cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MnCl+ and MnSO4 association constants to 170°C

Changes in electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the manganese (II) ion are used to determine thermodynamic association constants for MnCl+ and MnSO40 complexes from 25 to 170°C. The technique employed requires minimal sample handling and preparation. Pressure increase had a negligible effect on the association constants which increase from 4 m−1 at 50°C to 200 m−1 at 170°C for MnCl+ and from 200 m−1 at 25°C to 5700 m−1 at 170°C for MnSO40. The ratio of inner to outer sphere complexes decreases with increasing temperature to 120°C and then increases from 120 to 170°C for both chloride and sulfate complexes. Enthalpies, entropies, heat capacities, and Gibb's free energies determined for each of the reactions compare well with values determined by other methods. These results confirm the validity of the high temperature and pressure ESR approach, which can be used to study other high temperature association reactions of Mn+2 and, by competitive effects, association reactions of metals that do not have an ESR signal.
Focused parathyroidectomy with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in patients with lithium-associated primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background Lithium-associated hyperparathyroidism has been attributed to multigland hyperplasia requiring bilateral exploration and subtotal parathyroidectomy. Recent studies suggest that some patients may have single gland disease and be eligible for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Methods We performed a retrospective review of a prospective, single institution parathyroid database of 1,010 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy between December 1999 and October 2010. Results Nineteen patients with a history of lithium therapy and sporadic hyperparathyroidism were identified. Median age was 50 years (16–68); median duration of therapy was 19 years (1–37); 11 (58%) were on active therapy with lithium for multiple reasons. Preoperative median serum calcium was 10.9 mg/dL (10.0–12.3), median parathyroid hormone was 111 pg/mL (60–186). A total of 18 patients underwent preoperative imaging. Of 12 patients with single-site localization, 6 (50%) underwent a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, 2 (17%) underwent unilateral explorations, 1 (8%) underwent bilateral exploration, and 3 (25%) had concomitant thyroidectomies. Six patients did not localize and underwent bilateral exploration for multigland disease. One patient without preoperative imaging had single-gland disease. In all operations surgeons used intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring and met intraoperative criteria. Median IOPTH decrease was 74% (54–86) in single-gland disease and 85% (76–95) in multigland disease. Median abnormal gland weight was 590 mg (134–6,750) in single-gland disease and 296 mg (145–2,170) in multigland disease. All patients were normocalcemic at a median follow-up of 19 months (2–118). Conclusion Of 19 patients with lithium exposure, 6 (32%) had multigland disease. However, of the 13 (68%) patients with single gland disease, all 12 who had preoperative imaging had single-site localization. If localization suggests single gland disease, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy with IOPTH monitoring can be successfully performed.
Evaluating the quality of American universities: A new approach

Considerable effort has been devoted to developing systematic rankings of the quality of American univerities. Some approaches focus on the assessments of knowledgeable individuals. Other approaches necessitate the accumulation of considerable data and the construction of some composite measure. The present article argues that researchers should devote more attention to faculty salary data. Utilizing the quartile deviation as a measure of institutional quality, the authors ranked the 138 major universities designated by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) as Class I institutions. Because the authors' results were not strikingly different from other ranking systems and because salary data are readily available, the authors argue that studies of faculty salaries hold great promise as measures of institutional quality.
A virus causing axillary bud sprouting of tobacco in Rhodesia and Nyasaland

SUMMARY A virus first found in tobacco in Rhodesia in 1958 was widespread in 1959, usually together with other viruses. It is readily transmitted by mechanical inoculation. Myzus persicae transmitted it from plants that were also infected with another virus, probably tobacco vein-distorting virus, but not from plants infected with it alone. The aphids became increasingly likely to transmit as their feeding time on infected plants increased up to 24 hr.; after virus-acquisition feeding times of 24–48 hr. they remained infectious for several days. The virus, named tobacco bushy-top because of the characteristic way it stimulates the growth of axillary shoots, resembles tobacco mottle virus in many respects, and as tobacco mottle virus partially protects plants against bushy-top virus they may be related strains.
Meeting the enemy: American exceptionalism and international law

by Natsu Taylor Saito, New York, NY, New York University Press, 2010, 374 pp., (Hardcover), ISBN-13 978-0814771143 How does the United States’ exceptionalist paradigm function as a deeply ingrained...
Reducing the fractional rank of interference with space-time-frequency adaptive beamforming

When wideband interference is subject to multi-path, the rank of the interference component sensed at a receive-antenna array increases. In a MIMO communications system, this makes it more challenging to suppress the interference and close the link. In this paper we investigate the use of adaptive filters to suppress interference, by quantifying the impact of multiple time taps and frequency “taps” on the rank of the interference. We show that as the number of taps increases, the relative rank of the interference decreases asymptotically to one over the number of receive antennas. We verify this with measurements of a broadcast interference source.
Transforming US higher education to support sustainability science for a resilient future: the influence of institutional administrative organization

Interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability (IES) academic programs have an important and distinctive role in education for sustainability: preparing sustainability-oriented problem solvers who work at the science–policy, science–management, and policy–management interfaces. IES programs are rapidly expanding at college and universities in the USA and exhibit a variety of forms, including interdisciplinary degree programs housed within a traditional department; programs that span departments, a college, multiple colleges, or the entire university; programs that reside in their own IES departments, schools, or colleges; and degree programs located within IES institutes and centers. A very few institutions are addressing IES education in a holistic manner by developing dedicated campuses for sustainability education or reorganizing their entire campus structure to support sustainability science education and research. This paper presents how Unity College, a small environmental college, reorganized its administrative structure, curriculum and pedagogy around a sustainability science framework. It also illustrates the influence that various forms of IES programs have on sustainability education in the USA as revealed by national studies conducted by the Center for Environmental Education Research of the National Council for Science and the Environment.
The Effect of Escherichia coli Endotoxin Infusion on the Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia in Unanesthetized Newborn Piglets

The Effect of Escherichia coli Endotoxin Infusion on the Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia in Unanesthetized Newborn Piglets
Parental Mediation Theory for the Digital Age

This article describes the theory of parental mediation, which has evolved to consider how parents utilize interpersonal communication to mitigate the negative effects that they believe communication media have on their children. I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this theory as employed in the sociopsychologically rooted media effects literature as well as sociocultural ethnographic research on family media uses. To account for the emotional work that digital media have introduced into contemporary family life, I review interpersonal communication scholarship based on sociologist A. R. Hochschild's (1977, 1989) work on emotions, and suggest L. Vygotsky's (1978) social development theory as a means of rethinking the role of children's agency in the interactions between parents and children that new media affords. The article concludes by suggesting that in addition to the strategies of active, restrictive, and co-viewing as parental mediation strategies, future research needs to consider the emergent strategy of participatory learning that involves parents and children interacting together with and through digital media.
The Hospital as Predictor of Children's and Adolescents' Length of Stay.

ABSTRACT Objective To predict psychiatric hospital length of stay (LOS) for a sample of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services wards across 4 fiscal years. Method A prospective design was implemented using the Children's Severity of Psychiatric Illness scale, a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric severity, risk factors, youth strengths, and contextual/environmental factors. Data were collected for 1,930 hospital episodes across 44 hospitals from fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year 2001. Youths were screened for admission appropriateness by the Illinois Screening, Assessment, and Supportive Services (SASS) program. The Children's Severity of Psychiatric Illness was completed by SASS workers upon conclusion of their crisis interviews. In addition to completing the Children's Severity of Psychiatric Illness, SASS workers reported on demographic information and LOS. Results The sample of 1,930 youths was randomly split to form development (n = 983) and validation (n = 947) samples. LOS was predicted using ordinary least squares regression. Thirty percent of the variance (F19,666 = 16.6, p Conclusions These findings suggest that nonclinical variables are the primary predictors of LOS in the Illinois system of care. In addition, these variables are consistent predictors over time. Quality assurance efforts might seek to further understand potential practice pattern variations across hospitals and SASS agencies. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2006;45(3):322-328.
Progressive Changes in Adherens Junction Structure during Intestinal Adenoma Formation in Apc Mutant Mice

The C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mouse bears a mutantApc gene and therefore is an important in vivomodel of intestinal tumorigenesis. Min/+ mice develop adenomas that exhibit loss of the wild-type Apc allele (ApcMin/−). Previously, we found that histologically normal enterocytes bearing a truncated Apc protein (ApcMin/+) migrated more slowly in vivo than enterocytes with either wild-type Apc (Apc+/+) or with heterozygous loss of Apc protein (Apc1638N). To study this phenotype further, we determined the effect of the ApcMinmutation upon cell-cell adhesion by examining the components of the adherens junction (AJ). We observed a reduced association between E-cadherin and β-catenin in ApcMin/+enterocytes. Subcellular fractionation of proteins fromApc+/+, ApcMin/+, andApcMin/− intestinal tissues revealed a cytoplasmic localization of intact E-cadherin only inApcMin/+, suggesting E-cadherin internalization in these enterocytes. β-Catenin tyrosine phosphorylation was also increased in ApcMin/+enterocytes, consistent with its dissociation from E-cadherin. Furthermore, ApcMin/+ enterocytes showed a decreased association between β-catenin and receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase β/ζ (RPTPβ/ζ), andApcMin/− cells demonstrated an association between β-catenin and receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase γ. In contrast to the ApcMin/+ enterocytes,ApcMin/− adenomas displayed increased expression and association of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and α-catenin relative to Apc+/+ controls. These data show that Apc plays a role in regulating adherens junction structure and function in the intestine. In addition, discovery of these effects in initiated but histologically normal tissue (ApcMin/+) defines a pre-adenoma stage of tumorigenesis in the intestinal mucosa.
Infrared focal plane array crosstalk measurement

Crosstalk between two neighboring elements in a focal plane array (FPA) occurs when signal incident on one element in the array is seen on another. This undesired effect can occur due to both the electrical and optical properties of the FPA. An effort is underway at the U.S. Army's Night Vision and Electro-Optics Directorate to develop a capability to measure crosstalk on both mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared FPAs. A single detector in an array is illuminated using a laser source coupled with a beam expander, collimating lens, and focusing lens. The relative response of that detector to that of its neighboring detectors is measured to calculate crosstalk. The various components of the test station, the methodology for implementing the crosstalk measurement, and a model of the laser spot size are discussed.
REGRESSION TYPE TESTS FOR PARAMETRIC HYPOTHESES BASED ON OPTIMALLY SELECTED SUBSETS OF THE ORDER STATISTICS

Through use of a regression framework, a general technique is developed for determining test procedures based on subsets of the order statistics for both simple and composite parametric null hypotheses. Under both the null hypothesis and sequences of local alternatives these procedures are asymptotically equivalent in distribution to the generalized likelihood ratio statistic based on the corresponding order statistics. A simple, approximate method for selecting quantiles for such tests, which endows the corresponding test statistics with optimal power properties, is also given.
The Epoxyketone-Furan Rearrangement

Abstract In connection with our studies to find direct chemical evidence for oxirene intermediates,1 we prepared 1-phenyl-3-propyl-3,4-epoxy-1-hexanone (1). This epoxyketone was found to easily undergo rearrangement to afford 2-phenyl-4-propyl-5-ethylfuran (2) in quantitative yield. The transformation was effected by warming to 50° a benzene solution of epoxyketone 1 containing a catalytic amount of toluenesulfonic acid or by heating to 250° in the injector port of a gas chromatograph.
Synthesis of ketobemidone precursors via phase‐transfer catalysis

Hydrochloride salts of N-substituted-bis-(2-chloroethyl)amines can be condensed with m-methoxyphenyl-acetonitrile or 1-phenyl-2-alkanones under phase-transfer conditions to yield precursors of the powerful analgesic compounds - the ketobemidones.
Solutions of singular elliptic equations via the oblique derivative problem

We study a class of second elliptic equations whose highest order coefficients vanish everywhere on the boundary. Under suitable conditions on the lower order coefficients, Langlais proved in 1985 that such equations have unique smooth solutions up to the boundary provided the data are smooth enough. Our goal here is to prove some Schauder estimates for these equations and to obtain results even in Lipschitz domains. In addition, we show that bounded solutions of such problems are as smooth as the data allow. A key step is to observe that smooth solutions must satisfy an oblique derivative boundary condition.
EFFECT OF ACUTE GLUCOSE-INDUCED HYPEROSMOLALITY ON BRAIN VOLUME REGULATION IN OVINE FETUSES, LAMBS AND ADULTS. † 382

Perturbations in glucose homeostasis expose premature and full term neonates to hyperglycemic hyperosmolality which may alter brain volume (water) regulation. We have previously demonstrated that during an acute osmotic stress with the non-metabolizable sugar mannitol, in contrast to adult sheep, fetuses and lambs do not exhibit volume regulation in most brain regions(Pediatr Res 37:239A, 1995). We extended this work to study regional brain water responses to glucose-induced acute hyperosmolality in chronically instrumented (1) fetuses at 60% of gestation (87 days, n = 20), (2) cesarean section-delivered, surfactant-treated, ventilated premature lambs at 90% gestation (137 days, n = 16), (3) newborn lambs (4 day old, n = 12) and (4) adult sheep (2 year, n = 16). After exposure to graded increases in systemic osmolality, regional brain water was quantified by standard techniques. In the absence of volume regulation, brain solute remains constant as osmolality changes (Fig., ---). As opposed to our findings with mannitol, brain volume regulation during glucose-induced hyperosmolality was present (Fig., p<0.05) in all regions in fetuses at 60% of gestation, in premature lambs, and in all regions except for the caudate nucleus in newborn lambs and the cerebellum and midbrain in adult sheep. We speculate that active glucose transport and metabolism increases the solute concentration in brain tissue thus limiting water loss in response to a systemic osmotic load. (NIH P50 HD 11343)
Rethinking Marketing Research Education: A Conceptual, Analytical, and Empirical Investigation

A conceptual model is used to clarify and augment prior research findings related to the effectiveness of current educational programs in meeting the needs of marketing research practitioners. The model identifies several areas of study that have been overlooked by researchers. The comprehensive framework presented here provides a strong theoretical model capable of identifying and explaining various relationships affecting the professional and educational training and development of marketing researchers. An empirical study was undertaken to investigate whether a difference exists between educators' perceptions of graduate students' needs in preparation for marketing research careers and the educational services typically provided by graduate programs in business. Results indicate that educators perceive a significant gap between their expectations and the services existing graduate programs in business provide.
Z pinch of a gas jet

A modified version of the vacuum spark experiment, in which a jet of argon is injected from the anode, is described. Experiments on a 1.26-kJ system have shown a strong pinching of the plasma with good reproducibility. The pinched plasma (\ensuremath{\sim} 20 ns lifetime) is submillimeter in size with estimated temperature of 6-9 keV and density \ensuremath{\gtrsim} ${10}^{18}$e/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. Advantages of such a device for the study of high-density plasmas and scaling up are discussed. Results are compared to vacuum spark and exploding wire experiments performed on the same system.
σ-hole bonding between like atoms; a fallacy of atomic charges

Covalently bonded atoms, at least in Groups V–VII, may have regions of both positive and negative electrostatic potentials on their surfaces. The positive regions tend to be along the extensions of the bonds to these atoms; the origin of this can be explained in terms of the σ-hole concept. It is thus possible for such an atom in one molecule to interact electrostatically with its counterpart in a second, identical molecule, forming a highly directional noncovalent bond. Several examples are presented and discussed. Such “like-like” interactions could not be understood in terms of atomic charges assigned by any of the usual procedures, which view a bonded atom as being entirely positive or negative.
Improved Loaded In Vitro Motility Assay and Actin Filament Tracking Software Delineates the Effect of Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy Mutations on the Power Output of Cardiac Myosin

Hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies are important causes of heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. HCM is the most common heritable cardiovascular disorder, affecting 1 in 500 individuals, and is caused primarily by mutations that alter proteins of the cardiac sarcomere. Sarcomeric protein mutations are an increasingly recognized cause of familial DCM as well. HCM is associated with severe thickening of the left ventricular wall, preserved/increased systolic (contractile) and impaired diastolic (relaxation) function of the heart. DCM hearts have dilated left ventricular chambers and suffer from inadequate systolic activity. More than 300 point mutations in beta-cardiac myosin are associated with HCM or DCM. It is believed that HCM and DCM mutations increase and decrease respectively the power output of cardiac myosin which leads to a cascade of downstream signaling that gradually leads to the disease phenotype. To test this hypothesis it is essential to measure the power output of all HCM/DCM mutants in a high throughput manner. To quantitatively measure the load dependent myosin power output, we first improved the loaded in vitro motility assay (LIMA) by replacing load generating molecule alpha-actinin with alpha-catenin, which was generously provided by James Nelson at Stanford University. For accurate-and-fast data analysis, we developed a software called FAST that runs over parallel CPUs. Our initial results indicate that two HCM mutants (R719W, R403Q) have higher power output than the wildtype cardiac myosin. FAST-LIMA will be an essential tool for screening drugs that revert the effects of HCM/DCM mutations on the power output of beta-cardiac myosin.
The mechanism of the fixation of tissue components by osmium tetroxide via hydrogen bonding.

Considerable electron density, observable in membranous elements in thin sections of buffered OsO4-fixed tissue with electron microscopy, was removed by the action of K4Fe(CN)6 in acetic acid. This reagent reacted only with Os(VIII) and not with lower oxidation states of osmium to give an insoluble crystalline precipitate, K2FeOs(CN)6. Supporting this finding was the fact that the osmate esters, Os(VI), originally synthesized by Criegee (8, 9), were unreactive with acetic ferrocyanide. Acetic acid alone decreased membrane density of fixed sections by simple protonation but did not remove osmium from osmate esters. Further, fresh tissue incubated in a saturated urea solution, then fixed in buffered OsO4 not only failed to blacken, as routinely observed after OsO4 fixation, but also tissue structure was poorly preserved and membranous structures showed less electron density. Tissue fixed in a 1:1 solution of urea and OsO4 also demonstrated competition between the two compounds for binding sites in membranes. Thus, osmium in the Os(VIII) state appears responsible for some, if not much, of the membrane density, and is probably hydrogen bound in its native state as OsO4, to protein and to aliphatic side chains of lipid in membranes. Theoretical calculations pertaining to molecular interactions of OsO4 urea, and model proteins and lipids indicate that the above mechanistic hypothesis of the interaction of OsO4 with tissue components is favored over the mechanism of osmate ester formation with the double bonds in lipids as has been believed to date.
Intermediate radical concentrations in hydrogen–natural gas blended fuel jet flames

Abstract An experimental and numerical investigation of flame temperature and intermediate radical (OH, O, H, CH) concentrations in hydrogen (H2)–natural gas (NG) hybrid fuel diffusion flames at a burner exit Reynolds number 150 are presented. Radial concentration profiles of temperature and radicals in the near-burner region ( 8 mm above the burner tip) for different mixtures of hydrogen–NG (100% NG, 80–20% NG–H2, 50–50% NG–H2, 20–80% NG–H2, 100% H2 by volume) are reported. Both experimental and computational findings show that as a result of increased fuel burning, the stoichiometric contour moves inward with the increase of hydrogen content in the fuel mixture. The 100% hydrogen flame temperature is close to its equilibrium value, while due to the effect of radiation the mixed fuels have lower temperatures than their equilibrium values. The OH radical concentration profile shows a peak in the stoichiometric contour. Within experimental uncertainties the measured and the computed values of OH radical concentration agree well. The OH concentration increases with the increase of hydrogen concentration in the mixture. The radial profiles of O atom concentration have a peak in the lean side of the fuel oxidizer interface. The photolytic production of O atom affects the measured values. The maximum H atom concentration occurs in the rich side of the stoichiometric contour. The computed peak concentration of H radical for 100% NG flame is comparable with its equilibrium concentration, which indicates the existence of partial equilibrium of H in hydrocarbon flames. The maximum production of CH radical occurs in the rich side of the flame surface. Compared to the experimental results, computation predicts a lower CH concentration because of the use of reaction mechanism without C2 chemistry. The CH radical concentration decreases with the increase of hydrogen content in the mixed fuel.
Mitigating the Effects of Local Flexibility at the Built-In Ends of Cantilever Beams

Local distortion at the built-in ends of cantilever beams can lead to significant errors when models assume the support to be perfectly rigid. This paper presents a novel approach for mitigating this effect, using appropriately sized fillets to provide the additional stiffness needed to make simplified models more accurate and reduce stress concentrations. The optimal nondimensional fillet radius, called the optimal fillet ratio, is shown to be nearly constant for a wide range of geometries under predominantly bending loads, making it a useful parameter in the design of planar monolithic flexible mechanisms.
Effects of diet on conversion of aflatoxin B1 to bacterial mutagen(s) by rats in vivo and by rat hepatic microsomes in vitro

Abstract A lipotrope-deficient, high-fat diet that enhances aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) hepatocarcinogenesis in rats influenced in two ways the conversion of AFB 1 to mutagens detectable in the Ames Salmonella mutagenesis test system. First, in the urine of rats fed the lipotrope-deficient diet and given a single dose of AFB 1 , the proportion of mutagenic material that did not require activation by hepatic microsomes was higher than in the urine of rats fed an adequate diet. Second, hepatic microsomal preparations (S-9 fractions) from deficient animals showed significantly lower activity in the in vitro converstion of AFB 1 to mutagen(s) than did S-9 fractions from normal animals. The S-9 fractions from deficient animals actually suppressed the activity of normal S-9 fractions in a mixed mutagenesis assay. The inconsistency of the second finding with the enhanced sensitivity of deficient animals to AFB 1 carcinogenesis sugggests the need for some caution in using the in vitro mutagenesis tests for quantitative estimation of carcinogenic potency.
Spectral emissivity of highly doped silicon

P- and n-type silicon spectral emissivity measured at several temperatures and wavelengths for carrier concentrations and direct current resistivities
The production of machine-readable text: Some of the variables

A major obstacle to the more widespread use of computer methods in humanistic disciplines is the difficulty and expense of acquiring textual material in machine-readable form. Although more and more humanists are aware of and interested in computer methods applicable to their research, the difficulties of text conversion effectively block the way to electronic assistance. But there has been some progress, and there are signs of breakthroughs on several fronts. While this paper does not attempt to suggest any one solution to this problem, it does attempt to lay down criteria of a good system for converting text to machine-readable form, and it measures ten methods of conversion against these criteria. By this approach it attempts to cover the principal options open today to those who wish to prepare and process texts. My conclusions are based on experience gained as director of a pilot project with the task of finding the best way of converting The London Stage, an 8,000-page calendar of events at the theatres from 1660-1800, into a computer-accessible information bank for scholars in history, literature, and drama.
Breakdown behavior of GaAs/AlGaAs HBTs

Avalanche breakdown behavior at the collector junction of the GaAs/AlGaAs HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) has been studied. Junction breakdown characteristics displaying hard breakdown, soft breakdown, and negative resistance breakdown behavior were observed and are interpreted by analysis of localized microplasma effects, uniform microplasma-free behavior, and associated current gain measurements. Light emission from the collector-base junction of the GaAs/AlGaAs HBT was observed and used to investigate breakdown uniformity. Using a simple punchthrough breakdown model, the theoretical breakdown curves at different collector doping concentrations and thicknesses were computed and found to be in agreement with maximum breakdown voltages measured from devices displaying the most uniform junction breakdown. The serious current gain degradation of GaAs/AlGaAs HBTs at low current densities was analyzed in connection with the measurement of a large collector-emitter breakdown voltage. The unexpected functional relationship between the collector-emitter breakdown voltage and collector-base breakdown voltage is explained by the absence of a hole-feedback effect for devices not exhibiting transistor action. >
Fatigue growth and fracture risk from postulated cracks in pressurized-water reactor piping welds

Abstract The necessity of taking quick corrective action when a crack indication is discovered in a nuclear piping weld, has led Framatome to evaluate beforehand the potential risk of such a situation by investigating postulated cracks. Considering pessimistic loading conditions to act on a postulated crack of a given shape and orientation enables the determination of the critical size of such a defect. Introduction of fatigue crack growth then yields the maximum crack size that can be tolerated, given the remaining lifetime of the unit. Additionally, detailed analysis of the scenario that leads to these results contributes to the understanding of the potential risk and helps in alleviating it. In this paper, a review of the basic principles and the application to the case of a branch connection weld are presented.
Application of potash glass as a catalyst for diesel soot oxidation

A novel approach for catalyzing diesel soot oxidation with a potash glass is reported. A simple potash glass (35K2O:2SiO2:13CaO weight ratio) was synthesized and examined for activity for the combustion of diesel soot under various contact and atmospheric conditions by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The glass was found to be an effective soot oxidation catalyst. Leaching of potassium from the glass helps to mitigate the effect of potassium loss during combustion, offering an effective means to maintain the surface activity of the glass catalyst, as seen from repeated TGA cycling.
Hypertension in an experimental model of systemic lupus erythematosus occurs independently of the renal nerves.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with prevalent hypertension and renal injury. In this study, we tested whether the renal nerves contribute to the development o...
Contract Theory and Theories of Contract Regulation

Cet essai examine ce que devrait etre une theorie economique de la reglementation des contrats d'un point de vue institutionnel ou substantiel. Il enumere les differentes fonctions que les analystes ont assignees a la reglementation des contrats et discute brievement l'exercice de ces fonctions sous l'angle de leur faisabilite institutionnelle et de la prudence substantielle. Cet essai conclut, non sans hesitation, que l'Etat devrait assurer les fonctions suivantes : faire respecter les contrats, produire les terminologies qui sont utiles a la redaction des contrats, produire les regles de defaillance de l'activite economique comme celles du droit des faillites et du droit des societes. D'autres fonctions possibles pour l'Etat, comme la production de regles efficaces de defaillance a utiliser dans la redaction des contrats, nous semblent bien au-dela des competences prouvees des gouvernements.
Ideal MHD stability calculations in axisymmetric toroidal coordinate systems

Abstract A scalar form of the ideal MHD energy principle is shown to provide a more accurate and efficient numerical method for determining the stability of an axisymmetric toroidal equilibrium than the usual vector form. Additional improvement is obtained by employing a class of straight magnetic field line flux coordinates which allow for an optimal choice of the poloidal angle in the minor cross section of the torus. The usefulness of these techniques is illustrated by a study (using a new code, PEST 2) of the convergence properties of the finite element Galerkin representation in tokamak and spheromak geometries, and by the accurate determination of critical β values for ballooning modes.
Applications Of Artificial Intelligence In Control System Analysis And Design

To date, applications of artificial intelligence in control system analysis and design are primarily associated with the design process. These applications take the form of knowledge bases incorporating expertise on a design method, such as multivariable linear controller design, or on a field such as identification. My experience has demonstrated that, while such expert systems are useful, perhaps a greater benefit will come from applications in the maintenance of technical databases, as are found in real-time data acquisition systems, and of modeling and design databases, which represent the status of a computer-aided design process for a human user. This reflects the observation that computers are best at maintaining relations about large sets of objects, whereas humans are best at maintaining knowledge of depth, as occurs when a design option involving a sequence of steps is explored. This paper will discuss some of these issues, and will provide some examples which illustrate the potential of artificial intelligence.
Introduction of the Blood Pressure Cuff into U.S. Medical Practice: Technology and Skilled Practice

The history of the sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff, raises useful questions about the acceptance of new medical technologies. When the blood pressure cuff first appeared in U.S. medical practice in the first decade of the 1900s, it generated some concern and debate among physicians. Review of the medical literature, a systematic study of patient records from Massachusetts General Hospital, and consideration of events in Boston during this period suggest that physicians faced several important choices associated with the early acceptance of the cuff. The introduction of the blood pressure cuff presented physicians with several different, competing methods for assessing the force of a patient's blood flow. Physicians chose to use the cuff in a manner that preserved their exclusive use of the new tool and maintained a high level of skill for their individual practices. An early proposal to introduce the new blood pressure cuff as a simple tool for nursing use met with resistance. Many physicians initially favored a competing practice of assessing the force of blood flow by pulse palpation. Physicians eventually dropped the practice of subjectively palpating the force of blood flow and came to rely increasingly on the measurement of blood pressure using auscultation. Even after adopting the cuff into practice, however, they had little interest in completely standardizing the use of the blood pressure cuff across the practices of individual physicians.
Pyrolysis of homoadamant-3-ene

Pyrolysis of homoadamant-3-ene (5), generated from 1-adamantylcarbene (7), leads to the same three olefins (2, 3, and 4) that are produced from pyrolysis of 3-homoadamantyl acetate (1).
Butyllithium Deprotonation vs Alkali Metal Reduction of Cobalt Dicarbollide: A New Synthetic Route to C-Substituted Derivatives

Reduction of Cs[Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2] (Cs[I]) with 1 equiv of Na(Hg) amalgam or Cs metal forms the cobalt(II) dianion, [Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2]2- (II), which reverts to I upon exposure to 0.5 equiv of I2. The molecular structure of [Cs2(DME)4][Co(1,2-C2B9H11)2] shows the carbon atoms of dianion II occupy transoid rotational geometry about the cobalt center, consistent with isoelectronic nickel(III) bis(dicarbollide). Reaction of THF solutions of I with 1.0 and 2.0 equiv of n-butyllithium forms purple Cs[Co(LiC2B9H10)(C2B9H11)] (Cs[I-Li]) and blue Cs[Co(LiC2B9H10)2] (Cs[I-Li2]), respectively. Treating I-Li and I-Li2 with water causes reversion to I; reaction with D2O forms a dicarbollide C−D bond (IR: ν(CD/CH) = 2275/3040 cm-1). Mono- and dilithio(cobalt dicarbollide) react with alkyl halides (R−X) to form the corresponding alkyl(cobalt dicarbollide) complexes, [Co(RC2B9H10)(C2B9H11)]- and [Co(RC2B9H10)2]- (I-R and I-R2; R = CH3, C6H13). Alkylation of I-Li2 using methyl iodide gives a mixture of meso and rac isomer...
Molecular dissection of mouse soluble guanylyl cyclase α1 promoter

Abstract Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is the only known receptor for nitric oxide (NO) and is downregulated in aging and hypertension. Little is known about sGC gene transcriptional regulation. In order to characterize the sGC transcriptional system, we cloned and sequenced the 5 ′ flanking region of mouse sGC α 1 gene ( AY116663 ). Structurally, it is a non-canonical TATA-less promoter that we mapped to chromosome 3 with many putative regulation sites for Sp-1, NF-κB, and AP-1 transcription factors amongst others, and two (TG:CA) n dinucleotide microsatellites near the transcriptional start point. The cloned upstream sequence produced a 5-fold increase in luciferase activity in Cos7, HeLa, NIH3T3, and 293 cells as well as in mouse VSMC-like kidney mesangial cells. In the latter cell type, we showed that sGC α 1 promoter activity was dependent on the presence of its 5 ′ unstranslated region (5 ′ UTR).
Lamin A/C mutation analysis in a cohort of 324 unrelated patients with idiopathic or familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background Lamin A/C mutations are a well-established cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), although their frequency has not been examined in a large cohort of patients. We sought to examine the frequency of mutations in LMNA , the gene encoding lamin A/C, in patients with idiopathic (IDC) or familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDC). Methods Clinical cardiovascular data, family histories, and blood samples were collected from 324 unrelated IDC probands, of whom 187 had FDC. DNA samples were sequenced for nucleotide alterations in LMNA . Likely protein-altering mutations were followed up by evaluating additional family members, when possible. Results We identified 18 protein-altering LMNA variants in 19 probands or 5.9% of all cases (7.5% of FDC; 3.6% of IDC). Of the 18 alterations, 11 were missense (one present in 2 kindreds), 3 were nonsense, 3 were insertion/deletions, and 1 was a splice site alteration. Conduction system disease and DCM were common in carriers of LMNA variants. Unexpectedly, in 6 of the 19 kindreds with a protein-altering LMNA variant (32%), at least one affected family member was negative for the LMNA variant. Conclusions Lamin A/C variants were observed with a frequency of 5.9% in probands with DCM. The novel observation of FDC pedigrees in which not all affected individuals carry the putative disease-causing LMNA mutation suggests that some protein-altering LMNA variants are not causative or that some proportion of FDC may be because of multiple causative factors. These findings warrant increased caution in FDC research and molecular diagnostics.
A study of variable subaperture size for astronomical adaptive optics

We examine the utility of a wavefront sensor with a variable subaperture size for astronomical adaptive optics. A numerical analysis, based on wavefront variance and Strehl ratio expressions, was used to find the optimal subaperture size and wavefront sensor integration time for several case studies. The results show that a relatively smaller subaperture size can provide improved performance if the atmospheric coherence length r 0 is also small and the source is relatively bright. Similarly, a larger subaperture size can improve performance if r 0 is also large, the source is relatively dim, and the atmospheric temporal variation is relatively slow. These results suggest that a reconfigurable wavefront sensor could have utility for certain situations where conditions vary from nominal values.
Control of refractory life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias by amiodarone☆

Abstract The antiarrhythmic effects and dose-response relationship of amiodarone hydrochloride, 600 to 1200 mg daily, were studied in 22 patients with recurrent life-threatening symptomatic ventricular tachyarrhythmias refractory to two or more conventional antiarrhythmic agents. In all patients the presence of the arrhythmia was confirmed on ECG and/or 24-hour Holter readings. In 10 one or more episodes of cardiac arrest had been documented by ECG. Two patients died prior to initiation or stabilization of therapy; the goal of therapy was attained in all but one patient. Amiodarone abolished all complex premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and paroxysmal or sustained episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in all 19 remaining patients; In the 15 in whom predrug and serial 24-hour Holter recordings could be obtained and analyzed, the total PVC counts were reduced 90% to 98% by amiodarone. After a mean follow-up of 12 months on chronic amiodarone therapy, there have been no recurrences of VT or ventricular fibrillation and sustained antiarrhythmic response has been confirmed by Holter recordings. One patient died suddenly at home despite complete suppression of PVCs. Amiodarone prolonged the PR (+16.7%; P c (+22.7%; P
On a simple measure of dominance

Abstract One way to describe how much better treatment Y is than treatment X is to find a response value such that the probability of Y being better than this value is the same as the probability of X being worse. We consider the size of this probability as a measure dom ( F Y , F X ) of the dominance of Y over X. Thus we label the central point at which the graph of F X ( x ) meets the graph of 1 - F Y ( x ) as ( x dom ( F Y , F X ) , dom ( F Y , F X ) ) . Conditions are given for the asymptotic normality of ( x dom ( G ^ , F ^ ) , dom ( G ^ , F ^ ) ) when G ^ and F ^ are possibly dependent empirical distributions. A Wilson-type approximate confidence interval for dom ( G , F ) is proposed and this interval is shown to perform generally better than a Wald-type interval.
Syntheses, Structures, and Thermal Behavior of Cu(hfacac) Complexes Derived from Ethanolamines.

A series of novel precursors for MOCVD of metallic copper have been synthesized and structurally characterized. These precursors are composed of Cu(hfacac)(2), which serves as a volatile source of Cu, and amino alcohols, which act as reductants and anchor firmly to the copper center through the amine unit. In some cases, a proton transfer from the coordinated alcohol to the hfacac ligand results in the formation of an alkoxide unit and the release of the free Hhfacac. Metallic copper films can be deposited by MOCVD at 300 degrees C without any external reductant. Crystal data: Cu(hfacac)(2).C(7)H(8) (-103 degrees C), a = 6.510(6) A, b = 8.594(7) A, c = 18.478(15) A, orthorhombic space group Pmnn, Z = 2; Cu(hfacac)(2)(H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)OH) (-158 degrees C), a = 13.145(1) A, b = 13.418(1) A, c = 11.245(1) A, alpha = 110.39(1) degrees, beta = 99.12(1) degrees, gamma = 97.90(1) degrees, triclinic space group Po, Z = 4; [Cu(hfacac)(Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (-153 degrees C), a = 9.259(2) A, b = 12.011(3) A, c = 6.304(1) A, alpha = 91.19(1) degrees, beta = 106.66(1) degrees, gamma = 74.83(1) degrees, triclinic space group Po, Z = 1; Cu(hfacac)[N(CH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)(CH(2)CH(2)O)].MeOH (-168 degrees C), a = 10.075(4) A, b = 8.611(4) A, c = 19.259(9) A, beta = 99.82(2) degrees, monoclinic space group P2(1)/m, Z = 4.
Strip-Line Methods for Dielectric Measurements at Microwave Frequencies

Strip-line methods for measuring dielectric constants and loss tangent of sheet insulation, particularly of strip-line laminates, offer advantages for laboratory study and routine quality control of microwave dielectric properties at frequencies above 1 GHz. Theoretical and practical problems are discussed including possible strip circuit test patterns, effects of air gaps, correction for fringing field, adaptability to different dielectric thicknesses, and the relation of the measured loaded Q to both the unloaded Q of resonant strips and the dissipation factor of the dielectric period. Band-stop and band-pass filter test fixtures and measuring arrangements are described which are suitable for laboratory measurements or, when the filter circuit is made a permanent part of the fixture, for rapid and precise quality control testing. Dielectric properties measured at X-band (8-12 GHz) are given for a number of materials. Data are also included on the variability of copper-clad glass cloth-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and the dependence of apparent dielectric constant on clamping pressure and test temperature.
Effects of 5-fluorocytidine on mammalian transfer RNA and transfer RNA methyltransferases

Abstract Effects of 5-fluorocytidine on mouse liver tRNA and mouse liver tRNA methyltransferases were investigated. tRNA isolated from drug-treated tissue was shown to contain 5-fluorocytidine and 5 fluorouridine. The amounts of all 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides such as 5-methylcytidine, 5-methyluridine, pseudouridine and 5,6-dihydrouridine were substantially reduced. The decreased methylation of tRNA was shown to result from decreased tRNA cytosine-5-methyltransferase and tRNA uracil-5-methyltransferase activities and capacities. Incorporation of 5-fluorouridine into tRNA, as well as the effects of 5-fluorocytidine administration on the modified uridine derivatives in tRNA, suggested the in vivo conversion of 5-fluorocytosine derivatives to 5-fluorouracil derivatives, as administration of the latter had been shown previously to cause the same effects. The inhibition of tRNA cytosine-5-methyltransferase after administration of 5-fluorocytidine resembles the effect of another cytidine analog, 5-azacytidine, which is known to cause lack of 5-methylcytidine in mouse liver tRNA and the inhibition of this particular tRNA methyltransferase.
Improved detection of simulated thrombus by layer decomposition of coronary angiograms

Layer decomposition is a promising technique for background removal and noise reduction in coronary angiograms. Our layer decomposition algorithm decomposes a projection image sequence into multiple 2D layers undergoing translation, rotation, and scaling. We apply this layer decomposition algorithm to simulated angiograms containing stenotic vessels with and without thrombus. We constructed 85 pairs of simulated angiographic sequences by embedding each of 5 simulated vessels (with and without thrombus) in 17 clinical angiograms. We computed the response of a matched eye filter applied to (1) one raw image of each sequence at the time of minimal motion (RAW), (2) a layered digital subtraction angiography (LDSA) image of the same frame, and (3) the time-averaged vessel layer image (LAYER). We find that on average the LAYER and LDSA images have higher signal-to-noise ration and larger area under the receiver- operator characteristic curves (AUC) than the raw images.