cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermoluminescence of Y2O3: Tb3+ thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation

Abstract Most thermoluminescent materials are created using crystal growth techniques; however, it would be of great utility to identify those few thermoluminescent materials that can be deposited using simpler methods, for example to be compatible with the early portions of a silicon integrated circuit or microelectromechanical fabrication process. In this work, thin films of yttrium oxide with a terbium impurity (Y2O3:Tb) were deposited on silicon wafers by electron beam evaporation. The source for the Y2O3:Tb was made by combining Y2O3 and Tb4O7 powders. The approximate thicknesses of the deposited films were 350 nm. After deposition, the films were annealed at 1100 °C for 30 s to improve crystallinity. There is a strong correlation between the x-ray diffraction (XRD) peak intensity and the thermoluminescent glow curve intensity. The glow curve displays at least two peaks at 140 °C and 230 °C. The emission spectra was measured using successive runs with a monochromator set to a different wavelength for each run. There are two main emission peaks at 490 nm and 540 nm. The terbium impurity concentration of approximately 1 mol% was measured using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The Y2O3:Tb is sensitive to UV, x-ray, and gamma radiation. The luminescent intensity per unit mass of UV irradiated Y2O3:Tb was about 2 times that of x-ray irradiated TLD-100.
Synthesis of galactosyl glycerides and related lipids

Abstract We report the synthesis of natural monogalactosyl glycerides. The synthesis involves acylation of the primary hydroxyl groups of 2,5-methylene-D-mannitol, cleavage of the mannitol moiety between C-3 and C-4 by lead tetraacetate, reduction of the resulting aldehyde, attachment of galactose by the Koenig-Knorr reaction, hydrolysis of the acetal, acylation of the hydroxyl group, and hydrazinolysis of the acetylated glycolipids. A simplified procedure, in which the optical activity at C-2 of the glycerol moiety is lost, is also described.
Classic papers in hand surgery.

Abstract Throughout the development of hand surgery as a specialty thousands of papers have been published. This paper identifies the classic papers in 13 categories covering the field of hand surgery. To be named a classic paper, it must meet three criteria: (1) it must establish or refine a technique or concept; (2) the technique must survive the passage of time; and (3) it must change the course of treatment. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:14–18. Copyright © 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Peripheral lactate and oxygen metabolism in man: The influence of oral glucose loading

We investigated the influence of oral glucose loading (100 g) on glucose, lactate, and oxygen metabolism by deep (mainly muscle) and superfician (mainly skin and adipose tissue) forearm tissues. In normal men aged 19 to 32 years (mean ± SE, 24 ± 1), basal arterialized venous-deep venous (A-DV) and arterialized venous-superficial venous (A-SV) plasma glucose concentration differences were 4.1 ± 1.0 (P < 0.001) and 4.7 ± 1.0 (P < 0.005) mg/dL, respectively, but increased markedly following glucose loading. During the first, second, and third hours after glucose ingestion, A-DV differences were 54 ± 6, 43 ± 3, and 20 ± 4 mg/dL, respectively, while the corresponding A-SV differences were 39 ± 4, 17 ± 2, and 8 ± 2 mg/dL, respectively. Forearm glucose uptake by deep (FGU-D) and superficial (FGU-S) tissues basally was 0.057 ± 0.010 and 0.012 ± 0.002 mg100 mL forearm/min respectively. From 15 to 180 minutes after glucose loading, mean FGU-D and FGU-S rose to 0.524 ± 0.083 and 0.056 ± 0.006 mg100 mL forearm/min, respectively. Basal A, SV, and DV lactate concentrations were 0.55 ± 0.04, 0.78 ± 0.03, and 0.57 ± 0.04 mmol/L, respectively (A-SV, P < 0.001; SV-DV, P < 0.001; A-DV, NS). Lactate production by superficial tissues (0.079 ± 0.015 μmol100 mL forearm min) accounted for 62% of concurrent FGU-S. After glucose loading the 2.2-fold rise in arterial lactate levels to a peak at 75 minutes was associated with a fall in net lactate output by superficial tissues (transiently to zero at 45 and 60 minutes) while in muscle lactate uptake was observed between 15 and 105 minutes. Basal A, SV, and DV oxygen levels were 8.21 ± 0.2, 5.62 ± 0.03, and 3.97 ± 0.03 mmol/L respectively (P < 0.001 for A-SV, A-DV, and SV-DV) and forearm oxygen uptake by deep and superficial forearm tissues was 6.61 ± 0.63 and 0.94 ± 0.12 μmol100 mL forearm/min, respectively. Of the latter, basal FGU-D and FGU-S could account for only 17% and 25% of corresponding oxygen utilization, respectively. Neither oxygen levels nor oxygen uptake by deep or superficial forearm tissues were altered by glucose loading. We reached the following conclusions: (1) striking differences exist between glucose, lactate and oxygen concentrations in A, SV, and DV blood before and after glucose loading, (2) in the basal state superficial tissues (presumably skin) are the major site of net forearm lactate release while muscle is the dominant site of oxygen consumption, (3) since after glucose loading, peripheral lactate output is decreased, the concurrent rise in arterial lactate levels may reflect increase splanchnic lactate production, and (4) because glucose ingestion is not accompanied by increased peripheral oxygen uptake, the known concurrent rise in whole body oxygen consumption may reflect enhanced splanchnic oxygen utilization.
An experimental investigation of interfacial instability in superposed flow of viscoelastic fluids in a converging/diverging channel geometry

The interfacial stability of superposed flow of polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in a converging-diverging channel geometry is experimentally investigated. Using the apparatus and procedures developed in our previous study [20], we have investigated the role of base flow kinematics on the interfacial stability of the HDPE/PP system. A comparison of experimentally determined neutral stability contours and disturbance growth rates in parallel, converging and diverging channel flows has revealed that channel convergence tends to stabilize interfacial disturbances while channel divergence has a destabilizing influence. Moreover, we have shown that the most dangerous wave number when made dimensionless with respect to the thickness of the more elastic and/or viscous component is of 0(1). In addition, based on a simple analysis, we have shown that the mechanism of interfacial instability in two-layer viscoelastic flows is due to the coupling between the perturbation velocity field and the polymeric stress gradient in the base flow.
Deep-UV wafer stepper with through-the-lens wafer to reticle alignment

A new excimer laser stepper at 248 nm wavelength Is described wilti an all quartz 5x reduction lens with NA 0. 42 and 21 . 2 mm field size. Design aspects and experimental data are reported. A key feature of the system is a ilL alignment system with direct referencing of reticle to wafer operating at 633 nm The problem of the large focal plane difference beiween exposure and alignment wavelength is solved by special correcflon oplics in the lens. The introducflon of exclmer lasers as new light sources for produclion optical lithography has been facilitated by a flexible optical interface beiween laser and stepper and by an on line calibrafion system to control the laser wavelength. Experimental results for resolution and overlay performance are gtven. 1 .
Structure and agency in university-level recreational music making

The purposes of this study were to investigate the musical backgrounds, self-expressed reasons for participation and possible implications for music education of collegiate recreational music makers (N=19) and their practices as they exist in two contrasting modes of musical engagement on the campus of a large urban research university: authority-led and student-led. Utilising the work of Pierre Bourdieu together with theories of leisure and participation I examine (1) relations of class as they exist in on-campus recreational ensembles and (2) reflexivity related to self-expressed reasons for participation. Analysis suggests that authority-led and student-led distinctions do not adequately account for recreational practices, and that recreational music makers are largely unaware that they share similar privileged backgrounds. Implications for music education are discussed.
Inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation by resveratrol is correlated with upregulation of quinone reductase 2 and p53.

Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a grape-derived polyphenol under intensive study for its potential in cancer prevention. In the case of cultured human melanoma cells, no one to our knowledge has investigated whether resveratrol exerts similar anti-proliferative activities in cells with different metastatic potential. Therefore, we examined the effects of this polyphenol on the growth of weakly metastatic Line IV clone 3 and on autologous, highly metastatic Line IV clone 1 cultured melanoma cells. Comparable inhibition of growth and colony formation resulted from treatment by resveratrol in both cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that resveratrol-treated clone 1 cells had a dose-dependent increase in S phase and a concomitant reduction in the G{sub 1} phase. No detectable change in cell cycle phase distribution was found in similarly treated clone 3 cells. Western blots demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53, without a commensurate change in p21 and several other cell cycle regulatory proteins in both cell types. Chromatography of Line IV clone 3 and clone 1 cell extracts on resveratrol affinity columns revealed that the basal expression of dihydronicotinamide riboside quinone reductase 2 (NQO2) was higher in Line IV clone 1 than clone 3 cells. Levelsmore » of NQO2 but not its structural analog NQO1 were dose-dependently increased by resveratrol in both cell lines. We propose that induction of NQO2 may relate to the observed increased expression of p53 that, in turn, contributes to the observed suppression of cell growth in both melanoma cell lines.« less
Cetuximab therapy in head and neck cancer: Immune modulation with interleukin-12 and other natural killer cell–activating cytokines

Background Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Greater than 90% of SCCHN of the oropharynx overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or HER1). Cetuximab (Erbitux-TM) is a humanized anti-HER1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to HER1 overexpressing tumor cells. Cetuximab has a direct effect on HER1-positive cancer cells, but it also can activate immune cells that bear receptors for the Fc (constant portion) of IgG such as natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells have an activating Fc receptor for IgG (FcγRIIIa), which mediates Ab dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and enhances production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in response to Ab-coated targets. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells that stimulates IFN-γ production from NK cells. We hypothesized that IL-12 would enhance the anti-tumor activity of cetuximab by activating the FcR effector mechanisms of NK cells. Methods Expression of HER1 was measured on human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive (UD-SCC2, UM-SCC47) and HPV-negative (Cal27, UM-SCC74B) SCCHN cell lines by immunoblot analysis and flow cytometry. NK cells from normal donors were treated overnight with IL-2 (100 U), IL-12, IL-15, or IL-21 (all 10 ng/mL) and tested for ADCC versus cetuximab-coated cancer cells in a 4 hr 51 Cr assay. Release of cytokines by NK cells in response to cetuximab-coated cells was measured by ELISA. Phosphorylation of the ERK transcription factor in NK cells was measured by flow cytometry. The efficacy of combination therapy with cetuximab plus IL-12 was evaluated in a murine tumor model of head and neck cancer. Results All cell lines showed >99% expression of HER1 by flow cytometry and immunoblot analysis except UM-SCC74B (73%). Normal NK cells mediated 49.4% lysis of cetuximab-coated SCCHN cell lines as compared to 7.6% lysis of cells treated with control IgG ( P = .0002). NK cell lysis of cetuximab-coated SCCHN cells was markedly enhanced by 12 hr pre-treatment of NK cells with IL-12 (71.6% lysis, P = .005 vs cetuximab alone). As a control, IL-12-activated NK cells were tested against IgG-treated cells. ADCC under these conditions was just 21.7%. Similar levels of lysis were noted for both HPV-positive and HPV-negative and cell lines. Other NK cell activating factors such as IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21 were also able to enhance NK cell ADCC. The stimulus of IL-12 and cetuximab-coated tumor cells induced the synergistic production of nanogram levels of IFN-γ (>6-fold increase over controls) ( P Conclusion Cytokine stimulation of NK cells in the presence of cetuximab-coated head and neck cancer cells leads to enhanced NK cell mediated ADCC and cytokine secretion independent of tumor cell HPV-status. Cytokine administration could be a useful adjuvant in the cetuximab treatment of HER1-positive head and neck cancer.
Magnesium sulfate ameliorates maternal and fetal inflammation in a rat model of maternal infection

Objective Magnesium sulfate is proposed to have neuroprotective effects in the offspring. We examined the effects of maternal magnesium sulfate administration on maternal and fetal inflammatory responses in a rat model of maternal infection. Study Design Pregnant rats were injected with saline, Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide with magnesium sulfate (pre- and/or after lipopolysaccharide) to mimic infection. Maternal blood, amniotic fluid, fetal blood, and fetal brains were collected 4 hours after lipopolysaccharide and assayed for tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and growth-related oncogene-KC. In addition, the effect of magnesium sulfate on cytokine production by an astrocytoma cell line was assessed. Results Lipopolysaccharide administration induced tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and growth-related oncogene-KC expression in maternal and fetal compartments. Maternal magnesium sulfate treatment significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced multiple proinflammatory mediator levels in maternal and fetal compartments. Conclusion Antenatal magnesium sulfate administration significantly ameliorated maternal, fetal, and gestational tissue-associated inflammatory responses in an experimental model of maternal infection.
AN IMMUNOASSAY METHOD FOR HUMAN LUTEINIZING HORMONE OF PITUITARY ORIGIN.

An immunoassay for human pituitary LH utilizing latex particle agglutination inhibition has been described. The latex particles were sensitized with HCG and the anti-HCG was absorbed with extracts of pediatric urine to remove nonspecific antibodies prior to use. The assay of LH in this system was based upon the immunologic cross-reaction between HCG and LH. Satisfactory indices of discrimination were obtained when this method of assay was compared with the ventral prostate bio-assay for LH. The specificity of the assay for LH over other pituitary trophic hormones as well as ovine preparations was demonstrated. Satisfactory reproducibility was obtained. The test proved to be of no greater sensitivity than the ventral prostate assay but, because of other advantages, the authors concluded that this did not detract from its usefulness.
Multiple Myeloma in Older Adults

Multiple myeloma is a disease of older adults, with two-thirds of patients aged ≥ 65 years and having varying comorbidities, functional status, and cognitive status. Patients ≥ 65 are usually considered ineligible for transplant. The introduction of novel agents, including immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, has improved treatment tolerance and resulted in improved outcomes for older patients. We present an individualized approach for older patients, “staging” patient age using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to stratify into fit, unfit and frail groups to guide treatment decisions, including whether or not to transplant, use two-drug versus three-drug combinations, or use reduced-intensity regimens.
Phenomenological concepts of normality and abnormality

L'A. propose une interpretation phenomenologique du probleme de la normalite et de l'anormalite, fondee sur l'approche constitutionnelle de l'experience chez Husserl. Definies en termes de concordance et de discordance, les notions de normalite et anormalite ouvrent la voie a une phenomenologie generative qui rend compte du caractere normatif de l'experience
Recruitment of Older African American Males for Depression Research: Lessons Learned

Depression is projected to become the leading cause of disability and the second leading contributor to the global burden of disease in approximately 10 years. Few studies have explored the signs and symptoms of depression experienced by older African American men. Therefore, a pilot study was developed with the goal of addressing this gap in knowledge. Despite a variety of recruitment strategies, the study yielded no participants after 9 months of effort. Lessons learned from the recruitment efforts and other researchers' successful techniques and strategies are discussed.
Towards Distributed Optimal Movement Strategy for Data Gathering in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we address how to design a distributed movement strategy for mobile collectors, which can be either physical mobile agents or query/collector packets periodically launched by the sink, to achieve successful data gathering in wireless sensor networks. Formulating the problem as general random walks on a graph composed of sensor nodes, we analyze how much data can be successfully gathered in time under any Markovian random-walk movement strategies for mobile collectors moving over a graph (or network), while each sensor node is equipped with limited buffer space and data arrival rates are heterogeneous over different sensor nodes. In particular, from the analysis, we obtain the optimal movement strategy among a class of Markovian strategies so as to minimize the data loss rate over all sensor nodes, and explain how such an optimal movement strategy can be made to work in a distributed fashion. We demonstrate that our distributed optimal movement strategy can lead to about two times smaller loss rate than a standard random walk strategy under diverse scenarios. In particular, our strategy results in up to 70 percent cost savings for the deployment of multiple collectors to achieve the target data loss rate than the standard random walk strategy.
The FDA and safety—beyond the heparin crisis

The discovery of a contaminant in batches of heparin throws into stark relief the difficulties, not only for the US Food and Drug Administration, but also for international regulatory agencies, to ensure the safety and quality of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
An Experimental Investigation of the Efficiency of Planetary Gear Sets

In this paper, results from an experimental study on power losses of planetary gear sets are presented. The experimental set-up includes a specialized test apparatus to operate a planetary gear set under tightly-controlled speed, load and oil temperature conditions, and instrumentation for an accurate measurement of power losses. The test matrix consisted of gear sets having 3 to 6 planets under loaded and unloaded conditions in order to separate load independent (spin) and load dependent (mechanical) power losses. The test matrix also included tests with planet gears having two levels of tooth surface roughness amplitudes as well as tests at varying oil inlet temperature. The results clearly indicate that spin power loss decreases with both reduction of number of planets and increase in oil temperature. Meanwhile, the mechanical power loss decreases with a decrease in oil temperature and reduction in gear surface roughnesses. Results also indicate that mechanical losses can be described by the power transmitted and lost by each planet branch.Copyright © 2011 by ASME and General Motors
Study of AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMT using a two-dimensional device simulator

The use of the two-dimensional device simulator MEDICI in conjunction with a heterojunction application module to examine the current-voltage, transconductance, and cutoff frequency of an AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic HEMT is presented. The physical characteristics such as energy band diagram and potential and current contours are given and explained. The HEMT operated in the region of avalanche breakdown is also evaluated.
Influence of UAS pilot communication and execution delay on controller's acceptability ratings of UAS-ATC interactions

Successful integration of UAS in the NAS will require that UAS interactions with the air traffic management system be similar to interactions between manned aircraft and air traffic management. For example, UAS response times to ATCo clearances should be equivalent to those that are currently found to be acceptable with manned aircraft. Prior studies have examined communication delays with manned aircraft. Unfortunately, there is no analogous body of research for UAS. The goal of the present study was to determine how UAS pilot communication and execution delays affect ATCos' acceptability ratings of UAS pilot responses when the UAS is operating in the NAS. Eight radar-certified controllers managed traffic in a modified ZLA sector with one UAS flying in it. In separate scenarios, the UAS pilot verbal communication and execution delays were either short (1.5 s) or long (5 s) and either constant or variable. The ATCo acceptability of UAS pilot communication and execution delays were measured subjectively via post trial ratings. UAS verbal pilot communication delay, were rated as acceptable 92% of the time when the delay was short. This acceptability level decreased to 64% when the delay was long. UAS pilot execution delay had less of an influence on ATCo acceptability ratings in the present stimulation. Implications of these findings for UAS in the NAS integration are discussed.
Beta-adrenergic receptors on human suppressor, helper, and cytolytic lymphocytes

Abstract Using the radioligand beta-adrenergic blocker [ 125 I]cyanopindolol (ICYP), we have characterized the beta-adrenergic receptors on Leu 3 + (T helper [T H ]), Leu 2 + , 9.3 − (T suppressor [T s ]) and Leu 2 + , 9.3 + (T cytolytic [T c ]) subsets of human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood T cells were isolated by rosetting, and then subsets were purified by their affinities to monoclonal antibodies against their Leu 3 and 9.3 markers. ICYP binding to the subsets was saturable with time and with concentration; the binding was stereoselective and reversible by beta-adrenergic antagonists. A biological response produced by beta agonists increased intracellular concentrations of cAMP and corresponded to the number of binding sites. Each subset of cells had a number of binding sites, which was characteristic for the given subset. The data indicate that the density of distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors was not homogeneous on the precursors of phenotypically and functionally distinct T cells (T s ~ 2900, T c ~ 1800 and T H ~ 750 binding sites). The displacement studies using beta-adrenergic agonists were performed on the cytolytic and suppressor T cell subsets, suggesting that the receptors were mainly of the beta-2 type. The immunobiological significance of such selective distribution of numbers and subtypes of betaadrenergic receptors on distinct T cell subsets is under investigation.
Dirac dispersion in photonic hypercrystals.

Photonic hypercrystals – the recently introduced concept of artificial optical media that combines the properties of hyperbolic metamaterials and photonic crystals [E. Narimanov, Phys. Rev. X, 2014, 4, 041014] – can support Dirac cone dispersion at a finite frequency.
Evaluation of the use of SeaWiFS imagery for detecting Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Frequent blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, along the west coast of Florida are of considerable concern to state resource managers due to numerous ecological and health impacts. With the availability of remotely sensed ocean color imagery from SeaWiFS, a regional algorithm that compensates for the scattering of sediments in coastal waters can be applied to accurately estimate chlorophyll concentrations in coastal areas of Florida. Chlorophyll anomalies of 1 μg l−1 based on a 60-day running mean are currently used along the Panhandle and west Florida coast, to detect K. brevis blooms exceeding 100,000 cells l−1. This is the first step in an early warning system to forecast K. brevis blooms in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. A retrospective analysis was performed on imagery acquired from 1999, 2000 and 2001 to determine the accuracy of this technique in detecting K. brevis blooms in this region. During the K. brevis bloom season from August through April, chlorophyll anomalies accurately identified K. brevis blooms along the Florida Panhandle, from Tampa Bay to Cape Romano and Key West >83% of the time. Frequent chlorophyll anomalies were falsely observed in the spring and early summer, prior to the beginning of the K. brevis bloom season. Areas rich in colored dissolved and particulate matter were prone to anomalies that falsely identify K. brevis blooms; however, blooms rarely originate in these areas.
The art of the connection

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) utilizes the features of Adobe Connect® allow professors to hold on-line office hours and chats, critique assistance, offer eLearning assistance, and conduct seminars. The SCAD implementation of Adobe Connect® addresses major challenges including physical space limitations and communication issues among multiple campuses. In addition, Adobe Connect® has helped SCAD offer online courses.
Isotopic and distributional evidence of a planktonic habit for the foraminiferal genusStreptochilus Bro¨nnimann and Resig, 1971

Abstract Oxygen and carbon isotope analyses show that the biserial foraminiferal genusStreptochilus, which was originally described from pelagic sediments on the Eauripik Rise and Ontong Java Plateau, lived deep in the upper water column within the oxygen minimum layer. The species ofStreptochilus average from 4 to 19% of the foraminiferal assemblages in which benthic forms compose less than 1 or 2%. Specimens ofStreptochilus are selectively dissolved when in contact with the bottom water mass. Their rapid evolutionary turnover of less than a few million years and their wide areal distribution in the equatorial Indo-Pacific are indicative of planktonic foraminifera. Aside from usefulness of the species ofStreptochilus as stratigraphic indices, these Neogene biserial planktonic foraminifera are potential indices of paleoceanographic stratification.
Transient confinement of a high-density plasma in a multiple-mirror magnetic-field configuration

Multiple-mirror magnetic confinement is investigated experimentally with a pulsed hydrogen plasma produced by a theta-pinch source. The gun output at the end of the guide field between the theta-pinch coil and the multiple-mirror region was a sharp plasma pulse of strength ~1014 cm−3 with a ratio of drift to thermal velocity close to unity (~ 10 eV). The seven multiple-mirror cells were stabilized with a linked quadrupole field. Transient experiments were performed with hydrogen in the favourable multiple-mirror regime (n ~ 1013 cm−3, T ~ 10 eV) where the ion mean free path is comparable to a cell length. The quadrupole field achieved partial plasma stabilization and the plasma lifetime inside the device was increased from 10–30 μs in the unstabilized simple mirror geometry to 50–80 μs at high values of the stabilizing current. The plasma pulse was successfully injected into the multiple-mirror region but was mainly trapped in the first half of the device, because of a non-uniform introduction region of two cells and because of the low value of the pulse drift velocity. The main features of the plasma build-up and decay were studied analytically and numerically with a simple simulation of the experiment. The numerical results were in qualitative agreement with the density profiles observed experimentally inside the device. The strong density gradients, obtained at the large values of the quadrupole current for which the flux surfaces are strongly elliptical, greatly enhanced the classical radial losses, particularly from ion-ion collisions. When included in the numerical model, the theoretical radial loss rates indicated a significant (up to 30%) decrease of the plasma lifetime inside the multiple mirror for the large values of the quadrupole current necessary for stability, in reasonable agreement with the experimental results.
Kolmogorov-Sinai Entropy Rate versus Physical Entropy

We elucidate the connection between the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy rate {kappa} and the time evolution of the physical or statistical entropy S . For a large family of chaotic conservative dynamical systems including the simplest ones, the evolution of S(t) for far-from-equilibrium processes includes a stage during which S is a simple linear function of time whose slope is {kappa} . We present numerical confirmation of this connection for a number of chaotic symplectic maps, ranging from the simplest two-dimensional ones to a four-dimensional and strongly nonlinear map. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Case report 792

Eosinophilic granuloma is commonly thought of as a disease of children which can occur in either the axial or the appendicular skeleton. Only approximately 10% of cases occur in patients over the age of 40 years, and only approximately 12% of lesions occur in the pelvis, with no previously illustrated cases of this combination of age and location. These facts along with the nonspecific radiographic appearance made biopsy necessary for the correct diagnosis in the patient described.
The variation of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater over the South and Central Atlantic Ocean

Abstract The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater over the South and Central Atlantic Ocean was determined. The rainwater samples were collected during an Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) sponsored baseline expedition in May and June 1996. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was determined on diluted samples using a cobalt-catalyzed luminol chemiluminesence method. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater varied from 3.5 to 71 μM with an average (n=25) and standard deviation of 26 and 22 μM, respectively. These are similar to previously reported average hydrogen peroxide concentrations in marine rainwater of the Gulf of Mexico (40 μM), the western Atlantic Ocean (13 μM), and Florida Keys (28 μM). The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater varied with time of the day, with lower concentrations in early morning and higher concentrations in the late afternoon. The rainwater concentration of hydrogen peroxide also decreased during a rainstorm that may be an indication of a washout effect. The general levels of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater reported here and elsewhere together with the satellite-measured global distribution of precipitation indicate that wet deposition could affect water column hydrogen peroxide significantly in certain parts of the world.
CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN RENIN TRANSGENE RESPONSE TO INCREASED CIRCULATING ANGIOTENSIN II AND HYPERTENSION IN TRANSGENIC MICE. • 2209

We have described a paradoxical upregulation of human renin mRNA in the kidney of transgenic mice containing both human renin and angiotensinogen genes (double transgenic). These mice exhibit hypertension and increased levels of angiotensin II (AII). In contrast, expression of the endogenous mouse renin gene decreased as expected in response to these stimuli.
Extracellular ATP Inhibits Adrenergic Agonist–Induced Hypertrophy of Neonatal Cardiac Myocytes

We have previously shown that extracellular ATP, like norepinephrine (NE) and many other hypertrophy-inducing agents, increases expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and junB in cultured neonatal cardiac myocytes but that the intracellular signaling pathways activated by ATP and responsible for these changes differ from those stimulated by NE. Furthermore, whereas NE increases incorporation of [14C]phenylalanine (14C-Phe) and cell size in neonatal cardiomyocytes, ATP does not. Since ATP is coreleased with NE from sympathetic nerve endings in the heart, we investigated whether ATP could modulate cardiac hypertrophy induced by adrenergic agonists, such as NE. We report in the present study that extracellular ATP inhibited the increase in incorporation of 14C-Phe into cellular protein and the increase in cell size in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes that was induced by NE, phenylephrine (PE), basic fibroblast growth factor, or endothelin-1. This inhibition was dose dependent, occurred predominantly through P2 purinergic receptors, and was observed even when cells were treated with ATP for as little as 1 hour before the addition of the hypertrophy-inducing agent. ATP also selectively affected changes in gene expression associated with hypertrophy. It prevented PE-stimulated increases in atrial natriuretic factor and myosin light chain-2 mRNA levels, while appearing to augment basal and PE-stimulated skeletal alpha-actin mRNA levels. ATP alone increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase mRNA levels but had no effect when added with PE. ATP did not significantly affect the level of the constitutively expressed mRNA for GAPDH. Neither the PE-stimulated increase in immediate-early gene expression nor the initial induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity by PE was inhibited by ATP. These results demonstrate that extracellular ATP can inhibit hypertrophic growth of neonatal cardiac myocytes and differentially alter the changes in gene expression that accompany hypertrophy.
Glucose uptake by gliomas after treatment. A positron emission tomographic study.

• Positron emission tomographic scanning with fludeoxyglucose F 18 ( 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose) was used to study acute changes in gliomas after chemotherapy. In six experimental subjects, scans were obtained before and at days 1, 7, and 30 after treatment. Five control patients with gliomas who did not undergo chemotherapy had two scans, 1 month apart. Ratios were calculated between peak tumor regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose and contralateral white matter. The percent change in ratios relative to each patient's baseline scan was calculated. Ratios in three stable controls remained unchanged over the study interval; in two controls it increased 155% and 36% and both died of tumor progression. In experimental subjects, ratios increased 20% to 100% 24 hours after chemotherapy and then decreased until at 28 days they varied between 22% above and 35% below baseline. The increased fludeoxyglucose F 18 uptake at 24 hours could be from uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation or shunting glucose to ribose phosphates for salvage nucleoside synthesis.
Decomposing CO2 fluxes measured over a mixed ecosystem at a tall tower and extending to a region: A case study

[1] CO2 fluxes for six stand types are inferred by decomposing eddy-covariance (EC) fluxes measured at a 447-m tower using footprint models and ecosystem models in a case study. The functional parameters in the ecosystem models are estimated for each stand type utilizing temporal EC flux series. The results show differences in terms of the functional parameters and fluxes among the different stand types that are consistent with general expectations for the respective stand types. The fluxes, in addition to measurements at two nearby short towers, are used for flux aggregation in the region. Comparisons suggest that it is critical for flux aggregation to distinguish the wetland from the upland. A distinction among three upland forests and between forested and lowland wetlands could be important, too. The difference in aggregated values of net ecosystem-atmospheric exchange of CO2 with the watershed function classification scheme and with the stand-type level classification scheme can reach about 250 gC m−2 season−1 over the entire growing season. Analyses suggest that the six-stand classification scheme still does not capture all the variability in stand characteristics relevant to CO2 exchange. In addition, the varying fluxes for the same stand type with location in the region challenge the widely used land-cover-based ecosystem classification scheme. It is improper to use EC measurements at any single tower to approximate CO2 fluxes in the region. Implications may help identify key ecosystem types and design more measurements in the region. Limitations and future efforts are discussed.
International infrastructure to control infectious diseases

Remarkable gains in the control of infectious diseases have occurred during the twentieth century. These have permitted life expectancles to approach 80 years for one fifth of the world's population. To effect reductions in child mortality to the rest, structured changes such as economic improvement, basic sanitation, education, reduced population growth and improvements in agriculture and nutrition are needed. Nearly US$40 billion in development investment supports these fundamental changes. For the near term, vertical programmes such as the Expanded Program on Immunization afford critical reductions in child mortality at relatively low cost. A network of multinational and bilateral agencies support structural and programmatic changes. Research holds the promise of improving still further the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of infectious disease control programmes. Leading causes of child mortality and their social and economic correlates are reviewed.
Satellite Microwave Observations of Precipitation Correlated with Intensification Rate in Extratropical Oceanic Cyclones

Abstract Precipitation parameters derived from 31 SSM/I microwave images of 23 deepening extratropical oceanic cyclones have been examined for statistical correlations with storm surface central pressure and 12-h central pressure change. Good correlations (r ∼ 0.8) were found between precipitation observed in the northeast sector of the storm and latitude-normalized deepening rate. The correlation was highest (r = 0.83) for an SSM/I 85.5-GHz scattering index that responds specifically to cold-cloud (especially convective) precipitation. Considerably weaker correlations (approximately −0.3) were found between SSM/I rainfall indices and the estimated surface central pressure at the time of the overpasses. These observational results support a strong dynamic link between latent heat release due to precipitation and synoptic-scale cyclogenesis.
QCD predictions for the decay of the tau lepton.

The semileptonic decay rate of a heavy lepton is shown to be rigorously calculable by use of perturbative QCD. Even the \ensuremath{\tau} lepton is heavy enough for the perturbative approximation to be accurate. The prediction for the ratio R=\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{v}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$+hadrons)/\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{v}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$+${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+v${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{e}}$) is 3.29, with an uncertainty of about 1% due to the uncertainty in the \ensuremath{\Lambda} parameter of QCD. Nonperturbative corrections to this prediction are estimated to be on the order of 1%. More importantly, these corrections are shown to be negative because of a fortuitous cancellation of the leading contribution from the gluon condensate. The resulting prediction is significantly smaller than the present experimental result R=3.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13.
Histoplasmosis and subcutaneous nodules in a kidney transplant recipient: erythema nodosum versus fungal panniculitis.

Erythema nodosum (EN)-like lesions are a rare occurrence after solid organ transplantation. Differential diagnosis includes infective panniculitis, which can be a feature of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH), an uncommon but severe form affecting primarily immunocompromised hosts. We report on a fatal case of PDH, which presented as fungal panniculitis masquerading as EN in a renal allograft recipient 25 years after transplantation. We discuss the clinical, histopathological, and microbiological characteristics of this rare complication, with focus on its distinction from EN. This case emphasizes the central role of biopsy in transplant recipients presenting with cutaneous lesions, and the importance of clinicopathologic correlation and complementary microbiological investigations.
A video system for in situ measurement of size and settling velocity of suspended particulates

Abstract A video camera system is described which is designed to make in situ measurements of particle size and settling velocity under conditions of strong currents and high suspended sediment concentrations. The system consists of a Sony Hi8 video camera attached to a miniaturized sediment trap and an underwater light. With the camera lens set at wide angle, the total field of view is 15 mm in the vertical and the camera can resolve particle sizes ranging from 100 μm to several millimetres. The system is programmed to record a 7-s time series of images every 6 h over a 4-mo deployment. Results from the initial deployment showed settling flocs that ranged from 100 to greater than 500 μm in diameter. By comparison of sequential images, these particles were found to be settling at speeds ranging from 0.1 to 2.2 mm·s −1 and a strong correlation existed between particle size and settling velocity. Effective floc density did not significantly change with floc size. These initial tests suggest that this video system can provide valuable information on floc size and settling velocity from long-term deployments in energetic shelf environments.
Purkinje cell loss and the noradrenergic system in the cerebellum of pcd mutant mice.

Abstract Purkinje cells in the cerebellum receive inhibitory noradrenergic input from the locus coeruleus. In pcd mutant mice all Purkinje cells degenerate by 45 days of age. The purpose of the present studies was to determine if the loss of these cerebellar neurons affects the amounts of norepinephrine in the cerebellum of mice 25–280 days of age. No significant changes in norepinephrine content were detected during or after Purkinje cell degeneration. However, since degeneration led to a reduction in cerebellar weight, the norepinephrine concentration was increased in pcd mutants. These results indicate that despite the loss of a major postsynaptic target (Purkinje cells), the cerebellar noradrenergic input remains stable.
Digitally generated excitation and near-baseband quadrature detection of rapid scan EPR signals

The use of multiple synchronized outputs from an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) provides the opportunity to perform EPR experiments differently than by conventional EPR. We report a method for reconstructing the quadrature EPR spectrum from periodic signals that are generated with sinusoidal magnetic field modulation such as continuous wave (CW), multiharmonic, or rapid scan experiments. The signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) that is less than the field scan or field modulation frequency and then digitized in a single channel. This method permits use of a high-pass analog filter before digitization to remove the strong non-EPR signal at the IF, that might otherwise overwhelm the digitizer. The IF is the difference between two synchronized X-band outputs from a Tektronix AWG 70002A, one of which is for excitation and the other is the reference for down-conversion. To permit signal averaging, timing was selected to give an exact integer number of full cycles for each frequency. In the experiments reported here the IF was 5kHz and the scan frequency was 40kHz. To produce sinusoidal rapid scans with a scan frequency eight times IF, a third synchronized output generated a square wave that was converted to a sine wave. The timing of the data acquisition with a Bruker SpecJet II was synchronized by an external clock signal from the AWG. The baseband quadrature signal in the frequency domain was reconstructed. This approach has the advantages that (i) the non-EPR response at the carrier frequency is eliminated, (ii) both real and imaginary EPR signals are reconstructed from a single physical channel to produce an ideal quadrature signal, and (iii) signal bandwidth does not increase relative to baseband detection. Spectra were obtained by deconvolution of the reconstructed signals for solid BDPA (1,3-bisdiphenylene-2-phenylallyl) in air, 0.2mM trityl OX63 in water, 15N perdeuterated tempone, and a nitroxide with a 0.5G partially-resolved proton hyperfine splitting.
Analysis of a collisional plasma rotating inside a cylindrical annulus

Abstract A collisional plasma confined between co-axial cylindrical electrodes and rotating under E × B fields has been analysed in the diffuse discharge regime on the basis of 2-species MHD momentum equations, including Lorentz, pressure, centrifugal, coriolis and collisional forces, for possible applications to MHD disc generators, isotope separation and plasma diagnostics. Plasma neutrality and constant and uniform electron and gas temperatures have been assumed; boundary layer effects have been neglected. The non-dimensional equations were numerically solved to obtain stationary solutions of velocity and density distributions, for argon at a pressure of 33 Torr. It is observed that: 1. The centrifugal force is negligible. 2. Coriolis and electron pressure gradient terms need to be included (though their contributions are small) for simultaneous balance of radial and azimuthal momenta. 3. The distributions are different for currents flowing radially inward and outward. 4. Retrograde motion (in part or whole of the annulus) occurs over a range of B fields for current flowing radially inward.
Stochastic contour approach for automatic image segmentation

Automatic image segmentation is a fundamental and challenging work in image analysis. We present a stochastic contour approach that draws the contour by multiple agents stochastically, each driven by a simple policy. A contour confidence map is formed, and the image is partitioned hierarchically according to the probability of being surrounded by an average contour. The segmentation is formed by truncating the hierarchical tree based on the dissimilarity increment. The average contour formed in the stochastic contour approach no longer depends on the initial conditions and tolerates less guaranteed convergence. The stochastic contour evolution provides perturbation to jump out of local minima, while the average contour handles model uncertainty naturally. No training process is involved in this approach. The experimental evaluation on a large amount of images with diverse visual properties has shown robustness and good performance of our technique.