cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient analysis of the particle-pellet model with structural changes in the solid phase

A transient analysis based on the particle-pellet model, which includes the effect of structural changes is presented for non-catalytic gas-solid reactions. Changes in the conversion-time relationship and in temperature profiles in the pellet are considered. The numerical solution of the resulting non-linear partial differential equations is performed using the method of lines, whereby finite difference discretization in the spatial variable yields a stiff system of ordinary differential equations in the time variable. The resulting initial value problem is solved with a general-purpose ordinary differential equation solver. The results obtained using this transient model have been compared with those using a simplified model in which a pseudo-steady state is assumed. Significant differences were found for cases in which structural changes are large.
Fast approximate factor analysis

The principal orthogonal factor analysis or Karhunen-Loeve algorithm may be sped up by a low-complexity preprocessing step. A fast transform is selected from a large library of wavelet-like orthonormal bases, so as to maximize transform coding gain for an ensemble of vectors. Only the top few coefficients in the new basis, in order of variance across the ensemble, are then decorrelated by diagonalizing the autocovariance matrix. The method has computational complexity O(d2 log d + d'3) and O(d log d + d'2) respectively for training and classifying a d-dimensional system, where d' << d. One application is described, the reduction of an ensemble of 16,384 pixel face images to a 10 parameter space using a desktop computer, retaining 90% of the variance of the ensemble.
The Pneumococcal Vaccine After 15 Years of Use

IN LATE 1977, the Food and Drug-Administration (FDA) licensed a pneumococcal vaccine containing antigens from 14 of the 83 known serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae , and in 1983 the manufacturers expanded the preparation to 23 antigens. Eversince the vaccine's release, many groups, including the Immunization Practice Advisory Committee sponsored by the US Public Health Service, have endorsed a nationwide vaccination program for people with increased susceptibility to pneumococcal disease. The most recent statement of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee, 1 issued in 1989, recommends immunizing (1) everyone aged 65 years or older; (2) all individuals 2 years of age or older with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, cirrhosis, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, unspecified cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases), immunocompromising disorders (such as anatomic or functional asplenia, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, organ transplantation), or human immunodeficiency virus infection; and (3) persons living in special environments or social settings
Neural induction : a bird's eye view

Since the discovery of the phenomenon of neural induction by Spemann and Mangold in 1924, considerable effort has been invested in identifying the signals produced by the organizer that are responsible for diverting the fate of cells from epidermal to neural. Substantial progress has been made only recently by the finding in amphibians that BMP4 is a neural inhibitor and epidermal inducer, and that endogenous antagonists of BMPs are secreted by the organizer. However, recent results in the chick point to the existence of other, upstream events required before BMP inhibition stabilizes neural fates. Here we take a critical view of the evidence for and against the view that BMP inhibition is a sufficient trigger for neural induction in different vertebrates.
Establishment of a prolonged pancreas preservation model for islet isolation research in mice.

Establishing a prolonged pancreas preservation model in a small animal is important for islet isolation research. Use of a rat pancreas model has been reported, but no published reports have used a mouse pancreas for prolonged cold preservation prior to islet isolation. For the model, a mouse is preferred over a rat because of its small size, well-known immune characterization and variety of gene-modulated models. In the present study, we established a prolonged pancreas preservation model in a mouse for islet isolation research. The collagenase solution was injected successfully after 24 and 48 h cold preservations in University of Wisconsin solution, and islets could be isolated from both groups of preserved pancreata. The islet yields from the control, 24 h preserved, and 48 h preserved pancreata were 183.9 ± 13.9, 128.5 ± 15.5, and 24.6 ± 12.9 per pancreas, respectively. The propidium iodide–positive area assay was significantly increased in both preserved groups, and insulin secretion levels in response to 20.0 mM glucose and stimulation indices were significantly decreased in the 48 h preserved group. Inflammation-related genes mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in the 24 h preserved group, as previously shown in the human model. Thus, this model might be useful for prehuman islet isolation screening research, reserving research using human pancreata for the most promising approaches.
A Modification of the Variable Phase Method for Optimum Numerical Calculation of Phase Shifts

Abstract We have found a modification of the variable phase method which can significantly decrease computational time, and at the same time, gives stable solutions except in energy regions close to reasonances. In particular, by redefining the phase of the variable phase method, we can obtain a first-order, nonlinear differential equation for the redefined phase, whose solution is relatively slowly varying, which thus allows rapid numerical integration. The similarity of this redefined phase to the JWKB phase is pointed out, and this modified variable phase method is compared with other well-known methods of numerically calculating phase shifts.
An ab initio study of the structure, vibrational frequencies and heat of formation of ONCO radical

Abstract The structure, infrared vibrational frequencies, and heat of formation of ONCO radical were calculated using ab initio molecular orbital theory. Calculations were performed using various basis sets in conjunction with various post-Hartree-Fock methods. The most elaborate optimized geometry was calculated using quadratic configuration interaction theory with perturbative correction for the triples (QCISD(T)) with the 6–311G(2d, 2p) basis set. At this level of theory the structure is bound with an N-C bond length of 1.283 A. Using G2 theory the heat of formation of ONCO radical is 20.2 kcal mol − .
DOES LINKING MIXED-FORMAT TESTS USING A MULTIPLE-CHOICE ANCHOR PRODUCE COMPARABLE RESULTS FOR MALE AND FEMALE SUBGROUPS?

This study examines the use of subpopulation invariance indices to evaluate the appropriateness of using a multiple-choice (MC) item anchor in mixed-format tests, which include both MC and constructed-response (CR) items. Linking functions were derived in the nonequivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) design using an MC-only anchor set for 4 mixed-format licensure tests. For each of those licensure tests, the linking functions were also derived separately for males and females, and those subpopulation functions were compared to the total group function. The mathematics, social studies, and science tests each produced acceptable differences between each of the subpopulation functions and the total group function within the cut-score region, leading to consistent pass/fail designations for the examinees. The English test, which had a low correlation between MC and CR components (indicative of multidimensionality), produced the largest differences, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the MC-only anchor.
Fuzzy classification of roof fall predictors in microseismic monitoring

Abstract Microseismic monitoring involves placing geophones on the rock surfaces of a mine to record seismic activity. Classification of microseismic mine data can be used to predict seismic events in a mine to mitigate mining hazards, such as roof falls, where properly bolting and bracing the roof is often an insufficient method of preventing weak roofs from destabilizing. In this study, six months of recorded acoustic waveforms from microseismic monitoring in a Pennsylvania limestone mine were analyzed using classification techniques to predict roof falls. Fuzzy classification using features selected for computational ease was applied on the mine data. Both large roof fall events could be predicted using a Roof Fall Index (RFI) metric calculated from the results of the fuzzy classification. RFI was successfully used to resolve the two significant roof fall events and predicted both events by at least 15 h before visual signs of the roof falls were evident.
Management of postoperative chylopericardium in childhood

1. Josephson ME, Kastor JA. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Is the atrium a necessary link? Circulation 1976;54:430-435. 2. Miller JM, Rosenthal ME, Vasallo JA, Josephson ME. Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: studies on upper and lower “common pathways”. Circulation 1987:75:930-940. 3. Ross DL, Johhson DC, Denniss AR, Cooper MJ, Richards DA, Uther JB. Curative surgery for atrioventricular junctional (“AV nodal”) reentrant tachycardia. JACC 1985,6:1383S1392. 4. Cox JL, Holman WL, Cain ME. Cryosurgical treatment of atrioventricular node reentrant tachy-
Diffusion of Ca2+ ions through neoprene latex films (Ca2+ diffusion through latex films)

Abstract A mathematical model is developed which predicts the rate at which divalent cations diffuse through a coalescing rubber latex film. Factors which affect the rate of film deposition when a latex comes into contact with a coagulant solution are considered. Experimental results on polychloroprene latices are presented to test the theory.
Differential Neutron Spectra Unfolding from Foil Activation Data

This report describes an application of a computer code, IUNFLD, to estimate a differential neutron fluence spectrum based on a set of foil activation data. The code allows several types of supplementary data to be used along with the activation data. The estimate obtained is compared with transport calculations and with estimates obtained with other codes. The advantages of IUNFLD compared with the codes used previously are discussed.
Solar hydrogen Lyman-alpha-profile spectrograph.

High resolution UV spectrograph with echelle, noting optical line-up for photographing H- Lyman alpha line at 1216 angstroms
Effect of oximetry error on the diagnostic value of the Qp/Qs ratio.

As a quantitative assessment of the magnitude of shunting, the ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) plays an important role not only in the oximetric diagnosis of intracardiac and great-vessel shunts but also in the treatment of the patient. However, the oxygen saturation measurements used to compute the Qp/Qs ratio contain errors due to physiological variability and measurement error of the oximeter used to analyze the blood samples. We have developed a mathematical model to describe the variability that oximetry errors contribute to the uncertainty in the Qp/Qs ratio. Using this model, we compute the probability of making an inappropriate recommendation regarding corrective surgery when a particular value of the ratio is the criterion for surgery, e.g. a Qp/Qs ratio >2. This report also contains a spreadsheet that readers can use to analyze their own oximetry data by computing confidence intervals for the Qp/Qs ratio. The results presented here support the following conclusions. First, because the Qp/Qs ratio is calculated from saturation measurements at four different sites, oximetry errors make the Qp/Qs ratio less effective at detecting the presence of a shunt than the conventional step-up method that depends on samples from only two sites. Second, although oximetry errors are equally likely to cause the calculated Qp/Qs ratio to overestimate the true Qp/Qs ratio as to underestimate it, the overestimations on average have greater magnitudes than the underestimations. Third, in comparison with an oximeter that has 2.5% measurement error, using an oximeter with 1% or less error greatly reduces the uncertainty in the Qp/Qs ratio and thus increases the probability of reaching the right decision regarding corrective surgery. Fourth, the variability in apparent Qp/Qs ratios is also greatly diminished by taking multiple blood samples from each of the four requisite sites and averaging them before calculating the Qp/Qs ratio. Although increasing the number of blood samples from each site can compensate for the error of an oximeter, this approach can be impractical, particularly if the oximeter error is 2.5% or greater.
Ion transport across the isolated rabbit cornea

Ion flux determinations, made during the first hour after excision of the cornea from the rabbit, have shown that both sodium and chloride ions are actively transported across the cornea from the epithelial to the endothelial surface. The sodium transport persists for several hours, while the chloride movement is of a purely passive nature 1 hr after removal from the animal. This finding is supported by measurements of the electrical parameters of the membrane made in media of different natures. Bathing the tissue in normal Ringer's solution gives a potential difference of 5–6 mV, in choline Ringer's solution the potential difference becomes negative by −2 to −3 mV, while in sulfate Ringer's solution the potential difference rises to maxima of 15–18 mV. The location of a transport “pump” is suggested to be in the epithelium.
Environmental hydrogen embrittlement of an α-β titanium alloy: Effect of microstructure

Study of environmental hydrogen embrittlement of a Ti-6 Al-4 alloy as a function of test displacement rate and of variations in alpha-beta microstructure. Embrittlement in low-pressure (about 1 atm) gaseous hydrogen was inversely dependent on test displacement rate and strongly dependent on microstructure. At a given displacement rate, microstructures having a continuous alpha-phase matrix were less severely embrittled than those having a continuous beta-phase matrix. Further, brittle fracture occurred in the former microstructures by transgranular cleavage and in the latter microstructures by intergranular separation. These observations are consistent with previous studies made on slow strain-rate embrittlement of hydrogen-charged titanium alloys and are explained in terms of relative hydrogen transport rates within the alpha-phase and beta-phase titanium.
Rearrangements in icosahedral boranes and carboranes revisited

The structure, stability, and intermolecular rearrangements between ortho-, meta-, and para-C2B10H12 and \({\text{B}}_{{12}} {\text{H}}^{{2 - }}_{{12}}\) were investigated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) for vibrational frequencies, as well as B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) for single-point electronic energies. The general trends in free energies of rearrangement between ortho-C2B10H12 to meta-C2B10H12 and meta-C2B10H12 to para-C2B10H12 presented here are consistent with experimental reaction temperatures. In addition, the majority of the rearrangements can be viewed in terms of concerted diamond–square–diamond steps and triangular face rotations.
Alternative splicing: a novel mechanism to fine-tune the expression and function of the human AT1 receptor.

Abstract Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor is closely involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, aberrant regulation of the production of this receptor might play a role in these disorders. Currently, there is strong evidence to suggest that the predominant mechanism regulating the number of AT 1 receptors is the modulation of mRNA stability. Here, we discuss the importance of alternative splicing as an additional post-transcriptional mechanism regulating human AT 1 receptor number and function.
Chemical reactivity of a methyldiazonium ion with nucleophilic centers of DNA bases

Abstract A series of hierarchical chemical reactivity calculations have been performed to elucidate the alkylation properties of a methyldiazonium ion toward DNA base sites. Both MINDO/3 and CNDO/2 approximate methods have been employed. For the isolated bases the O6 of guanine is predicted to be the most reactive site. This prediction may also be relevant to single-stranded DNA chains containing guanine. For base-pairs, the N7 and O6 sites on guanine are about equally favored for alkylation. The previous study of aziridinium ion alkylation gave about the same results with N7 guanine modestly favored as the preferred site of alkylation for base-pairs. In composite we conclude that N7 guanine and/or O6 guanine will be the preferred sites for alkylation by a methyldiazonium ion but cannot distinguish between these two in terms of chemical specificity.
Diode laser spectra of gaseous methyl alcohol

Abstract The infrared absorption spectrum near 1034 cm −1 of the C O stretch band of gaseous methyl alcohol has been measured with a lead-salt diode laser. Stark and heterodyne experiments have permitted the assignment of many J, n, τ. K transitions. The relationship of the infrared absorptions to photon-pumped submillimetre wave laser transitions is discussed
American Populism and the Death Penalty: Witnesses at an Execution1

Abstract: The currently popular status of the death penalty in the United States is examined in three respects: the eagerness of surviving family members to witness the execution of the murderer of their loved one, the controversy over whether executions ought to be shown ‘live’ on television, and the newly authorised used of victim-impact statements in the sentencing phase of capital trials.
Activated αvβ3 Integrin Regulates αvβ5 Integrin–Mediated Phagocytosis in Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Purpose. To investigate the roles of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins in phagocytosis in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.
Predictors, Moderators, and Treatment Parameters of Community and Clinic-Based Treatment for Child Disruptive Behavior Disorders

This study examines predictors, moderators, and treatment parameters associated with two key child outcomes in a recent clinical trial comparing the effects of a modular treatment that was applied by study clinicians in the community (COMM) or a clinic (CLINIC) for children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD). Based on a literature review, moderator and predictor variables across child, parent, and family domains were examined in relation to changes in parental ratings of the severity of externalizing behavior problems or the number of ODD and CD symptoms endorsed on psychiatric interview at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 36-month posttreatment follow-up. In addition, associations between parameters of treatment (e.g., hours of child, parent, and parent–child treatment received, treatment completion, referral for additional services at discharge) and child outcomes were explored. Path models identified few moderators (e.g., level of child impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, level of family conflict) and several predictors (child trauma history, family income, parental employment, parental depression) of treatment response. Treatment response was also related to a few treatment parameters (e.g., hours of child and parent treatment received, treatment completion, referral for additional services at discharge). We discuss the implications of these findings for maximizing the benefits of modular treatment by optimizing or personalizing intervention approaches for children with behavior disorders.
Coherent detection of freely propagating terahertz radiation by electro‐optic sampling

We report the demonstration of an electro‐optic sampling technique that allows for the detection of freely propagating terahertz radiation. Coherent sampling is performed in a poled polymer device that is physically separated from the emitter. The poling electrodes in the sampling element are found to have an integrating effect on the incident terahertz field. The shot noise limited minimum detectable field in the polymer is 100 (mV/cm)/√Hz. We discuss methods by which the sensitivity may be significantly enhanced.
Auroral N2(c141Σu+ + a1Πg) emission, II

Abstract A determination by Fillippelll et al of the branching ratio between N2(c14 Σu+) emission to the ground state and the a1Πg state indicate that our earlier estimate of auroral N2(c14→ X) emission intensities is too low, and that more than 1 MR is expected in this transition. The intensities of the bands in the N2(c14→ a) 0-v“ progression follow values calculated on the basis of a transition moment invariant with internuclear separation.
Inhibition by lasiocarpine of RNA synthesis, RNA polymerase and induction of tryptophan pyrrolase activity.

LASIOCARPINE, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid derived from Heliotropium lasiocarpium or from Heliotropium europaeum, produces chronic liver damage and cancer in rats and other laboratory animals1–3, and it induces nucleolar “capping”4,5 (Fig. 1). The functional significance of nucleolar “caps” is poorly understood. They are probably related to alterations in DNA-directed RNA synthesis and RNA polymerase activity6–8.
Motivational depression associated with norepinephrine-induced eating from the hypothalamus: resemblance to the ventromedial hyperphagic syndrome.

Abstract Rats with lateral hypothalamic cannulae were injected with norepinephrine and tested when both hungry and satiated on appetitive tasks of varying difficulty. On a simple consummatory test norepinephrine produced more eating than saline at both 0 and 24 hr of deprivation, and performance at 24 hr was more potentiated than that at 0 hr. On a continuously reinforced lever-pressing task, norepinephrine potentiated pressing only at 0-hr deprivation. When pressing was reinforced on a 30-sec variable interval schedule, norepinephrine potentiated pressing at 0 hr of deprivation, but after 24 hr of deprivation norepinephrine-injected rats pressed significantly less than saline-injected controls. These data suggest that norepinephrine produced a motivational depression in a rat's willingness to work for food which is similar to that seen following ventromedial lesions of the hypothalamus.
Assay of primate seminiferous tubule androgen receptors using [3H]mibolerone.

Abstract The synthetic radiolabelled androgen mibolerone (7α,17α-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone) was used to characterize androgen receptor binding in the seminiferous tubules from Cynomolgus monkey testis. Mibolerone binding was of high affinity (Kd = 0.6−5.4 nM) and limited capacity (37–50 fmol/mg protein), and was androgen specific. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation using a vertical tube rotor permitted the identification of a 9S molybdate-stabilized receptor under low salt conditions. The receptor bound to DEAE-cellulose. Methyltrienolone, but not mibolerone, also bound to a low affinity high capacity binding site in tubule cytosol, which probably represents glucocorticoid receptor binding, since it could be displaced by excess dexamethasone. However, occupancy of this low-affinity binding site by dexamethasone in an androgen receptor assay with [3H]methyltrienolone lead to a 33% underestimation of receptor binding, which appeared to relate to radioactive decomposition. Mibolerone, as well as methyltrienolone, bound to a progestin-binding protein in seminiferous tubule cytosol. These studies provide methods for the study of seminiferous tubule androgen receptors in subhuman primates and indicate that, due to its greater stability and lack of binding to glucocorticoid receptor, mibolerone is a useful new ligand in the study of androgen receptors in testis and its constituent cells.
Accelerated barrier optimization compressed sensing (ABOCS) for CT reconstruction with improved convergence.

Recently, we proposed a new algorithm of accelerated barrier optimization compressed sensing (ABOCS) for iterative CT reconstruction. The previous implementation of ABOCS uses gradient projection (GP) with a Barzilai–Borwein (BB) step-size selection scheme (GP-BB) to search for the optimal solution. The algorithm does not converge stably due to its non-monotonic behavior. In this paper, we further improve the convergence of ABOCS using the unknown-parameter Nesterov (UPN) method and investigate the ABOCS reconstruction performance on clinical patient data. Comparison studies are carried out on reconstructions of computer simulation, a physical phantom and a head-and-neck patient. In all of these studies, the ABOCS results using UPN show more stable and faster convergence than those of the GP-BB method and a state-of-the-art Bregman-type method. As shown in the simulation study of the Shepp–Logan phantom, UPN achieves the same image quality as those of GP-BB and the Bregman-type methods, but reduces the iteration numbers by up to 50% and 90%, respectively. In the Catphan©600 phantom study, a high-quality image with relative reconstruction error (RRE) less than 3% compared to the full-view result is obtained using UPN with 17% projections (60 views). In the conventional filtered-backprojection reconstruction, the corresponding RRE is more than 15% on the same projection data. The superior performance of ABOCS with the UPN implementation is further demonstrated on the head-and-neck patient. Using 25% projections (91 views), the proposed method reduces the RRE from 21% as in the filtered backprojection (FBP) results to 7.3%. In conclusion, we propose UPN for ABOCS implementation. As compared to GP-BB and the Bregman-type methods, the new method significantly improves the convergence with higher stability and fewer iterations.
The disappearing coronary stenosis: reemphasizing the importance of excluding coronary vasospasm before coronary intervention.

We describe a case of resting angina with multiple angiographic stenoses that were highly suitable for stenting. These classic lesions resolved after intracoronary nitroglycerin while positioning a stent. This case reemphasizes the need to exclude vasospasm prior to any interventional coronary procedure.
A roughening phenomenon in a spin system

Abstract A two-dimensional spin system [the U(∞) chiral model] is shown to exhibit a non-rough phase in contrast to the folklore that two-dimensional spin systems do not possess the roughening phenomenon.
Gyroscopic stabilization of an unmanned bicycle

There are two theoretical methods by which a two wheeled vehicle oriented in tandem can be stabilized: dynamic stabilization and control moment gyroscope (CMG) stabilization. Dynamic stabilization utilizes tactical steering techniques to trigger a lean in the vehicle in the intended direction for balancing, while CMG stabilization employs the reactive precession torque of a high speed flywheel about an axis that will act to balance the vehicle. Of these two, CMG stabilization offers greater advantages for static vehicles. This paper proposes a first order sliding mode controller (SMC) design to control the CMG and stabilize a bicycle at zero-forward velocity. This study also compares the SMC method to a PID controller to validate the advantages of the SMC controller for the highly non-linear system dynamics of static stabilization. The result of two experimental setups are presented and discussed. The first experimental platform is a single degree of freedom (DOF) inverted pendulum and the second is a three DOF bicycle.
New Developments in ZnO Materials and Devices

We will examine a few of the outstanding new ZnO materials and device developments published in 2006. In the area of bulk crystal growth, high-quality 3-inch ZnO wafers grown by the hydrothermal method have become available, and Bridgman growth has also been developed. In the thin-film area, excellent ZnO layers have been grown by liquid-phase epitaxy. Other types of epitaxial material have also shown improvements, and the quantum Hall effect has now been observed, along with photoluminescence (PL) linewidths as low as 110 meV. In the area of impurity characterization, radioactive-tracer methods have been used to make positive identifications of the PL donor-bound exciton lines I 8 and I 9 , as due to Ga and In, respectively. Our understanding of the common impurity H has also advanced, because it is now known from both theory and experiment that interstitial H is not stable at room temperature. The same is true of the native interstitials, Zn I and O I . New results suggest that the common H-related shallow donor is probably multibonded H substitutional on an O site, and the Zn I -related shallow donor is probably a complex, such as Zn I -NO. In the important area of p-type ZnO, it has been demonstrated that Li and N co-doped material has a resistivity as low as 1 O-cm and is stable for at least one year. Also, many groups were able to make thin-film and nanowire or nanorod p-n junction light emitting diodes (LEDs). Another very exciting development was the creation of an edge-emitting laser diode, from rows of n-ZnO nanocrystals on a p-GaN thin film. Electronic devices, including transparent transistors, also made great strides, producing record field-effect mobilities.
Idebenone and neuroprotection: antioxidant, pro-oxidant, or electron carrier?

Ubiquinone, commonly called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), is a lipophilic electron carrier and endogenous antioxidant found in all cellular membranes. In the mitochondrial inner membrane it transfers electrons to complex III of the electron transport chain. The short chain CoQ analogue idebenone is in clinical trials for a number of diseases that exhibit a mitochondrial etiology. Nevertheless, evidence that idebenone ameliorates neurological symptoms in human disease is inconsistent. Although championed as an antioxidant, idebenone can also act as a pro-oxidant by forming an unstable semiquinone at complex I. The antioxidant function of idebenone is critically dependent on two-electron reduction to idebenol without the creation of unstable intermediates. Recently, cytoplasmic NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) was identified as a major enzyme catalyzing idebenone reduction. While reduction allows idebenone to act as an antioxidant, evidence also suggests that NQO1 enables idebenone to shuttle reducing equivalents from cytoplasmic NAD(P)H to mitochondrial complex III, bypassing any upstream damage to the electron transport chain. In this mini-review we discuss how idebenone can influence mitochondrial function within the context of cytoprotection. Importantly, in the brain NQO1 is expressed primarily by glia rather than neurons. As NQO1 is an inducible enzyme regulated by oxidative stress and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, optimizing NQO1 expression in appropriate cell types within a specific disease context may be key to delivering on idebenone’s therapeutic potential.
Optimization of a He-jet activity transport system to use at LAMPF☆

Abstract As part of an assessment of the feasibility for a He-jet coupled on-line mass separator at LAMPF, we have studied performance characteristics of a gas activity transport system under conditions simulating those expected on the main LAMPF beam line. In experiments utilizing a side beam at LAMPF, we have measured absolute transport efficiencies, transit times, aerosol properties, and dependences on beam intensity. Further experiments with a He-jet system at the Omega West Reactor have indicated an optimum configuration of a target chamber to be placed in the LAMPF main beam. The results of these studies suggest that a He-jet activity transport system should work well at LAMPF in the 800-MeV, 1-mA proton beam that is spread over ∼40 cm2 near the beam stop.
Enhancement of Ad5-TRAIL cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) will cause greater than 12,000 deaths in the United States this year. The lack of effective therapy for disseminated RCC has stimulated the search for novel treatments including immunotherapeutic strategies, but poor therapeutic responses and marked toxicity have limited their use. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo-2L induces apoptosis in various tumor cell types, while having little cytotoxicity against normal cells. In this study, we investigated the tumoricidal potential of a recombinant adenovirus encoding human TNFSF10 (Ad5-TRAIL), alone and in combination with a panel of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), against the TRAIL/Apo-2L-resistant RCC line 786-O and normal human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC). Ad5-TRAIL was unable to induce apoptosis in either 786-O or RPTEC alone; however, tumor cell apoptosis occurred when Ad5-TRAIL was combined with HDAC inhibition. Except when combined with trichostatin A, RPTEC were not sensitized to Ad5-TRAIL by HDACi. In 786-O, HDAC inhibition induced CAR expression, permitting increased adenoviral infection and transgene expression. It also induced TRAIL-R2 expression, accelerated the death-inducing signaling complex formation and enhanced caspase-8 activation. Our results demonstrate the utility of combining Ad5-TRAIL with HDACi against RCC, and mechanistically define how this combination modulates RCC sensitivity to TRAIL/Apo-2L and adenoviral infection.
Submicron Ambipolar Nanocrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Transistors and Inverters

Nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated at a maximum processing temperature of 250 °C operate with high field-effect mobility compared with amorphous-silicon TFTs. By reducing the oxygen content in the channel layer, ambipolar behavior can be obtained. Two levels of electron-beam lithography are employed to fabricate nc-Si TFTs with nanoscale dimensions that operate without significant short-channel effects for gate lengths down to 200 nm. The TFTs have current-voltage (I- V) characteristics with on-off ratio >; 105 at ±1 V drain voltage and low threshold voltage shift. Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE) software is used to model the TFTs, and it is validated by performing the fit to devices of different dimensions. An inverter constituent of nc-Si TFTs offers high voltage gain (10-12) and frequency response better than 2 MHz. The crowbar current associated with the inverter can be minimized by using an optimized geometry ratio based on the leakage currents of the TFTs. An amplifier circuit is also demonstrated, offering an ac gain in the frequency range of 100 Hz-10 kHz. SPICE simulations of the inverter and amplifier show close agreement with measured data. The fabricated devices are well suited for use in high-density architectures.
Molecular glass resists for next generation lithography

In order to meet the growing demand of the electronics industry for smaller, higher resolution features much recent attention has focused on next generation lithographic techniques, such as Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) or e-beam lithography. Complementary to this field of research is the design of the next generation of photoresists to produce sub 50 nm feature sizes. Chemically amplified molecular glass resists are among the most promising alternatives to traditional polymeric materials. These materials are monodisperse, amorphous organic molecules which lead to high resolution patterns with low line edge roughness owing to their small size and lack of chain entanglement. In this submission, we describe our work in the development of molecular glass resists. The materials are designed with rigid cores, to ensure high Tg, and with bulky side groups to inhibit crystallization. We show that these materials are capable of producing high resolution feature sizes and show great promise in meeting the demands of emerging next-generation lithographic techniques.
Identification of an Enhancer of the Human Activating Protein-2α Gene That Contains a Critical Ets1 Binding Site

Deletion analysis studies of the 5′-flanking region of the activating protein-2α (AP-2α) gene indicates that the proximal 152 bp are essential for minimal promoter activity and that a 140-bp fragment from nucleotides −1279 to −1139 acts as an enhancer of basal transcriptional activity. Ligation of the 140-bp fragment to a minimal AP-2α promoter or a heterologous simian virus 40 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid conferred enhancer activity in trophoblast cells. In deoxyribonuclease I footprint studies, nuclear extracts from trophoblast cells protected two regions of the 140-bp fragment, E2 and E3. Site-directed mutagenesis of an Ets1-binding site in E2 significantly inhibited AP-2α enhancer activity, whereas mutagenesis of two putative polyomavirus enhancer activator-3-binding sites on E2 and an insulin upstream factor 1-binding site in E3 had no effect on enhancer activity. Gel shift and supershift assays indicated that Ets1 binds to the Ets site in E2, and overexpression of Ets1 in transfection studie...
Lewis’ law revisited: the role of anisotropy in size–topology correlations

Since F T Lewis' pioneering work in the 1920s, a linear correlation between the average in-plane area of domains in a two-dimensional (2D) cellular structure and the number of neighbors of the domains has been empirically proposed, with many supporting and dissenting findings in the ensuing decades. Revisiting Lewis' original experiment, we take a larger set of more detailed data on the cells in the epidermal layer of Cucumis, and analyze the data in the light of recent results on size–topology correlations. We find that the correlation between the number-of-neighbor distribution (topology) and the area distribution is altered over that of many other 2D cellular systems (such as foams or disc packings), and that the systematic deviation can be explained by the anisotropic shape of the Cucumis cells. We develop a novel theory of size–topology correlation taking into account the characteristic aspect ratio of the cells within the framework of a granocentric model, and show that both Lewis' and our experimental data is consistent with the theory. In contrast to the granocentric model for isotropic domains, the new theory results in an approximately linear correlation consistent with Lewis' law. These statistical effects can be understood from the increased number of configurations available to a plane-filling domain system with non-isotropic elements, for the first time providing a firm explanation of why Lewis' law is valid in some systems and fails in others.
Medicaid managed care and coverage of prescription medications.

Almost 19 million Medicaid recipients were in managed care during 2000, or 55.8% of all Medicaid recipients.1 Most Medicaid managed care contracts specify coverage of prescription drugs without further description, but some states specify limitations and exclusions of pharmacy benefits.2 States may “carve out” pharmacy benefits from managed care contracts and cover medications under fee-for-service Medicaid payments. Carving out allows separate reimbursement for a particular service that may contain higher costs, such as HIV-related medications.2 Section 1115 waivers allow the states, subject to federal approval, to deviate from many standard Medicaid requirements when implementing managed care programs.2,3 The objective of this brief is to present the results of a survey that focused on state Medicaid coverage of prescription medications in managed care settings.
Preclinical Manufacture of an Anti‐HER2 scFv‐PEG‐DSPE, Liposome‐Inserting Conjugate. 1. Gram‐Scale Production and Purification

A GMP-compliant process is described for producing F5cys-PEG-lipid conjugate. This material fuses with preformed, drug-loaded liposomes, to form "immunoliposomes" that bind to HER2/neu overexpressing carcinomas, stimulates drug internalization, and ideally improves the encapsulated drug's therapeutic index. The soluble, single-chain, variable region antibody fragment, designated F5cys, was produced in E. coli strain RV308 using high-density cultures. Affinity adsorption onto horizontally tumbled Streamline rProtein-A resin robustly recovered F5cys from high-pressure-disrupted, whole-cell homogenates. Two product-related impurity classes were identified: F5cys with mid-sequence discontinuities and F5cys with remnants of a pelB leader peptide. Low-pressure cation exchange chromatography, conducted at elevated pH under reducing conditions, enriched target F5cys relative to these impurities and prepared a C-terminal cysteine for conjugation. Site-directed conjugation, conducted at pH 5.9 +/- 0.1 with reaction monitoring and cysteine quenching, yielded F5cys-MP-PEG(2000)-DSPE. Low-pressure size exclusion chromatography separated spontaneously formed, high-molecular-weight conjugate micelles from low-molecular-weight impurities. When formulated at 1-2 mg/mL in 10 mM trisodium citrate, 10% sucrose (w/v), at pH 6.4 (HCl), the conjugate was stable when stored below -70 degrees C. Six scale-up lots were compared. The largest 40-L culture produced enough F5cys to manufacture 2,085 mg of conjugate, enough to support planned preclinical and future clinical trials. The conjugate was 93% pure, as measured by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Impurities were primarily identified as product-related. Residual endotoxin, rProtein A, and genomic DNA, were at acceptable levels. This study successfully addressed a necessary step in the scale-up of immunoliposome-encapsulated therapeutics.
Hierarchical ranking of facial attributes

We propose a novel hierarchical structured prediction approach for ranking images of faces based on attributes. We view ranking as a bipartite graph matching problem; learning to rank under this setting can be achieved through structured prediction techniques that directly optimize the matching measures. Our key contribution is a novel model that combines structured predictors for different feature descriptors in a hierarchical fashion, enabling accurate ranking. We demonstrate our method on an important application which consists of searching for people over short intervals of time based on facial attributes. Given queries containing physical traits of a person (e.g., red hat, beard, and sunglasses), and an input database of face images, our system ranks the images in the database according to the query. Experiments show that our proposed hierarchical ranking approach poses significant enhancements in terms of accuracy over the non-hierarchical baseline.
Continuous sliding mode control

We consider a continuous sliding mode controller as a specific type of a sliding mode controller, but not as implementation of a discontinuous high frequency switching control law. Using the finite-time differential equations analysis, a robust continuous sliding mode controller, which drives the system's trajectory to a sliding surface in a finite time, is designed. Computer simulations confirmed the theoretical results.
9-O-Ethyl-berberrubinium iodide monohydrate.

In the title compound (systematic name: 9-eth­oxy-10-meth­oxy-5,6-dihydro-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinolino­[3,2-a]isoquin­olin-7-ium iodide monohydrate), 2C21H20NO4+·2I−·H2O, two independent mol­ecules pack in the unit cell, where interactions between the molecules are stabilized by weak inter­molecular π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances in the range 3.571 (4) to 3.815 (4)A]. Inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions are also observed. The iodide anions are disordered with occupancy ratios of 0.94 (1):0.06 (1) and 0.91 (1):0.09 (1). The cationic molecule is planar in structure with a small torsion resulting from the dihydropyridine ring.
Radiosensitization of mouse breast cancer cells in vitro by estramustine

Estramustine, a conjugate of estradiol and nitrogen mustard, has been shown previously to depolymerize microtubules, inhibiting the formation of mitotic spindles and arresting cells in G2/M. Estramustine at concentrations of 10–30 μM inhibited the growth of EMT6 mouse breast carcinoma cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. The viability (clonogenicity) of the cells also decreased as the drug concentration and exposure time increased. Pretreatment of EMT6 cells for 48 hr with 10 or 20 μM estramustine increased the radiosensitivity on EMT6 cells, producing enhancement ratios of 1.2 and 2.1, respectively. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mechanical Analysis of Ultrasonic Bonding for Rapid Prototyping

Ultrasonic bonding of thin foils has been recently introduced to rapid prototyping of complex-shaped and/or internally structured layered parts. This article provides the mechanical analysis of an elementary ultrasonic spot welding process of a metal foil on a previously deposited substrate. A 2-D, quasi-static/dynamic, elasto-plastic numerical model of the stress/strain field is developed by finite element analysis. Its frictional boundary conditions at the foil/substrate interface are described via a simpler plain stress, static analytical formulation, and identified experimentally by strain measurements on the substrate surface, adjacently to the ultrasonic probe. The calibrated computational simulation is validated in the laboratory and applied in studying the elastic stress concentrations, plastic deformation initiation and propagation patterns, the slippage at the interface surface and the dynamic effects of ultrasonic loading on the bonding process. This mechanical model is suitable for analysis of multi-joint ultrasonic rapid prototyping and its applications in fabrication of multi-material, functional internal structures with embedded components.
CEO Turnover in Private Equity Sponsored Leveraged Buyouts

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: We examine the governance role of private equity (PE) firms in post-LBO companies in the US. We propose and test whether PE firms remove entrenched CEOs or CEOs who cause agency problems. Research Findings/Insights: Using archival data from a sample of 126 PE sponsored LBOs in the USA between 1990 and 2006, we document a CEO turnover rate of 51 per cent within two years of an LBO announcement. We find that the boards of directors replace CEOs in companies with high agency costs, as measured by low leverage and a high level of undistributed free cash flow. In addition, unlike the boards of directors in public companies, the boards in post-LBO companies tend to replace entrenched CEOs. Finally, the boards are more likely to replace CEOs if pre-LBO return on assets is low. Theoretical/Academic Implications: According to the agency theory, a PE-sponsored LBO is a new organizational form that reduces agency costs by enhancing corporate governance. This study uses CEO turnover as a setting to test that prediction. We find that PE firms replace CEOs who can cause agency problems, thus providing empirical support for the proposition that PE firms improve corporate governance in LBO companies. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers insights to policy makers who are interested in regulating PE firms. Our results suggest that, in the US, PE firms provide effective corporate governance mechanisms by replacing incompetent and entrenched CEOs. In addition, our results provide a set of factors for PE firms to consider when they make CEO retention decisions.
New properties of sigma-delta modulators with DC inputs

New properties of single- and double-loop sigma-delta modulators with constant inputs are derived by exploiting the inherent structure os the output sequences or codewords that the modulators are capable of producing. Upper bounds are derived on the number of N-bit codewords for the single- and double-loop modulators. Analytical lower bounds on the mean squared error (MSE) obtainable by any decoder, linear or nonlinear, in approximating the constant input are also derived. Optimal nonlinear decoders for constant inputs based on a table lookup approach which operates directly on the nonuniform quantization intervals are considered. Using simulations is is found that the optimal nonlinear decoders perform better than linear decoders, by about 3 and 20 dB for the single- and double-loop modulators, respectively. A cascade structure specifically for constant inputs is introduced, and its corresponding decoding algorithm is derived. It is shown that for a fixed latency, the MSE performance of the cascade structure is 12 dB superior, and its throughput is twice that of the conventional two-stage MASH modulator. >