cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TOWARD ASSESSMENT OF DESIGN SKILL IN ENGINEERING

Design is an important part of engineering education, but cannot be assessed easily through current multiple-choice tests. In this report, we explore the possibility of including design problems in assessments of engineering students. We report a study comparing constructed-response design problems and constructed-response versions of typical engineering assessments, labeled “analysis” problems. Through analyses of verbal protocols, we argue that design problems can elicit qualitatively different behaviors compared with analysis problems, and therefore may assess different underlying constructs. While design problems may be a worthwhile addition to assessments of engineering students, such problems present several challenges, including issues of automatic scoring, the amount of information about candidate skill contained in responses, and the potential for construct-irrelevant variance. These challenges are surmountable, but require careful construction of design assessments to avoid potential pitfalls. This work represents one part of a research program aimed at informing the redesign of the GRE Engineering Subject Test.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in the overweight and obese patient.

Background: Traditionally, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in the obese patient has been considered a relative contraindication due to the impedance of gastric transillumination and inability to approximate the abdominal and gastric wall. The aim of this study was to determine the overall success rate, morbidity, and PEG-related mortality in overweight and obese patients. Methods: Three hundred fifty-five consecutive patients were retrospectively evaluated over a 1-year period at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center for postprocedure-related PEG and PEG/jejunostomy (J) complications. One hundred thirty-four patients were considered overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥27 kg/m2). Of those, 80 patients were found to be obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) with a BMI ranging 30–63 kg/m2. Results: Gastrostomy placement was successful in 130 of 134 (97%) overweight patients (p < .05). The overall procedure-related mortality was 0%. The rate of significant complications in overweight and obese...
Artery dissection and arterial thrombus aging: the role of noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to study atherosclerotic lesions noninvasively, and it is considered a valid method for the detection of deep venous thrombosis. An organized/old thrombus is considered one of the most thrombogenic substrates. Therefore, noninvasive detection and differentiation between recent and old arterial thrombi is an important goal for diagnostic imaging. Aortic dissection was detected in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis after balloon injury using MR angiography and black-blood cross-sectional images (Figure 1⇓). A low-intensity signal area compatible with slow flow and/or fresh thrombus was seen …
T-Cell lymphoproliferative disorder of hand-mirror cell morphology presenting in an eosinophilic loculated peritoneal effusion, with omental "caking"

Background: Cells with hand mirror morphology have not, to the best of our knowledge, been described in a primary effusion sample. This paper describes a case of T-cell lymphoma with eosinophilia in a patient with suspected peritoneal carcinomatosis. Rarely, a T-cell lymphoproliferative process may mimic primary peritoneal carcinomatosis, clinically suggested by a presentation in CT imaging of omental caking with bilateral massive loculated effusions in a patient without lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. Methods: A 60 year old caucasian male presented with vague abdominal discomfort and increasing abdominal girth. Computed tomography showed a two centimeter thick omental cake and a small loculated effusion. The clinical presentation and imaging findings were most consistent with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Cytologic evaluation of the effusion was undertaken for diagnostic study. Results: Rapid intraprocedural interpretation of the effusion sample showed a monomorphic population of cells with hand-mirror cell morphology exhibiting cytoplasmic extensions (uropodia) with 3-5 course dark cytoplasmic granules and a rim of vacuolated cytoplasm capping the opposing mirror head side. These cells were seen within a background of mature eosinophils. Flow cytometric evaluation of the ascites fluid demonstrated an atypical T-cell population with the following immunophenotype: CD2-, CD3+, CD4-, CD5-, CD7-, CD8+, CD56+. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement was positive for clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangement, supporting the diagnosis of a T-lymphoprolifereative disorder. Conclusion: A T-cell lymphoproliferative process may present with hand mirror morphology in an effusion sample. These cells may show polar cytoplasmic vacuolization and 3-5 course granules within the handle of these unique cells. Cytoplasm shows peripheral constriction around the nucleus.
The War on Academic Women: Reflections on Postfeminism in the Neoliberal Academy

This article situates academic women within the context of a broader, societal war on women. It argues that the ideologies underlying postfeminism and neoliberalism intersect within the academy to deny, obscure, and delegitimize the continuing and systemic gender discrimination and sexism that so many women in higher education face. It also seeks to reclaim the use of terms such as sexism, misogyny, and patriarchy, which date to the second wave of the women’s movement in the 1970s, to underscore the fact that prefeminist sexism remains a powerful ideological force.
Social competition in rats: Cell proliferation and behavior

Behavioral and physiological changes were studied following prolonged exposure to social competition in pairs of non-food-deprived rats competing daily for a limited supply of graham cracker crumbs. Stable dominant-subordinate relationships developed in most pairs, as measured by feeding time, which were maintained over a 5-6-week study period. In other behavioral tests, subordinates demonstrated a decreased latency to immobility in the forced swim test compared with dominants, but no difference in locomotor activity. Subordinates had increased bladder size, decreased adrenal gland size, and a 35% reduction of hippocampus cell proliferation compared with the dominant member. Therefore, prolonged social competition, based on restricted access to palatable substances, produced hierarchies among individuals that were associated with differences in behavior, physiology and hippocampal cell proliferation.
Non-invasive molecular imaging of prostate cancer lymph node metastasis

Imaging in medicine has been classically based on the anatomical description of organs. In the past 15 years, new imaging techniques based on gene expression that characterize a pathological process have been developed. Molecular imaging is the use of such molecules to image cell-specific characteristics. Here, we review recent advances in molecular imaging, taking as our prime example lymph node (LN) metastasis in prostate cancer. We describe the new techniques and compare their accuracy in detecting LN metastasis in prostate cancer. We also present new molecular strategies for improving tumor detection using adenoviruses, molecular promoters and amplification systems. Finally, we present the concept of 'in vivo pathology', which envisages using molecular imaging to accurately localize metastatic lesions based on the molecular signature of the disease.
Association of hypertensive diastolic blood pressure with dyslipidemia during exercise in apparently healthy subjects.

INTRODUCTION Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), which is influenced by cardiac output and total peripheral resistance, normally remains stable or decreases during the transition from rest to exercise. Dyslipidemia has been shown to attenuate vasodilation, and may therefore impede the normal reduction in peripheral vascular resistance during exercise. This investigation examines differences in lipid levels between apparently healthy individuals with a normal and hypertensive DBP response to exercise. METHODS From a pool of 275 apparently healthy subjects, 35 individuals (aged 57.8 +/- 15.0 years, 13 men and 22 women) with a normal DBP at rest ( or = 90 mm Hg) were randomly age and sex matched to 35 subjects (aged 56.5 +/- 13.4 years) with a normal DBP at rest (<80 mm Hg) that remained below a hypertensive level at maximal exercise (<90 mm Hg). RESULTS A paired t test revealed DBP to be significantly higher in the group with an abnormal response to exercise (97.0 +/- 7.6 mm Hg vs 76.8 +/- 7.4 mm Hg; P < .001). Total cholesterol (204.2 +/- 31.2 mg/dL vs 190.6 +/- 28.9 mg/dL; P < .05) and low-density lipoprotein (126.5 +/- 30.5 mg/dL vs 109.8 +/- 25.5 mg/dL; P < .05) levels were also significantly higher in the group with an abnormal DBP response to exercise. All other variables were similar between groups. DISCUSSION Results indicate that elevated lipid levels are associated with a hypertensive DBP response during maximal exercise in apparently healthy individuals. The abnormal DBP response to exercise observed in this study may be related to attenuated vasodilation in skeletal muscle induced by higher levels of low-density lipoprotein.
Letters to my late dog: who's watching information quality?

Purpose – The outcomes of data‐driven marketing are presumed to be superior but those outcomes are partly dependent on data inputs that are accurate. This paper sets out to highlight problems associated with poor data quality.Design/methodology/approach – The name of the author's dog was substituted for that of the author on a single data collection form. Over a period of 15 years, the direct mail sent to the author's dog was collected and categorized.Findings – Over a 15‐year period, both reasonable and unexplainable changes in the content of the marketing effort were found. Analysis showed some consistency but, over time, offers began to appear which showed that the database representation of the “individual” had taken on an interesting life of its own.Originality/value – Data are the fuel that drives the direct marketing engine. Yet that engine can sputter ineffectively if the fuel quality is inferior. Poor data contain inaccuracies which limit the efficacy and increase the costs of direct marketing ef...
IBRDC2, an IBR‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a regulatory factor for Bax and apoptosis activation

Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein from the Bcl-2 family, is central to apoptosis regulation. To suppress spontaneous apoptosis, Bax must be under stringent control that may include regulation of Bax conformation and expression levels. We report that IBRDC2, an IBR-type RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates the levels of Bax and protects cells from unprompted Bax activation and cell death. Downregulation of IBRDC2 induces increased cellular levels and accumulation of the active form of Bax. The ubiquitination-dependent regulation of Bax stability is suppressed by IBRDC2 downregulation and stimulated by IBRDC2 overexpression in both healthy and apoptotic cells. Although mostly cytosolic in healthy cells, upon induction of apoptosis, IBRDC2 accumulates in mitochondrial domains enriched with Bax. Mitochondrial accumulation of IBRDC2 occurs in parallel with Bax activation and also depends on the expression levels of Bcl-xL. Furthermore, IBRDC2 physically interacts with activated Bax. By applying Bax mutants in HCT116 Bax−/− cells, combined with the use of active Bax-specific antibodies, we have established that both mitochondrial localization and apoptotic activation of Bax are required for IBRDC2 translocation to the mitochondria.
Dexamethasone and zinc in combination inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of S-91 Cloudman murine melanoma

Zinc inhibited the colony formation of Cloudman S-91 murine melanoma cells in a dose dependent manner with an ID50 of 3.4 ug/ml. Total inhibition of the melanoma colony-forming units occurred at a zinc concentration of 4.42 ug/ml. In the presence of dexamethasone the ID50 for zinc inhibition was reduced by 49% and total inhibition of anchorage-independent growth occurred at the achievable in vivo zinc concentration of 3.0 ug/ml. Dexamethasone and zinc in combination effected a greater than additive inhibition of the murine melanoma colony-forming units. Statistical evaluation of these results showed that zinc and dexamethasone interacted synergistically to inhibit the formation of murine melanoma colonies.
Recombinant Inversion Chromosomes in Phenotypically Normal Chickens

Some progeny resulting from interbreeding of individuals heterozygous for a pericentric inversion of chromosome 1 in the chicken have the two complementary types of recombinant chromosomes arising from a single crossing-over within the inverted segment. These individuals are capable of reproduction. Their progeny can have one or the other of the two recombinant chromosomes or, if crossing-over occurs, either a normal or an inversion chromosome.
Natural realgar and amorphous AsS oxidation kinetics

The oxidation rates of natural realgar and amorphous synthetic AsS by dissolved oxygen were evaluated using mixed flow reactors at pH 7.2 to 8.8 and dissolved oxygen contents of 5.9 to 16.5 ppm over a temperature range of 25 to 40°C. The ratios of As/S are stoichiometric for all amorphous AsS oxidation experiments except for two experiments conducted at pH ∼8.8. In these experiments, stoichiometric ratios of As/S were only observed in the early stages of AsS (am) oxidation whereas lower As/S ratios were observed during steady state. For realgar oxidation experiments, the As/S ratio is less than the stoichiometric ratio of realgar, ranging between 0.61 and 0.71. This nonstoichiometric release of As and S to solution indicates that realgar oxidation is more selective for S after the rates of oxidation become constant. All measured oxidation rates at 25°C can be described within experimental uncertainties as follows: Table 1 Rate Expression Activation Energy (kJ/mol) R(Realgar/As) = 10−9.63(±0.41)[DO]0.51(±0.08)[H+]−0.28(±0.05) 64.2 ± 9.8 R(Realgar/S) = 10−9.74(±0.35)[DO]0.54(±0.05)[H+]−0.31(±0.04) 62.2 ± 9.0 R(AsS(am)) = 10−13.65(±0.82)[DO]0.92(±0.08)[H+]−1.09(±0.10) 124 ± 18.8 Full-size table Table options View in workspace Download as CSV where R signifies the steady-state oxidation rate (mol m−2s−1), [DO] is dissolved oxygen concentration (M), and [H+] is the proton concentration (M). Arsenic (III) and As(V) are both present in solution, and As(III) is the dominant species in most experiments. Intermediate sulfur species besides sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate are the important products during realgar and AsS (am) oxidation. Comparison of realgar and AsS (am) oxidation rates shows that at similar conditions, the rates of AsS (am) are always faster by about a factor ranging from 2 to 38. The oxidation of realgar involves breaking bonds in the realgar crystal, whereas AsS (am) oxidation does not include crystallographic framework destruction due to the amorphous nature of the solid.
Palladium-Catalyzed C−C Coupling under Thermomorphic Conditions

Liquid−liquid biphasic systems that exhibit an increase in phase miscibility at elevated temperature together with soluble polymer-bound catalysts that have a strong phase preference at ambient temperature are described. In such systems, product isolation and catalyst recovery are effected by a liquid/liquid separation. This report describes the use of such thermomorphic catalyst recovery systems for palladium-catalyzed carbon−carbon bond forming reactions. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-bound phosphine ligands with a Pd(0) catalyst used previously in allylic substitution chemistry are efficient catalysts in Heck, Suzuki, and sp−sp2 cross-coupling reactions. Air-stable tridentate SCS-Pd(II) catalysts bound to PNIPAM or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are also described. A particular advantage of these SCS catalysts is that no precautions against adventitious catalyst oxidation need be taken with the polymer-bound SCS-PdCl catalysts, thus avoiding time-consuming solvent purification and degassing protocols.
Millisecond dynamics in the allosteric enzyme imidazole glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) from Thermotoga maritima.

IGPS is a 51 kDa heterodimeric enzyme comprised of two proteins, HisH and HisF, that catalyze the hydrolysis of glutamine to produce NH3 in the HisH active site and the cyclization of ammonia with N′-[(5′-phosphoribulosyl)formimino]-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleotide (PRFAR) in HisF to produce imidazole glycerol phosphate (IGP) and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (AICAR). Binding of PRFAR and IGP stimulates glutaminase activity in the HisH enzyme over 5,000 and 100-fold, respectively, despite the active sites being >25 A apart. The details of this long-range protein communication process were investigated by solution NMR spectroscopy and CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments. Formation of the heterodimer enzyme results in a reduction in millisecond motions in HisF that extend throughout the protein. Binding of lGP results in an increase in protein-wide millisecond dynamics evidenced as severe NMR line broadening and elevated R ex values. Together, these data demonstrate a grouping of flexible residues that link the HisF active site with the protein interface to which HisH binds and provide a model for the path of communication between the IGPS active sites.
Malignant hemangioendothelioma in the hand: a case report.

ThiS paper reports our experience in the case of a malignant hemangioendothelioma in the subcutaneous tissues surrounding the radial neurovascular bundle at the base of the index finger in a 16-year-old Caucasian girl. The diagnosis was made after operation from the biopsy material. Index-ray amputation was performed and the patient was alive and well without local recurrence or distal metastasis 4 years after the operation.
Do F-wave measurements detect changes in motor neuron excitability?

The use of F waves to assess motor neuron excitability in experimental paradigms has never been validated. Our objective was to determine whether F-wave area, amplitude, and persistence measurements change in response to manipulations known to alter the excitability of motor neurons. The effects of muscle vibration, contraction of a remote muscle, and high-intensity stimulation of ipsilateral or contralateral fingers were assessed in 12 healthy volunteers. F-wave area, amplitude, and persistence all declined with ipsilateral cutaneous stimulation. The other maneuvers facilitated some, but not all, of the F-wave measurements. Changes in F-wave area and amplitude were correlated, but neither correlated with changes in persistence. A sample size of 50–75 F waves was needed to approximate amplitude and area results from 100 F waves with an accuracy of ±25%. We conclude that changes in F waves are better at detecting inhibition than facilitation of motor neurons. F waves reflect motor neuron excitability in a general way but do not allow for accurate measures of short-term changes in excitability. Muscle Nerve 30: 289–294, 2004
Binocular eye tracking in virtual reality for inspection training

This paper describes the development of a binocular eye tracking Virtual Reality system for aircraft inspection training. The aesthetic appearance of the environment is driven by standard graphical techniques augmented by realistic texture maps of the physical environment. A “virtual flashlight” is provided to simulate a tool used by inspectors. The user's gaze direction, as well as head position and orientation, are tracked to allow recording of the user's gaze locations within the environment. These gaze locations, or scanpaths, are calculated as gaze/polygon intersections, enabling comparison of fixated points with stored locations of artificially generated defects located in the environment interior. Recorded scanpaths provide a means of comparison of the performance of experts to novices, thereby gauging the effects of training.
Earth science: Life battered but unbowed.

Early in its history, Earth experienced a pounding from extraterrestrial impacts. But instead of sterilizing the planet, it allowed microbial life to persist, according to numerical models of Earth's crust.
The prediction of recurrent preterm birth in patients on 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate using serial fetal fibronectin and cervical length

Objective The objective of the study was to estimate the predictive value of cervical length (CL) and fetal fibronectin (fFN) in patients being treated with 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P). Methods This was a retrospective cohort of 176 patients with a prior spontaneous preterm birth being treated with weekly injections of 17P who underwent serial CL and fFN screening. Results A short CL (≤25 mm) was significantly associated with an earlier gestational age at delivery and with recurrent preterm birth at less than 37, less than 35, less than 34, and less than 32 weeks. A positive fFN was not significantly associated with recurrent preterm birth. As a screening test for recurrent preterm birth, the positive and negative likelihood ratios for CL were 2.04 and 0.35, respectively, whereas for fFN they were 1.22 and 0.98, respectively, indicating that fFN did not offer any additional predictive value. Conclusion In patients being treated with 17P, cervical length at 22-32 weeks is predictive of recurrent preterm birth, but fetal fibronectin is not.
Film history and film histories

(1976). Film history and film histories. Quarterly Review of Film Studies: Vol. 1, Film: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Theory and Teaching, Part One, pp. 297-314.
Comment on ``Indication, from Pioneer 10/11, Galileo, and Ulysses Data, of an Apparent Anomalous, Weak, Long-Range Acceleration''

A Comment on the Letter by John D. Anderson et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 2858 (1998). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Unsupervised learning of prototypes and attribute weights

Abstract In this paper, we introduce new algorithms that perform clustering and feature weighting simultaneously and in an unsupervised manner. The proposed algorithms are computationally and implementationally simple, and learn a different set of feature weights for each identified cluster. The cluster dependent feature weights offer two advantages. First, they guide the clustering process to partition the data set into more meaningful clusters. Second, they can be used in the subsequent steps of a learning system to improve its learning behavior. An extension of the algorithm to deal with an unknown number of clusters is also proposed. The extension is based on competitive agglomeration, whereby the number of clusters is over-specified, and adjacent clusters are allowed to compete for data points in a manner that causes clusters which lose in the competition to gradually become depleted and vanish. We illustrate the performance of the proposed approach by using it to segment color images, and to build a nearest prototype classifier.
Charged Particle Diagnostics on the Omega Laser Facility

Summary form only given. We have implemented a wide variety of charged-particle diagnostics on OMEGA, including magnet-based spectrometers (CPS); wedge-range-filter-based spectrometers (WFR); proton core image system (PCIS); proton radiography; and proton temporal diagnostics (PTD). Recent work has resulted in the comprehensive measurements of spatial-, temporal- and spectral- resolved energetic charged particles emanating from various capsule implosions as well as from laser-plasma interactions. Such measurements provide information about fusion yield, ion and electron temperature, fuel and shell areal density, target compression asymmetry, and other physical parameters, and have been combined with other traditional diagnostics to study various aspects of ICF implosion physics, including implosion dynamics and target performance. Many fundamental issues related to high-energy density physics are also studied, including capsule charging due to laser-plasma interactions, and stopping power in high-temperature and high-density plasmas. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated feasibility and potential of a novel magnet-recoil-spectrometer (MRS) for measuring charged particles scattered by fusion neutrons at OMEGA and the NIF.
Ion trapping model and the non-Arrhenius ionic conductivity in fast ion conducting glasses

Abstract Conductivity measurements of z AgI+(1− z )[ x Ag 2 S+(1− x )(2B 2 S 3 +1GeS 2 )] fast ion conducting (FIC) glasses were performed to explore the non-Arrhenius behavior of the conductivity above room temperature (RT). A distinct non-Arrhenius deviation is observed that causes the DC conductivity to be lower than the expected values at higher temperatures. The deviation becomes more pronounced and occurs at lower temperature as the amount of AgI is increased. A recently developed model, the ion trapping model (ITM), has been used to describe the non-Arrhenius conductivity and to fit the experimental data. It is found that the model is able to accurately reproduce the non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of the conductivity of these highly optimized fast ion conducting glasses. Under the assumptions of the model, there is only one independently adjustable parameter, the average activation energy, and it provides a physical picture of the cause of non-Arrhenius deviation.
Investigation of the Effects of Biodiesel-based Na on Emissions Control Components

A single-cylinder diesel engine was used to investigate the impact of biodiesel-based Na on emissions control components using specially blended 20% biodiesel fuel (B20). The emissions control components investigated were a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a Cu-zeolite-based NH{sub 3}-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) catalyst, and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Both light-duty vehicle, DOC-SCR-DPF, and heavy-duty vehicle, DOC-DPF-SCR, emissions control configurations were employed. The accelerated Na aging is achieved by introducing elevated Na levels in the fuel, to represent full useful life exposure, and periodically increasing the exhaust temperature to replicate DPF regeneration. To assess the validity of the implemented accelerated Na aging protocol, engine-aged lean NO{sub x} traps (LNTs), DOCs and DPFs are also evaluated. To fully characterize the impact on the catalytic activity the LNT, DOC and SCR catalysts were evaluated using a bench flow reactor. The evaluation of the aged DOC samples and LNT show little to no deactivation as a result of Na contamination. However, the SCR in the light-duty configuration (DOC-SCR-DPF) was severely affected by Na contamination, especially when NO was the only fed NO{sub x} source. In the heavy-duty configuration (DOC-DPF-SCR), no impact is observed in the SCR NO{sub x} reduction activity. Electron probe micro-analysismore » (EPMA) reveals that Na contamination on the LNT, DOC, and SCR samples is present throughout the length of the catalysts with a higher concentration on the washcoat surface. In both the long-term engine-aged DPF and the accelerated Na-aged DPFs, there is significant Na ash present in the upstream channels; however, in the engine-aged sample lube oil-based ash is the predominant constituent.« less
BDNF profoundly and specifically increases KCNQ4 expression in neurons derived from embryonic stem cells

Neurons resembling the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of the auditory nerve can be generated from embryonic stem cells through induced overexpression of the transcription factor Neurogenin-1 (Neurog1). While recapitulating this developmental pathway produces glutamatergic, bipolar neurons reminiscent of SGNs, these neurons are functionally immature, being characterized by a depolarized resting potential and limited excitability. We explored the effects of two neurotrophins known to be present in the inner ear, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), on the electrophysiology of neurons following Neurog1 induction. Our data reveal a significant reduction in resting membrane potential (RMP) following neurotrophin exposure, with BDNF producing a more robust effect than NT-3. This effect was accompanied by a profound and specific upregulation of the KCNQ4 subtype, where a 9-fold increase was observed with quantitative PCR. The other neuronally expressed KCNQ subtypes (2, 3, and 5) exhibited upregulation which was 3-fold or less in magnitude. Quantitative immunohistochemistry confirmed the increase in KCNQ4 expression at the protein level. The present data show a novel link between BDNF and KCNQ4 expression, yielding insight into the restricted expression pattern of a channel known to play special roles in setting the resting potential of auditory cells and in the etiology of progressive high-frequency hearing loss.
On the mechanism of the positive feedback action of estradiol on luteinizing hormone secretion in the rhesus monkey.

In women and rhesus monkeys, both the negative and positive feedback actions of estradiol (E2) on gonadotropin secretion (inhibition followed by a surge) can be exerted directly at the level of the pituitary gland. We have tested the hypothesis that the positive feedback action of E2 represents but an“ escape” from its negative feedback inhibition of gonadotropin secretion consequent to a desensitization of the gonadotropes occasioned by sustained exposure to elevated concentrations of the steroid. We have attempted to replicate such a desensitization by blocking the negative feedback action of E2 by the administration of a potent estrogen receptor antagonist devoid of any agonistic properties (ZM 182,780) to rhesus monkeys in the midfollicular phase of the menstrual cycle (n = 14). The estrogen antagonist, administered at a dose that in separate experiments completely blocked both the negative and the positive feedback effect of exogenous E2 on pituitary LH secretion, failed to produce a surge-like incre...
Bars within bars - A mechanism for fuelling active galactic nuclei

A mechanism, applicable to AGN and nuclear starburst galaxies in which there is accretion onto a supermassive black hole (SBH), is proposed which brings in gas from large to small scales by successive dynamical instabilities. On the large scale, a stellar bar sweeps the interstellar medium into a gaseous disk a few hundred pc in radius. Under certain conditions, this disk can become unstable again, allowing material to flow inwards until turbulent viscous processes control angular-momentum transport. This flow pattern may feed viscosity-driven accretion flows around an SBH or lead to the formation of an SBH if none was present initially.
Comparative analysis of efficiency, environmental impact, and process economics for mature biomass refining scenarios

Fourteen mature technology biomass refining scenarios – involving both biological and thermochemical processing with production of fuels, power, and/or animal feed protein – are compared with respect to process efficiency, environmental impact – including petroleum use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water use–and economic profitability. The emissions analysis does not account for carbon sinks (e.g., soil carbon sequestration) or sources (e.g., forest conversion) resulting from land-use considerations. Sensitivity of the scenarios to fuel and electricity price, feedstock cost, and capital structure is also evaluated. The thermochemical scenario producing only power achieves a process efficiency of 49% (energy out as power as a percentage of feedstock energy in), 1359 kg CO2 equivalent avoided GHG emissions per Mg feedstock (current power mix basis) and a cost of $0.0575/kWh ($16/GJ), at a scale of 4535 dry Mg feedstock/day, 12% internal rate of return, 35% debt fraction, and 7% loan rate. Thermochemical scenarios producing fuels and power realize efficiencies between 55 and 64%, avoided GHG emissions between 1000 and 1179 kg/dry Mg, and costs between $0.36 and $0.57 per liter gasoline equivalent ($1.37 – $2.16 per gallon) at the same scale and financial structure. Scenarios involving biological production of ethanol with thermochemical production of fuels and/or power result in efficiencies ranging from 61 to 80%, avoided GHG emissions from 965 to 1,258 kg/dry Mg, and costs from $0.25 to $0.33 per liter gasoline equivalent ($0.96 to $1.24/gallon). Most of the biofuel scenarios offer comparable, if not lower, costs and much reduced GHG emissions (>90%) compared to petroleum-derived fuels. Scenarios producing biofuels result in GHG displacements that are comparable to those dedicated to power production (e.g., >825 kg CO2 equivalent/dry Mg biomass), especially when a future power mix less dependent upon fossil fuel is assumed. Scenarios integrating biological and thermochemical processing enable waste heat from the thermochemical process to power the biological process, resulting in higher overall process efficiencies than would otherwise be realized – efficiencies on par with petroleum-based fuels in several cases. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Responses to Lightness Variations in Early Human Visual Cortex

Lightness is the apparent reflectance of a surface, and it depends not only on the actual luminance of the surface but also on the context in which the surface is viewed [1-10]. The cortical mechanisms of lightness processing are largely unknown, and the role of early cortical areas is still a matter of debate [11-17]. We studied the cortical responses to lightness variations in early stages of the human visual system with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while observers were performing a demanding fixation task. The set of dynamically presented visual stimuli included the rectangular version of the classic Craik-O'Brien stimulus [3, 18, 19] and a variant that led to a weaker lightness effect, as well as a pattern with actual luminance variations. We found that the cortical activity in retinotopic areas, including the primary visual cortex (V1), is correlated with context-dependent lightness variations.
A comparison of three structures for estimating the age of yellow perch

Abstract The ability to determine the age of fish precisely is essential to understanding the structure and dynamics of fish populations. The goal of this study was to compare three hard structures (scales, otoliths, and dorsal fin spines) for estimating the ages of yellow perch Perca flavescens in an unexploited population in a sanctuary of Pymatuning Reservoir, Pennsylvania. Scales, dorsal fin spines, and sagittal otoliths were removed from 107 yellow perch, prepared, and examined by two independent readers. Ages assigned by the two independent readers agreed 96% of the time when using otoliths, 83% when using scales, and 80% when using spines. Pairwise comparisons (paired t-tests, α = 0.05) indicated no significant differences among the ages assigned using the three methods. Otoliths were the best structure to use for estimating yellow perch age based on high reader agreement and low coefficient of variation (CV). However, we found that scales and dorsal fin spines can be used to adequately describe th...
Energy levels of Pm149

Abstract The gamma rays of Pm149 following the beta decay of Nd149 have been studied using fast-slow coincidence techniques. A total of 18 gamma rays have been identified. Levels are established in Pm149 at 114, 188, 210, 265, 386, 535, 650 and 750 keV. The gamma-gamma directional correlation of the 270 keV-265 keV cascade has been measured and the expansion coefficients have been found to be A2 = −0.22±0.01 and A4 = 0. The energy levels found in this investigation are discussed in terms of recent nuclear models.
A new approach to wide band gap visible-light emitters

Abstract We report on a new approach to the fabrication of visible-light emitters from wide bandgap semiconductors. Our structures avoid the ohmic contacting problems which have been encountered in p-ZnSe:N devices by using only the doping types which tend to occur naturally in II–VI semiconductors. Specifically, we choose the closely lattice-matched n-CdSe/p-ZnTe heterojunction. To overcome the type-II blocking band alignment of this heterojunction, we introduce a graded alloy region which allows injection of electrons into the ZnTe while retaining the blocking offset in the valence band to inhibit injection of holes into the CdSe. Room temperature electrical characteristics and electroluminescence spectra confirm the effectiveness of this approach. Finally, we show how the emission wavelength can be shifted to blue wavelengths and beyond by expanding the bandgap of the recombination region with a Mg y Zn 1− y Te alloy.
Dual Diagnosis Among Incarcerated Populations: Exception or Rule?

ABSTRACT Objectives: Over 2 million individuals were incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States in 2004. Multiple studies indicate that the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders is substantially higher in correctional environments when compared with rates in the community. The objective of this paper is to provide information on the prevalence of dual diagnosis among those incarcerated and the importance of assessing comorbidity for determining treatment needs of inmates. For the purposes of this article, the definition of dual diagnosis includes mental disorders and coexisting substance use disorders, mental disorders and coexisting developmental disabilities, and developmental disabilities and coexisting substance abuse disorders. Methods: An extensive electronic literature search was conducted through PubMed, Medline, Department of Justice, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Studies examining the prevalence of mental illness and substance use in jail...
Stability of the allergenic soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor.

The soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (SKTI) is a 21.5 kDa allergenic protein that belongs to the family of all antiparallel β-sheet proteins that are highly resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. Spectroscopic and biochemical techniques such as circular dichroism (CD), ANS fluorescence and proteolysis were used to study its molecular structure under denaturing conditions such as acid and heat to which these allergens are commonly exposed during food processing. Reduction of native SKTI leads to its complete and rapid proteolysis by pepsin in simulated gastric fluid (SGF). Limited proteolysis with chymotrypsin during renaturation after heating showed that the native structure reforms at around 60 °C reversing the denaturation. CD spectra revealed that under acid denaturing conditions, SKTI shows major changes in conformation, indicating the possibility of a molten structure. The existence of this intermediate was established by ANS fluorescence studies at different concentrations of HCl. The remarkable stability of SKTI to both thermal and acid denaturation may be important for its role as a food allergen.
1436 A PROSPECTIVE CONTROLLED STUDY OF NASOTRACHEAL VERSUS OROTRACHEAL TUBES IN THE NEONATE

Previous studies in older children have suggested that nasotracheal (NT), as compared to orotracheal (OT), endotracheal tubes remain fixed for longer periods of time without retaping or replacement and have fewer complications. To determine if these findings were valid for neonates, 86 consecutive admissions to the IICU of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were prospectively studied. All required intubation >48 hrs. Mean birthweights were: OT - 1895±112 gms. SEM; NT - 1903±143 gms. SEM (NS). Mean gestational ages were: OT - 32.1±0.6 wks. SEM; NT - 32.9±0.5 wks. SEM (NS). Mean duration of intubation was similar: OT - 309.8±88.7 hrs. SEM; NT - 322.5±65.4 hrs. SEM (NS). During the period of intubation, there was no difference between frequency of tube retaping (OT-every 60.1±4.3 hrs. SEM; NT-every 64.7±7.7 hrs. SEM) or frequency of tube replacement (OT-every 109.3±9.0 hrs. SEM; NT-every 122.4±12.1 hrs. SEM). The incidence of pneumothorax was 4/43 (9.3%) with OT tubes and 3/43 (7.0%) with NT tubes (NS). Bacterial colonization occurred in 18.6% in the OT group and 39.5% in the NT group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Other problems occurred in 10 infants: 2 could not be nasally intubated; 4 with NT tubes developed nasal erosions; 3 babies with OT tubes developed palatal grooves. This study suggests that NT tubes offer no advantages over OT tubes in the neonatal period, either for stability or frequency of complications.
Antigenic characterization of the human immunodeficiency viruses

As more is learned about the human immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2, increasingly sophisticated methods of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) treatment and prevention may be implemented. Integral to an understanding of these viruses is an analysis of both the viral antigens and the host-immune responses to these antigens, which may differ from HIV-1 to HIV-2. Because levels of both antigen and antibody vary throughout disease development, knowledge of how and why such changes occur will lend insight into viral pathogenic mechanisms and will facilitate the development of differential diagnostic tests for classifying AIDS patients and their disease states. This task becomes very complex when dealing with HIV viruses because they possess an unprecedented number of regulatory genes for members of the retrovirus family.
Emissions and Performance of Catalysts for Gas Turbine Catalytic Combustors

Three noble-metal monolithic catalysts were tested in a 12-centimeter diameter combustion test rig to obtain emissions and performance data at conditions simulating the operation of a catalytic combustor for an automotive gas turbine engine. Tests with one of the catalysts at 800 K inlet mixture temperature 300,000 pa (3 atm) pressure, and a reference velocity (catalyst bed inlet velocity) of 10 m/sec demonstrated greater than 99 percent combustion efficiency for reaction temperatures higher than 1300 K. With a reference velocity of 25 m/sec the reaction temperature required to achieve the same combustion efficiency increased to 1380 K. The exit temperature pattern factors for all three catalysts were below 0.1 when adiabatic reaction temperatures were higher than 1400 K. The highest pressure drop was 4.5 percent at 25 m/sec reference velocity. Nitrogen oxides emissions were less than 0.1 g NO2/kg fuel for all test conditions.
Phenomena occurring at Electrically Stressed Metallic Surfaces in Long Gaps in Vacuum

MANY hypotheses have been put forward attempting to explain the initiation of electrical breakdown between metallic electrodes insulated by high vacuum1. Of these, several depend on the removal of a loosely attached aggregate of material (a clump) from one of the electrodes2,3. Attempts to prove the existence of clumps in a vacuum gap have already been reviewed4.
Parametric Studies on Dynamic Performance of Hybrid Airfoil Bearing

Airfoil bearings offer many advantages over oil-lubricated bearings, but they have reliability issues during start/stops (wear) and limited heat dissipation capability. To address these issues, a hybrid airfoil bearing (HAFB) combining hydrodynamic airfoil bearing with hydrostatic lift was introduced previously by one of the authors of this paper. Their studies show that HAFB has superior performance compared to its hydrodynamic counterpart in load capacity and cooling performance. In this article, the bearing stiffness and damping coefficients of HAFB are calculated using a linear perturbation method developed for HAFB. Simulations showed that feed parameter and supply pressure affect the dynamic characteristics of HAFB. With an increase in either the supply pressure or the feed parameter, the rotor centers itself and hence one sees a decrease in direct stiffness. Simulations showed that the cross-coupled stiffness could be reduced by increasing either the supply pressure or the feed parameter. Direct damping showed increasing trend with the supply pressure and the feed parameter. Frequency-domain analysis of the bearing coefficients was also performed. The direct damping showed marginal changes with supply pressure but showed rapid increase with increasing excitation frequencies. The damping converged to null values for all the pressures for supersynchronous excitations. The loss in damping with high stiffness values for high frequency excitation is a typical hardening effect of gas bearings. In almost all the cases, there are rapid decreases in cross-coupled stiffness and damping and the values show converging trends in supersynchronous regime.
The acute toxicity of the death camas (Zigadenus species) alkaloid zygacine in mice, including the effect of methyllycaconitine coadministration on zygacine toxicity

Death camas (Zigadenus spp.) is a common poisonous plant on foothill rangelands in western North America. The steroidal alkaloid zygacine is believed to be the primary toxic component in death camas. Poisonings on rangelands generally occur in the spring when death camas is abundant, whereas other more desirable forage species are limited in availability. In most cases where livestock are poisoned by plants in a range setting, there is more than one potential poisonous plant in that area. One common poisonous plant that is often found growing simultaneously in the same area as death camas is low larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum). Consequently, the objectives of this study were to conduct acute toxicity studies in mice and to determine if coadministration of low larkspur will exacerbate the toxicity of death camas. We first characterized the acute toxicity of zygacine in mice. The LD(50) of zygacine administered intravenously (i.v.) and orally was 2.0 ± 0.2 and 132 ± 21 mg/kg, respectively. The rate of elimination of zygacine from whole blood was determined to be 0.06 ± 0.01/min, which corresponds to an elimination half-life of 13.0 ± 2.7 min. The i.v. LD(50) of total alkaloid extracts from a Utah and a Nevada collection were 2.8 ± 0.8 and 2.2 ± 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. The i.v. LD(50) of methyllycaconitine (MLA), a major toxic alkaloid in low larkspur, was 4.6 ± 0.5 mg/kg, whereas the i.v. LD(50) of a 1:1 mixture of MLA and zygacine was 2.9 ± 0.7 mg/kg. The clinical signs in mice treated with this mixture were very similar to those of mice treated with zygacine alone, including the time of onset and death. These results suggest that there is an additive effect of coadministering these 2 alkaloids i.v. in mice. The results from this study increase knowledge and understanding regarding the acute toxicity of death camas. As combined intoxications are most likely common, this information will be useful in further developing management recommendations for ranchers and in designing additional experiments to study the toxicity of death camas to livestock.
Electrochemistry and Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Oxomolybdenum(V) Complexes with Phenoxide Ligands: Effect of Para Substituents on Redox Potentials, Heterogeneous Electron Transfer Rates, and Ionization Energies

Complexes of the form (Tp * )MoOCl(p-OC 6 H 4 X) and (Tp * )MoO(p-OC 6 H 4 X) 2 (Tp * = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-borate and X = OEt, OMe, Et, Me, H, F, Cl, Br, I, and CN) were examined by electrochemical techniques and gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy to probe the effect of the remote substituent (X) on electron-transfer reactions at the oxomolybdenum core. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that all of these neutral Mo(V) compounds undergo a quasireversible one-electron oxidation (Mo V I /Mo V ) and a quasireversible one-electron reduction (Mo V /Mo I V ) at potentials that linearly depend on the electronic influence (Hammett σ p parameter) of X. The first ionization energies for (Tp * )MoO(p-OC 6 H 4 X) 2 (X = OEt, OMe, H, F, and CN) were determined by photoelectron spectroscopy. A nearly linear correlation was found for the Mo V I /Mo V oxidation potentials in solution and the gas-phase ionization energies. Calculated heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants show a slight systematic dependence on the substituent.