cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BLEACHING OF PURPLE MEMBRANE WITH O‐SUBSTITUTED HYDROXYLAMINES

Abstract The retinal Schiff base of bacteriorhodopsin, in the purple membrane from Halobacterium halobium, can be cleaved by hydroxylamine in the presence of light. We have further investigated this reaction with a series of O-substituted hydroxylamines, RONH2, where R = -H (HA), -CH3 (MHA), -SO3− (HAS), benzyl- (BHA), p-nitrobenzyl- (NBHA), and pentafluorobenzyl- (FBHA). All except MHA caused light-induced bleaching of the purple membrane and the chromophore could be regenerated from apomembrane and all-trans retinal. Relative bleaching rate constants were obtained from V=QIak0X/(kr+k0X), where V= bleaching rate, Q= quantum yield, Ia = absorbed light intensity, X= hydroxylamine concentration, k0= rate constant for bleaching and kr= rate constant for return of photoexcited bacteriorhodopsin to the initial state. This equation fits the time-, concentration- and intensity-dependences of the bleaching reactions in 0.02 M phosphate, pH 7.0. The rate constants k0 relative to HA were: MHA: 0; HAS: 0.3; HA: 1.0; BHA: 1.8; FBHA: 10.1; NBHA: 10.8. The relative rate constants do not correlate with the basicity of the derivatives. Instead, the results suggest that the retinal Schiff base is near a non-polar cavity into which an aromatic group can be inserted.
Optimal Design of Consumer Contest

A consumer contest is a sales promotion technique that requires participants to apply certain skills as they compete for prizes or awards. This article is the first to employ a game-theoretical approach to investigate consumer contest design issues, including prize structure, segmentation, and handicapping. First, the authors find that both skill distribution and the number of contestants play an important role in determining the optimal prize structure in consumer contests. Specifically, if the skill distribution has the increasing hazard-rate property, it is optimal for a marketer to use a winner-take-all design. In large contests, for the winner-take-all approach to be optimal, it suffices to have the increasing hazard-rate property only at the high end of the skill distribution. Second, increasing contest size is beneficial to the marketer. Third, a less dispersive skill distribution leads to higher consumption by consumers at all skill levels and thus is beneficial to the marketer. The marketer may achieve less dispersive skill distributions by (1) segmenting or screening contestants according to their skill levels and (2) adopting a performance evaluation scheme that handicaps high-skilled contestants.
Monitoring species richness and abundance of shorebirds in the western Great Basin

Broad-scale avian surveys have been attempted within North America with mixed results. Arid regions, such as the Great Basin, are often poorly sampled because of the vastness of the region, inaccessibility of sites, and few ornithologists. In addition, extreme variability in wetland habitat conditions present special problems for conducting censuses of species inhabiting these areas. We examined these issues in assessing multi-scale shorebird (order: Charadriiformes) censuses conducted in the western Great Basin from 1992-1997. On ground surveys, we recorded 31 species of shorebirds, but were unable to accurately estimate population size. Conversely, on aerial surveys we were able to estimate regional abundance of some shorebirds, but were unable to determine species diversity. Aerial surveys of three large alkali lakes in Oregon (Goose, Summer, and Abert Lakes) revealed > 300,000 shorebirds in one year of this study, of which 67% were American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) and 30% phalaropes (Phalaropus spp.). These lakes clearly meet Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network guidelines for designation as important shorebird sites. Based upon simulations of our monitoring effort and the magnitude and variation of numbers of American Avocets, detection of 5-10% negative declines in populations of these birds would take a minimum of 7-23 years of comparable effort. We conclude that a combination of ground and aerial surveys must be conducted at multiple sites and years and over a large region to obtain an accurate picture of the diversity, abundance, and trends of shorebirds in the western Great Basin.
Time-domain mechanical models for SMA pseudoelastic damping behavior

A series of mechanism-based phenomenological models, comprising of springs and friction elements, are presented for the pseudoelastic damping behavior of Shape Memory Alloys. The constitutive equations and a method for identifying the parameters from experimental hysteresis cycles are presented for each of the models. Comparisons are made with an existing phenomenological model. Unlike the thermodynamic-based models, the present models do not require calculation of austenite- martensite phase transformations. The mechanical analogies provide a strong physical basis to the models, and clear relationships are established between the unlocking of the friction elements and the occurrence of phase transformation.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Effect of Federal Davis-Bacon and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Regulations on Highway Maintenance Costs:

The author compares winning bids on state and federal highway maintenance projects in Colorado between 2000 and 2011 to determine whether federal prevailing wage and disadvantaged business enterpri...
Recovering Heading for Visually Guided Navigation in the Presence of Self-Moving Objects

I present a model for recovering the direction of heading of an observer who is moving relative to a scene that may contain self-moving objects. The model builds upon the work of Rieger & Lawton (1985) and Longuet-Higgins & Prazdny (1981), whose approach uses velocity differences computed in regions of high depth variation to locate the focus of expansion that indicates the observer's heading direction. We present the results of computer simulations with natural and artificial images and relate the behaviour of the model to psychophysical observations regarding heading judgements.
The inhibition of glandular kallikrein by peptide analog antagonists of bradykinin

Abstract Bradykinin sequence analog receptor antagonists exhibit at their carboxyl termini features which contribute to the affinity of peptide inhibitors of glandular kallikreins. These features include a preference for L-Arg over L-Lys at position P1 and bulky D-amino acids at P3. There is minimal steric restriction at P2. Three representative receptor antagonists were examined for their capacity to inhibit the amidolytic activity of human urinary kallikrein (HUK). The K i values for B4307 (DArg-Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Thi-Ser-DPhe-Thi-Arg), B4308 (Lys-Lys-Arg-Hyp-Hyp-Gly-Thi-Ser-DPhe-Thi-Arg), and B3852 (Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Phe-Ser-DPhe-Phe-Arg) are 0.5, 0.3 and 2.5 μM, respectively. B4308 and B3852 were also shown to inhibit rat urinary kallikrein with K i 's of 1.0 and 5.5 μM. In the estrous rat uterus assay, 0.4 to 1.6 μM quantities of B4308 gave 5 to 10 times as much inhibition of contractile activity when added at the beginning of the incubation of HUK with human low molecular weight kininogen than when added upon addition of the mixture to the organ bath. These antagonists may inhibit the kallikrein-kinin system not only by blocking the binding of kinins to their receptor(s) but also by inhibiting the release of kinins from kininogens.
IN VIVO PROPERTIES OF THE SKIN OF INFANTS

A procedure has been developed for biaxially loading and subsequently measuring and calculating stress vs. strain curves for in vivo human akin. The stress-strain-time response of skin was measured in normal newborn infants to evaluate its visco-elastic properties. This has been done to establish normal values for comparison with skin of infants with dehydration and other problems which affect skin properties. The data are expressed in terms of 2 material constants, C and K, which have been mathematically derived and validated in young human adults. C and K represent the low and high stress components of stress-strain curves respectively. The low stress segment of the curves previously has been shown to be determined by the ground substance and elastic fiber components of the skin and the high stress segment is determined by the collagen fiber network. From tests performed on the upper back, chest, abdomen and thighs of full term normal newborns, normal values of C and K have been established. These appear to be similar to those obtained from the akin of young adults. These established values in normal infants serve as a basis for comparison of findings in low birth weight infants and those infants with dehydration, edema and local trauma due to electrodes used for monitoring.
Capillary sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of proteins I. Reproducibility and stability

Abstract This paper investigates the use of a non-cross-linked polymer gel as a separation matrix for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) capillary gel electrophoresis of proteins. The method employs a polyacrylamide coated capillary filled with a polyethylene oxide-gel buffer solution. A standard seven-protein mixture was chosen for the evaluation of coating stability and reproducibility. It was found that the coating is stable for more than 400 runs with a 1 M HCl wash between each run. The hydrophilic nature of polyethylene oxide also allows high resolution and high efficiency for all protein peaks. The linear plot of log Mr vs. mobility demonstrates a pure sieving mechanism of polyethylene oxide matrices. The molecular masses of twenty-nine standard proteins determined by SDS capillary gel electrophoresis are in good agreement with those obtained from the SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) slab gel method. The capability to replace the gel after each run allows improved run-to-run and batch-to-batch reproducibility. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) in migration time of 19 injections of the seven-protein standard mixture, with the 190 injections of crude fetal calf serum in between, falls in the range of 0.351 to 0.453%. The application of this technique for the separation of proteins in chicken egg white and bovine milk is demonstrated.
Weave pattern of accessory heads to the anterior digastric muscle

During routine anatomical dissection, we discovered bilateral superficial and deep heads of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle with concomitant accessory heads arranged in a weave pattern in the submental triangle. In addition, the left stylohyoid muscle coursed deep into the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle bellies.
Patterns of fecal hormones in a fenced population of white-tailed deer†

Analysis of voided feces has become a popular method of monitoring physiological parameters of many wildlife species. During the breeding seasons of 2006–2007 and 2007–2008, we collected fecal samples to determine concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid (FG) and fecal testosterone (FT) metabolites in a fenced population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The purpose of the study was to determine how concentrations of FG and FT metabolites fluctuated throughout the breeding season, whether there was a difference between males and females, and whether there was a relationship between the two hormones. FG and FT metabolites of males peaked during the rut, while female glucocorticoid levels remained relatively stable throughout the breeding season. We also observed a significant positive correlation between FG and FT metabolites. During the pre-rut and rut, males that exhibit high testosterone also had elevated glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, but in the post-rut there was no relationship between FT and FG concentrations. We hypothesize that the effect of testosterone on glucocorticoid secretion is partially a result of testosterone-induced behavior, and not strictly a physiological link between the two hormones. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Maximum theorems for convex structures with an application to the theory of optimal intertemporal allocation

Abstract A mathematical result often used in economic theory, is Berge's Maximum Theorem. This establishes continuity of the value function and upper semicontinuity of the maximizers' correspondence. However, the theorem requires the return function and the feasible correspondence to be continuous. For some applications in economics, it is difficult to justify these strong continuity requirements but quite possible to explain some ‘convex structures’ to the problem. The main purpose of this paper is to present a maximum theorem under convex structures but with weaker continuity requirements. We then illustrate the usefulness of our results by an application to a problem encountered in the theory of optimal intertemporalallocation.
Rigid polyurethane foams made from high viscosity soy-polyols

This study investigated the physical properties of water-blown rigid polyurethane (PU) foams made from VORANOL®490 (petroleum-based polyether polyol) mixed with 0–50% high viscosity (13,000–31,000 cP at 22°C) soy-polyols. The density of these foams decreased as the soy-polyol percentage increased. The compressive strength decreased, decreased and then increased, or remained unchanged and then increased with increasing soy-polyol percentage depending on the viscosity of the soy-polyol. Foams made from high viscosity (21,000–31,000 cP) soy-polyols exhibited similar or superior density-compressive strength properties to the control foam made from 100% VORNAOL® 490. The thermal conductivity of foams containing soy-polyols was slightly higher than the control foam. The maximal foaming temperatures of foams slightly decreased with increasing soy-polyol percentage. Micrographs of foams showed that they had many cells in the shape of sphere or polyhedra. With increasing soy-polyol percentage, the cell size decreased, and the cell number increased. Based on the analysis of isocyanate content and compressive strength of foams, it was concluded that rigid PU foams could be made by replacing 50% petroleum-based polyol with a high viscosity soy-polyol resulting in a 30% reduction in the isocyanate content. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
People search for meaning when they approach a new decade in chronological age

Although humans measure time using a continuous scale, certain numerical ages inspire greater self-reflection than others. Six studies show that adults undertake a search for existential meaning when they approach a new decade in age (e.g., at ages 29, 39, 49, etc.) or imagine entering a new epoch, which leads them to behave in ways that suggest an ongoing or failed search for meaning (e.g., by exercising more vigorously, seeking extramarital affairs, or choosing to end their lives).
Spectrum and Relative Intensities of Interstellar OH Lines

Frequencies, relative intensities and transition probabilities of interstellar OH microwave spectral lines
Comparison of blood concentrations of 1,3-butadiene and butadiene epoxides in mice and rats exposed to 1,3-butadiene by inhalation

1,3-Butadiene (BD), an important commodity chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber, is carcinogenic in B6C3F1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats, raising concern for potential carcinogenicity in humans. Mice are more sensitive than rats to the carcinogenic effects of BD. Metabolic activation of BD to form the putative DNA-reactive metabolites, butadiene monoxide (BMO) and butadiene diepoxide (BDE), is mediated by cytochrome P450. Detoxication of the epoxides occurs by glutathione S-transferase-catalyzed conjugation with glutathione and hydrolysis by epoxide hydrolase. Species differences in metabolic activation and detoxication most likely contribute to the difference in carcinogenic potency of BD by modulating the circulating blood levels of the epoxides. This study measured the in vivo concentrations of BD, BMO and BDE in the blood of male Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice during and following 6 h nose-only exposure to inhaled BD at 62.5, 625 or 1250 p.p.m. BD. Blood samples for BD and BMO (> or = 3 samples/time point) were collected at 2, 3, 4 and 6 h of exposure. Blood samples for BDE were collected at 3 and 6 h of exposure. After exposure, blood samples for BD, BMO and BDE were collected at 2-10 min intervals up to 30 min post-exposure. BD was quantified by gas chromatography using a vial headspace equilibration technique. BD epoxides were extracted into methylene chloride and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentration of BD in blood was not directly proportional to the inhaled concentration of BD, suggesting that the uptake of BD was saturable at the highest inhaled concentration. In both rats and mice, BD and BMO blood levels were at steady-state at 2, 3, 4 and 6 h of exposure, and declined rapidly after removal from exposure to BD. Steady-state blood concentrations of BD were 2.4, 37 and 58 microM in mice and 1.3, 18 and 37 microM in rats exposed to 62.5, 625 and 1250 p.p.m. BD respectively. Both species formed BMO from BD. In mice the respective steady-state BMO concentrations in blood were 0.6, 3.7 and 8.6 microM, compared to BMO blood concentrations in rats of 0.07, 0.94 and 1.3 microM. Mice, but not rats, had quantifiable levels of BDE in the blood. The peak concentrations of BDE in the blood of mice at 6 h were 0.65, 1.9 and 2.5 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Saccades in Huntington's disease Initiation defects and distractibility

We recorded saccadic eye movements in patients mildly affected with Huntington's disease. Most showed an increase in saccade latencies that was greater for saccades made on command than to the sudden appearance of a visual target. All patients showed excessive distractibility during attempted fixation. They had particular difficulty suppressing a saccade to a suddenly appearing visual target when simultaneously trying to initiate a saccade in the opposite direction. Our results are compatible with a posited role of the basal ganglia in both the initiation of volitional saccades and in the maintenance of fixation. Saccade abnormalities--especially distractibility--are sensitive but probably not specific indicators of Huntington's disease.
Institutional and/versus commercial media coverage: representations of the University of California, Berkeley–Novartis agreement

In 1998, a contract was signed between the University of California at Berkeley (UCB) and Novartis in which the latter agreed to give UCB's Department of Plant and Microbial Biology US$25 million over a five year period. This Agreement was the foundation for debates that split the university over issues related to corporate control of the university, the environmental and social consequences of biotechnology, intellectual property rights, and academic freedom. This paper investigates the ways in which the Agreement was presented within the public relations office of UCB and the popular press, as well as reactions to that coverage. Data were collected through archival and web-based searches and interviews with individuals connected to the Agreement.
Comparative proteomics based on stable isotope labeling and affinity selection

Disease, external stimuli (such as drugs and toxins), and mutations cause changes in the rate of protein synthesis, post-translational modification, inter-compartmental transport, and degradation of proteins in living systems. Recognizing and identifying the small number of proteins involved is complicated by the complexity of biological extracts and the fact that post-translational alterations of proteins can occur at many sites in multiple ways. It is shown here that a variety of new tools and methods based on internal standard technology are now being developed to code globally all peptides in control and experimental samples for quantification. The great advantage of these stable isotope-labeling strategies is that mass spectrometers can rapidly target those proteins that have changed in concentration for further analysis. When coupled to stable isotope quantification, targeting can be further focused through chromatographic selection of peptide classes on the basis of specific structural features. Targeting structural features is particularly useful when they are unique to types of regulation or disease. Differential displays of targeted peptides show that stimulus-specific markers are relatively easy to identify and will probably be diagnostically valuable tools.
Effects of chronic diabetes on 2-deoxy-D-glucose induced feeding and drinking.

Abstract Chronic diabetes, induced by alloxan treatment, was found to totally attenuate the normal facilatory effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on feeding and drinking in rats. Following the administration of eight units of protamine zinc insulin, diabetic animals decreased their daily food and water intake. Since the daily food intake of insulin-treated diabetic rats was increased by 2-DG, it is hypothetized that 2-DG acts upon insulin-dependent receptors to produced feeding.
The second process of peer review: Some correlates of comments published in the ASR (1947–1979)

Several studies have demonstrated that such factors as area of specialization, and the age, rank, years of experience and prestige background of authors affect the publication of scientific research. This study examines the impact of these variables on the probability that published articles will receive critical comment. The data for the study are based on information gathered on the authors of 477 articles and comments published in theAmerican Sociological Review over a 33 year period (1947–1979). Results show that area of specialization is a major factor influencing the probability of an article being commented on. Articles written in the areas of theory/history of social thought and quantitative methods receive a disproportionately higher percentage of comments; while articles in such areas as community, social psychology and marriage and family receive far fewer comments. None of the five demographic and prestige characteristics of article authors was found to significantly discriminate between those articles that either had or had not been commented on. And finally, journal article comments are shown to either enhance or diminish an article's likelihood of later being cited, depending upon the speciality area in which that article is written.
Strategies to generate antibodies capable of distinguishing between proteins with >90% amino acid identity.

Protein engineering is a common strategy for the generation of protein variants with new properties. The engineered variants often have a high degree of similarity with the wild-type progenitor protein, necessitating a tool (e.g., antibody) to distinguish the wild-type and variant protein forms. As part of an overall effort to understand the process of incorporation of amino acids into storage proteins during seed fill in soybean, we have engineered a variant of soybean vegetative storage protein β (VSPβ) that is 91.8% identical in amino acid sequence to the wild-type protein, but contains 10% methionine (VSPβ-Met, unpublished results). Thus, it would be desirable to have antibodies that specifically recognize VSPβ-Met over the endogenously expressed wild-type protein in transgenic plants. To this end, we compared three strategies for the isolation of VSPβ-Met-specific antibodies: (1) hybridoma production using VSPβ-Met protein as the antigen, (2) polyclonal antibody production in rabbits using a peptide antigen corresponding to a methionine-rich region of VSPβ-Met, and (3) subtractive immunization in mice using VSPβ-WT as the tolerogen, cyclophosphamide for immunosuppression and VSPβ-Met as the immunogen. While the first strategy generated antibodies cross-reactive to both antigens, the second strategy generated polyclonal antibodies that preferentially recognized the variant protein in immunoblots. However, using subtractive immunization, we were able to generate mouse polyclonal antibodies that exhibited 10-fold greater reactivity with VSPβ-Met than VSPβ-WT in an ELISA.
System Performance of an Indirect Collector Storage Preheater in Series With a Conventional Electric Resistance Water Heater

Solar integral collector storage (ICS) devices are a potentially low cost means of displacing a portion of the energy required for domestic water heating. However, since ICS systems are rarely used as a stand-alone system and are more typically utilized as a preheater for conventional water heaters, it is imperative to analyze the overall water heating system in order to determine the advantage of any improvements in the thermal performance of the ICS component. In particular, this paper analyzes the performance of a solar ICS heater, in divided and undivided storage configurations, in series with a conventional electric resistance water heater (ERWH) for a range of ICS storage volumes, heat exchanger NTU, initial ICS temperature, and ERWH storage volumes. The undivided storage configuration corresponds to the typical UPICS system whereas the divided storage configuration corresponds to a recently proposed concept for improving the thermal performance of the ICS device. The results show that the ICS preheater does provide significant increases in solar fraction when adequately sized. Although comparison of the divided to undivided storage concept, with the same total ICS storage volume, shows only modest gains of 5–10% in solar fraction, the ICS storage volume necessary to attain the same solar fraction is much less for the divided storage concept. The smaller required storage volume would, in turn, enable faster charging times and potentially higher initial temperatures thereby leading to even further improvements in overall system performance.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Long thoracic nerve block

Seven patients with intractable pain of the lateral chest wall under the axilla appeared to have pain originating from spasm of the serratus anterior muscle. A long thoracic nerve block to interrupt selectively the innervation to this muscle could confirm this diagnosis, but a review of the literatu
On the range of recurrent Markov chains

Abstract Let { X n } 0 ∞ be an irreducible recurrent Markov Chain on the nonnegative integers. A result of Chosid and Isaac (1978) gives a sufficient condition for n −1 R n → 0 w.p.1. where R n is the range of the chain. We give an alternative proof using Kingman's subadditive ergodic theorem (Kingman, 1973). Some examples are also given.
Hybrid allocation mechanisms for publicly provided goods

Abstract Motivated by efficiency and equity concerns, public resource managers have increasingly utilized hybrid allocation mechanisms that combine features of commonly used price (e.g., auction) and non-price (e.g., lottery) mechanisms. This study serves as an initial investigation of these hybrid mechanisms, exploring theoretically and experimentally how the opportunity to obtain a homogeneous good in a subsequent lottery affects Nash equilibrium bids in discriminative and uniform price auctions. The lottery imposes an opportunity cost to winning the auction, systematically reducing equilibrium auction bids. In contrast to the uniform price auction, equilibrium bids in the uniform price hybrid mechanism vary with bidder risk preferences. Experimental evidence suggests that the presence of the lottery and risk attitudes (elicited through a preceding experiment) impact auction bids in the directions predicted by theory. Finally, we find that theoretically and experimentally, the subsequent lottery does not compromise the efficiency of the auction component of the hybrid mechanisms.
Simultaneous Inversion of Velocity and Density Profiles

Abstract : The multidimensional inverse scattering problem for an acoustic medium is considered within the homogeneous background Born approximation. The objective is to reconstruct simultaneously the velocity and density profiles of the medium. The medium is probed by wide-band plane-wave sources, and the time traces observed at the receivers are appropriately filtered to obtain generalized projections of the velocity and density scattering potentials, which are related to the velocity and density variations in the medium. The generalized projections are weighted integrals of the scattering potentials; in the two-dimensional geometry the weighting functions are concentrated along parabolas. The reconstruction problem for the generalized projections is formulated in a way similar to the problem of x-ray, or straight- line tomography. The solution is expressed as a back-projection operation followed by a two dimensional space-invariant filtering operation. In the Fourier domain, the resulting image is a inlinear combination of the velocity and density scattering potentials, where the coefficients depend on the angle of incidence of the probing wave. Therefore, two or more different angles of incidence are necessary to solve for the velocity and density scattering potentials separately. The technique of defining a back-projection operator and relating it to the unknown medium for the case of zero-offset problems,, where projections over circles arise, was introduced by Fawcett (1985). With a similar technique, Ozbek & Levy (1987) solved the velocity inversion problem in constant-density acoustic media under plane-wave illumination, where parabolic projections are the data. This work extends this work to the joint reconstruction of velocity and density. Only the 2D case is presented here, for the 3D case and more detailed development, see Ozbek & Levy (1988).
Interactive Cycle Analysis

A new Interactive Cycle System has been developed by General Electric’s Aircraft Engine Business Group for the cycle analysis and performance optimization of conceptual and preliminary engine designs. This paper will explore some of the considerations in moving from a large, well-known, batch, detailed design, modeling system to a low-cost, flexible, responsive, user-friendly, interactive cycle analysis system. The resulting system utilizes menu screens for user input and data review, a modular program structure with stacking of modules to achieve the desired engine configuration, a library of component characteristics augmented by parametric component map generators, and an interpretive reader to permit real-time logic creation without the need for compiling.Copyright © 1986 by ASME
Detection of grating patterns containing two spatial frequencies: A comparison of single-channel and multiple-channels models

Abstract Contrast thresholds were measured for gratings containing two superimposed sinusoidal components. The frequency of one component was always three times that of the other, but the phase between components and the ratio of their contrasts took on several values. Two models of pattern vision were tested (1) a single-channel model in which pattern vision is a function of a single neural network and (2) a multiple-channels model in which the stimulus information is processed by many channels, each sensitive to a narrow range of spatial frequencies. Results support the multiple-channels and reject the single-channel model.
ELECTRICALLY HEATED GLASS ANNEALING LEHR1

Time-temperature data relating to relaxation of stresses.—Existing time-temp, data covering the relaxation of stresses in annealing of glass has been assembled. Range, control, and distribution of temp. are important factors in annealing. The annealing time was reduced from 5 to 2.3 hours when temp. var. was reduced from 10° to 2.5°C, in the case of one glass whose annealing temp. was 476°. Electric heat secures perfect anneal in shortened time.—Electric heat with its automatic control holds temp. within +0.6 per cent in ranges required for annealing, as shown by tests, even when the temp. changes 23° per hour and when the annealing treatmat (as for optical glass) covers a month in time. Vertical Lehr superior to horizontal type.—Electrically heated lehrs of horizontal and vertical types are discussed. The vertical lehr offers many apparent advantages and a higher thermal efficiency. A particular lehr of 500–600 Ibs. ware capacity per hour, shows efficiencies in ratio of 6 to 10 in favor of electric lehr of vertical type. Tests made on an electrically heated vertical lehr annealing high grade ware showed a reduction in cost of manufactured part of 20 per cent, or more than 75 times total cost of electric power consumed.
Acute and chronic methyl mercury poisoning impairs rat adrenal and testicular function

Animals poisoned with methyl mercury (CH 3 Hg) exhibit stress intolerance and decreased sexual activity, which suggest both adrenal and testicular dysfunction. Adrenal and testicular function was studied in male rats after treatment with CH 3 Hg. In animals treated chronically, the adrenal glands were markedly hyperplastic with enlargement of the zona fasciculata. The mean basal serum levels of corticosterone were similar in experimental (17.8 μg/dl) and control (16.8 μg/dl) groups. However, with ether stress, experimental animals had a subnormal response, and the mean serum levels of corticosterone increased to only 23.9 μg/dl compared to 40.6 μg/dl in the controls. Exogenous ACTH stimulation produced a mean level of 19.0 μg/dl in the CH 3 Hg‐treated animals and 49.7 μg/dl in the controls. In vitro studies demonstrated a defect in the conversion of cholesterol to pregneno/one. A profound impairment in swimming was partially reversed with glucocorticoid therapy. In animals treated with CH 3 Hg, serum test...
Serial FDG-PET studies in the prediction of survival in patients with primary brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the changes in tumor [18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on serial FDG-PET studies and the ability of serial FDG-PET studies to predict survival in patients with treated and untreated primary brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population included 20 patients with primary brain tumors. Changes in FDG uptake over time were visually assessed and correlated with clinical course and survival. RESULTS Although little change in FDG uptake was noted for individual patients, high average FDG uptake (greater than or equal to gray matter) on serial studies was associated with shorter survival. Patients with persistently low FDG uptake (less than gray matter) survived significantly longer than patients with persistently high FDG uptake (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION Serial evaluation of metabolic activity with PET may provide more accurate prognostic information than a single FDG uptake determination in patients with primary brain tumors.
Blood-brain barrier glucose transporter mRNA is increased in experimental diabetes mellitus.

Abstract The blood-brain barrier (BBB) glucose transporter activity in vivo is known to be down-regulated in experimental diabetes mellitus. To determine whether parallel changes in BBB glucose transporter mRNA levels occur in experimental diabetes we isolated brain microvessels, which make up the BBB in vivo, from both control and experimental diabetic rats. Microvessel RNA fractions were isolated by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation and were applied to 1.1% agarose gels for Northern blotting. The blots were probed with [32P]-labeled cDNAs corresponding to the rat brain glucose transporter and a cDNA to α-actin was used to monitor the transcript level of a typical housekeeping gene. The study was repeated three times and, in all cases, the BBB glucose transporter mRNA level was increased in experimental diabetes relative to control rats. These studies suggest that factors associated with experimental diabetes mellitus in rats lead to either an increased transcription or a decreased degradation of brain capillary glucose transporter mRNA.
Spatial and temporal variability in receiving water toxicity near an oil effluent discharge site

The distribution of point-source pollutants in the field can vary in both time and space. This study examined spatial and temporal patterns of toxicity from a produced water (an oil production effluent) discharge plume using a sea urchin fertilization toxicity test. Specifically, the sensitivity and response patterns of sea urchin gametes exposed to receiving waters sampled along a 1 Km transect near an active produced water outfall were tested. Fertilization success varied significantly with proximity to the outfall, with reduced fertilization found closer to the outfall. Although toxicity in receiving water samples, based on fertilization success, was variable in time—perhaps responding to variation in the quantity or make-up of produced water discharges–the general spatial pattern of toxicity along the transect remained relatively constant. The discharge plume was well established in the westerly direction throughout the experimental period. Toxicity data from samples of effluent and receiving waters, which were collected simultaneously, were used to determine the effective plume concentrations of produced water at seven sampling stations along a 1 km transect down-field from an active outfall. Strong evidence that field toxicity was directly attributable to the presence of produced water was provided by sampling the discharge plume during a period while the produced water discharge was not operating. During this period, no toxicity was found at any of the field sites.
Prenatal development of the human chief sensory trigeminal nucleus

The development of the chief (main or principal) sensory nucleus of V was studied in 27 human embryos and fetuses, 7 to 30 weeks of menstrual age (19 to 261 mm CR length). Nissl and protargol silver preparations were used. The chief sensory nucleus develops by the migration of neuroblasts from the neuroepithelium lateral to the sulcus limitans. Migrations occur cAUdally at levels of the entering sensory root fibers and posterior trigeminal nucleus in the 18 mm, 7-week embryo and later (24 mm, 8 weeks) at levels rostral to the motor nucleus of V. Cell differentiation within the nucleus progresses in a similar cAUdorostral sequence (cAUdally at 8.5 weeks, 27.4 mm and rostrally at 12.5 weeks, 65.5 mm) as well as in a dorsoventral sequence. Correlations between neuronal differentiation and functional activity indicate that the dorsal part of the chief sensory nucleus serves the maxillo-mandibular divisions and the ventral part serves the ophthalamic division of V. In general, the ontogenetic development of the human chief sensory nucleus and the phylogenetic development of this nucleus are comparable. At 7.5 weeks (20.7 mm) a group of better differentiated cells appears cAUdally in the dorsomedial region of the primitive chief sensory nucleus (level of the posterior trigeminal nucleus). In 8.5-week fetuses the cells of this group exhibit characteristics of functional neurons and form a distinct island. Neurons in this position remain the largest and best differentiated of those in the chief sensory nucleus throughout the fetal period studied. These large, dorsomedially located cells appear at progressively more rostral levels so that at 12.5 weeks they extend nearly to the rostral pole of the nucleus. It is suggested that these neurons constitute at least part of the supratrigeminal nucleus and that they serve as an integral part of the reflex arc concerned with mouth opening which occurs as a part of the total pattern response of the human fetus to perioral stimulation at 8.5 weeks and later with other reflex jaw muscle activity.
THE AGING OF THE AGED: CHALLENGES FOR GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS IN THE UNITED STATES

It comes as no surprise that global graying will be one of the most pressing issues of the coming century. The most rapidly growing age group in all developed countries is the one with persons aged 85 and older. Often referred to as the "oldest old", the aging of the aged reflects a universal concern being experienced in the United States as well as in other industrialized countries, such as Japan. This paper addresses the challenges that such changes present for gerontology and geriatrics. Contextual projections of population trends and of life expectancy, as well as actual health care costs and estimated government health care expenditures will be compared for the United States and for Japan. Among the geriatric challenges being confronted are (1) the need to separate aging from disease, (2) the need for more geriatric centers and available geriatricians to serve the aged, (3) the introduction of health care strategies of prevention and case management, (4) responses to the notion of health care rationing, and (5) the ultimate importance of research ranging from the biological and molecular to the behavioral, social, and health service delivery. Global aging presents a gerontological imperative that may best be understood by examining policy recommendations and future policy decisions.
Refractive Index Effects on Transient Cooling of a Semitransparent Radiating Layer

Refractive index effects are examined for transient cooling by radiation and conduction of a gray semitransparent layer. The layer is in a vacuum and so its heat loss is only by internal radiation leaving through its boundaries. Emission within the layer and energy reflected internally from its boundaries increase with the material refractive index. The reflected energy and heat conduction act to distribute energy across the layer and partially equalize the transient temperature distributions. For some conditions significant temperature gradients develop near the boundaries. The numerical solution method provides accurate transient temperature distributions in these regions so that the predicted radiative losses are not in error. An implicit finite difference procedure is used with nonuniform space and time increments. The integrals for the local radiative source in the energy equation are evaluated by Gaussian integration. a c D EI, N n q q,
From cognitive networks to seizures: Stimulus evoked dynamics in a coupled cortical network

Epilepsy is one of the most common neuropathologies worldwide. Seizures arising in epilepsy or in seizure disorders are characterized generally by uncontrolled spread of excitation and electrical activity to a limited region or even over the entire cortex. While it is generally accepted that abnormal excessive firing and synchronization of neuron populations lead to seizures, little is known about the precise mechanisms underlying human epileptic seizures, the mechanisms of transitions from normal to paroxysmal activity, or about how seizures spread. Further complication arises in that seizures do not occur with a single type of dynamics but as many different phenotypes and genotypes with a range of patterns, synchronous oscillations, and time courses. The concept of preventing, terminating, or modulating seizures and/or paroxysmal activity through stimulation of brain has also received considerable attention. The ability of such stimulation to prevent or modulate such pathological activity may depend on identifiable parameters. In this work, firing rate networks with inhibitory and excitatory populations were modeled. Network parameters were chosen to model normal working memory behaviors. Two different models of cognitive activity were developed. The first model consists of a single network corresponding to a local area of the brain. The second incorporates two networks connected through sparser recurrent excitatory connectivity with transmission delays ranging from approximately 3 ms within local populations to 15 ms between populations residing in different cortical areas. The effect of excitatory stimulation to activate working memory behavior through selective persistent activation of populations is examined in the models, and the conditions and transition mechanisms through which that selective activation breaks down producing spreading paroxysmal activity and seizure states are characterized. Specifically, we determine critical parameters and architectural changes that produce the different seizure dynamics in the networks. This provides possible mechanisms for seizure generation. Because seizures arise as attractors in a multi-state system, the system may possibly be returned to its baseline state through some particular stimulation. The ability of stimulation to terminate seizure dynamics in the local and distributed models is studied. We systematically examine when this may occur and the form of the stimulation necessary for the range of seizure dynamics. In both the local and distributed network models, termination is possible for all seizure types observed by stimulation possessing some particular configuration of spatial and temporal characteristics.
Statistical characterization of nanostructured materials from severe plastic deformation in machining

Endowing conventional microcrystalline materials with nanometer-scale grains at the surfaces can offer enhanced mechanical properties, including improved wear, fatigue, and friction properties, while simultaneously enabling useful functionalizations with regard to biocompatibility, osseointegration, electrochemical performance, etc. To inherit such multifunctional properties from the surface nanograined state, existing approaches often use coatings that are created through an array of secondary processing techniques (e.g., physical or chemical vapor deposition, surface mechanical attrition treatment, etc.). Obviating the need for such surface processing, recent empirical evidence has demonstrated the introduction of integral surface nanograin structures on bulk materials as a result of severe plastic deformation during machining-based processes. Building on these observations, if empirically driven, process–structure mappings can be developed, it may be possible to engineer enhanced nanoscale surface micr...
Production and ion uptake of Celosia argentea irrigated with saline wastewaters

Abstract The reuse of saline wastewaters and groundwaters becomes a viable option for the irrigation of salt tolerant floral crops as competition for high quality water increases. A completely randomized design with three replications was used to assess the effects of two water ionic compositions and six salinity levels on the production and mineral accumulation of two cultivars of Celosia argentea var. cristata (L.) Kuntze under greenhouse conditions. Ionic water compositions mimicked sea water and saline drainage waters of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys of California. Electrical conductivity levels included 2.5 (control), 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 12.0 dS m −1 . Seeds representing the two cultivars (“Chief Rose” and “Chief Gold”) were sown in 36 greenhouse sand tanks. Leaf mineral concentrations were determined 1 month from planting for Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , Cl − , total-S, and total-P. Phenotypic measurements were taken when plants were harvested after flowering. For both cultivars and ionic water compositions, concentrations for Ca 2+ , K + , and total-P decreased as salinity increased whereas Mg 2+ , Na + , and Cl − concentrations increased with increasing salinity. Significant two-way interactions were found between water ionic composition and salinity for all mineral concentrations for both cultivars ( P −1 in both water compositions. “Chief Rose” may be produced in salinity concentrations up to 10 dS m −1 for water compositions similar to the Imperial and Coachella Valleys and up to 8 dS m −1 for water compositions similar to sea water. Producing cut flowers in saline waters also reduces excessive stem length, which occurs when plants are grown in control treatments.