cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of potential in vivo probes for human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO): metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine by FMO and P450 isoforms.

Aims To determine the FMO and P450 isoform selectivity for metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine, two potential in vivo probes for human FMO. Methods Metabolic incubations were conducted at physiological pH using substrate concentrations of 0.01–10 m m with either recombinant human FMOs, P450s or human liver microsomes serving as the enzyme source. Products of caffeine and benzydamine metabolism were analysed by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. with u.v. and fluorescence detection. Results CYP1A2, but none of the human FMOs, catalysed metabolism of caffeine. In contrast, benzydamine was a substrate for human FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5. Apparent Km values for benzydamine N-oxygenation were 60 ± 8 µm, 80 ± 8 µm, > 3 m m and > 2 m m, for FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5, respectively. The corresponding Vmax values were 46 ± 2 min−1, 36 ± 2 min−1, < 75 min−1 and < 1 min−1. Small quantities of benzydamine N-oxide were also formed by CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4. Conclusions FMO1 and FMO3 catalyse benzydamine N-oxygenation with the highest efficiency. However, it is likely that the metabolic capacity of hepatic FMO3 is a much greater contributor to plasma levels of the N-oxide metabolite in vivo than is extrahepatic FMO1. Therefore, benzydamine, but not caffeine, is a potential in vivo probe for human FMO3.
Some optimizations in maximal clique based distributed coalition formation for collaborative multi-agent systems

We study scalable and efficient coordination and negotiation protocols for collaborative multi-agent systems (MAS). The coordination problem we address is multi-agent coalition formation in a fully decentralized, resource-bounded setting. More specifically, we design, analyze, optimize and experiment with the Maximal Clique based Distributed Coalition Formation (MCDCF) algorithm. We briefly describe several recent improvements and optimizations to the original MCDCF protocol and summarize our simulation results and their interpretations. We argue that our algorithm is a rare example in the MAS research literature of an efficient and highly scalable negotiation protocol applicable to several dozens or even hundreds (as opposed to usually only a handful) of collaborating autonomous agents.
Comparison of Current Interruption and Electrochemical Impedance Techniques in the Determination of Corrosion Rates of Steel in Concrete

Steel reinforced concrete is a widely used construction material. It is often the material of choice in bridges, parking garages, and marine structures because of its good durability and resistance to corrosion. However, over time, even well designed concrete is susceptible to chloride intrusion from deicing or marine salts or both, resulting in corrosion of embedded steel. By the time corrosion of steel in concrete is readily noticeable, major repairs are often required. A nondestructive means of determining the corrosion rate of inaccessible steel is thus needed. Electrochemical techniques such as polarization resistance are useful, however resistivities of concrete range from 1000 to greater than 30 000 ohm-cm. Furthermore, reference electrodes are usually greater than 25 mm from the working electrode (rebars). Thus, large ohmic electrolyte resistance is present, even at the low current densities associated with steel in concrete, and must be accounted for to accurately measure corrosion rates. In this paper we compare the use of current interruption correction for ohmic resistance to an electrochemical impedance measurement at 20 KHz. In general, we find a good correlation between the two techniques, and demonstrate that substantial ohmic resistances are present.
Tunisian intellectuals: responses to Islamism

A group of Tunisian intellectuals, whom the author dubs ‘the professors’, has generated a body of thought that responds to the Islamist challenge and to the continuing authoritarianism of the Ben Ali government, which remains committed to secularist policies inherited from the Bourguiba era and to the propagation of an official version of Islam. The professors deny the possibility of unambiguous definition of the Arab-Islamic heritage, the turath, and oppose the use of any ideology derived from that notion. Denouncing Islam as ideology, they evoke the need for a liberal, democratic arena in which notions of truth and policy can be freely debated. They suggest the need for some separation of religion and politics, but they would oppose ideological secularism as much as they oppose any religious ideology. The future of this discourse, which is in a sense both post-modern and post-Islamist, remains uncertain.
Absolute time estimates as a function of complexity and interruption of melodies.

Absolute time estimates were obtained to melodies having three degrees of complexity and two states of interruption (with and without rests), the melodies occurring at three durations. Although not statistically significant, mean time estimates were longer for more complex melodies and longer for uninterrupted melodies.
Metamaterial resonators on curved surfaces

Straightforward extension of canonical microwave metamaterial structures to optical and IR frequency dimensions is complicated by both the size scale of the resulting structures, requiring cutting edge lithography to achieve the requisite line-widths, as well as limitations on assembly/construction into final geometry. We present a scalable fabrication approach capable of generating metamaterial structures such as split ring resonators and split wire pairs on a micron/sub-micron size scale on concave surfaces with a radius of curvature ~ SRR diameter. This talk outlines the fabrication method and modeling/theory based interpretation of the implications of curved metamaterial resonators.
Simultaneous imaging of [Ca2+]i and intracellular NO production in freshly isolated uterine artery endothelial cells: effects of ovarian cycle and pregnancy.

Pregnancy and the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle show elevation of uterine blood flow and associated increases in uterine artery endothelium (UAE) endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNO...
On the theory of KLL auger energies

Abstract Accurate KL 1 L 1 Auger energies are calculated for atomic carbon and oxygen. They are: = 460.5 eV and = 243.6 eV. These values can serve as standards for the evaluation of experimental uncertainties present in various spectroscopic measurements. In this paper they have also served as standards for the appraisal of various one-particle approximations dealing with the calculation of Auger energies.
Interface and matrix fracture in brittle fiber-reinforced composites

In this paper, the interface and matrix fracture problem of uniaxially fiber-reinforced composites is analyzed. The composite is modeled as two concentric cylinders with interface and matrix cracks. Both the fiber and matrix are isotropic, homogeneous and linearly elastic. Using the crack surface displacement derivatives as unknowns the problem is formulated in terms of singular integral equations. The formulation leads to a system of coupled singular integral equations, which contains singular integral equations of the second kind with logarithmically singular and discontinuous Fredholm kernels for the interface cracks and singular integral equations with generalized Cauchy kernels for a matrix crack touching the interface. The system is solved numerically, with the aid of the weighted residual and the collocation techniques. The stress intensity factors are calculated for various crack geometries which are of interest in studying the damage mechanisms of composites.
A re-examination of the mechanisms of electrodeposition of CdX and ZnX (X = Se, Te) semiconductors by the cyclic photovoltammetric technique

Abstract The electrodeposition mechanisms in two families of compound semiconductors, namely CdX and ZnX (X = Se, Te), were re-examined by cyclic voltammetry in the dark and under illumination of the substrate electrode/electrolyte interphase. In situ diagnostic probes of the mechanistic pathway and the electrodeposition chemistry were furnished by the photoresponse of the forming semiconductor films under band-gap illumination. Thus, a new mechanism involving the metal ion catalyzed deposition of the chalcogen species, is proposed for CdSe and ZnSe. In the case of CdTe and ZnTe, Teo nucleation preceded subsequent semiconductor formation via the underpotential deposition of the metal ions. Two types of photoresponse, namely photoconductive and photoelectrochemical, were distinguished on the basis of their varying dependence on the applied potential. These cyclic photovoltammetric data are finally discussed within the framework of existing methods combining light excitation (or emission) and voltammetric scanning of the electrode/electrolyte interphase.
Reliability and Validity Testing of Three Breastfeeding Assessment Tools

Abstract Objective This study examined validity and reliability of three clinical instruments that assess feedings at the breast. Design A descriptive correlational design testing the validity and interrater and test-retest reliability of instruments. Setting Hospital rooms and the participants' homes. Subjects Eleven breastfeeding women and their neonates were videotaped in 23 breastfeeding observations. Interventions The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT), the Mother Baby Assessment Tool (MBA), and the LATCH assessment tool were scored by three nurse raters using videotapes of breastfeedings. Instruments were completed twice by each rater with a 6-month period between administration. Main Outcome Measures To test validity, test-retest, and interrater reliability, Spearman correlation coefficients among raters' breastfeeding assessment scores, among scores of each instrument, and between test and retest scores of raters. Percent of agreement among raters for each of the items in the three tools. Results Reliability coefficients for all three assessment tools are below acceptable levels for clinical decisions. Spearman rank coefficients of pairwise interrater correlations were .57, .27, and .69 for the IBFAT: .66, .64, and .33 for the MBA; and .11, .46, and .48 for the LATCH assessment tool. Spearman rank coefficients among instrument scores were .69, .78, and .68. Test-retest correlations were .88, .78, and .64. Percent of agreement among raters for each of the items in the three tools was highly variable, ranging from 37.0 to 97.2. Conclusion The IBFAT, MBA, and LATCH as tools to measure breastfeeding effectiveness are not sufficiently reliable at this stage in their development; thus, these tools cannot be valid for clinical use. These tools need to be revised and retested before use in clinical practice to identify breastfeeding mother-infant pairs who need intervention.
Dependence of Human Vascular Cell Surface Proteolysis on Expression of the Urokinase Receptor.

To delineate the role of binding of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) to its receptor (uPAR) in the local generation of plasmin by endothelium, we transfected spontaneously transformed immortalized human vascular endothelial cells that express high levels of uPA but low levels of uPAR with human uPAR complementary DNA. Compared with nontransfected cell, the stably transformed clonal cell line exhibited (a) a > 10-fold increase in steady-state uPAR mRNA levels documented with Northern blot analysis (n = 3), (b) a 2.8-fold increase in cell surface expression of uPAR protein quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (n = 3), (c) a 2.9-fold increase in specific binding of radiolabeled single chain uPA (n = 4), and (d) markedly increased matrix adhesion. The participation of uPAR in cell surface proteolysis was apparent based on a 3.0-fold increase in cell associated plasmin activity (n = 3) and a 2.3-fold increase in lysis of noncrosslinked fibrin clots (n = 5). Thus, local generation of plasmin and consequent degradation of fibrin are likely to be promoted by cell surface localization of uPA by uPAR in cellular constituents of the vessel wall. Furthermore, genetic engineering of endothelium to enhance expression of uPAR may confer resistance to thrombosis or restenosis associated with endovascular stents.
Polarization diversity and equalization for PMD mitigation in optical communication systems

We show that electrical domain (post-detection) approaches hold great promise for mitigating distortions such as polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in optical communication systems, when they are used by taking the physical characteristics of the distortion into account. We present a polarization diversity receiver for PMD mitigation and show its effectiveness by simulation results using accurate modeling of the PMD distortion. We also note that by incorporating electronic equalization into the diversity receiver structure further performance improvements can be achieved. We evaluate the system outage probability by calculating the power penalty due to PMD distortion and show its agreement with the simulation results.
Generalized stacking fault energies for embedded atom FCC metals

Atomistic calculations for the 112 -generalized stacking fault (GSF) energy curve are performed for various embedded atom models of FCC metals. Models include those by Voter and Chen; Angelo, Moody and Baskes; Oh and Johnson; Mishin and Farkas; and Ercolessi and Adams. The resulting curves show similar characteristics but vary in their agreement with the experimental estimates of the intrinsic stacking fault energy, sf , and with density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the GSF curve. These curves are used to obtain estimates of the unstable stacking fault energy, us , a quantity used in a criterion for dislocation nucleation. Curves for nickel and copper models show the theoretically expected skewed sinusoidal shape; however, several of the aluminium models produce an irregularly shaped GSF curve. Copper and aluminium values for us are underestimates of calculations from DFT, although some of the nickel models produce a value matching one of the available DFT results. Values for sf are either fitted to, or underestimate, the measured results. For use in simulations, the authors recommend using the Voter and Chen potential for copper, and either the Angelo, Moody and Baskes potential or the Voter and Chen potential for nickel. None of the potentials model aluminium well, indicating the need for a more-advanced empirical potential.
Optimization of a contrast-detail-based method for electronic image display quality evaluation.

The authors previously reported a general technique based on contrast-detail methods to provide an overall quantitative evaluation of electronic image display quality. The figure-of-merit reflecting overall display quality is called maximum threshold contrast or MTC. In this work we have optimized the MTC technique through improvements in both the test images and the figure-of-merit computation. The test images were altered to match the average luminance with that observed for clinical computed radiographic images. The figure-of-merit calculation was altered to allow for contrast-detail data with slopes not equal to −1. Preliminary experiments also were conducted to demonstrate the response of the MTC measurements to increased noise in the displayed image. MTC measurements were obtained from five observers using the improved test images displayed with maximum monitor luminance settings of 30-, 50-, and 70-ft-Lamberts. Similar measurements were obtained from two observers using test images altered by the addition of a low level of image noise. The noise-free MTC and MTC difference measurements exhibited standard deviations of 0.77 and 1.55, respectively. This indicates good measurement precision, comparable or superior to that observed using the earlier MTC technique. No statistically significant image quality differences versus maximum monitor luminance were seen. The noise-added MTC measurements were greater than the noise-free values by an average of 4.08 pixel values, and this difference was statistically significant. This response is qualitatively correct, and is judged to indicate good sensitivity of the MTC measurement to increased noise levels.
Ocular side effects from herbal medicines and nutritional supplements

Purpose To review the more significant herbal and nutritional agents of clinical importance to ophthalmologists and describe the ocular side effects for each. World Health Organization (WHO) classification and guidelines for clinicians are provided. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods A retrospective observational case series of reports of ocular side effects or systemic side effects from medications used for the eye from herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. Cases were collected from spontaneous reports submitted to the WHO, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects. A review of the world's literature was performed to obtain additional case reports and insight into adverse ocular reactions. Data were collected on age, gender, duration of therapy, concomitant medications, dosage, and dechallenge and rechallenge results. Results The National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects received 263 spontaneous reports, in addition to 60 case reports from the literature. Canthaxanthine, chamomile, Datura, Echinacea purpurea , Ginkgo biloba , licorice, niacin, and vitamin A are all associated with clinically significant ocular side effects. Conclusion Herbal medicines and nutritional supplements can cause ocular side effects. Clinicians need to recognize these adverse events, because a large segment of the population uses them, many times without the treating physician's knowledge.
Factors influencing plasma zinc levels in low-income pregnant women.

Plasma zinc (Zn) concentrations were measured in 4376 indigent women (86% African-American), at a mean (±SD) gestational age of 15 (±7.8) wk to determine the relationship between various maternal characteristics and plasma Zn levels during pregnancy. Mean plasma Zn levels were lower in African-American women than in Caucasian women, in multiparous women than in primiparous women, and in women with body weight >69.9 kg than in those with body weight ≤69.9 kg (p≤0.001 for each comparison). There were no significant differences related to maternal age, marital status, education, or smoking habit. Multiple regression analysis, including maternal prepregnancy weight, race, age, parity, smoking habit, education, and marital status indicated that race, parity, and pregnancy weight were significantly associated with maternal plasma Zn levels, adjusted for gestational age. Maternal race was the best predictor of plasma Zn concentrations among the population of pregnant women studied A significant proportion of variance in maternal plasma Zn levels remained unexplained after taking into account various maternal characteristics. The reasons for lower plasma Zn levels in African-American women, compared to Caucasian women, during pregnancy are unknown.
Laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with diabetes.

Purpose To study the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. Setting Gimbel Eye Centres, Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. Methods The charts of all patients with diabetes who had LASIK surgery at the Gimbel Eye Centres were reviewed retrospectively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), final refraction, and complications were assessed. Results Twenty-four patients (16 men and 8 women) were identified. Mean patient age was 42 years (range 24 to 57 years). Seventeen patients had diabetes type II, and 7 had diabetes type I. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was −4.88 ± 2.13 diopters (D) (range +1.625 to −9.00 D). Median follow-up was 6 months (range 4 to 44 months). No eye lost BSCVA. Twenty-nine eyes (63%) achieved UCVA 20/25 or better, and 31 eyes (67%) were within ±0.5 D of the intended refraction after the first LASIK surgery. Retreatment was required in 13 eyes (28.3%) because initial surgery was not adequate to correct the refractive error. At the last follow-up visit, 40 eyes (87%) achieved UCVA of 20/25 or better and 43 eyes (93.5%) were within ±0.5 D of the intended refraction. Three eyes (6.5%) developed an epithelial defect after surgery, and secondary epithelial ingrowth developed in 2 of these eyes. No advancement of diabetic retinopathy was noticed in any eye at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusions Laser in situ keratomileusis surgery was safely performed in patients with well-controlled diabetes. Enhancement may often be required for optimal correction.
The Society for the Encouragement of Literature and Science

THE attention of the Council of the Geological Society has been called to the prospectus of a “Society for the Encouragement of Literature and Science,” in which the letters “F.G.S.” are appended to the name of one of the vice-presidents and to that of the “Secretary-in-Chief.” I have been directed by the Council to make it generally known that neither of these gentlemen is a Fellow of the Geological Society, as would naturally be inferred from their use of these letters, and I shall feel greatly obliged by your insertion of this note in your columns.
Production of 11beta,17,20alpha,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and the 20 beta-epimer by human adrenal tissue.

Production of 11β, 17, 20α, 21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and the 20β-epimer by incubated adrenal tissues from patients with and without hypertension was compared. There was a positive correlation with increase of diastolic blood pressure up to the 110–120 mm Hg level, and a negative correlation with further increases. With increases in adrenal weight the unit production decreased. Progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone had little effect when added to the incubation media. The 20β-epimer was isolated from adrenal venous blood.
Surrogate Hamiltonian description of solvation dynamics. Resolution of global responses into spatial profiles

Abstract We present a more formal development of our recent theory of solvation dynamics, allowing a more detailed examination of the mechanism of solvent response to the sudden change of the charge distribution of an immersed solute. A distinctive feature of the theory is that both the solute and the solvent molecules are described in terms of relatively realistic interaction site models. Furthermore, in the theory the solute-solvent coupling is formulated in terms of the solute-solvent site-site interactions, rather than by appealing to some sort of cavity construction. Appling the general formulation of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics we derive an approximate nonequilibrium distribution function fΣh(Γ, t) for a “surrogate” Hamiltonian description of solvation dynamics. The surrogate Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of renormalized solute-solvent interactions, a feature that allows us to introduce a simple reduction scheme in the many body dynamic problem, without losing the important solute-solvent static correlations that are important for the equilibrium solvation. With fΣh(Γ, t) we can calculate not only the solvation time correlation function but also other observables of interest such as the evolution of the solvent polarization charge density around the solute. We also consider the spatial resolution of some of the measures of the solvent response to the sudden transition, namely the reaction potential and the electrostatic energy gap. Applications of the theory are illustrated with calculations of the solvation dynamics of a cation in acetonitrile and the solvation dynamics of formaldehyde in water.
Failure to support the hypothesis that eating is anticipatory of need.

Le Magnen (1959) reported evidence that eating is a response to an anticipated rather than existing nutritional deficit. However, it is the contention of this paper that the evidence was based upon a statistical artifact. The purpose of the present experiment was to obtain the anticipatory effect using a modified procedure. In both Le Magnen's experiment and the present one, one meal preceded a long interval and followed a short interval while the other meal preceded a short interval and followed a long interval. Insofar as eating is anticipatory, more should be eaten at the meal which precedes the long interval than at the meal that precedes the short one. If eating is a response to an existing deficit, then more should be eaten at the meal that precedes the short interval because this meal also follows the long intermeal interval. There was no systematic relationship between the length of the intermeal interval (either preceding or following a meal) and the amount consumed.
Harmaline-induced tremor as a potential preclinical screening method for essential tremor medications

No preclinical method to evaluate potential new medications for essential tremor (ET) is available currently. Although harmaline tremor is a well known animal model of ET, it has not found utility as a preclinical drug screen and has not been validated with anti-ET medications. We measured harmaline tremor in rats (10 mg/kg s.c.) and mice (20 mg/kg s.c.) with a load sensor under the cage floor and performed spectral analysis on 20-minute epochs. The motion power over the tremor frequency bandwidth (8-12 Hz in rats; 10-16 Hz in mice) was divided by the motion power over the full motion frequency range (0-15 Hz in rats; 0-34 Hz in mice). The use of these measures greatly reduced data variability, permitting experiments with small sample sizes. Three drugs that suppress ET (propranolol, ethanol, and octanol) all significantly suppressed harmaline-induced tremor. We propose that, with this methodology, harmaline-induced tremor may be useful as a preclinical method to identify potential medications for ET.
The Archaeology of the Epigrams from the Tabulae Iliacae: Adaptation, Allusion, Alteration

Abstract The epigrams and other metrical texts inscribed on the Tabulae Iliacae document an active engagement with the prior poetic tradition on the part of the artisans of these early Imperial reliefs, who adapt and reshape earlier texts in order to create for their Roman clientele a novel version of Greek myth and history. I reconsider the texts of three groups of inscriptions and argue for their significance to the history of Greek epigram. The Tabula Chigi (IG 14.1296) transmits two elegiac couplets that employ dialectal variation to characterize the speech of Alexander the Great; a metrical irregularity reveals how the couplets were adapted to their inscriptional context. Variations in the two metrical signatures of Theodorus, the creator of the Tabulae (IG 14.1284; SEG 14.626), reveal a nuanced attempt to characterize his relationship with his avowed poetic source, Homer. Verse summaries of the Iliad on the Tabula Sarti (IG 14.1286) have been misunderstood because the sole surviving image of the tablet has been misread: a new edition shows the summaries’ close adaptation of Homer and uncovers the rationale for their unusual meter (anapestic tetrameter catalectic). An appendix discusses the whereabouts of the Tabula Chigi, which is currently lost.
Passive repositioning of maxillary fractures: an occasional impossibility without osteotomy.

Purpose To present cases where passive repositioning of maxillary fractures was not achievable during surgery, and a method to provide passive occlusal positioning in those cases. Patients and methods Over a 10-year period, the maxillae of 24 patients with fractures of the maxilla could not be passively repositioned during surgery. In these cases, a Le Fort I osteotomy was performed in addition to reduction and fixation of the other midfacial fractures. Results All patients had passive restoration of their pretrauma occlusion during surgery. All patients except 1 had maintenance of their pretrauma occlusion at the last follow-up visit (6 weeks or more) following surgery. Conclusion When passive positioning of the maxilla is not possible, a concomitant Le Fort I osteotomy can provide passive positioning of the occlusion.
The effect of a decrease in blood pressure, associated with extracorporeal blood pumping on myocardial metabolism in the isolated dog heart preparation.

Abstract A fall in systolic blood pressure was associated with the use of a blood pump for extracorporeal circulation in dogs. The change in systolic blood pressure was negatively correlated to an increase in arterial lactate and glucose levels and positively with a decrease in free fatty acid levels. The changes in arterial levels of these major metabolic sybstrates resulted in a shift in myocardial metabolism whereby myocardial utilization of carbohydrate (glucose and lactate) was enhanced while free fatty acid utilization was markedly diminished.
Management of Postharvest Deficit Irrigation of Peach Trees Using Infrared Canopy Temperature

Remotely sensed canopy temperature from infrared thermometer (IRT) sensors is an effective tool for detecting plant water stress. Deficit irrigation, where the plants receive less than full irrigations and come under water stress at certain growth stages, can be used to help alleviate water shortage in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Thus, new irrigation scheduling procedures need to be developed. A field study was conducted from 2009 to 2011 to evaluate the performance of using midday infrared canopy to air temperature difference (ΔT) to manage postharvest deficit irrigation of early season peach trees. Threshold values of ΔT were selected, based on previous years’ stem water potential and ΔT measurements, for four irrigation treatments: Furrow and surface drip irrigation with or without postharvest water stress. A wired network of 12 IRT sensors was installed above the orchard for canopy temperature measurement. Soil water content and stem water potential were also monitored weekly for each treatment. In both growing seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011), the measured ΔT values showed consistent differences among treatments, which correlated to both soil water content (R 2 ≈ 0.47–0.53) and stem water potential readings (R 2 ≈ 0.46–0.65). The relationship between fruit mass and postharvest irrigation amount indicated that up to 53% water savings could be achieved without impacting fruit size. The study demonstrated that infrared canopy temperature measured from above the tree top can potentially be used for managing deficit irrigation in peach and possibly other tree crops. Additional research is needed to further validate this approach.
Determination of P50 for feline hemoglobin

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the PO2 at 50% hemoglobin oxygenation (P50) of feline hemoglobin (Hb). Design: Prospective in vitro laboratory study. Setting: Research laboratory. Animals: Blood from 10 healthy cats. Interventions: Individual blood samples were equilibrated with calibrated gases of 95, 21, 8, 5, 4, and 2.5% oxygen for tonometric analysis. Measurements: Partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), oxygen content, oxyhemoglobin saturation, methemoglobin (MetHb), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), Hb, packed cell volume, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) were measured in duplicate for each blood sample by tonometry. The P50 was calculated from both PO2/oxyhemoglobin saturation and PO2/oxygen content (per gram of Hb) curves. Main results: The P50 from the PO2/oxyhemoglobin saturation curve was 35.6 mmHg and from the PO2/oxygen content (per gram of Hb) curve was 36.2 mmHg. Conclusions: The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve for the cat is shifted to the right, and thus, feline Hb has lower oxygen affinity compared with human and canine Hb.
beta-Adrenergic receptor regulation and antidepressants: the influence of adrenocorticotropin.

Chronic administration of antidepressants reduces brainβ-adrenergic receptor number and function. Peptide and steroid hormones are also capable of modifying receptor activity, and because circulating levels of these substances are altered in depressed patients, studies have been undertaken to determine whether hormones influence the neurochemical responses to antidepressant drugs. Co-administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and imipramine induces a more rapid reduction in brainβ-adrenergic receptor binding than is observed with either substance alone. Moreover, by itself, ACTH treatment alters the ability of norepinephrine to stimulate cAMP accumulation in brain tissue without affecting recognition site number. Lesioning of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle blocks the decline inβreceptor number and activity produced by the ACTH-imipramine treatment. Indeed, administration of ACTH facilitated the increase inβ-Preceptor number that occurs following denervation. These data indicate that ACTH treatment influencesβ-adrenergic receptor adaptations that occur in response to a change in synaptic activity. Such findings have implications in regard to the clinical responses to antidepressants, and the role of hormones in the etiology of affective illness.
Electrical relaxation in pure and alkali metal thiocyanate complexed poly(ethylene oxide)

Abstract : Audio frequency complex admittance and DSC studies have been performed on pure poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and PEO complexed with alkali metal thiocyanates over the temperature range 5.5-380K. The dielectric constant of the complexed materials is found to be greater than for pure PEO. A discontinuity in the conductivity is found which increases in temperature as the size of the cation increases. In every case, the discontinuity is associated with a feature in the DSC results. Next, some evidence is given that water may enhance the formation of amorphous complexed PEO. In pure PEO, alpha sub a and gamma relaxations are observed in good agreement with previous work. A thermal anomaly is found corresponding to alpha sub a . In addition, alpha sub c is identified in pure PEO. Very little difference is found for the gamma relaxation between pure PEO and PEO-LiSCN and PEO-NaSCN. For PEO-KSCN, three distinct peaks are found in the gamma relaxation region. These results are consistent with a tg+t infinity tg-t transition interpretation for gamma where the cations reside within the helical channels at low temperatures. (Author)
On Global Modeling of Backbone Network Traffic

We develop a probabilistic framework for global modeling of the traffic over a computer network. The model integrates existing single-link (-flow) traffic models with the routing over the network to capture the global traffic behavior. It arises from a limit approximation of the traffic fluctuations as the time--scale and the number of users sharing the network grow. The resulting probability model is comprised of a Gaussian and/or a stable, infinite variance components. They can be succinctly described and handled by certain 'space-time' random fields. The model is validated against real data and applied to predict traffic fluctuations over unobserved links from a limited set of observed links.
Graphite–Carbide Materials prepared by Hot-working with the Carbide Phase in the Liquid State

ALTHOUGH processes of hot-working are attractive as a means of reducing the porosity and permeability of graphite, the results of measurements of some of the other physical properties are disappointing1,2. For example, bodies hot-worked in compression show some increase in compressive strength parallel to the direction of hot-working, but this gain is offset by a decrease in strength in the perpendicular direction. Although appreciable reductions in the porosity and permeability have been attained, attempts to reduce these properties to negligible values by hot-working to high strain-levels have not been successful.
Package-on-package for chip cooling with embedded fluidics

Modern semiconductor chips are reaching higher power densities, requiring cooling capacities in excess of 100 W/cm2. Liquid cooling is widely seen as the appropriate technology to provide cooling for these devices, however, convenient, integrated cooling techniques are not available. We report the use of a chip cooling package designed to interface directly with an embedded fluidic system that routes cooling liquid on a printed circuit board. The package is designed as a “package-on-package” construction so that it can be packaged over an existing electronic chip to provide fluid-based cooling to a variety of components. This paper presents package design and construction, fluidic integration, and flow/thermal performance of this package.
Isochronous Cyclotron Harmonic Beam Experiments

We have previously described a system for boosting the energy of heavy ions in isochronous cyclotrons by recycling. This system requires simultaneous acceleration of two beams on different harmonics, all-magnetic extraction, external separation, and reinjection of the lower energy beam. The first three requirements have now been demonstrated on a limited scale using simultaneous beams from an internal ion source, and without building a reinjection system. A 6Lil+ beam on the third harmonic at an energy of 4 MeV and a 6Li3+ beam on the fundamental at an energy of 36 MeV were simultaneously accelerated on the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC), extracted and separated, demonstrating the major principles of recycle without closing the loop.
Overcoming MDR by Ultrasound-Induced Hyperthermia and P-Glycoprotein Modulation

We assessed the effects of combining ultrasound-induced hyperthermia (USHT) with the P-glycoprotein modulator PSC 833 on cellular retention and cytotoxicity of rhodamine 123 (R123) and doxorubicin in the parent and multidrug resistance (MDR) variants of two human cancer lines. USHT significantly increased cellular uptake of R123 and doxorubicin. Without PSC 833, release of R123 and doxorubicin from both USHT-treated and untreated cells was rapid. As expected, PSC 833 (0.5 μM) only slowed their release into the MDR lines. Interestingly, despite the differences in their starting amounts, PSC 833 was effective in prolonging R123 and doxorubicin release from both USHT-treated and untreated MDR cells. PSC 833 did not augment the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in parent lines but did cause a significant increase in cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in the MDR lines. However, the combined effect of USHT and PSC 833 on cytotoxicity of doxorubicin far exceeded that produced by USHT or PSC 833 alone.
Inferences about the scale parameter of the gamma distribution based on data mixed from censoring and grouping

This paper studies the MLE of the scale parameter of the gamma distribution based on data mixed from censoring and grouping when the shape parameter is known. The study shows that under Type I mixed data, the MLE of the scale parameter exists, is unique, and converges almost surely to the true value provided the number of items that fail in the last interval is less than the total number of items placed on test. Under Type II mixed data, these properties hold unconditionally. The relationship between the MLE's based on mixed data and censored data is also examined. An upper bound on the MLE under both Type I and II mixed data is derived to simplify the search for the MLE.
Pullout Resistance Factors for Steel MSE Reinforcements Embedded in Gravelly Backfill

Abstract This paper presents results from a laboratory program of 287 pullout tests of galvanized steel reinforcements used in the construction of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. Results focus on the evaluation of pullout resistance factors for ribbed steel strip and welded steel grid reinforcement embedded in gravelly backfill. This project used Texas Tech University’s large-scale MSE test box with dimensions of 3.6 × 3.6 × 1.2 m and an applied overburden capacity equivalent to 12 m of soil fill. The research design evaluated pullout resistance factors for both ribbed strip and welded grid reinforcements for a variety of independent variables, including overburden pressure, reinforcement length, grid bar size, and grid geometry including both transverse and longitudinal bar spacing. Appropriate statistical analyses were used to interpret the data within the context of published design guidance for inextensible MSE reinforcements. The results show that pullout resistance factors for both ribb...
Elastic constants and thermal expansion of aluminum-SiC metal-matrix composites

The elastic behavior and the thermal expansivity of metal-matrix composites have been investigated using ultrasonic velocity and strain gage measurements. The composites used in this study consisted of three aluminum alloys reinforced with different concentrations of SiC particles. The results show that the elastic constants increase and the coefficients of thermal expansion decrease with particle content. The results also show that the behavior of elastic constants with reinforcement can be best represented by the calculations of the upper and lower bounds of Hashin and Shtrikman. The behavior of thermal expansion, however, agrees with bounds developed by Schapery. In addition, both properties are found to be related through a model linking the strain to the elastic and thermal stresses in the composite. This relationship gives promise for the nondestructive characterization of the composites using these measurements.
Limit reliability functions of some series-parallel and parallel-series systems

Abstract In the reliability investigation of large-scale systems, the problem of the complexity of their reliability functions appears. This problem may be approximately solved by the assumption that the number of the system components tends to infinity and by finding the limit reliability function of this system. In this paper, some three-element closed classes of limit reliability functions for series-parallel and parallel-series systems with identical components are fixed. The series-parallel system is such that the number of its series components is of greater order than the logarithm of the number of its parallel components. The parallel-series system is such that the number of its parallel components is of greater order than the logarithm of the number of its series components. Moreover, an example of the considered systems and its limit reliability function is given. The results may be useful in the reliability evaluation of large systems with identical components and may be the origin in the reliability investigation of large systems with different components.
The robustness of anova with respect to interactions in some orthogonal block designs

Consider a K-random factor design. Each random blocking factor,fk , has nk , levels and an allocation of the T fixed treatments under the consideration is applied to the experimental plots. In this paper the spectral representation of the covariance structure of such a design is given. Furthermore, the covariance structure under a mixed linear model which includes interactions between blocking factors and treatments is examined. As a result, we find that to preserve the covariance structure, not only does one need to impose conditions on the interactions but also to apply the treatments in a restricted fashion. We give a sufficient condition under which the structure of covariance of the model without interactions remains unchanged when interactions are included. That is to say that ANOVA for such designs based on the model without interactions remains valid when interactions actually do exist.
Effect of pH on theophylline transfer across the everted rat jejunum

The effect of pH on the cumulative transfer of theophylline across the everted rat jejunum in vitro was investigated. Intestinal integrity was assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy, while the biochemical viability of the intestine was evaluated using glucose transfer measurements. The initial (0–30 min) clearance of theophylline was directly proportional to the fraction un-ionized at pH 5.5, 7.4, 8.0, and 10.0. Plots of cumulative theophylline transfer versus time over 60 min were nonlinear, but could be subdivided into two linear segments of 30-min duration. Due to this nonlinearity, differences in theophylline transfer with pH were significant only over the first 30 min of the experiment. Intestinal tissue integrity and viability correlated with the time at which the clearance (slope) increased, while the magnitude of the increase in clearance was proportional to the degree of ionization of theophylline.
A place to stand: African‐Americans and the first of August platform

Antebellum free blacks created a commemorative platform to instill alternative values that embraced universal human liberty, thus reinforcing their meaning of freedom. This public address platform was the first and the largest of its kind in America. In lieu of participating in the fourth of July celebrations, Blacks participated in annual commemorations of emancipation in the British West Indies from 1834 until the end of the Civil War. This essay demonstrates that through this event, African Americans courted diverse audiences in the United States that crossed race, gender, class, and age. This essay further demonstrates that the First of August orations embraced hope, an ever‐present theme with universal appeal in commemorative rhetoric of African Americans.
Determination of county-level prostate carcinoma incidence and detection rates with Medicare claims data.

BACKGROUND To the authors' knowledge, national-level population-based data regarding prostate carcinoma incidence and detection currently are not available. The availability of such data could identify those regions with a disproportionately high cancer incidence as well as the population-level association between prostate carcinoma detection and incidence. METHODS Inpatient, hospital outpatient, and physician/supplier Medicare claims from 1997 were used to identify incident cases of prostate carcinoma in men age ≥ 65 years and to calculate state and county-level incidence rates. The 1991 and 1997 claims data were used to determine small area rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and prostate biopsy and to determine their correlation with incidence. RESULTS The calculated incidence rates for 1997 were 890 per 100,000 and 1196 per 100,000, respectively, in white males and African-American males and varied substantially between counties (i.e., 25–75th percentile, 676–1124 per 100,000). Rates of PSA and prostate biopsy increased markedly from 1991 to 1997 in both white men (1580 per 100,000 to 24,286 per 100,000) and African-American men (1277 per 100,000 to 15,190 per 100,000), and considerable variation in detection between counties was observed. Counties that had higher rates of prostate biopsy also had higher age-adjusted incidence rates, and county-level PSA testing was found to be associated with incidence in African-American patients, but not in white patients. CONCLUSIONS Medicare claims may provide an alternative source of population-based data, particularly for areas in which registry data are not readily available or are of limited scope. In addition, claims provide otherwise unavailable national data concerning cancer detection. Cancer 2001;92:102–9. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The effect of chloro-functional molecules on the ammonia plasma treatment of silicone elastomers

Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy was utilized for surface studies of ammonia/plasma-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer networks containing residual chloro-functional molecules. Ammonia/plasma modification of PDMS containing chloro-functional molecules causes the formation of surface amide groups, but due to the parallel formation of surface ammonium chloride, amide groups are not chemically bonded to the PDMS surface. The two primary sources of chlorine-containing species are residual traces of freon and cross-linking initiators present in the network. In the absence of chloro-functional molecules, ammonia/plasma surface modifications of PDMS leads to the formation of stable surface amide groups.