cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal changes in bottom-water velocity and direction from analysis of particle size and alignment in deep-sea sediment

Abstract We have demonstrated that the size and efficiency-of-alignment of particles in deep-sea sediment can be used to delineate relative velocity and direction of high-velocity bottom water. Our methods have been applied to core-top samples on the east flank of the Vema Channel which is the principal passage for northward flowing Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) through the Rio Grande Rise in the southwest Atlantic. The size and alignment analyses delineated a zone of high-velocity bottom water below 4150 m which corresponds to the location of AABW as derived from physical oceanographic data. The eastern edge of the AABW was identified as a zone of high sedimentation rate due to the preferential deposition of fine-grained material marginal to the high-velocity flow. Three cores in that zone were used to examine the temporal changes in inferred bottom-water direction and relative velocity using a detailed stratigraphy based on magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, fluctuations in percentage carbonate and oxygen isotopes. The cores were reoriented to the present geographic coordinate system using the stable remanent magnetism. The long-axis alignment of magnetic grains was used to infer bottom-water flow direction. The direction of flow was shown to be consistently northward due to the bathymetric control on the flow and corresponds to the direction determined by a current-meter near the site. The relative velocity of the AABW has fluctuated within the channel but no simple correlation was found with the paleoclimate. The size and alignment analyses were performed on core-top samples from the Amirante Passage in the western Indian Ocean. A zone of high-velocity bottom water was inferred below 4100 m and may correspond to a deep westward boundary current (DWBC) determined from physical oceanographic data. Regions of large sediment waves in the passage correspond to zones of low-velocity flow as inferred by our techniques. The sediment waves may have formed in a shear zone between the high-velocity DWBC and the lower-velocity overlying water mass. Our methods may be routinely applied to the study of deep-sea sediment. The initial results suggest that our geologic parameters correspond to the present benthic physical oceanography. Analysis of older sediments reveals that relative velocity of bottom currents has changed appreciably while the inferred current direction has remained stable due to the bathymetric control at the sites chosen for study. Deep-sea sediment, therefore, may act as a long-term fossil bottom-current meter.
Editing level-set models with sketched curves

Level set models are deformable implicit surfaces where the deformation is controlled by a speed function in the level set partial differential equation (PDE). These models are widely used in computer graphics applications due to their implicit definition, low-level volumetric representation and the powerful numerical techniques used to produce the PDE-based deformation. We present a set of interactive sketch-based level-set surface editing operators. These operators allow a user to sketch curves above or on a level-set surface in order to edit the surface's shape. Once the curves are sketched the surface interactively evolves to locally fit to the curves. A user may then modify the curves in order to refine the shape of the model. The mathematics, algorithms and techniques needed to implement numerous sketch-based level set modeling capabilities are described. The speed functions that produce the surface deformations within the context of solving the level-set PDE are detailed. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the flexibility and usefulness of the editing operators.
The role of working memory in metaphor production and comprehension.

Abstract The following tested Kintsch’s [Kintsch, W. (2000). Metaphor comprehension: a computational theory. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review , 7 , 257–266 and Kintsch, W. (2001). Predication. Cognitive Science , 25 , 173–202] Predication Model, which predicts that working memory capacity is an important factor in metaphor processing. In support of his model, Experiment 1 found high working memory individuals generated better interpretations of metaphors with greater speed than did low-span individuals. Stroop performance and inhibition errors also correlated with speed and quality of interpretations. Experiment 2 found high working memory individuals produced more apt metaphors than did low-span individuals. Experiment 3 found that Digit Span Reverse predicted quality of metaphors produced better than the Digit Span Forward, the latter requiring less inhibitory control. In both Experiments 2 and 3, working memory functions were found to explain unique variance in the quality of metaphors produced, independently of measures of vocabulary knowledge and print exposure. Taken together, the results show that both general verbal knowledge and working memory functions make unique contributions to metaphor processing.
Heredity—The Very Long View

In a fairly concise survey, the authors chart the shifting interpretations of the concept of heredity from the early modern period through to the present.
Prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder among cocaine abusers seeking treatment

Abstract In this study, 281 cocaine abusers seeking treatment were assessed for adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Structured assessments included the SCID for DSM-IV, a SCID-like module for ADHD, and a pattern of drug use questionnaire. The sample consisted of 82% men, 67% African-Americans, 19% Hispanics, and 14% Caucasians identified at several treatment sites. Average age was 33.7±.4 years. Twelve percent (n=34) of the sample met DSM-IV criteria for childhood ADHD. Of the entire sample, 10% (n=27), or 79% of the patients diagnosed with childhood ADHD, had adult ADHD. A history of conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder were prevalent among those with adult ADHD (63% and 52%, respectively). This subpopulation of cocaine abusers may be one of the most difficult-to-treat cocaine-abusing groups, particularly if the ADHD remains undetected. To provide effective treatment for cocaine abusers, clinicians may need to identify subpopulations of patients, such as those with ADHD, and target both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for these groups.
“When it suits me, I'm a feminist:” International students negotiating feminist representations

Synopsis This paper explores young women international students' negotiation of and resistance to feminist identities. Providing a global context to “I'm not a feminist, but” literature, this research builds on social movements, feminist, postfeminist, third wave, and feminist media literature. Based on individual interviews with thirteen women attending Goldsmiths College, University of London, I find evidence that transnational stereotypes of U.S. feminists are pervasive and contribute to these women's resistance to feminist identities. Despite the interviewees' differing cultural backgrounds, they shared strikingly similar understandings of feminism. Such narrow conceptions of the feminist collective identity stand in opposition to the ways feminism is practiced on a day-today basis, and contribute to a complex negotiation of the feminist identity.
Mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus as primary maintenance immunosuppression in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: initial experience in 50 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND The current study examines the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus as primary immunosuppression in simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation. In addition, analyses of the rates of conversion from one immunosuppressive agent to another, and its subsequent consequences with respect to outcomes were determined. Quality of graft function, infections, and effect on preexisting essential hypertension are also described. METHODS Immunosuppression consisted of quadruple therapy with antithymocyte globulin induction, tacrolimus, MMF, and prednisone. Patient and graft survival and rejection rates in 50 consecutive SPK recipients, followed for a minimum of 3 months and a mean of 14 months (range: 3-34 months), are described. RESULTS Thirty-nine of 50 (78%) patients tolerated the MMF/tacrolimus combination long-term (mean duration of follow-up: 14+/-7 months). Nine of 50 patients (18%) were converted to Neoral, and 4 patients were converted to azathioprine as a substitute for MMF. The 2-year actuarial patient, kidney, and pancreas survival rates were 97.7%, 93.3%, and 90.0%, respectively. At 6 months after transplant, the overall incidence of acute rejection was 16%. There was a statistically significant (P< or =0.04, Cox-Mantel test) difference in the rate of rejection associated with conversion to Neoral. The incidence of rejection 6 months after transplant in the group maintained on MMF/tacrolimus was 10.2% vs. 44.4% in the group converted to Neoral (P< or =0.04, Cox-Mantel test). Overall, the 1-year actuarial cumulative incidence of tissue-invasive cytomegalovirus disease was 6.6%. There were no cases of fungal infections or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. One patient developed Kaposi's sarcoma 10 months after transplant. With respect to hypertensive disease, 60% (12/20) of the patients who required pharmacologic control of blood pressure before transplant were off all antihypertensive medications at 1 year after transplant. An additional 20% (4/20) of patients had a reduction in the number of medications required to control blood pressure at 1 year after transplant. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the combination of MMF and tacrolimus as primary immunosuppression for SPK transplantation results in excellent patient and graft survival rates, a very low rate of acute rejection, and low rates of infection and malignancy.
Effect of geomagnetic disturbances and solar wind density on relativistic electrons at geostationary orbit

[1] It is well known that fluxes of relativistic electrons in the Earth's magnetosphere well correlate with solar wind speed but surprisingly they show a weaker correlation with geomagnetic activity indices. For a long time, this result seemed puzzling since geomagnetic disturbances, measured by geomagnetic activity indices, are associated with strong electric fields and low-frequency waves, which should significantly affect (directly or indirectly) the particle acceleration to high energies. To understand why the relativistic electron fluxes show the relatively weak correlation with geomagnetic disturbances, we investigated statistically the data of relativistic electrons at geostationary orbit for 6 years (1997–2002) and compared these data with solar wind parameters and geomagnetic activity indices. We found that, for the generation of the strong electron fluxes, the combination of two factors is needed: (1) strong geomagnetic disturbances about two days before the following increases in electron fluxes and (2) low solar wind density within these 2-day intervals between the geomagnetic disturbances and following increases in the electron fluxes. By these conditions, the correlation between the electron fluxes and geomagnetic indices is improved and becomes higher than the correlation between the electron fluxes and solar wind speed. A large majority of the strongest relativistic electron events occurred just during these conditions. This allows us to suggest that not solar wind speed alone but rather geomagnetic activity combined with low solar wind density conditions may be a primary cause for the generation of relativistic electrons.
Developing Drugs for Core Social and Communication Impairment in Autism

There are many challenges to studying drug effects on core social and language impairment in autism. Drugs such as fenfluramine, naltrexone, and secretin do not appear to be efficacious for these core symptoms. Risperidone has led to improvement in some aspects of social relatedness when used to treat irritability in autism. More research is needed on the utility of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cholinergic drugs, glutamatergic drugs, and oxytocin for core autistic symptoms.
Essentiality of Vitamin D in Diets of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract Channel catfish fingerlings fed semipurified diets in flowing-water aquariums for 16 wk required a dietary source of vitamin D for normal growth and bone mineralization.
Structure determination of DNA methylation lesions N1-meA and N3-meC in duplex DNA using a cross-linked protein–DNA system

N(1)-meA and N(3)-meC are cytotoxic DNA base methylation lesions that can accumulate in the genomes of various organisms in the presence of S(N)2 type methylating agents. We report here the structural characterization of these base lesions in duplex DNA using a cross-linked protein-DNA crystallization system. The crystal structure of N(1)-meA:T pair shows an unambiguous Hoogsteen base pair with a syn conformation adopted by N(1)-meA, which exhibits significant changes in the opening, roll and twist angles as compared to the normal A:T base pair. Unlike N(1)-meA, N(3)-meC does not establish any interaction with the opposite G, but remains partially intrahelical. Also, structurally characterized is the N(6)-meA base modification that forms a normal base pair with the opposite T in duplex DNA. Structural characterization of these base methylation modifications provides molecular level information on how they affect the overall structure of duplex DNA. In addition, the base pairs containing N(1)-meA or N(3)-meC do not share any specific characteristic properties except that both lesions create thermodynamically unstable regions in a duplex DNA, a property that may be explored by the repair proteins to locate these lesions.
P-wave tomography reveals a westward dipping low velocity zone beneath the Kenya Rift

[1] Three teleseismic P-wave travel time data sets (KRISP 1985, 1989–1990; Kenya Broadband Seismic Experiment) have been inverted to obtain a new tomographic model of the upper mantle beneath the Kenya Rift. The model shows a 0.5–1.5% low velocity anomaly below the rift extending to about 150 km depth. Below ∼150 km depth, the anomaly broadens to the west toward the Tanzania Craton, suggesting a westward dip to the structure. Tomographic images to the south in Tanzania and to the north in Ethiopia also show westward dipping low velocity anomalies below depths of ∼150–200 km. The presence of westward dipping low velocity structures along much of the East African rift (Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania) is difficult to explain with a plume model and is consistent with some models of the African Superplume showing anomalous lower and upper mantle structure connecting at mid-mantle depths under the western side of East Africa.
Mechanisms of sound localization in the barn owl (Tyto alba)

1. We investigated the mechanisms by which the barn owl (Tyto alba) determines the azimuth and elevation of a sound source. Our measure of localizing ability was the accuracy with which the owl oriented its head to a sound source. 2. When localizing tonal signals, the owl committed the smallest errors at frequencies between 4 and 8 kHz. The azimuthal component of these errors was frequency independent from 1 to 8 kHz, but the elevational component increased dramatically for frequencies below 4 kHz. 3. The owl's mean error when localizing wide band noise was nearly three times less than its mean error when localizing the optimal frequency for tonal localization (6 kHz). 4. Occluding the right ear caused the owl to orient below and to the left of the sound source; occluding the left ear caused it to orient above and to the right of the sound source. 5. With ruff feathers (facial ruff) removed, the owl continued to localize sounds accurately in azimuth, but failed to localize sounds in elevation. 6. We conclude from these results that the barn owl uses interaural comparisons of sound spectrum to determine the elevation of a sound source. Both interaural onset time and interaural spectrum are used to identify the azimuth of the sound source. If onset time is not available (as in a continuous sound), the owl can derive the azimuth of the source from interaural spectrum alone, but its spatial resolution is poorer.
BIDIMENSIONAL EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION USING VARIOUS INTERPOLATION TECHNIQUES

Scattered data interpolation is an essential part of bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) of an image. In the decomposition process, local maxima and minima of the image are extracted at each iteration and then interpolated to form the upper and the lower envelopes, respectively. The number of two-dimensional intrinsic mode functions resulting from the decomposition and their properties are highly dependent on the method of interpolation. Though a few methods of interpolation have been tested and/or applied to the BEMD process, many others remain to be tested. This paper evaluates the performance of some of the widely used surface interpolation techniques to identify one or more good choices of such methods for envelope estimation in BEMD. The interpolation techniques studied in this paper include various radial basis function interpolators and Delaunay triangulation based interpolators. The analysis is done first using a synthetic texture image and then using two different real texture images. Simulations are made to focus mainly on the effect of interpolation methods by providing less or negligible control on the other parameters or factors of the BEMD process.
The national archives at fifty

An analysis and examination of the National Archives of the United States. The 19th century background and need for the governmental agency is quickly sketched. Emphasis is placed on the role of J. Franklin Jameson (beginning in 1906) and the coalition of scholars, civil servants, public officials, patriotic organizations, and the press which he put together to secure the legislation founding the National Archives in 1934. Some of the technical and theoretical accomplishments of the agency are covered; its growth and movement into new areas of responsibility is documented; the reasons for the loss of independence in 1949 and the return of in- dependence in 1985 are examined. Five areas of concern for the future of the Ar- chives are briefly examined: public visibility and use; liaison with the scholarly com- munity; use of technology; archival education and training; and strengthening ties with the public in general. The paper concludes with a call for a new coalition to en- sure the continued preservation of archival institutions in the future.
The spectral density function J1(ω) in solid 3He

Abstract The NMR relaxation rates of 3 He in two phases of the solid are reported. It is unambiguous that the lattice modification makes a striking difference in the spectral density function.
The effect of gender and time-of-day on time perception and mental workload

Two experiments are reported which investigated how subject gender and time-of-day influenced the estimation of duration and the perception of task-related mental workload. In the first experiment, 24 subjects performed a filled time-estimation task in a constant blacked-out, noise-reduced environment at 0800h, 1200h, 1600h, and 2000h, respectively. In the second experiment, 12 different subjects performed an unfilled time estimation task in similar conditions at 0900h, 1400h, and 1900h. At the termination of all experimental sessions, participants completed the NASA Task Load Index workload assessment questionnaire as a measure of perceived mental workload. Results indicated that physiological response, reflected in body temperature change, followed an expected pattern of sequential increase with time-of-day. However, estimates of duration and the perception of mental workload showed no significant effects for time-of-day. In each of the experiments there were significant differences in time estimation and mental workload response contingent on the gender of the participant. These results are interpreted in light of the previous positive findings for circadian fluctuation in performance efficiency and the equivocal findings of a gender difference in time estimation. A unifying account of these collective results is given based on gender by time-of-day interactional effects.
Unit testing for wireless sensor networks

Unit testing is an important tool for validating software modules, particularly for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) where bugs are difficult to find and modular software is composed in numerous combinations. However, existing approaches can only test for events or state on a single node; they cannot evaluate distributed state. In this paper, we present a new unit testing framework that addresses this concern by defining tests as a single Python script that executes on the PC. This script automatically generates test programs, coordinates the inputs, and collects outputs from all nodes in the network. This approach allows validation of distributed state, while simulataneously reducing the amount of code needed to define a unit test.
Multi-instance rendering based on dynamic differential surface propagation

High-quality rendering of a complex system usually depends on accurate segmentation of the corresponding objects. In medical imaging data, it is difficult to extract and visualize multiple related objects simultaneously due to the noise, shape variance, and resolution difference of the objects. In this paper we present a viable method to adaptively extract the isosurfaces of different yet informatively related tissues simultaneously from the multimodality imaging data of the brain based on the statistical Partial Differential Equation (PDE) deformable models. Our system and experiments demonstrate the power of using explicit PDE models in extracting and rendering of multiple objects.
On the complexity of iterated shuffle

Abstract It is demonstrated that the following problems are NP complete: 1. (1) Given words w and w1, w2, …, wn, is w in the shuffle of w1, w2, …, wn? 2. (2) Given words w and v, is w in the iterated shuffle of v? From these results we show that the languages {$w¢w R : w σ {a, b} ∗ } ∅ , wσ{a,b} ∗ $w) ∅ , {ab n cde n f: n ⩾ 0} ∅ , and {an+1bncnfn: n ⩾ 0∅ are NP complete, where ∅ denotes the iterated shuffle. By representing these languages in various ways using the operations shuffle, iterated shuffle, union, concatenation, intersection, intersection with a regular set, non-erasing homomorphism and inverse homomorphism, results on the complexity of language classes generated using various subsets of these operations are obtained. Finally, it is shown that the iterated shuffle of a regular set can be recognized in deterministic polynomial time.
Bombesin-induced hypothermia in the insulin-treated rat: effect on tail-skin temperature.

Bombesin-like peptides are widely distributed in the mammalian central nervous system and appear to participate in the regulation of a variety of autonomic functions. Bombesin has been shown to alter feeding behavior, locomotor activity, and thermoregulation. Microinfusion of bombesin into the preoptic area of the hypothalamus produces a reduction in core body temperature, but only if the rat has been cold-exposed, food-deprived, or pretreated with insulin. The mechanism for bombesin-induced hypothermia under the latter two conditions is unknown. The present study evaluated the possible contribution of peripheral heat loss mechanisms in bombesin-induced hypothermia. Rats were administered insulin (10U/kg, Regular Iletin I i.m.) or saline followed by an intrahypothalamic injection of bombesin (.05 μg/.25 μl) or peptide vehicle. Rectal and tail-skin temperatures were measured continuously for 120 min. Changes in temperature were evaluated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min., using analysis of variance. As previousl...
Collaborative and adaptive sensing of the atmosphere (CASA) and multi-function sensor services network (MSSN)

■ Raytheon is partnering with the Government, Academia and Industry to develop MSSN ■ We are investing in and leveraging commercial X-band radar technologies ■ Early demonstration opportunities may leverage the existing S-band (NWS/FAA) and X-band (CASA) radars in Oklahoma
Electronegativity equalization and the electronic structure of polyhedral clusters of main-group atoms

The concept of the equalization of atomic electronegativities accompanying molecule formation is applied to a study of the electronic structure of polyhedral clusters of main-group atoms such as Ge, Sn, Pb, TI, and Bi. Emphasis is placed upon charged clusters such as Sn9-,Pb:-(x =0+9), Sn+,Ge;-, Sn8-= Pb,T15-, Sn,Bii-, SnTei-, etc. The role of the relativistic spin-orbit splitting of an np shell into np,,, and np3,, subshells in modifying atomic and hence molecular electronegativities is discussed. Correlations are made between calculated charge distributions and observed'99 Sn NMR chemical shifts for clusters of a given size and charge. It is concluded that a useful picture of charge distributions in these clusters may be obtained from electronegativity equalization considerations. In a recent paper [l] we presented the results of our studies of the electronic structure of charged polyhedral clusters of Ge, Sn, Pb, and Bi atoms using our relativistically parametrized extended Hiickel (REX) method [2]. The clusters considered included Ge:-, GeG-, Sn:-, Snz-, Snd-, Pbz-, Pb:-, Bi$+, the heteronuclear clusters PbSn:-, SnGei-, GeSn:-, PbSni-, TlSni-, and the exopolyhedral cluster CH3Pb;-. The study included a discussion of the limited charge dependence of atomic electronegativity as implied by our REX parametrization. The role of relativity in modifying the charge dependence was briefly discussed. In the present study we shall explore in some depth the relationships between relativity and the charge dependence of electronegativity. Again our focus will be upon clusters of main group elements, although the approach will be empirical rather than semi-empirical. 2. Variation of Electronegativity with Charge The electronegativity x of a chemical species, atomic or molecular, has been defined [3] as the negative of the electronic chemical potential p, the latter being the derivative of the energy E with respect to the number of electrons N, so that X(W =-AN) = -(aE/dN)", (1) where the subscript u denotes the constancy of the potential. It should be emphasized that N for an isolated species is a discrete rather than the continuous variable implied by Eq. (l), although in applications to atoms or fragments which are a part of an extended system (molecule) it is taken to be continuous.
Boson correlation energies via variational minimization with the two-particle reduced density matrix: Exact N -representability conditions for harmonic interactions

A many-body theory for interacting bosons is developed within the framework of minimizing the ground-state energy with respect to the two-particle reduced-density matrix (2-RDM) subject to N-representability conditions. The N-representability conditions, which ensure that the 2-RDM may be derived from an N-particle wave function, are imposed through a hierarchy of positivity conditions where the p-positivity conditions restrict the metric matrices for p/2-body operators to be positive semidefinite. Using two-positivity, we minimize the ground-state energies of 5-10 000 harmonically interacting bosons in a harmonic external potential. The energies and 2-RDMs obtained are in agreement with the exact solution except for round-off errors, which implies that for this class of boson interactions two-positivity conditions alone yield exact results for any interaction strength. The ground-state energies obtained at strong interactions are more accurate than many-body perturbative techniques by many orders of magnitude.
Stochastic model reduction for chaos representations

Abstract This paper addresses issues of model reduction of stochastic representations and computational efficiency of spectral stochastic Galerkin schemes for the solution of partial differential equations with stochastic coefficients. In particular, an algorithm is developed for the efficient characterization of a lower dimensional manifold occupied by the solution to a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) in the Hilbert space spanned by Wiener chaos. A description of the stochastic aspect of the problem on two well-separated scales is developed to enable the stochastic characterization on the fine scale using algebraic operations on the coarse scale. With such algorithms at hand, the solution of SPDE’s becomes both computationally manageable and efficient. Moreover, a solid foundation is thus provided for the adaptive error control in stochastic Galerkin procedures. Different aspects of the proposed methodology are clarified through its application to an example problem from solid mechanics.
Growth of intraportally transplanted islets under liver regeneration stimulus and restoration of normoglycemia in streptozocin-diabetic rats.

Background: Limitation of β-cell growth after intraportal islet transplantation plays an important role in graft failure. To induce transplanted β-cell proliferation, we studied the effect of compensatory liver growth in diabetic rats that had a subtherapeutic islet mass previously injected into the liver. Methods: Syngeneic rats were used as islet donors or recipients; diabetes was induced by streptozocin. Three groups of streptozocin-treated rats were studied. In group 1, 250 islets were selectively transplanted into the posterior liver lobes and 10 days later anterior portal branch ligation (PBL) was performed (n = 18); in group 2, 250 islets were transplanted into the posterior lobes and 10 days later sham PBL was performed (n = 13); in group 3, rats underwent a sham transplantation and PBL (n = 6). Nonfasting blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored. Six rats in groups 1 and 2 were killed 48 hours after PBL, liver sections were stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and islet cell labeling index was calculated. The remaining rats were killed 30 days later. Liver compensatory growth or atrophy was calculated and morphometric determination of β-cell area was assessed on insulin-immunostained sections of the liver. Results: In group 1 rats killed 48 hours after PBL, islet cell labeling index was significantly higher than in group 2 (p < 0.0001). After PBL, we observed normalization of nonfasting blood glucose levels in 10 of 12 rats. At 30 days, posterior liver lobes showed compensatory growth (218.5% ± 18.6%) accompanied by atrophy of the anterior lobes; morphometric study of liver-engrafted islets showed a significant increase of individual β-cell area, compared with group 2 (p < 0.0001). In groups 2 and 3, normoglycemia was not achieved. Conclusions: In streptozocin-diabetic rats, normoglycemia was restored after transplantation of a subtherapeutic islet mass, followed by PBL-induced liver regeneration. Histologic and morphometric results indicating islet cell proliferation suggest that compensatory liver growth might have induced a hypertrophic/hyperplastic response in the intraportally transplanted β-cells. (Surgery 1998;123:398-406.)
The real estate investor

This case study chronicles the entrepreneurial and real estate investment activities of a recent Ph.D. graduate in business administration. The protagonist learns that clear focus is necessary for entrepreneurial success and that trust does not mix with entrepreneurship and negotiation. Ethics are sometimes problematic for entrepreneurs.
Photoelectric Emission from Zn

The quantum yield, energy distribution, and temperature dependence of photoelectric emission from the basal plane of single crystals of high-purity (99.999%) Zn have been measured. The quantum yield is temperature-dependent and is consistent with a free-electron model in which transitions are phonon-assisted. The change in shape of the energy distribution curves in going from $h\ensuremath{\nu}=9.32\ensuremath{-}9.54$ eV is consistent with the onset of the plasma region rather than with the excitations from $d$ states. The work function for the basal plane is 3.63 eV.
89Y and 13C NMR Cluster and Carbon Cage Studies of an Yttrium Metallofullerene Family, Y3N@C2n (n = 40−43)

The members of a new family of yttrium trimetallic nitride-templated (TNT) endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), Y3N@C2n (n = 40−43), have been synthesized and purified. On the basis of experimental and computational 13C NMR studies, we propose cage structures for Y3N@Ih-C80 (IPR allowed), Y3N@D5h-C80 (IPR allowed), Y3N@Cs-C82 (non-IPR), Y3N@Cs-C84 (non-IPR), and Y3N@D3-C86 (IPR allowed). A significant result is the limited number of isomers found for each carbon cage. For example, there are 24 isolated pentagon rule (IPR) and 51 568 non-IPR structures possible for the C84 cage, but only one major isomer of Y3N@Cs-C84 was found. The current study confirms the unique role of the trimetallic nitride (M3N)6+ cluster template in the Kratschmer−Huffman electric-arc process for fullerene cage size and high symmetry isomer selectivity. This study reports the first 89Y NMR results for Y3N@Ih-C80, Y3N@Cs(51365)-C84, and Y3N@D3(19)-C86, which reveal a progression from isotropic to restricted (Y3N)6+ cluster motional...
Buckling, symmetry breaking, and cavitation in periodically micro-structured hydrogel membranes

We investigated swelling induced instabilities in porous membranes with a square array of micron-sized circular holes prepared from a pH and temperature dual-responsive hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PHEMA-co-PNIPAAm-co-PAA). At room temperature (25 °C), the hydrogel swelled to ∼1.5 to 8 times of its dried volume when pH was increased from 2 to 7. Within this regime, we observed four distinctive morphologies of the hydrogel membrane, including a “breathing” mode of the membrane having circular pore arrays, a buckled pore array of alternating mutually orthogonal ellipses, twisted snap-shut pores forming “S” shaped slits, and cusps formed in local regions that perturbed the 2D periodicity of the hydrogel membrane. Using a 3D confocal imaging technique, we followed the post-buckling behaviors of the porous membranes and investigated the pattern evolution process as a function of pH. Amplification of buckling and symmetry breaking were observed when we increased the pH of the buffer solutions from pH 4.0 to 5.0, leading to the transition from an achiral buckled state (pH 4.0) to a chiral twisted state (pH 5.0) driven by the compaction of the hydrogel domains within the space to completely close the pores. When the pH of the aqueous environment was further increased to 7, star-shaped patterns appeared randomly in the film, where the hydrogel domains were compressed by the adjacent neighbors, thus resulting in out-of-plane deformation. Finally, we demonstrated the temperature-dependent reversible switching of the hydrogel membrane among the chiral twisted state, buckled state, and circular state via changing the temperature between 20 °C and 45 °C.
Model-based 3D segmentation of the bones of joints in medical images

There are several medical application areas that require the segmentation and separation of the component bones of joints in a sequence of acquired images of the joint under various loading conditions, our own target area being joint motion analysis. This is a challenging problem due to the proximity of bones at the joint, partial volume effects, and other imaging modality-specific factors that confound boundary contrast. A model-based strategy is proposed in this paper wherein a rigid model of the bone is generated from a segmentation of the bone in the image corresponding to one position of the joint by using the live wire method. In other images of the joint, this model is used to search for the same bone by minimizing an energy functional that utilizes both boundary- and region-based information. An evaluation of the method by utilizing a total of 60 data sets on MR and CT images of the ankle complex and cervical spine indicates that the segmentations agree very closely with the live wire segmentations yielding true positive and false positive volume fractions in the range 89-97% and 0.2-0.7%. The method requires 1-2 minutes of operator time and 6-7 minutes of computer time, which makes it significantly more efficient than live wire -- the only method currently available for the task.
Continuous-flow fluoro-immunosensor for paclitaxel measurement

A fluorescence-based continuous-flow immunosensor for sensitive, precise, accurate and fast determination of paclitaxel was developed. The sensor utilizes anti-paclitaxel antibody immobilized through its Fc region and crosslinked by dimethylpimelimidate to protein A attached covalently onto the silanized inner walls of a glass capillary column followed by saturation of the paclitaxel-binding sites with rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel. The assay is based on the displacement and detection downstream of the rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel, by a flow-through spectrofluorometer, as a result of the competition with paclitaxel introduced as a pulse into the stream of carrier buffer flowing through the system. The peak height of the fluorescence intensity profile of the displaced rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel was directly proportional to the concentration of paclitaxel applied and was a function of the carrier buffer flow rate. The sensitivity of the immunosensor response ranged from 0.31 relative fluorescence units (RFU)/ng/ml at a flow rate 0.1 ml/min to 0.52 RFU/ng/ml at 1 ml/min, while the lower detection limit ranged from 1 ng/ml at 0.1 ml/min to 4 ng/ml at 1 ml/min. The immunosensor response was very reproducible (RSD=4.8%; n=10) and linear up to 100 ng/ml. The assay time ranged from 2 min at 1 ml/min to 8 min at 0.1 ml/min. A technique developed to resaturate the antigen binding sites of the immobilized antibody with rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel was successful in regenerating the capillary column without affecting its performance, thus enhancing the economic viability of the immunosensor. The immunosensor was successfully applied for the determination of paclitaxel in human plasma.
Effects of circulating norepinephrine on platelet, leukocyte and red blood cell counts by alpha1-adrenergic stimulation

Abstract In the past, norepinephrine (NE) has generally been considered to serve more as a neurotransmitter than as a a hormone. 1 This notion has been based largely on studies of intermediary metabolism and glucose counterregulation. However, from the point of view of the cardiovascular system, the potential humoral role of NE may have been underestimated. We 2 and others 3 have demonstrated that circulating NE is important in regulating renal renin release. We have also found a consistent increase in hematocrit during NE infusion, 2 and have reasoned that if circulating NE is a true "stress hormone," then stress-related increases in platelet and leukocyte counts could also be NE-dependent. The obvious implications for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality prompted these preliminary studies to investigate hormonal effects of NE on blood elements.
Modulation of radiation-induced apoptosis by lazaroids

Lazaroids (21-aminosteroids) are a novel class of compounds specifically designed to inhibit the iron-dependent lipid peroxidation associated with reperfusion injury. In the present study, we compared the effect of several lazaroids on radiation-induced apoptosis in explanted rat thymocytes and cultured murine lymphoma cells irradiated in vitro. An assay for the DNA fragmentation specific for apoptosis indicated that the lazaroids U-74500A, U-75412E, and U-74389F when dissolved in ethanol protected rat thymocytes and that U-75412E when dissolved in 10% cyclodextrin protected lymphoma cells. Additional experiments were conducted to ascertain which of the mechanisms associated with lazaroids were responsible for the inhibition of apoptosis. Other, nonsteroid inhibitors of lipid peroxidation—cysteamine, Desferal, and α-tocopherol—displayed no ability to inhibit apoptosis, suggesting that the steroid moiety of the lazaroid molecule was the active component. This was confirmed by showing that the nonglucocorticoid steroid testosterone inhibited radiation-induced apoptosis in these cell systems. Thus, lazaroids may inhibit apoptosis by interfering with specific functions of the cell membrane that are required for the manifestation of apoptosis and not by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. We conclude that lazaroids may be useful agents for blocking radiation injury in normal tissues, but this will require confirmation in animal systems. Radiat Oncol Invest 1996;4:66–73. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characterization of hydrogen-permselective microporous ceramic membranes

Abstract A series of Si-modified membranes were prepared by chemical vapor deposition using 40 A γ-alumina tubular membranes as supports. Their hydrogen permeance ranged from 0.028 to 17.6 m3/m2 h atm and H2/N2 selectivity (permeance ratio) ranged from 12.6 to 72 at 600°C. The selectivity to isobutane ranged from 40 to 240 at 300°C and could be higher at a higher temperature. Compared with similar membranes documented in the literature. these membranes exhibited “order-of-magnitude” improvement in the permeance while maintaining a moderate selectivity. These membranes could be ideal for industrial gas separations and catalytic reactions handling a large volume of streams. Hindrance diffusion through micropores (i.e.,5 A) and Knudsen diffusion through larger pores were suggested separation mechanisms for these modified membranes. These mechanisms coupled with hypothetical pore size distributions were tested satisfactorily with a wide range of permeation behaviors delivered by a series of membranes with different microporous structures. Specifically, they explained the subtle permeation difference between hydrogen and helium, and the relative contribution between hindrance and Knudsen diffusion for nitrogen. Separations of gas mixtures containing hydrogen were confirmed similar to the ideal separations determined by single components. The modified membranes were thermally stable at 600 °C. The hydrothermal stability test indicated that the membrane structure approached a new steady state immediately after exposing to moisture.
Worldwide Locomotion [Transportation Systems]

Honolulu, Hawaii received 12 proposals for their fixed guideway transit system. Once before, Honolulu had planned to build a rail transit system, but in 1992, the City Council killed the project by a vote of 5-4.
Recent advances in infant cognition: Implications for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation studies

The assessment of cognitive function in early life has recently become an issue for consideration in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) supplementation studies. This article reviews the various means by which such assessment has been done in past LC-PUFA supplementation studies and provides some background on recent advances in the measurement of infant cognition that may need to be considered when planning or designing future supplementation studies. These include (i) consideration of the specificity of LC-PUFA effects on cognition, (ii) inclusion of multiple tasks or levels of measurement as outcome measures, and (iii) a stronger emphasis on developmental processes in the design of such studies.
Metabolic hypoxia: accumulation of tyrosine metabolites in hepatocytes at low pO2.

Abstract The concentrations of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate and homogentisate were measured in suspensions of isolated hepatocytes incubated in several fixed O2 concentrations (1.4–210 μM). Metabolite concentrations, estimated by both optical spectroscopic assays and by gas-liquid chromatography, were found to be dependent upon O2 concentration below 70 μM.
Isolated Pleural Effusion in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Favorable Prognosis: A Review of the Southwest Oncology Group Experience

The currently accepted staging system for small cell lung cancer considers patients who present with a pleural effusion as having extensive disease, but no series of such patients has been reported. Between 1974 and 1980, 56 patients with ipsilateral pleural effusion as the only evidence of metastatic spread beyond the primary tumor and regional nodes were placed on three consecutive Southwest Oncology Group studies of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer. Effusions were cytology-positive in 24: response rates and survival were not different whether cytology was positive or negative. The overall response rate was 77 percent, with 36 percent who achieved complete response, a result comparable to that for patients with limited disease. The survival of effusion “only” patients did not differ significantly among the studies. Median survival of 54 weeks and survival curve for the effusion “only” group as a whole was identical to that of all patients classed as having limited disease by the usual criteria. Long-term disease-free survival was observed just as commonly: 2/17 patients from the first study have disease-free survival at greater than five years, and overall disease-free survival at greater than two years is 22 percent Performance status does not explain the favorable survival in this subgroup, since only 55 percent of effusion patients were fully ambulatory (comparable to extensive disease patients as a group) and even fully ambulatory patients with extensive disease rarely had disease-free survival greater than two years. Patients with ipsilateral pleural effusion as their only evidence of metastasis should be staged as having limited disease.
The Importance of Marketing in the Library and Information Science Curriculum

SUMMARY Marketing consists of finding, diagnosing and filling the needs of relevant clientele through mutually beneficial exchange relationships, and doing so better than one's competitors. Marketing is important in the curriculum because the curriculum is a market offering to students, employers, funders, and other clientele. During the first half of the twentieth century, institutional and production models dominated the curriculum, despite an undercurrent marketing movement that centered on clientele research. Contemporary library and information science curricula are more marketing oriented, but have yet to bridge the divide between system-centered approaches and clientele-centered approaches. A stronger marketing orientation appears to be emerging in the avant-garde information schools, as they promote the development of information cybermarketing, digital libraries, effective human-computer interfaces, and user-centered paradigms. Ultimately, the objective of marketing is to fill clientele needs so ...