cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant polyarthritis. VIII: Differences in immunopathogenesis between type II collagen arthritis and adjuvant arthritis

The severity of type II collagen-induced arthritis was found to correlate with the serum tiers of anti-type II collagen antibody, but not with cell-mediated immunity to type II collagen. In contrast, no significant levels of either the humoral or the cell-mediated immunity to type II collagen were found in ras with Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis. Pre-treatment of young rats with an oily preparation of type II collagen prevented the development of arthritis in these animals in response to a subsequent injection of oily preparation of type II collagen, but had no effect on the development of arthritis in response to a subsequent injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. It is concluded that while an immune response directed toward the injected type II collagen is responsible for the development of type II collagen arthritis, it does not play an important role in the induction of Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis.
Amylose and amylopectin branch chain reactivity in a model derivatization system

Abstract The impact of starch granule structure on amylose (AM) and amylopectin (AP) chain reactivities was investigated over a 24 h period in a model reaction system utilizing a fluorescent probe [DTAF, 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein] as a reagent. For various reaction time intervals (0.5, 4, 12, or 24 h), molecular reactivities of debranched starch derivatives were assessed via size-exclusion chromatography equipped with refractive index and fluorescence detection. For all starch chain fractions, the initial rate of derivatization (0–0.5 h) was rapid, but decreased thereafter. Starch chain reactivities followed the general order: AP long chains ≫ AM, AP medium chains > AP short chains, though both AM and AP long chain reactivities were somewhat impacted by the high relative reactivity of starch chains eluting in the AM/AP long chain boundary region. Varied starch chain reactivities were attributed to their relative locale within the granule, corroborating the impact of granule architecture on molecular-level reaction patterns of starch chains.
Using social learning theory to explain individual differences in human sexuality

To explain individual differences in human sexual expression, investigators most often stress either physiological or experiential determinants. Psychologists commonly espouse some variant of learning theory (classical conditioning, operant conditioning, or social learning theory) as an explanatory framework and a source of hypotheses and methodology. The historical use of social learning theory is described in this article, and we review its central aspects and provide examples of sexuality research in which it plays a major role. Specifically, we describe both early and current research in four broad topic areas: sexuality development, adolescent sexuality and contraceptive use, health‐related sexual behavior, and coercive sexuality. Social learning theory is then evaluated and compared with competing theories regarding its ability to explain empirical data, its predictive utility, and its parsimony.
Patients' perceptions of physicians: a pilot study of the influence of prime-time fictional medical shows.

Much criticism has fallen onto prime-time crime shows for skewing the perception the public has on crime. Could the same criticism apply to prime-time medical dramas, which tend to be among the most watched television shows today, for skewing patients' expectations? In the past, physicians on prime-time fictional medical shows tended to be depicted in a positive manner. However, today's medical dramas often portray physicians in a less positive context. The results of this study showed that television exposure only negatively affect patients' perceptions of physicians in regards to physical attractiveness and character, but not to physician propriety, power, communication, sociability, extroversion, competence, and composure. In addition, this study showed that prime-time fictional shows affect patient–physician interactions.
Correlation-Capability Studies

In missile production, a recurring problem is the measurement of derived parameters. Unlike volts, amperes, and ohms, these parameters do not lend themselves to standard black-box test equipment. Nevertheless, whatever test equipment is used for their measurement still must be closely correlated to yield consistent and reliable measures. The Span Plan, which has been successful largely because it uses range estimates rather than actual variances, has shown itself to be the most practical method for conducting correlation studies on Sidewinder missile test stations. After discussing the Span Plan in some detail, the author concludes that the Correlation Capability Program, in establishing and maintaining close correlation of test stations, has been a significant contributor to Sidewinder's success.
Value-added proposition of the GMPLS control plane in IP optical networks

We quantify the value-added proposition of the generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) distributed control plane vis a vis the centralized network management (CNM) plane. Our main objective is not to propose new protocols or algorithms, but rather to provide guidance to network operators on how to maximize the benefits of deploying a GMPLS control plane. We identify two main goals for maximizing these benefits: (1) decreasing operations costs and (2) increasing revenues through enhancing the efficiency of existing network assets as well as through enabling new services. Control plane functionalities such as dynamic routing, user-initiated end-to-end connection setup, and distributed fault management in IP optical networks are analyzed to determine optimal operating regions where their values are maximized. Extensive simulations using NSFNET topology have been carried out from which we have found that there are certain operating regions where (1) the distributed routing can improve the efficiency of network assets by saving 15% of the number of wavelengths per link, or increasing traffic loads by 20%. However, if the call interarrival time is shorter than 1 min, the efficiency (in terms of call blocking ratio) of distributed dynamic routing is reduced due to the OSPF convergence delay. (2) Enabling bandwidth on demand (BoD) services at finer bandwidth granularities connections is more cost-effective to the operator than doing the same at coarse bandwidth granularities. (3) The connection setup delay is the limiting factor in determining the types of BoD services a carrier offers. The call blocking ratio will increase quickly if the average call interarrival time is less than tens of seconds. (4) Assuming only single link failure, M:N shared protection can achieve 100% recovery at the expense of 10% increase in the number of wavelengths compared with nonprotection schemes, while saving are as high as 48% wavelengths compared with 1:1 dedicated protection.
Synthesis of (−)-3-homoshikimic acid and (−)-3-homoshikimate-3-phosphate

Abstract This title compounds 2 and 3 were synthesized in good yield from shikimic acid 1, and are of mechanistic and synthetic interest as a prospective shikimate pathway inhibitors.
Diffraction from a Liquid Crystal Phase Grating

The diffraction of light by a sinusoidal perturbation of the optic axis in a nematic liquid crystal is discussed. This corresponds to experiments at the electrohydrodynamic instability thresholds. An interesting qualitative feature appears: The diffraction pattern exhibits a contribution at half of the expected spatial frequency, corresponding to nonorthogonal traversals of the thick phase grating.
Meteorite impact - A suggestion for the origin of some stream channels on Mars

The appearance of many streamlike features on Mars indicates the formation of channels through erosion by liquid water. We suggest that streams originating at meteorite crater boundaries are the result of impact which released subsurface water trapped below the Martian surface by a layer of permafrost. Features indicating surface erosion are the presence of alluvial plains at the downstream ends of channels, an increase in stream width with distance from the meteorite craters, and a direct correlation among several examples between crater diameter and stream length. Water released from the subsurface is preferred over rainfall as a mechanism for the origin of stream channels originating from craters on Mars.
Sectoral Employment, Wages and The Exchange Rate: Evidence From The U.S.

The literature on the impact of devaluation on domestic production includes many studies that have used aggregate output data such as real GDP. A few recent studies have began looking at the response of sectoral output to currency depreciation. In this paper we consider eight sectors of the U.S. economy and investigate the production, nominal wages and the real wages of each sector to depreciation of the dollar using a new cointegration technique that does not require testing for unit roots. The main conclusion of the paper is that while depreciation of the dollar has short-run impact on all three variables, it has no long-run effects in most sectors.
Measurable and Continuous Performance Improvement: The Development of a Performance Measurement, Management, and Improvement System

Performance management systems are widely employed in organizations, yet there are high rates of dissatisfaction among users as well as significant criticism of the quality and utility of related academic research. Poor measurement of performance indicators and, consequently, poor alignment to performance management interventions may limit the effectiveness of efforts to strategically assess and manage human performance. Following an overview of pertinent literature in human resource disciplines as well as human performance technology, we draw on relevant theories to develop a Performance Measurement, Management, and Improvement System that aligns performance measurement with strategic, tactical, and operational goals and generates meaningful data to drive performance interventions and decisions. We outline a research agenda with recommendations for research across levels and contexts of human performance as well as within different cultural settings and globally distributed organizations. Finally, we propose that empirical validation employ analytic network processing, a technique for modeling complex processes.
Attempts to prepare alkylidene zirconium complexes by α-hydrogen atom abstraction

We prepared several new neopentyl halide complexes of zirconium in order to test whether they could be induced to lose neopentane and give neopentylidene complexes by adding phosphorus or nitrogen donor ligands. ZrNp2X2 (X  Cl or Br) can be prepared in ether and isolated as a dietherate (an oil). It reacts with L (L  PMe3, PMe2Ph, NEt3, 12 DMPE, 12 TMEDA) to give ZrNp2X2L2. ZrNp3Cl can be prepared by adding MgNp2 to ZrNp2Cl2(ether)2 and isolated by sublimation in 25% yield. On adding PMe3 or TMEDA, it disproportionates to ZrNp4 and ZrNp2Cl2L2. ZrCp″NpCl2 (Cp″ = η5-C5Me5), ZrCp″Np2Cl, and ZrCp″Np3 were prepared by adding MgNp2 to ZrCp″Cl3. Only the last is a solid, only the first forms an adduct, ZrCp″NpCl2(PMe3). None of the complexes decomposed to tractable products in the presence of L. Photolysis of ZrNp2Cl2(PMe3)2 yielded [Zr(PMe3)2Cl3]2 by an apparently complex reaction initiated by homolytic ZrNp bond fission.
Roads, Railroads, and Floodplain Fragmentation Due to Transportation Infrastructure Along Rivers

River floodplains comprise about 7 percent of the land area of the United States and are areas of great biodiversity and ecological productivity, much of which is due to the many connections between terrestrial and aquatic systems in these settings. The flat topography of floodplains, however, means that they are also ideal sites for transportation infrastructure that can disconnect the river from the surrounding landscape. Few studies have examined the role of roads and railroads as components of river system structure and function at landscape scales. In this study, we use geographic information systems (GIS) and easily obtainable data to map the extent of floodplain disconnection caused by transportation infrastructure across two river basins in Washington State. Digital geologic or soils data, along with digital elevation data, provide the extent of total floodplain area, and transportation data define the extent of disconnection. Our results show that 44 percent to 58 percent of the total floodplain ...
The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model for evaluating herd nutrition and nutrient excretion

The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) is a mathematical model that estimates cattle requirements and nutrient supply based on animal, environmental, and feed compositional information in diverse production situations. Predicted animal requirements account for different physiological states (lactation, pregnancy, and growth), body reserves and environmental effects. The CNCPS uses feed carbohydrate and protein degradation and passage rates to predict extent of ruminal fermentation, microbial protein production, post-ruminal absorption, and total supply of metabolizable energy and protein to the animal. The CNCPS has been used successfully on beef and dairy cattle farms to evaluate and formulate rations. In an evaluation with individually fed growing cattle, the CNCPS accounted for 89% of the variation in ADG with a 7.4% underprediction bias. When the CNCPS was evaluated with data from individual dairy cows where the appropriate inputs were measured and changes in energy reserves were accounted for, the CNCPS accounted for 90% of the variation in actual milk production of individual cows with a 1.3% bias. The model accounted for 76% of the variation in individual cow milk production with an 8% underprediction bias when energy was first limiting in high producing cows, and accounted for 84% of the variation with a 1.1% overprediction bias when protein was first limiting.
A resource‐based analysis of global competition: The case of the bearings industry

This paper critically examines the contribution of aspects of the resource-based view of the firm to global competition in particular, and to strategic management in general. Three concepts—core competence, organizational capability, and administrative heritage—are defined and compared with the current mainstream economic tradition of strategy. The value of these concepts in analyzing and explaining competitive strategy is determined through a detailed field-based case study of three firms in the worldwide bearings industry. It is found that the resource-based view of the firm complements economic analysis, and that both are essential to a complete understanding of global strategy.
Enhancing communications and connectivity in Africa: the multilateral initiative on malaria (MIM) model.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine, working in concert with the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM), has developed and implemented a unique organizational and technical strategy to connect malaria research sites to the Internet for purposes of facilitating North-South scientific communications and access to electronic information resources on the Web. The model employs microwave and VSAT technologies, and shares bandwidth and costs among participating malaria research sites and their respective research funders in Mali, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and other sub-Saharan locations affiliated with MIM. The concept of institutional partnership is an essential element of this information technology capacity building effort, which may find applicability in other developing regions of the world with similar communications and research networking needs and capabilities.
Art across generations: Daughters talking about fathers, writing and memory: A conversation with Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett and Laura Levitt

Women & Performance hosted this panel on 6 February 2008 as part of the Tuesday Night Forum Series (TNFS) in the Performance Studies Department at New York University. We have included a transcript of that lively discussion below and brief introductions from Kirshenblatt-Gimblett and Levitt to help set the stage.
Support Vector Machine-Based Endmember Extraction

Introduced in this paper is the utilization of support vector machines (SVMs) to semiautomatically perform endmember extraction from hyperspectral data. The strengths of SVM are exploited to provide a fast and accurate calculated representation of high-dimensional data sets that may consist of multiple distributions. Once this representation is computed, the number of distributions can be determined without prior knowledge. For each distribution, an optimal transform can be determined that preserves informational content while reducing the data dimensionality and, hence, the computational cost. Finally, endmember extraction for the whole data set is accomplished. Results indicate that this SVM-based endmember extraction algorithm has the capability of semiautonomously determining endmembers from multiple clusters with computational speed and accuracy while maintaining a robust tolerance to noise.
Analysis of NLRP3 in the Development of Allergic Airway Disease in Mice

The contribution of NLRP3, a member of the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat–containing (NLR) family, to the development of allergic airway disease is currently controversial. In this study, we used multiple allergic asthma models to examine the physiologic role of NLRP3. We found no significant differences in airway eosinophilia, histopathologic condition, mucus production, and airway hyperresponsiveness between wild-type and Nlrp3 −/− mice in either acute (alum-dependent) or chronic (alum-independent) OVA models. In addition to the OVA model, we did not detect a role for NLRP3 in the development of allergic airway disease induced by either acute or chronic house dust mite Ag exposure. Although we did not observe significant phenotypic differences in any of the models tested, we did note a significant reduction of IL-13 and IL-33 in Nlrp3 −/− mice compared with wild-type controls in the chronic OVA model without added alum. In all of the allergic airway disease models, the NLRP3 inflammasome-associated cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the lung were below the level of detection. In sum, this report surveyed four different allergic asthma models and found a modest and selected role for NLRP3 in the alum-free OVA model. However, this difference did not greatly alter the clinical outcome of the disease. This finding suggests that the role of NLRP3 in allergic asthma must be re-evaluated.
The Artificial Urinary Sphincter is Superior to a Secondary Transobturator Male Sling in Cases of a Primary Sling Failure

Purpose: We compared continence outcomes in patients with post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence treated with a salvage artificial urinary sphincter vs a secondary transobturator sling.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing salvage procedures after sling failure from 2006 to 2012. Postoperative success was defined as the use of 0 or 1 pad, a negative stress test and pad weight less than 8 gm per day. We performed the Wilcoxon test and used a Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results: A total of 61 men presenting with sling failure were included in study, of whom 32 went directly to an artificial urinary sphincter and 29 received a secondary sling. Of the artificial urinary sphincter cohort 47% underwent prior external beam radiation therapy vs 17% of the secondary sling cohort (p = 0.01). Average preoperative 24 hour pad weight and pad number were higher in the artificial urinary sphincter cohort. Median followup in artificial ur...
Spatial distribution of foot-and-mouth disease in Pakistan estimated using imperfect data.

We estimated the spatial distribution of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Pakistan; we used a probability co-kriging model and the number of FMD outbreaks reported between 1996 and 2000 by PakistantotheOffice International desEpizooties.Weuseda k-Besselmodel andsmall-ruminant and human densities as surrogate covariates for the population at risk and for livestock markets and movements, respectively. Compared to no or only one covariate, the co-kriging model with both densities provided the best fit to independently obtained data on the spatial distribution of virus isolations (P = 0.57). The estimated probability of an FMD outbreak per 25 km 2 cell ranged from 0.017 to 0.812, with the maximum relative probability of 47.8 (0.812/0.017). Areas with the highest relative probability of having an FMD outbreak were located in the Punjab region; this is a major animal-production area located along a traditional international animal-trade route. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Immunological cell and serum metabolite response of 60-week-old commercial laying hens to an alfalfa meal molt diet.

The practice of induced molting involves the restriction of light, feed removal and optionally water for 5–14 days. However, there is growing concern regarding feed removal and animal welfare issues. With this in mind, alternative diets have been developed to produce similar molting eVects as that of feed deprivation. Alfalfa, which largely consists of insoluble Wber, can be used as a molting diet. In this study, heterophil and lymphocyte counts, serum chemistry, and organ weight parameters were evaluated in hens that were deprived of feed or fed alfalfa during a nine day induced molt. Full-fed hens were used as the control. Blood serum parameters assessed included calcium, magnesium, glucose, total protein, ketone bodies, uric acid, and cholesterol. White blood cells were counted and categorized by cell type. On the ninth day of the trial, the hens were euthanized and the liver, spleen, heart, intestine, pancreas, ovary, oviduct, and kidney were collected and weighed. On day 8 birds molted with alfalfa or by feed deprivation had signiWcantly higher (P 0.05) in either heterophil or lymphocyte percentages. However, heterophil percentages were higher in feed withdrawal birds than full-fed birds on day 4 but lymphocyte percentages were higher in full-fed birds compared to feed withdrawal birds. On day 8 of the induced molt lymphocyte percentages were higher from full-fed birds when compared to feed withdrawal birds but no signiWcant diVerences were detectable for heterophil percentages. Based on reproductive organ weight loss and changes in serum and immunological responses of birds during molt, it appears that alfalfa meal can be an eVective molt induction alternative. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
A comparative study of zwitterionic ligands-mediated mineralization and the potential of mineralized zwitterionic matrices for bone tissue engineering

Cationic and anionic residues of the extracellular matrices (ECM) of bone play synergistic roles in recruiting precursor ions and templating the nucleation, growth and crystalline transformations of calcium apatite in natural biomineralization. We previously reported that zwitterionic sulfobetaine ligands can template extensive 3-dimensional (3-D) hydroxyapatite (HA)-mineralization of photo-crosslinked polymethacrylate hydrogels. Here, we compared the potency of two other major zwitterionic ligands, phosphobetaine and carboxybetaine, with that of the sulfobetaine in mediating 3-D mineralization using a crosslinked polymethacrylate hydrogel platform. We confirmed that all three zwitterionic hydrogels were able to effectively template 3-D mineralization, supporting the general ability of zwitterions to mediate templated mineralization. Among them, however, sulfobetaine and phosphobetaine hydrogels templated denser 3-D mineralization than the carboxybetaine hydrogel, likely due to their higher free water fractions and better maintenance of zwitterionic nature throughout the pH-changes during the in vitro mineralization process. We further demonstrated that the extensively mineralized zwitterionic hydrogels could be exploited for efficient retention (e.g. 99% retention after 24 h incubation in PBS) of osteogenic growth factor recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and subsequent sustained local release with retained bioactivity. Combined with the excellent cytocompatibility of all three zwitterionic hydrogels and the significantly improved cell adhesive properties of their mineralized matrices, these materials could find promising applications in bone tissue engineering.
Salary Market Equity at the University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries: A Case Study Follow-up

During the 1995–1996 academic year, the University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries received market equity funds to increase librarian salaries to the median Association of American University librarian salary. One stipulation of the university administration required that the market equity funds be distributed over four years rather than in a single year. In an earlier article, the authors predicted that, as result of spreading the increase over four years, salaries of libraries faculty would only reach the 1996–1997 mean in 2000–2001. This follow-up study analyzes the results of distributing the equity funds over the four years between 1995–1996 and 2000–2001. It finds that during that time, the University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries rose from the bottom quartile of its comparison group to the top quartile when ranked by median salary, suggesting that spreading the equity over four years did not significantly impact the final salaries. Detailed analysis, however, reveals that although the overall salary pool rose in its comparison group, many individual librarians’ salaries did not reach market. This study concludes that the increase in overall ranking was due to a fundamental change in the profile of the faculty rather than to the application of market equity funds. The failure of some salaries to increase to market can likely be attributed to changes in the market rate of each position classification. Further, although the application of market equity might have been improved had the distances between the market and the librarians’ salaries been recalculated each of the four years, internal and external factors may have made that impractical.
Double label counting of metal nuclides with 3H or 14C by liquid scintillation counting.

Abstract The photon spectra and counting efficiencies of 109 Cd, 115 m Cd, 203 Hg, and 65 Zn obtained by liquid scintillation counting are presented. Although these nuclides undergo multiple modes of radioactive transformation, the photon energies are sufficiently grouped within a certain energy range to allow simultaneous counting with either 3 H or 14 C in double-label experiments. The simultaneous assay of 3 H with 115 m Cd and 14 C with 65 Zn was demonstrated with rat liver cytosol fractionated by gel filtration chromatography.
The American Psychiatric Association's resource document on mental retardation and capital sentencing: implementing Atkins v. Virginia

State legislatures need guidance in implementing the United States Supreme Court's decision in Atkins v. Virginia barring execution of mentally retarded offenders. In this Resource Document, the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Psychiatry and Law, the component charged with developing policies and positions relating to forensic psychiatry, recommends statutory language addressing the definition of mental retardation, procedures relating to its assessment, and qualifications of testifying experts.
Grammaticality Judgment in Aphasia: Deficits Are Not Specific to Syntactic Structures, Aphasic Syndromes, or Lesion Sites

We examined the abilities of aphasic patients to make grammaticality judgments on English sentences instantiating a variety of syntactic structures. Previous studies employing this metalinguistic task have suggested that aphasic patients typically perform better on grammaticality judgment tasks than they do on sentence comprehension tasks, a finding that has informed the current view that grammatical knowledge is relatively preserved in agrammatic aphasia. However, not all syntactic structures are judged equally accurately, and several researchers have attempted to provide explanatory principles to predict which structures will pose problems to agrammatic patients. One such proposal is Grodzinsky and Finkel's (1998) claim that agrammatic aphasics are selectively impaired in their ability to process structures involving traces of maximal projections. In this study, we tested this claim by presenting patients with sentences with or without such traces, but also varying the level of difficulty of both kinds of structures, assessed with reference to the performance of age-matched and young controls. We found no evidence that agrammatic aphasics, or any other subgroup, are selectively impaired on structures involving traces: Some judgments involving traces were made quite accurately, whereas other judgments not involving traces were made very poorly. Subgroup analyses revealed that patient groups and age-matched controls had remarkably similar profiles of performance across sentence types, regardless of whether the patients were grouped based on Western Aphasia Battery classification, an independent screening test for agrammatic comprehension, or lesion site. This implies that the pattern of performance across sentence types does not result from any particular component of the grammar, or any particular brain region, being selectively compromised. Lesion analysis revealed that posterior temporal areas were more reliably implicated in poor grammaticality judgment performance than anterior areas, but poor performance was also observed with some anterior lesions, suggesting that areas important for syntactic processing are distributed throughout the left peri-sylvian region.
Innate Immune Recognition

▪ Abstract The innate immune system is a universal and ancient form of host defense against infection. Innate immune recognition relies on a limited number of germline-encoded receptors. These receptors evolved to recognize conserved products of microbial metabolism produced by microbial pathogens, but not by the host. Recognition of these molecular structures allows the immune system to distinguish infectious nonself from noninfectious self. Toll-like receptors play a major role in pathogen recognition and initiation of inflammatory and immune responses. Stimulation of Toll-like receptors by microbial products leads to the activation of signaling pathways that result in the induction of antimicrobial genes and inflammatory cytokines. In addition, stimulation of Toll-like receptors triggers dendritic cell maturation and results in the induction of costimulatory molecules and increased antigen-presenting capacity. Thus, microbial recognition by Toll-like receptors helps to direct adaptive immune responses ...
A fast active power filter to correct line voltage sags

An active power filter for compensating voltage sags that occur on a weak AC power system is described. The proposed active power filter is especially suitable in situations where sensitive data processing and other critical loads are to be operated on a weak AC system. The proposed filter is fast acting and simple in design. A design procedure based on IEEE/ANSI voltage withstand tolerance (IEEE standard 446-1987) is proposed. Laboratory tests on a prototype filter show fast response and linear correction characteristics. >
Liquid nitrogen breakdown due to thermally generated bubbles in plane-plane electrode geometry

Liquid nitrogen is used as the cryogen and dielectric for many high temperature superconducting, high voltage applications. When a quench in the superconductor occurs, bubbles are generated which can affect the dielectric breakdown properties of the liquid nitrogen. Experiments were performed using plane-plane electrode geometry where bubbles were introduced into the gap through a pinhole in the ground electrode. Bubbles were generated using one or more kapton heaters producing heater powers up to 30 W. Pressure was varied from 100–250 kPa. Breakdown strength was found to be relatively constant up to a given heater power and pressure at which the breakdown strength drops to a low value depending on the pressure. After the drop the breakdown strength continues to drop gradually at higher heater power. At low heater power the breakdown strength increases with pressure nonlinearly saturating at around 200 kPa, while the breakdown strength at high heater power increases according to Paschen law indicating a gas gap breakdown which is believed to be due to the formation of vapor bridge in liquid nitrogen. The heater power at which the breakdown strength changes from that of liquid nitrogen to that of gas nitrogen increases with increasing pressure. The data can provide design constraints for high temperature superconducting fault current limiters so that the formation of a vapor bridge can be suppressed.
Thyratron-PFN, IGBT hybrid, and direct switched modulator R&D as it effects klystron protection

Modulator development is an ongoing program at SLAC. The Stanford Linear Accelerator with its approximately 240 klystrons and modulators operates for 6000 plus hours a year. This operation gives SLAC an important insight into component and system reliability in the high voltage environment. The planned NLC is approximately 10 times the size of SLAC and the high voltage modulator klystron systems are one of the largest cost drivers. This paper contains a brief progress report on the optimized line modulator and touches on solid-state advances, which make solid-state, high-power pulse modulators the wave of the future. Klystron protection remains a critical issue along with modulator reliability, efficiency and cost. Configurations whereby multiple klystrons are paralleled on a single modulator may exacerbate the problem. The majority of this paper discusses tests at SLAC of klystron arcs on line-type modulators with single and double klystron loads. This talk may introduce and refer to other talks at this conference and other conferences by national and foreign laboratory collaborators and industry, specifically in relation to DOE SBIR programs.
Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Torques and Fatigue Generated by Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With Three Different Waveforms

Background and Purpose. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is used by physical therapists to improve muscle performance. Optimal forms of stimulation settings are yet to be determined, as are possible sex-related differences in responsiveness to electrical stimulation. The objectives of the study were: (1) to compare the ability of 3 different waveforms to generate isometric contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscles of individuals without known impairments, (2) to compare muscle fatigue caused by repeated contractions induced by these same waveforms, and (3) to examine the effect of sex on muscle force production and fatigue induced by electrical stimulation. Subjects. Fifteen women and 15 men (mean age=29.5 years, SD=5.4, range=22–38) participated in the study. Methods. A portable battery-operated stimulator was used to generate either a monophasic or biphasic rectangular waveform. A stimulator that was plugged into an electrical outlet was used to generate a 2,500-Hz alternating current. Phase duration, frequency, and on-off ratios were kept identical for both stimulators. Participants did not know the type of waveform being used. Torque was measured using a computerized dynamometer: a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the right quadriceps femoris muscle set at 60 degrees of knee flexion was determined during the first session. In each of the 3 testing sessions, torque of contraction and fatigue elicited by one waveform were measured. Order of testing was randomized. Torque elicited by electrical stimulation was expressed as a percentage of average MVIC. A mixed-model analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of stimulation and sex on strength of contraction and fatigue. Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests were used to further distinguish between the effects of the 3 stimulus waveforms. Results. The results indicated that the monophasic and biphasic waveforms generated contractions with greater torque than the polyphasic waveform. These 2 waveforms also were less fatiguing. The torques from the maximally tolerated electrically elicited contractions were greater for the male subjects than for the female subjects. Discussion and Conclusion. Muscle torque and fatigue of electrically induced contractions depend on the waveform used to stimulate the contraction, with monophasic and biphasic waveforms having an advantage over the polyphasic waveform. All tested waveforms elicited, on average, stronger contractions in male subjects than in female subjects when measured as a percentage of MVIC.
Piriformis syndrome in a patient after cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Abstract Objectives The diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of piriformis syndrome as a cause of persistent buttock and hip pain after spinal anesthesia are presented in this case report. Case report A 29-year-old woman presented 5 days after cesarean delivery with sudden onset of pain in the left buttock and left hip radiating to the posterior knee with fever. She was subsequently diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. Conclusions Back pain with radiation into the buttocks after spinal anesthesia is frequently attributed to the spinal procedure itself. However, prolonged sitting and weight bearing in the upright position after cesarean delivery can cause sciatic nerve compression at the sacroiliac joint with concomitant irritation, inflammation, and spasm of the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is frequently underdiagnosed in the obstetric population. Because the diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is based mainly on clinical signs and symptoms, the clinician must have a high index of suspicion.
Lithium: a regeneration of interest.

At a recent clinical psychopharmacology conference I was pleased to hear a review of the studies of Lithium’s usefulness in the treatment of mental health disorders, as well as some asides regarding its neuroprotective qualities. I thought readers might enjoy an overview of the multiple fascinating aspects of this natural element that, as a pharmaceutical, has minimal marketing and few spokespersons. BRIEF REVIEW OF LITHIUM AND ITS RESEARCH Many may know the story of John Cade’s 1940s exploratory research with lithium salts in Australia, when he was the chief mental hygiene officer for a state hospital in Victoria province. Dr. Cade developed his own research design and tested these salts in ten patients with manic psychosis at his hospital, publishing the results in 1949 (Cade, 1949). By the 1970s, lithium salts were the gold standard for the treatment of bipolar mania. The risks for neurotoxicity when blood levels of lithium exceed the narrow therapeutic window, as well as longer term effects on thyroid and kidneys, as well as tremor, have contributed to it falling out of favor with the advent of newer mood stabilizers and the increased use of atypical antipsychotics for bipolar disorder. (Again, this natural generic substance also has no paid speakers nor direct to consumer television advertising.) At present, lithium salts (carbonate or citrate) are prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorders much more frequently in other countries than in the United States. Nevertheless several renowned US clinical psychopharmacology researchers have studied lithium throughout long and distinguished careers, particularly Frederick Goodwin and Ross Baldessarini. The work from their laboratories and their mentoring of scientists have
Efficiency of phenoxyethanol at removing formaldehyde from immersion fixed muscle tissue.

Summary The propensities of several fluids for extracting formaldehyde from fixed muscle tissue were compared. Following formalin fixation, similar samples of muscle tissue were immersed in solutions of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% phenoxyethanol, 40% ethanol, 25% ethylene glycol or water. Following storage periods of 4, 25, 50 or 100 days, the formaldehyde content of the fluids was determined by sodium sulfite titration. The solution containing 40% ethanol was clearly superior to the others. Solutions containing 2% or 4% phenoxyethanol were least effective and there was a significant inverse linear relationship between the concentration of phenoxyethanol and amount of formaldehyde extracted. This suggests that phenoxyethanol decreases the ability of water to extract formaldehyde from fixed tissues.
RNA blood levels of osteopontin splice variants are cancer markers

Purpose: Despite a sizeable and continuously growing literature on osteopontin and cancer the molecule has not yet found entry into clinical diagnostics. Our identification of spliced variants that are more specific for cancer than the full-length transcript has opened new possibilities for reaching this goal. Methods: Here we have developed a real-time RT-PCR blood test and evaluated it in a pilot study of breast, lung, pancreatic, gynecologic, and other cancers, compared to non-cancer controls. Results: Osteopontin-b was increased in lung cancers and pancreatic cancers. When applying a cutoff of 2 standard deviations above normal, elevation in osteopontin-b transcripts detected over 40% of lung cancers. Osteopontin-c was increased in gynecologic and pancreatic cancers. Elevation in osteopontin-c of 2 standard deviations above the normal mean value also detected a fraction of breast cancers and lung cancers, suggesting heterogeneity within those types of tumors. Specifically, breast carcinomas were associated with significantly higher levels of osteopontin-c mRNA in the blood than carcinomas in situ. In lung cancer patients, the osteopontin-c blood RNA levels had an increasing trend with tumor grade. Conclusions: Osteopontin-b and -c in the blood are biomarkers for distinct cancers. Our investigations may have bearing on cancer screening and diagnosis.
Diurnal/Nocturnal Activity of Rove Beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama Assayed by Flight Intercept Trap

Abstract A flight intercept trap was used for 12 days on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, to assay the diversity of staphylinid beetles, and to provide data on which are diurnal and/or nocturnal. The trap was sampled twice over a 24 h period, providing data for diurnal/nocturnal activity for these beetles. In total 1,349 specimens and 35 genera of Staphylinidae were caught, representing nine subfamilies. Of these 1,349 specimens, 1036 (76.8%, P < 0.01 t-test) were caught during the day, and 313 (23.2%) were caught during the night. Aleocharinae is the most abundant subfamily (57.5%), followed by Staphylininae (13.1%). Details are given for the diurnal/nocturnal activity of each taxon captured.
Research of Directed Spanning Tree Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSN), two major challenges are to maximize network lifetime and to enhance the tolerance of networks. Both of them are related to routing protocol. Therefore, a routing protocol that is called directed spanning tree (DST) is proposed. In this paper, the construction of directed tree-based communication path and the data aggregation mechanism based on DST are discussed. For overcoming the frangibility of traditional routing protocols during nodes failure, a directed tree reconstruction scenario is also explored. Furthermore, the proposed protocol is evaluated in comparison with the existing protocols from the effect of energy saving to the failure-tolerance. With the simulation, the performance of DST is verified to be efficient and available.
Toward Understanding the Fame Game: The Effect of Mortality Salience on the Appeal of Fame

Although the appeal of fame in society seems to be increasing, experimental research has yet to examine the motivations that may underlie this apparent appeal. As a first step toward doing so, we conducted three studies to assess whether concerns with mortality play a role in these phenomena. Based on terror management theory and research, we hypothesized that reminders of death would increase people's desire for fame and admiration of celebrities. In Study 1, mortality salience led participants to report greater desire for fame. In Study 2, mortality salience produced greater interest in having a star in the galaxy named after oneself. In Study 3, mortality salience increased liking for abstract art when it was attributed to a celebrity. These findings suggest that the appeal of fame is based in part on the desire for symbolic continuance beyond death. Discussion focused on the implications of these findings and remaining issues.
Dynamic channel assignment and power allocation in multichannel wireless networks with per-user bandwidth guarantees

We address the joint channel assignment and power allocation question in a multichannel wireless (access point) network where channel states differ across channels as well as users, and vary with time. Our goal is to obtain channel assignment and power allocation solutions that can dynamically adapt to changing channel conditions, and would maximize system throughput under per-user bandwidth (QoS) constraints, in a long-term sense. Using stochastic optimization techniques, we obtain an optimal scheduling policy that operates without knowledge of arrival rates and channel statistics (depending only on the instantaneous channel states and the queue lengths), and attains the overall system throughput that is arbitrarily close to the maximum achievable value with all per-user bandwidth constraints satisfied.
Generalized Linear Latent Variable Modeling for Multi-Group Studies

Latent variable modeling is commonly used in behavioral, social, and medical science research. The models used in such analysis relate all observed variables to latent common factors. In many applications, the observations are highly non normal or discrete, e.g., polytomous responses or counts. The existing approaches for non normal observations can be considered lacking in several aspects, especially for multi-group samples situations. We propose a generalized linear model approach for multi-sample latent variable analysis that can handle a broad class of non normal and discrete observations, and that furnishes meaningful interpretation and inference in multi-group studies through maximum likelihood analysis. A Monte Carlo EM algorithm is proposed for parameter estimation. The convergence assessment and standard error estimation is addressed. Simulation studies are reported to show the usefulness of the our approach. An example from a substance abuse prevention study is also presented.