cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical hypoxia increases cytosolic Ca2+ and oxygen free radical formation

'Chemical hypoxia' was produced in isolated rat hepatocytes. The cells were immobilized in agarose gel threads and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer equilibrated with 95% O2 + 5% CO2 or 95% air + 5% CO2. During 'chemical hypoxia', 2 mM KCN + 0.5 mM iodoacetate (CN-IAA) were added to the perfusate for 30 min. Cytosolic ionized Ca2+ (Cai2+) was measured with aequorin, the formation of oxygen free radicals by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and cell injury by the rate of LDH released by the cells in the effluent perfusate. As soon as the cells were exposed to CN-IAA in the presence of 95% O2 + 5% CO2, Cai2+ increased rapidly to reach 1.5 microM within 10 min, and oxygen free radical formation increased 5-fold. The increase in LDH release was temporally delayed and occurred only during the recovery phase. The results were not significantly different when the cells were perfused with KHB equilibrated with 95% air + 5% CO2, except that oxygen free radical formation increased 13-fold. These results suggest that both a rise in Cai2+ and a formation of reactive oxygen species could be responsible for the cell injury and the cell death induced by CN-IAA poisoning.
Biogeochemical Budgets in a Mediterranean Catchment with High Rates of Atmospheric N Deposition – Importance of Scale and Temporal Asynchrony

In this study biogeochemical export in a set of catchments that vary from 6 ha to almost 1500 ha is investigated. Studying catchments across this large range of scales enables us to investigate the scale de- pendence and fundamental processes controlling catchment biogeochemical export that would not have been possible with a more limited data set. The Devil Canyon catchment, in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, has some of the highest atmospheric N deposition rates in the world (40-90 kg ha � 1 year � 1 at the crest of the catchment). These high rates of deposition have translated into consistently high levels of NO � 3 in some streams of the San Bernardino Mountains. However, the streams of the Devil Canyon catchment have widely varying dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations and export. These differences are also, to a more limited extent, present for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) but not in other dissolved species (Cl � , SO 2� 4 ,C a 2þ and other weathering products). As catchment size increases DIN and DOC concentrations first increase until catchment area is *150 ha but then decrease as catchment scale increases beyond that size. The scale dependence of DIN export implies that catchments at different spatial scales are at different degrees of N saturation. The reason for this scale effect appears to be the dominance of flushing of DIN out of soil at small scales due to the temporal asynchrony between nutrient availability and biological N demand, the ground- water exfiltration of this flushed DIN at intermediate scales and the removal of this DIN from streamflow through in-stream processes and groundwater-surface water interaction at larger scales. While the particular scale effect observed here may not occur over the same range in catchment area in other ecosystems, it is likely that other ecosystems have similar scale dependant export for DIN and DOC.
Phase I study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced malignancies

BACKGROUND Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PEG-LD) and gemcitabine have single-agent activity in breast and ovarian carcinoma patients. We conducted a Phase I trial to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicities of this combination in patients with advanced malignancies. METHODS Twenty-six patients with refractory or recurrent malignancies were enrolled in this dose escalation trial. Dose escalation proceeded from a starting level of PEG-LD 20 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 administered on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. RESULTS The MTD was PEG-LD 20 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 2000 mg/m2 administered on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Dose-limiting toxicity, a Grade 3 rash, was observed in one patient during Cycle 1 and Grade 3 stomatitis and a rash were observed in a second patient during Cycle 2 after administration of PEG-LD 25 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 2000 mg/m2. Other side effects included palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, and fatigue. One complete and two partial responses were observed. CONCLUSIONS The recommended Phase II dose is PEG-LD 20 mg/m2 with gemcitabine 2000 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. A trial with this combination is currently ongoing at this institution comprising patients with refractory ovarian carcinoma. Cancer 2002;95:2223–29. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10937
A Practical Guide to Wavelet Analysis.

A practical step-by-step guide to wavelet analysis is given, with examples taken from time series of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The guide includes a comparison to the windowed Fourier transform, the choice of an appropriate wavelet basis function, edge effects due to finite-length time series, and the relationship between wavelet scale and Fourier frequency. New statistical significance tests for wavelet power spectra are developed by deriving theoretical wavelet spectra for white and red noise processes and using these to establish significance levels and confidence intervals. It is shown that smoothing in time or scale can be used to increase the confidence of the wavelet spectrum. Empirical formulas are given for the effect of smoothing on significance levels and confidence intervals. Extensions to wavelet analysis such as filtering, the power Hovmoller, cross-wavelet spectra, and coherence are described. The statistical significance tests are used to give a quantitative measure of change...
A Commentary on Victimization Research and the Importance of Meaning Structures

This article examines the largely atheoretical tradition of victimization research and some of the unintended consequences of work in the area. In using a legalistic definition of crime, victimization research has failed to incorporate the public's definition of crime and victimization. While “street” and property crime have a decided impact upon people's lives, the consequences of real or alleged corporate and political crimes also affect people's concep-tions of their lives. The authors outline the beginnings of a theoretically apposite reinterpretation of perceptual victimlogy findings and related methodological concerns, and suggest ways that social scientists can become actively involved in the debunk-ing of the “crime wave” mentality perpetuated through the media by providing alternate interpretations of crime statistics.
The bamboo boundary peak in an AlZr alloy

An inverted torsion pendulum is used to study the high temperature internal friction of Al-0.073 wt% Zr alloy. Two internal friction peaks well separated from each other, the bamboo boundary peak and the conventional grain boundary peak, are observed in the original internal friction curve when the size of some grains is larger than the diameter of the specimen. The height of the bamboo boundary peak increases while that of the grain boundary peak decreases with increasing number of bamboo-like grains. The bamboo boundary peak in the completely bamboo-structured specimen decreases linearly in height with increasing size of bamboo grains, until the peak is completely absent in the single crystal specimen. The peak temperature of the bamboo boundary peak and the associated activation energy are 690 K (fp = 0.29 Hz) and 3.20 eV when bamboo grains coexist with fine grains, and 635 K (fp = 0.31 Hz) and 2.74 eV when the complete bamboo structure is formed, respectively. Combining the electron microscopic observation of the second phase particles in boundaries, it is suggested that the bamboo boundary peak is originated by the stress relaxation of the particle-bearing boundary.
Behavioral, cognitive, and behavioral-cognitive aprroaches to group assertion training therapy

Four group therapy approaches to the treatment of assertion problems were compared: behavioral assertion training (BAT), cognitive assertion training (CAT), behavioral-cognitive assertion training (BCAT), and self-awareness training (SAT). Cognitive assertion training included a cognitive restructuring component and emphasized coping skills such as self-instructions. Treatment outcome was assessed on self-report measures of assertion, social anxiety, and self-concept, a behavioral role-playing test, a situational test of assertion cognitions, and two unobtrusive measures. BAT, CAT, and BCAT were all more effective in increasing assertive behavior than SAT. Although there was a lack of significant differences among the three assertion training groups, a greater number of significant differences emerged between BCAT and SAT than between SAT and any other group. The need for research that assesses the interaction of therapist, client, and therapy technique variables in assertion training outcome research is discussed.
Marihuana: effects on simulated driving performance†☆

Abstract Performance of 23 male subjects was tested under smoked marihuana treatments on 4 occasions in a complex driving simulator. Doses were 0, 50, 100 and 200 micrograms delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per kilogram bodyweight. The simulator uses a car mounted on a chassis dynamometer facing a filmed scene subtending 160 degrees. Twenty-five performance measures are derived based on steering wheel, brake and accelerator pad usage as well as speed and tracking. The simulator also incorporates a visual search-and-recognition task based on random appearance of lights in the periphery. There is little evidence for a significant effect of marihuana upon car control and tracking. None of the 25 car control-tracking scores was significantly changed in either mean or variance by the treatments. However, there was a clear, statistically significant decrement in performance of the search-and-recognition task. Marihuana produced increased errors in recognition of the lights and delayed response times to their appearance. The results suggest the prime locus of marihuana impairment of driving performance as being in the interference with perceptual processes involved in data acquisition necessary for safe control of the vehicle.
An assessment of market and policy barriers for demand response providing ancillary services in U.S. electricity markets

Abstract An impact of increased variable renewable generation is the need for balancing authorities to procure more ancillary services. While demand response resources are technically capable of providing these services, current experience across the U.S. illustrates they are relatively minor players in most regions. Accessing demand response resources for ancillary services may require a number of changes to policies and common practices at multiple levels. Regional reliability councils must first define ancillary services such that demand response resources may provide them. Once the opportunity exists, balancing authorities define and promulgate rules that set the infrastructure investments and performance attributes of a resource wishing to provide such services. These rules also dictate expected revenue streams which reveal the cost effectiveness of these resources. The regulatory compact between utility and state regulators, along with other statutes and decisions by state policymakers, may impact the interest of demand response program providers to pursue these resources as ancillary service providers. This paper identifies within these broad categories specific market and policy barriers to demand response providing ancillary services in different wholesale and retail environments, with emphasis on smaller customers who must be aggregated through a program provider to meet minimum size requirements for wholesale transactions.
The Importance of Being Cleaved: An Essential Step in Killing by Enzymatic Colicins

In this issue, de Zamaroczy et al. show that cleavage of the bacterial toxin colicin D is required for its ability to kill cells. Surprisingly, the cleavage requires the inner membrane peptidase LepB that normally functions in protein secretion.
Holographic analysis of the structural characteristics and operational dynamics of advanced sonar transducer arrays

The recognition and discrimination of underwater targets by an active sonar array depends on its fundamental structural dynamics. The acoustic energy distribution projected from a dense, multi-element array is critically dependent on the effects of structural defects in the array and its interface on the water medium. Knowledge of these effects and defects is crucial in insuring correct array operation. Array dynamics are directly related to the mechanical and physical interfaces between transducers and their supporting and radiating structures. Such complex assemblies require sophisticated bonding and processing of compliant and rigid materials which determine the operational parameters of the sonar system. A nondestructive method for the visualization of anomalous structural characteristics would be of great value in both development and testing of sonar systems. Augmenting this with a method for visualizing and comparing the true near-field acoustic energy distribution of an active sonar array would also greatly increase the understanding of the contributions and effects of structural defects in the array and its interface to the water medium. Knowledge of the mechanisms for acoustic energy transfer through the sonar structure into the water medium can be derived from these visualizations and would enhance the analysis of returned signals for homing and target recognition in operation. Holographic interferometry has presented itself as a viable and useful method for the realization of this type of information.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sleep deprivation: health consequences and societal impact.

The impact of sleep deprivation can be incurred at many levels, including individual, family, community, and nations at large. In general, the societal impact falls within the spheres of transportation safety, health, andeducation. This brief article highlights certain recent findings and concerns.
The Poor's Poor Mental Power

Few people wish to be poor. Many find it puzzling that those in poverty seem to get stuck in that state, even when there are opportunities to improve one's lot. On page 976 of this issue, Mani et al. ( 1 ) provide a possible reason: Poverty-related concerns impair cognitive capacity. Simply put, being poor taps out one's mental reserves. This could explain data showing that the poor are likelier than others to behave in ways that are harmful to health and impede long-term success—in short, behaviors that can perpetuate a disadvantaged state.
Impact of Long-Term Tillage Systems for Continuous Corn on Nitrate Leaching to Tile Drainage

Information is lacking on the long-term of tillage systems on NO 3 losses to surface and groundwater. An 11-yr (1982-1992) study was conducted to assess NO 3 losses to subsurface, tile drainage for corn (Zea mays L.) grown with continuous conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) on a poorly drained Webster clay loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) at Waseca, MN. Nitrogen was applied at an annual application rate of 200 kg ha -1 . Mean annual subsurface drain flow during the 11-yr period was 35 mm higher for NT (315 mm) compared with CT (280 mm). Flow-weighted nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N) concentrations increased dramaticaly in the wet years (NO 3 -N) concentrations increased dramatically in the wet years (1990 and 1991) following the dry period of 1987 to 1989. Flow-weighted NO 3 -N concentrations during the 11-yr period averaged 13.4 and 12.3 mg L -1 for CT and NT, respectively. Although subsurface drain flow was 12% higher with NT, NO 3 -N losses were about 5% higher with CT mainly due to higher NO 3 -N concentrations with CT in the last 2 yr. Corn grain yields and N removal were significantly higher in 6 out of 11 yr with CT compared with NT with no difference between tillage systems in the other 5 yr. Grain yields averaged 8.63 Mg ha -1 wich CT and 7.3 Mg ha -1 with NT during the 11-yr period. Multiple regression equations showed that annual flow-weighted NO 3 -N concentration is best predicted from residual soil NO 3 in the 0- to 1.2-m profile and spring rainfall while NO 3 -N flux can be predicted well from May and June rainfall. Results from this long-term study indicate that on this poorly drained soil, CT has a positive effect on corn grain yield and N removal compared with NT, but tillage systems had minimal impact of NO 3 losses to subsurface drain flow. Higher drain flow with NT does not necessarily result in higher NO 3 -N fluxes lost via subsurface drainage
Effects of interfacial variables on ceramic adherence to cast and machined commercially pure titanium.

Abstract Statement of problem Titanium-ceramic bonding is less optimal than conventional metal-ceramic bonding, due to excessive oxidation of titanium during porcelain firing. Purpose This in vitro study evaluated the effects of porcelain firing atmosphere and gold sputter coating on titanium surfaces on porcelain bonding to machined and as-cast titanium substrates. Material and methods Eight groups of ASTM grade 2 commercially pure (CP) titanium specimens (13 mm ×13 mm ×1 mm) were prepared (n=10). A conventional Au-Pd-In metal-ceramic alloy (Orion) and an ultra low-fusing porcelain (Finesse) served as the control (n=10). Forty machined titanium specimens were prepared from 1.00-mm thick titanium sheets with a diamond band saw. Forty titanium specimens were produced in a centrifugal dental titanium casting machine. All titanium specimens were airborne particle abraded with 110-μm alumina particles, whereas the control specimens were airborne particle abraded with 50-μm alumina particles. Forty titanium specimens (20 specimens each of as-cast and machined titanium) were randomly selected for gold sputter coating before ceramic firing. An ultra low-fusing porcelain (Vita Titankeramik) was fused on the central 6-mm diameter circular area on each titanium specimen. Porcelain firing environments for the titanium specimens consisted of vacuum and a reduced argon atmosphere. Porcelain was debonded by a biaxial flexure, constant strain test at a cross-head speed of 0.25 mm/min. Specimens were analyzed by standardized SEM/EDS analysis 3 times throughout the study to determine the silicon atomic percentage (Si at %): (1) after airborne particle abrasion, before porcelain application; (2) after the application of the first layer of porcelain; and (3) after the fracture of porcelain from the metal substrate. The titanium-ceramic adhesion was characterized by determining the area fraction of adherent porcelain (AFAP). Results were analyzed by analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test (α=.05). Results Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the AFAP values among all the groups. AFAP value of the control group was significantly higher (135.35 ± 23.68) than those of the experimental groups ( P P P P =.303); however, both argon groups (93.83 ± 4.65 and 98.09 ± 6.35) showed significantly higher AFAP values compared with the vacuum groups ( P Conclusion Firing porcelain in a reduced argon atmosphere significantly improved titanium-ceramic bonding for machined and as-cast titanium. The sputter-coated gold layer on titanium provided improved titanium-ceramic bonding only when combined with firing porcelain in reduced argon atmosphere. When porcelain was fired in vacuum in the presence of the gold layer, the titanium-ceramic bonding was weakened in as-cast titanium and was not affected in machined titanium. Conventional noble metal-ceramic bonding was superior to titanium-ceramic bonding regardless of the interfacial variables examined in this study.
Reproductive ecology of the freshwater red alga Batrachospermum boryanum Sirodot in a temperate headwater stream

Spatial distribution and abundance of Batrachospermum boryanum gametophytes within a headwater stream in Rhode Island, USA varied considerably over a period of two yeas due to significant changes in dominant substrata. However, periodicity of these plants was similar each year. Juvenile gametophytes were produced by the aseasonal annual ‘chantransia’ stage most abundantly in September and October. Macroscopic gametophytes appeared in Novemberand attained a peak in development during late winter and spring, correlating with relative light penetration through the surrounding tree canopy. The ratio of female to male plants increased from 1:1 in January 4:1 at the end of the growing season in June during both years. Spermatangia production was continuous throughout the growth period, averaging 26000 mm−2; mean carpogonial density was 60 mm−2. Approximately 500 spermatia were released for each carpogonium present and the mean proportion of fertilized carpogonia was 22%. Carposporophyutes typically became detached and acted as dispersal agents, settling at 0.075cm s−1. Current velocities in the stream varied from 10 to 50 cm s−1 and were calculated to carry the carposporophytes 5–35 m downstream. Monospores released by ‘chantransia’ upright filaments also added to population spread.
Fine structure of initial outgrowth of processes induced in a pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) by nerve growth factor.

Cells of the PC12 line (which is derived from a rat pheochromocytoma) develop neuron-like processes upon exposure to nerve growth factor (NGF), and thus provide an opportunity to study this phenomenonde novo. We have used the transmission electron microscope to analyse the early stages of process outgrowth (1, 2, 3 and 7 days) to determine what organelles are involved and in what sequence they appear during development. Despite the non-synchronous response to NGF, we can derive three main stages in early process formation. (1) NGF-treated cells develop conical extensions similar to, but larger and more numerous than those of controls. Extensions terminate in bulbous expansions that contain large number of chromaffin-like granules and bear microspikes filled with microfilaments. (2) The extensions of NGF-treated cells then acquire membranous organelles indicative of transmitter packaging and/or recycling of cytoplasmic membranes, for example, tubular reticulum, clear and dense-cored vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes. (3) As processes elongate, they develop a shaft that contains an array of microtubules and fine tubular reticulum dispersed in a filamentous matrix, and varicosities that exhibit the same organelles seen in stage 2. The discussion stresses the similarities in the outgrowth of processes in PC12 cells and neurons, and speculates that NGF causes a change in organization and/or quantity of organelles that already exist in non-treated control cells.
Thoughts on whether government should steer a tropical cyclone if it could

Previous work suggests if it were possible to lower sea-surface temperature using wind-wave pumps, it would sometime make sense to try to reduce the wind speed of a tropical cyclone (TC) that is likely to make landfall. While currently there is no plausible strategy to steer a TC, suppose that TC landfall location could be altered and subsequent damages perhaps reduced. Here, we ask whether and when such a modification might be desirable. As a thought experiment, we consider a hypothetical TC that will make landfall on the east coast of Florida. Using results from previous detailed damage modeling, we examine three simplified scenarios of TC modification resulting in altered landfall location. Even in these simplified scenarios, and assuming a zero cost for modification, we find that unless it becomes possible to steer a hurricane to the open ocean with something approaching certainty, it is likely that the complexities of the decision will always make it undesirable to undertake a modification intended t...
Privatise Central Banks to Stimulate Growth

The advanced extent of political intervention in the financial markets of developing countries as a direct deterrent to growth. State-run central banks distort the market allocation of funds and divert them from their most productive use. Professor Lawrence White, of New York University, argues for the privatisation of the world's central banks to stimulate growth, especially in the Third World.
Metabolic fate of [14C]-ethanol into endothelial cell phospholipids including platelet-activating factor, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanol.

The metabolic fate of ethanol into the phospholipid pool of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells was studied. [14C]-ethanol was incorporated into various endothelial cell phospholipids including phosphatidylethanol (PEth), which may represent a substantial fraction in microdomains of membrane phospholipids. The incorporation into phospholipids was reduced in the presence of pyrazole and cyanamide, inhibitors of ethanol metabolism. Wortmannin, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, increased [14C]-PEth formation. [3H]-acetate was also incorporated into endothelial cell phospholipids but in a different pattern. Distribution of [3H]-acetate and [14C]-ethanol into the fatty acyl moiety versus the glycero-phosphoryl backbone of the phospholipids was also different. Stimulation of the endothelial cells with ATP increased [3H]-acetate incorporation into platelet-activating factor (PAF) and ethanol decreased it. Ethanol exposure increased ATP-stimulated [3H]-acetate incorporation into sphingomyelin. However, ATP had no effect on the incorporation of [14C]-ethanol into any phospholipids. The results suggest that the two precursors contribute to a separate acetate pool and that the sphingomyelin cycle may be sensitized in ethanol-treated cells. Thus, metabolic conversions of ethanol into lipids and the effect of ethanol on specific lipid mediators, e.g PAF, PEth and sphingomyelin, may be critical determinants in the altered responses of the endothelium in alcoholism.
Functionally enigmatic genes: a case study of the brain ignorome.

What proportion of genes with intense and selective expression in specific tissues, cells, or systems are still almost completely uncharacterized with respect to biological function? In what ways do these functionally enigmatic genes differ from well-studied genes? To address these two questions, we devised a computational approach that defines so-called ignoromes. As proof of principle, we extracted and analyzed a large subset of genes with intense and selective expression in brain. We find that publications associated with this set are highly skewed—the top 5% of genes absorb 70% of the relevant literature. In contrast, approximately 20% of genes have essentially no neuroscience literature. Analysis of the ignorome over the past decade demonstrates that it is stubbornly persistent, and the rapid expansion of the neuroscience literature has not had the expected effect on numbers of these genes. Surprisingly, ignorome genes do not differ from well-studied genes in terms of connectivity in coexpression networks. Nor do they differ with respect to numbers of orthologs, paralogs, or protein domains. The major distinguishing characteristic between these sets of genes is date of discovery, early discovery being associated with greater research momentum—a genomic bandwagon effect. Finally we ask to what extent massive genomic, imaging, and phenotype data sets can be used to provide high-throughput functional annotation for an entire ignorome. In a majority of cases we have been able to extract and add significant information for these neglected genes. In several cases—ELMOD1, TMEM88B, and DZANK1—we have exploited sequence polymorphisms, large phenome data sets, and reverse genetic methods to evaluate the function of ignorome genes.
The fidelity of fuzzy-logic inference

The concept of fidelity of inference is introduced in order to quantify the degree to which the inferred value of a consequent can be regarded as valid. This concept also enhances our understanding of other aspects of fuzzy-logic inference including transitivity, intuitive leap, rada, and coupled implicative equations. It also enables many of the results derived earlier for element-by-element implication and derived implication to be taken over to inclusion and derived inclusion. Finally, it permits this inference to be carried out in hardware using simple circuitry, and provides a natural measure of noise immunity. >
Low temperature 151Eu and 57Fe Mössbauer study of mechanically alloyed EuFeO3

Low temperature 57Fe Mossbauer spectra of mechanically alloyed EuFeO3 prepared by mechanical alloying depicts an interesting transformation in its hyperfine magnetic state, from a triple phase magnetic system at room temperature to a single phase ferromagnetic state at 20 K. The hyperfine magnetic field increased by 12% at 20 K from its room temperature. The isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values exhibit a peak around 200 K. Low temperature 151Eu Mossbauer measurements show that the line-width increased to its maximum value at 80 K which is 45% compared to its room temperature value not enough to suggest splitting.
Meson nonets and chiral symmetry breaking

Abstract Infinite momentum frame techniques are shown to imply the validity of the Schwinger formula for meson nonets and the Gell-Mann-Oakes-Renner value for the chiral symmetry breaking parameter. The nucleon σ -term problem is discussed.
On a simple tiling of Deza and Shtogrin

Some properties of an exceptional simple tiling by fullerenes, first described by Deza & Shtogrin [Southeast Asian Math. Soc. Bull. (1999), 23, 1-11], are presented.
Diode quality factor determination for thin-film solar cells

Abstract A technique is proposed for accurate determination of the diode quality factor for non-ideal photodiodes. It is applied to thin-film polycrystalline solar cells at varying temperatures and intensities. The procedure is to measure the slope of d V/ d J vs. (J + J L ) −1 , with correction for shunting effects when necessary. This technique allows one (1) to deal with large deviations from superimposition, (2) to separate unambiguously the illuminated diode quality factor and series resistance, and (3) to recognize easily the onset of current shunting or limiting effects. For reasonably well-behaved polycrystalline cells the diode quality factor uncertainty is ±0.04 .
Quick Spectrum Access via Block Sampling

This paper considers spectrum access in wideband channels and its objective is to design an agile and reliable mechanism for identifying spectrum opportunities. Driven by the need for reducing the time required for identifying spectrum opportunities, the idea of data-adaptive and sequential block sampling is proposed, through which instead of examining each channel individually, a cognitive user takes samples that are linear combinations of simultaneous measurements from multiple channels. If such coarse samples indicate that the block of channels contains at least a vacant (unused) channel, then the channels are examined individually in order to accumulate more information about their spectral occupancy states, and otherwise, the entire block is discarded and the process resumes sequentially by examining the next block of channels.
CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOMERIC FORMS OF GALECTIN-1 GENERATED BY SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS

Galectin-1 is a beta-galactoside-binding protein secreted by animal cells, and it exists in a monomer-dimer equilibrium (Kd approximately 7 microM). The function(s) of galectin-1 is(are) not yet defined, but dimerization and divalency are presumably important. Crystal structures of the mammalian galectin-1 dimer predict N- and C-terminal interactions at the subunit interface. To examine the mechanism of dimer formation and possibly generate active monomeric galectin-I, mutations were made in the N- and C-termini of recombinant hamster galectin-1. N-Gal-1 contains disruptions of three hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus; V5D-Gal-1 contains a single mutation of Val5 to Asp; N/C-Gal-1 contains multiple changes in hydrophobic amino acids at both the N- and C-termini. All mutants behave as monomers in size-exclusion HPLC and native gel electrophoresis. N-Gal-1 and V5D-Gal-1 bind weakly to lactosyl-Sepharose, but N/C-Gal-1 is nonfunctional. In equilibrium dialysis, N-Gal-1 and V5D-Gal-1 bind N-acetyllactosamine with a Kd approximately 90 microM, which is similar to that of native lectin. At high concentrations, V5D-Gal-1 and N-Gal-1 dimerize and can be covalently cross-linked with disuccinimidyl suberate. The Kd values of the monomer-dimer equilibrium for V5D-Gal-1 and N-Gal-1 are estimated to be approximately 60 microM and approximately 250 microM, respectively. The cross-linked dimers of V5D and N-Gal-1 were isolated and were similar to native lectin in both hemagglutinating activity and high-affinity binding to lactosyl-Sepharose. Thus, specific mutations in galectin-1 can alter monomer-dimer equilibrium without affecting carbohydrate-binding activity. The availability of active monomers and functional covalent dimers of galectin-1 should aid in future studies aimed at understanding the biological function(s) of the lectin and the role of divalency.
Radiopharmaceuticals for Renal Positron Emission Tomography Imaging

Radiopharmaceuticals for functional renal imaging, including renal blood flow, renal blood volume, glomerular excretion, and metabolism have been available for some time. This review outlines radiopharmaceuticals for functional renal imaging as well as those that target pertinent molecular constituents of renal injury and repair. The angiotensin and endothelin receptors are particularly appealing molecular targets for renal imaging because of their association with renal physiology and pathology. Other targets such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, integrin, or phosphatidylserine have been investigated at length for cancer imaging, but they are just as important constituents of the renal injury/repair process. Various diseases can involve identical mechanisms, such as angiogenesis and apoptosis, and radiopharmaceuticals developed for these processes in other organs can also be used for renal imaging. The sensitivity and spatial resolution of positron emission tomography makes it an ideal tool for molecular and functional kidney imaging. Radiopharmaceutical development for the kidneys must focus on achieving high target selectivity and binding affinity, stability and slow metabolism in vivo, and minimal nonspecific accumulation and urinary excretion.
Nervous Kidney: Interaction Between Renal Sympathetic Nerves and the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Control of Renal Function

Increases in renal sympathetic nerve activity regulate the functions of the nephron, the vasculature, and the renin-containing juxtaglomerular granular cells. Because increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system can also influence nephron and vascular function, it is important to understand the interactions between the renal sympathetic nerves and the renin-angiotensin system in the control of renal function. These interactions can be intrarenal, for example, the direct (by specific innervation) and indirect (by angiotensin II) contributions of increased renal sympathetic nerve activity to the regulation of renal function. The effects of increased renal sympathetic nerve activity on renal function are attenuated when the activity of the renin-angiotensin system is suppressed or antagonized with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II-type AT(1)-receptor antagonists. The effects of intrarenal administration of angiotensin II are attenuated after renal denervation. These interactions can also be extrarenal, for example, in the central nervous system, wherein renal sympathetic nerve activity and its arterial baroreflex control are modulated by changes in activity of the renin-angiotensin system. In addition to the circumventricular organs, whose permeable blood-brain barrier permits interactions with circulating angiotensin II, there are interactions at sites behind the blood-brain barrier that depend on the influence of local angiotensin II. The responses to central administration of angiotensin II-type AT(1)-receptor antagonists into the ventricular system or microinjected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla are modulated by changes in activity of the renin-angiotensin system produced by physiological changes in dietary sodium intake. Similar modulation is observed in pathophysiological models wherein activity of both the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems is increased (eg, congestive heart failure). Thus, both renal and extrarenal sites of interaction between the renin-angiotensin system and renal sympathetic nerve activity are involved in influencing the neural control of renal function.
Children's relative clause markers in two non-mainstream dialects of English

We examined children's productions of mainstream and non-mainstream relative clause markers (e.g. that, who, which, what, where, O) in African American English (AAE) and Southern White English (SWE) as a function of three linguistic variables (syntactic role of the marker, humanness of the antecedent and adjacency of the noun phrase head). The data were language samples from 99 typically developing 4–6-year-olds: 61 spoke AAE and 38 spoke SWE. The majority of the children's relative clauses included mainstream markers. Non-mainstream markers were rare, with 3–6% involving O subjects and 2% involving what. The children produced who exclusively as subjects and with human antecedents, where exclusively as locatives and with non-human antecedents and O and what primarily as direct objects or objects of prepositions and with non-human antecedents. Although AAE- and SWE-speaking children produce some non-mainstream relative markers, the majority of their markers are mainstream. Their use of relative markers is ...
Cost of Pumping Wafera

Use of this material will assist in the determination of cost of pumping water, given the quantity of flow required, the total pumping head, the wire-to-water efficiency, and the unit cost of power. A table of conversions is presented to aid in reducing theoretical equations to simplified equations, and a figure is provided for graphical solutions of the equations.
Simulation and Measurement of Surface Wave Propagation Along a Metal Cut-Wire Array

The low-frequency punch-through phenomenon observed in a metal cut-wire array is studied. It is demonstrated through simulation and measurement that the propagation mechanism at low frequencies is dominated by a surface wave propagating at the interface between the wires and free space. The propagation constant and the field distribution of the surface wave are extracted and compared to the theory. The effect of random wire height on the surface wave propagation is also investigated.
Bird diversity indicates ecological value in urban home prices

It is known that public greenspaces contribute positively to urban home prices; yet urban ecologists also have known that not all greenspaces are equally valuable. Also some ecologically valuable space appears on private residences, not only public spaces. This work examines directly whether using a variable derived from bird species richness and relative abundance adds new information regarding ecological value and if high values of that variable significantly improve urban housing prices. We collected information on approximately 368 home sales in Lubbock, TX from 2008 to 2009 from the Multiple Listing Service: Sale Price, Square Footage, Lot Size and Age in 17 neighborhoods identified by the Lubbock Realtor Association. We conducted bird counts in the vicinity of each home sale and recorded both the total numbers of birds and the number of bird species identified in a particular class—less ubiquitous bird species. Finally, we used GIS to record the percentage of tree cover in the immediate area surrounding each sale. We constructed a predictive model for a bird relative abundance and species richness variable (Bird) from AICc statistics. Home price for each sale then was regressed against the predicted value of ‘Bird’ from the selected model and regressed against home price along with other attributes from the Multiple Listing Service. The predicted value for Bird finds that the addition of another desirable, less ubiquitous bird species improves mean home price by $32,028, likely due to the human created landscapes on private properties immediately surrounding a home sale. Curiously, the presence of a nearby park neither explained variation in the ecological indicator nor contributed to home price elevation. This deliberately simple and inexpensive indicator helped to direct attention to the composition of local landscapes in specific areas to assess joint ecological and economic gains rather than presume a priori that open greenspace jointly satisfies these dual objectives.
GPS receiver prototype for integration into system-on-chip

The paper describes the design of a GPS receiver architected for integration into system-on-chip solutions. The application and the design challenges are first presented followed by the proposed solution. The solution is a complete environment starting from algorithmic and architectural development including modeling down-to implementation and verification by simulation on a software as well as a hardware platform. The resulting system is presented with initial results obtained using real signals.
Enhancement of images using the 2-D LMS adaptive algorithm

The use of adaptive filters for the enhancement of images is studied. In particular, the enhancement of images where the region of interest has a small spatial extent compared to the noise is considered. A two stage approach for enhancing the desired signal is presented. At each stage, a two dimensional adaptive filter employing the least mean square (LMS) algorithm is used. By properly choosing the adaptation step size, in the first stage the colored noise is whitened, and in the second stage the desired signal is recovered from the white noise. Procedures for selecting the step size are discussed. Computer simulations to support the results are also presented. >
Second malignant neoplasms in survivors of pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with low-dose radiation and chemotherapy.

Purpose Survivors of childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are at risk for second malignant neoplasms (SMNs). It is theorized that this risk may be attenuated in patients treated with lower doses of radiation. We report the first long-term outcomes of a cohort of pediatric survivors of HL treated with chemotherapy and low-dose radiation. Patients and Methods Pediatric patients with HL (n = 112) treated at Stanford from 1970 to 1990 on two combined modality treatment protocols were identified. Treatment included six cycles of chemotherapy with 15 to 25.5 Gy involved-field radiation with optional 10 Gy boosts to bulky sites. Follow-up through September 1, 2007, was obtained from retrospective chart review and patient questionnaires. Results One hundred ten children completed HL therapy; median follow-up was 20.6 years. Eighteen patients developed one or more SMNs, including four leukemias, five thyroid carcinomas, six breast carcinomas, and four sarcomas. Cumulative incidence of first SMN was 17% (95% CI, 10.5 ...
Arterial aging is risky.

cardiovascular diseases, i.e., hypertension, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke are the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and disability in industrialized countries. Epidemiological studies have unequivocally shown that age is the dominant risk factor for these
Differential effects of HIF-α isoforms on apoptosis in renal carcinoma cell lines

Background Germline mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene predispose individuals to clear cell renal carcinomas, hemangioblastomas, and pheochromocytomas. The VHL gene product forms an ubiquitin E3 ligase complex, with regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) as its best known function. Lack of VHL expression has been shown previously to sensitize renal cells to apoptosis caused by certain cellular stresses. In this report, the role of HIF-α in apoptosis was investigated using two parent VHL-null renal carcinoma cell lines.
Experimental Evaluation of the Statistical Isotropy of a Reverberation Chamber’s Plane-Wave Spectrum

Synthetic-aperture measurements in a loaded reverberation chamber are used to calculate power-angle profiles describing the instantaneous distribution of received power versus azimuth angle-of-arrival. Averaging multiple power-angle profiles leads to estimates of the reverberation chamber’s power-angle spectrum. A comparison to simulated power-angle spectra for an ideal reverberation chamber indicates that the loaded reverberation chamber tends to provide a statistically anisotropic plane-wave spectrum. Analysis of the measurements’ power-delay-angle profiles suggest that this anisotropy due to both the presence of unstirred multipath components and strong early-time stirred multipath components arising from reflections off of the mode-stirring paddles’ planar surfaces. Guidelines are provided for minimizing the effect of a statistically anisotropic plane-wave spectrum, such as the use of additional stirring mechanisms and minimizing the contributions of unstirred multipath components.
Bonsai of the consanguinities: cultivation and control of incest regulation in the works of Bonizo of Sutri

This paper examines the particular ways in which reformer and bishop Bonizo of Sutri's (c.1045–c.1094) treatment of degrees of consanguinity in both his Liber de Vita Christiana and De arbore parentele modified, reframed, and cut authorities on consanguinity and introduced an explicit power of episcopal dispensation to guide the application of these limitations. In this task, Bonizo's treatment reveals that the central problem in consanguinity rules was knowledge: knowledge of the grades, knowledge of how to match real kinship lines to theoretical structures, and how to cope with the ignorance of consanguinity. The following therein offers a specific case study of efforts to implement reformed ideas of consanguinity rules in a pastoral context.
Single-use perfusion bioreactors support continuous biomanufacturing

The field of biomanufacturing employs many single-use (SU) systems for features such as lower initial investment and reduced time-to-market. Continuous manufacturing methods can provide increased product quality and process control, and reduced operating costs. Continuous biomanufacturing (CB) additionally promises reduced classified area extent, personnel requirements and operating steps. The benefits of SU CB include heightened processing parameter consistency and increased process flexibility. Perfusion culture (PC) is supported by many specialized SU and hybrid bioreactors. These and many accessory perfusion-enabling technologies are the main way of implementing upstream CB. Valuable features provided by PC include reduced product reactor-residency and increased reactor-volumetric productivity. SU PC supports the dream of enterprise managed, modular, end-to-end integrated and closed CB providing higher environmental sustainability.