cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of turbulent transport in an axisymmetric sudden expansion

Simultaneous two-component laser velocimeter measurements were made in the incompressible turbulent flowfield following an axisymmetric sudden expansion. Mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, and triple products were measured and are presented at axial positions ranging from x/H = 0.2-14. A balance of the turbulent kinetic energy in the flow was performed. The production, convection, and diffusion of turbulent kinetic energy were computed directly from the experimental data using central differencing. A specially designed correction lens was employed to correct for optical aberrations introduced by the circular tube. This lens system allowed the accurate simultaneous measurement of axial and radial velocities in the test section. The experimental measurements were compared to predictions generated by a code that employed the k-epsilon turbulence model. Agreement was good for mean axial velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent shear stresses. However, the modeled turbulent normal stresses where in poor agreement with the measured values. The modeled diffusion of turbulent kinetic energy was underpredicted in the region between the shear layer and the centerline of the flow giving lower values of turbulent kinetic energy downstream of the potential core than measured.
Ternary peritectic solidification in the NiAl-Ni2AlTa-NiAlTa system

Abstract Materials based on the intermetallic compound NiAl strengthened with the Laves phase NiAlTa or the Heusler phase Ni 2 AlTa have shown promise for use in some high-temperature structural applications. To characterize the shape of the liquidus surface in the region of the NiAl, NiAlTa, and Ni 2 AlTa phases, a series of arc-melted ingots were prepared and metallographically examined. The ternary peritectic reaction NiAl + NiAlTa + liquid = Ni 2 AlTa was evidenced from cast microstructures of Ni-AlTa alloys. The liquidus surface is characterized by a binary eutectic reaction and two binary peritectic reactions, resulting in the above ternary peritectic reaction.
Organ Preservation Therapy Using Induction Plus Concurrent Chemoradiation for Advanced Resectable Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: A University of Pennsylvania Phase II Trial

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy, feasibility, and toxicity of a new regimen for locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients had technically resectable stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, exclusive of T1-2N1. Induction chemotherapy consisted of carboplatin (area under the curve formula equal to 6) and paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 for two cycles, followed by re-evaluation. Patients with major response continued to definitive radiotherapy (70 Gy over 7 weeks) plus concurrent once-weekly paclitaxel (30 mg/m2/wk). Patients with advanced neck disease also underwent post–radiation therapy neck dissection and two more chemotherapy cycles. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 31 months (minimum follow-up for survivors was 18 months). The major response rate to induction chemotherapy was 89%; 90% of patients had a complete response after concurrent chemoradiation. Actuarial survival at 3 years was 70%, and 3-year event-free survival was 59%. T...
Phase transitions in hadronic systems and thermodynamics of a system with an exponential spectrum

Abstract Both nuclear matter and hadronic matter at high excitations can be described by a liquid–vapor phase transition. For the hadronic systems, a system with an exponential mass spectrum (Hagedorn-like or bag-like) leads to a thermodynamics which is identical to that of a two phase coexistence at a fixed temperature.
Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid.

BACKGROUND We reviewed the Massachusetts General Hospital experience with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of the thyroid to determine the indications, rate of unsatisfactory smears, correlation with excisional biopsy results, and verification of efficient use of personnel time. METHODS All radiologically guided FNABs of the thyroid from January 1993 through June 1997 were reviewed. As a measure of efficient use of technologist time, a sample of times spent by the technologist during the procedure for 20 cases in 1993 and 1997 was compared with that of an equal number of random nonthyroid image guided FNABs. RESULTS Two hundred-ninety FNABs were identified in 251 patients, representing 12% of all thyroid FNABs and 11% of all radiologically guided FNABs. Indications in the 251 patients included multiple nodules (78), solitary nodules (61), complex nodules (39), prior failed FNAB (39), thyroid bed abnormalities post-thyroidectomy (21), difficult access (7), and investigation of recurrent tumor in residual thyroid lobe (6). Available records indicated 118 lesions were palpable and 45 were nonpalpable; the physical examination characteristics of the remainder (88) were not stated. Diagnoses included 44 unsatisfactory cases (15%), 103 macrofollicular lesions, 20 microfollicular lesions, 26 mixed macro/microfollicular lesions, 5 oxyphilic lesions, 1 trabecular pattern, 15 nonspecific follicular cell pattern, 9 follicular cell atypia, 30 cysts, 11 thyroiditis, 23 malignant tumors, and 3 other (1 parathyroid, 2 lymph node). Eighty-nine FNABs from 76 patients had subsequent surgical biopsy. Excisional biopsies in 14 unsatisfactory FNABs were benign. In the remaining 75 FNABs from 67 patients, 18 malignancies on FNAB were correctly diagnosed, but 3 other papillary carcinomas were only qualified as atypical follicular cells on cytology. No false-positive cases occurred. Of 15 macrofollicular lesions on cytology, 10 were adenomas on excision, only 2 of which were microfollicular adenomas, and 4 were adenomatous nodules. An aspirate of a parathyroid adenoma was misinterpreted as a macrofollicular lesion of the thyroid. Three microfollicular lesions on FNAB proved to be nodular hyperplasia on excision, and the other 11 were adenomas, 5 of them microfollicular. Average technologist time was significantly longer for thyroid FNABs than nonthyroid FNABs in 1993, but in the 1997 sample no significant difference was identified. CONCLUSIONS Radiologically guided FNAB of the thyroid is a clinically useful procedure with a high correlation between benign lesions not needing excision (macrofollicular), and lesions that need excision (microfollicular/oxyphilic cell or malignant). Technologist time needed for immediate evaluation tends to decrease with increasing operator experience. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1999;87:299–305. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
A bio‐mimetic cadmium adsorbent: Design, synthesis, and characterization

A cadmium-binding adsorbent has been designed based on insights gained from the study of cadmium-binding molecules isolated from living organisms. Cadmium-chelating thiolate groups—common in proteins that bind cadmium—have been covalently attached to a commercially available ion-exchange resin. The new adsorbent exhibits a favorable affinity (2 × 10−10M), selectivity (25-fold greater affinity for Cd2+ than Zn2+), and capacity (1.4 mmol Cd2+/g dry resin) for cadmium ion. Adsorbed Cd2+ may be released with 20mM pyro-phosphate at pH 2. The adsorbent also recovers Cd2+ in the presence of NH4CI and KCN. The apparent adsorption rate at pH 7.0 (2M−1 min−1) increases 30-fold as pH is increased to 11. The rate dependence on pH may be due to the inhibition of adsorbent-metal association by intramolecular hydrogen bonding at neutral pH.
Use of Electrical Stimulation in the Automatic Separation of Soft-Shell Crawfish

Abstract Red swamp crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) were evaluated for their electrical resistance, recovery time, and response to DC and AC fields. In a DC field, crawfish were forced to move toward the anode. Crawfish initially facing the cathode displayed forced backward walking, rapid backward escape by tail-flipping actions, and immobilization as the applied voltage was increased. Crawfish facing the anode exhibited forced forward walking and immobilization as voltage increased. Crawfish placed in an AC field displayed actions similar to those observed for the crawfish initially facing the cathode in the DC field. The use of behavioral response in an electric field to inhibit crawfish movement was evaluated with an electrical inhibition gate. The inhibition gate reduced the number of crawfish that escaped from a culture tray by approximately 80%. Increasing voltage or extending the duration of electrical stimulation prolonged the recovery period. The results indicated that an electrical inhibition gate...
Choline-phosphate cytidyltransferase activity and phosphatidylcholine synthesis in rat granular pneumocytes are increased with exogenous fatty acids

Abstract We investigated the effect of exogenous fatty acids on phosphatidylcholine (PC) and disaturated phosphati-dylcholine (DSPC) synthesis by rat granular pneumocytes in primary culture. Synthesis of PC and DSPC from [3-methyl]choline, as evaluated by increasing specific activity (pmol choline incorporated /μ g phosphorus), was linear for 3 h. Exogenous palmitic, oleic, linoleic, or linolenic acid (100 μM each) increased the synthesis of PC by approx. 50% during incubation for 3 h. In contrast, synthesis of DSPC was increased only by palmitic acid. The increase in DSPC synthesis was approx. 150% after 3 h. Conversion of choline phosphate to PC was increased in the presence of palmitic or oleic acid as indicated by pulse-chase studies with [3H-methylcholine in the intact cells. Cells incubated for 3 h with either oleic or palmitic acid showed increased choline-phosphate cytidyltransferase activity in the cells and the microsomal fraction. In addition, oleic acid increased the activity of this enzyme in the cytosolic fraction. The distribution of this enzyme in cytosolic and microsomal fraction was 24 and 76% in the cells incubated with palmitic acid and 32 and 68% in control cells. These results suggest that exogenous fatty acids stimulate the de novo pathway of PC synthesis in granular pneumocytes by increasing the microsomal choline-phosphate cytidyltransferase activity.
The formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase complex from Bacillus subtilis: metabolite-mediated complex formation.

Formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase (FGAR-AT) catalyzes the ATP- and glutamine-dependent formation of formylglycinamidine ribonucleotide, ADP, Pi, and glutamate in the fourth step of de novo purine biosynthesis. Like all amidotransferases (ATs), FGAR-AT is proposed to channel ammonia between a glutaminase and AT domain. In Gram-negative bacteria and eukaryotes, FGAR-AT is a single ∼140 kDa protein. In archae and Gram-positive bacteria, the FGAR-AT is formed from three proteins: PurS (10 kDa), PurQ (25 kDa, a glutaminase), and smPurL (80 kDa, an AT). This is the only known AT to require a third structural component (PurS) for activity. Here we report the first purification and biochemical characterization of a three-component AT from Bacillus subtilis. Efforts to isolate an intact FGAR-AT focused initially on coexpression of PurS, smPurL, and PurQ. However, all attempts to purify the complex resulted in separation of the constituent proteins. PurS, smPurL, and PurQ were therefore separately ...
Studies of operant and reflexive key pecks in the pigeon.

The duration of pigeons' key pecks was studied in three experiments. Experiment I revealed that key pecks early in exposure to continuous reinforcement were of short duration, as were key pecks observed on an omission procedure in which pecks prevented food delivery. Key pecks later in exposure to continuous reinforcement, and those that occurred on positive automaintenance procedures, were of long duration. In Experiment II, pigeons were exposed to fixed-interval and fixed-ratio reinforcement schedules, and durations were recorded separately for each quarter of each interval or ratio. On fixed interval, durations were shorter in the first quarter of each interval than in subsequent quarters; on fixed ratio, durations were longer in the first quarter of the ratio than in subsequent quarters. These data parallel observations of concurrent operant responding and salivation in dogs. In Experiment III, pigeons were exposed to a discrete trial, differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 6-sec schedule. Durations of responses in the first 2 sec of the trial were substantially shorter than those of responses that occurred later. The data from all three experiments support the view that the pigeon's “key peck” actually consists of two subclasses of peck, one reflexive and one operant.
THE EFFECTS OF DAY CARE PARTICIPATION ON PARENT-INFANT INTERACTION AT HOME

This study assessed how parents who placed their children in a model infant and toddler center were, over time, influenced by three salient features of the center: its child-centered focus, its social orientation, and its support for men in nurturing roles.
On normally embedded subgroups of locally soluble FC-groups

In his Habilitationsschrift [ 3 ] B. Fischer introduced the concept of a normally embedded subgroup of a finite group. A subgroup of a finite group G is said to be normally embedded in G if each of its Sylow subgroups is a Sylow subgroup of a normal subgroup of G . Meanwhile this concept has become of considerable importance in the theory of finite soluble groups and has been studied by various authors. However, in infinite group theory, normally embedded subgroups seem to have received little attention. The object of this note is to study normally embedded subgroups of locally soluble FC-groups.
Genetic loads under fitness-dependent mutation rates

Although much theory depends on the genome-wide rate of deleterious mutations, good estimates of the mutation rate are scarce and remain controversial. Furthermore, mutation rate may not be constant, and a recent study suggests that mutation rates are higher in mildly stressful environments. If mutation rate is a function of condition, then individuals carrying more mutations will tend to be in worse condition and therefore produce more mutations. Here I examine the mean fitnesses of sexual and asexual populations evolving under such condition-dependent mutation rates. The equilibrium mean fitness of a sexual population depends on the shape of the curve relating fitness to mutation rate. If mutation rate declines synergistically with increasing condition the mean fitness will be much lower than if mutation rate declines at a diminishing rate. In contrast, asexual populations are less affected by condition-dependent mutation rates. The equilibrium mean fitness of an asexual population only depends on the mutation rate of the individuals in the least loaded class. Because such individuals have high fitness and therefore a low mutation rate, asexual populations experience less genetic load than sexual populations, thus increasing the twofold cost of sex.
Lmo7 is an emerin-binding protein that regulates the transcription of emerin and many other muscle-relevant genes

X-linked Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (X-EDMD) is inherited through mutations in emerin, a nuclear membrane protein. Emerin has proposed roles in nuclear architecture and gene regulation, but direct molecular links to disease were unknown. We report that Lim-domain only 7 (Lmo7) binds emerin directly with 125 nM affinity; the C-terminal half of human Lmo7 (hLmo7C) was sufficient to bind emerin in vitro. Lmo7 appeared relevant to EDMD because a deletion that removes Lmo7 (plus eight exons of a neighboring gene) in mice causes dystrophic muscles [Semenova, E., Wang, X., Jablonski, M.M., Levorse, J. and Tilghman, S.M. (2003) An engineered 800 kilobase deletion of Uchl3 and Lmo7 on mouse chromosome 14 causes defects in viability, postnatal growth and degeneration of muscle and retina. Hum. Mol. Genet., 12, 1301-1312]. Lmo7 localizes in the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell surface, particularly adhesion junctions [Ooshio, T., Irie, K., Morimoto, K., Fukuhara, A., Imai, T. and Takai, Y. (2004) Involvement of LMO7 in the association of two cell-cell adhesion molecules, nectin and E-cadherin, through afadin and alpha-actinin in epithelial cells. J. Biol. Chem., 279, 31365-31373]. Our data suggest endogenous Lmo7 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein, and might also localize at focal adhesions in HeLa cells. Two key results show that Lmo7 regulates emerin gene expression: rat Lmo7 isoforms directly activated a luciferase reporter gene in vivo, and emerin mRNA expression decreased 93% in Lmo7-downregulated HeLa cells. Thus, Lmo7 not only binds emerin protein but is also required for emerin gene transcription. Microarray analysis of Lmo7-downregulated HeLa cells identified over 4200 misregulated genes, including 46 genes important for muscle or heart. Misregulation of 11 genes, including four (CREBBP, NAP1L1, LAP2, RBL2) known to be misregulated in X-EDMD patients and emerin-null mice [Bakay, M., Wang, Z., Melcon, G., Schiltz, L., Xuan, J., Zhao, P., Sartorelli, V., Seo, J., Pegoraro, E., Angelini, C. et al. (2006) Nuclear envelope dystrophies show a transcriptional fingerprint suggesting disruption of Rb-MyoD pathways in muscle regeneration. Brain, 129, 996-1013; Melcon, G., Kozlov, S., Cutler, D.A., Sullivan, T., Hernandez, L., Zhao, P., Mitchell, S., Nader, G., Bakay, M., Rottman, J.N. et al. (2006) Loss of emerin at the nuclear envelope disrupts the Rb1/E2F and MyoD pathways during muscle regeneration. Hum. Mol. Genet., 15, 637-651] was confirmed by real-time PCR. Overexpression of wild-type emerin, but not emerin mutant P183H (which causes EDMD and selectively disrupts binding to Lmo7), decreased the expression of CREBBP, NAP1L1 and LAP2, suggesting Lmo7 activity is both EDMD-relevant and inhibited by direct binding to emerin. We conclude that Lmo7 positively regulates many EDMD-relevant genes (including emerin), and is feedback-regulated by binding to emerin.
APPLAUS: A Privacy-Preserving Location Proof Updating System for location-based services

Today's location-sensitive service relies on user's mobile device to determine its location and send the location to the application. This approach allows the user to cheat by having his device transmit a fake location, which might enable the user to access a restricted resource erroneously or provide bogus alibis. To address this issue, we propose A Privacy-Preserving LocAtion proof Updating System (APPLAUS) in which co-located Bluetooth enabled mobile devices mutually generate location proofs, and update to a location proof server. Periodically changed pseudonyms are used by the mobile devices to protect source location privacy from each other, and from the untrusted location proof server. We also develop user-centric location privacy model in which individual users evaluate their location privacy levels in real-time and decide whether and when to accept a location proof exchange request based on their location privacy levels. APPLAUS can be implemented with the existing network infrastructure and the current mobile devices, and can be easily deployed in Bluetooth enabled mobile devices with little computation or power cost. Extensive experimental results show that our scheme, besides providing location proofs effectively, can significantly preserve the source location privacy.
The Long-Term Clinical Outcomes Following Autogenous Bone Grafting for Large-Volume Defects of the Knee 12- to 21-Year Follow-Up

Objective: We report the long-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent autogenous bone grafting of large-volume osteochondral defects of the knee due to osteochondritis dessicans (OCD) and osteonecrosis (ON). This is the companion report to one previous published on the biological response. We hypothesized that these grafts would integrate with host bone and the articular surface would form fibrocartilage providing an enduring clinical benefit. Design: Three groups (patients/knees) were studied: OCD without a fragment (n = 12/13), OCD with a partial fragment (n = 14/16), and ON (n = 25/26). Twenty-five of 52 patients were available for clinical follow-up between 12 and 21 years. Electronic medical records provided comparison clinical information. In addition, there were plain film radiographs, MRIs, plus repeat arthroscopy and biopsy on 14 patients. Results: Autogenous bone grafts integrated with the host bone. MRI showed soft tissue covering all the grafts at long-term follow-up. Biopsy showed initial surface fibrocartilage that subsequently converted to fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage at 20 years. OCD patients had better clinical outcomes than ON patients. No OCD patients were asymptomatic at anytime following surgery. Half of the ON patients came to total knee replacement within 10 years. Conclusions: Autogenous bone grafting provides an alternative biological matrix to fill large-volume defects in the knee as a singular solution integrating with host bone and providing an enduring articular cartilage surface. The procedure is best suited for those with OCD. The treatment for large-volume articular defects by this method remains salvage in nature and palliative in outcome.
Production Accuracy of Six Spanish Speech Synthesis Voices for Single Nonsense Words

There is a scarcity of research regarding individuals who are members of a linguistic minority and have a disability. A clear example of this is the lack of research of augmentative and alternative...
A simulator for on-line arithmetic

On-line arithmetic is a special class of serial arithmetic where algorithms produce results with the most significant digit first during the serial input of the operands. Speedup of computations can be achieved by overlapping or pipelining successive operations with small delays. This paper describes the design and implementation of a simulator for on-line arithmetic algorithms. The simulator was designed primarily to serve as 1) an experimental tool for synthesis of on-line algorithms; 2) a performance evaluation tool of on-line arithmetic; 3) an on-line calculator in solving some problems involving linear and non-linear recurrences. The simulator evaluates arithmetic expressions given in a highly functional form. Presently, the set of operations supported include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. Several examples are presented in this paper to illustrate the usage of the simulator. The simulator package is implemented in ‘C’ language on a VAX 11/780 system.
Application of solar electric propulsion to future planetary missions

Application of solar electric propulsion (SEP) to several near term planetary missions has been investigated and is described in this paper. The missions under consideration include a comet rendezvous-asteroid flyby mission (CRAF), an orbiter mission to Saturn (CASSINI) and a comet nucleus sample return mission (CNSR). Advances in both thruster and solar array technology indicate that these missions could benefit by use of a moderate size solar electric propulsion system. The trajectory scenarios considered in this paper include a solar electric earth gravity assist (SEEGA) mode for all three missions and a SEP rendezvous mode for both the CRAF and CNSR missions. In addition an all SEP propulsion mode and a hybrid SEP-chemical propulsion mode is described for the CNSR mission.
Histomorphology and ultrastructure of spontaneous pulmonary neoplasms in strain A mice.

The microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of spontaneous pulmonary neoplasms in strain A (strA) mice are described. Fifty-one spontaneous lung tumors were identified in 34 out of 57, 11–23-month-old male strA/Hen mice. Grossly, all tumors appeared as yellow-white, discrete nodules ranging in size from 1.0–10 mm. Tumor types were randomly distributed throughout the lung; however, the right lung lobes were most frequently involved. Histologically, tumors were classified as adenoma (34/51) or carcinoma (17/51) as defined by standard histopathologic criteria [1]. Adenomas were usually less than 4 mm in diameter and bad solid (16/34), papillary (10/34), or mixed (8/34) histologic growth patterns. Carcinomas were usually greater than 4 mm in diameter and had papillary (13/17) or mixed (4/17) histologic growth patterns. Ultrastructurally, benign tumors consisted of solid or papillary areas of neoplastic type II-like cells. Cells comprising malignant tumors had varying ultrastructural characteristics ra...
Dynamic scheduling of hard real-time tasks and real-time threads

The authors investigate the dynamic scheduling of tasks with well-defined timing constraints. They present a dynamic uniprocessor scheduling algorithm with an O(n log n) worst-case complexity. The preemptive scheduling performed by the algorithm is shown to be of higher efficiency than that of other known algorithms. Furthermore, tasks may be related by precedence constraints, and they may have arbitrary deadlines and start times (which need not equal their arrival times). An experimental evaluation of the algorithm compares its average case behavior to the worst case. An analytic model used for explanation of the experimental results is validated with actual system measurements. The dynamic scheduling algorithm is the basis of a real-time multiprocessor operating system kernel developed in conjunction with this research. Specifically, this algorithm is used at the lowest, threads-based layer of the kernel whenever threads are created. >
Dynamic load balancing in broadcast WDM networks with tuning latencies

In this paper we study the problem of dynamic load balancing in broadcast WDM networks by retuning a subset of transceivers in response to changes in the overall traffic pattern. Assuming an existing wavelength assignment and some information regarding the new traffic demands, we present two approaches to obtaining a new wavelength assignment such that (a) the new traffic load is balanced across the channels, and (b) the number of transceivers that need to be retuned is minimized. The latter objective is motivated by the fact that tunable transceivers take a non-negligible amount of time to switch between wavelengths during which parts of the network are unavailable for normal operation. Our main contribution is a new approximation algorithm for the load balancing problem that provides for tradeoff selection, using a single parameter, between the two conflicting goals. This algorithm leads to a scalable approach to reconfiguring the network since, in addition to providing guarantees in terms of load balancing, the expected number of retunings scales with the number of channels, not the number of nodes in the network.
Effective bandwidth vector for two-priority ATM traffic

Traffic consisting of two classes (0 and 1) arrives at a buffer in a bursty fashion. The type-0 traffic is always admitted into the buffer (of size B/sub 0/) as long as there is space for it. Type-1 traffic is admitted to the buffer only if the buffer content does not exceed a threshold B/sub 1spl les/B/sub 0/. The authors develop an analytical model to determine the bandwidth allocation in order to ensure that the packet loss probability of type-i traffic does not exceed /spl epsisub i/, where 0 >
8-Iodo-quinolinium chloride dihydrate.

The title compound, C9H7IN+·Cl−·2H2O, was obtained during the synthesis of 8-iodo­quinoline from 8-amino­quinoline using the Sandmeyer reaction. The 8-iodo­quinolinium ion is almost planar. Solvent water mol­ecules and chloride ions form a hydrogen-bonded chain along the c axis via O—H⋯Cl links. The 8-iodo­quinolinium ions, which are packed along the c axis with cationic aromatic π–π stacking (centroid–centroid distance = 3.624 A), are linked to the chain via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Non-hematopoietic bone marrow stem cells: Molecular control of expansion and differentiation

The first non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were discovered by Friedenstein in 1976, who described clonal, plastic adherent cells from bone marrow capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. More recently, investigators have now demonstrated that multi-potent MSCs can be recovered from a variety of other adult tissues and differentiate into numerous tissue lineages including myoblasts, hepatocytes and possibly even neural tissue. Because MSCs are multipotent and easily expanded in culture, there has been much interest in their clinical potential for tissue repair and gene therapy and as a result, numerous studies have been carried out demonstrating the migration and multi-organ engraftment potential of MSCs in animal models and in human clinical trials. This review describes the recent advances in the understanding of MSC biology.
Global green energy conversion revolution in 21 st century through solid state devices

Rising demands of energy in emerging economies coupled with the green house gas emissions related problems around the globe have provided a unique opportunity of exploiting the advantages offered by solid state devices (photovoltaic devices, thermoelectric devices, light emitting devices etc.) for green energy conversion. Similar to cell phones, power generation by photovoltaics (PV) can reach over two billion people worldwide who have no access to clean energy. Only silicon based PV devices meet the criterion of clean energy conversion (abundance of raw material and no environmental health and safety issues). Using larger size glass substrates and manufacturing techniques similar to the one used by liquid crystal display industry, the manufacturing cost of amorphous silicon thin films of $1/wart can be achieved in the next one or two years. This will open a huge market for grid connected PV systems and related markets. With further R&D, this approach can provide a manufacturing cost goal of $0.50/watt in the next 10 years. At this cost level, PV electricity generation is competitive with any other technology and PV generation can be a dominant electricity generation technology in the 21st century. In the areas of thermoelectric devices and light emitting diodes, more focused research is required to penetrate the market in a dominant way. Based on silicon CMOS technology, ambient energy harvesting will create its own niche market driven by the desire to produce communication, sensing and computing integrated systems with small form factor and no battery.
Gating allosterism at a single class of etomidate sites on α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors accounts for both direct activation and agonist modulation

Abstract At clinical concentrations, the potent intravenous general anesthetic etomidate enhances γ-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptor activity elicited with low γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations, whereas much higher etomidate concentrations activate receptors in the absence of GABA. Therefore, GABAA receptors may possess two types of etomidate sites: high affinity GABA-modulating sites and low affinity channel-activating sites. However, GABA modulation and direct activation share stereoselectivity for the (R)(+)-etomidate isomer and display parallel dependence on GABAA β subunit isoforms, suggesting that these two actions may be mediated by a single class of etomidate site(s) that exert one or more molecular effects. In this study, we assessed GABA modulation by etomidate using leftward shifts of electrophysiological GABA concentration responses in cells expressing human α1β2γ2L receptors. Etomidate at up to 100 μm reduced GABA EC50 values by over 100-fold but without apparent saturation, indicating the absence of high affinity etomidate sites. In experiments using a partial agonist, P4S, etomidate both reduced EC50 and increased maximal efficacy, demonstrating that etomidate shifts the GABAA receptor gating equilibrium toward open states. Results were quantitatively analyzed using equilibrium receptor gating models, wherein a postulated class of equivalent etomidate sites both directly activates receptors and enhances agonist gating. A Monod-Wyman-Changeux co-agonist mechanism with two equivalent etomidate sites that allosterically enhance GABAA receptor gating independently of agonist binding most simply accounts for direct activation and agonist modulation. This model also correctly predicts the actions of etomidate on GABAA receptors containing a point mutation that increases constitutive gating activity.
Synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic polyesters and polyamides from sebacyl bisketene

Sebacyl bisketene was generated in solution at −78°C. Copolymerization in solution at 0°C with the secondary diamines, piperazine and N,N′dimethyl-1,6-hexamethylenediamine, yielded the polyamides poly(1,4-piperazylsebacyl) and poly[(methylimino)hexamethylene(methylimino)sebacyl], respectively. The polyamides were obtained in yields of 50–90%. The former had a glass transition temperature (Tg) at 30°C and a melting temperature at 165°C, whereas the latter had only a Tg at −15°C. The polymers were insoluble in the usual polyamide solvents. Copolymerization with the diol bisphenol A yielded poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneisopropylidene-1,4-phenyleneoxysebacyl). The polyester was obtained in yields up to 99%. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) determinations showed molecular weights up to 50,000 when acetone was the reaction solvent but only 12,000 when tetrahydrofuran (THF) was the reaction solvent; the Tg for the polyester varied with the molecular weight with a maximum at 15°C. Tensile properties were obtained for the polyesters with molecular weights greater than 35,000.
Effects of two different anaesthetics on serum concentrations of cortisol and luteinizing hormone in barrows and gilts.

SummaryTo determine if administration of the anaesthetic cocktail, telazol–ketamine–xylazine (TKX) and pentothal (PEN) decreases serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) in pigs, the following experiment was performed. On day 1, eight gilts and six barrows of similar weight (75 kg) were anaesthetized with TKX (1 mL/22.5 kg body weight [BW] intramuscularly) and indwelling jugular catheters were inserted. On days 2, 6 and 8 blood samples were taken every 20 min, for 4 h before pigs were administered saline (day 2) or anaesthetized with TKX (day 6) and PEN (8.9 mg/kg BW intravenously, day 8). Blood samples were taken every 20 min for 4 h following administration of saline and anaesthetics. Mean serum concentrations of LH and cortisol did not differ (P > 0.05) within barrows or gilts from before administration of saline (day 2) to following saline administration. Mean serum concentrations of LH and cortisol were not different (P > 0.05) within barrows and gilts before administration of TKX (pre-TKX) o...
The Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway Is Required for Activation-induced Cell Death of T Cells

T cells can undergo activation-induced cell death (AICD) upon stimulation of the T cell receptor-CD3 complex. We found that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is activated during AICD. Transient transfection of a dominant interfering mutant of mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated receptor protein kinase kinase (MEK1) demonstrated that down-regulation of the ERK pathway inhibited FasL expression during AICD, whereas activation of the ERK pathway with a constitutively active MEK1 resulted in increased expression of FasL. We also found that pretreatment with the specific MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 prevented the induction of FasL expression during AICD and inhibited AICD. However, PD98059 had no effect on other apoptotic stimuli. We found only very weak ERK activity during Fas-mediated apoptosis (induced by Fas cross-linking). Furthermore, preincubation with the MEK1 inhibitor did not inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis. Finally, we also demonstrated that pretreatment with the MEK1 inhibitor could delay and decrease the expression of the orphan nuclear steroid receptor Nur77, which has been shown to be essential for AICD. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the ERK pathway is required for AICD of T cells and appears to regulate the induction of Nur77 and FasL expression during AICD.
PERSISTENCE AND SURVIVAL OF AUTOLOGOUS MUSCLE DERIVED CELLS VERSUS BOVINE COLLAGEN AS POTENTIAL TREATMENT OF STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE

Purpose: We explored the use of autologous muscle derived cells as a method of treating stress urinary incontinence. We determined whether urethral muscle derived cell injection is feasible and compared it with bovine collagen injection.Materials and Methods: Muscle derived cells isolated from female Sprague-Dawley rats were first transduced with retrovirus carrying the transgene for β-galactosidase. We injected approximately 1 to 1.5 × 106 cells into the bladder wall and proximal urethra of 6 autologous animals. Tissue was harvested after 3 and 30 days, sectioned, stained for fast myosin heavy chain and assayed for β-galactosidase. To compare muscle derived cell and bovine collagen injections100 μl. of commercially available bovine collagen were also injected in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Tissue was harvested in 3 animals each after 3 and 30 days, sectioned and stained for trichrome. Subsequently, 3 adult SCID mice were used to compare the level of transgene expression at each time point after injecting...
Influence of 2D and 3D convection–diffusion flow on tritium permeation in helium cooled solid breeder blanket units

Abstract Numerical simulation of tritium permeation from breeding zones to the coolant in the helium cooled pebble-bed blanket is performed in this paper. 2D and 3D convection–diffusion models are developed to account for the effects of purge stream convection. Incompressible transient Brinkman model with variable permeability is used in flow calculation, and transient diffusion and convection equations are simulated for the tritium permeation analysis. Tritium partial pressure, concentration and permeation flux are evaluated. The influence of convection on permeation is evaluated under different flow conditions.
SMART: Simultaneous indoor localization and map construction using smartphones

In recent years, we have witnessed a gold rush of location based services enabled by location awareness and persistent Internet connections of modern smartphones. However, the poor performance of indoor localization remains an obstacle to providing these services effectively inside buildings. Obtaining a comprehensive database of points of interest and high quality indoor maps is another obstacle because extensive human involvement is usually required for such tasks. In this paper, we propose a novel system SMART (Simultaneous Map Acquisition and Repeated Tracking) to address both problems. By tracking a subject based on sensor inputs and radio signals and detecting environmental fingerprints, SMART achieves simultaneous indoor localization and environment map construction using smartphones based on radio signals from surrounding WiFi access points and their own measured motion dynamics. Simulation results show that SMART outperforms a dead reckoning method by approximately 9 times in localization accuracy and constructs environment maps of 89% accuracy on average. SMART is robust against sensing errors and can automatically adapt to environment changes.
Body temperatures of house mice artificially selected for high voluntary wheel-running behavior: repeatability and effect of genetic selection.

We studied rectal body temperatures of house mice (Mus domesticus) that had been artificially selected for high voluntary wheel running.1. At generation 17, mice from the four replicate selected lines ran, on average, 2.5-times as many revolutions/day as did mice from the four random-bred control lines.2. During the day, repeatability of individual differences in body temperature measured 4 days apart was low; at night, repeatability was statistically significant across three time scales (1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks).3. During the day, body temperatures of selected and control animals did not differ; at night, mice from selected lines had higher body temperatures. However, when amount of wheel running immediately prior to measurement was included as a covariate, the difference was no longer statistically significant.Higher body temperatures, associated with increased activity, might enhance locomotor abilities through Q10 effects, increase metabolic rate and food requirements, affect sleep patterns, and alter expression of heat-shock proteins.
Transmural Ventricular Pressures in Experimental Cardiac Tamponade

Experimental cardiac tamponade was produced in open-chest dogs. Left and right ventricular systolic pressures fell when intrapericardial pressure was increased only a few millimeters of mercury. Negative diastolic transmural pressures of 1 to 6 mm. Hg developed in the left ventricle and negative diastolic transmural pressures of 2 to 8.5 mm. Hg developed in the right ventricle. In some instances the period of right ventricular systolic ejection was greatly abbreviated at higher levels of intrapericardial pressure.
The effect of gender identity on conversation.

This paper examines the relationship between gender identity and verbal behavior in same-sex interactions. Using structural symbolic interactionism (Stryker, 1980), it is argued that gender identity, as the set of meanings individuals attribute to themselves as males or females, is more important for shaping role performance than gender per se. Using a technique developed by Burke and Tully (1977), the gender identities of 91 college undergraduates were measured. A sample of these students (30 females, 26 males) participated in dyadic role-playing exercises, and their conversations were recorded and coded for the use of overlaps and interruptions by the speakers. An event history model was estimated in order to assess the impact of the gender identity scores on the rate of overlaps and interruptions produced. Findings indicate that the more "male like" a person's gender definition, regardless of the person's sex, the greater the risk that the person will overlap or interrupt the speech of another. The findings of this study have implications for the analysis of structure and process in day-to-day interactions.
Data reconstruction algorithm based on Multi-kernel and KRR

The kernel methods are limited because the data of transformation can not be restored. For its characteristics of problem, a method based on Multi-kernel and Kernel ridge regression(KRR) is proposed. Firstly, the given data of homogeneous data is iterated by the kernel, and given data will express linearly in the ultra high-dimensional Euclidean space. Then, the unknown data can be linearly denoted by the given data. Thereafter, the unknown data can be regressed according to the KRR algorithm. Finally, the data reduction can be achieved. The two classes of data sets are selected as the experimental data. The results show that the proposed method has a great effect to restore unknown data, and it can be applied to other fields.
The source of crackle noise in heated supersonic jets

High-fidelity large eddy simulation (LES) is used to investigate the source of crackle noise generated heated supersonic jets. Crackle is associated with intermittent N-shaped acoustics waves consisting of a sudden compression followed by a more gradual expansion, and is extremely irritating to human auditory perception. Results from four different simulations of jets produced by an experimental military-style nozzle reveal that N-shaped waves are generated directly by the jet turbulence, and thus nonlinear propagation effects are not a necessary component of their formation. Different operating points for the simulations were chosen such that jet velocity and jet temperature were varied independently. While crackle levels are sensitive to jet velocity, full field pressure skewness results suggest that increasing temperature may also play an independent role in enhancing crackle. The structure of the crackle source in the most strongly crackling jet is investigated by a backtracking algorithm applied to the simulation resulting in conditional averages.
Influence of Parent Flock Source on Poultry Performance

Abstract PARENT flock effects are determined prior to hatching and are a general type of maternal effect. The latter would consist of both genetic and environmental effects of the mother on her offspring and seems particularly important in the case of mammals. The evidence for its importance in chickens seems now well established for some traits. Burmester and Waters (1955) reported egg-borne transmission of viceral lymphomatosis does not necessarily result in a high incidence of neoplasia in the progeny. Maternally infected chicks may be a source of infection for chicks from other parents not similarly infected and, perhaps lacking in protective antibodies. Skoglund and Tomhave (1949) reported that the size of egg from which a chick hatches affects early body weight. Hazel and Lamoreux (1947) found that the egg size effect may persist to maturity. Lerner and Taylor (1943) and Lorenz and Taylor (1940) found maternal effects for egg quality, while …
Cryogenic considerations for superconducting magnet design for the material plasma exposure experiment

In order to determine long term performance of plasma facing components such as diverters and first walls for fusion devices, next generation plasma generators are needed. A Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) has been proposed to address this need through the generation of plasmas in front of the target with electron temperatures of 1-15 eV and electron densities of 1020 to 1021 m-3. Heat fluxes on target diverters could reach 20 MW/m2. To generate this plasma, a unique radio frequency helicon source and heating of electrons and ions through Electron Bernstein Wave (EBW) and Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) has been proposed. MPEX requires a series of magnets with non-uniform central fields up to 2 T over a 5-m length in the heating and transport region and 1 T uniform central field over a 1-m length on a diameter of 1.3 m. Given the field requirements, superconducting magnets are under consideration for MPEX. In order to determine the best construction method for the magnets, the cryogenic refrigeration has been analyzed with respect to cooldown and operational performance criteria for open-cycle and closed-cycle systems, capital and operating costs of these system, and maturity of supporting technology such as cryocoolers. These systems will be compared within the context of commercially available magnet constructions to determine the most economical method for MPEX operation. The current state of the MPEX magnet design including details on possible superconducting magnet configurations is presented.
Absent postprandial duodenal motility in a child with cystic fibrosis: Correction of the symptoms and manometric abnormality with cisapride

Abstract A 19-mo-old boy with cystic fibrosis presented with a lifelong history of feeding problems and constipation, and an 8-mo history of episodes of repeated retching, diaphoresis, dehydration, and somnolence after eating. Tests of esophageal motility and gastric emptying of a 5% glucose meal were normal. Antroduodenal pressure recordings during fasting demonstrated the presence of all phases of the interdigestive motor complex. After consumption of a 240-ml complex liquid meal, however, the contractile pattern that generally accompanies eating was absent and gastric emptying was markedly delayed. When bethanechol or metoclopramide was given 10 min before the complex liquid meal, there was a paucity of contractile activity, gastric emptying was slow, and symptoms of lethargy, diaphoresis, and retching were present. When cisapride was given, there was frequent irregular contractile activity, faster gastric emptying, and no symptoms of lethargy. During the past year treatment with cisapride has been a requirement in order to prevent recurrence of the symptoms. Antroduodenal pressure studies proved helpful in the identification of a treatable manometric abnormality that was associated with symptoms of delayed gastric emptying.