cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The calculation of an internal energy balance in the smelting of calcium carbide

The smelting of calcium carbide has always been plagued by eruptions, too often with serious injury or loss of life. To find their causes, the author calculated an internal energy balance using 1992 data for CaC2 and CaO, and older data for the remaining items. The heat content of the charge, and that of the hot gases formed at the reduction temperature, showed that only a fraction of its heat content can be supplied by these gases. Laboratory data on the electrical resistivity of fine mixtures of coke and non-conductive solids were extrapolated to a commercial carbide charge, and then used to calculate the heat produced by current flowing through the mix from the electrode surface to the hearth, which, under favourable conditions, sufficed to bring the charge to 1900 K and higher, at which temperatures reduction could take place. Necessary conditions were adequate conductivity and freedom from fines. When these conditions are not met, a part if the CaO may be reduced to calcium vapour rather than CaC2. At around 2350 K, this calcium gas can rise and react exothermically with carbon in the mix to form solid CaC2 within it, supplying the missing energy to the rest of the charge. Unfortunately, this high-calcium gas, if it fails to encounter enough carbon in a charge of low porosity, may blow a channel to the furnace top and react there with air or moisture to cause explosions; or else can blow out of an opened taphole, injuring the tapping crew. So the old rule to minimize fines in the mix is still the essential way to ensure a safe and profitable operation.
Zr-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution of Aliphatic Cyclic Allylic Ethers. Carbocycles to Heterocycles by Ru- and Mo-Catalyzed Ring-Opening and Ring-Closing Metathesis

The Zr-catalyzed kinetic resolution of aliphatic allylic ethers derived from five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered ring allylic alcohols is reported. The level of resolution efficiency varies as a function of ring size and substitution pattern of the pendant alkene. The metal-catalyzed transformation of the above unsaturated ethers to dihydrofurans is also disclosed. Seven- and eight-membered ring substrates are readily converted to furans in the presence of 10 mol % Ru catalyst 16. In contrast, the less reactive cyclopentenol systems demand the more potent Mo-based metathesis catalyst 3. The selectivity and reactivity patterns in the Zr-catalyzed process and the Ru- or Mo-catalyzed reactions differ from the previously reported reactions of the related styrenyl ethers.
Oxidative Elimination of H2 from [Cp‘2U(μ-OH)]2 To Form [Cp‘2U(μ-O)]2, Where Cp‘ Is 1,3-(Me3C)2C5H3 or 1,3-(Me3Si)2C5H3

This paper describes the unprecedented thermal decomposition reaction of a dimeric metal hydroxide shown in an equation. Since the net transformation involves elimination of hydrogen along with oxidation of the uranium metallocene from U(III) to U(IV), the reaction is an oxidative elimination. While examining the variable-temperature {sup 1}H NMR spectra of I-OH, we noticed that this compound decomposes at a reasonable rate at 100{degree}C to give a new set of resonances due to a U(IV) metallocene. The new resonances are due to the dimeric uranium oxide compound Cp{sub 4}U{sub 2}({mu}-O){sub 2} (I-O), as shown by independent synthesis. The elimination of H{sub 2} from two hydroxide ligands at first glance seems thermodynamically unreasonable since, in the first step of the reaction, an O-H bond of 119 kcal/mol is broken and a U-H bond of nearly 60-80 kcal/mol is formed. However, both uranium atoms are oxidized from U(III) to U(IV) in the first step of the net reaction. Since this oxidation potential is nearly 1.8 V, the oxidation adds about 80 kcal/mol to the reaction. 17 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Laminar Organization of FM Direction Selectivity in the Primary Auditory Cortex of the Free-Tailed Bat.

We studied the columnar and layer-specific response properties of neurons in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of six (4 females, 2 males) anesthetized free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis, in response to pure tones and down and upward FM (50 kHz bandwidth) sweeps. In addition, we calculated current source density (CSD) to test whether lateral intracortical projections facilitate neuronal activation in response to FM echoes containing spectrally distant frequencies from the excitatory frequency response area (FRA). Auditory responses to a set of stimuli changing in frequency and level were recorded along 64 penetrations in the left A1 of six free-tailed bats. FRA shapes were consistent across the cortical depth within a column and there were no obvious differences in tuning properties. Generally, response latencies were shorter (<10 ms) for cortical depths between 500-600 m, which might correspond to thalamocortical input layers IIIb-IV. Most units showed a stronger response to downward FM sweeps, and direction selectivity did not vary across cortical depth. CSD profiles calculated in response to the CF showed a current sink located at depths between 500-600 m. Frequencies lower than the frequency range eliciting a spike response failed to evoke any visible current sink. Frequencies higher than the frequency range producing a spike response evoked layer IV sinks at longer latencies that increased with spectral distance. These data support the hypothesis that progressive downward relay of spectral information spreads along the tonotopic axis of A1 via lateral connections, contributing to the neural processing of FM down sweeps used in biosonar.
Changes in Liver Stiffness, Measured by Magnetic Resonance Elastography, Associated With Hepatic Decompensation in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Background & Aims Single measurements of liver stiffness (LS) by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) have been associated with outcomes of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), but the significance of changes in LS over time are unclear. We investigated associations between changes in LS measurement and progression of PSC. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 204 patients with patients who underwent 2 MREs at a single center between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2018. We collected laboratory data and information on revised Mayo PSC risk and model for end-stage liver disease scores, the PSC risk estimate tool, and levels of aspartate transferase at the time of each MRE. The ΔLS/time was determined by the change in LS between the second MRE compared to the first MRE divided by the time between examinations. The primary endpoint was development of hepatic decompensation (ascites, variceal hemorrhage or hepatic encephalopathy). Results The median LS measurement was 2.72 kPa (interquartile range, 2.32–3.44 kPa) and the overall change in LS was 0.05 kPa/y. However, ΔLS/y was 10-fold higher in patients anticipated to have cirrhosis (0.31 kPa/y) compared to patients with no fibrosis (0.03 kPa/y). The median LS increased over time in patients who ultimately developed hepatic decompensation (0.60 kPa/y; interquartile range, 0.21–1.26 kPa/y) vs but remained static in patients who did not (reduction of 0.04/y; interquartile range, reductions of 0.26 to 0.17 kPa/y) (P Conclusions A single LS measurement and changes in LS over time are independently associated with hepatic decompensation in patients with PSC. However, changes in LS occur slowly in patients without advanced fibrosis or hepatic decompensation.
Neighborhood Ethnic Composition and Self-rated Health Among Chinese and Vietnamese American Immigrants.

Immigrants tend to live in areas with higher co-ethnic density, and the effect of neighborhood ethnic composition could be particularly salient for health. This study explored associations between neighborhood ethnic composition and self-rated health among Asian immigrants. We analyzed data collected at baseline from 670 Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants enrolled in a lifestyle intervention trial. Residential addresses were geocoded and combined with neighborhood socio-demographic profiles based on census data. We used generalized estimating equations to examine neighborhood ethnic composition and self-rated health. Independent of individual-level factors, living in neighborhoods more densely populated by whites was associated with poor/fair self-rated health. Neighborhood household income and density of participants’ own ethnic group were not associated with poor/fair self-rated health. More research is warranted to disentangle reasons why Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants living in white-concentrated neighborhoods reported poorer self-rated health, including investigating effects of discrimination, relative deprivation, and availability of social resources.
Establishing the Velocity of M-Protein Decline (VMD) Value in Response to Multiple Myeloma Therapy That Best Predicts M-Protein of Zero

Introduction: Serum M-protein levels, measured by serum immunoelectrophoresis, have been one of the major tests that determine the type of response to therapy in Multiple Myeloma. Achieving an M-protein of zero is one of the criteria determining complete remission which in turn translates into longer progression-free survival and overall survival. Triplet therapy tends to be the standard therapeutic approach in younger, fit, and transplant candidates. However, in older non-fit patients many oncologists start with doublets and only escalate to triplet combinations upon less optimal response. The predictive value of the velocity of the M-spike decline (VMD) has not been adequately studied. We conducted this study to find the optimal VMD that predicts a serum M-protein of zero. Methods: A sample of mostly non-fit older Multiple Myeloma patients was identified. All patients had regular serum protein electrophoresis with M-protein levels documented every 4-8 weeks until they achieved M-protein levels of zero, plateauing without attaining the target of zero, or rebounding with progression. Best-fit line or curve was constructed and the slope of the decline was calculated. VMD was defined as the slope of the best fit-curve/line. VMD values corresponding to the binary outcomes of achieving or failing to achieve an M-protein value of zero were collected. A ROC curve was constructed to determine the cut-off VMD value that best predicts the outcome of M-protein of zero. Results: A total of 47 patients of mostly non-fit older Multiple Myeloma patients were included in our final sample. The median age of the sample was 71 years. Thirteen percent had triplet therapy. Thirty four percent had proteasome inhibitor based combinations while 64% had IMiD based combinations. Fifty seven percent achieved the target M-protein level of zero while 43% failed. The area under the ROC curve, AUC, was 0.98 (p Conclusions: This exploratory study established the VMD value that best predicts the outcome of M-protein of zero in response to Multiple Myeloma therapy. This may be potentially used by oncologists to make early decisions regarding the need for further optimization or intensification of their therapeutic combinations as they treat their older non-fit Multiple Myeloma patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Analytic Representations of Tempered Distributions Using Wavelets

The properties of the analytic representations of distributions on the boundary of the unit disk are well understood. Trigonometric Fourier series constitute the principal tool used to construct and analyze them [5].
Exploration for olive fruit fly parasitoids across Africa reveals regional distributions and dominance of closely associated parasitoids.

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, has been a key pest of olives in Europe and North America. We conducted the largest exploration for parasitoids associated with the fly across Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa) including some of the fly’s adjoining regions (Canary Islands, Morocco, Reunion Island and Tunisia). From Sub-Saharan regions, four braconids were collected: Bracon celer, Psytallia humilis, P. lounsburyi, and Utetes africanus. Results showed that their regional dominance was related to climate niches, with P. humilis dominant in hot semi-arid areas of Namibia, P. lounsburyi dominant in more tropical areas of Kenya, and U. africanus prevalent in Mediterranean climates of South Africa. Psytallia concolor was found in the Canary Islands, Morocco and Tunisian, and the Afrotropical braconid Diachasmimorpha sp. near fullawayi on Reunion Island. Furthermore, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of the fly and parasitoids in Cape Province of South Africa. Results showed that fruit maturity, seasonal variations in climates and interspecific interactions shape the local parasitoid diversity that contribute to the low fly populations. The results are discussed with regard to ecological adaptations of closely associated parasitoids, and how their adaptations impact biocontrol.
In Silico Analysis of Functionalized Hydrocarbon Production Using Ehrlich Pathway and Fatty Acid Derivatives in an Endophytic Fungus

Functionalized hydrocarbons have various ecological and industrial uses, from signaling molecules and antifungal/antibacterial agents to fuels and specialty chemicals. The potential to produce functionalized hydrocarbons using the cellulolytic, endophytic fungus, Ascocoryne sarcoides, was quantified using genome-enabled, stoichiometric modeling. In silico analysis identified available routes to produce these hydrocarbons, including both anabolic- and catabolic-associated strategies, and determined correlations between the type and size of the hydrocarbons and culturing conditions. The analysis quantified the limits of the wild-type metabolic network to produce functionalized hydrocarbons from cellulose-based substrates and identified metabolic engineering targets, including cellobiose phosphorylase (CP) and cytosolic pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHcyt). CP and PDHcyt activity increased the theoretical production limits under anoxic conditions where less energy was extracted from the substrate. The incorporation of both engineering targets resulted in near-complete conservation of substrate electrons in functionalized hydrocarbons. The in silico framework was integrated with in vitro fungal batch growth experiments to support O2 limitation and functionalized hydrocarbon production predictions. The metabolic reconstruction of this endophytic filamentous fungus describes pathways for both specific and general production strategies of 161 functionalized hydrocarbons applicable to many eukaryotic hosts.
Optical Activity of Cystine-containing Proteins II. CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTRA OF PANCREATIC RIBONUCLEASE A, RIBONUCLEASE S, AND RIBONUCLEASE S-PROTEIN

Abstract The circular dichroism spectra of pancreatic ribonuclease A, RNase S, and RNase S-protein have been measured in the wave length interval 198 to 300 mµ under various conditions. The circular dichroism spectra of RNase A and S are very similar, possibly identical, over this entire wave length interval at neutral pH. That of RNase S-protein is substantially different. It is shown that the portion of the RNase A spectrum in the peptide-absorbing region may be fitted by assuming that 11.5% of the residues are in an α-helical conformation and 33% in a β-conformation. Two of the three characteristic bands of the α-helix (poly-α, L-glutamic acid) and both of the characteristic bands of the β-structure (poly-L-lysine) were not adjusted in any way. However, the shortest wave length α-helical band (192 mµ) and the random coil band at 198 mµ were allowed to vary, in intensity, for best fit. In addition, it was necessary to include a positive band at 226 mµ. Arguments justifying this inclusion are given and depend largely on the presence of a small band observed in native RNase A at or near 240 mµ. The latter is believed to result from overlap of the (assumed) positive band near 226 mµ and the much more intense negative bands due to peptide transitions. In RNase S-protein, the far ultraviolet bands are considerably diminished in intensity, but the maximum near 240 mµ is greatly intensified and shifted by 3 to 4 mµ to shorter wave lengths. It appears lively that the anomalous positive circular dichroism near 240 mµ is generated, or contributed to, by aromatic residues, some of which may be titratable tyrosines. However, titration, acetylation, and nitration results failed to establish this conclusively. A larger, negative, band at 275 mµ is shown, in agreement with others, to arise predominantly from tyrosine residues. In this case, also, modification experiments did not allow us to decide relative contributions to the band by exposed and masked tyrosine residues. There may also be a small component due to optically active disulfide transitions.
Man in the Ocean Environment: Physiological Factors

Even though breathing under increased ambient pressure is a recent development in man’s history, there is now ample reason and need to put man at the greatest possible depth consistent with his ability to do useful work. Respiratory variables are of crucial importance in determining both the capacity and the safety of working at depth and under high pressure.
Frequency and timing distribution using optical methods

With the ever-increasing performance of optical clocks, it is important to develop parallel methods for optically-based frequency/timing distribution. I will review frequency combs, established methods for distribution over fiber-optics, and recent demonstrations over free-space links.
Studies on the Adenosine 3', 5'-Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinases of Rabbit Skeletal Muscle

Abstract The adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent (cAMP-dependent) protein kinases of rabbit skeletal muscle have been partially characterized in terms of molecular size and subunit composition. Three and possibly four species of protein kinase have been detected. The largest form of the enzyme was estimated by gel filtration and sedimentation to have a molecular weight of 123,000 and to be made up of a catalytic subunit (C) and a regulatory or cAMP-binding subunit (R) with molecular weights of 49,000 and 82,000, respectively. A second muscle protein kinase was estimated to have a molecular weight of 76,000 with a catalytic subunit the same size as that of the larger protein kinase and with an R subunit having a molecular weight of 50,000. The other muscle protein kinases were not purified sufficiently to permit making meaningful estimates of their molecular weights, but it could be concluded that they differed from one another primarily in the size of their R subunits. Experiments were carried out which showed that the R subunits can be readily altered in vitro by aging or by proteolytic attack, so it is possible that some of the forms that were detected may have been formed during enzyme isolation. Resolution of the muscle protein kinases into C subunit and R·[3H]cAMP complex fractions was achieved by substrate-affinity chromatography after dissociation of the holoenzymes in the presence of [3H]-cAMP. Reconstitution of the original enzyme forms from separated C and R subunits was shown by physical techniques and kinetic measurements.
Mammalian Deoxynucleoside Kinase. I. Deoxycytidine Kinase: Purification, Properties, and Kinetic Studies With Cytosine Arabinoside

Abstract Deoxycytidine kinase, which catalyzes the phosphorylation of deoxycytidine (dCR) to form deoxycytidine monophosphate in the presence of specific nucleoside 5'-triphosphates and a cation, has been purified about 100-fold from extracts of calf thymus. This enzyme appeared also to catalyze the phosphorylation of an analogue of dCR, 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). The Km (4.0 x 10-5 m) for ara-C was found to be higher than the Km (1.4 x 10-5 m) for the natural substrate dCR. Both nucleosides could accept a phosphate group from the same phosphate donors; however, in each case, ara-C was much less active as a phosphate acceptor than dCR. dCMP, dCDP, and dCTP were all active as inhibitors of dCR kinase. Ara-C was more sensitive to the inhibition produced by these cytosine deoxynucleotides than dCR. The inhibition produced by dCTP appeared to be competitive with the phosphate donor (ATP) and noncompetitive with the phosphate acceptor (dCR or ara-C). In studies on the phosphorylation of dCR or ara-C, ara-C was found to be a competitive inhibitor of dCR (Ki, 3.6 x 10-5 m), and dCR was found to be a very potent competitive inhibitor of ara-C (Ki, 1.3 x 10-9 m).
Economically Motivated Adulteration (EMA) of Food: Common Characteristics of EMA Incidents

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) of food, also known as food fraud, is the intentional adulteration of food for financial advantage. A common form of EMA, undeclared substitution with alternative ingredients, is usually a health concern because of allergen labeling requirements. As demonstrated by the nearly 300,000 illnesses in China from melamine adulteration of infant formula, EMA also has the potential to result in serious public health consequences. Furthermore, EMA incidents reveal gaps in quality assurance testing methodologies that could be exploited for intentional harm. In contrast to foodborne disease outbreaks, EMA incidents present a particular challenge to the food industry and regulators because they are deliberate acts that are intended to evade detection. Large-scale EMA incidents have been described in the scientific literature, but smaller incidents have been documented only in media sources. We reviewed journal articles and media reports of EMA since 1980. We identified 137 un...
Temperature-sensitive vaccinia virus mutants identify a gene with an essential role in viral replication.

Vaccinia virus mutants ts2 and ts25, members of the same complementation group, exhibit a temperature-dependent arrest at the stage of viral DNA replication. The lesions responsible for the mutant phenotypes have been localized to the far left region of the HindIII B genomic fragment by marker rescue studies. Hybrid selection analyses established that the DNA fragments positive for rescue represented the first open reading frame of the HindIII B fragment and encoded a 30-kilodalton protein. The gene is expressed early after infection as a rightwardly transcribed 1-kilobase-pair mRNA whose coordinates were determined by S1 nuclease mapping. To further the phenotypic analysis of the mutants, the accumulation of viral DNA sequences during permissive and nonpermissive infections was quantitated. The extent of the DNA- phenotype was shown to vary in different cell types. In mouse L cells at either high or low multiplicity of infection, nonpermissive DNA synthesis was less than 5% of that seen in permissive infections. This severe defect was mirrored by correspondingly low viral yields. In infections of BSC40 monkey cells, however, the deficiencies in both DNA synthesis and virus production were far less severe. For one mutant (ts2), the temperature sensitivity in BSC40 cells varied inversely with the multiplicity of infection. Images
Parallel electronic circuit simulation on the iPSC system

A parallel circuit simulator was implemented on the iPSC system. Concurrent model evaluation, hierarchical BBDF (bordered block diagonal form) reordering, and distributed multifrontal decomposition to solve the sparse matrix are used. A speedup of six times has been achieved on an eight-processor iPSC hypercube system. >
The effect of current shear on the tearing instability

A fully relativistic stream superposition model is employed to conduct a linear numerical simulation of a self-consistently confined sheet of collisionless, neutral plasma. This multi-stream model employs a novel variable termed the ‘canonical momentum potential’ (or ‘action function’) to follow the ion and electron dynamics. For the classic, unsheared sheet pinch, growth rates obtained for the tearing instability are in reasonable agreement with previous estimates using an approximate Vlasov approach. Current shear is then introduced into the sheet and growth rates are again measured. Stabilization of the shorter wavelength modes is observed.
Stability and change in expectations about family size: A longitudinal study

Concerning the problem of how stable are a mothers expectations about the number of additional children she will have in future years an analysis has been made concerning the stability of expectations of a panel of mothers in 3 separate interviews over a 2 year period. Responses about expected number of children were obtained in January-March 1962 from a probability sample of mothers in the Detroit area who had a 1st 2nd or 4th baby in July 1961. A 2nd set of expectations was obtained from the same mothers in October-December 1962 and a 3rd set in September-October 1963. The data revealed that responses about numbers of children expected are remarkably stable in the aggregate over a 2 year period in 3 separate interviews for women recently having a 1st 2nd or 4th birth. The changes that occur for the majority are basically small ones and often a 2nd change compensates in part or completely for an earlier change in an opposite direction. These compensating changes for individual respondents along with the compensating changes for different respondents produce an aggregate result of no change for the expectations of all women at each parity. Only the factors of the discrepancy between preferred and expected number of children and the experience of a pregnancy have an importanat influence both on whether expectations change and on the direction of change. Catholics are more changeable than non-Catholics although there is no consistent difference in the direction of change. Various other social and economic characteristics were found to be associated with the amount of change but most had no consistent relation to the direction of change. The results of this analysis are interpreted to be consistent with although not proof of the view that social norms about family size tend to control behavior of American couples so that their expectation changes tend to be samll overlapping and compensating.
Inflexible Response: Diplomacy, Airpower and the Kosovo Crisis, 1998–1999

Abstract This article examines the key lessons of combining diplomacy and airpower in the Kosovo Crisis (1998–99). Drawing on a comprehensive list of primary sources involved in the military leadership of NATO at the time, this article goes beyond existing literature in revealing just how surprisingly unprepared NATO was when it went to war against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). This article argues that on the eve of war, NATO neither had a political nor a military strategy for handling the war it itself had started – and that at the time, the air power community in general failed to appreciate the need for producing more precise and innovative solutions to complex conflicts and crises in the lower band of the intensity spectrum.
Wearable computing: is it just hype? [From the Editor in Chief]

Experience over the past decade has shown that wearable computers can be especially valuable in situations where a mobile user is engaged in tasks such as vehicle maintenance, bridge inspection, or aircraft inspection. Thus, wearable computers have established their first foothold in such industrial applications, where hands-free computer operation provides a compelling advantage. User comfort is a critical design consideration for success in these applications. The key to user comfort is creating small, lightweight, body-conforming designs with long battery life. Unfortunately, this typically means substantially sacrificing computing power. Consequently, a wearable computer typically has less memory, CPU speed, and disk capacity than a desktop or laptop of the same vintage. This limitation in computing power makes augmented reality (AR) one of the most challenging yet intriguing uses of wearable computers.
Development of Pictorial Directory Workstation for Rapid Image Presentation

A workstation model using miniaturized image display as a pictorial directory has been developed using a PIXAR Imaging Computer. The prototype was developed as part of an investigation into the appropriate user interface for a multi-modality PACS workstation. We have found that such a display allows rapid image review in order to determine the clinically significant images for further study. The details of the prototype are presented.
Uncertainty and measurement error in welfare models for risk changes

Abstract Most welfare models of environmental or mortality risk reductions assume that risks are exogenously determined and known with certainty. However, a growing body of research suggests that uncertainty about risks can affect choices over risky prospects. I present a decision-weighted random-utility model that decomposes welfare losses into those attributable to an increase in the deterministic component of risk and those attributable to uncertainty about risk. I apply the model to an illustrative dataset of subjects' perceived mortality risk and willingness to accept the risk of nuclear-waste transport. I estimate the model using Lewbel's (2000) strictly exogenous regressor approach to account for endogeneity bias and measurement error. Subjects display aversion to both risk and uncertainty about the risk of a transport accident, so that increases in either leads to social-welfare losses. Roughly 12% of the external cost of nuclear-waste transport is attributable to the public's uncertainty about transport risk.
Estimation of the groundwater pollution potential on an agricultural watershed

A strategy is proposed to estimate the pollution potential on an agricultural watershed to which manure, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides are being applied. Results help to delineate zones most susceptible to agricultural pollution. The strategy consists of predicting potential recharge flux and transport of soluble and semi-sorbed chemicals for the worst possible scenarios using quantity-arrival time distributions. Simplifying assumptions are made and readily available soil survey data are used. The strategy is applied to a small watershed in Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Manganese, iron, and sulfur cycling in Louisiana continental shelf sediments

Abstract Sulfate reduction is considered the primary pathway for organic carbon remineralization on the northern Gulf of Mexico Louisiana continental shelf (LCS) where bottom waters are seasonally hypoxic, yet limited information is available on the importance of iron and manganese cycling in the region. Sedimentary manganese, iron, and sulfur cycling were investigated on the LCS using a combined chemical analysis and sediment diagenesis modeling approach. Three stations situated 320 km across the LCS along the 20 m isobath were sampled up to five times between the spring of 2006 and summer of 2007. Bottom water oxygen levels at the stations ranged from 203 mmol m −3 in spring to 2.5 mmol m −3 in summer. Porewater Mn and Fe 2+ concentrations (up to 275 and 300 μmol L −1 , respectively), sulfate reduction rates (1.0–8.4 mmol m −2 d −1 ), and the fraction of total oxalate extracted iron obtained as Fe(II) (0.25–0.52) differed between station and season. Sediments at station Z02 on the eastern LCS, south of Terrebonne Bay, had higher organic matter content and sulfate reduction rates than sediments at Z03, 160 km further west. Sulfate reduction rates were higher in summer than spring at station Z02 but not at Z03 where porewater Mn and Fe concentrations were highest in summer. Porewater Fe 2+ concentrations, solid phase oxalate-extractable Fe concentrations, and sediment incubation experiments suggested iron reduction at Z03 may account for 20% or more of organic carbon remineralization. LCS Fe(III) concentrations decreased and sulfate reduction rates increased in model simulations by lowering interfacial dissolved oxygen levels and increasing the rates of organic matter deposited on the sediment surface. Results from this study demonstrate that LCS sedimentary metal oxide cycling may be more important in organic carbon mineralization pathways than previously recognized.
Band structure calculation of dilute-As GaNAs by first principle

We present the band structure calculation of dilute-As GaNAs alloys (from 0% to 6.25% As) by employing the densityfunctional theory that adopts the local density approximation. Our studies indicate that the GaNAs shows a direct bandgap property. A small incorporation of As into the GaN alloy leads to the a significant decrease in the energy gap, which allows direct band gap transition covering from 3.47 eV (0% As) down to 1.93eV (6.25% As). The finding implies the dilute-As GaNAs alloy as an excellent candidate for the active material for optoelectronics that covers the entire visible spectral regime. The carrier effective masses of dilute-As GaNAs alloys are also presented.
Loss of an Aminoglycoside Resistance Plasmid by Serratia marcescens during Treatment of Meningitis with Amikacin

During prophylaxis with gentamicin and amoxicillin following surgical repair of a meningomyelocele in a newborn infant, a cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred and fever ensued. Cultures of ventricular fluid yielded Serratia marcescens resistant to several antibiotics, including gentamicin and tobramycin, but sensitive to amikacin. When therapy with amikacin was substituted for that with gentamicin and amoxicillin, cultures yielded an additional colony type of S. marcescens, which was antibiotic-sensitive but of the same serotype as the original isolate, that eventually replaced the original resistant organism. The resistant S. marcescens was shown to possess a 105 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid not observed in the sensitive variant. The sensitive variant may have originated by loss of the plasmid from the resistant organism, possibly by removal of the selection pressure of antibiotics, which favored the emergence of a bacterial population that did not harbor resistance plasmids during clinical therapy.
Mode of delivery and perinatal results in breech presentation.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the outcome of deliveries with fetuses in breech presentation at labor and to compare the results by route of delivery. Specially reviewed were fetuses weighing ≥ 1500 gm. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study of consecutive cases of all singleton pregnancies and twin pregnancies with the first fetus presenting in breech delivered at Chicago Lying-In Hospital from July 1980 to December 1987 was performed. Crude perinatal mortality and effect of mode of delivery (cesarean vs vaginal) by weight were compared after correction for nonpreventable causes. A further correction was made for fetuses weighing ≥1500 gm by excluding all cases of fetal distress from the cesarean section group. All clinically relevant factors were evaluated. Statistical methods included comparison of frequencies in the two groups by χ 2 and Fisher exact tests and comparison of means by two-sample t tests. RESULTS: Of 21,380 deliveries, 843 (3.9%) presented by the breech. Forty-four percent were delivered vaginally; 8.4% were first twins. There were 51 % preterm infants, and 24% had clinical distress. Crude perinatal mortality was 24%: 8% stillborns, 10% from prematurity, and 6% from other causes, including lethal congenital malformations. The corrected perinatal mortality was 15%. Vaginal deliveries had a higher 5-minute depression rate (32% vs 24%) and corrected perinatal mortality (23% vs 9.6%); however, fetal weights were significantly lower. There were no differences in outcomes for newborns weighing ≥1500 gm by route of delivery; all five neonatal deaths in this subgroup occurred among the abdominal deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: The very poor perinatal outcomes in breeches are primarily related to factors other than breech presentation. Route of delivery for infants weighing ≥1500 gm does not influence neonatal outcome; thus cesarean section solely for breech presentation in this subgroup does not appear to be justified.
The electronic transport properties of liquid Ag - Te

We have systematically measured the conductivity and the thermopower of the Ag - Te system for concentrations in the neighbourhood of . Our ability to stir the sample while taking measurements has allowed us to accurately study the immiscible region below 31 at.% Te and to measure the complete extent of the p - n transition in the thermopower as stoichiometry is crossed. Our results are compared to the recent experimental results of Ohno et al [1], and are found to be largely in excellent agreement for thermopower and conductivity; however, in our data approximately at stoichiometry, a previously unseen feature in the conductivity is observed, and a significant deviation from the thermopower data of Ohno et al is also seen. This conductivity feature is consistent with, but much smaller than, peaks that have been observed in the conductivities in liquid and . We also include data for and dS/dT that have not been previously available. Our results are discussed in terms of the Kubo - Greenwood equations, and are compared to the highly unusual systems Ag - Se and Ag - S.
Characterization and expression of the β-N-acetylhexosaminidase gene family of Tribolium castaneum☆

Abstract Enzymes belonging to the β-N-acetylhexosaminidase family cleave chitin oligosaccharides produced by the action of chitinases on chitin into the constituent N-acetylglucosamine monomer. Four genes encoding putative chitooligosaccharidolytic β-N-acetylhexosaminidases (hereafter referred to as N-acetylglucosaminidases (NAGs)) in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, namely TcNAG1, TcFDL, TcNAG2, and TcNAG3, and three other related hexosaminidases were identified by searching the recently completed genome [Tribolium Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2007. The first genome sequence of a beetle, Tribolium castaneum, a model for insect development and pest biology. Nature, submitted for publication]. Full-length cDNAs for all four NAGs were cloned and sequenced, and the exon–intron organization of the corresponding genes was determined. Analyses of their developmental expression patterns indicated that, although all four of the NAGs are transcribed during most developmental stages, each gene had a distinct spatial and temporal expression pattern. TcNAG1 transcripts are the most abundant, particularly at the late pupal stage, while TcNAG3 transcripts are the least abundant, even at their peak levels in the late larval stages. The function of each NAG during different developmental stages was assessed by observations of lethal phenotypes after gene-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated transcript depletion as verified by real-time PCR. TcNAG1 dsRNA was most effective in interrupting all three types of molts: larval–larval, larval–pupal, and pupal–adult. Treated insects died after failing to completely shed their old cuticles. Knockdown of transcripts for the other three NAG genes resulted in phenotypes similar to those of TcNAG1 dsRNA-treated insects, but the effects were somewhat variable and less severe. Sequence comparisons with other enzymatically characterized insect homologs suggested that TcFDL, unlike the other NAGs, may have a role in N-glycan processing in addition to its apparent role in cuticular chitin turnover. These results support the hypothesis that TcNAGs participate in chitin turnover and/or N-glycan processing during insect development and that each NAG fulfills an essential and distinct function.
Invariance of the generalized coherence estimate with respect to reference channel statistics

The probability distribution function of the three-channel generalized coherence estimate is shown not to depend on the statistical behavior of the data on one channel, provided the other two channels contain white Gaussian noise and all channels are independent. A technique for multiple-channel matched filtering that is made viable by this invariance result is also discussed. >
Internalization and down-regulation of mu opioid receptors by endomorphins and morphine in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract The human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, was used to examine the effects of morphine and the endogenous opioid peptides, endomorphin-1 (EM-1) and endomorphin-2 (EM-2), on mu opioid receptor (MOR) internalization and down-regulation. Treatment for 24 h with EM-1, EM-2 or morphine at 100 nM, 1 μM and 10 μM resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of mu receptors. Exposure of cells to 10 μM EM-1 for 2.5, 5 and 24 h resulted in a time-dependent down-regulation of mu receptors. Down-regulation of mu receptors by morphine and EM-1 was blocked by treatment with hypertonic sucrose, consistent with an endocytosis-dependent mechanism. Sensitive cell-surface binding studies with a radiolabeled mu antagonist revealed that morphine was able to induce internalization of mu receptors naturally expressed in SH-SY5Y cells. EM-1 produced a more rapid internalization of mu receptors than morphine, but hypertonic sucrose blocked the internalization induced by each of these agonists. This study demonstrates that, like morphine, the endomorphins down-regulate mu opioid receptors in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This study also demonstrates that morphine, as well as EM-1, can induce rapid, endocytosis-dependent internalization of mu opioid receptors in SH-SY5Y cells. These results may help elucidate the ability of mu agonists to regulate the number and responsiveness of their receptors.
“NK‐like” cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes cultured in media containing fetal bovine serum

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were found to be highly cytotoxic to a human malignant melanoma target cell line after the PBL were cultured in medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The effector cells had surface markers similar to those of non-cultured NK effectors against melanoma targets. Both NK (without culture) and the culture-induced cytotoxic effectors had Fc gamma receptors, lacked Fc mu receptors and were either heterogeneous for E receptors or had low-affinity E receptors. Cells required to generate the FBS response were sensitive to anti-T serum plus complement, passed through a nylon-fiber column, formed E rosettes, but lacked detectable receptors for the Fc portions of either IgG or IgM. These results suggest that events causing activation of T cells such as culture of PBL in FBS-containing medium, result in the augmentation of NK activity.
DETERMINISTIC AND STOCHASTIC ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF NONEQUILIBRIUM CHEMICAL SYSTEMS WITH TIME-DEPENDENT RATE COEFFICIENTS

We analyze the long time limit of the nonequilibrium solutions of a system of multivariable nonlinear kinetic equations with time-dependent rate coefficients, as achieved, for example, by temporal variation of the temperature. If the characteristic time scale attached to the change of rate coefficients is smaller than the relaxation time to equilibrium, then the system is constrained to evolve away, possibly far, from equilibrium. However, after a sufficiently large time the system forgets its past: in the long run all solutions of the kinetic equations tend toward a special (normal) solution which depends on the previous values of the rate coefficients, but it is independent of the initial state of the system. The normal solution may be very different from the equilibrium solution. The occurrence of this type of time-dependent normal regime for the deterministic kinetic equations is intimately connected to a similar behavior of the stochastic evolution equation of the system. In the long run all solutio...
Selective toxicity of gossypol against epithelial tumors and its detection by magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The antitumor toxicity of gossypol was measured in 6 human carcinoma cell lines and compared with its toxicity against human bone marrow stem cells. Marrow cells were more resistant than any of the tumor cell lines, and tumor cell sensitivity depended on the content of intracellular LDH-M. [31P]-Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed decline in tumor ATP levels occurring within 24 hours of treatment, suggesting that this non-invasive technique may serve as an early biochemical monitor of gossypol toxicity.
In situ assembly of enzyme inhibitors using extended tethering

Cysteine aspartyl protease-3 (caspase-3) is a mediator of apoptosis and a therapeutic target for a wide range of diseases. Using a dynamic combinatorial technology, 'extended tethering', we identified unique nonpeptidic inhibitors for this enzyme. Extended tethering allowed the identification of ligands that bind to discrete regions of caspase-3 and also helped direct the assembly of these ligands into small-molecule inhibitors. We first designed a small-molecule 'extender' that irreversibly alkylates the cysteine residue of caspase-3 and also contains a thiol group. The modified protein was then screened against a library of disulfide-containing small-molecule fragments. Mass-spectrometry was used to identify ligands that bind noncovalently to the protein and that also form a disulfide linkage with the extender. Linking the selected fragments with binding elements from the extenders generates reversible, tight-binding molecules that are druglike and distinct from known inhibitors. One molecule derived from this approach inhibited apoptosis in cells.
Energy consumption of VA hospital CT scans

The United States healthcare spending was about $7,681 per resident and accounted for 16.2% of the nation' s GDP in 2008 and rose to compromise about 18% of the nation's GDP by 2010. As healthcare sector continues to grow so will its consumption of nonrenewable resources such as energy. Most of the attention in documenting and reducing energy consumption in healthcare has focused on the healthcare facility heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems. In this paper we take a different approach in order to gain a more detailed understanding of energy consumption leading to environmental impact information of healthcare services. This paper reports on the preliminary analysis of the energy consumed for Computed Tomography (CT) diagnostic service delivered. It is a part of a larger body of work to catalogue environmental impact information for a number of healthcare services and to relate those data to medical outcomes.
Photoassociation of sodium in a Bose-Einstein condensate.

We form ultracold ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ molecules by single-photon photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate, measuring the photoassociation rate, linewidth, and light shift of the $J\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1$, $v\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}135$ vibrational level of the ${A}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{u}^{+}$ molecular state. The photoassociation rate constant increases linearly with intensity, even where it is predicted that many-body effects might limit the rate. Our observations are in good agreement with a two-body theory having no free parameters.
Trends and Developments in Liposome Drug Delivery Systems

Since the discovery of liposomes or lipid vesicles derived from self-forming enclosed lipid bilayers upon hydration, liposome drug delivery systems have played a significant role in formulation of potent drugs to improve therapeutics. Currently, most of these liposome formulations are designed to reduce toxicity and to some extent increase accumulation at the target site(s) in a number of clinical applications. The current pharmaceutical preparations of liposome-based therapeutics stem from our understanding of lipid-drug interactions and liposome disposition mechanisms including the inhibition of rapid clearance of liposomes by controlling size, charge, and surface hydration. The insight gained from clinical use of liposome drug delivery systems can now be integrated to design liposomes targeted to tissues and cells with or without expression of target recognition molecules on liposome membranes. Enhanced safety and heightened efficacy have been achieved for a wide range of drug classes, including antitumor agents, antivirals, antifungals, antimicrobials, vaccines, and gene therapeutics. Additional refinements of biomembrane sensors and liposome delivery systems that are effective in the presence of other membrane-bound proteins in vivo may permit selective delivery of therapeutic compounds to selected intracellular target areas.