cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamics of methyl mercury in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri): tissue uptake, distribution and excretion.

Abstract The tissue distribution, rate of uptake and concentration of 203 Hg-labeled methylmercury was investigated in 20 different tissues/organs over a period of 100 days following a single intragastric dose of 0.5 mg Hg/kg body weight. Mercury content was analyzed by gamma scintillation spectrometry. After 1 hr, mercury concentration factors >0.1 were detected in the blood, heart, liver, spleen and kidney (a concentration factor (CF) of 1.0 equals mercury concentration in dose). Highest mercury concentrations (CF > 7.0) were observed in the blood (at 7 days) and spleen (at 14 days). After 100 days, the CF of the blood was >2.0 and the CF values of the spleen, kidney and liver were >1.0. Maximum CF values were reached in the skeletal muscle, brain and lens after 34, 56 and >90 days, respectively. Maximum values were reached in most other tissues/organs at approximately 7 days. Skeletal muscle appeared to function as a reservoir for methyl mercury and accumulated 50% of the dose from 34 to 100 days post administration. Methyl mercury accumulation in the brain was limited to 0.1% of the dose. The rate of mercury excretion appeared to be biphasic as a result of a slow elimination from the skeletal muscle relative to the other tissues/organs. Employing both the slow and fast rate, the half-retention time for methyl mercury in rainbow trout was estimated to be >200 days.
Airflow up the stoss slope of sand dunes: limitations of current understanding

The windward (stoss) side of a sand dune acts as a streamlined obstacle in the path of the wind. Continuity principles necessitate compression of the flow field up the stoss slope of a dune, and shear stress must progressively increase as the flow accelerates. Measurements in transverse flow over thirteen dunes at Padre Island, Texas, the Algodones, California, and White Sands, New Mexico, confirm that velocity profiles on the stoss slope are not log-linear, and that flow acceleration occurs very close to the surface within an internal boundary layer. As a consequence, in the overlying flow where measurements have historically been made, an overall decrease in shear stress occurs up the slope. The actual shape of the velocity profiles, and the identification of the appropriate segment of the profile from which to derive the shear stress that drives saltation represent major problems not approachable by traditional means.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE ST DEPRESSION CRITERIA FOR ISCHEMIA RECOMMENDED IN THE UNIVERSAL DEFINITION FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

The new Universal Definition for Myocardial Infarction includes electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for ischemia, specifying horizontal or down-sloping ST depression ≥0.05 mV in two contiguous ECG leads. Because these requirements are based on experience from studies prior to modern ECG technology
Stapled-wedge Collis gastroplasty for the shortened esophagus

Abstract Background Minimally invasive Collis gastroplasty is an established technique for managing the shortened esophagus. The purpose of this report is to describe our new technique, the wedge gastroplasty, and report the short-term outcomes. Methods All patients (n = 143) undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication from May 2000 to March 2001 were assessed intraoperatively for shortened esophagus. After mediastinal dissection, 15 patients with inadequate intraabdominal esophageal length underwent wedge gastroplasty. Preoperative symptoms, operative times, and short-term outcomes were evaluated. Results Mean operative time was 184 ± 36 minutes (range 138 to 258). There was 1 cervical esophageal tear from bougie passage and no other minor or major complications. At 6 weeks, there was more improvement in esophageal symptoms compared with extraesophageal symptoms. Conclusions Wedge gastroplasty is effective in decreasing symptoms in patients with shortened esophagus and takes less time to perform than other gastroplasty techniques. Further study is needed to assess long-term outcomes.
Confirmation and Quantification of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers in Equine and Human Plasma by Hyphenated Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Oxyglobin (OXY) and Hemopure (HMP) are produced from bovine hemoglobin (Hb) and were developed for the treatment of anemia in animal and human patients, respectively. Hemolink (HML) is a blood substitute of human Hb origin under development. The ability of these agents to carry oxygen in circulating blood and their promise to improve oxygen delivery to tissues supports the potential for their abuse in equine and human athletes. To deter athletes from abuse of these agents, a method has been developed for the detection, confirmation and quantification of OXY, HMP, and HML in equine and human plasma. OXY, HMP, and HML were extracted from equine or human plasma by solid-phase extraction using Bond Elut ENV cartridges and were digested by trypsin at 37 °C for 3 h. The tryptic digests were analyzed by LC−MS/MS, and tryptic peptides specific for bovine and human Hbs were targeted. OXY and HMP were detected, quantified, and confirmed using the y14 ion and b8 ion of the tryptic peptide from bovine Hb α chain resi...
Two classes of dentin phosphophoryns, from a wide range of species, contain immunologically cross-reactive epitope regions.

An immunological species comparison, using a monospecific rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against rat incisor α-phosphophoryn, has been undertaken to assess the similarity in epitope regions among various dentin phosphophoryns (PP) that were prepared from human, monkey, bovine, ovine, and echinoderm teeth. Dentin extracellular matrix proteins were extracted with a standard method using 0.5 M EDTA in the presence of enzyme inhibitors. Final phosphophoryn purification was performed on DEAE ion exchange HPLC. Cross-reactivity of the polyclonal antibody was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and dot-blot. The results of this investigation demonstrate a cross-reactivity of the rat-α-phosphophoryn antibody (anti-RIPP) with at least one phosphophoryn component in each dentin studied, indicating the existence of similar antigenic determinants among these proteins. It would seem that these epitope regions have been strongly conserved since the epitope region is also present in the phosphoprotein of echinoderm teeth. No crossreactivity was found with phosvitin (a phosphoserine-rich phosphoprotein), rat serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, or collagen type IV. However, a new and distinct second cross-reactive phosphophoryn, not calcium ion-precipitable, was found in the EDTA insoluble fraction from the teeth. These results indicate that dentin phosphophoryns are specific phenotypic markers for odontoblast expression. Because of the species cross-reactivity, the polyclonal anti-RIPP antibody may be a useful probe in studying the distribution of phosphophoryns in other species, such as human teeth.
Mask patterning technology with KrF photomask repeater

It is intended to evaluate the feasibility of 0.15μm generation mask fabrication with a KrF photomask repeater. Inter-field registration accuracy(3sigma) is 28nm in X direction and 45nm in Y direction on a daughter mask in the KrF photomask repeater process and that is out of the registration specification(3sigma 30nm) of 0.15μm generation mask. The intra-field registration accuracy(3sigma) within a 18.4mm × 23.0mm field on a daughter mask is about 9nm with compensation of mis-registration to a mother mask. Inter-field CD uniformity(3sigma) is 8nm on a daughter mask and intra-field CD uniformity(3sigma) can be improved into 15nm with the compensation of CD error to a mother mask. Pattern fidelity in the KrF photomask repeater is inferior to that of the e-beam process. Hence it is necessary to apply OPC pattern to a mother mask in order to fabricate the 0.15μm generation mask.
Experimental analysis of non-isothermal transformations involving nucleation and growth

A critical examination is made of a recently suggested experimental technique which utilizes the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami transformation rate equation to describe nonisothermal transformations. It is shown that for transformations involving nucleation and growth the technique has limited applicability.
Penetrating keratoplasty and anterior segment reconstruction for severe ocular trauma.

The authors reviewed 39 consecutive cases of severe ocular trauma that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty plus anterior segment reconstruction and evaluated visual outcome, graft survival, and secondary complications. Postoperatively, 49% of eyes achieved visual acuity of 20/100 or better compared with 10% before surgery, and 72% improved at least 2 Snellen lines. With a mean follow-up of 23 months, 31 (80%) initial keratoplasties remained clear, and all 4 subsequently re-grafted corneas maintained clarity, for an overall keratoplasty success rate of 90%. Elevated intraocular pressure occurred postoperatively in 18 eyes (46%), and, among these, 10 of 13 eyes (77%) had preoperative glaucoma, whereas 8 of 26 (31%) did not ( P ≤ 0.015). Preoperative anterior synechiae could be anatomically corrected at surgery in 80% of cases (24 of 30 eyes). In 7 cases with persistent synechiae, 6 (86%) were associated with glaucoma ( P ≤ 0.025). Retinal detachment occurred in one case. Thus, despite major trauma and a high prevalence of glaucoma, both the visual restoration and anatomic reconstruction achieved were satisfactory and without severe complications.
Automatic computation of left ventricle ejection fraction from dynamic ultrasound images

Left Ventricle (LV) Ejection Fraction (EF) is a fundamental parameter for heart function assessment. Being based on border tracing, however, manual computation of EF is time-consuming and extremely prone to inter-and intraobserver variability. In this paper we present an automatic method for EF computation which provides results in agreement with those provided by expert observers. The segmentation strategy consists of two stages: first, the region of interest is identified by means of mimetic criteria; then, the identified region is used for initialization of an active contour based on a variational formulation of level set methods, which provides accurate segmentation of the LV cavity. Volume calculation is then performed according to the conventional Simpson’s rule and, finally, the EF is computed.
Cognitive and Marital Factors in Depression

The current investigation examines three groups of wives: (1) a group of nondepressed, nondiscordant community wives; (2) a group of nondepressed, discordant clinic wives; and (3) a group of depressed, discordant clinic wives. Groups were formed on the basis of structured interview responses and responses to a self-report inventory of depressive symptomatology. To be classified as depressed, wives were required to meet DSM III criteria for depression according to interview data and to exceed a Beck Depression Inventory score of 14. Both clinic groups showed equal levels of marital discord. Both nondepressed groups showed equally few cognitive errors. Accordingly, comparisons of these three groups allow us to test current interpersonal and cognitive theories of depression. The level of “closeness” in the marriage differentiated the depressed, discordant from the nondepressed, discordant wives despite their equal levels of overall marital discord. The level of depressive symptomatology was greater for the “nondepressed clinic wives than it was for the community wives despite their equal levels of cognitive errors. Both “closeness” in the marriage and cognitive errors accounted for the unique variance in level of depression. Implications for current interpersonal and cognitive accounts of depression are discussed.
A Unified Approach To The Theory And Design Of Optimum Transmission Diffraction Systems In The Soft X-Ray Range

Due to various recent technological developments in the fields of synchrotron radiation and microfabrication technology, the field of soft x-ray optics is experiencing a vital re-growth in several associated areas. The topic of this paper will be specifically the area of transmission diffraction systems, relevant examples of which include transmission gratings and zone plates - two devices that have been fabricated as free-standing ultrafine structures and tested by various experimenters in the soft x-ray range in recent years. In this paper we will describe a general design procedure for such systems which is guaranteed to generate the optimum diffraction structure geometries for arbitrarily specified systems composed of materials of arbitrary indices of refraction n. The systemic approach we employ first identifies a desired system function which is formally a functional of the diffraction system geometry, and then variationally derives the optimum geometries that maximize it. Two important system transfer functions on which the specific treatments in this paper are based are and I(1)/IIN and I(1)/IOUT the through-put and output diffraction efficiences, where I(1) is the total power diffracted into the first order, and IIN and IOUT are the total input and output powers impinging on the system. The results will be seen to unify all previously disclosed results in the area of zone plate theory, and will provide a sound basis on which to implement current experimental/developmental programs concerned either with fabricating more exotic diffraction structures or with maximizing or minimizing other classes of system functions in the soft x-ray range.
Synthesis and 12-helical secondary structure of beta-peptides containing (2R,3R)-aminoproline.

(2R,3R)-Aminoproline, a pyrrolidine-based β-amino acid, was synthesized and incorporated into hexa-β-peptide 4. This residue confers water solubility when the ring nitrogen is protonated and allows for 12-helix formation in aqueous solution. Circular dichroism spectra display the 12-helical signature, and 12-helical structure was confirmed by 2D NMR analysis.
Sudden bilateral hearing impairment in vertebrobasilar occlusive disease.

Bilateral hearing impairment is rare in vertebrobasilar occlusive disease. Between 1986 and 1991, we encountered seven patients (four men, three women; median age, 61 years; range, 46-71 years) who had sudden bilateral hearing impairment among 503 patients with vertebrobasilar occlusive disease. The main initial neurological symptoms were sudden bilateral hearing impairment, tinnitus, and vertigo. Acute labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease was the initial diagnosis until subsequent brain stem or cerebellar signs appeared. Brain stem auditory evoked potentials were abnormal bilaterally in six patients but had unilateral attenuation of the IV-V complex in the remaining one patient. Computed tomographic scans in all six patients showed multiple hypodense lesions in the brain stem and the cerebellum. Cerebral angiography showed complete occlusion on both vertebral arteries in one patient, occlusion on the left with small caliber on the right in another, and severe stenosis on both sides in a third. There was no opacification of internal auditory arteries in these three patients. The remaining patient had arteriosclerotic changes with faint opacification of the bilateral internal auditory arteries. Five patients had a poor prognosis, with locked-in state in four and severe truncal ataxia in one. We conclude that sudden bilateral hearing impairment in vertebrobasilar occlusive disease is more common than previously recognized and that it may indicate a grave prognosis.
Pragmatic development in individuals with mental retardation: Learning to use language in social interactions

Pragmatics is the intentional use of language to achieve interpersonal goals. Pragmatic problems figure prominently in the definition and diagnosis of mental retardation. In this article, we describe the pragmatic development of persons with mental retardation, the ways in which their linguistic, cognitive, and social-emotional limitations influence their pragmatic competence, and the prelinguistic foundations of that competence. Delays in intentional communication during the prelinguistic period are severe and often exceed those in cognitive development. After the transition to language, developmental delays are seen in all components of pragmatics, but the delays are more severe and the final level of achievement lower for some components than for others. Conversational turn-taking is an area of relative strength, although it remains to be determined whether contextual variations in the rules governing turn-taking have been mastered. Individuals with mental retardation have special difficulty in learning to formulate their utterances in ways that make their intended referents clear. Development here often lags behind nonverbal cognitive development. Delays also occur in expressing and understanding speech acts, such as requests and questions. Especially problematic is the task of learning to use linguistic politeness formulae when expressing speech acts. Individuals with mental retardation are also delayed in learning to signal when they have not understood an utterance and in learning how to respond to such signals from others, although the extent of their problems here varies with the nature of the task. They achieve a considerable level of topic-related skill in that they typically produce utterances that are on topic, but the quality of these contributions to the topic is not clear. Pragmatic delays do not appear to be attributable to the language-learning environments provided for individuals with mental retardation by their parents. It is more likely that these delays result from the cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional limitations that define mental retardation, although there remains much to be learned about the relation between specific pragmatic problems and specific limitations in these other domains. MRDD Research Reviews 1997;3:323–333. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Influence of the grain boundaries on conductivity of yttrium stabilized zirconia

The influence of the grain boundaries on the ionic conductivity of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was investigated. The initially nanocrystalline samples were prepared using a tape casting process. The samples were annealed at different temperatures in the range from 1000 to 1400°C to overlap the grain size from 100nm to ∼10μm and investigated using impedance spectroscopy. Two distinct semicircles were found on all YSZ samples corresponding to the influence of the grain and grain boundary on the resistance. The activation energies for both resistances are very close (1.00 and 1.03eV correspondingly). The grain resistance does not change significantly during the annealing process, but the grain boundary resistance decreases after high temperature annealing which causes a decrease in the overall resistance of the material. The calculations show that the decrease in the grain boundary resistance is connected only with the increase in the grain size and the specific grain boundary resistance (per unit surface area of grain boundary) does not change with annealing.
Sustainable Science? Reducing the Carbon Impact of Scientific Mega-Meetings

Scientists across the globe recognize the importance of reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. At the same time, we have increased our carbon footprint through air travel to the growing number of scientific society “mega-meetings” that host thousands of attendees. Although alternative solutions have been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of annual conferences, these have yet to be evaluated against the business-as-usual scenario. Here, we use 9 years of annual meeting attendance data from the Ecological Society of America and the Association of American Geographers to assess the efficacy of two additional solutions: 1) alternate large national meetings that require significant air travel with smaller regional meetings that do not; and 2) incorporate geography into the meeting location selection process. The carbon footprint of annual mega-meetings ranged 3-fold, from 1196-4062 metric tons of CO 2 . Results indicate that an alternating schedule of national and regional meetings can reduce conference-related CO 2 emissions up to 73%, while improved spatial planning may result in further reductions. We discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of proposals to green scientific meetings, with a view to spark further debate on how to increase the sustainability of scientific conferences.
Web-based Thermodynamics Tables Wizard

This paper presents the Web-based Thermodynamics Tables Wizard and how it can be used for online courses or web-teaching to accommodate the need of students at different levels in looking up thermodynamics properties. It can be used as a stand-alone study aid or an add-on component for any online Thermodynamics course. The implementation of this Web-based module has greatly enhanced the learning experience of students in the study of Thermodynamics. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 137–143, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.10022
Morphology of transcription units in Drosophila melanogaster

We have used an electron microscopic analysis to define and to characterize active transcription units of Drosophila melanogaster. The lengths and spacings of nascent ribonuclear protein (RNP) fibers were determined on embryonic chromatin that was spread using techniques introduced by Miller and Beatty (1969). The data are consistent with the occurrence of specific sites of transcription initiation and termination. We apply the term transcription unit (TU) to a chromatin region bounded by these control sites. Two classes of TUs are active in Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells--those synthesizing ribosomal RNA and those synthesizing non-ribosomal RNA. The classes can usually be distinguished on the basis of TU size, chromatin morphology and inferred DNA packing ratio, frequency of RNP fibers (number of fibers per mum of chromatin), and the solitary vs. tandem repeat occurrence of fiber arrays. The results indicate that non-ribosomal transcription units have lengths in accord with the expectation that DNA of each chromomere is transcribed as a unit. Some nascent fiber arrays in D. melanogaster have more complex patterns of RNP fiber lengths. We suggest that these are a consequence of cleavage of RNP fibers at specific sites during transcription. These sites of transcriptional control and the amounts of DNA between them provide a basis for further relating units of transcription to units of gene function.
Polyacrylonitrile linear actuators: Chemomechanical and electro-chemomechanical properties

Abstract Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers were investigated for their use as “artificial muscle” linear actuators. Basic properties and characteristics of PAN fiber gel were investigated using a single strand (yarn) to define the material as an actuator. Properties of interest include force generation, force–strain behavior, and chemical reactions. Diameter and volume changes were observed as greater than 100% and greater than 1000%, respectively for pH activated systems. For the electrically induced systems the diameter and volume changes were similar though the response time was longer. For the elongated state the mechanical properties were not as strong as those in the contracted state, while also having a decreased flexible elasticity. Also, the amount of H+ present affected the shrinking of the fibers as well as the response time, though the effect decreased after the concentration reached a critical value. Profiles of force development for both the pH driven and electrically actuation systems indicate that single PAN strand fibers of a 100 mm length produced an approximate force of 0.1 N for both activation methods. Also, a plot of actuation stress versus actuation strain is constructed to map the current PAN actuator technology against other competing actuator technologies.
Abstract ES02-1: Pathology and biology of early breast lesions

It has been almost three decades since Dupont and Page published their seminal study relating breast cancer risk to the histologic findings in benign breast biopsies. Their initial observation, that proliferative lesions without atypia are associated with a 1.5-2-fold increase in breast cancer risk whereas atypical hyperplasias are associated with a 4-5-fold increase in risk, has been confirmed by other groups, including the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project, the Nurses’ Health Study and the Mayo Clinic, among others. In aggregate, these groups have evaluated the relationship between the findings in benign breast biopsies and breast cancer risk in over 15,000 women and have additionally shown that several clinical, epidemiologic and histologic factors such as patient age, menopausal status, family history, time since biopsy, type and extent of atypical hyperplasia, and even the extent of involution of normal breast lobules modify the breast cancer risk among women with benign breast disease. More recent studies have examined the expression of various biomarkers and molecular alterations to determine their impact on breast cancer risk among women with benign breast lesions. While the expression of some biomarkers (including ERa, ERβ, TGFβ receptor II, COX2, and Ki67) has been reported to further stratify risk among women with proliferative breast lesions with and without atypia, all of these studies are limited by small patient numbers, due in part to the difficulty in capturing the microscopic lesions of interest for biomarker analysis. Given these limitations, an alternative approach is to study expression of biomarkers and molecular alterations in histologically normal breast tissue since normal epithelium is typically more abundant in benign breast biopsies than is lesional tissue. Using this approach, one recent study suggested that cytoplasmic expression of IGF-1R in normal breast epithelial cells identifies woman with benign breast disease at a particularly high risk for the subsequent development of breast cancer. This raises the possibility that targeting the IGF-1 pathway could be a novel strategy for breast cancer risk reduction. Other studies evaluating gene expression in normal breast epithelium have identified signatures that distinguish histologically normal breast epithelium obtained from reduction mammaplasty specimens from that obtained from breast cancer patients and, further, that distinguish normal breast epithelium in breasts with ER-positive cancers from that in breasts with ER-negative tumors. Data such as these raise the possibility that there may be identifiable, subtype-specific changes in gene expression within normal breast epithelial cells before histologic abnormalities are evident. It is likely that an integrated approach that combines epidemiology, histopathology, biomarker analysis and evaluation of molecular alterations will permit refinement of breast cancer risk assessment beyond that currently available and will, in turn, lead to new risk reduction strategies. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr ES02-1.
Facilitating Better Teamwork: Analyzing the Challenges and Strategies of Classroom-Based Collaboration

To help students develop teamwork skills, teachers should be aware of the strategies students already employ to assert authority and manage conflict. Researchers studying engineering students have identified two such approaches: transfer-of-knowledge sequences, in which students emulate teacher and pupil roles; and collaborative sequences, in which students use circular talk to reach consensus. As demonstrated in this article, these strategies are also used by students in professional communication courses. The second half of this article provides specific suggestions for designing team assignments, interacting effectively with student teams, and developing evaluations that value the process of teamwork.
Transport of Oils as Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Measurements for various concentrated refined mineral oil/tap water emulsions, all prepared with a single emulsifier, 0.5Vertical Bar3< Triton X-114, with and without drag reducing additives (Dow Separan AP 273, Nalco BX-1192, Shell Neodol, and Union Carbide Polyox WSR 301) showed that oil viscosity (1.5-61.5 x 10/sup -//sup 6/ sq m/sec at 35/sup 0/C) had little effect on turbulent pressure losses of such emulsions; temperature rise from 30/sup 0/ to 45/sup 0/C also had little effect. The specific energy losses for transport of oil as oil-in-water emulsions decreased as concentration rose from 50 to 75Vertical Bar3<. Separan and Nalco were effective as drag-reducing additives but lost their effectiveness with time due to shear degradation; Polyox was completely ineffective. Nonionic surfactants such as Neodol were less effective drag-reducing agents, but their shear degradation was reversible. The energy-saving advantages (e.g., no need for heating) of pipeline transport of heavy, waxy crudes as concentrated aqueous emulsions are discussed.
Unique near-surface seismic-reflection characteristics within an abandoned salt-mine well field, Hutchinson, Kansas

Summary High-resolution seismic reflections have been used effectively to investigate sinkholes resulting from the dissolution of a bedded salt unit found throughout most of central Kansas. A seismic reflection survey was conducted to investigate the shallow subsurface between a sinkhole that formed catastrophically within a few tens of meters of a main east/west rail line. Data quality was significantly below expectations and not equivalent to other seismic data from this area where acquisition parameters, equipment, and target intervals were similar. Near-surface tomographic and MASW analyses revealed a highly irregular bedrock surface characterized by what appear to be a high concentration of short wavelength dissolution features. These bedrock features are below about 20 m of unconsolidated sediments with physical dimensions several meters deep and several meters wide. Data quality is quite good on other seismic reflection surveys from this general area where these bedrock features are not present. Pronounced static shifts and degradation in spectral characteristics of reflections where these bedrock features are present seems to be isolated to an area suspected to be the crest of a relatively broad anticlinal structure where surface fractures could have provided a conduit for fresh water to access shallow, thin evaporite layers within the thick shale sequence in the upper 200 m. Broadband high-resolution compressional-wave energy suffered significantly from this highly irregular bedrock topography.
Contractile function and 45Ca movements in vascular smooth muscle of nonhuman primates: effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Abstract 1. The effects of 7 mM neomycin, 10 mM kanamycin and 5 mM gentamicin on vascular smooth muscle contractile responses and 45Ca movements were examined in arterial preparations isolated from nonhuman primates (squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys and baboons). 2. Present findings demonstrate that these antibiotics inhibit contractile responses and alter 45Ca movements in monkey blood vessels, and suggest that the manner in which these agents affect vascular smooth muscle from nonhuman primates does not differ qualitatively from their effects in canine and rabbit vascular preparations.
Racism, Cynicism, Economics, and David Duke

In this article, a model is proposed and tested that explains support for David Duke in three statewide Louisiana elections. The model, which is tested at the individual level, includes independent...
On multiple transition time in a simple illness death process— a fix-neyman model

Abstract This paper deals with a time homogeneous stochastic system which consists of two transient states: S 1 and S 2 , and r absorbing states: R 1 ,…, R r . An individual who is in a transient state S α at time t = 0 may move from one transient state to another within any finite length of time, and he may enter an absorbing state. Let T ( m ) αα be the length of time needed for making m transitions from S α and S β and back to S α , and T ( m ) α β , β ≠ α , be the length of time needed for making m transitions from S α to S β . Formulas have been derived for the density functions and the distributions functions of the multiple transition times. Various properties of the distributions of T ( m ) αα and T ( m ) α β have been investigated. It has been shown that, for any given α, β , and m , T ( m ) αα and T ( m ) α β are improper random variables. The properized density functions of the multiple transition times and corresponding expectations and variances have been derived. The density functions of the survival time (time before entering an absorbing state) have also been discussed.
The development of thermoregulatory ability, heat seeking activities, and thyroid function in hatchling Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica )

Thermoregulatory ability of precocial Japanese quail hatchlings was examined by measuring their cooling rates during exposure to 30 ° C for 30 min. From day 3 to day 11 after hatching, the cooling rates decrease, which indicates an increase in thermoregulatory ability during this period. By 13 to 15 days after hatching the quail appear to be homeothermic but regulate their temperature at levels below typical adult body temperatures (Figs. 2, 3).
ON THE CLAUSIUS-DUHEM INEQUALITY.

Abstract : A method of axiomatically deriving a form of the second law of thermodynamics appropriate to continuum mechanics from a general statement of the law is discussed; such a proceedure logically leads to the existence of two temperatures and a modified form of the Clausius-Duhem inequality. It is then shown that for a certain class of materials the inequality can hold only if the two temperatures are always the same and thus that for such materials the usual form of the Clausius-Duhem inequality is appropriate. Finally it is shown that a simple material with memory falls into this class of materials. (Author)
The appeal of vague financial forecasts

Abstract Prior findings suggest managers often choose ranges to communicate uncertainty in future earnings. We analyzed earnings forecasts over 11 years and find higher earnings uncertainty firms are more likely to choose range estimates. We study investors’ attitudes to forecast precision and argue investors’ evaluations of forecasts can be explained by a sequential non-compensatory two-stage process – First, investors determine whether a point or a range estimate is more appropriate for a particular domain based on the congruence principle. Then, they seek the most precise reasonable range to maximize informativeness. Results from three experiments indicate the preference for (im)precision is non-monotonic – it peaks for low levels of imprecision and diminishes when the range gets wider, and is consistent with participants’ desire for congruent and informative estimates, and supports the claim that investors favor forecasts that are as precise as warranted by the information available, but not more precise.
Interpenetrating Collagen-Fibrin Composite Matrices with Varying Protein Contents and Ratios

Pure and composite hydrogel matrices of collagen type I and fibrin were produced by simultaneous polymerization of each biopolymer in the presence of vascular smooth muscle cells. The ratio of collagen to fibrin in composite matrices was varied from 1:1 to 1:4, with corresponding absolute protein concentrations of 1.0-5.0 mg/mL. Constructs cultured for 7 days were subjected to uniaxial tensile testing, analysis of cell content, as well as scanning electron and confocal microscopic imaging. Gel compaction over time in culture decreased with increasing protein content but was augmented by the presence of fibrin. Material properties (modulus, ultimate tensile stress, and toughness) were highly correlated with gel compaction, protein density, and cell concentration. Maximum force at failure was dependent on absolute protein concentration. This study examined the interrelationships between protein type, ratio, and density in composite biopolymer matrices and contributes to the understanding of structure-function relationships in such materials.
Expression of human DNA polymerase .beta. in Escherichia coli and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

The coding region of a human beta-polymerase cDNA, predicting a 335 amino acid protein, was subcloned in the Escherichia coli expression plasmid pRC23. After induction of transformed cells, the crude soluble extract was found to contain a new protein immunoreactive with beta-polymerase antibody and corresponding in size to the protein deduced from the cDNA. This protein was purified in a yield of 1-2 mg/50 g of cells. The recombinant protein had about the same DNA polymerase specific activity as beta-polymerase purified from mammalian tissues, and template-primer specificity and immunological properties of the recombinant polymerase were similar to those of natural beta-polymerases. The purified enzyme was free of nuclease activity. We studied detailed catalytic properties of the recombinant beta-polymerase using defined template-primer systems. The results indicate that this beta-polymerase is essentially identical with natural beta-polymerases. The recombinant enzyme is distributive in mode of synthesis and is capable of detecting changes in the integrity of the single-stranded template, such as methylated bases and double-stranded region. The enzyme recognizes a template region four to seven bases downstream of the primer 3' end and utilizes alternative primers if this downstream template region is double stranded. The enzyme is unable to synthesize past methylated bases N3-methyl-dT or O6-methyl-dG.
Are short and long sleepers different

The issue of other-than-sleep differences between long and short sleep patterns is discussed. A distinction is made between short and long sleep patterns and shortened and lengthened sleep. Categor...
Combined host-conditioning with CTLA4-Ig, tacrolimus, anti-lymphocyte serum, and low-dose radiation leads to stable mixed hematopoietic chimerism.

Abstract Objective The toxic dose of irradiation required to achieve stable mixed hematopoietic chimerism is the major limitation to its clinical application in transplantation and other nonmalignant conditions such as hemoglobinopathies. This study examines the additive effect of costimulatory blockage, to our previously described tacrolimus-based conditioning regimen, in further reducing the dose of total-body irradiation to achieve stable mixed chimerism in rats. Methods Fully mismatched, 4- to 6-week-old ACI and Wistar Furth rats were used as donors and recipients, respectively. Recipients were administered CTLA4-Ig 2mg/kg/day (alternate days) in combination with tacrolimus 1 mg/kg/day (daily) from day 0 through day +10, anti-lymphocyte serum 10 mg at day +10 (single dose), and total-body irradiation ranging from 100–600 cGy, prior to bone marrow transplantation (day 0) with 100 × 10 6 of T-cell-depleted bone marrow cells. Levels of donor chimerism were determined over a period of 12 months. Results The short course of CTLA4-Ig, tacrolimus, and ALS led to dramatic engraftments at reduced doses of irradiation: 100% (5/5) and 93% (13/14) of the animals developed mixed chimerism at 400 cGy and 300 cGy, respectively. At 300 cGy, recipients exhibited durable, multilineage mixed chimerism at 365 days with donor cells ranging from 19–42% (mean 23.4%) with no evidence of graft-vs-host disease. These mixed chimeras exhibited in vitro (mixed lymphocyte reaction) and in vivo (skin grafts) donor-specific tolerance. Conclusion This study suggests that addition of costimulatory blockade to a tacrolimus-based conditioning regimen reduces the dose of irradiation required to achieve stable multilineage chimerism in rats.
Regulation of ureteric bud branching morphogenesis by sulfated proteoglycans in the developing kidney

Glycosaminoglycans in the form of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) are required for normal kidney organogenesis. The specific roles of HSPGs and CSPGs on ureteric bud (UB) branching morphogenesis are unclear, and past reports have obtained differing results. Here we employ in vitro systems, including isolated UB culture, to clarify the roles of HSPGs and CSPGs on this process. Microarray analysis revealed that many proteoglycan core proteins change during kidney development (syndecan-1,2,4, glypican-1,2,3, versican, decorin, biglycan). Moreover, syndecan-1, syndecan-4, glypican-3, and versican are differentially expressed during isolated UB culture, while decorin is dynamically regulated in cultured isolated metanephric mesenchyme (MM). Biochemical analysis indicated that while both heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are present, CS accounts for approximately 75% of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the embryonic kidney. Selective perturbation of HS in whole kidney rudiments and in the isolated UB resulted in a significant reduction in the number of UB branch tips, while CS perturbation has much less impressive effects on branching morphogenesis. Disruption of endogenous HS sulfation with chlorate resulted in diminished FGF2 binding and proliferation, which markedly altered kidney area but did not have a statistically significant effect on patterning of the ureteric tree. Furthermore, perturbation of GAGs did not have a detectable effect on FGFR2 expression or epithelial marker localization, suggesting the expression of these molecules is largely independent of HS function. Taken together, the data suggests that nonselective perturbation of HSPG function results in a general proliferation defect; selective perturbation of specific core proteins and/or GAG microstructure may result in branching pattern defects. Despite CS being the major GAG synthesized in the whole developing kidney, it appears to play a lesser role in UB branching; however, CS is likely to be integral to other developmental processes during nephrogenesis, possibly involving the MM. A model is presented of how, together with growth factors, heterogeneity of proteoglycan core proteins and glycosaminoglycan sulfation act as a switching mechanism to regulate different stages of the branching process. In this model, specific growth factor-HSPG combinations play key roles in the transitioning between stages and their maintenance.
The Flower Constellations visualization and analysis tool

The Flower Constellations is a methodology to design satellite constellations characterized by compatible orbits with respect to an assigned given rotating reference frame. In this rotating reference frame all the satellites follow the same close-loop relative trajectory (repeated space tracks). A Flower Constellation is obtained by means of a suitable phasing mechanism that initially distributes the satellites in a subset of admissible positions. The interplay of the design parameters generates beautiful and intriguing axial-symmetric periodic dynamics. These dynamics allow us to explore a wide range of potential applications which include: telecommunications, deep space observation, global positioning systems, and allows us to quickly come up with highly complex satellite formations that no one even knew existed and, consequently, to propose new kind of space missions. These constellation schemes are dramatically innovative and could be hardly imagined, designed or explained without the aid of ad hoc visualization software. In this paper, we describe the software we developed to design the Flower Constellations with its current features and future improvements
Does Familiarity Breed Acceptance? Trends in Career-Noncareer Relations in the Reagan Administration

A number of researchers assert that relations between careerists and political appointees in Washington typically start badly but improve over the course of an administration. This article tested that proposition by surveying 1,04S high-level careerists and 242 political appointees serving in the Washington, DC offices of 15 federal organizations. In defense organizations, both career and noncareer officials felt that relations started well and changed little over the course of the Reagan administration. In domestic organizations, both appointees and careerists felt that career-noncareer relations were problematic but improved since the first years of the administration. Apparently, however, these findings reflect leadership changes in a few organizations rather than a broader movement.
Underreporting of Behavioral Problems in Older Hospitalized Patients

This descriptive study examined reports of behavioral problems among older patients hospitalized in acute care medical settings. Greater numbers of behavioral problems were reported by nursing staff on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire than were documented in medical charts over the same time period. Such underreporting may have clinical and administrative implications.
Design of Robust Aircraft for Persistent Observation Campaigns Using Nested Multistate Design

This article presents a nested multistate methodology for the design of aerospace systems for an extended campaign of persistent surveillance using a fleet of vehicles. The methodology is based on a multistate design approach for long endurance vehicles that uses multidisciplinary systems analysis merged with behavioral-Markov modeling to define probabilistic metrics such as reliability and availability. The nested multistate approach integrates multiple layers of Markov models to propagate the probabilistic states resulting from failure of aircraft systems to mission operations. This methodology is demonstrated on the design of an unmanned aircraft for an ice surveillance mission requiring omnipresence over Antarctica. The results show that aircraft design parameters not directly related to component failure rates have a significant impact on the number of aircraft lost and missions aborted over the course of the campaign. The design resulting from the multistate approach has an 11% lower life cycle cost and 2% higher campaign availability versus a baseline design. When the baseline design is improved with component failure rates optimized for low cost and high availability, the multistate approach still shows a net 4% life cycle cost savings and 1% availability improvement.
Capacity analysis based on using adaptive antenna arrays jointly optimized for trunking and spatial efficiency

Cellular systems using adaptive antennas for spatial processing have been shown to provide an increase in capacity. When employing adaptive antennas, the standard approach to achieve capacity gain has been to maximize the link quality between the mobile and base station via optimum combining. This paper presents an alternative optimization approach based on jointly optimizing the adaptive antenna array to maximize the spatial and trunking efficiencies. An upper bound on the joint optimization was formulated to evaluate the capacity. Based on this upper bound, the effect of using adaptive antenna arrays to maximize the trunking efficiency was subsequently an outstanding issue. Monte Carlo simulations, substantiated with theoretical analysis, were used to evaluate this issue. Based on the analysis, utilizing the adaptive antennas to optimize trunking efficiency could increase the capacity by 2 to 4 times.