cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causes and Implications of Extreme Atmospheric Moisture Demand during the Record-Breaking 2011 Wildfire Season in the Southwestern United States*

AbstractIn 2011, exceptionally low atmospheric moisture content combined with moderately high temperatures to produce a record-high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in the southwestern United States (SW). These conditions combined with record-low cold-season precipitation to cause widespread drought and extreme wildfires. Although interannual VPD variability is generally dominated by temperature, high VPD in 2011 was also driven by a lack of atmospheric moisture. The May–July 2011 dewpoint in the SW was 4.5 standard deviations below the long-term mean. Lack of atmospheric moisture was promoted by already very dry soils and amplified by a strong ocean-to-continent sea level pressure gradient and upper-level convergence that drove dry northerly winds and subsidence upwind of and over the SW. Subsidence drove divergence of rapid and dry surface winds over the SW, suppressing southerly moisture imports and removing moisture from already dry soils. Model projections developed for the fifth phase of the Coupled Mod...
A concise synthesis of turneforcidine via a metalloiminium ion cyclization terminated by the 2-(methylthio)-3-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propenyl moiety.

A concise synthetic route to racemic turneforcidine (1) is described that relies on the stereocontrolled cyclization of the 2-(methylthio)-3-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propenyl bearing imine 5 in the presence of TiCl4.
Spontaneous hyperpotassemia as a cause of death in diabetic acidosis.

Abstract Initially in diabetic acidosis the serum potassium may be elevated. A case of diabetic acidosis is reported in which the serum potassium rose spontaneously to a level high enough to produce a cardiac death. Thus, it is emphasized that the circulation should be stable and the urine should be flowing before potassium is given to a diabetic in acidosis.
Modified Back-to-Back Autogenous Conchal Cartilage Graft for Caudal Septal Reconstruction: The Medial Crural Extension Graft

Objective To report our experience with the use of a modification of the back-to-back autogenous conchal cartilage graft, used as a medial crural extension graft, for reconstruction of the caudal septum. Methods Retrospective review of all patients undergoing caudal septal reconstruction using a modification of the back-to-back conchal cartilage graft from January 1, 2007, through June 1, 2009, at a tertiary referral center. Photodocumentation of all patients was obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. Patients were asked to subjectively rate their functional and cosmetic outcomes at each follow-up visit. Results Eight patients underwent caudal septal reconstruction with the modified back-to-back conchal cartilage graft during the time period studied. Six patients underwent caudal septal reconstruction via external septorhinoplasty while 2 patients underwent an endonasal approach. The median duration of follow-up was 12 months. At the last follow-up, patients rated their breathing as normal in 7 of 8 cases and improved, but not to normal, in 1 of 8 cases. Cosmesis was rated as excellent in 7 of 8 cases and good in 1 of 8 cases. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions Modification of the back-to-back autogenous conchal cartilage graft used as a medical crural extension graft should be considered for reconstruction of the caudal septum in the cartilage deficient nose. The technique produces reliable outcomes with minimal donor site morbidity.
Implementation of chapter 2 in Tennessee

Abstract Results of a study concerning the implementation of Chapter 2 of the Education Consoldation and Improvement Act (ECIA) of 1981 are reported in this paper. Based on detailed study of Chapter 2 implementation in 12 school districts, conclusions about the impact of Chapter 2 on (1) ease of administration of the consolidated federal programs: (2) the distributive or redistributive effect of the program: (3) the effect on private schools: and (4) the impact on local district creativity are drawn.
On maximizing det (ATA)

Let A be an n x p matrix of +/- 1's, n >= p. The problem considered is the destination of the maximal value of det(A^TA). The complete solution is given for p = 5, the maximum value is determined for n sufficiently large compared to p and provided certain Hadamard matrices exist.
Symbolic Foods: Pregnancy Cravings and the Envious Female

Abstract In my article I intend to show that the pregnancy cravings by Sri Lankan women constitute a system of personal symbols that must be understood in relation to the female role and the psychological problems engendered by it. I define personal symbols as those operating simultaneously at the level of both personality and culture. Through the notion of personal symbols, I intend to bridge the conventional distinction between private and public symbols and between culture and emotion. I show that pregnancy desires, which may be constituted as symptoms in the West, have been converted into personal symbols in South Asia since antiquity and given public meaning and validation.
Chemical composition of dry seeds and fresh leaves of winged bean varieties grown in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Nutrient composition of undehulled, dehulled dry seeds, seed hulls, and fresh leaves of different varieties of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) has been determined. The seeds contain high levels of protein ranging from 31.56–41.35% in the undehulled and 35.66–50.92% in the dehulled. Seed hulls have a range of 8.3813.49% protein. Ether extracts in the seeds range from 16.24–19.71% in the undehulled and 18.12–25.25% in the dehulled seeds. Cell solubles are in the range 89.70–93.64% and lignin content is considerably low. The leaves are high in protein ranging from 27.94–35.07%, ether extract 7.24–9.0%, neutral detergent fiber 37.80–43.72%, acid detergent fiber 19.07–20.82, ash 6.89–8.75%, and lignin 5.47–8.84%. The dry dehulled and undehulled seeds contain high calcium 0.28–0.86%, phosphorous 0.36–0.72%, and iron 58–308 ppm. Most of the iron was concentrated in the seed hulls which showed values as high as 513 ppm. Calcium content in the leaves, 3.21–4.41%, was much higher than in the seeds. The leaves are considerably higher in iron, phosphorous, potassium, and manganese. High lysine, tryptophan, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and leucine levels were obtained in the seeds, seed hulls, and leaves. The limiting amino acids appear to be the sulfur amino acids. The protein scores for the seeds range from 65.5–86.8%.
Markov chain Monte Carlo for incomplete information discrete games

This paper outlines a Bayesian approach to estimating discrete games of incomplete information. The MCMC routine proposed features two changes to the traditional Metropolis–Hastings algorithm to facilitate the estimation of games. First, we propose a new approach to sample equilibrium probabilities using a probabilistic equilibrium selection rule that allows for the evaluation of the parameter posterior. Second, we propose a differential evolution based MCMC sampler which is capable of handling the unwieldy posterior that only has support on the equilibrium manifold. We also present two applications to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed methodology.
The Utilization of Feed by Chickens I. The Requirements for Growth

Abstract THE utilization of feed by growing chickens is a subject of considerable economic importance as well as of general scientific interest. The daily feed intake of a growing chicken must serve a variety of needs; only a portion of the total feed eaten is available for producing a gain in live weight. A study of the utilization of that portion of the feed intake which remains to be used for growth, after the requirements for other metabolic processes have been satisfied, should be of much help in devising suitable diets for growing chickens. In a recent paper the authors (1931) suggested that the curve of the diminishing increment might be useful in making a preliminary study of this problem. The differential form of the equation of the curve of the diminishing increment was written: dW dF = C − mW in which the constant, C, was interpreted to represent the gain in live weight which the . . .
Managed care and the emergency department: Nursing issues

Managed care is coming under public scrutiny for its methods of controlling costs in the emergency department. However, while the system is in flux, we must take into consideration the patient's form of insurance. By considering the special needs of managed care plan patients, we can better anticipate patients' requests and keep patients flowing through the emergency department. By working with the managed care plan, we can help our patients recover from their illness or injury financially as well as medically.
Predictors of Regional Nodal Disease in Patients With Thin Melanomas

Most melanoma patients present with thin (≤1.0 mm) lesions. Indications for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy are not well defined for this group. Previously, we reported an association between mitotic rate (MR) and SLN positivity in these patients. The study was limited by a relatively small sample size and low statistical power. In this study, we evaluated a large population of patients with thin melanoma from the pre-SLN era to identify predictors of regional nodal disease (RND) that may serve as a surrogate for SLN positivity. Eight hundred eighty-two patients evaluated between 1972 and 1991 were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed by using clinical and histological data to identify factors associated with RND. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed and applied to the previously reported group of patients with thin melanomas who underwent SLN biopsy between 1996 and 2004 for validation. Thirty-eight patients (4.3%) had evidence of RND. In the multivariate analysis, a MR >0, vertical growth phase (VGP), male sex, and ulceration were statistically significant predictors of RND. Patients at the highest risk according to a classification tree analysis (VGP and MR >0) had an RND rate of 11.9%. The regression model developed predicted well the SLN status in the validation sample. Investigation of a large pre-SLN population identified MR >0, ulceration, VGP, and male sex as independently predictive of RND in patients with thin melanomas. These factors may help to identify subgroups of these patients that have clinically significant risks of SLN positivity.
Saliva-based colorimetric test as an index of gingival inflammation in epidemiologic studies

There is a pressing need for a reliable, low-cost method of assessing the gingival and periodontal status of large population groups. Existing indexes, despite their value in dental public health, are still too subject to examiner variability for use by uncalibrated examiners. This study describes an evaluation of a quick, inexpensive, extraoral colorimetric test for gingival inflammation, based on a reaction between saliva and the test material. It could probably be applied by non-professional personnel. In this study, the test was applied to a population of elementary schoolchildren, denial hygiene students and faculty, and adult inmates of two correctional institutions. These populations were chosen on the assumption that they would exhibit varying intensities of gingival inflammation. Values obtained from the colorimetric test carried out by one researcher were compared with Gingival Index (GI) scores observed by a different examiner. Results suggest that the colorimetric test may be a valid, reliable means of detecting major differences in the prevalence of gingival inflammation in most adult populations, although having little, if any, useful application among children at the mixed dentition stage.
Optical, electrical and contact properties of homoCVD a-Si:H films

Abstract The optical and electrical properties of undoped HOMOCVD a-Si:H films are strikingly similar to those of GD films obtained over the same substrate temperature range. The contact properties studies reveled that the metals with θm ⩽ 4.3 eV form a Schottky diode while those with θm ≤ 4.3 eV form a quasi- or ohmic low resistance contact to undoped HOMOCVD a-Si:H films without a heavily doped layer at the interface.
The response of the pupil and intraocular pressure of conscious rabbits to adrenergic drugs following unilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy.

A procedure is described for studying the response of the pupil and the intraocular pressure of the conscious rabbit to drugs applied topically to the cornea. The method is applied to compare the response of the iris and the intraocular pressure of rabbits to adrenergic amines after unilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy. In the supersensitive denervated eye, 1-norepinephrine (1-α-(aminomethyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol) caused pupil dilation and a decrease in the intraocular pressure, and these responses could be completely blocked by the intravenous injection of the α adrenergic receptor blocking agent phenoxybenzamine (N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-(1-methyl-2-phenoxyethyl)benzylamine). Phenoxybenzamine alone had no significant action on either pupil dilation or the intraocular pressure. In similar studies, racemic isoproterenol (α-(isopropylaminomethyl)protocatechuyl alcohol) caused no pupil dilation but did decrease the intraocular pressure of the denervated eye; this action could be blocked by the intravenous injection of the β adrenergic receptor blocking agent propanolol. The experimental results indicate that the dilator fibers of the iris of the rabbit contain only α adrenergic receptors, whereas the results are consistent with the concept that both α and β adrenergic receptors are present in the anterior segment of the eye and that both act to decrease the intraocular pressure.
Reduced efficiency variation in perforated neutron detectors with sinusoidal trench design

Abstract The design of an idealized perforated (microstructured) planar diode neutron detector is presented that has little variation in efficiency as a function of the incident neutron's direction. The reduced angular variation is obtained by using sinusoidal-trench perforations rather than previous hole or straight-trench perforations. The resulting efficiency variation from changing the azimuthal angle of neutron incidence exhibits a variation of only 3% about the mean azimuthal efficiency. The efficiency variation resulting from changes in the polar angle of neutron incidence is limited to 10% of the normal-incidence efficiency over the polar range of 0–60°. 10B, 6LiF, and 6Li-metal filled perforations are considered.
Regional variation in the surface morphology of the epithelium of the rat ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymidis and vas deferens

The luminal surface of epithelial cells lining the ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymidis and first portion of the vas deferens were studied with the scanning electron microscope. In ductuli efferentes obvious ciliated cells are identified and it is shown that on non-ciliated cells the short microvilli adhere to one another to form clumps of microvilli. In the epididymis two cell types are described and can be identified as principal cells and clear cells based on the presence or absence of microvilli. Clear cells vary in number along the duct, being most numerous distally. Their surface morphology is also most variable distally. In the vas deferens, principal cells with surface microfilli are easily identified; but, in addition, a second cell type is seen, the identity of which is not known.
Molecular Mechanism of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α-p300 Interaction A LEUCINE-RICH INTERFACE REGULATED BY A SINGLE CYSTEINE

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) plays a pivotal role in embryogenesis, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis. HIF1α-mediated transcription requires the coactivator p300, at least in part, through interaction with the cysteine- and histidine-rich 1 domain of p300. To understand the molecular basis of this interaction, we have developed a random mutagenesis screen in yeast approach for efficient identification of residues that are functionally critical for protein interactions. As a result, four residues (Leu-795, Cys-800, Leu-818, and Leu-822) in the C-terminal activation domain of HIF1α have been identified as crucial for HIF1 transactivation in mammalian systems. Moreover, data from residue substitution experiments indicate the stringent necessity of leucine and hydrophobic cysteine for C-terminal activation domain function. Likewise, Leu-344, Leu-345, Cys-388, and Cys-393 in the cysteine- and histidine-rich 1 domain of p300 have also been shown to be essential for the functional interaction. We propose that hypoxia-induced HIF1α-p300 interaction relies upon a leucine-rich hydrophobic interface that is regulated by the hydrophilic and hydrophobic sulfhydryls of HIF1α Cys-800.
Intraperitoneal Susceptibility of Suckling Mice to MEF1 Poliomyelitis Virus.

SummarySuckling mice 4-15 days old-inclusive are susceptible (50-75% mortality) to the intraperitoneal inoculation of a 10% brain-cord suspension of the suckling mouse adapted MEF1 strain of poliomyelitis virus. Considerable variation in the susceptibility of individual mice of a given age was observed. The possible usefulness of this technic in passive protection studies employing gamma globulin or other agents is pointed out.
SU‐FF‐T‐176: Dose Verification in Moving Targets During Helical Tomotherapy Beam Delivery

Purpose: To compare dose distributions from stationary and moving targets subject to simulated intra‐fraction motion during treatment deliveries on a helical tomotherapy unit. Method and Materials: We have constructed an in house platform that moves in the superior‐inferior direction in a controlled manner. Using a stationary CT scan of a thorax phantom, a fictitious target volume was defined and a helical tomotherapy plan was generated. The phantom was placed on top of the moving platform and set in motion at a frequency of 16.7 cycles/min and 20 mm peak‐to‐trough excursion. An IMRT plan was delivered while the phantom was in motion and when it was still. Ion chamber readings were recorded at the center of the target. Different phases were artificially introduced by starting the platform motion at different times before the start of irradiation. In each delivery a film was placed in the coronal plane inside the phantom to register 2D dose. Results: Profiles along the direction of motion from the co‐registered images of moving and stationary deliveries have shown dose differences as large as 70% in the penumbra region. Gamma function maps for different dose and distance to agreement criteria revealed the regions at which the gamma criteria fails and was shown to be a strong function of initial motion phase. Ion chamber point measurements recorded insignificant differences between still and moving deliveries. Conclusions: We have shown that there is a significant difference in 2D dose distributions in the penumbra region both in the inferior‐superior and transverse directions between stationary and moving deliveries that simulate breathing motion. Our results indicate that the differences are highly dependent on the breathing motion initial phase. The phantom motion had little effect on the delivered dose at the central target region.
State-space estimation of the intrinsic soil phosphorus pools from soil phosphorus tests

Abstract The widely-used measurements of soil P by chemical soil tests cannot explicitly give the intrinsic status of soil P for quantitative management of soil P. Estimating the intrinsic sizes of soil P remains an unresolved problem. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a new method to estimate the intrinsic sizes of soil P pools, and (2) to quantify the plant-available P in these intrinsic soil P pools. An adsorption experiment of soil P was carried out to determine the dynamics of chemically extractable soil P by the Olsen method (Olsen-P) after fertilizer phosphate was applied to soils. State-space models were developed to describe the intrinsic sizes of two soil P pools including a weakly adsorbed P pool (a reversible part of sorption) and a tightly adsorbed P pool, their transformations, and their relationship with Olsen-P. A cropping experiment was carried out to test the mass balance of plant P uptake and the intrinsic sizes of these two soil P pools. Results showed that state-space models of the two soil P pools could describe the dynamics of soil Olsen-P in the adsorption experiment. Olsen-P was a fraction of the weakly adsorbed P, and this fraction showed a linear relationship with soil P-sorption site density. The measured amount of P removal by plants in the cropping experiment could be estimated by the intrinsic sizes of the two soil P pools, and thus, the two pools both contributed to plant P uptake.
Calorimetric studies of E. coli SSB protein-single-stranded DNA interactions. Effects of monovalent salts on binding enthalpy

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to examine the effects of monovalent salts (NaCl, NaBr, NaF and ChCl) on the binding enthalpy (DeltaHobs) for E. coli SSB tetramer binding to the single-stranded oligodeoxythymidylates, dT(pT)69 and dT(pT)34 over a wide range of salt concentrations from 10 mM to 2.0 M (25 degrees C, pH 8.1), and when possible, the binding free energy and entropy (DeltaG degrees obs, DeltaS degrees obs). At low monovalent salt concentrations (<0.1 M), the total DeltaHobs for saturating all sites on the SSB tetramer with ssDNA shows little dependence on salt concentration, but is extremely large and exothermic (DeltaHobs=-150(+/-5) kcal/mol). This is much larger than any DeltaHobs previously reported for a protein-nucleic acid interaction. However, at salt concentrations above 0.1 M, DeltaHobs is quite sensitive to NaCl and NaBr concentration, becoming less negative with increasing salt concentration (DeltaHobs=-70(+/-1)-kcal/mol in 2 M NaBr). These salt effects on DeltaHobs were mainly a function of anion type and concentration, with the largest effects observed in NaBr, and then NaCl, with little effect of [NaF]. These large effects of salt on DeltaHobs appear to be coupled to a net release of weakly bound anions (Br- and Cl-) from the SSB protein upon DNA binding. However, at lower salt concentrations (</=0.1 M), specific cation effects on DeltaHobs also are observed. Under conditions where we can determine DeltaG degrees obs, DeltaS degrees obs, and DeltaHobs (25 degrees C, pH 8.1, 0.17 to 2 M NaBr), SSB binding to dT(pT)69 is enthalpically driven with a large unfavorable entropic contribution, both of which are dependent upon [NaBr]. These studies show that weak anion binding to a protein can result in large effects of salt concentration on DeltaHobs (as well as DeltaG degrees obs and DeltaS degrees obs) for a protein-ssDNA interaction. The possibility of such effects needs to be considered in any interpretation of the thermodynamics of this and other protein-nucleic acid interactions.
Sa1468 Acceptability of Naso-Gastric Feeding Tubes in Nursing Homes: NYC vs. USA

procedural attempts at DPEJ, procedure duration, technical success rate, causes for failed DBE-DPEJ placement, and adverse events. Results: A total of 90 patients (55 women; mean age 55 18 years; mean BMI 22.9 6.3) underwent DBE-DPEJ placement (Table 1). Indications for DPEJ included: gastroparesis (nZ29), previous failed PEG (e.g., intrathoracic stomach, nZ16), nutritional support in altered gut anatomy unsuitable for PEG (nZ16), recurrent or high risk for aspiration (nZ13), gastric outlet obstruction (nZ11), and miscellaneous (e.g., nutritional support in setting of necrotizing pancreatitis, nZ5). Altered gut anatomy was noted in 35 (39%) patients. DBE-DPEJ was successful in all patients (nZ12) who had prior failed DPEJ attempts by extended push endoscopy or single balloon endoscopy. Mean duration of the DBE-DPEJ procedure was 31 minutes (range 10-49). DBE-DPEJ placement was successful in 83 (92%) patients. Reasons for failed DBE-DPEJ placement in 7 (8%) patients included: small bowel fixation from adhesions precluding endoscope advancement (nZ5), duodenal stenosis (nZ1), and lack of transillumination (nZ1). Post-procedural adverse events occurred in 8 (9%) patients and included: gastrointestinal bleed secondary to DPEJ site ulceration (nZ3), abdominal hematoma (nZ2), cellulitis (nZ1), kinking of the PEJ tube requiring replacement (nZ1) and gastric interposition (nZ1). Conclusion: Compared to published outcomes of DPEJ placement by conventional endoscopy, DBE-assisted DPEJ was technically successful in a high proportion of patients and with a relatively low rate of significant adverse events.
Gene expression profiling of chondrocytes from a porcine impact injury model

Summary Objective To identify differentially expressed genes between axially impacted and control articular cartilage taken from porcine patellae maintained in organ culture for 14 days. Methods Porcine patellae were impacted perpendicular to the articular surface to create an impact injury. Intact patellae (control and impacted) were maintained in culture for 14 days. Total RNA was then extracted from the articular cartilage beneath the impaction and used to prepare two Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) libraries. Approximately 42,500 SAGE long tags were sequenced from the libraries. The expression of select genes was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Results Thirty-nine SAGE tags were significantly differentially expressed in the impacted and control libraries, representing 30 different annotated pig genes. These genes represented gene products associated with matrix molecules, iron and phosphate transport, protein biosynthesis, skeletal development, cell proliferation, lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response. Twenty-three of the 30 genes were down-regulated in the impacted library and five were up-regulated in the impacted library. Quantitative real-time PCR follow-up of four genes supported the results found with SAGE. Conclusion We have identified 30 putative genes differentially expressed in a porcine impact injury model and validated these findings for four of these genes using real-time PCR. Results using this impact injury model have contributed further evidence that damaged chondrocytes may de-differentiate into fibroblast-like cells and proliferate in an attempt to repair themselves. Additional work is underway to study these genes in further detail at earlier time points to provide a more complete story about the fate of chondrocytes in articular cartilage following an injury.
Investigations into Viomycin Biosynthesis by Using Heterologous Production in Streptomyces lividans

Viomycin and capreomycin are members of the tuberactinomycin family of antituberculosis drugs. As with many antibacterial drugs, resistance to the tuberactinomycins is problematic in treating tuberculosis; this makes the development of new derivatives of these antibiotics to combat this resistance of utmost importance. To take steps towards developing new derivatives of this family of antibiotics, we have focused our efforts on understanding how these antibiotics are biosynthesized by the producing bacteria so that metabolic engineering of these pathways can be used to generate desired derivatives. Here we present the heterologous production of viomycin in Streptomyces lividans 1326 and the use of targeted-gene deletion as a mechanism for investigating viomycin biosynthesis as well as the generation of viomycin derivatives. Deletion of vioQ resulted in nonhydroxylated derivatives of viomycin, while strains lacking vioP failed to acylate the cyclic pentapeptide core of viomycin with beta-lysine. Surprisingly, strains lacking vioL produced derivatives that had the carbamoyl group of viomycin replaced by an acetyl group. Additionally, the acetylated viomycin derivatives were produced at very low levels. These two observations suggested that the carbamoyl group of the cyclic pentapeptide core of viomycin was introduced at an earlier step in the biosynthetic pathway than previously proposed. We present biochemical evidence that the carbamoyl group is added to the beta-amino group of L-2,3-diaminopropionate prior to incorporation of this amino acid by the nonribosomal peptide synthetases that form the cyclic pentapeptide cores of both viomycin and capreomycin.
Multiple devil's staircase and type-V intermittency

We have observed a ``multiple devil's staircase'' in a one-dimensional (1D) map including two discontinuous regions. Both end points of each phase-locked plateau in the staircase are confined by the conditions of collision between the periodic orbit and one of the discontinuous region edges. There are more modes of the collision than in a 1D map including only one discontinuous region. This complexity makes the whole staircase lose monotonicity, self-similarity, and the ``Farey tree rule'' for a description of the plateau length distribution. However, the staircase consists of many conventional complete devil's staircases, many of them having their own threshold of transfer to chaos via a type-V intermittency. Therefore the parameter space can be divided into three parts. In the first part only periodic attractors appear. In the second part periodic and chaotic attractors appear alternatively, and the system displays type-V intermittency frequently. In the last part only chaotic attractors exist.
Effects of predation environment and food availability on somatic growth in the Livebearing Fish Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Variation in somatic growth rates is of great interest to biologists because of the relationship between growth and other fitness-determining traits, and it results from both genetic and environmentally induced variation (i.e. plasticity). Theoretical predictions suggest that mean somatic growth rates and the shape of the reaction norm for growth can be influenced by variation in predator-induced mortality rates. Few studies have focused on variation in reaction norms for growth in response to resource availability between high-predation and low-predation environments. We used juvenile Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora from high-predation and low-predation environments to test for variation in mean growth rates and for variation in reaction norms for growth at two levels of food availability in a common-environment experiment. To test for variation in growth rates in the field, we compared somatic growth rates in juveniles in high-predation and low-predation environments. In the common-environment experiment, mean growth rates did not differ between fish from differing predation environments, but the interaction between predation environment and food level took the form of a crossing reaction norm for both growth in length and mass. Fish from low-predation environments exhibited no significant difference in growth rate between high and low food treatments. In contrast, fish from high-predation environments exhibited variation in growth rates between high and low food treatments, with higher food availability resulting in higher growth rates. In the field, individuals in the high-predation environment grow at a faster rate than those in low-predation environments at the smallest sizes (comparable to sizes in the common-environment experiment). These data provide no evidence for evolved differences in mean growth rates between predation environments. However, fish from high-predation environments exhibited greater plasticity in growth rates in response to resource availability suggesting that predation environments may exhibit increased variation in food availability for prey fish and consequent selection for plasticity.
New strategies in Computational Electromagnetics for solving real-world problems

Two time-honored questions that the practitioners of Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) are frequently asked by their colleagues engaged in the design of electromagnetic systems are: (i) What is new in CEM; and (ii) What can you do to solve my problems. Their curiosity probably stems from the fact that CEM is being used more and more as a design tool for a wide variety of electromagnetic problems such as antennas, arrays, sensors, nanotechnology devices, etc., to name just a few. Since running through a large number of iteration steps to arrive at the final design is a very time-consuming as well as expensive procedure, it is being increasingly apparent to the designer that an approach that can lead them to what is sometimes described as "correct by design,” or CBD, is the best strategy to follow, and that reliable, computationally efficient and accurate CEM modeling tools are needed to accomplish their objective of rapid designing and prototyping, which in turn reduce the time to market. While available commercial tools-and there are many of these available in the market today-do a pretty satisfactory job when dealing with the general purpose EM modeling problem, it is not uncommon to find them running into difficulties when attempting to simulate very large problems, such as the Square Kilometer Arrays being designed for radio astronomy applications, or those with very fine features, as for instance tiny sensors either implanted within the human body or located on-body for Body Area Networks (BANs). Thanks to the pioneers in our field, such as Harrington, Yee, Kouyoumjian, Silvester and others, we have access to a variety of numerical algorithms, namely MoM, FDTD, GTD and FEM, to solve a whole host of EM problems. Recent enhancements of these algorithms achieved by using various innovative techniques such as the Fast Multipole Method, as well as pre-corrected FFT and large-scale parallelization, have made it possible for us to solve progressively larger-sized problems, involving upwards of millions (MoM and FEM) and even billions (FDTD) of unknowns-thanks also, in part, to the rapid development of powerful computers. However, despite such phenomenal progress in the area of CEM in recent years, we still face many challenges that require our attention, and this naturally leads us to pose the soul-searching questions: “Has the field of CEM pretty much reached stagnation, or do we need fresh ideas to pursue new directions in order to address the problems we are encountering when delving into the newly emerging fields of nano-electromagnetics, metamaterials, bio-EM, etc., that have just spawned up in recent years as a result of communication revolution, which has been continuing unabated at breakneck speeds for several decades and is not expected to suffer from stagnation anytime soon-assuming that we can trust the accuracy of the predictions of our crystal balls.
Infrared study of water adsorbed on Wyoming bentonite

Abstract Infrared data for Na-Wyoming bentonite showed that the clay-ion system influenced the bending vibration for the water molecules as well as the amount of hydrogen bonds formed. The effects were very pronounced at low water concentrations. When the amount of water adsorbed on the clay surfaces corresponded to a monolayer between the silicate layers, optimum restrictions upon the bending vibrations were found. The amount of hydrogen bonding was also at a maximum here. The amount of hydrogen bonding was at a minimum for a water content corresponding to about two water-layers. As the water content was increased above this value, there was a gradual increase in hydrogen bonding, and a decrease in bending vibration restrictions until the values for bulk water were reached. These results were explained in terms of water-ion and water-surface interactions.
Killing of cultured hepatocytes by the mixed-function oxidation of ethoxycoumarin

Abstract Ethoxycoumarin is metabolized by mixed-function oxidation to give 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone) and acetaldehyde, without formation of an intermediate electrophile. Ethoxycoumarin was found, nevertheless, to injure cultured rat hepatocytes. Male hepatocytes were more sensitive than female to ethoxycoumarin. Phenobarbital increased cell killing, and SKF 525A, an inhibitor of ethoxycoumarin metabolism, prevented it. Neither umbelliferone nor acetaldehyde were toxic. Cellular glutathione decreased and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) accumulated in the culture medium. Sulfhydryl reagents prevented the cell killing without inhibiting metabolism. Lipid peroxidation was detected prior to evidence of cell death, and the antioxidant N,N′-diphenyl-phenylenediamine prevented both the lipid peroxidation and cell killing without inhibiting metabolism. Inhibition of glutathione reductase with 1,3-bis(chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea potentiated the cell killing without increasing metabolism. Pretreatment of the cells with the ferric iron chelator deferoxamine reduced cell killing, again without inhibiting metabolism. Ferric chloride restored the sensitivity of deferoxamine-pretreated hepatocytes to ethoxycoumarin. These data define a new experimental model in which lethal liver cell injury is dependent on the metabolism of ethoxycoumarin but unrelated to its two known metabolites. Anoxidative stress accompanying the cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism of ethoxycoumarin is proposed as the mechanism coupling metabolism to lethal cell injury.
GENERATION OF CALCIUM OSCILLATIONS IN FIBROBLASTS BY POSITIVE FEEDBACK BETWEEN CALCIUM AND IP3

A wide variety of nonexcitable cells generate repetitive transient increases in cytosolic calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) when stimulated with agonists that engage the phosphoinositide signalling pathway. Current theories regarding the mechanisms of oscillation disagree on whether Ca2+ inhibits or stimulates its own release from internal stores and whether inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DG) also undergo oscillations linked to the Ca2+ spikes. In this study, Ca2+ was found to stimulate its own release in REF52 fibroblasts primed by mitogens plus depolarization. However, unlike Ca2+ release in muscle and nerve cells, this amplification was insensitive to caffeine or ryanodine and required hormone receptor occupancy and functional IP3 receptors. Oscillations in [Ca2+]i were accompanied by oscillations in IP3 concentration but did not require functional protein kinase C. Therefore, the dominant feedback mechanism in this cell type appears to be Ca2+ stimulation of phospholipase C once this enzyme has been activated by hormone receptors.
Monthly monitoring program on DryView laser imager: one year experience on five Imation units.

Dry-processing film systems have become popular particularly in a network environment. This is mainly due to its ability to produce high quality images without wet chemistry processing. In this paper we describe a monthly monitoring program on five Model 8700 DryView™ Laser Imagers in our institution. A SMPTE pattern is generated via DryView™ Laser Imager software. The 100% patch is used for checking the base-plus-fog of the Imager. The 40% patch is used as the speed index. The optical density difference between patches 10% and 70% is used as the contrast index. These numbers are plotted for testing system consistency. In addition, the SMPTE pattern is examined to verify the sharpness of the bar patterns and the visibility of subtle contrasts—95% inset in the 100% patch and a 5% inset in the 0% patch. The clinical films are checked for processor artifacts, such as residuals from the drum. Stability of the dry processors has also been studied using three strips per day obtained at three different times of the day over a period of ten consecutive working days. The coefficient of variation is 0.05 for the speed index and 0.04 for the contrast index. The monthly monitoring program has been carried out in our institution since January 1997. The problems found by this monthly monitoring program assess the necessity of routine QC for DryView™ Laser Imagers. The instability of the post-processing dry silver films, and, consequently, the film handling requirements, are also discussed.
Cellular binding of benzo(a)pyrene to DNA characterized by low temperature fluorescence

Abstract A new approach has been developed to detect ultra low concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene products bound to nucleic acids in vivo . The binding to DNA of hamster embryo cell cultures was characterized by low temperature fluorescence spectroscopy. The method can detect less than one polycyclic hydrocarbon residue per 50,000 nucleotides. The fluorescence spectra indicate that the benzo(a)pyrene derivative bound to DNA has a pyrene-like chromophore and resembles that obtained when DNA is reacted in vitro with the 7,8-diol-9,10-oxide of benzo(a)pyrene. This confirms that metabolism of the 7,8,9,10 ring on benzo(a)pyrene precedes reaction with DNA. The method should be useful for detecting and characterizing the in vivo binding of other fluorescent carcinogens to nucleic acids.
Writing instruction at the German Gymnasium: A 13th-grade English class writes the Abitur

Abstract The field of contrastive rhetoric has until fairly recently focused for the most part on the features of texts written by writers composing in English as a second language in English-speaking environments. Current research in contrastive rhetoric, however, points to interest in broader concerns, including inquiry into the educational contexts around the world in which writing and writing instruction take place. This article reports on an investigation of the context of writing at a secondary school (Gymnasium) in Germany. In addition to reporting contextual information related to the Gymnasium and the Abitur, an exit exam required by all Gymnasiums in Germany, this article reports the responses to the English section of the Abitur of 13th-grade students who elected English as one of their Abitur subjects. Students' responses are reported concerning their perception of the purpose of this exam; their means of preparing for it; their expectations of it before taking it and their reactions to it afterwards; their descriptions of their writing process during the exam; and their perceptions of the differences between writing in a first language and writing in a second language.
The influence of structural stigma and rejection sensitivity on young sexual minority men's daily tobacco and alcohol use

Stigma occurs at both individual and structural levels, but existing research tends to examine the effect of individual and structural forms of stigma in isolation, rather than considering potential synergistic effects. To address this gap, our study examined whether stigma at the individual level, namely gay-related rejection sensitivity, interacts with structural stigma to predict substance use among young sexual minority men. Sexual minority (n = 119) participants completed online measures of our constructs (e.g., rejection sensitivity). Participants currently resided across a broad array of geographic areas (i.e., 24 U.S. states), and had attended high school in 28 states, allowing us to capture sufficient variance in current and past forms of structural stigma, defined as (1) a lack of state-level policies providing equal opportunities for heterosexual and sexual minority individuals and (2) negative state-aggregated attitudes toward sexual minorities. To measure daily substance use, we utilized a daily diary approach, whereby all participants were asked to indicate whether they used tobacco or alcohol on nine consecutive days. Results indicated that structural stigma interacted with rejection sensitivity to predict tobacco and alcohol use, and that this relationship depended on the developmental timing of exposure to structural stigma. In contrast, rejection sensitivity did not mediate the relationship between structural stigma and substance use. These results suggest that psychological predispositions, such as rejection sensitivity, interact with features of the social environment, such as structural stigma, to predict important health behaviors among young sexual minority men. These results add to a growing body of research documenting the multiple levels through which stigma interacts to produce negative health outcomes among sexual minority individuals.
Tensile properties of synthetic fiber reinforced mortar

Abstract This paper reports on an experimental study of synthetic fiber reinforced mortar. The fibers used included aramid, high-strength high-modulus polyethylene, and polypropylene, and they were randomly mixed in the matrix at volume fractions below 3%. Tensile properties of the composites were measured by the direct tensile test under both monotonic and cyclic loading. Workability and the drying shrinkage of the composites are also reported.
On the causal link between carbon dioxide and air pollution mortality

[1] Greenhouse gases and particle soot have been linked to enhanced sea-level, snowmelt, disease, heat stress, severe weather, and ocean acidification, but the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on air pollution mortality has not been examined or quantified. Here, it is shown that increased water vapor and temperatures from higher CO2 separately increase ozone more with higher ozone; thus, global warming may exacerbate ozone the most in already-polluted areas. A high-resolution global-regional model then found that CO2 may increase U.S. annual air pollution deaths by about 1000 (350–1800) and cancers by 20–30 per 1 K rise in CO2-induced temperature. About 40% of the additional deaths may be due to ozone and the rest, to particles, which increase due to CO2-enhanced stability, humidity, and biogenic particle mass. An extrapolation by population could render 21,600 (7400–39,000) excess CO2-caused annual pollution deaths worldwide, more than those from CO2-enhanced storminess.
Understanding Caregiver Health Behaviors: Depressive Symptoms Mediate Caregiver Self-Efficacy and Health Behavior Patterns

Previous research on female caregivers of elderly relatives with dementia has demonstrated that caregiving self-efficacy (SE) is associated with reduced cumulative health risk. The overarching aim of the current study was to expand on that research by exploring whether depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between 3 domains of caregiving SE and cumulative health risk associated with health behavior patterns. Data from 256 female family caregivers of patients with dementia are presented. Path analysis revealed a significant mediated effect for depressive symptoms as both SE for obtaining respite and SE for controlling upsetting Thoughts had a significant, indirect effect on cumulative health risk. There were no direct effects between caregiver SE and cumulative health risk. The current study sheds light on the complex pathway between caregiver SE and health and speaks to the importance of skills-based interventions designed to enhance efficacy beliefs and minimize depression in dementia caregivers.
Drying of solvent-coated polymer films

A set of equations is developed for the description of heat and mass transfer and film shrinkage in the drying of polymer films. The utilization of jump balances in the formulation of boundary conditions at phase interfaces is illustrated, and a solution scheme is developed for solving the coupled, nonlinear equations. The proposed model will produce the size of drying over needed to reduce the solvent concentration to the desired level. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Continuous dilution culture system for studies on gene-enzyme regulation in synchronous cultures of plant cells.

A thermophilic species ofChlorella was used as a model for higher eucaryotic cells in the development of a continuous dilution system for maintenance of nearly constant environmental conditions during synchronous growth of cells cultured at high concentrations. An equilibrium (isopycinic) centrifugation procedure for selection of large numbers of highly synchronous daughter cells in Ficoll density gradients was also developed. By use of these two procedures, it was possible to show that genes of both inducible and biosynthetic enzymes are continuously available for transcription during the eucaryotic cell cycle. Moreover, with programmed changes in the culture conditions during synchronouw growth, it was possible to change step patterns of biosynthetic enzymes to continuous patterns and vice versa. These results, coupled with studies with inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis, indicate that gene transcription in at least some eucaryotes is responsive to changes in the external environment throughout the cell cycle.