cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Bayesian Model Updating Algorithm Applied to a Structural Health Monitoring Benchmark

A new two-step approach for probabilistic structural health monitoring is presented, which involves modal identification followed by damage assessment using the pre- and post-damage modal parameters based on a new Bayesian model updating algorithm. The new approach aims to attack the structural health monitoring problems with incomplete modeshape information by including the underlying full modeshapes of the system as extra random variables, and by employing the Expectation-Maximisation algorithm to determine the most probable parameter values. The non-concave non-linear optimisation problem associated with incomplete modeshape cases is converted into two coupled quadratic optimisation problems, so that the computation becomes simpler and more robust. We illustrate the new approach by analysing the Phase II Simulated Benchmark problems sponsored by the IASC-ASCE Task Group on Structural Health Monitoring. The results of the analysis show that the probabilistic approach is able to successfully detect and locate the simulated damage involving stiffness loss in the braces of the analytical benchmark model based on simulated ambient-vibration data.
The effect of rainfall on the wind in the surface layer

Raindrops falling into a wind-shear zone do not adjust their horizontal speeds immediately to the new wind. Thus, stresses develop which accelerate the air. The effect of raindrops falling into a layer with a logarithmic wind profile is investigated numerically. We find the adjustment of the wind to this situation to be quite small and only barely detectable, even in heavy rain conditions. The effect on the stress distribution is greater. Stress variations of 10–20 % and greater in the lowest 10 m are possible under certain conditions.
Modeling ex vivo hematopoiesis using chemical engineering metaphors

Ex vivo hematopoiesis is increasingly used for clinical applications. Models of ex vivo hematopoiesis are required to better understand the complex dynamics and to optimize hematopoietic culture processes. A general mathematical modeling framework is developed which uses traditional chemical engineering metaphors to describe the complex hematopoietic dynamics. Tanks and tubular reactors are used to describe the (pseudo-) stochastic and deterministic elements of hematopoiesis, respectively. Cells at any point in the differentiation process can belong to either an immobilized, inert phase (quiescent cells) or a mobile, active phase (cycling cells). The model describes five processes: (1) flow (differentiation), (2) autocatalytic formation (growth), (3) degradation (death), (4) phase transition from immobilized to mobile phase (quiescent to cycling transition), and (5) phase transition from mobile to immobilized phase (cycling to quiescent transition). The modeling framework is illustrated with an example concerning the effect of TGF-β1 on erythropoiesis.
A platelet secretion pathway mediated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase

Platelet secretion (exocytosis) is critical in amplifying platelet activation, in stabilizing thrombi, and in arteriosclerosis and vascular remodeling. The signaling mechanisms leading to secretion have not been well defined. We have shown previously that cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) plays a stimulatory role in platelet activation via the glycoprotein Ib-IX pathway. Here we show that PKG also plays an important stimulatory role in mediating aggregation-dependent platelet secretion and secretion-dependent second wave platelet aggregation, particularly those induced via Gq-coupled agonist receptors, the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor, and protease-activated receptors (PARs). PKG I knock-out mouse platelets and PKG inhibitor-treated human platelets showed diminished aggregation-dependent secretion and also showed a diminished secondary wave of platelet aggregation induced by a TXA2 analog and thrombin receptor-activating peptides that were rescued by the granule content ADP. Low dose collagen-induced platelet secretion and aggregation were also reduced by PKG inhibitors. Furthermore PKG I knockout and PKG inhibitors significantly attenuated activation of the Gi pathway that is mediated by secreted ADP. These data unveil a novel PKG-dependent platelet secretion pathway and a mechanism by which PKG promotes platelet activation.
Glutamatergic transmission of neuronal responses to carbachol in rat dorsal cochlear nucleus slices

Abstract This study found that glutamate receptor antagonists block the excitatory effects of carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, on bursting neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of rat brain slices. Among antagonists for glutamate receptor subtypes, those for non- N -methyl- d -aspartate ionotropic glutamate receptors were more potent than those for N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors. The glutamate receptor antagonists did not block the effects of carbachol on regularly firing neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of the same slices. Antagonists for GABA or glycine receptors did not alter the effects of carbachol on bursting neurons. Effects of carbachol on bursting activity could be mimicked by application of glutamate or its agonist, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate, whose effects were not blocked by synaptic blockade. During carbachol application, increased release of glutamate and glycine from the dorsal cochlear nucleus part of brain slices was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Release of other amino acids showed no significant change. The results suggest that, in rat dorsal cochlear nucleus, cholinergic effects on regular and bursting spontaneous firing occur through different mechanisms. Cholinergic effects on regular neurons (which include fusiform cells) are direct, through muscarinic receptors. Cholinergic effects on bursting neurons (which include cartwheel cells) are indirect and involve glutamatergic neurotransmission, mostly via non- N -methyl- d -aspartate ionotropic receptors. The granule cell–parallel fiber pathway may be involved in this glutamatergic transmission.
Control of ternary reactive distillation columns with and without chemically inert components

Dynamic control structures of many types of reactive distillation columns have been studied in the literature. Both ideal hypothetical chemical systems and real chemical systems have been investigated. Most papers that involve ideal systems consider the quaternary ideal two-reactant, two-product chemistry A + B ↔ C + D. This paper explores the control of an ideal ternary system with the chemistry A + B ↔ C. Two cases are considered. In the first, there are only three components. In the second, the feed contains another component that does not participate in the reaction but does have a major impact on the structure of the column and the vapor-liquid phase equilibrium. A recent paper [Luyben, W. L. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. in review] explored the effects of several kinetic and design parameters on the steady-state design of these ternary systems. Significant differences were observed between the systems with and without chemically inert components. The current paper demonstrates that the control structures for these two systems are also quite different. Of particular importance is the finding that a two-temperature control structure provides effective control for the ternary system without inerts; however, this structure does not work when inerts are present, indicating that a direct composition measurement of a column internal composition is required for effective control.
The source of degradation during extrusion of polystyrene

The nature and magnitude of mechanical reactions of polystyrene in capillary flow has been examined in a model extrusion process. Studies on polystyrene quantify the sensitive increase in shear degradation tendency with increasing polymer molecular weight. A molecular weight spectrum caused by the shear stress profile was measured across the extrudate radius by the new technique of solvent coring. It was further determined that an appreciable fraction of the mechanical reaction is shear induced in the capillary reservoir. This is confirmed by precision determinations of molecular weights and distributions by gel permeation chromatography on samples taken from concentric layers in the capillary reservoir after 50% sample extrusion. These results, involving traces of oxygen as a chemical probe, describe the stress profile in the reservoir and in the capillary during the pressure extrusion of high molecular weight polystyrene. Thus, changes in molecular weight and distribution may be attributable to changes in different portions of the shear geometry rather than the uniform changes generally considered. Clear evidence is also presented showing the dramatic effects of oxygen on these shear-induced changes in molecular weight and distribution.
On constrained infinite-time linear quadratic optimal control with stochastic disturbances

Abstract In this work, we study the infinite-time linear quadratic optimal control problem for systems with stochastic disturbances and constrained inputs. A number of stochastic problem formulations under the full state information (FSI) structure are considered with a particular focus on the subject of feedback structure and its impact on certainty equivalence. In particular, we clarify results concerning the open-loop hard constrained, closed-loop statistically constrained, and closed-loop hard constrained cases. Extension to the infinite-time framework provides a vehicle for interpreting these controllers and indicates that the last of the three is of most interest to regulation type applications. Additionally, the partial state information problem is considered, and conditions are given for which a separated configuration consisting of the optimal estimator cascaded with the FSI optimal controller remains optimal.
Steric and Electronic Effects on the Insertion of a Rhodium Phosphine Complex into the C−S Bond of Substituted Dibenzothiophenes. Homogeneous Model for the Hydrodesulfurization Process

The unsaturated 16e{sup -} fragment [(C{sub 5}Me{sub 5})Rh(PMe{sub 3})] has been observed to insert into the sulfur-carbon bond in a variety of substituted dibenzothiophenes to give a six-membered metallacycle product. The regioselectivity of the C-S insertion was probed by varying the position and nature of substituents on dibenzothiophene, and selectivities were found to be directed by steric hindrance with a small electronic contribution. Insertion exclusively into the sterically less hindered C-S bond was found in 4-methyldibenzothiophene, 2,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzo[b]naphthol[2,1-d]thiophene. Insertion toward the unsubstituted ring was the major product of two C-S insertion isomers with 2-fluorodibenzothiophene and 2-methoxydibenzothiophene. Insertion toward the substituted ring was seen to be favored with 2-(trifluoromethyl)dibenzothiophene and 2-cyanodibenzothiophene. Unselective insertion into either C-S bond was found in 2-methyldibenzothiophene, 3-methyldibenzothiophene, 2, 8-dimethyldibenzothiophene, 1,3,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]thiophene. 2-Bromodibenzothiophene showed C-Br activation as well as two C-S insertion products (2:1), while 2-iododibenzothiophene showed C-I activation only. 35 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.
Structural biology of metal-binding sequences

NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography in conjunction with extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, have contributed to the elucidation of the structural biology of protein-mediated mechanisms of heavy metal homeostasis. Among the most striking aspects of these investigations are the remarkable similarity of metal-ion-transport and sequestering systems across different species, and the need to continue the research to confirm hypotheses for the molecular mechanisms of transfers of metal ions between proteins.
Electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole transition probabilities in the potassium isoelectronic sequence.

Electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole transition probabilities between the 3${p}^{6}$4s $^{2}S_{1/2}$ and the 3${\mathit{p}}^{6}$3d $^{2}$${\mathit{D}}_{3/2}$, $^{2}$${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$ levels for K through ${\mathrm{Mo}}^{23+}$ have been calculated in the (relativistic) Dirac-Fock single-configuration approximation. The positions of the (excited) ${4\mathrm{s}}^{2}$${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ level for ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{7+}$-${\mathrm{Mo}}^{23+}$ are predicted along with the fine-structure splitting in the ground configuration 3${p}^{6}$3d.
Hydrodynamic and interparticle potential effects on aggregation of colloidal particles

Abstract The effects of both hydrodynamic interaction and the form of the interparticle potential on the aggregation process for dispersed spherical particles are investigated by computational simulation. The simulation methods of Brownian Dynamics (BD) and Stokesian Dynamics (SD) are applied, over a range of solid volume fraction of 0.04 ⩽ ϕ ⩽ 0.12 . The interparticle potential is a combination of a generalized Lennard-Jones form and a Yukawa potential, the latter of which describes a screened electrostatic repulsion at longer range. The combined potential is parameterized to include a roughly constant primary minimum near contact, along with a variable repulsive barrier at slightly larger separation. The microstructure is characterized through the pair distribution function, g(r), and the static structure factor. The repulsive barrier reduces the rate of aggregation and is also seen to affect the structure, with a large repulsion associated with a more tenuous structure. This is reflected in the potential having a strong effect on the evolution of ‘bonds’ per particle. Hydrodynamic interactions were found to reduce the solid fraction required for percolation, with the influence depending upon the form of the potential; the difference in percolation threshold was significant, with ϕ c , SD ≐ 0.06 and ϕ c , BD ⩾ 0.08 a typical difference for moderate repulsion barriers. These results are for 864 particles in a cubic unit cell. To address the mechanism for this influence of hydrodynamic interactions, a complementary analysis of the evolution of numerous independent three-particle aggregates was performed. The analysis shows that hydrodynamic interaction slows the evolution toward a condensed aggregate of lowest potential energy in a way which cannot be explained by a simple rescaling of the drag due to uncorrelated particle motions.
Shaft diagnostics and prognostics development and evaluation using damaged dynamic simulation

This paper presents a shaft damage dynamic simulation methodology for development and evaluation of effective diagnostic and prognostic algorithms. The methodology uses dynamic shaft vibration models to simulate vibration signals with arbitrary shaft and operating conditions. These simulated vibration signals are used to develop and validate different diagnostic and prognostic algorithms. A simulation study to demonstrate the application of the methodology is provided. In comparison with traditional methods that acquire data from test rig or operational machines, the presented methodology has the following three major benefits. (1) It is able to simulate signals under any shaft and operating conditions (crack size, speed, torque), which is important because of the cost and time required to gather comprehensive operational and test bench data for algorithm development and validation. (2) The methodology could capture nuance for tiny faults without the contamination of extraneous variables, such as ambient ...
Detection and filtering for two-dimensional random fields

In this paper we focus our attention on the following model: Suppose that a two-dimensional random field ?(t1,t2) is observed on a rectangle 0 ? t1 ? T1, 0 ? t2 ? T2. We assume that the observation consists of a signal x(t1,t2) plus an additive white Gaussian noise, i.e., ?(t1,t2) = x(t1,t2) + ?(t1,t2) where ? is a white Gaussian noise. We shall consider the following two problems: (a) What is the likelihood ratio as a function of the observation with respect to the situation where ? is itself a white Gaussian noise? (b) For what models of the signal x will recursive filtering be possible? What is the nature of recursion in this case, and what are the resulting formulas? In this paper we shall summarize the results which have been obtained to date on the two problems of detection and filtering stated above.
The viscoelastic behavior of the non-degenerate human lumbar nucleus pulposus in shear

The viscoelastic behavior of the nucleus pulposus was determined in shear under transient and dynamic conditions and was modeled using a linear viscoelastic model with a variable amplitude relaxation spectrum. During stress-relaxation tests, the shear stress of the nucleus pulposus relaxed nearly to zero indicative of the fluid nature of the tissue. Under dynamic conditions, however, the nucleus pulposus exhibited predominantly 'solid-like' behavior with values for dynamic modulus (magnitude of G*) ranging from 7 to 20 kPa and loss angle (delta) ranging from 23 to 30 degrees over the range of angular frequencies tested (1-100 rad s-1). This frequency-sensitive viscoelastic behavior is likely to be related to the highly polydisperse populations of nucleus pulposus molecular constituents. The stress-relaxation behavior, which was not linear on a semi-log plot (in the range t1 << t << t2), required a variable amplitude relaxation spectrum capable of describing this frequency sensitive behavior. The stress-relaxation behavior was well described by this linear viscoelastic model with variable amplitude relaxation spectrum; however, the dynamic moduli were underpredicted by the model which may be related to non-linearities in the material behavior.
Amplitude preservation of Radon-based multiple-removal filters

This study examines the effect of filtering in the Radon transform domain on reflection amplitudes. Radon filters are often used for removal of multiple reflections from normal moveout-corrected seismic data. The unweighted solution to the Radon transform reduces reflection amplitudes at both near and far offsets due to a truncation effect. However, the weighted solutions to the transform produce localized events in the transform domain, which minimizes this truncation effect. Synthetic examples suggest that filters designed in the Radon domain based on a weighted solution to the linear, parabolic, or hyperbolic transforms preserve the near- and far-offset reflection amplitudes while removing the multiples; whereas the unweighted solutions diminish reflection amplitudes which may distort subsequent amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) analysis.
Desmoid tumor-ureteral fistula in gardner's syndrome

Gardner's syndrome (GS) is complicated by abdominal desmoid tumors in approximately 8% of cases. We describe two cases of ureteral obstruction and fistulization due to rapidly enlarging desmoid tumors. Initial management consisted of placement of ureteral stents to provide urine drainage from the kidney as well as from the collection in the cavities within the desmoid tumors.
Substrate effect in squeeze film damping of lateral oscillating microstructures

We present a new squeeze film damping model for lateral oscillating microstructures which for the first time accounts for the increased damping created by proximity to the substrate. The proposed model improves the estimation of damping by a factor of 2 to 4 when the distance to the substrate is less than or equal to the gap between oscillating plates. The closed-form solution of this model agrees with the predictions of a FEM model within 12%. Experimental results show that the new model improves the accuracy of the estimated damping by approximately a factor of 2.
TRIGLYCERIDE–METHANOL MICROEMULSIONS

ABSTRACT Even-numbered 1-alkanols from butanol to tetradecanol were evaluated for solubilizing and microemulsifying methanol in triolein and for their effectiveness on water tolerances of the hybrid fuels. Photon correlation spectroscopy determinations indicated molecular dispersions formed rather than nonaqueous microemulsions, but the addition of water to the solubilized systems did produce certain quarternary compositions that exhibited microemulsion properties. 1-Octanol imparted optimal, whereas 1-butanol and 1-tetradecanol imparted minimal, water tolerance for the hybrid fuels. Among four isomeric octanols studied, the 1- and 4-octanols were superior to the 2- and 3-octanols for water tolerance. This superiority is attributed to stronger hydrogen bonding and greater association in the 1-and 4-isomers compared to the 2- and 3-isomers.
Adenovirus-directed ocular innate immunity : The role of conjunctival defensin-like chemokines (IP-10, I-TAC) and phagocytic human defensin-α

PURPOSE. Adenovirus (Ad), a major cause of viral conjunctivitis worldwide, is controlled initially by the innate immune response on the ocular surface. In the present study, cultured human conjunctival epithelial cells were used to identify host genes responsive to infection by a clinical isolate of Ad5, and the antiviral activity of some of their peptide products was investigated. METHODS. Primary human conjunctival epithelial cells in culture were infected with Ad5 at high (1.0), low (0.1), or zero (0.0) multiplicities of infection (MOI) and harvested at different times after infection (1.5, 6, and 16 hours). Host gene expression was profiled with oligonucleotide microarrays (GeneChips; Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Peptide products of interest were tested for antiviral activity in direct inhibition assays against respiratory serotypes (Ad3, Ad5), ocular serotypes (Ad8, Ad19), and HSV-1. RESULTS. At high MOI, viral infection suppressed the interferon (IFN)-mediated host antiviral response seen at low MOI. At 16 hours after infection, 63 unique characterized transcripts were identified that were robustly and significantly suppressed by high MOI, (i.e., MOI [0.1]/MOI [0.1] 2, P 0.006). Of these, 29 (46%) transcripts are involved in IFN signaling or are IFN or virus induced. This subset included CXCL10 and CXCL11, encoding IP-10 and I-TAC, respectively. These defensin-like chemokines and human -defensin-1 directly inhibited Ad3 and Ad5 but not Ad8 or Ad19. CONCLUSIONS. In response to low-level Ad5 infection, conjunctival epithelial cells showed upregulation of IFN-associated genes. The peptide products of two of these, IP-10 and I-TAC, are directly active against Ad3, and IP-10 is active against Ad5. The ocular tropism of Ad8 and Ad19 may be due in part to their resistance to these defensin-like chemokines. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46:3657‐3665) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-0438
Risk factors for premature peripheral vascular disease: results for the National Health and Nutritional Survey, 1999-2002.

Purpose Premature peripheral vascular disease (PVD), occurring Methods To address this question, we conducted a population-based observational study using the National Health and Nutritional Survey (NHANES) data set, which represents the noninstitutionalized civilian population in the United States. From 1999 to 2002, 5083 participants were analyzed as part of the NHANES survey. PVD status was defined by an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of Results Premature PVD was found in 2.1% ± 0.2% of the population 60 years. Other significant predictors, irrespective of age, in the multivariate model included hypertension (OR 1.99, P Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of the high risk of developing premature PVD in patients
Terrestrial imaging spectrometry - Current status, future trends

A review of recent progress in the field of imaging spectrometry is presented based on the 14 articles comprising the special issue of this journal. The results presented were achieved through research done with data from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), the first imaging spectrometer to cover the full solar reflected portion of the spectrum. The majority of the early work in imaging spectrometry prior to AVIRIS focused largely on geological applications and specifically surface mineral identification. In the past 5 years, the range of applications has expanded into the scientific disciplines of ecology, hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric science. Significant progress has also been made in sensor design and calibration, and information extraction. NASA plans to place high spectral resolution sensors in earth orbit within the next few years; two have been flown already on recent planetary missions and have proven to be of great value to the study of planetary surfaces and atmospheres. The work presented in this issue will lead directly to more effective utilization of imaging spectrometry in the study of the earth. We present a discussion of future trends in imaging spectrometry at the conclusion of this article.
The infrared infiltration and joining of advanced material

Infrared processing is a newly developed technique for materials processing. Key features include rapid processing, simplicity, and low cost. Because of the rapid processing, very little oxide forms on the surface of parts. Thus, a vacuum is not normally required. Using infrared infiltration, aluminum- and titanium-matrix composites have been prepared under an ambient argon atmosphere. Using infrared bonding, carbon/carbon composites, titanium-matrix composites, titanium alloys, intermetallic compounds, nickel-based superalloys, and steels have been joined without vacuum requirements. Infrared bonding for parts up to 1.27 cm thick is typically completed in 30 seconds to two minutes. Because of rapid processing, there are few microstructural or property changes in the base materials after joining.
Fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Lévy processes and the Telecom process: upstairs and downstairs

We model the workload of a network device responding to a random flux of work requests with various intensities and durations in two ways, a conventional univariate stochastic integral approach ("downstairs") and a higher-dimensional random field approach ("upstairs"). The models feature Gaussian, stable, Poisson and, more generally, infinitely divisible distributions reflecting the aggregate work requests from independent sources. We focus on the fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Levy process and the Telecom process which is the limit of renewal reward processes where both the interrenewal times and the rewards are heavy-tailed. We show that the Telecom process can be interpreted as the workload of a network responding to job requests with stable infinite variance intensities and durations and that fractional Brownian motion (fBM) can be interpreted in the same way but with finite variance intensities. This explains the ubiquitous presence of fBM in network traffic.
The impact of JAK-STAT signaling on muscle regeneration

Altered stem cell homeostasis underlies functional tissue decline during muscle aging and disease progression. Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signal transduction is a crucial regulator of muscle regeneration, and targeting this pathway in mice relieves aspects of debilitating muscle wasting.
Temperature dependence of the superconducting order parameter in the FLEX-approximation for the Hubbard model

Abstract Calculations within the self-consistent and conserving fluctuation-exchange approximation (FLEX) on the two-dimensional one-band Hubbard model with a bandstructure appropriate for YBa2Cu3O7−x are presented in the superconducting state. The d-wave order parameter opens much more rapidly below Tc than BCS behavior. The temperature dependence near Tc is studied in more detail and an explanation is provided. I show the resulting anisotropic quasiparticle damping rates and discuss also how well the FLEX-approximation can describe the high-Tc superconductors.
A comparative analysis of patients’ rights: an international perspective

Consumer rights are used as a framework comparing the patients’ rights of selected countries. Patients’ right documents of geographically dispersed countries, regional coalitions and international organizations were selected for analysis and comparison reflecting health and consumer policy. The content of patients’ rights policies, including populations addressed, basic consumer rights, dignity and privacy or confidentiality were analysed. The inclusion of consumer responsibilities and enforcement of patients’ rights was evaluated. Countries used comprehensive laws and charters to address patients’ rights. The consumer rights most often noted in the patients’ rights analysed were the rights to information, choice and redress. Five countries lacked inclusion of consumer responsibilities and the responsibility for enforcement. Suggestions for action on the part of family and consumer educators and scientists were offered.
Current and Emerging Therapies for Gout

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthropathy in the western world. It affects millions yearly and accounts for significant disability, lost wages, and increased health care costs. Despite it being a very “curable” disease, it continues to be inadequately treated and many times underestimated as a contributor to the overall disease state. Controlling the acute flares has been historically the priority in the management of gout. Approved therapies to treat acute flares have limitations, especially with gout patients who frequently have multiple comorbidities. Over the last decade, there has been a better understanding that just focusing on the treatment of acute flares, although important, may result in inadequate control of hyperuricemia, resulting in a significant urate burden, chronic arthropathy, and significant disability. Successfully treating gout involves a multi-pronged approach: first, by controlling flares with prophylactic anti-inflammatory medications such as colchicine and non-steroidals and secondly, by treating to target, lowering the serum urate level below 6 mg/dL (and in some cases <5, <4, or even less than 3 mg/dL is necessary) with uricostatic medications alone or in combination with uricosurics. A greater understanding of the pathophysiology of gout has resulted in the discovery of new therapies to treat and prevent gout flares and underlying hyperuricemia. Novel therapies that lower serum urate levels or treat and prevent acute gouty flares can not only directly improve the care of gout patients but they can also provide the springboard for discourse and the edification of those who treat and those who are treated for this underestimated disease.
Adaptation in the Ventral Eye of Limulus is Functionally Independent of the Photochemical Cycle, Membrane Potential, and Membrane Resistance

The early receptor potential (ERP), membrane potential, membrane resistance, and sensitivity were measured during light and/or dark adaptation in the ventral eye of Limulus. After a bright flash, the ERP amplitude recovered with a time constant of 100 ms, whereas the sensitivity recovered with an initial time constant of 20 s. When a strong adapting light was turned off, the recovery of membrane potential and of membrane resistance had time-courses similar to each other, and both recovered more rapidly than the sensitivity. The receptor depolarization was compared during dark adaptation after strong illumination and during light adaptation with weaker illumination; at equal sensitivities the cell was more depolarized during light adaptation than during dark adaptation. Finally, the waveforms of responses to flashes were compared during dark adaptation after strong illumination and during light adaptation with weaker illumination. At equal sensitivities (equal amplitude responses for identical flashes), the responses during light adaptation had faster time-courses than the responses during dark adaptation. Thus neither the photochemical cycle nor the membrane potential nor the membrane resistance is related to sensitivity changes during dark adaptation in the photoreceptors of the ventral eye. By elimination, these results imply that there are (unknown) intermediate process(es) responsible for adaptation interposed between the photochemical cycle and the electrical properties of the photoreceptor.
The stable manifold of a point of a hyperbolic map of a Banach space

In [l], Hirsch and Pugh announce a theorem on the stable manifold of a “nearly fixed” point of a hyperbolic map of a Banach space into itself. (Details will be given in [2].) The object of this note is to give a simple proof of their theorem, following the proof in [3, Exercise 5.4, pp. 241, 566-5671, for the case of a fixed point in Euclidean space. By weakening “hyperbolicity” slightly, it will be seen that there is no loss of generality in supposing that the “nearly fixed” point is actually a “fixed” point. This weakening of hyperbolicity also facilitates the handling of parameters and proofs of differentiability. Our results concern, not the iterates T 0 ... 0 T of a fixed map T but, more generally, the products T, 0 T,,-, o .*. 0 Tl of a given sequence of maps Tl , T, ,... . This generalization also has methodical advantages. The “existence and continuity” proof is suggested by a procedure of Hartman and Wintner [4, 51 in the asymptotic theory of ordinary differential equations, and employed by Coffman [6] in dealing with difference equations in a context similar to the situation here. “ Differentiability” will be deduced from “continuity and continuous dependence on parameters,” as in Hadamard’s proof for the smooth dependence of solutions of ordinary differential equations on initial conditions and parameters; cf. [3, pp. 95-IOO]. The main results are stated in Section 3; see also Section 7. An appendix deals with stable manifolds of Anosov diffeomorphisms.
An update on leukaemia

As a group, the leukaemias represent the most common malignant conditions of childhood. The treatment of childhood leukaemia, and in particular the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), has shown tremendous improvement in outcome in the last 40 years. Much of the success is due to the improvements in leukaemia therapy demonstrated in improved disease-free survival and reduced relapse rates in clinical trials but improvements in supportive care over the years have also had a very significant contribution.
Assessment of Student Performance in Statistics

This article describes assessment and scoringmethods that have been used successfully ingraduate-level statistics teaching.
Na channels in skeletal muscle concentrated near the neuromuscular junction

Neuronal function depends crucially on the spatial segregation of specific membrane proteins, particularly the segregation associated with sites of synaptic contact. Understanding the factors governing this localization of proteins is a major goal of cellular neurobiology. A conspicuous example of synaptic specialization is the almost exclusive localization of vertebrate skeletal muscle acetylcholine (ACh) receptors to the subsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction (for example, refs 1,2). The localization of other membrane proteins in skeletal muscle has been much less studied, but a knowledge of their distribution is crucial for understanding the factors governing regional specialization. We have explored the distribution in muscle of the voltage-gated Na channel responsible for the action potential using the loose patch-clamp technique, and have measured Na currents in 5-10 micron-diameter membrane patches as a function of distance from the end plate region of snake and rat muscle fibres. Here we report that the Na current density immediately adjacent to the endplate is 5-10-fold higher than at regions away from the endplate. The increased Na current density falls off rapidly with distance, reaching the background level 100-200 micron from the endplate. Although one might expect ACh receptors to be concentrated near the region of ACh release, such a concentration for Na channels, which propagate the impulse throughout the length of the cell, is surprising and suggests that factors similar to those responsible for concentrating ACh receptors at the endplate also operate to concentrate Na channels.
Chapter 9: habits of life and health.

N The proportion of daily smokers in Sweden is declining among men of all ages and among women under 45 years. N Sweden has Europe’s smallest proportion of daily smokers among men, but Swedish women are daily smokers to a considerably larger extent than women in many other European countries. N The social differences in smoking habits appear not to have changed among men since the early 1980s, but there is a tendency to increasing social differences in smoking habits among women during the past few years. N Alcohol consumption increased by 29% during the period 1996–2003. The proportion of risk consumers also appears to have increased. The large proportion of risk consumers of alcohol among women and among young men is particularly worrying. N The number of drinking occasions has increased during recent years among both women and men, and the average amount of wine and beer consumed per occasion has also increased. N Mortality from diseases with an alcohol-related diagnosis has declined continually among men below 65 and among women below 45 since the start of the 1980s. However, mortality has increased steadily during the same period among women aged 45–74 and among men over 65 years. N The number of young women aged 15–24 years treated for alcohol poisoning has increased threefold since 1987. Among men of the same ages the figure has increased almost fourfold. In 2002 and 2003, however, a decrease was visible among young men and in 2003 also among young women. N More young people tested narcotics during the 1990s than formerly. The number of heavy drug abusers has increased since the early 1990s. N Only 12% of women and 4% of men eat fruit and green vegetables at least 5 times (or corresponding to 500 gm) every day. N Among blue-collar workers and white-collar workers at middle and upper levels with low incomes it is more common to eat small amounts of fruit and green vegetables than among high income groups. N Among adults in Sweden there is a trend towards physically more active leisure time. However it is worrying that sitting still is increasing among children and young people. N Just over 50% of women and 42% of men have comparatively healthy living habits. This means that they are neither risk consumers of alcohol or daily smokers, nor do they suffer from obesity, lead sedentary lives or eat too little fruit and green vegetables. N It is more common for blue-collar workers and peoplewith less education tohave, at the same time, more than one of the five unhealthy living habits studied. People who are economically exposed more often have more than one of these habits than people who are not economically exposed.
Oxidized LDL immune complexes and coronary artery calcification in type 1 diabetes.

Abstract Objective Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and oxLDL antibodies form immune complexes (IC) that reflect essential components in the development of atherosclerosis: dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and induction of a pro-inflammatory humoral immune response. We measured oxLDL in IC (oxLDL-IC) isolated from patients with type 1 diabetes to assess the relationship between oxLDL-IC and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods OxLDL was measured in IC isolated from baseline samples from a subgroup of 476 patients of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). CAC was determined by computed tomography (CT) 11–20 years later. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the risk ratios associated with having a high CAC score with an increase of 1 standard deviation (SD) of the natural logarithm of oxLDL-IC. Results Multivariable regression models indicate that a 1 SD increase in the levels of oxLDL-IC was associated with a 37% increase in the risk of having high CAC score (RR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.12–1.67) at follow-up after adjustment for DCCT treatment group, retinopathy/AER groups, gender and CT scanning site as well as baseline age, diabetes duration and HbA1C %. Further adjustment for smoking status, blood pressure and LDL resulted in a risk ratio of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01–1.50) which remained statistically significant indicating that baseline oxLDL-IC is independently associated with the development of CAC. Discussion Increased levels of oxLDL-IC are associated with the development of coronary calcification. This observation reinforces previously published clinical and experimental data demonstrating that oxLD-IC has pro-inflammatory and proatherogenic properties.
Vortex Shedding in a Large Solid Rocket Motor Without Inhibitors at the Segment Interfaces

The internal acoustic response of the Titan IV Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) is analyzed using pressure oscillation time histories measured during four static e ring tests. Pressure oscillations for other large solid rocket motors are caused by vortex shedding at annular inhibitors and acoustic feedback resulting from impingement of the vortices on other inhibitors or on the solid rocket motor nozzle. The SRMU does not have inhibitors, but it is shown that acoustic feedback also dee nes its pressure oscillations. Vortices are shed around the cavity between the center and aft segments and impinge on the nozzle entrance. The frequencies of the pressure oscillations vary about that of the motor fundamental acoustic mode and generally agree with a simple empirical relationship that has been used to model acoustic feedback. The effect of the SRMU pressure oscillations on dynamics and control of the Titan IV system is minor. I. Introduction A NEW solid rocket motor design called the Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) will be integrated with the Titan IV system beginning in late 1996. The SRMU has a lower inert weight and higher propellant weight than the current Titan IV solid rocket motor, and therefore, augments system performance. The SRMU has three segments (forward, center, and aft) and is the only large solid rocket motor in production that does not have annular inhibitors at the segment interfaces to prevent combustion and to support the propellant grain during burning. A. SRMU Static Firing Tests Five static e ring tests were conducted for qualie cation of the SRMU. The test articles included one preliminary qualie cation motor (called PQM19) and four qualie cation motors (called QM1, QM2, QM3, and QM4 ). The tests were conducted vertically, nozzle down at the Phillips Laboratory 1-125 Firing Complex, Edwards Air Force Base. 1 The test cone guration and the attachments of the solid rocket motor to the test stand simulated e ight. The physical differences between the e ve test motors were minor and are believed to have had a negligible effect on combustion stability. The static e ring tests were conducted at propellant bulk temperatures in the range 36.5‐ 937F (2.5‐ 33.97C) to assess the effect on motor performance. The static e ring test instrumentation included Condec gauges (CCC-406) of absolute pressure on the forward closure (measurement PCF1 ) and on the aft dome (measurement PCA1), and a Kistler gauge (202M122) of oscillatory pressure (measurement PD4 ) on the forward closure. 2 Measurements PCF1 and PCA1 were recorded by a Neff digital acquisition system, while measurement PD4 was recorded by a Metraplex FM system. The Neff system applied a 100-Hz low-pass e lter and recorded measurements PCF1 and PCA1 at 250 samples/s.
Regulating Mammalian Target of Rapamycin To Tune Vaccination-Induced CD8+ T Cell Responses for Tumor Immunity

Vaccine strategies aimed at generating CD8 + T cell memory responses are likely to show augmented efficacy against chronic challenges like tumor. The abundance in variety of memory CD8 + T cells behooves development of vaccine strategies that generate distinct memory responses and evaluate them for tumor efficacy. In this study, we demonstrate the ability of a variety of rapamycin treatment regimens to regulate virus vaccination-induced CD8 + T cell memory responses and tumor efficacy. Strikingly, a short course of high-dose, but not low-dose, rapamycin treatment transiently blocks viral vaccination-induced mammalian target of rapamycin activity in CD8 + T cells favoring persistence and Ag-recall responses over type 1 effector maturation; however, prolonged high-dose rapamycin administration abrogated memory responses. Furthermore, a short course of high-dose rapamycin treatment generated CD8 + T cell memory responses that were independent of IL-15 and IL-7 and were programmed early for sustenance and greater tumor efficacy. These results demonstrate the impact a regimen of rapamycin treatment has on vaccine-induced CD8 + T cell responses and indicates that judicious application of rapamycin can augment vaccine efficacy for chronic challenges.
Ray tracing of Jovian kilometric radiation

Results of computer ray tracing of Jovian kilometric radiation from 56.2 kHz to 1 MHz in a model Jovian magnetosphere with an Io torus are presented. Ray tracing calculations indicate that the Io torus presents a propagation barrier to the radiation and that the Jovian kilometric radiation must be generated in the L-O mode from a source near Jupiter on field lines passing through the Io torus. One effect of the Io torus is to refract the rays away from the magnetic equator forming a shadow zone at radial distances beyond the torus. In general, at radial distances greater than 10 Jovian radii, as the wave frequency increases (greater than 200 kHz) so does the magnetic latitude of the shadow zone. These and other features of the ray tracing calculations are in good qualitative agreement with the observations from the plasma wave receiver and planetary radio astronomy experiment on board both Voyagers 1 and 2.
A comprehensive workflow of mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics in cancer metabolic biomarker discovery using human plasma and urine.

Current available biomarkers lack sensitivity and/or specificity for early detection of cancer. To address this challenge, a robust and complete workflow for metabolic profiling and data mining is described in details. Three independent and complementary analytical techniques for metabolic profiling are applied: hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC–LC), reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP–LC), and gas chromatography (GC). All three techniques are coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS) in the full scan acquisition mode, and both unsupervised and supervised methods are used for data mining. The univariate and multivariate feature selection are used to determine subsets of potentially discriminative predictors. These predictors are further identified by obtaining accurate masses and isotopic ratios using selected ion monitoring (SIM) and data-dependent MS/MS and/or accurate mass MSn ion tree scans utilizing high resolution MS. A list combining all of the identified potential biomarkers generated from different platforms and algorithms is used for pathway analysis. Such a workflow combining comprehensive metabolic profiling and advanced data mining techniques may provide a powerful approach for metabolic pathway analysis and biomarker discovery in cancer research. Two case studies with previous published data are adapted and included in the context to elucidate the application of the workflow.
PWAM signalling scheme for high speed serial link transceiver design

This paper presents a new signaling scheme called PWAM (pulse width and amplitude modulation) to obtain the optimum combination of bandwidth and performance of the serial link transceiver design by combining the conventional PWM(pulse width modulation) and PAM(pulse amplitude modulation) approach in the wire-line data transmission. For the number of voltage level M and the number of different pulse width N, the maximum bit rate of PWAM-(M x N) scheme improves to log2M + log2N times the symbol rate while the maximum bit rate of PAM-M and PWM-N are log2M and log2n times the symbol rate, respectively. Jitter analysis for PWAM scheme has been performed based on the low pass characteristic of the wire-line communication channel. Novel techniques are also proposed to compensate the channel loss of different symbols. The simulation demonstrates the effectiveness and novelty of the proposed scheme.