cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parasitic suppression in large aperture disk lasers employing liquid edge claddings.

A liquid edge cladding system for parasitic suppression in large aperture, high gain disk laser amplifiers has been developed and tested. A near-saturated aqueous solution of ZnI2 was employed for index-matching. Adequate fluorescence absorption was demonstrated using either dissolved NiCl2 or chrome black oxide coating applied to the disk holder. Application of liquid cladding to a 20-cm aperture disk laser amplifier increased energy storage capability by approximately 20% over conventional solder glass claddings.
Energy requirements for quantum computation

A lower bound on the amount of energy needed to carry out an elementary logical operation on a qubit system, with a given accuracy and in a given time, has been recently postulated. This paper is an attempt to formalize this bound and explore the conditions under which it may be expected to hold. For a specific, important case (namely, when the control system is a quantized electromagnetic field) it is shown how one can extend this result to a generally stronger constraint on the minimum energy density required, per pulse.
Action of Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Antagonists on Twitch Tension of the Rat Phrenic Nerve‐Diaphragm

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in normal and pathological processes of many tissues, including skeletal muscle. I extended previous studies by examining the effect of these intermediates and eight of their antagonists (superoxide dismutase, catalase, deferoxamine, [Cu(II)]2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-pyridone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, vitamin E) on indirectly stimulated twitch tension of an in vitro neuroskeletomuscular preparation, the phrenic nerve-diaphragm of the rat. In the absence of exogenous reactive oxygen species, none of the antagonists potentiated twitch tension, and all but one (N-[2-mercaptopropionyl]-glycine) of the membrane-permeant antagonists attenuated twitch tension. The reactive oxygen intermediate-generating system of purine plus xanthine oxidase reduced indirectly stimulated twitch tension by 36% while having no effect on directly stimulated twitch tension. Catalase (but not superoxide dismutase or deferoxamine) eliminated the reduction in twitch tension, indicating that hydrogen peroxide played a role in the reduction. The membrane-permeant antagonists [Cu(II)]2(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)4 and 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-pyridone also eliminated the reduction in twitch tension caused by reactive oxygen species, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide could have acted intracellularly through an iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction to produce hydroxyl radical, which in turn reacted with intracellular components, thereby reducing twitch tension.
Effects of prenatal perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure on lung maturation in the perinatal rat.

BACKGROUND: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), found widely in wildlife and humans, is environmentally and metabolically stable. Environmental PFOS may be from its use as a surfactant, hydrolysis of perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride, and degradation of N-alkyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamide compounds formerly used in numerous applications. Prenatal exposure to PFOS in rodents causes neonatal mortality; treatment on gestation days (GD) 19–20 is sufficient to induce neonatal death in rats. Affected pups are born alive but present with labored breathing. Their lungs are pale and often do not expand fully on perfusion. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats received 0, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day PFOS/K+ orally on GD 19-20. Lungs from GD 21 fetuses and neonates were prepared for histology and morphometry. Rescue experiments included co-administration of dexamethasone or retinyl palmitate with PFOS. Pulmonary surfactant was investigated with mass spectrometry in GD 21 amniotic fluid and neonatal lungs. Microarray analysis was carried out on PND 0 lungs. RESULTS: Histologically, alveolar walls were thicker in lungs of PFOS-exposed newborns compared to controls. The ratio of solid tissue:small airway was increased, suggesting immaturity. Rescue studies were ineffective. Phospholipid concentrations and molecular speciation were unaffected by PFOS. No changes in markers of alveolar differentiation were detected by microarray analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Morphometric changes in lungs of PFOS exposed neonates were suggestive of immaturity, but the failure of rescue agents and normal pulmonary surfactant profile indicate that the labored respiration and mortality observed in PFOS-treated neonates was not due to lung immaturity. Birth Defects Res B 74:405–416, 2005. Published © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Expression of Transgenic FLIP on Thyroid Epithelial Cells Inhibits Induction and Promotes Resolution of Granulomatous Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis in CBA/J Mice

Granulomatous experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (G-EAT) is induced by transfer of thyroglobulin-primed in vitro activated splenocytes. Thyroid lesions reach maximal severity 20 d later, and inflammation resolves or progresses to fibrosis by d 60, depending on the extent of thyroid damage at d 20. Depletion of CD8+ T cells inhibits G-EAT resolution. We showed that expression of Fas-associated death domain-like IL-1β-converting enzyme inhibitory protein (FLIP) transgene (Tg) on thyroid epithelial cells (TECs) of DBA/1 mice had no effect on G-EAT induction but promoted earlier resolution of G-EAT. However, when CBA/J wild-type donor cells were transferred to transgenic CBA/J mice expressing FLIP on TECs, they developed less severe G-EAT than FLIP Tg− littermates. Both strains expressed similar levels of the FLIP Tg, but endogenous FLIP was up-regulated to a greater extent on infiltrating T cells during G-EAT development in DBA/1 compared with CBA/J mice. After transient depletion of CD8+ T cells, FLIP Tg+ ...
The Effect of Ultracentrifugation on Fine Structure and α-Amylase Production in Barley Aleurone Cells

Ultracentrifugation of barley aleurone cells results in the stratification of organelles thus allowing for a quantitation of those organelles. Gibberellic acid (GA3)-stimulated α-amylase production in stratified cells is reduced by centrifugation at gravitational forces greater than 40,000g. Forces below 30,000g do not affect GA3-stimulated α-amylase production although stratification of organelles occurs at these forces. The ability of centrifuged cells to respond maximally to GA3 by producing α-amylase is related to the degree of redistribution of organelles within these cells. Thus, recovery of cells from centrifugation at forces below 30,000g is rapid, while recovery from forces above 40,000g is slow.
Fast Evaluation of Analog Circuits Using Linear Programming

Although analog circuits are usually only a small part of an overall mixed-signal design, the time it takes to design these circuits is significantly longer. On the digital side, design automation and optimization tools have been around for a long time and are well established. These tools free up the designer to focus on more innovative tasks and allow for greater design productivity. The analog side, however, has yet to reach this point. There is much ongoing research in this area and many different approaches to try to mitigate the complexity of designing analog circuits. We propose an algorithm that utilizes the fast and efficient execution of linear programming to provide a solution for single objective optimization of small circuits. We show the results of this algorithm on three sample circuits with the objectives of maximizing gain and bandwidth. The results from our proposed optimization algorithm were within 10 percent of the maximum gain/bandwidth derived using traditional manual optimization methods.
Futurs Studies and Policy Studies: Complementary Flelds in Pubic Affairs

Future studies and policy studies are fuzzy 11multifields18 with overlapping concerns. They are far larger than conventional wisdom suggests, as illustrated by a taxonomic listing of 275 futures-relevant and policy-relevant journals. The journal literature has doubled in the past nine years. An adequate intellectual perspective for public policy requires bridge-building between differing perspectives, especially a general bridge between future studies and policy studies which have largely ignored each other. Futurists are characterized as more likely to be cross-disciplinary o r nondisciplinary, outsiders, idealists, generalists, catalysts and synthesizers. Policy analysts are more likely to be social scientists, affiliated with well-known universities and research institutes, emplrical 81 realists, 88 specialists in a particular problem, and analytic in method. Ideally, these two sets of qualities should work together to study important public questions and propose viable policies.
Laparoscopic Median Arcuate Ligament Release: Are We Improving Symptoms?

Background Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by postprandial abdominal pain, weight loss, and celiac stenosis. We report our experience using a laparoscopic approach for this uncommon diagnosis. Study Design This is an IRB-approved, prospectively collected retrospective analysis of patients treated with laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release at our institution. Data collected included patient demographics, preoperative symptoms, operative approach, and postoperative outcomes. Ultimately, patients were contacted to complete a postoperative survey aimed at assessing resolution of symptoms and overall satisfaction. Results A total of 15 patients underwent laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release from March 2007 to January 2012. Mean age was 34 years (range 17 to 68 years) and 93% were female. Mean preoperative celiac velocity was 380 cm/s (range 210 to 600 cm/s). Fourteen patients had laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release and 1 patient had robotic-assisted laparoscopic release. Mean operative time was 179 minutes (range 79 to 473 minutes) and there was 1 conversion to laparotomy. Twelve of 15 patients had a postoperative celiac axis ultrasonography. Celiac occlusion occurred in 2 patients (present in 1 patient preoperatively). In the remaining 10 there was a statistically significant decrease in celiac velocity to 215 cm/s (range 135 to 306 cm/s; p = 0.005). Survey response rate was 86% at a mean follow-up of 15.4 months (range 2.8 to 32.6 months), and all but 1 patient reported having resolution of pain. Conclusions Laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament is a safe, feasible, and effective means of managing median arcuate ligament syndrome. Postoperative symptomatic relief is seen in the vast majority of patients undergoing this procedure.
Deglycosylation of neutral and acidic human colonic mucin.

Human colonic mucin has been isolated from normal colonic mucosa by a phenol-water extraction procedure and purified by Sepharose 2B column chromatography. The mucin was further purified by cesium bromide density gradient centrifugation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel (5%) electrophoresis of this material showed high-molecular-weight mucin component(s) at the top of the gel. Chemical analyses of this preparation indicated a typical mucin profile of amino acids and carbohydrates. Ion-exchange chromatography resulted in the separation of two major fractions, one being more acidic than the other. Chemical deglycosylation of the purified preparation at 20°C for 3 1/2 showed loss of sialic acid, fucose, galactose, andN-acetylglucosamine, whereas traces ofN-acetylgalactosamine were still detected. High-pressure liquid chromatography of the deglycosylated material resulted in the purification of a major peptide, P1; with high levels of threonine, serine, and proline, resembling, in most respects, the profile of native mucin. The molecular weight of the peptide was determined to be approximately 97 kDa and serine was the single NH2 terminus.
Modified technique for suprapubic catheter insertion that avoids urinary leakage

When a large bore suprapubic catheter, such as a Foley catheter, is required for postoperative drainage of the bladder, nearly 10% of patients experience urinary leakage. We describe a novel technique involving the tubularization of the bladder during large bore suprapubic catheter placement to prevent urinary leakage while the catheter is in place and after its removal.
Some Equations with Eventually Periodic Solutions

We present some Open Problems and Conjectures about the solutions of the following six difference equations where the parameter α is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and the initial condition...
Increased sensitivity of oxidized large isoform of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activase to ADP inhibition is due to an interaction between its carboxyl extension and nucleotide-binding pocket.

In Arabidopsis, oxidation of the large (46-kDa) isoform activase to form a disulfide bond in the C-terminal extension (C-extension) significantly increases its ADP sensitivity for both ATP hydrolysis and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activation, thereby decreasing both activities at physiological ratios of ADP/ATP. In this study, we demonstrate that the C-extension of the oxidized large activase isoform can be cross-linked with regions containing residues that contribute to the nucleotide-binding pocket, with a higher efficiency in the presence of ADP or the absence of nucleotides than with ATP. Coupled with measurements demonstrating a redox-dependent protease sensitivity of the C-extension and a lower ATP or adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS) affinity of the oxidized large isoform than either the reduced form or the smaller isoform, the results suggest that the C-extension plays an inhibitory role in ATP hydrolysis, regulated by redox changes. In contrast, the ADP affinities of the small isoform and the reduced or oxidized large isoform were similar, which indicates that the C-extension selectively interferes with the proper binding of ATP, possibly by interfering with the coordination of the γ-phosphate. Furthermore, replacement of conserved, negatively charged residues (Asp390, Glu394, and Asp401) in the C-extension with alanine significantly reduced the sensitivities of the mutants to ADP inhibition, which suggests the involvement of electrostatic interactions between them and positively charged residues in or near the nucleotide-binding pocket. These studies provide new insights into the mechanism of redox regulation of activase by the C-extension in the large isoform.
Airborne observations of aircraft aerosol emissions II: Factors controlling volatile particle production

Airborne measurements of fine and ultrafine aircraft aerosol emissions are examined as a function of environmental conditions, fuel sulfur content, and aircraft type, to determine what factors influence the abundance of volatile particles and what the likely composition of these particles are. The data were obtained from aboard a small jet aircraft flying in near-field (<20 km aircraft separation) wakes generated by a variety of aircraft. All aircraft produced large numbers of particles relative to background concentrations, a majority of which evaporated at temperatures <200°C. The volatile particles, except under humid conditions, were typically <20 nm in diameter, and their numbers varied both as a function of atmospheric conditions and plume age. Their apparent number-density dependence upon fuel sulfur content, and the fact that their inferred mass concentrations are less than the reported shortfall in gas phase sulfur budgets, strongly suggests they were primarily composed of condensed sulfur species.
The human thyrotropin-releasing hormone gene is regulated by thyroid hormone through two distinct classes of negative thyroid hormone response elements.

TRH is the principal positive regulator of TSH synthesis and secretion in man. T3 is able to control TRH synthesis through feedback inhibition at the transcriptional level, presumably by binding to its receptor which interacts with one or more negative thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) present within the human TRH promoter. In the present study we have identified the specific negative TREs within the TRH promoter and characterized their ability to interact with thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), and the retinoid X receptor (RXR). Our analysis demonstrates that ligand-independent and dependent regulation of the human TRH promoter is restricted to the TR beta 1 isoform. Deletional analysis of the TRH promoter identified two discrete regions that are responsible for mediating ligand-dependent negative regulation of the TRH promoter. Mutagenesis of potential TR binding half-sites within these regions identified three separate half-sites (site 4 from -55 to -60 base pairs (bp); site 5, +14 to +19 bp; and ...
Synthesis of high specific activity tritium labelled [2‐3H]‐adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate

A procedure for high level tritium labelling at the C2-H position of adenosine 5'-triphosphate ([2- 3 H]-ATP, 1), based on the tritiodehalogenation reaction of 2-bromoadenosine 5'-triphosphate (2) has been elaborated. This precursor was prepared in a six-step synthesis from guanosine. The tritiodehalogenation of (2) for three hours over palladium oxide in phosphate buffer yielded tritium labelled ATP with high specific activity, in good chemical yield.
Precise Measurement of Fading on a Time‐Intensity Basis

Difficulties with B.S. 1006 are discussed, particularly with reference to its use for testing a wider range of materials than was originally intended. It is necessary to recognise as fading changes in appearance, resulting from the action of light, other than simple destruction of colour. The precise, if arbitrary, point at which a colour may be said to have faded can be determined by means of a combined chromaticity and luminance tolerance derived from measurements in C. I. E. terms. From a consideration of their spectral energy distributions, the artificial light sources in common use for fading tests could not be expected to give results comparable with those obtained with natural daylight, but the light from a xenon arc is shown to have a similar effect to daylight. A simple type of fading lamp is described using a 150-watt xenon lamp. Since the light falling on a pattern can be maintained at constant intensity for a considerable time and the intensity can be accurately measured, the fastness to light of such a pattern can be precisely expressed in terms of the amount of light (in kilo-ft.-candle-hr.) required to fade the pattern to a predetermined colour tolerance.
The effects of cognitive pretraining on cohesion and self‐disclosure in small groups: An analog study

This study examined the effects of written, cognitive pretraining on the development of cohesion and self-disclosure in interpersonal learning groups. Subjects in the experimental condition received a written introduction to the group experience, and subjects in the control condition received written information on the history of group psychotherapy. Results demonstrated that the experimental groups had a higher level of group cohesion than the control groups, p < 0.0001, but were not different on self-disclosure. The correlation between cohesion and self-disclosure was not statistically significant. The results were discussed as an extension of the empirical support for cognitive pretraining.
MULTI‐LEVEL VULNERABILITY OF ADOLESCENT MARRIAGES: AN ECO‐SYSTEM MODEL FOR CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION

This paper utilizes the Transitionally Unintegrated-Externally Open family system type derived from Wertheim (1973,1975) to address the multiple factors that may enhance or reduce the vulnerability of the adolescent marriage. Facilitating and constraining factors on the development of marital system autonomy and competence are identified at the individual, marital, familial and extra-familial levels. Guidelines for clinical assessment and intervention are presented.
Type B Leukemogenic Virus Has a T-Cell-Specific Enhancer That Binds AML-1

Type B leukemogenic virus (TBLV) induces rapidly appearing T-cell tumors in mice. TBLV is highly related to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) except that TBLV long terminal repeats (LTRs) have a deletion of negative regulatory elements and a triplication of sequences flanking the deletion. To determine if the LTR triplication represents a viral enhancer element, we inserted the triplication upstream and downstream in either orientation relative to the thymidine kinase promoter linked to the luciferase gene. These experiments showed that upregulation of reporter gene activity by the TBLV triplication was relatively orientation independent, consistent with the activity of eukaryotic enhancer elements. TBLV enhancer activity was observed in T-cell lines but not in fibroblasts, B cells, or mammary cells, suggesting that enhancer function is cell type dependent. To analyze the transcription factor binding sites that are important for TBLV enhancer function, we prepared substitution mutations in a reconstituted C3H MMTV LTR that recapitulates the deletion observed in the TBLV LTR. Transient transfections showed that a single mutation (556M) decreased TBLV enhancer activity at least 20-fold in two different T-cell lines. This mutation greatly diminished AML-1 (recently renamed RUNX1) binding in gel shift assays with a mutant oligonucleotide, whereas AML-1 binding to a wild-type TBLV oligomer was specific, as judged by competition and supershift experiments. The 556 mutation also reduced TBLV enhancer binding of two other protein complexes, called NF-A and NF-B, that did not appear to be related to c-Myb or Ets. AML-1 overexpression in a mammary cell line enhanced expression from the TBLV LTR approximately 30-fold. These data suggest that binding of AML-1 to the TBLV enhancer, likely in combination with other factors, is necessary for optimal enhancer function.
Modeling Network Transition Constraints with Hypergraphs

Discrete time dynamic graphs are frequently used to model multicommodity flows or activity paths through constrained resources, but simple graphs fail to capture the interaction effects of resource transitions. The resulting schedules are not operationally feasible, and return inflated objective values. A directed hypergraph formulation is derived to address railway network sequencing constraints, and an experimental problem sample solved to estimate the magnitude of objective inflation when interaction effects are ignored. The model is used to demonstrate the value of advance scheduling of train paths on a busy North American railway.
Functional Hydrogel Surfaces: Binding Kinesin-Based Molecular Motor Proteins to Selected Patterned Sites†

Hydrogel microstructures with micrometer-scale topography and controllable functionality have great potential for numerous nanobiotechnology applications including, for example, three-dimensional structures that exhibit controlled interactions with proteins and cells. Taking advantage of the strong affinity of histidine (His) residues for metal-ion-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) complexes, we have chemically modified hydrogels to enable protein immobilization with retention of activity by incorporating 2-methacrylamidobutyl nitrilotriacetic acid, an NTA-containing monomer that can be copolymerized with a series of monomers to form NTA-containing hydrogels. By varying the NTA-monomer composition in the hydrogels, it is possible to control the amount of protein bound to the hydrogel surface. The retention of biological activity was demonstrated by microtubule gliding assays. Normally, hydrogels are resistant to protein binding, but we have selected these materials because of their porous nature. Bringing together hydrogel functionalization and soft-lithography patterning techniques, it was possible to create a hybrid hydrogel superstructure that possesses binding specificity to His-tagged protein in selected sites. This type of surface and microstructure is not only advantageous for motor protein integration, but it can also be generally applied to the formation of His-tagged molecules for sensors and biochip applications.
Transforming growth factor-β and bone morphogenetic protein-2 act by distinct mechanisms to promote chick limb cartilage differentiation in vitro

A number of studies suggest that several members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of peptide growth factors may be involved in the regulation of cartilage differentiation. It has been previously reported that TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 promote the chondrogenic differentiation of chick limb mesenchymal cells in high density micromass cultures (Kulyk et al. [1989a] Dev. Biol. 135:424-430). In this study we report that chick limb mesenchymal cells express mRNA for chicken TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3 during cartilage differentiation in vitro. In addition, the time course of their expression during cartilage differentiation is consistent with their playing a role in the initiation of this differentiation process. We also report that two members of the TGF-beta family, TGF-beta 3 and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), are capable of promoting the accumulation of cartilage extracellular matrix molecules by differentiating chick limb mesenchymal cells in micromass culture. Significant differences, however, were noted between the specific effects on matrix production elicited by these two growth factors which suggest that they may be acting by distinct mechanisms to regulate cartilage matrix production. TGF-beta appears to be most effective on cells which have not yet undergone cell condensation, a critical event in early cartilage differentiation, whereas BMP-2 is most effective after cells have condensed or differentiated. These observations suggest that TGF-beta 3 and BMP-2 may be acting in a sequential manner to regulate chick limb mesenchymal cells through the different stages of cartilage differentiation.
The Electron-Phonon Problem in Infinite Dimensions

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to examine superconductivity and charge-density-wave fluctuations in the infinite-dimensional electron-phonon problem. The maximum charge-density-wave transition temperature is an order of magnitude smaller than the effective electronic bandwidth and is virtually independent of the phonon frequency. The maximum superconducting transition temperature depends strongly on phonon frequency and is bounded by the maximum charge-density-wave transition temperature. The crossover from weak to strong coupling is illustrated by the evolution of an effective phonon potential that develops a double-well structure as the electron-phonon interaction increases.
Diffusion in a mesoporous silica membrane: Validity of the Knudsen diffusion model

Experimental permeance data for several light gases in a mesoporous silica membrane are analyzed in detail and shown to conform closely to the Knudsen diffusion model. The results of this study do not support the conclusions drawn from recent molecular simulations concerning the inadequacy of the Knudsen model.
Stellar astrophysics: Shrouded in a dusty disk

For more than a century, the binary star system e Aurigae has been a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. But no more — the system's previously inferred but unseen disk of dust has been detected. Every 27.1 years the bright binary star e Aurigae dims as it undergoes an eclipse lasting about 18 months. Until now the body that transits the disk of the e Aur system has been undetectable and the subject of much speculation. The preferred explanation is that the invisible companion is a tilted disk of opaque material surrounding a hidden star. Recent work implies that the system consists of a visible F-star, paired with a single B5V star enshrouded by a disk at a temperature of about 500K. Now interferometric observations made with the six-telescope CHARA Array in November and December 2009 have produced images of the eclipsing body in the infrared, revealing it to be an opaque disk, its elliptical shape suggesting that it is tilting as predicted.
Strategic Assessment of Fisheries Independent Monitoring Programs in the Gulf of Mexico

This study evaluates information produced from 14 fisheries independent monitoring programs (FIM) in the Gulf of Mexico. We consider the uniqueness of information from each program and its usefulness in estimating fisheries management indices. Biomass values of 35 functional groups are extracted from an operating model (Ecospace) with a method that replicates the patterns of historic FIM samplings. Observation error is added to these data in order to create a set of pseudo data that replicate the type and quality of information obtained from FIM programs. The pseudo data were put into a separate fishery assessment model (Pella-Tomlinson) to determine management indices of each functional group (maximum sustainable yield (MSY), biomass at MSY, and fishing mortality at MSY). These indices are compared against values in Ecospace, and against previously published single-species stock assessments. We also evaluate the full suite of information derived from FIM within an ecosystem context, considering whether functional roles are over- or under-sampled, and whether sampling effort is proportional to the value of fish stocks. Results reveal that model derived fishery indices closely matched published indices for the majority of the functional groups, economic and ecological evaluation suggests that several piscivorous functional groups are under-sampled include forage base species that are likely to indirectly support fisheries for piscivores, and sampling efforts are not proportional to the value of some fish stocks. Following ecological modelling we performed statistical analyses on historic FIM catch data to identify optimal species-specific sampling months and gear-types that can be used to refine future FIM sampling efforts.
Separating Compensatory and Punitive Damage Award Decisions by Trial Bifurcation

In a simulated products liability trial, we tested the effects of bifurcating decisions regarding compensatory and punitive damage awards. Fifty-nine groups of 5–7 jurors heard evidence in a unitary or bifurcated format, deliberated about the case to a unanimous decision, and awarded damages. Trial bifurcation decreased variability in compensatory damage awards across juries hearing the same case, and also decreased the tendency for juries to award extremely high compensatory damages. In addition, deliberation led to lower compensatory awards in the low injury severity condition and higher awards in the high injury severity condition. Jurors reported that they were using evidence more appropriately when the decisions were bifurcated. Implications of evidence bifurcation in civil trials are discussed.
Parenterally administered 3-nitropropionic acid and amphetamine can combine to produce damage to terminals and cell bodies in the striatum

The combined effects of amphetamine (AMPH) and 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) were investigated to determine how the energy depletion proposed to be produced by AMPH interacts with an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration to produce striatal neurotoxicity. Neither two doses (2 h apart) of 3.75 mg/kg AMPH alone nor a single dose of 30 mg/kg 3-NPA i.p. produced neurotoxicity in the striatum or lowered striatal dopamine content in rat. Administration of 40 mg/kg of 3-NPA alone almost invariably produced either lethality or did not produce neurotoxicity in the striatum of surviving animals. However, 30 mg/kg of 3-NPA administered along with 2 doses of 3.75 mg/kg AMPH to 47 animals produced striatal damage in the 31 survivors with 15 of the surviving rats showing muscle rigidity/catatonia for several days after dosing, along with decreased food consumption. Thirteen of these 15 rats showed degeneration of axons and cell bodies in the medial caudate-putamen with minimal damage to the globus pallidus. However, two rats exhibited hindlimb paralysis and signs of axonal and neuronal soma degeneration in the thalamus and cerebellar nuclei as well as striatum. Sixteen of the rats given both AMPH and 3-NPA exhibited only torpidity and loss of muscle tone 1-3 h after dosing. Such rats showed no signs of neuronal cell degeneration in the striatum, but did show significant dopamine depletions (60% of control) and reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity at 14 days postexposure. The mitochondrial dysfunction produced by 3-NPA combined with activation of neuronal pathways by AMPH may have predisposed terminals, axons and cell bodies in striatum to degeneration.
Tensile fracture of metallic glasses via shear band cavitation

Abstract Tensile fracture of metallic glasses due to shear-band-to-crack transition was studied by molecular dynamics. Such transition is difficult to characterize experimentally as it occurs within nanoseconds in the buried nanometer-thin shear band. We show that the sample fractures via shear band cavitation under high initial tensile stress, or with long sample length. The critical thermomechanical conditions for shear band cavitation, strongly influenced by shear, were identified. An analytical model was developed, leading to a length scale and a time scale for shear-band-to-crack transition.
VNTS: A Virtual Network Traffic Shaper for Air Time Fairness in 802.16e Systems

The 802.16e standard for broadband wireless access mandates the presence of QoS classes, but does not specify guidelines for the scheduler implementation or mechanisms to ensure air time fairness. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of controlling downlink airtime fairness for slices while running above a proprietary WiMAX basestation (BS) scheduler. We design and implement a virtualized infrastructure that allows users to obtain at least an allocated percentage of BS resources in the presence of saturation and link degradation. Using Kernel virtual machines for creating slices and Click modular router for implementing the virtual network traffic shaping engine we show that it is possible to adaptively control slice usage for downlink traffic on a WiMAX Basestation. The fairness index and coupling coefficient show an improvement of up to 42%, and 73% with preliminary indoor walking mobility experiments. Outdoor vehicular measurements show an improvement of up to 27%, and 70% with the fairness index and coupling coefficient respectively
Using drinking in the dark to model prenatal binge-like exposure to ethanol in C57BL/6J mice

Animal models of prenatal ethanol exposure are necessary to more fully understand the effects of ethanol on the developing embryo/fetus. However, most models employ procedures that may produce additional maternal stress beyond that produced by ethanol alone. We employed a daily limited-access ethanol intake model called Drinking in the Dark (DID) to assess the effects of voluntary maternal binge-like ethanol intake on the developing mouse. Evidence suggests that binge exposure may be particularly harmful to the embryo/fetus, perhaps due to the relatively higher blood ethanol concentrations achieved. Pregnant females had mean daily ethanol intakes ranging from 4.2-6.4 g/kg ethanol over gestation, producing blood ethanol concentrations ranging from 115-182 mg/dl. This level of ethanol intake produced behavioral alterations among adolescent offspring that disappeared by adulthood, including altered sensitivity to ethanol’s hypnotic actions. The DID model may provide a useful tool for studying the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure in mice.
A Fibre Optic Sensor Of Physiological Parameters

SummaryA fibre optic reflectometer has been shown to be a useful and versatile sensor ofphysiological parameters. It was shown that meaningful signals could be acquired from avariety of locations on different specimens in vitro and in vivo. The probe is convenientand easy to use. Indeed, the greatest difficulty experienced in these experiments wasassociated with making an incision in a very small rat aorta and then inserting the fibrethrough the incision - that is, the difficulties were surgical and not related to theprobe. In one case, the physiological signals (i.e. the cardiac rate and the respiratoryrate) were obtained while the subject and the probe were within a high (a2 Tesla) magnetic field. The cause of those signals obtained with the probe located in a blood stream hasbeen examined and associated with a biological activity.The glass fibre probe is particularly well- suited for medical or biological monitoringpurposes since it is biologically inert, can be sterilized, is very small and flexible andcan be inserted either by natural passages or by using standard surgical techniques.AcknowledgementThe authors have appreciated the competent assistance of Mr. Ross Misner. We havebenefitted from the work of Messrs. Louis Colpron and Pierre Caux who implemented the tworeflectometer units described. We also acknowledge with thanks the participation ofDr. Yves Geoffrion in two of the experiments described.1. Legendre, J.P.,and Laser Sensors2. Legendre, J.P.,
The Financial Crisis Hits Home: Foreclosures and Asset Exhaustion in Boston

This article reviews the depletion of financial assets that families in foreclosure experienced in Boston, Massachusetts. Drawing on 37 interviews with predominantly families of color in foreclosure around the City of Boston between 2007 and 2008, this article suggests that a critical process on the path to foreclosure is asset depletion that leads to asset exhaustion. Asset depletion is the process of using up savings and other liquid and nonliquid investment vehicles to cover day-to-day expenses when income is not enough to do so. In the case of foreclosure, asset depletion to the point of asset exhaustion is motivated by the significance of the home for the family. Even when a family does not lose its home to foreclosure, it loses critical stabilizing financial assets, leaving the family vulnerable to further economic shocks and less likely to achieve upward social mobility. This article explores the process of asset depletion that leads to asset exhaustion in foreclosure and the motivations that drive...
Inelastic neutrino reactions on 16O

Abstract Differential and total cross sections up to 500 MeV for neutrino absorption in 16 O, leading to levels in 16 F, have been calculated on the basis of a Helm model description for the corresponding transition densities, with parameters determined from form factor fits of 16 O electroexcitation data. We also present the low-energy (≦ 53 MeV) cross sections weighted by the neutrino spectra of muon decay, which are of importance for the proposed LAMPF experiments using neutrinos from stopped muons.
Chronic methanesulfonyl fluoride enhances one-trial per day reward learning in aged rats

Abstract Aged (24-months-old) rats were treated chronically with methanesulfonyl fluoride (MSF), an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor with selectivity for central nervous system AChE, or with injection vehicle alone. Twelve 0.22 mg/kg IP injections were given over 4 weeks. MSF rats showed significantly greater speed and accuracy on a 1 trial/day discriminative reward learning task. The chronic MSF treatment resulted in a 56% decrease in brain AChE activity but no discemable locomotor side effects and no liver damage as indicated by aspartate transferase activity.
Antipodal hotspots and bipolar catastrophes: Were oceanic large-body impacts the cause?

Abstract One aspect of the hotspot distribution that has received little attention is its antipodal character. Of 45 ‘primary’ hotspots found in most hotspot compilations 22 (49%) form antipodal pairs within observed hotspot drift limits (≤ 20 mm/yr). In addition, the available ages, or possible age ranges, for both hotspots of an antipodal pair tend to be similar (≤ 10 Myr difference) or overlap. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the antipodal primary hotspots' locations and ages are not due to chance at the > 99% confidence level (p
Bis[3-(trimethylsilyl)propyl] ethylenebisphosphonate, H2DTMSP[EBP].

The title compound (H2DTMSP[EBP]), C14H36O6P2Si2, was crystallized by the slow evaporation of a solution in a 20:1 mixture of pentane and acetone. The H2DTMSP[EBP] mole­cule lies about an inversion center. In the solid state, the mol­ecule exists in an anti configuration, with the mol­ecular backbone C—C bond located on an inversion center. The compound exists in the solid state as hydrogen-bonded infinite sheets in the ab plane, unlike the methyl­ene analogue, which exists as hydrogen-bonded infinite chains, demonstrating an `even–odd' effect of the length of the backbone alkyl chain.
Issues and Controversies Surrounding Qualitative Strategies For Identifying and Forecasting Cancer Causing Agents in the Human Environment

: Certain chemicals, mixtures of chemicals, exposure circumstances, life-styles and personal or cultural habits, occupations, viruses, living conditions, and physical agents have been causally associated with cancers in humans. Most however are not considered potentially carcinogenic, and the proportion of ‘agents’eventually identified to cause cancer is projected to be relatively low. Current methods to identify carcinogenic potential of chemicals rely largely on short-term in vitro and in vivo tests, mid- & long-term in vivo assays, molecular mechanisms, epidemiological investigations, and structural-activity-effect-relationships. Thus, the scientific and public health communities must continue to utilize available means and concomitantly strive to develop newer methods and tools to more easily, quickly, cheaply, and reliably identify carcinogens in the human milieu. Since adequate human studies are typically absent, the most useful method for identifying potential human carcinogens continues to be long-term carcinogenesis experiments. Agents identified as causing cancers in humans have been shown to cause cancer in animals, and this knowledge, together with similarities in mechanisms of carcinogenesis across species, led to the scientific logic and public health strategy that chemicals shown clearly to be carcinogenic in animals should be considered as being likely and anticipated to present cancer risks to humans. The quest of hazard identification efforts is cancer prevention, largely by reducing or eliminating exposures to chemicals that cause cancer and other diseases.
Substance P neurons sprout in the cervical spinal cord of the wobbler mouse: a model for motoneuron disease.

The mutant mouse, wobbler, possesses a recessively inherited degeneration of motoneurons and other ventral horn cells in the cervical spinal cord, and therefore it has been proposed as an animal model of human motoneuron disease. Affected mice have been identified by behavioral tests that also determined the extent of the motor deficit. The results from these tests were combined and used to define distinct stages of the disease process that could then be correlated histochemically with the amount of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining in the cervical spinal cord. AChE is used as a marker for cholinergic neurons and is known to hydrolyze the neuropeptide modulator substance P (SP). SP, a peptide neuromodulator of primary afferent transmission in the dorsal horn, excites motoneurons in the ventral horn, and may posses secondary frnctions in neuronal maintenance. Therefore, the levels of immunoreactive (IR) SP and AChE were examined in an attempt to determine the possible interaction between these factors in motoneuron degeneration. By enzyme histochemistry, the cervical spinal cord, taken from wobbler mice at behaviorally identified stages of the motor deficit, exhibited decreased levels of AChE throughout the ventral horn. The decrease detected in the AChE staining intensity was linear and correlated with the decrease in the number of AChE-positive cells in the ventral cervical spinal cord, as the motor deficit progressed. Presumably, the continual decrease in AChE staining represents the degeneration of cholinergic perikarya and neuronal processes in the ventral horn as the motoneuron disease proceeds. At two well-established stages of the motor deficit, the amount of immunoreactive SP increased in the ventral horn compared with the control mice. The elevated levels of immunoreactive SP suggest sprouting may have occurred preceding, or in response to, the motoneuron degeneration. Several additional hypotheses are discussed in respect to phenomena that might contribute to the increase of immunoreactive SP in the degnerating ventral horn of the wobbler mouse.
Emerging role of primary cilia as mechanosensors in osteocytes.

The primary cilium is a solitary, immotile microtubule-based extension present on nearly every mammalian cell. This organelle has established mechanosensory roles in several contexts including kidney, liver, and the embryonic node. Mechanical load deflects the cilium, triggering biochemical responses. Defects in cilium function have been associated with numerous human diseases. Recent research has implicated the primary cilium as a mechanosensor in bone. In this review, we discuss the cilium, the growing evidence for its mechanosensory role in bone, and areas of future study. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “Osteocytes”.
Research Article: Measurement Reproducibility of the Bioscan™ Flow-Through Respirometer Applied as a Toxicity-Based Early Warning System for Water Contamination

It is crucial to understand the response reproducibility of on-line continuous-flow respirometers applied as biological toxicity monitors to alert plant operators to contamination in wastewater inf...
Reliability of a preventability model in maternal death and morbidity

Objective The purpose of this study was to measure the reliability of a model that defines preventability in maternal morbidity and death. Study design One hundred cases of serious morbidity and death among peripartum women were reviewed by 2 independent groups of medical experts to identify potentially preventable provider or system events that may have led to the progression of illness. Results Seventy-seven percent of the cases had concordant findings in both groups regarding the identification of any preventable events. Interrater agreement, which was measured by Cohen's Kappa, was 0.49, which suggests moderate to good reliability. Cases with multiple comorbidities, poor documentation, or preventable patient factors tended to have higher levels of disagreement. Conclusion There was high agreement between the 2 groups regarding the identification of preventable events that impact maternal morbidity and death. The reliability of this model for the assessment of preventability is an important step for improvement in obstetric and medical care.
Miscibility studies of perfluorinated Nafion ionomer and poly(vinylidene fluoride) blends

Influence des conditions operatoires sur la morphologie des melanges prepares par coulee en solution dans le DMA, le DMF ou le NMP. Variation importante de la morphologie spherolitique du PVDF avec la temperature de coulee et la composition. L'etude de la relaxation dielectrique α suggere une miscibilite partielle du melange mais le chauffage au-dessus du point de fusion du PVDF entraine une separation de phase
AEC+P+F Integration with Green Project Delivery and Lean Focus

Abstract With the launch of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system, new building construction in the United States has rapidly begun a...