cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inducing intracellular ros and cellular redox without cell death in mesenchymal cells using microsecondpulsed DBD plasma

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a known activator of cell signaling, however too much ROS causes cell death. Our goal was to determine the optimal microsecond-pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma (DBD-plasma) treatment dose (J/cm2) in which ROS/redox responses would potentially activate cell function but not cell death. In this study, we applied DBD-plasma to mesenchymal cells and evaluated intracellular ROS generation, redox, mitochondrial membrane potential and the Live/Dead response to increasing levels of DBD-plasma. Using fluorescent indicators to measure superoxide anion (O 2 −.) (MitoSOX™ Red), reduced glutathione (GSH) (ThiolTracker™ Violet) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) (MitoTracker® Red), we show that DBD-plasma doses of 1–5 J/cm2 stimulated an immediate (minutes) increase in O 2 − levels with a concomitant decrease in reduced thiol. The mitosox fluorescence intensity increased with DBD-plasma treatments until 1 J/cm2, after which levels plateaued regardless of increased dose. Reduced thiol fluorescent intensity showed an immediate 50% decrease regardless of DBD-plasma treatment dose. A 20% decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential occurred at 2 hrs post-DBD-plasma treatments 1 – 5 J/cm2, with significant cell death observed (fluorescent Live/Dead assay; syto- 13/propidium iodide) at levels of 2.5 J/cm2 and greater. Taken together, these results provide a range in which DBD (0–2.0 J/cm2) intracellular ROS generation and cellular redox change with little effect on cell viability. Understanding the optimal treatment levels DBD-plasma interactions is essential for developing DBD-plasma treatments to induce directed cell function such as; proliferation, differentiation and targeted gene expression.
Numerical Simulations of Dynamics and Heat Transfer Associated With a Single Bubble in the Presence of Noncondensables

Under subcooled boiling conditions, the liquid may contain dissolved noncondensabe gases. During phase change at the bubble-liquid interface, noncondensable gases will be injected into the bubble along with vapor. Due to heat transfer into sub-cooled liquid, vapor will condense in the upper regions of the bubble and the bubble interface is impermeable to noncondensables. As a result, noncondensabe gases will accumulate at the top of bubbles. This existing gradient of noncondensable concentration inside bubble determines the saturation temperature gradient around the bubble surface. The nonuniform saturation temperature may cause a difference in surface tension which would give rise to thermocapillary convection in the vicinity of the interface. So far, this description is merely a hypothesis. It is felt that much inspection is in vital demand to clarify the uncertainty as to the role of noncondensables throughout this process. In this study, air is taken as noncondensable gas, and the aim is to investigate the effects of noncondensable air on heat transfer and bubble dynamics. The results from a numerical procedure coupling level set function with moving mesh method show the evidence of effects of noncondensable air imposed on heat transfer and the induced flow pattern is presented as well.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Transcendence in James Reynolds' Old Age Landscapes

Some gerontological theories suggest a turn toward philosophical transcendence in positive adjustment to old age. If this is true, one should expect such a turn to be manifest in the work of at least some artists who are active in old age. This essay argues that the late landscape paintings of James Reynolds exhibit just such a shift. Reynolds should be included among those few artists whose old age work presents convincing evidence of a distinctive old age style.
Phytoalexin aurone induced in Cephalocereus senilis liquid suspension culture

A new aurone, 4,5-methylenedioxy-6-hydoxyaurone, isolated from chitin-treated liquid suspension cultures of Cephalocereus senilis showed antibacterial activity. The structure of the aurone, cephalocerone, was elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods.
Non-Native Aggregation of α-Chymotrypsinogen Occurs through Nucleation and Growth with Competing Nucleus Sizes and Negative Activation Energies†

The kinetics and structural transitions of non-native aggregation of α-chymotrypsinogen (aCgn) were investigated over a wide range of temperature and initial protein concentration at pH 3.5, where high molecular weight aggregates remained soluble throughout the reaction. A comparison of thermodynamic, kinetic, and spectroscopic data shows that aggregation under non-native-favoring conditions proceeds through a molten globule unfolded monomer state, with a nucleation and growth mechanism. Formation of irreversible aggregates and conversion to β-sheet secondary structures occur simultaneously without detectable intermediates, suggesting that β-sheet formation may be a commitment step during the nucleation and growth stages. Analysis of the kinetics using a Lumry−Eyring with nucleated polymerization (LENP) model provides the predominant nucleus size and the product of the intrinsic nucleation and intrinsic growth time scales at each state point. We find that the nucleus size depends on both temperature and p...
Effect of H2 histamine receptor blockade and stimulation on urinary acidification

Abstract 1. 1. Acid secretion by the stomach is enhanced by H 2 histamine stimualtion and is depressed by its inhibition. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the possible effect of H 2 histamine activity on acid excretion by the kidney, the other major acid secreting organ. 2. 2. The study was stimulated by an earlier observation indicating a fall in urinary acid excretion in human associated with short-term administration of an H 2 histamine antagonist (cimetidine). 3. 3. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the cimetidine-treated, histolog-treated and placebo-treated (control) groups. 4. 4. Urinary titratable acidity, NH + 4 , HCO − 3 and net acid excretion rates were determined following administration of either cimetidine, histolog or placebo. Excepting the above pharmacologic manipulations all other experimental conditions were similar. 5. 5. Urinary titratable and net acid excretion rates were significantly reduced with cimetidine and increased with histalog as compared with the control group. 6. 6. The observed urinary changes are not due to the effects of these agents on gastric acid secretion since if that was the case the opposite results would have been expected. 7. 7. The data suggest that urinary acidification is somehow influenced by acute changes of H 2 histamine activity in rats. The precise mechanism, site of action in the kidney and pathophysiologic significance of this phenomenon remains to be elucidated.
Conservative dichroism of a sheared suspension in the Rayleigh-Gans light scattering approximation

Abstract A polarization modulation linear dichroism technique has recently been developed and applied to studies of the particle microdynamics associated with subjecting dilute colloidal suspensions to time-dependent flows. In this paper, we compare the abilities of the Rayleigh and Rayleigh-Gans light scattering approximations to represent experimental dichroism data in terms of calculations based on known hydrodynamic models. In particular, the importance of considering finite particle size in the light scattering theory is investigated. Calculations of the conservative linear dichroism and of the average particle orientation angle are carried out for dilute suspensions subjected to transient simple shear flow in the absence of Brownian motion and in the presence of weak Brownian motion. For both situations, only small differences in the features associated with the particle orientation statistics of the simulation occur between the Rayleigh and the Rayleigh-Gans calculations over a wide range in particle geometry. In particular, the calculation of the average particle orientation angle is found to be insensitive to the choice of light scattering treatment. Generally, we infer from these simulations that the additional complexity of the Rayleigh-Gans treatment is usually not warranted for the analysis of typical rheo-optical data from dilute suspensions.
Scheduling Models for Setup Reduction

The reduction of setup time has a significant impact on shortening manufacturing cycle time. In this paper, characteristics of setup activities are investigated, and models for sequencing setup activities are discussed. Sequencing setup activities can be modeled as a project scheduling problem. Two basic linear programming models for scheduling setup activities are presented. The models minimize the setup time (in particular, the internal setup time), and make a trade-off between the time and cost of setup activities with limited machining resources and budget. Factorial analysis is used to provide insights into the minimization of internal setup time.
Genetic control of apolipoprotein A-I distribution among HDL subclasses

We conducted genetic analyses to determine the components of variation for size distributions of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I among human plasma lipoproteins resolved on the basis of size. Analyses used data for 717 individuals in 26 pedigrees. Apo A-I distributions among lipoprotein size classes were measured by nondenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE) and immunoblotting procedures. Curves were fitted to apo A-I absorbance profiles to estimate fractional absorbance in each of five high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses. Multivariate regression analyses revealed several covariates (sex, age, diabetes, and apo A-I concentrations) that were significantly associated with variation in one or more HDL subclasses. Female gender and elevated apo A-I concentrations were associated with increases in proportion of apo A-I in larger HDLs, while increasing age and diabetes were associated with decreases. The analyses showed significant heritabilities. h2, for each variable representing the different HDL subclasses. Both genetic and nongenetic effects on apo A-I size distributions were generally exerted across the range of lipoprotein sizes, as suggested by high genetic and environmental correlations between HDL subclass variables. Decomposition of total overall variance showed that unidentified environmental factors accounted for 48% of variation in apo A-I size distribution, while genetic factors explained about 36% and the identified covariates explained the remaining 16%. When considered separately, apo A-I concentration explained only 5% of the total variation in apo A-I size distribution, indicating that apo A-I concentration is a poor predictor of apo A-I size distribution. In summary, the data suggest that there are significant genetic and environmental effects on apo A-I size distribution in humans, and that they are general metabolic effects rather than effects on specific HDL subclasses.
Serotonergic regulation of neuronal excitability in the prefrontal cortex

Abstract The cerebral cortex receives a dense serotonergic innervation originating predominantly from the dorsal raphe nucleus. This innervation regulates cortical functioning by activating multiple serotonin receptors that are differentially expressed by pyramidal cells and interneurons. Electrophysiological studies in the prefrontal cortex indicate that receptors of the 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2A subtypes are the main serotonin receptors regulating membrane excitability in pyramidal cells. Most pyramidal cells in layer V coexpress 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2A receptors that together regulate how these neurons encode excitatory input into neuronal firing. In contrast, a subset of large pyramidal cells of deep layer V appears to express exclusively 5-HT 2A receptors that depolarize and excite these cells. Serotonin also depolarizes and excites at least two classes of GABAergic interneurons by acting on 5-HT 3 and 5-HT 2A receptors. The differential expression of serotonin receptors in different pyramidal cells and interneurons is consistent with a growing appreciation of the anatomical, molecular and functional heterogeneity of pyramidal cells and interneurons of the cerebral cortex. These findings begin to lay the ground for a cellular-level understanding of the serotonergic regulation of the prefrontal cortex.
The Theoretical and Practical Implications of Marketing Scholarship

Although considerable attention has been paid to the subject of scholarship in other disciplines, relatively little attention has been devoted to this vital topic in marketing. Moreover, while there has been attention paid to the influence of marketing research on pedagogy, the impact of input from learning environments into research has virtually been ignored. There are increasing pressures on higher education that brings to question the sustainability of scholarship. This paper briefly reviews the historical evolution and the modern conceptualization of scholarship, and presents an inclusive process model of marketing scholarship that attempts to address these pressures. Suggestions are made for implementing the model.
Custom annular photodetector arrays for breast cancer margin assessment using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

A custom imaging array has been optimized for diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for breast cancer margin assessment. The imaging array has been designed, fabricated and tested with a 99% diffuse reflectance standard, a 2% diffuse reflectance standard, bovine muscle tissue, and poultry tissue. Estimated signal-to-noise ratios of greater than 35 dB have been measured with all four specimens. Reflectance contrast image maps have been extracted from the diffuse reflectance signals for the poultry tissue and correlate well with the tissue sample.
Agonist-induced endocytosis of muscarinic cholinergic receptors: relationship to stimulated phosphoinositide turnover.

The ability of muscarinic cholinergic receptors to activate phosphoinositide turnover following agonist-induced internalization has been investigated. Incubation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with oxotremorine-M resulted in a time-dependent endocytosis of both muscarinic receptors and a subunits of G q and G 11 , but not of isoforms of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C, into a subfraction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (V 1 ). Agonist-induced increases in diacylglycerol mass and in 32 P-phosphatidate labeling, much of which was of the tetraenoic species, were also observed in the V 1 fraction, but these increases persisted when the agonist-induced translocation of receptors into the V 1 fraction was blocked. All enzymes of the phosphoinositide cycle were detectable in the V 1 fraction. However, with the exception of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, none was enriched when compared with cell lysates. Both 32 P-labeling studies and enzyme assays point to a very limited capacity of this fraction to synthesize phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, whereas the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate is robust. These results indicate that endocytosed receptors do not appear to retain their ability to activate phosphoinositide turnover. The availability of the substrate for phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, may be one factor that limits the activity of muscarinic receptors in this subcellular compartment.
A networked control system for heterogeneous robots

To replace numerous platform-specific operator control units, this paper presents a design methodology and implementation for a low-cost, networked control system for heterogeneous robots that is chassis and operator control unit independent. By leveraging small embedded computers, we can control and connect various platforms through an existing wireless infrastructure and implement semi-autonomous capabilities for obstacle detection and avoidance. Our approach uses a standardized control system that connects to existing robots in a plug-and-play manner. Our programmable and adaptable controller can be applied to a wide variety of sectors such as military, law enforcement, and search and rescue. Regardless of the sector, an urgent need exists to meet the current challenges of unmanned system interoperability. We achieve a level of standardization between various platforms in order to incorporate greater levels of compatibility and autonomy.
Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological profile of 9-amino-4-oxo-1-phenyl-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6, 7,1-hi]indoles: discovery of potent, selective phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors.

The synthesis, structure−activity relationships, and biological properties of a novel series of potent and selective phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are described. These new aminodiazepinoindoles displayed in vitro PDE4 activity with submicromolar IC50 values and PDE4 selectivity vs PDE1, -3, and -5. Specifically, one compound (CI-1044, 10e) provided efficient in vitro inhibition of TNFα release from hPBMC and hWB with IC50 values of 0.34 and 0.84 μM, respectively. This compound was found to exhibit potent in vivo activity in antigen-induced eosinophil recruitment in Brown-Norway rats (ED50 = 3.2 mg/kg po) and in production of TNFα in Wistar rats (ED50 = 2.8 mg/kg po). No emetic side effects at therapeutic doses were observed in ferrets.
Copper(II) complexes of 2-formyl-,2-acetyl- and 2-benzoylpyridine N (4)- o-, N (4)- m-, N (4)- p -chlorophenylthiosemicarbazones

CuII complexes of 2-formyl, 2-acetyl- and 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-o-, N(4)-m- and N(4)-p-chlorophenylthiosemicarbazones, coordinated either as a neutral or monoanionic ligand, have been prepared and characterized. I.r., electronic and e.s.r. spectra of the complexes, as well as 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectra of the thiosemicarbazones, have been obtained. Both the thiosemicarbazones and their CuII complexes show either modest or no growth inhibitory activity against Paecilomyces variotii. Some of the thiosemicarbazones demonstrated significant activity against tumour cell strains.
Unwelcome Neighbors: Shared Ethnicity and International Conflict During the Cold War

This article assesses the role of ethnic demographics and domestic ethnic rebellion in promoting international conflict. Three of the variables introduced examine dyads within which a common ethnic group exists. These variables are coded to distinguish the presence of a trans-border ethnic group that exists as a majority in both states; a majority in one state and a minority in the other; or a minority in both states. The pooled dataset, which covers the years 1951–1991, is analyzed using different types of data to account for both broad and narrow conceptions of ethnicity. The results indicate a strong and significant increase in dyadic conflict when two states share an ethnic group and an ethnic majority exists in at least one of the states. Ethnic rebellion is also found to significantly harm interstate relations when an ethnic diaspora is involved. Associations found between ethnicity and international conflict are most pronounced when international disputes involve fatalities.
Carbon uptake by secondary forests in Brazilian Amazonia

Abstract Estimating the contribution of deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions requires calculations of the uptake of carbon by the vegetation that replaces the forest, as well as the emissions from burning and decay of forest biomass and from altered emissions and uptakes by the soil. The role of regeneration in offsetting emissions from deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon has sometimes been exaggerated. Unlike many other tropical areas, cattle pasture (rather than shifting cultivation) usually replaces forest in Brazilian Amazonia. Degraded cattle pastures regenerate secondary forests more slowly than do fallows in shifting cultivation systems, leading to lower uptake of carbon. The calculations presented here indicate that in 1990 the 410 x 103 km2 deforested landscape was taking up 29 x 106 t of carbon (C) annually (0.7 t C ha-1 year-1). This does not include the emissions from clearing of secondary forests, which in 1990 released an estimated 27 x 106 t C, almost completely offsetting the uptake from the landscape. Were the present land-use change processes to continue, carbon uptake would rise to 365 x 106 t annually (0.9 t C ha-1 year-1) in 2090 in the 3.9 x 106 km6 area that would have been deforested by that year. The 1990 rate of emissions from deforestation in the region greatly exceeded the uptake from regrowth of replacement vegetation.
Ulcerating plantar keratoderma in association with systemic lupus erythematosus

This report highlights the finding of ulcerative plantar keratoderma in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both patients suffered from painful plantar ulcerations and fissures; i...
Alkylpyrazine alarm pheromones in primitive ants with small colonial units

Abstract 1. 1. 2,5-Dimethyl-3-isopentylpyrazine is the main constituent in the mandibular gland secretions of workers of Hypoponera opacior and Ponera pennsylvanica. 2. 2. 2,5-Dimethyl-3-isopentypyrazine releases escape alarm behavior in workers of H. opacior and P. pennsylvanica. 3. 3. The adaptiveness of a chemical alarm system in ant species which form relatively small colonies is discussed.
A case study of successful library fund‐raising: the right mix of deliberate strategy, “opportunity knocks” and “Lady Luck”

In November 1998, the new Fondren Library Center (FLC) was dedicated at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. This building, connecting the main Fondren Library with the Science and Engineering Library (SEL), was the first building to be completed in SMU’s five year capital campaign “The campaign for SMU: a time to lead”, 1997‐2002. Was this seminal event a reflection of the university’s commitment to its library system; a tribute to donor generosity; the result of intense lobbying on the part of faculty and library staff; a happy accident; or some combination of all of the above? The article hopes to show that, like much fund‐raising, the latter was the case.
Recent development on the uncooled mid-infrared PbSe detectors with high detectivity

Polycrystalline lead salt photoconductive (PC) detectors have been widely used for applications in the 1-5μm spectral range because of their low cost, room temperature operation and high detectivity. However, the physical mechanism of such detectors had not been un-ambiguously understood. In order to improve the performance, we proposed a charge separation junction (CSJ) model to analyze and guide our material synthesis process, which has led to PbSe PC detectors with record high detectivity. On the other hand, the performance of photovoltaic (PV) detectors using Pb-salt epitaxial films on Si substrates has been limited by their high defect density even though the ideal performance of the PbSe PV detector was theoretically proven to be higher than the most popular HgCdTe PV detectors at near room temperature, due to its low Auger recombination property. Inspired by the high material quality of self-assembled lead salt microcrystals, we developed a novel method to produce PV detectors using PbSe micro-crystals based on our studies on the PC detector research that showed promising preliminary results.
Analysis and Validation of One-Dimensional Models for Gaseous Flows in Micro-Channels

We present three one-dimensional models to simulate gaseous flows in micro-channels. These include no-slip flow, simple fully-developed, and locally fully-developed models. The locally fully-developed model provides a more accurate prediction when both rarefaction and gas acceleration need to be considered in micro-flows. Furthermore, the effects of rarefaction and gas acceleration on the locally dimensionless pressure ratio are specified on the basis of the three models
The repeatability and accuracy of ultrasound in measuring backfat of cattle

Repeatability of ultrasound backfat measurements was determined on 217 cattle, and the association of ultrasound and carcass backfat measurements was evaluated with 580 animals. The correlation (repeatability) between consecutive ultrasound measurements was .975. Average difference between two ultrasound measures was .72 mm and error size was directly related (P less than .001) to the amount of backfat. Ultrasound measures averaged 8% (P less than .001) less than carcass measures. The average absolute difference between these two measures was 1.57 mm. Discrepancies were (P less than .001) larger when backfat was thicker; cattle with backfat measuring less than 10 mm averaged 1.43 mm absolute difference, whereas those with backfat greater than 10 mm averaged 1.89 mm. The variance of the discrepancies was partitioned into three components: ultrasound measurement error (14%), drift related to intercept and slope (15%), and residual (71%). The residual component may have represented errors in carcass measurement. In a subsequent trial with 175 cattle, average difference between ultrasound and carcass backfat measurements was reduced to 1.19 mm. Also, the slope and intercept virtually mimicked the isopach. Ultrasound measures can be more precise (minutely exact) and accurate (close to the true value) than carcass measures for assessing absolute backfat thickness in cattle. Elements of measurement protocol that may improve ultrasound technique are imparted in the manuscript.
Thirty Years of Growth in the Literature of Interior Design

The literature of interior design has come to occupy a substantial portion of art book publishing today. A survey of key literature produced since 1961 amply demonstrates the intellectual and social development of interior design from its origins as an aspect of the applied arts, rooted in architectural practice, to its present status as an interconnected but independent discipline. The subsequent thirty years have seen considerable changes in published books on interior design. In particular, newer writings on interior design and decoration represent a sharply defined balance between professional and popular interests. Post-1961 books reflect aspects of design history in the making, and they themselves serve as forms of cultural interpretation. When Gertrude Lackshewitz's bibliography Interior Design and Decoration was published by the New York Public Library in 1961, it was the first reference tool to survey the major literature of the field on a comprehensive basis.1 This publication cited a growing number of reference books, histories, period surveys, and works on specific interior design components. Interior Design and Decoration has thus become a watershed publication, as well as a starting point for further bibliographical investigation. Post-war interior design practices, along with increased disposable income and consumerism, fostered the creation of more publications than ever before. Scholarly design studies developed in earnest throughout the i960s, and publishing on interiors boomed in response to varied professional and general demands.2 Since 1961, standards have been drawn up, educational courses have been plotted, and a proliferation of organizations and associations has been created to advance interior design as a profession. The 1991 Encyclopedia of Associations now lists seventy-four international interior design groups.3 Books of the past thirty years show the rapid evolution of interior design enquiry into two separate contexts useful either for professionals or amateurs. A common thread can be found even within this dichotomy: most authors acknowledge and confront issues related to interior design's role as a cultural force.4 As the literature has grown markedly, the quality of most books' texts has risen to meet the expanding nature of design studies. The most substantial increase in books on interior design and decoration occurred during the i98os, including many picture book and glossy periodical productions, triggered by the rampant consumerism of that decade. The influx of these books firmly established eclecticism as an enduring aspect of industrial and popular taste. A review of significant titles reveals that interior design and decoration research is moving toward new and more sophisticated conclusions.
Rapid Response Predicts Binge Eating and Weight Loss in Binge Eating Disorder: Findings from a Controlled Trial of Orlistat with Guided Self-Help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract Objective It is important to find ways to predict response to treatments as this may inform treatment planning. We examined rapid response in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) who participated in a randomized placebo-controlled study of orlistat administered with cognitive behavioral therapy delivered by guided self-help (CBTgsh) format. Methods Fifty patients were randomly assigned to 12-week treatments of either orlistat+CBTgsh or placebo+CBTgsh, and were followed in double-blind fashion for 3 months after treatment discontinuation. Rapid response, defined as 70% or greater reduction in binge eating by the fourth treatment week, was determined by receiver operating characteristic curves, and was then used to predict outcomes. Results Rapid response characterized 42% of participants, was unrelated to participants’ demographic features and most baseline characteristics, and was unrelated to attrition from treatment. Participants with rapid response were more likely to achieve binge eating remission and 5% weight loss. If rapid response occurred, the level of improvement was sustained during the remaining course of treatment and the 3-month period after treatment. Participants without rapid response showed a subsequent pattern of continued improvement. Conclusion Rapid response demonstrated the same prognostic significance and time course for CBTgsh as previously documented for individual CBT. Among rapid responders, improvements were well sustained, and among non-rapid responders, continuing with CBTgsh (regardless of medication) led to subsequent improvements.
The Role of Cooperation in Creating a Library Online Tutorial

SUMMARY Reference librarians at St. Charles Community College discovered the benefits of cooperation when they began the process of creating an online library tutorial. In the fall of 1999, librarians realized that their walk-in library sessions were becoming ineffective due to poor attendance by students. The tours didn't fit into on-campus students' busy schedules, and failed to serve distance students at all. Two reference librarians decided to work together to create a web-based tutorial introducing students to library online resources. It was an informal process that started with information gathering on what tutorials exist, how they were developed and what type of software was used. After the librarians decided on the format and appropriate software, they brought together their creative and technical strengths to design an appealing and functional tutorial. To create a “virtual tour” of the library's physical layout, the librarians also collaborated with the Instructional Support Center, a group of...
Improved Filter Design in Internal Model Control

The widely published internal model control (IMC) proportional-integral-derivative (PID) tuning rules provide poor load disturbance suppression for processes in which the desired closed-loop dynamics is significantly faster than the open-loop dynamics. The IMC filter is modified to derive low-order controllers that provide effective disturbance suppression irrespective of the location at which the disturbances enter the closed-loop system.
Molecular dynamics calculations of shear viscosity time-correlation functions for hard spheres

The time-correlation function for shear viscosity is evaluated for hard spheres at volumes of 1.6 and 3 times the close-packed volume by a Monte Carlomolecular dynamics technique. At both densities, the kinetic part of the timecorrelation function is consistent, within its rather large statistical uncertainty, with the long-timet−3/2 tail predicted by the mode-coupling theory. However, at the higher density, the time-correlation function is dominated by the cross and potential terms out to 25 mean free times, whereas the mode-coupling theory predicts that these are asymptotically negligible compared to the kinetic part. The total time-correlation function decays roughly asαt−3/2, withα much larger than the mode-coupling value, similar to the recent observations by Evans in his nonequilibrium simulations of argon and methane. The exact value of the exponent is, however, not very precisely determined. By analogy with the case of the velocity autocorrelation function, for which results are also presented at these densities, it is argued that it is quite possible that at high density the asymptotic behavior is not established until times substantially longer than those attainable in the present work. At the lower density, the cross and potential terms are of the same magnitude as the kinetic part, and all are consistent with the mode-coupling predictions within the relatively large statistical uncertainties.
S.A.W. fused-silica reflective-array compressor

A surface-wave reflective-array compressor using edge-bonded transducers and a fused-silica substrate is described. A flat amplitude response over a 60 MHz bandwidth about a 100 MHz centre frequency has been obtained by weighting the groove depth. This is in good agreement with the theoretical calculated transfer function involving a δ function method. Insertion loss is 25 dB and a pulse-compression loop has shown a compression ratio of nearly equal to 1.800.
Determining the Appropriate Depth and Breadth of a Firm's Product Portfolio

Abstract Some firms have broad product lines; others have lean product lines. To determine the appropriate number of entries in a specific firm’s product line, the author develops a model that balances the benefits of increased revenue from a broad product line against production and engineering costs. Two innovations were central in the development of the model: (1) redefining how products are scored on various product attributes so that attribute scores vary normally across the population of products and (2) redefining how the number of entries in a product portfolio is calculated in order to discount the significance of entries that are highly similar to existing products. The author also introduces the notion of a centroid time to more easily adjust sales and total development costs for product life cycle and investment life cycle effects. These redefinitions enable a firm’s profit to be modeled as a simple function of its effective number of product entries, the effective number of competitors entrie...
The relationship of iron and glycogen to the in vitro, ultraweak chemiluminescent analysis of lipid peroxidation in rabbit hearts of varying ages

Abstract Oxidative stress, which occurs when prooxidants overwhelm antioxidants, has been implicated as a cause of tissue damage related to ischemia and reperfusion. Neonatal animal and human hearts have been shown to differ in their response to oxidative stress, but the mechanism for this difference is unclear. To study this phenomena, crude homogenates of hearts from 4-day, 4-week, and adult (>6 months) New Zealand rabbits were studied by chemiluminescence after exposure to O2/CO2 ( 95 5 ) or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Loosely bound iron and glycogen concentrations were also determined. The 4-day hearts exhibited more chemiluminescence after both oxygen and TBHP-driven stress. When exposed to O2, they reached a maximum rate of chemiluminescence in one-third less time and exhibited a 22% higher count rate. Likewise, when stimulated by TBHP, their rate was 44% higher than the hearts of both older groups. The 4-day hearts also had a 40% greater content of loosely bound iron that may, in part, explain their greater susceptibility to oxidative stress. Although the youngest hearts had the highest glycogen content, that did not offer protection against oxidative stress, as has been previously reported for liver.
Sequential binding and sensing of Zn(II) by Bacillus subtilis Zur

Bacillus subtilis Zur (BsZur) represses high-affinity zinc-uptake systems and alternative ribosomal proteins in response to zinc replete conditions. Sequence alignments and structural studies of related Fur family proteins suggest that BsZur may contain three zinc-binding sites (sites 1-3). Mutational analyses confirm the essential structural role of site 1, while mutants affected in sites 2 and 3 retain partial repressor function. Purified BsZur binds a maximum of two Zn(II) per monomer at site 1 and site 2. Site 3 residues are important for dimerization, but do not directly bind Zn(II). Analyses of metal-binding affinities reveals negative cooperativity between the two site 2 binding events in each dimer. DNA-binding studies indicate that BsZur is sequentially activated from an inactive dimer (Zur(2):Zn(2)) to a partially active asymmetric dimer (Zur(2):Zn(3)), and finally to the fully zinc-loaded active form (Zur(2):Zn(4)). BsZur with a C84S mutation in site 2 forms a Zur(2):Zn(3) form with normal metal- and DNA-binding affinities but is impaired in formation of the Zur(2):Zn(4) high affinity DNA-binding state. This mutant retains partial repressor activity in vivo, thereby supporting a model in which stepwise activation by zinc serves to broaden the physiological response to a wider range of metal concentrations.
Enzymic reduction of carcinogenic aromatic nitro compounds by rat and mouse liver fractions

Abstract The enzymatic reduction of 2-nitroaphthalene and similar aromatic nitro compounds by rat liver extracts was investigated. The incubation of 2-nitronaphthalene with the post-mitochondrial fraction of rat and mouse liver led to the slow formation of 2-naphthylamine and to the disappearance of 2-nitronaphthalene; the reaction also occurred with the cytoplasmic and microsomal fractions of rat liver and was generally accelerated by NADPH and FMN. No 2-naphthylhydroxylamine could be observed at any time during the reduction, even using a gas-liquid chromatographic system capable of detecting 5 μg of 2-naphthylhydroxylamine added to the incubation mixture. The similar incubation of 4-nitrobiphenyl and 1-nitronaphthalene also led to the slow formation of the corresponding arylamine, with no evidence of hydroxylamine accumulation. 2-Naphthylamine was also produced both chemically and enzymatically by incubating 2-naphthylhydroxylamine with rat liver post-mitochondrial supernatant. In contrast to 2-nitronaphthalene, 4-nitroquinoline- N -oxide was rapidly reduced by rat liver post-mitochondrial fraction to yield high levels of the 4-hydroxylamine derivative, as well as small but significant quantities of the corresponding amine.
In vivo and ex vivo epi-mode pump-probe imaging of melanin and microvasculature

We performed epi-mode pump-probe imaging of melanin in excised human pigmented lesions and both hemoglobin and melanin in live xenograft mouse melanoma models to depths greater than 100 µm. Eumelanin and pheomelanin images, which have been previously demonstrated to differentiate melanoma from benign lesions, were acquired at the dermal-epidermal junction with cellular resolution and modest optical powers (down to 15 mW). We imaged dermal microvasculature with the same wavelengths, allowing simultaneous acquisition of melanin, hemoglobin and multiphoton autofluorescence images. Molecular pump-probe imaging of melanocytes, skin structure and microvessels allows comprehensive, non-invasive characterization of pigmented lesions.
Idiosyncratic evolution of conserved eukaryote proteins that are similar in sequence to archaeal or bacterial proteins

Sequence comparisons have been made between the proteins of 571 prokaryote species including 46 archaea and 525 bacteria and the set of human proteins. Highly conserved eukaryotic proteins are often strikingly similar in sequence to archaeal and bacterial proteins. Yet in many cases similarity to archaeal proteins is not correlated to the similarity to bacterial proteins. In these comparisons there are hundreds of eukaryote proteins that match well archeal proteins, but do not match recognizably to bacterial proteins, while thousands of proteins match well to bacterial proteins but not recognizably to archeal proteins. Forty percent of the 21,440 human proteins that significantly match prokaryote proteins are in this extreme idiosyncratic category. These relationships have been preserved over billions of years since the last common ancestor or sharing of protein genes between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. For each of the 21,440 members of this set of human proteins (that make significant matches to any of the 1.8 million proteins in this set of prokaryote species protein libraries) it is certain that each protein has important functions both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and the precursor proteins have been important in the precursor species of both. That is the only explanation for the preservation of amino acid sequence similarity for the billions of years since the last common ancestor or period of sharing of proteins. Comparisons were made between the proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the proteins of the 571 prokaryote species. The results agreed with the human comparisons indicating that the conclusions apply to eukaryotes generally.
Impact of TGFβ1 gene polymorphisms on late renal function in pediatric heart transplantation

Abstract Late renal dysfunction may affect long-term outcome of nonrenal transplant recipients. We hypothesized that transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) might play a role in the fibrogenic mechanisms leading to renal dysfunction. The aim was to determine whether TGFβ1 gene polymorphisms are associated with renal outcome in pediatric heart recipients. Eighty-eight patients underwent a first heart transplantation at the age of 7.1 ± 6.5 years, received tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, and were followed for ≥1 year (6.7 ± 3.2 years). Creatinine clearance (CrCl; ml/mn/1.73 m 2 ) was calculated (Schwartz) before transplant, then at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year, and yearly up to 7 years. Impaired function was defined as CrCl 2 . Mean CrCl decreased from 120 ± 53 ml/mn/1.73 m 2 before transplant to 98 ± 40, 96 ± 37, 102 ± 30, and 101 ± 38 ml/mn/1.73 m 2 at, respectively, 6 months and 1, 5 (n = 58), and 7 years (n = 33). The TGFβ1 high-producer genotype had worse CrCl than intermediate and low producers at every time point, despite similar pretransplant CrCl (pretransplant = 120 ± 53 vs 118 ± 55 ml/mn/1.73 m 2 [ p = 0.8], 1 year = 92 ± 38 vs 113 ± 30 ml/mn/1.73 m 2 [ p = 0.03]) and similar tacrolimus levels. The TGFβ1 high-producer genotype was associated with CrCl 2 . The TGFβ1 high-producer genotype is associated with renal dysfunction in pediatric heart recipients.
First structural characterization of a covalently bonded porphyrin–carborane system

The first definitive crystal structure of a covalently bonded carborane–porphyrin system is reported; unusual inter- and intra-molecular carborane–porphyrin interactions are observed in the molecular structure and in variable temperature 1H NMR experiments.
Long-term effect of maternal obesity on pancreatic beta cells of offspring: reduced beta cell adaptation to high glucose and high-fat diet challenges in adult female mouse offspring.

Aim/hypothesis Obesity is a global problem with high risks of cardiovascular diseases, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It is well known that maternal obesity affects offspring by inducing malformation, functional abnormalities in many organs and cells, and by increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about abnormalities induced by maternal obesity in pancreatic beta cells of offspring.
Sacred Symbol as Mobilizing Ideology: The North Indian Search for a“Hindu” community

Always have Indians identified themselves by their caste, by theirancestral village: “Our family were Khatris from the West Punjabcountryside.” “Murud, at one time a fairly prosperous village, is mynative place.” In the late nineteenth century, however, an important new process of forging group identities which transcended these local attributions came to characterize South Asian social history. This was in part prompted by the efforts of an alien British administration to identify the constituent units in Indian society. Drawing on European historical experience, the administrators applied the collective labels "Hindu" and "Muslim" to groups who were far from homogeneous communities.
Moment Invariance For Perspective Transformations

The purpose of this paper is to consider the moment invariants of known forms for perspective transformation. These are important for machine vision systems because every lens system induces a perspective transformation. This approach considers the non-linear perspective transformation in a higher dimensional, homogeneous space. The perspective transformation is linear in this homogeneous space. Algebraic invariant theory used to determine absolute algebraic and moment invariants. By using the theory of conics, the known forms may be constructed and the general form may be reduced to the standard form. The cross ratio is a well known perspective invariant. The cross ratio, which is a geometrical feature independent of the perspective transformation, is expressed in terms of the absolute invariant. New moment invariants corresponding to the perspective transformation are also derived. Examples are presented to demonstrate the theoretical approach. The significance of this work lies in increasing the understanding of object recognition for human and machine vision.
Reaction of arsenic vapor species with fly ash compounds: kinetics and speciation of the reaction with calcium silicates

Abstract In coal combustion systems, the partitioning of arsenic between the vapor and solid phases is determined by the interaction of arsenic vapors with fly ash compounds under post-combustion conditions. This partitioning is affected by gas–solid reactions between the calcium components of the ash particles and arsenic vapors. In this study, bench scale experiments were conducted with calcium compounds typical of coal-derived fly ash to determine product formation, the extent of reaction and reaction rates when contacted by arsenic oxide vapors. Experiments conducted with arsenic trioxide (As4O6(g)) vapors in contact with calcium oxide, di-calcium silicate and mono-calcium silicate over the temperature range 600–1000 °C indicated that these solids were capable of reacting with arsenic vapor species in both air and nitrogen. Calcium arsenate was the observed reaction product in all the samples analyzed. Maximum capture of arsenic occurred at 1000 °C with calcium oxide being the most effective of the three solids over the range of temperatures studied. Using a shrinking core model for a first order reaction and the results from intrinsic kinetic experiments conducted in air, the reaction rate constants were found to be 1.4×10−3exp(−2776/T) m/s for calcium oxide particles, 7.2×10−3exp(−3367/T) m/s for di-calcium silicate particles and 5.5×10−3exp(−3607/T) m/s for mono-calcium silicate particles. These results therefore suggest that any calcium present in fly ash can react with arsenic vapor and capture the metal in water-insoluble forms of the less hazardous As(V) oxidation state.