cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in protein and nucleic acid metabolism in baby hamster kidney cells infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus.

At a multiplicity of infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus sufficient to induce maximum changes in host cell metabolism, baby hamster kidney cells showed a decreased turnover of protein, RNA and DNA. Up to 50% inhibition of protein synthesis occurred by 90 minutes postinfection, when viral-induced synthesis of RNA polymerase had not yet started. Viral inhibition of protein synthesis was not decreased by guanidine at a concentration which inhibited production of viral-specific RNA polymerase. At 300 minutes postinfection, when virus production had reached its maximum, 70 to 90% of cellular protein synthesis had stopped. The relative ease of obtaining this value and its reproducibility at various time intervals make it a useful experimental reference parameter. Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was unchanged and RNA synthesis was only decreased 10 to 20% at 90 minutes. At 300 minutes, the respective maximum decreases were 90 and 55%. Analyses of RNA profiles from pulse labeled cells indicated, however, that ribosomal RNA synthesis was more strongly reduced at 300 minutes in infected cells than the 55% average value would indicate. The 45 S peak, present in uninfected cells and postulated to be a precursor of ribosomal RNA, was missing. Cells infected 300 minutes possessed a new 37 S RNA peak which probably represented viral RNA.
Novel inorganic/organic hybrid materials based on blown soybean oil with sol-gel precursors

Abstract New ceramer coatings based on blown soybean oil with sol–gel precursors were prepared and evaluated as a function of the blowing process and sol–gel precursors content. Soybean oils were blown at three different rates in order to optimize the blowing process. Three sol–gel precursors, titanium (IV) i-propoxide, titanium (IV) di-i-propoxide bis-acetoacetonate, and zirconium n-propoxide were then used with the blown oil to investigate the effect of sol–gel precursors content on film properties. The gelation and film properties of ceramer coatings were dependent on chemical composition, which was a function of blowing time and blowing rate. Both tensile properties and general coatings properties (including adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, and flexibility) were investigated as a function of sol–gel precursor content. In general, higher sol–gel precursor content increased tensile strength and modulus, but decreased impact resistance.
Determination of discrete relaxation and retardation time spectra from dynamic mechanical data

A powerful but still easy to use technique is proposed for the processing and analysis of dynamic mechanical data. The experimentally determined dynamic moduli,G′(ω) andG″(ω), are converted into a discrete relaxation modulusG(t) and a discrete creep complianceJ(t). The discrete spectra are valid in a time window which corresponds to the frequency window of the input data. A nonlinear regression simultaneously adjust the parametersg i ,λ i ,i = 1,2, ⋯N, of the discrete spectrum to obtain a best fit ofG′, G″, and it was found to be essential that bothg i andλ i are freely adjustable. The number of relaxation times,N, adjusts during the iterative calculations depending on the needs for avoiding ill-posedness and for improved fit. The solution is insensitive to the choice of initial valuesg i,0,λ i,0,N 0. The numerical program was calibrated with the gel equation which gives analytical expressions both in the time and the frequency domain. The sensitivity of the solution was tested with model data which, by definition, are free of experimental error. From the relaxation time spectrum, a corresponding discrete set of parametersJ 0,η, J d,i andΛ i of the creep complianceJ(t) can then readily be calculated using the Laplace transform.
The surface wind over an upwelling area near Pisco, Peru

Harmonic analysis of longshore and onshore components of surface winds over an upwelling area off the coast of Peru shows regular, nearly sinusoidal, diurnal variations in both velocity components. Spectral analysis of wind speed also indicates strong diurnal variations in kinetic energy. The data are compatible with a recent model of coastal winds proposed by Lettau and Lettau.
The Autocorrelation Function of the Output of an N-Level Quantizer with an Angle-Modulated Input Signal

A readily computable formula is given for the autocorrelation function of the output of an arbitrary time-invariant nonlinearity with an arbitrary angle-modulated input. The general result is specialized to the case of an odd-symmetric, but otherwise arbitrary, quantizer. It is shown that to evaluate the output autocorrelation the second-order characteristic function (SOCF) of the modulation is required. Using previously derived SOCFs for a constant, a Gaussian random process, and a generalized random telegraph wave (RTW), the output autocorrelation is given explicitly. Using the SOCF for a binary phase-shift keyed (BPSK) signal, derived here for the first time, the output autocorrelation with BPSK modulation is also presented. Finally, the autocorrelation functions of the modulated input processes are given by reducing the quantizer to a linearity, with the results for the generalized RTW and BPSK modulations being new.
In-situ IR thermography studies of reaction dynamics during CO oxidation on Rh-SiO2 catalysts

Abstract In-situ IR thermography is used to image the temperature patterns on a supported Rh/SiO 2 catalyst and on mixtures of Rh and SiO 2 which appear during CO oxidation. The IR thermograms permits to localize areas of non-uniform activity and it clearly shows that during transient and oscillatory behavior, reaction fronts propagate from areas of high activity to the less active areas.
DESIGN AND TEST OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING MICROTHERMAL SEEING ON THE MAGDALENA RIDGE

We have constructed and operated an automated instrument for measuring ground-level microthermal seeing at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory (MRO). The MRO is located at an altitude of 10500' in the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, USA. It is the planned site for the MRO Optical Interferometer (MROI) planned for up to 10 collecting elements, each with a diameter of 1.4 m, and baselines eventually up to approximately 400 m. As part of the preparation for construction we deployed a system to characterize the ground-level seeing across the observatory site. The instrument is built largely of off-the-shelf components, with only the sensor head and power supply requiring electronic board assembly. Even in those cases the board architecture is very simple. The first proof-of-concept system was deployed for several weeks in the autumn of 2004, and has since undergone several iterations. The latest configuration operates entirely off batteries, incorporates wireless data acquisition, and is thus able to operate in an area with no shelter, power, or communications. In this paper we present the design of the instrument, and show initial data. The microthermal tower has four sensor pairs at heights from 0.8 to 4.41 m, significantly lower than other microthermal experiments, because of the need to characterize the seeing near the ground. We find significant variation in the contribution of this range of heights to the seeing, contributing up to 03 of the seeing at some times and only 002 at other times. The individual sensor power spectra have a slope in the range of 1.4--1.5, which is lower than the 1.67 slope predicted by Kolmogorov turbulence theory. We measure the well known effect of improved seeing immediately around sunset. While we find significant variation in the microthermal seeing, we did not find a pattern of corresponding variations in weather conditions, suggesting that a complicated set of factors control microthermal turbulence.
Na(+) and K(+) allosterically regulate cooperative DNA binding by the human progesterone receptor.

Cooperativity is a common mechanism used by transcription factors to generate highly responsive yet stable gene regulation. For the two isoforms of human progesterone receptor (PR-A and PR-B), differences in cooperative DNA binding energetics may account for their differing transcriptional activation properties. Here we report on the molecular origins responsible for cooperativity, finding that it can be activated or repressed with Na+ and K+, respectively. We demonstrate that PR self-association and DNA-dependent cooperativity are linked to a monovalent cation binding event and that this binding is coupled to modulation of receptor structure. K+ and Na+ are therefore allosteric effectors of PR function. Noting that the apparent binding affinities of Na+ and K+ are comparable to their intracellular concentrations and that PR isoforms directly regulate the genes of a number of ion pumps and channels, these results suggest that Na+ and K+ may additionally function as physiological regulators of PR action.
Analytical results for operational flash flood guidance

The theoretical basis of developing operational flash flood guidance systems is studied using analytical methods. The Sacramento soil moisture accounting model is used operationally in the United States to produce flash flood guidance estimates of a given duration from threshold runoff estimates. Analytical results to (a) shed light on the properties of this model's short-term surface runoff predictions under substantial rainfall forcing and (b) to facilitate flash flood computations in real time. The results derived pertain to the computation of pervious-area surface runoff from the upper zone tension and free water elements of the model, and to surface runoff from both the permanently impervious and the variable additional impervious area of the model that provides spatially distributed characteristics in the production of surface runoff. The time to the production of surface runoff is also computed on the basis of the model parameters and initial water element conditions and is related to the flash flood guidance duration. Analytical solutions for time to saturation and surface runoff are also derived for the case of saturation-excess models, and these results are compared to those derived for the Sacramento model. Various characteristics of the flash flood guidance to threshold runoff relationship are discussed and considerations for real-time application are offered. Uncertainty analysis of the threshold runoff to flash flood guidance transformation is also performed.
Energy Multiplication by Beam Recycling in an Isochronous Cyclotron

We have made an initial computer study of a recycling method for increasing the final energy of heavy-ion beams from ORIC. The system involves simultaneous acceleration of two beams. A first beam originating either in an ion source or external injector is accelerated, extracted, and reinjected in a higher charge state obtained by means of a foil located between the turns of the first-pass beam. For example, with a 20 MV tandem injecting into ORIC the energy for 208Pb after the first pass would be 1.9 or 2.3 MeV/u and after the second pass 5.2 or 6.3 MeV/u depending on the injection charge. The requirements of this scheme are 1) sufficient dee voltage to override the differing mass increase factors of the 2 beams; 2) good beam quality and accelerator stability to insure spatial separation of orbits; 3) an allmagnetic extraction system to assure identical paths for the 2 beams; and 4) relatively standard external beam separation and reinjection equipment.
Male meadow voles respond differently to risk and intensity of sperm competition

There are 2 models of male adjustment of sperm investment in the ejaculate in relation to sperm competition. The ‘‘risk model’’ predicts that as ‘‘risk’’ of sperm competition increases, sperm investment also increases. This prediction has been supported in many species, including mammals. The ‘‘intensity model’’ involves the number of competing males copulating with the same female and predicts that males will allocate the highest sperm investment at low sperm competition intensity (SCI) and then decreasing sperm investments as SCI increases. Two alternative outcomes are that sperm investment is unaffected by SCI and that sperm investment increases as SCI increases. There are studies supporting all 3 possible outcomes in relation to SCI but no data on mammals. The present paper presents the first study of SCI in a mammal species, the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus .W e used odors of conspecific males to simulate low and high intensities of sperm competition. We found that males allocate the highest sperm investment at low SCI and decrease significantly their sperm investment at high SCI. We also found that males allocate the lowest sperm investment at low sperm competition risk (SCR) and the highest sperm investment at high SCR. All these results agree with current theoretical models of sperm competition. Key words: ejaculation number, microtines, rodents, sperm counts, sperm investment. [Behav Ecol]
Genetic determinants of honey bee foraging behaviour

The amount of pollen stored in honey bee, Apis mellifera, colonies is a selectable trait. Five generations of two-way selection resulted in high and low strains that differed more than six-fold in quantities of stored pollen. Comparisons with hybrid crosses suggested that colony-level, high pollen-hoarding behaviour is inherited as a recessive trait. Colony levels of stored honey, however, showed an over-dominant pattern, with hybrid colonies storing significantly more honey than either of the selected strains. Controlled studies of individual foraging behaviour revealed the same patterns of inheritance at the individual level: high-strain workers specialized on pollen foraging, low-strain workers on nectar, and hybrid workers demonstrated a significantlt greater nectar-collecting bias than workers of the low strain. Genomic mapping studies of colony-level pollen hoarding and individual foraging behaviour have revealed two genomic regions of the honey bee that contain major quantitative trait loci that explain a large portion of the observed variance in pollen hoarding and foraging behaviour of the two strains. The effects of major genes on within- and between-colony variation in individual foraging behaviour are discussed in the context of conducting and interpreting empirical tests of foraging theory.
Quark stars with ‘realistic’ equations of state

THE possibility of a phase transition between nuclear matter and quark matter has been discussed in recent work1–13. Free quarks would presumably appear above a critical density pq, which is greater than the typical density ρn ≃ 2.5 × 1014g cm−3 within ordinary atomic nuclei. Such a transition might allow stable collapsed stars to exist wherein much of the matter is in the form of quark matter (quark stars). The maximum masses of collapsed stars have been investigated for the extreme case of ρq ≃ ρn and hard equations of state for quark matter5. However, it has been argued6,8,9 that some equations of state for quark matter require ρq >> ρn and are therefore unlikely to permit the existence of stable quark stars. We investigate here the properties of collapsed stars in the context of another class of quark-matter models that has recently been proposed11–13. These models12, which are consistent with all experimental nuclear and high-energy physics data, are based on a quantum chromodynamic treatment of quarks that are assumed to be of low mass (≲100 MeV for the lightest quarks). We find that stable quark stars are possible (compare with refs 6, 8, 9). However, we also conclude (compare with refs 5, 14) that such stars need not have significantly different macroscopic properties from those of neutron-star models15–17 based on conventional nuclear-matter equations of state.
Oxygen metabolism and water mass mixing in the northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone in 2010

Abstract We evaluated O 2 metabolism and mixing of river and seawater in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOMEX) in May and August of 2010. A strong correlation between the δ 2 H and δ 18 O of water and salinity indicated simple mixing of the two water sources. The isotope values for the freshwater source suggested that Mississippi River water predominated over the Atchafalaya River water in at our study sites in both May and August. Knowledge of the δ 18 O of water is required for determination of the ratio of primary production to respiration ( P : R ) from the δ 18 O and concentration of O 2 . We observed a strong correlation between δ 18 O of water and salinity, which indicates that subsequent studies of P : R may simply be able to predict the isotopic composition of water from salinity in this region. P : R values were determined from the concentration and isotopic composition of O 2 and varied from 0.88 to 1.10. The range in P : R and progression from high values in May to net heterotrophy in August is consistent with enhanced primary production in spring followed by respiration in excess of production in summer. Averages of −5.8‰ and −3.4‰ were observed for the isotopic enrichment factor, e obs , for sub-pycnocline respiration in May and August, respectively. In contrast to previous studies we found that e obs is not an effective indicator of the proportion of water column to sediment respiration, but rather reflects the total rate of sub-pycnocline respiration (water column plus sediment respiration). Nonetheless, as e obs is an indication of total sub-pycnocline respiration insight into oxygen-removal can be obtained without the need for incubation. Even though our research cruises occurred approximately three weeks after the initiation and one month after cessation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, P : R and e obs values were each within ranges reported previously in NGOMEX. Thus, a direct link between the oil spill and O 2 metabolism or hypoxia development was not apparent.
Effect of Freezing Broiler Drumsticks on Breading Adhesion

Broiler drumsticks were used to determine whether freezing poultry parts prior to breading application affected coating adhesion. Fifty fresh drumsticks were compared to 50 frozen/thawed drumsticks. Results showed freezing improved coating adhesion, but not significantly.
Interaction of Triplet Photosensitizers with Nucleotides and DNA in Aqueous Solution at Room Temperature

The study of triplet excited state behavior of nucleic acids and component mononucleotides is hampered by the very small yields produced by direct photolysis. We have used high energy triplet sensitizers to generate these species in high yield, thus facilitating the study of their photophysical and photochemical behavior. Acetone-sensitized triplet formation of all triplet state nucleotides allowed nucleotide triplet−triplet absorption spectra to be measured. Triplet−triplet absorption coefficients were determined using comparative actinometry. Self-quenching of the nucleotide triplet states was found to occur efficiently with rate constants, ksq > 107 M-1 s-1. The interaction of a variety of ketone triplet sensitizers with mononucleotides has been studied as a function of the relative energies of the sensitizer−nucleotide pair. In all cases, the triplet states of the sensitizers were efficiently quenched by the nucleotides, although different reaction mechanisms were observed depending on the reaction pa...
Responding Kisses: New Evidence about the Origins of "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night"

Uses the recently discovered "military service records" of Bill and Arthur Giggie, including Arthur's letter to Bill's mother, Elizabeth Giggie, describing Bill's death, to "shed some additional light" on the Civil War episode that stands behind Whitman's poem "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night"; suggests that the evidence indicates that Bill and Arthur Giggie may have been a homosexual couple serving together in the Union army, and that Whitman's poem may in fact record the end of this "love story."
Cascade Radio-Frequency Spectroscopy of Excited S and D States of Rubidium; Anomalous D-State Hyperfine Structure

We report the first successful measurements by cascade radio-frequency spectroscopy of the hyperfine structures of excited $S$ and $D$ states of rubidium. We obtain the following magnetic dipole coupling constants (in MHz): for ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{87}$, $A(7^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}})=312.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5$, $A(5^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}})=14.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$, $A(5^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}})=\ensuremath{-}8.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5$; for ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{85}$, $A(7^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}})=92.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0$, $A(5^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}})=4.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$. The anomalous, negative value of $A$ for the $5^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state may be related to the anomalously small fine-structure interval of the $5D$ state of rubidium.
How I do it: triaging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy that is increasing in incidence in the United States (4.9 per 100,000) with mortality rates that remain close to 50% at 1 year, despite improvement in programs aimed at the prevention of cirrhosis and early detection of liver cancer in high-risk patients. Liver cancer is now the third cause of cancer-related death. Diagnosis at an advanced stage excludes >85% of patients from curative surgical therapies. Medical therapy remains of limited benefit for nonsurgical patients. Sorafenib has shown the most promising results for palliative therapy in HCC patients, imparting a 10-week survival benefit in patients with advanced disease. Liver-directed therapies provide alternatives to patients with HCC who are not considered surgical candidates. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has survival rates comparable with surgical resection in optimally selected patients with early disease; however, increasing size (>3 cm), multiple lesions (more than three), and central location limits application in patients with stage III disease and patients whose tumor location is adjacent to vascular structures or central bile ducts. Chemoembolization with single or multiple drugs mixed with ethiodized oil (cTACE) has the longest track record in the treatment of nonsurgical HCC patients and has been shown to improve survival in several randomized controlled trials compared with symptomatic treatment. Chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB) and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium are newer therapies that appear to have similar efficacy and may be preferred in certain subpopulations. When to use them remains controversial because direct comparative evidence to guide choices is lacking. This article presents several common scenarios of patients presenting with HCC to highlight the clinical and anatomical factors that lead to a treatment decision.
Cross-phaseogram: Objective neural index of speech sound differentiation

We introduce a new approach, the cross-phaseogram, that captures the brain's ability to discriminate between spectrotemporally dynamic speech sounds, such as stop consonants. The goal was to develop an analysis technique for auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) that taps into the sub-millisecond temporal precision of the response but does not rely on subjective identification of individual response peaks. Using the cross-phaseogram technique, we show that time-varying frequency differences in speech stimuli manifest as phase differences in ABRs. By applying this automated and objective technique to a large dataset, we found these phase differences to be less pronounced in children who perform below average on a standardized test of listening to speech in noise. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our results, and the extension of the cross-phaseogram method to a wider range of stimuli and populations.
Variables related to women's persistence in educational plans

Abstract Women choosing three occupational curricula, Nursing, Medical Technology, and Social Work as college freshmen were followed up two years later. Persistence was found to be significantly related to appropriateness of freshman Strong Vocational Interest Blank profile, birth order, and mother's reported life plan. An exploration of developmental career choices seemed to be a better tool for differentiating among freshman curricular choices than for differentiating Persisters from Nonpersisters. In all three curricula, persistence rates were low. This finding suggests that persistence in an occupational curriculum, even one which is consistent with the measured interests of the individual, may not be rewarding for women students.
Physical properties of periodate‐oxidized amylose: Aggregation of oxidized amylose in aqueous solutions

The ability of periodate-oxidized amylose to form aggregates in aqueous solution was studied by sedimentation, light scattering, and viscosity analyses. Ultracentrifuge schlieren patterns show that aggregation can be appreciable at pH 3.0 and 1.0. The hydroxyl ion-catalyzed degradation of the oxidized amylose is faster at pH 3.0 than at pH 1.0. Viscosity and sedimentation analyses conducted at pH 3.0 show that a minimum in the degree of aggregation of the oxidized molecules is obtained at 15–25% oxidation. Solubulity studies and x-ray diffraction patterns on retrograded amylose show that maximum solubility of the retrograded amylose is obtained by oxidizing to the extent of 25–35%. It was therefore concluded that in the general range of 20–30% periodate oxidation, the oxidized amylose has a minimum ability to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Outside of this range, oxidized amylose readily forms aggregates in aqueous solutions.
A method for absolute calibration of Ge(Li) detectors using effective interaction depth

Abstract This paper compares the measured full energy peak efficiency of two coaxial Ge(Li) detectors which are nearly equal in sensitive volume, but differ appreciably in measured γ-ray efficiency due mainly to differences in mounting characteristics. The effective interaction depth of γ-rays in these crystals was measured for the two detectors. Knowledge of this depth results in being able to calculate the absolute efficiency for any source-to-detector distance if the efficiency has been measured at one known distance. Curves are presented for the measured absolute efficiencies, the effective interaction depths, and γ-ray activities which have been adjusted correctly by using the effective interaction depth.
Optical Methods for Tissue Hemo-Dynamics and Metabolism

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy are combined to measure cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. Cerebral rate of oxygen metabolism is hence measured on animals and humans during functional activation and in the clinic.
MRI of suspected lower extremity musculoskeletal infection in the pediatric patient: how useful is bilateral imaging?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of bilateral abnormalities in children with suspected lower extremity musculoskeletal infection and the impact of detection of contralateral abnormalities by MRI on patient management. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective review of 165 consecutive bilateral lower extremity MRI examinations performed for suspected musculoskeletal infection in pediatric patients (64% boys and 36% girls; mean age, 7.5 years; age range, 0–18 years) in 2010 at a children’s hospital was performed. Imaging findings were compared with the final clinical diagnosis and management. RESULTS. The MRI examination was normal in 2% (4/165). Osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 33% (54/165) of the MRI examinations; among these examinations 20% (11/54) had both ipsilateral septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, 2% (1/54) had bilateral osteomyelitis, and 67% (111/165) of the examinations were negative for osteomyelitis. Bilateral abnormalities were detected in 20% (22/111) of pati...
CEREBRAL UTILIZATION AND CLEARANCE OF FENTANYL IN NEWBORN PIGLETS WITH POSTOPERATIVE STRESS. • 424

Fentanyl citrate (FC) is commonly used for neonatal analgesia and anesthesia. To determine cerebral utilization and clearance of FC, 6 newborn piglets (1-3 days old, mean weight = 1383±204 gms) with postoperative stress, were given a loading dose of FC (30 μg/kg IV) over 15 minutes, immediately followed by a continuous IV infusion of FC (10 μg/kg/hr) for 6 hrs. CSF (0.5 ml) from cisterna magna puncture, and blood samples (1.0 ml) from the sagittal sinus vein and carotid artery were obtained at 0 (pre-MDZ), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 hrs during infusion. CSF and plasma FC were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography sensitive to 0.05 ng/ml. The mean bolus IV dose was 41.5±6.1 μg/kg (range:30-45) and the mean infusion rate was 13.8±2.0 μg/kg/hr (range:10-15). All piglets appeared sedated and were spontaneously breathing. Steady state was assumed when 2-3 consecutive levels fluctuated ≤ 10% during infusion. The data (mean±SD) show that steady state levels were achieved at 0.5 hr after infusion and mean CSF and arterial FC levels were comparable at each time interval. Although mean cerebral utilization (A-V difference) of FC did not vary between 0.5 to 4 hrs, there was a significant rise from 60.7±31.3 ng/ml at 4 hrs to 144.5±41.7 ng/ml (p<0.01) at 6 hrs. The estimated CSF, sagittal sinus and arterial clearance (infusion rate/C55) were 61.2±14.2, 105.3±40.2 & 55.5±17.8 ml/kg/hr. These observations suggest a rapid equilibration between systemic circulation and CSF. In addition, as the time of infusion was prolonged, brain utilization of FC was significantly enhanced. We therefore conclude that the large variation in FC infusion rates required to achieve analgesic effects may be due in part, to the increased utilization of FC by the brain during prolonged infusion.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES: Next-Generation Environmental Policy and the Implications for Environmental Inspectors: Are Fears of Regulatory Capture Warranted?

With renewed emphasis on environmental protection and growing scholarly consensus on the need to move beyond the traditional command-and-control approach to environmental regulation, the “window” may be opening for significant changes in environmental policy in the United States. Much of the dialogue focuses on next-generation environmental policies that are cooperative instead of confrontational, comprehensive rather than fragmented, and flexible instead of rigid. This pending transition invariably raises questions about regulatory enforcement and, most notably, fears of regulatory capture. Accordingly, this article explores the discussion of next-generation environmental policies and their implications for environmental inspectors in the context of regulatory enforcement. The transition to next-generation policies is likely to have significant impacts on inspectors; however, I argue that concerns of regulatory capture are overstated, based on a survey of existing research on regulatory enforcement.
Restoration of p53 function in anaplastic Wilms' tumor

Abstract Background/Purpose: Recent studies have reported a high incidence of p53 mutations in anaplastic Wilms' tumors (WT). Restoration of the normal p53 state by current gene therapy techniques is thus an attractive potential mode of therapy for this tumor, which is poorly responsive to standard therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether gene delivery of normal p53 is possible and to characterize the subsequent effect of restoring the wild-type p53 state. Methods: Anaplastic WT RM1 cells (mutant p53 ) were transduced with replication-deficient adenoviral vectors containing either the wild-type p53 gene (rAd- p53 ) or the gene encoding a green fluorescent protein (rAd-GFP). The transduction efficiency of adenovirus for RM1 cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis of rAd-GFP-transduced cells. The effect of p53 transduction on cell viability was evaluated using a colorimetric proliferation assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by labeling DNA breaks using a TUNEL assay (Apo-Direct kit). Results: Cells treated with increasing concentrations of viral particles relative to tumor cells (multiplicity of infection-MOI) showed a dose-dependent increase in the number of cells transduced. Twenty-four hours after viral treatment, the percentage of cells transduced for MOIs of 10, 50, 100, and 500 was 29.5, 60.9, 74.6, and 92.4, respectively; at 48 hours the percentage of cells transduced increased to 70.8, 90.7, 93.7, and 96.3, respectively. Viral treatment at an MOI of 50 reduced cell proliferation by 10% at 17 hours and 97% at 5 days; at an MOI of 100, the relative reduction in proliferation was 15% and 99.8%, respectively. When assayed, 30% of cells became apoptotic at an MOI of 50, and 48% at an MOI of 100. Conclusions: Highly efficient delivery of the p53 tumor suppressor gene by adenoviral vector to anaplastic WT is possible. Subsequent restoration of the normal p53 state results in reduced viability and increased apoptosis. Gene replacement of p53 may represent a novel therapeutic agent for anaplastic Wilms' tumors. J Pediatr Surg 36:43-50. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
An Exploratory Study of Financial Remittances Among Non-Resident Indians in the United States

Remittances by immigrants and temporary workers of Indian origin in industrialized countries are a growing part of India’s economy. In this exploratory study we examine the social and economic characteristics affecting the remittance pattern of working households (or families) of Indian origin residing in the United States. As most previous studies have been undertaken at the macroeconomic level, our main contribution lies in identifying the household level factors that may influence remittances. Using an online and a mail-in survey of 39 households we find some of the significant factors affecting remittances. We also validate some of the remittance-related policies of the Indian government.
Isomerism of the covalent anion of the dimer of uracil and 1-methyl-cytosine: ab initio study

Abstract Theoretical ab initio calculations have been performed to determine the distribution of an excess electron in the covalent anion of the dimer of uracil and 1-methyl-cytosine (U–MC). Due to the multitude of possible isomers, this system may present an interesting model for future experimental investigations of the electron attachment and transfer in dimers of nucleic acid bases. The major conclusions of this work are (i) three isomeric structures of the covalent U–MC anion have been found in the calculations. The anion where the excess electron is located at the MC molecule was found to be the most stable; (ii) a noticeable ring distortion was found in the molecule where the excess electron is localized; (iii) the covalent U–MC anions are non-planar, hydrogen-bonded systems; and (iv) the out-of-plane deformed site of the base molecule where the excess electron localizes in the dimer anion is positioned opposite to the site involved in the hydrogen bond.
Densification and shape distortion in liquid-phase sintering

Densification and dimensional control are important aspects of liquid-phase sintering. The capillary force and the solid bonding affect both densification and shape preservation. Capillarity, which is orientated isotropically, causes uniform shrinkage and holds grains together to preserve the component shape in the early stage of sintering. On the other hand, solid bonding resists viscous flow and inhibits densification and shape distortion. The capillary force decreases with densification and approaches zero as pores are eliminated. Thus, shape retention eventually requires solid-grain bonding. The solid-grain bonding provides compact rigidity, which is represented by compact strength. Shape distortion occurs when the compact loses its strength. For every situation, there is a critical compact strength above which no shape distortion occurs. Distortion in liquid-phase sintering indicates that the compact strength passed below a critical level.
Development of species-based, regional emission capacities for simulation of biogenic volatile organic compound emissions in land-surface models: An example from Texas, USA

Abstract This paper introduces a method to incorporate species-based variation of the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) into regional climate and weather models. We convert a species-based land-cover database for Texas into a database compatible with the community land model (CLM) and a database compatible with the Noah land-surface model (LSM). We link the LSM-compatible land-cover databases to the original species-based data set as a means to derive region-specific BVOC emission capacities for each plant functional type (in the CLM database) and for each land-cover type (in the Noah database). The spatial distribution of inherent BVOC flux (defined as the product of the BVOC emission capacity and the leaf biomass density) derived using the Texas-specific BVOC emission capacities is well correlated with the spatial distribution of inherent BVOC flux calculated using the original species data ( r = 0.8 9 ). The mean absolute error for the emission-capacity-derived inherent flux distribution is an order of magnitude lower than the statewide range of inherent fluxes. The ground-referenced land-cover databases derived here are likely more accurate than their satellite-derived counterparts; they can be used for a variety of regional model simulations in Texas. The inherent BVOC flux distributions derived using region-specific BVOC emission capacities are more consistent with observations than the BVOC flux distribution derived using the CLM3 standard BVOC emission capacities, which are top-down estimates based on the literature. When used in conjunction with detailed land-cover data sets, region-specific BVOC emission capacities produce reasonably accurate inherent BVOC fluxes.
Enhancement of vesicular stomatitis virus following adsorption with poly-L-ornithine.

SummaryThe presence of 1.0 μg/ml PLO during the adsorption period increased the resulting plaque numbers of VSV severalfold over that of PLO free controls. The enhancement was demonstrated on both CEF and MSF in the absence of detectable cell toxicity, occurred at both 4 and 37°, was manifest with as little as a 5-sec adsorption period, and could be completely inhibited by the simultaneous presence of heparin. Treatment of cells alone, but not virus alone, prior to the adsorption period, resulted in similar but less enhancement in the number of plaques. It appears that 1 μg/ml of PLO alters a cell monolayer so that certain viruses will have an enhanced rate of attachment.
An examination of the exponential decay method of mixed‐phase wavelet estimation

Signal processing theory states that an isolated wavelet which is causal and mixed phase may be converted to minimum phase by applying an exponential decay of amplitude with time. The exponential decay might therefore be a useful preprocessing step for seismic wavelet estimation since many estimation methods require that the wavelet in the data be minimum phase. This is the basis of a method proposed by Taner and Coburn (1980). The wavelets in a seismic trace, however, are generally not isolated, but instead are convolved with a densely populated reflection coefficient series causing severe wavelet overlap. Wavelet estimation is generally done using a window of data from the seismic trace which excludes refractions, surface waves, and data with poor signal‐to‐noise ratios. Due to the wavelet overlap, the window generally truncates wavelets at the window edges. When exponential decay is applied to the window, these truncated wavelets dominate the wavelet estimation methods. When no wavelet truncation occur...
Prospective evaluation of free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and dimeric inhibin A for aneuploidy detection

Abstract Objective: Our goal was to prospectively evaluate the use of the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and dimeric inhibin A for the detection of fetal Down syndrome and other aneuploidies. Study Design: Women who had a second-trimester multiple-marker screening test (α-fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin) and genetic amniocentesis from August 1996 to August 1998 were included. Serum was also analyzed for inhibin and the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. Detection and false-positive rates for 4 analyte combinations at 5 different screening risk cutoff points for Down syndrome were determined and compared. Results: We evaluated 1256 patients, including 23 with aneuploidy (13 with Down syndrome, 10 others). The maternal age was 35.9 ± 4.6 years (mean ± SD). At the optimal risk cutoff point for Down syndrome detection (1:190; false-positive rate, 19%), the multiple-marker screening test plus inhibin was superior, detecting 85% of Down syndrome cases, in comparison with 69% when the multiple-marker screening test alone was used and 62% when the other 2 combinations were used. The multiple-marker screening test plus inhibin also detected 60% of the other aneuploidies. Conclusions: When evaluated prospectively in a high-risk population, the multiple-marker screening test plus inhibin was superior to the traditional multiple-marker screening test and 2 other analyte combinations, with a lower false-positive rate and increased detection of all aneuploidies in a high-risk population. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:887-92.)
Gotta find GATA a friend.

Discovery of a cofactor for GATA-1 opens new avenues of investigation into the transcriptional regulation of hematopoiesis.
Differentiation of Damage and Failure Mechanisms of Co-Cured Fiber-Reinforced Composite Joints Using Acoustic Emission

Through feature-based acoustic emission (AE) analysis and supervised clustering, data acquired during monotonic loading can reveal damage initiation, development, and accumulation within a specimen. In this work, AE analysis using a supervised pattern recognition method is carried out on specimens with co-cured composite joints of single lap and single nested overlap configurations. Correlation with physical observations from other techniques suggests that the resulting clusters may be associated with specific damage modes and failure mechanisms.
Construction and Evaluation of a Prototype High Resolution, Silicon Photomultiplier-Based, Tandem Positron Emission Tomography System

While the performance of most current commercially available PET scanners is sufficient for many standard clinical applications, some specific tasks likely require specialized imaging systems. The goal of this project is to explore the capabilities and limitations of a small, high-resolution prototype system for obtaining PET images. The scanner consists of a tandem of detectors. One is a small detector consisting of a 20 × 20 array of 0.7 × 0.7 × mm3 (pitch 0.8 mm) LYSO elements. The scintillator array is coupled to an array of silicon photomultipliers. The second detector is a 96 × 72 array of 2×2×15 mm3 (pitch=2.1 mm) LYSO elements coupled to PSPMTs. Separation between the two devices is 180 mm. The detectors are operated in coincidence with each other. Image reconstruction is performed using a limited angle, Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (MLEM) algorithm. Evaluation of the device included measurements of spatial resolution and detection sensitivity as a function of distance. The transaxial radial and tangential spatial resolution of the system ranged from 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm FWHM; axial resolution ranged from 2.7 mm to 4.6 mm FWHM. Detection sensitivity ranged from 0.05 to 0.28%. Spatial resolution and field-of-view vary as a function of distance from the small detector. The tandem detector insert permitted differentiation of the smallest (1 mm diameter) rods in a mini-hot rod phantom. The results indicate that a tandem PET imaging scheme can be potentially employed in applications where high-resolution images over a small region are required.
Sulfur Contents at Sulfide-Liquid or Anhydrite Saturation in Silicate Melts: Empirical Equations and Example Applications

We present a new empirical equation for estimating sulfur content in silicate melts at anhydrite saturation based on available experimental results and an updated empirical equation for estimating sulfur content in silicate melts at sulfide-liquid saturation by adding relevant experimental data that were not previously used and excluding controversial experimental data. The fits of our empirical equations to the data used for calibration are within 10 percent error. Only total pressure, temperature, and silicate melt composition, parameters that are often known or can be reasonably assumed for natural magmatic systems, are required for utilization of the equations. The empirical equations are useful for petrologic modeling of natural magmatic systems, including magmatic hydrothermal ore deposits. Several example applications including the effect of decompression on sulfur content at sulfide-liquid saturation in komatiite and high Mg basaltic magmas and the ratio of silicate minerals to immiscible sulfide liquids during fractional crystallization of these magmas are provided.
Convergence in the duetting of monogamous Old World primates

The occurrence of stable monogamy and territoriality among Old World primates in an unusual social phenomenon, and has been observed in only a few diverse primates (spectral tarsier, Tarsius spectrum ; indri indri indri ; Mentawai langur, Presbytis potenziani ; and gibbons, Hylobates spp.). The mated pairs of all these genera have been observed to produce elaborate and complex duets. The general acoustical and organizational features of the vocal behaviour of these primates were analyzed and compared herein; in addition, the ecological and behavioural constrains affecting the evolution of their vocal behavior were also investigated. These findings strongly suggest that the occurrence of duetting in these primate species and the similarities found in the acoustical features of their vocal behavior, represents a case of functional convergence as a result of their evolution of a common social organization and similar ecological niche, and probably not mere coincidence.
Size and composition biases on the detection of individual ultrafine particles by aerosol mass spectrometry

Aerosol mass spectrometers allow particles to be counted on the basis of size and chemical composition. In most instruments, individual particles are ablated with a pulsed laser to obtain a mass spectrum. Using this method to characterize ambient aerosols requires an understanding of biases induced by the measurement process. For particles less than 200 nm diameter, the efficiency of detection is shown to be dependent on both size and composition. These dependencies arise from the transmission characteristics of the particle inlet and the intrinsic ability of a particle to be vaporized and ionized. The relative contributions of each are determined for a series of atmospherically relevant test aerosols. Small particles are generally more difficult to detect and analyze than large particles because they are more difficult to focus through the inlet into a tight beam and because they are more difficult to ablate. Particles composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonium nitrate, and alkali metal ions ...
Turning thought into action.

Two monkeys have been trained to control a robotic arm to feed themselves by means of electrodes implanted into their motor cortexes.
Developmental Assessment of the Internationally Adopted Child: Challenges and Rewards:

Each year approximately 17,000 children are adopted into the USA from a variety of countries around the globe. Most of these children have been reared in orphanages and have suffered varying degrees of emotional deprivation, substandard health care and nutrition, neglect, trauma and loss. Research suggests that length of institutionalizatinn is the greatest predictor of the risk for developmental delay and mental health problems. Specialized clinics have been developed to evaluate the unique needs of the internationally adopted child. This article focuses on key elements and challenges of the developmental evaluation of the internationally adopted child including: (i) reviewing the pre-adoptive medical record andlor video, (ii) interviewing adoptive parents, and (iii) performing comprehensive assessments of newly arrived adoptees. A review of research findings is discussed and applying available and limited research to clinical assessments is considered.