cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fenretinide inhibited de novo ceramide synthesis and proinflammatory cytokines induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Ceramides play an essential role in modulating immune signaling pathways and proinflammatory cytokine production in response to infectious pathogens, stress stimuli, or chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we demonstrated that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, the pathogen for aggressive periodontitis, induced de novo synthesis of ceramide in Raw 264.7 cells. In addition, we identified that fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid, suppressed the de novo synthesis of ceramide induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans. Moreover, fenretinide attenuated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans. Fenretinide also decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 proinflammatory cytokine levels in Raw 264.7 cells induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, fenretinide had no significant effects on tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA or protein levels. Furthermore, we showed that fenretinide inhibited the janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt, protein kinase C, and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathways, whereas fenretinide up-regulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways after bacterial stimulation. This study emphasizes the de novo ceramide synthesis pathway in response to bacterial stimulation and demonstrates the anti-inflammatory role of fenretinide in the bacteria-induced immune response.
On characterizing supremum andl p -efficient facility designs

Define a design to be any planar setD of known areaa, but of unknown shape and location; more generally, a design can be any set inR d of measurea. For example, a design might be one floor of a warehouse, or a sports arena of known seating capacity. Suppose that the design has, say,m users, or evaluators, with user/evaluatori having a design disutility functionu i , 1≤i≤m, which can be defined for all points in the plane independently of the designs of interest. Given any designD, denote byG i (D) the disutility ofD to user/evaluatori where, by definition,G i (D) is the supremum ofu i over the setD, 1≤i≤m. LetG(D) be the vector with entriesG i (D), 1≤i≤m, and define a design to be efficient if it solves the vector minimization problem obtained using the set of vectors {G(D):D a design}. Given mild assumptions about the disutility functions, and a slight refinement of the design definition to rule out certain pathologies, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for a design to be efficient, and study properties of efficient designs. In the final section, we extend the analysis to more generall p -measures of design disutility.
Measuring Intrinsic Religiosity: scales for use in mental health studies in China – a research report

While Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale and the Duke University Religion Index have gained popularity in the field of religion and mental health, it remains unknown whether these scales are optimal measures of religiosity in the Chinese culture. This study is to provide some evidence to support the use of the Chinese versions of Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale and the Duke University Religion Index. The data were from a community-based sample of 1039 Chinese women, 18–34 years old, in rural China. Reliability tests were performed on the two religiosity scales. Internal consistency analysis showed excellent correlation coefficients for most of the items. In addition, factor analysis produced two factors for the Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale, a result consistent with previous findings in the Western, predominantly Christian cultures and societies. Moreover, our findings showed statistically significant correlations between the two religiosity scales and mental health outcomes, even though the strength of...
The crystal structures of NaAlR4, R=methyl, ethyl, and n-propyl

The crystal structures of the title compounds have been determined from diffractometer data and refined by full-matrix least squares. NaAlMe4 is orthorhombic,Cmcm,a=9.234(3),b=9.221(3),c=8.303(2) A,Z=4,D c=1.03 g cm−3,R=0.029 for 278 data. NaAlEt4 is monoclinic,P21/c (No. 14),a=13.900(2),b=13.207(2),c=14.443(1) A,β=117.43(1)°,Z=8,D c=0.94 g cm−3,R=0.056 for 2747 data. NaAl(n-Pr)4 is monoclinic,C2/c,a=9.802(5),b=15.336(4),c=21.611(10) A,β=98.34(4)°,Z=8,D c=0.92 g cm−3,R=0.072 for 899 data. Coordination of Al is essentially tetrahedral in all structures, and closest contacts to Na+ involveα-carbon atoms of alkyl groups.
Nutritional physiology of the freshwater shrimp macrobrachium rosenbergii (de man)-I. Substrate metabolism in fasting juvenile shrimp

Abstract 1. 1. A respiratory quotient, O:N ratio, metabolic substrate ratio and other physiological indices were generated from measurements of oxygen consumption, nitrogen excretion and CO2 production and used to describe substrate metabolism in fasting juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man). 2. 2. Energy metabolism was dominated by oxidation of carbohydrate; lipid and protein were utilized as secondary and tertiary substrates, respectively. 3. 3. Extending the period of starvation from 4 to 8 days led to a reduction in the role of carbohydrate substrates accompanied by a two-fold increase in the oxidation of lipid and protein. 4. 4. A comparative analysis of energy metabolism in crustaceans revealed a wide range of substrate hierarchies dependent upon size, trophic position and nutritional input.
Study of the Conformational Structure and Cluster Formation in a Langmuir−Blodgett Film Using Second Harmonic Generation, Second Harmonic Microscopy, and FTIR Spectroscopy

Nonlinear second harmonic generation (SHG), second harmonic microscopy (SHM), and infrared spectroscopy are used to determine the structural and optical properties of the Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) monolayer assemblies of NLO-active, 4-eicosyloxo-(E)-stilbazolium iodide (4-EOSI) on a glass substrate. The packing characteristics of the pretransferred interfacial films are determined using π−A isotherm measurements. The molecular coverage of the transferred films is determined by ellipsometry. The films formed on both sides of the glass substrate show substantial second harmonic (SH) conversion from p-polarized 1064 nm fundamental excitation. The SHG and FTIR measurements imply that the single LB layer on glass is composed of oriented clusters of 4-EOSI molecules that are laterally discontinuous. Ordered clusters up to 40 μm in diameter are directly observed using SHM. Subsequent LB transfers using the same 4-EOSI molecule or an amphiphile of comparable chain-length (eicosanoic acid) fill in the unoccupied vaca...
Optimal control of time-delay systems with distributed parameters

An optimal control problem with a prescribed performance index for parabolic systems with time delays is investigated. A necessary condition for optimality is formulated and proved in the form of a maximum principle. Under additional conditions, the maximum principle gives sufficient conditions for optimality. It is also shown that the optimal control is unique. As an illustration of the theoretical consideration, an analytic solution is obtained for a time-delayed diffusion system.
The Value of Routine Posttracheostomy Chest Radiography

Objective This study proposes to evaluate the efficacy of routine posttracheostomy chest radiography. Design A retrospective chart review provided the framework of this study. Setting The study took place at a university teaching hospital-level one trauma center. Patients The study included 293 patients undergoing elective tracheostomy between 1989 and 1993. Measurements and results Data extracted from the charts included indication for tracheostomy, immediate preoperative and postoperative chest radiograph reports, management changes made secondarily to radiographic findings, including chest tube placement, institution of chest physiotherapy, and need for tracheal tube reposition. Complications were defined as findings not noted on the preoperative radiographs; these were pneumothorax, tube malposition, atelectasis, or clinical information resulting in management changes. All patients received postoperative chest radiographs in the trauma ICU. Statistical analysis of our data was carried out using the χ 2 test. Patients with chest tubes in place at the time of surgery were the only group who were excluded so as not to confuse whether pneumothorax developed postoperatively. Of the initial 293 patients, 25 patients were excluded on the basis of having a chest tube. The remaining 268 charts were analyzed; 220 (82%) patients underwent tracheostomy for ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, 31 (12%) due to multiple facial fractures, 6 (2.1%) secondary to penetrating neck wounds, and 11 (4%) as a result of refractory vocal cord edema. One (0.3%) patient was found to have a postoperative 10% apical pneumothorax. Eight (2.4%) patients were found to have postoperative subsegmental atelectasis. There were no significant (p>0.05) management changes implemented as a result of these findings. No new infiltrates, effusions, or malpositioned tubes were noted. Deletion of routine posttracheostomy radiographs would save $52.39 per patient (cost) or $15,350 for 293 patients and $35,453 in total patient charges. Conclusions Abnormalities revealed by routine chest radiography after tracheostomy did not appear to alter patient management frequently enough to warrant the costs. A randomized, prospective study should be performed to analyze the safety of abandoning this practice.
Intravenous magnesium sulfate relieves cluster headaches in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels

Patients with cluster headaches have been reported to have low serum ionized magnesium levels. We examined the possibility that patients with cluster headaches and low ionized magnesium levels may respond to an intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate. Thirty-eight infusions of magnesium sulfate were given to 22 patients with cluster headaches. The mean ionized magnesium level prior to 23 infusions which provided relief for at least 2 days and enabled the patient to skip two or more attacks, was 0.521 +/- 0.016 mmol/L; this value was 0.561 +/- 0.016 prior to 15 infusions which were ineffective. These latter 15 infusions were preceded by higher total magnesium levels. The ionized magnesium level prior to the 23 effective infusions was below 0.54 mmol/L in 19 patients. Five of the 15 ineffective infusions were accompanied by basal ionized magnesium levels below 0.54 mmol/L. In 76% of the infusions, there was a correlation between a response and an ionized magnesium level below 0.54 mmol/L. Nine patients (41%) obtained clinically meaningful improvement. Spontaneous remissions and a placebo effect might have accounted for some of the improvement. However, this should have applied equally to all patients, regardless of the ionized magnesium level. Measurements of ionized magnesium may prove useful in elucidating the pathogenesis of cluster headache and in identifying patients who may benefit from treatment with magnesium.
On track fusion with communication constraints

Distributed Kalman filters are often used in multisensor target tracking where the fusion center receives local estimates and fuses them to obtain the global target state estimate. With such a fusion architecture, each local tracker can communicate less frequently with the fusion center than the local filter update rate. The global target state estimate via track fusion is usually less accurate than that of the centralized estimator when local estimation errors are correlated and local trackers communicate to the fusion center with bandwidth constraints lower than the measurement rate. This paper focuses on the tradeoff between bandwidth and tracking accuracy for track fusion with communication constraints. We show that the performance degradation increases for track fusion on demand compared with the centralized estimator as the number of local trackers increases. We relate the steady state analysis of track fusion under bandwidth constraints to noisy Wyner-Ziv source coding problem and compare our results with the theoretical rate distortion curve of the quadratic Gaussian CEO problem. We conclude that track fusion on demand is a side-information unaware strategy while the awareness of the correlated estimation errors at each local tracker can improve the track fusion accuracy significantly.
An unusual coronary artery origin in a patient with anomalous left coronary artery

In the typical patient with anomalous left coronary artery (ALCA) arising (rom the pulmonary artery, the left coronary artery arises from within the left or posterior pulmonary sinus. We report a case of ALCA In which the left coronary arose medially from the pulmonary artery above the commissure separating the right and posterior pulmonary sinuses. This unusual origin highlighted some of the problems with the noninvasive diagnosis of ALCA.
CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY OF CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES USING APPLESAUCE AS A FAT(BUTTER) SUBSTITUTE

Replacing fat in baked goods with fruit or vegetable base ingredients like applesauce would develop aid in theeffort of overall reduction of fat intake and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. The objective of thisstudy was to determine the consumer acceptability of chocolate chip cookies prepared by replacing butter withapplesauce. Three recipes were included: 1- Control: made according to Nestle Toll House recipe. 2- Halfreplacement (HR): made by replacing 50% of butter with applesauce. 3- Full replacement (FR): made byreplacing 100% of butter with applesauce. Nestle Toll House recipe was employed in this study and Mott'sapplesauce was used for fat replacement. The 9 point hedonic rating scale system was used to evaluate theacceptability of the following sensory characteristics: appearance, texture, color, chewiness, sweetness,moistness, flavor, aftertaste and overall acceptability. Sensory evaluation was completed at North CarolinaAgricultural and Technical State University on 35 food science students and employees. Our results showed thatHR was very much acceptable, control was between very much acceptable and moderately acceptable, and FRwas between moderately acceptable and neither acceptable nor unacceptable for all sensory characteristics. Nosignificant (P>0.05) differences were reported in the acceptability of control and HR, whereas FR showedsignificantly (P
Louisiana boys and the politics of delay: gun carry law implementation in the sportsman's paradise

Gun ownership and control issues are remain divisive in academic and in public policy formation and media opinion-making. Despite the recent publication of comprehensive monographs on the subject of gun ownership and how it relates to law, culture and social structure, little is known about the actual practice of promulgating and carrying out various regulations. The implementation of seemingly permissive gun carry permit legislation in Louisiana has been obscured by politicians and law enforcement officials for largely political reasons. Racial and class-oriented subtests are inherent in local and state-level political maneuvers although issues about liability are frequently invoked when permits are not granted. Virtually all major players in this micro-level analysis are unwilling to discuss the issues involved. Consequently, not even those charged with granting the permits claim to not know just what the gun carry law actually means. The ultimate result is delay, confusion and ill-will.
Predictors of residual cardiovascular risk in patients on statin therapy for primary prevention.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering therapy is an important aspect of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are the most widely used drug therapy for achieving low-density lipoprotein goals based on an individual’s 10-year risk. However, substantial risk of CVD events still exists even when a person is on statins. We sought to explore the predictors of future CVD events in individuals on statins with no pre-existing CVD. Methods: The analysis was done on subjects who were on statins (n = 919) at baseline in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis limited access dataset from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The primary outcome variable was all-cause CVD events (n = 67). Multivariate regression Cox proportional hazard analysis was done to identify potential independent predictors of all-cause CVD. Results: Our cohort consisted of 47% males, with a mean age of 66 ± 9 years. Sixty-seven participants (7.3%) experienced CVD events during a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. A higher coronary artery calcium score, homocysteine levels, waist circumference and a lower large arterial elasticity index were identified as independent predictors of CVD events. Conclusion: Homocysteine, waist circumference, coronary artery calcification and the large artery elasticity index appear to be the major independent predictors of CVD events in individuals on statins with no pre-existing CVD. In addition to emphasizing weight loss, alternative approaches beyond lipid reduction may need to be explored to better characterize and attenuate the residual risk in subjects on statin therapy for primary prevention.
Efficient 50S ribosome-catalyzed peptide bond synthesis with an aminoacyl minihelix.

RNA minihelices that recreate the amino acid acceptor domain of the two-domain L-shaped tRNA molecule are substrates for specific aminoacylation by tRNA synthetases. Some lines of evidence suggest ...
Targum Pseudo-Jonathan and Late Jewish Literary Aramaic

The twentieth-century’s Targum manuscript discoveries made clear that if Neofiti, the Fragment Targums, and the Cairo Geniza fragments were composed in Jewish Palestinian Aramaic, then Targum Pseudo-Jonathan was not. In this classic essay, originally written in Hebrew in 1985–1986 and translated here for the first time, Stephen Kaufman worked to describe Pseudo-Jonathan’s dialect. He found that it borrowed from other dialects, but merged them into a single unified dialect appearing not only in Pseudo-Jonathan, but also in several Writings Targums. This essay thus presented the earliest description of Late Jewish Literary Aramaic.
SYNAPTIC ACTIVITY MAKES FLY NEURONS SHAPE UP

![Figure][1] Brain cells come in a staggering variety of shapes and sizes. So how do neurons grow to be the shapes they are? It has been thought that neural activity at the sites where neurons communicate (synapses) helps mold cell shape. However, experimentally testing this idea in vivo has
E-waste: An opportunity

Abstract The success of the electronics industry over the last decade in developing a mass consumer market for computers, cell phones, and other personal electronic equipment has been phenomenal. Society must now finds ways of safely and economically recovering the materials that are embedded in these products. This will require significant investment by governments, industry, and individuals in technology and education to reshape societal attitudes to waste disposal. This multidimensional and multiscale problem will be a pivotal challenge as we close material cycles and move away from linear material use.
Microwave absorbance properties of zirconium–manganese substituted cobalt nanoferrite as electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers

Abstract Nanocrystalline Zr–Mn ( x ) substituted Co ferrite having chemical formula CoFe 2−2 x Zr x Mn x O 4 ( x = 0.1–0.4) was prepared by co-precipitation technique. Combining properties such as structural, electrical, magnetic and reflection loss characteristics. Crystal structure and surface morphology of the calcined samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By using two point probe homemade resistivity apparatus to find resistivity of the sample. Electromagnetic (EM) properties are measured through RF impedance/materials analyzer over 1 MHz–3 GHz. The room-temperature dielectric measurements show dispersion behavior with increasing frequency from 100 Hz to 3 MHz. Magnetic properties confirmed relatively strong dependence of saturation magnetization on Zr–Mn composition. Curie temperature is also found to decrease linearly with addition of Zr–Mn. Furthermore, comprehensive analysis of microwave reflection loss (RL) is carried out as a function of substitution, frequency, and thickness. Composition accompanying maximum microwave absorption is suggested.
Nitrogen mineralization in soil from perennial grassland measured through long-term laboratory incubations

Under perennial grasslands, nitrogen contained in organic matter becomes available at varying rates via mineralization throughout the growing season. The amount of N present at any given time indicates only the quantity immediately present, and does not include N which has already been removed either by leaching or uptake into the plant system, nor the N which will become available as organic matter breaks down over time. Long-term aerobic laboratory incubation methods have been used successfully to estimate potential N mineralization under various cropping conditions. They had not been used successfully, however, to estimate potential N availability under perennial grassland. In this research, soil samples from two long-term perennial grassland sites were taken before and after N fertilizer application at rates of 0, 175, 350 and 525 kg/ha. The soils were incubated in the laboratory at 35 °C and were eluted at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 22 and 30-week intervals, the length of time prescribed for determining N mineralization potential. Because a plateau had not been reached, incubation was allowed to continue for 198 weeks and 148 weeks for the pre- and post-N samples, respectively. Total N was high, as was soil organic matter in both sets of soil samples. Nitrogen mineralization potential was underestimated after 30 weeks of incubation, and overestimated after 148 weeks. The closest agreement between N measured and the estimated N mineralization potential, came after 198 weeks of incubation. This study confirmed the high N-supplying capacity of soil under long-term perennial grasslands. It also indicated that the recommended 30-week period needed to estimate N mineralization potential under other cropping systems was insufficient for a perennial grassland soil. Cumulative differences in N mineralization were found with varying rates of N fertilizer application, but these differences were rarely seen on an individual weekly basis, nor were they significant at the termination of the experiment. The response to N application differed by site.
A comparative study of bilingual discourse markers in Chicago Mexican, Puerto Rican, and MexiRican Spanish

This study examines the use of Spanish and English discourse markers among first, second, and third generation Spanish-speakers in Chicago, Illinois, comparing Mexican, Puerto Rican, and MexiRican speakers. We find that so is a core borrowing for all groups, although there were some differences in the frequency of usage of the discourse markers across the different Spanish dialect varieties. We also find that of all the variables analyzed, weaker Spanish proficiency is most strongly correlated with more frequent usage of so at the expense of entonces. We predict that these two discourse markers will coexist for some time, but that the frequency of so may increase and the frequency of entonces may decrease for all functions with subsequent generations.
Utilizing a copper MOF as a reagent in a solvent mediated reaction to form a topologically distinct MOF.

Employing a semi-rigid di-1,2,4-triazole ligand leads to the formation of new MOFs [Cu4(L)4(SO4)4]·4[Cu(H2O)6(SO4)] (3) and [Cu6(L)3(SO4)5(OH)2(H2O)6]·13H2O (4). The frameworks can be synthesized independently, but a reaction occurs in water wherein kinetic product 3 is used as a reagent to synthesize the topologically distinct thermodynamic product 4.
Small is beautiful: A study of packaged software development teams

Abstract Writers in diverse fields have recognized the advantages of small teams. The common justification is, not that a small team is so advantageous, in and of itself, but that the alternative —a large team—is so disadvantageous, primarily because of the burden of maintaining n ∗ (n-l) 2 communication links between the n team members. We established the following rule derived from the literature—a team often or above is a violation of “small is beautiful.” We examined data from 74 product development teams in a cross section of packaged software companies. First, using the rule, we found that most teams in these firms were small with a median of five members. Only 15% of the firms violated the “small is beautiful” rule, and only when the number of employees in the firm neared or exceeded 100. Three factors were identified to explain why the teams remained small: there was a proactive policy about small teams, the release was relatively minor, and teams were permanent rather than ad hoc. Four factors were identified to explain why those teams that violated the “small is beautiful” rule grew beyond small: product size and complexity, firm age and ossification, non-desktop roots of the software products, and ad hoc teams rather than permanent teams. Briefcase studies illustrate our findings.
Editorial: Special Issue on Wireless Personal Communications 2006 Conference

The WPMC 2006 conference was held in San Diego California on 17–20 September. This unique conference is a premier international symposium. Participants report on scholarly and commercial activity that spans a diverse range of cutting edge technologies supporting advanced wireless systems. The theme of the 2006 conference was “Seamless Interoperability and Convergence of Communication, Computing, and Multimedia in Fixed and Mobile environments”. Papers were presented in many tracks including: Antennas and Propagation, Transmission Technologies, DSP, Wireless Access, Multimedia and Networks, Security, Wireless Sensors, Modeling/Simulation, Software Defined Radio and Satellite Communications. At the end of the conference, the organizers, pleased with the high quality of the presented papers concluded that many of the papers deserved a wider range of exposure to the community. Uma Jha, the conference General Chair approached Springer, and suggested that a Special Issue of the Wireless Personal Communications Journal be assembled from the higher end conference papers. We invited a small number of authors to submit expanded versions of their papers to be reviewed for consideration in this special issue. The papers were culled from those that had made the top 7.5% of the original ranking process during the conference selection process. After many e-mails, re-writes, reviews, queries, sleepless nights, some hand wringing, and Solomon like spurts of wisdom and insight, we selected the papers that appear in this special double issue of the Journal. We are pleased to share with you the fruits of a process that started over a year ago with the initial call for papers and is now nearing its conclusion with the composition of this editorial commenting and introducing the good works of the many authors represented here. When the material leaves my computer, in transient to Springer, I will wish it good voyage knowing professionals will put the final touches to the process as they assemble this special issue.
Analytical investigation of tooth profile modification effects on planetary gear dynamics

Abstract This study investigates the impact of tooth profile modification on spur planetary gear vibration. An analytical model is proposed to capture the excitation from tooth profile modifications at the sun–planet and ring–planet meshes. The accuracy of the proposed model for dynamic analysis is correlated against a benchmark finite element analysis. Perturbation analysis yields a closed-form approximation of the vibration response with tooth profile modifications. The perturbation solution is used to investigate the effects of tooth profile modification. The tooth profile modification parameters that minimize response are readily obtained. Static transmission error and dynamic response are minimized at different amounts of profile modification, which contradicts common practical thinking regarding the correlation between static transmission error and dynamic response. Contrary to expectations, the optimal sun–planet and ring–planet tooth profile modifications that minimize response when applied individually may increase dynamic response when applied simultaneously. System parameters such as mesh stiffness and mesh phase significantly affect the influence of tooth profile modification.
Antiphase domain boundary suppression in chalcopyrite-on-sphalerite epitaxy

Abstract Using back reflection Laue measurements we have examined the substrate orientation dependence of antiphase domain boundaries for ZnSnP2 (c= 2a) grown on GaAs by liquid phase epitaxy. These results together with those of other workers indicate that {211} substrates are best for the growth of chalcopyrite layers withc= 2a, while {100} substrates are best for those chalcopyrites withc
Covalent adduct formation and chloroform production after free radical attack on fatty acids by carbon tetrachloride reactive intermediates.

Abstract The interactions of fatty acids and the trichloromethyl free radical generated anaerobically by the benzoyl peroxide model system were studied. Chloroform was produced due to the interaction of the trichloromethyl free radical with the unsaturated fatty acid ester methyl oleate, indicating the hydrogen in chloroform may result from abstraction from fatty acids. In addition, choloroform was detected in incubations containing the saturated fatty acid ester methyl stearate, indicating hydrogen abstraction is not limited to allylic hydrogens. Mass spectral analysis identified one adduct resulting from additional reactions to methyl oleate, and an adduct resulting initially from hydrigen abstraction on methyl stearate. These findings describe previously unreported reactions of the trichloromethyl free radical with saturated fatty acid, and inhibition of chloroform production by 3 free radical inhibitors.
An examination of fatigue striations in human dentin: in vitro and in vivo.

Although striations are often used in evaluating fatigue crack growth in engineering materials, they have not been used in studying the mechanics of fracture in hard tissues. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the striations resulting from fatigue crack growth in the dentin of human teeth. Compact tension (CT) specimens obtained from the coronal dentin of molars from young (17 ≤ age ≤ 37 years) and senior (age ≥ 50 years) patients were subjected to cyclic Mode I loads. Striations evident on the fracture surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact profilometer. Fatigue crack growth striations that developed in vivo were also examined on fracture surfaces of restored molars. A power spectrum analysis of surface profiles from the CT specimens showed that the striation spacing ranged from 50 to 170 μm. The average spacing in the dentin of seniors (130 ± 23 μm) was significantly larger (p < 0.001) than that in young dentin (88 ± 13 μm). Fatigue striations in the restored teeth exhibited features that were consistent with those that developed in vitro and a spacing ranging from 59 to 95 μm. Unlike metals, the striations in dentin developed after a period of cyclic loading that ranged from 1 × 103 to 1 × 105 cycles. A quantitative evaluation of the striation spacing using the Bates-Clark equation suggested that cyclic crack growth within the restored teeth occurred at a stress intensity range near 0.7 MPa·m0.5, and a stress range of ∼12 MPa. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Continuum emission in the 1–2000 Å range

Context. Continuum emission is a fundamental component of the solar and stellar spectra between 1 A and 2000 A and has important applications to plasma diagnostics. However, the importance of X-ray free-bound continuum radiation has been overlooked in recent years, and no assessment of the accuracy of different data and approximations underlying the calculation of continuum emissivity has been carried out to understand the reliability of diagnostic results. Aims. The importance of free-bound radiation in the X-rays will be demonstrated and its effects on plasma diagnostics will be discussed. The importance of user-chosen parameters such as ion and element abundances, necessary to the calculation of continuum emissivity, will be assessed. The uncertainties in the atomic data underlying continuum calculations will be investigated. Methods. We will use the CHIANTI spectral code to investigate the relative importance of the free-free, free-bound and two-photon radiation as a function of wavelength in the 1-2000 A spectral range, and to assess the effects of user-chosen parameters on the calculation of the continuum emission. A comparison between continuum emissivity of two of the most widely used spectral codes, developed using very different atomic data and approximations, will give us an indication of their reliability. Results. The effects of element abundances and of the neglect of free-bound radiation in the X-rays are shown to be significant, with important consequences for plasma diagnostics results. The total continuum emissivities of the two spectral codes we compared are found to be in agreement to better than 40% at all wavelengths and temperatures of interest, with only a few exceptions.
Physiological dysfunction of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. IV. Further evidence for regional and behavioral specificity

• In previous studies we found that patients with chronic schizophrenia had lower regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) than did normal subjects during performance of the Wisconsin Card Sort Test, an abstract reasoning task linked to DLPFC function. This was not the case during less complex tasks. To examine further whether this finding represented regionally circumscribed pathophysiology or a more general correlate of abstract cognition, 24 medication-free patients and 25 age- and sexmatched normal control subjects underwent rCBF measurements with the xenon 133 technique while they performed two tasks: Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) and an active baseline control task. While performing RPM, normal subjects activated posterior cortical areas over baseline, but did not activate DLPFC, as had been seen during the Wisconsin Card Sort Test. Like normal subjects, patients showed maximal rCBF elevations posteriorly and, moreover, they had no significant DLPFC or other cortical deficit while performing RPM. These results suggest that DLPFC dysfunction in schizophrenia is linked to pathophysiology of a regionally specific neural system rather than to global cortical dysfunction, and that this pathophysiology is most apparent under prefrontally specific cognitive demand.
Constraint of Oxygen Fugacity During Field‐Assisted Sintering: TiO2 as a Test Case

Field-assisted sintering exposes samples in a graphite die to reducing conditions. Using TiO 2 as a test case, this work shows that internal redox equlibria in the sample, rather than the graphite-CO-D 2 equilibrium, appear to control the oxygen fugacity. Samples sintered at 1160°C for 20 min are homogeneous in oxygen content and have an average composition of TiO 1.983±0.001 The oxygen fugacity during these sintering experiments is calculated to be about 10 -16 atm, which is higher than the value obtained from thermodynamic equilibrium of graphite-CO-O 2 at the given temperature. The oxygen fugacity is similar to that for the quasi-two-phase region, or hysteresis loop, representing the coexistence of reduced rutile with random crystallographic shear (CS) planes and the first ordered CS phase.
Tumorigenicity and the expression of cell-surface carbohydrates.

TUMOUR cell populations are heterogeneous with respect to various biological properties1–3. Immunological properties that influence tumour–host relationships and metastatic properties of tumours may also differ between subpopulations of tumour cells4,5. In addition, conditions of growth may favour the emergence of subpopulations, and the immunogenic modification of susceptible subpopulations. We have reported that highly immunogenic tumour cells can be isolated from the parental tumour by concanavalin A (con A)–affinity chromatography6,7, and the relative proportion of different subpopulations varied with different conditions of growth. We now report that the tumorigenicity of murine adenocarcinoma varies as a function of the tumour sub-populations present, as defined by their expression of cell-surface carbohydrates.
Photochemical Keratodesmos for Bonding Corneal Incisions

PURPOSE To evaluate the immediate and long-term effectiveness of a dye-plus-laser irradiation treatment (photochemical keratodesmos [PKD]) for sealing corneal incisions. METHODS Incisions (3.5 mm) in rabbit corneas were treated on the incision walls with rose bengal dye followed by exposure to 514-nm laser radiation. PKD was evaluated in three groups (n = 3-6) using laser fluences of 115, 153, or 192 J/cm(2) (180-, 240-, and 300- second exposures, respectively) compared with an untreated group (n = 8). The intraocular pressure at which leakage occurred (IOP(L)) during infusion of saline into the anterior chamber was determined. In a long-term study, treated and control corneas were observed weekly for 10 weeks for the appearance of neovascularization, anterior chamber inflammation, iridocorneal adhesion, corneal melting, and scarring. RESULTS Immediately after treatment, the IOP(L) increased with increasing laser fluence, producing IOPs of 230 +/- 90, 370 +/- 120, and more than 500 mm Hg at 115, 153, and 192 J/cm(2), respectively, compared with 40 +/- 20 mm Hg in control eyes (P < 0.005). No reduction in the IOP(L) was observed up to 14 days after surgery. Corneal melting in PKD-treated or control eyes was not observed in the 10-week healing study. Neovascularization, which peaked at 4 weeks but resolved by 8 weeks, was detected around the incision in both PKD-treated and control eyes. CONCLUSIONS Immediate and lasting sealing of corneal incisions was obtained in eyes treated with PKD, using short irradiation times. These results suggest that PKD has potential for improved corneal tissue bonding.
Put Your Best Figure Forward: Line Graphs and Scattergrams

There is an old saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In truth, only a well-prepared, self-explanatory picture is worth a thousand words. The same holds true for research studies, for which 1 of the main methods we use to communicate our message is in figures and graphs. Figures and graphs tell much of the story by giving readers a visual anchor to help them see, understand, and remember information. Think about a report that you recently read and found useful. You likely do not remember the text used to state the results, or even the actual numbers, but you can recall much about the trends, relationships, outcomes, categories, or general experimental parameters shown in a graph. Despite the fact that you no longer have much recollection of the text, you can draw a reasonable representation of a graph from the published report and tell what you remember from it. In this educational article I discuss line graphs and scattergrams and use examples to illustrate how to put your best figure forward so readers will remember you and your message. The components of a graph include axes, labels, scales, an origin, tick or reference marks, symbols, and a legend. Beyond these basics, however, a good graph has several attributes: 1. It draws attention to the data and not the graph itself. 2. The data points (symbols) and connecting lines are easy to read and distinguish. 3. Both the numbers and labels for the axes are readable and their meaning is clear. 4. The lengths of the 2 axes are visually balanced (ratio of x axis to y axis = 1.0 to 1.3). 5. The scales used on each axis match the range of the data. 6. Tick marks are used appropriately. 7. The legend is clear and concise. 8. The reader can understand the message without …
SNR mismatch and online estimation in turbo decoding

Iterative decoding of turbo codes, as well as other concatenated coding schemes of similar nature, requires knowledge of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the channel so that proper blending of the a posteriori information of the separate decoders is achieved. We study the sensitivity of decoder performance to misestimation of the SNR, and propose a simple online scheme that estimates the unknown SNR from each code block, prior to decoding. We show that this scheme is sufficiently adequate in accuracy to not appreciably degrade the performance.
A Hermeneutical Study of Older Korean Graduate Students’ Experiences in American Higher Education: From Confucianism to Western Educational Values

In this hermeneutical study, the authors focus on understanding the experiences of older Korean students who have come to the United States to pursue academic degrees at American universities. The ...
Proacrosin from Rabbit Epididymal Spermatozoa: Partial Purification and Initial Biochemical Characterization

Proacrosin, the zymogen form of acrosin was extractedwith 0.25N H2SO4 from unwashed rabbit cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Sephadex G-75 column chromatography of the extract resolved two peaks of epididymal sperm proacrosin, both of which contained low amounts of acrosin prior to activation (a total of 5 percent of the final acrosin activity obtained from complete activation of proacrosin), and were free of trypsin inhibitor. The peak eluted first (peak I) represented 85 percent of the total proacrosin and had an apparent molecular weight (MW) of 73,000 as determined by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. Complete “autoactivation” of sperm proacrosin peak I resulted in the production of an acrosin with a MW of 38,000. Proacrosin was alsofound in washed epididymalsperm uncontaminated by free cytoplasmic droplets or epididymal fluid. Sperm proacrosin “autoactivation” appeared to be a second order autocatalytic process in which the product of the activation accelerated its own formation. The “autoactivation” was stimulated by Ca�� and inhibited by � These properties of sperm proacrosin agree with our previous data from studies of rabbit testis proacrosin. Also the acrosin obtained by “autoactivating” the sperm and testis proacrosins, had similar apparent Km values for BANA (7.8-10.5 X 10-5M), BAEE (2.1-4.3 X 105M) and TAME (2.4-3.3 X 10-SM), similar pH optima (pH 8.2-8.4), and were similarly inhibited by several trypsininhibitors. These resultssuggeststrongly that rabbit epididymal sperm and rabbit testis proacrosin are identical proteins. Conversion of sperm proacrosin to acrosin (involving the hydrolysis of at least one peptide bond)would appeartobe necessaryifacrosinplaysaroleinfertilization.
Number-difference-phase uncertainty relation for NFM operational quantum phase description

For the Noh, Fougers, and Mandel (NFM) operational quantum phase description, which is based on an eight-port homodyne-detection, we propose the number-difference-phase (ND-P) uncertainty relation and, then, discuss the mechanism of generation of ND-P squeezed states.
The 193 nm Photodissociation of 1.1- and 1.2-difluoroethylene

The photodissociation of 1,1- and 1,2-difluoroethylene (DFE) at 193 nm was studied by measuring product translational energy distributions, P(ET), for the various product channels. The P(ET)'s are used to obtain information on the exit barriers, product internal energy, transition states, and the stability of intermediates in many of these channels. Significant differences in the P(ET)'s for three-centered elimination of HF to produce :CCHF and four-centered elimination of HF to give HC⋮CF were observed. These were attributed to differences in the exit barriers and transition states for the two types of elimination. This is the first reported study of the three- and four-centered H2 elimination pathways producing :CCF2 and FC⋮CF, respectively. Both reactions showed the presence of a small exit barrier. This work also gives the first detailed description of the H and F atomic elimination channels. The P(ET) for primary H atom elimination indicates a simple bond rupture mechanism; the P(ET) for secondary H ...
The Communication Neuroscience Laboratories at the University of Kansas: An Overview

Abstract The Communication Neuroscience Laboratories (CNL) celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009 with a brief overview of past and current research projects concerned with the sensorimotor develo...
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Environmental Fate of the Oil and the Toxicological Effects on Marine Organisms

The Deepwater Horizon spill was one of the largest oil spills in recorded history, depositing more than 2.6 million gallons of oil a day over the course of 84 days into the Gulf of Mexico, and with it considerable unprecedented problems and concerns. With an eventual total of 172 million gallons leaked into the Gulf, the Deepwater Horizon spill disrupted the ecology and deeply affected wildlife populations along 690 miles of U.S. coastline. The Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989 resulted in the release of 10.8 million gallons of oil in Alaska. Comparatively speaking, however, the quantity of oil released from Deepwater Horizon was the equivalent of an Exxon Valdez spill happening every four days for three straight months. Although the volume of oil spilled from the Exxon Valdez tanker represents only a small fraction of that from Deepwater Horizon, Exxon Valdez cleanup efforts took decades and the effects of the spill on wildlife are still being observed today. While both disasters involved crude unprocessed oil, there are many factors that distinguish these two events. Oil spills, though generally involving similar compounds, often have unique characteristics and consequences, each depending on its environment, the nature of the spill, and many other natural factors. This review surveys the general environmental and toxicological effects and implications of oil spills, with particular emphasis on the unique aspects of the Deepwater Horizon spill. THE SPILL EVENT Deepwater Horizon was a semisubmersible Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit that controlled a two-mile long oil drill, with a mile of the drill suspended vertically underwater from the platform to the ocean floor (within a drill riser tube) and another mile of the drill in bedrock of the ocean floor (2). At the intersection of the drill and the bedrock was a wellhead unit with a shutdown mechanism that would prevent any free-flow (i.e. release) of oil from the well in the event of a well blowout. At the time of the explosion, however, the blowout preventer failed to contain any oil (3).
Large system interaction characteristics of superconducting generators

Differences between superconducting generators and conventional machines are identified, and ways in which superconducting machines will offer both advantages and problems are shown. Superconducting generators will have system interaction characteristics, somewhat different from those of their conventional counterparts. In general, superconducting machines will improve characteristics of the power system; their low reactances and long time constants will improve transient stability and voltage regulation. However, these also produce large fault currents and torques. If care is not taken, these machines may product interesting and perhaps destructive resonant effects on shaft lines. The author builds simple models that allow several important system integration characteristics of synchronous machines, including the differences between conventional and superconducting machines, to be discussed and understood. These include reactive power capability, transient stability, damping, voltage control, fault currents, and torques. >