cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of ionizing and ultraviolet radiations on photosynthesis

Abstract 1. 1. Fixation of CO 2 by Chlorella was destroyed by 5 min. ultraviolet irradiation (35 ergs/sq. mm./sec.). Under the same irradiation, wheat retained about 25% of normal CO 2 fixation because of protection by absorption of radiation in the leaf. Sucrose synthesis seems particularly sensitive to ultraviolet light. 2. 2. Continued normal oxygen evolution despite decreased CO 2 fixation after gamma irradiation suggests independent action of gamma radiation on the carbon cycle and the photolytic system. 3. 3. The inhibition of carbon dioxide fixation was greatest immediately after gamma irradiation. Normal CO 2 fixation was found after a 5-hr. postirradiation exposure to light.
A Comparative Analysis of Lead Concentrations in Purged and Unpurged Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): The Significance of Digestive Tract Removal Prior to Consumption by Humans

Lead has been found to accumulate in the abdominal muscles of crayfish and because of the way in which crayfish feed, their digestive tract has been described as an indicator of lead concentrations in the sediment. Because human consumption of crayfish may result in the consumption of the digestive tract along with the abdominal muscle, the potential exists for ambient environmental lead to be introduced into humans. Purging of crayfish is a process which aids in the removal of unabsorbed material from the digestive tract. The current study measured the lead concentrations of the abdominal muscle tissue of crayfish collected from five commercial crayfish farms in Southwest Louisiana. Average lead concentrations ranged from 0.25 ± 0.16 μg/g to 0.40 ± 0.14 μg/g (dry weight). There was no significant difference between mean lead concentrations of crayfish analyzed with the digestive tract intact as compared to those in which the tract was removed. In addition, there was no significant difference between lead concentrations of purged and unpurged crayfish.
Choroidal neovascularisation associated with meningioma

This report documents the occurrence in three patients of subretinal choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM) ipsilateral to meningiomas involving the optic nerve. We propose that the association might not be coincidental. A 31 year old woman developed a central scotoma in the left eye that led to the diagnosis of a left sphenoid wing meningioma involving the optic canal. The tumour was resected and her vision returned to normal. At age 56 a generalised seizure led to recognition of a recurrence. When the recurrent tumour was resected it proved to be a malignant meningioma. She was then treated with photon radiation from a 10 MV source using a three field technique (right lateral, left lateral, and superior). The total dose was 45 Gy administered in 25 fractions. Thereafter, on regular follow up eye examinations she had normal visual function, pupils, and fundi. At the age of 64 she had a single episode in which for several seconds she lost all vision in the left eye except for a nasal island. There were no residua but her ophthalmologist found a new fundus abnormality that prompted referral. Her medical history included migraine and a cutaneous malignant melanoma. There was no pertinent family history. The patient’s visual acuities were 20/15 in each eye. Her colour vision (Ishihara) and pupils were normal. The Goldmann visual field of her right eye was full but she had a relative inferior altitudinal defect to the I2e white stimulus in the left eye. There was 3 mm of proptosis of the left eye with normal orbital resiliency. Fundus examination of the left eye revealed a peripapillary superotemporal retinal elevation associated with lipid (fig …
Pharmaceutical probiotics for the treatment of anaerobic and other infections.

Abstract Pharmaceutical probiotics have been used as alternative treatments or preventative therapies for a variety of clinical diseases. The overuse of antibiotics and emergence of multiple-antibiotic resistant pathogens has refocused clinical attention on the field of probiotics. Anaerobic infections which seem to respond well to probiotics are infections which involve the disruption of normal microbial flora. Gastrointestinal infections (travelers' diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile disease, rotavirus diarrhea) have been studied using the following pharmaceutical probiotics: Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus casei GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Streptococcus thermophilus and Enterococcus faecium . Vaginitis has been experimentally studied using L. acidophilus and L. casei GG. The efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action of these various probiotics are reviewed. Requirements for drug approval are similar for biologic probiotics and new drug entities and these requirements involve preclinical tolerability studies, pharmacokinetic studies and large, well-controlled blinded clinical trials.
Pyrimido[4,5-d]azepines as potent and selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists: design, synthesis, and evaluation of PF-3246799 as a treatment for urinary incontinence.

Abstract New pyrimido[4,5-d]azepines 7 are disclosed as potent 5-HT2C receptor agonists. A preferred example, 7b had minimal activation at either the 5-HT2A or 5-HT2B receptors combined with robust efficacy in a preclinical canine model of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and attractive pharmacokinetic and safety properties. Based on this profile, 7b (PF-3246799) was identified as a candidate for clinical development for the treatment of SUI. In addition, it proved to be critical to build an understanding of the translation between recombinant cell-based systems, native tissue preparations and in vivo preclinical models. This was a significant undertaking and proved to be crucial in compound selection.
Common cyclic vectors for classes of operators having common spanning root spaces

The purpose of this paper is to show that various classes of operators having a common collection of root spaces whose closed linear span equals the entire space have dense sets of common cyclic vectors.
Stereotypes as Dynamic Constructs: Women and Men of the Past, Present, and Future

Dynamic stereotypes characterize social groups that are thought to have changed from the attributes they manifested in the past and even to continue to change in the future. According to social role theory’s assumption that the role behavior of group members shapes their stereotype, groups should have dynamic stereotypes to the extent that their typical social roles are perceived to change over time. Applied to men and women, this theory makes two predictions about perceived change: (a) perceivers should think that sex differences are eroding because of increasing similarity of the roles of men and women and (b) the female stereotype should be particularly dynamic because of greater change in the roles of women than of men. This theory was tested and confirmed in five experiments that examined perceptions of the roles and the personality, cognitive, and physical attributes of men and women of the past, present, and future.
Alternative regional specification and convergence of U.S. regional growth rates

We apply absolute beta convergence techniques to cross sectional per capita income data for alternative specifications of U.S. regions in order to detect whether U.S. regional growth rates are converging over relatively recent time periods. We also explore whether estimates of convergence differ between economic and political region specifications. We show that convergence of growth rates across regions of the U.S. has continued in modern times (1969–1997) for almost any regional specification and for all time frames considered. We do find, however, some difference in convergence rates between economic and political regions. Convergence coefficients, however, are remarkably similar across alternative economic region specifications.
Effects of sodium chloride on the plasma membrane of halotolerant Dunaliella primolecta : an electron spin resonance study

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy was used to monitor the in vivo microviscosity of the plasma membrane and lipid extracts of the salt tolerant alga, Dunaliella primolecta. The fluidity of the plasma membrane decreased as the algae were adapted to and suspended in higher sodium chloride concentrations [2–24% (w/v)]. Both biochemical modification and a physical interaction between Na+ and lipids were implicated. When the microviscosity of the plasma membrane and that of lipid extracts were determined as a function of temperature, two or three lipid phase transformations were observed. There were always transformations at 9–14° C and 39–43° C. These were interpreted as the onset and completion of the lipid phase transition of at least a major lipid component of the membrane, possibly the entire membrane. These transformation temperatures were independent of the salt concentration to which the algae were adapted or suspended. This suggests that D. primolecta exists with some of its membrane in the solid-fluid mixed lipid state. With a NaCl concentration of 8% (w/v) or greater in the growth medium, a third transformation occurred around 20–22° C. It was the result of a lipid-lipid interaction and was not related to adaptation.
Observations with Electromagnetic Microbarographs

Two electromagnetic microbarographs designed by H. Benioff to respond to pressure variations in the frequency range from five cycles per second to one cycle in thirty seconds approximately, and with sufficient sensitivity to record the natural unrest of the atmosphere, have been in operation at the Seismological Laboratory in Pasadena for approximately two years.
Physician participation in capital punishment: a question of professional integrity.

The death penaltyis legal in 36 states, and physicians are expected to attend and participate in executions. Yet, every major medical and health-related organization opposes physician participation in capital punishment. This article argues that it is unethical for physicians within the role as medical professional to participate in capital punishment, and that such acts erode the foundation of trust at the heart of medical practice. We believe that it is important for professional groups and medical societies to impose sanctions on members who choose to participate in executions.
Catastrophic cutaneous carcinomatosis in the non-organ transplant patient.

Background The increased frequency of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in organ transplant recipients has been termed "catastrophic cutaneous carcinomatosis" (CCC). We have treated a cohort of immunocompetent patients with an increased number of NMSCs that meets the definition of CCC whom we have termed "catastrophic cutaneous carcinomatosis-immunocompetent" (CCC-IC). Objective We sought to further understand the epidemiologic characteristics of this subset of immunocompetent patients with a high burden of NMSCs. Methods Our pathology database was searched over a 4-year experience of a Mohs surgeon to identify patients with greater than 10 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and/or squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in a 12-month period who had no underlying systemic cause of immunosuppression or genetic predisposition to form NMSCs. Information regarding the 13 patients who met inclusion criteria was collected by questionnaire and analyzed. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the constitutional variables of this patient population. Patients with CCC-IC had a SCC:BCC ratio of 2.5:1, similar to what is seen in organ transplant recipients where the SCC:BCC ratio is 2:1 with SCC predominance. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of SCCs in patients with CCC-IC (8.77/patient) as compared with control patients (2.27/patient). Most strikingly, a 13.8-fold higher incidence of malignant melanoma in the CCC-IC group was found as compared with the general population. Limitations Limitations to this study include a small sample size and recall bias. Conclusion Our data suggest that patients with CCC-IC have skin cancer profiles of SCC and BCC similar to organ transplant recipients and have a markedly higher incidence of malignant melanoma than the general population. These patients require strict monitoring and combination therapeutic approaches toward management of cutaneous carcinomas.
Treatment of ventricular arrhythmias by United States cardiologists: a survey before the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial results were available.

Abstract To define the practice habits of United States cardiologists and the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, a random sample of 1,000 of 12,000 cardiologists was sent a pretested questionnaire. After follow-up procedures, 252 responded, of which 18% were academically-based, 29% were hospital-based and 53% were office-based. Attitudes about antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias were influenced by the presence and severity of cardiac disease, the presence of symptoms and the type of ventricular arrhythmias. In this survey, only 1% of cardiologists treated patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature complexes and no heart disease, but 17% treated such patients if unsustained ventricular tachycardia was present. The treatment rate among cardiologists increased to 38% when coronary artery disease with left ventricular dysfunction was present in patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature complexes. The presence of any cardiac disease and symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias increased the treatment rate to 80 to 100%. Approximately 50% of responding physicians treated patients comparable to the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial study population with antiarrhythmic drugs. Beta blockers were the most common antiarrhythmic drug class chosen as the most appropriate initial therapy in new patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Whereas no cardiologists thought that amiodarone was appropriate to initiate in new patients with benign or potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias, as many as 33 to 43% of cardiologists would use amiodarone for refractory patients with such arrhythmias, a response contradictory to the approved labeling for this drug. Less than one half of cardiologists recognize the high potential organ toxicity for quinidine, procainamide and tocainide. Cardiologists believed that antiarrhythmic agents with class IA and IC action were equally proarrhythmic in patients with potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic drugs were initiated only in-hospital by about 25 to 50% of cardiologists. Etectrophysiologic testing was always used by 63% of cardiologists for evaluation of sustained ventricular tachycardia; 33% never used such testing for patients with potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias. There were no differences in these results based on the geographic location of the responding cardiologists. Thus, significant lack of consensus exists on the toxicity of antiarrhythmic drugs, use of electrophysiologic testing and in- versus out-of-hospital drug initiation. At the time of the survey, most cardiologists treated patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic potentially malignant ventricular arrhythmias, although the interim results of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial indicate reconsideration for therapy in such patients.
PREPARATION AND IMPLANTATION OF BRAIN ELECTRODES IN THE YOUNG CHICK.

Abstract This report describes a method of preparing and implanting lightweight electrodes for the electrophysiological study of the central nervous system of the unanesthetized, freely moving chick.
Sequential Alkylation of Tröger's Base. An Approach to New Chiral Ligands

Heterocycles derived from Troger's base were shown to complex with metal salts in 2:1 ligand:salt ratios as monodentate or bidentate ligands depending on structure.
Oxygen and hydrogen isotope geochemistry of Cretaceous bentonites and shales from the Disturbed Belt, Montana

The mineralogy, δO18, and δD of the <0.1 μm fraction of 22 Cretaceous bentonites and the mineralogy and δO18 of the < 0.1 μm fraction of 14 adjacent shales collected from outcrops in the Sweetgrass Arch and Disturbed Belt, Montana, have been determined. Mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) is the dominant mineral in the bulk bentonite and usually the only mineral in the < 0.1 μm fraction. I/S is also the major clay mineral in the shales. The diagenetic grade in bentonite is qualitatively given by the percentage of illite layers in I/S, which varies from 2 to 25 (Sweetgrass Arch) to as high as 95 (Disturbed Belt). δO18 of < 0.1 μm bentonite generally decreases from about +20%. to about +13%. with increasing diagenetic grade. On a plot of δD versus δO18, data for the < 0.1 μm bentonite define a field that generally parallels, but falls on the meteoric water line side of the smectite-water line (Savin and Epstein, 1970). δO18 of bulk bentonite is 1 to 3%. more negative than the δO18 of the < 0.1 μm fraction, due to the presence of volcanic quartz and feldspar. δO18 of several size fractions of clay-sized quartz separated from the bentonite varies from +11%. to +24%., and, in a given bentonite, generally increases with decreasing grain size. Among the different bentonites, the δO18 range of the different grain sizes decreases as the percentage of illite layers in the coexisting I/S increases. The δO18 of 0.1–0.5 μm shale quartz is generally 1 to 4%. more positive than clay-sized quartz from an adjacent bentonite, and the δO18 of < 0.1 μm I/S concentrate of shales is generally < 1 to 4%. more negative than the < 0.1 μm I/S from an adjacent bentonite. Isotopic temperatures, interpreted to be maximum burial temperatures, range between about 160°C (shale), to about 250°C (bentonite). The isotopic data can be interpreted using the stages: 1. 1) deposition of volcanic glassy ash containing some quartz and feldspar; 2. 2) devitrification into mostly 100% expandable smectite with a δO18 of about 20%. and δD of −60 to −80%.; 3. 3) tectonic burial beneath thrust sheets in the Disturbed Belt region which induced elevated temperatures that allowed oxygen and hydrogen isotope reequilibration as the percentage of illite layers in I/S increased and diagenetic quartz formed; and 4. 4) exhumation of the strata with preservation of O18O16 and D/H attained during burial.
Corrections to “A synthesis of several sorting algorithms” by J. Darlington

Darlington applied program transformation to derive a number of sorting algorithms. We identify and correct two errors in his derivation of quick sort, one of which causes his resulting algorithm to be non-terminating on some inputs, the other of which could have led to an incorrect algorithm, but is fortuitously eliminated later in his derivation.
Human serum and epithelial spread in tissue culture.

The dependence of epithelial spread on human serum in culture has been studied. Using measured pieces of mouse ear skin epithelial outgrowth about floating explants (epiboly) and from adherent explants was studied. Where compared directly the two systems show similar results. Because of its ease of quantitation, the adherent explant culture was studied in greater detail. In this system in the presence of serum appreciable spread was found only after 48 h but spread continued for at least the next 4 days. In the absence of serum only minimal epithelial spread occurred. Adding serum to deficient media enhanced spreading and removing serum from media depressed spreading. The extent of spread appeared independent of mouse age for the first 4–10 weeks though 2-week-old mouse skin showed quantitatively greater spreading. The activity in human serum responsible for epithelial spread acts under conditions of minimal DNA synthesis and is not reproduced by bovine serum albumin, fetuin, or serum that had been exposed to 100°C for 5 min. The activity is not dialyzable and it is resistant to the protease inhibitors DFP and PMSF. These studies suggest that a specific serum component(s) serves to support epithelial spread in vitro.
Tillage and nitrogen effects on soil organic matter fractions in wheat-based systems

Management practices that alter plant residue production and distribution influence SOC (soil organic carbon) dynamics. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of tillage, cropping system, and N fertilization on SOC and soil N pools through physical fractionation of a central Texas soil after 20 yr. Nitrogen fertilization and no-tillage (NT) significantly increased wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw yield. Compared with conventional tillage (CT), SOC under NT in surface (0-5-cm) samples was 38, 69, and 68% greater for continuous wheat (CW), wheat-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] rotation (SWS), and double-cropped wheat-soybean (WS), respectively. The greatest SOC was observed in WS under NT with N fertilization, and the lowest occurred in CW under CT without N. Increased cropping intensity increased SOC compared with monoculture. Nitrogen fertilization only significantly increased SOC sequestration under NT. No-tillage increased SOC concentration in all physical size fractions compared with CT. Increased cropping intensity and N fertilization significantly increased SOC sequestration in most size fractions only under NT. Intraparticulate organic matter C (IPOM-C) was proportionally more affected by tillage than total SOC, indicating that this fraction was more sensitive to management. Carbon concentrations in all size fractions were significantly correlated with each other as well as SOC. Our results indicated that NT associated with enhanced cropping intensity and N fertilization sequestered greater SOC and soil total N.
Habitat distribution and species diversity of chaetodontid and pomacentrid fishes near Bimini, Bahamas

The relative abundance of chaetodontid and pomacentrid fishes in 8 habitats, ranging in depth from 0.5 to 17 m, was determined by visual counting of free-swimming fish in the field. Habitat widths and overlaps were determined using weighting factors, developed by Colwell and Futuyma (1971), which account for the different degree of uniqueness of each habitat. The average habitat widths and the average habitat overlaps were greater for the chaetodontids than the pomacentrids. This was due, in part, to the greater use of habitat structure by the pomacentrids, and it is hypothesized that this is because they are the more vulnerable to predation. The juveniles and adults reached peak abundance in different habitats for at least some of the species, and this may further reduce the habitat-overlap values for adults of some pairs of species. It is clear, however, that the ability of the species in these families to coexist is largely due to factors operating within habitats rather than to a large degree of habitat specialization.
Comparison of Theories for Payoff Disbursement of Coalition Values

Experimental investigation of coalition forming behavior started with the pioneering studies on coalition formation in the triad by Vinacke and Arkoff (1957) and in the tetrad by Kalisch et al. (1954). The former experiment was instigated by theoretical research in the social sciences and the latter was inspired by the mathematical theory of games. Having witnesses much progress in the last three decades, these two disciplines have continued to serve as the main foci of research on coalition formation. Although they differ sharply form each other in their orientation and main objects of focus, the approaches they have advocated are not necessarily antagonistic. Social conflicts can and have provided mathematicians with insights necessary for abstract analyses, and experimental findings have stimulated the development of coalition formation models (Maschler, 1963). From the other side, mathematical analyses of abstract conflicts have provided very powerful conceptual tools for the analysis of real conflicts and have stimulated much empirical and experimental research (Brams et al., 1979; Kahan and Rapoport, 1984; Ordeshook, 1978; Rapoport, 1974). Even the design of experiments on coalition forming behavior has been strongly influenced by the language and abstract formulations of game theory.
Optimality conditions for finite element simulation of adaptive bone remodeling

Abstract Bone remodeling in vertebrates is widely quoted as a process which optimizes the use of structural material, subject to mechanical requirements. In vertebrates, bone remodeling continues throughout life and tends to preserve the structure of a particular bone over decades of life. This implies that the processes which remodel bone are stable, at least over a time period spanning many years. Many recent numerical simulations of bone remodeling have used rate equations which have not been carefully assessed for stability and their ability to produce an optimal structure. In this study, we re-state the conditions necessary for stability of a particular bone remodeling rate equation derived in a related study, and we investigate whether the rate equation used can produce an optimal structure. Within the context of a finite element discretization, we show that this rale equation does not produce a structure optimized with respect to density. By making a simple modification to the stable remodeling rate equation, we show that the remodeling stimulus used can produce an optimal structure if the state variable manipulated is density taken to a power. We conclude that if bone is a stable, self-optimizing structure, there are specific requirements for the point-by-point rate of change of bone density in response to mechanical stress. The implications of these requirements for simulations ot adaptive bone remodeling are discussed.
Gene-Based Tests of Association

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are now used routinely to identify SNPs associated with complex human phenotypes. In several cases, multiple variants within a gene contribute independently to disease risk. Here we introduce a novel Gene-Wide Significance (GWiS) test that uses greedy Bayesian model selection to identify the independent effects within a gene, which are combined to generate a stronger statistical signal. Permutation tests provide p-values that correct for the number of independent tests genome-wide and within each genetic locus. When applied to a dataset comprising 2.5 million SNPs in up to 8,000 individuals measured for various electrocardiography (ECG) parameters, this method identifies more validated associations than conventional GWAS approaches. The method also provides, for the first time, systematic assessments of the number of independent effects within a gene and the fraction of disease-associated genes housing multiple independent effects, observed at 35%–50% of loci in our study. This method can be generalized to other study designs, retains power for low-frequency alleles, and provides gene-based p-values that are directly compatible for pathway-based meta-analysis.
Experiments with three-dimensional optical microscopy using axially distributed sensing

We present experiments on three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy using inexpensive commercial cameras. Microscopic samples are magnified optically using a microscope objective and tube lens. When the resulting image is recorded, the number of pixels the magnified image occupies is limited by the low numerical aperture (NA) of the camera and the lack of a camera zoom lens. To increase the area of the image being captured by the camera, we use an additional lens to increase the NA of the intermediate image space. The resulting intermediate image is recorded by moving the camera along a common optical axis to record a set of 2D images. 3D volumetric images are computationally reconstructed from this set of 2D images using an algorithm based on ray back-projection.
Capacitance based mass metering for cryogenic fluids

Abstract This paper describes a method for measuring the mass of cryogenic fluids in on-board rocket propellant tanks or ground storage tanks. Linear approximations to the Clausius–Mossotti relationship serve as the foundation for a capacitance based mass sensor, regardless of fluid density stratification or tank shape. Sensor design considerations are presented along with the experimental results for a capacitance based mass gage tested in liquid nitrogen. This test data is shown to be consistent with theory resulting in a demonstrated mass measurement accuracy of ±0.75% and a deviation from linearity of less than ±0.30% of full scale mass. Theoretical accuracies are also shown to be ±0.73% for hydrogen and ±1.39% for oxygen for a select range of pressures and temperatures.
Dynamic Response of Moderately Thick Cylindrical Panels

Theme T paper considers the transient response of a circular cylindrical panel to arbitrary time-dependent loads. The study is based on the improved shell theory which includes effects of transverse shear and rotatory inertias. The governing equations of motion are solved by an explicit numerical procedure. Results are obtained for panels subjected to a timevarying normal load uniformly distributed over the entire panel surface. They are compared with findings based on the classical shell theory. Noteworthy differences between the two theories are obtained.
Middle Atmosphere Tides and Coupling between Atmospheric Regions

Atmospheric tides are discussed from the perspective of how these waves serve to dynamically couple different regions of the atmosphere from the ground to about 150km. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and modeling efforts which address new mechanisms, with a view towards providing some direction to future theory, modeling, experimental, and data analysis activities. A major area of recent and projected future research concerns the interactions between tides, gravity waves, and the mean tonal flow. Tidal wind oscillations between 70 and 100km modulate the transmissivity of gravity waves to the thermosphere, as well as the deposition of momentum within this height regime due to gravity waves propagating upwards from tropospheric sources. These modulated momentum fluxes in turn feed back to modify the tidal winds as well as the mean zonal flow; in addition, the tidal winds deposit net momentum and heat at the base of the thermosphere as they themselves undergo dissipation. Other promising areas of research include tide/tide and tide-planetary wave interactions, and the responses to transient tidal forcing. In addition, the mutual interactions between tidal dynamics and neutral and ionized constituent densities between 100 and 175km can now be addressed by newly-developed thermosphere-ionosphere general circulation models which include self-consistent interactions between the neutral and ionized species. Future spectral modeling of middle atmosphere tides would also benefit from new calculations of mean monthy thermotidal heating profiles that take into account new empirical prescriptions of seasonal-latitudinal and longitudinal variations of H2O and O3 densities derived from measurements by satellite sensors.
Quantum-mechanical approach to understanding acid-base interactions at metal-polymer interfaces

Molecular orbital theory is presented as a means to understanding metal-polymer interfacial chemistry. While the systems used in molecular orbital studies tend to be rather idealized, much insight may be gained from such studies. Three different investigations are cited as examples of the applicability of molecular orbital theory in describing how functional groups of an adsorbate bond to a metal surface as well as how quantum-mechanical calculations may be used to interpret experimental data, e.g. photoelectron spectra. Experimental techniques (nucleophilic displacement, isoelectric points, flow microcalorimetry, and temperature-programmed desorption) for determining acid-base interactions are also discussed briefly.
Science Fiction or Reality

This issue's theme of printing and fabrication reminded Maria Ebling of the Star Trek "replicator" technology, inspiring her to consider how close science fiction has come to reality.
Computer Simulations of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate at Liquid/Liquid and Liquid/Vapor Interfaces

We performed molecular dynamics simulations on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) monolayer at the water/carbon tetrachloride and water/vapor interfaces. We observed that the tails are slightly less ordered when SDS is at the water/vapor interface. Also, at the water/carbon tetrachloride interface the amphiphilic molecule is less inclined with respect to the surface normal compared to the one at the water/vapor interface. We also carried out investigations of the electrostatic properties and surface tension of the water/carbon tetrachloride interface in the presence of the SDS monolayer with and without the dipole correction term in the Ewald sum. We observed that an inclusion of the correction term makes a difference in quantitative results.
Re: Letter to the editor about "The vitamin B12 analog cobinamide is an effective hydrogen sulfide antidote in a lethal rabbit model".

We thank the authors for their letter and the important points that they raised. We agree that there are likely differences between intravenous NaHS infusion and inhaled hydrogen sulfi de. In the initial earliest phase following initiation of NaHS infusion, the drop in tissue oxyhemoglobin appears to be attributable to vasodilation and drop in blood pressure (possibly accompanied by decreased cardiac output, although it was not directly monitored). The
Preliminary comparison of precursor scans and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry on a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract Recent mass spectrometry instrumentation developments include the appearance of novel hybrid tandem instrumentation, Q-TOF, consisting of a quadrupole mass analyzer (MS1) and a time-of-flight (TOF) analyzer. The TOF analyzer is not scanned, but collects all fragment ions entering the analyzer at a given time. Thus, the typical precursor scan experiment cannot be performed. Instead, a full MS–MS spectrum can be acquired for each mass passed by MS1. Appropriate data manipulation, i.e. extracted ion current chromatograms, can correlate specific fragment ion formation to the parent ion. Precursor scanning and LC–MS–MS are compared on a Q-TOF instrument for the determination of protein modifications, including acetylation and phosphorylation. Model peptides used for phosphopeptide detection were generated from a mixture of β-casein. Model acetylated peptides were generated from a mixture of acetylated substance P1–9 and substance P1–11. The results were then applied to a more complex mixture, a digest of HIV-p24. Results indicate that precursor scanning is useful for screening, but that LC–MS–MS has a sensitivity advantage and is less susceptible to suppression effects. LC–MS–MS, therefore, appears to be better for the detection of trace components in complex mixtures.
Children’s resistance to misleading postevent information: When does it occur?

Whether or not misleading postevent information influences children’s memory has been hotly debated. The present experiment focused on the null effects of misinformation and was designed so as to partially replicate Zaragoza’s (1991) finding that preschoolers were unaffected by suggested information. Consistent with Zaragoza’s findings, no difference in recognition memory performance was observed between control and misled conditions. Item analyses were also indicative of the absence of a misinformation effect. Results are discussed in terms of event salience, interviewer credibility, and their psycholegal implications.
Patient preferences regarding recontact by cancer genetics clinicians

Background Ongoing advances in cancer genetics lead to new opportunities for early disease detection, predictive genetic testing and potential interventions. Limited information exists on patient preferences concerning recontact to provide updated information. We evaluated colon cancer genetics patient preferences concerning recontact about advances in medical genetics.
The effects of exercise training and denervation on the morphology of intrafusal muscle fibers.

The morphological effects of daily bouts of exercise and denervation on teres minor intrafusal muscle fibers were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. After denervation, nuclear bag and nuclear chain muscle fiber cross-sectional area atrophied only 25 and 33% of the amount experienced by extrafusal fibers. Of the two fiber types, the nuclear chain fibers appeared to be more responsive to the effects of exercise than the nuclear bag fibers; however, this trend for enlargement had no statistical significance. Length measurements did not reveal any marked changes of any fiber type to the experimental conditions of this study. It was concluded that the possible differences in function and innervation of the nuclear bag and nuclear chain fibers could partly account for these findings.
Optical Probes For The Characterization Of Surface Breakdown

A novel technique is presented for the characterization of surface electric fields. The technique uses the electro-optic Pockels effect. An electro-optic crystal is placed in the fringing field above the surface to be monitored and is probed with a short optical pulse. The modulated optical pulse is imaged onto a detector array to produce a map of the surface field. This technique can be exploited to study surface breakdown.
A multi-level analysis showing associations between school neighborhood and child body mass index

The objective of this study is to examine associations between aspects of the environment in school neighborhoods and childhood body mass index percentile (BMIp). Trained medical students visited 46 elementary schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area to conduct medical screenings that included the height and weight measurements of 12 118 boys and girls 4–12 years of age in the academic year 2008–2009. For the same time period, aspects of the built environment in a 2-mile radius around each school was obtained from the Walkscore database. Other environmental characteristics (for example, population change) of these areas were also obtained from various sources. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to estimate the associations between neighborhood- and individual-level factors and BMIp. Population size along with the number of fast-food restaurants and grocery stores were positively associated with BMIp, whereas population change along with the number of parks and fitness centers were inversely associated with BMIp. After considering individual-level factors and the random effects of schools, environmental elements of school neighborhoods predict childhood BMIp. This study offers evidence of the health influence of school neighborhoods in a way that can inform neighborhood redevelopment efforts.
Measurement of "Subthreshold" Production of K - and Antiprotons in Relativistic Nuclear Collisions

The observation of subthreshold production of K/sup -/ in the reaction /sup 28/Si+/sup 28/Si at 2.1 GeV/nucleon is reported. For production at O/sup 0/ and 1 GeV/c, a K/sup -/ cross section (d/sup 2/sigma/dp d..cap omega..) of 1.6 mb sr/sup -1/ (GeV/c)/sup -1/ and an upper limit for p-bar production of 3 nb sr/sup -1/ (GeV/c)/sup -1/ were measured. Calculations incorporating the effects of nuclear Fermi momentum underpredict the K/sup -/ yield by more than a factor of 20. Production mechanisms involving collective effects and equilibration are discussed.
Reflexion of a weak shock wave with vibrational relaxation

The structure of a shock wave in a vibrationally relaxing gas undergoing reflexion from a plane wall is examined. The shock wave is assumed to be weak, and departures from thermodynamic equilibrium are assumed small; both an adiabatic and an isothermal wall are considered. The flow field is divided into three regions: a far-field region, an interaction region, and, for the isothermal-wall case, a thermal boundary layer. Different asymptotic expansions are determined for the various regions through the method of matched asymptotic expansions. In the region far from the wall, a non-equilibrium Burgers equation governs the motion and the incident and the reflected shock wave structures. During reflexion, a non-equilibrium wave equation applies; its first-order terms are equivalent to an acoustic approximation. Heat conduction to the wall is modelled by an isothermal wall boundary condition which requires the introduction of a thermal boundary layer adjacent to the wall. This thermal boundary layer is thin and the adiabatic-wall result provides the outer solution for treating this layer. This thermal layer affects the structure of the reflected wave.
Ethics, human behavior and the methodology of social economics

Social economists differ among themselves but are united in rejecting the rational actor model. They insist that individuals are more than economic actors; they arepersons with ethical values who live in community. That agreement over fundamentals leads social economists to embrace a methodological approach that differs substantially from the mainstream of economics. They (sometimes explicitly but usually implicitly), engage in a special form of storytelling known in the philosophy of social science as pattern modeling. Instead of using a pre-existing theoretical framework, such as rational choice theory, to logically construct a story, this type of story is constructed empirically from the bottom up through the use of case studies. The article concludes with a specific consideration of Albert Hirschman's methodology to illustrate the storytelling approach of a first rate and well-recognized social economist.
Active trunk extensor contributions to dynamic posteroanterior lumbar spinal stiffness.

Abstract Background Assessments of posteroanterior (PA) spinal stiffness using mobilization apparatuses have demonstrated an increase in PA spine stiffness during voluntary contraction of the lumbar extensor muscles; yet, little work has been done to this degree in symptomatic subjects. Objective To use a previously validated dynamic mechanical impedance procedure to quantify changes in PA dynamic spinal stiffness at rest and during lumbar isotonic extension tasks in patients with low back pain (LBP). Methods Thirteen patients with LBP underwent a dynamic spinal stiffness assessment in the prone-resting position and again during lumbar extensor efforts. Stiffness assessments were obtained using a handheld impulsive mechanical device equipped with an impedance head (load cell and accelerometer). PA manipulative thrusts (≈150 N, t test. Results A significant increase in the PA dynamic spinal stiffness was noted for thrusts over the SP (apparent mass [17.0%], P =.0004) during isotonic trunk extension tasks compared with prone resting, but no statistically significant changes in apparent mass were noted for the same measures over the TPs. Conclusions These findings add support to the significance of the trunk musculature and spinal posture in providing increased spinal stability.
Identification of genetic variation in the 5' and 3' non-coding regions of the protamine genes in patients with protamine deregulation.

Deregulation of sperm nuclear protamine ratio (P1/P2) has been shown to correlate with male factor infertility in humans, but the cause of this abnormal protein expression has yet to be identified. Recent studies have shown that there is little genetic variability in the coding regions of either of the protamine gene sequences. However, these studies did not investigate the 5′ or 3′ non-coding regions of these genes for mutations that might account for changes in the transcriptional or translational regulation of the protamines.In an effort to determine if genetic variation in these non-coding regions may account for aberrant protamine expression, we have sequenced the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of both protamine 1 (P1) and protamine 2 (P2) genes in a population of infertile men with protamine deregulation, men presenting for infertility work-up with normal protamine ratios, and a population of unrelated, fertile men from the Utah Genetic Reference Project (UGRP). This analysis has identified 1...
Near-neighbor based engineering: A new systems engineering approach for emergent, swarming networks

A significant body of literature exists about emergent, swarming systems, but little has been written concerning approaches to facilitate their design. As we began to design a swarming sensor network system of systems, we recognized the need for a tractable systems engineering approach beyond the classical one. In particular, although we could define the system requirements and appropriate allocations using conventional methods, the key features of “stable swarming” and automatic scalability were not readily addressed. This paper describes a new system-of-systems design approach called “near-neighbor-based engineering” and its application to a swarming network.
A lac promoter with a changed distance between -10 and -35 regions

A lac promotor mutant was constructed by filling in the protruding ends of the HpaII site located within the lac promotor. The mutation, named M42, is a two base pair insertion that changes the distance between the -10 and -35 regions from 18 to 20 residues. The activity of the mutant promotor measured in vivo is 15% of the wild-type promotor. The M42 promotor is sensitive to the catabolite repression in the manner similar to that of the wild type. Sequences of several deletions within the lac promotor are also given.
THE ESTIMATION OF PEPSIN, TRYPSIN, PAPAIN, AND CATHEPSIN WITH HEMOGLOBIN.

In the hemoglobin method for the estimation of proteinase, denatured hemoglobin is digested under standard conditions, the undigested hemoglobin is precipitated with trichloracetic acid, and the amount of unprecipitated protein split products, which is a measure of the amount of proteinase present, is estimated with the phenol reagent which gives a blue color with tyrosine and tryptophane. Hemoglobin, unlike casein and gelatin, is a reproducible substrate. Different batches of hemoglobin are digested at the same rate by a given proteinasesolution. Even when peptidase is present in addition to proteinase, the formation of products not precipitable by trichloracetic acid is due so far as is known to proteinase alone. Hemoglobin methods have been described for pepsin (Anson and Mirsky, 1932), trypsin (Anson and Mirsky, 1933), papain (Anson, 1937a), and cathepsin (Anson, 1937 b). Since the methods were first worked out several minor errors have been corrected, the preparation of the hemoglobin substrates has been simplified, and the estimation procedures have been standardized. Rather than point out the numerous changes which have been made I have considered it simpler and more useful to describe completely the procedures as they are now used in this laboratory. To avoid confusion about results already published no radical changes have been made. The pepsin, trypsin, and papain substrates are the same in composition as those originally described. The cathepsin substrate now contains 0.001 M ammonium sulfate which increases the rate of digestion. In the case of the estimation of pepsin the procedure for the estimation 79
Sampling Daphnia 's expressed genes: preservation, expansion and invention of crustacean genes with reference to insect genomes

Background Functional and comparative studies of insect genomes have shed light on the complement of genes, which in part, account for shared morphologies, developmental programs and life-histories. Contrasting the gene inventories of insects to those of the nematodes provides insight into the genomic changes responsible for their diversification. However, nematodes have weak relationships to insects, as each belongs to separate animal phyla. A better outgroup to distinguish lineage specific novelties would include other members of Arthropoda. For example, crustaceans are close allies to the insects (together forming Pancrustacea) and their fascinating aquatic lifestyle provides an important comparison for understanding the genetic basis of adaptations to life on land versus life in water.