cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrodissolution kinetics of an Fe−Ni alloy in acidic chloride media of 1.0 M ionic strength

Anodic dissolution of an Fe−5Ni alloy in deoxygenated acidic chloride solutions of 1.0 M ionic strength has been studied. Steady state partial current densities of the iron and nickel components were obtained by atomic absorption spectrophotometry analysis of the solutions. Alloy and component electrodissolution rates show two anodic Tafel regions indicating simultaneous parallel reactions as reported previously for pure iron. Anodic Tafel slopes of 0.075 and 0.04V dec−1 were obtained in the lower (A) and higher (B) polarization regions, respectively. The kinetic results for the alloy are consistent with the Cl− accelerated mechanism in Region (A) and the Bockris or OH− accelerated mechanism in Region (B) for both iron and nickel components as proposed previously for pure iron.
Simulation and comparison of infrared sensors for automotive applications

This paper presents a simulation and comparison of two different infrared (IR) imaging systems in terms of their use in automotive collision avoidance and vision enhancement applications. The first half of this study concerns the simulations of a `cooled' shortwave focal plane array infrared imaging system, and an `uncooled' focal plane array infrared imaging system. This is done using the United States Army's Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center's (TARDEC) thermal image model -- (TTIM). Visual images of automobiles as seen through a forward looking infrared sensor are generated, by using TTIM, under a variety of viewing range and rain conditions. The second half of the study focuses on a comparison between the two simulated sensors. This comparison is undertaken from the standpoint of the ability of a human observer to detect potential (collision) targets, when looking through the two different sensors. A measure of the target's detectability is derived for each sensor by using the TARDEC's visual model (TVM). The authors found the uncooled pyroelectric FPA to give excellent imagery and, combined with the advantages of the 7.5 - 13.5 band in the atmosphere and the higher blackbody exitance in the 7.5 - 13.5 band, the 7.5 - 13.5 uncooled sensor is therefore the better choice for imaging through numerous atmospheric conditions compared to the 3.4 - 5.5 cooled sensor.
A Dual Gold Nanoparticle System for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tracking

Stem cell-based therapies have demonstrated improved outcomes in preclinical and clinical trials for treating cardiovascular ischemic diseases. However, the contribution of stem cells to vascular repair is poorly understood. To elucidate these mechanisms, many have attempted to monitor stem cells following their delivery in vivo, but these studies have been limited by the fact that many contrast agents, including nanoparticles, are commonly passed on to non-stem cells in vivo. Specifically, cells of the reticuloendothelial system, such as macrophages, frequently endocytose free contrast agents, resulting in the monitoring of macrophages instead of the stem cell therapy. Here we demonstrate a dual gold nanoparticle system which is capable of monitoring both delivered stem cells and infiltrating macrophages using photoacoustic imaging. In vitro analysis confirmed preferential labeling of the two cell types with their respective nanoparticles and the maintenance of cell function following nanoparticle labeling. In addition, delivery of the system within a rat hind limb ischemia model demonstrated the ability to monitor stem cells and distinguish and quantify macrophage infiltration. These findings were confirmed by histology and mass spectrometry analysis. This work has important implications for cell tracking and monitoring cell-based therapies.
Deuterium NMR Studies of Local Motions of Benzene Adsorbed on Ca-Montmorillonite

{sup 2}H NMR spectra and interpretations are presented on two samples of deuterium-labeled benzene that have been adsorbed on a major soil component, Ca-montmorillonite clay. Spectra were obtained on the samples with two different benzene loading levels over a wide temperature range and using two values of the quadrupolar echo delay period. Computer simulations of line shapes resulting from various forms of local motion of C-{sup 2}H moieties provide useful guidelines for interpreting the experimental results. The results suggest that absorbed benzene molecules first form {pi}-complexes with Ca{sup 2+} in the interlayer space of the clay with an adsorption enthalpy of 42 {+-} 4 kJ/mol at temperatures at or below {minus}75 C. The adsorbed molecules undergo small-angle wobbling of the C6 axis accompanied by rapid discrete jumps about the C6 axis. At higher temperatures, benzene molecules start to perform large-angle wobbling of the C6 axis with extremely fast jumps around the axis, and eventually desorb from Ca{sup 2+} to tumble freely in the interlayer space of the clay. The enthalpy and entropy changes between different motional states were obtained from the variable temperature studies. The activation energies of relevant molecular motions were also estimated. This approach is attractive for elucidationmore » of the detailed motional behaviors of organic pollutants adsorbed in soil.« less
Clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Aesculap Activ-L™ artificial disc in the treatment of degenerative disc disease

The objective of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Activ-L Artificial Disc for treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine in patients who have been unresponsive to at least six months of prior conservative care. The hypothesis of the study is that the Activ-L Disc is non-inferior to the control (the Charite® Artificial Disc [DePuy Spine] or ProDisc-L® Total Disc Replacement [Synthes Spine]) with respect to the rate of individual subject success at 24 months. Individual subject success is a composite of effectiveness and safety. The study proposed is a prospective, randomized, single-masked, controlled, multi-center clinical trial consisting of an estimated 414 subjects with single-level DDD of the lumbar spine (L4/L5, or L5/S1) who have failed to improve with conservative treatment for at least six months prior to enrollment. After enrollment, subjects will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either the Activ-L Disc (investigational device) or the control (Charite or ProDisc-L). Radiographic endpoints will be evaluated by an independent reviewer at an imaging core laboratory. Each subject will be followed for 5 years post-treatment. The safety and effectiveness of the Activ-L Artificial Disc for treatment of single-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine will be equivalent to Charite® Artificial Disc [DePuy Spine] or ProDisc-L® Total Disc Replacement [Synthes Spine] at 24 months. Current Controlled Trials NCT00589797.
THE BACTERICIDAL ACTION OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL VAPOR ON MICROORGANISMS SUSPENDED IN AIR : II. THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS FACTORS ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE VAPOR.

A study of the conditions which affect the bactericidal action of propylene glycol vapor on air-suspended microorganisms has been carried out. The killing process was found to be more effective when both the total number of air-borne droplets and the number of organisms in the bacterial suspension are small. A temperature below 80 degrees F. and an atmospheric relative humidity between 45 and 70 per cent were found to constitute the most favorable conditions for the lethal action of the vapor. Experiments were performed to test the bactericidal efficiency of propylene glycol vapor in both small and large enclosed spaces. These studies revealed that equally marked bactericidal action is obtained when propylene glycol is dispersed in an 800 cubic foot room as occurs in chambers of 2 cubic foot capacity. The susceptibility to vapor action of bacteria re-suspended in saliva was just as great as when broth was used as the suspending medium. Both partially and completely dehydrated bacteria also succumbed to the effects of the vapor. However, when unsterile dust collected from inhabited rooms was dispersed into the air, little reduction of the natural microbic population contained in this material was observed. Data are presented showing the minimum glycol concentration necessary for effective bactericidal action on various microorganisms. Pneumococci were killed by amounts of propylene glycol as low as 1 gm. in 20 million cc. of air. Concentrations of 1 to 5 million to 1 to 10 million were required to produce the same degree of killing of streptococci and staphylococci. The observations here reported add further support to the previously proposed conception of the mechanism of the lethal action of propylene glycol vapor, namely, that a bactericidal concentration of the glycol accumulates in the bacterial droplet as a result of contact with and absorption of glycol molecules from the surrounding atmosphere.
Synthesis and Properties of Novel Proton-Conducting Aromatic Poly(ether sulfone)s That Contain Triazine Groups

A series of novel fully aromatic poly(arylene ether sulfone)s that contain 1,3,5-s-triazine groups were synthesized by the reaction of triazine-containing bisphenols with bis(4-fluorophenylsulfone) to study the effects of branching groups on solubility as well as thermal and mechanical properties. Polymers had inherent viscosities from 0.43 to 1.10 dL/g, thermal stabilities >500 °C in air, glass transition temperatures from 136 to 289 °C, and good film forming abilities. The polymer with pendant diphenylamine groups on the triazine ring were further investigated for use in proton exchange membranes based on solubility, thermo-oxidative stability, and ease of monomer synthesis. A series of copolymers made from 4,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine and 4,4′-biphenol were sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid to achieve ion exchange capacities up to 2.62 mmol/g. The homopolymer was sulfonated exclusively on the diphenylamine branch and had the highest proton conductivity (0.11 S/cm at 95 ...
Late cutaneous lyme disease: Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans

Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) is a chronic skin disorder characterized in its initial stages by an edematous infiltration that progresses to an atrophic lesion resembling localized scleroderma in its more established form [l]. It has been recognized more commonly in Europe than in the United States for many years and is known to be linked epidemiologically with the tick Zxodes ricinus and the skin lesion erythema chronicum migrans [2,3]. Recent serologic studies from Sweden have demonstrated an association between ACA and the presence of antibodies against the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi [3,43. This entity is seldom recognized in North America and there has been only one report of ACA as a late manifestation of Lyme disease in the United States [5]. We describe herein two patients who presented with ACA as their principal manifestation of B. burgdorferi infection in an endemic region of Lyme disease on eastern Long Island, New York. These patients represent the first reported cases of Lyme disease presenting with ACA in North America.
In-utero intervention for hypoplastic left heart syndrome--a perinatologist's perspective.

.Today,whenHLHSisdiagnosedinthenewborn,or suspected by prenatal ultrasound studies, surgicalinterventions typically take one of two directions – eitherthe multistaged reconstruction pioneered by Norwood toenable single ventricle survival or cardiac transplantation.Compassionate care, although increasingly controversial,remains an option in some centers. Although increasingsurvival rates following both multi-staged surgery ortransplant are being reported, the nature of theseinterventions is such that these children remain at lifelongrisk for cardiac and neurologic morbidity.Consideration of HLHS as a candidate for
Boxing, national identities and the symbolic importance of place: The ‘othering’ of Joe Calzaghe

In an analysis informed by social identities research, this article critically assesses the importance of place and nation in professional boxing. Based on media accounts surrounding the fight between Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins, it examines how the nation is positioned and how national identities are imagined. Calzaghe serves as a floating signifier of Wales, Britain and Europe in discourse positioning him as an outsider in the American boxing landscape. In examining the ‘othering’ of Calzaghe the article highlights how simplistic binaries are used to perpetuate notions of difference.
Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to water surfaces: A mass balance approach

A mass balance model was developed to explain the movement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into and out of Siskiwit Lake, which is located on a wilderness island in northern Lake Superior. Because of its location, the PAH found in this lake must have originated exclusively from atmospheric sources. Using gas Chromatographie mass spectrometry, 11 PAH were quantified in rain, snow, air, lake water, sediment core and sediment trap samples. From the dry deposition fluxes, an aerosol deposition velocity of 0.99 ± 0.15 cm s−1 was calculated for indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene, two high molecular weight PAH which are not found in the gas phase. The dry aerosol deposition was found to dominate the wet removal mechanism by an average ratio of 9:1. The dry gas flux was negative, indicating that surface volatilization was taking place; it accounted for 10–80 % of the total output flux depending on the volatility of the PAH. The remaining PAH were lost to sedimentation. From the dry gas flux, an overall mass transfer coefficient for PAH was calculated to be 0.18 ± 0.06 m d−1. In this case, the overall mass transfer is dominated by the liquid phase resistance.
NEW PATHWAYS IN FOLDING OF THE TETRAHYMENA GROUP I RNA ENZYME

Previous studies have shown that the earliest detectable step in folding of the Tetrahymena ribozyme is tertiary structure formation of the peripheral element P5abc. This, along with other results, has suggested that P5abc may serve as a scaffold upon which additional tertiary structure is built. Herein we use the onset of oligonucleotide cleavage activity as a readout for native state formation and investigate the effect of P5abc on the rate of folding to the native structure. Despite the early folding of P5abc, its removal to give the E P5abc variant decreases the rate of attainment of an active structure less than fivefold (20-100 mM Mg 2a , 1550C). Furthermore, P5abc added in trans is able to bind the folded E P5abc ribozyme and promote oligonucleotide cleavage at least tenfold more rapidly than folding of the wild-type ribozyme, indicating that E P5abc does not have to first unfold before productively binding P5abc to form the true native state. This suggests that a state with the overall tertiary structure formed but with P5abc unfolded represents a viable onpathway intermediate for the wild-type ribozyme. These results provide strong evidence for the existence of two pathways to the native state: in one pathway P5abc forms tertiary structure first, and in another it forms late. The pathway in which P5abc forms first is favored because P5abc can fold quickly and because its tertiary structure is stable in the absence of additional structured elements, not because P5abc formation is required for subsequent folding steps. In the course of these experiments, we also found that most of the ribozyme population does not reach the native state directly under standard conditions in vitro, but instead forms an inactive structure that is stable for hours. Finally, the fraction that does fold to the native state folds with a single rate constant of 1 min ˇ1 , suggesting that there are no significantly populated ‘‘fast-track’’ pathways that reach the native state directly by avoiding slow folding steps. # 1999 Academic Press
Vaccination protects rats from methamphetamine-induced impairment of behavioral responding for food

(+)-Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a chronic disease that interferes with fundamental brain-mediated behaviors and biological functions like eating. These studies present preclinical efficacy and safety profiles for a METH conjugate vaccine (IC(KLH)-SMO9) designed to treat METH abuse. ICKLH-SMO9 efficacy and safety were assessed over a 16-week period by monitoring general health and stability of responding in a food maintained behavioral paradigm. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to lever press for food reinforcers until stable behavior was established. Rats (n=9/group) were then immunized with 100 μg of a control antigenic carrier protein (IC(KLH)-Cys) or IC(KLH)-SMO9 in Alhydrogel adjuvant, with booster immunizations at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Health, immunization site and behavior were assessed daily. No adverse effects were found. During weeks 14-16, when antibody titers and METH affinity (K(d)=13.9 ± 1.7 nM) were maximal, all rats received progressively higher METH doses (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) every 3-4 days, followed by behavioral testing. Even though the lower METH doses from 0.3 to 1.0 mg/kg produced no impairment in food maintained behavior, 3.0-mg/kg in control rats showed significantly (p<0.05) reduced response rates and number of reinforcers earned, as well as reduced food intake. In sharp contrast, the IC(KLH)-SMO9 group showed no changes in food maintained behavior at any METH dose, even though METH serum concentrations showed profound increases due to anti-METH antibody binding. These findings suggest the IC(KLH)-SMO9 vaccine is effective and safe at reducing adverse METH-induced effects, even at high METH doses.
trans-Imidazole isomer of the bis(l-histidinato)­cobalt(III) complex

The title compound, bis(l-histidinato)­cobalt(III)–chloride–nitrate–water (1/0.4/0.6/2.5), [Co(C6H8N3O2)2]Cl0.4(NO3)0.6·2.5H2O, crystallizes as a mixed chloride/nitrate hydrate salt. This crystallographic experiment validates earlier research which concluded that the red chromatographic fraction contains the trans-imidazole isomer of the complex. The asymmetric unit contains two complex cations, 0.80-chloride, 1.20-nitrate, and five solvent water molecules.
Existence and nonexistence theorems of finite diameter sequential confidence regions for errors-in-variables models

Abstract In errors-in-variables models, confidence sets (or intervals) for the key parameters with finite diameter and with asymptotic coverage probabilities greater than some nominal level 1 − α have been constructed. Do these sets have good coverage probabilities for any fixed sample size? The answer may be no! In fact, in these models, any finite diameter confidence sets have zero minimum coverage probability, no matter how large the sample size is as long as it is fixed. (See Gleser and Hwang (1987).) The results apply to various models, including most linear and nonlinear errors-in-variables and inverse regression problems. Sequential approach appears to lie in between fixed-sample and asymptotic approaches. It seems to be interesting to investigate whether it is possible to construct good sequential confidence sets. In the paper, we focus on the errors-in-variables models and show that the answer is negative for K -stage, for any finite positive interger K , sequential sampling. However the answer is positive for fully sequential sampling.
Differences in Modified Contemporary Comparison Sire Evaluations from First and Later Lactations by Breed

Sire evaluations from three sets of daughter records, first records only (first), later records after firsts (later), and all records (all) by Modified Contemporary Comparison procedures were used to examine differences in first and later lactation evaluations by breed. January 1984 evaluations for milk for 767 Ayrshires, 3,175 Guernsey, 29,498 Holstein, 3,530 Jersey, and 984 Brown Swiss bulls with 10 or more daughters in each set were used. Average differences between evaluations (later minus first) were 36, 0, 6, 35, and 35 kg milk for Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss bulls. Standard deviations of the difference were 114, 94, 142, 91, and 134 kg, showing considerable sire-to-sire variation in difference. Correlations between evaluations based on first and later records were .84 to .86 for all breeds except .92 for Jerseys. Percent of first lactations culled was correlated .20, .18, .16, .16, and .19 with difference for Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss, indicating that culling produced larger differences between evaluations for first and later lactations in favor of later evaluations. Prediction of sire evaluation from later records was enhanced by knowledge of sire's age in addition to first evaluation for Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey sires. In these breeds, for a constant first evaluation, and percent culled in first lactation, younger bulls had higher evaluations from later records. This study showed important differences between evaluations from first and later records for all breeds.
SIMULATION OF ASTROPHYSICAL JETS: COLLIMATION AND EXPANSION INTO RADIO LOBES

Jets in active galactic nuclei are created in accretion disks around supermassive black holes, and they can retain their collimation up to the order of a megaparsec. To understand the physical causes of this remarkable collimation over such large distances is a great challenge and could lead to important new insights in the physics of magnetoplasmas. In the present work we take a two-pronged approach. First, we simulate the behavior of jets using a new, recently developed, mathematical model. Second, we analyze the observational evidence from the well-defined jet of the relatively distant radio galaxy 3C 303. We derive new constraints on the plasma properties of the jet. The final goal is to determine the ability of MHD models to describe the collimation of extragalactic jets, their physical nature, and their role in formation of radio lobes.
The conversational skills of school‐aged children

Differences associated with age and with language background were assessed in performance on a task thin taps conversational skill, a ‘TV talk show’ interview task administered to 98 second through fifth graders, including many nonnative speakers of English. Surprisingly, holistic ratings of the childrenapos;s skills as conversationalists were not related at all to gender, and only moderately to age or status as a native speaker of English. A set of 29 specific interactive and language behaviors were analyzed, to determine which of these were related to holistic ratings of conversational skill. Variables reflected strategies for eliciting information and for maintaining topic, indicators of disfluency, ami indicators of how the adult was contributing to the conversation. Children who had received higher ratings on conversational skill produced more topic continuations, a higher proportion of more sophisticated noncontingent responses, and fewer simple yes/no topic initiations and continuations. Age, gender, and language status related only minimally to the specific interactive or language behaviors associated with success as a conversationalist, although children from homes where English was spoken did tend to receive higher holistic ratings of conversational skill.
ACCURACY OF TRADITIONAL AGE, GENDER AND SYMPTOM BASED PRE-TEST ESTIMATION OF ANGIOGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS REFERRED FOR CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY

Determining pre-test probability of angiographically significant coronary artery disease (ASCAD; ≥50p stenosis) in patients with chest pain has traditionally relied on the Diamond & Forrester (DF) classification that incorporates age, gender & symptom description. This data was derived
Cell–cell interactions during remodeling of the intestine at metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis

Amphibian metamorphosis is accompanied by extensive intestinal remodeling. This process, mediated by thyroid hormone (TH) and its nuclear receptors, affects every cell type. Gut remodeling in Xenopus laevis involves epithelial and mesenchymal proliferation, smooth muscle thickening, neuronal aggregation, formation of intestinal folds, and shortening of its length by 75%. Transgenic tadpoles expressing a dominant negative TH receptor (TRDN) controlled by epithelial-, fibroblast-, and muscle-specific gene promoters were studied. TRDN expression in the epithelium caused abnormal development of virtually all cell types, with froglet guts displaying reduced intestinal folds, thin muscle and mesenchyme, absence of neurons, and reduced cell proliferation. TRDN expression in fibroblasts caused abnormal epithelia and mesenchyme development, and expression in muscle produced fewer enteric neurons and a reduced inter-muscular space. Gut shortening was inhibited only when TRDN was expressed in fibroblasts. Gut remodeling results from both cell-autonomous and cell-cell interactions.
The Policy World-Jurisprudence as a Policy Science

The Yale tradition of policy sciences offers a comprehensive taxonomy of human behavior, especially that which is associated with purposive institutional actions. Like newer schools of thought such as Public Choice, it has a theoretical base; like the Public Policy tradition, it focuses on historical explanations and analyses. Its categories of analysis range from Lasswell's famous eight value arenas to the seven policy functions that ate often used in identifying stages or phases of public action. Its professional breadth incorporates methods from economics, psychology, moral philosophy, and sociology, all in the context of policy behavior. The two volumes under review recapitulate theoretical and behavioral research dating back to the 1920s and still continuing at Yale and other policy centers. There is a strong moral commitment in these pages to human dignity, defined as the preferred outcomes among all competing and complementary basic values. The jurisprudence espoused in these volumes is a process through which people seek to clarify and secure their common interest; it is a tool of discovery rather than a mere syntactical philosophy of law. It is more a “political” than a “legal” science.
What happened to total parenteral nutrition? The disappearance of its use in a trauma intensive care unit.

Background: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with known costs, including the use of invasive procedures, which may be necessary to optimize care. Our purpose was to document TPN use in trauma patients over time as well as concurrent changes in TPN-associated complications. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive trauma patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit during a period of 6 years from a Level I trauma center. Comparative cohorts and the matched case-control approaches were used to analyze the difference in outcomes between patients with and without TPN during hospitalization. Logistic regression model was used to compare the outcomes of the two groups of patients adjusting for significant risk factors. The McNemar's test was used to assess the differences in outcomes between the cases and their matched controls. ReSUltS: There were 2,964 patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit during the 6-year period and 464 patients received TPN during their hospital course. TPN use decreased significantly from 26% in the year 2000 to 3% in 2005 (p < 0.0001). Excluding those who died in the first 72 hours, the mortality rate was significantly lower (5.4% no TPN vs. 10.2% TPN, p = 0.001) in patients who were managed without TPN. Complication rates (wound infection, dehiscence, line sepsis, bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) were significantly higher in patients that were managed with TPN. Multivariate analysis adjusting for abbreviated injury score, injury severity score, mechanism, admission year, dialysis, ventilator use, hollow viscous injury, and solid organ injury found that TPN use was still an independent risk factor for increased complications but not death. The matched case-control approach confirmed this finding. TPN use was also associated with increase intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Conclusions: The rate of TPN use has declined significantly from 26% to 3% during the 6-year period. The change in practice of minimizing TPN was concurrent with decreased complications and less hospital resource utilization without negatively impacting mortality.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate stimulates alveolar epithelial fluid clearance in male and female adult rats

Cell membrane phospholipids, like phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], can regulate epithelial Na channel (ENaC) activity. Gender differences in lung ENaC expression have also been de...
Combined Use of Cocaine with Alcohol or Cigarettes

Cocaine abusers (N = 42) from an inpatient drug rehabilitation program were interviewed regarding combined use of cocaine with alcohol or cigarettes. Concurrent use of alcohol and cocaine was reported by 37 patients and concurrent use of cigarettes and cocaine by 41 patients. All but two concurrent users reported simultaneous use of alcohol or cigarettes with cocaine. Increased cocaine effect was perceived by 43% of simultaneous alcohol users compared with 15% of simultaneous cigarette users. Patients experienced decreased craving for cocaine and alcohol during treatment, but craving for cigarettes remained essentially unchanged.
All Three Subunits of Soybean β-Conglycinin Are Potential Food Allergens

Soybeans are recognized as one of the "big 8" food allergens. IgE antibodies from soybean-sensitive patients recognize more than 15 soybean proteins. Among these proteins only the alpha-subunit of beta-conglycinin, but not the highly homologous alpha'- and beta-subunits, has been shown to be a major allergenic protein. The objective of this study was to examine if the alpha'- and beta-subunits of beta-conglycinin can also serve as potential allergens. Immunoblot analysis using sera collected from soybean-allergic patients revealed the presence of IgE antibodies that recognized several soy proteins including 72, 70, 52, 34, and 21 kDa proteins. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) analysis of trypsin-digested 72, 70, and 52 kDa proteins indicated that these proteins were the alpha'-, alpha-, and beta-subunits of beta-conglycinin, respectively. Additionally, purified alpha'-, alpha-, and beta-subunits of beta-conglycinin were recognized by IgE antibodies present in the soybean-allergic patients. The IgE reactivity to the beta-subunit of beta-conglycinin was not abolished when this glycoprotein was either deglycosylated using glycosidases or expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli . The results suggest that in addition to the previously recognized alpha-subunit of beta-conglycinin, the alpha'- and beta-subunits of beta-conglycinin also are potential food allergens.
A therapeutic perspective of cytokines in tumor management

Malignant cancer is a serious threat to the health of men and women worldwide, yet no single or combine treatment strategy exists that can effectively eliminate this disease. Recent years, significant interest has been generated in targeting immune system of cancer patients for therapeutic and preventive purposes. Among the several components of immune system, chemokines and cytokines are key potential targets for immunotherapy of cancer. This review provides a brief overview of the current knowledge and recent updates on the use of cytokines or chemokines in cancer therapy and management.
A Hybrid, Multi-dimensional Recommender for Journal Articles in a Scientific Digital Library

A recommender system for scientific scholarly articles that is both hybrid (content and collaborative filtering based) and multi-dimensional (across metadata categories such as subject hierarchies, journal clusters and keyphrases) can improve scientists' ability to discover new knowledge from a digital library. Providing users with an interface which enables the filtering of recommendations across these multiple dimensions can simultaneously provide explanations for the recommendations and increase the user's control over how the recommender behaves.
Selection Principles and Sierpinski Sets

We show that a set of real numbers is a Sierpinski set if, and only if, it satisfies a selection property similar to the familiar Menger property.
Critical assessment of quantum mechanics based energy restraints in protein crystal structure refinement

A critical evaluation of the performance of X-ray refinement protocols using various energy functions is presented using the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) protein. The four potential energy functions we explored include: (1) fully quantum mechanical calculations; (2) one based on an incomplete molecular mechanics (MM) energy function employed in the Crystallography and NMR System (CNS) with empirical parameters developed by Engh and Huber (EH), which lacks electrostatic and attractive van der Waals terms; (3) one based on a complete MM energy function (AMBER ff99 parameter set); and (4) the same as 3, with the addition of a Generalized Born (GB) implicit solvation term. The R, R (free), real space R values of the refined structures and deviations from the original experimental structure were used to assess the relative performance. It was found that at 1 Angstrom resolution the physically based energy functions 1, 3, and 4 performed better than energy function 2, which we attribute to the better representation of key interactions, particularly electrostatics. The observed departures from the experimental structure were similar for the refinements with physically based energy functions and were smaller than the structure refined with EH. A test refinement was also performed with the reflections truncated at a high-resolution cutoff of 2.5 Angstrom and with random perturbations introduced into the initial coordinates, which showed that low-resolution refinements with physically based energy functions held the structure closer to the experimental structure solved at 1 Angstrom resolution than the EH-based refinements.
A robust image processing language in the context of image algebra

A high level image processing language is discussed that provides a robust environment for the universal specification and implementation of image processing algorithms. In essence, an image processing program consists of a collection of procedure calls. To implement an algorithm, one needs only to construct a block-diagram representation of the algorithm and the proceed with one-to-one translation of the block diagram into the host Pascal language. The result is that an investigator can proceed with rapid variations at the algorithm design stage without having to be involved with writing code. The development of the language rests on three pillars: (1) the existence of a rigorous and robust image algebra, (2) the block diagram specification of image-processing algorithms, and (3) the bound matrix image representation. >
Gibsland Salt-Stock Family in Northwestern Louisiana: ABSTRACT

A semiregional isopach map of the Hosston-Sligo interval in north Louisiana suggests the existence of a salt-stock family similar to D. Sanneman's example in the Zechstein basin of northwestern Germany. The "mother salt stock" appears to be the Gibsland salt dome in Bienville Parish, which the isopach map indicated had a well-developed rim syncline during Hosston deposition. Withdrawal of salt into the Gibsland dome appears to have triggered the growth of peripheral salt pillows such as Vacherie, Minden, Athens, Sugar Creek, and Arcadia. Some of these pillows subsequently developed into salt stocks. The centrifugal or outward growth of salt structures continued with the withdrawal of salt from beneath the Minden subbasin into the Minden and Bistineau salt domes. This acce tuated growth of the Sligo, Bellevue, and Cotton Valley salt pillows, which in turn triggered development of the Pine Island salt pillow in latest Early Cretaceous time. The growth of the salt structures progressed outward from deeper to shallower portions of the North Louisiana salt basin. An older salt-stock family may be centered on the Winnfield or Cedar Creek salt domes in the deepest part of the salt basin. Centrifugal growth of these stock should be discernible in seismic profiles. A knowledge of the relative ages of these structures is important in predicting sites of Lower Cretaceous reefs and hydrocarbon migration paths. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1219------------
Pulmonary Hypertension in Hemolytic Disorders: Pulmonary Vascular Disease: The Global Perspective

The inherited hemoglobin disorders sickle cell disease and thalassemia are the most common monogenetic disorders worldwide. Pulmonary hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in adult patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and hemolytic disorders are potentially among the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in hemolytic disorders is likely multifactorial, including hemolysis, impaired nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, chronic hypoxemia, chronic thromboembolic disease, chronic liver disease, and asplenia. In contrast to patients with traditional forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, patients with hemolytic disorders have a mild-to-moderate degree of elevation in mean pulmonary pressures, with mild elevations in pulmonary vascular resistance. The hemodynamic etiology of pulmonary hypertension in these patients is multifactorial and includes pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary venous hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension secondary to a hyperdynamic state. Currently, there are limited data on the effects of any specific treatment modality for pulmonary hypertension in patients with hemolytic disorders. It is likely that maximization of treatment of the primary hemoglobinopathy in all patients and treatment with selective pulmonary vasodilators and antiproliferative agents in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension would be beneficial. However, there is still a major need for large multinational trials of novel therapies for this patient population.
The potential role of serum ferritin in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Elevated serum ferritin levels have been observed in several disease states including various malignancies, inflammatory states, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This discussion will examine the normal sequence of events in T cell activation and proliferation, as well as the various defects in these events, and monocyte/macrophage and NK cell activity seen in AIDS patients. Further, the potential role of a serum suppressor factor as a contributor to the profound immunosuppression seen in AIDS will be discussed, as will evidence suggesting that ferritin may be this factor. A model is presented to explain mechanisms by which ferritin might suppress immune function and further studies to elaborate these mechanisms are proposed.
Predator‐recognition training: a conservation strategy to increase postrelease survival of hellbenders in head‐starting programs

For species with declining populations, captive rearing with subsequent release into natural habitats (“head-starting”) is often used as part of a conservation strategy. One challenge to head-starting programs is that head-started individuals can suffer high rates of postrelease predation. Head-starting programs are currently being established for hellbenders (Cryptobrancus alleganeinsis), large aquatic salamanders that are experiencing population declines throughout much of the species' range. Although hellbenders have innate recognition of many predators, inexperienced juveniles show only weak recognition of introduced trout. We used a classical conditioning protocol to train captive-reared hellbender larvae to show fright responses to the scent of trout. We exposed hellbender larvae to trout-scented water plus a hellbender distress secretion during training trials. In a subsequent test, these larvae responded to trout cues alone with a fright response; control larvae that were trained with the trout scent plus a blank control did not show a fright response to the trout cues. Learning was specific to trout because trained larvae did not respond to water that had been scented by a suckermouth catfish. Although a number of details remain to be addressed concerning standardized procedures, we recommend that head-starting programs for hellbenders include trout-recognition training. Zoo Biol 30:611–622, 2011. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Photocycles of Bacteriorhodopsin

The photoisomerization of all-trans-retinal of bacteriorhodopsin to 13-cis gives rise to a series of unstable states that thermally interconvert on the picosecond to millisecond timescale, and ultimately decay back to the initial state. Since this “photocycle” drives the translocation of a proton from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular side of the membrane, its detailed description is essential to understand the mechanism of the ion transport. The interconversions of the intermediates of the cycle, K610, L550, M410, N560, and O640, proceed with complex multiphasic kinetics, and there is much disagreement over the interpretation of this. However, many groups have described the photocycle as a single reaction sequence with several reversible reactions, some pH-dependent. Through the use of time-resolved spectroscopy and site-specific mutations, such a scheme provides a reasonable model for how the retinal Schiff base first transfers its proton to Asp-85, followed by release of a proton to the extracellular side; then the Schiff base is reprotonated from Asp-96, and proton uptake from the cytoplasmic surface restores the initial protonation state of Asp-96, while the retinal reisomerizes to all-trans.
An algebraic multigrid approach to solve extended finite element method based fracture problems

SUMMARY This article proposes an algebraic multigrid (AMG) approach to solve linear systems arising from applications where strong discontinuities are modeled by the extended finite element method. The application of AMG methods promises optimal scalability for solving large linear systems. However, the straightforward (or ‘black-box’) use of existing AMG techniques for extended finite element method problems is often problematic. In this paper, we highlight the reasons for this behavior and propose a relatively simple adaptation that allows one to leverage existing AMG software mostly unchanged. Numerical tests demonstrate that optimal iterative convergence rates can be attained that are comparable with AMG convergence rates associated with linear systems for standard finite element approximations without discontinuities. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Molecular strategies of plant defense and insect counter‐defense

The prediction of human population growth worldwide indicates there will be a need to substantially increase food production in order to meet the demand on food supply. This can be achieved in part by the effective management of insect pests. Since plants have co-evolved with herbivorous insects for millions of years, they have developed an array of defense genes to protect themselves against a wide variety of chewing and sucking insects. Using these naturally-occurring genes via genetic engineering represents an environmen- tally friendly insect pest-control measure. Insects, however, have been actively evolving adaptive mechanisms to evade natural plant defenses. Such evolved adaptability undoubt- edly has helped insects during the last century to rapidly overcome a great many human- imposed management practices and agents, including chemical insecticides and genetically engineered plants. Thus, better understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of plant defense and insect counter-defense mechanisms is imperative, not only from a basic science perspective, but also for biotechnology-based pest control practice. In this review, we emphasize the recent advance and understanding of molecular strategies of attack-counter- attack and defense-counter-defense between plants and their herbivores.
Mechanism for Enhanced Reservoir Porosity Generation in Tripolitic Chert: ABSTRACT

Tripolitic chert is present in many Rocky Mountain basins. In the Green River basin, enhanced porosity in tripolitic chert comprises a significant portion of the porosity in the Ericson Sandstone. Prediction of enhanced reservoir porosity within tripolitic chert is dependent on understanding the mechanism for creation of this porosity. Dissolution experiments were performed on selected chert samples to determine the causal mechanism. Chert samples used in the dissolution experiments were from the Phosphoria Formation in the Overthrust belt. Paleocurrent directions and the presence of sponge spicules and apatite in the Ericson cherts all indicate a Phosphoria source within the thrust belt for much of the Ericson chert. Both acid-treated and untreated chert fragments were placed in organic acid solutions. Results of the experiments show it is the 25-30% carbonate fraction within the chert that dissolves to create tripolitic chert. Silica solubility was not affected by the organic acids. The opportunity to dissolve calcite and dolomite within detrital chert fragments exists at several times during progressive burial. Depending on the fluid chemistry, carbonate could be dissolved by an early pulse of organic acids generated prior to hydrocarbon migration. This would be End_Page 847------------------------------ the ideal situation in which enhanced porosity is created immediately before migration. Later in the burial history, after thermal decarboxylation of organic fluids produces CO2, a second opportunity exists to create enhanced porosity. Using these diagenetic concepts, it may be possible to predict enhanced reservoir porosity within tripolitic chert. End_of_Article - Last_Page 848------------
Adversarial prediction games for multivariate losses

Multivariate loss functions are used to assess performance in many modern prediction tasks, including information retrieval and ranking applications. Convex approximations are typically optimized in their place to avoid NP-hard empirical risk minimization problems. We propose to approximate the training data instead of the loss function by posing multivariate prediction as an adversarial game between a loss-minimizing prediction player and a loss-maximizing evaluation player constrained to match specified properties of training data. This avoids the non-convexity of empirical risk minimization, but game sizes are exponential in the number of predicted variables. We overcome this intractability using the double oracle constraint generation method. We demonstrate the efficiency and predictive performance of our approach on tasks evaluated using the precision at k, the F-score and the discounted cumulative gain.
THE ZERO–ENERGY–HOUSE: THE RANKING OF THE SUN IN THE HEAT–REQUIREMENT MARKET

ABSTRACT The heat requirements of the “Zero–Energy–House” (Dorpe, near Hanover, W. Germany) are covered by solar. First and essential was the consequent cut of energy losses, even superior to the efficient building standards of Sweden. To cover the remaining heat requirement, a solar heating storage system was installed. Compared with the average annual standard heat consumption, it is possible to reach an energy savings rate of 90% with additional construction costs of only an 15%.