cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambiguities in the relationship between gonadal steroids and reproduction in axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum).

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are aquatic salamanders that are widely used in research. Axolotls have been bred in laboratories for nearly 150 years, yet little is known about the basic biology of reproduction in these animals. We investigated the effects of changing day length, time of year, and food availability on levels of circulating estradiol and androgens in adult female and male axolotls, respectively. In addition, we examined the effects of these variables on the mass of ovaries, oviducts, and eggs in females and on mass of testes in males relative to each individual’s body weight, to calculate a form of gonadosomatic index (GSI). In both sexes, GSI was not correlated with levels of circulating steroids. In female axolotls, estradiol levels were influenced by food availability, changes in day length, and season, even when animals were held at a constant temperature and day length was decorrelated with calendar date. In addition, the mass of ovaries, oviducts, and eggs varied seasonally, peaking in the winter months and declining during the summer months, even though our animals were not breeding and shedding eggs. In males, levels of androgens appeared to vary independently of external conditions, but GSI varied dramatically with changes in day length. These results suggest that reproduction in axolotls may vary seasonally, as it does in many other ambystomid species, although both male and female axolotls are capable of reproducing several times each year. The physiological basis of this ability remains enigmatic, given the indications of seasonality contained in our data.
Remission of Epilepsy after Two Drug Failures in Children: A Prospective Study

Pharmacoresistance in epilepsy is a serious problem, yet it is often only studied years after it first occurs, frequently in the context of epilepsy surgery evaluations or randomized trials of new drugs. Even in most available cohort studies, intractability is only defined at an arbitrary point in time (e.g. at last contact or five years after diagnosis) 1–3. Several studies have attempted to study the risk and predictors of pharmcoresistance; however, only two (including ours) have prospectively applied definitions of pharmacoresistance and identified pharmacoresistance as it occurred 4, 5. Early prospective identification of intractability, as soon as it can be recognized, is increasingly important in light of the growing interest in the earlier use of more invasive therapies, particularly surgery when medications fail to work, 6–9. At the same time, early identification of intractability runs the risk of being overly sensitive and perhaps including individuals whose epilepsy may respond to another drug or resolve on its own. Consequently, before any early definition of intractability is employed, especially for purposes such as surgical intervention, the seizure course once patients meet specified criteria should be examined. Several studies, including our own, have documented brief, sometimes temporary remissions in patients who have met various criteria for intractable epilepsy 4, 5, 10–14. We have previously reported on the prediction 15 and time course 4 of intractability in this cohort. Here we focus on the long-term outcomes in those cohort members who met minimum criteria for pharmacoresistance, failure of adequate trials of two appropriate antiepileptic drugs (AED).
Machiavellianism and medical career choices.

Medical career choices and Machiavellianism of 36 junior and 37 senior medical students at one private midwestern medical school were studied. Machiavellianism was measured by the Mach V Scale. Students choosing psychiatry did not score significantly higher on Machiavellianism than those choosing medicine, surgery, or other clinical medical specialties. This is contrary to previous research which indicated those medical students choosing psychiatry scored higher on Machiavellianism. There were no significant differences in Machiavellianism scores from two different age groups (20–30 yr. and 31–40 yr.). No significant differences were reported in Machiavellianism scores of 45 male and 29 female medical students or between junior and senior medical students.
Frequency of myxomatous degeneration of the aortic valve as a cause of isolated aortic regurgitation severe enough to warrant aortic valve replacement

Abstract The decrease in incidence of rheumatic fever in developed countries has prompted a reassessment of the etiology of valvular heart disease that is seen at the present time. Disorders of connective tissue have emerged as important causes of valve regurgitation. Mitral valve prolapse is recognized as a frequent cause of mitral regurgitation and myxomatous degeneration is frequently present in these valves. 1–5 Myxomatous degeneration of the aortic valve has been thought to be an uncommon cause of aortic regurgitation (AR). Recent studies have suggested that myxomatous degeneration may cause severe AR. 4,6–8 This report describes the histopathologic and echocardiographic features in 96 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe isolated AR.
Neuronal pp60c-src contains a six-amino acid insertion relative to its non-neuronal counterpart

Neuronal cells express a pp60c-src variant that displays an altered electrophoretic mobility and a different V8 peptide pattern relative to pp60c-src expressed in tissues of non-neuronal origin. To determine whether the neuronal form of pp60c-src is encoded by a brain-specific messenger RNA, a mouse brain complementary DNA (cDNA) library was screened with a chicken c-src probe and a 3.8-kilobase c-src cDNA clone was isolated. This clone encodes a 60-kilodalton protein that differs from chicken or human pp60c-src primarily in having six extra amino acids (Arg-Lys-Val-Asp-Val-Arg) within the NH2-terminal 16 kilodaltons of the molecule. S1 nuclease protection analysis confirmed that brain c-src RNA contains an 18-nucleotide insertion at the position of the extra six amino acids. This insertion occurs at a position that corresponds to a splice junction in the chicken and human c-src genes. The isolated c-src cDNA clone encodes a protein that displays an identical V8 peptide pattern to that observed in pp60c-src isolated from tissues of neuronal origin.
Ischemic heart failure: Sustained inotropic response to small doses of L-epinephrine without toxicity

Abstract As a prelude to a study of severe ischemic heart failure, the therapeutic response of the ischemic ventricle to epinephrine and acetylstrophanthidin in nontoxic doses was determined in 24 intact anesthetized dogs undergoing a first episode of acute regional ischemia. A thrombotic obstruction was produced in the left anterior descending coronary artery, effecting moderate left ventricular dysfunction. The elevation of end-diastolic pressure and reduced stroke volume in control dogs were not significantly altered by administration of strophanthidin. Epinephrine (0.05 μg/kg per min) elicited a significant reduction in end-diastolic pressure and increase in stroke volume. The latter was not attended by an increased incidence of ventricular fibrillation, whereas fibrillation occurred in half of the group given strophanthidin. Thus, the catecholamine was selected to study pump failure. Severe ischemic heart failure was assessed in two groups with scar from previous infarction for up to 4 hours. By 60 minutes of ischemia, the increase in end-diastolic pressure and volume and decrease in stroke volume and ejection fraction were comparable in both groups. Thereafter, alternate animals received small doses of epinephrine (0.05 to 0.15 μg/kg per min) with graded increments at 60 minute intervals to counter tachyphylaxis and findings were compared with those in control dogs. Over the subsequent 3 hours, there was progressive deterioration of left ventricular function in the untreated group with an increase in end-diastolic pressure from 10 ± 1 to 33 ± 2.4 mm Hg. End-diastolic volume increased by 63 percent; stroke volume and ejection fraction decreased by 48 and 66 percent, respectively. The infusion of epinephrine was attended by a significantly lower end-diastolic pressure of 20 ± 2.5 mm Hg, whereas end-diastolic volume, stroke volume and ejection fraction were restored to control levels after 4 hours of ischemia. Mortality in the untreated group was 62 percent by 4 hours; all seven animals in the treated group survived.
Impact of fin width scaling on carrier transport in III-V FinFETs

Power constrained scaling mandates that devices for future nodes beyond 14nm will need to maintain high drive currents at low supply voltages. In this regard, III-V FinFETs have attracted much interest due to their superior transport properties [1-2]. However in order to maintain electrostatic integrity, multi-gate architectures such as the FinFET will be implemented simultaneously. As shown in figure 1, patterning of III-V substrates into narrow Fin structures can have an adverse impact on channel mobility due to additional scattering mechanisms coming from side wall roughness. Further the potentially high interface state density at the III-V sidewall - High-k interface could lead to further degradation in channel mobility. In this work we quantify the mobility degradation through hall measurements on long channel FinFETs realized on In0.7Ga0.3As quantum well substrates. Further, we extract the percentage degradation arising from side wall roughness and project the expected mobility down to 10nm Fin widths.
What I Wish I Knew Then...Reflections from Personal Experiences in Counseling about Down Syndrome

Sharing the news about a newborn baby’s diagnosis of Down syndrome with families is a scenario genetic counselors frequently face. Yet often we may feel uncomfortable or unsure how to best support families in this setting in a way that will foster competence and resilience. This commentary is a reflection of one genetic counselor’s experiences in counseling about Down syndrome over the course of her career and how her thinking has transitioned from a medical based model of disability to a more individual and family-focused model. Ideas and suggestions are offered that genetic counselors can incorporate into their practice.
Sodium channel Nav1.6 is expressed along nonmyelinated axons and it contributes to conduction

Abstract Nodes of Ranvier in myelinated fibers exhibit a complex architecture in which specific molecules organize in distinct nodal, paranodal and juxtaparanodal domains to support saltatory conduction. The clustering of sodium channel Nav1.6 within the nodal membrane has led to its identification as the major nodal sodium channel in myelinated axons. In contrast, much less is known about the molecular architecture of nonmyelinated fibers. In the present study, Nav1.6 is shown to be a significant component of nonmyelinated PNS axons. In DRG C-fibers, Nav1.6 is distributed continuously from terminal receptor fields in the skin to the dorsal root entry zone in the spinal cord. Nav1.6 is also present in the nerve endings of corneal C-fibers. Analysis of compound action potential recordings from wildtype and med mice, which lack Nav1.6, indicates that Nav1.6 plays a functional role in nonmyelinated fibers where it contributes to action potential conduction. These observations indicate that Nav1.6 functions not only in saltatory conduction in myelinated axons but also in continuous conduction in nonmyelinated axons.
Nanoclusters of TiO2 wetted with gold

Abstract We combined scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory to establish the structure–functionality relationship for nanometer-sized defects on TiO 2 (1 1 0). Three-angstrom high topographically distinct dots are ascribed to stoichiometric TiO 2 nanoclusters with low coordination numbers. The under-coordinated O atoms of the nanocluster, with surface O atoms, provide exceptionally strong binding sites for Au nanoparticles. Our atomistic model elucidates a number of characteristics salient to low temperature CO oxidation by Au nanoparticles.
The embryology of the inguinofemoral area: an overview

This paper is an essay to understand the formation of the inguinal and femoral areas by means of an overview of the embryogenesis of the anterior abdominal wall below the umbilicus, as well as by examining the genesis and the descent of the gonads.
Impact of pre-implant amiodarone exposure on outcomes in cardiac transplant recipients.

Amiodarone remains one of the preferred antiarrhythmic medications for patients with advanced heart failure awaiting cardiac transplant. However, the long half-life and rapid redistribution of this agent into donor myocardium expose heart transplant recipients to potential adverse outcomes. In reviewing the current body of literature, we found that pre-operative amiodarone exposure can increase the risk of bradycardia post-transplant; however, this is unlikely to require permanent pacemaker implant. Further, amiodarone has several serious drug–drug interactions with calcineurin inhibitors. Clinicians should therefore consider empiric reduction in initial dosing for tacrolimus or cyclosporine, and carefully monitor blood levels for at least 3 months post-transplant. Although the evidence is conflicting, amiodarone exposure pre-operatively may increase the risk of early graft failure and mortality. Amiodarone use should be minimized whenever possible; if amiodarone cannot practically be discontinued in the pre-transplant phase, judicious monitoring for QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia should be implemented after transplant. As most of the studies included in this review suffered from small sample sizes and limited follow-up, additional research in this area is warranted.
RELIGIOUS DISILLUSIONMENT AND THE CROSS: AN AUGUSTINIAN REFLECTION

This essay applies recent scholarly insights on disillusionment as a cultural and psychological phenomenon to the problem of religious disillusionment as experienced by US Catholics in the wake of scandals of clergy sexual abuse. First, it sets forth disillusionment as a category for exploring the theological issue of sinfulness in the church. Second, it considers examples of how Vatican documents and acts of reconciliation in the last decade have been careful to draw distinctions between the faults of individual Christians and the holiness of the Church itself. Third, it presents Augustine as one for whom significant disillusionment, even with the Church, became an avenue for embracing the cross in the broadest ecclesiological context.
Beamspace MIMO for Millimeter-Wave Communications: System Architecture, Modeling, Analysis, and Measurements

Millimeter-wave wireless systems are emerging as a promising technology for meeting the exploding capacity requirements of wireless communication networks. Besides large bandwidths, small wavelengths at mm-wave lead to a high-dimensional spatial signal space, that can be exploited for significant capacity gains through high-dimensional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. In conventional MIMO approaches, optimal performance requires prohibitively high transceiver complexity. By combining the concept of beamspace MIMO communication with a hybrid analog-digital transceiver, continuous aperture phased (CAP) MIMO achieves near-optimal performance with dramatically lower complexity. This paper presents a framework for physically-accurate computational modeling and analysis of CAP-MIMO, and reports measurement results on a DLA-based prototype for multimode line-of-sight communication. The model, based on a critically sampled system representation, is used to demonstrate the performance gains of CAP-MIMO over state-of-the-art designs at mm-wave. For example, a CAP-MIMO system can achieve a spectral efficiency of 10-20 bits/s/Hz with a 17-31 dB power advantage over state-of-the-art, corresponding to a data rate of 10-200 Gbps with 1-10 GHz system bandwidth. The model is refined to analyze critical sources of power loss in an actual multimode system. The prototype-based measurement results closely follow the theoretical predictions, validating CAP-MIMO theory, and illustrating the utility of the model.
Monte Carlo study of surface phase transitions in lattice gases on interpenetrating square sublattices

Abstract Monte Carlo simulations were performed using a lattice gas model of two interpenetrating square sublattices, which each may accommodate one type of adspecies M or X. The simulations were carried out in the grand canonical ensemble, i.e., with the chemical potentials μ M , μ X and temperature T as independent variables. Pairwise nearests-neighbor attractions φ MX were taken into account. Adsoption isotherms θ M (μ M , μ X ) indi θ X (μ M , μ X ) indicate first-order phase transitions at low temperatures separating high- and low-coverage phases, respectively. Depending on μ M , μ X and T the stoichiometries of these phases show significant deviations from the ideal composition MX. At high temperatures the miscibility gaps disappear and continuous changes of the lattice gas compositions were found upon varying the system parameters. The results are applied to the findings of recent investigations of surface cossegregation phenomena showing the existence of two-dimensional surface compounds MX on bcc (100) surfaces.
Impact of westernization on fibroblast growth factor 23 levels among individuals of African ancestry

INTRODUCTION The Western diet is associated with high consumption of processed foods preserved with phosphate. Higher dietary phosphate consumption stimulates production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which heightens risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. We hypothesized that adults living in a more westernized society have higher levels of FGF23 due to increased phosphate consumption as measured by urinary phosphate excretion. METHODS We measured plasma C-terminal FGF23 levels and urinary phosphate and creatinine levels in timed urine collections among 100 African adults living in the rural area of Igbo-Ora, Nigeria (52 women, 48 men), and 100 African Americans (32 women, 68 men) living in Maywood, IL, an urban suburb of Chicago, IL, USA. Among these 200 participants, urine collections were adequate in 76 and 68 of the Maywood and Igbo-Ora participants, respectively. RESULTS In the total group, the mean age and body mass index, respectively, were 34.6 ± 8.2 years and 22.1 ± 3.9 kg/m(2) in Igbo-Ora, and 42.8 ± 7.2 years and 25.8 ± 6.5 kg/m(2) in Maywood. Demographic characteristics for each site were very similar after excluding participants without adequate urine collections. Among all 200 participants, the median (interquartile range) FGF23 levels were significantly higher in Maywood versus Igbo-Ora [63.8 (45.0-89.9) versus 12.5 RU/mL (8.5-18.5); P 400 RU/mL or after excluding participants with inadequate urine collections. Among participants with adequate urine collections, the mean 24-h urinary phosphate excretion was significantly higher in Maywood versus Igbo-Ora (810.6 ± 309.0 versus 347.5 ± 153.1 mg; P < 0.001) and FGF23 levels correlated significantly with total urinary phosphate excretion (r = 0.62; P < 0.001) and urinary phosphate-to-creatinine ratios (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Living in a more westernized society may be associated with greater net phosphate absorption, as reflected by higher urinary phosphate excretion, and higher FGF23 levels.
Aminoethylcysteine can replace the function of the essential active site lysine of Pseudomonas mevalonii 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase

The biodegradative 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase of Pseudomonas mevalonii catalyzes the NAD(+)-dependent conversion of (S)-HMG-CoA to (R)-mevalonate. Crystallographic analysis of abortive ternary complexes of this enzyme revealed lysine 267 located at a position in the active site, suggesting that it might serve as the general acid/base for catalysis. Site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent chemical derivatization were therefore employed to investigate this active site lysine. Replacement of lysine 267 by alanine, histidine, or arginine resulted in mutant enzymes that lacked detectable activity. Lysine 267 was next replaced by the lysine analogues aminoethylcysteine and carboxyamidomethylcysteine. Using instead of the wild-type enzyme the fully active, cysteine-free mutant enzyme C156A/C296A, lysine 267 was first replaced by cysteine. Cysteine 267 of mutant enzyme C156A/C296A/K267C was then treated with bromoethylamine or iodoacetamide to insert aminoethylcysteine (AEC) or carboxyamidomethylcysteine at position 267. The carboxyamidomethylcysteine derivative was inactive, whereas mutant enzyme C156A/C296A/K267AEC exhibited high catalytic activity. That aminoethylcysteine, but not other basic amino acids, can replace the function of lysine 267 documents both the importance of this residue and the requirement for a precisely positioned positive charge at the active site of the enzyme.
Abstract P4-05-11: A proteasomal signature of breast cancer cells

The multisubunit, multifunctional protease called proteasome as a part of the essential proteasome-ubiquitin pathway constitutes an attractive target for anti-cancer drugs. A proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is successful in blood cancers treatment, however trials with breast cancers yield disappointingly inconsistent results, likely stemming from the cancers’ diversity. Since bortezomib preferentially induces an apoptosis in cancerous cells, it is likely that differences in the proteasome pathway between the control and cancerous cells, and also between distinct cancers, contribute to this effect. Here we compared components of proteasome assemblies and their peptidase activities in seven breast cancer and two control cell lines in an attempt to find a common proteasomal signature of breast cancer. Defining a common proteolytic denominator for breast cancer cells should facilitate a rational drug design based on proteasomal inhibition. For this purpose, we analyzed cytosolic, nuclear and microsomal extracts from human cultured breast cells: control (MCF10A, Hs 578 Bst) and derived from distinct types of breast cancer: luminal A MCF7 and T47D, triple negative basal A MDA-MB-468, and triple negative basal B MDA-MB-231, Hs 578 T and BT-549. We found a high content of total proteasome in a microsomal fraction with a relatively prominent contribution from immuno proteasomes in all cancer cell lines. These proteasomes are believed to be localized on the outside of endoplasmic reticulum membrane and presumably take part in the endoplasmic reticulum - associated degradation system. Markedly, the pattern of peptidase activities of proteasome and content of subunits of its exchangeable sub-assemblies were specific for each fraction and discriminated between cancerous and control cells. Statistical analysis identified two clusters formed by the cell lines in the microsomal and nuclear fractions and a distinct clustering of the cytosols. Furthermore, three groups of variables, which tend to always cluster together were identified: the 19S regulatory particle subunits, immunoproteasome subunits and peptidolytic activities. Variables that the best quantitatively discriminate between the cell lines at a given level of total proteasome were immunoproteasome subunits and 19S cap subunit Rpt5. Additionally, the housekeeping subunit beta5 in the cytosol, the PA28 activator gamma subunit in the microsomal fraction and chymotrypsin like activity in the nuclear fraction qualitatively were the best markers aiding classification of the cell lines. We speculate that the distinct properties of proteasomes in the microsomal and nuclear fractions may contribute to specific response of the cancer cell lines to the treatment with proteasomal inhibitors. The study shows that a comprehensive analysis of the proteasome system in the established breast cancer cell lines may help to guide diagnostics and therapy design. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-05-11.
Catalytic Role for Water in the Atmospheric Production of ClNO

High level ab initio calculations of clusters comprised of water, HCl, and ON-ONO(2) are used to study nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) formation in gas phase water clusters, which are also mimics for thin water films present at environmental interfaces. Two pathways are considered, direct formation from the reaction of gaseous HCl with ON-ONO(2) and an indirect pathway involving the hydrolysis of ON-ONO(2) to form HONO, followed by the reaction of HONO with HCl to form ClNO. Surprisingly, direct formation of ClNO is found to be the dominant channel in the presence of water despite the possibility of a competing hydrolysis of ON-ONO(2) to form HONO. A single water molecule effectively catalyzes the ON-ONO(2) + HCl reaction, and in the presence of two or more water molecules the reaction to form ClNO becomes spontaneous. Direct formation of ClNO is fast at room and ice temperatures, indicating the possible significance of this pathway for chlorine activation chemistry in both the polar and midlatitude troposphere, in volcanic plumes and indoors. The reaction enthalpies, activation energies, and rate constants for all studied reactions are reported. The results are discussed in light of recent experiments.
Serological diagnosis of petriellidiosis (allescheriosis). I. Isolation and characterization of soluble antigens from Allescheria boydii and Monosporium apiospermum.

Soluble antigens in culture filtrates of three strains of Petriellidium boydii and three strains of Monosporium apiospermum were examined. Antigens were separated from concentrated crude filtrates by anion-exchange chromatography. A single major peak (Antigen 1), constituting a significant proportion of the total recoverable carbohydrate, was the only product isolated from each of four chromatographed filtrates. Depending on the fungus strain, Antigen 1 consisted of 90–96% carbohydrate, 3–4% protein, and 2–4% nucleic acid. Antigen 1 was found to consist of a population of molecules with a heterogeneous molecular size when assayed by gel filtration chromatography; however, isolated fractions of Antigen 1 proved to be immunologically identical when examined by Ouchterlony immunodiffusion. In addition, Antigen 1 from each strain was immunologically identical to similar preparations of Antigen 1 from the other five fungus strains. Chromatography of culture filtrates from two strains of M. apiospermum revealed a second peak (Antigen 2), which was found to consist of 70% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 4% nucleic acid. Although Antigen 2 contained four times as much protein as Antigen 1, the two preparations were immunologically identical by immunodiffusion tests. Ion-exchange chromatography proved to be a useful procedure for isolating antigens of P. boydii and M. apiospermum from culture filtrates.
Translational isomerizations in [2]catenanes with unsymmetrically substituted resorcinol-based tethers.

Path A Open path A Open Asymmetric Tether A Symmetric Tether B Path B Blocked Path B Blocked The translational isomerizations of nine [2]catenanes (2-10) containing an electron-rich dibenzo-34-crown-10 ether (BPP34C10) interlocked with rings containing an unsymmetric 4-substituted (chloro, ethyl, or hexyl) resorcinol-based tether linking two electron-deficient dipyridyl groups have been studied by variable temperature (VT) 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The second symmetric tether between the dipyridyl groups was a large 5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-l,3-xylyl (catenanes 2-4), a narrower 1,3-xylyl (catenanes 5-7), or a narrow 1,4-xylyl (catenanes 8-10) group. The presence of the unsymmetrically placed substituent on the resorcinol tether substantially affected the binding energy of the BPP34C10 ring when π-stacked over either of the dipyridyl groups; the equilibrium constant between the bistable states was found to range from 1.5 to 3.5. The origin of these energy differences is postulated to stem from an unsymmetric twisting of the resorcinol tether to minimize interaction between the 4-substituent and the ethoxy group at the 3-position. The activation barriers for passage over the 4-substituted resorcinol-based tether were 12.5, 13, and 15 kcal/mol for the chloro, ethyl, and hexyl substituents, respectively.
Low latitude digisonde measurements and comparison with IRI

Abstract To compare measured electron density profiles with IRI predictions a rigorous algorithm is used to determine the average representative profile (ARP) from a set of individual electron density profiles. The technique is based on the Digisonde profile inversion that represents each profile by a set of boundary values and coefficients. The ARP derived from an ensemble of such coefficient sets is again expressed in terms of boundary values and coefficients with the same functional representation used for the individual ionograms. The paper explains the ARPing technique and applies it to monthly sets of profiles for different hours at midlatitude and equatorial stations. ARPs for Jicamarca, Ramey and Puerto Madryn are compared with the corresponding IRI profiles.
Velocity field characteristics of turbulent jets from round tubes with coil inserts

Abstract Results of experimental investigations of turbulent jets from round tubes with coil inserts are presented. For the coils, the ratios of pitch spacing to the tube inside diameter, p / D , are 0.4, 0.7, 1.2, and 2.7 and the effective ratio of the coil wire diameter to the tube inside diameter, d / D , is 0.0275. Results show that the coils with large pitch spacing create a significant increase in the jet's mixing process and the mixing is more pronounced when p / D =1.2.
A Comparison of Three Interviewing Approaches for Studying Sensitive Topics with Hispanics

This study compared three interviewing approaches that varied in terms of anonymity when dealing with sensitive topics. Random samples of Hispanics were asked to report illegal substance use and types and frequencies of sexual behavior over the telephone or in a verbal or private face-to-face interview. Results show that Hispanics can easily be surveyed utilizing any of the three approaches and that these interviewing methods produce similar outcomes in terms of completion rates, the level of discomfort experienced by the interviewee, and the possible accuracy of the responses. The results did not vary in terms of the gender or acculturation level of the respondents.
Teaching Design Methodology to Undergraduates Through Multi-Year Projects

This paper presents a new approach for teaching engineering design methodology that consists of covering different steps of the design process in four semesters focusing on a specific problem. During the first semester students are introduced to the overall design methodology and are asked to identify the needs, tasks and outputs, based on a given problem statement. During the second semester students are asked to come up with a conceptual design and modify the inputs, tasks and outputs. During the third semester students are asked to come up with a working preliminary design solution and obtain some output data. And during the fourth semester students are asked to modify their design, based on their results from the previous semesters and the problem requirements, and come up with the final detailed design. Each part requires a separate report, with the results from the first three being referenced in the final report. At this time due to several considerations, including limited resources, we are only targeting engineering honors students and using robotics related problems for the multi-year design projects. The four-semester long project will be the "honors option" for the courses that engineering honor students must take during the first two years at our campus. A detailed description of this approach, including advantages and disadvantages, future directions and recommendations, are included.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
ROOT SEGREGATION OF C3 AND C4 SPECIES USING CARBON ISOTOPE COMPOSITION

Partitioning roots for studying cropping systems containing more than one species is important since root growth interaction could influence system performance. The study objective was to test a method for segregating plant species roots from soil samples taken in a mixed stand of corn (Zea mays L.), a C4, and kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.), a C3 plant. Soil cores containing both corn and kura clover roots were obtained at three distances from the corn row and at two depths in a Rozetta silt loam soil (moderately well drained, fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludalf). Root composition of these C4 and C3 species was based on 13 C/ 12 C ratios expressed as δ 13 C. A significant linear relationship (r 2 = 0.99) was found between the δ 13 C and the percentage of corn roots in samples containing known ratios of corn and kura clover roots. This relationship was used to determine corn and kura dover root percentages in field samples. Ratios of 13 C/ 12 C effectively segregated corn and kura clover root materials obtained from soil samples and seem to be a powerful tool for partitioning roots of C3 and C4 plants in similar studies.
Source characterization and molecular structure of cockroach allergens

Summary The application of molecular cloning techniques has lead to the identification of important allergens from both German and American cockroach (Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana) . These allergens include Bla g 2 (aspartic protease) Bla g 4 (lipocalin) Bla g 5 (glutathione-S-transferase) and Per a 3 (hemocyanin). Only the Group 1 allergens Bla g 1 and Per a 1 appear to be expressed by both species. The Group 1 allergens are composed of 2–7 tandem amino acid repeats of ∼100 amino acids and show homology to mosquito ANG12 precursor and mitochondrial energy transfer proteins. The prevalence of IgE responses to the cloned allergens ranges from 30–80 % and Bla g 2 Bla g 4 and Bla g 5 show strong skin test reactivity. High level expression systems have been developed to produce recombinant cockroach allergens in bacteria or yeast for research purposes and clinical studies. Use of the recombinant allergens will enable antibody and T cell epitopes to be identified and will allow new strategies for cockroach immunotherapy to be developed.
pharmaHUB: Building a Virtual Organization for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Science

Information technology and high-performance computing play a critical role in the development of virtual organizations for science and engineering disciplines. In this paper, we report on our efforts to design and develop pharmaHUB.org, a prototype virtual organization that intends to promote the joint creation and sharing of tools, knowledge, and educational materials across the various science and engineering disciplines related to pharmaceutical product development and manufacturing. pharmaHUB has been brought online using middleware from HUBzero which provides content management and community building capabilities and also makes it possible to deliver simulation tools through the web. By leveraging the HUBzero middleware and forming partnerships with existing communities of researchers, it has been possible to rapidly develop a prototype virtual organization with a significant offering of educational and simulation tool resources. Prototype tools to support the knowledge management needs of pharmaceutical development have also been integrated into the hub environment.
Vision, judgment, and disagreement among economists

(1994). Vision, judgment, and disagreement among economists. Journal of Economic Methodology: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 43-56.
A photochemical extent parameter to aid ozone air quality management

Abstract Interest in semiempirical approaches for relating precursor emissions (VOC and NOx to ozone air quality has been renewed recently. Of particular interest is a semi-empirical approach [called Smog Production Model (SPM) or SP Algorithm] initiated by Johnson and coworkers. SPM defines a photochemical extent parameter, which provides the directional guidance on the relative effectiveness of NOx and VOC controls in reducing ozone levels. In the present paper, a modified version of SPM is introduced, and the parameters involved in SPM are evaluated using urban airshed model (UAM) simulation results. UAM results are also used to examine relationships of extent parameters to ozone reductions resulting from VOC or NOx emission reductions. A modified version of SPM is applied to ambient air quality data. With improved quantified model parameter values and improved measurements of NOy, SPM may provide important information on the relative effectiveness of precursor controls. An attractive feature of SPM is that the required data are simultaneously measured NOx NOy and ozone.
Ce3+ energy levels relative to the band structure in CaS: evidence from photoionization and electron trapping

Abstract The energy positions relative to the host valence and conduction bands of the 5d excited states and 4f ground states of Ce3+ in CaS were determined from photoluminescence and photoconductivity measurements. The determination was based on the observation that the 5d electrons of Ce3+ are trapped after transport in the conduction band only when they were excited to the upper 5d-state (Eg), which, therefore, must lie above the minimum of the conduction band of CaS.
Robustness of multiloop linear feedback systems

This paper presents a new approach to the frequency-domain analysis of multiloop linear feed-back systems. The properties of the return difference equation are examined using the concepts of singular values, singular vectors and the spectral norm of a matrix. A number of new tools for multiloop systems are developed which are analogous to those for scalar Nyquist and Bode analysis. These provide a generalization of the scalar frequency-domain notions such as gain, bandwidth, stability margins and M-circles, and provide considerable insight into system robustness.
Growth Chamber Evaluation of a Tobacco ‘Beinhart 1000’ × ‘Hicks’ Mapping Population for Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Resistance to Multiple Races of Phytophthora nicotianae

Multiple races of Phytophthora nicotianae (van Breda de Haan) cause the black shank disease of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Identifi cation of novel alleles affecting resistance and associated DNA markers might help increase the range and level of cultivar resistance. A doubled haploid mapping population generated from a highly resistant × susceptible cross (‘Beinhart 1000’ × ‘Hicks’) was evaluated for resistance after inoculation with either race 0 or race 1 in a growth chamber and also genotyped at 206 microsatellite marker loci. Multiple interval mapping identifi ed two major genomic regions affecting resistance to both races. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) on linkage group 8 explained 54.7 and 45.5% of the observed variation for end percent survival after race 0 and race 1 inoculation, respectively. A QTL on linkage group 4 explained a larger proportion (16.8%) of phenotypic variation for race 1 resistance as compared to race 0 resistance (1.8%). In combination with previously reported fi eld data, the study authenticates the role of these two regions on black shank resistance. Correlations of line performance under fi eld and growth chamber environments were good, and agreement was excellent at extreme levels of resistance or susceptibility. With appropriate isolate selection, growth chamber inoculations may provide a superior alternative to fi eld evaluations for mapping QTL affecting black shank resistance. Identifi ed QTL and associated markers may be useful for increasing levels of resistance to P. nicotianae in tobacco cultivars.
Molecular Targets in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Worldwide more than a half million people develop Head and Neck cancer annually. Despite a significant decrease in smoking, about 40,000 new patients are diagnosed with carcinoma of the head and neck annually in the United States, and 11,000 of them succumb to their disease. More than 90% of these cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. The survival rates of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have not improved significantly despite multimodality therapy including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Recently, molecular targeted agents have shown significant improvement in clinical outcomes in chronic myelogeneous leukemia with imatinib, breast cancer with trastuzumab, colon cancer with bevacizumab and cetuximab, and renal cell cancer with sorafenib and sunitinib. In SCCHN the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab has shown promising results in a phase III trial in combination with radiation. How best to integrate these agents with the traditional treatment modalities of surgery, radiotherapy, and cytotoxic chemotherapy is of vital importance but has yet to be determined. This article will discuss the biology of molecular targeted agents as well as current clinical trials and future directions of these agents in SCCHN.
Analytic Evaluation of a New Glucose Meter System in 15 Different Critical Care Settings

Background:Maintaining appropriate glycemic control in critically ill patients reduces morbidity and mortality. The use of point-of-care (POC) glucose devices is necessary to obtain rapid results at the patient's bedside. However, the devices should be thoroughly tested in the intended population before implementation. The use of POC glucose meters in critically ill patients has been questioned both in the literature and by regulatory agencies. The aim of this study was to determine if the ACCU-CHEK® Inform II system (Roche Diagnostics) POC glucose meter demonstrated the desired accuracy and precision, as defined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline POCT12-A3, in a large number of critically ill patients from multiple intensive care settings at two academic medical centers.Methods:A total of 1200 whole blood meter results from 600 patients were compared with central laboratory plasma values. Whole blood aliquots from venous samples were used to obtain duplicate meter results with the r...
A MECHANISTIC VIEW OF THE NON-IDEAL OSMOTIC AND MOTIONAL BEHAVIOR OF INTRACELLULAR WATER

It is commonly assumed that essentially all of the water in cells has the same ideal motional and colligative properties as does water in bulk liquid state. This assumption is used in studies of volume regulation, transmembrane movement of solutes and electrical potentials, solute and solution motion, solute solubility and other phenomena. To get at the extent and the source of non-ideally behaved water (an operational term dependent on the measurement method), we studied the motional and colligative properties of water in cells, in solutions of amino acids and glycine peptides whose surface characteristics are known, and in solution of bovine serum albumin, hemoglobin and some synthetic polypeptides. Solutions of individual amino acids with progressively larger hydrophobic side chains showed one perturbed water molecule (structured-slowed in motion) per nine square angstroms of hydrophobic surface area. Water molecules adjacent to hydrophobic surfaces form pentagonal structural arrays, as shown by X-ray diffraction studies, that are reported to be disrupted by heat, electric field, hydrostatic pressure and phosphorylation state. Hydrophilic amino acids demonstrated water destructuring (increased motion) that was attributed to dielectric realignment of dipolar water molecules in the electric field between charge groups. In solutions of proteins, several methods indicate the equivalent of 2-8 layers of structured water molecules extending beyond the protein surface, and we have recently demonstrated that induced protein conformational change modifies the extent of non-ideally behaved water. Water self-diffusion rate as measured in three different cell types was about half that of bulk water, indicating that most of the water in these cells was slower in motion than bulk water. In different cell types the extent of osmotically perturbed water ranged from less that half to almost all of the intracellular water. The assumption that essentially all intracellular water has ideal osmotic and motional behavior is not supported by the experimental findings. The non-ideally of cell water is an operational term. Therefore, the amount of non-ideally behaving water is dependent on the characteristics of water targeted, i.e. the measurement method, and a large fraction of it is explainable in mechanistic terms at a molecular level based on solute-solvent interactions.
Relationship between objective measures of peripheral arterial disease severity to self-reported quality of life in older adults with intermittent claudication

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the relation between functional measures of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) severity with both disease-specific and generic self-reported health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) measures, as well as the relation between the two types of HR-QOL measures. Methods This was a cross-sectional observation of participants from the community and primary care or vascular surgery clinics in an academic Veterans Administration medical center. Eighty patients with symptomatic Fontaine stage II PAD provided physiologic measures and self-response questionnaires. Objective measures included the ankle-brachial index (ABI), time to maximum claudication pain on a graded exercise test, and a 6-minute floor-walking distance. Self-reports included the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), a disease-specific HR-QOL measure and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form 36 (SF-36), a generic HR-QOL measure. Results Patients (mean age 70 ± 8 [± SD] and 85% men) exhibited moderate-to-severe PAD by objective measures of ABI (0.65 ± 0.19) and time in minutes to maximal claudication on a graded exercise test (7:54 ± 4:58). Significant correlations were found between these measures and the WIQ distance, MOS-Physical Function, and MOS-Role Limitations due to physical dysfunction. The SF-36 and the WIQ subscales were significantly correlated. Conclusion In older PAD patients with intermittent claudication, objective measures of disease severity are correlated with a self-reported, disease-specific and generic HR-QOL.
Proof of a conjecture on the slit plane problem

Let a"i","j(n) denote the number of walks in n steps from (0,0) to (i,j), with steps (+/-1,0) and (0,+/-1), never touching a point (-k,0) with k>=0 after the starting point. Bousquet-Melou and Schaeffer conjectured a closed form for the number a"-"i","i(2n) when i>=1. In this paper, we prove their conjecture, and give a formula for a"-"i","i(2n) for i=<-1.
Coding methods for portable radios

The authors investigate the word error performance of FEC (forward error correction) codes in a frequency nonselective portable radio channel with different binary modulation schemes. The effect of code interleaving and channel measurement information on word-error probability is analyzed. To account for the correlated errors in the transmitted bit sequence, the channel state is modelled using the discrete Gilbert-Elliot model. The word-error probability plots provide useful insight into the significance of interleaving degree and channel-state information (CSI) for the code performance in a portable radio. It was demonstrated that at low signal/noise ratios, as is typical of the Rayleigh fading channel, the use of CSI at the decoder with both coherent and partially coherent schemes offers finite coding gain. >