cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arsenate and Arsenite Sorption on Magnetite: Relations to Groundwater Arsenic Treatment Using Zerovalent Iron and Natural Attenuation

Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a zerovalent iron corrosion product; it is also formed in natural soil and sediment. Sorption of arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) on magnetite is an important process of arsenic removal from groundwater using zerovalent iron-based permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology and natural attenuation. We tested eight magnetite samples (one from Phoenix Environmental Ltd, one from Cerac, Inc. and six from Connelly-GPM, Inc.) that contained from 79 to 100% magnetite. The magnetites were reacted in the absence of light with either As(V) or As(III) in 0.01 M NaCl at 23°C at equilibrium pH 2.5–11.5 for 24 h. As(V) sorption showed a continuous drop with increasing pH from 2.5 to 11.5; whereas, As(III) sorption exhibited maxima from pH 7 to 9. Equal amounts of As(V) and As(III) were sorbed at pH 5.6–6.8. Higher amounts of As(III) were sorbed by the magnetites than As(V) at pH values greater than 6.8. The solution speciation test did not show any chemical reduction of As(V) in any magnetite suspension, which is consistent with the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) study of a Connelly-GPM magnetite (CC-1048) suspension. Conversely, XPS results show that the As(III) is partially oxidized in the magnetite (CC-1048) suspension. This is also consistent with the batch test results that also show more oxidation occurring at alkaline pH. Complete oxidation of As(III) occurred in a synthetic birnessite (δ-MnO2) suspension after 24 h of reaction. The minute impurities of Mn (possibly as an oxide form) in the magnetite samples may have been responsible for As(III) oxidation. In addition, the structural Fe(III) in magnetite and hydroxyl radicals in solution could also serve as oxidants for As(III) oxidation. The conversion of As(III) to As(V) in the magnetite suspensions would be beneficial in a remediation scheme for As removal, since As(V) is considered less toxic than As(III). Information from the present study can help predict the sorption behavior and fate of arsenic species in engineered PRB systems and natural environments.
Molecular analysis of DNA isolated from the different stages of X-ray-lnduced transformation in vitro

A major challenge in radiation carcinogenesis is to identify the cellular gene or genes involved in initiating the process. We examined the transforming activities of DNAs obtained from C3H10T1/2 cells during x-ray-induced morphological transformation. DNAs extracted from mass cultures of 10T1/2 cells at different times after irradiation with 600 rad and from type III-transformed foci were transfected into NIH 3T3 cells. The results indicate that certain oncogenes are activated beginning 3 wk after irradiation, well before the appearance of macroscopically visible transformed foci. For DNA isolated from x-ray-transformed 10T1/2 cells (type III foci), the frequencies of transfection were 0.003-0.11 foci/microgram of genomic DNA with NIH 3T3 cells and 0.004-0.04 foci/microgram genomic DNA using 10T1/2 cells as recipients. Southern blot analysis of DNAs obtained from 23 primary transfectants and from 23 x-ray-transformed cell lines indicated no gross rearrangements or amplification of any of the 14 oncogenes screened (v-Ha-ras, v-Ki-ras, N-ras, v-myc, v-raf, v-src, v-fes, v-abl, v-mos, v-erbA, v-erbB, v-myb, v-fos, v-sis). This suggests that x-irradiation may activate as yet unidentified oncogenes. The occurrence of positive transfection 3 wk after irradiation is discussed in terms of the hypothesis that transformation may not occur as a direct consequence of the exposure to x-rays but develops as a rare event in the progeny of the irradiated cells at some later time, as a consequence of the delayed activation of certain genes.
Effect of glipizide on serum insulin and glucose concentrations in healthy cats.

Abstract With the recent identification of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in cats, new possibilities arise for the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents in the treatment of feline NIDDM, similar to their use in humans. To identify the future applicability of the oral hypoglycaemic agent, glipizide, in the treatment of feline NIDDM, its effects on serum insulin and glucose concentrations in healthy cats was examined. In addition, adverse effects seen clinically or on bloodwork following shortterm use of the drug were looked for. Serum insulin and glucose concentrations were evaluated after the oral administration of 2·5 5·0 and 10·0 mg glipizide and placebo in 10 healthy cats. For each drug trial, blood was obtained five minutes before, immediately before, and 7·5 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after glipizide or placebo administration. Mean serum insulin concentration increased after glipizide administration, with peak mean serum insulin concentration occurring 15 minutes after administration and declining to baseline by 60 minutes. There was no significant difference in peak mean serum insulin concentration, mean serum insulin concentration at 60 minutes after glipizide administration, or mean total insulin secretion between the three glipizide dosages. Mean serum glucose concentration decreased within 15 minutes of glipizide administration, with the glucose nadir occurring 60 minutes after glipizide administration. Placebo trials showed no significant change in mean serum insulin or glucose concentrations from baseline concentrations.
Pin-retained amalgam

A comparison of the three different methods of pin placement used for retaining amalgam restorations. Basic principles common to all three technics are stated, and the instrumentation necessary is illustrated. Further research on the utilization of pins for reinforcement and retention of amalgam is needed.
The determination of cadmium by atomic absorption in air, water, sea water and urine with a R.F. carbon bed atomizer.

Abstract The analytical parameters are described for the determination of cadmium by atomic absorption in air, water, sea water, and urine. The technique involves the use of an R.F. generator which heats up a carbon bed to approximately 1400°. This sample is reduced to free metal atoms and is analyzed directly afterwards. The atomization step and the measuring step are separate steps in this procedure. Detection limits of 10 -13 g were reached. Quantitative analyses were carried out on the types of samples indicated.
A 10-kV Monolithic Darlington Transistor With $\beta_{ \rm forced}$ of 336 in 4H-SiC

4H-SiC bipolar Darlington transistors with a record-high current gain have been demonstrated. The dc forced current gain was measured up to 336 at 200 W/cm2 ( J C = 35 A/cm2 at V CE = 5.7 V) at room temperature. The current gain exhibits a negative temperature coefficient and remains as high as 135 at 200degC. The specific on-resistance is 140 mOmegamiddotcm2 at room temperature and increases at elevated temperatures. An open-emitter breakdown voltage (BV CBO) of 10 kV was achieved at a leakage current density of < 1 mA/cm2. The device exhibits an open-base breakdown voltage (BV CEO) of 9.5 kV. The high current gain of SiC Darlington transistors can significantly reduce the gate-drive power consumption with the same forward-voltage drop as that of 10-kV SiC bipolar junction transistors, thus making the device attractive for high-power high-temperature applications.
Cohen vs. Rawls on justice and equality

G.A. Cohen criticizes Rawls’s account of justice because his difference principle permits inequalities that reflect the relative scarcity of different skills and natural abilities. Instead of viewing the ‘basic structure’ as the primary subject of justice, Cohen argues that individual citizens should cultivate an egalitarian ethos, which would enable a just society to dispense with the use of incentive payments to induce individuals to use their talents in socially ideal ways. This study examines Cohen’s critique, including his rejection of ‘incentives,’ and vindicates Rawls’s approach. Ultimately, Cohen’s argument fails to grapple with the moral pluralism that characterizes modern, democratic societies, whereas Rawls’s theory is constructed to accommodate such pluralism.
Dual effects of estrogen and antiestrogens on the growth of SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract The effects of estrogen (17-β estradiol) and antiestrogens (tamoxifen, clomiphene and nafoxidine) on the growth of SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells were investigated. At low concentrations these agents enhanced, but at high concentrations they inhibited, the growth of the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. The growth inhibition was found to be due to decreased cell viability. When serum-free media were used, the dose-response curves were leftshifted, indicating that these agents can directly act on the tumor cells and that serum factors can inhibit their growth-modulatory actions. Growth enhancement and decreased cell viability induced by these agents were significantly reversed by the treatments with either Ca 2+ -free media, intracellular Ca 2+ release blockers (dantrolene or ruthenium red) or BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca 2+ chelator, implying that both intracellular Ca 2+ release and extracellular Ca 2+ entry may play a role in their growth regulation. These results suggest that estrogen and antiestrogens have concentration-dependent dual effects on the growth of the tumor cells and that the mechanism of their actions may be through the interaction with intracellular Ca 2+ signalling mechanisms.
1675 LACK OF VOLUME-RELATED CONTROL OF VENTILATION IN NEONATES

Breathing at large tidal volumes should result in inspiratory shortening if the Hering-Breuer reflex is active. This has been observed in human newborn infants by some investigators (Taeusch et al J. Ped.1976;88:102) but not by others (Boychuk et al J.Phys. London 1977;270:653). In the present study,24 pre-term infants were exposed to 0%,2%,5%,and 8% CO2 at 0,5,and 10 cm H2O of end expiratory pressure via endotracheal tube. The aim of this study was to increase tidal volume with CO2 stimulation at the same time lung volume was increased via PEEP. An average of 62% of the PEEP was transmitted at 5 cm H2O and 54% at 10 cm H2O. Using a computer-assisted program, recordings of tidal volume were made at each level of PEEP and CO2 after 3 minutes of CO2 breathing, and analyzed for inspiratory time (Ti), expiratory time (Te), minute volume (Ve), and tidal volume (Vt). Plots were then made of 60-100 breaths for each level of CO2 and PEEP. Despite a 3-4 fold increase in tidal volume which accompanied CO2 breathing, and a 2x increase in minute volume, Ti did not shorten with increasing Vt. In many cases a slight positive correlation was observed between Vt and Ti, and a negative correlation between Vt and Ti-1. These results confirm those of Boychuk, Rigatto, and Seshia and suggest that (1) vagal control of ventilation via Hering-Breuer afferents is deficient in the neonatal period, or (2) newborn infants breathe at tidal volumes and lung volumes below the vagal threshold.
Value of Vasodilator Stress Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Differential Diagnosis of Ischemic versus Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

Objective Noninvasive differentiation of ischemic versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CM) remains challenging because of the low specificity of imaging-based tests in these patients. We hypothesized that myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), combined with vasodilator stress, could provide accurate alternatives for determining the cause of CM. Methods To allow side-by-side comparisons between these techniques with coronary angiography as a reference, we studied 16 patients referred for coronary angiography after abnormal nuclear perfusion studies. Both MCE and CMR images were acquired within 48 hours with infusion of adenosine. MCE included flash-echo imaging during intravenous infusion of echocardiographic contrast solution. CMR included gadolinium injections for first-pass perfusion and delayed enhancement imaging. MCE and CMR images were reviewed by experienced investigators, blinded to the findings of the other modality and angiography. For each technique, each myocardial segment was classified as normal or abnormal. Sensitivity and specificity of each technique were calculated against the angiography reference. These calculations were also performed using a perfusion territory as a unit of analysis. Results Six of 16 patients had normal coronary arteries, and three patients had stenosis 70% as a threshold resulted in a small decrease in both sensitivity and specificity (0.02-0.04) for all three techniques. Analysis of the ability of these techniques to detect an abnormality in at least one perfusion territory yielded sensitivity of 1.00, 1.00, and 0.86 and specificity of 0.78, 0.78, and 0.89, correspondingly, which were threshold-independent. Conclusions Both CMR and MCE perfusion imaging may be used to differentiate between ischemic and nonischemic CM. These emerging diagnostic tools may prove useful in strategizing treatment in these patients and thus avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures.
The Political Economy of Contract Farming

Contract farming is promoted by agribusiness as a more efficient method of crop and livestock production. Evidence suggests, however, that contracts diminish control by farmers over their operation while increasing their exposure to risk. Conventional models accounting for the spread of contracting emphasize technological factors (e.g., economies of scale, crop perishability, technological complementarity between different stages of production are misleading and inadequate). An alternative model emphasizes the utility of the "subcontracting" organization of production for large agribusiness corporations. A close examination of the spread of contracts reveals that most agribusinesses have pulled back from integration in favor of contracting out and that contracting spreads wherever (1) processors are few in relation to producers, (2) producers are specialized, (3) auction and local terminals have declined in number, (4) there is a surplus of farm operations and credit is tight, (5) farmer's are poorly orga...
A proper balance: Basic and applied science

The captain of our scientific ship, Frank Press, has recently noted dwindling rations and hungry looks on his crew, while for the most part keeping his telescope trained on the distant horizon (President's Page editorial). I suggest that he is missing some important landscape around him, and the opportunity to acquire food supplies en route. One must recognize that the crimp in basic research funding has had some positive side effects. Whereas a few years ago basic research carried away the cream of the young scientific crop, and the practical needs of the country rarely saw this talent again, increasing numbers of good scientists have been filtering down to hinterland educational establishments such as our own at South Florida, to public and private applied research organizations, government agencies, and even—mirabile dictu—to regulatory agencies. Some scientists who had their hearts set on name institutions came with chips on their shoulders, but many found to their surprise that they could have a satisfying career spending part of their time doing their thing and another part with things that need doing.
Parallelism between Semen Characteristics and Glutamic-Oxalacetic Transaminase, Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase Activities,

Abstract Bovine semen samples were assayed to ascertain whether glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GO-T) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GP-T) have a role in semen metabolism. For GO-T and GP-T, respectively, the following means (SF units/milliliter) were obtained: spermatozoa free of seminal plasma 244.8, 25.0; seminal plasma 345.5, 18.1; spermatozoa corrected to 500×10 6 cells, 215.1 and 26.2. These data indicated that GO-T activity of spermatozoa showed significant parallelism with various semen characteristics investigated. However, GP-T failed to reveal any significant relationships. Conversely, when GP-T values were adjusted to 500×10 6 cells per milliliter, then GP-T showed significant relationship with the semen characteristics. The GO-T activity in seminal plasma was significantly correlated with the various semen characteristics. Levels of GP-T were significantly correlated with concentration, per cent live, and per cent abnormal cells. Significant correlations were found between semen characteristics and GP-T activity in seminal plasma when GP-T values were corrected to 500×10 6 cells in the original semen.
Dynamics of supercooled liquids in the vicinity of soft and hard interfaces

Using solvation techniques we explore the dynamics of nanoconfined and interfacial supercooled liquids near their glass transition temperatures. Confinement is accomplished by the use of porous glasses with pore diameters between 4 and $7.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$, and by microemulsions with droplet sizes between 2.6 and $5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. Via the attachment of the probe molecules to the inner surface of porous glasses filled with 3-methylpentane, the interfacial layer is measured selectively for different surface curvatures and shows an increase of the relaxation time by more than three orders of magnitude over that of the bulk liquid. This frustration is most pronounced at the pore boundary and decreases gradually across the first few nanometers distance away from the interface. Nanoconfinement realized by glass-forming microemulsions with the confining material being more fluid than the intramicellar droplets reverse the situation from frustrated dynamics in hard confinement to accelerated relaxation behavior in the case of soft boundaries. Without changing the size of the geometrical restriction of propylene glycol, hard versus soft boundary conditions changes the glass transition shift $\ensuremath{\Delta}{T}_{g}$ from $+6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{-}7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. The findings can be rationalized on the basis of certain interfacial dynamics which differ from bulk behavior, with the penetration of this effect into the liquid being governed by the length scale of cooperativity. This picture explains both the more disperse relaxation times in confinement and the dependence of the average relaxation time on pore size.
Highly sensitive and rapid gene mapping using miniaturized blot hybridization: application to prenatal diagnosis

We have developed a protocol for the preparation and analysis of amniocyte DNA which permits more sensitive and more rapid antenatal detection of sickle-cell anemia (SCA) than previously has been possible. After rapid extraction of DNA from amniotic cells, only 50 ng of MstII-digested DNA need be analyzed by mini-gel electrophoresis and hybridization detection to determine reliably the fetal genotype. Under these conditions, the entire gene-mapping procedure can be performed within 5 days. When larger amounts of DNA (greater than 500 ng) are analyzed, the minimal diagnosis time is reduced to 2 days. The resolution of restriction fragments on mini-gels is comparable to that obtained with larger gels. The 1.15-kb betaA and 1.35-kb betaS MstII fragments are well separated. The technique is useful whenever rapid and sensitive analysis of genomic DNA is desired.
IS RHEOLOGY ENOUGH FOR FOOD TEXTURE MEASUREMENT

. During mastication of food a number of processes occur, including deformation and flow (rheology), size reduction (comminution), and mixing and hydration with saliva. Changes in temperature and surface roughness (rugosity) may also be important. Food researchers should realize that rheological tests describe only a portion of the physical properties sensed in the mouth during mastication.
Experimental Performance of AFRP Concrete Bridge Deck Slab with Full-Depth Precast Prestressed Panels

While application of full-depth precast bridge deck panels may be appealing because of an accelerated construction schedule and improved safety conditions, corrosion of steel reinforcement is a major factor affecting the structural durability of precast panels and overall serviceability of a bridge deck. Herein, the concept of using aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP) bars as a substitute for conventional steel reinforcement to overcome corrosion issues is verified. For this purpose, a full-scale bridge deck slab consisting of full-depth precast panels reinforced and prestressed with AFRP bars is constructed and experimentally evaluated in terms of load capacity, deformation, crack pattern, and failure mode. The precast panels are reinforced and prestressed in parallel and perpendicular to the traffic directions, respectively, and supported by reinforced concrete beams. Realistic dimensions, boundary conditions, and structural details are physically modeled to represent an actual bridge deck condition, and different concentrated load configurations including wheel and tandem axle loads are applied on both the slab interior span and overhang. The experimental results show the average failure load of the interior spans and overhangs, respectively equal to 3.9 and 1.4 times the maximum factored wheel load, where the deflection serviceability criteria are met and satisfactory deformability performance is achieved.
Impact of epidermal leaf mining by the aspen leaf miner (Phyllocnistis populiella) on the growth, physiology, and leaf longevity of quaking aspen

The aspen leaf miner, Phyllocnistis populiella, feeds on the contents of epidermal cells on both top (adaxial) and bottom (abaxial) surfaces of quaking aspen leaves, leaving the photosynthetic tissue of the mesophyll intact. This type of feeding is taxonomically restricted to a small subset of leaf mining insects but can cause widespread plant damage during outbreaks. We studied the effect of epidermal mining on aspen growth and physiology during an outbreak of P. populiella in the boreal forest of interior Alaska. Experimental reduction of leaf miner density across two sites and 3 years significantly increased annual aspen growth rates relative to naturally mined controls. Leaf mining damage was negatively related to leaf longevity. Leaves with heavy mining damage abscised 4 weeks earlier, on average, than leaves with minimal mining damage. Mining damage to the top and bottom surfaces of leaves had different effects on physiology. Mining on the top surface of the leaf had no significant effect on photosynthesis or conductance and was unrelated to leaf stable C isotope ratio (δ13C). Mining damage to the bottom leaf surface, where stomata are located, had significant negative effects on net photosynthesis and water vapor conductance. Percent bottom mining was positively related to leaf δ13C. Taken together, the data suggest that the primary mechanism for the reduction of photosynthesis by epidermal leaf mining by P. populiella is the failure of stomata to open normally on bottom-mined leaves.
Baryogenesis without baryon number violation

We review a new paradigm for baryogenesis in which the fundamental Lagrangian is baryon conserving [invariant under U(1)B]. At high temperatures, U(1)B is spontaneously broken and an excess of quarks over antiquarks of 10−10s (s≡entropy density) is produced. Today, U(1)B is restored. A fundamental consequence of our assumptions is that the baryon number of the Universe is constant. If initially zero, it will be zero today. The excess baryon number produced in the quark fields is exactly compensated by antibaryon number in a weakly interacting scalar particle. We suggest that this scalar provides the mass density necessary to close the Universe.
Aspirin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract Three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were noted to have evidence of liver injury that proved to be related to aspirin therapy. In two of the patients, the initial presentation ...
Carboxyl-terminal sequences critical for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor subunit assembly

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R) is a tetrameric assembly of conserved subunits that each contains six transmembrane regions (TMRs) localized near the carboxyl terminus. Receptor subunit assembly into a tetramer appears to be a multideterminant process involving an additive contribution of membrane spanning helices and the short cytosolic carboxyl terminus (residues 2590-2749). Previous studies have shown that of the six membrane-spanning regions in each subunit, the 5th and 6th transmembrane regions, and the carboxyl terminus are strong determinants for assembly. The fifth and sixth TMRs contain numerous beta-branched amino acids that may participate in coiled/coil formation via putative leucine zipper motifs. InsP(3)R truncation mutants were expressed in COS-1 cells and analyzed by sucrose density gradient sedimentation and gel filtration for their ability to assemble. Chemical cross-linking with the homobifunctional reagents sDST or DMS of mammalian and bacterially expressed carboxyl-terminal containing receptor fragments reveals that sequences within the carboxyl terminus confer the formation of subunit dimers. A series of InsP(3) receptor carboxyl-terminal fragments and glutathione S-transferase (GST)/InsP(3)R chimeras were expressed in Escherichia coli and used in an in vitro assay to elucidate the minimal sequence responsible for association of the carboxyl termini into dimers. The results presented here indicate that this minimal sequence is approximately 30 residues in length and is localized between residues 2629 and 2654. These residues are highly conserved between the three InsP(3)R isoforms ( approximately 80% identity) as well as the ryanodine receptor ( approximately 40% identity) and suggest that a conserved assembly motif may exist between the two intracellular receptor families. We propose that assembly of the InsP(3) receptor to a tetramer involves intersubunit interactions mediated through both the membrane-spanning regions and residues 2629-2654 of the carboxyl terminus possibly through the formation of a dimer of dimers.
Relaxation Matching Techniques-A Comparison

Many different relaxation schemes have been proposed for image analysis tasks. We have developed a general matching procedure for comparing semantic network descriptions of images, and we have implemented a variety of relaxation techniques. An automatic segmentation and description system is used to produce the image representations so that the matching procedures must cope with variations in feature values, missing objects, and possible multiple matches. This environment is used to test different relaxation matching schemes under a variety of conditions. The best performance (of those we compared), in terms of the number of iterations and the number of errors, is for the gradient-based optimization approach of Faugeras and Price. The related optimization approach of Hummel and Zucker performed almost as well, with differences primarily in difficult matches (i.e., where much of the evidence is against the match, for instance, poor segmentations). The product combination rule proposed by Peleg was extremely fast, indeed, too fast to work when global context is needed. The classical Rosenfeld, Hummel, and Zucker method is included for historical comparisons and performed only adequately, producing fewer correct matches and taking more iterations.
Fatty acid and molecular species composition of rat brain phosphatidylcholine and -ethanolamine from birth to weaning.

The fatty acid composition of diacyl phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine from the brain of rats 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 days old were determined. In phosphatidylcholine, the relative amounts of stearic and oleic acid increased from 25% to 33% while the relative amounts of myristic, palmitic, and palmitoleic decreased from 65% to 50% during this time period. The same pattern was seen in phosphatidylethanolamine with stearic and oleic increasing from 38% to 49% and the shorter chain acids decreasing from 17% to 13%. The polyunsaturated fatty content of phosphatidylcholine was approximately 10% and increased slightly during the first 3 weeks, while the polyunsaturated content of phosphatidylethanolamine decreased from 44% to 37%. The molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine was determined in brains of rats 3, 6, and 9 days old. The relative amounts of the molecular species remained nearly constant during this time period with phosphatidylcholine containing 35% saturated, 40% monoenoic, 6% dienoic, 11% tetraenoic, 2% pentaenoic, and 5% hexaenoic. Phosphatidylethanolamine contained 1% saturated, 8% monoenoic, 3% dienoic, 40% tetraenoic, 9% pentaenoic, and 37% hexaenoic species. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of the molecular species reveals that in phosphatidylcholine the polyunsaturated fatty acids 20∶4 and 22∶6 are predominately paired with 16∶0, while in the phosphatidylethanolamine these two unsaturated fatty acids are paired with 18∶0. Furthermore, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine accounts for approximately 25% of the total molecular species of that lipid.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: An underdiagnosed syndrome

Abstract Since the first description of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) in the English literature in 1984, the delay in correct diagnosis of JME remains unchanged. Ninety patients with JME were studied. Median delay in diagnosis was 9 years (range 0–52 years). Reasons for delay in diagnosis were analyzed. Failure to recognize the myoclonic seizures (MS) was the most common element contributing to the delay. In some cases, MS were not reported by the patients; in other cases, MS were confused with nervousness or clumsiness and not interpreted as epileptic in nature by the referring physicians. Clinical and EEG asymmetries were the second most important cause for misdiagnosis. In 53.7% of these cases, asymmetries were interpreted as partial features. The third cause of misdiagnosis was the lack of recognition of the MS associated with normal interictal EEGs. These cases were interpreted as nonepileptic seizures. It is important to be aware of this frequent epileptic syndrome, in which nearly 90% of cases can be controlled with adequate treatment (valproate, VPA).
Electromagnetic macro-modeling: An overview of current successes and future opportunities

An overview is provided of the concept of electromagnetic macro-modeling with emphasis on its most successful applications in the computational electromagnetics community. Use is made of a unifying mathematical framework that lends itself to the description of models obtained either through the discrete approximation of the system of interest (using, for example, a differential equation-based numerical method) or through a direct measurement of the response of the system. Model order reduction of electromagnetic systems that include frequency-dependent electromagnetic multi-ports and macro-modeling of electromagnetic structures exhibiting geometric and/or material uncertainty are highlighted as two important applications of macro-modeling for advancing both the modeling versatility and the computational efficiency of state-of-the-art electromagnetic computer-aided analysis and design methodologies and tools.
The TREC question answering track

The Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) question answering track is an effort to bring the benefits of large-scale evaluation to bear on a question answering (QA) task. The track has run twice so far, first in TREC-8 and again in TREC-9. In each case, the goal was to retrieve small snippets of text that contain the actual answer to a question rather than the document lists traditionally returned by text retrieval systems. The best performing systems were able to answer about 70% of the questions in TREC-8 and about 65% of the questions in TREC-9. While the 65% score is a slightly worse result than the TREC-8 scores in absolute terms, it represents a very significant improvement in question answering systems. The TREC-9 task was considerably harder than the TREC-8 task because TREC-9 used actual users’ questions while TREC-8 used questions constructed for the track. Future tracks will continue to challenge the QA community with more difficult, and more realistic, question answering tasks.
Testicular circulatory isolation: Not a cause of immune-mediated testis injury in the rat

Background: Testicular circulatory isolation (TCI), a regional drug exclusion approach designed to prevent chemotherapy-induced male infertility, can reduce testicular drug exposure and preserve fertility. The immunological sequelae of this surgical procedure were investigated.
Characterization of Alveolar Epithelial Cell Injury after Exposure to Nitric Oxide and Oxygen † 1722

Nitric oxide (NO) is currently being used for pulmonary hypertension. When NO is administered with oxygen (O2), the combination of gasses may be toxic to alveolar epithelial cells. To evaluate cellular toxicity, alveolar type-II (AT-II) cells were exposed to NO (1, 5, 10 and 20ppm) alone and in combination with O2. Cells were studied for viability and function. Media was studied for direct cellular exposure of NO and to elucidate mechanism of injury. For each concentration of NO, AT-II cells from 8 adult rats were isolated, purified, and divided into 4 treatment groups: NO+95% O2, NO+room air (RA), 95% O2, and RA. After a 4 hour gas exposure, cells were evaluated for viability by fluorescent staining and for function by radioactive glucose uptake. Media was measured for nitrite by chemiluminescence and for nitrosylated glutathione (GSNO), a peroxynitrite metabolite, by light absorbance. The table shows percent cell death±SEM for the 4 treatment groups. In the 1ppm treatment group there was no difference in the amount of cell death, while at 5ppm there was a slight increase in the amount death in the NO exposed cells. Cells exposed to 10ppm NO+O2 continued to show a slight increase in cell death compared to NO+RA, O2 and RA groups. Not only was there an increased amount of cell death in cells exposed to 20ppm NO+RA, the greatest amount of death occurred in the NO+O2 group compared to other NO exposed cells and controls. One and 5ppm NO+O2 groups showed no difference in glucose uptake. When cell death was plotted against nitrite or GSNO levels, there was direct correlation in cells exposed to NO+O2, r2=0.90 and 0.92.
Characterization of Ni−Cr thin films by X-ray analysis

Abstract The X-ray microstructures of sputtered 78at.%Ni-22at.%Cr thin films ranging from 20 to 200 nm thick were determined. Phase identification of the films indicated a disordered solid solution of chromium in nickel and that the structure of Ni-Cr is, on the atomic scale, a predominately cubic close-packed lattice mixed with a small amount of h.c.p. layers. All films showed lattice contraction normal to the film surface. The magnitude of the normal component of the macrostrain increased with the thickness of the film, at first rapidly, then leveling off when t ⩾ 100 nm. The crystallite size also varied systematically with the thickness of the film: the thicker the film, the larger the crystallite size. The twin fault probabilities were found to be significantly higher ( β ⩾ 0.036) than those of the sputtered pure metal films. The presence of h.c.p. layers in the Ni-Cr cubic lattice contributed to a maximum value of the twin fault probability β ( β = 0.076) in the film 200 nm thick. A correlation between β and the electrical resistivity ϱ was observed.
DIFFERENTIAL GAMES WITH SEMI-UNCERTAIN DYNAMICS

We introduce competitive markets into an extension of the differential game model. The non-uniqueness of market-clearing prices implies the constant presence of uninsurable risks for the players. In a class of examples, some characteristics of the system as well as part of the players' rational response remain to be perfectly predictable. This offers a distinct view regarding the recent financial crises and new insight concerning institutional reform.
New Orleans Tourism and Crime: A Case Study

As a major tourism destination, New Orleans has been under scrutiny because of its very high crime rate. Negative perceptions from potential tourists and meeting planners are threatening the well-being of a strong tourism sector. This article examines the crime and tourism situations and shows how various stakeholders have responded to the problem. An apparent lack of industry concern and cooperation is seen as the major drawback in tourism’s bout with crime and the resulting negative publicity.
Mercury in the Atlantic Ocean: factors controlling air–sea exchange of mercury and its distribution in the upper waters

Abstract To understand further the cycling of mercury at the earth's surface we discuss the results of recent measurements of Hg concentration and speciation in the upper ocean and marine boundary layer of the Atlantic Ocean. In water, dissolved gaseous Hg (DGHg) and total Hg measurements are reported; for the atmosphere, total gaseous Hg, reactive gaseous Hg (RGHg) and particulate Hg measurements were made. These measurements allow estimation of gas evasion to the atmosphere and deposition to the ocean. In conjunction with the field collections, incubation experiments both on board ship and in the laboratory have examined further the processes controlling the oxidation and reduction of Hg species in water. Our results suggest that dry deposition of RGHg. could be significant.
The Transition From Managed Care To Consumerism: A Community-Level Status Report

This paper assesses the evolving “facilitated consumerism” model of health care at the community level using data from the Community Tracking Study (CTS). We find that in a relatively short time, large employers and health plans have made notable progress in putting the building blocks in place to support their vision of consumerism. However, developments in the CTS communities suggest that the consumerism strategy evolving in local markets is more nuanced than implied by some descriptions of health care consumerism.
Mining geophysical parameters through decision-tree analysis to determine correlation with tropical cyclone development

Correlations between geophysical parameters and tropical cyclones are essential in understanding and predicting the formation of tropical cyclones. Previous studies show that sea surface temperature and vertical wind shear significantly influence the formation and frequent changes of tropical cyclones. This paper presents the utilization of a new approach, data mining, to discover the collective contributions to tropical cyclones from sea surface temperature, atmospheric water vapor, vertical wind shear, and zonal stretching deformation. A decision tree using the C4.5 algorithm was generated to illustrate the influence of geophysical parameters on the formation of tropical cyclone in weighted correlations. From the decision tree, we also induced decision rules to reveal the quantitative regularities and co-effects of [sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear], [atmospheric water vapor, vertical wind shear], [sea surface temperature, atmospheric water vapor, zonal stretching deformation], [sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, atmospheric water vapor, zonal stretching deformation], and other combinations to tropical cyclone formation. The research improved previous findings in (1) preparing more precise criteria for future tropical cyclone prediction, and (2) applying data mining algorithms in studying tropical cyclones.
The ambiguities of U.S. temporary foreign worker policy

Expansion of temporary worker programs has figured prominently in recent proposals to reform United States immigration policy. The Florida sugar cane industry has been using foreign workers from the English-speaking Caribbean since 1943. The 8000 to 9000 workers annually admitted under section H-2 of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act to cut cane constitute the largest legal nonimmigrant labor force in the United States. Examination of the Florida H-2 program reveals that existing temporary worker policy is ambiguous, if not contradictory, on the issues of the displacement of domestic workers; the characteristics and value of H-2 workers; their impact on local communities in the United States; and the effects of seasonal labor migration on the migrant and his country. Suggestions for improving policy include strengthening of statutory guidelines and administrative agencies, adoption of a more market-sensitive adverse effect wage rate, making farm labor more attractive to American workers, removing distinctions between foreign and domestic workers, and measures to improve the lot of the migrant and his home society.
Zeolite-encapsulated platinum catalysts: Preparation, characterization by transmission electron microscopy, and their shape selective behavior toward various nitrogen base poisons during the catalytic oxidation of aqueous formaldehyde

Abstract Procedures are described for the encapsulation of Pt metal crystallites by the hydrogen forms of zeolite Y, mordenite, and ZSM-5. The Pt metal crystallite size and distribution in these well-encapsulated Pt/zeolite samples have been established through the use of transmission electron microscopy. Particle size ranges for the Pt crystallites are as follows: Pt/HY, 10–20 A; Pt/H-MOR, 6–15 A; and Pt/H-ZSM-5, 5–20 A. Supported Pt metal crystallites effectively catalyze the oxidation of aqueous formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and water in an autoclave reactor at 95 °C and 207 kPa O 2 . The rate of this oxidation is extraordinarily sensitive to the presence of nitrogen bases that effectively poison the Pt sites. Nitrogen bases investigated in this study include glycine, ethylenedi-aminetetraacetic acid, pyridine, quinoline, and 4-methylquinoline. Reactor evaluation of well-encapsulated Pt/zeolite catalysts for formaldehyde oxidation in the presence of small amounts of these nitrogen bases demonstrates clearly that the Pt crystallites reside in regions of the zeolite structure accessible only through the crystalline zeolite pore structure. Nitrogen bases too large to penetrate the zeolite pores are found to have little or no effect on the formaldehyde oxidation rate. In the case of Pt/ZSM-5, poisoning by quinoline occurs rapidly but 4-methylquinoline shows little effect on the rate of formaldehyde oxidation even in high concentrations and for prolonged periods of exposure to the catalyst. Complete details will be given for these selective poisoning experiments with the encapsulated Pt/zeolite catalysts.
Globalization and advertising in emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China (Routledge Studies in International Business and the World Economy)

Perhaps, an important by-product of globalization (rooted in the 1948 Bretton Woods agreement shortly after the ending of WWII and its significant expansion in the 1990s) is the emergence of BRICS ...
Computer networks and distributed systems

Abstract Computer Networks and Distributed Systems, along with Multiprocessor Systems, comprise the class of computer systems known as Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD). We distinguish Multi-processor Systems, which are not covered in this review, from the other members of MIMD, by the degree of autonomy of the computing elements and the means of communication between them. A system where the processors communicate by using shared memory or where there is a master-slave relationship among the processors is neither a network nor a Distributed System. This paper identifies, analyzes and classifies various aspects of distributed systems.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Signaling Is a Key Mediator of Hormone-Induced Leukocyte Infiltration in the Pubertal Female Mammary Gland

It is well documented that macrophages and eosinophils play important roles in normal murine pubertal mammary gland development. Although it is accepted that estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) are key players in mammary gland development, the roles these hormones might play in regulating the actions of leukocytes in that process is an understudied area. We show here that P and E, respectively, induce unique, but overlapping, sets of proinflammatory and angiogenic cytokines and chemokines, in the pubertal female BALB/c mammary gland, as well as induce infiltration of macrophages and eosinophils to the mammary periepithelium. This extends earlier studies showing P induction of proinflammatory products in pubertal and adult mammary epithelial organoids and P-induced in vivo infiltration of leukocytes to the adult mammary periepithelium. Importantly, epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling, which is likely mediated by amphiregulin (Areg), a downstream mediator of E and P, is both necessary and sufficient for both E- and P-induced recruitment of macrophages and eosinophils to the pubertal mammary periepithelium. We further show that receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), although not sufficient of itself to cause macrophage and eosinophil recruitment, contributes to an optimal response to P. The potency of Areg is highlighted by the fact that it is sufficient to induce macrophage and eosinophil recruitment at levels equivalent to that induced by either E or P. Our finding of a dominant role for Areg in hormonally induced leukocyte recruitment to the pubertal mammary gland parallels its dominance in regulating ductal outgrowth and its role in P-induced proliferation in the pubertal gland.
Optimal residual decoupling for robust fault diagnosis

his paper deals with residual generation for the diagnosis of faults in the presence of disturbances. The emphasis is on modelling errors, represented as multiplicative disturbances, and on parametric faults. These are both characterized as discrepancies in a set of underlying parameters. The residuals are obtained using parity equations. To address the situation when the number of uncertain parameters is too high to allow perfect decoupling, two approximate decoupling methods are introduced. One utilizes rank reduction of the model-error/fault entry matrix via singular value decomposition. The other minimizes a least squares performance index, formulated on the residuals, under a set of equality constraints. It is shown that, by the appropriate construction of the entry matrix or of the performance index and the constraints, a broad variety of structured and directional residual strategies can be implemented.
Dissection of Aminoglycoside−Enzyme Interactions: A Calorimetric and NMR Study of Neomycin B Binding to the Aminoglycoside Phosphotransferase(3‘)-IIIa

In this work, for the first time, we report pKa values of the amino functions in a target-bound aminoglycoside antibiotic, which permitted dissection of the thermodynamic properties of an enzyme-aminoglycoside complex. Uniformly enriched 15N-neomycin was isolated from cultures of Streptomyces fradiae and used to study its binding to the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase(3')-IIIa (APH) by 15N NMR spectroscopy. 15N NMR studies showed that binding of neomycin to APH causes upshifts of approximately 1 pKa unit for the amines N2' and N2' '' while N6' experienced a 0.3 pKa unit shift. The pKa of N6' '' remained unaltered, and resonances of N1 and N3 showed significant broadening upon binding to the enzyme. The binding-linked protonation and pH dependence of the association constant (Kb) for the enzyme-aminoglycoside complex was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. The enthalpy of binding became more favorable (negative) with increasing pH. At high pH, binding-linked protonation was attributable mostly to the amino functions of neomycin; however, at neutral pH, functional groups of the enzyme, possibly remote from the active site, also underwent protonation/deprotonation upon formation of the binary enzyme-neomycin complex. The Kb for the enzyme-neomycin complex showed a complicated dependence on pH, indicating that multiple interactions may affect the affinity of the ligand to the enzyme and altered conditions, such as pH, may favor one or another. This work highlights the importance of determining thermodynamic parameters of aminoglycoside-target interactions under different conditions before making attributions to specific sites and their effects on these global parameters.