cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quasi-experimental approach for evaluating the heat mitigation effects of green roofs in Chicago, Illinois

Abstract In the coming decades, millions of urban residents will be exposed to increasingly deadly heat extremes. As an adaptive response to rising temperatures, many cities have begun to install vegetated ”green” roofs, which now vary widely in structure and size, and have generally been shown to have cooling capacity. Yet, little research has been done to differentiate which types of green roofs are most effective at reducing urban heat. We present a method to evaluate the cooling effects associated with green infrastructure that draws on publicly available satellite imagery and open-source software for analysis. Based on a quasi-experimental research design that integrates social and physical science approaches, this technique is able to identify the cooling effects of green infrastructure against background warming trends associated with urbanization and climate change. We demonstrate this method at three green roof sites across the City of Chicago, finding that the study sites with larger, intensive green roofs accompanied by diverse plant species have greater cooling benefits than the extensive, monoculture green roof. Our low-cost method can aid policymakers and planners in empirically evaluating the cooling capacity of green roofs in their own communities.
The Cicely, Alaska Soundtrack: Northern Exposure's Enduring Musical Mark on Television

Abstract:Although notably neglected in critical discussions, and overshadowed by Miami Vice's soundtrack impact, Northern Exposure significantly advanced the television music aesthetic. This essay revisits Northern Exposure 25 years later, and reflects on its distinct musical approach, its impressive scope of songs, styles, and synthesis, and its sustaining influence.
Learning Team Cooperation

A cooperative team of agents may perform many tasks better than single agents. The question is how cooperation among self-interested agents should be achieved. It is important that, while we encourage cooperation among agents in a team, we maintain autonomy of individual agents as much as possible, so as to maintain flexibility and generality. This paper presents an approach based on bidding utilizing reinforcement values acquired through reinforcement learning. We tested and analyzed this approach and demonstrated that a team indeed performed better than the best single agent as well as the average of single agents.
The effect of pregnancy upon urinary mucopolysaccharide excretion

Abstract One hundred and six 24 hour urine samples were obtained from 6 women during the antepartum and postpartum periods. In 96 of the specimens in which the total urinary creatinine was 800 mg. or greater, total mucopolysaccharide (MPS) excretion was determined. Fifty-nine of the determinations exceeded the upper limits of normal, with the elevations usually noted beyond the twentieth week of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. All 106 MPS determinations were extrapolated to a creatine of 1.0 Gm. Thirty-nine of the MPS-creatinine ratios exceeded the limits of normal, and most of these occurred in the last 20 weeks of pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period. Possible mechanisms and the significance of elevated MPS excretion during pregnancy are discussed.
Union and the New Economy

Recent organizing attempts in the high-tech sector have raised questions about the relevance of unions for highly skilled and highly paid information technology professionals. In fact, unions in the motion picture and television industries already represent workers who are nearly identical to high-tech professionals. For decades, unions in these industries have commanded the loyalty of highly skilled and highly compensated professionals who work on a freelance basis by providing them with access to health insurance and retirement benefits and generally providing them with the support services to survive in their careers. If the labor movement is looking for models to organize and represent high-tech or new media professionals, it need look no further than the motion picture and television unions.
Expression of IgA Proteases by Haemophilus influenzae in the Respiratory Tract of Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background. Immunoglobulin (Ig)A proteases of Haemophilus influenzae are highly specific endopeptidases that cleave the hinge region of human IgA1 and also mediate invasion and trafficking in human respiratory epithelial cells, facilitating persistence of H. influenzae. Little is known about the expression of IgA proteases in clinical settings of H. influenzae infection. Methods. We identified and characterized IgA protease genes in H. influenzae and studied their expression and proteolytic specificity, in vitro and in vivo in 169 independent strains of H. influenzae collected longitudinally over 10 years from adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results. The H. influenzae pangenome has 2 alleles of IgA protease genes; all strains have igaA, and 40% of strains have igaB. Each allele has 2 variants with differing proteolytic specificities for human IgA1. A total of 88% of 169 strains express IgA protease activity. Expression of the 4 forms of IgA protease varies among strains. Based on the presence of IgA1 fragments in sputum samples, each of the different forms of IgA protease is selectively expressed in the human airways during infection. Conclusions. Four variants of IgA proteases are variably expressed by H. influenzae during infection of the human airways.
Sociology of Knowledge Approach to Discourse Analysis. A Research Programme for the Analysis of Social Relationships of Knowledge and Politics of Knowledge

Der Beitrag diskutiert theoretische Grundlagen, methodologische Implikationen und methodische Umsetzungen der Wissenssoziologischen Diskursanalyse (WDA). Die WDA entwirft einen sozialwissenschaftlichen Ansatz der Untersuchung gesellschaftlicher Wissensverhaltnisse und Wissenspolitiken, der in den letzten Jahren zunehmend Verwendung auch in Nachbardisziplinen der Soziologie (bspw. Erziehungs-, Geschichts-, Politik-, Religions-, Sprachwissenschaften, Kriminologie) findet. Sie ubersetzt theoretische Konzepte und Uberlegungen von Michel FOUCAULT in die Tradition der sozialkonstruktivistischen Wissenssoziologie von BERGER UND LUCKMANN und macht sie an das in der interpretativ-qualitativen Analysetradition entwickelte methodische Instrumentarium anschlussfahig. Im Unterschied zu linguistischen Ansatzen der Diskursforschung ruckt damit das von FOUCAULT anvisierte wissensanalytische Interesse sowie das Interesse an "diskursiven Kampfen" wieder starker ins Zentrum der sozialwissenschaftlichen Diskursanalyse. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs100352
Role of adequate dietary calcium intake in the prevention and management of salt-sensitive hypertension

During the past decade, a credible body of evidence has emerged supporting the concept that maintaining an adequate dietary mineral intake, specifically of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, protects against high blood pressure in humans. Observational and interventional studies in humans and extensive use of laboratory models showed that a significant portion of blood pressure variability in response to sodium chloride can be linked to the adequacy of the mineral content of the diet. This review summarizes the observational data from several large databases showing that when adults meet or exceed the recommended dietary allowances of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, the simultaneous ingestion of a diet high in sodium chloride is not associated with elevated arterial pressure. In fact, a higher sodium chloride intake in these adults is most likely associated with the lowest blood pressure in the society. This interaction between adequacy of mineral intake and protection against salt sensitivity in humans provides an important opportunity for further improving blood pressure control in our society. Educating individuals to maintain, on a daily basis, adequate intakes of calcium, potassium, and magnesium rather than limit their sodium chloride is a viable health recommendation that individuals can implement to reduce their risk of sodium chloride-induced hypertension.
Applications of time-frequency bases to multiple access fiber optic communication systems

In this paper we present background material concerning the propagation of pulses through fiber optics, and current transmission schemes in fiber optics. We discuss the value of using different signal processing techniques, and time-frequency bases in Fiber Optic Transmission. Finally we will outline methods which allow one to send optical pulses with arbitrary shapes through fiber optics.
On minimum spanning trees and the intergradation of clusters

Cluster analysis groups samples, but does not generally show gradations between clusters. To illustrate these relationships, principal-coordinate analysis and multidimensional scaling can be employed, but these methods may not be appropriate due to structural distortion. A minimum spanning tree (MST) computes a point-to-point path through the original matrix, and clusters are mapped on the MST diagram. The MST linkages, therefore, provide a natural continuum between the clusters, without distortion. Forty-six Silurian Tonoloway Limestone samples were analyzed for 16 sedimentary features indicative of subaerial exposure. Cluster analysis identified nine clusters which were reduced to five final, ordered groups by MST.
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and biosynthesis of ochratoxin A

Abstract The carbon-13 chemical shifts have been assigned to all the carbons in the isocoumarin portion of ochartoxin A. Incorporation of carbon-13 enriched acetate was used to confirm the biosynthesis of ochratoxin A.
Endotoxin stuns cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation.

Net pulmonary vascular tone is determined by the balance of pulmonary vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction. In endotoxemic rats, cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation is impaired through neutrophil-dependent mechanisms, yet agonist stimulated vasoconstriction remains intact. Endotoxin-induced lung neutrophil accumulation is a transient response. In models of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, "stunning" or reversible cardiac dysfunction is also associated with a reversible neutrophil presence. We hypothesized that lung neutrophil accumulation and dysfunction of cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation is reversible after an endotoxin challenge. Our purpose was to examine lung neutrophil accumulation and endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms of cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation 4 and 48 h after endotoxin challenge. Rats (n = 5 per group) were studied 4 and 48 h after injection of saline or endotoxin (500 micrograms/kg, intraperitoneal). Endothelium-dependent relaxation by receptor-dependent (acetylcholine) and -independent (A23187) mechanisms and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside) relaxation were studied in isolated pulmonary artery rings preconstricted with phenylephrine. Lung neutrophil accumulation was examined by lung myeloperoxidase assay. Lung neutrophil accumulation was increased at 4 h (p < .05 vs. control) and was attenuated by 48 h (p < .05 vs. endotoxin x 4 h) following endotoxin challenge. Similarly, the endotoxin-induced dysfunction of endothelium-dependent and -independent cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation at 4 h normalized by 48 h. Endotoxin appears to induce reversible dysfunction of pulmonary vasorelaxation through stunning of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
Spectra of NH3 in He droplets in the 3 μm range

Abstract Depletion spectra of the ν1, ν3, and 2ν4 vibrational bands (ν = 3000–3500 cm−1) of ammonia molecules embedded in He droplets have been studied. The effective rotational constants of ammonia in helium BHe and CHe are found to be about 5% smaller than those of free NH3. The magnitude of the inversion splitting is very close (within 6%) to that in the free molecule. Relaxation times of different rotational levels in the studied vibrationally excited states are estimated to be in the range of 1 × 10−12–5 × 10−11 s and are found to have strong dependence on the rotational quantum numbers.
Agglomeration of polyacetylenic particulates and its relation to soot formation

The growth of particulates from acetylene gas at ambient temperature has been observed using time-resolved radiolysis. Globular units (termed spherules) with diameters 10–30 nm are produced on separate nuclei and agglomerate into quasicrystals agglutinated by liquid polymer. These structures continue to agglomerate and grow by accretion and condensation into nearly perfect spheres with diameters 300–500 nm. Finally, the spheres aggregate to form short chains which consitute the yellow-white powder cuprene. Thermal dehydrogenation produces no major changes in the structure of the cuprene. These results suggest that the spherule can be considered to be a common ancestor of both cuprene and hydrocarbon flame soot, i.e., in both cases spherules of acetylenic composition are formed and the growth to large particles is principally by spherule clustering and secondarily by spherule growth. At low temperatures the spherules agglomerate to form cuprene, whereas at high temperture they aggregate and dehydrogenate to form soot.
OBC signal fidelity

A suite of three tests was performed to characterize the signal fidelity of OBC 4C acquisition systems. The test methodology was to evaluate individual sensor stations by acquiring source lines that were parallel to the in-line and cross-line horizontal sensors and source lines that were at 45° to the in-line and cross-line sensors. This technique provides constant azimuth gathers with a uniform offset range and removes issues associated with source array directivity. Characterization of the test data identified the frequency content of the geophone signals and the correlation between the vertical and cross-line geophones as the most sensitive indicators of signal infidelity. In the former case, stations with questionable signal fidelity exhibited a very reverberatory signal. This signal was most evident on the cross-line sensor. In the latter case, when normalized cross-correlation coefficients are computed in a moving window, the cross-line sensor and the vertical sensor are highly correlated, beginning several hundred milliseconds after the first arrivals. These characteristics can be exploited to allow stations with questionable signal fidelity to be programmatically identified. One means of identifying questionable stations is to compute the histogram of the instantaneous frequency. The frequency distributions from questionable stations are unambiguously distinguishable from stations that exhibit better signal fidelity. It was noted that signal fidelity appeared as a range, between acceptable and poor. To characterize the signal fidelity of an acquisition system adequately, the number of test samples must be statistically significant.
Resilient Distributed Control in the Presence of Misbehaving Agents in Networked Control Systems

In this paper, we study the problem of reaching a consensus among all the agents in the networked control systems (NCS) in the presence of misbehaving agents. A reputation-based resilient distributed control algorithm is first proposed for the leader-follower consensus network. The proposed algorithm embeds a resilience mechanism that includes four phases (detection, mitigation, identification, and update), into the control process in a distributed manner. At each phase, every agent only uses local and one-hop neighbors' information to identify and isolate the misbehaving agents, and even compensate their effect on the system. We then extend the proposed algorithm to the leaderless consensus network by introducing and adding two recovery schemes (rollback and excitation recovery) into the current framework to guarantee the accurate convergence of the well-behaving agents in NCS. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through case studies in multirobot formation control and wireless sensor networks.
Oral immunization with a recombinant bacterial antigen produced in transgenic plants

The binding subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT-B) is a highly active oral immunogen. Transgenic tobacco and potato plants were made with the use of genes encoding LT-B or an LT-B fusion protein with a microsomal retention sequence. The plants expressed the foreign peptides, both of which formed oligomers that bound the natural ligand. Mice immunized by gavage produced serum and gut mucosal anti-LT-B immunoglobulins that neutralized the enterotoxin in cell protection assays. Feeding mice fresh transgenic potato tubers also caused oral immunization.
An "ironic" case of mistaken identity?

An iron loaded liver from a 40 year old man with occult haemochromatosis was transplanted into a 19 year old woman with acute liver failure secondary to a paracetamol overdose. Increased parenchymal hepatic iron was found in a liver specimen at biopsy under-taken because of mild rejection 30 days after transplantation. After transplantation the patient had two episodes of liver rejection confirmed by biopsy. The hepatic iron concentration fell from 161 μmol/g on day 30 after transplant to 26.5 μmol/g (normal < 40) on day 210. Iron absorption, measured 45 days after transplant, was in the normal range at 12.4%. The rapid fall in hepatic iron and the normal iron absorption study result suggest that the genetic defect of haemochromatosis is not exclusively an intrahepatic defect.
Physical Determinants of β-Barrel Membrane Protein Folding in Lipid Vesicles

The spontaneous folding of two Neisseria outer membrane proteins, opacity-associated (Opa)60 and Opa50 into lipid vesicles was investigated by systematically varying bulk and membrane properties. Centrifugal fractionation coupled with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis mobility assays enabled the discrimination of aggregate, unfolded membrane-associated, and folded membrane-inserted protein states as well as the influence of pH, ionic strength, membrane surface potential, lipid saturation, and urea on each. Protein aggregation was reduced with increasing lipid chain length, basic pH, low salt, the incorporation of negatively charged guest lipids, or by the addition of urea to the folding reaction. Insertion from the membrane-associated form was improved in shorter chain lipids, with more basic pH and low ionic strength; it is hindered by unsaturated or ether-linked lipids. The isolation of the physical determinants of insertion suggests that the membrane surface and dipole potentials are driving forces for outer membrane protein insertion and folding into lipid bilayers.
Differences in the Use of Hospital‐Based Outpatient Mental Health Services by the Elderly

Visits to hospital outpatient clinics and emergency rooms by patients age 65 and over were studied. Differences were found in the use of mental health services between the oldest old and youngest old. A significant portion of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders was found among the youngest old, while the oldest old made a greater number of visits to emergency rooms.
The service of silicon-carbide electric heaters in different atmospheres

The atmosphere in which the heating element works has a big influence on the life. A protective atmosphere (nitrogen, argon) creates the most favorable conditions for the life of the heater. Failure of the rod in these atmospheres occurs as a result of the reaction between the silicon carbide and impurities in the atmosphere — oxygen and water vapors, and also oxygen evolved from the material of the furnace. Furthermore, the silicon of the heater reacts with the SiC, which also tends to destroy the heater. In an oxidizing atmosphere (oxygen, carbon dioxide gas, and air) the service life is longer, the less active the oxidant. The most favorable is an air atmosphere and the least favorable oxygen. During the operation of the heater in vacuum at high temperatures, volatilization and dissociation of the silicon carbide occur, and also migration and volatilization of the silicon existing in the heater, and that formed as a result of dissociation. The shortest heater life was found in vacuum.
In situ hybridization analysis of CHOT1, a creatine transporter, in the rat central nervous system

A putative choline transporter (CHOT1) has been cloned from rat brain and is reported to express a high-affinity, sodium-dependent, hemicholinium-3-insensitive choline transporter in oocytes. A second transporter (OCCREATRA) cloned from rabbit brain is 98% homologous to CHOT1 and is reported to transport creatine. We examined the distribution of CHOT1 mRNA in rat brain by in situ hybridization, using a 48 base oligonucleotide probe. In adult rats, the hybridization signal was widespread, but with a distinct pattern. High levels of expression were detectedin the cerebellum (Purkinje and granule cell layers), choroid plexus, medial habenula, pontine nuclei, several brainstem, nuclei, and hippocampus (pyramidal cell layer). Moderate signal was detected in cortex, globus pallidus, corpus callosum, and most other white matter tracts. Very low levels were present in striatum, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus molecular layer, and cerebellar molecular layer. Emulsion autoradiography indicated cellular localization to both neurons and glia. CHOT1 mRNA was relatively abundant in some cholinergic regions, including the medial habenula, the medial septum, and several brainstem nuclei. However, the overall pattern was distinctly different from that expected for cholinergic markers and correlated well with the localization of creatine kinase. The widespread distribution and poor correlation with cholinergic markers indicates that the CHOT1 gene does not encode the classical choline transporter known to be associated with acetylcholine synthesis. It is possible that CHOT1 is associated with cholinergic neurotransmission in some brain regions. However, it appears to encode the rat creatine transporter, and its widespread and heterogeneous distribution suggests regions where creatine phosphate is an important energy source. © 1995 Willy-Liss, Inc.
Stimulus-induced tremor in chronic monkeys

Abstract Bipolar electrodes were chronically implanted in many subcortical structures and over the sensorimotor cortex in monkeys. Phasic motion was recorded with piezoelectric cartridges, strapped to the animals' limbs, at numerous recording sessions for many months. The most common response observed was tremor which followed the frequency of stimulation to 20–30/sec, then remained in that frequency range as the stimulus frequency was increased to 100/sec. However, in all animals non-following tremor was also observed, and occasionally the response remained below 10/sec with stimulus frequencies to 100/sec. The amplitude of both following and non-following phasic motion was influenced by stimulus intensity, simultaneous stimulation of two electrodes, and barbiturate anesthesia. In contrast, the frequency of the non-following phasic motion was independent of all variables investigated. At high stimulus frequencies, high amplitude, non-following phasic motion was often super-imposed on a low amplitude response at the frequency of stimulation. In addition, the amplitude of the non-following tremor was modulated at frequencies of 1–2/sec, and occasionally the modulation was related to the respiratory cycle. Evidence is presented that the frequency of the non-following phasic motion is established at the level of the spinal cord.
Long-term adaptation to the fermentation of galactose in Saccharomyces chevalieri.

THE dominant gene, controlling the adaptive fermentation of galactose, and the recessive gene, carried by the Carbondale stocks of Saccharomyces incapable of fermenting galactose, comprise a pair of extraordinarily stable and well-defined alleles. The non-fermenters of the Carbondale stock contain no detectable galactozymase and are incapable of fermenting galactose. Exceptional cultures called ‘long-term’ fermenters of galactose ferment galactose on duplicate tests after irregular periods of 4–30 days, while the corresponding stocks carrying the dominant allele cause fermentation within 48 hours. Mundkur and Lindegren1 mated rapid-fermenter mutants isolated from ‘long-term’ fermenters with non-fermenters and found that the capacity for rapid fermentation segregated regularly at reduction, thus establishing the genic nature of the adaptation and the basis for the view that in the long-term fermenter a change occurs from non-fermenter to fermenter. The rapid fermentative character was retained by the original mutant and the segregant offspring after serial transfer on glucose.
Jamming prokaryotic cell-to-cell communications in a model biofilm

We report on the physical parameters governing prokaryotic cell-to-cell signaling in a model biofilm. The model biofilm is comprised of bacteria that are genetically engineered to transmit and receive quorum-sensing (QS) signals. The model is formed using arrays of time-shared, holographic optical traps in conjunction with microfluidics to precisely position bacteria, and then encapsulated within a hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix. Using fluorescent protein reporters functionally linked to QS genes, we assay the intercellular signaling. We find that there isn't a single cell density for which QS-regulated genes are induced or repressed. On the contrary, cell-to-cell signaling is largely governed by diffusion, and is acutely sensitive to mass-transfer to the surroundings and the cell location. These observations are consistent with the view that QS-signals act simply as a probe measuring mixing, flow, or diffusion in the microenvironment of the cell.
Green applications: software applications that optimize energy usage

Energy consumption is a major cost of operating IT equipment in organizations and data centers. Hardware and software manufacturers are beginning to include power saving options in a range of products from processors to operating systems (OS). Previous work on power saving has focused mainly on OS control of the operating modes of laptop computers and mobile devices to maximize battery life. To take full advantage of these newly available energy saving features, we have developed a power management agent with a set of power control and monitoring interfaces which allows power saving features to be implemented on individual applications. We call these power saving capable applications Green Applications.In this demonstration, we will discuss and show a web based Green Application which implements these newly introduced power saving features. This application runs on an IBM HS20 Blade Server with Linux OS and equipped with a processor (Intel Xeon 3 GHz) capable of power management. When the application runs, it continuously adjusts the power level (range from standby to maximum) of the server processor in accordance with the state and performance requirements of the application (expressed as policies or static user-defined control parameters) via the power management agent. The power management agent can manage multiple Green Applications and can set the power level of the processor according to the aggregate power requirement of the applications. Using an advanced monitoring tool, the IBM Tivoli Monitoring (ITM) System [1], we will show graphically the dynamic interactions of the state and performance of the application, including processor temperature, CPU utilization, power cap, and power usage in a single integrated view, and present the amount of energy used in comparison with running the same application with no power saving features included.
FDDO and DSMC analyses of rarefied gas flow through 2D nozzles

Two different approaches, the finite-difference method coupled with the discrete-ordinate method (FDDO), and the direct-simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, are used in the analysis of the flow of a rarefied gas expanding through a two-dimensional nozzle and into a surrounding low-density environment. In the FDDO analysis, by employing the discrete-ordinate method, the Boltzmann equation simplified by a model collision integral is transformed to a set of partial differential equations which are continuous in physical space but are point functions in molecular velocity space. The set of partial differential equations are solved by means of a finite-difference approximation. In the DSMC analysis, the variable hard sphere model is used as a molecular model and the no time counter method is employed as a collision sampling technique. The results of both the FDDO and the DSMC methods show good agreement. The FDDO method requires less computational effort than the DSMC method by factors of 10 to 40 in CPU time, depending on the degree of rarefaction.
Properties of diamond and diamond-like clusters in nanometric dimensions

Variations in materials properties of small clusters of nanometric dimensions were investigated. Investigations were carried out for diamond and diamond-like particles in spherical shapes. Calculations were performed for clusters containing over 1000 carbon atoms. Results indicate that as the cluster size diminishes, (i) the average cohesive energy becomes weaker, (ii) the excess surface energy increases, and (iii) the value for stiffness decreases.
TIRF-FRET As An Approach To Quantitative Analysis Of Dynamic Molecular Interactions On Secretory Granules In Live Cells

Secretory granules transit through a series of highly regulated associations and dissociations of molecular interactions enroute to membrane fusion and exocytotic release of the granule content. The ability to sequence these protein-protein interactions as they occur in living cells in real-time, with high spatial resolution, is paramount to furthering our understanding of how they relate to the functional state of the secretory granule as it transits the regulated exocytotic pathway. In the present study we have taken both an experimental and a theoretical approach to gain a quantitative understanding of the effects of evanescent illumination on sensitized-emission FRET calibrations and measurements, under a variety of conditions that mimic differing subcellular localizations of interacting molecules.
Simply connected orthogonal polygons as unions of two orthogonally starshaped sets

Let S be a simply connected orthogonal polygon in the plane. The set S is a union of two sets which are starshaped via staircase paths (i.e., orthogonally starshaped) if and only if for every three points of S, at least two of these points see (via staircase paths) a common point of S. Moreover, the simple connectedness condition cannot be deleted.
Direct observation in vitro of how neuroblasts migrate: medulla and cochleovestibular ganglion of the chick embryo.

Abstract The hypothesis that neuroblasts migrate in the nervous system by a locomotory process was tested experimentally. An in vitro preparation permitted direct observation of postmitotic cells migrating from the rhombic lip of the medulla and the anlage of the cochleovestibular ganglion. Cell locomotion was not seen. Instead migration was produced by elongation of a leading process, followed by translocation of the nucleus (perikaryal translocation). On the basis of comparisons with previous observations in situ , we propose that this represents a common mode of migration in the developing nervous system. Cell clusters were explanted from the rhombic lip at the developmental stage when they migrate from the ventricular zone to the acousticovestibular anlage in the medulla. Cells from the cochleovestibular ganglion were explanted after migration from the otocyst, but before ganglionic differentiation. Each neuroblast's migration route was formed by an elongating leading process ending in a growth cone. The growth cone attached to other cells and processes or ended freely on an acellular substrate. Nonneuronal cells usually migrated as has been described for fibroblasts, yet with some of the features of perikaryal translocation, but some nonneuronal precursor cells may migrate the way neuroblasts do. Neuroblasts did not migrate preferentially on the processes of nonneuronal cells, although the reverse could be observed. In fact a variety of interactions between migratory cells, neuronal and nonneuronal, were observed. The advantage of the experimental system described here is that one can observe cells migrating spontaneously at the times in development when they normally do so, while preserving the cellular populations present in situ .
MULTICENTER STUDY OF THE SAFETY AND EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY SINUS LEFT VENTRICULAR PACING LEADS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with left ventricular (LV) leads may cause tissue or lead heating, dislodgement, venous damage, or lead dysfunction. MRI conditional LV leads are not available. We therefore investigated the safety of MRI in patients with LV pacing leads. Prospective
The Effects of a Functionally Graded Cellular Structure on Impact Properties of a Hip Joint: A Finite Element Study

Hip implants have successfully been employed since the 1900’s. With the development of the total hip arthroplasty (THA) in 1960 by Sir John Charnley (Mohamed N. Rahaman, 2007), Since then the development of wear resistant materials has been extensive and improved the life time of hip prosthesis. (V. Banchet, 2007) THA wholly reconstructs the hip joint and enables joint kinematics. Components include an acetabulum liner and cup and femoral head and neck. Common combinations included metal on plastic, metal on metal, and ceramic on ceramic head and cup compnents.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The absB Gene Encodes a Double Strand-specific Endoribonuclease That Cleaves the Read-through Transcript of the rpsO-pnp Operon in Streptomyces coelicolor

The absB locus of Streptomyces coelicolor encodes a homolog of bacterial RNase III. We cloned and overexpressed the absB gene product and purified a decahistidine-tagged version of the protein. We show here that AbsB is active against double-stranded RNA transcripts derived from synthetic DNAs but is inactive with single-stranded homopolymers. We thus designate the absB product RNase IIIS. Using T7 RNA polymerase and a cloned template containing the rpsO-pnp intergenic region, we synthesized an RNA substrate representing a portion of the read-through transcript normally produced in S. coelicolor. This transcript contains the sequences that form the putative rpsO terminator and those that form an intergenic stem-loop structure thought to be the site for RNase IIIS processing of the read-through transcript. We show that RNase IIIS does cleave that model transcript, with primary and secondary cleavage sites in an internal loop in the stem-loop structure. We have identified the primary and secondary cleavage sites by primer extension and demonstrate the further processing of the initial cleavage products. Thus, as is the case in Escherichia coli, the read-through transcript from rpsO-pnp is cleaved by RNase IIIS in S. coelicolor. However, the cleavage sites are different in the two systems. The positions of the cleavage sites in the stem-loop of the S. coelicolor transcript are more akin to those identified in the processing of bacteriophage T7 mRNAs. A kinetic assay for RNase IIIS was developed, and kinetic parameters for the reaction utilizing the model transcript from rpsO-pnp were determined.
A CS decomposition for orthogonal matrices with application to eigenvalue computation

Abstract We show that a Schur form of a real orthogonal matrix can be obtained from a full CS decomposition. Based on this fact a CS decomposition-based orthogonal eigenvalue method is developed. We also describe an algorithm for orthogonal similarity transformation of an orthogonal matrix to a condensed product form, and an algorithm for full CS decomposition. The latter uses mixed shifted and zero-shift iterations for high accuracy. Numerical examples are presented.
Characterization of the flora of the large bowel of pigs: A status report

Abstract This is a review of recent studies designed to identify the taxa of the predominant bacteria in the large bowel of weaned or adult healthy pigs. Methods and culture media that have been used are discussed, and comparisons are made between findings in different laboratories. Differences between populations at different sites in the bowel are noted, as are changes in populations with changes in diets. Some information has been discussed concerning population changes that occur in association with swine dysentery, but considerations of microbial succession in young animals and of the impact of microbial activities on the host are outside the scope of this review.
Role of Mimeticism and Spatiality in Textual Recall

Four experiments were conducted to investigate the role of map spatiality and icon mimeticism in facilitating text recall. A secondary goal was to explore an assumption of the conjoint retention hypothesis, that the visuospatial component of working memory is involved in retrieving map information. We manipulated display conditions to evaluate the separate and combined effects of map spatiality and icon mimeticism on text recall. We also utilized a concurrent task paradigm to assess both the recognition of spatial displays and the recall of map feature information. The results of all four experiments point to the mimeticism of icons as the key attribute of maps for facilitating recall, rather than the spatial layout of the map when visual displays and text are presented simultaneously during encoding. We also found no evidence indicating that maps are processed in a more spatial manner than are lists.
Basal expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene is dependent on protein kinase A activity

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) functions as a Cl- channel that becomes activated after phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). We demonstrate that PKA also plays a crucial role in maintaining basal expression of the CFTR gene in the human colon carcinoma cell line T84. Inhibition of PKA activity by expression of a dominant-negative regulatory subunit or treatment with the PKA-selective inhibitor N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89) caused a complete suppression of CFTR gene expression without affecting other constitutively active genes. Basal expression of a 2.2-kb region of the CFTR promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene (CFTR-luc) exhibited the same dependence on PKA. The ability of cAMP to induce CFTR over basal levels is cell-type specific. In T84 cells, both the endogenous CFTR gene and CFTR-luc exhibited only a modest inducibility (approximately 2-fold), whereas in the human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3, CFTR-luc could be induced at least 4-fold. A variant cAMP-response element is present at position -48 to -41 in the CFTR promoter, and mutation of this sequence blocks basal expression. We conclude that cAMP, acting through PKA, is an essential regulator of basal CFTR gene expression and may mediate an induction of CFTR in responsive cell types.
The drug metabolism systems of liver and liver tumors: A comparison of activities and characteristics

Transplantable rat liver tumors 5123 t.c., 7288 ct.c., 5123 t.c.(H) and the Novikoff hepatoma have active mixed function oxidase systems capable of metabolizing a variety of drug and polycyclic hydrocarbon substrates. The tumor drug metabolism systems are at best 20% as active as rat liver. The tumor drug metabolism activities are induced by pretreatment with phenobarbital or β-naphthoflavone and can be inhibited with specific inhibitors such as carbon monoxide or 7,8-benzoflavone. Tumor drug metabolism systems appear to consist of cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome P-450 reductase. The properties of the two protein components from tumors are highly similar to the corresponding components of the liver drug metabolism system. Cytochrome P-450 reductase has been at least partially purified from the Novikoff hepatoma and hepatoma 5123 t.c.(H). The kinetic and physical properties of the tumor reductases are similar to those of the liver reductase except that the Km of hepatoma 5123 t.c.(H)
When psychiatric patients interact with computer terminals: Problems and solutions

A computer system for on-line psychiatric patient assessment has been developed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City. Unlike the typical on-line computer system designed for skilled terminal operators, this system is designed to interact with unskilled psychiatric patients. Special design considerations necessary to support this approach are discussed.
Effects of fire on water and salinity relations of riparian woody taxa

Water and salinity relations were evaluated in recovering burned individuals of the dominant woody taxa from low-elevation riparian plant communities of the southwestern U.S. Soil elemental analyses indicated that concentrations of most nutrients increased following fire, contributing to a potential nutrient abundance but also elevated alluvium salinity. Boron, to which naturalized Tamarix ramosissima is tolerant, was also elevated in soils following fire. Lower moisture in the upper 30 cm of burned site soil profiles was attributed to shifts in evapotranspiration following fire. Higher leaf stomatal conductance occurred in all taxa on burned sites. This is apparently due to higher photosynthetic photon flux density at the midcanopy level and may be partially mitigated by reduced unit growth in resprouting burned individuals. Predawn water potentials varied little among sites, as was expected for plants exhibiting largely phreatophytic water uptake. Midday water potentials in recovering Salix gooddingii growing in the Colorado River floodplain reached levels which are considered stressful. Decreased hydraulic efficiency was also indicated for this species by examining transpiration-water potential regressions. Recovering, burned Tamarix and Tessaria sericea had enriched leaf tissue δ13C relative to unburned controls. Higher water use efficiency following fire in these taxa may be attributed to halophytic adaptations, and to elevated foliar nitrogen in Tessaria. Consequently, mechanisms are proposed which would facilitate increased community dominance of Tamarix and Tessaria in association with fire. The theory that whole ecosystem processes are altered by invading species may thus be extended to include those processes related to disturbance.
Economic consequences of increasing the conformity in accounting for uncertain tax benefits

Abstract Commentary during the development of FASB Interpretation no. 48 suggests the interpretation could be costly for firms because new disclosure requirements could be used by the IRS to more effectively challenge uncertain tax positions. Stock returns around FIN 48 pronouncements suggest investors were not concerned about an increase in tax costs, and investors responded favorably to initial disclosures required under FIN 48. However, we document a significant negative market reaction to subsequent news of a Senate inquiry into these disclosures consistent with investors revising their beliefs over the potential for additional tax costs.
Benchmark study on glyphosate-resistant cropping systems in the United States. Part 6: Timeliness of economic decision-making in implementing weed resistance management strategies.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops in the late 1990s made weed control in maize, cotton and soybean simple. With the rapid adoption of GR crops, many growers began to rely solely on glyphosate for weed control. This eventually led to the evolution of GR weeds. Growers are often reluctant to adopt a weed resistance best management practice (BMP) because of the added cost of additional herbicides to weed control programs which would reduce short-term revenue. This study was designed to evaluate when a grower that is risk neutral (profit maximizing) or risk averse should adopt a weed resistance BMP. RESULTS: Whether a grower is risk neutral or risk averse, the optimal decision would be to adopt a weed resistance BMP when the expected loss in revenue is greater than 30% and the probability of resistance evolution is 0.1 or greater. However, if the probability of developing resistance increases to 0.3, then the best decision would be to adopt a weed resistance BMP when the expected loss is 10% or greater. CONCLUSION: Given the scenarios analyzed, risk-neutral or risk-averse growers should implement a weed resistance BMP with confidence that they have made the right decision economically and avoided the risk of lost revenue from resistance. If the grower wants to continue to see the same level of return, adoption of BMP is required. c � 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical symptomatology and paranasal sinus involvement with nasal septal perforation.

Objective: Determine the symptom manifestations, clinical impact, and incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with newly diagnosed nasal septal perforation. Methods: A consecutive series of adult patients with nasal septal perforation were prospectively studied at the time of endoscopic diagnosis with the rhinosinusitis symptom inventory (RSI) and sinus computed tomography (CT). Patients' symptoms in the RSI symptom domains were computed. From the CT scan, septal perforation size and Lund scores were obtained. A separate (control) cohort of patients with CRS without septal perforation was matched to these patients for age, sex, and Lund score. RSI symptom domain comparisons were conducted between groups to determine the additional symptom burden conferred by septal perforation. Results: Thirty-three patients with septal perforation were enrolled (mean age, 48.2 yr; 69.7% female). Mean perforation size was 1.9 (SD, 2.1) cm2. The mean Lund score was 5.8 (SD, 5.3); 16 (57.1%) patients met radiographic criteria for a concurrent diagnoses of CRS. Patients with septal perforation reported significant nasal and facial symptom domain scores (56.8 and 47.0, respectively [range, 0–100]). Oropharyngeal and systemic symptoms were less severe (29.7 and 34.7, respectively). However, after comparison with the matched control patients, no statistically significant differences were identified in sinonasal symptoms between patients with and without septal perforation (all P > .131). Conclusions: Concurrent CRS may frequently accompany nasal septal perforation and may require appropriate treatment along with the perforation itself. The presence of septal perforation does not appear to significantly augment symptom severity in CRS.
A fair carpool scheduling algorithm

We present a simple carpool scheduling algorithm in which no penalty is assessed to a carpool member who does not ride on any given day. The algorithm is shown to be fair, in a certain reasonable sense. The amount of bookkeeping grows only linearly with the number of carpool members.
Special education: a changing field

(1980). Special education: a changing field. The Exceptional Child: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 3-29.
N6-Benzyladenine: Inhibitor of Respiratory Kinases

N4-benzyladenine, an active phytokinin, inhibits the respiration of many explants. The chemnical also delays senescence and extends the postharvest life of many green or leafy vegetables. Evidence is presented that these phenomena may be linked to a comnpetitive inhibition of the glycolytic kinases by N4-benzyladenine.