size, and refractive index. Most techniques used to analyze ambient aerosol particles do not have the ability to view both solid and liquid phases within individual particles. Using a transmission electron microscope fitted with an environmental cell (ETEM), we analyzed laboratory-prepared and ambient aerosol samples. Our results suggest that solid inclusions inside aqueous droplets at high RH values (e.g., >65%) are likely to be common in atmospheric particles. In order to assess the effects of such inclusions, we calculated their combined light-scattering efficiencies using a discrete dipole approximation (DDA). The results show differences compared to those from a core-shell model, with an average increase in light scattering of ∼20%. The results demonstrate that the combination of ETEM measurements of ambient particles with DDA calculations yields new insights into the effects of inclusions on the light-scattering properties of internally mixed particles.
How Baby Plants Avoid Getting Hurt and Blossom into Adulthood: The Story of a Tropical Seed

The seed shell of Mezzettia parviflora (Annonaceae), an understory tree from the lowland tropical rain forest of Malaysia, has an extraordinarily sophisticated structure. The shell is entirely made of sclerenchyma (mechanical support tissue) that is in all parts equally dense (about 95% of volume occupied by cell wall). Yet, differences in cell shape and orientation have a strong influence on fracture resistance. The structure appears designed to allow the seed to open for germination, but to limit predation by large animals.
Quality-of-life scores in neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome patients undergoing first rib resection and scalenectomy.

Objective First rib resection and scalenectomy (FRRS) has been shown to improve short-term quality of life (QOL) in the treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS). Long-term benefits are not well studied but are believed to decrease over time. Our objective was to evaluate long-term NTOS outcomes using validated QOL instruments. Methods We identified 162 NTOS patients aged ≥18 years treated by FRRS from 2003 to 2010 after they had not responded to conservative management. The patients were mailed three surveys to assess QOL (Short-Form 12 [SF-12], Brief Pain Inventory [BPI], and Cervical Brachial Symptom Questionnaire [CBSQ]), with five total outcomes measures including the SF-12 Physical Component Score (PCS), SF-12 Mental Component Score (MCS), BPI severity, BPI interference, and CBSQ score. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from patient records. Each FRRS was categorized based on postoperative clinical assessment as successful, failed, or leading to recurrent symptoms. Results Survey yield was 53.7% (n = 87) with mean follow-up of 44.7 months (range, 12.4-91.9 months). There was no significant difference in QOL scores associated with long-term compared with short-term follow-up. Significantly poorer scores on all instruments were associated with comorbid chronic pain syndromes, opioid use, and unfavorable clinical assessment ( P P P P P P Conclusions The QOL after FRRS shows no significant difference with longer follow-up. Clinical assessment reflects patient-reported outcomes and can gauge postoperative improvement. Patient factors, particularly comorbidities and opioid use, are more predictive of long-term QOL than is preoperative scalene block and should also be considered when selecting patients for surgical intervention.
Quality of service scheduling in cable and broadband wireless access systems

Several last mile high-speed technologies have been explored to provide Internet access and multimedia services to end users. Most notable of those technologies are hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable networks, digital subscriber line (DSL), satellite access, and fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) systems. The de facto standard for delivering broadband services over HFC networks is the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) protocol. For BWA systems, on the other hand, a new protocol, called IEEE 802.16, was developed for the same purpose. This paper presents a new and efficient scheduling architecture to support bandwidth and delay quality of service (QoS) guarantees for both DOCSIS and IEEE 802.16. Our design goals are simplicity and optimum network performance. The architecture we develop supports various types of traffic including constant bit rate, variable bit rate (real-time and non-realtime) and best effort.
VCSEL modulation using an integrated electro-absorption modulator

We report the epitaxial integration of a resonant electroabsorption modulator (EAM) on top of a standard 850-nm oxide-confined VCSEL. Optimization of the epitaxial structure and high-speed modulation results will be discussed.
Pediatric considerations in craniofacial trauma

In many respects, craniofacial trauma in children is akin to that in adults. The appearance of fractures and associated injuries is frequently similar. However, the frequencies of different types of fractures and patterns of injury in younger children vary depending on the age of the child. In addition, there are unique aspects that must be considered when imaging the posttraumatic pediatric face. Some of these are based on normal growth and development of the skull base and craniofacial structures, and others on the varying etiologies and mechanisms of craniofacial injury in children, such as injuries related to toppled furniture, nonaccidental trauma, all-terrain vehicle accidents, and impalement injuries. Language: en
Panchromatic and polypanchromatic radar

Application of broad-band (panchromatic) illumination in radar systems should permit improvement in image quality and reduction of tracking and detection problems due to fading. The effect of frequency averaging on radar return from a simple target array is demonstrated by numerical computation and on image quality by ultrasonic simulation. The required bandwidth for a slightly rough random surface is determined analytically. Extension of the panchromatic concept to multiple-frequency radars used for target identification is suggested as being superior to use of multiple single frequencies because the frequency-averaged signals are more representative than single-frequency signals of return in a particular band. The term "polypanchromatic" is suggested is distinguish this system from a "polychromatic" system using single carriers in each band.
Resolution of biphasic binding of the opioid antagonist naltrexone in brain membranes.

In synaptosomal membranes from rat brain cortex, in the presence of 150 mM NaCI, the opioid antagonist (3H)naltrexone bound to two populations of receptor sites with affinities of 0.27 and 4.3 nM, respectively, Guanosine- 5'-(3-thiotriphosphate) had little modulating effect and did not alter the biphasic nature of ligand binding. On the other hand, receptor-selective opioids differentially inhibited the two binding components of (3H)naltrexone. As shown by nonlinear least-squares analysis, the p opioids Tyr-D-Ala- Gly-(Me)Phe-Gly-ol or sufentanil abolished high-affinity (3H)naltrexone binding, whereas the &selective ligands (D- Pen*,~-Pen')enkephalin, ICI 174,864, and oxymorphindole inhibited and eventually eliminated the low-affinity com- ponent in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that, in contrast to the guanine nucleotide-sensitive biphasic binding of opioid-alkaloid agonists, the heterogeneity of naltrexone binding in brain membranes reflects ligand in- teraction with different opioid-receptor types. Key Words: Opioid receptors-Agonist-antagonist binding-p- and 6-se- lective ~pioids-(~H)Naltrexone-Rat brain cortex. Rem- mers A. E. and Medzihradsky F. Resolution of biphasic binding of the opioid antagonist naltrexone in brain mem- branes. J. Neurochem. 57, 1265-1269 (1991).
Nitrate Accumulation and Movement Under Deficit Irrigation in Soil Receiving Cattle Manure and Commercial Fertilizer

Nitrate leaching from agricultural soils can increase groundwater nitrate concentrations. The objectives of the study were to assess the accumulation and movement of nitrate in the soil profile over a 2-year period under deficit irrigation conditions following a one time application of N in cattle feedlot manure and commercial fertilizer to corn at rates to achieve yield goals expected under conditions of full irrigation. Cattle manure and ammonium nitrate were applied in 2002 at the University of Nebraska recommended rate (1M and 1F, respectively) and cattle manure was applied at twice the recommended rate (2M) for N for the 2002 corn (Zea mays L.) crop. The recommended rate was based on expected yields under full irrigation. The manure N treatments were applied to percolation lysimeters and adjacent plots on a Cozad silt loam soil. Ammonium nitrate was applied only to the percolation lysimeters. Leachate from the lysimeters was extracted from a depth of 2.1 m and soil samples were collected from field plots in 0.3 m depth increments to 2.1 m on a periodic basis. Water available to the crop was sufficient to meet 89 and 79% of the potential crop ET in 2002 and 2003, respectively. When averaged over the manure N treatments, reduced ET resulted in grain yields that were approximately 2.1 and 2.7 Mg ha−1 less than expected in 2002 and 2003. Under deficit water inputs there was leachate movement below the root zone. Leachate depths averaged over N treatments were, however, reduced by 15% (33 mm) in 2002 and 47% (102 mm) in 2003 compared with those reported under full irrigation. The average nitrate-N (NO3−-N) concentrations in leachate were higher under the 2M treatment (41 mg L−1) compared to the 1M treatment (17 mg L−1). The average NO3−-N concentrations in leachate from the 1F treatment (28 mg L−1) was not different than the 1 or 2M treatments. There were trends for greater NO3−-N mass losses in leachate averaged over all treatments in 2003 compared to 2002, indicating that NO3−-N derived from the 2002 application leached to at least 2.4 m below the soil surface. There were no mass loss differences in leachate due to the 2001 crop in 2002. In 2003, mass of NO3−-N in lysimeters cropped to soybean in 2001 were significantly higher (144 kg NO3−-N ha−1) than the mass in lysimeters cropped to corn in 2001 (51 kg NO3−-N ha−1). Nitrate-N mass increased in the 0.9–2.1 m soil depth 12–13 months after manure N treatment applications. The 2M treatment had greater soil NO3−-N mass than the 1M treatment for most sampling dates in the surface 0.9 m. This research shows that there can be significant nitrate losses under deficit irrigation when manure N is over applied. These losses are likely related to water initially stored below the root zone and preferential flow of water from irrigation and precipitation. Determining accurate yield expectations under deficit irrigation conditions, correct scheduling of irrigation, and the use current best management practices for N management can help minimize nitrate losses in leachate.
Patterns in deer-related traffic injuries over a decade: the Mayo clinic experience

Our American College of Surgeons Level 1 Trauma Center serves a rural population. As a result, there is a unique set of accidents that are not present in an urban environment such as deer related motor vehicle crashes (dMVC). We characterized injury patterns between motorcycle/all-terrain vehicles (MCC) and automobile (MVC) crashes related to dMVC (deer motor vehicle crash) with the hypotheses that MCC will present with higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) and that it would be related to whether the driver struck the deer or swerved. The records of 157 consecutive patients evaluated at our institution for injury related to dMVC from January 1st, 1997 to December 31st, 2006 were reviewed from our prospectively collected trauma database. Demographic, clinical, and crash specific parameters were abstracted. Injury severity was analyzed by the Abbreviated Injury Scale score for each body region as well as the overall Injury Severity Score (ISS). Motorcycle crashes presented with a higher median ISS than MVCs (14 vs 5, p < 0.001). Median Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) of the spine for MCC riders was higher (3 vs 0, p < 0.001) if they swerved rather than collided. Seventy-seven percent of riders were not wearing a helmet which did not result in a statistically significant increase in median ISS (16 vs 10), head AIS (2 vs 0) or spine AIS (0 vs 0). Within the MVC group, there was no difference between swerving and hitting the deer in any AIS group. Forty-seven percent of drivers were not wearing seat belts which resulted in similar median ISS (6 vs 5) and AIS of all body regions. Motorcycle operators suffered higher ISS. There were no significant differences in median ISS if a driver involved in a deer-related motor vehicle crash swerved rather than collided, was helmeted, or restrained.
Computer simulation of expansions of DNA triplet repeats in the fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease.

Abstract The expansion of DNA triplet repeats has been shown to be responsible for about a dozen hereditary diseases. In this paper we are concerned with a computer model of such expansion, applied to the fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease, for which enough quantitative data have been collected. The nucleotide sequence associated with the fragile X consists of CGG repeats and is located inside theFMR1 gene. In normal individuals there is a variable number of triplet repeats less than 60; in asymptomatic carriers the number of repeats is 60–200 (premutation). From the premutation range, the number of triplet repeats can increase within one generation to more than 200 producing affected individuals. In Huntington's disease the CAG repeats are located inside theHDgene. In normal individuals the number of repeats varies from around 11, up to 34. In the intermediate range (34–37 repeats), the mutability is increased, frequently leading to alleles of more than 37 repeats, and the disease phenotype. The rapid increase of the number of triplet repeats in affected individuals has been proposed to be due to the formation of folded DNA structures (hairpins) and their repair or misrepair. In order to determine if this proposed mechanism is adequate to account for the rapid increase of repeats and the large number of repeats in affected individuals we developed a mathematical model that includes the known mechanisms of hairpin formation, and strand synthesis and repair. Simulations based on the model using realistic probabilities of hairpin formation produced results that corresponded with the observed range of repeats and transition probabilities from normal to affected individuals. Similar modelling has been published for the Huntington's disease data. However, in this paper we demonstrate that a uniform approach works for fragile X and Huntington's disease, although the detailed assumptions of the model have to be different. These difference provide insight into the mechanisms of expansion in both cases. Among these insights is that an apparent threshold in the number of repeats for rapid expansion, and the preference for expansion over contraction, may be accounted for by relative probabilities of hairpin formation, replication, slippage and repair.
Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging: remote palpation of the mechanical properties of tissue

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging is a new modality that utilizes brief, high energy, focused acoustic pulses to generate radiation force in tissue, and conventional diagnostic ultrasound methods to detect the resulting tissue displacements in order to image the mechanical properties of tissue. Tissue displacement magnitude is inversely related to local tissue stiffness, and the temporal response of the tissue is related to its viscosity. A high resolution and wide dynamic range ARFI image can be formed in 30 to 40 msec using modified diagnostic ultrasound scanners with maximum tissue displacements less than 15 microns and tissue heating less than 1 degree Celsius. Tissue recovery to its original position typically occurs in 1 to 2 msec. In vivo images of human breast, abdomen, and arteries demonstrate good correlation between structures on matched B-mode and ARFI images. ARFI images are speckle free and demonstrate resolution similar to that of matched B-mode images. Differences in both peak displacement and recovery response are observed for different tissues. In general, fatty tissues move farther and take longer to reach their maximum displacement than fibrous or muscular tissues, and fibrous tissues recover more slowly than fat or muscle. In some cases, malignant breast lesions appear larger in the ARFI images than they do on matched B-mode images. Results from ongoing human in vivo and ex vivo studies evaluating the correlation between ARFI images and tissue pathology are presented. The spatial and temporal patterns of radiation force induced target motion in phantoms and in vivo for varying transmit aperture characteristics, transducer frequencies, and target characteristics are discussed. Images of radiation force induced shear waves both in vivo and ex vivo are also presented. Tissue structural boundaries are apparent in the propagating shear wave images. ARFI imaging is currently implemented on both a modified Siemens Elegra scanner with a 75L40 linear array transducer and a modified Siemens Antares scanner using a VF13-5 linear array using radiation force application times ranging from .03 to 1 msec, with real-time data acquisition and off line post processing. Differences in tissue response to radiation force suggest that ARFI imaging has the potential to provide clinicians with valuable insight into local differences in tissue mechanical properties that are not currently possible.
Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Platinum/Tantalum Oxide Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cells

We investigate platinum supported on tantalum oxide as a possible catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Three synthetic routes are evaluated to compare activities of tantalum-oxide-supported platinum fuel cell electrocatalysts: (i) deposition of platinum colloids on tantalum oxide followed by mechanical grinding with Vulcan carbon (VC); (ii) deposition of tantalum oxide on VC, followed by the deposition of platinum colloids; and (iii) deposition of Pt colloids on VC, followed by deposition of tantalum oxide. These are compared to a Pt/VC standard made with the same Pt colloids. The area-specific activities for the ORR at 0.9 V are a factor of 1.5 higher for catalysts synthesized via preparation route (ii) compared to a Pt/VC standard. The area-specific activities of the catalysts synthesized via routes (i) and (iii) are close to that of Pt/VC. The higher area-specific activity of the catalyst synthesized by route (ii) may be due to the preferential adsorption of OH groups to the oxide vs platinum surface.
Study of interactive feedback during mediated information retrieval

Feedback is a fundamental concept within the physical and the social sciences with its modern origins drawn from cybernetics. Information science is exploring feedback as a key component in the interactive model of information retrieval (IR). This article reports results from a study exploring the information retrieval and types of interactive feedback during mediated IR. Five different types of interactive feedback were identified, extending the interactive IR model to include relevance, magnitude, and strategy interactive feedback. Implications for further research investigating the nature and models of interactive feedback in information retrieval are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multicast bitonic network

This paper presents a new multicasting network constructed with a bit-level cost complexity of O(N log/sup 2/N) and a bit-level time complexity of O(log/sup 2/ N) using comparators with bit-level I(1) time and cost complexities. The requested addresses for connection are sorted in a pipeline fashion (worm-hole routed) bit-serially most-significant-bit first through the network Bitonic sorter. The sorted addresses and the source nodes' addresses are merged through a Bitonic merger. The comparators and their links in both the Bitonic sorter and merger are bi-directional so two-way paths are formed. >
The competence of germinal vesicle oocytes is unrelated to nuclear chromatin configuration and strictly depends on cytoplasmic quantity and quality in the cat model

background: Chromatin configuration of the germinal vesicle (GV) and quality of the cytoplasm are critical factors in achieving oocyte meiotic and developmental capacity during folliculogenesis. Besides gaining new insights into the timing and cellular mechanisms associated with the acquisition and regulation of GV oocyte competence, the domestic cat model was used to examine (i) the relation between GV chromatin configuration and oocyte functionality during folliculogenesis and (ii) the role of the cytoplasmic environment on the GV competence and stability. methods: Structural and functional properties of GV oocytes were characterized after isolation from different follicle stages of non-stimulated cat ovaries. GV transfers, artificial chromatin compaction and oocyte vitrification were used to demonstrate the respective roles of GV and cytoplasm on the oocyte functionality. results: GVs acquired the intrinsic capability to resume meiosis during the pre-antral follicle stage, whereas the capacity to support embryo development occurred while the antrum started to form. Chromatin configuration of the GV did not undergo extensive modification during the acquisition of competence or during the arrest of transcriptional activity at the large antral follicle stage. However, the quality and quantity of the cytoplasm regulated and enhanced GV functionality. This finding also held for GVs transferred from incompetent or subpar oocytes into the cytoplasm of good quality oocytes or when chromatin was artificially modified or vitrified. conclusions: The cat model provides a new insight into GV oocyte structure and function during folliculogenesis while challenging current concepts about oocyte quality criteria based on the GV morphology. This suggests alternative evaluative approaches for oocytes from other species too, including humans. Cat GVs also appear competent at an early follicle stage and are resilient to perturbations which designate this organelle as an attractive target for developing novel fertility preservation tactics.
An Overview of Bankruptcy Law in the United States

This overview of bankruptcy and other debtor-creditor law in the United States is designed for lawyers trained outside of the U.S. It summarizes federal and state law governing collection from debtors in bankruptcy and debtors outside of bankruptcy.
The DNA binding preference of RAD52 and RAD59 proteins: implications for RAD52 and RAD59 protein function in homologous recombination.

We examined the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding preference of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad52 protein and its homologue, the Rad59 protein. In nuclease protection assays both proteins protected an internal sequence and the dsDNA ends equally well. Similarly, using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we found the affinity of both Rad52 and Rad59 proteins for DNA ends to be comparable with their affinity for internal sequences. The protein-DNA complexes were also directly visualized using atomic force microscopy. Both proteins formed discrete complexes, which were primarily found (90–94%) at internal dsDNA sites. We also measured the DNA end binding behavior of human Rad52 protein and found a slight preference for dsDNA ends. Thus, these proteins have no strong preference for dsDNA ends over internal sites, which is inconsistent with their function at a step of dsDNA break repair that precedes DNA processing. Therefore, we conclude that S. cerevisiae Rad52 and Rad59 proteins and their eukaryotic counterparts function by binding to single-stranded DNA formed as intermediates of recombination rather than by binding to the unprocessed DNA double-strand break.
Multiscale diffusion approximations for stochastic networks in heavy traffic

Abstract Stochastic networks with time varying arrival and service rates and routing structure are studied. Time variations are governed by, in addition to the state of the system, two independent finite state Markov processes X and Y . The transition times of X are significantly smaller than typical inter-arrival and processing times whereas the reverse is true for the Markov process Y . By introducing a suitable scaling parameter one can model such a system using a hierarchy of time scales. Diffusion approximations for such multiscale systems are established under a suitable heavy traffic condition. In particular, it is shown that, under certain conditions, properly normalized buffer content processes converge weakly to a reflected diffusion. The drift and diffusion coefficients of this limit model are functions of the state process, the invariant distribution of X , and a finite state Markov process which is independent of the driving Brownian motion.