cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online Eccentricity Monitoring of Seamless Tubes in Cross-Roll Piercing Mill

Wall-thickness eccentricity is a major dimensional deviation problem in seamless steel tube production. Although eccentricity is mainly caused by abnormal process conditions in the cross-roll piercing mill, most seamless tube plants lack the monitoring at the hot piercing stage but only inspect the quality of finished tubes using ultrasonic testing (UT) at the end of all manufacturing processes. This paper develops an online monitoring technique to detect abnormal conditions in the cross-roll piercing mill. Based on an image-sensing technique, process operation condition can be extracted from the vibration signals. Optimal frequency features that are sensitive to tube wall-thickness variation are then selected through the formulation and solution of a set-covering optimization problem. Hotelling T2 control charts are constructed using the selected features for online monitoring. The developed monitoring technique enables early detection of eccentricity problems at the hot piercing stage, which can facilitate timely adjustment and defect prevention. The monitoring technique developed in this paper is generic and can be widely applied to the hot piercing process of various products. This paper also provides a general framework for effectively analyzing image-based sensing data and establishing the linkage between product quality information and process information.
The Infrared Spectrum and the Molecular Configuration of N 2 O

Vibration spectrum. The three normal vibrations of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$O are all active. The fundamental bands at 17.0\ensuremath{\mu}, 7.78\ensuremath{\mu} and 4.50\ensuremath{\mu}, and the three harmonics have all been observed; also six combination bands at wave-lengths greater than 2\ensuremath{\mu}. The 17.0\ensuremath{\mu} fundamental and two combination bands involving this fundamental have strong zero branches, while the harmonic and two combination bands involving the harmonic transition have no zero branches. All other bands are doublets.Rotational analysis. Three bands at 17.0\ensuremath{\mu}, 7.78\ensuremath{\mu} and 8.60\ensuremath{\mu} have been resolved under high dispersion. All show rotation lines with continuously varying intensities (no alternation) and almost uniform spacing, the same for each band, viz. 0.84 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The corresponding value of the moment of inertia, 59.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}40}$, is practically equivalent to that computed from the doublet separations of the various bands.Form of the molecule. The molecule is apparently linear but not symmetrical. The observations are not consistent with a triangular configuration, nor with the symmetrical linear configuration N---O---N, but they may be correlated precisely by means of the model $\mathrm{N}\ensuremath{\equiv}\mathrm{N}=\mathrm{O}$.
Reduced order techniques for sensitivity analysis and design optimization of aerospace systems

This work proposes a new method for using reduced-order models in lieu of high-fidelity analysis during the sensitivity analysis step. Reduced-order models are developed using a combination of proper orthogonal decomposition and radial basis functions. Interpolation using reduced-order models based on proper orthogonal decomposition is compared against normal optimization on a general airfoil shape optimization problem. The interpolation procedure does not require additional high-fidelity evaluations to construct new reduced-order models. The errors associated with the reduced-order models themselves as well as the gradients calculated from them are compared. The effects of each approach on the overall optimization paths, times, and function counts are also examined.
Adequacy of esophageal squamous mucosa specimens obtained during endoscopy: are standard biopsies sufficient for postablation surveillance in Barrett's esophagus?

Background After endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for Barrett's esophagus (BE), surveillance of residual/recurrent intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia including subsquamous tissue is performed by using biopsy forceps. Objective The goal of this study was to compare the adequacy of biopsy specimens obtained from neo-squamous (post-EET patients) and native (non-BE patients) squamous mucosa. Design A case-control study using squamous biopsy specimens obtained at 2 tertiary referral centers was conducted. Interventions Two experienced GI pathologists reviewed specimens from patients with neo- (post-EET patients) and native (non-BE patients) squamous mucosa in a blinded fashion after developing standardized criteria to assess tissue depth. Main Outcome Measurements The primary outcome was the proportion of biopsy specimens that contained any amount of lamina propria. Results A total of 193 biopsy specimens (1692 tissue pieces) from 104 patients were reviewed: 163 neo- and 30 native squamous. Of all biopsy specimens, only 37% contained any amount of lamina propria, and, furthermore, fewer than 4% of specimens had sufficient lamina propria (ie, more than two thirds of the entire squamous tissue present). When examining individual squamous tissue pieces, fewer than 11% contained lamina propria. No statistically significant differences in the presence of lamina propria were detected between neo- and native squamous mucosa. Conclusion The majority of esophageal squamous biopsy specimens obtained during endoscopy do not demonstrate lamina propria and subepithelial structures. This is true for both neo- and native squamous mucosa. Biopsy specimens of neo-squamous mucosa obtained after EET appear to be inadequate to exclude subsquamous intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia because lamina propria is not present in more than 60% of specimens. This has larger implications in the clinical management of BE patients after EET.
Notomicrus josiahi , a new species of Noteridae (Coleoptera) from Venezuela

Notomicrus josiahi sp. n . is described from a stream in southern Venezuela. The species differs from others in the genus in 1) large size for the genus (1.48–1.53mm), 2) smooth, shiny dorsal surface with indistinct punctation and mircroretic-ulation, 3) distinct coloration with head and pronotum yellow and elytron bicolored with basal portion black and apical portion brown, and 4) distinctive male genitalia. A checklist of the valid, known species of Notomicrus is given.
The validity of genes related to neurotransmitters as instrumental variables

Health economics has a tradition of evaluating the models of instrumental variables (IV) used in our field. For example, French and Popovici (2011) assess the instruments used in 60 recent studies measuring the effect of substance use (alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco) on various outcomes. Rashad and Kaestner (2004) evaluate the instruments used by Sen (2002) and Rees and colleagues (2001) to identify the effect of alcohol on risky sex among adolescents. Terza et al. (2008) review the health economics literature that applies linear IV methods in inherently nonlinear regression settings. In this editorial we discuss the IVs used in Fletcher and Lehrer (2009a), hereafter FL, to estimate the effect of health conditions on educational attainment. We focus on FL because it is novel, well-written, and careful in many ways; it won the 2009 Victor R. Fuchs award for ‘the best research paper with the potential to spawn new research in an underdeveloped area of health economics or health policy’. The use of genes as IVs (and in other empirical capacities) is likely to become more widespread as large social science datasets continue to add data from genetic assays. Therefore, consideration of this method is timely and likely to be useful in the future. Our comments should not be interpreted as exclusively about FL, but also apply to other papers in this emerging area of empirical health economics (e.g. Ding et al., 2009; Fletcher and Lehrer, 2009b), including our own (Norton and Han, 2008). FL estimate IV models using data from the third wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to test whether overweight (based on self-reported weight and height), depression (based on the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder or ADHD (based on 18 retrospective questions) affect years of schooling completed when respondents were on average 22 years old. FL argue persuasively that these measures of physical and mental health are endogenous to educational attainment. For example, poor grades in school may contribute to depression (reverse causality) and unobserved factors, such as rate of time preference, may contribute to both poor health and worse educational outcomes. As a result, simple regression would result in biased estimates of the effect of health on educational attainment. FL address the endogeneity of health by using genes as IVs. The specific IVs they use, listed in column 1 of Table I, are genes related to the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Fletcher and Lehrer (2009b) note that geneticists have linked these specific genes to overweight, depression, and ADHD, and that these correlations make sense in light of the fact that neurotransmitters affect mood, attention, and are associated with feelings of pleasure and reward, and thus serve as positive reinforcement for certain decisions. For example, people who are genetically predisposed to low levels
Statistical self-affinity, fractal dimension, and geologic interpretation

Properties of statistical self-affinity are explored and explained. Semi-variogram analysis can be used for identifying statistical self-affine behavior. This is, however, not the only method available for such an analysis. Some error and interpretation is involved; therefore, estimating the Hurst dimension (and from this the fractal dimension) from the semi-variogram can be misleading. Simulations based on statistical self-affine properties are alternatively used to develop an empirical approach to assessing statistical self-affine behavior. Analyzing simulations using semi-variograms, and comparing these semi-variograms to those from actual data, offers an alternate and perhaps superior approach to the understanding of the statistical self-affine properties of a geologic phenomenon. This empirical approach offers a method of reverse modeling for verifying estimates of Hurst dimension from semi-variograms.
Characterization Of Sol-Gel Derived Tantalum Oxide Films

We have studied the densification and dielectric properties of sol-gel derived tantalum oxide thin films as the insulators in MIS capacitors. Hydrolysis of tantalum ethoxide is extremely rapid and goes to completion in ethanol. Condensation is also rapid, and goes to completion in toluene Multiple layers were applied by spin-coating up to thicknesses of 3000 A before cracking of the coating during drying ensued. Densification occurs from room temperature to 450 C, with the original film thickness decreasing by about half in one hour at 450 C. No additional densification occurs upon heating to 750 C. The dielectric constant decreases from unfired samples to those fired at 450 C, and then increases on firing from 600 to 750 C. The value of the dielectric constant at 1 MHz for samples fired at 750 C for one hour is 20, similar to that of anodically grown Ta2O5. Leakage currents as low as 2 × 10−7 amp cm−2 have been measured for applied fields of 200,000 V cm−1.
Effect of the phorbol ester TPA on PTH secretion Evidence for a role for protein kinase C in the control of PTH release

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is stimulated by low extracellular calcium (Ca2+) in association with a reduction in cyosolic Ca2+, indicating that this cell type does not conform to classical models of stimulus-secretion coupling. We used the phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate), which directly activates protein kinase C, to investigate the possible role of this enzyme in the unusual secretory properties of the parathyroid cell. TPA causes a dose-dependent stimulation of PTH release inhibited by high extracellular Ca2+ (EC50 = 10 nM) but has relatively little effect on secretion stimulated by low Ca2+. This effect was mimicked by the β4-isomer of phorbol 12,13-didecanoate which also activates kinase C, but not by the α4-isomer, which has no effect on this enzyme. TPA does not modify cellular cAMP or cytosolic Ca2+ in the parathyroid cell indicating that its effects on PTH secretion are not mediated indirectly via changes in these second messengers. These results suggest that inhibition of PTH release at high Ca2+ might be related to a reduction in protein kinase C activity which can be overcome when the enzyme is directly activated by TPA.
Optimal ranked set sampling estimation based on medians from multiple set sizes

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a sample selection technique that makes use of expert knowledge to rank sample units before measuring them. Even though rankings are not always perfect, RSS is useful in situations where obtaining measurements is costly, difficult, or destructive. Research in this area has tended to focus on the case where all set sizes are equal. This article represents a departure from that setting because we encounter different set sizes within a single sample. More specifically, we propose an alternative estimator for the median of a symmetric distribution using medians of ranked set samples of various set sizes from such a distribution. This estimator is seen to be robust over a wide class of symmetric distributions.
Biliverdin's regulation of reactive oxygen species signalling leads to potent inhibition of proliferative and angiogenic pathways in head and neck cancer.

In this study, we evaluate whether the use of biliverdin (BV), a natural non-toxic antioxidant product of haeme catabolism, can suppress head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell proliferation and improve the tumour survival both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we investigate whether this therapeutic outcome relies on BV’s potent antioxidant effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signalling. Two well-characterised HNSCC cell lines and a mouse model with human HNSCC were used for this study. In vitro, the effect of BV on ROS was assayed. Subsequently, critical regulatory proteins involved in growth, antiapoptotic, and angiogenic pathways were investigated by western blot analysis. In addition, the antiproliferative effect of BV was also evaluated using the clonogenic assay. Moreover, tumour growth inhibition was assessed using a mouse model with HNSCC. Biliverdin treatment resulted in decreased ROS, leading to suppression of proliferation and angiogenesis pathways of HNSCC, significantly decreasing the expression and phosphorylation of oncogenic factors such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphorylation of Akt, and expression of angiogenic marker and transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor1-α (HIF1-α). Furthermore, this downregulation of ROS by BV led to a significant suppression of tumour growth in vivo. Our study demonstrates the efficacy of a novel therapeutic approach using BV as an antitumour agent against HNSCC through its effect on EGFR/Akt and HIF1-α/angiogenesis signal transduction pathways. Our findings indicate that BV’s inhibitory effect on these tumorigenic pathways relies on its antioxidant effect, and may extend its therapeutic potential to other solid cancers.
Additivity of neurochemical changes in learned helplessness and imipramine.

Exposure of animals to learned helplessness training produced a decrease in the calcium-specific release of serotonin from slices of neocortex, of GABA from hippocampal slices, and of serotonin from septal slices when measured 1 or 4 days later. Chronic, but not acute, administration of imipramine produced opposing changes in control rats and reversed the decreased release measured in helpless animals. These neurochemical changes characteristic of learned helplessness required 30 min of training to develop.
Comparison of 24-hour parasympathetic activity in endurance-trained and untrained young men

Objectives. This study compares 24-h parasympathetic activity in aerobically trained and untrained healthy young men. Background. Higher values of parasympathetic nervous system activity are associated with a low mortality rate in patients after myocardial infarction, but it remains uncertain what therapeutic interventions can be used to increase parasympathetic activity. Although it is thought that exercise training can increase parasympathetic activity, studies have reported conflicting results, perhaps because this variable was measured for only brief intervals and usually inferred from changes in reflex responses induced by pharmacologic blockade. Methods. Parasympathetic activity was assessed noninvasively from 24-h ECG recordings by calculating high frequency (0.15 to 0.40 Hz) beat to beat heart period variability in eight endurance-trained men (maximal oxygen consumption ≥ 55 ml/kg per min) and eight age-matched (mean = 29 yr) untrained men (maximal oxygen consumption ≤ 40 ml/kg per min). The data were analyzed separately for sleeping hours when parasympathetic activity is dominant and also for waking hours. Results. The geometric mean of high frequency power was greater in the trained than in the untrained men during the day (852 vs. 177 ms2, p < 0.005), during the night (1,874 vs. 427 ms2, p < 0.005) and over the entire 24 h (1,165 vs. 276 ms2, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Parasympathetic activity is substantially greater in trained than in untrained men, and this effect is present during both waking and sleeping hours. These data suggest that exercise training may increase parasympathetic activity over the entire day and may therefore prove to be a useful adjunct or alternative to drug therapy in lessening the derangements of autonomic balance found in many cardiovascular diseases.
Protected areas and regional development in Europe – towards a new model for the 21st century

Protected areas and regional development in Europe – towards a new model for the 21st century, edited by I. Mose, Ashgate, Aldershot, 2007, 249 pp., £ 55.00. (hardback), ISBN 978-0-7546-4801-7 This...
OC12.08: Absence of intracranial translucency on first trimester screen as a predictor of open neural tube defects

A. Toi1, K. Fong1, D. Chitayat2, P. Shannon4, S. Blaser3 1Medical Imaging, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 2Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Neuroradiology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; 4Neuropathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Making sense of chemicals

The sensation of taste is initiated when chemicals interact with peripheral receptors in the oral cavity, activating a cascade of cellular events that lead to changes in neurotransmitter release onto afferent nerve fibers. The mechanisms of taste transduction are diverse and involve a rich array of signaling components.
Mobility of the antiferromagnetic large polaron

Abstract The motion of an antiferromagnetic large polaron under an applied electric field is treated theoretically. It is shown that the motion of the 4ƒ spin polarization is similar to that of antiferromagnetic domain wall motion. The results are described in terms of an extra effective mass which is due primarily to the 4ƒ spin exchange energy. For a large polaron, the effective mass is very large.
Prediction of carcass merit from live body measurements in rabbits of four breed-types

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate certain live body measurements taken on rabbit fryers as predictors of carcass merit. Four breed-types were involved: two purebred (Californian (CAL) and New Zealand White (NZW)) and two crossbred (CAL sire × NZW dam and Flemish Giant (FG)) groups, giving a total of 226 rabbit fryers. Live mensuration characters (recorded at 70 days of age) as independent variables included body weight and length, loin width and length, femur length, and half-rump circumference. Carcass traits as dependent variables were hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin lean cut weight, and lean-to-bone ratio of the loin primal cut. Models including breedtype, season, parity and sex main effects with the inclusion of live mensuration characters as linear covariates were used in multiple regression analyses. Regression equations were most reliable (R2≥79.7%) for prediction of hot carcass and loin lean cut weights, as opposed to percentage or ratio traits. Live body weight and loin width measurements yielded modest to high (R2=34.1 and 79.7%) determination, respectively, in loin lean-to-bone ratio and lean cut weight. Individual breed-type regressions often varied (P<0.05), suggesting genetic and (or) physiological differences in maturity at a constant age of 70 days. This investigation demonstrates the applicability of regression equations to predict certain carcass merit traits in the meat rabbit industry.
Orthogonal solid-phase synthesis of tetramannosylated peptide constructs carrying three independent branched epitopes

Abstract The development of peptide-based drugs requires the chemical synthesis of systems as complex as they appear in nature. Most bioactive peptides have to be associated with co-activators and delivery or targeting domains, the synthesis of such complexes is far from trivial. In efforts to develop a prototype for a new generation of peptide vaccines, a peptide construct was prepared, using an alternating lysine and glycine backbone. A 24-mer major antigen corresponding to the M2 protein of influenza virus, and two shorter T-cell epitopes derived from the hemagglutinin were co-synthesized onto the side chains of the first three lysines. To help the delivery of the constructs inside the antigen presenting cells via the multimeric cell surface mannose receptor, three additional lysines were decorated with four mannosylated serine residues. The synthesis difficulty increased upon addition of the glycoamino acids and alternating the peptide and glycoamino acid branches. The successful solid-phase synthesis of the constructs proceeded with the use of a combination of three quasi-orthogonally removable amino protecting groups and a robust activation strategy. These multi-glycosylated constructs represent some of the most complex synthetic peptides to date, and will be used to study the entire process of antigen delivery, presentation and immunogenicity.
Computer Simulations of Space Plasmas

Even a superficial scanning of the latest issues of the Journal of Geophysical Research reveals that numerical simulation of space plasma processes is an active and growing field. The complexity and sophistication of numerically produced “data” rivals that of the real stuff. Sometimes numerical results need interpretation in terms of a simple “theory,” very much as the results of real experiments and observations do. Numerical simulation has indeed become a third independent tool of space physics, somewhere between observations and analytic theory. There is thus a strong need for textbooks and monographs that report the latest techniques and results in an easily accessible form. This book is an attempt to satisfy this need. The editors want it not only to be “proceedings of selected lectures (given) at the first ISSS (International School of Space Simulations in Kyoto, Japan, November 1–2, 1982) but rather…a form of textbook of computer simulations of space plasmas.” This is, of course, a difficult task when many authors are involved. Unavoidable redundancies and differences in notation may confuse the beginner. Some important questions, like numerical stability, are not discussed in sufficient detail. The recent book by C.K. Birdsall and A.B. Langdon (Plasma Physics via Computer Simulations, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1985) is more complete and detailed and seems more suitable as a textbook for simulations. Nevertheless, this book is useful to the beginner and the specialist because it contains not only descriptions of various numerical techniques but also many applications of simulations to space physics phenomena.
Cathodic Sputtering under High-Gas-Flow Jets

Studies of cathodic sputtering with gas flow rates up to 2.13 L/min/jet were carried out in an Atomsource sputtering atomizer with Ar as the jet gas and Cu as the cathode sample. These flow rates are 20-fold greater than those normally used and were found to increase net sputtering yield significantly. A fourfold increase in net sputtering yield was observed when the number of jets in use was decreased from six to one, with the gas flow rate and other conditions held constant. Possible explanations for these effects are offered.
Comparison of a Momentum Device with a Turbulent Reattachment Device

The jet profile of a momentum amplifier is used to find the optimum distance between receiver and outlet nozzle, as well as the most favorable receiver width. The receivers are designed for digital operation, so that good discrimination is assured. With the help of the output characteristic and of the control line resistance, the response time can be calculated. With equal discrimination, without considering response time, the boundary layer amplifier allows essentially higher amplification.
Intermediate French: An Eclectic Approach at the University of Akron

Organizing an integrated, cohesive, and meaningful course for the intermediate level of college French is a challenge. The varied composition of most classes, current budget constraints, and the wide spectrum of materials and methodologies can be overwhelmingly difficult to handle. This article explains how traditional materials available to most teachers can be a point of departure for a program which focuses on communicative competence, and suggests ways of incorporating computer programs, slide/sound presentations, and conversational activities into the curriculum in a carefully integrated fashion. Many of the ideas can be adapted to suit most intermediate programs and most foreign languages, with little or no financial investment by the teacher, the student, or the school.
Magnetic investigation of Er(C2O4) (C2O4)·3H2O

Abstract Single crystal susceptibilities of Er(C 2 O 4 ) (C 2 O 4 H)·3H 2 O are reported over the 1.5–20 K interval, and EPR spectra at 4.2 K of Y (C 2 O 4 ) (C 2 O 4 H·3H 2 O doped with Er 3+ are also reported. The susceptibilities follow the CurieWeiss law, with g | = 12.97 ± 0.05, g ⊥ = 2.98 ± 0.05, θ | = −0.25 ± 0.05 K, and θ ⊥ = −0.12 ± 0.05 K.
Star couplers using fused biconically tapered multimode fibres

We report the fabrication and testing of 4-, 7-and 19-fibre fused biconical taper transmissive star couplers for use with single multimode fibres. Overall insertion losses on six couplers range from -1.3 dB to -2.6 dB. Losses are nearly independent of N, the number of fibres, but dispersion of the powers in the output fibres increases significantly with N.
Cluster phase chemistry: collisions of vibrationally excited cationic dicarboxylic acid clusters with water molecules initiate dissociation of cluster components.

A homologous series of cationic gas-phase clusters of dicarboxylic acids (oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid) generated via electrospray ionization (ESI) are investigated using collision-induced dissociation (CID). Singly charged cationic clusters with the composition (Na^+)_(2n+1)(dicarboxylate^(2-))_n, where n = 1−5, are observed as major gas-phase species. Significant abundances of singly charged sodiated hydrogen dicarboxylate clusters with the composition (Na^+)^(2n)(dicarboxylate^(2-))_n(H^+), where n = 1−6, are observed with oxalic acid, malonic acid, and succinic acid. Isolation of the clusters followed by CID results mainly in sequential loss of disodium dicarboxylate moieties for the clusters of succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid. However, the dimer of sodiated hydrogen succinate, all malonate clusters, and all oxalate clusters, with the exception of the dimer, exhibit complex chemical reactions initiated by the collision of vibrationally excited clusters with water molecules. Generally, water molecules serve as proton donors for reacting dicarboxylate anions in the cluster, initiating dissociation pathways such as the decomposition of the malonate ion to yield an acetate ion and CO_2. The reactivity of several mixed dicarboxylate clusters is also reported. For example, malonate anion is shown to be more reactive than oxalate anion for decarboxylation when both are present in a cluster. The energetics of several representative cluster phase reactions are evaluated using computational modeling. The present results for cationic clusters are compared and contrasted to earlier studies of anionic sodiated dicarboxylic acid clusters.
1450 PRESERVATION OF BRAIN BLOOD FLOW AUTOREGULATION AND OXYGEN DELIVERY DURING HEMORRHAGE AND DOPAMINE INFUSION

Although sick infants who may suffer brain injury are treated with many drugs (e.g., dopamine) which affect the systemic circulation, their effects on the cerebral circulation are not well understood. To study the effect of hemorrhagic hypotension and dopamine infusion on the cerebral circulation, we measured aortic pressure (MAP), hematocrit (Hct) and calculated brain oxygen delivery (BOD) in 9 lambs that were < 1 wk old during a control period (CON); hemorrhage of 25cc/kg (HEM); dopamine [5μg/kg/min] (DOPA 5); dopamine [20μg/kg/min](DOPA 20). Cardiac output (CO) and brain blood flow(BBF) were measured using microspheres. Summary of results: X±sx, * different than control, p<0.05 Despite a fall in aortic pressure, hematocrit and cardiac output during hemorrhage, brain blood flow and oxygen delivery were preserved. During dopamine infusion aortic pressure and cardiac output returned to baseline and brain blood flow and oxygen delivery remained unchanged. We conclude that brain oxygen delivery and autoregulation of blood flow in the newborn lamb are not impaired by this degree of hemorrhage or dopamine infusion.
Fastener systems on apparel for hemiplegic stroke victims

Abstract Many stroke victims suffer hemiplegia. The type and location of apparel fasteners (e.g. buttons) are important to facilitate dressing for persons with hemiplegia. This study evaluated a series of garments with different fastener types and locations using hemiplegic subjects. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 + 1 factorial complete randomized block design with a control. Fastener type and location were independent variables. Dependent variables were: (1) time required to open and close the fasteners, (2) number of fasteners opened and closed, (3) and subjective responses to a questionnaire. The subjects for this study were ten stroke victims with hemiplegia. Results indicated significant differences for fastener type and location. These results should aid apparel manufacturers to provide more functional apparel for persons with hemiplegia due to stroke, as well as those responsible for selecting and/or helping to dress persons with hemiplegia due to stroke.
Online Reverse Auctions: Issues, Themes, and Prospects for the Future

Online reverse auctions are increasingly being used in industrial sourcing activities. This phenomenon represents a novel emerging area of inquiry with significant implications for sourcing strategies. However, there is little systematic thinking or empirical evidence on the topic. This article reviews the use of these auctions in sourcing activities and highlights four key aspects: (1) the differences from physical auctions and those of the theoretical literature, (2) the conditions for using online reverse auctions, (3) the methods for structuring the auctions, and (4) the evaluations of auction performance. Some empirical evidence on these issues is also provided.
Circulating Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Men With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is employed in the treatment of patients with metastatic or recurrent PCa, resulting in castrate levels of testosterone. Recent studies have shown that male hypogonadism is associated with increased levels of proinflammatory and diminished concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which normalize upon testosterone treatment. Furthermore, an inflammatory state is associated with osteoporosis, sarcopenia and metabolic abnormalities. We examined 3 groups of men: 1) 20 men with PCa undergoing ADT for at least 12 months prior to the onset of the study (ADT group); 2) 18 age-matched men with non-metastatic PCa who had undergone local surgery and/or radiotherapy and had not yet received ADT and were eugonadal (non-ADT group); and 3) 20 age-matched healthy eugonadal men (control group). None of the subjects were suffering from any acute or chronic inflammatory conditions. Mean age was similar in the 3 groups (P = .41). Men in the ADT and non-ADT groups had higher BMI compared to the control group (P = .0005 and P = .01, respectively). Men in the ADT group had significantly lower mean serum total (P < .0001) and free (P < .0001) testosterone and estradiol (P < .0001) levels compared to the other 2 groups. No significant differences in serum levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed between the 3 groups. These data suggest that men with PCa undergoing long-term ADT do not have elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to age and disease matched controls. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate for any acute changes in these inflammatory markers that might occur after the initiation of ADT.
Evaluation and Treatment of Upper Extremity Nerve Entrapment Syndromes

Nerve entrapment syndromes in the upper extremity are being recognized with increasing frequency. Prompt and correct diagnosis of these injuries is important. This article is a review of the common entrapment nerve injuries seen in the upper extremity. Each of these clinical syndromes is discussed independently, reviewing the anatomy, compression sites, patient presentation (history and examination), the role of additional diagnostic studies, and management.
Nosocomial vs. community-acquired infective endocarditis in Greece: changing epidemiological profile and mortality risk.

Current epidemiological trends of infective endocarditis (IE) in Greece were investigated via a prospective cohort study of all cases of IE that fulfilled the Duke criteria during 2000-2004 in 14 tertiary and six general hospitals in the metropolitan area of Athens. Demographics, clinical data and outcome were compared for nosocomial IE (NIE) and community-acquired IE (CIE). NIE accounted for 42 (21.5%) and CIE for 153 (78.5%) of 195 cases. Intravenous drug use was associated exclusively with CIE, while co-morbidities (cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure requiring haemodialysis and malignancies) were more frequent in the NIE group (p 50% of NIE cases had a history of vascular intervention. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci were more frequent in cases of NIE than in cases of CIE (26.2% vs. 5.2%, p <0.01, and 30.9% vs. 16.3%, p 0.05, respectively). Enterococci accounted for 19.5% of total IE cases and were the leading cause of NIE. Staphylococcus aureus IE was hospital-acquired in only 11.9% of cases. In-hospital mortality was higher for NIE than for CIE (39.5% vs. 18.6%, p 0.02). Cardiac failure (New York Heart Association grade III-IV; OR 13.3, 95% CI 4.9-36.1, p <0.001) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3-10.6, p 0.01) were the most important predictors of mortality.
Contamination Relative to the Activation Timing of Filtered-Exhaust Helmets.

Abstract Background Filtered-exhaust helmet systems are commonplace during total joint arthroplasty, but their ability to limit intraoperative contamination has been questioned. We hypothesized that activation of the airflow system after complete gowning would lead to decreased contamination of the surgical environment. Methods Using a fluorescent particle model, the maximal particle spread from a filtered-exhaust helmet and contamination of the surgical environment based on timing of airflow activation through simulated surgical gowning procedures were evaluated. Results Helmet airflow analysis revealed particle spread greater than 5 feet in all trials. Activation before gowning resulted in a significantly greater contamination in the control group compared with the experimental group ( P = .014). Conclusions We recommend complete surgical gowning before activation of the airflow system.
Predicting floodplain boundary changes following the Cerro Grande wildfire

A combined Arc View GIS-HEC modelling application for floodplain analysis of pre- and post-burned watersheds is described. The burned study area is located on Pajarito Plateau near Los Alamos National Laboratory (the Laboratory), where the Cerro Grande Wildfire burned 42878 acres (17352 ha) in May 2000. This area is dominated by rugged mountains that are dissected by numerous steep canyons having both ephemeral and perennial channel reaches. Vegetation consists of pinon-juniper woodlands located between 6000 and 7000 ft (1829-2134 m) above mean sea level (MSL), and Ponderosa pine stands between 7000 and 10000 ft MSL (2134-3048 m). Approximately 17% of the burned area is located within the Laboratory, and the remainder is located in upstream or adjacent watersheds, Pre-burn floodplains were previously mapped in 1990-91 using early HEC models as part of the hazardous waste site permitting process. Precipitation and stream gauge data provide essential information characterizing rainfall-runoff relationships before and after the fire. They also provide a means of monitoring spatial and temporal changes as forest recovery progresses. The 2000 summer monsoon began in late June and provided several significant runoff events for model calibration. HEC-HMS modelled responses were sequentially refined so that observed and predicted hydrograph peaks were matched at numerous channel locations. The 100 year, 6 h design storm was eventually used to predict peak hydrographs at critical sites. These results were compared with pre-fire simulations so that new flood-prone areas could be systematically identified. Stream channel cross-sectional geometries were extracted from a gridded 1 ft (0.3 m) digital elevation model (DEM) using ArcView GIS. Then floodpool topwidths, depths, and flow velocities were remapped using the HEC-RAS model. Finally, numerous surveyed channel sections were selectively made at crucial sites for DEM verification, These evaluations provided timely guidance that influenced the decision to construct several flood detention structures that were completed in September 2000.
General Method for Producing Organic Nanoparticles Using Nanoporous Membranes

Two liquids are separated by a nanoporous membrane and one liquid is made to flow into the other, causing nanoparticles to be formed at the exits of the nanopores. In particular, we report the generation of nanoparticles of the biodegradable polysaccharide polymer chitosan by placing the chitosan in a low pH aqueous solution that is flowed into a high pH aqueous solution. The size of the nanoparticles (5-20 nm) can be roughly controlled by choosing the size of the nanopores and the pumping rate. In addition, it is possible to load the chitosan nanoparticles with drug molecules, which is demonstrated by incorporation of up to 3.3% rhodamine 6G molecules in the chitosan nanoparticles.
Immediate-Early Genes of Human Cytomegalovirus: Organization and Function

Immediate-early (IE) genes of human cytomegalovirus are the first genes expressed after the virus infects the cell. The most extensively characterized of the IE genes is the major IE gene region. Originating from this gene is a series of overlapping mRNAs which encode proteins that have common and unique domains. Functionally, at least three IE proteins, IE 72, IE 55, and IE 86, are responsible for regulation of viral promoters. These proteins interact to enhance and repress expression of the major IE promoter resulting in a coordinate regulation that affects the balance of IE gene expression. In addition, IE proteins interact with cell factors during regulation of viral gene expression to activate early promoters. Therefore, the coordinate regulation of IE genes and their corresponding proteins, by cellular proteins in the infected cell, is likely to be the single most important determinant influencing the outcome of human cytomegalovirus infection.
Experiences in threading UML throughout a computer science program

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, decided to standardize its computer science program on the unified modeling language (UML) for all software design representations. Converting the appropriate courses to support formal teaching or reinforcement of UML concepts was planned as a phased approach over four academic years. Formal UML instruction was planned for Computer Science 1 courses and the senior two-course software engineering capstone sequence. Reinforcement of UML would be in the intervening courses. Once implementation began, it became apparent that a prolonged period between formal blocks of instruction was insufficient. Instead, some additional courses were redesigned to support formal UML instruction. The end result was a richer and deeper exposure to UML than anticipated over the same timeframe.
Organized Interests and Their Issue Niches: A Search for Pluralism in a Policy Domain

Recent research suggests that patterns of interaction among organized American interests have important implications for pluralist theory. The research presented here confirms that competition for policy attention exists among multiple interests having divided policy goals. However, the findings challenge the view that a proliferation of organizations leads to actual competition between interest groups as issues are resolved. It does so by shifting the level of analysis from the domain level to the issue level in order to provide a common substantive context for elite/pluralist interpretations. The analysis argues, using transaction theory, that organized interests cultivate specific and recognizable identities. From these identities, they come to occupy issue niches where they only infrequently ally themselves with or become adversaries of other interests. Rather than do so, most interests accommodate one another by concentrating on very narrow issues. Only a few organizations, usually the least influent...
SR-4233: a new bioreductive agent with high selective toxicity for hypoxic mammalian cells.

We have examined the effects of the benzotriazine di-N-oxide SR-4233 (3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4 (dioxide) on a variety of aerobic and hypoxic cells in culture, and on tumors in mice. The cell lines used were Chinese hamster ovary (HA-1), mouse 10T1/2, RIF-1, and SCC VII cells, and the human cell lines HCI'-8, AG1522, and A549. The effect of SR 4233 in combination with irradiation was also examined in the SCC VII tumor growing in the flank of C3H mice using clonogenic assay (tumors excised 24 hr after irradiation). We found SR-4233 to be a potent and selective killer of hypoxic cells. Cell killing as a function of time for the various cell lines was exponential, with no shoulder. Drug concentrations producing equivalent levels of cell killing were 75–200 fold lower in hypoxic than in aerobic cells for the mouse and hamster lines, and 15–50 fold lower for the human cells. In vivo experiments showed that the non-toxic dose of 0.3 mmole/kg of SR-4233 enhanced radiation-induced tumor cell kill when the drug was given between 1 hr before and 2 hr after the radiation dose. We have also shown that the drug metabolizes more rapidly under hypoxic than aerobic conditions, both in vitro and in vivo. The toxic product(s) is unknown, but could be the I -electron reduction product, the radical anion, because the mono N-oxide (the 2-electron reduction product) did not display cytotoxicity or selective killing under hypoxic conditions. This compound could therefore be a useful tool in tumor biology, as well as being a new lead in the development of bioreductive cytotoxic agents for cancer therapy.
Erythrocyte responses in low-shear-rate flows: effects of non-biconcave stress-free state in the cytoskeleton

Inspired by the recent experiment on erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) in weak shear flows by Dupire et al. (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 109, 2012, pp. 20808–20813), we conduct a numerical investigation to study the dynamics of RBCs in low-shear-rate flows by applying a multiscale fluid–structure interaction model. By employing a spheroidal stress-free state in the cytoskeleton, we are able to numerically predict an important feature, namely that the cell maintains its biconcave shape during tank-treading motions. Furthermore, we numerically confirm the hypothesis that, as the stress-free state approaches a sphere, the threshold shear rates corresponding to the establishment of tank treading decrease. By comparing with the experimental measurements, our study suggests that the stress-free state of RBCs is a spheroid that is close to a sphere, rather than the biconcave shape applied in existing models (the implication is that the RBC skeleton is pre-stressed in its natural biconcave state). It also suggests that the response of RBCs in low-shear-rate flows may provide a measure to quantitatively determine the distribution of shear stress in the RBC cytoskeleton in the natural state.
Ambiguity resolution in sparse linear prediction

We present some results of our analysis of Kumaresan's (1982) sparse linear prediction method for estimation of frequencies of sinusoids. Refinements of Kumaresan's method are proposed for the case of two sinusoids which are not close in frequency. When the data is corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise, the probability of correctly resolving ambiguities is used to evaluate the performance. Comparisons between statistical performance analyses and computer simulations demonstrate that the analyses are accurate. >
Modeling suggests that gene circuit architecture controls phenotypic variability in a bacterial persistence network

Background Bacterial persistence is a non-inherited bet-hedging mechanism where a subpopulation of cells enters a dormant state, allowing those cells to survive environmental stress such as treatment with antibiotics. Persister cells are not mutants; they are formed by natural stochastic variation in gene expression. Understanding how regulatory architecture influences the level of phenotypic variability can help us explain how the frequency of persistence events can be tuned.
Skin conductance responses to stimulus "energy" decreases following habituation.

Two experiments are reported in which a reduction in tone intensity or duration followed habituation. Experiment I, which employed 120 subjects, assessed the effects of type of stimulus change (intensity or duration) and trial of change (trial 5 or trial 22) on orienting response (OR) recovery. Experiment II employed 131 subjects, and examined the effects of reduction of stimulus intensity on trial 22 or after subjects reached a predetermined habituation criterion. Experiment I demonstrated OR reappearance following the offset of a shortened stimulus. The combined findings of Experiments I and II suggest that the effects of reducing stimulus intensity depend on when the change is made. In Experiment I, reducing stimulus intensity on trial 5 led to a significant decrease in OR magnitude. In Experiment II, increases in OR magnitude were produced by reducing stimulus intensity either after reaching a criterion or after 21 habituation trials. These findings suggest a Sokolovian view of the development of the generalization gradient of habituation. Results also revealed large individual differences in responding to the stimulus change in Experiment II. Multiple regression analyses of these data were therefore conducted, which allowed two further conclusions to be drawn: First, initial electrodermal state can be used to predict responding on the stimulus change trial. Second, with long habituation training (21 trials), the role of the initial state variables diminishes while other variables representing change over the experimental session become more prominent in predicting responding to stimulus change.