cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The neutrino as the supersymmetric partner of the majoron

Abstract We show that a supersymmetric extension of the standard SU (2) L ×U(1) model provides a natural framework for spontaneous breakdown of global lepton number symmetry leading to a “doublet” majoron with neutrino as its supersymmetric partner. A characteristic of this model is the appearance of a new contribution to neutrinoless double beta-decay (ββ)0ν mediated by the photino λγ which, however, is negligible for reasonable photino masses. We also predict the existence of a light mass (∼100 keV) scalar boson very weakly coupled to matter.
Energy resources and use : The present situation and possible paths to the future

Recent estimates and forecasts of the oil, gas, coal resources and their reserve/production ratio, nuclear and renewable energy potential, and energy uses are surveyed. The impact of the rapidly growing economies of the highly populated countries, as well as of the concern about global warming, are presented and assessed. A brief discussion of the status and prospects of fossil, nuclear and renewable energy use, and of power generation (including hydrogen, fuel cells, micro power systems, and the futuristic concept of generating power in space for terrestrial use, is given. A brief summary of the energy research effort and budgets in the US, and EU are presented, and ways to resolve the problem of the availability, cost, and sustainability of energy resources alongside the rapidly rising demand are discussed. The author's view of the promising energy research and development (R&D) areas, their potential, foreseen improvements and their time scale, and last year's trends in government funding are presented.
A simplified purification method for AAV variant by polyethylene glycol aqueous two-phase partitioning.

Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) has been widely used for in vivo study and preclinical therapy due to its ability to mediate long-term transgene expression, its lack of pathogenicity and low immunogenicity. It has been found that AAV has more than ten serotypes, which each transfect certain types of cells in the viral infected organ. Current methods for purification of different AAV serotypes utilize CsCl or Iodixanol ultrahigh speed density gradient centrifugation, which is expensive and time consuming. We recently developed a simplified method, PEG/(NH4)2SO4 aqueous two phase partitioning, for purification of AAV serotype 2 and 8. The method does not require ultrahigh speed gradient centrifugation or chromatography. Here we further explore the simplified method for purification of other serotypes of AAV, serotype 6 and 9. This simplified method not only can be used to purify serotype 2 and 8, but also serotype 6 and 9, indicating that a variety of AAV serotypes can be purified by this method.
What are pregnant women eating? Nutrient and food group differences by race.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify foods that contributed most to nutrient and fiber intake in a sample of pregnant women in North Carolina. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study of women in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (n = 2247 women). Dietary information during the second trimester was collected with the use of a food frequency questionnaire. The contribution of each food item to the population's intake was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, low nutrient-dense foods were major contributors to energy, fat, and carbohydrates, whereas fortified foods were important sources of iron, folate, and vitamin C. The median energy intake for this population was 2478 kcal. The median dietary intakes of iron were below the recommended levels. Although black women consumed more calories on average, white women, after energy adjustment, consumed greater amounts of protein, iron, folate, and fiber. CONCLUSION: These data emphasize the importance of evaluating both the nutrient density in the diet and the frequency of consumption in the assessment of the diets of pregnant women. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:480-6.)
Influence of dietary selenium on tissue selenium levels in turkeys.

Abstract To study the influence of dietary supplements of selenium on tissue selenium levels, duplicate groups of 20 Broad Breasted White turkeys were fed practical diets alone or supplemented with 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m. Se as Na2SeO3. The concentration of naturally occurring selenium in the basal starting and finishing rations was 0.20 and 0.13 p.p.m. respectively. Selenium analyses were performed on samples of blood, liver, breast muscle and leg muscle obtained at 14 and 20 weeks of age. Supplemental selenium did not change the level of selenium in any of the tissues studied, nor did it affect weight gains. The concentration of selenium in blood and muscle was approximately 0.2 p.p.m. and ranged from 0.6 to 0.7 p.p.m. in liver. The results indicate that supplementing diets containing marginal levels of Se with 0.2 p.p.m. Se as Na2SeO3 does not lead to accumulation of Se in the tissues.
Response to nonprescription epinephrine inhaler during nocturnal asthma.

Background Many health care professionals believe that a nonprescription epinephrine metered-dose inhaler is less effective and shorter acting and has more cardiovascular adverse effects than prescription β 2 -agonists. Objective To determine if increasing the epinephrine dose improves efficacy safely. Methods Eight patients with nocturnal asthma (age range, 20-46 years) were treated in a randomized, crossover manner on 2 different nights while sleeping in a clinical research center. On awakening from asthma symptoms, 2, 4, and 8 actuations of epinephrine or albuterol were administered at 17-minute intervals (14 cumulative actuations). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), asthma symptoms, and systemic effects were measured before the first dose, during the 9- to 17-minute period after each dose, and 30 minutes after the last dose. Results The mean ± SD FEV 1 at the onset of symptoms was 45% ± 11% and 44% ± 12% predicted before epinephrine and albuterol, respectively, and increased to a maximum of 86% ± 11% and 93% ± 10%, respectively ( P = .04). Symptoms decreased as FEV 1 improved and did not return after either treatment; 6 patients were symptom free after 14 cumulative actuations of epinephrine compared with 6 cumulative actuations of albuterol. Heart rate decreased to 71 ± 10/min after epinephrine but increased to 92 ± 14/min after albuterol ( P = .001). After the last dose, serum potassium concentration was 3.6 ± 0.3 μmol/L after epinephrine and 3.2 ± 0.4 μmol/L after albuterol ( P = .01). Conclusion Epinephrine was nearly as effective as albuterol in terminating an acute episode of airway obstruction but without cardiovascular effects in these otherwise healthy young adults.
Exocrine secretions of bees : VI. Unsaturated ketones and aliphatic esters in the Dufour's gland secretion ofDufourea novaeangliae (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).

The volatile components of the Dufour's gland extracts ofDufourea novaeangliae were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The following were identified: a series of five bis-homologous unsaturated ketones ranging from C10 to C18, a series of nine bis-homologous hexanoates ranging from C8 to C24, a series of three bis-homologous octanoates ranging from C8 to C12, and hexanoic, hexadecanoic, and octadecanoic acids. The ketones are all new natural products reported for bees. Several of these unsaturated ketones were also identified in extracts of the provision masses from their nest cells. Male mandibular gland extracts contained citral.
On the yield stress anomaly in stoichiometric FeAl

Abstract A vacancy-hardening model has recently been proposed to explain the yield stress anomaly in FeAl (George and Baker, Philos. Mag. (1997) in press) in which the yield stress rise with increasing temperature at intermediate temperatures is associated with frictional drag of vacancies on dislocations, whereas its fall at high temperatures is ascribed to dislocation creep. One implication of the model is that the yield anomaly should be observable even in stoichiometric FeAl (where it has not yet been seen) by rapid straining. Here, we report on compression tests on both polycrystals and single crystals of stoichiometric FeAl as a function of temperature and strain rate, and show that this prediction was borne out, i.e. at a strain rate of 1.6 s−1 a yield peak was observed, whereas at a strain rate of 1×10−4 s−1 a slow decrease in yield stress was observed with increasing temperature.
Multi-group measurement invariance of the multiple sclerosis walking scale-12?

Objective: One primary assumption underlying the interpretation of composite multiple sclerosis walking scale-12 (MSWS-12) scores across levels of disability status is multi-group measurement invariance. This assumption was tested in the present study between samples that differed in self-reported disability status. Method: Participants (n = 867) completed a battery of questionnaires that included the MSWS-12 and patient-determined disease step (PDDS) scale. The multi-group invariance was tested between samples that had PDDS scores of ⩽2 (i.e. no mobility limitation; n = 470) and PDDS scores ⩾3 (onset of mobility limitation; n = 397) using Mplus 6·0. Results: The omnibus test of equal covariance matrices indicated that the MSWS-12 was not invariant between the two samples that differed in disability status. The source of non-invariance occurred with the initial equivalence test of the factor structure itself. Conclusion: We provide evidence that questions the unambiguous interpretation of scores from the ...
The apical membrane glycocalyx of MDCK cells.

The microenvironment near the apical membrane of MDCK cells was studied by quantitation of the fluorescence of wheat germ agglutin attached to fluorescein (WGA). WGA was shown to bind to sialic acid residues attached to galactose at the α-2,3 position in the glycocalyx on the apical membrane. Young MDCK cells (5–8 days after splitting) showed a patchy distribution of WGA at stable sites that returned to the same locations after removal of sialic acid residues by neuraminidase treatment. Other lectins also showed stable binding to patches on the apical membrane of young cells. The ratio of WGA fluorescence emission at two excitation wavelengths was used to measure near-membrane pH. The near-membrane pH was markedly acidic to the pH 7.4 bathing solution in both young and older cells (13–21 days after splitting). Patches on the apical membrane of young cells exhibited a range of near-membrane pH values with a mean ±sem of 6.86 ± 0.04 (n= 121) while the near-membrane pH of older cells was 6.61 ± 0.04 (n= 120) with a uniform WGA distribution. We conclude that the distribution of lectin binding sites in young cells reflects the underlying nonrandom location of membrane proteins in the apical membrane and that nonuniformities in the pH of patches may indicate regional differences in membrane acid-base transport as well as in the location of charged sugars in the glycocalyx.
TOLERANCE DESIGN THROUGH VARIANCE TRANSMISSION EQUATIONS

The quality of a system for any given function is affected by the variability of the output response related to that function. The variation of the output response is typically an aggregate of many variations from components of the system. In order to study how the variation of the components is transmitted to the output response, it is desirable to derive variance transmission equation (VTE) that describes the variance structure between components and the response. Based on the availability of system transfer function (STF) for a given function or application, three approaches are discussed to develop the variance transmission equation: Taylor series approximation, response surface model, and design of experiments methods. The developed variance transmission equation is incorporated in the tolerance design model that is used to find an economic balance between the desired quality and the cost associated with variance. Using a case study for a passive filter network, we illustrate how to improve the quality of a device using tolerance design through variance transmission equation. The results demonstrate the quality improvement of the system using the proposed economic optimization model.
Sustainable strategic management: an evolutionary perspective

In this paper, we familiarise the readers with some of the important ideas, practices and research that have contributed to the continuing integration of sustainability into the theory and practice of strategic management. In doing so, we present an in depth look at the term, Sustainable Strategic Management (SSM), as it has evolved from a rudimentary idea to a mature framework for managing business organisations in the 21st century. We examine some of the foundation contributions of early management pioneers. We then examine the concept of SSM as it has evolved from its simple competitiveness-advantage roots to its more mature doing-well-by-doing-good corporate strategies of today. Finally, we conclude by presenting an enterprise-strategy-based model of SSM designed to guide organisations as they attempt to integrate SSM at the corporate, competitive and functional strategy levels now and into the future.
Multiscale thermal device modeling using diffusion in the Boltzmann Transport Equation

Abstract Thermal modeling of some nano-scale devices requires attention to multiple length scales and physical phenomena, ranging from continuum level heat diffusion to atomic-scale interactions and phonon confinement. At the nanometer-scale, thermal phenomena such as ballistic phonon transport may be important. The present paper uses a multiscale thermal modeling approach including diffusion in the Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) to study heat transport in several applications like Silicon on Insulator transistors, Si thin films with heat pulse, a Si thin film sandwiched between two bulk layers of Silicon dioxide as in solar cells. Analytical solutions of both a multilayered Fourier model and a simple gray BTE with and without a diffusion term in the steady state are computed. Thermal modeling and analysis of some of these applications is performed using the COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software package. The BTE model with and without diffusion for multilayers is discussed for interface conditions involving reflectance and transmittance of phonons. The results obtained from the models are compared to existing published results for Si/Si, Si/Diamond layers and are found to be in good agreement.
Sphk1 Expression and Survival Outcomes in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an important mediator of apoptosis and the proliferation of cancer cells. It is upregulated in cells showing increasing radioresistance. Here we present the correlation between SphK1 expression and survival outcomes in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity. A retrospective chart review was performed between January 2009 and August 2010 at the University of Southern California. Patients diagnosed with an advanced-stage primary tumor restricted to the oral cavity and a minimum follow-up of two years were included. Patients who did not receive post-operative radiation therapy were excluded. Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria with 10 (55.6%) patients demonstrating high expression of SphK1 and 8 (44.4%) patients demonstrating a low-to-moderate expression of SphK1. Tumor recurrence occurred in 9 patients (50.0%): 5 patients (27.8%) in the SphK1high cohort at a mean time to progression of 2.5 mo and 4 patients (22.2%) in the SphK1low cohort at a mean time to progression of 11.0 mo (p = 0.023). Death occurred in 8 patients (66.7%) in the SphK1high cohort and 3 patients (16.7%) in the SphK1low cohort (p = 0.036). Higher expression of SphK1 correlates with greater radioresistance and poorer survival outcomes in patients with HNSCC of the oral cavity.
Distribution‐free statistical intervals via ranked‐set sampling

The author shows how to construct distribution-free statistical intervals from ranked-set sampling. He considers the cases of confidence, tolerance, and prediction intervals. He shows how to compute their coverage probabilities and he compares their performance to that of intervals based on simple random sampling. He finds that the ranked-set sampling-based intervals are at least as good as their classical counterpart in most settings of interest, although the nature of the advantage depends on the type of interval considered. Intervalles statistiques libres obtenus par echantrillonnage L'auteur montre comment construire des intervalles statistiques libres a partir d'un echantrillon. Il traite des cas des intervalles de confiance, de tolerance et de prevision. Il montre comment calculer leur probabilite de couverture et il compare leur performance a celle des intervalles fondes sur l'echantillonnage aleatoire simple. Il conclut que les intervalles deduits d'un echantrillon sont au moins aussi bons que leur pendant classique dans la plupart des cas d'interět, quoique la nature des gains qu'ils procurent depende du type d'intervalle considere.
Echocardiographic Estimation of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Utility of Right Heart Doppler Measurements

UNLABELLED The ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity divided by the velocity-time integral of right ventricular outflow tract pulsed-wave Doppler tracing (TRV/VTI(RVOT) ) has been used to estimate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). However, this method has not been validated in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We assessed the utility of TRV/VTI(RVOT) in patients with CTEPH and PVR from 2 to 20 WU. All had right heart catheterization (RHC) within 2 days of echocardiography. TRV/VTI(RVOT) was calculated and RHC-derived pressures, PVR, and cardiac outputs were recorded. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was 47 ± 12 mmHg, cardiac output: 4.2 ± 1.1 L/min, PVR: 9 ± 4 WU, right atrial pressure: 12 ± 6 mmHg. Mean VTI(RVOT) was 13 ± 5 cm; mean TRV was 4.2 ± 0.8 m/s, mean tricuspid regurgitation severity was 2.5 ± 0.8 (1 = trace, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe). Regression analysis demonstrated a correlation between RHC PVR and TRV/VTI(RVOT) : PVR = 19.4 × (TRV/VTI(RVOT) ) + 2.4 (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). However, Bland-Altman analysis found a poor degree of agreement between echo-derived PVR and RHC PVR. We also studied 28 patients with non-CTEPH pulmonary hypertension. Similar analysis revealed a regression equation of PVR = 20.1 × (TRV/VTIR(RVOT) ) + 0.3 (r = 0.57, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION TRV/VTI(RVOT) is only marginally useful for estimating PVR in CTEPH (r = 0.74). Moreover, the regression equation in CTEPH differs significantly from previous studies in pulmonary hypertension. Reasons for this may include the markedly elevated PVR levels in this population and specific effects on VTI(RVOT) from CTEPH.
Phylogeography of Four Frog Species in Forest Fragments of Northeastern Brazil—A Preliminary Study

I contrast mitochondrial DNA genealogies based on 612 bp of the cytochrome b gene across four co-distributed species of frogs in Northeastern Brazil. They are Hyla albomarginata, Hyla branneri, Proceratophrys boiei, and Scinax nebulosus. Samples were collected from the core or edge of six rainforest remnants in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas. Three fragments are located within the humid Atlantic Forest morphoclimatic domain (municipalities of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Ibateguara, and Jaqueira), two are located in the transition zone between the Atlantic Forest domain and the semi-arid Caatinga (Caruaru and Timbauba), and one is found within the Caatinga (Brejo da Madre de Deus). Results show that local patterns and levels of genetic diversity are influenced by taxon-specific habitat requirements. Populations of the montane, closed-canopy species P. boiei show strong geographical structure, reflecting barriers to gene flow that predate human-driven habitat destruction. Species occurring along forest edges, such as H. albomarginata and S. nebulosus, show genetic patterns similar to those of P. boiei, but lower levels of genetic divergence. The more generalist Hyla branneri shows no geographic pattern. The data are in agreement with distribution and fossil data gathered for other groups of organisms, suggesting that mesic forests occupied the currently arid Caatinga in the recent past.
Practical design, simulation, and prototype of a hot bar blade for printed circuit board soldering

Abstract According to production records and field tests in the cellular phone industry, the existing hot bar blade design has two defects: (1) temperature distributions along the edge of the hot bar blade are non-uniform during the heating and soldering processes; and (2) the blade cannot reach the desired temperature and temperature increase rate. The direct result of these problems is poor quality of the soldered printed circuit board. In this research, the heat transfer process along the blade edge during the heating and soldering processes was modeled using conduction and convection equations. The equations were solved based on the initial and boundary conditions from real production. The manufacturing process was simulated by using the finite element method. Simulation results have shown that in the heating process the temperature difference along the blade edge is up to 100°C for the existing blade design. The new design of the hot bar blade was based on the simulation and analysis results and then improved using computer-aided design. The simulation results have shown that the uniformity of the temperature distribution of the new blade has been improved greatly. The temperature distribution difference is less than 15°C in the heating process, and the temperature increase rate meets the technical requirement. Several prototypes of the newly designed hot bar blade were manufactured and tested on the cellular phone production line. The results have shown that measured data were in good accordance with simulation results, and the new design can improve product qualities and raise productivity. The proposed methods used in the modeling, simulation, design, and testing of the hot bar blade can also be applied to other similar processes.
catena-Poly[zinc-μ(3)-{3,3'-[(1,7-dioxa-4,10-diaza-cyclo-dodecane-4,10-di-yl)bis-(methyl-ene)]dibenzoato}].

The ZnII ion in the title compound, [Zn(C24H28N2O6)]n, is located on a twofold rotation axis and is at the midpoint of a crown-4 moiety of 3,3′-[(1,7-dioxa-4,10-diaza­cyclo­dodecane-4,10-di­yl)bis­(methyl­ene)]dibenzoate anion. It is octahedrally coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms of the crown moiety from one ligand and two carboxyl­ate O atoms from two bridging intra-chain ligands. Metallomacrocyclic rings are identified in the structure. The metallomacrocycle contains two ZnII ions and 14 atoms from the bridging ligands. Repetition of these units gives rise to an infinite zigzag chain along [101]. C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur.
Competitive dopamine receptor antagonists increase the equiactive cocaine concentration during self-administration.

Competitive dopamine receptor antagonists increase the rate of cocaine self-administration. As the rate of self-administration at a particular unit dose is determined by the satiety threshold and the elimination half-life (t1/2) of cocaine, we investigated whether dopamine receptor antagonists altered these parameters. The plasma cocaine concentration at the time of each self-administration was constant during a session demonstrating that this satiety threshold concentration represents an equiactive cocaine concentration. The plasma cocaine concentration at the time of self-administration was increased by {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390, consistent with pharmacological theory. In rats trained to reliably self-administer cocaine, {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390 had no effect on the plasma steady-state cocaine concentration produced by constant infusions of cocaine. Therefore, this antagonist had no effect on cocaine t1/2 at a dose that accelerated cocaine self-administration. A continuous cocaine infusion at a rate that maintained steady state concentrations above the satiety threshold stopped self-administration. {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390, or the D2 dopamine receptor antagonist (−) eticlopride, reinstated self-administration in the presence of the constant cocaine infusion. This is consistent with {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390 and eticlopride raising the satiety threshold above the steady state level produced by the constant cocaine infusion. It is concluded that the antagonist-induced acceleration of cocaine self-administration is the result of a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction whereby the rate of cocaine elimination is faster at the higher concentrations, as dictated by first-order kinetics, so that cocaine levels decline more rapidly to the elevated satiety threshold. This results in the decreased inter-injection intervals.
Two directional delayed compliance in the canine abdominal aorta.

Le module statique elastique et l'extensibilite (compliance) retardee de l'aorte abdominale du chien est une fonction des tensions tangentielle et longitudinale; ces deux variables predominant dans la direction tangentielle. On a constate que l'extensibilite etait egale au rapport du module pour les frequences elevees.
Molecular dynamics simulation of a high-affinity antibody-protein complex: the binding site is a mosaic of locally flexible and preorganized rigid regions.

One nanosecond molecular dynamic (MD) simulation of anti-hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) antibody HyHEL63 (HH63) complexed with HEL reveals rigid and flexible regions of the HH63 binding site. Fifty conformations, extracted from the MD trajectory at regular time intervals were superimposed on HH63-HEL X-ray crystal structure, and the root mean squared deviations (RMSDs) and deviations in Cα atom positions between the X-ray structure and the MD conformer were measured. Residue positions showing the large deviations in both light chain and heavy chain of the antibody were same in all the MD conformers. The residue positions showing smallest deviations were same for all the conformers in the case of light chain, whereas relatively variable in the heavy chain. Positions of large and small deviations fell in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), for both heavy and light chains. The larger deviations were in CDR-2 of light and CDR-1 of heavy chain. Smaller deviations were in CDR-3 of light and CDR-2 and CDR-3 of heavy chains. The large and small deviating regions highlight flexible and rigid regions of HH63 binding site and suggest a mosaic binding mechanism, including both “induced fit” and preconfigured “lock-and-key” type of binding. Combined “induced fit” and “lock-and-key” binding would be a better definition for the formation of large complexes, which bury larger surface area on binding, as in the case of antibody-HEL complex. We further show that flexible regions, comprising mostly charged and polar residues, form intermolecular interactions with HEL, whereas rigid regions do not. Electrostatic complementarity between HH63 and HEL also imply optimized binding affinity. Flexible and rigid regions of a high-affinity antibody are selected during the affinity maturation of the antibody and have specific functional significance. The functional importance of local inherently flexible regions is to establish intermolecular contacts or they play a key role in molecular recognition, whereas local rigid regions provide the structural framework.
Thermal redesign of the Galileo spacecraft for a VEEGA trajectory

In the aftermath of the Challenger tragedy, the May 1986 Shuttle/Centaur Launch of the Galileo spacecraft was postponed. The subsequent cancellation of the Centaur upper-stage program forced a redesign of the flight trajectory to Jupiter, from a direct trajectory, to a Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist (VEEGA) trajectory on the lower energy two-stage Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). This trajectory would only be viable, however, if the spacecraft thermal design could be modified to withstand the nearly threefold increase in peak solar irradiance. A preliminary study indicated that the addition of sunshades and the generous exterior application of second-surface aluminized Kapton for reflecting high percentages of incident solar irradiation would be an adequate "hardening" of the spacecraft's pre-existing thermal protection system, provided that sun pointing at the relatively higher solar irradiance levels could be maintained. This article chronicles the general system-level thermal redesign effort from the start of feasibility studies to its final implementation. It is the first of three articles about the thermal design of the Galileo spacecraft.
Preparation and properties of r.f.-sputtered polymer-metal thin films

Abstract The ability to produce polymer-metal thin films by co-sputtering from a composite target was investigated using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Teflon) and Ekonol polymers. The preparation of PTFE-metal thin films by sputtering was found to be limited by target cross-contamination possibly caused by negative ion re-sputtering processes. The Ekonol-metal films were found to have microstructure and conductivity properties similar to other metal-insulator composites.
The impact of economic openness on standard of living and income inequality in eight countries

Abstract Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, many Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) have opened their doors for international capital flows, but sudden capital outflows caused economic recessions in these countries, leaving more people unemployed and raising poverty concerns. On the other hand, foreign capital financed more domestic investment, causing economic expansion and growth; with more job opportunities poverty could be reduced. This paper follows this theory and examines how standards of living and income inequality change across business cycle phases in eight EMEs.
Pathologic prion protein infects cells by lipid-raft dependent macropinocytosis.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, including variant-Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathies in cattle, are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by protein misfolding of the host cellular prion protein (PrPC) to the infectious scrapie form (PrPSc). However, the mechanism that exogenous PrPSc infects cells and where pathologic conversion of PrPC to the PrPSc form occurs remains uncertain. Here we report that similar to the mechanism of HIV-1 TAT-mediated peptide transduction, processed mature, full length PrP contains a conserved N-terminal cationic domain that stimulates cellular uptake by lipid raft-dependent, macropinocytosis. Inhibition of macropinocytosis by three independent means prevented cellular uptake of recombinant PrP; however, it did not affect recombinant PrP cell surface association. In addition, fusion of the cationic N-terminal PrP domain to a Cre recombinase reporter protein was sufficient to promote both cellular uptake and escape from the macropinosomes into the cytoplasm. Inhibition of macropinocytosis was sufficient to prevent conversion of PrPC to the pathologic PrPSc form in N2a cells exposed to strain RML PrPSc infected brain homogenates, suggesting that a critical determinant of PrPC conversion occurs following macropinocytotic internalization and not through mere membrane association. Taken together, these observations provide a cellular mechanism that exogenous pathological PrPSc infects cells by lipid raft dependent, macropinocytosis.
Derivation and application of an expert fuzzy optimal control system

Abstract This paper presents derivation of a fuzzy optimal controller which may be used to develop a knowledge based expert control system for supervising and tuning of conventional feedback control loops. A general theory, based on the conceptual framework for optimization in a fuzzy environment, is presented for the development of linear and nonlinear fuzzy optimal control systems. This technique is based on integration of the optimal control theorem and fuzzy variables. The resulting expert controller is expressed in the form of linguistic fuzzy rules, representing the knowledge base for tuning of the feedback control loops. Tuning inferences are made from the response of local feedback control loops by applying the compositional rule of inference to the knowledge base.
Induction of kappa transcription by interferon-gamma without activation of NF-kappa B

The induction of immunoglobulin kappa light chain expression in 70Z/3 pre-B cells treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) requires the activation of the B cell-specific factor NF-kappa B, which binds to the kappa enhancer motif, GGGACTTTCC. This sequence alone can function as a tissue-specific enhancer for LPS-induced gene expression. A potent inhibitor of B lymphopoiesis [transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)] was used to explore the mechanisms in the activation of kappa transcription by LPS and by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). TGF-beta inhibited LPS-induced kappa transcription but not the activation and in vitro binding of NF-kappa B. This indicates that NF-kappa B activation, while necessary, is not sufficient for LPS-induced kappa transcription. TGF-beta had no effect on IFN-gamma-induced kappa transcription, and NF-kappa B was not activated by IFN-gamma. These results reveal that LPS and IFN-gamma activate transcription through different mechanisms.
Effect of Correlation in the Peierls-Hubbard Model Small Cluster Studies

The effect of Coulomb interaction in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for polyacetylene is studied by means of exact diagonalization of small clusters. We determine the amplitude of the ground-state dimerization very precisely to find that it has a maximum at U/t 0 ∼2 or 3. This result is compared with the previous calculations. For the excitation spectrum it is shown that the gap for the lowest singlet excitation is roughly twice larger than that for the triplet excitation. This is interpreted in terms of a two-spinon bound state. The results in the large- U region are examined in the spin-Peierls Hamiltonian
Cotton—Mouton constants and electric hyperpolarizabilities for the helium isoelectronic sequence

Abstract The Cotton—Mouton constants and hyperpolarizabilities are evaluated in the coupled Hartree—Fock approximation for members of the helium isoelectronic sequence with nuclear charges in the range 2 to 10 and compared with their values from correlated calculations. A relationship between magnetic and electric-field-gradient induced birefringences is derived for spherical molecules.
Air flow in reptilian ventilation

Abstract Ventilatory air flow was measured at the nostrils of unrestrained representatives of all major surviving groups of reptiles. 1. 1. Flow is always biphasic (out-in-pause) in resting, undisturbed reptiles. 2. 2. Rib movements do not necessarily reflect flow. 3. 3. Flow may become triphasic (out-in-out-pause) in excited animals. 4. 4. Previous reports of triphasic flow during reptilian ventilation probably reflect misinterpretation of strain gauge records, use of excited animals, and utilization of closed manometric (Kopfkappe) systems (known to induce artifacts).
Hyperglycemia Control of the Nil Per Os Patient in the Intensive Care Unit: Introduction of a Simple Subcutaneous Insulin Algorithm:

Background: Diabetes patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and either nil per os, on enteral feedings, or on total parenteral nutrition are often treated with sliding-scale insulin (despite lack of evidence showing benefit) or intravenous insulin (IVI) infusion, a nursing intensive procedure requiring hourly glucose measurements, and insulin rate adjustments. We introduced a subcutaneous insulin algorithm (SQIA) that would equal the glucose goals for IVI but have the simplicity of q4 hour adjustable sliding-scale insulin. Methods: As part of a quality improvement project, we developed a simple SQIA that titrates insulin to the requirements of the individual patient. Glucoses were monitored q4 h and SQ rapid-acting insulin administered based on both the previous insulin dose and current glucose level. Fourteen consecutive hyperglycemic patients admitted to ICU-A were placed on the SQIA. Glucose and insulin data were also obtained on 18 patients in an identical ICU-B who were treated with the usual IVI protocol, which is q1–2 h. Results:
Wound-Dressers and House Calls: Medical Representations in Whitman and Williams

Examines Whitman's attitudes toward wounded bodies and argues that "dressing a wound, and writing a poem about dressing a wound (are) equivalent acts in Whitman's imagination"; compares Whitman's emphasis on the "rescuing" function of poetry to William Carlos Williams' emphasis on "defamiliarization" of habits of perception of the body in Spring and All.
Normative Values for the KOOS and WOMAC in a Young Athletic Population: History of Knee Ligament Injury Is Associated With Lower Scores

Background:The use of patient-reported outcome measures to assess clinical outcomes after injury and surgery has become common in treating young athletes with orthopaedic injuries; however, normative data for these measures are limited and often include a wide range of ages and activity levels.Purpose:To provide normative data for the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) in a young and athletic population, and to compare scores between participants with a history of knee ligament injury and those with no history.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:We administered the KOOS and WOMAC to 1177 college freshmen entering the United States Military Academy in June 2011. All participants were healthy and had been medically screened to meet the physical induction standards for military service. We calculated means, standard deviations, percentiles, ranges, and interquartile ranges for the KOOS and...
GeAs sulfide glasses with unusually low network connectivity

Abstract As-rich, S-deficient GeAsS glasses with compositions ranging from 1% to 15% Ge, 40% to 59% As and 35% to 47% S were synthesized. Within this field, glasses with Ge content ⩽5% were found to have physical properties that resemble those of organic polymers, including low glass transition temperature (⩽50 °C) and unusually high thermal expansion coefficient (∼100 ppm/°C). Raman spectroscopy has revealed that their structure is dominated by molecular As4S3 species. Despite their high nominal average coordination number, these materials are good examples of zero-dimensional network glasses, as the constituent As4S3 clusters clearly do not contribute towards network connectivity. To rationalize the properties of these inorganic molecular glasses with predictions based on constraint-counting theory, the usual procedure for calculating 〈r〉 must be modified in order to account for the presence of such molecular species.
Frequency demodulation-aided condition monitoring for drivetrain gearboxes

Condition monitoring and fault diagnosis (CMFD) of drivetrain gearboxes has become a prominent challenge in assorted industries. Current-based diagnostic techniques have significant advantages over traditional vibration-based techniques in terms of accessibility, cost, implementation and reliability. This paper proposes a current-based, frequency demodulation-aided CMFD method for drivetrain gearboxes. A mathematical model is developed for a drivetrain consisting of a two-stage gearbox and a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), from which the characteristic frequencies of gearbox faults in the PMSG stator current are derived. An adaptive signal resampling method is proposed to convert the variable fault characteristic frequencies to constant values for the drivetrain running at variable speed conditions. A demodulation method, combining the Hilbert transform, a finite impulse response (FIR) differentiator, and a phase unwrapping algorithm, is developed to extract the instantaneous frequency (IF) patterns that are related to the fault-induced gearbox vibration. A fault detector is proposed for diagnosis of gearbox faults using statistical analysis on the extracted fault signatures. Experimental studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Calculation of the stability ball for discrete-time control systems

The stability of a discrete-time control system subject to structured perturbations is studied. The coefficients of the closed-loop characteristic polynomial of the system are assumed to be affine functions of a set of real plant parameters. The closed-loop characteristic polynomial is rewritten as a linear combination of polynomials, and, using these polynomials, the minimum l/sub 2/ variation of parameter values before the characteristic polynomial becomes unstable is calculated. >
Making the web easier to see with opportunistic accessibility improvement

Many people would find the Web easier to use if content was a little bigger, even those who already find the Web possible to use now. This paper introduces the idea of opportunistic accessibility improvement in which improvements intended to make a web page easier to access, such as magnification, are automatically applied to the extent that they can be without causing negative side effects. We explore this idea with oppaccess.js, an easily-deployed system for magnifying web pages that iteratively increases magnification until it notices negative side effects, such as horizontal scrolling or overlapping text. We validate this approach by magnifying existing web pages 1.6x on average without introducing negative side effects. We believe this concept applies generally across a wide range of accessibility improvements designed to help people with diverse abilities.
An intelligent facility planning adviser

Abstract The problem of facility planning and allocation of floor space to specific functional work groups in an industrial environment requires many different pieces of information to be considered. In order to reduce the complexity of the problem-solving task and to achieve a reasonable decision in a timely manner, facility planning is often based on extensive general and approximate knowledge of the data required and a lot of experience with the given facilities, workgroups, products, and processes. In order to make more accessible the data needed to make decisions concerning use of facilities, as well as to support execution of a formal and effective methodology for handling the wide variety of activities concerned with the problem of facility planning, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system, called the Intelligent Facility Planning Advisor, has been under development for the Air Force Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. This paper describes the first two components developed for this system, called the Intelligent Floor Allocation Advisor and the Intelligent Department Level Layout Planning Advisor.
Methodology of validation of criteria for SLE.

The 1971 preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were revised and updated to incorporate new immunological knowledge and improve disease classification. The 1982 revised criteria include fluorescence antinuclear antibody (FANA) and antibody to native DNA and Sm antigen. Some criteria involving the same organ systems were aggregated into single criteria. Raynaud's phenomenon and alopecia were not included because of low sensitivity and specificity. The new criteria were 96% sensitive and 96% specific when tested with SLE and control patient data gathered from 18 participating clinics. When compared with the 1971 criteria, the 1982 revised criteria showed gains in sensitivity and specificity. Development of criteria sets is inherently circular, since the standard of evaluation must consist of the clinical diagnosis. Validation of the diagnosis over time can reduce but not eliminate the circularity. Selection of controls also influences sensitivity and specificity an...
Radiant emission from high temperature equilibrium air

Abstract We first outline the theoretical basis for our calculations of the spectral radiance of equilibrium air. The source of and in some cases, possible discrepancies in the input parameters and approximations involved in the calculations are next discussed briefly. In the resultant figures we display (1) the frequency-dependent radiance of the various species individually and summed over all species for various temperatures and densities, (2) the frequency-dependent total radiation as a function of density for a particular temperature, and (3) the constituent and total radiation as a function of temperature for various densities and as a function of density for various temperatures. The temperature range considered was from 3000–9000°K, and the relative density ranged from one-thousandth normal to one hundred times normal.
Human neuroblastoma cells and 13-cis-retinoic acid.

To a limited extent, we corroborated a previous report of human neuroblastoma sensitivity to 13-cis-retinoic acid. Seven cultured human neuroblastoma, two primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and one melanoma cell line were exposed to 0.001 to 10.0 o M 13-cis-retinoic acid for six to fourteen days. The neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-DZ, was the only cell line lysed by all concentrations of 13-cis-retinoic acid. The other cell lines were refractory to concentrations as high as 10 µM. Increased cell process formation was observed in three neuroblastoma, SK-N-SH, SK-N-BE, SK-N-LE, and one melanoma cell line. We conclude that sensitivity to 13-cis-retinoic acid is unevenly distributed among histogenetically similar tumors from different patients.
Late-night Iraq: Monologue joke content and tone from 2003 to 2007

The current study examines late-night comedy about the war in Iraq. Specifically, a content analysis was conducted to examine late-night comedy jokes from March 2003 to March 2007. Results indicate jokes told (N = 986) about Iraq were anti-war, had a negative tone, and depicted the U.S. government negatively. The most common type of comedy employed to discuss Iraq was informative. The topics discussed in the jokes varied. The study also found differences in comedian ideology (anti-war), tone, and depiction of the U.S. government over time.
The origin of the RNA world : Co-evolution of genes and metabolism

Discoveries demonstrating that RNA can serve genetic, catalytic, structural, and regulatory roles have provided strong support for the existence of an RNA World that preceded the origin of life as we know it. Despite the appeal of this idea, it has been difficult to explain how macromolecular RNAs emerged from small molecules available on the early Earth. We propose here a mechanism by which mutual catalysis in a pre-biotic network initiated a progression of stages characterized by ever larger and more effective catalysts supporting a proto-metabolic network, and the emergence of RNA as the dominant macromolecule due to its ability to both catalyze chemical reactions and to be copied in a template-directed manner. This model suggests that many features of modern life, including the biosynthetic pathways leading to simple metabolites, the structures of organic and metal ion cofactors, homochirality, and template-directed replication of nucleic acids, arose long before the RNA World and were retained as pre-biotic systems became more sophisticated.