cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single Ca2+ channels and exocytosis at sensory synapses

Hair cell synapses in the ear and photoreceptor synapses in the eye are the first synapses in the auditory and visual system. These specialized synapses transmit a large amount of sensory information in a fast and efficient manner. Moreover, both small and large signals with widely variable kinetics must be quickly encoded and reliably transmitted to allow an animal to rapidly monitor and react to its environment. Here we briefly review some aspects of these primary synapses, which are characterized by a synaptic ribbon in their active zones of transmitter release. We propose that these synapses are themselves highly specialized for the task at hand. Photoreceptor and bipolar cell ribbon synapses in the retina appear to have versatile properties that permit both tonic and phasic transmitter release. This allows them to transmit changes of both luminance and contrast within a visual field at different ambient light levels. By contrast, hair cell ribbon synapses are specialized for a highly synchronous form of multivesicular release that may be critical for phase locking to low-frequency sound-evoked signals at both low and high sound intensities. The microarchitecture of a hair cell synapse may be such that the opening of a single Ca(2+) channel evokes the simultaneous exocytosis of multiple synaptic vesicles. Thus, the differing demands of sensory encoding in the eye and ear generate diverse designs and capabilities for their ribbon synapses.
What's the matter with MAT? Marrow adipose tissue, metabolism, and skeletal health

Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is functionally distinct from both white and brown adipose tissue and can contribute to systemic and skeletal metabolism. MAT formation is a spatially and temporally defined developmental event, suggesting that MAT is an organ that serves important functions and, like other organs, can undergo pathologic change. The well-documented inverse relationship between MAT and bone mineral density has been interpreted to mean that MAT removal is a possible therapeutic target for osteoporosis. However, the bone and metabolic phenotypes of patients with lipodystrophy argues that retention of MAT may actually be beneficial in some circumstances. Furthermore, MAT may exist in two forms, regulated and constitutive, with divergent responses to hematopoietic and nutritional demands. In this review, we discuss the role of MAT in lipodystrophy, bone loss, and metabolism, and highlight our current understanding of this unique adipose tissue depot.
Action-oriented Benchmarking: Using the CEUS Database to Benchmark Commercial Buildings in California

The 2006 Commercial End Use Survey (CEUS) database developed by the California Energy Commission is a far richer source of energy end-use data for non-residential buildings than has previously been available and opens the possibility of creating new and more powerful energy benchmarking processes and tools. In this article--Part 2 of a two-part series--we describe the methodology and selected results from an action-oriented benchmarking approach using the new CEUS database. This approach goes beyond whole-building energy benchmarking to more advanced end-use and component-level benchmarking that enables users to identify and prioritize specific energy efficiency opportunities - an improvement on benchmarking tools typically in use today.
Gamma-Ray Decay in Cl-36

The decays of 24 states below 4 MeV in $^{36}\mathrm{Cl}$ have been studied by use of $p\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences. The excited states were populated by the $^{35}\mathrm{Cl}(d,p)$ reaction with 3.5-MeV deuterons bombarding enriched Pb${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$ targets. Branching ratios were determined and the mean lives of the states were measured by the attenuated-Doppler-shift method. While the level scheme is complex, it is possible to discuss many of the transitions in terms of simple shell-model configurations. Radiative rates among some of the lowest levels are compared with a recent shell-model calculation.
Study of the issues of computational aerothermodynamics using a Riemann solver

Abstract : This work is part of a project to more accurately model hypersonic flow. A number of issues in hypersonic flow are addressed. The first issue addressed is that of air properties at increased temperatures. Thermodynamic and transport properties of chemical equilibrium air are found for temperatures up to 30,000 K for a pressure range from 1x10-4 to 100 atm. This work also covers adding equilibrium air chemistry to the computational fluid dynamics computer code known as AVUS. The second issue addressed is the carbuncle problem. A grid study is performed and recommendations as to what types of structured grids should be used to reduce the carbuncle problem are made. Grid aspect ratio and the alignment of the grid to the flow can be used to reduce the effects of the carbuncle phenomenon. Another mechanism causing the carbuncle phenomenon is the alignment of the grids with the shock. The third issue addressed is the domain of applicability of the perfect gas model, equilibrium air model, nonequilibrium air model, and thermo-chemical nonequilibrium air model. A computational study is carried out using AVUS to determine the regions of applicability of these air models for a blunt body at various velocities and altitudes. This work is part of a project to more accurately model hypersonic flow. A number of issues in hypersonic flow are addressed. The first issue addressed is that of air properties at increased temperatures. In particular the thermodynamic and transport properties of chemical equilibrium air are found for temperatures up to 30,000 K for a pressure range from 1x10-4 to 100 atm. This work provides properties at slightly higher temperatures for the lower pressure region than can be found in the literature. This work also covers adding equilibrium air chemistry to the computational fluid dynamics computer code known as AVUS.
Tailoring structure formation and mechanical properties of particle brush solids via homopolymer addition

Recent progress in the area of surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization (SI-CRP) has enabled the synthesis of polymer-grafted colloids with precise control over the architecture of grafted chains. The resulting ‘particle brush materials’ are of interest both from a fundamental as well as applied perspective because structural frustrations (associated with the tethering of chains to a curved surface) imply a sensitive dependence of the interactions between brush particles on the architecture of surface-tethered chains that offers new opportunities to design hybrid materials with novel functionalities. An important prerequisite for establishing structure–property relations in particle brush materials is to understand the role of homopolymer impurities that form, for example, by thermal self-initiation. This contribution presents a detailed discussion of the role of homopolymer additives on the structure and mechanical properties of particle brush materials. The results suggest that the dissolution of homopolymer fillers follows a two-step mechanism comprised of the initial segregation of homopolymer to the interstitial regions within the array and the subsequent swelling of the particle brush (depending on the respective degree of polymerization of brush and linear chains). Addition of even small amounts of homopolymer is found to significantly increase the fracture toughness of particle brush assembly structures. The increased resistance to failure could enable the synthesis of robust colloidal crystal type materials that can be processed into complex shapes using ‘classical’ polymer forming techniques such as molding or extrusion.
A Review of qEEG-Guided Neurofeedback

While there are literature reviews and meta-analytic coverage of neurofeedback (NF) studies that focus on traditional amplitude NF and slow cortical potential NF, the same is not true for quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG)-guided NF (qNF). To that end, this is a literature review of several qNF research articles. Generally, most are found in clinical settings, address a wide variety of symptoms and diagnoses, use clinical assessments as outcome measures, employ individualized NF protocols based on qEEG findings, and define efficacy in terms of improvement on pre-post outcome measures. However, few report prepost qEEG metrics as outcome measures. Suggestions for future research are presented.
Stabilization of the p53 gene product in two bovine leukemia virus infected cell lines

Fetal lamb kidney cells (FLK) and bat lung (BAT2CL6) cells that continuously produce bovine leukemia virus (BLV) were found to cause malignant tumors in nude mice. Uninfected bat lung cells (Tb 1 Lu) produced a small benign neoplasm. Pulse chase studies showed that the p53 gene product in BAT2CL6 cells was more stable compared with p53 in Tb 1 Lu cells. Mono-clonal antibody studies suggested that a mutant form of the p53 protein was produced in BLV-infected cells. Heteroduplex mapping studies of the p53 gene from BLV-infected cells also suggested that a mutation in p53 had occurred. Stabilization of the p53 gene product in BLV-infected cells may contribute to the progression of tumor virulence.
IT acceptance in a less-developed country: a motivational factor perspective

Under-developed countries are recognizing the importance of information technology (IT). Studies show that many systems in these countries are under-utilized. This study examines factors that motivate users to accept technology. Data was collected from 143 computer users in Nigeria. The results suggest that social pressure is an important factor affecting technology acceptance.
Weighing Goods: Some Questions and Comments

L'A. examine les premisses de l'argument que J. Broome developpe dans son ouvrage intitule «Weighing Goods» en faveur des structures personnelles et interpersonnelles du bien. Cette analyse des notions de rationalite et de bien est de premiere importance tant pour la theorie morale que pour l'economie
The Bayesian Analysis of a Nonadditive Model

Abstract A Bayesian analysis of a model for two-group experimentation is given. This model assumes that responses in one group are systematically related to responses in the other group through a general linear function using both multiplicative and additive parameters.
PREDICTION OF THE ENTHALPY OF FORMATION OF HYDROCARBONS USING SPARC

Standard enthalpies of formation (ΔHf) were calculated with models developed using the computer program SPARC. SPARC uses computational algorithms based on chemical structure theory to calculate the ΔHf. Molecular structures are broken into simple functional units (reactophores) with intrinsic properties. Each reactophore is analyzed and the effects of appended molecular structures are quantified through perturbation theory. The ΔHf models have been developed using all known data for saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. The structures of these compounds vary from chains to conjugated rings to poly-benzoic aromatic hydrocarbons. The SPARC calculated RMS deviation of these 587 compounds is 4.50 kJ mol-1.
James Lawrence Fly, the FBI, and Wiretapping

(1998). James Lawrence Fly, the FBI, and Wiretapping. The Historian: Vol. 61, No. 2, pp. 361-382.
Hidden thin layers of toxic diatoms in a coastal bay

Abstract Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can threaten animal and human health through the production of toxins such as domoic acid. These blooms have become more frequent and toxic over the last few decades. In this study, we investigate the role that nutrients play in a toxic, subsurface bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia in northeastern Monterey Bay, California. Profilers and towed instruments were deployed and laboratory analyses of discrete water samples were conducted to describe the physical and biogeochemical conditions of the sampling site and to characterize the bloom. The subsurface Pseudo-nitzschia bloom occurred within a well-defined layer, containing high levels of domoic acid. In situ images taken within the layer revealed diatom flocs—indicators of nutrient stress. Nutrient ratios and alkaline phosphatase activity, commonly used to determine the nutritional status of phytoplankton, suggest that the Pseudo-nitzschia cells were phosphate stressed, and we speculate that this physiological stress led to increased toxicity of the bloom. Understanding how frequently blooms such as these are characterized by nutrient stress could improve our ability to predict the occurrence of HABs. With increased anthropogenic input of nutrients, such blooms could occur more often and with greater degrees of toxicity in the future.
Theoretical analysis of requirements for crystal growth from solution

Abstract The necessary requirements which must be met for the obtaining of smooth-interface crystal growth from solution has been discussed and a general procedure has been outlined for growing such crystals in an isolated zone of well-defined and completely controllable environmental conditions. The analysis has been applied to the growth of GaAs, GaP, SiC, B 6 P, and ZnTe from solution.
Strained-layer InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs graded-index separate-confinement single quantum well lasers grown by molecular-beam epitaxy

Strained-layer Ga/sub 0.7/In/sub 0.3/As-AlGaAs-GaAs graded-index separate-confinement heterostructure single-quantum-well lasers were grown by molecular-beam epitaxy with growth conditions selected to optimize the growth of each material. The lasers emit at a wavelength of 1.03 mu m at 300 K, have threshold currents of 12 mA for 3 mu m*400 mu m devices, and have average threshold current densities of 174 A/cm/sup 2/ for 40 mu m*800 mu m devices. Studies of threshold current versus cavity length and width agree with theoretical formulations. The threshold currents for lasers of various lengths and widths are significantly lower than those for previous strained-layer lasers grown by molecular-beam epitaxy and lower than those for strained-layer lasers grown by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy. Although these devices have not been optimized for microwave modulation, 4-GHz bandwidths have been measured for 21.5 mu m*600 mu m devices. >
A case study of the implementation of in-school employment and training programs: The functions of program administration

Abstract Implementation, as it is addressed here. is about the metamorphosis of policy framed by legislators in Washington, D.C. into programs belonging to communities across the country. Involved in this transformation are inevitable discrepancies between a policy's intent and the eventual program actualities, between the vision and the reality, the theory and its application. The tensions are real. Any consideration of the implementation process must include the interaction between both poles as critical determinants of what eventually occurs.
Computerized local dental anesthetic systems: patient and dentist satisfaction.

Abstract A computer controlled dental anesthetic delivery system was studied with the Objective of evaluating and comparing the unit to the traditional method of anesthetic delivery. The research design and Method of study involved the use of trained dentists who used both types of delivery systems on patients seen during their routine practice of dentistry. After the dental appointment was finished each dentist completed a survey concerning the injection. Patients completed a survey before the injection concerning their previous anesthetic experiences and completed another survey at the end of the dental appointment concerning the injection they had just received. Statistical analyses yielded Results showing the two methods were rated very similarly by both patients and dentists. Conclusions resulting from the study are that computer controlled dental anesthetic injections and traditional anesthetic injections were accepted equally well by both dentists and patients.
Methanol Toxicity and Formate Oxidation in NEUT2 Mice

Abstract NEUT2 mice are deficient in cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH; EC 1.5.1.6) which catalyzes the oxidation of excess folate-linked one-carbon units in the form of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to CO 2 and tetrahydrofolate (Champion et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 11338–11342, 1994). The absence of FDH should impair the oxidation of formate via the folate-dependent pathway and as a consequence render homozygous NEUT2 mice more susceptible to methanol toxicity. Normal (CB6-F1) and NEUT2 heterozygous and homozygous mice had essentially identical LD 50 values for methanol, 6.08, 6.00, and 6.03 g/kg, respectively. Normal mice oxidized low doses of [ 14 C]sodium formate (ip 5 mg/kg) to 14 CO 2 at approximately twice the rate of homozygous NEUT2 mice, indicating the presence of another formate-oxidizing system in addition to FDH. Treatment of mice with the catalase inhibitor, 3-aminotriazole (1 g/kg ip) had no effect on the rate of formate oxidation, indicating that at low concentrations formate was not oxidized peroxidatively by catalase. High doses of [ 14 C]sodium formate (ip 100 mg/kg) were oxidized to 14 CO 2 at identical rates in normal and NEUT2 homozygous mice. Pretreatment with 3-aminotriazole (1 g/kg ip) in this instance resulted in a 40 and 50% decrease in formate oxidation to CO 2 in both normal and homozygous NEUT2 mice, respectively. These results indicate that mice are able to oxidize formate to CO 2 by at least three different routes: (1) folate-dependent via FDH at low levels of formate; (2) peroxidation by catalase at high levels of formate; and (3) by an unknown route(s) which appears to function at both low and high levels of formate. The implications of these observations are discussed in terms of the current hypotheses concerning methanol and formate toxicity in rodents and primates.
The Impact of Migration on Pregnancy Outcomes Among Mexican-Origin Women

To examine the association between individual-level and state-level migration status in the United States (US) and the risk of preterm and low birth weight infants among Mexican-origin women. We performed secondary analysis of the 2003 US birth certificate data for 641,474 infants born to Mexican-origin Latina women. The dependent variables were prematurity and low birth weight. The primary independent variables were individual- (maternal) and state-level migration status. Logistic regression analysis estimated the relationship between maternal and state-level migration status, maternal and infant factors, and the risk of prematurity and low birth weight. Women who were born in Mexico had less education and use of prenatal care than US-born, Mexican-origin women but also fewer preterm or low birth weight infants. After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, women who were born and resided in Mexico at delivery were 37-64% less likely to deliver preterm or low birth weight infants, and women who were born in Mexico and resided in the US had a 20-21% lower risk as compared to women who were born and resided in the same US state. Women who delivered in states with a higher proportion of Mexican-origin mothers were slightly more likely to deliver a preterm infant and slightly less likely to give birth to a low birth weight infant. These findings support the perinatal advantage of Mexican-born women and provide evidence that both individual- as well as state-level migration factors influence perinatal outcomes.
Application of semiclassical scattering analysis

Abstract Several different examples of scattering processes are analyzed, and for each, semiclassical approximations are discussed. The scattering of magnetic monopoles by charged particles is an illustrative example demonstrating rainbow and glory effects. In this example, exact classical and quantum results are also obtained and comparison made with semiclassical results. For the scattering of alpha particles by nuclei, the influence of absorption and of the phenomenon of orbiting on the cross section are studied semiclassically, and comparison with experiment is made. For the scattering of atoms by atoms, rainbow, glory, and orbiting effects may all exist, and one example is worked out semiclassically in detail. The scattering of electrons or muons by nuclei is discussed briefly and the semiclassical analysis shown not to be valid at any energy.
Red clover necrotic mosaic virus infectious transcripts synthesized in Vitro

Abstract The red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus (RCNMV) genome is split between two essentially nonhomologous ssRNAs of 3.9 kb (RNA-1) and 1.45 kb (RNA-2) which are each capped at the 5′ terminus with m 7 GpppA. cDNA clones short of full length by several nucleotides at both termini have been generated to both RNAs. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was employed to generate a series of RNA-1 and -2 transcription vectors in which the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase promoter was fused to full-length cDNA clones. Yields of in vitro transcripts initiating with wild-type viral 5′-terminal adenosine were extremely low. Efficient transcription was achieved only when one, or alternatively two, nonviral guanosines were engineered 5′ to the authentic viral sequence at the transcription start site. m 7 GpppG-capped or -uncapped RCNMV RNA-1 and RNA-2 transcripts were infectious and induced symptoms identical to those of wild-type virus infection when coinoculated on the systemic hosts Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii , and on the local lesion host Chenopodium amaranticolor . Uncapped in vitro transcripts were somewhat less infectious. Progeny virus derived from infectious transcript inoculum was as infectious as wild-type virus. Primer extension analysis indicated that the 5′-terminal nonviral guanosine residues were not maintained in the progeny virus.
Poetry as an aesthetic expression for nursing: a review

Objective. To provide the reader with a basic understanding of the elements of poetry and to review poetry's contribution to nursing. The review will examine the poetry written by nurses, poetry's effect on the profession, and its use in education, patient care, and research. Data sources. Classic and current sources of poetry, which enhance the understanding of poetry and how poetry has changed over time are reviewed. The review of nursing literature was conducted in works published in the English language using the keywords: poetry, nursing, and aesthetics. The initial search included all nursing literature with the above keywords from 1960 to 2001. Articles from relevant journals and textbooks, which could contribute to the understanding of the use of poetry in the field of nursing, were included. Conclusion. The use of poetry in the nursing profession provides us with the opportunity to gain new meaning and understanding about the profession and the clientele served. Poetry is a rich textual medium that can assist in illuminating nursing's core belief about the uniqueness of the nurse–patient relationship, and enhance the ‘art’ of nursing and ‘ways of knowing’.
A turnpike property of optimal programs for a class of simple linear models of production

This paper establishes a ‘turnpike theorem’ for a closed linear model of production with a primitive input requirement matrix. Optimal programs of resource allocation have a ‘turnpike property’ if the growth factor of every sector in the economy converges, in the long run, to a common value. The usefulness of such a theorem is due to the fact that the input requirement matrix for an economy with a large number of goods may be primitive (some power of the matrix is strictly positive).
Raman spectroscopy of murine bone in response to simulated Spaceflight conditions

Astronauts exposed to spaceflight conditions can lose 1-2% of their bone mineral density per month from the weight-bearing portions of the skeletal system. Low bone mineral density, termed osteopenia, is the result of decreased bone formation and/or increased bone resorption. In this study, Raman spectroscopy is used to examine if the physicochemical composition of murine femurs is altered in response to simulated spaceflight conditions (hindlimb suspension). Female C57BL/6J mice, aged 53 days, were divided into ground control and simulated spaceflight groups for a period of 12 days, modeling the experiment profile of mice flown on Space Shuttle flight STS-108. After the study, the mice were sacrificed and femur specimens harvested. Mid-diaphysis sections were probed using near-infrared Raman microscopy. Spectra were collected at various anatomical sites (anterior, lateral, medial, and posterior quadrants) and/or cortical locations (periosteal, midosteal, and endosteal). Chemometric recovery of spectra was employed to reduce signal contributions from the epoxy embedding agent. Mean values for mineralization, carbonation, crystallinity, and other parameters associated with the matrix were estimated. Correlations between mineralization and carbonation were observed, despite the small absolute changes between the two groups. We present more detailed analysis of this data and comment on the prospects for Raman spectroscopic evaluation of bone quality in hindlimb suspended (HLS) specimens.
Mechanistic Studies of Photobase Generation from Ammonium Tetraorganyl Borate Salts1

The photochemistry and photophysics of N,N,N-tributyl-N-acetonaphthone ammonium borate (1) and N,N,N-tributyl-N-acetobenzo[b]furan ammonium borate (2) have been investigated by steady-state spectroscopy, laser flash photolysis, and product analysis. Reaction of excited precursors leads to formation of tertiary amines by carbon−nitrogen bond cleavage. Laser flash photolysis and product analysis confirm homolytic carbon−nitrogen bond scission and the formation of respective acetyl radicals which, in acetonitrile, dimerize to form coupled products. In all cases, photodissociation occurs with such a short lifetime that it could not be measured by nanosecond flash photolysis. The quantum yield of disappearance was found to be higher for salts of the triphenylbutyl borate anion than for those of the tetraphenyl borate anion. A proposed mechanism involves electron transfer from borate to the excited acceptors as the primary photochemical step. The rate constants for excited-state quenching correlate with the fre...
Salivary sodium and potassium concentrations in adrenalectomized rats.

Previous studies have shown that adrenalectomized rats have a lowered behavioral taste threshold for and consume more sodium chloride solution than do intact rats. We attempted to determine whether altered sodium and/or potassium saliva concentrations might accompany adrenalectomy and mediate these behavioral changes. Twenty-two rats, eleven intact and eleven adrenalectomized, were anesthetized with ether and injected with pilocarpine (7.5 mg/kg body wt): whole saliva was collected for 10 mins. The intact animals produced 0.577 ± 0.189 ml of saliva while the operated animals produced significantly less, 0.329 ± 0.204 ml. The salivary sodium concentration was 43.6 ± 13.0 meq/liter in operated rats and significantly lower, 32.5 ± 4.3 meq/liter in intact animals. There were no significant differences in potassium concentration, but the sodium/potassium ratio was significantly greater in adrenalectomized than control animals. Adrenalectomized rats secreted 14.3 meq of sodium in the 10-min period compared to 18.7 meq by the controls, suggesting that the amount of sodium per unit time in the adrenalectomized animal's oral cavity was markedly decreased. It thus seems that although the sodium concentration is higher in the adrenalectomized animal, much of this difference is accounted for by a decreased flow rate even with equivalent pharmacologic stimulation.
Structural Dynamics of the Dystrophin-Actin and Utrophin-Actin Complexes

Dystrophin and utrophin bind actin in vitro with similar affinities, but with different molecular contacts. It is proposed that these differences alter the elasticity of dystrophin-actin and utrophin-actin linkages to the sarcolemma, affecting the cell's response to muscle stretches. To test this hypothesis, we have determined the effects of dystrophin and utrophin on the microsecond dynamics of phosphoresescent-labeled actin, using transient phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA). At higher levels of saturation, utrophin was more effective than dystrophin in causing changes to the final anisotropy, correlation time, and initial anisotropy of actin dynamics. The simplest interpretation of these changes is that utrophin restricted the amplitude and increased the rates of actin to a substantially larger extent than dystrophin. Further analysis indicated that the actin-utrophin complex is much more torsionally flexible than the actin-dystrophin complex. We propose that these differences between dystrophin and utrophin in their effects on actin dynamics affect elastic properties of actin-mediated linkages with the sarcolemma. Preliminary data on fragments containing all the proposed actin binding domains (DN-R17/UN-R10) show less of an effect on regulating rotational amplitude and nearly no effect on rotational rate. Future experiments looking at other fragments of dystrophin and utrophin, and constructs with engineered disease-causing point mutations will determine which structural elements of these proteins are critical in determining the flexibility of actin filaments and what level of actin flexibility is physiologically optimal. Finally, to test the hypothesis that different orientation or conformation of the actin binding domain in dystrophin and utrophin contributes to changes in actin dynamics, we are using spectroscopic probes to do direct distance measurements between the 2 Calponin homology actin-binding domain heads to differentiate between the 4 currently proposed models of CH domain conformations.
Inhibition of nitrification in soils by volatile sulfur compounds

Abstract Carbon disulfide, dimethyl disulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide retard nitrification of ammonium in soils incubated in closed systems. The inhibitory effects of these volatile sulfur compounds on nitrification decrease in the order listed. Hydrogen sulfide is a relatively weak inhibitor of nitrification, but carbon disulfide is considerably more effective than patented nitrification inhibitors (N-Serve. AM, and ST) for inhibition of nitrification in closed systems. It is concluded from the work reported that the inhibitory effects of methionine, cystine, cysteine, and other nonvolatile organic sulfur compounds on nitrification in soils may be at least partly due to decomposition of these compounds by soil microorganisms with formation of volatile sulfur compounds that retard nitrification.
Pyramid framework for image reconstruction from nonimaged laser speckle

A multiresolution approach for image reconstruction from the magnitude of its Fourier transform has been developed and implemented by employing the concept of pyramid sampling. In this approach several iterations of the error reduction algorithm are preformed at each level of the pyramid using a coarse-to-fine strategy, resulting in improved convergence and reduced computational cost.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evidence for a double intramolecular trimethylsilyl rearrangement

A double trimethylsilyl rearrangement ion, m/z 287, C 6 H 5 S(OSi(CH 3 ) 3 ) 2 , was observed in the isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrum of 3-trimethylsilyl-9-(trimethylsilylethylthio)-1-phenyl-3-phenylsulfonylnonane. The daughter mass spectrum of the protonated molecule produced the rearrangement ion, m/z 287, suggesting that the double trimethylsilyl rearrangement occurred intramolecularly
A Barrier Option of American Type

We obtain closed-form expressions for the prices and optimal hedging strategies of American put-options in the presence of an ``up-and-out" barrier , both with and without constraints on the short-selling of stock. The constrained case leads to a stochastic optimization problem of mixed optimal stopping/singular control type. This is reduced to a variational inequality which is then solved explicitly in two qualitatively separate cases, according to a certain compatibility condition among the market coefficients and the constraint.
The use of productivity and decomposition to address functional redundancy in the Neotropics

Past inability to come to a consensus about the degree of functional redundancy in ecosystems may be due, in part, to different definitions of ecosystem function and different investigative methodologies. Here I define ecosystem function, using the largely plant-based functions of aboveground productivity and decomposition of 10 common early successional trees found in Puerto Rico, and then use two different multivariate techniques to define functional groups. I found that: (1) multivariate statistical methods worked well to sort out the test species on axes defined primarily by productivity, which may have more redundancy than decomposition, and initial leaf nutrient content, (2) there were three plant functional groups defined by species (i) Psychotria berteriana, (ii) Cecropia schreberiana and Inga vera, and (iii) a group containing the other seven species, and (3) the plant traits of nitrogen-fixing capacity and mycorrhizal strategy mapped better onto these groups then those of seed size, wood density...
Heat transfer analysis of encapsulated phase change materials

Abstract Solar energy is receiving a lot of attention recently since it is a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy. Solar energy is used for space heating, power generation and other applications. A major limitation however is that it is available for only about 2000 h a year in many places. Therefore it is critical to find ways to store solar thermal energy for the off hours. Sensible heat of material has been used for storing thermal energy but due to material properties this type of thermal storage has limitations. Using encapsulated phase change materials is potentially a better way to store thermal energy with the associated reversible heat transfer. The present work deals with certain aspects of storing solar thermal energy in high temperature phase change materials with melting points above 400 °C. The objective is the storage of large amounts of solar energy (∼600 MWh). Two kinds of encapsulated capsules are considered; zinc encapsulated in nickel and eutectic salt mixtures (57 mol% NaCl and 43 mol% MgCl 2 ) in stainless steel encapsulation. Diffusion and phase change computations are reported here in the form of temperature profiles of the phase changing and encapsulated materials for spherical capsules. The time for heating and melting during charging (storage of thermal energy into capsulated phase change material) and the time for cooling and solidification during discharging (retrieval of thermal energy) are presented for both zinc–nickel and salt–stainless steel systems. As per expectations, the time for heat transfer is much shorter for liquid heat transfer media compared to those for gases. Moreover, the heat transfer times are shorter with smaller sizes of capsules.
EQCM measurements of solvent transport during Li+ intercalation in V2O5 xerogel films

Abstract The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique has been used to monitor the mass changes that occur in acetonitrile electrolytes during electrochemically driven Li+ intercalation into V2O5 xerogel films prepared by aqueous sol–gel methods. The mass measurements made with the EQCM reveal that during reduction of the vanadium sites in the sol–gel oxide at low voltammetric scan rates (≤5 mV/s) the net compositional change corresponds to insertion of one Li+ per electron injected, with no accompanying solvent (i.e. no net mass change that can be attributed to solvent transfer into or out of the film). However, at higher scan rates (>50 mV/s), increased mass changes during reduction are attributed to simultaneous acetonitrile transport into the V2O5 film. Based on previous descriptions of solvent swelling of V2O5 thin films in acetonitrile solutions, these results suggest the following: (1) during reduction at low scan rates the intercalation of solvated Li+ takes place simultaneously with some solvent expulsion, such that the net mass change corresponds essentially exclusively to intercalation of one Li+ per electron, (2) at higher scan rates, the rapid electromigration of Li+ into the film drives simultaneous solvent insertion, such that the net compositional change corresponds to a net gain of considerable amounts of solvent during the Li+ intercalation process. This solvent swelling leads to structural changes that allow larger amounts of solvent to transfer into the films during Li+ intercalation for some time after the high scan rate perturbation. The implications of these findings for Li+ secondary battery cathode materials are discussed.
Antibodies associated with the Kell blood group system.

The Kell blood group presently includes 23 antigens [1], a null (K 0 ) phenotype, a number of phenotypes characterized by weak Kell antigen activity, and an independent antigen, designated Kx, which appears to play a role in Kell antigen expression. Kell blood-group antigens are markers on the surface-exposed domain of a 93,000 daltons (93 kD) membrane glycoprotein [2]. Intrachain disulfide linkages [3], and probably the proper intra-membrane milieu, are important for the antigenic integrity of Kell 93 kD protein. Separated 93 kD Kell protein does not react by Western blot analysis with the Kell antibody used for its initial immuno-precipitation [1]. Incubation of intact red cells with solutions containing papain/DTT mixture [4] or 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide (AET) inactivates all antigens of the Kell complex except for Kx [5]. Five monoclonal antibodies have been examined for serological specificity within the Kell system and for their ability to recognize epitopes on a 93 kD red cell membrane protein by Western blot analysis.
AXOPLASMIC PROTEINS OF THE SQUID GIANT NERVE FIBER WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE FIBROUS PROTEIN

1. Axoplasm of squid giant nerve fibers is examined with the ultracentrifuge and electrophoresis apparatus and several distinct components demonstrated. 2. One of these components, a protein called axon filaments, is isolated by fractional extraction followed by differential ultracentrifugation and redissolving in glycine solution. Axon filaments are monodisperse by ultracentrifugation. Their physical chemical properties have been studied. 3. The existence of a reversible transformation of axon filaments into a particle of lower molecular weight and lower asymmetry has been demonstrated.
Quantification of human spiral ganglion cells by serial section reconstruction and segmental density estimates

Spiral ganglion cell populations were determined for six normal adults using two methods, 1) graphic reconstruction to calculate total segmental spiral ganglion counts, and 2) measurement of spiral ganglion cell density for given cochlear segments. Such data can be used to evaluate possible loss of spiral ganglion cell populations in pathologic human specimens. The method of segmental density calculation will be particularly useful when serial sections of the entire spiral ganglion are not available
Optimal Sharpness Function for SAR Autofocus

Phase-error correction through the optimization of an image-domain sharpness function provides one method for the auto-focus of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Several ad-hoc sharpness functions have been proposed, implemented, and analyzed, but none of these has been motivated as the solution to a well-defined statistical estimation problem. In this letter, a SAR sharpness function is derived that induces the solution to maximum-likelihood and maximum-posterior estimation for idealized SAR data. Furthermore, a limiting form of the optimal sharpness function is shown to be the popular intensity-squared sharpness
Managing the Risk of Global Climate Catastrophe: An Uncertainty Analysis

Despite much scientific progress over many decades, the nature of global climate change remains highly uncertain, and the possibility of global climate catastrophe is one of the main concerns in public debates about global climate change. In this paper, we present a model which incorporates the risk of climate catastrophe in an analysis of greenhouse gas abatement strategy. In this model, the timing and severity of climate catastrophe are treated probabilistically. The impacts of key uncertainties on optimal policy are analyzed, and the expected values of additional information that reduces the uncertainty associated with the world economy, carbon cycle, climate change, and climate damage are estimated. 18 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.
Clinical comparison of cimetidine and ranitidine

Ranitidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that differs structurally from cimetidine. We assessed its kinetics, potency, and duration of effect in patients with chronic duodenal ulcers. Ranitidine had an absorption lag time of approximately 30 min, an absorption half-life (t 1/2) of approximately 40 min, and an elimination t 1/2 of 3 hr, all differing from those of cimetidine. It is five times as potent, so that equal doses of ranitidine induce considerably longer suppression of both basal and food-stimulated gastric acid secretion than cimetidine.
The effect of strain rate on flow stress, strength and ductility of an Al-Li-Mg alloy

In this letter, we present the influence of strain rate on tensile properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy 6061 and assess the effects of strain rate on the flow curves, strength, work hardening characteristics and ductility of the alloy at ambient temperature. The aluminium alloy 6061 of composition (in wt%) 0.6 % silicon, 0.25 % copper, 1.0 % magnesium, 0.07 % iron, 0.55 % chromium and balance aluminium was in the peak-aged T651 condition
Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with LSGM-LSM Composite Cathodes

Anode-supported cells comprising Ni + yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) auode, thin (∼10 μm) YSZ electrolyte, and composite cathodes containing a mixture of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 13 δ) (LSM) and La 0.9 Sr 0.1 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 0.3 -λ) (LSGM) were fabricated. The relative proportions of LSGM and LSM were varied between 30 wt % LSGM + 70 wt % LSM and 70 wt % LSGM + 30 wt % LSM. while the firing temperature Was varied between 1000 and 1200°C. The cathode interlayer composition had a profound effect on cathode performance at 800°C with overpotentials ranging between 60 and 425 mV at 1.0 A/cm 2 and exhibiting a minimum for 50 wt % LSGM + 50 wt % LSM. The cathodic overpotential decreased with increasing firing temperature of the composite interlayer in the range 1000 ≤ T ≤ 1150°C, and then increased dramatically for the interlayer fired at 1200°C. The cell with the optimized cathode interlayer of 50 wt % LSM + 50 wt % LSGM fired at 1150°C exhibited an area specific cell resistance of 0.18 Ω cm 2 and a maximum power density of 1.4 W/cm 2 at 800°C. Chemical analysis revealed that LSGM reacts with YSZ above 1000°C to form the pyrochlore phase, La 2 Zr 2 O 7 . The formation of the pyrochlore phase at the interface between the LSGM/LSM composite cathode and the YSZ electrolyte limits the firing time and temperature of the cathode interlayer.
Multicomponent particle formation via gas-phase reactions of single-component precursors

Abstract We are examining new routes to vapor-phase generation of multi-component particles with controlled stoichiometry. Generally, gas phase reaction processes use two or more reactants which must be fed simultaneously into a reactor to form such materials. This method can result in the formation of chemically nonuniform particles having different compositions. We have demonstrated a new approach to producing particles by gas-to-particle conversion using volatile single-source compounds that contain all the elements needed to form the final compound. This technique was used to form both Ge-Mn and ZnS particles. By reacting 1,1-bis-(pentacarbonylmanganio)-3,4-dimethylgermacylclopent-3-ene in both nitrogen (at 600°C) and H 2 -N 2 (at 400, 500, 600, and 700 °C), 30 nm Ge-Mn particles were formed. By reacting Zn(S 2 CNEt 2 ) 2 (TMEDA) in nitrogen at 500, 600, and 700 °C, 30 to 50 nm ZnS particles were produced.
Slow dynamics and the glass transition in confining systems

The slow dynamics associated with the structural relaxation of glass forming materials near the glass transition is very sensitive to the effects of small confining geometries. Based upon the experimental results of triplet state solvation dynamics, we explore the extent to which confinement effects can be rationalized solely in terms of interfacial dynamics which are modified relative to the bulk situation. The importance of the interfacial conditions is emphasized by observing the changes due to the surface chemistry, by comparing relaxation times at and further away from the surface, and by studying the effects of ‘soft’ versus ‘hard’ confining materials. While ‘hard’ confinement by porous solids is observed to result in slower dynamics and an increased glass transition temperature Tg for propylene glycol, our 4.6 nm nanodroplets suspended in a more fluid environment display faster structural relaxation, equivalent to a reduction of Tg as observed in free standing polymer films.
Influence of water on the chirality of camphorsulfonic acid-doped polyaniline

Polyaniline doped with R-(−)- or S-(+)-camphorsulfonic acid produces an inexpensive chiral substrate; the presence or absence of water can be used to invert the dopant-induced circular dichroism (CD) absorbance at 450 nm, shedding light on conflicting literature reports.
Formation of Hydrogen-Bonds between Particles of Fine Cellulose Powder to Yield a Transparent Cellulose Plate.

Formation of Hydrogen-Bonds between Particles of Fine Cellulose Powder to Yield a Transparent Cellulose Plate
Comparison of lactate concentration determinations in ischemic and hypoxic rat brains by in vivo and in vitro 1H NMR spectroscopy.

An experimental protocol for the quantitation of lactate is demonstrated for in vivo1H NMR surface coil spectroscopy. The in vivo lactate concentration can be calculated by comparing the in vivo and in vitro ratios of lactate and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) NMR signals. With this protocol, approximately 25% of lactate present in the hypoxic or ischemic rat brain is observed by NMR. © 1987 Academic press Inc.
NUTRITIVE VS. NON-NUTRITIVE SUCKING: EFFECTS ON BREATHING PATTERN OF TERM NEONATES

Marked inhibition of breathing during the early part of oral feeding is documented in neonatal lambs and preterm infants. This is presumably due to stimuli arising from the upper airway due to presence of liquid or due to repetitive sucking and/or swallowing. Sucking generates negative pressure in the upper airway and negative pressure in the upper airway is known to decrease the breathing frequency. We monitored 12 term healthy newborns (1-3 days old) during non-nutritive and nutritive sucking polygraphically to determine the effect of feeding on the breathing pattern and to separate the effect of sucking per se. Heart rate, sucking pressures, nasal airflow and respiratory efforts were monitored in semi-upright position. During nutritive feeding an initial burst of continuous sucking lasting 20-30 sec. followed by intermittent sucking was seen. Decreased breathing frequency and tidal volume as well as shortening of inspiration were seen during the initial period. A recovery towards control values was seen during intermittent sucking. In contrast, changes in breathing pattern were minimal during nonnutritive sucking. We conclude that stimuli related to either the presence of liquid in the upper airway or repetitive swallowing rather than sucking per se appears to be responsible for the inhibition of breathing seen during oral feeding. 1Recipient of NIH Clinical Investigator Award HLO1156.