cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiative decay of vector quarkonium: Constraints on glueballs and light gluinos.

Given a resonance of known mass, width, and ${\mathit{J}}^{\mathit{P}\mathit{C}}$, we can determine its gluonic branching fraction ${\mathit{b}}_{\mathit{R}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathit{g}\mathit{g}}$ from data on it s production in radiative vector quarkonium decay V\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}R. For most resonances ${\mathit{b}}_{\mathit{R}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathit{g}\mathit{g}}$ is found to be \ensuremath{\sim}10%, consistent with being qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} states, but we find that both pseudoscalars observed in the 1440 MeV region have ${\mathit{b}}_{\mathit{R}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathit{g}\mathit{g}}$\ensuremath{\sim}1/2-1, and b(${\mathit{f}}_{0}^{++}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}gg)\ensuremath{\sim}1/2. As data improve, ${\mathit{b}}_{\mathit{R}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathit{g}\mathit{g}}$ should be a useful discriminator between qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} and gluonic states and may permit quantitative determination of the extent to which a particular resonance is a mixture of glueball and qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}. We also examine the regime of validity of PQCD for predicting the rate of V\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{\mathit{g}\mathrm{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}}$, the ``extra'' pseudoscalar bound state which would exist if there were light gluinos. From the CUSB limit on peaks in \ensuremath{\Upsilon}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}X, the mass range 3 GeV\ensuremath{\lesssim}m(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{\mathit{g}\mathrm{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}}$)\ensuremath{\lesssim}7 GeV can be excluded. An experiment must be significantly more sensitive to exclude an ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{\mathit{g}\mathrm{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}}$ lighter than this.
Convex Costs and the Incentive for Vertical Control

This paper builds on the successive monopoly literature and demonstrates that fixed proportions technology downstream and inelastic final demand are not sufficient to eliminate the incentive for vertical control. As long as downstream marginal costs increase, the incentive remains. Moreover, if the downstream firm can influence the convexity of costs, a social as well as a private incentive for such control exists. This results from the ability of a downstream monopolist to increase its profit on infra-marginal units by choosing a wasteful technology, a technology which the integrated firm avoids.
Something wicked this way comes: huntingtin

Does cell-to-cell spreading of misfolded proteins occur in all neurodegenerative disorders? A study in this issue of Nature Neuroscience now demonstrates propagation of mutant huntingtin in brain slice cultures and in vivo, thereby extending the process of cell-to-cell propagation of misfolded proteins to Huntington's disease.
Mössbauer-effect study of ferromagnetic D O 3 -structured iron-aluminum-silicon alloys

M\"ossbauer-effect spectroscopy has been used to measure the temperature dependence of the $^{57}\mathrm{Fe}$ effective magnetic hyperfine field ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ and isomer shift $\ensuremath{\delta}$ across the entire ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ system ($0l~xl~1$) from 77 K to the Curie temperature, the latter also being determined from these measurements. The observed dependence of ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ on Al concentration can be qualitatively understood in terms of the calculated band structure of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$Si. The changes in ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ at the $B$ sites with increasing Al concentration are due primarily to a decrease in the number of spin-up electrons at these sites, whereas the changes in ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ at the $A$,$C$ sites result primarily from a decrease in the number of spin-down electrons at these sites.
Failure to thrive: Parental indicators, types, and outcomes

The present study clinically evaluated and followed 42 parents and their infants with environmental failure to thrive (FTT) to determine if the type of FTT is related to assessments of parental awareness/cooperation, subsequent FTT outcome, and later neglect. The relationships between the parent's Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory scores and the clinical measures were determined. As expected, the type of FTT was related to the degree of parental awareness/cooperation and to FTT outcome. The degree of parental awareness/cooperation was predictive of FTT outcome. However, no relationships were found between FTT type, parental awareness/cooperation, FTT outcome and later neglect. In contrast, while the CAP scores were not related to FTT type, parental awareness/cooperation, and FTT outcome, they were predictive of later neglect.
High-performance, transparent conducting oxides based on cadmium stannate

We discuss the modeling of thin films of transparent conducting oxides and we compare the predictions with the observed properties of cadmium stannate. Thin films of this material were deposited using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The Drude free-carrier model is used to model the optical and electrical properties. The model demonstrates the need for high mobilities. The free-carrier absorbance in the visible spectrum is used as a comparative figure-of-merit for cadmium stannate and tin oxide. This shows that free-carrier absorbance is much less in cadmium stannate than in tin oxide. X-ray diffraction shows that annealed films consist of a single-phase spinel structure. The post-deposition annealing sequence is shown to be crucial to forming a single phase, which is vital for optimal optical and electrical properties. The films are typically high mobility (up to 65 cm2 V−1 s−1) and have carrier concentrations as high as 1021 cm−3. Resistivities are as low as 1.3 10−4 Ω. cm, the lowest values reported for cadmium stannate. Atomic force microscopy indicates that the root-mean-square surface roughness is approximately ±15A. Cadmium stannate etches readily in both hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid, which is a commanding advantage over tin oxide.
Soft X-Ray Imaging (SXRI) Diagnostic with 50PS Time Resolution for Use at NIF and Omega

Summary form only given. Two-dimensional time-resolved images of thermal X-rays have been extensively used in hohlraum experiments at OMEGA and NOVA to study diagnostic hole closure, thermal X-ray burnthrough, and spatial profiles of laser entrance holes. The soft X-ray imager built for the first experiments at the National Ignition Facility had four soft X-ray channels plus a hard X-ray channel and was mated to a four strip gated imager (the FXI). This produced four soft X-ray images per strip, separated in time by 50 ps. The soft X-ray channels consist of a mirror plus a filter. The diagnostic was used to study soft X-ray burnthrough of hot hohlraum targets
Nutrient content and edible yield of selected cuts of cooked pork.

Analysis of lean-type pork cooked by standard methods showed that cooking to a final internal temperature of 77°C for fresh cuts, and 71°C for cured meats resulted in increased amounts of several essential nutrients. Edible yield was similar to that reported from earlier studies, while amounts of internal fat were somewhat lower. Levels of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin and of several minerals were found to be slightly higher than Handbook 8 values. Cobalamin and zinc from 100g of edible lean would provide approximately 10% and 20–35% of the respective recommended daily allowances. Iron contents were lower than previously reported for pork.
Isolation, Interaction, and Island Archaeology

have spent several decades discussingand debating the relative importanceof isolation vs. interaction in the cul-tural and biological evolution of is-land peoples. The papers in this spe-cial section—including the commen-taries by Broodbank (2008) and Terrell(2008)—as well as recent contributionsbyAnderson(2006),BoomertandBright(2007), Fitzpatrick et al. (2007), Moss(2004), and Rainbird (2007) cover thehistory and nuances of this debate ad-mirably and make important method-ological and theoretical contributions toisland and coastal archaeology. Terrell’s(2008) rhetorical question about whatthe ‘Average Joe’ might think of suchscholarly debates is a compelling re-minder that common sense often pro-vides the best test for how useful ourreconstructions are to archaeologists,other scholars, and the general public.For me, after reviewing numerous‘isolationist’ and ‘interactionist’ argu-ments, common sense suggests that: (1)the geography of islands around theworld varies tremendously, as does the
Elastin metabolism in pelvic tissues: Is it modulated by reproductive hormones?

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of relaxin on extracellular matrix protein expression in pelvic fibroblasts that were cultured from women with stress urinary incontinence compared with asymptomatic control subjects. Study design Periurethral vaginal wall fibroblasts from premenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence and continent women (in both the proliferative and secretory phase of the menstrual cycle) were stimulated with increasing concentrations of relaxin (0-500 ng/mL). The supernatant was sampled for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 by zymography. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 and α-1 antitrypsin were evaluated with Western blot. Total elastase activity was measured by generation of free amino groups from succinylated elastin. Increasing concentrations of α-1 antitrypsin were added to cell lysate to evaluate total elastase activity inhibition. Results Proliferative-phase stress urinary incontinence fibroblasts demonstrated an increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 and no change in matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 expressions with increasing relaxin concentrations. Cells from control subjects showed increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, but no change in tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Secretory-phase stress urinary incontinence fibroblasts showed no response in matrix metalloproteinase or tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase expressions with relaxin stimulation. Secretory-phase control fibroblasts reacted by increasing matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2. With respect to total elastase activity and α-1 antitrypsin expression, increasing doses of relaxin appear to increase elastolytic activity in stress urinary incontinence cells by decreasing the expression of α-1 antitrypsin in proliferative phase cells or increasing the total elastase activity in secretory phase cells. Fibroblast total elastase activity was inhibited by increasing concentrations of α-1 antitrypsin. Conclusion Elastase activity appears to be increased in relaxin-stimulated stress urinary incontinence fibroblasts by either decreased inhibitor (α-1 antitrypsin) production or increased elastase activity.
Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder: immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA flow cytometric studies.

Abstract Primary paraganglioma arises infrequently in the urinary bladder. We present the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA flow cytometric findings in three cases (one man and two woment). Ages at diagnosis were 19, 35, and 45 years. One female presented with paroxysmal headaches and hypertension that followed urination; the remaining two patients presented with hematuria. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive reactivity for chromogranin (three patients), met-enkephalin (three), leuenkephalin (three), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (two), serotonin (one), and S-100 protein (one; sustentacular cells only). Neurosecretory granules were identified in all cases; in the patient with hypertension, the granules were small with eccentric cores similar to those of adrenal pheochromocytomas. A nondiploid DNA flow cytometric pattern was present in all three patients, an aneuploid pattern was present in two, and a tetraploid pattern was present in one. After diagnosis, one patient was alive without progression at 7 years, one died of an uncertain cause at 5 years, and one suffered multiple recurrences over a 24-year period before developing metastatic disease. While the presence of aneuploidy has been shown to be a predictor of malignant behavior in adrenal pheochromocytomas, our study illustrates that DNA ploidy cannot be used as a diagnostic criterion for malignancy in urinary bladder paraganglioma.
Growth and dissipation of a traffic jam

IN THIS paper a mathematical method for analysing a highway traffic jam is formulated. While the problem of describing a traffic jam is related to several aspects of the theory of traffic flow (intersections, car-following and hydrodynamical theories in particular) it does not seem to have been considered explicitly in the literature to date, and this paper is an attempt to fill the gap. The method is also interesting in its own right as a generalization of the M/G/l queueing situation, the main extension being that the vehicles are assumed to have finite, variable lengths, so that the traffic jam queue changes in both position and length with the passage of time. We also assume that the vehicle causing the jam has a “departure period” which has a different distribution to that of the succeeding vehicles. Having formulated the situation mathematically, we study various random variables which are of interest. Whereas writers in queueing theory have studied the distribution of individual customer waiting times, a quantity of greater importance in traffic theory is the total delay to all vehicles, since this is directly related to the financial cost of the traffic jam. This variable may be expressed as the integral of a stochastic process, and by imbedding a Markov chain in this process the expected total wait is obtained. Other variables of interest include the jam duration, the number of vehicles delayed and the spatial displacement, and distributions of these quantities are found. Some of the methods of queueing theory carry over with slight generalizations, while in some cases a new type of analysis is required. Some of the results were obtained under less general conditions by Jewel1 (1964).
Low productivity of Chinook salmon strongly correlates with high summer stream discharge in two Alaskan rivers in the Yukon drainage

Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations are declining for unknown reasons, creating hardship for thousands of stakeholders in subsistence and commercial fisheries. An info...
Effects of heat pretreatment of starting materials on the optical transparency of CdGeAs2 crystals

Abstract The optical properties of CdGeAs 2 grown by the horizontal Bridgman melt growth technique were studied as a function of the oxygen content of the elemental starting materials. It was found that surface oxides, present on even the highest purity source materials, caused significant optical absorption in the grown crystals. An in situ heat pretreatment technique is described with which it is possible to synthesize CdGeAs 2 having minimum oxygen contamination and near-theoretical optical transparency.
Stimulation of the estrogen synthesizing system of the immature rat ovary by exogenous and endogenous gonadotropins

Abstract Immature rat ovaries increase their secretion of estradiol (E2) when stimulated by gonadotropins but only after a lag period of several hours. Once established, estrogen secretion can be maintained, or increased, by the continued presence of gonadotropin. A combination of ovine FSH+LH given at 2 hr intervals stimulated the estrogen synthesizing system ( ESS ) of the ovary and serum E2 showed a pronounced rise between 16 and 20 hrs after the initial injection. When given every 2 hrs for 5 doses (0–8 hrs) serum E2 was undetectable. However, it was increased if 20 IU PMS was injected at the time of the last dose of FSH+ LH. Endogenous FSHL serum E2 increased at the expected time when this treatment was followed by an injection of PMS. Anti-PMS antiserum given 12 hrs after PMS, prevented the expected rise in serum E2 at 24 hrs. However, FSH, LH or a combination of the two given every 2 hrs beginning at the time of the anti-PMS produced an increase in E2 secretion; the combination was more effective than either hormone alone. These results are consistent with the interpretation that a combined FSH-LH action is responsible for induction of the ESS in the immature rat ovary. The combination of hormones is also very effective in maintaining estrogen secretion but some function appears possible with FSH or LH alone.
The Aversive Control of an Operant Discrimination.

Many investigators have shown that the bar-pressing behavior of the white rat may be brought under the control of environmental stimuli when on-going activity is maintained by food or water reward. Furthermore, Dinsmoor (1952a) has demonstrated that a discrimination may be formed by imposing a punishment contingency on a variable-interval base-line performance. Previously, Estes and Skinner (1941) found that the rate of response declines in the presence of a stimulus correlated with electric shock. Using this information, Dinsmoor (1952a) was able to suppress the rate of response by punishing bar presses in SA, while stable VI rates remained in SD where no shocks were presented. Brady (1959) and Verhave (1959) studied the problem of whether or not an operant discrimination can be formed when the on-going behavior itself is maintained by aversive control. These investigators found that animals could discriminate an avoidance contingency of the kind studied extensively by Sidman (1953a) and others from a time out. The present investigation was concerned with some of the conditions under which avoidance responding may be brought under stimulus control. Specifically, the questions raised were: 1) Can the rat learn to discriminate a condition in which an avoidance contingency is in effect from one in which it is not? 2) Can it discriminate avoidable from unavoidable shocks? and 3) Will the ability to discriminate vary as a tunction of the frequency of unavoidable shocks in SA? Interest in the problem of unavoidable shocks grew in part out of the results of a recent investigation by Sidman, Herrnstein, and Conrad (1957). They found that avoidance behavior in the rhesus monkey can be maintained for as long as 300 experimental hours after the avoidance contingency is removed and if occasional, unavoidable shocks are presented as infrequently as once every 10 minutes.
Selective Hydrogenation of 2-Butyne-1,4-diol to 1,4-Butanediol Over Particulate Raney® Nickel Catalysts

The current study describes the results on the selective hydrogenation of the 2-butyne-1,4-diol to 1,4-butanediol over Raney® nickel catalysts both in batch and in CSTR mode. The detailed kinetic analysis of the reaction in batch mode revealed the existence of three characteristic regions. In the first region, A, the starting 2-butyne-1,4-diol produces primarily cis-2-butene-1,4-diol. In the second region, B, the dominant species is cis-2-butene-1,4-diol, which is either hydrogenated to 1,4-butanediol or isomerizes to trans-2-butene-1,4-diol. In the third region, C, the accumulated 4-hydroxybutanal is slowly hydrogenated to 1,4-butanediol. When the same reaction was carried out in a CSTR mode, the only products detected initially are the 1,4-butanediol and n-butanol. The first by-product detected immediately after the end of the first stage is the linear hemiacetal between the 4-hydroxybutanal with 1,4-butanediol. This species has been used as convenient tracer for determining the length of the selective region of the catalyst performance.
Garbage Laws and Symbolic Policy: Governmental Responses to the Problem of Waste in the United States

The purpose of this paper is to examine governmental responses to the environmental problem of waste in the United States. The main thesis of this paper contends that environmental laws, particularly those concerned with addressing the problem of waste, are symbolic exercises because they reaffirm the ideological commitments of the industrial-consumer process, commitments that fail to recognize basic principles of ecology and stir the problem of waste in the first instance. The thesis that garbage laws are mainly symbolic exercises is elaborated in the following manner. First, drawing from the work of other scholars who have invoked the notion of symbolic law, the chief characteristics of the concept are iden tified. Having framed the concept of symbolic law, three ideological com mitments of the industrial-consumer process — belief in human domina tion of nature, creativity as a moral pursuit, and linearity of thought - are described. These ideological commitments contribute directly to the problem of wa...
Airway responses to antigen challenge in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma

The density dependence of the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve, functional residual capacity (FRC), and specific airway conductance (SGaw) were determined before and during bronchial provocation with ragweed extract in 27 subjects with ragweed hypersensitivity and a history of either bronchial asthma (16 subjects) or allergic rhinitis (11 subjects). Mean baseline SGaw was significantly lower while mean volume of isoflow (Visov) and FrC were significantly higher in subjects with bronchial asthma. During antigen challenge, 10 of 16 subjects with bronchial asthma (63%) and five of 11 subjects with allergic rhinitis (45%) showed a greater than 35% decrease in SGaw ("reactors"): mean relative decreases in SGaw from baseline were 46% and 53%, respectively. The remaining subjects showed a less than 35% decrease in SGaw ("nonreactors") with mean relative decreases of 9% (allergic asthma) and 6% (allergic rhinitis). Mean Visov increased in all subjects with bronchial asthma and in eight of 11 subjects with allergic rhinitis. A significant increase in FRC (6%) was seen only in the "reactors" with bronchial asthma. Following antigen challenge, the beta adrenergic agonist, isoetharine, increased SGaw and decreased Visov. We conclude that in asymptomatic subjects with ragweed hypersensitivity, (1) central and peripheral airway function is more abnormal in subjects with bronchial asthma than in subjects with allergic rhinitis, (2) subjects of both groups show quantitatively and qualitatively comparable airway responses during antigen challenge with a decrease in SGaw or an increase in Visov, possibly representing increase in central and/or peripheral airflow resistance, respectively, (3) Visov may be a more sensitive indicator of airway response to antigen challenge than SGaw, and (4) the bronchodilator effects of a beta adrenergic agonist on antigen-induced bronchospasm are similar in both groups.
Solution-phase detection of dual microRNA biomarkers in serum.

A strategy for the simultaneous detection of multiple microRNA (miRNA) targets was developed utilizing fluorophore/quencher-labeled oligonucleotide probe sets. Two miRNA targets (miR-155 and miR-103), whose misregulation has afforded them status as putative biomarkers in certain types of cancer, were detected using our assay design. In the absence of target, the complementary fluorophore-probe and quencher-probe hybridize, resulting in a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based quenching of the fluorescence signal. In the presence of unlabeled target, however, the antisense quencher-probe can hybridize with the target, resulting in increased fluorescence intensity as the quencher-probe is sequestered beyond the Forster radius of the fluorescent-probe. The assay design was tested in multiple matrices of buffer, cellular extract, and serum; and detection limits were found to be matrix-dependent, ranging from 0.34 to 8.89 pmol (3.4-59.3 nM) for miR-155 and 2.90-11.8 pmol (19.3-79.0 nM) for miR-103. Single, double, and triple nucleotide selectivity was also tested. Additionally, miR-155 concentrations were assessed in serum samples obtained directly from breast cancer patients without the need for RNA extraction. This assay is quantitative, possesses a low detection limit, can be applied in multiple complex matrices, and can obtain single-nucleotide selectivity. This method can be employed for the multiplex detection of solution-phase DNA or RNA targets and, more specifically, for the direct detection of serum miRNA biomarkers.
Cutaneous Cryptococcosis: A Sentinel of Disseminated Disease

In four cases of disseminated cryptococcosis with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, cryptococcal cutaneous lesions developed two to eight months before the diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis was made. In all four patients, there was cultural or strong clinical evidence of multisystem involvement in addition to the presenting skin lesions and CNS involvement. All four patients were treated with amphotericin B intravenously. In two patients, a single course of drug therapy produced long-term apparent cure, while in the remaining two, clinical and cultural relapse occurred, resulting in death in spite of a second course of treatment. The recognition of cutaneous cryptococcal disease should alert the clinician to the probability of disseminated cryptococcosis. Repeated careful cultural studies of the cerebrospinal fluid, urine, prostatic secretions, and sputum should be performed for early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
A Simplified Model of Heat and Mass Transfer Between Air and Falling-Film Desiccant in a Parallel-Plate Dehumidifier

This paper presents a simplified model to predict the heat and mass transfer between air and falling-film liquid desiccant during dehumidification in a parallel-plate absorber. First-order, ordinary differential equations are used to estimate the heat and mass transferred, and explicit equations are derived from conservation principles to yield the exiting absorber conditions for different flow arrangements. The developed model uses a control volume approach that accounts for the change in film thickness and property values. The model results were within 5% of a more complicated parallel-flow model currently available in literature. The model was also in good agreement with existing experimental data for a counterflow absorber.
Approximate Multiple Strings Search

This paper presents a fast algorithm for searching a large text for multiple strings allowing one error. On a fast workstation, the algorithm can process a megabyte of text searching for 1000 patterns (with one error) in less than a second. Although we combine several interesting techniques, overall the algorithm is not deep theoretically. The emphasis of this paper is on the experimental side of algorithm design. We show the importance of careful design, experimentation, and utilization of current architectures. In particular, we discuss the issues of locality and cache performance, fast hash functions, and incremental hashing techniques. We introduce the notion of two-level hashing, which utilizes cache behavior to speed up hashing, especially in cases where unsuccessful searches are not uncommon. Two-level hashing may be useful for many other applications. The end result is also interesting by itself. We show that multiple search with one error is fast enough for most text applications.
KBr Discs for Liquid Samples

In the qualitative infrared analysis of liquids and semi-liquids, this laboratory is frequently confronted with samples containing water, odoriferous materials, or highly viscous samples that would either be ruinous to standard liquid sample cells or cause costly or time-consuming cleaning and polishing operations. The use of cup-shaped KBr pellets for forming a cell that can be discarded after use provides a satisfactory solution to this problem.
The production of leucylphenylalanine anhydride by a variant ofStreptomyces noursei

A partir de cultures deStreptomyces noursei, variante No. 5286, on a isole la 3-benzyl-6-isobutyl-2, 5-dioxopiperazine, en plus des quatre dioxopiperazines disubstituees dont la presence a ete signalee precedemment; on n'a pas obtenu de preuve de l'existence d'un derive 3-benzylidene-6-isobutyl-ou 3-benzyl-6-isobutylidenecorrespondant a la 3-benzyl-6-benzylidene-2,5-dioxopiperazine deja connue.
Development of enzymatically degradable protective coatings for use in triggered drug delivery systems: derivatized starch hydrogels

Abstract Starch is a common polysaccharide which consists of glucopyranose residues in an α-D-(1–4) linkage that yields D-glucose upon hydrolysis. Saturated aqueous solutions of soluble starch are easily reacted in the presence of glycidyl methacrylate to produce methacrylate grafted starch. Grafted starch solutions were polymerized to produce hydrogels, with and without the addition of an unsaturated acid. The grafted starch solutions and the resulting hydrogels are both shown to be degraded by the enzyme α-amylase. These acidic hydrogels are potentially useful as enzymatically degradable protective coatings in self-regulated drug delivery system applications. The pH of an acidic starch hydrogel required by this self-regulated drug delivery system does indicate that an adequately acidic hydrogel can be produced.
Pion transitions and models of chiral symmetry

We describe a set of pion-decay and scattering amplitudes which are described by only two low-energy parameters in the effective chiral Lagrangian of QCD. After a phenomenological analysis of the data, we demonstrate how the effective-Lagrangian framework correlates the many predictions of these reactions which have been made in the literature using a variety of models with chiral symmetry. A comparison with the data then also determines which model represents QCD. Not surprisingly, the winner is a form of vector dominance.
Microwave conductivity of 2D hole systems at low filling

We have measured the real part of the diagonal conductivity, Re(σxx) for a 2D hole system in the low Landau filling, insulating regime. The spectra, Re(σxx) versus frequency f, show a well-defined, single resonance peak, which is surprisingly sharp. Plots of the resonance peak frequency and integrated intensity versus the applied magnetic field B are in conflict with the model of a 2D harmonic oscillator in B.
Inhibition of phosphorylase phosphatase by polyamines.

Abstract Phosphorylase phosphatase from rabbit liver or from bovine heart, purified as the Mr 35,000 form, is inhibited by the naturally occurring polyamines, spermine and spermidine. The inhibition is apparently competitive with a Ki of 0.037 mM for spermine and 0.65 mM for spermidine. Further investigation showed that the inhibition is substrate-directed, i.e. due to an interaction of the polyamines with the rabbit muscle phosphorylase a used as the substrate.
Practical user authentication leveraging channel state information (CSI)

User authentication is the critical first step to detect identity-based attacks and prevent subsequent malicious attacks. However, the increasingly dynamic mobile environments make it harder to always apply the cryptographic-based methods for user authentication due to their infrastructural and key management overhead. Exploiting non-cryptographic based techniques grounded on physical layer properties to perform user authentication appears promising. In this work, we explore to use channel state information (CSI), which is available from off-the-shelf WiFi devices, to conduct fine-grained user authentication. We propose an user-authentication framework that has the capability to build the user profile resilient to the presence of the spoofer. Our machine learning based user-authentication techniques can distinguish two users even when they possess similar signal fingerprints and detect the existence of the spoofer. Our experiments in both office building and apartment environments show that our framework can filter out the signal outliers and achieve higher authentication accuracy compared with existing approaches using received signal strength (RSS).
The Role of Treaties, Agreements, Conventions, and Other International Instruments in Global Health

As nations become more reliant on each other for cohesive development of global health policies and practice, and globalization increasingly makes health challenges in one part of the world concerns for all nations, the importance and use of international agreements in framing policy and national commitments have increased. This article reviews international agreements, looking specifically at multilateral instruments or partnerships, to identify those that either directly focus on or encompass health. It defines the different types of agreements, describes the process through which governments enter into these agreements, evaluates the legality of agreements under international law, and assesses participation by member states.
A data definition facility based on a value-oriented storage model

A data definition facility is presented that provides a consistent description of both primitive and user data. It is based on a value-oriented storage model which carefully distinguishes between values and objects. It is values that are typed in this model, and operations of the type work explicitly on the values. Objects are accessible only via reference values. Objects are described via descriptors called templates, which ultimately yield reference type values. Operations, both primitive and user-defined, are part of a "machine interface," and all executable language constructs can ultimately be defined as explicit operations of the interface. Importantly, these operations must respect the typing constraints imposed by both the primitive types and the user extensions. The interactions of definition facility, storage model, and execution model are illustrated via a series of examples in which commonly used data constructs are defined.
Assessments of thrombogenicity by three in vitro techniques

This study assessed three in vitro techniques designed to measure the thrombogenicity of vascular grafts. All techniques immersed vascular grafts in rotating blood. In the gravimetric analysis, the weight of adherent thrombi was recorded at 2 min intervals for 20 min. In the torque analysis, a microviscometer continuously recorded the amount of torque developed as the graft rotated for 20 min. In the thrombin analysis, the blood sample was analyzed for fibrinopeptide A production indicating fibrinogen cleavage. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were treated by removal of air nuclei (denucleation), binding of heparin, or binding of polyethylene oxide (PEO). The gravimetric analysis determined that the time at which each group experienced clot initiation was as follows : control after 6 min, denucleation after 14 min, heparin after 18 min, and PEO after 10 min. Similarly, in the torque analysis all treatment groups significantly delayed the initial increase in torque from 8.0 min for control to 12.5 min for denucleation (P 20 min for heparin (P <.01), and 12 min for PEO (P <.05). The thrombin analysis determined that coagulation activity was reduced relative to control at 12 min with the denucleation group (P <.05) and heparin group (P <.01) and at 18 min with all treatment groups (P <.01). The similarity of results among the techniques increases confidence that each measurement accurately predicts in vitro thrombogenicity.
Analytical estimates of hydraulic parameters for an urbanized estuary – Flushing Bay

Summary Prediction of water quality improvements in urban estuaries is an urgent priority for decision making about alternative mitigation measures, especially in the context of changing pollutant loadings and freshwater discharges. Flushing Bay, an embayment of the New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary, is a “short” estuary (a special class of coastal plain estuary with specific geometric characteristics), in which source loading is changing and little is known about resultant mixing processes and characteristics. First-order values of longitudinal dispersion coefficient, tidal excursion and tidal prism for this estuary have been estimated from non-synoptic salinity data using an adaptation of a one-dimensional theoretical salinity intrusion model. Results indicate that ranges of longitudinal dispersion coefficient are highly dependent on estimates of groundwater discharge, and the spatial distribution of salinity and dispersion coefficient values is most sensitive to conditions at low water slack (LWS). These findings represent a starting point for further investigation of either groundwater discharge to the bay using numerical modeling or field studies of longitudinal dispersion coefficient and mixing using sophisticated tracer methods.
A method for evaluating software development techniques

This paper describes a method for measuring the contribution of an arbitrary program development technique to program correctness and cost. The method has been employed at the General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center to evaluate alternative program testing techniques. Following the method's description an example of its use is shown.
Public expectations for nonemergency hospital resources and services during disasters.

OBJECTIVE The public's expectations of hospital services during disasters may not reflect current hospital disaster plans. The objective of this study was to determine the public's expected hospital service utilization during a pandemic, earthquake, and terrorist bombing. METHODS A survey was distributed to adult patients or family members at 3 emergency departments (EDs). Participants identified resources and services they expect to need during 3 disaster scenarios. Linear regression was used to describe factors associated with higher expected utilization scores for each scenario. RESULTS Of the 961 people who participated in the study, 66.9% were women, 47.5% were white, and 44.6% were black. Determinants of higher pandemic resource utilization included persons who were younger (P < .01); non-white (P < .001); had higher ED visits (P < .01), hospitalization (P = .001), or fewer primary care provider visits (P = .001) in the past year; and did not have a reunification plan (P < .001). Determinants of higher earthquake resource utilization included persons who were non-white (P < .001); who were a patient or spouse (vs parent) participating in the study (P < .05 and P = .001); and had higher ED visits in the past year (P = .001). Determinants of higher bombing resource utilization included persons who were female (P = .001); non-white (P < .001); had higher ED (P = .001) or primary care provider (P < .01) visits in past year; and experienced the loss of home or property during a past disaster (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Public expectations of hospitals during disasters are high, and some expectations are inappropriate. Better community disaster planning and public risk communication are needed.
Cellular resolution ex vivo imaging of gastrointestinal tissues with optical coherence microscopy.

Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) combines confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to improve imaging depth and contrast, enabling cellular imaging in human tissues. We aim to investigate OCM for ex vivo imaging of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract tissues, to establish correlations between OCM imaging and histology, and to provide a baseline for future endoscopic studies. Co-registered OCM and OCT imaging were performed on fresh surgical specimens and endoscopic biopsy specimens, and images were correlated with histology. Imaging was performed at 1.06-µm wavelength with <2-µm transverse and <4-µm axial resolution for OCM, and at 14-µm transverse and <3-µm axial resolution for OCT. Multiple sites on 75 tissue samples from 39 patients were imaged. OCM enabled cellular imaging of specimens from the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts over a smaller field of view compared to OCT. Squamous cells and their nuclei, goblet cells in Barrett's esophagus, gastric pits and colonic crypts, and fine structures in adenocarcinomas were visualized. OCT provided complementary information through assessment of tissue architectural features over a larger field of view. OCM may provide a complementary imaging modality to standard OCT approaches for endoscopic microscopy.
Therapeutic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Cancer

Cancer nanotherapeutics are rapidly progressing and are being implemented to solve several limitations of conventional drug delivery systems such as nonspecific biodistribution and targeting, lack of water solubility, poor oral bioavailability, and low therapeutic indices. To improve the biodistribution of cancer drugs, nanoparticles have been designed for optimal size and surface characteristics to increase their circulation time in the bloodstream. They are also able to carry their loaded active drugs to cancer cells by selectively using the unique pathophysiology of tumors, such as their enhanced permeability and retention effect and the tumor microenvironment. In addition to this passive targeting mechanism, active targeting strategies using ligands or antibodies directed against selected tumor targets amplify the specificity of these therapeutic nanoparticles. Drug resistance, another obstacle that impedes the efficacy of both molecularly targeted and conventional chemotherapeutic agents, might also be overcome, or at least reduced, using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have the ability to accumulate in cells without being recognized by P-glycoprotein, one of the main mediators of multidrug resistance, resulting in the increased intracellular concentration of drugs. Multifunctional and multiplex nanoparticles are now being actively investigated and are on the horizon as the next generation of nanoparticles, facilitating personalized and tailored cancer treatment.
Sarcoidosis Following HIV Infection: Evidence for CD4+ Lymphocyte Dependence

Background: The chronic granulomatous inflammation of sarcoidosis has been hypothesized to depend on the CD4+ T-helper lymphocyte. HIV infection, which depletes these cells, has been reported to attenuate the manifestations of sarcoidosis. Study objectives: We asked whether the development of symptomatic sarcoidosis in the context of preexisting HIV infection was dependent on the CD4+ lymphocyte count. Design: We performed a retrospective standardized chart review of all patients who developed granulomatous inflammation following HIV infection at an urban academic referral center. Measurements: We identified seven patients with sarcoidosis within this cohort and compared their CD4+ lymphocyte count to that in a cohort of 16 patients in whom similar granulomatous inflammation was found but who did not have sarcoidosis. We then compared our cases to all reported cases using a systematic literature review. Results: The CD4+ lymphocyte count was > 200 cells/μL in all of our patients with HIV infection when they developed subsequent sarcoidosis. In contrast, specific etiologies for granulomatous inflammation were found in all 10 HIV-infected patients who presented with granulomatous inflammation and a CD4+ lymphocyte count of 200 cells/μL. Conclusions: We conclude that the development of the chronic granulomatous inflammation of sarcoidosis appears to depend on the preservation or restoration of the peripheral CD4+ lymphocyte count and that in most cases the CD4+ lymphocyte count exceeds 200 cells/μL. Furthermore, alternative specific etiologies of granulomatous inflammation are generally identifiable in HIV-infected patients with peripheral CD4+ lymphocyte counts of
OOV detection by joint word/phone lattice alignment

We propose a new method for detecting out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) systems. Our method is based on performing a joint alignment between independently generated word and phone lattices, where the word-lattice is aligned via a recognition lexicon. Based on a similarity measure between phones, we can locate highly mis-aligned regions of time, and then specify those regions as candidate OOVs. This novel approach is implemented using the framework of graphical models (GMs), which enable fast flexible integration of different scores from word lattices, phone lattices, and the similarity measures. We evaluate our method on switchboard data using RT-04 as test set. Experimental results show that our approach provides a promising and scalable new way to detect OOV for LVCSR.
Livestock Management During Drought in the Northern Great Plains. I. A Practical Predictor of Annual Forage Production1

This research addressed the hypothesis that spring precipitation data can be used to detect agricultural drought early in the growing season. The Rangetek range model was used to simulate yearly forage data based on historical precipitation and temperature records from the USDA-ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory (Miles City, MT) and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Manyberries Substation (Lethbridge, AB, Canada). Monthly total precipitation and monthly average maximum and minimum temperatures were used to develop regression equations predicting growing season forage production at the Fort Keogh Laboratory and Manyberries Substation. At Fort Keogh Laboratory, a combination of fall (October and November) and spring (April and May) precipitation were predictors of simulated forage yield index (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.84). At Manyberries Substation, April and May precipitation were predictors of simulated forage yield index (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.44). Using the actual forage data from Manyberries Substation yielded similar results, in that April, May, and June were predictors of forage production (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.50). Although the regression equation for actual forage production data from Manyberries Substation did indicate that July precipitation was a significant predictor, adding July precipitation did not increase the ability of the equation to detect reduced forage production. These results imply that annual forage production can be estimated with considerable confidence by July 1 and that forage produced by early July is a good indicator of total growing season forage production. Early season detection of drought effects on forage production provides much-needed flexibility in devising management alternatives to minimize the negative impacts of drought on rangelands and beef enterprises.
PSGL-1 engagement by E-selectin signals through Src kinase Fgr and ITAM adapters DAP12 and FcRγ to induce slow leukocyte rolling

E-selectin binding to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) can activate the β2 integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 by signaling through spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). This signaling is independent of Gαi-protein–coupled receptors, results in slow rolling, and promotes neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation. However, the signaling pathways linking E-selectin engagement of PSGL-1 to Syk activation are unknown. To test the role of Src family kinases and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM)–containing adaptor proteins, we used different gene-deficient mice in flow chamber, intravital microscopy, and peritonitis studies. E-selectin–mediated phosphorylation of Syk and slow rolling was abolished in neutrophils from fgr−/− or hck−/− lyn−/− fgr−/− mice. Neutrophils from Tyrobp−/− Fcrg−/− mice lacking both DAP12 and FcRγ were incapable of sustaining slow neutrophil rolling on E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and were unable to phosphorylate Syk and p38 MAPK. This defect was confirmed in vivo by using mixed chimeric mice. Gαi-independent neutrophil recruitment into the inflamed peritoneal cavity was sharply suppressed in Tyrobp−/− Fcrg−/− mice. Our data demonstrate that an ITAM-dependent pathway involving the Src-family kinase Fgr and the ITAM-containing adaptor proteins DAP12 and FcRγ is involved in the initial signaling events downstream of PSGL-1 that are required to initiate neutrophil slow rolling.