cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Method development for compositional analysis of low molecular weight poly(vinyl acetate) by matrix-assisted/laser desorption-mass spectrometry and its application to analysis of chewing gum.

Abstract The influence of the sample preparation parameters (the choice of the solvent and of the matrix:analyte ratio) was investigated and optimal conditions were established for MALDI mass spectrometry analysis of the pristine low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). It was demonstrated that comparison of polymer’s and solvent’s Hansen solubility parameters could be used as a guide when choosing the solvent for MALDI sample preparation. The highest intensity PVAc signals were obtained when ethyl acetate was used as a solvent along with the lowest matrix–analyte ratio (2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was used as a matrix in all experiments). The structure of the PVAc was established with high accuracy using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTMS) analysis. It was demonstrated that PVAc undergoes unimolecular decomposition by losing acetic acid molecules from its backbone under the conditions of FTMS measurements. Number and weight average molecular weights as well as polydispersity indices were determined with both MALDI-TOF and MALDI-FTMS methods. The sample preparation protocol developed was applied to the analysis of a chewing gum and the molecular weight and structure of the polyvinyl acetate present in the sample were established. Thus, it was shown that optimized MALDI mass spectrometry could be used successfully for characterization of polyvinyl acetate in commercially available chewing gum.
Contributions of Aage Møller in the study of the cochlear nucleus

At a time when little was known about processing in the auditory system, Aage Moller undertook an extensive investigation of the response properties of cochlear nucleus (CN) neurons. With an excellent background in physiological acoustics and a command of computational techniques he systematically explored neural tuning, rate-level functions, and receptive fields of CN neurons using microelectrode recordings. He chose to employ more natural stimuli than just pure tones and employed a variety of stimuli consisting of tones, clicks, noise, amplitude- and frequency-modulated signals to document both intensity and temporal response characteristics. The response to noise stimuli was quantified using linear systems analysis which was very innovative at that time. By choosing to perform the studies in the white rat rather than cat, he provided important comparative data on this first center of the central auditory system. Over a span of ten years he provided a significant body of observations of CN units properties that has rarely been equaled.
Antagonism of benzodiazepine binding in rat and human brain by antiliriumR

Abstract Physostigmine (Antilirium R ) has been reported to reverse benzodiazepine- induced sleep or coma in man and prevent death in animals. Accordingly, we investigated the effect of Antilirium upon benzodiazepine binding to both rat and human brain. We report that Antilirium inhibits 3 H-diazepam and 3 H-flunitrazepam binding in a dose-dependent manner. The degree of inhibition of binding by Antilirium correlates with the affinity of benzodiazepine for its “receptor” such that diazepam is more affected than flunitrazepam. The inhibition is rapid but the kinetics are complex with only doses of Antilirium showing competitive inhibition when studied at equilibrium. These results may explain, at least in part, the effectiveness of Antilirium at reversing benzodiazepine-induced hypnosis without necessarily implicating a cholinergic mechanism.
Phenotypic study of a case receiving a keratolimbal allograft and amniotic membrane for total limbal stem cell deficiency

Abstract Purpose To report the expression pattern of key molecules by the reconstructed corneal epithelium after a keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for total limbal stem cell deficiency. Design Interventional case report. Method A 50-year-old woman with severe chemical burns in both eyes received an AMT as a temporary patch at the acute stage, and a KLAL with AMT as a graft at the chronic stage for total limbal stem cell deficiency. The corneal button removed during subsequent corneal transplantation was submitted for immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies against keratin K3, MUC5AC, connexin 43, integrins α3β1 and α6β4, and laminin 5 for comparison with a normal cornea. Results Histologically, a normal stratified corneal epithelium has five to six cell layers that lay on the thick amniotic membrane basement membrane. The phenotype was of a corneal origin, based on expression of positive keratin K3, negative MUC5AC, and positive connexin 43. Furthermore, intact basement membrane complexes were present, evidenced by positive staining to integrins α3β1 and α6β4 and to laminin 5. Conclusions A normal corneal epithelial phenotype with normal basement membrane complexes was restored after a KLAL and AMT in a case with total limbal stem cell deficiency.
Beauty production at DØ

We report on the measurement of the inclusive production cross section of single muon, dimuon and heavy quarkonium states Jψ and ϒ in pp collisions at s=1.8 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We extract the inclusive b quark production cross section and compare the results with next to leading order QCD predictions. For the first time the measurement of the Jψ production cross section is extended to the forward region. From the information on the Jψ event topology, the muon impact parameter and the rate of χc radiative decays we estimate the role of various charmonium production mechanisms.
Direct Injection Nebulizer-Coupled Microwave-Induced Plasma for Atomic Emission Spectroscopy:

A micronebulizer/tangential torch configuration was used for the direct introduction of organic and aqueous aerosols into a 120-W argon Beenakker cavity plasma. Atomic emission was measured for Ca, Mg, Cr, Zn, Li, and Sr. Detection limits (3 sigma ) with the use of aqueous standards were 40, 80, 180, 535, 9, and 90 ng/mL, respectively. Detection limits under similar conditions with the use of 50% methanol-aqueous solutions were 35, 107, 230, 10, and 127 ng/mL for Ca, Mg, Cr, Li, and Sr, respectively. Iodine detection in the helium plasma was evaluated in aqueous, 50% methanol-aqueous, and pure methanol solutions, with detection limits of 17, 25, and 42 mu g/mL, respectively .
A dynamic-flow chamber comparison of three passive organic vapor monitors with charcoal tubes under single and multiple solvent exposure conditions

The use of passive organic vapor monitors has been suggested as an alternative to the use of charcoal tubes with a portable pump as a method to assess a worker's exposure to organic compounds. This study simultaneously compares DuPont's, Abcor's, and 3M's passive monitors to the charcoal tube method. The study used a well-characterized dynamic exposure system to closely duplicate actual environmental exposure conditions. The solvent vapor generation system provided accurate, stable, and reproducible atmospheres within the exposure chamber. This total system is recommended as a significant improvement over previously reported techniques. Temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and air velocity were monitored and held within a small range of variation. Desorption efficiencies were determined for each of the organic compounds on each of the sampling devices used. Statistical analysis determined monitor performance. All three manufacturer's monitors are demonstrated to be an acceptable alternative...
Phase-space description of the cell cycle: application to noncycling, senescent, and transformed cells.

Abstract The behavior of a cellular biochemical reaction system can be portrayed by its trajectory in phase space. Phase-plane trajectories are proposed which depict the concentration of a characteristic chemical species in normally reproducing diploid cells, and in their noncycling, transformed, and senescent counterparts. It is assumed that the biochemical reaction system which determines the concentration of the characteristic species is nonlinear and nonconservative; the trajectories are therefore analyzed with the help of established qualitative mathematical techniques which are applicable to such systems. Mitotic cycles are represented as stable limit cycles; noncycling and senescent states are represented as isolated stable singular points. The concentration trajectory traversed in the transformed cell cycle surrounds the trajectory traversed in the normal cell cycle, which itself surrounds the singular point corresponding to the noncycling or senescent state. Transitions between the normal cycle and the noncycling state are associated with changes in the concentration of the characteristic species which exceed cyclically varying rate-dependent threshold values. Transitions from the normal cycle to the transformed cycle or to the senescent state are described by the coalescence and disappearance of the normal stable limit cycle with one of two adjacent unstable limit cycles.
Germanium selective solar absorber surfaces

Thin Ge films, produced by evaporation through 0.3, 1 and 3 torr pressures of argon onto polished aluminum substrates were found to exhibit selective absorption behaviour. Maximum absorptance to emittance ratios of 13∶1 were measured, with values of 8∶1 for films having solar absorptances of 0,9. Film structures were significant in determining collection efficiency. Films deposited at 0.3 torr showed better overall properties due to a larger particle size of about 1 μm compared with an approximate 0.1 μm size measured with films deposited at 1 and 3 torr.
Rotationally resolved electronic spectra for uranium monoxide

Abstract The electronic spectrum of UO has been studied in the region from 16600 to 20550 cm −1 . A pulsed free jet expansion was used to generate low-temperature (130 K) gas-phase samples of U 16 O and U 18 O. Spectra were recorded by the use of two-color resonance-enhanced photoionization followed by mass analysis. Three bands have been rotationally analysed, providing an electronic ground-state rotational constant of B ″ = 0.3333±3 cm −1 and an Ω″ = 4 assignment. These results are shown to be in good agreement with the current theoretical models for the electronic structure of UO.
The matriptase-prostasin proteolytic cascade in epithelial development and pathology

The type II transmembrane serine protease matriptase has an essential role in the integrity and function of multiple epithelial tissues. In the epidermis, matriptase activates the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored membrane serine protease prostasin to initiate a proteolytic cascade that is required for the development of the stratum corneum barrier function. Accordingly, mice deficient for matriptase phenocopy mice deficient for epidermal prostasin and present with impaired corneocyte differentiation, imparied lipid matrix formation, loss of profilaggrin processing and loss of tight junction formation and function. Together, these defects lead to a compromised epidermal barrier and result in fatal dehydration during the neonatal period. Proteolytic activity of the matriptase-prostasin cascade is regulated in the epidermis via inhibition by the Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1). Importantly, targeted post-natal ablation of matriptase in mice perturbs the function of multiple adult tissues, indicating an ongoing requirement for matriptase proteolysis in the maintenance of diverse types of epithelia. Impaired matriptase proteolytic activity has been linked to human Autosomal Recessive Icthyosis with Hypotrichosis (ARIH), whereas aberrant matriptase activity has been implicated in Netherton’s Syndrome. This review will summarize information pertaining to the role of matriptase in epithelial biology and will discuss recent advancements in our understanding of how matriptase activity is regulated and the down-stream effectors of matriptase proteolysis.
Effect of pH on the iso-1-cytochrome c denatured state: changing constraints due to heme ligation.

The effect of pH on the denatured state (3 M guanidine hydrochloride) was evaluated with fluorescence spectroscopy for four variants of iso-1-cytochrome c, AcTM (no surface histidines), AcH26 (surf...
Early Production From Some Devonian Shale Gas Wells Stimulated With Several Kinds of Explosive Charge

Early cumulative production from Devonian Shale gas wells stimulated with a high energy water gel explosive averaged 2 times that from nearby wells stimulated with dynamite. From an estimate of production loss due to well damage done by post-shot drilling in the shot zone, it is concluded that production from the wells stimulated with water gel would have averaged 5 times that from dynamite stimulations if no such drilling had been done.
A new shock/discontinuity detector

A new effective shock/discontinuity detector has been developed in this work. The detector has two steps. The first step is to check the ratio of the truncation errors on the coarse and fine grids, and the second step is to check the local ratio of the left-and right-hand slopes. The currently popular shock/discontinuity detectors such as Harten's, Jameson's and WENO can detect shock, but mistake high-frequency waves and critical points as shock and then damp the physically important high-frequency waves. Preliminary results show that the new shock/discontinuity detector is very delicate and can detect all shocks including strong, weak and oblique shocks or discontinuity in function and first-, second-and third-order derivatives without artificial case-related constants, but never mistake high-frequency waves and critical points or expansion waves as shock. This will overcome the bottleneck problem with numerical simulation for the shock-boundary layer interaction, shock-acoustic interaction, image process, porous media flow, multiple phase flow, detonation wave, and anywhere the high-frequency waves are important, but discontinuity exists and is mixed with high-frequency waves. After detecting the shock, we can then use one-side high-order scheme for shocks and high-order central compact scheme for the smooth parts if the shock is appropriately located. Then a high-order universal subroutine for the finite difference method is developed, which can be used for any finite difference code for accurate numerical derivatives.
Entry Guidance Performance for Mars Precision Landing

Future Mars missions will likely require active, closed-loop entry guidance schemes to improve landing accuracy. Generally, guidance methods can be divided into two broad categories: 1) reference-path tracking schemes, and 2) predictive path-planning schemes. This paper evaluates the performance and merits of these two guidance concepts for Mars entry. The reference-path guidance is based on Apollo entry guidance, whereas a new predictive guidance technique is developed. Numerical simulations are presented for Mars entry cases involving a spacecraft modeled on the Mars Science Laboratory mission. Monte Carlo simulations with dispersions in entry flight-path angle, drag coefficient, and atmospheric density show that the root mean square of the target miss distance is 4.21 km for the reference-path guidance and 3.00 km for the predictive guidance. Furthermore, 99% of both the reference-path and predictive guidance trajectories terminate within 10 km of the target. However, simulations show that predictive guidance performance depends strongly on knowledge of the aerodynamic and density dispersions. Based on this preliminary analysis, it appears that reference-path guidance is the better option for Mars precision landing.
Behavioral Treatments for Migraine Management: Useful at Each Step of Migraine Care

Migraine is a disabling and prevalent disorder. Migraine is most effectively treated with a stepped care approach, where patients initially receive a broad level of care (primary care) and proceed to receive increasingly specialized care throughout the course of treatment. Behavioral treatments for migraine modify behaviors of people with migraine with the intention to prevent migraine episodes and secondary consequence of migraine. Behavioral treatments can be incorporated into each level of the stepped care approach for migraine treatment. In this article, we provide a rationale for including behavioral treatment strategies in the treatment of migraine. We then describe and review the evidence for behavioral treatment strategies for migraine, including patient education, relaxation strategies, biofeedback, and cognitive behavioral treatment strategies. Finally, we describe how behavioral treatments can be integrated into a stepped care approach for migraine care.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication that is associated with modern techniques for in vitro fertilization. Extensive efforts have been made to understand the pathophysiology and to improve the management of this entity. The severe and life-threatening forms of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are still challenging for critical care physicians. This article reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, classification, clinical manifestations, and complications of these forms of OHSS. The different therapeutic options currently available are reviewed, and a stepwise approach for the management of these patients is provided.
Medical staff attitudes toward family presence during pediatric procedures.

Objective: Investigate health care providers' perceived advantages and disadvantages of family member presence (FMP) for a wide spectrum of procedures in the pediatric emergency department. Setting: Urban tertiary care children's hospital. Participants: Pediatric emergency department faculty and nurses, pediatric residents. Methods: In a written survey, participants rated approval of FMP for 9 procedures: intravenous (IV) placement, urinary catheterization, suturing, lumbar puncture, fracture reduction, chest tube placement, endotracheal intubation, medical resuscitation, and trauma resuscitation. Respondents listed advantages and disadvantages of FMP for patients, families, and staff. Results: 71% (104/146) of the surveys were completed. Attending physicians and nurses provided similarly high approval rating for less invasive procedures, with a decrement in approval for more invasive or life-threatening situations. Attending physicians and nurses were more likely than residents to approve FMP for all procedures except IV placement, suturing, and urinary catheterization, which had similar approval rates for all respondents. Commonly expressed potential advantages were ability to calm the patient, decreased parental helplessness, and increased parental knowledge that everything was done. Disadvantages included higher anxiety in room, disturbing parental memories, and detriment to success of the procedure. Medical-legal concerns, mistrust of providers, and more difficult teaching environment were uncommonly listed as disadvantages. Conclusions: Emergency department staff support FMP for minor procedures, yet express concern regarding the effects of this practice on the family and the success of the procedure. Most attending physicians and nurses support FMP during highly invasive procedures and resuscitations, whereas residents do not. This information provides insight into the educational and systematic requirements of implementation of FMP.
Estimating Economic Risk Using Monte Carlo Enterprise Budgets

Farmers often admit that they are gamblers. By using Monte Carlo enterprise budgets they can learn the odds of obtaining a positive economic return from their farming enterprises. Deterministic spread sheet budgets can be converted to Monte Carlo or stochastic budgets using commercial add-ins such as @Risk. However, relatively simple budgets can be converted into Monte Carlo budgets by using the statistical functions found in Excel or Open Office. This management guide shows how to convert a simple deterministic hay budget into a Monte Carlo budget using the statistical functions in Excel. Farmers, Gambling, and Risk Estimation Most farmers admit that they are gamblers since they recognize that farming is a risky business. Farmers often use electronic spread sheets to develop budgets to evaluate the profitability of an enterprise based on expected prices and productivity. These budgets are most often used with a few values based on current expectations. The purpose of a Monte Carlo budget is to help the farmer calculate the odds of winning. Based on the calculated odds, the farmer will know the probability of the enterprise being profitable or exceeding a defined minimum net income. Monte Carlo is a major gambling city in Europe, and its name is used in reference to computer models that enable the user to calculate odds or probabilities of an outcome. Another name for these computer programs is stochastic models. Risk is the exposure to unfavorable consequences due to uncertainty or imperfect knowledge (5). There are several types of risk associated with agricultural businesses. These include production, market, personal, and institutional risk. Production risk occurs due to variability in weather resulting in variability in crop yield and quality. Market risk occurs due to changes in price of inputs or value of outputs, especially during times of volatile markets. Personal risk occurs due to the chance of injury or illness. Institutional risk occurs due to changes in government regulations that affect agricultural production or markets. These risks also interact. When drought over a large area reduces hay yield the price of hay within the region will go up. When the government subsidizes the production of ethanol made from corn the price of corn can go up. If the price of corn goes up it can affect the price of high quality hay. Uncertainty in all of these categories and the resulting risk are fundamental to agriculture. Complex whole-farm systems are best evaluated using sophisticated Excel add-ins such as @Risk (4). However, less complex enterprise budgets can be converted to stochastic budgets using basic statistical functions in Excel and knowledge of the distribution of input values for selected variables in the budget to give a probability distribution of the economic outcome for the enterprise.
Alzheimer's disease: A disabling neurophysiological disorder with complex nursing implications

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a very complex and devastating disorder of the brain that affects over 2 million people in the United States, mostly over age 65. Approximately one-half are taken care of at home by family members; the remainder are in institutions. Nearly 120,000 deaths are attributed to AD annually. While biomedical research continues to make headway in uncovering factors related to the disease, the causes, and therefore, the treatment remain just beyond our reach. In the meantime, persons with AD, their family members, and professional caregivers must learn to cope with this disabling disease on a day-to-day basis while waiting for a breakthrough. AD is characterized by a gradual decline in mental status and functional abilities over an extended period of time, from as short as 1 year to as long as 10 years or more. Eventually, all components of cerebral functioning are altered, with the neuronal losses exhibited at the cognitive and behavioral level. The nature and degree of decline depends on the extent of the progression of neuronal deterioration and, therefore, varies widely from patient to patient. The complex interactional patterns of pathophysiological brain changes and the concommitant cognitive/behavioral manifestations present careplanning and caregiving dilemmas. On the one hand, it is our responsibility as nurses to treat patients and teach others to care for patients in the least restrictive environment possible, while maintaining a choice of options, promoting optimal functioning, and fostering independence in the patient. On the other hand, these goals represent a delicate balance in the face of a progressively deteriorating neuronal structure that robs the person of the ability to reason and solves problems. It is unrealistic to expect a person to perform tasks for which he/she is neither cognitively nor functionally equipped to handle. Maintaining this delicate balance requires that the nurse continually make informed clinical judgments based on accurate assessments and a thorough knowledge of the physiological changes caused by the disease process. The Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model (Hall 1988) holds great promise for further research and the development of clinical interventions with AD sufferers. The caregiving goal is to compensate for the losses and help the patient function within his/her neurologic capacity.
Miniature swine as organ donors for man: Strategies for prevention of xenotransplant-associated infections

: Xenotransplantation could potentially overcome limitations in organ transplantation resulting from a shortage of donor organs. Transplantation from miniature swine raises concerns over the potential introduction of new infectious agents into humans. These “direct zoonotic infections” or “xenoses” derived from swine fall into four categories: (1) microbial agents known to cause infection in humans (traditional zoonoses);(2) “species specific” organisms restricted to infection of the donor xenograft tissues by the absence of receptors or other factors needed for growth in human cells;(3) organisms of broad “host range” capable of infection of tissues outside the xenograft in the immunocompromised transplant recipient;and (4) organisms, such as retroviruses, of unknown quantity and with unmeasured capacity for causing disease in humans. The behavior of donor-derived xenoses in immunocompromised xenotransplant recipients cannot be predicted. The ability of human-derived microbial agents to infect porcine xenografts, and the capacity of the human immune system to inhibit such infections, also merit investigation. Experimental assessment of the infectious disease risks associated with xenotransplantation is important and practical.
Rotation invariant texture classification by ridgelet transform and frequency-orientation space decomposition

A new rotation invariant feature extraction method in the ridgelet transform domain for texture classification is proposed. Ridgelet transform can be divided into two stages: the Radon transform stage and the 1-D wavelet transform stage. According to the Projection-Slice theorem, the Radon transform actually provides information about the image data on a polar-grid in the frequency domain. This is ideal for rotation invariant feature extraction. Furthermore, by using wavelets that have compact support in the frequency domain, we can actually use ridgelet transform to achieve frequency-orientation decompositions for the given image data, which is similar to the multi-channel filtering technique. This makes the proposed method very effective in capturing texture properties for classification. Experimental results show a good performance achieved by the proposed method.
Sedimentation coefficients in the zonal ultracentrifuge.

Abstract A method is presented to predict rapidly and accurately the sedimentation coefficient distribution to be expected in fractions obtained by rate zonal centrifugation in the zonal ultracentrifuge. The analysis may also be used to determine the band width of a single sedimentation rate species. Experimental data are given in support of the theoretical treatment. For ease of application we present the method stepwise: 1. 1. From the density gradient profile compute η s (1 − υ m ϱ s ) as a function of ln r. Plot. (The physical characteristics of the B-XIV and B-XV zonal centrifuge rotors are obtainable from reference 8.) 2. 2. Measure areas under the curve at regular increments of ln r, by planimetry or trapezoidal integration. 3. 3. Insert in equation 1 the normalized areas and, depending on whether a design or analysis system is being set up, calculate ω2t or s20,w. 4. 4. Plot s20,w vs. ln r. 5. 5. Obtain the sedimentation spread in a fraction of any size directly from this plot, as demonstrated in Figure 5. 6. 6. Obtain the true g(s) in the fraction by first calculating the proportion of each s-rate species within the radial segment under consideration (see Fig. 5) and then multiplying this by the g(s) of that s-rate species in the unfractionated material obtained analytically. These are plotted against s20,w (Fig. 7).
Contemporary results for proximal aortic replacement in North America.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to characterize operative outcomes for ascending aorta and arch replacement on a national scale and to develop risk models for mortality and major morbidity. Background Contemporary outcomes for ascending aorta and arch replacement in North America are unknown. Methods We queried the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database for patients undergoing ascending aorta (with or without root) with or without arch replacement from 2004 to 2009. The database captured 45,894 cases, including 12,702 root, 22,048 supracoronary ascending alone, 6,786 ascending plus arch, and 4,358 root plus arch. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed. A parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to predict risks of mortality and major morbidity. Results Operative mortality was 3.4% for elective cases and 15.4% for nonelective cases. A risk model for operative mortality (c-index 0.81) revealed a risk-adjusted odds ratio for death after emergent versus elective operation of 5.9 (95% confidence interval: 5.3 to 6.6). Among elective patients, end-stage renal disease and reoperative status were the strongest predictors of mortality (adjusted odds ratios: 4.0 [95% confidence interval: 2.6 to 6.4] and 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.9 to 2.7], respectively; p Conclusions Current outcomes for ascending aorta and arch replacement in North America are excellent for elective repair; however, results deteriorate for nonelective status, suggesting that increased screening and/or lowering thresholds for elective intervention could potentially improve outcomes. The predictive models presented may serve clinicians in counseling patients.
A simple method to control the seed purity of japonica hybrid rice varieties using PCR‐based markers

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) by the cms-bo cytoplasm and its restoration by the nuclear restorer gene, Rf-1, are used for seed production of japonica hybrid rice varieties. To produce pure hybrid seeds, a prerequisite is to properly manage the seed purity of parental lines, especially CMS lines. In this study, three dominant polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based markers (M1, M2 and M3) were developed to detect mutual contamination in seed batches of CMS lines, maintainer lines, restorer lines and hybrids. M1 detected the mitochondrial sequence that was present in the cytoplasm of common japonica varieties and absent in the cms-bo cytoplasm. M2 and M3 detected the chromosomal sequence related to the Rf-1 allele in restorer lines and the rf-1 allele in common japonica varieties, respectively. By the strategic use of these markers, japonica hybrids and their parental lines could be efficiently distinguished from each other. Furthermore, sensitivity tests for the three markers with a series of crude DNA samples prepared from polished grains demonstrated that these markers could detect one contaminating grain among 500 or 1000 grains. Therefore, the bulk PCR analyses with the markers developed here probably make it possible to control the seed purity of japonica hybrids properly by selecting appropriate seed batches of their parental lines quickly and efficiently.
A Universal Hardware Scheduler for Human Body Signals Acquisition

Embedded systems are becoming extremely important technology in biomedical applications such as automatic clinical analysis and patient monitoring. The proposed device will benefit multilevel end users from collaborative medical diagnostic teams, to the patient private use at home. In this research, for heterogeneous multi-channel human body signals, different sampling rates are identified for each channel, and optimized for best data quality with minimal storage requirement. Performance evaluations show that the speed of the proposed Scheduler-on-Chip (SchoC) is 24% faster than a comparable software-based scheduler. The proposed SchoC reduces the amount of data being acquired by up to 59%, which in turn decreases memory requirements.
Lack of a differential radiation response for proliferative and non-proliferative rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) in vitro.

Abstract FRTL-5 rat thyroid epithelial cells maintain normal thyroid function and morphology in vitro , exhibit an absolute requirement for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) for proliferation and display radiation dose response characteristics indistinguishable from those of rat thyroid epithelial cells in vivo (Rad. Res. 105:138–146, 1986). In TSH-free medium cells remain in a non-proliferative, yet viable, state for prolonged periods of time and respond to TSH re-stimulation by a return to exponential growth. Flow cytometric analysis using two-step acridine orange (AO) staining revealed an accumulation of cells in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle accompanied by a pronounced reduction in red fluorescence (indicative of RNA content) in FRTL-5 cells cultured in the absence of TSH. The response of proliferative and non-proliferative FRTL-5 cells to single dose, split dose and fractionated radiation was compared to determine whether proliferative status was an important response determinant. The response of FRTL-5 cells was not influenced by proliferative status at the time of irradiation. Additionally, dose response was not altered by variable (12 hr–8 days) non-proliferative intervals before or after irradiation. As revealed by split dose experiments, the rate and extent of sublethal damage repair was likewise similar for proliferative and non-proliferative cells. Multifraction experiments employing three fractions separated by 6 hr intervals indicate that non-proliferative FRTL-5 cells completely repair sublethal damage between fractions. These results indicate that the radiation response of FRTL-5 cells is not influenced by the proliferative status of the cells prior to or post-irradiation.
Glucocorticoid modulation of lymphokine-induced macrophage proliferation

Abstract The ability of glucocorticoids to modify lymphokine-induced macrophage proliferation, an in vitro correlate of cellular immunity in the guinea pig, was investigated. Lymphocyte production of macrophage mitogenic factor (MMF) was decreased in the presence of physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. Inhibition was concentration dependent (IC 50 of triamcinolone acetonide (TA): 2 × 10 −9 M ), glucocorticoid specific, and reversed by cortexolone. In contrast, pharmacological concentrations of glucocorticoids were necessary to inhibit macrophage proliferation induced by suboptimal dilutions of MMF. This inhibition was concentration dependent (IC 50 of TA: 4 × 10 −7 M ), glucocorticoid specific, and reversed by cortexolone. At supraoptimal dilutions of MMF, glucocorticoids caused a twofold potentiation of MMF-induced macrophage proliferation. Potentiation was concentration dependent (EC 50 of TA: 3 × 10 −8 M ), glucocorticoid specific, reversed by glucocorticoid antagonists, and occurred in the presence of indomethacin. Thus, glucocorticoids regulate both the initiation and effector phases of this in vitro model of delayed hypersensitivity. However, the results indicate that the major mechanism of glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory action occurs at the level of the MMF-producing lymphocyte rather than at the effector macrophage, as MMF-induced proliferation is likely controlled by opposing glucocorticoid-sensitive mechanisms.
Observation of Normal-Metal Phonons with Proximity-Effect Tunneling

We have measured the tunneling characteristics ($\frac{\mathrm{dV}}{\mathrm{dI}}$ and $\frac{{d}^{2}V}{d{I}^{2}}$ versus $V$) of thin film junctions of the form $\mathrm{Al}\ensuremath{-}I\ensuremath{-}M\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Pb}$, where $M$ is Ag, Cu, or Al. These tunneling characteristics have dips at voltages corresponding to peaks in the phonon density of states of $M$ and peaks at voltages corresponding to the peaks in the phonon density of states of Pb. From the amplitude of the dips due to the phonons of $M$ we can crudely estimate the electron-phonon coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{M}$ for Al and Cu.
Cellular decomposition and precipitation in a superconducting niobium-zirconium alloy

Abstract Heat treatment of an annealed Nb-25% Zr alloy in the temperature range 600 °–900 °C leads to a cellular transformation to two isostructural phases. The rates of cell growth are higher by a factor 10 7 –10 8 than those calculated using the volume diffusion coefficient and cell-matrix interface diffusion therefore seems likely to be the rate-determining factor in the cellular decomposition. In an as-extruded Nb-25% Zr material, the cellular reaction nucleates both on stringers of a mixed carbide (Zr, Nb)C and at the boundaries of partially-recrystallised grains. When the as-extruded material is solution treated and quenched from 1500 °C, fine scale sub-boundary and grain boundary precipitation occurs prior to the cellular reaction, and the kinetics of the latter are modified.
A Tutorial on Production Smoothing and Work Force Balancing

At the Thirtieth National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of America a special tutorial session was held, entitled "Problems in the Analysis of Production Systems." The present article is adapted from one of the papers presented at the session. Retaining the same nature as the tutorial session the article is concerned with the basic issues of production smoothing and work force balancing and is directed at an audience generally unfamiliar with technical approaches to the analysis of production systems. A bibliography is also included.
Dissolution rates and vadose zone drainage from strontium isotope measurements of groundwater in the Pasco Basin, WA unconfined aquifer

Abstract Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) measured in groundwater samples from 273 wells in the Pasco Basin unconfined aquifer below the US Department Of Energy Hanford Site show large and systematic variations that provide constraints on groundwater recharge, weathering rates (for saturated zone dissolution) of the aquifer host rocks, communication between unconfined and deeper confined aquifers, and vadose zone–groundwater interaction. The impact of millions of cubic meters of wastewater discharged to the vadose zone (103–105 times higher than ambient drainage) shows up strikingly on maps of groundwater 87Sr/86Sr. Extensive access through the many groundwater monitoring wells at the site allows for an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the strontium geochemistry of a major aquifer, hosted primarily in unconsolidated sediments, and relate it to both long term properties and recent disturbances. Groundwater 87Sr/86Sr increases systematically from 0.707 to 0.712 from west to east across the Hanford Site, in the general direction of groundwater flow, as a result of addition of Sr from the weathering of aquifer sediments and from diffuse drainage through the Pasco Basin vadose zone. The lower 87Sr/86Sr groundwater reflects recharge waters that have acquired Sr from Columbia River Basalts. Based on a steady-state model of Sr reactive transport and drainage, there is an average natural drainage flux of 0–1.4 mm/yr near the western margin of the Hanford Site, and ambient drainage may be up to 30 mm/yr in the center of the site assuming an average bulk rock weathering rate of 10−7.5 g/(g/yr). The weathering rates cannot be higher than those assumed by more than a factor of 2–3, in order to match Sr isotope data.
Pathophysiology and classification of emphysema

Current research is providing new understanding in the pathophysiology of emphysema, and this knowledge will be translated in finding better modalities of therapy for patients currently affected by COPD. The single best effort that can alter the course of COPD is promoting policies to remove smoking as an available option to young people, before they become addicted and thus prey of tobacco-producing companies. Landmark studies like NETT and the GOLD initiative are providing tool classify emphysema in the context of physiological criteria and possible therapeutic alternatives.
Effects of alcohol on visually evoked responses in rats during addiction and withdrawal

Abstract The time course of visually evoked responses (VER's) recorded at the cortex were studied in rats during addiction and withdrawal. Data for peak-to-peak amplitudes, latencies and photic afterdischarges (PhAD's) were collected on the fifth, eleventh and seventeenth days of addiction, on the day of withdrawal and on the first, second and seventh days postwithdrawal. For the ethanol group during the addiction phase, amplitude and PhAD measures were depressed at the first recording session (day 5) and remained so throughout the addiction phase. Latency data, however, revealed a progressive increase to major peaks throughout the addiction phase that reached significance for P2 on day 17. VER amplitudes and PhAD excursion values were depressed and latencies increased, relative to controls, at the end of the addiction phase. On the day of withdrawal (day 0), P3-N3 amplitudes and PhAD excursion values remained significantly depressed relative to controls. Amplitude measures for other individual components had returned to control levels but had not yet exhibited rebound (neural hyperexcitability). Latency measures remained unchanged during day 0 testing and demonstrated a recovery to control levels by day 1 or 2 postwithdrawal. On day 1 postwithdrawal, amplitude and PhAD measures reflected neural hyperexcitability that remained throughout the seventh day although the decline in amplitudes between the second and seventh day of postwithdrawal testing suggested a trend toward neural recovery. The time course of VER amplitudes and latencies and the PhAD during addiction and withdrawal are discussed.
SIGNAL DETECTION AND MATCHING: ANALYZING CHOICE ON CONCURRENT VARIABLE‐INTERVAL SCHEDULES

Pigeons' pecks on a red key and a green key were followed by access to grain according to pairs of concurrent independent variable-interval schedules in a combined signal detection/matching law paradigm. Pecks on the red key were reinforced by the richer variable-interval schedule if a short-duration tone had been presented; pecks on the green key were reinforced by the richer variable-interval schedule if a long-duration tone had been presented. Pecks on the green key given a short-duration tone, or on the red key given a long-duration tone, were reinforced by the leaner variable-interval schedule. The data were analyzed according to both signal detection's and the matching law's separate measures of, first, the discrimination of the choices and, second, the bias to make one response or another. Increasing the difficulty of the tone-duration discrimination decreased both methods' measures of the discrimination of the choices and did not change both methods' measures of the bias to make one response or another. Changing the leaner variable-interval schedule so that it approached the richer variable-interval schedule decreased signal detection's measure of discrimination but left its measure of response bias and the matching law measures unchanged. Data collected only until a subject's first changeover response following presentation of a long or a short tone showed higher values for both methods' measures of discrimination, no change in signal detection's measure of response bias, and lower values for the matching law's measure of response bias. Relationships between the matching law's and signal detection's methods of analyzing choice are discussed. It is concluded that a signal detection analysis is more efficient for examining changes in the difficulty of a discrimination, whereas a matching law analysis is more effective for examining the effects of changes in relative reinforcer frequency.
Biofuels: too soon to give up.

Biofuels are essential to reducing our reliance on foreign oil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The recent Report by J. Fargione et al. (“Land clearing and the biofuel carbon debt,” 29 February, p. [1235][1]) claims that we need to be careful to avoid unintended consequences of biofuels. The accompanying Report by T. Searchinger et al. (“Use of U.S. croplands for biofuels increases greenhouse gases through emissions from land-use change,” 29 February, p. [1238][2]) adds that increased use of biofuels will actually increase carbon dioxide emissions because of deforestation and a sudden and major shift in land use. Although there has been substantial rebuttal to the assumptions in the two Reports ([1][3], [2][4]), these studies do highlight the need for a comprehensive analysis of the effects of biofuel production. Fortunately, new efforts are under way to address this issue. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will produce a comprehensive Special Report on the GHG Mitigation Potential of Renewable Energy. Also, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and its national labs are committed to sustainability and have been addressing these issues, including a comprehensive life-cycle analysis of large-volume production of biofuel by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which will be vetted by leading scientists in the United States and around the world. There is significant potential for second-generation biofuels to reduce carbon emissions when compared to first-generation biofuels technologies. However, the challenge to our nation in reducing our dependence on foreign oil is too great to abandon first-generation technology for fear of unintended consequences; instead, we must learn from comprehensive life-cycle analyses how to avoid those consequences as the biofuels market evolves. 1. 1.[↵][5]Department of Energy, “New studies portray unbalanced perspectives on biofuels: DOE committed to environmentally sound biofuels development” ([http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/news\_detail.html?news\_id=11794][6]). 2. 2.[↵][7]T. D. Searchinger, “Response to new fuels alliance and DOE analysts' criticisms of Science studies of greenhouse gases and biofuels” ([www.princeton.edu/∼tsearchi/writings.html][8]). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1152747 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1151861 [3]: #ref-1 [4]: #ref-2 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [6]: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/news_detail.html?news_id=11794 [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text" [8]: http://www.princeton.edu/~tsearchi/writings.html