cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical summary and analyses of event precipitation chemistry from the MAP3S network, 1976–1983

Abstract The MAP3S precipitation chemistry network base of event chemistry data includes nine sites widely distributed over the northeastern quadrant of the United States. Eight or these sites now have a period of record of at least 5 years. Four species (total sulfur, NO−3, H+ and NH+4) account for the bulk of ionic equivalents at seven inland sites; Ca2+ is nearly as important as NH+4 at several of the inland sites, and sea salt species are major components at the two coastal sites. Average pH values (from arithmetic mean H+) range from 4.03 to 4.24 over the network. Time trend analyses for the period for sulfur and H+ show a consistent decrease, but the decrease is quite small and has low statistical significance; NO−3; and NH+4 show similar though less consistent trends. Significant seasonal trends (summer maximum, winter minimum) are found at most sites for sulfur and NH+4; NO−3 has a much weaker seasonal trend except at the coastal sites. Species pair correlations are strong among the four major ions, with the exception of correlations involving H+ at sites where crustal species are more important (Illinois, Ohio). Correlations can qualitatively be explained by common sources (crustal, sea-salt, anthropogenic), polluted vs nonpolluted events, and strong seasonal trends.
Developmental Anomalies and Disabilities Associated With Hypospadias

Purpose: The incidence of developmental anomalies and disabilities associated with hypospadias is still a matter of controversy and data on this issue are sparse. We describe our experience with and evaluation of developmental anomalies and disabilities in a population in which posterior hypospadias was the most common anomaly.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 356 patients who underwent hypospadias repair from January 1986 through April 2000. Collected data included the Barcat classification of the hypospadias anomaly, anatomical penile variants, associated urogenital and extra-urogenital anomalies, and associated disabilities of physical and mental development.Results: Of the 356 patients 234 (65.7%) had posterior, 88 (24.7%) anterior and 34 (9.6%) mid hypospadias. Anatomical variants, including penoscrotal transposition, bifid scrotum and micropenis, occurred predominantly in patients with posterior hypospadias, while penile torsion was present exclusively in the other 2 groups. Inguinal...
The Cost and Inpatient Burden of Treating Mandible Fractures: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database Analysis:

ObjectiveTo discuss patient demographics, hospitalization characteristics, and costs associated with the treatment of mandible fractures.Study DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.Subjects/MethodsPatient demographics, hospital characteristics, fracture locations, and common comorbidities for patients with isolated mandible fractures were analyzed, and variables associated with increased cost and length of hospitalization stay were ascertained.ResultsA total of 1481 patients were identified with isolated mandible fractures. The average age was 32, 85.4% were male, 39% were Caucasian, and 25% African American. Forty percent were from the lowest median household income quartile, and 77% were uninsured or government funded. The average length of stay (LOS) was 2.65 days, and average hospitalization cost was $35,804. A statistically significant increased LOS was associated with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, mental illness, diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular ...
Smad3 phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinases

Smad3, a key mediator for TGF-β antiproliferative responses, is phosphorylated by both CDK4 and CDK2 in vivo and in vitro. Except for the Rb family members, Smad3 is the only CDK4 substrate demonstrated so far. CDK phosphorylation of Smad3 inhibits its transcriptional activity and antiproliferative function. Because cancer cells often contain high levels of CDK activity, inhibition of Smad activity by CDK phosphorylation may contribute to tumorigenesis and TGF-β resistance in cancers.
LQG-Based Robustifying Flight Control System

This paper presents a robust controller design for an automatic flight control system (AFCS) for a fighter aircraft model with eight inputs and seven outputs. The controller is designed based on McFarlane-Glover robustifying technique using a simple baseline LQG design. Controllers designed purely based on traditional LQG techniques are known to have no guaranteed robustness margins. The McFarlane-Glover technique can be used to enhance the stability robustness of the baseline LQG design using a two-step design process. In the first step, an LQG controller is designed which is optimized only for performance without any consideration to robustness. In the second step, the performance optimized LQG design is rendered robust using McFarlane-Glover procedure. The robustifying procedure uses a coprime factor uncertainty model and H∞ optimization. An important advantage of this procedure is that no problem dependent uncertainty modelling or weight selection is required in the second step of the process. The robustifying procedure also yields the quantitative estimate of the robustness.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Low serum testosterone and myocardial infarction in geriatric male inpatients.

A survey of serum testosterone levels and a range of medical and behavioral factors was conducted on 71 males aged 46 to 89 years in an extended care medical facility. Histories of myocardial infarction or heavy drinking were separately associated with diminished testosterone levels (P less than .002 and P less than .006, respectively). No other factor was associated with testosterone level, including age and mobility. A testosterone level of no more than 438 ng/dl best discriminated patients with myocardial infarction (P less than .005, sensitivity 86.2%, and selectivity 50%). Increased incidence of myocardial infarction appeared to be influenced by testosterone in a threshold manner, since the incidence did not rise further with lesser testosterone levels once the level was below 438 ng/dl. The incidence of myocardial infarction among patients with testosterone levels below this threshold was unaffected by their exposure to alcohol. Among the 21 formerly heavy drinkers, many (62%) showed testosterone levels less than or equal to 300 ng/dl. Formerly heavy drinkers should be routinely considered for serum testosterone determination.
Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM): Review of Current Techniques and Outcomes (Including Postoperative Reflux)

Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel surgical endoscopic treatment for achalasia. It is an incisionless procedure in which lower esophageal sphincter myotomy and distal esophageal myotomy are accomplished via the use of electrosurgery. The clinical results in terms of dysphagia relief and patient satisfaction have been excellent. The safety profile has also been superb. POEM seems, at least on preliminary short-term studies, to achieve results that are equivalent to LHM combined with a fundoplication. We will review in detail the emerging data on POEM.
Sustained esophageal contraction: A marker of esophageal chest pain identified by intraluminal ultrasonography

Abstract Background & Aims: Intraluminal pressure recording systems have not demonstrated predictable esophageal motor correlates of unexplained chest pain. This study used continuous high-frequency intraluminal ultrasonography to characterize esophageal contraction at the time of spontaneous and provoked chest pain. Methods: Intraluminal pressure, pH, and ultrasound images of the esophagus were recorded for a maximum of 24 hours in 10 subjects with unexplained chest pain. Changes in esophageal muscle thickness were measured as a marker of muscle contraction. Ten additional subjects with suspected esophageal chest pain were studied after edrophonium chloride injection to provoke symptoms. Ten healthy subjects were studied as controls. Results: Eighteen of 24 spontaneous chest pain episodes were preceded by a sustained esophageal contraction (SEC) detected on ultrasonography (mean duration, 68.0 seconds). This motor pattern was not accompanied by changes in intraluminal pressure. Four of 24 asymptomatic control periods were accompanied by SEC, although these contractions were of shorter mean duration (29.0 seconds; P Conclusions: There is a strong temporal correlation between a previously unrecognized esophageal motor event, SEC, and both spontaneous and provoked esophageal chest pain. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:29-37
Molecular Interaction Studies of Amorphous Solid Dispersions of the Antimelanoma Agent Betulinic Acid

Betulinic acid (BA), a novel natural product with antimelanoma activity, has poor aqueous solubility (<0.1 μg/mL) and therefore exhibits poor bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of preparing BA solid dispersions (BA-SDs) with hydrophilic polymers to enhance the aqueous solubility of BA. Melt-quenched solid dispersions (MQ-SDs) of BA were prepared at various ratios with the hydrophilic polymers including Soluplus, HPMCAS-HF, Kollidon VA64, Kollidon K90, and Eudragit RLPO. BA was found to be miscible in all polymers at a 1:4 (w/w) ratio by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). BA/Soluplus MQ-SD exhibited the highest solubility in simulated body fluids followed by BA/Kollidon VA64 MQ-SD. The MQ-SDs of BA/Soluplus, BA/HPMCAS-HF, and BA/Kollidon VA64 were found to be amorphous as indicated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) studies. Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) studies indicated molecular interactions between BA and Soluplus. Our preliminary screening of polymers indicates that Soluplus and Kollidon VA64 exhibit the greatest potential to form BA-SDs.
Coulomb-dominated low-energy deuteron stripping

Analysis of a three-body model shows that Coulomb polarization of the deuteron has very little influence on the branching ratio {ital A}({ital d},{ital p})/{ital A}({ital d},{ital n}) for transfer reactions on target nucleus {ital A} at very low deuteron energies (the Oppenheimer-Phillips effect). We see that polarization effects in transfer reactions are not related to the long range of the Coulomb field, but are caused by the more intense fields near the target nucleus. However, even in that region the induced dipole moment is limited by the deuteron binding, and it is small for low {ital Z} targets. We see in addition that the transfer amplitudes tend to be {ital insensitive} to any polarization admixtures in the entrance channel. On the other hand, the branching ratio can be affected by the Coulomb barrier for the bound final-state wave function of the proton, especially for very weakly bound final states. Brief remarks about the relation of stripping theory to special properties of the {ital d}+{ital d} system are included.
Synchronous relaxation algorithm for parallel kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of thin film growth.

We present an optimistic synchronous relaxation algorithm for parallel kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations of thin film growth. This algorithm is based on spatial decomposition of the KMC lattice and it employs two measures aimed at improving the parallel efficiency: dynamic global updating and domain boundary shifting. We utilize this algorithm to simulate two different growth models, which represent the growth of Ag on Ag(111) and the heteroepitaxial growth of Ag on Pt(111). We show that these simulations can achieve good efficiency---especially for large domain sizes with a moderate number of processors. We find that domain boundary shifting can improve efficiency---especially for simulations of growth in the $\mathrm{Ag}∕\mathrm{Pt}(111)$ system, where the potential-energy surface topology creates areas of rapid, localized motion. We analyze the origins of parallel efficiency in these simulations.
Posterior Predictive Outlier Detection Using Sample Reweighting

To facilitate checking and improvement of a Bayesian model, we define an outlier as an observation or group of observations that is “surprising” relative to its predictive distribution, under the model, given the remainder of the data. Hence outlyingness can be measured by the posterior predictive case-deleted p-value of any interesting scalar summary of the (possibly multivariate) observation. It is also sometimes useful to condition on a part of the data for the potentially outlying case, such as the pattern of missing data, thus defining a conditional outlier. When parameters of interest have been sampled from their posterior distribution, the case-deleted p-value can be calculated by reweighting the sample to reflect deletion of the target observation and then drawing from the predictive distribution of the observation, facilitating huge computational savings. One efficient extension to the basic reweighting approach exploits the conditional independence structure of most hierarchical models. Another ...
QUANTIZATION OF A NONLINEAR FIELD THEORY

A quantization procedure, involving the expansion of the field in a space lattice of classical particles, is suggested for a field theory in which classical particles appear as small regions in which the field is intense. Approximate energy eigenvalues are calculated for certain values of the parameters involved.
Intracellular distribution of vitamin K in the rat.

The intracellular distribution of vitamin K in rat liver was studied with [6,7-3H2]-phylloquinone of high specific activity. After the injection of 3 μg of the labelled vitamin to normal or deficient rats, radioactivity was found principally in the microsomal fraction of liver while mitochondria, ribosomes and purified nuclei contained only small amounts of 3H. A similar distribution was observed in rats receiving 0.02 μg or fed a maintenance level of the radioactive vitamin. The administration of warfarin or 2-chloro-3-phytyl-I,4-naphthoquinone did not greatly affect the intracellular distribution observed after the injection of radioactive vitamin K. Chromatographic analysis of extracts of subcellular fractions revealed that 49% or more of the 3H in each fraction was present in metabolites more polar than phylloquinone. These findings do not substantiate proposals that vitamin K acts at the nuclear, mitochondrial or ribosomal level; however, radioactivity originally bound to ribosomes may be have been released by deoxycholate. The present data indicate that vitamin K and its principal metabolites in liver cells are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.
Uptake of the neutral amino acids glutamine, leucine, and serine by Pneumocystis carinii.

Abstract Experiments to elucidate the mechanism by which Pneumocystis carinii transports glutamine, leucine, and serine were performed in this study. Uptake of all three radiolabeled amino acids exhibited first-order, saturation kinetics as extracellular substrate concentrations were increased, thus ruling out simple diffusion and indicating carrier-mediated transport. Kinetic analyses of amino acid uptake and the results of competitive inhibition experiments suggested that leucine, serine, and glutamine were taken up via a common transporter system. The uptake of serine was examined in greater detail to characterize the nature of the carrier. Serine uptake was not affected by N, N ′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, carbonyl cyanide m -chlorophenyl hydrazone, ouabain, gramicidin, valinomycin, sodium azide, salicylhydroxamine acid (SHAM), iodoacetate, iodoacetate plus SHAM, KCN, and azide. Thus serine uptake did not require sodium or energy from ATP, an electrochemical proton gradient or a membrane potential across the cell surface (i.e., proton-motive force). Serine uptake was dependent on glucose in the extracellular compartment. In the presence of glucose, serine uptake was inhibited by chloramphenicol but not cycloheximide. The results from these experiments are most consistent with facilitated diffusion as the mechanism. After 30 min of incubation, most of the radioactivity was in the cellular soluble fraction. In most cases, incorporation into the extractable total lipids and the remaining particulate cellular components were detectable after this incubation period.
Organization and Evolution of the Biological Response to Singlet Oxygen Stress

The appearance of atmospheric oxygen from photosynthetic activity led to the evolution of aerobic respiration and responses to the resulting reactive oxygen species. In Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a photosynthetic α-proteobacterium, a transcriptional response to the reactive oxygen species singlet oxygen (1O2) is controlled by the group IV σ factor σE and the anti-σ factor ChrR. In this study, we integrated various large datasets to identify genes within the 1O2 stress response that contain σE-dependent promoters both within R. sphaeroides and across the bacterial phylogeny. Transcript pattern clustering and a σE-binding sequence model were used to predict candidate promoters that respond to 1O2 stress in R. sphaeroides. These candidate promoters were experimentally validated to nine R. sphaeroides σE-dependent promoters that control the transcription of 15 1O2-activated genes. Knowledge of the R. sphaeroides response to 1O2 and its regulator σE–ChrR was combined with large-scale phylogenetic and sequence analyses to predict the existence of a core set of approximately eight conserved σE-dependent genes in α-proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria. The bacteria predicted to contain this conserved response to 1O2 include photosynthetic species, as well as free-living and symbiotic/pathogenic nonphotosynthetic species. Our analysis also predicts that the response to 1O2 evolved within the time frame of the accumulation of atmospheric molecular oxygen on this planet.
Soft Tissue Masses for the General Orthopedic Surgeon

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare, heterogeneous group of malignancies that should be included in the differential diagnosis for any patient presenting with a soft tissue mass. This article reviews strategies for differentiating between benign and malignant soft tissue masses. Epidemiology, appropriate workup, and treatment of soft tissue sarcomas are reviewed.
Expression of neurophysin-related precursor in cell membranes of a small-cell lung carcinoma

A monoclonal antibody (mAb L6) to a small-cell lung carcinoma surface antigen recognizes a common epitope of vasopressin-neurophysin and oxytocin-neurophysin in hypothalamic nuclei. We now report on the identification of a neurophysin-like precursor in human lung carcinoma (LX-1) cell membrane. mAb L6 immunoaffinity chromatography of solubilized membranes resulted in a single band of approximately 45 kDa. Western blot analysis demonstrated immunoreactivity of this band with mAb L6, anti-vasopressin, and an antibody to the vasopressin precursor, pro-pressophysin. N-terminal sequencing of this band demonstrated a 21-amino acid homology with the N terminus of human pro-pressophysin, and substitution of a Cys33 residue in the tumor antigen with Arg33. Absence of immunoreactivity with the antibodies described above in cytosolic extracts and culture medium suggests nonsecretion of processed or intact pro-pressophysin-like peptide. Northern analysis of LX-1 mRNA with a 30-mer to the C terminus of rat pro-pressophysin resulted in a band of approximately 1000 base pairs, 250 base pairs larger than hypothalamic message. In situ hybridization of LX-1 tumor-bearing nude rat brain with the same probe demonstrated specific hybridization in rat hypothalamus and xenografted tumor. These findings suggest expression of a pro-pressophysin-like protein in this tumor cell line that is preferentially targeted to the cell membrane.
Coupling of the PTH/PTHrP receptor to multiple G-proteins. Direct demonstration of receptor activation of Gs, Gq/11, and Gi(1) by [alpha-32P]GTP-gamma-azidoanilide photoaffinity labeling.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) elicits many of its physiological effects by activating distinct G-proteincoupled signaling cascades that lead to synthesis of cyclic AMP and hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Using the nonhydrolyzable photoreactive GTP analog [α-32P]GTP-γ-azidoanilide (GTP-AA) and peptide antisera raised against G-protein α-subunits, we studied coupling of the PTH receptor to G-proteins in rat osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8), and in human embryonal kidney cells expressing the cloned human PTH/parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor at 40,000 receptors/cell (C20) or 400,000 receptors/cell (C21). Incubation of C21 membranes (but not C20 membranes) with [Nle8,18, Tyr34]-bovine PTH(1-34) amide (bPTH[1-34]) led to concentration-dependent incorporation of GTP-AA into the two isoforms of Gα s, into Gα q/11, and to a much lesser extent into Gα i(1). In ROS 17/2.8 cells, bPTH(1-34) increased the incorporation of GTP-AA into Gα s, but not into Gα q/11 or Gα i. The ability of bPTH(1-34) to increase labeling of Gα s and Gα q/11 was correlated with the receptor-dependent sensitivity of the adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C signaling pathways to the hormone.
Sex determination gene TASSELSEED2 of maize encodes a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase required for stage-specific floral organ abortion

Maize produces separate unisexual flowers through programmed abortion of preformed organ primordia. In the male inflorescence (tassel), stamen primordia develop to sexual maturity, while gynoecia (pistil primordia) are aborted. In tasselseed2 (ts2) mutant plants, floral structures in the tassel adopt a female developmental program. Here we report the transposon tagging and cloning of the TS2 gene, which plays a late but pivotal role in determining the sexual fate of floral meristems. Shortly before abortion of the gynoecium, Ts2 mRNA is expressed subepidermally in that primordium. Phenotypic instability of the Activator (Ac)-induced allele ts2-m1 indicates that late restoration of TS2 action in somatic tissues, which is correlated with Ac excision, reactivates the male developmental program. The predicted amino acid sequence of the Ts2 protein shows significant similarity to short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases, particularly hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.
Structure of plasma-sprayed oxides in the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system

Cordierite (2MgO · 2Al2O3-SiO2), forsterite (2MgO · SiO2) and spinel (MgO · Al2O3) were rapidly solidified into a thick film through plasma spraying. The crystal structure of the assprayed deposits was examined using X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy, and shows that as-sprayed cordierite is amorphous, as-sprayed spinel is a crystalline phase, and as-sprayed forsterite is a mixture of amorphous and crystalline phases. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy reveals uniform amorphous cordierite, a nonuniform grainsize distribution of crystalline spinel and a twinned texture of as-sprayed forsterite.
Insertion Products from Photolysis of Tp‘(CO)3WH and Alkynes

Irradation of Tp‘(CO)3WH in the presence of alkynes produces a diverse array of products, including η2-vinyl, η2-acyl, metallafuran, and carbyne complexes. A common mechanistic feature consistent with the observed distribution of products is cis insertion of alkynes into a photogenerated “Tp‘(CO)2WH” species. Initial cis 2,1-insertion of the alkynes leads to η2-vinyl and η3-allyl products, while cis 1,2-insertion ultimately produces η2-acyl, metallafuran, and carbyne products. An X-ray structure of a metallafuran product, Tp‘(CO)2W(η2(C,O)-C(Bun)CHC(O)CHCHBun), shows trans stereochemistry for the double bond of the pendant 1-hexenyl group, which indicates that cis 1,2-insertion of the first equivalent of alkyne forms an intermediate η1-vinyl complex. Additional support for η1-vinyl intermediates is present in the η2-acyl product Tp‘(CO)2W(η2(C,O)-C(O)CHCHC(CH3)3), which evinces a trans double bond as assayed via 1H NMR. Irradiation of Tp‘(CO)3WH in the presence of Me3SiC⋮CCH3 produces two isomers of Tp‘(C...
Measuring mucosal blood supply in vivo with a polarization-gating probe.

There has been significant interest in developing depth-selective optical interrogation of biological tissue in general and of superficial (e.g., mucosal) tissue in particular. We report an in vivo polarization-gating fiber-optic probe that obtains backscattering spectroscopic measurements from a range of near-surface depths (100-200 μm). The design and testing was performed with polarized light Monte Carlo simulations and in tissue model experiments. We used the probe to investigate mucosal changes in early carcinogenesis. Measurements performed in the colonic mucosa of 125 human subjects provide the first in vivo evidence that mucosal blood supply is increased early in carcinogenesis, not only in precancerous adenomatous lesions, but also in the histologically normal-appearing tissue surrounding these lesions. This effect was primarily limited to the mucosal microcirculation and was not present in the larger blood vessels located deeper in colonic tissue.
Infiltration and water quality on range sites at Fort Stanton, New Mexico

: The hydrologic impacts of livestock grazing schemes on selected plant communities and soils at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, were evaluated. Simulated rainfall was applied to 1 m2plots. On a mesa-top, infiltration rates for a grassland livestock exclosure and a pinyon pine-juniper community closely approximated each other and were significantly greater (P = 0.10) than either a moderate continuous or a heavy continuous treatment in a grassland community. Sediment concentration from the heavy continuous treatment was more than twice that of the other treatments. Infiltration rates on the hillside site were highest in a pinyon pine-juniper community receiving short duration grazing. Infiltration for this treatment was found to be significantly higher (P = 0.10) than that of a short duration grazing treatment, but not from a rest rotation grazing treatment on grassland. The short duration grazing treatment on a grassland had the highest sediment concentration, while the rest rotation grazing on a grassland and the short duration pinyon pine-juniper treatments were found to be similar. In the bottomland site, a fertilized and unfertilized treatment showed no significant difference in infiltration or sediment concentration, although twice as many animals were present on the fertilized treatment.
Intrasac pressure changes and vascular remodeling after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: Review and biomechanical model simulation

In this paper, we review existing clinical research data on post-endovascular repair (EVAR) intrasac pressure and relation with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size changes. Based on the review, we hypothesize that intrasac pressure has a significant impact on post-EVAR AAA size changes, and post-EVAR remodeling depends also on how the pressure has changed over a period of time. The previously developed model of an AAA based on a constrained mixture approach is extended to include vascular adaptation after EVAR using an idealized geometry. Computational simulation shows that the same mechanism of collagen stress-mediated remodeling in AAA expansion induces the aneurysm wall to shrink in a reduced sac-pressure after post-EVAR. Computational simulation suggests that the intrasac pressure of 60 mm Hg is a critical value. At this value, the AAA remains stable, while values above cause the AAA to expand and values below cause the AAA to shrink. There are, however, variations between individuals due to different cellular sensitivities in stress-mediated adaptation. Computer simulation also indicates that an initial decrease in intrasac pressure helps the AAA shrink even if the pressure increases after some time. The presented study suggests that biomechanics has a major effect on initial adaptation after EVAR and also illustrates the utility of a computational model of vascular growth and remodeling in predicting diameter changes during the progression and after the treatment of AAAs.
Automated methods for ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite in 2 M KCl‐phenylmercuric acetate extracts of soil

Abstract Automated methods for determining ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite in a single soil extract containing 2 M KCl and 5 mg/L phenylmercuric acetate are presented. The ammonium method is also suitable for Kjeldahl, soil and plant digests. Amino acid interferences with the ammonium method are reported. Ammonium is determined by a salicylate‐isocyanurate method, while nitrite is determined by the colorimetric reaction of N‐(l‐naphthyl)‐ethylenediamine dihydrochloride with sulfanilamide. Nitrate is determined in the same manner as nitrite after the sample has been passed through a Cu2+/Cd reduction column. The difference between the Cu2+/Cd reduced sample and nitrite sample value is nitrate.
THE TRANSMISSION OF ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE IN MOORISH SOCIETY FROM THE RISE OF THE ALMORAVIDS TO THE 19TH CENTURY

L'erudition moderne s'interesse peu a l'histoire de l'Islam et au developpement des etudes islamiques du Sahara occidental. Pourtant, tout au long du Moyen Age jusqu'au debut des temps modernes, cette region a ete, culturellement et economiquement, un lien vital entre l'Afrique du Nord et l'Afrique noire occidentale. Cet article presente la maniere dont le savoir islamique etait transmis et enseigne dans les ecoles du Sahara jusqu'aux rivieres du Senegal et du Niger, et comment le systeme d'education dans cette region, surtout en Mauritanie, societe nomade, differait de celui d'une societe sedentaire telle que l'Egypte ou le Maroc a l'epoque precoloniale.
Migrating to simpler distributed applications

In 1994 Wells Fargo Bank was the first large financial services company to invest heavily in distributed object-oriented applications for high-volume, mission-critical applications using version 1 of OMG's Common Object Request Broker Architecture. Wells Fargo continued to improve upon its distributed applications technology leadership by launching a Model Driven Architecture [MDA] initiative in 1999. The technology provided a consistent middle-tier for retail applications such as the award-winning Wells Internet Bank and various phone-bank applications.Between 2001 and 2003 the original CORBA-based solution was completely replaced with new Web-Services-based distributed applications. This report contrasts the past and the present approach to such applications and discusses the lessons learned while transitioning from CORBA-based "Service Oriented Architecture" to one based on Web-Services.The final section of this report utilizes lessons learned from using CORBA & Web-Services for Intranet applications and proposes the "application transparent distribution" as a potential paradigm shift which may lead to radically faster and more efficient distributed application development.
Adherence to drug-dispensation and drug-administration laws and guidelines in collegiate athletic training rooms: a 5-year review.

Abstract Context: To both ensure athletes' safety and avoid legal penalties, athletic trainers' (ATs') handling of medications in the athletic training room should conform with federal and state st...
N-body simulations of alternative gravity models

Theories in which gravity is weaker on cosmological scales have been proposed to explain the observed acceleration of the universe. The nonlinear regime in such theories is not well studied, though it is likely that observational tests of structure formation will lie in this regime. A class of alternative gravity theories may be approximated by modifying Poisson's equation. We have run $N$-body simulations of a set of such models to study the nonlinear clustering of matter on 1\char21{}100 Mpc scales. We find that nonlinear gravity enhances the deviations of the power spectrum of these models from standard gravity. This occurs due to mode coupling, so that models with an excess or deficit of large-scale power (at $kl0.2\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{Mpc}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) lead to deviations in the power spectrum at smaller scales as well (up to $k\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{Mpc}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), even though the linear spectra match very closely on the smaller scales. This makes it easier to distinguish such models from general relativity using the three-dimensional power spectrum probed by galaxy surveys and the weak lensing power spectrum. If the potential for light deflection is modified in the same way as the potential that affects the dark matter, then weak lensing constrains deviations from gravity even more strongly. Our simulations show that, even with a modified potential, gravitational evolution is approximately universal. Based on this, the Peacock-Dodds approach can be adapted to get an analytical fit for the nonlinear power spectra of alternative gravity models, though the recent Smith et al. formula is less successful. Our conclusions extend to models with modifications of gravity on scales of 1\char21{}20 Mpc. We also use a way of measuring projected power spectra from simulations that lowers the sample variance, so that fewer realizations are needed to reach a desired level of accuracy.
Markov chain approximation methods in a class of level-crossing problems

Level-crossing problems are encountered in a number of stochastic processes such as queueing, dams, inventory and in the cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts of statistical quality control. Approximate computational methods, using Markov chains to determine expected first-crossing times in CUSUM charts, are reviewed and extended to more general stochastic processes, and examples are given. Formulas are presented when the underlying processes can be represented or approximated by either normal distributions or by generalized hyperexponential distributions.
Pharmacodynamic effects of 51W89, an isomer of atracurium, in children during halothane anaesthesia

51W89 is one of the 10 stereoisomers of atracurium with less propensity to release histamine than atracurium. We evaluated dose-response data and neuromuscular effects of 2 × ED 95 dose and maintenance doses of 51W89 during halothane anaesthesia in 68 children, 2–12 yr old. Neuromuscular function was monitored by evoked adductor pollicis EMG. Log-probit, single-dose, dose-response data gave ED 50 and ED 95 values of 23 and 41 μg kg −1 , respectively, for 51W89. Twice the ED 95 dose (80μgkg −1 ) had an onset time (time from administration to maximum effect) of 2.5 (SD 0.8) min, a clinical duration (time to 25% EMG recovery) of 31 (7) min and a recovery index (time from 25 to 75% EMG recovery) of 11.1 (1.7) min. Seventy-nine incremental doses of 51W89 of 0.5 × ED 95 dose were given in 16 children at 85–90% neuromuscular block. The mean duration of these doses was 13.4 (3) min, with a calculated hourly maintenance requirement of 51W89 of 94 (19) μg kg −1 . Duration of effect of incremental doses remained constant within individuals reflecting non-cumulative properties. There were insignificant changes in arterial pressure and heart rate after 51W89 and no side effects were observed. We regard 51W89 as a promising, non-cumulative, intermediate-acting neuromuscular.blocking agent the effects of which can be antagonized easily by neostigmine.
AJCP as a vehicle for improving community life: an historic-analytic review of the journal's contents.

The current article is an analysis of the research represented in American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP) from 1993 to 1998, including a comparison to two previously published analytic reviews by Lounsbury et al. (J. W. Lounsbury, D. S. Leader, E. P. Meares, & M. P. Cook, 1980) and Speer et al. (P. Speer, A. Dey, P. Griggs, C. Gibson, B. Lubin, & J. Hughey, 1992), respectively. Observed trends are examined with references to major epistemological frameworks and methods used to define community psychology. Four guiding principles were examined to determine the representation of the epistemological frameworks of the articles published in the journal. The frameworks include social action, human diversity and cultural relativity, person–environmental fit, and methodological procedures. The results document the transition of community psychology from its early beginnings to an independent field conducting research consistent with the values articulated at the Swampscott Conference. This paper also comments on how well, after three decades of publication, the journal has served as a vehicle for improving community life.
Glutamine 53 is a gatekeeper residue in the FK506 binding protein.

Abstract The effect of non-random conformational averaging in the urea-unfolded state on the folding pathway has been investigated in a variant of the FK506 binding protein with three additional residues at the amino terminus (FKBP ∗ ). Three mutations (asparagine, aspartate, and threonine) were introduced into position Q53 to enhance formation of non-native helix observed in this part of the protein in the urea-unfolded state. NMR analysis showed minor structural changes in the native state of each mutant, but additional medium-range α N ( i , i +2) of each mutant nuclear Overhauser enhancements were observed in the urea-unfolded state that were not in FKBP ∗ , indicating that the mutations had a more substantial effect on the unfolded state ensemble than on the native state ensemble. Isothermal equilibrium denaturation measurements showed that the Q53T and Q53D mutants were destabilized, whereas the Q53N mutant was stabilized relative to FKBP ∗ with little change in the equilibrium m values. The unfolding rates of Q53N and Q53T were similar to that of FKBP ∗ , but Q53D unfolded twice as fast as FKBP ∗ . In contrast, the mutations had a more pronounced effect on the refolding kinetics. Q53N refolded slightly faster and exhibited a kinetic folding intermediate similar to that of FKBP ∗ . The Q53D and Q53T mutants also refolded faster than FKBP ∗ but lacked the folding intermediate, indicating that these mutants experienced a different folding trajectory and transition state than FKBP ∗ and Q53N. The refolding kinetic Φ values were 0.74, 1.4 and 7.9 for Q53N, Q53T, and Q53D, respectively. The data point to Q53 functioning as a gatekeeper residue in the folding of FKBP ∗ . This study shows that perturbing the unfolded state ensemble via mutagenesis can provide insights into residues that play important roles in the folding pathway, and represents an attractive strategy for mapping the high-energy portions of the folding energy landscape.
A formal synthesis of (-)-mycalamide A.

Novel strategies are developed for an efficient formal synthesis of (−)-mycalamide A. The left-hand side (−)-7-benzoylpederic acid is synthesized from (2S,3S)-2,3-epoxybutane. The key features include a highly regioselective Ru-catalyzed alkene−alkyne coupling reaction and a novel way to control the challenging C(7) stereocenter. The right-hand side was synthesized from (R)-pantolactone. The complex trioxodecalin core is constructed with two Pd(0)-catalyzed O-π-allyl cyclizations. The first one is chemoselective, while the second one is highly diastereoselective. Three additional steps would be required to complete a total synthesis of (−)-mycalamide A.
PREDICTION OF AZATHIOPRINE INTOLERANCE IN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Abstract One cause of transplant rejection is curtailment of immunosuppressive therapy due to leucopenia. To determine those patients most apt to develop leucopenia due to azathioprine the granulocyte response to intravenous injections (I.V.) of hydrocortisone was evaluated in 10 patients who had rejected their grafts at least six months previously. 5 patients who had rejected their grafts with concomitant severe leucopenia had an inadequate response to hydrocortisone, while in the other 5, who had tolerated the drug, the response was similar to that of normal controls. Based on these observations, all the transplant candidates underwent the hydrocortisone stimulation test the results of which were correlated with their subsequent clinical course. All medical decisions were based on events other than the steroid test. 8 leucopenic patients underwent splenectomy. 6 improved their granulocyte response to hydrocortisone and tolerated azathioprine after transplantation. 2 patients who underwent splenectomy and an unoperated leucopenic man were unresponsive to the hydrocortisone test, did not tolerate azathioprine after transplantation and rejected their grafts. 4 candidates with normal responses to I.V. hydrocortisone received transplants uneventfully. In all 13 patients transplanted since the beginning of this study, the hydrocortisone test correctly predicted their tolerance to azathioprine.
A general one-dimensional model for conduction-controlled rewetting of a surface

Abstract A computer-oriented analytical method for predicting the rewetting rate of a hot dry wall is proposed. The wall, which is modeled as a thin flat plate with internal heat generation, receives a variable heat flux from one side while it is cooled from the other side. The model accounts for the large variations of the heat transfer coefficient near the wet front and for the temperature dependence of the thermal and physical properties of the wall. The one-dimensional heat-conduction equation is solved by dividing the quenching zone into small segments of arbitrary temperature increment and constant properties and heat transfer coefficient. A trial-and-error method is developed to predict the velocity of the wet front, the length of the quenching zone and the temperature profile. The one-dimensional models of other authors can be obtained as particular cases of the present model.
Mimetic gemination in Japanese: A challenge for Evolutionary Phonology

1. IntroductionBlevins’s Evolutionary Phonology attempts to derive most if not all syn-chronic phonological patterns from diachronic changes: ‘‘[R]ecurrent syn-chronic sound patterns are a direct reﬂection of their diachronic origins,and, more speciﬁcally ... regular phonetically based sound change is thecommon source of recurrent sound patterns. Evolutionary Phonology ...investigates this hypothesis and explores its consequences for phonolog-ical theory’’ (Blevins 2006: 120). Evolutionary Phonology suggests that, toavoid duplication in linguistic theory, diachronic explanations must takepriority over synchronic explanations whenever possible: ‘‘[P]rincipled di-achronic explanations for sound patterns replace, rather than comple-ment, synchronic explanations, unless independent evidence demonstrates,beyond reasonable doubt, that a separate synchronic account is war-ranted’’ (Blevins 2004a: 5).As a corollary, linguistic theories should not encode phonetic motiva-tions for phonological patterns in a synchronic grammar: ‘‘Synchronicconstraints incorporating naturalness or markedness are misguided’’ (Ble-vins 2004a: 71; see also 251–258). In light of these assertions of Evolu-tionary Phonology, my commentary addresses two crucial questions: (i)can all synchronic patterns be attributed to phonetically motivated soundchanges? and (ii) should phonetic naturalness be encoded in synchronic
Odum's concept of the Technicways: Some reflections on an underdeveloped sociological notion

Almost half a century ago, Howard W. Odum introduced the concept of the technicways. It was intended that this concept would provide a normative perspective of various social processes additional to those afforded by the folkways and mores. Unfortunately, Dr. Odum's notion did not excite the imagination of sociologists at the time, with the result that the concept of the technicways fell into disuse, and has largely been neglected, if not ignored, since then. Odum used the term to refer to normative behavior patterns that arise in response to innovations or grow out of new technological processes. The concept of technicways is explored in detail with special reference to its analytical utility as well as its conceptual shortcomings. Odum's technicways would seem to be a very relevant concept for today in that sociologists need to be able to accurately understand the complex dynamics of accelerating social and technological change and the subtle nuances of the attendant social impact and import. The concep...
Stomatal Characterization of Grass Leaves by Four Preparation Techniques

Four leaf preparation techniques (air drying, tetramethylsilane air drying, critical point drying, and freeze substitution) used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were evaluated with respect to the degree of cellular distortion they produce in stomatal guard cells of leaves of Dactylis glomerata and Elymus canadensis. Surface morphological distortion and cuticle disruption in the air-dried and tetramethylsilane air-dried leaves, and cuticle disruption within the critical point-dried tissue made it difficult to obtain measurements.The freeze-substituted tissue experienced little cuticle disturbance, and the cellular morphology appeared normal. The length of the guard cells did not significantly differ between the air-dried, tetramethylsilane air-dried, critical point-dried, or freeze-substituted samples. Widths did significantly vary, with the freeze-substituted tissue having lower values than tissues treated with the other treatments. Freeze substitution methodology produced SEM images that appear to be less distorted and allow easy and precise measurement.
Bis-5-alkylresorcinols from Panopsis rubescens that Inhibit DNA Polymerase β

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Panopsis rubescens, using an assay to detect DNA polymerase β inhibition, led to the isolation of two new bis-5-alkylresorcinols (1 and 2), in addition to one known...
The Crystal Structure of the Nitrogenase MoFe Protein from Clostridium Pasteurianum

Mo-dependent nitrogenases catalyze reduction of dinitrogen through the activity of a complex of two easily separated components known as the MoFe-protein (component 1) and the Fe-protein (component 2). The latter is a homodimer, Mr= 60–70,000, which binds a single Fe4S4 cluster symmetrically between the subunits. The structure of Av2, the Fe-protein from Azotobacter vinelandii, has been determined to 2.9A resolution by Georgiadis et al. (1992). MoFe-protein is an α2β2 tetramer, Mr= 220–230,000, which binds two Mo atoms and 30 Fe atoms in the form of four large metal-sulfur clusters of two types; two clusters of each type are present per tetramer, one of each per αβ dimer.
Ascarosides and ascaroside esters in Ascaris lumbricoides (Nematoda)

Abstract 1. 1. Ascarosides and ascaroside esters in the total lipids of adult female Ascaris lumbricoides were fractionated by thin-layer chromatography. Ascarosides A, B and C were separated from phospholipids by development of thin-layer plates with polar solvents. Ascaroside esters appeared as seven distinct spots on chromatograms of neutral lipids. These compounds were found in all tissues, but in widely different amounts. Esters and free ascarosides were most abundant in the ovaries and uteri (fertilized eggs), respectively. The ascaroside layer of the egg shell consisted largely of free ascarosides. 2. 2. Acetic, propionic, α-methylbutyric and α-methylvaleric acids were present in ascaroside esters. Ascarosides contained only one glycone, whose chromatographic mobility was similar to that of ascarylose (3,6-dideoxy- L -arabinohexose). The aglycones were tentatively identified as a mixture of secondary alkanols containing C22,24,26,27,28,29,30,31,33,35,37 monols and C31,33,35,37 diols. C29 monols and C31,33 diols were most common. 3. 3. Each ascaroside and ascaroside ester fraction appearing on thin-layer chromatograms was a mixture, whose net chromatographic mobility was determined by chain length, number of free hydroxyl groups, number of glycosidic linkages and, in the case of ascaroside esters, by the nature of the volatile acid. 4. 4. Alkaline hydrolysis converted about 75 per cent of the chromatographic entity known as ascaroside A to ascaroside B. Evidence was obtained suggesting that naturally occurring ascaroside A contained a mixture of monol and diol aglycones in which one hydroxyl group of the diols was esterified with a higher fatty acid. The aglycones of ascarosides B and C were unesterified diols.