cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-sustained radial oscillating flows between parallel disks

The flow-visualization methods of dye injection, hydrogen-bubble generation and paraffin mist are employed to investigate radial flow between parallel circular disks with a steady influx. Three distinct flow patterns are observed in the range of Re between 1.5 and 50. (1) Steady flow without boundary-layer separation and re-attachment, for Re < Rec. (2) A self-controlled flow oscillation which decays further downstream, in the range of Rec [les ] Re < Ret. (3) A self-sustained flow fluctuation which develops into a laminar-turbulent transition with a reverse transition further downstream, when Re [ges ] Ret. Rec and Ret are the critical and transition Reynolds number, respectively.The oscillating flows are caused by a vortex street consisting of vortices (i.e. separating annular bubbles) that separate periodically and alternately from both disks. Finite-difference solutions of the unsteady vorticity transport equation broadly agree with certain experimental observations. The study concludes that the separation and reattachment of shear layers in the radial flow through parallel disks are unsteady phenomena and the sequence of nucleation, growth, migration and decay of the vortices is self-sustained.
Mental retardation locus in Xp21 chromosome microdeletion

Xp21 microdeletion syndrome is associated with variable size Xp21 deletions that usually include the glycerol kinase locus. The clinical phenotypes we studied in this chromosome region include: Xpter - Aland Island eye disease (AIED) -adrenal hypoplasia (AH) -glycerol kinase (GKD) -Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) -retinitis pigmentosa (RP) -ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) -centromere. In a compilation of 18 individuals in 14 families with the AH, GKD, and DMD loci deleted, 17 were male and all were developmentally delayed. In contrast, we report mentally retarded female carriers in two Xp21 deletion syndrome families with DMD, GKD, and AH in affected males. In the first family with normal karyotypes, a submicroscopic deletion was associated with DMD in the retarded male and with retardation in carrier females. In the second family an X chromosome with a cytogenetically deleted Xp21 distal to the OTC and RP genes segregated in the affected male and retarded female carriers. DNA analysis at the DMD locus verified the cytogenetic findings. This report of mental retardation in otherwise asymptomatic female carriers of Xp21 deletion classifies one form of mental retardation in females.
The feasibility of using molten carbonate corrosion for separating a nuclear surrogate for plutonium oxide from silicon carbide inert matrix

Abstract Silicon carbide is one of the prime candidates as a matrix material in inert matrix fuels (IMF) being designed to reduce the plutonium inventories. Since complete fission and transmutation is not practical in a single in-core run, it is necessary to separate the non-transmuted actinide materials from the silicon carbide matrix for recycling. In this work, SiC was corroded in sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3), to form water soluble sodium or potassium silicate. Separation of the transuranics was achieved by dissolving the SiC corrosion product in boiling water. Ceria (CeO2), which was used as a surrogate for plutonium oxide (PuO2), was not corroded in these molten salt environments. The molten salt depth, which is a distance between the salt/air interface to the upper surface of SiC pellets, significantly affected the rate of corrosion. The corrosion was faster in K2CO3 than in Na2CO3 molten salt at 1050 °C, when the initial molten salt depths were kept the same for both salts.
Analysis of one-dimensional gels and two-dimensional Serwer-type gels on the basis of the extended Ogston model using personal computers

This report presents the stand-alone computer application ELPHOFIT, a software package for the analysis of gel electrophoretic data based on Ferguson plots. Either conventional one-dimensional gels or two-dimensional agarose gels (Serwer-type) can be evaluated. Special emphasis is on the latter gel type, which has been applied previously for the separation of DNA, intact viruses and polydisperse meningitis vaccines. ELPHOFIT is designed for Macintosh PCs and for the IBM XT, AT, PS/2 and compatibles. The program operates interactively with the user, who determines the course of evaluation. Data input is in the format of files providing values of gel electrophoretic migration distances or particle mobility (absolute or relative). Data processing involves a simultaneous least-square curve fitting algorithm (Newton-Gauss, Marquardt-Levenberg) which uses equations derived from the extended Ogston model. Functions are fit to the database by adjusting their variables, representing physical parameters of the gel and the electrophoresed particle. The program output consists of tables and graphics accompanied by an explanatory text providing the following information: (i) radius and free mobility of the electrophoresed particle, (ii) fiber radius, length and volume, mean or median pore radius of the gel, (iii) linear Ferguson plots, (iv) iso-free-mobility/iso-size nomogram for two-dimensional gels, (v) confidence ellipses, (vi) required parameters for image processing program GELFIT and (vii) goodness-of-fit and other statistical parameters, such as standard errors, dependency values, root-mean-square (RMS) error and determination coefficient. Other features of the program are (i) simulation of Serwer-type two-dimensional electrophoresis, (ii) standardization according to size, or size and free mobility, (iii) the conversion of particle radii to molecular (or particle) weight and vice versa, (iv) interconversion of DNA size specifications, i.e. the number of base pairs and the geometric mean radii, (v) computation of gel concentration for optimal resolution of two components, (vi) option to obtain a session record, (viii) option to establish a data output file containing the information of generated graphics (IBM only) and (ix) a text editing facility, e.g., for creating data files. Graphics (Macintosh version, PICT format) and text output files (both IBM and Macintosh versions, standard ASCII format) generated by ELPHOFIT are compatible with commercially available software.
Structure-activity relationships in human Toll-like receptor 2-specific monoacyl lipopeptides.

Toll-like receptor 2-agonistic lipopeptides typified by S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-S-serine (PAM2CS) compounds are potential vaccine adjuvants. We had previously determined that at least one acyl group of optimal length (C16) and an appropriately orientated ester carbonyl group is essential for TLR2-agonistic activity. We now show that these structurally simpler analogues display agonistic activities with human, but not murine, TLR2. SAR studies on the monoacyl derivatives show that the optimal acyl chain length is C16, and aryl substituents are not tolerated. A variety of alkyl and acyl substituents on the cysteine amine were examined. All N-alkyl derivatives were inactive. In contradistinction, short-chain N-acyl analogues were found to be highly active, with a clear dependence on the chain length. A cysteine N-acetyl analogue was found to be the most potent (EC50: 1 nM), followed by the N-butyryl analogue. The N-acetyl analogue is human TLR2-specific, with its potency comparable...
Cholesterol-enriched diet causes age-related macular degeneration-like pathology in rabbit retina

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share several pathological hallmarks including β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. The causes of AD and AMD are likely multi-factorial with several factors such as diet, environment, and genetic susceptibility participating in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Epidemiological studies correlated high plasma cholesterol levels with high incidence of AD, and feeding rabbits with a diet rich in cholesterol has been shown to induce AD-like pathology in rabbit brain. High intake of cholesterol and saturated fat were also long been suspected to increase the risk for AMD. However, the extent to which cholesterol-enriched diet may also cause AMD-like features in rabbit retinas is not well known. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed normal chow or a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 12 weeks. At necropsy, animals were perfused with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline and the eyes were promptly removed. One eye of each animal was used for immunohistochemistry and retina dissected from the other eye was used for Western blot, ELISA assays, spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry analyses. Increased levels of Aβ, decreased levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, increased levels of the pro-apoptotic Bax and gadd153 proteins, emergence of TUNEL-positive cells, and increased generation of reactive oxygen species were found in retinas from cholesterol-fed compared to normal chow-fed rabbits. Additionally, astrogliosis, drusen-like debris and cholesterol accumulations in retinas from cholesterol-fed rabbits were observed. As several lines of evidence suggest that oxidized cholesterol metabolites (oxysterols) may be the link by which cholesterol contributes to the pathogenesis of AMD, we determined levels of oxysterols and found a dramatic increase in levels of oxysterols in retinas from cholesterol-fed rabbits. Our results suggest that cholesterol-enriched diets cause retinal degeneration that is relevant to AMD. Furthermore, our data suggests high cholesterol levels and subsequent increase in the cholesterol metabolites as potential culprits to AMD.
Studies on the tribological behavior and transfer film–counterface bond strength for polyphenylene sulfide filled with nanoscale alumina particles

Abstract The tribological behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites made with nanoscale particles (also called “nanoparticles”) of Al2O3 was investigated using the pin-on-disk configuration. The volumetric proportions of the filler used were 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, and 10%. The counterfaces were made from hardened tool steel and were prepared with three different surface roughnesses: 0.027, 0.060, and 0.100 μm Ra. Flexure tests on the composite specimens were run to investigate the effect of weakening from the presence of heterogeneous particles and strengthening because of the addition of a harder phase. The lowest wear rate was obtained for the composite with 2 vol.% filler and the counterface with 0.060 and 0.100 μm Ra roughness. The composites with 3 vol.% or greater filler proportions had higher wear rates in all cases. The coefficient of friction was also higher than that of PPS for all composites except with 10 vol.% alumina sliding on a 0.060 μm counterface. The bond strength between the transfer film and the counterface was measured and related to wear rate. It was found that the transfer films with stronger bond strengths led to lower wear for all the composites. The results have been interpreted in terms of the ability of nanoscale particles to anchor the transfer film to the counterface thereby increasing bond strength and lowering wear.
Literature of Coffee and Tobacco Planting

IN the issue of NATURE of August 9 it is stated, in reviewing a book by a French author, that several books on the same subject, i.e. coffee—its growth, cultivation and preparation for the market—have already been published in English.
Long-term aerobic exercise maintains peak VO2, improves quality of life, and reduces hospitalisations and mortality in patients with heart failure

QUESTION Does aerobic exercise improve peak VO(2), quality of life, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure with mild to moderate symptoms? DESIGN Randomised, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. SETTING Hospital and community settings in Italy. PARTICIPANTS Patients with chronic heart failure who were clinically stable, had a left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%, and the ability to exercise. Haemodynamically significant valvular heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, and renal insufficiency were exclusion criteria. One hundred and thirty-five patients enrolled in the study and 123 completed the protocol. Randomisation of 123 participants (78% male) allotted 63 to the exercise group and 60 to a usual care group. INTERVENTIONS Both groups received counselling on smoking cessation, stress reduction and diet. In addition, the intervention group participated in an exercise training program for 10 years. The program consisted of 3×1-hour sessions per week of aerobic exercise at 60% peak VO(2) at a hospital for 2 months under the supervision of a cardiologist and an exercise therapist, and 2 supervised 1-hour sessions at 70% peak VO(2) the rest of the year in a community setting. Patients were also encouraged to exercise at home at least once a week. Each exercise session included 40 minutes of aerobic activity (cycling and treadmill). The control group received usual care and were advised to continue their usual physical activities for no longer than 30 minutes each session. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were functional capacity, measured by peak VO(2) as a percentage of predicted maximum VO(2), and quality of life over 10 years. Quality of life was measured using the 21-item Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (maximum score 105 points). Secondary outcomes were hospitalisations and cardiac mortality. RESULTS At 10-years, the exercise group had maintained a higher peak VO(2) as a percentage of predicted maximum VO(2) compared with the control group (mean difference 13%, 95% CI 11 to 15). Quality of life was significantly better in the exercise group than the control group at 12 months (by 15 points (95% CI 10 to 20) and this was sustained throughout the 10 year study period. The groups differed significantly on the relative risk (hazard ratios) of hospital readmission (0.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.8) and cardiac death (0.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.8) in favour of the exercise training group. CONCLUSION Moderate intensity supervised aerobic exercise for patients with chronic heart failure performed at least twice-weekly for 10 years maintains functional capacity at more than 60% predicted maximum VO(2). It also offers a sustained improvement in quality of life and a reduction in hospitalisations and cardiac mortality.
Study of gene delivery in a rabbit vein graft model. Improvement of the efficiency of gene transfer into vein grafts.

Gene therapy is a therapeutic strategy in treating cardiovascular disease. Vein graft failure, the major limitation on coronary artery bypass surgery, may be amenable to gene approaches. Some studies describe gene therapies using functioning genes to prevent vein graft stenosis. Gene transfer efficiency remains a major issue. In this rabbit vein graft model, we studied gene delivery using a replication-deficit recombinant adenovirus to improve gene transfer efficiency into vein grafts. The adenovirus vector that contains the E.colilacZ gene encoding β gal was used because this vector is widely used and thought to be effective. Gene transfer was detected by X-gal staining. We hypothesized that dimethylsulfoxide and hyaluronidase, both drug delivery enhancers, would improve efficiency and that, in transfer to adventitia, direct injection would be more effective than dwelling. We studied 3 gene delivery methods to intima and media (controls, using dimethylsulfoxide and using hyaluronidase before transfection) and 2 delivery methods to adventitia (direct injection and dwelling). We used 6 rabbits per delivery method. X-gal stained positive cell rates were counted using light microscopy. Our findings indicate that (1) dimethylsulfoxide increased the efficiency of transfection to media and intima, (2) hyaluronidase increased intimai transfection efficiency, (3) direct injection to adventitia was more effective than dwelling. These findings suggest that in vein grafting, our methods are feasible for improving gene transfer efficiency.
Higher Fasting Serum Insulin Is Associated with Increased Resting Energy Expenditure in Nondiabetic Schizophrenia Patients

Background Insulin has emerged as an important determinant of food intake, energy expenditure, and weight control. This study examined the relationship between fasting serum insulin level and resting energy expenditure (REE) in a cross-sectional sample of nondiabetic schizophrenia patients. Methods Subjects were recruited from an urban community mental health clinic. Each subject underwent a series of anthropometric measures and an indirect calorimetry measure. A fasting blood sample was taken for plasma glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profile. Results Seventy-one subjects (54 male, 17 female) were included in the study. There was a significant positive relationship between REE and fasting serum insulin level (r = .39, p = .001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed with various characteristics such as age, race, antipsychotic agent used, fat-free mass, BMI, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, physical activity level, and fasting serum insulin as candidate predictors for REE. Only fat-free mass and insulin were able to enter into the regression model, which indicates that higher fat-free mass and higher fasting serum insulin level predict increased REE. Conclusions A higher fasting serum insulin level is associated with an increased REE, which may prevent further weight gain in nondiabetic patients with schizophrenia.
Total extracorporeal arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal in acute respiratory failure: a phase I clinical study

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pumpless extracorporeal arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal (AVCO2R) in subjects with acute respiratory failure and hypercapnia. Design: A phase I within-group time series trial in which subjects underwent up to 72 h of support with AVCO2R in intensive care units of two university hospitals. Patients: Eight patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure or hypoxemic respiratory failure managed with permissive hypercapnia. Interventions: Extracorporeal CO2 removal was achieved through percutaneous cannulation of the femoral artery and vein, and a simple extracorporeal circuit using a commercially available membrane gas exchange device for carbon dioxide exchange. Measurements and results: Measurements of hemodynamics, blood gases, ventilatory settings, and laboratory values were made before initiation of AVCO2R, and at subsequent intervals for 72 h. PaCO2 decreased significantly from 90.8±7.5 mmHg to 52.3±4.3 and 51.8±3.1 mmHg at 1 and 2 h, respectively. This decrease occurred despite a decrease in minute ventilation from a baseline of 6.92±1.64 l/min to 4.22±.46 and 3.00±.53 l/min at 1 and 2 h. There was a normalization of pH, with an increase from 7.19±.06 to 7.35±.07 and 7.37±.05 at 1 and 2 h. These improvements persisted during the full period of support with AVCO2R. Four subjects underwent apnea trials in which AVCO2R provided total carbon dioxide removal during apneic oxygenation, resulting in steady-state PaCO2 values from 57 to 85 mmHg. Hemodynamics were not significantly altered with the institution of AVCO2R. There were no major complications attributed to the procedure. Conclusion: Pumpless extracorporeal AVCO2R is capable of providing complete extracorporeal removal of carbon dioxide during acute respiratory failure, while maintaining mild to moderate hypercapnia. Applied in conjunction with mechanical ventilation and permissive hypercapnia, AVCO2R resulted in normalization of arterial PCO2 and pH and permitted significant reductions in the level of mechanical ventilation.
Doxycycline-Mediated Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases Improves Healing After Rotator Cuff Repair

BackgroundRecent studies demonstrate a potentially critical role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors in the pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears.HypothesisDoxycycline-mediated MMP inhibition after rotator cuff repair will improve tendon-to-bone healing.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsRats (n = 183) underwent acute detachment and repair of the supraspinatus tendon and the animals were divided into 4 groups: In controls (n = 66), the supraspinatus was repaired to its anatomical footprint. In experimental groups, an identical surgery was performed with doxycycline (130 mg/kg/d) administered orally at (1) preoperative day 1 (n = 66), (2) postoperative day (POD) 5 (n = 28), or (3) POD 14 (n = 23). Animals were sacrificed at 5 days, 8 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Tendon-bone interface was evaluated with histomorphometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for local MMP-13 activity was performed at 8 days and 4 weeks. Biomechanical testing of the healing enthesis was performed ...
Human carboxypeptidase B. II. Purification of the enzyme from pancreatic tissue and comparison with the enzymes present in pancreatic secretion

Abstract Carboxypeptidase B (peptidyl- l -lysine(- l -arginine) hydrolase, EC 3.4.12.3) has been isolated and purified to apparent homogeneity from activated extracts of human pancreas tissue. The purified enzyme has been shown to be a single polypeptide of 34 000 daltons. In this respect the enzyme from pancreatic tissue, designated native human carboxypeptidase B, differs from the two forms present in human pancreatic juice (fractions I and II), both of which are composed of two polypeptides of approximately 24 000 and 9000 daltons. In addition, the three forms of human carboxypeptidase B differ in electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in chromatographic behavior on DEAE-cellulose. Two immunological methods, micro-complement fixation and radioimmunoassay, have shown a high degree of structural similarity between the three forms of human carboxypeptidase B. Micro-complement fixation experiments indicate that the amino acid sequences of the three enzymes differ by less than one percent. In vitro digestion studies have indicated that trypsin alone is sufficient to convert native carboxypeptidase B to carboxypeptidase B II. However, no combination of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and/or elastase was capable of converting native carboxypeptidase B to carboxypeptidase B I in vitro.
Synthesis of siliconnitrogenphosphorus halides stabilized by the t-butyldimethylsilyl group

Abstract The reactions of phosphorus halides with lithium t-butyldimethylsilyl(methyl)-amide were used to prepare the new SiNP derivatives t-BuMe 2 SiN(Me)X (I, X  PF 4 ; II, X  PF 2 ; III, X  PCl 2 ). The dichlorophosphine (III) is readily oxidized by Me 2 SO to the phosphoryl compound t-BuMe 2 SiN(Me)P(O)Cl 2 (IV) whereas the difluorophosphine (II) does not react with Me 2 SO. Treatment of t-BuMe 2 SiN(SiMe 3 )Li with PCl 5 gave the trichlorophosphinimime t-BuMe 2 SiNPCl 3 (V). Steric crowding at silicon enhances the thermal stability of these compounds relative to their Me 3 Si analogues.
A direct carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 NMR study of europium(III) complexation-nitrate and europium(III)-isothiocyanate complexation in aqueous solvent mixtures

A direct, low-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of europium(III)-nitrate contact ion-pairing has been completed, and preliminary results for europium(III)-isothiocyanate have been obtained. In water-acetone-Freon mixtures, at −110°C to −120°C, four15N NMR signals are observed for coordinated nitrate ion. Area evaluations of the signals and their concentration dependence indicate the formation of Eu(NO3)2+, Eu(NO3) 2 1+ , and two higher complexes, possibly the tetra-, with either the penta-or hexanitrato. This correlates well with similar15N NMR results obtained for Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), and Sm(III). As a result of a higher dielectric constant, complex formation is significantly less in water-methanol mixtures, wheein only three complexes form with Eu(NO3) 2 1+ dominating at the highest anion concentrations. Competitive complexing experiments in water-methanol also were made by35Cl NMR chemical shift and linewidth measurements, as well as15N NMR. Initial experiments with the Eu3+-NCS− system show four coordinated anion signals, displaced from the bulk anion peak by about −250 ppm and −2,500 ppm in the13C and15N NMR spectra, respectively. Area evaluations are consistent with the presence of Eu(NCS)2+ through Eu(NCS) 4 1- in these solutions. A consideration of the chemical shifts identified the nitrogen atom as the site of binding in the NCS−. A discussion of these preliminary results, as well as those for several other metal-ions, will be presented.
Social head gaze and proxemics scaling for an affective robot used in victim management

This paper evaluates the use of social head gaze and proxemic scaling in an affective robot for victim management using two large scale simulated Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) scenario studies.On average between four and ten hours pass from the time a victim is discovered to the time of extrication of the victims [2], [5]. During this time an urban search and rescue robot remains with the victim to monitor their condition and the environment. Throughout this critical period, it is important that the robot interacts with the victims in a socially appropriate way in order to reduce stress levels, keep the victims calm, at ease, positive, and engaged until assistance arrives while preventing a condition known as shock.
Post-interdisciplinary frames of reference: exploring permeability and perceptions of disciplinarity in the social sciences

The ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database contains records for approximately 2.3 million dissertations conferred at 1,490 research institutions across 66 countries. Despite the scope of the Dissertations and Theses database, no study has explicitly sought to validate the accuracy of the ProQuest SCs. This research examines the degree to which ProQuest SCs serve as proxies for disciplinarity, the relevance of doctoral work to doctoral graduates' current work, and the permeability of disciplines from the perspective of the mismatch between SCs and disciplinarity. To examine these issues we conducted a survey of 2009---2010 doctoral graduates, cluster-sampled from Economics, Political Science, and Sociology ProQuest SCs. The results from the survey question the utility of traditional disciplinary labels and suggest that scholars may occupy a post-interdisciplinary space in which they move freely across disciplinary boundaries and identify with topics instead of disciplines.
Echinoderm Phosphorylated Matrix Proteins UTMP16 and UTMP19 Have Different Functions in Sea Urchin Tooth Mineralization

Studies of mineralization of embryonic spicules and of the sea urchin genome have identified several putative mineralization-related proteins. These predicted proteins have not been isolated or confirmed in mature mineralized tissues. Mature Lytechinus variegatus teeth were demineralized with 0.6 n HCl after prior removal of non-mineralized constituents with 4.0 m guanidinium HCl. The HCl-extracted proteins were fractionated on ceramic hydroxyapatite and separated into bound and unbound pools. Gel electrophoresis compared the protein distributions. The differentially present bands were purified and digested with trypsin, and the tryptic peptides were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography. NH2-terminal sequences were determined by Edman degradation and compared with the genomic sequence bank data. Two of the putative mineralization-related proteins were found. Their complete amino acid sequences were cloned from our L. variegatus cDNA library. Apatite-binding UTMP16 was found to be present in two isoforms; both isoforms had a signal sequence, a Ser-Asp-rich extracellular matrix domain, and a transmembrane and cytosolic insertion sequence. UTMP19, although rich in Glu and Thr did not bind to apatite. It had neither signal peptide nor transmembrane domain but did have typical nuclear localization and nuclear exit signal sequences. Both proteins were phosphorylated and good substrates for phosphatase. Immunolocalization studies with anti-UTMP16 show it to concentrate at the syncytial membranes in contact with the mineral. On the basis of our TOF-SIMS analyses of magnesium ion and Asp mapping of the mineral phase composition, we speculate that UTMP16 may be important in establishing the high magnesium columns that fuse the calcite plates together to enhance the mechanical strength of the mineralized tooth.
Some Remarks on “Improved Analysis for Flexural Creep with Application to SiAlON Ceramics”

An earlier paper co-authored by the present author contains a major assumption in the analytical method that may not be valid in a general class of structural ceramics. A more-rigorous mathematical analysis without this assumption has been performed, and the closed-form solutions of the description of the asymmetric power-law creep behavior are presented. The results presented here should be regarded as further improvements to the original paper, because they are applicable to a more-general case without such an assumption. Using the two loading cases as a numerical example, the present solutions indicate that, in the case of SiAlON ceramics, the original predictions on the stress exponents are still valid. However, the predictions on the pre-exponent constants differ from one to three orders of magnitude, because of error propagation.
Characterization of the NADH dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase of Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp. succinogenes S85

Conditions promoting maximal in vitro activity of the particulate NADH:fumarate reductase from Fibrobacter succinogenes were determined. This system showed a pH optimum of 6.0 in K+ MES buffer only when salt (NaCl or KCl) was present. Salt stimulated the activity eightfold at the optimal concentration of 150m M. This effect was due to stimulation of fumarate reductase activity as salt had little effect on NADH: decylubiquinone oxidoreductase (NADH dehydrogenase). The stimulation of fumarate reductase by salt at pH 6.0 was not due to removal of oxaloacetate from the enzyme. Kinetic parameters for several inhibitors were also measured. NADH dehydrogenase was inhibited by rotenone at a single site with a Ki of 1 μM. 2-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinonline-N-oxide (HOQNO) inhibited NADH: fumarate reductase with a Ki of 0.006 μM, but NADH dehydrogenase exhibited two HOQNO inhibition constants of approximately 1 μM and 24 μM. Capsaicin and laurylgallate each inhibited NADH dehydrogenase by only 20% at 100 μM. NADH dehydrogenase gave Km values of 1 μM for NADH and 4 μM for reduced hypoxanthine adenine dinucleotide.
An Inquiry into Remittances and Income Smoothing

AbstractWhile we uncover evidence that remittances smooth household income, for a substantial fraction of household we find that remittance instead increase income volatility. We also explore the determinants of income volatility for all households. We find that in some cases, the determinants of household income volatility are the same for remittance-receiving and non-remittance receiving households, as for example with respect to the number of young children in the household, the educational attainment of household members and the location of the household. In other cases, determinants like the gender of the household head, the number of elderly household members and household size impact remittance-receiving and non-remittance receiving households differently.
Interval estimation for treatment effects using propensity score matching

In causal studies without random assignment of treatment, causal effects can be estimated using matched treated and control samples, where matches are obtained using estimated propensity scores. Propensity score matching can reduce bias in treatment effect estimators in cases where the matched samples have overlapping covariate distributions. Despite its application in many applied problems, there is no universally employed approach to interval estimation when using propensity score matching. In this article, we present and evaluate approaches to interval estimation when using propensity score matching.
Structural studies of HIV-1 Gag p6ct and its interaction with Vpr determined by solution nuclear magnetic resonance.

The ability of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to egress from human cells by budding with the cell membrane remains a complex phenomenon of unclear steps. HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) in...
Low-Dose Irradiation and Constrained Revision for Severe, Idiopathic, Arthrofibrosis Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

NOTICE: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Arthroplasty. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Arthroplasty, 2013] DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2012.11.009
Achieving Success with African American Learners: A Framework for Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching

(2009). Achieving Success with African American Learners: A Framework for Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching. Childhood Education: Vol. 86, No. 1, pp. 2-6.
Balanced Incomplete Block Design: Description, Case Study, and Implications for Practice

This article discusses the use of balanced incomplete block design for process evaluation and presents a case study of its use. This technique produces a weighted ranking of program elements, showing the relative importance of each element and allowing comparison of process and content elements. The article presents a case study in which the technique was used to evaluate the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Participants and lay course leaders were asked to rank 13 course elements for their helpfulness. The most valued element, sharing or unstructured interactions among participants, was not an explicitly planned part of the intervention. Some of the elements least valued (nutrition, use of community resources, and medication use) are elements most emphasized by the health care system and by patient education. We found that balanced incomplete block design was easy to administer and tally. The results could be readily applied to program redesign and to needs assessment.
Structures of the novel α-glucosyl linked diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana.

From the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, two new minor diterpene glycosides having α-glucosyl linkage were isolated besides the known steviol glycosides including stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudiosides A–F, rubusoside and dulcoside A. The structures of the two compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-(3-α-O-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), and 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-(4-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), on the basis of extensive NMR and MS spectral data as well as chemical studies.
Abstract 5043: Physical activity and the risk of lung cancer death: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: Moderate and vigorous physical activity have shown inverse associations with lung cancer (LC) risk, as well as a dose-response effect, in previous studies. One mechanism for this occurrence is the anti-inflammatory effect of physical activity, which may occur due to a reduction in visceral fat mass, with a decreased production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the creation of an anti-inflammatory environment. Chronic inflammation has been shown to play an important role in LC. Few studies have simultaneously examined associations between physical activity and inflammatory factors in relation to LC. The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity and inflammatory factors, such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), smoking, and obesity in relation to LC fatality. Methods: Data from cancer-free individuals over age 40 in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) were prospectively examined in relation to physical activity, inflammation and LC fatality. Mortality status was ascertained through probabilistic record matching using the National Death Index. Physical activity was assessed in the NHANES III Household Adult Questionnaire, along with demographics, smoking and other lifestyle factors. Cox proportional hazards regression models assessed the relationship between physical activity, inflammatory factors and risk of LC death. Results: Of 8,950 participants, 219 individuals died of LC during the 218-month follow-up period. Multivariate regression analyses revealed a 35% reduced risk of LC death for smokers (HR=0.65, p=0.0061) and 34% reduced risk of LC death for males (HR=0.66, p=0.0230) who reported that they had walked at least a mile or more in the past month versus those who did not report walking a mile or more in the past month, while adjusting for CRP, smoking, age, gender, and BMI. A dose-response effect was observed for low, moderate and high CRP levels and LC death (CRP 7, respectively; p-trend Conclusions: This study showed substantial reductions in risk of LC death among smokers and males who reported that they walked at least a mile or more in the past month when adjusting for other inflammation-related factors, which has not been previously examined. These results were not observed for females and non-smokers, however, which may suggest a different mechanism in these groups, such as environmental or genetic factors. Additional studies are needed to further explore these results among diverse populations. Citation Format: Marisa A. Bittoni, Randall E. Harris, Janet Buckworth, Steven K. Clinton, Brian C. Focht. Physical activity and the risk of lung cancer death: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5043. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5043
Regulation ofcodBAOperon Expression inEscherichia coliby UTP-dependent Reiterative Transcription and UTP-sensitive Transcriptional Start Site Switching

Abstract Reiterative transcription is the repetitive addition of nucleotides to the 3′ end of a nascent transcript due to slippage between the transcript and DNA template. Recently, we showed that pyrimidine-mediated regulation ofpyrBIoperon expression inEscherichia colioccurs, in part, through a mechanism in which induction of UTP-dependent reiterative transcription within the initially transcribed region prevents downstream extension of the nascent transcript to include structural gene sequences. In this study we demonstrate that pyrimidine-mediated regulation ofcodBAoperon expression inE. colialso involves UTP-dependent reiterative transcription during initiation; however, the mechanism is different from that of thepyrBIoperon. The initially transcribed region of thecodBApromoter contains the sequence GATTTTTTG (non-template strand). Our results show that transcription is initiated primarily at the first two bases designated G7 and A8 (counting from the −10 region). When transcripts are initiated at position A8, UTP-dependent reiterative transcription always occurs within the run of T residues in the initially transcribed region. The AUUUUn(wheren=1 to >15) transcripts produced by this reaction are not extended productively to include downstreamcodBAsequences. In contrast, most transcripts initiated at position G7 do not engage in reiterative transcription and can be elongated normally. Characterization of acodBApromoter mutation that prevents reiterative transcription showed that this reaction is required for virtually all pyrimidine-mediated regulation of operon expression and that UTP levels control the selection of the G7 and A8 transcriptional start sites. These results suggest a model for regulation in which high intracellular levels of UTP favor transcriptional initiation at position A8 and thus the accompanying reiterative transcription, which together preclude initiation at position G7. Low levels of UTP inhibit initiation at position A8 and the associated reiterative transcription, thereby allowing high levels of initiation at position G7 and operon expression. Our results also indicate critical sequence requirements for reiterative transcription, which are important for understanding the mechanism of this reaction as well as for identifying other promoters at which this reaction may occur. Of particular interest is the indication that an RNA : DNA hybrid forms during transcriptional initiation and the strength of this hybrid controls the extent of reiterative transcription.
Factors Affecting the Loss of Length Associated With Tunica Albuginea Plication for Correction of Penile Curvature

Purpose: Loss of length is a common postoperative complaint of the patient who undergoes surgical correction of penile curvature. We investigate the factors influencing complications in patients who have undergone TAP for PD and chordee.Materials and Methods: A total of 102 patients underwent TAP for PD (68) or chordee (34) between 1997 and 2004. Data were gathered on each patient’s preoperative complaints, physical examination, Doppler ultrasound, operative data and postoperative complaints. For the purposes of this study penile length was measured from pubis to corona along the dorsal surface of the stretched phallus.Results: Mean ages at surgery for men with PD and chordee were 53 and 24, respectively. A range of 1 to 6 plications were performed on each patient (mean 3) with an acceptably straight penis (curve less than 20 degrees) being achieved in 99% of patients. Mean followup for our patient population was 29 months and revealed only 1 patient with residual curvature. The mean loss in length after ...
Language acquisition: coping with lexical gaps

Computer programs so far have not fared well in modeling language acquisition. For one thing, learning methodology applicable in general domains does not readily lend itself in the linguistic domain. For another, linguistic representation used by language processing systems is not geared to learning. We introduced a new linguistic representation, the Dynamic Hierarchical Phrasal Lexicon (DHPL) [Zernik 88], to facilitate language acquisition. From this, a language learning model was implemented in the program RINA, which enhances its own lexical hierarchy by processing examples in context. We identified two tasks: First, how linguistic concepts are acquired from training examples and organized in a hierarchy; this task was discussed in previous papers [Zernik87]. Second, we show in this paper how a lexical hierarchy is used in predicting new linguistic concepts. Thus, a program does not stall even in the presence of a lexical unknown, and a hypothesis can be produced for covering that lexical gap.
Read my hips : measuring trochanteric soft tissue thickness

There is considerable uncertainty about which factors best predict hip fractures in the elderly. We have previously shown that a global measure of body habitus, the body mass index (BMI), is an important predictor of hip fracture in this age group. BMI may serve as a surrogate measure of trochanteric soft tissue thickness. To determine a more local assessment of trochanteric soft tissue, we compared trochanteric soft tissue thickness by ultrasound to other local measures of trochanteric soft tissue thickness (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA] and hip circumference) and global measures of body habitus [body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), hip/waist circumference] in 50 healthy, community-dwelling women [72 +/- 4 years old (mean +/- SD)]. Ultrasound was highly correlated with DXA trochanteric soft tissue (r2 = 0.815, P < 0.0001), hip circumference (r2 = 0.810, P < 0.0001), BMI (r2 = 0.721, P < 0.0001), and BIA (r2 = 0.743, P < 0.0001). Trochanteric soft tissue thickness measured by DXA was also significantly (P < 0.0001) correlated with BMI and BIA. We conclude that local assessments of trochanteric soft tissue thickness, including DXA and hip circumference, provide an easy and noninvasive technique to assess trochanteric soft tissue thickness.
The Kerala Regime and Regional Disparities in Health Infrastructure Versus Outcomes

Conventional wisdom holds that although at the time of Kerala state formation in 1956 the northern region (Malabar) lagged behind the southern region (Travancore-Cochin) in development indicators, inter-regional disparities reduced considerably in ensuing decades. The reduction in regional disparities is typically attributed to modern Kerala's welfare policy regime, which emphasized greater growth of infrastructure facilities in Malabar. This study presents evidence for health that suggests that while disparities in outcomes reduced over time, disparities in key infrastructural inputs did not reduce. These differing trends for infrastructure and outcomes are consistentwith a diminishing returns argument that may have little to do directly with the Kerala regime. Rather, the potency of the Kerala regime lays in its ability to increase development inputs throughout the state (albeit without favoring the lagging region) and consolidate the conditions for “public action” to effectively demand and utilize thes...
Delay estimation of disturbances on the basilar membrane

With current measurement techniques, it is impossible to directly observe the traveling wave on the basilar membrane over its entire length. Treating the mechanical propagation as a pure conduction delay, the travel time to a particular region can be inferred from the phase-frequency characteristics of the neural response.
Potentiation of the biologic activity of ACTH by human plasma. A preliminary study.

ABSTRACT With the use of the Simpson-Evans-Li assay for corticotrophin (adrenal weight-maintaining activity) it was found that human plasma potentiates the biologic activity of ACTH. ACTH added to ACTH-free human plasma showed detectable activity at a concentration of .005 mU/ml; a concentration 3 orders of magnitude greater was required to demonstrate activity when ACTH was added to saline or plasma protein fractions. A repository effect of plasma did not account for the observed effects, and losses during preparation of sample and injection into animals were the same regardless of the vehicle used. Potentiation was found to be present only in plasma obtained from persons with intact pituitaries and could not be demonstrated in plasma of patients with hypopituitarism. Evidence is presented that growth hormone, gonadotrophins and degradation products of ACTH are probably not responsible. Attempts were also made to identify the origin of the activity; the absence of potentiation from plasma of patients wit...
Small Business Entry Strategies: An Integration of Technological Discontinuity and Industry Growth Potential

Technological innovations often create growth and profit opportunities for new firms. Entrepreneurs may find it beneficial to take advantage of these opportunities. A critical decision facing any new venture is selecting a strategy to effectively enter a market or industry. To assist the decision maker in this endeavor, a normative model is offered to help entrepreneurs position themselves to take advantage of technological innovation. Specifically, the model develops four different strategic choices. These strategic choices are contingent on the magnitude of techno­ logical change and the growth potential of the industry.