cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heating and dynamics of the quiet solar chromosphere

The quiet solar chromosphere in regions with negligible magnetic field is believed to be heated by acoustic waves. But their energy flux, measured in the upper photosphere with the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE), has been found to be insufficient to account for the radiative emission from the chromosphere. Wedemeyer-Bohm et al . (2007) and Cuntz et al . (2007), employing a 3D hydrodynamical model by Wedemeyer et al . (2004), have proposed that the spatial resolution of TRACE is inadequate to resolve intensity fluctuations that occur on small spatial scales. This paper accepts the principle of spatial averaging by TRACE as a qualitative explanation for the low acoustic flux but finds that the hydrodynamical model is too much simplified in the treatment of radiative energy exchange to provide a quantitative measure of the suppression of the fluctuations. The heating mechanism of the chromosphere thus remains an open question.
Automated discovery of social networks in text-based online communities

As a way to gain greater insights into the operation of online communities, this dissertation applies automated text mining techniques to text-based communication to identify, describe and evaluate underlying social networks among online community members. The main thrust of the study is to find a way to use computers to discover social ties that form between community members just from the digital footprints left behind in their online forum postings automatically. As part of this work, a web-based system for content and network analysis called the Internet Community Text Analyzer (ICTA) is being developed. A prototype of ICTA is available at http://textanalytics.net.
Electrochemical chromic acid regeneration process: fitting of membrane transport properties

Abstract A mathematical model was developed to predict changes in contaminant concentrations with time, and to estimate contaminant fluxes due to migration, diffusion, and convection in a laboratory-scale batch electrolysis cell for the regeneration of contaminated hard-chrome plating baths. The feed and extract compartments of the batch-cell were separated by a Nafion-117 diaphragm. The mathematical model was used to estimate process parameters and physical properties of Nafion-117 membrane from experimental results, assuming quasi-stationary operation. Best-fit ionic mobilities of Cu, Fe, and Ni through the Nafion-117 membrane were found to be 5.4, 1.7, and 5.2×10 −10 cm 2 /V s, respectively.
Thermocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds in gaseous discharges

This article examines results obtained in a kinetic study of the oxidation of a model mixture of air with methyl methacrylate vapor, or iron-chromium catalyst at 100-450 C under steady-state conditions. Indicates that the thermocatalytic oxidation of methyl methacrylate vapor in mixture with air at 100-400 C proceeds in the kinetic region with a high degree of oxidation, ensuring that the maximum permissible concentration will not be exceeded. Points out that because of the relatively low oxidation temperature that is required, the treatment of the discharge can be made more economical in terms of energy costs. Notes that at 400-500 C, the process goes forward in the transition region, since external diffusion factors begin to be imposed at temperatures above 400 C. Concludes that the proposed mathematical model offers a means for scientifically based selection of the most economical region for realization of commercial processes in treatment of discharges.
Blessed are the meek? Honesty–humility, agreeableness, and the HEXACO structure of religious beliefs, motives, and values

Reviews of personality and religion have suggested that high agreeableness and high conscientiousness are associated with higher religiosity. Using the HEXACO model as a framework, the present work examined the recent suggestion that religion is rooted in honesty–humility rather than agreeableness. A sample of 137 young adults from a relatively conservative and predominantly Christian region of the United States completed the 100-item HEXACO-PI-R and a wide range of measures related to religion (general religiosity, intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientations, Biblical fundamentalism, rejection of Christian institutions and practices) and to broader values and ideologies that shed light on the character of religiosity (political liberalism and conservatism, right-wing authoritarianism, humanitarian–egalitarian values, and Protestant Work Ethic values). The findings offered strong support for the HEXACO approach: honesty–humility significantly predicted nearly all of the religion outcomes, but the effects of agreeableness were significantly smaller and essentially zero. Honesty–humility and agreeableness were not significantly related to the broader values and ideologies. Facet-level analyses suggested that the H-Fairness facet uniquely predicted higher religiosity, whereas the A-Patience facet tended to predict lower religiosity. Taken together, the findings strongly support the HEXACO analysis of religiosity and the broader value of distinguishing between honesty–humility and agreeableness as interpersonal traits.
Management and prevention of renal ablative therapy complications

The increasing diagnosis of incidental small renal masses has contributed to energy ablative techniques being increasingly utilized as a primary surgical modality. Despite promise associated with thermal ablation, complications related to both cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablations (RFA) do occur. Contemporary literature on renal ablative procedures (CA and RFA) was reviewed to highlight diagnosis, management, and prevention of complications associated with these procedures. While morbidity for renal thermal ablation is typically less than extirpative renal surgery, a range of complications of varying severity may exist. Such complications can include sequelae from choice of access site, procedural bleeding, visceral injury, or damage to the collecting system or ipsilateral ureter. An understanding of complications secondary to renal ablation is essential for urologists and radiologists to facilitate prompt diagnosis, appropriate management, and future prevention.
Separation of two light-induced electron-spin-resonance signals in several algal species

Abstract Two overlapping electron-spin-resonance signals are observed when algal cells are illuminated with light. This paper describes two methods of algal cell pretreatment, heating and sonic oscillation, which effectively eliminate one of the signals while enhancing the other signal. Using Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells pretreated by these procedures, electron-spin-resonance measurements are correlated with Hill-reaction activity and fluorescence. In addition, light-saturation studies for both electron-spin-resonance signals are reported for whole cells and sonicated cells of Scenedesmus obliquus, Plectonema boryanum, Chlamydomonas reinhardi, Anacystis nidulans , and Ochromonas danica . On the basis of these experiments it appears that one signal is due to free radicals involved in some manner in a functional O 2 evolution system. The other appears to be due to a photophysical response of chlorophyll to light.
THE ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM OF THE PLANETARY NEBULA VY 2-2

The planetary nebula M3-27 was observed in the low-dispersion mode of the IUE satellite in the region 1150 A-3200 A. A fairly strong continuum was seen to extend down to 1150 A, superposed with a relatively small number of emission lines. A high electron density is inferred from forbidden O III but regions of lower density also exist. The ultraviolet characteristics of M3-27 are compared to those of M1-2. A carbon abundance of log C = 7.72 was estimated from the semiforbidden C III nebular line for an adopted Te = 15,000 K; no emission lines of C IV 1549 A, C II 2326 A, or He II 1640 A were detected. Based on the UV observations, M3-27 would be classified as of slightly lower excitation class than M1-2 or IC 4997.
Biological Control of Postharvest Diseases of Apple and Pear under Semi-commercial and Commercial Conditions Using Three Saprophytic Yeasts☆

Abstract The yeasts Cryptococcus laurentii (strain HRA5), Cryptococcus infirmominiatus (strain YY6), and Rhodotorula glutinis (strain HRB6) were tested as biocontrol agents of postharvest diseases of apple and pear in semi-commercial and commercial trials. The yeasts effectively controlled decay when applied in a drench or line spray. The yeasts were not adversely affected when treated fruits were stored in a controlled atmosphere consisting of 1% oxygen and 99% nitrogen. In a commercial trial, the most effective treatments for control of blue mold of pear were a combination of C. laurentii and C. infirmo-miniatus (91% control) and the commercially recommended high rate (528 μg/ml) of thiabendazole (88% control). In the commercial apple trial, the most effective treatments for blue mold were C. infirmo-miniatus combined with 264 μg/ml thiabendazole (91% control), C. infirmo-miniatus combined with C. laurentii (84% control), and thiabendazole alone at 528 μg/ml (79% control). The combination of C. laurentii with 264 μg/ml of thiabendazole was significantly more effective for control of blue mold on pear than thiabendazole at 528 μg/ml whenever any thiabendazole-resistant spores were present in the inoculum.
The Relationships between Neanderthal Man and Homo sapiens

fundamental to the comprehension of human evolution as a whole. During the past generation this problem has been discussed in numerous papers and sections of monographs. None of the discussions known to me, however, has taken systematic account of certain major geographic features of the Old World nor of what we know about Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, both of which must have been important factors in the spread and differentiation of early hominids. Neither has the current state of knowledge about Lower Paleolithic cultures been fully integrated into any of the competing theories of Neanderthal-Homo sapiens relationships. It is the purpose of this paper to suggest that a consideration of all these factors supports the hypothesis that Homo sapiens and Neanderthal, after a presumed common origin, evolved independently in almost complete geographic isolation from one another for a long time prior to the third interglacial, and that the "progressive" Neanderthals of that time were hybrids between these two forms of man. This general thesis has been advanced in varying forms by several scholars: Leakey (1935), Coon (1939), Paterson (1940), and Hooton (1946), to mention a few. It is opposed to the theory that both classic Neanderthal of Wiirm I in Europe and Homo sapiens evolved rapidly during Wtirm I from the "progressive" form of Neanderthal. This position was enunciated by McCown and Keith (1939) and has recently been supported by Howell (1951). Ashley Montagu, reviewing the McCown-Keith work (1940:520-21), made a telling genetic point against their position and adopted the general hypothesis here advocated. Weidenreich's position (1940, 1943, 1946), which is grossly oversimplified but not violated when it is described as assuming that a semiclassic form of Neanderthal (Mt. Carmel) was ancestral to the "Eurasian group" of Homo sapiens, is also at variance with my thesis at this and several other points. Howells' position (1942), that modern racial differences are the result of evolutionary radiation of Homo sapiens over a long period of time, appears to be a biologically more likely explanation of these differences than Weidenreich's conception of the convergence of very diverse forms of man into a nearly common mold. In fact, integral to the development of the thesis here advanced, is an explanation of the climatic factors that set the stage for the differentiation of Homo sapiens into races prior to the Upper Pleistocene. Hrdli'ka also took the position, long ago and in a much simpler form than Weidenreich, that Homo sapiens evolved through a Neanderthal phase (1926, 1928-29).
Food intake and body temperature responses of rats to recombinant human interleukin-1β and a tripeptide interleukin-1β antagonist

Abstract Food intake and body temperature are two of many factors affected by IL-1β, a cytokine which is produced in response to tissue injury and inflammatory processes. In the present experiment, a tripeptide IL-1β antagonist which blocked IL-1β-induced hyperalgesia was tested for the ability to block IL-1β-induced effects on food intake and body temperature. Food intake was decreased 4–22 h after intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 1.25, 1.88, or 2.50 μg IL-1β/rat, and 0–22 h food intake was decreased by 1.88 and 2.50 μg IL-1β/rat. The effect of 1.25 μg IL-1β/rat on food intake measured 4 and 22 h after (IP) injection was blocked by coadministration of 5 mg tripeptide IL-1β antagonist. However, 25 mg tripeptide IL-1β antagonist/rat plus 1.25 μg IL-1β/rat decreased 0–22 h food intake more than IL-1β alone. Administration (IP) of 1.25 μg IL-1β/rat increased body temperature 1°C 4 h later, and 5 and 25 mg tripeptide IL-1β antagonist/rat blocked this increase. Although food intake remained decreased after IL-1β administration alone or with 25 mg tripeptide IL-1β antagonist/rat for 22 h, body temperature returned to normal under these conditions. Thus, a tripeptide IL-1β antagonist shown to block IL-1β-induced hyperalgesia also blocked food intake and body temperature responses to IL-1β, although the effective doses of IL-1β and the tripeptide IL-1β antagonist differ by 4,000-fold when both are administered peripherally.
CFD Prediction of Boundary Layer Transition and Separation on an Airfoil at Varying Angle of Attack

This study analyzes the predicted flow over a NACA 0012 airfoil at varying angles of attack and three different Reynolds numbers. The ability of three different turbulence models to predict boundary layer separation and transition behavior is investigated. Particular interest is paid to prediction of the separation bubble that develops near the leading edge of the airfoil suction surface prior to stall. The FLUENT CFD solver was used to simulate turbulent airflow over the airfoil. The three turbulence models include the standard and realizable forms of the k-e model, available in FLUENT, as well as a recently developed transition-sensitive k-ω model that was implemented into the solver using user-defined functions. By employing the new, transition-sensitive model, computed properties of the flow field were found to be closer to experimental data than results produced by utilizing built-in turbulence models. Most importantly, the new, transition-sensitive model predicts the occurrence of the separation bubble, which the other models are unable to predict. The new model also clearly reproduces the laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow that occurs over the airfoil.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Conformational Analysis of β-Glycosidic Linkages in 13C-Labeled Glucobiosides Using Inter-residue Scalar Coupling Constants

Four β-linked glucobioses selectively 13C labeled at C1‘ or C2‘ have been prepared. The inter-residue coupling constants, JCH, and JCC, have been determined and related to the solution conformations of the disaccharides using Karplus-type relationships. Relying only on the experimental coupling constants, glycosidic linkage conformation in methyl α-sophoroside (methyl 2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-α-d-glucopyranoside), methyl α-laminarabioside (methyl 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-α-d-glucopyranoside), and methyl α-cellobioside (methyl 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-α-d-glucopyranoside) were found to be close to those observed in the solid state (39° < φH < 41°, −24° < ψH < −36°). The laminarabioside and cellobioside were found to have conformations that accommodate an intramolecular hydrogen bond to O5‘ that is observed in the solid state. In all compounds, the exocyclic hydroxymethyl groups retain a conformation close to that observed in unsubstituted glucose (gt/gg 1:1). Methyl α-gentiobioside (methyl 6-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl...
Nondestructive Techniques for Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials — An Overview

An overview of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is presented to indicate the availability and application potentials of techniques for quantitative characterization of the mechanical properties of structural materials. The purpose is to review NDE techniques that go beyond the usual emphasis on flaw detection and characterization. Discussed are current and emerging NDE techniques that can verify and monitor entrinsic properties (e.g., tensile, shear, and yield strengths; fracture toughness, hardness, ductility; elastic moduli) and underlying microstructural and morphological factors. Most of the techniques described are, at present, neither widely applied nor widely accepted in commerce and industry because they are still emerging from the laboratory. The limitations of the techniques may be overcome by advances in applications research and instrumentation technology and perhaps by accommodations for their use in the design of structural parts.
Non-enzymatic, post-translational, amino acid modifications in ageing. A brief review.

Abstract Accumulated evidence implicates two non-enzymatic, post-translational, amino acid modifications — deamidation of asparagine and glutamine, and racemization of aspartic acid — as potentially important reactions in cellular and organismal ageing. Rates of deamidation can be genetically regulated over a range of at least six days to ten years, and this release of ammonia from amides causes molecular conformational changes, loss of activity, and age-related alterations in a number of proteins in vivo. Racemized aspartic acid amasses with age, especially in crosslinked and partly degraded proteins of the normal ageing human lens and yellow cataracts. In both cases, modification of amino acids could account for the accumulation of altered proteins observed with ageing in the cells of certain organisms.
Acute bilateral adrenal hemorrhage due to metastatic adenocarcinoma: clinical presentation as flank pain

Adrenal metastasis is a recognized cause of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. This condition is uncommon but potentially life threatening and usually is not diagnosed clinically before radiologic studies are performed. We discuss the case of a woman presenting to the emergency room with severe flank pain and mild anemia. Computed tomography revealed bilateral adrenal masses with hemorrhage, compatible with probable adrenal metastasis. Subsequent diagnostic work-up revealed metastatic lesions in the spine, mediastinal adenopathy, and a duodenal mass. Biopsy of the mediastinal nodes and duodenal mass each revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of an unknown primary tumor.
The effects of feeding frequency and symbiosis with zooxanthellae on the biochemical composition of Astrangia Danae Milne Edwards & Haime 1849

The coral Astrangia danae Milne Edwards & Haime 1849 occurs naturally with and without symbiotic algae and thus may have two sources of nourishment: (1) particles captured by the coral polyps, and (2) photosynthetic products translocated from their zooxanthellae. Symbiotic colonies may have both sources, and nonsymbiotic ones certainly have only the former. The relative importance of these two food sources was studied in the laboratory by examining the tissues of corals fed with frozen brine shrimp. Stock corals were fed once per week. Two to three weeks prior to each experiment, selected corals were placed on one of three feeding schedules: starved (S), fed once per week (1/wk), and fed three times per week (3/wk). The coral tissues were analyzed for protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and zooxanthellae content. Increased feeding frequency (1/wk → 3/wk) resulted in an increased tissue biomass and lipid to protein (L/P) ratio; starvation (1/wk → S) caused a decrease in these parameters. Symbiosis with zooxanthellae had an effect similar to increased feeding frequency in that the S and 1/wk symbiotic corals had a higher L/P ratio than comparable nonsymbiotic ones. There were no significant differences in L/P ratios between the 3/wk symbiotic and nonsymbiotic corals. Freshly collected colonies had a tissue composition most similar to the laboratory animals fed 3/wk. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that ingestion of solid food is the major nutritional source for A. danae in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, but our experiments suggest that the algae can have an important effect on tissue L/P ratios during times of food scarcity.
The effect of bursectomy and thymectomy on the course of avian influenza virus infection

Abstract The effect of hormonal bursectomy and neonatal surgical thymectomy on the course of an avian influenza virus infection in chickens was studied. Analysis of the immunologic status of the chickens prior to infection included assay of natural agglutinins to rabbit red blood cells and induced agglutinins to sheep red blood cells, serum immunoelectrophoresis patterns, and in vitro effects of phytohemagglutinin on lymphocyte transformation. At 6 wk of age the chickens received the influenza virus intratracheally. Daily temperatures and mortality were recorded and HAI antibody titers were measured 7 and 14 days later. Completely thymectomized chickens were characterized by a failure of lymphocyte transformation to take place in two successive studies and absence of thymic remnants at autopsy. Bursectomy was associated with a significantly higher occurrence of temperature elevation ( P P
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 mediates IGF-I action in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line independent of an IGF interaction.

IGF-I is mitogenic for the bovine mammary epithelial cell line MAC-T. In addition, IGF-I specifically upregulates IGFBP-3 synthesis in these cells. To investigate this effect on cell growth and IGF-I responsiveness, cell lines were developed that constitutively express IGFBP-3. MAC-T cells transfected with IGFBP-3 (+BP3) or vector alone (Mock) grew similarly over 7 days in 10 or 1% fetal calf serum. Basal DNA synthesis was lower (70%) in +BP3 cells compared to Mock cells. However, DNA synthesis was increased by IGF-I (1-50 ng/ml) relative to untreated controls to a greater extent in +BP3 cells compared to Mock cells. IGF-I (20 ng/ml) increased DNA synthesis 11- and threefold in +BP3 and Mock cells, respectively. Additionally, +BP3 cells were more sensitive to the lower concentrations of IGF-I (1-5 ng/ml). In contrast, preincubation of Mock cells with exogenous IGFBP-3 did not enhance responsiveness or sensitivity to IGF-I. Basal DNA synthesis was unaffected by either an IGF neutralizing antibody or exogenous IGFBP3, indicating the differences observed between +BP3 and Mock cells were not attributable to sequestration of endogenous IGF-I by IGFBP-3. There were no differences between +BP3 and Mock cells in IGF-I receptor number or affinity. DNA synthesis was also increased in +BP3 cells, compared to controls, in response to 5 microg/ml insulin and 2.5 ng/ml Long R(3)IGF-I, indicating that the potentiated response did not require an interaction with IGFBP-3. These results suggest that IGF-I regulation of IGFBP-3 represents a regulatory loop, the function of which is to increase IGF-I bioactivity, using a mechanism that does require an IGF-I-IGFBP-3 interaction.
Asymptotic behavior of the Newton–Boussinesq equation in a two-dimensional channel

Abstract We prove the existence of a global attractor for the Newton–Boussinesq equation defined in a two-dimensional channel. The asymptotic compactness of the equation is derived by the uniform estimates on the tails of solutions. We also establish the regularity of the global attractor.
Economics, Politics, and Policy Change Examining the Consequences of Deregulation in the Banking Industry

The regulatory politics literature contains two competing theories of policy change in the area of economic regulation: economic/technological change and the politics of ideas. This article focuses...
A multi-channel waveform digitizer system

The authors report on the design and performance of a multichannel waveform digitizer system for use with the multiple sample ionization chamber (MUSIC) detector at the Bevalac. 128 channels of 20-MHz flash ADC (analog-to-digital) plus 256-word deep memory are housed in a single crate. Digital thresholds and hit pattern logic facilitate zero suppression during readout, which is performed over a standard VME bus. >
Towards a comprehensive framework for modeling urban spatial dynamics

The increasing availability of spatial micro data offers new potential for understanding the micro foundations of urban spatial dynamics. However, because urban systems are complex, induction alone is insufficient. Nonlinearities and path dependence imply that qualitatively new dynamics can emerge due to stochastic shocks or threshold effects. Given the policy needs for managing urban growth and decline and the growing desire for sustainable urban forms, models must be able not only to explain empirical regularities, but also characterize system-level dynamics and assess the plausible range of outcomes under alternative scenarios. Towards this end, we discuss a comprehensive modeling approach that is comprised of bottom-up and top-down models in which both inductive and deductive approaches are used to describe and explain urban spatial dynamics. We propose that this comprehensive modeling approach consists of three iterative tasks: (1) identify empirical regularities in the spatial pattern dynamics of key meso and macro variables; (2) explain these regularities with process-based micro models that link individual behavior to the emergence of meso and macro dynamics; and (3) determine the systems dynamical equations that characterize the relationships between micro processes and meso and macro pattern dynamics. Along the way, we also clarify types of complexity (input and output) and discuss dimensions of complexity (spatial, temporal, and behavioral). While no one to date has achieved this kind of comprehensive modeling, meaningful progress has been made in characterizing and explaining urban spatial dynamics. We highlight examples of this work from the recent literature and conclude with a discussion of key challenges.
Liquid membrane: equilibrium potential distribution across lipid monolayer-coated oil-water interface

Equations are derived which determine the equilibrium electric potential distribution across a charged lipid monolayer-coated oil/water interface. It is shown that the potential distribution depends not only on the charge density of the lipid monolayer surface but also on the concentration of free lipids in the oil phase and on the partition coefficients of electrolyte ions between oil and water, and that the potential diffuses over some distance on both sides of the oil/water interface. The meaning of the Donnan potential across the interface in this system is elucidated. The electric field in the oil phase is found to change its sign depending on the magnitude of the monolayer surface potential relative to the Donnan potential. The monolayer surface potential/surface charge density relationship differs from that for the charged lipid monolayer-coated air/water interface, where no free lipids or electrolyte ions can exist in the air phase. The effects of the partition of lipid molecules between the oil phase and the oil/water interface and of the association of negatively charged lipids and cations are also considered.
Population socialization: Needed research directions

The studies reported on in this issue of the journal, and others conducted over the past decade or so, have only begun to deal with the various dimensions and categories cited in Susan Philliber's framework for population socialization. Much more attention has been given to the fertility component of pop ulation change than to mortality/health and residential mobility. This is due partly to the prevalent feeling among researchers in the psychosocial sciences that fertility is the fundamental factor in population change, and partly to an inability on the part of many to view health/moratility and residential mobility as behavioral processes which are shaped by normative factors. We are beginning to become more concerned with these other content areas and to learn that, in different times and contexts, the latter two components may have a greater effect than fertility on population change. It is also becoming more ap parent that death and geographic movement, like fertility, are results of complex social processes in which the interactions of a variety of people are important, including those interactions which may occur in childhood. Moreover, little is known about the awareness which
Renin profiling for diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of hypertension

Patient 1. A 51-year-old physician was referred to The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (NYH-CMC) for refractory hypertension. Two years earlier, a routine physical examination revealed high blood pressure (200/115 mm Hg). He was treated with hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg daily, but the blood pressure was not reduced, and he became fatigued; the serum potassium was 3.2 mEq/liter. Methyldopa, 250 mg twice daily, and potassium chloride were added to his antihypertensive regimen, but he subsequently complained of increasing lethargy and impotence. At the time of his initial evaluation at the NYH-CMC Cardiovascular Center, the blood pressure was 202/112 mm Hg, the pulse was 68 and regular, and the remainder of the examination was normal. The antihypertensive medications were stopped and all side effects resolved promptly. Laboratory evaluation two weeks later included: normal electrolytes; BUN, 15 mg/dl; serum creatinine, 1.2 mg/dl; cholesterol, 237 mgldl; HDL, 55 mg/dl; and glucose, 88 mg/dl. Urinalysis and electrocardiogram were normal. A 24-hour urine collection contained: sodium, 125 mEq; potassium, 64 mEq; aldosterone, 12 g; and albumin, 48 mg; creatinine clearance was 95 mI/mm. A simultaneous ambulatory plasma renin activity (PRA) was 6.4 ng/ml/hr. The results of the captopril test were: pre-captopril blood pressure, 182/112 mm Hg; pulse, 74 beats/mm; PRA, 4.8 ng/ml/hr; post-captopril: blood pressure, 152/94 mm Hg; pulse, 72 beats/mm; and PRA, 6.8 ng/ml/hr. A captopril renal scan and a renal artenogram were normal. Acebutolol was begun in a dose of 200 mg daily. Within two weeks,
Savina - An Actor Benchmark Suite: Enabling Empirical Evaluation of Actor Libraries

This paper introduces the Savina benchmark suite for actor-oriented programs. Our goal is to provide a standard benchmark suite that enables researchers and application developers to compare different actor implementations and identify those that deliver the best performance for a given use-case. The benchmarks in Savina are diverse, realistic, and represent compute (rather than I/O) intensive applications. They range from popular micro-benchmarks to classical concurrency problems to applications that demonstrate various styles of parallelism. Implementations of the benchmarks on various actor libraries are made publicly available through an open source release. This will allow other developers and researchers to compare the performance of their actor libraries on these common set of benchmarks.
Global Thermohaline Circulation. Part I: Sensitivity to Atmospheric Moisture Transport

A global ocean general circulation model of idealized geometry, combined with an atmospheric model based on observed transports of heat, momentum, and moisture, is used to explore the sensitivity of the global conveyor belt circulation to the surface freshwater fluxes, in particular the effects of meridional atmospheric moisture transports. The numerical results indicate that the equilibrium strength of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation increases as the global freshwater transports increase. However, the global deep water formation— that is, the sum of the NADW and the Southern Ocean Deep Water formation rates—is relatively insensitive to changes of the freshwater flux. Perturbations to the meridional moisture transports of each hemisphere identify equatorially asymmetric effects of the freshwater fluxes. The results are consistent with box model results that the equilibrium NADW formation is primarily controlled by the magnitude of the Southern Hemisphere freshwater flux. However, the results show that the Northern Hemisphere freshwater flux has a strong impact on the transient behavior of the North Atlantic overturning. Increasing this flux leads to a collapse of the conveyor belt circulation, but the collapse is delayed if the Southern Hemisphere flux also increases. The perturbation experiments also illustrate that the rapidity of collapse is affected by random fluctuations in the wind stress field.
Effects of thalamic taste nuclei lesions on the ingestion of sapid solutions and schedule induced and schedule dependent behavior

Abstract Rats were reduced to 80 percent body weight and were exposed to an FI-1 min food reinforcement schedule for 30 min daily until lever presses, licks, and water consumption stabilized for at least 10 days. Bilateral lesions were then made in the thalamic taste nucleus of all animals. Animals were tested for 50 days following the lesions at 80 percent body weight, were permitted to recover body weight by increasing food rations, and were tested for an additional 30 days under ad lib feeding. Animals were then subjected to the following tests: food consumption following food deprivation, drinking following water deprivation, salt arousal of drinking, and drinking of 7°C water following water deprivation. In addition, consumption of 6.85% sucrose, 25% sucrose, 8% glucose, 21% glucose, and 0.125% Na saccharin on a FI-1 min food reinforcement schedule and under home cage conditions were measured. On the basis of these data and lesion locus the 8 animals were divided into 2 groups, bilaterally symmetrical experimentals and asymmetrical controls. Although only transient effects were observed in licking, water consumption, and lever pressing, animals with bilateral symmetrical lesions of the medial ventral thalamic nuclei displayed relatively permanent deficits in their responses to various taste stimuli and the salt arousal of drinking. The effects of these lesions are evaluated and discussed in terms of the lateral hypothalamic invovlement in schedule induced and schedule dependent behavior.
Equilibrium frequencies of alpha-globin genes

A mathematical model has been developed to study the mechanism of the maintenance of variable numbers of alpha-globin genes in human populations. The model incorporates both selection and unequal crossing-over. The selection is formulated so that a homozygous individual with a double deletion is lethal and a heterozygous individual with a deletion or addition of an alpha-globin gene in a chromosome has decreased fitness. This differs from the previous models of stabilizing selection studied by Ohta (1981) and Takahata (1981). The effect of random genetic drift on the alpha-thalassemia polymorphims has also been studied. It has been shown that, although the results obtained are compatible with the observation of the low frequency of triple alpha-globin loci, it cannot explain the high frequency of single and double deletions in Asian populations. For the latter case, some type of heterozygote advantage may be operating.
Retrovirus variation and reverse transcription: abnormal strand transfers result in retrovirus genetic variation.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus variation is extensive and is based on numerous mistakes in reverse transcription. All retrovirus replication requires two strand transfers (growing point jumps) to synthesize the complete provirus. I propose that the numerous mistakes in reverse transcription are the result of this requirement for the two strand transfers needed to form the provirus.
Does the CaverMap device help preserve potency

Erectile dysfunction remains a common complication following radical prostatectomy. The CaverMap Surgical Aid (UroMed, Boston, MA) was designed to aid the surgeon in identifying and preserving neurovascular bundles (NVBs). However, the size of the CaverMap nerve stimulator may make it difficult to trace the cavernous nerves before the prostate is removed, particularly in obese men or in patients who have a large prostate or a narrow pelvis. In a randomized, controlled study, the use of the CaverMap during radical prostatectomy resulted in improved nocturnal erections, but did not lead to improved overall sexual function. The CaverMap device, however, may be useful as a research tool in that it helps determine whether the NVBs have been successfully preserved after removing the prostate. However, pre-servation of the NVB does not guarantee recovery of potency, which may be prolonged despite successful stimulation of the cavernous nerves intraoperatively. This suggests that erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy is multifactorial.
Microcycle sporulation of Streptomyces viridochromogenes.

A procedure for submerged culture sporulation of Streptomyces viridochromogenes and S. coelicolor is described. Acitvated spores were germinated in a complex medium and then shiftet to a defined medium containing mineral salts and 2.5 mM L-arginine as carbon and nitrogen source. Sporulation occurred synchronously between 18–24h incubation. An average of 10 spores were obtained from each original spore in S. viridochromogenes. The microcycle formed spores were nearly identical to surface grown spores with respect to surface morphology, dormancy, germinability and resistance to heat, lysozyme and sonication. The microcycle formed spores differed from surface spores in containing significantly less trehalose, 1.3% compared to 9.7% of the dry weight.
Synchronizable error-correcting codes

A new technique for correcting synchronization errors in the transmission of discrete-symbol information is developed. The technique can be applied to any t-additive-error-correcting Bose—Chaudhuri—Hocquenghem code, to provide protection against synchronization errors. The synchronization error is corrected at the first complete received word after the word containing the synchronization error, even if this following word contains up to t additive errors. An example is presented illustrating in detail the application of the technique.
Effects of intrathecal administration of 8-OH-DPAT on genital reflexes and mating behavior in male rats.

Abstract Systemic administration of the 5HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, consistently decreases the threshold of ejaculatory behavior and enhances some aspects of arousal. Previous findings by others demonstrated the in copula ejaculatory behavior effect using intrathecal (IT) injection at the level of the lumbosacral spinal cord, but the dose used was in the range that produced results systemically. This study aimed at a) a more comprehensive study of the sexual effects of 8-OH-DPAT and b) use of IT doses of 8-OH-DPAT below those effective when administered systemically. The ex copula genital reflex test showed severe inhibition. At doses of 5 μg or more, significant inhibition of the percentage of rats displaying ejaculation occurred, and the two highest doses also significantly reduced the percentage of rats displaying erection. In the in copula mating test, 20 and 80 μg IT 8-OH-DPAT, significantly reduced ejaculation latency, intromission frequency and intercopulatory interval. Copulatory plugs, collected at the highest dose only, showed a trend towards weight reduction. We conclude that the facilitation of ejaculatory behavior and some measure of arousal by 8-OH-DPAT can be mediated directly via the lumbosacral spinal cord. An hypothesis for explaining the inhibitory effect on ejaculation ex copula is presented, but the inhibitory effect on erectile reflexes is without interpretation.
Iron bioavailability from Amaranthus species: 2—Evaluation using haemoglobin repletion in anaemic rats

Initial screening of 46 lines from 12 species of Amaranthus indicated wide variation in total iron (Fe) and small but significant differences in bioavailable Fe when estimated by an in vitro assay. To verify if differences in bioavailable Fe detected by in vitro assay were biologically significant, one line from each species A tricolor, A hypochondriacus and A cruentus was evaluated using a haemoglobin (Hb) repletion assay with anaemic rats. Anaemic rats were fed treatment diets in which almost all Fe was provided by amaranth lines, and Hb gains were compared to those of rats fed control FeSO4 diets. Slope ratio analysis indicated that Fe supplied by A hypochondriacus had a greater relative bioavailability (61%) than from A tricolor (44%), when compared to FeSO4 (100%). However, A tricolor contained a higher concentration of total Fe (690 ppm) in the leaf material. When the same amount of amaranth was added to individual diets (30 g kg−1 diet), analysis of Hb repletion efficiency (HRE) indicated that A tricolor supported the largest Hb gain of the three lines, despite having the lowest relative bioavailability compared to A hypochondriacus and A cruentus. Despite a lack of correlation between total and bioavailable Fe, these results suggest future efforts should focus initially on enhancing total Fe concentration of green leafy vegetables (GLVs), until the forms of bioavailable Fe in these plant materials are identified. Rat bioassay did confirm relative differences in bioavailable Fe estimated by the in vitro assay, supporting use of the in vitro assay in breeding programmes focused on improving Fe nutritional quality of GLVs. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Crystal structure of layered bis(ethylenediamine)nickel hexavanadate as a new representative of the V6O14 series

A new [Ni(NH2CH2CH2NH2)2](V6O14) compound has been synthesized hydrothermally and was found to crystallize in the monoclinic system. The single-crystal X-ray data leads to a disordered structure, which can be decomposed into two ordered models with different stacking of the V6O14 layers. The structure of the layer is the same in both models and represents a new member of the V6O14 series. All known structures from this series are constructed from the same chain of square pyramids (SP), which share alternatively adjacent or opposite edges of their bases. The differences lie in the orientation of the SP chains which are joined together by sharing corners with tetrahedra to form the layers. Combinatorial analysis of the V6O14 structures was conducted, yielding ten possible symmetry groups for the series of V6O14 layers. The known structures belong only to the three simplest cases with the highest symmetry.
Detection and Prevention of Macrosomia

It is overly simplistic to try to identify optimal glycemic thresholds, fetal growth characteristics, and methods of detection in the prevention of fetal overgrowth and its attendant morbidities that can be applied to all pregnancies. We can only hope that, as our understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes in pregnancy grows, we can "fine-tune" our therapy and surveillance to meet the needs of an individual woman who has diabetes and her fetus.
Passenger Lymphocyte Syndrome: Use of Archived Donor Organ Biopsy Obtained at the Time of Transplantation for Diagnosis

To the Editor:A recent report by Nadarajah et al. (1) highlighted the rare,but important complication of transplantation known aspassenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS). PLS that occurswith transplantation of mismatched ABO or RhD organs ormarrow can be straightforward because the ABO and RhDtype of both the donor and recipient is always known.DiagnosisofPLSthatoccurswhendonorlymphocytesandplasma cells react with other recipient red blood cell (RBC)antigens,suchas antigensofthe Kidd,Duffy,RhCE, orKellblood groups, is not always straightforward since theextended RBC phenotype is not always known.We recently encountered a pediatric liver-transplant recipi-ent who developed an immune-mediated hemolysis andthrombocytopenia, with the pathologic RBC antibodyhaving apparent speciﬁcity for the Kp
Automatic Program Segment Similarity Detection in Targeted Program Performance Improvement

Targeted optimization of program segments can provide an additional program speedup over the highest default optimization level, such as -O3 in GCC. The key challenge is how to automatically search for performance sensitive program segments in a given code, to which a customized set of optimization compiler options could be applied. In this paper we propose a method for automatic detection of performance sensitive program segments based on program segment similarity. First we create a proxy segment template database trained over a set of random input programs. The compiler identifies program segments by correlating them to the pre-build proxy segment templates using the syntax structure and architecture-dependent behavior similarity. We argue that the identified program segments can be custom optimized to improve the overall program performance. The method is evaluated on the Intel XScale PXA255 platform using randomly selected benchmarks. The experimental results show that our method can provide additional speedups over the highest optimization level in GCC 3.3 (-O3) for an arbitrary set of applications.
The state, identity politics, and technologies of citizenship: a comment on Hancock's Solidarity Politics for Millennials

Ange-Marie Hancock's Solidarity Politics for Millennials is a brave book, a book that does what few works in political science dare. It takes up real political issues – issues like racism, sexism, ...
Reversal of fortune. Do Rab GTPases act on the target membrane

The proper targeting and fusion of transport vesicles with the correct membrane is a critical event in the determination of the identity of different compartments within the cell. Work over the last decade has made tremendous progress toward determining a general mechanism by which this occurs. The
The effect of choice on the physiology of emotion: An affective startle modulation study

Abstract The affective startle modulation task has been an important measure in understanding physiological aspects of emotion and motivational responses. Research utilizing this method has relied primarily on a ‘passive’ viewing paradigm, which stands in contrast to everyday life where much of emotion and motivation involves some active choice or agency. The present study investigated the role of choice on the physiology of emotion. Eighty-four participants were randomized into ‘choice’ ( n = 44) or ‘no-choice’ ( n = 40) groups distinguished by the ability to choose between stimuli. EMG eye blink responses were recorded in both anticipation and stimulus viewing. Results indicated a significant attenuation of the startle magnitude in choice condition trials (relative to no-choice) across all picture categories and probe times. We interpret these findings as an indication that the act of choice may decrease one's defensive response, or conversely, lacking choice may heighten the defensive response. Implications for future research are discussed.