cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OILMUD; A microcomputer program for predicting oil-based mud densities and static pressures

This paper reports on OILMUD which is a program for predicting the densities and hydrostatic pressures in oil-based mud columns at high pressures an temperatures. The program uses multiple-linear-regression analysis on experimental data to calculate the densities and static pressures for diesel-oil-based mud and for four less-toxic mineral-oil-based muds. This menu-driven, easy-to-use program runs on an IBM personal computer and compatible systems. It can be used by a drilling engineer to estimate downhole densities and pressures during drilling on the basis of surface measurements or to plan the mud program for a new well.
High-performance single-polarization optical fibers

This paper reviews recent progress and presents new designs and experimental results on single polarization (SP) fibers. The design concept for achieving SP propagation and approaches using either stress induced birefringence or hole-assisted geometrical birefringence for realizing single polarization fibers are described. Designs of hole-assisted SP fibers with either dual holes or a central hole are discussed in details. Effects of fiber parameters on SP fiber performance such as bandwidth, cutoff wavelength, mode field area are analyzed. Results on fabrication and characterization of dual-hole-assisted SP fibers are presented. SP operating windows centered at wavelength from 900 to 1600 mm with bandwidths from 18 to 55 nm are realized. Applications of SP fibers for single mode fiber lasers to produce linear polarized laser output are demonstrated with extinction ratio of 17-20 dB.
Raising the IQ: The Ramey and Haskins study

Abstract The Ramey and Haskins intervention experiment succeeded in producing IQ gains at three years of age averaging about one standard deviation in young children who were selected for being at risk for subnormal intellectual development. The study is examined in terms of its consistency with other findings, the heritability of IQ, the g aspect of IQ, the simplex pattern of longitudinal interage mental test score correlations, mother-child IQ correlations, and criteria for establishing educationally and socially significant gains in intelligence defined as g rather than as a score on a particular test. Narrow transfer of training from cognitive intervention techniques to IQ test performance in early childhood, rather than enhancement of the g factor itself, is hypothesized as a cause of the typical fadeout of early IQ gains in later childhood.
Stopping ras in its tracks.

Ras interacts with many downstream effectors that regulate complex cytoplasmic signaling networks. In this issue, Gupta et al. (2007) use mouse models of Ras-mediated tumorigenesis to show that the interaction of Ras with a single isoform of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), called p110α (PIK3CA), is critical for tumor formation. This result will stimulate re-evaluation of pharmacological approaches to target Ras for cancer treatment.
Enhancing Internet Domain Name System Availability by Building Rings of Cooperation Among Cache Resolvers

The domain name system (DNS) is a critical service needed for the continued operation of the Internet. DNS availability can be affected because of failures, misconfigurations or deliberate attacks. In this paper, we propose an approach based on cooperation among DNS cache resolvers that significantly enhances DNS availability. In our approach, cache resolvers join hands and form a cooperative cache sharing network. Searching the network for a DNS name resolution takes O(log N) hops in the worst case, where N is the number of DNS entries in the cache sharing network. We show that our approach scales efficiently, with the communication costs and the number of entries maintained at each node being bounded by the logarithm of the size of the name space.
The practicality of text signatures for accelerating string searching

This paper studies the use of text signatures in string searching. Text signatures are a coded representation of a unit of text formed by hashing substrings into bit positions which are, in turn, set to one. Then instead of searching an entire line of text exhaustively, the text signature may be examined first to determine if complete processing is warranted. A hashing function which minimizes the number of collisions in a signature is described. Experimental results for two signature lengths with both a text file and a program file are given. Analyses of the results and the utility and application of the method conclude the discussion.
Femtosecond experiments on solvation dynamics of an anionic probe molecule in methanol

Abstract Fluorescence up-conversion measurements were conducted to investigate the solvation dynamics of a deprotonated coumarin 343 (C343) in a solution of CH 3 ONaCH 3 OH. In the presence of a base at an appropriate concentration, C343 exists in an anionic form. The observed relaxation kinetics of the solvent polarization exhibit behavior similar to those with a neutral probe molecule with an analogous structure, C152, although the average solvation time for the ionic probe is slightly longer. Theoretical calculations employing three different models for the solvation dynamics were performed: the dielectric continuum model, the mean spherical approximation (MSA) for ionic solvation, and the MSA for dipole solvation. Although the MSA for ionic solvation gives the best prediction for the average solvation time, none of the theories can explain the overall time profile of the solvation dynamics satisfactorily.
Strong coupling of a single photon to a superconducting qubit using circuit quantum electrodynamics

The interaction of matter and light is one of the fundamental processes occurring in nature, and its most elementary form is realized when a single atom interacts with a single photon. Reaching this regime has been a major focus of research in atomic physics and quantum optics1 for several decades and has generated the field of cavity quantum electrodynamics2,3. Here we perform an experiment in which a superconducting two-level system, playing the role of an artificial atom, is coupled to an on-chip cavity consisting of a superconducting transmission line resonator. We show that the strong coupling regime can be attained in a solid-state system, and we experimentally observe the coherent interaction of a superconducting two-level system with a single microwave photon. The concept of circuit quantum electrodynamics opens many new possibilities for studying the strong interaction of light and matter. This system can also be exploited for quantum information processing and quantum communication and may lead to new approaches for single photon generation and detection.
Hexachlorobenzene ingestion by female rhesus monkeys: tissue distribution and clinical symptomatology.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a chemically stable benzene, substituted at every carbon atom with chlorine; the molecule's considerable biopersistence is directly related to its aromaticity and high degree of chlorination. HCB is commonly used as a fungicidal dressing on cereal grains. Accidental ingestion (SCHMID 1960, CAM and NIGOGOSYAN 1963) as well as rising levels in the general environment (KOEMAN et al. 1969, BURNS and MILLER 1975) point to its potential as a pollutant and health hazard. This study was undertaken to investigate the susceptibility of rhesus monkeys (Macaca Mulatta) to HCB poisoning. Findings of cliniea-~mistry are presented herein; results of histopathological examination were presented separately (IATROPOULOS et al. 1976). METHODS
Open repair of chronic distal aortic dissection in the endovascular era: Implications for disease management.

Objective Controversy surrounds the treatment of chronic aortic dissection. Open surgical and endovascular experiences include mixed populations treated with evolving strategies and limited follow-up. We establish a standard against which endovascular repair can be compared by assessing outcomes after open repair of chronic distal aortic dissections anatomically suitable to stent-grafting. Methods From 2000 to 2008, 169 patients underwent open repair of the descending thoracic artery only (n = 88) or thoracoabdominal (n = 81) chronic aortic dissection (elective in 98, urgent/emergency in 71). Chart review and 3-dimensional assessment of computed tomography were performed. Poor outcome included all-cause mortality or vascular reintervention. Results Thirty-day mortality was 8% (n = 14). Serious complications included neurologic (n = 12 [spinal cord n = 4, 2.4%]), respiratory (n = 32), and renal failure (n = 1 descending thoracic artery only vs 17 thoracoabdominal, P P = .005). Survival at 1, 2, and 5 years was 76%, 69%, and 55%, respectively; 23 patients (14%) required reintervention. Event-free survival at 5 years was 51% and 47% after descending thoracic artery only or thoracoabdominal repair, respectively. Greater maximum aortic diameter (hazard ratio 1.9, P = .03) and greater diameter at the diaphragm (hazard ratio 3.7, P = .01) or renal segment (hazard ratio 4.3, P = .03) predicted poor outcome. Conclusions Early outcomes are good and late outcomes are less than desirable after open repair of chronic distal aortic dissection, regardless of the extent of repair. High-risk and late-stage patients with larger and more extensive aneurysmal degeneration warrant further investigation, including the use of newer, less-invasive techniques. Select patients at risk for aneurysmal degeneration should undergo a more aggressive initial approach with aortic dissection repair.
Metal-halide bond activation: a chloride shift in the spotlight.

The photoinduced production of hydrogen from HCl is an attractive alternative to water splitting. Insights into this challenging reaction have now been gained using photocrystallography, which provides a snapshot of the structural changes occurring during the elimination of chlorine from a dinuclear rhodium catalyst.
EFFECTS OF CULTURES AND LANGUAGES ON SELF CONCEPTIONS

Abstract Cultural evolution in self conceptions under the influence of external cultures was explored through semantic differential ratings of Turkish English-speaking (TK/EN) students. As the criterion for inter-cultural and inter-language comparisons, the “norm” conceptions were obtained from two indigenous samples that represent the American/English (AM/EN) culture and the Turkey/Turkish (TK/TK) culture respectively. Results indicated significant transfusion effects of the “providing” (AM/EN) culture on self conceptions of the “receiving” (TK/EN) culture-in desaturating as well as elevating the semantic intensities of various aspects of self identity over the “native” (TK/TK) culture. An implication was made that future cross-cultural interactions should become an effective mutual learning process for improving inter-cultural and inter-group heterogeneities and conflicts, rather than for spliting a homogeneous indigenous culture into many fragmented and isolated entities.
Lack of tolerance or sensitization to the effects of chronic d-amphetamine on substantia nigra self-stimulation.

The effects of repeated administration of d-amphetamine on intracranial self-stimulation were investigated through substantia nigra electrodes in rats. Doses of d-amphetamine (0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 mg/kg), which facilitated bar-pressing for self-stimulation on the first day of treatment, were administered 30 min before daily testing for 10–12 days. Self-stimulation rates on the last day of treatment did not differ significantly from that on the first day at any dose tested. These results are in contrast to previous reports of progressive facilitation of locomotor activity and stereotypy by repeated d-amphetamine administration. To the extent that self-stimulation in substantia nigra reflects the functional state of dopaminergic neurotransmission, progressive augmentation of activity and stereotypy by repeated d-amphetamine administration may not involve dopaminergic processes.
The value of retropharyngeal soft tissue measurements in trauma of the adult cervical spine. Cervical spine soft tissue measurements.

Widening of the retropharyngeal soft tissue space (RSTS) has been interpreted as a sign of cervical spine trauma. Widely differing measurements are reported in the literature. However it is clear that, using the currently acceptable limits of normal, a large number of patients without spinal injury are subjected to further tests. The RSTS on lateral cervical spine radiographs of 318 patients with a history of cervical spine trauma were measured at the C2−C4 level. The values for patients found to be normal or with fractures/dislocations were evaluated. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrates a considerable overlap in the RSTS of normal and abnormal patients. Therefore we suggest that RSTS measurements are of limited diagnostic value. Using the statistical probability of abnormality, guidelines that indicate which patients may require additional study are suggested.
Curcumin enhances Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells

Abstract Objective Curcumin, the active component of turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), exhibits growth inhibitory activity against prostate, colon, and breast cancer; however, the effect of curcumin on ovarian cancer cells is not known. We hypothesized that curcumin could induce cell death in ovarian cancer cells, and enhance apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing Apo2 ligand/TRAIL. Methods Chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and ES-2 were used. The cytotoxic effect of curcumin, Apo2L/TRAIL, and curcumin+Apo2L/TRAIL in combination was determined by sulforhodamine assay. Apoptotic fraction was determined by staining cells with propidium iodide followed by analysis of the sub-G 0 DNA content of cells by flow cytometry. Caspase activation was determined by immunoblotting. Results Curcumin alone had a cytotoxic effect in cisplatin-resistant cells at 25 μM. Curcumin at low doses (5–15 μM) or Apo2L/TRAIL alone was not significantly cytotoxic to the cell lines tested. Preincubating cells with curcumin at low doses prior to treating with Apo2L/TRAIL resulted in markedly enhanced cell death. The combined treatment of curcumin and Apo2L/TRAIL resulted in activation of both the extrinsic, receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway (cleavage of caspase-8) and the intrinsic, mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway (cleavage of caspase-9). Conclusions Combined curcumin and Apo2L/TRAIL treatment results in enhanced induction of apoptotic cell death. Because curcumin and Apo2L/TRAIL together can activate both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis, they may circumvent chemoresistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents.
Optical soliton perturbation with Raman scattering and saturable amplifiers

The method of multiple-scale perturbation is developed to study the propagation of solitons through an optical fiber described by the perturbed nonlinear Schrodinger's equation. We show that, by introducing a proper definition of the phase of the soliton, one can obtain the corrections to the pulse where the usual soliton perturbation approach fails. A comparison is made with results obtained by other methods as well as with numerical simulations.
Manganese Borohydride As a Hydrogen-Storage Candidate: First-Principles Crystal Structure and Thermodynamic Properties

Manganese borohydride (Mn(BH4)2) is considered to be a high-capacity (∼10 wt %) solid-state hydrogen storage candidate, but so far has not been shown to exhibit reversible hydrogenation. This study presents the calculated crystal structure and electronic structure of Mn(BH4)2 from density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation and thermodynamic properties from the direct method lattice dynamics. A thermodynamically stable phase of Mn(BH4)2 is identified. The calculation of Gibbs energy at finite temperatures suggests that the stable phase is of I4m2 symmetry. The formation energy of Mn(BH4)2 for the I4m2 symmetry solid is −28.93 kJ/f.u. at 0 K including zero-point energy corrections, and the standard state enthalpy of formation is predicted to be −58.89 kJ/f.u. The most feasible dehydrogenation reaction is found to be Mn(BH4)2 = Mn + 2B+ 4H2, which is an endothermic reaction at decomposition temperature. The spin-polarized electronic density of states shows that manganese borohy...
Intrahepatic portosystemic shunting: is minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric-transjugular approach still relevant?

Purpose To determine whether the minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric transjugular shunt placement has an acceptable clinical profile compared to the transjugular method, for systemic diversion of portal blood. Materials and Methods In a retrospective review, from January 2005 to December 2010, forty-nine patients with minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric transjugular portosystemic shunt were compared to sixty-three patients with conventional TIPS. The main end point was primary shunt dysfunction. The secondary end points included early technical success, peri-procedural mortality, and early procedural-related complications. Death, loss to follow up, and liver transplantation were considered as competing events. Results No significant difference was found in primary or secondary end points, the number of the patients who eventually underwent liver transplantation, or number of deaths during the follow-up period. The shunt primary patency rates at 6 months and 12 months were 91.86% and 88.03%, in the conventional TIPS group, and 85.32% and 81.82% in the minilaparotomy assisted transmesenteric- transjugular group, respectively (P= 0.870). Minilaparotomy wound-related complications included wound dehiscence, incisional hernia, wound infections, and persistent leakage of ascites. Difficult targeting of the portal vein occurred mainly in the conventional TIPS group. The site of focal stenosis was identified more commonly in the hepatic end of the shunt in patients with conventional TIPS and more commonly in portal end in patients with minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric- transjugular shunt (P= 0.045). In a multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis, the cumulative time to primary shunt dysfunction was not affected when it was simultaneously adjusted for sex, age, serum total bilirubin before the IPS insertion, MELD score ( Conclusion Minilaparotomy-assisted transmesenteric transjugular IPS is a safe and viable option to consider when a transjugular IPS is not technically feasible. Operators should be aware of some differences in the risks associated with each approach.
The whiplash problem: an application of vector spherical harmonics

A brief discussion of an alternate method for finding the displacements of an elastic, homogeneous, isotropic sphere under a rotational loading is given. The method is shown to be applicable to nonconservative loadings and asymmetric geometry. Expressions for the strains and stresses are also given.
Implementation of the ACM curriculum recommendations

The ACM curriculum recommendations and those of other societies are written with an abstract collegiate environment in mind. There is, however, considerable variance among schools both with regard to their objectives and their resources. The panel representing a spectrum of teaching situations will lead a discussion as to how society recommendations can be of use in curriculum planning.
Communications: Water Quality in Annually Drained and Undrained Channel Catfish Ponds over a Three-Year Period

Abstract Six ponds at Auburn University were stocked in the spring during each of 3 years with 15,000 small channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) per hectare. Ponds were aerated nightly after mid-June and feed was applied 6 d/week. Each fall, three ponds were harvested by draining and three were harvested without draining. There were no differences in net fish production, mortality, average fish size at harvest, or feed conversion between treatments in any of the 3 years. The only differences in water quality between treatments were higher concentrations of chlorophyll a and total ammonia nitrogen in undrained ponds. Harvest of catfish ponds without draining appears to be a feasible technique for reducing the pollution potential of catfish farming.
The potential impact of an HIV vaccine with rapidly waning protection on the epidemic in Southern Africa: Examining the RV144 trial results ☆ ☆☆

Background The prime-boost HIV vaccine regimen used in the recent RV144 trial resulted in modest efficacy of 31% over 3.5 years, but was substantially higher in the first year post-vaccination. We sought to explore the potential impact of a vaccine with rapidly waning efficacy in a South African population.
Variational Approach to Quark Confinement in Field Theory

We explore the use of the variational principle in a relativistic field theory of quarks coupled linearly to real scalar gluons. Renormalization is discussed, in principle and in practice. In the actual calculation the theory is cut off at a large but fixed momentum $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, and variations are performed before taking the limit $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. Trial wave functions are such that quarks find themselves in a central scalar square-well potential. The outside mass ${M}_{0}$ the inside mass ${M}_{1}$, and the range ${r}_{0}$ are variational parameters. By construction the wave functions are eigenstates of total momentum and angular momentum, and form a complete set. In the limit of infinite renormalized gluon mass the entire calculation can be done analytically, with the following results. There is a choice of model constants such that ${M}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ in the renormalized limit. Futhermore, the model constants can be so chosen that the calculation reduces to one that bears formal resemblance to calculations in a classical field theory. We examine in greater detail this "semiclassical" limit, and, in particular, investigate two consistent possibilities that are similar respectively to the MIT bag model and the SLAC model. In either case the model still contains two free renormalized constants. Depending on their values there may or may not be a vacuum well (i.e., ${M}_{1}\ensuremath{\ne}{M}_{0}$ in the lowest state). Illustrations of physical applications are given in the MIT case. Hadronic structure and nucleon deep-inelastic structure functions are calculated, with results similar to those of the MIT bag model. In particular, the structure functions exhibit scaling.
Outer Semicontinuity of Positive Hull Mappings with Application to Semi-Infinite and Stochastic Programming

Let $W$ be an arbitrary subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\mathrm{pos} W$ the positive hull of $W$. We are concerned with conditions under which one can guarantee continuity properties for $\mathrm{pos} W$ as a function of $W$. The results are then applied in the context of semi-infinite linear programs and stochastic programs with recourse.
Light and electron microscopic analysis of two divisions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the young and aged rat

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a principal controller of mammalian circadian rhythms. However, in spite of documented disturbance of biological rhythms in old animals, few significant age-related changes have been observed in this nucleus. This study examined age-related differences in SCN volume, neuronal number, density, and ultrastructural features in the entire rat SCN and in its two divisions, the denser ventromedial (compacta) and less dense dorsolateral (dissipata). Light and electron microscopic morphometric techniques were utilized in weanlings (21-28 days), young adults (3-6 mo), and aged (30-36 mo) animals. The total SCN volume, as well as volumes of the compacta region, were significantly greater in young adult and aged rats than in weanlings. Thus, as the rat ages the SCN increases in total size. However, the dissipata region appears to decrease in volume while the compacta increases. Even though the total number of SCN neurons was quite constant in the three age groups, the number of neurons in the dissipata region was decreased significantly in the young adult and aged groups as compared to the weanling. Neurons in the compacta region were usually spindled-shaped with two dendritic processes, while oval to spheroidal cells with 3-4 processes predominated in the dissipata. Nuclei of SCN cells were often invaginated. In weanlings, more SCN neuronal nuclei had invaginated nuclei in the dissipata region (66%) compared to the compacta (37%). In the two older age groups of rats, a higher percentage of invaginated neuronal nuclei were found in both regions. However, more were still found in the dissipata (90%) compared to the compacta (72%), even though the number of these cells in the compacta doubled. Thus, there was a large increase in the number of invaginated nuclei, as well as the number of invaginations, in the young adult rats compared to the weanling group, and this increase persisted in aged rats. SCN neurons usually had nuclei surrounded by a thin perimeter of cytoplasm containing sparse mitochondria and granular endoplasmic reticulum, multiple Golgi regions, and a moderate number of free ribosomes. In weanlings, mitochondria contained dense cristae and the granular endoplasmic reticulum was relatively prominent. Degenerative ultrastructural changes which included mitochondrial enlargement/vacuolation, Golgi vacuolation, lysosome, and lipofuscin development occurred in less than 10% of young adult SCN cells, and were more frequently found in the dissipata. In aged, rats 30% of the neurons showed degenerative changes in the dissipata compared with 18% in the compacta. Degenerative changes appeared highly correlated with the degree of membrane folding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Determination of Burst Pressure for Line Pipes With Long Blunt Defects

Burst pressure is the maximum load in a pipeline. Its accurate prediction is critical to the safety design, integrity assessment and operational management of the pipeline. This paper overviews the commonly-used corrosion assessment methods, including ASME B31G, Modified B31G, LPC and PCORRC criteria, and describes three theoretical solutions of burst pressure for defect-free pipes in terms of Tresca criterion, von Mises criterion and ZL criterion — a newly proposed average shear stress yield criterion and the associated flow rules. These three theoretical solutions are extended to those for corroded pipes with infinitely long corrosion defects. Followed this, an elastic-plastic finite element analysis is performed using the commercial software ABAQUS with an aim to demonstrate numerical determination of burst pressure corresponding to the Mises and ZL solutions. The corrosion assessment methods are then applied to evaluate the burst pressure for six corroded line pipes with real long corrosion defects. It is concluded that the ZL solution and the PCORRC criterion can determine reasonable and conservative predictions for corroded pipelines with very long corrosion defects.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Expression of Interleukin-10 in Intestinal Lymphocytes Detected by an Interleukin-10 Reporter Knockin tiger Mouse

Summary To identify interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing cells in vivo, we generated a knockin mouse where an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) green fluorescence protein (GFP) element was inserted immediately before the polyadenylation site of the IL-10 gene. GFP fluorescence in cells from these mice was found to correlate positively with IL-10 protein expression. With this model, we found that after multiple T cell receptor (TCR) stimulations, strong expression of IL-10 was produced specifically by intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in the small intestine and colonic lamina propria lymphocytes (cLPL). We found that anti-CD3 treatment induces T regulatory cell 1 (Tr1)-like cells in small intestinal IEL (sIEL) and led to the accumulation of naturally occurring regulatory T (nTreg) cells in colonic LPL (cLPL). These findings highlight the intestine as a unique site for induction of IL-10-producing T cells, which play a critical role in the regulation of inflammation in the gut.
Environmental benefits of conservation buffers in the United States: Evidence, promise, and open questions

Conservation buffers can have a tremendously positive impact on the ecological health of rural landscapes by reducing erosion, improving water quality, increasing biodiversity, and expanding wildlife habitats. Yet, in spite of our knowledge of their value, conservation buffers have not been fully embraced by landowners, or even by policy makers in the United States (US). In this critical review, we examine why conservation buffers remain underutilized in US agroecosystems. We examine the literature on the environmental benefits of buffers, the economic issues related to buffer adoption, and the importance of the aesthetic quality and design of buffers. We propose that many questions related to buffer design and management remain unanswered, and suggest a variety of areas in which future research is necessary to improve buffer functionality and adoption. The implications of this synthesis for designers, planners, scientists, policy makers, and citizens are discussed. Recommendations include: modifying policies to better reflect the preferences of landowners and society, studying buffer systems at the watershed scale using multidisciplinary approaches, and designing buffers that consider aesthetic preferences and regional variation. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of network topology on the controllability of voter model dynamics using biased nodes

This paper examines the effects of biased nodes on the voter model dynamics where each node is characterized by binary states s i = ±1. For a fully connected graph, the master equation is shown to have the form of the Fokker-Planck equation, and necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a polynomial solution are investigated. Numerical simulations and analytical results are studied for a complete graph and the Erdos-Renyi network to reveal several interesting characteristics of the dynamical system. One of the key findings is that the equilibrium probability density of the network can be controlled by selecting the size of the influence groups. Population size, relative size of the biased groups, initial conditions and network parameters such as connection probabilities are discussed and their effects on the equilibrium probability density and time to convergence are investigated and reported.
Cyclic polymers and catenanes by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)

The topologically interesting structures of cyclic polymers, catenanes and other macrocycles are of much interest for their unique chemical and physical properties. However, it is a challenge to design synthetic routes that afford controlled ring structures and connectivity, which is why the practical applications of these materials have not been explored. This review describes the advantages and disadvantages of ring expansion and ring closure methods for preparing cyclic polymers. This review also aims to provide a concise overview of the recent techniques of cyclization specifically by ring closure reactions from polymers grown primarily by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The ring closure techniques covered here are atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC), copper-catalyzed Huisgen azide–alkyne cycloaddition, Diels–Alder cycloaddition and alkylation of carboxylate salts to form esters. Ring expansion and ring closure methods have also been used in the preparation of polymer catenanes. A combination of ATRP and ATRC has been applied to the synthesis of homopolymer and block copolymer catenanes using a supramolecular template with ATRP initiators. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Mü lerian duct cysts: Conservative management

Three cases of the unusual entity, mullerian duct cyst, are presented. Each was managed differently, demonstrating that with appropriate patient selection either aspiration alone, aspiration and instillation of a sclerosing agent, or transurethral resection of bladder base to establish communication and cyst drainage are successful.
Ethical Issues in Neonatal and Pediatric Clinical Trials

Children have been identified as uniquely vulnerable clinical research subjects since the early 1970s. This article reviews the historical underpinnings of this designation, the current regulatory framework for pediatric and neonatal research, and common problems in pediatric research oversight. It also presents 3 areas of pediatric and neonatal research (genomic screening, healthy children donating stem cells, and therapeutic hypothermia for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) that highlight contemporary challenges in pediatric research ethics, including balancing risk and benefit, informed consent and assent, and clinical equipoise.
A bi-directional river plume: The Columbia in summer

Abstract Freshwater plumes have important effects on marine ecosystems: in the presence of a plume, stratification, nutrient pathways, light and circulation patterns are significantly altered from patterns that occur under the influence of wind and ambient currents alone. The historical picture of the plume from the Columbia River is of a freshwater plume oriented southwest offshore of the Oregon shelf in summer and north or northwest along the Washington shelf in winter. Recent CTD data and new data from moored sensors support a picture quite different from the historical seasonal pattern. Specifically, the plume is frequently present up to 150 km north of the river mouth on the Washington shelf from spring to fall, even during periods of upwelling. The plume is frequently bi-directional, with branches both north and south of the river mouth. During a downwelling event, the southwest plume moves onshore over the Oregon shelf. At the same time, a new plume forms north of the river mouth over the Washington shelf, trapped within ∼20–30 km of the coast. This plume propagates and also is advected northward by inner shelf currents that reverse during downwelling. When winds return to upwelling-favorable, inner shelf currents reverse immediately to flow to the south and the shallow plume is advected offshore in the wind-driven Ekman layer. Once over the central shelf, the plume is advected farther south by the seasonal mean ambient flow. Overall, freshwater from the Columbia plume overlies the Washington shelf ∼50% or more of the summer. Capping of upwelling on the inner shelf by the Columbia freshwater plume is illustrated, where the “capping potential” is related to stratification and wind magnitude and duration. Evidence is also presented to suggest that the seaward front of the Columbia River plume may provide a barrier to the transport of harmful algal blooms to coastal beaches in summer and early fall.
Airborne dust on the Arctic pack ice, its composition and fallout rate

Abstract Dust collected from snow samples on the Arctic pack ice approximately 500 km north of Alaska indicate lower fallout rates than previously reported for Arctic stations 1400 km to the east (3.3 and 14 μg/cm 2 yr, respectively). Either the lower frequency of southerly (off-shore) near surface winds at our sample sites off Alaska or the unknown influx of dust with upper level air masses could account for the difference in dust fallout. Irregardless, the airborne dust contribution to Arctic deep-sea sediments north of Alaska amounts to 1% or less. A consideration of the clay mineralogy and biogenous components of Arctic dust favors a global or distant source for most of the dust, especially the less than 2 μm fraction. No obvious industrial components were detected in the dust.
The theoretical and political framing of the population factor in development

The silence about population growth in recent decades has hindered the ability of those concerned with ecological change, resource scarcity, health and educational systems, national security, and other global challenges to look with maximum objectivity at the problems they confront. Two central questions about population—(i) is population growth a problem? and (2) what causes fertility decline?—are often intertwined; if people think the second question implies possible coercion, or fear of upsetting cultures, they can be reluctant to talk about the first. The classic and economic theories explaining the demographic transition assume that couples want many children and they make decisions to have a smaller family when some socio-economic change occurs. However, there are numerous anomalies to this explanation. This paper suggests that the societal changes are neither necessary nor sufficient for family size to fall. Many barriers of non-evidence-based restrictive medical rules, cost, misinformation and social traditions exist between women and the fertility regulation methods and correct information they need to manage their family size. When these barriers are reduced, birth rates tend to decline. Many of the barriers reflect a patriarchal desire to control women, which can be largely explained by evolutionary biology. The theoretical explanations of fertility should (i) attach more weight to the many barriers to voluntary fertility regulation, (ii) recognize that a latent desire to control fertility may be far more prevalent among women than previously understood, and (iii) appreciate that women implicitly and rationally make benefit–cost analyses based on the information they have, wanting modern family planning only after they understand it is a safe option. Once it is understood that fertility can be lowered by purely voluntary means, comfort with talking about the population factor in development will rise.
Trends in Emergency Department Overdose Cases

Though drug overdose episodes represent only 0.5% of total emergency department visits, there have been increased numbers and changes in specific agents of abuse. When treating ED patients, factors such as multi-drug abuse, age and gender of patients, and changes in purity of street drugs must be considered. Medication misuse and abuse by the elderly require particular attention in light of the increasing geriatric population. Health care practitioners must also be aware of geographic trends in drug abuse and designer drug manufacture. The most frequent substances involved in human exposures are those related to accidental exposure, while the most lethal involve those ingested intentionally.
Cardiac model based approach to QT estimation

Because the direction of regulatory agencies requires the study of potential proarrhythmic side effects of drugs be conducted by skilled readers, the 2006 Physio- net/Computers in Cardiology Challenge focuses on the need for clinically acceptable automatic measurement of the QT duration. This entry to the challenge approaches the problem from an inverse ECG perspective. The model parameters are estimated through the minimization of the squared error between the generated ECG signal from the activity of the AV node, endocardium and epicardium, and the recorded ECG. The PQ junction and the end of the T wave are determined from the activation and deactivation of the ventricular activity. This approach is tested on the PTB Diagnostic ECG Database, which contains 549 records from 294 subjects. The final score for this method was substantially improved from 130.70 ms to 51.69 ms as compared to the best score of 17.33 ms for automatic methods.
Heat transfer from protein crystals: implications for flash-cooling and X-ray beam heating

Three problems involving heat transfer from a protein crystal to a cooling agent are analyzed: flash-cooling in a cold nitrogen- or helium-gas stream, plunge-cooling into liquid nitrogen, propane or ethane and crystal heating in a cold gas stream owing to X-ray absorption. Heat transfer occurs by conduction inside the crystal and by convection from the crystal's outer surface to the cooling fluid. For flash-cooling in cold gas streams, heat transfer is limited by the rate of external convection; internal temperature gradients and crystal strains during cooling are very small. Helium gas provides only a threefold improvement in cooling rates relative to nitrogen because its much larger thermal conductivity is offset by its larger kinematic viscosity. Characteristic cooling times vary with crystal size L as L(3/2) and theoretical estimates of these times are consistent with experiments. Plunge-cooling into liquid cryogens, which can give much smaller convective thermal resistances provided that surface boiling is eliminated, can increase cooling rates by more than an order of magnitude. However, the internal conduction resistance is no longer negligible, producing much larger internal temperature gradients and strains that may damage larger crystals. Based on this analysis, factors affecting the success of flash-cooling experiments can be ordered from most to least important as follows: (1) crystal solvent content and solvent composition, (2) crystal size and shape, (3) amount of residual liquid around the crystal, (4) cooling method (liquid plunge versus gas stream), (5) choice of gas/liquid and (6) relative speed between cooling fluid and crystal. Crystal heating by X-ray absorption on present high-flux beamlines should be small. For a fixed flux and illuminated area, heating can be reduced by using crystals with areas normal to the beam that are much larger than the beam area.
Microwave solid-state delay lines

The low-loss propagation of microwave phonons at room temperature in certain single crystals makes practical the construction of microwave acoustic delay (MAD) lines. The properties of these solid-state units are discussed and compared to those of more conventional microwave delay devices. Various possible applications of solid-state lines are suggested and the present status of these units is reviewed. The dispersive properties of magnetoelastic and magnetostatic wave propagation are also outlined and practical considerations governing their use are discussed. Microwave acoustic delay devices not only offer size and weight advantages over conventional microwave delay lines, but also offer improved performance and in many cases lower cost than the conventional units.
Exposure to Ionizing Radiation Induces the Migration of Cutaneous Dendritic Cells by a CCR7-Dependent Mechanism

In the event of a deliberate or accidental radiological emergency, the skin would likely receive substantial ionizing radiation (IR) poisoning, which could negatively impact cellular proliferation, communication, and immune regulation within the cutaneous microenvironment. Indeed, as we have previously shown, local IR exposure to the murine ear causes a reduction of two types of cutaneous dendritic cells (cDC), including interstitial dendritic cells of the dermis and Langerhans cells of the epidermis, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These APCs are critical regulators of skin homeostasis, immunosurveillance, and the induction of T and B cell-mediated immunity, as previously demonstrated using conditional cDC knockout mice. To mimic a radiological emergency, we developed a murine model of sublethal total body irradiation (TBI). Our data would suggest that TBI results in the reduction of cDC from the murine ear that was not due to a systemic response to IR, as a loss was not observed in shielded ears. We further determined that this reduction was due, in part, to the upregulation of the chemoattractant CCL21 on lymphatic vessels as well as CCR7 expressed on cDC. Migration as a potential mechanism was confirmed using CCR7(-/-) mice in which cDC were not depleted following TBI. Finally, we demonstrated that the loss of cDC following TBI results in an impaired contact hypersensitivity response to hapten by using a modified contact hypersensitivity protocol. Taken together, these data suggest that IR exposure may result in diminished immunosurveillance in the skin, which could render the host more susceptible to pathogens.
On the mechanism of secondary hyperparathyroidism in moderate renal insufficiency

The effect of prolonged (60 days) dietary phosphate restriction on divalent ion metabolism was studied in four patients with moderate renal insufficiency in an effort to delineate the mechanisms of secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal failure. The patients had low normal serum phosphorous and normal vitamin D metabolite levels but had evidence of disturbances in target organs for vitamin D, including impaired intestinal absorption of calcium, reduced calcemic response to PTH, low serum ionized calcium levels, and, consequently, elevated PTH levels. After dietary phosphate restriction, there was marked improvement or normalization of intestinal absorption of calcium, calcemic response to PTH, and ionized calcium and PTH levels. There was also a significant rise (44%) in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. The data suggest that intracellular phosphorous retention, which may develop as renal insufficiency ensues, may interfere with the action and production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This leads to defec...
A Terminal Descent Sensor Trade Study Overview for the Orion Landing and Recovery System

This trade study was conducted as a part of the Orion landing system advanced development project to determine possible terminal descent sensor (TDS) architectures that could be used for a rocket assisted landing system. Several technologies were considered for the Orion TDS including radar, lidar, GPS applications, mechanical sensors, and gamma ray altimetry. A preliminary down selection occurred by comparing each sensor's ability to meet the requirements. The driving requirements included the range of operation, accuracy, and sensor development to a technology readiness level of 6 (TRL-6) by the Orion PDR in June 2008. Additionally, Orion is very mass and volume constrained, so these parameters were weighted heavily. Radar, lidar, and GPS applications all had potential to meet the requirements and were carried on for further analysis. Investigation into GPS led to concerns over potential loss of signal and required ground infrastructure, so GPS was taken out of the trade space. Remaining technologies included a pulse-Doppler radar, FMCW radar, and a hybrid lidar ranger and velocimeter (termed the hybrid lidar). The trade boils down to the maturity and weather robustness of the radar options versus the mass, volume, power, and heat shield blowout port size advantage of the lidar. This trade study did not result in a recommended TDS. The trade of the mass and volume impact versus the development time and cost should be made at a higher level than this particular trade study.
Electromagnetic properties of the , pseudo-spin doublet in 175Re

Abstract High-spin states in 175Re were studied using the 156Gd(23Na, 4n) reaction. Five rotational decay sequences have been identified and assigned to proton configurations. Eight strong interband transitions are observed connecting the members of the [ 303 ] 5 2 , 7 2 pseudo-spin doublet. Both the interband and intraband M1 and E2 transition rates can be understood in the pseudo SU(3) formalism with Coriolis mixing.
Molecular Characteristics And Functional Diversity Of Clca Family Members

SUMMARY 1. In the present brief review, we describe some of the molecular and functional characteristics of a novel mammalian family of putative Ca2+-activated chloride channels (CLCA). 2. So far, two bovine (bCLC1; bCLCA2 (Lu-ECAM-1)), three mouse (mCLCA1; mCLCA2; mCLCA3) and four human (hCLCA1; hCLCA2; hCLCA3; hCLCA4) CLCA family members have been cloned. Each CLCA exhibits a distinct, often overlapping, tissue expression pattern. 3. With the exception of the truncated secreted hCLCA3, all CLCA proteins are synthesized as an approximately 125 kDa precursor transmembrane glycoprotein that is rapidly cleaved into 90 and 35 kDa subunits. 4. The CLCA proteins expressed on the luminal surface of lung vascular endothelia (bCLCA2; mCLCA1; hCLCA2) serve as adhesion molecules for lung metastatic cancer cells, mediating vascular arrest and lung colonization. 5. Expression of hCLCA2 in normal mammary epithelium is consistently lost in human breast cancer and in all tumorigenic breast cancer cell lines. Re-expression of hCLCA2 in human breast cancer cells abrogates invasiveness of Matrigel (BD Biosciences-Labware, Bedford, MA, USA) in vitro and tumorigenicity in nude mice, implying that hCLCA2 acts as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer.