cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between mental vitality and cardiovascular health

Past measurement of vitality has included both emotional and physical components. Since aspects of physical vitality such as fatigue can be indicative of physical illness, the usefulness of existing measures of vitality to predict health is limited. This research was designed to examine the psychometric properties of a new Mental Vitality Scale and to test its associations with measures of cardiovascular health over the course of 2 years. The measure of mental vitality was administered in a two-part study using three different samples. In part 1, the reliability and validity of the scale was assessed with a student and a clinic sample. In part 2, medical data on mental and physical health were abstracted over a two-year period from 1041 patient records from a multi-specialty medical practice, and mental vitality assessed through a mailed questionnaire. The findings indicate that the Mental Vitality Scale is a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring this construct. Mental vitality was also associate...
Resisting the Status Quo: The Narratives of Black Homeschoolers in Metro-Atlanta and Metro-DC

Trends suggest that homeschooling continues to increase among black families. Yet, research on contemporary Black homeschooling remains scarce. Given black educational history, the phenomena of Black families choosing homeschooling over public and private schools in the post-Desegregation era is worthy of investigation. Further, documenting the ways in which black homeschool families engage their children in learning will inform the needs of black education in conventional schools, public and private. The phenomenon of increasing black home education represents a radical transformative act of self-determination, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the 1960s and ‘70s. This work highlights the primacy of agency among black homeschooling families. Thus, contrary to the negative depictions of black families as disengaged from the educational pursuits of their children, we evoke hooks's (1990) notion of homeplace to argue that black home education represents a vehicle of resistance to institutiona...
DC MEG indicators of tumor growth and chemotherapy in rat model

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if DC MEG can detect injury currents from tumor growth and chemotherapy in a rat model. Male Fisher rats were randomly divided into five groups: Groups One and Two were implanted with 9 L gliosarcoma cells. Group Three, surgery controls, received saline injections. Group Four were normal controls with no surgery. Group Two rats were treated with chemotherapy (1,3 Bis[2-chloroethy]-1-nitrosuorea, BCNU) five days after tumor implantation. Group Five rats had no surgery or tumor but received the same chemotherapy as Group Two. Baseline DC MEG measurements were taken with a six-channel animal neuromagnetometer using a stereotaxic fixture. DC MEG field measurements were recorded before and after lateral translation of the head 3 cm away from the sensor array and repeated 12–15 times to calculate average absolute field shifts. Ambient and fixture magnetic noise was subtracted from the measured rat signals to determine absolute DC MEG shifts. Post surgery, measurements continued every two days until sacrifice. Anatomical MRIs were performed on selected rats to estimate tumor volume at 4–6 day intervals throughout the experiment. Histology was performed on the sacrificed brains to evaluate final tumor size. DC MEG shifts were seen in the tumored and chemotherapy treated tumored rats, Groups One and Two. In these groups, the field shifts continued until sacrifice. In a few of the saline control rats (Group Three), DC Magnetic Field shifts were also seen but these correlated to rats with surgical side effects, i.e. weight loss or illness, and resolved when the rats recovered. No significant DC shifts were seen in the normal control rats (Group Four) or the chemotherapy with no tumor rats (Group Five). DC shifts seen in Group One and Two animals suggest continued injury currents in the rats' brains.
Cerebello-frontal cortical projections in humans studied with the magnetic coil.

Abstract Focal stimulation over human cerebellum with a figure 8 magnetic coil (MC) results in an evoked wave recorded from bipolar scalp electrodes on the interaural line and more anteriorly. In 3 subjects, the wave responses along the interaural line had latencies of 8.8–13.8 msec, lasted 17.4–29.0 msec and had a maximum amplitude of 14.4–26.8 μV. The responses were recorded more anteriorly from leads midway between the interaural line and frontal leads; responses recorded from frontal leads were up to 3.5 msec later. The evoked wave was preceded by a diphasic EMG response with a latency of 1.2–2.0 msec. Analysis of the averaged responses recorded by adjoining bipolar leads indicated that the response was predominantly surface positive and crossed. Control experiments eliminated eye movement and somatosensory input as explanations of the evoked response, thereby identifying it as a cortical response. The surface positive wave in humans was compared with the responses recorded in cat and monkey to cerebellar stimulation. The responses in humans could reflect dysfacilitation through MC activation of Purkinje cells, or feed-forward facilitation through transsynaptic or antidromic activation of dentate neurons. The latency of the surface positive wave exceeds that of cerebellar inhibition of MC elicited hand muscle responses, but the discrepancy is at least partly accounted for by the extra delay required to set up the indirect cortico-spinal component required for motoneuron discharge. Estimates made of the cerebello-frontal cortical and peripheral feedback loop times suggest that the central has less than one quarter the delay of the peripheral loop, which would be especially advantageous during fast skilled movements of the fingers.
Electrical double layer catalyzed wet-etching of silicon dioxide.

We show that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) accelerate the wet etching of silicon dioxide in a strong alkaline solution. This catalytic effect is due to the spontaneous adsorption of hydroxide on the surface of the CNTs. Such adsorption creates an electrical double layer around the CNTs within which the concentration of hydroxide is higher than the bulk value. Our result suggests that the electrical double layer can be used to pattern nanoscale features. Fabrication of SiO2 trenches with ∼60 nm lateral resolution is demonstrated.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children Following Cardiac Transplantation: Association With Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder and Other Transplant Outcomes

Although cardiac transplantation is life-saving, morbidities from immunosuppression are significant. EoE is a complication of calcineurin inhibitors following liver transplant causing feeding intolerance, weight loss, vomiting, and dysphagia. There are limited reports of EoE following heart transplantation. We performed a retrospective single-center review of pediatric cardiac transplant patients from 2000 to 2010. A case-control analysis of patients with and without EoE was performed evaluating heart transplantation outcomes such as rates of rejection, CAV, PTLD, and graft loss. Eighty-six transplants were performed in 84 patients; 34 (40%) underwent diagnostic endoscopy, and 10 (12%) had EoE. Median time to diagnosis of EoE was 3.7 yr (IQR: 2.0-5.2). There were no differences in demographics or use of induction medications between patients with or without EoE. Patients with EoE had fewer episodes of treated rejection (1.0 vs. 2.5; p = 0.04). Four of 10 (40%) EoE patients had PTLD compared with only 2/24 (8%) of those without EoE (p = 0.048; OR 7.33 [95% CI: 1.1-50.2]). There were no differences in CAV or graft loss between groups. EoE should be considered as a cause of GI symptoms in children after cardiac transplantation and may be associated with fewer rejection episodes and increased rates of PTLD, thus representing a marker of over-immunosuppression.
Clouds Influence Precision and Accuracy of Ground‐Based Spectroradiometers

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the precision and accuracy, under field conditions, of two commonly used ground‐based spectroradiometers and to propose guidance on how to minimize system errors. Sunlight irradiance and reflected radiance were measured on calibration tarps (3.6% and 52% reflectance) on 6 days using a CropScan MSR 16 handheld multispectral radiometer and a Fieldspec model FR hyperspectral radiometer during 2002. Radiance and irradiance were corrected for temperature and sun angle and converted to percent reflectance. Analysis showed that variances of the reflectance values for both radiometers increased with cloud cover. These results were attributed to several factors. First, cloud cover produced atmospheric conditions that made irradiance highly variable. Under these conditions, if reflected light is calculated by dividing radiance from target by radiance from a known standard, which is only periodically measured, then the calculated reflectance value may contain e...
The use and interpretation of serum retinol distributions in evaluating the public health impact of vitamin A programmes

Objective Developing countries have adopted universal, high-potency vitamin A (VA) supplementation and food fortification as major strategies to control deficiency, prevent nutritional blindness and reduce child mortality. Yet questions persist regarding how best to measure impact and when to phase out supplementation. The present paper provides guidance on the use and interpretation of serum retinol (SROL) distributions as indicators of both programme impact and adequate VA intake in a population. Design We reviewed extant data on SROL's response to high-potency VA supplementation and VA-fortified foods in children. Results Supplementation virtually eliminates xerophthalmia and reduces child mortality; however, it shifts the SROL distribution only transiently (<2 months). Regular consumption of VA-fortified foods prevents xerophthalmia, lowers mortality and sustainably improves SROL distributions, from which both compliance and public health impact can be inferred. Conclusions Given SROL's limited responsiveness to high-potency VA supplementation, target population coverage remains the preferred performance indicator. However, periodic SROL surveys do reflect underlying dietary risk and can guide programming: low or marginal SROL distributions in areas with high supplementation coverage do not signify programme failure, but rather suggest the need to continue supplementation while working to effectively raise dietary VA intakes. We propose that a sustained rise in the SROL distribution, defined as ≤5 % prevalence of SROL < 0·70 μmol/l among vulnerable population groups in at least two consecutive surveys (≥1 year apart), be used as an indicator of stable and adequate dietary VA intake and status in a population, at which point programmes may re-evaluate the need for continued universal supplementation.
Fluid Flow and Particle Dispersion in Acini During Asynchronous Ventilation

The human lung comprises 24 generations of dichotomously branching tubes known as bronchi [1]. Functionally, these generations can be categorized as: (1) conducting airways which are non-alveolated and comprise the first 16 generations, and (2) the acini which consist of flexible, alveolated airways and are responsible for gas exchange. The alveoli are the most important units of the human respiratory system and provide large surface area (about 70–80 m2) for efficient gas exchange; oxygen diffuses into the blood through the alveolar epithelium, whereas carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction from the blood to the lung.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Temporal evolution of patient characteristics enrolled on phase I trials

Purpose Phase I trials serve a crucial role in anticancer drug development. Given the explosion in the number of both approved anticancer therapies and agents in development, we hypothesized that the characteristics of patients enrolling on phase I clinical trials is evolving. Patients and Methods We reviewed 476 published phase I trials over the past decade encompassing 15,100 patients and determined the following characteristics for patients enrolled: age; percentage with ECOG PS of 0, 1, or 2; sex; race; and number of prior chemotherapeutic therapies received: 0, 1, 2 or ≥3. We also identified the major tumor types enrolled: colorectal, lung, renal, breast, head/neck or “other”. The change of patient characteristics over time as well as between the first half of studied period (period 1 = 1998–2001) and the second half period (period 2 = 2002–2006) was analyzed. Results Colorectal and lung cancer patients together comprise ~35% of all patients enrolled on phase I trials and this has not changed over the past decade. The contribution of “other” malignancies has however significantly increased over time. The proportion of patients with PS2 has declined while that of PS1 has increased. The proportion of patients with ≥3 prior therapies prior to study enrollment has also significantly increased. Conclusion The shifting of patient characteristics especially as related to tumor types enrolled and number of prior therapies has important implications for future design of studies and inadequate attention to these issues may slow the accrual process.
Building and valuing global brands in the nonprofit sector

Global nonprofit brands are the world's new “super brands” (Wootliff and Deri, 2001). Nonprofit organizations command unprecedented levels of trust, and nonprofit brand valuations are on par with major international corporations. Leaders and managers of nonprofits face new challenges in the stewardship of their brands. Based on current thinking in nonprofit management and detailed interviews with close to one hundred executives of ten international nonprofit organizations, this article draws strategic lessons on brand building and brand valuation activities of international nonprofits. The multiple roles and stakeholders that global nonprofit brands must address make nonprofit brand building complex and challenging. In particular, differences between advocacy and relief organizations must be explained. Despite the complexity, international nonprofit organizations may have an advantage over for-profits in leveraging public trust and brand communication. Advocacy organizations in particular successfully link brand and cause to good effect. The valuation of nonprofit brands is a new strategic challenge with significant appeal, but also significant concerns for international nonprofits. In addition to providing nonprofit leaders and managers with a better understanding of brandbuilding activities, imperatives, and best practices in the field, this article outlines the opportunities and threats associated with the valuation of nonprofit brands.
Effect of fluctuating space-charge fields on sideband instabilities in free-electron lasers

We consider the sideband instabilities that can occur in free-electron lasers which operate in the regime where the bulk of the energetic electron beam is trapped in the ponderomotive potential generated by the beating of the electromagnetic pulse with the static wiggler field. The general dynamical equations which govern the evolution of the system in the presence of sideband modes are derived for modes propagating along the axis of symmetry. All space-charge effects are included in a self-consistent manner, and the gains for both the primary signal and the upper and lower sidebands are computed. We find the lower sideband to be excited, and discuss the consequences for operation of both free-electron-laser amplifiers and oscillators. The effect of the space-charge waves on the gain depends upon the number of bounces undergone by the trapped electrons in the length of the system, and can act either to enhance or reduce the gain of the sideband.
Creation of a quality of life instrument for nonmelanoma skin cancer patients.

Objective: Malignancies of the skin are the most common cancers among humans. The cervicofacial region is most affected by cutaneous malignancies, with approximately 80% of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) occurring in the head and neck. Treatment of cervicofacial skin cancers also is more likely to result in significant patient morbidity, because of the functional and cosmetic importance of this region. Unlike other malignancies, skin cancer has not been well investigated in terms of patient quality of life (QOL) assessment. Furthermore, no validated disease-specific QOL instrument currently exists for skin cancer. The aim of this study was to construct a new QOL instrument, The Facial Skin Cancer Index (FSCI), that captures the relevant QOL issues for NMSC patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study of patients presenting to a dermatologic surgery clinic with NMSC of the head and neck. Methods: For stage I, item generation, a sample of 20 patients with cervicofacial NMSC and six health care providers specializing in the care of NMSC patients completed semistructured interviews. For stage II, item reduction, a second sample (n = 52) of NMSC patients rated the items in terms of their importance for QOL among skin cancer patients. Domains of the FSCI were evaluated in terms of data quality, item variability, internal consistency, and range and skewness of scale score on aggregation and floor and ceiling effects. Results: A total of 71 distinct items were generated in stage I. After using the outlined item reduction techniques in stage II, the FSCI was reduced from 71 to 36 items, representing 6 domains. With the exception of Physical Functioning (alpha = 0.63) that suggested adequate reliability, all subscale scores showed excellent reliability coefficients, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.78 (Lifestyle) to 0.87 (Social/Family). Conclusions: A new disease-specific QOL instrument for patients with NMSC of the head and neck has been created. Validation studies are currently underway. Future directions will include sensitivity analysis to determine whether the FSCI is sensitive to change over time among patients undergoing treatment for NMSC.
The Ghettoization of Blacks in Los Angeles: The Emergence of Street Gangs

Despite previous research, no one has traced the roots and rise of African–American street gangs in Los Angeles as it relates to the development of racially and ethnically segregated areas. This paper examines the experiences of the early African–American community and explains the cultural phenomenon that led to the formation of African–American gangs. The rapid migration of African–Americans to the city caused their population in Los Angeles to increase, and this threatened the White community. As a result of racial discrimination and racial covenants, many African–Americans became trapped in Watts, which was formerly a White middle-class community of government employees and white-collar workers. This transformed South Central (Watts) into a ghetto of predominantly poor urban Black dwellers with low-paying jobs.
Aulonemia cochabambensis (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Arthrostylidiinae), an anomalous new species from Bolivia

Aulonemia cochabambensis (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Arthrostylidiinae), a new species from the Department of Cochabamba, Bolivia, is described and illustrated. It has foliage leaves with delicate fimbriae, no sheath auricles, narrow blades, an abaxial dark marginal stripe, and intercostal sclerenchyma; few-flowered paniculate synflorescences; and robust, awned spikelets. The new species is compared with its putative relatives Aulonemia laxa and Arthrostylidium schomburgkii. A key to the species of Aulonemia in Bolivia is also included.
Vortices, kinematics and chaos

Abstract Chaotic fluid motion is explored from a Lagrangian point of view. A number of flow phenomena then arise, including in particular chaotic advection and sound radiation from non-integrable vortex motions. Examples are given and some theoretical classification is attempted. The role of vorticity and vortices in bringing about the chaos is continually highlighted. A modelling attempt of the turbulent-laminar interface is discussed from the vantage point of the ideas developed for simpler situations.
Human lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells: III. Effect of L-phenylalanine methyl ester on LAK cell activation from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: possible protease involvement of monocytes, natural killer cells and LAK cells.

We have shown that depletion of monocytes from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) byl-phenylalanine methyl ester (PheOMe) enhanced lymphokine-activated killer cell (LAK) generation by recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) at high cell density. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism of action of PheOMe on LAK activation by using trypsin, chymotrypsin, tosylphenylalaninechloromethanol (TPCK, a chymotrypsin inhibitor), tosyl-l-lysinechloromethane (TLCK, a trypsin inhibitor), phenylalaninol (PheOH), and benzamidine. PBMC were treated with 1–5 mM PheOMe for 40 min at room temperature in combination with the various agents, washed and assessed for their effects on natural killer (NK) activity against K562 cells and monocyte depletion. The treated cells were then cultured with or without rIL-2 for 3 days. LAK cytotoxicity was assayed against51Cr-labeled K562 and Raji tumor target cells. TPCK at 10 µg/ml partially inhibited depletion of monocytes by PheOMe. TLCK did not prevent depletion of monocytes nor inhibition of NK activity induced by PheOMe. TPCK and TLCK inhibited NK activity by themselves. TPCK but not TLCK inhibited rIL-2 induction of LAK cells. On the other hand, PheOH and benzamidine (analogs of PheOMe) lacked any effect on monocyte depletion but abrogated the inhibitory effect of PheOMe on NK activity. They had no effect on rIL-2 activation of LAK activity enhanced by PheOMe. Trypsin potentiated the inhibitory effect of PheOMe on NK activity and monocyte depletion. Trypsin partially inhibited IL-2 activation of LAK activity enhanced by PheOMe. Chymotrypsin had little effect on NK activity but prevented the inhibitory effect of PheOMe on NK activity. It had little effect on monocyte depletion induced by PheOMe. PheOMe was hydrolysed by monocytes and chymotrypsin to Phe and methanol as determined by HPLC. TPCK inhibited hydrolysis of PheOMe by monocytes. Our data suggest that the effects of PheOMe on monocytes, NK cells and LAK activation involve protease activities of monocytes.
Definitive-like erythroid cells derived from human embryonic stem cells coexpress high levels of embryonic and fetal globins with little or no adult globin

Human embryonic stem cells are a promising tool to study events associated with the earliest ontogenetic stages of hematopoiesis. We describe the generation of erythroid cells from hES (H1) by subsequent processing of cells present at early and late stages of embryoid body (EB) differentiation. Kinetics of hematopoietic marker emergence suggest that CD45+ hematopoiesis peaks at late D14EB differentiation stages, although low-level CD45- erythroid differentiation can be seen before that stage. By morphologic criteria, hES-derived erythroid cells were of definitive type, but these cells both at mRNA and protein levels coexpressed high levels of embryonic (ϵ) and fetal (γ) globins, with little or no adult globin (β). This globin expression pattern was not altered by the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum, vascular endothelial growth factor, Flt3-L, or coculture with OP-9 during erythroid differentiation and was not culture time dependent. The coexpression of both embryonic and fetal globins by definitive-type erythroid cells does not faithfully mimic either yolk sac embryonic or their fetal liver counterparts. Nevertheless, the high frequency of erythroid cells coexpressing embryonic and fetal globin generated from embryonic stem cells can serve as an invaluable tool to further explore molecular mechanisms.
New targets for immunosuppression in kidney transplantation: Focus on recent clinical trials

Signiﬁcant advances have been made in post-kidney transplantation immunosuppression. The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) has led to a reduction in acute rejection and improved 1-year outcomes. However, long-term allograft survival has not improved. This may in part be due to the chronic nephrotoxicity of CNIs and negative effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic risk proﬁle via worsening hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. New drug development now focuses on maintaining low rejection rates but maximizing long-term allograft survival and modulating the cardio-metabolic side effects seen with CNIs. Two small molecules are currently undergoing Phase 2 investigation. CP-690550 (tasocitinib) is a JAK 3 inhibitor, and AEB-071 (sotrastaurin) is a protein kinase C inhibitor. Two biologic agents are also undergoing development. Belatacept is a humanized antibody that blocks the T-cell co-stimulation pathway and has had promising results in both Phase 2 and 3 investigation. Alefacept is a humanized antibody that inhibits T-cell adhesion and is currently undergoing Phase 2 investigation. This article will review the mechanisms of these drugs and outline the available trial data results.
Optically induced depinning and Josephson coupling in bulk Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O

Bridgelike constrictions were fabricated from polycrystalline bulk Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO), and their resistive transition was investigated as a function of temperature. DC current, magnetic field, and optical irradiation. The data are well described by a network of highly damped Josephson junctions. Evidence for optically induced depinning of vortices is presented. A threshold value was found for the product of current density and flux density, above which the resistivity increased linearly with applied magnetic field. This behavior is attributed to flux flow, and for conventional superconductors it is described by the Bardeen-Stephen relationship. It is shown that many electrical characteristics predicted by this model resemble flux creep.
Gramian assignment based on the Lyapunov equation

A theorem on the assignability of the controllability Gramian using state feedback is presented. The approach is based on the Lyapunov equation. Specifically, it shows that the set of Gramian matrices which are assignable using state feedback lies in a vector space and is precisely the intersection of that vector space with the set of positive definite matrices. The results show that it may be possible to reshape the structure of the system indirectly by specifying a desired closed-loop Lyapunov function, rather than by directly assigning eigenvalues or eigenvectors. >
Erythroid-Specific Transcriptional Changes in PBMCs from Pulmonary Hypertension Patients

Background Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is a powerful tool for the identification of surrogate markers involved in disease processes. The hypothesis tested in this study was that chronic exposure of PBMCs to a hypertensive environment in remodeled pulmonary vessels would be reflected by specific transcriptional changes in these cells.
Pick-up form factors for (p, α) reactions

Abstract A simple method for computation of semi-microscopic, zero-range three-nucleon transfer form factors for use in DWBA calculations is proposed and applied in two examples: 92 Zr ( p ,α) 89 Y ( 1 2 − g.s. and 3 2 − , 1.51 MeV ) and 90 Zr ( p , α) 87 Y ( 1 2 − g.s. and 3 2 − 0.38 MeV ) .
Ion-Exchange Chromatography

Ion-exchange chromatography is a versatile method of separation and concentration which is applicable to many kinds of analysis, inorganic, organic, and biochemical. The experimental technique is simple and in most cases fairly rapid. In the great majority of inorganic applications, all that is needed is a tube about 25 cm long and 1 cm i.d., constricted at one end, with a glass wool plug or sintered disc to support a column of exchanger some 15 cm high. A typical ion-exchange column used for analytical purposes is shown in Fig. 1. Obviously, the column can be scaled up or down according to sample size. A common mistake is to use a column that is too large. Gravity flow is generally sufficient with a convenient linear flow rate of 1–2 cm/min. There are a few simple details that should be noted for efficient column operation. One of these is that the ion-exchanging material should be packed as uniformly as possible, and that the column should not be allowed to drain or to accumulate air bubbles during use. The column should always be kept filled with liquid. If the granules of exchanger are sufficiently fine (100–200 mesh or finer) this presents no problem, as surface tension prevents the level of water from dropping more than a couple of millimeters below the top of the bed. (The solvent may, of course, not be water, as mentioned in Section 5.)
The Internet at Risk

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) held its 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in December, where member states attempted to update the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) to reflect the reality of today's telecommunication environment, one that includes mobile telephony and the Internet as a whole. Many concepts were at stake and at odds in this meeting. The tussle at WCIT could be seen as a battle between states seeing a relatively unfettered Internet as important to economic growth and democratic principles and states believing that much more national and international control over the Internet's uses should be agreed on. The Web extra is a salute to the reviewers who handled articles in 2012.
Crystallization kinetics of polypropylene fractions

The overall crystallization rate of polypropylene fractions was studied dilatometrically, and the crystallization behavior was considered in relation to the stereoregularity of the samples. The study includes a photomicroscopic analysis of the nucleation, formation, and growth of spherulites, as well as an evaluation by means of rapid x-ray scanning techniques of the increase of crystallinity within the spherulites. A theory was applied to the discussion of crystallization behavior in which two stages of growth were introduced: (a) growth at the spherulite interface, and (b) secondary crystallization within the spherulite. These were described in terms of Avrami-type equations with differing parameters.
CXCL16 is a marker of inflammation, atherosclerosis, and acute coronary syndromes in humans.

Objectives This study was designed to determine the association of CXCL16 with inflammation, atherosclerosis, and acute coronary syndromes. Background Vascular inflammation coincides with uptake of modified lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CXCL16 is a protein that shares scavenger receptor function, promoting uptake of modified lipids, with the activities of an inflammatory chemokine. However, the role of CXCL16 in atherosclerosis remains uncertain. Methods The effect of inflammatory stimuli on CXCL16 gene and protein expression was studied in macrophages, mice, and humans, and the association of sol-CXCL16 with risk factors, atherosclerosis, and acute coronary syndromes was determined in humans. Results Endotoxin induction of CXCL16 in human macrophages was attenuated by aspirin, nuclear factor (NF)-kappa-B inhibition and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists. Experimental human endotoxemia (n = 6) led to an 8-fold increase in whole-blood CXCL16 messenger ribonucleic acid (p Conclusions Our findings suggest that CXCL16 may play a pro-inflammatory role in human atherosclerosis, particularly in acute coronary syndrome.
Plant-Wide Waste Management. 3. Long-Term Operation and Investment Planning under Uncertainty

Pollution prevention and waste reduction efforts at pharmaceutical sites with ever-changing production campaigns require a dynamic model of the corporate business and manufacturing activities. Flexibility in business strategies for addressing evolving market demands or changes in environmental legislation add uncertainty to this already challenging design problem. In this third part of the triple series on plant-wide waste management, we extend the combinatorial process synthesis methodology to the computer-aided synthesis of long-term site-management strategies under uncertainty. The proposed framework formulates optimal management of operations and facilities as a multiperiod optimization problem with a planning horizon of typically 5 years. Our approach synthesizes a network of process operations to recover useful raw materials and solvents, treat unavoidable effluent streams to compliance, and suggest optimal capacity and timing of investment decisions for new facilities or process technology. In addi...
Low temperature Pd/SnO2 sensor for carbon monoxide detection

Abstract The development of a tin oxide nanoparticle based sensor for detecting carbon monoxide at low temperature, 60 °C is presented. A combination of three approaches namely, (1) addition of a catalytic metal – 1.5% palladium, (2) optimization of organic binder content, and (3) a proper design of electrodes, leads to high sensitivity, excellent repeatability, and long-term stability in sensor response. The sensors have been tested in dry ( 70% RH) conditions, and no humidity effect on the sensor performance was noticed. The sensors using 15% hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) mixed with Pd/SnO2 show sensitivity to CO gas in the parts per million (ppm) level of concentration, 5–10% repeatability in 6–18 ppm CO exposures, and active response for more than 40 days. In addition, the fatigued sensors were recoverable with a brief heating process.
Thermodynamic and transport properties of single crystalline RCo2Ge2 (R=Y, La–Nd, Sm–Tm)

Abstract Single crystals of RCo 2 Ge 2 (R=Y, La–Nd, Sm–Tm) were grown using a self-flux method and were characterized by room-temperature powder X-ray diffraction; anisotropic, temperature and field dependent magnetization; temperature and field dependent, in-plane resistivity; and specific heat measurements. In this series, the majority of the moment-bearing members order antiferromagnetically; YCo 2 Ge 2 and LaCo 2 Ge 2 are non-moment-bearing. Ce is trivalent in CeCo 2 Ge 2 at high temperatures, and exhibits an enhanced electronic specific heat coefficient due to the Kondo effect at low temperatures. In addition, CeCo 2 Ge 2 shows two low-temperature anomalies in temperature-dependent magnetization and specific heat measurements. Three members (R=Tb–Ho) have multiple phase transitions above 1.8 K. Eu appears to be divalent with total angular momentum L =0. Both EuCo 2 Ge 2 and GdCo 2 Ge 2 manifest essentially isotropic paramagnetic properties consistent with J = S =7/2. Clear magnetic anisotropy for rare-earth members with finite L was observed, with ErCo 2 Ge 2 and TmCo 2 Ge 2 manifesting planar anisotropy and the rest members manifesting axial anisotropy. The experimentally estimated crystal electric field (CEF) parameters B 2 0 were calculated from the anisotropic paramagnetic θ ab and θ c values and follow a trend that agrees well with theoretical predictions. The ordering temperatures, T N , as well as the polycrystalline averaged paramagnetic Curie–Weiss temperature, Θ avg , for the heavy rare-earth members deviate from the de Gennes scaling, as the magnitude of both is the highest for Tb, which is sometimes seen for extremely axial systems. Except for SmCo 2 Ge 2 , metamagnetic transitions were observed at 1.8 K for all members that ordered antiferromagnetically.
Efficient algorithms for a family of matroid intersection problems

Abstract Consider a matroid where each element has a real-valued cost and a color, red or green; a base is sought that contains q red elements and has smallest possible cost. An algorithm for the problem on general matroids is presented, along with a number of variations. Its efficiency is demonstrated by implementations on specific matroids. In all cases but one, the running time matches the best-known algorithm for the problem without the red element constraint: On graphic matroids, a smallest spanning tree with q red edges can be found in time O(n log n) more than what is needed to find a minimum spanning tree. A special case is finding a smallest spanning tree with a degree constraint; here the time is only O(m + n) more than that needed to find one minimum spanning tree. On transversal and matching matroids, the time is the same as the best-known algorithms for a minimum cost base. This also holds for transversal matroids for convex graphs, which model a scheduling problem on unit-length jobs with release times and deadlines. On partition matroids, a linear-time algorithm is presented. Finally an algorithm related to our general approach finds a smallest spanning tree on a directed graph, where the given root has a degree constraint. Again the time matches the best-known algorithm for the problem without the red element (i.e., degree) constraint.
Target regulation of axotomy-sensitive proteins.

: Large changes in the production of certain proteins often follow axotomy. How the cell body is signaled to make these changes, or terminate them after regeneration is finished, is unclear. This issue was addressed by studying an axotomized giant identified neuron, the giant cerebral neuron of the sea slug Aplysia, both in vivo and in culture. One week after axon crush in vivo, there were increases of 1.5–18-fold in the 5-h incorporation of [35S]methionine into seven proteins identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. There were decreases of five-to 28-fold in the labeling of four other proteins. An axotomized giant cerebral neuron grows vigorously when placed in culture and forms chemical synapses with appropriate target cells while continuing unabated growth. The labeling of two of the proteins that up-regulate after axotomy in vivo was suppressed by the presence of target cells in culture. For one of the proteins, this effect was also produced by membranes of target cells, but not by medium conditioned by exposure to target cells. These results are consistent with the idea that loss of membrane–membrane contact with target cells (or its restoration) is involved in the initiation (or termination) of the up-regulation of certain proteins after axotomy.
In-situ measurement of roughness spectra using diffuse scattering

The in situ measurement of surface roughening is important to the characterization or control of a variety of dynamic processes, including polishing, etching, film growth, strain relaxation, phase transitions and interdiffusion. Solid and liquid surface roughness statistics are being studied using optical, x-ray, electron and atom diffraction. While average roughness can be measured by specular scattering of x-rays, for example, only non-specular, diffuse diffraction can detect lateral correlations in atomic scale roughness and quantify the surface height-height correlation function or power spectral density function in real time. In this paper, the capabilities and application of diffuse diffraction of photons for in situ measurement of roughening statistics are reviewed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kirkwood−Buff Integrals in Aqueous Alcohol Systems: Aggregation, Correlation Volume, and Local Composition

The Kirkwood−Buff theory of solution was used to investigate the formation of clusters in aqueous alcohol solutions. The correlation volume (volume in which the composition differs from the bulk on...
An automatic recording magnetooptical rotation spectropolarimeter.

The design and construction of an automatic recording spectropolarimeter for measuring magnetooptical rotations (Faraday effect) in a magnetic field is described. The instrument has two opposed 5000 G magnetic fields (one for solution and one for solvent) to give solute rotation directly as a function of wavelength (250–750 mμ) to a precision of ±0.001° in the visible and ±0.003° in the uv region of the spectrum. A description of the instrument performance and typical spectra is given.
Generalized exchange interaction and Kondo effect

The internal degree of freedom of the impurity atom is taken into account in calculating the anomalous part of the resistivity leading to the Kondo effect. This is achieved by adopting a generalization of the usual s—d exchange interaction, first proposed by Vonsovskii and Svirskii. We find that, if the intra-atomic exchange interaction is neglected, the logarithmically divergent character of the anomalous part of the resistivity is retained with an effective coupling strength. It is argued that the inclusion of the intra-atomic exchange term may affect the logarithmically divergent character of the conduction electron scattering amplitude near the Fermi surface. Bei der Berechnung des anomalen Anteils des Widerstandes, der zum Kondoeffekt fuhrt, wird der innere Freiheitsgrad des Defektatoms berucksichtigt. Dies wird durch die Ubernahme einer Verallgemeinerung der normalen s-d-Austauschwechselwirkung, wie sie zuerst von Vonsovskii und Svirskii vorgeschlagen wurde, erreicht. Es wird gefunden, das der logarithmisch divergente Charakter des anomalen Anteils des Widerstands mit einer effektiven Kopplungsstarke erhalten bleibt, wenn die intraatomare Austauschwechselwirkung vernachlassigt wird. Es wird gezeigt, das die Einbeziehung des intraatomaren Austauschterms den logarithmisch divergenten Charakter der Streuamplitude der Leitungselektronen in der Nahe der Fermiflache beeinflussen kann.
Self-interaction correction for the Wannier representation of the uniform electron gas

The self-interaction correction (SIC) to the local-density approximation is evaluated for the total energy in the Wannier representation of plane waves and is found to be a small, but positive, number. This indicates that the delocalized plane waves are the correct solution of the SIC equations for a uniform electron gas, and thus this calculation provides a good consistency check on the SIC method.
Building a pre‐Code video collection

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on a group of films that were made during a little‐known period of Hollywood filmmaking known as the “pre‐Code” era. It seeks to provide an overview, historical background, and a general discussion about censorship and the cinema.Design/methodology/approach – This research examines key actors, directors, and films that exemplify the characteristics of “pre‐Code”. The criteria for inclusion set by this study take into account not only their subject matter, but their availability on home video.Findings – This comprehensive bibliography includes information on some of the actors who appeared in these films as well as summaries of select films. Commercial web sites that distribute and sell pre‐Code films are also presented. Key actors, directors, films, and companies that were involved in the production of pre‐Code films are identified and discussed. General reference works about film are highlighted as well as web sites, blogs, and other online resources that provide review...
Genomic sequence of the RA27/3 vaccine strain of rubella virus.

The sequence of the genome of the RAff27/3 vaccine strain of rubella virus (RUB) was determined. In the process, several discrepancies between the previously reported genomic sequences of two wild RUB strains (Therien and M33) were resolved. The genomes of all three strains contain 9 762 nucleotides (nts), exclusive of the 3′ poly A tract. In all three strains, the genome contains (5′ to 3′), a 40 nt 5′ untranslated region (UTR), an open reading frame (ORF) of 6 348 nts that encodes nonstructural proteins, a 123 nt UTR between the two genomic ORFs, a 3 189 nt ORF that encodes the structural proteins, and a 62 nt 3′ UTR. The 5′ end of the subgenomic RNA was found to correspond to a uridine residue at nt 6 436 of the genomic RNA. At the nucleotide level, the sequence of the three strains varied by 1.0 to 2.8%, while at the amino acid level, the sequence varied by 1.1 to 2.4% over both ORFs. The RAff27/3 sequence will be of use in identification of the determinants of its attenuation, in vaccine production control and in development of second generation RUB vaccines based on recombinant DNA technology.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Clustering Features of Insulin Resistance Syndrome (Syndrome X) In a Biracial (Black-White) Population of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults The Bogalusa Heart Study

Recently, independent factors representing different features of insulin resistance syndrome (Syndrome X) have been identified by factor analysis in middle-aged and elderly adult populations. In this study, factor analysis was applied to the clustering characteristics of Syndrome X in a biracial (Black-White) community-based population of 4,522 children (ages 5-11 years), adolescents (ages 12-17 years), and young adults (ages 18-38 years) from the Bogalusa Heart Study who were screened during 1988-1996. Ponderal index (weight (kg)/ height (m) 3 ), levels of insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were used as measures of components of Syndrome X. No evidence was found to support a one-factor hypothesis for this syndrome, but factor analysis yielded two uncorrelated factors (factor 1: insulin/ lipids/glucose/ponderal index; factor 2: insulin/blood pressure). These two factors explained 54.6% of the total variance in the entire sample. The factor loading patterns were very similar in all race and age groups, based on high values of coefficients of congruence (0.89-1.0). These results suggest that Syndrome X is characterized by the linking of a metabolic entity (hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity) to a hemodynamic factor (hypertension) through shared correlation with hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance, and that the clustering features are independent of sex and age in both Black and White populations.
A novel technique designed to minimize the morbidity of failure of arteriovenous access in hemodialysis patients

The failure of dialysis access grafts leads to significant morbidity rates in patients with end-stage renal disease. We describe a novel technique for the insertion of new polytetrafluoroethylene graft segments designed to reduce this morbidity rate. Patients found to have significant intragraft deterioration at thrombectomy undergo insertion of a new nonanastamosed graft parallel to the existing graft. At the next failure of the existing graft, the nonanastamosed segment is anastamosed and used immediately for dialysis, obviating the need for a temporary catheter. Thirty patients have undergone this technique, and 89% of those who returned to surgery have had successful anastamosis of their new segments. Two patients were found to have inadequate incorporation of their new segments into the subcutaneous tissue, and one became frankly infected.