cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of forest soil carbon dynamics at five sites along a latitudinal gradient

Carbon stocks, and C:N ratios, were measured in the forest floor, mineral soil, and two mineral soil fractions (particulate and mineral-associated organic matter, POM and MOM, respectively) at five forest sites, ranging from 60 to 100 years old, along a latitudinal gradient in the eastern United States. Sampling at four sites was replicated over two consecutive years. For many measurements (like forest floor carbon stocks, cumulative soil organic carbon stocks to 20 cm, and the fraction of whole soil carbon in POM), there was no significant difference between years at each site despite the use of somewhat different sampling methods. With one exception, forest floor and mineral soil carbon stocks increased from warm, southern, sites (with fine-textured soils) to northern, cool, sites (with more coarse-textured soils). The exception was a northern site, with less than 10% silt-clay content, that had a soil organic carbon stock similar to those measured at southern sites. Soil carbon at each site was partitioned into two pools (labile and stable) on the basis of carbon measured in the forest floor and POM and MOM fractions from the mineral soil. A two-compartment steady-state model, with randomly varying parameter values, was used in probabilistic calculations to estimatemore » the turnover time of labile soil organic carbon (MRTU) and the annual transfer of labile carbon to stable carbon (k2) at each site in two different years. Based on empirical data, the turnover time of stable soil carbon (MRTS) was determined by mean annual temperature and increased from 30 to 100 years from south to north. Moving from south to north, MRTU increased from approximately 5 to 14 years. Consistent with prior studies, 13C enrichment factors ( ) from the Rayleigh equation, that describe the rate of change in 13C through the soil profile, were an indicator of soil carbon turnover times along the latitudinal gradient. Consistent with its role in stabilization of soil organic carbon, silt-clay content along the gradient was positively correlated (r = 0.91; P 0.001) with parameter k2. Mean annual temperature was indicated as the environmental factor most strongly associated with south to north differences in the storage and turnover of labile soil carbon. However, soil texture appeared to override the influence of temperature when there was too little silt-clay content to stabilize labile soil carbon and thereby protect it from decomposition. Irrespective of latitudinal differences in measured soil carbon stocks, each study site had a relatively high proportion of labile soil carbon (approximately 50% of whole soil carbon to a depth of 20 cm). Depending on unknown temperature sensitivities, large labile pools of forest soil carbon are potentially at risk of depletion by decomposition in a warming climate, and losses could be disproportionately higher from coarse textured forest soils.« less
Elastic scattering and single nucleon transfer reactions for 7+11B and 7Li+13C at 34MeV

Abstract Elastic scattering cross sections for 10–170° c.m. have been measured for 7 Li+ 11 B and 7 Li + 13 C at 34 MeV. These data have been analyzed with the optical model using Woods-Saxon potentials, or potentials with a double-folded real part. The double-folded potentials were found to fit the data better, and quadrupole contributions were required to fit the large angle 7 Li+ 11 B data. In addition angular distributions for the ( 7 Li, 8 Li), ( 7 Li, 6 Li) and ( 7 Li, 6 He) reactions were measured. The transfer data were analyzed with finite-range DWBA calculations which were able to describe the shape of the data well and produced spectroscopic factors in agreement with theoretical and other experimental values. A phase shift of about 3° between the calculations and the data was found for the ( 7 Li, 6 Li) and ( 7 Li, 6 He) reactions.
Synthesis and crystal structure of a new europium nickel phosphide phase, EuNi5P3

A new europium nickel phosphide compound EuNi/sub 5/P/sub 3/ was synthesized in a tin flux. The structure was refined from single crystals X-ray data in the space group Cmcm to an R value of 2.06%. The lattice parameters are a = 3.5986(3), b = 11.7374(8), and c = 11.5230(10) A and the compound is isotypic with LaCo/sub 5/P/sub 3/ and LaNi/sub 5/P/sub 3/. The room temperature magnetic moment of 8.1 Bohr magnetons indicates that the europium ions are in the +2 oxidation state.
A meso-mechanical model of the tensile behaviour of concrete. part II: modelling of post-peak tension softening behaviour

Abstract An analytic constitutive model is derived for the post-peak behaviour of composite concrete. Tension softening is modelled in relation to propagation of a dominant crack against an effective toughness which accounts for crack deflection and the existence of distributed interfacial cracks. Analytic expressions for the tension softening curve and fracture energy are derived in terms of internal material parameters. Limited comparison between model predictions and experimental data and an overall discussion of the effects of internal material parameters on composites properties are presented.
The Use of 19F NMR to Interpret the Structural Properties of Perfluorocarboxylate Acids: A Possible Correlation with Their Environmental Disposition

The use of perfluorinated anionic carboxylic acids (PFCAs) as surfactants is common and widespread. Investigations of PFCAs have shown that their physical properties and toxicological aspects are dependent upon the carbon chain length. The magnitude of these properties is not a linear function of chain length and as yet no explanation of these unique observations has been made. Their environmental dissemination is expected to be nonproportional to the PFCAs chain length. An understanding of the fundamental underlying reason for this novel physical property, chain length trend, would aid further investigators' interpretation of their environmental and toxicological observations. In this study we have utilized 19F NMR techniques, such as, chemical shift, spin−lattice (T1), and spin−spin (T2) relaxation phenomena, coupling constants, and variable-temperature NMR to furnish a qualitative explanation of why increasing the carbon chain length causes unexpected intrinsic property changes within this group of che...
Isolation of Wilm's tumor antigens by chelation

A procedure for ethylenediaminetetraacetate extraction of minced Wilm's tumor was assessed as a method for isolating Wilm's tumor antigens. An antigen was detected by immunodiffusion using an adsorbed antiserum to this extract. This antigen was also found in ethylenediaminetetraacetate extracts of in vitro cultures of nephroblastoma cells.
A high-performance GPU-based forward-projection model for computed tomography applications

This work describes a high-performance approach to radiograph (i.e. X-ray image for this work) simulation for arbitrary objects. The generation of radiographs is more generally known as the forward projection imaging model. The formation of radiographs is very computationally expensive and is not typically approached for large-scale applications such as industrial radiography. The approach described in this work revolves around a single GPU-based implementation that performs the attenuation calculation in a massively parallel environment. Additionally, further performance gains are realized by exploiting the GPU-specific hardware. Early results show that using a single GPU can increase computational performance by three orders-of- magnitude for volumes of 10003 voxels and images with 10002 pixels.
Delay in the prehospital phase of acute myocardial infarction. Lack of influence on incidence of sudden death.

Prehospital delay is considered to be an important cause of out-of-hospital coronary mortality. Behavior of patients and physicians in response to the symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) or impending out-of-hospital death (OHD) was studied for 107 consecutive acute coronary events in Framingham, Mass. Delay due to inappropriate patient behavior was the most important component of total delay. Delay related to patient-physician contact occurred in two thirds of MI cases and was more than 30 minutes in half of these. Office visits and inappropriate triage by nurses and receptionists were important factors in physician delay. However, 60% to 75% of OHDs occur so rapidly that their prevention by reduction of prehospital delay seems impossible. A strategy for reduction of delay that might be of benefit in preventing some of the remaining OHDs is described. (Arch Intern Med136:649-654, 1976)
Effect of Chronic Cocaine Treatment on μ‐ and δ‐Opioid Receptor mRNA Levels in Dopaminergically Innervated Brain Regions

The regulation of mu- (MOR) and delta-opioid receptor (DOR) after chronic cocaine administration has been studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 3 days with saline and cocaine (50 mg/kg/day) delivered by osmotic minipump. Expression of MOR and DOR mRNA in olfactory bulb, nucleus accumbens, and caudate-putamen (caudal and rostral parts) was estimated using quantitative competitive PCR assays after reverse transcription. No changes in the levels of mRNA for DOR were detected after exposure to cocaine in the brain regions examined. A significant increase in the level of MOR mRNA was detected in nucleus accumbens after 3 days of cocaine treatment. In caudate-putamen and olfactory bulb, no change in MOR mRNA was observed after cocaine administration. Both SCH 23390 and eticlopride, selective antagonists of D1- and D2-dopamine receptors, respectively, blocked this cocaine-induced up-regulation of MOR mRNA in nucleus accumbens. We suggest that endogenous opioid systems in nucleus accumbens, the brain region specifically associated with the reinforcing properties of addictive drugs, are regulated by dopaminergic mechanisms and influenced by cocaine treatment.
An investigation of serial learning and retention processes in children

Abstract Three studies investigated both serial learning (SL) and retention processes among first through sixth graders. SL processes were evaluated for both pictorial and verbal materials by use of a probing methodology, and retention processes were studied as a function of the amount of intratask interference during original learning. All three SL stimuli considered (prior item, serial position, and prior-item cluster) were found to be functional, although the prior-item stimulus was most frequently used. Additionally, SL rate was found to improve with increasing age. The introduction of interference into SL through acoustic, associative, or semantic similarity facilitated retention in control as well as proactive and retroactive inhibition conditions. Pictorial serial list items improved SL performance only for second, third, and fourth graders, while fifth graders performed better with verbal materials and sixth-grade performance was comparable in both presentation modes.
Developmental pattern of cystine transport in isolated rat renal tubules

Isolated renal cortical tubule fragments from rats ranging in age from less than 48 h to 15 weeks were used to examine the pattern of cystine uptake with development. Immature tubules took up cystine with a faster initial rate than mature tubules and did not reach a steady state by 60 min. By eight weeks of age, the timed uptake of cystine began to approach a steady state and between 8 and 11 weeks the uptake pattern achieved its adult form of reaching a steady state by 30 min of incubation. Analysis of the intracellular metabolism of the cystine taken up by the newborn tubules revealed that the majority had been reduced to cysteine with the formation of small amounts of reduced glutathione. Cystine entered the renal cortical tubule cell from the newborn via two saturable transport systems similar to the mature animal. The kinetic parameters of initial uptake of these two transport systems were similar in the mature and newborn animal except for a higher maximum transport velocity for the low Km, low capacity system in the newborn. Lysine inhibited cystine uptake by newborn tubules and this inhibition appeared to occur on the low Km, low capacity transport system similar to the adult. Cystine uptake was sodium dependent with an apparent affinity for sodium of 36 mequiv./l. From this data, the physiologic cystinuria of the immature animal does not appear to be refeable to a lower rate of influx as previously observed with the cortical slice. Other mechanisms should be sought to explain this phenomenon of immaturity.
QCD radiative corrections to parton-parton scattering

We present the matrix elements squared for all (2 → 2) and (2 → 3) parton scattering subprocesses calculated at O(αs3). The matrix elements are presented in n dimensions to regulate singularities due to the emission of soft or collinear radiation. We use these results to discuss one-hadron inclusive scattering, considering only a limited number of parton subprocesses. A preliminary analysis is made of the implications of our results for gluon-gluon scattering in the absence of quarks.
History-rich tools for social navigation

I present a research framework and some tools developed as part of an ongoing effort into defining and using interaction history as part of a user interface for social navigation; that is, using traces left by past users to help current users find and understand information.
Adding types to untyped languages

Over the last 15 years, we have experienced a programming language renaissance. Numerous scripting languages have become widely used in industrial and open-source projects. They have supplemented the existing mainstream languages--C++ and Java--and, in contexts such as systems administration and web programming, they have started to play a dominant role.While each scripting language comes with its own philosophy, their designers share an antipathy to types. As a result, these languages come without a static type system. Most script developers initially welcome this freedom, but soon discover that the lack of a type system deprives them of an essential maintenance tool.My keynote explains my team's approach to equip such languages with a type system. The goal of our work is to empower programmers so that they can gradually enrich scripts with types on a module-by-module basis as they perform maintenance work on the system. Naturally, we wish to ensure type soundness so that the type annotations are meaningful, and we wish to accommodate the programming idioms of the original language in order to keep the overhead of type enrichment low.
Diffusion Pathway of Interface Reactions in Amorphous-SiC/Ni

A multilayer sample of amorphous SiC (α-SiC) and polycrystalline Ni was prepared by ionbeam sputtering, and was used as a model, prototype system to study the stability of metal contacts with SiC against interdiffusion reactions near the interface. The modulation wavelength is around 80 nm and with equal thickness of α-SiC and Ni layers. By use of XRD, TEM and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), information on the structural evolution and composition distribution during heat treatment was obtained. The diffusion of Ni into the SiC layer, and Si and C into the Ni layer appears to take place concurrently during the annealing process. An amorphous reaction layer was formed during the heat treatment that is distinct from the α-SiC. The increase in thickness of the reaction layer followed a parabolic time dependence in the initial stage, until further reaction was limited by the precipitation of a graphite layer near the original α-SiC/Ni interface. A metastable intermediate phase and a NiSi phase were identified in the original Ni layer due to the diffusion of Si and C based on the decomposition of the α-SiC.
SU‐FF‐J‐13: Decreasing CBCT Dose Without Compromising Its Clinical Fidelity

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of KV cone‐beam CT registration accuracy and image quality with reduced number of planar projections used in 3D reconstruction. The ultimate goal is to reduce patient dose while maintaining registration accuracy for different clinical disease sites. Methods and Materials: An Elekta Synergy Linear accelerator with onboard CBCT system (XVI) is used in this study. The image quality of XVI CBCTimagesreconstructed with decreasing number of projections was evaluated using a CAT phantom that provides quantitative data on spatial resolution, low contrast visibility, uniformity, and geometrical accuracy. Subsequently, we acquired volumetric imaging data on an anthropomorphic phantom with different rectilinear shifts and rotations. We used standard scanning protocol for CBCTimaging. However, we reconstructed images with reduced number of projections (as low as 1/6th). We evaluated image registration accuracy between planning CT and CBCT data generated with decreased number of projections used in reconstruction. We also reconstructedimaging data for 3 real patients with limited number of projections. Results: The CBCTimages of CAT phantom reconstructed with half as many projections satisfied all image quality criteria defined by Elekta in its acceptance test document. The imagesreconstructed with 1/6th of the original number of projections failed only in low contrast resolution while satisfying all other quantitative image quality specifications. The CBCTimages get noisier with reduced number of projections but their spatial resolution is hardly affected. The maximum registration error for both the phantom and real patients was found to be within 1mm and 1° Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the image registration accuracy is not compromised even when the numbers of planar projections are reduced significantly. This means that the patient dose from CBCT study can potentially be reduced by a factor of approximately six.
Analysis of Pre and Posttest Gender Differences in Family Satisfaction of Divorce Mediation Couples

To determine if divorcing spouses experience the family reorganization process through mediation differently, we tested divorcing couples before and after child custody/visitatior mediation, using the Family Satisfaction scale. The pretest family satisfaction scores of husbands as a group were significantly lower than those of the wives (p = .004), but significantly improved after mediation (p = .005). The family satisfaction of wives as a group did not change. Within-couple differences in family satisfaction did not change for either spousal group before and after mediation, an indication that an improvement in the family satisfaction of the husband is not necessarily at the expense of the wife.
Halothane depresses action potential conduction in hippocampal axons

General anesthetics are thought to depress the central nervous system (CNS) by acting at synapses; however, only a few studies have compared effects on axonal conduction with effects on synaptic responses using mammalian CNS preparations. The present study used glutamate receptor antagonists (CNQX/APV) or low calcium to block synaptic transmission, allowing Schaffer-collateral axon fiber volleys to be recorded from rat hippocampal brain slices. Since fiber volleys are compound action potentials, they provide a measure of axonal conduction in Schaffer-collateral fibers. Clinical concentrations of the inhalational anesthetic, halothane (1 rat MAC, 1.2 vol.%), produced an 18±2.3% depression of fiber volley amplitudes (mean±S.D.; p<0.001 ANOVA, n=10). Depression of action potential conduction accounted for ∼30% of the overall depression of synaptic transmission produced by halothane at this concentration. Halothane-induced fiber volley depression occurred with little change in conduction velocity, similar to the effect seen with decreased stimulus intensity, but significantly different from the decreased velocity produced by tetrodotoxin (100 nM, p<0.005). The results indicate that halothane can depress axonal conduction at clinically relevant concentrations and that this depression could contribute to the CNS depression that is associated with anesthesia.
Finite-temperature excitations and thermodynamics of the Δ >~ 1 Heisenberg-Ising ring

We prove the existence and discuss the uniqueness of the solution of the equations proposed by Gaudin for the free energy of the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\ge}1$ Heisenberg-Ising ring. A numerical technique for solving the equations is outlined, and some results of the numerical work are displayed. Comparisons are made with the previous numerical study of Bonner and Fisher with favorable results, giving support to Gaudin's formulation. The finite-temperature excitations of the system are derived, and some sample dispersion curves are given.
Hybrid stochastic simulations of SU(2) gauge theory with dynamical fermions

Abstract The hybrid stochastic algorithm of Duane is applied to SU(2) lattice gauge theory with staggered fermions. After optimizing the algorithm and measuring its systematic errors, the method is used to calculate the theory's chiral condensate. Good evidence is found for asymptotic freedom. The renormalization group invariant condensate R is extracted from simulations on a 10 4 lattice. The critical temperature T c for chiral symmetry restoration is extracted from simulations on 6 × 12 3 lattices. The data suggests that the ratio T c / R is independent (within simulation errors) of the number of dynamical fermions. These results are contrasted to their SU(3) counterparts.
Transient cavity growth in ceramics under compression

The transient cavity growth behaviour of liquid phase-sintered ceramics subject to compressive loads is examined. Three possible sources of transient behaviour are suggested, and their ranges of applicability evaluated. By considering the values of the characteristic time for individual transient modes, it has been determined that transient cavity growth in ceramics probably originates from transient grain-boundary sliding. Assuming that the creep-induced cavities nucleate and grow on grain boundaries that are parallel to the loading axis, a transient cavity growth model is developed on the basis that the local stress which drives cavity growth is induced by transient sliding of adjacent grain boundaries. Results of the proposed model are compared with small-angle neutron scattering measurements of a hot-pressed silicon carbide and a liquid phase-sintered alumina, both of which contain a continuous, amorphous grain-boundary phase. The different cavity growth behaviours observed in these ceramics are discussed in conjunction with transient grain-boundary sliding.
Increasing Organ Donation in Hispanic Americans: The Role of Media and Other Community Outreach Efforts

Importance The growing demand for organs continues to outpace supply. This gap is most pronounced in minority populations, who constitute more than 40% of the organ waiting list. Hispanic Americans are particularly less likely to donate compared with other minorities for reasons that remain poorly understood and difficult to change. Objective To determine whether outreach interventions that target Hispanic Americans improve organ donation outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective before-after study of 4 southern California neighborhoods with a high percentage of Hispanic American residents. We conducted cross-sectional telephone surveys before and 2 years after outreach interventions. Respondents 18 years or older were drawn randomly from lists of Hispanic surnames. Awareness, perceptions, and beliefs regarding organ donation and intent to donate were measured and compared before and after interventions. Intervention Television and radio commercials about organ donation and educational programs at 5 high schools and 4 Catholic churches. Main Outcomes and Measures Number of survey participants who specify intent to donate. Results A total of 402 preintervention and 654 postintervention individuals participated in the surveys. We observed a significant increase in awareness of and knowledge about organ donation and a significant increase in the intent to donate (17.7% vs 12.1%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.06-2.26; P = .02]). Conclusions and Relevance Focused donor outreach programs sustain awareness and knowledge and can significantly improve intent to donate organs in the Hispanic American population. These programs should continue to be evaluated and implemented to influence donor registration.
Yeast surface display of HIV Env protein variants for the discovery of novel vaccine immunogens

Background The discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) such as 4E10, pg9 and VRC01 binding to the HIV env spike has electrified the field and shows that, in principle, the human immune system is capable of producing protective antibodies against HIV. All current vaccination strategies have however failed to elicit such bnAbs, leaving room for novel approaches to address this problem. Protein engineering techniques such as yeast surface display have proven potential for the discovery and affinity maturation of monoclonal antibodies. Antibody libraries are presented on yeast cells and flow cytometric sorting is used to identify antibody variants with improved properties. As antibodies, also HIV env spikes are posttranslationally modified in the secretory pathway and composed of disulphide bond-containing glycoproteins. We here investigated whether HIV spike protein variants can be displayed or secreted from surface of the yeast strain S. cerevisiae. Methods A panel of HIV env spike protein-encoding genes was inserted in vectors allowing for the display or secretion of the encoded proteins in S. cerevisiae. The displayed protein variants were analyzed for binding to either bnAbs or pooled HIV immunoglobulin from the serum of infected individuals (HIVIg) using flow cytometry. The secreted protein variants were tested for binding activities on an Octet biosensor. Results We found that HIV env spike protein variants can be displayed or secreted from the yeast strain S. cerevisiae. Both displayed and secreted variants showed binding to bnAbs and HIVIg. Conclusion This study suggests that yeast surface display is as a viable option for the engineering of HIV env spike protein variants and may become a valuable tool for the discovery of novel vaccine immunogens.
Instrumentation for a High Purity Germanium Position Sensing Gamma Ray Detector

The analysis and design of the instrumentation required to provide spatial and energy information from a high purity germanium, one-dimensional position sensing gamma ray detector is presented. The results of this study demonstrate that the optimum instrumentation system utilizes Gaussian shaping for the energy channel and Gaussian trapezoidal pulse shaping after antisymmetric summation in the spatial channel.
Storage behaviour of ‘Richared’ and ‘Starkrimson’ delicious apples

Abstract This study involved harvesting samples of ‘Richared’ and ‘Starkrimson’ from Tasmanian orchards on 3 harvest dates in 2 consecutive years. The storage performance was assessed after 12 weeks cool storage in 1974 and 18 weeks in 1975. Flesh pressures at harvest were usually higher in ‘Richared’ than in ‘Starkrimson’. The incidence of superficial scald did not differ between the 2 cultivars. ‘Richared’ was far more susceptible to watercore at harvest and breakdown ex store than ‘Starkrimson’. For these reasons, the timing of harvest was more critical for ‘Richared’ than for ‘Starkrimson’.
Characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid-protein interactions at a growth hormone-inducible nuclease hypersensitive site in the rat insulin-like growth factor-I gene.

Many of the growth-promoting effects of GH are mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a highly conserved, 70-residue basic peptide. Previous studies have demonstrated that GH rapidly stimulates IGF-I expression in vivo, and our laboratory has identified a GH-regulated alteration in chromatin configuration, manifested as a hormonally induced deoxyribonuclease-I (DNase-I)-hypersensitive site in the second IGF-I intron. In the current study, we have used in vivo DNase-I footprinting to map this hormonally responsive chromatin domain to an approximately 350-nucleotide region and have identified DNA-protein interactions within the hypersensitive site by in vitro gel mobility shift experiments and DNase-I footprinting studies. DNA-protein binding was localized to two adjacent segments of 32 and 48 nucleotides. In 1 of these regions, protein-DNA contacts were also detected in vivo on guanine residues by dimethylsulfate footprinting. DNA-binding activity was present in GH-deficient rats, but was not mo...
Hydrogeochemical Processes and Controls on Water Quality and Water Management

The chemical constituents in water determine its potability, usability for agriculture and recreation, and interactions with biological systems. Anthropogenic processes have significantly influenced the geochemistry of water in many regions. Physical, chemical, and biological processes control the chemistry and chemical evolution of water in natural and contaminated systems. Advances in our ability to quantify these processes will improve our ability to manage our water resources, help us identify potential sources of contamination, and illuminate potential solutions to water-quality problems. Particularly impressive are the applications of chemical and isotopic tracers, which can track water movement and quantify water fluxes on the surface and in the subsurface. To better address societal needs, future advances will require a holistic approach to interpreting geochemical data.
Continuous Infusion of Intraperitoneal Bupivacaine After Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial—What About Statistical Power and Analysis?

Dear Editor, We read with interest the letter written by La Colla and colleagues and appreciate their comments. We agree that sample size calculations are integral to evaluating the results of studies that contain non-significant results [1, 2]. Yet, where statistical significance is found, such as for the visual analog scale in our paper, the null hypothesis has already been rejected, and thus, a calculation of sample size is superfluous. Furthermore, we are surprised that La Colla and colleagues assume that all biostatisticians believe in the importance of post hoc power calculations. This is a matter of debate, with many disagreeing about the usefulness and importance of post hoc power calculations [3, 4]. We therefore maintain that our conclusions regarding the positive effects of continuous infusion intraperitoneal bupivacaine on post-bariatric subjective pain scores remain valid.
Cloning of the human aspartoacylase cDNA and a common missense mutation in Canavan disease.

Canavan disease, an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy, is caused by deficiency of aspartoacylase and accumulation of N–acetylaspartic acid in brain. We have cloned the human aspartoacylase (ASP) cDNA spanning 1,435 basepairs, and show that the isolated cDNA expresses aspartoacylase activity in bacteria. Furthermore, an A to C base change, at nucleotide 854, has been found in 85% of the 34 Canavan alleles tested so far. This base change results in a missense Glu285Ala mutation that is predicted to be part of the catalytic domain of aspartoacylase. The data suggest that the catalytic centre of aspartoacylase involves a triad of Ser, His and Glu residues. Our findings have implications for diagnosis and screening of Canavan disease.
Recurrence plots revisited

Abstract We show that recurrence plots (RPs) give detailed characterizations of time series generated by dynamical systems driven by slowly varying external forces. For deterministic systems we show that RPs of the time series can be used to reconstruct the RP of the driving force if it varies sufficiently slowly. If the driving force is one-dimensional, its functional form can then be inferred up to an invertible coordinate transformation. The same results hold for stochastic systems if the RP of the time series is suitably averaged and transformed. These results are used to investigate the nonlinear prediction of time series generated by dynamical systems driven by slowly varying external forces. We also consider the problem of detecting a small change in the driving force, and propose a surrogate data technique for assessing statistical significance. Numerically simulated time series and a time series of respiration rates recorded from a subject with sleep apnea are used as illustrative examples.
Parallel methods for similar image compression and classification with common models

This paper addresses efficient parallel compression and classification for sets of similar images that are normally generated from satellite imagery, medical imaging (CT and MR scans) or aerial surveillance. From our experiments it was observed that image similarities for each class of images can be more efficiently expressed in the domain of image compressing transforms. In particular, the paper shows that only one predictive compressing model can be constructed for the entire class of similar images of the same nature, and then used for nearly optimal compression of any image of the class. The extraction of the optimal class-compressing model still remains a computationally intensive process, which can be considerably improved on parallel computers. The paper demonstrates how a similar database compressing model can be extracted in parallel, and how this can be used for parallel similar database compression and classification of new images into appropriate similarity classes. The results of the parallel similar image analysis are demonstrated with MR and CT brain images obtained from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radiochemical analyses of 210Pb in a massive coral (Pavona clavus) from the Galapagos

Abstract Radiochemical, mineralogie, and minor element analyses of three Pavona clavus samples spanning 350 years from Urvina Bay, Isabela Island, Galapagos, are presented here. The 210 Pb results, the first reported from corals treated with all the precautions developed for obtaining reliable stable lead measurements, indicate the importance of these procedures for measuring coral 210 Pb activities which can be directly related to surface water activities. Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios, mineralogy, uranium concentration and isotopic ratio data, and activities 230 Th (in the two youngest samples) and 232 Th indicate no significant post-depositional alteration or contamination. Calculated initial 210 Pb activities in the two youngest samples are ~6 to 9 dpm/100 g, lower than observed for other Galapagos corals and consistent with surface water conditions inferred from other trace element data on these corals. Initial 226 Ra activities are typically ~4.4 dpm/100 g. Further investigation is required to document fully the effects of cleaning procedures on coral radionuclide measurements and the relationship of variability in coral radionuclides with water column events.
Effects of subcortical ablations on polysensory cortical responses and interactions in the cat.

Abstract Evoked responses to somatic, visual and auditory stimulation were recorded and interacted in polysensory cortical areas of the chloralose-anesthetized cat. Subcortical structures currently thought to mediate these responses (notably mesencephalic reticular formation, nucleus centrum medianum and midline nuclei) were removed and the recordings repeated. Removal of these structures depressed the responses, but most recovered and interacted in a manner comparable to that observed prior to ablation. It is thus concluded that polysensory cortical convergence, as revealed by interactions, is not dependent upon the hypothesized subcortical projection system. The presence of polysensory responses after ablation was confirmed in unanesthetized cats, but interactions were not performed.
Calcium and phosphorus interact to reduce mid-growing season net nitrogen mineralization potential in organic horizons in a northern hardwood forest

Abstract Acid deposition can deplete soil calcium (Ca) and be detrimental to the health of some forests. We examined effects of soil Ca and phosphorus (P) availability on microbial activity and nitrogen (N) transformations in a plot-scale nutrient addition experiment at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. We tested the hypotheses that (1) microbial activity and N transformations respond to large but not small changes in soil Ca, (2) soil Ca availability influences net N mineralization via the immobilization of N, rather than via changes in microbial activity, and (3) the response to Ca is constrained by P availability. Seasonality was a primary influence on the microbial response to treatments; N cycling processes varied from May to October and treatment effects were only detectable in the mid-growing season, in July. Neither microbial activity (C mineralization) nor gross N mineralization responded to Ca or to P, in either horizon. In the Oa horizon in July net N mineralization was reduced by high Ca and by Ca + P, and gross nitrification was increased by P addition. In the Oe horizon in July net N mineralization was reduced by Ca + P. These results partially supported our hypotheses, suggesting that soil Ca depletion has the potential to increase mid-growing season N availability via subtle changes in N immobilization, and that this effect is sensitive to soil P chemistry. The horizon-specific nature of the responses that we detected suggests that the proportions of Oe and Oa horizons comprising the surface organic layer will influence the relative importance of these processes at the ecosystem scale. Our results highlight the need for further attention to seasonal changes in controls of microbial mineralization/immobilization processes, to functional differences between organic horizons, and to interactions between Ca and P in soils, in order to learn the specific mechanisms underlying the influence of Ca status on nutrient recycling in these northern hardwood ecosystems.
A sociobehavioral model of acupuncture use, patterns, and satisfaction among women in the United States, 2002.

Objectives To examine the correlates of recent acupuncture use among American women, applying a sociobehavioral model of utilization of conventional health care. Patterns of use, satisfaction, and reasons for acupuncture use are also examined. Methods The 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is used, which included the Alternative Health/Complementary Alternative Medicine Supplement. All analyses and estimates used the NHIS individual-level sampling weights; variance estimates were adjusted to account for complex sample design. Bivariate statistics and logistic regression were used. We included data from 17,112 women. Results Prevalence of recent acupuncture use was low (1.1%), but translates to >1.2 million American women. Multivariate results showed the effects of race and ethnicity on acupuncture use were contingent on educational level. Women living in the West were more likely to use acupuncture, as were women with fair health status, former smokers, current moderate/heavy alcohol users, and women with a higher body mass index. Women tended to use acupuncture for conditions not commonly well treated by conventional medicine (e.g., chronic pain) and the majority reported using acupuncture in conjunction with conventional medicine. Conclusions Predisposing and enabling factors, as well as medical need and personal health practices, are associated with women’s recent use of acupuncture services, including several that are also associated with conventional health care services.
Application of an HP-Adaptive Technique for Heat, Mass and Momentum Transport

A three-step hp-adaptive finite element model (FEM) is employed to solve the governing equations for incompressible flow including mass and thermal transport. The adaptive FEM uses both mesh enrichment (h-adaptation) and spectral order incensement (p-adaptation) to maximize the rate of decrease of the interpolation error. The three-step adaptive methodology can be used to solve a wide variety of problems related to incompressible viscous flow including mass dispersion along with thermal transport. Highly accurate solutions are obtained using an optimally refined final mesh. The L2 energy norm is calculated to guide the adaptation procedure. Simulation results for incompressible flow over a backward facing step, natural convection in a partitioned enclosure and mass transport within a partitioned enclosure under thermal effects are presented. Results are compared with experimental data and numerical simulations reported in the literature. The efficiency of the proposed numerical technology is discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Role of soil redox in growth and fertilizer nitrogen uptake by rice in Thailand paddy soils

In a laboratory study, 15 N ammonium fertilizer uptake and rice growth was determined in a non-acid sulphate marine soil (Typic Tropaquept) and an acid sulphate soil (Sulfic Tropaquept). Acid sulphate sensitive (IR 26) and acid sulphate tolerant (IR 46) rice varieties were grown in soil suspensions incubated at four Eh levels (+500, +250, +50, and -150 mV) in microcosms for three weeks. The results showed that rice grown in non-acid sulphate marine soils gave slightly better dry matter weight of 1.8 g/ pot, greater 15 N uptake of 12.8 mg N/pot, and higher total N uptake of 38.4 mg N/pot than under acid sulphate soil conditions indicating the non-acid marine soil is more favourable to rice culture. Growth as measured by weight ofdry matter was significantly reduced from 2.1g/pot under oxidized condition (+500 mV) to 0.8g/pot under highly reduced condition (- 150 mV). 15 N uptake by rice was significantly reduced from 16.9 mg/pot at + 500 mV to 4.5 mg N/pot at -150 mV Total N uptake also decreased with decreasing Eh. Growth, 15 N uptake and total N uptake by acid sulphate tolerant rice, IR 46 were significantly higher than the acid sulphate sensitive rice variety, IR 26. Under highly reduced soil conditions (- 150 mV), growing rice in acid sulphate soil would require additions of lime, intermittent irrigation and/or mid season drainage in order to increase soil redox potential and remove toxic substances.
Effects of Lesser Cornstalk Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Feeding at Selected Plant Growth Stages on Peanut Growth and Yield

A greenhouse study was conducted to quantify the relationship of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var Florunner) plant damage to plant phenology and lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignose/lus (Zeller), larval density. Five plant growth stages, five lesser cornstalk borer (LCB) larval densities, and nine replicates were used in the study. Overall survival of larvae to adulthood was 46.90 ± 0.02% (x ± SEM). Less than 3.60% of pods were damaged when ≥4 larvae were used to infest a plant, whereas ≥7.08% were damaged when 6 or 8 larvae were used. A greater percentage of plants infested at stage ≥R5 had damaged seeds than those infested at ≥R3. Undamaged pod and seed, and root dry weight declined linearly with an increase in LCB density. An economic injury level of 3.63 to 5.44 larvae per row-meter was calculated based on 5.82% loss in undamaged pod dry weight per LCB.
Processing, Microstructure, and Residual Stress Effects on Strength and Fatigue Crack Growth Properties in Friction Stir Welding: A Review

The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of friction stir welding (FSW), as well as to introduce current research and applications involving this relatively new process. FSW is a new, efficient way of joining metal alloys that are considered unsuitable for welding via conventional fusion joining methods, and is capable of welding dissimilar metals with ease. This process also has the benefit of being solid-state, which mitigates the need for liquid filler metals that are common with conventional fusion welding techniques. This review will examine different facets of the FSW process, exploring the resulting static and dynamic properties and factors that influence these properties including weld zone boundaries, grain refinement, residual stress, and addition of reinforcing particles. Highlights of current research in this area and applications of this process in various industries will also be presented and discussed.
Localized states in crystals with two kinds of atoms

Abstract The localized end states of a one-dimensional crystal with two kinds of atoms are discussed using the molecular orbital method with the tight-binding approximation. An extra parameter has to be introduced to allow for the different potentials at the two kinds of atoms and this complicates the theory. In certain cases the conditions for the existence of localized states can be more favourable in mixed crystals but this may also depend on which one of the two types of atom is at the end. The theory is also extended to include localized impurity states in a three-dimensional crystal by using a Green's matrix method and similar results are found.
A proof-of-principle, prospective, randomized, controlled trial demonstrating improved outcomes in scheduled unsedated colonoscopy by the water method

Background An observational study in veterans showed that a novel water method (water infusion in lieu of air insufflation) enhanced cecal intubation and willingness to undergo a repeat scheduled unsedated colonoscopy. Objective To confirm these beneficial effects and significant attenuation of discomfort in a randomized, controlled trial (RCT). Design Prospective RCT, intent-to-treat analysis. Setting Veterans Affairs ambulatory care facility. Patients Veterans undergoing scheduled unsedated colonoscopy. Interventions During insertion, the water and traditional air methods were compared. Main Outcome Measurements Discomfort and procedure-related outcomes. Results Eighty-two veterans were randomized to the air (n = 40) or water (n = 42) method. Cecal intubation (78% vs 98%) and willingness to repeat (78% vs 93%) were significantly better with the water method ( P P = .002 (Student t test), and the median overall discomfort after colonoscopy was 3 versus 2, P = .052 (Mann-Whitney U test), respectively. The method, but not patient characteristics, was a predictor of discomfort ( t = −1.998, P = .049, R 2 = 0.074). The odds ratio for failed cecal intubation was 2.09 (95% CI, 1.49-2.93) for the air group. Fair/poor previous experience increased the risk of failed cecal intubation in the air group only. The water method numerically increased adenoma yield. Limitations Single site, small number of elderly men, unblinded examiner, possibility of unblinded subjects, restricted generalizability. Conclusions The RCT data confirmed that the water method significantly enhanced cecal intubation and willingness to undergo a repeat colonoscopy. The decrease in maximum discomfort was significant; the decrease in overall discomfort approached significance. The method, but not patient characteristics, was a predictor of discomfort. (Clinical trial registration number NCT00747084).
A High-Performance Phase-Sensitive Detector

A phase-sensitive detector is described that enables the retrieval of signals submerged 90 dB (voltage) below the noise level. Operation over four decades of signal amplitude (a fullscale linearity error of 0.01 percent) is possible for a frequency range of 0-150 Hz. Design features are offered allowing an experimenter to construct the device from inexpensive components and be assured a predictable performance.