cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Intra‐articular and Epidural Morphine for Analgesia Following Stifle Arthrotomy in Dogs

We prospectively studied 18 dogs that presented for exploratory stifle arthrotomy, with or without meniscectomy, and lateral extracapsular stabilization as a result of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Dogs were premedicated with acepromazine, induced with thiopental, and maintained with halothane in oxygen. Preoperatively, dogs were assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 (n = 6) received intra-articular morphine (0.1 mg/kg diluted in 1 mL/10 kg body weight of saline) and epidural saline (1 mL/5 kg body weight saline plus the volume of saline representing 0.1 mg/kg of morphine). Group 2 (n = 6) received intra-articular saline (1 mL/10 kg body weight of saline plus the volume of saline representing 0.1 mg/kg of morphine) and epidural saline (1 mL/5 kg body weight saline plus the volume of saline representing 0.1 mg/kg of morphine). Group 3 (n = 6) received intra-articular saline (1 mL/10 kg body weight of saline plus the volume of saline representing 0.1 mg/kg of morphine) and epidural morphine (0.1 mg/kg of morphine diluted in 1 mL/5 kg body weight saline). The efficacy of each analgesia regimen was evaluated for 6 hours postoperatively with a pain score based on subjective and objective variables. Serum cortisol and blood glucose concentrations were measured. Butorphanol was used to provide analgesia as needed based on a predetermined maximum pain score. Supplemental analgesics were required postoperatively every 2 to 3 hours for 6 hours in all dogs that did not initially receive analgesics (group 2). Pain scores were significantly lower in dogs administered morphine intra-articularly (group 1) and epidurally (group 3) at 30 minutes and 30, 120, and 360 minutes, respectively, compared with dogs that did not initially receive analgesics (group 2). One dog in group 1 and one dog in group 3 required supplemental analgesia with butorphanol. There was no difference between analgesia produced by intra-articular morphine compared with that of epidural morphine. Side effects after intra-articular or epidural morphine were not observed. Intra-articular administration of morphine can produce effective analgesia in dogs comparable with that produced by epidural administration of morphine.
Cortical Networks Related to Human Use of Tools

Greater manual dexterity and greater conceptual knowledge of tool use represent two main features that distinguish humans from other primates. Studies of human brain lesions suggest that the left hemisphere (at least in right-handed people) includes a system for processing manual skills that is specialized for tool use that interacts with another system involved more with conceptualizing, planning, and accessing knowledge associated with tool use. Growing evidence from recent neuroimaging studies supports this organization, and studies have begun to highlight specific brain regions and pathways that may be necessary for tool use. This review compares and summarizes results from 64 paradigms published over the past decade that have examined cortical regions associated with tool use skills and tool knowledge. A meta-analysis revealed cortical networks in both hemispheres, though with a clear left hemisphere bias, which may be organized to optimally represent action knowledge. Portions of this network appear to represent part of a system that is tightly linked with language systems, which is discussed together with the effects that handedness may have on the cortical organization for tool use.
Antimitotic drugs that enhance neuronal survival in olfactory bulb cell cultures.

Abstract Cell cultures of olfactory bulb from 2–3-day-old rats were used to evaluate 6 antimitotic drugs for their effects on neuronal survival. In cultures grown in medium without drugs for 7 days, neurons died as a layer of non-neuronal cells proliferated. A series of experiments were performed to determine dilutions and exposure times that allow maximum neuronal survival for each of the antimitotic drugs. Use of bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) at 10 −5 M with a 5 day exposure gave cultures with large aggregates of neurons and an extensive network of interconnecting neurites. Cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) at 8 × 10 −6 M for 5 days of exposure was also effective but the aggregates contained cellular debris. Fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) at 10 −4 for 5 days was less effective in allowing neurons to survive. Methotrexate (MTX), high thymidine and hydroxyurea were all not effective in allowing neuronal survival. In all cases there was an inverse relationship between the survival of neurons and proliferation of non-neuronal cells. Additional experiments were performed to determine how proliferating non-neuronal cells can lead to the death of neurons. In a series of transfer experiments, cultures were exposed to conditioned medium. Cultured olfactory bulb neurons grown on small cover slips were exposed to BUdR under optimal conditions and after 7 days were transferred to cultures treated or not treated with BUdR. In cultures not treated with BUdR, most of the transferred BUdR treated neurons died, while in cultures treated with BUdR the BUdR treated neurons survived. These results suggest that antimitotics enhance olfactory bulb neuronal survival by reducing the number of non-neuronal cells. In addition, it appears that proliferating non-neuronal cells are responsible for neuronal cell death by a medium factor and not by contact with the dividing non-neuronal cells.
Generation of Magnetic Fields in the Primordial Fireball

THE origin of the magnetic field of the galaxy is a perplexing problem1. In this article I show that weak magnetic fields (compared with the present typical intensity of 10−6 G in the galactic disk2,3) can be generated in the fireball of the early universe. Possible methods of amplification are at present speculative and I shall discuss this aspect elsewhere.
Selenium prevents the growth stimulatory effects of cadmium on human prostatic epithelium.

Cadmium has been implicated in the increase in prostate cancer incidence in men exposed to high levels. A decrease in zinc and a concomitant increase in cadmium levels in the human prostate has been shown. The role and mechanism of cadmium action in prostate carcinogenesis is not clear. Selenium, on the other hand, has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis in several animal systems. Results show that cadmium stimulates these growth of human prostatic epithelium in vitro, between 10 −9 M and 10 −7 M concentrations. Selenium, at concentrations between 10 −12 M and 10 −7 shows no growth stimulatory or inhibitory effects on these cells. However, when present at 10 −8 M level, selenium inhibits the growth stimulation induced by cadmium. These results suggest that selenium may be useful in counteracting the effects of cadmium in the human prostate and offer possibilities for investigations on the protective effects of selenium in cadmium-related carcinogenesis in man.
High-Resolution UV Laser Diagnostics on the 1-MA Zebra Generator

Laser diagnostics at the wavelength of 266 nm with a spatial resolution of 5-8 μm were developed for the investigation of dense Z-pinches at the 1-MA generator. The absorption and refraction in Z-pinch plasma are significantly smaller at the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength of 266 nm compared to the optical range. This allows for observation of the fine internal structure of Z-pinches at the stagnation phase. A UV laser beam penetrates through the trailing plasma around Z-pinches and shows strong instabilities of the dense pinch inside this plasma column. Kink instability, necks, and areas of disruption are seen in Z-pinches at the peak of the X-ray pulse and later in time. UV two-frame side-on and end-on shadowgraphy show plasma dynamics in the pinch at stagnation.
Results of Percus‐Yevick approximation for a binary mixture of hard spheres with nonadditive diameters; R11=R22=0, R12 > 0

We investigate the properties of binary mixtures of hard sphere fluids with nonadditive diameters: Calling Rij the distance of closest approach between particles of species i and j we assume R12=½ (R11 + R22)+α with α≠0. We find the exact solution of the Percus‐Yevick integral equation for this system in both one and three dimensions when R11 = R22 = 0, α > 0 (Widom‐Rowlinson model). The solution of the PY equation for the Widom‐Rowlinson model exhibits a phase transition (corresponding to a separation of the components) in three but not in one dimension. This is in agreement with the true behavior of this system. The critical indices in three dimensions are classical.
Hippocampal lesions and shuttlebox avoidance behavior: A fear hypothesis

Abstract Rats with hippocampal damage were compared to cortically lesioned and normal controls in the acquisition of a shuttlebox avoidance task. It was hypothesized that animals with lesions of the hippocampus are superior to controls at this task because they are more fearful. Before avoidance training, all animals were allowed to lick at a drinking tube containing a highly palatable solution of glucose and saccharin. Following avoidance training, animals were returned to the drinking situation and the shuttlebox CS presented while the rat licked. The extent to which the CS suppressed licking provided an estimate of the fear transferred from the avoidance situation. According to this measure, animals with lesions of the hippocampus were more fearful than control animals. This result was interpreted in terms of heightened ACTH levels seen following damage to the hippocampus.
Diagnostic Determination of Cumulus Cloud Populations from Observed Large-Scale Variables

Abstract A method is proposed whereby some properties of cumulus cloud populations are determined from observed large-scale meteorological variables. This method combines large-scale heat and moisture balance considerations with a simple steady-state one-dimensional model for an individual cumulus cloud. When applied to the mean summertime conditions over the Marshall Islands, the method gives a bimodal distribution of the vertical mass flux at the cloud base in terms of the cloud top height: one group of clouds penetrates up to the 200–300 mb level and another group stays below the 600 mb level, while relatively few cloud tops lie. between 400 and 600 mb. The total percentage area covered by all clouds is found to be a few percent and the vertical velocity inside the cloud at the cloud base is estimated to be somewhere near 1 m sec−1 for most clouds. Because the observed large-scale averaged upward velocity at that level is of the order of 0.1 cm sec−1, this result indicates that the total mass entering ...
Liquid transport in micron and submicron channels

Abstract An experimental investigation of fluid flow in extremely small channels is presented. Potential applications for such channels include cooling of electronic circuits, and reactors for modification and separation of biological cells. The immediate goal is to determine at what length scales the continuum assumptions break down and if the Navier-Stokes equations adequately predict fluid behavior. In order to accomplish this, experiments are being conducted in progressively thinner flow channels. We have constructed three channels of rectangular cross-section ranging in area from 7200 to 80 square microns, utilizing the recent advances in microfabrication. In this paper, preliminary results are reported pertaining to friction measurements. It is found that in the relatively large flow channels the experimental observations are in rough agreement with the predictions from the Navier-Stokes equations. However, in the smallest of the channels, there is a significant deviation from the Navier-Stokes predictions.
The Effects of Ad Irritation on Brand Attitudes

Abstract Brand attitude has been proposed to be an antecedent to purchase intentions. However, very few studies have specifically focused on ad irritation as an antecedent to attitude towards the brand. This paper examines the effect of ad irritation on brand attitudes and if the effect of ad irritation is independent of ad credibility, attitude towards the advertiser, attitude towards advertising, and ad-induced feelings. The results indicated that ad irritation was not significant in predicting brand attitudes. Respondents' prior brand attitude, ad credibility, ad-induced feelings and attitude towards the advertiser were significant predictors of brand attitudes. Based on the results, several managerial implications were derived regarding the usefulness of ad irritation in changing brand attitudes.
Object detection in hyperspectral imagery using normalized cross spectrum energy

Hyperspectral sensors can facilitate automatic pattern recognition in cluttered imagery since man made objects often differ considerably from the natural background in absorbing and reflecting the radiation at various wavelengths i.e., the identification of the objects is based on spectral signature of the objects in the scene. Normalized cross spectrum (cross-phase spectrum) has been extensively used for image registration. In this paper, we introduce preliminary results for a new approach for object detection in hyperspectral imagery by employing normalized cross spectrum. Normalized cross spectrum is employed as similarity measure between the spectral signature of known object and the investigated spectral signatures in the data. The new algorithm uses the advantages of the shape of the peak of the correlation to detect the pattern of interest. The proposed algorithm has been tested using real life hyperspectral imagery and the results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Mice: the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy-induced aggression following thelectomy.

Two experiments were conducted in order to assess the effects of thelectomy (i.e., nipple removal) on the display of pregnancy-induced aggression in Rockland-Swiss (R-S) albino mice. Pregnant animals, thelectomized on Gestation Day (GD) 12, exhibit a high incidence and intensity of aggression toward adult R-S male intruders during tests conducted on GDs 14, 16, and 18 (i.e., during the last third of gestation in this species). Since thelectomized dams display levels of aggression (i.e., 63% incidence) equivalent to those of sham-operated and nonoperated animals (53 and 67% incidence, respectively), it would appear that nipple presence is not a critical factor for the maintenance of pregnancy-induced aggression in mice (Experiment 1). To examine the effects of nipple deprivation on the initiation of pregnancy-induced aggression, virgin animals were thelectomized prior to mating, then repeatedly tested for aggression at 2-day intervals of gestation. Unlike nipple-intact dams, pregnant mice, deprived of nipples prior to conception, rarely exhibit (
3rd order harmonic in inverse Compton scattering

We report observations of strong-field effects in inverse Compton scattering via its X-ray characteristics using K-, L-edge, and attenuation filters. A CO2 laser of a0 ≈ 0.6 is collided by a 65-MeV electron beam.
Implementing gate operations between uncoupled qubits in linear nearest neighbor arrays using a learning algorithm

We propose a new scheme to implement gate operations in a one dimensional linear nearest neighbor array, by using dynamic learning algorithm. This is accomplished by training quantum system using a back propagation technique, to find the system parameters that implement gate operations directly. The key feature of our scheme is that, we can reduce the computational overhead of a quantum circuit by finding the parameters to implement the desired gate operation directly, without decomposing them into a sequence of elementary gate operations. We show how the training algorithm can be used as a tool for finding the parameters for implementing controlled-NOT (CNOT) and Toffoli gates between next-to-nearest neighbor qubits in an Ising-coupled linear nearest neighbor system. We then show how the scheme can be used to find parameters for realizing swap gates first, between two adjacent qubits and then, between two next-to-nearest-neighbor qubits, in each case without decomposing it into 3 CNOT gates. Finally, we show how the scheme can be extended to systems with non-diagonal interactions. To demonstrate, we train a quantum system with Heisenberg interactions to find the parameters to realize a swap operation.
Gravity and geometric phases.

The behavior of a quantum test particle satisfying the Klein-Gordon equation in a certain class of 4 dimensional stationary space-times is examined. In a space-time of a spinning cosmic string, the wave function of a particle in a box is shown to acquire a geometric phase when the box is transported around a closed path surrounding the string. When interpreted as an Aharonov-Anandan geometric phase, the effect is shown to be related to the Aharonov-Bohm effect.
Exploring future competitive advantage through sustainable supply chains

Purpose – The paper's purpose is to outline the potential competitive advantage firms can create through the creation of a sustainable supply chain, and to describe potential measures for managers to use.Design/methodology/approach – Arguing that firms can increase their competitive advantage as a result of a stronger triple bottom line, propositions are created from a natural‐resource‐based view of the firm perspective that is supported using accounting theory, management strategy, green logistics and supply chain literatures. Secondary data resources that could be used for testing by managers and academicians are identified.Findings – The paper finds that, as sources of competitive advantage for firm become scarcer, potential new areas of advantage must be explored.Practical implications – This research will serve to help managers in the exploration of these possible outlets.Originality/value – This paper is the first to explore the impact of a sustainable supply chain on the triple‐bottom line of a fir...
Thermo-viscoelastic analysis of composite materials

The thermo-viscoelastic boundary value problem for anisotropic materials is formulated and a numerical procedure is developed for the efficient analysis of stress and deformation histories in composites. The procedure is based on the finite element method and therefore it is applicable to composite laminates containing geometric discontinuities and complicated boundary conditions. Using the present formulation, the time-dependent stress and strain distributions in both notched and unnotched graphite/epoxy composites have been obtained. The effect of temperature and ply orientation on the creep and relaxation response is also studied.
Evaluation of Aggregate Imaging Techniques for Quantification of Morphological Characteristics

Aggregate morphological characteristics, including shape, angularity, and surface texture, have a significant impact on the engineering properties of construction materials such as hot-mix asphalt and hydraulic cement concrete. Consequently, the quantification of morphological characteristics of aggregates is essential for quality control of both aggregate production and pavement construction. Imaging techniques provide a cost-effective means for measuring the aggregate morphological characteristics conveniently without tedious work. However, these imaging techniques adopt various mathematical methods with different instrument setups and result in different definitions of morphological descriptors that are usually incomparable with each other. This paper evaluates prevalent imaging techniques used for aggregate morphological characteristics analysis, including equipment cost, repeatability, reliability, accuracy, and measured morphological parameters. Three imaging techniques (second-generation Aggregate ...
Global warming and the end-Permian extinction event: Proxy and modeling perspectives

Abstract The mass extinction event that occurred at the close of the Permian Period (~ 252 million years ago) represents the most severe biodiversity loss in the ocean of the Phanerozoic. The links between the global carbon cycle, climate change and mass extinction are complex and involve a whole range of often inter-related geochemical, biological, ecologic and climatic factors. It has become widely accepted that the end-Permian mass extinction was associated with a global warming event, because the age of the Siberian Trap eruption, a potentially massive source of carbon dioxide, coincides within error with the extinction event. However, geologic data that are in support of this global warming event are relatively sparse. The chain of events and the causal relationship between the eruption of Siberian Traps and mass extinction is not well established. Global warming, in particular, has only been reported from limited proxy data and climate models, for which the pCO2 in the atmosphere just before and during the end-Permian extinction event is poorly known. This study critically assesses both the proxy climate data and the existing paleoclimate simulations with the goals of assessing our current understanding of the link between mass extinction and climate change and providing some guidance for future studies. Proxies indicate that prior to the end-Permian extinction event tropical sea surface temperatures ranged from ~ 22 to 25 °C, and possible pCO2 values ranged from ~ 500 to ~ 4000 ppm before the extinction event. During the peak extinction, tropical temperatures rose up to ~ 30 °C while pCO2 perhaps increased up to ~ 8000 ppm. Climate models that use different pre-event pCO2 values show similar amount of CO2 doubling to replicate the observed carbon isotope excursions. We find that the temperature anomaly during the end-Permian extinction is consistent with ~ 1.5 doublings of atmospheric pCO2, and that the implied climate sensitivity is 5–6 °C, within the upper range of values produced by climate models.
Combustion of nanoaluminum at elevated pressure and temperature behind reflected shock waves

Abstract This study presents experimental measurements on the combustion of nanoaluminum particles behind reflected shock waves in a shock tube. These experiments were performed at elevated pressures (4–32 atm) and temperatures (1200–2100 K) in the oxidizers oxygen and carbon dioxide, with nitrogen also present. The light emission from the reacting particles was monitored. For all cases, a brief period of intense light emission was observed soon after exposure to the reflected shock conditions. The time scales of this emission event are quantified by the 10–90% integrated emission intensity method to yield a reaction time for this rapid exothermic process. The duration of the emission is found to be 50–500 μs for the conditions tested here. Reaction times in 50% O2 and 50% N2 were shown to decrease significantly with ambient temperature, with Arrhenius-type exponentials fitting reasonably well to the observed experimental data. The reaction times were also dependent on pressure, with the timescales decreasing by 1.6–4 times as the pressure was increased from 8 to 32 atm over the range of temperatures in the experiments. In 50% CO2 and 50% N2, the reaction occurs in two sequential stages, with more of the emission at earlier times under higher-temperature conditions. Particle temperatures were also measured. During the bright emission event, the temperature rises above the ambient and then cools to near the ambient as the emission event ends. The peak temperature of the particle varied with ambient temperature, pressure, and oxidizer, with high ambient temperatures (2000 K), high pressures (32 atm), and high oxygen mole fractions (50%) giving the highest particle temperatures ( ∼ 3500 K ). Conversely, 50% CO2 atmospheres produced particle temperatures just slightly above the ambient. The spectral output of the light emission was shown to be dominated by broadband emission. At high temperatures and pressures in oxygen, weak emission from the AlO B – X transition was observed.
Cord Blood Neutrophils Have Delayed Apoptosis Compared with Adult Neutrophils. • 1272

Apoptosis plays an important role in the ingestion of neutrophils (PMN) by macrophages, a step in the resolution of infection or inflammation. In cultured adult PMN, spontaneous apopotosis is delayed in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), while in contrast, the Fas (Apo-1/CD95)/FasL system induces apoptosis. As cord blood PMN appear to be functionally immature, we tested the hypothesis that their rate of apoptosis would also differ from that of adult PMN. Venous samples were obtained from healthy term placentas and adult donors, and PMN were isolated by density centrifugation. In up to 8 paired experiments, PMN were incubated for 6 or 24 h, either in medium alone (RPMI 1640/5% FCS; 37° C., 5% CO2), or in the presence of GM-CSF (10 ng/mL) or anti-Fas IgM (300 ng/mL). Apoptosis was detected by morphologic analysis (pyknotic nuclear changes, Haslett, 1993), quantitative flow cytometric analysis (TdT transferase-mediated fluorescence-labeled dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL] assay), or by DNA fragmentation gel electrophoresis. Results are shown in the table below (expressed as percent apoptosis, X ± SD; *P ≤.001 vs. adult PMN). In conclusion, cord blood PMN had decreased spontaneous apoptosis and a greater delay of its onset by GM-CSF at 24h compared with adult PMN. In addition, we confirmed the importance of the Fas/FasL system in the induction of apoptosis in cord blood PMN. We speculate that the decreased rate of apoptosis in cord blood PMN has implications for the resolution of infectious and inflammatory processes in neonates.
Timing of complete repair of non–ductal-dependent tetralogy of Fallot and short-term postoperative outcomes, a multicenter analysis

Objective There is cross-center variability with regard to timing repair of non–ductal-dependent tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We hypothesized that earlier repair in the neonatal period is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System of tetralogy of Fallot patients undergoing complete repair from 2004 through 2010 between the ages of 1 day to younger than 19 years. Patients with pulmonary valve atresia, those who received prostaglandin during hospital admission, and those who underwent prior shunt palliation were excluded. Results A total of 4698 patients met our inclusion criteria, of whom 202 were younger than 30 days old (group A), 861 were 31 to 90 days old (group B), 1796 were 91 to 180 days old (group C), and 1839 were older than 180 days (group D). In-hospital mortality, intensive care unit length of stay, and total hospital length of stay were significantly higher in group A. Patients in group A had a significantly increased postoperative requirement for mechanical ventilation, intravenous blood pressure support, medical diuresis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, gastrostomy tube insertion, heart catheterization, and surgical revision. Significant institutional variability was noted for timing of TOF complete repair, with one third of the centers performing 75% of the repairs at younger than 30 days old. The institutional approach to timing TOF complete repair showed no relation to surgical volume. Conclusions Across all centers analyzed, primary neonatal elective TOF repair (
Neutrophil chemotaxis: a tail of 2 GTPases

Comment on Pestonjamasp et al, page [2814][1] A study by Pestonjamasp and colleagues has identified Rac1, a Rho family GTPase, as an important link between the leading edge of migrating neutrophils and their uropod “tail,” via activation of RhoA and myosin. Polarization of neutrophils in
Experimental realization of fluence field modulated CT using digital beam attenuation

Tailoring CT scan acquisition parameters to individual patients is a topic of much research in the CT imaging community. It is now common place to find automatically adjusted tube current options for modern CT scanners. In addition, the use of beam shaping filters, commonly called bowtie filters, is available on most CT systems and allows for different body regions to receive different incident x-ray fluence distributions. However, no method currently exists which allows for the form of the incident x-ray fluence distribution to change as a function of the view angle. This study represents the first experimental realization of fluence field modulated CT (FFMCT) for a c-arm geometry CT scan. X-ray fluence modulation is accomplished using a digital beam attenuator (DBA). The device is composed of ten iron wedge pairs that modulate the thickness of iron, the x-rays must traverse before reaching a patient. Using this device, experimental data was taken using a Siemens Zeego c-arm scanner. Scans were performed on a cylindrical polyethylene phantom and on two different sections of an anthropomorphic phantom. The DBA was used to equalize the x-ray fluence striking the detector for each scan. Non DBA, or 'flat field' scans were also acquired of the same phantom objects for comparison. In addition, a scan was performed in which the DBA was used to enable volume of interest (VOI) imaging. In VOI, only a small sub-volume within a patient receives full dose and the rest of the patient receives a much lower dose. Data corrections unique to using a piece-wise constant modulator were also developed. The feasibility of FFMCT implemented using a DBA device has been demonstrated. Initial results suggest dose reductions of up to 3.6 times relative to 'flat field' CT. In addition to dose reduction, the DBA enables a large improvement in image noise uniformity and the ability to provide regionally enhanced signal to noise using VOI imaging techniques. The results presented in this paper take the field of FFMCT from the theoretical stage to that of possible clinical implementation. FFMCT, as shown in this paper, can reduce the patient dose while maintaining or improving image quality. In addition, the DBA has been experimentally shown to be well suited to implement entirely new imaging methods like photon counting and VOI imaging.
Soil amendment effects on the exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum L. and facilitation of its growth by the native perennial grass Hilaria jamesii (Torr.) Benth

Greenhouse experiments were undertaken to identify soil factors that curtail growth of the exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) without significantly inhibiting growth of native perennial grasses (here represented by Hilaria jamesii [Torr.] Benth). We grew B. tectorum and H. jamesii alone (monoculture pots) and together (combination pots) in soil treatments that manipulated levels of soil phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Hilaria jamesii showed no decline when its aboveground biomass in any of the applied treatments was compared to the control in either the monoculture or combination pots. Monoculture pots of B. tectorum showed a decline in aboveground biomass with the addition of Na2HPO4 and K2HPO4. Interestingly, in pots where H. jamesii was present, the negative effect of these treatments was ameliorated. Whereas the presence of B. tectorum generally decreased the aboveground biomass of H. jamesii (comparing aboveground biomass in monoculture versus combination pots), the presence of H. jamesii resulted in an enhancement of B. tectorum aboveground biomass by up to 900%. We hypothesize that B. tectorum was able to obtain resources from H. jamesii, an action that benefited B. tectorum while generally harming H. jamesii. Possible ways resources may be gained by B. tectorum from native perennial grasses include (1) B. tectorum is protected from salt stress by native plants or associated soil biota; (2) when B. tectorum is grown with H. jamesii, the native soil biota is altered in a way that favors B. tectorum growth, including B. tectorum tapping into the mycorrhizal network of native plants and obtaining resources from them; (3) B. tectorum can take advantage of root exudates from native plants, including water and nutrients released by natives via hydraulic redistribution; and (4) B. tectorum is able to utilize some combination of the above mechanisms. In summary, land managers may find adding soil treatments can temporarily suppress B. tectorum and enhance the establishment of native plants. However, the extirpation of B. tectorum is unlikely, as many native grasses are likely to facilitate its growth.
LEED and clean metal surfaces: personal reminiscences and opinions

Abstract The early history of surface structure determination of clean metals from LEED intensities at IBM Research and in collaboration with SUNY at Stony Brook (1964–1975) is sketched. The reasons for the success of LEED intensity analysis in establishing the structure of clean metal surfaces at that time are discussed. A selective overview of the rich phenomenology of metal surface structure as we know it today is given. Personal comments are made on important current and future developments in LEED theory.
Germ cell tumors in children: gonadal and extragonadal.

Sixty-three pediatric patients with germ cell tumors are presented with details of symptoms, histological findings, staging, serological markers, treatment, and response to therapy. The primary sites were: ovarian 32, testicular 17, presacral 7, mediastinal 3, intraabdominal 2, vaginal 1, and right inguinal canal 1. These patients were treated with T2 (sequential use of dactinomycin, doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide, with or without radiation), T6 (combination chemotherapy with cyclo-phosphamide, bleomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, methotrexate, vincristine), or VAB treatment protocols (velban, dactinomycin, bleomycin, cisplatin). The cure rate for stage I ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors was 100%; for stage III, all primary sites, 82% and for stage IV, all primary sites, 75%. Histology was prognostic in ovarian tumors of the immature malignant teratoma type; the neural type immature teratoma, grades II and III, had the worst prognosis. Initial debulking surgery in combination with chemotherapy and radiation plays an important role in germ cell tumors. Stages II, III, and IV germ cell tumors require aggressive treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. For stage I patients, with primary ovarian malignant tumor, cure with surgery alone can be achieved in 50% of the cases and in testicular tumors in about 70% of the patients. For those with stage I and elevated serological markers, it is feasible to follow these markers and give no treatment until there is evidence of persistent elevation or a rise in titers after an initial fall. In those without elevated serological markers, one should take into consideration the size of the tumor and the histological type before taking the “wait and see” approach. These stage I tumors are highly curable when they first present but, if allowed to recur, chemotherapy may not offer the patient such a favorable response and cure rate.
Kinetics of recombinant human brain-derived neurotropic factor unfolding under reversed-phase liquid chromatography conditions

A model describing the pathway of unfolding of recombinant human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (rhBDNF) under reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic conditions is introduced. The unfolding process is divided into two major steps. The first entails a series of events such as the dissociation of the dimer and the effect of the initial contact of the protein with the stationary phase. The second step is the unfolding of the monomer molecule on the hydrophobic surface exhibiting a rate constant comparable with the time scale of chromatography. The kinetics of rhBDNF unfolding is studied with respect to the type and composition of the organic solvents and as function of the temperature of chromatography. The experimental results validate the suggested multistep unfolding model. The activation energy of monomer unfolding in both solvent systems studied is similar, but the unfolding processes are different in 1-propanol and in acetonitrile.
Invited: Identifying mutations from TILLING experiments

TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) is a reverse genetics approach to detect effects of globally induced mutations in a population and identify the individuals that have mutations in genes of interest. As long as the DNA sequence of the target gene is known and the organism of interest can be mutagenized, TILLING provides mutations in species where tools applicable to other model systems are unavailable. Importantly, organisms amenable to TILLING include both commercially valuable species such as rice, wheat, soybean, brassica, oat, and melon, and species important for research such as medaka, zebra fish, fruit flies, arabidopsis and nematodes.
Litterfall and nutrient cycling in four Hawaiian montane rainforests.

The mass of fine litterfall and nutrient circulation through litterfall were determined in four Metrosideros polymorphalCibotium spp.-dominated rainforests that differed in substrate age, parent material texture and annual precipitation on Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on the island of Hawaii. Three of the sites had rates of litterfall of 5.2 Mg ha-' y-'; the fourth, which was on the most fertile soil, produced 7.0 Mg ha-' y-' of litterfall with higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. Tree ferns of the genus Cibotium cycled relatively large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium through litterfall; their contribution to nutrient circulation was dispro- portionate to their mass in the forest, or in litterfall. The forest on the youngest substrate, which also had the lowest concentrations of nitrogen in litterfall, was fertilized with complete factorial combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and a treatment consisting of all other plant nutrients. Additions of nitrogen increased the quantity and nitrogen concentration in litterfall during the second year following the initiation of fertilization, while no other treatment had a significant effect. Additions of nitrogen had no effect on litterfall mass or nutrient concentrations in the most nutrient-rich site.
Observation of the 3He(p, n) 3p reaction at 25 MeV☆

Abstract The neutron energy spectrum from the reaction 3 He(p, n) 3p has been measured at a laboratory angle of 8° for a proton bombarding energy of 24.9 MeV. A deviation of the spectrum shape from the prediction for four-body phase space has been observed.
Land use control: evaluating economic and political effects

Public programs to intervene in the private land use market are designed to achieve land use and distribution of costs and benefits much different from those that would prevail under market conditions. This book suggests a framework for evaluating these public-policy measures from the standpoint of three economic efficiency criteria: how land-use-planning measures contribute to the avoidance of certain negative effects resulting from interdependencies among land uses; how they perform in providing land-related public goods; and, are they likely to lead to an efficient provision of public services. Beyond these economic-efficiency considerations the study emphasizes the distributional consequences and the political acceptability of land-use-planning measures. Land-use techniques--traditional zoning, zoning by eminent domain, and transferable development rights--are evaluated and compared. Although none of these techniques can be judged superior to the others on the basis of all or several of the evaluative criteria, zoning ranked highest in terms of political acceptability while the extensions of zoning are improvements over zoning for meeting equity and efficient provision of public goods.
Partial purification of the NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase from bovine cardiac muscl

Abstract An aldehyde reductase catalyzing the NADPH-dependent reduction of long-chain aldehydes has been purified 690-fold from bovine cardiac muscle. Based on the results obtained during gel filtration, this enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 34,000. The pI of the aldehyde reductase was 6.1 and the enzymatic activity had a sharp pH optimum at 6.4. The enzyme catalyzed the reduction of aromatic aldehydes and aliphatic aldehydes having eight or more carbon atoms. Short-chain aldehydes, aldoses, or ketoses or long-chain methyl ketones were not utilized as substrates by this enzyme. However, the methyl ketone, pentadecan-2-one, was a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme with an apparent K i = 10 μ m when tetradecanal was the variable substrate. The reaction was not reversible when ethanol or hexadecanol was employed as substrate, utilizing either NAD + , or NADP + as a cofactor. The addition of 10 m m pyrazole to the incubation medium had no effect on the enzymatic activity.
The electrochemistry of zirconium in aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures and pressures

Abstract The electrochemistry of zirconium has been explored in borate buffer solution of pH = 6.94 at 250 °C with and without hydrogen by measuring the current, impedance, and capacitance as a function of potential. Data are interpreted in terms of modified point defect models (PDM) that recognize the existence of a thick oxide outer layer over a thin barrier layer. From thermodynamic analysis, it is postulated that a hydride barrier layer forms under PWR coolant conditions whereas an oxide barrier layer forms under BWR primary coolant conditions. Thus, the introduction of hydrogen into the solution lowers the corrosion potential of zirconium to the extent that the formation of ZrH 2 is predicted to be spontaneous rather than the ZrO 2 . Mott–Schottky analysis shows that the passive film formed on zirconium is n -type, which is consistent with the PDM, corresponding to a preponderance of oxygen/hydrogen vacancies and/or zirconium interstitials in the barrier layer.
Leveraging local image redundancy for efficient virtual machine provisioning

Virtualized data centers became ubiquitous and led to invention of new delivery model called Cloud computing. Cloud service providers pursue high degree of automation for the management processes in order to make their services responsive and inexpensive. One of such critical processes is virtual machine provisioning. This article proposes and evaluates a provisioning model that leverages virtual machine image similarity to reduce the data volume transferred from the storage server to the hypervisor on which the virtual machine is being instantiated. We also present an analytical model of such a provisioning process for a single hypervisor shedding light on the impact of degree of image similarity, system utilization, and hypervisor capacity on the performance of the system. The model is validated using discrete event simulator. The algorithm has been implemented on a testbed system and also extensive simulations of virtualized server clusters were conducted. The proposed provisioning scheme can offer significant (up to 80%) reduction in data transfer between storage server and hypervisors thus significantly reducing provisioning time while also decreasing cost.
Kleine-levin syndrome treated with clarithromycin.

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare sleep disorder characterized by periodic hypersomnia and various degrees of cognitive and behavioral disturbance, hyperphagia, and hypersexuality. Effective tr...
ON THE PASSAGE OF BORIC ACID AND CERTAIN SALTS INTO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

In a previous paper1 Kahlenberg showed that boric acid passes through the living human skin by osmosis. This work suggested that boric acid might similarly pass into fruits and vegetables immersed in solutions of the acid. Experiments were not confined to boric acid alone, but a number of salts were tested to see if they would permeate the integuments of the same fruits and vegetables. The salts chosen for this purpose were Li2SO4, LiCl, LiNO3, Na2B4O7, Li2B4O7, KI, BaCl2, and SrCl2. In a few instances still other salts were employed which will be mentioned in connection with the specific experiments to be described. The fruits and vegetables tested were cherries, strawberries, plums, gooseberries, grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, peaches, and apples. The method of experimentation was quite simple. It consisted of suspending the fruit in a solution of known strength of each of the substances mentioned, and then after a measured time determining whether any of the dissolved substance had entered the fruit. All of the substances used were
Origin of a thrust-related fold: geometric vs kinematic tests

Abstract Geometric tests to determine the origin of fault-related folds are common, but as is typical in structural geology, more than one fold origin may yield the final natural geometry. Thus, the results of geometric tests are usually non-unique. In contrast, kinematic tests of origin, which employ both geometry and data about deformation, commonly yield more constrained, if not unique, results. Unfortunately, the necessary data collection requires much more work than for a geometric test. In this study, the thrust-related Barclay anticline is analyzed both geometrically and kinematically to determine which test is more effective. Geometric tests, using angular relationships, indicate three possible origins: fault-bend, fault-arrest, and break-thrust. For the kinematic test, predicted deformations for interlayer and flexural slip, flexural flow, simple shear, and bending strains are compared to micro- and mesostructural distributions, solution strain, and finite strain from the anticline. Strain measurements indicate that microscale deformation is uniformly distributed through the structure and is lithification-dominated. The microscale deformation does not match kinematic predictions, and did not accommodate fold formation. Fold growth was achieved primarily through layer-parallel slip restricted mostly to the forelimb and absent in the hinge, which eliminates fault-bend and fault-arrest origins that require material transport from forelimb to backlimb. The Barclay anticline is therefore interpreted to be a break-thrust structure. Interestingly, a suite of contraction faults in the forelimb and hinge indicates material transport from forelimb to backlimb. Such transport has been discounted for break-thrust folds. The most important result of this study is that a kinematic test was a necessary step for distinguishing fold origin. Geometric testing alone was insufficient. Given that the Barclay anticline has geometric characteristics typical of many thrust-related folds, kinematic testing appears necessary to determine their structural origin
Ethical considerations in health care reform: Pros and cons of the affordable care act

The sweeping changes to be implemented over the next few years by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have a profound effect on how health care is delivered and will subject society, providers, and patients to many new and different ethical dilemmas, challenges, relationships, and unintended consequences. This contribution discusses the ethical considerations of the ACA from 3 perspectives: society, health care providers in general, and dermatologists specifically.
Testing of NCSX Composite Coil Material Properties

The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) is now in design and requires 18 modular coils that are constructed to a highly complex geometry. The modular coil conductors are designed as a composite of a fine gauge stranded copper cable shaped to the required geometry and vacuum impregnated with a resin. These composite conductors exhibit unique material properties that must be determined and verified through testing. The conductor material properties are necessary for design modeling and performance validation. This paper will present the methods used to test and measure the coil conductor material properties, the unique challenges in measuring these complex materials at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures and the results of those tests.