cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
managedpop: a computer simulation to project allelic diversity in managed populations with overlapping generations

We present a Monte Carlo simulation, managedpop, to project the loss of allelic diversity in a population with overlapping generations supported (or invaded) by a prodigious subpopulation. Input parameters allow the user to account for complex life histories and critical management practices, such as the frequency at which supportive breeding stocks are replaced. The simulation could also be used to examine the threat of species or population level extinction via hybridization. managedpop merges theoretical formulations on the effective size of supported populations and of populations with overlapping generations using easily measured life history traits.
A Nested Experimental Design for Gauge Gain in Steel Tube Manufacturing

Abstract Gauge gain refers to the phenomenon that the gauge of a steel tube, produced by cold‐working, may be thicker than the gauge of the coil steel from which the tube is made. The objective of the case study reported here is to identify which product factors (e.g., shape, size, material properties) have significant effects on the gauge gain. A nested designed experiment was employed, augmented by gauge R&R (repeatability and reproducibility) and regression studies. The benefits of applying classical experimental design procedures to a little understood phenomenon in steel tube manufacturing was demonstrated.
Interaction of turblence and chemistry in a low-swirl burner

New combustion systems based on ultra-lean premixed combustion have the potential for dramatically reducing pollutant emissions in transportation systems, heat, and stationary power generation. However, lean premixed flames are highly susceptible to fluid-dynamical combustion instabilities, making robust and reliable systems difficult to design. Low-swirl burners are emerging as an important technology for meeting design requirements in terms of both reliability and emissions for next-generation combustion devices. In this paper, we present simlations of a laboratory-scale low-swirl burner using detailed chemistry and transport without incorporating explicit models for turbulence or turbulence/chemistry interaction. We consider two fuels, methane and hydrogen, each at two turbulent intensities. Here we examine some of the basic properties of the flow field and the flame structure. We focus on the differences in flame behavior for the two fuels, particularly on the hydrogen flame, which burns with a cellular structures.
In-situ measurements of Cu in an estuarine environment using a portable spectrophotometric analysis system

Application of a portable in-situ spectrophotometric analysis system for the measurement of Cu in estuarine environments is described in this work. Our spectrophotometric elemental analysis system ...
Increased cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate inhibits G protein-coupled activation of phospholipase C in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells.

Thyroid cell growth and function are regulated by several hormones and growth factors that bind to cell surface receptors coupled via G proteins, Gs and Gq, to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC), respectively. We created a permanently transfected FRTL-5 cell line (TG8) in which the thyroglobulin gene promoter directs expression of the cholera toxin (CT) A1 subunit (CTA1). CTA1 catalyzes ADP ribosylation of Gs alpha, which results in persistent activation of Gs alpha. Activated Gs alpha causes constitutive stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and increases levels of intracellular cAMP. Because G protein-coupled signaling pathways exhibit cross-talk, we compared TG8 cells to FRTL-5 cells transfected with the neomycin resistance gene (TG4) to determine whether constitutive stimulation of adenylyl cyclase influences the PLC pathway. PLC activity was assessed by measuring levels of total inositol phosphates (IPs) in TG4 and TG8 cells that had been preincubated with myo-[3H]inositol for 2 days...
Pediatric Prehospital Seizure Management

Seizures are a common cause for activation of emergency medical services for pediatric patients, so utilization of best practices for the management of seizures is essential. Though similar in efficacy, midazolam and diazepam may be advantageous in comparison to lorazepam in the prehospital setting due to their longer shelf life. Obtaining vascular access may delay time to administration of treatment, so intranasal, intramuscular, or buccal routes should be used. Rectal medications are least preferred due to prolonged time to seizure cessation and more adverse effects. Though hypoglycemia is an infrequent cause of pediatric seizures, routine glucometry is recommended since benefits outweigh risks. More research is needed to determine optimal dosing and timing of medications, and to determine which non-intravenous routes of administration are preferable in the prehospital setting.
A performance assessment of calibrated camera networks for construction site monitoring

Monitoring the status of construction activity is a key factor in maximizing efficiency and reducing cost on capital construction sites. In contrast to human inspection, an automated technology would provide more frequent updates. However, real-time construction site monitoring remains an elusive goal because of many factors including the environment's large size and dynamic behavior. Calibrated camera networks have recently been developed to enable smart environments, where the location of people and objects in the scene are updated in real-time. Despite a growing interest in this technology, a detailed performance analysis has not been conducted. In this paper, empirical results on the calibration and static 3D localization error are presented for a calibrated camera network prototype using four cameras. Using a total station to provide ground truth, the cameras are calibrated and points in the workspace are reconstructed in 3D by combining observations from each image plane. Results show that performance is well suited for localizing objects typically found on a construction site (although scaling errors have not yet been characterized).
In vitro photodecomposition of uric acid in presence of riboflavin II.

In vitro studies on the photodecomposition of uric acid in the presence of the monosodium salt of riboflavin 5′-phosphate in buffers at various pH values, in methanol, and in human plasma are reported. The decomposition rate increased with increasing pH and was independent of solvent or buffer species. The mechanism appears to be an energy transfer process involving triplet riboflavin and singlet oxygen. Riboflavin-enhanced photodecomposition of uric acid occurred in vitro in hyperuricemic human plasma.
Novel Insights into M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Physiology and Structure

Recent studies with M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) mutant mice suggest that drugs selectively targeting this receptor subtype may prove useful for the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions. Moreover, the use of M3R-based designer G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has provided novel insights into how Gq-coupled GPCRs can modulate whole-body glucose homeostasis by acting on specific peripheral cell types. More recently, we succeeded in using X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of the M3R bound to the bronchodilating drug tiotropium, a muscarinic antagonist (inverse agonist). This new structural information should facilitate the development of orthosteric or allosteric M3R-selective drugs that are predicted to have considerable therapeutic potential.
Gas exchange in open-top field chambers—II. Resistances to ozone uptake by soybeans

Abstract A method is described for measuring the rate of removal of O 3 from air in an open-top field chamber used for exposing soybeans to O 3 . Measurements are analysed to derive resistances to removal by the chamber walls, soil and the leaf canopy. Combined wall and soil resistances exceeded 300 s m −1 . Canopy resistances of well-watered plants by day averaged 73 s m −1 , comparable with published measurements in the field by micrometeorological methods. When plants were water-stressed, canopy resistances by day increased to 200–300 s m −1 ; at night, when stomata were closed, canopy resistances exceeded 350 s m −1 . The method should be applicable for measuring fluxes of CO 2 , and water vapour as well as other pollutant gases.
Demonstration of optimizing piezoelectric polarization in the design of a flextensional actuator

Much effort has gone into amplifying the displacements of actuators built around piezoelectric materials (PZTs). Some researchers have used topology optimization to design compliant mechanisms that best magnify either the geometric or mechanical advantage of piezoelectric wafers or “stack” actuators. PZTs are generally poled through the “thin” direction, so actuation by an electric field in that direction only induces eigenstrains normal to the free edges. Some researchers have shown advantages of “shear mode” actuation, and material scientists have demonstrated the ability to pole a PZT in an arbitrary direction. This work attempts to justify the inclusion of the PZT polarization vector as a design variable in the design of a flextensional actuator. We present two examples based on the “cymbal” actuator: one using a simplified model to justify off-angle polarization and another using the polarization vector as a design variable to optimize the topology of a compliant mechanism.
Utilizing a reference material for assessing absolute tumor mechanical properties in modality independent elastography

There is currently no reliable method for early characterization of breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) [1,2]. Given that disruption of normal structural architecture occurs in cancer-bearing tissue, we hypothesize that further structural changes occur in response to NAC. Consequently, we are investigating the use of modalityindependent elastography (MIE) [3-8] as a method for monitoring mechanical integrity to predict long term outcomes in NAC. Recently, we have utilized a Demons non-rigid image registration method that allows 3D elasticity reconstruction in abnormal tissue geometries, making it particularly amenable to the evaluation of breast cancer mechanical properties. While past work has reflected relative elasticity contrast ratios [3], this study improves upon that work by utilizing a known stiffness reference material within the reconstruction framework such that a stiffness map becomes an absolute measure. To test, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogel phantom and a silicone rubber mock mouse tumor phantom were constructed with varying mechanical stiffness. Results showed that an absolute measure of stiffness could be obtained based on a reference value. This reference technique demonstrates the ability to generate accurate measurements of absolute stiffness to characterize response to NAC. These results support that ‘referenced MIE' has the potential to reliably differentiate absolute tumor stiffness with significant contrast from that of surrounding tissue. The use of referenced MIE to obtain absolute quantification of biomarkers is also translatable across length scales such that the characterization method is mechanics-consistent at the small animal and human application.
Evidence for common genetic mechanisms controlling the tolerance of sudden salt stress in the tribe Triticeae

Previous studies in several Triticeae species have suggested that salt tolerance is a polygenic trait, but that genes on some chromosomes confer better tolerance to salt stress than others. This suggests an intriguing possibility that there may be a similar basis for salt tolerance in the species of the tribe Triticeae. In this study, chromosomal control of the tolerance to sudden salt stress, measured as the mean rate of leaf elongation in solution cultures with a single increment of 200 mM NaCl, was investigated in the genomes of cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and Dasypyrum villosum (L.) Can-dargy by using disomic addition lines of individual pairs of chromosomes or chromosome arms of each of the three species in the ‘Chinese Spring’ wheat genetic background. It was observed that the chromosomes of homoeologous groups 3, 4, and 5 in barley, 5 and 7 in rye, and 4 and 6 in D. villosum carry loci with significant positive effects on salt tolerance. Increased doses of chromosomes of group 2, however, reduce or do not increase the tolerance to salt stress. These results are in agreement with a previous study of the tolerance of this salt stress regime in wheat and wheatgrass Lophopyrum elongatum. A ranking analysis of the chromosomal effects within each genome of the five Triticeae species investigated in this and previous studies revealed that the chromosomes of homoeologous groups 3 and 5 consistently confer large positive effects on the tolerance of sudden salt stress, while the chromosomes of homoeologous group 2 in increased dose have no or negative effects on the tolerance. This strongly suggests that species of the tribe Triticeae share some common genetic mechanisms of tolerance of sudden salt stress. The findings in this study give credence to the proposal that wild relatives can be exploited in the development of wheat cultivars with greater tolerance to salt stress.
Air quality monitoring with the differential optical absorption spectrometer

Measurements of gaseous air pollutants over three separate open paths in Atlanta, Georgia, conducted with a differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS) during July and August 1990 are reported. Over path 1 (1099 m) and path 2 (1824 m), O3, SO2, NO2, HNO2, HCHO, benzene, toluene, and o-xylene were measured. NO and NH3 were monitored over path 3 (143 m). Federal reference method (FRM) instruments were located near the DOAS light receivers, and measurements of O3, NO2, and NO were made concurrently with the DOAS. Correlation coefficients between the two measurement paths ranged from 0.87 for toluene to 0.99 for ozone. Comparisons between FRM and DOAS for O3, NO2, and NO showed good correlations but some differences in average concentrations, most notably for NO, whose FRM concentrations averaged less than 40 percent of the DOAS concentrations. The advantages of the DOAS system over traditional FRM systems are discussed.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinical experience with leucovorin and 5‐fluorouracil

Two trials of leucovorin (LV) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were done, both using a 3-day loading dose and then weekly doses to minimize toxicity. The first trial used LV administered by intravenous infusion with a constant dose of 5-FU 400 mg/m2, and the second trail used oral LV with increasing doses of 5-FU. In the first trail, 45 eligible patients (20 with and 25 without previous therapy) were treated. Toxicity usually consisted of diarrhea or weakness and was controlled by delaying or decreasing the 5-FU dose. Subjective responses occurred in 75% of patients but did not correlate with antineoplastic effect. Objective responses were seen in 36% and stabilization of disease in 31% of patients; these correlated with prolonged survival. Median survival was 8 months for patients with previous treatment and 10 for those without. Twelve-month survival was 32% and 40%, respectively. There was no correlation between the development of toxicity and response or survival. The second trial was conducted recently in cooperation with Duke University to determine toxicity and efficacy of oral LV with intravenous 5-FU before a randomized trial of this combination versus placebo with intravenous 5-FU. Eighteen patients were treated, and serum levels of folates were obtained on ten. First toxicity occurred at 5-FU doses ranging from 375 to 850 mg/m2, and consisted of diarrhea in nine, lethargy in seven, nausea/vomiting in four, dermatitis in four, conjunctivitis in two, hypersalivation in two, stomatitis in one, and profound granulocytopenia in one. Response rate was 35%, and stabilization was 35% with median survival of 14 months. Twelve-month survival was 56%.
Comparison of left ventricular function and infarct size in patients with and without persistently positive technetium-99m pyrophosphate myocardial scintigrams after myocardial infarction: Analysis of 357 patients☆

One hundred nine patients with persistently positive technetium-99m pyrophosphate (Tc-99m-PPi) myocardial scintigrams 6 months after acute myocardial infarction (MI) (Group A) and 185 patients without such persistently positive scintigrams (Group B) were compared with regard to enzymatically determined infarct size, early and late measurements of left ventricular (LV) function determined by radionuclide ventriculography, and preceding clinical course during the 6 months after MI. The CK-MB-determined infarct size index in Group A (17.4 ± 10.6 g-Eq/m2) did not differ significantly from that in Group B (16.0 ± 14.6 g-Eq/m2). Similarly, myocardial infarct areas in the 2 groups, determined by planimetry of acute Tc-99m-PPi scintigrams in those patients with well-localized 3+ or 4+ anterior pyrophosphate uptake, were not significantly different (35.7 ± 13.4 vs 34.4 ± 13.1 cm2, respectively). However, patients in Group A had significantly lower LV ejection fractions than those in Group B, both within 18 hours of the onset of MI (0.42 ± 0.14 vs 0.49 ± 0.14, p < 0.01) and at 3 months after MI, both at rest (0.42 ± 0.14 vs 0.51 ± 0.14, p < 0.01) and at maximal symptom-limited supine bicycle exercise (0.44 ± 0.17 vs 0.51 ± 0.17, p < 0.01). Peak exercise levels achieved in the 2 groups were not significantly different. Furthermore, patients in Group A demonstrated a greater incidence of congestive heart failure during the initial hospital admission (41 vs 24%; p < 0.01) and a greater requirement for digoxin (p < 0.05) and furosemide (p <0.01) after discharge. These results were not explained by an y difference in the incidence of previous MI between the 2 groups. Thus, patients with persistently positive Tc-99m-PPi scintigrams have similar infarct size, but greater impairment of LV function compared with those without persistently positive scintigrams. The persistently positive Tc-99m-PPi scintigram and the greater LV dysfunction may reflect ongoing intermittent myocardial necrosis secondary to chronic myocardial ischemia.
Reliability and integration of ultra-thin gate dielectrics for advanced CMOS

Abstract The rapid scaling of CMOS technology over the last few years has resulted in the reduction of gate dielectric thickness to only a few nanometers. Some estimates suggest that standard SiO 2 (or its nitrogen containing variants) will cease to useful when thickness are reduced to between 1.0–2.0 nm. The major causes for concern, assuming that such thin dielectrics may be grown reliably with any reasonable yield, seem to centered upon either process integration issues, (for example boron penetration), or upon the increasing gate leakage which lead to questions regarding dielectric integrity and reliability or to standby power consumption. The future of CMOS down to and below the 0.1 μm gate lengths may well hinge on finding a replacement of silicon dioxide as the gate insulator. However, even for 2.0–4.0 nm dielectrics currently being used for the development of 0.1 – 0.25 μm technologies. There is only limited understanding of the issues pertaining to the reliability of the gate dielectric.
Studies of photoexcitations in C70 by optically detected magnetic resonance

Abstract Photoexcitations in C70 both as a dispersion in polystyrene (PS) glass and as films produced by evaporation, have been studied by photomodulation, photoluminescence and their respective versions of optically detected magnetic resonance. In C70: PS glass at 4 K we observed metastable triplet excitons with a distribution of lifetimes and a correlated distribution of magnetic powder patterns. In C70 films, on the other hand, in addition to triplet excitons we observed photogenerated charged excitations with spin 1 2 and a correlated photoinduced electroabsorption; we identify the charged excitations as C∓70.
Human natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes require cell surface carbohydrate determinants for lytic function

Cloned and uncloned populations of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were treated with tunicamycin, an antibiotic that inhibits N-linked glycosylation, in order to study the potential role of cell surface carbohydrate determinants in lytic function. It is shown that tunicamycin-treated NK and CTL effector cells lose killer function in a dose-dependent manner. This effect is reversible; cells washed free of tunicamycin begin to recover their killer activity within 2 to 3 days after initial treatment. Conjugate experiments indicate that killer-target cell binding is not affected by tunicamycin treatment of the NK cells. It is also shown that tunicamycin treatment of target cells does not significantly affect their ability to be lysed by NK or CTL effector cells. These studies provide evidence that carbohydrate determinants are important in the lytic mechanism of both CTL and NK cells, rather than in specific effector-target cell binding.
Computerized speech criticism

The purpose of this article is to examine the utility of using computers to reduce the frustration and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the teacher preparing written evaluations of speech performances.
Combining human placental lactogen with routine glucose challenge tests.

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that among gravidas with abnormal 1 hour glucose challenge tests (GCT), human placental lactogen (HPL) is higher for those found to have gestational diabetes. Study Design: Coincident with the GCT, serum was used to measure HPL by radioimmunoassay technique. Interassay and intraassay coefficients of variance were 6.0% and 1.4%, respectively. All GCT > 130 mg% were followed by a 100 g oral GTT (Carpenter criteria). Results: Two hundred fifty-seven women whose mean age was 29.4 years were studied. Twenty-two percent (57/257) had an elevated GCT. Forty-nine percent (25/57) of those with a positive screen were found to have an abnormal GTT. The mean HPL for this group of 25 women with gestational diabetes was 5.85 ± 2.55 mg/mL and was significantly higher than the 3.38 ± 1.40 mg/mL level in the 32 (32/57) women who had an abnormal GCT but a normal GTT, P = .034. The mean HPL for women who had a normal GCT screen was 4.68 ± 1.64 mg/mL and was not statistically different from the HPL in women with an abnormal GCT but who had a normal GTT, P = .1. However, among the 11 women with a normal GCT but whose infants weighed >4000 g, the mean HPL was 5.83 ± 1.29 mg/mL, which was similar to the mean HPL found in women with gestational diabetes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HPL levels are lower in groups of women with positive GCT but a negative GTT when compared to groups with a positive GCT but an abnormal GTT. Adjuvant HPL measurements may improve the positive predictive value of GCT.
The effect of perceived personal consequences on participation and influence in organizational buying

Abstract A potential explanation for the amount of individual participation and influence in an industrial purchase decision is whether or not the participant expects any personal repercussions to result from the decision outcome. Justified by a dcript theory extension of the reward/measurement model, the above proposition was tested and supported using a LISREL model fitted to the responses of executives who participated in the purchase of a specialized item of capital equipment.
Acid-base regulation as a function of body temperature in ectothermic toads, a heliothermic lizard, and a heterothermic mammal

Abstract 1. 1.|Blood pH of an active amphibian ( Bufo valliceps ) and a dormant amphibian ( Scaphiopus couchii ) at different body temperatures was found to resemble the pH-temperature relationship for water. Their pH-temperature coefficients were −0.030 and −0.028 u/°C respectively. The blood pH of a heliothermic lizard ( Dipsosaurus dorsalis ) and a heterothermic mammal ( Perognathus longimembris ) had a lower temperature coefficient, −0.007 and −0.0085 u/°C respectively. Blood pCO 2 of the amphibia, reptile and mammal decreased at low body temperatures, in conformance with the pH regime; the lizard and mammal were, however, acidotic relative to the amphibia, at low temperatures. 2. 2.|Data from the present study, and other studies, suggest that the manner in which vertebrates regulate in vivo pH at different body temperatures is quite variable, and that behavioural/physiological thermoregulators tend to have low temperature-pH coefficients. 3. 3.|The temperature-pH optimum for a tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme, malate dehydrogenase, from P. longimembris ) was about −0.008 u/°C, which corresponds closely for the temperature-pH coefficient for blood (−0.0085 u/°C). 4. 4.|The pattern of in vivo pH-temperature regulation observed in vertebrates would appear to be intimately correlated with the physico-chemical requirements for the maintenance of cellular metabolism. Neither the temperature-pH coefficient for in vivo pH regulation, or for optimal enzyme activity, necessarily parallel the observed temperature dependence of the pH of water.
The Cantar de Mio Cid as Pre-War Propaganda

The Cantar de Mio Cid was probably composed in the first decade of the thirteenth century. This situates it in the years just prior to the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, the decisive engagement tha...
The effects of elevated metals on benthic community metabolism in a Rocky Mountain stream.

Abstract The effects of elevated metals (dissolved Zn, Mn and/or Fe) in a Rocky Mountain stream were assessed using measures of primary productivity, community respiration and water-column toxicity. Primary productivity was measured as rates of O 2 evolution from natural substrates incubated in situ in closed chambers. Oxygen depletion within these chambers, when incubated in the dark, provided estimates of periphyton community respiration. Sediment community respiration on fine-grained sediments, collected and composited along each stream study reach, was measured on-site by incubating these sediments in closed chambers and measuring O 2 depletion. Toxicity was measured as percent mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia during 48 h acute tests. Gross (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) decreased significantly with increasing metal concentrations, from 10.88 ± 1.46 g O 2 m −2 day −1 to 0.83 ± 0.20 g O 2 m −2 day −1 and 9.85 ± 1.43 g O 2 m −2 day −1 to 0.81 ± 0.20 g O 2 m −2 day −1 , respectively for the reference and most impacted site. Community respiration (CR) declined from 0.65 ± 0.08 g O 2 m −2 day −1 to 0.02 ± 0.01 g O 2 m −2 day −1 with increasing metal concentrations. Sediment community respiration (SCR) decreased from 0.26 ± 0.02 g O 2 m −2 day −1 to 0.01 ± 0.01 g O 2 m −2 day −1 at these same sites. Ceriodaphnia dubia mortality increased from 0% at the reference site to 95 ± 5% at the most impacted sites. Net daily metabolism, quantum yield and assimilation ratio all decreased with increasing metal concentrations, suggesting that both autotrophic and heterotrophic components of the periphyton community were impaired. Overall, functional measures were able to discern sites receiving greater metal impacts from less-impacted sites, with combinations of dissolved metals explaining between 25 and 92% of the variance in the regression models. Using these regression models we were able to calculate lethal and inhibition concentrations of dissolved Zn in the Eagle River. The lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of Zn for Ceriodaphnia dubia is 123 mg liter −1 . The concentrations of Zn which inhibited respiration (IC 50 ) were 177 mg liter −1 for CR and 199 mg liter −1 for SCR. These results indicate functional measures may be as sensitive to metal concentrations as acute toxicity tests. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
A system for rapid DNA sequencing with fluorescent chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides

A DNA sequencing system based on the use of a novel set of four chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides, each carrying a different chemically tuned succinylfluorescein dye distinguished by its fluorescent emission is described. Avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase is used in a modified dideoxy DNA sequencing protocol to produce a complete set of fluorescence-tagged fragments in one reaction mixture. These DNA fragments are resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in one sequencing lane and are identified by a fluorescence detection system specifically matched to the emission characteristics of this dye set. A scanning system allows multiple samples to be run simultaneously and computer-based automatic base sequence identifications to be made. The sequence analysis of M13 phage DNA made with this system is described.
Viability of human diploid cells as a function of in vitro age.

The fraction of cell capable of division was determined for (1) population of the human diploid cell strains, WI38 after different numbers of subcultivations in vitro and (2) a single population of WI38 cells at intervals throughout its entire in vitro lifespan. In both cases the percentage of cells capable of division decreased with increasing age in tissue culture. The rate and the magnitude of the decrease is sufficient to account for the limited in vitro lifespan reported by other investigators. Furthermore, the decrease in the fraction of cells capable of division in similar in some respects of senescence among human populations.
Human exposure to magnetic fields: a comparative assessment of two dosimeters.

Two types of dosimeters for measuring human exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields were compared. Fifty adults wore the single-axis, wrist model AMEX (average magnetic field exposure system) and the triple axis, hip-pocket or pouch model AMEX-3D meters for 2 days. Ninety-six percent of the tests were accomplished without apparent dosimeter failure. The average root mean square magnetic flux density measurements with the AMEX3D (mean = 0.10 μT, S.D. = 0.07, range = 0.03 − 0.31) were significantly higher than with the AMEX meter (mean = 0.07 μT, S.D. 0.05, range = 0.02 − 0.27 μT) (t test, P < 0.01). There was substantial correlation between the AMEX and the AMEX-3D measurements (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.65, P < 0.01) but poor concordance (Intraclass correlation coefficient = − 0.25). These results suggest that there is a wide variation in exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in the population. Magnetic field measurements with the AMEX-3D are nearly always higher than with the AMEX dosimeters. Caution is advised when comparing magnetic field measurements made with different types of dosimeters. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Atmospheric calibration for precision Doppler tracking of spacecraft

Abstract The signals from the Cassini spacecraft that will be used for radio science experiments will be affected by delay fluctuations in the Earths atmosphere. These fluctuations are dominated by water vapor in the troposphere, and in the case of the gravitational wave experiment (GWE), they are likely to be a limiting error source. A passive remote sensing system, centered around a water vapor radiometer (WVR), has been developed to provide calibrations of water vapor fluctuations during radio science experiments. During the past two years, most of the technical challenges involved in the design of this instrument have been overcome and we are ready to begin implementation. We will discuss the performance that has been demonstrated with the current generation of WVR instrumentation and the general design of the package that will be installed at the Goldstone tracking site. In addition, recent results obtained for a comparison of co-located WVRs and global positioning system (GPS) receivers will be presented. The possibility of using these results to estimate gradients and⧹or fluctuations in the dry atmosphere will be discussed.
The Relative Role of Soluble Guanylyl Cylase Dependent and Independent Pathways in Nitric Oxide Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation Under Flow

Endothelial cell derived nitric oxide (NO) inhibits the activation and aggregation of platelets. NO inhibition occurs through the intracellular receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)-dependent pathways, but there is also evidence of sGC-independent pathways at high NO concentrations. In this study, we integrated a NO-releasing polymer into a microfluidic vascular injury model to measure the relative roles of sGC-dependent and sGC-independent pathways as a function of NO flux and shear rate. Whole blood was perfused at 200–1000 s−1 over collagen with NO wall fluxes of 0.4 and 6.8 × 10−10 mol cm−2 min−1, and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) was used to inhibit sGC. A sGC-independent pathway dominated inhibition of platelet aggregation at high NO flux, while the sGC-dependent pathway dominated at low NO flux independent of shear rate. Experiments performed with inhibitors of thrombin or an antagonist of the ADP receptor P2Y12 showed that platelet aggregation was primarily driven by ADP, but that the sGC-independent pathway dominated in both cases at high NO flux. These data suggest that a sGC-independent pathway may play an important role under conditions where NO flux is elevated such as inducible nitric oxide mediated NO production at the site of a vascular injury.
The Million Book Project in Relation to Google

This paper updates three ongoing book scanning projects (Google Book Search, the Million Book Project, and the Open Content Alliance), discusses the changing paradigm for authority in scholarly work, and reflects on the barrier of copyright and how it might be overcome.
Community air monitoring for pesticides. Part 3: using health-based screening levels to evaluate results collected for a year

The CA Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and the CA Air Resources Board monitored 40 pesticides, including five degradation products, in Parlier, CA, to determine if its residents were exposed to any of these pesticides and, if so, in what amounts. They included 1,3-dichloropropene, acrolein, arsenic, azinphos-methyl, carbon disulfide, chlorpyrifos and its degradation product, chlorthalonil, copper, cypermethrin, diazinon and its degradation product, dichlorvos, dicofol, dimethoate and its degradation product, diuron, endosulfan and its degradation product, S-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate (EPTC), formaldehyde, malathion and its degradation product, methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), methyl bromide, metolachlor, molinate, norflurazon, oryzalin, oxyfluorfen, permethrin, phosmet, propanil, propargite, simazine, SSS-tributylphosphorotrithioate, sulfur, thiobencarb, trifluralin, and xylene. Monitoring was conducted 3 days per week for a year. Twenty-three pesticides and degradation products were detected. Acrolein, arsenic, carbon disulfide, chlorpyrifos, copper, formaldehyde, methyl bromide, MITC, and sulfur were detected in more than half the samples. Since no regulatory ambient air standards exist for these pesticides, CDPR developed advisory, health-based non-cancer screening levels (SLs) to assess acute, subchronic, and chronic exposures. For carcinogenic pesticides, CDPR assessed risk using cancer potency values. Amongst non-carcinogenic agricultural use pesticides, only diazinon exceeded its SL. For carcinogens, 1,3-dichloropropene concentrations exceeded its cancer potency value. Based on these findings, CDPR has undertaken a more comprehensive evaluation of 1,3-dichloropropene, diazinon, and the closely related chlorpyrifos that was frequently detected. Four chemicals—acrolein, arsenic, carbon disulfide, and formaldehyde—sometimes used as pesticides were detected, although no pesticidal use was reported in the area during this study. Their presence was most likely due to vehicular or industrial emissions.
Clinical Experience With Fosphenytoin in Children

Fosphenytoin, a phenytoin prodrug, can be administered in a variety of intravenous diluents and has a more neutral pH value than phenytoin. The pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of fosphenytoin in children from 1 day to 16 years old have been evaluated in two multicenter studies. Data are available from 78 patients who received loading doses (62 with intravenous administration and 16 with intramuscular administration). In these studies, fosphenytoin was converted to phenytoin within 8.3 minutes (range, 2.5-18.5 minutes). In addition, no significant difference in conversion rates was noted from the youngest to the oldest patient. No deaths or serious, alarming, or unexpected adverse events occurred; most adverse events were consistent with those seen with phenytoin therapy in adults. Both intravenous and intramuscular administration were well tolerated, with mild bruising, tenderness, swelling, and/or erythema seen at infusion and injection sites in a small number of patients. (J Child Neurol 1998...
Circulating blood volume measurements for cardiac surgery.

Abstract The only reasonable method presently available to estimate the amount of circulating blood is the direct measurement of the circulating blood volume. In cardiac surgery, blood volume measurements serve as a guide for surgical management and the regulation of the amount of circulating blood. This often makes the difference between a successful procedure and a complete failure. Patients with cardiovascular anomalies compensate for dynamic disorders by adapting the amount of circulating blood volume to meet the need. This, in turn, necessitates careful pre- and postoperative adjustments. The presently available technic for measuring blood volume is simple and practical.
Serious Leisure and Recreation Specialization: An Uneasy Marriage

A case is made to wed research on serious leisure and recreation specialization. Before such a marriage can occur, the strengths and differences of the two perspectives must be examined. In this article, four important contributions of the recreation specialization are put forward that will further our understanding of serious leisure and intense forms of leisure. These are (1) there is diversity among participants involved in the same leisure activity, (2) we can quantify recreation specialization and serious leisure, (3) there are gradations of seriousness and specialization, and (4) there are practical applications of understanding that participants vary along a specialization continuum.
Effects of polishing, etching, cleaving, and water leaching on the UV laser damage of fused silica

A damage morphology study was performed with a 355 nm, 8-ns Nd:YAG laser on synthetic UV-grade fused silica to determine the effects of post-polish chemical etching on laser-induced damage, compare damage morphologies of cleaved and polished surfaces, and understand the effects of the hydrolyzed surface layer and water-crack interactions. The samples were polished, then chemically etched in a buffered HF solution to remove 45, 90, 135, and 180 nm of surface material. Another set of sample was cleaved and soaked in boiling distilled water for 1 second and 1 hour. All the samples were irradiated at damaging fluences and characterized by Normarski optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope. Damage was initiated at micro-pits on both input and output surface of the polished fused silica sample. At higher fluences, the micro-pits generated cracks on the surface. Laser damage of the etched fused silica surface shoed that the real density of micro-pits decreased with etched thickness. SIMS analysis of the polished surface showed significant trace contamination levels within a 50 nm surface layer. Micro-pits formation also appeared after irradiating cleaved fused silica surfaces at damaging fluences. Linear damage tracks corresponding cleaving cracks were often observed on cleaved surfaces. Soaking cleaved samples in water produced wide laser damage tracks.
Are Hepatic Adenomas Premalignant

Objective: To investigate clinical experience with the apparent malignant transformation of benign liver cell adenomas.
Triptolide induces caspase-dependent cell death mediated via the mitochondrial pathway in leukemic cells.

Triptolide, a diterpenoid isolated from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f, has shown antitumor activities in a broad range of solid tumors. Here, we examined its effects on leukemic cells and found that, at 100 nM or less, it potently induced apoptosis in various leukemic cell lines and primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. We then attempted to identify its mechanisms of action. Triptolide induced caspase-dependent cell death accompanied by a significant decrease in XIAP levels. Forced XIAP overexpression attenuated triptolide-induced cell death. Triptolide also decreased Mcl-1 but not Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL levels. Bcl-2 overexpression suppressed triptolide-induced apoptosis. Further, triptolide induced loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome C release. Caspase-9 knock-out cells were resistant, while caspase-8–deficient cells were sensitive to triptolide, suggesting criticality of the mitochondrial but not the death receptor pathway for triptolide-induced apoptosis. Triptolide also enhanced cell death induced by other anticancer agents. Collectively, our results demonstrate that triptolide decreases XIAP and potently induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in leukemic cells mediated through the mitochondrial pathway at low nanomolar concentrations. The potent antileukemic activity of triptolide in vitro warrants further investigation of this compound for the treatment of leukemias and other malignancies.
Binding of uranyl by humic acid

Abstract The binding of tracer level UO 2 +2 to a soil humic acid was measured by a solvent extraction technique. The binding is interpreted as involving only the carboxylate groups of the humate and both 1:1 and 1:2 UO 2 +2 : CO 2 − binding is observed. Estimates based on these values indicate that uranyl complexing by humic and/or fulvic materials is not significant in sea water but may play a role in fresh water systems. Retention of uranyl from ground water by soil humics would be strong.
Dialectic of color-blindness:

This article draws on the social theory of Theodor W. Adorno in order to critique the discourse of ‘color-blindness’ and articulate an alternative individualist ideal of racial justice. I begin by ...
The possibility of an immiserizing transfer under uncertainty

In a two-country, two-commodity trade model with production uncertainty, an international transfer can harm the recipient and benefit the donor. This result holds even when equilibrium prices are stable. Moreover, the form in which the transfer is paid can matter for the welfare consequences of the transfer.
Supersymmetric And Smooth Hybrid Inflation In The Light Of WMAP3

In their minimal form both supersymmetric and smooth hybrid inflation yield a scalar spectral index ${n}_{s}$ close to 0.98, to be contrasted with the result ${n}_{s}={0.951}_{\ensuremath{-}0.019}^{+0.015}$ from WMAP3. To realize better agreement, following Bastero-Gil, King, and Shafi, we extend the parameter space of these models by employing a nonminimal K\"ahler potential. We also discuss nonthermal leptogenesis by inflaton decay and obtain new bounds in these models on the reheat temperature to explain the observed baryon asymmetry.
An application of approximation theory to the numerical solution of a Fredholm equation with a mild singularity

We present a numerical scheme for approximating the solution x = x(t) of the Fredholm equation x(t)[email protected]!^1"0|t-s|^@aa(t,s)x(s)[email protected]?f(t), 0 < @a <, 0 =< t =< 1. Although the solution may have singularities in its derivatives at the endpoints of the interval [0,1], we achieve fast convergence by using spline approximation results of Rice, and results of deBoor describing approximation by splines with variable knots.
Integrin‐linked kinase regulates endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase expression in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells

Background & Aims Portal hypertension results from endothelial dysfunction after liver injury caused in part by abnormal production of endothelial cell derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Here, we have postulated that endothelial mechanosensing pathways involving integrin-linked kinase (ILK) may play a critical role in portal hypertension, eNOS expression and function. In this study, we investigated the role of ILK and the small GTP-binding protein, Rho, in sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) eNOS regulation and function. Methods Primary liver SECs were isolated using standard techniques. Liver injury was induced by performing bile duct ligation (BDL). To examine the expression of Rho and ILK in vivo during wound healing, SECs were infected with constitutively active Rho (V14), a dominant negative Rho (N19) and constructs encoding ILK and a short hairpin-inhibiting ILK. Results Integrin-linked kinase expression was increased in SECs after liver injury; endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta-1 stimulated ILK expression in SECs. ILK expression in turn led to eNOS upregulation and to enhance eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. ILK knockdown or ILK (kinase) inhibition reduced eNOS mRNA expression, promoter activity, eNOS expression and ultimately NO production. In contrast, ILK overexpression had the opposite effect. Inhibition of ILK activity also disrupted the actin cytoskeleton in isolated SECs. Rho overexpression suppressed phosphorylation of the serine-threonine kinase, Akt and inhibited eNOS phosphorylation. Finally, inhibition of Rho function with the RGS domain of the p115-Rho-specific GEF (p115-RGS) significantly increased eNOS phosphorylation. Conclusions Our data suggest a potential role for ILK, the cytoskeleton and ILK signalling partners including Rho in regulating intrahepatic SEC eNOS expression and function.
IMPROVED METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN ORGANIC ACIDS IN PASTEURIZED AND UNPASTEURIZED LIQUID AND FROZEN WHOLE EGG

— This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Contract Ul-00131-06. Liquid whole egg to which acetic, butyric, lactic, propionic and succinic acids were added, or which had previously been incubated at room temperature to different microbial populations, was pasteurized at 60.5°C for 3.5 min. A liquid-liquid extraction method, including the centrifugation of the denatured egg, was developed for extraction of all 5 acids. The recovery of the 5 acids was evaluated by an improved gas-liquid chromatographic procedure. Lactic and succinic acids were recovered from the liquid whole egg samples and chromatographed as their butyl ester derivatives and acetic, propionic and butyric acids were recovered and chromatographed as the acids per se. The fresh egg samples containing small amounts of acetic and lactic acid and liquid whole egg product, incubated until a microbial population of 4.5 × 106 was obtained, con tained only these 2 acids at a higher concentration. The pasteurization process did not affect concentration of the added short-chain organic acids or those which accumulated during the incubation period; thus, accurate and valid analyses of the short-chain organic acids can be accomplished in pasteurized whole egg products.