cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The photophoretic force

Abstract Photophoresis has many times been described qualitatively but quantitative information is scarce. Photophoretic-force measurements have been made with an apparatus that, in essence, compares the force with that of gravity. To the present, only light beams sufficiently intense to develop measurable forces with carbon black particles have been achieved. Unfortunately, these particles were actually agglomerates of smaller particles, making the former's properties such as density, considerably uncertain. Nevertheless, the results, in agreement with radiometer theory, show that the photophoretic force increases exponentially with particle radius. A gas pressure dependence, undetected by several previous investigators, was demonstrated also.
Aestivation in the cactus mouse, Peromyscus eremicus

Abstract 1. 1. Field and laboratory data indicate that the cactus mouse aestivates in burrows during the summer. 2. 2. Well-fed, well-watered animals remain active in the laboratory throughout the year within an ambient temperature range of 5–38°C. 3. 3. During winter torpor is induced only by food restriction, but during the summer animals enter torpor in response to food restriction or negative water balance. Torpor occurs at any ambient temperature below 30°C. 4. 4. Torpor in cactus mice is moderate-temperature phenomenon (aestivation), since torpid cactus mice perish if body temperatures fall below 16°C. 5. 5. While torpid at 20°C (approximation of summer burrow temperatures) oxygen consumption and pulmocutaneous water loss are greatly reduced. 6. 6. Torpor may serve for both energy conservation and water conservation, and its intermittent use would enable cactus mice to spend several weeks in humid burrows during summer, escaping the demanding external desert environment.
Formation of carboncarbon bonds on di(organo)iridium complexes, rr′Ir(CO)(PPh3)2X (R,R′ = Me, Ph, CH2Ph, C(O)CH3; X = Cl, I) and the crystal structure of cis,cis,trans-[Ir(CH3)2(CO)2(PPh3)2 +][CF3SO3 -]

Abstract The reactions of RX with trans-R′Ir(CO(PPh3)2 are reported. Addition of CH3C(O)Cl to trans-CH3Ir(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to acetone; addition of CH3I to trans-PhIr(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to toluene; and addition of CH3I to trans-C6H5CH2Ir(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to ethylbenzene. Reaction of C2H5Br with trans-CH3Ir(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to CH4 and C2H4. The addition of CH3I to trans-CH3Ir(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to Ir(CH3)2Ir(CO)(PPh3)2I from which Ir(CH3)2(CO)-(PPh3)2+ and Ir(CH3)2(CO)2(PPh3)2+ can be prepared. These dimethyl complexes do not undergo reductive elimination of ethane, acetone or diacetyl under a variety of conditions (CH4 and C2H6 are formed at decomposition). Thus for these complexes the charge, the presence of a free coordination site and the cis stereochemistry do not facilitate reductive elimination reactions. To ascertain that no structural features were preventing reductive elimination from the dimethyl complex we have examined the structure of cis,cis,trans-[Ir(CH3)2(CO)2(PPh3)2+][CF3SO3−]. This crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group P 1 (Ci1; No. 2) with a 11.708(2), b 11.738(2) c 14.702(2) A, α 87.544(13), β 79.181(14), γ 76.963(15)°, V 1933.4(6) A3 and D(calc'd) 1.64 g cm−3 for mol. wt. 951.9 and Z = 2. x-ray diffraction data (Mo-Kα, 2θ 4.5–50.0°) were collected with a Syntex P21 automated four-circle diffractometer and the structure was refined to R 3.5% for all 6835 reflections (R 2.9% for those 6133 reflections with |F0| > 6σ(|F0|)). The central d6 iridium(III) ion has a slightly distorted octahedral stereochemistry, with Ir-CO 1.943(5) and 1.956(5) A, Ir-CH3 2.152(5) and 2.155(5) A and Ir-PPh3 2.391(1) and 2.400(1) A; interligand angles include OC-Ir_CO 102.09(20), CH3-Ir-CH3 89.70(19) and PPh3-Ir-PPh3 174.68(4)°.
The Multiply Operated Lumbar Spine: Clinical Update 2008

This article focuses on the spectrum of issues and problems associated with the multiply operated lumbar spine. The review covers emergency indications for lumbar spine surgery in the multiply operated spine as well as surgical principles for a recurrent lumbar disc herniation or recurrent lumbar spinal stenosis. The review also approaches issues in the multiply operated lumbar spine with new technology as well as more traditional challenges like instability and nonunion, as well as psychosocial issues that exist in this difficult group of patients. The article ends with a discussion on safety issues and expectations of patients as well as other factors, such as the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis as our revision lumbar spine patient population over the age of 60 steadily increases.
In vivo behavioral effects of stable, receptor-selective neurotensin[8-13] analogues that cross the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract A set of neurotensin[8–13] (NT[8–13]) analogues (KK1–19) has been evaluated in various pre-clinical assays relevant for further development of these compounds as potential antipsychotics. Initial screening of these compounds for induction of hypothermia following systemic (I.V.) injection in rats, an indirect method commonly utilized to measure the central nervous system (CNS) activity of NT[8–13] analogues, identified three peptides, KK1, KK13 and KK14, capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). KK1 features 2( S )-azido-7-aminoheptanoic acid (AAHA) in the Arg(8) position and represents the first monosubstituted NT[8–13] analogue that crosses the BBB. KK13 and KK14 both feature AAHA in the Arg(8) position and tert -Leu in the Ile(12) position while KK14 includes a Trp substituted for Tyr(11). When I.P. administered, only the latter two analogues induced a significant hypothermic response. KK13 (1 mg/kg) inhibited amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion after I.P. injection; this assay is highly predictive for potential antipsychotics. Chronic dosing (5 mg/kg) of this compound over 5 consecutive days failed to induce hypothermic tolerance while the same dose failed to induce measurable catalepsy. KK13 is thus the first NT[8–13] analogue described to date that demonstrates inhibition of amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion without inducing catalepsy while maintaining day-to-day hypothermic potency.
A new justification of monopolistic competition

Abstract This note offers an evolutionary justification for monopolistic competition: Sellers act on a symmetric heterogenous market, entertain beliefs about the market structure, and maximize conjectural profit functions. We show that conjectural profit functions neglecting strategic interdependence are (neutrally) evolutionarily stable.
Enhancement of photoinduced polarization rotation in azobenzene polymer films

In this paper we demonstrated enhancement of photoinduced polarization rotation for improved transmission of laser light at low input intensities through a crossed polarized system. It is achieved by utilizing two azobenzene doped polymer thin films in tandem. As the input beam propagates through the films, its polarization rotation induced by each film is additive. We obtained polarization rotation of as much as 24° resulting in enhanced transmission compared to a single-film approach. In addition, this novel design is promising for use as a broadband nonlinear transmission system.
Para-orthogonal Laurent polynomials and the strong Stieltjes moment problem

Abstract On the space, A of Laurent polynomials we consider a linear functional L which is positive definite on (0,∞) and is defined in terms of a given bisequence, { c k } k =−∞ ∞ . For each ω >0, we define a sequence { N n ( z , ω )} n =0 ∞ of rational functions in terms of two sequences of orthogonal Laurent polynomials, { Q n ( z )} n =0 ∞ and { Q n (z)} n=0 ∞ , which span A in the order {1, z −1 , z , z −2 , z 2 ,…} and {1, z , z −1 , z 2 , z −2 ,…}, respectively. It is shown that the numerators and denominators of each N n ( z , ω ) are linear combinations of the canonical numerators and denominators of a modified PC-fraction. Consequently, { N 2 n ( z , ω )} n =0 ∞ and { N 2 n +1 ( z , ω )} n =0 ∞ converge uniformly on compact subsets of C –{0} to analytic functions and hence lead to additional solutions to the strong Stieltjes moment problem.
Anaerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls by bacteria from hudson river sediments

Abstract Anaerobic biodegradation of monochlorobiphenyls; a tetrachlorobiphenyl; Aroclor 1221, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture; and sediment PCBs was investigated by using mixed bacterial populations from Hudson River sediments obtained by PCB enrichment. When the bacteria were incubated with Aroclor 1221, the disappearance of congeners was in general inversely related to GC retention time and thus indirectly to the octanol/water partition coefficient. When incubated with 14 C-labeled monochlorobiphenyls, 14 CO 2 was detected, but methane was not. Radioactivity was also found in the cell material and the aqueous fraction. 2,4,2′,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl produced little evidence of biodegradation or reductive dechlorination. Inoculation of anaerobi sediments from the Hudson River with the mixed population produced a marked decrease in sediment PCBs, whereas uninoculated sediments were observed to have little change. This decrease was also related to the partition coefficient.
Caloric restriction alters arterial blood pressure and baroreflex responsiveness of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Aging is associated with an increase in blood pressure and the occurrence of hypertension. Caloric restriction retards the aging process, in general, and is a commonly used therapeutic approach to the control of high blood pressure. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of long term caloric restriction on mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and the baroreflex responsiveness of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Male, 3-month-old SH rats were allowed to eat ad libitum or were fed only 60% of the ad libitum amount. After 4 months, cannulas were inserted in the left femoral artery and vein under anesthesia. On the following day the blood pressure and heart rate were measured in the conscious rat. The basal mean arterial pressure of the calorie restricted rats (166±4 mm Hg, N=5) was significantly less than that of the ad libitum fed rats (182±4 mm Hg, N=4). The basal heart rates of the calorie restricted and ad libitum fed rats were 296±12 beats/min and 323±8 beats/min, respectively. The difference between the means was not significant (p>0.1). Nitroprusside and phenylephrine infusions were used to induce hypotensive and hypertensive episodes, respectively. For nitroprusside, the relationship between the change in mean arterial pressure and the reflex heart rate response was significantly steeper in the calorie restricted group (1.90±0.37 beats/min/mm Hg) than in the ad libitum fed group (0.86±0.1 beats/min/mm Hg). For phenylephrine the relationships were 0.98±0.09 and 0.52±0.18 beats/min/mm Hg, respectively. These results demonstrate that chronic caloric restriction reduces mean arterial pressure and enhances baroreflex responsiveness in the SH rat.
Microdetermination of cysteinesulfinic acid

Abstract A highly purified commercial preparation of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase is used to promote the selective release of inorganic sulfite from cysteinesulfinic acid. The sulfite is then determined colorimetrically with fuchsin. The method is applicable to as little as 50 mμmoles of the sulfinic acid. Advantages in sensitivity, precision, and convenience are offered over earlier methods.
Effect of Coriolis and centrifugal forces on turbulence and transport at high rotation and density ratios in a rib-roughened channel

Abstract Prediction of three-dimensional flow field and heat transfer in a two pass rib-roughened square internal cooling channel of turbine blades with rounded staggered ribs rotating at high rotation and density ratios is the main focus of this study. Rotation, buoyancy, ribs, and geometry affect the flow within these channels. The full two-pass channel with bend and with rounded staggered ribs with fillets ( e / D h = 0.1 and P / e = 10 ) as tested by Wagner et al. [J.H. Wagner, B.V. Johnson, R.A. Graziani, F.C. Yeh, Heat transfer in rotating serpentine passages with trips normal to the flow, ASME J. Turbomach. 114 (1992) 847–857] is investigated. Reynolds stress model (RSM) turbulence model is used for this study. To resolve the near wall viscosity-affected region, enhanced wall treatment approach is employed. RSM model was validated against available experimental data (which are primarily at low rotation and buoyancy numbers). The model was then used for cases with higher rotational numbers (0.24, 0.475, 0.74 and 1) and higher density ratios (0.13, 0.23, and 0.3). Particular attention is given to how secondary flow, Reynolds stresses, turbulence intensity, and heat transfer are affected by Coriolis and buoyancy/centrifugal forces, caused by high levels of rotation and density ratios. A linear correlation for 4-side-average Nusselt number as a function of rotation number is derived.
Discriminant analysis in average evoked response studies: the study of single trial data.

Abstract The data presented suggest that it is possible to make meaningful comparisons between EEG records obtained with a single presentation of the stimulus and the average evoked potential. The technique for measuring evoked response similarity assumes that each record represents a point in a multi-dimensional space, and similarity is defined as the Euclidean distance in this space.
The Promise of Medical Anthropology: An Invited Commentary

lthough I have never practiced medical anthropology in a formal sense, my work in human biology has always bordered on medicine and medical sciences. I have worked on infant growth and development, neonatal behavioral status, and the role of nursing in the suppression of gonadal function, among other biomedical subjects. I decided to go to medical school in mid-career for a variety of reasons, including these research interests. I have completed requirements for the M.D. degree but have not pursued, and do not immediately expect to pursue, further clinical training. I am thus in the position of having been exposed to a broad spectrum of clinical settings and of having been processed through a major portion of medical training without completing that process. I believe that this in-between position, awkward though it may be, gives me an unusual perspective on the social and behavioral aspects of medicine (cf. Konner 1987). I will return to my view of medical anthropology from this perspective, but first I wish to talk as a biological anthropologist. It seems to me that medical anthropology has been underappreciated as an aid to the understanding of human evolution, including the evolution of human behavior and social systems (Dunn 1968; Inhorn and Brown 1990). There is no anthropological setting on record, and indeed no historical setting until the 19th century, in which infectious disease is not a major source of mortality. Even other major sources, such as war and famine, have often worked through infection as the final common pathway of mortality. It is inconceivable that human biology, behavior, and culture can have evolved without responding either deliberately or inadvertently to such pressures. Yet theories of human evolution, both biological and cultural, give little attention to the role of disease. Elaborate theories are constructed around such environmental demands as hunting effort, optimal foraging strategy, land tenure, alliance, and so on. I do not mean to belittle such theories, just to point out the relative lack of attention to disease processes that may be the most important forces in a human group's adaptation. For example, given the high level of infant mortality in all human groups until recently, it is likely that a major determinant of the close prolonged human mother-infant bond has been the need to deliver regular doses of macrophage- and antibody-containing breast milk. Other theories that have been advanced-including laying the foundation of emotional life (Freud), transmitting culture (Mead), or avoiding predation (Bowlby)-probably have some validity, but it does seem extraordinary that the need to protect the immunologically weak infant from microbes and parasites has been given so little attention. To take another example, it seems inconceivable that human marriage rules and sexual mores could have evolved without being in some degree a response to
Effect of age on asthma control: results from the National Asthma Survey

Background Two million US citizens older than 65 years have asthma, but little is known about asthma control in this population. Objective To compared short- and long-term asthma control in elderly (≥65 years old) and young adult (18–64 years old) populations from the National Asthma Survey. Methods Data from the National Asthma Survey (sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) were analyzed. Demographic variables, health insurance status, smoking status, indoor allergen exposure, and asthma education were compared between the young adult and elderly populations. Asthma control was examined based on short-term measures (recent oral corticosteroid bursts or symptoms) and long-term measures (asthma attacks, urgent care visits, hospitalizations, and activity limitation in the previous year). Results A total of 2,557 young and 398 elderly asthmatic patients were included. Elderly patients had a lower income, were less educated, were more obese, were more insured, had less indoor exposure, and were more likely to be former smokers. They were less educated about asthma attack interventions and asthma action plans ( P Conclusions Elderly asthmatic patients have worse short- and long-term asthma control compared with the young adult population. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether these findings are due to pathophysiologic differences and whether tailored education or other novel strategies can provide better asthma control.
Inhibitory effect of nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside on platelet activation across the coronary circulation in stable angina pectoris.

Abstract This study assessed the inhibitory effect of nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside on platelet aggregation in a model of platelet activation across coronary circulation. Platelet aggregation is believed to contribute to the precipitation of acute ischemic syndromes. We previously showed that rapid atrial pacing in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) causes platelet hyperaggregability during blood passage in coronary circulation. Because nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside have been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation, we examined the effect of these drugs on this model of platelet activation. During catheterization of 19 patients with CAD (> 50% diameter narrowing of epicardial coronary arteries), we measured platelet aggregation (using whole blood platelet aggregometry) on blood samples obtained simultaneously from the coronary sinus and aorta at rest, and 2 minutes after onset of rapid atrial pacing. This procedure was repeated during an intravenous infusion of either nitroglycerin (n = 9) or sodium nitroprusside (n = 10). There was no arteriovenous difference in platelet aggregation under resting conditions. Atrial pacing caused an increase in platelet aggregation in coronary sinus blood (+64 ± 9%; p
A biophysical model of cortical glutamate excitation of medium spiny neurons in the dorsal lateral striatum

The striatum is believed to be the main input station of the basal ganglia. No biophysical network model existed in NEURON of a dorsal lateral striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) that included NMDA and AMPA receptors. A model of the striatum that includes these receptors simulating in-vivo electrophysiological behavior is presented. A single compartment MSN (scMSN) model was created by enhancing an existing single compartment striatal output neuron model with NMDA and AMPA receptor models. The models concentration ratio and respective activation and deactivation time constants were fit to existing electrophysiological data. The entire scMSN model was validated against pre-existing whole neuron experimental data generated by direct current injection into the soma and excitation resulting from cortical stimulation. The developed biophysical simulation allows for neurotransmitter input and produces accurate action potential output.
Functional role of kallikrein 6 in regulating immune cell survival.

Background Kallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a newly identified member of the kallikrein family of secreted serine proteases that prior studies indicate is elevated at sites of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and which shows regulated expression with T cell activation. Notably, KLK6 is also elevated in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients however its potential roles in immune function are unknown. Herein we specifically examine whether KLK6 alters immune cell survival and the possible mechanism by which this may occur. Methodology/Principal Findings Using murine whole splenocyte preparations and the human Jurkat T cell line we demonstrate that KLK6 robustly supports cell survival across a range of cell death paradigms. Recombinant KLK6 was shown to significantly reduce cell death under resting conditions and in response to camptothecin, dexamethasone, staurosporine and Fas-ligand. Moreover, KLK6-over expression in Jurkat T cells was shown to generate parallel pro-survival effects. In mixed splenocyte populations the vigorous immune cell survival promoting effects of KLK6 were shown to include both T and B lymphocytes, to occur with as little as 5 minutes of treatment, and to involve up regulation of the pro-survival protein B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL), and inhibition of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim). The ability of KLK6 to promote survival of splenic T cells was also shown to be absent in cell preparations derived from PAR1 deficient mice. Conclusion/Significance KLK6 promotes lymphocyte survival by a mechanism that depends in part on activation of PAR1. These findings point to a novel molecular mechanism regulating lymphocyte survival that is likely to have relevance to a range of immunological responses that depend on apoptosis for immune clearance and maintenance of homeostasis.
Imaging appearance of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implant injections for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants are used in treating velopharyngeal insufficiency. These posterior nasopharyngeal implants can be mistaken for pathologic conditions such as retropharyngeal abscess on imaging. We studied the imaging appearance of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants in patients treated for velopharyngeal insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer were included in this study. Data on patient characteristics and volume of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injected were obtained. Postoperative imaging characteristics on plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging were assessed. The imaging appearance of postoperative complications was determined. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in this study. Seven patients underwent postoperative plain radiographs, 5 patients underwent CT, and 9 patients underwent MR imaging. Plain radiographs demonstrated soft-tissue swelling in the retropharyngeal space, which resolved at 1 month. On CT, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants appeared as bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses isoattenuated to hypoattenuated relative to muscle in 80% (4/5) of patients. On MR imaging, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants appeared as bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses that were isointense to muscle on T1 (8/9, 88.9%) and hyperintense to muscle on T2 (8/9, 88.9%) and demonstrated no restricted diffusion (4/4, 100.0%) or peripheral enhancement (7/7, 100.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The normal postoperative findings of posterior nasopharyngeal dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection on MR imaging is characterized by the presence of bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses that are isointense to muscle on T1 and hyperintense on T2, with no restricted diffusion or peripheral enhancement. Velopharyngeal dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants are iso- to hypoattenuated to muscle on CT and are not visible radiographically once associated implantation-related swelling has resolved.
True emission and absorption anisotropies for the study of protein rotation obtained from fluorescence depletion measurements in various experimental geometries

The utility of fluorescence depletion methods for the measurement of slow protein rotational diffusion has been limited by the lack of a rigorous mathematical model to obtain, from depletion data, anisotropies directly comparable to those obtained from phosphorescence emission or triplet absorption measurements. A generalized theory to meet this need is described. The experimental method requires the acquisition of, at most, three separate measurements to calculate absorption or emission anisotropies. Each measurement is made with a different orientation of either the probe beam polarization, pump beam polarization, or emission polarizer. The results of the theory are applied to two experimental configurations. The first of these involves collecting emission at 90 degree(s) to colinear pump and probe beams. From such data we are able to calculate the absorption anisotropy, the emission anisotropy, and the interdipole angle. The second configuration represents a system where all polarization axes lie in a single plane as would occur in a microscope-based system. For this configuration we are able to calculate, given the interdipole angle derived from the 90 degree(s) case, the true absorption anisotropy, the true emission anisotropy, or both.
Vestibular efferents contain peripherin

Vestibular efferents have a common origin with the motoneurons of the facial nerve. In adults they share a number of common features, such as the same transmitter. Here we show using retrograde transport and immunohistochemistry, that the vestibular efferents, like facial motoneurons, contain peripherin. This supports the suggestion that peripherin-positive fibers at the apex of the cristae ampullaris are efferents.
Onion Cells After High Pressure and Thermal Processing: Comparison of Membrane Integrity Changes Using Different Analytical Methods and Impact on Tissue Texture

Abstract: Two different analytical methods were evaluated for their capacity to provide quantitative information on onion cell membrane permeability and integrity after high pressure and thermal processing and to study the impact of these processing treatments on cell compartmentalization and texture quality. To determine changes in cell membrane permeability and/or integrity the methodologies utilized were: (1) measurement of a biochemical product, pyruvate, formed as a result of membrane permeabilization followed by enzymatic activity and (2) leakage of electrolytes into solution. These results were compared to previously determined methods that quantified cell viability and 1H-NMR T2 of onions. These methods allowed for the monitoring of changes in the plasma and tonoplast membranes after high pressure or thermal processing. High pressure treatments consisted of 5 min holding times at 50, 100, 200, 300, or 600 MPa. Thermal treatments consisted of 30 min water bath exposure to 40, 50, 60, 70, or 90 °C. There was strong agreement between the methods in the determination of the ranges of high pressure and temperature that induce changes in the integrity of the plasma and tonoplast membranes. Membrane rupture could clearly be identified at 300 MPa and above in high pressure treatments and at 60 °C and above in the thermal treatments. Membrane destabilization effects could already be visualized following the 200 MPa and 50 °C treatments. The texture of onions was influenced by the state of the membranes and was abruptly modified once membrane integrity was lost. Practical Application: In this study, we used chemical, biochemical, and histological techniques to obtain information on cell membrane permeability and onion tissue integrity after high pressure and thermal processing. Because there was strong agreement between the various methods used, it is possible to implement something relatively simple, such as ion leakage, into routine quality assurance measurements to determine the severity of preservation methods and the shelf life of processed vegetables.
Non-hydrostatic behavior of KBr as a pressure medium in diamond anvil cells up to 5.63 GPa

Non-hydrostatic stresses of KBr acting as a pressure–transmitting medium have been investigated by examining their effect on a single crystal of quartz in a diamond anvil cell (DAC). The lattice strains or distortions were measured by single-crystal x-ray diffraction methods, and the non-hydrostatic deviatoric stresses for KBr were determined up to 5.63(2) GPa. The experimental results show that differences between axial stress components in the direction normal to the DAC culet face and the radial stress components in directions parallel to the DAC culet face are about 0.063(24) GPa at pressures below 2.14 GPa, and the pressure-transmitting medium can therefore be considered as quasi-hydrostatic up to this pressure. However above 2.14 GPa, after the phase transition pressure of KBr during which it converts from the B1 phase to the B2 phase, the deviatoric stresses constantly increase with increasing pressure. At the maximum pressure of this study, 5.63(2) GPa, the difference between axial stress and radial stress components reaches 0.93(9) GPa. Different variations in the non-hydrostatic deviatoric stresses were observed during both compression and decompression of the DAC, and are mainly ascribed to the phase-transition-induced volume change of KBr.
Observations on the ultrastructure of the developing cerebellum of the Macaca mulatta.

The fine structure of the cerebellar cortex of the macaque fetus was examined at 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 days after conception. Young Purkinje cells were recognizable in the 75 and 100-day old fetuses, occurring in clusters several layers deep. The rough endoplasmic reticulum in the Purkinje cells was limited to the perinuclear area and the region of apical cytoplasm adjacent to the plasmalemma. Neither dendritic processes nor synaptic contacts were seen on Purkinje cells at this time, although an occasional observation was made of synapses involving other cell types. Between 100 and 125 days, the cerebellar cortex matured rapidly. At the latter time, the Purkinje cells had a well developed dendrite, and axodendritic and axosomatic synapses were seen. At 150 days gestation age the Purkinje cells had well developed Nissl substance, and the axodendritic synapses were similar in structure to the adult spine contact. The relationship between maturation of the thyroid gland and of the cerebellum in the macaque is discussed.
Mechanical Response and Conformational Amplification in α-Helical Coiled Coils

α-Helical coiled coils (CCs) are ubiquitous tertiary structural domains that are often found in mechanoproteins. CCs have mechanical rigidity and are often involved in force transmission between protein domains. Although crystal structures of CCs are available, information about their conformational flexibility is limited. The role of hydrophobic interactions in determining the CC conformation is not clear. In this work we examined the mechanical responses of typical CCs and constructed a coarse-grained mechanical model to describe the conformation of the protein. The model treats α-helices as elastic rods. Hydrophobic bonds arranged in a repeated pattern determine the CC structure. The model is compared with molecular-dynamics simulations of CCs under force. We also estimate the effective bending and twisting persistence length of the CC. The model allows us to examine unconventional responses of the CC, including significant conformational amplification upon binding of a small molecule. We find that the CC does not behave as a simple elastic rod and shows complex nonlinear responses. These results are significant for understanding the role of CC structures in chemoreceptors, motor proteins, and mechanotransduction in general.
Fire in the Brazilian Amazon 2. Biomass, nutrient pools and losses in cattle pastures.

Conversion to cattle pasture is the most common fate of the ≈426,000 km2 of tropical forest that has been deforested in the Brazilian Amazon. Yet little is known about the biomass, C, nutrient pools, or their responses to the frequent fires occurring in these pastures. We sampled biomass, nutrient pools and their losses or transformation during fire in three Amazonian cattle pastures with typical, but different, land-use histories. Total aboveground biomass (TAGB) ranged from to 53 to 119 Mg ha−1. Residual wood debris from the forests that formally occupied the sites composed the majority of TAGB (47–87%). Biomass of fine fuels, principally pasture grasses, was ≈16–29 Mg ha−1. Grasses contained as much as 52% of the aboveground K pool and the grass and litter components combined composed as much as 88% of the aboveground P pool. Fires consumed 21–84% of the TAGB. Losses of C to the atmosphere ranged from 11 to 21 Mg ha−1 and N losses ranged from 205 to 261 kg ha−1. Losses of S, P, Ca, and K were <33 kg ha−1. There were no changes in surface soil (0–10 cm) nutrient concentration in pastures compared to adjacent primary forests. Fires occur frequently in cattle pastures (i.e., about every 2 years) and pastures are now likely the most common type of land burned in Amazonia. The first 6 years of a pastures existence would likely include the primary forest slash fire and three pasture fires. Based upon our results, the cumulative losses of N from these fires would be 1935 kg ha−1 (equivalent to 94% of the aboveground pool of primary forest). Postfire aboveground C pools in old pastures are as low as 3% of those in adjacent primary forest. The initial primary forest slash fire and the repeated fires occurring in the pastures result in the majority of aboveground C and nutrient pools being released via combustion processes rather than decomposition processes.
Venous Catheter Implantation in the Minipig Surgical Approaches and Refinements

: In spite of requiring invasive implantation procedures, chronic venous catheters offer a number of benefits in biomedical research involving pig: – avoidance of long term or repeated stress due to restraint for venepuncture – assured delivery of compounds into venous blood – sampling is always from the same site – use of large central veins ensures representative samples, in large quantities – central venous sites allow rapid dilution or bufferng of compounds whcich may potentially irritant – facilitate long term and infusion studies Common sites of access to the venous system are jugular vein or its tributaries and the femoral vein. Experience has shown the jugular approach to the cranial vena cava to give superior performance. The presentation will focus on this approach by surgical exposure of the vessel with reference to the potential use of percutaneous introducer sheaths and Seldinger technique which offer reduced invasiveness of catheter insertion. Catheters may be either exteriorised through the skin or attached to a totally implanted vascular access port (VAP). The management of the skin-implant interface with materials such a Dacron velour which favour adherence to the animal's own tissue, obliterating space in which infection may arise and providing anchorage is advocated. Fully implantable pumps for infusion studies may also be used. Catheter related sepsis (CRS) is the chief and most significant complication of chronic vascular access in any species, in the pig, CRS is particularly resistant to therapy in comparison with other species. Methods for prevention of catheter related will be outlined.
European larch and eastern white pine respond similarly during three years of partial defoliation

To test whether trees with different leaf life spans respond differently to defoliation, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) trees (9 years old in 1991) were partially defoliated by hand between July 1 and 10 in 1989, 1990 and 1991. At the end of 1991, trees of both species had received either 0, 1, 2 or 3 years of defoliation. Trees that received only 1 year of defoliation were defoliated in 1989. Variables measured included photosynthesis, twig water potential, leaf mass per area and leaf nitrogen concentration. There were few significant responses to defoliation in any of the three years of treatment in either species, and only the current-year defoliation treatments caused significant responses. Both species had reduced photosynthetic rates and less negative twig water potentials in response to defoliation in 1989. In 1990 and 1991, the defoliation treatments had no significant effect on any of the parameters measured in European larch. In 1990, there was a significant reduction in foliar nitrogen concentration in eastern white pine in response to defoliation in 1990. In 1991, eastern white pine had significantly less negative twig water potentials in response to defoliation in 1991. Leaf mass per area was not affected by defoliation in either species. We conclude that, for European larch and eastern white pine, differences in leaf life span have no effect on leaf- and twig-level responses to defoliation.
Arterial pressures recorded in hospital and during ordinary daily activities: Contrasting data in subjects with and without ischemic heart disease

Abstract Using a fully automatic recorder of established reliability, blood pressures were recorded every 15 min during a single day at work or at home in 21 patients with prior myocardial infarctions and 22 healthy subjects. The values obtained from the automatic recorder were contrasted with readings obtained by conventional means in the hospital out-patient department at intervals over a year's time. It was learned that the average blood pressures under inactivity circumstances at work and at home for both controls and patients were higher (> 10 mm Hg , systolic and diastolic) than their mean casual values in approximately one third of all subjects and were the same (± 10 mm Hg ) in about two thirds, and lower (> 10 mm Hg ) in just 2 controls (systolic only). The patients, contrasted with the controls, showed mean group blood pressures under all environmental circumstances which were ‘set' approximately 10 mm Hg higher. The variability of diastolic pressures in both controls and patients was significantly greater when inactive outside the hospital than when at rest in the physicians' offices.
A resetting semi-passive stiffness damper for response mitigation of civil infrastructure

Earthquakes have the potential to cause large-scale destruction of civil infrastructure often leading to significant economic losses or even the loss of human life. Therefore, it is vital to protect civil infrastructure during these events. Structural vibration control provides a method for mitigating the damage to civil infrastructure during earthquakes by absorbing seismic energy from the structure. Semi-active control has emerged as an attractive form of structural control due to its effectiveness, inherent stability, and reliability. One semi-active control device particularly effective in reducing the response of civil structures subject to near-field earthquakes is the resetting semi-active stiffness damper (RSASD). Substantial research has been conducted to develop the RSASD and demonstrate its control performance. However, like other semi-active control technologies, the RSASD relies on a multi-component feedback control system that is subject to reliability issues. The purpose of the proposed research is to develop a novel resettable stiffness system that is capable of achieving a similar control performance to the RSASD, but with fewer feedback components. The resulting device, the resetting semi-passive stiffness damper (RSPSD), will offer increased reliability without compromising effectiveness. The objective of the present work is to present the concept for the RSPSD, develop a mathematical model describing its resetting, identify critical design parameters, and then evaluate its control performance for single-degree-of-freedom structures subject to an earthquake ground motion. Numerical results indicate that the RSPSD is capable of comparable control performance to the RSASD for the structures and earthquake ground motion considered.
Effect of layer charge and heat treatment on Cs fixation by layer silicate minerals

Abstract The effects of total negative layer charge and heat treatments on Cs fixation by layer silicate minerals have been examined. High charge vermiculites produced by K-depletion of micas fixed as much as 97.8% while illites interstratified with low charge montmorillonite layers fixed only 3.9% of the total Cs sorbed from an intermediate-level simulated radioactive waste. Cs fixation increased with an increase in the total negative layer charge of the layer silicate minerals. Heat treatment to various temperatures after Cs sorption as well as exchange saturation increased the Cs fixation in all the layer silicate minerals. However, the temperature to which a layer silicate mineral needs to be heated in order to fix the Cs completely depends also on the total negative layer charge of the mineral.
A GLOBAL THEORY FOR LINEAR QUADRATIC DIFFERENTIAL GAMES.

Abstract : The paper analyses a class of many player nonzero-sum linear games in Hilbert space with quadratic cost functionals. The existence and stability of equilibrium strategies is studied. The results are then applied to differential games and a feedback synthesis of the equilibrium strategies is developed. (Author)
Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfanction in End-stage Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Simultaneous Doppler Echocardiography and Hemodynamic Evaluation

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an integral component of end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. To better characterize this disorder we studied 15 patients undergoing catheterization during cardiac transplant screening evaluation. Pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiographic recordings of mitral inflow were obtained with simultaneous high-fidelity left ventricular and phase-corrected pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. Doppler-derived isovolumic relaxation times were within normal limits, despite a prolonged coefficient of relaxation (tau), and correlated with pulmonary capillary wedge-left ventricular crossover pressure. Peak velocity of early diastolic filling was similar to that reported in normal subjects and did not correlate with crossover pressure or tau. Early diastolic acceleration and deceleration times were shortened compared with reported normal values. Acceleration time correlated with mean negative dPldt from mitral valve opening to left ventricular minimum pressure and with crossover pressure, and deceleration time correlated with mean dPldt from left ventricular minimum pressure to the peak of the rapid filling wave. Late diastolic filling at atrial contraction was absent in 12 patients, all of whom had a significant early diastolic rapid filling wave and an elevated end-diastolic pressure. Despite an increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during atrial contraction, the failing ventricles were unable to generate detectable forward transmitral flow. Poor cardiac pump function was shown by low left ventricular stroke volume, which correlated with the diastolic flow velocity integral. Thus, in end-stage cardiomyopathy, the transmitral flow velocity pattern is characterized by normal peak early filling velocity, low normal isovolumic relaxation time, shortened acceleration and deceleration times of early diastolic flow, decreased early flow velocity integral, and absent or decreased filling during atrial contraction. This pattern reflects interaction between elevated transmitral driving pressure and the compromised relaxation and compliance of a left ventricle functioning on an elevated pressure-volume curve.
Effect of sulfur on winter wheat grown in the coastal plain of Virginia

Abstract Limited information is available for the S requirements of higher yielding winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops grown in the eastern United States. Three experiments were conducted in the Coastal Plain region of Virginia on Kenansville loamy sand (loamy, siliceous, thermic Arenic Hapludult), Dothan loamy sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult), and Pactolus loamy sand (thermic, coated Aquic Quartzipsamment) soils. These three soils have low monocalcium phosphate‐acetic acid extractable SO4‐S (<3.1 kg/ha) and would be expected to be S deficient With respect to corn (Zea mays L). Winter wheat response to S application was investigated on the Kenansville and Dothan soils, while the N x S interaction was studied on the Pactolus soil. In the two studies where S was the dependent variable there was no significant change in concentration of the flag leaf at Feekes growth stage 10 for N, S, P, K, Ca, Mg, and N/S ratio. Also yields were not significantly influenced by S application a...
Effect of LAAM dose on opiate use in opioid-dependent patients. A pilot study.

The authors conducted a 16-week study with nine opioid-dependent individuals (six male; four white/two African American/three Hispanic; age 36.8±2.2 years). Participants were assigned to either a low-dose (165 mg/week; n = 5) or high-dose (330 mg/week; n = 4) Levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) condition according to a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover design, such that they were inducted onto one maintenance dose for 4 weeks and then were crossed over to receive the converse for 4 weeks. Subsequently, individuals underwent detoxification from LAAM. Eight of nine participants completed the study protocol. The proportion of urine samples positive for opiates was 0.22 ± 0.08 and 0.53 ± 0.12, under the high- and low-dose conditions, respectively (F = 11.8; P = 0.01). These results show that LAAM dose regimen affects the degree of abstinence from opioids.
Molecular identification of microorganisms associated with parthenogenesis

CYTOPLASMICALLY inherited microorganisms are widespread in insects and have been implicated as causes of female parthenogenesis (females developing from unfertilized eggs) and cytoplasmic incompatibility1–15. Normal sexual reproduction can be restored by treatment with antibiotics1–4. Sequence analysis of the DNA encoding 16S ribosomal RNA has shown that cytoplasmic incompatibility bacteria from diverse insect taxa are closely related (they share >95% sequence similarity) and belong to the alpha subdivision of Proteobacteria5–7. Here we show that parthenogenesis-associated bacteria from parasitoid Hymenoptera also fall into this bacterial group, having up to 99% sequence similarity to some incompatibility microorganisms. Both incompatibility and parthenogenesis microorganisms alter host chromosome behaviour during early mitotic divisions of the egg13–17. Incompatibility bacteria act by interfering with paternal chromosome incorporation in fertilized eggs, whereas parthenogenesis bacteria prevent segregation of chromosomes in unfertilized eggs. These traits are adaptive for the microorganisms. On the basis of their sequence similarities, we conclude that parthenogenesis bacteria and cytoplasmic incompatibility bacteria form a monophyletic group of microorganisms that 'specialize' in manipulating chromosome behaviour and reproduction of insects.
Photoelectrochemical Tandem Cell with Bipolar Dye-Sensitized Electrodes for Vectorial Electron Transfer for Water Splitting

Direct water electrolysis was achieved with a novel monolithic photoelectrochemical cell. Bipolar WO 3 /Pt and dye-sensitized TiO 2 /Pt semiconductor panels, capable of vectorial electron transfer, have been used for water splitting to yield hydrogen and oxygen; light is the only energy input. The hydrogen production efficiency of this tandem cell, based on the short-circuit current, was ∼1.9% and the maximum hydrogen production efficiency was ∼2.5% when 0.2 V positive bias was applied. When a concentrated LiCI aqueous solution was used as an electrolyte, valuable chlorine was obtained instead of oxygen. The maximum yielding efficiency of hydrogen and chlorine was ∼1.8%.