cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of axial ligation on potentiometric response of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrin-doped polymeric membranes to nitrite ions

Abstract Two types of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrins, Co(III)TPPX (I) and Co(III)(N)TPPX (II), where X = C1− or NO−2 and N = C5H5N or C6H5CH2C5H4N, are used as ionophores to prepare nitrite responsive polymeric membrane electrodes. The influence of the initial axial ligand (X− and N) on the operative ionophore mechanism of these metalloporphyrins within the solvent polymeric membranes is examined. Results from potentiometric and electrodialysis experiments suggest that in the presence of nitrite in the test sample and internal solution, both types of Co (III) porphyrins studied (I and II) act as neutral carriers and that the addition of lipophilic cationic sites (e.g., tridodecylmethylammonium ions (TDMA+)) to the organic membrane is essential to improve the selectivity and long term stability of sensors prepared with these species. Membranes formulated with (I) or (II) in the nitrite form along with TDMACl in plasticized PVC films exhibit the following selectivity sequence: SCN− > NO−2 ~ C1O−4 > Sal− > NO−3 > Br− > C1−. Membrane electrodes with added lipophilic cationic sites are shown to exhibit rapid, fully reversible and Nernstian response towards nitrite ions in the concentration range of 10−1–10−5 M, with good long term stability.
Effect of Diseases, Production, and Season on Traumatic Reticuloperitonitis and Ruminal Acidosis in Dairy Cattle

Abstract Logistic regression was used to investigate the effects of host characteristics, production, and 23 veterinary diagnoses on the risks of two reticuloruminal disorders, ruminal acidosis and traumatic reticuloperitonitis among 61,124 Finnish Ayrshire cows. Lactational incidence risks were .3% for ruminal acidosis and .6% for traumatic reticuloperitonitis. The relative risk of ruminal acidosis was not related to parity, whereas the risk of traumatic reticuloperitonitis decreased with increasing parity. The risk of traumatic reticuloperitonitis was not related to milk yield of individual affected cows in their current or previous lactation (305-d, 4% FCM), whereas the risk of ruminal acidosis increased with current milk yield. Ketosis, early metritis, nonparturient paresis, and acute and chronic mastitis were risk factors for both reticuloruminal disorders. Parturient paresis was a risk factor for ruminal acidosis. Foot and leg problems were risk factors for traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Herd milk yield in the current or previous lactations was not a risk factor for either disorder nor were the two disorders risk factors for each other. Ruminal acidosis, but not traumatic reticuloperitonitis, had significant seasonal variation with the risk being least in summer. The low risk of ruminal acidosis in summer was not due to seasonality of calving.
Accurate measurements of peak variances: Importance of this accuracy in the determination of the true corrected plate heights of chromatographic columns

The true efficiency of a column is derived from the differences between the variances of the peak profiles of the same compound recorded in the presence and the absence of the chromatographic column. These variances are usually derived using one of three methods: (1) the retention time of the peak apex and its half-height width; (2) the moments of the best fit between the experimental data and a hybrid response function, e.g., an exponentially convoluted Gaussian; or (3) the exact moments of the experimental band profiles. Comparisons of the results of these methods show that the first method is always inaccurate because all the band profiles recorded are strongly tailing. The peak fit method is accurate only for 4.6 mm I.D. columns operated with instruments having low extra-column volume but fails for short narrow-bore columns due to the severe tailing of peaks passing through the complex channels of the extra-column volumes and to the inaccuracies in the fit of experimental data to the selected function. Although far better, the moment method may be inaccurate when the zero dead volume union used to measure the extra-column peak variances has a higher permeability than the column, causing the upstream part of the instrument to operate under comparatively low pressures.
Es route to polyene macrolide total synthesis; The key chiral segments of roflamycoin

Abstract Four sections of Roflamycoin, labeled A , B , D , and E , which correspond to 10 of the 11 chiral centers in this natural product, have been prepared.
Adjuvant effects of therapeutic glycolipids administered to a cohort of NKT cell-diverse pigs

CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique lymphocyte population that makes important contributions to host defense against numerous microbial pathogens. The powerful immunomodulatory effects of these cells can be exploited in mice by cognate antigens for multiple therapeutic purposes, including for protection from infectious diseases and as adjuvants to improve vaccines against microbial organisms. These applications have potential to treat and prevent infectious diseases in livestock species that express NKT cells, including pigs. In this study, immune tissues from commercial swine of mixed genetic background were compared for NKT cell frequency, cytokine secretion and subset ratios. Pigs were also injected with the model antigen hen-egg lysozyme (HEL) in conjunction with one of three glycosphingolipids, alpha-galactosylceramide (αGC), OCH and C-glycoside that selectively activate NKT cells, to assess the adjuvant potential of each. There was significant variation between individual pigs for all NKT cell parameters measured. The NKT cell agonists elicited HEL-specific immune responses of different quality, but only αGC increased the systemic concentration of NKT cells. Peripheral blood NKT cell frequency measured prior to treatment was a poor predictor of how individual animals responded to NKT cell therapy. However, our results show that although NKT cells vary considerably between pigs, there exists considerable potential to harness these cells to protect swine from infectious diseases.
Amphetamine-induced overeating and overweight in rats

Abstract Female rats given a large dose of d-amphetamine displayed transient anorexia and loss of weight as one would expect. A week later, after their food intake and weight had returned to baseline, they began to overeat and gain weight. Within three weeks they were eating 7% more than normal. They became 3% overweight with a 5% increase in body fat. The hyperphagia persisted for two months. Thus amphetamine, an appetite suppressant and sympathomimetic drug, can cause prolonged hyperphagia and mild obesity with delayed onset following a single overdose.
Another Mousterian Debate? Bordian facies, chaîne opératoire technocomplexes, and patterns of lithic variability in the western European Middle and Upper Pleistocene

Abstract The classic Mousterian Debate of the 1970s has recently been revived, as researchers propose cultural, functional, and chronological interpretations for the Mousterian “technocomplexes”. These interpretations, however, are likely to lead to the same impasse that was previously reached forty years ago. The root cause of the problem is analyzing assemblages according to taxonomic units, whether they are Bordian facies or chaine operatoire technocomplexes, which conflate as well as mask multiple sources of variability. In this paper, we use a database of well-excavated, well-dated sites from the Middle and Upper Pleistocene in western Europe to track changes in key lithic variables through time. We show that the chronological patterning of typological and technological facies yields little information useful for elucidating the causes of Mousterian variability. When individual lithic variables from within assemblages are plotted through time, however, new patterns of variability emerge. Our results show that bifaces are not characteristic only of the “Acheulean” and the “Mousterian of Acheulean Tradition.” They occur continuously and in low frequencies across the European landscape from MIS 14 onwards. Second, we reveal chronological patterning in Levallois technology, which reaches a height of popularity between MIS 6–4. In the future, more progress in understanding technological behavior during the Paleolithic will be made if we compare the properties of the lithics themselves across assemblages, rather than comparing assemblage types.
Power Doppler imaging and resistance index measurement in the evaluation of acute renal transplant rejection.

Purpose This study was designed to test the hypotheses that power Doppler imaging has a predictive value in the assessment of acute renal allograft rejection and that the information garnered from the combination of resistance index (RI) determination and power Doppler imaging has an even greater predictive value in this assessment. Methods Power Doppler images obtained prior to 96 sequential renal allograft biopsies in 92 patients with suspected renal transplant rejection were retrospectively graded for parenchymal vascularity on a scale of 1 to 4: 1, normal, uniform cortical flow; 2, mild peripheral cortical hypoperfusion; 3, vascular pruning in cortex and medulla; and 4, no visible parenchymal flow, with flow seen only in central vessels. Power Doppler grades and RIs for these cases were compared to graft biopsy results. Results No statistically significant association was observed between parenchymal vascularity as graded by power Doppler imaging, RI, and the presence of acute transplant rejection. Conclusions Neither grading of vascularity on power Doppler images, RI measurement, nor the combination of these methods is an accurate means of detecting renal allograft rejection. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:483–490, 2001.
Policy-Based Automation in the Autonomic Data Center

The autonomic data center enables enterprises to respond to pressures of cost, complexity and compliance for the information technology infrastructure that supports their business operations. A data center that uses IT service management to deliver business services offers an environment for incorporating autonomic behavior and capabilities. These autonomic characteristics can address enterprise pressures by achieving a more fully integrated data center that combines self-managing capabilities and leverages knowledge from operational activities to automate and integrate processes, tasks and resources. This paper addresses solutions for one aspect of such an autonomic data center, namely policy-based automation. In this abbreviated paper synopsis, we describe the use of policy and standards to enhance integration and automation.
Extensive disease small cell carcinoma of the lung. Trial of non‐cross resistant chemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy

Twenty-nine patients with extensive disease, small-cell carcinoma of the lung, were treated with two cycles of intensive combination chemotherapy: HexaVAC (hexamethylmelamine, vincristine, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide). Responders received prophylactic cranial radiation (2000 rad/10 fractions) and non cross resistant chemotherapy via a schedule of alternating cycles of CMV (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, VP-16-213) and AMV (Adriamycin, methotrexate, VP-16-213). Whenever a complete response was achieved, consolidation radiotherapy was given to the lung primary (4000 rad/20 fractions, split dose) and abdominal metastases (2000 rad/10 fractions) synchronous with CMV therapy. The complete response rate was 14% with HexaVAC, but increased to 38% during CMV/AMV. Total response rate (complete and partial) was 59% and median survival was 42 weeks. Prophylactic brain radiation prevented clinical relapse in the brain in all 14 patients who received it. However, consolidation radiotherapy failed to prevent clinical relapse in the lung and/or liver, and therapeutic brain radiation (3000 rad) failed to prevent relapse in that site. The simultaneous administration of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was well-tolerated although two patients with poor performance status died of infectious complications while leukopenic. In spite of the high response rate, durable remissions with prolonged disease free survival were rare. Further evaluation of induction, consolidation, and maintenance modes of therapy are indicated.
Vitamin D and L-cysteine levels correlate positively with GSH and negatively with insulin resistance levels in the blood of type 2 diabetic patients

Vitamin D, L-cysteine (LC) and glutathione (GSH) levels are lower in the blood of diabetic patients. This study examined the hypothesis that the levels of vitamin D and LC correlate with those of GSH in the blood of type 2 diabetic patients (T2D), and that vitamin D and LC upregulate glutamate–cysteine ligase (GCLC), which catalyzes GSH biosynthesis, in cultured monocytes. Fasting blood was obtained after written informed consent from T2D (n=79) and healthy controls (n=22). U937 monocytes were pretreated with 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D (0–25 nM) or LC (0–500 μM) for 24 h and then exposed to control or high glucose (25 mM) for 4 h. Plasma levels of vitamin D, LC, GSH and GCLC protein were significantly lower in T2D versus those in age-matched healthy controls. Multiple linear regression analyses and adjustment for body weight showed a significant positive correlation between plasma levels of vitamin D (r=0.26, P=0.05) and LC (r=0.81, P=0.001) and that of GSH, and between LC and vitamin D (r=0.27, P=0.045) levels. Plasma levels of GSH (r=−0.34, P=0.01) and LC (r=−0.33, r=0.01) showed a negative correlation with triglyceride levels. Vitamin D correlated inversely with HbA1C (−0.30, P=0.01) and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (r=−0.31, P=0.03), which showed a significant positive correlation with triglycerides (r=0.44, P=0.001) in T2D. Cell culture studies demonstrate that supplementation with vitamin D and LC significantly increased GCLC expression and GSH formation in control and high-glucose-treated monocytes. This study suggests a positive relationship between the concentrations of the micronutrients vitamin D and LC and that of GSH. Some of the beneficial effects of vitamin D and LC supplementation may be mediated by an increase in the levels of GSH and a decrease in triglyceride levels in T2D patients.
Evaluating Groupware Prototypes with Discount Methods

Evaluating a prototype is necessary to user-centered software design, but evaluating groupware systems prior to full deployment can be challenging and costly. Existing groupware evaluation methods focus on individual users, expert inspections, or require the system to be rolled out. We describe a method -- based on Gutwin and Greenberg's mechanics of collaboration (MoC) framework -- for evaluating prototype groupware systems that have not yet been deployed with the minimum number of users needed to be truly functional. We believe this is a valuable method for evaluating early prototype groupware.
Infrastructure and core quality management practices: how do they affect quality?

Purpose – This empirical study seeks to resolve the conflicting findings in the quality management (QM) literature about how different QM practices, specifically, infrastructure QM practices and core QM practices, affect quality performance.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the Socio‐Technical Systems theory and research related to QM implementation and performance, the study proposes a research model of the relationship between infrastructure and core QM practices and their direct and indirect effects on quality performance. The empirical data were drawn from 226 manufacturing plants in the USA. The research model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique.Findings – In the structural model, two integrated factors were used to represent the two types of QM practices: the infrastructure QM includes top management support, customer relationship, and supplier relationship, and workforce management; and the core QM consists of quality information, product/service design, and process ...
Improvements in the 2D TEP Neutral Particle Transport Calculation in Edge Plasmas

Extensions of the 2D Transmission and Escape Probability neutral particle transport method in treating the spatial non-uniformity of collision sources and neutral energy effects are presented. These extensions have been tested by benchmarks against Monte Carlo calculations for specially designed models and for realistic DIII-D discharges. The comparisons indicate these extensions improve accuracy of the TEP method.
Dying with acute respiratory failure or multiple organ system failure with sepsis.

BACKGROUND: The dying experience of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) or multiple organ system failure with sepsis (MOSF) has not been described. OBJECTIVES: To describe patients dying from ARF or MOSF, including demographic characteristics, baseline function and quality of life, symptoms, preferences, use of life-sustaining treatments, satisfaction with care, and family burden. DESIGN: A multicenter prospective study. SETTING: Five US teaching hospitals, in the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1295 adults who died during hospitalization for ARF or MOSF. MEASUREMENTS: Chart reviews and interviews with patients and surrogates. RESULTS: SUPPORT enrolled 2956 patients with ARF or MOSF, and 44% died during enrollment hospitalization. Quality of life before hospitalization was reported as fair by 87% of patients. The mean number of impairments in their baseline activities of daily living was 1.6. At the time of death, 79% had a DNR order and 31% had an order to withhold ventilator support. The average time from the DNR order to death was 2 days. Dying patients spent an average of 9 days on a ventilator. Surrogates indicated that one out of four patients died with severe pain and one out of three with severe confusion. Families of 42% of the patients who died reported one or more substantial burden. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in this study reported substantial functional impairments and reduced quality of life. Limitations to aggressive treatments were usually implemented only when death was imminent. Family impact and physical and emotional suffering were substantial.
Some overlooked aspects of the severity of compartment fires

Because of drafts, the ventilation of realworld compartment fires is usually more intense than that in classic burn experiments. Fortunately, the potential for fires to spread by structural destruction, irrespective of the nature of fire load, decreases with increasing ventilation, so that designing the fire resistance of the compartment boundaries on the assumption of classic conditions is a safe practice. Fires, however, do not usually spread by structural destruction but rather by the convection of uncombusted fuel volatiles. In deciding on measures for the prevention of convective fire spread the assumption of classic conditions is not necessarily a safe practice. Self-closing doors, fire drainage facilities, and flame deflectors may often prove powerful tools in the provision of fire safety.
High Mobility Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors from Bisindoloquinoline Semiconductors

A novel heptacyclic bisindoloquinoline-based organic semiconductor has been synthesized, characterized, and used to fabricate single-crystal field-effect transistors. A synthetic route was developed for the synthesis of heptacyclic bis(indolo{1,2-a})quinoline via an intramolecular cyclization of anthrazoline derivatives. Single-crystal X-ray structure revealed that the seven fused rings of bis(indolo{1,2-a})quinoline are relatively coplanar and lead to a slipped face-to-face π-stacking with the shortest intermolecular spacing of 3.3 A. Single-crystal field-effect transistors based on the bis(indolo{1,2-a})quinoline had carrier mobility as high as 1.0 cm2/V·s with on/off ratios greater than 104.
Myonexin: an 80-kDa glycoprotein that binds fibronectin and is located at embryonic myotendinous junctions.

Abstract The distribution and function of an 80-kDa glycoprotein located at the surface of skeletal muscle cells and enriched in gelatin-binding fractions of skeletal muscle extracts are examined in the present study. The glycoprotein was purified by concanavalin A affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The purified protein did not display gelatin-binding although the protein bound to fibronectin in several assays. First, the glycoprotein bound to fibronectin-Sepharose and did not elute in high salt buffers although subsequent basic elutions displaced the 80-kDa protein from the column. Second, gel filtration of the 80-kDa glycoprotein in the presence of fibronectin showed separate peaks corresponding to the mass of the 80-kDa glycoprotein and fibronectin as well as a third, higher mass peak shown in immunoblots to contain both fibronectin and the 80-kDa glycoprotein. Third, immunoprecipitation with affinity-purified anti-80-kDa glycoprotein in the presence of the glycoprotein and radioiodinated fibronectin precipitated labeled fibronectin. The quantity of labeled fibronectin precipitated was reduced by the addition of nonradiolabeled fibronectin. Immunofluorescent microscopy using affinity-purified, anti-80-kDa showed this protein located at the myotendinous junctions of frog tadpoles and embryonic chicks. In chicks, it was discernible by immunofluorescence only during the morphogenetic stages that myotendinous junctions were being assembled. Amino acid analysis shows that the 80-kDa glycoprotein has a high concentration of acidic residues. There is only one cysteine per molecule in the 80-kDa glycoprotein and comparisons of reducing and nonreducing gels show that no disulfides are present, indicating that this is not an integrin protein. Amino terminal sequencing reveals that the protein contains marked similarity to the amino terminal of calsequestrin although the protein is distinct from calsequestrin in lacking Ca2+-dependent phenyl sepharose affinity and in its molecular weight and distribution. The observations indicate that the 80-kDa glycoprotein is a fibronectin receptor present at chick myotendinous junctions during junction morphogenesis. This apparently novel protein is named “myonexin” to reflect its location and likely function in attaching fibronectin to the surface of muscle cells.
Overview of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion(Amphocil)

Summary Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) is an equimolar mixture of amphotericin B and cholesteryl sulphate with desirable preparation and stability characteristics. It allows the intravenous delivery of amphotericin B in doses up to 7 mg/kg daily. Peak serum concentrations of amphotericin B, given as ABCD, are lower, AUC 0-infinity similar and half-life longer than deoxycholate amphotericin B. In vitro activity may be altered with respect to the deoxycholate preparation, some isolates being more resistant and others more susceptible. Preclinical toxicology with ABCD revealed a safety factor of five to 19-fold compared with deoxycholate amphotericin B. Animal models of coccidioidomycosis, disseminated cryptococcosis, candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis indicated a better therapeutic ratio, especially in cryptococcosis. Phase I/II studies in humans demonstrate efficacy against coccidioidomycosis, candidiasis and aspergillosis at doses from 1–7 mg/kg/day in at least 100 patients. Renal toxicity was acceptable but infusion-related side effects and anaemia were common. Side effects appear to decrease on therapy. Comparative studies with deoxycholate amphotericin B are needed.
Energy localization invariance of tidal work in general relativity

It is well known that when an external general relativistic (electric-type) tidal field Ejk(t) interacts with the evolving quadrupole moment Ijk(t) of an isolated body the tidal field does work on the body (“tidal work”)—i.e., it transfers energy to the body—at a rate given by the same formula as in Newtonian theory: dW/dt=-1/2EjkdIjk/dt. Thorne has posed the following question: In view of the fact that the gravitational interaction energy Eint between the tidal field and the body is ambiguous by an amount ∼EjkIjk, is the tidal work also ambiguous by this amount, and therefore is the formula dW/dt=-1/2EjkdIjk/dt only valid unambiguously when integrated over time scales long compared to that for Ijk to change substantially? This paper completes a demonstration that the answer is no; dW/dt is not ambiguous in this way. More specifically, this paper shows that dW/dt is unambiguously given by -1/2EjkdIjk/dt independently of one’s choice of how to localize gravitational energy in general relativity. This is proved by explicitly computing dW/dt using various gravitational stress-energy pseudotensors (Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, Moller) as well as Bergmann’s conserved quantities which generalize many of the pseudotensors to include an arbitrary function of position. A discussion is also given of the problem of formulating conservation laws in general relativity and the role played by the various pseudotensors.
Multispectral Resource Sampler: An Experimental Satellite Sensor For The Mid-1980s

An experimental pushbroom scan sensor, the Multispectral Resource Sampler (MRS), being developed by NASA for a future earth orbiting flight is presented. This sensor will provide new earth survey capabilities beyond those of current sensor systems, with a ground resolution of 15 m over a swath width of 15 km in four bands. The four arrays are aligned on a common focal surface requiring no beamsplitters, thus causing a spatial separation on the ground which requires computer processing to register the bands. Along track pointing permits stereo coverage at variable base/height ratios and atmospheric correction experiments, while across track pointing will provide repeat coverage, from a Landsat-type orbit, of every 1 to 3 days. The MRS can be used for experiments in crop discrimination and status, rock discrimination, land use classification, and forestry.
Legitimizing the invented Congolese space: The gaze from within in early Congolese fiction

Postcolonial discourses describe colonization as a process of invention to impose the will of a conquering West on “backward” societies. The will to power conjugated with the need for raw materials served as the main catalysts. They put side by side a hegemonic intruder bent on duplicating itself, and a powerless and compliant native unable to react to the blitz of transformations. Hence, the master/slave or father/child relationships that describe the colonial framework. The task is to interrogate these generally accepted assumptions and binary oppositions. Although marginalized, the Congolese native was unwilling to become an object for the colonizer's gaze. In fact, the inability to expel the “invader” did not prevent the creation of legitimacies out of what was precipitously brought in. This mechanism of transformation is perceptible in Paul Lomami Tchibamba's novel Ngando (1948), the object of this study. Ngando's imagined colonial city stands out as a site of contrasts and contradictions. However, the duplicated model shows the “transformability” of the new space into “normalcy” by a subversive native Keywords : Congolese literature, Lomami Tchibamba, Joseph Conrad, Nele Mariam, colonial literature, exotic literature. Tydskrif vir Letterkunde Vol. 46 (1) 2009: pp.28-42
The reliability of subjective probabilities obtained through decomposition

The use of decomposition as a procedure for improving the consistency of subjective probability encoding is discussed. Using a psychometric measurement model, an expression is developed that describes the random error associated with decomposition estimates as a function of characteristics of the component assessments. Decomposition is compared to direct assessment in terms of the percent change in measurement error that can be attributed to the use of decomposition. Potential benefits of decomposition are specified and recommendations made on how to utilize decomposition as an approach for error control.
Application of the PDM (Point Defect Model) to the Oxidation of Zircaloy Fuel Cladding in Water-Cooled Nuclear Reactors

The PDM [Point Defect Model, D. D. Macdonald, Pure Appl. Chem., 71 , 951 (1999)] describes the corrosion of passive metals in aqueous media in terms of the generation and annihilation of point defects at the passive film interfaces. In the current work, we have modified the PDM to provide a comprehensive, atomic scale description of the growth of bilayer passive films on zirconium to simulate the corrosion of Zircaloy fuel cladding in BWRs and PWRs under high burn-up conditions. Two models have been formulated; one comprising a hydride inner (barrier) layer and an oxide outer layer and other comprising an oxide inner layer and an oxide outer layer for PWR and BWR cladding, respectively. Since there are currently no experimental data for the kinetics of defect generation and annihilation at the passive film interfaces for Zircaloys under PWR/BWR conditions, of the type that are required for this analysis, this paper focuses only on exploring and predicting trends in the corrosion behavior of Zircaloy by using prototypical values for various electrochemical parameters. We derive equations for predicting the barrier layer thickness as a function of the applied voltage, pH, porosity, and temperature for both BWR and PWR primary water chemistry conditions.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Effects of Signal Processing and Antenna Frequency on the Geostatistical Structure of Ground-Penetrating Radar Data

Recent research has suggested that the geostatistical structure of ground-penetrating radar data may be representative of the spatial structure of hydraulic properties. However, radar images of the subsurface can change drastically with application of signal processing or by changing the signal frequency. We perform geostatistical analyses of surface radar reflection profiles in order to investigate the effects of data processing and antenna frequency on the semivariogram structure of radar reflection amplitudes. Surface radar reflection data collected at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site illustrate the processing- and antenna-dependence of radar semivariograms for a fluvial, cobble-andsand aquifer. Compensating for signal attenuation and spreading using a gain function removes a nonstationary trend from the data and a trace-specific gain function reduces fluctuation of semivariogram values at large lags. Otherwise, geostatistical structures of surface reflection data are quite robust to the effects of data gains. Migration is observed to reduce the strength of diffraction features in the semivariogram fields and to increase the principal exponential range. Principal exponential range increases only slightly after application of migration with a realistic velocity but over-migration results in a significant artificial increase of exponential range. The geostatistical structures of radar reflection data exhibit marked dependence on antenna frequency, thus highlighting the critical importance of the scale of measurement. Specifically, the exponential ranges of radar reflection amplitudes decrease in proportion to the increased signal frequency for the 50 MHz, 100 MHz and 200 MHz range of antennas. Results demonstrate that processing and antenna frequency must be considered before the application of radar reflection data in a geostatistical context.
Effect of arginine vasopressin on breathing movements of chronically instrumented fetal lambs.

Background. In hypoxic conditions, fetal breathing movements (FBM) are reportedly inhibited with simultaneous elevation of the plasma level of catecholamines and arginine vasopressin (AVP). Although some kinds of catecholamines are reported to inhibit FBM, the effects of AVP on FBM are still unknown. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether or not AVP has an inhibitory effect on FBM and electrocortical activities in chronically instrumented fetal lambs.Methods. Arginine vasopressin was injected slowly into the fetal external jugular vein via a catheter over a 30 minute period at an infusion rate of 4.9–10.0 mlU/minute/body. In 15 fetuses (36 estimations) the mean fetal age, mean estimated fetal body weight, and mean infusion dose were 132.4×4.5days, 3.4×0.3kg and 1.7×0.3 mlU/kg/min.Results. The infusion caused a persistent decrease in the fetal heart rate and an increase in the fetal arterial pressure during the 30 minute period. The infusion of AVP resulted in a significant decrease in the i...
Uptake of marker particles by in vitro ventilated and perfused rat lung

Colloidal gold marker was present in the capillary lumen and at various stages of pinocytosis and passage through the endothelial cells. It was occasionally located in the peri-endothelial space, close to the basement membrane. The uptake of marker by other cells was not observed. These results suggest the existence of two barriers, the biological (pinocytotic and hydrolytic capacities of the endothelial cells) and mechanical (permeability of the basement membrane).
A cryogenic system design for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

A conceptual design for ITER was completed that involved the development of a suitable cryogenic system for ITER. An overview of the design is reported. Emphasis is on the fact that cryogenics is a mature science, and a system supporting ITER needs can be made from time-proven components without loss of efficiency or reliability. Because of the large size of the ITER cryogenic system, large numbers of compressors and expanders must be used. Very high reliability is assured by arranging these components in parallel banks where servicing of individual components can be done without interruption of operations. This somewhat optimized design supports all the ITER poloidal-field and toroidal-field magnets, and structure cooling requirements. The cryogenic plant compressors are used to force-flow 4.5-K helium to the ITER core. No cold pumps are used. The design satisfies cooldown requirements; reliability requirements; safety requirements, including quench-vent systems; cryogenic-load requirements, including neutron heating, AC heating, thermal radiation, etc.; and the problem of radiation carry-over by cryogens. >
What counts as part of a game? A look at skills.

(2000). What Counts As Part of a Game? A Look at Skills. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 81-92.
Full-vector waveguide modeling using an iterative finite-difference method with transparent boundary conditions

We describe a finite difference solution technique for the full-vector waveguide equation based upon the alternating-direction-implicit (ADI) iterative method. Our technique accurately treats dielectric boundaries (including corners), requires minimal computer resources, and executes faster (by factors of 3-10) than other iterative approaches. In addition, we employ a transparent boundary condition that effectively removes the sensitivity of the calculated results to the size of the computational domain. This feature greatly facilitates the examination of modes near cutoff. >
Secondary gout in hemoglobinopathies: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Although patients with hemolytic hemoglobinopathies characteristically are over-producers of urate, and hyperuricemia is frequently recognized, clinical gout has rarely been reported in such patients. Our evaluation of 2 premenopausal women with gout led to the diagnosis of previously unrecognized hemoglobinopathies (SC disease and CC disease). Investigation of these 2 patients and review of the reported cases of gout in patients with hemoglobin S or C disorders suggest that relatively minor abnormalities of renal function in these patients may lead to early development of significant hyperuricemia. With increasing lifespan of patients with hemolytic hemoglobinopathies and the likelihood of increased occurrence of renal function abnormalities, it is anticipated that gout will more frequently be responsible for joint symptoms in such patients.
Imaging of the sella: Anatomy and pathology

The hypophysis cerebri, or pituitary gland, is a complex neuroendocrine organ involved in the control of a variety of homeostatic mechanisms. Subtleties in the internal anatomy of this gland are now becoming appreciated, such as the topographic arrangements of pituitary cell types and specializations in its regional microcirculation. A large number of potential lesions may affect the pituitary, including tumors (adenomas, Rathke cleft cysts, and craniopharyngiomas), inflammatory processes (adenohypophysitis, infections), and vascular lesions (apoplexy, infarction). Diseases isolated to the posterior lobe and stalk (eg, pituitary dwarfism, choristoma, diabetes insipidus) are also well recognized. Modern radiologic techniques like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have provided new insights into the morphologic changes of the gland that occur both in health and in a variety of diseases. The picture of the gland that has emerged from this research is a dynamic one: The pituitary undergoes dramatic changes in size and shape throughout life that must be recognized when assessing it for pathologic change.
Can observations of earthquake scaling constrain slip weakening

SUMMARY We use observations of earthquake source parameters over a wide magnitude range (M W ∼ 0‐7) to place constraints on constitutive fault weakening. The data suggest a scale dependence of apparent stress and stress drop; both may increase slightly with earthquake size. We show that this scale dependence need not imply any difference in fault zone properties for different sized earthquakes. We select 30 earthquakes well-recorded at 2.5 km depth at Cajon Pass, California. We use individual and empirical Green’s function spectral analysis to improve the resolution of source parameters, including static stress drop (�σ ) and total slip (S). We also measure radiated energy E S .W ecompare the Cajon Pass results with those from larger California earthquakes including aftershocks of the 1994 Northridge earthquake and confirm the results of Abercrombie (1995): µE S/M 0 � �σ (where µ = rigidity) and both E S/M 0 and �σ increase as M 0 (and S) increases. Uncertainties remain large due to model assumptions and variations between possible models, and earthquake scale independence is possible within the resolution. Assuming that the average trends are real, we define a quantity G � = (�σ − 2µES/M 0)S/ 2w hich is the total energy dissipation in friction and fracture minus σ 1 S ,w here σ 1 is the final static stress. If σ 1 = σ d, the dynamic shear strength during the last increments of seismic slip, then G � = G, the fracture energy in a slip-weakening interpretation of dissipation.
Role of peptidases and NK1 receptors in vascular extravasation induced by bradykinin in rat nasal mucosa

Role of peptidases and NK1 receptors in vascular extravasation induced by bradykinin in rat nasal mucosa
The research consortium

The development of research consortia as a means of advancing technology is discussed. It is noted that the development of consortia requires cooperation between industry, government, and academia, each of which has different goals. Houston University is interested primarily in enhancing basic research and secondarily in obtaining patents, funds, and support. Industry is interested in the direct use of basic ideas in industrial applications, while the government is interested in the rapid growth of technology and the encouragement of arrangements to stimulate it. Formation of consortia requires sound sciences, clear administration, and plentiful financing. Each entity in the group must obtain benefits or the effort will fail. Organization of a consortium must take into account the legal requirements of patenting, disclosure of information, trade secret handling, and relations between organizations which may wish to use the same information in different ways. >
Renin, Aldosterone, Body Fluid Volumes, and the Baroreceptor Reflex in the Development and Reversal of Goldblatt Hypertension in Conscious Dogs

The renal artery to a sole remaining kidney was constricted in unanesthetized dogs while renal arterial pressure was recorded distal to the occluder. Following the constriction, mean arterial blood pressure, which was continuously monitored 24 hours a day for 1 week, exhibited a biphasic increase. The first peak in pressure correlated with a large increase in plasma renin activity; the second peak correlated with an increase in plasma volume brought about by positive sodium and water balances. Renin activity was returning to normal when the second peak occurred. Increased drinking played a major role in the positive water balance. Plasma aldosterone concentration was moderately and transiently increased for only a few hours following the constriction. The experiment was repeated in sinoaortic baroreceptor-denervated dogs; apparently, the baroreceptor reflex significantly slows the time course of the arterial blood pressure increase during the first few days of constriction but does not alter the magnitude of the pressure increase after 1 week. After release of renal artery constriction, mean arterial blood pressure decreased progressively over a 3-day period, during which time significant negative sodium and fluid balance occurred. The slow return of the pressure back to normal correlated highly with a decrease in plasma volume. In the baroreceptor-denervated dogs, the initial fall in arterial blood pressure apparently also resulted at least partly from a decrease in plasma renin activity, but this effect was not observed in the intact dogs because the renin activities in these dogs had already decreased to normal prior to constrictor release. The effects of the baroreceptor reflex on the time course of the pressure decrease did not seem to be as significant as those on the time course of the pressure increase.
New plan responds to global change

The National Global Change Research Act of 1988 (S. 2614) was introduced in the Senate July 7 by Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The act calls “for a national plan to improve scientific understanding of the Earth system and the effect of changes in that system on climate and human well-being.” Hollings said the current U.S. drought , rising sea level, and depletion of the atmosphere's ozone layer are warning signals of global change. “Providing the information needed to develop responsible global change policies is widely considered one of the greatest challenges ever to face the scientific community.”
Gene expression in human neutrophils during activation and priming by bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Circulating neutrophils play a key role both in the systemic inflammatory response and in complications of bacterial infection such as septic shock and septic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. We have analyzed gene expression patterns in human neutrophils stimulated by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with or without prior exposure to LPS, using differential display and oligonucleotide chip techniques. We identified 307 genes that were activated or repressed after treatment with LPS at 10 ng/ml and 385 genes after LPS at 100 ng/ml, compared with untreated neutrophils. The two sets included many transcription factors, cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, and surface antigens, as well as members of the toll-like receptor, Rel/NF-kappaB, and immune mediator gene families. Time course analysis showed that the early and late neutrophil responses to LPS share some common mechanisms, but many changes in gene expression are transient or late to develop. Neutrophils also showed a priming response to LPS, in which 97 genes significantly changed expression on re-exposure to lower dose LPS and were analyzed by unsupervised hierarchical clustering. These findings indicate that the neutrophil is a transcriptionally active cell responsive to environmental stimuli and capable of a complex series of both early and late changes in gene expression. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry website (http://jws-edci.interscience.wiley.com:8998/jpages/0730-2312/suppmat/89/v89.page.html).
Polarimetric scattering from two-layered two-dimensional random rough surfaces with and without buried objects

A three-dimensional polarimetric analysis of the two-layered rough ground with and without buried objects is investigated here. A rigorous electromagnetic surface integral-equation-based model is used in this analysis. The statistical average of the polarimetric scattering matrix elements is computed based on the Monte Carlo simulations for both the vertically and horizontally polarized incident waves. The results show a significant impact on the scattered intensities due to the two-layer nature of the ground. However, these intensities show almost no difference between the ground signature with or without the object. On the other hand, the statistical average of the covariance matrix elements shows a distinct difference between these two signatures despite the small size of the buried object.
High‐temperature reactive thermoplastic aromatic polyimides

A series of high molecular weight aromatic enyne polyimides were prepared by the condensation of various aromatic dianhydrides with (E)-1,3-bis(3-aminophenyl)-1-buten-3-yne. The polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and exhibited intrinsic viscosities as high as 0.43 (in DMAC at 30°C) with glass transition temperatures ranging from 200 to 265°C. The new thermoplastic materials have the capability to become lightly crosslinked when thermally treated during a stimulated high-temperature thermoforming process. Thermal treatment diminishes the various solvent-induced problems inherent in linear polymeric materials and advances the glass transition temperature. Copolymers were also prepared using 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene and (E)-1,3-bis(3-aminophenyl)-1-buten-3-yne in an effort to obtain various percentages of enyne along the polymer backbone and, therefore, control the degree of crosslinking. The solvent resistance of selected copolymer compositions both in neat resin and thermoplastic composite form was evaluated.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Possible Risk Factor for Neonatal Adrenal Hemorrhage

Here, we describe the first case of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage (AH) complicated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Our findings suggest that adrenal glands that have enlarged due to CAH are more susceptible to hemorrhaging during labor, and therefore, that CAH could be a risk factor for AH. J Med Cases. 2014;5(9):486-487 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc1909w
A Group of Quasi-stellar Objects Closely Associated with NGC 1068

It is shown that three of the compact X-ray sources detected by ROSAT close to the nearby classical Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 are quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) with redshifts z=0.261, 0.385, and 0.655. Also, using previous optical studies, we show that a total of 11 QSOs brighter than V=19 mag and with redshifts that range from 0.261 to 2.108 lie within a radius of 50' of NGC 1068. The distribution and very high surface density of these QSOs strongly suggest that they are physically associated with NGC 1068 and were ejected from it.