cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deformation mechanism maps for ceramics

Deformation mechanism maps may be constructed for either a constant grain size or a constant temperature. A simple method is described for constructing maps at constant temperature, and maps are presented for two representative oxides, a carbide, and three alkali halides. A method is also described for superimposing a set of similar deformation mechanism maps.
A collaborative study of methods of protein evaluation: introductory paper

The USDA's collaborative study of methods of protein quality evaluation is introduced. It was intended primarily to provide a basis for the evaluation of possibly improved procedures for the labelling of foods as a source of dietary protein. In general, the usefulness of in vitro digestibility procedures has been confirmed, but problems remained for the in vitro evaluation of heat-damaged materials and of some types of pinto beans.
Do children with severe head injury benefit from intensive care

Intensive management of severe closed head injury is pursued in most neurosurgical units, as it no doubt reduces mortality. However, the fate of those salvaged from death is less clearly defined. The impact of aggressive management on the psychological recovery is even less clear. This retrospective study of children admitted to a regional paediatric neurosurgical service attempts to address these issues. Eighty-four children between the ages of 3 to 16 years with severe head injuries were studied and categorized according to conservative or intensive treatment groups. The availability of intensive management led to a greater number of such children referred. The mortality in those children sustaining more severe injury, i.e. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 3 or 4, was halved (44%) with intensive management from 80% in the conservative group. For those with less severe injury (GCS 5–8), it was unchanged at about 23%. The reduced mortality is at the expense of increased morbidity. Psychological testing showed that the cognitive recovery was comparable.
Plasma corticosterone in hemorrhaged Japanese quail after microwave irradiation in ovo.

Abstract 1. 1. Sexually immature male and female Japanese quail were divided within each sex into three treatment groups: hemorrhaged by jugular puncture; immobilized for 2 min, but not hemorrhaged (shams); and neither immobilized nor hemorrhaged (controls). 2. 2. Hemorrhage resulted in increased plasma corticosterone levels in both sexes. Corticosterone levels in shams were higher than in controls. 3. 3. In another experiment, Japanese quail eggs were irradiated during incubation with 2.45 GHz CW microwave radiation. Nonirradiated eggs were incubated under identical conditions without irradiation. After hatching, juvenile males and females were hemorrhaged. 4. 4. After hemorrhage, irradiated males had higher plasma corticosterone levels than nonirradiated males. No effect of irradiation on females was found. 5. 5. The results of these two experiments indicate that male quail respond to blood loss with increased adrenocortical activity and that this response is modified in male quail after irradiation with microwaves during embryogeny.
Digital Interpolation of Discrete Images

This correspondence presents results concerning the display of interpolated images for cosmetically pleasing effects. Replication, bilinear interpolation, and various cubic spline function interpolators are investigated as to numeric computational difficulty and psychovisually pleasing results. A degree of freedom analysis is provided to demonstrate the fact that apparent image improvement does not necessarily increase the inherent quantitative information within an image.
Profuse Oral Secretions after Propafenone Administration in Neonates

Propafenone, an antiarrhythmic drug that is effective for treating supraventricular tachycardias, can induce well-known proarrhythmic and systemic adverse effects. We describe a previously unreported adverse effect in 3 newborns: oral propafenone–induced profuse oral secretions and respiratory distress of sufficient severity to necessitate discontinuation of propafenone.
Annealing effects on the crystallite size and dielectric properties of ultrafine Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (0 < x < 1) powders synthesized through an oxalate-complex precursor

Nanocrystalline Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (0 < x < 1) nanopowders were prepared through the oxalate route and the influence of the thermal history on their dielectric properties was investigated. For pelletized samples obtained by decomposing the corresponding oxalate intermediates at 600 °C and then annealed at different temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C the dielectric constant decreases upon increasing the strontium content of the samples. Similar behavior was observed with decreasing the temperature of the thermal treatment of the pellets, a trend which is presumably ascribed to a synergic effect of decreasing the porosity of the samples, the increase of the crystallite size as well as the growth of nanograins. Additionally, a two-fold increase of the dielectric constant is also achievable by using a different annealing strategy, which consists of the direct heat treatment of the intermediates at different temperatures ranging between 600 and 1000 °C. In this latter case, the experimental data unambiguously show a direct correlation between the variation of the dielectric constant and that of the crystallite size/microstrain of the BSTO nanopowders.
Soft X-ray properties of the Geminga pulsar

A soft-X-ray spectrum and pulse profile of the gamma-ray pulsar Geminga, obtained with the ROSAT instrument, was analyzed and interpreted in terms of thermal emission from the surface of the neutron star. It was found that the X-ray spectrum of Geminga consists of two blackbody components, one with T1 = (5.2 +/- 1.0) x 10 exp 5 K (which is in the range of model cooling curves for a neutron star of age 3 x 10 exp 5 yr) and the other with T2 = about 3 x 10 exp 6 K. The soft X-ray component is interpreted as photospheric cooling of much of the neutron star's surface area, while the small, hot region could be part of the much smaller polar cap heated by energetic particles flowing inward from the magnetospheric accelerator which is responsible for the production of Geminga gamma-rays.
Structure of the generalized Friedmann problem

An investigation of those cases of the generalized Friedmann equation which are solvable in terms of elementary or elliptic functions is undertaken together with a study of the time gauges which allow this to occur. This is accomplished by examining the natural choices of independent and dependent variables in this problem using manipulations like those of the Kepler problem, which is shown to be equivalent to a generalized Friedmann problem, thus clarifying the similarities between the simplest solutions of each.
Temperature dependence of electrical conductivity of glasses

On montre que la conductivite electrique d'oxydes alcalins est mieux decrite par l'equation d'Arrhenius comprenant une distribution des enthalpies d'activation
Migratory arrest of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in transgenic mice.

Abstract Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is important in reproduction, although the mechanism of central hypogonadism in humans remains unclear. Because the GnRH neuron originates from the olfactory placode and migrates to the hypothalamus during development, central hypogonadism in humans could be caused by failure in normal migration of GnRH neurons to the hypothalamus. We report that in transgenic mice expression of the simian virus 40 T antigen, driven by the promoter of human GnRH gene, resulted in central hypogonadism due to an arrest in neuronal migration during development and tumor formation along the migratory pathway. This system appears to be an important animal model of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in humans. Additionally, olfactory bulb tumors from these animals were dispersed, and a GnRH-secreting neuronal cell line (GN cell line) was established.
Determination of Lead and Cadmium in Sediment Slurries by ETA-AAS: A Comparison of Methods for the Preparation and Analysis of Sediment Slurries

Comparisons were made of various methods for the homogenization of sediment slurries for the determination of Pb and Cd by ETA-AAS. Homogenization techniques evaluated included the use of impact bead, propeller and foamless generators, vortexing and ultrasonic homogenization. On the basis of precision and accuracy, speed and ease of operation; the ultrasonic homogenization technique was clearly the method of choice. Precision obtained for this method using both reduced PdCl2 modifier and the L'vov platform approaches what is obtained for aqueous solutions. Accuracy for Pb and Cd was excellent using both slurry and aqueous calibration standards with slurry standards being somewhat superior for Cd.
Subjective Distress to Violations of Trust in Mexican American Close Relationships Conforms to Evolutionary Principles

Sex differences in subjective distress to violations of trust in a close relationship were observed among Mexican American men and women. Imagining a partner’s emotional infidelity and other female-linked violations (for example, a partner who no longer desires to work) distressed a larger percentage of women than men. In contrast, imagining a partner’s sexual infidelity and other male-linked violations (for example, a partner who no longer makes an effort to look physically attractive) distressed a larger percentage of men than women. The results from two studies provided compelling evidence against a social–cognitive explanation of the sex differences and for an evolutionary psychology explanation based on men and women responding to threats to their sex-linked mating strategies.
Long-term emergence patterns of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in northwestern Pennsylvania

Spatial and temporal patterns of black fly emergence at three sites over a 7-year to 11-year period are presented. This study is the longest, continuous collection of emerging black flies ever undertaken. Because ovipositing females were able to enter emergence traps, analysis of emergence patterns for the Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt and S. tuberosum Lundstrom complexes, was restricted to males. Year, season and stream temperature had significant effects on mean emergence for these complexes. Sampling stations on the same system and within close proximity exhibited synchronous emergence patterns, whereas streams in close proximity but in separate basins showed asynchronous patterns. Dissimilarities might reflect divergent temperature regimes. We suggest that emergence-trap data might provide a less variable picture of community structure than larval data.
Urgent Carotid Endarterectomy Is Safe in Patients with Few Comorbid Medical Conditions

Recent reports from single institutions have confirmed the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed in the urgent or emergent setting, although with higher perioperative mortality and morbidity. We determined the results of urgently performed CEA in academic and community hospitals and whether patient or hospital factors affected outcome. The records of patients undergoing CEA in all nonfederal hospitals in the state of Connecticut between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed, and symptomatic patients who presented in an urgent or emergent fashion were compared to patients treated electively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the effect of patient risk factors on perioperative mortality, stroke, and cardiac complications. Patients undergoing urgent CEA (n = 764, 6.3%) had higher perioperative mortality (2.0% vs. 0.3%, p
Constraints on the design of information systems

Note on Environment: The sort of systems discussed here are primarily central databases accessed through a client-server architecture offering information obtained primarily from scientific societies and commercial publishers.
Vasopressin inhibits apoptosis in renal collecting duct cells

The peptide hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays a critical role in regulating salt and water transport in the mammalian kidney. Recent studies have also demonstrated that AVP can promote cell survival in neuronal cells through V1 receptors. The current study addresses whether AVP can inhibit apoptosis in kidney collecting duct cells via V2 receptors and also explores the downstream signaling pathways regulating this phenomenon. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling analysis and caspase cleavage assays demonstrated that 1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) inhibited apoptosis induced by various agents (staurosporine, actinomycin D, and cycloheximide) in cultured mouse cortical collecting duct cells (mpkCCD). Incubation with dDAVP also inhibited apoptosis induced by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway inhibitor LY294002, suggesting that the antiapoptotic effects of dDAVP are largely independent of PI3K signaling. The V2 receptor antagonist SR121463 completely abolished the antiapoptotic effects of dDAVP. In addition, incubation with 8-cpt-cAMP, a cell-permeable analog of cAMP, reproduced the antiapoptotic effects of dDAVP. Both dDAVP and 8-cpt-cAMP increased phosphorylation of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bad and Bok. Bad phosphorylation at Ser-112 and Ser-155 is known to inhibit its proapoptotic activity. Preincubation with H89 blocked dDAVP-induced phosphorylation of both Bad and Bok, suggesting dependence on protein kinase A (PKA). This study provides evidence that AVP can inhibit apoptosis through the V2 receptor and downstream cAMP-mediated pathways in mammalian kidney. The antiapoptotic action of AVP may be relevant to a number of physiological and pathophysiological conditions including osmotic tolerance in the inner medulla, escape from AVP-induced antidiuresis, and polycystic kidney disease.
A comparison of state dependent learning induced by electroconvulsive shock and pentobarbital.

Abstract Two experiments compared the efficacy of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and ECS preceded by footshock (FS-ECS) to produce state dependent learning relative to pentobarbital (12 and 25 mg/kg). In Experiment 1, rats were trained in a water T-maze and retrained 72 hr later. Comparison with controls indicated: (a) FS-ECS administered 24 hr prior to training but not retraining (Agent-O order) produced state dependency but did not when animals were trained in the normal state and received FS-ECS 24 hr prior to retraining (O-Agent order) as in most retrograde amnesia experiments; (b) pentobarbital, 12 or 25 mg/kg, injected just prior to either training or retraining produced state dependency in the O-Agent order but not the Agent-O order; and, (c) ECS alone was not effective in either treatment order. Experiment 2 used reversal training to determine the state dependency effect of the agents. Conclusions were the same as in Experiment 1 except that FS-ECS produced state dependency in both treatment orders. These data indicate that FS and ECS interact to produce a dissociation effect 24 hr later that is as complete as that produced shortly after pentobarbital injections. The results of Experiment 2 but not of Experiment 1 support the notion that amnesia observed 24 hr after a training trial FS followed 0.5 sec later by ECS may be due to a state dependency effect rather than the failure of memory fixation.
Developing teachers of clinical reasoning.

SummaryBackground Front-line teachers seek guidance and tools to instruct and remediate clinical reasoning, but effective professional development methods to accomplish these goals have not been reported. Methods A 2–hour workshop was developed to empower front-line clinician educators to teach and remediate clinical reasoning by understanding the cognitive steps in the clinical reasoning process which can be leveraged in clinical settings. The workshop has been given 19 times over 6 years and uses interactive didactic presentations, facilitated discussion and dyad exercises, followed by small group analysis of trainee cases, where the diagnosis and remediation of clinical reasoning issues are practised. Results The quality and organisation of the session and the participants' intentions to change their teaching practice were rated higher than faculty development seminars in the same academic years. Participants cited the four-step model, technology analogies and the opportunity to analyse cases with peers as highly effective elements of the workshop. Discussion Similarly structured faculty development seminars may help bring insights from clinical reasoning theory to bedside and classroom instruction.
Chloroplast thylakoid membrane proteins having buried amine buffering groups

Abstract Some chloroplast thylakoid membrane proteins have anomalously low p K a (near 7.8) amine groups, indicating that the buffering groups may be buried in hydrophobic regions and/or close to other positive charges. Other work has shown that the low p K a amine group array is not in ready equilibrium with either the inner or outer bulk aqueous phases (Laszlo, J.A., Baker, G.M. and Dilley, R.A. (1984) J. Bioenerg. Biomembranes, 16, 37–51). Acetic anhydride reacts with the neutral amine and has been used as a probe for labeling the low p K a amines. The buried array of buffering groups can be labeled with [ 3 H]acetic anhydride in the dark only after the membranes were made leaky to protons with uncoupler addition. Sodium dodecyl sulfate/urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the polypeptides and identify those that show the uncoupler-dependent labeling increase. Included in that group are polypeptides known to be associated with Photosystem II having M r 17000, 22000 and 31000, some of the light-harvesting pigment proteins with M r 24000–28000, the CF 0 component with M r 8000 and some polypeptides associated with Photosystem I. A protein with M r 15000 showed very large changes in labeling, but the identity of this polypeptide is unknown. The arrays of buried amine buffering groups are diversely distributed among membrane proteins and it is not clear what role, if any, they play in membrane function.
Formal methods: state of the art and future directions

Hardware and software systems will inevitably grow in scale and functionality. Because of this increase in complexity, the likelihood of subtle errors is much greater. Moreover, some of these errors may cause catastrophic loss of money, time, or even human life. A major goal of software engineering is to enable developers to construct systems that operate reliably despite this complexity. One way of achieving this goal is by using formal methods, which are mathematically based languages, techniques, and tools for specifying and verifying such systems. Use of formal methods does not a priori guarantee correctness. However, they can greatly increase our understanding of a system by revealing inconsistencies, ambiguities, and incompleteness that might otherwise go undetected. The first part of this report assesses the state of the art in specification and verification. For verification, we highlight advances in model checking and theorem proving. In the three sections on specification, model checking, and theorem proving, we explain what we mean by the general technique and briefly describe some successful case studies and well-known tools. The second part of this report outlines future directions in fundamental concepts, new methods and tools, integration of methods, and education and technology transfer. We close with summary remarks and pointers to resources for more information.
Evidence for an inherited predisposition contributing to the risk for rotator cuff disease.

Background: A genetic predisposition has been suggested to contribute to the risk for development of rotator cuff disease on the basis of observed family clusters of close relatives. We used a population-based resource combining genealogical data for Utah with clinical diagnosis data from a large Utah hospital to test the hypothesis of excess familial clustering for rotator cuff disease. Methods: The Utah Population Database contains combined health and genealogical data on over two million Utah residents. Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Revision, codes (29827, 23412, 23410, and 23420) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes (726.1, 727.61, and 840.4) entered in patient records were used to identify patients with rotator cuff disease. We tested the hypothesis of excess familial clustering using two well-established methods (the Genealogical Index of Familiality test and the estimation of relative risks in relatives) in the overall study group (3091 patients) and a subgroup of the study group diagnosed before the age of forty years (652 patients). Results: The Genealogical Index of Familiality test in patients diagnosed before the age of forty years showed significant excess relatedness for individuals with rotator cuff disease in close and distant relationships (as distant as third cousins) (p = 0.001). The relative risk of rotator cuff disease in the relatives of patients diagnosed before the age of forty years was significantly elevated for second degree (relative risk = 3.66, p = 0.0076) and third degree (relative risk = 1.81, p = 0.0479) relatives. Conclusions: We analyzed a set of patients with diagnosed rotator cuff disease and a known genealogy to describe the familial clustering of affected individuals. The observations of significant excess relatedness of patients and the significantly elevated risks to both close and distant relatives of patients strongly support a heritable predisposition to rotator cuff disease. Clinical Relevance: A better understanding of the familial risk of rotator cuff disease could lead to the identification of candidate genes predisposing individuals to rotator cuff disease. Gene identification will possibly allow the development of improved treatments, including biologic augmentations of rotator cuff repairs, which may improve tendon healing and repair outcomes. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Analgesic therapy for major spine surgery.

Pain following spine surgery is often difficult to control and can persist. Reduction of this pain requires a multidisciplinary approach that depends on contributions of both surgeons and anesthesiologists. The spine surgeon’s role involves limiting manipulation of structures contributing to pain sensation in the spine, which requires an in-depth understanding of the specific anatomic etiologies of pain originating along the spinal axis. Anesthesiologists, on the other hand, must focus on preemptive, multimodal analgesic treatment regimens. In this review, we first discuss anatomic sources of pain within the spine, before delving into a specific literature-supported pain management protocol intended for use with spinal surgery.
An extremal problem among subsets of a set

Abstract We determine the maximum size of a family of subsets in {1, 2,…, n} with the property that if A1, A2, A3,… are any members of the family with ∩A i = ⊘ , then ∪Ai = {1, 2,…, n}.
Controlled polymerization of a cyclic diene prepared from the ring-closing metathesis of a naturally occurring monoterpene.

The diene 3-methylenecyclopentene (2) was synthesized from the naturally occurring monoterpene myrcene (1) by ring-closing metathesis using Grubbs second generation catalyst. Radical, anionic, and cationic polymerizations of 2 were investigated. The anionic polymerization of 2 with sec-butyllithium (s-BuLi) in cyclohexane gave poly-2 in quantitative yield, with a narrow molecular weight distribution and predictable molecular weight based on the molar ratio of 2 and s-BuLi. Radical polymerization of 2 was also successful using AIBN as the initiator. Samples of poly-2 obtained from the anionic and radical polymerization of 2 possessed mixed regiochemistry (i.e., 4,3 and 1,4 addition). The cationic polymerization of 2 proceeded smoothly to afford regiopure 1,4-poly-2. For example, the i-BuOCH(Cl)Me/ZnCl2/Et2O initiating system afforded 1,4-poly-2 with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. Samples of 1,4-poly-2 were semicrystalline as determined by differential scanning calorim...
Mechanisms of Neural Response to Gastrointestinal Nutritive Stimuli: The Gut-Brain Axis

Background & Aims The gut-brain axis, which transmits nutrient information from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain, is important for the detection of dietary nutrients. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging of the rat forebrain to investigate how this pathway conveys nutrient information from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Methods We investigated the contribution of the vagus nerve by comparing changes of blood oxygenation level–dependent signals between 24 control rats and 22 rats that had undergone subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Functional data were collected under α-chloralose anesthesia continuously 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after the start of intragastric infusion of l-glutamate or glucose. Plasma insulin, l-glutamate, and blood glucose levels were measured and compared with blood oxygenation level–dependent signals. Results Intragastric administration of l-glutamate or glucose induced activation in distinct forebrain regions, including the cortex, hypothalamus, and limbic areas, at different time points. Vagotomy strongly suppressed l-glutamate–induced activation in most parts of the forebrain. In contrast, vagotomy did not significantly affect brain activation induced by glucose. Instead, blood oxygenation level–dependent signals in the nucleus accumbens and amygdala, in response to gastrointestinal glucose, varied along with fluctuations of plasma insulin levels. Conclusions These results indicate that the vagus nerve and insulin are important for signaling the presence of gastrointestinal nutrients to the rat forebrain. These signal pathways depend on the ingested nutrients.
Surgeon education decreases radiation dose in complex endovascular procedures and improves patient safety

Objective Complex endovascular procedures such as fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) are associated with higher radiation doses compared with other fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGIs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgeon education on radiation dose control can lead to lower reference air kerma (RAK) and peak skin dose (PSD) levels in high-dose procedures. Methods Radiation dose and operating factors were recorded for FGI performed in a hybrid room over a 16-month period. Cases exceeding 6 Gy RAK were investigated according to institutional policy. Information obtained from these investigations led to surgeon education focused on reducing patient dose. Points addressed included increasing table height, utilizing collimation and angulation, decreasing magnification modes, and maintaining minimal patient-to-detector distance. Procedural RAK doses and operating factors were compared 8 months pre- (group A) and 8 months post- (group B) educational intervention using analysis of variance with Tukey pairwise comparisons and t -tests. PSD distributions were calculated using custom software employing input data from fluoroscopic machine logs. Results Of 447 procedures performed, 300 FGIs had sufficient data to be included in the analysis (54% lower extremity, 11% thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, 10% cerebral, 8% FEVAR, 7% endovascular aneurysm repair, 5% visceral, and 5% embolization). Twenty-one cases were investigated for exceeding 6 Gy RAK. FEVAR comprised 70% of the investigated cases and had a significantly higher median RAK dose compared with all other FGIs ( P P P P Conclusions Surgeon education on the appropriate use of technical factors during FGIs improved operating practice, reduced patient radiation dose, and decreased the number of non-FEVAR cases that exceeded 6 Gy. It is essential that vascular surgeons be educated in best operating practices to lower PSD; nonetheless, FEVAR remains a high-dose procedure.
Difficult Airway Management for Novice Physicians A Randomized Trial Comparing Direct and Video-Assisted Laryngoscopy

ObjectivesTo detect a difference in (1) intubation success and (2) successful intubation times between novice physicians using a Macintosh-style or video-assisted laryngoscope on a difficult airway manikin.Study DesignProspective randomized trial.SettingAcademic, tertiary medical center.MethodsForty first-year residents across a variety of disciplines with fewer than 5 total live intubations were recruited for the study. Testing took place during orientation prior to commencement of clinical duties. The entire group was provided training by faculty otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists using both laryngoscope types on a manikin airway simulator in a standard intubating scenario. Subjects were then randomized into 2 testing groups, using either a Macintosh laryngoscope or video-assisted laryngoscope in a difficult intubation scenario. The difficult airway simulation entailed oral cavity/oropharyngeal obstruction using inflation of the tongue, as well as cervical spine immobilization with a rigid collar p...
Finite Sample Performances of the Model Selection Approach in Nonparametric Model Specification for Time Series

Nonparametric model specification for stationary time series involves selections of the smoothing parameter (bandwidth), the lag structure and the functional form (linear vs. nonlinear). In real life problems, none of these factors are known and the choices are interdependent. In this article, we recommend to accomplish these choices in one step via the model selection approach. Two procedures are considered; one based on the information criterion and the other based on the least squares cross validation. The Monte Carlo simulation results show that both procedures have good finite sample performances and are easy to implement compared to existing two-step probabilistic testing procedures.
Adiabatic Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow Patterns in Microchannels

Flow patterns of adiabatic gas-liquid two-phase flow in micro-channels were experimentally investigated. Using nitrogen and water, experiments were conducted in square micro-channels with hydraulic diameters of 0.209mm, 0.412mm and 0.622 mm, respectively. Gas and liquid superficial velocities were varied from 0.06–72.3 m/s and 0.02–7.13 m/s, respectively. Four defined flow patterns, bubbly-slug flow, slug-ring flow, dispersed-churn flow and annular flow, were observed in micro-channels of 0.412 mm and, 0.622 mm. In the micro-channel of 0.209 mm, the bubbly-slug flow became the slug-flow and the dispersed-churn flow disappeared due to the surface tension effect and the smooth gas-liquid interface. The flow regime maps for the current three micro-channels were constructed and showed the transition lines shifted to higher gas superficial velocity due to the stronger surface tension effect with a smaller channel size in micro-channels. They were also compared with some other micro-channel flow regime maps and the mini-channel flow regime map based on the Weber number model, which showed the flow map for the micro-channel is significantly sensitive to the working fluid, channel geometry and channel size and the flow regime criteria developed for mini-channels should not be applied for micro-channels without further verification.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
ENDOPARASITES OF BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS IN SOUTHERN TEXAS

Endoparasites detected in the black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) include one nasal mite, four nematodes, three trematodes, five cestodes, and two acanthocephalans. Each of these represents a new host record. Overall, 47% of the birds were parasitized with an average of 12 helminths per infected bird. Helminths were significantly more common in juveniles than in adults; more females than males were parasitized, but the difference was not statistically significant. No correlation existed between the parasite load and the physical condition of the host. Tissue damage in infected birds was minimal and limited to nematode cysts in the proventriculi. Parasite loads were light, apparently reflecting the food habits of the host.
Prostaglandin E2 Receptors Are Differentially Expressed in Subpopulations of Granulosa Cells from Primate Periovulatory Follicles

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) mediates many effects of the midcycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge within the periovulatory follicle. Differential expression of the four PGE2 (EP) receptors may contribute to the specialized functions of each granulosa cell subpopulation. To determine if EP receptors are differentially expressed in granulosa cells, monkeys received gonadotropins to stimulate ovarian follicular development. Periovulatory events were initiated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); granulosa cells and whole ovaries were collected before (0 h) and after (24–36 h) hCG to span the 40-h primate periovulatory interval. EP receptor mRNA and protein levels were quantified in granulosa cell subpopulations. Cumulus cells expressed higher levels of EP2 and EP3 mRNA compared with mural cells 36 h after hCG. Cumulus cell EP2 and EP3 protein levels also increased between 0 and 36 h after hCG. Overall, mural granulosa cells expressed low levels of EP1 protein at 0 h and higher levels 24–36 h after hCG. However, EP1 protein levels were higher in granulosa cells away from the follicle apex compared with apex cells 36 h after hCG. Higher levels of PAI-1 protein were measured in nonapex cells, consistent with a previous study showing EP1-stimulated PAI-1 protein expression in monkey granulosa cells. EP4 protein levels were low in all subpopulations. In summary, cumulus cells likely respond to PGE2 via EP2 and EP3, whereas PGE2 controls rupture of a specific region of the follicle via EP1. Therefore, differential expression of EP receptors may permit each granulosa cell subpopulation to generate a unique response to PGE2 during the process of ovulation.
Myoglobin oxidation in a model system as affected by nonheme iron and iron chelating agents.

A model system was used to study the effect of nonheme iron on myoglobin oxidation at pH 5.6 and pH 7.2 at 23 °C. The addition of ferrous iron significantly (p < 0.05) increased the rate of myoglobin oxidation in the absence of lipid, demonstrating that iron promoted myoglobin oxidation independent of the effect of lipid oxidation. The addition of the type II, iron chelating antioxidants sodium tripolyphosphate (at pH 7.2) or milk mineral (at pH 5.6) negated the effect of added iron, slowing oxidation of myoglobin. A clear concentration dependence was seen for iron-stimulated myoglobin oxidation, based on both spectral and visual evidence. Further investigation is needed to determine the possible role for nonheme ferrous iron on myoglobin oxidation in vivo or in meat. Keywords: Myoglobin oxidation; nonheme iron; milk mineral
HOW RODENTS SMELL BURIED SEEDS: A MODEL BASED ON THE BEHAVIOR OF PESTICIDES IN SOIL

Olfaction is important in mammals and other animals for foraging, predator avoidance, and communication. However, very little is known about how the physical environment influences the activity of odorants. Many pesticides are organic molecules that appear to behave similarly to odorants of interest to rodent foragers. In this article, the literature on pesticide residues is used to construct a conceptual model of how odorants might behave under different environmental conditions. The primary focus of the model concerns how the environment might affect detection of buried seeds by rodents. The most important environmental variable influencing volatilizing of pesticides from soil is water content of soil. In dry soil, pesticides are adsorbed onto soil particles. However, when soil moisture increases above a monomolecular layer, pesticides desorb and vapor densities increase dramatically. These observations on changes in vapor density of pesticides as soil moisture changes are consistent with experimental data on olfaction in rodents. Other factors that influence pesticide volatilization include relative humidity, temperature, wind, soil characteristics (particle size, organic matter, and bulk density), and burial depth. Limited data suggest that these factors also influence the vapor density of odorants and, therefore, olfaction. The literature on pesticides allows us to make predictions about how animals detect odorants and then test those predictions experimentally.
The effect of deposition parameters on the properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering in order to examine the effects of sputtering conditions on the properties of the resulting thin-films. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the films. Additionally, films were deposited on alumina bars to examine the effect of the coatings on the strength of a brittle substrate. RBS analysis indicated that the ratio of oxygen to zirconium in the films varied from 1.84 to 2.10. XRD showed that there was a wide variation in the amount of monoclinic and tetragonal phases that appeared to be related to the O:Zr ratio. Despite these variations, there was no significant difference found in flexural strength found among the groups of alumina bars that were coated with YSZ. The likely cause is the columnar grain morphology of the deposited thin-films, which does not allow strengthening mechanisms to become operative.
REDUCED KNEE EXTENSOR FUNCTION IN HEART FAILURE IS NOT EXPLAINED BY INACTIVITY

Background The goal of this study was to determine if heart failure alters knee extensor muscle torque, power production or contractile velocity.
Variable Electronic Coupling through Hydrocarbon Spacers Bridging Metal-Carbon Triple Bonds

The electrochemical behavior of a series of bis-carbyne complexes, Tp‘(CO)2M⋮(CmHn)⋮M(CO)2Tp‘ (Tp‘ = hydridotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate; M = Mo, W; m = 3, n = 2; m = 4, n = 0, 2, 4), has b...
Topological localization of cysteine 74 in the GABA transporter, GAT1, and its importance in ion binding and permeation

Xenopus oocytes expressing the GABA transporter GAT1 were exposed to membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagents, resulting in decreased GABA transport current, decreased capacitive charge movements, and increased Na+ and Li+ leakage currents. Mutation of cysteine 74 to alanine (C74A) eliminated these effects. The W68S and W68L mutations significantly increased and decreased the transporter's sensitivity, respectively, to sulfhydryl reagents. At each of the positions 73 through 76, cysteine residues were accessible to external MTSET. These findings, together with recent evidence placing the HD2–HD3 loop on the extracellular side, suggest that the HD2 region does not traverse the membrane.
Improving operation time bounded mission critical systems' attack-survivability through controlled source-code transformation

Mission critical systems often operate for limit time durations. For these systems, we subscribe to the notion that provisioning of security can be based on the expected duration of a system's mission. In this paper, we present a simple and safe K-variant approach to improve time-based mission critical systems' attack-survivability and provide formal analysis about K-variant system's attack survivability under M memory-based attack attempts. Our theoretical analysis supported by extensive simulations and a case study provide good evidences that the proposed approach may be in improving system's attack-survivability.
Contrasting factors associated with abdominal and peripheral weight gain among adult women

OBJECTIVE: To identify contrasts between the risk factors associated with abdominal weight gain and those associated with peripheral weight gain. DESIGN: Prospective mail survey. SUBJECTS: 44 080 white, non-Hispanic, healthy women who were questioned in 1982 (baseline age 40‐54 y) and 1992 about weight, diet, alcohol use, smoking, 10 physical activities and other variables. MEASUREMENTS: Self reports in 1992 identified 4261 women who gained weight in the abdomen and 7440 women who gained in the periphery (sites other than the abdomen). Using identical logistic models adjusted for age, baseline body mass index (BMI) and numerous covariates, the abdominal-gain group and the peripheral-gain group were separately compared with 10 888 women who did not gain weight. RESULTS: The likelihood of abdominal gain exceeded that of peripheral gain (by comparison of estimated odds ratios, abdominal vs peripheral) for high meat eaters (1.50 vs 1.15), frequent users of liquor (1.09 vs 0.54), moderate cigarette smokers (0.86 vs 0.59), heavy cigarette smokers (0.96 vs 0.36), cigarette quitters (2.13 vs 1.63), women with high parity (1.52 vs 1.15) and those who reported major weight gain since age 18 y (1.22 vs 0.65). Abdominal gain was less likely than peripheral gain for high vegetable eaters (0.71 vs 0.91), women who exercised 4 h/wk [(especially aerobics/ calisthenics (0.28 vs 0.91) or walking (0.84 vs 1.06)], women who completed menopause (0.74 vs 0.98) and consistent users of estrogen replacement therapy (0.93 vs 1.22). CONCLUSION: A behavior or characteristic may be associated differently with the risks of abdominal and peripheral weight gain. This insight could strengthen recommendations for preventing major chronic diseases.
Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Fibre FP( $\alpha $ -Al $_{2}$ O $_{3}$ )

An experimental continuous aluminium oxide fibre designated Fibre FP is currently under development at the Du Pont Company. This fibre is well suited for the reinforcement of metals. A major problem limiting widespread usage of fibre reinforced metal matrix composites has been the lack of practical methods to fabricate composites. We have developed a versatile, potentially low cost, fabrication technique based on vacuum casting to incorporate Fibre FP into metal matrices. To date, fabrication of Fibre FP reinforced magnesium, aluminium, lead, copper and zinc composites have been demonstrated. A variety of FP/A1 and FP/Mg composite components such as plates, rods, tubes, structural beams, billets and thin sheets containing volume loading 30--60% FP have been prepared. For a fibre volume loading of 60%, undirectional FP/A1 composites have an axial modulus of 262 Gpa (38 $\times $ 10 $^{6}$ lbf/in $^{2}$ ), tensile strength of about 690 MPa (10 $^{5}$ lbf/in $^{2}$ ), compressive strength 3.4 GPa (5 $\times $ 10 $^{5}$ lbf/in $^{2}$ ) and retain their mechanical properties to 316 degrees C. Transverse tensile strengths of 172--207 MPa (25-30 $\times $ 10 $^{3}$ lbf/in $^{2}$ ) show that excellent fibre/matrix bonding is obtained.
Fuzzy control of unknown multiple-input—multiple-output plants

Abstract A self-learning fuzzy logic system is given for control of unknown multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) plants. Some nomenclature and several data types are introduced to develop a general formulation for controller activity. A random optimization algorithm is given to train the controller. A plant model is not required for training. Instead, training is guided by observations of plant responses to inputs.
Saxitoxin Is a Gating Modifier of hERG K+ Channels

Potassium (K+) channels mediate numerous electrical events in excitable cells, including cellular membrane potential repolarization. The hERG K+ channel plays an important role in myocardial repolarization, and inhibition of these K+ channels is associated with long QT syndromes that can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias. In this study, we identify saxitoxin (STX) as a hERG channel modifier and investigate the mechanism using heterologous expression of the recombinant channel in HEK293 cells. In the presence of STX, channels opened slower during strong depolarizations, and they closed much faster upon repolarization, suggesting that toxin-bound channels can still open but are modified, and that STX does not simply block the ion conduction pore. STX decreased hERG K+ currents by stabilizing closed channel states visualized as shifts in the voltage dependence of channel opening to more depolarized membrane potentials. The concentration dependence for steady-state modification as well as the kinetics of onset and recovery indicate that multiple STX molecules bind to the channel. Rapid application of STX revealed an apparent “agonist-like” effect in which K+ currents were transiently increased. The mechanism of this effect was found to be an effect on the channel voltage-inactivation relationship. Because the kinetics of inactivation are rapid relative to activation for this channel, the increase in K+ current appeared quickly and could be subverted by a decrease in K+ currents due to the shift in the voltage-activation relationship at some membrane potentials. The results are consistent with a simple model in which STX binds to the hERG K+ channel at multiple sites and alters the energetics of channel gating by shifting both the voltage-inactivation and voltage-activation processes. The results suggest a novel extracellular mechanism for pharmacological manipulation of this channel through allosteric coupling to channel gating.
Design guidelines for a planar multi-turn loop antenna for wireless Bio-medical telemetry system

This paper presents the design guidelines for the first time as well as simulation and measured results of a planar multi-turn loop antenna for wireless blood pressure monitoring system operating in the range 190–203 MHz. This antenna is essential for communication with a blood pressure sensor implanted in a human body. In order to demonstrate the coupling characteristics between the planar multi-turn loop antenna and the sensor, a sensor board consisting of a chip sensor (high Q-factor chip inductor/radiator integrated with a chip capacitor in parallel configuration) and coplanar waveguide has been designed and characterized. The measured coupling characteristics through air as well as air and phantom tissue are also presented.
Effect of chemical activity jumps on the viscoelastic behavior of an epoxy resin: Physical aging response in carbon dioxide pressure jumps

We report the results from tensile creep tests performed on an epoxy resin in the presence of carbon dioxide at different pressures (Pco2) and at a constant temperature below the glass-transition temperature. Time-Pco2 superposition was applied to the data to account for the plasticization effect because of the interaction between the carbon dioxide molecules and the polymer. In addition, physical aging of the epoxy films was investigated with sequential creep tests after carbon dioxide pressure down-jumps at constant temperature and after temperature down-jumps at constant carbon dioxide pressure. The isothermal pressure down-jump experiments showed physical aging responses similar to the isobaric temperature down-jump experiments. However, the aging rate for the CO2 jump was slightly lower than that for the temperature-jump (T-jump) experiments, and the retardation time for the Pco2-jump experiments was up to 6.3 times longer than for the T-jump conditions. The results are discussed in terms of classical physical aging and structural recovery frameworks, and speculation about the differences in the energy landscape resulting from the Pco2-jump and T-jump experiments is also made. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2050–2064, 2002