cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
β-blockade in heart failure : Basic concepts and clinical results

Both experimental and clinical observation suggest that activation of the sympathetic nervous system exerts an important deleterious effect in patients with chronic heart failure. The precise mechanisms responsible for this effect have not been defined, but prolonged exposure to norepinephrine is associated with a variety of adverse physiologic and biochemical/molecular actions. Identification of these deleterious pathways has helped to explain why drugs that block the cardiac effects of norepinephrine (i.e., beta-blockers) retard remodeling and prolong life in experimental models of heart failure. beta-Blockers have been shown to reduce the mortality of patients after an acute myocardial infarction; this effect appears to be particularly marked in patients with postinfarction heart failure. Results of several trials suggest that long-term treatment with beta-blockers can improve symptoms and reduce the frequency of hospitalizations for heart failure. Most recently, carvedilol has been shown to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 65% in patients with either an ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. These findings, taken together, suggest that pharmacologic interference with the sympathetic nervous system can produce important clinical benefits in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Prevalence rate of hypertension among recent Southeast Asian refugees to northern California.

BACKGROUND Little is known regarding the prevalence rate of hypertension among recent Southeast Asian refugees to the United States. METHODS In this randomized, prospective study, four northern California counties with large Southeast Asian refugee populations were screened for the prevalence rates of hypertension and borderline hypertension. A population density method based upon 1988 census data was used to screen a representative sample of subjects from each county. Criteria for hypertension came from the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. RESULTS In all, 964 subjects were screened. We found a prevalence rate of 4.8 percent for hypertension and 10.9 percent for borderline hypertension. CONCLUSIONS The relatively low prevalence rates of this disease can be explained by the youth of this refugee population, mean age 37.6 +/- 0.36 years, as the presence of hypertension increases with chronological age.
Controlling Contagion Processes in Activity Driven Networks

The vast majority of strategies aimed at controlling contagion processes on networks consider the connectivity pattern of the system either quenched or annealed. However, in the real world, many networks are highly dynamical and evolve, in time, concurrently with the contagion process. Here, we derive an analytical framework for the study of control strategies specifically devised for a class of time-varying networks, namely activity-driven networks. We develop a block variable mean-field approach that allows the derivation of the equations describing the coevolution of the contagion process and the network dynamic. We derive the critical immunization threshold and assess the effectiveness of three different control strategies. Finally, we validate the theoretical picture by simulating numerically the spreading process and control strategies in both synthetic networks and a large-scale, real-world, mobile telephone call data set.
Sodium excess in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract The sodium excess (Na es ) which represents the nonexchangeable sodium compartment of bone was calculated from the total body sodium and total body chlorine of 95 women with vertebral crush fracture syndrome. No evidence was found for a subpopulation with increased or decreased Na es or Na es :TBCa ratio (TBCa is total body calcium which reflects total skeletal mass). Correlations in the osteoporotic women were found between the Na es and serum alkaline phosphatase ( r = 0.31), PTH ( r = 0.53), urinary hydroxyproline excretion ( r = 0.42) and serum 250H vitamin D ( r = −0.32). These data suggest that the state of vitamin D nutrition as well as parathyroid hormone levels may influence the quantity of sodium in bone in osteoporotic women. It is of great interest that these relationships were not observed in two control populations consisting of elderly women and women who recently undewent spontaneous menopause.
Some Characteristics of Nitrate Reductase From Higher Plants

With respect to cofactor requirements, NADH, and FMNH(2) were equally effective as electron donors for nitrate reductase obtained from leaves of maize, marrow, and spinach, when the cofactors were supplied in optimal concentrations. The concentration of FMNH(2) required to obtain half-maximal activity was from 40- to 100-fold higher than for NADH. For maximal activity with the corn enzyme, 0.8 millimolar FMNH(2) was required. In contrast, NADPH was functional only when supplied with NADP:reductase and exogenous FMN (enzymatic generation of FMNH(2)).All attempts to separate the NADH(2)- and FMNH(2)-dependent nitrate reductase activities were unsuccessful and regardless of cofactor used equal activities were obtained, if cofactor concentration was optimal. Unity of NADH to FMNH(2) activities were obtained during: A) purification procedures (4 step, 30-fold); B) induction of nitrate reductase in corn seedlings with nitrate; and C) inactivation of nitrate reductase in intact or excised corn seedlings. The NADH- and FMNH(2)-dependent activities were not additive.A half-life for nitrate reductase of approximately 4 hours was estimated from the inactivation studies with excised corn seedlings. Similar half-life values were obtained when seedlings were incubated at 35 degrees in a medium containing nitrate and cycloheximide (to inhibit protein synthesis), or when both nitrate and cycloheximide were omitted.In those instances where NADH activity but not FMNH(2) activity was lost due to treatment (temperature, removal of sulfhydryl agents, addition of p-chloromercuribenzoate), the loss could be explained by inactivation of the sulfhydryl group (s) required for NADH activity. This was verified by reactivation with exogenous cysteine.Based on these current findings, and previous work, it is concluded that nitrate reductase is a single moiety with the ability to utilize either NADH or FMNH(2) as cofactor. However the high concentration of FMNH(2) required for optimal activity suggests that in vivo NADH is the electron donor and that nitrate reductase in higher plants should be designated NADH:nitrate reductase (E.C. 1.6.6.1).
A mass transport and hydrodynamic evaluation of membrane separation cell

This study reports an analysis of membrane permeance and mass transfer coefficient in laboratory test cells for gas separation using computational fluid dynamics. Mass transfer coefficients and species concentration were computed across the membrane surface for gas mixture. The same test cells were examined for the fluid hydrodynamics in liquid separation. It was observed that the uniform flow distribution in the case of gas separation was responsible for improved permeance; whereas, a uniform flow had no significant effect on permeation rate for liquid separation. Also, the potential reasons for the difference in gas and liquid separation are discussed.
Azo dyes from oleic acid

The preparation of mononitration products of arylstearic compounds derived from U.S.P. oleic acid has been described. Oil-soluble azo dyes have been prepared from the nitroarylstearic compounds by reduction, diazotization, and coupling with β-naphthol or β-naphthylamine. 4′-Nitro-4-phenoxyphenyl heptadecyl ketone has been prepared by the Friedel and Crafts reaction and an azo dye has been prepared from the ketone.
Oviposition by the Almond Moth, Cadra cautella, in Response to Falling Temperature and Onset of Darkness

Oviposition by Cadra cautella (Walker) occurred in response to onset of darkness with a photophase of 16 hours at constant 25°C, to the falling portion of the sinusoidal temperature cycle with 24-hour period and 25°C mean in continuous light or to both stimuli, regardless of the order, when they were produced sequentially. Oviposition was arhythmic at constant 25°C in continuous light. Laboratory and field strains responded similarly. The minimum rate of temperature change required to induce oviposition was between 0.15 and 0.3°C per hour, and an increase in the rate to 0.5 or 1.0°C per hour did not further shorten the period of oviposition.
Quantitative determination of 2-butyne-1,4 diol in industrial aqueous solutions

Methods for the quantitative determination of 2-butyne-1,4-diol in industrial aq. solutions by UV and IR spectrophotometry and by gas-liquid chromatography are described. The percent concentration of 2-butyne-1,4-diol in aq. solutions can be directly determined without preliminary separation from water.
Experimental Two-Stage Pellet Mill Conditioner with Paddle Shaft Steam Injection

Abstract A prototype two-stage experimental poultry feed conditioner was designed and fabricated to test its effectiveness for destruction of salmonellae in experimentally contaminated mash. Unique features of the conditioner include the use of (auger) paddle shafts for steam injection throughout the first stage and additional heating by means of a shell-and-tube-type heat exchanger in the 2nd stage. Results of pilot plant trials indicate that the conditioner was effective for destruction of high numbers of Salmonella branderup (105 colony forming units/g feed) at feed flow rates near commercial scale. Pellet quality and nitritional value were found to be unaffected by the experimental conditioner.
Chrysomelidae or Leaf Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) of Plummers Island, Maryland

ABSTRACT The Chrysomelidae fauna of Plummers Island, Maryland consists of 161 species. This represents 43% of the known Maryland fauna. Work conducted in 1997 and 1998 showed a species turnover rate of 72.6% but a decline in species richness of only 2.1%. Nine species have been collected nowhere else in Maryland. Tricholochmaea decora decora (Say) is reported from Maryland for the first time.
Ultrasonography for guidance of amniocentesis in genetic counseling

The value of preliminary ultrasonography as a guide for amniocentesis in the early second trimester of pregnancy was prospectively evaluated. One hundred and fifty patients were alternately assigned to a control group or to an ultrasound group who underwent examination with a real-time scanner immediately prior to amniocentesis. All amniotic fluid samples were assessed as to the presence of blood by: (1) visual observation during the amniocentesis; (2) appearance of the centrifugate; and (3) microscopic analysis. Ultrasonography did not reduce the failure rate, the incidence of multiple needle insertions, or the proportion of amniotic fluid samples containing blood.
Monitoring transport of a recombinant phosphotriesterase in Streptomyces lividans using a pulse-chase system

A heterologous phosphotriesterase (parathion hydrolase) was previosly shown to be secreted by Streptomyces lividans. To investigate the mechanism of secretion, a system to label the protein and follow its expression and secretion was developed. The recombinant S. lividans was grown first in a defined medium containing [35S]methionine that permitted expression but not secretion. It was then transferred to tryptone/glucose medium with unlabeled methionine for the chase period, during which secretion was observed. The results indicate a relatively slow rate of secretion that is also dependent on the growth medium.
HPLC Method for Analysis of Red Dye from Marked Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract We describe an HPLC analytical technique for detection of minute amounts of oil-based Red 26 dye used for marking insects. Chromatographic separation was achieved by an isocratic elution on an Inertsil 100A, 5µ silica column using hexane: isopropyl alcohol (98:2) as the mobile phase and with absorption detection at 520 nm. This newly developed technique is fast and very sensitive, with a detection threshold at 0.1 ng and quantitation down to 0.3 ng per pink bollworm adult. Using the newly developed technique we were able to correlate the titer of dye extracted from adult moths to the amount of dye included in the larval diet. This method is currently accepted by the U.S. cotton industry as a preferred technique for distinguishing artificial diet-reared sterile from wild pink bollworm moths.
Reconstitution of expressed KCa channels from Xenopus oocytes to lipid bilayers

Reconstitution of large conductance calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels from native cell membranes into planar lipid bilayers provides a powerful method to study single channel properties, including ion conduction, pharmacology, and gating. Recently, KCa channels derived from the Drosophila Slowpoke (Slo) gene have been cloned and heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In this report, we describe the reconstitution of cloned and expressed Slo KCa channels from Xenopus oocyte membranes into lipid bilayers. The reconstituted channels demonstrate functional properties characteristic of native KCa channels. They possess a mean unitary conductance of approximately 260 pS in symmetrical potassium (250 mM), and they are voltage- and calcium-sensitive. At 50 microM Ca2+, their half-activation potential was near -20 mV; and their affinity for calcium is in the micromolar range. Reconstituted Slo KCa channels were insensitive to external charybdotoxin (40–500 nM) and sensitive to micromolar concentrations of external tetraethylammonium (KD = 158 microM, at 0 mV) and internal Ba2+ (KD = 76 microM, at 40 mV). In addition, they were blocked by internally applied "ball" inactivating peptide (KD = 480 microM, at 40 mV). These results demonstrate that cloned KCa channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes can be readily incorporated into lipid bilayers where detailed mechanistic studies can be performed under controlled internal and external experimental conditions.
PART 5: PROBLEMS IN PREDICTING BUCKLING THROUGH FREQUENCY MEASUREMENTS

Fundamental differences were observed between what the accepted theory predicts and what we were able to achieve in the laboratory. At low axial load levels, the Euler equation predicts the decrease in the fundamental natural frequency well, but the agreement decays badly as critical buckling load approaches. We attribute this disagreement to nonlinear behavior that is not accounted for in Euler’s model. It is possible that fixed end conditions would produce better agreement between theory and test results. In spite of the divergence between the analytical prediction and our test results, the Euler buckling equation is used universally (and successfully) to predict critical load of slender, axially loaded beams.
It's not about seat time: Blending, flipping, and efficiency in active learning classrooms

This study examines the effect of reducing the seat time of a large lecture chemistry class by two-thirds and conducting it in an active learning classroom rather than a traditional amphitheater. To account for the reduced lecture, didactic content was recorded and posted online for viewing outside of the classroom. A second experimental section, also in a blended and flipped format, was examined the following semester as a replication. To measure student subject-matter learning, we used a standardized multiple-choice exam, and to measure student perceptions of the classroom, we used a validated survey instrument. Our findings demonstrated that in an active learning classroom, student faculty contact could be reduced by two-thirds and students achieved learning outcomes that were at least as good, and in one comparison significantly better than, those in a traditional classroom. Concurrently, student perceptions of the learning environment were improved. This suggests that pedagogically speaking, active learning classrooms, though they seat fewer students per square foot, are actually a more efficient use of physical space.
Using normative beliefs to determine the acceptability of wildlife management actions

Because wildlife in the United States is publicly owned, management actions and policies depend on public acceptance. This article uses a normative approach to describe and evaluate what the public believes are acceptable management actions toward three different wildlife species involved in human‐wildlife interactions. The results illustrate the extent to which normative beliefs about wildlife management actions are influenced by situational specifics and wildlife value orientations. Across different species and situations, individuals with protectionist wildlife values were less willing than those with pro‐use wildlife values to accept destroying an animal. The results point to circumstances that are likely to generate intense conflict over particular management policies and allow more confident generalization about how publics will respond to different management actions. Additional research is needed to identify the situational specifics and human values that best explain and predict normative beliefs...
Growth response of greenhouse chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum morifolium, to root drenches of diazinon and demeton.

Root drenches of diazinon and of demeton on greenhouse chrysanthemum were compared for growth-response effects in plants grown in complete and phosphorus deficient nutrient solutions. Drenches of diazinon resulted in different degrees of inhibition of plant growth. Analysis of soil showed no detectable differences in phosphorus (P) content because of diazinon treatment. Plants grown in sand culture and treated with demeton showed symptoms of phytotoxicity expressed as brown margins of lower leaves 1 week following treatments of 32, 64, 128 pounds per acre in both nutrient solutions. Later, plants showed significant growth inhibition in complete nutrient solutions at 128 pounds per acre, while an increase in growth was observed with a P-deficient nutrient solution. However, this effect was less than that observed in the controls with complete nutrients. Application of a fixed amount of demeton to plants grown under certain element deficiencies indicated that the growth response obtained is associated only with P deficiency. Attempts to correlate this increase in growth with the P in the insecticide and that in the leaf tissue were unsuccessful. It is suggested that the growth-response effects associated with diazinon and demeton treatments reported in the literature may be attributed to other factors such as changes in soil fauna and flora, including nematodes, insects, fungi, and bacteria.
First-service pregnancy rate in beef heifers as influenced by human chorionic gonadotropin administration before and/or after breeding

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate whether administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) before and/or after breeding influences the first-service pregnancy rate in beef heifers. In Experiment 1, 125 yearling and two-year-old heifers were allotted to one of four groups: a control group; a group receiving 3,000 IU hCG on Day 4 of the prebreeding estrous cycle; a group receiving 3,000 IU hCG on Day 4 post breeding; and a group receiving 3,000 IU hCG on Day 4 of the prebreeding estrous cycle and again on Day 4 post breeding (Day 1 = estrus). First-service pregnancy rate was not affected by a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 3,000 IU of hCG on Day 4 of the prebreeding estrous cycle and/or post breeding. In Experiment 2, 111 yearling heifers were allotted either to an untreated control group or to a group receiving 3,000 IU hCG on Day 4 post breeding. Administration of a single i.m. injection of hCG on Day 4 post breeding did not affect the first-service pregnancy rate.
Normal forms of stiffness and compliance matrices

A generalized spring associates potential energy with each position and orientation of a rigid body. The stiffness of such a spring can be represented by a 6 × 6 symmetric matrix. This matrix can be brought to a normal form by a particular choice of the coordinate frame. Analogous but independent results hold for compliance matrices. These results, obtained by using a Lie group approach, also extend the concept of the remote center of stiffness to generic generalized springs.
HNC theory of medium-range order in glasses

Abstract The first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) and its anomalous temperature dependence, characterizing medium-range order in molten and vitreous chalcogenides, are elucidated in terms of interatomic potentials using the integral-equation method. The systematic study of the size and charge-transfer effects in GeSe2 shows that the rationale behind the FSDP is cooperation of the excluded volume effect and the local charge neutrality leading to the conditional packing of atoms with formation of the tetrahedra, Ge ( Se 1 2 ) 4 . The anomaly in the FSDP is ascribed to the increase of the number density on cooling.
H0547-14 - X-ray flux from a weak gamma-ray burst?

Data concerning a fast X ray transient observed by the HEAO 1 on March 17, 1978 are discussed. The object, labeled H0547-14, was located in Lepus, with galactic coordinates 219.37 deg longitude, b = -20.12 deg in the anticenter direction. A 10 sec scan of the transient was obtained with proportional counter detectors. An X ray luminosity of more than 5.1 x 10 to the 31st ergs/sec was measured as a lower limit, with the decay taking 17 min. A lower limit to the flare was set at 30 sec. The flux intensity resided in the range 4.4/1 billion-4/100 million erg/sq cm per sec, with a rise time of a factor of 10 in about 5 sec. Possible characterizations of the object, as either a gamma ray burst or as an M dwarf star, are discussed.
Fatigue failure of an F/A-18 fin retainer spring

Abstract The Navy’s lead missile integration engineer on the F/A-18 E/F program at Patuxent River Naval Air Station supplied a failed LAU-127A/A AIM-9 fin retainer spring for analysis. The spring is responsible for holding the missile’s fins in place while the missile is in the prone position attached to the plane’s wing. The analysis of the spring was conducted to find the mode and cause of failure.
Intermixing-induced tunability in infrared-emitting InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots

The effects of intermixing on the radiative emission from InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) structures with excited state luminescence are presented. Thermally induced compositional disordering of the InGaAs/GaAs interface had been used to blue-shift all peaks and tune their intersublevel energy spacings ((Delta) E[(i+1 - i]). The inhomogeneously broadened photoluminescence (PL) peaks narrowed. The intersublevel spacings (Delta) E[(i+1 - i] were reduced and could be tuned continuously for values of (Delta) E[(i+1 - i] greater, similar and lower than the LO phonon energies in InAs and GaAs. Experiments and calculations of interdiffusion in InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells of the same ternary composition determined values for activation energies and diffusivities. These established values for diffusion lengths corresponding to the observed blue shifts and reduction of (Delta) E[i+1 - i] with annealing temperature. Rate equation simulations of our experimentally obtained PL spectra were used to estimate relaxation lifetime ratios for intersublevel transitions. A slight trend towards increasing thermalization rates at values (Delta) E[(i+1 - i] approximately LO phonon energies was found. However, PL measurements showed strong emission from excited states for all (Delta) ELB(i+1 - i] values, which ranged from 53 to 25 meV.
Deferoxamine Improves Early Postresuscitation Reperfusion after Prolonged Cardiac Arrest in Rats

The no-reflow phenomenon and delayed hypoperfusion after transient cardiac arrest (CA) impede postischemic recovery. Activation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) after ischemia and reperfusion is considered one of the mechanisms responsible for such abnormalities. The present study investigates the influence of iron-dependent LPO inhibitor deferoxamine (DFO) on the cerebral perfusion after prolonged CA and resuscitation. Fourteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 17 minutes of CA, induced by esmolol (an ultrashort-acting beta-blocker) and apnea, followed by resuscitation by retrograde intraaortic infusion of oxygenated donor blood mixed with a resuscitation cocktail inside a vertical-bore 9.4-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet. Animals were randomized double-blindly into two groups to receive DFO or saline, respectively. Cerebral perfusion was measured by MRI continuously using the arterial spin-labeling method before, during, and after CA. All animals were successfully resuscitated in 1.36 +/- 0.04 minutes with well-controlled arrest time (17.99 +/- 0.03 minutes) in both groups. Deferoxamine significantly increased cerebral perfusion in hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and amygdala, but not in cortex, during the first 20 minutes of reperfusion. In the DFO-treated group, the neurologic deficit score was significantly better (400 +/- 30 vs. 250 +/- 47, out of 500 as the best, P < 0.05) and weight loss was significantly less (33 +/- 6 vs. 71 +/- 19 g, P < 0.05) 5 d after arrest. The finding supports the notion that early reperfusion immediately after resuscitation is important for long-term outcome and that LPO may be involved in microvascular disorders during the reperfusion, particularly in the brain after prolonged cardiac arrest and resuscitation.
A Cohort Perspective on Gender Gaps in College Attendance and Completion

In the last 30 years, women experienced dramatic increases in college attendance and completion. Women now make up the majority of college attenders and completers, and their numbers continue to grow. Recent research shows that these gender differences are driven largely by changes among women in rates of college attendance. What is causing these dramatic increases in college attendance among women? Studying three distinct cohorts representing the high school graduating classes of 1972, 1982, and 1992, this article studies two possible mechanisms leading to women’s changing patterns of college attendance: changing academic achievement, and changing pathways into and through college. Results show that changes in the effects of achievement on college attendance decisions are driving women’s increasing college attendance. The expansion of higher education—particularly the route through 2-year college to 4-year college—increased opportunities for enrollment and women disproportionately took advantage of these opportunities. High-achieving women, who in the past did not attend college, are now attending and using these non-traditional paths to increase their rates of college attendance.
Detecting data exfiltration by integrating information across layers

Data exfiltration is the unauthorized leakage of confidential data from a system. Unlike intrusions that seek to overtly disable or damage a system, it is particularly hard to detect because it uses a variety of low/slow vectors and advanced persistent threats (APTs). It is often assisted (intentionally or not) by an insider who might be an employee who downloads a trojan or uses a hardware component that has been tampered with or acquired from an unreliable source. Conventional scan and test based detection approaches work poorly, especially for hardware with embedded trojans. We describe a framework to detect potential exfiltration events that actively monitors of a set of key parameters that cover the entire stack, from hardware to the application layer. An attack alert is generated only if several monitors detect suspicious activity within a short temporal window. The cross-layer monitoring and integration helps ensure accurate alerts with fewer false positives and makes designing a successful attack more difficult.
Special Issue Introduction: Career and Life Planning Key Feature Within Comprehensive Guidance Programs

Career and life planning is viewed as a process that starts early in the elementary school through adult life and it should be at the heart of any guidance program. This journal discusses the value and process ideas at each of the school and grade levels. The authors also discuss how parents, employers, and teachers enhance the career planning process by expanding student options, encouragement, motivation, mentoring, and providing career life experiences. Career planning is viewed as a structured and expected series of events and activities a student would go through as a part of their school experience. It forwards the idea that to assure all youth have a plan for life transition and success takes state department of education policy and support, local district expectations, time, and resources, and students who see the value in participating. The counselor is viewed as the key agent in such a program and needs to demonstrate that early, continuous and high quality life planning improves not only academic achievement, but life and employment success.
Does Phragmites Expansion Alter the Structure and Function of Marsh Landscapes? Patterns and Processes Revisited

We assess the probability and importance of different spatial distributions ofPhragmites australis (Trin Ex Steud) within brackish tidal marshes of the mid-Atlantic United States coast. The comparative impact ofPhragmites expansion on the larger coupled marsh-estuary system may partially be a function of the landscape area dominated byPhragmites, the landscape position occupied byPhragmites, the landscape pattern created byPhragmites expansions, and the resulting impact on tidal drainage networks. We find evidence thatPhragmites establishment can occur at many landscape positions, and thatPhragmites spread within a marsh can occur via colonization (new patches), linear clonal growth (along a preferred axis), or circular clonal growth (non-directional, random spread). Early intervals ofPhragmites spread were dominated by colonization for all sites except for Piermont Marsh (which appeared to be dominated by linear clonal growth) and Lang Tract (which appeared to be dominated by circular clonal growth). Although 46–100% of new patches ofPhragmites occurred within 5 m of drainages, at only one site (Piermont Marsh, New York) didPhragmites populations remain concentrated along creek banks. Except for Iona Island, New York, which appears to be in an early stage ofPhragmites invasion, patch dynamics at all sites showed an increase followed by a decrease in patch number, as independent patches became established, expanded, and coalesced. We also found some evidence for a loss of first order streams at later stages ofPhragmites invasions in several sites (Hog Island, Lang Tract, Silver Run).
Mitochondrial alpha-synuclein accumulation impairs complex I function in dopaminergic neurons and results in increased mitophagy in vivo

Alpha-synuclein is the major protein component of Lewy bodies, a cardinal pathological feature of the degenerating Parkinsonian brain. Alpha-synuclein has been reported to be able to intercalate into membranes via formation of an alpha-helical structure at its N-terminal end. Recent in vitro studies from various laboratories have demonstrated that alpha-synuclein can physically associate with mitochondria and interfere with mitochondrial function. α-Syn predominantly associates with the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it can apparently interact with complex I resulting in reduced mitochondrial complex I activity and increased free radical production. However, the effect of in vivo alpha-synuclein accumulation within dopaminergic neurons on mitochondrial function has not been thoroughly studied. Examination of transgenic animals which overexpress the familial mutant A53T form of the protein selectively within dopaminergic neurons reveals that A53T localizes to the mitochondrial membranes as monomers and oligomers particularly under conditions of proteasomal inhibitory stress, and that this localization coincides with a selective age-related mitochondrial complex I inhibition and decreased substrate-specific respiration along with increases in mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy).
Poster abstract: online data cleaning in wireless sensor networks

We present our ongoing work on data quality problems in sensor networks. Specifically, we deal with the problems of outliers, missing information, and noise. We propose an approach for modeling and online learning of spatio-temporal correlations in sensor net-works. We utilize the learned correlations to discover outliers and recover missing information. We also propose a Bayesian approach for reducing the effect of noise on sensor data online.
Using surrogate-based modeling to predict optimal I/O parameters of applications at the extreme scale

On petascale systems, the selection of optimal values for I/O parameters without taking into account the I/O size and pattern can cause the I/O time to dominate the simulation time, compromising the application's scalability. In this paper, we adopt and adapt an engineering method called surrogate-based modeling to efficiently search for the optimal I/O parameter values and accurately predict the associated I/O times at the extreme scale. Our approach allows us to address both the search and prediction in a short time, even when the application's I/O is large and exhibits irregular patterns.
An effective hamiltonian for the optical properties of silicon and germanium

An effective Hamiltonian which yields the observed optical properties of silicon and germanium is presented. The form of the Hamiltonian depends upon crystal symmetry and is based on a Fourier expansion for the energy bands. This Hamiltonian is closely related to the Slater-Koster interpolation scheme and has been applied as an interpolation scheme for experimental data.
Acetylcholine response in guinea pig outer hair cells. I. Properties of the response

The properties of the ACh (acetylcholine) response in guinea pig outer hair cells (OHCs) are not well understood. It has been shown that the response to ACh involves the activation of a Ca2+ dependent K+ selective conductance (referred to as Ksub where sub stands for suberyldicholine). In the present study, we examined the voltage dependence, the time dependence, and the desensitization of the ACh response. In addition, we examined the K+ selectivity of K(sub). These properties are important for aiding in the determination of the type of K+ channels activated by ACh. Patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell mode was used to record from single OHCs isolated from adult pigmented guinea pigs. ACh (100 microM) was applied to the voltage-clamped OHCs and the ACh induced currents (IACh) were measured. A voltage dependence of the ACh response was found with the ACh induced currents decaying monoexponentially at potentials positive to -30 mV. The decay of the ACh induced currents was faster soon after establishing the whole-cell mode of recording when compared to the decay of the currents some time later. This effect, referred to as the time dependence, was different from the desensitization of the response upon prolonged application of ACh. The desensitization of the ACh induced currents was about 50% after 2 min of continuous application of 100 microM ACh. The examined characteristics of the ACh response in guinea pig OHCs indicate a voltage and time dependence of the response and strong K+ selectivity of the Ksub.
The mechanism of ATP hydrolysis by sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract Quench-flow kinetic studies of the rate of formation and decomposition of phosphoprotein by the [Mg 2+ + Ca 2+ ] activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum indicate that the rate limiting step of ATP cleavage is the hydrolysis of phosphoprotein. The rapid initial burst of ADP liberation during ATP hydrolysis is consistent with this interpretation. The dependence of the rate of phosphoprotein formation upon free calcium concentration suggests cooperativity with a Hill coefficient greater than 2. The pH dependence of phosphoprotein hydrolysis and its inhibition by photooxidation implicate the involvement of histidine residues in the process.
Piezoelectric excitation of inflatable space structures for modal testing

Precision inflatable space structures promise revolutionary change in spacecraft design over the next decade. Given the variety of previous applications and the potential of future concepts, development of advanced design tools is underway. Validation of these models requires experimental analysis of both ground and orbiting test articles. The present study examined the suitability of piezoelectric polymer materials (namely PVDF) to excite an inflated structure for modal testing. Experiments were undertaken using both a conventional electrodynamic shaker and a small sheet of PVDF bonded to an inflated torus. In addition, a linear finite element model of an inflated torus is compared to the experimental results. The results demonstrate the potential for PVDF to excite inflatable ground test articles.
Optimal one-stage and two-stage schemes for steady state solutions of hyperbolic equations

Abstract Chiu, C., Optimal one-stage and two-stage schemes for steady state solutions of hyperbolic equations, Applied Numerical Mathematics 11 (1993) 475–496. In this paper, we consider finding steady state approximations to hyperbolic equations by solving the related ODE systems using spatial discretization. An optimal one-stage scheme is derived based on the particular distribution pattern of eigenvalues of the spatial discretization matrix. An optimal two-stage method is then designed based on a geometric closure of the eigenvalues and the results from the one-stage method. The applications of these methods include but are not limited to solving nonsymmetric linear systems.
Urinary enzyme excretion as a parameter for detection of acute renal damage mediated by N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) in Fischer 344 rats.

The kidney has been identified as the specific target organ for in vivo exposure to an agricultural fungicide, N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS). The goal of this study was to determine if urinary protein and enzyme excretion were sensitive, non-invasive markers for NDPS-induced renal damage. The proximal tubular enzymes that were monitored were the brush-border enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). Male Fischer 344 (F344) rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.2 or 1.0 mmol kg-1 NDPS. Control animals were injected i.p. with sesame oil (2.5 ml kg-1). Urine was collected on ice 0-3, 3-6 and 6-24 h after NDPS or vehicle injection. Urinary protein and urinary NAG excretion levels were elevated (P < 0.05) above the control levels 0-3 h after treatment with 0.2 mmol kg-1 NDPS. Urinary protein and enzyme excretion was comparable between 0.2 mmol kg-1 NDPS-treated and control groups for all other time periods. Administration of a marked nephrotoxicant dose (1.0 mmol kg-1) was associated with elevated levels of urinary protein, NAG and ALP beginning 0-3 h after treatment when compared to the control group or to respective baseline values. It was concluded from these studies that measurement of urinary protein as well as the release of ALP and NAG were sensitive markers of renal damage produced by NDPS.
Allosteric Mechanism of Induction of CytR-regulated Gene Expression: CytR REPRESSOR-CYTIDINE INTERACTION *

Transcription from cistrons of theEscherichia coli CytR regulon is activated by E. coli cAMP receptor protein (CRP) and repressed by a multiprotein complex composed of CRP and CytR. De-repression results when CytR binds cytidine. CytR is a homodimer and a LacI family member. A central question for all LacI family proteins concerns the allosteric mechanism that couples ligand binding to the protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions that regulate transcription. To explore this mechanism for CytR, we analyzed nucleoside binding in vitro and its coupling to cooperative CytR binding to operator DNA. Analysis of the thermodynamic linkage between sequential cytidine binding to dimeric CytR and cooperative binding of CytR to deoP2 indicates that de-repression results from just one of the two cytidine binding steps. To test this conclusion in vivo, CytR mutants that have wild-type repressor function but are cytidine induction-deficient (CID) were identified. Each has a substitution for Asp281or neighboring residue. CID CytR281N was found to bind cytidine with three orders of magnitude lower affinity than wild-type CytR. Other CytR mutants that do not exhibit the CID phenotype were found to bind cytidine with affinity similar to wild-type CytR. The rate of transcription regulated by heterodimeric CytR composed of one CytR281N and one wild-type subunit was compared with that regulated by wild-type CytR under inducing conditions. The data support the conclusion that the first cytidine binding step alone is sufficient to induce.
Passive Protection of Mice against Group A Streptococcal Pharyngeal Infection by Lipoteichoic Acid

Previous studies have shown that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of group A streptococci plays a central role in the adherence of these organisms to epithelial cells. In this study, intranasal instillation of purified LTA but not deacylated LTA in mice blocked colonization and prevented death after intranasal challenge infection with group A streptococci. Bacteria pretreated with rabbit antisera against LTA also failed to colonize or infect mice after intranasal challenge. In vitro studies showed that LTA and M protein inhibited adherence of type 24 streptococci to mouse pharyngeal cells. Passive intranasal administration of purified type 24 M protein protected mice from death after challenge infection with type 24 streptococci but had no significant effect on pharyngeal colonization. Surface LTA and M protein may mediate adherence of streptococci to mouse pharyngeal cells, and blocking adherence with LTA prevents colonization and infection in this animal model.
Sexual Cues Emanating From the Anchorette Chair: Implications for Perceived Professionalism, Fitness for Beat, and Memory for News:

The experimental study reported here employed one of the most compelling visual cues of female sexual attractiveness (low waist-to-hip ratio) to test the influence of news anchor sexualization on audience evaluations of her as a professional and their memory for the news that she presents. Male participants saw the sexualized version of the anchor as less suited for war and political reporting. They also encoded less news information presented by the sexualized than her unsexualized version. Conclusions were drawn in line with evolutionary psychology expectations of men’s cognitive susceptibility to visual sex cues. Women participants, on the other hand, did not vary across conditions in their assessments of the anchor’s competence to report on war and political news. Moreover, they encoded more news information presented by the sexualized than unsexualized anchor condition.
Inclusions in diamonds: Garnet lherzolite and eclogite assemblages

Twenty-nine inclusion-bearing diamonds, mostly from Africa, were studied in order to determine the mineral assemblages and compositions of the inclusions. Those interpreted as syngenetic with diamond (e.g. garnet, pyroxene, olivine) frequently have crystal faces related to the diamond rather than to their own structure; they are termed xenohedral. Ten diamonds contain minerals comparable to those in the garnet lherzolite assemblage; these are pyrope-knorringite garnet (0.7–9.2% Cr2O3), diopside-orthopyroxene intergrowths (interpreted as subcalcic diopside exsolved into diopside and orthopyroxene, (En86–94), enstatite (En92–93), olivine (Fo92–93; 0.03–0.15% Cr2O3) and chromite. Fifteen diamonds have minerals comparable to those in eclogites enclosed in kimberlites; these are pyrope-grossular-almandine garnet, omphacite (2.7–10.7% Al2O3, 1.4–5.8% Na2O, 0.04–0.87% K2O), kyanite, rutile, magnetite (probably intergrown with sulfide) and phlogopite. Minerals of uncertain origin, associated with the eclogitic inclusion assemblages, are sanidine, a polymorph of silica, and filamentous material rich in SiO2, Al2O3 and K2O. Epigenetic minerals are muscovite, amphibole (hornblende, actinolite), sulfide (pentlandite, chalcopyrite) and altered kyanite. In the garnet lherzolite suite subcalcic diopside assemblages may have formed in the sheared lherzolite zone at 1200–1400°C, and reequilibrated in the granular lherzolite zone at 1000°C, of the upper mantle. The eclogite suite assemblage has a compositional range similar to that found in diamondidferous and non-diamondiferous eclogite xenoliths from kimberlites. K-bearing omphacite requires experimental study. The presence of kyanite is the first reported occurrence of this eclogite mineral in diamond. Magnetite, intergrown with sulfide, is part of the eclogite assemblage. No mixing of the two suites has been found in a single diamond, with one possible exception.
Nonlinear waves in friedman‐robertson‐walker space‐times

In this paper we consider the initial value problem for the nonlinear wave equation □u = F(u, u′) in Friedman-Robertson-Walker space-time, □ being the D'Alambertian in local coordinates of space-time. We obtain decay estimates and show that the equation has global solutions for small initial data. We do it by reducing the problem to an initial value problem for the wave equation over hyperbolic space. As byproduct we derive decay and global existence for solutions of the wave equation over the hyperbolic space with small initial data. The same technique with some auxiliary lemmas similar to the ones proved in [6], [7] can be used to generalize the result to the case when F depends also on second derivatives of u in a certain way.
Raman Study of Vibrational and Rotational Relaxation of Liquid Benzene-d6 Confined to Nanoporous Silica Glasses

Raman spectra of totally symmetric ν1, ν2 bands and three doubly degenerate ν15, ν16, ν17 bands of liquid benzene-d6 confined to porous silica glasses with pore sizes ranging from 14 to 40 A (average pore radius) were measured at T = 295 K and atmospheric pressure. The vibrational relaxation rate, , and the reorientational relaxation time, τreo (and the perpendicular diffusion constant D⊥), were obtained from the totally symmetric ν2 band using the standard method. The parallel diffusion constant D∥ was obtained from the doubly degenerate ν16 band using a method originally suggested by Tanabe. The results show that and both D⊥ and D∥ are significantly affected by the confinement. As pore size decreases, increases, while both D⊥ and D∥ decrease. The dependence of and τreo on the pore size scales as 1/R, indicating a dominant surface interaction effect. Comparing the relative changes of D⊥ and D∥ to their bulk liquid values, D∥ is affected to a lesser extent by the confinement. Consequently, the overall rot...
Conjugated turbulent heat transfer with axial conduction in wall and convection boundary conditions in a parallel-plate channel

Abstract The steady-state conjugated turbulent heat transfer with axial conduction in the wall and convection boundary conditions is solved with the generalized integral transform technique for the flow of Newtonian fluid in parallel-plate duct. A lumped wall model that neglects transverse temperature gradients in the solid but that takes into account the axial heat conduction along the wall is adopted. Highly accurate results are presented for the fluid bulk and wall temperatures and Nusselt number. The effects of the conjugation parameter, Biot number, and the dimensionless channel length on Nusselt number and fluid bulk and wall temperatures are systematically investigated.