cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modern Coastal Swamp Sediments of Southwestern Florida, and Their Usefulness in Recognizing Ancient Coastal Swamp Deposits: ABSTRACT

Calcareous, quartzose and organic-rich (peaty) sediments accumulating in two modern mangrove estuarine swamps, the Ten Thousand Islands and the Whitewater Bay areas of southwestern Florida, were studied to derive criteria that would aid in recognizing similar ancient coastal swamp deposits. Both areas are at the seaward margin of the Everglades and are associated with an imposing coastal mangrove forest. The sediments forming in these two coastal swamps are modern analogues of ancient limestone, quartzite, and coal beds, and the coastal mangrove forest is the modern counterpart of ancient coal forests of cratonic and miogeosynclinal areas. Evaluation of results yields three principal criteria which may be useful in distinguishing ancient coastal swamp deposits. 1. Organic matter and carbon/nitrogen ratio: The content of organic matter and the ratio of organic carbon to nitrogen in surface sediments (upper 0.25-0.50 foot) along the southwestern Florida coast increases toward land on the open marine shelf and attain their highest values (organic matter ranging from 6 to more than 50 per cent and C/N ratio ranging from 17 to 37 per cent) within the coastal swamps. The increase in organic matter and C/N ratio in a shoreward direction is due to a progressive increase in the amount of organic matter contributed to surface sediments by terrestrial plants (mangrove trees) compared with that supplied by plankton and benthos. Fossil coastal swamp deposits, therefore, may be recognized by their exceptionally high organic matter content and C/N ratio with respect to laterally adjacent sediments. 2. Faunal assemblages: The areal distribution of molluscan faunal assemblages in the vicinity of the coastal swamps of southwestern Florida suggests that biofacies of ancient coastal swamp deposits would trend parallel with the coastline and delineate a direction of decreasing average water salinity toward the land area supplying run-off waters to the coastal swamps. 3. Grain size of carbonate and detrital minerals: Calcareous particles and detrital quartz along the southwestern Florida coast decrease in grain size from the open marine shelf toward and into the estuarine mangrove swamps. Hence, with support by criteria 1 ind 2, fossil coastal swamp sediments may be differentiated by their tendency to be noticeably finer-grained than adjacent sediments. End_of_Article - Last_Page 278------------
The constancy of latex isoelectric points

In view of the similarities found in electrophoretic behavior between the latex particles of closely related plants (5), the constancy of the reaction has been investigated. The isoelectric points of the latex particles from six species ofEuphorbia have been redetermined. These values were found to check within 0.1 pH unit with values previously determined using plants from a different origin and under a different environment. No significant difference was noted between the two sets of data. The electrophoretic mobility curves of two species ofEuphorbia have been checked by additional measurements using the present plant material. No significant difference could be found between individuals grown under different conditions as long as all plants were healthy. These comparisons are discussed with regard to the value of electrophoresis as a taxonomic method.
Characterization of Cu–Al2O3 nano-scale composites synthesized by in situ reduction

Abstract The copper–alumina system is reported to have an excellent combination of properties that are essentially dependent on their microstructure, which in turn, will vary according to the preparation method. In this work, the synthesis of the Cu–Al2O3 (5 wt.%) nano-scale composites were carried out by in situ reduction of a powder mixture consisting of CuO and Al2O3, previously obtained through a chemical route. The procedure imparts special features to the product in terms of microstructure. TEM bright field and centered dark field imaging have shown well-developed copper crystals surrounded by a fine dispersion of Al2O3 nano-scale particles, which are in the order of 10 nm. Copper crystals in the order of 50 nm are dispersed and exhibit twinning despite their small size. Current investigation is being developed towards the determination of particle size distribution through HRTEM.
Approximate Reduction of the Many-Body Problem for Strongly Interacting Particles to a Problem of Self-Consistent Fields

It is shown for systems of strongly interacting particles that in the limit of very many particles a transformation exists leading to an alternative problem which can be solved by a self-consistent field method. The transformed wave function describes "particles" moving in a collectively determined uniform potential; the transformation relating the transformed and original wave functions determines the amount of incoherence and correlation in the original function. The method appears to be more useful for fermion systems and is illustrated by applications to some aspects of nuclear structure.
Cdx4 is required in the endoderm to localize the pancreas and limitβ -cell number

Cdx transcription factors have crucial roles in anteroposterior patterning of the nervous system and mesoderm. Here we focus on the role of cdx4 in patterning the endoderm in zebrafish. We show that cdx4 has roles in determining pancreatic β-cell number, directing midline convergence ofβ -cells during early pancreatic islet formation, and specifying the anteroposterior location of foregut organs. Embryos deficient in cdx4 have a posteriorly shifted pancreas, liver and small intestine. The phenotype is more severe with knockdown of an additional Cdx factor, cdx1a . We show that cdx4 functions within the endoderm to localize the pancreas. Morpholino knockdown of cdx4 specifically in the endoderm recapitulates the posteriorly shifted pancreas observed in cdx4 mutants. Conversely, overexpression of cdx4 specifically in the endoderm is sufficient to shift the pancreas anteriorly. Together, these results suggest a model in which cdx4 confers posterior identity to the endoderm. Cdx4 might function to block pancreatic identity by preventing retinoic acid (RA) signal transduction in posterior endoderm. In support of this, we demonstrate that in cdx4 -deficient embryos treated with RA, ectopic β-cells are located well posterior to the normal pancreatic domain.
Attention to Sex in Psychological Research as Related to Journal Policy and Author Sex

From 1969 to 1974, Developmental Psychology, but not Child Development, specified that authors analyze for sex differences. The authors examined 503 studies published in Child Development and Developmental Psychology in 1971 and 1975. Sex of senior author, subjects and experimenter(s) were recorded for each study. If subjects of both sexes were used, the presence or absence of the following were noted: (a) analysis of sex differences; (b) hypotheses regarding sex differences; (c) mention of subjects’ sex in the abstract. For single-sex-subject studies, mention of subjects’ sex in the discussion or conclusion was noted. Using these data as dependent variables, chi-square analyses were performed comparing: (a) the two journals; (b) 1971 and 1975 authors; and (c) male and female authors. The findings were: (a) More attention was paid to sex in Developmental Psychology when the journal had a written editorial policy regarding this factor; (b) Evidence was mixed for increasing awareness of sex as a variable between 1971 and 1975; (c) Female authors were more aware of sex than were male authors in 1971 but not in 1975; (d) In both years, authors used own-sex subjects and experimenters more than those of the opposite sex; (e) Developmental psychologists, as compared to psychologists in other areas previously examined, were more sensitive to sex as a variable.
The structure of Ta nanopillars grown by glancing angle deposition

Abstract Regular arrays of Ta nanopillars, 200 nm wide and 500 nm tall, were grown on SiO 2 nanosphere patterns by glancing angle sputter deposition (GLAD). Plan-view and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy analyses show dramatic changes in the structure and morphology of individual nanopillars as a function of growth temperature T s ranging from 200 to 700 °C. At low temperatures, T s ≤ 300 °C, single nanopillars develop on each sphere and branch into subpillars near the pillar top. In contrast, T s ≥ 500 °C leads to branching during the nucleation stage at the pillar bottom. The top branching at low T s is associated with surface mounds on a growing pillar that, due to atomic shadowing, develop into separated subpillars. At high T s , the branching occurs during the nucleation stage where multiple nuclei on a single SiO 2 sphere develop into subpillars during a competitive growth mode which, in turn, leads to intercolumnar competition and the extinction of some nanopillars.
Mark Kesselman and the Study of the French Left

From his early work covering local politics in France to his most recent studies of the French labor movement, Mark Kesselman has been a keen analyst of the trajectory of the French left. His work has always been a reaction against current trends in political science. The analyses of local politics rejected the then-current modernization paradigm. His examination of the Mitterrand experiment of the early 1980s held out for the possibility of a progressive shift in France. And his recent work on French trade unions moved to the local level, showing how labor has dealt with firm-level responses to technological change.
Expression of myelin transcription factor I (MyTI), a "zinc-finger" DNA-binding protein, in developing oligodendrocytes.

The production of myelin by oligodendrocytes requires the coordinated, massive synthesis of myelin components, a program that is dependent on transcriptional controls. Myelin transcription factor I (MyTI) was named for its ability to recognize the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene, the most abundantly transcribed central nervous system myelin gene (Kim and Hudson: Mol. Cell Biol. 12:5632, 1992). MyTI is a zinc-dependent, DNA-binding protein of the Cys2-His-Cys class. The pattern of MyTI expression, documented in the present study, suggests that MyTI may be instrumental in early stages of oligodendrocytic development and myelin production. MyTI mRNA transcripts are more highly expressed in oligodendrocyte progenitors than in differentiated oligodendrocytes. In vitro and in vivo analyses show that MyTI immunoreactivity is stronger in oligodendrocytic progenitors than in mature oligodendrocytes which have already accumulated PLP. In oligodendrocyte progenitors, MyTI immunoreactivity appears as speckles within the nucleus, suggestive of an association of MyTI with a function that is spatially segregated into discrete nuclear domains. MyTI continues to be expressed in cells transcribing PLP. However, as oligodendrocytes accumulate PLP, MyTI immunoreactivity becomes restricted to the cytoplasm and progressively diminishes. Since MyTI has two widely separated sets of DNA-binding domains and initial MyTI expression markedly precedes PLP expression, we hypothesize the following model: MyTI may play a role in assembling transcriptionally active complexes of PLP, perhaps by bending the DNA of the promoter region to induce an appropriate conformation to enable subsequent binding the DNA of the promoter region to induce an appropriate conformation to enable subsequent binding of additional regulatory proteins. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vortex interaction with nonlinear photonic lattices of varying coherence

We study numerically interaction of a singly-charged vortex with nonlinear photonic lattices optically induced with varying spatial coherence. We observe that the dynamics of vortex phase evolution and lattice deformation is dependent on the coherence.
Analysis and compression of plenoptic camera images with zernike polynomials

Capturing light field data with a plenoptic camera has been discussed extensively in the literature. However, recent improvements in digital imaging have made demonstration and commercialization of plenoptic cameras feasible. The raw images obtained with plenoptic cameras consist of an array of small circular images, each of which capture local spatial and trajectory information regarding the light rays incident on that point. Here, we seek to develop techniques for representing such images with a natural set of basis functions. In doing so, reconstruction of slices through the light field data, as well as image compression can be easily achieved.
Varied effects of 1-octanol on gap junctional communication between ovarian epithelial cells and oocytes of Oncopeltus fasciatus, Hyalophora cecropia, and Drosophila melanogaster.

In insect gap junctions, species-specific differences occur in response to the purported gap junction uncoupling agent, 1-octanol. Changes in gap junctional communication between oocytes and their epithelial cells following treatment with 1-octanol were assayed in Oncopeltus fasciatus (the milkweed bug), Hyalophora cecropia (the American silk moth), and Drosophila melanogaster. In all three species, microinjection of untreated control follicles with Lucifer yellow CH revealed extensive dye coupling among epithelial cells and between epithelial cells and their oocytes. Also for all three species, treatment with octanol appeared to completely block dye coupling and increase oocyte input resistance. The effect on electrical coupling varied. In Drosophila, octanol diminished the electrical coupling from 64% (0.64 coupling coefficient) in controls to 53% in treated follicles. In Hyalophora, the coupling ratio remained the same following treatment. In Oncopeltus, octanol actually increased the electrical coupling ratio from 84% in controls to 94% in treated follicles. While 0.5 mM octanol left some Oncopeltus epithelial cells dye coupled to the oocyte, the electrical coupling ratio was increased slightly more by this concentration than by 1 or 5 mM octanol solutions, although the differences were not significant. While input resistance (Ro ) increased in all three following treatment with octanol, there was considerable difference in the magnitude of the response. Average oocyte Ro for Oncopeltus increased the least of the three species, rising from 196–240 kOhm. Both Hyalophora, with a nearly fourfold increase from 230–900 kOhm or more, and Drosophila, with a twofold increase from 701 kOhm to over 1.2 MegOhm showed much larger changes. Results shown here indicate that insect gap junctions have more varied responses to this common gap junction antagonist than have been reported for their vertebrate counterparts. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 43:22–32, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
NEUTRON CROSS SECTIONS OF THE BORON ISOTOPES FOR ENERGIES BETWEEN 10 AND 500 kev

Abstract The total neutron cross sections of 10 B, 11 B, C and O and the absorption cross section of 10 B have been measured for neutron energies between 10 and 500 keV. The 10 B absorption cross section does bot deviate appreciably from a 1/ν dependence in this interval of neutron energies. The present values of the 10 B absorption cross section are systematically larger than measured values of the 10 B(n, α) cross section; but the evidence presented indicates that this excess cannot be explained in terms of other neutron-absorbing reactions.
Influence of shape, adhesion and simulated lung mechanics on amorphous silica nanoparticle toxicity

Prevailing theories suggest that acicular, or fiber-like, particles induce enhanced toxicity over isotropic material through hindrance of phagocyte-mediated clearance mechanisms and through the aggravation of proximal cells via mechanical interactions. Currently, the degree to which either of these mechanisms operates is not well understood. To gain a more fundamental understanding of acicular particle toxicity, we have synthesized submicron and nanoscale amorphous silica spheres and rods as model materials for shape-driven toxicological experimentation. To accentuate contributions from mechanical damage in vitro, exposure studies were performed in the presence and absence of simulated lung mechanics. To promote and mitigate cell–particle contact-mediated mechanical interactions, the adhesion of the particles to the cell membrane was respectively modified by the physisorption of fibronectin and chemisorption of the polyethylene glycol to the silica particle surface. Lactic acid dehydrogense (LDH) and interleukin (IL)-8 release were used as endpoints for cytotoxicity and inflammation, respectively. The results indicate that particle exposures in the presence of physiological stretch induce increased LDH release and IL-8 expression regardless of shape. Moreover, it is evident that shape-induced aggregation may play a significant role in mitigating particle clearance pathways.
The Effect of Word-Finding Difficulties on Intellectual Assessment

Professionals believe that students' language and learning challenges frequently complicate interpretation of their intelligence test scores. One specific language difficulty that has the potential to affect students' cognitive test performance is difficulty in word finding. This investigation examined the influence of students' word-finding difficulties on their test performance on the WISC-R. Eighty-one fourth- and fifth-grade students with learning disabilities with WISC-R subscale scores on file were administered the Test of Word Finding (TWF). Classification of the LD sample by word-finding skills formed the basis for group comparisons. Initial analysis of variance using composite IQs as the unit of analysis indicated that students with word-finding difficulties earned significantly lower mean WISCR Verbal IQs than did students without word-finding difficulties, whereas mean differences in the Performance Scale IQs did not differ significantly. An initial multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), t...
Performance of Large, Modularized NaI(Tl) Detectors

The properties of detector arrays made up of NaI(Tl) Polyscin modules 20 in. deep and of hexagonal cross section and the development of a Monte Carlo code of general use in the design of such detectors are described. The use of modularized NaI(Tl) detectors in the study of a new spectroscopy of ?-rays in high energy physics is outlined.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Aqueous Uranyl Interactions with Quartz (010)

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the structure and dynamics of the uranyl ion and its aquo, hydroxy, and carbonato complexes in bulk water and near the hydrated quartz (010) surface. All simulations were performed in the constant (NVT) ensemble with three-dimensional periodic boundary conditions, and a slab technique was used to model the quartz−water interface. The uranyl coordination shell exhibits pentagonal bipyramidal symmetry, with carbonate and hydroxide ions readily replacing water molecules in the first shell. Radial distribution functions of the hydroxy and carbonato complexes are characterized by a consistent splitting in the equatorial shell, caused by the close proximity of hydroxide and carbonate oxygen atoms. Average U−O distances are 2.31−2.35 A for hydroxide ions, 2.35−2.39 A for carbonate ions, and 2.49−2.55 A for water molecules. Two protonation states of the quartz surface were considered for adsorption simulations: singly protonated and partially deprotonated. Surfac...
Understanding Local Government Cooperation in Urban Regions: Toward a Cultural Model of Interlocal Relations

This article examines the debate over metropolitan governmental form and the applicability of the reform-consolidation and market-public choice models to understanding the reality of how interlocal...
S-NPP VIIRS thermal band spectral radiance performance through 18 months of operation on-orbit

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite, carrying the first Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) was successfully launched on October 28, 2011 with first light on November 21, 2011. The passive cryo-radiator cooler doors were opened on January 18, 2012 allowing the cold focal planes (S/MWIR and LWIR) to cool to the nominal operating temperature of 80K. After an early on-orbit functional checkout period, an intensive Cal/Val (ICV) phase has been underway. During the ICV, the VIIRS SDR performance for thermal emissive bands (TEB) has been under evaluation using on-orbit comparisons between VIIRS and the CrIS instrument on S-NPP, as well as VIIRS and the IASI instrument on MetOp-A. CrIS has spectral coverage of VIIRS bands M13, M15, M16, and I5 while IASI covers all VIIRS TEB. These comparisons largely verify that VIIRS TEB SDR are performing within or nearly within pre-launch requirements across the full dynamic range of these VIIRS bands, with the possible exception of warm scenes (<280 K) in band M12 as suggested by VIIRS-IASI comparisons. The comparisons with CrIS also indicate that the VIIRS Half Angle Mirror (HAM) reflectance versus scan (RVS) is well-characterized by virtue that the VIIRS-CrIS differences show little or no dependence on scan angle. The VIIRS-IASI and VIIRS-CrIS findings closely agree for bands M13, M15, and M16 for warm scenes but small offsets exist at cold scenes for M15, M16, and particularly M13. IASI comparisons also show that spectral out-of-band influence on the VIIRS SDR is <0.05 K for all bands across the full dynamic range with the exception of very cold scenes in Band M13 where the OOB influence reaches 0.10 K. TEB performance, outside of small adjustments to the SDR algorithm and supporting look-up tables, has been very stable through 18 months on-orbit. Preliminary analysis from an S-NPP underflight using a NASA ER-2 aircraft with the SHIS instrument (NIST-traceable source) confirms TEB SDR accuracy as compliant for a typical warm earth scene (285-290 K).
The Teaching of Hebrew in American Universities

Author's Summary— All important Universities in this country regarded Hebrew as essential to the training of their students. At least 95 secular institutions of higher learning in the United States provide instruction in Hebrew and a minimum of 265 accredit it for admission. The Hebrew courses follow one of several patterns. The new trend in the teaching of Hebrew studies, developed by New York University and followed by several other institutions, offers an opportunity for better intercultural education and human understanding.)
Copper and Calcium Binding Motifs in the Extracellular Domains of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors

High affinity fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors contain a cluster of acidic amino acids in their extracellular domains that is reminiscent of the calcium binding domains of some cell adhesion molecules. Based on this observation, we used a calcium blotting technique to show that FGFR-1 binds calcium and that calcium binding is not observed in a mutagenized form of the receptor that lacks the acidic box region. The acidic box also binds other divalent cations, including copper. This latter interaction appears unique since the binding of copper to FGFR-1 mediates the binding of the receptor to immobilized heparin. While this observation may help explain the angiogenic properties of copper, divalent cation binding to FGF receptors may also mediate the interaction between FGF receptors, cell adhesion molecules and other proteoglycan components of the extracellular matrix.
Measurement of thermal conductivity of Green River oil shales by a thermal comparator technique

Abstract A thermal comparator method has been developed for the measurement of the thermal conductivity of oil shales from the Green River formation. Oil shales from two locations in the above formation were studied. Measurements were carried out in the temperature range 25–350 °C on oil shales assaying between 28.3 and 333.0 ml/kg (6.8 and 79.9 U.S. gal/short ton). Predictive equations showing the variation of thermal conductivity with temperature and shale grade are presented. A simple model is proposed to explain the anisotropic effects observed in the thermal-conductivity values for heat flowing in directions parallel and perpendicular to the shale bedding planes. The relative merits of the thermal comparator technique are discussed in the light of techniques previously employed for the measurement of thermal-conductivity factors of Green River oil shales.
Seminoma Presenting as Renal Mass, Inferior Vena Caval Thrombus, and Regressed Testicular Mass

Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy of men aged 15–40. Metastatic spread classically begins with involvement of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, with metastases to the liver, lung, bone, and brain representing advancing disease. Treatment is based on pathologic analysis of the excised testicle and presence of elevated tumor markers. We report a case of a 34-year-old male presenting with back pain who was found to have a right renal mass with tumor extension into the inferior vena cava. Subsequent biopsy was consistent with seminoma. We review this rare case and discuss the literature regarding its diagnosis and management.
Intricate Regulation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity and Gene Expression

Tyrosine hydroxylase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Therefore, the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme number and intrinsic enzyme activity represents the central means for controlling the synthesis of these important biogenic amines. An intricate scheme has evolved whereby tyrosine hydroxylase activity is modulated by nearly every documented form of regulation. Beginning with the genomic DNA, evidence exists for the transcriptional regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels, alternative RNA processing, and the regulation of RNA stability. There is also experimental support for the role of both translational control and enzyme stability in establishing steady-state levels of active tyrosine hydroxylase protein. Finally, mechanisms have been proposed for feedback inhibition of the enzyme by catecholamine products, allosteric modulation of enzyme activity, and phosphorylation-dependent activation of the enzyme by various different kinase systems. Given the growing literature suggesting that different tissues regulate tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels and activity in different ways, regulatory mechanisms provide not only redundancy but also diversity in the control of catecholamine biosynthesis.
A United Approach to Optimal Real and Reactive Power Dispatch

This paper presents a unified method for optimal real and reactive power dispatch for the economic operation of power systems. As in other methods, the problem is decomposed into a P-optimization module and a Q-optimization module, but in this method both modules use the same generation cost-objective function. The control variables are generator real power outputs for the real power module; and generator reactive power outputs, shunt capacitors/reactors, and transformer tap settings for the reactive power module. The constraints are the operating limits of the control variables, power line flows, and bus voltages. The optimization problem is solved using the gradient projection method (GPM) which is used for the first time in the power systems study. The GPM allows the use of functional constraints without the need of penalty functions or Lagrange multipliers among other advantages. Mathematical models are developed to represent the sensitivity tivity relationships between dependent and control variables for both, real and reactive power, optimization modules, and thus eliminate the use of B-coefficients. Results of two test systems are presented and compared with conventional methods.
Loss of E-cadherin and epithelial to mesenchymal transition is not required for cell motility in tissues or for metastasis

Loss of E-cadherin has been long considered to be a major hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been reported in various cancers. P120 catenin regulates E-cadherin stability on the cell surface and also plays a role in intracellular signaling by modulating nuclear transcription. We recently characterized the nature of interactions between p120 catenin and Mucin 1 (MUC1) in pancreatic cancer. Expression of different p120 catenin isoforms with and without MUC1 induced distinct morphologies, cell adhesion, and dynamic properties of motility along with different metastatic properties in vivo. Re-expression of p120 catenin isoform 3A in the context of MUC1 expression in a p120 catenin-deficient cell line stabilized expression of E-cadherin. However, orthotopic implantation of tumors using this stable cell line produced large metastatic lesions to the liver, which exceeded the volume of the primary tumor, suggesting down regulation of E-cadherin is not required for tumor metastasis. Here we extend those studies by showing that ectopic expression of E-cadherin does not block in vitro invasion of the pancreatic cancer cells, and instead accelerated the rate of tumor invasion. Furthermore, results from 23 cases of human pancreatic primary tumor specimens revealed that most tumors exhibiting metastatic activity retained epithelial morphology and E-cadherin gene expression. Our results indicate that loss of E-cadherin and EMT are not required for metastasis and that an epithelial morphology can be maintained during the process of tumor cell movement.
Multispectral imaging with frequency-modulated reticles

Frequency modulated (FM) reticles can be used to create imaging systems that operate simultaneously from the ultraviolet to the far-infrared regions of the optical spectrum. The reticle modulates different spatial locations at different temporal frequencies, and these locations are optically condensed onto a single detector. Modulation takes place prior to splitting into spectral bands, resulting in excellent pixel-to-pixel registration of the different spectral images. Sensitivity is better than the spinning filter wheel technique sometimes used to achieve good registration. Modulation also allows multiplexing many pixels onto fewer detectors by utilizing the bandwidth of the detectors more effectively. Thus, a single detector may perform as a linear array and a linear array may perform as a staring array.
Comparison Of A Digital Workstation And A Film Alternator

In the Department of Radiology at the University of Arizona investigation of the interaction of Radiologists with digital workstations is conducted by the User Interface Study Group. Using the Arizona Viewing Console we have conducted an experiment to compare one digital workstation with reading done at a film alternator (also known as a rotator). A model consisting of distinct phases of activity was developed to describe alternator reading process. From this model software was developed for the Arizona Viewing Console to approximate the process. Radiologists were then video taped reading similar sets of cases at each workstation and the tapes were analyzed for frequency of hand movements and time required for each phase of the process. The information gathered provides a comparison between alternator reading and reading at a digital workstation. This paper describes the reading process, the model and its approximation on the digital workstation, as well as the analysis of the video tapes.
The Corps of Engineers wetlands research program

The Corps of Engineers Wetlands Research Program is being conducted by the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The purpose of this program is to: develop methods for wetlands delineation; establish techniques for determination of wetlands values; and develop techniques for restoration of permafrost, freshwater and coastal wetlands.
Serum Selenium and the Risk of Cancer, by Specific Sites: Case-Control Analysis of Prospective Data

From 1971 to 1975, serum specimens were obtained from 6,860 men of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii. Since then, the following numbers of newly diagnosed cases with epithelial cancer have been identified: 82 colon, 71 lung, 66 stomach, 32 rectum, and 29 urinary bladder. The stored sera of the 280 cases and of 293 randomly selected controls were tested to determine their levels of selenium. There was no association of serum selenium with lung, stomach, or rectal cancer. An increase in relative risk (RR) was noted only for subjects in the lowest quintile of selenium values, as compared to the RR for subjects in the highest quintile, for colon (RR = 1.8) and urinary bladder cancer (RR = 3.1), but neither of these RR estimates was statistically significant (P = .09 and P = .07, respectively). Further work is needed to determine whether the antioxidant properties of selenium protect against specific types of cancer.
Twenty five years of industrial development: a study of resource use rates and macro-efficiency indicators for five Asian countries

Abstract Economic and population growth in Asia over the last three decades has been unprecedented. While conventional economic indicators have been increasing consistently, indicators of resource and environmental quality have been deteriorating, raising questions about the implications of future growth. Economic growth in the future is considered to be contingent on ensuring a more efficient use of natural resources, while simultaneously striving to reduce environmental impacts. We examine time trends of three efficiency indicators; agricultural efficiency, energy efficiency of economic production and carbon efficiency of energy use, for the five most populous countries in Asia in order to assess whether industrial development has lead to increased resource use efficiency and an associated reduction in total resource use and environmental impacts. Our results indicate that agricultural efficiency has decreased in all five countries. Results are mixed for energy and carbon efficiencies. Where increases in energy and carbon efficiency have occurred, they have been completely overwhelmed by absolute increases in energy use and carbon emissions caused by increases in the scale of economic activity. Based on this analysis, we study the potential for further improvements and policy implications for future food supply, energy consumption and carbon emissions in the region.
Endogenous Melatonin Levels and the Fate of Exogenous Melatonin: Age Effects

This study examines the range of serum melatonin concentrations that occur among young and older adults, and tests the effects of orally administered melatonin on the serum and saliva concentrations of the hormone. Healthy volunteers (20-36 per study), aged 20-73 years, were divided into two groups on the basis of age (29.2 +/- 6.5 and 60 +/- 8.8 years). For study 1: Serum melatonin levels were measured at 15 to 60 min intervals over a 25 h period using a radioimmunoassay. For study 2: serum and saliva melatonin levels were measured before and at intervals after the administration of a 0.3 mg dose of melatonin at 11.00 h. The younger subjects had significantly higher peak endogenous melatonin concentrations (+/- SD) and greater inter-individual variability (100.9 +/- 48.6 pg/ml) than the older subjects (34.5 +/- 15.4 pg/ml). Mean melatonin levels following treatment with the hormone tended to be higher and were significantly more variable among the group of older volunteers (254.5 +/- 145.7) than among the younger group (170.2 +/- 22.0 pg/ml). We conclude that although the peak endogenous serum melatonin levels are lower in elderly adults, the increment in serum melatonin levels induced by a low oral dose of the hormone is greater and more variable among people over 48 years old.
The well-programmed clavier: style in computer music composition

A look into the workings of the Emmy and Emily Howell programs, including musical examples with pointers to where they can be heard as well as seen.
Chronic dim light at night provokes reversible depression-like phenotype: possible role for TNF.

The prevalence of major depression has increased in recent decades and women are twice as likely as men to develop the disorder. Recent environmental changes almost certainly have a role in this phenomenon, but a complete set of contributors remains unspecified. Exposure to artificial light at night (LAN) has surged in prevalence during the past 50 years, coinciding with rising rates of depression. Chronic exposure to LAN is linked to increased risk of breast cancer, obesity and mood disorders, although the relationship to mood is not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic exposure to 5 lux LAN on depression-like behaviors in female hamsters. Using this model, we also characterized hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and hippocampal dendritic morphology, and investigated the reversibility of these changes 1, 2 or 4 weeks following elimination of LAN. Furthermore, we explored the mechanism of action, focusing on hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines given their dual role in synaptic plasticity and the pathogenesis of depression. Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, we identified a reversible increase in hippocampal tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but not interleukin-1b, mRNA expression in hamsters exposed to LAN. Direct intracerebroventricular infusion of a dominant-negative inhibitor of soluble TNF, XPro1595, prevented the development of depression-like behavior under LAN, but had no effect on dendritic spine density in the hippocampus. These results indicate a partial role for TNF in the reversible depression-like phenotype observed under chronic dim LAN. Recent environmental changes, such as LAN exposure, may warrant more attention as possible contributors to rising rates of mood disorders.
A short radiosynthesis of natural juvenile hormone III, methyl [12‐3H]‐(10R)‐10,11‐epoxyfarnesoate

A new asymmetric synthesis of natural JH III from methyl farnesoate allows introduction of tritium from sodium borotritide into the 12-methyl group. Selective allylic oxidation followed by Sharpless epoxidation of the (E)-allylic alcohol gives an epoxy alcohol (>97% e.e.), which is oxidized to the aldehyde. Sodium borotritide (65 Ci/mmol) reduction of the aldehyde is followed by tosylation, iodide displacement, and cyanoborohydride displacement to give [3H]-(10R)-JH III, specific activity 14 Ci/mmol.
Genetically engineered gold-binding polypeptides: structure prediction and molecular dynamics

The biological control of inorganic crystal formation, morphology, and assembly is of interest to biologists and biotechnologists studying hard tissue growth and regeneration, as well as to materials scientists using biomimetic approaches for the control of inorganic material fabrication and assembly. Biomimetics requires an accurate understanding of natural mechanisms at the molecular level. Such understanding can be derived from the use of metal surfaces to study surface recognition by proteins together with combinatorial genetics techniques for the selection of suitable peptides. Polymerization of these peptides produces engineered polypeptides large enough to encode their own folding information with low structural complexity, while enhancing binding affinity to surfaces. The low complexity of such polypeptides can aid in analyses, leading to modeling and eventual manipulation of the structure of the folded polypeptide. This paper presents structure predictions for gold-binding protein sequences, originally selected by combinatorial techniques. Molecular dynamics simulations lasting 5 ns were carried out using solvated polypeptides at the gold surface to assess the dynamics of the binding process and the effects of surface topography on the specificity of protein binding.
IS1630 of Mycoplasma fermentans, a Novel IS30-Type Insertion Element That Targets and Duplicates Inverted Repeats of Variable Length and Sequence during Insertion

A new insertion sequence (IS) of Mycoplasma fermentans is described. This element, designated IS1630, is 1,377 bp long and has 27-bp inverted repeats at the termini. A single open reading frame (ORF), predicted to encode a basic protein of either 366 or 387 amino acids (depending on the start codon utilized), occupies most of this compact element. The predicted translation product of this ORF has homology to transposases of the IS30 family of IS elements and is most closely related (27% identical amino acid residues) to the product of the prototype of the group, IS30. Multiple copies of IS1630 are present in the genomes of at least two M. fermentans strains. Characterization and comparison of nine copies of the element revealed that IS1630 exhibits unusual target site specificity and, upon insertion, duplicates target sequences in a manner unlike that of any other IS element. IS1630 was shown to have the striking ability to target and duplicate inverted repeats of variable length and sequence during transposition. IS30-type elements typically generate 2- or 3-bp target site duplications, whereas those created by IS1630 vary between 19 and 26 bp. With the exception of two recently reported IS4-type elements which have the ability to generate variable large duplications (B. B. Plikaytis, J. T. Crawford, and T. M. Shinnick, J. Bacteriol. 180:1037–1043, 1998; E. M. Vilei, J. Nicolet, and J. Frey, J. Bacteriol. 181:1319–1323, 1999), such large direct repeats had not been observed for other IS elements. Interestingly, the IS1630-generated duplications are all symmetrical inverted repeat sequences that are apparently derived from rho-independent transcription terminators of neighboring genes. Although the consensus target site for IS30 is almost palindromic, individual target sites possess considerably less inverted symmetry. In contrast, IS1630 appears to exhibit an increased stringency for inverted repeat recognition, since the majority of target sites had no mismatches in the inverted repeat sequences. In the course of this study, an additional copy of the previously identified insertion sequence ISMi1 was cloned. Analysis of the sequence of this element revealed that the transposase encoded by this element is more than 200 amino acid residues longer and is more closely related to the products of other IS3 family members than had previously been recognized. A potential site for programmed translational frameshifting in ISMi1 was also identified.
The Biomechanical Stability of Salvage Procedures for Distal Radioulnar Joint Arthritis

Purpose To test distal forearm stability after 3 surgical procedures for distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) arthritis. Methods We tested 11 cadaver limbs with the DRUJ intact, after distal ulna–matched hemiresection, after Darrach distal ulna resection, and after unlinked total DRUJ arthroplasty. We evaluated distal forearm stability in neutral rotation, full pronation, and full supination in unweighted and 1-kg–weighted conditions. We measured dorsal/palmar translation and convergence/divergence of the distal radius relative to the ulna. Results Under neutral rotation, whether weighted or unweighted, matched hemiresection and Darrach specimens demonstrated significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact specimens. Weighted and unweighted, DRUJ arthroplasty demonstrated similar radioulnar convergence to intact. Weighted and unweighted, only Darrach specimens showed significant radius-palmar translation compared with intact, hemiresected, and DRUJ arthroplasty. In pronation, no testing scenario, either weighted or unweighted, demonstrated statistically significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact state. In unweighted pronation, palmar translation of the radius was significantly different from the intact state for all surgical scenarios and the Darrach was significantly worse than the other procedures. In weighted pronation, palmar translation of the radius was significantly different from the intact state for all surgical scenarios and the matched hemiresection was significantly better than the other procedures. In supination, weighted and unweighted, Darrach specimens had significant radioulnar convergence relative to intact. Either weighted or unweighted, the hemiresection and arthroplasty groups demonstrated similar radioulnar convergence relative to intact. Unweighted, all scenarios demonstrated similar dorsal translation of the radius. Weighted, the Darrach group showed significant radius-dorsal translation relative to intact specimens. Conclusions For tested procedures, DRUJ arthroplasty overall was biomechanically superior to the other conditions except that we found greater stability in the hemiresected group in weighted pronation. Clinical relevance Knowledge of baseline biomechanical characteristics of DRUJ arthritis procedures will aid surgical decision-making and patient counseling.
An SOI process for fabrication of solar cells, transistors and electrostatic actuators

We have developed a new process for fabricating integrated, solar-powered microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The intended applications for this process are autonomous microsystems, such as microrobots and distributed sensor networks. Two versions of the process have been created. The first combines solar cells and MEMS devices with NMOS transistors utilizing metal gates. This version has yielded solar cell efficiencies greater that 11%, a 200 cell array with an output of 88.5 V and transistor breakdown voltages above 25 V. Using this process, a fully integrated device has been demonstrated consisting of an electrostatic, gap-closing actuator being powered by an on-board buffer consisting of an NMOS inverter. The only external connections were ground and a 5 V control signal. A second version has also been developed which provides better solar cell performance and CMOS circuits utilizing polysilicon gates. This version has yielded solar cell efficiencies greater than 14%, a 90 cell array with an output over 50 V, and NMOS and PMOS devices with breakdown voltages greater than 50 V.
Creating informed public opinion: citizen deliberation about nanotechnologies for human enhancements

Many people believe that ordinary citizens should influence scientific and technological developments, but the American public is routinely uninformed about these issues. As a solution, some scholars advocate creating informed public opinions by encouraging citizens to deliberate about the issues. Although this idea is currently widely applauded in the science and technology literature, deliberative outcomes are infrequently measured and the practice of deliberation is routinely criticized in other disciplines. This research contributes to our understanding of the effectiveness of citizen deliberation as a method for increasing public engagement with science. I report data measuring results of deliberation in a national citizens’ technology forum (NCTF) about nanotechnologies for human enhancement. The NCTF was a month-long process involving six groups of 9–15 ordinary citizens who deliberated in different locations across the United States with the goal of reaching consensus about policy recommendations within their groups. I find that structured deliberation generated informed opinions, sometimes meaningful shifts in preferences, and increased trust and internal efficacy among the participants. Nevertheless, the NCTF has important shortcomings, and it is not obvious that consensus conferences should be preferred over other mechanisms for creating informed opinions. Future research is needed to corroborate the findings of this study and to systematically compare outcomes of structured citizen deliberation to other less resource intensive forms of engagement.