cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solomon M. Hsiang Receives 2013 Science for Solutions Award: Citation

Solomon Hsiang is representative of a new generation in the geosciences community, whose work spans several disciplines, drawing on methods and concepts from far outside the traditional physical science domain in order to make progress on difficult questions at the intersection of natural science, social science, and public policy. Broadly speaking, by examining how humanity has responded to climate variability and change in the distant and recent past, Sol's research elucidates the question of how humanity may respond to a changing climate in the future. Combining large, independent sets of social science, meteorological, and climatological data and analyzing them with tools more common in microeconomics than natural science, Sol, still at an early stage of his career, has made critical contributions to an incipient revolution in our understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of humans and their social arrangements to climate variability and change. Such insights will greatly improve the information base from which effective public policy is developed.
Monitoring microbial numbers in food by density centrifugation.

Some foods contain low numbers of microbes that may be difficult to enumerate by the plate count method due to small food particles that interfere with the counting of colonies. Ludox colloidal silicon was coated with reducing agents to produce a nontoxic density material. Food homogenates were applied to a layered 10 and 80% mixture of modified Ludox and centrifuged at low speed. The top and bottom of the tube contained the food material, and the Ludox-containing portion was evaluated by conventional pour plate techniques. Plate counts of the Ludox mixture agreed with plate counts of the food homogenate alone. The absence of small food particles from pour plates resulted in a plate that was more easily read than pour plates of the homogenate alone. Modified Ludox was evaluated for its effect on bacteria at 4°C during a 24-h incubation period. No inhibition was observed. This method is applicable to food products, such as doughnuts, spices, tomato products, and meat, in which small food particles often interfere with routine plate counts or low dilution may inhibit colony formation. Inhibitory substances can be removed from spices, resulting in higher counts. Ludox is more economical than similar products, such as Percoll. Modified Ludox is easily rendered nontoxic by the addition of common laboratory reagents. In addition, the mixture is compatible with microbiological media.
Nonlinear-carrier control for high-power-factor rectifiers based on flyback, Cuk or Sepic converters

In this paper, nonlinear-carrier (NLC) control is proposed for high-power-factor rectifiers based on flyback, Cuk or Sepic converters operated in the continuous conduction mode. In the NLC controller, the switch duty ratio is determined by comparing a signal proportional to the integral of the switch current with a periodic nonlinear carrier waveform. The shape of the NLC waveform is determined so that the resulting input line current follows the input line voltage, as required for unity-power-factor rectification. A simple exponential carrier waveform generator is described. Using the NLC controller, input line voltage sensing, error amplifier in the current-shaping loop, and the multiplier/divider circuitry in the voltage feedback loop are eliminated. The simple, high-performance controller is well-suited for integrated-circuit implementation. Results of experimental verification on a 150 W flyback rectifier are presented.
Erectile impotence associated with transurethral prostatectomy

A prospective study was done on the erectile function of 35 randomly-selected patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy for benign prostatic hypertrophy. A preoperative sexual history was obtained, and the erectile function of each patient was recorded using a nocturnal penile tumescence monitor. Four to six weeks postoperatively, a repeat sexual history was taken and the erectile function was reassessed. In 12 of the 35 patients we noted a discordance between the erectile potency they reported in their sexual histories and the objective testing. There was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative nocturnal penile tumescence recordings for any given patient.
The Absolute Viscosity of Some Lead-Tin Alloys

Abstract The absolute viscosity of lead, tin and nine of their alloys were measured as a function of temperature between the liquidus and 500°C by an oscillating cup viscometer. The viscosity of pure tin ranged from 0.01780 poise at 235°C to 0.01196 poise at 458°C. The viscosity of pure lead ranged from 0.02578 poise at 334°C to 0.01896 poise at 472°C. Viscosity isotherms, as a function of composition, showed an ideal linear behavior with no anomaly detected at the eutectic composition (26.1 at % Pb). A plot of log φ versus 1/T was linear for all samples. Accuracy of the data is estimated to be about 1%.
Neuropsychological Language Tests in Dementia Diagnosis in English-Speaking Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Outpatients.

Neuropsychological language tests have limitations (e.g., unrepresentative norms) when applied to “Hispanics” and clinicians are likely aware that these tests may lead to inaccurate dementia diagnoses. Therefore, it was hypothesized that language tests would be weaker diagnostic predictors in Hispanics versus “Non-Hispanic Whites.” Participants included 436 English-speaking Hispanic and 436 Non-Hispanic White (randomly selected from 10,937) outpatients classified as having dementia or normal cognition at initial evaluation. When covarying for age, sex, education, and functional abilities, vegetable fluency significantly predicted diagnosis among Non-Hispanic Whites (odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [0.69, 0.94], p < .01). Animal fluency and an abbreviated (30-item) Boston Naming Test (BNT) comparably predicted diagnosis across groups. Results remained similar when covarying for primary language among Hispanics. Findings suggest that vegetable fluency, but not animal fluency, was relatively unimp...
RFID - The Wireless Internet of Artifacts

The last twenty-five years have marked the coming of the personal computing and communication industry. Result: Individuals now carrying devices that are personal, mobile and always connected to the Internet. It is my belief that in the next twenty-five years, such information carrying and disseminating capability will extend from the "computing/communication devices" to real-world non-computing artifacts that we use in every day life such as clothes, utensils, furniture, packages, etc. These artifacts will collectively form what I refer to as the "Internet of Artifacts", an idea whose time has come. Like with any grand challenge, these artifacts will need to be uniquely identified (using technologies such as RFID), they will need to communicate with each other (wirelessly) and will gradually have the ability to take intelligent decisions first individually and then collectively. At UCLA's WINMEC (Wireless Internet for the Mobile Enterprise Consortium), the Wireless "Internet of Artifacts" notion is being explored via a project called WinRFID (http://winmec.ucla.edu/rfid) -- which is the first generation of our implementation of this idea. RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that can embody the identity and other related information of an artifact within a chip called a tag that has no power source and make such information available to an RFID transceiver when the tag receives the RF transmission and its coupled energy. RFID tags are expected to eventually be embedded into every daily-life artifact.
QRS frequency characteristics help predict response to cardiac resynchronization in left bundle branch block less than 150 milliseconds.

Background Baseline QRS duration (QRSd) ≥150 ms is a recognized predictor of clinical improvement by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), particularly for those with left bundle branch (LBBB). Patients with QRSd Objective The purpose of this study was to test our theory that left ventricular dyssynchrony, although usually associated with wider QRSd, also exhibits lower QRS frequency characteristics and that low-frequency content predicts CRT response in LBBB patients. Methods We retrospectively examined the QRS frequency content of 170 heart failure patients with LBBB and QRSd ≥120 ms using Fourier transformation. Ninety-four responders to CRT (defined as reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume by ≥15% from baseline) were compared to 76 nonresponders ( 3 ) representing the 3 dimensions of depolarization was performed, and V 3 provided the best predictive value. Results The QRSd of responders (160.3 ± 17.8 ms) and nonresponders (161.8 ± 21.1 ms, P = .604) were similar. We found that the percentage of total QRS frequency power below 10 Hz that exceeded 52% was most predictive of CRT response compared to other cutoff values. However, the percentage of patients with total QRS power >52% below 10 Hz was especially predictive of response in those with QRSd Conclusion In this group of CRT recipients with LBBB, retrospective analysis of QRS frequency content below 10 Hz had greater predictive value for CRT response than baseline QRSd, particularly in those with QRSd
Compressive strength of honeycomb-stiffened graphite/epoxy sandwich panels with barely-visible indentation damage

This study examines the parametric effects of core density, core thickness, face-sheet stacking sequence, and indentor diameter on the compressive strength of aluminum honeycomb-core sandwich panels stiffened with eight-ply, quasi-isotropic, graphite/epoxy face sheets. The sandwich panels contained damage at the threshold of visual detectability created through quasi-static indentation with 25.4 mm or 76.2 mm-diameter spherical indentors. During compression-after-indentation testing, failure occurred due to: dent deepening followed by localized, compressive micro-buckling of fibers in the 0° plies; localized buckling of the near-free-surface sub-laminates; or unstable dent growth in the direction lateral to the applied compressive load. Regardless of failure mode or face-sheet type, the compression-after-indentation strength increased with increasing core thickness and with decreasing core density. Additionally, panels containing face sheets with the 0° plies near the mid-plane and 45° angle change betwee...
Pressure—volume—temperature studies of semi-crystalline polymers

Abstract The applications of pressure—volume—temperature ( PVT ) techniques to the study of semi-crystalline polymers are surveyed. The principles of the two major experimental techniques, the piston-die dilatometer and the confining fluid apparatus, are compared and critiqued. Data obtained on a confining-fluid-type PVT apparatus are used to illustrate the measurement of the equations of state (and derived properties) of melts and solids, the pressure dependence of melting points and crystallization temperatures, the process of annealing in the solid state, and the study of the crystallization kinetics of polymers.
Incarcerated Medial Epicondyle Fracture Following Pediatric Elbow Dislocation: 11 Cases

Purpose To describe outcomes after surgical management of pediatric elbow dislocation with incarceration of the medial epicondyle. Methods We conducted a retrospective case review of 11 consecutive children and adolescents with an incarcerated medial epicondyle fracture after elbow dislocation. All patients underwent open reduction internal fixation using a similar technique. We characterized outcomes at final follow-up. Results Average follow-up was 14 months (range, 4–56 mo). All patients had clinical and radiographic signs of healing at final follow-up. There was no radiographic evidence of loss of reduction at intervals or at final follow-up. There were no cases of residual deformity or valgus instability. Average final arc of elbow motion was 4° to 140°. All patients had forearm rotation from 90° supination to 90° pronation. Average Mayo elbow score was 99.5. Four of 11 patients had ulnar nerve symptoms postoperatively and 1 required a second operation for ulnar nerve symptoms. In addition, 1 required a second operation for flexion contracture release with excision of heterotopic ossification. Three patients had ulnar nerve symptoms at final follow-up. Two of these had mild paresthesia only and 1 had both mild paresthesia and weakness. Conclusions Our results suggest that open reduction internal fixation of incarcerated medial epicondyle fractures after elbow dislocation leads to satisfactory motion and function; however, the injury carries a high risk for complications, particularly ulnar neuropathy. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Infrared Studies of Chain Folding in Uniaxially Oriented Polyhexamethylene Adipamide

The fold content of uniaxially drawn polyhexamethylene adipamide (nylon 66) is measured as a function of annealing conditions by an infrared tilting method. Unoriented, rapidly quenched and isothermally crystallized samples were also studied as a function of annealing temperature. The incremental changes in fold content and crystallinity were compared as the samples were sequentially annealed under restraint and relaxed conditions at increasing temperatures.
Muscle cramps and coffee.

I recently had the opportunity to meet Prof. Dubowitz and he shared with me his experience about the lack of muscle cramps when abstaining from coffee and drinking green tea instead. A few weeks later, I was asked by Dr. Anne McKusick in Baltimore to give a lecture about my hibernation research in her assisted living facility (age range 75– 98 years). After my lecture, I had a group of nearly 20 people asking additional questions about my research, until one couple asked whether I would think that my hibernation research would provide clues to resolve muscle cramps. Several others were wondering about the same question. I immediately shared the Dubowitz story with the people around me. A total of eight individuals reported muscle cramps and drinking coffee at least once per day. Remarkably though, two individuals mentioned that they do not suffer from muscle cramps, and that they do not drink coffee but instead green tea on a daily basis.
Self-assembling organic nanotubes based on a cyclic peptide architecture

Hollow tubular structures of molecular dimensions may offer a variety of applications in chemistry, biochemistry and materials science. Concentric carbon nanotubes have attracted a great deal of attention, while the three-dimensional tubular pore structures of molecular sieves have long been exploited industrially. Nanoscale tubes based on organic materials have also been reported previously. Here we report the design, synthesis and characterization of a new class of organic nanotubes based on rationally designed cyclic polypeptides. When protonated, these compounds crystallize into tubular structures hundreds of nanometres long, with internal diameters of 7-8 A. Support for the proposed tubular structures is provided by electron microscopy, electron diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular modelling. These tubes are open-ended, with uniform shape and internal diameter. We anticipate that they may have possible applications in inclusion chemistry, catalysis, molecular electronics and molecular separation technology.
Role of Importin Alpha8, a New Member of the Importin Alpha Family of Nuclear Transport Proteins, in Early Embryonic Development in Cattle

Nuclear proteins such as transcription and chromatin remodeling factors are required for initiation of transcription in early embryos before embryonic genome activation. The nuclear transport of these proteins is mediated by transport factors such as importins. Through analysis of expressed sequence tags from a bovine oocyte cDNA library, we identified a new member of the importin alpha family (named importin alpha8). The cloned cDNA for bovine importin alpha8 (KPNA7) is 1817 base pair in length, encoding a protein of 522 amino acids that contains a conserved importin beta-binding domain and seven armadillo motifs. The RT-PCR analysis revealed that KPNA7 mRNA is specifically expressed in ovaries and mature oocytes. Real-time PCR demonstrated that KPNA7 expression in germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes is 33 to 2396 times higher than that of other importin alpha genes and that KPNA7 mRNA is abundant in GV and metaphase II oocytes, as well as in early-stage embryos collected before embryonic genome activation, but is barely detectable in morula- and blastocyst-stage embryos. Similarly, expression of KPNA7 protein is very high in oocytes and early embryos but is low in blastocysts. A glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay revealed that KPNA7 has a strong binding affinity for the nuclear protein nucleoplasmin 2 relative to that of other importin alphas. RNA interference experiments demonstrated that knockdown of KPNA7 in early embryos results in a decreased proportion of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage. These results suggest that KPNA7 may have an important role in the transport of essential nuclear proteins required for early embryogenesis.
Study on Specific Binding Interaction Between Protein and DNA Aptamer via Dynamic Force Spectroscopy

Recently the need to design nanoscale, sensitive and flexible bio-sensors or biotic-abiotic interface keeps increasing. One of the essential challenges on this objective is to grasp a thorough understanding of the mechanism governing binding interaction between bio-molecules. In this study we aim to demonstrate the binding specificity and reveal force interaction between the anti-coagulation protein thrombin and the single-stranded DNA thrombin aptamer by application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The thiolated aptamer was deposited onto gold substrate, and then repeatedly brought into contact with a thrombin-coated AFM tip, and force drop-offs during the pull-off were measured to determine the unbinding force between the thrombin-aptamer pair. The results from experiment show that the thrombin-aptamer pair has specific binding and the force between the pair exhibits loading rate dependence. It was shown that the binding forces of the thrombin-aptamer interaction increases with growth of loading rates. The average binding force for a single thrombin/aptamer pair increased from 20 pN to 40 pN, with loading rate changes from 500pN/s to 13500pN/s. Distribution of the unbinding forces measured for each loading rate can be explained on the basis of single energy barrier model for molecular bond breakage.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
On rings without a certain divisibility property

Abstract Let R be a ring with field of fractions F. We call R a D-ring if whenever f(x) and g(x) are nonzero polynomials in R[x] with the property that f(a) divides g(a) for all but finitely many a ∈ R, then f(x) divides g(x) in F[x]. In 1975 H. Gunji and D. L. McQuillan classified the set of all integral domains into D-rings and non-D-rings, and studied properties of D-rings. This paper focuses on non-D-rings.
Apoptosome dysfunction in human cancer

Apoptosis is a cell suicide mechanism that enables organisms to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten survival. The apoptotic cascade can be triggered through two major pathways. Extracellular signals such as members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family can activate the receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway. Alternatively, stress signals such as DNA damage, hypoxia, and loss of survival signals may trigger the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway. In the latter, mitochondrial damage results in cytochrome c release and formation of the apoptosome, a multimeric protein complex containing Apaf-1, cytochrome c , and caspase-9. Once bound to the apoptosome, caspase-9 is activated, and subsequently triggers a cascade of effector caspase activation and proteolysis, leading to apoptotic cell death. Recent efforts have led to the identification of multiple factors that modulate apoptosome formation and function. Alterations in the expression and/or function of these factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer and resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy or radiation. In this review we discuss how disruption of normal apoptosome formation and function may lead or contribute to tumor development and progression.
Naturally Modeling Electric Circuit Data Domain With Network Representation Scheme In AI

Many databases have been developed for electric circuit, designs based on the record-oriented conventional data, Models or their extensions. But these conventional data models and their extensions have been criticized as not, powerful enough to represent circuit information. In order to powerfully model circuit, data domain, we propose the use of semantic network technology developed in artificial intelligence (Al) as a data model to represent, circuit information. The result indicates that, the semantic network not only can model a circuit data domain but also mirrors the domain's origina1 structure which is the form most familiar to human beings. This is done rather than using acomplicated conversion algorithm to force translation of the primitives of the data domain into artificially specified constructs, as the conventional models do. This one- to-one correspondence between the data in the datalbase and the original data, makes it faster to incorporate data in the database and easier for database designers to set up and users to use a database system.
THE SCID MOUSE AS A VEHICLE TO STUDY AUTOIMMUNITY

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) injected into severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice continue to secrete human immunoglobulin and respond to immunization with recall antigens. PBMC for patients with autoimmune diseases produce autoantibodies of the same specificities but at lower levels compared to the donor. SCID recipients of patients' PBMC fail to develop clinical disease although some histological lesions suggestive of autoimmunity have been reported. Transfer of autoimmunity from rodents to SCID mice has been successful in some instances. Despite obstacles related to limited survival and varying degrees of graft vs host disease (GVHD), SCID mice should prove to be a useful vehicle to explore autoantibody regulation.
Habitat associations of pool-breeding amphibians in eastern Massachusetts, USA

There is a pressing need to develop a sound conservation strategy for pool-breeding amphibians, which includes gaining a better understanding of the habitat and landscape-scale characteristics associated with populations. To investigate relationships between amphibian species richness and characteristics of breeding pools and surrounding landscapes, we surveyed 85 pools in eastern Massachusetts (USA) in 1996 and 1997. A total of 11 species was detected, with most pools having 2–5 species. Pools were typically small, 77.6% were <0.2 ha, but most pools (72%) had hydroperiods that persisted at least into August in most years. Based on linear regression analyses, species richness was positively associated with three within-pool variables (pool surface area, hydroperiod, and the amount of emergent vegetation), and a landscape-level variable (presence of another breeding pool within 1 km), while one within-pool variable (tree canopy cover) exhibited a significant negative association with species richness. These within-pool habitat variables and connectivity to other breeding pools are important characteristics to consider when attempting to identify breeding sites that could provide core habitat in conservation reserves designed for the conservation of pool-breeding amphibian species richness. Conservation reserves for pool-breeding amphibian populations should include pool complexes functioning as habitat for metapopulations. Core pool habitats within such reserves should be large (0.5–1.0 ha), with seasonal hydroperiods that persist into August or that dry in some years, and with sufficient emergent vegetation to provide diverse microhabitats and refugia.
Purification and characterization of vaccinia virus structural protein VP8.

Abstract A major vaccinia virus core protein, designated VP8, has been purified from virions to homogeneity through DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. VP8 migrates as a 25-kDa band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sediments as a monomeric species in neutral sucrose gradient centrifugation. This protein is a signficant constitutent of the virion, comprising about 6.5% of the total viral polypeptides by mass. Analysis by filter binding and by sucrose gradient centrifugation shows that VP8 binds to double-stranded as well as to single-stranded DNA at low salt concentrations (25 m M NaCl). At higher salt concentrations (100 m M NaCI), the protein binds with a relatively greater affinity to single-stranded DNA. The results from sucrose gradient centrifugation indicate that VP8 probably binds noncooperatively to all structural forms of DNA. The protein is likely to be a component of the viral nucleoprotein complex.
A Glimpse of Nonlinear Phenomena from Chua's Oscillator

Many attractors are found in Chua’s oscillator by varying the parameters. Figure 2 shows a geometric model of Chua’s double-scroll chaotic attractor which is observed in Chua’s oscillator. By coupling several Chua’s oscillators in an array even more complicated phenomena can be observed. Figure 6 a shows spiral waves and target waves interacting in an array of Chua’s oscillators. Figure 6 b shows a Turing pattern which is observed in an array of Chua’s oscillators.
Cure characterization and viscosity development of ring-opening metathesis polymerized resins

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) kinetics of three different norbornene-based monomers, ethylidene norbornene (ENB), endo-dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and exo-DCPD, in the presence of Grubbs’ catalyst are examined using differential scanning calorimetry and rheokinetic viscosity measurements. Several different parameters were considered, such as, the monomer healing agents (including different monomer mixtures), the catalyst concentration, and test temperature to determine how these parameters influence cure development. The polymerization kinetics, quantified by exothermic peak locations in the case of differential scanning calorimetry and rheokinetic transition times in the case of viscosity measurements, are shown to be highly dependent on monomer type and catalyst concentration. The ENB monomer had the fastest kinetics even at the lowest catalyst concentration compared to the other diene monomers and mixtures.
Mechanism of the anomalous increase of the specific heat of helium II near the lambda point.

We report the results of calculations of the entropy and the specific heat of liquid helium II. We investigate for Tless than or equal to2.1 K only. The calculated and experimental values are very close to one another. We use Brueckner and Sawada's method with several modifications. We postulate that rotons are almost-free particles except that they have hard-core interactions.
Attempted hybridizations with senescent human fibroblasts.

If the aging of diploid human fibroblasts reflects stable genetic or epigenetic changes which are few in number and different in different cells, then complementation could occur in hybrids between individual senescent cells. However neither pairs of aged fibroblasts nor even pairs of young and senescent fibroblasts produce viable hybrids under conditions known to promote cell fusion.
99: Evaluation of fluoxymesterone treatment of slow growth and maturation

56 boys, aged 9.2 - 17.8 years, with height deviation for age (HD) (mean±SD) -2.6 ± 0.8 SD, lag in Greulich-Pyle bone age (BA) 2.7 ± 0.9 years, and height deviation for BA corrected according to a longitudinal Finnish study (IPH, index of potential height) −0.9 ± 0.8 SD, were given fluoxymesterone 0.13 ± 0.05 mg/kg daily (dose increasing with BA) for 1.0 ± 0.4 years, minimum 0.4 years. Growth velocity during treatment was greater (p 10 years (group II, N=40, 9.0 ± 1.3 cm/year) compared with similar control groups (N=15 and 36, velocity 4.1 ± 1.4 and 6.1 ± 2.1 cm/year, respectively). ΔHD was 0.4 ± 0.3 SD during treatment against 0.1 ± 0.4 SD in controls (p 0.4 years after treatment and their total ΔIPH was −0.7 ± 1.4 SD and 0.2 ± 0.3 SD, respectively. The size of testes clearly increased during treatment in 2/3 of the boys. Of plasma gonadotrophins FSH decreased from pretreatment levels after 4 - 6 months treatment, LH showed no significant change. 3 boys of group I had frequent erections or appearance of pubic hair. Our mode of treatment brings about an acceleration of growth and maturation. In boys with BA >10 years its mean effect on final height is a slight increase. In younger boys this effect is uncertain and it may not be wise to treat boys prior to BA 10 years.
Design Study for a Planet-Finding Space Interferometer

The characterization of earth like planets that may be orbiting nearby stars will require large observatories capable of detecting a small number of planet photons and separating them from the much larger flux from the parent star. One approach to this is to employ nulling interferometry on a space-based platform utilizing a number of spacecraft. At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a linear dual chopped Bracewell array design was studied in depth while in Europe various two-dimensional designs were discussed. This study looks in a little more depth at the design issues for one of the European concepts and concludes that the concept has promise for a significant reduction in spacecraft complexity and mass and therefore would result in a lower cost mission.
Enhanced brain distribution of modified aspartoacylase

Canavan disease is a fatal neurological disorder caused by defects in the gene that produces the enzyme aspartoacylase. Enzyme replacement therapy can potentially be used to overcome these defects if a stable enzyme form that can gain access to the appropriate neural cells can be produced. Achieving the proper cellular targeting requires a modified form of aspartoacylase that can traverse the blood-brain barrier. A PEGylated form of aspartoacylase that shows dramatic enhancement in brain tissue access and distribution has been produced. While the mechanism of transport has not yet been established, this modified enzyme is significantly less immunogenic than unmodified aspartoacylase. These improved properties set the stage for more extensive enzyme replacement trials as a possible treatment strategy.
Psychosocial stress and anxiety in musculoskeletal pain patients with and without depression

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to determine if psychosocial stress and anxiety were associated with depression severity in primary care patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 500 primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain (250 with depression and 250 without depression) was assessed for anxiety, psychosocial stress, depression severity and demographics. The depressed and nondepressed participants were compared using t test and χ2 analyses. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the respective associations of psychosocial stressors and anxiety with depression severity based on the 20-item Symptoms Check List across all 500 participants. Results Compared with nondepressed patients, the depressed patients reported significantly more psychosocial stressors and more severe anxiety. Depressed patients reported a higher frequency of difficulties with every psychosocial stressor assessed. After controlling for covariates, both anxiety and psychosocial stressors were found to be associated with depression severity. Conclusions Both anxiety and psychosocial stress should be considered in the assessment and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pain and depression. Psychosocial stressors among patients with pain may have an impact on depression beyond that of anxiety. Tailored, integrated treatments that target the psychosocial needs of patients with pain and depression are needed. In addition to pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and other behavioral treatments may be especially important for depression complicated by anxiety or psychosocial stress.
Exact implicit enumeration method for solving the set partitioning problem

The partitioning problem may be stated as follows: Minimize Σj=1n cjxj subject to Σj=1n aijxj = 1, i = 1,..., m, where aij and xj are binary numbers. The proposed method consists in solving a new problem equivalent to the original one, the solution of this new problem being obtained by implicit enumeration. Computational experience indicates that this approach yields good results; for example, problems involving several hundred variables were solved in a few seconds.
Inhibition of corneal metabolism of deslorelin by EDTA and ZnCl2.

AbstractIt was the aim of this study to determine whether deslorelin is degraded by the rabbit corneal tissue and to further delineate the mechanisms. Deslorelin was incubated with intact cornea either alone or in the presence of 0.1 mM ouabain, 0.1% 2,4-dinitrophenol, 0.1 mM phosphoramidon, 0.1 mM N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone (TPCK), 0.1-2% EDTA, 0.1-1% ZnCl2, 0.1% dithiothreitol (DTT), or 0.1% N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) at 37°C. In addition, deslorelin alone was incubated with cornea at 4°C. Following α 90-min incubation, the supernatants were analyzed using a reversed-phase HPLC. Metabolite peaks observed in controls at 37°C were not detected in the low-temperature study, suggesting inhibition of metabolism at low temperature. Intact drug remaining in the supernatant was not altered by ouabain and dinitrophenol, suggesting that energy-dependent corneal uptake is not likely for deslorelin. Phosphoramidon and TPCK failed to alter deslorelin levels, indicating that phosphoramidon and TPCK-sensit...
The Exact Solution to a Simple Nongray Radiative Transfer Problem

Abstract The problem of energy transfer through a nongray absorbing and emitting medium capable of generating heat is studied. The medium is bounded by two nongray surfaces which are opaque and diffuse. Radiative transfer theory is used to formulate the problem rigorously. The energy equation is transformed into two singular Fredholm integral equations for two universal functions. The universal functions are identical with those derived in the gray situation. The temperature distribution and radiative flux are presented graphically for the case of radiative equilibrium. The analysis is restricted to an absorption coefficient Kv of the Milne-Eddington type, i.e. Kv = α(v)β(T), and to the case when the ratio of heat generation rate per unit of volume S(T) to β(T) is a constant. Numerical results presented in the paper are limited to those of black walls and S = 0.
Phantom urinary bladder pain — case report

Phantom urinary phenomena are a relatively rare disease entity. Literature search has revealed only one case following cystectomy, seven cases following spinal cord injury and several other cases in hemodialysis patients. This report presents a case of painful phantom bladder following cystectomy for chronic kidney and urinary tract infection. Treatment was directed toward sensory hyperstimulation for suppression of the subjective experience of the painful phantom. Lumbar sympathetic blocks and transcutaneous electrical stimulation were used. Competent coping mechanisms were increased through relaxation training and assertiveness training to deal with a medical problem which has no standard solution. The patient's response to the Comprehensive Pain Control Program was excellent with an estimated 75% reduction in painful phantom perceptions. A brief discussion of the medical literature on the subject is presented.
Atrial fibrillation in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: ECG recognition and treatment in the ED

Estimated to occur in 0.1% to 0.3% of the population, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a condition where atrial impulses bypass the atrioventricular node and activate the ventricular myocardium directly via an accessory pathway. Clinical clues to the diagnosis include a young patient with previous episodes of palpitations, rapid heart rate, or syncope. Although several different rhythm presentations are possible, atrial fibrillation is a not infrequent dysrhythmia seen in the WPW patient. Electrocardiographic features suggestive of WPW atrial fibrillation include irregularity of the rhythm; a very rapid ventricular response; presence of a delta wave; and a wide, bizarre QRS complex. Stable patients suspected of having this condition should not receive agents that predominantly block atrioventricular conduction, but they may be treated with procainamide or ibutilide. If instability is present, electrical cardioversion is required.
Mass Spectrometry of Liquid Aniline Aerosol Particles by IR/UV Laser Irradiation.

The first results are reported from a new single-particle two-color laser time-of-flight mass spectrometer, incorporating a combination of infrared (CO2) and UV (excimer) laser irradiation. This combination of lasers has the capability to effectively separate the desorption or evaporation step from the ionization step, thereby greatly improving the analytical capabilities of such an instrument. The results on liquid aerosols, such as aniline, show that prior evaporation of the aerosol particle with the IR laser increases the ion signal produced by the excimer laser by more than 2 orders of magnitude. In the case of nitrobenzene aerosols, the excimer laser alone produces no ions, while a very large signal is observed when the aerosol is first irradiated with the CO2 laser. A simple model, based on the Coulomb explosion of the ionized aerosol, is used to estimate the number of ions generated by the excimer laser (∼105 ions). Experimental evidence based on the observed time delay of protonated aniline parent...
Increased expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 in kidney proximal tubules mediates fibrosis.

Tissue fibrosis is a major cause of death in developed countries. It commonly occurs after either acute or chronic injury and affects diverse organs, including the heart, liver, lung, and kidney. U...
The Interweave of Fathers’ Daily Work Experiences and Fathering Behaviors

One way to examine the relationship between work roles and family roles for fathers is to study the day-to-day connections of their work and family experiences. The present study applied an ecological perspective to explore how daily work experiences are differentially associated with fathering experiences at home. Data for these analyses were from the National Study of Daily Experiences, which asked fathers to report about engagement with their children on workdays, including quantity of time spent with children and whether or not fathers provided their children with emotional support or were involved in a stressful event with their children on those same diary days. Fathers also reported on the number of hours spent in paid employment each day and whether or not they experienced a cutback in their work productivity or were overloaded with demands and deadlines at work. Results from a series of Hierarchical Linear Models (HLM) showed that fathers were more likely to report providing emotional support to their children on days they also reported overloads at work and, on days fathers reported cutting back on work, they were also more likely to report providing their children with emotional support or report being involved in a stressful event with their children. The nature of the job for fathers was also examined to identify factors that may moderate the relationship between work and home experiences. The association between work hours and time spent with children was shown to be moderated by the degree of decision latitude fathers experienced in the work setting.
Activation of the migraine pain pathway by cortical spreading depression: Do we need more evidence?:

This is a commentary on article Fioravanti B, Kasasbeh A, Edelmayer R, Skinner DP Jr, Hartings JA, Burklund RD, De Felice M, French ED, Dussor GO, Dodick DW, Porreca F, Vanderah TW. Evaluation of cutaneous allodynia following induction of cortical spreading depression in freely moving rats. Cephalalgia. 2011Jul;31(10):1090-100.
Searching for the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays with the High Resolution Fly's Eye Stereo Detector

The High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) experiment in Utah is an air fluorescence telescope mapping the sky in cosmic rays at energies above 10 18 eV. Since November 1999, HiRes has been operated in stereo mode to provide cosmic ray data of unprecedented quality of the northern sky. This paper focuses on recent results from the stereoscopic data. We present a measurement of the primary chemical composition above 10 18 eV, results on the search for small-scale anisotropies in the cosmic ray arrival distribution, and results on a search for point sources in the combined AGASA and HiRes stereo data set above 4.0 × 10 19 eV .
Building evaluation capacity in human service organizations: a case study

Abstract In response to a number of pressures, local human service organizations have been forced to develop greater capacity to evaluate their own programs. This case study reports the efforts of a state-funded evaluation support unit in Rhode Island to increase evaluation capacity in 13 community-based organizations by means of a needs assessment, on-site technical assistance, a workshop series, and selected model projects. Measures of organizational needs, staff confidence, and agency progress in completing evaluation steps are used to document both the successful increase in capacity and the areas of most resistance.
The manipulability of the Shapley-value

The manipulation of the Shapley-value, when used as a resource allocation mechanism, is examined. First, the extent to which an individual can, by unilaterally misrepresenting his utility function, affect the value allocation in his favor, is evaluated. When all agents attempt to manipulate, a game results, whose equilibrium allocations can be described as follows. At an equilibrium, the initial allocation appears to be Pareto-efficient. Any equilibrium allocation is also an equilibrium allocation of the analogously defined Walrasian manipulation game. The true (constrained) Walrasian allocations are equilibrium allocations. Under two slight respecifications of the value, there are no other equilibrium allocations.
Creep—Slip Capture as a Possible Source of Squeal During Decelerated Sliding

Friction-induced vibration of a two-degree-of-freedom mass-damper-spring system interacting with a decelerating rigid strip is investigated. The friction law is approximated by an analytical function to facilitate the analyses and numerical integrations. It is shown that, after a quasi-harmonic transient period, accompanied by viscous energy dissipation, a short period of intensive ‘creep-slip’ vibration occurs, which generates a series of ‘micro-impacts’ on the strip. Because of the impulsive character of such kind of loading, its Fourier spectrum is rich and quite broadband. Using an averaging technique, the ‘normal form’ equations of motion show that the out-of-phase vibration mode absorbs more energy from the decelerating strip when its natural frequency satisfies certain resonance conditions. The study is then applied to an automotive disc brake model to gain useful insight into the generation of squeal. It is shown that the out-of-phase creep-slip vibration (in the longitudinal direction) of the brake pads generates an impulsive bending moment on the decelerating strip (disc rotor). This impulsive load may be considered as a possible source for brake squeal. The technique developed in this paper may be extended to other ‘squealing systems’ including models for geophysical faults (earthquakes).
Pluto's Atmosphere And A Targeted-Occultation Search For Other Bound Kbo Atmospheres

Processes relevant to Pluto’s atmosphere are discussed, and our current knowledge is summarized, including results of two stellar occultations by Pluto that were observed in 2002. The question of whether other Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) may have bound atmospheres is considered, and observational indicators for KBO atmospheres are described. The definitive detection of a KBO atmosphere could be established with targeted stellar-occultation observations. These data can also establish accurate diameters for these objects and be used to detect possible nearby companions. Strategies for acquiring occultation data with portable, airborne, and fixed telescopes are evaluated in terms of the number of KBO occultations per year that should be observable. For the sample of 29 currently known KBOs with H ≤ 5.2, (radius ≤ 300 km for a geometric albedo of 0.04), we expect about 4 events per year would yield good results for a (stationary) 6.5-m telescope. A network of portable 0.36-m telescopes should be able to observe 6 events per year, and a 2.5-m airborne telescope would have about 200 annual opportunities to observe KBO occultations.
Environmentally Sustainable Development and Tourism: Lessons from Negril, Jamaica

This article explores the challenges and opportunities for achieving environmentally sustainable development with the growth of tourism in Negril, Jamaica. In the absence of public policy for planned development, the community has experienced severe deterioration of its ecosystem. Fieldwork conducted in 1995 found the resident community and its advocacy NGOs mobilized to manage their natural resources supported by international funding for projects to protect the environment and build an infrastructure to sustain future growth. Hotel managers are increasingly reliant on "environmentally concerned" marketing strategies. Negril, Jamaica, as text, represents a microcosm where community activists seek to protect natural resources compromised by increased population pressure exacerbated by overdevelopment for tourism. For an environmentally sustainable development to occur, social, economic and ecological factors have to be accommodated simultaneously so all stakeholders can participate and prosper.
Provenance studies of pottery fragments from medieval Cairo, Egypt

In the analysis of archeological pottery fragments, instrumental neutron activation analysis has been utilized to establish the elemental concentrations of up to 37 chemical elements for each of 53 archeological pottery samples from medieval Cairo, Egypt, and one additional sample of Chinese porcelain. These elemental concentrations have been utilized in a statistical analysis procedure in order to determine similarities and correlations between the various samples. Multivariate analyses have been used to quantitatively determine these interrelationships. This methodology successfully separated the Egyptian samples into two broad categories: (1) polychrome decorated ceramic ware and (2) monochrome celadon ware. In addition the methodology successfully identified the one unique sample of Chinese porcelain. Several samples appeared to be either a mixture of categories or outliers in the data set and were not attributable to any distinct category.
Variation and heterogeneity of base composition of deoxyribonucleic acids: A compilation of old and new data

A compilation of the previously accumulated data as well as some new results on the base composition of DNA from various organisms reveals some general features of its variation and heterogeneity: 1. Among bacteria the mean guanine-cytosine (G-C) content of DNA varies approximately from 25 to 75%, and this extends over the range of the mean G-C content of DNA of higher organisms. 2. Phylogenetic relations may be reflected in the mean G-C content. 3. The distribution of G-C content of the DNA molecules of an organism is generally unimodal and the range is relatively narrow. 4. If the mean G-C contents of DNA of two species are different by 10% in bacteria, there are few DNA molecules of the same G-C content common to the two species. 5. The small heterogeneity of the base composition among the DNA molecules of an organism seems to be true for smaller regions within molecules. Each point is discussed with respect to its genetic implication.