cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrasting Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Irradiance on the Acclimation of Photosynthesis in Developing Soybean Leaves

Leaves developed at high irradiance (I) often have higher photosynthetic capacity than those developed at low I, while leaves developed at elevated CO2 concentration [CO2] often have reduced photosynthetic capacity compared with leaves developed at lower [CO2]. Because both high I and elevated [CO2] stimulate photosynthesis of developing leaves, their contrasting effects on photosynthetic capacity at maturity suggest that the extra photosynthate may be utilized differently depending on whether I or [CO2] stimulates photosynthesis. These experiments were designed to test whether relationships between photosynthetic income and the net accumulation of soluble protein in developing leaves, or relationships between soluble protein and photosynthetic capacity at full expansion differed depending on whether I or [CO2] was varied during leaf development. Soybean plants were grown initially with a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 950 µmol m−2 s−1 and 350 µmol [CO2] mol−1, then exposed to [CO2] ranging from 135 to 1400 µmol mol−1 for the last 3 d of expansion of third trifoliolate leaves. These results were compared with experiments in which I was varied at a constant [CO2] of 350 µmol mol−1 over the same developmental period. Increases in area and dry mass over the 3 d were determined along with daily photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthetic CO2 exchange characteristics and soluble protein content of leaves were determined at the end of the treatment periods. The increase in leaflet mass was about 28 % of the dry mass income from photosynthesis minus respiration, regardless of whether [CO2] or I was varied, except that very low I or [CO2] increased this percentage. Leaflet soluble protein per unit of area at full expansion had the same positive linear relationship to photosynthetic income whether [CO2] or I was varied. For variation in I, photosynthetic capacity varied directly with soluble protein per unit area. This was not the case for variation in [CO2]. Increasing [CO2] reduced photosynthetic capacity per unit of soluble protein by up to a factor of 2.5, and photosynthetic capacity exhibited an optimum with respect to growth [CO2]. Thus CO2 did not alter the relationship between photosynthetic income and the utilization of photosynthate in the net accumulation of soluble protein, but did alter the relationship between soluble protein content and photosynthetic characteristics in this species.
Somatic elements in social conflict

Although social conflict has obvious ties with physical combat, the literature on social conflict ignores its corporeal substratum. Reviewing that literature yields a paradigm of sources of conflict comprising six major variables: hostility level, reactivity, rigidity, moral righteousness, weak conflict-aversive values, and ineffective dampening factors. Each of those variables has some representation in the body. Realizing this enables us to ask what kinds of conflict-relevant meanings emanate from processes within the human body itself, and what supra-organismic variables imbue bodily conduct with meanings that relate to conflict. That analysis in turn opens up a new dimension of the general theory of action by way of amending Parsons-Lidzes’s concept of the behavioural system. The chapter suggests calling this the actional organism– the subsystem of action where the organism’s input of energies and the inputs from sources of meanings meet and interpenetrate.
A general method for studying the secretion of macromolecules by single cells: I. Detection of immunoglobulin-secreting cells

Abstract A general method for detecting single cells secreting macromolecules has been developed and applied to the detection of mouse cells secreting antibodies. Secreted Ig molecules were precipitated in the immediate vicinity of an active cell with rabbit anti-mouse Ig antibody. Rapid removal of excess antibody not incorporated into immunoprecipitates was achieved with an electrophoresis technique. The immuno-precipitate surrounding the active cell was then stained with sheep anti-rabbit Ig antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase. The use of enzyme markers has made the procedure much more convenient and rapid than previous precipitin assays for cell secretion that used radioiodine for detecting immunoprecipitates. Moreover, the availability of several enzyme markers makes possible the detection of cells secreting more than one molecular species. Experiments were also run in which cells producing antibodies specific for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) could be identified among the population of cells producing other immunoglobulins. Presumably, HRP-labeled antigens could be used to identify cells producing other specific antibodies. The generality of this procedure suggests that it may be useful for detecting single T-cells releasing regulatory molecules, since specific antisera are already available for several of these molecules.
Trap dominated dynamics of classical dimer models

We consider dynamics of classical dimer models undergoing a phase transition to an ordered, frozen state. Relaxation processes are dominated by traps which are entropic in origin and can be traced to the locally jammed nature of the dimer states. Depending on the nature of the phase transition, critical dynamics are characterized either by an exponential, or sub-exponential in time relaxation of the order parameter. In the latter case relaxation time scales diverge {\em exponentially} as the critical point is approached, following the Vogel-Fulcher law.
The hydrogen isotope fractionation between kaolinite and water

Hydrogen isotope fractionation factors between kaolinite and water were determined at temperatures between 200° and 352°C. Five-gram samples of kaolinite were heated in contact with 8-mg samples of water in sealed glass reaction tubes. Under these conditions the approach to equilibrium with time will be reflected primarily in the change of the δ D in the water. Also the δ D of the hydrogen in the kaolinite will be relatively constant, subject to minor corrections. About seventy sealed vessels were heated for various times at various temperatures. During four months of heating, ∼25% of kaolinite hydrogen exchanged with the water at 200°C, whereas 100% exchanged at 352°C. The α-values were estimated assuming equilibrium between exchanged kaolinite and water. The 10^3lnα-values are estimated to be −20, −15, −6 and +7 for 352°, 300°, 250° and 200°C, respectively, which are in approximate agreement with reported values previously determined at 400°C using conventional methods as well as those estimated from kaolinite in hydrothermally active systems. The curve representing the relationship between the hydrogen isotope fractionation factor for the kaolinite-water system and temperatures between 400° and 25°C is not monotonic but rather has a maximum at 200°C.
Calculation of single-scattering albedos: Comparison of Mie results with Hapke approximations

Abstract The grain size of water ice can be determined from its near-infrared spectrum, which has numerous diagnostic absorption bands of different opacities. Models that have been used to determine water ice grain size from infrared spectra of icy outer Solar System objects have shown discrepancies in modeled grain size of a factor of two or more. Here the single-scattering albedo calculated using the commonly used Hapke model given by Roush [Roush, T.L., 1994. Icarus 108, 243–254] is compared with the exact calculation for spheres from a Mie series. An earlier approximation of single-scattering albedo called the Hapke “slab” model is also used in the comparison. All three models are implemented using the same optical constants for water ice at ∼110 K. Results are displayed for a large range of grain sizes from 1 μm to 1 mm. In general neither Hapke model can mimic the Rayleigh effects from particles sized near the wavelength of light that the Mie model predicts. For 10 μm particles, the slab model matches the Mie calculation quite well, but larger sizes are more discrepant. The Hapke/Roush model grain size needs to be ∼2.5 times larger to mimic the Mie results, and there are additional discrepancies in the continuum levels and band strengths. The Mie calculation for spheres is recommended for analysis of unknown remote sensing measurements, as it can mimic the spectra of oblate, prolate, and hollow particles given by equivalent sphere theories.
Inhibitor studies on the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle in Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Abstract Transient changes in the levels of intermediates of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle induced by the addition of various chemical compounds to Chlorella pyrenoidosa photosynthesizing under steady-state conditions have been studied. Vitamin K 5 , hexylresorcinol, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2,1-dimethylurea and m -chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone were found to give rapid inhibition of photosynthesis, accompanied by rapid changes in the levels of intermediate compounds of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle. 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2,1-dimethylurea and m -chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone produced effects similar to those seen during earlier light-dark transient studies. Vitamin K 5 produced effects which, for the most part, could be explained by assuming a diversion of electrons from the photoelectron transport system to cyclic photophosphorylation. Some of the observed results are best interpreted in terms of a separation of the site of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle from a site of other metabolic pathways. Hexylresorcinol reproduced some of the effects of each of the other inhibitors studied. The inhibition of the conversion of fructose and sedoheptulose diphosphates to their corresponding monophosphates was noted with both hexylresorcinol and vitamin K 5 .
Unraveling the challenges of pertussis.

The article by Warfel et al. in PNAS is noteworthy (1) because it shows that in nonhuman primate pertussis challenge models, acellular pertussis vaccines protect against disease but are ineffective in preventing infection and transmission to other animals. This highly relevant model sheds light on reasons that we are experiencing an outbreak of pertussis disease in the United States and other developed countries (2). Vaccination rates for DTaP (acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids) are nearly 90%, but pertussis remains the most common vaccine-preventable disease in the United States (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/tables/12/tab07_13mo_iap_2012.pdf). In 2012, rates of pertussis disease in the United States were higher than in any previous year since vaccines were first implemented (Fig. 1) (www.cdc.gov/pertussis/surv-reporting.html).
Loose part detection using acoustic emission detectors in NSSS

Abstract To avoid any incident during the first tests of each recently built PWR, Framatome developed acoustic emission systems to detect loose parts. To obtain a reliable diagnosis and reach more faithful compliance with nuclear commission requirements, Framatome improved its first generation system, called the Macoumat 2. Now an exclusive electronic design (“The Locapar”) provides reliable data readout using the principle of spatial discrimination of acoustic bursts. Application of such a system is demonstrated on a loose part accident. Excellent results are also obtained by digital localization devices which use analytic resolution : they usher in an era where more acoustic sources datas are available.
Development of the Trust in Physician Scale: A Measure to Assess Interpersonal Trust in Patient-Physician Relationships:

Trust is widely acknowledged as an essential ingredient in patient-physician relationships. Given a dearth of situation-specific measures designed to quantify patients' trust in their physicians, we set out to develop an instrument to assess a patient's interpersonal trust in his physician. Findings from two studies are reported describing the development and validation of the Trust in Physician scale. Study 1 of 160 participants provided preliminary support for the reliability (Cronbach alpha = .90) and construct validity of the 11-item scale. Study 2, a replication study of 106 participants, supplied further evidence of the reliability and validity of the scale. Cronbach alpha was .85. Trust was significantly related to patients' desires for control in their clinical interactions and subsequent satisfaction with care. Research and clinical applications of the Trust in Physician scale are discussed.
Synthesis of Polydiacetylene Charge-Transfer Complexes

Like 1,4-bis(3-quinolyl)buta-1,3-diyne, its structural isomer, 1,4-bis(4-isoquinolyl)buta-1,3-diyne, undergoes both photo- and thermal polymerization. Thermal polymerization of each material leads to more amorphous, less thermally stable polymers than are observed in the respective photopolymerization. The diacetylenes are found to react with certain organoiodines to give N-I charge-transfer complexes. Thermolysis of the complexes evolves the organoiodine species prior to polymerization of the diacetylene. The complexes fail to polymerize upon photolysis.
A comparison of the effects of aspirin and histamine on fluid balance in the recruited lung

Abstract Salicylate administration has been reported to increase the flow of protein-rich lymph from lungs of animals, however, the mechanism of this response is unclear. In the present study we measured pulmonary hemodynamics and lung fluid and lung fluid and protein flux in anesthetized sheep, surgically prepared for the collection of lung lymph, in order to examine the possible effect of aspirin (ASP) on lung vascular permeability. ASP was given during recruitment of pulmonary microvascular surface area induced by sustained elevation of left atrial pressure (Pla) (Group 1) or continuous infusion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (Group 2). We compared the results of ASP administration to those found in similarly prepared animals given histamine (H) during like periods of increased Pla (Group 3) or ATP infusion (Group 4). ASP administration resulted in increased lymphatic protein clearance (Cp) in both Groups 1 and 2. In Group 1, following the characteristic increase in lung lymph flow (Q1) and fall in the ratio of lung lymph to plasma protein concentration (L/P) produced by Pla elevation, ASP administration resulted in a further increase in Q1 and a significant increase in L/P. The results found in ASP animals are qualitatively similar to those observed in Groups 3 and 4 after H. While we cannot specifically rule out a hemodynamic effect of the drug, our results suggest the increased protein flux observed following ASP administration was mediated at least in part through and increase in lung microvascular permeability.
Enzyme alterable alkylating agents. XI. Clinical trials of an esterase-susceptible water-soluble agent (S-73) for regional chemotherapy.

Abstract Clinical trials of a new water-soluble short half-life alkylating agent (S-73) administered by intra-arterial infusion into 56 patients with a variety of malignant tumors, revealed only limited usefulness. The best responses were seen in a case of Kaposi's sarcoma, a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, an epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix, and metastatic carcinoid to liver. In all, there were 5 good responses, 3 fair responses, 36 with no response, and 12 indeterminates. Further modifications in design and structure of S-73 are in progress to probe for greater tumor specificity.
Energy-efficient Median filter on FPGA

Median filters are a popular method for noise extraction, with much work done in the community to achieve high throughput and low hardware cost. In contrast, energy efficiency remains an untapped area for improvement though it has become a topic of increasing interest. We deduce memory to be the main contributing factor through energy consumption analysis of our median filter architecture. To lower memory energy demands, we use a memory activation scheduling technique, developing an optimal schedule for memory blocks and enabling the minimum number of blocks required each cycle, while deactivating the other blocks. We implement our median filter architecture on a state-of-the-art FPGA to evaluate the performance, using image sizes from 128 × 128 to 1024 × 1024 pixels with standard pixel depths of 8 bpp, 16 bpp, 24 bpp and 32 bpp. Our implementation has up to 53 % of the peak performance of the target device. The post place-and-route results show that our energy-optimized median filter implementation has an average of 4.0× higher energy efficiency in comparison with the baseline architecture with fully-enabled memory and can maintain at least 400 frames/s for a 512 × 512 image for any pixel depth.
Trajectory Analysis of Summertime Sulfate Concentrations in the Northeastern United States

Abstract This paper presents a technique for quantifying the relationships between observed concentrations of atmospheric sulfate aerosol and their corresponding upstream history of sulfur dioxide emissions, wind speed and mixing height. Using reported sulfate concentrations from several sampling sites in the northeastern United States, 72 h upstream trajectories have been computed for winds in the mixed layer of the atmosphere over the duration of their respective sampling periods. Trajectories from one site were computed for four sublayers, each 400 m thick, extending from the surface to 1600 m. The deviations in along-trajectory and cross-trajectory directions of each of the sublayers from the position of the whole mixed layer were computed. From this the functions σy(t) and σx(t) for travel times of 6 to 72 h were derived for each layer individually and collectively for the whole layer. The values of σy(t) and σx(t) for the whole mixed-layer were found to be roughly equivalent over this time period an...
Avoided temperature leads to the surface: computer modeling of slime mold and nematode thermotaxis

In thermal gradients, pseudoplasmodia of slime molds and starved nematodes have been reported to move away from a temperature near their acclimation temperature. The consequences of this behavior are not clear in the thermal environment of soil where typically there are waves of alternating high and low temperatures propagating down into the soil with little difference in temperature averaged over time. Computer modeling of this situation demonstrates complex movements with important consequences. The organisms move upward during two intervals during a day and downward during the intervening intervals. The upward and downward movements do not balance. The net movement may be in either direction depending on the specific values of certain physiological parameters. Thus, thermotaxis can lead to a net change in depth even though the average temperature is the same everywhere. Organisms moving faster than the rate of penetration of the thermal wave (2–3 cm/h) will follow it into the interior. Also, organisms that avoid a temperature outside the range of thermal variation, will have a net movement away from the surface. However, slow moving organisms that avoid a temperature near the mean temperature move toward the surface and will reach it in twice the time it would take if always moving toward the surface. The optimal rate of movement to reach the surface in minimum time is about 0.8 cm/h. Thermal acclimation can increase the efficiency of moving toward the surface. At the rate of locomotion of slime molds (0.1–0.2 cm/h), the optimal rate of acclimation is about 0.3/h, which is approximately their actual rate of acclimation. These results suggest that thermotaxis can be used by simple organisms to move toward or away from an interface between media of different thermal properties even though there is no gradient in average temperature.
The nature of prediction and the information future: Arthur C. Clarke's Odyssey vision

Looking beyond the immediate future, which for the world of information and computing means the next five years, is hazardous. This paper attempts to present a vision of some aspects of the information world of the medium future. 2010 has been chosen as the date, rather than 2001, since the likely events of the earlier date can be fairly well predicted.
Regret and instability in causal decision theory

Andy Egan has recently produced a set of alleged counterexamples to causal decision theory (CDT) in which agents are forced to decide among causally unratifiable options, thereby making choices they know they will regret. I show that, far from being counterexamples, CDT gets Egan’s cases exactly right. Egan thinks otherwise because he has misapplied CDT by requiring agents to make binding choices before they have processed all available information about the causal consequences of their acts. I elucidate CDT in a way that makes it clear where Egan goes wrong, and which explains why his examples pose no threat to the theory. My approach has similarities to a modification of CDT proposed by Frank Arntzenius, but it differs in the significance that it assigns to potential regrets. I maintain, contrary to Arntzenius, that an agent facing Egan’s decisions can rationally choose actions that she knows she will later regret. All rationality demands of agents it that they maximize unconditional causal expected utility from an epistemic perspective that accurately reflects all the available evidence about what their acts are likely to cause. This yields correct answers even in outlandish cases in which one is sure to regret whatever one does.
Characterization Of Millimeter Wave Propagation Through A Turbid Atmosphere

Atmospheric effects on the propagation of electromagnetic waves are usually described in terms of intensity fluctuations, angle-of-arrival fluctuations, and the mutual coherence function (HCF). Experimental determination of these statistical quantities is usually accomplished by forming a time average of instantaneous field measurements and assuming ergodicity to obtain an ensemble average. This paper reviews two experimental approaches used to obtain such data, viz., the long-baseline interferometric method and the quasi-optical method; emphasis will be placed on the latter method. In addition, sampling of the atmospheric temperature and humidity fluctuations, which give rise to the electromagnetic fluctuations, is analyzed. Finally, a 1.6-km propagation range employing the quasi-optical method and the meteorological sampling considerations mentioned above will be described. The range is completely instrumented to provide the relevant meteorological and electromagnetic para-meters needed to characterize propagation at frequencies near 300 (Hz in a turbulent atmos-phere.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Improved Medium for Differentiating Acidogenic Bacteria

A modified medium was developed in which very finely divided calcium hydroxy phosphate and bromcresol purple were used as the indicator for the presence of acid-producing colonies on agar plates. The medium allows enumeration of acidogenic bacteria in no more than 72 hours; the results are highly reproducible.
Field Comparison of Analytical Results from Discrete‐Depth Ground Water Samplers

Discrete-depth ground water samplers are used during environmental screening investigations to collect ground water samples in lieu of installing and sampling monitoring wells. Two of the most commonly used samplers are the BAT Enviroprobe and the QED HydroPunch I, which rely on differing sample collection mechanics. Although these devices have been on the market for several years, it was unknown what, if any, effect the differences would have on analytical results for ground water samples containing low to moderate concentrations of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study investigated whether the discrete-depth ground water sampler used introduces statistically significant differences in analytical results. The goal was to provide a technical basis for allowing the two devices to be used interchangeably during screening investigations. Because this study was based on field samples, it included several sources of potential variability. It was necessary to separate differences due to sampler type from variability due to sampling location, sample handling, and laboratory analytical error. To statistically evaluate these sources of variability, the experiment was arranged in a nested design. Sixteen ground water samples were collected from eight random locations within a 15-foot by 15-foot grid. The grid was located in an area where shallowmore » ground water was believed to be uniformly affected by VOCs. The data were evaluated using analysis of variance.« less
Parallel interactive visualization of 3D mantle convection

In 3D simulation of thermal convective flows that change with time, each run can generate gigabytes of data. A client server visualization tool called pV3, running on a parallel computer, allows data exploration during computation instead of by postprocessing. While pV3 has been primarily used in the area of flow visualization designed with aerospace applications in mind, it has easily been applied in other flow visualization areas, such as geoscience. It has also been used for 3D wave propagation problems, including seismic waves and electromagnetics. More importantly, many of the concepts of pV3's client server interactive parallel visualization model could be used as a prototype for other application areas, such as enhanced MRI in medicine. The key to this kind of interactive visualization lies in being able to scale the compute part of the visualization as well as the application is scaled, while still minimizing network traffic. The article discusses the use of pV3 for investigating thermal convection in the interior of the Earth. pV3 was used to help understand details of the physics of variable viscosity and phase transitions in high Rayleigh number convection.
JAK-STAT Signaling: From Interferons to Cytokines

Published, JBC Papers in Press, May 14, 2007, DOI 10.1074/jbc.R700016200 Christian Schindler, David E. Levy, and Thomas Decker From the Departments of Microbiology and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, and Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, A1030 Vienna, Austria
Reactivity of lichen lectins with blood typed canine erythrocytes

Agglutination tests were performed with 40 commercially available lectins and a panel of blood typed canine erythrocytes. Erythrocytes were obtained from 17 dogs (two poodles, two black labradors, five greyhounds and eight beagles). The erythrocytes expressed various combinations of dog erythrocyte antigens (DEA) 1.1, 1.2 or null, 4 and 7. Lectin reactivity with untreated, ficin treated, and neuraminidase-treated cells was determined. No correlation between lectin reactivity and the canine blood group antigens expressed on the red cell test panel was found. Results suggest that some canine erythrocytes may be differentiated from others on the basis of reactivity with Phytolacca americana and Glycine max lectins.
Uncertainty characterization in serial and parallel manipulators using random matrix theory

In this paper, a novel random matrix approach is utilized to characterize the uncertainty propagation in the articulated robotic systems. This method permits the probabilistic formulation to take into account the complexity and structural inter-dependencies of the kinematic manipulators. However, conventional random variable/vector based approaches are unable to address this issue. The kinematic Jacobian matrix of the manipulator is probabilistically formulated so that it adopts a random symmetric positive definite perturbation matrix. The density function of the perturbation matrix is constructed using maximum entropy principle that yields a Wishart distribution with specific parameters. The only information used in the construction of the Jacobian matrix probability model are mean and a scalar value dispersion parameter. We propose to use this framework to study the propagation of the uncertainties in both serial and parallel manipulators. Parallel architecture manipulators offer superior manipulation accuracy and structural rigidity compared to serial chain manipulators but feature more complex physical layout and limited workspace. Therefore, for the design purposes, a trade off between two different architectures is required. This necessitates the mathematical characterization of their capability with respect to the uncertainty propagation. As a case study, the developed random matrix method is implemented on a planar RRR serial and a planar 3-RRR parallel manipulator, that are performing an identical task. A Monte Carlo analysis is conducted and the statistics of the response of both systems provides appropriate measures to compare their dexterity dealing with the uncertainties. The final results verify superiority of the parallel architecture.
Mass flow and stability of nanoscale features on Au(111)

We present the use of an STM to make quantitative observations of time-dependent mass flow associated with the decay of two-dimensional clusters on the Au(lll) surface. When formed and observed in air, layered islands with well-defined edges located on larger terraces are generally found to decay in such a way that their areas decrease linearly in time over periods ranging from minutes to several hours depending on the island size. This is in contrast to the behavior of similar features formed and observed under ultra high vacuum conditions, which do not appear to decay over experimental periods of several days. The linear decay is consistent with models that have been used previously to describe growth of 2-dimensional clusters on surfaces. We discuss possible decay mechanisms', and the role that adsorbates may play in influencing the decay.
Nondestructive and Rapid Estimation of Leaf Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Status of Peace Lily Using a Chlorophyll Meter

Abstract Timely and nondestructive detection of leaf nitrogen (N) status could greatly improve nutrient management practices for greenhouse ornamental production. This study evaluated the feasibility of using a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter for estimating leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen contents of the peace lily (Spathiphyllum Schott). Three cultivars ‘Claudia’, ‘Double Take’, and ‘Petite’ were grown in a soilless substrate and sub-irrigated with solutions containing N at 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg L−1 through an ebb-and-flow system. The SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter was used to measure leaf greenness. Chlorophyll contents of leaves were also analyzed using the dimethyl sulphoxide extraction method. Total N was determined by a CNS Auto-Analyzer. Correlation analyses showed that coefficients (r 2) between SPAD values and leaf chlorophyll contents were 0.83, 0.77, and 0.73 for ‘Claudia’, ‘Double Take’, and ‘Petite’, respectively, and coefficients (r 2) between SPAD values and leaf N contents of ‘Claudia’, ‘Double Tak...
Self-normalized scanning fluorescence optical tomography

We propose a self-normalized scanning fluorescence diffuse optical tomography technique. The method requires a single modulated light source for excitation and multiple detector pairs symmetrically located at positions beside the source. The amplitude ratio and phase difference between the two detectors of each pair are measured as the source and detectors are scanned through the region of interest. It has been observed that the phase difference profile along a scanning line depends on target depth rather than fluorophore concentration enabling estimation of the target depth from the phase difference before reconstruction of the fluorophore concentration. The depth of a cylindrical target with a target-to-background contrast of 0.2:0.01 (Cy5.5) was varied from 0.7cm to 1.8cm, and the estimated depths were very close to their expected values with 15% maximum error. Based on the estimated target depth, the imaging volume can be segmented into a smaller region surrounding the target and a larger background region enabling the use of a dual-zone mesh based image reconstruction. Fluorophore concentration was reconstructed by using both amplitude ratio and phase difference between the detector pairs. The reconstructed fluorophore concentration has achieved 90% accuracy. Because the amplitude ratio is dimensionless and the phase difference is a relative value, this technique is self-normalized and sensitive to low-contrast heterogeneity of fluorophore concentration in a turbid medium. In addition, based on the estimated target position and depth, the dual-zone mesh reconstruction scheme has significantly improved the reconstruction accuracy of fluorophore concentration.
Mathematics: proof at a roll of the dice.

The PCP theorem encapsulates the idea that randomization allows the immediate verification of any mathematical proof. A simple route to this striking result was proposed earlier this year.
Graphical analysis of contact resistance

Low contact resistance is a recognised advantage for high-performance semiconductor devices. This translates to requirements for semiconductor layers with low sheet resistivity and metallisations with low specific contact resistance. In the Letter we present a graphical interpretation of the importance of these requirements and illustrate the analysis for various semiconductor materials.
The Teen Marijuana Check-Up: An In-School Protocol for Eliciting Voluntary Self-Assessment of Marijuana Use.

ABSTRACT Given the prevalence of regular marijuana use among adolescents and the associated risks for adverse consequences to functioning, effective interventions are needed that are tailored to this population. To date, most such counseling approaches have relied on nonvoluntary participation by adolescent marijuana smokers and the outcomes have been only modestly successful. The Teen Marijuana Check-Up is a brief motivational enhancement intervention publicized as a nonpressured and confidential opportunity for the teen marijuana smoker to “take stock” of his or her use. The intervention is designed for in-school implementation and intended to elicit the teen's voluntary participation. This article highlights the manner in which adolescents are recruited, key intervention elements, the nature of the counseling style utilized, and clinical challenges. The outcomes of two trials with this intervention are briefly discussed.
Excluding infinite trees

For each infinite cardinal κ we give several necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph not to contain a minor isomorphic to the infinite κ-branching tree in terms of a certain kind of a «tree-decomposition,» in terms of a «path-decomposition», and also in terms of a «cops-and-robber game». We also give necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph not to contain a subgraph isomorphic to a subdivision of the same tree
Potential artifact in measurement of left ventricular filling pressure with flow-directed catheters.

Artifactual pulmonary wedge pressure measurements were encountered during bedside use of Swan-Ganz catheters. These values were higher than pulmonary artery end diastolic pressure and devoid of typical phasic contours. Utilizing fluoroscopy these artifacts were reproduced by advancing the catheter tip 2–4 cm beyond the site of initial wedging and reinflating the balloon. Spurious increases of pulmonary wedge pressure of up to 15 mm Hg were thus obtained. In vitro catheter testing demonstrated overlapping of the catheter tip by the deformed balloon when it was fully inflated in a channel too small to accomodate it. These measurement artifacts are thus attributed to distal migration of the catheter tip into relatively small pulmonary artery branches and to subsequent occlusion of the catheter lumen by the balloon when it is reinflated. This can readily be avoided by routinely inflating the balloon with the minimum volume of air sufficient to yield a pulmonary wedge pressure tracing.
Annual floods and the partial‐duration flood series

Flood data are ordinarily listed either in annual-flood series or in a partial-duration series. If the expectancy of a flood in the duration series ϵ is known, then the probability of that flood being an annual flood is shown to be e−ϵ. From this relationship it is possible to transform recurrence intervals in the partial duration series to those in the annual-flood series. It is shown that for equivalent floods, the recurrence intervals in the partial-duration series are smaller than in the annual-flood series, but that the difference becomes inconsequential for floods greater than about five-year recurrence interval.
Structure sensitivity and selectivity of proton abstraction from alkynes on the polar faces of zinc oxide

The terminal alkynes, C/sub 2/H/sub 2/, CH/sub 3/CCH, and C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CCH, decomposed on the (0001)-Zn polar face of ZnO, but not on the (0001)-O polar face. These alkynes were ultimately dehydrogenated on the (0001)-Zn polar face to produce water and to deposit carbon atoms on the surface. Adsorbed carbon was oxidized by lattice oxygen by lattice oxygen during TPD experiments, giving rise to CO and CO/sub 2/ desorption peaks at 780 K. Carbon oxidation was also found to be accompanied by zinc metal evolution. In contrast to the (0001)-Zn face, the (0001)-O face was found to be inactive for dehydrogenation of alkynes, and XPS results indicated that the alkynes did not adsorb dissociatively on this surface. Acetylene and phenylacetylene formed the corresponding acetylide species via dissociative adsorption on the active Zn-polar face. Methylacetylene adsorbed dissociatively on the (0001)-Zn polar face via abstraction of a methyl proton to form stable propargyl species exclusively. This result contrasts with the selectivity of proton abstraction both in the gas phase and on Ag(110), for which abstraction of the acetylenic proton is preferred. These results suggest that covalent contributions to the surface-adsorbate bond on ZnO may play a significant role in determining the selectivitymore » of acid-base reactions on the (0001)-Zn surface.« less
Effect of bioactive glass particle size on osseous regeneration of cancellous defects

The bioactive glass known as Bioglass or Perioglass (USB) (US Biomaterials, Alachua, FL) has proven to be an effective graft material owing to the apatite layer which forms on the surface of the glass, promoting bone formation. USB particles range in size from 90 to 710 microns in diameter, as determined by optical microscopy. A similar bioactive material, BioGran (OV) (Orthovita, Malvern, PA), was developed to limit the particle size of 4555 to the range between 300 and 360 microns, as determined by sieving. The objective of this study was to histologically and biomechanically compare the 4555 bioactive glass, produced by US Biomaterials, in a wide particle range (USB) to the narrower particle range glass produced by Orthovita (OV) The grafted defects will then be compared to normal cancellous bone (NORM) of the distal femur in rabbits. Histologically, more bone was quantified at both 4 and 12 weeks within the defects filled with USB and NORM when compared to the limbs filled with OV (p < 0.05). The OV particles had greater particle axes and larger particle areas on average than the USB particles (p < 0.05). However, the particle axis and area of the two materials decreased with time at a similar rate. Biomechanically, the USB- and OV-grafted defects had comparable peak compressive load, compressive stiffness, and compressive modulus which were equivalent to normal bone.
A unified description of the representations of the graded Lie algebra Gsl(2)

Indecomposable representations of the graded Lie algebra Gsl(2) are analyzed in detail. It is further shown that the study of the irreducible representations (finite‐ and infinite‐dimensional) is intimately related to the study of these indecomposable representations.
Adaptive Tap Management in Multi-Gigabit Echo & Next Cancellers

This paper presents a new method to design Echo & NEXT cancellers for gigabit and multi-gigabit transceivers by exploiting sparse characteristics of the category-6 (CAT6) unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper channel. The proposed scheme uses correlation method to estimate the long sparse channel impulse response and identifies the active taps based on an energy threshold. Adaptive filtering is only performed on few active taps. An area saving architecture is also proposed to implement the algorithm. It is shown that the proposed method leads to computational savings of 50% during initial training stage, and 29~66.7% during the steady-state.
Weld heat affected zone liquation cracking in type 347 stainless steel

AbstractThe heat affected zone cracking-tendency of type 347 stainless steel was evaluated in five different samples of thick walled pipe or plate differing in Nb, C, and N content, Nb/(C + N) factor, P + S content, and base metal ferrite content. A combination of Gleeble hot ductility and spot varestraint tests, followed by optical and electron metallography, was employed to elucidate the role of Nb in such persistent cracking. Susceptibility to HAZ cracking as a result of liquation was always found to be associated with eutectics of Nb rich phases and austenite, but with a complex interplay between the Nb/(C + N) factor, the P + S impurity level, Nb carbide or carbonitride size and distribution, ferrite number, and ferrite form and distribution in the base metal. A key role for composition and also base metal thermomechanical processing is suggested that merits more intensive systematic study.
Acetylcholinesterase like that of skeletal muscle in smooth muscle reinnervated by a motor nerve.

SKELETAL muscles contain several molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) characterised by different sedimentation coefficients1–4. In rat muscle1,2 (but not human3 and chicken5 muscle) the heavy form of AChE is exclusively present at the motor endplate regions. In contrast, the heavy form of AChE has not been detected in cat6 or rat2 smooth muscles. The endplate AChE of rat skeletal muscle is selectively detached by treatment with collagenase1,7, an enzyme which has been shown specifically to digest the collagen-like tail of the heavy form of AChE from several sources8,9. The presence of endplate AChE is neurally regulated10, and there is evidence that this effect is partially mediated by muscle activity11 and by a trophic factor conveyed by axoplasmic transport12,13. Previous results from our laboratory have shown that reinnervation of the cat nictitating membrane smooth muscle by a motor nerve results in an increase of AChE activity14. We report here that collagenase treatment detaches active AChE from cat smooth muscle reinnervated by a cholinergic motor nerve, and that a new AChE form with a high sedimentation coefficient is induced in these muscles. Our results suggest that the presence of the motor nerve determines, in reinnervated smooth muscle, the appearance of an AChE similar to that found in skeletal muscle.
A sensitive fluorometric method for the determination of arginine using 9,10-phenanthrenequinone.

Abstract The reagent 9,10-phenanthrenequinone has been shown to react with free arginine or with arginine residues within proteins to produce a compound whose fluorescence can be used to quantitatively determine submicrogram amounts of arginine. The assay procedure, which is simple, convenient, and suitable for automation, is performed by mixing a slight excess of phenanthrenequinone with the sample at high pH followed by acidification to produce the fluorescence. None of the commonly occurring amino acids were found to interfere with the analysis. Several commonly used buffers and organic solvents also did not interfere. The arginine content of intact proteins was accurately determined by this procedure with only microgram quantities of protein required. The method is compared with other commonly used procedures for arginine and protein determination.
IL-15Rα chaperones IL-15 to stable dendritic cell membrane complexes that activate NK cells via trans presentation

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune effectors that mediate rapid responses to viral antigens. Interleukin (IL)-15 and its high affinity IL-15 receptor, IL-15Rα, support NK cell homeostasis in resting animals via a novel trans presentation mechanism. To better understand how IL-15 and IL-15Rα support NK cell activation during immune responses, we have used sensitive assays for detecting native IL-15 and IL-15Rα proteins and developed an assay for detecting complexes of these proteins. We find that IL-15 and IL-15Rα are preassembled in complexes within the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi of stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) before being released from cells. IL-15Rα is required for IL-15 production by DCs, and IL-15 that emerges onto the cell surface of matured DCs does not bind to neighboring cells expressing IL-15Rα. We also find that soluble IL-15–IL-15Rα complexes are induced during inflammation, but membrane-bound IL-15–IL-15Rα complexes, rather than soluble complexes, support NK cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we provide in vivo evidence that expression of IL-15Rα specifically on DCs is critical for trans presenting IL-15 and activating NK cells. These studies define an unprecedented cytokine–receptor biosynthetic pathway in which IL-15Rα serves as a chaperone for IL-15, after which membrane-bound IL-15Rα–IL-15 complexes activate NK cells via direct cell–cell contact.
On the Bending Properties of Porcine Mitral, Tricuspid, Aortic, and Pulmonary Valve Leaflets

The atrioventricular valve leaflets (mitral and tricuspid) are different from the semilunar valve leaflets (aortic and pulmonary) in layered structure, ultrastructural constitution and organization, and leaflet thickness. These differences warrant a comparative look at the bending properties of the four types of leaflets. We found that the moment-curvature relationships in atrioventricular valves were stiffer than in semilunar valves, and the moment-curvature relationships of the left-side valve leaflets were stiffer than their morphological analog of the right side. These trends were supported by the moment-curvature curves and the flexural rigidity analysis (EI value decreased from mitral, tricuspid, aortic, to pulmonary leaflets). However, after taking away the geometric effect (moment of inertia I), the instantaneous effective bending modulus E showed a reversed trend. The overall trend of flexural rigidity (EI: mitral > tricuspid > aortic > pulmonary) might be correlated with the thickness variations among the four types of leaflets (thickness: mitral > tricuspid > aortic > pulmonary). The overall trend of the instantaneous effective bending modulus (E: mitral < tricuspid < aortic < pulmonary) might be correlated to the layered fibrous ultrastructures of the four types of leaflets, of which the fibers in mitral and tricuspid leaflets were less aligned, and the fibers in aortic and pulmonary leaflets were highly aligned. We also found that, for all types of leaflets, moment-curvature relationships are stiffer in against-curvature (AC) bending than in with-curvature bending (WC), which implies that leaflets tend to flex toward their natural curvature and comply with blood flow. Lastly, we observed that the leaflets were stiffer in circumferential bending compared with radial bending, likely reflecting the physiological motion of the leaflets, i.e., more bending moment and movement were experienced in radial direction than circumferential direction.