cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of β-amyloid stimulated proinflammatory responses by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α

Abstract Amyloid deposition within the brains of Alzheimer's Disease patients results in the activation of microglial cells and the induction of a local inflammatory response. The interaction of microglia or monocytes with β-amyloid (Aβ) fibrils elicits the activation a complex tyrosine kinase-based signal transduction cascade leading to stimulation of multiple independent signaling pathways and ultimately to changes in proinflammatory gene expression. The Aβ - stimulated expression of proinflammatory genes in myeloid lineage cells is antagonized by the action of a family of ligand-activated nuclear hormone receptors, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). We report that THP-1 monocytes express predominantly PPARγ isoform and lower levels of PPARα and PPARδ isoforms. PPAR mRNA levels are not affected by differentiation of the cells into a macrophage phenotype, nor are they altered following exposure to the classical immune stimulus, lipopolysaccharide. Previous studies have found that PPARγ agonists act broadly to inhibit inflammatory responses. The present study explored the action of the PPARα isoform and found that PPARα agonists inhibited the Aβ-stimulated expression of TNFα and IL-6 reporter genes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the PPARα agonist WY14643 inhibited macrophage differentiation and COX-2 gene expression. However, the PPARα agonists failed to inhibit Aβ-stimulated elaboration of neurotoxic factors by THP-1 cells. These findings demonstrate that PPARα acts to suppress a diverse array of inflammatory responses in monocytes.
Leadtime reduction in a (Q,r) inventory system: An agency perspective

Abstract We examine the problem of designing and implementing a continuous-review ( Q , r ) inventory system from an agency perspective, in which the agent's effort influences the item's replenishment leadtime. Our results are as follows: if the agent is risk-neutral, a linear or quadratic contract achieves first-best. For a risk-averse agent with an exponential utility function, assuming a normal leadtime distribution, we determine the optimal linear contract. Extensive numerical experiments suggest that ignoring the possible influence of the agent on the replenishment leadtime can be costly, but that the cost penalty of ignoring agency can be significantly reduced by a simple contract.
Crystal growth and characterization of alkali-earth halide scintillators

Abstract Alkali-earth halide scintillators have received much attention in the last 2 years due to their high luminosity close to the theoretical limit. We present a summary of the knowledge acquired to date that is relevant to scintillation applications. Progress achieved in the synthesis, growth and performance of these scintillators, specially the Ba mixed halides (such as BaBrI and BaBrCl) and the family of compounds made by combining Cs and Ba halides in various stoichiometries are presented.
Is car following the real question – are equations the answer?

Within the constraints that they set themselves, Brackstone, M. and McDonald, M. (Transportation Research: Part F (2000)), do a good job in elucidating the current state-of-the-art concerning car following models. Further, their protestation concerning the importance of such models in the light of growing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technology and potential application in collision-warning and collision-avoidance systems is also undoubtedly correct. Also, as a member of the human factors expert panel cited (Intelligent Transportation Society of America. (1997). In Proceedings of the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Human Factors Workshop. Washington DC: ITS America) it can be confirmed that normative models of driving remain a crucial unsolved issue. Thus, for these reasons their present review is both helpful and timely and deserves wide circulation. The points of contention do not concern their specific observations but rather the intrinsic assumptions upon which they are based. In particular, the question asked is, is car following the real question and equations the answer?
Small-amplitude waves and screening in dense degenerate plasma

The propagation of electro-acoustic waves in a dense degenerate plasma is considered, for the density range (106÷109) g/cm3 and at temperatures up to (108÷109) °K. Appropriate dispersion relations are obtained, for longitudinal and transverse waves, including the effects of ionic mobility. It is found that although the ion gas plays only a small role in wave-propagation, its role in screening cannot be neglected.
Violence-Related Outcomes of the D.A.R.E. Plus Project

The objectives of this study were to examine outcomes of the Minnesota D.A.R.E. Plus Project on violence-related behaviors among middle school students and mediation analyses that test how the intervention was effective in reducing physical and verbal violence. Twenty-four schools were randomly assigned to the D.A.R.E. middle school curriculum, the D.A.R.E. Plus multicomponent intervention, or control. The study cohort completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline and two follow-ups. The results showed that boys had higher rates of violence and victimization than girls. The D.A.R.E. Plus program was more effective in preventing violence among boys than among girls. It appears that the small behavioral effect that D.A.R.E. Plus did demonstrate on physical and verbal violence among boys was entirely mediated by a decrease of norms that support violence, an increase in outcome expectancies about being violence-free, and an increase in parental consequences for fighting.
In-vivo fault prediction for RF generators using variable elimination and state-of-the-art classifiers

In this paper we apply two variable elimination algorithms to data obtained from an RF (Radio Frequency) Power Generator Fault Mode for analysis. We use a two wrapper approach using Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Radial Basis Function Networks (RBF) to build an efficient classifier with variable elimination. Comparisons are made for both continuous and discrete datasets.
Waveguide surface cars spectroscopy and the orientation distribution of adsorbates

Abstract Surface CARS spectroscopy using the planar optical waveguide geometry can provide information about the orientation distribution of molecular adsorbates. Use of the TE and TM modes for the fields at ω1, ω2 and ω3 permits the measurement of several elements of the orientation-averaged tensor. The orientation distribution then can be determined if the Raman scattering tensor is known. For the common case in which the distribution is uniform under rotation about one axis, examples are presented for adsorbates of C2v and C∞v symmetries.
The Role of Concrete Industry Standards as Institutional Barriers to More Sustainable Concrete Bridge Infrastructure

The concrete construction industry is governed by a network of codes and standards that ensure safety and quality. This study evaluates two central concrete construction industry standards related to bridge construction to determine if these standards inhibit more sustainable concrete bridge construction. Using social networking tools, ASTM C150-05: Standard Specification for Portland Cement and American Concrete Institute (ACI) 211.1-91/09 Standard Practice for Proportioning Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete, were identified as “central” concrete industry standards and were evaluated to test whether central concrete industry standards pose institutional barriers to innovation for sustainable concrete construction. Results indicate that while these standards do not explicitly inhibit more sustainable concrete practice, the manner in which they are used implicitly impedes more sustainable concrete construction and innovation for sustainability. Specifically, ASTM C150-05 does not inhibit the use of cement materials with lower environmental impact, but industry demand for rapid construction and institutionalized use of C150-05 to the exclusion of other environmentally preferable products does inhibit more sustainable concrete construction. Similarly, mixes designed for durability using performance-based specifications exhibit reduced annual energy and material impacts compared to mixtures traditionally designed using ACI 211.1-91/09.
Steady-state gradient in calcium ion activity across the intercellular bridges connecting oocytes and nurse cells in Hyalophora cecropia

Intracellular activities of K+, H+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cl-, measured with ion selective microelectrodes in the oocyte and the nurse cells in ovarian follicles of Hyalophora cecropia, indicated that a Ca2+ current is a key component of the electrical potential that is maintained across the intercellular bridges connecting these two cells. In vitellogenic follicles, Ca2+ activity averaged 650 nM in the oocyte and 190 nM in the nurse cells, whereas activities of the other ions studied differed between these cells by no more than 6%. Incubation in 200 microM ammonium vanadate caused a reversal of electrical potential from 8.3 mV, nurse cell negative, to 3.0 mV, oocyte negative, and at the same time the Ca2+ gradient was reversed: activities rose to an average 3.0 microM in the nurse cells and 1.6 microM in the oocyte, whereas transbridge ratios of the other cations remained at 0-3%. In immature follicles that had not yet initiated their transbridge potentials, Ca2+ activities averaged approximately 2 microM in both oocyte and nurse cells. The results suggest that vitellogenic follicles possess a vanadate-sensitive Ca2+ extrusion mechanism that is more powerful in the nurse cells than in the oocyte.
Range-resolved pulsed and CWFM lidars: potential capabilities comparison

An analytical comparison of key capabilities for both continuous wave frequency modulated (CWFM) lidar and incoherent pulsed lidar is presented. Principles of CWFM-lidar architectures are described and the CWFM-lidar equation is derived. The dimensionless parameterization methodology is applied to both broad- and narrow-band lidars to perform their detailed estimates and a comparison of the operation range and sensitivity.
A method to generate antigen-specific mAb capable of staining formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections

Abnormalities in HLA class I antigen expression are frequently found in malignant tumors. Their potential role in the clinical course of the disease and in the outcome of T cell-based immunotherapy has stimulated interest in the characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying HLA class I antigen abnormalities in malignant cells. Multiple mechanisms have been identified. Among them are abnormalities in antigen processing machinery (APM) component expression. In spite of this information, APM component expression in malignant lesions has been investigated only to a limited extent because of the lack of availability, for most APM components, of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which stain formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The latter are the substrate of choice in immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a simple and reproducible method to generate APM component-specific mAb which stain formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. This method involves five steps: (i) immunogenic amino acid sequences, which display low homology with their mouse counterparts when possible, are identified in APM components and utilized to synthesize peptides; (ii) BALB/c mice are immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-conjugated synthetic peptides and with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)-purified recombinant APM component proteins; (iii) immunized mice, which develop high titer APM component-specific antibodies, are utilized to generate hybridomas which are screened for APM component-specific antibody production by Western blotting assays, with lymphoid cell lysates; (iv) identified APM component-specific mAb are characterized in their specificity and in their reactivity with permeabilized cells in ELISA and/or flow cytometry; and (v) mAb, with the appropriate reactivity pattern, are tested in IHC reactions with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The use of the methodology we have developed resulted in the generation of a panel of APM component-specific mAb capable of staining formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections in IHC reactions. These reagents will facilitate the analysis of APM component expression in tissues under physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, the methodology we have described is likely to be applicable to other antigenic systems to develop mAb capable of detecting protein components of interest in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
24-h fluid kinetics and perception of sweat losses following a 1-h run in a temperate environment.

This study examined 24-h post-run hydration status and sweat loss estimation accuracy in college age runners (men = 12, women = 8) after completing a 1-h self-paced outdoor run (wet bulb globe temperature = 19.9 ± 3.0 °C). Sweat losses (1353 ± 422 mL; 1.9% ± 0.5% of body mass) were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than perceived losses (686 ± 586 mL). Cumulative fluid consumption equaled 3876 ± 1133 mL (218 ± 178 mL during) with 37% of fluid ingested lost through urine voids (1450 ± 678 mL). Fluid balance based on intake and urine production equaled +554 ± 669 mL at 12 h and +1186 ± 735 mL at 24 h. Most runners reported euhydrated (pre-run urine specific gravity (USG) = 1.018 ± 0.008) with no changes (p = 0.33) at hours 12 or 24 when both genders were included. However, USG was higher (p = 0.004) at 12 h post-run for men (1.025 ± 0.0070 vs. 1.014 ± 0.007), who consumed 171% ± 40% of sweat losses at 12 h vs. 268% ± 88% for women. Most runners do not need intervention concerning between bout hydration needs in temperate environments. However, repeated USG measurements were able to identify runners who greatly under or over consumed fluid during recovery. Practitioners can use multiple USG assessments as cheap method to detect runners who need to modify their hydration strategies and should promote assessment of sweat losses by change in body mass, as runners had poor perception of sweat losses.
ACCELERATION OF WOUND HEALING IN MAN WITH ZINC SULPHATE GIVEN BY MOUTH

Abstract The need for zinc in the optimal healing of wounds was demonstrated by the acceleration of healing of granulating wounds caused by excision of pilonidal-sinus tracts in young, healthy airmen who were given zinc sulphate U.S.P., 220 mg. t.i.d. by mouth during the period of repair. The rate of healing was determined by measurements of the wound volumes and the number of days for complete repair. Ten randomly selected controls (mean age 25·0 years and wound volume 32·3 ml.) were matched against ten who were given the drug (mean age 24·6 years and wound volume 54·5 ml.). The days ±S.E. for healing averaged 80·1±13·7 in the controls and 45·8±2·6 (p
Minilaparotomy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy

Abstract Objectives: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of minilaparotomy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Methods: A prospective pilot study in a general hospital was conducted. Twenty patients who were on the waiting list for abdominal hysterectomy were included in the study. All these patients had one or more relative contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy. The hysterectomy procedure was started vaginally in all cases. A minilaparotomy incision was performed to complete the procedure if vaginal hysterectomy was not feasible. Results were analyzed on the intention to treat basis. Results: The procedure was successfully completed as intended in 19/20 patients (95%). Six patients had the procedure completed vaginally (30%). Thirteen patients had the procedure completed with minilaparotomy assistance (65%). The mean operative time was 63±24.8 min (±S.D.). The median estimated blood loss was 155 ml (range: 20–800). One bladder injury occurred. The overall post-operative complication rate was 35% (7/20). This included urinary retention necessitating catheterization for 24 h (n=3), urinary infection (n=2), vaginal infection (n=1) and wound hematoma (n=1). The mean post-operative pain score on a scale from 1 to 10 was 3.1. The overall patient satisfaction based on a scale from 1 to 10 was 9.23 (range: 8–10). Conclusions: Minilaparotomy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy is a feasible and safe procedure. Our results suggest that this approach is potentially useful in increasing the proportion of hysterectomies performed vaginally.
Stem Cells: Innovations in Clinical Applications

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as clinical therapeutics is a relatively new avenue of study for treatment of a variety of diseases. The therapeutic impact of the MSCs is based upon their multiplicities of function and interaction with host tissues. MSCs can be anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antimicrobial, and regenerative, all which may improve outcomes in scenarios of damaged tissues and inflammation. Although most studies focus on utilizing MSCs to direct clinical efficacy, it is the ability to orchestrate host response in surrounding tissue that is especially unique and versatile. This orchestration of host response can be applied to a variety of clinical scenarios not only through cell-cell interactions but also through production of bioactive secreted factors. These bioactive factors include small proteins, chemokines, cytokines, and other cellular regulators. These factors have the capacity to induce angiogenesis or blood vessel development, be chemotactic, and induce cellular recruitment. MSCs also have the capacity to differentiate with the implicated environment to regenerate tissue or accommodate host tissue in a cell specific manner. The differentiation cannot only be done in vivo but also can be optimized in vitro prior to in vivo administration, potentiating the versatility of the MSCs and opening avenues for corrective therapy and cell delivery of genes. The differentiation process depends on the environment with which the MSCs are put and results in active communication between the newly administered cells host tissue. Since these properties have been identified, there are a variety of clinical trials and studies being conducted on MSCs ability to treat human disease. This review outlines the potential use of MSCs, the types of tissue, and the innovative applications of MSCs for the treatment of diseases.
Lessons learned from the case of Sarah Murnaghan.

Recently, it seems that heart and lung transplantation has been a source of political and media frenzy, exemplified by the case of Sarah Murnaghan and federal court interventions in transplant allocations. Instead of viewing this case as an outlier, it could be used as an opportunity to revisit transplant selection committee practices to ensure transparent and consistent decision making. To that end, practical recommendations are provided below. The parents of 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan, a patient with end-stage cystic fibrosis, took issue with the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) rule that pediatric patients aged younger than 12 years should be given low priority for lung transplantation from adult donors. The Murnaghans raised two distinct claims: (1) that the UNOS rule reflected age-based discrimination and (2) that the transplant team lacked transparency in that its members did not explain the decision-making process. In an unprecedented judicial maneuver, a United States district federal judge issued a temporary restraining order suspending the UNOS rule. The claim that the UNOS rule discriminated on the basis of age is patently incorrect. The ethically-justified rule instead derived from an evidence-driven medical consensus which suggests that outcomes for such patients entail a high degree of mortality and morbidity. Clinicians are ethically obligated to seek a greater balance of clinical goods over clinical harms in the processes and outcomes of patient care, an ethical precept known as beneficence. In keeping with this principle, the UNOS rule is predicated on the belief that ignoring outcomes data would entail a preventable risk of a patient being subjected to a procedure in which the risk or harms ultimately outweigh benefits. This rule also strives to maximize the medical good for the general community by considering probability of graft success. The Murnaghan’s second claim, however, reveals potential issues. Their claim concerning a lack of a transparent and fair decision-making process underscores the need for transplant selection committees to critically evaluate their practices to mitigate the occurrence of such claims. Justice requires that cases that are equal in relevant aspects should be treated equally and that cases that are unequal in relevant respects should be treated differently.
Fractionation of plasma parathyroid hormone activity.

Components of rat and human plasma obtained by ammonium sulfate and cold ethanol fractionation procedures have been assayed for their calciummobilizing activity in parathyroidectomized rats. The determinations were made on fractions of rat plasma to which parathyroid extract (Lilly) was added either in vitro or in vivo. Similar experiments were carried out on fractions of human plasma with and without added parathyroid extract. Evidence is presented to suggest that endogenous rat plasma parathyroid hormone activity is normally associated with the α-globulin fraction. Cold ethanol fractionation of normal human plasma and of human plasma to which had been added parathyroid extract, resulted in localization of hormonal activity in the beta and gamma globulin fraction. The normal level of circulating parathyroid hormone activity in human plasma has been estimated to be of the order of 40 U.S.P. units per 100 ml.
Facilitation of aggressive behaviour in rat by direct cholinergic stimulation of the hypothalamus.

DIRECT chemical stimulation of the brain has provided much information about the neurochemical coding of diverse drive states1. But little is known about the neurochemical factors involved in the facilitation and inhibition of aggressive behaviour.
A second-order Lagrangian condition for restricted control problems

We derive a second-order condition for optimal control problems defined by ordinary differential equations with time-varyingconvex restrictions on controls and with endpoint constraints. This condition generalizes theaccessory minimum problem of the calculus of variations.
Antibody-mediated Xenograft Injury: Mechanisms and Protective Strategies

The use of porcine organs for clinical transplantation is a promising potential solution to the shortage of human organs. Preformed anti-pig antibody is the primary cause of hyperacute rejection, while elicited antibody can contribute to subsequent “delayed” xenograft rejection. This article will review recent progress to overcome antibody mediated xenograft rejection, through modification of the host immunity and use of genetically engineered pig organs.
The value of radio tracking in the study of neotropical rain forest monkeys

Although radio tracking has been used increasingly in primate field studies over the past 15 years, some primatologists have been reluctant to use it. We present data that demonstrate benefits of radio tracking in the study of rain forest primates. Data were collected during an ecological study of Ateles geoffroyi and Cebus capucinus in hilly, dense rain forest habitat with poor visibility, in northeastern Costa Rica. We SHOW that radio tracking decreased search time for both species, which led to increased contact time and facilitated continuous data collection. Mean search time for both primate species was significantly reduced using radio tracking (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P < 0.05). Search times for both species increased at the end of the study, when the transmitters ceased functioning. These increased search times occurred despite high levels of familiarity with the ranging patterns of the animals. The rate of marking feeding trees increased significantly with radio tracking and decreased significantly when the radios failed (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P < 0.01). Other benefits of radio tracking include: finding animals far off trail, in dense vegetation, and in inclement weather; maintaining continuous contact with the animals, which allows for more complete knowledge of ranging and foraging patterns; and monitoring group and subgroup composition. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE RANGE—NATURAL PLANT COMMUNITIES OR MODIFIED ECOSYSTEMS?*

Range research and its application in the United States have been primarily in the area of ecology. The guiding principle developed is that the natural plant communities (the climax vegetation) provide the best guides to forage production potential. A careful study of man's history from the Ice Ages to the present reveals the fact that man has progressed by modifying his environment. In fact, the ability to do so is one of the significant differences between man and other animals. During the last 10,000 years man has been in turn a collector and hunter, a cultivator and domesticator, and finally an industrial agriculturist. The transition has been a slow, laborious process. The mixed-oak forests of the Mediterranean and Europe were cleared by felling and burning the trees and cultivating the cleared ground by crude flint hoes. In his migrations man learned of differences in soils and adaptations of cultivated plants. He learned to work with nature, but he also learned how to overcome some of nature's limitations. Agriculture, then, is man's attempts to overcome nature's limitations so that a desired crop can be grown and harvested. By this modification of the environment the crop supersedes the pattern of natural vegetation. There is no intrinsic difference between range and intensive agriculture, since both involve factors inherent in climate, soil, plants and harvesting. Ecologists working in the field of range management must be willing to accept ideas and principles that have put more science in the “science and art” of farming, if the “science and art” of range management is to progress suffiientiy to make possible the realization of the vast potential of our ranges and wild lands.
Relative Importance of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Core Competencies—A Case Study Survey

: Nearly 90% of graduating seniors from the Food Science program at Purdue University gain employment in the food industry. Ensuring the program is meeting employers’ needs is one mission of our curriculum committee with input from an Industrial Advisory Board (IAB). In light of the recent outcomes-based assessment requirements outlined by IFT, feedback from our IAB members regarding the relative importance of the core competencies was needed. The objective of this study was to survey the IAB members regarding relative importance of each of the 46 core competencies. Each competency was ranked using a Likert scale from 1 = not important to 5 = very important. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test. Significant differences (P = 0.05) were found between several of the five content categories with Success Skills scoring highest (4.35 out of 5) on relative importance followed by Applied Food Science Knowledge (4.02 out of 5). Also, significant differences (P = 0.05) were found between competencies within each content category. Overall, the results suggest that the 46 core competencies should not be given the same instructional weight within a curriculum. One option for addressing the variation in importance could be to include some planned redundancy within the curriculum for those core competencies that were ranked the highest. In addition, part of the outcomes-based assessment process should include measures of the level of competency being achieved by graduates. By considering relative importance and competency achieved by graduates, important areas for improvement can be identified.
Boundary layer due to the axisymmetric spreading of material on the surface of a fluid

Abstract The effect of the axisymmetric spreading of a layer of material (oil or solid particles) on the surface of a viscous fluid is studied. Assuming high Reynolds numbers, the boundary layer equation is derived and solved for general power law surface velocities. The composite streamlines show sharp turns near the surface.
Distributed algorithm design for multi-robot generalized task assignment problem

We present a provably-good distributed algorithm for generalized task assignment problem in the context of multirobot systems, where robots cooperate to complete a set of given tasks. In multi-robot generalized assignment problem (MR-GAP), each robot has its own resource constraint (e.g., energy constraint), and needs to consume a certain amount of resource to obtain a payoff for each task. The objective is to find a maximum payoff assignment of tasks to robots such that each task is assigned to at most one robot while respecting robots' resource constraints. MR-GAP is a NP-hard problem. It is an extension of multi-robot linear assignment problem since different robots can use different amount of resource for doing a task (due to the heterogeneity of robots and tasks). We first present an auction-based iterative algorithm for MR-GAP assuming the presence of a shared memory (or centralized auctioneer), where each robot uses a knapsack algorithm as a subroutine to iteratively maximize its own objective (using a modified payoff function based on an auxiliary variable, called price of a task). Our iterative algorithm can be viewed as (an approximation of) best response assignment update rule of each robot to the assignment of other robots at that iteration. We prove that our algorithm converges to an assignment (approximately) at equilibrium under the assignment update rule, with an approximation ratio of 1+α (where α is the approximation ratio for the Knapsack problem). We also combine our algorithm with a message passing mechanism to remove the requirement of a shared memory and make our algorithm totally distributed assuming the robots' communication network is connected. Finally, we present simulation results to depict our algorithm's performance.
Characterization of Thin Dielectric Films up to Mm-Wave Frequencies Using Patterned Shielded Coplanar Waveguides

This letter presents an original method based on Patterned Shielded CoPlanar Waveguides transmission lines (patterned S-CPW TLines) for the wideband characterization of thin dielectric materials, up to millimeter-wave frequencies. The proposed method is easy to use and a very promising candidate to reach a better precision than classical methods. The dynamic for the relative permittivity (respectively the dielectric loss tangent) determination is 3.8 times (respectively, 1.9 times) higher compared to classical methods. The method is experimentally validated by the characterization of a thin SiO2 layer (1 μm).
Chemotherapy-induced alterations in the biomechanics of rat bone.

The effects of methotrexate and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) on intact and fractured bone were studied in a rat model. Methotrexate, 0.1 mg/kg i.p., was administered five times a week, or doxorubicin, 1 mg/kg i.v., was given once a week. Animals were killed and evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after surgical production of a unilateral femoral osteotomy and initiation of the chemotherapeuitic program. Both intact and fractured bones were tested to failure in rapid torsion, and the torque, angular deformation, stiffness, and energy were measured. There was a significant alteration in the strength of the healing osteotomies in doxorubicin- and methotrexate-treated animals compared with the control group. The torsional strength of intact bone was not significantly altered by either drug protocol over the period of this observation.
The effects of thiourea and cortisone acetate on duodenal length and diameter and on morphogenesis of duodenal villi in chick embryos.

Subnormal growth in length and diameter of the duodenum is encountered both in chick embryos injected with thiourea at 11 days of incubation, and in embryos injected with cortisone acetate at 14 days of incubation. Morphogenesis of previllous ridges and villi is retarded in thiourea-treated embryos. Morphogenesis of previllous ridges and villi in cortisone acetate-treated embryos at first seems to be slightly accelerated over that of controls, but the acceleration does not appear to be maintained, and the hormone may actually be inhibitory to normal morphogenesis of villi by 19 days of incubation. The results indicate that normal levels of endogenous thyroxine are necessary for normal growth in length and diameter of the duodenum and for normal morphogenesis of previllous ridges and villi. The possibility that adrenocorticoids may also play a role in the normal development of these parameters is indicated, although the evidence is inconclusive.
Experimental Investigation of Light-Gauge Steel Plate Shear Walls

This paper describes the prototype design, specimen design, experimental setup, and experimental results of three light-gauge steel plate shear wall concepts. Prototype light-gauge steel plate shear walls are designed as seismic retrofits for a hospital structure in an area of high seismicity, and emphasis is placed on minimizing their impact on the existing framing. Three single-story test specimens are designed using these prototypes as a basis, two specimens with flat infill plates (thicknesses of 0.9 mm) and a third using a corrugated infill plate (thickness of 0.7 mm). Connection of the infill plates to the boundary frames is achieved through the use of bolts in combination with industrial strength epoxy or welds, allowing for mobility of the infills if desired. Testing of the systems is done under quasi-static conditions. It is shown that one of the flat infill plate specimens, as well as the specimen utilizing a corrugated infill plate, achieve significant ductility and energy dissipation while minimizing the demands placed on the surrounding framing. Experimental results are compared to monotonic pushover predictions from computer analysis using a simple model and good agreement is observed.
Influence of climate-driven shifts in biomass allocation on water transport and storage in ponderosa pine

Conifers decrease the amount of biomass apportioned to leaves relative to sapwood in response to increasing atmospheric evaporative demand. We determined how these climate-driven shifts in allocation affect the aboveground water relations of ponderosa pine growing in contrasting arid (desert) and humid (montane) climates. To support higher transpiration rates, a low leaf:sapwood area ratio (AL/AS) in desert versus montane trees could increase leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (KL). Alternatively, a high sapwood volume:leaf area ratio in the desert environment may increase the contribution of stored water to transpiration. Transpiration and hydraulic conductance were determined by measuring sap flow (JS) and shoot water potential during the summer (June–July) and fall (August–September). The daily contribution of stored water to transpiration was determined using the lag between the beginning of transpiration from the crown at sunrise and JS. In the summer, mean maximum JS was 31.80±5.74 and 24.34±3.05 g m–2 s–1 for desert and montane trees (a 30.6% difference), respectively. In the fall, JS was 25.33±8.52 and 16.36±4.64 g m–2 s–1 in desert and montane trees (a 54.8% difference), respectively. JS was significantly higher in desert relative to montane trees during summer and fall (P<0.05). Predawn and midday shoot water potential and sapwood relative water content did not differ between environments. Desert trees had a 129% higher KL than montane trees in the summer (2.41×10–5 versus 1.05×10–5 kg m–2 s–1 MPa–1, P<0.001) and a 162% higher KL in the fall (1.97×10–5 versus 0.75×10–5 kg m–2 s–1 MPa–1, P<0.001). Canopy conductance decreased with D in all trees at all measurement periods (P<0.05). Maximum gC was 3.91 times higher in desert relative to montane trees averaged over the summer and fall. Water storage capacity accounted for 11 kg (11%) and 10.6 kg (17%) of daily transpiration in the summer and fall, respectively, and did not differ between desert and montane trees. By preventing xylem tensions from reaching levels that cause xylem cavitation, high KL in desert ponderosa pine may facilitate its avoidance. Thus, the primary benefit of low leaf:sapwood allocation in progressively arid environments is to increase KL and not to increase the contribution of stored water to transpiration.
Failure of Clindamycin to Eradicate Infection with Beta-Hemolytic Streptococci Inducibly Resistant to Clindamycin in an Animal Model and in Human Infections

Inducible clindamycin resistance in beta-hemolytic streptococci remains an underrecognized phenomenon of unknown clinical significance. We performed an evaluation of inducible clindamycin resistance using an animal model as well as retrospectively reviewing the charts of patients treated with clindamycin monotherapy who were infected with beta-hemolytic streptococci inducibly resistant to clindamycin. The neutropenic mouse thigh model of infection was used to evaluate the in vivo activity of clindamycin against beta-hemolytic streptococci, including isolates susceptible, inducibly resistant, or constitutively resistant to clindamycin. The clinical microbiology laboratory information system and pharmacy databases were cross-referenced to identify patients with infections due to inducibly clindamycin-resistant beta-hemolytic streptococci who were treated with clindamycin monotherapy. Medical records of these patients were reviewed to evaluate microbiologic and clinical outcomes. Inducible clindamycin resistance resulted in impaired killing of beta-hemolytic streptococci in the animal model. Though suppressed initially, compared to those with constitutive resistance (P = 0.0429), by 48 h, colony counts of inducibly clindamycin-resistant organisms were similar to those of constitutively resistant isolates (P = 0.1142). In addition, we identified 8 patients infected with inducibly clindamycin-resistant beta-hemolytic streptococci who experienced clinical and microbiologic failure when treated with clindamycin monotherapy. These patients either improved initially and subsequently failed or never responded to clindamycin therapy. We have demonstrated in a murine model of infection and from human cases that inducible clindamycin resistance in beta-hemolytic streptococci is clinically significant. Routine testing and reporting by clinical laboratories should be encouraged and alternative antimicrobial agents considered when these organisms are encountered in clinical care.
The Pedagogy of Revolution: Youth, Generational Conflict, and Education in the Development of Mozambican Nationalism and the State, 1962–1970

This article addresses a lacuna in analyses of FRELIMO's nationalist development during the 1960s. Specifically, the article examines the impact of generational tensions between Mozambican youth and FRELIMO party ‘elders’ that emerged during the anti-colonial war at the FRELIMO secondary school in Dar es Salaam. The main argument is that under the auspices of the Mozambique Institute, which operated almost exclusively in Tanzania, the FRELIMO secondary school was a site of significant intergenerational tensions that affected the liberation movement during a particularly critical moment of its anti-colonial war against Portugal. This analysis is particularly relevant for the issue of generational tensions and may help to encourage historians of contemporary Africa to (re)consider how African nationalist groups, operating within another nation's sovereign space, could build legitimacy and establish hegemony. This article, then, also indirectly argues that FRELIMO was able to utilise sovereign space within T...
Genetic Effects of Captive Breeding Cause a Rapid, Cumulative Fitness Decline in the Wild

:plications for our ability to sample and identify all the ecologically relevant members of microbial communities in other high-diversity habitats, such as soils (22), microbial mats (23), and communities where low-abundance taxa may play crucial roles, such as the human microbiome. It provides a comparative population structure analysis with statistically significant descriptions of diversity and relative abundance of microbial populations. These large estimates of phylogenetic diversity at every taxonomic level present a challenge to large-scale microbial community genomic surveys. Metagenomic studies seek to inventory the full range of metabolic capabilities that define ecosystem function or to determine their context within assembled genomic scaffolds. Our results suggest that even the largest of published metagenomic investigations inadequately represent the full extent of microbial diversity, as they survey only the most highly abundant taxa (11).
The interpersonal, cognitive and efficiency domains of clinical teaching: Construct validity of a multi-dimensional scale

BACKGROUND We are unaware of any hypothesis-driven studies showing that teaching assessments are comprised solely of interpersonal and cognitive domains. Moreover, previous teaching assessments have been biased by heterogeneous samples of evaluators. Consequently, we investigated the construct validity of faculty assessments comprised of interpersonal and cognitive domains, utilising evaluations obtained from resident doctors on an internal medicine hospital service. METHODS A total of 1000 inpatient evaluations were completed on 60 general internal medicine faculty members. Education theory supported a 2-dimensional, 14-item scale. Principal factor analysis was used to explore the scale's dimensionality. Internal reliability and interobserver agreement were determined. Relationships between domains and instructor characteristics were also examined. RESULTS Principal factor analysis revealed interpersonal, clinical teaching and efficiency domains. Internal reliabilities of all domains are high (alpha > 0.90). Interobserver agreement is good (range 0.64-0.83). In the interpersonal domain there is a trend towards higher scores for lower ranking faculty. Significant findings are higher overall scores in the interpersonal domain (P < 0.001), higher scores for assistant professors in the interpersonal domain (P = 0.008) and higher scores for male than female faculty in the interpersonal (P = 0.041) and clinical teaching (P = 0.008) domains. CONCLUSIONS Clinical teaching evaluations are reducible to interpersonal, clinical teaching and efficiency domains. Evidence for construct validity includes predicted domains and high internal and interobserver reliabilities. Utilising a homogenous sample of evaluators minimised variance. Interestingly, lower ranking faculty scored higher in the interpersonal domain, suggesting that lower ranking faculty may focus more attention on teaching activities than full professors do.
Convolutional codes for the high density (1-D)(1+D)/sup n/ magnetic recording channel

We extend the technique due to Wolf and Ungerboeck (1986) of using convolutional codes (CC) along with preceding to improve the reliability of digital transmission/recording over the noisy (1-D) partial response (PR) channel to the more general class of channels described by the polynomials P/sub n/(D)=(1-D)(1+D)/sup n/. This class of polynomials models the high density magnetic recording channel (HDMRC), as pointed out by Thapar and Patel (1987). As a result, the same asymptotic coding gain (due to the CC) that is achieved on the noisy (1-D) channel can be realized on the HDMRC. >
Use of in-cylinder pressure measurement and the response surface method for combustion feedback control in a diesel engine

An engine control algorithm was designed and implemented on a heavy-duty diesel engine. The goal was to develop a control system that could adjust split injection parameters to accommodate changes in operating parameters such as fuel and ambient air conditions, and mechanical wear during engine operation. An in-cylinder pressure transducer was chosen for the closed-loop feedback signal to be used in conjunction with the control algorithm. The control algorithm incorporated a version of the response surface method (RSM) to adjust the fuel injection parameters and to locate the optimum settings. Optimizations of double injections at 821 r/min and 25 per cent load and 0, 15, and 30 per cent exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) were first performed using a combination of the genetic algorithm (GA) and the RSM to provide baseline cylinder pressure data and to develop control criteria. These optima were then used to calibrate the control system by providing target values for the RSM control algorithm. Tests were conducted using a heat release estimate to control heat release phasing and magnitude. The control algorithm was able to adjust the timing of the first and second injections, as well as the amount of fuel injected in each pulse to phase combustion properly.
Effects of antiepileptic drugs on induced epileptiform activity in a rat model of dysplasia

Abstract Seizure activity associated with cortical dysplasia (CD) is often resistant to standard pharmacologic treatments. Although several animal models exhibit CD, virtually nothing is known about antiepileptic drug (AED) responses in these animals. Here we have used rats exposed to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) in utero, an animal model featuring nodular heterotopia, to investigate the effects of AEDs in the dysplastic brain. 4-aminopyridine (100 μM), a K + channel blocker, was used to induce interictal epileptiform bursting in acute hippocampal slices from MAM-exposed and age-matched vehicle-injected control animals. Extracellular field recordings were used to monitor seizure activity in vitro. Five commonly used AEDs were tested: phenobarbital, 25–400 μM; carbamazepine, 25–200 μM; valproate (VPA), 0.19–4 mM; ethosuximide (ESM), 0.5–8 mM; and lamotrigine (LTG), 49–390 μM. 4-AP-induced bursting occurred with shorter latencies in slices from MAM-exposed rats in comparison with slices from controls, confirming the intrinsic hyperexcitability of dysplastic tissue. Each AED tested demonstrated significant burst suppression in control slices, but interictal epileptiform bursting in MAM-exposed slices was resistant to these treatments. Even at the highest concentrations, VPA, ESM and LTG had no effect on burst amplitude in slices from MAM-exposed rats. Pharmaco-resistance was further tested by measuring seizure latencies in awake, freely-moving rats after kainate administration (15 mg/kg, i.p.) with and without pre-treatment with VPA (400 mg/kg i.p.). Pre-treatment with VPA prolonged seizure latency in control rats, but had no effect in MAM-exposed animals. These results suggest MAM-exposed rats exhibit a dramatically reduced sensitivity to commonly prescribed AEDs.