cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen isotope investigation of amphibole and biotite phenocrysts in silicic magmas erupted at Lassen Volcanic Center, California

Abstract Hydrogen isotope ratio, water content and Fe 3 + /Fe 2 + in coexisting amphibole and biotite phenocrysts in volcanic rocks can provide insight into shallow pre- and syn-eruptive magmatic processes such as vesiculation, and lava drainback with mixing into less devolatilized magma that erupts later in a volcanic sequence. We studied four ~ 35 ka and younger eruption sequences (i.e. Kings Creek, Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, and 1915) at the Lassen Volcanic Center (LVC), California, where intrusion of crystal-rich silicic magma mushes by mafic magmas is inferred from the varying abundances of mafic magmatic inclusions (MMIs) in the silicic volcanic rocks. Types and relative proportions of reacted and unreacted hydrous phenocryst populations are evaluated with accompanying chemical and H isotope changes. Biotite phenocrysts were more susceptible to rehydration in older vesicular glassy volcanic rocks than coexisting amphibole phenocrysts. Biotite and magnesiohornblende phenocrysts toward the core of the Lassen Peak dome are extensively dehydroxylated and reacted from prolonged exposure to high temperature, low pressure, and higher f O2 conditions from post-emplacement cooling. In silicic volcanic rocks not affected by alteration, biotite phenocrysts are often relatively more dehydroxylated than are magnesiohornblende phenocrysts of similar size; this is likely due to the ca 10 times larger overall bulk H diffusion coefficient in biotite. A simplified model of dehydrogenation in hydrous phenocrysts above reaction closure temperature suggests that eruption and quench of magma ascended to the surface in a few hours is too short a time for substantial H loss from amphibole. In contrast, slowly ascended magma can have extremely dehydrogenated and possibly dehydrated biotite, relatively less dehydrogenated magnesiohornblende and reaction rims on both phases. Eruptive products containing the highest proportions of mottled dehydrogenated crystals could indicate that within a few days prior to eruption, degassed vesiculated magma or lava had drained back down the volcanic conduit and mixed with less devolatilized magma. The vesiculated magma contained hydrous phenocrysts with lattice damage, which locally raised the effective H diffusion coefficient by ca 10–100 × and resulted in increased mineral dehydrogenation. Remobilization of dacite magma mush by relatively more reduced mafic magma appears to have generated further f O2 variations in May 1915 as oxidized magma from shallow levels circulated to depths where dehydrogenation of hydrous phenocrysts began. The δD Magmatic H2O expressed in LVC acid hot springs is likely a mixture derived from devolatilized ascending mafic magmas and crystallizing silicic magma mush.
Radius of convergence and analytic behavior of the 1/Z expansion.

We have performed a 401-order perturbation calculation to resolve the controversy over the radius of convergence of the $\frac{1}{Z}$ expansion for the ground-state energy $E(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ of heliumlike ions, where $\ensuremath{\lambda}=\frac{1}{Z}$ and $H(\ensuremath{\lambda})=\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}_{1}^{2}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{{r}_{1}}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}_{2}^{2}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{{r}_{2}}+\frac{\ensuremath{\lambda}}{{r}_{12}}$. Such high-order calculations followed by Neville-Richardson extrapolation of the ratios of the coefficients are necessary to study the asymptotic behavior of the perturbation series. We find (i) that ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{c}$, the critical value of $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ for which $H(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ has a bound state with zero binding energy, is approximately 1.097 66, (ii) that ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}$, the radius of convergence of the perturbation series, is equal to ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{c}$, and (iii) that the nearest singularity of $E(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ in the complex plane, which determines ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}$, is on the positive real axis at ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{c}$. Thus our results confirm Reinhardt's analysis Phys. Rev. A 15 802 1977 of this problem using the theory of dilatation analyticity (complex scaling). We also find that the perturbation series for $E(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ is convergent at $\ensuremath{\lambda}={\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{c}$. The same statements hold for the perturbation series for the square of the norm of the corresponding eigenfunction ${\ensuremath{\parallel}\ensuremath{\psi}(\ensuremath{\lambda})\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{2}$. We find numerically that $E(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ has a complicated branch-point singularity at $\ensuremath{\lambda}={\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{c}$ of the same type as the function ${(1\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\lambda}}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}})}^{\ensuremath{-}a}U(a,c;\frac{x}{(l\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\lambda}}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}})})$, where $U$ is the irregular solution of the confluent hypergeometric equation, and that ${\ensuremath{\parallel}\ensuremath{\psi}(\ensuremath{\lambda})\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{2}$ has a similar but even more complicated singularity at ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{*}$. We also discuss the $\frac{1}{Z}$ expansions for excited states of the helium isoelectronic sequence and for states of multielectron atomic ions. Byproducts of our calculation include the most accurate estimates so far of the nonrelativistic ground-state energies of the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion and of the helium atom, as well as the most accurate upper bound ever obtained to the second-order energy coefficient ${E}_{2}$.
A segmentation perturbation method for improved iris recognition

A new approach for iris recognition is presented. Perturbations of iris segmentations generated by an existing algorithm are used to generate probe templates that are compared to gallery templates. Information from the perturbation match score distributions is used to boost the recognition accuracy of the original algorithm. Experiments with the technique show performance improvements ranging from 24% to 35%.
On-line macro-simulation in systems for logistics decision making

Macro-simulation has three types of application: 1. Computer experimentation with simplified models of complex systems to explore the systems' sensitivity to variation in environmental parameters or changes in controllable decision variables. This use of macro-simulation facilitates analysis of the realism of the various models as well as determination of optimal strategies. 2. Pilot testing of complex decision systems against a detailed quantitative description of the real operating environment as observed in the past. 3. Continuing on-line simulation of a system over a future planning period to determine optimal levels or settings for current decision variables or to provide measures of effectiveness for feedback and control. While the first two applications are most familiar and are most frequent, the third application may have increasing importance in the future. The reasons for this will be discussed with illustrations from work at Stanford Research Institute on stock level policy and on air logistics. All three applications of macro-simulation techniques have proved important in this work.
Masculinity, Femininity, and Hispanic Professional Women's Self‐Esteem and Self‐Acceptance

The literature suggests that whereas women experience unique challenges with self-esteem, Hispanic professional women experience an additional challenge of balancing majority culture values with a more family-oriented ethnic identity. This study investigated differences in self-esteem, self-acceptance, masculinity, femininity, and locus of control among Hispanic professional women, non-Hispanic professionals, scientists, college students, clients, and victims of domestic violence. Masculinity scores were significantly higher for Hispanic professional women, and self-acceptance scores were significantly lower than for other women professionals.
Immunology: aid for AID.

Activation-induced deaminase catalyses two processes that diversify antibodies. But this enzyme need not work alone: a partner links it to its substrate — single-stranded DNA — and to DNA-repair molecules.
A comparative analysis of factors influencing the socioeconomic impacts of electric generating facilities

Abstract In recent years electric generating facility developments have become the foci of extensive controversy and resulting project delays, due in part to uncertainties and unknowns pertaining to a broad range of socioeconomic impacts which may occur. Unfortunately, socioeconomic impact research has not resolved many of these unknowns. Case study research findings have generally provided little new knowledge as to socioeeonomic impact dimensions and their causes. This paper attempts to avoid some shortcomings of prior research via a comparative analysis of some socioeconomic impact dimensions as they occurred in a sample of U.S. electric generating facilities. The paper focuses on an investigation of factors which may influence the extensiveness of developmentinduced local impacts. Both facility characteristics and characteristics of the locale which hosts facility development are suggested as possible impact determinants. Using correlational and regression procedures, expectations regarding the effects of facility size, construction time, distance to a metropolitan center, local population density and growth rates, and local labor force characteristics on overall “community service” impacts are examined. Results indicate both consistency and inconsistency with prior research conclusions, and suggest that some characteristics of the development and the development area are important in projecting the likely levels of some facility-induced socioeconomic impacts.
F-Spondin/spon1b Expression Patterns in Developing and Adult Zebrafish

F-spondin, an extracellular matrix protein, is an important player in embryonic morphogenesis and CNS development, but its presence and role later in life remains largely unknown. We generated a transgenic zebrafish in which GFP is expressed under the control of the F-spondin (spon1b) promoter, and used it in combination with complementary techniques to undertake a detailed characterization of the expression patterns of F-spondin in developing and adult brain and periphery. We found that F-spondin is often associated with structures forming long neuronal tracts, including retinal ganglion cells, the olfactory bulb, the habenula, and the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (nMLF). F-spondin expression coincides with zones of adult neurogenesis and is abundant in CSF-contacting secretory neurons, especially those in the hypothalamus. Use of this new transgenic model also revealed F-spondin expression patterns in the peripheral CNS, notably in enteric neurons, and in peripheral tissues involved in active patterning or proliferation in adults, including the endoskeleton of zebrafish fins and the continuously regenerating pharyngeal teeth. Moreover, patterning of the regenerating caudal fin following fin amputation in adult zebrafish was associated with F-spondin expression in the blastema, a proliferative region critical for tissue reconstitution. Together, these findings suggest major roles for F-spondin in the CNS and periphery of the developing and adult vertebrate.
A simple test to detect staphylococcal thermonuclease using discs of foods

Abstract A method was developed for locating foci of Staphylococcus aureus in suspected foods. Though not rapid, it can detect about 0·015 A 260 units (1 ng) of thermonuclease per food disc (0·2–0·4 g) and is as sensitive as the extraction methods.
Depression of ad lib and angiotensin-induced sodium intake at oestrus

During the rat oestrous cycle, cholinergic-stimulated water intake is constant across days; while both daily ad lib and angiotensin II-stimulated water intakes are least on the day of oestrus. If permitted to self select, however, rats will elect to drink sodium chloride solutions as well as water under ad lib or angiotensin-stimulated conditions. Therefore, adult female rats with continuous access to both water and 1.8% NaCl were studied to determine if saline intake also varied with the oestrous cycle. Ad lib drinking and drinking stimulated by intracerebroventricular injections of angiotensin II or carbachol were monitored daily for the duration of an entire oestrous cycle. Both ad lib and angiotensin-induced sodium intakes were depressed at oestrus, while the minimal sodium intake seen after carbachol was not changed. The depression in sodium intake so mirrored that observed for water intake that the ratio of saline to water intake did not vary over the oestrous cycle.
The global budget of impact-derived sediments on Venus

The observed record of impact craters on the surface of the planet Venus can be used to calculate the contribution of fine materials generated by impact processes to the global sedimentary cycle. Using various methods for the extending the population of impact craters with diameters larger than 8 km observed on the northern 25% of the Venus to the entire surface area of the planet, we have estimated how materials ejected from the integrated record of impact cratering over the past 0.5 to 1.0 ae might have been globally distributed. Relationships for computing the fraction of ejected materials from impact craters in a given size range originally developed for the Moon (and for terrestrial nuclear explosion cratering experiments) were scaled for Venus conditions, and the ejecta fragments with sizes less than 30 Μm were considered to represent those with the greatest potential for global transport and eventual fallout. A similar set of calculations were carried out using the observed terrestrial cratering record, corrected for the missing population of small craters and oceanic impacts that have either been eroded or are unobserved (due to water cover). Our calculations suggest that both Venus and the Earth should have experienced approximately 6000 impact events over the past 0.5 to 1 ae (in the size range from 1 km to about 180 km). The cumulative global thickness of impact-derived fine materials that could have produced from this record of impacts in this time period is most likely between 1–2 mm for Venus, and certainly no more than 6 mm (assuming an enhanced population of large 150–200 km scale impact events). For Earth, the global cumulative thickness is most likely 0.2 to 0.3 mm, and certainly no more than 2 to 3 mm. The cumulative volume of impact ejecta (independent of particle size) for Venus generated over the past 1 ae, when spread out over the global surface area to form a uniform layer, would fall between 2 and 12 meters, although 99% of this material would be deposited in the near rim ejecta blanket (from 1 to 2.3 crater radii from the rim crest), and only 0.02% would be available for global transport as dust-sized particles. Thus, our conclusion is that Venus, as with the Earth, cannot have formed a substantial impact-derived regolith layer over the past billion years of its history as is typical for smaller silicate planets such as the Moon and Mercury. This conclusion suggests that there must be other extant mechanisms for sediment formation and redistribution in the Venus environment, on the basis of Venera Lander surface panoramas which demonstrate the occurrence of local sediment accumulations.
ROBOTS, RIFs, and rights

The increasing use of technological advances in business operations very often leads to the displacement of the employee whose skills become obsolete in light of such advances. There is no doubt that the interests of both company and employee are significantly affected by the implementation of laborsaving devices. Given that those interests are pursued in an environment which is usually, if not essentially, competitive, then there arises the serious question of what rights should be accorded the employee and the company in the event that the employee is likely to be displaced by technological innovation. I argue that, given the constraints of a competitive environment, certain rights might be justified through a very limited application of the highly morally intuitive principles of utility, respect for persons, fairness, and the honoring of contracts.
Urethral diverticula in 90 female patients: a study with emphasis on neoplastic alterations

Purpose: Urethral diverticula are uncommon and occur predominantly in women. We examined a large series of female urethral diverticula to determine associated neoplastic alterations and subsequent clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods: All pathological evaluations of female urethral diverticulectomies performed at our institution between 1981 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed and the clinicopathological features were correlated.Results: During this period 90 women underwent urethral diverticulectomy at our institution. Patient age was 24 to 78 years (mean 45). The most common clinical finding was urinary incontinence (29 of 78 women or 37%). Diverticular size was 0.3 to 5.0 cm (mean 1.7). Neoplastic alterations identified in 5 patients (6%) were glandular in nature, including 1 clear cell and 4 invasive adenocarcinomas. Superficial changes associated with invasive carcinoma included villous adenoma in 1 case, intestinal metaplasia in 2 and high grade dysplasia in 3. An additional 3 patients had ext...
Salivary histatins in patients with recurrent oral candidiasis.

The level of salivary histatins was evaluated in 20 patients with a history of recurrent oral candidiasis and in age-, sex-matched healthy controls. Salivary pH, flow rate, total protein and histatins were compared. Results of this study indicated that salivary pH was significantly lower among patients than controls (5.9 vs 6.3, respectively, P=0.002). No significant difference was observed in the mean flow rate and total protein between patients and controls (0.39 ml/min/gland vs 0.46 ml/min/gland and 112.4 mg% vs 113.0 mg%, respectively). However, the mean salivary histatin levels were significantly higher among patients than controls, both in terms of concentration (16.8 mg% vs 11.1 mg%, P=0.016) as well as a ratio of total protein (15 mg/g vs 10 mg/g, P=0.018). These findings indicate that oral candidiasis is associated with increased levels of salivary histatin. Such a finding suggests that oral candidiasis may modulate the levels of salivary histatin.
The Wedding of Workfare and Prisonfare in the 21st Century

This article explains how and why the prison has returned to the institutional forefront of the advanced societies, when four decades ago analysts of the penal scene were convinced it had entered into irremediable decline. Building on my book Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Government of Social Insecurity, I argue that (1) the expansion and glorification of the police, the courts, and the penitentiary are a response not to crime trends but to diffusing social insecurity; that (2) we need to reconnect social policies and penal policies and treat them as two modalities of poverty policy to grasp the new politics of urban marginality; and that (3) the simultaneous and converging deployment of restrictive “workfare” and expansive “prisonfare” partakes of the forging of the neoliberal state. After spotlighting key differences between the American and the European road to the penalization of poverty, I adapt Bourdieu's concept of “bureaucratic field” to capture the symbolic import of punishment as a means of...
The role of viral dynamics in the pathogenesis of HIV disease and implications for antiviral therapy

Recent insights into the dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication have increased our understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV disease [9, 25]. Throughout the course of HIV disease, including the period of clinical latency, an extraordinary number of virus particles are produced daily leading to the gradual destruction and depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes [31, 74]. The magnitude of circulating HIV RNA is an important predictor of the pace of immunologic deterioration and clinical disease progression which varies by more than 10 years among individuals [28, 44]. Antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV replication but the rapid turnover of virus provides ample opportunity for drug-resistant mutants to emerge [57]. Current therapeutic strategies include the use of multiple drugs directed at different targets of the HIV life cycle to maximize the magnitude and durability of virus suppression and minimize the emergence of escape mutants.
`Our Right is the Right to Be Killed': Making Rights Real on the Streets of Guatemala City

This study seeks to understand the ways in which street children in Guatemala City are empowered or disempowered to defend their basic rights, on the street and in the courts. Through in-depth inte...
Basic principles versus "systems".

Summary 1. Variations in genetic endowment and in environmental factors account for individual differences. 2. No operator can hope to produce the slowness of physiologic tooth movement with the appliances available at the present time. He should try to approach the ideal to the best of his ability by avoiding the use of strong forces. 3. The periodontal membrane is not partial to any particular “system” of appliances. It reacts to pressure which disturbs the physiologic equilibrium, bringing about a change in tooth position. 4. Every case of malocclusion presents specific problems. Each case should be analyzed and the appliances or combination of appliances deemed suitable should be prescribed for the execution of treatment. Orthodontic treatment is handicapped and doomed to failure when “appliance system” is allowed to take precedence over basic principles.
Apparent lack of H-Y-specific suppressor cells in female mice given male spleen cells intravenously

Mice given a pretransplant i.v. infusion of spleen cells from donors incompatible with the recipients with respect to individual minor H antigens exhibit a delayed rejection of skin grafts from these incompatible donors. Attempts were made to detect suppressor T cells, possibly induced by the i.v. infusion of donor cells, among spleen cells from female mice made hyporesponsive to H-Y antigen by an i.v. infusion of male spleen cells. When transferred to nonimmune immunocompetent mice, lymphoid cells from hyporesponsive females delayed the rejection of male skin grafts only slightly. Similar results were obtained when putative suppressor cells were transferred to immunodeficient hosts having had their potential to reject male skin grafts restored with either nonimmune or specifically immune female lymphoid cells. The observed suppression of graft rejection could be accounted for, to a significant extent, by male spleen cells carried over with the transferred female cells to the assay recipients. Though an active host-derived suppressor mechanisms was not found, transferred spleen and lymph-node cells obtained from females given a prior i.v. infusion of male spleen cells were poor at restoring the capacity to reject male skin grafts to immunodeficient female recipients, whereas equal numbers of lymphoid cells from untreated females were much better. Thus, i.v. infusion of male spleen cells appeared to deplete the peripheral lymphoid tissue of the recipients of responsivity to H-Y antigen.
Transient expression of HSC70 in cherry fruit subjected to heat shock

Temperature extremes are being investigated as an alternative method for postharvest control of quarantined insects. This study examined the heat shock response of cherry fruit under conditions that effectively destroy pests. Five different antibodies against members of the 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family were used to investigate the heat shock responses of treated cherry fruits. Western blots of total protein extracts revealed constitutive expression of heat shock cognate (HSC70) proteins. Each antibody recognized a pair of constitutively expressed HSC70 proteins that varied in size and relative abundance. Cherries subjected to heat treatment for 1 h at 45 °C followed by transfer to cold storage (0 °C) contained a 70-kDa polypeptide recognized by all of the antibodies used. In heat-treated fruits this induced polypeptide appeared at 12 h after heat treatment, disappeared by 24 h following treatment, and reappeared after 2 weeks in cold storage (0 °C). Cold storage alone did not alter constitutiv...
Congenital coronary artery abnormalities

Congenital coronary artery abnormalities are rare and account for approximately 0.1 to 2% of congenital heart defects. They may pose significant risk of mortality or morbidity to the patient. The pediatrician and the pediatric cardiologist should be aware of their subtle but very serious presentations and diagnostic steps to be undertaken to pinpoint the diagnosis. Prevention of serious complications from these abnormalities can be achieved by making the appropriate diagnosis and performing timely surgical intervention. This review will discuss the most common congenital coronary artery abnormalities and their management.
Origin of temperature dependence of attenuation in optical cables

Soft buffer layers have been found greatly to improve optical-fiber cable performance1-4 by reducing the microbending loss produced in the fiber by external perturbations or by cable irregularities. A side view of a typical soft buffered cable is shown in Fig. 1. The fiber is surrounded by a soft silicone layer, which is covered by a tightly adhering hard jacket, typically Hytrel or nylon. At low temperatures.
Tracking Women’s Awareness of Heart Disease An American Heart Association National Study

Background— Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in men and women in the United States, yet prior research has shown a lack of awareness of risk among women. The purpose of this study was to assess the contemporary awareness, knowledge, and perceptions related to CVD risk among American women and to evaluate trends since 1997, when the American Heart Association initiated a national campaign to improve awareness of CVD among women. Methods and Results— A telephone survey of a nationally representative random sample of women was conducted in June and July 2003, with an oversampling of black and Hispanic women; results were compared with those of similar surveys in 2000 and 1997. The present survey included 1024 respondents age ≥25 years; 68% were white, 12% black, 12% Hispanic, and 8% other ethnicities. Awareness, knowledge, and perceptions about heart disease were evaluated by use of a standard interviewer-assisted questionnaire. A shift in awareness of heart disease as the leadi...
Energy Flux Method for Inspection of Contact and VIA Layer Reticles

Contacts and VIAs are features whose integrity are very susceptible to reticle CD defects or in general, to defects that produce a change of total energy (flux) projected through the reticle. As lithography is extended beyond the 130nm node, the problem becomes more critical. Detecting and analyzing photomask critical dimension (CD) errors and semitransparent defects is vital for qualifying reticles to enable high IC wafer yield for the 90nm node. The current state of the art inspection methods are unable to meet the industry requirements for contact and via features. Using the TeraStarTM pattern inspection system's image computer platform, a new algorithm, TeraFluxTM, has been implemented and tested for the inspection of small 'closed' features. The algorithm compares the transmitted energy flux difference between a test contact (or a group of contacts) and a reference image for small closed features, such as, contacts, trenches, and cells on chrome and half-tone reticles. The algorithm is applicable to both clear and dark field reticles. Sensitivity characterization tests show that the new algorithm provides CD error detection to 6% energy flux variation with low false defect counts. We performed experiments to correlate the sensitivity performance of the new algorithm with wafer printability results. The results will be presented together with results of inspections results of programmed defect plates and production reticles.
A lattice Boltzmann method for shock wave propagation in solids

This paper proposes a new lattice Boltzmann (LB) method for the study of shock wave propagation in elastic solids. The method, which implements a flux-corrected transport (FCT) algorithm, contains three stages: collision, streaming, and correction. In the collision stage, distribution functions are updated. In the streaming stage, the distribution functions are shifted between lattice points. Generally, a partial differential equation (PDE) is solved in the streaming stage, and finite element methods are employed to support the use of unstructured meshes in the LB method. The FCT algorithm is used in the correction stage to revise the distribution functions at lattice points, so fluctuations behind shock wave fronts can be eliminated efficiently. In this method, schemes for shock wave reflection at fixed and free boundaries are developed based on the bounce-back technique. A similar technique is used to treat wave reflection and transmission at material interfaces of composites. Several one-dimensional examples show that this LB-FCT method can provide ideal depictions of shock wave propagation in structures, especially composite structures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uses and limitations of computer models in structural fire protection engineering applications

Abstract In order to predict the performance of structural building elements exposed to actual fires, three basic components have to be considered: the fire, the heat transfer to structural members and the effect of elevated temperature on structural performance. This paper examines some of the computer programs currently being used to model these three basic components. In addition, a model is proposed to predict the effect of fires on systems where the three basic components can be treated independently.
Temporal parameters of desensitization to intravesical resiniferatoxin in the rat.

Abstract Temporal factors affecting desensitization of bladder sensory afferents to the capsaicin-like irritant resiniferatoxin (RTX) were studied, to determine optimal treatment parameters for clinical application of such substances. Four days after implantation of a chronic cannula into the bladder dome, vehicle or RTX (0.1–10 nmol) was injected into the bladders of awake, freely moving rats four times at 60-min intervals for exposure durations of 5, 15, or 45 min, or at intervals of 15, 60, or 120 min (duration 5 min). The first RTX injection dose-dependently increased time spent engaged in abdominal licking. Regardless of exposure interval and duration, time spent licking increased to a lesser extent with each subsequent injection, indicating desensitization of sensory afferents. Magnitude and duration of desensitization were dose dependent for all exposure regimens, and there were few differences between groups. Desensitization at 24 h was also greater in rats exposed four times compared to rats exposed once. Following four exposures to RTX, nearly complete recovery occurred within 7–14 days, in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, magnitude and duration of desensitization to locally administered RTX depend primarily on dose and number of exposures to RTX; duration of exposure and interval between exposures within the ranges studied were less important determinants.
Patterns of drought response in leaf-succulent shrubs of the coastal Atacama Desert in Northern Chile.

Despite the extrame aridity of the coastal Atacama Desert in northern Chile, sparse communities of leaf succulent shrubs and small cacti are regularly present. While most shrub species have small succulent leaves and accumulate high concentrations of salts in their tissues, the variable rooting patterns and mixed dominance of CAM and C3 species indicates a significant divergence in adaptive strategies. All dominant shrubs are readily surviving extended drought, but some species are much better able than others to maintain active growth and flowering. Regular flowering may not be a prerequisite for shrub population maintenance since large piles of viable seeds are present under the canopies of many species.
Evaluation of Crystals in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections for the Differential Diagnosis of Pseudogout, Gout, and Tumoral Calcinosis

Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained sections may not allow proper evaluation of birefringence properties of the crystals in the lesions of pseudogout, gout, and tumoral calcinosis. This study was undertaken to verify the application of a special stain that could facilitate the evaluation of the birefringence properties of these crystals for definitive diagnosis. We evaluated previously described nonaqueous alcoholic eosin staining (NAES) method based on the principle of using alcoholic eosin without hematoxylin and any other aqueous reagents for staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Two observers, in a blinded fashion, evaluated the sections stained with routine H&E and NEAS method without the knowledge about clinical diagnosis. All pseudogout (nine sections from seven cases) and gout (eight sections from five cases) lesions demonstrated birefringence in the sections stained with NAES method. H&E-stained sections showing the respective diagnostic histomorphology failed to demonstrate the birefringent crystals by polarizing microscopy in all the eight sections from gout and in seven of nine sections from pseudogout. Only two H&E-stained sections showed scant calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in pseudogout. None of the three sections from two cases of tumoral calcinosis showed birefringence with either stain. We conclude that CPPD in pseudogout and monosodium urate in gout may not polarize in the routine H&E-stained sections. However, polarizing microscopy of sections stained with NAES method allowed demonstration of CPPD crystals with positive birefringence in pseudogout, MSU crystals with negative birefringence in gout, and calcium hydroxyapatite crystals without birefringence in tumoral calcinosis. Section stained with NAES method is a significantly useful adjunct to the routine H&E stain for proper evaluation of the crystals under polarizing microscope in these lesions.
Investigating the role of domain general mechanisms in the acquisition of domain specific expertise

The expert performance approach championed by Ericsson et al. provides a scientific way forward for research on giftedness, and offers exciting new ways to further our understanding of the determin...
VI. Synthesis, conformation, and ion‐binding of two bicyclic nonapeptides *

Two related homodetic bicyclic nonapeptides (cyclo Glu-X-Pro-Gly-Lys-X-Pro-Gly)-cyclo (l gamma----5 epsilon), X = Ala(BCP2), X = Leu(BCP3) have been synthesized using conventional solution phase methods involving mixed anhydride coupling reactions starting with appropriately protected naturally occurring amino acids. The conformation and ion binding properties of BCP2 have been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and circular dichroism techniques. The results of these studies have been compared to those of BCP3. The presence of Ala caused both Ala-Pro bonds to be trans in free BCP2. This characteristic imparted subtle differences to the ion-binding properties of BCP2 as compared to free BCP3 which has one cis Leu-Pro bond and one trans Leu-Pro bond.
Bioavailable phosphorus dynamics in agricultural soils and effects on water quality

Abstract The transport of bioavailable phosphorus (BAP, i.e., algal available) in agricultural runoff can accelerate freshwater eutrophication. As procedural and theoretical limitations have restricted BAP estimation in agricultural soils and runoff, a routine method was developed using iron oxide-impregnated paper strips (Fe-oxide strips) as a sink for BAR Fe-oxide strips were used to investigate the amounts and seasonal dynamics of BAP in 12 Oklahoma soils over 2 years and the effect of agricultural management on BAP loss in runoff from these 12 and 8 additional sites over 4 years. The sites involved native grass, wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.], and peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.). The strip P content of unfertilized soils was higher in winter (October–March; 10–19 mg kg −1 ) than spring months (May–June; 3–6 mg kg −1 ). For the P-fertilized soils, the strip P content increased from 8–17 mg kg −1 prior to P application (20–25 kg ha −1 yr −1 to 33–42 mg kg −1 immediately following application. Seasonal dynamics of strip and organic (OP) and inorganic P (IP) fractions indicated mineralization of moderately labile OP, as a function of phosphatase enzyme activity, and release of moderately labile IP and fertilizer P, as a function of P sorption capacity; these are the major processes controlling the strip P content of unfertilized and fertilized soil, respectively. Dissolved organic P did not reduce the efficiency of IP sorption by the Fe-oxide strips and removal of P from the strips by NaOH rather than H 2 S0 4 minimized hydrolysis of OP sorbed on the strip. The loss of BAP in runoff was a function of watershed management. Over the 4-yr study, BAP losses increased in the order reduced till (98 g ha −1 yr −1 ), native grass (160 g ha −1 yr −1 ), no till (382 g ha −1 yr −1 ), and conventional till (678 g ha −1 yr −1 ). Although the total P loss was 93% lower from no till than conventional till, 73% was bioavailable for no till compared to only 28% for conventional till. Clearly, strip P is a dynamic soil property, which, along with watershed management, can influence the bioavailability of P loss in runoff. Thus, the BAP content of runoff in conjunction with runoff and erosion potential may provide a more reliable index of the trophic response of receiving water bodies than dissolved or total P.
Estrogen Receptor/Sp1 Complexes Are Required for Induction of cad Gene Expression by 17β-Estradiol in Breast Cancer Cells

The cad gene is trifunctional and expresses carbamoylphosphate synthetase/aspartate carbamyltransferase/dihydroorotase, which are required for pyrimidine biosynthesis. Cad gene activities are induced in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, and treatment of MCF-7 or ZR-75 cells with 10 nM 17beta-estradiol (E2) resulted in a 3- to 5-fold increase in cad mRNA levels in both cell lines. The mechanism of hormone-induced cad gene expression was further investigated using constructs containing the growth-responsive -90 to +115 (pCAD1) region of the cad gene promoter. E2 induced reporter gene (luciferase) activity in MCF-7 and ZR-75 cells transfected with pCAD1, which contains three upstream GC-rich and two downstream E-box motifs. Deletion and mutation analysis of the cad gene promoter demonstrated that only the GC boxes that bind Sp1 protein were required for E2 responsiveness. Results of electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that both Sp1 and estrogen receptor alpha interact with the GC-rich region of the cad gene promoter. Moreover, in transactivation assays with pCAD1, hormone-induced transactivation was inhibited by cotransfection with dominant-negative Sp1 expression plasmid and small inhibitory RNA for Sp1, which silences Sp1 expression in the cells. These results demonstrate that, in common with many other genes involved in E2-induced cell proliferation, the cad gene is also regulated by a nonclassical ERalpha/Sp1-mediated pathway.
The night when the auroral and equatorial ionospheres converged

An all-sky imaging system at the McDonald Observatory (30.67°N, 104.02°W, 40° magnetic latitude) showed dramatic ionospheric effects during a moderate geomagnetic storm on 1 June 2013. The auroral zone expanded, leading to the observation of a stable auroral red (SAR) arc. Airglow depletions associated with equatorial spread F (ESF) were also seen for the first time at such high magnetic latitude. Total electron content measurements from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver exhibited ionospheric irregularities typically associated with ESF. We explore why this moderate geomagnetic disturbance leads to such dramatic ionospheric perturbations at midlatitudes. A corotating interaction region-like driver and a highly contracted plasmasphere caused the SAR arc to occur at L shell ~ 2.3. For ESF at L ~ 2.1, timing of the storm intensification, alignment of the sunset terminator with the central magnetic meridian, and sudden variations in the westward auroral electrojet all combined to trigger equatorial irregularities that reached altitudes of ~ 7000 km. The SAR arc and ESF signatures at the ionospheric foot points of inner magnetosphere L shells (L ~ 2) represent a dramatic convergence of pole to equator/equator to pole coupling at midlatitudes.
An accurate theoretical model for the thin-wire circular half-loop antenna

The conventional Fourier series analysis for the thin-wire circular transmitting loop, or its image equivalent to the half-loop, uses a delta-function generator for excitation. This method of excitation introduces two problems: it does not correspond to any realizable method of feeding the antenna, so an accurate comparison with measurement is not possible, and it produces a divergent series for the input susceptance. To overcome these problems, a new theoretical model is used for the antenna: a half-loop driven through an image plane by a coaxial transmission line, with a transverse electromagnetic mode assumed in the aperture of the coaxial line. This model is solved in a manner that preserves the simplicity of the original Fourier series analysis. All coefficients are obtained as closed-form expressions. Input admittances calculated from this new theoretical model are in excellent agreement with accurate measurements. >
Egg yolk omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids modify tissue lipid components, antioxidant status, and ex vivo eicosanoid production in chick cardiac tissue

ABSTRACT The effects of maternal n-6 and n-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation on hatched chick tissue FA profile, antioxidant status, and ex vivo eicosanoid production by the cardiac tissue were investigated. Eggs with low, medium, and high levels of n-3 FA were obtained by feeding Cobb breeder hens were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 3.5% sunflower oil (low n-3), 1.75% sunflower oil plus 1.75% fish oil (medium n-3), or 3.5% fish oil (high n-3). Total n-3 FA in the yolk ranged from 1.8, 10.3, and 13.3% for low, medium, and high n-3 eggs, respectively (P 20 C) n-6 FA in the egg yolk were 7.4, 2.1, and 1.3 for low n-3, medium n-3, and high n-3 eggs, respectively (P 0.05). Hatchability for the low, medium, and high n-3 eggs was 89, 85, and 83%, respectively (P > 0.05). The total lipid content of chick liver, heart, brain, and lungs can be placed in the following descending order: liver > brain > heart > lung and was not affected by egg FA (P > 0.05). Total n-3 FA were higher in the tissues of medium and high n-3 chicks than in the tissue of low n-3 chicks (P 0.05). There were no differences in total glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, or superoxide dismutase activities in the tissues of chicks from low n-3, medium n-3, and high n-3 eggs (P > 0.05). The medium n-3 and high n-3 chicks had lower catalase activity in the heart than did the low n-3 chicks (P = 0.013). The TBA reactive substances were significantly lower in the liver of high n-3 chicks than in that of low and medium n-3 chicks (P 0.05). These results indicate that modulating egg yolk n-3 FA enhances tissue n-3 FA and reduces proinflammatory cardiac eicosanoid production without affecting hatchability.
Electron spin resonance in a metal as modified in the near anomalous skin depth region

Abstract A procedure is given to calculate the electron spin resonance absorption in a metal in the near anomalous skin depth region. It is shown that the current in the near anomalous region can be represented as a series j(z) = Σ σ(2n) ∂ 2n E ∂z 2n , and the first three terms of the series are used in the calculation of the absorption for the particular case of the static magnetic field perpendicular to a semi-infinite slab.
Switch Bound Allocation for Maximizing Routability in Timing-Driven Routing of FPGAs

In segmented channel routing of row-based FPGAs, the routability and interconnection delays depend on the choice of the upper bounds on the number of programmable switches used in routing net segments in the channel. Traditionally, the upper bounds for the net segments in the same channel are set uniformly. In this paper, we present algorithms for determining the upper bounds for all net segments of a net simultaneously, so that the predefined source-to-sink delay bound on the net is satisfied and the routability of the net is maximized. The upper bounds on net segments in a channel thus in general are non-uniform. Preliminary experimental results show that the algorithms can significantly improve routability and reduce delay bound violation as compared with the traditional approach.
THE KINETICS OF PENETRATION II. THE PENETRATION OF CO2 INTO VALONIA

The rate of penetration of CO(2) into living cells of Valonia has been studied at high and low pH values. The time curve of penetration appears to be of the first order but with a "velocity constant" which falls off from the start. The evidence indicates little penetration of ions. This is shown by (a) the similarity of velocity "constants" at high and low pH values, (b) the rate of penetration, which remains constant as long as the external concentration of undissociated CO(2) remains constant no matter how much the concentration of ions varies.
Spatial and Temporal Factors Associated with an Increased Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in Spinach Fields in New York State

ABSTRACT While rain and irrigation events have been associated with an increased prevalence of foodborne pathogens in produce production environments, quantitative data are needed to determine the effects of various spatial and temporal factors on the risk of produce contamination following these events. This study was performed to quantify these effects and to determine the impact of rain and irrigation events on the detection frequency and diversity of Listeria species (including L. monocytogenes) and L. monocytogenes in produce fields. Two spinach fields, with high and low predicted risks of L. monocytogenes isolation, were sampled 24, 48, 72, and 144 to 192 h following irrigation and rain events. Predicted risk was a function of the field9s proximity to water and roads. Factors were evaluated for their association with Listeria species and L. monocytogenes isolation by using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). In total, 1,492 (1,092 soil, 334 leaf, 14 fecal, and 52 water) samples were collected. According to the GLMM, the likelihood of Listeria species and L. monocytogenes isolation from soil samples was highest during the 24 h immediately following an event (odds ratios [ORs] of 7.7 and 25, respectively). Additionally, Listeria species and L. monocytogenes isolates associated with irrigation events showed significantly lower sigB allele type diversity than did isolates associated with precipitation events (P =
Renal targeted protein therapeutics in experimental overt heart failure with renal dysfunction

Clinical background C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a 22-amino-acid peptide produced mainly in the endothelium and is a ligand for a guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptor, the NPR-B receptor. Recent studies have revealed that in overt heart failure (HF), the predominant natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor in the kidney is the NPR-B receptor. CNP has a potent cardiac unloading action and reduces blood pressure but has minimal renal actions. Based on our previous knowledge, we altered the amino acid (aa) sequence in the ring structure of CNP and fused a 5 aa sequence from ANP to the Nterminus and a 6 aa sequence from BNP to the C-terminus of CNP. We hypothesized that this novel hybrid peptide ABC-NP would maintain CNP's inherent cardiac unloading characteristics plus gaining renal enhancing properties without hypotensive effects.