cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking User Interactions Within Visualizations

We present a model and prototype system for tracking user interactions within a visualization. The history of the interactions are exposed to the user in a way that supports non-linear navigation of the visualization space. The interactions can be augmented with annotations, which, together with the interactions, can be shared with other users and applied to other data in a seamless way. The techniques constitute a novel approach for documenting information provenance.
Understanding health risks from low doses of ionizing radiation

Publisher Summary Using emerging biological data to help predict health risks from low doses of radiation is itself a difficult but crucial challenge. For this research to have an impact on radiation risk regulatory policy, the new data need to be incorporated into biologically plausible mathematical models that predict risks from low doses of radiation. The U.S. Department of Energy's Low Dose Radiation Research Program is specifically supporting research to determine health risks from exposures to low levels of radiation. Together with the results from complementary research programs around the world, the new scientific information generated in this research program is critical to adequately and appropriately protect people from radiation and to make the most effective use of national resources. Observations such as the by-stander effect demonstrate that unirradiated neighbors of cells exposed to low doses of radiation can exhibit biological responses as if they had been irradiated. The biological mechanisms responsible for this and other phenomena such as the adaptive response and genomic instability remain to be determined, but they all suggest that the effects of low doses of radiation cannot be understood by simply extrapolating from the effects seen at high doses.
Role of plant physiology and dynamic vegetation feedbacks in the climate response to low GHG concentrations typical of late stages of previous interglacials

[1] Using a version of NCAR's Community Climate System Model (CCSM3), we apply lowered greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations (240 ppm CO2 and 450 ppb CH4) based on typical values reached during the latter stages of previous interglacials, which are not influenced by anthropogenic GHG emissions. Using these lowered GHG levels and including feedbacks both from vegetation changes produced by the dynamic vegetation model and from the plant physiological response to lowered CO2, the climate is 3.14 K cooler than in the modern control simulation. The plant physiology response alone is a small component of the total cooling globally (0.16 K), but it contributes an additional cooling of about half that caused by changes in vegetation distribution alone (0.29 K). The inclusion of plant physiology also amplifies the loss of high-latitude boreal and tropical vegetation and enhances permanent snow cover area.
Element Abundances of the Planets

This chapter discusses the element abundances of different planets, their time of formation, and the key bits of evidence that led to these descriptions. The solar system contains nine planets that orbit the Sun. The sidereal period is the time it takes to make one orbit around the sun. The orbital characteristics are best explained by the hypothesis that the stellar cloud from which the Sun formed was spinning and that the Sun and the planets were formed from the same cloud around the same time. The mass of each planet is determined from the gravitational influence it exerts on the orbits of its moons and on the space probes sent out from the Earth. The abundances of elements on the Earth, as estimated from their abundances in chondrites, are strongly correlated with the relative abundances of the elements in the universe as measured by their abundances in the solar spectrum. These abundances have been influenced, however, by the tendency of the elements to exist in nonvolatile forms. All elements other than the inert gases have some tendency to take part in chemical reactions. Geologists have spent a great deal of time studying the age of rocks that are believed to have originated on the Earth. In general, rocks found on dry land are far older than those found on the sea floor. The solar abundances of various elements, together with their chemical affinities, are the two factors that explain which elements should dominate the composition of a planet.
Potential Approaches to the Assessment of Amino Acid Adequacy in Rats: A Progress Report

We report on research progress on two approaches that may be useful in determining the upper adequacy range for macronutrients such as amino acids. One approach was to attempt to identify toxic metabolites that were responsible for toxicity or biomarkers for the toxicity of excessive intake of an amino acid in rats. We found that there was hepatic toxicity that was specifically associated with L-cystine excess, but not with L-cysteine excess. We analyzed urine samples from rats fed basal diets or L-cystine or L-cysteine excess diets and identified 25 peaks from gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis that were specific for L-cystine excess and also correlated with toxicity markers. Another approach was to try to identify metabolic limits by measuring CO 2 arising from amino acid excess. Uniformly 13 C labeled L-leucine was used as tracer, in diets with added L-leucine fed to rats, and 13 CO 2 arising from its metabolism was collected over 24 h and the fraction of the ingested L-leucine that was exhaled as CO 2 was calculated. The fractional exhalation of 13 CO 2 increased with increasing L-leucine dose, but showed an inflexion point at ∼8.9 g/kg body weight, after which it reached a plateau. This suggested that >8.9 g/kg BW, the catabolism of L-leucine changed and this approximately coincided with the dose above which a statistically significant decrease in body weight was seen.
A generalized reliability block diagram (RBD) simulation

The authors demonstrate a computer simulation yielding reliability and maintainability information for any system based on the failure and repair distributions of the individual components. The information needed to link the various components together is taken directly from the reliability block diagram (RBD), thereby negating the need for writing specialized programs. Final results display 90% confidence intervals for four key endogenous variables: system availability, first failure time, mean time between failures, and mean time to repair. Techniques for reducing computer memory requirements are discussed. It is demonstrated how connections between process blocks can be generalized and linked together during program execution. This method results in more useful programs that solve a broader range of problems. >
Emended description of the order Chlamydiales, proposal of Parachlamydiaceae fam. nov. and Simkaniaceae fam. nov., each containing one monotypic genus, revised taxonomy of the family Chlamydiaceae, including a new genus and five new species, and standards for the identification of organisms.

The current taxonomic classification of Chlamydia is based on limited phenotypic, morphologic and genetic criteria. This classification does not take into account recent analysis of the ribosomal operon or recently identified obligately intracellular organisms that have a chlamydia-like developmental cycle of replication. Neither does it provide a systematic rationale for identifying new strains. In this study, phylogenetic analyses of the 16S and 23S rRNA genes are presented with corroborating genetic and phenotypic information to show that the order Chlamydiales contains at least four distinct groups at the family level and that within the Chlamydiaceae are two distinct lineages which branch into nine separate clusters. In this report a reclassification of the order Chlamydiales and its current taxa is proposed. This proposal retains currently known strains with > 90% 16S rRNA identity in the family Chlamydiaceae and separates other chlamydia-like organisms that have 80--90% 16S rRNA relatedness to the Chlamydiaceae into new families. Chlamydiae that were previously described as ‘Candidatus Parachlamydia acanthamoebae’ Amann, Springer, Schonhuber, Ludwig, Schmid, Muller and Michel 1997, become members of Parachlamydiaceae fam. nov., Parachlamydia acanthamoebae gen. nov., sp. nov. ‘Simkania’ strain Z becomes the founding member of Simkaniaceae fam. nov., Simkania negevensis gen. nov., sp. nov. The fourth group, which includes strain WSU 86--1044, was left unnamed. The Chlamydiaceae, which currently has only the genus Chlamydia, is divided into two genera, Chlamydia and Chlamydophila gen. nov. Two new species, Chlamydia muridarum sp. nov. and Chlamydia suis sp. nov., join Chlamydia trachomatis in the emended genus Chlamydia. Chlamydophila gen. nov. assimilates the current species, Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci, to form Chlamydophila pecorum comb. nov., Chlamydophila pneumoniae comb. nov. and Chlamydophila psittaci comb. nov. Three new Chlamydophila species are derived from Chlamydia psittaci: Chlamydophila abortus gen. nov., sp. nov., Chlamydophila caviae gen. nov., sp. nov. and Chlamydophila felis gen. nov., sp. nov. Emended descriptions for the order Chlamydiales and for the family Chlamydiaceae are provided. These families, genera and species are readily distinguished by analysis of signature sequences in the 165 and 235 ribosomal genes.
Thermochemistry of molybdates III. Standard enthalpy of formation of barium molybdate, and the standard entropy and standard Gibbs energy of formation of the aqueous molybdate ion

Abstract The enthalpy of precipitation of barium molybdate from an alkaline solution of barium chloride has been measured in a solution calorimeter. The standard enthalpy of formation, ΔH f o (BaMoO 4 , c, 298.15 K), is −(369.41±0.46) kcal th mol −1 . By combining this result with literature data, ΔH f o (BaMoO 3 , c, 298.15 K) has been calculated along with values for the enthalpies of vaporization of BaMoO 3 and BaMoO 4 . Based on solubility and thermodynamic data for BaMoO 4 , the standard entropy and standard Gibbs energy of formation of the molybdate ion (MoO 4 2− ) have been deduced to be (7.0±2.4) cal th K −1 mol −1 and −(199.82±0.70) kcal th mol −1 , respectively. The standard electrode potential of the Mo|MoO 4 2− couple is (0.910±0.005) V.
An efficient de-embedding technique for evaluating the S-parameters of microwave circuits and printed antennas

In this article, we present an efficient de-embedding technique based on the characteristic basis function method for an accurate evaluation of the “generalized S-parameters” for microstrip circuits and antennas etched on layered media. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the reliability and computational efficiency of the described procedure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1266–1270, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27549
An Eddy Resolving Numerical Model of the Ventilated Thermocline

Abstract A three-dimensional, primitive equation numerical model is used to study the effects of mesoscale eddies within the subtropical thermocline. Solutions are obtained for an ocean bounded by idealized topography are driven by simple wind and buoyancy forcing at the surface. Results using an eddy-resolving, fine grid are compared to those using a noneddy-resolving, coarser grid. Relatively little difference is realized in the basic, mean flow patterns of the two solutions. However, more significant differences are seen in the distributions of a passive tracer and the potential vorticity. Mixing by eddies in the westward flowing sector of the subtropical gyre is quite effective in homogenizing these quantities on isopycnals. Whereas previous theory has predicted homogenization of potential vorticity on long time scales within recirculating gyres the present model demonstrates homogenization on a much shorter time scale, across recirculating/ventilating flow boundaries. Anomalous potential vorticity th...
Production of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) by human endometrial stromal cell is stimulated by the presence of embryos.

Purpose : To identify IGFBPs among endometrial secretory products and study their role in implantation and early embryo development. Methods : Two-cell CB 6 F 1 mouse embryos were cultured alone or with human endometrial stromal cells in RPMI 1640 plus 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) with or without addition of IGF-I (20 μg/ml), IGF receptor antibody (0.1 μg/ml), progesterone (P) (20 nglml) and relaxin (R) (20 μg/ml). On the designated day, the medium was changed to protein-free RPMI and incubated for 16 h. Both conditioned medium and conditioned protein-free medium were then collected for protein analysis and immunoradiometric assay. Cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for immunohistochemical staining. Results : IGFBP1 (31 kDa), IGFBP2 (36 kDa), IGFBP3 (45 kDa and 50 kDa) and an unknown IGFBP (25 kDa) were identified in conditioned medium of human endometrial stromal cells cultured alone or cocultured with mouse embryos. Secretion of IGFBPs by endometrial stromal cells was stimulated in the presence of mouse embryos as well as by P and R. IGFBP3 appears to be more responsive to embryonic signals. On the other hand, the secretion of IGFBP1 was greatly stimulated by P and R. Immunolocalization revealed that all three BPs were present in both embryonic and endometrial cells and their immunological staining was heavily increased by P and R. Conclusions : Endometrial stromal cells were able to synthesize and secrete IGFBPs to modify IGF action on embryo development. Secretion of IGFBPs was stimulated by embryonic signals and was hormonally dependent. The fact that IGFBP3 was more responsive to embryonic signals suggests that it may be important in early implantation. On the other hand, IGFBP1 production was highly responsive to both P and R, suggesting that it may be important throughout pregnancy. In addition, the fact that IGFBPs were located in endometrial and embryonic cells may suggest that these secretory products have autocrine and/or paracrine effects on both types of cells.
Fluorescence imaging of the propagation of excitability in gastrointestinal muscles

Fluorescence imaging is a useful tool to study the sequence an dynamics of the spread of excitability in biological tissues. Gastrointestinal muscles are particularly amenable to imaging using standard video rates because the frequency of events i slow and propagation velocities are slow. Calcium-sensitive fluorescent indicators such as fluo-3 provide effective markers of excitability because optically they exhibit high quantum yields and calcium plays important biological roles including regulating intracellular signaling and muscle contraction. Video sequences of gastrointestinal tissues demonstrate the existence of multiple preferred locations to indicate excitability. The spatial and temporal resolution of microscope-based imagin system allows pacing sites to be identified within single muscle bundles. Anisotropic conduction velocities result in spatially complex patterns of excitability where the range of propagation appears to be limited by 'collisions' with neighboring excitable events or recently activated regions. Although standard video rates are generally not sufficient to monitor more rapid excitable event such as nerve action potentials, fluorescence imaging can be used to investigate excitability mechanisms in tissues such as smooth muscles where event frequencies and propagation velocities are low.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transient effects of histamine on the capillary filtration coefficient.

Abstract The duration of the effect of histamine to increase the capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) was evaluated in isolated, denervated canine forelimb, hindpaw, and gracilis muscle. CFC was estimated at timed intervals during local intraarterial histamine (12 μg base·min −1 per 100 ml·min −1 blood flow). Propranolol (3 mg/kg) was administered to inhibit possible catecholamine-mediated inhibition of histamine-induced increases in CFC. The increase in CFC was greatest after 10 min of drug infusion and returned to control values after 25 min of histamine. These data indicate that the effect of histamine to increase CFC is highly transient. The relative contributions of increases in surface area and/or permeability to increases in CFC were assessed by maximally dilating the vasculatures of the three tissues with nitroprusside (increasing surface area to a maximum). Any further increase in CFC produced by combined nitroprusside-histamine infusion would then be due to increased permeability. Histamine, when infused concomitantly with nitroprusside, produced further increases in CFC relative to CFC obtained during infusion of nitroprusside alone. The time course for the transient increase in CFC during combined histamine-nitroprusside infusion was similar to the time course during histamine alone. These data suggest that the transient increase in CFC induced by histamine is primarily mediated by a transient increase in microvascular permeability to fluid in all three tissues. The transient nature of this increase in permeability was probably not related to a β-antagonistic action of the catecholamines (which may have been increased reflexly) because these tissues were β-blocked with propranolol. An equation was derived to estimate the ratio of the number of gaps which form between venular endothelial cells to the number of small pores. It was concluded that less than 3% of small pores need increase in radius to form large pores or gaps with radii ranging from 195 to 1000 A to explain the increases in CFC demonstrated in the hindpaw and gracilis muscle and that structures beyond the microvascular endothelium may provide the principle resistance to fluid efflux during histamine.
Review article : Faecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer

Major health organizations recommend colorectal cancer screening using faecal occult blood tests, sigmoidoscopy or both for patients 50 years of age or older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer. However, no specific recommendations have been made regarding choice of test from among the tests currently or soon to be available. Therefore, to aid clinicians in rationally choosing a particular test for faecal occult blood, published data are reviewed regarding the performance characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of the various faecal occult blood tests. New studies suggest that immunochemical tests (e.g. HemeSelect) or a combination of sensitive guaiac tests and immunochemical tests (e.g. Hemoccult Sensa and HemeSelect) are the most sensitive, specific tests for detecting colorectal carcinoma and colorectal polyps > or =1 cm.
Kinetic analysis of oxygen utilization during cofactor biogenesis in a copper-containing amine oxidase from yeast.

A detailed kinetic analysis of oxygen consumption during TPQ biogenesis has been carried out on a yeast copper amine oxidase. O2 is consumed in a single, exponential phase, the rate of which responds linearly to dissolved oxygen concentration. This behavior is observed up to conditions of maximally obtainable oxygen concentrations. In contrast, no viscosity effect is observed on rate, implicating a high Km for O2. Binding of oxygen appears to occur faster than its consumption and to result in displacement of the precursor tyrosine onto copper to form a charge-transfer species, described in the the preceding paper of this issue [Dove, J. E., Schwartz, B., Williams, N. K., and Klinman, J. P. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 3690-3698). Reaction between this intermediate and O2 is proposed to occur in a rate-limiting step, and to proceed more rapidly when the tyrosine is deprotonated. This rate-limiting step in cofactor biogenesis does not display a solvent isotope effect and is, thus, uncoupled from proton transfer....
Metacrystal: visualizing the degree of overlap between different search engines

MetaCrystal enables users to visualize and control the degree of overlap between the results returned by different search engines. Several linked overview tools support rapid exploration, facilitate complex filtering operations and guide users toward relevant information. MetaCrystal addresses the problem of the effective fusion of different search results by helping users to visually combine and filter the top results returned by the different engines. Users can apply weights to the search engines to create their own ranking functions. They can control the degree of overlap by modifying the URL directory depth used to match documents or by changing the number of top documents being compared.
Reference Bayesian Methods for Generalized Linear Mixed Models

Abstract Bayesian methods furnish an attractive approach to inference in generalized linear mixed models. In the absence of subjective prior information for the random-effect variance components, these analyses are typically conducted using either the standard invariant prior for normal responses or diffuse conjugate priors. Previous work has pointed out serious difficulties with both strategies, and we show here that as in normal mixed models, the standard invariant prior leads to an improper posterior distribution for generalized linear mixed models. This article proposes and investigates two alternative reference (i.e., “objective” or “noninformative”) priors: an approximate uniform shrinkage prior and an approximate Jeffreys's prior. We give conditions for the existence of the posterior distribution under any prior for the variance components in conjunction with a uniform prior for the fixed effects. The approximate uniform shrinkage prior is shown to satisfy these conditions for several families of d...
The acceptability of behavioral treatments for marital problems. A comparison of behavioral exchange and communication skills training procedures.

Married female undergraduates were asked to provide ratings of the acceptability of two treatment components commonly used within the framework of behavioral marital therapy. The study compared sub...
Responses to Dr. Hellmunt Geissner

(1984). Responses to Dr. Hellmunt Geissner. Communication Education: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 72-74.
Strain tensor and electron and hole spectra in self-assembled InGaAs/GaAs and SiGe/Si quantum dots

Abstract In this paper we examine the strain tensor in quantum dot structures produced by high-strain single-step epitaxy using a valence force field model. We use an eight-band k · p formalism to find the electronic spectra in the highly strained dots. Results obtained for the conduction band spectra using the effective mass approach are shown to have serious errors. This is particularly true for excited states in the conduction band. The dependence of the electronic spectra on the quantum dot size and shape is also reported along with comparisons with published experimental results. Optical transition strengths for inter-subband levels are also calculated.
Quatic Foraging in Garter Snakes: a Comparison of Specialists and Generalists

To examine the assumption, underlying much ecological theory, that a "Jack-of-all-trades is master of none", a comparison was made of the aquatic predation of four colubrid snakes, two aquatic specialists (Thamnophis couchi, T. melanogaster) and two terrestrial-aquatic generalists (T. sirtalis, and T. elegans). Observations were made in the field, then juvenile snakes were compared under controlled laboratory conditions. The specialists and generalists had qualitatively different foraging repertoires. The specialists made lengthy dives, crawled slowly on the underwater substrate and made long-distance underwater responses to prey: orientation, approach, pursuit, and frontal attack. The generalists dived briefly, with rapid serpentine locomotion, or searched "terrestrially" by wandering along the shoreline and snatching prey from the water surface. Underwater, the generalists' only prey-directed response was sudden short-distance attack, and they appeared to rely on chance encounters with prey. There were significant differences between the two pairs. In comparison with the generalists, the specialists 1) captured more fish, 2) spent more time on aquatic search, 3) spent more aquatic search time diving, 4) spent more diving time on the underwater substrate, 5) made more attacks in every category of search in open water, and 6) attacked underwater from a greater distance. Significant differences were not found in attack frequencies in those search categories where underwater vision is probably unimportant (aerial attacks and attacks in underwater crevices), nor in aerial attack distances. The specialists' behavioral superiority in respect of their specialization supports the "Jack-of-all-trades" assumption. The observations suggest that this superiority is associated with superior underwater visual acuity (which may be due to superior visual accommodation). The generalists' principal underwater searching technique (serpentine diving) appears to be energetically costly, and may only be profitable when aquatic prey are especially vulnerable. Nerodia sipedon, member of a genus that is closely related to Thamnophis but more aquatic, had a foraging repertoire qualitatively similar to that of the generalists. The similarity may be associated with N. sipedon's nocturnal habits and presumed reliance on non-visual prey cues.
Nitrogen effects on rhizosphere processes of range grasses from different successional seres

Nitrogen and rhizosphere microorganism effects on nitrogen and carbon dynamics of Sitanion hystrix (early successional species), Stipa comata and Poa secundu which are (mid-successional species), and Agropyron spicatum (late successional species) were evaluated in a growth chamber study. Rhizosphere inocula resulted in increased nitrogen in both root and shoot tissue, and also of water-extractable carbon in the rhizosphere. Plant species, rhizosphere inocula and nitrogen level showed a three-way significant interaction for total and plant-available nitrogen. Rhizosphere microbe presence resulted in higher plant-available nitrogen in the rhizosphere of S. hystrix and less with A. spicatum, suggesting nitrogen immobilization with the later successional grass. Higher nitrogen resulted in decreased active bacteria in the rhizosphere of all plants tested, and decreased fungal hyphal lengths in the rhizosphere of the later successional P. secunda and A. spicutum. Exudate carbon in the rhizosphere of the late successional species A. spicatum, was more recalcitrant, which also may contribute to nitrogen immobilization. These differential responses of early- and late-successional grasses may be important factors contributing to plant succession.
Energetics of Ordered Structures in Molecular Hydrogen

The energetics of ordered structures in molecular solid hydrogen under high pressure are studied through first-principles calculations. It is found that structures with the molecular axes lying close to the (a, b)-plane of a hexagonal close-packed lattice have in general lower energy and wider band gaps. Coherent rotation of tilted molecules around the c-axis is shown to be almost free. A new lowest-energy geometry is identified in which molecules in alternate planes are antiparallel. Possible superstructure arrangements are discussed.
Neutron diffraction and phase evolution of the mechanically alloyed intermetallic compound ζ-FeZn13

High-energy ball milling with subsequent annealing is used to synthesize the intermetallic compound ζ-FeZn13. The mechanically alloyed phase in the as-milled state is determined to be nonequilibrium, or metastable. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show a highly defective microstructure with undefined grain areas, and the alloy can be described as a mechanical mixture of elemental Fe and Zn, based on neutron diffraction measurements. Characteristic stages associated with its transformation to the equilibrium state are identified based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The activation energies corresponding to these stages are 128, 202, and 737 kJ/mole, respectively, with increasing transformation temperatures. The first stage is related to limited atomic diffusion or rearrangements, such as recovery, during thermal treatment, while the second stage depicts continued recrystallization and long-range atomic diffusion leading to a stable phase formation. The third and final stage marks structural decomposition of the equilibrium structure due to phase transition. Neutron diffraction of the equilibrium alloy confirmed that the structure is C2/m, with lattice parameters of a=13.40995 A, b=7.60586 A, c=5.07629 A, and β=127 deg 18 minutes. The atomic positions of Fe and Zn compared well to reported values.
INTRA- AND INTER-ANNUAL VARIATION IN TRANSPIRATION OF A PINE FOREST

A study on the long-term water use of stands dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and associated species was conducted in Duke Forest, North Carolina, USA. Associated species included sweetgum (Liquidambar styracifua), willow oak (Quercus phellos), red maple (Acer rubrum), and eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). Sap flux and climate data were collected from 1992 through 1996. Our objectives were to quantify the major sources of both environmental and forest structural variation influencing forest transpiration on ground (EC) and leaf area (EL) bases, on daily and annual bases, and among sites. Potential sources of variation in EL included: photosynthetic photon flux density (Qp), daylength-normalized vapor pressure deficit (Dz), and volumetric soil moisture (0) on daily time scales; and leaf area (L) dynamics within and among species on seasonal and inter- annual time scales. In pine and sweetgum, a saturating relationship of the form EL = klDz/k2z best explained the majority of daily variability in EL, except during severe soil moisture depletion (0 < 0.20 m3/m3). When accounting for reductions in canopy conductance when 0 < 0.20 m3/ m3, this relationship could be used for estimating EC during one year for which 0 was available (r2 = 0.70). When excluding days in which 0 < 0.20 m3/m3, estimates of EC improved (r2 = 0.91). Annual changes in kl and k2 in pine indicated reductions in EL for a given Dz, coinciding with stand L development and increasing self-shading. Yet species contributions to EC tended to compensate, resulting in a coefficient of variation in annual Ec (9.6%) that was less than that of either annual precipitation (11.9%) or annual mean vapor pressure deficit (13.4%). The lower coefficient of variation in EC over five years, in comparison to environmental variability, resulted from underlying divergent trajectories in water use among species, with pine maintaining and sweetgum increasing contributions to EC while red maple and eastern redcedar decreased theirs. This reflects canopy development in which pine and sweetgum are becoming dominant while red maple and eastern redcedar are increasingly suppressed. The results from this study are consistent with, and provide a temporal dimension to, the thesis of forest EC as a conservative hydrological process.
Conformations of erythro- and threo-Dimethylacetylcholine Iodides in the Solid State

The structures of erythro- and threo-α,β-dimethyl-acetylcholine iodides were determined by X-ray crystallographic procedures. The two molecules have substantially different conformations. The conformation of the threo-compound appeared to be dominated by coulombic attraction between the carbonyl oxygen and the quaternary nitrogen group, while in the erythro-analog the acyloxy oxygen atom was involved in a similar intramolecular interaction.
The biodistribution of [153Gd]Gd-labeled magnetic resonance contrast agents in a transgenic mouse model of renal failure differs greatly from control mice

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis occurs in renally impaired patients who have undergone contrast enhanced MR examination using intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents. The effect of impaired kidney function on the biodistribution of gadolinium-based contrast agents was investigated using radiolabeled 153/Natgadolinium-DOTA, 153/Natgadolinium-DTPA, and 153/Natgadolinium-DTPA-BMA in a transgenic mouse model of renal impairment. Renally impaired animals had more activity associated with their tissues than did control mice, and this increase varied according to the radiotracer injected. For example, after 7 days, renally impaired animals that received 153/NatGd-DOTA had 3-fold (P < 0.037) more activity in their bone tissue, whereas renally impaired animals receiving 153/NatGd-DTPA and 153/NatGd-DTPA-BMA had 8-fold (P < 0.0001) and 24-fold (P < 0.0001) more activity in their bone tissue, respectively. These findings demonstrate that renal impairment dramatically alters the tissue distribution of Gd3+ ions in vivo, which are likely a critical factor in the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Organotitanium-mediated stereoselective coordinative/insertive homopolymerizations and copolymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate.

This contribution describes coordinative/insertive stereoregular homopolymerizations and copolymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate (MMA) mediated by a highly active single-site organotitanium catalyst. The catalyst system used to effect these polymerizations of nonpolar and polar olefinic monomers is prepared by in situ Zn reduction of the precursor derived from the reaction (Me5Cp)TiMe3 + Ph3C+B(C6F5)4-. The resulting catalyst produces polystyrene (>95% syndiotactic, 170 000 g/mol molecular weight; s-PS) by the established coordinative/insertive pathway. The same catalyst mediates polymerization of MMA to poly(methyl methacrylate) (>65% syndiotactic, >70 000 g/mol molecular weight; s-PMMA) by a group transfer protocol-like (GTP-like) pathway (1,4 insertion mechanism). Under optimal conditions, this catalyst also mediates the copolymerization of MMA + styrene (1:19 ratio) at 50 °C to yield random ∼80% coisotactic poly[styrene-co-(methyl methacrylate)] (coiso-PSMMA) which contains ∼4% MMA. Contr...
Amplitude and phase modulation with waveguide optics

We have developed amplitude and phase modulation systems for glass lasers using integrated electro-optic modulators and solid state high- speed electronics. The present and future generation of lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion require laser beams with complex temporal and phase shaping to compensate for laser gain saturation, mitigate parametric processes such as transverse stimulated Brillouin scattering in optics, and to provide specialized drive to the fusion targets. These functions can be performed using bulk optoelectronic modulators, however using high-speed electronics to drive low voltage integrated optical modulators has many practical advantages. In particular, we utilize microwave GaAs transistors to perform precision, 250 ps resolution temporal shaping. Optical bandwidth is generated using a microwave oscillator at 3 GHz amplified by a solid state amplifier. This drives an integrated electrooptic modulator to achieve laser bandwidths exceeding 30 GHz.
KB-R7943, a plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor, blocks opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

The isothiourea derivative, KB-R7943, inhibits the reverse-mode of the plasma membrane sodium/calcium exchanger and protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury. The mechanism through which KB-R7943 confers protection, however, remains controversial. Recently, KB-R7943 has been shown to inhibit mitochondrial calcium uptake and matrix overload, which may contribute to its protective effects. While using KB-R7943 for this purpose, we find here no evidence that KB-R7943 directly blocks mitochondrial calcium uptake. Rather, we find that KB-R7943 inhibits opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in permeabilized cells and isolated liver mitochondria. Furthermore, we find that this observation correlates with protection against calcium ionophore-induced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and cell death, without detrimental effects to basal mitochondrial membrane potential or complex I-dependent mitochondrial respiration. Our data reveal another mechanism through which KB-R7943 may protect against calcium-induced injury, as well as a novel means to inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
Drosophila modifier screens to identify novel neuropsychiatric drugs including aminergic agents for the possible treatment of Parkinson’s disease and depression

Small molecules that increase the presynaptic function of aminergic cells may provide neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. Model genetic organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster may enhance the detection of new drugs via modifier or 'enhancer/suppressor' screens, but this technique has not been applied to processes relevant to psychiatry. To identify new aminergic drugs in vivo, we used a mutation in the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (dVMAT) as a sensitized genetic background and performed a suppressor screen. We fed dVMAT mutant larvae ∼ 1000 known drugs and quantitated rescue (suppression) of an amine-dependent locomotor deficit in the larva. To determine which drugs might specifically potentiate neurotransmitter release, we performed an additional secondary screen for drugs that require presynaptic amine storage to rescue larval locomotion. Using additional larval locomotion and adult fertility assays, we validated that at least one compound previously used clinically as an antineoplastic agent potentiates the presynaptic function of aminergic circuits. We suggest that structurally similar agents might be used to development treatments for PD, depression and ADHD, and that modifier screens in Drosophila provide a new strategy to screen for neuropsychiatric drugs. More generally, our findings demonstrate the power of physiologically based screens for identifying bioactive agents for select neurotransmitter systems.
Boolean satisfiability on a graphics processor

Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) is a core NP-complete problem. Several heuristic software and hardware approaches have been proposed to solve this problem. In this paper we present a Boolean satisfiablity approach with a new GPU-enhanced variable ordering heuristic. Our results demonstrate that over several satisfiable and unsatisfiable benchmarks, our technique (MESP) performs better than MiniSAT. We show a 2.35× speedup on average, over 68 from the SAT Race (2008) competition.
Dendritic cells from aged subjects contribute to chronic airway inflammation by activating bronchial epithelial cells under steady state

The mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of the elderly to respiratory infections are not well understood. The crosstalk between the dendritic cells (DCs) and epithelial cells is essential in maintaining tolerance as well as in generating immunity in the respiratory mucosa. DCs from aged subjects display an enhanced basal level of activation, which can affect the function of epithelial cells. Our results suggest that this is indeed the scenario as exposure of primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) to supernatants from unstimulated DCs of aged subjects resulted in activation of PBECs. The expression of CCL20, CCL26, CXCL10, mucin, and CD54 was significantly increased in the PBECs exposed to aged DC supernatants, but not to young DC supernatants. Furthermore, aged DC supernatants also enhanced the permeability of the PBEC barrier. We also found that DCs from aged subjects spontaneously secreted increased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and metalloproteinase A disintegrin family of metalloproteinase 10, which can affect the functions of PBECs. Finally, we demonstrated that TNF-α, present in the supernatant of DCs from aged subjects, was the primary pro-inflammatory mediator that affected PBEC functions. Thus, age-associated alterations in DC–epithelial interactions contribute to chronic airway inflammation in the elderly, increasing their susceptibility to respiratory diseases.
Begging behavior in Budgerigars

Five hypotheses about relationships between begging rates, feeding rates and other variables were investigated in captive budgerigar nestlings from 23 days post-hatch to fledge date (Period 4). Within families, nestlings that begged more frequently during Period 4 were fed more often by their parents, but there was no indication that nestling weight on day 23 was related to begging rates in the subsequent growth interval. Instead, last-hatched nestlings begged more than their older siblings. Last-hatched nestlings were not “undersized” at the beginning of Period 4 relative to their siblings, and they experienced less competition than their siblings had at comparable ages. Even so, last-hatched budgerigars begged more often, were fed more often and fledged at heavier weights than their older nestmates. Across families, there was a strong positive relationship between average Period 4 begging rate and average parental feeding rate, but this relationship was much weaker when brood sex ratio was taken into account: female-biased broods had much higher begging and feeding rates than male-biased broods. Brood size was related to begging, with higher ratios of begging to feeding rates for family members than for single nestlings. Taken together, these results suggest that relationships between feeding and begging behavior in budgerigars are more complex than theoretical models have suggested. More studies of avian begging and feeding patterns are required before we can generalize about the control of parental food allocations in birds.
Response of spring wheat to phosphorus and sulphur starter fertilizers of differing acidification potential

Phosphorus (P) availability is often restricted in alkaline soils. The objective of this study was to determine if the plant availability of P from liquid ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer (APP) would be enhanced when blended with fluid sulphur (S) sources of differing acidification potential. Eight field studies with ‘ Butte 86 ' hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were conducted in 1995 and 1996 in eastern North Dakota, USA, comparing no P, 9·8 kg/ha of P, and 9·8 kg P/ha plus 11·2 kg S/ha from different S sources. The S sources were elemental sulphur (ES), ammonium sulphate (AS), ammonium bisulphite (ABS), ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), potassium thiosulphate (KTS) and potassium sulphate (KS). The P and S fertilizers were banded with the seed at planting. Phosphorus fertilization gave a typical ‘starter effect’, stimulating tillering, early growth and P uptake. Phosphorus uptake at the 4–5 leaf stage was increased by addition of acid-forming S fertilizers to the APP. Grain yield response to P applied with the seed was typically 400 kg/ha. The enhanced P uptake observed at the 4–5 leaf stage when certain S sources were added to APP did not lead to additional grain yield. Wheat grain yield in North Dakota comes almost entirely from the contributions of the main stem, T1 and T2 tillers, and initiation of these tillers was essentially complete when APP alone was banded with the seed.
The association of propofol usage with postoperative wound infection rate in clean wounds: a retrospective study.

Objective— To determine if the use of propofol influences the postoperative infection rate of clean surgical wounds in dogs and cats. Study Design— Retrospective study. Sample Population— 863 dogs and cats undergoing clean surgical procedures. Methods— Medical and anesthetic records of surgical cases used as part of a previously described epidemiologic study on postoperative wound infection rates were reviewed. The records of all animals with clean surgical wounds were reviewed to determine if propofol had been used for anesthetic induction or maintenance during the procedure. To determine the effect of propofol use on wound infection rate, data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, followed by multiple logistic regression to adjust for various factors, including surgery time, time from clipping to surgery, antibiotic usage, coexisting distant infection, endocrine disease, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs in the perioperative period. Results and Conclusions— Of 863 dogs and cats with clean surgical wounds, 46 received propofol as part of the anesthetic protocol. A total of 6 of 46 animals (13%) receiving propofol developed postoperative wound infections, compared with 33 of 817 animals (4%) not receiving propofol (P= .014; % difference = 9%; 95% CI = 0.5% to 24%). Adjusting for all other factors evaluated, animals receiving propofol were 3.8 times more likely to develop postoperative wound infections compared to animals not given propofol (95% CI = 1.5–9.9). Clinical Implications— Propofol is a lipid-based emulsion capable of supporting microbial growth. Administration of a potentially contaminated solution may contribute to surgical wound infection or other patient morbidity or mortality. Strict aseptic technique in the preparation of the solution and prompt disposal of unused drug are imperative to curtail the potential for extrinsic contamination.
Oxidative DNA damage following microsome/Cu(II)-mediated activation of the estrogens, 17β-estradiol, equilenin, and equilin: role of reactive oxygen species.

Experimental and epidemiological data associate the exposure of estrogens to cancer development in several tissues, particularly, the breast, endometrium, liver, and kidney. One plausible mechanism of estrogen-mediated carcinogenicity is DNA damage by redox cycling of estrogen catechols. Reports have shown that metabolism of estrogens results in 2- and 4-hydroxylation to catechol metabolites which can then redox cycle. We examined the capacity of the endogenous estrogen, 17β-estradiol, and two equine estrogens which formulate a significant proportion of hormone replacement drugs, equilenin and equilin, to induce oxidatively generated DNA damage. Microsome/Cu(II)-mediated activation of all three estrogens resulted in numerous oxidation DNA adducts, as detected by 32P-postlabeling/TLC. Essentially the same DNA oxidation pattern was also found when catechol estrogens were incubated with DNA in the presence of Cu(II) suggesting that redox cycling of catechol estrogens mediates the formation of these DNA adduc...
Electron ionization mass spectrometry of synthetic C60

Novel carbon clusters isolated in the solid phase have been characterized by electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry. The crystalline material contains the C60 and C70 molecules in a ratio of 37:1. Both of these molecules form singly charged ions that appear at m/z 720 and 840, respectively, and doubly charged ions that appear at m/z 360 and 420, respectively. Only the C60 molecule produces the triply charged species, at m/z 240. C60 undergoes fragmentation by losing successive multiples of C2 through C16. The C70 molecule only loses the fragments C2 and C4. Collisionally activated decomposition of these molecules in the first field-free region did not reveal any more extensive fragmentation than was observed under EI conditions.