cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity of N 16 and He 6

An interrupted flow method of handling short lived gases is described. By use of the method, pure ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ and pure ${\mathrm{He}}^{6}$ are readily produced. Geiger counter measurements on the ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ give a period of 7.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 sec. Presence of gamma-rays having energy greater than 5 Mev is demonstrated with a cloud chamber and absorption measurements. A lower limit to the end point of the ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ spectrum is derived from absorption curves, and an upper limit fixed by excitation measurements. By taking into account the barrier of ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ against emission of a proton, and excluding the electron self-energy, the maximum electron energy of the decay may be set at 10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 Mev. The electron absorption curves show the beta-spectrum to be complex with a softer component having an end point at approximately 4 Mev corresponding to decay to an excited state of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ in the region of 6 Mev. The ${\mathrm{He}}^{6}$ period found is 0.85\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 sec., and its end point 3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 Mev, in agreement with Bjerge and Br\"ostrum.
Islam, Causality, and Freedom: From the Medieval to the Modern Era: by Özgür Koca, Cambridge/New York, Cambridge University Press, 2020, 287 pp., £75.00/$99.99 (hardback), ISBN 9781108496346

In this ambitious and impressive book, Ozgur Koca successfully analyses eminent Muslim thinkers’ views about causality in terms of the relationship between God, humans and nature from the mid-eight...
Reliability of peg restrained intrinsic muscle evaluator for measurement of intrinsic hand muscle strength in adults with tetraplegia

Background: The manual muscle test (MMT) is the traditional method to assess the intrinsic hand muscle test. However, this test is qualitative and subjective. A device capable of rapidly measuring motor output along a linear scale may be of value in the evaluation of hand recovery from any neurological impairment. Objective: To demonstrate inter-rater reliability of the Peg Restrained Intrinsic Muscle Evaluator (PRIME) device for measuring intrinsic hand muscle strength in adults with impaired hand functions. Methods: 16 subjects (2 female, 14 male, mean age=47±15 years) with cervical spinal cord injury were enrolled. Intrinsic hand muscle strength of adults were performed by two-tester with use of PRIME device and manual muscle testing, within the same session. Inter-tester correlation was tested by Pearson's correlation and Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for hypothenar, first dorsal interosseous, abductor pollicis brevis and opponence pollicis muscles ranged from 0.7 to 0.8 with hypothenar muscle test being lowest ICC=0.7 and thumb opposition highest, ICC=0.81. Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that PRIME device demonstrates good reliability within testers for quantified measuring of intrinsic hand muscle strength. Further use of PRIME in clinic will aid in diagnostics, medical decision making and evaluation of rehabilitation progress in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.
Community-Driven PPE Production using Additive Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey and Lessons Learned

Abstract This study presents a detailed analysis of the production efforts for personal protective equipment in makerspaces and informal production spaces (i.e., community-driven efforts) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The focus of this study is on additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing), which was the dominant manufacturing method employed in these production efforts. Production details from a variety of informal production efforts were systematically analyzed to quantify the scale and efficiency of different efforts. Data for this analysis was primarily drawn from detailed survey data from 74 individuals who participated in these different production efforts, as well as from a systematic review of 145 publicly available news stories. This rich dataset enables a comprehensive summary of the community-driven production efforts, with detailed and quantitative comparisons of different efforts. In this study, factors that influenced production efficiency and success were investigated, including choice of PPE designs, production logistics, and additive manufacturing processes employed by makerspaces and universities. From this investigation, several themes emerged including challenges associated with matching production rates to demand, production methods with vastly different production rates, inefficient production due to slow build times and high scrap rates, and difficulty obtaining necessary feedstocks. Despite these challenges, nearly every maker involved in these production efforts categorized their response as successful. Lessons learned and themes derived from this systematic study of these results are compiled and presented to help inform better practices for future community-driven use of additive manufacturing, especially in response to emergencies.
Lingual and non-lingual safety training methodology effectiveness: Does language of origin impact effectiveness

Abstract Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) trainings are used by global industries to mitigate risks and are often provided in a lingua franca (often English). This research investigated a strategy for overcoming language barriers associated with performance, comprehension, and training effectiveness. Non-linguistic (e.g., EU's Napo animated trainings) and English language (ENG) versions of EHS training were compared for effectiveness with native English language participants (L1), non-native English language participants (L2), and non-English language participants (L0). In the 1st study, 102 L1 & L2 U.S. employees completed one of the two trainings and were assessed on their reaction to and comprehension of the training. For this study, ENG was more effective and preferred by both language groups and this may be due to the workers' English proficiency and the number of channels of communication provided by the training medium. In the 2nd study, 78 L0 Brazilian and Chinese employees completed trainings and were assessed identically to the 1st study. For these participants, Napo training was more effective and preferred by both groups and this was likely because ENG L0 trainees had no channels for processing the information versus Napo's single channel of information. Interestingly, Brazilians in the ENG group outperformed their Chinese counterparts. Conversely, Chinese in the Napo group outperformed Brazilians in the Napo group. Though these findings are somewhat intuitive, they are extremely important for two reasons: 1) there is remarkable dearth of empirical research regarding the effects of the use of lingua franca for safety training. 2) Even though the idea of using lingua franca for training with L0 workers may seem obvious, there are a large number of international companies that use this for their EHS training. The findings from this study may provide a more effective and affordable method for some of these companies’ safety training needs.
What was the Trojan Horse

Few now believe the myth that Troy’s defenders succumbed to a booby-trapped wooden horse, which assumes both incredible Trojan stupidity and unlikely Greek confidence in their opponent’s witlessness. Indeed, Homer—who treated both Greeks and Trojans with dignity—barely mentions such a horse; the story of Troy’s downfall by the ruse of a great wooden horse derives from Quintus of Smyrna’s epic in fourteen books, part of the “Posthomerica.” Yet hints of the Great Horse were secreted in the Illiad and a slighted passage indicates that Homer’s listeners understood exactly what he was talking about. Subsequent misunderstanding arose when Homer’s exquisitely concise literary allusion was overlooked. Modern scholars trust that a siege machine, specifically some sort of battering ram, rumbled up to the walls of Troy. We can identify Homer’s own allusion to the horse, its probable function, its builder, and the origins of associating the horse with Poseidon.
ONLINE NEWS CONSUMPTION: A structural model linking preference, use, and paying intent

While media scholars tend to take “media use” as an indicator of popularity or diffusion, media use alone does not fully capture the complexity of online news consumption. For instance, given free online news offerings in most cases, consumers do not always use what they prefer, and most are not willing to pay for what they use. This study identifies from the literature three distinct factors—preference, use, and paying intent—as well as two key demographic variables—age and gender—each helping to explain a specific facet of online news consumption. While previous research has uncovered a number of relationships among these factors, a holistic model that weaves different empirical findings together is lacking. To address the interplay among the key factors, this study presents two theoretical models via structural equation modeling. The goal is to clarify the interrelationship among preference, use, and paying intent for online news, which helps to explain why most newspapers have difficulties monetizing ...
Abstract W MP39: SSRI/SNRI Use Is Not Associated With Increased Risk Of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective: To determine the effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)/Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) use prior to or during admission for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) on the risk of symptomatic vasospasm and diffuse cerebral ischemia (DCI). Methods: Review of electronic records at Mayo Clinic, Rochester from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2013 of consecutive patients with aSAH. The variables collected and analyzed were: age, sex, active smoking, transfusion, modified Fisher score, WFNS grade, and outcome at discharge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with DCI, symptomatic vasospasm, and poor outcome (modified Rankin score 3-6) within 1 year. Results: 583 [females 367 (63%)] patients with a median age of 55 (47-65) years were admitted with aSAH during the study period. WFNS at nadir was IV-V in 243 (41.6%) and modified Fisher score was 3-4 in 438 (75.2%). Eighty one (14.6%) patients were taking SSRI or SNRI prior to admission and these medications were continued in all of them. Symptomatic vasospasm was present in 154 (27.7%), radiological infarction in 172(29.5%), and DCI in 250(42.9%) patients. SSRI/SNRI use was not associated with the occurrence of DCI (p=0.458), symptomatic vasospasm (p=0.097), radiological infarction (p=0.972), or poor functional outcome (p=0.376). Conclusions: The use of SSRI/SNRI prior to admission and/or during hospitalization in patients with aSAH was not associated with symptomatic vasospasm or DCI.
Physical Analysis for Tribology

1. Tribology 2. Macroscopic physical techniques 3. Microscopic techniques for studying atomic arrangements 4. Microscopic techniques for studying atomic and nuclear structure 5. The analysis of lubricant films 6. The analysis of surface temperatures in tribosystems.
Application of substrate curvature method to differentiate drying stresses in topical coatings and human stratum corneum.

Synopsis Despite the extensive use of topical coatings in cosmetics, their effect on the mechanical properties of human skin and the perception of skin tightness in the form of drying stresses is not well understood. We describe the application of a recently developed substrate curvature technique to characterize stresses in drying and non-drying occlusive topical coatings. We then extend the technique to measure the combined effects of the coating applied to human stratum corneum (SC) where the overall drying stresses may have contributions from the coating, the SC and the interaction of the coating with the SC. We show how these separate contributions in the coating and SC layers can be differentiated. Resume Malgre l’utilization extensive des enduits topiques dans les produits cosmetiques, leur effet sur les proprietes mecaniques de la peau humaine et la perception de l’etancheite de peau a cause des stresses de dessechement n’est pas tres bien compris. Nous decrivons l’application d’une technique de courbure de substrat recemment developpe pour caracteriser les stresses dans les enduits topiques qui sechent. Nous utilisons ensuite cette methode pour mesurer les effets combines de l’enduit applique a la couche cornee (SC) ou les stresses dessechement totales pourraient avoir des contributions provenant de l’enduit, de la SC et des interactions entre l’enduit et la SC. Nous montrons comment separer les differentes contributions de l’enduit et de la SC.
Cross Layer Anomaly Based Intrusion Detection System

Since the start of the 21st century, computer networks have been through an exponential growth in terms of the network capacity, the number of the users and the type of tasks that are performed over the network. With the resent boom of mobile devices (e.g., Tablet computers, smart phones, smart devices, and wearable computing), the number of network users is bound to increase exponentially. But, most of the communications protocols, that span over the 7 layers of the OSI model, were designed in the late 1980's or 90's. Although most of these protocols have had subsequent updates over time, most of these protocols still remain largely unsecure and open to attacks. Hence it is critically important to secure these protocols across the 7 layers of the OSI model. As a part of my PhD research, I am working on a cross layer anomaly behavior detection system for various protocols. This system will be comprised of intrusion detection systems (IDS) for each of the protocols that are present in each layer. The behavior analysis of each protocol will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase (training), the features that accurately characterize the normal operations of the protocol are identified using data mining and statistical techniques and then use them to build a runtime model of protocol normal operations. In addition, some known attacks against the studied protocol are also studied to develop a partial attack model for the protocol. The anomaly behavior analysis modules of each layer are then fused to generate a highly accurate detection system with low false alarms. In the second phase, the cross-layer anomaly based IDS is used to detect attacks against any communication protocols. We have already developed anomaly behavior modules for TCP, UDP, IP, DNS and Wi-Fi protocols. Our experimental results show that our approach can detect attacks accurately and with very low false alarms.
K+, Na+, and Mg2+ on DNA translocation in silicon nitride nanopores

In this work, we report on how salt concentration and cation species affect DNA translocation in voltage-biased silicon nitride nanopores. The translocation of dsDNA in linear, circular, and supercoiled forms was measured in salt solutions containing KCl, NaCl, and MgCl(2) . As the KCl concentrations were decreased from 1 to 0.1 M, the time taken by a DNA molecule to pass through a nanopore was shorter and the frequency of the translocation in a folded configuration was reduced, suggesting an increase in DNA electrophoretic mobility and DNA persistence length. When the salt concentration was kept at 1 M, but replacing K(+) with Na(+) , longer DNA translocation times (t(d) ) were observed. The addition of low concentrations of MgCl(2) with 1.6 M KCl resulted in longer t(d) and an increased frequency of supercoiled DNA molecules in a branched form. These observations were consistent with the greater counterion charge screening ability of Na(+) and Mg(2+) as compared to K(+) . In addition, we demonstrated that dsDNA molecules indeed translocated through a ∼10 nm nanopore by PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis. We also compared the dependence of DNA mobility and conformation on KCl concentration and cation species measured at single molecule level by silicon nitride nanopores with existing bulk-based experimental results and theoretical predictions.
CT Angiography of the Thoracic Aorta

Patients with thoracic aortic diseases may be completely asymptomatic (as in thoracic aortic aneurysms) or present acutely with severe chest pain (as in acute aortic dissections). Thoracic aortic disease is often occult until a life-threatening complication occurs or the disease is discovered incidentally on imaging. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can be used to diagnose various acute and chronic abnormalities of the aorta, including aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, traumatic aortic transection, and congenital malformations. This article reviews the MDCT appearance of various thoracic aortic diseases.
Auditory evoked potentials during selective listening to dichotic speech messages

The sensitivity of the scalp-recorded, auditory evoked potential to selective attention was examined while subjects monitored one of two dichotically presented speech passages for content. Evoked potentials were elicited to irrelevant probe stimuli (vowel sounds) embedded in both the right- and the leftear’s message. The amplitude of the evoked potential was larger to probe stimuli embedded in the attended message than to probe stimuli in the unattended message. Recall performance was unaffected by the presence of the probes. The results are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that this evoked potential sensitivity reflects an initial “input selection” stage of attention.
A theory of the steady-state heat step method of measuring water flux in woody plant stems

Abstract The steady-state heat step method for determining total sap flux in a stem is examined using a two-dimensional model. The resultant equations are solved in two different limits and the following conclusions reached: (1) Sufficiently far from the heat source, the results of the standard one-dimensional theories become applicable if heat transfer from the stem to the ambient air is sufficiently small. (2) If the axial diffusion of heat is much less important than its convection with the flowing sap, then the surface temperature of the xylem (and hence the result of a flux measurement) is relatively insensitive to the radial variation of the sap flux. (3) The best experimental realization of the method would appear to be that which involves the measurement of the decay of temperature with distance on the apical side of the heater, but this seems never to have been tried.
Large-Population LQG Games Involving a Major Player: The Nash Certainty Equivalence Principle

We consider linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) games with a major player and a large number of minor players. The major player has a significant influence on others. The minor players individually have negligible impact, but they collectively contribute mean field coupling terms in the individual dynamics and costs. To overcome the dimensionality difficulty and obtain decentralized strategies, the so-called Nash certainty equivalence methodology is applied. The control synthesis is preceded by a state space augmentation via a set of aggregate quantities giving the mean field approximation. Subsequently, within the population limit the LQG game is decomposed into a family of limiting two-player games as each is locally seen by a representative minor player. Next, when solving these limiting two-player games, we impose certain interaction consistency conditions such that the aggregate quantities initially assumed coincide with the ones replicated by the closed loop of a large number of minor players. This procedure leads to a set of decentralized strategies for the original LQG game, which is an $\varepsilon$-Nash equilibrium.
Substituent Effects on the Binding of Phenols to the D38N Mutant of 3-Oxo-Δ5-steroid Isomerase. A Probe for the Nature of Hydrogen Bonding to the Intermediate†

The nature of hydrogen bonding to the intermediate of the reaction catalyzed by 3-oxo-Δ5-steroid isomerase (KSI) was investigated. Substituted phenols bind tightly to the active site of the D38N mutant of KSI, and are analogs of the intermediate dienol. These D38N−phenol complexes exhibit fluorescence, NMR, and UV spectral characteristics similar to D38N complexed with phenolic steroids. The binding of phenols to D38N is satisfactorily described by the modified Bronsted equation: log KD = 0.85(pKa) − 0.63 π − 6.3 (n = 10, r = 0.967), where KD is the dissociation constant of the complex and π is the hydrophobicity parameter for the phenol substituent. The high value of the Bronsted α (0.85 ± 0.08) indicates that the negative charge in the D38N−phenol complex, and by implication in the KSI−intermediate complex, is localized almost exclusively on the bound ligand. It is concluded that stabilization of the anionic (dienolate) intermediate is provided by ordinary hydrogen bonds from the enzyme acids Tyr-14 an...
Electrophoretic and immunological detection of legumin-like seed proteins in several monocot species including several tribes of the Poaceae

Abstract SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis were used to determine the prevalence of legumin-like like proteins in seeds from plants representing nine orders of Monocotyledoneae including sixteen tribes of the Poaceae. SDS-PAGE indicated that most monocotyledonous plants examined had major storage protein fractions that could be classified as the 11 S legumin-like globulins. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis indicated that representatives of five tribes of the Poaceae (Graminales), Avena sativa L., Oryza sativa L., Agrostis alba L., Stipa viridula Trin. and Phalaris canariensis L. also contained legumin-like proteins as their major storage protein fraction.
Multiprogramming for real-time applications

A software system supporting multiple event-driven processes concurrently on a small process control computer is described. Each application can be programmed and tested independently. An implementation of the system, called LABS/7, has been productive for over three years.The limits to which real-time multiprogramming may be pushed are explored.
Bayesian Updating of the Price Elasticity of Uncertain Demand

In the context of value creation in systems engineering, it is important to consider the contribution of each component of the system to the overall value. This consideration is particularly important for profit-maximizing firms, whose objective is to maximize the expected utility of profit. To determine the profit of each alternative, it is necessary to obtain an estimate of the demand for each design at a given price. Because uncertainty about the demand is always present, it is essential to incorporate this uncertainty into the profit and the design analysis. This paper provides a method for characterizing the uncertainty about demand as a function of its price. We characterize the demand distribution using a scaled Poisson process and show how to estimate demand. We illustrate the results using a numeric example applied to a regional engineering firm that designs small hybrid vehicles. Finally, we provide an approximate analytic solution for the optimal price of a product that offers the highest expected utility for the design firm. Our results indicate that the more risk-averse firm has a lower optimal price than the less risk-averse firm. We also calculate the expected value of perfect information on the demand at any price via Bayesian updating.
Synthesis of either a cis- or trans-fused hydroazulenol from an allylstannane functionalized (E)-5-cyclodecenone

Abstract ( E )-7-(Tri- n -butylstannyl)-5-cyclodecenone has been synthesized and its transannular cyclization carried out under a variety of conditions. The stereochemistry of the ring fusion in the product hydroazulenol can be controlled through the choice of reaction conditions used to induce cyclization. The use of fluoride anion or sodium naphthalenide led to exclusively the cis ring fusion, while simply heating in benzene led to exclusively the trans ring fusion. Treatment with Lewis and protic acids led to mixtures of the cis- and trans-fused hydroazulenols, which favor the cis isomer.
Elevated systolic blood pressure as a cardiovascular risk factor

This paper reviews the evolution of attitudes toward the treatment and diagnosis of hypertension. In particular, there is a growing realization that elevated systolic pressure may be a more valuable measurement in evaluating and controlling hypertension than is generally acknowledged. A large number of epidemiologic studies in a wide variety of populations have revealed that systolic blood pressure exerts a stronger influence than diastolic blood pressure. The largest of these, the Framingham Heart Study, showed that in subjects with systolic hypertension, diastolic blood pressure was only weakly related to the risk of cardiovascular events, but in those with diastolic hypertension, the risk of these events was strongly influenced by the level of systolic pressure. Furthermore, cardiovascular event rates were found to increase steeply with systolic pressure and were higher in cases of isolated systolic hypertension than diastolic hypertension. Clinical trials produced similar results, again suggesting that a greater reliance should be placed on systolic pressure in evaluating the risk of cardiovascular problems. This review concludes that the health community needs to be reeducated to consider the importance of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in assessing appropriate management strategies for hypertensive patients.
A chemical switch for detecting insect infestation.

BACKGROUND: Plants emit phytochemicals as a defensive mechanism against herbivores. A small sensor switch that responds to these chemicals could be used to stop insect infestation at early stages. RESULTS: Polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate was chosen as the best polymer for this particular application, based on its swelling response to plant volatiles. When the carbon concentration of the active layer was low enough to be near the percolation threshold, the sensor could be used as a ‘chemical switch’. The resistance of the sensor increased significantly, mimicking a ‘switch-off’ response when exposed to the analyte vapor. When the analyte vapor was no longer present, the sensor returned back to its original condition, showing a ‘switch-on’ response. The percolation point was obtained when the carbon concentration of the polymer/carbon composite was kept at 2.5 wt%. CONCLUSION: A low-mass-fraction carbon composite sensor has been designed and fabricated to detect γ-terpinene, α-pinene, p-cymene, farnesene, limonene and cis-hexenyl acetate. The sensor is inexpensive, easy to fabricate and highly stable in air. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Thermal effects of asymmetric electrolytes in electric double layer capacitors

This study presents a thermal model, derived from first principles, for electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) with multiple ion species and/or asymmetric electrolytes. It accounts for both irreversible and reversible heat generation rates resulting from the transient electrodiffusion of ions within the electrolyte. Detailed numerical simulations of EDLCs with planar electrodes and binary and asymmetric electrolytes were performed under galvanostatic cycling. The irreversible Joule heating decreased with increasing valency and/or diffusion coefficient of either ion. The local reversible heat generation rate near a given electrode was determined by the properties of the counterion. It increased with increasing counterion valency and/or decreasing counterion diameter. As a result, the electrode with the counterion of smaller diameter and/or larger valency experienced significantly larger temperature oscillations during galvanostatic cycling than the opposite electrode. In general, EDLC electrolytes featuring ions with large valency and/or small diameter produce large capacitance but also large reversible heating. The present study suggests that EDLC electrolytes should feature large bulk ion concentrations and at least one ion with a large diffusion coefficient to minimize both irreversible and reversible heating.
Dysthymic distress and hostile personality characteristics in Greek student nurses: a comparative study

A comparative evaluation of anxiety, depression and personality deviances of student nurses was attempted, using Foulds' 'Scale of anxiety and depression and personality deviance' on Greek student nurses and on controls from other schools. It was found that: Greek student nurses scored higher in depression than student teachers and the Greek women sample, Greek student nurses scored higher in intropunitiveness than the Greek women sample, but there was no difference between student nurses and the control groups in all the personality deviances, and The younger the students, the higher their scores in anxiety and depression. Our findings support the hypothesis that dysthymic distress in Greek student nurses is associated with stresses of their training.
Influence of pH and Side-Chain Negative Charge on the Behavior of Designed Transmembrane Peptides in Lipid Bilayers

GWALP23 (acetyl-GGALW5LALALALALALALW19LAGA-amide) is a favorable model peptide for investigations of single-residue effects on protein-lipid interactions and the properties of membrane-spanning helices (J. Biol. Chem. 285, 31723). GWALP23 has favorable properties in bilayer membranes because the peptide exhibits only limited dynamic averaging of NMR observables such as the 2H quadrupolar splitting or the 15N-1H dipolar coupling (Biophys. J. 101, 2939). To investigate the potential influence of negatively charged side chains upon system properties, we have substituted a single Leu residue with Glu at different positions and incorporated specific 2H-Ala labels in the core of the single-Trp peptide Y5GWALP23 (see Biochemistry 51, 2044). Solid state 2H NMR experiments were used to examine the peptide orientation and dynamics as functions of the lipid bilayer thickness and pH in hydrated lipid bilayer membranes. We observed well defined 2H quadrupolar splittings for Y5GWALP23-E16 in the pH range from 4.0 to 8.2, suggesting that the peptide helix is well oriented in DOPC lipid bilayers. The glutamic acid residue, though protonated, seemed to confer multi-state behavior at pH 2.5, and the resulting populations exhibited slow exchange on the NMR time scale. The deprotonation of E16 at pH 8.2 did not have any effect on the peptide orientation, perhaps suggesting that the close proximity of E16 to W19 (on the next helical turn) could provide stability to the peptide helix. We are also studying the peptide-lipid behavior when Glu is substituted in position 12 and/or 14, individually or together.
Improving success rate of hydrogen-bond driven synthesis of co-crystals

Increasing the negative charge of a hydrogen-bond acceptor using electron-donating substituents offers a significant improvement in hydrogen-bond driven synthesis of carboxylic acid⋯N-heterocycle co-crystals.
The surface conductivity of silicon oxynitride

Abstract The electronic conductivity of the hydrated silicon nitride surface layer is measured with the use of a gold gate ion-sensitive field effect transistor. The conductivity appears to depend on the number of dangling bonds near the surface.
Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease

Biomarkers for detecting the early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) could accelerate development of new treatments. Such biomarkers could be used to identify individuals at risk for developing PD, to improve early diagnosis, to track disease progression with precision, and to test the efficacy of new treatments. Although some progress has been made, there are many challenges associated with developing biomarkers for detecting PD in its earliest stages.
The multiload IUD--a U.S. researcher's evaluation of a European device.

This evaluative review focused on the performance and safety of the Dutch-made Multiload copper IUD, primarily the Multiload-375 (MLCu-375) model which has a longer life expectancy (5 or more years) than the Multiload-250 (MLCu-250) model, usually cited for a life expectancy for three years. This copper-medicated IUD differs from the copper-T IUDs in shape and insertion technique. The review shows that (a) the MLCu-375 IUD seems to be slightly less effective in preventing pregnancies than TCu-380A IUD. Its efficacy is comparable to that of the Nova-T by two to three years of use; (b) the MLCu-250 IUD is similarly effective to TCu-200 but may be slightly less effective than TCu-220C; (c) no consistent differences were detectable in expulsion rates or in removal rates for bleeding/pain between the Multiload IUDs and comparative Copper-T IUDs; (d) the Multiload IUDs may perform better in nulliparous women than the T-shaped devices; (e) no or a very low incidence of uterine perforation is associated with insertions of the Multiload IUD; (f) ectopic pregnancy risks are similarly low in Multiload IUD users as in Copper-T-380A users; and (g) pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) risks are similarly low in Multiload IUD users as in users of T-shaped copper IUDs.
A monte carlo comparison of some t-tests

A class of statistical tests for testing the hypothesis H 0Δ=0, where Δ is a location parameter, is proposed. The test statistic is defined in terms of the signed ranks of the sample data. Il is shown, by the method of moment matching, that under the null hypothesis test statistics in the proposed class have approximately a t-distribution. A Monte Carlo simulation study is presented inorder to compare the significance levels and power of these tests with numerous other tests.
A simple and efficient method for the recovery of deodorizer distillates

An improved method has been developed to permit simple and efficient recovery of the distillates from oil deodorizer systems. A description of system and unit operation as well as design parameters are presented. Limited development experience is discussed and related to unit performance. Test methods used to determine unit performance are also discussed. Advantages resulting from use of this method to recover distillates are described to permit relative evaluation of similar systems.
The manager plan appropriate for counties a rejoinder to Kirk H. Porter

In our January issue Dr. Porter threw a wet blanked upon the manager plan for counties. Mr. Egger does not see it that way.
A search for an anomalous brightening of Io after eclipse

Four eclipse reappearances observations of Jovian satellite Io by area scanning photometer, considering anomalous brightening
Composite outcomes in 2.25-mm drug eluting stents: A systematic review

Abstract Background Coronary atherosclerosis often involves small-caliber coronaries, yet the safety and efficacy of 2.25-mm DES have been poorly defined, with a general lack of separation of 2.25 with 2.5-mm performance. No randomized head-to-head 2.25 mm DES studies have been reported. There are several single-arm prospective studies, and we aim to systematically review all published specific 2.25-mm data to estimate composite DES-specific performance and highlight current knowledge gaps. Methods We performed a systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane database for clinical trials of 2.25-mm DES. Angiographic and composite clinical outcomes were compared with descriptive statistics. Results 2.25 mm-Paclitaxel (PES), sirolimus (SES), everolimus (EES) and platinum chromium EES DES-specific outcomes have been reported. Death at 12 months for SES, PES, EES and platinum chromium EES was 1.3%, 3.0%, 1.5%, and 4.4%. Rates of target vessel revascularization at 12 months for SES, PES, EES and platinum chromium EES were 5.7%, 13.3%, 8.8%, and 3.3%. Angiographic outcomes at 9 months to one year were as follows: mean late lumen loss (LLL) for SES, PES, and EES was 0.15 ± 0.11-mm, 0.28 ± 0.11-mm, and 0.16 ± 0.41-mm and mean diameter restenosis for SES, PES, and EES were 29.5 ± 6.2%, 34.7 ± 4.2%, and 20.9 ± 22.5%. Reported stent thrombosis rates for 2.25-mm DES were low ranging from 0% to 2.2% in up to 24-months of follow-up. Conclusions This systematic review summarizes and tabulates all available specific data on 2.25-mm DES. Based on our descriptive analysis, 2.25-mm DESs have a favorable safety and efficacy profile for the treatment of very small coronary lesions.
1540 RELATIONSHIP OF ANGIOTENSIN 11 TO INACTIVE RENIN AND RENIN IN THE FETAL LAMB

An inactive form of renin has been found in human and animal blood, kidneys, brain, and amniotic fluid. This inactive renin increases renin activity in vitro upon exposure to acid pH 3.3 followed by alkaline pH 7.4, low temperature, the proteases trypsin and pepsin, and urinary kallikrein. The purpose of this study is to show the effects of angiotensin 11 and saralasin on inactive renin and renin in five fetal lambs 120-130 days gestation, and five lambs 115-138 days, using the chronic sheep preparation. Inactive renin (after cryoactivation and trypsin activation) and renin, after generation of angiotensin 1 are measured by radioimmunoassay. Cryorenin and trypsin activated renin decreased from 4.0 ± 1.0 ng/ml/hr of plasma renin activity (PRA) (M and SEM) and 7.3 ± 1.0 to 0.05 ± 0.01 and 1.7 ± 1.0 (p<.01) respectivly, after 15 min of angiotensin 11 infusion (0.25 ug/kg/min); renin did not statistically decrease. Cryoactivated and trypsin activated renin increased from 2.2 ± 0.5 ng/ml/hr and 4.9 ± 0.9 of PRA to 4.6 ± 1.0 and 8.5 ± 1.5, respectively after 30 min (p<.05) of the saralasin (10 ug/kg/min) infusion, while renin showed no change. Furosemide increased inactive renin in parallel to renin. In conclusion: 1) angiotensin 11 can inhibit inactive renin, but not renin; 2) a negative feedback loop exists between angiotensin 11 and inactive renin, but not renin; and 3) trypsin activates inactive renin more effectively than cryoactivation; in the fetal lamb.
Computation of transonic flow past projectiles at angle of attack

Aerodynamic properties of artillery shell such as normal force and pitching moment reach peak values in a narrow transonic Mach number range. In order to compute these quantities, numerical techniques have been developed to obtain solutions to the three-dimensional transonic small disturbance equation about slender bodies at angle of attack. The computation is based on a plane relaxation technique involving Fourier transforms to partially decouple the three-dimensional difference equations. Particular care is taken to assure accurate solutions near corners found in shell designs. Computed surface pressures are compared to experimental measurements for circular arc and cone cylinder bodies which have been selected as test cases. Computed pitching moments are compared to range measurements for a typical projectile shape.
Integration of Heat Conduction Measurement Systems Into Engineering Technology Education

Modern engineering technology education necessitates realistic, cross disciplinary research projects. Maintaining these research opportunities within the university is an effective way for undergraduate students to practice their profession while assisting with graduate level research. In the heat conduction laboratory, the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M has joined with the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution to create a novel learning environment beneficial to both students and professors. The goal of this project is to design and implement an improved thermal test chamber using mechatronic concepts. Similarly, the educational goal is to have engineering technology students apply their classroom based learning to a real-world application and to coordinate their efforts with a diverse background of advisors and engineers.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
On the Size of Set Systems on [n] Not Containing Weak (r,Δ)-Systems

Letr?3 be an integer. A weak (r,?)-system is a family ofrsets such that all pairwise intersections among the members have the same cardinality. We show that fornlarge enough, there exists a family F of subsets of [n] such that F does not contain a weak (r,?)-system and |F|?2(1/3)·n1/5log4/5(r?1). This improves an earlier result of Erdo?s and Szemeredi (1978,J. Combin. Theory Ser. A24, 308?313; cf. Erdo?s, On some of my favorite theorems, in “Combinatorics, Paul Erdo?s Is Eighty,” Vol. 2, Bolyai Society Math. Studies, pp. 97?133, Janos Bolyai Math. Soc., Budapest, 1990).
URINARY EXCRETION OF CYCLIC −3′,5′-ADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE IN HYPERTHYROIDISM

Urinary cyclic AMP excretion was studied in twelve females and three males with untreated Graves' disease and one female with thyrotoxicosis factitia. Cyclic AMP/creatinine ratios were elevated both in male (6.84 ± 0.58, ± SEM) and female patients (6.80 ± 0.34) as compared with normal male and female controls (3.20 ± 0.20 and 3.83 ± 0.18, respectively). However, total cyclic AMP excretion was elevated only in the male hyperthyroid patients. The consistently elevated cyclic AMP/creatinine ratios were to a great extent a reflection of significantly decreased creatinine excretion in these patients.
Amphetamine increases phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and transcription factors in the rat striatum via group I metabotropic glutamate receptors.

Amphetamine is an indirect dopamine receptor agonist and increases glutamate release in the striatum. Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) upregulates cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Elk-1 phosphorylation via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the striatum in vivo. In the present study the role of mGluRs in the regulation of ERK1/2 pathways leading to CREB and Elk-1 phosphorylation by amphetamine was investigated using immunohistochemistry and Western blot in the rat dorsal striatum. Acute administration of amphetamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) caused increases in phosphorylated (p)CREB, pElk-1, and pERK1/2 immunoreactivity. Intrastriatal blockade of group I mGluRs with N-phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC; 25 nmol) significantly attenuated amphetamine-induced pCREB, pElk-1, pERK1/2, and Fos immunoreactivity in both medial and lateral areas of the striatum. Systemic injection of an mGluR5 antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP; 10 mg/kg, i.p.), also blocked the amphetamine induction of these phosphoproteins. In contrast, intrastriatal blockade of group II/III mGluRs with (RS)-α-methylserine-o-phosphate monophenyl ester (MSOPPE; 25 nmol) did not affect amphetamine-induced increases in all the four markers. Similarly, intrastriatal dantrolene (2 or 20 nmol) that blocks intracellular Ca2+ release from ryanodine-sensitive stores did not affect amphetamine effects. Injection of PHCCC, MPEP, MSOPPE, or dantrolene alone did not alter basal levels of the three phosphoproteins and Fos. These data suggest that acute amphetamine is able to facilitate the phosphorylation of CREB, Elk-1, and ERK1/2 signaling proteins and Fos gene expression via a group I mGluR-dependent mechanism in the dorsal striatum.
The classical-limit S-matrix and orbital dynamics in semiclassical coulomb excitation theory

A previously introduced formalism employing the classical limit of the quantum-mechanical S-matrix for Coulomb excitation is extended by applying direct numerical evaluation of the S-matrix in an integral representation, and by employing complex classical trajectories in a saddle-point approximation to the integral S-matrix. The equations of motion are parametrized in terms of dimensionless quantities, and the dynamics of the system in the classical limit are discussed. A detailed consideration of the classical equations of motion and comparisons to exact quantum-mechanical calculations and to conventional semiclassical calculations for backward scattering are carried out. The results suggest that the classical-limit S-matrix method is able to almost exactly reproduce both the amplitude and the phase of the quantum-mechanical S-matrix, even for projectiles as light as protons, and that this approach should be a better approximation for heavy-ion multiple Coulomb excitation than earlier semiclassical methods, due to a more accurate description of the classical orbits in the combined monopole-quadrupole field of the target nucleus. The indicated corrections due to the approximate orbital dynamics in the Alder-Winther-de Boer calculations increase with spin, but are generally < 20 % for states easily measured, which is in agreement with recent experimental results setting an upper limit on the magnitude of these corrections.
Extraction of visible SWIR hyperspectral scene statistics and their use in scene realization

A method for the extraction of spectral and spatial scene statistics from hyperspectral data is discussed. The method is designed to work on atmospherically compensated data in any spectral region, although this paper will report on visible scene statistics derived from atmospherically compensated AVIRIS data. Our approach is based on a physical description where the scene is composed of materials that in turn are described by a set of spectral endmembers. The spatial statistics of individual scene materials have more stationary behavior than the statistics for the whole scene. For this reason we have formulated our approach around statistics that are determined from the fractional abundance images obtained from the spectral un-mixing of the scene. These quantities are used to construct a high spatial resolution reflectance or emissivity/temperature surface using a fast autoregressive texture generation tool. The spectral complexity of the synthetic surfaces have been evaluated by inserting objects for detection and calculating ROC curves. Preliminary results indicate that synthetic scenes with realistic levels of spectral clutter can be generated using spectral and spatial statistics determined from endmember fractional abundance maps. This work is motivated by the need for realistic hyperspectral scene generation capabilities to test future hyperspectral sensor concepts.
Activation of PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway promotes prostate cancer cell invasion

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream target Akt/PKB are important signaling molecules and key survival factors involved in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis and oncogenesis. We investigated the role of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the invasion of prostate cancer cell lines and activation of this pathway in primary human prostate tumors. Treatment of human prostate cancer cells viz. LNCaP, PC-3 and DU145 with PI3K pharmacological inhibitor, LY294002, potentially suppressed the invasive properties in each of these cell lines. Restoration of the PTEN gene to highly invasive prostate cancer PC-3 cells or expression of a dominant negative version of the PI3K target, Akt also significantly inhibited invasion and downregulated protein expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, markers for cell invasion, indicating a central role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in this process. Immunoblot analysis of PI3K and total/activated levels of Akt showed increased protein levels of catalytic (p110α/β) and regulatory (p85) subunits of PI3K and constitutive Akt activation in high-grade tumors compared to low-grade tumor and benign tissue. Immunohistochemical analyses further confirmed a progressive increase in p-Akt (p-Ser473) levels but not of total-Akt (Akt1/2) in cancer tissues compared to benign specimens. A successive increase in p-Akt expression was further noted in specimens serially obtained from individuals with time-course disease progression. Taken together, these results suggest that aberrant activation of PI3K-Akt pathway may contribute to increased cell invasiveness and facilitate prostate cancer progression. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.