cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IRON AS A REFERENCE ELEMENT FOR DETERMINING TRACE METAL ENRICHMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL SHELF SEDIMENTS

Abstract Major and trace elements occur naturally in the environment at levels which are detectable by most ocean monitoring programs. This natural occurrence of metals in the environment complicates assessments of potentially contaminated marine sediments because measurable quantities of metals do not automatically infer anthropogenic enrichment. In this study, we use iron as a conservative tracer to differentiate natural from anthropogenic components of bulk sediment metal concentrations in the Southern California Bight (SCB). Baseline relationships between iron and eight trace metals were established using data from non-impacted sites distant from known point and non-point sources of pollution. These baseline relationships were evaluated for geographic, depth, and analytical variance, and then were validated using an independent data set. Using the reference element technique, we determined that over half of the 248 SCB sites measured were enriched in at least one trace metal. All trace metals investigated showed some level of enrichment: silver, cadmium, and chromium showed the greatest sediment enrichment, while arsenic and nickel showed the least enrichment. Degrees of enrichment were unevenly distributed throughout the SCB. Trace metal contamination was extensive in the Santa Monica Bay where approximately 80% of the sites were contaminated by more than three metals.
Single-polarization fiber with a high extinction ratio

An elliptical-core hole assisted single-polarization fiber was designed, fabricated, and characterized. Numerical modeling based on the vectorial Maxwell equation reveals the dependence of the single-polarization bandwidth on core delta and air-hole size. Several single-polarization fibers based on this design with their single-polarization operating windows centered between 0.9 and 1.5 µm were successfully demonstrated. A correlation between fiber birefringence and single-polarization operating bandwidth is qualitatively confirmed. A single-polarization bandwidth as high as 55 nm was observed. These fibers also show very high extinction ratios of 60 dB or higher at lengths much shorter than 1 m. Other properties such as the dependence on length of the single-polarization operating window were also measured.
215 mandible fractures in 120 children: demographics, treatment, outcomes, and early growth data.

BACKGROUND: : Optimal management of pediatric mandible fractures demands that the practitioner balance reduction and fixation with preservation of growth potential and function. The ideal synthesis of these goals has not yet been defined. The authors catalogue their experience with pediatric mandible fractures at a major pediatric teaching hospital with reference to demographics, injury type, treatment, and outcomes to inform future management of these injuries. METHODS: : Demographics, management, and outcomes of pediatric mandible fractures presenting over 10 years at a pediatric trauma center were assessed. Cephalometric analysis was conducted. Relationships among demographics, fracture type, management, outcomes, and growth were explored. RESULTS: TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN mandible fractures in 120 patients younger than 18 years were analyzed (average follow-up, 19.5 months). The condylar head and neck were fractured most frequently. Operative management was significantly more likely for children older than 12 years (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: : This study reports the demographics, treatment, and early follow-up of a sizable cohort of pediatric mandible fractures. Management principles for these injuries are outlined. Although definitive recommendations must be withheld until longer follow-up is available, the data presented here show that the treatment protocols used at the authors' center have yielded largely uncompromised mandibular function and growth thus far. Language: en
Dose rate effects in the control of iron bacteria by irradiation

Abstract The control of iron-reducing bacteria, such as Pseudonomas, in water intake pipes by irradiation is an attractive alternative to chemical methods. Tests have been conducted with a slow-flowing circulating system to determine the lowest dose-rate that will inhibit bacterial build-up on wire-mesh filters. Dose rates of the order of 2.5 Gy/h seem to be adequate for this purpose, permitting the use of relatively weak sources.
The Thymoma and Thymic Hyperplasia in Myasthenia Gravis with Observations on the General Pathology

Since the comprehensive study by Bell in 1917 no systematic treatise on the thymic tumors of myasthenia gravis has appeared. It might be expected that the past twenty years would have added the records of many more cases to the literature and have extended our knowledge of the pathological anatomy of myasthenia gravis and the associated thymic tumors. On the contrary but few cases with autopsy findings have been reported and our conceptions concerning the morbid anatomy of this disease are much the same as they were in 1917. In the period from 1901, the year in which Weigert published the record of the first case of myasthenia gravis with an associated thymus tumor, to 1917, Bell found published reports of 56 autopsied cases of this disease. He wrote: “The thymus was described as enlarged in seventeen of these cases; and in ten others it contained a tumor. Therefore some form of thymic involvement seems to occur in nearly half the cases of myasthenia gravis.” Since 1917 the records of 6 more autopsies have been published and 5 of these showed thymic lesions. Of the 4 cases to be reported here, 2 had thymic lesions which were recognized. I am of the opinion that pathologic changes may be found in the thymus in cases of myasthenia gravis in direct ratio to the care with which they are sought. Thus, prior to 1901, when Weigert first called attention to the association, the presence of changes in the thymus had been completely overlooked. In 1912 Starr reviewed 250 cases of myasthenia gravis, including cases reported prior to 1901 in which the thymus was probably not carefully investigated. His figures showed thymus involvement in only 28 per cent of the cases, while Bell9s analysis of 56 autopsies between 1901 and 1917 yielded an incidence of thymic involvement in 50 per cent. With the addition of our 4 cases and the 6 reported elsewhere since 1917 the incidence of thymic lesions remains at 50 per cent. This figure probably expresses the frequency of grossly recognizable lesions of the thymus. It seems quite possible, however, that thymic lesions which have produced little or no macroscopic alteration of the suprapericardial tissue may have been overlooked in some of the reported cases. In the first place, as will be pointed out later on, the thymic lesion may not be recognizable without a microscopic examination. In the second place the thymic region in the post-adolescent ages is frequently passed over in the routine necropsy with the most cursory inspection. These facts have doubtless combined to lower the figure which expresses the frequency of reported lesions of the thymus.
General method for the synthesis of crystalline organic nanorods using porous alumina templates

Nanorods composed of a variety of conjugated organic molecules were synthesized using an anodized alumina template and solvent annealing; detailed study of 200 nm thick 2,7-di-t-butylpyrene rods showed they are crystalline, with single domains extending over several microns.
Analysis of the Hockley and Murdock decision model

Abstract Hockley and Murdock (1987) proposed a decision model to predict accuracy and response latency in recognition memory across a range of experimental paradigms. A decision is made when the evidence from a memory comparison process plus extraneous noise exceeds a lower or upper criterion. If neither criterion is exceeded, the distance between the criteria is reduced and a new sample of noise is added to the original memory comparison value. This is repeated until a criterion is exceeded. The model is shown to have two shortcomings: First, it produces a reaction time distribution that is multimodal; empirical distributions are generally unimodal. Second, application of the model to various speed-accuracy trade-off phenomena is found to be inadequate: Either the assumptions made to account for speed-accuracy data are post hoc or they are unable to mimic the data. An experiment that manipulates speed-accuracy tradeoffs demonstrates that the model cannot produce a trade-off of sufficient range. Alternative conceptions of the model (the addition of a guessing process and a zero-drift random walk) are unsuccessful. The diffusion model of Ratcliff (Psychological Review, 85, 59–108 (1978); 88, 552–572 (1981)) provides an adequate account of these data and a more parsimonious account of other speed-accuracy phenomena.
The stylet apparatus of the nemertean Paranemertes Peregrina: Its ultrastructure and role in prey capture

The nemertean Paranemertes peregrina captures prey by using an eversible proboscis that is armed with a stylet apparatus. The apparatus consists of several reserve stylet sacs and a central stylet that is attached to a granular mass, called the basis. When the proboscis is everted, the central stylet is used to stab prey such as nereid polychaetes, and paralytic neurotoxins, produced in the proboscis, are inserted in the stylet-induced wounds. The central stylet averages 85 μm in length and has helically-arranged grooves along its shaft. The proximal piece of the central stylet is anchored to the basis, apparently by adhesive granules in the anterior end of the basis. A basis sheath surrounds the basis and is continuous posteriorly with a duct, called the ductus ejaculatorius. Secretions in the ductus ejaculatorius may contain some of the toxin that is used to immobilize the prey. The contents of the duct are probably injected into the prey by way of the grooves on the central stylet. In the region anterior to the central stylet, there are numerous glandular cells and anchor cells that are believed to attach the stylet apparatus to the prey during attack. Each reserve stylet sac is lined by a simple epithelium. One of the epithelial cells, called the styletocyte, is greatly enlarged and fills the lumen of the sac. Several reserve stylets are assembled in a styletocyte. Each reserve stylet is formed within a membrane-bound vacuole associated with the Golgi apparatus and is composed of an inner organic core surrounded by an inorganic cortex. A duct connects each reserve stylet sac with the area around the central stylet and provides a pathway for the transfer of reserve stylets during replacement of the central stylet.
Thermodynamics of oxygen in niobium-vanadium-oxygen solid solutions

Several studies have been reported on the Nb--O and V--O systems utilizing the solid state galvanic cell technique for the determination of the oxygen solubility and thermodynamic properties of oxygen across the solid solution region. In this study, similar determinations have been made for the ternary Nb--V--O system over the temperature range 650-1150/sup 0/C. This system was selected because both Nb and V have relatively high oxygen solubilities. Thus the alloys were anticipated to have fairly high solubilities, enabling a broad range of oxygen concentrations to be examined in the solid solution region of each Nb--V alloy. Additionally, oxygen has a somewhat lower activity in vanadium than in niobium. Therefore, effects on the oxygen activity by substitutional solutes with a larger of smaller interaction with oxygen than the solvents could be determined by studying Nb or V-rich alloys, respectively.
Temperature dependence of the Pd K-edge extended x-ray-absorption fine structure of PdCx (x~0.13).

Pd K-edge extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) and x-ray-absorption near-edge-structure (XANES) measurements were performed on a Pd carbide phase, ${\mathrm{PdC}}_{\mathit{x}}$ (with x\ensuremath{\sim}0.13), and metallic Pd powder at temperatures between 40 and 423 K. The data were analyzed by nonlinear least-squares fitting using an ab initio theoretical standard. The average lattice expansion of the carbide phase, 2.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1% relative to Pd metal, agrees well with previous x-ray- and neutron-diffraction results. The temperature dependence of the Pd-Pd nearest-neighbor mean-squared relative displacement (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{2}$) yields a Debye temperature, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Theta}}}_{\mathit{D}}$=295\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 K for Pd powder. There is an additional static-disorder contribution in ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{2}$ of 0.0009\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0002 A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{2}$, relative to bulk Pd metal. The Debye temperature of ${\mathrm{PdC}}_{0.13}$ powder is also 295\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 K. There is, however, an additional static-disorder contribution to ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{2}$ of 0.0012 A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{2}$, relative to Pd powder, probably the result of local distortion of the Pd lattice by interstitial C. The Pd-C coordination is not directly observed in a Fourier transform of the EXAFS. The location of C in octahedral interstices is evident by its effect, through multiple scattering, on the magnitude of the second Pd-Pd peak in the Fourier transform magnitude of the EXAFS data, which is greatly reduced. The Pd K-edge XANES spectrum of ${\mathrm{PdC}}_{0.13}$ is nearly identical to that of Pd metal. There is no significant chemical shift (\ensuremath{\le}0.5 eV) of the Pd K edge of ${\mathrm{PdC}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sim}}0.13}$.
A Note on the Sources of Spurious Radiations in the Field of Two Strong Signals

An investigation is made into the source of combination signals in the fields of two strong signals. It is shown that these signals are the results of nonlinearities in conductors which serve as antennas. The nonlinearities are found to be primarily at the junction between the conductor and the ground although other sources of poor contact may also be responsible. Suggestions for reducing the interference due to this phenomenon are given.
Remote sensing and implications for variable-rate application using agricultural aircraft

Aircraft routinely used for agricultural spray application are finding utility for remote sensing. Data obtained from remote sensing can be used for prescription application of pesticides, fertilizers, cotton growth regulators, and water (the latter with the assistance of hyperspectral indices and thermal imaging). Digital video was used to detect weeds in early cotton, and preliminary data were obtained to see if nitrogen status could be detected in early soybeans. Weeds were differentiable from early cotton at very low altitudes (65-m), with the aid of supervised classification algorithms in the ENVI image analysis software. The camera was flown at very low altitude for acceptable pixel resolution. Nitrogen status was not detectable by statistical analysis of digital numbers (DNs) obtained from images, but soybean cultivar differences were statistically discernable (F=26, p=0.01). Spectroradiometer data are being analyzed to identify narrow spectral bands that might aid in selecting camera filters for determination of plant nitrogen status. Multiple camera configurations are proposed to allow vegetative indices to be developed more readily. Both remotely sensed field images and ground data are to be used for decision-making in a proposed variable-rate application system for agricultural aircraft. For this system, prescriptions generated from digital imagery and data will be coupled with GPS-based swath guidance and programmable flow control.
A stepped-frequency continuous wave ranger for aiding pedestrian navigation

Pedestrian navigation is readily enabled by GPS in outdoor environments. However, there are many locations - indoors, urban canyons and underground - where the GPS signal is unreliable or unavailable. Compact, MEMS inertial navigation, augmented by a Shoe Ranging Sensor (SRS) that measures scalar range between shoes, greatly reduces navigational error over large distances in simulations. Existing sensors have insufficient measurement dynamic range or environmental resiliency. Here, the authors report on an SRS based on stepped-frequency continuous wave radar with RMS ranging accuracy of 0.59 mm and 1 m range. This is an order-of-magnitude more accuracy over recent ultra-wideband rangers.
Level-shifted and voltage-reduced 0.5 mu m BiCMOS circuits

5-V BiCMOS digital circuits can provide significant speed improvement over CMOS circuits when driving heavy capacitance loads. The most commonly used 5-V BiCMOS circuit is the partial-swing circuit, which has 2-V/sub be/ reduction of its output swing. The V/sub be/ losses reduce both the noise margin and the overdrive voltage to the driven circuits. Owing to nonscaling of the bipolar V/sub be/, the effect becomes more severe as power supply is reduced. This partial-swing BiCMOS circuit has limited speed improvement over a 3.3-V conventional 0.5- mu m CMOS circuit when implemented in a scaled-down 0.5- mu m, 3.3-V BiCMOS technology. The concept of level-shifting a BiCMOS circuit is shown. The V/sub h/ and V/sub l/ supply rails for CMOS circuits are offset by V/sub be/ ( equivalent to 0.8 V) from the V/sub dd/ and V/sub ss/ supplies, respectively. After a V/sub be/ reduction similar to that in a partial-swing circuit, the output swing of the BiCMOS circuit matches the CMOS supply levels. Thus, CMOS-like noise margin and overdrive voltage can be achieved. The V/sub be/ shift can be implemented simply by an NPN transistor connected as a diode, or by more complex voltage-regulator circuitry. For a single 5-V V/sub dd/ supply and grounded V/sub ss/, the V/sub h/ and V/sub l/ for CMOS circuits are about 4.2 V and 0.8 V respectively. The net voltage across CMOS circuits is then (V/sub h/-V/sub l/), i.e. 3.4 V, which is close to a 3.3-V scaled-down supply for 0.5- mu m CMOS devices. >
Free vibrations of orthotropic sandwich conical shells with various boundary conditions

In this paper is presented an analysis of axisymmetric and unsymmetric free vibrations of conical or cylindrical shells with various boundary conditions. The shell construction may be either homogeneous or symmetrical sandwich, and the facing and core may be either isotropic or specially orthotropic. Love's first-approximation shell theory, with transverse shear strain added, was used and solutions were obtained by Galerkin's method. Comparisons were made with existing experimental results for the following boundary conditions: freely supported at both ends; clamped-clamped; and free-free.
STOCHASTIC ADAMS THEOREM FOR A GENERAL COMPACT MANIFOLD

We give a stochastic analoguous of the theorem of Adams, which says that the Hochschild cohomology is equal to the cohomology of the based smooth loop space. The key tools are the stochastic Chen iterated integrals as well as Driver's flow.
Tomato responses to ammonium and nitrate nutrition under controlled root-zone pH

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill. 'Vendor') plants were grown for 21 days in flowing solution culture with N supplied as either 1.0 mM NO3- or 1.0 mM NH4+. Acidity in the solutions was automatically maintained at pH 6.0. Accumulation and distribution of dry matter and total N and net photosynthetic rate were not affected by source of N. Thus, when rhizosphere acidity was controlled at pH 6.0 during uptake, either NO3- or NH4+ can be used efficiently by tomato. Uptake of K+ and Ca2+ were not altered by N source, but uptake of Mg2+ was reduced in NH4(+)-fed plants. This indicates that uptake of Mg2+ was regulated at least partially by ionic balance within the plant.
Determination of the PULSTAR reactor neutron energy spectrum

Multiple activation foils have been employed to calculate thermal, epithermal and fast specific saturation activities of the neutron energy spectrum of the 1 MW PULSTAR research reactor at North Carolina State University. The research reactor has various facilities that can be used for experiments. This characterization was performed in the pneumatic transfer radiation facility. NaI(TI) well type detectors along with appropriate electronics were used to evaluate the activities of the irradiated foils. Various parameters such as peak efficiencies, cadmium ratios, saturation activities and specific activities were determined using 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 NaI(TI) crystals. The SAND II (neutron fluence rate spectrum determination by multiple activation) [McElroy et al. A computer automated iterative method for neutron flux spectra determination by foil activation, Vols I, II and IV (1967)] code was utilized to unfold the experimental data. The spectrum unfolded from these experimental measurements was best approximated by a trial spectrum obtained from the reference library of SAND II.
Inhibition by diazo-oxo-norleucine (DON) of rat palatal glycoprotein synthesis and epithelial cell adhesion in vitro

Abstract The effects of diazo-oxo-norleucine (DON) on synthesis of palatal glycoproteins and epithelial cell adhesion in vitro were investigated. Adhesion between developing homologous rat palatal epithelia in vitro was prevented by culturing day 15 shelves in the presence of DON (20 μg/ml). Binding of [3H]concanavalin A (ConA) to the epithelial surface of palatal shelves in vitro was dramatically reduced by DON. DON-induced inhibition of adhesion as well as the reduction of [3H]ConA binding was prevented by concurrent glutamine (10 mM) or glucosamine (10 mM) administration. DON substantially inhibited the incorporation of [3H]fucose, Na235SO4, and [3H]-glucosamine into palatal macromolecular components as shown autoradiographically and biochemically. These data suggest that DON inhibits palatal adhesion in vitro by blocking the synthesis and secretion of carbohydrate-rich macromolecules associated with the cell surface.
O-linkage of N-acetylglucosamine to Sp1 activation domain inhibits its transcriptional capability

Abstract The posttranslational modification of eukaryotic intracellular proteins by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) monosaccharides is essential for cell viability, yet its precise functional roles are largely unknown. O-GlcNAc transferase utilizes UDP-GlcNAc, the end product of hexosamine biosynthesis, to catalyze this modification. The availability of UDP-GlcNAc correlates with glycosylation levels of intracellular proteins as well as with transcriptional levels of some genes. Meanwhile, transcription factors and RNA polymerase II can be modified by O-GlcNAc. A linkage between transcription factor O-GlcNAcylation and transcriptional regulation therefore has been postulated. Here, we show that O-GlcNAcylation of a chimeric transcriptional activator containing the second activation domain of Sp1 decreases its transcriptional activity both in an in vitro transcription system and in living cells, which is in concert with our observation that O-GlcNAcylation of Sp1 activation domain blocks its in vitro and in vivo interactions with other Sp1 molecules and TATA-binding protein-associated factor II 110. Furthermore, overexpression of O-GlcNAc transferase specifically inhibits transcriptional activation by native Sp1 in cells. Thus, our studies provide direct evidence that O-GlcNAcylation of transcription factors is involved in transcriptional regulation.
Kronecker Function Rings of Transcendental Field Extensions

We consider the ring Kr(F/D), where D is a subring of a field F, that is the intersection of the trivial extensions to F(X) of the valuation rings of the Zariski–Riemann space consisting of all valuation rings of the extension F/D and investigate the ideal structure of Kr(F/D) in the case where D is an affine algebra over a subfield K of F and the extension F/K has countably infinite transcendence degree, by using the topological structure of the Zariski–Riemann space. We show that for any pair of nonnegative integers d and h, there are infinitely many prime ideals of dimension d and height h that are minimal over any proper nonzero finitely generated ideal of Kr(F/D).
Determination of the surface density of polyethylene glycol on gold nanoparticles by use of microscale thermogravimetric analysis

The widespread integration of nanoparticle technologies into biomedicine will depend on the ability to repeatedly create particles with well-defined properties and predictable behaviors. For this to happen, fast, reliable, inexpensive, and widely available techniques to characterize nanomaterials are needed. Characterization of the surface molecules is particularly important since the surface, including the surface molecule density, plays a dominant role in determining how nanoparticles interact with their surroundings. Here, 10 and 30 nm gold nanoparticle NIST Standard Reference Materials were functionalized with fluorescently labeled polyethylene glycol (PEG) with either thiolate or lipoic acid anchoring groups to evaluate analytical techniques for determining surface coverage. The coating of the nanoparticles was confirmed with dynamic light scattering, microscale thermogravimetric analysis (μ-TGA), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. A UV–vis method for determining gold nanoparticle concentrations that takes into account spectral broadening upon functionalization was developed. The amount of bound PEG was quantified with μ-TGA, a technique analogous to thermogravimetric analysis that uses quartz crystal microbalances, and fluorescence spectroscopy of displaced ligands. It is shown that μ-TGA is a convenient technique for the quantification of ligands bound to inorganic particles while sacrificing a minimal amount of sample, and the treatment of the functionalized nanoparticle dispersions with dithiothreitol may be insufficient to achieve complete displacement of the surface ligands for quantification by fluorescence measurements. The μ-TGA and fluorescence results were used to determine ligand footprint sizes—average areas occupied by each ligand on the particles’ surface. The lipoic acid bound ligands had footprint sizes of 0.21 and 0.25 nm2 on 10 and 30 nm particles, respectively while the thiolate ligands had footprint sizes of 0.085 and 0.18 nm2.
Electrochemical Study of Core-Shell Microgels

Core and core-shell microgels are synthesized by aqueous free radical precipitation polymerization and their solvent release effects characterized. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) reveals hydrodynamic radii (Rh) decrease sharply at lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 32 oC. Electrochemical properties of microgels were also investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) with electroactive probes: Fc(MeOH)2, uncharged and Ru(NH3)6Cl3, positively charged. By measuring the effect of temperature change on the diffusion coefficients, I estimated the electrostatic interactions in varying solutions: aqueous (without migrogels), 25% core microgel and 25 % core-shell microgel solution systems. The diffusion coefficient of uncharged ferrocenedimethanol Fc(MeOH)2was found to increase as temperature increases, in both core or core-shell solutions. Positive charged Ru(NH3)6Cl3 shows a different behavior in both 25% core and 25% core-shell systems. In aqueous solution, increasing temperature brings increased diffusion coefficients. With the addition of core and core-shell microgel solution systems, diffusion coefficients fall sharply above LCST. This suggests that there is some amount of electrostatic interactions between negatively charged core and core-shell microgels and positively charged Ru(NH3)6Cl3.
An inclinometer for measuring beach slopes

Directions are given for constructing and using an accurate, compact, portable inclinometer useful to investigators of intertidal thalassopsammon, fresh and brackish water beach mesopsammon, and to geologists measuring beach profiles. This apparatus has shown that the New England beaches on which it has been used have constant and characteristic slopes that are only temporarily affected by meteorological disturbances.
A new method for thermal dehydration studies of clay minerals

The water vapour released upon heating the specimen is driven through a water absorber. The intensity of the exothermic reaction produced by absorption of the water is recorded against the temperature of the specimen. A series of curves obtained with various clay minerals are presented to illustrate the method. The significance of results in the identification of the clay minerals and the determination of their structure is considered.
A method for the determination of the relative specific radioactivity of [3H] proteins in acrylamide gel.

Abstract A method is described for discontinuous vertical gel electrophoresis of proteins at pH 8.9 in an ethylene diacrylate linked acrylamide gel. After staining the gel is segmented and each segment is dissolved in 1 M NH 4 OH and the protein-bound dye is measured colorimetrically. The NH 4 OH is evaporated and the samples are dissolved in a solubilizer and scintillation fluid and counted at an efficiency of 26–30% for tritium.
An Odds Ratio Approach for Assessing Differential Distractor Functioning Effects under the Nominal Response Model

Investigations of differential distractor functioning (DDF) can provide valuable information concerning the location and possible causes of measurement invariance within a multiple-choice item. In this article, I propose an odds ratio estimator of the DDF effect as modeled under the nominal response model. In addition, I propose a simultaneous distractor-level (SDL) test of invariance based on the results of the distractor-level tests of DDF. The results of a simulation study indicated that the DDF effect estimator maintained good statistical properties under a variety of conditions, and the SDL test displayed substantially higher power than the traditional Mantel-Haenszel test of no DIF when the DDF effect varied in magnitude and/or size across the distractors.
The use of vegetation to remediate soil freshly contaminated by recalcitrant contaminants.

Abstract The use of vegetation to remediate soil contaminated by recalcitrant hydrocarbons was tested under field conditions. Specifically, an evaluation was made of the effectiveness of deep rooting grasses, Johnsongrass and Canadian wild rye in the dissipation of TNT and PBB's in the soils freshly contaminated to an initial concentration of 10.17±1.35 for TNT and 9.87±1.23 mg/kg for PBB. The experiment used 72 (1.5 m long and 0.1 m diameter) column lysimeters with four treatments: Johnsongrass; wild rye grass; a rotation of Johnsongrass and wild rye grass; and unplanted fallow conditions. In the laboratory, immunoassay test procedures determined the TNT and PBB concentrations in the soil, leachate, herbage and root samples. The root characteristics such as total root length, rooting density, and root surface area were quantified to a depth of 1.5 m. Changes in microbial biomass were assessed for both rhizosphere soil and the bulk soil during the 2-year study. The largest and most rapid loss in soil chemical concentration was for TNT, which decreased to less than 250 μg/kg, the detection limit, by 93 days after germination. The PBB was at or near the detection limit of 500 μg/kg by 185 days after germination. There was no perceptible difference in contaminant concentration in the soil between the vegetation treatments and/or with depth.
Volumetric accuracy analysis based on generalized geometric error model in multi-axis machine tools

Abstract A new volumetric accuracy analysis method in multi-axis machine tools is developed based on the generalized geometric error models. The models of translation and rotational errors of each axis, and squareness errors between two axes are derived by using 4∗4 homogeneous transformation matrices based on the assumption of small angle approximation. The developed geometric error models account for volumetric errors due to inaccuracies in the geometry and mutual relationships of the machine tool structure. Some simulation studies on volumetric accuracy of multi-axis machine were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed geometric error models.
Introduction to the special issue on Social Darwinism.

A brief history is provided of interventions with people with emotional disorders since the 1950s. A shortage of therapists is inescapable and even successful treatment does not change incidence. But the individual defect model supports the conservative view that causes are to be found inside people, rather than in social injustice. People who are defective are to be treated as part of the medical model that is extended to cover social problems. This view is an obvious extension of Social Darwinism that has long attributed success and failure to bad genes and good genes rather than to advantaged and disadvantaged social-economic environments.
A statistical analysis of the relationship between degradative rates and molecular weights of proteins.

Abstract A survey of published data for 33 proteins from rat liver confirms earlier claims that within cells large polypeptides tend to be degraded more rapidly than small ones. The rate of degradation of protein multimers correlates primarily with the molecular weight of the subunits rather than with that of the multimer. Because of the many exceptions to this correlation, especially among proteins with short half-lives, molecular size appears to be but one factor influencing a protein's rate of catabolism.
Retinol-binding protein in bovine retina: Isolation and partial characterization

Abstract A supernatant fraction prepared from bovine retina was examined for the presence of protein-bound forms of vitamin A. Five fractions displaying a retinol-like fluorescence were resolved by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. Two of the fractions were examined in more detail. Two retinol-binding proteins of apparent molecular weight 17 500 (a doublet band) were isolated from fraction V, the only fraction to bind exogenous [ 3 H]retinol. Interaction of retinol with the protein components of this fraction results in a considerable stabilization of retinol fluorescence. Two retinol-binding components (a doublet band) of similar apparent molecular weight were isolated from fluorescent fraction IV. Interaction of retinol with the components of this fraction was, however, weaker, based on fluorescence loss during gel filtration. The components of both fractions can be distinguished from the bovine serum retinol-binding protein by differences in size and electrophoretic mobility.
Role of structure in diphenyl ether teratogenesis.

Abstract The fetotoxicity of nitrofen and 5 analogous diphenyl ethers was compared in mice, using survival on postnatal day 5 to evaluate prenatal and perinatal toxicity. The effect of each chemical on the Harderian gland weight of surviving pups was also assessed, since decreased Harderian gland weight is seen in nitrofen-exposed pups at levels of treatment that do not cause mortality. All treatments were percutaneous. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenyl 4′-nitrophenyl ether was significantly more fetotoxic than nitrofen, but 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl 4′-nitrophenyl ether (CNP) was not fetotoxic at the doses used. Neither of the 2 monochlorinated 4′-nitrophenyl ethers nor the unchlorinated 4′-nitrophenyl ether were fetotoxic at the doses tested. Absent Harderian glands resulted only from exposure to nitrofen (71% of litters) or to 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl 4′-nitrophenyl ether (22% of litters), which were also the only compounds to decrease Harderian gland weight significantly.
Relativism, truth, and incoherence

There are many contemporary sources and defenders of epistemological relativism which have not been considered thus far. I have, for example, barely touched on the voluminous literature regarding frameworks, conceptual schemes, and Wittgensteinian forms of life. Davidson's challenge to the scheme/content distinction and thereby to conceptual relativism, Rorty's acceptance of the Davidsonian argument and his use of it to defend a relativistic position, Winchian and other sociological and anthropological arguments for relativism, recent work in the sociology of science, and Goodman's novel articulation of a relativism of worlds and of worldmaking, to mention just some of the contemporary loci of debate, all need to be addressed. So also do the plethora of relativistic arguments spawned by Kuhn and related literature in recent philosophy of science. Therefore, it cannot be said that there is no more to be said on behalf of epistemological relativism. Moreover, the positive task of delineating a defensible version of absolutism remains to be accomplished. Nevertheless, the defenses of relativism considered above do seem to have been successfully undercut. More specifically, the arguments for the incoherence of relativism are as compelling as ever, and have manifestly not been laid to rest by contemporary relativists. The basic Socratic insight that relativism is self-refuting, and so incoherent, remains a fundamental difficulty for those who would resuscitate and defend the ancient Protagorean doctrine or a modern variant of it.
Effects of form rotation on the speed of classification:. The development of shape constancy

Ss classified a test form as matching or not matching one of a set of memorized forms relative to which the test forms were rotated up to 90 deg. “Match” reaction times increased monotonically with both number of forms memorized and degrees of rotation. Disappearance of the rotation effect after practice was attributed to a change from considering rotational information during comparison to comparing rotation invariant features. The change in strategy is considered an indicant of the development of shape constancy. Time taken to memorize the patterns increased linearly with the size of the memory set, justifying interpretation of the RT effects in terms of comparison time differences rather than differences in memorial specification of the patterns.
A study of the 36Ar(3He, n)38Ca reaction

Abstract The energy levels of 38 Ca excited by the 36 Ar( 3 He, n) reaction have been investigated by neutron time-of-flight techniques. The previously unobserved 38 Ca analogues of the 3.377 MeV 0 + and the 3.936 MeV 2 + states in 38 Ar have been seen at 3.06 MeV and 3.69 MeV, respectively. The vanishing of the Coulomb pairing energy appears to account for the lowering of the excitation energy of 38 Ca states compared to their 38 Ar analogues.
A Note on 3-Thienyl-β-dialkylaminoethyl Ketones and Related Compounds*

A group of ketonic bases were synthesized from 3-acetylthiophene and 4-(3-thienyl)-3-buten-2-one, by means of the Mannich reaction. These compounds were prepared in an attempt to study the effect of position isomerism in this series on the physiological activity of the compounds.
Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies that recognize the binding site for nicotine on rat brain receptor.

Abstract Anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies have been prepared that represent the internal image of nicotine and are specific for the nicotine binding site on rat brain receptor. Specificity of these antibodies for the combining site on anti-nicotine was demonstrated by their ability to inhibit binding of monoclonal anti-nicotine to immobilized nicotine-polylysine. Furthermore, purified rat brain nicotine receptor but not acetylcholine receptor from fish electric organ effectively competed with anti-nicotine for immobilized nicotine and for immobilized anti-idiotype. Only 9 pmoles of naturally occurring (−)-nicotine inhibited idiotype-anti-idiotype binding by 50% whereas 11 times more (+)-nicotine was required. Acetylcholine, several cholinergic agonists and antagonists, nicotine metabolites, and other structurally related compounds were poor inhibitors.
Comparison of female Fischer and Sprague–Dawley rats in the response to ketanserin

Abstract The effects of the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor antagonist, ketanserin, on lordosis behavior were examined in hormonally primed, ovariectomized Fischer and Sprague–Dawley females. Rats were primed with 0.067 μg/g body weight estradiol benzoate and 3.33 μg/g body weight progesterone. After a pretest for sexual behavior, rats were injected with 0.416 to 10 mg/kg ketanserin. In both strains, lordosis behavior, lordosis quality, and proceptivity were significantly reduced by ketanserin. There was modest evidence of a strain difference with Sprague–Dawley females slightly more sensitive to ketanserin. In a second experiment, the effects of 10 mg/kg fluoxetine, 1 mg/kg ketanserin, and their combination were examined to determine if the two drugs would have additive effects on sexual behavior. There was no evidence that the drugs were additive in their effect and the strains did not differ in their response to the combined treatment. These findings are discussed in relation to prior evidence for strain differences in the sexual behavioral response to fluoxetine and to a receptor agonist acting preferentially at 5-HT 1A receptors.
VAMPIRE: A magnetically self-powered sensor node capable of wireless transmission

This paper presents a power electronic topology for providing a vibration monitor with in-situ magnetic energy harvesting. The energy harvesting circuit uses low voltage MOSFETs and a nano-crystalline magnetic core to extract energy from an operating electrical load like a motor. This topology can be used to power sensors and wireless circuitry for diagnostics with no need for battery or special power wiring. Harvesting energy from a 90 W-60 Hz load, a Vibration Assessment Monitoring Point with Integrated Recovery of Energy (VAMPIRE) produces 7.5mW with the core volume of 2.9 cm3, and powers up a 6.5mW electrical monitor that provides sampling, signal processing, and periodic wireless data transmission through an RF channel. The system samples the vibration data at 125 Hz, and enables wireless burst transfer every 160 ms.
Silicon Photodiode Array Detectors For High Resolution Spectroscopy At Lick Observatory

This paper describes the design and performance of two unintensified Reticon photodiode array detectors for high resolution spectroscopy with the Shane 3-meter telescope at Lick Observatory. Reticon arrays of 2 x 936 and 1 x 1872 formats were chosen for the initial installation. The remaining optical and mechanical components of the system were designed to allow easy addition of charge coupled devices (CCD's) as they become available. Detailed descriptions are given of cooling techniques, temperature control, and signal processing electronics which represent major improvements in performance and simplicity of operation over many previous Reticon systems. Both Reticon arrays are in routine operation for high resolution spectroscopy at Lick, and their performance is illustrated by astronomical observations obtained for several on-going research programs.
Enhancer-dependent inhibition of mouse renin transcription by inflammatory cytokines.

Inflammatory cytokines have been shown to inhibit renin gene expression in the kidney in vivo and the kidney tumor-derived As4.1 cell line. In this report, we show that cytokines oncostatin M (OSM)...
Limits of quantitation for laboratory assays

Summary. A common problem with laboratory assays is that a measurement of a substance in a test sample becomes relatively imprecise as the concentration decreases. A standard solution is to establish lower limits for reliable measurement. A quantitation limit is a level above which a measurement has sufficient precision to be reliably reported. The paper proposes a new approach to defining the limit of quantitation for the case where a linear calibration curve is used to estimate actual concentrations from measured values. The approach is based on the relative precision of the estimated concentration, using the delta method to approximate the precision. A graphical display is proposed for the assessment of estimated concentrations, as well as the overall reliability of the calibration curve. Our research is motivated by a clinical inhalation experiment. Comparisons are made between the approach proposed and two standard methods, using both real and simulated data.
Maximal voluntary and functional performance levels needed for independence in adults aged 65 to 97 years.

Background and Purpose . Age-related loss of muscle mass and cardiovascular endurance can lead to impairments in muscle force production and cardiac function that, in turn, limit performance in activities essential to everyday living. The purposes of this study were: (1) to identify the “breakpoint” or threshold of maximal voluntary performance and performance in ordinary daily function (2) to evaluate the predictive validity of the threshold to identify the ability independently without self-reported functional limitation. Subjects and Methods . Men and women (N=192; mean age=76 years, SD=7 were recruited from single-family community dwellings or retiremet communities with multiple levels of care. Physical function was measured with the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance Test (CS-PFP). Maximal voluntary performance measures included peak oxygen consumption (V) and isokinetic knee extensor torque (KET). Segmented linear regression models of the CS-PFP on the physical performance measures were used to determine the threshold values and their confidence intervals. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the ability of the CS-PFP scores to identify those living independently and to further illustrate the concepts of threshold and physical reserve. Results . Threshold values identified for VO2peak (20 mL·kg−1·min−1) and KET (2.5 N·m/[kgom-1]) were associated with an average of CS-PFP scoe of 57 units. The threshold accurately predicted individuals reporting functional limitations. Discussion and Conclusion . The thresholds provide a mechanism for easily estimating an individual's physical reserve, predicting dependency in living status, and providing unbiased guidance for intervention in late-life independence.
Exploiting spatial‐domain simplicity in spectral image analysis

Full-spectrum imaging is fast becoming a tool of choice for characterizing heterogeneous materials. Spectral images, which consist of a complete spectrum at each point in a spatial array, can be acquired from a wide variety of surface and microanalytical spectroscopic techniques. It is not uncommon that such spectral image data sets comprise tens of thousands of individual spectra, or more. Given the vast quantities of raw spectral data, factor analysis methods have proved indispensable for extracting the chemical information from these high-dimensional data sets into a limited number of factors that represent the spectral and spatial characteristics of the sample's composition. It is well known that factor models suffer a ‘rotational ambiguity’, that is, there are an infinite number of factor models that will fit the data equally well. Thus, physically inspired constraints are often employed to derive relatively unique models that make the individual factors more easily interpreted by the practicing analyst. In the present work, we note that many samples undergoing spectral image analysis are ‘simple’ in the sense that only one or a few of the sample's constituents are present at any particular location. When this situation prevails, simplicity in the spatial domain can be exploited to make the resulting factor models more realistic. In particular, orthogonal rotation of the spatial-domain vectors arising from singular value decomposition (SVD) of the spectral data matrix will be shown to be an effective method for making physically acceptable and easily interpretable estimates of the pure-component spectra and abundances. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.