cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Predication of Swept Blade Aerodynamic Effects

Three-dimensional blading has been used in the process of turbomachine designs. To meet the need for efficient turbine blade designs, CFD predictions of a complex 3D flow field in turbine blade passages had been used. Because the numerous advantages of 3-D CFD have been reported in the open literature, many industries already use 3D blading in their turbomachines. In addition, blade lean and sweep have been implemented to increase the blade row efficiency. Experimental studies have shown the advantages of these features. However, most of the experimental results combined other features together, making it difficult to determine the effects of individual features. The development of CFD techniques has made it possible to do three-dimensional turbulent flow analyses in a very short time. In this study, numerical studies are presented to study the sweep effects on a transonic compressor airfoil. The focus of the paper is to investigate the sweep effects without changing other compressor blade features i.e. keeping the blade out flow angle the same for all cases. The purpose of the study is to enhance the understanding of the sweep in a transonic compressor rotor blade. The results showed that the sweeps redistributes the flow reducing the secondary flow loss, depending on the baseline. It was shown that forward sweep reduces the tip loading in terms of the static pressure coefficient.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
TRAID: Exploiting Temporal Redundancy and Spatial Redundancy to Boost Transaction Processing Systems Performance

In the past few years, more storage system applications have employed transaction processing techniques to ensure data integrity and consistency. Logging is one of the key requirements to ensure transaction Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID) properties and data recoverability in transaction processing systems (TPS). Recently, emerging complex I/O bound transactions have resulted in substantially more log content and higher log flushing latency. The latency will delay transaction commit and decrease the overall throughput of the TPS. On the other hand, RAID is widely used as the underlying storage system for Databases to guarantee system reliability and availability with high I/O performance. In this paper, we observe the overlap between the redundancies in the underlying RAID storage system and database logging system, and propose a novel reliable storage architecture called Transactional RAID (TRAID). TRAID deduplicates this overlap by only logging one compact version (XOR results) of recovery references for the updating data. It minimizes the amount of log content and thereby boosts the overall transaction processing performance. At the same time, TRAID guarantees the same RAID reliability, as well as recovery correctness and ACID semantics as current TPS setups. We experiment on two open-source database systems: Berkeley DB and PostgreSQL, with three different workloads: standard OLTP benchmark TPC-C, customized TPC-C with strong access locality, and customized TPC-C with write-intensive property. Then we test TRAID performance with "Group Commit” enabled. Finally, we evaluate the recovery efficiency of TRAID. Our extensive results demonstrate that for throughput, TRAID outperforms RAID by 43.24-69.5 percent for various workloads; it also saves on log space by 28.57-35.48 percent, and outperforms RAID by about 20 percent in throughput with "Group Commit” enabled. At last, we show that TRAID outperforms RAID from 28.7 to 35.7 percent during the recovery.
Volumetric BMD and Vascular Calcification in Middle-Aged Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation†

The association of spine vBMD with AC and CAC was studied in a biracial cohort of 490 middle-aged women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Lower vBMD was related to high AC, but not to CAC, independent of age and shared risk factors between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Introduction: This analysis studied the association of spine volumetric BMD (vBMD) with aortic (AC) and coronary artery (CAC) calcification in middle-aged women and evaluated whether such associations were independent of age and shared risk factors between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or explained by endogenous estradiol levels. Materials and Methods: Vascular calcification and trabecular vBMD of the spine were measured using electron-beam CT in 490 women free from clinical CVD in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Women were 45–58 years of age, 61% were white, and 64% were perimenopausal. Calcification scores were categorized into three levels (no AC, N =146; moderate AC, scores =1–74, N =221; high AC, N =123; no CAC, N =256; moderate CAC, score =1–7.54, N =111; high CAC, N =123). The highest categories were set at the 75th percentiles. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between vBMD (per SD) and the AC and CAC levels, with no calcification as the reference group. Results: AC and CAC were detected in 70% and 48% of the population, respectively. Mean vBMD was 161.6 ± 37.2 (SD) mg/ml. vBMD was associated with high AC in unadjusted, age-adjusted, and risk factor—adjusted analysis. Per 1 SD decrease in vBMD, the adjusted odds of high AC compared with no AC was significantly increased by 68% (95% CI, 1.06–2.68). Estradiol did not influence this association. vBMD was related to high CAC in unadjusted (OR =1.35; 95% CI, 1.08–1.70) but not adjusted models. No associations of vBMD with moderate AC or CAC were observed. Conclusion: Lower vBMD was related to high AC, but not to CAC, in a biracial cohort of healthy middle-aged women independent of age and shared risk factors between osteoporosis and CVD. Further research should study possible pathophysiological links between the two conditions and the potential for common preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Volumetric inspection of moderately thick austenitic stainless steels by multifrequency eddy currents

This paper describes the initial phase of a project to develop eddy-current methods to inspect welds joining sections of austenitic stainless steel pipe having walls up to 13 mm (0.5 in.) thick. The objective of this phase was to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting and characterizing flaws in austenitic stainless steel base metals. These materials and welds present challenging eddy-current problems because of their relatively large thickness and ferromagnetism. Multiparameter analysis shows that a reflection coil probe operated with three discrete driver frequencies and phase detection can locate and size a cracklike defect in a single conductor in the presence of variations in conductor resistivity, permeability, and thickness and in the probe-conductor spacing (liftoff). Experiments were performed with a modular three-frequency instrument. Flat-plate specimens of types 304L and 347 stainless steel machined to 12.7 to 15.9 mm thickness simulated pipe walls; saw-cut slots 10 to 30% of nominal specimen thickness simulated cracklike defects. The same slots were used in duplicate experiments as near-side (directly under the test probe) or far-side (in the face opposite the probe) defects. Flaw detection and characterization capability was demonstrated by a series of experimental measurements fitted to specimen properties by least squares techniques. The quality of the fit determined the expected accuracy of measurement. Comparison of accuracy estimates determined the best choice of operating frequencies. From the 1,2,5 sequence of frequencies between 0.5 and 20 kHz, the optimum set of operating frequencies was selected to be 0.5, 2, and 10 kHz. Estimates of measurement accuracy for combined near- and far-side defect cases were: plate thickness, 0.74 mm; probe liftoff, 0.03 mm; defect location (depth of material above defect), 3.48 mm; and defect size (vertical slot depth), 1.09 mm. A few property values were back-calculated from instrument readings; the errors in these values were somewhat larger than the measurement accuracy estimates because of instrument drift and the absence of calibration circuits.
Isolation of hydroxynonachlorodiphenyl ethers from pentachlorophenol. Mass spectrometry of hydroxynonachlorodiphenyl ethers and their methylated derivatives

The three possible hydroxynonachlorodiphenyl ethers (HO-CI9-DPEs) present in pentachlorophenol as manufacturing by-products were isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography in high purity (> 99%). Mass spectra were obtained of 2-HO-CI9-DPE, 3-HO-CI9-DPE and 4-HO-CI9-DPE, and their methylated derivatives, 2-MeO-CI9-DPE, 3-MeO-CI9-DPE and 4-MeO-CI9-DPE. Fragmentation mechanisms have been postulated.
A genetic interaction network of five genes for human polycystic kidney and liver diseases defines polycystin-1 as the central determinant of cyst formation

Autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease results from mutations in PRKCSH or SEC63. The respective gene products, glucosidase IIβ and SEC63p, function in protein translocation and quality control pathways in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we show that glucosidase IIβ and Sec63p are required in mice for adequate expression of a functional complex of the polycystic kidney disease gene products, polycystin-1 and polycystin-2. We find that polycystin-1 is the rate-limiting component of this complex and that there is a dose-response relationship between cystic dilation and levels of functional polycystin-1 following mutation of Prkcsh or Sec63. Reduced expression of polycystin-1 also serves to sensitize the kidney to cyst formation resulting from mutations in Pkhd1, the recessive polycystic kidney disease gene. Finally, we show that proteasome inhibition increases steady-state levels of polycystin-1 in cells lacking glucosidase IIβ and that treatment with a proteasome inhibitor reduces cystic disease in orthologous gene models of human autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease.
AV77 Hinge Mutation Stabilizes the Helix-Turn-Helix Domain oftrpRepressor

Abstract The structure and dynamics of the AV77 holorepressor have been studied using nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY). By comparing NOE crosspeaks as well as proton chemical shifts, we find no evidence for any substantial difference between the wild-type and AV77 repressor structures. In addition, however, we have measured the rapid amide proton exchange rates for the DNA binding region of the apo and holo forms of the mutant and wild-type repressors using proton relaxation and saturation transfer techniques. We find that the hydrogen bonded amide protons in the DNA binding regions are stabilized for the most part by at least an order of magnitude for both forms of the mutant repressors. This is compared to a three to five fold stabilization of the holo wild-type molecule over the apo form. As the AV77 mutant is observed to be a superrepressor in vivo , we ascribe the enhanced activity of this mutant to a decrease in the instability of the DNA binding domain. We therefore suggest that the inherent instability of this domain in the wild-type molecule is needed for efficient regulation of the repressor by its corepressor, L-tryptophan, and in addition may allow for recognition of a broad range of operators.
Gender differences in self-reported use, perceived efficacy, and interest in future use of nicotine-dependence treatments: A cross-sectional survey in adults at a tertiary care center for nicotine dependence

Background: Clinical trials have assessed the effectiveness of nicotine-dependence treatments (NDTs), alone or in combination, and reported that men and women have variable responses to these treatments. The variations in therapeutic responses highlight the need to explore gender-specific preferences for NDTs, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which has become increasingly popular in the US population for the cessation of tobacco use. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in the self-reported use, perceived efficacy, and interest in future use of NDTs, including CAM, in an outpatient setting. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in men and women at a tertiary care NDT clinic. The primary inclusion criterion was the willingness and ability of the patients to participate in the survey. Results: Data from 1171 patients were included (599 men, 572 women; mean age: men, 46.2 years; women, 46.5 years). Of these, 68% of women and 65% of men reported use of nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT), other prescription medication, or counseling/group support. In men and women, NRT was the most commonly used type of pharmacologic treatment, of which the patch was the most popular (77% and 75%). A significantly greater proportion of women than men perceived the nicotine inhaler to be efficacious (67% vs 50%; P = 0.027). No other significant gender differences were found among NRTs. Among non-NRT methods, bupropion sustained release (SR) and counseling/group support were used by significantly more women than men (53% vs 43% [P = 0.007] and 16% vs 11% [P = 0.026], respectively). Compared with men, significantly greater proportions of women reported current or previous use of CAM for nicotine abstinence and expressed an interest in future use of CAM (34% vs 22% [P Conclusions: In this sample of patients at an NDT clinic, significantly more women than men reported previous use of bupropion SR, counseling, and CAM. More women than men expressed an interest in the future use of CAM. Based on these findings, an improved understanding of gender-based differences in the use of conventional and nonconventional NDTs might improve the rates of success of nicotine-cessation efforts among women.
Changes in cerebral and somatic oxygenation during stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome using continuous regional cerebral perfusion

Abstract Objectives Stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome requires the interruption of whole-body perfusion. Delayed reflow in the cerebral circulation secondary to prolonged elevation in vascular resistance occurs in neonates after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. We examined relative changes in cerebral and somatic oxygenation with near-infrared spectroscopy while using a modified perfusion strategy that allowed continuous cerebral perfusion. Methods Nine neonates undergoing stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome had regional tissue oxygenation continuously measured by frontal cerebral and thoraco-lumbar (T10-L2) somatic (renal) reflectance oximetry probes (rSO 2 , INVOS; Somanetics, Troy, Mich). Surgery was accomplished using cardiopulmonary bypass with whole-body cooling (18°C-20°C) and regional cerebral perfusion through the innominate artery at flow rates guided by estimated minimum flow requirements and measured rSO 2 during reconstruction of the aortic arch. Data were logged at 1-minute intervals and analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results A total of 3176 minutes of data were analyzed. Prebypass cerebral rSO 2 was 65.4 ± 8.9, and somatic rSO 2 was 58.9 ± 12.4 ( P 2 was 80.7 ± 8.6, and somatic rSO 2 was 41.4 ± 7.1 ( P 2 was 53.2 ± 14.9, and somatic rSO 2 was 76.4 ± 7.7 ( P Conclusions Cerebral oxygenation was maintained during regional cerebral perfusion at prebypass levels with deep hypothermia. However, after rewarming and separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, cerebral oxygenation was lower compared with prebypass or somatic values. These results indicate that cerebrovascular resistance is increased after deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, even with continuous perfusion techniques, placing the cerebral circulation at risk postoperatively.
Suppression of Cooperative Motions in Phospholipid Membranes by Osmotic Stress: Deuterium NMR Relaxation Study

Understanding membrane dynamics is crucial to explaining the function of membrane proteins. Phospholipids are commonly employed as model systems to investigate biological membranes. The complex dynamic organization of phospholipid membranes spans several frequency decades, starting from sub-picosecond local motions to millisecond collective dynamics [1]. Such motional frequencies can be accessed using various NMR relaxation methods. To address membrane dynamics mediated by osmotic stress, we measured 2H longitudinal (R1Z) and transverse quadrupolar echo (R2QE) relaxation rates for the liquid-crystalline phase of DMPC-d54 membrane bilayers. Osmotic stress was applied by both dehydration and osmolyte concentration [2]. The R1Z values of individual acyl segments were independent of osmotic stress while the segmental order parameters (SCD) and R1Z profiles followed a theoretical square-law functional dependence [3]. The R2QE rates were found to be sensitive to osmotic pressure as well as the acyl position, thus yielding two important observations: enhanced transverse relaxation rates with increased amount of water per lipid, and limiting lower R2QE values as we dehydrate the membrane. The R2QE rates of the acyl segments and respective SCD values tend to follow a square-law behavior [3] with increasing lipid dehydration. At higher hydration the square-law behavior is limited to those acyl segments deeper in the hydrophobic region, with a break as the head group is approached. These results clearly indicate that water enhances slow cooperative motions whereas they are suppressed by dehydration. Additional complementary Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) dispersion measurements map the frequency dependence of relaxation rates. Such studies in presence of membrane proteins give insight into optimized lipid hydration for their biological functions.[1] A. Leftin et al. (2011) BBA 1808, 818-839.[2] K.J. Mallikarjunaiah et al. (2011) BJ100, 98-107.[3] M.F. Brown (1982) JCP77, 1576-1599.
The Antiquity of New Caledonia

I HAVE just received from my friend M. Lucien Borland a very interesting discussion of the spider fauna of New Caledonia, with special reference to its origin.1 It is stated that M. Piroutet (1917) has published a detailed account of the stratigraphy of New Caledonia, in which it is established that the island was entirely submerged about the end of the Eocene. The spiders, which were described by Berland in 1924, if we add a few later records, number 153 species from New Caledonia and the adjacent (and faunally similar) Loyalty Islands. These include nine endemic genera, and no less than 95 endemic species. It is suggested that this fauna, or rather its ancestors, reached the island during Oligocene time. Since then, various oscillations have occurred, but the island has not been completely submerged. The close resemblance of the fauna of the Loyalty group clearly indicates connexion with New Caledonia in comparatively recent times.
Problems in the choice of a system for costing and pricing of in-house computer services

Abstract The problem of pricing computer services has been discussed in the literature since the early days of computing. Costing and pricing have often been interchanged in the discussions. After a discussion of the problems of measurement of resource usage, pricing for cost recovery and for resource allocation are discussed. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research and a brief summary.
Influence of anisotropic conduction properties in the propagation of the cardiac action potential

Anisotropy, the property of being directionally dependent, is ubiquitous in nature. Propagation of the electrical impulse in cardiac tissue is anisotropic, a property that is determined by molecular, cellular, and histological determinants. The properties and spatial arrangement of connexin molecules, the cell size and geometry, and the fiber orientation and arrangement are examples of structural determinants of anisotropy. Anisotropy is not a static property but is subject to dynamic functional regulation, mediated by modulation of gap junctional conductance. Tissue repolarization is also anisotropic. The relevance of anisotropy extends beyond normal propagation and has important implications in pathological states, as a potential substrate for abnormal rhythms and reentry.
Anomalous Isolation of an Active Antitumor Alkaloid from a Fraction of Catharanthus lanceus Devoid of Anticancer Activity

The highly active antitumor alkaloid leurosine was isolated from the leaf (C) fraction of Catharanthus lanceus. Previously, this (C) fraction had been shown to be devoid of antitumor activity against the P-1534 leukemia in DBA/2 mice. At present, no good explanation for this phenomenon can be made.
High Energy X-Ray Diagnostics of Short-Lived Plasmas

High energy x-ray and gamma-ray measurements are a common diagnostic of high-temperature/high-density plasmas. We will define high energy as those energies above 50 kilovolts and discuss the various techniques for returning temporal, spectral, and spatial distributions of this emission.
Frequency Response of a Base Excited System With Hydraulic Mount

This paper investigates the frequency response analysis of a hydraulic suspension system undergoing base excitation. The nonlinearity of the hydraulic suspension due to the decoupler action is taken into account and the effects of utilizing an inertia track in the design of the hydraulic mount are also considered. The analysis focuses on the development of the equations of motion for a three degree of freedom system, and the development of an appropriate model based on the equations of motion for the system, which is essential for utilization is an optimization procedure. The analysis was conducted using common numerical procedures such that the nonlinear effects of the model may be reasonably approximated.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Separation of Organic Acids from Ruminant Blood by the Wiseman-Irvin Method

Abstract A modification of the Wiseman-Irvin chromatographic method (9) has been used extensively in this laboratory for separating organic acids from ruminant blood and forestomachs' ingesta. The techniques employed are patterned after those first developed for ruminant blood and rumen fluid analysis by McCarthy (6). The objectives of this paper are to report conditions found favorable for the separation of the short-chain organic acids of ruminant blood by the Wiseman-Irvin column. Some of its advantages and limitations are discussed. The altered procedure used in preparing columns is as follows: The solvents employed are acetone and hexane. The substitution of high-purity hexane for Skellysolve B reduces the blank titer values essentially to zero without solvent repurification. All solvents except 1% acetone are equilibrated for 2 to 3min with a solution containing 25ml of 50% sucrose solution, four drops of cresol red indicator, and 1ml of saturated Ba(OH) 2 for each liter of solvent.
Alpha-tocopherol supplementation for men with existing coronary artery disease: a feasibility study.

Background. Recent studies have suggested that α-tocopherol supplementation can help reduce the incidence of coronary disease. Our objectives were to determine the feasibility of providing α-tocopherol supplements to male veterans with existing coronary artery disease and determine its effects on α-tocopherol levels and the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation. Methods. Fifty-seven percent of 138 coronary disease patients were willing to participate in a placebo-controlled trial −25% were already taking antioxidants. Thirty-nine men were randomly assigned to either 400 mg/day of α-tocopherol (n = 27) or placebo (n = 12). α-Tocopherol levels and LDL oxidation (measured by formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance) were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Results. Thirty-three subjects (22 α-tocopherol, 11 placebo) completed the study; 3 subjects withdrew after suffering coronary disease events. Supplement compliance exceeded 90% and α-tocopherol was well tolerated. The α-tocopherol group had a significantly greater mean increase in lipid-adjusted α-tocopherol levels (73% vs. −4.6%, P < 0.0001), but oxidized LDL did not change significantly. Conclusions. A secondary prevention trial among veterans would be feasible because the rates of enrollment, completion, compliance, and clinical events were high. α-Tocopherol supplements did not decrease the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, suggesting that higher dosages or longer duration of supplementation may be required for secondary prevention.
Structure of the Q67H mutant of R67 dihydrofolate reductase-NADP+ complex reveals a novel cofactor binding mode.

Plasmid-encoded bacterial R67 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a NADPH-dependent enzyme unrelated to chromosomal DHFR in amino acid sequence and structure. R67 DHFR is insensitive to the bacterial drug trimethoprim in contrast to chromosomal DHFR. The crystal structure of Q67H mutant of R67 DHFR bound to NADP+ has been determined at 1.15 A resolution. The cofactor assumes an extended conformation with the nicotinamide ring bound near the center of the active site pore, the ribose and pyrophosphate group (PPi) extending toward the outer pore. The ribonicotinamide exhibits anti conformation as in chromosomal DHFR complexes. The relative orientation between the PPi and the nicotinamide ribose differs from that observed in chromosomal DHFR–NADP+ complexes. The coenzyme displays symmetrical binding mode with several water-mediated hydrogen bonds with the protein besides ionic, stacking, and van der Waals interactions. The structure provides a molecular basis for the observed stoichiometry and cooperativity in ligand binding. The ternary model based on the present structure and the previous R67 DHFR–folate complex provides insight into the catalytic mechanism and indicates that the relative orientation of the reactants in plasmid DHFR is different from that seen in chromosomal DHFRs.
Parameter Modeling for Wafer Probe Test

This paper presents the simulation of parameters for wafer probe test by finite-element modeling with consideration of probe over-travel (OT) distance, scrub, contact friction coefficient, probe tip shapes, and diameter. The goal is to minimize the stresses in the device under the bond pad and eliminate wafer failure in probe test. In the probe test modeling, a nonlinear finite-element contact model is developed for the probe tip and wafer bond pad. Modeling results have shown that the probe test OT, probe tip shape and tip diameters, contact friction between the probe tip and bond pad, as well as the probe scrub of the probe tip on bond pad are important parameters that impact the failure of interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer under bond pad. Comparison between probe test damage and wire bonding failure shows the degree of damage to both probe test and wire bonding on the same bond pad structures. In addition that, a design of experiment (DOE) probe test with different ILD and metal thickness is carried. The correlation between the modeling and the DOE test is studied. The results show that the modeling solution agrees with the DOE probe test data. Modeling results have further revealed that probe test can induce the local tensile (or bending) first principal stress in ILD layer, which may be a root cause of the ILD failure in probe test.
Silicon-microring-based modulation of 120 Gbps DPSK signal

A coupling-switching-based microring modulator capable of 120 Gb/s NRZ-DPSK signal generation with 4 V voltage is proposed, in which the tolerance to active element propagation loss is released from 30 dB/cm.
Successful Kidney Transplantation From a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen–Positive Donor to an Antigen-Negative Recipient Using a Novel Vaccination Regimen

Transplanting a kidney from a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive donor to an HBsAg-negative recipient who is naturally immune has been successful in countries endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, in most of these cases, the donors were deceased. We present a report of a successful HBsAg-discordant kidney transplantation in the United States; in this case, a living donor kidney was transplanted to a vaccinated recipient. The wife of a 58-year-old HBsAg-negative man volunteered to donate a kidney to her husband. She had chronic hepatitis B but undetectable HBV DNA. She tested positive for HBsAg and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, but hepatitis B e antigen was undetectable. The recipient failed to develop an antibody response to 3 doses of intramuscular recombinant HBV vaccine given in consecutive months. Immunity was induced by using biweekly intradermal vaccine. However, antibody titer tapered to <10 mIU/mL over 14 months. An intramuscular booster vaccine resulted in a prolonged anamnestic response, allowing for successful living unrelated donor transplantation. During the 10 years since transplantation, the patient has continued to have normal liver function, with undetectable HBsAg and HBV DNA. Antibody titers to HBsAg slowly decreased to 5.8 mIU/mL during the 10 years. Transplant function has been well preserved. This approach to inducing long-term immunity for transplantation merits further study in the United States.
Dexamethasone attenuates oxidation of extracellular matrix proteins by human monocytes.

Abstract In response to infection or in immune complex-mediated diseases, inflammatory cells may oxidatively damage extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In this study we evaluated whether human monocytes could oxidize ECM and whether this could be modulated by exposure to LPS, IgG complexes, and dexamethasone (DEX). Wells in tissue culture plates were coated with the ECM preparation Matrigel. Porous inserts with or without the human monocyte cell line THP-1 were placed into ECM-containing wells and cells were exposed to control conditions or to LPS (10 ng/ml), IgG complexes (200 and 500 μg/ml), or DEX (10 −7 and 10 −6 M). ECM was then subjected to Western blot analysis using an antibody to oxidized protein. In addition, Western blot analysis was carried out on DEX-treated cells to evaluate expression of the NADPH oxidase components p67- phox and gp91- phox . THP-1 cells enhanced ECM oxidation and this effect was augmented by LPS and by IgG aggregates. Preincubation of cells with DEX attenuated ECM oxidation and was also associated with decreased expression of p67- phox and gp91- phox . These findings suggest that human monocytes can oxidize ECM proteins and that this may be modulated by IgG complexes and LPS. Dexamethasone appears to attenuate ECM oxidation and a better understanding of this mechanism might allow for interventions to minimize oxidative damage to ECM proteins by monocytes in infectious and inflammatory states.
Electronic Properties and Structure of Assemblies of CdSe Nanocrystal Quantum Dots and Ru‐Polypyridine Complexes Probed by Steady State and Time‐Resolved Photoluminescence

Chemical and electronic interactions between CdSe nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) and Ru-polypyridine complexes are studied in solution. It is shown that photoluminescence (PL) can be used to effectively monitor the formation of NQD-complex assemblies in real time. It is also shown that with the aid of Langmuir isotherm modeling, the PL studies can be used to quantitatively characterize the composition of the assemblies and the strength of electronic interactions between their components. The approach demonstrated here is general and can be applied to other systems that combine semiconductor NQDs and appropriately functionalized organometallic or organic molecules interacting with NQDs via energy transfer, charge transfer, or other mechanisms leading to quenching of NQD emission.
T suppressor lymphocytes reverse ongoing acute allograft rejection

(LEW × BN)F1 cardiac allografts are rejected within 8 days in untreated LEW recipients. At the critical time point of 5 days after transplantation, the obviously rejecting grafts are enlarged and maximally infiltrated by host cells as shown by 111In-labeled lymphocyte tracer studies. However, when such hearts were retransplanted back to naive (LEW × BN)F1 secondary hosts, they survive indefinitely, showing that even late rejection is reversible in the absence of sustained host immunological drive. Attempts were then made to abrogate this advanced immune responsiveness using Cyclosporine (CsA). CsA therapy (15 mg/kg/day for 7 days) starting from day 5 produced indefinite graft survival, similar as if initiated at the time of operation. Addition of exogenous IL-2, which drives the proliferation of Tc, could not reverse this effect. Serial changes in phenotype of lymphocyte subpopulations infiltrating both acutely rejecting and indefinitely functioning cardiac allografts in unmodified and CsA treated hosts, respectively, were then studied. Ratio of Th:Tc/s cells in acutely rejecting grafts was 1.6 by day 3; it inverted abruptly to 0.7 by day 5–6, suggesting predominance of Tc/s during the later stages of allograft rejection. Similarly, treatment with CsA produced a transient depression of Th, with recovery of original Th:Tc/s ratio during the next 2–3 weeks. Adoptive transfer experiments were then performed to investigate the functional significance of these findings. Survival of test grafts were prolonged (14–17 days, p < 0.001) when cells infiltrating the grafts were transferred during inversion of Th:Tc/s; before that period, test graft survival was shortened in a second set manner. Thus, suppressor cells may be responsible for resolution of rejection process as well as for host unresponsiveness seen after CsA treatment; they represent an important homeostatic host mechanism following immunological stimulation.
Retinol-binding protein secretion from the liver of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide-treated rats

N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (HPR; Fenretinide), a synthetic retinoid possessing antitumor activity, depresses plasma retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations. In study 1, the ability of retinol or HPR to induce RBP secretion from the livers of vitamin A-deficient rats was compared. A large apoRBP pool accumulated in the liver rough microsomes of these rats. Following retinol repletion, 80% of the accumulated RBP was rapidly secreted into the plasma. In contrast, HPR treatment only induced two-thirds of the RBP secretion observed with retinol. Prior colchicine treatment caused a large RBP accumulation in the Golgi-enriched fraction following retinol repletion. HPR plus colchicine treatment produced significantly less accumulation of RBP in the Golgi-enriched fraction than did retinol. In study 2, HPR treatment of vitamin A-adequate rats caused RBP to accumulate in the liver rough microsomes. When vitamin A-adequate rats were treated with colchicine, the concentration of RBP in the Golgi-enriched fraction increased 2.9-fold. However, significantly less RBP accumulated in the Golgi following HPR treatment. These studies demonstrate that HPR will induce liver RBP secretion, but to a lesser degree than retinol. Further, more RBP remained in the rough microsomes of HPR treated, vitamin A-adequate rats, indicating that HPR depressed the amount of RBP secreted.
Thermal limits and chemotaxis in mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans defective in thermotaxis

Four mutant strains of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans previously isolated as defective in thermotaxis (Hedgecock and Russell, 1975) were compared to the wild type in tests of their thermal range of activity and chemotaxis. The cold side of the temperature-activity curves of all four strains were different from wild type. The curves of the two cryophilic strains (EH65 and EH67) were shifted to colder temperatures. The curves of the other two mutant strains were shifted to warmer temperatures. In tests of chemotaxis to a variety of stimuli, strain EH61 made no response to any, EH71 made weak responses to all, and the remaining two strains made responses equal to wild type except for weaker responses to three chemical stimuli. It is concluded that thermotaxis shares specific gene requirements with processes controlling both thermal limits and sensory reception.
Assessment of TP53 mutation using purified tissue samples of ovarian serous carcinomas reveals a higher mutation rate than previously reported and does not correlate with drug resistance

The TP53 mutation frequency in ovarian serous carcinomas has been reported to range between 50% and 80%, but a stringent analysis of TP53 using purified epithelial samples has not yet been performed to accurately assess the mutation frequency and to correlate it with the histologic grade. The purpose of this study was to assess the TP53 mutational profile in a relatively large series of high-grade (53 primary and 18 recurrent) and 13 low-grade ovarian serous tumors using DNA isolated from affinity-purified tumor cells and to correlate it with in vitro drug resistance. All samples were affinity purified, and the tumor DNA was analyzed for TP53 mutations in exons 4–9. In vitro drug resistance assays to carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and taxotere were performed on the same tumor samples and correlated with the TP53 mutation status. TP53 mutations were detected in 57 (80.3%) of 71 high-grade carcinomas and in one (7.8%) of 13 low-grade serous tumors (an invasive low-grade serous carcinoma). The mutations were predominantly missense mutations (59.6%). TP53 mutations were associated with high-grade serous carcinomas and recurrent disease (P 0.25). The frequency of TP53 mutations using purified tumor DNA from ovarian serous carcinomas was 80.3%, which is much higher than previously reported. Furthermore, we found that TP53 is not directly involved in the development of drug resistance in high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas.
A Barrier to Diffusion of Opsins but not Peripheral Membrane Proteins at the Disk Rims of Cone Photoreceptor Sensory Cilia

Localization and retention of transduction cascade proteins within ciliary signaling compartments are thought to be mediated, in part, by diffusion barriers at the transition zone. Mutations in cone opsins and other phototransduction cascade proteins often result in their mislocalization from the ciliary cone outer segment, and can lead to a spectrum of diseases, ranging from color blindness to progressive cone dystrophy, often followed by rod dystrophy, and eventually blindness.While the mechanisms for protein transport to and retention within rod outer segments have received considerable attention, little is known about these processes in cones. Retention of opsins in the rod outer segment is achieved by physical separation of the disc membranes from the plasma membrane. Cone discs, however, are contiguous with the plasma membrane, and therefore retention of opsin would require a diffusion barrier either at the cilium base, as has been demonstrated for primary cilia, or at the disc rim. Here we examine the diffusion of the transmembrane red cone opsin-GFP fusion protein and the peripheral membrane protein double geranylgeranyl-GFP expressed in cones of Xenopus laevis using multiphoton FRAP. We show that although both proteins diffuse laterally in the disc membranes with similar rates, diffusion of opsin-GFP between discs is significantly retarded compared with double geranylgeranyl-GFP.Our results are consistent with cone opsin retention in the outer segment being mediated by a selective barrier to free diffusion for trans-membrane proteins located at the end loops between adjacent discs. Peripheral membrane proteins, on the other hand, are not prevented from crossing this barrier.
Physical model for broadband wireless channels

A physical wideband propagation model for the fixed wireless channel, with particular emphasis on K-factor and RMS delay spread and their variation as a function of range and antenna beamwidth, is described. The purpose of the model is to generate a set of spatially distributed scatterers, in accordance with given empirical channel characteristics. The model is successfully compared with existing empirical models.
Zones of coastal hypoxia revealed by satellite scanning have implications for strategic fishing

Little is known about the spatial and temporal scales of hypoxic bottom water areas that occur along the inner continental shelf of Texas and Louisiana. Because hypoxia appears to be related to surface chlorophyll and temperature, which can both be measured with the Coastal Zone Color Scanner aboard the Nimbus 7 satellite, an attempt has been made to determine whether conditions favorable for the formation of hypoxia could be detected and monitored from space. A linear discriminant function has identified areas of bottom water hypoxia detected by research vessels up to 10 days after satellite overpass, and predicted hypoxic areas without resort to research vessel data. Such space mapping may be of consequence for marine resource management and exploitation.
Microchip devices for high-efficiency separations.

We have fabricated a 25-cm-long spiral-shaped separation channel on a glass microchip with a footprint of only 5 cm × 5 cm. Electrophoretic separation efficiencies for dichlorofluoroscein (DCF) on this chip exceeded 1 000 000 theoretical plates and were achieved in under 46 s at a detection point 22.2 cm from the injection cross. The number of theoretical plates increased linearly with the applied voltage, and at a separation field strength of 1170 V/cm, the rate of plate generation was ∼21 000 plates/s. The large radii of curvature of the turns minimized the analyte dispersion introduced by the channel geometry as evidenced by the fact that the effective diffusion coefficient of DCF was within a few percent of that measured on a microchip with a straight separation channel over a wide range of electric field strengths. A micellar electrokinetic chromatography separation of 19 tetramethylrhodamine-labeled amino acids was accomplished in 165 s with an average plate number of 280 000. The minimum resolution...
The construction of legal consciousness in discourse: rule and relational orientations toward the law in a disability support group

Following Conley and O'Barr's (Conley, John, O'Barr, William, 1990. Rules versus Relationships: The Ethnography of Legal Discourse. University of Chicago Press, Chicago), this article describes the construction of legal consciousness in the presentational and interactional discourse of a support group for parents who have children with disabilities. In the special education system of US schools. The legal consciousness developed in the discourse of this group incorporates both rule-based and relational orientations toward the law: a relational legal consciousness focused on advocacy is generally and enthusiastically forwarded, but a rule-based orientation emerges at a crucial point to constrain the relational orientation and define the limits of advocacy.
Integrating optimisation and simulation approaches for daily scheduling of assembly and test operations

The purpose of this paper is to show how the results of an optimisation model that can be integrated with the decisions made within a simulation model to schedule back-end operations in a semiconductor assembly and test facility. The problem is defined by a set of resources that includes machines and tooling, process plans for each product and the following four hierarchical objectives: minimise the weighted sum of key device shortages, maximise weighted throughput, minimise the number of machines used and minimise the makespan for a given set of lots in queue. A mixed integer programming model is purposed and first solved with a greedy randomised adaptive search procedure (GRASP). The results associated with the prescribed facility configuration are then fed to the simulation model written in AutoSched AP. However, due to the inadequacy of the options built into AutoSched, three new rules were created: the first two are designed to capture the machine set-up profiles provided by the GRASP and the third t...
Time variables affecting the permanence of amnesia produced by combined cycloheximide and electroconvulsive shock treatments

Abstract Mice pretreated with saline or cycloheximide were trained in a multiple-trial avoidance apparatus. Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) was administered at various intervals following training. The animals were retrained either one day or about one week later. Both transient and permanent memory deficits were observed. Presence and type of memory deficit were dependent upon time of ECS treatment, time of retraining and whether the animals received saline of cycloheximide prior to original training. A possible relationship between the results observed and reported effects of training on macromolecular synthesis in the brain is discussed.
Effect of central gas flow rate and water on an argon inductively coupled plasma: spatially resolved emission, ion-atom intensity ratios and electron number densities

Abstract The effect of aqueous aerosol on plasma properties and emission signals was investigated. Plasma behavior was compared when using spark-generated dry sample introduction to that when conventional aqueous aerosol sample introduction was used. The shape of vertical and radial Mg II and Mg I emission profiles were strongly influenced by aqueous aerosol introduction. The Mg II to Mg I emission intensity ratios varied little with radial position or central gas flow rate when dry sample was introduced. However, the emission intensity ratios were strongly dependent on radial position and central gas flow rate when aqueous aerosol was introduced. The Mg II to Mg I emission intensity ratio varied widely with radial position even when measured electron number densities were constant over the same locations. The Mg II to Mg I emission intensity ratios were less than local therrnodynamic equilibrium (LTE) predictions when no water was present. The intensity ratio was close to LTE values when small aqueous aerosol mass transport rates and low central gas flow rates were used but was far below LTE values when typical aerosol mass transport rates were used. Desolvating droplets may be responsible for the observed behavior. Time averaging of droplet-induced signal fluctuations may introduce bias into measurements of plasma properties.
Effect of rate of shear and homogenization on vicsosity of solid stabilized emulsions

Viscosities of concentrated emulsions stabilized by different solid stabilizers have been determined by Rheo-Viscometer with particular reference to the effect of rate of shear and homogenization on the viscosity. It has been found that the viscosity decreases with the increase in the rate of shear. Homogenization, in general, increases the viscosity due to the increased interfacial area and adsorption of the emulsifier. Olive oil emulsions exhibit a relatively highly viscous character and are characterized by abrupt changes in viscosity after a few homogenizations when they become inverted. The emulsions stabilized by trivalent metal hydroxides and nickel hydroxide and cobalt hydroxide become semi-solid gelly-like mass on homogenization. The effect of homogenization on emulsions stabilized by soaps and natural colloids is much less as compared to the effect on other corresponding emulsions stabilized by other emulsifiers.
Advances in Multiple Quantum Well IR Detectors

The performance of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well long-wavelength infrared detectors is evaluated for potential applications in focal plane arrays. A number of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared detectors with absorption between 7 to 12 micrometers have been fabricated and characterized. In these samples, the quantum well width and barrier height were held approximately constant, while the AlGaAs barrier thickness was varied from 300 to 500 angstrom. These detectors were characterized by FTIR absorption, dark current, responsivity, spectral noise density, and thermal activation energy measurements at temperatures ranging from 6 to 80 K. A maximum detectivity of 4 X 1013 cm(root)Hz/W at 6 K is obtained at (lambda) equals 8.4 micrometers for the 500 angstrom barrier sample.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.