cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spirometric Response to Bronchodilator and Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnea in Adults With Asthma.

BACKGROUND: The spirometric response to fast-acting bronchodilator is used clinically to diagnose asthma and in clinical research to verify its presence. However, bronchodilator responsiveness does not correlate with airway hyper-responsiveness measured with the direct-acting stimulus of methacholine, demonstrating that bronchodilator responsiveness is a problematic method for diagnosing asthma. The relationship between bronchodilator responsiveness and airway hyper-responsiveness assessed with indirect-acting stimuli is not known. METHODS: Retrospectively, the spirometric responses to inhaled bronchodilator and a eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea challenge (EVH) were compared in 39 non-smoking adult subjects with asthma (26 male, 13 female; mean ± SD age 26.9 ± 7.8 y; mean ± SD body mass index 26.3 ± 4.7 kg/m2). All subjects met one or both of 2 criteria: ≥ 12% and 200 mL increase in FEV1 after inhaled bronchodilator, and ≥ 10% decrease in FEV1 after an EVH challenge. RESULTS: Overall, FEV1 increased by 9.9 ± 7.9% after bronchodilator (3.93 ± 0.97 to 4.28 ± 0.91 L, P CONCLUSIONS: These results extend previous findings that demonstrate a lack of association between bronchodilator responsiveness and methacholine responsiveness. Given the poor concordance between the spirometric response to fast-acting bronchodilator and the EVH challenge, these findings suggest that the airway response to inhaled β2-agonist must be interpreted with caution and in the context of its determinants and limitations.
Stochastic expansion planning of battery energy storage for the interconnected distribution and data networks

Abstract This paper presents a stochastic expansion planning framework to determine the installation time, location, and capacity of battery energy storage systems in the distribution networks with considerable penetration of photovoltaic generation and data centers. The presented framework aims to minimize the capital cost of the battery energy storage and the operation cost of the distribution network while ensuring the security of energy supply for the data centers that serve end-users in the data network as well as the reliability requirements of the distribution network. The proposed stochastic framework captures the interactions between the distribution network and data center operators considering limited shared information among these entities. Benders decomposition is used to capture the interactions between these autonomous operators in the electricity and data networks. The uncertainties associated with the electric demand, data center workload, solar PV generation, and the availability of the distribution branches are captured using Monte Carlo simulation. The representative scenarios are selected using a dissimilarity-based sparse subset selection algorithm. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, numerical results are presented for a modified IEEE-34 bus distribution network with data centers and PV generation units.
Adult Survivors of Pediatric Genitourinary Tumors

Genitourinary tumors contribute to pediatric solid tumors. Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and germ cell tumors are the most common malignant genitourinary tumors in children. Although Wilms tumor is the most common primary malignant renal tumor of childhood, rhabdoid tumor, clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, renal cell carcinoma, and other lesions have been identified (Lowe 2000). These urologic tumors occur in boys and girls with Wilms tumor having a male: female ratio of 1:1 (Pappo 2000). The SEER database demonstrates a 5-year overall survival rate for 93–94 % for gonadal germ cell tumors in boys less than 20 years (Bernstein 1999). While this chapter will not focus on gonadal germ cell tumors, these boys also require long-term surveillance and follow-up. They are susceptible to tumor recurrence and long-term effects. These long-term effects are similar to young adults treated for germ cell tumors.
Abstract 18192: Aortic Stenosis: The Effect of Spectral Broadening in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract on Stroke Volume and Calculated Aortic Valve Area

Introduction: Accurate stroke volume (SV) calculation is critical for calculating aortic valve area by echocardiography. 2D-Doppler estimation of SV (SV 2D ) assumes uniform blood flow velocities through the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Non-uniform flow through the LVOT, appreciated as spectral broadening of the LVOT Doppler signal, could result in inaccurate SV calculation. Hypothesis: Increased spectral broadening in the LVOT will result in overestimation of SV by the SV 2D method compared to 3D volumetric assessment of SV (SV 3D ). Methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients with aortic stenosis underwent comprehensive 2D-TTE and assessment of SV 3D . Patients with ≥ moderate mitral or aortic regurgitation were excluded. An LVOT pulse-wave Doppler signal with > 0.4 m/s difference between outer and inner edge of velocity spectral display (at time of peak velocity) was considered non-uniform flow (i.e., spectral broadening). Results: Spectral broadening was present in 33% of the cohort. These patients were commonly female with smaller ventricles and higher ejection fraction. Spectral broadening was associated with a significant overestimation of SV on Doppler-based measurements (101±20 ml vs 78±15 mL, SV 2D vs SV 3D , respectively; r=0.83, p Conclusion: In aortic stenosis patients with non-uniform flow, Doppler-based methods overestimated SV by 29.5% on average (maximum 64%) when compared to 3D methods. This results in a proportional increase in calculated valve area despite a similar mean gradient between groups. Substituting SV 3D resulted in similar SV, valve area, and mean gradient between uniform and non-uniform groups. When spectral broadening >0.40 cm/s is present, 3D volumetric assessment of SV should be considered for accurate estimation of aortic valve area.
Applications of optics in arrays

NASA Lewis has been involved in the development of optical technologies to enable the implementation of millimeter-wave array antennas. The focus of the Lewis research has been in the areas of fiber optic control and RF signal distribution to support MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuits) array designs, and the development of optically processed beam forming networks. The development of these optical technologies is being pursued in an effort to enable millimeter-wave communication antenna systems which are limited by the signal distribution systems and antenna system architectures currently available. >
Instruments for a Revolution

From afar, the Sun does not look very complex. To the casual observer, it is just a smooth, uniform ball of gas. Close inspection, however, shows that the star is in constant turmoil. The seemingly calm Sun is a churning, quivering, and explosive body, driven by intense, variable magnetism.
Scholarly Publishing & Open Access within CUNY: One Faculty Looks at Changing the Paradigm, Summary of a Presentation by Philip Pecorino

Professor Philip Pecorino reports on what led him to embrace Open Access (OA) as a nxew paradigm for scholarly publication and describes his experiences bringing the topic of OA to the attention of CUNY colleagues. ...
Parametric study of the Faraday cage effect of charged particles and its implications in the powder coating process

In order to find the conditions that would provide the best Faraday cage penetration, two powders (acrylic and epoxy) corona and tribo charged, were sprayed inside aluminum panels bent at varying angles (15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees) in the direction of flow. The electrical field lines were simulated using Lorentz 2D software and the electrical field intensities generated by the powder clouds were calculated based on the net Q/M and the charge density of the powder cloud. A novel charger was developed that charges the two powders highly bipolarly with a net Q/M close to zero. A powder cloud with such characteristics was proved to have a much better Faraday cage penetration, compared with the classical corona or tribo charging processes.
DOTAGWA: a case study in web-based architectures for connecting surface water models to spatially enabled web applications

The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool is a desktop application that uses widely available standardized spatial datasets to derive inputs for multi-scale hydrologic models (Miller et al., 2007). The required data sets include topography (DEM data), soils, climate, and land-cover data. These data are used to develop input parameter files for two USDA-ARS watershed runoff and erosion models: the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion Model (KINEROS2, Smith et al., 1995; http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/kineros) and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT, Arnold et al., 1994; http://www.brc.tamus.edu/swat/). AGWA has proved to be a useful tool for many different applications. Not all potential users, however, have access to the geospatial data or software required to process it and run tools like AGWA. In addition, some potential users recognized the value in being able to use the application, but did not have adequate technical training to gather and process the necessary data and run the application through a geospatial information system (GIS) software platform. A Web-based version of AGWA, DotAGWA, was developed to address these issues and cater to a wider potential user audience. This paper describes the design and structure of the DotAGWA application and discusses important findings related to issues and problems that emerged during application development. In particular, important issues emerged related to configuring a system that would connect surface water models, originally intended as desktop applications, to a spatially enabled web application. Some of these issues include input and output file management for model runs when models are executed from the web-client to the server's operating system, configuring the systems spatial and non-spatial data requirements in a web server environment, and designing an extensible or at least reusable system architecture.The United States Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development partially funded and collaborated in the research described here under assistance agreement DW12922094-01-0 to USDA-ARS. It has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
The Space Density of M Dwarfs — An Observational Program

In spite of extensive proper motion surveys, there remains some uncertainty about the space density and the kinematics of late-type dwarf stars. This uncertainty is primarily due to the unknown kinematic bias introduced by the proper motion discovery technique.
The Impact of Landfills on Residential Property Values

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of five municipal landfills on residential property values in a major metropolitan area (Cleveland, Ohio). The study concludes that landfills wi...
Polyribosomes Are Molecular 3D Nanoprinters That Orchestrate the Assembly of Vault Particles

Ribosomes are molecular machines that function in polyribosome complexes to translate genetic information, guide the synthesis of polypeptides, and modulate the folding of nascent proteins. Here, we report a surprising function for polyribosomes as a result of a systematic examination of the assembly of a large ribonucleoprotein complex, the vault particle. Structural and functional evidence points to a model of vault assembly whereby the polyribosome acts like a 3D nanoprinter to direct the ordered translation and assembly of the multi-subunit vault homopolymer, a process which we refer to as polyribosome templating. Structure-based mutagenesis and cell-free in vitro expression studies further demonstrated the critical importance of the polyribosome in vault assembly. Polyribosome templating prevents chaos by ensuring efficiency and order in the production of large homopolymeric protein structures in the crowded cellular environment and might explain the origin of many polyribosome-associated molecular a...
Integer Quantization of the Pseudorotational Motion in Na 3 B

Fractional quantization of vibronic states of a molecule can be expected when two electronic potential energy surfaces experience a conical intersection and the vibrational and electronic wave functions change sign under $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ rotation in the vibrational coordinates. The $B$ state of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{3}$ was believed to exhibit this behavior. High resolution spectroscopy of the $B\ensuremath{-}X$ system of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{3}$ is reported which is reassigned as ${B}^{2}{A}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{-}{X}^{2}{B}_{2}$. The analysis of rotational structure and Coriolis interaction shows that the vibronic angular momentum j is integer quantized, in contrast to previous interpretations. Therefore, the $B$ state of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{3}$ can no longer be considered as an example of Berry's geometrical phase in a molecule.
REGGE TRAJECTORIES AND PARTICLE SIZE.

Two models of rising trajectories are contrasted. The first, based on single-channel rotational excitations, leads to a mean square particle radius which increases linearly with angular momentum for excitations on a trajectory. The second model, which makes use of a conjectured weakly violated selection rule, gives a particle radius which is constant along a trajectory. The approximate selection rule explains the narrowness of the higher resonances.
Common Azimuth migration for elliptical and VTI media

We derive the Common Azimuth (CAM) downward continuation operator for elliptically anisotropic and VTI media. For elliptically anisotropic media, the CAM operator derived by a stationary phase approximation of the full 3-D wavefiled is exact. For VTI media, the dispersion relationship is much more complicated and results in a quartic equation for the stationary path. We introduce a bounded form of Common Azimuth migration for this kind of media, which allows us to develop closed-form analytical solutions without directly solving the quartic equation. Error analysis indicates that the derived analytical form has similar accuracy as the full quartic equation. 3-D impulse responses of the anisotropic Common Azimuth downward continuation operator also show significant differences compared to the isotropic operator even at moderate angles. velocity is zero. This assumption holds for the remainder of this paper. Now for an ellipticaly anisotropic media we have r\ = 0 (in other words e = S) so that the above equation simplifies to:
The USE of CEA as an early indicator for gastrointestinal tumor recurrence and second-look procedures

Since 1972 plasma CEA levels of 25 cancer patients have been assayed to evaluate the reliability of CEA as an early indicator of recurrent gastrointestinal cancer. Identification of significant elevations in CEA levels required definition of exactly what a given value meant. Intraassay and interassay accuracy was determined and graphed as a CEA NOMOGRAM, which measures the observed CEA level against the 95% confidence limits for that observation and thus can be used to identify statistically significant increases. A statistically significant rise above a baseline value established by the NOMOGRAM proved to be a correct indicator of tumor recurrence in 22 (88%) of 25 patients who underwent second-look intraabdominal operations (22 colorectal, 2 gastric, and 1 pancreatic). In each case, other accepted procedures, such as liver enzymes, scans, and x-rays, were nondiagnostic. Of the 22 patients with proved tumor recurrence, 16 (73%) had distant metastases and 6 (27%) had localized tumors. One patient remains tumor-free three years after second-look operation and has had no significant change in CEA levels. More frequent serial CEA determinations combined with sound clinical judgment should facilitate earlier detection of recurrent gastrointestinal cancer.
Editorial: What! Take a vacation! Who...me!?

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: What! Take a vacation! Who...me!?” for OE Vol. 35 Issue 09
A Search Algorithm for the Estimation of Interregional Migration in Local Areas

A discrete step steepest descent search algorithm is developed for the estimation of interregional migration rates in local areas from historical time series. Objective function values are obtained from a constrained least-squares optimization, and it is found that the dimensions of the search space correspond to the number of smoothing operations in the columns of the data input matrix. The iterative algorithm requires the use of symptomatic indicators of intercensal population and is shown to yield improved results over a simple least squares approach.
Frequency response of recording instruments

THE DYNAMICS of common types of instrument movements have been studied a great deal, but information dealing with this subject has not been available readily in a form suitable for application work. The behavior of most instruments can be defined by a second order differential equation. In this case the frequency response characteristics can be expressed in terms of the undamped natural frequency and the relative damping. Curves can be plotted in terms of these two parameters to provide a simple and direct method of predicting the magnitudes of instrument errors so that one may decide whether a particular system is satisfactory for a given application, and if so by what margin. The frequency of the signal is expressed as a fraction of the undamped natural frequency of the instrument in order that the curves be applicable universally.
Renal anion transport

Cet article de synthese fait le point sur le transport des anions dans les differents segments du nephron. Caracteristique fonctionnelle; echangeur d'ion, dependance ionique, cinetique de transport, sensibilite aux inhibiteurs. Role dans la regulation du volume cellulaire et dans le transport transepithelial. Relation entre la structure et la fonction des transporteurs anioniques renaux. Transport de l'urate du SO 4 2− , de l'oxalate de HCO 3 − , du Cl − , du PAH …
A Physics-Based Impedance Model of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Exhibiting Low-Frequency Inductive Loops

A physics-based impedance model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is developed, incorporating a coupled oxide growthoxygen reduction reaction kinetic model. The oxide layer is shown to produce a low frequency inductive loop that agrees quantitatively with the experimental inductive loop at current densities as high as 800 mA/cm2, even when kinetic and mass-transfer parameters are fit from polarization curves and cyclic voltammetry instead of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The importance of the inductive loop in explaining both AC and DC results is discussed. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0361506jes] All rights reserved.
Energy linked NAD reduction in phosphorylating submi tochondrial particles from heavy layer beef heart mitochondria. A lag phenomenon and its localization

Abstract A lag has been observed previously in the ATP driven reduction of NAD by succinate (reversal of oxidative phosphorylation at site 1) catalyzed by submitochondrial particles under certain conditions. Addition of dithiothreitol to the reaction medium eliminates the lag and p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonate lengthens it. Dithiothreitol eliminates the lag introduced by the mercurial. The lag occured between 20 and 34°C but was not apparent between 34 and 40°. The involvement of an -SH group in the lag phenomenon is described.
PARENTERAL ANTIBIOTICS AND LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: ANOTHER SOURCE OF MORBIDITY IN TERM INFANTS

PARENTERAL ANTIBIOTICS AND LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: ANOTHER SOURCE OF MORBIDITY IN TERM INFANTS
Computational Model of Forward and Opposed Smoldering Combustion in Microgravity

A novel computational model of smoldering combustion capable of predicting both forward and opposed propagation is developed. This is accomplished by considering the one-dimensional, transient, governing equations for smoldering combustion in a porous fuel accounting for improved chemical kinetics. The heterogeneous chemistry is modeled with a 5-step mechanism for polyurethane foam. The kinetic parameters for this mechanism were obtained from thermogravimetric data in the literature and reported by the authors elsewhere. The results from previously conducted microgravity experiments with flexible polyurethane foam are used for calibration and testing of the numerical results. Both forward and opposed smoldering configurations are examined. By considering the 5-step mechanism, the numerical model is able to predict qualitatively and quantitatively the smoldering behavior, reproducing the most important features of the process. Specifically, the model predicts the transient temperature profiles, the overall structure of the reaction-front, the onset of smoldering ignition, and the propagation rate. The fact that it is possible to predict the experimental observations in both opposed and forward propagation with a single model is a significant improvement in the development of numerical models of smoldering combustion. This is particularly relevant in multidimensional simulations where distinction between forward and opposed modes is no longer applicable.
Effects of plant species richness on invasion dynamics, disease outbreaks, insect abundances and diversity

Declining biodiversity represents one of the most dramatic and irreversible aspects of anthropogenic global change, yet the ecological implications of this change are poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that biodiversity loss of basal species, such as autotrophs or plants, affects fundamental ecosystem processes such as nutrient dynamics and autotrophic production. Ecological theory predicts that changes induced by the loss of biodiversity at the base of an ecosystem should impact the entire system. Here we show that experimental reductions in grassland plant richness increase ecosystem vulnerability to invasions by plant species, enhance the spread of plant fungal diseases, and alter the richness and structure of insect communities. These results suggest that the loss of basal species may have profound effects on the integrity and functioning of ecosystems.
Perceptions of Social Problems in Tongai

Abstract This paper presents evidence from a guided survey that social class (represented by occupation and education) and lifestyle (modern living in the town of Nuku'alofa vs. traditional living in the villages) are the most important characteristics in how people regard the seriousness of social problems in Tonga. An analysis of how 438 Tongans view social problems indicates that modernists perceive social problems to be less serious than traditionalists.Those with more education and white-collar workers appear to be adjusting more easily to the changes and conflict of an agrarian kingdom in transition to a fledgling modern society.
Fluorescence detection of nitrogen dioxide with perylene/PMMA thin films

Abstract Thin films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) doped with perylene provide selective, robust and easily prepared optical sensor films for NO 2 gas with suitable response times for materials aging applications. The materials are readily formed as 200 nm thin spin cast films on glass from chlorobenzene solution. The fluorescence emission of the films ( λ max =442 nm) is quenched upon exposure to NO 2 gas through an irreversible reaction forming non-fluorescent nitroperylene. Infrared, UV–VIS and fluorescence spectroscopies confirmed the presence of the nitro adduct in the films. In other atmospheres examined, such as air and 1000 ppm concentrations of SO 2 , CO, Cl 2 and NH 3 , the films exhibited no loss of fluorescence intensity over a period of days to weeks. Response curves were obtained for 1000, 100 and 10 ppm NO 2 at room temperature with equilibration times varying from hours to weeks. The response curves were fit using a numerical solution to the coupled diffusion and a nonlinear chemical reaction problem assuming that the situation is reaction limiting. The forward reaction constant fitted to experimental data was k f ∼0.06 (ppm min) −1 .
Ultrastructural investigation of autophagocytosis of melanosomes and programmed death of melanocytes in White Leghorn feathers: a study of morphogenetic events leading to hypomelanosis

Abstract White Leghorn chickens have decreased feather melanin, not because pigment cells are absent, but because of a genetically determined programmed cell death that causes pigment cells to degenerate prematurely before the melanin can be deposited in the feathers. In this paper, we studied the feather germs of this breed and of control Black Minorca chickens by light and electron microscopy to elucidate further the mechanism of cell death. White Leghorn feature-germ melanocytes produced a large number of unmelanized melanosomes which, however, did not become melanized, nor were they transferred into the keratinocytes of the follicles. From day 10 of incubation onward, large autophagosomes appeared in the melanocytes of White Leghorn feather follicles. These autophagosomes were acid phosphatase positive and engulfed incompletely melanized melanosomes. They also contained melanosome degradation products. Finally, degeneration of the whole melanocyte followed. These necrotic melanocytes were engulfed by normal-looking keratinocytes of the same follicle. In Black Minorcas, on the other hand, there was a normal sequence of synthesis, melanization, and transfer of melanosomes. The melanocytes degenerated only at the time of hatching, without the formation of large autophagosomes.
Measurement of mechanical properties of bone material in vitro by ultrasound reflection: Methodology and comparison with ultrasound transmission

An ultrasound reflection technique was designed and implemented to study the mechanical properties of bone material. The technique uses the fact that an ultrasound beam produced in water undergoes total internal reflection off a bone sample at a critical angle formally related to the velocity of a pressure wave in bone. When the plane of scattering is rotated around the normal to the sample surface, the critical angle varies with a periodic dependence dictated by the intrinsic symmetry of the bone structure at the point being examined. Most current measurements of sound velocity are made using transmission techniques. A double-blind intercomparison between this technique and a transmission technique, which was previously validated against tensile mechanical testing, was performed for samples of isotropic materials and of human cortical bone. Strong correlations were found for both sets of samples. For the isotropic materials the velocities were approximately equal, but for bone they were on average 11% higher in reflection than in transmission. This was the result both of the higher frequency employed in reflection (3.5 rather than 2.25 MHz) and of the different effects of sample imperfections on the two measurements. In particular, the reflection technique used in this work studied the surface of the sample, but the ultrasound beam in the transmission method propagated through its interior. In assessing the mechanical properties of bone specimens by ultrasound, the reflection technique samples a discrete bone surface element and the transmission method analyzes the entire volume of the specimen. Thus the reflection technique may yield a measure of the mechanical property of bone trabeculae that is largely unaffected by the mass of the entire specimen, but mass and the structural density of the specimen affect the transmission method.
Characterization of a 60,000-dalton oncofetal protein from the plasma of tumor-bearing rats

A tumor cell-associated protein, previously shown to be present in the circulation of carcinogen-treated and tumor-bearing animals and cancer patients, has now been identified in the cytosol of embryonic tissue. This oncofetal protein, which is absent from the plasma of normal animals, has been purified from the plasma of tumor-bearing rats by a series of steps including ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B and on CM Affi-Gel Blue. The tumor and fetal-associated 60-kd rat factors appear to be identical based on their reactivity to polyclonal antibody produced against the tumor factor. The factor, assayed by its ability to induce the transport of RNA from isolated nuclei, is a phosphoprotein with a minimum molecular weight of 60,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In its purified form it is phosphorylated in the presence of the catalytic subunit of heart muscle protein kinase and ATP but does not exhibit auto-phosphorylating activity. 32P-orthophosphate is also incorporated into the phosphoprotein in vivo.
Electrochemical reduction of platinum(II) complexes containing bidentate tertiary phosphine ligands: evidence for the generation of non-linear two-coordinate complexes

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of [PtCl2L2]+ L2* (L2 and L2* = Ph2PCH2CH2 PPh2, dppe; Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2, dcpe; nBu2PCH2CH2PnBu2, dbpe) systems may proceed via two different routes. Path 1 involves reduction of [PtCl2L2] to produce [PtL2] which is trapped by L2* to form [PtL2L2*]. Path 2 involves prior reaction of [PtCl2L2] with L2* to form [PtL2L2*]2+ which is reduced to form [PtL2L2*]. The extent of prior reaction of [PtCl2L2] with L2* has been monitored by both cyclic voltammetry, which detects only the electroactive components in solution, and by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, which allows structural assignments to be made. Bulk electrolyses have been performed at potentials sufficient to reduce both [PtCl2L2] and [PtL2L2*]2+ and also at potentials sufficient to reduce [PtL2L2*]2+ but not to reduce [PtCl2L2]. Product analyses by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy show that path 1 is operative in sterically congested systems, path 2 is operative in uncongested systems, and both pathways may be operative in systems with intermediate steric congestion. Reactions via path 2 produce [PtL2L2*] efficiently, whereas reactions via path 1 are complicated by alternative trapping reactions of [PtL2] with the solvent/electrolyte system which compete with trapping by L2*.
Acoustical Imaging Via Coherent Reception of Spatially Coloured Transmissions

If the transducers of an array transmit different signals simultaneously, the insonified space is “coloured” since a particular resulting signal corresponds to each direction. At the receiver’s end, classical beamforming is performed as if insonification were isotropic. Next, each formed beam output is fed into the filter matched to the signal transmitted into that particular direction; a gain in angular resolution results, which is equal to that of the product of the transmit-receive antenna patterns although no directional transmission was required.
ATP-dependent and ATP-independent Roles for the Rad54 Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme during Recombinational Repair of a DNA Double Strand Break

The efficient and accurate repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) is critical to cell survival, and defects in this process can lead to genome instability and cancers. In eukaryotes, the Rad52 group of proteins dictates the repair of DSBs by the error-free process of homologous recombination (HR). A critical step in eukaryotic HR is the formation of the initial Rad51-single-stranded DNA presynaptic nucleoprotein filament. This presynaptic filament participates in a homology search process that leads to the formation of a DNA joint molecule and recombinational repair of the DSB. Recently, we showed that the Rad54 protein functions as a mediator of Rad51 binding to single-stranded DNA, and here, we find that this activity does not require ATP hydrolysis. We also identify a novel Rad54-dependent chromatin remodeling event that occurs in vivo during the DNA strand invasion step of HR. This ATP-dependent remodeling activity of Rad54 appears to control subsequent steps in the HR process.
Control of volumetric properties of hot-mix asphalt by field management

Significant differences in the volumetric properties of laboratory-designed and plant-produced hot-mix asphalt (HMA) generally exist as demonstrated by FHWA Demonstration Project No. 74. The volumetric properties include voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) and voids in the total mix (VTM). Guidelines for HMA contractors are needed to reconcile these differences and maintain control of volumetric properties during HMA production. The HMA mix design and field production test data (such as asphalt content, gradation, and volumetric properties) from 24 FHWA demonstration projects were entered into a data base and statistically analyzed. The objective was to identify and, if possible, quantify the independent variables (such as asphalt content and the percentages of material passing the No. 200 and other sieves) that significantly affect dependent variables VMA and VTM. The statistical analysis methods consisted of correlation analysis, stepwise multiple-variable analysis, and linear-regression analysis. On t...
Versions and workspaces in Microsoft repository

This paper describes the version and workspace features of Microsoft Repository, a layer that implements fine-grained objects and relationships on top of Microsoft SQL Server. It supports branching and merging of versions, delta storage, checkout-checkin, and single-version views for version-unaware applications.
The Effect of O2on the Thermal Activation of Zeolite Beta

Abstract The process of converting “as-synthesized” zeolites which contain organic templating agents generally begins by calcining the material to remove the organic material. Most often, this initial calcining step is performed in the presence of O 2 which is thought to help burn out residue which forms during the thermal breakdown of the organic template. We have discovered that O 2 promotes the formation of residue from tetraethylammonium ions in zeolite beta (BEA), probably by participating directly in a polymerization process. This discovery has also been extended to tetrapropylammonium ions in MFI and to simple amine adsorbates such as 1-propanamine adsorbed on acid sites in both BEA and MFI. We therefore believe that this is a general rule which may be applied to all amine templates in zeolites. A more efficient route to organic template removal is to first calcine the material in the absence of O 2 so that the polymerization process which involves O 2 is suppressed. This results in a material which has only a trace of residue which can be removed by heating briefly in O 2 at a moderate temperature. Materials initially calcined in O 2 require either a lengthy treatment at a moderate temperature or a shorter treatment at a higher temperature to completely remove the residue.
Effect of sex steroids on cocaine lethality in male and female mice.

Abstract 1. Endogenous sex steroid levels were altered in mice via gonadectomy, via physiological or supraphysiological doses of testosterone and/or estradiol, and via tamoxifen dosing to antagonize estrogens. 2. The role of sex hormones in susceptibility to cocaine lethality was examined via the response of mice after endocrine alterations to an intraperitoneal (i.p.) cocaine HCl (75 mg/kg). Incidence of deaths was significantly decreased only in sham-operated males receiving estradiol or tamoxifen and in ovariectomized or sham-operated females receiving doses of estradiol. 3. The levels of estradiol in both sexes appeared to be more influential than were levels of testosterone as a determinant of susceptibility to cocaine.
DISTRIBUTION AND RETENTION OF INHALED VANADIUM ON INERT AIRBORNE PARTICLES

Although vanadium is an essential trace element in the human body, it is highly toxic in various chemical forms at even low levels if introduced into the systemic circulation of the human body. This toxicity may be manifested by bronchopneumonia, bronchitis, lymphatic necrosis, chronic liver damage, lung fibrosis and kidney fibrosis (Friberg et al., 1986; Al-Bayati et al, 1989, 1992). Most forms of vanadium are not readily absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract and less than 2% of the about 2 mg day" vanadium in the human diet is actually absorbed into the body. Workers have been exposed to potentially toxic levels of airborne vanadium (0.1-60 mgV m~) in the production of vanadium metal and vanadium compounds (Friberg et al., 1986). There is also a possible risk for diseases to the general population due to the gradual increases in vanadium concentration in the atmosphere resulting from the combustion of vanadium-containing fuels, especially crude oil whose average vanadium concentration is about 600 ppm (Meish and Bielig, 1980). Inhalation and instillation experiments with animals have shown that vanadium in various forms can be quickly absorbed from the lung into the systemic circulation (Rhoads and Sanders, 1985; Knecht et al., 1992). This study was designed to provide information on lung clearance of respirable vanadium pentoxide coated onto inert particles and the distribution of the absorbed vanadium in the body of young and adult rats. Coated particles are readily produced and released to the environment by fossil fuel power plants. A total of 72 unanesthetized Sprague-Dawley male rats (36 young and 36 adult) were exposed to aerosols of respirable V2O5-coated on fused-clay aluminosilicate particles for up to one hour and at a vanadium concentration of about 1 mg m~. The aerosol was made by combining V-radiolabelled V2O5 fume with spherical aluminosilicate particles, which were generated by nebulizing an aqueous suspension of clay and passing it through a high temperature furnace. The study showed that most vanadium was rapidly cleared from the lung, although about 5% remained for 4 weeks, and the absorbed vanadium sequestered in kidney, spleen and especially bone, sites of potential pathological effects. Higher uptake in the skeleton of the young rat may indicate the young individual has a higher risk for disease in the event of exposure to vanadium.
Addressing extrema and censoring in pollutant and exposure data using mixture of normal distributions.

Abstract Background Volatile organic compounds (VOC), which include many hazardous chemicals, have been used extensively in personal, commercial and industrial products. Due to the variation in source emissions, differences in the settings and environmental conditions where exposures occur, and measurement issues, distributions of VOC concentrations can have multiple modes, heavy tails, and significant portions of data below the method detection limit (MDL). These issues challenge standard parametric distribution models needed to estimate the exposures, even after log transformation of the data. Methods This paper considers mixture of distributions that can be directly applied to concentration and exposure data. Two types of mixture distributions are considered: the traditional finite mixture of normal distributions, and a semi-parametric Dirichlet process mixture (DPM) of normal distributions. Both methods are implemented for a sample data set obtained from the Relationship between Indoor, Outdoor and Personal Air (RIOPA) study. Performance is assessed based on goodness-of-fit criteria that compare the closeness of the density estimates with the empirical density based on data. The goodness-of-fit for the proposed density estimation methods are evaluated by a comprehensive simulation study. Results The finite mixture of normals and DPM of normals have superior performance when compared to the single normal distribution fitted to log-transformed exposure data. The advantages of using these mixture distributions are more pronounced when exposure data have heavy tails or a large fraction of data below the MDL. Distributions from the DPM provided slightly better fits than the finite mixture of normals. Additionally, the DPM method avoids certain convergence issues associated with the finite mixture of normals, and adaptively selects the number of components. Conclusions Compared to the finite mixture of normals, DPM of normals has advantages by characterizing uncertainty around the number of components, and by providing a formal assessment of uncertainty for all model parameters through the posterior distribution. The method adapts to a spectrum of departures from standard model assumptions and provides robust estimates of the exposure density even under censoring due to MDL.
Effect of Temperature and Hypersalinity on Hatching Success of Spotted Seatrout Eggs

Abstract Hatching success of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) eggs was examined after embryos were exposed to various temperature (20–32°C) and salinity (30–70‰) combinations. Spotted seatrout eggs were obtained from temperature–photoperiod induced spawns. Eggs held at 26°C exhibited a higher overall hatching success than eggs held at other test temperatures when salinities exceeded 40‰. Hatching success at salinities below 40‰ was highest at 23°C. For eggs held at 26°C, both the median lethal salinity (LC50) and the near-total lethal salinity (LC99) were higher than they were for eggs held at other test temperatures, suggesting that incubation of eggs at salinities above 30‰ may be more successful at this temperature.
Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases in gerbil cholesteatoma: preliminary findings.

Abstract Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the impact of a topical MMP inhibitor, ilomostat, on the development of tympanic membrane (TM) atelectasis in the gerbil model. Methods: Eustachian tubes were cauterized bilaterally in 19 gerbils. Thereafter, both TMs received once-daily topical treatment for 8 weeks with ilomostat or vehicle or no treatment (n = 6 or 7 per group). TM atelectasis was serially graded, and TMs were harvested at 8 weeks. Gelatin zymograms were performed to determine MMP activity. Results: The mean activity levels of proenzyme and active MMP-9 and MMP-2 and degree of atelectasis did not differ between groups. TM atelectasis did not correlate to levels of enzymes across individual samples. Conclusions: Topical application of an MMP inhibitor did not significantly prevent the development of TM atelectasis. It remains to be determined whether the use of MMP inhibitors may prevent the progression of atelectasis in humans. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:404-8.)
Flood basalts and extinction events

The largest known effusive eruptions during the Cenozoic and Mesozoic Eras, the voluminous flood basalts, have long been suspected as being associated with major extinctions of biotic species. Despite the possible errors attached to the dates in both time series of events, the significance level of the suspected correlation is found here, by an objective, direct method, to be 1% to 4%. Statistically, extinctions lag eruptions by a mean time interval that is indistinguishable from zero, being much less than the average residual derived from the correlation analysis. Oceanic flood basalts, however, must have had a different biological impact, which is still uncertain owing to the small number of known examples and differing physical factors. Although not all continental flood basalts can have produced major extinction events, the non-correlating eruptions (including most or all of the oceanic flood basalts) may have led to smaller marine extinciton events that terminated at least some of the less catastrophically ending geologic stages. Consequently, the 26 Myr quasiperiodicity seen in major marine extinctions may be only a sampling effect, rather than a manifestation of underlying periodicity.
A Phylogenetic Analysis of Soldier Evolution in the Aphid Family Hormaphididae

Aphid soldiers, altruistic larvae that protect the colony from predators, are an example of highly social behaviour in an insect group with a natural history different from the eusocial Hymenoptera and Isoptera. Aphids therefore allow independent tests of theory developed to explain the evolution of eusociality. Although soldiers have been discovered in five tribes from two families, the number and pattern of origins and losses of soldiers is unknown due to a lack of phylogenetic data. Here I present a mtDNA based phylogeny for the Hormaphididae, and test the hypothesis that soldiers in the tribe Cerataphidini produced during two points in the life cycle represent independent origins. The results support this hypothesis. In addition, a minimum of five evolutionary events, either four origins and one loss or five origins, are required to explain the distribution of soldiers in the family. The positions of the origins and losses are well resolved, and this phylogeny provides an historical framework for studies on the causes of soldier aphid evolution.
Selective manipulation of locked spins

Abstract Spins, locked along an effective field, H0ϱ can be caused to nutate in this field and to achieve the state in which they are locked antiparallel to H0ϱ by a small phase modulation of H1, at frequency ωp = γH0p. This phenomenon is analogous to the conventional experiment in the laboratory frame in which spins are inverted by applying a RF field perpendicular to H0 at the resonant frequency ωi = γ Hi. Variations of the experiment in which the direction of H0p, is reversed elicit interesting spin behavior. This provides an interesting alternative method of performing CAMELSPIN experiments and may be useful in solvent suppression.
Bureaucratic Barriers Limit Local Participatory Governance in Protected Areas in Costa Rica

The importance of local participation in biodiversity governance was recently recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples' and Local Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) as a protected area category. This paper explores what barriers ICCAs might face in their successful implementation within already existing protected area systems. I look at this issue in the context of the decentralisation of biodiversity governance in Costa Rica and examine the internal makeup of four different conservation areas within the National System of Conservation Areas. My findings suggest that it is not enough to enact legal reforms allowing and encouraging local participation. Successfully involving local participation requires attention to the class-based relationships within the protected area bureaucracy that create incentives (or not) to link with the local rural citizenry affected by these areas. In three out of four conservation areas, the dominant social class and urban-rural dynamics combined with a lack of accountability mechanisms have discouraged any real rural involvement and empowerment for decision-making. The strategy of the one area that succeeded at sorting these obstacles to incorporate local participation is described in detail.