cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rib response and breakage due to anteroposterior loads.

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the loading conditions required for rib breakage as might occur in automobile accidents or in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Analytical modelling is coupled with the results of experimental tests on postmortem dogs to predict the effects of loading rate on rib response. Dynamic impedance tests were performed on both extracted and in situ dog ribs to obtain natural frequencies and those rib response characteristics which are dominant in a given frequency range. Ligament stiffness at the costovertebral joint were estimated. Compression of each individual rib was also performed to determine its contribution to overall thoracic stiffness and its required deflection for failure. A three-dimensional dynamic model for the rib based on vibrations of the circular ring is given which conforms well with rib geometry and includes damping effects of surrounding tissues and the elasticities of the costovertebral joint. The dynamic model was found to adequately predict rib static stiffness, first natural frequency and forced frequency response. Based on the dynamic impedance tests of the dog, the inertia effects of the rib were found to be minimal for all important cases of anteroposterior loading. Thus, the ribcage exhibits predominantly elastic and viscous properties.
Directed forgetting in pigeons: Analysis of cue functions

In delayed matching-to-sample with pigeons, brief postsample cues signaled different trial outcomes. The normal comparison stimuli followed the cue to remember (R cue). In the comparison-omission procedure, comparison stimuli and reinforcement were omitted following the cue to forget (F cue). In the comparison-substitution procedure, comparison stimuli were replaced by a single stimulus and reinforcement for a single response following the F cue. Infrequent probe trials revealed that F cues disrupted matching, with the amount of accuracy loss dependent on the length of the cue-comparison delay. These results, however, were found only with the comparison-omission procedure (Experiment 1). Replacing the comparison stimuli with another simultaneous (unconditional) discrimination revealed no accuracy loss in F-cue probes (Experiment 2), even though choice latencies were again lengthened by F cues. These results suggest that, while the F cue interferes with performance at the time of a retention test by slowing choices, it also interferes with sample retention. Alternative models of the cuing effect and its apparent dependence on end-of-trial reward are outlined.
Long‐term neurological implications of somnolence syndrome in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

A longitudinal study of 49 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) assessed the long-term effects of central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis on brain function. From 10 to 12 electroencephalograms (EEGs) were done before and at intervals during and after 30 months of treatment that included 2,400 rads of CNS irradiation plus intrathecal methotrexate therapy. None of the children had CNS leukemia, and all remained in first complete remissions. All 49 had abnormally slow EEG background frequencies during the four-year study, and 29 (60%) developed somnolence syndrome six to eight weeks after CNS prophylaxis. During this syndrome, EEG background frequencies decreased more than 3 standard deviations below the expected mean values for normal children. Thereafter, 7 of the 29 began to show signs of learning disabilities and 7 developed recurrent seizures. Of the 20 children who did not have the syndrome, none showed later evidence of CNS dysfunction. Somnolence may be an early indicator of long-term neurological sequelae after cranial irradiation.
Comparison of Knowledge and Attitudes Using Computer-based and Face-to-Face Personal Hygiene Training Methods in Food Processing Facilities

ABSTRACT: Computer-based training is increasingly favored by food companies for training workers due to convenience, self-pacing ability, and ease of use. The objectives of this study were to determine if personal hygiene training, offered through a computer-based method, is as effective as a face-to-face method in knowledge acquisition and improved attitude toward food safety. Employees from four food processing facilities (n= 94) were randomly assigned to a control group, a face-to-face training group, or a computer-based training group. Evaluation instruments consisted of a pretest and a posttest to measure knowledge gain, a step scale to measure attitude after training and retrospectively before training, and a brief set of interview questions. Results for both treatments and the control group indicated increases in knowledge. Analysis of the posttest scores, when controlling for the pretest scores, indicated the difference was significant (P≤ 0.05); however, post hoc analysis did not indicate which treatment was superior. There was a significant increase in attitude scores for both groups using paired t-tests, although the difference between groups was not significant when controlling for attitude scores before training. Issues that may limit application of the technology used in this study include low literacy and language barriers among employees, and time constraints within companies. These and other variables should be taken into account in future research studies addressing comparisons of training methods. This study is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of computer-based training aimed at food handlers who work in food processing establishments.
Dose Curves of Disinfestants Applied to Plant Production Surfaces to Control Botrytis cinerea

Lethal dose curves were calculated using probit analysis for six disinfestants (chlorazene hydrosol, hydrogen dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, quaternary ammonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite) when applied on seven substrates (galvanized metal, stainless steel, polyethylene ground fabric, polyethylene pot plastic, pressure-treated pine, exterior latex-painted pine, raw pine) that had been inoculated with Botrytis cinerea conidia. Mortality was determined by percentage of ungerminated versus germinated conidia that had been rubbed off of a substrate onto half-strength potato dextrose agar (hPDA) 16 to 24 h previously. Based on overlapping confidence limits (95% CL) of the lethal doses resulting in 90 and 50% mortality (LD90 and LD50, respectively) and significance of slopes, differences occurred between substrates with all six disinfestants. LD90 values ranged from 0.21 to 4.54 g a.i./liter for chlorazene hydrosol, 4.99 to 40.3 g a.i./liter for hydrogen dioxide, 63.0 to 233.1 g a.i./liter for hydrogen peroxide, 0.42 to 2.45 g a.i./liter for iodine, 0.64 to 6.46 g a.i./liter for quaternary ammonium chloride, and 0.87 to 6.84 g a.i./liter for sodium hypochlorite. For hydrogen dioxide, quaternary ammonium chloride, and sodium hypochlorite, a binomial lethal dose (LDb) was calculated by plating the inverted inoculated substrates on hPDA, then recording the presence or absence of B. cinerea mycelial growth over 7 days. Lethal doses resulting in the absence of mycelial growth (LDb100) were equal to or greater than the LD90 values for most disinfestants and substrates. Results demonstrate for the six disinfestants that dose should be selected based on the substrate being disinfested of B. cinerea conidia.
Performance of Transit Signal Priority with Queue Jumper Lanes

Queue jumper lanes are a special type of bus preferential treatment that allows buses to bypass a waiting queue through a right-turn bay and then cut out in front of the queue by getting an early green signal. The performance of queue jumper lanes is evaluated under different transit signal priority (TSP) strategies, traffic volumes, bus volumes, dwell times, and bus stop and detector locations. Four TSP strategies are considered: green extension, red truncation, phase skip, and phase insertion. It was found that queue jumper lanes without TSP were ineffective in reducing bus delay. Queue jumper lanes with TSP strategies that include a phase insertion were found to be more effective in reducing bus delay while also improving general vehicle operations than those strategies that do not include this treatment. Nearside bus stops upstream of check-in detectors were preferred for jumper TSP over far-side bus stops and nearside bus stops downstream of check-in detectors. Through vehicles on the bus approach we...
Information Source Preferences of Education Graduate Students

ABSTRACT In recent decades the literature dealing with graduate students and library use, including bibliographic instruction, information-seeking behavior, and information literacy has grown. However, there still appears to be a lack of research and resources available on the information-seeking behavior skills of graduate education students, which can help guide instructional practices and collection development decisions. This pilot study attempted to capture information on graduate education students' research strategies and source preferences.
Newly identified neuromuscular disorders

Since the publication of the first issue in this series on neuromuscular diseases [1], several new disorders have been identified and important information has been learned on previously described disorders. With the advent of newer diagnostic techniques and increased recognition of the neuromuscular phenotype by veterinarians, the list continues to grow. This article focuses on the continually expanding spectrum of muscular dystrophies (MDs), recently identified nondystrophic myopathies with cytoarchitectural abnormalities, new peripheral neuropathies, and important new information on canine inflammatory myopathies (IMs).
A study of the reactions (π+, 2p), (π+, pd), and (π+, p3He) in 7Li and 12C

Abstract We have searched for evidence of cluster effects in the in-flight capture of positive pions in carbon and lithium. The effects of two-nucleon capture are clearly visible in both elements but effects due to capture on larger clusters could be found only in Li.
Relationship between γ-ray-induced G2/M Delay and Cellular Radiosensitivity

Seven human and rodent cell lines with markedly differing cellular radiosensitivities were examined by the anti-BrdUrd antibody and flow cytometric method in order to measure the progression of S phase cells and their accumulation in the G2 phase of the cell cycle after γ-irradiation. Exponentially growing cells were labelled with 10 μm BrdUrd for 2 h, γ-irradiated, then washed and cultured at 37°C. At 2-h intervals postirradiation, the cells were harvested and fixed for flow cytometric analysis. Two parameter distributions of BrdUrd content and DNA content were analysed. The time intervals for unirradiated labelled cells to progress from S to G2/M phase were about 450 min for the human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines SCC-12B.2 (D0 = 2·66 Gy), SQ-20B (D0 = 2·39 Gy) and SCC-61 (D0 = 1·07 Gy) as well as for wild-type CHO cells (D0 = 2·62 Gy). After irradiation with 2 Gy, SCC-12B.2, SQ-20B, CHO and human diploid AG1521 cells showed similar small G2/M delays (about 1 h), whereas, a G2/M delay of about 2·2 ...
National availability of influenza vaccine among medical subspecialty practices.

Abstract Background Influenza vaccination rates fall short of national goals, particularly among individuals whose chronic conditions predispose them to complications of influenza. Availability of influenza vaccine in medical subspecialists' practices may affect vaccination rates among adults with chronic illness. Methods The practice sites of a national random sample of medical cardiology, endocrinology, and pulmonology physicians were contacted by telephone in February 2003 to March 2003 to determine which of them had influenza vaccine available to their patients during the 2002–2003 influenza season. The number of physicians in the practice and geographic location were also obtained. Results Office staff at the practices of 1683 of 2013 eligible physicians were successfully contacted, and 1473 provided information about vaccine availability. Overall, 1094 (74%) of practices had influenza vaccine available during the 2002–2003 season. Availability differed significantly by subspecialty: 54% cardiology, 78% endocrinology, and 90% pulmonology ( p p Conclusions Influenza vaccine availability varies widely across practices in the three medical subspecialties that provide care to the largest numbers of individuals with an indication for the vaccine in the United States. These findings have implications for the accessibility of influenza vaccine to individuals at high risk for morbidity and mortality associated with influenza.
Measuring changes in articulate brachiopod morphology before and after the Permian mass extinction event: do developmental constraints limit morphological innovation?

Summary The pattern of decreasing disparity has been observed in both the metazoans and metaphytes throughout the Phanerozoic. The pattern is manifest as a decreasing trend in the origination of higher taxa. Currently, two competing evolutionary hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon: the empty ecospace hypothesis and the developmental constraint hypothesis. To empirically distinguish between these hypotheses, the change in disparity before and after the end-Permian mass extinction event was measured in the articulated brachiopods. The assumption is that ecospace-limiting constraints are removed after mass extinctions revealing the effect of developmental constraints. For each taxon within the group, both continuous and discrete character sets were analyzed. Four different measures of disparity were used to analyze each character suite. Additionally, a separate analysis was performed on a subset of the articulated brachiopods, the rhynchonellids and terebratulids. In most cases investigated, disparity rebounded to comparable levels, with the rhynchonellids and terebratulids showing the largest increase in disparity after the end-Permian extinction, a clear example of an increase in disparity without a significant increase in taxonomic diversity. The results indicate that developmental constraints may not be responsible for the decreasing disparity in this group. The more likely scenario is that increasingly structured ecological guilds have made it much more difficult for large increases in disparity to occur.
Small heat shock protein HSPB1 regulates growth of embryonic zebrafish craniofacial muscles

The small heat shock protein HspB1 (Hsp27) is abundantly expressed in embryonic muscle tissues of a wide variety of vertebrate species. However, the functional significance of this expression pattern is not well established. In the present study, we observed specific, high level expression of HspB1 protein and an HspB1 gene reporter in developing craniofacial muscles of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, and examined the consequences of reducing HspB1 expression to the development and growth of these muscles. Quantitative morphometric analyses revealed a reduction in the cross-sectional area of myofibers in embryos expressing reduced HspB1 levels by as much as 47% compared to controls. In contrast, we detected no differences in the number of myofibrils or associated nuclei, nor the number, size or development of chondrocytes in surrounding tissues. We also did not detect changes to the overall organization of sarcomeres or myofibrils in embryos expressing reduced levels of HspB1. Together our results reveal a critical role for HspB1 in the growth of myofibrils and provide new insight into the mechanism underlying its developmental function.
Correspondence of historic salinity fluctuations in Florida Bay, USA, to atmospheric variability and anthropogenic changes

Florida Bay is a highly dynamic estuary that exhibits wide natural fluctuations in salinity due to changes in the balance of precipitation, evaporation and freshwater runoff from the mainland. Rapid and large-scale modification of freshwater flow and construction of transportation conduits throughout the Florida Keys during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries reshaped water circulation and salinity patterns across the ecosystem. In order to determine long-term patterns in salinity variation across the Florida Bay estuary, we used a diatom-based salinity transfer function to infer salinity within 3.27 ppt root mean square error of prediction from diatom assemblages from four ~130 year old sediment records. Sites were distributed along a gradient of exposure to anthropogenic shifts in the watershed and salinity. Precipitation was found to be the primary driver influencing salinity fluctuations over the entire record, but watershed modifications on the mainland and in the Florida Keys during the late-1800s and 1900s were the most likely cause of significant shifts in baseline salinity. The timing of these shifts in the salinity baseline varies across the Bay: that of the northeastern coring location coincides with the construction of the Florida Overseas Railway (AD 1906–1916), while that of the east-central coring location coincides with the drainage of Lake Okeechobee (AD 1881–1894). Subsequent decreases occurring after the 1960s (east-central region) and early 1980s (southwestern region) correspond to increases in freshwater delivered through water control structures in the 1950s–1970s and again in the 1980s. Concomitant increases in salinity in the northeastern and south-central regions of the Bay in the mid-1960s correspond to an extensive drought period and the occurrence of three major hurricanes, while the drop in the early 1970s could not be related to any natural event. This paper provides information about major factors influencing salinity conditions in Florida Bay in the past and quantitative estimates of the pre- and post-South Florida watershed modification salinity levels in different regions of the Bay. This information should be useful for environmental managers in setting restoration goals for the marine ecosystems in South Florida, especially for Florida Bay.
Tunable Fictitious Substituent Effects on the π–π Interactions of Substituted Sandwich Benzene Dimers

Substituent effects on the π–π interactions of aromatic rings are a topic of much recent debate. Real substituents give a complicated combination of inductive, resonant, dispersion, and other effects. To help partition these effects, we present calculations on fictitious “pure” σ donor/acceptor substituents, hydrogen atoms with nuclear charges other than 1. “Pure” σ donors with nuclear charge <1 weaken π–π stacking in the sandwich benzene dimer. This result is consistent with the electrostatic model of Hunter and Sanders, and different from real substituents. Calculated inductive effects are largely additive and transferable, consistent with a local direct interaction model. A second series of fictitious substituents, neutral hydrogen atoms with an artificially broadened nuclear charge distribution, give similar trends though with reduced additivity. These results provide an alternative perspective on substituent effects in noncovalent interactions.
Application of analytical electron microscopy to radiation damage studies

Abstract Analytical electron microscopy (AEM) provides a suite of techniques to characterize the microstructural, crystallographic, and elemental and chemical state of a material at high spatial resolution. The broad materials characterization possible with AEM has aided in the understanding of processes operating during radiation damage, especially in complex, multiphase materials. These AEM techniques are derived from the strong interaction of electrons with matter and the myriad of signals provided by that interaction. Through the application of a variety of these AEM techniques, a detailed and complete understanding of the state of a material and the changes induced by irradiation can be achieved. This review paper will deal briefly with the origin, capabilities, spatial resolution, and current developments of AEM. Several applications of AEM to radiation damage studies will be discussed to illustrate the utility of this suite of AEM techniques.
Glucose regulation of glucose transporters in cultured adult and fetal hepatocytes

GLUT2 is the major glucose transporter of adult hepatocytes. In vivo, membrane GLUT1 is localized to a ring of perivenous cells and increases slightly after fasting or insulin deprivation. GLUT1 also increases in vitro after prolonged culture of isolated adult hepatocytes. We have previously shown that GLUT1 mRNA, protein, and activity are present in the rat fetal hepatocyte, and that both GLUT1 and GLUT2 are important for the pattern of glucose transport in the fetal hepatocyte. We tested the hypothesis that the hypothesis that the postnatal increase in circulating glucose is one of the regulators of the changed pattern of GLUT1 and GLUT2 in the hepatocyte after the fetal to neonatal transition. Fetal and adult rat hepatocytes were cultured for 45 hours in supplemented Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium at glucose concentrations of 1, 8.3, or 30 mmol/L. Culture at 8.3 and 30 mmol/L glucose diminished GLUT1 mRNA levels were lower in adult versus fetal hepatocyte cultures at 8.3 and 30 mmol/L (P < .05). Similarly, GLUT1 protein levels were significantly diminished in hepatocytes cultured at higher medium glucose (P < .05 for fetal cells at 30 v 1 mmol/L; P < .05 for adult cells at 8.3 and 30 v 1 mmol/L). GLUT2 mRNA abundance was enhanced by medium glucose in adult hepatocytes (P < .05 at 8.3 and 30 v 1 mmol/L) and was unchanged by medium glucose in fetal hepatocytes. In contrast, GLUT2 protein level was unchanged by medium glucose in adult hepatocytes, and was diminished at 30 mmol/L as compared with mmol/L glucose in fetal hepatocytes (P < .05). In confirmation of these findings, uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) by fetal hepatocytes was significantly diminished after culture in 8.3 or 30 mmol/L glucose versus 1 mmol/L glucose (P < .05 and < .01, respectively). These studies confirm that the fetal hepatocyte glucose transporter pattern could be maintained in part by low fetal portal glucose levels. However, the resistance of the fetal hepatocyte glucose transporter pattern as compared with that of the adult hepatocyte to the effects of hyperglycemia suggests additional undefined control mechanisms.
Constant addition with flagged binary adder architectures

The goal of this paper is to present architectures that provide the flexibility within a regular adder to augment/decrement the sum of two numbers by a constant. This flexibility adds to the functionality of a regular adder, achieving a comparable performance to conventional designs, thereby eliminating the need of having a dedicated adder unit to perform similar tasks. This paper presents an adder design to accomplish three-input addition if the third operand is a constant. This is accomplished by the introduction of flag bits. Such designs are called Enhanced Flagged Binary Adders (EFBA). It also examines the effect on the performance of the adder when the operand size is expanded from 16 bits to 32 and 64 bits. A detailed analysis has been provided to compare the performance of the new designs with carry-save adders in terms of delay, area and power.
Altered growth and protein turnover in rats fed sodium-deficient diets.

ABSTRACT: The effects of feeding a sodium-deficient (NaD) diet were examined in young, growing rats. All animals were fed the same diet and drank distilled water. In the control group the water contained 37 mM sodium chloride. After 2-3 wk body composition measurements were performed and epitrochlearis muscle protein synthesis and degradation rates determined. The experimental group gained only 45% of the wt and 70% of the length seen in the control group. The difference in wt gain could not be accounted for by differences in extracellular volume which averaged only 4% of body wt. Although total food intake was equivalent in both groups, urinary ammonia plus urea nitrogen excretion was higher in the experimental animals. Protein synthesis, measured as the incorporation of 14C-phenylalanine into muscle protein was significantly lower in NaD rats (56.58 versus 68.79) and (65.26 versus 83.88 nmol phenylalanine/h/g wet wt (both p < 0.01) when incubated with or without the addition of insulin (1 mU/ mL). Net protein degradation rates were unchanged. Gastrocnemius muscle RNA concentrations were also lower in NaD rats (1.09 versus 1.52 mg/g wet wt, p < 0.001). There were no changes noted in the concentration of protein within either gastrocnemius or epitrochlearis muscles. These results suggest that in rats, the growth failure seen in sodium deficiency: 1) affects both length and wt gain; 2) is not associated with decreased nutrient intake; 3) is due to decreased rates of muscle protein synthesis without affecting net protein degradation rates; and 4) is associated with diminished muscle tissue RNA concentrations.
Role of genitourinary inflammation in infertility: Synergistic effect of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ on human spermatozoa

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are elevated in the semen of patients with genitourinary inflammation (GUI). Whether this increase in cytokines in GUI patients plays any critical role in male factor infertility is not clear. The present study investigated the in vitro effects of two important pro-inflammatory cytokines, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), on sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and motion parameters. Washed spermatozoa from healthy donors were incubated with LPS (0.1 mg/mL) or IFN-gamma (0.1 mg/mL) alone or in combination. Sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and computer-assisted motion were evaluated at various time intervals (0, 30, 60 and 180 min) after treatment. Sperm membrane integrity was analysed using the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). LPS and IFN-gamma individually did not alter sperm viability or motility, but their combination showed a significant time-dependent decrease (p < 0.05) in sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity. Sperm motion parameters (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, mean linearity, or amplitude of lateral head displacement) were not affected by LPS or IFN-gamma at the concentrations used in this study. These data suggest that the combination of LPS and IFN-gamma is detrimental to human spermatozoa and may contribute to male factor infertility in patients with chronic GUI.
Seasonal and long-term trends in truckee river nutrient concentrations and loadings to pyramid lake, nevada: a terminal saline lake

Mass-discharge of phosphorus and nitrogen from Truckee River to Pyramid Lake, Nev., was estimated for 15 years (1973–1987) and related to changes in quantity and quality of sewage effluent discharged into the river. Effluent nitrogen loadings to Truckee River increased by about 6% yr−1, whereas phosphorus discharge beginning in 1982 was reduced 90% by phosphorus removal. Water discharged annually by Truckee River to Pyramid Lake varied widely among years, ranging from about 42 to 2420 m3 × 106. Anomalous regional precipitation patterns associated with strong El Nino-Southern Oscillation events resulted in below-average Truckee River discharge from 1977 to 1979, and aboveaverage discharge from 1982 to 1984 and 1986. Mass-transport of soluble reactive phosphorus to Pyramid Lake declined from 146 to 94 mg m−2 yr−1 after phosphorus removal, whereas total phosphorus loadings increased from 217 to 396 mg m−2 yr−1. There were no significant long-term trends in total nitrogen loadings to Pyramid Lake (mean: 1640 mg m−2 yr−1; range: 112–5500 mg m−2 yr−1), despite increases in effluent nitrogen loadings to Truckee River. Seasonal and annual fluctuations in fluvial discharge, changes in quantity and quality of effluent discharged to Truckee River and in-river biological uptake and transformations were responsible for the variability in in-stream nutrient concentrations and projected loadings to Pyramid Lake.
Effect of electron radiation on vasomotor function of the left anterior descending coronary artery

Abstract The left anterior descending (LAD, interventricular) coronary artery provides the blood supply to the mid-region of the heart and is a major site of vessel stenosis. Changes in LAD function can have major effects on heart function. In this report, we examined the effect of electron simulated solar particle event (eSPE) radiation on LAD function in a porcine animal model. Vasodilatory responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 10 − 9 – 10 − 4 M ), bradykinin (BK; 10 − 11 – 10 − 6 M ), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10 − 10 – 10 − 4 M ) were assessed. The LAD arteries from Control (non-irradiated) and the eSPE (irradiated) animals were isolated and exhibited a similar relaxation response following treatment with either ADP or SNP. In contrast, a significantly reduced relaxation response to BK treatment was observed in the eSPE irradiated group, compared to the control group. These data demonstrate that simulated SPE radiation exposure alters LAD function.
Calcium signaling and the secretory activity of bile duct epithelia.

Cytosolic calcium (Cai2+) is a second messenger that is important for the regulation of secretion in many types of tissues. Bile duct epithelial cells, or cholangiocytes, are polarized epithelia that line the biliary tree in liver and are responsible for secretion of bicarbonate and other solutes into bile. Cai2+ signaling plays an important role in the regulation of secretion by cholangiocytes, and this review discusses the machinery involved in the formation of Ca2+ signals in cholangiocytes, along with the evidence that these signals regulate ductular secretion. Finally, this review discusses the evidence that impairments in cholangiocyte Ca2+ signaling play a primary role in the pathogenesis of cholestatic disorders, in which hepatic bile secretion is impaired.
Coordination of Co2+ Cations inside Cavities of Zeolite MFI with Lattice Oxygen and Adsorbed Ligands

The redox chemistry of Co ions in cavities of zeolite MFI has been studied in materials prepared by solid-state ion exchange and displaying Co/Al ratios varying from 0.4 to 1.0. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR), and diffuse reflectance UV−visible spectroscopy were used to identify the oxidation state and the coordination of the Co ions. In the dehydrated blue material, Co2+ ions in cationic exchange sites strongly interact with the zeolite framework; their coordination symmetry is tetrahedral. ESR reveals that the ions are in their high-spin state, detectable only below 60 K; no ESR signal was detected at 77 K. However, adsorption of ammonia ligating to the Co2+ cations gives rise to an ESR signal at 77 K, indicating a strong reconfiguration of the electronic states. After coadsorption of oxygen and ammonia, ESR reveals the presence of two kinds of cobalt: Co2+ in a high-spin state at g = 5.1, detected at 77 K, and low-spin (Co3+LxO2-)2+ adducts inside the zeo...
Microearthquake Activity Associated with Underground Coal-Mining in Buchanan County, Virginia, U.S.A.

Microearthquake activity (impulsive, transient seismic events, with durations up to several seconds at a distance of 500 m, that exhibit a coda with a shift toward lower frequencies with increasing time) was monitored for a three-month period by a single seismograph sited directly above an undergound longwall mine in the coal-mining region of Buchanan County, Virginia, U.S.A. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if precursory increases in microseismicity prior to cavings (subsidence) of overburden in the mine were present and, if so, could they be detected by surface seismographic observations. The first two recording weeks were prior to the beginning of coal removal operations at the monitored mine. A comparision of the “before” and “after” levels of microearthquake occurrence indicated a sevenfold increase to about seven seismic events/hour that was attendant with the development of the time over the level of the background, non-coal-mining period seismicity.
Mechanisms of the emission of mercury from soil: Role of UV radiation

[1] Light has been previously shown to play a role in the emission of mercury from soil; however, the mechanisms involved in this process are not well understood. In an effort to identify the wavelength of light that dominates this process, we conducted extensive laboratory studies of soil mercury flux using a dynamic flux chamber. Mercury fluxes were measured at constant temperature in the dark, under full spectrum radiation (λ = 320–700 nm) and under various radiation bands including 410–700 nm radiation, 320–580 nm radiation, and 320–380 nm radiation. Soil mercury emissions under full spectrum radiation were significantly elevated over dark fluxes in all trials. When UV light was removed from incident radiation (the λ = 410–700 nm condition), fluxes were not significantly different from dark fluxes in two of three trials. Soil fluxes under 320–580 nm radiation and 320–380 nm radiation were significantly elevated over dark fluxes in all trials and were related to radiation intensity in the UV region.
Evaluation and Uncertainty Quantification of Prompt Fission Neutron Spectra of Uranium and Plutonium Isotopes

AbstractThe prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) of the low-incident-energy neutron-induced fission reactions n + 229-238U and n + 235-242Pu have been systematically evaluated using differential experimental data and the Los Alamos model (LA model). Using the first-order, linear Kalman filter, the LA model parameters are constrained using the experimental data and an evaluation of the PFNS and its uncertainties across a suite of isotopes’ results. Correlations between isotopes of each actinide are presented through the model parameter correlations, and the resulting evaluations can be used to fill in inconsistencies within the ENDF/B-VII.1 library where PFNS data are scarce or in need of an update.
An Alternative to compactification

Conventional wisdom states that Newton's force law implies only four noncompact dimensions. We demonstrate that this is not necessarily true in the presence of a nonfactorizable background geometry. The specific example we study is a single 3-brane embedded in five dimensions. We show that even without a gap in the Kaluza-Klein spectrum, four-dimensional Newtonian and general relativistic gravity is reproduced to more than adequate precision.
Concept mapping and concept modules for Web-based and CD-ROM-based RF and microwave education

This paper suggests the use of concept mapping and an approach for the use of concept modules as primary-learning units for Web-based and CD-ROM-based RF and microwave education. A brief discussion on the notion of concepts relates them to the assimilation theory of education. The role of concept mapping in the learning process is emphasized. A generic structure for proposed concept modules is discussed. Examples are included to illustrate the approach. For a detailed case study, a hyperlink to a companion tutorial article in this TRANSACTIONS is provided in the electronic version of this paper. Advantages of the proposed approach for a Web-based asynchronous learning environment are highlighted.
A novel method for the analysis of ESD generators and coupling using frequency domain

A concept for analyzing ESD generators and coupling to EUTs in the frequency domain is presented. Its novelty lies in not only taking the current shaping, but also the radiation effects of structural elements and electrical components located within the ESD generator into account, without discharging the ESD generator. This is achieved by using the frequency domain and substituting the electrical breakdown within the ESD generator (contact mode) for one port of a network analyzer. The network analyzer excites all the pulse forming and the radiating elements of the ESD generator as they would be excited during a discharge. This offers the advantage of an increased dynamic range of frequency domain techniques without having to simplify the complex radiation properties of real ESD simulators. Keywords-Electrostatic Discharge; ESD, simulation, network analyzer
Genes, Phenes, and Dreams of Immortality: The 2003 Kleemeier Award Lecture

The 2002 Kleemeier Award from the Gerontological Society of America was awarded to Thomas E. Johnson, PhD, of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Johnson was the pioneer who first applied genetic analyses to the study of the aging processes in Caenorhabditis elegans and who introduced the nematode as an aging model. Longer life span was chosen as a surrogate marker for slowed aging. Here Dr. Johnson describes his role(s) in the isolation of age-1, the first longevity mutant, which can more than double the life span and which slows the rate of aging more than twofold. He also reviews research suggesting conservation of function and applicability to intervention by pharmacological targeting of the Age-1 pathway. Current work by biotechnology companies targets this and other basic discoveries in an attempt to postpone human aging.
On Invariance in Hierarchical Models

A goal of central importance in the study of hierarchical models for object recognition - and indeed the mammalian visual cortex - is that of understanding quantitatively the trade-off between invariance and selectivity, and how invariance and discrimination properties contribute towards providing an improved representation useful for learning from data. In this work we provide a general group-theoretic framework for characterizing and understanding invariance in a family of hierarchical models. We show that by taking an algebraic perspective, one can provide a concise set of conditions which must be met to establish invariance, as well as a constructive prescription for meeting those conditions. Analyses in specific cases of particular relevance to computer vision and text processing are given, yielding insight into how and when invariance can be achieved. We find that the minimal intrinsic properties of a hierarchical model needed to support a particular invariance can be clearly described, thereby encouraging efficient computational implementations.
Attitude Consensus and Conflict in an Interest Group: An Assessment of Cohesion *

In America, interest groups operate within the democratic frame of reference. Like all political organizations, they are accorded more legitimacy when they can show that they are representative of the attitudes and values of a particular segment of the population. Consequently, the leaders of interest groups frequently spend a great deal of time explaining just how democratic their organizations are. If one examines the testimony of interest group leaders at state and national legislative hearings, he is likely to find that much of it is begun with an introductory statement explaining that the leadership of the testifying group is merely the voice of the membership. The personal values of the interest group leader are played down, and his function as representative (as distinguished from delegate) is exaggerated. On the other hand, relatively few political interest groups have systematic and formalized means of ascertaining the desires of members. We know that most of the devices used to solicit member opinion are not very effective. Truman has shown that the affairs of most interest groups are run on a day-to-day basis by a fraction of the total membership. The mass of the membership takes a relatively passive role with regard to the formation of public policies by the organization. Communication between leaders and followers is spasmodic and cannot provide efficient guidelines for the actions of leaders. Whether or not leadership of an organization seeks to become a manifestation of Michel's iron law of oligarchy, the realities of communication within an organization suggest that most of the communication undertaken by leaders will be with other members of the leadership clique rather than with the larger body of followers in the group.
The Interpolation Method for Proving Chaos

This chapter introduces the “interpolation method” for proving chaos. This method was used by the author to prove chaos in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model a few years ago. The proof is reproduced here.
MEASUREMENT OF CHARGE LIMIT IN A STRAINED LATTICE GaAs PHOTOCATHODE

The SLAC Linear Collider (SLC) Polarized Electron Source (PES) photocathodes have shown a charge saturation when illuminated with a high intensity laser pulse. This charge limit in the cesium-activated GaAs crystal seems to be strongly dependent on its surface condition and on the incident light wavelength. Charge limit studies with highly polarized strained lattice GaAs materials are presented.
Structural Integrity of Centromeric Chromatin and Faithful Chromosome Segregation Requires Pat1

The kinetochore (centromeric DNA and associated protein complex) is essential for faithful chromosome segregation and maintenance of genome stability. Here we report that an evolutionarily conserved protein Pat1 is a structural component of Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinetochore and associates with centromeres in a NDC10-dependent manner. Consistent with a role for Pat1 in kinetochore structure and function, a deletion of PAT1 results in delay in sister chromatid separation, errors in chromosome segregation, and defects in structural integrity of centromeric chromatin. Pat1 is involved in topological regulation of minichromosomes as altered patterns of DNA supercoiling were observed in pat1Δ cells. Studies with pat1 alleles uncovered an evolutionarily conserved region within the central domain of Pat1 that is required for its association with centromeres, sister chromatid separation, and faithful chromosome segregation. Taken together, our data have uncovered a novel role for Pat1 in maintaining the structural integrity of centromeric chromatin to facilitate faithful chromosome segregation and proper kinetochore function.
Fruit, Vegetable, and Antioxidant Intake and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in a Community-dwelling Population in Washington County, Maryland

Higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants may help protect against oxidative damage, thus lowering cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. This Washington County, Maryland, prospective study examined the association of fruit, vegetable, and antioxidant intake with all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease death. CLUE participants who donated a blood sample in 1974 and 1989 and completed a food frequency questionnaire in 1989 (N = 6,151) were included in the analysis. Participants were followed to date of death or January 1, 2002. Compared with those in the bottom fifth, participants in the highest fifth of fruit and vegetable intake had a lower risk of all-cause (cases = 910; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51, 0.78; p-trend = 0.0004), cancer (cases = 307; HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.93; p-trend = 0.08), and cardiovascular disease (cases = 225; HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.54, 1.06; p-trend = 0.15) mortality. Higher intake of cruciferous vegetables was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.91; p-trend = 0.04). No statistically significant associations were observed between dietary vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene intake and mortality. Overall, greater intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with lower risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease death. These findings support the general health recommendation to consume multiple servings of fruits and vegetables (5-9/day).
CEDA: Control-Flow Error Detection Using Assertions

This paper presents an efficient software technique, control-flow error detection through assertions (CEDA), for online detection of control-flow errors. Extra instructions are automatically embedded into the program at compile time to continuously update runtime signatures and to compare them against preassigned values. The novel method of computing runtime signatures results in a huge reduction in the performance overhead, as well as the ability to deal with complex programs and the capability to detect subtle control-flow errors. The widely used C compiler, GCC, has been modified to implement CEDA, and the SPEC benchmark programs were used as the target to compare with earlier techniques. Fault injection experiments were used to demonstrate the effect of control-flow errors on software and to evaluate the fault detection capabilities of CEDA. Based on a new comparison metric, method efficiency, which takes into account both error coverage and performance overhead, CEDA is found to be much better than previously proposed methods.
Co-channel FM voice separation via cross coupled phase locked loops

This paper presents the results of simulation experiments that successfully demonstrate FM co-channel voice separation via cross coupled phase locked loops (CCPLL). Unlike previous CCPLL studies which are typically restricted to the situation where the FM modulation waveforms are steady state sinusoidal, triangular, etc., we have empirically determined CCPLL loop parameters that provide for stable separation of co-channel FM signals with comparable bandwidth (100% spectral overlap) and comparable modulation indices. The resulting CCPLL parameters differ somewhat from existing CCPLL design rules; however, the differences can yield a significant improvement in CCPLL performance.
Highly integrated InP HBT optical receivers

This paper presents two highly integrated receiver circuits fabricated in InP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology operating at up to 2.5 and 7.5 Gb/s, respectively. The first IC is a generic digital receiver circuit with CMOS-compatible outputs. It integrates monolithically an automatic-gain-control amplifier, a digital clock and data recovery circuit, and a 1:8 demultiplexer, and consumes an extremely low 340 mW of power at 3.3 V, including output buffers. It can realize a full optical receiver when connected to a photo detector/preamplifier front end. The second circuit is a complete multirate optical receiver application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that integrates a photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, a limiting amplifier, a digital clock and data recovery circuit, a 1:10 demultiplexer, and the asynchronous-transfer-mode-compatible word synchronization logic. It is the most functionally complex InP HBT optoelectronic integrated circuit reported to date. A custom package has also been developed for this ASIC.
The design of an ultra-low power buck regulator supporting dynamic voltage scaling for wireless sensor networks

The design of an ultra-low power buck regulator is proposed. The regulator is designed to be integrated with a single-chip wireless sensor network and provide high efficiency at low output currents to maximize the sensor's battery life. The maximum output current is 50 mA. Dynamic voltage scaling is also supported to further reduce total power dissipation. The no-load current of the complete regulator is less than 1 µA. Simulation results give an expected efficiency of over 80% at 20µW of output power and a peak efficiency of over 95%.
A novel murine neuroblastoma vaccine strategy

infancy, however, some are known to undergo spontaneous regression; the cellular mechanisms regulating growth and tumor regression are not known. GRP, a gut/neuropeptide, can alter the growth of cancers which possess GRP receptors (GRPR); the regulation of GRPR expression is largely undefined. The purpose of our study was twofold: 1) to determine the expression and cellular regulation of GRPR in the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32, and 2) to assess whether GRP affects IMR-32 cell growth.