cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modelling thrust generation of a two-dimensional heaving airfoil in a viscous flow

A numerical model for two-dimensional flow around an airfoil undergoing prescribed heaving motions in a viscous flow is presented. The model is used to examine the flow characteristics and power coefficients of a symmetric airfoil heaving sinusoidally over a range of frequencies and amplitudes. Both periodic and aperiodic solutions are found. Additionally, some flows are asymmetric in that the upstroke is not a mirror image of the downstroke. For a given Strouhal number – defined as the product of dimensionless frequency and heave amplitude – the maximum efficiency occurs at an intermediate heaving frequency. This is in contrast to ideal flow models, in which efficiency increases monotonically as frequency decreases. In accordance with Wang (2000), the separation of the leading-edge vortices at low heaving frequencies leads to diminished thrust and efficiency. At high frequencies, the efficiency decreases similarly to inviscid theory. Interactions between leading- and trailing-edge vortices are categorized, and the effects of this interaction on efficiency are discussed. Additionally, the efficiency is related to the proximity of the heaving frequency to the frequency of the most spatially unstable mode of the average velocity profile of the wake; the greatest efficiency occurs when the two frequencies are nearly identical. The importance of viscous effects for low-Reynolds-number flapping flight is discussed.
Corticosteroids and Fetal Intervention Interact to Alter Lung Maturation in Preterm Lambs

ABSTRACT: The relationship between cortisol infusion and time of fetal catheterization on postnatal lung function of prematurely delivered lambs was investigated with the hypothesis that the intervention of catheterization would alter fetal responsiveness to the maturational effects of corticosteroids. Fetal catheterization was performed on d 117 or on d 122 of gestation. Cortisol or saline control infusions were begun on d 126, with delivery 60 h later on d 128. The animals were ventilated for 1.25 h after delivery, and compliance, the ventilation efficiency index, labeled albumin leak into and out of the lungs, alveolar and lung saturated phosphatidylcholine and surfactant protein A were measured to evaluate lung performance and biochemical indicators of maturation. Cortisol improved compliance and ventilation efficiency and decreased labeled albumin recovery without changing alveolar saturated phosphatidylcholine or surfactant protein A in the animals catheterized at 122 d relative to 122-d saline-infused animals. However, the animals catheterized at 117 d and infused with saline were as mature as assessed by compliance and ventilation efficiency as the 122-d cortisol-treated animals. The 117-d cortisol-infused animals had significantly augmented lung function relative to either 117-d saline-infused or 122-d cortisol-treated lambs and were the only group that had increased alveolar surfactant protein A and lung saturated phosphatidylcholine pool sizes. This study demonstrates that the response of the fetal lung to a maturational agent such as cortisol is dependent on the history of previous fetal interventions.
Elastic Anisotropy Effect of Crystals on Polycrystal Fatigue Crack Initiation

Fatigue bands have been observed in both monocrystalline and polycrystalline metals. Extrusions and intrusions at the free surface of fatigued specimens are favorable sites for fatigue crack nucleation. Previous studies (Lin and Ito, 1969; Lin, 1992) mainly concerned the fatigue crack initiation in aluminum and its alloys. The elastic anisotropy of individual crystals of these metals is insignificant and was accordingly neglected. However, the anisotropy of the elastic constants of some other metallic crystals, such as titanium and some intermetallic compounds, is not negligible. In this paper, the effect of crystal anisotropy is considered by using Eshelby`s equivalent inclusion method. The polycrystal analyzed is Ni{sub 3}Al intermetallic compound. The plastic shear strain distributions and the cumulative surface plastic strain in the fatigue band versus the number of loading cycles were calculated, and the effect of crystal anisotropy on the growth of the extrusions was examined.
A comparison of frontal EMG biofeedback and neck EMG biofeedback in the treatment of muscle-contraction headache

EMG biofeedback from the frontal area (FFB) was compared to EMG biofeedback from the neck (NFB) in the treatment of chronic muscle-contraction headache. Both treatment groups (N=10) evidenced significant decreases in reported headache activity, with the NFB group also significantly reducing medication consumption. An analysis of EMG changes suggested that subjects were able to produce large within-session changes in EMG activity during initial sessions, with the major effect of additional training being an increase in speed with which these changes occurred. In neither group, however, did changes in EMG activity correspond closely to changes in reported headache activity.
Lexical effects in the perception and production of American English /p/ allophones

Abstract Although modern theories of phonology tend not to include the phoneme as a theoretical object, positional variants, traditionally known as allophones, clearly play a role in language. In English, medial voiceless stops typically occur with aspiration in stressed syllables but without aspiration in unstressed ones. In the experiments reported here, the aspirated and unaspirated allophones of /p/ were studied both for discriminability and for perceptual preference in appropriate and inappropriate stress contexts in the second syllable of disyllabic targets. In tests with non-words, aspirated [p] was consistently preferred with-out regard to which syllable was stressed. Additionally, the unaspirated stop was somewhat more difficult to discriminate from the other allophones in a categorial AXB task than the aspirate was. When subjects were asked to repeat and imitate both varieties, nonetheless, they were usually able to mimic the inappropriate allophones. In real words, however, subjects did generally prefer the correct allophone perceptually, and they found the inappropriate ones difficult to imitate. The allophonic contrast, then, may require contact with the lexicon in order to affect production and perception, a finding that needs to be explicitly accounted for in phonology.
Foraging ecology and niche partitioning in orb-weaving spiders

Foraging patterns were determined for three orbweaving spiders in several geographical locations varying in percent cover by herbaceous vegetation. Argiope trifasciata was the most common species in early successional habitats, while both Argiope aurantia and Araneus trifolium were more common in wetter, more herbaceous sites. Discriminant analysis revealed that web height selected for webs and body size were the variables that explained most of the variation among populations in foraging patterns. Argiope aurantia forages lowest in vegetation, A. trifasciata at intermediate heights, and A. trifolium near the top of the vegetation. The body size sequence is reversed.Web radius, spider size, and web height appear to explain much of the variation in abundance and size of prey in webs. Species foraging higher in the vegetation take more winged prey, while larger species foraging lower in the vegetation tend to take larger, jumping prey like acridids. Comparison of prey in webs with field estimates of potential prey suggests that orbweavers select large insect prey. Inferential evidence indicates that interspecific competition may be responsible for the divergence in foraging patterns among species reported here. However, field manipulative experiments have not yet indicated that competition among orb-weavers is severe.
Influence of the Angle of Attack on the Aerothermodynamics of the Mars Science Laboratory

An investigation of the effects of the incidence angle on the aerothermodynamic environments of the Mars Science Laboratory has been conducted. Flight conditions of peak heating, peak deceleration and chute deploy are selected and the effects of the angle of attack on the aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics are analyzed. The investigation found that static aerodynamics are well behaved within the considered range of incidence angles. Leeside laminar and turbulent computed heating rates decrease with incidence, despite the increase in the leeside running length. Stagnation point was found to stay on the conical flank at all angles of attack, and this is linked to the rapid flow expansion around the shoulder. Hypersonic lift to drag ratio is limited by the heating rates in the region of the windside shoulder. The effects of the high angle of incidence on the dynamic aero at low Mach remains to be determined. Influence of the angle of attack on the smooth-wall transition parameter indicates, that higher angle of attack flight may result in delayed turbulence onset, however, a coupled analysis, involving flight trajectory simulation is necessary.
Introduction: The Hero In Popular Stories

(2005). Introduction: The Hero In Popular Stories. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 146-148.
DIONYSIUS AND SOME LATE MEDIEVAL MYSTICAL THEOLOGIANS OF NORTHERN EUROPE

Though the authority of Dionysius as a virtually apostolic theological source remains unchallenged in the late Middle Ages, ownership of his inheritance is much disputed, in connection with two issues of “mystical theology” principally. The first controversy (broadly between “Intellectualist” and “affectivist” readings of Dionysius' Mystical Theology) concerns whether the soul, united to God by grace, is made one with God principally by knowledge or by love. The second controversy is well exemplified by the disagreement between Jean Gerson and Denys the Carthusian as to whether Ruusbroec's account of the nature of that union of the soul with God amounts to a heretical extinction of the identity of the created soul. But both Gerson's critique of Ruusbroec and Denys the Carthusian's rebuttal of it are equally superficial, and the theologies of Eckhart and Nicholas of Cusa show why: Eckhart and Cusa retained, while Gerson and Denys had lost, their grip on the “dialectics” of “sameness” and “difference” expounded in Mystical Theology.
ASAS Centennial Paper: Animal growth and development research: Historical perspectives

From a historical perspective, it is difficult to identify a specific date that launched the field of endocrinology. One "biomarker" of the inception of endocrinology traces back to Ernest Henry Starling, who first introduced the word hormone in a talk given in 1905 at the Royal College of Physicians in London (Starling, 1905). A historical look at the field of endocrine regulation of animal growth since 1905 conveys that countless scientists worldwide worked to advance the scientific evidence base, which led to the commercial development of hormone-based products that enhanced growth and beneficially changed carcass composition of meat animals. This review will discuss some of seminal contributions that include the discovery of hormones (like ST and beta-adrenergic agonists) that have been shown to play key roles in regulating growth and nutrient partitioning of livestock, the mechanisms by which these hormones act, and the development of products for application in animal agriculture.
Generation of Intense Ion Beams in Pulsed Diodes

The generation of high-current (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{5}$ A) pulsed ion beams with ion energy in the range 0.5-10 MeV appears to be possible by modifications of present electron-beam technology.
SYNTHESIS OF METHYL TERTIARY-BUTYL ETHER ON HZSM-5 ZEOLITE

The catalytic activity of a zeolite, HZSM-5, was evaluated for the synthesis of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in a fixed bed micro-reactor at temperatures from 75 to 115°C and pressures of 20 to 40 bar, Isobutene was used as the limiting reactant as it is in commercial operations. Isobutene conversions ranged from 10 to 89 percent and were completely selective to the formation of MTBE. Dimer formation was hindered by the unique pore size of the zeolite. Temperature and isobutene to catalyst ratio were the significant process variables. Pressure had no significant effect on conversion of the liquid phase reaction. The reaction rate was zero order with respect to methanol concentration and was correlated by a first order reversible reaction equation. This zeolite may have selectivity and stability advantages over the present commercial catalyst.
Brief announcement: distributed shared memory based on computation migration

Driven by increasingly unbalanced technology scaling and power dissipation limits, microprocessor designers have resorted to increasing the number of cores on a single chip, and pundits expect 1000-core designs to materialize in the next few years [1]. But how will memory architectures scale and how will these next-generation multicores be programmed? One barrier to scaling current memory architectures is the offchip memory bandwidth wall [1,2]: off-chip bandwidth grows with package pin density, which scales much more slowly than on-die transistor density [3]. To reduce reliance on external memories and keep data on-chip, today’s multicores integrate very large shared last-level caches on chip [4]; interconnects used with such shared caches, however, do not scale beyond relatively few cores, and the power requirements and access latencies of large caches exclude their use in chips on a 1000-core scale. For massive-scale multicores, then, we are left with relatively small per-core caches. Per-core caches on a 1000-core scale, in turn, raise the question of memory coherence. On the one hand, a shared memory abstraction is a practical necessity for general-purpose programming, and most programmers prefer a shared memory model [5]. On the other hand, ensuring coherence among private caches is an expensive proposition: bus-based and snoopy protocols don’t scale beyond relatively few cores, and directory sizes needed in cache-coherence protocols must equal a significant portion of the combined size of the per-core caches as otherwise directory evictions will limit performance [6]. Moreover, directory-based coherence protocols are notoriously difficult to implement and verify [7].
Effects of season of birth, breed of sire and sex of calf in a single-suckled Aberdeen Angus Holstein beef herd

Data were obtained from 233 heifers and 246 steers born in the autumn (September) or spring (March) seasons. The calves were sired by Polled Hereford (British) and Charolais, Chianina, Limousin. Maine- Anjou and Simmental (Continental European) bulls, from Aberdeen Angus (♂ × Holstein ♀ cows. Autumn-born calves weighed more at birth than did spring-born calves ( P < 0·01 ). Season of birth did not affect 205-. 305-. 365-day or slaughter weights. Incidence of dystocia was greater for Maine-Anjousired calves than for Polled Hereford calves (P < 0·05) with the other breeds intermediate. Significant sex differences were observed in practically all live and carcass traits with the exception of Warner- Bratzler tenderness and taste panel evaluations.There were significant breed effects in which Continental European-sired calves gained weight more rapidly than did Polled Hereford-sired calves (P < 0·01) within each 90-day period, with the exception of 180 to 270 days. Slaughter weight and carcass weight per day of age followed the same trend. At slaughter at a mean age of 416 days, mean live weight of calves from Continental European breeds of sire was 1·075 of that of the Polled Hereford-sired calves. Proportion, weight and gain per day of edible meat in the carcass were greater for calves sired by Continental European bulls (P < 0·01). Although fat thickness and marbling score means were greater for Polled Hereford-sired cattle (P < 0·01), there were no significant differences in taste panel evaluations. There were no important two-way interactions between the main effects (sex, season of birth or sire breed).
Potential-dependence of the reduction of dioxygen as catalysed by tetraruthenated cobalt tetrapyridylporphyrin

The electroreduction of O2 at rotated graphite disk electrodes coated with cobalt tetrapyridylporphyrin was examined at potentials on the rising portion of the current—potential curve, both before and after four Ru(NH3)2+5 groups were co-ordinated to the pendant pyridine ligands. The unruthenated porphyrin provides a two-electron reduction of O2 with a Tafel slope near 120mV per decade. The ruthenated porphyrin provides a primarily four-electron reduction with a Tafel slope near 90 mV per decade. Some mechanistic implications of the results are discussed including the likelihood that an array of partially reduced and partially oxidized ruthenated porphyrins participates in the catalysis of the reduction of O2 via a set of parallel reactions.
Activation of latent transforming growth factor-β1 by nitric oxide in macrophages: Role of soluble guanylate cyclase and MAP kinases

The inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), both central modulators of wound healing, interact reciprocally: TGF-beta1 generally suppresses iNOS expression, while NO can induce and activate latent TGF-beta1. We have shown that chemical NO activates recombinant human latent TGF-beta1 by S-nitrosation of the latency-associated peptide (LAP), a cleaved portion of pro-TGF-beta1 that maintains TGF-beta1 in a biologically-inactive state. We hypothesized that cell-associated TGF-beta1 could be activated by NO via known NO-inducible signaling pathways (soluble guanylate cyclase [sGC] and mitogen-activated protein [MAP] kinases). Treatment of mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) led to a dose- and time-dependent increase in cell-associated active and latent TGF-beta1, as assessed by quantitative immunocytochemistry for active TGF-beta1 vs. LAP and partially validated by western blot analysis. Treatment with the sGC inhibitor 1,H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalon-1-one (ODQ) reduced both active and latent TGF-beta1 dose-dependently. SNAP, in the presence or absence of ODQ or the MAP kinase inhibitors, did not affect steady-state TGF-beta1 mRNA levels. Treatment with inhibitors specific for JNK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38 MAP kinases suppressed SNAP-induced active and latent TGF-beta1. Treatment with the cell-permeable cGMP analog 8-Br-cGMP increased both active and latent TGF-beta1. However, TGF-beta1 activation induced by 8-Br-cGMP was not blocked by MAP kinase inhibitors. Our findings suggest that NO activates latent TGF-beta1 via activation of sGC and generation of cGMP and separately via MAP kinase activation, and may shed insight into the mechanisms by which both cGMP production and MAP kinase activation enhance wound healing.
Conductance of Ni nanocontacts within first-principle approach

Abstract Electronic structure and conductance of atomic-size Ni contacts are calculated using a real-space tight-binding LMTO method and recursion technique within the frame work of density functional theory. The Landauer–Buttiker approach is used to calculate the conductance. The spin-dependent conductance as a function of energy shows ballistic bulk-like behavior. It decreases appreciably on considering the structural relaxation in the nanocontact region which indicates the significant effect of the interatomic distance on the conductance.
A Colored Avocado Seed Extract as a Potential Natural Colorant

: There is an increasing consumer demand for and scientific interest in new natural colorants. Avocado (Persea americana) seed when crushed with water develops an orange color (= 480 nm) in a time-dependent manner. Heat treatment of the seed prevented color development, whereas the addition of exogenous polyphenol oxidase (PPO), but not peroxidase restored color development. Color development was also inhibited by the addition of tropolone, an inhibitor of PPO. Color formation resulted in a decrease in the concentration of polyphenols indicating utilization for color formation. The orange color intensified as the pH was adjusted from 2.0 to 11.0, and these changes were only partially reversible when pH was adjusted from 7.5 to 11.0 in the presence of oxygen, but completely reversible when the pH was changed in the absence of oxygen. The color was found to be stable in solution at −18 °C for 2 mo. These results suggest that the avocado seed may be a potential source of natural colorant, and that color development is PPO-dependent. Practical Application: There is growing public and scientific interest in the development of natural alternatives to synthetic colorants in foods. Extracts of turmeric, paprika, and beets are examples of food-derived natural colorants. Avocado seeds, which represent an under-utilized waste stream, form a stable orange color when crushed in the presence of air. Our data indicate that avocado seed represents a potential source of new natural colorants for use in foods.
Assessing sources of variability in measurement of ambient particulate matter

Particulate matter (PM), a component of ambient air pollution, has been the subject of United States Environmental Protection Agency regulation in part due to many epidemiological studies examining its connection with health. Better understanding the PM measurement process and its dependence on location, time, and other factors is important for both modifying regulations and better understanding its effects on health. In light of this, in this paper, we will explore sources of variability in measuring PM including spatial, temporal and meteorological effects. In addition, we will assess the degree to which there is heterogeneity in the variability of the micro-scale processes, which may suggest important unmeasured processes, and the degree to which there is unexplained heterogeneity in space and time. We use Bayesian hierarchical models and restrict attention to the greater Pittsburgh (USA) area in 1996. The analyses indicated no spatial dependence after accounting for other sources of variability and also indicated heterogeneity in the variability of the micro-scale processes over time and space. Weather and temporal effects were very important and there was substantial heterogeneity in these effects across sites. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The clinical utility of the MMPI-2 in diagnosing unipolar depression among male alcoholics.

The correspondence between Scale 2 elevations on the MMPI-2 and SCID-diagnosed unipolar depression (major depression and dysthymia) and alcohol-induced depression was evaluated among 106 consecutive male admissions to an inpatient alcohol treatment unit. Valid profiles were obtained from 87 subjects, 15% of whom were diagnosed with unipolar depression and another 4.5% with presumed alcohol-induced depression. The sensitivity of Scale 2 (the probability that a depressed subject would obtain an elevated score) ranged from .19 to .42. Positive predictive power (the probability that a subject who obtained an elevated score had a depressive disorder) ranged from .23 to .38. Neither Scale 2 alone nor Scale 2 paired in 2-point code types predicted the presence or absence of comorbid depressive disorders among male alcoholics.
Detection for two-dimensional magnetic recording systems

Two dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) is a novel scheme which envisions reaching 10 Tb/in2 density in magnetic recording systems. The feasibility of this density relies largely on sophisticated two-dimensional (2-D) signal processing algorithms. This paper gives a survey on TDMR channel models and 2-D detectors. Our discussion on channel models places an special emphasis on the suitability of the read channel models for the purpose of detector design. Furthermore, a comprehensive review on 2-D detection is given focusing on compatibility of the detectors for the TDMR channel models.
A reduced-order stochastic observer approach to optimal state estimation with noise-free measurements

In a continuous-time Kalman filter, it is required that the measurement noise covariance be non-singular. If the measurements are noise-free, then this condition does not hold and, in practice, the measurement data are differentiated to define a derived measurement function to build what is known as Deyst filter. It is proposed here that a reduced-order observer be used in deriving the linear minimum-variance filter to construct state estimates based on the original measurement data with no need for differentiation. This filter is of dimension (n−p) where n and p are the state and measurement vector dimensions, respectively. In this work, we consider both the finite-time and infinite-time results. The set of all assignable estimation error covariances are characterized and the set of all estimator gains are parametrized in addition to the linear minimum variance optimal results. The conditions for the existence of the optimal steady-state filter are obtained in terms of the system theoretic properties of the original signal model. A simple example is included to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infestation of Carambolas by Laboratory-reared Caribbean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Effects of Fruit Ripeness and Cultivar

Three cultivars of Averrhoa carambola (L.) fruits at four stages of ripeness were infested with laboratory-reared Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). Overall, ‘Golden Star’ fruit was significantly less susceptible than ‘Arkin’ or ‘Fwang Tung’ by the following measures of infestation: numbers of eggs laid in fruit, number of pupae developing from fruit, and average weight of pupae. However, cultivar-specific effects of fruit ripeness were detected, with infestation levels increasing with ripeness in some cultivars and declining in others.
Serotonin (5-HT) stimulates thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) gene transcription in rat embryonic cardiomyocytes.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its mRNA have been identified in the rat heart, and TRH can enhance cardiomyocyte contractility in vivo. At present, little is known about cardiac TRH gene transcriptional regulation in the heart. Hormones and neurotransmitters, including thyroid hormone (T3), glucocorticoids, testosterone, and 5-HT initiate effects not only in the cardiovascular system, but also in the regulation of hypothalamic TRH. To clarify the potential roles of these modulators upon the cardiac TRH gene transcription, rat TRH promoter activity was assessed in rat embryonic myocyte cells (H9C2) by transient transfection assays. TRH promoter activity was stimulated significantly by dexamethasone (10−4 M) and testosterone (10−5 M), and was inhibited by T3 (10−7 M). Interestingly, the neurotransmitter 5-HT stimulated TRH promoter activity in H9C2 cells, but not in HTB-11 cells. To further clarify this selective role of 5-HT on TRH promoter transcriptional activity in cardiac cells, 5-HT receptor antagonists and agonists were tested. A selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist blocked 5-HT stimulation, whereas 5-HT agonist analogs caused augmentative effects when combined with 5-HT. Neither 5-HT nor any antagonists or agonists influenced H9c2 cell growth or morphology. These data suggest that 5-HT is an important transcriptional regulator of the cardiac TRH gene.
Rate constants for some oxidations of S(IV) by radicals in aqueous solutions

Abstract Rate constants were measured for several radical reactions important in the autoxidation of S(IV) in atmospheric droplets. For the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with sulfite and bisulfite, the rate constants were found to be 5.2 × 1010 and 4.5 × 109 M−1 s−1, respectively. For the reaction of the dichloride radical anion with bisulfite, a rate constant of 3.4 × 108M−1s−1 was obtained. The peroxysulfate radical was found to react with sulfite with a rate constant of 1.3 × 107M−1s−1, but only an upper limit of 3×105 could be derived for its reaction with bisulfite. In some cases, the rate constants are significantly different from those used previously in atmospheric models. The use of these results in a simple model suggests that secondary radical-radical reactions may be of considerable importance in the mechanism of sulfite autoxidation in the atmosphere.
Benzodiazepine and sedative use/abuse by methadone maintenance clients

Clients at three geographically separate methadone maintenance clinics were surveyed regarding their lifetime use of ten commonly used benzodiazepines and barbiturates. In Baltimore (n = 50), 94% reported use of one or more of these drugs in their lifetime, with 66% reporting use in the last 6 months. In Philadelphia (n = 218), 78% reported use in their lifetime, with 53% reporting use in the last 6 months. In New York City (The Bronx) (n = 279), 86% reported use in their lifetime, with 44% reporting use in the last 6 months. Subjects reporting a history of use of at least 7 of 10 of the named sedatives were recruited for a more detailed interview. They reported that, among the benzodiazepines, diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam were frequently used for their 'high' producing effects, and for selling to produce income. In contrast, chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam, and phenobarbital, had much lower ratings of 'high' and were much less likely to be obtained for getting 'high' or for resale.
Collective modes and wavelike solutions to cellular control equations.

Abstract A living cell is viewed as a system of biochemical reaction pathways which are self- and mutually-regulating. A matrix differential equation is proposed which governs the system behavior. A periodic boundary condition is introduced which allows the equation to be solved for its eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The nature of the solution is such that a set of coordinates representing strongly interacting chemical populations is converted into a set of collective coordinates representing weakly interacting oscillatory modes. The modes are travelling waves which transport matter through an open loop and information through a closed loop. The validity of the model is examined, as is the relation to other models of the cellular regulatory apparatus. An experiment is outlined which should detect these modes if they are present in living cells. The main impediment to their detection is nonlinearity, which produces decay of the modes. Several predictions of the model may be associated with specific cellular attributes. The “growth mode” belongs to zero frequency. An unstable mode acts like a switch causing a cell to enter a new phase. Cell division is seen as such a phase transition. Although there is discontinuity in the global aspect (one cell becoming two), there is still a slow variation in chemical concentrations, in keeping with biochemical evidence.
Projections and prospects for the lauric oils: 1972–1987

A set of economic forecasts based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis of market prospects is presented. The forecasts have been more general than particular, but this has been the result of the difficulties of analyzing market prospects for a large number of specialized end-uses. Several basic uncertainties which limit the fulfillment of these forecasts are reviewed. The demand forecasts presented hopefully will be more meaningful as the surrounding uncertainties are lessened, especially with regard to supply. At present it appears that the Philippine coconut situation is improving with potential export availabilities in the near future closer to the high assumption than the medium assumption. Should no typhoons or droughts set back the anticipated increases for the Philippines, we should be entering a period of greater lauric oil export availabilities. No anticipated increases are foreseen immediately for Ceylon or Indonesia. Given the existence of adequate supplies of lauric oils on a world basis, the demand for these oils is likely to be steady, although increasing only slowly. This conclusion, of course, assumes that a period of adequate supplies will foster a price level which is both reasonably low and reasonably stable. Such an outcome is difficult to envision given the random fluctuations in supply which the industry has habitually experienced. However, should this prophecy be fulfilled, it will be welcome news indeed.
Absorption characteristics of sustained release theophylline capsules administered in applesauce.

diphenyihydantoin or phenobarbital, or when lymphocytes from control subjects were incubated with carbamazepine. From these results, we conclude that carbamazepine was the agent responsible for the acute tubulointerstitial fiephritis. At the time our patient presented, a review of the literature revealed widely divergent views regarding the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. We elected to treat him as if he were undergoing acute cellular renal transpl~int rejection by giving iv bolus methylprednisolone therapy followed by prednisone orally. Although he improved rapidly and eventuallv recovered normal renal functiOn, it xs not possible to conclude that the steroid therapy and the subsequent recovery represent a causeand-effect relationship. However. the temporal relationship of the two and the more recent demonstration of the effectiveness of prednisone in methicillin-induced acute interstitial nephritis 9 lead us to propose that the treatment and the response were causally related. Whether such therapy will be efficacious m patients with other types of drug-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis will only be ascertained by additional controlled studies. In the meantime, it would appear that consideration should be given to the use of intravenous methylprednisolone infusions in patients who have severe renal failure associated with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. In addition, we believe th~at when this disease presents in a patient receiving multiple drugs, it is appropriate to conduct lymphocyte ti-ansformation studies in which responses of the patient's lymphocytes to each drug may be examined in vitro.
PLA2 and PI3K/PTEN pathways act in parallel to mediate chemotaxis.

Summary Directed cell migration involves signaling events that lead to local accumulation of PI(3,4,5)P 3 , but additional pathways act in parallel. A genetic screen in Dictyostelium discoideum to identify redundant pathways revealed a gene with homology to patatin-like phospholipase A 2 . Loss of this gene did not alter PI(3,4,5)P 3 regulation, but chemotaxis became sensitive to reductions in PI3K activity. Likewise, cells deficient in PI3K activity were more sensitive to inhibition of PLA 2 activity. Deletion of the PLA 2 homolog and two PI3Ks caused a strong defect in chemotaxis and a reduction in receptor-mediated actin polymerization. In wild-type cells, chemoattractants stimulated a rapid burst in an arachidonic acid derivative. This response was absent in cells lacking the PLA 2 homolog, and exogenous arachidonic acid reduced their dependence on PI3K signaling. We propose that PLA 2 and PI3K signaling act in concert to mediate chemotaxis, and metabolites of PLA 2 may be important mediators of the response.
Chinks in the armor: percutaneous injuries from hollow bore safety-engineered sharps devices.

Background Despite their overwhelming efficacy, safety-engineered sharp devices (SESDs) cause a residual fraction of injuries. Although the fraction of injuries from SESDs is less than that reported for nonsafety devices, it remains a “preventable fraction” and is a sizable target for further advances. Methods A retrospective review of 3,297 percutaneous injuries from hollow bore safety-engineered devices occurring between 2001 and 2009 was conducted examining the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) needlestick surveillance data. Results Nurses sustain 64.6% of all SESD injuries. 42.9% Of SESD injuries occur after device use and are likely preventable through consistent and effective use of safety-engineered technology. Excluding injuries that occurred during device use or between procedural steps, 71.8% (n/N = 28/39) of physician injuries, 58.2% (n/N = 645/1,109) of injuries to nurses, and 45.8% (n/N = 88/192) of injuries to phlebotomists occurred when an available SESD was not fully activated. Conclusion Passive devices that do not require action on the part of the end user to engage a safety feature currently represent a small portion of the SESD market. Wider dissemination of a broader array of passive SESDs coupled with continual education of end users is essential to an effective sharps injury prevention program.
Timer-based Astable Circuits without First Cycle Timing Error

Two new astable circuits using 555 timer are proposed. Unlike conventional astable circuit, these circuits do not have the first cycle timing error. One circuit uses one resistance less than the other and has 50% duty cycle.
Mapping of neuropeptides in the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system by imaging mass spectrometry

Considerable effort has been devoted to characterizing the crustacean stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) with great emphasis on comprehensive analysis and mapping distribution of its diverse neuropeptide complement. Previously, immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been applied to this endeavor, yet with identification accuracy and throughput compromised. Therefore, molecular imaging methods are pursued to unequivocally determine the identity and location of the neuropeptides at a high spatial resolution. In this work, we developed a novel, multi-faceted mass spectrometric strategy combining profiling and imaging techniques to characterize and map neuropeptides from the blue crab Callinectes sapidus STNS at the network level. In total, 55 neuropeptides from 10 families were identified from the major ganglia in the C. sapidus STNS for the first time, including the stomatogastric ganglion (STG), the paired commissural ganglia (CoG), the esophageal ganglion (OG), and the connecting nerve stomatogastric nerve (stn) using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) and the MS/MS capability of this technique. In addition, the locations of multiple neuropeptides were documented at a spatial resolution of 25 μm in the STG and upstream nerve using MALDI-TOF/TOF and high-mass-resolution and high-mass-accuracy MALDI-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) instrument. Furthermore, distributions of neuropeptides in the whole C. sapidus STNS were examined by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Different isoforms from the same family were simultaneously and unambiguously mapped, facilitating the functional exploration of neuropeptides present in the crustacean STNS and exemplifying the revolutionary role of this novel platform in neuronal network studies.
A GATE Monte Carlo Simulation of the Performance of a High-Sensitivity and High-Resolution LSO Based Small Animal PET Camera

A Monte Carlo simulation of the performance of a high-sensitivity and high-resolution small animal PET scanner with large axial field-of-view (AFOV) is presented. The simulated camera is based on the photomultiplier-quadrant-sharing technique and composed of 180 blocks of 14 times 14 LSO crystals (each crystal is 1.16 times 1.27 times 10 mm3). The designed camera consists of 84 detector rings with an AFOV of 11.6 cm and ring diameter of 16.6 cm. For simulation, we used GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission) simulation package. GATE is a GEANT4 based software toolkit for realistic simulation of PET and SPECT systems. In this study, we first validated GATE by comparing its prediction for spatial resolution, absolute sensitivity, NEC, and images of the Data Spectrum Micro Deluxe phantom with the measured data using an existing BGO small animal PET scanner which is also based on the photomultiplier-quadrant-sharing technique and has similar AFOV and ring diameter. Spatial resolution simulation was done for point sources located at the center of the camera and also off the center. Simulation data suggest that new LSO scanner could have a reconstructed radial (tangential) spatial resolution of 1.14 (1.14) mm, 1.31 (1.32) mm, 1.54 (1.52) mm, 2.01 (1.8) mm at the center, and 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm off the center, respectively. It predicts that 1.2 mm hot rod inserts in the Micro Deluxe phantom will be distinguishable. Simulation predicts an absolute sensitivity of about 6.
Relative toxicity and occurrence patterns of pesticide mixtures in streams draining agricultural watersheds dominated by corn and soybean production.

To evaluate the relative toxicity and the occurrence patterns of pesticide mixtures in streams draining agricultural watersheds, a 3-step approach was used. First, a landscape of interest was identified, defined, and isolated. Second, the relative toxicity of mixtures, on the basis of pesticide toxicity index scores, was compared with the relative toxicity of the highest individual pesticide, on the basis of highest toxicity quotient values. Third, occurrence patterns of pesticide mixtures were identified for use in follow-up mechanistic studies. The landscape of interest was identified as the corn and soybeans crop setting and concentrations of pesticides in streams within this crop setting were determined from US Geological Survey data. Pesticide toxicity index scores for individual samples were highest for the primary producers, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Lemna gibba; with 95th percentile pesticide toxicity index scores of 4.7 and 1.9, respectively. The 95th percentile pesticide toxicity index score for Daphnia magna was 0.40 when a chronic sublethal endpoint was used. Pesticide toxicity index values were above the highest toxicity quotient values, indicating that consideration of mixtures does increase the estimated risk, but pesticide toxicity index scores were generally within a factor of 2 of highest toxicity quotient values, indicating that the increased risk is not large for most samples. Pesticide toxicity index scores tended to be dominated by individual pesticides and simple mixtures. Two different prioritization strategies were used to identify important mixtures for further study on the basis of potential effects on P. subcapitata. Both techniques decreased the complexity of the pesticide mixtures to consider by reducing the number of components within the identified mixtures as well as identifying a few specific combinations that constitute the majority of mixtures within the sample. Nearly all important pesticides for P. subcapitata were herbicides from 2 chemical classes: Acetanilide and triazine herbicides.
A randomized algorithm for distributed consensus

We describe a randomized, fully distributed algorithm for distributed consensus and evaluate its performance assuming probabilistically bounded message delay. Each node randomly contacts a few other nodes and incorporates their values into its own value. All the nodes are able to reach consensus in this manner after a few rounds. The results show that the randomized algorithm is flexible, efficient and robust, and offers several advantages over a deterministic algorithm.
Center of pressure and the projection of the time-course of sitting skill acquisition.

Abstract A normal time-course for the acquisition of sitting is essential. A delay in sitting may affect other developmental milestones, resulting in deficiencies in overall skill. Therefore, our aim was to identify variables whose measures at the very beginning of sitting would allow for the projection of the evolution of the sitting skill. Center of pressure data were collected from the postural sway of twenty-six typically developing infants while sitting on a force platform with a beginning ability to sit upright. Spatial, temporal and frequency variables of postural sway were obtained from both the medial/lateral and anterior/posterior directions of sway. Discriminant function analysis was conducted to identify potential predictors of the duration between onset and fully independent sitting. Gender (p = 0.025), median frequency (p = 0.006), and correlation dimension (p = 0.002) were identified to be predictive of grouping with 73.1% correct classification of the participating infants into short, mid, and long delay groups. In conclusion, measures taken at the earliest stage of sitting may allow the projection of the time-course to achieve independent sitting for typical infants. This approach may be useful for monitoring typical development.
Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon Fed Five Commercial Diets under Hatchery Conditions

Abstract Growth and survival were evaluated for 1 year in juvenile Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus (mean weight, 164.9 g) held at seasonal temperatures (6.4–16.9°C) and fed five commercially available feeds: Biokyowa (BK; control), Zeigler sturgeon (ZSD), Integral sturgeon (ISD), Atlantic salmon (ASD2–30), and Government Ration trout diet (GR7–30). During the 365-d study, the overall growth performance of the juvenile Atlantic sturgeon fed ZSD, ASD2–30, and ISD was equal to that of the fish fed the BK diet and superior to that of the fish fed GR7–30 (P < 0.05). The final mean weight was highest for the fish fed ZSD and lowest for the fish fed GR7–30. The fish fed the ZSD and BK diets were the only groups to continue gaining weight in winter (6.4–9.7°C). The differences in growth may be related to dietary levels or ingredient quality. Body moisture, body protein, and body fat were affected by diet type and seasonal temperature. Among the diets tested, ZSD and ASD2–30 produced the greatest growth at ...
Glutamine, Glutamate, and Other Possible Regulators of α-Ketoglutarate and Malate Uptake by Synaptic Terminals

The uptake of alpha-ketoglutarate and malate by rat brain synaptosomal preparations was found to be affected by a variety of substances at physiologically relevant concentrations. Glutamine altered the uptake of alpha-ketoglutarate by causing an apparent reduction in the substrate-carrier affinity and an increase in Vmax. In contrast, glutamine did not appear to affect the Vmax of malate uptake, but it did increase markedly the uptake velocity at low concentrations of malate. L-Glutamate and L-aspartate were comparatively strong inhibitors of alpha-ketoglutarate and malate uptake. N-Acetylaspartate was a weak inhibitor of alpha-ketoglutarate uptake, a finding that contrasts with our previous observation that this compound potently inhibited alpha-ketoglutarate uptake by synaptosomes obtained from the cerebellum of 8- to 14-day-old mice. Ca2+ exhibited a variable effect but usually enhanced the uptake of alpha-ketoglutarate. The addition of small amounts of postmicrosomal supernatant to the incubation medium enhanced the uptake of alpha-ketoglutarate by low-density synaptosomes. By comparison, the uptake of glutamate, glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and several other amino acids was not affected. The enhancement of alpha-ketoglutarate uptake by the supernatant was due to a heat labile substance that was retained by dialysis tubing (MW cutoff = 8,000) and Amicon filter cones (CF 25), and was precipitated by ammonium sulfate at 60% saturation. In experiments in which the metabolic conversion of [U-14C] alpha-ketoglutarate to glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid was determined, the presence of glutamine and glutamate in the incubation medium did not affect the pattern of labelling appreciably.