cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On buoyancy driven mixing by volumetric microwave energy deposition

Abstract Investigation of buoyancy driven mixing by volumetric energy deposition is of particular interest to inertial confinement fusion research. This contribution describes a new microwave facility and an experiment to study buoyancy driven mixing of miscible fluids by volumetric energy deposition. A light weakly-polar fluid initially rested on top of a heavier and higher polarity fluid. As the fluid system was subjected to microwave radiation, less microwave energy was deposited into the weakly-polar fluid than the higher polarity fluid; thus, the bottom fluid was preferentially heated, and its density decreased due to thermal expansion. With continued microwave heating, the density of the bottom fluid dropped below the density of the upper fluid, creating a Rayleigh–Taylor unstable configuration, and, subsequently, buoyancy driven mixing. The miscible pair of toluene and tetrahydrofuran was chosen for the volumetric energy deposition experiments presented. Initially, single fluid microwave heating experiments, for which the source term in the heat equation was varied by variations in the fluid volume, were performed to provide calibration of a mathematical model. The model provided a prediction of the neutral stability point of the system, which facilitated experimental design and understanding. Measurements of the mixing layer width from this two-fluid mixing experiment are compared with results from a self-similar analysis of the governing equations.
Influences of Social and Style Variables on Adult Usage of African American English Features

Purpose In this study, the authors examined the influences of selected social (gender, employment status, educational achievement level) and style variables (race of examiner, interview topic) on the production of African American English (AAE) by adults. Method Participants were 50 African American men and women, ages 20–30 years. The authors used Rapid and Anonymous Survey (RAS) methods to collect responses to questions on informal situational and formal message-oriented topics in a short interview with an unacquainted interlocutor. Results Results revealed strong systematic effects for academic achievement, but not gender or employment status. Most features were used less frequently by participants with higher educational levels, but sharp declines in the usage of 5 specific features distinguished the participants differing in educational achievement. Strong systematic style effects were found for the 2 types of questions, but not race of addressee. The features that were most commonly used across part...
The Neglected Social Psychology of Institutional Racism

Theories of institutional racism and institutionalized discrimination have been remarkably influential in the understanding of continuing racial inequality and contemporary race relations. These theories and related claims have also been criticized as being improperly conceptualized, employing circular reasoning, neglecting nonracial dimensions of inequality, failing to specify causal mechanisms, and employing questionable inferences and attributions. These issues can be illuminated by critically reviewing how theories of institutional racism and institutionalized discrimination handle issues of social psychology. Issues of social psychology are often treated only minimally or implicitly, and often dismissively. This neglect is the root of many concerns about theories of institutional racism and institutionalized discrimination. Increased attention to and employment of scholarship in social psychology can contribute greatly to an understanding of contemporary racial inequality and race relations that advances both academic interests and practical interests in the evaluation and reform of the institutional practices that perpetuate racial inequality.
Memory: a guide for anaesthetists

Episodic memory is the most 'human' of all memory systems, is integrally related to the hippocampus, and not only permits memories of the past in rich detail, but also allows projection of thoughts into the future. However, episodic memory is very sensitive to anaesthetic drugs and cannot be formed during adequate general anaesthesia. Ablation of episodic memory during consciousness is due to forgetting of memories, rather than inhibition of memory formation. There is a fine balance between being conscious with recollection and conscious with no recollection. A more detailed understanding of episodic memory in relation to other memory systems, as well as the relationship of the hippocampus to episodic memory function is provided. A synthesis of diverse knowledge is undertaken to identify potential mechanisms of amnesic drug effect, which will, of course, require further research to delineate.
Regulation of proliferation of embryonic heart mesenchyme: Role of transforming growth factor-β1 and the interstitial matrix

Proliferation of atrioventricular cushion mesenchyme of the embryonic avian heart maintained in three-dimensional aggregate culture is stimulated by interaction with the interstitial matrix. Chicken serum or transforming growth factor-beta 1, which stimulates proliferation, induces matrix deposition in regions of the aggregate showing high labeling indices with tritiated thymidine. Dispersed heart mesenchyme interstitial matrix introduced into serum-free culture is incorporated into the aggregate and stimulates cellular proliferation similar to serum or transforming growth factor-beta 1. Proliferation is reversibly inhibited by the peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro. It is suggested that transforming growth factor-beta 1 stimulates the production of interstitial matrix and that a sufficient stimulus for proliferation in this system is the presence of the matrix, which acts as the adhesive support for cellular anchorage.
An efficient protocol for radiochromic film dosimetry combining calibration and measurement in a single scan

Purpose: Radiochromic film provides dose measurement at high spatial resolution, but often is not preferred for routine evaluation of patient-specific intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) plans owing to ease-of-use factors. The authors have established an efficient protocol that combines calibration and measurement in a single scan and enables measurement results to be obtained in less than 30 min. This avoids complications due to postexposure changes in radiochromic film that delay the completion of a measurement, often for up to 24 h, in commonly used methods. In addition, the protocol addresses the accuracy and integrity of the measurement by eliminating environmental and interscan variability issues. Methods: The authors collected dose–response data from six production lots of Gafchromic EBT3 film and three production lots of EBT2 film at doses up to 480 cGy. In this work, the authors used seven different scanners of two different models—Epson 10000XL and V700; postexposure times before scanning from 30 min to 9 days; ambient temperatures for scanning spanning 11 °C; and two film orientations. Scanning was in 48-bit RGB format at 72 dpi resolution. Dose evaluation was conducted using a triple-channel dosimetry method. To evaluate the measurement protocol, patient specific IMRT and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were exposed onto EBT3 films on a Varian Trilogy Linac. Film scanning was done following the protocol under a number of different conditions and the dose maps were analyzed to demonstrate the equivalence of results. Results: The results indicated that the dose–response data could be fit by a set of related rational functions leading to the description of a generic calibration curve. A simplified dosimetry protocol was established where dose–response data for a specific film lot, scanner, and scanning conditions could be derived from two films exposed to known doses. In most cases only one calibrated exposure was required since the dose for one of the films could be zero. Using the Gamma test criterion of 2%/2 mm to evaluate the measurements, similar passing rates ranging between about 95% and 99% for the fields studied were obtained from application films digitized under a variety of conditions all of them different than the conditions under which the calibration films were scanned. Conclusions: The authors have developed a simplified and efficient protocol to measure doses delivered by an IMRT or VMAT plan using only the patient film, one calibration film, one unexposed film, and applying a single scan to acquire a digital image for calculation and analysis. The simplification and timesaving offer a potential practical solution for using radiochromic film for routine treatment plan quality assurance without sacrificing spatial resolution for convenience.
Sensitivity of continuous review stochastic (s, S) inventory systems to ordering delays

Abstract This paper examines continuous review stochastic ( s , S ) inventory systems with ordering delays. That is, systems where the difference between the time the order should be placed and the time the order is actually placed is non-trivial. The traditional inventory ordering, holding and penalty costs are included and the average cost for an ( s , S ) policy is developed and examined. Computational results are presented for two cases. In the first case, the manager is aware of the delay and uses the policy that minimizes all costs. We present the increase in cost due to having a delay. In the second case the manager is unaware of the delay and uses the (integer) square root formula. We present the increase in cost due to using the square root formula when it is inappropriate and in fact our computational results indicate that there may very well be a large increase in cost due to being unaware of the ordering delay.
Distribution of corticotectal axons from the caudal part of the anterior ectosylvian sulcus in the cat

Axonal projections from cells in cortex surrounding the caudal part of the anterior ectosylvian sulcus (AES) to the superior colliculus (SC) were examined using anterograde tracers. The projection terminates in the medial two-thirds of the deep layers of SC bilaterally, and appears to be topographically organized, perhaps according to the sensory modality (auditory and visual) represented in the caudal part of AES.
Substrate dependent mobility and strain effects for silicon and SiGe transistor channels with HKMG first stacks

Abstract The impact of compressive and tensile stress on CMOS performance of high-k/metal-gate (HKMG) transistors is studied for 〈1 0 0〉 and 〈1 1 0〉 oriented silicon and SiGe channels. The (1 0 0)/〈1 1 0〉 channel direction is found to be more stress sensitive for both N- and PMOS whereas the (1 0 0)/〈1 0 0〉 oriented transistor has a higher initial hole mobility. These results recommend to use the (1 0 0)/〈1 1 0〉 channel orientation for high performance application due to the high drive current gain and (1 0 0)/〈1 0 0〉 channel orientation for low power/low cost applications where no stress elements are included to ease the overall process complexity and to decrease costs. SOC level test design implementations show consistent yield as well as improved performance.
The effects of workforce strategies on manufacturing operations

Abstract This paper tests the effects of three workforce strategies on a multistage, multiproduct manufacturing system under various operating conditions. These three strategies are those that are predominant in today's world economics. One type is a chase strategy, often used by firms that employ low skilled workers and faced with seasonal product demands, where workforce levels fluctuate according to increases and decreases in production requirements. A level-flexible strategy, commonly called the Toyota system, keeps the aggregate workforce at a constant size but by having flexibly trained workers it can allow transfers of workers between various departments and processes as production requirements dictate. The third major type is a level-inflexible strategy, such as that used on mass-assembly lines employed by American automobile manufacturers. Under this strategy, the number of workers remains constant in each department as well as at the aggregate level regardless of short term changes in the production requirements. The manufacturing system is envisioned as a sequential planning process with interrelated decisions made at the levels of aggregate planning, master production scheduling, and departmental planning. This process is modeled as a zero-one mixed integer program. The operating conditions under which the strategies are tested are the variability of demand, the level of service, and the degree of inventory investment. The strategies are statistically tested as to their effects on five criteria: average weekly workforce size, average quarterly inventory investment, average weekly overtime, total setups and the average weekly ratio of departmental load to capacity. Using four different products and an experimental manufacturing environment described within the paper, we tested for any statistical differences between the three strategies. We found that none of the strategies had significantly different workforce sizes. Also, the chase strategy had the smallest average quarterly inventory investment. This implies that the “Japanese” level-inflexible strategy does not have the smallest workforce or lowest inventory as claimed by some. We also tested the effects of the operating conditions on the workforce strategies. The level-flexible strategy was most insulated from the seasonality, inventory restrictions, and service level. Thus again the claims made for the level-inflexible strategy about being insulated from its environment were not substantiated. It was found that the seasonality of demand had the greatest impact on the three workforce strategies. Also, the level of service greatly affected the utilization of labor resources. The major overall conclusion is that the level-flexible strategy which is associated with some Japanese manufacturing firms does not achieve the claims that some of its adherents have made for it. It does not have the smallest workforce or the lowest inventory nor is it best insulated from its environment. Furthermore, the seasonality of demand and the level of service do effect this strategy.
Separating the Effects of Temperature and Season on Daily Mortality from those of Air Pollution in London: 1965–1972

AbstractMost analyses of the large database of daily mortality and indices of pollution in London, England, have dealt with the confounding influence of ambient temperature and/or season by using empirical adjustment models in the determination of the regression coefficients for the pollutants. The conclusions about the influence of the measured pollutants, that is, aerosol strong acid (H+), sulfur dioxide (SO,), and black smoke (BS), on mortality have varied due, at least in part, to the selection of the form of the temperature/season adjustment model. We have taken an alternate approach to separate the influences of temperature, season, and ambient pollutant levels on daily mortality in Greater London between 1965 and 1972. In each season, the majority of days fell within one or two temperature ranges, within which the daily death rates also fell within narrow ranges. Within these restricted temperature and mortality ranges, preliminary analyses indicated that there were relatively strong associations b...
From the Mountains to the Valleys: Theorizing Gender in Sport Through McIntosh's Interactive Phases

In this paper, Peggy McIntosh's (1983) interactive phase typology is used as a descriptive model within which to characterize contemporary sport with respect to certain gender issues. Sport in the United States is between McIntosh's Phases 3 and 4, and gender issues, although deemed significant, are still seen primarily as women's issues. By extending Sandra Harding's (1991) concept of strong objectivity to sport, a philosophic justification can be derived for developing the nonhierarchic and inclusionary models requisite to a Phase 4 understanding in which sport accommodates the interests of all persons without specific gender considerations. Examples from Mariah Nelson (1991) indicate possibilities for constructing a Phase 5 transfornation of sport through which the appreciation of sport is enhanced and cultural understanding of gender is enriched.
Glycine 122 is essential for cooperativity and binding of Mg2+ to porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase.

Site-directed mutagenesis of an amino acid residue in the substrate binding site of porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was carried out based on the crystal structure of the enzyme (Zhang, Y., Liang, J.-Y., Huang, S., Ke, H., and Lipscomb, W. N.(1993) Biochemistry 32, 1844-1857). A mutant enzyme form of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, G122A, was purified and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism spectrometry (CD), and initial rate kinetics. There were no discernible differences between the secondary structures of the wild-type and the mutant enzyme on the basis of CD data. Altering Gly-122 to alanine caused a significant decrease in the enzyme's activity and affinity for Mg2+. The k cat for this mutant enzyme was only about 5% of that of wild-type fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and the Ka for Mg2+ was about 20-fold higher than that of the wild-type enzyme. The Ki for AMP was increased 77-fold in the case of the mutant enzyme; however, the Hill coefficient was unaltered. Most importantly, it was observed that replacement of Gly-122 with alanine caused the total loss of cooperativity for Mg2+. It is concluded that Gly-122 is essential for Mg2+ cooperativity and important for binding of Mg2+ and AMP as well as for enzyme activity.
Debt, dependence and the demographic Transition: Latin America in to the next century

Abstract In the decades ahead, world demographic trends indicate that our planet's share of the population of working age will be gradually diminishing. The regional incidence of the trends, however, shows a marked bias. Thus, the general equilibrium of the world saving-investment nexus may be fundamentally realigned in the years to come via dependency effects. For example, favorable demographic prospects in Latin America (and elsewhere in the developing world) offer poorer countries the chance to use the potential of their own demographic transitions to propel financial transitions to domestically financed accumulation, even capital export.
Perchlorate, Nitrate, and Iodide Intake through Tap Water

Perchlorate is ubiquitous in the environment, leading to human exposure and potential impact on thyroid function. Nitrate can also competitively inhibit iodide uptake at the sodium-iodide symporter and thus reduce thyroid hormone production. This study investigates the intake of perchlorate, nitrate, and iodide attributable to direct and indirect tap water consumption. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected tap water samples and consumption data from 3262 U.S. residents during the years 2005−2006. The median perchlorate, nitrate, and iodide levels measured in tap water were 1.16, 758, and 4.55 μg/L, respectively. Measured perchlorate levels were below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) drinking water equivalent level for perchlorate (24.5 μg/L). Significant correlations were found between iodide and nitrate levels (r = 0.17, p < 0.0001) and perchlorate and nitrate levels (r = 0.25, p < 0.0001). On the basis of 24 h recall, 47% of the study participants rep...
Water relations and growth of the weed, goosegrass (Eleusine indica), under drought stress

Abstract The relative sensitivity to water stress at different growth stages of goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertner) was investigated by measuring water status and growth of groups of plants stressed during the vegetative stage, the reproductive stage, and during both stages. Plants were grown from seed in large pots in a controlled-environment chamber at 29/23°C and 14-h photoperiod. In all treatments, decreasing leaf water-potential was correlated with decreasing osmotic and pressure potentials. Plants stressed during the flowering stage maintained greater pressure potentials at any leaf water-potential than plants stressed during vegetative growth or stressed twice. Prestressing the plants did not induce lower leaf osmotic potentials at full turgor. However, dehydration was the main cause of low osmotic potentials measured in the leaves of the plants stressed twice. Stomatal closure occurred over a relatively large range of leaf water-potentials. The sensitivity of stomata to water stress in this species was fairly similar in the two growth stages studied. Leaves of plants stressed during the flowering stage had a smaller decline in total biomass during the stress period, and a higher rate of growth after rewatering, compared to the plants that received a stress during vegetative growth and flowering or were stressed during vegetative growth.
Development of a statewide highway safety data warehouse: Massachusetts data warehouse and web-based access.

This paper, from the Traffic Records Forum, held in Buffalo, NY in 2005, describes the use of data warehousing as a solution to the problems inherent in acquiring and using multiple data sets. Data warehousing combines front-end access with a system for housing multiple data sets. The authors describe how the design and implementation of a traffic safety data warehouse can address four common highway safety data problems: lack of a central repository for safety data; lack of standards for data use; lack of historical data and historical knowledge of database frameworks; and limited access to data. The authors provide a brief overview of the steps undertaken in the implementation of a data warehouse and front-end access system, using the Massachusetts data warehouse and web-based access system as one example. The authors also focus on the need for ongoing evaluation and modification of the system, to better meet users needs.
Pharmacokinetics and Tolerance of a Single Twelve-Tablet Dose of Trimethoprim (960 mg)-Sulfamethoxazole (4,800 mg)

To evaluate the potential usefulness of a single large oral dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for the treatment of uncomplicated genitourinary gonorrhea, the pharmacokinetics of a 12-tablet dose containing 960 mg of TMP and 4,800 mg of SMZ were studied in 15 male volunteers, and the tolerance of this regimen was compared to that of a placebo in a double-blind crossover study. Both TMP and SMZ were rapidly absorbed. Peak mean serum concentrations (+/- standard deviation) of TMP, total SMZ, and free SMZ were 9.2 +/- 2.2, 259.4 +/- 40.9, and 233.7 +/- 33.6 mug/ml, respectively. Elimination half-lives were 16.7, 14.6, and 12.9 h, respectively. When results were compared to data from similar studies after smaller doses, peak mean serum concentrations were proportional to dose, but elimination half-lives were longer after larger doses. Urinary concentrations of TMP, total SMZ, and free SMZ were many-fold higher than serum concentrations. Percents recovery (+/- standard deviation) in urine were 60.6 +/- 10.6, 80.2 +/- 7.8, and 37.4 +/- 6.5%, respectively, during the 48 h after administration. The incidence of severe headache and of objective transient oliguria was significantly higher after TMP-SMZ than after placebo. Although the observed serum concentrations of TMP and SMZ surpassed concentrations necessary to inhibit clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in vitro for longer than 24 h, the adverse reactions associated with a 12-tablet dose of TMP-SMZ would preclude the clinical usefulness of such a therapeutic regimen.
Building ages and urban growth

Abstract This paper presents an empirical test of a hypothesis derived from a theoretical urban growth model developed by Brueckner and von Rabenau (1981). The model portrays a monocentric city with radial commuting where housing developers choose among a number of infinite-horizon land-use strategies with the knowledge that the urban population will change discontinuously at a future date τ. The model suggests that a large population increase will raise housing prices sufficiently to make it worthwhile for developers to replace old centrally-located structures at τ. When population increases moderately or declines, replacement will not be optimal and original structures will be left standing forever. Regression results relating 1970 central-city building ages to prior urbanized area population growth confirm the existence of the inverse relationship between building ages and prior growth predicted by the theory.
Carcinogenicity bioassays of bromoacetaldehyde and bromoethanol—potential metabolites of dibromoethane

1,2-Dibromoethane (DBE) and two of its potential metabolites, bromoethanol (BE) and bromoacetaldehyde (BA), were tested for carcinogenicity in male and female B6C3F1 mice using 30 animals of each sex per group. The carcinogen DBE was included in this assay as a positive control. The compounds were administered in distilled drinking water using equimolar concentrations, 4 mmol, of the chemicals. The dose chosen was based on subchronic bioassays of three months' duration. The chronic tests were continued for approximately 450 days in the case of DBE and approximately 560 days for both BE and BA. DBE induced squamous carcinomas of the forestomach in 22 females and 26 males and squamous papillomas of the esophagus in 3 females. BE induced squamous papillomas of the forestomach only in 10 females and 9 males. BA did not induce a significant incidence of tumors of the forestomach. Significant tumor incidences at other sites were not observed in any groups including the distilled water control group. Based on these findings, it is unlikely that BE or BA are activated carcinogenic intermediates of DBE.
Developments in real‐time control with EtherNet/IP

Purpose – Ethernet continues to evolve as a viable fieldbus technology for industrial automation. This paper seeks to discuss the development of the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) for Ethernet and standards with particular reference to time synchronisation, real time motion control and safety.Design/methodology/approach – The CIP is introduced, with an overview of four network adaptations: CompoNet, DeviceNet, ControlNet, and EtherNet/IP. Developments in the EtherNet/IP implementation are discussed, along with key features. These include CIP Safety to meet the requirements for safety‐related control, CIP Sync for time synchronisation across CIP networks and CIP motion for real‐time closed loop motion control.Findings – Standard, unmodified Ethernet will support time synchronisation, real time motion control and safety‐related applications with the CIP adaptation EtherNet/IP. The CIP enables complete integration of control with information, multiple CIP networks and internet technologies. CIP provides se...
A Monolithic Double Balanced Single Sideband Modulator

A novel approach to single sideband modulation is presented which employs two differential FET pairs to obtain carrier and undesired sideband cancellation throughout a broad frequency range. This double balanced structure is also space thrifty and contains only MESFETs as active elements, thus Iending itself to a monolithic implementation.
Surgical treatment of colorectal metastases to the liver

Up to one fourth of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer present with liver metastases, and by the time of death, up to 70 percent of patients with colorectal cancer have metastatic disease to the liver. At present, surgical excision is the standard therapy for resectable liver metastases from colorectal primaries. This article reviews the natural history of colorectal metastases to the liver and results of studies of systemic chemotherapy, surgical resection, and alternative surgical approaches.
Temperature dependence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium (II) device characteristics

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the current, radiance, and efficiency from electroluminescent devices based on [Ru(bpy)3]2+(PF6−)2, where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. We find that the current increases monotonically with temperature from 200 to 380 K, while the radiance reaches a maximum near room temperature. For temperatures greater than room temperature, an irreversible, current-induced degradation occurs with thermal cycling that diminishes both the radiance and the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, but does not affect the current. The temperature dependence of the external quantum efficiency is fully accounted for by the dependence of the PL quantum yield as measured from the emissive area of the device. This implies that the contacts remain ohmic throughout the temperature range investigated. The quenching of the PL with temperature was attributed to thermal activation to a nonradiative d–d transition. The temperature dependence of the current shows a complex behavior in which tran...
Relationship of race to functional status among breast cancer patients after curative surgery

Analysis of functional status of 197 breast cancer patients three years after curative radical mastectomy indicated a cumulative probability of disability of 25%, whereas the probability of death regardless of prior disability was 40.5%. Analysis of functional status by patient characteristics indicated that nonwhites were three times more likely than whites to experience disability (P less than 0.01) as defined in terms of their ability to carry on normal activities without assistance. Although whites and nonwhites were diagnosed at similar stages of disease, nonwhites were, on average, eight years younger than whites. They younger age may reflect a larger proportion of premenopausal breast cancer cases among nonwhites, which if associated with more rapidly progressing disease could account for their poorer prognosis. Alternatively there may exist factors in the nonwhites' social or economic environment that limited the ability of the family to care for the patient at home. These data reaffirm the need to monitor closely breast cancer patients to diagnose acute complications, and they indicate that most patients can resume normal activities shortly after curative surgery.
Exercise in the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Patients with the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) have orthostatic intolerance, as well as exercise intolerance. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is generally lower in these patients compared with healthy sedentary individuals, suggesting a lower physical fitness level. During acute exercise, POTS patients have an excessive increase in heart rate and reduced stroke volume for each level of absolute workload; however, when expressed at relative workload (%VO2peak), there is no difference in the heart rate response between patients and healthy individuals. The relationship between cardiac output and VO2 is similar between POTS patients and healthy individuals. Short-term (i.e., 3 months) exercise training increases cardiac size and mass, blood volume, and VO2peak in POTS patients. Exercise performance is improved after training. Specifically, stroke volume is greater and heart rate is lower at any given VO2 during exercise after training versus before training. Peak heart rate is the same but peak stroke volume and cardiac output are greater after training. Heart rate recovery from peak exercise is significantly faster after training, indicating an improvement in autonomic circulatory control. These results suggest that patients with POTS have no intrinsic abnormality of heart rate regulation during exercise. The tachycardia in POTS is due to a reduced stroke volume. Cardiac remodeling and blood volume expansion associated with exercise training increase physical fitness and improve exercise performance in these patients.
Characterization of ATP-independent ERK inhibitors identified through in silico analysis of the active ERK2 structure

Abstract The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) are important mediators of cell proliferation. Constitutive activation of the ERK proteins plays a critical role in the proliferation of many human cancers. Taking advantage of recently identified substrate docking domains on ERK2, we have used computer-aided drug design (CADD) to identify novel low molecular weight compounds that interact with ERK2 in an ATP-independent manner and disrupt substrate-specific interactions. In the current study, a CADD screen of the 3D structure of active phosphorylated ERK2 protein was used to identify inhibitory compounds. We tested 13 compounds identified by the CADD screen in ERK-specific phosphorylation, cell proliferation, and binding assays. Of the 13 compounds tested, 4 compounds strongly inhibited ERK-mediated phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (Rsk-1) and/or the transcription factor Elk-1 and inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cervical carcinoma cells with IC50 values in the 2–10 μM range. These studies demonstrate that CADD can be used to identify lead compounds for development of novel non-ATP-dependent inhibitors selective for active ERK and its interactions with substrates involved in cancer cell proliferation.
Why do Uzbeks have to be Muslims? Exploring religiosity in the Ferghana Valley

Why do Uzbeks have to be Muslims? Exploring religiosity in the Ferghana Valley, by Irene Hilgers, Berlin, Lit Verlag, 2009, Piscataway, NJ, Transaction, 2011, US$49.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-3643101...
Proton-induced coloring of multicomponent glasses

The paper describes the coloring induced by 85-MeV protons in three Schott glasses representative of glass types used as focusing elements in the International Ultraviolet Explorer Fine Error Sensor. It is shown that the absorption (i.e., coloring) induced in each glass by the radiation can be resolved into three optical absorption bands in the near UV-visible range. It is also discussed how that absorption grows with increasing dosages of protons, thus providing the means to predict degradation in any of the three glasses for a particular fluence of proton radiation.
Regional nerve block for femoropopliteal and tibial arterial reconstructions

Abstract Thirteen high-risk patients underwent lower extremity revascularization anesthetized with a regional nerve block technique. The sciatic, femoral, and obturator nerves were infiltrated with 1% lidocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine. Eight femoropopliteal and five femorotibial bypasses were performed for limb salvage (11 patients), disabling claudication (one patient), and popliteal artery aneurysm (one patient). Analgesia was adequate with only one patient who needed supplemental nitrous oxide. One patient died on the sixth postoperative day of a myocardial infarction. Regional nerve block is an effective anesthetic technique that should be considered if general or spinal anesthesia is inappropriate. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:351-4.)
INFLUENCE OF GLANDS WITH INTERNAL SECRETION ON THE RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE IV. EFFECT OF SUPRARENAL INSUFFICIENCY IN CATS.

1. Severe and sufficient non-fatal injury to the suprarenal cortex by freezing or by ligation in cats causes a significant and prolonged increase in heat production. 2. Lethal injury to the suprarenals by freezing, ligation, or partial excision in cats causes a fall in heat production. 3. Insufficient injury to the suprarenals by freezing, ligation, or partial excision in cats produces no significant alteration in heat production. 4. Further evidence of a dose thyroid-suprarenal cortex interrelationship is indicated by the rapidity of thyroid hyperplasia and by the effects of KI after suprarenal crippling.
Dependence of the diffuse reflectance of natural waters on the sun angle

Through Monte Carlo simulation, the variation of the diffise reflectance of natural waters with sun angle is found to be dependent on the shape of the volume scattering function (VSF) of the medium. It is shown that single scattering theory can be used to estimate the reflectance-sun angle variation given the VSF-and, conversely, the VSF over a limited range of scattering angles can be estimated from measurements of the variation of the reflectance with sun angle. The complex variation of reflectance with the incident illumination and surface roughness can be reduced to the variation of a single parameter: the downwelling distribution function in the absence of scattering. These observations are applicable to all but the most reflective of natural waters.
Is sponsored research detrimental to undergraduate engineering education

The authors consider the impact of sponsored university research on the quality of undergraduate education. Their general opinion is that, although it is clear that the public benefits from the powerful research establishment now extant in the U.S. university system, it is less certain that undergraduate students are obtaining a higher-quality educational experience as a result of sponsored research in universities. They believe that mechanisms should be established by universities to ensure that sponsored research programs provide a demonstrable benefit to undergraduate education. >
3-D localization of buried objects by nearfield electromagnetic holography

We present a practical method of localizing underground objects with low‐frequency electromagnetic fields. The method uses spatial information from the field measured on the ground, and a nearfield “holographic” theory to reconstruct the field image of buried objects. Both numerical simulations and field tests demonstrate that buried metallic objects can be resolved and individually localized in 3-D space even if the measurement field shows only a single peak as might be indicative of a single object.
Development of a higher‐order ADI‐FDTD method

In this paper, a higher-order alternative-direction-implicit (ADI) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is presented. The dispersion analysis is performed and the results are compared with those derived from the regular ADI-FDTD method. Based on the dispersion analysis, a guideline for choosing an appropriate time step in the ADI-FDTD implementation is also developed. Both numerical simulation and dispersion analysis demonstrate the advantage of this higher order ADI-FDTD method for improving accuracy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 8–12, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10808
Pulsed electromagnetic fields to reduce diabetic neuropathic pain and stimulate neuronal repair: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Weintraub MI, Herrmann DN, Smith AG, Backonja MM, Cole SP. Pulsed electromagnetic fields to reduce diabetic neuropathic pain and stimulate neuronal repair: a randomized controlled trial. Objective To determine whether repetitive and cumulative exposure to low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) targeting painful feet can reduce neuropathic pain (NP), influence sleep in symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and influence nerve regeneration. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study. Setting Sixteen academic and clinical sites in 13 states. Participants Subjects (N=225) with DPN stage II or III were randomly assigned to use identical devices generating PEMF or sham (placebo) 2 h/d to feet for 3 months. Interventions Nerve conduction testing was performed serially. Main Outcome Measures Pain reduction scores using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Neuropathy Pain Scale (NPS), and the Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGIC). A subset of subjects underwent serial 3-mm punch skin biopsies from 3 standard lower limb sites for epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD) quantification. Results Subjects (N=225) were randomized with a dropout rate of 13.8%. There was a trend toward reductions in DPN symptoms on the PGIC, favoring the PEMF group (44% vs 31%; P =.04). There were no significant differences between PEMF and sham groups in the NP intensity on NPS or VAS. Twenty-seven subjects completed serial biopsies. Twenty-nine percent of PEMF subjects had an increase in distal leg ENFD of at least 0.5 SDs, while none did in the sham group ( P =.04). Increases in distal thigh ENFD were significantly correlated with decreases in pain scores. Conclusions PEMF at this dosimetry was noneffective in reducing NP. However neurobiological effects on ENFD, PGIC and reduced itching scores suggest future studies are indicated with higher dosimetry (3000–5000 G), longer duration of exposure, and larger biopsy cohort.
Nonimaging solar concentrators

This paper describes the class of nonimaging concentrators that achieve the maximum concentration of light permitted by physical principles. Examples of the concentrators for different absorber shapes are shown, and the modifications necessary to make a practi-cal collector are discussed. The performance of an experimental collector is also shown.
The role of knowledge in the policy process

Abstract Recent scholarly research into public policy has stressed the role of knowledge in the policy process. The variety of concepts and approaches to the study of knowledge seems puzzling. However, this article argues that the different theoretical approaches have some common ground and that a ‘knowledge perspective’ on the policy process has many advantages. It is suggested that such fields as evaluation research, epistemic communities, diffusion of economic policy paradigms, agenda‐setting and policy learning contribute to a new view of the policy process, in which power and knowledge perform complementary functions. The conclusions discuss the main implications for further research in the analysis of the policy process.
Dasatinib dosing strategies in Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia.

Introduction. Imatinib resistance has emerged as a significant clinical issue in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Imatinib intolerance is also a concern. Dasatinib is approved for the treatment of patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant CML or Ph+ ALL and has helped address these concerns. Here, we review the clinical profile of dasatinib and discuss dosing strategies to manage these adverse events.Methods. References were obtained through literature searches on PubMed as well as from the Proceedings of Annual Meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and European Hematology Association.Results. Initial studies of dasatinib showed that 70 mg twice-daily resulted in impressive hematologic and cytogenetic responses in patients with all phases of CML and Ph+ ALL. Aside from hematologic events, the most common drug-related toxicities (mostly grade 1—2) in dasat...
Kinetics of the formation and isomerization of methotrexate complexes of recombinant human dihydrofolate reductase.

The kinetics of inhibitor binding to highly purified recombinant human dihydrofolate reductase (rHDHFR) have been examined. Methotrexate (MTX) binds rapidly (kon = 1.0 x 10(8) M-1 s-1) and tightly (koff/kon = 210 pM) to the preformed complex of rHDHFR with NADPH. The initial association reaction between rHDHFR.NADPH and MTX is followed by an isomerization of the resulting complex (kiso = 0.4 s-1) leading to a new conformer in which MTX is bound even more tightly (Ki = 3.4 pM). Similar results have been obtained with a major metabolite of MTX having four additional glutamate residues for which Ki = 1.4 pM. 7-HydroxyMTX, another major metabolite of MTX, is a weak inhibitor of rHDHFR (Ki = 8.9 nM), and a polyglutamate form of this metabolite is an equally weak inhibitor (Ki = 9.9 nM), so that the addition of glutamate residues to MTX or 7-hydroxyMTX has little effect on their binding. It follows that the significance of MTX polyglutamate formation relates to other roles such as increasing the cytotoxicity of MTX by prolonging intracellular retention of the drug. Another antifolate, trimethoprim, binds tightly to dihydrofolate reductases from bacterial sources, but weakly to rHDHFR in the ternary complex (KD = 0.5 microM). Although the association step is rapid (kon = 0.4 x 10(8) M-1 s-1), the dissociation rate is also rapid (koff = 15 s-1). Furthermore, there is no isomerization of the ternary complex of trimethoprim with rHDHFR, in contrast to the known isomerization of complexes of trimethoprim with bacterial dihydrofolate reductases.
Human capital, agricultural development and the African food crisis

Explanations of lagging productivity in African agriculture generally are divided between proponents of the failure of agricultural policy to stimulate peasant farmers and proponents of the lack of appropriate technology argument. Both explanations assume that human capital is available to implement changes in agricultural policy, research and extension activities. However, trained scientists, administrators and extension specialists are scarce, especially in the Sahelian countries. Until the pool of human resources in agricultural sciences reaches a critical mass, neither technology nor oriented programs for agricultural development will have much impact on African food production, distribution and consumption.
Beyond network structure: How heterogeneous susceptibility modulates the spread of epidemics

The compartmental models used to study epidemic spreading often assume the same susceptibility for all individuals, and are therefore, agnostic about the effects that differences in susceptibility can have on epidemic spreading. Here we show that-for the SIS model-differential susceptibility can make networks more vulnerable to the spread of diseases when the correlation between a node's degree and susceptibility are positive, and less vulnerable when this correlation is negative. Moreover, we show that networks become more likely to contain a pocket of infection when individuals are more likely to connect with others that have similar susceptibility (the network is segregated). These results show that the failure to include differential susceptibility to epidemic models can lead to a systematic over/under estimation of fundamental epidemic parameters when the structure of the networks is not independent from the susceptibility of the nodes or when there are correlations between the susceptibility of connected individuals.
Alfacalcidol-Stimulated Focal Bone Formation on the Cancellous Surface and Increased Bone Formation on the Periosteal Surface of the Lumbar Vertebrae of Adult Female Rats

To investigate the skeletal effects of alfacalcidol alone or in combination with exercise in intact adult female rats. Seventy-four 8.5-month-old rats were orally administered 0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1 μg/kg of alfacalcidol for 12 weeks, alone or in combination with exercise. Cancellous bone histomorphometric measurements were performed on the second lumbar vertebra. At 0.05 and 0.1 μg/kg, alfacalcidol caused a significant increase in cancellous bone volume, accompanied by an increase in trabecular architecture. Percent eroded surface, bone resorption and formation were suppressed by alfacalcidol treatment. However, mineral apposition rate was significantly increased, indicating osteoblast activity was increased. A positive balance between bone formation and resorption was observed in the rats treated with the highest dose of alfacalcidol. Alfacalcidol induced a unique bone formation site (“bouton”) on the cancellous surface. These boutons connected adjacent trabeculae and increased trabecular thickness. They exhibited both smooth and scalloped cement lines, suggesting that they were formed by minimodeling- and remodeling-based bone formation. Furthermore, alfacalcidol at 0.1 μg/kg increased periosteal bone formation of the lumbar transverse processes. Bipedal stance exercise alone did not have an effect on bone balance and bone turnover. There were no interactions between alfacalcidol and bipedal stance exercise except for a decrease in bone resorption. Alfacalcidol exhibited both anti-catabolic and anabolic effects on bone in intact female rats. The effect of combined treatment with alfacalcidol and bipedal stance exercise was no better than that of alfacalcidol alone.
Hypoechoic testicular mass: A case of testicular and epididymal sarcoidosis

We present a case of testicular and epididymal sarcoidosis in a man with a hypoechoic testicular mass. Radical orchiectomy was averted by use of intraoperative frozen section analysis.