cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Group B streptococcal sepsis in piglets: effect of combined pentoxifylline and indomethacin pretreatment.

ABSTRACT: Group B streptococcus (GBS), a common neonatal gram-positive pathogen, causes similar pathophysiology in human newborns and neonatal animal models of sepsis. Animal models of GBS sepsis demonstrate a two-phase response: 1) an acute phase (<1 h) of increased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and reduced arterial oxygen pressure (Pao2) that is associated with increased serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 2) a late phase (2–4 h) of persistently increased Ppa and reduced Pao2, reduced systemic arterial pressure, and progressive fall in cardiac output that is associated with increased serum TxB2, 6-keto-prostaglandin Fl$$ (6-keto-PGFi$$), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF$$). We hypothesized that pretreatment of piglets with both pentoxifylline (PTF), an inhibitor of TNF$$ production and activity, and indomethacin (INDO) would 1) inhibit GBS-induced TxB2, 6-keto-PGF1%, and TNF“ and 2) prevent both the acute- and late-phase physiologic responses of GBS sepsis. Combined PTF and INDO pretreatment of anesthetized, mechanically ventilated piglets infused with GBS (1.25 x 109 colony forming units/ kg/h) for 4 h prevented GBS-induced increases in Ppa at 1 h (GBS+PTF+INDO: 1.8 $$ 0.07 kPa versus GBS alone: 4.7 ± 0.1 kPa) and markedly attenuated increases in Ppa at 4 h (GBS+PTF+INDO: 2.1 ± 0.1 kPa versus GBS alone: 4.4 ± 0.1 kPa). PTF+INDO treatment prevented GBS-induced reductions in both mixed venous oxygen pressure and Pao2 at 1, 2, and 4 h (GBS+PTF+INDO: 11.5 ± 0.4 kPa versus GBS alone: 7.1 ± 0.4 kPa), and attenuated GBS-induced declines in cardiac output. PTF+INDO treatment significantly attenuated GBS-induced serum TNF$$ polypeptide levels (ELISA, pg/mL) at 4 h (GBS+PTF+INDO: 143 ± 45 versus GBS alone: 502 ± 147) and blocked GBS-induced increases in serum TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1% (all levels < 10 pg/0.1 mL by RIA). INDO pretreatment alone prevented GBS-induced increases in serum TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1$$* levels but did not significantly inhibit GBS-induced TNF$$ production. INDO pretreatment alone did not attenuate GBS-induced increases in Ppa at 4 h, nor prevent late-phase reductions in both Pao2 and mixed venous oxygen pressure. PTF+INDO treatment of GBS sepsis in piglets is superior to treatment with INDO or PTF alone. Inhibition of both blood eicosanoid and TNF$$ production may provide adjunctive therapy for human newborns with sepsis and pulmonary hypertension.
Diverse Effects of Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) upon Mitchondrial Gene Expression and Function in Male and Female d120 Soleus and Extensor Digitalis Longus (EDL) Muscle † 448

Diverse Effects of Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) upon Mitchondrial Gene Expression and Function in Male and Female d120 Soleus and Extensor Digitalis Longus (EDL) Muscle † 448
One- and two-photon spectra of jet-cooled 2,3-dimethylindole: 1Lb and 1La assignments

Abstract One-photon and polarized two-photon fluorescence excitation spectra and the dispersed fluorescence spectrum of jet-cooled 2,3-dimethylindole are reported. The two-photon intensity ratios for linear versus circular polarized excitation show that the origin is primarily of 1Lb character and that lines with predominantly 1La character appear at 342, 356, 371, 383, 396, and 406 cm−1 above the 1Lb origin. These lines exhibit what appears to be methyl rotor tunneling spitting. The ab initio computed dispersed fluorescence spectrum for the 1Lb state agrees well with the observed dispersed fluorescence reported here; that computed for 1La does not. Large splitting of certain vibrational modes due to mixing with methyl motions is responsible for marked differences in the dispersed fluorescence compared to that of indole and 3-methylindole.
Study of the electrochemical reduction of CO2 on electrodeposited rhenium electrodes in methanol media

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide at a rhenium electrode electrodeposited onto a polycrystalline gold support was studied by means of polarization curves with simultaneous measurement of mass changes by an electrochemical quartz microbalance (ECQM). Potentiostatic electrolysis was done and the analyses of the reduction products were carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrolyte was a methanol solution containing 0.1 M LiClO 4 +CO 2 , under atmospheric pressure. From the polarization curves it was observed that the CO 2 reduction presented a Tafel slope of −2 RT / F , indicating that the first electronation of the CO 2 molecule to form the radical anion (CO 2 − ), is the rate-controlling step. On the other hand, mass change measurements allow us to determine that CO 2 H and CO correspond to the intermediate species formed during CO 2 reduction. The product analysis indicated that the faradaic efficiency for this process depended strongly on the potential at which the electrolysis is carried out and on the hydrodynamic conditions of the solution. Under stirred conditions, the main products were CO (87%) and H 2 (13%) at −1.35 V. At this same potential and under quiescent conditions, the major products were CO (57%), CH 4 (10%) and H 2 (33%).
Purification and properties of porcine polymorphonuclear cells

A method for the rapid separation of highly purified populations of porcine polymorphonuclear cells from whole blood is described. Porcine blood, anti-coagulated with EDTA, was layered over a discontinuous Percoll gradient (62.5% and 75%) and then centrifuged at 400 × g for25 min. This results in the formation of a band of cells at the interface of the two Percoll layers which is < 99% granulocytes (93.8 ± 1.8% neutrophils and 5.3 ± 1.8% eosinophils) with a 77% recovery. The mononuclear cells remain above the 62.5% Percoll layer, and most erythrocytes pellet to the bottom of the tube. The isolated porcine granulocytes were found to respond to opsonized zymosan, phorbol myristate acetate (20 ng/ml), and the calcium ionophore A23187 (10−5 M) in chemiluminescence assays with kinetics similar to those of human granulocytes. The porcine cells did not respond to the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenalanine (FMLP; 10−6 M) unlike the human granulocytes which display a very rapid response to FMLP. Both porcine and human granulocytes readily changed shape by elongating and developing pseudopods when exposed to zymosan-activated serum, but only human granulocytes changed on exposure to FMLP. Thus, porcine granulocytes may be rapidly isolated on discontinuous Percoll gradients with little mononuclear cell contamination. Porcine and human PMN have similar oxidative and chemotactic responses, but porcine PMN differ from human granulocytes in the inability of porcine granulocytes to respond to FMLP.
Differential regulation of protein synthesis by amino acids and insulin in peripheral and visceral tissues of neonatal pigs

The high efficiency of protein deposition during the neonatal period is driven by high rates of protein synthesis, which are maximally stimulated after feeding. In the current study, we examined the individual roles of amino acids and insulin in the regulation of protein synthesis in peripheral and visceral tissues of the neonate by performing pancreatic glucose–amino acid clamps in overnight-fasted 7-day-old pigs. We infused pigs (n = 8–12/group) with insulin at 0, 10, 22, and 110 ng kg−0.66 min−1 to achieve ~0, 2, 6 and 30 μU ml−1 insulin so as to simulate below fasting, fasting, intermediate, and fed insulin levels, respectively. At each insulin dose, amino acids were maintained at the fasting or fed level. In conjunction with the highest insulin dose, amino acids were also allowed to fall below the fasting level. Tissue protein synthesis was measured using a flooding dose of l-[4-3H] phenylalanine. Both insulin and amino acids increased fractional rates of protein synthesis in longissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, masseter, and diaphragm muscles. Insulin, but not amino acids, increased protein synthesis in the skin. Amino acids, but not insulin, increased protein synthesis in the liver, pancreas, spleen, and lung and tended to increase protein synthesis in the jejunum and kidney. Neither insulin nor amino acids altered protein synthesis in the stomach. The results suggest that the stimulation of protein synthesis by feeding in most tissues of the neonate is regulated by the post-prandial rise in amino acids. However, the feeding-induced stimulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscles is independently mediated by insulin as well as amino acids.
Vibration spectroscopy reveals light-induced chromophore and protein structural changes in the LOV2 domain of the plant blue-light receptor phototropin 1.

Phototropins (phot1 and phot2), the plant blue-light receptors for phototropism, chloroplast movement, and stomatal opening, are flavoproteins that contain two ∼12 kDa FMN-binding domains, LOV1 and LOV2, at their N-terminus, and a serine/threonine protein kinase domain at their C-terminus. The light-activated LOV2 domain forms a metastable intermediate which has been shown to be a protein−chromophore cysteinyl adduct (Cys39) at C(4a) of FMN. This species thermally relaxes back to the ground state in the dark. We measured the light-minus-dark FTIR difference spectra for the LOV2 domain of oat phot1. These spectra show the disappearance of bands at 1580, 1550, and 1350 cm-1 that originate from, or are strongly coupled to, the N5C(4a) stretching vibrations, consistent with the perturbations expected upon C(4a) adduct formation. Assignment of these negative difference FTIR bands to native chromophore vibrations is based on the alignment with resonance Raman bands of FMN. Prominent positive bands include a dou...
Time domain sensors for radiated impulsive measurements

Discussion of various sensors and radiators commonly used for time domain antenna measurements is presented. The sensors and radiators discussed here are passive and analog devices which convert the electromagnetic quantity of interest to a voltage or current at their terminal ports. Moreover they are primary standards in the sense that their transfer functions can be calculated from their geometries and are flat (constant) across a wide frequency range. One of the major requirements for these sensors and radiators is that the electromagnetic far field, transmitted or received, is a replica or high fidelity derivative of the original pulse. Note that the transmitting transfer function of an antenna is proportional to the time derivative of the receiving transfer function of the same antenna, which follows from the reciprocity theorem. For electric field strength measurements, linear antennas loaded nonuniformly and continuously with resistance, or with both resistance and capacitance are discussed. Also, a conical antenna and an asymptotic conical antenna are discussed from the standpoint of improved characteristics. For an improved directivity, various types of transverse electromagnetic (TEM) horns are considered, e.g., a conducting TEM horn, and a resistively loaded TEM horn.
Characterization of protein synthesis factors from rabbit reticulocytes.

Abstract As part of our efforts to characterize eukaryotic translation factors, we have sequenced a number of them chemically and inferred sequences from cDNA clones. To our surprise, there appears to be extensive identity of amino acid sequence in most factors characterized to date in that within mammalian species, usually greater than 99% identity is observed. Extreme examples are rabbit EF-1α which is 100% identical to human EF-1α and rabbit eIF-4AI and eIF-4AII which are 100% identical to mouse eIF-4AI and eIF-4AII for those amino acids sequenced ( 398 406 and 156 407 , respectively). An extended analysis has been made of EF-1α which in rabbit has three different post-translational modifications, dimethyllysine, trimethyllysine and glycerylphosphorylethanolamine. A comparison of the primary structure of EF-1α to E. coli EF-Tu indicates an overall sequence identity of 33%. However, within the amino terminal 180 amino acids (the GTP-binding domain), there are found regions of much greater identity ( 50 85 = 59% ).
Rising to the Challenge of Treating OEF/OIF Veterans with Co‐occurring PTSD and Substance Abuse

This article reviews data on the relatively high incidence of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans reporting mental health and substance abuse problems, and some perceived barriers that may account for low rates of their engaging in treatment. Treatment outcomes for veterans with co‐occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) are generally poorer than for those with PTSD or substance abuse alone. Several evidence‐based individual therapy approaches offered by VA Medical Centers are described along with how they conceptualize the relationship of substance abuse to PTSD. Problems with sequential treatment for persons with PTSD and substance abuse in specialized programs are discussed, including notably the practice of requiring veterans to be completely drug and alcohol free for a month or longer prior to entering PTSD treatment. Several integrated treatment programs are described along with a brief summary of evidence supporting their eff...
Children's Motivation in Elementary Physical Education: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract The present study examined relationships among variables drawn from achievement goal theory and the expectancy-value model of achievement choice as well as mean level changes of these variables over time in elementary physical education. Participants (N = 207) completed questionnaires over a 2-year period: once while in the second and fourth grades and again when they were in the third and fifth grades. Results indicated that achievement goals, expectancy-related beliefs, and subjective task values were related to one another and were predictive of children's intention for future participation in physical education. Children's subjective task values of physical education decreased over time. Children in Cohort 1 (across second to third grades) generally had stronger motivation for learning in physical education than children in Cohort 2 (across fourth to fifth grades). Findings suggest the importance of integrating achievement goal theory and the expectancy-value model of achievement choice in un...
The Use of Safflower Oil Meal in Poultry Rations

Abstract THE production of safflower has continued to increase in this country, resulting in renewed interest in the use of the by-product of this seed as an additional source of protein for poultry feeding. Undecorticated safflower meal, because of the heavy and fibrous hull, contains only 20 percent protein and as high as 35 percent fiber. By a decortication process it is possible to remove a large portion of the hull, which will result in the production of a meal in which the protein may exceed 50 percent with a resulting low fiber content. Most meals produced by this process generally contain from 35 to 40 percent protein and 12 to 15 percent fiber. A study of safflower protein for chick growth was first reported by Kratzer and Williams (1947). Two lots of meal, prepared in their laboratory, contained 29.1 and 27.2 percent crude protein. The meal was fed as the …
The Economics of Weather Modification: A Review and Suggestions for Future Economic Analysis

Abstract The article is a review of existing studies relating to the economics of weather modification. Five types of weather modification activities are considered: precipitation augmentation, lightning suppression, fog suppression, hurricane modification and hail suppression. Short summaries are provided for each activity. Several factors crucial to the successful completion of economic research on weather modification are proposed, of which the most crucial are a viewpoint encompassing total economic activity rather than only the perspective of benefited sectors, guidance and consultation of atmospheric scientists, incorporation of variability of outcomes, and effects of the technology under changing economic conditions.
Improving energy efficiency of work-stealing parallel languages (invited talk abstract)

At a time when power-hungry data centers and cloud servers become increasingly prevalent, energy efficiency is looming as a first-class design goal for parallel computing. More established solutions to address this challenging problem come from innovations on parallel architectures and operating systems. In this talk, we bring in a new perspective into green parallel computing, improving energy efficiency at the level of programming language runtimes. Our concrete solution is Hermes, a work-stealing language runtime that favorably balances the trade-off between energy and performance. The key insight is that threads in a work-stealing environment -- thieves and victims have varying impacts on the overall program running time, and a coordination of their execution ``tempos'' can lead to energy efficiency with minimal performance loss. The centerpiece of Hermes is two complementary algorithms to coordinate thread tempo: a workpath-sensitive algorithm to determine tempo for each thread based on thief-victim relationships on the execution path, and a workload-sensitive algorithm to select appropriate tempo based on the size of work-stealing deques. On the highest level, Hermes can be viewed as a semantics-aware energy management strategy unifying the language runtime and the hardware, with the language runtime offering clues for judicious tempo settings, and the hardware physically enabling tempo adjustment through standard Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS). Hermes is a joint work with Ph.D. student Haris Ribic.
Binding of proteolytically processed phospholipase D from Streptomyces chromofuscus to phosphatidylcholine membranes facilitates vesicle aggregation and fusion.

Ca2+-dependent phospholipase D is secreted from Streptomyces chromofuscus as an intact enzyme of 57 kDa (PLD57). Under certain growth conditions, PLD is proteolytically cleaved and activated to form PLD42/20 (named for the apparent size of the peptides). The PLD42 catalytic core and 20 kDa C-terminal domain remain tightly associated through noncovalent interactions. In the presence of Ba2+ (to enhance protein binding to zwitterionic vesicles without hydrolysis of substrate), PLD42/20, but not PLD57, induces POPC vesicle leakiness as measured by entrapped CF leakage. PLD42/20 also induces vesicle fusion (as measured by light scattering, fluorescence quenching, and cryo-TEM) under these conditions (1 mM POPC, 5 mM Ba2+); neither PLD42 nor PLD20 alone can act as a fusogen. For intact PLD57 to cause CF leakiness, the soluble activator diC4PA must be present. However, even with diC4PA, PLD57 does not induce significant vesicle fusion. In the absence of metal ions, all PLD forms bind to PC vesicles doped with 1...
Application of the method of moments to acoustic scattering from multiple infinitely long fluid filled cylinders

Abstract A method is proposed which provides a computational technique for solving acoustic scattering problems associated with arbitrary shaped multiple two-dimensional fluid filled bodies. Using a free space Green function along with the associated boundary conditions on the surface of each body, a pair of coupled integral equations are derived. The equations are then solved by approximating the scatterer cross section by linear segments and employing the method of moments. The method presented is simple, efficient and applicable to truly arbitrary contours. Numerical results are presented for certain canonical shapes and compared with other available data.
Quadrature Methods for the Calculation of Subgrid Microphysics Moments

AbstractMany cloud microphysical processes occur on a much smaller scale than a typical numerical grid box can resolve. In such cases, a probability density function (PDF) can act as a proxy for subgrid variability in these microphysical processes. This method is known as the assumed PDF method. By placing a density on the microphysical fields, one can use samples from this density to estimate microphysics averages. In the assumed PDF method, the calculation of such microphysical averages has primarily been done using classical Monte Carlo methods and Latin hypercube sampling. Although these techniques are fairly easy to implement and ubiquitous in the literature, they suffer from slow convergence rates as a function of the number of samples. This paper proposes using deterministic quadrature methods instead of traditional random sampling approaches to compute the microphysics statistical moments for the assumed PDF method. For smooth functions, the quadrature-based methods can achieve much greater accura...
Validation of the SCID-hu Thy/Liv mouse model with four classes of licensed antiretrovirals.

Background The SCID-hu Thy/Liv mouse model of HIV-1 infection is a useful platform for the preclinical evaluation of antiviral efficacy in vivo. We performed this study to validate the model with representatives of all four classes of licensed antiretrovirals.
Samuelson’s economics: The continuing legacy

Paul A. Samuelson’s legendary textbook, straightforwardly titled Economics, most famously exemplifies Samuelson the writer. To mark the release of the eighteenth edition of the textbook in July 2004, this paper briefly considers the textbook, and the celebrity (and criticism) it attracted. Economists and academics in general don’t have much difficultly appreciating Samuelson’s extraordinary contribution. Simply reading Samuelson’s text Foundations of Economic Analysis (1947) or browsing through the plethora of intellectual jewels displayed in the many volumes of The Collected Scientific Papers of Paul A. Samuelson (1966–86) makes these contributions selfexplanatory. But one of the most compelling characteristics of Paul Samuelson is his ability to communicate equally well to all audiences, whether academics, students forced to take an economics class for the first time, or the average individual. If you limited your reading to Samuelson’s academic writings, which are characterized by an unyielding surge of theoretical rigor, one might get the impression that one was dealing with an alien of sorts; a creature simply too brilliant to communicate with the average human, and whose ideas could only be understood by a select few academics. Yet Samuelson’s true brilliance is his ability to flawlessly tune his writing to any audience, whether mathematically inclined economists and graduate students,
Modeling of He–defect interactions in ferritic alloys for fusion

Abstract High concentrations of helium will be produced in fusion reactor structural materials due to neutron capture reactions. The creep-rupture and fracture properties may be severely degraded if helium aggregates at grain boundaries to a sufficiently high level. To design helium-resistant microstructures requires detailed knowledge of the transport and fate of helium to sinks. We utilize atomistic methods to study the fate of helium in the neighborhood of dislocations, grain boundaries and coherent nano-clusters in α-iron. The binding energies of helium to these defects are strongly correlated with excess atomic volume. Molecular dynamics and the dimer saddle point search method were employed to study the mobility of both interstitial helium atoms and helium–vacancy complexes in dislocations and grain boundaries. The migration energy of interstitial helium in these defects was found to range from about 0.4–0.5 eV.
Today's Food System: How Healthy Is It?

With its focus on the quantity of production, often to the exclusion of other goals, today's food system is on an unsustainable course. The problem begins with and is driven by industrialized production of both crops and animals. Industrialization is a product of technological change, public policy, and, most recently, globalized trade. The lack of sustainability derives from reliance on the intensive use of nonrenewable and hard-to-renew resources—soil, antibiotics, fresh water, and fossil fuels, for example—but also from the waste and pollution created by the industrial model. For at least 50 years, American agriculture policies have promoted production of, and ultimately lower market prices for, commodity crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans. Over the last 3 decades in particular, these “cheap food” policies have exacerbated the negative impacts of an industrialized agriculture on the health of the agro-ecosystem, as well as on the health of the humans who must share and be sustained by it. Sustainability and health are two sides of the same food system coin. Policies that put US food production on more sustainable footing can help aid in public efforts to address the myriad crises confronting both the food and health systems.
Activity and selectivity of precipitated iron Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Abstract Low-temperature (230°C), slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was conducted with precipitated iron-silicon catalysts under industrially relevant conditions (flow=3.1 Nl h −1 g-Fe −1 , H 2 :CO=0.7, P=1.31 MPa). The effects of activation gas (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or syngas) and promoters (potassium and copper) on activity and selectivity were explored. Optimum potassium promotion was 4–5 at%, relative to iron. Promotion with copper lowered the reduction temperature and increased FTS activity, regardless of the activation gas used. Carbon monoxide activation gave the highest activity for a 100Fe/ 4.4Si/5.2K catalyst (atomic percent, relative to iron) while syngas activation was superior for a 100Fe/4.4Si/2.6Cu/5.2K catalyst. Selectivity of the FTS product was not affected by the activation gas employed or copper promotion; however, potassium promotion increased wax and alkene selectivity. A syngas activated 100Fe/4.4Si/2.6Cu/5.2K catalyst gave the best overall performance at 230°C. Alkene selectivity was >75% for the C 2 -C 11 fraction, methane selectivity was 12 + selectivity was >70 wt%.
CT findings in small bowel angioedema: a cause of acute abdominal pain

A patient who presented with acute abdominal pain secondary to small bowel angioedema is reported. Characteristic imaging features are highlighted with clarifying images. The importance of considering this diagnosis in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain correlated with the appropriate history is discussed.
The effect of temperature on the viscoelastic behavior of linear low-density polyethylene

Observations are reported on linear low-density polyethylene in isothermal torsional oscillation and relaxation tests at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 110 ∘C. Constitutive equations are derived for the viscoelastic response of a semicrystalline polymer at small strains. The polymer is treated as an equivalent network of strands bridged by junctions (entanglements, physical cross-links on the surfaces of crystallites and lamellar blocks). The network is thought of as an ensemble of meso-regions with various potential energies for rearrangement of strands. Two types of meso-domains are introduced: active, where strands separate from temporary junctions as they are excited by thermal fluctuations, and passive, where detachment of strands is prevented by the surrounding macromolecules. The time-dependent behavior of the ensemble reflects separation of active strands from their junctions and merging of dangling strands with the network. Stress–strain relations are developed by using the laws of thermodynamics. The governing equations involve six material constants that are found by fitting the experimental data. The study focuses on the effects of (i) temperature, (ii) the deformation mode (torsion versus bending), and (iii) the loading program (oscillations versus relaxation) on the adjustable parameters.
Computational Aerodynamics: Solvers and Shape Optimization

Aeronautics, and in particular aerodynamics, has been one of the main technological drivers for the development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This paper presents a personal account of the main advances in the development of solvers and shape optimization techniques, which have contributed to make CFD an essential part of the design process of modern aircraft.
Crystal structure of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) homo- and copolymers in the high pressure phase

Abstract X-ray diffraction measurements are reported for 27°C, pressures to 5.2 GPa and concentrations of CF3 units to 0.049 CF 3 CF 2 . These show both orthorhombic and monoclinic structures to exist under high hydrostatic pressure. It is proposed that shear stresses generated at elastic inhomogeneities in the sample lead to the monoclinic phase. Energy calculations are consistent with this concept. They also indicate that conformational and rotational disorders raise the entropy of the high pressure phase III. Perfluoromethyl branches increase the volume CF 2 of phase III more than that of the low pressure phase I. At high CF3 concentrations and pressures, both phases become metrically hexagonal. The volume of transition becomes zero at a concentration near 0.05 CF 3 CF 2 and no transition is observed to a pressure of 5.2 GPa. There appears to be a critical point near 27°C, a CF3 concentration of 0.05 and a pressure of 3.5 to 5 GPa.
A novel fully printed and flexible capacitive pressure sensor

A novel fully printed flexible capacitive pressure sensor was fabricated using conventional screen and gravure printing techniques. The sensor was successfully printed on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) ink as the metallization layer and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the dielectric layer. The capacitive response of the sensor demonstrated a percentage change of 5 % and 40 % for minimum and maximum detectable compressive forces of 800 kPa and 18 MPa, respectively when compared to the base capacitance of 26 pF. At the minimum detectable pressure, the stability measurements resulted in a maximum variation of ± 0.15 % from the average capacitance value of 28 pf. The response of the printed device demonstrated the feasibility of employing traditional printing techniques for the fabrication of flexible pressure sensing devices.
CoPtCr composite magnetic thin films

CoPtCr composite thin films were produced by cosputtering nonmagnetic compounds such as SiO/sub 2/, SiN, ZrO/sub 2/, and SiC. These films were prepared without using any underlayer. It was found that the magnetic properties of CoPtCr alloys, such as the in-plane coercivity H/sub c/ and coercivity squareness S*, were significantly improved by admixing nonmagnetic compounds. CoPtCr+SiO/sub 2/ (10 vol.%) composite films were obtained showing a high coercivity of more than 2 kOe for a thickness of 25 nm, without using an underlayer. Torque magnetometer and X-ray pole figure measurements revealed that, when SiO/sub 2/ is admixed, the c-axis of CoPtCr films tends to decline toward the in-plane direction, as a result of the increase of the in-plane anisotropy. From the experimental results of magnetic recording, it was found that the media noise of CoPtCr films was reduced by admixing SiO/sub 2/. >
The influence of hydrogen on the yield point in iron

Abstract Armco iron normally exhibits a sharp yield point when tested in tension at room temperature and below. After electrolytically charging the iron with hydrogen, however, a yield point no longer is observed at room temperature. When the tensile test temperature is lowered, a yield point returns at about −12°C and increases in magnitude with decreasing test temperature. Two related mechanisms for the suppression of the yield point in iron by hydrogen are discussed.
Effects of Dietary Fat and Saturated Fat Content on Liver Fat and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Overweight/Obese Men and Women under Weight-Stable Conditions

Dietary fat and oxidative stress are hypothesized to contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and progression to steatohepatitis. To determine the effects of dietary fat content on hepatic triglyceride, body fat distribution and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, overweight/obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance consumed a control diet (CONT: 35% fat/12% saturated fat/47% carbohydrate) for ten days, followed by four weeks on a low fat (LFD (n = 10): 20% fat/8% saturated fat/62% carbohydrate) or high fat diet (HFD (n = 10): 55% fat/25% saturated fat/27% carbohydrate). Hepatic triglyceride content was quantified by MRS and abdominal fat distribution by MRI. Fasting biomarkers of inflammation (plasma hsCRP, IL-6, IL-12, TNFα, IFN-γ) and oxidative stress (urinary F2-α isoprostanes) were measured. Body weight remained stable. Compared to the CONT, hepatic triglyceride decreased on the LFD (mean (95% CI): change −2.13% (−3.74%, −0.52%)), but did not change on the HFD and there was no significant difference between the LFD and HFD. Intra-abdominal fat did not change significantly on either diet, but subcutaneous abdominal fat increased on the HFD. There were no significant changes in fasting metabolic markers, inflammatory markers and urinary F2-α isoprostanes. We conclude that in otherwise healthy overweight/obese adults under weight-neutral conditions, a diet low in fat and saturated fat has modest effects to decrease liver fat and may be beneficial. On the other hand, a diet very high in fat and saturated fat had no effect on hepatic triglyceride or markers of metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.
Dating climatic episodes of the Holocene

Abstract Monitoring evidence indicates that the Holocene embraced a sequence of rather discrete climatic episodes. The transitions between these environmental episodes apparently were abrupt and globally synchronous. This paper reports on statistical analyses of radiocarbon dates associated with environmental change and cultural change. Over 800 14C dates associated with pollen maxima and minima, sea level maxima and minima, and top and bottom surfaces of peat beds were simultaneously analyzed to identify times of globally synchronous environmental discontinuities. Some 3700 14C dates associated with 155 cultural continua of the world were collectively analyzed to identify worldwide synchroneities in appearance and termination of the cultures. Significant globally synchronous discontinuities were identified in each independent analysis. The dates of environmental and cultural discontinuities are rather similar, particularly during the recent half of the Holocene. The fact that the cultural discontinuities mostly follow rather closely those of the paleobotanical record suggests that there has been a distinct climatic impact on the cultural history of man.
Distinguishing Features of Cancer Patients Who Smoke: Pain, Symptom Burden, and Risk for Opioid Misuse

Abstract Although many cancer patients who have pain are smokers, the extent of their symptom burden and risk for opioid misuse are not well understood. In this study we analyzed records of patients being treated for cancer pain, 94 of whom were smokers and 392 of whom were nonsmokers, to determine smoking status group differences. Smokers had significantly higher pain intensity, fatigue, depression, and anxiety than nonsmokers (independent samples t-tests P P ≤ .002). Changes in pain and opioid use were examined in a subset of patients (146 nonsmokers and 46 smokers) who were receiving opioid therapy on at least 2 of the 3 data time points (consult, follow-up 1 month after consult, follow-up 6 to 9 months after consult). Results based on multilevel linear modeling showed that over a period of approximately 6 months, smokers continued to report significantly higher pain than nonsmokers. Both smokers and nonsmokers reported a significant decline in pain across the 6-month period; the rate of decline did not differ across smokers and nonsmokers. No significant difference over time was found in opioid use between smokers and nonsmokers. These findings will guide subsequent studies and inform clinical practice, particularly the relevancy of smoking cessation. Perspective This article describes pain, symptom burden, and risk for opioid misuse among cancer patients with pain across smoking status. Smoking appears to be a potential mechanism for having an increased pain and symptom burden and risk for opioid misuse. This improved understanding of cancer pain will inform clinical practice.
Bidirectional Transfer Between Electrical and Flurothyl kindling in Mice: Evidence for Common Processes in Epileptogenesis

Summary: Purpose: This study sought to determine whether there was a transfer of seizure susceptibility between two models of epileptogenesis, electrical kindling and a newly described model of flurothyl kindling. In this study, we determined the effects of preexposure to one kindling agent on the seizure responsiveness to the other. Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: (a) six mice (FLK) were kindled with flurothyl, rechallenged with flurothyl after a 28-day incubation phase, implanted with olfactory bulb (OB) electrodes, and electrically kindled; (b) six mice (ELK) were implanted with OB electrodes, electrically kindled to six stage 5 seizures, and given one flurothyl trial 3 days later and a second flurothyl trial after a 28-day incubation period; and (c) six mice (IMP) were implanted with OB electrodes, tested with flurothyl at the same times as the ELK group, and later electrically kindled. Results: Mice that were previously kindled with flurothyl (FLK) had significantly faster electrical kindling rates to one stage 5 seizure or to six stage 5 seizures compared with animals in the ELK and IMP groups. Mice that were previously exposed to either electrical kindling or flurothyl kindling had significantly diminished latencies to generalized seizure onset (flurothyl-induced seizure thresholds) either before or after a 28-day incubation period compared with the IMP control mice. In addition, both the FLK and ELK groups had significantly increased percentages of mice expressing forebrain—brainstem seizures, compared with the IMP group, following either rechallenge with flurothyl after a 28-day incubation or focal electrical kindling. Conclusions: These findings indicate a near-complete bidirectional transfer between these electrical and flurothyl kindling models. Mice that were previously exposed to either electrical or flurothyl kindling have increased seizure susceptibilities and altered seizure phenotypes when exposed to the other seizure paradigm. Overall, these studies indicate that previous seizures are the critical determinant of the bidirectional transfer of seizure susceptibility observed, and not the electrical or pharmacologic properties of the original kindling agent. Finally, the observation of near identity in transfer characteristics between electrical and flurothyl kindling models suggests that the proepileptogenic processes initiated by exposure to either model are similar.
Toward relaxing assumptions in languages and the1r implementations

It is pointed out that language implementors frequently make preemptive decisions concerning the exact implementations of language features. These decisions constrain programmers' control over their computations and may tempt them to write involuted code to obtain special (or efficient) effects. In many cases, one can distinguish some properties of a language facility that are essential to the semantics and other properties that are incidental. Recent abstraction techniques emphasize dealing with such distinctions by separating the properties that are necessary to preserve the semantics from the details for which some decision must be made but many choices are adequate. It is suggested that these abstraction techniques can be applied to the problem of preemptive language decisions by specifying the essential properties of language facilities in a skeleton-base language and defining interfaces that will accept a variety of implementations that differ in other details. >
Reconstruction of optical properties using a diffusion model for interstitial diffuse optical tomography

An interstitial diffuse optical tomography (iDOT) system with multiple light diffusers and isotropic detectors has been developed to characterize the optical properties of prostate gland during photodynamic therapy (PDT). During the data acquisition, linear or point sources and detectors are inserted into the prostate gland, sequentially, and controlled by a motorized system. For our continuous-wave (CW) iDOT system, CW measurements of optical signal are made, and the spatial distributions of light fluence rate can be described by the CW diffusion equation. Optical properties (absorption and reduced scattering coefficients) of the prostate gland are reconstructed by solving the inverse problem with the use of an adjoint model based on the CW diffusion equation. To exam our methodology, two and three dimensional mathematical prostate phantoms including anomalies with known optical properties is prepared and we compare the absorption and reduced scattering images reconstructed for the phantom with the known results. In the end, we discuss the issue of reconstruction of optical properties using human patient data.
KALE GREENS QUALITY, VITAMIN RETENTION AND NITRATE CONTENT AS AFFECTED BY PREPARATION, PROCESSING, AND STORAGE

The influence of blanching method, detergent, wash water volumes, hydrocooling and storage of the canned product on quality and retention of nutrients and nitrates in kale greens was evaluated. The greens blanched in steam retained more ascorbic acid, riboflavin and nitrates, and darker liquor in the canned product. Dipping the raw product in detergent before washing resulted in lower nitrates and higher riboflavin. Low volume sprays resulted in less physical breakage and better retention of carotene, nitrates, color, and texture. Hydrocooling after blanching leached out more ascorbic acid, riboflavin, nitrates, and color. The changes in quality and nutrients during processing and storage were affected by processing variables and significant interactions between variables.
Whose Devil? Which Details?*

Batterman has recently argued that fundamental theories are typically explanatorily inadequate, in that there exist physical phenomena whose explanation requires that the conceptual apparatus of a fundamental theory be supplemented by that of a less fundamental theory. This paper is an extended critical commentary on that argument: situating its importance, describing its structure, and developing a line of objection to it. The objection is that in the examples Batterman considers, the mathematics of the less fundamental theory is definable in terms of the mathematics of the fundamental theory and that only the latter need be given a physical interpretation---so we can view the desired explanation as drawing only upon resources internal to the more fundamental physical theory. (The paper also includes an appendix surveying some recent results on quantum chaos.)
Enhancement of Serum and Mucosal Immune Responses to a Haemophilus influenzae Type B Vaccine by Intranasal Delivery

Intranasal (i.n.) vaccination is potentially the most direct method for conveying upper respiratory and mucosal immunity to respiratory pathogens. However, for unclear reasons, vaccines introduced into the nasal sinuses often have lower efficacy than vaccines administered by the more frequently used parenteral routes. We examined i.n. vaccination in a mouse immune-response model with a commonly used Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hibv) composed of the polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) capsule antigen conjugated to tetanus toxoid. Intranasal vaccination with Hibv using a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist as an adjuvant significantly increased the levels of IgA specific for the PRP capsule antigen in blood serum, saliva, and mucosal secretion specimens. In contrast, control mice vaccinated transdermally (t.d.) with Hibv did not produce significant levels of PRP-specific IgA in the blood serum and saliva, and anti-PRP IgG was increased only in serum. The i.n. and t.d. vaccinations resulted in equivalent bactericidal antibody responses in blood serum, suggesting that vaccine-derived IgG is protective against infection. Elevated levels of IgG specific for the tetanus toxoid carrier protein were measured in nasal sinuses and vaginal secretions in mice vaccinated by either the t.d. or i.n. route. Tissue culture studies confirmed that the nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) was at least one of the sources of PRP-specific IgA and carrier-specific IgG within the nasal sinuses. We conclude that i.n. vaccination aided by a TLR4 agonist results in robust immune responses to both the carrier protein and bacterial polysaccharide components of the Hibv.
The Dynamics of Campaign Fundraising in House Elections

Examination of disaggregated Federal Election Commission fundraising data for 1985-1986 House candidates illustrates the tremendous financial advantage incumbents enjoy over challengers. Incumbents raise more money than challengers in every single period of the election cycle, particularly in the decisive time just before the election. Incumbents are also able to react quickly to well-financed opposition. Challengers, on the other hand, must raise money early to experience fundraising success later on, and they are unable to respond to incumbent fundraising by raising more money themselves. Our intraelection analysis, in sum, confirms many of the inferences other researchers have drawn from cross-sectional data.
A Numerical Study of Cirrus Clouds. Part I: Model Description

Abstract This article, the first of a two-part series, presents a detailed description of a two-dimensional numerical cloud model directed toward elucidating the physical processes governing the evolution of cirrus clouds. The two primary scientific purposes of this work are (a) to determine the evolution and maintenance mechanisms of cirrus clouds and try to explain why some cirrus can persist for a long time; and (b) to investigate the influence of certain physical factors such as radiation, ice crystal habit, latent heat, ventilation effects, and aggregation mechanisms on the evolution of cirrus. The second part will discuss sets of model experiments that were run to address objectives (a) and (b), respectively. As set forth in this paper, the aforementioned two-dimensional numerical model, which comprises the research tool for this study, is organized into three modules that embody dynamics, microphysics, and radiation. The dynamic module develops a set of equations to describe shallow moist convectio...
Interaction of the pelle kinase with the membrane-associated protein tube is required for transduction of the dorsoventral signal in Drosophila embryos

Within the Drosophila embryo, tube and the protein kinase pelle transduce an intracellular signal generated by the transmembrane receptor Toll. This signal directs import of the rel-related protein dorsal into ventral and ventrolateral nuclei, thereby establishing dorsoventral polarity. We show by immunolocalization that tube protein associates with the plasma membrane during interphase. We also find that tube sequences required for signaling interact with pelle in a yeast two-hybrid assay. We demonstrate that fusion of the pelle catalytic domain to the transmembrane receptor torso is sufficient to induce ventral fates; this activity is independent of Toll or tube. Lastly, we find that fusion of the tube protein to torso also induces ventral fates, but only in the presence of functional pelle. We propose a model wherein tube activates pelle by recruiting it to the plasma membrane, thereby propagating the axis-determining signal.