cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical Components And Systems For Synchrotron Radiation: An Introduction

Malcolm R. HowellsNational Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973AbstractA brief description of the nature and origins of synchrotron radiation is given withspecial reference to its geometrical optical properties and the use of storage rings aslight sources. The geographical distribution of SR sources in the world is reviewed andsome discussion of the level of experimental activity is given. Estimates of futurelevels of experimental activity are also made both for existing storage rings and thoseplanned for the future. Calculations of the approximate number of mirrors and gratingsthat will be required are offered. Some general considerations are outlined showing howsynchrotron radiation optical systems couple to the light source and indicating whichparameters need to be maximized for best overall performance.*IntroductionSynchrotron Radiation (SR) is now used sufficiently widely to create a significantworldwide demand for special optics.
Mhd waves and heating in coronal holes

Coronal holes have been identified as source regions of the fast solar wind, and MHD wave activity has been detected in coronal holes by remote sensing, and in situ in fast solar wind streams. I review some of the most suggestive wave observations, and discuss the theoretical aspects of MHD wave heating and solar wind acceleration in coronal holes. I review the results of single fluid 2.5D MHD, as well as multi-fluid 2.5D MHD models of waves in coronal holes, the heating, and the acceleration of the solar wind be these waves.
Hemodynamics and wall mechanics in human carotid bifurcation and its consequences for atherogenesis: investigation of inter-individual variation

Finite element simulations of fluid–solid interactions were used to investigate inter-individual variations in flow dynamics and wall mechanics at the carotid artery bifurcation, and its effects on atherogenesis, in three healthy humans (normal volunteers: NV1, NV2, NV4). Subject-specific calculations were based on MR images of structural anatomy and ultrasound measurements of flow at domain boundaries. For all subjects, the largest contiguous region of low wall shear stress (WSS) occurred at the carotid bulb, WSS was high (6–10 Pa) at the apex, and a small localized region of WSS>10 Pa occurred close to the inner wall of the external carotid artery (ECA). NV2 and NV4 had a “spot” of low WSS distal to the bifurcation at the inner wall of the ECA. Low WSS patches in the common carotid artery (CCA) were contiguous with the carotid bulb low WSS region in NV1 and NV2, but not in NV4. In all three subjects, areas of high oscillatory shear index (OSI) were confined to regions of low WSS. Only NV4 exhibited high levels of OSI on the external adjoining wall of the ECA and CCA. For all subjects, the maximum wall shear stress temporal gradient (WSSTG) was highest at the flow divider (reaching 1,000 Pa/s), exceeding 300 Pa/s at the walls connecting the ECA and CCA, but remaining below 250 Pa/s outside of the ECA. In all subjects, (maximum principle) cyclic strain (CS) was greatest at the apex (NV1: 14%; NV2: 11%; NV4: 6%), and a second high CS region occurred at the ECA–CCA adjoining wall (NV1: 11%, NV2: 9%, NV4: 5%). Wall deformability was included in one simulation (NV2) to verify that it had little influence on the parameters studied. Location and magnitude of low WSS were similar, except for the apex (differences of up to 25%). Wall distensibility also influenced OSI, doubling it in most of the CCA, separating the single high OSI region of the carotid bulb into two smaller regions, and shrinking the ECA internal and external walls’ high OSI regions. These observations provide further evidence that significant intra-subject variability exists in those factors thought to impact atherosclerosis.
Fatty acid patterns of human milk

An analysis of the fatty acid content of 110 early morning samples of breast milk from 26 mothers shows a shift in the fatty acid pattern toward higher values for C 18:2 fatty acids than those reported previously. This shift has paralleled an increase in the use of vegetable oils and an increase in the P/S ratio of the American diet. The fatty acid pattern varied from day to day only for C 18:1. There were no significant variations among morning, midday, and evening values for samples provided by eight mothers.
Quail Ridge Wireless Mesh Network: Experiences, Challenges and Findings

Wireless mesh networks are becoming a popular alternative to extending the wireless LANs we use today. Low-cost incremental deployment and the lack of a wired infrastructure lends mesh networks to "last-mile" solutions for ISPs or simply to aid in increased coverage area. In addition, we find that mesh networks are appropriate for our work in establishing a communication infrastructure at the quail ridge natural reserve. In deploying a mesh network at quail ridge, we seek to assist ecological research in the area and provide a testbed for wireless mesh networks research in the future. We are interested in looking at pursuing novel techniques for routing, QoS provisioning and wireless monitoring and maintenance tools. This paper will describe our work in the quail ridge mesh network. It will give the reader an overview of our current system, deployment status, and how this test-bed will benefit mesh networks research.
Follicular Lymphoma of the Spleen Multiparameter Analysis of 16 Cases

Follicular lymphoma (FL) involving the spleen must be distinguished from reactive hyperplasia and from other lymphomas. A prior study reported that splenic FLs frequently lack BCL2 expression, further complicating diagnosis. We examined 16 cases of splenic FL, including 12 cases initially diagnosed at splenectomy. Two morphologic patterns were identified: one with architectural abnormalities (AA) and one with an extensive architectural preservation (AP) pattern. Newly diagnosed AP cases were associated with older age (P = .051) and grade 1 histologic features (P = .023). All cases displayed a CD10+/BCL2+ phenotype. Cytogenetics and FISH identified IGH/BCL2 or BCL6 translocations in all tested cases. Splenic FLs display phenotypic and cytogenetic findings similar to nodal FLs. However, splenic FLs frequently display an exclusively intrafollicular growth pattern resembling so-called in situ FL. Recognition of subtle FL with preserved architecture is important because patients may have overt FL at other sites or the FL may progress to overt nodal disease.
Impaired import: how huntingtin harms

We now learn that mutant huntingtin binds to a complex that imports constituent proteins across the mitochondrial inner membrane, halting bioenergetics in synaptic mitochondria and predisposing to neuronal dysfunction and death.
A calibration approach to acoustic emission energy measurement

An approximate method for the quantitative characterization of acoustic emission sources whose signals are recorded with traditional instrumentation has been developed to evaluate the emission from a Fe-Ni alloy undergoing martensitic transformations. The calibration principle is based upon using pseudo sources of known elastic strain energy to produce a calibration curve relating a parameter of the acoustic emission signal measured (envelope strength) to the strain energy of the source. The curve can then be used to determine the strain energy of naturally occurring sources during martensitic transformations.
THE COST OF BANKING OPERATIONS: A STATISTICAL STUDY†

Purpose of the Study. The banking industry is one of the largest, most important and most highly regulated industries in the United States. Nevertheless, little is known generally about its cost structure, despite the obvious value this information would have. The present study was designed to provide detailed estimates of the parameters of this cost structure. The study was structured around four related questions: (1) What are the determinants of the cost of banking operations? (2) To what extent are there economies or diseconomies of scale of cost with respect to units of output in banking operations? (3) What is the effect of branch banking on the costs of banking operations? and (4) What are the marginal costs of specific variables that measure output?
Peptide and Lipid Modulation of Glutamatergic Afferent Synaptic Transmission in the Solitary Tract Nucleus

The brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) holds the first central neurons in major homeostatic reflex pathways. These homeostatic reflexes regulate and coordinate multiple organ systems from gastrointestinal to cardiopulmonary functions. The core of many of these pathways arise from cranial visceral afferent neurons that enter the brain as the solitary tract (ST) with more than two-thirds arising from the gastrointestinal system. About one quarter of ST afferents have myelinated axons but the majority are classed as unmyelinated C-fibers. All ST afferents release the fast neurotransmitter glutamate with remarkably similar, high-probability release characteristics. Second order NTS neurons receive surprisingly limited primary afferent information with one or two individual inputs converging on single second order NTS neurons. A- and C-fiber afferents never mix at NTS second order neurons. Many transmitters modify the basic glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic current often by reducing glutamate release or interrupting terminal depolarization. Thus, a distinguishing feature of ST transmission is presynaptic expression of G-protein coupled receptors for peptides common to peripheral or forebrain (e.g., hypothalamus) neuron sources. Presynaptic receptors for angiotensin (AT1), vasopressin (V1a), oxytocin, opioid (MOR), ghrelin (GHSR1), and cholecystokinin differentially control glutamate release on particular subsets of neurons with most other ST afferents unaffected. Lastly, lipid-like signals are transduced by two key ST presynaptic receptors, the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 and the cannabinoid receptor that oppositely control glutamate release. Increasing evidence suggests that peripheral nervous signaling mechanisms are repurposed at central terminals to control excitation and are major sites of signal integration of peripheral and central inputs particularly from the hypothalamus.
Effect of osmotic stress on phosphorylcholine efflux and turnover in rat lenses.

The concentration of the phospholipid precursor, phosphorylcholine (P-choline), is greater than 10 m m in rat lenses. Cataractogenic osmotic or oxidative stress affects lenticular choline uptake and metabolism and decreases the P-choline concentration. To study the mechanism(s) of the decrease in P-choline concentration induced by the cataractogenic sugars, xylose, galactose or glucose, rat lenses were first incubated in TC-199 medium containing [ 3 H] choline, and then the metabolism of the resulting lenticular P-[ 3 H]choline was followed in culture. Lenses which were osmotically stressed by incubation in TC-199 medium with 30 m m xylose lost more than 50% of their P-[ 3 H] choline within 48 hr. Most of the P-[ 3 H]choline lost from the stressed lenses was recovered in the incubation medium as P-[ 3 H]choline, indicating that leakage of P-choline from the osmotically damaged lenses was the principal factor contributing to the decrease. Leakage of P-[ 3 H]choline from lenses in the xylose medium was about three- fold greater than in the control medium, whichcontained 30 m m fructose. The turnover of the P-choline pool in rat lenses was also studied, and the concentration of P-choline was found to be a balance between hydrolysis and synthesis. The hydrolysis of lenticular P-choline was similar in xylose or control medium. In contrast, P-choline synthesis is slower in osmotically stressed lenses, resulting in a net conversion of P-[ 3 H]choline to [ 3 H]choline in the stressed lenses. Because some of the [ 3 H]choline derived from P-choline hydrolysis was lost to the surrounding culture medium, this mechanism also contributed to the decreased P-choline in lenses incubated with xylose. Incorporation of P-[ 3 H]choline into phospholipids was slow (1 % day −1 ) and phospholipid synthesis did not appear to be a major factor in the stress-induced changes in P-choline metabolism. Of the four sugars studied, xylose had the greatest effect in reducing rat lens P-choline, followed (in decreasing order) by galactose, glucose, and fructose.
Electronic structure of defects and impurities in III-V nitrides: Vacancies in cubic boron nitride.

The electronic structures of boron and nitrogen vacancies in cubic boron nitride (BN) are investigated using the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave, full-potential linear-muffin-tin-orbital, and linear-muffin-tin-orbital--tight-binding approaches. All the methods give quantitatively consistent results on ideal cubic BN that are also compared with previous calculations. Using a 64-atom supercell, we have examined the electronic states of boron and nitrogen vacancies. Lattice relaxation around the vacancies is not considered. Both boron and nitrogen defect states appear to form well-defined narrow bands in the forbidden gap of c-BN. The ones for boron vacancy are located near the top of the valence band and are partially occupied. They represent ``acceptor levels of boron vacancy.'' For the nitrogen defect, the ``vacancy levels'' overlap with the states at the conduction-band edge. The characteristics of vacancy states, their localization degrees and influence on the electronic density of states, and charge distribution in c-BN crystals are discussed. These results suggest that both boron and nitrogen vacancies can be ``p-type'' and ``n-type'' doping agents, respectively, when the composition of c-BN deviates from ideal stoichiometry. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy imaging of mode coupling between three interacting magnetic vortices

The interactions between three magnetic vortices in a planar equilateral triangular arrangement were studied by time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy. The gyrotropic resonance frequencies of the three individual vortices in the tri-disk system are different from one another and also shifted from that of an isolated vortex by as much as 12%. A comparison with analytical calculations and numerical simulations shows that the observed frequency shifts result from the dipolar interaction between the vortices.
Analysis of Turbines Vibration and Treatment Measures during the Commissioning

The phenomenon of higher shaft vibration and higher bearing temperature is repeated happening during the starting of the 1 000MW coal fired unit of Suizhong power station, seriously endanger the safe operation of the unit, this article mainly aims at the difficult problem of this one technology, by researching on steam turbine work principle and vibration analysis, to find the reason of effect on stability, and to correct all unreasonable factors, to ensure the safe and stable operation of the unit, to laid solid foundation for the construction of the intelligent power grid.
The magnetic particle in a box: Analytic and micromagnetic analysis of probe-localized spin wave modes

The dipole field from a probe magnet can be used to localize a discrete spectrum of standing spin wave modes in a continuous ferromagnetic thin film without lithographic modification to the film. Obtaining the resonance field for a localized mode is not trivial due to the effect of the confined and inhomogeneous magnetization precession. We compare the results of micromagnetic and analytic methods to find the resonance field of localized modes in a ferromagnetic thin film, and investigate the accuracy of these methods by comparing with a numerical minimization technique that assumes Bessel function modes with pinned boundary conditions. We find that the micromagnetic technique, while computationally more intensive, reveals that the true magnetization profiles of localized modes are similar to Bessel functions with gradually decaying dynamic magnetization at the mode edges. We also find that an analytic solution, which is simple to implement and computationally much faster than other methods, accurately describes the resonance field of localized modes when exchange fields are negligible, and demonstrating the accessibility of localized mode analysis.
The role of chemotherapy in early-stage (stage I and II) resectable non-small cell lung cancer

For patients with stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgical resection is considered the standard of care. Although surgery achieves long-term survival in many patients, a significant proportion experience locoregional or distant recurrence. Five-year survival rates after resection for stage I and II NSCLC range from 38% (T3 N0) to 67% (T1 N0). Efforts at improving survival for early-stage NSCLC patients have focused on the use of chemotherapy administered postoperatively (adjuvant) or preoperatively (neoadjuvant or induction) to eradicate micrometastatic disease. The majority of trials examining adjuvant chemotherapy have not found a survival benefit. A meta-analysis examining the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC found a 5% absolute improvement in 5-year survival associated with the use of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy ( P -.08). Chemotherapy administered before surgery or definitive irradiation has improved survival rates in patients with stage III NSCLC. The role of induction chemotherapy in stage I and II NSCLC is currently under investigation.
Making Sense of ‘Sufism’ in the Indian Subcontinent: A Survey of Trends

This article provides a summary of developments in recent decades in the study of Sufism in South Asia (referred to here as the Indian subcontinent). Beginning with the highly influential formulation of Sufism as Islamic ‘mysticism’, it analyses the serious shortcomings of this category, before moving on to assess the impact of anthropological, socio-historical and post-structuralist approaches to Sufism in the subcontinent. A final section considers issues surrounding the roles of the Sufis in the relationship between Islam and Hinduism. In pointing to areas that have not been investigated as well as those that have been, the article aims to be of use to graduate students seeking research projects as well as undergraduates and scholars from other disciplines seeking an overview of the field.
On‐line focus groups: conceptual issues and a research tool

Explores the potential effects of computer technology on the traditional structure and functioning of focus groups. On‐line focus groups are purported to be cost‐effective, enable the inclusion of dispersed participants, and result in broad and honest responses on the part of participants as a result of system anonymity. However, many of these claims have not been carefully examined. It is essential that the unique qualities of on‐line environments form the theoretical grounding for on‐line research efforts. Drawing on insights from research in the computer‐mediated communication field, we propose some conditions in which on‐line focus groups may broaden current applications and provide a useful complement to traditional face‐to‐face approaches. Considering these insights, we developed an Internet tool, called Internet Focus Group or IntFG ‐ to enable future empirical exploration of on‐line focus groups. The main motivation for the development of the IntFG tool is that it is a necessary element of a systematic research program in this area.
Measurements of the hard-x-ray reflectivity of iridium

In connection with the design of a hard-x-ray telescope for the Constellation X-Ray Observatory we measured the reflectivity of an iridium-coated zerodur substrate as a function of angle at 55, 60, 70, and 80 keV at the National Synchrotron Light Source of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The optical constants were derived from the reflectivity data. The real component of the index of refraction is in excellent agreement with theoretical values at all four energies. However, the imaginary component, which is related to the mass attenuation coefficient, is 50% to 70% larger at 55, 60, and 70 keV than theoretical values.
The abundance and site preferences of rattan (Calamus exilis and Calamus zollingeri) in two Indonesian national parks

Abstract The abundance and site preferences of Calamus exilis and Calamus zollingeri were studied in primary forests of Kerinci-Seblat National Park and Dumoga Bone National Park, Indonesia, respectively. Forty sample plots, each 0.05 ha in size, were established at random in principal rattan collecting areas in both parks. In each plot the number of rattan plants and canes, predominant light regime, soil nutrient characteristics and soil drainage patterns were measured. An average of 284 C. exilis plants with 191 mature canes and 1910 m of harvestable cane were observed per hectare in Kerinci-Seblat National Park. An average of 38 C. zollingeri plants with 86 mature canes and 2660 m of harvestable cane were observed per hectare in Dumoga Bone National Park. Populations of C. exilis (number of plants and canes) were negatively related to high light intensities. Conversely, populations of C. zollingeri (number of plants and canes) were positively related to high light intensities, specifically those associated with gaps in the forest canopy. Implications of rattan abundance and light preferences for cane harvesting and forest management are discussed.
Application of the FluEgg model to predict transport of Asian carp eggs in the Saint Joseph River (Great Lakes tributary)

Abstract The Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator (FluEgg) is a three-dimensional Lagrangian model that simulates the movement and development of Asian carp eggs until hatching based on the physical characteristics of the flow field and the physical and biological characteristics of the eggs. This tool provides information concerning egg development and spawning habitat suitability including: egg plume location, egg vertical and travel time distribution, and egg-hatching risk. A case study of the simulation of Asian carp eggs in the Lower Saint Joseph River, a tributary of Lake Michigan, is presented. The river hydrodynamic input for FluEgg was generated in two ways — using hydroacoustic data and using HEC-RAS model data. The HEC-RAS model hydrodynamic input data were used to simulate 52 scenarios covering a broad range of flows and water temperatures with the eggs at risk of hatching ranging from 0 to 93% depending on river conditions. FluEgg simulations depict the highest percentage of eggs at risk of hatching occurs at the lowest discharge and at peak water temperatures. Analysis of these scenarios illustrates how the interactive relation among river length, hydrodynamics, and water temperature influence egg transport and hatching risk. An improved version of FluEgg, which more realistically simulates dispersion and egg development, is presented. Also presented is a graphical user interface that facilitates the use of FluEgg and provides a set of post-processing analysis tools to support management decision-making regarding the prevention and control of Asian carp reproduction in rivers with or without Asian carp populations.
Poison induced pica in rats

Abstract Two experiments investigating the effects of poisoning on the consumption of non-nutritive substances are reported. In the first experiment, rats were poisoned with lithium chloride or Red Squill and offered a choice between food and soil. In the second experiment, rats were poisoned with cyclophosphamide and offered a choice between food and kaolin. Following treatment, poisoned rats in both experiments increased their consumption of the non-nutritive substances. Additionally, rats poisoned with logarithmic doses consumed amounts of the non-nutritive substances proportionate to the amount of poison administered. It was suggested that increased pica is an illness-response behavior of the rat, analogous to vomiting in other species, which can be used as an easily quantifiable behavioral assay of noxious drug effects.
Investigation of Fundamental Modeling and Thermal Performance Issues for a Metallic Thermal Protection System Design

A study was performed to develop an understanding of the key factors that govern the performance of metallic thermal protection systems for reusable launch vehicles. A current advanced metallic thermal protection system (TPS) concept was systematically analyzed to discover the most important factors governing the thermal performance of metallic TPS. A large number of relevant factors that influence the thermal analysis and thermal performance of metallic TPS were identified and quantified. Detailed finite element models were developed for predicting the thermal performance of design variations of the advanced metallic TPS concept mounted on a simple, unstiffened structure. The computational models were also used, in an automated iterative procedure, for sizing the metallic TPS to maintain the structure below a specified temperature limit. A statistical sensitivity analysis method, based on orthogonal matrix techniques used in robust design, was used to quantify and rank the relative importance of the various modeling and design factors considered in this study. Results of the study indicate that radiation, even in small gaps between panels, can reduce significantly the thermal performance of metallic TPS, so that gaps should be eliminated by design if possible. Thermal performance was also shown to be sensitive to several analytical assumptions that should be chosen carefully. One of the factors that was found to have the greatest effect on thermal performance is the heat capacity of the underlying structure. Therefore the structure and TPS should be designed concurrently.
Immunolocalization of NFATc4 in the adult mouse brain

NFATc4 has recently been identified as playing an important role in variety of activity-dependent neuronal processes, including hippocampal plasticity, axonal growth, neuronal survival, and apoptosis. However, a systematic study examining the distribution of NFATc4 within the nervous system has yet to be conducted. With this in mind, we sought to determine the regional localization of NFATc4 within the adult mouse brain. Interestingly, NFATc4 was expressed broadly, but not uniformly, throughout various brain structures. The highest levels of NFATc4 expression were localized to the hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and various hypothalamic nuclei. Other brain regions that expressed NFATc4 included the cerebellum, striatum, globus pallidus, amygdala, neocortex, and brainstem nuclei. Given NFATc4's widespread expression, these results are consistent with the notion that NFATc4 may underlie activity-dependent neuronal plasticity throughout the adult brain.
The role of synovitis in osteoarthritis pathogenesis

Research into the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) has focused on cartilage and peri-articular bone, but there is increasing recognition that OA affects all of the joint tissues, including the synovium (SM). Under normal physiological conditions the synovial lining consists of a thin layer of cells with phenotypic features of macrophages and fibroblasts. These cells and the underlying vascularized connective tissue stroma form a complex structure that is an important source of synovial fluid (SF) components that are essential for normal cartilage and joint function. The histological changes observed in the SM in OA generally include features indicative of an inflammatory "synovitis"; specifically they encompass a range of abnormalities, such as synovial lining hyperplasia, infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes, neoangiogenesis and fibrosis. The pattern of synovial reaction varies with disease duration and associated metabolic and structural changes in other joint tissues. Imaging modalities including magnetic resonance (MRI) and ultrasound (US) have proved useful in detecting and quantifying synovial abnormalities, but individual studies have varied in their methods of evaluation. Despite these differences, most studies have concluded that the presence of synovitis in OA is associated with more severe pain and joint dysfunction. In addition, synovitis may be predictive of faster rates of cartilage loss in certain patient populations. Recent studies have provided insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of synovitis in OA. Available evidence suggests that the inflammatory process involves engagement of Toll-like receptors and activation of the complement cascade by degradation products of extracellular matrices of cartilage and other joint tissues. The ensuing synovial reaction can lead to synthesis and release of a wide variety of cytokines and chemokines. Some of these inflammatory mediators are detected in joint tissues and SF in OA and have catabolic effects on chondrocytes. These inflammatory mediators represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions designed to reduce both symptoms and structural joint damage in OA. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Osteoarthritis".
Multi-variate approach to global protein aggregation behavior and kinetics: Effects of pH, NaCl, and temperature for α-chymotrypsinogen A

A global characterization of nonnative aggregation is presented for α-chymotrypsinogen A (aCgn) as a function of temperature (T), pH, and [NaCl]. Changes in unfolding free energy, native-state second osmotic virial coefficient (B22), and aggregation pathways and kinetics were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using a combination of size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle laser light scattering, and circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results were analyzed quantitatively using multi-variate statistical models and a recently developed mechanistic model that naturally accounts for changes in aggregation pathway due to competition between unfolding, nucleation, chain polymerization, aggregate condensation, and phase separation. State diagrams are presented that show the natural progression between different aggregation behaviors or pathways. Together, the results show that pH and [NaCl] determine both the rates of aggregation and what aggregation behavior or pathway holds. In contrast, T affects primarily only aggregation rates, in large part due to changes in unfolding free energy. Finally, it is shown that B22 correlates strongly with which type of aggregation pathway is followed, suggesting a potentially useful approach for predicting and controlling physical properties of the resulting aggregates. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99:645–662, 2010
Development of New Lipid-Based Paclitaxel Nanoparticles Using Sequential Simplex Optimization

The objective of these studies was to develop Cremophor-free lipid-based paclitaxel (PX) nanoparticle formulations prepared from warm microemulsion precursors. To identify and optimize new nanoparticles, experimental design was performed combining Taguchi array and sequential simplex optimization. The combination of Taguchi array and sequential simplex optimization efficiently directed the design of paclitaxel nanoparticles. Two optimized paclitaxel nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained: G78 NPs composed of glyceryl tridodecanoate (GT) and polyoxyethylene 20stearyl ether (Brij 78), and BTM NPs composed of Miglyol 812, Brij 78 and D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). Both nanoparticles successfully entrapped paclitaxel at a final concentration of 150 μg/ml (over 6% drug loading) with particle sizes less than 200 nm and over 85% of entrapment efficiency. These novel paclitaxel nanoparticles were stable at 4°C over three months and in PBS at 37°C over 102 hours as measured by physical stability. Release of paclitaxel was slow and sustained without initial burst release. Cytotoxicity studies in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells showed that both nanoparticles have similar anticancer activities compared to Taxol ® . Interestingly, PX BTM nanocapsules could be lyophilized without cryoprotectants. The lyophilized powder comprised only of PX BTM NPs in water could be rapidly rehydrated with complete retention of original physicochemical properties, in-vitro release properties, and cytotoxicity profile. Sequential Simplex Optimization has been utilized to identify promising new lipid-based paclitaxel nanoparticles having useful attributes.
Heat shock protein-antigen presenting cell interactions.

Abstract The heat shock protein–antigen presenting cell interaction lies at the center of the unique properties of heat shock proteins as immunogens. This interaction is a key event in adaptive immune response elicited by heat shock protein–chaperoned peptides, naturally derived or artificially reconstituted. The heat shock protein–antigen presenting cell interaction results in a primitive and fundamental chain of events, i.e., translocation of the NF-κB complex into the nuclei of antigen presenting cells, leading to a chain of transcriptional events including secretion of cytokines and expression of various antigen presenting and co-stimulatory molecules. The heat shock protein–antigen presenting cell interaction thus results in enrollment of not only the adaptive but also the innate component of the immune response. Here, we discuss the different methods involved in the in vitro study, of heat shock protein–antigen presenting cell interactions.
A nonlinear model for myogenic regulation of blood flow to bone: equilibrium states and stability characteristics.

A simple compartmental model for myogenic regulation of interstitial pressure in bone is developed, and the interaction between changes in interstitial pressure and changes in arterial and venous resistances is studied. The arterial resistance is modeled by a myogenic model that depends on transmural pressure, and the venous resistance is modeled by using a vascular waterfall. Two series capacitances model blood storage in the vascular system and interstitial fluid storage in the extravascular space. The static results mimic the observed effect that vasodilators work less well in bone than do vasoconstrictors. The static results also show that the model gives constant flow rates over a limited range of arterial pressure. The dynamic model shows unstable behavior at small values of bony capacitance and at high enough myogenic gain. At low myogenic gain, only a single equilibrium state is present, but at high enough myogenic gain, two new equilibrium states appear. At additional increases in gain, one of the two new states merges with and then separates from the original state, and the original state becomes a saddle point. The appearance of the new states and the transition of the original state to a saddle point do not depend on the bony capacitance, and these results are relevant to general fluid compartments. Numerical integration of the rate equations confirms the stability calculations and shows limit cycling behavior in several situations. The relevance of this model to circulation in bone and to other compartments is discussed.
Cluster Headache: Diagnosis and Treatment

Cluster headache is a rare yet exquisitely painful primary headache disorder occurring in either episodic or chronic patterns. The unique feature of cluster headache is the distinctive circadian and circannual periodicity in the episodic forms. The attacks are stereotypic—they are of extreme intensity and short duration, occur unilaterally, and are associated with robust signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. Although the pathophysiology of cluster headache remains to be fully understood, there have been a number of recent seminal observations. To exclude structural mimics, patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of cluster headache warrant at least a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in their work-up. The medical treatment of cluster headache includes acute, transitional, and maintenance prophylaxis. Agents used for acute therapy include inhalation of oxygen, triptans, such as sumatriptan, and dihydroergotamine. Transitional prophylaxis refers to the short-term use of fast-acting agents. This typically involves either corticosteroids or an occipital nerve block. The mainstay of prophylactic therapy is verapamil. Yet, other medications, including lithium, divalproex sodium, topiramate, methysergide, gabapentin, and even indomethacin, may be useful when the headache fails to respond to verapamil. For medically refractory patients, surgical interventions, occipital nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation remain an option. As the sophistication of functional neuroimaging increases, better insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie cluster headache is expected.
VERBAL LEARNING AND MEMORY: Does the Modal Model Still Work?

▪ Abstract This chapter focuses on recent research concerning verbal learning and memory. A prominent guiding framework for research on this topic over the past three decades has been the modal model of memory, which postulates distinct sensory, primary, and secondary memory stores. Although this model continues to be popular, it has fostered much debate concerning its validity and specifically the need for its three separate memory stores. The chapter reviews research supporting and research contradicting the modal model, as well as alternative modern frameworks. Extensions of the modal model are discussed, including the search of associative memory model, the perturbation model, precategorical acoustic store, and permastore. Alternative approaches are discussed including working memory, conceptual short-term memory, long-term working memory, short-term activation and attention, processing streams, the feature model, distinctiveness, and procedural reinstatement.
Quasi-stability regions of nonlinear dynamical systems: optimal estimations

In this paper, we develop an effective scheme to estimate stability regions by using an energy function that is a generalization of the Lyapunov functions. It is shown that the scheme can optimally estimate stability regions. A fairly comprehensive study for the structure of the constant energy surface lying inside the quasi-stability region is presented. A topological characterization, as well as a dynamical characterization for the point on the quasi-stability boundary and the point on the stability boundary with the minimum value of an energy function are derived. These characterizations are then used in the development of a computational scheme to estimate quasi-stability regions. By utilizing an energy function approach (or Lyapunov function approach), this scheme can significantly reduce conservativeness in estimating the stability region, because the estimated stability region characterized by the corresponding energy function is the largest one within that stability region.
Differences in Susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae and Penicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Tetracycline and Minocycline

Two hundred strains of penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 311 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were compared for their susceptibility to tetracycline and minocycline. Thirteen and one-half percent of the staphylococcal isolates were resistant to tetracycline but susceptible to minocycline. Similarly, 24% of the enterobacterial isolates were found to be tetracycline resistant but susceptible to minocycline. Of a total of 511 recent clinical isolates, 14.5% were susceptible to minocycline but were tetracycline resistant.
Cytoplasmic Trafficking of the Canine Parvovirus Capsid and Its Role in Infection and Nuclear Transport

To begin a successful infection, viruses must first cross the host cell plasma membrane, either by direct fusion with the membrane or by receptor-mediated endocytosis. After release into the cytoplasm those viruses that replicate in the nucleus must target their genome to that location. We examined the role of cytoplasmic transport of the canine parvovirus (CPV) capsid in productive infection by microinjecting two antibodies that recognize the intact CPV capsid into the cytoplasm of cells and also by using intracellular expression of variable domains of a neutralizing antibody fused to green fluorescence protein. The two antibodies tested and the expressed scFv all efficiently blocked virus infection, probably by binding to virus particles while they were in the cytoplasm and before entering the nucleus. The injected antibodies were able to block most infections even when injected 8 h after virus inoculation. In control studies, microinjected capsid antibodies did not interfere with CPV replication when they were coinjected with an infectious plasmid clone of CPV. Cytoplasmically injected full and empty capsids were able to move through the cytosol towards the nuclear membrane in a process that could be blocked by nocodazole treatment of the cells. Nuclear transport of the capsids was slow, with significant amounts being found in the nucleus only 3 to 6 h after injection.
Shear properties and Warner-Bratzler tenderness measurement of beef

The shear properties of raw and cooked beef and their relationship with Warner-Bratzler (WB) tenderness measurement were evaluated. Shear tests were performed on four muscles, biceps femoris (BF), longissimus dorsi (LD), semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST), with three different aging treatments (0, 1, and 2 weeks), using a specially designed device and the WB shear device. Raw beef exhibited a nonlinear behavior characterized by linearity at small deformations, stress yield at intermediate deformations, and work hardening at large deformations. Cooked beef had a different nonlinear behavior with the slope of the force-displacement curve increasing with displacement before the peak force. Cooking resulted in a large increase (p=0.01) in maximum shear force and strain energy. The effect of muscle type and aging on shear properties was mostly significant (p=0.05). The maximum shear force of cooked beef was correlated with WB measurement with the R 2 value ranging from 0.65 to 0.34 for LD, SM, and BF except for ST with a R 2 value of 0.10. Correlations of the shear properties of raw meat with WB measurement were low (R 2 < 0.36), indicating the difficulty of predicting WB tenderness from the shear properties of raw meat.
Effective use of knowledge management systems: a process model of content ratings and credibility indicators

Knowledge management systems (KMSs) facilitate the efficient and effective sharing of a firm's intellectual resources. However, sifting through the myriad of content available through KMSs can be challenging, and knowledge workers may be overwhelmed when trying to find the content most relevant for completing a new task. To address this problem, KMS designers often include content rating schemes (i.e., users of the KMS submit ratings to indicate the quality of specific content used) and credibility indicators (indicators describing the validity of the content and/or the ratings) to improve users' search and evaluation of KMS content. This study examines how content ratings and credibility indicators affect KMS users' search and evaluation processes and decision performance (how well and how quickly users selected alternatives offered by the KMS). Four interrelated laboratory experiments provide evidence that ratings have a strong influence on KMS search and evaluation processes, which in turn affects decision performance. Finally, this study demonstrates that certain credibility indicators can moderate the relationship between rating validity and KMS content search and evaluation processes.
Effect of strain level and storage time on the recoverable work of compressed bread crumb

Cylindrical specimens of bread crumbs were subjected to a compression-decompression cycle using a computer interfaced Universal Testing Machine during 11 days of storage at ambient temperature. The strain (% deformation) was set at various levels in the range of 20-80%. The overall work per unit volume, calculated from the area under the stress-strain curve, increased exponentially with the imposed strain while the percent recoverable work, calculated from the area under the decompression curve, decreased exponentially with the strain
5-HT4 receptors do not mediate the antidepressant-like behavioral effects of fluoxetine in a modified forced swim test.

Abstract The receptors responsible for mediating the antidepressant effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are largely unknown. The role of the 5-HT 4 receptor in mediating the antidepressant-like effects of fluoxetine in a modified rat forced swim test was examined. Fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) decreased immobility and increased swimming, a pattern shown to represent its actions on the serotonergic system. The selective 5-HT 4 receptor antagonist, SB 204070A [8-amino-7-chloro-( N -butyl-4-piperidyl)methylbenzo-1,4-dioxan-5-carboxylatehydrochloride] (0.1–3 mg/kg), failed to change any of the active behaviors in the test compared with saline-treated animals. Upon combination, SB 204070A (3 mg/kg) failed to alter the effects of fluoxetine effects in the test. These data therefore suggest that activation of postsynaptic 5-HT 4 receptors, subsequent to reuptake inhibition by fluoxetine, is not necessary for its antidepressant-like behavioral effects in this test.
Gentrification in black and white: the racial impact of public housing demolition in American cities.

The gentrification that has transformed high-poverty neighbourhoods in US cities since the mid 1990s has been characterised by high levels of state reinvestment. Prominent among public-sector interventions has been the demolition of public housing and in some cases multimillion dollar redevelopment efforts. In this paper, the racial dimension of state-supported gentrification in large US cities is examined by looking at the direct and indirect displacement induced by public housing transformation. The data show a clear tendency towards the demolition of public housing projects with disproportionately high African American occupancy. The pattern of indirect displacement is more varied; public housing transformation has produced a number of paths of neighbourhood change. The most common, however, involve significant reductions in poverty, sometimes associated with Black to White racial turnover and sometimes not. The findings underscore the central importance of race in understanding the dynamics of gentrif...
Achieving cost robustness in processes with mixed multiple quality characteristics and dynamic variability

The tenuous economic conditions of the past several years continue to threaten the economic existence of many companies, forcing them to re-examine ways for reducing costs without surrendering quality. A common technique for achieving high quality at minimal cost focuses on identifying the ideal process mean setting among various quality characteristics. In the design of this approach, referred to as the ‘optimal process mean problem’, comparatively little research has addressed the realities of mixed multiple quality characteristics and the dynamic nature of process variability. To address this gap, this paper examines situations involving mixed multiple quality characteristics, proposing a methodology to accurately predict the location of the optimal process mean vector as it shifts in response to changing process variability. This knowledge of a feasible region for the optimal vector can help to achieve robustness in cost by providing a mechanism for maintaining the most profitable process target settings.