cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute dasatinib exposure commits Bcr-Abl-dependent cells to apoptosis

Pioneering work with the Bcr-Abl inhibitor, imatinib, demonstrated a requirement for constant Bcr-Abl inhibition to achieve maximal therapeutic benefit in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), establishing a paradigm that has guided further drug development for this disease. Surprisingly, the second-generation BcrAbl inhibitor, dasatinib, was reported to be clinically effective with once-daily dosing, despite a short (3- to 5-hour) plasma half-life. Consistent with this observation, dasatinib treatment of progenitor cells from chronic-phase CML patients for 4 hours, followed by washout, or continuously for 72 hours both resulted in an induction of apoptosis and a reduction in the number of clonogenic cells. Such acute treatments with clinically achievable dasatinib concentrations also irreversibly committed Bcr-Abl CML cell lines to apoptotic cell death. Potent transient Bcr-Abl inhibition using the alternative inhibitor, nilotinib, also resulted in cell death. These findings demonstrate that in vitro assays designed to model in vivo pharmacokinetics can predict clinical efficacy. Furthermore, they challenge the widely held notion that continuous target inhibition is required for optimal efficacy of kinase inhibitors. (Blood. 2009; 114:3459-3463)
Selective flocculation of fine coal with hydrophobic Mycobacterium phlei

The bacterium Mycobacterium phlei is highly hydrophobic and negatively charged. It has specificity for selective adhesion to fine coal particles, mainly due to hydrophobic interaction. However, it does not attach to pyrite and ash-forming minerals present in the coal matrix. Results have shown that this bacterium is an excellent flocculant for fine coal. Not only are the coal particles visibly aggregated, but the optical micrograph has shown that the coal particles are held in the aggregate by adhesion and bacterial bridging. With Mycobacterium phlei, the flocculation characteristic of coal is markedly different from that usually observed with synthetic polymeric flocculants. In particular, the entwining characteristics of the long chain molecules of synthetic flocculants are absent in the case of Mycobacterium phlei. Since the hydrophobic interactions between the adhering particles are of greater importance in the formation of particle aggregation, the flocculation process is very selective.
Loss of BRCA1 in the Cells of Origin of Ovarian Cancer Induces Glycolysis: A Window of Opportunity for Ovarian Cancer Chemoprevention.

Mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) are associated with an increased risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. However, beyond the role of BRCA1 in DNA repair, little is known about other mechanisms by which BRCA1 impairment promotes carcinogenesis. Given that altered metabolism is now recognized as important in the initiation and progression of cancer, we asked whether loss of BRCA1 changes metabolism in the cells of origin of ovarian cancer. The findings show that silencing BRCA1 in ovarian surface epithelial and fallopian tube cells increased glycolysis. Furthermore, when these cells were transfected with plasmids carrying deleterious BRCA1 mutations (5382insC or the P1749R), there was an increase in hexokinase-2 (HK2), a key glycolytic enzyme. This effect was mediated by MYC and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). To target the metabolic phenotype induced by loss of BRCA1, a drug repurposing approach was used and aspirin was identified as an agent that counteracted the increase in HK2 and the increase in glycolysis induced by BRCA1 impairment. Evidence from this study indicates that the tumor suppressor functions of BRCA1 extend beyond DNA repair to include metabolic endpoints and identifies aspirin as an ovarian cancer chemopreventive agent capable of reversing the metabolic derangements caused by loss of BRCA1.
Materials for Fusion Energy

Materials research and development specifically for potential application in fusion energy development had its origin in the early 1970s, following the impetus of the 1973 report to the President on “The Nation's Energy Future” by Dixie Lee Ray then chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The first scientific conferences on fusion materials took place in the summer and the fall of 1975 at Argonne National Laboratory and at Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Argonne's international conference set a direction for the use and development of irradiation testing facilities for fusion materials which continues today.In his keynote to the Gatlinburg meeting on “Radiation Damage and Tritium in Fusion Materials,” E.E. Kintner, then deputy director of the U.S. magnetic fusion program, spoke directly to the hearts of the materials community:“Materials is the Queen Technology of any advanced technical system. The economics eventually depend upon the materials, the reliability depends upon the materials, and the safety depends upon the materials. I assure you that before we are through with fusion, the physicists will give way to the materials engineers as being the leading lights of fusion.”Kintner spoke from his experience in naval and civilian nuclear power systems, with reference to the special threats of the fusion reactor environment to the integrity of materials, and from practical engineering issues in a broad sense.
ENDOTHELIAL CELLS IN HEMOSTASIS, THROMBOSIS, AND INFLAMMATION

Once regarded as an inert lining, the vascular endothelium is now known to synthesize a variety of molecules that can protect against or promote disease. These important agents include prostacyclin, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activators, and ecto-enzymes. Our growing understanding of their protective and pathologic roles has already provided new therapeutic strategies.
Changes in the structure of birnessite during siderophore-promoted dissolution: A time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction study

Abstract We used time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction to follow the complete dissolution of synthetic triclinic Na-birnessite as promoted by the trihydroxamate siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB). Many microorganisms employ siderophores to increase the availability of Fe, Mn, and other trace metals for metabolic processes. Our primary goal was to quantify the DFOB-assisted dissolution rate by direct, continuous observation of the solid phase. Our kinetic model indicates that the rate of dissolution is dependent on [DFOB] but not pH, and has a reaction order of 0.505 with a rate constant of 0.112 wt%birn min− 1. The unit-cell dimensions of birnessite remained virtually constant within error throughout the dissolution process, showing only a 0.3% contraction along the c-axis. Despite the small changes in unit-cell volume, Rietveld analysis revealed that the occupancy of Mn within the octahedral sheets decreased from 100% to ~ 80%, presumably as the result of complexation of structural Mn3 + with DFOB followed by extraction of Mn3 + from the crystal structure. These observations suggest a critical lacunarity of ~ 20 mol% Mn for triclinic Na-birnessite, below which the structure is destabilized. Moreover, this study reveals that DFOB-promoted dissolution must operate by a different mechanism from that engaged when bacterial membrane fractions directly transfer electrons to birnessite crystals. We propose that crystal structure analysis of minerals undergoing dissimilatory metal reduction can elucidate metabolic pathways employed by microorganisms.
Societal Identification of Facial Paralysis and Paralysis Location.

ImportanceWhen able to identify facial paralysis, members of society regard individuals with facial paralysis differently. They perceive a decrease in attractiveness, more negative affect, and lowe...
Planning and goal interaction: the use of past solutions in present situations

This paper presents WOK, a cased-based planner that makes use of memory structures based on goal interactions. WOK generates original plans, (which take the form of recipes), in the domain of Szechuan cooking, by modifying existing plans that are stored and then retrieved on the basis of the goal interactions that they deal with. The paper suggests an organization and indexing strategy that allows the retrieval and use of plans that overarch sets of goals rather than just individual goal situations. It also demonstrates how episodic knowledge can be used to guide planning and avoid past failures.
Intracellular Calcium as a Second Messenger

Intracellular calcium serves as a second messenger for the control of a variety of cell functions, including secretion, contraction, phototransduction, cell division and differentiation, and potassium and sodium permeability. Since many aspects of calcium metabolism are strikingly similar in very diverse cell types, we will focus on certain general features of calcium metabolism that are applicable to a large variety of cells. Our objective is to gain some understanding of why calcium is such a good second messenger.
A Method for the Formation of Candida Biofilms in 96 Well Microtiter Plates and Its Application to Antifungal Susceptibility Testing

Fungal infections are an increasing threat to an expanding population of immunocompromised patients. Of these, candidiasis remains the most common, now representing the third to fourth most prevalent infection in US hospitals. Candida albicans remains the major causative agent of candidiasis. Most manifestations of candidiasis are associated with biofilm formation on either host tissues or implanted biomaterials (i.e., catheters), which carries important negative consequences, as cells within biofilms show dramatically increased levels of antifungal drug resistance and protection from host defenses. Here we describe a rapid and robust model for the formation of C. albicans biofilms in vitro using 96 well microtiter plates, which can also be easily adapted for antifungal susceptibility testing. The read-out is colorimetric, based on the reduction of a tetrazolium salt (XTT) by metabolically active cells. This method simplifies biofilm formation, democratizes biofilm research, and provides a framework for the standardization of antifungal susceptibility testing of fungal biofilms.
Fertility after transsphenoidal surgery in patients with prolactinomas: A meta-analysis.

Pituitary prolactinomas in women often lead to amenorrhea, galactorrhea, or infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) in restoring fertility in women with proloactinomas. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines through 6/13/2017. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were utilized to select studies reporting on patients with pituitary prolactinomas removed via TSS. Outcomes extracted included pre- and post-operative rates of menses, lactation, and fertility. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using random-effects. After removal of duplicates, 900 articles remained, of which 14 were meta-analyzed. The mean difference between pre- and post-operative prolactin level was 186.9 (95% CI = 133.7, 240.1; I2 = 69.9%; P-heterogeneity 0.05). No evidence of publication bias was seen using Begg's and Egger's tests (all P > 0.05). Transsphenoidal surgery appeared to improve fertility measures in women with pituitary prolactinomas.
Stomas for Large and Small Bowel

The creation of an intestinal stoma is an operation frequently performed in pediatric surgery, especially for cases of anorectal malformations or necrotizing enterocolitis, and occasionally for Hirschsprung’s disease. Its purpose is to divert the fecal stream, for various reasons. The diversion can be total (separated stomas) or partial (loop colostomies).
Lack of skeletal muscle liver kinase B1 alters gene expression, mitochondrial content, inflammation and oxidative stress without affecting high-fat diet-induced obesity or insulin resistance.

Abstract Ad libitum high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity and skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) regulates skeletal muscle metabolism by controlling the AMP-activated protein kinase family, but its importance in regulating muscle gene expression and glucose tolerance in obese mice has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine how the lack of LKB1 in skeletal muscle (KO) affects gene expression and glucose tolerance in HFD-fed, obese mice. KO and littermate control wild-type (WT) mice were fed a standard diet or HFD for 14 weeks. RNA sequencing, and subsequent analysis were performed to assess mitochondrial content and respiration, inflammatory status, glucose and insulin tolerance, and muscle anabolic signaling. KO did not affect body weight gain on HFD, but heavily impacted mitochondria-, oxidative stress-, and inflammation-related gene expression. Accordingly, mitochondrial protein content and respiration were suppressed while inflammatory signaling and markers of oxidative stress were elevated in obese KO muscles. KO did not affect glucose or insulin tolerance. However, fasting serum insulin and skeletal muscle insulin signaling were higher in the KO mice. Furthermore, decreased muscle fiber size in skmLKB1-KO mice was associated with increased general protein ubiquitination and increased expression of several ubiquitin ligases, but not muscle ring finger 1 or atrogin-1. Taken together, these data suggest that the lack of LKB1 in skeletal muscle does not exacerbate obesity or insulin resistance in mice on a HFD, despite impaired mitochondrial content and function and elevated inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress.
Mutation effects on charge transport through the p58c iron–sulfur protein

Growing experimental evidence indicates that iron–sulfur proteins play key roles in DNA repair and replication. In particular, charge transport between [Fe4S4] clusters, mediated by proteins and DNA, may convey signals to coordinate enzyme action. Human primase is a well studied [Fe4S4] protein, and its p58c domain (which contains an [Fe4S4] cluster) plays a role in the initiation of DNA replication. The Y345C mutation in p58c is linked to gastric tumors and may influence the protein-mediated charge transport. The complexity of protein–DNA systems, and the intricate electronic structure of [Fe4S4] clusters, have impeded progress into understanding functional charge transport in these systems. In this study, we built force fields to describe the high potential [Fe4S4] cluster in both oxidation states. The parameterization is compatible with AMBER force fields and enabled well-balanced molecular dynamics simulations of the p58c–RNA/DNA complex relevant to the initiation of DNA replication. Using the molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann and surface area solvation method on the molecular dynamics trajectories, we find that the p58c mutation induces a modest change in the p58c–duplex binding free energy in agreement with recent experiments. Through kinetic modeling and analysis, we identify key features of the main charge transport pathways in p58c. In particular, we find that the Y345C mutation partially changes the composition and frequency of the most efficient (and potentially relevant to the biological function) charge transport pathways between the [Fe4S4] cluster and the duplex. Moreover, our approach sets the stage for a deeper understanding of functional charge transfer in [Fe4S4] protein–DNA complexes.
Simulation and Fabrication of Inkjet-Printed mm-Sized Capacitors for Wearable Temperature Sensing Applications

Wireless detection of temperature with passive components offers a wide variety of applications from healthcare monitoring to industrial. A passive resonant device with a temperature-sensitive dielectric layer has a specific resonant frequency. The dielectric permittivity of the layer changes with the changes in temperature. This dielectric shift causes a change in the capacitance, and therefore the resonant frequency. This frequency shift can be used to calculate the temperature of the ambient environment. A capacitor with a temperature-sensitive dielectric and an inductor in parallel are sufficient to form such a temperature sensor. This work explores the design, simulation, and fabrication of capacitors for resonant-based sensors. The designs include parallel-plate capacitors and interdigitated capacitors, both of which use 6 $\mu\mathbf{m}$ hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as the dielectric layer. The devices are first simulated and modeled in Ansys high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS). The S-parameters and Z-parameters are analyzed to calculate the capacitance. The designs are inkjet-printed with silver ink on silicon dioxide wafers. Inkjet-printing is a quick and cost-effective method for both prototyping and mass production of circuits. These capacitors are intended for later use in conjunction with inkjet-printed inductors for the development of resonant temperature sensors on polyimide.
Tensile properties of 3D-printed wood-filled PLA materials using poplar trees

Abstract Fabrication of renewable materials through additive manufacturing using wood-filled polylactic acid (PLA) is an emerging field of study. The variability in the tensile properties of 3D-printed materials due to the variability in woody biomass properties has not been studied. Biomass size reduction, filament extrusion, and 3D-printing methods were investigated to determine the conditions that resulted in consistent printing. Using 20% ball-milled poplar reinforcement in PLA, 210 °C filament extrusion temperature and 230 °C printing temperature were found to be the best conditions. Subsequently, seventy poplar samples from a common garden were used to test the tensile properties of the printed materials. The median tensile strength at yield was 50 MPa, with 5–95 percentiles ranged in 37–54 MPa. Strain% at break had a median value of 2.1%, and 5–95 percentiles were 1.7–2.7%. The median Young's modulus was 3.65 GPa, and 5–95 percentiles ranged in 2.9–4.1 GPa. Biomass density was correlated to composite density. Median particle size of ball-milled poplar was negatively correlated with tensile strength. Composite density affected tensile strength of the composite. β-glycosidic bond of polysaccharides in biomass affected Young's modulus of the composite. These data show that genotypic variation among Populus trichocarpa have substantial effect on tensile properties of 3D printed PLA-poplar materials.
Time-varying Media Coverage and Stock Returns

I show that news editors have state-dependent preference for different types of firms. Using the New York Times data and natural language processing techniques, I estimate the loadings of media coverage on eight common features of firms and construct the corresponding editor preference. I find that firms with higher editor preference earn higher returns than those with lower preference on average. It is consistent with the theory that if investors delegate their information selection to news editors, the state-dependent coverage decisions signal risky features and hence related firms are required more risk compensation. This excess return cannot be explained by mainstream risk factors and has an annualized alpha around 12%. Although this excess return is robust among more firms that are out of the scope of news data, it is bound to a short time horizon.
The Robotic Revolution: A Tax Policy Collision Course

Media projections depict that robotics, process automation, and artificial intelligence threaten human workforce sustainability. Two oft cited studies forecast that technological innovation could jeopardize more than one third of the U.S. workforce. Significant worker displacement would devastate federal funding that is heavily reliant on individual income tax revenue and payroll taxes. Concerns of mass joblessness have led Bill Gates and others to propose a robot tax, with some suggesting a complete reworking of the Internal Revenue Code to address looming predictions. While these ideas are critical to the robot immersion dialogue, they are largely premised on fear and the proposition that human labor should be protected. As history supports, automation has always threatened the human workforce, which has demonstrated a great propensity for adaptation. As resisting the tractor for fear of replacing farmers’ grit would have been senseless, it is now imprudent to tax innovation for fear of automation substitution. From its inception, the U.S. Constitution has protected innovation and intellectual property. Similarly, the Internal Revenue Code serves to incentivize research and development. Taxing robots would disrupt our nation’s deeply rooted tax policies. As a matter of astute policy, this Article advances that Congress should not impose a robot tax. This Article is the first to conduct a significant literature review of the current proposals to tax robots, ultimately taking a contrarian view. It examines mankind’s historical connection to labor amid fears of automation substitution and proposes that implementing fear based tax policy based on job displacement projections is unsound. In addition, this Article advances that “robot” cannot be defined for tax purposes because its characteristics are not clearly delineated. Finally, it concludes that the proper strategic course for U.S. tax policy is to encourage innovative robotics, rather than discourage it.
On the Coexistence of Disparate Spectrum Users: A Property Rights Mismatch Approach

We consider an approach based on property rights mismatch to analyze conflict over radio spectrum. A mismatch occurs when the bundle of property rights created to enable social coordination fails to achieve this objective, leading to missed opportunities for productive exchange. With radio spectrum, these conflicts often result from technological changes that increase prospects (and satisfy demand for) sharing spectrum. Our focus is on how property regimes contribute to conflict as a result of mismatch, as well as how they might be resolved, for two examples of spectrum: passive and active spectrum uses and mobile services on the unlicensed band.
Evolution of Microstructure and Surface Characteristics of FeCrAl alloys when Subjected to Flow Boiling Testing

ABSTRACT FeCrAl alloys are candidate materials for manufacturing accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding intended for light water reactors to increase fuel reliability and safety during design-basis and beyond-design-basis accident scenarios. The evolution of the materials' surface characteristics, microstructure, and mechanical properties when exposed to the Critical Heat Flux (CHF) in flow boiling testing is crucial for safety analysis while providing insights into their thermal-hydraulic performance in nuclear reactors. After CHF, the surface chemistry of two FeCrAl alloys, APMT and C26M, was studied to understand their evolution at the early stage of high-temperature excursions in short time periods. The results indicated a thin layer composed of oxides and hydroxides of Al, Cr, and Fe with varying proportions at different depths in the layer, as indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and depth profiling. The cross-sections prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) revealed the growth of an oxide layer, in the range of 90-180 nm thick, on the alloys' surfaces. The evolution of the materials' surface chemistry also led to a noticeable post CHF excursion increase in their wettability, with a slight increase in roughness. The investigation of the materials' mechanical properties indicated a modest increase in hardness by 10-15% as well as an increase in their yield strength, as evidenced by the microindentation and ring compression tests conducted before and after CHF testing. Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate microstructural features of the materials and their changes after CHF treatment.
Use of a Hand Sanitizing Wipe for Reducing Risk of Viral Illness in the Home

This study determined whether a hand sanitizing wipe can reduce virus transmission in households, and could reduce the probability of infection by rhinovirus and rotavirus. Bacteriophage MS-2 (a marker virus) was used to assess viral transmission in five households having at least two children of ages 2-18. Hands of one female adult were inoculated with ~10(8) PFU MS-2 bacteriophages in each home, and after 8 h, hands of all family members and select fomites were sampled to determine baseline contamination without intervention. This sequence was repeated with the intervention, where all family members were instructed to use a quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizing wipe at least once per day. A significant reduction of virus after the intervention occurred on inoculated hands (95.3%; p = 0.0039), all fomites combined (74.5%; p < 0.005), and non-inoculated hands and fomites combined (73.5%; p < 0.005). However, viral reduction on non-inoculated hands was not significant, likely due to small sample size. Using rhinovirus and rotavirus as models it was estimated that infection risk was reduced by ~30 to 89% with the use of sanitizing wipes once per day depending on the starting concentration of these viruses on hands of susceptible individuals. Therefore, using a hand sanitizing wipe can significantly reduce viral transmission and risk of illness in homes. Previous studies have shown other hand hygiene interventions, such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers, are even more effective for reducing risk of illness in homes; however the sanitizing wipe used in this study is appropriate to use for microbial reduction.
On Mandating Diagnostic Practices

As American society faces the perplexing task of harnessing medical knowledge for maximum benefit and minimum harm to person and purse, the temptation grows to take medical decision making out of the hands of the private sector and embed it within a structure of laws and rules. The large question of whether a pluralist health care system that encourages independent choices by individuals and agencies working within a competitive framework is superior to a corporate system based on central direction, comprehensive planning and regulation, and bureaucratic control is beyond the scope of this chapter. But I wish to comment upon one aspect of medical practice significantly harmed by efforts to take decisions away from individuals—the diagnosis of illness.
The Role of Language, Parents, and Peers in Ethnic Identity among Adolescents in Immigrant Families.

To construct a model of the influences on ethnic identity among adolescents in immigrant families, we surveyed adolescents and their parents from 81 Armenian families, 47 Vietnamese families, and 88 Mexican families. Adolescents completed measures of ethnic language proficiency, in-group peer social interaction, and ethnic identity. Parents completed a measure of support for cultural maintenance. Across all groups, ethnic language proficiency and in-group peer interaction predicted ethnic identity, and parental cultural maintenance predicted adolescent ethnic language proficiency. However, because of differences among the groups, a separate model was required for each ethnic group. The results suggest both common processes and group differences in the factors that influence ethnic identity.
A Computer Study of Adaptive Control Systems

This paper describes the results of a computer study of the adaptive control of a family of example systems by the model reference algorithm of [1], suitably modified to account for unmodelled dynamics and external disturbances.
Regulatory Restructuring and Incumbent Local Exchange Pricing: An Application of a Conditional (S,s) Model to Regulated Price Dynamics

While the Telecommunications Act of 1996 introduces competition into local telephone markets at a national level, prior to the Act many states had already restructured their regulatory methods. In particular, many states allowed for competition in both local service and "local long distance" markets prior to 1996. In addition to the expansion of competition, there has been an increased use of price regulation (price caps and price freezes), rather than traditional cost based regulatory methods in determining and updating rates for local exchange and local long distance toll services. Using a three-dimensional panel data set, I investigate whether price regulation and differences in entry conditions in local exchange and local long distance toll markets have had an impact on rate changes for residential local service, business local service, and local long distance toll service for the incumbent local exchange companies. In doing so, I estimate an empirical model that accounts for the stickiness of rates in regulated industries. The model, based on (S,s) models that have developed in a number of literatures, treats firms as maximizing expected profits in the price adjustment costs and regulatory uncertainty resulting from rate hearings, and regulators as controlling profits in the presence of adjustment costs. I find that competition has prompted a significant amount of rate rebalancing that has reduced the amount of cross-subsidization present in these markets. In addition, the findings suggest that price cap regulation leads to higher rates, relative to rate-of-return regulation.
Remote leak detection in the molecular flow regime with ion gauges internal to the vacuum system

Traditionally, leaks in vacuum systems have been located by attaching a gas-species-sensitive detector, usually a helium-sensitive mass spectrometer, and spraying small specific surface areas with a tracer gas. In cases where an internal remote manipulation system exists, such as for a high level of radioactivity or mechanical process manipulation, another method of leak detection suggests itself. A suitable internal remote manipulator can position an ion gauge so as to detect an increase in density due to the directed flux (i.e. wind) emanating from a leak. A simplified theoretical analysis and experimental results are presented. Results of measurements using a Seiko gauge are given, along with leak telescope results. Sensitivity, spatial resolution and scanning rates are presented. Since ion gauges generally operate at pressures in the molecular flow regime, an analysis is carried out to predict the signal expected as a function of leak size and distance. Two leak flux distributions are considered: uniform and cosine law. >
A study of hot plasma in contact with a cold wall

Abstract A study has been made of the energy transfer from a hot (T ≈ 5 × 10 6 K ) plasma containing a strong magnetic field brought into sudden contact with a cold wall. The rate of energy transfer has been measured and compared with theoretical predictions. Photographs obtained with a scanning electron microscope of wall surface damage are presented.
Passive millimeter wave imaging sensors for commercial markets

We describe the development of passive millimeter wave imaging sensors, operating at W band, that are currently being manufactured for commercial markets using standard automated assembly processes. A description of HRL Laboratories' millimeter wave imaging chipset is presented, focusing on parameters that limit sensor performance, such as detector 1/f noise, low noise amplifier noise figure, and gain drift. We conclude with a discussion of ongoing research and development in passive millimeter wave imaging and performance improvements that can be expected for future imaging sensors.
Rate of Information Transmission in Human Manual Control of an Unstable System

The complexity of human-machine interaction (HMI) is rapidly growing in modern industrial, medical, and military systems. Human operators are often challenged by control of high-order systems or unstable systems near the limits of controllability. However, there is no quantitative indication of human performance and cognitive workload in these difficult HMI tasks. Here, we characterize HMI as information flows measured in bits per second (b/s). We propose a control-theoretic framework to estimate the rate of information transmission in manual control. We demonstrate our method in an example of stabilizing an inverted pendulum, where we derive that, for a normal human operator, the information-transmission rate of manual control with one degree of freedom ranges between 3 and 4 b/s. This quantitative indication reveals the potential and limitation of human manual control and is instructive to the design of HMI interfaces that may maximally utilize human control commands.
Modeling multifactorial aspects of disease and drug therapy

Abstract A physiological flow model was developed for the elimination of Warfarin and Adriamycin in the rat. The model uses organ mass or volume, blood flow to the organ and tissue to plasma drug distribution ratios to compute unsteady state concentration profiles for each drug. The parameters in the model can be changed to match changes that could occur in liver disease, aging or the influence of coadministered drugs used for other therapeutic purposes. Elimination rates may be reduced by liver damage, reduced liver function, altered circulation rates or altered tissue binding resulting from disease or aging. Coadministered drugs could inhibit the elimination of the primary drug via competition for a common site, or could also diminish elimination by producing liver damage. Drug elimination could be enhanced by enzyme induction. These effects have been studied experimentally and simulated using computer programs.
Quercetin inhibits hexose transport in a human diploid fibroblast.

The flavonol quercetin, a phloretin analog, inhibits transport of 2-deoxyglucose and 3-O-methylglucose in a cultured human diploid fibroblast. This inhibition is related to transport itself and not to the reported effects of flavonoids on membrane-bound ATPases. From concentration-inhibition curves at several pH's we conclude that uncharged (acid) quercetin (pK=7.65) is the inhibitory form of the molecule (K I =10μm). Quercetin, unlike phloretin, is rapidly degraded in 0.1n NaOH; the degradation products are weakly inhibitory to hexose transport.
Materials science with SR using x-ray imaging spatial resolution/source size☆

Abstract Some examples of applications of synchrotron radiation to materials science demonstrate the importance of obtaining microstructure information within structural as well as functional materials in order to control their properties and quality as designed for industrial purposes. To collect such information, X-ray imaging in quasi real time (50–100 s time intervals) is required in either the microradiographic mode or the diffraction (in transmission) mode. New measurement technologies based on imaging are applied to polycrystalline materials, single crystal materials and multilayered device materials to illustrate what kind of synchrotron radiation facility is most desirable for materials science and engineering.
A Contingency Theory Approach to Market Orientation and Related Marketing Strategy Concepts: Does Fit Relate to Profit Performance?

With a focus on the financial services industry, the current study takes a contingency theory approach to the relationships between market orientation and a variety of marketing strategy concepts, including profitability, a firm’s Miles and Snow strategy type, market growth, service growth, service focus, market coverage, the Porter strategy group, and strategic marketing initiative. Data for the study were gathered from a survey of chief executives from credit unions in the U.S. The results of the study are mixed. In particular, the findings suggest that despite the perceptions of management, it is the less aggressive and less costly approaches to market orientation and marketing strategy that actually pay off in terms of objectively measured ROA. The pattern that emerges seems to suggest that if the goal is overall firm profitability as measured by ROA, then the recommendation may be to focus on more conservative strategies combined with lower levels of market orientation. Additionally, the total number of strategic alignments is also relevant to profit performance. It was shown that companies with a higher number of recommended “fits” between market orientation and their marketing strategies achieved a larger ROA.
Heat Transfer with the Helium II Superfluid Film

The use of liquid helium as a fluid for heat transfer has increased as a consequence of the reduction in cost of the liquid and the necessity for operating equipment such as superconducting magnets at temperatures less than 13°K. The heat transfer properties of liquid helium change drastically at temperatures less than the superfluid transition temperature, T λ = 2.172°K [1]. In addition to the increased heat transport in the bulk fluid for T < T λ , a thin adsorbed film of helium forms over all surfaces. Because of the high mobility in the film, its presence can represent a large heat leak into a system and can also provide cooling to a system.
The Series and Parallel Energy Storage System Based on Super Capacitors

The series and parallel energy storage system based on super capacitors can quickly adjust a wide range of active and reactive power in two directions, which is a new way to improve the stability and power quality of new energy power generation system. In this paper, double converters structure is used to achieve the series and parallel compensation effect and their control strategies according to Instantaneous Power Theory. It is simulated in PSCAD that series and parallel energy storage system of super capacitor contribute to the impact on wind turbines power as environment conditions change. Simulation results show that the energy storage system can greatly improve the stability and power quality of grid-connected wind turbines.
Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Aerosols and Trace Gases by Means of Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer. Part II: Climatological Applications

Abstract Measurements from ground-based sun photometer networks can be used both to provide ground-truth validation of satellite aerosol retrievals and to produce a land-based aerosol climatology that is complementary to satellite retrievals that are currently performed mostly over ocean. The multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) has become a popular network instrument in recent years. Several networks operate about a hundred instruments providing good geographical coverage of the United States. In addition, international use of the MFRSR has continued to increase, allowing MFRSR measurements to significantly contribute to aerosol climatologies. This study investigates the feasibility of creating a ground-based aerosol climatology using MFRSR measurements. Additionally, this analysis allows for testing of the performance of the retrieval algorithm under a variety of conditions. The retrieval algorithm is used for processing MFRSR data from clear and partially cloudy days to simultaneously ret...
Groundwater modeling applied to production well management in a contaminated aquifer

A study was conducted to evaluate production strategies for a well field system near a source of groundwater contamination. Numerical modeling of groundwater flow was employed to generate hydraulic head configurations for different production scenarios. For a given scenario, an evaluation of contamination susceptibility was made by comparing head distributions in two aquifer units to the positions of the contaminant source and discharging water supply wells. The results of this study suggest that groundwater flow modeling can be a useful technique for planning the production of water supply wells in aquifers at risk of contamination from anthropogenic pollution sources.
Effects of lactate/phosphate injection enhancement on oxidation stability and protein degradation in early postmortem beef cuts packaged in high oxygen modified atmosphere.

Abstract The influence of lactate/phosphate enhancement on meat color and lipid oxidation stability, tenderness, protein degradation, and protein aggregation of early postmortem beef muscles packaged in a high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (HiOx-MAP; 80% O2, 20% CO2) were studied. At 24 hr postmortem, three bovine muscles (longissimus, semimembranosus, and adductor; n = 10, respectively) were enhanced (10% injection rate) with either lactate (2.5%)/phosphate (0.3%) solution or water, packaged in HiOx-MAP, stored 9 days at 1 °C, and then displayed for 7 days at 1 °C. The lactate/phosphate injection significantly improved color stability (higher a* values) of all three bovine muscles throughout display period. Accumulation of lipid oxidation determined by 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values was also decreased (P
Fractal functions and their applications

This paper reviews how elements from the theory of fractal functions are employed to construct scaling vectors and multiwavelets. Emphasis is placed on the one-dimensional case, however extensions to IR{sup m} are indicated.
Concerted, highly asynchronous, enzyme-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition in the biosynthesis of spinosyn A; computational evidence.

A theoretical study has been carried out on model systems to study a recently reported, (Nature, 2011, 473, 109) biosynthetic, [4 + 2] cycloaddition catalyzed by a stand-alone enzyme (the cyclase SpnF). It was suggested in this paper that SpnF is the first known example of a Diels-Alderase (DA). In the present study, for a model system of the substrate a transition structure was found with density functional calculations (DFT). In addition, the intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations indicated that the transition structure is that of a concerted, but highly asynchronous, DA reaction. Based on the DFT and Moller-Plesset second order calculations the activation energy was estimated to be about 15 kcal mol(-1). The results of a natural population analysis indicated that there is significant charge transfer in the transition state, and it is proposed that possibly the enzyme plays a dual role of not only folding the substrate into the proper conformation for the DA reaction to occur, but also lowering its activation energy by stabilization of the highly polarized transition structure.
The second fatal impact: cigarette smoking, chronic disease, and the epidemiological transition in Oceania.

Abstract The island countries of Oceania are now experiencing the epidemiological transition which has shifted patterns of morbidity and mortality from primarily infectious to mainly noncommunicable diseases. Prominent among these are many ailments known to be linked to or caused by tobacco smoking-especially to smoking of flue-cured, commercially made cigarettes. Cigarette manufacture by major tobacco transnational corporations began in the Pacific during the mid-1950s and production has grown rapidly since then. Cigarettes have been marketed aggressively, with a result that they have increasingly replaced the smoking of home-grown and twist tobacco. The history of tobacco production and marketing is sketched, and the literature on chronic diseases related to smoking is summarized for the Pacific region. The rise of anti-smoking movements in Oceania is then discussed, with particular attention to the PNG case during the 1980s.
Globalization, plague and the local community : Healthcare capacity, politics, and the microbe war

Abstract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is the first major international epidemic of the twenty-first century. In a few short months it spread to every continent, infected 8,096 people, and claimed the lives of 774. It hit older persons particularly hard; it killed 50 percent of the infected of that age category. The rate of plague's spread from one country to another has greatly increased as the globalization of the world's economy has produced rapid daily transportation of people, products, plants, animals, and, of course, microbes. Each day cities are at risk for the invasion of deadly infectious diseases. While international expert agencies such as the World Health Organization stand by to help fight outbreaks, ultimately, plagues are fought in the local community. I discuss two theses: (1) To successfully contain and fight a major epidemic the capacity of the community's health care system must be enhanced by its functional linkages to external expert and bridging organizations and systems ...
Analysis of the 41k level structure from the 40Ar(3He, d)41K stripping reaction

An argon gas target was bombarded by a 10 MeV 3He beam, and the deuteron spectra measured at angles from 13° to 90°. The energy levels were investigated to an excitation of 6.57 MeV and the angular distributions were compared to DWBA predictions. Angular momentum assignments were made for the principal peaks and the corresponding spectroscopic factors were determined. The strength of the 1.31 MeV level is attributed to the T < configuration state in 41K.
Neutron polarization in polarized 3He targets.

Simple formulas for the neutron and proton polarizations in polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ targets are derived assuming (1) quasielastic final states; (2) no final-state interactions; (3) no meson-exchange currents; (4) large momentum transfers; (5) factorizability of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ SU(4) response-function components. Numerical results from a wide variety of bound-state solutions of the Faddeev equations are presented. It is found that this simple model predicts the polarization of neutrons in a fully polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ target to be 87%, while protons should have a slight residual polarization of -2.7%. Numerical studies show that this model works very well for quasielastic electron scattering.
Application of conjugated heparin-albumin microparticles with laser-balloon angioplasty: a potential method for reducing adverse biologic reactivity after angioplasty

Laser-balloon angioplasty (LBA) may potentially be used for local application of pharmacologically active agents which will reduce thrombogenic and proliferative responses after the angioplasty. In this study, the feasibility of applying covalently conjugated heparin- albumin microparticles onto arterial luminal surface was demonstrated. The covalent linkages were formed by reaction with 1-ethyl-3-dimethyl-aminopropyl-carbodiimide (EDC), and the resultant conjugates were used for preparation of microparticles by employing standard emulsification and heat-crosslinking techniques. The heparin release rate from the microparticles was found to be dependent upon the degree of crosslinking. When a thin coagulum of a suspension of microparticles was formed with heat on a glass surface, the treated surface demonstrated resistance to clot formation in contact with non-anticoagulated blood. A suspension of the microparticles applied during laser-balloon angioplasty onto the luminal surface of dog carotid and femoral arteries showed persistence for up to one week without thrombus formation or occlusion of the vessel. Since the rate of biodegradation is primarily dictated by the extent of crosslinking, an optimal degree of thermal denaturation will permit longer persistence of the carrier while allowing adequate release of the entrapped pharmacologic agent. A variety of antithrombotic and antiinflammatory agents are being considered as candidate bioprotective materials for local application after angioplasty.
A differential inotropic responsiveness to isoprenaline and ouabain in dogs with heart failure

We have previously shown that volume overload heart failure is associated with a depressed inotropic response to isoprenaline, noradrenaline, glucagon, and calcium. In these present experiments, the inotropic response of the failing heart to ouabain was examined because ouabain has a mechanism of action that is different from these other agents. The studies were conducted in dogs with heart failure resulting from an aortocaval fistula. The principal finding was that during heart failure the inotropic response to isoprenaline was markedly depressed while the inotropic response to ouabain was unaltered. These findings, coupled with our previous observations, suggest that heart failure is not associated with some common defect in the excitation-contraction coupling mechanism that reduces the response to inotropic agents. Additionally, we made the first measurements of plasma noradrenaline levels in this model of heart failure and found them to be elevated four-fold.