cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of normal alcohols on the abrasive wear of glass

Abstract Normal alcohols were used as cutting fluids in a study of friction and wear of soda lime silicate glass against silicon carbide. Abrasion surfaces were 600 grit silicon carbide paper and a roughened plate of hot-pressed silicon carbide. As the alcohol chain length increased, the coefficient of friction decreased. This result was attributed in part to better lubrication of the abrading surfaces by the long chain length alcohols. The wear rate and the coefficient of friction were strongly dependent on pullout of carbide grains from the silicon carbide paper. Wear on fresh abrasive paper was independent of alcohol chain length. As the paper becomes used, long chain length alcohols were more effective cutting fluids. On the silicon carbide plate, the wear rate decreased in a non-linear fashion as the alcohol chain length increased. For all conditions, the highest wear rate and coefficient of friction were obtained in water. Data are explained in terms of classical theories of friction and wear.
Inter-process communications in MVS/XA and applications for scientific and engineering information processing

This paper surveys inter-process communication in MVS/XA (multiple virtual system/extended architecture) and explores the use of cross-memory services for this purpose. The lack of high-level interfaces to system services is a major handicap in MVS/XA. Tools to provide high-level services, in particular, tools for inter-process communication, can be implemented in a simple, elegant and efficient way. The implementation and use of a communication subsystem, the extended communication facility (ECF), are also described. The ideas and mechanisms presented are useful for many scientific and engineering applications running under MVS/XA. Examples include distributed systems, applications using concurrent programming, a quasi-batch environment, communication subsystems, and mail subsystems.
Perception of surfaces from line drawings

Abstract We test the perception of 3D surfaces that have been rendered by a set of lines drawn on the surface. Each surface is rendered as a family of curves which are in the simplest case the intersections with a family of parallel planes. On each trial, a surface or its “distorted” version is shown in this way, in an arbitrary orientation on an LCD screen or in a volumetric 3D display. The distortion is produced by stretching the surface in the z-direction by 30%. The subject’s task is to decide whether two sequentially presented surfaces are identical or not. The subject’s performance is measured by the discriminability d′, which is a conventional dependent variable in signal detection experiments. The work investigates the question whether a surface rendered with planar and geodesic curves is easier to recognize than one where the curves are not planar or not geodesic.
Abstract 5109: Identical cancer cell lines from Sanger & Broad CCLE programs sometimes differ

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The Sanger Institute in the UK has an ongoing initiative termed the “Cancer Genome Project” to systematically characterize the genetics and genomics of 770 cancer cell lines. Similarly, the Broad Institute in the US collaborates on the “Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia” or CCLE project, entailing the eventual characterization of approximately 1000 cancer cell lines. At present, there are over 400 cell lines shared by these two initiatives. As part of a number of computational efforts in cancer biology we have used data from these two programs and have observed some unexpected differences in cell lines at the DNA and/or transcript level as well as some phenotypic differences, and we present here an analysis of these results including implications to the use of cancer cell lines in drug discovery and the larger question of genomic stability in cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5109. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5109
Auditory input to frontal polysensory cortex of the squirrel monkey: possible pathways.

Abstract Possible pathways mediating auditory input to a dorsal frontal polysensory cortex of the chloralose-anesthetized squirrel monkey were examined using lesioning and ablation techniques. Responses to auditory click in the frontal polysensory area were recorded and the effect on them of various lesions were observed. Removal of all of temporal lobe including auditory cortex and temporal limbic structures was without effect as was cerebellectomy and removal of medial thalamus as far laterally as the thalamic auditory relay (n. geniculatus medialis: GM). Electrolytic destruction of GM or its afferent — the brachium of the inferior colliculus (BIC) — abolished the cortical responses, whereas lesions near these structures did not. Lesions in a previously described pathway from periauditory to frontal polysensory cortex sometimes but not always led to depression of the frontal responses. Lesions of the corona radiata between A6 and A10 abolished the peripherally evoked frontal responses. An essential pathway (at least in the acute situation described herein) involving the BIC and MGB and projecting to frontal cortex through the corona radiata is suggested, but evidence to the contrary is considered.
Laser Magnetic Resonance of the NO Molecule Using 78-, 79-, and 119-μm H 2 O Laser Lines

The magnetic resonance of the NO molecule is observed using the 78-, 79-, and 119-\ensuremath{\mu}m lines of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O laser as the radiation source. The resonances in three cases are due to the $(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{1}{2}}J=12.5)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{3}{2}}J=12.5)$, $(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{1}{2}}J=11.5)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{3}{2}}J=11.5)$, and $(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{1}{2}}J=12.5)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{3}{2}}J=11.5)$ transitions, respectively. Most of them are magnetic dipole transitions, but a few electric dipole transitions are also observed. It is found that the calculated $g$ factors ${g}_{c2}=(11.5)={g}_{d2}(11.5)=\ensuremath{-}0.0064 $, ${g}_{c1}(11.5)={g}_{d1}(11.5)=0.0272$, ${g}_{c2}(12.5)={g}_{d2}(12.5)=\ensuremath{-}0.0092$, ${g}_{c1}(12.5)={g}_{d1}(12.5)=0.0270$, and the calculated $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-doublet separations ${f}_{c2}(11.5)\ensuremath{-}{f}_{d2}(12.5)=243$ MHz, ${f}_{c1}(11.5)\ensuremath{-}{f}_{d1}(11.5)=4323$ MHz, are consistent with our experimental results. The hyperfine structure and the second-order effects are also in agreement with theoretical values. The average separation between the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ and $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ states for a given $J$, which we call ${X}_{J}$, is found to be 126.4469\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0005 and 127.5786\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0005 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for $J=11.5 \mathrm{and} 12.5$, respectively. The conventional spin-orbit coupling constant is found to be 123.1580\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0010 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ when $J=12.5 or 11.5$. [The conventional spin-orbit coupling constant ${A}_{c}$, commonly referred to as $A$, is given by $A\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}{(J+\frac{1}{2})}^{2}+\frac{1}{4}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ in our notation.] The coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{S}$ for the $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{S}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{N}}$ term is found to be -0.006\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
Characterization of the checkpoint gene RAD53/MEC2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells carrying mutations in RAD53/MEC2 fail to arrest in the S phase when DNA replication is blocked (the S/M checkpoint) or in the G2 phase when DNA is damaged (the G2/M checkpoint). We isolated and determined the DNA sequence of RAD53 and found that it is identical to the SPK1 gene previously identified by Stern et al. (1991). In addition to its checkpoint functions, we show here that RAD53 is essential for cell viability because null mutants are inviable. Weak genomic suppressors of the essential function do arise frequently, though they do not suppress the checkpoint defects of the null mutant. This genetically separates the essential and checkpoint functions. We show genetically that the protein kinase domain is essential for all RAD53-dependent functions tested because a site-specific mutation that inactivates the protein kinase activity results in a mutant phenotype indistinguishable from that of a null mutant. Overexpression of RAD53, or its kinase domain alone, resulted in a delay in cell-cycle progression that required the intact kinase function. The cell-cycle delay did not require any of the checkpoint genes tested (e.g. rad9 or mecl), indicating that the cell-cycle delay is either unrelated to the checkpoint responses, or that it occurs constitutively because RAD53 acts further downstream of the checkpoint genes tested. Finally, elimination of sequences in the promoter region of RAD53 revealed complex regulatory elements.
The management of bilateral high hamstring tendinopathy with ASTYM® treatment and eccentric exercise: a case report

High hamstring tendinopathy (HHT) is an overuse injury that occurs most commonly in runners. The management of HHT is often challenging and the research supporting many interventions is limited. Eccentric exercise has been proven effective in the treatment of various tendinopathies but has not been thoroughly studied with HHT. Soft tissue mobilization, including ASTYM, is often utilized in the treatment of tendinopathies, though there is limited evidence supporting this approach. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of a patient referred to physical therapy with bilateral HHT. The patient was a 41-year-old recreational runner that had an insidious onset of right buttock pain 12 months prior to initiating therapy and left buttock pain 9 months prior. Her primary complaints included an inability to run, pain with prolonged or brisk walking, and pain with sitting on hard surfaces. The patient was treated in physical therapy two times per week for 16 visits with treatment focused on eccentric hamstring strengthening and ASTYM. By her eighth visit, the patient was able to walk 2·5 miles without pain and by her 12 visit, she was able to jog 1 mile before the onset of pain. After 16 visits, the patient reported that she was approximately 95% improved, was able to run 2·5 miles without pain, and had no pain with sitting on hard surfaces. This case suggests that eccentric exercise combined with ASTYM may be an effective treatment for HHT.
Superoxide radicals in intact tissues and in dimethyl sulphoxide-based extracts

Abstract Steady state contents of free radicals were investigated in intact living tissues and in tissue extracts prepared with dimethyl sulphoxide-tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (DMSO-TBAP). DMSO-TBAP was suitable for extraction because free radical artifacts were not generated and hydrous superoxide was both stable and readily spin-trapped for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry. Intact leaves and roots contained an unresolved radical and paramagnetic manganese. Superoxide was EPR-silent in whole tissues but was spin-trapped in extracts of roots where its steady-state concentration in vivo was approximately 10 −5 M. Ascorbyl radicals were generated upon alkalization of whole tissues and by comminution of tissues in DMSO-TBAP. Aprotic sites for the storage of superoxide in vivo are considered and a role for storage is discussed in regards to cytochemical defence mechanisms of plant protection.
DIRECT DEMOSTRATION OF WATER ABSORPTION IN THE COLON OF INFANTS IN RELATIONSHIP TO CARBOHYDRATE FERMENTATION

Absorption of water from the colon is facilitated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The absorption of water from the colon and its relationship to SCFA production was studied in 5 infants without diarrhea recovering from malnutrition. Total body water was calculated from the 1-h postdose plasma 2H abundance following a 10 mg/kg IV infusion of deuterated water (2H2O). Immediately after the collection of the postdose plasma sample a 4.2 Ml/kg that provided 0.25 g/kg of glucose, 5 mg/kg of 13C-glucose, 40 mmol/L Na Cl, and 100 mg/kg of 2H2O was infused over the next hr through a naso-cecal tube. The increment in 2H plasma abundance 2 hr after the intracecal infusion was used to calculate water absortion from the colon. Breath was analyzed for H2, plasma for acetate, and feces for SCFA, glucose, and 13c-labeled compounds. Results demonstrated that a variation in the different indicators of carbohydrate fermentation (ranges: area-under-the-curve for breath H2 0-945 ppm, plasma acetate 65-2610 umol/L, and increase in fecal acetate 0-1.5 mmol/g) water absorption from the colon was 100%. However, final water content of the feces following the intracecal infusion was 2.6-10.2% greater than in baseline samples. These results indicate that under the conditions of this study initial absorption of water from the colon is carried out with further variable secretion w hich is unrelated to the parameters of fermentation measured.
Umklapp Processes and the Low-Temperature (T<7°K) Electrical Resistivity of Aluminum

Recently, a sharp steplike temperature dependence in the electrical resistivity of aluminum in the vicinity of 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K has been observed and ascribed to the exponential onset of electron-phonon umklapp scattering. There are, however, theoretical arguments that umklapp processes in aluminum in this temperature region do not account for a sharp temperature dependence of the kind observed. Accurate resistivity measurements (0.02% relative accuracy) are presented in support of these arguments.
D1 and D2 dopamine receptor interactions with pilocarpine-induced oral activity in rats

To investigate the relationship between dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) systems in the control of oral movement, we studied the effects of specific D1 and D2 drugs on vacuous chewing movements induced by the muscarinic ACh agonist, pilocarpine. In previous experiments we found that when given alone, the D1 agonist SKF 38393 increased vacuous chewing and the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 decreased it, while both the D2 agonist LY 171555 (quinpirole) and the D2 antagonist sulpiride decreased vacuous chewing. In the present experiment, the effects of the D1 drugs had similar effects in rats concurrently given pilocarpine. In contrast, the effects of both of the D2 drugs were altered by pilocarpine. Surprisingly, the actions of D2 agonist and antagonist were affected in opposite ways. The effect of sulpiride in reducing oral movement activity was eliminated by pilocarpine, while the effect of LY 171555 in reducing oral movement was enhanced by pilocarpine.
Interacting with robots on Mars: operation of the mars exploration rovers

The rovers Spirit and Opportunity have been operating on the surface of Mars since January of 2004. Interaction with these robotic vehicles involves overcoming a number of operational challenges. The challenges include the distance between Mars and Earth (the one-way travel time for commands and data can be as long as 20 minutes), environmental factors (e.g., extreme temperatures, dust storms), and the need to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected events and scientific discoveries. In the five years since the rovers landed, the Mars Exploration Rover project team has developed operational procedures for interacting with the rovers that are both scientifically productive and sustainable for what has become a long-duration mission
Robot position estimation using range and compass data

In this paper, a method for mobile robot positioning using range data is investigated. A ranging sensor is used to collect range data within an environment modeled as a closed polygon, and a compass is available to provide the ranging sensor with direction. The problem of position uncertainty is defined as the existence of multiple position solutions when angle readings are noiseless. When the compass is not ideal, the problem is further complicated by now having imprecise multiple solutions. Both cases are solved by introducing a function defined as the region entropy, which provides us with the ranging angle directions that minimize the uncertainty in position estimation. A least square position estimation method is then proposed. Finally, an example is used to illustrate the technique described above.
Discovering Supersymmetry at the Tevatron in W -ino Lightest Supersymmetric Particle Scenarios

In supersymmetric models, W -inos, partners of the SU(2) gauge bosons, may be the lightest supersymmetric particles. For generic parameters, charged and neutral W -inos are highly degenerate. Charged W -inos travel macroscopic distances, but can decay to neutral W -inos and extremely soft leptons or pions before reaching the muon chambers, thereby circumventing conventional trigger requirements. However, these charginos are detectable, and can be triggered on when produced in association with jets. In addition, we propose a new trigger for events with a high p[sub T] track and low hadronic activity. For Tevatron RunthinspthinspII with luminosity 2 fb[sup [minus]1] , the proposed searches can discover W -inos with masses up to 300thinspthinspGeV and explore a substantial portion of the parameter space in sequestered sector models. [copyright] [ital 1999] [ital The American Physical Society ]
A note on closed-string interactions a la witten

Abstract We consider the problem of formulating a field theory of interacting closed strings analogous to Witten's open-string field theory. Two natural candidates have been suggested for an off-shell three-string interaction vertex: one scheme involves a cyclic geometric overlap in spacetime, while the other is obtained by “stuttering” the Fock-space realization of the open-string vertex. We demonstrate that these two approaches are in fact equivalent, utilizing the operator formalism as developed to describe Witten's theory. Implications of this result for the construction of closed-string theories are briefly discussed.
Analytical and numerical studies of wire-mesh metallic photonic crystals

Two-dimensional (2D) metallic photonic crystals (MPC's), consisting of a periodic array of infinite metallic wires, exhibit an interesting behavior at low frequencies $(\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\ll}1,$ where $\ensuremath{\tau}$ is a relaxation time of electrons in a metal). This case is useful for many applications, including creation of materials with negative refraction. We propose an analytical method to study the spectrum of the 2D MPC's at small filling fraction of metal, f. As an illustration we use this method to calculate both real and imaginary parts of frequencies in some points of high symmetry. An advantage of the analytical theory is that it works when electric permittivity $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is a function of frequency, while application of computational methods in this case becomes difficult. Computations of the spectrum of the MPC have been made using the commercial software FEMLAB in the cases when these difficulties can be avoided. The results precisely coincide with the analytical theory at $fl0.1.$
Beneficial hemodynamic effects of milrinone and enalapril in conscious rats with healed myocardial infarction

Abstract Milrinone and enalapril, which inhibit PDE-III and ACE, respectively, are able to prolong survival of myocardially infarcted (MI) rats. This study sought to identify oral hemodynamic effects of these agents which could underlie such efficacy in this heart failure model. Four weeks after ligation of the left main coronary artery, basal left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure and dP/dtmax, heart rate and mean blood pressure of the MI rats were significantly less than that of sham-operated controls, and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was markedly elevated. Milrinone, at 2.0 mg/kg, reduced LVEDP and renal blood flow of these 4-week MI rats by an average of 39 and 18%, respectively (P
Regional Gray Matter Growth, Sexual Dimorphism, and Cerebral Asymmetry in the Neonatal Brain

Although there has been recent interest in the study of childhood and adolescent brain development, very little is known about normal brain development in the first few months of life. In older children, there are regional differences in cortical gray matter development, whereas cortical gray and white matter growth after birth has not been studied to a great extent. The adult human brain is also characterized by cerebral asymmetries and sexual dimorphisms, although very little is known about how these asymmetries and dimorphisms develop. We used magnetic resonance imaging and an automatic segmentation methodology to study brain structure in 74 neonates in the first few weeks after birth. We found robust cortical gray matter growth compared with white matter growth, with occipital regions growing much faster than prefrontal regions. Sexual dimorphism is present at birth, with males having larger total brain cortical gray and white matter volumes than females. In contrast to adults and older children, the left hemisphere is larger than the right hemisphere, and the normal pattern of fronto-occipital asymmetry described in older children and adults is not present. Regional differences in cortical gray matter growth are likely related to differential maturation of sensory and motor systems compared with prefrontal executive function after birth. These findings also indicate that whereas some adult patterns of sexual dimorphism and cerebral asymmetries are present at birth, others develop after birth.
What Was Leo Strauss

Abstract It is widely acknowledged that Leo Strauss was an extraordinary scholar and teacher who strove to open up forgotten vistas of philosophical inquiry. Gigantic controversy rages, however, about the sorts of political and social changes, if any, that he hoped to promote. The fire has been fueled by the alleged contributions of Straussians to the Iraq War—and by the publication of Strauss's 1933 letter that commended “fascist, authoritarian, and imperial” principles. This article reviews and then updates the assessments proffered in my 2009 book (Straussophobia) about the state of the “Strauss Wars.” Critics such as Shadia Drury continue to embarrass themselves in prestigious venues, but newer voices are using innovative strategies to argue that Strauss was attempting to undermine the principles of American democracy. Whereas William Altman relies on “esoteric interpretations” of Strauss's writings, Alan Gilbert illuminates Strauss's behind-the-scenes efforts regarding policy disputes. Although I mai...
Incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma and breast or prostate cancer on intravenous bisphosphonate therapy.

Purpose Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been observed recently in patients with cancer who are receiving intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) therapy. The incidence of BP-associated ONJ has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of ONJ in a cohort of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), breast cancer (BC), or prostate cancer (PC) who were receiving BP therapy. Patients and Methods A retrospective chart review was performed. Medical record numbers were identified by ICD-9 codes: 203.0, 203.01, 174.9, and 185.0 for active MM, MM in remission, BC, and PC, respectively. Patients were included if they were evaluated and/or treated between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005, and had received zoledronic acid and/or pamidronate. Patients were excluded if they had a history of radiation therapy to the jaws or of tumors or cysts. ONJ was defined as clinical evidence of “exposed necrotic bone” in the mouth. Results Through evaluation of 1,086 patient medical records, it was determined that 447 subjects met the inclusion criteria: 11 of 292 patients with MM (3.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6%, 6.0%) had ONJ, as did 2.5% of 81 patients with BC (0%, 6.9%) and 2.9% of 69 patients with PC (0%, 5.9%). Conclusion The incidence of ONJ associated with intravenous BPs was at least 3.8 per 100 patients with MM, 2.5 per 100 patients with BC, and 2.9 per 100 patients with PC during the 5-year study period. The next phase of this study involves assessment of risk factors that differentiate these patients from those treated with BPs who do not develop ONJ.
Building the Leaders of Tomorrow: The Development of Academic Psychological Capital

The now widely recognized core construct of psychological capital (PsyCap) consists of the state-like positive psychological resources of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. PsyCap has been empirically shown in the research literature to be related to various employee attitudinal, behavioral, and performance outcomes and open to development and change. Most recently, PsyCap has also been shown to be significantly related to business student academic performance. Using a pretest, posttest control group design, the present study tested whether the PsyCap of business students can be developed through a micro-training intervention. Results from this quasi-experimental study provide initial support that the Academic PsyCap of business students can be positively affected by a short training intervention.
Triangulation, Untranslatability, and Reconciliation

Donald Davidson used triangulation to do everything from explicate psychological and semantic externalism, to attack relativism and skepticism, to propose conditions necessary for thought and talk. At one point Davidson tried to bring order to these remarks by identifying three kinds of triangulation, each operative in a different situation. Here I take seriously Davidson’s talk of triangular situations and extend it. I start by describing Davidson’s situations. Next I establish the surprising result that considerations from one situation entail the possibility that at any one time one language is partially untranslatable into another. Because the possibility is time-indexed, it need not conflict with Davidson’s own argument against the possibility of untranslatability. I derive the result, not to indict Davidson, but to propose a new kind of triangulation, the reconciliation of untranslatability, which I investigate. Insofar as triangulation is central to Davidson’s views, getting a handle on his various triangular situations is key to getting a handle on his contributions to philosophy. Insofar as those contributions have enriched our understanding of how language, thought, and reality interrelate, extending Davidson’s model promises to extend our understanding too.
Probabilistic Analysis of Highway Capacity Manual Delay for Signalized Intersections

"Uncertainty analysis" is a new term in traffic capacity analysis, but it is routine in other areas of civil engineering. A probabilistic method, based on uncertainty and sensitivity analysis methods, to incorporate uncertainty of inputs into the existing Highway Capacity Manual deterministic delay model is proposed. Uncertainty analysis is the core of the probabilistic method for propagating the uncertainty of inputs into the uncertainty of the output. Sensitivity analysis is a supplement to uncertainty analysis to guide the data collection, refine uncertainty analysis, and help explain the results of uncertainty analysis. Results of the probabilistic method provide users with a comprehensive view of the level of service (LOS) of a signalized intersection that is more realistic and robust than that of the current method. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed probabilistic method. With the proposed method, outputs change from a single delay value and LOS letter to mean value, standard ...
Measurement of SO2 solubility in ionic liquids.

Measurements of the solubility of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the ionic liquids 1-n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([hmim][Tf2N]) and 1-n-hexyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([hmpy][Tf2N]) at temperatures from 25 to 60 °C and pressures up to 4 bar indicate that large amounts (up to 85 mol %) of SO2 dissolve in ionic liquids by simple physical absorption.
On a possible temperature dependence of the activation energy for grain boundary diffusion in metals

The apparent activation energy for existing grain boundary diffusion data shows a tendency to decrease with decreasing temperature. Such a decrease may conceivably be due to at least two causes: (1) The grain boundary diffusion must involve several different types of atomic jumps in the core region, each of which is characterized by a different activation energy. The resulting diffusion is then a weighted average over these jumps. As the temperature is lowered, the jump paths with higher activation energies become progressively ''frozen out.'' If the paths are connected in a parallel arrangement (in analogy to an electrical circuit) the averaged effective activation energy decreases as the temperature is reduced. (2) Experimental results were obtained using polycrystalline samples containing a spectrum of different types of grain boundaries. The overall observed diffusion is, therefore, a weighted average over these boundaries. As the temperature is lowered, the boundaries with the higher activation energies become progressively frozen out and the averaged effective activation energy decreases. (GHT)
The effect of Li, He and Ca on grain boundary cohesive strength in Ni

Boron is added to nickel-base superalloys such as Alloy X-750 in order to enhance high temperature strength and ductility so that the alloy may be more easily hot worked[1]. Boron additions also have been shown to ameliorate intergranular hydrogen embrittlement in nickel[2], and to improve the high temperature resistance of Alloy X-750 to aqueous stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in the absence of irradiation[3]. Recent quantum mechanical calculations demonstrate that boron strengthens grain boundaries in pure nickel[4], and may contribute to the observed benefits of boron on workability and fracture resistance of nickel alloys. Alloy X-750 exhibits greater susceptibility to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) when irradiated[5], and it has been proposed that the presence of grain boundary helium and/or lithium is responsible. Arguments have been advanced that helium embrittlement of the grain boundaries is primarily responsible for the greater observed susceptibility to IGSCC in irradiated X-750[1]. Alternatively, it has been proposed that lithium promotes IGSCC either by entering the water at the crack tip and lowering the local pH, or by inducing a restructuring of the grain boundary itself[1]. Direct embrittlement of grain boundaries by lithium also has been investigated by ion bombardment in Nimonic PE16, illustrating that under certain conditions lithium can produce degrees of embrittlement in nickel comparable to that produced by helium[6]. It is important to understand the relative roles of these species in grain boundary embrittlement in nickel alloys so that better predictive abilities and mitigation strategies can be developed. Toward that end, quantum mechanical calculations have been performed to investigate the influence of isolated lithium and helium atoms on the cohesive strength of an ideal grain boundary in pure nickel.
Human ribosomal protein S3 interacts with DNA base excision repair proteins hAPE/Ref-1 and hOGG1.

The human ribosomal protein S3 (hS3) possesses associated activities that suggest alternative roles beyond its participation in protein translation. For example, it is capable of cleaving apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) DNA via a β-elimination reaction, an activity that is missing in partially purified extracts of xeroderma pigmentosum group-D fibroblasts. In a recent study, we showed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) that hS3 also has a very high apparent binding affinity for 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and AP sites in DNA. Using the same SPR technology, it is shown here that hS3 positively interacts with the human base excision repair (BER) enzymes N-glycosylase/AP lyase OGG1 and APE/Ref-1. Using a DNA substrate that allows for the detection of 8-oxoG repair, we also show that hOGG1 N-glycosylase activity becomes increasingly more robust in the presence of hS3. Human S3 was found to co-immunoprecipitate with both hOGG1 and APE/Ref-1, indicating that these proteins physically interact with one another....
Alcohol screening scores and all-cause mortality in male Veterans Affairs patients.

Objective: Extensive research demonstrates a J- or U-shaped association between in-depth interview measures of alcohol consumption and mortality. Little is known about the relationship between alcohol screening questionnaires and mortality. This study examined the association between scores (ranging from 0 to 12) on the three-item Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption Questionnaire (AUDIT-C) and mortality. Method: This cohort study included male outpatients from seven Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers who completed the AUDIT-C on mailed surveys (1997-2000; n = 34,292) and who were followed for a mean of 2.5 years. Death was ascertained from VA databases. Results: In analyses adjusted for demographics, a U-shaped relationship was observed between AUDIT-C scores and all-cause mortality. Nondrinkers (AUDIT-C 0) and heavy drinkers (AUDIT-C 8–9 and 10–12) had increased risk of death compared with drinkers who screened negative for alcohol misuse (AUDIT-C 1–3): hazard ratios (HR) = 1.41 (95% ...
Integrating Fishery and water resource management: A biological model of a California salmon fishery

Abstract In this paper we develop a model to simulate the impacts of changes in freshwater flows into and out of the San Francisco Bay/Delta on the California Central Valley salmon fishery. The model also describes interactions among these water flow controls, hatchery operations, and harvest regulation. Traditionally, the management of California's freshwater resources and anadromous fisheries has been undertaken separately, in the literature and in practice. We demonstrate the potential gains from a coordinated management approach.
Introns determine the time of appearance of PCNA mRNA in 3T3 cells stimulated by growth factors.

Abstract In quiescent fibroblasts stimulated to proliferate, the mRNAs for several DNA synthesis genes increase sharply at the G1/S boundary. However, the corresponding hnRNAs often increase shortly after stimulation, several hours before the increase in mRNA levels. To investigate the delay that occurs between the increases in hnRNA and mRNA levels, we have used several constructs of the human PCNA gene stably transfected into Balb/c-3T3 cells. The 3′ untranslated region of the PCNA gene can be replaced without affecting the time course of appearance of the mature RNA. However, when the introns are deleted, the mRNA levels are already high in quiescent cells and increase as cells progress through G1. These experiments define the introns of the human PCNA gene as responsible for the delay in the appearance of the PCNA mRNA that occurs in stimulated Balb/c-3T3 cells.
Reasons for the wide variation in reported rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.

The explanation of marked global variation (between 12 and 65%) in the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of HIV-1 both in developed and developing countries is inadequate. The risk of MCT ranges from one in eight to one in 1.5 pregnancies. There are marked methodological differences in the case definitions study designs and diagnostic criteria in the various MCT investigations. Although most HIV-1 MCT appears to occur in the peripartum period it can also occur in the intrauterine phase or immediately postpartum requiring diagnostic techniques that are not often available. Polymerase chain reaction or in situ hybridization tests for early diagnosis of MCT have been found to lack specificity for both HIV-infected and uninfected infants who are born to HIV-infected mothers and who remain HIV-seropositive during their first year of life. A second explanation for the wide variability derives from the varying case mix of any given maternal cohort. HIV infection during pregnancy and pregnant women with advanced HIV-induced immunosuppression are particularly infectious to their children. A third source of MCT variation results from selection bias in many MCT studies. It is not known whether the only mechanism of transmission in the perinatal period is transplacental or transmission occurs during delivery. Data suggest that delivery via Caesarean section halves the risk of MCT. Antiretroviral treatment (zidovudine) for HIV-infected mothers in the immediate prepartum and intrapartum period followed by postpartum administration to their infants has reduced these infants chance of MCT by as much as 50%. A recent study from Malawi demonstrated that HIV-1-seropositive women with vitamin A deficiency had a twofold greater risk of transmitting HIV-1 infection to their infants. The many biologic reasons for the wide variation in MCT make it unlikely that prevention will be possible through a single biologic and/or pharmacologic approach.
Neuromuscular Ultrasound Application to the Electrodiagnostic Evaluation of Quadrilateral Space Syndrome

Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) is a rare neurovascular compression syndrome that results from the compression of the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery in the quadrilateral space. Electromyography often is used to evaluate for the presence of neuropathic changes in the deltoid and teres minor in cases of suspected QSS. Needle examination of the teres minor may be challenging because of the muscle's small size and proximity to the infraspinatus. In cases in which patients are overweight or have significant teres minor atrophy, localization of the muscle through conventional methods may be extremely difficult. We present a case of an overweight man with posterior shoulder pain who was diagnosed with QSS via the use of a combination of ultrasound and electromyography.
Photoionization Studies Of Atomic Oxygen And Nitrogen

Photoionization cross sections for atomic oxygen and nitrogen have been measured from their respective thresholds to 100A (for 0) and to 500R (for N). Previously unobserved structure in atomic oxygen is reported between 440 and 481R. Data which extends the atomic nitrogen cross sections to 100A and data on the cross section for 02+ production are currently being analyzed.
Impact of melanoma genetic test reporting on perceived control over melanoma prevention

To determine whether receiving melanoma genetic test results undermines perceived control over melanoma prevention, control-related beliefs were examined among 60 adults from melanoma-prone families receiving CDKN2A/p16 test results (27 unaffected noncarriers, 15 unaffected carriers, 18 affected carriers; response rate at 2 years = 64.9 % of eligible respondents). Multilevel modeling of perceived control ratings over a 2-year period revealed significant variation in individual trajectories: most participants showed increases (45 %) or no change (38.3 %), while 16.7 % showed decreases. At the group level, noncarriers reported sustained increases through the 2-year follow-up (ps < .05); unaffected carriers reported significant short-term increases (ps < .05); and affected carriers reported no change. Participants in all groups continued to rate photoprotection as highly effective in reducing melanoma risk and reported decreased beliefs that carrying the p16 mutation would inevitably lead to the development of melanoma. Qualitative responses immediately following counseling and test reporting corroborated these findings, as 93 % indicated it was possible to either prevent (64.9 %) or decrease the likelihood (28.1 %) of future melanomas. Thus, genetic test reporting does not generally undermine perceived control over melanoma prevention, though variability in response to positive results warrants future study.
Vitreous semiconductor properties and the average heat of atomization

Abstract The average heat of atomization of vitreous semiconductors, as computed from the heats of atomization of the elements, is proposed as the basis for correlating the physical properties of these materials such as their softening point, microhardness, linear expansion coefficient, dielectric constant, refractive index and resistivity. The usefulness and limitations of these correlations in developing new vitreous semiconductors are discussed.
An Extended Four-Port Noise Matching Network

An extended four-port noise matching network is proposed. The use of this four-port noise matching network allows further improvement in the minimal noise figure of linear noisy two-ports by conventional two-port matching networks.
Design and performance of a planar star mixer

This paper describes the realization of a hybrid star mixer as a planar circuit. The mixer has a minimum conversion loss of 5 dB and, for a conversion loss of less than 9 dB, spans over 2.2 GHz in IF bandwidth and 8 GHz in RF/LO bandwidth. The mixer employs a novel, planar balun structure, similar to conductor-backed CPW, that is suitable for realization as a monolithic circuit. >
Preface to the Special Issue on Phase I of the IASC-ASCE Structural Health Monitoring Benchmark

The importance of developing robust monitoring systems that can detect and locate progressive deterioration in structures or abrupt damage induced by extreme loading events is well recognized in the aerospace, mechanical, and civil engineering communities. In the case of civil structures such as buildings, bridges, off-shore platforms, or dams, the most commonly used approach for structural health monitoring ~SHM! relies on visual inspections that are labor intensive, often not timely, and may miss hidden damage. A good example of these limitations is found in the fractures induced by the 1994 Northridge earthquake in welded momentresisting beam-column connections in many steel buildings that were not discovered until several months after the earthquake because there was no distress apparent from visual inspections. An alternative to visual inspections and localized testing that is being aggressively investigated in various engineering disciplines is that of structural health monitoring based on vibration signals. A typical SHM system consists of a distributed set of motion sensors ~e.g., accelerometers, velocimeters, or fiber-optic strain gauges! connected through a data acquisition system to a central processing unit that may be in an operator room. For remote real-time monitoring of structures, the processed data must be on-line, possibly through a dedicated line or via an Internet link. The basic idea is well established, namely, the dynamic characteristics of a system ~usually natural frequencies and mode shapes! that can be identified from recorded motions are a function of the physical parameters ~mass and stiffness distributions!. Therefore, changes in physical properties resulting from damage may be inferred from changes in the identified dynamic characteristics using suitable algorithms. Then, in theory, damage may be detected, localized, and assessed through vibration monitoring. In practice, however, realization of the concept has proved to be a very challenging proposition because the inverse problem that must be solved, for typical operating conditions, is poorly conditioned, that is, results are sensitive to measurement noise and modeling errors. An important part of the current effort to affect positive progress in SHM technology in civil engineering structures is the development of well-defined benchmark problems that allow comparison of the performance of various techniques for realistic conditions. This special issue of the Journal of Engineering Mechanics contains eight papers that define and study a benchmark developed by the Task Group on Structural Health Monitoring that was formed in 1999 under the sponsorship of the Dynamics Committee of ASCE and the International Association of Structural Control ~IASC!. These papers expand on some partial and
New approach to inexpensive, printed electrochromic displays

In developing some initial ideas on inexpensive 'smart structures' which could sense, indicate, record and respond, it became apparent to us that a cheap, lightweight, flexible and versatile display mechanism would be of considerable commercial utility for this and many other applications. We therefore initiated a probe to look at what might be possible, focussing mainly on electrochromic systems.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transdermal Oxybutynin: What Role in the Management of Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB), a bothersome condition that is frequently associated with incontinence, commonly affects middle-aged and elderly people. OAB not only has a negative effect on physical and mental well-being but also accounts for billions of dollars in health care costs and lost productivity. Although OAB can be treated effectively with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, these agents often cause anticholinergic adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation, which are believed to be a major reason for low treatment persistence. Oxybutynin is an established OAB treatment that is available in oral and transdermal formulations. Oxybutynin chloride topical gel (OTG) (Gelnique®, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Corona, CA, USA.) is a new formulation that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2009. Results of a 12-week, placebo-controlled US phase 3 study demonstrated that OTG is efficacious in patients with OAB and rarely causes anticholinergic adverse events. Only dry mouth occurred significantly more often with OTG than placebo (6.9% vs. 2.8% of patients). Furthermore, OTG showed very little propensity to cause application site skin reactions. In conclusion, the efficacy and good tolerability of OTG make it a valuable treatment option for patients with OAB.
Confirmed β16 Arg/Arg Polymorphism in a Patient with Uncontrolled Asthma

Objective:To report a case of confirmed β16 Arg/Arg polymorphism (Arg/Arg) in a patient with uncontrolled asthma.Case Summary:A 49-year-old black female presented to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath with subsequent intubation. After extubation, she reported multiple hospitalizations for asthma with one prior intubation, adherence to asthma medications, and very frequent use of her short-acting β2-agonist (SABA). Because of her asthma history, self-reported adherence, and race, she was tested for β2-adrenoreceptor genotype, which revealed Arg/Arg. Based on these findings, β2-agonists were discontinued and tiotropium (maintenance) and ipratropium (primary rescue) were initiated as part of her asthma regimen. Application of the Naranjo probability scale revealed probable causality between uncontrolled asthma in our patient and SABA use. The patient is followed in our outpatient pulmonary clinic and, at time of writing, had not been admitted to our hospital for asthma-related events.Dis...