cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Desmethylimipramine, a potent inhibitor of synaptosomal norepinephrine uptake, has diverse effects on thyroid hormone processing in rat brain. I. Effects on in vivo uptake of125I-labeled thyroid hormones in rat brain

Several lines of evidence point to an interaction between amine uptake inhibitors (tricyclic antidepressants) and thyroid hormones. To examine this issue under conditions which would minimize secondary effects of drug treatment, desmethylimipramine (DMI), a highly specific norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, was given acutely as a single i.p. dose one hour before i.v. [125I]triidothyronine (T3*) or [125I]thyroxine (T4*). Tissues were analysed after rat decapitation at 3, 5, 10, and 20 min intervals thereafter. DMI had a small but significant inhibitory effect on the brain uptake of both T3* (7.4%) and T4* (19%) over their respective 20-min time courses as indicated by two-way ANOVA. To examine the drug response further and to determine the effect of thyroid status on the response, hypothyroid (HYPO) and T4-induced hyperthyroid (HYPER) rats, were given i.v. T3* and, 5 min later, i.p. DMI or saline. They were killed 3 h later and tissues analysed. Because DMI effects on T4* uptake could not be evaluated over a 3 h period without blocking T4* to T3* conversion, sodium ipodate (60 mg/kg) was given in 2 doses before i.v. T4*. Under these conditions, DMI significantly reduced brain concentrations of the administered T3* and T4* in HYPO (15% and 19%) and HYPER rats (13% and 25%). These results suggest that, as it does in the case of norepinephrine, DMI blocks the uptake site for T3 and T4 in rat brain. No information is available regarding the relationship, if any, between the thyroid hormone and norepinephrine uptake sites.
Family Acceptance and Family Control as Predictors of Adjustment in Young Adolescents: Linear, Curvilinear, or Interactive Effects?

This study assessed the relation between adjustment and perceptions of both family acceptance and family control in 2 samples of young adolescents, ns= 851 (mean age = 12.36 years) and 269 (mean age = 10.89 years), respectively. In Sample 1, dimensions of adjustment included self-reports of psychosocial competence and problems with self-regulation. In Sample 2, adjustment was indexed by peer ratings of likability. In both samples, family acceptance and family control were positively related to adjustment. However, in Sample 1, family control was also curvilinearly related to adjustment but in a different pattern for the 2 adjustment scores. Specifically, the positive relation between family control and psychosocial competence was stronger at progressively higher levels of family control, whereas low—but not moderate or high—levels of control were related to many self-regulation problems. In light of evidence that acceptance and control are complexly related to adjustment, we recommend that researchers routinely examine curvilinear effects in this area of study.
Particle detachment from disk surfaces of computer disk drives

Abstract The air drag force on a deposited spherical particle which is present inside the slider airbearing of a computer disk drive has been found to be very substantial. A critical moment model has been proposed for determining the critical condition to detach a smooth spherical particle from a smooth solid surface. Using the model, it has been found that the detachment of submicron particles from computer disk surface by a slider air-bearing is possible. The critical speed for particle detachment from disk surfaces has been calculated, which depends on the adhesion parameter, surface energy and particle size. This model can be experimentally validated using computer disk drives.
Recovery of Soil Fractions from a Density Gradient Column

A technique is described which enables milligram quantities of soil to be recovered as intact fractions from a density gradient column.
PURIFICATION OF SINGLE-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES BY MICROFILTRATION

A purification procedure for single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) prepared by pulsed laser ablation is discussed, which separates coexisting carbon nanospheres (CNS), metal nanoparticles, polyaromatic carbons, and fullerenes from the SWNT fraction. The process involves the suspension of CNS, metal nanoparticles, and SWNTs in an aqueous solution using a cationic surfactant and the subsequent trapping of SWNTs on a membrane filter. No oxidative treatment is required. Scanning/transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering were used to evaluate the purification process and the vibrational features of SWNTs. Purity of SWNTs at the final stage sample is in excess of 90% by weight, and no evidence of impurity carbon phases was revealed in the Raman spectrum of the SWNT fraction.
Weakly coupled neutral gauge bosons at future linear colliders

A weakly coupled new neutral gauge boson forms a narrow resonance that is hard to discover directly in e+e- collisions. However, if the gauge boson mass is below the center-of-mass energy, it can be produced through processes where the effective energy is reduced due to initial-state radiation and beamstrahlung. It is shown that at a high-luminosity linear collider, such a gauge boson can be searched for with very high sensitivity, leading to a substantial improvement compared to existing limits from the Tevatron and also extending beyond the expected reach of the LHC in most models. If a new vector boson is discovered either at the Tevatron Run II, the LHC or the linear collider, its properties can be determined at the linear collider with high precision, thus helping to reveal origin of the new boson.
Isospin splitting in heavy baryons and mesons

A recent general analysis of light-baryon isospin splittings is updated and extended to charmed baryons. The measured [Sigma][sub [ital c]] and [Xi][sub [ital c]] splittings stand out as being difficult to understand in terms of two-body forces alone. We also discuss heavy-light mesons; though the framework here is necessarily less general, we nevertheless obtain some predictions that are not strongly model dependent.
Applications of the concept of attributable fraction in medical genetics

Attributable fraction, the fraction of cases of a disease in a population attributed to a particular risk factor, is a useful measure in the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies of disease etiology. We review here the applications of the concept of attributable fraction in medical genetics. Specifically, attributable fraction can be used 1) in studies of the association between genetic traits and specific diseases to quantitate the contribution of specific alleles to disease occurrence in a population; 2) in population studies of mutations and birth defects to estimate the impact of mutagens and teratogens; and 3) in genetic analyses of family data, to evaluate the contribution of putative single gene loci to disease etiology. In the latter context, the concept of attributable fraction can be contrasted with the more commonly used concept of heritability. Examples from the literature provide illustrations of the usefulness of attributable fraction in medical genetic studies.
A single-product network design model with lead time and safety stock considerations

Most existing network design and facility location models have focused on the trade-off between the fixed costs of locating facilities and variable transportation costs between facilities and customers. However, operational performance measures such as service levels and lead times are what motivates customers to bring business to a company and should be considered in the design of a distribution network. While some previous work has considered lead times and safety stocks separately, they are closely related in practice, since safety stocks are often set relative to the distribution of demand over the lead time. In this paper we consider a two-stage supply chain with a production facility that replenishes a single product at retailers. The objective is to locate Distribution Centers (DCs) in the network such that the sum of the location and inventory (pipeline and safety stock) costs is minimized. The replenishment lead time at the DCs depends on the volume of flow through the DC. We require the DCs to c...
In My Opinion: Serum Albumin Should be Maintained During Neurocritical Care

Hypoalbuminemia is common among critically ill/injured patients and is strongly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the patients with and without neurological conditions. Normal serum albumin is important as the primary intravascular antioxidant, in transporting a variety of hormones, medications and electrolytes, in providing colloid osmotic pressure during trans-compartmental fluid movement, in enhancing organ and tissue blood flow, and in supporting acid-base balance. Studies of albumin administration during intravascular resuscitation have not addressed potential longer term benefits to sustaining serum albumin concentrations during critical care. Evidence for such benefit is present although additional prospective studies are needed.
Microstreaming shear as a mechanism of cell death in Elodea leaves exposed to ultrasound

The hypothesis that ultrasonically induced membrane damage and cell death in Elodea leaves is caused by shear stress associated with microstreaming flow generated in the vicinity of oscillating gas-filled channels between the cells is investigated. Cell death thresholds as a function of frequency seem to follow a condition of constant shear stress, with minimum thresholds near the resonance frequency of a gas-filled channel. Theoretical estimates of the shear stress generated within the cells at the ultrasonic intensity of the cell death threshold are in order of magnitude agreement with measurements of the shear stress required for lysis of blood cells. Furthermore, the dependence of the cell death thresholds on exposure duration seems to correspond roughly with the dependence of critical shear stress for blood cells as a function of the duration of the stress. Membrane damage induced by microstreaming shear stress therefore appears to be a plausible mechanism of cell death in Elodea, and a valuable unifying concept for consideration of bioeffects of ultrasonic cavitation.
Comparison of height predictions (BAYLEY-PINNEAU vs. TW 2) with final height in tall girls

Height predictions (HP) are the base for the initiation of hormone treatment. Reliability of height prediction is established in normal growing children but not in tall girls. We studied 92 healthy girls with excessively tall stature, comparing different methods of height prediction with their final height which was 179,5 ± 4,1 cm (SD). Predictions were made once for each subject at mean chronological age of 12,5 ± 1,7 years and mean height of 168,6 ± 11,0 cm. Bone age was determined according to the atlas of GREULICH and PYLE (GP) and by the TANNER-WHITEHOUSE 2 (TW 2) method for TW 20-, RUS-, and carpal-bone age. - Height prediction according to BAYLEY and PINNEAU (BP) showed better accuracy than HP TW 2 by a mean difference between predicted and final height of 0,7 and 1,7 cm, respectively. Both methods underestimated final height of tall girls. Inclusion of midparent height did not improve results. In our series the error between predicted height using HP TW 2 and adult height corresponded well with TANNER's findings in balletdancers. In conclusion GP bone age determination and BP height prediction seem to be good methods for predicting adult height in tall girls safely.
Study of Turbulence Statistics in Large-Eddy Simulations of Ocean Current Turbine Environments

As ocean current turbines move from the design stage into production and installation, a better understanding of oceanic turbulent flows and localized loading is required by researchers and members of industry. Consideration of realistic ocean turbulence environments, in particular, is essential for obtaining accurate and reliable predictions of ocean turbine lifetime and performance. In this study, large eddy simulations (LES) are used to model the turbulent boundary layer in which an ocean current turbine operates. The LES model captures current driving due to winds, waves, and tides, thereby providing a high degree of physical realism. Inflow and boundary conditions are designed to represent conditions during an observational campaign at Admiralty Head in Puget Sound, and comparisons are made between the LES results and available observational measurements. Further statistical measures of the LES flow fields are outlined, including vertical profiles of Reynolds stresses, turbine loading, and two point correlations. The ability of the synthetic turbulence generator TurbSim to reproduce realistic ocean turbulence is qualitatively assessed through comparisons with LES results. Finally, preliminary simulation results are presented for an ocean current turbine represented by an actuator disk.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
What is quality of life in children with bone sarcoma

Quality of life measures have neglected to include a critical self-assessment component in pediatric sarcoma patients. Our report shows how children rate their own quality of life and how that varies over time after surgery. Using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, quality of life data was prospectively collected and combined with a retrospective review of clinical parameters on 43 children with primary bone sarcoma, with an average followup of 3 years. Children reported good yet variable scores in five of the six domains. Lower scores were noted in the Sports/Physical Functioning domain, particularly in the first 12 months after surgery, with improvement seen up to 24 months after surgery. Tumor specific factors such as size larger than 8 cm and lower extremity location were negative predictors for Sports/Physical Functioning. The only demographic factor that predicted perceived quality of life scores was gender, with girls reporting lower scores in Sports/Physical Functioning, Pain/Comfort, and Global Functioning domains. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument gives discriminatory detailed textured evaluation of the outcome of children treated for skeletal sarcoma. Further development of quality of life measures is needed to allow its use in treatment selection.
Arthritogenic Properties of Lipophilic, Aryl Molecules∗:

SummaryPathological responses to intracapsular injections of indole, skatole, and 11 aromatic compounds into rabbit knees are correlated with a binomial function for an approximate gaussian distribution of aryl partition coefficient logarithms (In P). This suggests that multistep partitioning processes may be involved in joint injury by these chemicals.
New examples of B9 and B11 polyhedral borane derivative chemistry

Direct electrophilic substitutions have been carried out on B9H2−9 in nonaqueous solvents under anaerobic conditions. Isolated products include amino-, trimethylamino-, dimethylsulphido-, and bis-(boranyl)keto-derivatives. Reaction of acetic anhydride/DMSO with B11H2−11 yielded its dimethyl-sulphido-derivative which is fluxional in soltion. These compounds represent the first examples of non-halogenated derivatives of the B9 and B11 polyhedral boranes
Variable employee productivity in workforce scheduling

This paper considers the problem of developing workforce schedules using groups of employees having different productivity. We show that the existing linear representation of this problem is often inaccurate for high-contact service organizations because it ignores the stochastic nature of customer arrivals. Specifically, the existing representation commonly overestimates the number of less productive employees necessary to deliver a specified, waiting time-based customer service level. We present a new, nonlinear representation of this staffing problem that captures its nonlinear nature and demonstrate its superiority via an extensive set of labor tour scheduling problems for the two-group case.
Supramolecular Nanofibrils Inhibit Cancer Progression In Vitro and In Vivo

Self-assembly of small peptide derivatives affords supramolecular nanofibrils that possess characteristic features of amyloid oligomers. Acting as de novo amyloid oligomers, the nanofibrils effectively inhibit the tumor progression both in vitro and in vivo, which demonstrates a new type of anticancer approach and may provide new insights for inverse comorbidity between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The temporal evolution of the near-infrared light curves of V1974 cygni (Nova Cygni 1992)

We report 1.25-18.5 μm infrared (IR) photometric measurements acquired during an 850 day period following outburst of the ONeMg "neon nova" V1974 Cygni (Nova Cygni 1992). The decline rates of the 0.55 V, 1.25 J, 1.6 H, and 2.3 μm K light curves all showed an abrupt transition from a t-3/2 slope to a t-3 slope at ≥170 days after outburst. The 3.5 μm (L) light curve exhibited a steady t-3/2 decline rate from days 10 to ≈ 600, and the 4.5 μm (M) intensity maintained a t-3/2 decline rate until the last observation on day ≈ 250. Examination of criteria for identifying CO and ONeMg novae from their near-IR light curves shows that while V1974 Cyg is identifiable as an ONeMg nova, it is a much less extreme case than QU Vul. We propose that the break in the slope of the 0.55-2.3 μm light curves is produced by a change in excitation conditions within a freely expanding optically thin shell that causes the cooling to shift rather abruptly from hydrogen recombination lines to near-IR coronal emission lines of highly ionized metals. The behavior of the visible light and IR light curves provides no evidence for dust formation in the ejecta of V1974 Cyg during the first ≈ 240 days following the outburst. We derive a value for the mass of gas in the ejecta of Mgas ≈ 2-5 × 10-4 M☉.
Growth of Salt Sensitive Bedding Plants in Media Amended with Composted Urban Waste

Growth of Impatiens wallerana Hook.f (impatiens) and Antirrhinum majus L. (snapdragon) was evaluated in media containing 0, 30, 60, or 100 percent compost made from biosolids and yard trimmings. Shoot dry mass, size, and height of both impatiens and snapdragon linearly increased as the percentage of compost in the medium increased. Initial media soluble salt, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations also linearly increased as the percentage of compost in the medium increased. However, final shoot N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations in both impatiens and snapdragon plants were not different among the media examined. Results suggest that impatiens and snapdragons can be successfully grown in 100 percent compost made from biosolids and yard trimmings.
POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL CONTRAST ACROSS FOOD AND ALCOHOL REINFORCERS

The present study examined behavioral contrast during concurrent and multiple schedules that provided food and alcohol reinforcers. Concurrent-schedule contrast occurred in the responding reinforced by food when alcohol reinforcers were removed. It also occurred in the responding reinforced by alcohol when food was removed. Multiple-schedule contrast appeared for food when alcohol reinforcers were removed, but not for alcohol when food was removed. These results show that behavioral contrast may, but does not always, occur across qualitatively different reinforcers. They also show that multiple-schedule contrast may be more difficult to produce than concurrent-schedule contrast. The results have implications for a model of alcohol consumption.
Intra-operative touch preparation cytology; does it have a role in re-excision lumpectomy?

Objective Breast carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women of North America. The combination of breast conservation surgery and radiotherapy has become a standard of treatment for the majority of breast cancers. It is critical to obtain clear margins to minimize local recurrence. However, avoiding multiple re-excisions for margin clearance helps optimize cosmetic results in patients undergoing breast conservation surgery. Intra-operative touch preparation cytology (IOTPC) may decrease the need for multiple re-excisions and thereby improve cosmesis. The literature suggests that IOTPC can be useful in evaluation of margins. Klimberg et al. evaluated the touch preparation technique prospectively in 428 patients undergoing breast biopsy for undiagnosed breast masses. Margin evaluation was correct in 100% of the lesions and was used to re-excise the margins when touch prep results were positive. They reported a diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100% for the touch prep technique. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no published data on the role of IOTPC for evaluation of margins in re-excision cases. This report describes our experience with IOTPC for margin assessment for re-excision partial mastectomy at Beth Israel Medical Center (BIMC). The purpose of this study is to determine whether IOTPC is reliable for evaluating margins in patients undergoing re-excision for involved or close margins.
A new class of array codes for memory storage

In this article we describe a class of error control codes called “diff-MDS” codes that are custom designed for highly resilient computer memory storage. The error scenarios of concern range from simple single bit errors, to memory chip failures and catastrophic memory module failures. Our approach to building codes for this setting relies on the concept of expurgating a parity code that is easy to decode for memory module failures so that a few additional small errors can be handled as well, thus preserving most of the decoding complexity advantages of the original code while extending its original intent. The manner in which we expurgate is carefully crafted so that the strength of the resulting code is comparable to that of a Reed-Solomon code when used for this particular setting. An instance of this class of algorithms has been incorporated in IBM's zEnterprise mainframe offering, setting a new industry standard for memory resiliency.
Electric field and plasma density observations of large scale (100's of KM) waves below the equatorial F-peak as seeds of spread-F

Electric field and plasma density observations gathered on the C/NOFS satellite are presented in cases where the ionosphere F-peak has been elevated above the satellite perigee of 400 km in the evening. During these passes, data from the electric field and plasma density probes on the satellite frequently show evidence for 400–500km-scale bottomside “undulations” that appear in the density and electric field data. In a few cases, these large scale waves are associated with a strong shear in the zonal E × B flow, as evidenced by variations in the meridional (outward) electric fields observed above and below the F-peak. These undulations are devoid of smaller scale structures in the early evening, yet appear at later local times along the same orbit associated with fully-developed spread-F with smaller scale structures. This suggests that they may be precursor waves for spread-F, possibly driven by a collisional shear instability, following ideas advanced previously by researchers using data from the Jicamarca and Altair radars as well as sounding rockets. We present statistics of numerous examples of these large scale waves detected by instruments on the C/NOFS satellite and discuss their implications for driving subsequent instability processes.
Survivin study: what is the next wave?

Survivin, a novel member of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family, is aberrantly expressed in cancer but undetectable in normal, differentiated adult tissues. Current studies suggest that survivin is implicated in both control of apoptosis and regulation of cell division. However, due to some inconsistent observations on survivin subcellular localization, there is debate about survivin's function in regulating apoptosis, cell division, or both. This review will discuss concepts, experimental methods, and interesting results that unify the different notions about survivin localization and function or point out gaps of knowledge about controversial issues. The author also intends to review various aspects of survivin studies, which were not emphasized or sufficiently discussed in previous reviews on survivin, and update recent developments that may reveal new applications of disease-oriented therapeutics in the coming years.
Temperature and Composition Dependence of the Density and Viscosity of Binary Mixtures of Water + Ionic Liquid

Density and viscosity were determined for binary mixtures of water and three ionic liquids: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate. The experimental measurements of these properties were carried out at atmospheric pressure and temperatures from (278.15 to 348.15) K. The temperature dependence of density and viscosity for these systems can be described by an empirical second-order polynomial and by the Vogel−Fulcher−Tammann equation, respectively. Excess molar volumes and viscosity deviations were calculated and correlated by Redlich−Kister polynomial expansions. The latter correlations describe the variation of density and viscosity with composition. Comparison of the results for the three binary systems elucidates the influence of the anion on these physical properties.
Comparison of the Effects of Sertraline and Its Metabolite Desmethylsertraline on Blockade of Central 5-HT Reuptake In Vivo

N-demethylation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline to desmethylsertraline yields a compound with 10- to 20-fold less potency at blocking serotonin (5-HT) reuptake as measured in vitro. In the present study desmethylsertraline (DMS) was examined in two in vivo models of reuptake inhibition--elevation of extracellular 5-HT in the corpus striatum as measured by microdialysis and inhibition of firing of serotonin-containing dorsal raphe neurons. Whereas sertraline (1, 3.2, and 10 mg/kg s.c.) produced a dose-dependent increase in extracellular 5-HT and a decrease in 5-HIAA in rat striatum, desmethylsertraline was without effect on either parameter. In similar fashion, desmethylsertraline had no effect on dorsal raphe cell firing at a dose (1,000 micrograms/kg i.v.) nearly 20-fold the ED50 for sertraline (52 micrograms/kg). Taken together, these data suggest that DMS does not contribute to the blockade of central 5-HT reuptake produced by sertraline in vivo and therefore would be expected to play a negligible role in its clinical activity.
More about transformations and influential cases in regression

We extend the diagnostic method of Cook and Wang (1983) for assessing case influence to regression models in which both response and linear predictor are transformed. We also suggest a possible improvement of Cook and Wang's method.
Experiential Learning Theory and The Learning Style Inventory: A Reply to Freedman and Stumpf

Freedman and Stumpf's critique of experiential learning theory and the Learning Style Inventory (LSI) is seriously flawed. Their judgments concerning the validity of experiential learning theory rest primarily on an analysis of the internal characteristics of the LSI, with no attention to the construct validity of that instrument; and they are made without analysis or even awareness of the considerable research literature on experiential learning. Their questions concerning the reliability of the LSI stem from a lack of understanding of the role of variability and situational adaptation in the experiential learning process. Similarly, their criticism of the forced-choice format of the LSI fails to recognize the theoretical rationale for the LSI instrument structure.
Nasal myopic super-traction (or super-involute) of the optic nerve head

Related recent studies are brought together; 38% of high myopes with corrections = −5.00 D or greater exhibit separation and displacement of retina (less nerve fibre layer) and choroid from moorings on the nasal optic nerve, and the displaced tissues move onto/over the disc. This is termed ‘nasal myopic super-traction of the optic nerve head'. Increasing prevalence of myopia (particularly in East and Southeast Asia), make understanding this anomaly important! In affected subjects, OCT proved valuable. Evidence is presented of disc-related separation of retina and choroid, less nerve fibre layer. We measured vision, kinetic/static thresholds, and Stiles–Crawford I on the disc. Transient alterations in sensitivity and photoreceptor orientations were found and associated with saccades or serial OKN-induced traction. Given presence of visual functions on the disc, blood supply and neural connectivity were inferred (partially) intact. Is this a strain-relieving mechanism, or a precursor to further degenerative...
Ancient association between cation leak channels and Mid1 proteins is conserved in fungi and animals

Neuronal resting potential can tune the excitability of neural networks, affecting downstream behavior. Sodium leak channels (NALCN) play a key role in rhythmic behaviors by helping set, or subtly changing neuronal resting potential. The full complexity of these newly described channels is just beginning to be appreciated, however. NALCN channels can associate with numerous subunits in different tissues and can be activated by several different peptides and second messengers. We recently showed that NALCN channels are closely related to fungal calcium channels, which they functionally resemble. Here, we use this relationship to predict a family of NALCN-associated proteins in animals on the basis of homology with the yeast protein Mid1, the subunit of the yeast calcium channel. These proteins all share a cysteine-rich region that is necessary for Mid1 function in yeast. We validate this predicted association by showing that the Mid1 homolog in Drosophila, encoded by the CG33988 gene, is coordinately expressed with NALCN, and that knockdown of either protein creates identical phenotypes in several behaviors associated with NALCN function. The relationship between Mid1 and leak channels has therefore persisted over a billion years of evolution, despite drastic changes to both proteins and the organisms in which they exist.
Plastic flow during compression of directly compressible fillers and its effect on tablet strength

The effects of the duration of the overall compression cycle and of the duration of the maximum compressive force on tablet strength were studied using an instrumented rotary tablet press. Various direct compression fillers were evaluated. Increasing the overall compression cycle duration to 10 sec resulted in significantly greater tablet tensile strengths with microcrystalline cellulose and compressible starch fillers but not with lactose or compressible sugar. Increasing the duration of the maximum compressive force to 20 sec significantly increased the tensile strength in all cases, but microcrystalline cellulose and compressible starch tablets were affected more than lactose or sugar tablets. The maximum compressive force decayed with time for all fillers but at a greater rate with microcrystalline cellulose and compressible starch. This behavior was attributed to differences in the extent of plastic flow. The decay curves were analyzed using the Maxwell model.
Fungal Disease and the Developing Story of Bat White-nose Syndrome

Two recently emerged cutaneous fungal diseases of wildlife, bat white-nose syndrome (WNS) [1] and amphibian chytridiomycosis [2], have devastated affected populations. Fungal diseases are gaining recognition as significant causes of morbidity and mortality to plants, animals, and humans [3], yet fewer than 10% of fungal species are known [4]. Furthermore, limited antifungal therapeutic drugs are available, antifungal therapeutics often have associated toxicity, and there are no approved antifungal vaccines. The unexpected emergence of WNS, the rapidity with which it has spread, and its unprecedented severity demonstrate both the impacts of novel fungal disease upon naive host populations and challenges to effective management of such diseases.
Analysis of Si1–xGex:H thin films with graded composition and structure by real time spectroscopic ellipsometry

Silicon-germanium (Si 1-x Ge x : H) thin films have been prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of SiH 4 and GeH 4 and measured during growth using real time spectroscopic ellipsometry. A two-layer virtual interface analysis has been applied to study the evolution of Si 1-x Ge x :H films that initially nucleate in the amprphous (a) phase, but evolve to the microcrystalline (μc) phase with accumulated thickness. The compositional evolution of alloy-graded a-Si 1-x Ge x :H has been studied as well using similar methods. Both types of films are of interest for Si-based photovoltaic devices.
Interior Design Theory and Action

This paper argues for imaginative reasoning in the formulation of interior design value claims and in the conduct of interior design research. Concrete design decisions depend as much on assent to value claims as on belief in the truth of factual claims. At issue are the human values that guide decisions in the design process. Designers and educators are most familiar with the action component of the model of theory and action because it encompasses behavior decisions in design, education, and research. The action is the conclusion of a full argument that is often left unstated. A specific conclusion about what action to take depends on assent to two distinct premises: a value claim and a factual claim. In arriving at a design decision, it is just as important to focus on the conceptualization of values as it is to determine the truth of the value-relevant facts. An examination of the experiences of people in physical settings can clarify or transform the values of designers, users, and educators. Sensitivity and imagination must be used in clarifying and transforming values. An analysis of several specific characteristics of the field of interior design suggests that people in the field are in a good position to use imaginative reasoning to contribute to the lives of people in a diverse society. The recommendation is that research issues be formulated to go beyond a description or a taxonomy to a prescription for action based on well-grounded value claims.
Regulation of Ionizing Radiation-Induced Adhesion of Breast Cancer Cells to Fibronectin by Alpha5beta1 Integrin

Ionizing radiation (IR) is commonly used for cancer therapy, however, its potential influence on cancer metastatic potential remains controversial. In this study, we elucidated the role of integrins in regulation of IR-altered adhesion between breast cancer cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which is a key step in the initial phase of metastasis. Our data suggest that the extent of effect that ionizing radiation had on cell adhesion depended on the genetic background of the breast cancer cells. Ionizing radiation was a better adhesion inducer for p53-mutated cells, such as MDA-MB-231 cells, than for p53 wild-type cells, such as MCF-7 cells. While IR-induced adhesions between MDA-MB-231 cells to fibronectin, laminin, collagen I and collagen IV, only blocking of the adhesion between α5β1 integrin and fibronectin using anti-α5β1 integrin antibody could completely inhibit the radiation-induced adhesion of the cells. A soluble Arg-Gly-Asp peptide, the binding motif for fibronectin binding integrins, could also reduce the adhesion of the cells to fibronectin with or without ionizing radiation exposure. The inhibition of the cell-fibronectin interaction also affected, but did not always correlate with, transwell migration of the cancer cells. In addition, our data showed that the total expression of α5 integrin and surface expression of α5β1 integrin were increased in the cells treated with ionizing radiation. The increased surface expression of α5β1 integrin, along with the adhesion between the cells and fibronectin, could be inhibited by both ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase inhibitors. These results suggested that ATM/ATR-mediated surface expression of α5β1 integrin might play a central role in regulation of ionizing radiation-altered adhesion.
Treatment failure and costs in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections: A south Texas ambulatory research network (STARNet) study

Objective: To measure the incidence of treatment failure and associated costs in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Methods: This was a prospective, observational study in 13 primary care clinics. Primary care providers collected clinical data, wound swabs, and 90-day follow-up information. Patients were considered to have “moderate or complicated” SSTIs if they had a lesion ≥5 cm in diameter or diabetes mellitus. Treatment failure was evaluated within 90 days of the initial visit. Cost estimates were obtained from federal sources. Results: Overall, treatment failure occurred in 21% of patients (21 of 98) at a mean additional cost of $1,933.71 per patient. In a subgroup analysis of patients who received incision and drainage, those with moderate or complicated SSTIs had higher rates of treatment failure than those with mild or uncomplicated SSTIs (36% vs. 10%; P=.04). Conclusions: One in 5 patients presenting to a primary care clinic for a methicillin-resistant S. aureus SSTI will likely require additional interventions at an associated cost of almost $2,000 per patient. Baseline risk stratification and new treatment approaches are needed to reduce treatment failures and costs in the primary care setting.
10-Gb/s PMD compensation following a recirculating fiber loop

Summary form only given. Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) has emerged as a critical issue for the deployment of high bit-rate systems over the installed fiber infrastructure. PMD is unique because it is a stochastic, dynamically changing process. Extensive research efforts have been made on PMD compensation in recent years. Reported experiments of PMD compensation are using either PMD emulators or in-ground fiber links to generate PMD. However, lumped PMD emulators cannot correctly taken into account the combined effect of fiber nonlinearity and PMD, while field trials lack flexibility for research. Because the chaotic behavior of PMD can vary from fiber to fiber, ensuring that a specific field-trial result will be applicable for different links is problematic. In this paper, PMD compensation following a 10-Gb/s, 8 /spl times/ 82-km recirculating fiber loop is demonstrated. We use a simple PMD compensator comprised of a polarization controller followed by a polarization-maintaining fiber with 42-ps differential group delay. For this system, with an average PMD of 27 ps, the bit-error-rate (BER) distribution tail at 5% probability can be reduced from 10/sup -6/ to 10/sup -8/ after PMD compensation, with the received power fixed at the level corresponding to a 10/sup -9/ BER without PMD.
Design of supplemental dampers for seismic risk reduction of isolated bridges

In this work the probabilistically-robust design of supplemental dampers for multi-span bridge systems is investigated. The adopted bridge model explicitly addresses nonlinear characteristics of the isolators and the dampers, the dynamic behavior of the abutments and pounding effects. A probabilistic framework is used to address the various sources of structural and excitation uncertainties and characterize seismic risk. Stochastic simulation is used to evaluate this risk and perform the associated design optimization for the dampers.
ICCAD-2012 CAD contest in finding the minimal logic difference for functional ECO and benchmark suite

In this paper, an automatic functional Engineering Change Order (ECO) problem is proposed. The contestants need to implement programs to identify the logic difference of the old netlist and the newly synthesized netlist, which agrees with new specification. How the logic difference can be presented as patch and how we measure the patch quality is explained. The program that can find the minimal patch wins.
Insertion and Extraction of Internal Targetry at the Zero Gradient Synchrotron

A new targetry system within the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) changes target manipulators with short interruptions of beam time, no loss of ring vacuum, and minimum exposure of personnel to radiation. The system consists of an insertion-extraction apparatus and two targeting manipulators which use miniature trolley rails. Having no external connecting drives or wires, the manipulators easily shuttle in and out of the ring vacuum chamber. Positions of the targets on each manipulator are remotely displayed in the ZGS control room in direct coordinate readout form.
Techno-Economic Assessment of Different Pathways for Utilizing Glycerol Derived From Waste Cooking Oil-Based Biodiesel

Crude (i.e., unrefined) glycerol is the major by-product of biodiesel production, based on the homogeneous alkaline catalytic transesterification reaction. Currently, global biodiesel production capacity has been rising rapidly due to the overall growth of renewable energy demand. The amount of glycerol is increasing in parallel, and there is presently little market value for crude glycerol. In addition, disposing of this material via conventional methods becomes one of the major environmental issues and a burden for biodiesel manufacturers. Thus, utilization of purified glycerol in value-added applications such as food processing, cosmetics, soap and pharmaceuticals is critical to achieve economic scale of biodiesel production. In this paper, various pathways available to community-based biodiesel producers have been modeled to inform the decision-making process. A case study at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was selected to evaluate the proposed system. Different pathways of utilizing crude glycerol were investigated, and economic feasibility of each pathway was analyzed. Purification of crude glycerol from waste cooking oil-based-biodiesel production was performed at small bench scale. Various recipes with different raw materials and purified glycerol as an ingredient were created for different kinds of saponification processes and applications. The resulting data from this preliminary assessment showed that producing biodiesel and high-quality soap is the most profitable option for RIT.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
If Advising is Teaching, What Do Advisors Teach?

A philosophy of advising referred to as the learning-centered paradigm is described and compared to the dominant developmental paradigm. Through the learning-centered paradigm, one can explain, better than through the developmental theory, how advising is, or can be, similar to teaching. Under the learning-centered approach, the excellent advisor plays a role with respect to a student’s entire curriculum that is analogous to the role that the excellent teacher plays with respect to the content of a single course. He or she also helps the student to understand, and in a certain sense, to create the logic of the student’s curriculum. Thus, the advisor’s instruction in the logic of the curriculum elevates the advisor’s work to a central role in enhancing a student’s education.
Neurobiological sensitization models of post-traumatic stress disorder: their possible relevance to multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome.

Neurological sensitization has been proposed as a model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Lipper et al., 1986; van der Kolk, 1987; Friedman, 1988; Post et al., 1988, 1994; Charney et al., ...
A 40-Year History of End-of-Life Offerings in US Medical Schools: 1975-2015

The purpose of this longitudinal study of US medical schools over a 40-year period was to ascertain their offerings on end-of-life (EOL) issues. At 5-year intervals, beginning in 1975, US medical schools were surveyed via a questionnaire to determine their EOL offerings. Data were reported with frequency distributions. The Institute of Medicine has encouraged more emphasis on EOL issues over the past 2 decades. Findings revealed that undergraduate medical students in the United States are now exposed to death and dying, palliative care, and geriatric medicine. The inclusion of EOL topics has definitely expanded over the 40-year period as findings reveal that US undergraduate medical students are currently exposed in over 90% of programs to death and dying, palliative care, and geriatric medicine, with the emphasis on these topics varying with the medical programs. Such inclusion should produce future favorable outcomes for undergraduate medical students, patients, and their families.
The Functional Anatomy of the Shoulder of the Pallid Bat, Antrozous pallidus

Gross dissectional and electromyographical (EMG) analysis were used to study the functional morphology of the pectoral girdle and upper limb musculature in Antrozous pallidus . EMG data for 17 of the muscles suggest they are characterized as adductors, abductors, or bifunctional muscles; a classification which parallels the flexor, extensor, and bifunctional categories described for terrestrial mammals. Mm. clavodeltoideus, serratus anterior (posterior division), pectoralis (anterior and posterior divisions), and latissimus dorsi are active during wing adduction. The pectoral and serratus muscles are important in powering the downstroke. M. clavodeltoideus is active throughout the early downstroke, but is concluded to be an important shoulder extensor, powering anterior movement of the wing throughout the downstroke. M. lattissimus dorsi is responsible for humeral pronation during the downstroke, a function which controls the angle of attack of the wing relative to the airstream. Mm. clavotrapezius, acromiotrapezius, spinotrapezius, triceps brachii (long and lateral heads), acromiodeltoideus , and spinodeltoideus are all characterized by uniphasic activity during or slightly preceding the upstroke. Mm. acromiodeltoideus and spinodeltoideus are functionally distinct from the third component of the muscle mass, M. clavodeltoideus , although all three bellies share a common innervation by the axillary nerve. A group of bifunctional muscles included Mm. biceps brachii (glenoid and coracoid heads), subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus , and teres major . The biceps heads are both two-joint muscles with a complex role in wing orientation and may contribute power to the downstroke. Mm. subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus , and teres major are all involved in subtle control of humeral orientation (internal and external rotation) and in stabilizing the shoulder joint.
Flex Life of Passenger Tires. Relationship of Rayon Tire Cord Dip Pickup and Cord Adhesion

Abstract The tests described herein show that in woven rayon passenger tires, tire performance is improved when the quantity of dip pickup is reduced, even though there is a sacrifice in adhesion values.
SEROLOGIC PROPERTIES OF BENTONITE PARTICLES COATED WITH MICROBIAL POLYSACCHARIDES.

SummaryA flocculation test utilizing polysaccharide-coated bentonite particles is described. The conditions for coating the particles and performance of the test are reported. The method offers advantages such as simplicity, reproducibility, stability and specificity. A number of polysaccharide antigens, which fail to coat erythrocytes, readily adsorb onto bentonite, permitting serologic tests with these antigens.
SCREENING ECHOCARDIOGRAMS IN SENIOR-FOCUSED VALUE-BASED PRIMARY CARE IMPROVE SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in seniors in spite of known evidence-based treatments. Echocardiograms can detect heart disease early but are not currently indicated for screening in seniors. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of screening echocardiograms on improving
Common External Ocular Infections

In the United States, blepharitis marginalis, acute and chronic catarrhal conjunctivitis, lacrimal conjunctivitis, and herpes simplex keratitis make up about 20 percent of eye problems. Sulfonamide ointments or drops are usually used in blepharitis marginalis and lacrimal conjunctivitis and sometimes in catarrhal conjunctivitis, but in herpes simplex keratitis, 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine is most effective and corticosteroids are contraindicated.