cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hadean Jack Hills Zircon Geochemistry

Geochemical analysis of zircons older than 4 billion years, found in Early Archean metasediments at Jack Hills, Western Australia, provide insights into the nature of Hadean Earth. Oxygen isotopes have been interpreted as indicating that protoliths of magmas from which Hadean zircons crystallized were formed in the presence of water at or near Earth’s surface. Apparent crystallization temperatures of Hadean zircons cluster at 680 °C. Given the low porosity expected in rocks under anatectic conditions, dehydration melting of micas as the principal source of the melts from which these zircons crystallized can be ruled out. Instead, a regulated mechanism producing near minimum-melting conditions during the Hadean is inferred. Combined, these results have been interpreted to reflect chemical weathering and sediment cycling in the presence of liquid water shortly after Earth accretion. 176Hf/177Hf ratios of Hadean Jack Hills zircons show large heterogeneities indicating a major differentiation of the silicate Earth by 4.50 Ga. A possible consequence of this differentiation is the formation of continental crust of similar order to the present. Studies of mineral inclusions within Hadean zircons indicate their crystallization from hydrous, granitoid magmas at pressures greater than 6 kbars, implying low near-surface geothermal gradients which in turn suggests their origin in underthrust environments. Given general agreement that life could not have emerged until liquid water appeared at or near Earth’s surface, a significant implication is that our planet may have been habitable as much as 500 Ma earlier than previously thought. Indeed, carbon isotopic evidence obtained from inclusions in a Hadean zircon is consistent with life having emerged by 4.1 Ga, or several 100 million years earlier that the hypothesized lunar cataclysm. Trace element analyses of aluminum, halogens, sulfur, phosphorus, rare earth elements in Hadean zircons are consistent with their origin in a range of granitoid magma types and redox conditions. Although some of the above interpretations remain subject to debate, there is now a widespread consensus that molecular water was present at or near Earth’s surface since at least 4.3 Ga. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of inferences drawn from investigations of these ancient zircons is that none were predicted from theory, underscoring the importance of observations in testing models of early Earth.
Plasma and urinary F2-isoprostane markers of oxidative stress are increased in cats with early (stage 1) chronic kidney disease:

ObjectivesOxidative stress contributes to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in humans and rodent models; F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) are established biomarkers of oxidative stress. Our primar...
Insight of in-situ porosity and compressibility of the GC 955 Gulf of Mexico hydrate reservoir

We characterize the in-situ porosity and compressibility of a coarse-grained hydrate reservoir in Green Canyon Block 955 in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico by performing experiments both on a hydrate-bearing sandy silt pressure core and on the same reservoir material after reconstituting. Uniaxial consolidation experiments demonstrate a small difference in porosity between a reconstituted sandy silt sample (S h = 0, n = ~ 0.38) and a hydrate-bearing sandy silt (S h = 83%, n = 0.39-0.40) at in-situ effective stress (3.8 MPa). Both measured porosities generally agree with the in-situ porosity (~0.38 to 0.39) of the reservoir formation that was best-estimated from both LWD and calibrated PCATS densities. The compression index of pressure core at 3.8 MPa is ~ 0.05 to 0.1, slightly stiffer than reconstituted sandy silts (C c = 0.11). This difference in porosity and compression behaviors between hydrate pressure cores and reconstituted material implies that (1) analysis of reconstituted sediments from hydrate-bearing pressure cores provides a simple and intuitive approach to understand some petrophysical components of the hydrate reservoir; and (2) the high-saturation hydrate in the pores of sediments makes the hydrate reservoir slightly less compressible, suggesting a non-contact-cementing hydrate morphology in the pressure core.
Reflections on virtual group work with transgender and gender diverse youth during the pandemic

This narrative offers reflections by three different group workers, all colleagues at Boston Children’s Hospital with various levels of group work experience. Their aim is to share with readers the...
The Mutual Life Insurance Scandal: Making Public Opinion

This study explores a 1905 New York Legislature investigation of life insurance company practices, including the widespread use of press agents to shape newspaper content. The principal targets of ...
Scalar Mismatches and Underlying Factors for Underutilization of Climate Information: Perspectives From Farmers and Ranchers

Growing demand for water resources coupled with climate-driven water scarcity and variability present critical challenges to agriculture in the Western US. Despite extensive resources allocated to downscaling climate projections and advances in understanding past, current, and future climatic conditions, climate information is underutilized in decisions made by agricultural producers. Climate information providers need to understand why this information is underutilized and what would better meet the needs of producers. To better understand how agricultural producers perceive and utilize climate information, we conducted five focus groups with farmers and ranchers across Montana. Focus groups revealed that there are fundamental scalar issues (spatial and temporal) that make climate information challenging for producers to use. While climate information is typically produced at regional, national, or global spatial scales and at a seasonal and mid- to end-of-century temporal scales, producers indicated that decision-making takes place at multiple intermediate and small temporal and spatial scales. In addition, producers described other drivers of decision-making that have little to do with climate information itself, but rather aspects of source credibility, past experience, trust in information, and the politics of climate change. Through engaging directly with end-users, climate information providers can better understand the spatial and temporal scales that align with different types of agricultural producers and decisions, as well as the limitations of information provision given the complexity of the decision context. Increased engagement between climate information providers and end-users can also address the important tradeoffs that exist between scale and uncertainty.
Differences in pediatric versus adult clinical trial characteristics for atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a growing burden in all ages. The aim of this study was to compare trial characteristics between pediatric and adult AD trials. METHODS Data were collected from ClinicalTrials.gov on AD therapeutic trials completed between 2003 and 2019. The trials were classified as pediatrics (mean or median age <18 years of the experimental group participants) or adults. The trials with and without results on ClinicalTrials.gov were searched on PubMed for further data collection. RESULTS Of 210 trials, 50 (24%) were pediatric trials [mean age: 8.2 ± 4.3 years (SD)] and 160 (76%) were adult trials [mean age 35.2 ± 5.7 years (SD)]. Pediatric and adult trials were equally likely to be randomized controlled trials; however, pediatric trials were more likely to be open-label trials (P < .001) and have no comparator (P < .001). Adult trials were more likely to be industry-funded (95% vs. 80%, P = .001). Any evaluation of drug safety was more likely present in adult trials (83% vs. 60%, P = .001). In trials examining AD severity as an outcome, the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) predominated in adult trials (51% vs. 29%, P < .05) and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) in pediatric trials (25% vs. 10%, P < .05). CONCLUSION The results highlight differences in trial design between pediatric and adult AD trials and show a lack of standardization in trial design.
Grammatical encoding of agency in Asturian middle constructions

Middle-passive constructions in Asturian –a Romance language spoken in the diglossic region of Asturias, in northern Spain– appear to optionally allow the occurrence of the reflexive pronoun se in them (esti pan esmigaya(se) facil; ‘this bread crumbles easily’); this has been traditionally considered a pleonastic use of the reflexive due to the influence of Spanish, i.e. the dominant language in the territory (ALLA 2001). Here, I claim that the presence of such pronoun is not optional; instead, I argue that this clitic spells out a passive Voice head encoding the participation of an implicit generic agent/experiencer in the event, giving rise to a generic se-passive configuration. The se-less counterpart, on the contrary, is only possible with unaccusative verbs and those undergoing the causative alternation, thus resulting in a generic inchoative configuration. Among the evidence I present supporting this claim is the fact that only the reflexive variant can control into a purpose clause, but it does not license the insertion of the PP por si mesmu (‘by itself’); this is quite the opposite of what happens with the se-less counterpart. Additionally, I explain that the presence/absence of the reflexive in middle contexts in Asturian and Asturian Spanish may be subject to crosslinguistic influence; therefore, several cases of linguistic transfer between Asturian and Asturian Spanish are teased apart and discussed.
Iron loading induces cholesterol synthesis and sensitizes endothelial cells to TNFα-mediated apoptosis.

In plasma, iron is normally bound to transferrin, the principal protein in blood responsible for binding and transporting iron throughout the body. However, in conditions of iron overload when the iron-binding capacity of transferrin is exceeded, non–transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) appears in plasma. NTBI is taken up by hepatocytes and other parenchymal cells via NTBI transporters and can cause cellular damage by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species. However, how NTBI affects endothelial cells, the most proximal cell type exposed to circulating NTBI, has not been explored. We modeled in vitro the effects of systemic iron overload on endothelial cells by treating primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with NTBI (ferric ammonium citrate [FAC]). We showed by RNA-Seq that iron loading alters lipid homeostasis in HUVECs by inducing sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2–mediated cholesterol biosynthesis. We also determined that FAC increased the susceptibility of HUVECs to apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Moreover, we showed that cholesterol biosynthesis contributes to iron-potentiated apoptosis. Treating HUVECs with a cholesterol chelator hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin demonstrated that depletion of cholesterol was sufficient to rescue HUVECs from TNFα-induced apoptosis, even in the presence of FAC. Finally, we showed that FAC or cholesterol treatment modulated the TNFα pathway by inducing novel proteolytic processing of TNFR1 to a short isoform that localizes to lipid rafts. Our study raises the possibility that iron-mediated toxicity in human iron overload disorders is at least in part dependent on alterations in cholesterol metabolism in endothelial cells, increasing their susceptibility to apoptosis.
Further Techniques and Applications of Integration

Besides the basic methods of integration associated with reversing the differentiation rules, there are special methods for integrands of particular forms. Using these methods, we can solve some interesting length and area problems.
Measures of Variability

Although for some purposes an average may be a sufficient description of a set of data, usually more information about the data is needed. An important feature of statistical data is their variability—how much the measurements differ from individual to individual. In this chapter we discuss the numerical evaluation of variability. A synonym for variability is dispersion, and other terms are sometimes used for the same concept including “spread” or “scatter.”
The unconventional lifestyle of NKT cells

Many characteristics distinguish CD1d-reactive natural killer T (NKT) cells that express the invariant Vα14–Jα18 T-cell receptor (known here as Vα14i T cells) from conventional T cells. Because of their apparent self-reactivity, their expression of natural-killer receptors and their capacity to secrete large quantities of cytokines rapidly — including interferon-γ and interleukin-4 — it has been proposed that Vα14i T cells might be important for the initiation and regulation of immune responses. New studies are beginning to shed light on the development, selection, homeostasis and possible function(s) of Vα14i T cells, which are 'non-conformists' compared with the main T-cell populations. These studies might lead to the development of techniques for the controlled manipulation of the Vα14i T-cell response, which could one day form the basis of immune therapies.
Developing Online Tutorials in Special Collections and Archives: A Case Study

While online tutorials are a common feature of library information literacy programs, they remain uncommon for archival and special collections settings. This article describes the development and implementation of online tutorials at the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at Brigham Young University. It reviews the two tutorial series created by the departmentâ€”one to address the needs of student employees, and the other of researchersâ€”and examines the benefits and difficulties of using such tools in a special collections and archival setting. Â
Infants' use of prior experiences with objects in object segregation: implications for object recognition in infancy.

Publisher Summary This chapter explores how prior experiences with objects influence infants' perception of displays containing these previously seen objects and objects similar to them. There are three ways in which infants use their prior experiences with objects when segregating displays. First, infants use their prior experiences with specific objects when segregating displays containing those objects. This effect occurs even over delays of 24-hour and even when the context of the familiarization and test events are different. Second, infants sometimes use a prior experience with an object similar to one present in the test display. Changes in the spatial orientation of the object between familiarization and test may be less disruptive than changes in the features of the object. This difference may signal a basic similarity in the ways in which infants and adults process object identity. At least some portions of Feature Integration Theory may be used to explain infants' object recognition, as the findings suggest that infants use an object's features to determine whether they have seen it before. Further evidence in this regard came from data, indicating that infants may experience illusory conjunctions between features such as the shape and color of an object. Finally, infants use a prior experience with a group of similar objects, perhaps by forming a general categorical representation that encompasses the characteristics of these objects. These categories may be formed after very brief exposures with three exemplars in the laboratory or with more lengthy exposures with any number of exemplars they encounter in their everyday experiences.
The Cassini‐Huygens Mission to Saturn and Titan

The Cassini‐Huygens mission is an international collaboration whose goal is an intense and detailed study of Saturn and its system. This paper provides an overview of the mission, the two spacecraft, their instruments, and scientific objectives.
Nanosecond pulse generator using a fast recovery diode

Design and operation of a fast recovery diode based pulse generator is presented. The generator produces 3 ns wide, 600 V amplitude pulses into a 50 ohm load at the maximum repetition rate of 100 kHz. Pulses shorter than 10 ns are essential for the studies of biological cell response to high electric fields while avoiding ordinary electroporation effects dominant at long pulses. The use of a mass-produced fast recovery surface-mount rectifier diode in this circuit substantially simplifies the generator and results in low cost and very small footprint. Similar diode switched pulse generators have been described in the literature using mostly custom fabricated snap-recovery diodes. Here we give an example of an ordinary low cost diode performing similarly to the custom fabricated counterpart. The diode switched circuit relaxes the requirement on the speed of the main closing switch, in our case a low cost power MOSFET-saturable core transformer combination.
Sequence variants in the human 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) gene are not associated with prostate cancer risk.

BACKGROUND 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been shown to have antiproliferative properties on normal and neoplastic prostatic cells. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-α-hydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the final step of vitamin D synthesis, converting 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is expressed in the prostate. METHODS The human 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-α-hydroxylase gene (CYP27B1) was resequenced in a case/control panel consisting of 64 individuals (48 Caucasians and 16 African Americans), with equal numbers of hereditary prostate cancer cases, sporadic cases, and unaffected controls. Three frequent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 245 prostate cancer cases and 222 controls. RESULTS Six noncoding SNPs were identified in the CYP27B1 gene. No significant difference was found in allele and genotype frequencies between sporadic cases and unaffected controls for the three genotyped SNPs. CONCLUSION This study suggests that the CYP27B1 gene does not play a major role as a prostate cancer susceptibility gene. Prostate 53: 175–178, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of RNAs complementary to specific mRNAs to regulate the expression of individual bacterial genes

A naturally occurring small RNA molecule ( micF RNA), complementary to the region encompassing the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon of the ompF mRNA, is known to block the expression of that mRNA in E. coli. We have constructed a plasmid that produces a complementary RNA to the E. coli lpp mRNA (mic[Ipp] RNA). Induction of the mic(Ipp) gene efficiently blocked lipoprotein production and reduced the amount of lpp mRNA. Two mic(ompC) genes were similarly engineered and their expression was found to inhibit drastically production of OmpC. Analysis of several types of mic(ompA) genes suggests that micRNAs complementary to regions of the mRNA likely to come in contact with ribosomes were most effective. The novel capabilities of this artificial mic system provide great potential for application in both procaryotic and eucaryotic cells.
ADCP-Referenced Geostrophic Circulation in the Bering Sea Basin

Abstract A month-long circumnavigation of the Bering Sea basin in August 1991 was designed to study the basin-scale circulation. For the first time in this region vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements provided an absolute reference for geostrophic currents. Transport in the Alaskan Stream (01/1500 db) was 24 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) westward, considerably higher than the 10–15 Sv usually inferred from geostrophic calculations referred to 1500 db, but in good agreement with previous work relative to moored current meters. As previously reported, the stream separated from the Aleutian Ridge, forming an anticyclonic eddy that restricted inflow to the Bering Sea. Flow through the Aleutians varied substantially across the passes. The Kamchatka Current was traceable for 800 km until it left the Bering Sea carrying 14 Sv (0/3000 db). Eddies were detected from the clustering of centers of curvature of sequential ADCP vectors. Incompletely spanned eddies can bias transports. Counterrotat...
ACUTE EPIGLOTTITIS - AN ACUTE SURGICAL EMERGENCY

A review of 97 patients with acute epiglottitis: 83, a retrospective study and 14, a prospective experience of the authors is presented to clarify some of the common misconceptions regarding the presentation, clinical course, and management of this disorder. It is a relatively rare, life threatening infection of infants and preschool children, but also occurs in adults. It is frequently referred to as “Hemophilus influenzae croup epiglottitis” which is misleading as croup is usually not present in these patients; and, though H. influenzae is the most common causative organism, other pathogens have been implicated. The course of acute epiglottitis is radically different from that of the more common viral subglottic croup syndromes in that these patients often have rapidly progressive and frequently abrupt, complete airway obstruction. An assured airway is mandatory in their management. Since nasotracheal intubation should not be undertaken without provisions for immediate surgical intervention, acute epiglottitis should always be considered an acute surgical emergency.
Anomalous ventricular myocardial patterns in a child with complex congenital heart disease.

Abstract Unusual ventricular myocardial patterns in a child are described. These patterns, demonstrated by angiocardiography, were associated with complex, congenital heart disease. Autopsy confirmed the bizarre, spongy myocardial patterns present in both ventricles. One explanation for the abnormal myocardial pattern observed in this case is failure of the normal differentiation of the primitive ventricular wall into compact myocardium. Thus, this case may have represented persistence of an embryonal pattern.
Thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic flow during crystal growth with a moderate or weak magnetic field

This paper treats a steady, axisymmetric melt motion in a cylindrical ampoule with a uniform, axial magnetic field and with an electric current due to a radial temperature variation along the crystal-melt interface, where the values of the absolute thermoelectric power for the crystal and melt are different. The radial component of the thermoelectric current in the melt produces an azimuthal body force, and the axial variation of the centrifugal force due to the azimuthal motion drives a meridional circulation with radial and axial velocities. For moderate magnetic field strengths, the azimuthal velocity and magnetic field produce a radial induced electric field which partially cancels the Seebeck electromotive force in the melt, so that the thermoelectric current and the melt motion are coupled. For weak magnetic fields, the thermoelectric current is decoupled from the melt motion, which is an ordinary hydrodynamic flow driven by a known azimuthal body force. The results show how the flow varies with the strength of the magnetic field and with the magnitude of the temperature variation along the crystal-melt interface. They also define the parameter ranges for which the simpler weak-field decoupled analysis gives accurate predictions.
Quantitative detection of astaxanthin and cantaxanthin in Atlantic salmon by resonance Raman spectroscopy

Two major carotenoids species found in salmonids muscle tissues are astaxanthin and cantaxanthin. They are taken up from fish food and are responsible for the attractive red-orange color of salmon filet. Since carotenoids are powerful antioxidants and biomarkers of nutrient consumption, they are thought to indicate fish health and resistance to diseases in fish farm environments. Therefore, a rapid, accurate, quantitative optical technique for measuring carotenoid content in salmon tissues is of economic interest. We demonstrate the possibility of using fast, selective, quantitative detection of astaxanthin and cantaxanthin in salmon muscle tissues, employing resonance Raman spectroscopy. Analyzing strong Raman signals originating from the carbon-carbon double bond stretch vibrations of the carotenoid molecules under blue laser excitation, we are able to characterize quantitatively the concentrations of carotenoids in salmon muscle tissue. To validate the technique, we compared Raman data with absorption measurements of carotenoid extracts in acetone. A close correspondence was observed in absorption spectra for tissue extract in acetone and a pure astaxanthin solution. Raman results show a linear dependence between Raman and absorption data. The proposed technique holds promise as a method of rapid screening of carotenoid levels in fish muscle tissues and may be attractive for the fish farm industry to assess the dietary status of salmon, risk for infective diseases, and product quality control.
Geostatistical analysis of DNA damage in oysters, Crassostrea virginica, in Lavaca Bay, Texas

This study evaluated the health of the marine ecosystem in Lavaca Bay, Texas using the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) as the sentinel species. Lavaca Bay has a history of having gradients of concentrations of pollutants present with some areas containing concentrations high enough to pose a threat to marine ecosystem health. The Comet assay was used to evaluate for the presence of genotoxic response in oyster hematocytes. Bayesian geostatistical analysis was then used to determine if the DNA damage in oyster hematocytes was spatially oriented and to develop continuous surface maps of the risk of DNA damage in this sentinel species. Results indicated that proximity to industrial facilities increased the locational risk of genotoxicity in this species.
Vitamin D2 analog (Paricalcitol; Zemplar) for treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is often a pernicious disorder associated with pancytopenia in the elderly; therapeutic approaches need to balance their toxicities versus the symptoms of the disease. 1,25(OH)(2)-Vitamin-D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] inhibits proliferation and induces differentiation of leukemic cells in vitro. Small clinical trials of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) have shown modest efficacy in MDS; hypercalcemia prevented the administration of doses that have been shown to be effective in vitro. Paricalcitol [19-nor-1,25(OH)(2)D(2), Zemplar] has been approved by the FDA for treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. This Vitamin D analog is unique because it has little hypercalcemic potential; but in vitro, it has strong anti-leukemic activity. We conducted a clinical trial of oral paricalcitol to 12 MDS patients whose disease varied between an IPSS of low to high. Drug was well-tolerated in all patients. No responses were observed according to international working group (IWG) criteria. However, the platelet count of 1 of the 12 individuals rose from 53,500 to 120,000/microl blood over 5 weeks; but the patient succumbed to a fatal fungal infection. In summary, paricalcitol given as a single agent to MDS patients is therapeutically not very efficacious; further trials of the Vitamin D analog should be considered in combination with other approaches.
Use of DiO-C5-3 to improve Hoechst 33342 uptake, resolution of DNA content, and survival of CHO cells

Abstract Chinese hamster cells (line CHO) stained with either 9 μ M Hoechst 33342 (HO) alone or in combination with the membrane potential fluorochrome DiO-C 5 -3 (DiO) were analyzed using uv laser powers between 25 and 500 mW and sorted for determination of survival by a colony formation assay. The combination of HO—DiO increased fluorescence twofold and provided coefficients of variation (CVs) as low as 3.0% under conditions where viability of cells, even at 500 mW excitation, was unaffected. HO-stained cells yielded CVs of about 8.5% and survivals of approximately 90% under similar analytical conditions. At laser powers of 25 mW, CV values for HO—DiO-stained populations were 4.0% compared to 9.4% for HO-stained cells. Results with another membrane potential dye, rhodamine 123 (R123), in combination with HO showed no improvement compared to HO-stained cells. No preferential, cell cycle phase-specific killing was observed in either the HO- or HO—DiO-stained populations. CVs of human skin diploid fibroblasts stained with HO or with HO—DiO were comparable over the entire laser power range; however, percentage survival was slightly higher for the HO—DiO-stained populations when analyzed and sorted at the higher power (400–500 mW) range. Long-term cultures of sorted CHO-K1 subpopulations, differing in DNA ploidy, were established from HO—DiO-stained cells. Advantages of this new staining procedure include improved DNA content resolution (low CV values) and the potential use of less expensive FCM uv laser systems coupled with less perturbing excitation powers.
Using system administrator education in eeveloping an IT eegree in a computer science department

This paper discusses our new problem-based, two-course sequence in System Administration. This sequence is designed to address two needs of Computer Science departments: that many CS students are entering system administration positions with no training, and that CS departments are interested in offering Information Technology education. The sequence is useful to our current undergraduate CS students and is a significant step in establishing a technology-based IT degree.
Atrazine fate and transport in the Des Plaines Wetlands

Abstract Atrazine fate and transport in three constructed pond and island wetlands in north east Illinois, USA, were studied in the field (1991) and modeled. The wetlands received pumped inflow from the Des Plaines River. The nominal residence time was about eight days for two, but was longer for the third. The river atrazine chemograph had two peaks that rose quickly after heavy spring rains and then subsided slowly. Maximum concentrations exceeded the United States federal drinking water standard (3 μg/l). The wetlands delayed, reduced, and spread out the peaks, removing 26 to 64% of their inflows depending on residence time. Flow and mixing models idealized the wetlands as single flow reactors or as networks of them. Atrazine reactions on biofilms with mass transfer rate limitation and when sorbed to sediments and litter were postulated. Simulation results were consistent with almost all atrazine reactions on biofilms. Mass transfer coefficients were 10–15 m/year with the wetland bottom taken as the biofilm area. The corresponding wetland half-lives were about 10 days. Best calibration resulted when most of the reaction took place near the pumping inlet. Model coefficients were similar to values for BOD and nutrients in other surface flow wetlands or to those derived from tracer data. The results suggest that observed removal rates of many pollutants in wetlands may reflect similar underlying mass transfer rate limitations.
Localization of substance P-like immunoreactivity in cell bodies of the feline dorsal vagal nucleus

Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) was localized in the dorsal vagal nucleus as punctate varicosities in non-treated cats. In animals treated with colchicine 48 h prior to sacrifice, SPLI varicosities as well as significant numbers of cell bodies found throughout the entire extent of the dorsal vagal nucleus. Results of this study not only confirm the presence of SPLI in the dorsal vagal nucleus but also suggest a possible additional source of SPLI which has been reported to be present in the vagus nerve.
Innovative use of the home page for library instruction

Abstract The World Wide Web is providing the technological basis for many libraries to offer automated instruction for the first time. An increasing number of libraries are designing innovative instruction on their home pages. Reviewing these contributions, looking at the process of innovation, and observing the basic principles of instructional design, which include (1) setting goals; (2) determining organizational design; (3) evaluating; and (4) revising the program, will support librarians in their effort to create effective and innovative instruction on their home pages.
Correlates of Postural Hypotension in a Community Sample of Elderly Blacks and Whites

Postural hypotension is thought to be prevalent among the elderly, but few community-based studies of this condition have been conducted. In addition, little is known about postural hypotension in blacks despite well documented racial differences in hypertension and stroke. Data on 659 elderly (greater than or equal to 60 years of age) participants in a survey of two rural, biracial townships were analyzed to describe the frequency and correlates of postural hypotension. Twelve percent of the 659 adults experienced a drop of 10 mmHg or greater in systolic blood pressure on going from sitting to standing (supine measures were not available). This degree of postural hypotension was twice as common for whites as for blacks (14.5% vs 7.5%, P = 0.01). Postural hypotension was associated with elevated sitting blood pressure and showed positive but statistically non-significant relationships with anti-hypertensive medications and leanness. The association between race and postural hypotension persisted after adjusting for these and other risk factors (OR = 2.2, 95% CI:1.2,4.0).
Reflections on Changes in the Library and Serials Literature

Johnson describes changes in library journal literature topics over the past one hundred years, with a focus on the period between her first Balance Point column in 2003 and this one, her last. She reminisces on her experience as a Balance Point column editor.
Proteins with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) signal sequences have divergent fates during a GPI deficiency. GPIs are essential for nuclear division in Trypanosoma cruzi

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are membrane anchors for cell surface proteins of several major protozoan parasites of humans, including Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. To investigate the general role of GPIs inT. cruzi, we generated GPI-deficient parasites by heterologous expression of T. bruceiGPI-phospholipase C. Putative protein-GPI intermediates were depleted, causing the biochemical equivalent of a dominant-negative loss of function mutation in the GPI pathway. Cell surface expression of major GPI-anchored proteins was diminished in GPI-deficient T. cruzi. Four proteins that are normally GPI-anchored in T. cruzi exhibited different fates during the GPI shortage; Ssp-4 and p75 were secreted prematurely, while protease gp50/55 and p60 were degraded intracellularly. These observations demonstrate that secretion and intracellular degradation of GPI-anchored proteins may occur in the same genetic background during a GPI deficiency. We postulate that the interaction between a protein-GPI transamidase and the COOH-terminal GPI signal sequence plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of these proteins. At a nonpermissive GPI deficiency, T. cruzi amastigotes inside mammalian cells replicated their single kinetoplast but failed at mitosis. Hence, in these protozoans, GPIs appear to be essential for nuclear division, but not for mitochondrial duplication.
The effect of unsaturated fatty acids on the rate of synthesis of rat liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Abstract 1. 1. Rat liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been used to test the hypotheses that unsaturated fatty acids inhibit this enzyme in vivo or act as co-pressors regulating the synthesis of lipogenic enzymes. When rats are switched from a non-fat diet to one containing 15% fatty acid there is an 8-fold decrease in the level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Quantitative precipitation of the enzyme with an antiserum against glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase established that this 8-fold decrease was due to a decrease in the amount of enzyme protein rather than an inhibition of preexisting enzyme. 2. 2. A kinetic method was used to determine the rate of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase synthesis and degradation in the presence of dietary fatty acids. It is concluded that dietary fatty acids decrease the rate of synthesis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Alterations in the levels of glucose and fatty acid in the diet lead to the conclusion that fatty acids act indirectly by decreasing the appetite. These results do not support the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids act as co-repressors to regulate the synthesis of lipogenic enzymes.
Improved rearrangement of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation for calculating in vivo kinetics of transport and metabolism.

A multiple regression form of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation was developed and evaluated with simulated data having controlled error. Both multiple and traditional linear regression fit errorless data perfectly, but multiple regression is much more stable with regard to accuracy and precision of estimating the Michaelis constant and maximum rate of reaction when data contain error. Bias in determining estimators of kinetic coefficients was -4 and -3% versus -56 and -35% with 10% error in the data. Multiple regression estimates for Michaelis constant and maximum rate of reaction directly as opposed to estimating 1/Km and maximum rate of reaction/Michaelis constant by linear regression. The difference in accuracy in estimating actual Michaelis constant, for example, is 4% versus 227% error with only 10% error in the data Precision of estimation is approximately the same as precision of the data for multiple regression. For the 800 data sets examined, R2 was always greater than .92 for multiple regression, but frequently was not significant for linear regression. The actual initial concentration was provided for linear regression but calculated by multiple regression with accuracy and precision equivalent to estimation of Michaelis constant and maximum rate of reaction. The multiple regression method has statistical power to determine treatment effects on Michaelis constant and maximum rate of reaction with a practical number of animals.
A lifting based system for optimal image compression in the wavelet domain

Wavelets are used in most of the recent image compression standards, because they provide scalability, multi-resolution, and energy concentration. Most of these wavelet image coders employ bi-orthogonal filters. This provides the advantages of selective frequency localization and Perfect Reconstruction (PR), compared to classical orthogonal filters. Bi-orthogonal filters also obviate the need for any phase compensation in the pyramidal filter structure. Lifting has emerged as a powerful method for implementing bi-orthogonal wavelet filters. It exploits the similarity of the filter coefficients between the low pass and high pass filters to provide a higher speed of execution, compared to conventional convolution-based coders. In this paper, we propose a novel lifting-based system that achieves better compression than existing wavelet kernels. The proposed lifting-based system uses bi-orthogonal filters in its architecture, and can operate in the JPEG2000 framework. In the proposed system, the coefficients of either the low-pass or high-pass filter can be modified, without changing the coefficients of the other filter. This is done in a manner that enhances compression while preserving the perfect reconstruction (PR) condition, and increasing the regularity of the modified pair of filters. Extensive simulations have been performed in the JPEG2000 domain to compare the efficiency of our kernels to the lifting wavelet kernels provided by the JPEG2000 standard
Unilateral right occipital condyle to C2 level spinal cord infarction associated with ipsilateral vertebral artery stenosis and contralateral vertebral artery dissection: a case report

AbstractObjectives: To illustrate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome of unilateral right occipital condyle to C2 level spinal cord infarction.Setting: A teaching hospital in Taiwan.Findings: A 37-year-old man presented with acute-onset severe right neck pain before weakness developed in both right limbs. Early diagnosis was delayed due to mild intervertebral herniation of the C4–C5 disk. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed unilateral right occipital condyle to C2 level infarction. Angiography showed stenosis of the right vertebral artery (foraminal and intradural segments), and dissection of the left vertebral artery at the C1–C2 level. At discharge, he walked with assistance; 2 weeks later, he walked independently.Conclusions: An early diagnosis is difficult but important, as it facilitates appropriate treatment for better functional and survival outcomes. Accurate early diagnosis can be made with adequate knowledge of spinal cord infarction and high index of suspicion for this...
Interventional Radiologic Management and Treatment of Enterocutaneous Fistulae

Enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) are abnormal sinus tract communications between the alimentary system and skin surface that can cause significant management problems and cost to the health care system. Interventional radiology can play an important role in diagnosis and treatment when conventional measures fail and additional surgery is difficult or poses a high risk. The management of patients with fistulae requires operator ingenuity and dedication, a multidisciplinary team approach, and an understanding of the pathophysiology. This article reviews the major issues in ECF management and the role of interventional radiology.
On the interday homogeneity in the intraday rate of trading

In this paper we perform a computationally intensive empirical investigation of interday homogeneity in the intraday rate of trading for six NYSE-traded stocks. For each of these six stocks, we test the homogeneity of the kth trading day to the remainder of the sample using a likelihood ratio test for each of the forty trading days in the sample. At the α=0.01 level, we find that about one-half of all trading days considered are homogeneous to the remainder of the sample, although this proportion varies across individual samples.
Exculpatory Clauses: Legal Environment and Implications for the Hospitality Industry

Offering recreational amenities for guests is one way in which hotel operators compete for guests and increased revenues. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries to guests sometimes result from engaging in such activities. While certain risks may be curtailed through prudent operation and maintenance of equipment, operators may be able to insulate themselves from liability in certain instances through the use of exculpatory clauses. This article reviews the legal environment of exculpatory clauses as it relates to recreational activities and considers the implications for the lodging industry. It addresses, as well, limitation of liability for injuries resulting from the use of recreational equipment and services which are offered apart from the limited services traditionally associated with room rentals. In many instances, exculpatory clauses remain a legitimate method to reduce the risk of liability associated with many types of amusement and recreational activities offered by the hospitality industry.
Extending Plumwood's Critique of Rationalism Through Imagery and Metaphor

Val Plumwood's criticism of the ecologically irrational p -centric logic of rationalism, which neglects or denies its dependence on all that is not-p, undercutting its own biological base while denying the illness of the culture it has spawned, is juxtaposed with the clinical picture of the linguistic left hemisphere acting without benefit of input from the more real-time-and-space-centered right. Exploring the metaphor suggests that visual gestalts depicting actual relationships might be effective in drawing our industrial culture's collective attention away from its fascination with endless lines of alphabetic characters and abstract numbers multiplying their way toward infinity, bringing it back to reality and ecological rationality. In illustration, ongoing habitat destruction wrought on the ground as humans follow the detached logic of economic rationalism is seen to reflect, rather than the illusion of eternal "growth" conveyed by Cartesian axes, the relentless finitude of fractal geometry's Sierpinski gasket.
Did monetarism die in the 1980s

Abstract The close correlation between the monetary aggregates and many measures of economic activity appear to have broken down during the 1980s. Indeed, most simple correlations between the M1 definition of money and inflation are of opposite signs during the 1980s from those of the 1960–1979 time period. However, if the determinants of money demand, widely discussed during the 1950s, are taken into account, then the money to economic activity relationship remains very strong and significant during the 1980s. In this regard, monetary policy seems to have become significantly more contracyclical in recent years, and this accounts for much of the different simple correlations in the 1980s from the earlier post-World War II periods.
Gate-Level Information-Flow Tracking for Secure Architectures

This article describes a new method for constructing and analyzing architectures that can track all information flows within a processor, including explicit, implicit, and timing flows. The key to this approach is a novel gate-level information-flow-tracking method that provides a way to create complex logical structures with well-defined information-flow properties.
What Drives Usage

Western Illinois University Libraries has cut online serials subscriptions in the past 2 years. The librarians were guided by the statistics for downloads provided by the publishers of the journals. However, questions were raised by both professors and librarians regarding the exact meaning of the statistics. This caused the electronic resources librarian at Western Illinois to explore the question of what actually drives usage. After reviewing the various statistics available, the librarians at Western Illinois University strongly suspected that usage is being driven by the style of research that the Internet encourages. This conclusion has implications for both collection development decisions regarding electronic resources and the guiding philosophy of university librarians.
Effect of wind turbine micro-Doppler on SAR and GMTI signatures

In this paper, we present the results of a modeling study to examine the interference effect of microDopplers caused by offshore wind farms on airborne sensors operating in the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) modes. The modeling is carried out by generating CAD instantiations of the dynamic wind turbine and using the high-frequency electromagnetic code Xpatch to perform the scattering calculations. Artifacts in the resulting SAR and GMTI signatures are evaluated for interference with tracking of boats in coastal waters. Results of signal filtering algorithms to reduce the dynamic turbine clutter in both SAR images and GMTI displays are presented.
Rejoinder to Leibert

Leibert (2012) argues that economic and policy interests have caused counseling culture to be structured according to the values of traditional scientific ideology. He proposes that a postpositivist paradigm would move counseling beyond the restrictive ideological boundaries of positivism. Although the author agrees with many of Leibert's points, he argues that Leibert's conceptualization of causality is overly restrictive and that postpositivism does not have the proper ideological ingredients to transform counseling culture.