cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Synchrophasor Data Anomaly Detection and Classification Using Isolation Forest, KMeans, and LoOP

Power grid operators assess situational awareness using time-tagged measurements from phasor measurement units (PMUs) placed at multiple locations in a network. However, synchrophasor measurements are prone to anomalies which may impact the performance of phasor based applications. Anomalies include any deviation from expected measurements resulting from power system events or bad data. Bad data include data errors or loss of information due to failures in supporting synchrophasor cyber infrastructure. It is necessary to flag bad data before utilizing for an application. This work proposes a tool for the detection and classification of anomalous data using an unsupervised stacked ensemble learning algorithm. The proposed synchrophasor anomaly detection and classification (SyADC) tool analyzes a selected window of data points using a combination of three unsupervised methods, namely: isolation forest, KMeans and LoOP. The method classifies the data as anomalies or normal data with more than 99% recall. The method also provides a probability of the data to be an event or bad data with more than 99% recall. Results for the IEEE 14 and 68 bus systems with synchrophasor data obtained using Real-Time Digital Simulator and data of industrial PMUs highlight the superiority of the algorithm to detect and classify anomalies.
Integrated Meditation and Exercise Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot of a Combined Nonpharmacological Intervention Focused on Reducing Disability and Pain in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective This pilot trial examined the effects of a combined intervention of mindfulness meditation followed by aerobic walking exercise compared with a control condition in chronic low back pain patients. We hypothesized that meditation before exercise would reduce disability, pain, and anxiety by increasing mindfulness prior to physical activity compared with an audiobook control group. Participants Thirty-eight adults completed either meditation and exercise treatment (MedExT) (n=18) or an audiobook control condition (n=20). Setting Duquesne University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Design A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Methods Over a 4-week period, participants in the MedExT group performed 12-17 minutes of guided meditation followed by 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking exercise 5 days per week. Measures of disability, pain, mindfulness, and anxiety were taken at baseline and postintervention. Pain perception measurements were taken daily. Results Compared with the control group, we observed larger improvements in disability in the MedExT intervention, although the changes were modest and not statistically significant (mean between-group difference, -1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.1 to 0.6). For secondary outcome measures, MedExT increased mindfulness (within-group) from pre-intervention to postintervention (P=0.0141). Additionally, mean ratings of low back pain intensity and unpleasantness significantly improved with time for the MedExT group compared with that of the control group, respectively (intensity P=0.0008; unpleasantness P=0.0022). Conclusion . Overall, 4 weeks of MedExT produced suggestive between-group trends for disability, significant between-group differences for measures of pain, and significant within-group increases in mindfulness.
Analysis of the Electromagnetic Field Generated by Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a stimulating therapy currently used to treat the motor disabilities that occur as a result of Parkinson's disease (PD). The mechanism of how DBS treats PD is poorly understood. Currently, there is a paucity of data from in-vivo human studies on the electromagnetic field (EMF) generated within neural tissue by DBS. In this study, the EMF generated by DBS was analyzed at different distances from the stimulating electrodes. Our goal was to examine how the EMF strength changed with distance in the human brain. The resulting analysis demonstrated differences of several orders of magnitude across the distances measured. With further study, we aim to connect the EMF effect on neural structures to the efficacy of DBS treatment.
Review of Intravesicular Cidofovir for BK Virus Hemorrhagic Cystitis

BK virus (BKV) reactivation in immunosuppressed patients, specifically in patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, can result in hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). The mainstay of treatment to date has been a reduction of immunosuppression and symptom management; the utility of antiviral therapy has been uncertain. Several recent studies have reported the outcomes of intravesicular instillation of the antiviral agent cidofovir for treating this infection. This paper seeks to summarize the current literature on intravesicular cidofovir treatment for BKV-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (BKV-HC). The literature review identified 116 patients, both adults and children, in 17 studies, who received intravesicular cidofovir for the treatment of BKV-HC. Complete clinical response was observed in 72% (58/81) of adults and 74% (26/35) of children across the reported studies. No permanent systemic toxicities were reported with intravesicular cidofovir, in contrast with intravenous use, which was associated with significant nephrotoxicity. However, bladder pain and spasms after instillation of CDV were reported by 20–50% of patients across the various studies. Intravesicular cidofovir shows promise in treating BKV-HC with minimal reported toxicity. However, a majority of reports are retrospective case studies and are limited by small sample sizes and no control groups. Further investigation through randomized controlled trials is warranted to guide the use of intravesicular cidofovir for this common post-transplant complication.
Improving LC-MS analysis of human milk B-vitamins by lactose removal.

Abstract Our previously reported, first validated, UPLC-MS/MS-based simultaneous analysis of five human milk B-vitamins revealed severe matrix effects. High levels of endogenous lactose fouled the electrospray ionization source affecting the analysis. We evaluated solid-phase extraction (SPE), liquid–solid extraction (LSE), protein precipitation (PPT), and liquid chromatography effluent diversion for lactose-removal. SPE failed to separate lactose from vitamins; LSE using 2-propanol reduced lactose and vitamin recoveries. PPT-solvent, milk volume, and reconstitution solvent influenced flavin adenine dinucleotide, pyridoxal and nicotinamide recoveries. Using an optimized LC-gradient enabled chromatographic separation of lactose from vitamins and its removal using a post-column switch-valve. Only 40 µL milk was subjected to methanol-PPT and non-polar matrix removal by methyl tert-butyl ether. B-vitamin recoveries were established (81.9–118.6%; CV ≤ 11.9%; precision: 4.9–13.7%) with greatly reduced matrix effects, and improved process efficiency, and recovery.
Handbook of Nutrient Requirements of Finfish

Handbook of nutrient requirements of finfish , Handbook of nutrient requirements of finfish , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Engineering a delta protein kinase C inhibitor that selectively inhibits interaction and phosphorylation of one substrate of the multi-substrate kinase (582.3)

Rationale: Many kinases phosphorylate multiple substrates. To assess the role of an individual phosphorylation event without using laborious mutagenesis studies, selective pharmacological tools that inhibit phosphorylation of specific one substrate are needed. We focused on delta protein kinase C (δPKC) because δPKC activation after heart attack leads to cardiac damage. We reasoned that since pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) phosphorylation by δPKC leads to inhibition of ATP production, it might be critical in the injurious effect δPKC after heart attack. To determine if of the many substrates of δPKC, PDK is the substrate that mediates this injurious effect in the heart, we designed a selective inhibitor of δPKC binding and phosphorylation of PDK. Methods: We designed a short peptide inhibitor that mimics a unique interaction between PDK and δPKC to selectively inhibit δPKC phosphorylation of PDK. This protein-protein interaction inhibitory peptide (PPIIP) was used in vitro, in cells and in intact hea...
IT Governance Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Recommendations from an Empirical Study

Much has been learned through IT governance research about the nature of IT-related decisions, the location of decision rights for these decisions, and governance mechanisms applied to facilitate associated decision processes in large organisations. Our knowledge about IT governance structures in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), on the other hand, is quite limited. Adopting a qualitative and inductive approach, this study examines the nature and influence of IT governance in SMEs through interviews with executives from three SMEs. Our results demonstrate that IT decision authority was centralized in all three SMEs but that senior management involvement in governance procedures and communication practices about governance policies were observed to explain differences in these organisations’ IT use. We propose recommendations based on the findings of this study.
The National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term Care Study: Pressure ulcer development in long-term care residents

Objectives: To identify resident, treatment, and facility characteristics associated with pressure ulcer (PU) development in long-term care residents. Design: Retrospective cohort study with convenience sampling. Setting: Ninety-five long-term care facilities participating in the National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term Care Study throughout the United States. Participants: A total of 1,524 residents aged 18 and older, with length of stay of 14 days or longer, who did not have an existing PU but were at risk of developing a PU, as defined by a Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk score of 17 or less, on study entry. Measurements: Data collected for each resident over a 12-week period included resident characteristics (e.g., demographics, medical history, severity of illness using the Comprehensive Severity Index, Braden Scale scores, nutritional factors), treatment characteristics (nutritional interventions, pressure management strategies, incontinence treatments, medications), staffing ratios and other facility characteristics, and outcome (PU development during study period). Data were obtained from medical records, Minimum Data Set, and other written records (e.g., physician orders, medication logs). Results: Seventy-one percent of subjects (n=1,081) did not develop a PU during the 12-week study period; the remaining 29% of residents (n=443) developed a new PU. Resident, treatment, and facility characteristics associated with greater likelihood of developing a Stage I to IV PU included higher initial severity of illness, history of recent PU, significant weight loss, oral eating problems, use of catheters, and use of positioning devices. Characteristics associated with decreased likelihood of developing a Stage I to IV PU included new resident, nutritional intervention (e.g., use of oral medical nutritional supplements and tube feeding for >21 days), antidepressant use, use of disposable briefs for more than 14 days, registered nurse hours of 0.25 hours per resident per day or more, nurses' aide hours of 2 hours per resident per day or more, and licensed practical nurse turnover rate of less than 25%. When Stage I PUs were excluded from the analyses, the same variables were significant, with the addition of fluid orders associated with decreased likelihood of developing a PU. Conclusion: A broad range of factors, including nutritional interventions, fluid orders, medications, and staffing patterns, are associated with prevention of PUs in long-term care residents. Research-based PU prevention protocols need to be developed that include these factors and target interventions for reducing risk factors.
Hormonal control of a developing neuromuscular system. I. Complete Demasculinization of the male rat spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus using the anti-androgen flutamide

Prenatal treatment of male rats with the anti-androgen, flutamide (FL), demasculinizes the sexually dimorphic spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) by reducing the number of SNB neurons, the size of the somas and nuclei of SNB neurons, and the size of their target muscles in adulthood. However, FL does not affect mounting or the traditional, postural measure of intromission, indicating that the SNB system does not play a major role in the mediation of these particular behaviors. Postnatal testosterone propionate (TP) treatment of male rats castrated on the day of birth results in more male copulatory behaviors in adulthood and masculinizes all measures of the SNB system. The postnatal masculinization by TP is more pronounced in males treated prenatally with FL, for morphological but not behavioral measures. The combined treatment of prenatal FL and day 1 castration without TP therapy results in a male with a completely demasculinized SNB system. Specifically, such males have SNB neurons that are as scarce and as small as those of females and, like females, they lack the target muscles of the SNB. These results support the hypothesis that perinatal androgens normally direct the sexually dimorphic development of the SNB and its target muscles.
Hand orientation and perturbation effects during reaching and grasp

Hand and arm coordination and orientation during reach to grasp tasks were studied. Subjects were instructed to perform reaching and making a grip-type grasp on targets with various orientation angles and locations. We tested three conditions: movements to targets of fixed location and orientation, movements to targets with a predictably perturbed orientation, and movements to targets with a randomly perturbed orientation. For fixed target orientations the hand rotated quickly together with the initiation of reaching movement. The amount of rotation was proportional to the final required orientation of the hand for the grip. In the predictable orientation task, the hand would first make a rotation required for the original target orientation and then correct for the final target orientation. Such correction occurred approximately 170 ms after the onset of the target orientation change. This latency was gradually reduced as the subjects accustomed to the perturbation and the hand orientation trajectory started to shift to match closer to that for the final target orientation. This adaptation was different under the random perturbation condition. No clear orientation trajectory adaptation but a generally faster correction was observed.
The Free Vibrations of a Spinning Centrally Clamped Shallow Spherical Shell

Spinning centrally clamped thin shallow spherical shell free vibration numerical analysis by considering perturbation about equilibrium configuration
WE‐E‐116‐01: Grantsmanship and Funding

This symposium is organized by the Working Group on Funding and Grantsmanship (WGFG: http://www.aapm.org/org/structure/?committee_Code=WGFG); one of the WG of the AAPM Research Committee. The main goal of this symposium is to introduce to the membership two Federal Funding Agencies (NSF and DOE) that are typically less frequently approached for funding medical physics research than the NIH. Speakers representing all funding agencies will inform the audience of their roadmap initiatives and the type of research they will most likely fund, including highlights of their respective research opportunities. 1. NIH Updates: James A. Deye, Ph.D., Program Director 2. NSF Funding: Edwin Romeijn, Ph.D., Program Director 3. DOE Funding: Rock Mackie, Ph.D. A Grantsmanship keynote presentation is dedicated to NCI R01 and R21 applications, followed by two perspectives to writing a winning grant proposal which will be presented by two New Investigators (one from the Therapy side and the other from the Imaging side). 4. “Grantsmanship for NCI R01 and R21 applications”: Harald Paganetti, Ph.D. 5. New Investigator's perspectives to writing a winning grant proposal: a) Therapy investigator: Jian‐Yue Jin, Ph.D. b) Imaging investigator: Sarah McGuire, Ph.D. The symposium will be followed with a 20 minutes Q&A session between the audience and all the speakers.
Assessment of serum myokines and markers of inflammation associated with exercise in endurance racing sled dogs.

Background The endurance sled dog is the ultimate endurance athlete in which to examine the exercise-associated acute phase and myokine responses that might be related to changes in muscle metabolism and damage. An inciting cause for increased C-reactive protein has yet to be elucidated, which might involve interleukin-6 and other myokines. Objectives To examine concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-15 (IL-15), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and markers of the inflammatory response of exercise; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) before, during, and after an endurance racing event. Animals 26 sled dogs completing a 1650-km race. Methods In a prospective study, cephalic venipuncture was performed before racing, at the midpoint, and after racing. Body weight and serum CRP, MCP-1, IL-15, IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbance-based assays or a luminex multiplex assay. Results There were no significant differences in concentrations of IL-6, IL-15, IL-8, or TNF-α at the 3 time points, whereas there were significant increases in MCP-1 (median and range—start: 86 pg/mL [30–1845]; midpoint: 179 pg/mL [53–730]; finish: 180 pg/mL [21–1294]; P < .01) and CRP (median and range—start: 18 μg/mL [11–58]; midpoint: 76 μg/mL [12–198]; finish: 60 μg/mL [12–170]; P < .01) at the midpoint and race finish. There was a significant linear relationship between MCP-1 and IL-6 (R = 0.68; P < .01). Conclusions and Clinical Significance The inflammatory response to exercise increases as measured by MCP-1 during and after endurance exercise in sled dogs. IL-6 appears to be associated with MCP-1; however, the reasons for increases in the acute phase response (CRP) cannot be attributed to IL-6 or other myokines. IL-6 and MCP-1 concentrations might be useful in future investigations of exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Home environment, family adjustment, and the development of mentally retarded children

Abstract This study describes the relationships between home environment, family adjustment and the social competency of TMR and EMR children. The home environmental variables included parental behavior and attitude, psychosocial climate, and demographic and structural characteristics of the families. The measures of family adjustment included the mentally retarded child's impact on the family and the family's capacity to cope with mental retardation. The child characteristics were described in terms of adaptive and maladaptive behavior, psychological and social adjustment, and self-concept measures. Canonical correlation analysis revealed conceptual and statistical linkages between home environment, family adjustment, and the competency of mentally retarded children.
Properties of ultraviolet light-induced suppressor lymphocytes within a syngeneic tumor system.

Abstract It has been reported that ultraviolet light (uv) irradiation of normal C3Hf mice generates theta-positive suppressor lymphocytes which, as assayed by adoptive transfer studies, mediates susceptibility to transplanted syngeneic uv-induced tumors. We now report that the cells with suppressor activity can be recovered and enriched for using nylon wool columns. These suppressor cells are found in the nylon nonadherent fraction. Further, while uv irradiated mice are susceptible to supporting the growth of transplanted syngeneic uv tumors long after termination of the uv exposures, adoptively transferred suppression wanes and normal mice exhibit time-dependent recovery.
Pathos reconsidered from the perspective of classical Chinese rhetorical theories

Pathos is a deeply problematic notion in the Western rhetorical tradition. This essay proposes that cross‐cultural rhetorical studies may provide singularly valuable insights into the sources of these difficulties with pathos. The argument proceeds by means of an extensive case study, that of appeals to the emotions in Classical Chinese rhetorics. The presuppositions of these rhetorics highlight the contingent nature of certain fundamental assumptions of many Western rhetorics and also point to potentially fruitful lines of reconceptualization for Western rhetorical theory, criticism, and pedagogy.
In situ encapsulation of horseradish peroxidase in electrospun porous silica fibers for potential biosensor applications.

Nanoporous silica nanofibers have been employed as a matrix to encapsulate horseradish peroxide enzymes via a simple electrospinning method. A viscous solution of prehydrolyzed tetramethyl orthosil...
Tribology of Sliding Elastic Media.

The tribology of a sliding elastic continuum in contact with a disordered substrate is investigated analytically and numerically via a bead-spring model. The deterministic dynamics of this system exhibits a depinning transition at a finite driving force, with complex spatial-temporal dynamics including stick-slip events of all sizes. These behaviors can be understood completely by mapping the system to the well-known problem of a directed path in higher-dimensional random media.
Premature temporal theta (PTθ)

Abstract A distinctive pattern called premature temporal theta (PTθ) was studied in 436 infants, ranging in age from 24 to 46 weeks. The pattern is seen in early prematurity, maximizes at 29–31 weeks and then diminishes and disappears near term. Usually the pattern is found independently on both temporal areas, but with a right-sided preference. Patients without PTθ or with a significantly low amount had either neurological or non-neurological (medical) conditions. With age there is a tendency for an increase in frequency and a decrease in amplitude. Five different peaks in the amount of this pattern are seen at approximately every month. Unilateral PTθ tends to be seen in older babies, more often on the right side and with an abnormal EEG. An abnormal EEG is usually associated with a delay in both the appearance and disappearance of this wave form. PTθ is also associated mainly with REM or active sleep. A polynomial rather than an exponential or power function best describes these data with changes of age. PTθ may arise from the inferior temporal gyrus and/or especially the transverse gyrus.
VERTICAL VARIATION OF HARMONIC FUNCTIONS IN UPPER HALF-SPACES

Some results of Bourgain on the radial variation of harmonic functions in the disk are extended to the setting of harmonic functions in upper half-spaces.
A Study of the Relation of Seronegative and Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis to Each Other and to Necrotizing Vasculitis

Abstract A clinical-laboratory correlation was made in 136 patients with arthritis diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis by American Rheumatism Association criteria. Twenty-nine patients were seronegative and 107 seropositive for anti-IgG globulins. The frequency distribution for positive and negative titers for anti-IgG activity suggested that seropositive and seronegative patients may belong to truly distinct serologic populations. Other corollary differences existed in the groups: the IgG level in seropositive patients was most closely correlated with the IgA level, whereas in seronegative patients with arthritis it was most closely correlated with the IgM level; the hemolytic complement titer was lower in the seropositive than in the seronegative patients; and the quantity of precipitable euglobulin was greater in seropositive than in seronegative patients. In the seropositive patients the titer of latex anti-IgG activity showed a weak negative correlation with complement titer. Necrotizing vasculitis occurred exclusively among seropositive patients with higher titers. Serum complement activity was significantly lower in the patients with vasculitis. It seems probable that necrotizing vasculitis is an extreme manifestation of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, and that necrotizing vasculitis occurs seldom if at all in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
Organization of taste-evoked activity in the hamster parabrachial nucleus.

Abstract Small groups of 3–4 neighboring taste neurons in the hamster parabrachial nucleus (PBN) were either generalists (42%) or specialists (58%). Generalists responded well to sucrose, NaCl, KCl, and their mixture but specialists responded to only one or two stimuli. PBN temporal response patterns resembled chorda tympani patterns, indicating that they were preserved across two synapses. Generalist neuron-groups were distributed throughout the central medial (CM) subdivision of PBN. Sucrose-sensitive neuron-groups, which responded best to mixtures, were restricted to rostral CM, whereas most NaCl-best neuron groups were in caudal CM. These results suggest a multifaceted functional organization of taste sensibilities in the PBN.
Approach and Avoidance Relationship Commitment

The current paper proposes that relationship commitment is a goal; and as such, is regulated by the approach and avoidance dimensions. We suggest that two types of commitment exist: approach commitment, the desire to maintain and continue the relationship, and avoidance commitment, the desire to avoid relationship dissolution. Specifically, approach commitment is associated with a desire for future relationship incentives and rewards; and avoidance commitment is a desire to avoid the negative consequences or costs of relationship dissolution. In this paper, we evaluate previous research on relationship commitment from an approach and avoidance goal theory perspective, and then present an approach and avoidance commitment model and hypotheses testable in future research.
L-subshell ionization by proton and alpha-particle bombardment of Ta, Au, and Bi

Cross sections for ionization of the ${L}_{\mathrm{I}}$, ${L}_{\mathrm{II}}$, and ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$ subshells in Ta, Au, and Bi have been measured for proton energies from 1.0 to 5.5 MeV and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle energies from 1.0 to 11.0 MeV. X-ray spectra recorded with a Si(Li) detector were used to deduce the subshell ionization cross sections: $L\ensuremath{\alpha}$ components give ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$ subshell ionization cross sections ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{3}}$, and $L\ensuremath{\gamma}$ components were computer analyzed into $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{5}$, $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}$, $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2+3}$, and $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{4}$ to give the ${L}_{\mathrm{II}}$ and ${L}_{\mathrm{I}}$ subshell ionization cross sections, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{2}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{1}}$, respectively. The data are compared with simple model calculations. The necessity of including some small but significant additional effects in the plane-wave Born-approximation treatment, particularly wave functions more realistic than the normally assumed hydrogenic forms, is discussed.
Somatotopic maps within the zona incerta relay parallel GABAergic somatosensory pathways to the neocortex, superior colliculus, and brainstem

Abstract Neurons located in the zona incerta (ZI) of the ventral thalamus project to several regions of the central nervous system, including the neocortex, superior colliculus, and brainstem. However, whether these projections are functionally segregated remains unknown. This issue was addressed here by combining neuroanatomical tracers with immunohistochemical staining for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and/or parvalbumin, coupled with neurophysiological mapping. GABAergic projection neurons were found in four distinct subregions of the ZI including: (1) the rostral pole of the ZI, from which neurons project to the supragranular layers of the neocortex (especially layer I); (2) the dorsal subregion of the ZI, where both ascending projections to the neocortex and descending projections to the pretectal area were observed; (3) the ventral subregion of the ZI, whose neurons project to the superior colliculus; and 3) the caudal pole of the ZI, from which descending projections to the lower brainstem and spinal cord were observed. Somatotopic representations of the contralateral cutaneous periphery were also identified in the dorsal and ventral subregions of ZI, both of which were found to receive dense direct afferent projections from the trigeminal complex, and dorsal column nuclei. These results suggest that the rat ZI is a major somatosensory relay in the ventral thalamus, carrying feed-forward inhibitory signals to neocortical and subcortical targets, in parallel with the excitatory somatosensory pathways.
Influence of Dietary Fatty Acids on Cytokine Production and Its Clinical Implications

Cytokines and eicosanoids are important biologic mediators with tightly regulated production. Overproduction contributes to pathogenesis of chronic and acute inflammatory, autoimmune, atherosclerotic, and neoplastic diseases. Animal and human studies have shown that production of cytokines and eicosanoids can be reduced by certain dietary fatty acids, specifically those containing long-chain (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This in turn results in reduction of the severity of certain autoimmune, inflammatory, and atherosclerotic diseases. Because these cytokines are also involved in control of the host defense, substantial reduction in their production could also result in the impairment of normal immune response. Increased intake of (n-3) PUFAs without adequate antioxidant protection could result in increased free radical formation and lipid peroxidation. Thus, when (n-3) PUFAs are used to reduce the pathogenesis of these diseases, its possible adverse effects should be considered and prevented.
Female sex steroids: effects upon microglial cell activation

Multiple sclerosis occurs more commonly in females than males. However, the mechanisms resulting in gender differences in multiple sclerosis are unknown. Activated microglia are believed to contribute to multiple sclerosis pathology, perhaps in part due to production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha, molecules which can be toxic to cells including oligodendrocytes. The current study demonstrates that the female sex steroids estriol, beta-estradiol and progesterone inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of nitric oxide (NO) production by primary rat microglia and by the mouse N9 microglial cell line. These hormones act by inhibiting the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) which catalyses the synthesis of NO. Estriol likely inhibits iNOS gene expression since the hormone blocks LPS induction of iNOS RNA levels. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha are believed to be important modulators of multiple sclerosis. Here, we demonstrate that estrogens and progesterone also inhibit NO production by microglial cells activated in response to these cytokines. Activated microglia elicit TNF-alpha in addition to NO and we further demonstrate that estrogens and progesterone repress TNF-alpha production by these cells. Finally, estriol and progesterone, at concentrations consistent with late pregnancy, inhibit NO and TNF-alpha production by activated microglia, suggesting that hormone inhibition of microglial cell activation may contribute to the decreased severity of multiple sclerosis symptoms commonly associated with pregnancy.
Lentil green manure as fallow replacement in the semiarid northern Great Plains

Green manures (GM) may offset inorganic N needs and improve soil quality. Study objectives were to determine effects of green manure on soil-N fertility, water use, soil quality, and yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). On two treatments, lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus cv. Indianhead) was green manured in a green manure-spring wheat rotation. Lentil was killed by disking (GMMF) or chemicals (GMCF). Additional treatments were annually cropped wheat (AW) in a mechanical fallow (MF) or chemical fallow (CF) sequence. No inorganic N was used on GMMF and GMCF. Experiments were started in 1991 on a Williams loam (fine-loamy, mixed Typic Argiboroll) near Culbertson, MT. Green-manure treatments used 56 mm more water than fallow treatments when lentil was grown to lowerpod set. When lentil was killed at full bloom, there were no differences in water use among GM and fallow treatments. There were no differences among treatments in soil water at wheat planting. Wheat yield was 25% less on GM than on MF and CF. Soil NO 3 -N (0-0.6 m) was 35% less on GM than MF and CF rotations. There were no differences in soil quality indicators of bulk density, organic C, pH, electrical conductivity, and deep NO 3 -N (0.6-1.8 m) among treatments after two cycles of GM. Potentially mineralizable N was 66% greater on GM treatments than on fallow treatments. Short-term results (5 yr) show that available N limited wheat production more than did soil water on the GM treatments. Soil improvement using green manures may require many additional cropping cycles.
The wet tropospheric range correction - Product intercomparisons and the simulated effect for tropical Pacific altimeter retrievals

Four data sets used to correct satellite altimetry for the effects of tropospheric water vapor over the tropical Pacific Ocean are evaluated statistically, with a focus on the period 1979-1983. Satellite altimeter measurements are simulated by degrading model sea-level solutions with selected water-vapor data, and seasonal and interannual variations are investigated. The results are presented in extensive contour maps and characterized in detail. The standard deviation between two satellite-based data sets (Nimbus-7 SMMR and TOVS) was found to be 2-4 cm, while both the rms difference between seasonal cycles of the two sets and the difference between the mean fields were 1-2 cm. Larger differences (4-8 cm) were found between these data sets and those based on operational analyses (ECMWF and Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center). The maximum interannual anomaly in the water-vapor correction was 12 cm, for the eastern Pacific at the peak of the 1982-1983 ENSO event.
DID THE OLD SOUTH HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN

In reality, no one single-handedly creates a new field of historical inquiry. As soon as you open your mouth to pronounce George Grote the modern father of ancient Greek history, you remember that August Boeckh, Karl Otfried Muller, and Connop Thirlwall laid Grote's groundwork. But it almost seems as if Michael O'Brien has pulled off such a feat. Taking the scattered bricks of the intellectual history of the antebellum American South, he has, over long years of labor, built from them a coherent structure where none existed before, a many-roomed mansion of the mind. The two volumes and 1,200 pages of Conjectures of Order: Intellectual Life and the American South, 1810–1860 culminate a quarter-century of rare scholarly achievement.
Fire spread in solid fuel arrays

A theoretical model is constructed that represents quasi-steady fire spread in solid fuel arrays. The continuum representation employs descriptors that follow naturally from existing flame theory and that correspond to real observables. A set of “debris conservation equations” is introduced that, when taken with the more familiar “energy equation,” provides for the interplay of a variety of transport processes in the determination of fire propagation. This continuum representation implies related combustion characteristics for arrays. These include array autoignition temperatures, firebrand-array ignition delays, array gasification kinetics, and array flame structure. The experimental determination of these characteristics is discussed.
Overexpression of Bcl-2 suppresses the calcium activation of a mitochondrial megachannel

The molecular mechanism(s) by which Bcl-2 regulates apoptosis is poorly understood. Bcl-2 suppresses apoptosis by inhibiting calcium activation of the permeability transition of mitochondria. In this patch-clamp study, overexpression of Bcl-2 in mitochondria of cultured cells suppressed calcium activation of a high conductance channel that may underlie the permeability transition. All other single channel parameters were identical when multiple conductance channel activities of mitochondria from control and Bcl-2 overexpressing cells were compared. Bcl-2 forms channels in artificial membranes; however, no novel channel activities could be linked to Bcl-2 overexpression, suggesting Bcl-2 does not form channels in native inner membranes of mitochondria.
Permanent indwelling peritoneal access device for the management of malignant ascites

The case presented demonstrates an alternative management approach for malignant ascites. A permanent indwelling peritoneal port for at-home, small-volume paracentesis, provided palliative therapy for a patient who had malignant ascites secondary to breast cancer. The device allowed paracentesis without the risk of repetitive peritoneal puncture or diuretic therapy.
Professional Administration of Volunteer Programs Now More Than Ever: A Case Example

The need for volunteers is greater than ever, and yet steady volunteerism has declined. This article describes a volunteer program implemented at two community-based aging services agencies that employed professional volunteer administrators. Specific objectives were evaluated after a year, along with cost effectiveness. In one year the administrators recruited and trained 871 new volunteers who performed more than 30,000 hours of primarily in-home services to an average of 226 unduplicated clients per month. Services were valued conservatively at almost $300,000 compared to the $100,000 outlay; thus, costs were $115 per volunteer. The vast majority of volunteers and staff agreed that the volunteer program was effectively managed and resulted in positive organizational change. Implications for professional volunteer coordination as a response to issues facing agencies are discussed.
Syn to anti isomerization and degradation of phosphines of the 7-phosphanorbornene system by action of methanol

Abstract Syn -Substituted phosphines of the 7-phosphanorbornene system form unstable phosphorane adducts with methanol that either fragment by retro-McCormack cycloaddition or undergo polytopal rearrangement and loss of methanol to give the first examples of anti phosphines.
Channel intrusion of gas diffusion media and the effect on fuel cell performance

The effect of gas diffusion medium (GDM) intrusion on the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is investigated. The mechanical behaviors of various GDM are characterized in compressive, flexural, and shear tests. The results are used in a numerical model to calculate the channel intrusion of GDM. The intrusion calculation from the numerical model agrees well with the measurements from an intrusion measurement setup and a pressure drop measurement device for various GDM. A simplified reactant flow redistribution model of parallel channels developed in this study suggests that a 5% variation in GDM intrusion can result in a 20% reduction of reactant flow in the most intruded channel. The GDM intrusion and intrusion variation are found to induce significant performance discrepancy among cells of a 30-cell automotive fuel cell stack consisting of two different production lots of commercial GDM. The study suggests that in the future mass production of fuel cell stacks, GDM manufacturers need to greatly tighten their product variations in mechanical property and thickness to ensure reliable PEM fuel cell operations.
Application of the FDTD method to the analysis of housing effects in active and nonlinear microwave circuits

This paper presents an application of the FDTD method to large-signal analysis of active and nonlinear microwave circuits. Nonlinear characteristics, such as harmonic generation and intermodulation, are analyzed through this full-wave technique. Results are validated by comparing with those of HP MDS simulation and are in good agreement. Moreover, the advantage of the method is demonstrated by simulating a packaged circuit.
Potential Impacts of Nesting Double-crested Cormorants on Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night-herons in the U.S. Great Lakes Region

Abstract With recovery of double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) in the Great Lakes region, their numbers have increased significantly leading to concern about potential impacts on other species. Cormorants are thought to affect co-occurring colonial waterbirds by usurping limited habitat and destroying vegetation used as nest sites by these species. This paper summarizes initial results from a study to assess potential impacts of double-crested cormorants on great blue herons ( Ardea herodius ) and black-crowned night-herons ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) in the Great Lakes. The study examined population trends, interspecific interactions, and cormorant impacts on vegetation. Despite a steady increase in breeding cormorants in the U.S. Great Lakes over the past two decades, population trends of great blue herons and black-crowned night-herons do not indicate cormorants have negatively influenced breeding distribution or productivity of either species at a regional scale. Cormorants have caused total or partial loss of forest cover at a number of islands in the U.S. Great Lakes and these initial data suggest soil chemistry at cormorant colony sites will affect normal plant growth and survival. However, site use data and field observations indicate double-crested cormorant presence has not caused black-crowned nightheron or great blue heron declines or abandonment except under special circumstances. Although preliminary, these results suggest cormorant control policy should not be justified by assumption of potential impacts on other waterbird species without careful documentation.
Bronchial arterial imaging using helical computed tomography.

Abstract The bronchial arteries, which provide the systemic arterial supply to the lungs, are involved in a variety of disease processes in humans, including congenital disorders, infection, and pulmonary thromboembolism. In these conditions, the bronchial arteries hypertrophy and bronchial blood flow increases. Consequently, in many disorders, such as bronchiectasis, the bronchial arteries are a frequent source of haemoptysis, which may be massive and life-threatening. Evaluation of the bronchial circulation has typically required invasive imaging with angiography to determine the location of bleeding. Non-invasive assessment of bronchial arterial anatomy and morphology is currently being investigated with the use of helical computed tomography (CT). We evaluated eight patients with various lung diseases with helical CT (GE Medical Systems, LS16, Milwaukee, WI) to determine the imaging features of the bronchial circulation. Non-ionic contrast medium (iopromide) was injected intravenously (80–1000 ml/30 s) and scanning was triggered once contrast material was present in the pulmonary artery (average delay=15 s) or ascending aorta (average delay=20 s). Detector collimation (16-row unit) was 10 mm. Imaging parameters included a section thickness of 0.6 mm, kilovolt peak of 120, 150–440 mA, pitch factor of 1.375, matrix of 512×512, and tube rotation time of 0.8 s. The images were reconstructed and scanned isotropically (Advantage Workstation 4.1,GE Medical Systems). We conclude that helical computed tomography may provide a non-invasive means of evaluating the bronchial arteries and their role in pulmonary disease processes.
Transport Mechanisms of Alkanethiols during Microcontact Printing on Gold

Microcontact printing (μCP) with elastomeric stamps is a versatile method to modify the chemistry of surfaces. We explore this patterning process here, examining the origin and character of its limits and demonstrating how best to use μCP and alkanethiols for lithography on gold at submicron scales. We find that, ultimately, this type of lithography is constrained by the need to carry the monolayer-forming reaction to completion, with significant degradation of the accuracy of prints at sub-500-nm scales due to molecular diffusion. Printing monolayers of eicosanethiol on gold proved to be the best practical compromise between self-assembly of the resist and its transport along the stamp and substrate interfaces as well as through the gas phase. Results for this system were particularly sensitive to the geometry of the stamp and how eicosanethiol was placed on, and transferred from, its surface to the gold. Our experiments, and simulations that corroborate them, show the relative importance of the various ...
Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) elevated to species rank based on behavior, habitat choice, morphometrics, and geographical variation of color.

Based upon laboratory and field studies, and examination of more than 3,500 museum specimens, Diabrotica longicornis barberi Smith and Lawrence is elevated to species rank. Diabrotica barberi and D. longicornis (Say) are distinct species whose ranges overlap in the central plains of the United States. Adults of D. longicornis are characterized by piceous antennae, tibiae, tarsi, and clypeus and are collected from cucurbits. Diabrotica barberi is commonly collected in cornfields and, where it is sympatric with D. longicornis, has yellow to testaceous antennae, tibiae, tarsi, and clypeus. The distinguishing colors prevailed in progeny of field-collected beetles fed from egg hatch to adulthood on a common diet. Sex pheromone extracts which attract D. barberi males did not attract D. longicornis males, and males of each species were attracted by conspecific virgin female beetles but not by females of the other species. In caged sexual compatibility experiments, mating success was asymmetrical. Discriminant analysis of 14 morphometric characters failed to discriminate completely between D. barberi and D. longicornis. Chromatic variation within D. barberi is geographically complex. The distribution of the two taxa is presented.
Synthesis and characterization of adamantane-containing poly(enaminonitriles)

Abstract The first aliphatic bis(chlorovinylidene cyanide) monomer, 1,3-bis(1-chloro-2,2-dicyanovinyl)adamantane, has been synthesized and polymerized with appropriate diamines to give adamantane-containing aromatic-aliphatic and all aliphatic poly(enaminonitriles) (PEANs) via vinylic nucleophilic substitution polymerization. The PEANs showed excellent solubility in polar aprotic solvents and good thermal stability (10% weight loss in air > 320 °C), despite the aliphatic contents of the polymers. Solution inherent viscosities of 0.23–0.90 dL/g were obtained. Three other new PEANs containing the adamantane-based cardo group were also synthesized via vinylic nucleophilic substitution polymerization from the adamanaine-containing cardo diamine 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]adamantane. The cardo PEANs showed better solubility in common organic solvents than the corresponding cardo polyamides. They also showed good thermal stabilities (10% weight loss in air > 339 °C) comparable to those of the corresponding cardo polyamides.