cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PREDICTING ECOLOGICAL FLOW REGIME AT UNGAGED SITES: A COMPARISON OF METHODS

Nineteen ecologically relevant streamflow characteristics were estimated using published rainfall–runoff and regional regression models for six sites with observed daily streamflow records in Kentucky. The regional regression model produced median estimates closer to the observed median for all but two characteristics. The variability of predictions from both models was generally less than the observed variability. The variability of the predictions from the rainfall–runoff model was greater than that from the regional regression model for all but three characteristics. Eight characteristics predicted by the rainfall–runoff model display positive or negative bias across all six sites; biases are not as pronounced for the regional regression model. Results suggest that a rainfall–runoff model calibrated on a single characteristic is less likely to perform well as a predictor of a range of other characteristics (flow regime) when compared with a regional regression model calibrated individually on multiple characteristics used to represent the flow regime. Poor model performance may misrepresent hydrologic conditions, potentially distorting the perceived risk of ecological degradation. Without prior selection of streamflow characteristics, targeted calibration, and error quantification, the widespread application of general hydrologic models to ecological flow studies is problematic. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Misfolded proteins partition between two distinct quality control compartments

The accumulation of misfolded proteins in intracellular amyloid inclusions, typical of many neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington's and prion disease, is thought to occur after failure of the cellular protein quality control mechanisms. Here we examine the formation of misfolded protein inclusions in the eukaryotic cytosol of yeast and mammalian cell culture models. We identify two intracellular compartments for the sequestration of misfolded cytosolic proteins. Partition of quality control substrates to either compartment seems to depend on their ubiquitination status and aggregation state. Soluble ubiquitinated misfolded proteins accumulate in a juxtanuclear compartment where proteasomes are concentrated. In contrast, terminally aggregated proteins are sequestered in a perivacuolar inclusion. Notably, disease-associated Huntingtin and prion proteins are preferentially directed to the perivacuolar compartment. Enhancing ubiquitination of a prion protein suffices to promote its delivery to the juxtanuclear inclusion. Our findings provide a framework for understanding the preferential accumulation of amyloidogenic proteins in inclusions linked to human disease.
A physical model for two-phase flow in steam injection wells

The injection of steam for the recovery of heavy oil is the predominant method of tertiary oil recovery. Annual production in the U.S.A. exceeds 480,000 barrels of oil per day (Leonard, 1986). As deeper resources are exploited, an accurate knowledge of the changes in steam temperature and quality with depth is required so that saturated steam is delivered to the oil reservoir at the proper rate, pressure and heat content. This knowledge is also needed to prevent thermal damage to wellbore equipment during the steam injection process. Upward two-phase vertical flow of steam and hot water occurs in geothermal wells. Geothermal projects in the U.S.A. use aquifers that produce hot water or a steam-water mixture. The two-phase mixture is separated at the surface, and the steam is used for power generation. Again, knowledge of steam pressure and quality variations are needed for proper sizing and design of equipment. Several methods (Farouq Ali, 1981; Fontanilla and Aziz, 1982) are available to calculate changes in temperature, pressure, and steam quality with depth during two-phase steam injection and production from vertical wells. In general, these methods use correlations of dimensionless variables and do not model the process directly. This work was undertaken to find physical models that permit the analytical prediction of the flow patterns, pressure changes, and heat losses in two-phase vaporliquid injection or production.
Smart electronics and MEMS for aerospace structures

In this paper, smart electronics and MEMS are employed to sense and control the drag in aircraft structures. The sensors are fabricated with interdigital transducers printed on a piezoelectric polymer. They in turn are mounted onto an ultra thin Penn State's novel RF antenna (Patent field). The sensor are designed to measure both pressure and shear of the fluid flow on aerospace structures. The wave form measurements may be monitored at a remote location either at the cockpit or elsewhere via the antennas in the sensors and an outside antenna. The integrated MEMS actuators which comprise of cantilever-, diaphram- and microbridge-based MEMS with suitable smart electronics etched onto the structure are controlled by the built-in antennas through feedback and feedforward control architecture. The integration of such materials and smart electronics into the skin of airfoil is ideal for sensing and controlling drag. The basic idea of this concept involves detection of the point of transition from laminar to turbulent flow and transmitting acoustical energy into the boundary layer so that the low energy fluid particles accelerate in the transverse direction and mix with the high energy flow outside of the boundary layer. 3D microriblets can be fabricated using stereo lithography and UV curable conducting polymers. The control of drag using these active microriblets are outlined.
Short-term control of food intake by the terrestrial slug Ariolimax

Advantage was taken of the ability to systematically manipulate consumption rate in the slugAriolimax to quantitatively characterize the factors affecting the short-term control of food intake. The accuracy of the Feeding Equation implies that two processes are necessary and sufficient to account for the short-term control of food intake inAriolimax. It is suggested that these two processes may be sensory adaptation and post-ingestional feedback. The significance of these findings for future neurobehavioral studies of taste-aversion learning in terrestrial slugs is discussed.
Examination of the cognitive effects of cimetidine in normal elderly volunteers.

The authors evaluated the cognitive effects of acute challenges with the H 2 receptor-antagonist cimetidine in normal older volunteers. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 12 volunteers, average age 71.25 years. Baseline assessment was followed by randomized administration of a placebo or ascending doses of cimetidine (400 mg, 800 mg, or 1,600 mg) in test sessions separated by 1 week. Cognitive performance was evaluated with a 1-hour battery of tests beginning 90 minutes after administration of a single dose of drug (or placebo). There were no significant cognitive decrements associated with cimetidine. Despite numerous case reports of cognitive toxicity, this study found no observable decrements in cognitive performance in a group of healthy elderly subjects; therefore, case reports in the literature may be reporting effects for patients with specific impairments or sensitivities.
Role of the production of natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF/IL-12) in the ability of B cell lines to stimulate T and NK cell proliferation

Abstract We have previously used human Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines for the identification and purification of a novel cytokine, natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF/IL-12), that has pleiotropic effects on human lymphocytes. B cell lines are also routinely employed as feeder cells for the culture of T and natural killer (NK) cells. In this report we describe the ability of two NKSF/IL-12 producing B cell lines (RPMI-8866 and Cess) and two nonproducing lines (Raji and Daudi) to stimulate the proliferation of T and NK cells in 8-day PBL cultures. We demonstrate, using an anti-NKSF/IL-12 neutralizing monoclonal antibody, that the endogenous production of NKSF/IL-12 in these cultures can significantly enhance the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of T and NK cells. We also report that the addition of exogenous NKSF/IL-12 can greatly increase the number of T and NK cells obtained from the cultures following stimulation by the B cell lines. Aside from the possible practical applications, the enhanced proliferation of T and NK cells consistently observed in the presence of endogenously produced NKSF/IL-12 or exogenously added NKSF/IL-12 in this system may further our understanding of the role of this cytokine during an in vivo immune response.
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy on the tip of a plastic optical fiber

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique capable of single molecule detection sensitivity. We have detected SERS on the tip of a 3 mm-core diameter PMMA plastic optical fiber. The technique involves deposition of 30 nm gold nanoparticles followed by deposition of sample of interest to be analyzed. SERS enhancement has been demonstrated for several chemicals like glycerin and dye Rhodamine 6G as well biological molecules like Acetaminophen, aspirin and Streptavidin and poly-L-Lysine. It is shown that interfering spectrum of PMMA can be subtracted to reveal the SERS spectrum of molecule of interest. The technique can simplify SERS detection by connecting the other end of fiber directly to a spectrometer. SERS was recorded for various concentrations of analytes. Using a focused 633 nm laser, a detection sensitivity of 0.1picogram was established.
Self-Assembled Poly(butadiene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) Polymersomes as Paclitaxel Carriers

In this work, self-assembled poly(butadiene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PB-PEO) polymersomes (polymer vesicles) and worm micelles were evaluated as paclitaxel carriers. Paclitaxel was successfully incorporated into PB-PEO polymersomes and worm micelles. The loading capacity of paclitaxel inside PB-PEO colloids ranged from 6.7% to 13.7% w/w, depending on the morphology of copolymer colloids and the molecular weight of diblock copolymer. Paclitaxel loaded OB4 (PB219-PEO121) polymersome formulations were colloidally stable for 4 months at 4 degrees C and exhibited slow steady release of paclitaxel over a 5 week period at 37 degrees C. Evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of paclitaxel-polymersome formulations showed that the ability of paclitaxel-loaded polymersomes to inhibit proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was less compared to paclitaxel alone. By increasing the concentration of paclitaxel in polymersomes from 0.02 to 0.2 mug/mL, paclitaxel-polymersome formulations showed comparable activity in inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that paclitaxel-polymersomes have desirable restrained release profile and exhibit long-term stability.
NITRENDIPINE (N) TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION: ACUTE AND LONG TERM EFFECTS IN CHILDREN

Nitrendipine, a new long-acting calcium channel blocking agent, was used to treat hypertension in 8 children between 6 months and 17 years of age (mean=7.6±2.3 years). Seven of the children had renal disease and all subjects were previously treated with other antihypertensive agents. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure fell from a mean of 148 ±4/95±2 mmHg to 134±3/82±4 mmHg (p<0.02) one hour after an initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg. By 5 hours, SBP and DBP had fallen to 127±6/84±6 mmHg (p<0.05) in response to a total mean dose of 0.36 ±0.05 mg/kg. Seven of eight patients were continued on chronic N therapy. Long term data from these patients is as follows: No significant changes in total or ionized calcium, BUN, or creatinine were noted. No adverse effects were observed. These data suggest that N is an effective agent for long term anti-hypertensive therapy in children.
Community-based Research Methods Putting Ideas into Action

This article explores how we can more fully engage our students in research and social problems by creating community-based research methods courses. I describe a course I created in which students...
The Historical Development of the Child Welfare System in Latin America An Overview

Using the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a powerful advocacy tool, the children's rights movement in Latin America has accomplished significant advances in the promotion of children's entitlements and welfare over the last decade. Specifically, there has been a measure of success in advancing legal reforms aimed at adjusting domestic laws to the standards set forth in the Convention. However, the recognition of formal entitlements in the new legislations has not been accompanied by a comparable improvement in service provision to the children of the poorer sectors of society, which constitute the vast majority of youngsters in this region. To a great extent, this lag can be explained by the structural constraints that limit the pace of reforms within the welfare state apparatus in developing economies, the legacies of past institutional arrangements and the contradictory ideological undercurrents present in the social construction of childhood in societies characterized by profound class cleavag...
The Sensitivity of Four Monitoring Well Sampling Systems to Low Concentrations of Three Volatile Organics

Four state-of-the-art ground water sampling systems were analyzed to determine their reliability in providing representative samples of the volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) from a simulated monitoring well. The sampling systems studied represent four commonly used devices, including a stainless steel and Teflon® piston pump, a Teflon bailer, a Teflon bladder pump, and a PVC air-lift pump. Controlled laboratory sampling experiments were conducted in a tank and well test chamber designed to approximate field conditions. A well purging and sampling procedure was used in the test apparatus to determine the accuracy and precision of each device for detecting low concentrations of the compounds in ground water. The compounds selected are some of the most ubiquitous hazardous contaminants found in shallow aquifers near hazardous waste sites throughout the United States. No significant statistical difference was found among the four sampling systems in detecting the compounds.
TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES OF DL-AZETIDINE-2-CARBOXYLIC ACID

Abstract Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid and proline are unique among amino acids in that the amino group is part of a ring. In the present study several transition metal complexes of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AzCOOH) have been prepared. They include Cu(DL-AzCOO)2 (H2O)2, Zn(DL-AzCO2)2(H2O)2, Ni(DL-AzCO2)2(H2O)2.5, Co(DL-AzCO2)3 · 3H2O, and Pt(DL-AzCO2)2. These complexes are similar to the corresponding metal complexes of proline. Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid acts as a bidentate ligand with coordination to the metal ions through the amino and carboxyl groups.
Plenary speaker: Connectivity driven systems: On-chip, off-chip and in-between

There are two main technological challenges that threaten to halt the historical rate of progress of semiconductor technology and devices: (1) The dominant energy consumption of data movement over data computation; and (2) The end of transistor voltage scaling. Energy efficiency and power consumption are at the core of both challenges. Neither challenge can be resolved via technological advances alone. Revolutionary architectural paradigms that drive — and exploit — groundbreaking technology advances in data processing and communication areessential. These revolve around 3D and SOC technologies as the industry moves beyond monolithic (CMOS+Cu) systems. An overview of the technological evolution that has led the industry to this point will be presented and key innovation pathways in energy-efficient devices (including post-CMOS), networks, and systems to overcome critical architectural and technological obstacles will be discussed.
Determination of Onramp Weaving Length for Resolving Merging Dilemma

It is physically known that onramp merging may turn out to be difficult if the onramp (weaving/merging) length is too short because a driver under certain driving circumstances may find that either merging ahead or merging behind a neighboring vehicle on the adjacent highway lane cannot be completed. Various existing guidelines or design manuals provide no clear physical understanding and explanations to the design onramp weaving length but often based on evolved empirical experiences. By integrating human factors, vehicle dynamic characteristics, roadway surface condition, and the onramp weaving design into a single unified analytic framework, the onramp length required for a driver to merge into the highway traffic successfully is determined exactly with formulas and physical solutions to avoid the merging dilemma and enhance driving safety at highway interchanges. The design onramp weaving length is examined and evaluated with various foreseeable merging scenarios and physical examples. This analytic f...
A summary of hourly turbidity measurements for Las Vegas, Nevada, during Fall months☆

Abstract Over 800 hourly turbidity measurements taken in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 106 days during the Fall of 1970 and 1971 have been analyzed. The mean turbidity for 1970 was 0.042 while that for 1971 was 0.038. Turbidity values ranged from a maximum of 0.133 in heavy haze or pollution on 6 October 1970 to a minimum of 0.009 in a fresh continental polar air mass on 22 September 1970. Statistical analyses of the turbidity observations showed a preference for maximum turbidity at local noon with minimums occurring near 0700 and 1600 PST. It is recommended that turbidity be measured at standardized local sun-time when Volz sunphotometers are used.
TITRATION OF HEAT-DENATURED EGG ALBUMIN.

Abstract The titration of native and heat-denatured egg albumin has been compared at a number of ionic strengths. The change of pH of the protein solutions as a function of time at elevated temperatures as well as a function of temperature has been studied. Heat denaturation, acid to pH 7.25, greatly increases the affinity of the protein for hydrogen ions, the increase in affinity being greater at higher ionic strengths. The free energy difference at 30 ° between the native and heat-denatured protein at ionic strength 1.80 is −45 Kcal per mole of protein. It appears likely that there is no increase in the number of titratable groups. The influence of the ion double layer of the protein on the titration curve appears to become negligible at an ionic strength of about 0.6 and higher. Heat denaturation greatly increases the dispersion of the apparent intrinsic ionization constants of the carboxyl groups. The possible role of short range electrostatic forces on protein stability is briefly considered.
Nondifferential reverse convex programs and facetial convexity cuts via a disjuntive characterization

Disjunctive Programs can often be transcribed as reverse convex constrained problems with nondifferentiable constraints and unbounded feasible regions. We consider this general class of nonconvex programs, called Reverse Convex Programs (RCP), and show that under quite general conditions, the closure of the convex hull of the feasible region is polyhedral. This development is then pursued from a more constructive standpoint, in that, for certain special reverse convex sets, we specify a finite linear disjunction whose closed convex hull coincides with that of the special reverse convex set. When interpreted in the context of convexity/intersection cuts, this provides the capability of generating any (negative edge extension) facet cut. Although this characterization is more clarifying than computationally oriented, our development shows that if certain bounds are available, then convexity/intersection cuts can be strengthened relatively inexpensively.
Extent of polymerization in partially liganded sickle hemoglobin.

Abstract Equilibrium solubility of sickle hemoglobin, partially liganded with CO, is linearly dependent upon initial ligation. Polymer concentration in the initial solution is proportional to the difference between initial concentration and solubility while the polymer volume fraction is proportional to the ratio of these parameters. Such relationships afford a means by which the extent of polymerization and fractional polymer volume in solutions, as well as in intact erythrocytes, may be calculated. Both polymer concentration and volume fraction are independent of degree of ligation and are characteristic of sickle hemoglobin polymer under a variety of conditions. Additionally, the concentration of liganded hemoglobin is enriched in the supernatant (monomer) and diminished in the pellet (polymer), relative to the initial degree of ligation.
Effect of maternal ethanol ingestion at two dietary levels of zinc on molar composition and dental caries of rat off spring

Abstract Pregnant rats were fed liquid diets containing either 2 or 10 μg Zn/ml with or without 30% of kcal from ethanol throughout gestation and lactation. At day 20 of lactation, three male rats from each litter were orally inoculated with Streptococcus mutans and fed a high sucrose-containing diet for six weeks. Maternal ethanol ingestion coinciding with offspring molar development significantly increased offspring dental caries scores and reduced the zinc content of enamel and dentin. Ethanol did not affect molar content of calcium, magnesium or phosphorus which suggests that ethanol is a specific antagonist of zinc utilization during molar development. Ethanol-antagonized zinc content of enamel may be responsible for the development of faulty enamel which has greater susceptibility to acid attack.
Response within Herd to Sire Selection

Abstract Effective sire selection should result in predictable differences among progeny groups within herds. National data from cows with lactations in 1979 gave within-herd regressions for Holstein yield on Predicted Difference of sire of 1.00 for milk and 1.01 for fat. First-lactation data gave regressions of 1.20 for milk and 1.13 for fat. Holstein herds were stratified into 10 classes by average milk yield of herd. Within-herd regressions of first-lactation yield on Predicted Difference of sire ranged from .71 for the lowest yield class to 1.49 for the highest yield class. Yield response to Predicted Differences of sires was related positively to herd yield, which suggests that sire selection for increased yield gives a greater return for herds with high yield than for herds with low yield. These results were supported by data from other breeds. Phenotypic variation within herds increased with herd yield, but coefficient of variation decreased. Heritabilities for yield from paternal half-sisters increased markedly across six classes of increasing herd yield for Holsteins.
Anisotropic diffusion in benzene: 13C NMR study.

We report a $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ NMR measurement of the three distinct diffusion jump rates present in solid benzene (orthorhombic). Diffusion jumps from one a-b plane to another are found to be preferred over jumps within any one plane. The rates of the two kinds of out-of-plane jumps are unexpectedly found to be nearly equal. These findings should serve as a rigorous test of any calculations of diffusion in solid benzene. We have also measured the temperature dependence of the average of the three rates. Our results for the prefactor ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ agree with previous NMR determinations, but disagree with radiotracer data.
Newman Lake restoration: A case study Part III. Hypolimnetic oxygenation

Since the mid-20th century, oxygen status at the sediment–water interface (SWI) has been implicated in regulating lake internal phosphorus loading. In deeper lakes, summer hypolimnetic oxygen deple...
Enhanced Environmental Stability of Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Blade‐Coating

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201401229 that the blade-coating process encourages the formation of self-assembled large perovskite crystalline domains featuring uniform fi lm coverage and signifi cantly improved device ambient stability. In addition, we reveal that this blade-coating process can also be applicable to systems based on using the advanced solvent engineering technique reported for high-performance perovskite (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 ) solar cells. [ 35,36 ] Blade-coating is a simple, cost-effi cient, and roll-to-roll compatible process for optoelectronic device fabrication. [ 37,38 ] In the case of perovskites, we fi nd that the formation of large crystalline domains is encouraged by the relatively slow solvent drying process in the uniformly wet fi lm formed immediately after solution blading. It may change the nucleation kinetics of perovskites to ensure self-assembly driven growth. Taking advantage of this process, we have applied blade-coating to the preparation of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3x Cl x perovskite fi lms to achieve high quality and moisture/air-resistant fi lms under ambient conditions. To examine the processability of perovskite fi lms in ambient and explore the effect of different coating methods on device performance, we have fabricated perovsktie solar cells using both spinand blade-coating. The fi lms were annealed at 90 °C in air for 2 h after both coating processes; but in the case of bladecoating, the wet fi lms formed immediately after solution blading were kept at room temperature for 40 min before annealing to wait for the majority of N,N -dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent to be evaporated. The same coating and annealing conditions were used for other perovskite fi lms studied later in this work. The device confi guration and energy band diagram of materials used in this study is shown in Figure 1 . [ 39,40 ]
A note on the role of background tumor incidence in risk assessment for carcinogens.

The extrapolation of animal bioassay data to humans for the purpose of estimating risk from food additives, drugs, pesticides, etc. is still the primary approach to carcinogenic risk assessment. When the extrapolation is based on tumor data with high background incidence (e.g., hepatocellular tumors in rodents), its direct relevance to the human situation is sometimes questioned. This paper suggests a method for adjusting the acceptable excess risk level for humans according to the background incidence of the tumor type used for extrapolating from animals to humans. Application of the suggested "fixed relative risk" extrapolation method in setting acceptable low-risk exposure levels for humans is illustrated for methylene chloride.
Photon extraction: the key physics for approaching solar cell efficiency limits

Theoretical efficiency limits are useful primarily because they provide a means for selecting which technologies to pursue, and they are a driving force for further progress. Yet implicit in such a process is the assumption that the upper limit provides a realistic estimate of potential performance. Real systems will never be perfect, but small deviations in material quality or optical design should yield only small deviations in performance. Shockley-Queisser efficiencies are not robust to small deviations. Although they provide a simple calculational tool, they obscure important internal dynamics. We examine these dynamics, resulting in a surprising conclusion: instead of considering external emission as a loss mechanism, it should actually be designed for. A solar cell must have almost perfect photon extraction, or it will fall far short of the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit.
Fish as Primary Consumers

Abstract Four investigations were made in the laboratory on the nutrition of Sarpa salpa, an herbivorous fish from the rocky shoreline of Cape Peninsula, South Africa: Assimilation efficiency while the fish fed on a green alga Ulva lactuca; cellulase activity of aerobic gut microflora; epiphytic growth on the alga; and maintenance ration. The fish assimilated 61% of the dry weight, 59% of the ash-free dry weight, 81% of the protein, and 65% of the energy content of the alga. No statistically significant differences in assimilation were apparent in tests between large (length = 156 mm) and small (83 mm) fish or among fish tested singly or in groups of 2, 4, or 5 individuals. No cellulase activity was detected in the gut microflora. A slight epiphytic growth of bacteria was revealed by scanning electron microscopy, but it was not sufficient to cause a difference in protein content between freshly collected, untreated fronds of Ulva and fronds treated with streptomycin and washed. Sarpa salpa is able to dige...
Conceptions of Art Ownership as a Form of Wealth Accumulation Among the Black Middle-Class

While there is a rich sociological tradition of analyzing the consumption of middle-class blacks, theory and research have overwhelmingly conceptualized middle-class blacks as conspicuous consumers. This paper develops an alternative theoretical approach to black middle-class consumption. Using the case of art ownership, I elaborate how middle-class blacks understand consumption as a practice that maintains and reinforces their class position by building wealth. Drawing on 103 in-depth interviews with black middle-class consumers of visual art, I illustrate how middle-class blacks view art as an economic asset and consider investment potential when they purchase art. I also document how middle-class blacks view art as a source of wealth that can be transferred across generations. Theory which accounts for black middle-class consumption from the perspective of wealth building is critical given long-standing arguments that middle-class blacks are a group whose frivolous and status-driven consumption jeopardizes their accumulation of wealth. The theoretical approach outlined in this paper illustrates how middle-class blacks approach consumption with an eye to solidifying their economic position.
Synthesis, characterization of biodegradable dextran–allyl isocyanate–ethylamine/polyethylene glycol–diacrylate hydrogels and their in vitro release of albumin

Abstract Based on dextran–allyl isocyanate–ethylamine (Dex-AE) and polyethylene glycol–diacrylate (PEGDA), a pH sensitive biodegradable hydrogel with improved protein release was prepared through UV photo-crosslinking. The Dex-AE precursor was prepared through a two-step chemical modification and characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The effects of reaction conditions on the synthesis of Dex-AE were studied. The interior morphology data by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that an increase in Dex-AE content led to an initial decrease in pore size of the microstructure of the Dex-AE/PEGDA hydrogels, but a further increase in Dex-AE content resulted in a relatively looser network structure. The swelling data indicated that the swelling ratio depended on the precursor feed ratio and was correlated to the morphology of the microporous network structure. The pH sensitive property of the Dex-AE/PEGDA hydrogels was studied in different pH buffer solutions and was found that these hydrogels were pH sensitive due to the presence of ample pendant amino groups. The ionic strength data demonstrated that the Dex-AE/PEGDA hydrogels exhibit the highest swelling ratio in pure water, but the swelling ratio became lower as the ionic strength of the media increased. The in vitro albumin release from these hydrogels was examined in different pH (3.0, 7.4) buffer solutions. Both the protein loading and release data indicated that the Dex-AE/PEGDA hydrogels had more protein loading and sustained release capability than pure PEGDA hydrogel, and this ability increased as the Dex-AE composition increased; the Dex-AE/PEGDA hydrogel also showed a faster BSA release in a lower pH than a higher pH medium.
Design for manufacturability: Then and now

This column examines the relationship between design and manufacturing: how it used to work, how it works now, and what the design-manufacturing interface portends for the future.
Infants' sensitivity to arbitrary object-odor pairings

Abstract The ability of 4-month-old infants to learn the arbitrary relationship between an object and a distinctive odor was assessed. Infants were familiarized with two objects while one of them was paired with a cherry odor. Results indicated that only female subjects showed evidence of matching. They increased their looking to the target object in the presence of the odor but not in the absence of the odor, relative to baseline levels.
Aggression in psychiatric hospitalized geriatric patients

Data are presented that summarize the antecedents and consequences of aggressive episodes among geriatric (60°+) patients. The most common antecedents included being asked to do something, with verbal intervention being the principal preceding intervention. The aggressive behaviors were directed at staff slightly more often than towards another patient, with seclusion being the primary intervention used. Among diagnostic groups, geriatric patients diagnosed as schizophrenic or organically mentally disordered exhibited more aggression than similarly diagnosed non-geriatric patients. Aggressive episodes were more frequently exhibited during the day shift (7 am—3 pm) and during winter, with significantly fewer during the fall. Environmentally based, less restrictive intervention strategies are also discussed.
Are ethane and pentane evolution and thiobarbituric acid reactivity specific for lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes

Peroxidation of human erythrocyte membranes was followed in vitro with head space analysis of ethane and pentane and a thiobarbituric acid assay in a standardized system liberating free oxygen radicals. Simultaneously, the decrease of the membrane palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid was monitored. The recoveries of the peroxidation products of the red cell ghost preparations were compared with those obtained by peroxidation of pure fatty acids.Experiments using purified fatty acids revealed that ethane was preferentially produced from docosahexaenoic and linolenic, and pentane from linoleic and arachidonic acids. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive material (TBAR) was produced from each unsaturated fatty acid tested, but the amount was dependent on the number of carbon chain double bonds.During peroxidation of the erythrocyte ghosts, 72% of ethane and 51% pentane were produced during the first 12 h of incubation, whereas TBAR was produced at a constant rate throughout the 36-h test period. H...
Motor, but not sensory, cortical potentials are amplified by high-protein diet

Animals fed a high-protein diet (50% casein) are hyperactive and more responsive to nociceptive stimuli than those fed either a normal- or low-protein diet. The mechanisms mediating dietary protein-induced behavior are unknown and may include both central and peripheral neural effects. Adult, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 50% casein (treatment group) and 24% casein (control group) ad lib for 36-40 weeks. The animals were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose and urethane (50 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, IP). EEG recordings were averaged while the anesthetized animal was conditioned using an alerting stimulus-imperative stimulus (AS-IS) paradigm. AS consisted of a 1.5 kHz, 90 dB tone cue. This was followed 2 seconds later by IS, an electrical tail stimulation (11 V, 1.4 s duration). Two negative deflections (N1 and N2) were generated by the frontal cortex during the AS-IS interstimulus interval. N1, an alerting response, was not different between the two groups. N2 amplitude and peak latency were significantly increased in the high-protein group (205% and 117% of control, respectively; p less than 0.05). N2 represents the activation of cells in the motor cortex. Brainstem auditory-evoked responses and somatosensory-evoked potentials also were recorded, but no differences were observed between the two diet groups. These data suggest that consumption of a high-protein diet results in an increase in central arousal mechanisms (measured by cortical negativity response), specifically involving increased excitability of the motor cortex, that is not associated with a disorder of information processing in the cerebral cortex (measured by brainstem auditory-evoked responses and somatosensory-evoked potentials).
Factor Analysis of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

A sample of 175 veterans' scores on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS; Randolph, 1998) was examined to investigate the factor structure of this scale. First, we attempted to replicate a five-factor model to reflect the five Index Scores of the RBANS (immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, language, attention, and delayed memory) from the 12 individual subtests, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We were unable to identify a five-factor structure of the RBANS. The RBANS subtests were then subjected to an exploratory factor analysis with a maximum likelihood extraction and orthogonal rotation to determine a new dimensional model. Results indicated a two-factor structure that can roughly be described as memory and visuospatial function. CFA of this new structure indicated an adequate fit for this sample. Findings suggest that it may be appropriate to place more emphasis on the individual subtest scores than the index scores during interpretation.
Occurrence, genetics and management of insecticide resistance

A lot has been learned about insecticide resistance in the past 40 years. The problem is more extensive and widespread than could have been predicted. In this review, Richard Roush discusses the genetics and management of resistance to insecticides (especially as related to arthropod vectors of human and animal diseases), with the objective of suggesting future directions.
Effect of Task Modality on Dual-Task Performance, Response Time, and Ratings of Operator Workload:

The purpose of this study was to use established measures of attentional reserve capacity to test for the existence of tactile-specific resources in the context of Wickens’ (1984, 2002) Multiple Resource Theory. Participants performed a primary counting task in the tactile modality and were presented with a concurrent secondary attention task in the visual, auditory, and tactile modalities. The data indicate a significant difference in performance based on whether the dual-task conditions were performed crossmodally or unimodally, in terms of percent correct and response time to target stimuli. Specifically, participants performed significantly worse in tactile-tactile dual-task conditions, suggesting performance was degraded as a function of resource depletion. Furthermore, participants rated the unimodal dual-task conditions as significantly harder, using a subjective workload rating, than either of the dual-task crossmodal conditions, or the single task condition. The results suggest that task interfer...
Dynamic biogeography and conservation of endangered species

As one moves from the core to the periphery of a species' geographical range, populations occupy less favourable habitats and exhibit lower and more variable densities. Populations along the periphery of the range tend to be more fragmented and, as a result, are less likely to receive immigrants from other populations. A population's probability of extinction is directly correlated with its variability and inversely correlated with density and immigration rate. This has led to the prediction that, when a species becomes endangered, its geographical range should contract inwards, with the core populations persisting until the final stages of decline. Convinced by these logical but untested deductions, conservation biologists and wildlife managers have been instructed to avoid the range periphery when planning conservation strategies or allocating resources for endangered species. We have analysed range contraction in 245 species from a broad range of taxonomic groups and geographical regions. Here we report that observed patterns of range contraction do not support the above predictions and that most species examined persist in the periphery of their historical geographical ranges.
Kinetics of phase separation in binary fluids: Nucleation near the critical point

Abstract Recent interest in the nucleation problem has been stimulated, at least in part, by a sharp disagreement between conventional droplet theories and observations of anomalously large supersaturations in binary fluids near their critical points 1–5 ). This problem apparently has been resolved by examining actual completion rates instead of focusing attention only on rates of droplet formation 6,7 ). Current calculations are in reasonable agreement with observed cloud points, but more detailed predictions of average sizes and numbers of droplets as functions of time after quench have not yet been checked by experiment. One outstanding theoretical problem is that of joining the early state nucleation theory to the late stage theory of coarsening. An improved analysis of this transition will be necessary in order to make accurate predictions of the size distribution of droplets throughout the reaction. It also will be necessary to generalize the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner 8,9 ) theory of coarsening to account for finite volume fractions of the nucleating phase, especially if one wants to extend the theory to describe the relatively deep quenches achieved near the critical point. For a review of the relevant nucleation theory, see the author's Sitges Lectures 10 ) on the kinetics of metastable states. The completion theory appeared initially in papers by Binder and Stauffer 6 ) and by Langer and Schwartz 7 ).
Science, Policy, and Engagement: Empowering Scientists to Implement Change

“Scientists, speak up!” In three words, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) exemplified the purpose of the AGU Science Policy Conference.
Short- and long-term reproducibility of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram in coronary artery disease.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of studies involving the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). 1–3 This renewed interest in SAECGs is related to the finding that late potentials (LP) detected on SAECG are specific noninvasive markers for spontaneous or inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). 1–6 However, data on reproducibility and stability of these signals are available only in normal subjects. 5 The purpose of our study was to examine the short- and long-term reproducibility of the quantitative indexes of SAECGs in patients with CAD.
What Defines Abnormal Lung Function in Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very common lung disease most often related to a history of smoking. It becomes more prevalent with increasing age but remains under-diagnosed and under-treated in the elderly population. The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) programme has been instrumental in providing standard diagnostic criteria as well as recommendations for prevention and management of COPD. GOLD recommendations define COPD as a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) of <70%, with the severity based on the value of FEV1. This recommendation is different from that of many previous reports that have recommended diagnosing obstruction using the statistically derived lower limit of normal (LLN), which varies for each person according to age, height, ethnicity and gender. While the use of a 70% ratio may be simpler, it may result in under-diagnosis of airflow obstruction in younger people and over-diagnosis in the elderly. This is particularly important as the elderly may be most sensitive to many of the adverse effects of medications used in the treatment of COPD, including corticosteroids and anticholinergic bronchodilators. Most of the studies comparing the LLN and a fixed ratio of 70% have not been performed with post-bronchodilator testing as recommended by GOLD. Generation of post-bronchodilator reference sets and studies comparing the LLN with the post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of <70% will help resolve this issue. One recent study examined patients admitted to hospitals who had an FEV1/FVC ratio of <70% but above the LLN, and found they were at increased risk of death and COPD complications. This would support the use of GOLD criteria. Further studies examining this population are needed. In addition to the uncertainties about what diagnostic criteria should be utilized for diagnosis of airflow obstruction, different organizations make different recommendations on screening spirometry. A conservative recommendation is to perform spirometry in symptomatic individuals. It is important to remember that while COPD is under-diagnosed in the elderly, this group is also at a higher risk of being falsely classified as having airflow obstruction using the 70% ratio recommended by GOLD. This can result in unnecessary use of medications and increased risk of adverse effects to which the elderly are more prone.
Connection matrix representation of enzyme reaction sequences

Abstract A connection matrix is defined for an enzyme reaction sequence. This formulation allows one to derive the rate equation in coefficient form for the reaction either by manual means directly from the matrix or from a computer program described by the algorithm presented in the text. As an example, the rate equation for a particular nine-node two-substrate, two-product reaction with multiple reaction paths consists of 576 terms in the numerator and 4320 terms in the denominator and was derived in a few minutes on a digital computer. The connection matrix formulation allows one to predict the influence of the various reactants on the observed kinetics of the reaction. In the case of multireaction systems, this includes the effect of each substrate on the initial rate and makes possible the prediction of product inhibition patterns. The algorithm can be modified to derive the equation for the initial rate of isotopic exchange in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.
Prey Availability, Consumption, and Quality Contribute to Variation in Growth of Subyearling Chinook Salmon Rearing in Riverine and Reservoir Habitats

AbstractWe examined prey availability, prey consumed, and diet energy content as sources of variation in growth of natural fall Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha subyearlings rearing in riverine and reservoir habitats in the Snake River. Subyearlings in riverine habitat primarily consumed aquatic insects (e.g., Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera), of which a high proportion was represented by adult, terrestrial forms. In the reservoir, subyearlings also consumed aquatic insects but also preyed heavily at times on nonnative lentic amphipods Corophium spp. and the mysid Neomysis mercedis, which were absent in riverine habitats. The availability of prey was typically much higher in the reservoir due to N. mercedis often composing over 90% of the biomass, but when this taxon was removed from consideration, biomass estimates were more often higher in the riverine habitat. Subyearling diets during 2009–2011were generally 17–40% higher in energy in the riverine habitat than in the reservoir. Observed grow...