cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An equivalent circuit model for meander-line monopole antenna attached to metallic plate

Equivalent circuit models are useful for antenna design because exact electromagnetic simulation generally needs complicated settings and heavy computation. Especially the equivalent circuit modelling with consideration of the antenna installation on devices is very helpful from practical point of view. Several antennas are modelled by equivalent circuit models with fitted parameters. A lumped circuit model is constructed for a dipole antenna by considering length and losses of the dipole as precise as possible and the circuit parameters are determined by using an optimization theory of genetic algorithm (GA) [1]. A lumped circuit model is also constructed for a rectangular and E-shaped microstrip antenna by minimizing an error function which consists of simulated and measured input impedances [2]. Circuit parameters of a lumped circuit and a transmission line are determined for a planar slot antenna by fitting the EM simulated results [3]. However, task of the fitting circuit parameters is very laborious. To overcome this disadvantage, antennas are also modelled by resulting circuit parameters from the geometry of antennas. For example, a lumped equivalent circuit model is applied to a microstrip meander-line antenna by which the frequency characteristics of the input reactance are estimated [4], and the resonant frequencies of a composite left and right Handed (CLRH) dipole antenna are precisely calculated by a lumped equivalent circuit model where inductances and capacitances are determined from the shape of the meander-line and inter-digital line of the radiation element [5]. However, these models have not taken the antenna installation on devices such as dielectric or metallic objects into consideration.
An Economic History of the United States : From 1607 to the Present

English commercial revolution of the seventeenth century -- Agriculture in the southern colonies -- Agriculture in the northern colonies -- North Atlantic commercial empire -- Creating a nation -- Agrarian commerce -- Banks and railroads -- Free soil -- Civil war -- Creating the national market -- Agrarian discontentment -- Accelerated industrialization -- Big business -- Consumer culture -- Global business economy.
Time Skewing for Parallel Computers

Time skewing [Won99a] is a compile-time optimization that can achieve scalable locality for a class of iterative stencil calculations, given a sufficient number of time steps and sufficient cache memory. That is, the cache hit rate can be made to grow with the problem size, and we can eliminate (for large problems) idle time due to high machine balance (the ratio of processor speed to memory bandwidth [CCK88,McC95]). Scalable locality lets us apply processors with increasing machine balance to increasingly large problems, just as scalable parallelism lets us apply higher levels of parallelism to larger problems. The cache required for time skewing grows with the machine balance, but not with the problem size.
Nonprofit Advertising: Impact of Celebrity Connection, Involvement and Gender on Source Credibility and Intention to Volunteer Time or Donate Money

Two studies examine celebrity endorsers in a nonprofit context. In Study One a framework is developed incorporating connection (congruence), source credibility, involvement, and gender as key elements in understanding the impact of celebrity endorsers on nonprofit advertising effectiveness. Hypotheses are tested in the course of the studies that manipulate celebrity connection and advertising involvement. Results support the primary model viewing a relationship between the celebrity's connection, source credibility, and intention. Study Two verifies the connection and source credibility findings of Study One, but cannot confirm the impact of the celebrity connection on intention. Study Two includes attractiveness as a source credibility dimension, and increases the number of endorser types. An attractiveness main effect on intention is identified.
On the Commerce of Disability and the Advocacy of Philosophy for Educators

In his essay on the equality of difference, Michael Surbaugh asks us to consider what philosophy of education can offer special education, particularly an education revolving around “someone with severe cognitive deficits.” In an effort to accomplish this task and make his discussion more concrete, he constructs a “composite case study:” “Sarah.” Sarah is a “disabled” young female living in a group home. The rub: “Sarah has no voice, even as many social institutions have arisen to protect her rights and confer entitlements on her because of her disability. In the eyes of many, she is taken care of, and that is the end of the issue.”
Fly-by-light installation and maintenance on transport aircraft

Over the past seven years McDonnell Douglas Aerospace-Transport Aircraft/Douglas Aircraft Company (MDA-TA/DAC) has developed, installed, and tested a number of fiber optic systems on various commercial transport aircraft. From our experience installing and maintaining many different types of fiber optic flight test systems, it has become evident that the problems associated with the installation and maintenance of fiber optic systems is perhaps the greatest impediment remaining to their incorporation on transport aircraft. This paper discusses the problems and issues associated with installing and maintaining fly-by-light systems on transport aircraft as well as some approaches and concepts being developed at MDA-TA to alleviate these problems. >
Development of a Bioartificial Nerve Graft. I. Design Based on a Reaction–Diffusion Model

A simple reaction-diffusion model has been developed to describe the mass transport of nutrients and nerve growth factor within a bioartificial nerve graft (BNG). The BNG consists of a porous polymer conduit that is preseeded with Schwann cells in its lumen. The Schwann cells produce growth factors to stimulate nerve regeneration within the lumen of the conduit. The model can predict the wall thickness, porosity, and Schwann cell seeding density needed to maximize the axon extension rate while ensuring that sufficient nutrients, especially oxygen, are made available to the neurons until the formation of the neovasculature. The model predicts a sixteen-fold increase in the levels of nerve growth factor by dropping the porosity from 95 to 55% but only at the expense of reducing the oxygen concentration. At higher porosities, increasing the wall thickness and increasing the Schwann cell seeding density both have the same effect of increasing the concentration of nerve growth factor within the lumen of the conduit. This model provides a simple tool for evaluating various conduit designs before continuing with experimental studies in vivo.
Status of particle therapy for lung cancer

The current standard treatment for lung cancer, the most common type of cancer worldwide, depends on disease stage. Surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage tumors, but radiotherapy is a good option for those with early-stage tumors who cannot undergo surgery, and radiotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy is the standard of care for locally advanced tumors. Although advances in photon (x-ray)-based radiotherapy involving three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy allow radiation doses to be escalated beyond the traditional limit of 60 Gy, this dose is not considered to be sufficient for tumor eradication. Moreover, the improvements in local control and survival conferred by concurrent chemotherapy come at the cost of considerable toxicity owing to inadvertent irradiation of surrounding normal tissues, and this toxicity often limits the radiation dose that can be delivered. Unfortunately for patients with locally advanced lung cancer, local control and survival remain poor. Attempts to improve clinical outcomes for patients with lung cancer have led to the use of charged particle therapy in an effort to exploit the physical properties of such particles to escalate the dose to the tumor while simultaneously limiting the dose to nearby structures, thereby enhancing the therapeutic ratio and potentially improving cancer cure rates. This review summarizes the rationale for and challenges associated with the use of charged particles for lung cancer therapy and reviews the clinical experience to date with using protons and carbon ions for early-stage and locally advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer.
The Fanconi syndrome.

Abstract It is now customary to refer to the triad of the skeletal lesions of hypophosphatemia (rickets or osteomalacia), renal aminoaciduria, and renal glycosuria as the Fanconi syndrome. This combination of physiologic disturbances results from impairment of renal tubule mechanisms which are concerned with tubular reabsorption of phosphate, amino acids, and glucose. Other renal tubular systems may also be affected so that hyperchloremic acidosis, hypokalemia, and polyuria may be associated with the main triad. The Fanconi syndrome can probably result from injury of renal tubule cells by a wide variety of agents. These may be of endogenous origin due to hereditary metabolic disorders or may be exogenous toxic substances. Cystine storage disease which is an hereditary disturbance transmitted by a recessive gene is the most common cause of the Fanconi syndrome in infancy and early childhood. The Fanconi syndrome in late childhood and adult life is usually not hereditary and may be of diverse pathogenesis. Heavy metal poisoning and multiple myeloma are among the possible etiologic factors of the Fanconi syndrome but in most instances the mechanism of the renal tubule injury is unknown. The disturbance of regulation of serum phosphate levels in the Fanconi syndrome can be overcome by large amounts of vitamin D so that the hypophosphatemia can be corrected and more normal calcification and growth of the rachitic or osteomalacic bone can be achieved. In some instances, the other renal tubular dysfunctions are also ameliorated by vitamin D therapy so that the aminoaciduria is lessened and the chronic acidosis is improved. Studies of amino acid excretion in the urine should be made in all cases of refractory rickets or osteomalacia if the problem is to be accurately classified since marked generalized aminoaciduria is one of the constant diagnostic characteristics of the Fanconi syndrome.
Wavelet-based characterisation of aggregate segregation in asphalt concrete X-ray computed tomography images

Aggregate segregation, defined as the non-uniform distribution of fine and coarse aggregates within asphalt concretes (ACs), is recognised as a serious pavement construction problem that reduces pavement life. This paper describes a mathematical approach for quantifying the degree of directional aggregate segregation in ACs. It utilises a wavelet approach for separating coarse from fine aggregates and the normalised wavelet energy to quantify aggregate concentration (i.e. white grey scale intensity). A directional segregation index (SI) is defined as the ratio of fine-to-coarse aggregate normalised wavelet energy. This index is shown to be a good indicator of the degree of segregation observed in X-ray CT images of AC samples. The approach demonstrated using laboratory compacted samples can be applied to quantify segregation in 2D images of composite materials.
Development of a rapid biolistic assay to determine changes in relative levels of intracellular calcium in leaves following tetracycline uptake by pinto bean plants

Tetracycline antibiotics, such as chlortetracycline (CTC) and tetracycline (TC), are introduced into agricultural lands through the application of manure as fertilizer. These compounds are phytotoxic to certain crop plants, including pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), the species used for this investigation. While the mechanism of this toxicity is not yet understood, CTC is known to be a calcium chelator. We describe here a novel method to show that CTC is taken up by pinto bean plants and chelates calcium in leaves. Cameleon fusion proteins can provide qualitative and quantitative imaging of intracellular calcium levels, but current methodology requires stable transformation. Many plant species, including pinto beans, are not yet transformable using standard Agrobacterium-based protocols. To determine the role of calcium chelation in this plant, a rapid, biolistic method was developed to transiently express the cameleon protein. This method can easily be adapted to other plant systems. Our findings provide evidence that chelation of intracellular calcium by CTC is related to phytotoxic effects caused by this antibiotic in pinto beans. Root uptake of CTC and TC by pinto beans and their translocation to leaves were further verified by fluorescence spectroscopy and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, confirming results of the biolistic method that showed calcium chelation by tetracyclines in leaves.
Steric effect of ortho-substituted alkyl groups on chromatographic adsorption of aniline

Abstract Ortho substitution of aniline can produce a variety of effects which dictate the behaviour of the molecule in chromatographic adsorption. The alkyl group thus substituted is clearly the best one through which to isolate the effect of blocking adsorption while minimising or eliminating other factors.
Criticisms and Problems of the Aggregate Pharmaceutical Marketing System

ABSTRACTCriticisms of marketing qua marketing abound. Many are justified, but typically result from marketing done poorly. This essay recognizes these problems, but also emphasizes the value of marketing done well.
Optical properties of vanadium pentoxide determined from ellipsometry and band-structure calculations.

The optical constants of ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ single crystals along the three principal crystallographic axes were measured with use of spectroscopic ellipsometry. Theoretical optical constants of ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ were derived from band-structure calculations using the first-principles orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals (OLCAO) method. The measured and calculated optical properties are presented and compared.
Mutagenic activity of streptozotocin.

Abstract Streptozotocin plus “cofactor” has been shown to be mutagenic for histidine requiring Salmonella typhimurium strains. The cofactor has been shown to be nonessential to this activity. Revertant frequency data presented indicate that streptozotocin and N-nitrosoguanidine have comparable activity.
Peer-to-peer VHF propagation path loss in the airport surface area

As recently noted [1], the wireless channel in the very high frequency (VHF) band has not been thoroughly quantitatively characterized for airport surface areas. For future services such as VHF Data Communications, channel characteristics are needed to enable system optimization. Given the narrow bandwidth of VHF communications (25 kHz), channel dispersion is not significant, but propagation path loss is vitally important. This paper serves as a companion paper to our prior work [1] in the area of VHF propagation path loss modeling on the airport surface area (ASA). We made path loss measurements in the aeronautical VHF band at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) in June 2011. The non-mobile transmitter used a continuous wave (sinusoidal) signal and a mobile receiver moved about the airport surface area in a prescribed path. Both transmitter and receiver were located in vans, enabling “peer-to-peer” propagation path loss estimation via basic link budget analysis. We obtained path loss data for both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, from which we derived the log-distance path loss models. The propagation path loss exponents were found to be approximately 4 for NLOS regions and 2.9 for LOS regions in Cleveland.
Metabolism and disposition of bisphenol A in female rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in the manufacture of polycarbonates, elicits weak estrogenic activity in in vitro and in vivo test systems. The objectives of this study were to compare the patterns of disposition of radioactivity in adult female F-344 and CD rats after oral administration of (14)C BPA (100 mg/kg), to isolate the glucuronide of BPA and to assess its estrogenic activity in vitro, and to evaluate the transfer of radioactivity to pups from lactating dams administered (14)C BPA. Over 6 days, F-344 rats excreted more radioactivity in urine than CD rats. The major metabolite in urine was identified as bisphenol A glucuronide (BPA gluc) by incubation with beta-glucuronidase and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. In lactating CD rats administered (14)C BPA (100 mg/kg) by gavage, only a small fraction of the label was found in milk, with 0.95 +/- 0.66, 0.63 +/- 0.13, and 0.26 +/- 0.10 microg equiv/ml (mean +/- SD) from dams collected 1, 8, and 26 h after dosing, respectively. Radioactivity in pup carcasses indicated exposure in the range of microgram equivalents per kilogram; those values ranged from 44.3 +/- 24.4 for pups separated from their lactating dams at 2 h to 78.4 +/- 10.9 at 24 h. BPA gluc was the prominent metabolite in milk and plasma. In test systems for activation of in vitro estrogen receptors alpha and beta, BPA gluc did not show appreciable efficacy at concentrations up to 0.03 mM, indicating that metabolism via glucuronidation is a detoxication reaction.
Comparison of the Intranuclear Distributions of Herpes Simplex Virus Proteins Involved in Various Viral Functions

Herpesviral transcription, DNA synthesis, and capsid assembly occur within the infected cell nucleus. To further define the spatial relationship among these processes, we have examined the intranuclear distributions of viral DNA replication, gene regulatory, and capsid proteins using dual label immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. We observed that several of the viral DNA replication proteins localize preferentially to punctate structures within replication compartments while the major transcriptional activator, ICP4, and the ICP27 regulatory protein show a more diffuse distribution within replication compartments. The viral proteins that show a punctate distribution in replication compartments redistribute from these compartments to prereplicative sites when viral DNA replication is inhibited, whereas viral proteins that show a diffuse distribution remain within replication compartments when viral DNA replication is inhibited. Thus the sites of viral DNA replication and late transcription appear to be distinct but codistribute within the boundaries of replication compartments. The major capsid protein, ICP5, also localizes initially to a diffuse distribution within replication compartments, but during the time of maximal progeny virus assembly, ICP5 becomes localized to punctate structures within replication compartments that are often near the punctate structures occupied by viral DNA replication proteins. Hence the processes of viral DNA replication, late transcription, and capsid assembly show a general overlapping distribution within replication compartments but appear to be located at distinct sites within these regions of the infected cell nucleus.
Calcium and neuronal cytoskeletal proteins: Alterations with aging

Calcium plays a major role in regulating cellular function. Alterations in calcium systems may underlie some of the physiological changes associated with aging. Calcium activates calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and this enzyme mediates some effects of calcium on cellular function. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II may play a significant role in specific cytoskeletal abnormalities of normal aging and selected neurodegenerative diseases.
On the mechanism of iridoid and secoiridoid monoterpene biosynthesis

Abstract Mevalonate (11) labeled with 14C at C-2 and with tritium stereospecifically at C-2 or C-4 was incorporated into the iridoid monoterpene glucoside, loganic acid (1), and the secoiridoid, gentiopicroside (8), in the higher plant Swertia caroliniensis. 5 From the 3 H 14 C ratios of these monoterpenes as well as their degradation products, 7-oxologanin tetraacetate (5), bromolactol (7), and gentianine (10), it was possible to determine the fate of the isotopic hydrogens. The pro-R hydrogen of the C-4 methylene group of mevalonate (11) was retained in loganic acid (1) whereas the pro-S hydrogen was lost. Likewise gentiopicroside contained no pro-S hydrogen from C-4 of mevalonate but retained one pro-R-derived hydrogen at C-9 as expected from its revised structure. A pro-R, hydrogen from the C-2 methylene group of mevalonate is found at C-7 of loganic acid whereas the pro-S hydrogen had been essentially eliminated from this hydroxylated position. The C-3 carbon of loganic acid contained the remainder of the tritium from 2-3H-mevalonate. Gentiopicroside obtained in the 2R and 2S-tritio mevalonate incorporations had the same 3 H 14 C ratio as loganic acid. A doubly labeled loganic acid (1) isolated in the 4R-tritiated mevalonate experiment was directly incorporated into gentiopicroside (8) in a Swertia plant. These results suggest a mechanism of isoprenoid biosynthesis from mevalonate (11) to geranyl pyrophosphate (14) similar to that of cholesterol and other terpenoids, and establish the precursor relationship of iridoid monoterpenes to the secoiridoids.
Relationships among growth, development and plastic response to environment quality in a perennial plant

Summary • Phenotypic traits differ between plants in different environments and within individuals as they grow and develop. Comparing plants in different environments at a common age can obscure the developmental basis for differences in phenotype means in different environments. Here, we compared trait means and patterns of trait ontogeny for perennial (Viola septemloba) plants growing in environments that differed in quality either naturally or due to experimental manipulation. • Consistent with predictions for adaptive stress resistance, plants grown in lower-quality environments allocated proportionately more biomass to roots and rhizomes, and produced smaller, thicker and longer-lived leaves. The developmental trajectory of almost all traits differed between environments, and these differences contributed to observed differences in trait means. • Plants were able to alter their initial developmental trajectory in response to an increase in resources after 8 wk of growth. This result contrasts with previous findings, and may reflect a difference in the way that annual and perennial species respond to stress. • Our results demonstrate the complexity of interactions between the environment and the development of the phenotype that underlie putatively adaptive plastic responses to environment quality.
A layered United States Universal Service Fund for an everything-over-IP world

Support through the United States Federal Universal Service Fund for high-cost areas has been principally defined in terms of telephone service. Fund growth due to increases in wireless lines and implicit support for broadband infrastructure has created an untenable situation, and fundamental reform is expected. The cause underlying this growth is convergence between the telephone network, wireless networks, the Internet, and cable networks. This convergence will pose additional serious long-term challenges to the fund. This paper proposes a restructuring of the high-cost funds based on a layered model. Both contributions and distributions are focused on network infrastructure, without distinction between voice and broadband. The proposal uses a new definition of communication services to guarantee technology neutrality, and includes service area reform and cost efficiency measures. This layered approach repositions the fund for future converged networks.
Protein Similarity Networks Reveal Relationships Among Sequence, Structure, and Function within the Cupin Superfamily

The cupin superfamily is extremely diverse and includes catalytically inactive seed storage proteins, sugar-binding metal-independent epimerases, and metal-dependent enzymes possessing dioxygenase, decarboxylase, and other activities. Although numerous proteins of this superfamily have been structurally characterized, the functions of many of them have not been experimentally determined. We report the first use of protein similarity networks (PSNs) to visualize trends of sequence and structure in order to make functional inferences in this remarkably diverse superfamily. PSNs provide a way to visualize relatedness of structure and sequence among a given set of proteins. Structure- and sequence-based clustering of cupin members reflects functional clustering. Networks based only on cupin domains and networks based on the whole proteins provide complementary information. Domain-clustering supports phylogenetic conclusions that the N- and C-terminal domains of bicupin proteins evolved independently. Interestingly, although many functionally similar enzymatic cupin members bind the same active site metal ion, the structure and sequence clustering does not correlate with the identity of the bound metal. It is anticipated that the application of PSNs to this superfamily will inform experimental work and influence the functional annotation of databases.
Squeezed-light generation with an incoherent pump.

Several experiments have been reported for the generation of squeezed light since 1985 [1]. All of these experiments employ a coherent source (either a single-mode continuous-wave (cw) laser or a cw mode-locked pulsed laser) to pump a nonlinear medium. However, it is well known that the requirement of a coherent pump source is not necessary to observe nonlinear optical processes [2]. Then the following question begs an answer: Is the requirement of a coherent pump source necessary to observe quantum-optic effects, say squeezing in particular? The answer is no and we demonstrate it in this paper by reporting an experiment in which a temporally incoherent pump source is used to generate squeezed light. The experiment makes use of the second-harmonic of a multimode laser to pump a traveling-wave parametric down converter. Dual-detector balanced-homodyne detection technique is used to measure the level of squeezing obtained [3,4]. Since the generated squeezed light is also temporally incoherent, stringent demands are placed on the temporal profile of the local-oscillator (LO) beam that must be employed in the homodyne-detection setup. As a first approximation, we derive the LO beam from the same multimode laser whose second harmonic is used as the pump source for the parametric down-conversion process.
Relative Taste Intensities of Selected Sugars and Organic Acidsa

SUMMARY A highly trained taste panel was used to establish the concentrations of fructose, glucose, and lactose equivalent in sweetness to sucrose at threshold and suprathreshold concentrations. The same panel established the sourness of lactic, tartaric, and acetic acids equivalent to that of citric acid at threshold and suprathreshold concentrations. There was no relation between pH, total acidity, and relative sourness. Results obtained from determinations made in water solutions agreed favorably with values reported in the literature. The threshold measurements are considered to be of limited value since the relative taste intensity of these compounds is not a constant but is materially affected by the absolute concentration chosen for comparison. The presence of a slight bitterness in glucose, and a slight, unidentifiable flavor in lactose, appeared to influence the threshold determinations. When the sweetness of sucrose and fructose were compared in pear nectar, fructose was less sweet than sucrose at all concentrations (1.0–20.0% sucrose). Increasing the total acidity of the pear nectar had little or no effect on the relative sweetness of these two sugars.
A model for masking rotational latency by dynamic disk allocation

This paper presents the background and algorithms for masking the rotational latency of a disk or drum. It discusses the anticipatory input and output of blocks of data to buffer and primary memories for a mono-programmed computer system. A basic permutation algorithm and several variations are given. Because of the anticipatory nature of the I/O scheduling, these algorithms are restricted to classes of programs with predictable behavior. While the methods are not restricted to numerical computations, matrix and partial differential equation methods are typical examples of their use. It is shown that latency may be masked using a small amount of buffer memory. The methods discussed are independent of the overall size of the data base being considered.
Sensors for autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance on a planetary microrover

A sensor selection and design process for a small planetary rover is presented for the purpose of autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance. The selection process includes an overview of the options in methods and hardware, followed by the choice/design of sensors based on the performance requirements, vehicle constraints, and other factors. Emphasis is on the design methodology from a systems engineering perspective. Because of the need for prototype microrover demonstrations, real issues of cost and availability were strong drivers in the design. These issues, along with the platform limitations, have led to a practical sensor selection for an autonomous planetary microrover.
Parametric Study of the Swirler/Venturi Spray Injectors

An experimental parametric study is carried out to characterize the spray from swirler/venturi injectors (SVIs) insidea steady-e owpressurechamber. In this study,venturi tubeswith diffuseranglesof 20, 40, 60, and 80 deg and different throat lengths are combined with different swirlers with vane angles of 30, 45, and 60 deg to investigate their combined effect on spray structure. The ambient pressure conditions inside the chamber were varied from 0.1 to 0.4 MPa to simulate the relevant gas turbine density and momentum condition. For simplicity, water is used to present liquid fuel. Focusing on the spray atomization and dispersion aspects, laser diagnostic techniques are used to characterize the isothermal spray structure, including phase Doppler particle analyzer and copper-vapor laser-sheet visualization. Pressure drop across the SVI is also measured. It was found that the pressure drop and droplet size are dominated by the throat velocity, but are modie ed signie cantly by the divergent angle, throat length, and swirler. It is also shown that matching the correct swirler with the venturi geometry is important to obtain optimal liquid atomization and droplet distribution.
Response of Nitrobacter spp. Ribosomal Gene and Transcript Abundance Following Nitrite Starvation and Exposure to Mechanistically Distinct Inhibitors

The Nitrobacter spp. rRNA gene (rDNA) and relative rRNA transcript abundance (rRNAt/rDNA ratio) were evaluated in response to sudden changes in the nitrite oxidation rate. The rDNA abundance poorly...
“Constraint” versus “choice” in preferred movement patterns

Movement patterns in impaired gait are not selected by a smart central nervous system (CNS), but arise by virtue of mutual constraints of task, limitations in personal dynamics available for the task, and optimality criteria. An oscillatory model of gait cycle is presented that exemplifies this control and coordination scheme. Preferred gait patterns may be based on physical principles rather than CNS “coordinative rules.”
Androgen deprivation falls as orchiectomy rates rise after changes in reimbursement in the U.S. Medicare population.

BACKGROUND Expenditures related to the use of medical androgen deprivation led in part to the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003. This mandated a decline in reimbursement to 80% to 85% of the average wholesale price starting in 2004 followed by a more significant reduction in 2005 to 106% of the average sales price, which effectively reduced the reimbursement by approximately 50% of 2003 values. The authors hypothesized that these changes in reimbursement may affect the way practitioners administer these treatments. METHODS The publicly available dataset Medicare Part B Extract Summary System was examined from 2001 to 2005 for trends in the number of allowed services and dollar amounts of allowed charges and payments. The reimbursable Medicare codes of J9217 (leuprolide acetate), J9202 (goserelin acetate), J9219 (leuprolide acetate implant), and J3315 (triptorelin pamoate) were examined for medical castration. The code for simple orchiectomy, 54520, was used for surgical castration. RESULTS The use of medical castration increased from 2001 to 2003, whereas, over the same period, surgical castration decreased. Total allowed charges for medical castration peaked in 2003 at $1.23 billion. After the enactment of the MMA, surgical castration rates increased, and medical castration decreased. Total allowed charges for medical castration in 2005 dropped 65% from the 2003 peak. CONCLUSIONS The use of medical androgen ablation decreased significantly with the decrease in reimbursement. The administration of either surgical or medical castration in the U.S. Medicare population appears to be tied closely to reimbursement in trend, but not always in magnitude. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
A high performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of total and free indomethacin in serum

A simple rapid and sensitive HPLC technique for the analysis of total and free plasma indomethacin concentrations in neonates is described. The advantages of the technique are small sample volumes (50 microL) enabling the use of capillary samples, direct extraction, low limits of detection (20 ng/mL) and good precision (CV less than 7% between-batch). Indomethacin and the internal standard (flufenamic acid) eluted within 12 min and the peaks were unaffected by indomethacin metabolites or by a number of commonly used drugs. The technique is suitable for the investigation into the pharmacokinetics of total and free indomethacin, in neonates with patent ductus arteriosus, and could be used to define a therapeutic window for free indomethacin levels to enable therapeutic drug monitoring to occur in this condition.
A fracture mechanics analysis of fatigue crack growth in a complex cross section

Abstract This paper describes research conducted to determine the fatigue crack growth behavior of corner cracks which occur in a beam with a complex “double-T” shaped cross section. Particular objectives were to determine the changes in crack shape as they grow from one leg of the double-T cross section into the wider portion of the specimen, and to determine whether crack growth could be delayed or arrested in this area. Since it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain details of crack growth inside metal specimens, it was decided to test transparent polymer models which allow in situ photographs of the crack plane. Fatigue crack growth rates measured at various positions along the crack front were used to compute cyclic stress intensity factors from the baseline fatigue crack growth behavior of the test material. The results of these experiments do indicate that cracks may be delayed once they sever one leg of the double-T cross section, although crack arrest may be compromised if a second crack develops in the opposing leg.
Sleeping Beauty–Mediated Somatic Mutagenesis Implicates CSF1 in the Formation of High-Grade Astrocytomas

The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system has been used as an insertional mutagenesis tool to identify novel cancer genes. To identify glioma-associated genes, we evaluated tumor formation in the brain tissue from 117 transgenic mice that had undergone constitutive SB-mediated transposition. Upon analysis, 21 samples (18%) contained neoplastic tissue with features of high-grade astrocytomas. These tumors expressed glial markers and were histologically similar to human glioma. Genomic DNA from SB-induced astrocytoma tissue was extracted and transposon insertion sites were identified. Insertions in the growth factor gene Csf1 were found in 13 of the 21 tumors (62%), clustered in introns 5 and 8. Using reverse transcription-PCR, we documented increased Csf1 RNAs in tumor versus adjacent normal tissue, with the identification of transposon-terminated Csf1 mRNAs in astrocytomas with SB insertions in intron 8. Analysis of human glioblastomas revealed increased levels of Csf1 RNA and protein. Together, these results indicate that SB-insertional mutagenesis can identify high-grade astrocytoma-associated genes and they imply an important role for CSF1 in the development of these tumors.
1985 Voyager 2 Radio Ranging Measurements of Coronal Density: Asymmetry in the Radial Profiles Explained

An asymmetry in the radial variation of electron density above the cast and west limbs of the Sun was inferred from centimeter wavelength ranging measurements conducted by Voyager 2 during its 1985 solar conjunction. The Voyager 2 ranging measurements, which took place in the heliocentric distance range of 7-40 solar radius, have been compared with the white-light coronagraph measurements of the underlying corona collected by the Mark 3 K-coronameter located at the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory. It is shown that the disparity in radial profiles is not real but is instead caused by longitudinal variations stemming from the probing of significantly different source regions its revealed in the white-light measurements. These results improve our understanding of the probing abilities of ranging measurements and their relationship to white-light measurements. They reinforce the notion that the high-precision and high-sensitivity features of ranging measurements are more fully exploited in the investigation of density variations across the ubiquitous low-contrast raylike structures that permit the corona, rather than in determining radial density profiles.
Ultrastructural studies of the dying-back process. V. Axonal neurofilaments accumulate at sites of 2,5-hexanedione application: Evidence for nerve fibre dysfunction in experimental hexacarbon neuropathy

This study examines the thesis that 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) produces distal (dying-back) axonopathy by direct toxic action on nerve fibres. Single or repeated application of undiluted or 10% 2,5-HD to exposed rat sciatic nerves caused some fibres to develop focal axonal swellings filled with abnormally large numbers of 10 nm neurofilaments. Such changes occurred within four days of application and were especially prominent in equivalently treated nerve segments obtained from animals orally exposed to 0.5% 2,5-HD before surgery. Nerve fibres along the perimeter of tibial nerve fascicles exposed to 2,5-HD or 2,4-hexanedione (2,4-HD), a compound unable to produce systemic neuropathy, underwent non-specific breakdown and Schwann cell necrosis. Nerve fibres located in the centre of such fascicles only developed an hypertrophied paranuclear Schwann cell cytoplasm and did not proliferate intermediate filaments. Saline, hydrochloric acid and 1,6-hexanediol, a water-soluble hexacarbon also lacking systemic neurotoxic properties, produced no intra-fascicular changes when locally applied to the sciatic nerve. It is concluded (1) that 2,5-HD causes giant axonal swellings by direct toxic action on the nerve fibre, (2) 2,5-HD does not induce a generalized disorder of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments and (3) primary Schwann cell changes produced by locally applied 2,5-HD or 2,4-HD are non-specific and unrelated to the formation of the giant axonal swellings.
Memory Loss, Behavioral Changes, and Slurred Speech in a 49-Year-Old Man

A 49-year-old man presented with slurred speech, memory loss, and behavioral changes. His clinical course was marked by decline in functional status and cognition. He had poorly controlled hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Neuroimaging was remarkable for multiple subcortical white matter lesions. We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of rapidly progressing cognitive decline in the given clinical setting.
The performance of the gph estimator of the fractional difference parameter: Simulation results

This paper investigates the behavior of the GPH estimator of the fractional difference parameter suggested by Geweke and Porter-Hudak (1983), through Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results indicate that when considering a stationary AR(1) generating process the GPH estimator of the fractional difference parameter has serious bias which increases with the value of the autoregressive parameter, even for relatively large samples. The results suggest that tests and point estimates based on this procedure can be seriously misleading with hypothesis ests yielding incorrect inferences and thus must be used with great care.
Ability of fullerenes to act as ?6 ligands in transition metal complexes. A comparative PM3(tm)-density functional theory study

High-quality DFT calculations are employed to estimate the arene exchange energies for reactions of general formula: For C60 and C70 complexes of Cr(CO)3, full geometry optimizations at the DFT level using moderately large basis sets were performed, while for the other systems a hybrid approach was developed in which the geometries were obtained at the PM3(tm) level and the energetics were evaluated at the DFT level. C70 is shown to be a slightly better arene ligand than C60; however, no enhancements of arene-like bonding capabilities are seen for C78 and C84 relative to C70. Explicit calculation of a series of exchange energies at the DFT level using both DFT and PM3(tm) geometries demonstrates that PM3(tm) geometries are sufficiently accurate for the calculation of energetics at a higher theoretical level, but PM3(tm) calculations are inadequate for a quantitative assessment of exchange energies. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1881–1886, 2001
Short-term stability of a new generic sodium ferric gluconate in complex with sucrose

AbstractBackground:Sodium ferric gluconate in complex (SFG) is used to treat iron deficiency anemia in patients aged ≥6 years undergoing chronic hemodialysis and receiving supplemental epoetin therapy. Both the branded product (Ferrlecit, branded SFG) and a new generic version of sodium ferric gluconate in complex (Nulecit; generic SFG) are provided in 5 mL vials. SFG may be administered by slow intravenous (IV) injection of the undiluted product or by 1 h IV infusion after dilution in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride. This study evaluated the short-term stability of undiluted and diluted generic SFG at room temperature and under refrigeration.Methods:Samples of generic SFG undiluted in 10 mL syringes or diluted in IV infusion bags containing 0.9% sodium chloride solution were stored at room temperature or under refrigerated conditions (2–8°C). Samples at room temperature were stored for ≤48 h if undiluted and for ≤24 h if diluted. All refrigerated samples were stored for ≤7 days. Parameters evaluated were ele...
Competition between photon emission and photodissociation in electronically excited chloro- and bromoacetylene

Abstract Lifetimes of, and quantum yields of fluorescence from, 17 states of chloroacetylene and 9 states of bromoacetylene are reported. In every instance the state prepared has more than enough energy for fragmentation of the CX bond. It is found that τnr for HCC Cl increases with increasing energy, and τnr for HCC Br is insensitive to the energy of the state prepared. These observations are interpreted by taking note of the constraints on dissociation rate imposed by the conservation of angular momentum, the competition between vibrational relaxation and resonance amongst quasi-isolated states, and the role of vibrational relaxation via Coriolis coupling of states.
Metabolism of low-density lipoprotein-proteoglycan complex by macrophages: further evidence for a receptor pathway.

Abstract Earlier, we (Vijayagopal, P., et al. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 837-251) have shown that complexes of plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and arterial chondroitin sulfate-dermatan sulfate proteoglycan aggregate promote LDL degradation and cholesteryl ester accumulation in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Further studies were conducted to determine whether LDL-proteoglycan complex is metabolized by a receptor-mediated process. Native proteoglycan aggregate was isolated from bovine aorta by associative CsCI isopycnic centrifugation. Complex of 125I-labeled LDL and proteoglycan aggregate formed in the presence of 30 mM Ca2+ was incubated with macrophages, and the binding at 4°C and degradation at 37°C of 125I-labeled LDL in the complex was monitored. Both binding and degradation of the complex were specific and saturable, suggesting that the processes are receptor mediated. The Kd for binding was 23μg LDL protein per ml in the complex. Degradation of 125I-labeled LDL-proteoglycan complex was not suppressed by preincubation of macrophages with excess unlabeled complex, suggesting that the receptor for the complex is not subject to down regulation. Both binding and degradation of the complex and the resultant stimulation of cholesteryl ester synthesis were inhibited by limited treatment of cells with low doses of trypsin and pronase, indicating that the binding sites are protein or glycoprotein in nature. Binding was not inhibited by an excess of native LDL and β-VLDL and exhibited only partial competition by excess unlabeled acetyl-LDL; however, polyinosinic acid, fucoidin and dextran sulfate, known inhibitors of acetyl-LDL binding and degradation in macrophages, did not affect LDL-proteoglycan complex binding and degradation. Similarly, excess unlabeled LDL-proteoglycan complex produced only partial inhibition of the binding and degradation of 125I-labeled acetyl-LDL by macrophages, suggesting that the binding sites for acetyl-LDL and LDL-proteoglycan complex are probably not identical. These studies provide evidence for a receptor-mediated pathway for the metabolism of LDL-proteoglycan complex in macrophages.
Highly penetrant, rapid tumorigenesis through conditional inversion of the tumor suppressor gene Snf5

Recent data suggest the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex may also act as a tumor suppressor. Utilizing a reversibly inactivating conditional allele, we demonstrate that loss of Snf5/Ini1/Baf47/SmarcB1, a core subunit of SWI/SNF, results in highly penetrant cancer predisposition with 100% of mice developing mature CD8(+) T cell lymphoma or rare rhabdoid tumors with a median onset of only 11 weeks. Notably, while loss of Snf5 predisposes to aggressive cancers, it is also required for survival of virtually all nonmalignant cells in vivo. Reversible gene targeting demonstrates a critical and specific role for Snf5 in tumor suppression, provides a novel system in which to explore the genetic pathways involved in tumor suppression by Swi/Snf, and should be of wide use in evaluating other essential tumor suppressor genes.
Supporting RTL flow compatibility in a microarchitecture-level design framework

Current RTL-based design methodologies face significant scaling challenges related to the difficulty of designing, modifying, and verifying RTL. RTL contains primarily low level structural information about the design. In contrast, the microarchitecture-level is much closer to the specification level, making it an effective entry point for hardware design. The explicit description of the high-level units of work is also beneficial for verification. Currently used models for high level design have very complex semantics. In this paper, we present a microarchitectural modeling language with simpler semantics. We demonstrate that it results in a significantly simpler synthesis to Verilog, providing for integration with existing RTL flows. Moreover, the simple semantics of the model enable the generation of PSL assertions for functionally verifying correctness of the synthesis. We demonstrate the efficacy of this approach through two case-studies---a router switch and a processor design. We synthesized both designs, and formally verified the synthesis using the generated assertions.