cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer Coefficient in Helical Heat Exchangers under Turbulent Flow Conditions

This study involved the determination of convective heat transfer coefficient in both helical and straight tubular heat exchangers under turbulent flow conditions. The experiments were conducted in helical heat exchangers, with coils of two different curvature ratios (d/D = 0.114 and 0.078), and in straight tubular heat exchangers at various flow rates (1.89 x 10−4 6.31 x 10−4 m/s) and for different end-point temperatures (92 149 ◦C). The results show that the overall heat transfer coefficient (U) in the helical heat exchanger is much higher than that in straight tubular heat exchangers. In addition, U was found to be larger in the coil of larger curvature ratio (d/D = 0.114) than in the coil of smaller curvature ratio (d/D = 0.078). The inside (hi) and outside (ho) convective heat transfer coefficients were determined based on the overall heat transfer coefficient and a correlation to compute the inside convective heat transfer coefficient (hi) as a function of NRe, NPr, and d/D was developed.
Active refusal increases human immunodeficiency virus screening in an urban prenatal clinic system

Abstract Objective: To determine whether universal routine antenatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing with patient notification and active refusal (IOM, 1999) would increase HIV screening in our pregnant population. Methods: Since 1995, we have followed ACOG guidelines of universal pretest counseling and voluntary HIV screening of pregnant women. A prospective interventional study was begun August 1, 1999, and results are presented through February 29, 2000. The intervention group included all women receiving an initial antenatal visit in our eight maternity clinics. The primary intervention consisted of educating all maternity providers and requiring patients to actively refuse HIV testing. We also evaluated a more intensive intervention, consisting of the above plus chart reminders, periodic site visits by the investigators, and educational pamphlets at Central Health Clinic (CHC), a clinic with a historically low rate of screening. Controls included all women delivering in the year before the intervention. Results: The 2,105 cases and 4,088 historic controls were similar with respect to age, educational level, risk status, substance abuse, and history of sexually transmitted diseases. HIV testing increased from 74% in the preintervention group to 81% in the postintervention group (P Conclusion: A policy of active patient refusal is effective in increasing HIV screening among pregnant women in a large, urban obstetric clinic population.
Topic Avoidance and Negative Health Perceptions in the Distant Family Caregiving Context

This study examines topic avoidance motivations and frequency from a multiple goals perspective in relation to self-reported negative health perceptions in the distant family caregiving context. A sample of 130 self-identified distant family caregivers completed an online survey about their communication with their care recipient. Overall topic avoidance and the self-protection and partner unresponsiveness motivations were significant, positive predictors of distant family caregivers' self-reported negative health perceptions. The remaining topic avoidance motivations were not significant predictors. This study is one of the first known to examine communication in the distant family caregiving context, and it offers possibilities for future research on communication barriers and health issues that impact this growing population.
SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS : INFREQUENT MEDICAL ADVERSE EFFECTS

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have a very favorable safety profile. However, because of the wide use of this drug group, even low-frequency adverse effects become more prevalent. This article reviews 5 of these relatively infrequent adverse medical effects associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, extrapyramidal effects, bleeding complications, cardiac arrhythmias, and the serotonin syndrome.
Employer’s Use of Social Networking Sites: A Socially Irresponsible Practice

The Internet has drastically changed how people interact, communicate, conduct business, seek jobs, find partners, and shop. Millions of people are using social networking sites to connect with others, and employers are using these sites as a source of background information on job applicants. Employers report making decisions not to hire people based on the information posted on social networking sites. Few employers have policies in place to govern when and how these online character checks should be used and how to ensure that the information viewed is accurate. In this article, we explore how these inexpensive, informal online character checks are harmful to society. Guidance is provided to employers on when and how to use these sites in a socially responsible manner.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhancement of concanavalin-A induced bovine lymphocyte proliferation: Requirement of monocytes

Summary The effect of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 on Concanavalin-A (CODA) mediated bovine lymphocyte proliferation was dependent on the magnitude of the proliferative response. Lymphocytes from cows with high inherent proliferative responses (134,904 ± 15,488 cpm/well) were unaffected by 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ; whereas, lymphocytes from cows with low inherent proliferative responses (46,317 ± 6000 cpm/well) were stimulated 75% (P −10 M 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 . At low initial proliferation rates, seen with low density cultures enriched for lymphocytes, the effect of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 on proliferation changed from inhibition in the absence of added monocytes to stimulation at 18–23% monocyte addition. These results suggest that 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 possesses both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on ConA-induced proliferation that are monocyte dependent.
The wheat PKABA1-interacting factor TaABF1 mediates both abscisic acid-suppressed and abscisic acid-induced gene expression in bombarded aleurone cells

To investigate the crosstalk of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) signaling in wheat (Triticum aestivum), we have focused on the transcription factor TaABF1. TaABF1 (a member of the ABA response element binding factor family) physically interacts with PKABA1, a signaling component in the ABA-suppression of GA-induced gene expression in cereal grains. Constitutive expression of TaABF1 in aleurone cells of imbibing grains completely eliminated GA-induced expression from the Amy32b promoter. In addition to its effect on Amy32b, TaABF1 strongly stimulated expression from the ABA-inducible HVA1 and HVA22 promoters. Overexpression of TaABF1 fully substituted for exogenous ABA in the induction of these two promoters. The introduction of a construct directing RNA inhibition (RNAi) of TaABF1 did not prevent either ABA-mediated or PKABA1-mediated suppression of Amy32b expression. Similarly, the RNAi construct did not prevent ABA-induction of HVA1. These results suggest that another protein may act redundantly with TaABF1 during cereal imbibition. Although TaABF1 mRNA was downregulated during imbibition of afterripened grains, transcript levels were not significantly altered by exogenous GA or ABA, suggesting that upregulation of TaABF1 at the mRNA level is not required for its role in ABA signaling. We propose a model in which TaABF1 is involved in two separate branches of ABA signaling. In this model, TaABF1 acts downstream of PKABA1 in ABA-suppression of GA-induced gene expression, and participates (independently of PKABA1) in the stimulation of ABA-induced genes.
Constant region IgG allotypes in cottontail rabbits: Group E allelic polymorphism☆

Abstract Alloantisera prepared against domestic rabbit IgG allotypes were used in hemagglutination-inhibition and direct radioimmune binding tests to detect the Cγ region allotypes in cottontail rabbits. The absence of the group d allotypes (d11 and d12) in cottontail rabbits was confirmed. However, allelic variants of the group e markers (e14 and e15) were found in some of the cottontail rabbits examined. For example, all cottontails exhibited the e15 marker and 6 out of 10 animals exhibited the e14 marker as well. Several experiments were conducted to show that the e14 and e15 antigens of domestic rabbit and cottontail IgG are identical. Other results are consistent with the hypothesis that the e14 and e15 antigens in cottontail rabbits are products of allelic genes.
The effects of social support on Hopkins Symptom Checklist-assessed depression and distress in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative gay men. A longitudinal study at six time points.

Questionnaire data were collected from a panel of 342 gay men at risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome enrolled in the Coping and Change Study between 1985 and 1987, and 1988 and 1990. Data were obtained across a period of 5 years in six serial wave pairs to determine the relationship of soci
How the doctor got gagged. The disintegrating right of privacy in the physician-patient relationship.

THE importance of unrestricted communication within the physician-patient relationship has long been recognized in American jurisprudence. In what appears to be a significant departure from established precedent, the Supreme Court recently upheld a US Department of Health and Human Services regulation prohibiting recipients of Title X familyplanning funds from discussing the option of abortion with their pregnant patients. 1 The decision in Rust v Sullivan raises a number of questions about the nature and scope of the legal right of privacy in the patient-physician relationship. Although the decision may reflect the controversies surrounding abortion, its implications for the physician-patient relationship extend into other arenas of medical care. Such a decision highlights the urgent need for patients, policymakers, and health care professionals to examine the proper role of governmental regulation of communication between patients and physicians. This article provides a brief sketch of governmental regulation affecting the physician-patient relationship and explores
Environmental Reporting: Problem Child of the Media

(1983). Environmental Reporting: Problem Child of the Media. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development: Vol. 25, 25th Anniversary Issue, pp. 24-29.
Anion—Cation Interactions in Molten Inorganic Nitrates: Vibrational Analysis

An assessment of the spectral data (solid state, solutions, and molten state) for LiNO3, NaNO3, KNO3, RbNO3, CsNO3, AgNO3, and TlNO3 reveals significant features not in harmony with the selection rules for NO3− ions of D3h point‐group symmetry. Correlations with lower symmetries show that the selection rules for the Point Groups C2v and Cs are adequate for the observed spectra. A ``contact'' ion‐pair model is advanced for nearest‐neighbor pairwise association in which the metal ion interacts with the oxygen at a unidentate site in the ion pair. Force constants are reported, calculated from a normal‐coordinate vibrational analysis for this model, and the Urey—Bradley force‐field assumptions. Metal‐ion—oxygen vibrational frequencies are predicted in the region of 100 to 350 cm−1; the magnitudes of the force constants for this mode imply definite ionic association interactions, in which the residence time is long compared to the time of a molecular vibration. The results are examined relative to spectroscopi...
Ethical challenges in corporate-shareholder and investor relations: Using the Value Exchange Model to analyze and respond

Shareholder and investor relations, and the closely related area of corporate governance have been the arenas of much dispute, much of which has not been confined to practical financial matters. Ethical challenges have come as well from persons and groups with widely differing value systems. This paper presents the Corporate Value Exchange Model (CVE) as a framework for analyzing the corporate-shareholder and corporate-investor relationships, and for formulating decisions that can respond ethically to these groups without subordinating the interests of other constituents.
Adaptive packet routing in a hypercube

All commercial hypercubes use fixed-path routing for packet switching. However, it has long been known that adaptive routing reduces packet delay by sending packets via less congested areas. Moreover, the hypercube topology contains many alternative, equal-length paths, suggesting the desirability of adaptive routing. Noting the importance of a communication system and the efficiency of adaptive routing, we investigate the effect of packet routing on communication latency and message throughput in a hypercube. As a feasibility study of adaptive routing, we selected four representative adaptive routing methods for testing on the Intel IPSC: NRCC routing, shortest queue, delta, and hybrid weighted routing. In NRCC routing, a single node, the network routing control center (NRCC), collects network status information and distributes routing tables to all other nodes. In contrast, shortest queue routing is fully distributed; each node selects the link with the shortest queue of outgoing messages that is the part of a shortest path to the destination node. Delta and hybrid weighted routing are hybrid schemes, combining centralized NRCC routing and distributed shortest queue routing. Extensive simulation studies and implementation confirm the superiority of adaptive routing to the fixed-path routing in commercial hypercubes. This result holds for a variety of traffic models, including high temporal locality and traffic surges.
Induction and stability of alcohol oxidase in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Alcohol oxidase biosynthesis was induced when Pichia pastoris was grown in a medium containing methanol as the sole carbon and energy source. Specific activity was highest during the logarithmic phase of growth (1.22 g acetaldehyde produced/g cell dry wt. per hour), and declined steadily thereafter. The addition of 0.1% (w/v) yeast extract to the methanol growth medium promoted higher biomass production, increased alcohol oxidase specific activity, and contributed to increased enzyme stability under use conditions. When P. pastoris was used for wholecell bioconversions, 30.2 g of ethanol were oxidized to 28 g acetaldehyde in 12 h, at a carbon recovery of 97%. Acetaldehyde concentrations in excess of 1 M were achieved when the concentration of the TRIS buffer, used to chemically trap the acetaldehyde, was increased to 1 M.
Numerical solution of the delay of a magnetoelastic wave

Numerical solutions for the delay of a zdirected magnetoelastic wave are compared with approximate solutions. It is found that the approximate solutions involve two errors that, in general, nearly cancel.
Decision emergence: Phases in group decision‐making

(1970). Decision emergence: Phases in group decision‐making. Speech Monographs: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 53-66.
Incremental formalization with the hyper-object substrate

Computers require formally represented information to perform computations that support users; yet users who have needed such support have often proved to be unable or unwilling to formalize it. To address this problem, this article introduces an approach called incremental formalization, in which, first, users express information informally and then the system aids them in formalizing it. Incremental formalization requires a system architecture the (1) integrates formal and informal representations and (2) supports progressive formalization of information. The system should have both tools to capture naturally available informal information and techniques to suggest possible formalizations of this information. The hyper-object substrate (HOS) was developed to satisfy these requirements. HOS has been applied to a number of problem domains, including network design, archeological site analysis, and neuroscience education. Users have been successful in adding informal information and then later formalizing it incrementally with the aid of the system. Our experience with HOS has reaffirmed the need for information spaces to evolve during use and has identified additional considerations in the design and instantiation of systems enabling and supporting incremental formalization
Comparison between modeling and experimental measurements of interfacial properties

Abstract This paper provides two examples of computer simulation of interfacial phenomena, performed for the purpose of aiding the progress of experimental studies. In both cases, the modeling was performed by Monte Carlo methods, in conjunction with semi-empirical density functional type potentials. In the first example, simulations of compositional surface phase transitions in Cu–Ag alloys were performed. These simulations were very useful in guiding experiments away from (1 0 0)- to (1 1 1)-oriented Cu–Ag single crystals, where the sought-after transitions were eventually observed. In the second example, modeling was used to obtain quick estimates of the absolute values of Pb/Al interfacial energies. When measurements were eventually performed, the computed values were found to overestimate the measured Pb/Al(1 1 1) interfacial energy by about a factor of 3. Beyond those two examples, what we have learned from our own efforts at modeling alloy surface and interface phenomena with semi-empirical density functional type potentials, is that this type of modeling rarely produces quantitatively reliable predictions of compositions or energies. Nevertheless, some of the qualitative features of the predictions can often provide valuable insights for planning or interpreting experiments.
Effect of anxiety reduction on children's school performance and social adjustment

This study tested the effect of reductions in children's anxiety over time on improvements in school performance and social functioning in the context of participation in a cognitive-behavioral intervention program. Participants included 40 children with high anxiety (6-13 years of age). Independent evaluators, children, and parents rated child anxiety; parents rated school performance; and children and parents rated social functioning. Measures were completed at preintervention, midintervention, and postintervention. Fixed-effects regression analyses and random-effects regression analyses indicated that decreased anxiety was predictive of improved school performance and social functioning over the course of the intervention. These findings suggest that changes in anxiety influence trajectories of children's scholastic and social functioning.
Modification of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides yields potent analogs with minimal toxicity for antisense experiments in the CNS

Abstract There is increasing evidence that phosphorothioate oligonucleotides infused into the brain can cause a host of undesired side effects which compromise the antisense experiment. In studies on the corticotropin releasing factor type-2 receptor, several phosphorothioate oligonucleotides administered intraventricularly produced significant weight loss in rats. Four different phosphodiester and phosphorothioate oligonucleotide analogs were examined to identify molecules which could eliminate these side effects while maintaining good potency for antisense inhibition. Of these, chimeric oligonucleotides consisting of a mixed phosphodiester–phosphorothioate backbone, and having 2′-methoxyribonucleotide modifications in 60% of the oligonucleotide were the most optimal. Rats treated with these chimeric oligonucleotides gained weight at rates identical to that of saline-treated controls. In addition, the antisense oligonucleotide but not the mismatch control sequence reduced corticotropin releasing factor type-2 receptor binding of 125 iodo-sauvagine in the lateral septum by 40–60% after 5 daily injections. Increasing the dosing period to 9 days reduced receptor binding by 78%. Reductions in protein binding were accompanied by comparable reductions in the in situ hybridization signal of the corticotropin releasing factor type-2 receptor mRNA. However, when an oligonucleotide analog incapable of supporting ribonuclease H activity was used, neither protein nor RNA binding levels were changed compared to saline-treated controls. These results suggest that ribonuclease H or enzymes with similar activity are critical to the antisense inhibition observed in the lateral septum.
Cleaning surfaces of sintered beryllium oxide

Abstract A practical procedure for preparing atomically clean, debris-free surfaces on sintered beryllium oxide specimens has been developed. Chemical, ion-sputter, and UV/ozone cleaning technique were examined in efforts to improve the surface cleanliness. Characterization of the surfaces were performed using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) to determine the level of cleanliness and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface microtopography. In addition, Rutherford backscattering (RBS) provided information on both bulk and surface contamination. The essence of the practical procedure consists of ultrasonic cleaning in dilute nitric acid followed by a UV/ozone exposure. Such treatments reduced the surface impurity levels for elements with Z > 4 to less than 1 at%. The described procedure should be directly applicable to other sintered oxide materials.
An Exploration of the Nightstand and Over-the-Bed Table in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital:

Objective:This study seeks to determine where patients in a rehabilitation hospital keep the greatest percentage of their belongings, that is, in/on the nightstand or on the over-the-bed table.Background:This study provides an inventory of patient items located on the over-the-bed table and in/on the nightstand. Understanding the functions of furnishings within the patient room is key for future preparation for designing a next-generation over-the-bed table or for redesigning a more useful nightstand.Methods:The contents on the top of the nightstand; the contents in the top, middle, and bottom drawers of the nightstand; items next to the nightstand; and the contents on the over-the-bed table within patient rooms were inventoried and placed into categories using similar, patient item categories as the Brooks et al. (2011) study, which examined the contents of the nightstand and the over-the-bed table in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.Results:Overall, patients in a rehabilitation hospital ha...
Infrared-microwave double-resonance probing of the population-depopulaton of rotational states in the NO2 molecule☆

Abstract A 10.6-μm CO2 laser operating over a power range 5 ≤ p ≤ 135 watts was used to pump some select vibrational transitions in the NO2 molecule while monitoring the rotational transitions (91,9 → 100,10), (232,22 → 242,23), and (402,38 → 393,37) in the (0, 0, 0) vibrational level and the (80,8 → 71,7) rotational transition in the (0, 1, 0) vibrational level. These rotational transitions were monitored by microwave probing to determine how the population of states in the rotational manifolds was being altered by the laser. Coincidences between some components of the ν3-ν2 band of NO2 and the CO2 infrared laser lines in the 10-μm region appeared to be responsible for the strong interaction between the continuous laser beams and the molecular states. Characteristic rate curves for population-depopulation changes in the chosen rotational levels listed above were found for various power levels from the laser pump. Rate coefficients for intensity decay for various laser powers were calculated from experimental data and are presented.
“Mixing Pop (Culture) and Politics”: Cultural Resistance, Culture Jamming, and Anti-Consumption Activism as Critical Public Pedagogy

AbstractCulture jamming, the act of resisting and re-creating commercial culture in order to transform society, is embraced by groups and individuals who seek to critique and (re)form how culture is created and enacted in our daily lives. In this article, we explore how two groups—Adbusters and Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping—use culture jamming as a means of resisting consumerism. We theorize how culture jamming as practiced operates as critical public pedagogy, through the ways in which it (1) fosters participatory, resistant cultural production; (2) engages learners corporeally; (3) creates a (poetic) community politic; and (4) opens transitional spaces through detournement (a “turning around”). We propose that when viewed as critical public pedagogy, culture jamming holds potential to connect learners with one another and to connect individual lives to social issues—both in and beyond the classroom. However, we also posit that culture jamming as critical public pedagogy is not a panacea...
Automating Software Testing Using Program Analysis

During the last 10 years, code inspection for standard programming errors has largely been automated with static code analysis. During the next 10 years, we expect to see similar progress in automating testing, and specifically test generation, thanks to advances in program analysis, efficient constraint solvers, and powerful computers. Three new tools from Microsoft combine techniques from static program analysis, dynamic analysis, model checking, and automated constraint solving while targeting different application domains.
Strain-induced partially flat band, helical snake states, and interface superconductivity in topological crystalline insulators

Topological crystalline insulators in IV–VI compounds host novel topological surface states consisting of multi-valley massless Dirac fermions at low energy. Here we show that strain generically acts as an effective gauge field on these Dirac fermions and creates pseudo-Landau orbitals without breaking time-reversal symmetry. We predict the realization of this phenomenon in IV–VI semiconductor heterostructures, due to a naturally occurring misfit dislocation array at the interface that produces a periodically varying strain field. Remarkably, the zero-energy Landau orbitals form a flat band in the vicinity of the Dirac point, and coexist with a network of snake states at higher energy. We propose that the high density of states of this flat band gives rise to interface superconductivity observed in IV–VI semiconductor multilayers at unusually high temperatures, with non-Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer behaviour. Our work demonstrates a new route to altering macroscopic electronic properties to achieve a partially flat band, and provides a starting point for realizing novel correlated states of matter. In topological crystalline insulators, crystal symmetries give rise to particular electronic structures. As now shown, strain further induces pseudo-Landau states in IV–VI heterostructures—a mechanism possibly responsible for the superconductivity observed in such systems.
Prechemistry nucleotide selection checkpoints in the reaction pathway of DNA polymerase I and roles of glu710 and tyr766.

The accuracy of high-fidelity DNA polymerases such as DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) is governed by conformational changes early in the reaction pathway that serve as fidelity checkpoints, identifying inappropriate template–nucleotide pairings. The fingers-closing transition (detected by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay) is the unique outcome of binding a correct incoming nucleotide, both complementary to the templating base and with a deoxyribose (rather than ribose) sugar structure. Complexes with mispaired dNTPs or complementary rNTPs are arrested at an earlier stage, corresponding to a partially closed fingers conformation, in which weak binding of DNA and nucleotide promote dissociation and resampling of the substrate pool. A 2-aminopurine fluorescence probe on the DNA template provides further information about the steps preceding fingers closing. A characteristic 2-aminopurine signal is observed on binding a complementary nucleotide, regardless of whether the sugar is deoxyribose or ribose. However, mispaired dNTPs show entirely different behavior. Thus, a fidelity checkpoint ahead of fingers closing is responsible for distinguishing complementary from noncomplementary nucleotides and routing them toward different outcomes. The E710A mutator polymerase has a defect in the early fidelity checkpoint such that some complementary dNTPs are treated as if they were mispaired. In the Y766A mutant, the early checkpoint functions normally, but some correctly paired dNTPs do not efficiently undergo fingers closing. Thus, both mutator alleles cause a blurring of the distinction between correct and incorrect base pairs and result in a larger fraction of errors passing through the prechemistry fidelity checkpoints.
Analysis and optimization of a multieffect multistage flash distillation system — part II. Optimization

Abstract A mathematical model of a multieffect, multistage flash distillation system which can be used in process optimization investigations has been developed in Part I of this work. In the present part, the model is used together with an economic model of the system to minimize the cost of water production. The heat input to the brine heater per unit of feed, the recycle flow rate in each effect, and the concentration and temperature of the flashing brine leaving each effect are chosen so that the water production cost is a minimum.
Interfacial polymerization within a simplified microfluidic device: capturing capsules.

A simple approach to a microfluidic device is described. The device is composed of flexible tubing and a needle inserted orthogonal to the long axis of the tubing. This design is well suited to creating oil−water interfaces allowing the formation of laminar flows and monodisperse emulsions. The system is characterized by mapping the phases observed as a function of organic phase flow and Reynolds number. In addition, the device allows interfacial polymerization reactions to capture low coefficient of variation capsules. The shell structure and surface are examined by scanning electron microscopy.
A role for neuropeptide Y in neurobiological responses to ethanol and drugs of abuse

In recent years, evidence has emerged suggesting that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is involved with neurobiological responses to ethanol and other drugs of abuse. Here, we provide an overview of physiological, pharmacological, and genetic research showing that: (A) administration of ethanol, as well as ethanol withdrawal, alter central NPY expression, (B) NPY modulates ethanol consumption under certain conditions, and (C) NPY signaling modulates the sedative effects of several drugs, including ethanol, sodium pentobarbital, and ketamine. Evidence suggesting possible mechanism(s) by which NPY signaling modulates ethanol consumption are considered. It is suggested that NPY may influence ethanol consumption by regulating basal levels of anxiety, by modulating the sedative effects of ethanol, and/or by modulating ethanol's rewarding properties.
Atmospheric particles and climate: can we evaluate the impact of man's activities?

The equilibrium temperature of the Earth is maintained by a balance between the unreflected part of the incoming solar energy, which is absorbed by the Earth-atmosphere system, and the outgoing long-wave radiation escaping from the Earth to space. It has long been suspected that suspended atmospheric particles (aerosols) might affect this balance, primarily by affecting the albedo or reflectivity of the Earth, thereby altering the amount of solar energy absorbed by the Earth. In light of some recent evidence suggesting the existence of an increase in atmospheric particle concentrations (presumably related to man's activities), the need for development of adequate numerical models to study this problem is apparent. Recent numerical models studying the effect of particles on climate are often based on multiple scattering radiative transfer calculations, and use global averages for particle concentrations and optical properties. By contrasting certain existing models, some major problems in modeling studies that attempt to answer the question of the effects of increased atmospheric particles on climate can be illustrated. It will also be apparent that another uncertainty in the results of such studies arises from a lack of adequate observed input data on the geographic and vertical distributions of particle concentrations and their optical properties. Furthermore, a model that could realistically simulate the impact of increasing atmospheric particle concentration on climate must eventually include the simultaneous coupled effects of all the important atmospheric processes, such as fluid motions and cloud microphysics, in addition to the radiative transfer effects. Current modeling studies already do predict that increases in particle concentrations could have a significant effect on climate. Now, it remains for us to develop the kinds of refined models needed to verify or deny these predictions.
Undergraduate cosmic ray muon decay experiments with computer interfacing

The physics departments of a consortium of higher education in Western Massachusetts, the Five Colleges Incorporated, are developing an advanced undergraduate laboratory course. The participating institutions are Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts. The course is designed to expose students to a variety of state-of-the-art equipment that would normally exceed reasonable financial commitments and faculty expertise of a single institution. The course is divided into experimental modules, one of which is the cosmic ray muon decay module developed at Smith College. The module is designed to investigate the dependence of the muon lifetime as a function of the medium in which it decays. Useful background information and a description of the module is given in this article.
Effects on meningeal tuberculosis of the local injection of foreign leucocytes

In a previous report,1 it was shown that the use of foreign leucocytes as a local therapeutic agent in experimental meningeal infections in dogs is limited by the toxicity of foreign leucocytes for these animals. Rabbit leucocytes injected into the meningeal cavities of dogs invariably cause death. A single injection of horse leucocytes, however, can be safely made in normal dogs, although on repeating the injection, or on injecting horse leucocytes for the first time into meninges already the seat of an inflammatory lesion, death results.The injection of horse leucocytes into the cerebral meninges of dogs, simultaneously with the inoculation of the meninges with tubercle bacilli, causes a slight delay in the development of the paralytic symptoms in about half of the treated animals. This delay, however, is very slight when compared with the great prolongation of the latent period previously observed,2 after treatment with homologous leucocytes.Tn the same report, it was shown that foreign leucocytes are ...
Experimental Evaluation of Fouling Processes in Porous Polyethylene Well Screens Used for Horizontal Wells

The hydraulic performance of porous polyethylene well screens was examined in laboratory columns to understand the processes that affect well performance in many field applications. Conditions studied included (1) well-screen pore size; (2) the presence of biodegradable drilling fluid, biological electron acceptors, and biofouling organisms; and (3) chlorine development. Custom-fabricated, segmentable acrylic columns (8.9 cm diameter. 64 cm length) were employed using a factorial design statistical approach to mimic a variety of representative field conditions experienced during field applications. After circular well-screen coupons (circular sections of the well screen cut to match the diameter of the columns) were cut and secured horizontally in the columns, sand media, and, in some cases, biodegradable drilling fluid were packed on top of the well screens. Those columns receiving chlorine development were allowed to sit overnight after a 1000 ppm chlorine solution was introduced beneath the well screen following upflow saturation. The columns were upflow saturated and then operated with simulated ground water in a down flow mode under constant hydraulic head for up to 75 days. Residual head with depth was measured and flux density values were recorded over time. Effluent samples were collected and analyzed for dissolved oxygen (D.O.), electrical conductance, pH, and total solids. After achieving pseudo-steady-state throughput condition as indicated by relatively constant effluent flux densities, the columns were dismantled and the well-screen coupons were examined under a scanning electron microscope to observe causes of any loss in flow observed. The hydraulic conductivities of the well screens were also measured before and after operation in the columns. Results show that these porous polyethylene well screens resist fouling due to microbial colonization or chemical precipitation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed little or no colonization of the surfaces by microbes or blockage of pores by particle entrapment. Hydraulic head measurements revealed that the cause of headloss in the columns was a result of processes that occurred in the overlying sand media and not within the well screens themselves.
Levy models and long correlations applied to the study of exchange traded funds

This work is devoted to the study of statistical properties of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). Some of the leading ETF in the market are analysed by using the Hurst and DFA methods to detect long range correlations, and the Levy models to describe the return distributions. It is concluded that the statistical behaviour of the ETF is very similar to the behaviour of the corresponding financial indices that they mimic.
Absence of rate-dependent BAEP P5 latency changes in patients with definite multiple sclerosis: possible physiological mechanisms.

Abstract Brain-stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) rate studies have been incorporated into evoked potential protocols in an attempt to identify demyelinating lesions. A group of 9 patients with clinically definite MS are described who showed abnormal BAEP P1–P5 interwave latencies at slow repetition rates and failed to demonstrate a significant enhancement of this abnormality following rapid click presentation rates. The lack of rate-dependent P5 latency changes has been hypothesized to represent a less severe form of axonal demyelination. Thus, it may be possible to subclassify or subgroup patients with evidence of brain-stem demyelination based on the presence or absence of BAEP rate-dependent abnormalities.
The inverse eigenvalue problem for a weighted helmholtz equation

Given the m lowest eigenvalues, we seek to recover an approximation to the density function ρ in the weighted Helmholtz equation -Δ=λρu on a rectangle with Dirchlet boundary conditions. The density ρ is assumed to be symmetric with respect to the midlines of the rectangle. Projection of the boundary value problem and the unknown density function onto appropriate vector spaces leads to a matrix inverse problem. Solutions of the matrix inverse problem exist provided that the reciprocals of the prescribed eigenvalues are close to the reciprocals of the simple eigenvalues of the base problem with ρ = 1. The matrix inverse problem is solved by a fixed—point iterative method and a density function ρ* is constructed which has the same m lowest eigenvalues as the unknown ρ. The algorithm can be modified when multiple base eigenvalues arise, although the success of the modification depends on the symmetry properties of the base eigenfunctions.
Is it a safe practice to administer oxygen during uncomplicated delivery: a randomized controlled trial?

Abstract Background Newborns exposed to oxygen suffer from an oxidative stress with significant alterations in the concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSSG). Objective To investigate the biological and clinical effects of oxygen administration to delivering mothers. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial on a cohort of delivering women (n = 56) with an uncomplicated term pregnancy. Women were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Oxygen group or Room Air group. The Oxygen group received 100% oxygen (2 l/min) via nasal cannula for at least 30 min before delivery. Subjects in the Room Air group were connected to a nasal cannula while on room air. Concentrations of SOD (μg/g of Hb) and GSSG (μM/ml) were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the two groups using the SAS system. Results Maternal SOD and GSSG did not differ between the two groups at baseline or after delivery. Concentrations of SOD and GSSG in umbilical cord blood did not differ between groups. More infants in Oxygen Group required delivery room resuscitation (20% vs. 0%, P = 0.03). This difference could not be explained by mode of delivery, infant sex, or other confounders. Conclusions Maternal exposure to oxygen during delivery is not associated with changes in umbilical cord SOD or GSSG. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms responsible for the need of resuscitation in the oxygen group.
Redistribution of cathepsin B activity from the endosomal-lysosomal pathway in chick intestine within 3 min of calcium absorption

Abstract Earlier work has suggested that calcium-containing lysosomes are involved in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 )-stimulated intestinal absorption of the divalent cation. In the present report immunofluorescent labelling studies on fixed frozen sections of chick intestine were undertaken to determine whether lysosomes could respond to calcium transport conditions in less than 5 min. Tissue prepared from vitamin D-deficient chicks dosed with vehicle or 1.3 nmol of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 15 h prior to use was immunofluorescently labelled for cathepsin B, a lysosomal protease. In the absence of calcium absorption, punctate staining was found in the region below the terminal web, and more diffusely in the cytoplasm. The intensity of staining was noticeably greater in sections from 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -treated than control chicks. In sections prepared after 3 min of calcium absorption, cathepsin B staining was localized near the basal and lateral membranes of the epithelial cells. After 30 min of transport, the protease was found in the villus core regardless of vitamin D status; however, immunoreactivity within the epithelial cells of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -treated chick intestine had returned to pretransport intensity, whereas that of controls had not. To further investigate the specificity of the cathepsin B antibody, the intracellular compartmentalization of the protease was determined by biochemical methods. Using dosing procedures and calcium transport times equivalent to those for the immunofluorescent studies mucosae were collected by scraping, homogenized, and subcellular fractions prepared by a combination of differential and Percoll gradient centrifugation. In the absence of calcium transport, cathepsin B-specific activity was enhanced in whole homogenates, endocytic vesicles, and a lysosomal fraction prepared from intestinal epithelium of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -treated chicks, relative to vitamin D-deficient controls. After 3 min of calcium absorption, a profound (~ 4-fold) decrease in endocytic vesicle cathepsin B activity was found regardless of vitamin D status, as well as a similar marked decrease in lysosomes prepared from vitamin D-deficient, but not -treated, chicks. After 30 min of calcium transport, endocytic vesicles prepared from either vitamin D-deficient or 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -treated birds had recovered cathepsin B activity to pretransport levels. However, lysosomes prepared from rachitic chicks remained low in protease levels relative to equivalent fractions from dosed chicks. Thus, biochemical analysis of cathepsin B activity in putative endocytic vesicles and lysosomes supports the intracellular redistribution of protease visualized with immunofluorescence microscopy.
A lower bound computation method for evaluation of statistical design techniques

Increase in variability in the nanometer era has contributed to pessimistic guardbands for conventional circuit design techniques that optimize at worst-case process corners. Smart deterministic approaches have been proposed that employ statistical timing analysis to reduce pessimism in the guardbands while retaining the deterministic nature of the algorithms. Other statistical optimization techniques focus on algorithms to maximize robustness of design while being aware of variability. It is not clear how much improvement can be gained using the latter set of approaches over more simple deterministic approaches. This work presents a new lower bound to evaluate these statistical optimization techniques, drawing inspiration from recent advances in sampling based SSTA. We prove that the presented lower bound gives the minimum possible area that can be achieved for a design while meeting a particular timing yield, which is the percentage of die that meeting a specified timing constraint. We then compare several statistical design optimization approaches, including one proposed in this paper called SLOP, against the computed lower bound. We show that even the simplest statistical optimization approaches produce area results which are, on average, within 9.6% of the lower bound while the best ones performed only marginally better, reaching within 3.7% of the bound. This demonstrates that the proposed bound is a close bound. In addition, it also shows that the existing optimization methods have nearly exhausted the obtainable improvement from being statistically aware and mostly provide trade-offs in runtime speed.
Synergism of herpes simplex virus and tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines in cell transformation

Previous studies indicate that herpes simplex virus (HSV) enhances the carcinogenic activity of smokeless tobacco and tobacco-related chemical carcinogens in animals. Since tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines (TSNAs) such as N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(N-methyl-N'-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) are major chemical carcinogens of smokeless tobacco and are known to be responsible for the development of oral cancers in smokeless tobacco users, the combined effects of TSNAs and HSV in cell transformation were investigated. Exposure of cells to NNN or NNK followed by virus infection resulted in a significant enhancement of transformation frequency when compared with that observed with chemical carcinogens or virus alone. This study suggests that TSNAs and HSV can interact together and show synergism in cell transformation.
Measurement of Military Combat Exposure Among Women: Analysis and Implications

Abstract Purpose To examine combat exposure measurement instruments utilized since the Vietnam War, determine how these instruments were developed and psychometrically tested, and if they are appropriate for use with women veterans exposed to combat. Methods A literature search for articles concerning combat exposure instruments, their development, and their psychometric properties in relation to women was conducted in several electronic databases. Limited MeSH subject headings required keyword searches with terms such as combat stress, war trauma, and deployment stressors. Instruments were selected for analysis based on their inclusion of combat and combat-related traumatic event measures. Results Eight instruments were retained for critical appraisal. The majority of instruments were developed and validated based on male veterans’ combat experiences from the Vietnam War through the Gulf War. Located instruments explained their methodological development and indicated the type of exposure being measured. Reliability measures for the majority were acceptable, and validity was established to varying degrees and with different methods. Limitations of all instruments included retrospective self-reporting, potential recall error, and the inability to validate individual exposure objectively. Conclusion Women veterans are substantially under-represented in the development and psychometric testing of combat exposure instruments, indicating a male gender bias in most combat measures. Only two instruments utilized women veterans in their validation samples, and six instruments used gender-neutral terminology. Instruments developed and validated with male veterans for specific military conflicts may not reflect the combat experiences of women.