cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agonist-induced regulation of inositol tetrakisphosphate isomers and inositol pentakisphosphate in adrenal glomerulosa cells

In adrenal glomerulosa cells, angiotensin II (AII) rapidly stimulates the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) and causes marked long-term changes in the levels of highly phosphorylated inositols. Glomerulosa cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol for 48 h and exposed to AII for 10 min showed prominent increases in inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins-1,3,4,5-P4) and smaller increases in two additional tetrakisphosphates, Ins-1,3,4,6-P4 and another (Ins-3,4,5,6-P4) eluting in the position of Ins-3,4,5,6-P4 and its stereoisomer, Ins-1,4,5,6-P4, on anion exchange liquid chromatography. A concomitant decrease in InsP5 indicates that an increase in Ins-1,4,5,6-P4, the breakdown product of InsP5, is probably responsible for the initial rise in Ins-3,4,5,6-P4 during 10 min stimulation by AII. During prolonged stimulation by AII, Ins-1,3,4,5-P4 began to decline from its high, stimulated level after the first hour but the level of Ins-1,3,4,6-P4 remained elevated for several hours. There were also progressive increases in the levels of Ins-3,4,5,6-P4 and InsP5 during stimulation for up to 16 h with AII. Treatment of adrenal cells for 16 h with the cyclic AMP-mediated secretagogue, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), slightly increased basal levels of Ins-1,3,4,6-P4, Ins-3,4,5,6-P4, and InsP5, and enhanced the subsequent AII-stimulated increases in the two additional tetrakisphosphate isomers but not of inositol trisphosphates or Ins-1,3,4,5-P4. This change in the pattern of the higher inositol phosphate response to AII was manifested within 2 h after exposure to ACTH, and was mimicked by treatment with 8-bromo cyclic AMP or forskolin. Treatment with 50 microM cycloheximide abolished the ACTH-induced increases in inositol polyphosphate responses during AII stimulation, but had no effect on the responses of untreated cells to AII. The conversion of [3H]Ins-1,3,4-P3 to [3H]Ins-1,3,4,6-P4, a reaction linking the receptor-mediated InsP3 response to higher inositol phosphates, was enhanced in permeabilized cells that were pretreated for 16 h with either ACTH or AII. These results demonstrate that the reactions by which Ins-1,3,4,6-P4 and Ins-3,4,5,6-P4 are formed and converted to InsP5 are influenced by agonist-stimulated regulatory processes that include both calcium-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent mechanisms of target cell activation. They also reveal changes consistent with agonist-induced conversion of InsP5 to its dephosphorylated metabolite, Ins-1,4,5,6-P4, during short-term stimulation by AII.
Condensed cyclobutane aromatic compounds—XXIII

Abstract The reaction of bromine with 1,2,5,6-dibenzocyclo-octatetraene involves normal halogen addition to the olefinic linkages, rather than transannular addition as previously assumed. Both a very unreactive tetrabromide and a highly reactive dibromide can be obtained. Solvolysis of the dibromide gives derivatives of 1,2,5,6-dibenzocycloheptatriene. The structures of several transformation products of this dibromide which appear in the literature are revised. The usual geometry of the tetrabromide of dibenzocyclo-octatetraene is correlated with the observed NMR spectrum.
Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy of B-Cell Malignancies with 131I-Lym-1

Eighteen patients with Stage 4 B-cell malignancies, which were primarily of intermediate or high grade and progressive despite multiple drug chemotherapy and external irradiation, were treated with fractionated doses of 131I-labeled Lym-1. Lym-1 is an IgG2a monoclonal antibody that was produced by immunizing mice with Raji cell nuclei that originated from a patient with African Burkitt's lymphoma. Despite advanced disease, 10 of the patients had objective evidence for a complete or partial remission. Toxicity was very modest except in one patient who developed hypotension. Dose-dependent hepatic uptake of Lym-1 was observed in the patients and in BALB/c mice suggesting receptor-mediated recognition of this murine antibody.
Graphene in plastic packages: A low cost construction method for resistive chemical sensors

The discovery of carbon nanotubes and subsequently graphene has led to an interest in carbon materials as sensing elements due to their unique properties. Graphene is a 2-dimensional material that has a large surface area (~2630 m 2 g -1 ) that can be exposed to surface adsorbates from a target gas. This enables studies on the interaction of gas molecules with the graphene surface and resulting changes in its properties, making graphene an excellent sensing element. We present our graphene based sensor with the focus on designing small, cost effective and reliable sensors with high sensitivity towards the target gas, detailing the assembly of graphene/acrylic based devices, their characterization and investigation of their performance as resistive chemical sensors
Racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and access disparities in the use of preventive services among women.

Abstract Background In this article we estimate the variations in receipt of age-appropriate preventive services among adult women between 21 and 64 years of age, by race and ethnic group, socioeconomic status, and access to health care. We also assess whether differences in access to care and socioeconomic status may explain racial and ethnic differences in the use of preventive services. Method Nationally representative data on adult women from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used to estimate the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on the receipt of each preventive service. Receipt of each of four preventive services—cholesterol test, blood pressure reading, and two cancer screening tests (Papanicolaou smear, mammogram)—according to the 1996 recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were examined. Results An overwhelming majority of adult women (93%) had had a blood pressure reading within the last 2 years. Eighty-four percent of women had had their cholesterol checked within the last 5 years. Seventy-five percent of women had received a mammogram and 80% received Pap tests. College education, high income, usual source of care, and health insurance consistently predicted use of preventive services. These factors also explained ethnic disparities in the receipt of preventive services between Latinas and white women. Conclusions The results from our study are encouraging because only a minority of women do not receive age-appropriate preventive services. However, low socioeconomic status, lack of insurance, and lack of a usual source of care represent significant barriers to preventive care for adult women.
External ramp autotuning for current mode control of switching converters

An external ramp autotuning is proposed to optimize the dynamic performance of current-mode control. Conventionally, a fixed external ramp is chosen to compensate the worst-case of inductor current slope variation, while prior adaptive ramp compensation strategies cannot adaptively compensate the current slope variation by inductor tolerance and topology change. Therefore, using either approach, the overall performance suffers from over compensation, so system bandwidth is limited. This paper shows tuning external ramp slope to track the constant quality factor of double pole at half of switching frequency based on sensed slope of current feedback signal, so stable and wide bandwidth performance over all possible duty cycle variation, inductor tolerance, and topology change is achieved without suffering from worst-case design. Simple digital and analog implementations are proposed to realize the autotuning method. This method is applicable to digital or analog current-mode controllers with peak current mode, valley current mode, and average current mode operations. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been verified with simulation and experimental results.
Thermoplastic elastomers of alloocimene and isobutylene triblock copolymers

Abstract A novel triblock copolymer, having a center block of high molecular weight polyisobutylene (PIB) and alloocimene (allo) end-blocks, was synthesized and the mechanical properties characterized. The phase-separated morphology consists of tethered PIB, with the glassy allo domains functioning as reinforcing filler. Thus, at ambient temperature the dynamic modulus is larger than that of PIB homopolymer by about 40%, and there is pronounced reinforcement from the glassy domains. The triblock polymer exhibits thermoplastic elastomer behavior, consistent with the structure. For temperatures above the allo glass transition (71 °C), the material undergoes an order–disorder transition, which causes substantial softening; however, this lability of the mechanical response is largely reversible. Since the repeat units of polyisobutylene cannot be crosslinked, this new material offers a route to processible, PIB based networks.
Effect of On-Farm Heating and Storage of Milk on Cottage Cheese Yield

Abstract Effect of on-farm heat treatment of milk on cottage cheese yields was studied. Fresh, raw milk heated to 74°C for 10s was cooled and stored for 7 days at 3°C. Control and experimental lots of milk were separated and pasteurized at 72°C for 15s and were used to make cottage cheese. Microbiological, shelf-life, flavor, and texture studies showed the experimental lots of cheese were as good as or better than control lots. Yield of cottage cheese was significantly higher when made from heated milk.
In situ measurement of fuel in the cylinder wall oil film of a combustion engine by LIF spectroscopy

Hydrocarbon emissions remain an important concern for the automotive industry due to increasingly strict regulations. In an investigation of possible emission sources within the engine, the concentration of fuel absorbed in the oil film on the cylinder wall of a small internal combustion engine has been measured with laserinduced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. A laser pulse from a nitrogen laser (337.1 nm) provided the excitation, and the fluorescence was monitored with an intensified-charge-coupled device (ICCD) array mounted to a spectrometer. The excitation laser pulse was launched through a window in the engine head onto a fiber-optic probe mounted flush with the cylinder wall. The laser-excited oil film on the fiber-optic probe produced an LIF signal that was collected by the fiber-optic probe and analyzed for fuel content. The timing of the laser pulse and ICCD gate were controlled in order to synchronize the collection of data with a particular point in the engine cycle. Measurements made in situ, while the engine was running, yield information on the amount of unburned fuel stored in the oil film for various engine conditions. Fuel-in-oil concentrations were determined for various engine temperatures during cold starts, for different fuel enrichment levels, and as a function of the crank angle of the engine cycle. Fuel concentrations as high as 50% were detected during cold starts, and fuel concentrations reached levels greater than 25% for warm engine operation. Changes in the fuel content were also found to be related to enrichment and crank angle.
Applying system engineering to Missile Defense

Missile Defense is a major technical and political issue facing the US and the rest of the world. Until the US began to develop a hit-to-kill system, there was no effective defense against an incoming ICBM - nations had to rely on Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). This was indeed mad, so in the 1980's President Reagan began to investigate alternate methods to protect against incoming ICBM's - his “Star Wars” program. However, technology was not mature enough for such an expansive system.
Atrial fibrillation incidence and risk factors in relation to race-ethnicity and the population attributable fraction of atrial fibrillation risk factors: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Purpose We studied incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in the prospective community-based Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Reportedly, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) have a lower AF burden compared with their non-Hispanic white (NHW) counterparts. Information on the epidemiology of AF in Hispanic and Asian populations is much more limited.
Nonpeptide gastrin releasing peptide receptor antagonists inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells.

Abstract The ability of nonpeptide antagonists to interact with gastrin releasing peptide receptors on lung cancer cells was investigated. PD176252 (3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)- N -[1-(5-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-cyclohexylmethyl]-2-methyl-2-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-ureido]-propionamide) and PD168368 (3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-2-[3(4-nitro-phenyl)-ureido]- N -(1-pyridin-2-yl-cyclohexylmethyl)-propionamide) inhibited specific 125 I-gastrin releasing peptide binding to NCI-H1299 cells with IC 50 values of 20 and 1500 nM, respectively. Similar binding results were obtained using NCI-H157, H345 and N592 human lung cancer cells. PD176252 inhibited the ability of 1 nM bombesin to cause elevation of cytosolic calcium in Fura-2 loaded NCI-H345 or H1299 cells, whereas it had no effect on basal cytosolic calcium. PD176252 antagonized the ability of 10 nM bombesin to cause elevation of c- fos mRNA in NCI-H1299 cells. Also, PD176252 inhibited the ability of 100 nM bombesin to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase in NCI-H1299 cells. Using a [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay, PD176252 was more potent than PD168368 at inhibiting NCI-H1299 proliferation. Also, 1 μM PD176252 significantly inhibited lung cancer colony number in vitro. PD176252 in a dose-dependent manner inhibited NCI-H1299 xenograft growth in nude mice in vivo. These results indicate that PD176252 is a gastrin releasing peptide receptor antagonist, which inhibits the proliferation of lung cancer cells.
Direct transformation of 3T3 cells by Abelson murine leukaemia virus.

MURINE leukaemia viruses (MLV) cause tumours of haemopoietic origin in vivo1,2, but although they replicate in vitro, they generally do not transform cells. MLV provides helper activity3 for the replication of defective murine sarcoma virus (MSV)4 which possess a transforming activity5. Abelson and Rabstein6 isolated an agent in association with Moloney leukaemia virus (MLV-M) which causes a rapidly progressive lymphoblastic leukaemia of bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells)7. In addition, this Abelson virus (MLV-A) in conjunction with MLV-M causes rapid appearance of immunoglobulin-producing plasmacytomas in BALB/c mice primed with oil8. We now report that MLV-A can be defective for virus replication and show that this agent directly transforms 3T3 cells in vitro. A quantitative transformation assay is described.
Forced convection droplet evaporation with finite vaporization kinetics and liquid heat transfer

Abstract Stagnation point calculations, including the effects of liquid phase heat transfer and finite rate evaporation kinetics, are presented for the case of a high Reynolds number flow over a vaporizing droplet. A correlation is developed to compute the entire droplet vaporization rate from the stagnation point results. Numerical emphasis is placed on high temperature, rapid vaporization processes such as occur in flight vehicle engines, and sufficient calculations are presented to allow estimates for any given case to be made.
SPLASE : A NEW CLASS IIS ZINC-FINGER RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE WITH SPECIFICITY FOR SP1 BINDING SITES

A new restriction endonuclease, named Splase, was constructed by genetically fusing the DNA-cleavage domain of the restriction endonucleaseFokI with the zinc-finger DNA-binding domain of the transcription factor Sp1. The resulting protein was expressed inEscherichia coli., partially purified, and shown to selectively digest plasmid DNA harboring consensus Sp1 sites. Splase was also shown to selectively digest the long terminal repeat of the HIV-1 DNA at Sp1 sites. Splase recognizes a 10-bp DNA sequence and hydrolyzes phosphodiester bonds upstream of the binding sequence. The binding specificity of Splase makes this a “rare cutter” restriction enzyme which could be valuable in creating large DNA fragments for genome sequencing projects. The result also presents the opportunity to create other restriction enzymes by altering the binding specificity of the zinc-finger recognition helix.
Tailored Case Management for Diabetes and Hypertension (TEACH-DM) in a community population: Study design and baseline sample characteristics

Abstract Background Despite recognition of the benefits associated with well-controlled diabetes and hypertension, control remains suboptimal. Effective interventions for these conditions have been studied within academic settings, but interventions targeting both conditions have rarely been tested in community settings. We describe the design and baseline results of a trial evaluating a behavioral intervention among community patients with poorly-controlled diabetes and comorbid hypertension. Methods Tailored Case Management for Diabetes and Hypertension (TEACH-DM) is a 24-month randomized, controlled trial evaluating a telephone-delivered behavioral intervention for diabetes and hypertension versus attention control. The study recruited from nine community practices. The nurse-administered intervention targets 3 areas: 1) cultivation of healthful behaviors for diabetes and hypertension control; 2) provision of fundamentals to support attainment of healthful behaviors; and 3) identification and correction of patient-specific barriers to adopting healthful behaviors. Hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure measured at 6, 12, and 24 months are co-primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes include self-efficacy, self-reported medication adherence, exercise, and cost-effectiveness. Results Of 377 randomized patients, 193 were allocated to the intervention and 184 to attention control. The cohort is balanced in terms of gender, race, education level, and income. The cohort's mean baseline hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure are above goal, and mean baseline body mass index falls in the obese range. Baseline self-reported non-adherence is high for diabetes and hypertension medications. Trial results are pending. Conclusions If effective, the TEACH-DM intervention's telephone-based delivery strategy and nurse administration make it well-suited for rapid implementation and broad dissemination in community settings.
DNA Fragmentation Follows Delayed Neuronal Death in CA1 Neurons Exposed to Transient Global Ischemia in the Rat

Apoptosis is an active, gene-directed process of cell death in which early fragmentation of nuclear DNA precedes morphological changes in the nucleus and, later, in the cytoplasm. In ischemia, biochemical studies have detected oligonucleosomes of apoptosis whereas sequential morphological studies show changes consistent with necrosis rather than apoptosis. To resolve this apparent discrepancy, we subjected rats to 10 minutes of transient forebrain ischemia followed by 1 to 14 days of reperfusion. Parameters evaluated in the CA1 region of the hippocampus included morphology, in situ end labeling (ISEL) of fragmented DNA, and expression of p53. Neurons were indistinguishable from controls at postischemic day 1 but displayed cytoplasmic basophilia or focal condensations at day 2; some neurons were slightly swollen and a few appeared normal. In situ end labeling was absent. At days 3 and 5, approximately 40 to 60% of CA1 neurons had shrunken eosinophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, but only half of these were ISEL. By day 14, many of the necrotic neurons had been removed by phagocytes; those remaining retained mild ISEL. Neither p53 protein nor mRNA were identified in control or postischemic brain by in situ hybridization with riboprobes or by northern blot analysis. These results show that DNA fragmentation occurs after the development of delayed neuronal death in CA1 neurons subjected to 10 minutes of global ischemia. They suggest that mechanisms other than apoptosis may mediate the irreversible changes in the CA1 neurons in this model.
Schatten class hankel operators on the Bergman space

In this paper we characterize Hankel operatorsH f andH f on the Bergman spaces of bounded symmetric domains which are in the Schatten p-class for 2≤p<∞ and f inL 2 using a Jordan algebra characterization of bounded symmetric domains and properties of the Bergman metric.
Pedagogy of Democracy: Feminism and the Cold War in the U.S. Occupation of Japan

Acknowledgements Note on Japanese Names 1. Introduction: Recasting Women in the U.S. Occupation of Japan 2. Feminism, Nationalisn, and Colonial Genealogies: Women's Enfranchisement and Constitutional Revision 3. Feminism, Domestic Containment, and Cold War Citizenry 4. Women, the Cold War, and the Question of Resistance 5. Making the Body Respectable: Cold War Containment and Regulation of Sexuality 6. Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
Evaluation of hydrocortisone applied topically to hemorrhoidectomy wounds.

A series of 118 patients was studied following hemorrhoidectomy to evaluate the effect of topically applied hydrocortisone on wound healing. Sixty of the patients received hydrocortisone-containing suppositories, while 58 were given inert suppositories and served as controls. Wound healing was evaluated, and the patients were classified on the basis of excellence of healing. The treated patients and controls were then identified in accordance with the double-blind method, and the results were compared. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. On the basis of this study it appears that administration of hydrocortisone-containing supposiories during the period of convalescence following hemorrhoidectomy has no significant effect upon wound healing.
Embedded and real-time systems classes in traditional and distance education format

Embedded Systems design courses are important components in software, computer, and electrical engineering programs and curricula. We describe topics for inclusion in these courses and associated hands-on experiences as required portions of the courses including example development systems based upon two popular microcontrollers. We also describe the challenges of offering these courses in distance format and provide examples of how the hands-on component may be included for distance students.
Learning through gesture.

When people talk, they move their hands—they gesture. Although these movements might appear to be meaningless hand waving, in fact they convey substantive information that is not always found in the accompanying speech. As a result, gesture can provide insight into thoughts that speakers have but do not know they have. Even more striking, gesture can mark a speaker as being in transition with respect to a task—learners who are on the verge of making progress on a task routinely produce gestures that convey information that is different from the information conveyed in speech. Gesture can thus be used to predict who will learn. In addition, evidence is mounting that gesture not only presages learning but also can play a role in bringing that learning about. Gesture can cause learning indirectly by influencing the learning environment or directly by influencing learners themselves. We can thus change our minds by moving our
TOWARD A CRITICAL BIOSOCIAL MODEL OF ECOHEALTH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: THE HIV/AIDS AND NUTRITION INSECURITY SYNDEMIC

Increasingly, it is recognized that traditional narrow approaches to environment and health relations are insufficient to comprehend and respond effectively to the complexity of factors influencing human health. In response, a new approach, referred to as Ecohealth has emerged with the goal of assessing the multiple interactions that occur between components the ecosystem, the local and global political economy, and cultural systems, on the one hand, and the ways in which these biosocial interactions influence the nature, concentration, and entwinement of health problems in human populations, on the other. Those contributing to the development of the Ecohealth orientation also seek to identify evidence-based strategies for improving the health and living conditions of human populations and the sustainability of the ecosystems in which they live. Within anthropology and public health, in particular, one reflection of the broader Ecohealth approach is expressed in the concept of syndemics, which was developed during the 1990s to label the various interactions among comorbid diseases and other health conditions that increase the burden of suffering in populations and the encompassing social relations and conditions that amplify the likelihood of adverse disease interactions occurring. In southern Africa, a notable synergism has developed between HIV/AIDS and food insecurity that significantly threatens the health and well-being of diverse populations in the region. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the key epidemiological, environmental, social, and political economic features of the entwined HIV-affected food insecurity and food insecurity-affected HIV syndemics of southern Africa.
Ventilation during bronchofiberscopy.

Abstract A simple device is described which allows artificial ventilation in patients undergoing bronchofiberscopy. Unhurried visualization of lesions in the tracheobronchial tree and repeated safe bronchoscopy for therapeutic purposes are made possible in anesthetized or mechanically ventilated patients.
AX murderers, dragons, spiders and webs: Therapeutic metaphors in couple therapy

Using metaphors in psychotherapy is not a new practice. Metaphor has long occupied the interests of theorists and practitioners of psychoanalysis. Recently, influenced by the work of Erikson, metaphors have been utilized by non-analytic therapists. This paper explores the historical background of metaphors, examines the components of metaphors, explores metaphors and the social construction of reality, and presents a discussion of the use of metaphor in couple therapy.
Microbial Shell Destruction in Deep-Sea Mussels, Florida Escarpment

. Two distinctive patterns of microbial destruction of mineral shell in mussels from the Florida Escarpment (3266 m water depth) are described. One pattern follows a surfacial selective removal of intercrystalline organic matrix creating caries-like pits. Pitting of the shell resembles spreading bacterial colonies and results in substantial thinning of the original shell. The second pattern consists of an extensive system of sacs with branched and tapered extensions penetrating deep into the shell. Both activities are carried out by unknown microbial agents on live mussels, as evidenced by the presence of repair nacre, which often underlies effected areas. Shell destruction is primarily biological, providing conditions for enhanced chemical dissolution of the mineral shell. Summary Damage and removal of the protective periostracum layer of deep-sea mussels by various eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms (Hook & Golubic, 1988, 1990, 1992) exposes the mineral portion of the shell to microbial destruction. This biogenic destruction exceeds the rates of inorganic carbonate dissolution in the area of study. Two types of destructive agents attack the shells of live mussels. The first type forms shallow caries along the interface between periostracum and the mineral shell, primarily attacking intercrystalline organic matrix. The second type represents boring microorganisms, morphologically similar to chytrids, that penetrate and permeate the entire mineral portion of the shell. These activities significantly weaken the shell structure and increase its internal porosity.
Uncertainty of convection

Abstract The nonlinear development of finite amplitude disturbances in mixed convection flow in a heated vertical annulus is studied by direct numerical simulation. The unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically by a spectral method for different initial conditions. The results indicate that the equilibrium state of the flow is not unique, but depends on the amplitude and wavenumber of the initial disturbance. In all cases, the equilibrium state consists of a single dominant mode with the wavenumber k f , and its superharmonics. The range of equilibrium wavenumbers k f was found to be narrower than the span of the neutral curve from linear theory. Flows with wavenumbers outside this range, but within the unstable region of linear theory, are found to be unstable and to decay, but to excite another wave inside the narrow band. This result is in agreement with the Eckhaus and Benjamin-Feir sideband instability. The results also show that linearly stable long and short waves can also excite a wave inside this narrow band through nonlinear wave interaction. The results suggest that the selection of the equilibrium wavenumber k f is due to a nonlinear energy transfer process which is sensitive to initial conditions. The consequence of the existence of nonunique equilibrium states is that the Nusselt number cannot always be expressed uniquely as a function of appropriate dimensionless parameters such as the Reynolds, Prandtl and Rayleigh numbers. Any physical quantity transported by the fluid, such as heat and salt, can at best be determined within the limit of uncertainty associated with nonuniqueness. This uncertainty should be taken into account when using any accurately measured values of the heat transfer rate since it is only one of the many possible states for the controllable conditions and geometry. Extrapolating this fact to turbulence, it is our opinion, since the time average will depend on the initial condition, it will not equal to the ensemble average even for stationary turbulence. This is because that the mean flow is not unique for a given Reynolds or Rayleigh number. Consequently, the ergodic hypothesis is not valid. From an application point of view, only the time average has physical significance.
Interaction of radioactive iodine gaseous species with nuclear-grade activated carbons

Abstract Carbons from different sources and impregnations were systematically exposed to unfiltered outdoor air and all degraded with respect to radioactive methyl iodide trapping efficiency. The same carbons, exposed to air flows of known contaminant species and concentrations under controlled laboratory conditions, behaved similarly. Local meteorological conditions of high humidity combined with atmospheric pollutants in the test vicinity contributed jointly to the degradation. When service activated carbons were exposed to radiation levels of 10 7 –10 9 rads, the iodine isotope exchange capacity was regenerated. The efficiency for iodine isotope exchange was vastly improved, but the removal of methyl iodide-127 was only slightly improved or not at all. It was possible to regenerate the iodine isotope-exchange efficiency by reaction with airborne chemical reducing agents such as hydrazine with little or no improvement in methyl iodine-127 retention. The removal of radioactive iodine by impregnated activated carbons depends on three distinguishable reactions: 1. (1) adsorption on the carbon networks of the activated carbons, 2. (2) iodine isotope exchange with impregnated iodine-127 3. (3) chemical combination with impregnated tertiary amines when present. After the carbon is placed in service, the three mechanisms of iodine removal are degraded by the contaminants of the air at different rates; the adsorption process degrades faster than the other two.
Critical fluid technology for the processing of lipid-related natural products

Abstract In recent years, the technology envelope that embraces critical fluids can involve a wide range of conditions, different types of pure and modified fluids, as well as processing options involving extractions, fractionations or reactions. Technological development drivers continue to be environmentally and consumer-benign processing and/or products, however in recent years expansion of the use of sub- and supercritical fluids has been catalyzed by applications in such opportune fields as nutraceuticals, conversion of biomass (bio-refining), and the ability to modify natural products by reactions. The use of critical fluid technology is an important facet of any sustainable development program, particularly when utilized over a broad, interconnected application platform. In this overview presentation, concepts and applications of critical fluids from the author’s research as well as the literature will be cited to support the above trends. A totally ‘green’ processing platform appears to be viable using carbon dioxide in the appropriate form, ethanol and water as intermediate co-solvents/reactants, and water from above its boiling point to supercritical conditions. These fluids can be combined in overall coupled unit processes, such as combining transesterification with hydrogenation, or glycerolysis of lipid moieties with supercritical fluid fractionation. Such fluids also can exploited sequentially for bio-refining processes or the segregation of value-added products, but may require using coupled fluid or unit operations to obtain the targeted product composition or purity. Changing the reduced temperatures and/or pressures of critical fluids offers a plethora of opportunity, an excellent example being the relative critical fluid state of water. For example, sub-critical water slightly above its boiling point provides a unique medium that mimics polar organic solvents, and has been used even for the extraction of thermally labile solutes or reaction chemistry. To cite this article: J.W. King, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).
The structure of copper aluminate: cation distribution at different temperatures and its implications for Cu/A1203 catalysts

Abstract Samples of spinel CuA1 2 0 4 prepared at 639°C and 952°C were studied by structural analysis of their X-ray diffraction powder patterns and their X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The diffraction analysis showed that 40% of the cupric ions were in octahedral sites. The results were identical within lσ using three datasets, two for the high temperature preparation and one for the low temperature preparation. The cation distribution between the two coordination environments, octahedral and tetrahedral, is consistent with the extended X-ray absorption fine structure, the EXAFS showing 45% of the cupric ions in octahedral environments. The samples were deficient in cupric ions, more closely modeling the case for supported transition metal ion catalysts; the EXAFS refinement explicitly treats the presence of cation vacancies in the spinel lattice. The implications of the constant cation distribution for the two preparations at different temperatures is discussed with regard to the forces determining cation site locations in the bulk and on the surface of the transition aluminas relevant to supported transition metal ion catalysts.
Secondary prevention strategies for coronary heart disease

Patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) have a high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease. Adherence to evidence-based secondary prevention therapies for CHD has improved in recent years but still remains suboptimal. Mortality from CHD in the United States (US) has decreased substantially in recent decades. The decline in US deaths from CHD from 1980 through 2000 has been attributed to reductions in major risk factors and utilization of evidence-based medical therapies. It has been estimated that optimization of secondary prevention strategies could save as many as 80,000 more lives per year in the US. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) updated its guidelines for secondary prevention for patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease in 2006. The guidelines emphasize evidence-based developments in the field of CHD secondary prevention and also reinforce the need to implement these recommendations in actual clinical practice through programs such as the ACC's Guidelines Applied to Practice and the AHA's Get With The Guidelines. This review will discuss the epidemiology and risk assessment of CHD, current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies available for the secondary prevention of CHD, and summarize the guidelines and evidence that support these treatment options. There will be an emphasis on antiplatelet therapy given the important role of thrombosis in clinical cardiovascular events.
A Simple Model of the Taxable and Tax-Exempt Yield Curves

I examine the anomalous behavior of the taxable and tax-exempt yield curves. Long municipal yields appear too high relative to the equivalent after-tax yield that can be earned in Treasury or corporate bonds. I discuss existing explanations of the problem and propose a simple model that relates the yields of taxable bonds to the yield curve for par tax exempts. The ratio of the tax-exempt yield to the taxable yield increases with maturity in the model, so it is consistent with observed phenomena such as inverted yield curves for taxables and contemporaneous rising yield curves for tax exempts. Statistical and descriptive comparisons between the yields predicted.by the model and observed yields on par bonds that the model has some promise in explaining the apparent anomalies in the behaviors of the two yield curves. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Mesh generation technology for nuclear reactor simulation; barriers and opportunities

Abstract Mesh generation in support of nuclear reactor simulation has much in common with the requirements of other application areas, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Indeed, fluid dynamics analysis of the coolant behavior inside the reactor core is an internal flow problem that requires the resolution of spatial and temporal variations in the flow caused by complex component configurations, fluids/structure interaction, turbulence, and thermal heating of the coolant. Typical concerns of meshing complex geometries; the use of hexahedral vs. tetrahedral elements, element geometric quality, mesh smoothness, use of anisotropic elements in the thermal boundary layer, etc., are all considerations important to the reactor meshing problem. Reactor meshing begins to become more specialized as the need to employ reactor simulation as a predictive design and safety analysis capability grows in importance. First, a predictive capability will require more precise physical models to be included, and these models will need to be supported by a computational science framework that will allow them to be accurately approximated both spatially and temporally during the reactor core analysis. Both the multiphysical nature of the composite reactor model and details of the physics algorithms themselves will place new requirements on the meshing process needed to support multidimensional reactor simulation. This article discusses the current state of meshing technology applied to reactor simulation and examines a set of issues that are important in the generation of high-quality reactor meshes today and in the future.
An external-shock origin of the relation for gamma-ray bursts

We investigate the possibility that the E p α e 1/2 r relation between the peak energy Ep of the vF v spectrum and energy output e r for long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) arises from the external shock produced by the interaction of a relativistic outflow with the ambient medium. To that aim, we take into account the dependence of all parameters which determine Ep and e y on the radial distribution of the ambient medium density and find that the E p α e 1/2 relation can be explained if the medium around GRBs has a universal radial stratification. For various combinations of GRB radiative process (synchrotron or inverse-Compton) and dissipation mechanism (reverse or forward shock), we find that the circumburst medium must have a particle density with a radial distribution different than the R -2 expected for the stellar wind corresponding to a constant mass-loss rate and terminal speed.
Influence of temperature and wetness period on infection of cherry and peach foliage by Wilsonomyces carpophilus 1

The effects of temperature and wetness duration on infection of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and peach (Prunus persica L.) by Wilsonomyces carpophilus (Lev.) Adaskaveg, Ogawa & Butler were determined under controlled conditions. Young foliage of cherry seedlings and peach trees was inoculated with a conidial suspension of W. carpophilus and subjected to wetness periods of 0–24 h at temperatures of 5–30°C. On cherry, disease severity increased with wetness duration at each temperature tested, e.g., at 15°C, severity increased from no lesions at wetness durations < 1 h to 0.1, 1.9, 6.8, and 9.1 lesions/cm2 after 6, 12, 18, and 24 h, respectively. After 24 h of wetness, the maximum disease severity of 10.5 lesions/cm2 was obtained at 20°C. Although severity values were different, the general responses to temperature and wetness period were similar on peach. Multiple-regression equations using temperature and wetness duration as independent variables adequately described infection of cherry and peach foliag...
Hydrogen sensing properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract The hydrogen sensing properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) synthesized by a hot filament CVD process are reported in this paper. The MWNTs were synthesized by a hot filament assisted chemical vapor deposition method using cobalt oxide nanoparticles as the catalyst on SiO 2 surfaces. The MWNTs were characterized with Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Two-terminal test devices were fabricated by depositing a layer of MWNTs between prefabricated gold electrodes on SiO 2 surfaces. The diameter of these MWNTs was in the 5–8 nm range. The sensitivity of carbon nanotubes was measured for different gas concentrations at different temperatures. It was found that the MWNTs were sensitive to H 2 in low temperature regions of 140–350 °C and had a maximum sensitivity (80%) at 230 °C. No sensitivity was observed at a temperature lower than 140 °C or higher than 400 °C. Though bare MWNTs are not sensitive to H 2 at room temperature, they exhibited very good sensing characteristics in the 140–300 °C range.
Clinical and psychosocial correlates of non-suicidal self-injury within a sample of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder

Background The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence and correlates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BP).
Welcome to tissue barriers.

On behalf of the Editorial Board, I am pleased to welcome you to the new Landes Bioscience journal, Tissue Barriers. This is the first cross-disciplinary journal dedicated to the architecture, biological roles, regulation and dysfunctions of tissue barriers and intercellular junctions. We are launching our journal in a very exciting time. The tissue barrier research field is rapidly growing and several thousand papers on the subject are being published each year. However, it is not a big secret that the tissue barrier research community lacks cohesion. Indeed, researchers studying epithelial barriers and junctions do not frequently communicate with their colleagues tackling similar scientific problems in the vascular endothelium. Even in the epithelial barriers field, scientists tend to gravitate into “tissue-centric” clusters narrowly focusing on the barriers of the gut, lungs, skin and reproductive systems. Additionally, there are large autonomous cohorts of researchers working with invertebrate models of epithelial morphogenesis, studying drug delivery or examining immune cells and pathogen interactions with epithelial and endothelial layers. The primary mission of our new journal is to break the barriers and bridge the gaps in the tissue barrier research field. We are seeking to create a forum for sharing discoveries and exchanging ideas between experts in basic developmental and cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, structural biology, bioengineering and clinical medicine. We will be happy to publish scientifically-sound speculations and debates on controversial subjects in the field. We plan to regularly reflect on progress being made in the most popular areas of tissue barriers research. Finally, we intend to highlight neglected and forgotten topics within the field some of which may be transformed into major future discoveries and breakthroughs. The success of a new journal largely depends on professionalism and enthusiasm of contributing scientists. We are extremely fortunate to have a panel of outstanding experts on the Editorial Board whose interests include a wide range of fundamental and clinical aspects of tissue barrier research. Several distinguished scientists agreed to serve as Associate Editors to oversee and highlight specific topics of interest for Tissue Barriers. The Editorial Board members will help to develop the concept and direction for our journal and will participate in the review process. With our diverse and extensive Editorial Board we possess the capacity to conduct peer-review with a classic sensibility involving a rapid turnaround time for submitted papers and without excessive reviewer demands for additional experiments. Tissue Barriers will publish several types of papers including: Original Research Papers, Brief Reports, Reviews, Clinical Reports, Commentaries and Views and Meeting Reports. We will also publish special issues that are devoted to rapidly developing or controversial areas of research. We hope that you share in our excitement about the new journal and will become a frequent contributor and reader of Tissue Barriers.
Using digital images to measure and discriminate small particles in cotton

Inages from conventional video systems are being digitized in coraputers for the analysis of small trash particles in cotton. The method has been developed to automate particle counting and area measurements for bales of cotton prepared for market. Because the video output is linearly proportional to the amount of light reflected the best spectral band for optimum particle discrimination should be centered at the wavelength of maximum difference between particles and their surroundings. However due to the spectral distribution of the illumination energy and the detector sensitivity peak image performance bands were altered. Reflectance from seven mechanically cleaned cotton lint samples and trash removed were examined for spectral contrast in the wavelength range of camera sensitivity. Pixel intensity histograms from the video systent are reported for simulated trashmeter area reference samples (painted dots on panels) and for cotton containing trash to demonstrate the particle discrimination mechanism. 2.
Spatial persistence and temporal patterns in vegetation cover across Florida, 1982–2006

The study analyzes the spatial persistence and temporal patterns in vegetation cover across Florida by utilizing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer from 1982 to 2006. Specifically, mean-variance analysis and persistence metrics are used to discern the significance of vegetation patterns, the significance of land cover and land-use change, and the relevance of climate variability across time and space. Results demonstrate a consistent, increasing pattern in the mean NDVI and its variance, especially during the late fall and winter season. A possible explanation of this increasing pattern is based on the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which switched from cold to warm phase after 1995 and is associated with increased winter precipitation. Additionally, the impacts of the El Nino Southern Oscillation can be detected through the decreased spatial variances of NDVI in warm-phase events, compared to cold-phase events, a...