cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and in-mill aspects of organic halide removal by an aerated stabilization basin treating a kraft mill wastewater

Levels of total organic hallde (TOX) in a Kraft mill wastewater ranged from 26,000 to 60,000 µg/l. An aerated stabilization basin (ASB) proved capable of removing one-third to one-half of both the total TOX as well as lower molecular weight (<l,000) TOX. Influent. TOX levels varied as a function of in-mill production activities. Removal of specific size fractions of of organic halide were influenced to different extents by influent variations and seasonal effects. The major removal mechanism appears to be biosorption of TOX onto settling biomass, followed by anaerobic dehalogenation within the benthal layer of the ASB.
Cationic antigens: Problems associated with measurement by ELISA

Abstract The measurement of the mouse antibody response to cationized bovine serum albumin (cat BSA) and bovine gammaglobulin (cat BGG) was complicated because of the unique properties of these antigens. Cat BGG non-specifically bound rabbit anti-mouse gammaglobulin conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. This was minimized by adding the polyanion, heparin. Cat BSA also reacted non-specifically with some conjugates, but the reaction with specific antibody was enhanced by the addition of the polyanions heparin or dextran sulfate. The non-specific reaction did not appear to be related to the concentration of antigen used to coat the plastic plates. In addition, in ELISA inhibition experiments high concentration of antigens (> 100 μ g/ml) seemed to result in non-specific inhibition of the antibody antigen reaction. A proposed model to explain the problems is based on the polycationic surface formed by coating the plates with the cationized proteins. This cationic surface can be neutralized by polyanions, reducing the non-specific and enhancing the specific reactions. It appears that other polycationic molecules might share these unique properties and these factors must be considered when they are measured.
George Rowley 1892–1962

In the death of Professor Emeritus George Rowley on January 4, 1962, Princeton University has lost a distinguished scholar of unusual intellectual range and sensibility and the Department of Art an...
Developmental abnormalities of the gonad and abnormal sex hormone concentrations in juvenile alligators from contaminated and control lakes in Florida.

The reproductive development of alligators from a contaminated and a control lake in central Florida was examined. Lake Apopka is adjacent to an EPA Superfund site, listed due to an extensive spill...
Trypanosoma brucei: Peptide mapping of partially homologous variable surface glycoproteins

Abstract Antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei is caused by amino acid sequence changes in a major surface glycoprotein. Each trypanosome may contain between 100 and 1000 genes coding for this glycoprotein. Some of these genes are members of partially homologous gene families. In addition, segments of different genes may combine to form ‘hybrid’ or ‘mosaic’ genes. Thus, surface glycoproteins exist containing varying amounts of amino acid sequence homology. For investigations of molecular mechanisms of antigenic diversity it is important to identify sub-sets of trypanosomes expressing related surface glycoproteins. We describe here a simple method based on trypanosome surface labeling followed by peptide mapping to indicate homologous peptides present in one sub-set of T. brucei surface glycoproteins.
Cochlear Kainate Receptors

Synaptic transmission between the cochlear hair cell and its afferent fiber is mediated by glutamate receptors. While kainate receptors are known to be present in the spiral ganglion, little is known of their distribution or functional role. We have detected all five kainate receptor subunits in the mouse cochlea with quantitative RT-PCR and with immunohistochemistry. We observed kainate receptors on afferent terminals co-localized with α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (ampa) receptors at the afferent synapse. Individual terminals innervating a single hair cell varied in their ratios of ampa to kainate receptor immunoreactivity. Infusion of the mouse cochlea via the scala tympani with UBP296, a recently developed antagonist with high specificity for the GluK1 kainate receptor (compared to the ampa receptor), reduced the compound action potential and elevated auditory neural thresholds without affecting the distortion product otoacoustic emission thresholds. Thus, the pharmacological evidence suggests that kainate receptors may contribute to the response to transmitter released from the hair cell during acoustic stimulation. It is plausible that afferent transmission at this synapse is mediated by a mix of ampa and kainate receptors.
The regulation of one-carbon oxidation in the rat by nitrous oxide and methionine.

Abstract Formate is oxidized to CO2 in the rat by folate-dependent reactions. Nitrous oxide treatment inhibited hepatic methionine synthetase activity, reduced hepatic S-adenosyl- l -methionine (Ado-Met) and tetrahydrofolate (H4 folate) concentrations and decreased the rate of formate oxidation in the rat. The administration of methionine to nitrous oxide-treated rats increased hepatic Ado-Met concentrations and restored hepatic H4folate levels and formate oxidation to control values but did not reverse the inhibition of methionine synthetase. Positive correlations were observed between hepatic Ado-Met levels and H4folate concentrations and between hepatic H4folate concentrations and formate oxidation. These results suggest that alterations in hepatic H4folate concentrations may profoundly influence the oxidation of one-carbon compounds. They confirm the importance of the methionine synthetase reaction as a major source of regeneration of H4folate. These findings also indicate that methionine acts at a site other than the methionine synthetase reaction to restore hepatic H4folate concentrations and formate oxidation to control values in nitrous oxide-treated rats.
Variable sensitivity of starfish ovarian tissue to radial nerve factor.

Abstract Incubation of starfish ovarian tissue with RNF does not result in complete inactivation of RNF. Ovarian tissue contains unshed oocytes with intact germinal vesicles even in the presence of RNF. The limited action of RNF ovarian tissue appears to be a result of ovarian insensitivity rather than insufficient RNF.
The effects of nerve growth factor on acetylcholinesterase and its multiple forms in cultures of rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells: increased total specific activity and appearance of the 16 S molecular form.

Abstract The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the distribution of this enzyme among its different molecular forms were studied in monolayer cultures of rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. It has been previously shown that PC12 cells respond to NGF by ceasing cell division and extending long, branching neurites. In NGF-untreated cultures, the specific activity of AChE was constant over a wide range of cell densities. By 4 days of NGF treatment there was a threefold increase in the activity of AChE per milligram protein. Analysis of the multiple molecular forms of AChE by sucrose gradient sedimentation revealed the 4, 6.5, and 10 S forms of the enzyme in NGF-untreated cultures. After 3 days of exposure to NGF, the 16 S form of the enzyme became apparent; by 7–10 days of treatment this form reached maximal levels (2–3% of total AChE activity). In spinner-suspension cultures, in which PC12 cells do not attach to a substrate and cannot grow neurites, NGF treatment yielded an increase in specific activity of AChE, but did not induce the 16 S form of the enzyme.
Between ritual and theatre: political performance in Seleucid Babylonia

AbstractIn Seleucid Babylonia, performance was politics. In this colonial state, the temple, theatre and ritual were established as a middle ground between the different populations. ‘Greek’ theatres were constructed to look like Babylonian temples, and both institutions served as loci of civil authority. Moreover, the staging of the Babylonian Akitu influenced the mise-en-scene of the Greek pompe at Daphne, and exposure to Greek drama shaped audience response to religious ceremonies. State rituals were more than occasions for kings to assert their legitimacy, they were also spaces in which the Babylonian priesthood, Greek politai and Babylonian citizens could debate Seleucid hegemony and imagine an alternative to the empire.
The role of phospholipids in TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase in thyroid plasma membranes

Abstract Treatment of bovine thyroid plasma membranes with phospholipase A or C inhibited the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In general, basal and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was not influenced by such treatment. When plasma membranes were incubated with 1–2 units/ml phospholipase A, subsequent addition of phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylserine but not phosphatidylethanolamine partially restored TSH stimulation. Phosphatidylcholine was more effective than phosphatidylserine in that it caused greater restoration of the TSH response and smaller amounts of phosphatidylcholine were active. However, when the TSH effect was obliterated by treatment of plasma membranes with 10 units/ml phospholipase A, phospholipids were unable to restore any response to TSH. Lubrol PX, a nonionic detergent, inhibited basal, TSH- and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in thyroid plasma membranes. Although phosphatidylcholine partially restored TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of Lubrol PX, it did not have a similar effect on the stimulation induced by NaF. These results indicate that phospholipids are probably essential components in the system by which TSH stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in thyroid plasma membranes. The effects do not seem to involve the catalytic activity of adenylate cyclase but the data do not permit a distinction between decreased binding of TSH to its receptor or impairment of the signal from the bound hormone to the enzyme activity.
Preface from the Guest Editors

Understanding contaminant fate and transport processes in the vadose zone and implementing effective characterization and remediation approaches are recognized as some of the most challenging problems facing scientists and engineers dealing with the subsurface environment. The separate section
The future of sex and gender 1

(1980). The future of sex and gender. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology: Vol. 9, Children in the 21st century, pp. 132-133.
Solution trajectories of the harmonic-elimination problem

The paper considers the problem of finding the notch angles which are required for implementing programmed-harmonic-elimination switching in pulse-width-modulated (PWM) invertors. For a desired fundamental output voltage, the proposed methodology employs the Krawczyk–Moore test within a linear-programming-based search to determine, with mathematical certainty, a set of N-dimensional boxes enclosing all solutions of the harmonic-elimination problem. Each of these boxes contains a distinct and unique solution, and is a safe starting region for a Newton iterative method applied to solve the transcendental harmonic-elimination equations. Once all solutions for a given fundamental amplitude are determined, the solution trajectories for all feasible amplitudes are traced using a simple continuation method which is essentially a numerical adaptation of the implicit-function theorem. The proposed technique is used for optimising line-to-neutral quarter-wave symmetric PWM waveforms employed in three-phase applications. Switching-angle spreads from 0° to 60° and 0° to 90° are considered. Solution trajectories are computed for up to eight switching angles.
Killing in combat and suicide risk.

European Psychiatry - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since lundi 26 novembre 2012
Chronic, oral aluminum administration to rats: cognition and cholinergic parameters.

Abstract Administration of aluminum sulfate in the drinking water of male Sprague-Dawley rats for thirty days resulted in an impairment of both consolidation and extinction of a passive avoidance task. No impairment of performance was observed on an active avoidance task, radial arm maze or open field activity measure. Biochemical analysis indicated a slight (
Democracy and the Market: Political and Economic Reforms in Eastern Europe and Latin America

The quest for freedom from hunger and repression has triggered in recent years a dramatic, worldwide reform of political and economic systems. Never have so many people enjoyed, or at least experimented with democratic institutions. However, many strategies for economic development in Eastern Europe and Latin America have failed with the result that entire economic systems on both continents are being transformed. This major book analyzes recent transitions to democracy and market-oriented economic reforms in Eastern Europe and Latin America. Drawing in a quite distinctive way on models derived from political philosophy, economics, and game theory, Professor Przeworski also considers specific data on individual countries. Among the questions raised by the book are: What should we expect from these experiments in democracy and market economy? What new economic systems will emerge? Will these transitions result in new democracies or old dictatorships?
The mechanism of RU486 antagonism is dependent on the conformation of the carboxy-terminal tail of the human progesterone receptor.

Abstract The human progesterone receptor form B (hPR-B) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae together with a specific reporter plasmid. To understand the mechanism underlying antagonist ligand activity, libraries of hormone binding domain (HBD)-mutated hPR-B molecules were prepared. A mutant receptor was identified that had lost the ability to bind either progesterone or R5020; it could still bind RU486 and, surprisingly, fully activated transcription in the presence of this "antagonist" and other antiprogestins. When this receptor mutant was assayed in mammalian cells, RU486 again demonstrated agonistic activity. Sequence analysis indicated that the mutant phenotype was due to truncation of the carboxy (C)-terminal 42 aa. We conclude that amino acids in the extreme C-terminal region are required for the receptor to bind progesterone, while antagonists bind to a site located more N-terminal of the HBD. Our results suggest that the extreme C-terminal region of the receptor contains an inhibitory function that silences receptor transactivation in the absence of agonist and in the presence of antagonist.
Surgical Resection in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Minimal Background Fibrosis: A Strategy in the Era of Organ Shortage

Surgical therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represent the potentially curative approaches and provide patients the greatest survival advantage. We sought to examine the outcomes of patients with HCC treated with surgical resection, transplantation, and local ablation. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for all patients with nonmetastatic HCC from 2004 to 2007 who underwent local ablation (LA), segmental resection (SR), hemihepatectomy or extended resection (ER), or transplantation (TP). Of 16,209 patients with HCC, 3,989 (24.6 %) met criteria for inclusion and received therapies: 1,550 LA (39 %), 703 SR (18 %), 619 ER (16 %), and 1,117 TP (28 %). AFP was elevated in 69 % (2,026 of 2,921), and fibrosis grade 0–4 was noted in 32 % (368 of 1,156). The 3-year survival by procedure was 34 % (LA), 50 % (SR), 54 % (ER), and 74 % (TP), p = .001. In patients with minimal fibrosis, 1-year survival for patients undergoing resection was similar to TP (85 vs. 92 %, p = .346), but greater than LA (69 %, p = .001). Survival after surgical resection for HCC patients without extensive fibrosis appears to be superior to ablation and non-inferior to transplantation. In an era of organ shortage, transplantation may be better reserved for patients with cirrhosis and/or unresectable disease.
Test-retest reliability and internal consistency of short-form of Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory.

Although information relating to the validity of the short form of Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory has recently been made available, little has been published regarding the reliability or internal consistency of this new measure. For 103 college students test-retest reliability and KR-20 coefficients are reported. The results present strong support for both the stability and internal consistency of scores on the inventory.
Analgesic, behavioral, and hemodynamic and respiratory effects of midsacral subarachnoidally administered ropivacaine hydrochloride in mares.

Abstract Objective To determine the analgesic, behavioral, hemodynamic and respiratory effects of midsacral subarachnoid administration of ropivacaine hydrochloride solution in mares. Study design Randomized, blinded study. Animals Ten healthy mares, weighing from 470 to 560 kg. Methods Intravascular and subarachnoid catheters were placed after infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with 2% lidocaine. Ropivacaine (0.2%, 5 mL) or 0.9% NaCl was then administered subarachnoidally at the midsacral (S2–S3) vertebrae. Analgesia was determined by lack of sensory perception to electrical stimulation (>40 mA) and absence of response to needle pricks extending from coccygeal to S1 dermatomes. Numerical scores of sedation, change in pelvic limb position, sweating in analgesic zones, urination, behavior, response to noise, and compliance with restraint were determined. Two-way anova with repeated measures and Dunnett's t -tests were used to evaluate differences between the listed numerical scores, and cardiovascular and respiratory variables before and during a 5-hour testing period. Results Subarachnoidally administered ropivacaine-induced variable analgesia extending bilaterally from the coccyx to S1, with minimal sedation and change in pelvic limb position in standing mares. Perineal analgesia was attained at 7.5 ± 2.6 minutes and lasted for 218 ± 44 minutes (mean ± SD). Subarachnoid ropivacaine significantly reduced respiratory rates and did not change heart rate, rectal temperature, arterial blood pressure, PCV, arterial gas tensions (PaO 2 and PaCO 2 ), pH, and arterial standard bicarbonate and base excess from baseline. Conclusion and clinical relevance Ropivacaine (0.2% solution, 5 mL 500 kg −1 ) can be administered subarachnoidally at midsacral (S2–S3) vertebrae to produce prolonged (>3 hours) bilateral perineal analgesia with minimal changes of behavior, and circulatory and respiratory disturbances in standing mares.
Estimating Dynamics On-the-Fly Using Monocular Video For Vision-Based Robotics

Estimating the physical parameters of articulated multibody systems (AMBSs) using an uncalibrated monocular camera poses significant challenges for vision-based robotics. Articulated multibody models, especially ones including dynamics, have shown good performance for pose tracking, but require good estimates of system parameters. In this paper, we first propose a technique for estimating parameters of a dynamically equivalent model (kinematic/geometric lengths as well as mass, inertia, damping coefficients) given only the underlying articulated model topology. The estimated dynamically equivalent model is then employed to help predict/filter/gap-fill the raw pose estimates, using an unscented Kalman filter. The framework is tested initially on videos of a relatively simple AMBS (double pendulum in a structured laboratory environment). The double pendulum not only served as a surrogate model for the human lower limb in flight phase, but also helped evaluate the role of model fidelity. The treatment is then extended to realize physically plausible pose-estimates of human lower-limb motions, in more-complex uncalibrated monocular videos (from the publicly available DARPA Mind's Eye Year 1 corpus). Beyond the immediate problem-at-hand, the presented work has applications in creation of low-order surrogate computational dynamics models for analysis, control, and tracking of many other articulated multibody robotic systems (e.g., manipulators, humanoids) using vision.
Random-ratio schedules produce greater demand for i.v. drug administration than fixed-ratio schedules in rhesus monkeys.

Organisms emit more responses when food is provided according to random as compared with fixed schedules of reinforcement. Similarly, many human behaviors deemed compulsive are maintained on variable schedules (e.g., gambling). If greater amounts of behavior are maintained by drugs of abuse when earned according to variably reinforced schedules, this would suggest that excessive drug-taking behavior may be due in part to the nature of drug availability. The aim was to determine whether random schedules of contingent intravenous drug delivery would produce more responding than similarly priced fixed schedules. Six rhesus macaque subjects responded to produce cocaine (0.003–0.03 mg/kg/inj), remifentanil (0.01–1.0 μg/kg/inj), or ketamine (0.01–0.1 mg/kg/inj) according to either fixed or random ratio requirements that increased systematically across sessions. Demand curves were generated with the most effective dose of each drug and compared across drug and schedule type. Cocaine and remifentanil maintained higher levels and rates of responding when earned according to random-ratio schedules as compared with fixed-ratio schedules. This difference was most pronounced when drugs were available at high unit prices. Differences in responding across the schedule types generated by ketamine—a lesser-valued reinforcer—were qualitatively similar but smaller in magnitude. The current study provides a systematic replication across reinforcer type demonstrating that drugs delivered after a random number of responses generate more behavior than those delivered according to a fixed schedule. The variable nature of the availability of drugs of abuse—particularly those that are scarce or expensive—may be a contributing factor to excessive drug intake by humans. This effect is most likely to be observed when more highly demanded (reinforcing) drugs are being consumed.
The employee brand: Is yours an all-star?

Abstract In this article, a typology is presented which will help organizations better reflect the brand image they desire. The assisting typology is based on the extent to which employees know and understand the organization's mission, values, and desired brand image, and the degree to which they perceive their psychological contracts with the organization as being honored. Organizations can be classified as all-stars, rookies, injured reserves, or strike-out kings, based on the characteristics of a preponderance of their employees. As categorized, rookie organizations cannot deliver the desired brand image because most of their employees lack the knowledge and understanding to do so. Injured reserve organizations, on the other hand, cannot achieve the same because firm employees perceive their psychological contracts with the organization as having been violated, which renders the individuals unwilling and unmotivated. For their part, strike-out king organizations share rookie and injured reserve organizations' worst characteristics. Finally, and conversely, all-star organizations consistently deliver the desired brand image to others because their employees are both able and motivated to do so. To help firms attain this highly desired status, specific guidelines are presented herein which may help organizations become “all-stars” in their own right.
Oxygen effects on anisotropic photopolymerization in polymer matrices

The influence of oxygen on polymerization kinetics in photopolymer films is studied using a fluorescence-based technique developed in this laboratory. Fluorescent N-vinylcarbazole monomer is used to monitor photopolymerization kinetics in the presence and absence of oxygen. Effects of oxygen at pressures up to 3 atm (3 × 105 Pa) on photopolymerization in various inert polymer matrices are studied. A reduction in the photopolymerization rate without induction period is observed in the presence of oxygen. A detailed computer analysis of the kinetics is presented. The unusual polymer spatial distribution is calculated and attributed to the anisotropy of illumination and the diffusion and reaction of the mobile oxygen and monomer species.
Commentary---A Latent Variable Perspective of Copula Modeling

The likelihood for copula modeling appears when both the data and the copula representations are seen as being driven by common uniform latent variables. This perspective facilitates Bayesian inference for prediction and copula selection.
Marketing avatars revisited: A commentary on facial recognition and embodied representations in consumer profiling

Abstract In this Executive Digest, we review and extend our original Business Horizons article (May 2013) addressing marketing avatars (i.e., mavatars 1 ): digital embodied, biometric profiles. In the original article we offered our marketing avatar framework, which classified existing and predicted types of mavatar applications according to data collection and application domains. However, because of the quick pace of change in this domain, we must review newly introduced mavatar applications that complete the original framework. These new applications—as well as industry and regulatory actions—paint a picture of where and how mavatars will be used, and where opportunities exist for application development. For that reason, we discuss current applications and additional predictions for future use.
DEADLY RADON IN MONTANA? A REBUTTAL TO DR. LARSSON

I would like to thank Dr. Larsson for her thoughtful reply. Dr. Larsson raises the issue of possible confounders, which of course is a legitimate concern. However, I was questioning the claim that radon is deadly in Montana, rather than a claim of radon + confounders. Consequently, I looked only at radon. Still, as Cohen notes, large data inputs from ecological study designs help to reduce the effect of confounders to the case-control level (Cohen, 1990). Dr. Larsson correctly notes that my (one-time) use of the term “low radon” in my original reply is not accurate, and that Montana has only the high and medium radon categories. In the remaining instances in my original reply, I did however use the term “lower” radon counties, that is, lower radon than the high radon counties. I appreciate Dr. Larsson supplying me with the many expert opinions on the purported harmful effects of radon from various groups and agencies. But again, my inquiry was specifically about whether radon is deadly in Montana. Dr. Larsson inquires about my rationale of using the age group of < 65. As stated in my initial reply, this age group was used since people with lung cancer could live to a ripe old age, and may or may not know they have the disease at the old age. Nonetheless, Dr. Larsson’s criticism on this point is valid. Consequently, lung and bronchus cancer mortality data for all ages were obtained from the National Cancer Institute’s databases (NCI, 2010) and a new analysis was performed. This time, instead of only one county in the lower radon category reporting lung/bronchus cancer mortality data, two counties reported: Musselshell county (85.5 deaths/100,000 persons) and Yellowstone county (54.7 deaths/100,000 persons). For these two counties, a mean of 70.1 ± 21.8 lung/bronchus deaths per 100,000 persons was observed. In the high radon category, 35 counties reported lung and bronchus cancer mortality data, with a mean of 51.3 ± 10.8 lung/bronchus deaths per 100,000 persons. In Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA), a two-sample, two-tailed t test revealed a statistically significant difference between the lower lung/bronchus cancer mortality rate in the high radon counties compared to the higher lung/bronchus cancer mortality rate in the lower radon counties (p = 0.0275). In my original reply I noted that there was not a statistically significant difference between the lung/bronchus cancer mortality rates in high versus lower radon counties for persons < age 65. Now, thanks to Dr. Larsson’s suggestion to look at all ages, I find stronger evidence that radon is not deadly in Montana. Indeed it appears from this new analysis that the higher radon areas in Montana, with their lower lung/bronchus cancer mortality rates, may actually be showing a protective, hormetic type effect from radon when compared to the lower radon areas which have a higher lung/bronchus cancer mortality rate.
Measuring synchronization in neuronal networks for biosensor applications

Cultures of neurons can be grown on microelectrode arrays (MEAs), so that their spike and burst activity can be monitored. These activity patterns are quite sensitive to changes in the environment, such as chemical exposure, and hence the cultures can be used as biosensors. One key issue in analyzing the data from neuronal networks is how to quantify the level of synchronization among different units, which represent different neurons in the network. In this paper, we propose a synchronization metric, based on the statistical distribution of unit-to-unit correlation coefficients. We show that this synchronization metric changes significantly when the networks are exposed to bicuculline, strychnine, or 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-l,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzoquinoxaline-7-sulphonamide (NBQX). For that reason, this metric can be used to characterize pharmacologically induced changes in a network, either for research or for biosensor applications.
Plasma waves generated in the ionosphere by an argon ion beam

Abstract Two argon ion generators were operated during a sounding rocket flight from Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, on February 10, 1985. One generator emitted an ion beam perpendicular to the magnetic field and the other a beam parallel to the field. The ion generators were on a subpayload that was separated from the main payload early in the flight. Plasma waves were observed during most of the first seven operations of each beam. Helium and oxygen cyclotron harmonics were observed in early perpendicular beam operations. The parallel beam waves were line emissions, some at approximate multiples of the hydrogen cyclotron frequency and near the lower hybrid frequency.
Aggregates of mutant protein appear progressively in dendrites, in periaxonal processes of oligodendrocytes, and in neuronal and astrocytic perikarya of mice expressing the SOD1G93A mutation of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Mice expressing the G93A and other mutations of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1G93A) are valid models for the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) with SOD1 mutations and, probably, for sporadic ALS. Adult mice become progressively paralyzed and show most of the histopathological lesions reported in sporadic ALS, i.e. neuronal loss, astrogliosis, ubiquitin and Lewy body-like inclusions, dystrophic axons and fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus (GA) of motor neurons. In transgenic mice, the mutant protein and ubiquitin aggregate within pathological 13 nm thick filaments [Stieber A, Gonatas JO, Gonatas NK. J Neurol Sci 2000;173:53–62]. This immunocytochemical and quantitative study of mice expressing SOD1G93A establishes the chronological order and cellular localization of aggregates of SOD1 and their correlation with fragmentation of the GA. Young asymptomatic mice expressing SOD1G93A showed aggregates of mutant SOD1 within neurites, prior to the detection of SOD1 in the perikarya of spinal cord motor neurons and astrocytes. Both dendrites and the periaxonal oligodendroglial cytoplasm, surrounding atrophic axons, contained SOD1 as revealed by immunoelectron microscopy The perikarya of a small percentage of spinal cord motor neurons contained both fragmented GA and aggregates of SOD1; however, about 50% of motor neurons with fragmented GA did not contain SOD1 in the perikaryon, suggesting that aggregates of mutant protein may not directly cause fragmentation of the GA. The mechanism of the putative toxic effect by the mutant protein remains to be clarified. The isolation and biochemical characterization of the filamentous aggregates of mutant protein and ubiquitin from spinal cords of transgenic mice expressing mutations of the SOD1 gene may offer clues on pathogenetic mechanisms.
Quantifying and Mitigating the Splitting Bias and Other Value Tree-Induced Weighting Biases

This paper develops a model for estimating and correcting attribute-weighting biases (such as the splitting bias) that result from the use of value trees when structuring value function weight elicitation. The model is based on the conjecture that attribute weights are influenced by tree structure and a subject's use of the “anchor-and-adjust” heuristic, meaning that the subject starts with an equal allocation of weight among attributes in each tree partition and then adjusts the weights to reflect his or her innate preferences. Adjustments tend to be insufficient, resulting in attribute weights that are closer in value to each other than if the anchor-and-adjust heuristic was not employed. Weights corresponding to environmental and economic attributes of electric system expansion alternatives are elicited from employees of an electric utility and used to illustrate the existence and correction of value tree-induced attribute-weighting biases. Two weight sets are elicited from each subject, one using a nonhierarchical assessment and the other using a hierarchical one. The model results support the hypothesis that a bias exists that is consistent with the anchor-and-adjust heuristic. An analysis of rankings of alternatives and value losses caused by using elicited versus model-estimated debiased weight sets is provided.
Searching vs. writing: Factors affecting information use task performance

Searching for information is often driven by some work tasks that involve information use and require certain types of outcomes other than finding information. To explore how search systems can help with work tasks calls for examining factors that influence work task performance. A 3-stage controlled lab experiment was conducted with 24 participants, each coming 3 times to work on 3 sub-tasks of a general task, couched either as “parallel” or “dependent” task type. The full task was to write a report on the general topic, with interim documents produced for each sub-task. Results show that task type and task session did not affect users' task performance, but users' topic familiarity and task experience did. Users' effectiveness in finding useful pages and their time allocated to writing correlated with task performance, so did their reflected perceptions of task experience. Further, users' topic familiarity could lead to a higher writing efficiency, and task experience could lead to higher searching efficiency and effectiveness. These findings help understand factors affecting information use task performance, and have implications on search system design to support information related work task accomplishment.
Issues in porting software from C to C

SUMMARY This paper describes an experiment in the development of a small piece of software in both the languages C and C + + in a university setting. The C+ + codes were found to he more modular than the corresponding C codes. Some of the other effects of C++ on program quality are very briefly discussed. The paper also discusses some of the errors that C programmers may make as novice C++ programmers, and the testing of object-oriented programs. Some of the error types possible in C++, but not in C, include delays in the flushing of output buffers and polymorphism.
Intraurban Housing Mobility in a Traditional West African City: Shelter or Business Decision?

The use of housing for income generation through informal-sector activities is widespread in urban areas of developing countries. Most households consider their shelter needs when making housing choices. For households that use their dwellings for income generation housing choices are also business decisions. Using data from a 596-household survey collected in 1996 in Kumasi Ghana logistic regression is used to examine the determinants of intraurban moves. Households using their home for income generation are significantly less likely to move. (authors)
Negative mode sheathless capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for metabolite analysis of prokaryotes.

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was coupled to negative mode electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (MS) for separation and detection of phosphorylated and acidic metabolites in extracts of prokaryotes. Unlike previous CE–MS systems for metabolite analysis, a sheathless interface was used to improve sensitivity. To accomplish this, the separation capillary was modified by creating a porous junction near the outlet where the electrospray voltage and cathodic voltage for CE were applied. The outlet of the capillary was pulled to a 5 μm inner diameter to form an electrospray emitter and had a frit fabricated near the exit to prevent clogging. During analysis pressure was applied at the inlet of the separation column to create sufficient flow towards the detector. Limits of detection for 19 metabolites in full scan mode ranged from 20 nM for ADP ribose to 2.5 μM for α-ketoglutarate for 40 nL injections. Extracts of Escherichia coli, strain DH5-α, were analyzed using this system. In full scan mode, 118 different metabolites were detected. Tandem mass spectrometry was also employed to attempt identification. Reproducible fragmentation of 19 parent peaks was found and 10 of these produced spectra that were consistent with identification obtained from matching to compounds in the MetaCyc database. These results demonstrate the utility of a sensitive CE–MS system for large scale metabolite detection in biological samples.
Right atrial ultrastructure in chronic rheumatic heart disease

We studied with ultrastructure techniques portions of right atrium resected at operation from 12 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease and 6 patients with non-rheumatic valvular heart disease. The right atrial pressures, duration of symptoms and age of the patients were comparable in both groups. Ten of the 12 rheumatic and 4 of the 6 non-rheumatic patients had atrial fibrillation. In the 12 rheumatic patients we found severe interstitial fibrosis, extensive cellular degeneration (17% of cells studied) and marked cellular hypertrophy (average cell diameter 16 micrometers). The six non-rheumatic patients showed evidence of cellular hypertrophy (average cell diameter 15 micrometers) but minimal interstitial fibrosis or cellular degeneration. The degenerative changes in the rheumatic group did not correlate with the degree of hypertrophy or the extent of the hemodynamic alterations. Atrial fibrillation, present in both rheumatic and non-rheumatic patients, did not correlate with the presence of cellular degeneration. We conclude that the structural changes in atria of patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease may be part of the rheumatic process and are not entirely secondary to altered hemodynamics.
Pullets at the Onset of Lay

Abstract Many egg producers utilize feeding programs designed to supply a known amount of a given nutrient on a daily intake basis depending upon bird age or phase of production (phase feeding). Birds are given free access to feed and, if nutrients are not consumed in the desired amount, the diets are reformulated to adjust nutrient density. This study was conducted to help producers who use phased feeding programs determine the appropriate amount and dietary density of feed for a particular flock as they initiate lay. Daily feed intake patterns in pullets were recorded in relationship to the onset of egg production. Measurements were recorded 5 days prior to and 5 days post initial oviposition. Flock consumption average was found to be a poor indicator of consumption for laying birds. During the 5 days prior to initial oviposition, birds consumed an average of 16.19 pounds/100 birds/day. On the day of oviposition, consumption averaged 17.58 pounds/100 birds/day. During the 5 days post initial oviposition, consumption averaged 18.46 pounds/100 birds/day. Birds consumed 1.76 pounds/100/day more on days when eggs were laid than on days eggs were not laid (18.94 vs 17.18) during the 5 days post initial oviposition. Pullets that did not initiate production during this study consumed an average of 3.35 pounds/100birds/day less than birds that did initiate production (18.94 vs 15.59) during the 5 days post initial oviposition.
Communications: Phenotypic Variability in Pedigreed Families of Goldfish Revealed by Alloantisera and Agglutination Assays

Abstract Techniques of demonstrated usefulness for observing genetic variability at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in avian and mammalian systems were evaluated for their potential utility in piscine systems by using goldfish Carassius auratus as a model. Three approaches to generating antisera and two methods of observing the results of hemagglutination assays were evaluated. Seven full-sib families were produced, and red blood cells (RBCs) of goldfish family members were screened for reactivity with a panel of absorbed antisera consisting of fish anti-fish, MHC-specific chicken anti-chicken, and chicken anti-fish sera. The pattern of presence or absence of agglutination after incubation of cell suspensions with the respective reagents in the panel of antisera was regarded as the phenotype of the individual tested. Fifty different hemagglutination phenotypes were observed within and between families. The large numbers of phenotypes observed within particular families may indicate (1) the need...
Optical-model analysis of the scattering of protons from 4He at 31, 40, 46 and 55 MeV

Abstract Optical-model analyses of the p- 4 He reaction was carried out at 31, 40, 46 and 55 MeV. Experimental differential cross section, polarization and total reaction cross-section data were fit simultaneously at each energy. An extensive search was made for an optimum set of optical-model parameters based on fits to the experimental data and consistency at the four energies. Two sets of optimum parameters are given and both exhibit unusually large values of r I , the surface absorption radius. To compare with a phase-shift analysis carried out below 31 MeV, the complex phase shifts corresponding to the optimum parameter sets are also given.
Use of on-line ion chromatography in controlling water quality in nuclear power plants

Abstract Electric utilities that operate nuclear power plants must adhere to a tighter range of water coolant specifications that are commonly required in steam systems powered by other means such as coal, oil or natural gas. The reason for this situation is the higher negative impact of a failure in the coolant and steam piping relative to non-nuclear heat sources. This negative impact arises from the unique need of a nuclear reactor core to require cooling after shutdown of the chain reaction —due to the heat from undecayed radioactive fission products in the uranium fuel rods. Also, the cost of down time for repairs of corrosion damage in such stations is greater than for fossil fired plants because these nuclear plants are base loaded (running at ca. 100% power for several hundreds of days) and the replacement power required during their shutdown time must be provided by sources more costly by factors up to ca. 2. Since corrosion damage in nuclear plants usually occurs under crevice conditions in components such as steam generators where boiling occurs, even very small (parts per billion, ppb) initial feedwater concentrations of corrosive impurity salts such as sodium, chloride and sulfate may concentrate to corrosive brines —leading to breaches of the pressure boundaries from localized cracking or intergranular attack. This attack penetrates even the more corrosion-resistant alloys such as Inconel 600, Incoloy 800 and the stainless steels. Ion chromatography is the only technology able to readily measure ppb concentrations of such corrosive ions on a near real time basis, and to differentiate among different oxidation states of ions such as nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, thiosulfate, etc. These oxidation states respond to the general oxidizing tendency of the coolant —another variable that controls localized corrosion. A number of examples of the use of on-line ion chromatography in troubleshooting corrosion problems in light-water reactors will be given.
Leukocyte adherence in venules of rat skeletal muscle following thermal injury.

Abstract An intravital microscopic study of rat skeletal muscle microvasculature was undertaken to explore the relationship of adherent leukocytes to the venous microcirculation following thermal injury. WBC adherence was increased in venules in the acute period following thermal injury. This increase was not dependent upon changes in wall shear stress. The presence of sticking leukocytes was associated with a disruption of the normal relationship between venular radius and flow. In contrast to previous studies, there was no evidence for erythrocyte sludging or diameter changes in venules following thermal injury.
Species-specific difference in expression and splice-site choice in Inpp5b, an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase paralogous to the enzyme deficient in Lowe Syndrome.

The oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL; MIM #309000) is an X-linked human disorder characterized by congenital cataracts, mental retardation, and renal proximal tubular dysfunction caused by loss-of-function mutations in the OCRL gene that encodes Ocrl, a type II phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdIns4,5P2) 5-phosphatase. In contrast, mice with complete loss-of-function of the highly homologous ortholog Ocrl have no detectable renal, ophthalmological, or central nervous system abnormalities. We inferred that the disparate phenotype between Ocrl-deficient humans and mice was likely due to differences in how the two species compensate for loss of the Ocrl enzyme. We therefore turned our attention to Inpp5b, another type II PtdIns4,5P2 5-phosphatase encoded by Inpp5b in mice and INPP5B in humans, as potential compensating genes in the two species, because Inpp5b/INPP5B are the most highly conserved paralogs to Ocrl/OCRL in the respective genomes of both species and Inpp5b demonstrates functional overlap with Ocrl in mice in vivo. We used in silico sequence analysis, reverse-transcription PCR, quantitative PCR, and transient transfection assays of promoter function to define splice-site usage and the function of an internal promoter in mouse Inpp5b versus human INPP5B. We found mouse Inpp5b and human INPP5B differ in their transcription, splicing, and primary amino acid sequence. These observations form the foundation for analyzing the functional basis for the difference in how Inpp5b and INPP5B compensate for loss of Ocrl function and, by providing insight into the cellular roles of Ocrl and Inpp5b, aid in the development of a model system in which to study Lowe syndrome.
Surface-coating montmorillonite nanoclay by water-soluble proteins extracted from hominy feed

Abstract Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay was surface-coated by water-soluble proteins precipitated from hominy feed extract at pH 6.0, 5.5, and 4.3 to modify its native structure. Surface-coating was performed at 60 °C, pH 2.0–10.0, and MMT:protein mass ratios from 49:1 to 2:1, followed by lyophilizing the triple-washed precipitate for characterization. Proteins precipitated at pH 5.5 were the most effective in creating intercalated and/or exfoliated MMT structures that were also impacted by the protein level and pH during coating. At pH 2.0, X-ray diffraction peaks of pristine MMT were no longer observed at an MMT:protein mass ratio of 4:1 or lower, while different degrees of intercalation were achieved at other pH conditions. The adsorption of proteins on MMT at all studied pH conditions was confirmed by FTIR, analysis of adsorbed proteins, and zeta-potential. These results suggest that interactions involved in coating MMT include coulombic and non-coulombic forces.