cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harvesting Prey While Protecting an Endangered Predator in a General Equilibrium Ecosystem Model

Endangered species are in predator/prey, mutualistic, competitive, or other types of relationships with many other species that share their habitat. Understanding these ecological relationships is an important part of designing endangered species policies. We employ a general equilibrium model of an ecological community that contains a human harvested species that is preyed on by an endangered species subject to a recovery plan. The model is applied to an Alaskan marine ecosystem in which pollock are harvested and Steller sea lions are endangered, and both interact with six other species. Results indicate the impact harvesting has on the endangered sea lions.
Mechanisms of Alloimmunization and Subsequent Bone Marrow Transplantation Rejection Induced by Platelet Transfusion in a Murine Model

For many nonmalignant hematological disorders, HLA-matched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is curative. However, due to lack of neoplasia, the toxicity of stringent conditioning regimens is difficult to justify, and reduced intensity conditioning is used. Unfortunately, current reduced intensity regimens have high rates of BMT rejection. We have recently reported in a murine model that mHAs on transfused platelet products induce subsequent BMT rejection. Most nonmalignant hematological disorders require transfusion support prior to BMT and the rate of BMT rejection in humans correlates with the number of transfusions given. Herein, we perform a mechanistic analysis of platelet transfusion-induced BMT rejection and report that unlike exposure to alloantigens during transplantation, platelet transfusion primes alloimmunity but does not stimulate full effector function. Subsequent BMT is itself an additional and distinct immunizing event, which does not induce rejection without antecedent priming from transfusion. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are required for priming during platelet transfusion, but only CD8+ T cells are required for BMT rejection. In neither case are antibodies required for rejection to occur.
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL STAMPED AND SOLID AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS

The shape optimization of realistic, three-dimensional automotive components is discussed, stressing the integration of the major parts of the total process—modeling, mesh generation, finite element and sensitivity analysis, and optimization. Stamped and solid components are treated separately. For stamped parts, a highly automated capability has been developed; the problem description is based upon a parameterized boundary design element concept for the definition of the geometry. Automatic triangulation and adaptive mesh refinement are used to provide an automated analysis capability which requires only boundary data and takes into account sensitivity of the solution accuracy to boundary shape. For solid components, a general extension of the two- dimensional boundary design element concept has not been achieved. In this case the parameterized surface shape is provided by using a generic modeling concept based upon isoparametric mapping patches which also serve as the mesh generator. Emphasis is placed upon the coupling of optimization with a commercially available finite element program. To combine these, it is necessary to modularize the program architecture and to obtain shape design sensitivities using the material derivative approach so that only boundary solution data are needed. Several realistic component designs demonstrate the effectiveness of both capabilities.
Association of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 with chronic kidney disease

We studied the association of inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a case–control study among 201 CKD patients and 201 community-based controls in the greater New Orleans area. CKD was defined as estimated-glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or albuminuria ≥30 mg/24-h. Serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured using standard methods. Multivariable regression models were used to examine associations between the inflammatory biomarkers and CKD adjusting for important CKD risk factors, history of cardiovascular disease, and use of antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering agents and aspirin. The multivariable-adjusted medians (interquartile-range) were 2.91 (1.47, 5.24) mg/L in patients with CKD vs. 1.91 (0.99, 3.79) mg/L in controls without CKD (p = 0.39 for group difference) for CRP; 1.86 (1.51, 2.63) pg/mL vs. 1.26 (1.01, 1.98) pg/mL (p < 0.0001) for TNF-α; and 2.53 (1.49, 4.42) pg/mL vs. 1.39 (0.95, 2.15) pg/mL (p = 0.04) for IL-6, respectively. Compared to the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of TNF-α (OR 7.1, 95 % CI 3.2 to 15.5) and IL-6 (OR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.1 to 5.5) were significantly associated with higher odds of CKD in multivariable-adjusted models. Additionally, higher TNF-α and IL-6 were independently and significantly associated with lower eGFR and higher albuminuria. Our data suggest that TNF-α and IL-6, but not CRP, are associated with the prevalence and severity of CKD, independent from established CKD risk factors, history of cardiovascular disease, and use of antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering agents and aspirin.
Carnitine Deficiency and Supplementation Do Not Affect the Gene Expression of Carnitine Biosynthetic Enzymes in Rats

Starved male weanling rats supplemented with 20 mmol/L pivalate in their drinking water exhibit significantly depressed concentrations of carnitine in tissues and plasma. In addition, pivalate supplementation has been linked with increased renal and hepatic trimethyllysine hydroxylase (TMLH) activity, whereas carnitine supplementation has been associated with significantly decreased hepatic gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBH) activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pivalate or carnitine supplementation affects the activity and genetic expression of 2 enzymes of carnitine (Cn) biosynthesis, TMLH and BBH, expressed as mRNA abundance, relative to the abundance of beta-actin mRNA. Male weanling rats were administered the control treatment (C; n = 6), the pivalate treatment (P; n = 7), or the pivalate treatment plus supplemental dietary carnitine (P+Cn; n = 7). Rats in group P had elevated renal TMLH activity, relative to the other groups (P < 0.05). The groups did not differ in the abundance of renal or hepatic TMLH or BBH mRNA. A previously unreported finding was the quantifiable level of renal BBH mRNA, which was verified by direct sequencing of the BBH cDNA product amplified from kidney RNA. The groups did not differ in renal BBH mRNA abundance and renal BBH enzyme activity was not detected. Thus, the alterations in enzyme activities in the pivalate-treated rats are not regulated at the transcriptional level, and are apparently related to post-transcriptional effects on the enzymes themselves.
Erythroblastic anemia of cooley

Summary The observations on the striking good effect of splenectomy on identical twins suffering from erythroblastic anemia of Cooley are recorded. The twins following splenectomy required only one-third to one-fifth the amount of blood to maintain a level of 5 Gm. hemoglobin (critical level) per 100 c.c. of blood than before operation. Both children made substantial weight gains and were greatly improved symptomatically following the operation.
Progress in imaging attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

In this review, we focus on those studies using brain imaging modalities to examine children and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The conceptualization of attention that frames our review stresses the adaptive function of attention systems in regulating and orchestrating operations of multiple processing systems to satisfy multiple and sometimes inconsistent goals, and to maintain behavioral coherence. More specifically, we postulate that attention should be conceptualized as consisting of multiple control systems, each of which is associated with a different repertoire of behaviors. A reasonable starting point is the posterior and anterior attentional systems proposed by Posner and associates. Recent functional brain imaging studies support such a notion, with perceptual selection involving the posterior system and executive function engaging distinct anterior frontal regions. To date, the morphometric studies as well as more recent functional imaging studies suggest that subjects with ADHD differ from controls primarily in more anterior brain regions as well as in anterior-striatal systems. Studies now in progress offer the promise of examining neural systems throughout the brain in individuals with ADHD, neural systems involving both anterior as well as posterior attentional systems. Although attention as a construct and ADHD as a disorder were historically described for the first time in the mid-to-late 19th century, it is now apparent that, despite the great progress within the last 4 decades, a full understanding of the neurobiology of ADHD must await the 21st century. MRDD Research Reviews 1999;5:185–190. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Noble metal abundances in an Early Archean impact deposit.

Detailed analyses are reported on the concentrations of the noble metals Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au in an early Archean spherule bed (S4) of probably impact origin from the lower Fig Tree Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. Compared to other sedimentary deposits of known or suspected impact origin, some noble metals are present in exceptionally high concentrations. Noble metal abundances are fractionated relative to abundances in chondrites with ratios of Os/Ir, Pt/Ir, Pd/Ir, and Au/Ir at only 80, 80, 41, and 2 percent of these values on CI chondrites. Although an extraterrestrial source is favored for the noble metal enrichment, the most plausible cause of the fractionation is by regional hydrothermal/metasomatic alteration.
GroES and the chaperonin-assisted protein folding cycle: GroES has no affinity for nucleotides

The E. coli chaperonin proteins, GroEL and GroES, assist in folding newly synthesized proteins. GroES is necessary for GroEL-assisted folding under conditions where the substrate protein cannot spontaneously fold. On the basis of photolabelling of GroES with 8-azido-ATP, a role for nucleotide binding to GroES in chaperonin function was suggested [Martin, et al., Nature, 366 (1993) 279–2821]. We confirm the photolabelling of GroES with 8-azido-ATP. However, other proteins not known to contain nucleotide binding sites also become photolabeled suggesting that labeling is non-specific. Using rigorous physical methods, isothermal calorimetry and equilibrium binding, no interaction between GroES and nucleotides could be detected. We conclude that GroES has no nucleotide binding site.
Using production and transfer batches in flowshops under MRP control

Abstract This study investigates the impact of using material flow control and order release throttling mechanisms on shop floor effectiveness in MRP based order release environments. The research methodology involves simulation experiments conducted using a flow shop model of a manufacturing and assembly setting. Specifically addressed issue is the decoupling of shop floor control decisions from MRP release schedules. This decoupling effect is implemented through the use of smaller production batch sizes, staggering the release of the production quantities to initial work stations, and using transfer batches. In a 14 parts/9 processes simulation environment, the effects of shop floor control decisions are evaluated based on average hours of work in process inventory and average number of tardy units for the simulated planning horizon. Experimental results suggest that increasing material flow frequency through smaller process and transfer batch sizes have significant consequences on inventory and service levels. By separating work in process inventories into two components, it is shown that reducing batch sizes may not affect inventory levels of asynchronized assembly units (i.e. component delay). The results also indicate the presence of a possible threshold effect for throttling and staggering work order releases where service levels are compromised and marginal gain on inventory reduction diminishes.
First‐Principles Calculations of α‐Alumina (0001) Surfaces Energies with and without Hydrogen

We used first-principles, mixed-basis (pseudo-atomic and plane-wave basis functions) pseudopotential calculations to study the energetics and structure of the α-alumina (0001) surface for three different terminations as well as two different hydrogen covered surfaces. The calculations show that over the range of chemical fields where α-alumina is stable, the stoichiometric (1-Al terminated) surface is the most stable with a surface energy of 2.13 J/m 2 . The lowest values of the 2-Al-terminated and oxygen terminated surface energies are 2.7 and 3.5 J/m 2 , respectively. We find that hydrogen bonds weakly to the stoichiometric surface with a binding energy of 0.5 eV/bond and prefers to sit directly on top of the terminating Al atoms. Finally, we find that an oxygen terminated surface with one hydrogen atom per surface oxygen has a lower surface energy over the relevant range of chemical fields.
Effects of acute administration of and tolerance development to morphine on the striatal calmodulin systems in mice of different ages

Abstract Male ICR mice, young (25 days), mature (3 months) and old (22 months), were injected with morphine sulfate, 10 mg/kg, s.c., or were implanted with morphine pellets (75 mg). Controls received saline injections or placebo pellets. One hr after injections and 72 hr after pellet implantations, the mice were decapitated and striatal regions were removed for the following analyses: calmodulin (CaM) levelS, activities of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), adenylate and guanylate cyclases, cytoplasmic and particulate protein kinases, and Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ - ATPase. Acute morphine treatment produced the following: a) increases in calmodulin levels in the young and old mice; b) increases in activities of guanylate cyclase of mature mice while decreasing those of the old mice; c) decreased activity of cyclic AMP-PDE in young mice; and d) decreased activity of Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ - ATPase in old mice. Morphine-tolerant mice, when compared with age-matched controls, had significant elevations in cyclic GMP-PDE activities. Differences in control values of the three age groups were as follows: CaM levels, Mature > old > young; Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ - ATPase activity, old > mature young; particulate protein kinase activity, young > mature old. The results indicate age-induced changes in cellular regulation and biochemical responses to morphine.
Nonexistence of Means-Based Selection Procedures for Negative Binomial Populations

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACT Entomological, biological, and epidemiological literature show that two-parameter negative binomial distribution is useful for modeling count data. Here, we consider the problem of selecting the population with the largest (or smallest) mean from at least k(k ⩾ 2)available negative binomial populations with a known exponent. The selection is to be carried out based on the fixed-sized samples using an indifference approach. It is shown that a single-stage procedure based only on the difference or ratio formulation of the distance measure does not exist for the negative binomial populations.
Wireless sensor networks for soil science

Wireless sensor networks can revolutionise soil ecology by providing measurements at temporal and spatial granularities previously impossible. This paper presents our first steps towards fulfilling that goal by developing and deploying two experimental soil monitoring networks at urban forests in Baltimore, MD. The nodes of these networks periodically measure soil moisture and temperature and store the measurements in local memory. Raw measurements are incrementally retrieved by a sensor gateway and persistently stored in a database. The database also stores calibrated versions of the collected data. The measurement database is available to third-party applications through various Web Services interfaces. At a high level, the deployments were successful in exposing high-level variations of soil factors. However, we have encountered a number of challenging technical problems: need for low-level programming at multiple levels, calibration across space and time, and sensor faults. These problems must be addressed before sensor networks can fulfil their potential as high-quality instruments that can be deployed by scientists without major effort or cost.
The effects of nicotine on vascular smooth muscle cell chemotaxis induced by thrombospondin-1 and fibronectin

Abstract Background Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration is an important process in many vascular disorders. Nicotine, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and fibronectin (Fn) separately induce VSMC migration. The hypothesis of this study was that nicotine treatment of vascular cells would augment TSP-1-induced and Fn-induced VSMC migration. Methods VSMCs or endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with serum-free medium or nicotine. Migration of VSMCs was assessed using a modified Boyden chemotaxis chamber to serum-free medium, TSP-1, Fn, EC basal medium, and conditioned EC medium or nicotine-treated conditioned EC medium alone or with supplemented TSP-1 or Fn. Results Nicotine treatment increased VSMC chemotaxis to serum-free medium, but TSP-1 or Fn had no further effect on chemotaxis. Conditioned EC and nicotine-treated conditioned EC enhanced VSMC chemotaxis, which was further augmented by Fn supplementation. Conclusions Nicotine-stimulated EC derived factors induce VSMC migration, which is augmented by the addition of Fn.
Physicochemical characterization of fluid phase (SC5b-9) and membrane derived (MC5b-9) attack complexes of human complement purified by immunoadsorbent affinity chromatography or selective detergent extraction

Abstract Immunoadsorbent affinity chromatography, employing a monospecific caprine anti-human C5 (IgG)-agarose bead matrix, was applied to the purification of complement attack complexes from insulin activated normal human serum (SC5b-9). Gel filtration chromatography (Biogel A-15M) of the SC5b-9 complexes eluted from the anti-C5 column by guanidine-HCl was utilized as a second step to obtain a highly purified SC5b-9 preparation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analysis of SC5b-9 isolated by immunoadsorbent chromatography revealed the appropriate subunit composition. Complement attack complexes extracted from complement lysed erythrocyte membranes (MC5b-9) upon solubilization with either Triton X-100 (TX-100) or deoxycholate (DOC) were also purified by anti-C5 immunoadsorbent and gel filtration chromatography, but with somewhat less than satisfactory results. Thus, an alternative purification procedure was developed based upon the ability of zwitterionic detergents to selectively extract MC5b-9 from erythrocyte membranes. Zwitterionic detergent solubilized MC5b-9 complexes were isolated in high yield in a one-step purification procedure by gel filtration column chromatography (Biogel A-15M). SDS-PAGE analysis of MC5b-9 isolated in this manner revealed a subunit composition which was similar to SC5b-9 except for the complete absence of S protein. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugal analysis of MC5b-9 complexes solubilized by TX-100, DOC, or zwitterionic detergents revealed similar sedimentation profiles with the major portion of MC5b-9 expressing a sedimentation coefficient of29S with minor peaks of 23S and 34S or greater. Thus MC5b-9 complexes solubilized from biological membranes by nonionic, anionic, or zwitterionic detergents form a heterogeneous population of high molecular weight, ordered, oligomeric structures with the 23S form representing MC5b-9 monomer, 29S the MC5b-9 dimer and 34S the MC5b-9 trimer or possibly tetrameric structure. These results clearly suggest a possible relationship between the observed MC5b-9 complex physical heterogeneity and the heterogeneity in the effective size of functional complement lesions.
Enhanced multiple model tracker based on Gaussian mixture reduction for a maneuvering target in clutter

Multiple hypothesis trackers (MHTs) are widely accepted as the best means of tracking targets in the presence of clutter. This research seeks to incorporate multiple model Kalman filters into an Integral Square Error (ISE) cost-function-based MHT to increase the fidelity of target state estimation. Results indicate that the proposed multiple model methods can properly identify the maneuver mode of a target in dense clutter and ensure that an appropriately tuned filter is used. During benign portions of flight, this causes significant reductions in position and velocity RMS errors compared to a single-dynamics-model-based MHT. During portions of flight when the mixture mean deviates significantly from true target position, so-called deferred decision periods, the multiple model structures tend to accumulate greater RMS errors than a single-dynamics-model-based MHT, but this effect is inconsequential considering the inherently large magnitude of these errors (a non-MHT tracker would not be able to track during these periods at all). The multiple model MHT structures do not negatively impact track life when compared to a single-dynamics-model-based MHT.
Improving the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice and Information Systems in Healthcare: A Social Network Approach

In healthcare, evidence-based practice EBP integrates clinical expertise with the best available external evidence from systematic research. Yet even with the aid of technology, implementation of EBP in many settings remains a challenge due in part to the complexity of the healthcare system and the lack of a strong theoretical and analytical foundation to guide implementation efforts. This paper combines research from the fields of healthcare implementation science and social networks to present a theoretically based, integrated framework for the study of EBP implementation. This study explores the application of the framework to a complex healthcare collaborative, the MRSA infection control project, a project intended to foster the implementation of EBP to reduce the spread of MRSA infections. The authors consider how the framework can also be used to inform future research into EBP-related information system implementations and innovations.
Experimental Response of the Human Body to a Known Periodic Force as a Measure of Ballistocardiographic Fidelity

The vibrational characteristics of the body and the support on which it rests were investigated by the direct approach of shaking it and measuring its motion and the motion of the support. Both a very stiff and a very weak, light support were used. Close correlation was obtained between body displacement and light support displacement; body motion greatly exceeded that of the stiff support. Single mass resonant frequency was set by the dorsal skin stiffness when the support was very stiff and by the support stiffness when the light support was used. With both supports the body exhibited multi-mass motion in the frequency range above 6 c.p.s.
Modeling a fire whirl generated over a 5-cm-diameter methanol pool fire

We conducted a series of laboratory-scale fire whirl experiments spinning 5-cm-diameter methanol pool fires and observed elongated flame height compared with the pool fire without spin. A simple scaling analysis was conducted to obtain dependency of the axial flame height on the momentum-controlled circulation and the effect of buoyancy. To obtain a specific functional relationship for the parameters obtained by the scaling analysis, we developed an analytical model consisting of coupled species and energy equations and Burgers vortex for circulation generated by a fire whirl. The solution of the coupling equations shows that the average rate of heat transfer from the flame to the fuel surface is a function of the vortex core radius; a smaller vortex core radius provides more heat to the fuel surface enhancing evaporation thereby producing the longer flame height. This new model predicts both flame height and flame shape. The flame height prediction compare favorably with results from the scaling analysis and experiment.
ESTIMATING ACCEPTANCE-SAMPLING PLANS FOR DEPENDENT PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Abstract When acceptance sampling is used to judge the quality of an ongoing production process, the quality of successive items may exhibit statistical dependence that is not accounted for in standard acceptance-sampling plans. Computing the probabilities required to design sampling plans for general dependent processes is often complex, and sometimes intractable. This paper presents an efficient method for estimating single-sampling attribute plans for any production process model that can be simulated. Numerical illustrations are given.
Compile-time type-checking for custom type qualifiers in Java

We have created a system that enables programmers to add custom type qualifiers to the Java language in a backward-compatible way. The system allows programmers to write type qualifiers in their programs and to create compiler plug-ins that enforce the semantics of these qualifiers at compile time. The system builds on existing Java tools and APIs, and on JSR 308.As an example, we introduce a plug-in to Sun's Java compiler that uses our system to type-check the NonNull qualifier. Programmers can use the @NonNull annotation to prohibit an object reference from being null; then, by invoking a Java compiler with the NonNull plug-in, they can check for NonNull errors at compile time and rid their programs of null-pointer exceptions.
Some Avenues for the Improvement of Price Forecasts Generated by Macroeconometric Models: Discussion

The purpose of Popkin's paper is to suggest several methods for improving the ability of macroeconometric models to accurately predict price changes. He begins by noting the dismal performance of four well known econometric models in predicting the inflation of 1973-74. As of December 1973, the average forecast of these models for the rate of increase of the GNP deflator was 6.4% in the first quarter of 1974 with a continuous decline over the year to 5.8% in the fourth quarter. The actual rate of increase of the GNP deflator, however, fell from 12.3% in the first quarter to 9.4%, its lowest level during the year, only to increase between the second and third quarters to 11.5%. Popkin lists four places to look to for price prediction errors of this magnitude in the typical Keynesian macroeconometric model. The first of these is in exogenous prices, a term which he uses to mean the prices of "crude farm and industrial commodities and imports." Popkin suggests that failure to take account of changes in these exogenous prices could account for "almost two-thirds of the average prediction error made in the econometric forecasts cited above." There is no doubt that Popkin is correct on this point. To the extent that the tripling (or more) of crude oil prices which occurred in the second half of 1973 and the reduction in the supply of food caused by the drought of the summer of 1974 were not taken into account in the forecasts of these econometric models, they would have understated the rise in the GNP deflator. Moreover, the underprediction could be substantial.
Multisource close space sublimation reactor for deposition of multilayer and composite films

CdTe and ZnTe multilayer films and ternary Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 Te alloys have been deposited using a multisource close space sublimation reactor using powdered CdTe and ZnTe source materials. The reactor along with the procedure used to obtain planar and nanostructured alloyed films is described. XRD data is presented on the films to show alloying.
Morphometric Variation in Aphelenchus Avenae With Varied Nutrition and Time

The effect of varied time, nutrient quantity, and species of fungus on taxonomic characters (L, a, b1, c, and V) of Aphelenchus avenae was investigated. The effect of these ecological alterations on morphometrics was variable; however, most characters varied significantly with changes of time and nutrients. Most morphometric changes occurred with increased time, and fewest changes with altered fungus. With changing environment, "V" values were the most stable character.
A monte carlo investigation of recovery of structure by alscal

A Monte Carlo study was carried out to investigate the ability of ALSCAL to recover true structure inherent in simulated proximity measures. The nature of the simulated data varied according to (a) number of stimuli, (b) number of individuals, (c) number of dimensions, and (d) level of random error. Four aspects of recovery were studied: (a) SSTRESS, (b) recovery of true distances, (c) recovery of stimulus dimensions, and (d) recovery of individual weights. Results indicated that all four measures were rather strongly affected by random error. Also, SSTRESS improved with fewer stimuli in more dimensions, but the other three indices behaved in the opposite fashion. Most importantly, it was found that the number of individuals, over the range studied, did not have a substantial effect on any of the four measures of recovery. Practical implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Cytotoxicity of Fusarium T-2 in cultured Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and primary fetal bovine kidney (PFBK) cells

Cytotoxicity of Fusarium T-2 toxin was evaluated in cultured Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and primary fetal bovine kidney (PFBK) cells. The criteria for evaluation included number of adherent cells, phase contrast microscopy, and the scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The primary cells were more sensitive to the toxic effects of T-2 toxin than MDBK cultures.
The role of gas-phase reactions in boron nitride growth by chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The rate of growth of thin solid films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), as well as the stoichiometry of the deposited solid, is explored by assuming a chemical mechanism for the deposition reactions and selecting a dynamic model for the reactor. The specific case of boron nitride growth from diborabe is illustrated. Competition among gas phase and surface reactions will give rise to complex interrelationships of growth rate and stoichiometry to the flow rates of reactants. The specific model illustrated explains qualitatively, and to some degree quantitatively, the observations in the literature on the boron nitride/diborane system.
Simulations of electrical field stimulation of cardiac myocytes during the relative refractory period

Global stimulation of the heart during defibrillation may be the result of local field stimulation at the cellular level, in which one end of the cell is depolarized while the other end is hyperpolarized. We have formulated a model which describes the spatial and temporal variation of transmembrane potential along the surface membrane of a single cell subjected to a spatially uniform, pulsed electric field. The ability of the applied field to prolong the action potential may be a relevant factor during defibrillation, and we have used the model to determine the extent of prolongation when the waveform is applied during repolarization. Using an S1-S2 protocol, we find that despite the complicated membrane response, 5 msec, rectangular monophasic S2 pulses (with intensity 2.5 times the SI threshold) prolong the action potential as a monotonie function of the Sl-S2 interval. This finding is similar to cellular responses to stimulation by intracellular current injection.
Tuning the cell cycle: a model based on averaging

The ability of intercellular communication and the basement membrane to revert the phenotypic behaviour of malignant cells suggests that such cells can be tuned to behave more benignly. In addition, the large variation in cell doubling times observed in tumour cells poses the question of whether or not cell doubling times, and hence, patient survival, can be lengthened by therapeutic intervention. In both cases, the understanding may be enhanced by obtaining a parsimonious and tractable model of the cell cycle which behaves appropriately and suggests a philosophical framework for addressing these complex issues. We introduce a simple two-dimensional model based on averaging cyclin and maturation promotion factor over a fast oscillating subsystem that exhibits the basic features of cellular division, and discuss the ramifications of the model.
Positivity preserving high-order local discontinuous Galerkin method for parabolic equations with blow-up solutions

In this paper, we apply positivity-preserving local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) methods to solve parabolic equations with blow-up solutions. This model is commonly used in combustion problems. However, previous numerical methods are mainly based on a second order finite difference method. This is because the positivity-preserving property can hardly be satisfied for high-order ones, leading to incorrect blow-up time and blow-up sets. Recently, we have applied discontinuous Galerkin methods to linear hyperbolic equations involving ?-singularities and obtained good approximations. For nonlinear problems, some special limiters are constructed to capture the singularities precisely. We will continue this approach and study parabolic equations with blow-up solutions. We will construct special limiters to keep the positivity of the numerical approximations. Due to the Dirichlet boundary conditions, we have to modify the numerical fluxes and the limiters used in the schemes. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our schemes can capture the blow-up sets, and high-order approximations yield better numerical blow-up time.
Some pitfalls in open economy model building

Abstract This paper examines the nature of adjustment paths implied by a popular open macromodel embodying exchange rate expectations. It is shown that the ad hoc expectational scheme utilized in this kind of model may involve it in a rationality paradox if stability is to be preserved. Specifically, the implied exchange rate paths may be such that actual depreciation is accompanied by expected appreciation (and conversely) on a continuing basis.
Connecting Terrorist Networks

This article highlights initial findings from the authors’ Global Transnational Terrorism (GTT) Project, which began in August 2006. The case study draws on the database work for Southeast Asia and charts the rise of a militant minority within Jemaah Islamiyah, which was directly responsible for a series of attacks from 2000–2005. The important but restricted role of radical madrassahs and the importance of kinship emerge clearly from the study. On a more theoretical plane, the article shows how leadership “niches” opened up by unplanned events create contingent opportunities that lead to new developments.
Preparation of concanavalin a free purified α-1-antitrypsin

Abstract A simple technique is described to remove traces of concanavalin A (Con A) from human α -1-antitrypsin ( α -1-AT) purified on commercially available Con A-Sepharose. The α -1-AT was fractionated from serum by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Con A-Sepharose, and activated thiol-Sepharose at 4°C with solution pH ranges of 7.4–7.6 in all steps. Contaminating Con A was easily removed by binding α -1-AT through the reactive sulfhydryl group to the activated thiol-Sepharose gel and washing away the contaminating Con A with a solution of methyl- α - d -glucopyranoside before final elution of bound α -1-AT. This simple procedure yields purified α -1-AT free of traces of Con A. The α -1-AT was obtained in overall yields of 40–48% from serum with an average molecular weight of 53,500 ± 3000 determined on 15% disc polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The isolated α -1-AT exhibited unaltered Pi M phenotype compared to serum α -1-AT but contained traces of several other serum proteins.
Marantic endocarditis (NBTE) with systemic emboli and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration: uncommon presentation of ovarian cancer

We report a case in which the only presenting symptoms of the underlying ovarian malignancy were that of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. If suspecting paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, complete physical examination, including pelvic exams in female patients is warranted. Investigations should include CT chest/abdominal/pelvis, MRI brain, and Transesophageal Echocardiogram. Early recognition will lead to early diagnosis of occult malignancy and initiation of appropriate therapy. Awareness of these complications as initial presentation for internists, gynecologists and neurologists may avoid diagnostic delay.
On the Limit of the Generalized Binomial Distribution

In this article we investigate the limit of the Generalized Binomial Distribution that results from correlated Bernoulli processes as the number of trials goes to infinity. For a correlation factor less than or equal to one half, we show, under certain assumptions, that the limit distribution is the standardized normal. For a correlation factor greater than one half, we find empirically that the limit is different from the standardized normal distribution.
Stress incontinence in the era of regenerative medicine: reviewing the importance of the pudendal nerve.

Purpose: Regenerative medicine will likely facilitate improved stress urinary incontinence treatment via the restoration of its neurogenic, myogenic and structural etiologies. Understanding these pathophysiologies and how each can optimally benefit from cellular, molecular and minimally invasive therapies will become necessary. While stem cells in sphincteric deficiency dominate the regenerative urology literature, little has been published on pudendal nerve regeneration or other regenerative targets. We discuss regenerative therapies for pudendal nerve injury in stress urinary incontinence.Materials and Methods: A PubMed® search for pudendal nerve combined individually with regeneration, injury, electrophysiology, measurement and activity produced a combined but nonindependent 621 results. English language articles were reviewed by title for relevance, which identified a combined but nonindependent 68 articles. A subsequent Google Scholar™ search and a review of the references of the articles obtained ai...
Freight simulation: the modal-shift transportation planning problem and its fast steepest descent algorithm

The Modal-Shift Transportation Planning Problem (MSTPP) is the problem that finds a feasible schedule for carriers with the minimum total cost when sets of facilities, delivery orders, and carriers are given. In this paper, we propose a fast steepest descent algorithm to solve the MSTPP. Our solution generates a set of candidate routes for each delivery order as a preprocess. Then, it finds a schedule by iteratively updating selections of the candidate routes in descent directions, while computing a configuration of carrier movements at each iteration by a greedy algorithm. Intensive numerical study using artificial data modeled from the manufacturing industry in Japan is also presented.
Mechanical properties of fire-retardant glass fiber-reinforced polymer materials with alumina tri-hydrate filler

Abstract Alumina tri-hydrate (ATH) can be effectively used to increase fire resistance of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials. This paper studies the effect of ATH filler on mechanical properties of Glass FRP (GFRP) material, based on compression, tension, shear and flexural test results from three types of GFRP materials with the amount of 0% (control), 25%, and 50% ATH filler by weight of the resin. It was found that the control was the strongest for all tests except for flexure, which is 3% lower than the flexural strength of 25% ATH sample. The compressive strength dropped 19% and 25% for 25% and 50% ATH loadings, respectively, compared to the control. For shear and tensile strengths, the 25% ATH sample acted similarly to the control, but the 50% ATH sample had a significantly lower strength. For stiffness, changing the additive amount from 0% to 50% had only small changes for compression, tension, and flexure. It can be concluded that adding ATH generally decreases the strength and makes FRP more brittle. The performance of a 25% ATH loading is comparable to the control except compression, while a 50% ATH loading has a more significant effect on the mechanical properties of the GFRP. The data presented in this paper can be used to develop fire-resistant FRP systems.
Comparing 2-D screen projections to 1-D goniometric measurements in scattering studies of surface roughness

Video goniometry was used to study the angular dependence of scattering from tissues and test materials. Tissues and standard roughness samples (sandpaper) were placed vertically in front of a 543 nm He-Ne laser with the tissue surface normal at 45° from the incident beam. The scattered light patterns projected onto a screen that was photographed by a digital camera. The scatter pattern showed a specular peak centered at -45° which was described by a Henyey-Greenstein function. The pattern also presented a diffuse Lambertian pattern at 0° (normal to the tissue). The line between the peak specular and the peak Lambertian identified the scattering plane, despite any slight misalignment of the tissue. The analysis utilized a coordinate transform based on mathematics for mapping between a flat Mercator map and a spherical planetary surface. The system was used to study the surface roughness of muscle tissue samples (bovine striated muscle and chicken cardiac muscle).
Obstructive sleep apnea in the formerly preterm infant: an overlooked diagnosis.

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent disorder in children. The clinical characteristics of OSAS in very young children under 2 years of age, and more particularly, in those born prematurely, and who have respiratory complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), are not well defined. We therefore retrospectively reviewed our experience in a group of preterm infants with OSAS. Methods. The records of premature infants with BPD followed in the Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic at the University of Chicago who were diagnosed with OSAS from 2004-2009 were reviewed and analyzed. Results. Twelve children, 8 males and 4 females with a mean gestational age of 27 weeks were found to have OSAS. Mean age at diagnosis was 19 months. Inability to wean nighttime oxygen, the need to resume oxygen after intercurrent respiratory illness, and snoring were the most common presenting symptoms. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ranged from 1 to120/hrTST (mean: 29). SpO2 nadir ranged from 50% to 91%. Despite adenotonsillectomy (T&A), all children had persistent sleep disordered breathing. Conclusions. In preterm infants, while snoring is a frequent symptom, poor weight gain and inability to wean nighttime oxygen may indicate the need for further investigation for OSAS. In the former preterm infant structural changes in the airway may play an important role along with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. A high index of suspicion is required to identify OSA in the formerly preterm infant.
Cell interactions and the control of gene activity during early development of Xenopus laevis

During embryonic development, regulation of the zygotic genome may be mediated by inductive interactions and by cell-autonomous inheritance of informational material from the egg; we have studied certain aspects of such regulatory events in Xenopus laevis. Embryos cultured in Ca2+Mg2+-free medium can be dissociated and dispersed, eliminating cell-cell contact and thus precluding inductive interactions. Such manipulations revealed that activation of the muscle-specific α-actin genes is absolutely dependent upon cell contacts. Conversely, the endoderm-specific DG42 gene and the ectoderm-specific DG81 cytokeratin gene are activated in embryo cells dispersed throughout blastula stages and therefore appear to be controlled by inherited factors. Nevertheless, abnormal cell arrangements may prevent expression of the cytokeratin gene, suggesting that animal pole cells can be diverted from their normal ectodermal fate by inductive contact with vegetally derived cells. The interactions required for α-actin induction and inhibition of cytokeratin expression are independent of strong adhesion between embryonic cells mediated by high concentrations of divalent cations.
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces sister-chromatid exchanges and delays in cell progression in Chinese hamster ovary and human cell lines

Abstract The tumor promoter 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced a 20–40% increase in sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) and in 2 SV40-transformed human fibroblast cell lines (GM637 and XP12RO) at concentrations up to 1 μg/ml. The increase was independent of the time which the cells were fixed after treatment and was not due to an impurity in the TPA preparation or to increased incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into the DNA. There was no synergistic effect on SCE induction when CHO cells were simultaneously exposed to TPA and the carcinogens mitomycin C or ultraviolet light, but there was when TPA and benzo[ a ]pyrene were used. In addition to its weak SCE-inducing effects in CHO cells, TPA caused slight delays in cell cycle progression and greatly enhanced the cell cycle delay induced by benzo[ a ]pyrene.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN DESIGN FIRMS

The traditional philosophy of management in the architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry, both in academia and in industry, places great emphasis on the ability to plan and execute proj...
Self-consistent model of an annihilation-diffusion reaction with long-range interactions

We introduce coarse-grained hydrodynamic equations of motion for a diffusion-annihilation system with a power-law long-range interaction. By taking into account fluctuations of the conserved order parameter --- charge density --- we derive an analytically solvable approximation for the nonconserved order parameter --- total particle density. Asymptotic solutions are obtained for the case of random Gaussian initial conditions and for system dimensionality d\ensuremath{\geqslant}2. Large-t, intermediate-t, and small-t asymptotics were calculated and compared with existing scaling theories, exact results, and simulation data.
Evaluation of Crack Tip Constraint in Pipes Subjected to Combined Loading

Single edge cracked under tension (SENT) specimens appear as an alternative to conventional fracture specimens to characterize fracture toughness of circumferentially cracked pipes. The similarities of stress and strains fields between SENT specimens and cracked pipes are now well known. However, these similarities are not so well established for the case of circumferentially cracked pipes under combined loading conditions (i.e. internal pressure plus tension, internal pressure plus bending, etc.). This work presents a numerical analysis of crack-tip constraint of circumferentially surface cracked pipes and SENT specimens using full 3D nonlinear computations. The objective is to examine combined loading effects on the correlation of fracture behavior for the analyzed crack configurations. The constraint study using the J-Q methodology and the h parameter gives information about the fracture specimen that best represents the crack-tip conditions on circumferentially flawed pipes under combined loads.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Design and Synthesis of Pyrankacin: A Pyranmycin Class of Broad-Spectrum Aminoglycoside Antibiotic

A novel broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic, pyrankacin, has been prepared. In addition to the synthetic innovation in dideoxygenation and regioselective Staudinger reduction, we have obtained prominent antibacterial activity against several clinically important pathogens in the course of this work.