cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bacillus penetrans n. comb. Causing a virulent disease of plant-parasitic nematodes

Abstract The prokaryotic and bacterial nature of the incitant of a lethal disease of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes was confirmed by electron microscopy. The organism (formerly Duboscqia penetrans Thorne, Microsporea: Protozoa) was renamed Bacillus penetrans n. comb., Bacillaceae. B. penetrans produces an endospore typical of Bacillus spp., and its life cycle and spore morphology are similar to B. popilliae and B. lentimorbus , the “milky disease” organisms of insects. It differs from the latter pathogens in spore shape, in the dichotomously-branched colonies formed in the host pseudocoelom by nonseparating vegetative cells, and in that the spores are not known to be ingested by nematodes. Substantial reductions in Pratylenchus scribneri populations and in root-knot disease of tomato were obtained in glasshouse tests with the pathogen. Endospore production in vivo presents the first possibility of biological control of pest nematodes with inoculum of a highly specific virulent pathogen.
VARTM Process Improvement for Repeatable and Improved Mechanical Properties of Composite Laminates

Quality of laminates produced by Seeman Composite Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP) is studied by comparing their Fiber Volume fraction and void content. SCRIMP is a variant of Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM). Manufacturing process parameters are then identified and varied to study the impact on mechanical properties of laminated composites. Modification to SCRIMP is carried out by infusing the resin under additional pressure. Optimal process parameters for this modified SCRIMP process are suggested to yield laminates that are repeatable and consistent in quality. Void content is reduced in the composite laminates by altering the vacuum pressure level. Thickness gradient commonly found in SCRIMP processed laminates is eliminated by allowing longer de-bulking time. Final laminate quality is measured using ASTM standardized mechanical testing.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A distributed resource broker for spatial middleware using adaptive space-filling curve

Spatial middleware serves as a glue for high-performance and distributed GIS services to harness the computational capabilities of cyberinfrastructure. This paper focuses on the development of an important component of spatial middleware -- a distributed resource broker that matches computation tasks of GIS and spatial analysis to appropriate cyberinfrastructure resources to solve computationally intensive GIS and spatial analysis problems. This distributed resource broker is built on computational intensity estimations and a self-organized grouping (SOG) framework. Specifically, we use computational intensity information to enable cyberinfrastructure resource brokering for spatial middleware by exploiting spatial characteristics; and adapt the SOG framework to enhance resource brokering performance through the use of a space filling curve. A new overlay network is designed to inherit the good performance and distributed self-organizing nature of SOG while the use of computational intensity information enhances computational performance of resource brokering for GIS and spatial analysis applications.
Enhanced sorption of trichloroethene by smectite clay exchanged with Cs

Trichloroethene (TCE) is one of the most common pollutants in groundwater, and Cs+ can be a cocontaminant at nuclear facilities. Smectite clays have large surface areas, are common in soils, have high affinities for some organic contaminants, and hence can potentially influence the transport of organic pollutants entering soils and sediments. The exchangeable cations present near smectite clay surfaces can radically influence the sorption of organic pollutants by soil clays. This research was undertaken to determine the effect of Cs+, and other common interlayer cations, such as K+ and Ca2+, on the sorption of TCE by a reference smectite clay saponite. Cs-saturated clay sorbed the most TCE, up to 3500 mg/kg, while Ca-saturated smectite sorbed the least. We hypothesize that the stronger sorption of TCE by the Cs-smectite can be attributed to the lower hydration energy and hence smaller hydrated radius of Cs+, which expands the lateral clay surface domains available for sorption. Also, Cs-smectite interlayers are only one or two water layers thick, which may drive capillary condensation of TCE. Our results implicate enhanced retention of TCE in aquifer materials containing smectites accompanied by Cs+ cocontamination.
The YWCA Women's Advocacy Program: A Case Study of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

Abstract The article reports the results of a case study of the Women's Advocacy Program, an alternative service program with a feminist focus that is structured within a host organization, the YWCA of Richmond, Virginia. This qualitative program evaluation found that women who seek domestic violence and/or sexual assault services believe that their safety and security is essential. Further, women frequently found personal strength and support through their associations with others who shared their experiences, feelings, and struggles. Alternative service programs, such as the Women's Advocacy Program, sometimes find it challenging to maintain an ideological commitment to consensual decision-making, political focus, and structural change efforts, and focus on empowerment, and self-determination while maintaining a link to the host organization.
Fat, Energy and Mammalian Survival

Adipose tissue plays a critical role in mammalian life history strategies, serving as an organ for the storage of food and energy, as a source of heat and water and as thermal insulation. The food and energy storage roles are especially important in allowing the animals to survive food shortages and stresses associated with competition for mates, territorial defense, gestation and lactation, and to accomplish migrations. The composition, cellularity and anatomical site of adipose depots in a mammal can influence both the amount of fat stored and its availability and usefulness in any given situation. The fatty acids and complex lipids in adipose tissue, blood vessels, nerves and brain change in response to ambient temperature and the low body temperatures during hibernation. Early nutrition may influence the number of fat cells developed by a mammal, and thus affect its ability to survive adversity. Desert species develop localized depots which will not interfere with temperature regulation, while animals in cold environments use their extensive superficial fat layers as insulation.
Low intracellular magnesium levels promote platelet-dependent thrombosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

Abstract Background Although reduced intracellular levels of magnesium have been described in patients with acute myocardial infarction, its significance as a regulator of thrombosis remains unknown. Methods and Results To determine whether reduced intracellular levels of magnesium enhance platelet-dependent thrombosis, we evaluated 42 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) by exposing porcine aortic media to their flowing unanticoagulated venous blood for 5 minutes by using an ex vivo perfusion (Badimon) chamber. Baseline analysis demonstrated significant associations between intracellular levels of magnesium, platelet-dependent thrombosis ( P =.02), and platelet P-selectin (CD62P) expression ( P 2 /mm, P Conclusions Platelet-dependent thrombosis was significantly increased in patients with stable CAD with low intracellular levels of magnesium, suggesting a potential role for magnesium supplementation in CAD. (Am Heart J 2000;140:212-8.)
Optimal packings of up to five equal circles on a square flat torus

We prove that a certain lattice arrangement of five equal circles on a square flat torus (the quotient of the plane by the lattice generated by two unit perpendicular vectors) is the densest possible arrangement. Our proof uses techniques from Rigidity Theory and Topological Graph Theory. We also apply these techniques to the cases of one to four equal circles on a square flat torus and prove that the known densest arrangements are the only locally maximally dense arrangements. Additionally, we establish the existence of a locally maximally dense lattice arrangement of n = a 2 + b 2 (a > b > 0 and gcd(a, b) = 1) equal circles on a square flat torus.
Specific inhibition of endogenous neuropeptide Y synthesis in arcuate nucleus by antisense oligonucleotides suppresses feeding behavior and insulin secretion.

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is synthesized in neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) that project to different hypothalamic nuclei, is known to have potent effects on eating behavior and hormone secretion after hypothalamic administration. To test the hypothesis that endogenous NPY is essential for the normal expression of these responses, the present study used two unmodified antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to disrupt the synthesis of NPY in the ARC and to examine the impact of this disturbance on nutrient intake, as well as on circulating levels of insulin and the adrenal steroids, corticosterone and aldosterone. Brain-cannulated rats maintained on macronutrient diets were given daily, bilateral injections, over a 4-day period, of NPY antisense ODNs, sense ODNs or saline into the ARC. The NPY antisense ODNs produced a significant decline (−33% relative to sense ODNs and −40% relative to saline, P P P
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium meningitis in adults: Case series and review of the literature

AbstractBackground: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VR E. faecium) is a rare cause of meningitis and is associated with substantial mortality. Limited therapeutic options are available for the treatment of VR E. faecium meningitis. The optimum therapy has not been established. Methods: We retrospectively identified adult cases of meningitis due to VR E. faecium that occurred at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1999 to 2011 and performed a literature search for published adult cases using Medline and Embase. Results: At our institution, 4 cases of meningitis due to VR E. faecium were identified. Three out of our 4 cases were successfully treated with linezolid in combination with rifampicin, or with daptomycin in combination with quinupristin–dalfopristin (QD), and 1 out of 4 with linezolid monotherapy. The literature search yielded 18 cases published to date. Published cases showed bacterial cure with linezolid, chloramphenicol or QD (intravenous (IV) and intrathecal (IT)) monotherapy, o...
Melt-mediated coalescence of solution-deposited ZnO nanoparticles by excimer laser annealing for thin-film transistor fabrication

Nanoparticle solutions are considered promising for realizing low cost printable high performance flexible electronics. In this letter, excimer laser annealing (ELA) was employed to induce melting of solution-deposited ZnO nanoparticles and form electrically conductive porous films. The properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, DC conductance, and photoluminescence measurements. Thin-film field-effect transistors have been fabricated by ELA without the use of conventional vacuum or any high temperature thermal annealing processes. The transistors show n-type accumulation mode behavior with mobility greater than 0.1 cm2/V s and current on/off ratios of more than 104. Optimization and control of the laser processing parameters minimized thermal impact on the substrate. This technique can be beneficial in the fabrication of metal oxide based electronics on heat sensitive flexible plastic substrates using low-cost, large-area solution processing combined with direct printing techniques.
Imported dengue fever: an important reemerging disease.

Fever in a returned traveler from the tropics often poses a diagnostic challenge to the emergency department physician because of the potential for serious morbidity and mortality associated with certain infections such as falciparum malaria and dengue. We report a case of imported dengue fever in a 15-year-old adolescent boy acquired during a recent travel to Guatemala. Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted viral infection of global importance. The majority of US residents with dengue become infected during travel to tropical areas. In recent years, dengue has remerged in US tropical and subtropical areas. The disease is underreported in the United States along the Mexican border. The epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, control, and prevention of this important global reemerging infectious disease are reviewed. Clinicians should include dengue in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness in children who have recently returned from dengue endemic areas.
Anterograde amnesia and memory for temporal order

Abstract Because amnesic patients have great difficulty remembering the order in which events occur, anterograde amnesia has sometimes been considered to be a selective defect in this ability. The present study showed that temporal order information is fragile in normal subjects to the same extent as it is in amnesic patients. It is suggested that in many respects amnesic patients qualitatively resemble normal subjects tested long after learning.
A non-equilibrium analysis of the finitely-repeated prisoner's dilemma

Abstract We follow a non-equilibrium approach to the finitely repeated prisoner's dilemma with trigger strategies. Each player has a probability distribution which gives the probability with which he thinks the other player first plans to cheat in any given period. We show that, provided that this probability distribution assigns some minimum weight to all periods, the players will cooporate for most of the game if it is repeated enough times.
Feeding system for an RKA-driven antenna array

In order to transfer electromagnetic (EM) energy efficiently from a relativistic klystron amplifier (RKA) to a steerable super-array, the issue of mode conversion must be considered, i.e., the transfer of electromagnetic fields from a coaxial-line waveguide to a number of rectangular waveguides. A special converter has been designed to solve this matching problem. The converter consists of several sections including a multi-fin converter, a fan- shaped converter, and a twisted-rectangular converter. The mode conversion in each of these sections has been studied analytically and experimentally. The optimal parameters for minimum energy loss have been found for the different converter sections and the power breakdown in some of the sections has been studied. Formulas for engineering design are presented.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Personality traits and illicit substances: The moderating role of poverty

Background Illicit substances increase risk of morbidity and mortality and have significant consequences for society. Personality traits are associated with drug use; we test whether these associations vary by socioeconomic status.
Deformation band formation and strength evolution in unlithified sand: The role of grain breakage

[1] We report on laboratory experiments designed to investigate the strength evolution and formation mechanisms of cataclastic deformation bands hosted in unlithified sand, with particular focus on the role of grain breakage. Cataclastic deformation bands are characterized by particle size reduction and increased resistance to weathering compared to parent material. We recovered bands intact from late Quaternary, nearshore marine sand in the footwall of the active McKinleyville thrust fault, Humboldt County, California. Tabular samples 3–5 mm thick and 5 cm × 5 cm in area were sheared at normal stresses representative of in situ conditions, 0.5–1.8 MPa, sliding velocities from 10 mm/s to 10 mm/s, and to shear strain up to 20. Cataclastic deformation bands are stronger than parent material (coefficient of internal friction mi = 0.623 and mi = 0.525, respectively) and exhibit a peak strength followed by weakening. Parent material exhibits significant strain hardening; the frictional yield strength increases up to 9% for a shear strain of 10. Detailed particle size analyses show that strain hardening in parent material is coincident with increased fine particle abundance, resulting from pervasive grain breakage. Our results support the hypothesis that cataclastic deformation bands are stronger than the surrounding parent material due to shear‐driven grain breakage during their formation. We suggest that the combination of strain localization during band formation and strain hardening on individual bands results in dense networks of deformation bands.
Characteristics of an epidermal cell thymocyte-activating factor (ETAF) produced by human epidermal cells and a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

In this study we show that both cultured normal human epidermal cells (EC) and a human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line produce a thymocyte-activating factor (ETAF). EC-ETAF and SCC-ETAF both have a M r of 15,000 and were eluted from chromatofocusing at the same isoelectric points of 7.2, 5.8, and 5.0. Both activities were maintained at alkaline pH and were destroyed at temperatures above 60°C. In addition to stimulating thymocyte proliferation, human ETAF exhibited a variety of other pertinent biologic activities. Although EC-ETAF or SCC-ETAF by themselves exhibited no T-cell growth factor activity, both ETAF preparations enhanced Interleukin 2 production by cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes when stimulated with polyclonal T-cells stimulants (Concanavalin A and phorbol myristate acetate). Human ETAF also was chemotactic for rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes and was directly mitogenic for cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Injection of human ETAF into C3H/HeJ mice, resulted in inducing serum amyloid A (SAA) production by murine hepatocytes. The thymocyte growth-enhancing activity, the fibroblast-stimulating activity, and the SAA-inducing capacity of ETAF all coeluted off AcA54 gel. These biologic as well as biochemical properties of human keratinocyte-derived ETAF are identical with those of human macrophage-derived Interleukin 1. The ability of keratinocytes to release an immunomodulating factor with such diverse consequences may play an important role in normal wound healing and in diseases involving epithelial tissues.
The treatment of macular disease using a micropulsed and continuous wave 810-nm diode laser.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine whether the 810-nm diode wavelength using a rectangular waveform is clinically effective in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration and to determine whether macular edema secondary to branch vein occlusion or diabetic retinopathy can be effectively treated with this laser using the micropulse waveform. Design: Review of consecutive nonrandomized patients whose eyes were treated with the diode laser over a 30-month period. Participants: Fifty-three patients with an initial presentation of choroidal neovascularization located subfoveally (77%), extrafoveally (17%), and juxtafoveally (6%); 14 patients with macular edema from a branch vein occlusion; and 59 patients with diabetic macular edema, 40 of which were treated for the first time. Intervention: Ablative rectangular wave laser photocoagulation was applied to the choroidal neovascular membranes and very light threshold treatment was applied in a macular grid to treat retinal edema. Microaneurysms were not targeted. Main Outcome Measures: Anatomic resolution of macular edema or choroidal neovascularization and visual acuity. Results: Sixty percent of eyes treated for choroidal neovascularization had no persistence or recurrence at 6 months, and 72% achieved visual stabilization. In 8% of eyes, some localized bleeding occurred during photocoagulation. Clinical resolution of macular edema from branch vein occlusion occurred by 6 months in 92% of eyes, and 77% had stabilization of visual acuity. At 6 months, 76% of newly treated patients with diabetic macular edema and 67% of previously treated patients had clinical resolution of their edema. Vision was improved or stabilized in 91% and 73% of newly treated and retreated patients at 6 months, respectively. Conclusions: The micropulsed 81O-nm diode laser is clinically effective in the treatment of macular edema from venous occlusion and diabetic retinopathy, and the rectangular (normal) mode diode laser can be used in many eyes with choroidal neovascularization.
Memory decays at the same rate in macaques with and without brain lesions when expressed in d' or arcsine terms.

Data from the literature on the effect of lesions upon recognition memory in the monkey have been examined. On the basis of percentage scores the published data can be interpreted as showing that the ability to recognize a previously seen object decays faster in macaques with brain lesions than it does in normal animals. A reanalysis of the extensive data in terms of d′ of Signal Detection Theory or by arcsine transform suggests, on the contrary, that the rate of decay from 0, to 600 s, is essentially the same in normal animals and in those with lesions (particularly temporal lobe lesions). Indeed, in d′ or arcsine terms, the effect of the lesions is fully developed at the shortest times used, and shows no increase as a function of the delay between initial presentation and test. Thus, very different conclusions stem from the choice of scale.
GABAB-activated gK+ in thalamic neurons in the lethargic (lh/lh) mouse model of generalized absence seizures

Abstract Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from thalamic ventrobasal (V13) neurons of age-matched lethargic ( lh lh ) and wildtype (+/+) mice. Hyperpolarizing voltage commands (40 mV) from a holding potential of −60 mV were delivered to the cell and the resulting K+ conductance (gK+) activated by the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen was measured and compared between the two groups. VB cells from +/+ and lh lh displayed no significant differences in resting conductance (gIN) or gK+ activated by baclofen. In addition to this, isolated, evoked GABAB-mediated currents were recorded in VB cells. There was no significant difference in peak amplitude or latency to peak noted between the two groups. These data suggest that postsynaptic GABAB receptor-mediated function is not altered in VB thalamic neurones in this model of absence seizures.
Circulatory responses to hypovolemia in the pregnant and nonpregnant sheep after pharmacologic sympathectomy.

Abstract Circulatory responses to progressive hypovolemia, hypotensive shock, blood reinfusion, and recovery were studied in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep with an intact or pharmacologically ablated sympathetic nervous system produced by administration of 6-hydroxydopamine. These studies also provided an opportunity to assess the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to the maintenance of vasomotor tone in the pregnant animal at rest. The results show the following: (1) Although there were some differences in the circulatory adjustments to the initial period of blood loss between intact and “sympathectomized” animals, the overall circulatory responses to progressive hypovolemia, shock, blood reinfusion, and recovery were not significantly different in animals with intact or ablated sympathetic nervous systems whether or not they were pregnant. (2) The reasons for the similarity of cardiovascular responses to hypovolemia are the marked increase in catecholamine outputs by the adrenal medulla, which was not affected by 6-hydroxydopamine, and the supersensitivity of the systemic vascular beds of the sympathectomized animal to catecholamines. (3) The contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to the maintenance of the resting vasomotor tone is considerably enhanced during pregnancy, as demonstrated by the chronic effects of adrenergic ablation on the resting arterial pressure. (4) The circulation of the pregnant uterus possesses the ability of autoregulation during chronic changes of perfusing pressure as demonstrated by the differences in the arterial pressure and uteroplacental vascular resistance between intact and sympathectomized animals.
Cortical mechanisms of pretense observation.

Pretend play emerges in children the world over around 18 months and continues into adolescence and even adulthood. Observing and engaging in pretense are thought to rely on similar neural mechanisms, but little is known about them. Here we examined neural activation patterns associated with observing pretense acts, including high-likelihood, low-likelihood, and imaginary substitute objects, as compared with activation patterns when observing parallel real acts. The association between fantasy predisposition and cortical representations of pretense was also explored. Supporting prior research that used more limited types of pretense, observed pretense acts, when contrasted with real acts, elicited activity in regions associated with mentalizing. A novel contribution here is that substitute object pretense (high- and low-likelihood) elicited significantly more activity than imaginary (pantomime) acts not only in theory of mind regions but also in the superior parietal lobule, a region thought to aid in the...
Polarization field crossover in semi‐polar InGaN/GaN single quantum wells

We present an electroreflectance study of the polarization field in semi-polar (10) and (112) oriented InGaN quantum wells (QW). For the () sample, the flat-QW condition (the electric field in the QW is zero) is at a reverse bias voltage. For the (112) sample, the flat-QW condition is at a forward bias voltage larger than the turn on voltage of the diode. However, the flat-barrier condition (the electric field in the barrier region is zero) is at a forward bias voltage less than the turn on voltage of the diode. The flat-QW condition and the flat-barrier condition are determined by examining the zero-crossing and the Franz-Keldysh oscillations in the electroreflectance signal for (10) and (112) InGaN QWs, respectively. From the corresponding bias voltages, we deduce the polarization field in the QWs and conclude that in the semi-polar InGaN/GaN QW there is a crossover angle between the polar and non-polar orientations where the polarization field vanishes. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rigid fixation: a review of concepts and treatment of fractures

Rigid fixation has been given considerable attention in the current literature. The concepts of treatment and the philosophies of the different systems vary, as do the results reported by different authors. This article reviews the basic tenets of rigid fixation and points out where systems are similar or diverge. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are covered.
Sterilization of Scleral Homografts with Ionizing Irradiation

We devised a method of sterilization and preservation of sclera that we have found reliable and convenient. Gamma irradiation is a highly effective method of sterilization. Airtight, watertight, plastic packaging of frozen irradiated sclera allows for safe long-term storage and for convenient use in the operating room.
Effects on fever of central administration of transport inhibitors.

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of probenecid, an inhibitor of organic acid transport, prolongs fever induced by leukocytic pyrogen (LP), presumably by inhibiting termination of the effect of endogenous pyrogen that reaches the brain. To determine which type(s) of transport processes are involved in central inactivation of pyrogens, other inhibitors which are known to affect particular transport systems were given ICV to rabbits just before LP was administered IV. Iodipamide, which inhibits the liver-like or L transport system, augmented fever in a dose-related fashion. Central administration of p-amino hippuric acid, the classic inhibitor of the H or hippuric acid transport system, and of perchloric acid, which inhibits the iodide transport system, had no effect on fever. Because iodipamide also enhanced and prolonged hyperthemia caused by injecting PGE 2 (0.5 μg) ICV, the augmentation of LP fever by this agent might have been caused by accumulation of prostaglandin E released from central sites by LP. However, acetaminophen, an antipyretic which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis but which has no effect on body temperature elevated by central PGE injection, reduced LP-induced iodipamide-augmented fever. The results suggest that the L transport system is important to central inactivation of both LP and PGE 2 but that prolongation of LP fever by ICV administration of iodipamide is not the result of central accumulation of prostaglandin. We conclude from the present results and from previous results on probenecid that termination of the central action of LP requires an iodipamide-sensitive transport system and at least one additonal transport process that is inhibited by probenecid but not by iodipamide.
Black Hole Event Horizon

Type 1 X-ray bursts are frequently observed in neutron star X-ray binaries, but no Type I burst has ever been seen in any black hole X-ray binary. It is argued that the lack of bursts in the latter sources is strong evidence that the accreting stars have event horizons.
A Comparison of Methods for Assessing Child Compliance During Behavioral Parent Training

The purpose of the present study was to compare four methods of computing child compliance to parental instructions. Four noncompliant boys, ages 2.5 to 7 years, participated with their mothers in behavioral parent training. In order to evaluate the training, observers recorded the boys' compliance responses in continuous 10-sec intervals. The boys' rates of compliant responding were then computed by considering behavior (A) only in the first interval following the instruction, (B) in the first three intervals following the instruction, (C) in all intervals while the instruction was ongoing, and (D) only in the final interval of the instructional trial. The findings indicated that the first three methods were correlated strongly with each other, although there were occasional differences in the levels of compliance indicated by these three methods. The implications of the findings and the merits of each of the four methods are discussed.
Dephosphorization of Casein by Heat Treatment. II. In Skimmilks

Summary Heating skimmilks at 110 to 140C caused extensive dephosphorization of the casein; the liberated phosphate accumulated in the inorganic colloidal fraction. Concentration of skimmilk to one-half of its original volume increased the rate of dephosphorization and preheating at 90C for 10min before concentrating decreased the rate in the 2:1 concentrate. At a given temperature, dephosphorization was slower in skimmilk than in sodium caseinate sols. The heat-induced dephosphorization of casein in skimmilk conformed to first-order kinetics with an energy of activation of 25 to 27kcal per mole. The free energy change of the activated complex was about 30kcal per mole and the entropy change −11 to −13cal per degree.
Effect of grating period on the excitation of multiple surface- plasmon-polariton waves guided by the interface of a metal grating and a photonic crystal

The excitation of multiple surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves guided by the interface of a metal and a onedimensional photonic crystal in the grating-coupled configuration was studied both experimentally and theoretically. Only p-polarized incident light was considered in the visible and near-infrared regimes. When the absorptance was plotted against the angle of incidence, the excitation of an SPP wave was indicated by an absorptance peak whose angular location did not change with the number of periods (beyond a threshold) of the photonic crystal. A decrease in the period of the metal grating resulted in shifting the excitation of the SPP waves to smaller wavelengths.
Stimulation of thymocyte proliferation by phosphorothioate DNA oligonucleotides.

Abstract DNA is a complex macromolecule the immunological properties of which depend on short sequence motifs called CpG motifs or immunostimulatory sequences (ISS). These sequences are mitogenic for B cells and can stimulate macrophage cytokine production. While these sequences do not directly activate T cells, they can augment effects of stimulation via the TCR. Furthermore, ISS can affect T cells because of macrophage production of IL-12 and IFN-α/β. In these studies, we further evaluated the immune effects of DNA on T cells, testing the possibility that certain T cell populations can respond directly to this stimulus. We therefore tested the in vitro responses of thymocytes to a series of phosphodiester (Po) and phosphorothioate (Ps) oligonucleotides (ODNs) varying in sequence. In in vitro cultures, phosphorothioate ODNs (sODNs) containing CpG motifs induced significant proliferation of murine thymocytes, although phosphodiester compounds lacked activity. The magnitude of stimulation varied with sequences flanking the CpG motifs, as both dA and dT sequences enhanced the stimulatory capacity of the CpG motif. Furthermore, CpG sODNs were strong costimulators of anti-CD3-mediated thymocyte activation, increasing proliferation compared to anti-CD3 in the absence of DNA. This activation was only partially inhibited by cyclosporine A and was not dependent on a calcium influx. Together, these results indicate that phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs can directly induce thymocyte proliferation as well as augment TCR activation. These observations thus extend the range of actions of CpG DNA and suggest additional mechanisms for its function as an immunomodulatory agent or adjuvant.
Influence of age on the response to paranatal administration of a low dose of androgen.

A single injection of testosterone propionate (TP, 10 μg) was given subcutaneously to female rats of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 days of age. The females were laparotomized during their early postpubertal days and again as young adults, and the presence or absence of ovarian corpora lutea recorded. The effect of postnatal administration of TP varied with the age at injection and at observation. Ten μg TP can be given through day 4 to prevent even the initial pubertal ovulation, and through day 6 to prevent ovulation after a postpubertal delay during which ovulation does occur. This influence of animal age and the delay in the appearance of the anovulatory syndrome suggest that the concept of a critical period during which hypothalamic neurones are competent to respond to TP lacks specific and clear definition. (Endocrinology 82: 1001, 1968)
An experimental evaluation of ash aggregation in explosive volcanic eruptions

Abstract Eruption dynamics are sensitive to ash aggregation, and ash aggregates (e.g. accretionary lapilli) are commonly found in eruptive deposits, yet few experiments have been conducted on aggregation phenomena using natural materials. Here we developed experiments to produce a probabilistic relationship for the efficiency of ash aggregation with respect to collision kinetic energy and atmospheric water vapor in subsaturated conditions. The laboratory experiments were carried out in an enclosed tank designed to allow for the control of atmospheric water vapor. A synthetic ash proxy, ballotini, and ash from the 2006 eruption of Tungurahua, in Ecuador were examined for their aggregation potential. Image data were recorded with a high speed camera and post-processed to determine the number of collisions, energy of collisions and probability of aggregation. Aggregation efficiency was highly dependent on collision kinetic energy and no dependence on atmospheric water vapor was seen in the range of relative humidity conditions tested, 20 to 95%. Electrostatic aggregation was found to be the most plausible mechanism for aggregation and an estimate charge density was determined for the sample. The average minimum charge density necessary for particle aggregation was found to be 3 × 10−5 C m−2, or on the order of 1 × 10−4 C kg−1. Equations governing the relationships between aggregation efficiency and collision kinetic energy were determined for implementation into large scale numerical volcanic models.
Partial Structure of the Human α2(IV) Collagen Chain and Chromosomal Localization of the Gene (COL4A2)

We have isolated a 2.1-kb cDNA clone from a human placental library encoding part of the α2 chain of collagen IV, a major structural protein of basement membranes. The DNA sequence encodes 446 amino acids in the triplehelical domain plus the 227 amino acids of the carboxy-terminal globular domain. The latter structure is composed of two homologous subdomains and is highly conserved between the α1 and α2 chains. The triple-helical domain contained seven interruptions of the Gly-X-Y repeat and these interruptions were in general larger than their counterparts in the α1 chain. DNA from human rodent hybrid cell lines was analyzed under conditions in which there was no cross-hybridization of the α2(IV) cDNA probe with the gene for the α1(IV) collagen chain. An Eco RI fragment characteristic of the α2 chain had a concordance of 0.97 with chromosome 13. This result was confirmed and extended with in situ localization of the gene at 13q34. Since the α1(IV) gene has previously been localized to 13q34, the two type IV collagen genes reside in the same chromosome region (13q34), possibly in a gene cluster. The presence of the genes for type IV collagen chains on chromosome 13 excludes a primary role for these genes in adult polycystic kidney disease and X-linked forms of hereditary nephritis.
Influence of Walleye Stocking on Angler Effort in Wisconsin

We compared relationships between angler effort and population densities of four species of fish in lakes with stocked and self-sustaining walleye populations in Wisconsin to determine the effect of walleye stocking on angler effort. The origin of walleye populations affected angler effort directed at walleyes in lakes with a daily bag limit of two, but not with daily bag limits of three or five. For lakes with a bag limit of two, angler effort was related to walleye density in lakes with self-sustaining walleye populations but not in stocked lakes. For lakes with a bag limit of three, angler effort did not differ between lakes with stocked and self-sustaining populations. For lakes with a bag limit of five, angler effort was not related to walleye density. Walleye stocking reduced the amount of effort directed at largemouth bass, but had no effect on effort directed at smallmouth bass or muskellunge. We thank the WDNR fisheries biologists, technicians, and creel clerks who collected the data included in ...
Nominal trajectories for the aeroassisted flight experiment

The problem of generating good nominal trajectories is considered with particular reference to an AFE type spacecraft flying with constant angle of attack and variable angle of bank. A simulated GEO-to-LEO aeroassisted orbital transfer is considered. It is shown that, for fixed control, the AFE trajectory exhibits strong intrinsic instability in the longitudinal motion and near neutrality in the lateral motion, while stability can be artificially induced via feedback control, the effectiveness of a feedback control scheme depends on control margin availability. The AFE nominal trajectory must be chosen as a compromise between good performance and good control margin.
High order corrections to the time-independent Born-Oppenheimer approximation II: Diatomic Coulomb systems

We study the bound states of diatomic molecular systems. We prove that if the nuclear masses are proportional to e−4 then certain eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian have asymptotic expansions to arbitrarily high order in powers of e, as e→0. The zeroth through fourth order terms in the expansions for the eigenvalues are those of the well-known Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The fifth order term is zero.
A semicontinuous flow apparatus for measuring the solubility of opaque solids in supercritical solutions

Abstract A semi-continuous flow apparatus with microsampling has been developed for measuring the solubilities of solids in supercritical fluids. The apparatus is particularly appropriate for those solids for which only mg-sized quantities are available (e.g. pharmaceuticals) and which form opaque solutions when dissolved in supercritical solvents (e.g. porphyrins and dyes). The method of operation is to first obtain equilibrium in a variable-volume view cell, then use an electronic syringe pump in the constant pressure mode to deliver the contents of the cell through a sample loop at the equilibrium temperature and pressure, and finally to determine solid solubilities by analyzing the contents of the sample loop. Both an error analysis and measurements for the system carbon dioxide (CO 2 )+phenanthrene at 35 and 55 °C indicate that the method is accurate to better than ±5%. Subsequently, the apparatus was used to determine the solubilities of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)porphyrin (TBTPP), a novel fluorinated porphyrin synthesized in our laboratories, in supercritical CO 2 . Measurements were performed at three different temperatures (40, 70, and 100 °C) and over a pressure range of 103.4–324.1 bar. TBTPP exhibits a wide range of solubilities in CO 2 (i.e. from 0.0002 to 2 wt.%) and thus is an appropriate model solute for investigating the effect of concentration on particle size and morphology during rapid expansion processing.
Comparison of iterative reconstruction approaches for photoacoustic tomography

In many iterative algorithms for photoacoustic tomography (PAT), images are reconstructed from an integrated data function g(rv, t) rather than from the measured acoustic pressure data function p(rv, t). The integrated data function is related to the object by a spherical Radon transform, which can be inverted by use of standard reconstruction algorithms. In this work, we investigate a different reconstruction approach that utilizes the measured pressure data function p(rv, t) to directly invert the PAT imaging model. We reveal that these two reconstruction approaches, which are preconditioned versions of each other, have distinct statistical and numerical properties. Each is demonstrated to have characteristics that are advantageous to certain types of data inconsistencies. Numerical results are presented to corroborate our analysis.
Nitrogen fertilization inhibits soil microbial respiration regardless of the form of nitrogen applied

We tested how amendments of different forms of nitrogen (N) affect microbial respiration rates by adding six different forms of N (NH4NO3, (NH2)2CO (urea), KNO3, NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4, Ca(NO3)2) to three distinct soils. All inorganic N forms led to a net reduction in microbial respiration, and the magnitude of the observed response (up to 60 % reduction) was consistent across all soils and negatively correlated with N concentration. Urea also reduced respiration rates in nearly all cases, but the effect was attenuated by the associated input of labile organic carbon. We observed decreases in respiration regardless of soil type, the specific N counter ion, N added as NH4+ or NO3−, or the effects of N form on soil pH, suggesting that decreases in respiration rates were mainly a direct result of the increase in soil N availability, rather than indirect effects caused by the form of N added.
High Frequency Rays of Cosmic Origin I. Sounding Balloon Observations at Extreme Altitudes

Discharge rate of an electroscope at altitudes from 5 to 15.5 km.—Four specially designed instruments, each comprising a recording electroscope, thermometer and barometer and each weighing but 190 gr were sent up with sounding balloons from Kelly Field, Texas. Three were recovered and of these two had satisfactory records of their flight during which they reached altitudes of 11.2 and 15.5 km, respectively. A comparison of the recorded electroscope reading at the 5 km level during ascent with the reading at the same level during descent shows that the average discharge rate of the electroscopes while above the 5 km level was about three times their discharge rates at the surface of the earth, and corresponded to an average rate of production of ions of 46.2 ions per cc per sec. This is only 25 percent of the value to be expected from the observations of Hess and of Kolhorster and constitutes definite proof that there exists no penetrating radiation of cosmic origin having an absorption coefficient as large as 0.57 per meter of water.
Models of unsaturated Compton disks around supermassive black holes

Two inverse-Compton disk models for the hard X-ray spectra of quasi-stellar objects and active galactic nuclei are studied and compared. One is a slightly generalized version of the Shapiro, Lightman and Eardley optically thin disk model, and the other is a conduction-stabilized Corona model. Observational distinctions between the two models are discussed.
Enhancers increase the probability but not the level of gene expression

We have studied enhancer function in transient and stable expression assays in mammalian cells by using systems that distinguish expressing from nonexpressing cells. When expression is studied in this way, enhancers are found to increase the probability of a construct being active but not the level of expression per template. In stably integrated constructs, large differences in expression level are observed but these are not related to the presence of an enhancer. Together with earlier studies, these results suggest that enhancers act to affect a binary (on/off) switch in transcriptional activity. Although this idea challenges the widely accepted model of enhancer activity, it is consistent with much, if not all, experimental evidence on this subject. We hypothesize that enhancers act to increase the probability of forming a stably active template. When randomly integrated into the genome, enhancers may affect a metastable state of repression/activity, permitting expression in regions that would not permit activity of an isolated promoter.
Relationship satisfaction, parenting stress, and depression in mothers of children with autism:

Mothers of children with autism report higher levels of depression than mothers of children with other developmental disabilities. We explored the relations between child characteristics of diagnostic severity and problem behaviors, parenting stress, relationship quality, and depressive symptoms in 70 mothers of young children with autism. We hypothesized that relationship quality and parenting stress would relate to maternal depression beyond contributions of child characteristics. Multiple regression analysis revealed a main effect of parenting stress above and beyond child problem behaviors and autism severity. A significant interaction emerged, with relationship quality buffering the effect of parenting stress on depression. Results suggest that the relation between child problem behaviors and maternal depression should be considered in conjunction with other measures of marriage and family stress. Relationship quality and parenting stress may also represent important factors to be explicitly considered within intervention paradigms for young children with autism spectrum disorders.