cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ecology of Mytilus edulis L. in exposed rocky intertidal communities

Abstract Information is given to show that Mytilus edulis L. is an important component of exposed rocky coast communities of the Western Hemisphere. It is abundant on the exposed coast of Washington State with a potential distribution extending from + 10.6 ft ( + 3.2 m) down to at least 10 m depth: it is not continuous along this entire gradient. It dominates a band from +10.6 ft down to +9.6 ft ( + 3.2 to + 2.9 m) tidal height where it usually intergrades with its congener M. californianus Conrad. Its upper limit appears to be determined by desiccation stress and the lower probably by competition and or predation. In the mid-intertidal zone, from + 5.6 to + 9.6 ft ( + 1.7 to 2.9 m), where M. californianus is dominant, M. edulis occurs in patches of cleared space which usually form in the M. californianus bed matrix in winter months. Here, it acts as an opportunistic species by colonizing quickly and growing rapidly to reproductive size. It is preyed upon by Thais spp. which prefer it to Mytilus californianus and eventually is eliminated from these patches. It also occurs, sometimes abundantly, in tufts of the red alga Endocladia muricata (Postels & Ruprect) J. Agardh at high and mid-intertidal heights. In low intertidal and subtidal regions, to ≈ 10 m depth, Mytulis edulis can be found in refuges of filamentous or intricately arranged substrata which generally offer protection from predation. These are represented by a wide variety of forms such as hydroids. bryozoans, filamentous algae, coralline algae, and kelp with convoluted holdfasts or complex stipes.
The effect of a limited number of projections and reconstruction algorithms on the image quality of megavoltage digital tomosynthesis

In order to investigate the effect of the number of projections on digital tomosynthesis image quality, images were acquired over a 40 degree arc and sampled into sets of 2 to 41 projections used as input to three different reconstruction algorithms, namely the shift-and-add, Feldkamp-Davis-Kress filtered back projection algorithms, and the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique. The variation of several image characteristics, such as in-plane resolution, contrast to noise ratio, artifact spread, volumetric accuracy and dose, are investigated based on the reconstruction algorithms used and also the number of projections used as source data. The results suggest that the use of 11 projections along with the filtered back projection technique provides a good compromise for all aspects considered.
Affinity Manipulation of Surface-conjugated RGD-peptide to Modulate Binding of Liposomes to Activated Platelets

Platelet adhesion, activation and fibrinogen-mediated aggregation are primary events in vascular thrombosis and occlusion. An injectable delivery system that can carry thrombolytics selectively to the sites of active platelet aggregation has immense potential in minimally invasive targeted therapy of vascular occlusion. To this end we are studying liposomes surface-modified by fibrinogen-mimetic RGD motifs that can selectively target and bind integrin GPIIb-IIIa on activated platelets. Here we report liposome surface-modification with a conformationally constrained high affinity cyclic RGD motif to modulate the GPIIb-IIIa-binding capability of the liposomes. Such affinity enhancement is important for practical in vivo applications to compete with native fibrinogen towards binding GPIIb-IIIa. The platelet-binding of RGD-modified liposomes was studied by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, in vitro. Binding of RGD-modified liposomes was also tested in vivo in a rat carotid injury model and analyzed ex vivo by fluorescence microscopy. The results from all experiments show that cyclic RGD-liposomes bind activated platelets significantly higher compared to linear RGD-liposomes. Hence, the results establish the feasibility of modulating the platelet-targeting and binding ability of vascularly targeted liposomes by manipulating the affinity of surface-modifying ligands.
Revitalizing Remyelination—the Answer Is Circulating

Walled off by bone and the blood-brain barrier, the central nervous system (CNS) is protected from many physical and chemical dangers that threaten more exposed tissues. But while many tissues heal and regain function after injury or disease, the nervous system is notoriously poor at repair, even more so as we age. Because the CNS operates in near isolation from other systems, its failure to repair and regenerate has long been attributed to cell-intrinsic shortcomings that become more limited over time. But Ruckh et al. ( 1 ) suggest that cells of the CNS may not be so intrinsically limited in repair and that enhancing exposure of the damaged brain or spinal cord to beneficial factors in the blood could aid recovery in injury and disease.
An empirical likelihood ratio based goodness-of-fit test for Inverse Gaussian distributions

The Inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution is commonly introduced to model and examine right skewed data having positive support. When applying the IG model, it is critical to develop efficient goodness-of-fit tests. In this article, we propose a new test statistic for examining the IG goodness-of-fit based on approximating parametric likelihood ratios. The parametric likelihood ratio methodology is well-known to provide powerful likelihood ratio tests. In the nonparametric context, the classical empirical likelihood (EL) ratio method is often applied in order to efficiently approximate properties of parametric likelihoods, using an approach based on substituting empirical distribution functions for their population counterparts. The optimal parametric likelihood ratio approach is however based on density functions. We develop and analyze the EL ratio approach based on densities in order to test the IG model fit. We show that the proposed test is an improvement over the entropy-based goodness-of-fit test for IG presented by Mudholkar and Tian (2002). Theoretical support is obtained by proving consistency of the new test and an asymptotic proposition regarding the null distribution of the proposed test statistic. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the powerful properties of the proposed method. Real data examples demonstrate the applicability of the density-based EL ratio goodness-of-fit test for an IG assumption in practice.
The interaction of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) with the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is an alternative approach to mono-culture aquaculture that reduces environmental impacts of commercial aquaculture systems by combining the cultivation of fed species with extractive species. Shellfish play a critical role in IMTA systems by filter-feeding particulate-bound organic nutrients. They may also increase or decrease disease risk on farms by serving as reservoirs or barriers for important finfish pathogens such as infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV). This study aimed to optimize culture and molecular assays in shellfish tissues and to determine the fate of ISAV in mussels, Mytilus edulis. To determine detection limits, qRT-PCR and culture assays in both CHSE- and ASK cells were optimized in ISAV-inoculated mussel tissue homogenates. Both qRT-PCR and culture assays performed in ASK cells had comparable detection limits of 102.8 TCID50 mL−1. The ISAV RNA genome was consistently detected in digestive gland tissue of ISAV-exposed mussels. Viable ISAV was not detected in mussel tissues by culture analysis in CHSE- and ASK cells. The fact that qRT-PCR analysis resulted in positive cycle threshold (CT) values that corresponded to the detectable range of ISAV in ASK culture assays suggests that little to no viable ISAV particles are present in the mussel tissues.
Contact Dynamics With Onset of Plasticity in Probing Nanoscale Thin Solid Films by AFM and Nanoindentation

This study is focused on the nanoscale AFM/nanoindentation probing tip dynamics in scratching and indenting thin solid films of nanoscale. A model is developed to identify bifurcation conditions that define the stick-slip oscillation patterns of the AFM tip. The model incorporates the inelastic deformation in the contact dynamics. The study reveals that the local energy fluctuations as a function of the inelastic deformation, defect formation, material properties and contact parameters determine the stick-slip behavior of the AFM tip. In addition, the transient variation of the localized function at the adhesion junction makes the response nonlinear. By quantifying the relation between the bifurcation parameters and the oscillation behavior, this model prescribes the complex adhesion dynamics of the contacting solids at nanoscale. Specifically, the model identified the stick-slip behavior in relation to the inelastic deformation and the local potential variations, which enables the model to justify the experimental observations and the molecular dynamics simulation of the adhesion/ friction dynamics at the nanoscale contact.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Comparison of in vivo and in vitro responses to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide.

Abstract Responses of guinea pig gall bladder to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide were compared in vitro and vivo. Tested in vivo, sulfated ceruletide was 75 times more potent than non-sulfated. In vitro, sulfated was 150 times more potent. Thus, differences in potency are substantially less when tested in vivo, and reported differences in relative potency reflect not only chemical structure but also the method used for testing.
Auxin Transport in the Physiology of Fruit Development.

5. RAO, A. N. 1963. Reticulate cuticle on leaf epidermis in Hevea brosiliensis Muell. Nature 197: 1125-26. 6. SCOTT, F. M., B. G. BYSTROM, AND B. BOWLER. 1963. Root hairs, cuticle and pits. Science 140: 634. 7. SIFTON, H. B. 1963. On the hairs and cuticle of Labrador tea leaves: A developmental study. Canadian J. Botany 41: 199-207. 8. SKOSS, J. D. 1955. Structure and composition of plant cuticle in relation to environmental factors and permeability. Botan. Gaz. 117: 55-72. 9. WITTWER, S. H. 1964. Foliar absorption of plant nutrients. Adv. Frontiers P1. Sci. 8: 161-82. 10. YAMADA, Y. 1962. Studies on Foliar Absorption of Nutrients by Using Radioisotopes. Ph.D. Thesis, Dept. Agr. Chem., Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto Univ., Japan. I 1. YAMADA, Y., S. H. WITTWER, AND M. J. BUKOVAC. 1964. Penetration of ions through isolated cuticles. Plant Physiol. 39: 28-32. 12. ZELITCH, I. 1961. Biochemical control of stomatal opening in leaves. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. U.S. 47: 1423-33.
A network flow based approach for network selection in dynamic spectrum access networks

In this paper, we present a network flow based approach for dynamic network and channel selection for secondary users in dynamic spectrum access networks. Most approaches in the current literature on dynamic spectrum access networks do not consider dynamic network and channel selection. We present a network flow framework for network selection. We show that our approach can enable re-assignment of networks to secondary users and also re-assignment of channels to secondary users within the same network. The assignments and re-assignments take into account, the interference caused to primary users, the price each secondary user is willing to pay and the quality of service (QoS) obtained by each secondary user. We obtain a bound for the maximum number of re-assignments.
Planting Date and Seeding Rate Effects on Morphological Development and Yield of Turnip

Productivity of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) pastures in midwestern and northeastern USA typically is low in late fall. A study was conducted to determine the influence of planting date and seeding rate on morphological development of turnip (Brassica rapa L.), and its potential to provide forage in late fall. Turnip was seeded in rows on Hagerstown silt loam (fine mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalt) soil, utilizing a split-split block design with replicates nested within each whole block (planting date). Cultivar and seeding rate combinations were randomized within each replicate, and sampling date was the split-split block. Total yield of turnip sometimes exceeded 10.0 t ha⁻¹. With June or July plantings, turnip had 500 to 800 g kg⁻¹ in its tops 60 d after planting, whereas with August plantings it had 700 to 900 g kg⁻¹ in its tops. In December, the proportion in tops ranged from 250 g kg⁻¹ for ‘Purple Top’ to 650 g kg⁻¹ for ‘Tyfon’ planted in June or July; and from 500 g kg⁻¹ for Purple Top to 850 g kg⁻¹ for Tyfon planted in August. The proportion of total yield that remained until mid-December varied with planting date, cultivar, and foliar disease severity. Yield of tops or roots of five turnip cultivars differed in 36 of 38 planting date/sampling date combinations. Seeding rates within the range 1.7 to 5.0 kg ha⁻¹ generally did not affect root yields. Mean crude protein concentration ranged from 270 g kg⁻¹ in ‘Forage Star’ to 250 g kg⁻¹ in ‘Rondo’. Crude protein yield of Forage Star remained unchanged throughout the 120 d period whereas crude protein yields of ‘NZ Green Globe’, Rondo, and Purple Top decreased linearly and that of Tyfon showed a quadratic response (an initial gain followed by a sharp decline). Differences in turnip yields in late autumn were attributed to planting date, amount and time of summer precipitation, plant resistance to foliar diseases, cold tolerance, and leaf retention. Delaying summer planting date affected top/root proportions of Purple Top most, and those of Forage Star and Tyfon least.
A comparative assessment of PM2.5 exposures in light-rail, subway, freeway, and surface street environments in Los Angeles and estimated lung cancer risk

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 570000+ commuters in Los Angeles travel for over 60 minutes to work. Studies have shown that a substantial portion of particulate matter (PM) exposure can occur during this commute. This study represents the integration of the results from five commute environments in Los Angeles. Personal PM exposures are discussed for the: (1) METRO gold line, a ground-level light-rail route, (2) METRO red line, a subway line, (3) the 110, a high volume freeway with low heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) fraction, (4) the 710, a major corridor for HDVs from the Port of Los Angeles, and (5) Wilshire/Sunset Boulevards, major surface streets. Chemical analysis including total and water-soluble metals and trace elements, elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was performed. The focus of this study is to compare the composition and estimated lung cancer risk of PM2.5 (dp < 2.5 μm) for the five differential commute environments. Metals associated with stainless steel, notably Fe, Cr, and Mn, were elevated for the red line (subway), most likely from abrasion processes between the rail and brakes; elements associated with tire and brake wear and oil additives (Ca, Ti, Sn, Sb, and Pb) were elevated on roadways. Elemental concentrations on the gold line (light-rail) were the lowest. For water-solubility, metals observed on the red line (subway) were the least soluble. PAHs are primarily derived from vehicular emissions. Overall, the 710 exhibited high levels of PAHs (3.0 ng m−3), most likely due to its high volume of HDVs, while the red and gold lines exhibited low PAH concentrations (0.6 and 0.8 ng m−3 for red and gold lines, respectively). Lastly, lung cancer risk due to inhalation of PAHs was calculated based on a commuter lifetime (45 years for 2 hours per workday). Results showed that lung cancer risk for the 710 is 3.8 and 4.5 times higher than the light-rail (gold line) and subway (red line), respectively. With low levels of both metal and PAH pollutants, our results indicate that commuting on the light-rail (gold line) may have potential health benefits when compared to driving on freeways and busy roadways.
Transthoracic Defibrillation of Swine With Monophasic and Biphasic Waveforms

Background Biphasic waveforms have had a favorable impact on internal defibrillation but have seen minimal use in transthoracic defibrillation systems. The purpose of this study was to compare monophasic and biphasic waveforms for transthoracic defibrillation in swine. Methods and Results Three interrelated studies were performed in 19 swine to establish the relative transthoracic defibrillation efficacy of biphasic shock waveforms. In study 1, we measured voltage (V50) and energy (E50) strength-duration curves for monophasic and biphasic truncated exponential waveforms. We then independently examined the effects of phase duration and tilt on biphasic waveform defibrillation with a total waveform duration from study 1 that provided the minimum V50 (study 2) and the minimum E50 (study 3). At each pulse duration tested in study 1, biphasic waveforms defibrillated with significantly less voltage and energy than monophasic waveforms. At a duration of 12 ms, there was a voltage minimum for biphasic waveform de...
Retinoblastoma gene product activates expression of the human TGF-β2 gene through transcription factor ATF-2

THE retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product (pRb) plays an important role in constraining cellular proliferation and in regulating the cell cycle1,2. The pRb inhibits transcription of genes involved in growth control (reviewed in ref. 3) and can regulate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) gene expression4,5. TGF-β isoforms also down-regulate cellular proliferation6,7. To determine whether pRb also regulates expression of other TGF-β isoforms, we examined the effect of pRb on the expression of the human TGF-β2 gene. The human TGF-β2 promoter contains multiple elements including an ATF site, which is essential for basal promoter activity8. Here we report that pRb activates transcription of the human TGF-β2 gene. The promoter element responsible for pRb-mediated transcriptional regulation is a binding site for ATF proteins, an extensive transcription factor family9. We provide evidence that implicates ATF-2 in pRb-responsiveness. First, the ATF promoter element in the TGF-β2 gene is a high-affinity ATF-2-binding site. Second, a GAL4–ATF2 fusion protein can support pRb-mediated transcriptional activation of a promoter containing GAL4-binding sites. Third, ATF-2 in nuclear extracts can interact with pRb. Our results reveal a new mechanism by which pRb constrains cellular proliferation: by activating expression of the inhibitory growth factor, TGF-β2.
Adaptation of an Insect Cell Line (Grace's Antheraea Cells) to Medium Free of Insect Hemolymph

Cultures of the insect cell line derived by Grace from Antheraea eucalypti Scott [Austrocaligula eucalypti (Scott)] were successfully adapted to medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, whole-egg ultrafiltrate, and bovine plasma albumin instead of insect hemolymph. Cells, now in their 37th passage, have a population doubling time of 2.5 days; those of unadapted cultures, 4.2 days.
Congestive heart failure and the role of two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography: a primer for cardiac sonographers.

Abstract Congestive heart failure (CHF) has been an increasing cause of hospitalization, particularly among the elderly population, although the clinical presentation may vary in the individual patient. Two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography can be valuable diagnostic methods for the assessment of afflicted patients and can have an impact on patient outcome. The unique advantage of echocardiographic techniques is their ability to characterize left ventricular systolic performance and diastolic filling abnormalities that are commonly present in patients with CHF. This review provides current information the cardiac sonographer can recognize in the assessment of patients with CHF. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2000;13:157-63.)
Incorporation of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into rodent DNA as determined by neutron activation analysis.

Abstract Using 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IdU) and 5-bromo-2′deoxyuridine (BrdU) as DNA precursors, neutron activation analysis (NAA) of iodine and Br was developed as a quantitative method for determining DNA synthesis. Endogenous rodent tissue concentrations of bromine (Br) and iodine ranged 100-fold from a low of 0.06 μg of iodine/g of rat gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to a high of 5.99 μg of Br/g of rat kidney. All 10 rodent tissues had concentrations of Br 4 to 76 times higher than those of iodine. Rat hepatic Br concentrations could be reduced 17-fold by dietary and pharmacological methods. Female Fischer 344 rats and male C57BL/6 mice were given 4-8 intraperitoneal injections of either IdU or BrdU as a DNA precursor. Tissue clearance of iodine in IdU-treated rodents was both faster and more complete (in mice 4 h and in rats 17 h or less) than Br clearance from BrdU-treated rodents (at 162 h nonincorporated Br label still remains). In rat liver, lung, and kidney, the iodine label incorporated from IdU into DNA was stable for at least 162 h. The incorporation ratio is defined as the μg halogen/g tissue for either IdU- or BrdU-treated rodents divided by the μg halogen/g tissue of untreated rodents. NAA-based studies of DNA synthesis gave high incorporation ratios in rat liver (5.3), rat lung (6.7), rat GIT (19.0), rat spleen (24.0), mouse GIT (10.1), and mouse spleen (25.8).
OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN DECREASES THE EXPRESSION OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE

The atherogenic effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may be mediated, in part, by its effect(s) on endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO). To determine whether LDL can modulate NO production by changing NO synthase expression, we treated human saphenous vein endothelial cells with increasing concentrations of native or oxidized LDL (0-100 micrograms/ml) for various durations (0-72 h). Oxidized, but not native LDL caused a time-dependent decrease in steady-state NO synthase mRNA levels. This coincided with a maximal 56% decrease in NOS activity was determined by [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline conversion. In the presence of actinomycin D, treatment with oxidized LDL reduced the half-life of NO synthase mRNA from 36 to 10 h. This decrease in NO synthase mRNA correlated with the degree of LDL oxidation and was attenuated by pretreatment with cycloheximide. Nuclear run-off studies showed a biphasic transcriptional pattern of NO synthase gene with an initial 25% decrease during the first 6 h followed by a maximal 2.2-fold increase over baseline during the subsequent 18 h. These results indicate that oxidized LDL regulates endothelial NOS expression through a combination of early transcriptional inhibition and post-transcriptional mRNA destabilization.
Prevention of Early-onset Group B Streptococcal Sepsis (EOGBSS): Implementation of the CDC Guidelines † 1424

Background: CDC guidelines for prevention of EOGBSS which recommended intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis (IAP) for GBS positive (+) or GBS unknown (unk) women with risk factors (RF=fever >38°C, PROM≥18hrs or <37wks GA) were instituted 10/1/95 at Magee-Womens Hospital(MWH). The purpose of this study was to document the effectiveness of these guidelines.
Methylation of slipped duplexes, snapbacks and cruciforms by human DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferase

When human DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferase was used to methylate a series of snapback oligodeoxy-nucleotides of differing stem lengths, each containing a centrally located CG dinucleotide recognition site, the enzyme required a minimum of 22 base pairs in the stem for maximum activity. Extrahelical cytosines in slipped duplexes that were 30 base pairs in length acted as effective methyl acceptors and were more rapidly methylated than cytosines that were Watson-Crick paired. Duplexes containing hairpins of CCG repeats in cruciform structures in which the enzyme recognition sequence was disrupted by a C.C mispair were also more rapidly methylated than control Watson-Crick-paired duplexes. Since enzymes have higher affinities for their transition states than for their substrates, the results with extrahelical and mispaired cytosines suggest that these structures can be viewed as analogs of the transition state intermediates produced during catalysis by methyltransferases.
Last Chance Babies: Interpretations of Parenthood in an In Vitro Fertilization Program

In this article I describe interpretations of parenthood that emerge in the context of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program in an urban hospital. Through the notion of “odds,” which is used to communicate the likelihood of a successful pregnancy, patients and physicians negotiated a “high-tech” fertilization, issues of medical expertise and authority, and the status of the patient's knowledge and experience of her own body. I suggest that while in vitro fertilization may be technologically innovative, it is conceptually conservative in upholding existing cultural assumptions about parenthood, sex, and marriage. In melding a cultural approach to kinship with an examination of the “contexts of meaning” in a medical setting, I seek to illuminate the cultural effects of medical technology, the rhetorical determinants of social relationships, and ideas about kinship in the United States.
Metastable Ising models in crumpled geometries

Abstract Ising models on tangled chains or crumpled surfaces are studied. The crumpling (tangling) action brings into proximity otherwise distant parts of the original lattice and thus adds additional bonds between the spins across the surface (chain). The task in building a model is then to decide where to let the surface (chain) touch itself and what kinds of bonds to be added there across the surface (chain). We study those models which are most likely to result in metastable and history-dependent behavior. A model of a tangled chain is shown to have free energy barriers. The consequent metastable states lead to a non-uniform effective temperature in the Gibbs average. Ising models on crumpled or folded surface are studied with a varying degree of crumpling and varying heights of energy barriers. An unusual behavior is observed near the threshold of vanishing metastability.
Alternative Tax Treatment of Orchard Development Costs: Impacts on Producers, Middlemen, and Consumers

Present federal income tax laws allow current deduction of development costs for most orchard crops. An economic surplus framework is used to analyze the impact of cost capitalization on producers, middlemen, and consumers. Estimated net social returns per dollar of tax subsidy range from $0.12 to $15.00 for five California orchard crops under present tax treatment.
A study of charge exchange reactions in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Abstract Ion-molecule reactions occurring in the drift tube of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer were studied using a retarding potential device and a second gas inlet on the drift tube. Metastable ion decomposition, induced dissociation and charge exchange reactions were observed for ions having an energy of 2800 eV. For the charge exchange process, the experimental determination of the ratio of the neutral and initial beam intensities permits calculation of the cross section. Cross sections obtained for nitrogen and argon are in good agreement with data from the literature. Cross sections for charge exchange between several organic ions and noble gases are reported.
Acknowledgment of Your Research Sponsor It Pays to Advertise

The Committee believes it is critical for NIH to use all the media at its command to publicize the benefits and results of NIH research, in order to solidify the general public support of biomedical research and to identify . . . the funding source for these breakthroughs in the public's mind. The Committee also urges . . . whatever steps are necessary to ensure that grantees acknowledge NIH's funding contribution when they publicize their research findings. . . . Report language accompanying theFY 1996 NIH Appropriations Bill With its generous increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in a year when competition for federal resources was especially keen, the US Congress made clear its continued support for the biomedical research enterprise. However, by accompanying the legislation with the above language, it also offered some pointed advice to the NIH and to the entire biomedical community: It pays to advertise. Congress is as aware as we are of the benefits of biomedical research, but it is also aware that …
An Experimental Investigation of Second Harmonic Generation in a Cyclotron and Upper Hybrid Resonant Plasma

An experiment is described in which an electromagnetic wave (extraordinary mode) is propagated across a magnetized plasma and second harmonic generation is detected. The generation of the plasma and the second harmonic wave is associated with resonant conditions of electron cyclotron resonance and upper hybrid resonance. By adjusting the intensity of axial magnetic field, the second harmonic generation can be made solely due to the electron cyclotron resonance, the upper hybrid resonance or both. The experiment is qualitatively in agreement with previous similar experiments and can be explained in terms of the spatial variations of the magnetic field intensity and the electron number density. A technique for diagnosing peak number density is developed from the observed second harmonic power characteristics.
Solidification and microstructures of binary ice-I/hydrate eutectic aggregates

The microstructures of two-phase binary aggregates of ice-I + salt-hydrate, prepared by eutectic solidification, have been characterized by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (CSEM). The specific binary systems studied were H2O-Na2SO4, H2O-MgSO4, H2O-NaCl, and H2O-H2SO4; these were selected based on their potential application to the study of tectonics on the Jovian moon Europa. Homogeneous liquid solutions of eutectic compositions were undercooled modestly (Δ T ~ 1–5 °C); similarly cooled crystalline seeds of the same composition were added to circumvent the thermodynamic barrier to nucleation and to control eutectic growth under (approximately) isothermal conditions. CSEM revealed classic eutectic solidification microstructures with the hydrate phase forming continuous lamellae, discontinuous lamellae, or forming the matrix around rods of ice-I, depending on the volume fractions of the phases and their entropy of dissolving and forming a homogeneous aqueous solution. We quantify aspects of the solidification behavior and microstructures for each system and, with these data, articulate anticipated effects of the microstructure on the mechanical responses of the materials.
Central mechanisms of action involved in cocaine-induced tachycardia.

Abstract The present study was designed to determine the central effects of cocaine on heart rate and blood pressure in Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and to evaluate mechanisms involved in the response. Cocaine (0.025 – 4 mg/kg) was administered to unanesthetized, unrestrained rats via a cannula placed into the lateral ventricle. Procaine (0.1 and 4 mg/kg) was also administered centrally. Cocaine did not significantly alter blood pressure at doses of 0.025, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/kg, icv. Only the highest dose, 4 mg/kg, icv produced a significant pressor response. Cocaine produced significant dose-dependent tachycardia, with the maximum increase in heart rate occurring within 5 min. Procaine (4 mg/kg, icv) produced tachycardia, but the effect was significantly less than that produced by cocaine (4 mg/kg, icv). Cocaine also produced tachycardia at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, but procaine did not significantly alter heart rate at the same dose. Central phentolamine pretreatment (0.1 mg/kg, icv) significantly attenuated the increase in heart rate produced by cocaine. These results indicate that the centrally mediated tachycardia produced by cocaine is partly due to its local anesthetic activity and to indirect stimulation of α receptors.
Temperature–Dependent Development of Three Hymenopterous Parasitoids of Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) Attacking Citrus

Aphids attacking citrus can be serious pests when they transmit severe strains of citrus tristeza virus. As part of an environmental assessment of exotic parasitoids of aphids, we compared the thermal relationships of Aphelinus spiraecolae Evans & Schauff and Aphelinus gossypii Timberlake with the indigenous parasitoid, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), on the black citrus aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe), in growth chambers in Florida. Overall, L. testaceipes development time was shorter than that of the aphelinids ranging from 18.7 to 42.5% less throughout the range of temperatures tested (15-30 degrees C). Development times between the aphelinids were similar except at 15 degrees C where A. spiraecolae required 3.5 d more than A. gossypii. Developmental thresholds and degree-day requirements for L. testaceipes were 7.5 degrees C and 212.8 DD; for A. spiraecolae were 7.9 degrees C and 294.1 DD; and for A. gossypii were 6.7 degrees C and 312.5 DD, respectively. Pupal mortality of L. testaceipes increased greatly at 27 degrees C and above, ranging from 24.8 to 44%; whereas mortality of the aphelinids remained low, ranging from 9.1 to 10.2% for A. spiraecolae, and 13.3 to 15.8% for A. gossypii. Based on these relationships, we anticipate that these parasitoids can coexist and that different thermal tolerances should broaden their potential as natural enemies of aphids attacking citrus.
Brief Report: Promoting Postformal Thinking on the Job: A Protocol for Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Training

In this paper, we discuss the relevance of training in the constructive resolution of interpersonal conflicts that occur at work. Research indicates that such conflicts may be a source of stress for adults, particularly young adults who have just entered the workforce. We present a training protocol in constructive conflict resolution that has been adapted for application to work-related conflicts. Most conflict resolution training protocols for use in the workplace focus on resolving company-wide problems. We do not know of any that focus on individual conflicts between employees, while emphasizing skills that may offer some benefits for the development of postformal thinking. Postformal thinking has been postulated as relevant to becoming an expert in one’s chosen profession. We present this protocol to stimulate ideas on how to further develop and refine training efforts for working adults in conflict resolution.
Strategy-proof cost sharing, ability to pay and free provision of an indivisible public good

Abstract We distinguish between absolute ability ( AATP ) to pay, which represents an absolute constraint on the amount that an individual can be charged, and relative ability to pay ( RATP ) as expressed by differential social welfare weights. We examine the implications of these two principles on free provision of public goods in the context of strategy-proof cost sharing mechanisms. We find that while the AATP considerations can lead to rich individuals being charged high prices, the high prices would be associated with the public good being provided free to fewer individuals. RATP considerations can lead to free provision of the public good to a significant fraction of the society but would imply an upper bound on the price that can be charged to any rich individual.
Metal oxide activities in the oxidation of ethylene

Abstract The complete oxidation of ethylene over various supported metal oxides was studied as a means of assessing catalytic activities. The oxides of Co and Cr were most active. Comparison with other activity patterns shows that chromia is highly active whenever hydrogen in some form is present on the surface. When benzene is completely oxidized over chromia an inversion in activity is noted, suggesting a change in oxidation state.
Who Is Powerful?: Examining Preferences and Testing Sources of Bargaining Strength at European Intergovernmental Conferences

Previous studies have proposed competing theories to explain European intergovernmental conference (IGC) outcomes, but they fail to test these theories against one another. I examine the literature on IGC bargaining and derive several testable hypotheses. Using data on member state preferences at the IGC leading to the Treaty of Amsterdam, I first examine which member states favor integration and which are most skeptical of integration. I also determine which member states face the highest domestic ratification constraints. I then test the competing hypotheses found in the literature by calculating the bargaining strength of member states. I find that large member states have no more bargaining strength than the average member state; instead, domestic ratification constraints seem to confer power. States preferring less integration appear to outperform states desiring more integration. Supranational actors, as expected, have little power.
Separation of Toxic Heavy Metals by Sulfide Precipitation

Abstract Sulfide precipitation with Na2S is found to be highly effective to obtain a high degree of separation of heavy metal cations (Cd, Zn, Cu, and Pb) and of the oxyanions of arsenic and selenium from complex wastewaters. The metal separation characteristics are evaluated with a dilute synthetic mixture and with an actual copper smelting plant wastewater. The overall separation of arsenic and other heavy metals and precipitate settling rates are optimum at sulfide dosages about 60% of the theoretical values and at a final pH greater than 8.0. The removals of Cd, Zn, and Cu from the actual wastewaters are greater than 99%, and As and Se removals are 98 and >92%, respectively. Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the range of 0.05 to 0.1 mg/1 can be achieved with sulfide precipitation. The metal separations and settling rates obtained with conventional hydroxide precipitation (lime) are considerably lower than those obtained with sulfide precipitation.
Editorial: Enhancing the Quality of Dialogue Among Editors, Authors, and Reviewers in Editorial Review

As I reflect on my years of editorship of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP) and our work together, I’m very proud of our collaboration and collective accomplishments as an editorial team. For the most part, I believe we have delivered prompt, high-quality reviews that have improved the quality of the published research in JPP. Many authors have commented on the quality and helpfulness of the reviews they have received from JPP. That said, all reviews and editorial decisions are done by human beings. Hence, they remain imperfect. For this reason, in the spirit of continuous quality improvement, I believe it is important for us to work together to improve our review process. Previous editorials focused on improving content of reviews (Drotar, 2009) as well as the efficiency of reviews and reducing their burden on authors (Drotar, 2011). Some areas continue to require our attention and are the focus of this editorial. For example, some authors and associate editors remain concerned about the length and unnecessary detail of reviews. In addition, the quality of the dialogue that occurs among authors, reviewers, and editors in the context of manuscript review can be enhanced. The importance of developing and sustaining an effective dialogue among authors, reviewers, and managing editors is based on the following assumption: respectful dialogue and consideration of discrepant opinions in scientific review will improve the review process, better serve one of our most important consumer groups (i.e., authors), and ultimately enhance the quality of published science. On the other hand, to the extent that dialogue among authors, reviewers, and editors is confusing and/ or strained, the quality of the editorial process and published science can suffer. The purpose of this editorial is to stimulate authors, reviewers, and editors to consider ways to create a more effective collective dialogue in manuscript review.
Synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-7,8-epoxyoctanoic acid and structure of its metal-bridging complex with human arginase I

The synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-7,8-epoxyoctanoic acid is reported along with the X-ray crystal structure of its complex with human arginase I, revealing unique coordination interactions with two manganese ions in the enzyme active site.
Design of an FPGA Logic Element for Implementing Asynchronous NULL Convention Logic Circuits

Two versions of a reconfigurable logic element are developed for use in constructing afield-programmable gate array NULL convention logic (NCL) field-programmable gate array (FPGA): one with extra embedded registration capability, which requires additional area, and one without. Both versions can be configured as any of the 27 fundamental NCL gates, including resettable and inverting variations, and both can utilize embedded registration for gates with three or fewer inputs; however, only the version with the additional embedded registration capability can utilize embedded registration with four-input gates. These two approaches are compared with each other and with an existing approach, showing that both versions developed herein yield a more area efficient NCL circuit implementation, compared to the previous work. The two FPGA logic elements are simulated at the transistor level using the 1.8-V, 180-nm TSMC CMOS process.
Update on the Total Artificial Heart

There has been a quest for an artificial organ that can replace the heart for decades. Remarkable advances were made in the second half of the twentieth century in the fields of medicine and engineering that led to the development of several devices with the intention of totally replacing the human heart. Some of these devices, like the Jarvik artificial heart, were utilized initially as a permanent replacement for the failing heart. It became more successful as a bridge to heart transplantation (BTT) in the years that followed its introduction. Currently the CardioWest total artificial heart (TAH) is the only device in clinical use with the intention of bridging patients to heart transplantation. Two new TAHs are being developed with the intention of being used as an alternative to transplantation (ATT) or on a permanent basis. The next 100 years will bring revolutionary new designs and advances in the field of end stage heart disease that may only be ideas at the present time.
Autoxidation as a cause of altered lipid distribution in extracts from human red cells.

A characteristic alteration in the distribution of human red cell phospholipids represents an artifact due to autoxidation of the lipid extract. This alteration is manifested on silicic acid chromatography by a decrease mainly in the phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine fractions (probably because of their abundance of highly unsaturated fatty acids) and an increase in the phospholipid recovered with the more polar fractions, sphingomyelin and lysolecithin. No evidence was found for "lysocephalin" formation or plasmal- ogen breakdown in dry lipid extracts after autoxidation by exposure to air at room temperature for 24-35 hr. On thin- layer chromatography, however, the ninhydrin-positive streak- ing in the autoxidized samples may be erroneously attributed to the presence of "lyso" derivatives. When the alterations in lipid distribution described above are found, the possibility of this artifact should be considered.
Characterization of synthetic oxomanganese complexes and the inorganic core of the O2-evolving complex in photosystem II: evaluation of the DFT/B3LYP level of theory.

Abstract The capabilities and limitations of the Becke-3–Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP) hybrid density functional are investigated as applied to studies of mixed-valent multinuclear oxomanganese complexes. Benchmark calculations involve the analysis of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear Mn complexes, previously characterized both chemically and spectroscopically, including the di-μ-oxo bridged dimers [Mn III Mn IV (μ-O) 2 (H 2 O) 2 (terpy) 2 ] 3+ (terpy = 2,2′:6,2″-terpyridine) and [Mn III Mn IV (μ-O) 2 (phen) 4 ] 3+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), the Mn trimer [Mn 3 O 4 (bpy) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ] 4+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), and the tetramer [Mn 4 O 4 L 6 ] + with L = Ph 2 PO 2 - . Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP level is applied to analyze the hydrated Mn 3 O 4 CaMn cluster completely ligated by water, OH − , Cl − , carboxylate and imidazole ligands, analogous to the ‘3+1 Mn tetramer’ of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. It is found that DFT/B3LYP predicts structural and electronic properties of oxomanganese complexes in pre-selected spin-electronic states in very good agreement with X-ray and magnetic experimental data, even when applied in conjunction with rather modest basis sets. However, it is conjectured that the energetics of low-lying spin-states is beyond the capabilities of the DFT/B3LYP level, constituting a limitation to mechanistic studies of multinuclear oxomanganese complexes where until now the performance of DFT/B3LYP has raised little concern.
Plasma metabolomic signature in COPD patients: Associations to proteomic profile and clinical outcomes

RATIONALE: The association of plasma metabolomic to clinical outcomes in COPD patients is limited. METHODS: We studied 60 COPD patients, 30 survivors (S) and 30 non-survivors (NS)(mean survival 24 (19) months)and 30 aged-gender matched control group (C). Participants completed lung function tests and components of the BODE index.Plasma samples were studied using Liquid and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry and 8 biomarkers (ELISA tests). Spearman9s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure associations. Each variable is represented by a node, the number of associations between variables as edges and the size of COPD nodes represent the Z-score related to controls. The thickness of the edge represents the strength (rho value) of the association.RESULTS: Survivors had better lung function and lower BODE index than Non survivors. Using a system biology approach, a distinctive pattern of association of metabolites, biomarkers and clinical outcomes in the control group differed from survivors and non-survivors (Figure 1 A-C), characterized by a progressive increment of association(edges) in the COPD groups. CONCLUSION: Global associations between plasma metabolites, biomarkers and clinical outcomes is altered in COPD patients compared to age matched controls. The alterations are more profound in non-survivors COPD patients suggesting that plasma metabolites would predict clinical outcome in COPD.
Whole body hyperthermia in dogs using a radiant heating device: effect of surface cooling on temperature uniformity.

Rectal and subcutaneous temperatures were measured during a total of 10 whole body hyperthermia treatments conducted in six dogs. During five of the treatments skin cooling, by means of initiating air flow through the radiant heating device, was necessary during the plateau phase because rectal temperature exceeded the target value. Skin cooling was not necessary in the other five treatments. Although the rectal temperatures were similar in all 10 treatments, extensive and rapid subcutaneous temperature non-uniformity, of approximately 4°C, developed during treatments where skin cooling was necessary. During the treatments where skin cooling was not necessary, the subcutaneous temperature remained approximately equal to the rectal temperature. These data indicate that the environment in the radiant heating device during the plateau phase can have a profound effect on the temperature at superficial sites, which is not reflected by the temperature measured at deeper sites. The temperature at superficial sit...