cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of body mass index and attempt to lose weight in a national sample of US adults: association with reported food and nutrient intake, and biomarkers.

Objective: This study examined the interaction between body mass index (BMI) and attempting to lose weight for reporting of: (1) macro- and micronutrient intake; (2) intake of low-nutrient-density foods; and (3) serum biomarkers of dietary exposure and cardiovascular disease risk. Methods: Dietary, anthropometric and biochemical data were from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994), n=13 095. Multiple regression methods were used to examine the independent associations of BMI, trying to lose weight, or the interaction of BMI–trying to lose weight with reported intakes of energy, nutrients, percentage energy from low-nutrient-density foods (sweeteners, baked and dairy desserts, visible fats and salty snacks), and serum concentrations of vitamins, carotenoids and lipids. Results: BMI was an independent positive predictor (P<0.05) of percentage of energy from fat, saturated fat, but a negative predictor of the ratio of reported energy intake to estimated expenditure for basal needs (EI/BEE), percentage of energy from carbohydrate and alcohol (men only), and serum concentrations of folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and most carotenoids in both men and women. Trying to lose weight was a negative predictor (P<0.05) of EI/BEE, intake of energy, and energy density, but not micronutrient intake. Higher mean serum ascorbate, vitamin E, lutein/zeaxanthin, and other carotenoids (men only) concentrations were associated with trying to lose weight (P<0.05) in both men and women. Few adverse BMI-trying to lose weight interaction effects were noted. Conclusion: There was little evidence of increased nutritional risk in those reportedly trying to lose weight irrespective of weight status. Sponsorship: NIH research grant (R03 CA81604) and a USDA NRICGP award (NYR-9700611).
Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, barrier to internal rotation, and ab initio calculations of 1,1-difluoropropane

Abstract The infrared (3200–40 cm −1 ) and Raman (3200–20 cm −1 ) spectra of gaseous and solid 1,1-difluoropropane, CH 3 CH 2 CHF 2 , have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values obtained. Both the gauche and trans conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the gauche conformer remains in the solid. Variable temperature (−55 to −150°C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon and krypton have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 127±6 cm −1 (1.52±0.07 kJ/mol) in xenon and 65±5 cm −1 (0.78±0.06 kJ/mol) in krypton with the gauche conformer the more stable rotamer. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization values and group frequencies. Several of the fundamentals for the trans conformer have also been identified. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d) basis set at the levels of restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order Moller–Plesset (MP) with four different basis sets up to 6-311+G(2d,2p). The frequencies for the normal modes and the potential energy terms for the conformer interconversion have been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) calculation. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.
The excess enthalpies of six n-pentanol + alcohol mixtures at 298.15 K

Abstract The excess enthalpies of n -pentanol + methanol, + n -propanol, + n -heptanol, + n -octanol, + n -nonanol, and + n -decanol were measured at 298.15 K with an isothermal flow calorimeter with a reproducibility of better than 1 per cent. All mixtures showed endothermic mixing.
Factors affecting quality of fish oil mayonnaise

Packaging conditions, antioxidants, metals, and storage temperature affected the quality of fish oil mayonnaise (FOM). TBHQ was a successful antioxidant but ascorbate was not. Nitrogen retarded oxidation more than TBHQ. The metal content of FO was as low as soy oil (SO), suggesting that differences in quality deterioration were not due to metal content. FOM was more stable at refrigerator temperatures (2°C) than at higher temperatures (30°C). The sensory quality of deodorized FOM was equal to SO mayonnaise using TBHQ (0.02%), nitrogen, and storing at 2°C for 14 wk.
Circular Cuts in a Network

A network consists of a set of nodes Vii = 1,..., n with weights wi and a set of arcs connecting nodes Vi and Vj with arc capacity bij. The circular cut problem is to pick a subset of nodes containing V1 such that the total weight of the subset is less than a prescribed constant and the total arc capacity needed to separate the subset from the rest of the network is minimum. As special cases this problem reduces to the MAX-FLOW-MIN-CUT problem and to a 0-1 knapsack problem. In this paper we present techniques for reducing the size of the problem. This is done by reducing the number of cuts that need to be considered and by condensing certain nodes.
Non-randomized policies for constrained Markov decision processes

This paper addresses constrained Markov decision processes, with expected discounted total cost criteria, which are controlled by non-randomized policies. A dynamic programming approach is used to construct optimal policies. The convergence of the series of finite horizon value functions to the infinite horizon value function is also shown. A simple example illustrating an application is presented.
CodonO: a new informatics method for measuring synonymous codon usage bias within and across genomes

Codon usage bias reveals the silent molecular evolution pattern. Previous research showed the codon usage bias was associated with many biological processes, such as protein expression level, genetic coding error minimization, mRNA stability, codon context, tRNA richness, CpG suppression, DNA methylation, and tissue or organ specificity. In this paper we reviewed major methods of codon usage bias measurement. Since most of existing methods are only suitable for the comparison of codon usage bias within a single genome, we introduced a new informatics index, referred to as synonymous codon usage order (SCUO), to measure synonymous codon usage bias within and across genomes. In this method, Shannon informational theory was applied to describe the SCUO of each gene using a value ranging from 0 to 1, with larger values associated with greater codon usage bias. We compared our method with the codon adaptation index (CAI) method for measuring codon bias in Escherichia coli and Sacharomyces cerevisiae. We also s...
The relative role of trace gas emissions in greenhouse abatement policies

Abstract Comprehensive abatement of greenhouse gases involves reducing the emissions of all greenhouse gases. Comprehensive abatement strategies require indices to trade off between gases based on their relative contributions to climate change and associated impacts. This paper presents the results of an integrated approach to determining the relative role of different gases in the greenhouse abatement policy. Scientific and economic processes represented by realistic reduced form models are combined to determine greenhouse gas for methane, nitrous oxide and HCFC-22 using CO2 as the datum. The analysis suggests that greenhouse gas indices depend critically on the choice of discount rates, uncertainties in greenhouse gas lifetime, and the degree of non-linearity in climate damages. Costs of carbon abatement and uncertainties in climate models are less important.
Changes in energy availability across the season in Division I female soccer players

Abstract Low energy availability [(energy intake – exercise expenditure)/kg lean body mass], a component of the Female Athlete Triad, has been associated with menstrual disturbances and low bone mass. No studies have examined the energy availability of athletes across a season. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of, and what contributes to, low energy availability in Division I female soccer players across a season. Nineteen participants aged 18–21 years (mean [Vdot]O2max: 57.0 ± 1.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1) were studied during the pre, mid, and post season. Mean energy availability was overall lowest at mid season, and lower at mid than post season (35.2 ± 3.7 vs. 44.5 ± 3.7 kcal · kg−1 lean body mass, P = 0.009). Low energy availability (<30 kcal · kg−1 lean body mass) was observed in 5/19 (26.3%), 5/15 (33.3%), and 2/17 (11.8%) of participants during the pre, mid, and post season. Dietary energy intake was lower mid (P = 0.008) and post season (P = 0.022) than it was pre season (pre: 2794...
Isolation and characterization of gonadotropin-rich secretory granules from rat: depletion by GnRH and by a high affinity agonist

Abstract Gonadotropin secretory granules were purified from rat pituitary tissue by differential centrifugation followed by a continuous metrizamide density gradient separation procedure. Fractions were characterized by radioimmunoassay, electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The LH granule peak distribution across the gradient was biphasic with peaks at densities 1.287 and 1.275 (g/ml). Samples taken from the leading and trailing regions of the LH peak remigrated to similar positions in a second gradient indicating that the pattern was not an artifact caused by reversible aggregation during the isolation procedure. Reproducible separation of the LH granule peak distribution enabled us to assess the effect of secretagogues. GnRH (2 μg/rat) and a metabolically stable GnRH agonist (buserelin; 1 μg/rat) both caused a 6- to 8-fold increase in serum LH and a corresponding reduction (23–25%) in the amount of LH present in the granules. In both cases the reduction was more pronounced on the granules at the higher (1.287 g/ml) density and the bimodal LH distribution was shifted to lower densities (1.280 and 1.265 g/ml). Granules containing growth hormone and prolactin migrated in the denser (1.322-1.318 g/ml) region of the gradient whereas granules containing thyroid stimulating hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were present close to the LH peak. Electron microscopic inspection of ultrathin (60 nm) sections verified that the fractions enriched in immunoassayable gonadotropins contained predominantly granules. In the less dense (1.20 g/ml) regions, mitochondria and membranous debris were present. Fifteen days after ovariectomy, total granule LH content increased 6- to 7-fold and estrogen supplementation at 5 μg/rat, but not 1 μg/rat, reversed this effect to that of sham-operated animals.
Patterning a nanowell sensor biochip for specific and rapid detection of bacteria

This paper presents the fabrication process of a SEPTIC (SEnsing of Phage-Triggered Ion Cascades) chip, consisting of two Ti contact pads and a 150nm wide Ti nanowell device on LiNbO"3 substrate. The patterning was fulfilled by combining electron beam lithography, contact photolithography and reactive ion etching. When connected to an external preamplifier and spectrum analyzer, the nanowell can probe nano-scale electric field fluctuations. The use of this chip as nano-scale electric field probe was demonstrated by detecting the transitory ion efflux from bacteria being infected by phage. Our experiment showed that the electric field noise follows 1/f^2 power spectrum when the bacteria are sensitive to the phage, whereas 1/f noise corresponds to bacteria resistant to the phage. The use of fluctuation-enhanced sensing can provide sensitivity orders of magnitude higher than conventional sensing that detects changes only in the mean value of electrical signals.
A note on assessing agreement for frailty models

Assessing agreement is often of interest in biomedical sciences to evaluate the similarity of measurements produced by different raters or methods on the same subjects. We investigate the agreement structure for a class of frailty models that are commonly used for analyzing correlated survival outcomes. Conditional on the shared frailty, bivariate survival times are assumed to be independent with Weibull baseline hazard distribution. We present the analytic expressions for the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) for several commonly used frailty distributions. Furthermore, we develop a time-dependent CCC for measuring agreement between survival times among subjects who survive beyond a specified time point. We characterize the temporal pattern in the time-dependent CCC for various frailty distributions. Our results provide a better understanding of the agreement structure implied by different frailty models.
Visual suppression and its effect upon color and luminance sensitivity

Psychophysical increment thresholds were compared for periods of phenomenological dominance or suppression produced by different stimulation of the two eyes. Three experimental procedures were used; binocular rivalry, permanent suppression and flash suppression. The amount of suppression produced by each procedure was evaluated under conditions intended to accentuate color or luminance system contribution to the detection of a spectral flash. All three procedures resulted in a different pattern of color and luminance suppression. Binocular rivalry suppressed color sensitivity more than luminance and within color, blue (439 nm) sensitivity was more suppressed than red (613 nm). Permanent suppression resulted in a similar pattern of suppression but only blue color sensitivity was reliably more suppressed than luminance sensitivity. Flash suppression produced distinctly different results such that blue color sensitivity was reliably less suppressed than luminance or red color sensitivity, which were not different from each other. Taken together these results provide clues as to where and when the physiological processes mediating visual suppression may be found in the nervous system.
Equilibrium distribution of small organic molecules in natural waters

Abstract The equilibrium activities of 39 dissolved species in the system C-N-S-H 2 O are computed as a function of pe − and pH at 25°C. For pe-pH conditions encountered in natural waters the predominant dissolved species are CH 4 , H 2 CO 3 , HCO 3 − , CO 3 2− , NH 4 OH, NH 4 + , N 2 , NO 3 − , H 2 S, HS − and SO 4 2− . Organic compounds of higher molecular weight, dissolved or particulate, are thermodynamically unstable in most natural environments. The distribution of dissolved species for the decomposition reactions of carbohydrate (CH 2 O) and alanine (C 3 H 7 O 2 N) in sea water are computed, assuming equilibrium among the decomposition products. The decomposition, in a closed system, of 0.1 gram-atom of organic carbon per liter of solution produces: a. (CH 2 O)— m CH 4 ~ 10 −2 , m HCO 3 − ~ 10 −1 , m HS − ~ 10 −2.5 , m NH 4 + ~ 10 −3 , pH ~ 6.5; b. (C 3 H 7 O 2 N)— m CH 4 ~ 10 −2 , m HCO 3 − ~ 10 −1 , m HS − ~ 10 −1.5 , m HN 4 + ~ 10 −1.5 , pH ~ 7.3. In the course of these reactions, the oxidation potential changes by only 50–60 mV after consumption of the initial oxygen. A mathematical expression for the homogeneous pe buffer capacity, β E , is derived. Data from five reducing marine environments show that the predominant dissolved species tend to approach equilibrium, with the exception that the concentration of dissolved methane in certain environments is considerably higher than the predicted equilibrium concentration. Values of β E range from 10 −3 to 1.2 for the environments studied.
Livshitz theorem for the unitary frame flow

Let be a lattice in SU(n,1). For each loxodromic element 0 2 we define a closed curve {0} on \SU(n,1) that projects to the closed geodesic on the factor of the complex hyper- bolic space \H n associated with 0. We prove that the cohomo- logical equation DF = f has a solution if f is the lift of a holo- morphic cusp form to SU(n,1) under the following condition: for each restriction of f to {0} a finite number of Fourier coefficients, that grows linearly with the length of the curve, vanishes. This is a generalization of the classical Livshitz Theorem for SU(1,1) (A. Livshitz, Mat. zametki 10 (1971), 555-564) where the curves are the closed geodesics themselves and vanishing of the integrals of f over them, i.e. the zeroth Fouries coefficients, is both neces- sary and sufficient. An application of our result to construction of spanning sets for spaces of holomorphic cusp forms on complex hyperbolic spaces is given in Appendix A.
Clinical trials and the right to remain silent.

In this issueof JAMAInternalMedicine,Kernanet al1 chronicle YaleUniversity’s experience responding toa subpoena fordata from an ongoing, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pioglitazone. The subpoena arose from litigation brought by Sara J. Kincaid,2 who believed she had been injured by pioglitazone but who was not a clinical trial participant. Yale’s legal team was troubled because they believed that releasing the data would compromise the integrity of the trial and threaten the investigators’ scientific interests. The authors’ account of their struggle to balance their legal obligations with fidelity to good science is fascinating. Herein we provide broader context to this important issue by examining the subpoena power and the authors’ conclusion that there is a “duty to resist” subpoenas for data from ongoingclinical trials.Twoconsiderationsqualify suchaduty.First, intermediate solutions may exist between publicly disclosingand refusing to turnover clinical trial data. Second, thebalance of the various interests involved in weighing responses to a subpoena tips in different directions depending on the stage of the clinical trial.
Defect dynamics and the Staebler-Wronski effect in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

It is shown that four fundamental reactions involving floating bonds, dangling bonds, and H govern defect dynamics in $a$-Si: H under equilibrium and various nonequilibrium conditions. The Staebler-Wronski effect is a natural consequence of these reactions in the presence of excess electrons and holes. It is predicted that, under illumination or particle irradiation, both floating and dangling bonds can be created. Experimental data support this prediction and provide characteristic signatures for both defects. Though H may not be involved in the creation of the metastable defects, it plays a key role in their annealing.
Impact-parameter treatment of hydrogen-hydrogen excitation collisions. II - Four-state approximation.

The impact-parameter versions of the full two-state and the Born approximations are used to calculate the $n=2 \mathrm{and} 3$ single-excitation cross sections describing collisions between two ground-state hydrogen atoms. Effects similar to those encountered by Bates in his distortion calculations of the $2s$ and $2p$ excitations of hydrogen by proton impact are observed. Cross sections for excitation up to the $4s$ state are also provided by using the Born approximation. The percentage polarization of impact radiation emitted is evaluated.
Multiple Perspectives on the Schooling of Mexican Indigenous Students in the U.S.: Issues for Future Research

The authors—a researcher in Latino educational issues and a sociologist specializing in migration—collaborated to more fully understand and explain the schooling circumstances of Mexican indigenous students. After elaborating a conceptual framework of transationalism, the researchers present three types of results: (a) critical understandings about Mexican-origin migration for U.S. educators, (b) themes from a series of interviews with Mexican indigenous families and U.S. and Mexican educators, and (c) teacher research on the complex question of the language of instruction for Mexican indigenous students. The authors contend that once educators understand each country's role in U.S.–Mexican migration, conceptions of unsuccessful migrants are dispelled, and they can move to a focus on optimizing students' opportunities for success. Also, results from the family and school personnel interviews revealed a pattern of both challenges, such as extreme discrimination against Mexican indigenous students, and stre...
Aging of Elastomers. Comparison of Creep with Some Conventional Aging Methods

Abstract Subjection of elastomers to mechanical stresses results in unusually complicated behavior. Recent theoretical researches have shown that this behavior cannot be described satisfactorily by either of the classical theories of elasticity or viscosity. The general molecular theories which describe the behavior of elastomers have experimental verification manifested by three regions of temperature-stress relationship: (1) a low temperature region in which stiffening is observed, due to the stability of secondary bonds between network chains, (2) an intermediate temperature region in which the secondary bonds are so unstable that complete relaxation occurs before measurements can be obtained; the scission of primary valence bonds is occurring at such a slow rate that no measurable effects are obtained during the course of the usual laboratory experiment; and (3) a high temperature region in which the relaxation of stress with time is associated with a chemical reaction which, through breaking of prima...
Ultrastructural damage and neuritic beading in cold-stressed spinal neurons with comparisons to NMDA and A23187 toxicity

While exposure of cultured spinal neurons to mild hypothermia provides some protection from physical trauma (dendrotomy), profound cooling (< 17 degrees C) causes unrelated neuronal injury and death, which can be prevented by treatment with NMDA receptor antagonists. To investigate the mechanism of hypothermic neuronal injury we examined the ultrastructure of cultured spinal neurons after 2 h of cooling to 17 degrees C or 10 degrees C, with or without the presence of the NMDA receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, and with or without rewarming to 37 degrees C. These groups were compared to cultures exposed to NMDA or to the calcium ionophore A23187. Patterns of ultrastructural change, involving cytoskeletal disruption, mitochondrial abnormalities and vacuolization of the cytoplasm, suggest a common mechanism of injury in all treatment groups, involving an elevation of intracellular calcium. Some neurons exposed to hypothermia, NMDA or ionophore developed beaded dendrites. Microtubules were fragmented in varicosities but not in the intervening constrictions; other organelles were largely excluded from the constrictions. Varicosities may form when organelles and cytoplasm accumulate as the result of disruption of transport and membrane stabilizing proteins by proteases activated by calcium influx via NMDA mediated channels. The periodic nature of the swellings may reflect inherently discontinuous distribution of molecular subunits of the cytoskeleton.
Epicuticular wax on pea plants decreases instantaneous search rate of Hippodamia convergens larvae and reduces attachment to leaf surfaces

Crop cultivar can affect the ability of natural enemies to control pest populations. Peas, Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae), with a reduced epicuticular wax bloom have reduced pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), populations in the field than peas with a normal-wax bloom. In this paper we use the functional response to examine predation by Hippodamia convergens Guerin de Meneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae foraging on pea plants with a normal- and a reduced-wax bloom. We found that Hippodamia convergens shows a Type II functional response on both phenotypes of peas. Hippodamia convergens consumed significantly more pea aphids on reduced-wax plants than on normal-wax plants. The instantaneous search rate, a, was higher for predators on reduced-wax plants, but the handling time, Th, was similar for predators on both wax phenotypes. In addition, we tested the ability of H. convergens larvae to attach to the surface of normal-wax and reduced-wax pea leaves. We found that H. convergens larvae attach more strongly to reduced-wax peas than to normal-wax peas. These results suggest that predation of pea aphid by H. convergens is enhanced on reduced-wax peas due to increased ability of predators to attach to these plants, and as a result, search for and find aphids.
Memory system design space exploration for low-power, real-time speech recognition

The recent proliferation of computing technology has generated new interest natural I/O interface technologies such as speech recognition. Unfortunately, the computational and memory demands of such applications currently prohibit their use on low-power portable devices in anything more than their simplest forms. Previous work has demonstrated that the thread level concurrency inherent in this application domain can be used to dramatically improve performance with minimal impact on overall system energy consumption, but that such benefits are severely constrained by memory system bandwidth. This work presents a design space exploration of potential memory system architectures. A range of low-power memory organizations are considered, from conventional caching to more advanced system-on-chip implementations. We find that, given architectures able to exploit concurrency in this domain, large L2 based cache hierarchies and high bandwidth memory systems employing data stream partitioning and on-chip embedded DRAM and ROM technologies can provide much of the performance of idealized memory systems without violating the power constraints of the low-power domain.
Estimating tumor response rates using shrinkage estimates

The development of anti-cancer therapies usually involve small to moderate size studies to provide initial estimates of response rates before initiating larger studies to better quantify response. These early trials often each contain a single tumor type, possibly using other stratification factors. Response rate for a given tumor type is routinely reported as the percentage of patients meeting a pre-specified criteria for tumor shrinkage, without any regard to response in the other studies. These estimates have variances that are usually large, especially for small to moderate size studies, so that the estimates may be far from the true values. The approach presented here is offered as a way to improve overall estimation of response rates when several small trials are considered. Shrinkage estimates (James-Stein/Empirical Bayes and Hierarchical Bayes) are alternative estimates that use information from all studies to provide potentially better estimates for each study. While these estimates introduce a small bias, they have a considerably smaller variance, and thus tend to be better in terms of total mean squared error. These procedures provide a better view of drug performance in that group of tumor types as a whole, as opposed to estimating each response rate individually without consideration of the others. In technical terms, the vector of estimates is nearer the true values, on average, than the vector of the usual unbiased estimators applied to such trials. This presentation considers the practical use and performance of these estimates for estimating tumor response rates from multiple studies, with each study having different tumor types. In particular, it will be illustrated (mainly through simulations) that these estimates are better in terms of mean squared error; on average these estimates are nearer to the true response rates. Practical advice will be given on how to calculate these estimates. The methods will be applied to data from a group of real trials, as well as simulated data. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P43–P43; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.161
Commentary: Educating and Counseling about HIV in the Second Decade.

The authors of the articles in this special feature confront the most important and challenging questions about the current educational and counseling issues related to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). As educators and counselors, we must look closely at both the characteristics and determinants of human behavior, direct our efforts at both individuals and their communities, work respectfully in all communities to produce humane change, and foster self-esteem for all individuals and group pride in all communities. Education and counseling will become critically cross-linked in effective programs.
THE RAPID TAIL WITHDRAWAL REFLEX OF THE TUBIFICID WORM, BRANCHIURA SOWERBYI

Summary The rapid tail withdrawal of the tubificid worm, Branchiura sowerbyi, was studied using correlated electrophysiological and behavioural analyses. The minimal response latency (i.e. time from onset of mechanical stimulus to onset of withdrawal) was approximately 7 ms, faster than the escape responses of any previously studied invertebrate. Factors contributing to the speed and efficacy of this response include: (1) a sensitive mechanosensory system for detecting potential prey, (2) a short latency for excitation along afferent and efferent pathways, (3) a rapid intersegmental conduction of lateral giant fibre spikes, (4) a short coupling time from muscle excitation to the onset of shortening, and (5) the requirement of only a single lateral giant fibre spike for a complete (all-or-none) response. Videotaped sequences of predator-prey interactions showed that such reflex speed permits effective escape from the strike of the bluegill {Lepomis macrochirus).
Calibration of the Global Seismographic Network Using Tides

The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology/United States Geological Survey (IRIS/USGS) Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is now a fully operational scientific facility routinely used to investigate earth structure and seismicity throughout the world (Butler et al. 2004). Data recorded at GSN stations are rapidly transmitted to international agencies charged with hazard assessment and response as well as to individual scientists eager to study in detail the properties of the most recent earthquake. All who use these recordings depend upon the accuracy of the GSN's metadata provided to them through the IRIS Data Management System (http://www.iris.edu). The IRIS DMS in turn distributes response information supplied by the GSN network operators, the University of California San Diego's Project IDA (International Deployment of Accelerometers) and the USGS's Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory (ASL). To maximize the scientific return from these data and to ensure that accurate measurements may be made at the various monitoring centers that use GSN data in their analyses, both network operators subject the equipment at each GSN station to a series of stringent tests before field deployment. These tests include careful calibration of the data acquisition system. A goal of the GSN is to publish instrument responses accurate to 1%. In principle, the Earth's' tides provide an independent check of the laboratory-determined instrument response. The bulk properties of the Earth are well-enough known to compute the solid earth's response to tides to a high degree of accuracy. However, until the advent of improved ocean tidal models based upon analysis of TOPEX/Poseidon orbit cycles, the effects of ocean loading were too poorly known to be used for this purpose. Using the current generation of tidal models that effectively incorporate ocean loading as well as the solid earth tide, one may now compute a tidal series accurate to 1% in many regions. In this …
Nonexistence theorems for singular solutions of quasilinear partial differential equations

On etudie les etats fondamentaux singuliers de l'equation de Poisson semilineaire Δu+f(u)=0 et de son analogue quasi-lineaire div(A(|Du|)Du)+f(u)=0 ou Δ est le laplacien a n dimensions et A(p) et f(u) sont des fonctions donnees
A simple linear time algorithm for finding a maximum independent set of circular arcs using intervals alone

We exhibit an algorithm for finding a maximum independent set (MIS) for n presorted, unweighted circular arcs in time 0(n). Unlike previous algorithms, this is achieved by means of trivial postprocessing of the output of a straightforward algorithm for finding an MIS for a set of unweighted intervals. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calcium Influx through NMDA Receptors Directly Evokes GABA Release in Olfactory Bulb Granule Cells

Recurrent inhibition in olfactory bulb mitral cells is mediated via reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses with granule cells. Although GABAergic granule cells express both NMDA and non-NMDA glutamate receptors, dendrodendritic inhibition (DDI) relies on the activation of NMDA receptors. Using whole-cell recordings from rat olfactory bulb slices, we now show that olfactory NMDA receptors have a dual role; they depolarize granule cell spines, and they provide a source of calcium that can evoke GABA exocytosis. We demonstrate that exogenous NMDA can trigger GABA release after blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) with Cd. We also find that postsynaptic depolarization alone can evoke GABA release via a separate mechanism that relies on calcium influx through Cd-sensitive VDCCs. By selectively manipulating postsynaptic responses in granule cells with high-K or low-Na extracellular solutions, we show that endogenous glutamate can elicit GABA release via both NMDA receptor- and VDCC-dependent pathways. Finally, we find that blockade of Na channels in granule cells with tetrodotoxin enhances DDI, presumably by reducing the depolarization of granule cells during DDI and thereby increasing the driving force for Ca entry through NMDA receptors. These results provide evidence of a novel mechanism for evoked transmitter release that depends on Ca influx through ionotropic receptors and provides a new potential site for synaptic plasticity in the olfactory bulb.
Two polychlorinated hydrocarbons cause phospholipid‐dependent protein kinase C activation in vitro in the absence of calcium

Polychlorinated hydrocarbons known to be nongenotoxic carcinogens were screened as activators of protein kinase C (PKC)-beta 1 either at high concentrations of Ca2+ or in the absence of Ca2+ (i.e., with 1 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N',-tetraacetic acid). Of those compounds tested, kepone and dicofol significantly stimulated PKC activity in the absence, but not the presence, of Ca2+. PKC activation was most pronounced in the presence of phosphatidylserine. Kepone and dicofol stimulated PKC activity 26% and 13%, respectively, as compared with the PKC activity (100%) stimulated by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Northern blot analysis of expression of TPA-inducible genes by kepone showed slight expression of phorbin and ornithine decarboxylase in murine embryo fibroblasts. Future studies are required to determine the relevance of PKC activation by kepone and dicofol to the known carcinogenicity of these compounds.
PPARα-Dependent Induction of Liver Microsomal Esterification of Estradiol and Testosterone by a Prototypical Peroxisome Proliferator

Fatty acyl-coenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase in liver microsomes catalyzes the formation of estradiol fatty acid esters. These estrogen esters are extremely lipophilic and have prolonged hormonal activity because they are slowly metabolized and slowly release estradiol. Our previous studies showed that treatment of female rats with clofibrate or gemfibrozil (peroxisome proliferators commonly used as hypolipidemic drugs) markedly stimulated the liver microsomal esterification of estradiol. Although clofibrate administration is a potent inducer of liver microsomal fatty acyl-coenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase in rats, it is a poor inducer in mice. In contrast to these observations, Wy-14,643 (an exceptionally potent prototypical peroxisome proliferator) is a strong inducer of fatty acyl-coenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase in mice. To explore the role of PPARa in the induction of fatty acyl-coenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase and fatty acylcoenzyme A:testosterone acyltransferase activities by peroxisome proliferators, we fed 0.1% Wy-14,643 to female wild-type and PPARa null mice for 11 d. The liver microsomal acylcoenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase and acyl-coenzyme A:testosterone acyltransferase activities were increased 4- to 5-fold in wild-type mice fed Wy-14,643, but no increase was observed in null mice. These results demonstrate that induction of acyl-coenzyme A:estradiol acyltransferase and acylcoenzyme A:testosterone acyltransferase activities by a prototypical peroxisome proliferator is dependent on PPARa. (Endocrinology 142: 3554 ‐3557, 2001)
Touch Spray Mass Spectrometry for In Situ Analysis of Complex Samples

Touch spray, a spray-based ambient in situ ionization method, uses a small probe, e.g. a teasing needle to pick up sample and the application of voltage and solvent to cause field-induced droplet emission. Compounds extracted from the microsample are incorporated into the sprayed micro droplets. Performance tests include disease state of tissue, microorganism identification, and therapeutic drug quantitation. Chemical derivatization is performed simultaneously with ionization.
Heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase: structure of a diflavin metalloenzyme at 1.85 A resolution.

Abstract The crystal structure of heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase (TSOX) from Pseudomonas maltophilia has been determined at 1.85 A resolution. TSOX contains three coenzymes (FAD, FMN and NAD+), four different subunits (α, 103 kDa; β, 44 kDa; γ, 21 kDa; δ, 11 kDa) and catalyzes the oxidation of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) to yield hydrogen peroxide, glycine and formaldehyde. In the presence of tetrahydrofolate, the oxidation of sarcosine is coupled to the formation of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate. The NAD+ and putative folate binding sites are located in the α-subunit. The FAD binding site is in the β-subunit. FMN is bound at the interface of the α and β-subunits. The FAD and FMN rings are separated by a short segment of the β-subunit with the closest atoms located 7.4 A apart. Sulfite, an inhibitor of oxygen reduction, is bound at the FMN site. 2-Furoate, a competitive inhibitor with respect to sarcosine, is bound at the FAD site. The sarcosine dehydrogenase and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate synthase sites are 35 A apart but connected by a large internal cavity (∼10,000 A3). An unexpected zinc ion, coordinated by three cysteine and one histidine side-chains, is bound to the δ-subunit. The N-terminal half of the α subunit of TSOX (αA) is closely similar to the FAD-binding domain of glutathione reductase but with NAD+ replacing FAD. The C-terminal half of the α subunit of TSOX (αB) is similar to the C-terminal half of dimethylglycine oxidase and the T-protein of the glycine cleavage system, proteins that bind tetrahydrofolate. The β-subunit of TSOX is very similar to monomeric sarcosine oxidase. The γ-subunit is similar to the C-terminal sub-domain of α-TSOX. The δ-subunit shows little similarity with any PDB entry. The αA domain/β-subunit sub-structure of TSOX closely resembles the αβ dimer of L-proline dehydrogenase, a heteroctameric protein (αβ)4 that shows highest overall similarity to TSOX.
The effect of fifteen biocides on formaldehyde-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Evaluation of formaldehyde and fifteen biocides in formaldehyde sensitive (S) and resistant (R) strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa revealed a pattern of response that allowed a comparison of the mode of action of these biocides. The response of these strains to the various biocides, as well as the induction of transient resistance or cross-resistance in the (S) strain, allowed a grouping of biocides based on this pattern of response. Group 1 biocides acted in a manner indistinguishable from formaldehyde for both the (S) and (R) strains. Group 2 biocides were not effective against either the (S) or (R) strains at concentrations calculated to release equimolar concentrations of formaldehyde. However, treatment of the (S) strain with formaldehyde or Group 2 biocides resulted in the development of cross-resistance. Group 3 biocides were equally effective against the (S) and (R) strain, but the (S) strain survivors of treatment with Group 3 biocides were resistant to formaldehyde. Group 4 biocides (controls) had no presumed connection to formaldehyde mode of action. These four groupings, based on pattern of response, also resulted in groupings of biocides based on chemical structure.
Impact of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Degradation Products on the Activity of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Platinum Catalysts

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) hold great promise for providing clean energy without the use of fossil fuels. A major obstacle that must be overcome before PEMFC’s can successfully compete in a commercial market is performance durability [1, 2]. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring at the cathode is a limiting process in PEM fuel cell performance due to its high activation energy and slower kinetics compared to hydrogen reduction at the anode [3]. The catalyst layer facilitating the reaction is typically composed of carbon supported platinum or platinum alloy and is highly susceptible to poisoning from foreign compounds either entering through the fuel streams or being introduced internally through system component degradation [4]. Research has shown through studies involving commercial membranes and model compounds that when perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes are exposed to peroxides, severe chemical decomposition can occur [5,6]. Two compounds in particular, perfluoro(2methyl-3-oxa-7-sulfonic heptanoic) acid (MC2) and perfluoro(4-sulfonic butanoic) acid (MC3), both shown in Figure 1, arise along with HF as the main membrane degradation compounds of Nafion and 3M commercial membranes respectively [5]. Along with losses in membrane conductivity and structural integrity, such degradation products may additionally adsorb to the Pt based electrocatalyst reducing Pt electrochemical surface area (ECA), ORR activity, or both. To date, little effort has been put forth in determining the impact PFSA degradation compounds have on catalyst performance. This work investigates the effects four membrane degradation compounds, shown in Figure 1, have on ECA and ORR activity on platinum electrodes. MC2 and MC3 were selected to represent common internally produced degradation compounds. Nonafluorobutanesulfonic acid (MC5) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) were used as model compounds to gain further insight into possible Pt poisoning mechanisms [5]. A rotating disk electrode electrochemical setup utilizing 0.1 M perchloric acid electrolyte (diluted from 70% HClO4 double distilled veritas grade, GFS Chemical) was used to study the effects of the aforementioned compounds on the ORR activity of polycrystalline Pt as well as commercially available carbon supported Pt electrocatalysts. After injecting the model compound into the electrochemical cell and recording adsorption effects on ECA and ORR activity, the electrode was then analyzed in clean electrolyte in order to monitor the recoverability of the activity loss for the Pt catalyst. This presentation will focus on the effects that membrane decomposition products have on the Pt ECA and ORR activity. perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxa-7-sulfonic heptanoic) acid
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Metal Phthalocyanines: d6 and d8 Cases

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (CoPc), copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc), and mixtures of the two adsorbed on the Au(111) face are reported. Based upon the stability and ease of obtaining molecular images, CoPc appears to adsorb more strongly than CuPc on Au(111), but both species provide images showing submolecular structure. The mixed CoPc and CuPc films also provide high-quality images showing details of the internal structure of the metal phthalocyanine. A particularly exciting aspect of this work is the strong influence of the metal ion valence configuration on the observed tunneling images. Unlike CuPc, wherein the central metal appears as a hole in the molecular image, the cobalt atom in CoPc is the highest point (about 0.3 nm) in the molecular image. These data are interpreted as indicating that the Co(II) d7 system has significant d-orbital character near the Fermi energy while the Cu(II) d9 system does not. This interpretation is consistent with theoretica...
QKI binds MAP1B mRNA and enhances MAP1B expression during oligodendrocyte development.

Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) is essential for neural development. Besides the abundant expression in neurons, MAP1B recently was found in myelinating oligodendroglia. Moreover, MAP1B d...
Quasi-static analysis of floating electrode unidirectional SAW transducers

The quasi-static theory of SAW transducers is a simplified Green's function analysis that has previously been shown to be effective for transducers in which short-circuit reflections are negligible. Here, the theory is extended to allow for floating electrodes, which occur in floating-electrode unidirectional transducers (FEUDTs). An analysis for the coupled-mode (COM) parameters of FEUDTs is developed, giving the capacitance, transduction, and reflection parameters and the locations of the transduction and reflection centers. For a FEUDT with six electrodes per period, algebraic results are obtained in terms of Legendre function expressions, giving the COM parameters as functions of metalization ratio. These results agree with earlier derivations by other authors, but they are obtained much more simply. Numerical results are straightforward to obtain. A FEUDT with five electrodes per period is also analyzed, showing that it performs similarly to the six-electrode type.
Nuclear spin lattice relaxation in CuMn

Abstract We report the result of nuclear T 1 measurements on 63 Cu in an alloy of 130 ppm Mn in Cu. The impurity contribution to 1/ T 1 is found to be nearly independent of temperature and magnetic field to 12.3 kOe and 1.5°K.
Downside Risk and Investment Choice

This paper develops an optimal investment strategy for individuals concerned with avoiding the possibility of realizing returns below a predetermined target level within a prescribed period of time. Assuming a Brownian motion process, a model is developed which allows computation of the exact probability of failure. The algorithm and associated comparative statics with respect to the mean and standard deviation of returns, target return, time horizon, and risk-free rate of return are likely to have many useful practical applications.
Intelligent flight controllers for helicopter control

A methodology for design of an intelligent helicopter flight controller is presented in this paper. The methodology combines artificial neural network, genetic algorithms, conventional PID-controllers, and fuzzy logic algorithms in the design procedure. In this approach, the design of an intelligent controller is based on experimental data collected from actual helicopter flight and not based on analytical models. A neural network is trained to learn the dynamic characteristics of the helicopter. Based on the neural model, the coefficients of a PID-controller used for blade angle control are searched for using genetic algorithms. The main rotor speed controller is designed using fuzzy logic algorithm based on knowledge generated from understanding the aerodynamic theory and analyzing the helicopter experimental flight data. The intelligent helicopter flight controller is formed by combining the blade angle PID-controller and the rotor speed fuzzy controller. Simulation results showed that for desired altitude input H/sub d/, the intelligent controller was able to generate proper control signals for both the blade angle control and the rotor speed control. The helicopter model altitude output H/sub t/ follows the desired altitude input H/sub d/. The design procedures, theoretical background, results and conclusions are presented in this paper.