cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of crystalline inclusions (“ergosterol crystals”) in Neurospora crassa

Development of crystalline inclusions (“ergosterol crystals”) in “snowflake”, a morphological mutant ofNeurospora crassa has been examined. The inclusions which arise in membranebound organelles appear as electron dense deposits, increase in size, and occupy nearly all the space within the organelle at maturity. The presence of catalase activity in the organelle was not detected using cytochemical procedures employing diaminobenzidine.
Ferry-based monitoring of surface water quality in North Carolina estuaries

Several interrelated factors affect, water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES) including land use change in the upland and coastal watersheds, legislatively mandated basin-wide nutrient management plans, intense storms, and global and local changes in sea level. Despite its importance as an essential fish habitat, the APES has not been monitored as intensively or extensively for habitat impacts associated with decreased water quality as other estuaries have been, such as with the North Carolina tributary estuaries or Chesapeake Bay. To support the sustainable use of these estuaries, we are developing an automated water quality monitoring system aboard ferries that traverse the APES. This program, FerryMon, provides a unique, long-term, and cost-effective monitoring system to evaluate status and trends in APES water quality. Intensive temporal and spatial data obtained from all ferry routes provide an environmental baseline and are used to assess the patterns and variability in surface water hydrography, dissolved constituents, and particulate matter. The data are useful to calibrate estimates of ocean color and sea surface temperature from aircraft and satellite sensors. We are creating a searchable geographic database that is intended for scientists, managers, and the general public. Using ferries as sampling platforms to monitor estuarine water quality is a tractable approach and FerryMon represents a model for use in other large bodies of water traversed by ferries.
Climatic and diagenetic signals in the stable isotope geochemistry of dolomitic paleosols spanning the Paleocene-Eocene boundary

Abstract The precipitation of primary dolomite in soil is rare and controversial, and its occurrence indicates highly unusual geochemical and climatic conditions. We utilize isotopic and petrographic techniques, including clumped isotope thermometry, to evaluate diagenetic alteration and preservation of primary climatic signal in dolomitic paleosol nodules from a section spanning the Paleocene–Eocene boundary in central Utah. Isotopic measurements differentiate samples into groups that may be interpreted in terms of alteration; however moderate burial depths and extreme warmth during the interval of soil formation make it difficult to reach definitive conclusions from isotope values alone. With the addition of petrographic analysis, including cathodoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy, we are able to identify textural differences between samples suggesting differing amounts of recrystallization. We conclude that while some nodules have experienced significant diagenetic alteration the original nodule mineralogy is dolomite, and the majority of sampled nodules retain a primary paleoclimate signal. Early Paleogene temperatures recorded at this site are considerably warmer than those suggested for the continental interior from alternate proxies, a result that may be partially the result of the clumped isotope temperatures recording warm season soil temperatures, rather than mean annual air temperature. Soil water isotopic composition is suggestive of heightened aridity, particularly through the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).
Hepatitis C virus outside the liver

Observational and some experimental data suggest that hepatitis C virus can manifest in a variety of disease processes outside the liver. The links between hepatitis C virus and membranoproliferative glomerulonephropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus, cryoglobulinemia, diabetes mellitus, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thyroiditis are critically reviewed. Based on the available evidence, recommendations for the clinical approach to patients with extrahepatic diseases are discussed.
Protection of interferon-γ knockout mice against Listeria monocytogenes challenge following intramuscular immunization with DNA vaccines encoding listeriolysin O

Abstract In this study we evaluated the efficacy of DNA vaccination of IFN-γ knockout (GKO) mice against Listeria monocytogenes , as these immunodeficient mice are highly susceptible to infection with low numbers of this intracellular bacterial pathogen. Following intramuscular immunization of BALB/c GKO mice with plasmid DNA constructs encoding recombinant forms of the L. monocytogenes hemolysin, listeriolysin O (LLO), we detected the in vivo induction of a LLO 91–99 peptide-specific, protective immune CTL response equivalent to that observed following similar DNA vaccination of normal BALB/c mice. The observed protection represented greatly enhanced immunity for the GKO host, suggesting that DNA vaccination may provide a useful vaccine alternative for certain immunocompromised host populations.
Temperature and Magnetic-Field Dependence of the Antiferromagnetism in Pure Chromium

The results of neutron-diffraction experiments on the temperature and magnetic-field dependence of the antiferromagnetism in pure chromium are presented. A comparison with previously published temperature-dependence data is given. Temperature hysteresis is generally observed due to the temperature dependence of the magnetic domain structure. Relatively small magnetic fields are found to be sufficient to rotate the polarization associated with a given wave vector. A simple model is proposed, based on thermal fluctuations of polarization of the antiferromagnetic domains as a whole, which explains the magnetic-field effects found in this study and the torque-magnetometer measurements of Montalvo and Marcus. This model accounts for effects on chromium of cooling in a magnetic field.
On Bellman's functional equation and a class of time-optimal control systems☆

Abstract Bellman's functional equation is defined and derived for a class of optimal control problems. The derivation does not employ the Taylor series expansion or the mean value theorem of differential calculus, thus it avoids the differentiability requirements previously imposed on Bellman's equation. As a result, Bellman's functional equation can be used to solve a class of time-optimal control problems. A necessary condition theorem and a sufficient condition theorem are given. One example illustrates the use of Bellman's functional equation in the time-optimal control case.
Temperature programmed isotopic exchange of lattice oxygen during methane oxidative coupling

Temperature programmed isotopic exchange (TPIE), has been applied in the studies of the oxidative coupling of methane. Results presented in this paper show that the addition of strontium oxide to lanthanum oxide changes a structure of La2O3 by creating oxygen vacancies in its lattice. TPIE experiments indicate that an exchange between gas phase and lattice oxygen for the 1% Sr/La2O3 starts below 400 ° C and a starting exchange temperature (SET), is around 100 ° C lower than in the case of unpromoted La2O3. In this paper the effect of other operating variables (oxygen partial pressure, presence of methane, and carbon dioxide), on the isotopic exchange rates for lanthanum oxide based catalysts is also demonstrated.
Penicillin-resistant pneumococci (PRSP) exhibit less virulence than penicillin -susceptible pneumococci (PSSP). • 733

Penicillin-resistant pneumococci (PRSP) exhibit less virulence than penicillin -susceptible pneumococci (PSSP). • 733
Age-related changes in the pancreas identified by EUS: a prospective evaluation.

Background EUS is an important modality for the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. An understanding of normal pancreatic ductal and parenchymal variation in asymptomatic individuals is essential to improve EUS accuracy. The primary aim of this study was to determine age-related pancreatic parenchymal and ductular changes identifiable on EUS in individuals with no history or symptoms of pancreaticobiliary disease. Secondary aims were to define demographic and clinical factors associated with identifiable pancreatic parenchymal and ductular changes, and to determine the main pancreatic-duct diameter and pancreatic-gland width according to age. Methods Patients referred for either upper endoscopy or EUS for an indication unrelated to pancreaticobiliary disease were prospectively enrolled. Patients were stratified by age ( 60 years). Each patient was assessed for the presence of EUS findings for chronic pancreatitis. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with an abnormality. Results A total of 120 patients (63 men, 57 women; median age, 52 years, interquartile range [IQR] 40-61 years) were prospectively evaluated. At least one parenchymal and/or ductular abnormality was identified in 28% of the patients, with a trend of increasing abnormality with age: 60 years (39%); p =0.13. No patient had more than 3 abnormal EUS features. Hyperechoic stranding (n=22) was the most common finding in all age groups. The odds for any abnormality in men (relative to women) was significantly higher (OR 2.9: 95% CI[1.2, 6.8], p =0.01), with 38% of men and 18% of women having an abnormality. Smoking, low alcohol intake, body mass index, and endoscopic finding were not significantly associated with an abnormal EUS. The overall median pancreatic-gland width and main pancreatic duct diameter were 15 mm (IQR 6-25 mm) and 1.7 mm (IQR 0.9-4.3 mm), respectively. Conclusions The frequency of EUS abnormalities in patients without clinical evidence of chronic pancreatitis increases with age, particularly after 60 years of age. The threshold number of EUS criteria for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is variable. However, the typically used standard of 3 or more criteria appears appropriate. A higher number of threshold criteria may be needed in males and to a lesser extent in patients over 40 years of age, which should be related to clinical history and other structural or functional studies. Ductal or parenchymal calculi, ductal narrowing, ductal dilatation, or more than 3 abnormalities appear to be more specific features for the EUS diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis at any age.
Pyromellitein indicators: III. Lake formation

Summary The pyromellitein indicators previously described have been used to form lakes with a large number of ions. The brominated tetraresorcinol pyromellitein in particular forms brightly colored lakes with magnesium hydroxide which should be of interest in detecting this ion in very low concentrations.
A location-allocation approach to health care facility location: A study of the undoctored population in Lansing, Michigan

Abstract Based on the distribution of undoctored household members reported in a mail-out survey, a heuristic location-allocation algorithm was used to determine facility locations and associated user allocations for primary care health centers being established in the Lansing, Michigan area. Beyond simply identifying desirable health care center locations, the analyses showed that four facilities, rather than the originally proposed five, would yield more tenable and equitable utilization levels. The allocation results also indicated a preferable sequence for facility development based on differences in expected utilization. Subsequent location-allocation analyses based on expected future health services need did not appreciably affect the locational findings.
Body temperature, heart rate and oxygen consumption of normothermic and heterothermic western jumping mice (Zapus princeps).

Abstract 1. 1. Heart rates and oxygen consumption were measured for normothermic, hibernating, and arousing Zapus princeps. 2. 2. Rectal and oral body temperature were monitored and differential rates of rewarming of the body were recorded. 3. 3. Lengths of periodic arousals differ in two stages of hibernation; days 50–80 arousal durations were 12 hr, 43 min while days 140–210 were 10 hr, 28 min. 4. 4. Total energy budget of hibernation was calculated for a 295 day hibernation cycle based on the utilization of 18,020 cc of oxygen for that period. The calculated utilization of fat would be 8.97 g while the observed use was 9.5–11.1 g.
REPORTING OF MANAGEMENT FORECASTS: AN EIGENVECTOR MODEL FOR ELICITATION AND REVIEW OF FORECASTS

Increasingly, business firms will be disclosing management forecasts in financial reports to investors. Single estimates based on a consensus view (e.g., Delphi estimates) may be used. It seems logical, however, to consider methods that seek formally to derive internally consistent subjective views regarding the sensitivity of assumptions and interacting events on forecasts. The major purpose of this paper is to extend micro-level cross-impact analysis to a macro-level eigenvalue analysis approach that elicits views of the effects of assumptions and interaction events on entire scenarios. Both methods are illustrated and contrasted. They are complementary rather than alternative methods. In particular, each method offers some potential in the development of operational guidelines for elicitation and reporting of management forecasts. In addition, the eigenvalue analysis offers several key advantages that make it potentially useful in preparing entire scenario forecasts.
Modeling Traffic Accident Occurrence and Involvement

The Negative Binomial modeling technique was used to model the frequency of accident occurrence and involvement. Accident data over a period of 3 years, accounting for 1,606 accidents on a principal arterial in Central Florida, were used to estimate the model. The model illustrated the significance of the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), degree of horizontal curvature, lane, shoulder and median widths, urban/rural, and the section's length, on the frequency of accident occurrence. Several Negative Binomial models of the frequency of accident involvement were also developed to account for the demographic characteristics of the driver (age and gender). The results showed that heavy traffic volume, speeding, narrow lane width, larger number of lanes, urban roadway sections, narrow shoulder width and reduced median width increase the likelihood for accident involvement. Subsequent elasticity computations identified the relative importance of the variables included in the models. Female drivers experience more accidents than male drivers in heavy traffic volume, reduced median width, narrow lane width, and larger number of lanes. Male drivers have greater tendency to be involved in traffic accidents while speeding. The models also indicated that young and older drivers experience more accidents than middle aged drivers in heavy traffic volume, and reduced shoulder and median widths. Younger drivers have a greater tendency of being involved in accidents on roadway curves and while speeding.
Correlates of sexual and maternal competence in captive gorillas

The captive gorilla population may not be self-sustaining, in part because the overall birth rate is low and because many potential founders have failed to reproduce. We used questionnaires to collect standardized biographies of every gorilla held in North America. These biographies were searched for factors associated with reproductive success or failure. Captive-born gorillas are reproducing at least as well as wild-borns, when reproductive success is expressed as number of infants per year of reproductive opportunity. Mother-reared females are reproductively more successful than hand-reared females, but there is no difference in the reproductive success of mother-reared and hand-reared males. Social access to conspecifics in the 1st year is associated with higher reproductive success, at least for females. Reproductively successful and unsuccessful gorillas of both sexes have had equal access to potential mates, but unsuccessful animals are less likely than successful ones to exhibit normal sexual behavior. We conclude that many cases of reproductive failure are due to deficits in sexual behavior, which in turn may result from lack of early social experience with conspecifics. Some reproductive failure involves medical problems; interventive diagnostic techniques continue to be useful, if only to identify healthy individuals that can be managed intensively. The probability that a female will be a competent mother is not affected by her being wild-born or captive-born, or mother-reared or hand-reared.
Alphabetic Notation Bias in Blind Test Research

Summary Letter designates were used in paired-comparison blind test research to measure the effect of alphabetic notation on Ss' choice. Two hundred respondents evaluated two advertisements in terms of overall preference and copy/graphic elements. Presentation order was randomized to avoid position bias. A significant, forced-choice preference for “A” versus “B” characterized the findings, suggesting the need to control for notation bias.
Spatial patterns in coupled biochemical oscillators

The effects of diffusion on the dynamics of biochemical oscillators are investigated for general kinetic mechanisms and for a simplified model of glycolysis. When diffusion is sufficiently rapid a population of oscillators relaxes to a globally-synchronized oscillation, but when diffusion of one or more species is slow enough, the synchronized oscillation can be unstable and a nonuniform steady state or an asynchronous oscillation can arise. The significance of these results vis-a-vis models of contact inhibition and zonation patterns is discussed.
The optimum configuration of natural convection loops

Abstract A theoretical study is presented of the influence of loop configuration on natural convection loops (thermosyphons) heated from below and cooled from above. The loops consist of two insulated vertical branches with two horizontal connections, one of which is immersed in a constant temperature heat source and the other in a constant temperature heat sink. A one-dimensional model is utilized to determine the effects of the conduit's cross-sectional area and the aspect ratio for an optimum loop configuration. The coupled momentum and energy equations are solved and the heat transfer rates, mean velocities and temperature distributions are obtained for both laminar and turbulent flows. It is found that the influences of the aspect ratio and cross-sectional area of the loop can be combined into a single dimensionless parameter P 0 = C 3 (1 + A) (W r Pr ) C4 Gr , where Pr, Grr, A, r and W are the Prandtl number, the Grashof number based on the tube radius, the aspect ratio, the tube radius and the length of the heat transfer sections respectively, and C3 and C4 are constants. The criterion of optimum loop configuration for maximum heat transfer rate is determined in terms of this parameter. The variation in loop configuration results in opposite effects for plus and minus variations from the optimum value of P0. For loops with P0 less than the critical value the heat transfer rate can be enhanced by increasing the length of the heated and the cooled sections. If P0 is greater than the critical value, then the temperature of the working fluid will approach the wall temperature along the heat transfer sections. Further increase in the length of the heated and the cooled sections will result in a lower heat transfer rate.
Putting stress into words: Health, linguistic, and therapeutic implications

When individuals are asked to write or talk about personally upsetting experiences, significant improvements in physical health are found. Analyses of subjects' writing about traumas indicate that those whose health improves most tend to use a higher proportion of negative emotion words than positive emotion words. Independent of verbal emotion expression, the increasing use of insight, causal, and associated cognitive words over several days of writing is linked to health improvement. That is, the construction of a coherent story together with the expression of negative emotions work together in therapeutic writing. Evidence of these processes are also seen in specific links between word production and immediate autonomic nervous system activity. Implications for therapy and for considering the mind and body as fluid, dynamic systems are discussed.
Reply-On Comments on a Quantity Discount Pricing Model to Increase Vendor Profits

Professor Joglekar is to be thanked for his generally insightful Comments 1988 concerning my paper Monahan [Monahan, J. P. 1984. A quantity discount pricing model to increase vendor points. Management Sci.306, June 720-726.. He has in my view correctly assessed the limitations of two important production assumptions I made, assumptions which need to be rethought in any quantity-discount pricing models of the future. Yet, although I find myself in general agreement with Joglekar's comments, I wish to clarify some points concerning the model and its potential applicability.
Anemia in chronic kidney disease: status of new therapies.

Purpose of reviewAnemia remains an early and common complication of chronic kidney disease that causes troubling symptoms and reduced quality of life. Recent literature has raised concern about the safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment to higher hemoglobin targets, making this a
Paired basic science and clinical problem-based learning faculty teaching side by side: Do students evaluate them differently?

Introduction Many studies have evaluated the desirability of expert versus non-expert facilitators in problem-based learning (PBL), but performance differences between basic science and clinical facilitators has been less studied. In a PBL course at our university, pairs of faculty facilitators (1 clinician, 1 basic scientist) were assigned to student groups to maximise integration of basic science with clinical science. Aims This study set out to establish whether students evaluate basic science and clinical faculty members differently when they teach side by side. Methods Online questionnaires were used to survey 188 students about their faculty facilitators immediately after they completed each of 3 serial PBL cases. Overall satisfaction was measured using a scale of 1−7 and yes/no responses were gathered from closed questions describing faculty performance. Results Year 1 students rated basic science and clinical facilitators the same, but Year 2 students rated the clinicians higher overall. Year 1 students rated basic scientists higher in their ability to understand the limits of their own knowledge. Year 2 students rated the clinicians higher in several content expertise-linked areas: preparedness, promotion of in-depth understanding, and ability to focus the group, and down-rated the basic scientists for demonstrating overspecialised knowledge. Students' overall ratings of individual faculty best correlated with the qualities of stimulation, focus and preparedness, but not with overspecialisation, excessive interjection of the faculty member's own opinions, and encouragement of psychosocial issue discussion. Conclusion When taught by paired basic science and clinical PBL facilitators, students in Year 1 rated basic science and clinical PBL faculty equally, while Year 2 students rated clinicians more highly overall. The Year 2 difference may be explained by perceived differences in content expertise.
Carotid endarterectomy utilization and mortality in 10 states.

Abstract Background Studies that examined the rates of and mortality after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) mainly were confined to a limited geographical location or population. The primary purposes of this study are to examine the variation of risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates after CEA in 10 states, and utilization rates per capita of CEA. Methods An analysis was made of hospital discharge data from 10 states extracted from the Agency for Health Research and Quality national database, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Results The rates of CEA per capita were found to differ among the 10 states examined. No significant association was detected between geographic location and the adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality. Sex, age, type of admission, and several comorbidities were found to be significant risk factors. Conclusions Rates of CEA per capita differ among states. However, geographical location does not affect the likelihood of risk-adjusted mortality after the procedure.
Risk stratification for suspected acute coronary syndromes and heart failure in the emergency department.

Many professional societies publish acute intervention guidelines, and most are predicated on the knowledge of an accurate diagnosis. In the emergency department patients do not arrive with a diagnosis, rather they present with symptoms that must be evaluated in the context of their estimated illness severity. Unique to emergency medicine practice, and within a relatively short time frame, all emergency patients must go somewhere else. Appropriate dispositions may be home, admission to a chest pain center, hospitalization to a regular medical floor, or transfer to an intensive care unit, but they cannot stay in the emergency department. This disposition process must occur, even in the setting of great diagnostic uncertainty. Since an accurate diagnosis is a time dependent event, requiring data collection and analysis, emergency department disposition decisions may be based on risk estimates rather than an established diagnosis. Owing to the subjective nature of the early evaluation process, biomarkers cur...
Application of neural network in medical images

In this paper, we do some pre-processing on the input data to remove some noise before putting them into the network and some post-processing before outputting the results. Different neural networks such as back-propagation, radias basis network with different architecture are tested. We choose the one with the best performance among them. From the experiments we can see that the results of the neural network are similar to those given by the experienced doctors and better than those of previous research, indicating that this approach is very practical and beneficial to doctors comparing with some other methods currently existing.
The Iowa county budget law

The new budget law for Polk County is good as far as it goes and will undoubtedly improve financial practice. It illustrates, however, the limitations which the prevailing forms of county government impose upon any attempt to apply thoroughgoing budget principles to an antiquated organization.
Variation in risk in single-species discrete-time models.

Simple, discrete-time, population models typically exhibit complex dynamics, like cyclic oscillations and chaos, when the net reproductive rate, $R$, is large. These traditional models generally do not incorporate variability in juvenile "risk,'' defined to be a measure of a juvenile's vulnerability to density-dependent mortality. For a broad class of discrete-time models we show that variability in risk across juveniles tends to stabilize the equilibrium. We consider both density-independent and density-dependent risk, and for each, we identify appropriate shapes of the distribution of risk that will stabilize the equilibrium for all values of $R$. In both cases, it is the shape of the distribution of risk and not the amount of variation in risk that is crucial for stability.
Test results and calculations of ion-induced bit error rates for fiber-based data links in orbital satellite environments

We consider space radiation effects in components and subsystems for fiber based satellite data links and busses. These busses are designed for telemetry and command as well as payload applications spanning data rates from Mbps to Gbps. We emphasize measurements of single particle transient effects in optoelectronic components as they impact the bit error ratio. Test data are analyzed to demonstrate the bit error rate dependence on the particle energy and particle flux as well as receiver electrical characteristics. We conclude that the many advantages of fiber based data links and busses will soon be made available for emerging satellite requirements to transmit data reliability at rates from a few Kbps into the Gbps regime.
Derivation of adler's divergence condition from the field equations

It is shown that the electromagnetic corrections to the divergence of the axial-vector current as derived by Adler within the framework of perturbation theory can be inferred directly from the field equations. An essential ingredient in this approach consists of redefining the current operator in terms of a limiting procedure which is explicitly gauge-invariant.
Attributes of reliable long-term landscape-scale studies: Malpractice insurance for landscape ecologists

Monitoring long-term change in forested landscapes is an intimidating challenge with considerable practical, methodological, and theoretical limitations. Current field approaches used to assess vegetation change at the plot-to-stand scales and nationwide forest monitoring programs may not be appropriate at landscape scales. We emphasize that few vegetation monitoring programs (and, thus, study design models) are designed to detect spatial and temporal trends at landscape scales. Based primarily on advice from many sources, and trial and error, we identify 14 attributes of a reliable long-term landscape monitoring program: malpractice insurance for landscape ecologists. The attributes are to: secure long-term funding and commitment; develop flexible goals; refine objectives; pay adequate attention to information management; take an experimental approach to sampling design; obtain peer-review and statistical review of research proposals and publications; avoid bias in selection of long-term plot locations; insure adequate spatial replication; insure adequate temporal replication; synthesize retrospective, experimental, and related studies; blend theoretical and empirical models with the means to validate both; obtain periodic research program evaluation; integrate and synthesize with larger and smaller scale research, inventory, and monitoring programs; and develop an extensive outreach program. Using these 14 attributes as a guide, we describe one approach to assess the potential effect of global change on the vegetation of the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. This self-evaluation helps identify strengthes and weaknesses in our program, and may serve the same role for other landscape ecologists in other programs.
Behavioral types in purebred dogs objectively determined by taxonome

If individual dogs are classified in groups according to behavioral measures, do those groupings correspond to the grouping by breed characteristics? A total of 101 dogs of five different breeds were measured on 42 behavioral and somatic variables, and these were reduced to 16 factors. By using the 15 behavioral factors in the Taxonome program, a separation roughly corresponding to the different breeds was achieved. It is argued that a genetic determination of this sample of behavior variables is indicated. The mean profile for each breed is set out.
Incompatible Land Uses and the Topology of Cumulative Risk

The extensive literature on environmental justice has, by now, well defined the essential ingredients of cumulative risk, namely, incompatible land uses and vulnerability. Most problematic is the case when risk is produced by a large aggregation of small sources of air toxics. In this article, we test these notions in an area of Southern California, Southeast Los Angeles (SELA), which has come to be known as Asthmatown. Developing a rapid risk mapping protocol, we scan the neighborhood for small potential sources of air toxics and find, literally, hundreds of small point sources within a 2-mile radius, interspersed with residences. We also map the estimated cancer risks and noncancer hazard indices across the landscape. We find that, indeed, such large aggregations of even small, nondominant sources of air toxics can produce markedly elevated levels of risk. In this study, the risk profiles show additional cancer risks of up to 800 in a million and noncancer hazard indices of up to 200 in SELA due to the agglomeration of small point sources. This is significant (for example, estimates of the average regional point-source-related cancer risk range from 125 to 200 in a million). Most importantly, if we were to talk about the risk contour as if they were geological structures, we would observe not only a handful of distinct peaks, but a general “mountain range” running all throughout the study area, which underscores the ubiquity of risk in SELA. Just as cumulative risk has deeply embedded itself into the fabric of the place, so, too, must intervention seek to embed strategies into the institutions and practices of SELA. This has implications for advocacy, as seen in a recently initiated participatory action research project aimed at building health research capacities into the community in keeping with an ethic of care.
On the factorization of two-dimensional paraunitary filter banks

The factorization of 2D FIR paraunitary filter banks is addressed in this paper. Our work is a generalization of the factorization algorithm for 1D paraunitary matrices. We present a complete factorization for multichannel, 2D, FIR paraunitary filter banks. The main idea is considering a bivariate FIR matrix as a univariate polynomial whose coefficients are matrices with univariate polynomial entries. With this representation, a generalized version of the factorization algorithm for the 1D case, developed in this paper, can be used. In this direction, a new definition for paraunitary matrices is proposed and a new degree-one building block is presented. The final result is a building block that generates all 2D FIR paraunitary matrices.
Binding of the Volatile Anesthetic Chloroform to Albumin Demonstrated Using Tryptophan Fluorescence Quenching

The site(s) of action of the volatile general anesthetics remain(s) controversial, but evidence in favor of specific protein targets is accumulating. The techniques to measure directly volatile anesthetic binding to proteins are still under development. Further experience with the intrinsic protein fluorescence quenching approach to monitor anesthetic-protein complexation is reported using chloroform. Chloroform quenches the steady-state tryptophan fluorescence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a concentration-dependent, saturable manner with a Kd = 2.7 +/- 0.2 mM. Tryptophan fluorescence lifetime analysis reveals that the majority of the quenching is due to a static mechanism, indicative of anesthetic binding. The ability of chloroform to quench BSA tryptophan fluorescence was decreased markedly in the presence of 50% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, which causes loss of tertiary structural contacts in BSA, indicating that protein conformation is crucial for anesthetic binding. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed no measurable effect of chloroform on the secondary structure of BSA. The results suggest that chloroform binds to subdomains IB and IIA in BSA, each of which contains a single tryptophan. Earlier work has shown that these sites are also occupied by halothane. The present study therefore provides experimental support for the theory that structurally distinct general anesthetics may occupy the same domains on protein targets.
A self-correcting neighbor protocol for mobile ad-hoc wireless networks

Mobile wireless ad-hoc networks lack some basic abilities taken for granted in wired networks, such as the ability to know adjacent nodes. We present a neighbor discovery protocol, with particular application to broadcast flooding. The neighbor exchange protocol (NXP) has two main improvements over simple periodic broadcast schemes: (1) it only sends Hello packets when necessary to maintain topology and (2) uses sequence numbers in redistributed information to aid in convergence. In simulation, we compare NXP to a periodic protocol and simple flooding for all-node packet broadcasts and two dissemination techniques. We show that we maintain similar delivery rates while using fewer control packets in most configurations.
Pyrite formation in the water column and sediments of a meromictic lake

We compared concentrations of organic carbon, partitioning of iron and sulfur, stable isotopic ratios of major sulfur species, and pyrite morphologies in the water column and sediments of oxic and euxinic portions of a sulfate-rich, meromictic lake (Green Lake near Fayetteville, New York) in order to examine the effects of euxinic conditions on pyrite formation and sedimentary Fe-S-C relations. About 15% of the pyrite in sediments of the euxinic basin of Green Lake forms in the water column. The bulk of pyrite in both euxinic and oxic sediments forms in the upper ∼10 cm of the sediment and is limited by availability of reactive iron. Oxic and euxinic sediments in Green Lake cannot be clearly distinguished on the basis of concentrations of organic carbon or pyrite, degree of pyritization, or sulfur isotopic ratios of pyrite, but can be distinguished by using size distributions of pyrite framboids. Therefore, Fe-S-C relations in ancient shales must be used with caution when attempting to reconstruct paleoenvironmental redox conditions.
Recovery from paraplegia caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma

Three surgically treated cases of paraplegia caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma are reported, along with summarized findings from 32 previously reported cases. Patients who recovered within 6 months had endured a shorter interval between loss of their ability to walk and surgical decompression than patients who did not recover (26 hours versus 48 hours; p less than 0.02). When this interval exceeded approximately 36 hours, the probability of recovery fell below 50 percent.
Effects of crowding and intermittent isolation on gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Abstract Gerbils were reared from weaning to adulthood in mixed-sex paired, crowded or isolate-crowded conditions, the latter consisting of placing crowded animals into individual boxes for 2 hr per day. Paired males exhibited more ventral marking and nonaggressive contact in social interaction tests; paired females were far more successful reproductively than either crowded group. Isolate-crowded males were more aggressive in the home cage and in social interaction tests, and isolate-crowded females were somewhat less successful reproductively than crowded females. The only anatomical or biochemical differences among groups were heavier testes in paired males and heavier body weights in crowded males. Reproductive failure and decreases in behavioral measures were not mediated by adrenal steroids. The isolate-crowded conditions aggravated the effects of crowding, rather than decreasing them.
Black-Footed Ferrets and Recreational Shooting Influence the Attributes of Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Burrows

ABSTRACT. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) plug burrows occupied by black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), and they also plug burrows to entomb dead prairie dogs. We further evaluated these phenomena by sampling connectivity and plugging of burrow openings on prairie dog colonies occupied by ferrets, colonies where recreational shooting was allowed, and colonies with neither shooting nor ferrets. We counted burrow openings on line surveys and within plots, classified surface plugging, and used an air blower to examine subsurface connectivity. Colonies with ferrets had lower densities of openings, fewer connected openings (suggesting increased subsurface plugging), and more surface plugs compared to colonies with no known ferrets. Colonies with recreational shooting had the lowest densities of burrow openings, and line-survey data suggested colonies with shooting had intermediate rates of surface plugging. The extent of surface and subsurface plugging could have consequences for the prair...
Food colorants: Anthocyanins

Interest in food colorants as shown by the number of patents has doubled in recent years with natural pigments outnumbering synthetics by five to one. The natural colorant area can be subdivided into anthocyanins, betalains, chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, Monascus, hemes, quinones, biliproteins, safflower, turmeric, and miscellaneous. All involve different groups of chemical compounds which may be used directly as colorants, or may be chemically modified to produce different hues or increased stability. All usually involve a method of collection, extraction, purification, possibly stabilization, and formulation. A variety of hues can be obtained ranging from green through yellow, orange, red, blue, and violet, depending on the source of colorant. Similarly, water or oil‐soluble formulations can be prepared depending on the type of colorant.
Modulations in the Images of Periodic Square-Wave Targets by Human Eye in the Presence of Stiles-Crawford Effect of the First Kind

The modulations in the images of the square-wave targets for all transmitted spatial frequencies have been determined from the intensity distributions, formed by human eye in the presence of Stiles-Crawford Effect of the First Kind.
THE PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF POLYPHENOLIC-GLUTATHIONE CONJUGATES

Polyphenolic-glutathione (GSH) conjugates and their metabolites retain the electrophilic and redox properties of the parent polyphenol. Indeed, the reactivity of the thioether metabolites frequently exceeds that of the parent polyphenol. Although the active transport of polyphenolic-GSH conjugates out of the cell in which they are formed will limit their potential toxicity to those cells, once within the circulation they can be transported to tissues that are capable of accumulating these metabolites. There are interesting physiological similarities between the organs that are known to be susceptible to polyphenolic-GSH conjugate-mediated toxicity. In addition, the frequent localization of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to cells separating the circulation from a second fluid-filled compartment coincides with tissues that are susceptible either to polyphenolic-GSH conjugate-induced toxicity or to quinone and reactive oxygen species-induced toxicity. Polyphenolic-GSH conjugates therefore contribute to the nephrotoxicity, nephrocarcinogenicity, and neurotoxicity of a variety of polyphenols.
RAFT copolymerization of acid chloride-containing monomers

Controlled copolymerization of acryloyl chloride (AC), methacryloyl chloride (MAC), and vinylbenzoyl chloride (VBC) with styrene via the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process was investigated. Copolymerization was conducted in 1,4-dioxane at 60 °C using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and S-1-dodecyl-S′-(R,R′-dimethyl-R′′-acetic acid) trithiocarbonate as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The reactive copolymer was obtained by precipitating in hexanes. Methyl ester analogues of the reactive polymers were obtained by precipitating in methanol for analytical purposes and their 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography analyses indicated that the best control was achieved for P(S-co-VBC) produced by copolymerization of styrene and VBC. Kinetics of the copolymerization of styrene and VBC was consistent with the RAFT mechanism. Reactive block polymers consisting of the P(S-co-VBC) block were also readily prepared using a macromolecular chain transfer agent. P(S-co-VBC) was successfully functionalized by reaction with alcohols or amines to form ester or amide linkages demonstrating its utility for the postpolymerization modification approach.
A density matrix variational calculation for atomic Be

The ground-state energy of the beryllium atom is calculated using a variational procedure in which the elements of the two-body reduced density matrix (particle–particle matrix) are the variational parameters. It is shown that, for this problem and with the limited number of spin-orbitals used, the trace condition and the simultaneous nonnegativity conditions on the particle–particle, the particle–hole, and the hole–hole matrices form a complete solution to the N-representability problem. The energy obtained is – 14.61425 a.u., practically identical to the value given by a configuration interaction calculation which uses the same states. The effects of weakening the nonnegativity conditions on each of the matrices in turn were also explored.
A comparison on texture classification algorithms for remote sensing data

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems are widely used to inspect underground structures. We have collected GPR images to detect and identify structures beneath rail tracks. Several approaches, including a statistical edge detector and machine learning methods, have been applied to analyze the images. Our results show that the edge detector efficiently enhance the layer boundaries that separate ballast, subballast, and clay. The machine learning approaches are promising means to detect these layers automatically.
Payment for donor kidneys: Pros and cons

Continuous growth of the end stage renal disease population treated by dialysis, outpaces deceased donor kidneys available, lengthens the waiting time for a deceased donor transplant. As estimated by the United States Department of Health & Human Services: ‘17 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.' Strategies to expand the donor pool – public relations campaigns and Drivers' license designation – have been mainly unsuccessful. Although illegal in most nations, and viewed as unethical by professional medical organizations, the voluntary sale of purchased donor kidneys now accounts for thousands of black market transplants. The case for legalizing kidney purchase hinges on the key premise that individuals are entitled to control of their body parts even to the point of inducing risk of life. One approach to expanding the pool of kidney donors is to legalize payment of a fair market price of about $40 000 to donors. Establishing a federal agency to manage marketing and purchase of donor kidneys in collaboration with the United Network for Organ Sharing might be financially self-sustaining as reduction in costs of dialysis balances the expense of payment to donors.
Effect of zeolite on toxicity of ammonia in freshwater sediments: Implications for toxicity identification evaluation procedures

Techniques for reducing ammonia toxicity in freshwater sediments were investigated as part of a project to develop toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) procedures for whole sediments. Although ammonia is a natural constituent of freshwater sediments, pollution can lead to ammonia concentrations that are toxic to benthic invertebrates, and ammonia can also contribute to the toxicity of sediments that contain more persistent contaminants. We investigated the use of amendments of a natural zeolite mineral, clinoptilolite, to reduce concentrations of ammonia in sediment pore water. Zeolites have been widely used for removal of ammonia in water treatment and in aqueous TIE procedures. The addition of granulated zeolite to ammonia-spiked sediments reduced pore-water ammonia concentrations and reduced ammonia toxicity to invertebrates. Amendments of 20% zeolite (v/v) reduced ammonia concentrations in pore water by ≥70% in spiked sediments with ammonia concentrations typical of contaminated freshwater sediments. Zeolite amendments reduced toxicity of ammonia-spiked sediments to three taxa of benthic invertebrates (Hyalella azteca, Lumbriculus variegatus, and Chironomus tentans), despite their widely differing sensitivity to ammonia toxicity. In contrast, zeolite amendments did not reduce acute toxicity of sediments containing high concentrations of cadmium or copper or reduce concentrations of these metals in pore waters. These studies suggest that zeolite amendments, used in conjunction with toxicity tests with sensitive taxa such as H. azteca, may be an effective technique for selective reduction of ammonia toxicity in freshwater sediments.