cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-line coupling of supercritical CO2 extraction with reversed-phase liquid chromatography for the quantitative analysis of analytes in aqueous matrices.

Abstract The first report of on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with reversed-phase liquid chromatography for the quantitative analysis of analytes in aqueous matrices is described. Two commercial systems (e.g. SFE and HPLC) were connected via a single six-port injection valve. By using water to eliminate residual decompressed CO 2 gas in the solid-phase extraction trap, quantitative extraction and transfer were achieved for the target analytes (progesterone, phenanthrene, and pyrene) spiked in water, as well as in real samples (urine and environmental water). During each extraction, no restrictor plugging was realized. Extraction temperature and pressure were optimized. Different amounts of salt were added to the aqueous matrix to enhance ionic strength and thus extraction efficiency. Methanol and 2-propanol were used as CO 2 modifiers. Compared with dynamically mixing modifier with the CO 2 extraction fluid, pre-spiking the same amount of modifier in the extraction vessel enhanced the recovery ∼30% for progesterone, phenanthrene, and pyrene due to a “co-extraction effect”.
On the relationship between the Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of finite rigid plasticity

The motivation for the present paper is to clarify certain unresolved issues pertaining to the relation between the Lagrangian (or referential) and Eulerian (or spatial) strain-space formulations of finite plasticity. For conceptual simplicity, attention is confined to rigid-plastic materials. It is shown first that for constitutive equations in which the hardening parameter is a scalar, the Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions are equivalent; and that, additionally, the choice of objective stress rate is immaterial. In the light of these developments, the role of objective rates is further explored in connection with more general (“anisotropic”) hardening laws which contain a shift tensor. A form of the constitutive equation for the rate of the shift tensor is motivated in which the choice of objective rate is arbitrary. It is then demonstrated that the structure of the constitutive equations of the theory — in both the Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions — is form-invariant under arbitrary transformations of objective rate. The approach taken here contrasts with that adopted in a number of recent papers in which preference is given to one particular objective rate or another.
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

The relevant literature is reviewed in an attempt to clarify the true frequency of intraesophageal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate the different treatment modalities and survival of this uncommon type of tumor. The incidence of intraesophageal adenocarcinoma in reported clinical series is about 1%, and data from cancer registries show the incidence to be about 2% for upper and the middle thirds, a more reliable figure than that for the lower third in which lesions of cardia, or stomach infiltrating the lower esophagus have been included. The benefits of any particular treatment modality are difficult to evaluate in view of the rarity of this type of tumor, and the treatment results are as poor as those obtained in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma.
Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an automated screening algorithm in an inpatient clinical trial

Introduction Screening and recruitment for clinical trials can be costly and time-consuming. Inpatient trials present additional challenges because enrollment is time sensitive based on length of s...
Connectivity in semialgebraic sets (abstract only)

A semialgebraic set is a subset of real space defined by polynomial equations and inequalities. A semialgebraic set is a union of finitely many maximally connected components. In this talk, we consider the problem of deciding whether two given points in a semialgebraic set are connected, that is, whether the two points lie in the same connected component. In particular, we consider the semialgebraic set defined by f not equal 0 where f is a given bivariate polynomial. The motivation comes from the observation that many important/non-trivial problems in science and engineering can be often reduced to that of connectivity. Due to its importance, there has been intense research effort on the problem. We will describe a method based on gradient fields and provide a sketch of the proof of correctness based on the Morse complex. The method seems to be more efficient than the previous methods in practice.
An equivalent circuit model of supercapacitors for applications in wireless sensor networks

Energy harvesting technologies have been extensively researched to develop long-lived wireless sensor networks. To better utilize the harvested energy, various energy storage systems are proposed. A simple circuit model is developed to describe supercapacitor behavior, which uses two resistor-capacitor branches with different time constants to characterize the charging and redistribution processes, and a variable leakage resistance (VLR) to characterize the self-discharge process. The voltage and temperature dependence of the VLR values is also discussed. Results show that the VLR model is more accurate than the energy recursive equation (ERE) models for short term wireless sensor network applications.
Discussion: From imprecise to granular probabilities

Gert de Cooman's work is an important contribution to a better understanding of how to deal with imprecise probabilities. But there is an important issue which is not addressed. How can imprecise probabilites be dealt with not in isolation but in the broader context of imprecise probability distributions, imprecise events and imprecise relations? What is needed for this purpose is the concept of granular probability-a probability which is defined in terms of a generalized constraint of the form X isr R, where X is the constrained variable, R is a constraining realtion of r is an indexing variable which defines the modality of the constraint, that is, its semantics. A few examples are used as illustrations.
Vapor-pressure measurement of complex hydrocarbon mixtures by headspace gas chromatography

Abstract Headspace gas chromatography was used to measure the vapor pressures of single n -alkane hydrocarbons and their binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures at various temperatures in the range 38–107°C. In addition, diesel fuel, gasoline and crude oil vapor pressures were measured at 38 and 70°C. The microprocessor-controlled headspace gas chromatograph automatically thermostated the samples contained in septum-sealed glass vials to equilibrate the vapor and liquid for a pre-set period of time (usually 60 min), pressurized the vials to a pre-set pressure (at least 138 kPa gauge) by inserting a hollow needle through the septum, and sampled the vapor for a pre-set period of time (0.01 min) by allowing the pressure in the vial to drive an aliquot of the vapor ( ca. 9 μl) through the needle and onto the analytical column. Using this technique, single n -alkane hydrocarbon vapor pressures, measured by totally vaporizing μl aliquots in the vials, agreed, on the average, to within 1% with calculated values based on hydrocarbon properties. Likewise, measured total vapor pressures of the binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures compared well with calculated values, assuming ideal behavior for the mixtures, and the measured vapor pressures of diesel fuel, gasoline, and several crude oils showed good precision and accuracy.
A primary ultramafic magma

Introduction—The results of the work of several years are here presented in much condensed form. The material will be expanded at some late time into a more complete treatment of the problem. The broader factual data are set down in outline in the first section. Certain conclusions are drawn from them in the second section, but supporting detailed evidence has been omitted. Until this is presented the conclusions must naturally remain tentative. There can be little doubt that certain peridotites are products of crystallization differentiation of basaltic magmas brought about by separation in one manner or another of the early formed crystals, olivine and pyroxene, from the remainder of the basalt-magma. The peridotites of Skye described by Bowen [see 1 of references at end of paper] seem clearly to be of this origin as are, in the writer's opinion, the ultramafic zones of the Bushveld and Stillwater lopoliths. This type of peridotite is hot under consideration here.
The effects of collection and processing procedures on post-thaw bovine spermatozoan characteristics.

Abstract Thirty-two ejaculates from four Holstein bulls were utilized in the study. Neat semen was diluted (1:10) with 20% egg yolk-citrate and cooled to 5°C within either 0.5 or 3 h, then glycerolated, and equilibrated for 2 h. Straws were frozen over liquid nitrogen, stored at −196°C, and thawed at 46, 37, or 23°C for 12, 20, or 60 sec, respectively. The average percentages of progressive motility and unstained cells post thawing increased (34.5 vs 31.4%; P
Cysteamine eliminates nitric oxide synthase activity but is not protective to the hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rat brain

Blockade of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the developing nervous system may protect the brain from hypoxic-ischemic insult. We determined the efficacy in 7 day old rat pups of systemically administered cysteamine in reducing neuronal NOS and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase reactivities and protection of the brain from an hypoxic-ischemic insult. Cysteamine reversibly reduced NOS immunoreactivity at 2 h after an intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg. NADPH-diaphorase histochemical reactivity was reduced after 300 mg/kg but all animals had generalized seizures and succumbed to the hypoxia-ischemia. At lower doses, despite the blockade of NOS immunoreactivity, there was no difference in the number of injured animals compared to controls. These results demonstrate that NOS immunoreactivity does not represent all of NADPH-diaphorase reactivity and that blockade of this activity with cysteamine is not protective.
The Degree of Uncertainty Avoidance Present in Croatian and American Undergraduate Students; a Comparative Analysis

25 years ago, Culture’s Consequences was published. This text, the result of analyzing over 116,000 surveys collected from within IBM, identified 4 cultural dimensions which would go on to become recognized as one of the most important set of cultural dimensions, and which would be replicated and expanded upon on a broad scale (Bass, 1990; Adler, 1997). Culture’s Consequences contained information from Yugoslavia, information that was later broken down according to the area in which it was collected, resulting in cultural scores for Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia (Hofstede, 1996, 2001). Since this original research was conducted in 1971, no further testing of Hofstede’s original findings has been carried out in Croatia. The research presented in this paper focused on one of Hofstede’s four dimensions in particular: uncertainty avoidance. Research was carried out which tested the degree of this dimension demonstrated by Croatian and American undergraduate students. In contrast to Hofstede’s original research, the American sample was found to be higher in uncertainty avoidance than the Croatian sample.
Conversion of asparatic acid to glucose during culmination in Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract Incorporation of [ 4 C]aspartate into alkali-insoluble carbohydrtae of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum during culmination was used to evaluated the contribution of gluconeogenesis to polysaccharide synthesis. Bacterial and chemical degradation of glucose released by cellulase digestion of the alkali-insoluble carbohydrate indicated that 84% of the 14 C incorporated from [I- 14 C] aspartate was localized in the C-3 and C-4 positions of glucose and implicated glycolysis as the major pathway in gluconeogenesis. Greater randomization of label from [I- 14 C]aspartate was evident in glucose from trehalose, 73% being in the C-3 and C-4 positions of glucose. Slime mold undergoing culmination in the presence of a concentration of iodoacetate sufficient to decrease incorporation of [ 14 C]aspartate into polyasccharide by 50% exhibited no inteference with morphogenesis and only a slight delay in the rate of development. Approximations of teh rate of incorporation of intracellular [ 14 C]aspartate into alkali-insoluble carbohydrate gave values of 3 nmoles/min per ml cells or less, equivalent to less than 5% of the total rate of glucose conversion to polysaccharide during culmination. An indirect calculation of the minimal specific activity of the intracellular asparate pool from the specific activities of protein and nucleic acid indicated that less than 2% of the alkali-insoluble carbohydrate in the sorocarp was derived from aspartate. It is concluded that some gluconeogenesis from aspartate does occur but that it is not an essential source of the glucose utilized for stalk-building.
Laparoscopic-assisted proctectomy for rectal cancer: on trial.

In 2005, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) issued a statement regarding the role of laparoscopy in proctectomy for cancer: ‘‘The absence of five-year survival data makes it premature to endorse laparoscopic proctectomy for curable cancer.’’ In this issue, Ng and colleagues provide new evidence in support of the short-term advantages for laparoscopic proctectomy and the long-term equivalence in oncologic outcomes. The question of the day for laparoscopic colorectal surgery is, therefore, whether the current study by Ng et al. and other recent literature provide the strength of evidence necessary to revise the 2005 ASCRS practice parameters on laparoscopic proctectomy for cancer. As we will discuss below, we believe that the cumulative literature now supports a state of equipoise on short-term advantages and long-term oncologic outcomes, making the case for large prospective randomized trials.
Regioselective synthesis of 13C1-labeled 2-deoxyribonolactones

Abstract Syntheses of the five regioselectively 13C1-labeled 5-O-benzyl-2-deoxyribonolactones are described. 13C1-Labeled deoxyribonolactones were prepared by addition of KCN to epoxides 7 and subsequent lactonization of the resulting nitriles. Integration of the independent schemes leading to the five isotopomers of 9 results in an efficient and cost effective preparation of labeled mixtures of 13C mono-labeled deoxyribonolactones. These mixtures are the pivotal intermediates in the preparation of ‘population labeled’ 13C-labeled nucleoside phosphoramidites for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis.
Voluntary Patient Assistance Programs: Additional Federal Oversight Unwarranted

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which links struggling patients to more than 475 patient assistance programs, provides a vital safety net for millions of uninsured Americans. Proposing unwarranted government regulation during these uncertain economic times could cast a chill nationwide on other philanthropic efforts.
Ejaculatory Duct Dysfunction and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Chronic Prostatitis

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is the most prevalent form of prostatitis. It is characterized by pelvic pain, voiding symptoms, and ejaculatory symptoms in the absence of bacterial infection. This can be a difficult condition to treat. Many etiologies for CPPS have been proposed including immunologic, neurologic, endocrine, and psychological factors. This article examines a potentially correctable condition that may lead to CPPS, ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO). EDO is easily correctable with minor surgery. In patients with symptoms of CPPS with associated ejaculatory pain, the diagnosis of EDO should strongly be considered.
Secretagogue-responsive and -unresponsive pools of phosphatidylinositol in pancreatic islets.

Abstract The effect of glucose on phosphatidylinositol turnover was studied. Phosphatidylinositol of rat pancreatic islets was labeled with myo[2-3H]inositol in the presence of various secretagogues (16.7 m m d -glucose, 22 m m d -mannose, 20 m m d -glyceraldehyde) and non-secretagogues (3.3 m m d -glucose, 20 m m pyruvate, 16.7 m m d -galactose, 16.7 m m l -glucose). Upon subsequent stimulation with 16.7 m m d -glucose, only the islets that were labeled in the presence of secretagogues showed a loss of radioactivity from phosphatidylinositol. No loss of radioactivity from phosphatidylinositol occurred in the presence of 3.3 m m d -glucose even after labeling in the presence of secretagogues. A comparison of the subcellular distribution of labeled phosphatidylinositol in islets before and after stimulation with insulinotropic glucose revealed a loss of radioactivity from the plasma membrane fraction as judged by subcellular fractionation with a sucrose gradient. These results support a hypothesis advanced previously that pancreatic islets contain a unique pool of phosphatidylinositol that undergoes rapid turnover only in the presence of insulinotropic concentrations of d -glucose or other secretagogues [ R. S. Rana, R. J. Mertz, A. Kowlura, J. F. Dixon, L. E. Hokin, and M. J. MacDonald (1985) J. Biol. Chem.260, 7861–7867]. On the basis of the subcellular fractionation studies reported here, the secretagogue-responsive phosphatidylinositol pool appears to be located primarily in the plasma membrane of pancreatic islets.
A theorem on intuitive tests of parity conservation via spin polarization processes

Working in the helicity formalism we show that if parity is violated in a non-trivial way by the amplitudes for a two-body scattering reaction, then at least one of the parity-violating polarization correlation measurements, Mγδ;αβ-(θ), all of which would vanish in the case of parity conserving amplitudes, is non-vanishing. More precisely, we prove that Σ|Mγδ;αβ−|2=2|F+|2|F−|2 where F+ and F− are the parts of the scattering helicity matrix which are even and odd under reflection and [Mγδ;αβ−] is the set of all parity violating correlations taken from an orthonormal basis for the initial and final density matrices. This type of result is more general than the specific case we consider and applies, for example, to decay processes as well.
EFFECTS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON SUBORDINATE MOTIVATION, EMPOWERING NORMS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY

As part of an integrative model of leadership, transformational (versus transactional) styles are proposed to be related to subordinates' motivation and commitment to quality, the strength of empowering norms at the subunit level, and organizational productivity. Transformational and transactional styles also are proposed to be related to the self‐image of leaders. Hypotheses are tested in a military setting, the United States Army Recruiting Command, through the use of survey data provided by mid‐level leaders, station commanders, and recruiters. Data are supplemented by direct measures of subunit productivity. Results support some, but not all, of the proposed hypotheses. Implications for research and practice are presented, along with limitations of the research.
Comments on: The origin of fractal scaling mechanisms in ion channel gating kinetics

These comments concern the propriety of labelling two expressions, derived in the subject communication, as fractal scaling laws
Aerodynamics of an aspect ratio 8 wing at low Reynolds numbers

Essais en soufflerie pour des nombres de Reynolds a la corde de 70000 a 300000. Obtention des donnees sur la portance, la trainee et le moment de tangage avec des niveaux de turbulence de l'ecoulement libre de 0,02%. Etude du comportement aerodynamique de l'aile a travers les donnees sur les forces et les moments et par des techniques de visualisation. Etude de l'effet du nombre de Reynolds
The Value Proposition of Anesthesia Information Management Systems

Anesthesia information management systems add value to the anesthesiologist and the hospital above that which is provided by manual anesthesia records. The more complete documentation and less biased recording of vital signs in this system, relative to manual records, provide data needed for quality initiatives and operating room management and for clinical research. The system can improve the ability to increase anesthesia charge capture, meet the requirements of pay-for-performance programs, and assist in the defense of malpractice allegations. Realization of value from the anesthesia information management systems requires additional expenditures of resources to adapt the systems to meet specific institutional requirements.
PITUITARY APLASIA AND SITUS INVERSUS: A NEW ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (CVS) AND CONGENITAL PITUITARY DYSFUNCTION 523

PITUITARY APLASIA AND SITUS INVERSUS: A NEW ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (CVS) AND CONGENITAL PITUITARY DYSFUNCTION 523
A yield‐limited Lagrange multiplier formulation for frictional contact

An analogy with rigid-plasticity is used to develop a constitutive framework for quasi-static frictional contact between finitely deforming solids. Within this setting, a Lagrange multiplier method is used to impose a sharp distinction between stick and slip. The scope of the multipliers is limited by a constitutivelydefined “yield” function and a finite element-based predictor-corrector scheme is employed to efficiently determine the regions of stick and slip and the associated tractions. Selected simulations of planar quasi-static problems are presented to validate the method and illustrate its capabilities.
POSTHARVEST CHANGES OF PECTIC SUBSTANCES IN CHILLED PEACHES

Red Globe peaches were harvested at the threshold-mature stage and either stored at OC after preripening at 20C for 48 h or stored directly at 2C. Total pectin increased from 7.49 mg/g fresh weight in the threshold-mature sample to 10.21 mg/g in pre-ripened fruit stored at OC and 12.83 mg/g in fruits stored directly at 2C. Depending on extraction and storage protocol, between 26% and 73% of total pectin was solubilized. Chelator-soluble fractions had a low degree of esterification (DE ca. 20%), whereas other fractions were highly methylated (DE ca. 56% to 74%). Average DE did not vary between samples. DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed an uneven distribution of methoxyl groups. Two prominent peaks were observed in chromatograms of chelator-soluble extracts from threshold-mature fruit and fruit stored directly at 2C. One peak was observed in chelator-soluble pectin from preripened fruit stored at OC.
Once More Into the Breach

This article summarizes the main themes in the book What is Emotion? by Jerome Kagan (Yale University Press, 2007). The issues considered include: (1) the advantage of studying each phase of the cascade that begins with a brain reaction to an incentive and ends with an appraisal of a feeling state and/or a behavioral reaction; (2) distinguishing among appraisals with different origins; (3) replacing the current concern with consequences with more attention to the features of the brain and feeling states; (4) a recognition of the weak relation between the language used to describe a feeling and both the underlying brain profile and a response; and (5) the reasons for variation in the feelings evoked by an incentive and for the appraisals of the feelings.
Solvent participation in Serratia marcescens endonuclease complexes

The monomer and dimer of the bacterium Serratia marcescens endonuclease (SMnase) are each catalytically active and the two subunits of the dimer function independently of each other. Specific interfacial waters may play a role in stability, complex formation, and functionality. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of both a subunit of SMnase and its model built complex with DNA and analyzed the relation of the hydration sites to the catalytic mechanism. It was found that the binding of DNA has little influence on the global hydration properties of the protein, including occupancy and water residence time distributions. DNA and protein recognition in our model mainly involves direct contacts by hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions. Water-mediated contacts exist, but are less common. Three interior water clusters were identified for SMnase. One cluster around the active site in the monomer-DNA complex shows relatively strong interactions between hydration sites as well as between the sites and the biomolecules. The simulated cluster properties agreed well with experimental data. The magnesium ion shows ligand exchange. Although Mg2+ keeps six ligands during the entire simulation, upon the binding of DNA, Asn119 loses its coordination with Mg2+, while one nonbridging oxygen of the phosphate of a DNA residue and two oxygen atoms of the side chain of Glu127 become the ligands. Waters in a nearby cluster exchange and participate in the resolvation of groups in the presence of DNA. Water thus not only participates in the cleavage of DNA but also can stabilize the transition state and the leaving groups in our model.
Scaling the card sort method to over 500 items: restructuring the Google AdWords help center

In this paper we describe the method we used to redesign the information architecture of the Google AdWords Help Center. We adapted the card sorting method to accommodate over 500 items, and produced a new Help Center structure that enables users to find information faster and with fewer errors, as verified in a formal experiment. Our process can be used as a model by those faced with organizing or reorganizing a large body of information, where conducting a traditional card sort would not be practical.
Genetic challenges of flavor improvement in tomato

In many instances, the intensive breeding of crops over the past half century with a focus on yield has indirectly led to reductions in flavor and nutrient content. Largely, this deterioration of quality relates directly to the genetic and biochemical complexity of such traits. Here, we describe challenges associated with quality improvement, emphasizing tomato fruit flavor. Flavor improvement is particularly problematic because of the difficulty of assessing the phenotype as well as a lack of fundamental knowledge about the chemicals driving consumer preferences, the pathways for their synthesis, and the genes regulating the output of these pathways. Recent breakthroughs from a systematic analysis of these factors and the availability of a tomato genome sequence have led to significant progress in our understanding of flavor. However, the need to deliver improved flavor in the context of high yield and long postharvest shelf life still present major challenges.
Test for the First-Order Stationarity for Spatial Point Processes in Arbitrary Regions

This article proposes a Kolmogorov–Smirnov type test for the first-order stationarity of spatial point processes in arbitrary regions, where the test statistic is derived by maximizing the absolute difference between the observed and expected counts of events. In order to derive the p-value using the asymptotic distribution, the maximization of the test statistic is only considered in a collection of subsets of the study region. By carefully considering the choice of the collection, we show that under the null hypothesis of stationarity the test statistic weakly converges the absolute maximum of the standard Brownian bridge. Therefore, the proposed method can be easily applied to assess the first-order stationarity of spatial point processes in a variety of geographical regions. According to our simulation and case studies, we conclude that our method is powerful in testing the first-order stationarity of spatial point processes in arbitrary regions.
Human monocyte and macrophage modulation of lymphocyte proliferation

Abstract The effects of human monocytes and mature human macrophages on lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA and allogeneic lymphocytes were examined. Monocytes enhanced and macrophages markedly suppressed lymphocyte proliferation to both stimuli. Monocyte enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation was, in part, due to a soluble mediator. Macrophage suppression was not due to (a) media depletion, (b) soluble lymphotoxins or inhibitors of proliferation, (c) media depletion, (d) macrophage production of prostaglandins, (e) decreased lymphocyte survival, or (f) induction of suppressor lymphocytes. These data emphasize the dichotomy of human monocyte and macrophage effects on lymphocyte proliferation and suggest, by exclusion, that macrophage suppression may require cell-cell contact.
Docking study yields four novel inhibitors of the protooncogene pim-1 kinase.

To supplement the hits from a high throughput screen, docking was performed against Pim-1 kinase. Glide docking was augmented with a filter to require traditional or aromatic CH..O hydrogen bonds to the kinase hinge. Four diverse actives, of 96 molecules assayed, had K(i) values between 0.091 and 4.5 microM. This gives a 14-fold enrichment over the earlier HTS run, and the two crystal structures solved confirmed the binding modes predicted by docking.
Suitability of the DCS460c colour digital camera for quantitative remote sensing analysis of vegetation

The Kodak DCS460c is a high resolution, colour digital camera with a specific CCD array mosaic structure that requires a dedicated processing algorithm for production of a three-band image. Kodak's Active Interpolation (KAI) algorithm is compared with a simpler nearest neighbour interpolation method (NNI) with regard to applicability in scientific investigations of target features in imagery. Detailed quantitative analyses of flat-field imagery were undertaken in order to provide insight into artefacts and to correct for the off nadir reduction in brightness. Characteristics of the aerial photography were also studied and aspects of processing and analysis of the imagery for scientific investigations are discussed. We present a novel method for correction of brightness fall-off (due to the vignette effects and increasing view angle) which is generally applicable to remote sensing of rural scenes. Quantitative spectral comparisons between related imagery from the DCS460c (e.g. for interpretation of relative vegetation cover) are only scientifically reliable when the raw (i.e. non-interpolated) DN values for green and red are below about 67% of their maximum range. This is due to preferential vertical leakage or charge diffusion in the CCD. A combination of CCD characteristics leads to possibly poor spatial resolution for the infrared band. The imagery after KAI shows good spatial resolution and has a natural looking colour reproduction useful for discerning features by eye. However, when using KAI, reliable spectral measurements can probably only be acquired from portions of objects that are at least four pixels from the object's boundary. In general, quantitative spatial and spectral analyses can be carried out with the DCS460c but the KAI, the broad band response and the vertical leakage require specific solutions to produce quantitative results.
Multi-threshold bandwidth reservation scheme of an integrated voice/data wireless network

In supporting various integrated services which demand different bandwidth and quality of service (QoS) requirements in these wireless networks, resource provisioning becomes a major issue. Due to the limited nature of the bandwidth of wireless links, it is essential to design wireless mobile networks that furnish effective and dynamic bandwidth allocation policies which not only have to ensure that the system guarantee potentially different QoS requirements and provide the necessary service differentiation from diverse applications, but simultaneously has to fully utilize the scarce wireless bandwidth available. To achieve this goal, we propose a generalized analytical model to investigate the performance of an integrated voice/data wireless mobile network in terms of various performance metrics which include, but are not limited to, voice-call blocking probability, forced termination probability, total channel utilization, and total carried traffic. A complete sharing system with multiple thresholds based on the guard channel policy is proposed and then analyzed using a two-dimensional Markov process.
HIV-associated cognitive impairment before and after the advent of combination therapy

The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence of HIV dementia and neuropsychological testing abnormalities in a new cohort of HIV-seropositive individuals at high risk for HIV dementia and to compare these results to a cohort before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART has been associated with improvements in cognitive performance in some HIV-infected patients. However, it is uncertain whether HAART has changed the frequency of specific neurocognitive abnormalities. Baseline data from 272 HIV-seropositive subjects in the Dana cohort recruited from January, 1994, to December, 1995, and 251 HIV-seropositive subjects in the Northeastern AIDS Dementia Consortium (NEAD) cohort recruited from April, 1998, to August, 1999, were compared. Participants in both cohorts received nearly identical assessments. After adjusting for differences in age, education, gender, race, and CD4 count between the two cohorts, there were no differences in the occurrence of HIV dementia or abnormalities either 1 SD or 2 SDs below established norms for any of the neuropsychological tests. Even though HAART has reduced the incidence of HIV dementia, HIV-associated cognitive impairment continues to be a major clinical problem among individuals with advanced infection.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α induces a kB sequence‐specific DNA‐binding protein in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is an inducer of acute-phase protein synthesis in liver cells. The mechanism by which tumor necrosis factor-alpha alters gene expression in these cells is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulates human immunodeficiency virus-1 long terminal repeat-promoted gene expression in the human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cell line and increased binding of trans-activating factors to kappa B (kappa B) DNA sequences. In contrast to lymphocytic cells where the nuclear factors recognizing the kappa B sequences are activated by both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate through a posttranslational mechanism, in HepG2 cells phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate does not activate these factor(s), and de novo protein synthesis seems to be required in HepG2 cells for gene activation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Plasticity of electrical pacemaking by interstitial cells of Cajal and gastric dysrhythmias in W/Wv mutant mice

Abstract Background & Aims: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate and propagate slow waves in the stomach. Gastric peristalsis depends on a proximal-to-distal gradient in slow wave frequency. We tested whether the gastric frequency gradient was an intrinsic property of ICC and whether dysrhythmias result from disruptions of ICC networks. Methods: We studied wild-type (WT) and W/W V mice, which have only myenteric (pacemaker) ICC in the stomach. ICC distributions were analyzed by Kit immunofluorescence. Pacemaking in tissues was studied by intracellular electrophysiologic recording and in cultured ICC by monitoring mitochondrial [Ca 2+ ] oscillations with rhod-2 fluorescence or membrane potential with DiBAC 4 (3) fluorescence. Results: Slow wave frequencies were constant throughout WT gastric muscle sheets containing corpus and antrum. Separating the antrum from the corpus caused a significant drop in antral slow wave frequency. ICC from WT antrums also displayed significantly slower pacemaker frequencies than corpus ICC, but the corpus pacemaker frequency dominated in cocultures of corpus and antrum ICC. Myenteric ICC networks were reduced in W/W V mice, particularly in the corpus. In W/W V mice, separating the antrum from the corpus failed to reduce antral slow wave frequency. Antral pacemaker frequency in ICC from W/W V stomachs was the same as in corpus ICC. Conclusions: The proximal-to-distal slow wave frequency gradient and entrainment of distal electrical activity by proximal pacemakers are fundamental properties of gastric ICC. Chronic depletion of ICC networks disrupts the proximal-to-distal frequency gradient, and emergence of ectopic pacemakers in the antrum may be caused by "reprogramming" of the ICC pacemaker apparatus. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;123:2028-2040
Markov-modulated queueing systems

Markov-modulated queueing systems are those in which the primary arrival and service mechanisms are influenced by changes of phase in a secondary Markov process. This influence may be external or internal, and may represent factors such as changes in environment or service interruptions. An important example of such a model arises in packet switching, where the calls generating packets are identified as customers being served at an infinite server system. In this paper we first survey a number of different models for Markov-modulated queueing systems. We then analyze a model in which the workload process and the secondary process together constitute a Markov compound Poisson process. We derive the properties of the waiting time, idle time and busy period, using techniques based on infinitesimal generators. This model was first investigated by G.J.K. Regterschot and J.H.A. de Smit using Wiener-Hopf techniques, their primary interest being the queue-length and waiting time.
An efficient BEM formulation for three-dimensional steady-state heat conduction analysis of composites

In this work, an efficient boundary element formulation has been presented for three-dimensional steady-state heat conduction analysis of fiber reinforced composites. The cylindrical shaped fibers in the three-dimensional composite matrix are represented by a system of curvilinear line elements with a prescribed diameter which facilitates efficient analysis and modeling together with the reduction in dimensionality of the problem. The variations in the temperature and flux fields in the circumferential direction of the fiber are represented in terms of a trigonometric shape function together with a linear or quadratic variation in the longitudinal direction. The resulting integrals are then treated semi-analytically which reduces the computational task significantly. The computational effort is further minimized by analytically substituting the fiber equations into the boundary integral equation of the material matrix with hole, resulting in a modified boundary integral equation of the composite matrix. An efficient assembly process of the resulting system equations is demonstrated together with several numerical examples to validate the proposed formulation. An example of application is also included.
Data structures in honeywell's MPS/66

The methods used for data manipulation in Honeywell's MPS/66 are described. These methods are based on database ideas and hierarchial trees. Implications on data inputs, revisions, matrix generation, etc. are discussed.
Perception of Prejudice in Mexican-American Preschool Children

Structured doll-play interviews were conducted with 40 Mexican-American children aged 4 and 5 yr. old, to explore where and when skin color discrimination and the evaluation of color differences oc...
The pharmacology of isolated cutaneous vascular smooth muscle.

Human and dog and rabbit skin blood vessel strips give contractile responses to catecholamines, serotonin, and angiotensin II. Alpha receptors for catecholamine can be demonstrated. Species and organ variations occur in the small vessel tissue response to bradykinin (dog), histamine (rabbit) and acetylcholine (lung). A prostaglandin-contractile activity could be demonstrated on cutaneous vessels. This activity was most marked in dog paw vessels and rarely occurred in human skin. Potentiation of catecholamine by prostaglandin E-, A- and F- contractions could be demonstrated. The prostaglandin receptor was not blocked by alpha or beta blocking agents. The prostaglandin response was related to calcium concentration and was unrelated to exogenous or endogenous cyclic AMP.
A critical review of the EMV payment tokenisation specification

When a contact chip card is used to pay at the Point Of Sale (POS) it generates a cryptogram or a cryptographic checksum providing evidence that certain keys stored in the chip were used. 1 Payment cards increasingly have a contactless interface so they can be simply ‘waved’ in front of the payment terminal. The chip storing the keys and executing the payment application is fundamentally the same regardless of the interface used to conduct the payment. Similarly, when Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile phones are used instead of cards, the chip is still present as the phone's so-called Secure Element (SE). The EMV Payment Tokenisation Specification diverges from existing schemes by giving tokens a uniform and interoperable format that enables them to be used during payments. Diego Ortiz-Yepes of IBM Research describes the main components of the specification and describes use cases where it can be applied. He also explains that there are many issues still to be properly addressed, such as online card-not-present payments and payments at the Point Of Sale (POS) using mobile phones.
Effect of opioid receptor agonists on nitric oxide synthase activity in rat cerebral cortex homogenate

The effect of drugs acting at mu-, delta-, or kappa-opioid receptors on the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was determined in the cerebral cortex of the rat. The drugs included morphine and D-Ala2,Met,Phe4, Gly-ol5-enkephalin (DAMGO) (mu receptor), D-Ser2,Thr6-Leucine-enkephalin (DSTLE) and D-Pen2,D-Pen5-enkephalin (DPDPE) (delta receptor) and U-50, 488H (kappa receptor). As controls, two known inhibitors of NOS, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) were also included. The activity of NOS was determined by the rate of conversion of [3H]arginine into [3H]citrulline. NMMA and NNA inhibited the activity of NOS with IC50 values of 3.28 +/- 0.10 and 0.79 +/- 0.20 microM, respectively. DAMGO, DSTLE and DPDPE had no effect on the NOS activity. Morphine inhibited NOS activity by 25% at 10 mM concentration whereas the U-50,488H inhibited the NOS activity with an IC50 value of 107 microM. It is conclude that NNA is four time more potent than NMMA in inhibiting NOS activity whereas drugs acting at mu-, delta- and kappa- receptors have no direct action on central NOS activity in vitro.
Speed and capacity of language processing test: normative data from an older American community-dwelling sample.

This study presents normative data for the Speed and Capacity of Language Processing (SCOLP) test from an older American sample. The SCOLP comprises 2 subtests: Spot-the-Word, a lexical decision task, providing an estimate of premorbid intelligence, and Speed of Comprehension, providing a measure of information processing speed. Slowed performance may result from normal aging, brain damage (e.g., head injury), or dementing disorders or may represent the intact performance of someone who always performed at the low end of normal. The SCOLP enables the clinician to differentiate between these possibilities. Adequate age-appropriate norms to differentiate dementia from normal aging do not exist. We present data from 424 older community-dwelling Americans (75-94 years old). The results confirm that information processing speed slows with increasing age. By contrast, increasing age has little effect on lexical decision. Thus, our data suggest that the SCOLP shows promise as a tool to help distinguish between n...
Polyimide-silica composite materials: How does silica influence their microstructure and gas permeation properties?

Composite polyimide-silica materials have been synthesized via the sol-gel process and their gas transport properties studied. Structural characterizations have been performed showing that materials prepared with large concentration of silicon alkoxyde are composites made of silica particles embedded in the polyimide matrix while low-silicon alkoxyde concentration induces homogeneous materials. X-ray diffraction shows that the presence of silicon species induces modifications in the microstructure of the polyimide chains. These modifications have been confirmed by a shift of the glass transition temperature and density variations. Influence of the temperature and silicon species on the gas transport have been studied using various gases (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane) showing that gas permeation coefficients increase with the silicon species proportion. CO{sub 2} sorption measurements have been performed at various temperatures and the results have been analyzed in terms of the dual sorption theory. Activation energies have been calculated for the permeation and sorption mechanisms. The results show that silicon species contributes to the overall permeability.
Hierarchy from baryogenesis

We study a recently proposed mechanism to solve the hierarchy problem in the context of the landscape, where the solution of the hierarchy problem is connected to the requirement of having baryons in our Universe via electroweak baryogenesis. The phase transition is triggered by the fermion condensation of a new gauge sector which becomes strong at a scale $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ determined by dimensional transmutation, and it is mediated to the standard model by a new singlet field. In a ``friendly'' neighborhood of the landscape, where only the relevant operators are ``scanned'' among the vacua, baryogenesis is effective only if the Higgs mass ${m}_{h}$ is comparable to this low scale $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, forcing ${m}_{h}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\Lambda}$, and solving the hierarchy problem. A new $CP$ violating phase is needed coupling the new singlet and the Higgs field to new matter fields. We study the constraints on this model given by baryogenesis and by the electron electric dipole moment (EDM), and we briefly comment on gauge coupling unification and on dark matter relic abundance. We find that next generation experiments on the EDM will be sensitive to essentially the entire viable region of the parameter space, so that absence of a signal would effectively rule out the model.
Optimal insurance without expected utility: The dual theory and the linearity of insurance contracts

Models of the insurance markets and institutions are routinely based on expected utility. Since EU is being challenged by an increasing number of decision models, we examine whether EU-based models are robust in their predictions. To do so, we rework some basic models of optimal insurance contracts and equilibrium using the “dual” theory to EU of Yaari. When there is a single, insurable source of risk, dual theory permits only corner solutions if the contract itself is linear. This contrasts sharply with EU. Nonlinearity, and thereby the possibility of interior solutions, is introduced in two ways. First, the contract itself is nonlinear, i.e., a deductible insurance policy. Or second, the decision maker is subject to some background risk such as uninsurable risky assets or default of the insurer. When decision problems are subject to nonlinearity, the predictions on optimal insurance are more similar to, though not identical with, those generated with EU.
Arnold-Chiari-like malformation associated with a valproate model of spina bifida in the rat.

The brains of rat fetuses exposed to saline and valproic acid (VA: 600 mg/kg or 1,200 mg/kg) at 10 days of gestation were examined for structural changes similar to that seen for the Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM) in humans. Only fetuses exposed to the 1,200-mg/kg level VA demonstrated spina bifida (SB) type widening of the vertebral arch when compared to saline treated animals. When compared to controls, both 600-and 1,200-mg/kg VA animals demonstrated microencephaly. The brains of treated animals demonstrated alterations in their angular morphology such that the cerebellum was displaced toward the foramen magnum in a manner akin to human ACM. These findings indicate that valproate-induced SB in the rat more closely approximates SB in humans than was previously appreciated and provides a model for experimental study of both SB and ACM. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.