cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Modeling of Co 2 Decomposition by Concentrated Solar Energy – Enhanced Microwave Plasma

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into higher-value products using renewable energy can help fulfill the increasing need for fuels and chemicals and limit CO 2 emissions. Solar-Enhanced Microwave Plasma (SEMP) CO 2 conversion aims to combine the advantages of solar thermochemical methods (direct use of the most abundant form of renewable energy) and plasmachemical approaches (high efficiency, continuous operation). SEMP exploits the greater absorption of solar photons by CO 2 in Non-Local Thermodynamic-Equilibrium (NLTE) state compared to CO 2 in LTE 1 . A computational study of a SEMP reactor operating with an Ar-CO 2 (7:1) mixture at near atmospheric pressure is presented. The SEMP reactor receives 700 W of incident microwave power at 2.45 GHz and 525 W of incident solar radiation power. Three hierarchical models are investigated: (i) plasmachemical conversion neglecting radiative energy transport, (ii) plasmachemical conversion including radiative transport, and (iii) solar-plasmachemical conversion. The 2D models comprise, in completely-coupled approaches, fluid flow, heat transfer, energy conservation for electrons and heavy-species, radiative transport in participating media, and Ar-CO 2 chemical kinetics through the discharge tube; coupled to microwave electromagnetic field dynamics through the waveguide and the discharge tube. The results show that the plasma is localized near the location of incident microwave energy and that CO 2 decomposition is greatest at that location. The incident radiative flux leads to more uniform distributions of heavy-species and moderately greater temperatures throughout most of the discharge tube. Simulation results reveal that conversion efficiency increase from 4.4% to 9.8% with increasing solar input power from 0 to 525 W. An experimental setup was built, and the CO 2 conversion experimentally measured 2 . Good agreement is shown between the modeling and experimental results. The enhanced process performance appears to be consequence of the greater solar radiation absorption by microwave plasma.
Trinity and Truth

Preface A note on translations 1. Introduction: theology and truth 2. The triune God as the center of Christian belief 3. Epistemic justification in modern theology 4. Problems about justification 5. The epistemic primacy of belief in the Trinity 6. Epistemic priorities and alien claims 7. The epistemic role of the spirit 8. The concept of truth 9. Trinity, truth, and belief.
3D Synthetic Environment Reconstruction

Although synthetic environments were traditionally used in military settings for mission rehearsal and simulations, their use is rapidly spreading to a variety of applications in the commercial, research and industrial sectors, such as flight training for commercial aircraft, city planning, car safety research in real-time traffic simulations, and video games. 3D Synthetic Environment Reconstruction contains seven invited chapters from leading experts in the field, bringing together a coherent body of recent knowledge relating 3D geospatial data collection, design issues, and techniques used in synthetic environments design, implementation and interoperability. In particular, this book describes new techniques for the generation of Synthetic Environments with increased resolution and rich attribution, both essential for accurate modeling and simulation. This book also deals with interoperability of models and simulations, which is necessary for facilitating the reuse of modeling and simulation components.3D Synthetic Environment Reconstruction is an excellent reference for researchers and practitioners in the field.
Planar dipole antennas near the edge of an EBG ground plane for WLAN applications

The dipole antenna is a simple and fundamental radiator and meets requirements for an antenna structure with a low profile and compact configuration. However, it cannot radiate efficiently near a perfect electric conductor (PEC) ground plane due to the reverse image currents. The paper presents the idea of using an EBG ground plane to improve the radiation efficiency of a nearby planar dipole antenna. The validity of the idea has been demonstrated by both FDTD simulations and measured results. The proposed antenna structure has a good potential for wireless communications, such as WLAN, and radar systems.
Searching for the Best of Both Worlds : EFTA Members Joining the EC

Most of the founding members of the European Free Trade Area are now member states of the European Community. What motivated them originally to join the fiee trade area? What additional advantages did they subsequently hope to derive from membership of the Community? This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol5/iss1/13 1 ' Searching for the Best of Both Worlds: EFTA Members Joining the EC
Animal Models of Human Behavior

Animal models should be viewed only as generating hypotheses about human behavior, because there are differences between animal and human behavior as well as similarities. There are two ways that gene-based behavioral variants of animals can be used for this: the first way is in identifying and mapping genes with effects on human behavior; and the second is in developing hypotheses about the biological causes of human behavior. Keywords: animal models; alcohol and alcoholism; learning and memory; gene homology; gene mapping; gene effects
Marine and Freshwater Fecal Indicators and Source Identification

Fecal indicators are organisms or chemical constituents found in fecal material or wastewater from humans and other animals can contaminant surface waters and pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. Fecal pollution serves as a vehicle for disease transmission including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or protozoa. Fecal waste also carries with it harmless commensal organisms that live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are often used as fecal indicators since they are present in high numbers. The type and amount of pathogens found in fecal pollution is dependent on the host source (human, agricultural animal, wildlife) and the prevalence of illness in the host population. Therefore, employing fecal indicators that provide information about human and other animal contributions is critical for estimating the likelihood that pathogens are present and for directing remediation efforts.
The Production of Elementary Particles by Strong Gravitational Fields

The creation of particles by gravitational fields is a natural consequence of quantum field theory in curved space-time. It occurs in particle-antiparticle pairs in the models considered, and does not violate the local conservation laws. This process has important consequences in cosmological and black hole metrics.
Realizing the economic development benefits of short-line railroads: the case of Mississippi

Short-line railroads are re-emerging as an important component of the nation's freight transportation infrastructure. These rail lines are mostly intrastate and tend not to be highly profitable, but have significant economic development implications. Mostly private operations, they will require public investment in order to recover from years of neglect; and an appropriate public policy needs to be developed. This paper explores the case of short-lines in Mississippi in order to shed light on the economic development and policy issues involved with this aspect of the transportation system that has received relatively little attention. The findings highlight concerns with cost-benefit analysis as the sole determinant of public policy and the need for economic developers to become more involved with this transportation issue. It is proposed that a more nuanced decision process be utilized and multi-state best practice studies of short-line rail policy are recommended.
High expression of AGR2 in lung cancer is predictive of poor survival.

Background: Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein disulfide isomerase-like protein widely expressed in many normal tissues as well as cancers. In our study, non-neoplastic bronchial epithelial cells as well as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express AGR2 protein. Methods: AGR2 expression was analyzed on lung tissue microarrays. Tumor staining was correlated with clinical outcomes. Results: On a lung cancer tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry, expression levels in cancer showed generally decreasing intensities in order from adenocarcinomas with mucinous components, other adenocarcinomas, squamous carcinomas, to large cell carcinomas. The study cohort was comprised of 400 cases. As a group, there was a slight trend of lower expression with increasing tumor grade. AGR2 expression level was a significant predictor of overall survival in younger patients only. Patients under 65 with lower levels showed a significantly better survival for both men and women. Patients over 65, in contrast, showed no such trend. Conclusions: Nearly all NSCLC tumors show AGR2 expression. Lung cancer expression of AGR2 has prognostic value for younger patients.
Calorie restriction influences key metabolic enzyme activities and markers of oxidative damage in distinct mouse liver mitochondrial sub-populations.

Aims The purpose of the study was to establish if enzyme activities from key metabolic pathways and levels of markers of oxidative damage to proteins and lipids differed between distinct liver mitochondrial sub-populations, and which specific sub-populations contributed to these differences.
A 3D parylene scaffold cage for culturing retinal pigment epithelial cells

This work reports a 3D parylene scaffold cage for culturing stem-cell-differentiated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells for the therapy of age-related macular degeneration, which is caused by degenerated permeability of the Bruch's membrane first and then the loss of RPE cells. This reported cage can support sufficient nutrient permeation to nourish the RPE cells inside with in vivo like morphology. Compared to previous single layer scaffold substrates, this cage can effectively prevent the undesirable cell migration away from the scaffold.
Dogmatism and Opinions about Mental Illness

Summary.-Opinions about mental illness were studied among a group of introductory psychology students categorized on the basis of their dogmatism. 3 scales were developed to measure belief aspects of opinions concerning the specific categories of homosexual and suicide and the general category of mental illness. Results indicated that highly dogmatic persons tended to hold stereotypical beliefs concerning all categories with a greater intensity than low-dogmatic persons. In addition, both high- and low-dogmatic Ss did not differentiate between suicide and mental illness but did differentiate homosexuality from both these categories. On pureiy evaluative dimensions of a semantic differential highdogmatics evaluated homosexuals most negatively while low-dogmatics evaluated homosexuals least negatively. The implications of these data for studies regarding opinions about mental illness are discussed as are their importance for dogmatism theory. There is a continuing and growing body of research literature concerning opinions about mental illness (Rabkin, 1972). Much of the literatiue supports Allen's (1943) early finding that the mentally ill are rejected and stigmatized. For instance, Cumming and Cumrning (1957) found that a Canadian community held generally negative attitudes toward the mentally ill, while Nunnally (1961) concluded that Americans hold negative, stereotypical attitudes toward the mentally ill and tend to be uninformed rather than misinformed regarding factual matters. Likewise, Cohen and Struening ( 1962) found that persons tend to view the mentally ill as an "inferior class" and approve of coercive tactics toward them. Yamamoto and Dizney (1967) found that student teachers tend to have relatively lictle factual information regarding the mentally ill yet nevertheless harbor negative attitudes toward them. However, there is also a significant body of research literature supporting an early finding by Ramsey and Siepp (1948) that the general public harbors a growing tendency to view the mentally ill in more humanitarian terms, especially among the more educated. For instance both Hollingshead and Redaich ( 1958) and Freeman and Kassebaum ( 1960) found the upper classes held more favorable attitudes toward the mentally ill than the lower classes. Likewise, Lemkau and Gocetti (1962) found understanding and tolerance toward the mentally ill among a probability sample of Baltimore, Maryland residents while Bentz, Edgerton, and Kherlopian (1969) also found favorable attitudes toward the mentally ill among a sample of rural residents. Finally, Crocetti, Spiro, and Siassi (1971) found no evidence for extreme rejection of the mentally ill among a large sample of blue collar workers. Thus, empirical evidence regarding the status of the attitudes toward the mentally ill is far from
Peritoneal dialysis solutions reverse the hemodynamic effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibitors

Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is inhibited by a variety of L-arginine analogs including NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and NG NG-dimethylarginine (ADMA). ADMA is present in elevated concentrations in renal failure and potentially could alter microcirculatory hemodynamics during peritoneal dialysis (PD). This investigation utilized the techniques of intravital microscopy to quantitate the mesenteric arteriolar hemodynamic effects of PD solutions during NO synthesis inhibition. L-NAME (100 microns) produced maximum arteriolar vasoconstriction to 74% of baseline diameter (19.9 +/- 2.2 vs. 26.9 +/- 1.4 microns, P < 0.001, N = 10) and ADMA (100 microns) to 68% (20.5 +/- 2.5 vs. 30.1 +/- 2.0 microns, P < 0.01, N = 6). L-NAME decreased red blood cell velocity to 44% of baseline velocity (3.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 8.5 +/- 1.1 mm/second, P < 0.001) and ADMA to 52% (5.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 9.8 +/- 0.9 mm/second, P < 0.01, N = 6). Despite NO synthesis inhibition, standard PD solutions reversed these hemodynamic effects with both 1.5% and 4.25% Dianeal (Baxter) rapidly reversing the vasoconstriction and restoring blood flow back to baseline values. When Dianeal and L-NAME were simultaneously superfused, no L-NAME induced vasoconstriction occurred and Dianeal maintained vasodilatory properties despite L-NAME (P < 0.01, N = 5). This investigation reaffirms that basal levels of NO are important in maintaining normal hemodynamics in the mesenteric microcirculation. Reversal of the L-NAME induced arteriolar hemodynamic effects by Dianeal suggests that the endogenous NO synthesis inhibitor ADMA has no significant effects in the regulation of the mesenteric microvascular arteriolar hemodynamics during PD. Since these PD solutions remain vasoactive despite NO synthesis inhibition, this suggests that these PD solutions possess vasoactive properties primarily through a NO independent mechanism.
Trace Explosive Detection in Fingerprints with Raman Chemical Imaging

Wide-field Raman chemical imaging (RCI) has been used to detect and identify the presence of trace explosives in contaminated fingerprints. A background subtraction routine was developed to minimize the Raman spectral features produced by surfaces on which the fingerprint was examined. The Raman image was analyzed with a spectral angle mapping routine to detect and identify the explosives. This study shows the potential capability to identify explosives non-destructively so that the fingerprint remains intact for further biometric analysis.
Impact of Land Surface Initialization on Seasonal Precipitation and Temperature Prediction

Abstract The potential role of land initialization in seasonal forecasting is illustrated through ensembles of simulations with the NASA Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Project (NSIPP) model. For each boreal summer during 1997–2001, two 16-member ensembles of 3-month simulations were generated. The first, “AMIP style” (Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project) ensemble establishes the degree to which a perfect prediction of SSTs would contribute to the seasonal prediction of precipitation and temperature over continents. The second ensemble is identical to the first, except that the land surface is also initialized with “realistic” soil moisture contents through the continuous prior application (within GCM simulations leading up to the start of the forecast period) of a daily observational precipitation dataset and the associated avoidance of model drift through the scaling of all surface prognostic variables. A comparison of the two ensembles shows that land initialization has a statistically signifi...
The Ability of Children With Language Impairment to Manipulate Topic in a Structured Task

This study investigated the way in which 10 children with specific language impairment (SLI), 10 typical children of similar chronological ages (CA), and 10 typical children at similar levels of language functioning (LS) maintained topics that were introduced to them by an adult investigator. Two different types of topics were introduced in interaction with each child. One topic type involved verbal introduction of an object, the other involved verbal introduction of an event. Although most subject in all groups contributed appropriate utterances in response to the examiner’s topics, subjects with SLI contributed more inappropriate utterances than subject in either of the other groups. Children with SLI demonstrated particular difficulty with verbal topics when compared with their CA and LS peers.
Probability Assessment in Small Business

Many practical decision problems in small business involve situations where complexities of the situation and uncertainty of future outcomes require rational analysis. This paper discusses the role of probability in risk analysis for small business situations involving uncertainties, describes an approach for probability assessments and discusses a way to ascertain one’s risk attitude in decision making.
Experimental studies of electrons in a heavy-ion beam

Abstract We have measured electron and gas emission from 1 MeV K + impact on surfaces near grazing incidence on the High-Current Experiment (HCX) at LBNL. Electron emission coefficients reach values of 130, whereas gas desorption coefficients are near 10 4 . Mitigation techniques are being studied: a bead-blasted rough surface reduces electron emission by a factor of 10 and gas desorption by a factor of 2. Diagnostics are installed on HCX, between and within quadrupole magnets, to measure the beam halo loss, net charge and expelled ions, from which we infer gas density, electron trapping, and the effects of mitigation techniques. Here we discuss a new diagnostic technique that measures gas pressure and electron ionization rates within quadrupole magnets during the beam transit.
Capillary electrophoresis study of iron(II) and iron(III) polyaminocarboxylate complex speciation

Environmental context Methods for determining iron species are integral to investigations of iron cycling processes in the environment. Capillary electrophoresis is an effective tool for determining the concentrations of various iron species in solution, but the separations are highly dependent on the electrolyte composition. This study reports the use of capillary electrophoresis to separate and quantify distinct FeII and FeIII complexes with polyaminocarboxylates. Abstract The purpose of this study was to use capillary electrophoresis to (i) separate and quantify distinct FeII and FeIII complexes with polyaminocarboxylates and (ii) develop new methods for distinguishing between FeII and FeIII in aqueous media. A 25 mM phosphate and a 50 mM 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) background electrolyte (BGE), both buffered at pH 7.1, were each tested with 6 polyaminocarboxylate complexes with FeII and FeIII. Adequate separation of all FeIII-chelating agent complexes was observed with the MOPS BGE. With the phosphate BGE, sharp peaks were obtained for FeIII complexes with EDTA, HEDTA, DTPA and CDTA, however FeIII–EGTA showed excessive peak broadening, and FeIII–TMDTA showed no discernable peak. Mobilities of FeIII–EGTA, FeIII–EDTA and FeIII–HEDTA were much larger when the phosphate BGE was employed, providing evidence for ternary complex formation with phosphate during electromigration. For FeII, complexes with TMDTA and EGTA were adequately separated with either BGE, but separations of the other chelating agents resulted in their corresponding FeIII complexes due to rapid oxidation by molecular oxygen. These chelating agents may be used as preservatives and derivatising agents for the analysis of ferrous and ferric iron in environmental samples.
Molecular characterization of a foot-and-mouth disease virus containing a 57-nucleotide insertion in the 3′untranslated region

A foot-and-mouth disease virus containing a 57-nucleotide (nt) insertion in the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) was generated by transposon (tn)-mediated mutagenesis. Characterization of the mutant virus (A24-3′UTR8110) revealed no significant differences in virus growth, translation efficiency or virulence in cattle compared to the A24 wild-type virus. RNA modeling showed that the structures predicted in the 3′UTR were not affected by the tn insertion. These results revealed that the 3′UTR can tolerate foreign sequences that do not disrupt essential signals required for virus replication.
1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced premalignant alterations in the S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio and membrane lipid lateral diffusion of the rat distal colon.

Abstract Prior studies by our laboratory, utilizing the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine experimental model of colonic cancer, had shown that administration of this procarcinogen for 5 weeks was found to increase phospholipid methyltransferase activity and the fluidity of rat distal colonic brush-border membranes. The present studies were conducted to further explore these ‘premalignant’ colonic phenomena. Male albino rats of the Sherman strain were subcutaneously injected with dimethylhydrazine (20 mg/kg body wieght per week) or diluent for 5 weeks. Animals from each group were killed, distal colonic tissue harvested and the levels of S -adenosylmethionine, S -adenosylhomocysteine and decarboxylated S -adenosylmethionine measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The activity of methionine adenosyltransferase was also examined in these tissues. Additionally, brush-border membranes were isolated from the distal colonocytes of control and treated-animals and examined and compared with respect to their phospholipid methylation activities as well as their lipid fluidity as assessed by the rotational mobilities of the probes 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and dl -12-(9-anthroyl)stearic acid and translational mobility of the fluorophore pyrenedecanoic acid. The results of these studies demonstrated: (1) phospholipid methyltransferase activity in rat colonic plasma membranes was increased concomitantly with increases in the cellular levels of S -adenosylmethionine and the S -adenosylmethionine/ S -adenosylhomocysteine ratio in the distal colonic segment of treated-animals; and (2) the lateral diffusion of rat distal colonic brush-border membrane lipids, as assessed by the ratio of excimer/monomer fluorescence intensities of the fluorophore pyrenedecanoate, was also increased after dimethylhydrazine administration to these animals for 5 weeks.
Magic labelings of triangles

The first proof is given that for every even integer s>=4, the graph consisting of s vertex disjoint copies of C"3, (denoted sC"3) is vertex-magic. Hence it is also edge-magic. It is shown that for each even integer s>=6, sC"3 has vertex-magic total labelings with at least 2s-2 different magic constants. If s=2mod4, two extra vertex-magic total labelings with the highest possible and lowest possible magic constants are given. If [email protected]?3^k, k>=1, it is shown that sC"3 has a vertex-magic total labeling with magic constant h if and only if (1/2)(15s+4)@[email protected]?(1/2)(21s+2). It is also shown that 2C"3 is not vertex-magic. If s is odd, vertex-magic total labelings for sC"3 with s+1 different magic constants are provided.
Toward PKU Enzyme Replacement Therapy: PEGylation with Activity Retention for Three Forms of Recombinant Phenylalanine Hydroxylase

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disease in which phenylalanine and phenylalanine-derived metabolites build up to neurotoxic levels due to mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene ( PAH ). Enzyme replacement therapy is a viable option to supply active PAH. However, the inherent protease sensitivity and potential immunogenicity of PAH have precluded adoption of this approach. In this report, we have used polyethylene glycol derivatization (PEGylation) to produce protected forms of PAH for potential therapeutic use. Three recombinantly produced PAH enzymes were reacted with activated PEG species, with the aim of developing a stable and active PKU enzyme replacement. Tetrameric full-length human PAH, dimeric double-truncated (ΔN102–ΔC428) human PAH, and monomeric Chromobacterium violaceum PAH were PEGylated with succinimidyl succinate polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 5000 or 20,000 Da. Characterization of the PEGylated species was accomplished with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, SDS–PAGE, and specific activity measurements using ESI mass spectrometry. All PEG-derivatized PAH species retained catalytic activity, and, at low numbers of PEG molecules attached, these PEGylated PAH proteins were found to be more active and more stable than their nonderivatized PAH counterparts.
Vacation Homes and Residential Interest Deductions: An Outdated Statute and Conflicting Interpretations Create Confusion (and Planning Opportunities)

Tax benefits have been the key in making vacation homes affordable for many taxpayers. In some cases these benefits have been augmented by an inconsistency in allocation methods used to determine allowable expenses for vacation homes under Section 280A. The U.S. Tax Court created this inconsistency years ago with its decision in Bolton, 77 TC 104 (1981), where the Court approved an allocation method that was contrary to IRS guidance. Although most analyses since this decision have focused on how the Bolton decision permits a taxpayer to increase total deductions related to a rental property when the Section 280A limits apply, there is another aspect to the allocation controversy that has not received as much attention. Specifically, the possible loss of the personal deduction for residential interest when the property does not qualify as a second home may create unexpected tax consequences, where the best tax‐planning advice may be to encourage the taxpayer to use the vacation home for more personal days....
Time limited and bandwidth constrained signal design for the fast fading noncoherent MIMO channel

The problem of bandwidth constrained space-time signal design for the noncoherent Rayleigh block-fading channel is addressed. Existing design techniques for this channel subdivide the coherence interval into smaller time blocks and use repetitions of a basic waveform to signal in each subblock. When the coherence time of the channel is short this access technique becomes questionable, due to the inverse relationship between bandwidth and time support. In particular, there may not be sufficient time support to allow matched filtered reception with finite (or nearly finite) Shannon bandwidth waveforms. To address this problem, we consider other notions of bandwidth, such as the root-mean square (RMS) bandwidth and fractional out of band energy (FOBE), which are appropriate for signals with finite time support. We extend our previous work on unconstrained signal designs for the block fading channel to incorporate such bandwidth constraints. The resulting signal constellations can be used 1) as a comparison point for any signal design procedure and 2) to conclude that there is a performance advantage to be had when signals are properly matched to the finite time support of the channel.
Introduction to SIMNET v2.0

SIMNET is a network-based general-purpose discrete simulation language developed in totally compatible versions for the micro, mini, and mainframe computers. The language utilizes a fresh design approach that limits the number of nodes to exactly four: a source, a queue, a facility, and an auxiliary. Traffic among the four nodes is controlled by using special assignments, a strategy that is particularly suited for use with the IF-THEN-ELSE-ENDIF constructs. PROCs are used in a "stand alone" fashion to simulate an entire system with repetitive elements. A unique feature of SIMNET is the use of interactive (characters) graphics to estimate the transient period, following which the steady state run length is specified by the user and independent or global statistics are collected, all within the interactive mode of execu tion. The paper compares SIMNET with GPSS, SIMAN, and SLAM.
Ion-exchange properties of activated carbon filled with hydrous Zr(IV) and Zr(IV)—P(V) oxides

Abstract Filling the pores of activated carbon with hydrous oxides allows one to take advantage of the attractive ion-exchange properties of the oxides and to avoid difficulties of column operation with the hydrous oxides alone arising from particle size, particle uniformity, and dispersibility. Procedures are outlined for incorporation of useful amounts of hydrous Zr(IV) oxide and mixed oxides of Zr(IV) and P(V) in high surface area charcoals. A dilute solution of Zr(IV) salt in solutions of moderate acid concentration is first contacted with the carbon and the Zr(IV) taken up precipitated with ammonia. More than one cycle may be desirable. Higher Zr(IV) oxide contents may be attained by pretreating the charcoal with nitric acid at elevated temperature. The rates of exchange between filled carbons and solution are adequate for column separations.
Increased growth of RSV-induced tumors in chickens partially tolerant to MHC alloantigens.

Chickens withB2B2 MHC genotypes were made partially tolerant to B5 MHC cell-surface antigens and the fate of their Rous-sarcoma-virus (RSV)-induced tumors was determined.B2B2 chickens partially tolerant to viable or lysed white blood cells (WBC) or viable red blood cells (RBC) fromB5B5 chickens had a significantly higher incidence of tumor progression than untreated, PBS-treated, orB2B2 chickens inoculated with WBC from otherB2B2 chickens. The criteria for tolerance were absence of antibody titer to the cell type inoculated and acceptance of allografts fromB5B5 donors byB2B2 chickens. Graft-vs-host reactions occurred only inB2B2 chickens inoculated with viable WBC fromB5B5 chickens. It appears thatB2B2 chickens partially tolerant to B5 antigens failed to mount a successful immune response to RSV-induced tumors partly because a B5 MHC antigen(s) cross-reacted with a tumor associated antigen(s) thereby severely limitingB2B2 host recognition of the tumor as foreign. Since WBC and RBC cell-surface antigens appear to contribute similarly to the effect, theB-F- region of the MHC may be involved.
Malignant Transformation of Melanocytes to Melanoma by Constitutive Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase (MAPKK) Signaling

Malignant melanoma is the cancer with the most rapid increase in incidence in the United States. Ultraviolet light and deficiency of the p16ink4a gene are known factors that predispose one to the development of malignant melanoma. The signal transduction pathways that underlie the progression of melanoma from their precursors, atypical nevi, are not well understood. We examined activation of the MAP kinase pathway in atypical nevi and melanoma cells and found that this pathway is activated in melanomas. To determine the functional significance of this activation, we introduced constitutively active MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK) into immortalized melanocytes. The introduction of this gene into melanocytes leads to tumorigenesis in nude mice, activation of the angiogenic switch, and increased production of the proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Activation of MAP kinase signaling may be an important pathway involved in melanoma transformation. Inhibition of MAP kinase signaling may be useful in the prevention and treatment of melanoma.
Erratum to: Ellipse-based principal component analysis for self-intersecting curve reconstruction from noisy point sets

Surface reconstruction from cross cuts usually requires curve reconstruction from planar noisy point samples. The output curves must form a possibly disconnected 1-manifold for the surface reconstruction to proceed. This article describes an implemented algorithm for the reconstruction of planar curves (1-manifolds) out of noisy point samples of a self-intersecting or nearly self-intersecting planar curve C. C:[a,b]⊂R→R 2 is self-intersecting if C(u)=C(v), u≠v, u,v∈(a,b) (C(u) is the self-intersection point). We consider only transversal self-intersections, i.e. those for which the tangents of the intersecting branches at the intersection point do not coincide (C′(u)≠C′(v)). In the presence of noise, curves which self-intersect cannot be distinguished from curves which nearly self-intersect. Existing algorithms for curve reconstruction out of either noisy point samples or pixel data, do not produce a (possibly disconnected) Piecewise Linear 1-manifold approaching the whole point sample. The algorithm implemented in this work uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with elliptic support regions near the self-intersections. The algorithm was successful in recovering contours out of noisy slice samples of a surface, for the Hand, Pelvis and Skull data sets. As a test for the correctness of the obtained curves in the slice levels, they were input into an algorithm of surface reconstruction, leading to a reconstructed surface which reproduces the topological and geometrical properties of the original object. The algorithm robustly reacts not only to statistical non-correlation at the self-intersections (non-manifold neighborhoods) but also to occasional high noise at the non-self-intersecting (1-manifold) neighborhoods.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer by radiation therapy.

The role of radiation therapy in the management of pancreatic malignancy was expanded dramatically in the last decade. Development of new tumor localization and dose delivery techniques permits safe delivery of increased radiation dose to upper abdominal tumors. Interstitial implantation of radioisotopes directly into tumors has increased the local control rate for pancreatic cancer as high as 80%, but the perioperative mortality rate of this procedure is as high as 25%, except in highly controlled situations. Early data from the high linear energy transfer (LET) treatment programs suggest higher than expected complication rates, yet survival seems no better than that reported from precision high-dose (PHD) external beam regimens. Radiation as an adjuvant to surgery has been inadequately tested, but initial reports from preoperative and postoperative trials are encouraging. Intraoperative irradiation poses theoretical advantages over external beam therapy for pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy seems an effective adjuvant to external beam radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer. Drugs other than 5-FU have not been adequately evaluated in adjuvant studies, nor have newer radiation treatment methods been fully evaluated in combination with drugs.
Targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is responsible for an estimated 95,000 deaths worldwide. Metastatic RCC is refractory to radiation therapy and traditional chemotherapy. Treatment of metastatic RCC with either interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon-alfa (IFN-α) has demonstrated a response rate of approximately 15%. Identification of and research into the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene has led to the development of multi-kinase inhibitors and other novel molecular targeting therapies. Sunitinib and sorafenib are now commercially available agents that can improve progression-free survival. Additional targeting agents are currently under clinical investigation. Combination trials of molecular targeting agents and cytokines are ongoing in the metastatic setting as are trials using molecular targeting agents in the adjuvant setting. This review focuses on the recent advances of targeted therapy for RCC.
Stimulus Size Dependence of Information Transfer from Retina to Thalamus

Relay cells in the mammalian lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are driven primarily by single retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). However, an LGN cell responds typically to less than half of the spikes it receives from the RGC that drives it, and without retinal drive the LGN is silent (Kaplan and Shapley, 1984). Recent studies, which used stimuli restricted to the receptive field (RF) center, show that despite the great loss of spikes, more than half of the information carried by the RGC discharge is typically preserved in the LGN discharge (Sincich et al., 2009), suggesting that the retinal spikes that are deleted by the LGN carry less information than those that are transmitted to the cortex. To determine how LGN relay neurons decide which retinal spikes to respond to, we recorded extracellularly from the cat LGN the LGN spikes together with the slow synaptic (‘S’) potentials that signal the firing of retinal spikes. We investigated the ini¬‚uence of the inhibitory surround of the LGN RF by stimulating the eyes with spots of various sizes, the largest of which covered the center and surround of the LGN relay cell’s RF. We found that for stimuli that activated mostly the RF center, each LGN spike delivered more information than the retinal spike, but this difference was reduced as stimulus size increased to cover the RF surround. To evaluate the optimality of the LGN editing of retinal spikes, we created artificial spike trains from the retinal ones by various deletion schemes. We found that single LGN cells transmitted less information than an optimal detector could.
Photoluminescence emission in deep ultraviolet region from GaN/ALN asymmetric-coupled quantum wells

Deep ultraviolet photoluminescence peaks up to 5.1 eV with dramatically improved intensities are observed in GaN/AlN asymmetric-coupled quantum wells, due to recombination of electrons in AlN coupling barriers with heavy holes in GaN quantum wells.
A New Prosthesis for Reconstruction of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract

A new left ventricular outflow tract prosthesis is described. It consists of a tightly woven Dacron graft with one end modified by being wrapped around a thin perforated stainless steel tube to form a rigid left ventricular insertion port and the other end anastomosed to a Hancock xenograft valved conduit for suture to the arterial system. The prosthesis is simple in design and flexible enough to permit anastomosis to any portion of the abdominal aorta. In addition, since the entire blood conduit consists of a porous woven arterial graft and a tissue valve, anticoagulants are not required. The prosthesis has been successfully employed in a 7-year-old boy who had undergone two previous open-heart operations for resection of a subaortic ring but who had persistent evidence of severe residual stenosis. We believe this conduit has advantages over present commercially available units.
An isoamylase with neutral pH optimum from a Flavobacterium species: cloning, characterization and expression of the iam gene.

The gene encoding an isoamylase with neutral pH optimum (iam) from a Flavobacterium species was cloned using a PCR probe generated from highly conserved regions of amylolytic enzymes. Active isoamylase was expressed from a 4.9-kb Pst I fragment in Escherichia coli, and was detected in the extracellular medium by a plate assay. The iam nucleotide sequence has an open reading frame of 2334 nucleotides (778 amino acids) with a GC content of 69%. Sequence analysis suggests that transcriptional control of the Flavobacterium sp. iam gene is mediated through the product of a malT regulatory gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of iam contained an N-terminal signal peptide of 32 amino acids, and was 61% homologous with Pseudomonas amyloderamosa isoamylase. The mature enzyme, which was engineered for overexpression in E. coli and purified to homogeneity, has a relative molecular mass of 83 kDa, a pH optimum of 6–7, and a highest rate of hydrolysis for glycogen (but did not cleave pullulan). Polyclonal antiserum generated from purified donor isoamylase cross-reacted with crude and purified recombinant isoamylase from E. coli. This is the first report of the cloning, characterization, and sequence of an novel isoamylase that has a neutral pH optimum. A compari son of the sequence of Flavobacterium sp. iam with acidic isoamylase from Pseudomonas sp. identified putative residues which may be associated with the pH for optimal activity of isoamylases.
Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose-Induced Insulin Response Changes during Adolescence

Abstract Recently we reported that insulin resistance and glucose induced insulin release are inversely correlated to age in young healthy siblings of diabetic patients. To confirm this pattern of change with age, the subjects were reexamined after two years. The study was limited to the age groups with the lowest insulin sensitivity, i.e. 14.0-15.9 years for females and 16.0-17.9 years for males. All five girls and four of five boys showed an increased insulin sensitivity as measured by the somatostatin-insulin-glucose infusion test (p = 0.02). All subjects showed a decrease in fasting levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (p less than 0.01) during the observation period. All except one showed an increase in the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) (p less than 0.01). These data confirm that insulin sensitivity increases in the late teenage period. The parallelism to the changes of IGF-1 indicate that the pubertal changes in insulin sensitivity may partly be caused by growth hormone. Our data contradict the hypothesis that the low insulin sensitivity of puberty is due to the increased levels of DHEA-S.
Reliability in industrial electronic equipment

THE EXPECTATION of the purchaser of industrial equipment is no different from that of the purchaser of any other form of equipment or, in fact, from our own when we purchase things for use or pleasure. Reliability is expected. Such reliability, however, includes more than long life, important as that may be; it also means long periods of freedom from readjustment and similar annoyances. The following observations relative to factors which enter into such reliability were obtained from experience in the field of industrial electronics, especially as found in the heavy industries. A word of caution is in order at this point: The impression that electronic equipment is hopelessly involved with repeated failures is not a true one. What is reported as in need of correction is actually based upon the known facts that performance to date has been such as to commit industry to the use of electronic means, and that the desired improvements are possible and worthwhile.
The Effect of Changing Water Chemistry on Rates of Manganese Oxidation in Surface Sediments of a Temperate Saltmarsh and a Tropical Mangrove Estuary

Abstract The influence of changing water chemistry on manganese oxidation in surface sediments of a Sapelo Island, Georgia saltmarsh and an Andros Island, Bahamas mangrove swamp was examined. Surface sediment interstitial water salinities for sample stations in the mangrove swamp, and for saltmarsh creek bank sample sites on Sapelo Island were similar to that of the overlying waters. Intertidal sediments from high marsh sites on Sapelo Island were frequently exposed to the atmosphere on low tides, resulting in enhanced evaporation, and interstitial water salinities up to 105 were observed. Rates of microbial Mn oxide production were determined using the oxidation of leuco crystal violet in sediment/water suspensions. Sodium azide was added to some incubations to measure rates of abiotic Mn oxide formation. Overall, rates of Mn oxide production were much higher in saltmarsh sediments than in mangrove sediments. Within the mangrove swamp estuary, sediments approximately 15 km inland exhibited the highest rates of microbial Mn oxide production (station salinities of 0 and 8, 50 to 119 pmol mg dwt-1h-1, respectively), compared with sediments from the mouth of the estuary (station salinities of 24 and 34, 3 to 16 pmol mg dwt-1h-1, respectively). Suspension of mangrove sediments in water from different parts of the estuary, and in coastal seawater, had no affect on rates of Mn oxidation. In the saltmarsh rates of Mn oxidation were much higher for creek bank sediments than for sediments from high marsh sites (2·31 ± 0·28 SD and 0·45 ± 0·14 SD nmol mg dwt-1h-1, respectively). Suspension of creek bank sediments in coastal seawater diluted with distilled water had no affect on rates of Mn oxidation when compared with suspensions in natural saltmarsh creek water. Sediments from high marsh sites exhibited short-term enhancement of Mn oxidation when the coastal seawater used for suspensions was experimentally diluted to 24% of full strength with distilled water (final salinity 8). High marsh sediments experimentally exposed to hypersaline conditions, demonstrated decreasing rates of Mn oxidation as sediment suspension salinity reached 102. This inhibition of Mn oxidation appears to have been due to the effects of the concentrated bulk salts present in the water. Differences in organic or other trace components of the creek water appear to have had a negligible effect on rates of Mn oxidation.
The evolution of libel laws: Complexity and inconsistency

Libel suits filed against media organizations have become an increasingly serious problem in recent years. The potential for inhibiting news coverage or even putting a news organization out of business has never been greater. This article explores the evolution of libel laws, emphasizing the consequences of their development for the First Amendment. It defines libel, examines the First Amendment theories that shaped contemporary libel standards, and explains why state-by-state development of libel laws prompted the Supreme Court to begin a twenty-year effort to develop national standards.
CORRELATES OF DRUG ABUSE IN JAMAICAN (WEST INDIES) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Some research shows that drug use is associated with personality. For example, Lester ( 1986) found that marihuana users were more extraverted and less judgmental than nonusers. To explore correlates of drug abuse among high school smdents, 73 male and 72 female Jamaican (West Indies) high school students aged 16 and 17 yr. (mean age 16.5 yr., SD = 0.5) were given the Carlson Psychology Survey ( Carlson, 1982 ) which has scales to measure general drug use, thought disturbance, self-depreciation, and antisocial tendencies. They also completed the Rockliff ( 1969) Self-rating Questionnaire which measures depression. The students were enrolled in six classes from three high schools . The mean scores (and SDs) of the students on the scales were: d n ~ g use 12.8 (4.0), thought disturbance 29.1 (6.0), antisocial tendencies 32.9 (8.6), self-depreciation 19.0 (4.7) and validity 3.7 (1.3). Drug use was not related to age (Pearson r = 0.01) but was related to sex ( r = 0.17, 9 = 0.02) and the validity scale of the Carlson Survey ( r = 0.24, p = 0.002). Accordingly, partial correlation coefficients were calculated for each sex separately, controlling for validity scores. For both sexes, drug use was positively related to scores on the antisocial behavior scale (partial 1.s of 0.51 and 0.49 for boys and girls, respectively). For the girls, drug use was also associated with thought disturbance and selfdepreciation (partial rs of 0.33 and 0.21, respectively) but not depression (partial r = 0.16). For the boys these three correIations were scatistically nonsignificant (parrial rs of 0.07, 0.16, and 0.16, respectively). For these Jamaican high school students, male and female drug users appeared to be more antisocial, and girls appeared to be more emotionally disturbed.