cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships among the complement, kinin, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems

The activities of the plasma proteins have been elucidated in studies with isolated constituents, and this has to a certain extent biased our concepts by compartmentalizing proteins into particular functional systems. Blood is a highly complex mixture of cells, proteins, and lipoproteins responsible for maintaining homeostasis. The possibility that proteins of the complement, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems may interact in blood was recognized over a decade ago. Studies of the Shwartzman reaction induced by endotoxin revealed a relationship between the complement protein C3, fibrinogen, and platelets. Other studies showed that streptokinase and urokinase induce complement activation in blood through Cl. C3 was also implicated in coagulant mechanisms induced in blood by antigen-antibody complexes. The outgrowth of these now classical investigations has been the recent recognition that thrombin, kallikrein, and plasmin can cleave complement proteins, and that complement protease Factor B may act in a reciprocal manner to cleave prothrombin and plasminogen. The possible interactions between the proteins of the complement, coagulation, kinin, and fibrinolytic systems are numerous and few have been investigated in any detail. In a few cases purified proteins have been employed and the molar concentrations of enzyme required to cleave a substrate in an opposing system seem to be exceedingly large.
Young Urban African American Adolescents' Experience of Discretionary Time Activities

This cross-sectional study examined the daily discretionary time experiences of 246 (107 boys, 139 girls) fifth through eighth grade urban African American adolescents using the Experience Sampling Method. Relations between the types of activities (i.e., active structured, active unstructured, passive unstructured) engaged in during discretionary time and self-reported levels of motivated engagement, positive affect, confidence, and perceived alienation were explored. Results indicated that active structured activities occupied a small but important amount of young adolescents' discretionary time. Adolescents experienced the highest mean levels of motivated engagement and confidence, and the lowest mean levels of alienation when involved in these types of activities. Higher levels of positive affect were associated with participation in active as opposed to passive activities. Findings suggest that urban African American young adolescents experience more positive emotional states when they are involved in active, structured activities.
Wildfire-streamflow interactions in a chaparral watershed

The 272 km2 Malibu Creek watershed in the Santa Monica Mountains of southern California was chosen to study the impact of wildfires on streamflow. The predominant plant community in the Malibu Creek watershed is the chaparral, a fire-prone vegetation, which has experienced 10 large wildfires since 1949. Post-fire vegetation succession in the Malibu watershed indicates long-term vegetation changes that have heightened the likelihood of wildfire incidence in the last few decades. Precipitation, streamflow, and wildfire data from 1949 to 1994 were analyzed to determine the effect of vegetation burning on catchment streamflow. A paired-catchment analysis allowed the reconstruction of the expected natural streamflow in Malibu Creek in fire-impacted years. A comparison of measured and reconstructed streamflows showed annual streamflow increases up to 20–30% in fire-impacted water years relative to non-fire years. A statistically significant difference between the mean streamflow in fire and non-fire years was also established by means of the Wilcoxon test.
Ferromagnetic thermal ablation of locally recurrent prostate cancer: prostate specific antigen results and immediate/intermediate morbidities.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Curative options for locally recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy are limited due to the significant morbidity associated with surgical therapy. ThermoRods (Ablation Technologies, San Diego, California) are permanently implantable, 14 mm cobalt-palladium alloy rods that produce heat through oscillation of a magnetic field. The rod is designed to self-regulate the temperature to 70C by a temperature dependent magnetic transition (Curie effect). We determined whether patients with prostate cancer and local failure could be treated with thermal ablation of the prostate using this novel technology.Materials and Methods: A total of 14 men with an average age of 72 years (range 62 to 81) were enrolled in the study. All had biopsy proven prostate cancer with increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA) (1.0 to 10.3 ng/ml). The seminal vesicles were not routinely biopsied. Metastatic disease was assayed in all men with bone scan and in later patients with abdominopelvic co...
Accuracy of thematic maps/implications of choropleth symbolization.

Accuracy of thematic maps is identified as having two components: planimetric accuracy and data representation accuracy. The first is of only minor concern for thematic maps. Data representation accuracy, however, is at least as significant to map effectiveness as are the perceptual and cognitive aspects of map reading that have been given so much attention in recent years. The focus of the study presented is on data representation accuracy considering the specific case of choropleth maps. It is demonstrated that three factors, enumeration unit size, enumeration unit compactness, and variability of the distributions mapped are significant in determining enumeration unit aggregate value accuracy and, therefore, map accuracy. Based on experimental results, it is suggested that potential accuracy of choropleth maps could be predicted through measurement of these characteristics. A second experiment is used to demonstrate the applicability of this method to predicting overall choropleth map accuracy as well a...
Rapid upregulation of the Pi isoform of glutathione-S-transferase in mouse brains after withdrawal of the neurotoxicant, cuprizone

Cuprizone intoxication has been used as a model for reversible demyelination in the CNS. During the course of cuprizone intoxication, the glutathione-S-transferase isoform, Pi, normally an oligodendrocytic marker, appears in reactive astrocytes (Cammer and Zhang, 1993). The present experiments address the changes in expression of Pi after removal of cuprizone from the diet of the affected mice. In order to localize Pi message, a riboprobe was prepared andin situ hybridization (ISH) performed. Western blots and immunocytochemistry were used to examine Pi protein and other glial cell markers. The data indicated that Pi protein increased during the first 2 d after withdrawal of the toxicant, when the level of the myelin marker, 2′, 3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphohydrolase, remained minimal. Results of ISH suggested that levels of Pi message in the corpus striatum decreased during cuprizone feeding and began to recover within 2 d after withdrawal of the toxicant. Both microglia and astrocytes appeared during the first week of cuprizone administration and persisted during two to three additional weeks on cuprizone. Reactive astrocytes remained in the tissue for at least 6 wk after cuprizone was withdrawn, while microglia receded within days. The findings suggest that astrocytes continue to express Pi after withdrawal of cuprizone.
Communication as influence: Definitional exclusion

Persuasion, influence, and power have traditionally been defined as the fundamental features of rhetoric, communication, and discourse. This tradition of definition exhibits a masculine bias that has tended to exclude and negate a feminine view of communication as relational responsibility. This essay calls for the development of a transcendent definition of communication that will include and affirm both masculine and feminine views, leading to more favorable pragmatic, theoretic, and research consequences.
Coating mass distributions of seed particles in a tumbling fluidized bed coater Part II. A Monte Carlo simulation of particle coating

Abstract In the preparation of coated particles, a homogeneous distribution of the coating mass is often desired and much effort is made to obtain this. If it is possible to predict the effect of operating conditions on coating mass distributions by computer simulations, some of the experimental difficulties will be reduced. Therefore, in this study, Monte Carlo simulations of coating mass distribution of particles were performed to reproduce a series of experimental results obtained using a tumbling fluidized bed. This method was found to be applicable for reproducing the effect of the operating conditions on the coating mass distributions showing that a more homogeneous distribution was achieved under the following conditions; long coating time; small hold up of core particles; high rate of mixing of the particles, etc. Furthermore, some predictions of the effect of operating conditions on coating mass distributions using this simulation method were performed.
Sulfate Sampling Artifact from SO2 and Alkaline Soil

A significant sulfate artifact may be produced by the interaction of SO2(g) with basic particles on filters when the SO2 is not first removed by a denuder. Such an artifact could invalidate most historical sulfate measurements in regions with alkaline soil. To test this hypothesis, we compare measurements from Teflon filters without a denuder to measurements from nylon filters following a carbonate denuder from the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network. The data at 11 remote sites in the Desert Southwest show no evidence of a sulfate artifact. Using a normal error distribution, we show that any artifact is much less than 20 ng/m3. In addition, data from 16 collocated samplers at Meadview, AZ, show that removing the SO2 by denuders does not change the measured sulfate. The mean difference between no-denuder and denuder is −4 ± 10 ng/m3 for Teflon filters and 3 ± 17 ng/m3 for nylon filters. Brigham Young University obtained large differences between their denuder and filt...
Multiple effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the expression of HIF-1α and apoptotic genes in a global ischemia–hypotension rat model

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a transcription factor specifically activated by hypoxia. Activation of proapoptotic caspase-9 and caspase-3 pathways, by binding with tumor suppressor p53, HIF-1alpha could lead to harmful actions such as apoptosis. We examined whether increasing oxygen levels by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) offers neuroprotection, at least partially by suppression of HIF-1alpha and apoptotic genes. Male SD rats (n = 78) were randomly divided into 13 groups: 1 sham group, 6 groups of global ischemia-hypotension (GI), and 6 groups of HBO treatment after global ischemia-hypotension (GI + HBO). HBO (3 ATA for 2 h) was applied at 1 h after global ischemia-hypotension. Rats were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h and 7 days. Global ischemia-hypotension (10 min ischemia, 30-35 mm Hg) produced a marked increase of HIF-1alpha expressions in the hippocampus and cortex at 6 h and peaked at 48-96 h. The expressions of p53, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were all increased in a similar time course. These molecular changes were accompanied by massive cell loss in the hippocampal regions and to a lesser degree in the cortex, with features of apoptosis. HBO treatment reduced expressions of HIF-1alpha, p53, caspase-9, and caspase-3 and decreased cell death. The protein levels of proapoptotic caspase-8 and antiapoptotic bcl-2 were increased after global ischemia-hypotension and HBO potentiated the expression of caspase-8 and decreased expression of bcl-2. These results indicate that HBO has multiple actions on apoptotic genes even though the overall effect of HBO was decreased HIF-1alpha expression and reduced apoptosis after global ischemia-hypotension.
The metabolic clearance, distribution, and degradation of dimeric and monomeric growth hormone (GH): implications for the pattern of circulating GH forms.

The ratio of oligomeric (big) to monomeric (little) human (h)GH forms in plasma exceeds that in the pituitary gland severalfold. To investigate whether delayed metabolic clearance of oligomers could explain this discrepancy, we measured MCR, distribution volumes, and degradation rates of radiolabeled hGH22K dimer, hGH20K dimer, hGH22K monomer, and hGH20K monomer in the rat. Hormones were injected as a bolus, and disappearance from plasma was followed by immunoprecipitation and trichloroacetic acid precipitation. MCRs of the dimers were significantly lower than those of the corresponding monomers (5-fold in the case of hGH22K, and 2-fold in the case of hGH20K). Both dimers were also degraded at slower rates than the monomers. Distribution volumes for the dimers, although somewhat smaller, were not statistically different from those for the monomers and were consistent with distribution in the extracellular space. We conclude that hGH dimers are relatively protected from degradation and hence cleared more s...
Limited proteolysis of antigens E and K from ragweed pollen.

Abstract The two ragweed allergens, antigens E and K, are present in pollen as single-chain polypeptides of about 38,000 daltons. During isolation the single-chain precursor of antigen E, or that of antigen K, can undergo limited proteolysis to give other isoelectric forms containing two noncovalently held chains of about 12,000 and 26,000 daltons. Carboxypeptidase A and B digestions of the different forms of antigen E or K indicate that the protease(s) responsible for these conversions have a trypsin-like specificity. Bovine pancreatic trypsin can also effect these conversions. A protease which in ragweed pollen catalyzes the hydrolysis of N ,α-benzoyl- l -arginine p -nitroanilide was partially purfied, but it did not catalyze these conversions. The single-chain and two-chain forms of antigen E did not show detectable differences in their antigenic activities in rabbits or in their allergenic activities in humans. This was the case also for the different forms of antigen K.
Region- and stage-specific effects of FGFs and BMPs in chick mandibular morphogenesis.

The mandibular processes are specified as at least two independent functional regions: two large lateral regions where morphogenesis is dependent on fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-8 signaling, and a small medial region where morphogenesis is independent of FGF-8 signaling. To gain insight into signaling pathways that may be involved in morphogenesis of the medial region, we have examined the roles of pathways regulated by FGFs and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in morphogenesis of the medial and lateral regions of the developing chick mandible. Our results show that, unlike in the lateral region, the proliferation and growth of the mesenchyme in the medial region is dependent on signals derived from the overlying epithelium. We also show that medial and lateral mandibular mesenchyme respond differently to exogenous FGFs and BMPs. FGF-2 and FGF-4 can mimic many of the effects of mandibular epithelium from the medial region, including supporting the expression of Msx genes, outgrowth of the mandibular processes and elongation of Meckel's cartilage. On the other hand, laterally placed FGF beads did not induce ectopic expression of Msx genes and did not affect the growth of the mandibular processes. These functional studies, together with our tissue distribution studies, suggest that FGF-mediated signaling (other than FGF-8), through interactions with FGF receptor-2 and downstream target genes including Msx genes, is part of the signaling pathway that mediates the growth-promoting interactions in the medial region of the developing mandible. Our observations also suggest that BMPs play multiple stage- and region-specific roles in mandibular morphogenesis. In this study, we show that exogenous BMP-7 applied to the lateral region at early stages of development (stage 20) caused apoptosis, ectopic expression of Msx genes, and inhibited outgrowth of the mandibular processes and the formation of Meckel's cartilage. Our additional experiments suggest that the differences between the effects of BMP-7 on lateral mandibular mesenchyme at stage 20 and previously reported results at stage 23 (Wang et al., [1999] Dev. Dyn. 216:320-335) are related to differences in stages of differentiation in that BMP-7 promotes apoptosis in undifferentiated lateral mandibular mesenchyme, whereas it promotes chondrogenesis at later stages of development. We also showed that, unlike mandibular epithelium and medially placed FGF beads, medially placed BMP-7 did not support outgrowth of the isolated mesenchyme and at stage 20 induced the formation of a duplicated rod of cartilage extending from the body of Meckel's cartilage. These observations suggest that BMPs do not play essential roles in growth-promoting interactions in the medial region of the developing mandible. However, BMP-mediated signaling is a part of the signaling pathways regulating chondrogenesis of the mandibular mesenchyme.
Solving the problems of cementing the full veneer cast gold crown

Abstract Tests were performed to indicate the accuracy with which full crowns can be cemented on prepared teeth. Findings indicated that using both internal relief for cement, plus a vent for escape of cement permitted a minimal gingival discrepancy following cementation. This discrepancy may be compensated for by constructing the crown with a slight gingival overlap properly contoured and polished. A simple technique for venting, fabricating a prefitted pin, and the procedure for permanent sealing of the escape-way vent within the normal interim period of cementation was described.
Interpretation of biphasic dissociation kinetics for isomeric class II major histocompatibility complex-peptide complexes.

Abstract Antigenic peptides bound to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins play a key role in the distinction between "self" and "nonself" by the cellular immune system. Although the formation and dissociation of these complexes are often thought of in terms of the simple mechanism MHC+P ⇌ MHC-P, studies of MHC-peptide dissociation kinetics suggest that multiple interconverting forms of the bound MHC-peptide complex can be formed. However, the precise relationship between observed dissociation data and proposed multiple-complex mechanisms has not been systematically examined. Here we provide a mathematical analysis to fill this gap and attempt to clarify the kinetic behavior that is expected to result from the proposed mechanisms. We also examine multiple-complex dynamics that can be "hidden" in conventional experiments. Although we focus on MHC-peptide interactions, the analysis provided here is fully general and applies to any ligand-receptor system having two distinct bound states.
Oligodeoxyribonucleotides from pulse-labeled mammalian cells.

When Chinese hamster cells were pulse-labeled with [3H]thymidine, three classes of labeled polymers were isolated by hydroxyapatite chromatography: (1) small oligomers (Fraction I) which do not adsorb to hydroxyapatite in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, (2) single-stranded subunits (Fraction II) which elute at 0.14–0.16 M phosphate, and (3) longer double-stranded DNA (Fraction III) that elutes with 0.20–0.22 M phosphate buffer. The suggestion is made that the first two fractions are intermediates in the synthesis of the third, although the evidence remains cir-cumstantial and the alternate possibilities that these two fractions are by-products of replication or degradation products must be considered. However, it may be noted that they behave like intermediates. A maximum concentration is reached in a few minutes and the two fractions disappear quickly. Most of Fraction II is gone within a minute or so while Fraction I has a half-life or 7–8 min in pulse-chase experiments. Furthermore, lysis was carried out under conditions in which nuclease activity would be very unlikely and shear was insufficient to reduce the size of the template DNA very much. The same three fractions can be labeled with [5-3H]deoxycytidine, i.e. the tritium is on C-5 of the pyrimidine ring instead of the [3H]methyl group of thymidine. Zone sedimentations in isokinetic sucrose gradients showed that Fraction I has a sedimentation velocity of 2 S or less and Fraction II about 7 S in alkaline conditions. The latter sedimentation value indicates a molecular weight equivalent to about 1000–1300 nucleotides; gel filtration studies suggest that Fraction I is approx. 10 nucleotides long. Purification and characterization of Fraction I was achieved by filtration through membrane cones, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, alkaline hydrolysis, and incubations in the presence of protein-, and nucleic acid-degrading enzymes. Only snake venom phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.1) and to a lesser extent deoxyribonuclease I (EC 3.1.4.5) hydrolyzed this component suggesting that it is an oligodeoxyribonucleotide. Base analysis of the oligomer revealed that adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine are present in the ratios of 4:3:2:1, respectively.
Future directions in quantitative pathology: digital knowledge in diagnostic pathology

The ancient Pythagorean philosophers believed in numbers. Numbers were the key to an understanding of the world and—because they were eminently practical people—to prosperity. As we enter the information age we hold similarly strong beliefs in the benefits of digital technology: numerical representation offers objectivity, discreteness, permanence, analytic evaluation. There has always been the explicit hope that quantification of knowledge in histopathology will eventually lead to better medical practice. It is not an unfounded hope. The introduction of quantitative micromorphometric procedures to diagnostic histopathology has shown the potential of information technology based methods. There is the value of objective mensuration with the prospect of standardisation of diagnostic assessment. There is the ability to establish the significance of small and early alterations. There is the proven ability to extract diagnostic information that is not reliably recognised by visual microscopic assessment. There is the ability to measure rapidly, in numerical terms, the efficacy of chemopreventive intervention and thus the ability to test a large number of potentially effective compounds. Over all, there has been outstanding progress. Yet it may be time to take stock and to ask where we stand and where future efforts might be productive. In fact, we must ask whether we are using to a maximum the information that digital imagery offers. Questions arise as to whether the methodology underlying the quantitative analysis provides the information that we need, and even whether it is appropriate for some of the problems encountered in diagnostic and prognostic histopathology. Image processing, diagnostic information extraction, and quantitative assessment have for years relied on methods borrowed from the material sciences and from statistical analysis, often following the lead of research in “pattern recognition.” In fact, mathematical/statistical procedures form the bulk of analytic tools in quantitative histopathology and they are indeed appropriate and immensely useful …
Aspects of Harmony in Messiaen's Later Music: An Examination of the Chords of Transposed Inversions on the Same Bass Note 1

Messiaen's approach to harmony in his later music can be studied by examining his use of the chords of transposed inversions on the same bass note, thereby linking the construction of the chords of transposed inversions to Messiaen's concept of natural resonance. Although the chords of transposed inversions can be understood in different ways, their most revealing interpretation is as triadically based harmonies enhanced by resonance elements based on the color associations suggested in Messiaen's synesthesia. How the chords of transposed inversions are used in musical passages is also revealing, especially in relation to the modes of limited transposition. 1 An earlier version of this article was delivered at the 2002 meetings of the Texas Society for Music Theory, Austin, Texas; the South-Central Society for Music Theory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and the Rocky Mountain Society for Music Theory, Boulder, Colorado. I would like to thank Eric J. Isaacson and Joseph N. Straus for their comments and suggestio...
Microstructural Evolution and Toughness in the HAZ of Submerged Arc Welded Low Welding Crack Susceptibility Steel

Microstructural characteristics of different sub-regions of heat affected zone (HAZ) of low welding crack susceptibility steel weldment were investigated by using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscattered diffraction system. And the focus was put on the correlation between microstructural characteristics and HAZ toughness of the weldment. The results reveal that the toughness of fusion line zone (FLZ) specimens is much lower than that of fine grained HAZ (FGHAZ) specimens. The coarse inclusions in the weld metal and the large martensite-austenite constituents in the coarse grained HAZ (CGHAZ) have an obvious negative effect on the crack initiation energy of FLZ. Meanwhile, the coarse granular bainite with large effective grain decreases the crack propagation energy seriously. By contrast, fine crystallographic grains in the FGHAZ play a key role in increasing toughness, especially in improving crack propagation energy.
Patterned Substrates for the Study of Axonal Differentiation and Neuronal Response to Smooth Microtopography

The development of two and three-dimensional patterned substrates provides new ways to study neuronal behavior. The creation of two-dimensional (2D) patterned surfaces through the use of photolithography, microcontact printing, and self-assembled monolayer (SAM) chemistry allows for the study of axonal differentiation. Through the use of these methods, we have created starburst patterns to which E18 mouse hippocampal neurons are confined. Utilizing immunohistochemistry to specifically stain for the tau protein, predominantly localized along microtubules in the axon, we have found that neurite differentiation is not a predetermined process; rather, it is environmentally determined. The compilation of statistical data has shown that a mere 20μm difference in the distance a neurite is allowed to grow will determine polarization.Grayscale photolithography and solvent-assisted molding (SAMo) allow us to create smooth microtopography that mimics the microtopography encountered in vivo. We have fabricated continuous three-dimensional (3D) wave patterns, varying height as well as the peak-to-peak distance, to the study of neuronal behavior in response to smooth variations in microenvironment. This will provide insights into the limitations a neuron may experience during pathfinding in vivo.
Low-frequency locking of a two-resonator parametric oscillator

Studies have been-made of a parametric oscillator pumped at frequency f p , with circuits resonant at f so and f p-so , and an output taken at f p-so . The oscillator output frequency may be controlled by that of a small input signal applied at a frequency close to f so .
Impact of mechanical, chemical and enzymatic pre-treatments on the methane yield from the anaerobic digestion of switchgrass

Abstract The conversion of cellulosic crops into biofuels, including methane, is receiving a lot of attention lately. Panicum vergatum , or switchgrass, is a warm season perennial grass well adapted to grow in North America. Different pre-treatments were tested in 0.5 l batch reactors, at 35 °C, in order to enhance the methane production from switchgrass, including temperature, sonication, alkalinization and autoclaving. The methane production on the basis of volatile solids (VS) added to the fermentation were 112.4 ± 8.4, 132.5 ± 9.7 and 139.8 ml g −1 after 38 days of incubation for winter harvested switchgrass (WHS) after grinding, grinding with alkalinization, and grinding with alkalinization and autoclaving, respectively. The methane production was higher for fresh summer harvested switchgrass (SHS), with a production of 256.6 ± 8.2 ml g −1 VS after mulching, alkalinization and autoclaving. The methane production from SHS was improved by 29 and 42% when applying lignin (LiP) or manganese peroxidase (MnP), at 202.1 ± 9.8 and 222.9 ± 22.5 ml g −1 VS, respectively. The combination of an alkali pre-treatment with the MnP increased the methane production furthermore at 297.7 ml g −1 VS. The use of pectinases without chemical pre-treatment showed promising yields at 287.4 and 239.5 ml g −1 VS for pectate-lyase and poly-galacturonase, respectively. An estimation of the methane yield per hectare of crop harvested resulted in net energy production of 29.8, 49.7 and 78.1 GJ for winter harvested switchgrass, mulched and pretreated summer harvested switchgrass, respectively. Switchgrass represents an interesting candidate as a lignocellulosic crop for methane production.
On-orbit performance of the RHESSI cryocooler

The Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spacecraft was launched on February 5, 2002. With more than a year of operation on-orbit, its Sunpower M77 cryocooler continues to maintain the array of nine germanium detectors below 80 K. Trends have begun to emerge in cryocooler power and vibration, suggesting that the cooler's operating point is slowly changing. Possible causes are identified and discussed.
Interstate Conflict Over Ground Water: Wisconsin-Illinois

The Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer (deep sandstone aquifer) of northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin consists of a number of hydraulically connected sandstone and dolomite units. The aquifer dips gently to the east beneath Lake Michigan and is regionally confined by the Maquoketa shale, which has been thinned and removed by erosion to the west. Recharge to the regional aquifer system occurs where the shale is missing and to a lesser extent across the shale wherever there are downward hydraulic gradients. The practical sustained yield from the aquifer is 46 million gallons per day (mgd) (170,000 m3/day) in Illinois and approximately 34 mgd (129,000 m3/day) in Wisconsin. In 1978, pumpage from the aquifer amounted to 142 mgd (537,000 m3/day) in the eight counties of northeastern Illinois compared with an estimated 38 mgd (144,000 m3/day) in Wisconsin. Pumpage in Illinois has exceeded the practical sustained yield every year since 1958 while in Wisconsin the practical sustained yield was reached about 1975. Two regional pumping cones have developed. One centered in the Chicago region has maximum drawdowns of more than 900 feet (275 m) while in the Milwaukee pumping cone water levels have fallen about 350 feet (106 m). The greater drawdown in the Chicago pumping cone has changed the regional hydraulic gradient and 9.3 mgd (35,200 m3/day) of ground water is now being drained from beneath Wisconsin into Illinois. A digital computer model of the aquifer system was used to separate the amount of total drawdown in the aquifer attributable to each pumping center as well as to predict future ground-water levels. At the Illinois-Wisconsin border in 1973, there was 265 feet (81 m) of drawdown of which 94 feet (28 m) were due to pumpage in Wisconsin and 171 feet (52 m) due to pumpage in Illinois. Allocations of Lake Michigan water to ground-water users in Illinois could result in a reduction of pumpage to less than 46 mgd (174,000 m3/day) by 1985. In order to obtain a modification of the U.S. Supreme Court decree permitting Illinois to divert 3,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) (7,829,000 m3/day) of water from Lake Michigan, Illinois must agree that future allocations of Lake Michigan water will be done in such a manner as to reduce Cambrian-Ordovocian aquifer pumpage. The rate of ground-water decline will decrease substantially if this occurs. Water resources managers in southeastern Wisconsin should limit pumpage from the deep sandstone aquifer to approximately the current rate.
Fuzzy reasoning based automatic inspection of radiographic welds: weld recognition

A fuzzy reasoning based expert system is developed for the recognition of welds in radiographic images. First, each object in a radiographic image is identified and described with a three-feature vector. Of interest are to distinguish welds from non-weld objects in order to extract welds for further processing, such as, flaws detection. To this end, a fuzzy reasoning method is proposed. The fuzzy rules are extracted from feature data one feature at a time based on a modified fuzzy c-means algorithm. The number of fuzzy terms with \(\frac{1}{2}\) overlapping between adjacent terms and the shape of terms are optimized based on the mean squared error criterion. The total number of fuzzy rules is the product of the number of fuzzy terms for each feature. The performance of this optimal set of fuzzy rules is tested with unseen data in terms of accurate rate, false positive rate, and false negative rate. For comparison, selected sets of rules are extracted by varying the number of fuzzy terms for each feature and subsequently tested. The performance of the fuzzy expert system is also found to be better than that of multi-layer perceptron neural networks, if appropriately designed.
The art of the ask: Maximizing verbal compliance in telefundraising

Abstract During the past two decades, fund raising has become increasingly important to nonprofit organizations. Financial pressures have prompted many to use marketing techniques pioneered in the for-profit world. Chief among these is telemarketing. While the response rate for traditional direct mail campaigns is very often between 1% and 3%, some phonathons can deliver a first-time pledge rate that exceeds 20%. Many fundraisers and marketers have come to believe that one-on-one communication is the best way to ask for a donation. Unlike other types of communication, interpersonal communication provides a context in which participants can work collaboratively to produce the message exchanges. Nonetheless, previous work on fundraising communication has focused primarily on the one-way transmission of messages from fundraiser to prospective donors. The dynamic features of interaction between participants have largely been ignored. This paper examines how telefundraisers and prospective donors construct their talk, and explores the effects of three fundraiser actions on pledge rates. Using a 2×2×2 nested design, the field experiment considers the effects of (1) the presence vs. absence of a “how are you” inquiry, (2) the grammatical formulation of the pledge request, and (3) the presence vs. absence of the elicitation of information about a prospect's initial pledge refusal. Results indicate that factors (1) and (3) above have significant effects on pledge rates.
Frequency of alcohol use in adolescence as a marker for subsequent sexual risk behavior in adulthood.

Abstract Purpose Although a number of studies have demonstrated an association between alcohol use frequency and sexual risk behavior, few have used longitudinal data. This study examined alcohol use frequency in adolescence as a predictor of HIV sexual risk behavior in adulthood. Methods We collected data among 1,368 participants in Colorado. During adolescence (time 1), respondents were asked about the frequency of using alcohol during the previous 12 months. In adulthood (time 2), the same respondents were asked about their sexual risk behavior during the previous 12 months. Sexual risk behavior items were used to construct an index, which was categorized to indicate low-, medium-, and high-risk study participants. The relationship between alcohol use patterns and risky sexual behavior was modeled using ordinal regression. Results Compared with individuals who drank no alcohol in the past 12 months at time 1, the odds of being in a higher risk group of sexual behavior as opposed to a lower one at time 2 were 1.56 (95% CI, 1.04–2.35) among those who drank 6–19 times. Similarly, the odds of being in a higher risk group relative to a lower one among those who drank ≥20 times or were 1.78 (95% CI, 1.05–3.02). Conclusions Alcohol use patterns in adolescence may be useful markers for programs that aim to prevent risky sexual behavior. Based on alcohol intake patterns, it may be possible to identify frequent alcohol users that need to be targeted with appropriate alcohol use and HIV risk reduction messages.
Synthesis of Triphenylamine-Cored Dendritic Two-Photon Absorbing Chromophores

A new series of dendritic two-photon absorbing chromophores containing triphenylamine moiety as a core or branching points have been synthesized through a convergent synthetic strategy. One-photon and two-photon optical properties of these molecules were characterized. In the nanosecond time domain, these molecules exhibited large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross sections up to 7.56−12.2 × 10-44 s cm4 at 800 nm, indicating that these molecular structures were viable candidates for various two-photon related applications.
Generating lineage-specific markers to study Drosophila development.

To generate cell- and tissue- specific expression patterns of the reporter gene lacZ in Drosophila, we have generated and char- acterized 1,426 independent insertion strains using four different P-element constructs. These four transposons carry a lacZ gene driven either by the weak promoter of the P-element transposase gene or by partial promoters from the even-skipped, fushi-tarazu, or engrailed genes. The tissue-specific patterns of P-galactosidase expression that we are able to generate depend on the promoter utilized. We describe in detail 13 strains that can be used to follow specific cell lineages and demonstrate their utility in analyzing the phenotypes of developmen- tal mutants. Insertion strains generated with P-ele- ments that carry various sequences upstream of the lucZ gene exhibit an increased variety of ex- pression patterns that can be used to study Droso- phila development.
High-speed imaging of OH* and soot temperature and concentration in a stratified-charge direct-injection gasoline engine

Abstract In-cylinder soot formation and oxidation in a stratified-charge spark-ignited direct-injection (SIDI) engine have been studied with a high-speed (9000 frames/s) camera system with three intensified detectors. Continuous records of soot temperature and relative soot concentration within individual engine cycles are evaluated from images of soot radiation at two wavelengths (650 and 750 nm). Combustion is followed simultaneously by imaging OH* chemiluminescence (306 nm). The spatially and temporally resolved data allow the two most important soot sources to be quantified separately for a typical part-load operating condition. (1) Soot first forms in partially premixed flame propagation through rich zones, but the high soot temperatures (∼2000–2400 K) and rapid mixing with surrounding hot lean regions lead to rapid soot oxidation and burnout. (2) Soot formation in pool fires (diffusion flames fed by thin films of liquid fuel on the piston) begins later and continues until late in the cycle, when further significant soot oxidation is unlikely (soot temperatures have dropped to ∼1500 K, and OH* chemiluminescence is no longer detectable). For this SIDI engine design and operating condition, pool fires are the dominant source of engine-out soot.
Swimming and central venous catheter-related infections in the child with cancer

Although there have been many studies evaluating risk factors for catheter-related infections in children with cancer, none have examined whether swimming presents such a risk. Families of children with cancer were asked about specific swimming practices and central line care to determine whether there is an association between swimming and infection. Parents completed a self-report questionnaire and medical records were reviewed to document catheter-related intraluminal, tunnel, and exit-site infections. Ninety-one children with a total of 101 tunneled catheters participated in the study. Forty-nine children with a total of 50 catheters were swimmers; 46 children with 51 catheters were nonswimmers (four children had two catheters and swam with one catheter but not the other, therefore, these children were counted twice). There were no statistically significant differences in rates of catheter-related infections between the two groups (0.04/catheter-month in swimmers versus 0.25/in non-swimmers, relative risk; RR = 1.6, p = .16). When the analysis was confined to summertime infections per summertime catheter month, there were no significant differences in the rates of infections per summer month (0.06 for swimmers vs. 0.05 for non-swimmers, RR = 1.4; p = .50). When the analyses were performed to compare frequent swimmers with infrequent/non-swimmers, once again there were no differences found in rates of catheter-related infections between the two groups. These results suggest that swimming does not increase the risk of catheter-related infections in children with tunneled catheters.
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Aspects of In Vitro Interphase Transfer of Sulfonamides II: Influence of Interface Composition on Transfer of Unionized Sulfonamides

Abstract The influence of interface composition on the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of the interphase transfer of unionized sulfamethazine was studied in a two-phase in vitro system composed of an aqueous pH 4.3 buffer and various alcohol phases. By applying the theory of absolute reaction rates to the interphase transfer process, variations in the ∆H* and ∆S* values for the various two-phase systems were considered to be the results of differences in the escaping tendency of the alcohols into the interface and the influence of this parameter on the degree of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between solute and solvate molecules in the various systems. The influence of the solubility parameter of the alcohol phase on the interphase transfer process was also examined. Based upon the observed kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, possible mechanisms for the interphase transfer of unionized sulfamethazine were proposed.
The role of carbon dioxide in the initiation and maintenance of blue-green dominance in lakes

1. In 1993 the south basin of Squaw Lake, Wisconsin, U.S.A., was artificially circulated and injected with CO2 in an attempt to eliminate the massive quantities of blue-greens normally present during summer. The unmixed, uninjected north basin was the control. Despite a great difference in CO2 concentration and in pH between the two basins, their blue-green maxima began simultaneously and eventually reached the same size. The predominant algae in both basins were Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Anabaena flos-aquae. 2. From 13 May to 9 September, experiments were done to determine the responses of photosynthesis (oxygen production) of the phytoplankton communities in both basins to changes in pH over the range 7–9. Both the north and south basins underwent two distinct shifts in the slopes of their photosynthetic responses to pH. These shifts paralleled changes in the proportion of blue-greens in their phytoplankton. 3. Experiments with additions of KHCO3 or NaHCO3 showed that the responses to pH were really responses to CO2 concentration. Therefore, the data obtained in the photosynthesis experiments were used to calculate the kinetic parameters Ks* and Vmax*. The Ks* values varied in relation to the proportion of blue-greens, with lower values during the period when blue-greens predominated. The Vmax*values showed no such systematic changes. 4. CO2 compensation and zero photosynthesis concentrations confirm that when the blue-greens dominated, CO2 was taken up much more efficiently than when the phytoplankton comprised mostly non-blue-greens. No evidence appeared suggesting direct use of bicarbonate even at pH values of 10.0. 5. Experiments with water collected seasonally from four other lakes show that Squaw Lake is not unique. In each case the response slopes (and therefore Ks* values) were high during spring when non-blue-greens were dominant, but decreased when the blue-green maximum began. 6. Experiments with individual species of algae confirm that blue-greens generally have better CO2 kinetics than do greens. 7. It is concluded that initiation of the blue-green maximum does not depend upon conditions of low CO2 concentration or high pH. However, once the blue-greens become abundant they ensure their dominance by reducing concentrations of CO2 to levels available only to themselves.
Selective Complexation and Reactivity of Metallic Nitride and Oxometallic Fullerenes with Lewis Acids and Use as an Effective Purification Method

Metallic nitride fullerenes (MNFs) and oxometallic fullerenes (OMFs) react quickly with an array of Lewis acids. Empty-cage fullerenes are largely unreactive under conditions used in this study. The reactivity order is Sc4O2@Ih-C80 > Sc3N@C78 > Sc3N@C68 > Sc3N@D5h-C80 > Sc3N@Ih-C80. Manipulations of Lewis acids, molar ratios, and kinetic differences within the family of OMF and MNF metallofullerenes are demonstrated in a selective precipitation scheme, which can be used either alone for purifying Sc3N@Ih-C80 or combined with a final high-performance liquid chromatography pass for Sc4O2@Ih-C80, Sc3N@D5h-C80, Sc3N@C68, or Sc3N@C78. The purification process is scalable. Analysis of the experimental rate constants versus electrochemical band gap explains the order of reactivity among the OMFs and MNFs.
Patterns of Performance of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissections by American Urologists: Most Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissections in the United States Are Performed by Low-volume Surgeons

Objective To characterize the current patterns of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) performance among practicing US urologists. Methods Six-month case log data of urologists certifying between 2003 and 2013 were obtained from the American Board of Urology. Cases specifying both an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code for testis cancer and a Current Procedural Terminology code for RPLND were analyzed for surgeon-specific variables. Results Among 8545 certifying urologists, 290 (3.4% of all) urologists logged 553 RPLNDs in the case log system with 21 (3.6%) performed laparoscopically. Median number of RPLNDs logged annually was 1 (range, 1-59; interquartile range, 1-1) with 3 urologists performing 23% of all RPLNDs. Seventy-five percent of urologists logged a single RPLND. Urologists who logged 2 RPLNDs in a year were in the top 25% of performers with over half (52%) of all RPLNDs performed by urologists who logged 1 or 2 RPLND. On univariate regression analysis, oncology specialization (odds ratio, 5.1 [95% confidence interval, 2.2-11.6; P = .0001]) and non–private practice type (odds ratio, 2.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-7.1; P = .03]) were predictive of top 10% (≥3 cases) surgeon RPLND volume. Conclusion Despite the critical importance of the surgical quality for outcomes of patients with testis cancer, the majority of surgeons performing RPLND are certifying for the first time and log only 1 RPLND.
On signatures and a subgroup of a central extension to the mapping class group

Atiyah’s work [1] describes the relationship between multiplication in a central extension of the mapping class group of a surface of genus n and the signatures of 4-dimensional manifolds. This work studies a subgroup of the central extension, which comes from the image of a representation of the pure framed braid group on n-strands found in [5], and the signatures of corresponding 4-manifolds via a split exact sequence. We construct a splitting map to prove the sequence is split exact, and we use the splitting to give a topological description of homology classes in 4-dimensional manifolds with non-zero intersection. We conclude with a description of multiplication in the subgroup.
Factors Affecting Urban African American High School Students' Achievement in Reading

Data analyzed from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 indicate that the reading achievement of urban African American high school students is positively influenced by the amount of hours spent doing homework and by parents' expectations of their child's future educational attainment. Implications for practice and research are provided.