cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemistry, isotopic composition, and origin of a methane-hydrogen sulfide hydrate at the Cascadia subduction zone

Abstract Although the presence of extensive gas hydrate on the Cascadia margin, offshore from the western U.S. and Canada, has been inferred from marine seismic records and pore water chemistry, solid gas hydrate has only been found at one location. At Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 892, offshore from central Oregon, gas hydrate was recovered close to the sediment-water interface at 2–19 m below the seafloor (mbsf) at 670 m water depth. The gas hydrate occurs as elongated platy crystals or crystal aggregates, mostly disseminated irregularly, with higher concentrations occurring in discrete zones, thin layers, and/or veinlets parallel or oblique to the bedding. A 2- to 3-cm thick massive gas hydrate layer, parallel to bedding, was recovered at ∼ 17 mbsf. Gas from a sample of this layer was composed of both CH4 and H2S. This sample is the first mixed-gas hydrate of CH4 H2S documented in ODP; it also contains ethane and minor amounts of CO2. Measured temperatures of the recovered core ranged from 2 to −1.8°C and are 6 to 8 degrees lower than in-situ temperatures. These temperature anomalies were caused by the partial dissociation of the CH4 H2S hydrate during recovery without a pressure core sampler.During this dissociation, toxic levels of H2S (δ34S, +27.4‰) were released. The δ13C values of the CH4 in the gas hydrate, −64.5 to −67.5‰(PDB), together with δD values of −197 to −199‰(SMOW) indicate a primarily microbial source for the CH4. The δ18O value of the hydrate H2O is +2.9‰(SMOW), comparable with the experimental fractionation factor for sea-ice. The unusual composition (CH4 H2S) and depth distribution (2–19 mbsf) of this gas hydrate indicate mixing between a methane-rich fluid with a pore fluid enriched in sulfide; at this site the former is advecting along an inclined fault into the active sulfate reduction zone. The facts that the CH4 H2S hydrate is primarily confined to the present day active sulfate reduction zone (2–19 mbsf), and that from here down to the BSR depth (19–68 mbsf) the gas hydrate inferred to exist is a ≥99% CH4 hydrate, suggest that the mixing of CH4 and H2S is a geologically young process. Because the existence of a mixed CH4 H2S hydrate is indicative of moderate to intense advection of a methane-rich fluid into a near surface active sulfate reduction zone, tectonically active (faulted) margins with organic-rich sediments and moderate to high sedimentation rates are the most likely regions of occurrence. The extension of such a mixed hydrate below the sulfate reduction zone should reflect the time-span of methane advection into the sulfate reduction zone.
An adaptive data prefetching scheme for biosequence database search on reconfigurable platforms

Searching on DNA and protein databases using sequence comparison algorithms has become one of the most powerful techniques to better understand the functionality of particular biological sequences. However, the requirements to process the biological data exceed the ability of general-purpose processor. The core of sequence alignment algorithm was implemented as fine-grained parallel architecture that was running on a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) FPGA board, where supercomputer performance has been achieved. However, reconfigurable computing platforms have utilized a PCI bus as the communications channel, limiting the communication speed between the host processor and the FPGA. This communication bottleneck often offsets the application speedup enabled by FPGA. In this paper we present an adaptive data prefetching scheme to avoid reconfigurable coprocessor stalls due to data unavailability through profiling techniques and quantitative analysis. Experimental results satisfied time constraints with various query sequences and show that we can effectively eliminate a major portion of data access penalty.
Organic geochemistry of the kerogen and bitumen from the Ohio Shale by pyrolysis-gas chromatography

Abstract An exposure of the Ohio Shale at Bristol Ridge, Ohio in the Bellefontaine Outlier was sampled into 53 channel units. Proximate and elemental (CHN) analyses were performed on these samples to determine the concentration of organic matter. The organic content averaged 6.82% with the highest both in the lower half (11.08%) and extreme upper part (10.43%) of the section. Fragmentation of the kerogen of each of the whole rock samples was accomplished by pyrolyzing for 10 s at 750°C in the injection port of a gas chromatograph with a FID detector. The concentration and distribution of the diagnostic hydrocarbons fragmented at this temperature were used to infer the molecular construction of the high molecular weight kerogens. The suite of identified hydrocarbons for each of the samples throughout the section was similar, but a very large fluctuation in the amount of pyrolysis products was observed. This fluctuation is strongly related to organic richness as defined by the proximate and elemental analyses. The identification of diagnostic normal alkanes and aromatics and SCI indicates that the kerogen assemblage is composed of both marine and terrestial components — most likely a mixed Type II kerogen. The contribution of individual aromatic and normal alkanes is variable, which suggests that there were minor fluctuations in the proportions of terrestrial and marine organic matter during decomposition. Bitumen pyrolized from the whole rock and bitumen removed by Soxhlet extraction using a 4:1 benzene/methanol solvent mixture were analyzed. Comparison of these two techniques yield similar pristane/phytane ratios and Carbon Preference Index (CPI) values. On decomposition the whole rock bitumen exhibited a mean pristane/phytane ratio of 1.5 and a mean CPI value of 1.4, whereas the Soxhlet-extracted bitumen exhibited a mean pristane/phytane ratio of 1.6 and a mean value of 1.3. The low pristane/phytane ratios from this outlier indicates a possible marine environment, with reducing conditions existing immediately below the sediment-water interface. The CPI values also indicate the sedimentary sequence is thermally immature. Reflectance of the vitrinite (% R o 0.05) and fluorescence ( Q 0.93) of the algal bodies indicate a maturation at the beginning of the oil window or at boundary between thermal immaturity and maturity.
Potential health effects of climatic change: effects of increased ultraviolet radiation on man.

There is scientific evidence that stratospheric ozone concentration has declined over the Northern Hemisphere in the past 20 years, and projections based on various assumption s about future release of chlorofluorocarbon gases and other contaminants suggest that this decline will continue into the next century. The effects on human health secondary to increase in biologically effective ultraviolet radiation are expected to consist of increases in nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma of the skin, possible alteration of immune response, and development of lens cataracts. The recent and projected increases in skin cancer and changes in human immune responses are discussed. 19 refs.
Changing household dynamics: Children’s American generational resources in street vending markets

This article prompts a re-visioning of segmented assimilation theory by examining the household dynamics and consequences that occur when Latino immigrant children and youth become active contribut...
Contortrostatin, a homodimeric disintegrin, actively disrupts focal adhesion and cytoskeletal structure and inhibits cell motility through a novel mechanism.

Irttegrins play a major role in the regulation of cell motility. They physically link the extracellular environment to the cytoskeleton and participate in large protein complexes known as focal adhesions. In this report, it is demonstrated that treatment of tumor cells with the homodimeric disintegrin contortrostatin induces integrin-mediatcd tyrosine phosphorylation events and causes severe disruptions in the actin cytoskeleton and disassembly of focal adhesion structures without affecting cellular adhesion to a reconstituted basement membrane. Included in this disruption is the tyrosine phosphorylation and altered subcellular localization of FAK. Through use of transfected 293 cells with specific integrin expression profiles and anti-αvβ3 mAbs, we demonstrate that these events are mediated exclusively by the αvβ3 integrin and are likely the result of contortrostatin-mediated crosslinking of this receptor at the cell surface, since monovalent disintegrins, flavoridin or echistatin do not induce such effe...
Fabrication of microwave patch antenna using additive manufacturing technique

Additive manufacturing (AM), often called 3D printing, has received much attention recently with impressive demonstrations ranging from musical instruments, to vehicles, to housing components or even entire buildings. Although it has been argued that 3D printing could be the future of manufacturing, the potential and applicability of these methods for creating functional electronics at RF / microwave frequency remain largely unexplored.
Effects of Cooled EGR on a Small Displacement Diesel Engine: A Reduced-Order Dynamic Model and Experimental Study

Diesel engines are critical in fulfilling transportation and mechanical/electrical power generation needs throughout the world. The engine’s combustion by-products spawn health and environmental concerns, so there is a responsibility to develop emission reduction strategies. However, difficulties arise since the minimization of one pollutant often bears undesirable side effects. Although legislated standards have promoted successful emission reduction strategies for larger engines, developments in smaller displacement engines has not progressed in a similar fashion. In this paper, a reduced-order dynamic model is presented and experimentally validated to demonstrate the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to alleviate the tradeoff between oxides of nitrogen reduction and performance preservation in a small displacement diesel engine. EGR is an effective method for internal combustion engine oxides of nitrogen (NOx) reduction, but its thermal throttling diminishes power efficiency. The capacity to cool exhaust gases prior to merging with intake air may achieve the desired pollutant effect while minimizing engine performance losses. Representative numerical results were validated with experimental data for a variety of speed, load, and EGR testing scenarios using a 0.697l three-cylinder diesel engine equipped with cooled EGR. Simulation and experimental results showed a 16% drop in NOx emissions using EGR, but experienced a 7% loss in engine torque. However, the use of cooled EGR realized a 23% NOx reduction while maintaining a smaller performance compromise. The concurrence between simulated and experimental trends establishes the simplified model as a predictive tool for diesel engine performance and emission studies. Further, the presented model may be considered in future control algorithms to optimize engine performance and thermal and emission characteristics.
Multiple leukocyte abnormalities in chronic granulomatous disease: a familial study.

Summary: A variety of leukocyte enzyme activities were studied in an 11-year-old female with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and several members of her family. Leukocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activity was 17 nmol/min/mg protein in the patient; two brothers with symptoms of recurrent bacterial infections have G-6-PD activities of 58 and 37 nmol/min/mg protein; the activites of this enzyme in both parents, maternal grandmother, and one additional brother were within normal limits. Storage at 4° or heating at 37° over a 120-min period revealed a marked lability of G-6-PD activity in the patient's cells which could not be stabilized by the addition of NADP and 2-mcrcaptoethanol; this lability was not seen in other family members tested. Activities of leukocyte glutathionc reductase were reduced in both parents and the two affected male siblings with values of 18, 23, 23, and 24 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Activities of leukocyte glutathione peroxidase were reduced in all of the immediate family members tested, with values ranging from 11.2 to 43 nmol/min/mg protein; the activity of this enzyme in the patient was 38.5. Leukocyte NADP content in the patient, father, and two affected male siblings were 16.5, 23.4, 22.2, and 28.2 nmol/15 min/107 leukocytes, respectively. Speculation: Chronic granulomatous disease represents a heterogenous collection of leukocyte enzymatic abnormalities which result in a clinical picture of recurrent bacterial infection. The final common pathway in the pathogenesis of the disorder derives from defective H2O2 production owing to a variety of enzymatic abnormalities within or linked to the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMP). The studies of the kindred in the present report lend further support for the central role of NADP as a controlling mechanism of normal leukocyte bactericidal function.
Effects of early environmental experience on self-administration of amphetamine and barbital.

Rats were housed after weaning in isolation, with a same-sex sibling, or in a group in an enriched environment for 60 days. Then, subjects were trained to consume all of their fluids during a daily 2-h drinking session, habituated to drinking solutions of bothd-amphetamine sulfate and sodium barbital, and then given a choice between drinking water, the stimulant amphetamine and the depressant barbital. Drug choice was affected by both sex and previous housing condition. Males raised in social isolation preferred the stimulant, while females raised in isolation preferred the depressant. Both males and females raised in enriched environments expressed no drug preference, and had the lowest overall drug intake. These results suggest that individual differences in rates of initiation, choice of abusing agent, and maintenance of drug self-administration may be partially determined by pre-existing differences in central nervous system functioning due to early experiences. Differential early experience, particularly the stress of social isolation, can influence drug self-administration behavior, but the effect may be sex-dependent.
Pre-college (K-12) engineering education: Getting Them Early … and Keeping Them!

The primary goals of this special session are to assist participants with developing strategies for incorporating an engineering design environment into regular pre-college (K-12 in the US) classroom routines, and to develop an engineering design approach to structuring learning activities. Our core philosophy is that the practice of engineering design reinforces and provides a method for integrating concepts in mathematics and science, thereby introducing, clarifying, and strengthening conceptual knowledge. It also supports a problem-solving orientation in students that encourages creativity and innovation, an approach that is aligned with the strengthening STEAM movement. The inclusion of engineering design activities in the recently adopted Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS US) provides another opportunity to advocate for the adoption of design-focused, project-based curricula that truly integrates learning across STEM, humanities, and social sciences: a curriculum developed through an evidence-based approach firmly grounded in results of K-12 engineering education research. The motivation for this work comes from the need to identify and develop educational environments that encourage persistence in STEM studies from the earliest grades by nurturing key cognitive and non-cognitive factors in addition to the acquisition of subject knowledge. Participants will experience an Engineering Teaching Kit (ETK) from the student's perspective and learn how to use them in their classes in this special session. They will also learn how ETKs are developed, tested, and implemented in middle and elementary schools. Participants will help identify potential topics and areas for future ETKs. Finally, we will explore how an integrative engineering design-focused, project-based pedagogy and curriculum can become a regular component of the school day. All participants will gain access to the on-line resources of our program.
Release of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4D4 from airway segments isolated from rats after exposure to ozone for 20 months

Metabolites of arachidonic acid have been implicated as mediators of some of the pulmonary effects observed after acute exposure to ozone. Accordingly, recent studies have focused on the effects of acute ozone exposure on the arachidonic acid cascade, however, whether eicosanoid metabolism is altered after chronic exposure to ozone is unknown. To begin to address this issue, we examined the effects of near-lifetime exposure to ozone on release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene C4/D4 from airway segments isolated from exposed Fischer-344 rats. Airway segments representing approximately eighth to tenth generation airways were isolated from rats of both genders that had been exposed for 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 20 months to filtered air or 0.12, 0.5 or 1.0 parts per million (ppm) ozone. Basal and stimulated release of eicosanoids were measured in the medium surrounding airway segments using enzymoimmunoassay. Basal release of PGE2 was detected in the medium surrounding airway segments and this release was unaffected by ozone exposure. Incubation of the segments with the calcium ionophore, A23187, increased the release of the prostaglandin; the A23187-induced release of PGE2 was significantly enhanced in airway segments isolated from rats in the 1.0 ppm exposure group. Basal release of leukotriene C4/D4 was not detected in the medium surrounding airway segments regardless of ozone exposure. Measurable amounts of the leukotriene were released during incubation with A23187, however, ozone was without affect on these levels. The results suggest that the cyclooxygenase pathway of the arachidonic acid cascade appears to be affected by ozone exposure. Which of the processes of prostaglandin production and release are affected by chronic ozone exposure remains to be determined.
Production of a monoclonal antibody to the arylphorin of Heliothis zea

A species-specific monoclonal antibody was produced to whole plasma of fifth instar larvae of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepid0ptera:Noctuidae). This antibody did not cross-react with proteins from the plasma of any of the other lepidopteran larvae tested, including other Heliothis spp. The antigen recognized by this antibody was characterized and found to be arylphorin, a prominent larval storage protein. This conclusion was based on the electrophoretic as well as immunological characteristics of the antigen. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the antigen had an apparent native molecular weight of 460,000, and that it was composed of subunits having apparent molecular weights of 76,000. The isoelectric point of the antigen was 5.9, with some microheterogeneity being seen. Western blotting of arylphorin against the monoclonal antibody clearly identified the antigen as arylphorin. This protein was not found in egg homogenates or early instar larval plasma, but it was present in large quantities in pupal homogenates and, at trace levels, in adult homogenates. The efficient production and selection of hybridomas producing antibodies specific to H. zea arylphorin using unfractionated plasma as immunogen illustrates the fact that monoclonal antibody technology can produce highly specific antibodies using crude antigen preparations. We discuss the tradeoffs one must accept when choosing this strategy over one using purified immunogens.
Aqua ammonia process for simultaneous removal of CO2, SO2 and NOx

Experimental research work in applying aqueous ammonia solution for the simultaneous reduction of acidic gaseous emission from fossil fuel-fired utility plants is currently being performed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The traditional monoethanolamine process for CO2 removal suffers the disadvantages of low carbon dioxide loading capacity, equipment corrosion, amine degradation by SO2 and O2 in flue gas, and high energy penalty during absorbent regeneration. The aqueous ammonia process can simultaneously remove CO2, SO2, NOx, plus HCl and HF that may exist in the flue gas. There could be oxidation of SO2 and NO prior to contacting the aqueous ammonia absorbent. Test results pertaining to the ammonia/carbon dioxide reaction in a semi-continuous reactor system are presented. The parametric effects of sparger design, reaction temperature, and ammonia concentration on gas loadings and absorption rates are discussed. Regeneration test results, including solution-cycling between the regeneration and absorption steps to determine a realistic loading capacity for the ammonia solutions are also presented.
Descending projections of the rostral septal region: An electrophysiological-histological study in the cat

Abstract Descending connections from a specifically delineated region of the medial forebrain, named the rostral septal region, are described in the cat. Extensive studies of its function in cats, rhesus monkeys, and man led to the original demarcation of this region. In the present study, monosynaptic connections are demonstrated to numerous sensory relay nuclei and to nuclei containing noradrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic cells, as well as to other precise nuclei in the brain stem, more caudal than those previously described in anatomic reports of septal region efferents, by use of electrophysiological (evoked potential) and histological (Fink-Heimer) techniques. Fibers descend through four rostral—caudal thoroughfares—the medial forebrain bundle, the inferior thalamic peduncle, the stria medullaris thalami, and the ventromedial sector of the internal capsule. These findings, together with those of earlier anatomical studies of this region, help to clarify the neural substrate underlying some basic behavioral phenomena.
Rehabilitation intervention for patients with upper extremity dysfunction: challenges of outcome evaluation.

Upper extremity (UE) dysfunction attributed to overuse is an increasingly prevalent problem managed with interdisciplinary rehabilitation. Outcome evaluation of these programs is limited by a number of factors. First, patients with UE dysfunction include a wide variety of pathophysiologic processes and diagnoses that are associated with multiple secondary impairments, disabilities, and handicaps that limit personal performance. Second, the particular experience of disablement and expectations each person brings to the rehabilitation process necessitates an individualized program with unique goals. Successful outcome measurement of the rehabilitation process must take into account the achievement of individual goals as well as objective scalar quantification of impairments, disabilities, and handicaps that are comparable between groups. Understanding of the relationships between UE impairments and given functional outcomes will come from controlled, dosed treatment studies in “pure” diagnostic patient groups. Outcomes research applied to UE rehabilitation as it is currently practiced should include individually devised patient assessments of accomplishment and satisfaction in addition to long-term quantitative reassessment of the person under all domains of disablement and work performance. (This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.) © 1996 Wiley-Liss. Inc.
Assessing the ripple effects of online opinion leaders with trust and distrust metrics

This study evaluates the influence of opinion leaders on other users in a social network and investigates the impact of the sizes of opinion leaders on the outcome of social network marketing (SNM) campaigns when trust and distrust relationships among users are considered. In particular, we assume that SNM managers utilize one of three trust metrics (knowledge score (KS), matching coefficient (MC), and Jaccard coefficient (JC)) to reflect the strength of trust relationships among users as well as to determine the outcome of SNM campaigns in terms of connected (i.e., who are exposed to marketing campaigns) and activated users (i.e., who actually purchase a product). Our experimental results indicate that while all three simple topological metrics such as in- and out-degree and hybrid measures of in- and out-degree are very useful to identify opinion leaders, the outcome of SNM campaigns with MC trust metric is heavily affected by out-degree and the outcomes of SNM campaigns with KS and JC metrics are much more affected by in-degree. It is also noted that the total numbers of connected and activated users increase as the size of opinion leaders grows, but the net numbers of connected and activated users start to decrease after a certain size of opinion leaders. The greatest impact of distrust relationships is observed in SNM campaigns based on JC followed by MC and KS. Therefore, if SNM managers consider distrust relationships critical to estimate the success of SNM campaigns or they like to under-estimate rather than over-estimate the reach of SNM campaigns, JC trust metric is the most appropriate metric than any other metrics due to its sensitiveness to the distrust relationships among users.
A syringe for surface tension measurements at constant temperature

Abstract The drop volume method can give precise results for the surface tension of liquids if a certain number of precautions are taken. One of the most important is the temperature control. A drop volume syringe fitted with a jacket is described; water at constant temperature circulates in the jacket. The syringe is introduced in a brass chamber and the whole system immersed in a thermostat. The closed chamber eliminates evaporation and allows the surface tension to be determined in an inert atmosphere.
Assessment of selective inhibition of rat cerebral cortical calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases in crude extracts using deoxycyclic AMP and potassium ions

The effects of various inhibitors on the activity of calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat cerebral cortex were examined. While the agents varied greatly in their relative potency, each was found to be approximately equipotent in inhibiting the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. In contrast, the inhibitors displayed a marked substrate specificity for the calcium-independent enzyme with ratios of IC50 values for inhibition of cyclic GMP hydrolysis when compared to cyclic AMP hydrolysis in decreasing order being: ZK 62711 (much greater than 100) greater than Ro 20-1724 (much greater than 25) papaverine (13) greater than 7-benzyl IBMX (4) greater than quercetin and kaempferol (2). The differential selectivity of the inhibitors for the two enzymes was most pronounced for ZK 62711 and Ro 20-1724 which were at least 25-100-times more potent in inhibiting the calcium-independent hydrolysis of cyclic AMP when compared to the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of cyclic AMP. In contrast, 7-benzyl IBMX, kaempferol and quercetin were 8-100-times more effective as inhibitors of cyclic GMP hydrolysis by the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase while 7-benzyl IBMX and trimazosin displayed a similar enzyme selectivity using cyclic AMP as substrate. With the exception of papaverine, all agents were competitive inhibitors of the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase. The type of inhibition observed with the calcium-independent enzyme was dependent on the substrate employed. The specificity of potassium ions in inhibiting the activity of the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase and deoxycyclic AMP in inhibiting the calcium-independent enzyme was found to provide a convenient means to assess the effects of agents on these activities in crude extracts of cerebral cortex.
A metallurgical mechanism for corrosion-fatigue (circumferential) crack initiation and propagation in CrMo boiler tube steels

Abstract The metallurgical mechanism responsible for the initiation and propagation of circumferentially oriented, fire-side cracks on waterwall boiler tube steels was investigated. The results showed that cracks were initiated by a sulfidation corrosion/thermal fatique interactive mechanism. Crack propagation occurs by an environmentally assisted thermal-fatigue mechanism.
Thermal Performance of Silicon-Die/Water-Cooled Heat-Sink Assembly: Experimental Investigation

The heat flow across a high-powered silicon-die and water-cooled heat-sink assembly is a very important thermal challenge in many microelectronic applications. A single silicon thermal-die/water-cooled experimental facility was fabricated, and a successful experimental program was conducted. Heretofore, unpublished experimental thermal resistance data are presented for two commercially important interstitial materials over a pressure range of 103.4-210.4 kPa (15-30 psi). These results were then compared to thermal resistance data for helium gas, which was flowing at the interface between the two contacting solids. The pressure range employed represents actual operating conditions in an important microelectronic application, which involves chip functionality testing such as silicon burn-in and extended run-in functional operations.
New names in Banisteriopsis and Diplopterys (Malpighiaceae) of the Guayana Highland

Three new combinations are made and three new species are described; all are Malpighiaceae.
Eimeria tenella: Anticoccidial drug activity in cell cultures

Abstract Anticoccidial activity of 16 drugs against Eimeria tenella was studied in cell cultures. Compounds active at 100 μg/ml or less were ethopabate, amprolium, monensin, nicarbazin, glycarbylamide, robenidine, zoalene, sulfamethazine, nitrofurazone, decoquinate, clopidol, aklomide, buquinolate, methyl benzoquate, and nitromide. Roxarsone was not active at 100 μg/ml. One level of each of nine compounds was selected for addition-withdrawal studies with suppression of development to second generation schizonts 96 hr postinoculation of sporozoites used as an endpoint of activity. Drugs were added to cultures 24, 48 or 72 hr or were added at 0 hr and withdrawn 24, 48 or 72 hr after introduction of sporozoites. Clopidol, zoalene, sulfamethazine, glycarbylamide, and nicarbazin delayed development, roughly equivalent to the time the compound was in the culture, even when compounds were withdrawn at 24 or 48 hr. Withdrawal of nicarbazin, glycarbylamide, and zoalene 72 hr after inoculation of sporozoites allowed some development of small immature schizonts of the first generation. A delay in addition of anti-coccidials until 24 hr did not affect the observed endpoint with any compounds except clopidol and glycarbylamide. When compounds were added 48 hr postinoculation of sporozoites, the activity of amprolium, glycarbylamide, sulfamethazine, and zoalene was not detected. Only with monensin was activity demonstrable when added at 72 hr. This study demonstrated that in vitro techniques can be used not only to titrate the activity of anticoccidial drugs and identify the stage of development where the drug is most active, but to determine coccidiocidal versus coccidiostatic actvity as well.
Timing of initiation of DNA replication in SPO1 infection of Bacillus subtilis.

By superinfection experiments, we show that prereplicative modification of the SPO1 DNA molecule requires, at most, a small fraction of the time between injection of the DNA and initiation of replication. Therefore, the timing of initiation of replication is controlled, primarily, by the time required for synthesis (and assembly) of the cellular machinery required for SPO1 replication.
Private Enterprise Growth and Human Capital Productivity in India

This article examines patterns of growth in private firms and private equity investment and in the decline in state-owned firms and equity capital within the corporate sector in Indian industry over a 25-year period, 1973‐1974 to 1997‐1998, with some additional analysis extended to 2001‐2002, to assess whether a transformation in ownership has taken place, whether the boundaries of the state as a participant in industry have significantly declined and the boundaries of private enterprise enhanced. The data cover the entire industrial population of India. The boundaries of the state as an industrial participant have shrunk significantly as a result of the growth of private entrepreneurship in India, especially in industries where agents are engaged in technological entrepreneurship. The numbers of private companies established in India have grown and the volume of equity capital being invested has risen substantially. Associated with this relative growth of private firms and shrinking of government ownership is a significant increase in human capital productivity across all ownership categories of Indian industry.
Application of quality by design (QbD) approach to ultrasonic atomization spray coating of drug-eluting stents.

The drug coating process for coated drug-eluting stents (DES) has been identified as a key source of inter- and intra-batch variability in drug elution rates. Quality-by-design (QbD) principles were applied to gain an understanding of the ultrasonic spray coating process of DES. Statistically based design of experiments (DOE) were used to understand the relationship between ultrasonic atomization spray coating parameters and dependent variables such as coating mass ratio, roughness, drug solid state composite microstructure, and elution kinetics. Defect-free DES coatings composed of 70% 85:15 poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) and 30% everolimus were fabricated with a constant coating mass. The drug elution profile was characterized by a mathematical model describing biphasic release kinetics. Model coefficients were analyzed as a DOE response. Changes in ultrasonic coating processing conditions resulted in substantial changes in roughness and elution kinetics. Based on the outcome from the DOE study, a design space was defined in terms of the critical coating process parameters resulting in optimum coating roughness and drug elution. This QbD methodology can be useful to enhance the quality of coated DES.
ALUMINUM CONTAMINATION OF PLASMA CONCENTRATES

Aluminum (Al) toxicity causes bone disease and encephalopathy in patients on renal dialysis. No studies have been done of Al levels in plasma concentrates or in patients with normal renal function exposed to Al. We report here the Al levels in different lots (from different manufacturers) of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG), Factor VIII and IX concentrates (F.VIII, F. IX), and in sera of patients receiving these products. Specimens were collected in Al-free plastic syringes and vials and Al levels measured using a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer with a Zeeman graphite furnace. 2 lots of F.VIII, 1 of F.IX, 1 of FEIBA and 9 lots of IVGG had Al levels 1 mg/kg/yr of Al. IVGG at a 6 gm/kg total dose could lead to receiving a total of 27 ug/kg of Al. 1 patient tested after receiving “high Al” F. VIII and 1 tested after “high Al” F.IX, had Al levels of 19 and 10 ug/l (normal < 4 ug/l). Safe Al levels have never been defined: Al infused into hemophiliacs may contribute to bone disease or long term CNS changes. Further studies will include serial Al levels in additional patients, measurement of Al tissue levels, and study of mobilization in response to Desferal to investigate Al accumulation. If Al is shown to accumulate or to be toxic, low Al products should be used.
Investigating Turkey Enteric Picornavirus and Its Association with Enteric Disease in Poults

SUMMARY Previous research into the viral community in the poultry gastrointestinal tract has revealed a number of novel and partially described enteric viruses. It is evident that the poultry gut viral community remains minimally characterized and incompletely understood. Investigations into the microbiome of the poultry gut have provided some insight into the geographical distribution and the rapidly evolving taxonomy of the avian enteric picornaviruses. The present investigation was undertaken to produce a comparative metagenomic analysis of the gut virome from a healthy turkey flock versus a flock placed in the field. This investigation revealed a number of enteric picornavirus sequences that were present in the commercial birds in the field that were completely absent in the healthy flock. A novel molecular diagnostic assay was used to track the shedding of field strains of turkey enteric picornavirus in commercial poults inoculated with picornavirus-positive intestinal homogenates prepared from turke...
Using Borehole Flow Logging To Optimize Hydraulic-Test Procedures In Heterogeneous Fractured Aquifers

Hydraulic properties of heterogeneous fractured aquifers are difficult to characterize, and such characterization usually requires equipment-intensive and time-consuming applications of hydraulic testing in situ. Conventional coring and geophysical logging techniques provide useful and reliable information on the distribution of bedding planes, fractures and solution openings along boreholes, but it is often unclear how these locally permeable features are organized into larger-scale zones of hydraulic conductivity. New boreholes flow-logging equipment provides techniques designed to identify hydraulically active fractures intersecting boreholes, and to indicate how these fractures might be connected to larger-scale flow paths in the surrounding aquifer. Potential complications in interpreting flowmeter logs include: 1) Ambient hydraulic conditions that mask the detection of hydraulically active fractures; 2) Inability to maintain quasi-steady drawdowns during aquifer tests, which causes temporal variations in flow intensity to be confused with inflows during pumping; and 3) Effects of uncontrolled background variations in hydraulic head, which also complicate the interpretation of inflows during aquifer tests. Application of these techniques is illustrated by the analysis of cross-borehole flowmeter data from an array of four bedrock boreholes in granitic schist at the Mirror Lake, New Hampshire, research site. Only two days of field operations were required to unambiguously identify the few fractures or fracture zones that contribute most inflow to boreholes in the CO borehole array during pumping. Such information was critical in the interpretation of water-quality data. This information also permitted the setting of the available string of two packers in each borehole so as to return the aquifer as close to pre-drilling conditions as possible with the available equipment.
EFFECT OF SCRATCHES ON THE FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF AN Al‐Li ALLOY

— An experimental investigation of the effects of small surface scratches on the fatigue behavior of Al-Li alloys has been carried out. Small scratches were generated onto the specimen surface which were then subjected to fatigue testing. These scratches were characterized by three different parameters, scratch angle, scratch tip radius of curvature, and scratch depth. These parameters have exhibited an important influence on the fatigue life of the scratched samples. In particular, it was found that the fatigue life decreased sharply as the scratch depth increased. In addition, the scratch surface and fracture surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope. The observations helped in the assessment and identification of the mechanisms responsible for failure.
Control definition in case-control studies of ectopic pregnancy.

In case-control studies of ectopic pregnancy, the optimal sampling frame for control selection is influenced heavily by the hypothesis being tested. The selection of women completing an intrauterine pregnancy, a common choice for a control group in studies to date, is appropriate only if the hypothesis does not relate to exposures that selectively prevent an intrauterine pregnancy (e.g., use of an intrauterine device (IUD) at the time of conception). Even for other exposures, the selection of such women can yield misleading results if the exposure is related to the likelihood of completion of the intrauterine pregnancy. On the other hand, the selection of nonpregnant women as controls, while permitting a valid evaluation of the risk associated with exposure such as the use of an IUD, can introduce a substantial degree of incomparability between cases and controls with regard to other contraceptive practices and their correlates. Whichever of the two sampling frames that is chosen, an appreciation of these...
Scale for Evaluation of Expository Writing Instruction.

The objective of expository writing courses is to teach the student to write clear, coherent prose that will be effective in accomplishing its purpose with a specific audience ( 1 ) . The methodological problem posed was to develop a reliable scale to evaluate college-level courses in expository writing. An experimental 16-item 5-point (scaled "strongly disagree" vs "strongly agree") Expository Writing Evaluator was administered to 1311 students enrolled in 79 expository writing courses/sections in the Department of English, University of Hawaii, at the end of the Fall semester 1982 (approx. 17 students/class). Pearson T-matrix generated for rhe 16 items was positive; average T for 120 off-diagonal r-pairs was .65 ( p < ,001). Inspection of the distribution of positive eigenvalues indicated one root greater than 1.0; remaining 15 values ranged from 0.9 to 0.2. Multiple R%as inserted as communality ( h a ) estimates and one iterative principal axis factor was extracted; rotation was unnecessary. The 16 expository writing items exhibited a narrow band of factor loadings ranging from .87 to .77, and the factor was labeled, "Expository Writing Impact." The factor load~ngs were ordered: ( a ) the writing assignments were useful for developing writing skills ( .87 ) . ( b ) the instructor was able to answer questions clearly and concisely ( .85) , (c) the instructor was able to analyze and explain writing problems clearly ( .85), ( d ) classroom activities were appropriately related to improvement of writing skills ( .84) , ( e ) the instructor's attention to and comments on written work were helpful (.84), ( f ) the instructor displayed steady interest and enthusiasm (.83), ( g ) this course helped me to develop skill in organizing a piece of writing ( .83) , ( h ) I would recommend this instmctor to a friend who wanted to take a writing course ( .82) , ( i ) as a result of this course, my writing skills have improved ( .82) , ( j ) my time in this course was well spent ( .81) , ( k ) the insuuctor was able to suggest ways of solving writing problems (.80), (1) the writing assignments were clear ( .79) , ( m ) this course helped me to develop skill in writing clear, effective sentences ( .79), ( n ) this course helped me to develop skill in supporting generalizations with relevant details ( .79), ( 0 ) this course helped me to develop skill in adapting my writing to a particular purpose and audience ( .79), and (p ) the instructor was able to maintain an atmosphere which actively encouraged learning ( .77). Corrected split-half reliability for the 16 items was .96 ( f i < ,001). A Total Impact Score was computed for each of the 1311 students by summing item scores (Range = 16-80, M = 63.6. SD = 13.42). Quartile values were computed to locate relatively "high" and "low" impact classes (QI = 59.6, Ma = 66.2, Qa = 72.5). During the 1983-84 academic year, instructional improvement techniques suggested by the Conference on College Composition and Communication ( 1 ) will be introduced in expository writing courses.
Contest for Jurisdiction: An Occupational Analysis of Principals' Responses to Test-Based Accountability.

This case study uses a theory of occupational ecology to understand why test-based accountability has been successful at redirecting principals' work toward high-stakes standards and assessments. The principals and English teachers at two Chicago high schools were interviewed annually over a four-year period. The study finds that test-based accountability capitalizes on unclear jurisdictional boundaries between district administrators, principals, and teachers over curriculum and instruction. The study highlights the negotiated nature of control over instructional activities in schools, revealing central areas of vulnerability, contestation, and negotiation for principals.
A comparison of the effectiveness of selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their derivatives against cancer cells in vitro.

Previously, we reported in vitro observations suggesting that ibuprofen is an effective non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce the survival of human prostate cancer cells (Andrews et al. in Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 502:77–284, 2002), and that this observed effectiveness is mediated by an up-regulation of the p75NTR tumor suppressor (Khwaja et al. in Cancer Res 646:207–6213, 2004). However, other NSAIDs and their derivatives have received significant attention with regard to their anti-cancer effectiveness and have been selected for clinical trials to treat a variety of human cancers. In this investigation, we compared celecoxib, sulindac sulfone, nitric oxide linked NSAIDs, and R-flurbiprofen with ibuprofen in their ability to inhibit the growth of a variety of human cancer cells lines including cells lines with multi-drug resistance. We also evaluated whether, like ibuprofen, an up-regulation of p75NTR is a molecular mechanism that mediates the anti-growth effectiveness of these drugs. Selected dosages for each drug were evaluated for their ability to reduce the growth (MTT analysis) and induce apoptosis (Hoechst staining) of a variety of different cancer cell lines, including an ovarian cell line expressing multidrug resistance-1 glycoprotein (MDR-1). The drugs were then analyzed using immunoblot, RT-PCR and siRNA to study the role of p75NTR in their anti-growth effectiveness. Our study revealed consistency in the drug dosages that inhibit the survival of different human cancer cell lines. While NO-linked aspirin and celecoxib were most effective in decreasing cell growth and inducing apoptosis at the lowest dosages, R-flurbiprofen and ibuprofen were most effective at clinically relevant dosages. A multidrug resistant ovarian cell line is more resistant to growth inhibition by the drugs tested than its non-drug resistant parental counterpart. There was no correlation between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the ability of the drugs to reduce cancer cell survival. All the drugs tested induced an up-regulation in p75NTR tumor suppressor gene expression in concert with their observed growth inhibiting ability. Inhibition of p75NTR expression with siRNA reduced the cell growth inhibiting effects of all the drugs tested. The method of chemotherapy (i.e., intravascular, intrathecal, oral) might dictate the choice of NSAID/NSAID derivative used to treat/prevent a given type of cancer. Also, the p75NTR tumor suppressor appears to be a common molecular mechanism that mediates the growth inhibiting effectiveness of these drugs.
Microstructural study of nanocrystalline pure and doped tin dioxide to be used for resistive gas sensors

Abstract Nanocrystalline pure and doped SnO2 have been intensively studied for a long time to build resistive gas sensors. However, it is still useful to synthesize nanopowders with the smallest crystallite size to build devices. A modified gel-combustion method and a novel reactive oxidation process are proposed for nanopowders synthesis and results are compared. Materials have been characterized by XRD, Scherrer equation to evaluate the crystallite size; BET absorption to determine specific area and HRTEM to observe the crystallites (evaluating their mean size and distribution); defects and effect of calcination treatments are also considered. Previous studies have shown that if nano-SnO2 replaces the conventional microcrystalline-SnO2 to build resistive gas sensors, sensitivity increases (>30%) and the operation temperature considerably decreases. A heating and measuring system has been designed for achieving low power consumption and uses pulsed heating operation. This method of electrical control and measurement is operated intermittently, with “heating” and “readout” cycles (readout: signal of sensitive film).