cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excess volumes and isentropic compressibilities for (2-ethoxyethanol + n-heptane) at 298.15 K

Abstract Excess volumes and ultrasonic speeds have been measured for (2-ethoxyethanol + n-heptane) at 298.15 K. Isentropic compressibilities, excess isentropic compressibilities, and the partial molar excess quantities K S, i E = −( ∂V i E ∂p ) S were calculated from the results. The excess volume is positive over the entire mole-fraction range, whereas the curves for the excess isentropic compressibility is sigmoid with negative values occurring at mole fractions of 2-ethoxyethanol greater than 0.35. A qualitatitive interpretation of the results is presented.
Narrow Band Ultraviolet B Treatment for Human Vitiligo Is Associated with Proliferation, Migration, and Differentiation of Melanocyte Precursors

In vitiligo, the autoimmune destruction of epidermal melanocytes produces white spots that can be repigmented by melanocyte precursors from the hair follicles, following stimulation with UV light. We examined by immunofluorescence the distribution of melanocyte markers (C-KIT, DCT, PAX3, and TYR) coupled with markers of proliferation (KI-67) and migration (MCAM) in precursors and mature melanocytes from the hair follicle and the epidermis of untreated and narrow band UVB (NBUVB)-treated human vitiligo skin. NBUVB was associated with a significant increase in the number of melanocytes in the infundibulum and with restoration of the normal melanocyte population in the epidermis, which was lacking in the untreated vitiligo. We identified several precursor populations (melanocyte stem cells, melanoblasts, and other immature phenotypes), and progressively differentiating melanocytes, some with putative migratory and/or proliferative abilities. The primary melanocyte germ was present in the untreated and treated hair follicle bulge, whereas a possible secondary melanocyte germ composed of C-KIT+ melanocytes was found in the infundibulum and interfollicular epidermis of UV-treated vitiligo. This is an exceptional model for studying the mobilization of melanocyte stem cells in human skin. Improved understanding of this process is essential for designing better treatments for vitiligo, ultimately based on melanocyte stem cell activation and mobilization.
Capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Chemical speciation (extraction of elemental information and identification of molecular environment for an analyte in a complex sample) has been a long sought after goal for analytical chemists. Recently, because of successful developments in more sensitive element-specific detectors and gentle separation schemes, which preserve the true chemical information in a real sample, routine speciation experiments are becoming a common occurrence in the scientific literature. For many reasons, the combination of capillary electrophoresis (for separation of different chemical species) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (for element and isotope specific detection) has emerged as the method of choice for these analyses. In this article the basic principles of capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are discussed. Design consideration for instrument interface, anticipated difficulties with speciation experiments and applications for specific matrices and analytes are also presented in this article.
Rheology of Dispersions of High Aspect Ratio Submicroscopic Whiskers

An unusual form of single crystal whiskers of β SiC was in vestigated in terms of the rheological properties of its suspensions in several fluids. Individual whiskers could not be separated intact from the fiber mass produced in the reactor. Capillary viscosity measurements were used to estimate the length of the fibers. An aspect ratio of 10,000 is obtained by the use of Burgers' equation for the viscosity of suspensions of rigid rods.The fibers are shown to be remarkably effective at low concen trations (<0.1%) in increasing the viscosity of a silicone, a hydro carbon and an alkylphosphonate fluid. The suspensions also exhibited pseudoplastic flow behavior.
Influence of Resistance Training Combined with Daily Consumption of an Egg-based or Bagel-based Breakfast on Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases in Healthy Untrained Individuals

Objective: Egg consumption is often discouraged due to cholesterol content; however, recent studies have not demonstrated a clear adverse influence of eggs on blood lipids. Furthermore, exercise training promotes improved lipids and blood pressure. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of eating an isoenergetic (400 kcal) egg-based (including two eggs per day) versus bagel-based breakfasts, daily, combined with resistance training three times per week, prior to breakfast, on plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in untrained individuals.Methods: Twenty-five healthy adult men and women (18–35 years of age) participated in the twelve week study following random assignment to study groups. Lipids and blood pressure were examined at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks.Results: Plasma triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly in the egg- based breakfast (EBB) group from baseline to six weeks (p = 0.011) and from six to twelve weeks (p = 0.045). A significant (p = 0...
POLITICAL CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES: LESSONS FROM THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION

A conservative ideology and a perceived mandate from the 1980 election for a policy reversal prompted President Reagan to make radical changes in US energy policy, particularly in the area of conservation and alternative energy programs. The authors examine selective changes made in these programs, the legitimacy of the strategy used to institute the changes, and the implications for future energy policy making. They find the Reagan policy violating two major standards in policy development: technical rationality and political legitimacy. They conclude that those who seek to reshape the nation's energy economy would do well to examine the Reagan record to devise more appropriate and effective strategies for the future. 23 references, 2 tables.
TZ3 term in the isobaric multiplet equation

Abstract A perturbation theory estimate of a three body term involving either the Coulomb or mixture of Coulomb and charge dependent forces is made in the j -coupled shell model. An effect of the order of 1 keV is found for the T Z 3 coefficient, consistent with all experimentally known multiplets except possibly that for mass 9.
Relationship between primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumors: a clinicopathologic analysis of 100 cases

Summary Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) commonly metastasize to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (RPLNs). We evaluated 100 cases of RPLN dissection specimens with viable GCTs after chemotherapy and compared them with their corresponding orchiectomy specimens. The mean age of patients was 28 years (range, 15–58 years). The testicular tumors consisted of mixed GCT (n = 72), teratoma (n = 18), seminoma (n = 4), embryonal carcinoma (n = 3), yolk sac tumor (n = 1), and no viable tumor (n = 2). Somatic malignant components were found in 5 cases. The metastatic tumors in the RPLNs consisted of only teratoma (n = 77) and non-teratomatous GCT (n = 23). Twenty-one patients had only teratoma in the RPLNs but not in the testis, and 10 patients had metastatic non-teratomatous GCT components that were not observed in the testis. Six patients had somatic malignant components in the RPLNs, but only one of them had such a component in the testis. Overall, 13 patients died of disease in a mean of 42 months, and the patients with only teratoma in the RPLNs had a lower mortality rate (9%) than those with non-teratomatous components (26%) ( P = .044). One patient with somatic components in the primary GCT and 3 patients with somatic components in the metastases died of disease. Our study demonstrates that there is frequent discordance of histologic composition between primary and metastatic testicular GCTs. Teratoma is the most common component in treated GCTs and is usually associated with a more favorable clinical outcome than non-teratomatous GCTs. The presence of somatic components in the RPLNs metastasis indicates a poor prognosis.
Depression and Disability in Late Life: Directions for Future Research

The author reviews evidence from epidemiologic and clinical studies suggesting a reciprocal, potentially spiraling, relationship between depression and disability in older adults. The discussion outlines possible methodological and conceptual explanations for this evidence and poses avenues for future research. An underlying theme is the impact of how disability and depression are measured on the nature of empirical evidence and its interpretation. Measures and corresponding analytic strategies that capture the complexity of depression, disability, and their relationship are expected to lead to the most fruitful approaches to reducing the burden of depression and disability in the lives of older adults.
Managerial Reactions to Employee Dissent: The Impact of Grievance Activity on Performance Rating

This study explored whether managerial reactions to grievance activity introduced bias into the process of performance appraisal. Using panel data techniques and data on unionized employees in a pu...
Projections of the dorsal raphe nucleus to the brainstem: PHA‐L analysis in the rat

Early studies that used older tracing techniques reported exceedingly few projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) to the brainstem. The present report examined DR projections to the brainstem by use of the anterograde anatomical tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). DR fibers were found to terminate relatively substantially in several structures of the midbrain, pons, and medulla. The following pontine and midbrain nuclei receive moderate to dense projections from the DR: pontomesencephalic central gray, mesencephalic reticular formation, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, medial and lateral parabrachial nuclei, nucleus pontis oralis, nucleus pontis caudalis, locus coeruleus, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, and raphe nuclei, including the central linear nucleus, median raphe nucleus, and raphe pontis. The following nuclei of the medulla receive moderately dense projections from the DR: nucleus gigantocellularis, nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus raphe obscurus, facial nucleus, nucleus gigantocellularis-pars alpha, and the rostral ventrolateral medullary area. DR fibers project lightly to nucleus cuneiformis, nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, nucleus paragigantocellularis, nucleus reticularis ventralis, and hypoglossal nucleus. Some differences were observed in projections from rostral and caudal parts of the DR. The major difference was that fibers from the rostral DR distribute more widely and heavily than do those from the caudal DR to structures of the medulla, including raphe magnus and obscurus, nucleus gigantocellularis-pars alpha, nucleus paragigantocellularis, facial nucleus, and the rostral ventrolateral medullary area. A role for the dorsal raphe nucleus in several brainstem controlled functions is discussed, including REM sleep and its events, nociception, and sensory motor control.
PPAR γ is highly expressed in F4/80hi adipose tissue macrophages and dampens adipose-tissue inflammation

Macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue is a hallmark of obesity. We recently reported two phenotypically distinct subsets of adipose tissue macrophages (ATM) based on the surface expression of the glycoprotein F4/80 and responsiveness to treatment with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonist. Hence, we hypothesized that F4/80(hi) and F4/80(lo) ATM differentially express PPAR gamma. This study phenotypically and functionally characterizes F4/80(hi) and F4/80(lo) ATM subsets during obesity. Changes in gene expression were also examined on sorted F4/80(lo) and F4/80(hi) ATM by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. We show that while F4/80(lo) macrophages predominate in adipose tissue of lean mice, obesity causes accumulation of both F4/80(lo) and F4/80(hi) ATM. Moreover, accumulation of F4/80(hi) ATM in adipose tissue is associated with impaired glucose tolerance. Phenotypically, F4/80(hi) ATM express greater amounts of CD11c, MHC II, CD49b, and CX3CR1 and produce more TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and IL-10 than F4/80(lo) ATM. Gene expression analyses of the sorted populations revealed that only the F4/80(lo) population produced IL-4, whereas the F4/80(hi) ATM expressed greater amounts of PPAR gamma, delta, CD36 and toll-like receptor-4. In addition, the deficiency of PPAR gamma in immune cells favors expression of M1 and impairs M2 macrophage marker expression in adipose tissue. Thus, PPAR gamma is differentially expressed in F4/80(hi) versus F4/80(low) ATM subsets and its deficiency favors a predominance of M1 markers in WAT.
Social-affective origins of mindreading and metacognition

The engineer's look at how the mind works omits a central piece of the puzzle. It ignores the dynamic of motivations and the social context in which mindreading and metacognition evolved and developed in the first place. Mindreading and metacognition derive from a primacy of affective mindreading and meta-affectivity (e.g., secondary emotions such as shame or pride), both co-emerging in early development.
Finite element simulation of adaptive bone remodelling: A stability criterion and a time stepping method

Adaptive bone remodelling simulations which use finite element analysis can potentially aid in the design of orthopedic implants and can provide examples which test specific bone remodelling hypotheses in a quantitative manner. By concentrating on remodelling algorithms in which the geometry is fixed but the tissue stiffness changes based on strain energy density, we have predicted stability conditions for bone remodelling and we have tested the applicability of these conditions using numerical simulations. The stability requirements arrived at using a finite element formulation are similar to the requirements arrived at in an earlier analytical study. In order to test the stability conditions, we have developed an Euler backward time stepping technique which uses the derivation for stability. These simulations arrived at solutions which were impossible using Euler forward time stepping as applied in this study. Cases in which a simplified version of the derived Euler backward method are unstable or marginally stable have also been seen, but when the Euler backward method is applied using the full derived matrices, no instabilities are apparent. The results of the stability tests indicate that the converged density distributions in the examples studied are stable. Although a priori conditions which ensure stability are not found, a test for stability is provided, given an assumed density distribution.
Lesions of pontomesencephalic cholinergic nuclei do not substantially disrupt the reward value of medial forebrain bundle stimulation

Abstract This study examines the effects of lesioning the pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPTg) and laterodorsal tegmentum (LDTg) on the reward effectiveness of medial forebrain bundle (MFB) stimulation. Although the focus is on the effects of unilateral lesions made ipsilateral to stimulation sites in the hypothalamic and ventral tegmental MFB, the effects of contralateral lesions of both targets are also investigated. Reward effectiveness was assessed using the rate–frequency curve shift paradigm. In nine rats with unilateral PPTg lesions and five rats with unilateral LDTg lesions, the frequency required to maintain half-maximal response rats was generally not changed by more than 0.1 log units relative to prelesion baseline mean. In three rats with contralateral PPTg lesions and four rats with contralateral LDTg lesions, required frequency was also not substantially changed. The results are interpreted in terms of a previously proposed hypothesis regarding the role in MFB self-stimulation of ascending cholinergic input from the pontomesencephalon to ventral tegmental dopaminergic neurons.
Misappropriated human milk: fantasy, fear, and fact regarding infectious risk

Incidents of infants being fed the wrong mothers’ milk are a source of anxiety for both family and staff. This article reviews the infectious risks associated with misappropriated human milk. A plan of care for dealing with this problem is outlined along with specific recommendations regarding laboratory testing and follow-up.
Flux decline during nanofiltration of naturally-occurring dissolved organic matter: effects of osmotic pressure, membrane permeability, and cake formation

Abstract Nanofiltration of naturally-occurring dissolved organic matter (NOM) by an aromatic polyamide membrane was measured in a crossflow bench-scale test cell and modeled using a semi-empirical osmotic pressure/cake formation model. Our objective was to examine flux decline due to NOM fouling while explicitly accounting for flux decline due to osmotic effects and changes in membrane permeability. This approach allowed quantification of the effect of ionic composition on specific NOM cake resistance, and yielded insight into flux decline due to enhanced NaCl rejection by the NOM deposit. In the absence of NOM, increasing NaCl concentration reduced salt rejection and decreased membrane permeability. Flux decline was modeled by accounting for changes in osmotic pressure with time, and by employing an effective permeability. The addition of calcium significantly reduced rejection of sodium and feed conductivity, and thus mitigated flux decline. Increasing pH from 4 (near membrane pI) to 10 increased the effective permeability but also increased NaCl rejection, which resulted in greater flux decline. The presence of NOM caused greater flux decline resulting from a combination of NOM cake resistance and increased rejection of NaCl by negatively charged NOM functional groups. Increasing NaCl concentration had little effect on the mass of NOM deposited, but significantly increased the specific resistance of the NOM cake. The effect of ionic strength on specific resistance correlated with a reduction in NOM size, estimated by separate UF permeation experiments and size exclusion chromatography analysis of UF permeate. Therefore, increased specific cake resistance is consistent with a more compact, less porous cake. Flux decline by NOM solutions showed a maximum at pH 7, where salt rejection was also a maximum. Binding of calcium reduced the ability of NOM to enhance NaCl rejection, and likely increased NOM cake resistance. Flux decline caused by NOM fouling in the presence of calcium was only significantly different than that caused by NOM in a solution of NaCl at the same ionic strength when the calcium concentration corresponded to saturation of NOM binding sites.
Combat-related PTSD in military court: a diagnosis in search of a defense

As more veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often returns with them. As a result, PTSD has quickly become the most prevalent mental disorder diagnosis among active duty United States (U.S.) military. Although numerous studies have not only validated PTSD but have chronicled its negative behavioral impact, it remains a controversial diagnosis. It is widely diagnosed by all types of mental health professionals for even minimal trauma, and DSM-IV PTSD criteria have wide overlap with other mood and anxiety disorders. This, however, has not stopped PTSD from being used in civilian courts in the U.S. as a mental disorder to establish grounds for mental status defenses, such as insanity, diminished capacity, and self-defense, or as a basis for sentencing mitigation. Not surprisingly, PTSD has recently found its way into military courts, where some defense attorneys are eager to draw upon its understandable and linear etiology to craft some type of mental incapacity defense for their clients. As in the civilian sphere, this has met with mixed success due to relevance considerations. A recent court-martial, U.S. v. Lawrence Hutchins III, has effectively combined all the elemental nuances of PTSD in military court.
Evolution of the Solar Nebula. V. Disk Instabilities with Varied Thermodynamics

Disk instability is a promising mechanism for explaining the rapid formation of the gas and ice giant planets in our solar system as well as in extrasolar planetary systems. Disk instability involves the formation of self-gravitating clumps in marginally gravitationally unstable protoplanetary disks on timescales of ~1000 yr. We present here the results of a suite of disk instability models calculated with a three-dimensional, gravitational hydrodynamics code. The models explore the effects of varying the thermodynamical assumptions, the initial degree of gravitational instability, and the numerical spatial resolution. For all models, the disk has an initial mass of 0.091 M☉ inside 20 AU, in orbit around a 1 M☉ protostar. The most realistic models are calculated with an energy equation and diffusion approximation radiative transfer, which produces results intermediate between those of models with a locally isothermal or locally adiabatic thermodynamic response to the growth of azimuthal density perturbations. Locally adiabatic models suppress the growth of clumps, while radiative transfer models permit the formation of clumps similar to those in locally isothermal models. Vertical convection is identified as the primary means for cooling the midplane in the models with radiative transfer. These models suggest that the disk instability mechanism is capable of rapidly forming self-gravitating protoplanets in marginally unstable disks with a mass similar to that inferred for the solar nebula and for other protoplanetary disks. Assuming that the protoplanets survive their subsequent evolution, the likelihood that all protoplanetary disks pass through a phase of marginal gravitational instability might then imply a high frequency of extrasolar giant planets.
Commitment and Fairness in a Dynamic Regulatory Relationship

This paper considers a multiperiod model of a regulated firm that has (stationary) private information which may be revealed through performance. If it cannot make commitments to future policies, the regulator has an incentive to exploit any information the firm reveals, and Laffont and Tirole show that there is no regulatory policy that is separating over any closed interval. A "fairness" arrangement is proposed in which the firm agrees not to quit if in future periods the regulator allows it to earn a nonnegative profit given the type it revealed in earlier periods. The properties of such arrangements are studied, and an example is presented in which both the firm and the regulator prefer a fairness arrangement to a policy feasible without commitment.
XLIV. On the synthesis of native proteins

Summary On the basis of a study of experimental data obtained in the X-ray structure analyses of certain molecular crystals and certain crystallographic principles, a possible mechanism—essentially a mechanism belonging to the domain of crystal growth—is proposed for the autosynthesis of proteons, i.e. native protein units. It implies a certain type of structure for proteons, namely a surface framework carrying substituents. In the framework, comprising the amino-acid residue skeletons, resides the native protein character : in the way in which some selection of R-groups is inserted in the Cα atoms of the framework resides the specificity of the individual proteon. It is shown that this type of structure gives an explanation of the “explosion” theory of protein cleavage and provides the “superstructure” already invoked to explain various experimental results. Other implications of the proposed mechanism are also discussed, including the existence and nature of complementary and/or self-complementary fragm...
Microstructural evolution in commercial purity aluminum during high-pressure torsion

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the microstructural evolution occurring in disks of commercial purity aluminum processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) under constrained conditions. Microhardness measurements were taken to assess the variation in hardness across the diameters of disks subjected to different imposed strains and the microstructures were observed at the edges and in the centers of the disks using transmission electron microscopy. The results show the microhardness is lower and there is less grain refinement in the central regions of the disks in the initial stages of torsional straining but the microstructures become reasonably homogeneous across the disks at high imposed strains.
On an isoperimetric problem for Hamming graphs

We consider the vertex-isoperimetric problem for the product of complete graphs. This was posed to us by A.R. Urbanke who wished to apply it in error-correcting coding theory. The problem does not have nested solutions, so the known combinatorial methods are ineffectual. However, passing to the continuous limit gives a variational problem, interesting in its own right, which we solve exactly. Its solution gives a lower bound on the original combinatorial problem which is asymptotically best possible and even sharp in many cases.
Role of Online Journals and Peer-reviewed Research

The recent explosion of online journals has lead some researchers, scientist and academics to reconsider their traditional venues for publishing research. These on-line journals have the potential for quickly disseminating research, but they also present lots of uncertainty, confusion, and pitfalls for researchers. Many academics search out journals with the high impact factors or short review time for publications.
Long-term effect of radiation on thyroid function and tumor formation.

Abstract Cellular injury coupled with hypersecretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is considered the mechanism for radiation-induced thyroid tumors. This hypothesis was tested by administering 40 μCi of 131 I to male and female rats. Serum thyroxine (T 4 ) decreased significantly overtime in male and female control and radiated animals. T 4 was essentially the same in 6- and 12-month-old radiated and control animals, but a significant decrease in T 4 was noted in radiated females at 21 months. TSH decreased overtime in control animals, but a significant increase in TSH was required in radiated animals to maintain T 4 levels. Thyrocalcitonin (TC) was significantly greater in 21-month-old control females than in males or radiated females. A significant increase in follicular cell thyroid neoplasms in radiated animals was associated with the elevated TSH levels. The importance of sex in thyroid tumor formation is illustrated by the fact that males had a significantly higher frequency of thyroid neoplasms than did females. C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid carcinoma only occurred in control animals and accounted for their higher TC levels. This study confirms that administration of low doses of 131 I leads to an increased frequency of thyroid tumor formation in rats and that direct cellular injury plus hypersecretion of TSH seem responsible for these radiation-induced tumors.
The metabolism of linoleic and arachidonic acids in rat testis

Linoleic and arachidonic acids, labeled with14C and injected intratesticularly, were used to study with time the interconversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rat testis and their incorporation into the major lipid classes. With both substrates14C activity was readily incorporated into longer chain, more highly unsaturated fatty acids. After the injection of 1-14C-linoleic acid the major portion of the14C was found in palmitic, linoleic, 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic, 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic and 4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acids. Hydrogenation of the total fatty acids isolated from rat testes after intratesticular injection of 1-14C-linoleate revealed that the polyenoic acids hydrogenating to lignoceric acid (previously characterized as 9,12,15,18-tetracosatetraenoate and 6,9,12,15,18-tetracosapentaenoate) had a relatively high specific activity. After the injection of 1-14C-arachidonate significant14C activity was found in palmitate, 7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoate, 4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoate, 9,12,15,18-tetracosatetraenoate and 6,9,12,15,18-tetracosapentaenoate. The biosynthesis of the ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in rat testis is discussed in relation to these data. Investigation of the distribution of label in the complex lipid fractions demonstrated the majority of the14C activity to be present in phosphatides and triglycerides after injection of either of these14C substrates with only small quantities being present as nonesterified acids. At the time periods studied the polyenoic acids of triglycerides had a higher specific activity than the corresponding acids of phosphatides with the exception of linoleate.
Tunable Staged Release of Therapeutics from Layer-by-Layer Coatings with Clay Interlayer Barrier

In developing new generations of coatings for medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds, there is a need for thin coatings that provide controlled sequential release of multiple therapeutics while providing a tunable approach to time dependence and the potential for sequential or staged release. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to develop a self-assembled, polymer-based conformal coating, built by using a water-based layer-by-layer (LbL) approach, as a dual-purpose biomimetic implant surface that provides staggered and/or sustained release of an antibiotic followed by active growth factor for orthopedic implant applications. This multilayered coating consists of two parts: a base osteoinductive component containing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) beneath an antibacterial component containing gentamicin (GS). For the fabrication of truly stratified composite films with the customized release behavior, we present a new strategy—implementation of laponite clay barriers—that allows for a physical separation of the two components by controlling interlayer diffusion. The clay barriers in a single-component GS system effectively block diffusion-based release, leading to approximately 50% reduction in bolus doses and 10-fold increase in the release timescale. In a dual-therapeutic composite coating, the top GS component itself was found to be an effective physical barrier for the underlying rhBMP-2, leading to an order of magnitude increase in the release timescale compared to the single-component rhBMP-2 system. The introduction of a laponite interlayer barrier further enhanced the temporal separation between release of the two drugs, resulting in a more physiologically appropriate dosing of rhBMP-2. Both therapeutics released from the composite coating retained their efficacy over their established release timeframes. This new platform for multi-drug localized delivery can be easily fabricated, tuned, and translated to a variety of implant applications where control over spatial and temporal release profiles of multiple drugs is desired.
Noise considerations for tiltrotor

A projection is made of the technology-development requirements faced by aircraft designers contemplating the evolution of V-22-type tilt-rotor aircraft technology into a civilian tilt-rotor commuter aircraft of the requisite scale and payload. These research challenges are noted to often involve the reduction of noise level to values tolerated by passengers within the cabin and communities in the vicinity of airports, especially during hover and in the course of transition from vertical to horizontal flight (and vice-versa). Noise-generation and noise-radiation characteristics research has been undertaken using the XV-15 tilt-rotor proof-of-concept aircraft.
EMRE Is an Essential Component of the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Complex

The mitochondrial uniporter is a highly selective calcium channel in the organelle's inner membrane. Its molecular components include the EF-hand-containing calcium-binding proteins mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1) and MICU2 and the pore-forming subunit mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). We sought to achieve a full molecular characterization of the uniporter holocomplex (uniplex). Quantitative mass spectrometry of affinity-purified uniplex recovered MICU1 and MICU2, MCU and its paralog MCUb, and essential MCU regulator (EMRE), a previously uncharacterized protein. EMRE is a 10-kilodalton, metazoan-specific protein with a single transmembrane domain. In its absence, uniporter channel activity was lost despite intact MCU expression and oligomerization. EMRE was required for the interaction of MCU with MICU1 and MICU2. Hence, EMRE is essential for in vivo uniporter current and additionally bridges the calcium-sensing role of MICU1 and MICU2 with the calcium-conducting role of MCU.
Hydrogen speciation in synthetic quartz

The dominant hydrogen impurity in synthetic quartz is molecular H_2O. H-OH groups also occur, but there is no direct evidence for the hydrolysis of Si-O-Si bonds to yield Si-OH HO-Si groups. Molecular H_2O concentrations in the synthetic quartz crystals studied range from less than 10 to 3,300 ppm (H/Si), and decrease smoothly by up to an order of magnitude with distance away from the seed. OH− concentrations range from 96 to 715 ppm, and rise smoothly with distance away from the seed by up to a factor of three. The observed OH− is probably all associated with cationic impurities, as in natural quartz. Molecular H_2O is the dominant initial hydrogen impurity in weak quartz. The hydrolytic weakening of quartz may be caused by the transformation H_2O + Si-O-Si → 2SiOH, but this may be a transitory change with the SiOH groups recombining to form H_2O, and the average SiOH concentration remaining very low. Synthetic quartz is strengthened when the H_2O is accumulated into fluid inclusions and cannot react with the quartz framework.
A comparison of the diametral tensile strength, the flexural strength, and the compressive strength of two new core materials to a silver alloy-reinforced glass-inomer material

This study compared three mechanical properties of two recently introduced core materials, a light-activated glass ionomer cement (VariGlass VLC) and a fluoride-release dual cure composite resin (FluoroCore), with those of a conventional silver-reinforced glass-ionomer cement (Miracle Mix). Seventy-two samples (eight per product for each property) were prepared for testing diametral tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength. The specimens were cured, stored for 24 hours at 37 degrees C in 100% humidity, and tested with the use of an Instron universal testing machine. The results of this study indicate that the diametral tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength of the FluoroCore and VariGlass VLC materials were significantly higher than those of the conventional Miracle Mix. The values obtained with FluoroCore material were consistently higher than those obtained with VariGlass VLC material.
Influence of teacher preparation programmes on preservice teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion

With the increased implementation of inclusive education, teacher educators have been challenged to make changes in programmes to prepare preservice teachers to educate diverse learners. These changes are reflected in various types of teacher preparation programmes that are transformations of traditional general education and special education programmes. However, little is known about the ways in which these transformed teacher preparation programmes influence preservice teachers’ attitudes toward inclusive education as future inclusive educators. To investigate the influence of teacher preparation programmes on preservice teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion, a survey method was used to collect data from preservice teachers in ten teacher preparation programmes. The responses from 110 preservice teachers were analysed according to the type of teacher preparation programme (i.e. combined, separate, or general teacher preparation programmes). The results indicated that preservice teachers from combined te...
Quantitative CT scan studies in aphasia: I. Infarct size and CT numbers

Abstract Infarct siźe (number of 1-mm 2 pixels in the lesion) on CT scans of 30 aphasia patients was obtained with a semiautomated computer program. The mean number of lesion pixels present per slice containing lesion was approximately 500 for mild aphasias (transcortical motor and conduction), 700 for Wernicke's, 1000 for Broca's, 1500 for mixed, and 2000 for globals. These differences were significant for 11 15 of the group pairwise comparisons. When lesion locus was controlled for in the anterior/posterior plane, 73–100% of the aphasia patients were correctly classified as to type of aphasia by a discriminant analysis utilizing only the number of lesion pixels present on two CT slices. Different slice combinations were used for different aphasia group comparisons. There was a significant correlation between severity of aphasia and lesion size. There was a significant correlation between lesion size and the CT numbers in the lesion. This type of analysis may be useful to predict the prognosis for recovery potential in aphasics who have CT scans performed at 2 months poststroke.
Use of ECMWF Operational Analyses for Studies of the Tropical Cyclone Environment

This study examined ECMWF operational analyses of the outflow layer of two tropical cyclones (Allen, 1980; Elena, 1985) during their passage across the Atlantic and Caribbean. Wind fields and related derived quantities were compared to those from objective analyses of specialized data sets. Errors in center position and storm motion from the ECMWF analyses were also evaluated.
Arabidopsis WRKY45 Transcription Factor Activates PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER1;1 Expression in Response to Phosphate Starvation

The WRKY transcription factor family has more than 70 members in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome, and some of them are involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study evaluated the role of WRKY45 in regulating phosphate (Pi) uptake in Arabidopsis. WRKY45 was localized in the nucleus and mainly expressed in roots. During Pi starvation, WRKY45 expression was markedly induced, typically in roots. WRKY45 overexpression in Arabidopsis increased Pi content and uptake, while RNA interference suppression of WRKY45 decreased Pi content and uptake. Furthermore, the WRKY45-overexpressing lines were more sensitive to arsenate, the analog of Pi, compared with wild-type seedlings. These results indicate that WRKY45 positively regulates Arabidopsis Pi uptake. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and β-glucuronidase staining assays showed that PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER1;1 (PHT1;1) expression was enhanced in the WRKY45-overexpressing lines and slightly repressed in the WRKY45 RNA interference line. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and eclectrophoretic mobility shift assay results indicated that WRKY45 can bind to two W-boxes within the PHT1;1 promoter, confirming the role of WRKY45 in directly up-regulating PHT1;1 expression. The pht1;1 mutant showed decreased Pi content and uptake, and overexpression of PHT1;1 resulted in enhanced Pi content and uptake. Furthermore, the PHT1;1-overexpressing line was much more sensitive to arsenate than WRKY45-overexpressing and wild-type seedlings, indicating that PHT1;1 overexpression can enhance Arabidopsis Pi uptake. Moreover, the enhanced Pi uptake and the increased arsenate sensitivity of the WRKY45-overexpressing line was impaired by pht1;1 (35S:WRKY45-18::pht1;1), demonstrating an epistatic genetic regulation between WRKY45 and PHT1;1. Together, our results demonstrate that WRKY45 is involved in Arabidopsis response to Pi starvation by direct up-regulation of PHT1;1 expression.
Luteal Function as Related to Pituitary and Ovarian Cytology and Embryo Development in the Bovine

Summary Embryos recovered 15 days after insemination from 20 of 27 untreated Holstein heifers and those recovered from 18 of 43 heifers treated daily with 7 U.S.P. units of oxytocin per hundredweight per day did not differ in total length, embryonic disc size, or mesodermal development attained. No embryos were recovered from animals with less than 100 µg. of total progesterone in their corpora lutea; normal embryo development appeared possible when the level of luteal progesterone was above this figure. The weights of the corpora lutea of the 15 oxytocin-treated heifers which had precocious ovulations were significantly (P
Cytochrome c -Cytochrome Oxidase in Bioluminescent Fungi

REFERENCES have been made to the presence of cytochrome oxidase in the luminescent bacteria1–3, but none to the presence of cytochrome oxidase in luminescent fungi. Therefore a survey investigation was made of five genera of bioluminescent fungi using a modified ‘G-Nadi’ reagent. It should be noted that the ‘G-Nadi’ reaction is not a conclusive test for cytochrome c-cytochrome oxidase, but can be considered a good presumptive test when suitable controls are utilized4,5.
Relaxed selection and environmental change decrease reintroduction success in simulated populations

Previous work has shown that captive environments can relax selective pressures on various traits, resulting in significantly more trait variance in captive-bred versus wild populations. This increased variance could be one cause of the high mortality rates observed when captive-bred populations are released into the wild, because a significant proportion of the released population exhibits traits that are no longer adapted to the wild. Here we use evolutionary simulation to examine the effects of relaxed selection on trait variance and population persistence when populations are reintroduced into static and changing environments. Our simulations show that when wild environments remained stable and selective pressures on given traits were quite strong (1) relaxation of selective pressures led to significant increases in trait variance; (2) trait variance rapidly decreased when pressures were restored; (3) the smaller the population size, the lower the probability of persistence; and (4) there was often a significant lag time between reintroduction and eventual extinction, reinforcing the importance of long-term monitoring after release. When captive-bred populations were reintroduced into changing environments, strength of selection in the release habitat was the factor that most influenced survivorship. Amount of change between the source and release habitat and the population's carrying capacity also influenced survivorship, but to a lesser extent.
Graduate Record Examination Scores and Academic Background Variables as Predictors of Graduate Degree Completion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and academic background variables for graduate degree completion in psychology. Stepwise logistic regression procedures were used to analyze the relative contribution of each GRE score and academic background variable toward explaining subsequent degree completion. GRE Verbal scores entered the prediction equation first as the best predictor of degree completion for students in professional psychology areas but entered the equation last for students in general/ experimental psychology. The results of this study indicated that the predictor variables did not predict similarly for all graduate students in psychology. The results of this study have implications for faculty involved in the selection of students for graduate study in psychology.
Effects of dihydrotestosterone on differentiation and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells and preadipocytes.

Abstract The mechanisms by which androgens regulate fat mass are poorly understood. Although testosterone has been reported to increase lipolysis and inhibit lipid uptake, androgen effects on proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and preadipocytes have not been studied. Here, we investigated whether dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulates proliferation, differentiation, or functional maturation of hMSCs and human preadipocytes from different fat depots. DHT (0–30 nM) dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes differentiated from hMSCs and downregulated expression of aP2, PPARγ, leptin, and C/EBPα. Bicalutamide attenuated DHT's inhibitory effects on adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Adipocytes differentiated in presence of DHT accumulated smaller oil droplets suggesting reduced extent of maturation. DHT decreased the incorporation of labeled fatty acid into triglyceride, and downregulated acetyl CoA carboxylase and DGAT2 expression in adipocytes derived from hMSCs. DHT also inhibited lipid accumulation and downregulated aP2 and C/EBPα in human subcutaneous, mesenteric and omental preadipocytes. DHT stimulated forskolin-stimulated lipolysis in subcutaneous and mesenteric preadipocytes and inhibited incorporation of fatty acid into triglyceride in adipocytes differentiated from preadipocytes from all fat depots. Conclusions DHT inhibits adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs and human preadipocytes through an AR-mediated pathway, but it does not affect the proliferation of either hMSCs or preadipocytes. Androgen effects on fat mass represent the combined effect of decreased differentiation of fat cell precursors, increased lipolysis, and reduced lipid accumulation.
Directed control of discrete event systems: optimization based approach

We introduce the notion of directed control, where a directed controller, simply referred as director, is one that selects at most one controllable event to be enabled at any instant. This is in contrast to supervisory control, where a supervisory controller, simply referred as supervisor, enables a maximum allowable set of controllable events at any instant, i.e., no selection for executing an enabled event is made. While design of a supervisor is meaningful for plants that are generator of controllable events, a director design makes more sense for plants that are executor of controllable events. In this paper we develop an optimization based approach for the design of a director: Starting from any state, the worst cost to the nearest reachable marked state is minimized. The motivation is that a pending task be completed in the least possible cost. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an optimal director is obtained. Furthermore, for systems that are cycle-free, we provide an algorithm of polynomial complexity to compute an optimal director.
Monte Carlo analysis of the carrier relaxation processes in linear- and parabolic-GRINSCH quantum well laser structures

The carrier relaxation process is widely acknowledged to have a strong bearing on the modulation limit of quantum well lasers. As a first and crucial step toward achieving a better understanding of this phenomenon, we have developed a numerical technique to study such processes in graded-index separate confinement heterostructure quantum well laser structures having an arbitrary grading profile. We base our approach on ensemble Monte Carlo simulation of the carrier transport in the 3-D graded-index region and in the 2-D quantum well. We also introduce a technique to handle the carrier capture and re-emission processes within the Monte Carlo method. The results obtained from our calculations for a number of structures with quantum well sizes 50-100 /spl Aring/ indicate that the overall carrier capture time is about 5-7.5 ps under low injection condition for the linearly graded structures, and significantly longer for the parabolically graded structures. On the other hand, the carrier capture efficiency is found to be higher for the parabolic graded-index structures. We also compare our calculations to published experiments and find good agreement. >