cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of correlations on neutrino opacities in nuclear matter

Including nucleon-nucleon correlations due to both Fermi statistics and nuclear forces, we have developed a general formalism for calculating the neutral-current neutrino-nucleon scattering rates in nuclear matter. We derive corrections to the dynamic structure factors due to both density and spin correlations and find that neutrino-nucleon scattering rates are suppressed by large factors around and above nuclear density. Hence, in particular for the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ neutrinos, but also for the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$ neutrinos, supernova cores are more ``transparent'' than previously thought. The many-body corrections increase with density, decrease with temperature, and are roughly independent of incident neutrino energy. In addition, we find that the spectrum of energy transfers in neutrino scattering is considerably broadened by the interactions in the medium. An identifiable component of this broadening comes from the absorption and emission of quanta of collective modes akin to the Gamow-Teller and giant dipole resonances in nuclei (zero sound; spin sound), with \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov kinematics. Under the assumption that both the charged-current and the neutral-current cross sections are decreased by many-body effects, we calculate a set of ad hoc protoneutron star cooling models to gauge the potential importance of the new opacities to the supernova itself. While the early luminosities are not altered, the luminosities after many hundreds of milliseconds to seconds can be increased by factors that range from 10 to 100 %. Such enhancements may have a bearing on the efficacy of the neutrino-driven supernova mechanism, the delay to explosion, the energy of the explosion, and the strength and relative role of convective overturn at late times. However, the actual consequences, if any, of these new neutrino opacities remain to be determined.
Apolipoprotein A-I stimulates placental lactogen expression by human trophoblast cells

Earlier studies from our laboratory indicated that apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) stimulates the acute release of human placental lactogen (hPL) from trophoblast cells in culture. We have now demonstrated that Apo A-I also causes a secondary increase in hPL release, beginning about 6 h after exposure to Apo A-I, that is blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D. Apo A-I also stimulated a dose-dependent increase in hPL promoter activity in JAR cells transfected with a 1.1-kilobase (-1078/2) fragment of the hPL3 promoter coupled to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. Maximal stimulation, 5.2-fold above basal levels, occurred at an Apo A-I concentration of 1.5 mg/ml, which is within the physiological concentration of Apo A-I during pregnancy. 37pA, a synthetic amphipathic peptide that mimics the secondary structure of Apo A-I and stimulates the synthesis and release of hPL, also stimulated a dose-dependent increase in CAT activity, with maximal stimulation comparable to that caused by Apo...
Effect of altered Na+ entry on expression of apical and basolateral transport proteins in A6 epithelia

In several in vivo settings, prolonged alterations in the rate of apical Na+ entry into epithelial cells alter the ability of these cells to reabsorb Na+. We previously modeled this load dependence...
What is Anticipation and What is Not? Comment on Nauts, Metzmacher, Verwijmeren, Rommeswinkel, and Karremans (2011)

There are contributions to science that catch the public’s attention for the wrong reason(s). The article by Nauts, Metzmacher, Verwijmeren, Rommeswinkel, and Karremans (2011), entitled ‘‘The Mere Anticipation of an Interaction with aW oman Can Impair Men’s Cognitive Performance,’’is an example. It was interpreted as: The man’s mere thought of having sex with a woman affects his cognitive performance. Some believe that this is trivial. Others wonder why the opposite sex would do it without any impairment.
The Haemophilus influenzae Hia Autotransporter Contains an Unusually Short Trimeric Translocator Domain

Gram-negative bacterial autotransporter proteins are a growing group of virulence factors that are characterized by their ability to cross the outer membrane without the help of accessory proteins. A conserved C-terminal beta-domain is critical for targeting of autotransporters to the outer membrane and for translocation of the N-terminal "passenger" domain to the bacterial surface. We have demonstrated previously that the Haemophilus influenzae Hia adhesin belongs to the autotransporter family, with translocator activity residing in the C-terminal 319 residues. To gain further insight into the mechanism of autotransporter protein translocation, we performed a structure-function analysis on Hia. In initial experiments, we generated a series of in-frame deletions and a set of chimeric proteins containing varying regions of the Hia C terminus fused to a heterologous passenger domain and discovered that the final 76 residues of Hia are both necessary and sufficient for translocation. Analysis by flow cytometry revealed that the region N-terminal to this shortened translocator domain is surface localized, further suggesting that this region is not involved in beta-barrel formation or in translocation of the passenger domain. Western analysis demonstrated that the translocation-competent regions of the C terminus migrated at masses consistent with trimers, suggesting that the Hia C terminus oligomerizes. Furthermore, fusion proteins containing a heterologous passenger domain demonstrated that similarly small C-terminal regions of Yersinia sp. YadA and Neisseria meningitidis NhhA are translocation-competent. These data provide experimental support for a unique subclass of autotransporters characterized by a short trimeric translocator domain.
Measures of journal quality should separate reviews from original research

Metrics of journal quality (e.g., impact factors) are often used to make important judgements regarding journal quality and importance. It is well known that reviews are more highly cited than original research articles. Therefore, it is not surprising that review journals within a field tend to have the highest scores on measures of journal impact/quality. However, many journals publish both reviews and original research, which may lead to a misleading ranking system because published metrics are a mixture of two potentially independent measures with different means. In addition, journals under pressure to increase their impact factors have suggested that changing publication practices to include more reviews is a legitimate manipulation. However, the proportion of reviews published is not directly related to journal quality. Using 20 top ecology journals, we measure the influence of reviews on impact factor and clearly show that the proportion of reviews published by a journal can explain more than 75% of the observed variability in measures of journal quality. We suggest that these measures will be more useful if they are reported separately for articles and reviews. In contrast to other articles published on the problems with impact factors, we suggest a clear, simple solution that could be readily instituted with little change to the existing system.
High-density livestock production and molecularly characterized MRSA infections in Pennsylvania.

Background: European studies suggest that living near high-density livestock production increases the risk of sequence type (ST) 398 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization....
Rapid Extrusion With Fiberotomy

Rapid extrusion with fiberotomy as an alternative to traditional crown lengthening modalities is described. Given appropriate anatomic conditions, rapid extrusion with fiberotomy may be utilized as a viable and esthetic crown lengthening procedure.
An Entropy Adjoint Approach to Mesh Refinement

This work presents a mesh refinement indicator based on entropy variables, with an application to the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The entropy variables are shown to satisfy an adjoint equation, an observation that allows recent work in adjoint-based error estimation to be leveraged in constructing a relatively cheap but effective adaptive indicator. The output associated with the entropy-variable adjoint is shown to be the entropy production in the computational domain, including physical viscous dissipation when present, minus entropy transport out of the domain. Adaptation using entropy variables, which is equivalent to adapting on the integrated residual of the entropy transport equation, thus targets areas of the domain responsible for numerical, or spurious, entropy production. Adaptive results for inviscid and viscous aerodynamic examples in two and three dimensions demonstrate performance efficiency on par with output-based adaptation, as measured by errors in various engineering quantities of interest, with the comparative advantage of the proposed approach that no adjoint equations need to be solved.
The Fe(II) and Co(II) chelation complexes of 2,6-BIS(4-Ethyl-2-Pyridyl)-4-Phenyl-Pyridinl

Abstract A study has been made of the spectrophotometric constants of the new modified terpyridine chelation reagent, 2,6-bis(4-ethyl-2-pyridyl)-4-phenyl-pyridine (trivial name “ethyl-terosole”), as its Fe(II) and Co(II) complex cations. This new Iigand is outstanding for use in the trace quantity determination of iron. No advantage as compared to more sensitive ligands previously studied is provided by Co(II) chelation.
Ultrafast Electron-Transfer and Solvent Adiabaticity Effects in Viologen Charge-Transfer Complexes

We report ultrafast electron transfer (ET) in charge-transfer complexes that shows solvent relaxation effects consistent with adiabatic crossover models of nonadiabatic ET. The complexes of either dimethyl viologen (MV) or diheptyl viologen (HV) with 4,4‘-biphenol (BP) (MVBP or HVBP complexes) have identical charge-transfer spectra and kinetics in ethylene glycol with ∼900 fs ET decay. We assign this decay time as largely due to adiabatic control of a predicted ∼40 fs nonadiabatic ET. The MVBP decay in methanol of 470 fs is reduced in mixtures having low (2−20%) concentrations of acetonitrile to as short as 330 fs; these effects are associated with faster relaxation time in methanol and its mixtures. In contrast, HVBP has much longer ET decay in methanol (730 fs) and mixture effects that only reduce its decay to 550 fs. We identify the heptyl substituent as creating major perturbations to solvent relaxation times in the methanol solvation shell of HVBP. These charge-transfer systems have reasonably well-d...
ON THE FREE-VOLUME MODEL OF THE LIQUID-GLASS TRANSITION.

We have improved the free‐volume model for molecular transport in dense fluids, as developed in earlier papers, by taking account of the variable magnitude of the diffusive displacement. The development is carried through in a way which may display more clearly the relation between the free‐volume model and the Enskog theory. Implicit in the free‐volume development is the association, on the average, of a correlation factor f(a) with each magnitude, a, of the displacement. It is assumed that f(a) is a step function which is zero, because of the predominance of back scattering, for a a.* This corresponds to dividing the displacements sharply into two categories, one “gaslike” and the other “solidlike.” Molecular dynamics computations have shown that the self‐diffusion coefficient in the hard‐sphere fluid at the highest densities is falling precipitously, with increasing density, away from the Enskog values. It appears that this density trend, which was attributed to back scattering, ...
The mechanism of translation initiation on Type 1 picornavirus IRESs

Picornavirus Type 1 IRESs comprise five principal domains (dII–dVI). Whereas dV binds eIF4G, a conserved AUG in dVI was suggested to stimulate attachment of 43S ribosomal preinitiation complexes, which then scan to the initiation codon. Initiation on Type 1 IRESs also requires IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs), and several candidates have been proposed. Here, we report the in vitro reconstitution of initiation on three Type 1 IRESs: poliovirus (PV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), and bovine enterovirus (BEV). All of them require eIF2, eIF3, eIF4A, eIF4G, eIF4B, eIF1A, and a single ITAF, poly(C) binding protein 2 (PCBP2). In each instance, initiation starts with binding of eIF4G/eIF4A. Subsequent recruitment of 43S complexes strictly requires direct interaction of their eIF3 constituent with eIF4G. The following events can differ between IRESs, depending on the stability of dVI. If it is unstructured (BEV), all ribosomes scan through dVI to the initiation codon, requiring eIF1 to bypass its AUG. If it is structured (PV, EV71), most initiation events occur without inspection of dVI, implying that its AUG does not determine ribosomal attachment.
Health sector decentralization and local decision-making: Decision space, institutional capacities and accountability in Pakistan.

Abstract Health sector decentralization has been widely adopted to improve delivery of health services. While many argue that institutional capacities and mechanisms of accountability required to transform decentralized decision-making into improvements in local health systems are lacking, few empirical studies exist which measure or relate together these concepts. Based on research instruments administered to a sample of 91 health sector decision-makers in 17 districts of Pakistan, this study analyzes relationships between three dimensions of decentralization: decentralized authority (referred to as “decision space”), institutional capacities, and accountability to local officials. Composite quantitative indicators of these three dimensions were constructed within four broad health functions (strategic and operational planning, budgeting, human resources management, and service organization/delivery) and on an overall/cross-function basis. Three main findings emerged. First, district-level respondents report varying degrees of each dimension despite being under a single decentralization regime and facing similar rules across provinces. Second, within dimensions of decentralization—particularly decision space and capacities—synergies exist between levels reported by respondents in one function and those reported in other functions (statistically significant coefficients of correlation ranging from ρ = 0.22 to ρ = 0.43). Third, synergies exist across dimensions of decentralization, particularly in terms of an overall indicator of institutional capacities (significantly correlated with both overall decision space ( ρ = 0.39) and accountability ( ρ = 0.23)). This study demonstrates that decentralization is a varied experience—with some district-level officials making greater use of decision space than others and that those who do so also tend to have more capacity to make decisions and are held more accountable to elected local officials for such choices. These findings suggest that Pakistan’s decentralization policy should focus on synergies among dimensions of decentralization to encouraging more use of de jure decision space, work toward more uniform institutional capacity, and encourage greater accountability to local elected officials.
Prenatal experience of parental calls and pecking in the laughing gull (Larus atricilla L.)

Abstract laughing gulls emit a call referred to as ‘crooning’ with increasing frequency shortly before the hatching of their young. Uttered to newly hatched chicks this call appears to enhance pecking for food. The adult birds ‘kow’ call in response to disturbances near the nest. Incubator raised chicks respond differentially to these two calls, both pre- and post-natally. An experiment was designed to discover whether the hearing of such vocalizations prenatally would have any bearing on their postnatal effectiveness in eliciting pecking. With respect to ‘crooning’ an effect was found but it would not be clearly demonstrated that ‘crooning’ heard prenatally enhances pecking. Chicks pecked less often when hearing ‘kow’ calls regardless of prenatal experience with this call.
Some varieties of information

Abstract Several different kinds of measures of information are distinguished from each other. The differences between them show that our pretheoretical concept of information is multiply ambiguous. Attempts to think of the scientific enterprise in terms of information maximization lead to several legitimately different rules of scientific decision-making, depending on which kind of information one is interested in. The contrast between high information and high probability postulated by some philosophers is spurious for the same reason. It is even possible to define interesting measures of information such that nontrivial deductive reasoning can increase information so defined.
Parameterization of the optical functions of a-Si1−xCx:H: applications to C depth-profiling and surface temperature monitoring in solar cell preparation

Abstract We have fitted the dielectric functions of hydrogenated amorphous silicon–carbon alloy (a-Si 1− x C x :H) films to a Kramers–Kronig consistent analytical expression. The best-fit photon energy-independent parameters in this expression have been determined as polynomial functions of the carbon content, x (0≤ x ≤0.23), and measurement temperature, T (50≤ T ≤200°C). Such databases increase the analytical power of real time spectroscopic ellipsometry for determining x and T with high precision (δ x ∼±0.01 and δ T =±2°C) in studies of a-Si 1− x C x :H preparation and processing in solar cell structures.
Dermatitis herpetiformis-like changes in cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA deposition*

Summary Histopathological studies in a patient with cutaneous vasculitis revealed sub-epidermal micro-abscess formation as seen in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Direct immunonfluorescence of perilesional skin revealed granular IgA fluorescence at the dermo-epidermal junction and deposition of IgA and C3 within vessel walls, whereas immunofluorescence studies of uninvolved skin revealed IgA and C4 deposition within upper dermal vessels only. IgA containing complexes were detected in the serum, and evidence of classical pathway activation was provided by demonstrating CIq and C4 within vessel walls with absence of properdin. Prior to referral there had been a favourable therapeutic response to dapsone. This case illustrates that some forms of leucocytoclastic vasculitis may closely resemble DH and that direct immunofiuorescence of uninvolved skin is required to differentiate the two conditions.
A homolog of Escherichia coli RecA protein in plastids of higher plants.

Abstract Studies of chloroplast DNA variations, and several direct experimental observations, indicate the existence of recombination ability in algal and higher plant plastids. However, no studies have been done of the biochemical pathways involved. Using a part of a cyanobacterial recA gene as a probe in Southern blots, we have found homologous sequences in total DNA from Pisum sativum and Arabidopsis thaliana and in a cDNA library from Arabidopsis. A cDNA was cloned and sequenced, and its predicted amino acid sequence is 60.7% identical to that of the cyanobacterial RecA protein. This finding is consistent with our other results showing both DNA strand transfer activity and the existence of a protein of the predicted molecular mass crossreactive with antibodies to Escherichia coli RecA in the stroma of pea chloroplasts.
Recording the electrocardiogram from the squirrel monkey, Saimira sciureus.

Abstract A technique is described for recording the EKG from the squirrel monkey by utilizing surface electrodes placed on the animal's chest. The design of a commercially available restraining chair was modified to allow the monkey to operate a manipulandum and prevent the animal from disturbing the recording electrodes.
The evolving legacy of disturbance in stream ecology: concepts, contributions, and coming challenges.

AbstractWe reviewed the development of ideas and empirical understanding about disturbance in lotic ecosystems by providing a pre-1986 historic context and highlighting major themes that have emerged in the 25 y since the inception of J-NABS. Disturbance was not well incorporated into stream ecological thinking before 1986, but awareness of its significance began to emerge in the early 1980s, as demonstrated by the publication of several classic papers illustrating the ecological consequences of floods. Broad recognition of disturbance as a fundamental driver in streams was crystallized by Resh et al. (19884) in a paper that marked the beginning of a period of intense research on disturbance. We recognized 4 subsequent research themes: 1) definition of terms and concepts and development of tools for quantifying disturbances and ecological responses, 2) the disturbance renaissance, a period during which empirical research increased dramatically, 3) formalization of the significance of disturbance in stream...
Odd carbon long linear chains HC2n+1H (n = 4-11): properties of the neutrals and radical anions.

The optimized geometries, adiabatic electron affinities, vertical electron affinities, vertical electron detachment energies (for the anions), and IR-active vibrational frequencies have been predicted for the long linear carbon chains HC2n+1H (n = 4−11). The B3LYP density functional combined with DZP and TZ2P basis sets was used in this theoretical study. These methods have been extensively calibrated versus experiment for the prediction of electron affinities (Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 231). The computed physical properties are discussed and compared with the even carbon chains HC2nH. The predicted electron affinities form a remarkably regular sequence: 2.12 eV (HC9H), 2.42 eV (HC11H), 2.66 eV (HC13H), 2.85 eV (HC15H), 3.01 eV (HC17H), 3.14 eV (HC19H), 3.25 eV (HC21H), and 3.35 eV (HC23H). These electron affinities are as much as 0.4 eV higher than those for analogous even carbon chains. The predicted structures display an intermediate cumulene−polyacetylene type of bonding, with the inner carbons appearing ...
Spectral domains of vector harmonizable processes

Abstract Hilbert space valued second order stochastic processes on a locally compact abelian group are considered. The modular spectral domain for a weakly operator harmonizable process is defined and shown to be isomorphic to the modular time domain. This isomorphism reduces to Kolmogorov's isomorphism theorem in the operator stationary case. Operator bimeasure integration is defined for a general class of operator valued functions. An L 1 -space is defined for a trace class operator valued measure of bounded variation and its completeness is proved together with denseness of bounded operator valued simple functions.
Demonstration of dual atrioventricular nodal pathways in man

Abstract Electrophysiologic studies in a patient manifesting two P-R intervals revealed two ranges of atrioventricular (A-V) nodal conduction time (A-H intervals) and two A-V nodal effective and functional refractory periods. Similar demonstrations in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia would strongly support the presence of longitudinal A-V nodal dissociation with reentry as a causative mechanism.
Effect of Copper on the Preimplantation Mouse Embryo

The effect of copper on the mouse embryo was examined in vitro. Embryos were placed in small droplets of the test medium (Brinsters Medium) under 10 ml of sterile silicone oil in a tissue culture dish. First 2-cell embryos were placed in the medium along with CuCl2 in concentrations between .01 and .1 mm. Concentrations of .025 mm and higher killed all the 2-cell embryos whereas embryos in lower concentrations developed into blastocysts. The effect of CuCl2 on the development of blastocysts over a 24-hour period was studied. 2 levels of albumin were employed in the cultured medium to determine the effects of possible protein-copper interactions on blastocyst survival. The results showed that CuCl2 is toxic to blastocysts in proportion to its presence. When copper wire is in the medium blastocysts are killed immediately and the zona pellucida is occasionally dissolved. The speed of the action increases as the surface area of the copper increases and decreases as the protein concentration increases. If the human blastocysts are as sensitive to the Cu as the mouse blastocysts then copper IUDs would adversely effect the development of the blastocysts even in the fluid volume of the uterus.
Image Relays - Hard Optic, Fiber Optic Or Electro Optic

Hard optics (lenses, prisms, mirrors), fiber optics, or electro optics (television) may be used to relay an image from the focal plane of an objective lens to a location convenient for viewing. This paper compares performance for these three relay systems as applied to ground combat vehicle sighting systems. The conclusions show that, based on resolution, hard optics and fiber optics are preferred above television. Also, hard optics generally have better image quality than either fiber optics or television. Fiber optic and television systems may best satisfy particular applications with difficult integration requirements.
Mast Cells and Basophils in the Mandibular Alveolar Connective Tissue and Bone Marrow of Germfree Albino Rats

Mast cells and basophils decreased in numbers in older germfree rats. Degranulation of mast cells increased in older animals. It is possible that aging is related to increasing degranulation and the release of pharmacologically active substances such as heparin. The release of heparin might play a role in bone loss.
A Revised Classification of the Reduvioidea with a New Subfamily from South America (Hemiptera)

The classification of the Reduvioid bugs has long remained in an unsettled state. Stal's masterful classification (1872, 1873) is still our best and only reference for subfamilies and genera and Reuter's general classification of the Heteroptera (1910) remains as the standard for higher groups. Evidence from the male genitalia (Singh-Pruthi, 1925) and from the mandibular levers (Ekblom, 1929) has since shown clearly that the semi-aquatic Mesoveliidae and Hebridae belong elsewhere. Despite a truly remarkable diversity, the group as thus restricted is apparently monophyletic.
Differential stability in Non-Lipschitzian optimization

In this paper, upper and lower bounds are established for the Dini directional derivatives of the marginal function of an inequality-constrained mathematical program with right-hand-side perturbations. A nonsmooth analogue of the Cottle constraint qualification is assumed, but the objective and constraint functions are not assumed to be differentiable, convex, or locally Lipschitzian. Our upper bound sharpens previous results from the locally Lipschitzian case by means of a subgradient smaller than the Clarke generalized gradient. Examples demonstrate, however, that a corresponding strengthening of the lower bound is not possible. Corollaries of this work include general criteria for exactness of penalty functions as well as information on the relationship between calmness and other constraint qualifications in nonsmooth optimization.
Performance Analysis of Photovoltaic Panels Using Tracking, Concentration and Cooling in Alabama Area

Using photovoltaic panels in the southeast Unites States has been judged less attractive than in other parts of the country owing to the humid climate and numerous cloudy days. Nowadays, use of lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight on PV cells can multiply the direct incident sunlight on the cells leading to higher power output and better conversion efficiency. In the present paper, the annual performance of a photovoltaic panel located in Alabama is investigated. A computer simulation via MATLAB is carried out by using typical meteorological data for Alabama in order to accurately model the behavior of the system. The effect of using fixed optimal tilt and single-or double-axis tracking methods on incident solar irradiation on the PV panel is presented. The power generated by the system under different levels of concentration during the year is discussed and the effect of cooling is also investigated. Comparison graphs are presented in order to demonstrate the effect of tracking, concentration and cooling on the output power and conversion efficiency of the PV panel. The result of this paper can be utilized to select the most appropriate system regarding the application and available funding of the project in Alabama area.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Temperature dependence of the Tafel slope for oxygen reduction on platinum in concentrated phosphoric acid

Oxygen reduction on bright platinum in concentrated H3PO4 has been investigated with the rotating disc electrochemical technique at temperatures from 25 to 250° C and oxygen pressures up to 1.77 MPa. Cyclic voltammetry has been employed to study the anodic film formed on platinum in concentrated H3PO4 and the possible electroreduction of H3PO4 on platinum. The apparent transfer coefficient for the oxygen reduction has been found to be approximately proportional to temperature rather than independent of temperature. Such behaviour is difficult to reconcile with accepted theories for the effect of electrode potential on the energy barriers for electrode processes. It is of importance to establish an understanding of this phenomenon. Possible factors which can contribute to the temperature dependence of the transfer coefficient but which would not necessarily result in a direct proportionality to temperature include potential dependent adsorption of solution phase species, restructuring of the solution in the compact layer, proton and electron tunnelling, a shift in rate-determining step, changes in the symmetry of the potential energy barrier, penetration of the electric field into the electrode phase, insufficient correction for ohmic losses, and impurity effects.
Vitamin C-Induced Decomposition of Lipid Hydroperoxides to Endogenous Genotoxins

Epidemiological data suggest that dietary antioxidants play a protective role against cancer. This has led to the proposal that dietary supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamin C (vit C) may be useful in disease prevention. However, vit C has proved to be ineffective in cancer chemoprevention studies. In addition, concerns have been raised over potentially deleterious transition metal ion-mediated pro-oxidant effects. We have now determined that vit C induces lipid hydroperoxide decomposition to the DNA-reactive bifunctional electrophiles 4-oxo-2-nonenal, 4,5-epoxy-2(E)-decenal, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. The compound 4,5-Epoxy-2(E)-decenal is a precursor of etheno-2'-deoxyadenosine, a highly mutagenic lesion found in human DNA. Vitamin C-mediated formation of genotoxins from lipid hydroperoxides in the absence of transition metal ions could help explain its lack of efficacy as a cancer chemoprevention agent.
An integrated lookahead control-based adaptive supervisory framework for autonomic power system applications

Abstract Management of the power system infrastructure is a challenge due to its complex dynamics, size, deregulated operation, quality of service demands, and stability concerns. Autonomic computing has recently gained interest on power systems arena for self-healing, self-configuration, self-optimization, and self-protection schemes. Robustness and reliability of the power system can be enhanced with appropriate autonomic control action following the disturbances. Predictive optimal tuning of real time control parameters from the finite set of control actions is considered in this paper to prevent from impending system deterioration. We present the formulation of a generic, higher layer model-based Limited Lookahead Control (LLC) approach that can be applied to a variety of power system applications. The system model, including the lower level controller, load dynamics, and a network assists the controller action. Discrete time control decisions are made based on the optimization of the predicted response to a limited horizon from the developed model. Heuristics based A* algorithm is integrated into the framework to reduce the control overhead for real-time operation. Finally, we present a case studies on Matlab, and RTDS® to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework. A nine bus multi-machine power system benchmark is considered for voltage control application with the finite set of capacitor tuning.
Comparative decay characteristics of the light generated free radical in chromatophores and chloroplasts.

Abstract— Chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum when illuminated exhibit a free radical which ordinarily shows a biphasic decay. When chromatophores are dehydrated at room temperature the time course of the appearance of the light-induced free radical is unaffected, but the decay pattern has been altered. Only the fast component remains, the slow component is no longer evident. Scanning the magnetic field reveals the presence of a dark signal which is stable as long as the preparation remains dehydrated. This signal has the same peak-to-peak line width of ˜ 10 G and the same g factor as the signal evident in the light. The amplitude of this signal is equal to the amplitude of the slow decay component seen in aqueous chromatophore suspensions. Chromatophores frozen in an aqueous medium at —150°C exhibit a behavior identical with dehydrated preparations. The effects produced by lyophilization or by freezing at low temperatures are entirely reversible. When a lyophilized preparation is re-hydrated, the stabilized portion of the signal now decays in the dark; the same is observed when preparations frozen at —150°C are thawed. When such thawed or re-hydrated preparations are illuminated again, they exhibit the usual light-induced ESR signal showing a biphasic dark decay. A comparison was made between the behavior of the light-induced ESR signal of chromatophores and that of system I of chloroplasts. This comparison revealed that there is a greater similarity in some of the decay characteristics of these signals than had been recognized previously. In chloroplasts, temperature insensitive, non-enzymatic back-reactions of the light-induced free radical appear to be nil, and in chromatophores a distinct portion of the light-induced free radicals exhibit the same characteristics. Another portion of the chromatophore free radicals must be able to back-react by electron tunneling, a mechanism which appears to be absent in the chloroplast system.
Decreased Family Accommodation Associated with Improved Therapy Outcome in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, disabling condition that affects both patients and their families. Despite the identification of efficacious treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications), not all patients respond fully. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the amount of family accommodation provided to pediatric patients with OCD is associated with treatment outcome, and whether decreases in accommodation are associated with improved outcome. The sample consisted of 49 youths (6-18 years of age), who participated in 14 sessions of family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for OCD, and their parents. Participants completed measures at pretreatment and posttreatment. Results indicate that family accommodation was prevalent among families of pediatric patients with OCD and that such accommodation was associated with symptom severity at pretreatment. In addition, decreases in family accommodation during treatment predicted treatment outcome, even when controlling for pretreatment OCD severity-impairment. Results suggest that the level of accommodation provided by the family may indicate an important obstacle to, or predictor of, treatment outcome in pediatric OCD. Directions for future research are discussed.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary site

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to present our experience treating patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from an unknown head and neck primary site and to determine whether a policy change eliminating the larynx and hypopharynx from the radiotherapy (RT) portals has impacted outcome. Methods One hundred seventy-nine patients received definitive RT with or without a neck dissection for SCC from an unknown head and neck primary site. RT was delivered to the ipsilateral neck alone or both sides of the neck and, usually, the potential mucosal primary sites. The median mucosal dose was 5670 cGy. The median neck dose was 6500 cGy. One hundred nine patients (61%) received a planned neck dissection. Results Mucosal control at 5 years was 92%. The mucosal control rate in patients with RT limited to the nasopharynx and oropharynx was 100%. The 5-year neck-control rates were as follows: N 1 , 94%; N 2a , 98%; N 2b , 86%; N 2c , 86%; N 3 , 57%; and overall, 81%. The 5-year cause-specific survival rates were as follows: N 1 , 94%; N 2a , 88%; N 2b , 82%; N 2c , 71%; N 3 , 48%; and overall, 73%. The 5-year overall survival rates were as follows: N 1 , 50%; N 2a , 70%; N 2b , 59%; N 2c , 45%; N 3 , 34%; and overall, 52%. Eleven patients (7%) developed severe complications. Conclusion RT alone or combined with neck dissection results in a high probability of cure with a low risk of severe complications. Eliminating the larynx and hypopharynx from the RT portals did not compromise outcome and likely reduces treatment toxicity.
Porous titania microspheres with uniform wall thickness and high photoactivity

Abstract Highly porous titania particles were prepared by depositing thin films of titania, using alternating reactions of TiCl4 and hydrogen peroxide, on poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) template particles via atomic layer deposition (ALD) at 77 °C. The composition of the titania films was verified by XPS analysis and the titania films were directly observed by TEM. TGA/DSC was used to study the thermal decomposition of the polymer template. Porous titania particles with uniform wall thicknesses were successfully obtained after the template PS-DVB was removed by oxidation in air at 400 °C for 24 h. Verification of the resulting porous structure of the titania particles was done by cross-sectional SEM and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. Porous titania particles were treated at different temperatures. XRD analysis was used to determine the microstructure and phase transformation of titania at elevated temperatures. The photocatalytic activity of these porous titania particles was studied by methylene blue decomposition under UV light at room temperature and was found to be comparable to that of commercial anatase titania nanoparticles (~20 nm). Depositing Na2SO4 on TiO2 retarded the TiO2 phase transformation from anatase to rutile during calcination and, thus, greatly increased the photoactivity of the porous titania particles.
Intensity-based modified Doppler variance algorithm: application to phase instable and phase stable optical coherence tomography systems

The traditional phase-resolved Doppler method demonstrates great success for in-vivo imaging of blood flow and blood vessels. However, the phase-resolved method always requires high phase stability of the system. In phase instable situations, the performance of the phase-resolved methods will be degraded. We propose a modified Doppler variance algorithm that is based on the intensity or amplitude value. Performances of the proposed algorithm are compared with traditional phase-resolved Doppler variance and color Doppler methods for both phase stable and phase instable systems. For the phase instable situation, the proposed algorithm demonstrates images without phase instability induced artifacts. In-vivo imaging of window-chamber hamster skin is demonstrated for phase instable situation with a spectrometer-based Fourier domain OCT system. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based swept source OCT (SSOCT) system is also used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method in a phase instable situation. The phase stability of the SSOCT system is analyzed. In-vivo imaging of the blood vessel of human skin is demonstrated with the proposed method and the SSOCT system. For the phase stable situation, the proposed algorithm also demonstrates comparable performance with traditional phase-resolved methods. In-vivo imaging of the human choroidal blood vessel network is demonstrated with the proposed method under the phase stable situation. Depth-resolved fine choroidal blood vessel networks are shown.
Practical Method to Understand the Effect of Aggregate Drying on the Moisture Content of Hot-Mix Asphalt

The drying of aggregates is a critical step in obtaining moisture-free hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The drying depends on many factors, which include the absorption and the moisture content of the aggregates as well as the drying temperature and time. The effect of drying of the aggregates on the moisture content of the resultant HMA needs to be understood so that adequate drying can be carried out for mixes, such as warm-mix asphalt (WMA), which are produced at lower than conventional temperatures. The objectives of this study were (a) to develop a laboratory method to produce HMA samples with various moisture contents that mimic insufficient drying of aggregates in a drum mixer and (b) to develop a non-destructive laboratory testing procedure to determine moisture content of compacted HMA samples. Aggregates with relatively high and low absorption rates were selected. A practical method was developed to mimic the retention of aggregate moisture in HMA in the laboratory. Good correlation was obtained between d...
Gymnosperm seedling sensitivity to gamma radiation: Its relation to seed radiosensitivity and nuclear variables

Newly germinated seedlings of Larix laricina, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Pinus contorta, Pinus resinosa , and Thuja occidentalis were gamma irradiated at exposures of 150, 300, 450, 600, 900, 1200, 1800, 2400 and 3600 R. Number of leaves produced and shoot dry weight were determined 50 days after irradiation and survival and shoot dry weight after 130 days. Of the 4 endpoints scored, shoot dry weight at 50 days showed greatest radiosensitivity with a D 50 ranging from 195 R for Pinus resinosa to 380 R for Picea mariana . Except for shoot dry weight at 50 days, all endpoints showed a sharp response over a relatively narrow range of exposures, generally between 600 and 900 R. The 7 species differed in seedling radiosensitivity by a factor of less than 2 for all endpoints. Comparison with seed radiosensitivity of the same populations showed that seedlings are from 7 to 15 times more sensitive than seeds. Correlation analyses showed that the only relationship among the endpoints studied was between D 50 for number of leaves at 50 days and shoot dry weight at 130 days: the seedlings with the greatest number of leaves at 50 days had the greatest dry weight at 130 days. No relation was found between the D 50 following seedling irradiation and the D 50 for irradiated seed previously reported for the same populations of the 7 species. The observed seedling radiosensitivity was not correlated with predicted mature plant sensitivity, thus adding further evidence on the variation in relative radiosensitivity patterns between stages of the life cycle among gymnosperm species suggested previously. Seedling radiosensitivity as determined from 3 of the 4 endpoints studied was related to DNA content per cell determined cytophotometrically in Feulgen absorption units, but unrelated to DNA content determined chemically or to nuclear volume.
Collapse in systems with attractive nonintegrable potentials.

Collapse, or a gravitational-like phase transition, is found in microcanonical ensembles of particles with an attractive ${1/r}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ potential not only for $\ensuremath{\alpha}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1$ but for all $0l\ensuremath{\alpha}l3$. The phase behavior of the system is complex: If an effective sufficiently short-range cutoff is applied, the density of the collapsed phase is finite everywhere; if not, the collapse results in a density singularity. Also, with increasing effective cutoff range, the gravitational phase transition will cross over to a normal first-order phase transition.
A Clinical Guide to Antipsychotic Drugs

Antipsychotic medications have altered the treatment of psychosis. The effect of typical agents is presumed to be associated with dopamine D2-receptor blockade. Response to these drugs can be evaluated by measuring target symptoms. Behavioural symptoms are generally first to respond, followed by affective symptoms, and then symptoms of disturbed cognition and perception. Predictors of response include age of onset, premorbid function, family history, cognitive function, ventricle size, and levels of homovanillic acid. As all conventional antipsychotic medications of comparable dose are generally of equivalent efficacy (with the exception of clozapine), choice is based on past response and the patient's tolerance of adverse effects. When antipsychotic agents are administered in the short term to control agitated dangerous behaviour, they can be given intramuscularly and augmented with benzodiazepines. For the ongoing treatment of psychosis, haloperidol 5 mg/day, or its equivalent, is usually sufficient. Continuation of treatment after an acute episode may be decided on the basis of chronicity of the psychotic illness. Relapse rates are higher when patients do not continue to receive medication. Lower maintenance doses may result in higher relapse rates but fewer adverse effects. Long-acting intramuscular depot preparations may be used to aid compliance in long term therapy. Adverse reactions correlate with potency. High potency drugs (i.e. those with greater D2 postsynaptic receptor affinity) are generally associated with extrapyramidal symptoms, including acute dystonic reactions, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia and Parkinsonism. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is associated with all neuroleptic drugs. Low potency agents may cause orthostatic hypotension, sedation and anticholinergic effects. Clozapine has been shown to be effective in 30 to 40% of patients resistant to previous treatment. It does not cause extrapyramidal symptoms, but does have side effects similar to those of low potency agents and may cause agranulocytosis; it is therefore reserved for those patients who have not responded to therapy with 2 other agents. Several other atypical drugs are currently being investigated.
Demystifying the Environmental Kuznets Curve : Turning a Black Box into a Policy Tool

The reduced-form approach to the income–environment relationship has been a useful first step towards answering the question of how economic growth affects the environment. However, without an explicit consideration of the underlying determinants of environmental quality, the scope for policy intervention is unduly circumscribed. In this paper a modest attempt is made to incorporate explicit policy considerations into the income–environment relationship and to explore its determinants as a step towards a better understanding of this relationship and its potential as a policy tool. The role of the rate of economic growth and population density is also explored. A main finding is that at least in the case of ambient SO2 levels, policies and institutions can significantly reduce environmental degradation at low income levels and speed up improvements at higher income levels, thereby flattening the EKC and reducing the environmental price of economic growth.