cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observational Constraints on the Cloud Thermodynamic Phase in Midlatitude Storms

The conditions under which supercooled liquid water gradually gives way to ice in the mixed-phase regions of clouds are still poorly understood and may be an important source of cloud feedback uncertainty in general circulation model projections of long-term climate change. Two winters of cloud phase discrimination, cloud-top temperature, sea surface temperature, and precipitation from several satellite datasets (the NASA Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) for the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins are analyzed to better understand these processes. Reanalysis surface pressures and vertical velocities are used in combination with a synoptic storm-tracking algorithm to define storm tracks, create composite storm dynamical and cloud patterns, and examine changes in storm characteristics over their life cycles. Characteristically different storm cloud patterns exist in the Atlantic and Pacific and on the west and east sides of each ocean basin. This appears to be related to the different spatial patterns of sea surface temperature in the two ocean basins. Glaciation occurs at very warm temperatures in the high, thick, heavily precipitating clouds typical of frontal ascent regions, except where vertical velocities are strongest, similar to previous field experiments. Outside frontal regions, however, where clouds are shallower, supercooled water exists at lower cloud-top temperatures. This analysis is the first large-scale assessment of cloud phase and its relation to dynamics on climatologically representative time scales. It provides a potentially powerful benchmark for the design and evaluation of mixed-phase process parameterizations in general circulation models and suggests that assumptions made in some existing models may negatively bias their cloud feedback estimates.
Nutritional impact of elevated calcium transport activity in carrots

Nutrition recommendations worldwide emphasize ingestion of plant-based diets rather than diets that rely primarily on animal products. However, this plant-based diet could limit the intake of essential nutrients such as calcium. Osteoporosis is one of the world's most prevalent nutritional disorders, and inadequate dietary calcium is a known contributor to the pathophysiology of this condition. Previously, we have modified carrots to express increased levels of a plant calcium transporter (sCAX1), and these plants contain approximately 2-fold-higher calcium content in the edible portions of the carrots. However, it was unproven whether this change would increase the total amount of bioavailable calcium. In randomized trials, we labeled these modified carrots with isotopic calcium and fed them to mice and humans to assess calcium bioavailability. In mice feeding regimes (n = 120), we measured (45)Ca incorporation into bones and determined that mice required twice the serving size of control carrots to obtain the calcium found in sCAX1 carrots. We used a dual-stable isotope method with (42)Ca-labeled carrots and i.v. (46)Ca to determine the absorption of calcium from these carrots in humans. In a cross-over study of 15 male and 15 female adults, we found that when people were fed sCAX1 and control carrots, total calcium absorption per 100 g of carrots was 41% +/- 2% higher in sCAX1 carrots. Both the mice and human feeding studies demonstrate increased calcium absorption from sCAX1-expressing carrots compared with controls. These results demonstrate an alternative means of fortifying vegetables with bioavailable calcium.
Low molecular-weight chitosan as a pH-sensitive stealth coating for tumor-specific drug delivery.

When a nanoparticle is developed for systemic application, its surface is typically protected by polyethylene glycol (PEG) to help their prolonged circulation and evasion of immune clearance. On the other hand, PEG can interfere with interactions between nanocarriers and target cells and negatively influence the therapeutic outcomes. To overcome this challenge, we propose low molecular-weight chitosan (LMWC) as an alternative surface coating, which can protect the nanomedicine in neutral pH but allow cellular interactions in weakly acidic pH of tumors. LMWCs with a molecular weight of 2–4 kDa, 4–6.5 kDa, and 11–22 kDa were produced by hydrogen peroxide digestion and covalently conjugated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Nanoparticles created with PLGA-LMWC conjugates showed pH-sensitive cell interactions, which enabled specific drug delivery to cells in a weakly acidic environment. The hydrophilic LMWC layer reduced opsonization and phagocytic uptake. These properties qualify LMWCs as a promising biomaterial for pH-sensitive stealth coating.
Effects of Finite Gradient-Pulse Widths in Pulsed-Field-Gradient Diffusion Measurements

The effects of finite gradient-pulse widths on NMR diffusion measurements for fluids in restricting geometries are studied. It is shown that the echo amplitude is the spatial Fourier transform of a "center-of-mass" propagator, which reduces to the usual diffusion propagator in the limit of zero pulse widths. A finite gradient-pulse width δ effectively changes the pore shape, making isolated pores appear smaller than their actual size. The diffraction analogy still holds for long diffusion times, with the fluid density ρ(r) being replaced by pcm(r, δ). This quantity, the "center-of-mass distribution function," is the spatial probability distribution of the center of mass of Brownian trajectories of duration δ in the pore space. For a periodic pore space, "Bragg" peaks still appear in the amplitude at the reciprocal lattice vectors. The heights of these peaks are enhanced for small δ but reduced for δ. A number of results valid for small δ and piecewise smooth pore surfaces are presented.
The effect of high-intensity exercise on the respiratory capacity of sceletal muscle

The effect of high-intensity exercise on the respiratory capacity of skeletal muscle was studied in horses which ran five 600-m bouts on a track with 2 min of rest between exercise bouts, or once to fatigue on a treadmill at an intensity that elicited the maximal oxygen uptake. Venous blood and biopsy samples of the middle gluteal muscle were collected at rest, after each exercise bout, and 30 and 60 min post-exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for lactate concentration and pH and muscle samples for metabolites, pH, and respiratory capacity. Venous blood and muscle pH declined to 6.91±0.02 and 6.57±0.02, respectively, after the fifth track run and to 6.98±0.02 and 6.71±0.07, respectively, after treadmill running. Muscle metabolite changes were consistent with the metabolic response to high-intensity exercise. Muscle respiratory capacity declined >20% (P<0.05) after a single exercise bout and was 45% of the control value after the fifth track run. Tissue respiration was depressed 60 min post-exercise but was normal 24 h later. These observations suggest that high-intensity exercise impairs the respiratory capacity of the working muscle. Although this occurred in parallel with reductions in pH, other factors could be responsible for this response.
BYPASS GRAFTING FOR CHRONIC MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is an uncommon but potentially lethal clinical problem. At the present time, surgical revascularization remains the treatment of choice for most patients presenting with clinical symptoms and arteriographic evidence of chronic mesenteric ischemia. The appropriate management of patients with this complex problem demands competence with the entire spectrum of vascular reconstructive techniques, including bypass, 1,15,19,29 endarterectomy, 7,23 reimplantation, 16 and angioplasty. 17,26 The precise choice of operative procedure depends not only on the particular clinical circumstances but also on the judgment and experience of the operating surgeon. A critical review of the clinical literature suggests that no single technique is applicable to all patients and in all clinical circumstances. Despite strong institutional preferences and continuing controversy in the literature, no prospective, randomized clinical trials have clearly documented superiority of any single revascularization technique. Surgeons caring for patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia must have a thorough familiarity with the complex anatomy and surgical exposure of the paravisceral aorta to successfully treat these patients. The purpose of this discussion is to briefly review the natural history, clinical presentation, and preoperative assessment of the patient with chronic mesenteric ischemia as they relate to the indications, techniques, and results of bypass grafting for this complex clinical problem. Other means of mesenteric revascularization are discussed elsewhere in this issue.
Protective role of miR-155 in breast cancer through RAD51 targeting impairs homologous recombination after irradiation

Cell survival after DNA damage relies on DNA repair, the abrogation of which causes genomic instability and development of cancer. However, defective DNA repair in cancer cells can be exploited for cancer therapy using DNA-damaging agents. DNA double-strand breaks are the major lethal lesions induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and can be efficiently repaired by DNA homologous recombination, a system that requires numerous factors including the recombinase RAD51 (RAD51). Therapies combined with adjuvant radiotherapy have been demonstrated to improve the survival of triple-negative breast cancer patients; however, such therapy is challenged by the emergence of resistance in tumor cells. It is, therefore, essential to develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome radioresistance and improve radiosensitivity. In this study we show that overexpression of microRNA 155 (miR-155) in human breast cancer cells reduces the levels of RAD51 and affects the cellular response to IR. miR-155 directly targets the 3′-untranslated region of RAD51. Overexpression of miR-155 decreased the efficiency of homologous recombination repair and enhanced sensitivity to IR in vitro and in vivo. High miR-155 levels were associated with lower RAD51 expression and with better overall survival of patients in a large series of triple-negative breast cancers. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-155 regulates DNA repair activity and sensitivity to IR by repressing RAD51 in breast cancer. Testing for expression levels of miR-155 may be useful in the identification of breast cancer patients who will benefit from an IR-based therapeutic approach.
How inflammation promotes regeneration.

Macrophages near neuronal cell bodies can promote regeneration in an otherwise inhibitory environment. Now Yin et al. identify oncomodulin as a factor secreted from macrophages that promotes extensive regeneration of lesioned optic nerve axons when applied together with elevated cyclic AMP (cAMP) and mannose.
THE MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES

As advancements are made in the prevention of automobile fatalities, an increase in the incidence of pelvic and lower extremity injuries has occurred. These remain the leading causes of impairment and loss of years of productive life. Pelvic trauma has a high initial mortality rate when severe. However, with early resuscitation and transport, more survivors arrive in our trauma centers harboring these injuries. Owing to early stabilization and mobilization of the traumatized patient, a decrease in complications in these patients has been noted. Both the trauma surgeon and the orthopedic trauma surgeon should work as a team and remain in continuous communication during the treatment of these patients. Open fractures are among the most difficult problems to manage; early and aggressive decisions can prevent a lifetime of complications and physical impairment. As previously stated, to obtain good outcomes, open fractures must be treated initially at the accident scene followed by timely transport to the trauma center for definitive care. It must be remembered that the golden time to prevent major complications is 6 hours. Intra-articular fractures of the lower extremity involve a major weight bearing joint. Post-traumatic arthritis and impairment develop in joints where joint congruity is not achieved. To preserve normal function, there should be articular congruity, stable fixation, axial alignment with the rest of the extremity, and restoration of full range of motion. Immediate stabilization of long bone fractures has many advantages in the multiply injured patient, such as improved long-term function, prevention of deep venous thrombosis and decubitus ulcer, decreased need for analgesia, and reduction in the incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome and fat emboli. Patients with femoral shaft fractures should undergo immediate stabilization of the fracture within 24 hours of injury. We have presented a series of orthopedic injuries that have high mortality and high morbidity which, if not treated expediently, yield a high degree of impairment.
Methylation of liver DNA guanine in hydrazine hepatotoxicity: dose-response and kinetic characteristics of O6-methylguanine and formation and persistence in rats

Fischer 344 or Sprague Dawley rats were fasted overnight and given orally 30--90 mg hydrazine/kg body wt. The presence of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine in liver DNA was demonstrated 5 and 24 h after hydrazine administration using two different analytical techniques. Methylation levels changed little with dose except for the highest dose (ca. LD50) at which the levels doubled. In a time-response study, rats were given 90 mg hydrazine/kg body wt. and killed 0.25 to 96 h later. Both 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine were detected quantitatively in liver DNA from rats as early as 15 min after hydrazine administration. After maximum levels of methylguanines had formed, 7-methylguanine was removed from DNA at a rate of approximately 50% in 47 h; the half-life of O6-methylguanine in liver DNA was approximately 13 hr. Three or four, but not one or two, daily administrations of 3 mg hydrazine/kg body wt. also produced detectable levels of 7-methylguanine in rat liver DNA. Neither 7-methylguanine or O6-methylguanine was detected in comparable amounts of liver DNA from control animals. The study confirms the observation that hydrazine administration results in the formation of methylated guanines in liver DNA.
Inhibition of retinal regeneration in larval Rana by an antibody directed against a laminin-heparan sulfate proteoglycan

In vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that the retinal pigmented epithelium can give rise to neuronal precursors during retinal regeneration in amphibians. In vitro experiments have further demonstrated that this process is greatly facilitated by two molecules associated with basement membranes: laminin and fibroblast growth factor. We now report that retinal regeneration can be blocked in vivo by an antibody that inhibits the interaction of cells with the laminin-heparan sulfate proteoglycan complex. These results further support a role for the extracellular matrix in regulating cellular phenotype during retinal regeneration.
Imaging hip dysplasia in the skeletally mature.

This article is an overview of diagnostic imaging for skeletally mature patients who present with hip pain. It discusses preferred radiographic views to assess acetabular dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement and describes commonly used measures to diagnose various hip disorders. This article also reviews specialized imaging and evolving techniques to facilitate preoperative planning, guide prognosis, and evaluate the efficacy of hip preservation surgery.
An evaluation of the equilibrium calculations within acidification models: The effect of uncertainty in measured chemical components

There is much concern over the effects of acidic deposition on soils and drainage waters. To better understand the processes regulating the acidification of surface waters, computer models have been developed which utilize equilibrium calculations to predict the concentration of chemical parameters such as pH, acid neutralizing capacity, dissolved inorganic carbon, Al and SO42−. A simple chemical equilibrium model (ALCHEMI) was used to evaluate the effect of uncertainty in the measurement of chemical constituents on thermodynamic calculations. For calculations where pH was not allowed to vary (fixed pH calculations), uncertainty in Al speciation was small (maximum of 7%) and largely due to imprecision in the measurement of total F and pH. When calculations were made from electroneutrality based on measured constituents (variable pH calculations), most of the uncertainty associated with the values of output parameters was due to imprecision in the determination of SO42−.
Extubation in the operating room after Fontan's procedure: effect on practice and outcomes.

Background Timely extubation is a well-accepted strategy in the postoperative intensive care unit management of Fontan patients to minimize the deleterious effects of positive-pressure ventilation. In October 2002, this strategy was extended to extubating selective Fontan patients in the operating room (EOR). This retrospective study examines how EOR has affected outcomes and practice in our Fontan population. Methods Between October 2002 and June 2006, 112 patients underwent primary Fontan procedures; 38 (34%) were EOR and 74 (66%) were non-EOR. These two cohorts were not different (p Results During the first 12 hours postoperatively, mean pulmonary artery pressure and mean common atrial pressure were significantly lower and mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher in the EOR group than the non-EOR group (p Conclusions After the Fontan procedure, selective EOR can be performed safely and improves postoperative hemodynamics, decreases hospital resource utilization, and reduces hospital recovery time.
Intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Objective To determine the utility of intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement in predicting postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid and parathyroid surgeries that places total parathyroid function at risk. Study Design Retrospective case review. Methods The case records of 23 patients undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy and 30 patients undergoing parathyroid exploration were reviewed. All patients had intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels measured. Samples were taken before dissection and 10 minutes after the resection was completed. Serial ionized calcium levels were measured in the postoperative period. Percentages of reduction in PTH levels from preoperative to postresection levels were calculated. Percentages of reduction in PTH level and the absolute value of the intraoperative PTH values were compared with postoperative ionized calcium levels. Results In the 23 patients who underwent thyroid surgery, the average preoperative and postoperative PTH values were 50 pg/mL (range, 17–87 pg/mL) and 34 pg/mL (range, 4–93 pg/mL), respectively. The average decrease in PTH was 39% (range, 39%–90%). The incidence of hypocalcemia was significantly higher in patients with intraoperative PTH levels less than 15 pg/mL relative to patients with PTH levels greater than 15 pg/mL in this setting (P = .006). In the 30 patients who underwent parathyroid exploration, average preoperative and postoperative PTH levels were 291 pg/mL (range, 65–1675 pg/mL) and 113.8 pg/mL (range, 6.5–1263 pg/mL) respectively. The intraoperative PTH level did not correlate with postoperative calcium levels in the parathyroid group. Percentages of decrease in PTH levels greater than 60% was statistically associated with surgical cure in this population. Conclusions The study demonstrates that intraoperative PTH levels greater than 15 pg/mL after total or completion thyroidectomy indicate a low risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and that these patients may be candidates for outpatient surgery. In the parathyroid group, intraoperative PTH levels do not correlate well with postoperative calcium levels.
Heart failure: future treatment approaches.

Abstract Large-scale clinical trials of vasodilators with nitrates and hydralazine and with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the 1980s and early 1990s provided the first credible evidence that medical therapy can prolong survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Moreover, patients treated with ACE inhibitors required fewer hospitalizations for worsening heart failure (HF). Nonetheless, the prognosis in patients with HF remains bleak, and better therapies are urgently needed. Recently, β-blockers and spironolactone have been shown to reduce mortality when added to ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and digoxin. Digoxin has a neutral effect on overall mortality but does reduce the rate of hospitalization. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) inhibit the AT1 angiotensin receptor, which mediates the deleterious effects of the renin-angiotensin system, and may provide advantages over ACE inhibitors or advantages when used in combination with ACE inhibitors. Newer drugs that interfere with other mechanisms that contribute to progression of heart failure are also under study. As new therapies prove effective in large populations, they lead to a mandate for polypharmacy. The long-term solution to this clinical problem is to develop sensitive and reliable markers that can predict response in individual patients or monitor effectiveness of therapy.
Utilizing extended pedigree information for discovery and confirmation of copy number variable regions among Mexican Americans.

Copy number variation (CNV) remains poorly defined in many populations, including Mexican Americans. We report the discovery and genetic confirmation of copy number variable regions (CNVRs) in subjects of the San Antonio Family Heart and the San Antonio Family Diabetes Gallbladder Studies, both comprised of multigenerational pedigrees of Mexican American descent. In a discovery group of 1677 participants genotyped using Illumina Infinium Beadchips, we identified 2937 unique CNVRs, some with observation frequencies as low as 0.002, using a process that integrates pedigree information with CNV calls made by PennCNV and/or QuantiSNP. Quantitative copy number values had statistically significant (P≤1.792e-5) heritability estimates ranging from 0.139 to 0.863 for 2776 CNVRs. Additionally, 920 CNVRs showed evidence of linkage to their genomic location, providing strong genetic confirmation. Linked CNVRs were enriched in a set of independently identified CNVRs from a second group of 380 samples, confirming that these CNVRs can be used as predefined CNVRs of high confidence. Interestingly, we identified 765 putatively novel variants that do not overlap with the Database of Genomic Variants. This study is the first to use linkage and heritability in multigenerational pedigrees as a confirmation approach for the discovery of CNVRs, and the largest study to date investigating copy number variation on a genome-wide scale in individuals of Mexican American descent. These results provide insight to the structural variation present in Mexican Americans and show the strength of multigenerational pedigrees to elucidate structural variation in the human genome.
Sources of variability relevant to the cognitive sociolinguist, and corpus- as well as psycholinguistic methods and notions to handle them

Abstract This paper is a plea for sociolinguistics to integrate both theoretical and methodological developments from cognitive linguistics and, even more importantly, psycholinguistics. More specifically, I argue that theoretical advances involving exemplar-based models and new methodological tools from psycholinguistics (regressions, in particular mixed-effects models) and corpus linguistics (in particular, more bottom-up studies) would help further sociolinguistics to a considerable degree. To exemplify at least some ways what such developments would look like, I then discuss three small case studies of instances of constructional variation in usage/corpus data, which showcase how contextual as well as cognitive-/psycholinguistic language-internal and sociolinguistic language-external factors interact and can be explored.
A 64b floating point processor

A floating point chip set capable of one-million scalar operations per second will be reported. The set consists of add/subtract, multiply and divide chips.
Routine utilization of green fluorescent protein as a visual selectable marker for cereal transformation

Development of new selectable markers is needed to increase the efficiency and flexibility of plant transformation, and to overcome drawbacks sometimes associated with use of existing markers. A useful alternative to chemical-based selection systems would be a system using visual screening to obtain transgenic lines. Investigations were carried out to determine if the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene could be utilized alone as a visual screenable marker to produce stably transformed, fertile oat plants. Twelve experiments were conducted in which gfp-based selection was utilized to obtain routinely stable transgenic lines in oat. A synthetic gfp gene under the control of the maize ubiquitin promoter was delivered into embryogenic oat callus via microprojectile bombardment. Cell clusters (1–3 mm) expressing gfp were visually identified using epifluorescence microscopy and physically isolated approximately 3 wk post-bombardment. Fertile, gfp-expressing T0 plants were regenerated from 78% of the glowing cell sectors placed on regeneration medium. T0 plants from 55% of the events produced gfp-expressing progeny in a 3∶1 Mendelian ratio. Southern blot and PCR analysis confirmed transgene integration and transmission to progeny. Expression of gfp did not reduce plant growth or fertility. Transgene copy number and integration patterns were similar to those in transgenic plants derived from chemical-based selection systems. The mean transformation frequency, based on fertile events obtained per bombarded plate, was 1.8%. Over 180 independent transgenic oat lines were produced, to date, using only visual screening for expression of gfp, demonstrating efficiency and repeatability of the selection system.
Unstable, non-mutational expression of resistance to the thymidine analogue, trifluorothymidine in CHO cells.

The thymidine analogue, 5-trifluoromethyl-2'-deoxyuridine, or trifluorothymidine (TFT), has been reported to be an effective selecting agent for thymidine kinase-deficient (TK/sup -/) mutants in a mutagenesis assay system employing a tk/sup + -/heterozygote of L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells. Although 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BUdR) and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IUdR have been commonly used to select TK/sup -/ mutants, considerable cell division and slow killing of wild-type (WT) cells occur in the presence of these drugs. TFT, however, rapidly inhibits cell division, and unlike BUdR and IUdR, is not mutagenic in mammalian cells. All three analogues are mutagenic in T4. TFT is readily phosphorylated by thymidine kinase (TK), competitively inhibiting utilization of the normal substrate. The phosphorylated derivative of TFT is a potent, irreversible inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase. Further phosphorylation to the di- or tri-phosphates and incorporation into the DNA of mammalian cells in culture have also been demonstrated.
ALLOCATION OF MULTISTATE INCOME UNDER STATE CORPORATE NET INCOME TAXES

THIS DISSERTATION is an attempt to define and determine a uniform and reasonable basis both for state jurisdiction to levy a net income tax on corporations and for allocating income of corporations which is derived from sources within two or more states and to propose means of implementation of such standards by the various states involved. Current diverse practices of the states lead to numerous and substantial inequities and inefficiencies due to overor underallocation of taxable income, discrimination as between similar taxpayers, and lack of administrative workability. The procedure in this paper has been to review the law and practices of the various states involved, with particular emphasis on Wisconsin; to review various proposals recommended by committees of groups concerned with the problem and authorities and critics on the subject; to analyze the possible alternative methods of dealing with the problem recommending a solution to the allocation problem for uniform adoption by the states; and, last, to examine the merits and demerits of various possible methods of implementing uniform standards of allocation which are recommended.
Diallel analysis of sugar composition of 10 vegetable soybean lines

Few studies have evaluated vegetable soybean for sugar content at the green pod stage. Information on combining ability and type of gene action that governs inheritance of seed traits can help breeders to select suitable parents and devise an appropriate breeding strategy. Ten vegetable soybean accessions were crossed in a complete diallel mating design. Parent lines and F 2 and F 3 progenies were evaluated for two nutritional components. In this study, both general and specific combining ability and reciprocal effects were significant for sucrose and total sugar. Cultivars 'Kanrich', 'Pella', 'Verde' and V81-1603 had good general combining ability for high sucrose. In general, high sucrose content was observed in progeny of the early maturity group genotypes 'Kanrich', 'Pella' and 'Verde'. The best combiners for high total sugar content were 'Verde', V81-1603 and PI 399055. These genotypes could serve as genetic sources in a vegetable soybean breeding programme.
Doing the Same Work with a CRT Terminal and with Hardcopy

There is considerable concern about the uses of computer display terminals in people's work. Some of this concern centers on reported feelings of fatigue - visual and other ways. This laboratory experiment attempts to understand how much, if any, a CRT terminal contributes to these feelings and how much the work itself does. Twenty-four participants proof-read material shown on a CRT display and, on another day, proof-read similar material printed on hardcopy. Their performance, feelings, and vision were measured each hour. Results are still being tabulated.
Analysis of uranium azide and nitride complexes by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) has been used to characterize the air-sensitive paramagnetic organouranium azide and nitride complexes [(C5Me5)2UN3(μ-N3)]3 and [(C5Me5)U(μ-I)2]3N, respectively. The trimetallic complex [(C5Me5)U(μ-I)2]3E had been identified by X-ray crystallography, but the data did not definitively identify E as N3- versus O2- or (OH)-, a common problem in heavy-element nitride complexes involving metals with variable oxidation states. A comparison of the 250 °C APCI-MS spectra of products made from NaN3 and Na15NNN showed mixed [M]+ and [M + H]+ envelopes at expected ion intensities for the 14N and 15N isotopomers. A compilation of U−C(C5Me5) and U−I bond distance data for U3+ and U4+ is also reported that shows that the ranges for the two oxidation states have significant overlap.
Science Signaling Podcast: 19 May 2009

This is a conversation with Elena Oancea, author of a Research Article published in the 12 May 2009 issue of Science Signaling . She discusses the activity and expression of the TRPM1 cation channel in melanocytes.
Inverse problems and Carleman estimates

The author describes a method for proving global uniqueness theorems for one broad class of multidimensional coefficient inverse problems. This method is based on Carleman estimates, and it does not depend essentially on the order or type of differential operator.
Optimization of hydrogen production by filtration combustion of methane by oxygen enrichment and depletion

Abstract Transient filtration combustion waves formed in a porous matrix of randomly arranged alumina pellets are studied experimentally for rich and ultra-rich methane/air waves with oxygen enrichment and depletion. A single filtration velocity (12 cm/s ) was used and the mixture equivalence ratio was varied from 1 to 3.5. The air and oxidizer content were adjusted to retain the filtration velocity constant for each equivalence ratio. Six oxidizer compositions (10%, 15%, 21%, 25%, 30%, and 35% O2) were comparatively analyzed focusing on combustion temperatures, combustion wave velocities, major and minor products of combustion. The studied range of equivalence ratios covered the underadiabatic (upstream) and superadiabatic (downstream) regimes of transient filtration waves where combustion temperatures are less than and greater than adiabatic temperatures, respectively.
Auxin-resistant mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with an altered morphology

Mutant lines of Arabidopsis thaliana resistant to the artificial auxin 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were isolated by screening for growth of seedlings in the presence of toxic levels of 2,4-D. Genetic analysis of these resistant lines indicated that 2,4-D resistance is due to a recessive mutation at a locus we have designated Axr-1. Mutant seedlings were resistant to approximately 50-fold higher concentrations of 2,4-D than wild-type and were also resistant to 8-fold higher concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) than wild-type. Labelling studies with (14C)2,4-D suggest that resistance was not due to changes in uptake or metabolism of 2,4-D. In addition to auxin resistance the mutants have a distinct morphological phenotype including alterations of the roots, leaves, and flowers. Genetic evidence indicates that both auxin resistance and the morphological changes are due to the same mutation. Because of the pleiotropic morphological effects of these mutations the Axr-1 gene may code for a function involved in auxin action in all tissues of the plant.
Effect of a pain identification intervention on improving pain assessment and management in the pediatric emergency department

Study objectives: We determine whether a red wrist band identifying pediatric patients treated in the emergency department (ED) with pain scores of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale improved health care provider assessment and treatment of pain. Methods: A continuous sample of health care provider encounters with children (3 to 17 years) who presented to the nursing triage window of an urban public hospital pediatric ED, with a self-reported pain score of 6 out of 10, were studied. The study was run in 3 phases: the baseline phase (weeks 1 to 2), during which no intervention was applied; the intervention phase (weeks 3 to 8), which alternated intervention (red wrist band placed) weeks (3, 5, 7) with control (no red wrist band placed) weeks (4, 6, 8); and the washout phase (weeks 9 to 10), during which red band placement was ceased. Results: Data from 435 patient visits (patient demographics: mean age 11.9±3.2 years, 51% male patients, 49% female patients) were collected and analyzed. During weeks 3 to 8 (119 intervention patients, 197 control patients) results were as follows: pain score assessed or documented by health care provider, 37% intervention visits, 38% control visits; pain medication given in ED, 52% intervention visits, 53% control visits; pain medication recommended or prescribed for home, 46% intervention visits, 49% control visits ( P =NS for all outcomes). No significant differences were found in outcomes when baseline, intervention, and washout periods were compared. Conclusion: We found no difference in health care provider behavior when a red wrist band was placed compared with when no red band was placed.
Adhesion Evaluation of TiN and (Ti, Al)N Coatings on Titanium 6Al-4V

To assess the adhesion of nitride coatings on metals, titanium 6% aluminum 4% vanadium substrates were coated with titanium nitride (TiN) using both cathodic arc and electron beam evaporation. Titanium aluminum nitride ((Ti, Al)N) was also deposited using cathodic arc evaporation. The interfaces of the coated samples were loaded in tension using a high speed shock wave which caused spallation either at the interface, in the coating or in the metal. Scanning acoustic microscopy analysis of the spalled samples detected delaminations at the interface in the samples deposited by cathodic arc evaporation. DYNA2D modeling of plate impact spallation experiments revealed the tensile adhesion strength for TiN deposited by both techniques was ≈ 2.0 GPa. The tensile adhesion strength for (Ti, Al)N was less than 1.5 GPa.
Inhibition of mitochondrial protein translation sensitizes melanoma cells to arsenic trioxide cytotoxicity via a reactive oxygen species dependent mechanism.

Purpose Current standard chemotherapeutic regimens for malignant melanoma are unsatisfactory. Although in vitro studies of arsenic trioxide (ATO) have demonstrated promise against melanoma, recent phase II clinical trials have failed to show any significant clinical benefit when used as a single agent. To enhance the efficacy of ATO in the treatment of melanoma, we sought to identify compounds that potentiate the cytotoxic effects of ATO in melanoma cells. Through a screen of 2,000 marketed drugs and naturally occurring compounds, a variety of antibiotic inhibitors of mitochondrial protein translation were identified.
The Scientific Evaluation of Music Information Retrieval Systems: Foundations and Future

Computer Music Journal, 28:2, pp. 12–23, Summer 2004 2004 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Music Information Retrieval (MIR) is a multidisciplinary research endeavor that strives to develop innovative content-based searching schemes, novel interfaces, and evolving networked delivery mechanisms in an effort to make the world’s vast store of music accessible to all. Some teams are developing ‘‘Query-by-Singing’’ and ‘‘Query-by-Humming’’ systems that allow users to interact with their respective music search engines via queries that are sung or hummed into a microphone (e.g., Birmingham et al. 2001; Haus and Pollastri 2001). ‘‘Queryby-Note’’ systems are also being developed wherein searchers construct queries consisting of pitch and/or rhythm information (e.g., Pickens 2000; Doraisamy and Ruger 2002). Input methods for Queryby-Note systems include symbolic interfaces as well as both physical (MIDI) and virtual (Javabased) keyboards. Some teams are working on ‘‘Query-by-Example’’ systems that take prerecorded music in the form of CD or MP3 tracks as their query input (e.g., Haitsma and Kalker 2002; Harb and Chen 2003). The development of comprehensive music recommendation and distribution systems is a growing research area (e.g., Logan 2002; Pauws and Eggen 2002). The automatic generation of playlists for use in personal music systems, based on a wide variety of user-defined criteria, is the goal of this branch of MIR research. Other groups are investigating the creation of music analysis systems to assist those in the musicology and music theory communities (e.g., Barthelemy and Bonardi 2001; Kornstadt 2001). Overviews of MIR’s interdisciplinary research areas can be found in Downie (2003), Byrd and Crawford (2002), and Futrelle and Downie (2002). This article begins with an overview of the current scientific problem facing MIR research. Entitled ‘‘Current Scientific Problem,’’ the opening section also provides a brief explication of the Text Retrieval Conference (TREC) evaluation paradigm that has come to play an important role in the community’s thinking about the testing and evaluation of MIR systems. The sections which follow, entitled ‘‘Data Collection Method’’ and ‘‘Emergent Themes and Commentary,’’ report upon the findings of the Music Information Retrieval (MIR)/ Music Digital Library (MDL) Evaluation Frameworks Project with issues surrounding the creation of a TREC-like evaluation paradigm for MIR as the central focus. ‘‘Building a TREC-Like Test Collection’’ follows next and highlights the progress being made concerning the establishment of the necessary test collections. The ‘‘Summary and Future Research’’ section concludes this article and highlights some of the key challenges uncovered that require further investigation.
Readability and computer documentation

Traditional readability concerns are alive and well, but subsumed within several more recent documentation quality efforts. For example, concerns with interestingness and translatability for global markets, with audience analysis and task sufficiency, and with reader appropriateness of technical text all involve readability, but often in ways not easily measured by any formula.
Speaking of Looting: An Analysis of Racial Propaganda in National Television Coverage of Hurricane Katrina

Few analyses offer statistical support for claims that news broadcasts during Hurricane Katrina propagated racist ideologies. The authors conducted a content analysis of the first week of network and cable television broadcasts from New Orleans after the hurricane made landfall. Although many hurricane victims were low-income African Americans, news of looting and other activities featured disproportionate numbers of Whites, particularly in speaking roles. In general, White journalists and sources were sympathetic toward African American victims but critical of their behavior when it did not conform to White middle-class norms. The authors believe such coverage reflects aversive racism, a subtle and conflicted form of contemporary racial animosity. Accordingly, their work revises Herman and Chomsky's model of news production by considering the racial dimensions of propaganda.
Molecular dynamics simulation of a needle-sphere binary mixture

This paper investigates the dynamic behaviour of a hard needle-sphere binary system using a novel numerical technique called the Newton homotopy continuation (NHC) method. This mixture is representative of a polymer melt where both long chain molecules and monomers coexist. Since the intermolecular forces are generated from hard body interactions, the consequence of missed collisions or incorrect collision sequences have a significant bearing on the dynamic properties of the fluid. To overcome this problem, in earlier work NHC was chosen over traditional Newton-Raphson methods to solve the hard body dynamics of a needle fluid in random media composed of overlapping spheres. Furthermore, the simplicity of interactions and dynamics allows us to focus our research directly on the effects of particle shape and density on the transport behaviour of the mixture. These studies are also compared with earlier works that examined molecular chains in porous media primarily to understand the differences in molecular ...
From the inside looking out: a view from the fishbowl.

BACKGROUND Overview of current emergency medicine practice and neurological emergencies. CONCLUSIONS Emergency medicine physicians review and respond to a manuscript noting the unique time pressures and diagnostic constraints in contemporary US emergency medicine practice. Definitions of error and misdiagnosis are discussed. Proposals are enumerated for practice improvement involving local feedback and educational initiatives.
Utility of Dried Distillers Grain as a Fertilizer Source for Corn

Increased ethanol production may result in excessive dried distillers grains (DDGs) that could be utilized as a fertilizersource for corn (Zea mays L.). Research was conducted to evaluate the effects of 1) DDG rates on weed suppression,changes in soil properties, and differences in grain yield and quality and 2) DDGs, polymer-coated urea (PCU), andanhydrous ammonia (AA) fertilizer sources on grain yield and quality. DDGs had a total N-P-K composition of38.2-6.9-11.5 g kg-1, respectively. There was no corn injury, common cocklebur or jimsonweed control with DDG ratesup to 3600 kg ha-1. Corn grain yield increased 1.41 and 1.56 kg ha-1 for every kg ha-1 of DDGs applied in medium andhigh yield environments, respectively. Grain yield was ranked non-treated control < DDGs < AA = PCU whenfertilizers were applied at N equivalent rate of 140 kg ha-1 in medium and high yield environments.
Phase separation and coalescence in critically quenched isobutyric-acid—water and 2,6-lutidine—water mixtures

Light scattering was used to study phase separation in critically quenched mixtures of isobutyric-acid---water and 2,6-lutidine---water. The measurements spanned the time interval $10\ensuremath{\le}t\ensuremath{\lesssim}{10}^{3}$ s and quench depths from 0.7 to 9 mK. The parameters measured were ${k}_{m}(t)$, i.e., the photon momentum transfer at the angle of maximum scattering, and the ring intensity $I({k}_{m},t)$. The early-stage measurements of ${k}_{m}$ vs $t$ are in very good agreement with the calculations of Kawasaki and Ohta and with the coalescence model of domain growth, which gives ${k}_{m}\ensuremath{\propto}{t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\phi}}$, with $\ensuremath{\phi}=\frac{1}{3}$. In the late stage $\ensuremath{\phi}$ increases to unity in both systems. This implies that hydrodynamic effects control the rate of growth of the nucleating domains of size $l\ensuremath{\simeq}{k}_{m}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. In both early and late stages, the intensity measurements are consistent with $I({k}_{m},t)\ensuremath{\propto}{l}^{3}$. The scattering experiments were supplemented by direct observation of domain growth with a microscope.
Impact of FR4 dielectric non-uniformity on the performance of multi-Gb/s differential signals

Phase skew in high speed differential signals caused by local spatial variation in dielectric constant is presented. A simple mathematical model that allows estimation of the impact on multi-Gb/s signaling links is developed, along with HSpice models that correlate to frequency domain measurements. Options for mitigating the impacts are also discussed.
Non-Linear Regression with Minimal Assumptions

Abstract A curvilinear regression model is treated by linear programming methods, so as to require only mild restrictions on the nature of the non-linearities. Specifically a method is proposed that does not require assuming specific mathematical forms for the regression functions. Restrictive assumptions no stronger than monotonicity or concavity of the forms need be imposed. The linear programming formulations provide fits for the regression functions according to the criteria of minimal sum of absolute deviations and minimal maximum deviation. The alteration needed to employ a least squares fit is also sketched.
Utility of a prototype liposomal contrast agent for x-ray imaging of breast cancer: a proof of concept using micro-CT in small animals

ABSTRACT Imaging tumor angiogenesis in small animals is extremely challenging due to the size of the tumor vessels. Consequently, both dedicated small animal imaging systems and specialized intravascular contrast agents are required. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of a liposomal contrast agent for high-resolution micro-CT imaging of breast tumors in small animals. A liposomal blood pool agent encapsulating iodine with a concentration of 65.5 mg/ml was used with a Duke Center for In Vivo Microscopy (CIVM) prototype micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system to image the R3230AC mammary carcinoma implanted in rats. The animals were injected with equivalent volume doses (0.02 ml/kg) of contrast agent. Micro-CT with the liposomal blood pool contrast agent ensured a signal difference between the blood and the muscle higher than 450 HU allowing the visualization of the tumors 3D vascular architecture in exquisite detail at 100-micron resolution. The micro-CT data correlated well with the histological examination of tumor tissue. We also studied the ability to detect vascular enhancement with limited angle based reconstruction, i.e. tomosynthesis. Tumor volumes and their regional vascular percentage were estimated. This imaging approach could be used to better understand tumor angiogenesis and be the basis for evaluating anti-angiogenic therapies. Keywords: Micro-CT, contrast imaging, tomosynthesis, cancer
Complementary Strand Association between Nucleic Acids and Nucleic Acid Gels

Nucleic acid gels can be formed as a result of the cross-linking action of ultraviolet light or of nitrous acid. Such gels form duplex combinations with complementary nucleic acid strands.