cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Release of β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide upon Stimulation of Postganglionic Nerve Terminals in Blood Vessels and Urinary Bladder

Abstract Chemical signaling in autonomic neuromuscular transmission involves agents that function as neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators. Using high performance liquid chromatography techniques with fluorescence and electrochemical detection we observed that, in addition to ATP and norepinephrine (NE), electrical field stimulation (EFS, 4–16 Hz, 0.1–0.3 ms, 15 V, 60–120 s) of isolated vascular and non-vascular preparations co-releases a previously unidentified compound with apparent nucleotide or nucleoside structure. Extensive screening of more than 25 nucleotides and nucleosides followed by detailed peak identification revealed that β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (β-NAD) is released in tissue superfusates upon EFS of canine mesenteric artery (CMA), canine urinary bladder, and murine urinary bladder in the amounts of 7.1 ± 0.7, 26.5 ± 4.5, and 15.1 ± 3.2 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively. Smaller amounts of the β-NAD metabolites cyclic adenosine 5′-diphosphoribose (cADPR) and ADPR were also present in the superfusates collected during EFS of CMA (2.5 ± 0.9 and 5.8 ± 0.8 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively), canine urinary bladder (1.8 ± 0.5 and 9.0 ± 6.0 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively), and murine urinary bladder (1.4 ± 0.1 and 6.2 ± 2.4 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively). The three nucleotides were also detected in the samples collected before EFS (0.2–1.6 fmol/mg of tissue). Exogenous β-NAD, cADPR, and ADPR (all 100 nm) reduced the release of NE in CMA at 16 Hz from 27.8 ± 6.0 fmol/mg of tissue to 15.5 ± 5.0, 12 ± 3.0, and 10.0 ± 4.0 fmol/mg of tissue, respectively. In conclusion, we detected constitutive and nerve-evoked overflow of β-NAD, cADPR, and ADPR in vascular and non-vascular smooth muscles, β-NAD being the prevailing compound. These substances modulate the release of NE, implicating novel nucleotide mechanisms of autonomic nervous system control of smooth muscle.
Determining Noun Phrases in Tok Pisin

It is well known that since neither the inflectional morphemes nor most of the closed-class items of the lexifier language survive in pidgins, grammatical distinctions are not obligatorily marked. We thus find a large number of unmodified nouns and verbs. As pidgins are elaborated, processes of grammaticalization work to regularize the marking of grammatical categories and relations, and to increase redundancy overall. This paper considers the grammaticalization of determiners in Tok Pisin, looking at the extent to which the semantic features of specificity and definiteness are sufficient to explain the distributions we find in texts both from contemporary fluent second-language and creole speakers, and from earlier stages of the language. We suggest that the semantic feature of inalienability, marked in the grammars of many substrate languages, also plays an important role in determining Tok Pisin noun phrases.
Using spectroscopic tools to probe porphyrin deformation and porphyrin-protein interactions

The reactivity and functionality of heme proteins are to a significant extent determined by the conformation of their functional heme groups and by the interaction of axial ligands with their protein environment. This review focuses on experimental methods and theoretical concepts for elucidating symmetry lowering perturbations of the heme induced by the protein environment of the heme pocket. First, we discuss a variety of methods which can be used to probe the electric field at the heme, including spectral hole burning as well as low temperature absorption and room temperature circular dichroism spectroscopy. Second, we show how heme deformations can be described as superposition of deformations along normal coordinates, thereby using the irreducible representations of the D4h point group as a classification tool. Finally, resonance Raman spectroscopy is introduced as a tool to probe the deformations of metalloprophyrins in solution and in protein matrices by measuring and comparing intensities and depolarization properties rather than wavenumber positions.
Full-frame cosine transform image compression for medical and industrial applications

Full-frame image compression capable of a 10∶1 ratio or higher was developed for radiological applications where block artifacts are not acceptable. Applications in machine vision with similar stringencies can utilize the same principles and hardware design. Subsecond compression speed for image sizes up to 1K × 1K × 8 can be achieved by DMA and DSP designs using off-the-shelf components and customized bus architecture. Successions of completed hardware module design and proposed enhancements are reported with technical details. The possibility of 512 × 512 × 8 image compression in real time is also explored with design examples.
Trapping of a covalent enzyme intermediate in the reaction of Bacillus macerans cyclomaltodextrin glucanyltransferase with cyclomaltohexaose

The mechanism of catalysis of Bacillus macerans cyclomaltodextrin glucanyltransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) was studied by trapping and isolating a covalent-enzyme intermediate. CGTase catalyzes an acceptor or coupling reaction between cyclomaltohexaose and a carbohydrate acceptor such as D-glucose. CGTase was incubated with 3H-labeled cyclomaltohexaose in the absence of any added acceptor. After 30 s of reaction, the enzyme was rapidly denatured and precipitated by the addition of 10% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Extensive washing of the precipitated protein showed retention of radioactivity with the protein. The precipitate was dissolved in 0.1 M TFA, containing 6 M urea and passed over a BioGel P-10 column. The protein fraction retained 95% of its original radioactivity. The reaction with [3H]cyclomaltohexaose was also stopped by the addition of TFA to give an inactive enzyme at pH 2.5. The enzyme was separated from unreacted cyclomaltohexaose on a BioGel P-10 column and was shown to be radioactive. When the radioactive protein fraction was rechromatographed on BioGel P-10, it retained 100% of the label. These results demonstrate the formation of a covalent carbohydrate-enzyme intermediate in the reactions catalyzed by CGTase.
Training simultaneous recurrent neural network with resilient propagation for static optimization.

This paper proposes a non-recurrent training algorithm, resilient propagation, for the Simultaneous Recurrent Neural network operating in relaxation-mode for computing high quality solutions of sta...
The importance of model studies in computational organic synthesis.

We explore a model, the “synthesis engine”, for synthesis of arbitrarily complex organic structures in the context of library construction of Grignard cycle compounds. We use the simplest possible governing logic and show that random synthesis produces an extremely uneven distribution of products over several target structure types. We show that the question of “synthetic power” may be addressed computationally in this model system.
Merging network patterns: a general framework to summarize biomedical network data

The ability to summarize a large number of network patterns discovered from biomedical data provides valuable information for use in many applications. We show that several variants of the problem are all NP-hard, and merging network patterns is a practical solution for these applications. In this work, we propose an algorithmic framework for merging network patterns. We have developed fast algorithms under this general framework which supports several types of biomedical network data. In addition, our empirical study demonstrates that our algorithms are efficient in merging a large number of biomedical network patterns and can be configured for various knowledge discovery purposes.
Late Pleistocene climate inferred from the reconstruction of the Taylor River glacier complex, southern Sawatch Range, Colorado

Abstract Ice surface topography of a late Pleistocene glacier complex, herein named the Taylor River Glacier Complex (TRGC), was reconstructed on the basis of detailed mapping of glacial landforms combined with analyses of aerial photos and topographic maps. During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the TRGC covered an area of 215 km 2 and consisted of five valley or outlet glaciers that were nourished by accumulation in cirques basins and/or upland ice fields. Equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) for the glaciers of the TRGC were estimated using the accumulation-area ratio method, assuming that ratio to be 0.65 ± 0.05. ELAs thus derived ranged from about 3275 to 3400 m, with a mean of 3340 ± 60 m. A degree-day model (DDM) was used to infer the climatic significance of the LGM ELA. With no appreciable differences in precipitation with respect to modern climate, the ELA implies that mean summer temperatures during the LGM were ∼7.6 °C cooler than today. The DDM was also used to determine the temperatures required to maintain steady-state mass balances for each of the reconstructed glaciers. The required reductions in summer temperature vary little about a mean of 7.1 °C. The sensitivity of these results to slight (± 25%) changes assumed for LGM precipitation are less than ± 0.5 °C. Even under an LGM climate in which precipitation is assumed to be substantially different (± 50%) than the present, mean summer temperatures must be on the order of 7.0 to 8.5 °C lower to depress equilibrium lines to LGM altitudes. The greater sensitivity of the ELA to changes in temperature suggests that glaciation in the region was driven more by decreases in summer temperature rather than increases in precipitation.
EFFECT OF VERAPAMIL ON THE PULMONARY VASOCONSTRICTOR ACTION OF PROSTAGLANDIN F2α AND A SYNTHETIC PGH2 ANALOGUE

1 The vasopressor response to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and to ((15S)-hydroxy-11 alpha, 9 alpha-(epoxymethano)-prosta-5Z, 13E-dienoic acid) (U-46619) in the canine isolated lung lobe was significantly attenuated following the administration of verapamil. 2 The pressor response to arachidonic acid (AA) was not affected by the presence of verapamil. 3 The pulmonary pressor effect of PGF2 alpha and U-46619 is dependent, at least in part, on Ca2+ influx into vascular smooth muscle cells. 4 The pulmonary pressor response to AA cannot be attributed to PGF2 alpha or to endoperoxide intermediates but to some other product dependent on intracellular calcium stores.
The Newport Button: The Large Scale Replication Of Combined Three-And Two-Dimensional Holographic Images

A unique type of holographic imagery and its large scale replication are described. The "Newport Button", which was designed as an advertising premium item for the Newport Corporation, incorporates a complex overlay of holographic diffraction gratings surrounding a three-dimensional holographic image of a real object. The combined pattern is recorded onto a photosensitive medium from which a metal master is made. The master is subsequently used to repeatedly emboss the pattern into a thin plastic sheet. Individual patterns are then die cut from the metallized plastic and mounted onto buttons. A discussion is given of the diffraction efficiencies of holograms made in this particular fashion and of the special requirements of the replication process.
Challenges and possibilities for developing adaptive optics - ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography for clinical in vivo retinal imaging

Recent developments in adaptive optics - optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) allow for ultra-high isotropic resolution imaging of the in-vivo retina, offering unprecedented insight into its volumetric microscopic and cellular structures. In addition to this promising achievement, the clinical impact and application of this technology still needs to be explored. This includes assessment of limitations and challenges for existing as well as future AO-OCT systems, especially in the context of potential transfer of this technology from an optical bench to a portable imaging system. To address these issues we will describe our current AO-UHR-OCT focusing on its sub-components, as well as application for clinical imaging. Additionally, we describe some directions for future development of our AO-OCT instrument that would improve its clinical utility including: new compact AO-OCT design, new improved AO sub-system (extreme AO), and new generations of Fourier-domain-OCT.
Maskless nanolithography with diffractive optics: Zone- plate-array lithography (ZPAL)

We present zone-plate-array lithography (ZPAL), a new scheme for nanolithography, which uses a massively parallel array of Fresnel zone plates and micromechanical multiplexing to print patterns in a dot-matrix manner on a substrate.
Large-Scale Simulation in Marketing Education

The large-scale simulation is an exciting new educational technology that is well-suited for use in the capstone marketing course. Large-scale simulation is the first type of simulation to take up virtually an entire semester course. This article discusses the pros and cons of large-scale simulation for instructors wishing to learn more about it.
An Econometric Study of Weather’s Effect on Prices

This paper researches how weather affects the spot price of electricity. Determining a detailed correlation between the two would certainly be a valuable tool in forecasting prices. We can draw conclusions about the relationship by applying different econometric techniques and specifications. This paper serves as a survey of methods that an analyst may use to address the weather-price relationship. It lists several simple model specifications that prove quite informative. It discusses the Box-Cox Transformation method which is a very versatile technique and can be widely applied. This technique is considered most valuable to a broad constituency like these conference attendees that may have a wide range of data available. Also, the paper discusses ARCH and GARCH estimation of volatility — very insightful technique especially valuable in financial markets. The material is presented briefly to suggest directions of analysis to the readers. They can obtain more rigorous information from the references or by contacting the author.
The Application of Graphite as an Anode Material to High Vacuum Transmitting Tubes

Graphite has been found to possess a number of advantages over materials which have heretofore been used in the construction of anodes for high vacuum transmitting tubes of the radiation-cooled type. Graphite has a higher radiation emissivity, resulting in lower glass temperatures and therefore less danger of glass electrolysis and strain cracking. Its use avoids anode warping and therefore results in tubes of much greater electrical uniformity. With proper manufacturing methods, there is no sacrifice in tube life when graphite is substituted for molybdenum.
Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines

From Duke University Medical Center, Durhama; University of Minnesota, Minneapolisb; Pontefract General Infirmaryc; University of California at San Franciscod; Northwest Cutaneous Research Specialists, Portlande; The University of British Columbia, Vancouverf; and Johnson & Johnson, Skin Biology Research Center, Skillman.g Reprint requests: Elise A. Olsen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3294, Durham, NC 27710. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:242-6. *Developed from the Alopecia Areata Consensus meeting sponsored by the National Alopecia Areata Foundation at the First Tricontinental Meeting of the Hair Research Societies, Brussels, Belgium, Oct 8, 1995. Participants are listed at the end of the guidelines. Copyright © 1999 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. 0190-9622/99/$8.00 + 0 16/1/95940 I. PURPOSE To establish criteria for selecting and assessing subjects for both clinical and laboratory studies of alopecia areata, thereby facilitating collaboration, comparison of data, and the sharing of patient-derived tissue II. DEFINITION OF ALOPECIA AREATA Alopecia areata is a dermatologic disease characterized in its limited form by circumscribed round or oval patches of alopecia with well-demarcated borders between normal and affected scalp. There is no scale or induration of the scalp and no loss of follicular markings. Disease extent may progress from this limited form to complete loss of hair on the scalp and/or body. III. INCLUSION CRITERIA These guidelines apply only to terminal hair loss or growth on the scalp. These guidelines focus on the major forms of alopecia areata (patchy alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis) and their expression on the scalp. The terms alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis imply 100% scalp hair loss. Areas of hair loss other than on the scalp may be assessed and documented in the data collected on each patient. (See Section IV. B) IV. CRITERIA FOR MEASURING EXTENT OF INVOLVEMENT Those data items in boldface type should be filled out in toto. Those data items not in bold are optional and can be filled out as desired by the investigator. A. The proportion of scalp involvement is determined by dividing the scalp into 4 quadrants and estimating the percentage of the scalp surface that all the alopecic areas would occupy if placed together. The following groups will be used: S: Scalp hair loss _____S0 = No hair loss _____S4 = 76%-99% hair loss _____S1 = ≤ 25% hair loss _____a = 76%-95% hair loss _____S2 = 26%-50% hair loss _____b = 96%-99% hair loss _____S3 = 51%-75% hair loss _____S5 = 100% hair loss B. Other areas of alopecia or involvement by alopecia areata may be noted: B: Body hair loss _____B0 = No body hair loss _____B2 = 100% body (excluding scalp) hair loss _____B1 = Some body hair loss N: Nail involvement _____N0 = No nail involvement _____N1 = Some nail involvement _____a. Twenty-nail dystrophy/trachyonychia (must be all 20 nails) SPECIAL ARTICLE
Lymph node lesions in neonatal pigs congenitally exposed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

lated sheep, especially if samples were carefully collected to minimize the effects of nonuniform PrP-res distribution. The availability of a sensitive method for PrP-res detection that is applicable to formalin-fixed brain will significantly improve the accuracy of scrapie diagnosis in sheep. Adaptation of the hydrated autoclaving IHC procedure to automated capillary flow technology minimizes labor and reagents required, thus enhancing the suitability of this method for large scale diagnostic surveys. Acknowledgement. We thank Dennis Orcutt for technical assistance. No endorsements are herein implied. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standards of the products, and the use of the names by the USDA implies no approval of the products to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.
Taxonomic Revision of Cave Crayfishes in the Genus Orconectes, Subgenus Orconectes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) along the Cumberland Plateau, Including a Description of a New Species, Orconectes Barri

Abstract Historically, three obligate cave-dwelling species of Orconectes comprise an assemblage along the Cumberland Plateau of the southeastern United States, including Orconectes australis (with two subspecies, australis and packardi), O. incomptus, and O. sheltae. Using genetic data from three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S, and 16S), we present evidence for four cryptic lineages excluding O. sheltae. The subspecies of Orconectes australis represent distinct taxonomic units with non-sister phylogenetic relationships and will be each recognized as separate species. Orconectes (Orconectes) barri is a new species of subterranean crayfish with a small distribution around the Kentucky - Tennessee state border in Mississippian limestone. This species was uncovered during a previous thoroughly-sampled phylogeographic survey of the southern Appalachians. Additionally, we assign genetic barcodes (COI sequences) and conservation status to each species for management direction and i...
Recent changes in tropospheric water vapor over the Arctic as assessed from radiosondes and atmospheric reanalyses

[1] Changes in tropospheric water vapor over the Arctic are examined for the period 1979 to 2010 using humidity and temperature data from nine high latitude radiosonde stations north of 70°N with nearly complete records, and from six atmospheric reanalyses, emphasizing the three most modern efforts, MERRA, CFSR and ERA-Interim. Based on comparisons with the radiosonde profiles, the reanalyses as a group have positive cold-season humidity and temperature biases below the 850 hPa level and consequently do not capture observed low-level humidity and temperature inversions. MERRA has the smallest biases. Trends in column-integrated (surface to 500 hPa) water vapor (precipitable water) computed using data from the radiosondes and from the three modern reanalyses at the radiosonde locations are mostly positive, but magnitudes and statistical significance vary widely between sites and seasons. Positive trends in precipitable water from MERRA, CFSR and ERA-Interim, largest in summer and early autumn, dominate the northern North Atlantic, including the Greenland, Norwegian and Barents seas, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and (on the Pacific side) the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. This pattern is linked to positive anomalies in air and sea surface temperature and negative anomalies in end-of-summer sea ice extent. Trends from ERA-Interim are weaker than those from either MERRA or CFSR. As assessed for polar cap averages (the region north of 70°N), MERRA, CFSR and ERA-Interim all show increasing surface-500 hPa precipitable over the analysis period encompassing most months, consistent with increases in 850 hPa air temperature and 850 hPa specific humidity. Data from all of the reanalyses point to strong interannual and decadal variability. The MERRA record in particular shows evidence of artifacts likely introduced by changes in assimilation data streams. A focus on the most recent decade (2001–2010) reveals large differences between the three reanalyses in the vertical structure of specific humidity and temperature anomalies.
Elevated CO2 and plant species richness impact arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore communities.

Summary • We enumerated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal spore communities for 3 yr as part of a long-term CO 2 enrichment experiment at Cedar Creek, Minnesota, USA. Complete factorial combinations of two levels of CO 2 and N, and 16 perennial plant species grown in monoculture and 16-species polyculture were arranged in a splitplot design. • In 1998‐2000, spore communities were quantified under monocultures of eight plant species. In 2000, measurements were expanded to include monocultures and polycultures of all of the plant species. • Under plant monocultures, only Glomus clarum responded significantly to CO 2 elevation out of 11 species present. This response was not detectable under plant polycultures. Glomus clarum was also significantly more abundant under plant polycultures. Nitrogen addition had small negative effects on AM fungal spore abundance and species richness in 2000. The interaction of CO 2 and N did not affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore communities. • We show that CO 2 enrichment and plant species richness impact arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure. These findings are important because altered symbiotic functioning may result.
Exercise-induced cognitive plasticity, implications for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Lifestyle factors such as intellectual stimulation, cognitive and social engagement, nutrition, and various types of exercise appear to reduce the risk for common age-associated disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia. In fact, many studies have suggested that promoting physical activity can have a protective effect against cognitive deterioration later in life. Slowing or a deterioration of walking speed is associated with a poor performance in tests assessing psychomotor speed and verbal fluency in elderly individuals. Fitness training influences a wide range of cognitive processes, and the largest positive impact observed is for executive (a.k.a. frontal lobe) functions. Studies show that exercise improves additional cognitive functions such as tasks mediated by the hippocampus, and result in major changes in plasticity in the hippocampus. Interestingly, this exercise-induced plasticity is also pronounced in APOE e4 carriers who express a risk factor for late-onset AD that may modulate the effect of treatments. Based on AD staging by Braak et al., we propose that the effects of exercise occur in two temporo-spatial continua of events. The “inward” continuum from isocortex (neocortex) to entorhinal cortex/hippocampus for amyloidosis and a reciprocal “outward” continuum for neurofibrillary alterations. The exercise-induced hypertrophy of the hippocampus at the core of these continua is evaluated in terms of potential for prevention to stave off neuronal degeneration. Exercise-induced production of growth factors such as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to enhance neurogenesis and to play a key role in positive cognitive effects. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) may mediate the exercise-induced response to exercise on BDNF, neurogenesis and cognitive performance. It is also postulated to regulate brain amyloid β (Aβ) levels by increased clearance via the choroid plexus. Growth factors, specifically FGF and IGF-1
Early angiographic occlusion of ruptured blister aneurysms of the internal carotid artery using the Pipeline Embolization Device as a primary treatment option

Background Data on the timing, durability and occlusion rate of treating ruptured blister cerebral aneurysms using the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) are limited. Clinical presentation Three patients who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhages from ruptured blister aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries were treated with the PED. Results Aneurysmal occlusion with reconstruction of the parent vessels occurred angiographically using the PED as a primary treatment modality. All three patients were treated successfully without immediate or delayed complications and remained neurologically intact during the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusions Complete occlusion of a ruptured blister aneurysm can occur immediately after PED placement. In ruptured blister aneurysms with contrast stagnation after PED treatment, early angiographic occlusion was confirmed as early as 6 weeks and continued with medium-term durability.
Film tourism and ecotourism: mutually exclusive or compatible?

Purpose – This paper aims to look at the relationship between film tourism and ecotourism and questions whether the two are compatible or mutually exclusive. Design/methodology/approach – Entertainment films are making a deep impact on international tourism development, with popular movies playing an increasingly influential role in tourists’ choice of holiday destination. Areas with high natural value are frequently used as film locations, their image as a nature-loving escape paradise emerges and is coincided with a growth of film-induced visitors, willing to participate in nature-based activities. Tourism has always been a fundamental component of the areas of high natural value concept, and with this unparalled growth of the film tourism and ecotourism, it was inevitable that one day they will meet and interact in natural areas. This paper provides case studies where filmic intervention shapes tourist nature-loving imaginings, triggers ecotourism activities but also raises environmental concern of loc...
Secondary pollutants from ozone reactions with ventilation filters and degradation of filter media additives

Prior research suggests that chemical processes taking place on the surface of particle filters employed in buildings may lead to the formation of harmful secondary byproducts. We investigated ozone reactions with fiberglass, polyester, cotton/polyester and polyolefin filter media, as well as hydrolysis of filter media additives. Studies were carried out on unused media, and on filters that were installed for 3 months in buildings at two different locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specimens from each filter media were exposed to {approx}150 ppbv ozone in a flow tube under a constant flow of dry or humidified air (50percent RH). Ozone breakthrough was recorded for each sample over periods of {approx}1000 min; the ozone uptake rate was calculated for an initial transient period and for steady-state conditions. While ozone uptake was observed in all cases, we did not observe significant differences in the uptake rate and capacity for the various types of filter media tested. Most experiments were performed at an airflow rate of 1.3 L/min (face velocity = 0.013 m/s), and a few tests were also run at higher rates (8 to 10 L/min). Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, two oxidation byproducts, were quantified downstream of each sample. Those aldehydes (m/zmore » 31 and 45) and other volatile byproducts (m/z 57, 59, 61 and 101) were also detected in real-time using Proton-Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS). Low-ppbv byproduct emissions were consistently higher under humidified air than under dry conditions, and were higher when the filters were loaded with particles, as compared with unused filters. No significant differences were observed when ozone reacted over various types of filter media. Fiberglass filters heavily coated with impaction oil (tackifier) showed higher formaldehyde emissions than other samples. Those emissions were particularly high in the case of used filters, and were observed even in the absence of ozone, suggesting that hydrolysis of additives, rather than ozonolysis, is the main formaldehyde source in those filters. Emission rates of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were not found to be large enough to substantially increase indoor concentrations in typical building scenarios. Nevertheless, ozone reactions on HVAC filters cannot be ignored as a source of low levels of indoor irritants.« less
SCD: A scalable coherence directory with flexible sharer set encoding

Large-scale CMPs with hundreds of cores require a directory-based protocol to maintain cache coherence. However, previously proposed coherence directories are hard to scale beyond tens of cores, requiring either excessive area or energy, complex hierarchical protocols, or inexact representations of sharer sets that increase coherence traffic and degrade performance. We present SCD, a scalable coherence directory that relies on efficient highly-associative caches (such as zcaches) to implement a single-level directory that scales to thousands of cores, tracks sharer sets exactly, and incurs negligible directory-induced invalidations. SCD scales because, unlike conventional directories, it uses a variable number of directory tags to represent sharer sets: lines with one or few sharers use a single tag, while widely shared lines use additional tags, so tags remain small as the system scales up. We show that, thanks to the efficient highly-associative array it relies on, SCD can be fully characterized using analytical models, and can be sized to guarantee a negligible number of evictions independently of the workload. We evaluate SCD using simulations of a 1024-core CMP. For the same level of coverage, we find that SCD is 13× more area-efficient than full-map sparse directories, and 2× more area-efficient and faster than hierarchical directories, while requiring a simpler protocol. Furthermore, we show that SCD's analytical models are accurate in practice.
Retroperitoneal course of iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, and genitofemoral nerves: A study to improve identification and excision during triple neurectomy

Triple neurectomy of the iliohypogastric (IHN), ilioinguinal (IIN), and genitofemoral (GFN) nerves is an available treatment option for chronic groin pain when conservative measures are ineffective. This research study attempted to define the variability of IHN, IIN, and GFN by categorizing variation and establishing a relationship to clinically significant landmarks. 22 cadavers (43 specimens) were dissected. Age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, and pertinent medical history were recorded for each specimen. Nerve emergence, insertion, and split points were measured in relation to clinically significant landmarks. Retroperitoneal trajectories of IHN, IIN, and GFN were analyzed and categorized based on nerve branching patterns. IIN and IHN had three branching patterns - type A (47%) in which the IIH and IIN exit as separate branches; type B (26%) in which the IIH and IIN exit as a single bundle and split; and type C (28%) in which the IIH and IIN exit and do not split. The GFN had three branching patterns--type 1 (50%) in which the GFN exited from the psoas major and then split into the genital and femoral branches; type 2 (30%) in which the GFN exited and did not split; and type 3 (20%) in which the GFN exited the psoas major already split into the genital and femoral branches. Variations in the IHN, IIN, and GFN nerves outlined in this study will provide surgeons with clinically useful information aiding in successful and efficient localization of these nerves during retroperitoneal procedures, including laparoscopic triple neurectomy.
EFFECTS OF BASIDIOMYCETE LACCASE ON CERCOSPORIN

Cercosporin is a perylenequinone pigment produced by fungi in the genus Cercospora which under light generates reactive oxygen species causing membrane damage and mortality of living cells. Our objectives were to demonstrate that fungal laccase, a lignolytic copper-containing enzyme, can degrade cercosporin and reduce cercosporin toxicity toward living cells. Cercosporin from Cercospora beticola and Cercospora hayi was treated with laccase from basidiomycete fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Trametes versicolor) in the dark and under constant light. Under these conditions the absorbance of the cercosporin decreased at 220, 279 and 295-500 nm within 10 min of reaction with laccase from either P. ostreatus or T. versicolor, indicating that basidiomycete laccase can induce changes in UV-visible spectra of cercosporin. The LIVE/DEAD® Bac LightTM VIABILITY kit and fluorescent microscopy showed more viable E. coli cells after incubation under light with cercosporin and laccase than with cercosporin alone. Lesions were apparent on sugar beet leaves exposed to cercosporin under light after 48 h, but leaves exposed to cercosporin and laccase showed visibly less damage. These data suggest that laccase from basidiomycete fungi can decrease the toxic effect of cercosporin toward microorganisms and plant tissue.
Image stabilization for a camera on a moving platform

An image stabilization system for use with a camera mounted on a moving vehicle is presented. This system has been designed to produce steady image sequences from signals which have been received from such a vehicle. Initial tests have verified the validity of the motion detection algorithm, and substantial stabilization of recorded images has been observed. >
The Nature of the Molecular Environment within 5 Parsecs of the Galactic Center

We present a detailed study of molecular gas in the central 10 pc of the Galaxy through spectral line observations of four rotation inversion transitions of NH3 made with the Very Large Array. Updated line widths and NH3 (1, 1) opacities are presented, and temperatures, column densities, and masses are derived for the major molecular features. We examine the impact of Sgr A East on molecular material at the Galactic center and find that there is no evidence that the expansion of this shell has moved a significant amount of the 50 km s-1 giant molecular cloud. The western streamer, however, shows strong indications that it is composed of material swept up by the expansion of Sgr A East. Using the mass and kinematics of the western streamer, we calculate an energy of ESN = (2-9) ? 1051 ergs for the progenitor explosion and conclude that Sgr A East was most likely produced by a single supernova. The temperature structure of molecular gas in the central ~20 pc is also analyzed in detail. We find that molecular gas has a two-temperature structure similar to that measured on much larger scales in the Galactic center region. The largest observed line ratios, however, cannot be understood in terms of a two-temperature model and most likely result from absorption of NH3 (3, 3) emission by cool surface layers of clouds. By comparing the observed NH3 (6, 6)-to-(3, 3) line ratios, we disentangle three distinct molecular features within a projected distance of 2 pc from Sgr A*. Gas associated with the highest line ratios shows kinematic signatures of both rotation and expansion. The southern streamer shows no significant velocity gradients and does not appear to be directly associated with either the circumnuclear disk or the nucleus. The paper concludes with a discussion of the line-of-sight arrangement of the main features in the central 10 pc.
Coalitions for distributed sensor fusion

We address the problem of efficient use of communication bandwidth in a network of distributed sensors. Each sensor node has enough computational power to fuse its own estimates with those of other nodes using an optimal filter, but message passing is expensive. The goal is to give each node an identical tactical picture of the area of interest without compromising target track accuracy. In the current leading approach, each sensing node sends an Associated Measurement Report (AMR: a sensor reading matched to a track ID) to every other node. This paper considers a method of decimation of reporting nodes by choosing a subset (coalition) of those nodes that have the best information on the target. Only coalition nodes share AMRs with each other; then the coalition sends a report to non-coalition nodes. Simulations and analytical studies are used to support the promise of the coalition approach.
Evaluation of a summer research institute in behavioral health for undergraduate students

Because of the need for additional researchers in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral health services research, the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida developed and pilot tested a summer research institute for undergraduate students. Participants completed a 6-week program in which they developed a research project with a mentor and participated in a research seminar. The long-term objectives of the program were to attract promising students to the field and encourage them to pursue careers in behavioral health services research; short-term goals of the program were to strengthen participants’ research skills and knowledge, provide an intensive and enjoyable learning experience, and positively impact participants’ intentions to pursue graduate education in behavioral health. These goals were evaluated using a pre–post design with 6-month follow-up. Findings suggested that short-term goals were met. Suggestions for future improvements and implementation at other research settings are discussed.
An Administrators' Guide for Effective Committee Work:

The guidelines here can assist the school administrator in deter mining when a committee is appropriate and how to ensure that it is effective.
Report on the First International VLDB Workshop on Clean Databases (CleanDB 2006)

In this report, we provide a summary of the First Int'l VLDB Workshop on Clean Databases (CleanDB 2006), which took place at Seoul, Korea, on September 11, 2006, in conjunction with the 32nd Int'l Conference on Very Large Data Bases (VLDB).
Adsorption of diferrocenylacetylene on Au(111) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Scanning tunneling microscopy images of diferrocenylacetylene (DFA) coadsorbed with benzene on Au(111) show individual and close-packed DFA molecules, either adsorbed alongside benzene or on top of a benzene monolayer. Images acquired over a range of positive and negative tip–sample bias voltages show a shift in contrast, with the acetylene linker appearing brighter than the ferrocenes at positive sample bias (where unoccupied states primarily contribute) and the reverse contrast at negative bias. Density functional theory was used to calculate the electronic structure of the gas-phase DFA molecule, and simulated images produced through two-dimensional projections of these calculations approximate the experimental images. The symmetry of both experimental and calculated molecular features for DFA rules out a cis adsorption geometry, and comparison of experiment to simulation indicates torsion around the inter-ferrocene axis between 90° and 180° (trans); the cyclopentadienyl rings are thus angled with respect to the surface.
Developing Educational Indicators that Will Guide Students and Institutions toward a Sustainable Future.

To meet the sustainability challenge, colleges and universities will have to reorient their educational programs. IR can help assess and demonstrate the success of such initiatives.
Flow Optimization Studies for the ITER Shield Modules

A 3-d, 4-channel prototypical model representing a subset of an ITER neutron shield module was analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. We used this model to optimize the radial gaps in the coaxial flow drivers along with the depth of the radial holes or channels in the stainless steel modules. In addition to redirecting the flow first to the back of the module and then to the front, the flow drivers increase the pressure drop in the radial tubes to allow for more uniform flow distribution from the back-drilled manifolds. They also increase the fluid velocity near the wall for improved heat transfer. We sized the flow drivers to allow for 2, 3 and 4-millimeter (mm) gaps along the annuli. The depths of the radial channels below the manifold were 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm for each of the 2, 3, and 4 mm radial gaps. The objective of the study was to ascertain if a fixed 90-mm length on the bottom flow driver could be utilized for radial channels of varying depth below the back-drilled manifold and still provide adequate cooling for the neutron thermal load. Our group also performed an optimization of the gap around the tee-vane in the shield module front header. Tee-vane gaps of 1, 2 and 3 mm were studied to assess the flow bypass and wall velocities at the end of the model. In this article, we present the results of a full matrix of flow simulations using the CFdesign CFD package. The study indicates that a 90-mm-long flow driver with a 4-mm radial gap can keep the steel around the radial tubes sufficiently cool up to 30 mm beneath the back-drilled manifold. We also discovered that flow bypass through the end gap on the tee-vane is relatively small and has little effect on cooling of the front cover plate for gap sizes as large as 3 mm.
Improved outcomes in peripartum cardiomyopathy with contemporary

Background Prior studies have shown both high morbidity and mortality for patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). These studies were small and predated current advances in heart failure treatment. We sought to determine the outcomes of women with PPCM in the contemporary era and to determine predictors of poor outcome. Methods Patients with PPCM from 1990 to 2003 were identified retrospectively through screening of heart failure clinics and echocardiography records. Their records were reviewed, and current clinical status was determined. Results Fifty-five patients were identified with an average follow-up of 43 months. Their mean initial ejection fraction (EF) was 20%. Compared with their initial EF, 62% of patients improved, 25% were unchanged, and 4% declined. No patients died, and 10% eventually required transplant. At 2 months after diagnosis, 75% of those who eventually recovered had an EF >45%. Factors associated with lack of recovery at initial assessment were a left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension >5.6 cm, the presence of LV thrombus, and African-American race. Recovery of LV function was not predicted by the initial EF. Among patients who recovered, the withdrawal of heart failure medications was not associated with decompensation over a follow-up of 29 months. Conclusions The morbidity related to PPCM is less than previously reported. Initial LV end-diastolic dimension and EF at 2 months predict long-term outcomes. The discontinuation of heart failure medications after recovery did not lead to decompensation.
$sup 18$F STATES WITH LARGE ISOSPIN IMPURITIES.

We report extensive differential cross-section measurements for $^{14}\mathrm{N}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{i})^{14}\mathrm{N}$ over the energy range $10.2\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}\ensuremath{\le}18.24$ MeV. The ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}$ and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{2}$ exit channels are isospin-allowed, while ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ is isospin-forbidden. Except for the Coulomb elastic scattering contribution to ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}$, compound-nucleus formation dominates all three channels. The ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ channel displays relatively isolated resonances which imply $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ states with large isospin impurities. These ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ data, when expanded in partial waves, fix ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ for many of the $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ levels (\ensuremath{\sim}20). Comparison of $^{14}\mathrm{N}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1})^{14}\mathrm{N}$ with $^{16}\mathrm{O}(d, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1})^{14}\mathrm{N}$ data (some old and some new data) suggests that the same $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ states are usually involved. The estimated isospin impurities are \ensuremath{\sim}10-25% and are still present at ${E}_{x}(^{18}\mathrm{F})\ensuremath{\sim}18$ MeV. Our data suggest that the isospin-impure levels in $^{18}\mathrm{F}$ tend to occur as doublets, and that for low partial waves isospin may be rather well conserved at our higher excitation energies. Our data do not support Noble's suggestions concerning the importance of direct reactions in isospin-violating reactions.
Disturbanism in the South Pacific: Disturbance Ecology as a Basis for Urban Resilience in Small Island States

This chapter describes a disturbance ecology approach to urban planning and design in the South Pacific. It suggests that a self-organizing model for Pacific island settlement design – based on the process of biotic colonization – provides for greater urban resilience than current settlement planning models, particularly with respect to the constant problem of recovery after cyclonic damage. We argue that the importation of architectural and urbanization practices from countries that are not subject to the cataclysmic instabilities of cyclonic ecologies are inappropriate for the small urban systems of the Pacific. Drawing on the natural history of South Pacific islands we propose a nonlinear, ecosystem – led urban design strategy for tropical island urbanism by working with the limit conditions imposed by environmental and historical parameters rather than against them.
History of the Exponential and Logarithmic Concepts

(1913). History of the Exponential and Logarithmic Concepts. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 35-47.
Temperatures for optimum anthocyanin accumulation in apple tissue

SummarySkin tissue disks from preclimacteric or climacteric apples were incubated on preset temperature plates and exposed to high intensity white light to find the optimum temperature of anthocyanin accumulation. Pre-climacteric fruit developed more anthocyanin than did tissue from climacteric fruit. Different cultivars showed different temperature optima. Pre-cooling the tissue for 48 h at 2°C before incubation at 25°C increased the amount of pigment that accumulated. The highly colouring Scarlet Spur ‘Delicious’ sport showed a higher rate of anthocyanin accumulation, but a similar temperature optimum to that of Oregon Spur ‘Delicious’.