cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Hardness of Scheduling With Non-Uniform Communication Delays.

In the scheduling with non-uniform communication delay problem, the input is a set of jobs with precedence constraints. Associated with every precedence constraint between a pair of jobs is a communication delay, the time duration the scheduler has to wait between the two jobs if they are scheduled on different machines. The objective is to assign the jobs to machines to minimize the makespan of the schedule. Despite being a fundamental problem in theory and a consequential problem in practice, the approximability of scheduling problems with communication delays is not very well understood. One of the top ten open problems in scheduling theory, in the influential list by Schuurman and Woeginger and its latest update by Bansal, asks if the problem admits a constant factor approximation algorithm. In this paper, we answer the question in negative by proving that there is a logarithmic hardness for the problem under the standard complexity theory assumption that NP-complete problems do not admit quasi-polynomial time algorithms. Our hardness result is obtained using a surprisingly simple reduction from a problem that we call Unique Machine Precedence constraints Scheduling (UMPS). We believe that this problem is of central importance in understanding the hardness of many scheduling problems and conjecture that it is very hard to approximate. Among other things, our conjecture implies a logarithmic hardness of related machine scheduling with precedences, a long-standing open problem in scheduling theory and approximation algorithms.
Effects of bodily arousal on desire to drink alcohol among trauma-exposed college students.

Abstract Introduction Alcohol consumption on college campuses is a major public health concern. Extant literature has identified trauma exposure as a robust risk factor for problematic alcohol use in this at-risk population. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are less well-studied. Research indicates that bodily arousal is a fundamental feature of trauma exposure, and posits that internal stimuli (e.g., heart pounding) at the time of trauma may manifest into conditioned cues that can trigger posttraumatic responding and related symptomatology, including alcohol use. However, past work supporting these assertions has used paradigms purposefully designed to evoke memories of the trauma, making it difficult to ascertain whether the mechanism driving subsequent alcohol craving is the explicit memory cue or the associated bodily arousal. Methods The current study examined whether an implicit, trauma-relevant cue of bodily arousal (via voluntary hyperventilation) – independent of any explicit memory cue – would elicit increased desire to drink among 104 (Mage = 20.30; 61.5% female) trauma-exposed undergraduates. Results Results found no statistically significant difference in change in alcohol craving between the hyperventilation and control tasks. However, secondary analyses indicated that trauma type (i.e., interpersonal/non-interpersonal) may play an influential role in this relationship. More specifically, individuals reporting interpersonal trauma as their most traumatic event evidenced a significantly greater increase in desire to drink following hyperventilation compared to the non-interpersonal index trauma group. Discussion Generally, these findings suggest that bodily arousal may only serve as an implicit, trauma-relevant interoceptive cue that increases desire to drink within a specific subset of trauma-exposed college students (i.e., individuals indexing interpersonal trauma). Replication and extension are needed to further understand the influence of bodily arousal on subsequent alcohol use behavior, which will be critical to PTSD-alcohol use modeling and, ultimately, help in informing prevention- and treatment-oriented intervention efforts aimed at reducing problematic alcohol use on college campuses.
What is the Placebo Effect and How Does it Work

Until the twentieth century, physicians had not much more than the placebo effect to offer their patients (Benson & Epstein, 1975). In spite of this situation and the fact that they subjected their patients to purging, leeching, puncturing, cutting, heating, and freezing, physicians generally occupied respected social positions. This paradox is accounted for by the potency of the placebo effect in the history of medicine. The disapproval of the placebo effect developed mainly with the start of controlled drug studies in the 1950s.
12 – Modification of 3-Alkyl Substituents by Nucleophilic Substitution

An important method of construction of functionalized 3-alkyl substituents involves introduction of a nucleophilic carbon synthon by displacement of α-substituent. This corresponds to formation of a benzylic bond, but the ability of the indole ring to act as an electron donor strongly influences the reaction pattern. Under many conditions displacement takes place by elimination–addition sequence. Substituents that are normally poor-leaving groups, for example, alkoxy or dialkylamino, exhibit a convenient level of reactivity. Conversely, the 3-(halomethyl)indoles are too reactive to be synthetically useful unless stabilized by a ring EW substituent. 3-(Dimethylaminomethyl)indoles (gramine derivatives) prepared by Mannich reactions or the derived quaternary salts are often the preferred starting material for the nucleophilic substitution reactions. A solution of gramine methosulfate (30.0 g, 0.10 mol) and NaCN (15.0 g, 0.30 mol) in water (300ml) was heated to 65-70 O C for 1 h. A colorless oil separated as the reaction proceeded. The solution was cooled and saturated with Na 2 SO 4 and extracted with ether (400 ml). The ether was removed in vacuo and the residue purified by high vacuum distillation to give the product in 94% yield.
Back to the Future: Present-Day Lessons from the Financial Panic of 1890

The main goal of this paper is to debunk a series of myths regarding the proximate causes of the so-called Great Recession of 2008-09. I focus on the Baring crisis of 1890, that involved Great Britain and Argentina. The factors behind the 1890 crisis were virtually identical to those surrounding the recent financial crisis. These included low interest rates; mortgage-backed securities; collateralized debt obligations; counter-party risk; bad regulation; and government guarantees. I therefore draw on this historical experience to examine whether some of the proposed explanations of the recent financial crisis hold any water.
Cold pressor test in aortic stenosis and idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis: Preliminary report∗

Abstract The cold pressor test produced pulsus alternans in 5 patients with aortic stenosis but no alternation in 4 patients with idiopathic no alternation in 4 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. The diagnostic implications and the probable hemodynamic mechanism of this response are presented.
Physiological features of the opercularis muscle and their effects on vibration sensitivity in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana.

The amphibian opercularis muscle connects a movable otic element (the operculum) to the pectoral girdle and can act in reception of ground vibrations. Various physiological parameters of the opercularis muscle of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana were measured and compared with similar measurements on the iliofibularis muscle of the hindlimb. The opercularis muscle is a very slowly contracting muscle, with a Vmax of 1.81 muscle lengths s-1 compared to a Vmax of 6.24 muscle lengths s-1 for the iliofibularis muscle. The opercularis muscle develops tension slowly, taking about 10 s to attain maximum isometric tension when stimulated at 100 Hz. The muscle can retain high levels of tension for several minutes, and following stimulation has a time to half-relaxation of about 4–6 s. The slow velocity of contraction, slow rate of tension development, fatigue-resistance and slow rate of relaxation of the opercularis muscle support morphological evidence that it consists mostly of tonic muscle fibres. Experiments were also made to examine the effects of muscle tension on reception of ground vibrations as measured by inner ear microphonics. Severing the nerve supplying the opercularis muscle produced slight decreases of no more than 2 dB in responses to vibrations from 25 to 200 Hz. Artificial stimulation of the opercularis muscle after severing the nerve supplying the muscle increased responses to vibration across the entire frequency range. Higher tension levels produced greater increases in responses; at the highest tensions used (about 120 kN m-2) responses were increased by as much as 4.5 dB. The opercularis muscle is therefore specialized for slow but prolonged contractions, and tension is important in its sensory function. A tensed opercularis muscle appears to transmit faithfully motion of the forelimb, produced by vibrations, to the operculum such that the latter moves relative to the inner ear fluids.
Feeding of potato, tomato and eggplant alkaloids, affects food consumption and body and liver weights in mice

Reduced liver weight was used to evaluate the potential toxicity in mice of four naturally occurring steroidal glycoalkaloids: alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine, alpha-tomatine and solasonine. Increased liver weights was used to evaluate the three corresponding steroidal aglycones: solanidine, tomatidine, and solasodine and the non-alkaloid adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Adult female Swiss-Webster mice were fed diets containing test compound concentrations of 0 (control), 1.2, 2.4 or 4.8 mmol/kg diet for 7, 14 or 28 d. Absolute liver weights (LW) and relative liver weights (liver weight/body weight x 100, %LW/BW) were determined at autopsy. The %LW/BW was lower than that of controls in mice fed the potato glycoalkaloid alpha-chaconine (-10%, P < or = 0.05) for 7 d with the 2.4 mmol/kg diet dose. Under these same conditions, %LW/BW was greater than that of controls in mice fed two aglycones: solanidine (27%, P < or = 0.001) and solasodine (8%, P < or = 0.01). Relative liver weight increases induced by the aglycones were determined under time and dose conditions in which differences in body weight and food consumption were not significant (2.4 mmol/kg diet for 28 d). Under these conditions, the observed %LW/BW increases relative to the controls were as follows: solanidine (32%, P < or = 0.001), solasodine (22%, P < or = 0.001) and DHEA (16%, P < or = 0.001). Solanidine, solasodine and DHEA were equally potent and were more potent than tomatidine. We also observed that the greater %LW/BW in mice fed 2.4 mmol/kg diet solasodine or solanidine for 14 d declined to near control values if they were fed control diets for another 14 d. The increase in relative liver weight induced by solanidine and solasodine is a reversible adaptive response. These findings and the apparent effects of structure on biological activity should serve as a guide for the removal of the most toxic ++compounds from plant foods. The implications of the results for food safety and health are discussed.
Brain Amino Acid Requirements and Toxicity: The Example of Leucine

Glutamic acid is an important excitatory neurotransmitter of the brain. Two key goals of brain amino acid handling are to maintain a very low intrasynaptic concentration of glutamic acid and also to provide the system with precursors from which to synthesize glutamate. The intrasynaptic glutamate level must be kept low to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio upon the release of glutamate from nerve terminals and to minimize the risk of excitotoxicity consequent to excessive glutamatergic stimulation of susceptible neurons. The brain must also provide neurons with a constant supply of glutamate, which both neurons and glia robustly oxidize. The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), particularly leucine, play an important role in this regard. Leucine enters the brain from the blood more rapidly than any other amino acid. Astrocytes, which are in close approximation to brain capillaries, probably are the initial site of metabolism of leucine. A mitochondrial branched-chain aminotransferase is very active in these cells. Indeed, from 30 to 50% of all alpha-amino groups of brain glutamate and glutamine are derived from leucine alone. Astrocytes release the cognate ketoacid [alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC)] to neurons, which have a cytosolic branched-chain aminotransferase that reaminates the KIC to leucine, in the process consuming glutamate and providing a mechanism for the "buffering" of glutamate if concentrations become excessive. In maple syrup urine disease, or a congenital deficiency of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase, the brain concentration of KIC and other branched-chain ketoacids can increase 10- to 20-fold. This leads to a depletion of glutamate and a consequent reduction in the concentration of brain glutamine, aspartate, alanine, and other amino acids. The result is a compromise of energy metabolism because of a failure of the malate-aspartate shuttle and a diminished rate of protein synthesis.
Purification and Mechanism of Action of Sucrose Phosphorylase

Sucrose phosphorylase (disaccharide glucosyltransferase) from Pseudomonas saccharophila has been highly purified. The enzyme appears to be homogeneous in the ultracentrifuge, on starch gel electrophoresis and on polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by Sephadex chromatography is 80,000 to 100,000. The kinetics of the reaction was examined and found to be consistent with a double displacement mechanism involving formation of a glucose-enzyme complex and a subsequent reaction of this complex with acceptor to form the reaction products. Further evidence of the formation of a glucose-enzyme complex was obtained by isolating a denatured form of the complex. This complex contained 1 mole of glucose per mole of enzyme.
Big Tobacco Indicts Itself

Drawing on formerly secret industry records, Proctor explores how cigarettes became the most widely used drug on the planet—and argues for a ban on their manufacture and sale.
Theoretical Solution Of The Gravity Drainage Problem

The problem of the vertical one-dimensional transient gravity drainage from soils is investigated theoretically. During drainage, a non-steady state exists which is described by the three equations of motion, continuity and state. The resulting equivalent problem in mathematical terms is a non-linear parabolic partial differential equation in which the dependent variable is the pressure of the water or the volumetric water content of the soil and the independent variable are the time and the position along the vertical direction. Because of the strong non-linearity in its terms, the equation cannot be solved by analytical methods and therefore numerical integration is employed. The differentials of the governing differential equation are approximated by finite differences at discrete points in the solution domain and integrated numerically according to corresponding initial and boundary conditions. Both explicit and implicit difference schemes may be used. For a fast solution the implicit scheme should be...
Gene targeting approaches to analyse neurotransmitter receptor function

Abstract In the last two years, gene targeting approaches have been applied to generate mutant mouse strains bearing heritable alterations of neurotransmitter receptor genes. The analysis of mouse strains with planned mutations of receptor genes is proving to be a valuable approach to examine the contributions of particular receptor subtypes to neural development, physiology, behavior and drug actions. In the near future, a large number of receptor mutant strains will become available for the analysis of receptor function. This review will focus on recent studies of such strains, and the potential benefits and limitations of gene targeting approaches to receptor function will be discussed.
Cheats at Work: The Anthropology of Workplace Crime

Gerald Mars 1982 Cheats at Work: The Anthropology of Workplace Crime Winchester: Nbss.: George Allen & Unwin. $6.95, Paperback
Band insulator to Mott insulator transition in a bilayer Hubbard model

The ground-state phase diagram of the half-filled repulsive Hubbard model in a bilayer is investigated using cluster dynamical mean-field theory. For weak to intermediate values of Coulomb repulsion $U$, the system undergoes a transition from a Mott-insulating phase to a metallic phase and then onto a band-insulating phase as the interlayer hopping is increased. In the strong-coupling case, the model exhibits a direct crossover from a Mott-insulating phase to a band-insulating phase. These results are robust with respect to the presence or absence of magnetic order.
Academic Invulnerability Among Mexican-American Students: The Importance of Protective Resources and Appraisals

This study examined the characteristics of a cohort of Mexican-American tenth-grade students to determine why some Mexican-American students are academically successful and others are not, despite sharing a similar sociocultural background. Based on current work on invulnerable children, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of protective resources and appraisals in the academic success or invulnerability of some Mexican-American high school students. Generally, the results revealed that students with a positive view of their intellectual ability and a strong sense of responsibility for their academic future were more likely to be academically successful. The findings also suggest that a supportive network of teachers and friends was linked to academic invulnerability. Lastly, students'subjective appraisals were quite powerful in predicting differential levels of achievement. The results of this study underscore the need forfurther research that examines not only the role of sociocultural risk...
Predictors of liver transplant eligibility for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a safety net hospital

Liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affords excellent long-term survival but is limited to patients with early stage tumors. Predictors for orthotopic liver transplantation eligibility are not well defined for patients in a safety-net hospital system. To clarify the clinical presentation of HCC and define predictors for early stage disease in a racially diverse safety-net hospital system. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with HCC presenting to a large urban county hospital between January 1998 and October 2007. Logistic regression analysis was used to find predictors of OLT eligibility. Of the 266 patients with HCC, 62% had multiple tumors, 47% had portal vein thrombosis and only 22% were potential liver transplant candidates based on Milan criteria. Male gender (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17–0.65) and AFP levels > 20 ng/mL (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.11–0.45) were negative predictors of liver transplant eligibility. Age, race, and underlying viral liver disease were not significant predictors of early tumor stage. A minority of HCC patients in a safety-net hospital are eligible for liver transplant at the time of diagnosis. Men have more advanced tumors at presentation, which may be related to more aggressive tumor biology or differential rates of HCC surveillance.
Optical region elemental abundance analyses of B and A stars – II. The hot AM stars o Pegasi and σ Aquarii and the marginal peculiar A star ν Cancri

En utilisant des donnees des regions optiques et des atmospheres modeles, on a effectue des analyses d'abondance pour deux etoiles chaudes Am, ο Pegasi et σ Aquarii et pour l'etoile A particuliere ν Cancri. Les abondances deduites presentes des anomalies precises comparees a celles d'etoiles normales de type B et du Soleil
Repeated methamphetamine-treatment alters brain δ receptors

Abstract The present study was undertaken to examine whether repeated exposure of rats to the psychostimulant drug, methamphetamine, induces changes in σ receptor binding. A significant up-regulation (130–145% of control B max ) of σ receptors, labeled with [ 3 H](+)pentazocine, was observed in the substantia nigra, frontal cortex and cerebellum of rats treated with methamphetamine (4.0 mg/kg per day; 10 days). These findings suggest that methamphetamine-induced psychosis may be associated with the up-regulation of σ receptors in critical brain regions.
Effect of elastic mismatch in intersonic crack propagation along a bimaterial interface

Abstract Recent experiments showed that the speed of a crack tip propagating along a bimaterial interface can exceed the shear wave speed of the more compliant constituent in the bimaterial. This experimental observation has motivated analytical and numerical investigation on fast crack growth. Among these investigations, Huang et al. obtained a simple, analytic full-field solution for an elastic/rigid bimaterial with crack-face contact. Although this solution compares quite favorably with all available experimental data, it is not clear which bimaterial can be approximated by the elastic/rigid model. In this paper, we use the method of analytical continuation to obtain the asymptotic stress fields near the crack tip and near the trailing end of the contact zone. It is established that the elastic/rigid model is an excellent approximation to all bimaterials that have been used in fast crack growth experiments. Therefore, the simple, analytic solution of elastic/rigid model provides a useful means for analyzing experimental fringe patterns and data. It is shown that, as the elastic mismatch decreases, the elastic/rigid model may become invalid.
Coupled Electro-Thermal Mechanical Analyses for SMM Actuators Development

A coupled-physics analysis code has been developed to simulate the electrical, thermal, and mechanical responses of surface micromachined (SMM) actuators. Our objective is to optimize the design and performance of these micro actuators. Since many new designs of these electro-thermal actuators have shuttles or platforms between beams, calculating the local Joule heating requires a multi-dimensional electrostatics analysis. Moreover, the electrical solution is strongly coupled to the temperature distribution since the electrical resistivity is temperature dependent. Thus, it is essential to perform a more comprehensive simulation that solves the coupled electrostatics, thermal, and mechanical equations. Results of the coupled-physics analyses will be presented.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Bacterial expression and purification of the Arabidopsis NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase ATR2.

Abstract An N-terminally modified form of the Arabidopsis NADPH–cytochrome P450 ATR2 (ATR2mod) was expressed from the tactac promoter in Escherichia coli to obtain high yields of the enzyme. The N-terminal modification eliminates the predicted chloroplast transit peptide of ATR2 allowing for more efficient expression. ATR2mod was purified from membrane extracts using a 2′,5′-ADP–agarose affinity column. The specific activity of the purified ATR2mod for cytochrome c reduction was 9.4 μmol min−1 mg−1 and the Km for cytochrome c reduction was 15 ± 2 μM. The purified NADPH–cytochrome P450 reductase was able to support function of CYP79B2.
The relative contributions of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health, and social relationships to life satisfaction in the United States.

Purpose To evaluate racial/ethnic disparities in life satisfaction and the relative contributions of socioeconomic status (SES; education, income, employment status, wealth), health, and social relationships (social ties, emotional support) to well-being within and across racial/ethnic groups.
Cold avalanche ionisation

When intense laser pulses interact with matter, ionisation is initiated by multiphoton effects. In some cases the electrons, gaining energy from the laser field, can collide with other atoms and ionise them, triggering an avalanche ionisation. It is generally believed that the laser pulse has to be sufficiently long (≫ 100 fs) for the electrons to gain energy required for an avalanche. However, this is still a well-debated issue as some experimental observations suggest that avalanche effects can prevail even for shorter pulses [1]. Recent theoretical works suggest that in the presence of intense fields, even electrons with lower-than-the-bandgap energy can cause ionisation [2]. This field-assisted collisional ionisation or cold avalanche could be presen even for few cycle pulses. In solids for example, several collisions are possible during the presence of intense fields due to the high atomic density. However, it is difficult to distinguish this from the normal avalanche process and the presence of field assisted collisional ionisation has not yet been experimentally verified.
Stage specific effects of carbendazim (MBC) on meiotic cell cycle progression in mouse oocytes

The effects of the pesticide carbendazim (MBC) on the in vitro meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes were evaluated using conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The response of oocytes exposed to 0, 3, 10, or 30 microM MBC during meiotic maturation was analyzed with respect to chromosome organization, meiotic spindle microtubules, and cortical actin using fluorescent labels for each of these structures. Continuous exposure to MBC during the resumption of meiosis resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of meiotic cell cycle progression at metaphase of meiosis-1. Drug exposure at the metaphase-anaphase transition of meiosis-1 did not interfere with cell cycle progression to metaphase-2 except at high concentrations (30 microM). At the level of spindle microtubule organization, MBC caused a loss of nonacetylated microtubules and a decrease in spindle size at 3 or 10 microM concentrations. Thirty microM MBC prevented spindle assembly when added at the beginning of meiotic maturation or caused spindle pole disruption and fragmentation when added to preformed spindles. Spindle disruption involved a loss of phosphoprotein epitopes, as monitored by MPM-2 staining, and resulted in the appearance of dispersed chromosomes that retained a metaphase-plate location on spindle fragments associated with the oocyte cortex. Polar body extrusion was impaired by MBC, and abnormal polar bodies were observed in most treated oocytes. The results suggest that MBC disrupts cell cycle progression in mouse oocytes by altering meiotic spindle microtubule stability and spindle pole integrity.
Intrastriatal and intrasubthalamic stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors : a behavioral and Fos immunohistochemical study

Prior work has shown that intrastriatal injection of the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 1S, 3R-ACPD results in pronounced contralateral rotation, and the basis for this effect is thought to be increased activity of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. We tested this hypothesis by determining the expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity after intrastriatal injection of 1S, 3R-ACPD. Intense Fos-like immunoreactivity was noted in the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus, subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticula. Ablation of the subthalamic nucleus 10 days prior to intrastriatal injection of 1S, 3R-ACPD abolished rotational behaviour but not Fos-like immunoreactivity in the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra. Intrasubthalamic injection of 1S, 3R-ACPD produced marked contralateral rotation and a pattern of Fos-like immunoreactivity similar to that seen after intrastriatal 1S, 3R-ACPD injection. These results suggest that stimulation of striatal metabotropic glutamate receptors inhibits striatal projection neuron activity, while stimulation of subthalamic metabotropic glutamate receptors increases subthalamic nucleus activity. Increased subthalamic nucleus activity is necessary and sufficient for the expression of rotational behavior. These results also suggest that metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Economic Segmentation in Taiwan: A Comparative Study with the United States

Abstract We test the applicability of dual economy theory in the peripheral country of Taiwan. Based on factor and regression analyses of industry level data, we find that Taiwan's economic structure cannot be divided into two distinct sectors as the strictest form of dual economy theory suggests. Instead, the structure is multidimensional, characterized by dimensions such as capital intensity and concentration, economic scale and firm size, profits, and state control. Several of these dimensions, especially earnings, affect work outcomes, and these effects are not generally mediated by the occupational structure. When these findings are compared with those from a similar study of the United States, we find that the structure of economic segmentation and relationships between economic structure and work outcomes are simpler in Taiwan, as would be expected given Taiwan's less developed economy. Thus, the findings demonstrate the usefulness of concepts underlying segmentation perspectives for understanding ...
Preparation and antitubercular activities in vitro and in vivo of novel Schiff bases of isoniazid

Structural modification of the frontline antitubercular isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) provides lipophilic adaptations (3–46) of the drug in which the hydrazine moiety of the parent compound has been chemically blocked from the deactivating process of N 2 -acetylation by N-arylaminoacetyl transferases. As a class, these compounds show high levels of activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in tuberculosis-infected macrophages. They provide strong protection in tuberculosis-infected mice and have low toxicity. With some representatives of this class achieving early peak plasma concentrations approximately three orders of magnitude above minimum inhibitory concentration, they may serve as tools for improving our understanding of INH-based treatment modalities, particularly for those patients chronically underdosed in conventional INH therapy.
Dog lymph flow in increased capillary permeability states

Abstract The lung lymph flow rate ( Q L ) is increased in edema caused by an increase in lung microvascular permeability. This increase in Q L could be caused by either a decrease in the effective resistance of the lymph vessels (RL), or by an increase in the effective lymph driving pressure (PL), or by a change in both RL and PL. We estimated PL and RL from the linear relationship between Q L and the pressure at the outflow end (PO) of five cannulated dog lung lymph vessels ( R L = −ΔP O Δ Q L and PL = the PO at which Q L = 0 ). We increased lung microvascular permeability by giving the dogs 100 mg/kg of alloxan and found that Q L increased from 24.5 ± 8.9 μl/min to 112 ± 41 μl/min (mean ± SD). RL decreased from 0.35 ± 0.12 to 0.11 ± 0.04 cm H2O min/μl and PL increased from 8.5 ± 1.5 to 15.9 ± 2.7 cm H2O. We then increased the capillary pressures from 18.3 ± 3.8 to 41.3 ± 7.3 cm H2O and Q L increased to 169.9 ± 47.8 μl/min. PL increased by an additional 6.3 cm H2O but RL decreased by only an additional 0.02 cm H2O min/μl. These results show that the Q L vs PO relationship is changed in edema secondary to an increase in microvascular permeability, and that this change can be represented as changes in RL and PL. In terms of these parameters, Q L increased in edema as a result of a decrease in RL and an increase in PL.
Seeds of an Asian European Union? Regionalism as a hedge against the United States on telecommunications technology in Japan and Germany

Abstract Germany and Japan have both used regionalism as a hedge against American power in the area of telecommunications, but this strategy has taken very different forms. Germany's regionalism is within the European Union. Since 2002 Japan has developed an ad hoc technology alliance in telecommunications with China and South Korea. Both the European Union and Northeast Asian countries have used industrial policy to promote telecommunications technology and both regional organizations have expressed concern about American dominance in telecommunications. Both Germany and Japan have looked to their lower income neighboring countries for investment opportunities in telecommunications, but each has taken a different approach. Japanese telecommunications firms have not been very successful in investing in other countries or in exporting Japan's very sophisticated and expensive telecommunications equipment. The Japanese government and business organizations have taken the lead in trying to promote joint resea...
Coordination of Carbon Monoxide and Isocyanides to Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)ytterbium and Related Bivalent Ytterbocenes

Changes in the infrared spectra of methylcyclohexane solutions of the base-free ytterbocenes (Me5C5)2Yb, [1,3-(Me3C)2C5H3]2Yb, and [1,3-(Me3Si)2C5H3]2Yb in the presence of CO show that carbonyl adducts are formed at room temperature. The adducts are formed reversibly, and they have not been isolated. The νCO values are lower than that of free CO for the adducts of (Me5C5)2Yb and [1,3-(Me3C)2C5H3]2Yb, and in the case of (Me5C5)2Yb the 13C NMR resonance of the carbonyl is deshielded from that of free CO, indicating that CO is acting as a net π-acceptor ligand in those molecules. The νCO value for the adduct of [1,3-(Me3Si)2C5H3]2Yb is slightly higher than that of free CO, which demonstrates that changing the substituents on the cyclopentadienyl rings can alter the electron richness of the ytterbocene. Isocyanide complexes of these ytterbocenes and of (Me4C5H)2Yb have been isolated and fully characterized, including by X-ray crystallography for (Me5C5)2Yb(2,6-Me2C6H3NC)2, [1,3-(Me3C)2C5H3]2Yb(2,6-Me2C6H3NC)2...
Pemphigus foliaceus antigen : characterization of a keratinocyte envelope associated pool and preparation of a soluble immunoreactive fragment

In both the endemic and sporadic forms of pemphigus foliaceus (PF), anti epidermal auto antibodies against desmoglein I are present. Desmoglein l is a highly insoluble 160-kD transmembrane glycoprotein of the desmosomal core. The detailed immunochemical characterization of the epitope(s) recognized by the PF auto antibodies is hampered by its large molecular weight and the insolubility of desmoglein I in non denaturing buffers. This study was designed to identify alternative methods that could yield soluble immunoreactive PF antigen (Ag) from normal human epidermis. The presence of PF Ag in human epidermis and in its soluble or insoluble fractions was monitored by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoadsorption of PE sera, and immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled fractions. The PF Ag from trypsin-resistant, radiolabeled cell envelope preparations was cleaved by papain and immunoprecipitated by PF sera. A 50-kD peptide, isoelectric at pH 5.5–5.8, was immunoprecipitated by sera from all patients with endemic PF (n = 15) or idiopathic PF (n = 4), and by two of four pemphigus vulgaris sera, but by no control sera (n = 7). This study shows that a significant fraction of the PF Ag is insoluble, trypsin-resistant, and is associated with the cornified cell envelope fraction, but an Ag fragment can be obtained in a small molecular weight, soluble, and immunoreactive form by papain digestion. This 50-kD papain fragment is more amenable to detailed chemical and immunologic characterization than the native molecule.
Determination of surface OH acidity from the formation of acid/base complexes on ultrathin films of γ-Al2O3 on NiAl(100)

Abstract The interactions of benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, pyrazine, and pyridine with hydroxylated ultrathin films of γ -Al 2 O 3 were investigated using vibrational spectroscopy (high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy). These molecules act as Lewis bases, forming acid/base complexes with the surface hydroxyl groups. Complex formation shifts the frequency of the isolated OH-stretch vibration (3711 cm −1 on the clean surface) to lower frequency. The magnitude of the frequency shift depends on the strength of interaction between the basic probe molecule and the surface OH groups. The strength of interaction is dependent on both the acidity of the surface OH groups and the basicity of the isolated probe molecule. Our data indicate that there are two distinct types of surface hydroxyl groups, which differ in surface acidity, on our thin films of hydroxylated γ -Al 2 O 3 [J. Phys. Chem. B 107 (2003) 8538]. To determine the surface OH acidity for the surface hydroxyl groups on the hydroxylated γ -Al 2 O 3 , we followed the approach of Hair and Hertl [J. Phys. Chem. 74 (1970) 91] and developed a calibration plot using existing data available in the literature for silica, silica–alumina, magnesia, and phosphate on silica. Using this calibration plot, we determine a p K a =6.5±1.1 for the more acidic surface OH groups and a p K a =8.4±1.1 for the less acidic surface OH groups.
Valve-sparing replacement of the aortic root for a 2-year-old child with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a newly recognized constellation that presents with aortic aneurysm or dissection similar to Marfan’s syndrome. We describe successful surgical treatment in a 2-year-old with the syndrome in whom we performed a valve-sparing replacement of the aortic root because of significant dilation of the aortic root and the ascending aorta.
The Reliability of U.S. Gross National Product

Two aspects of reliability—revisions and errors—need separate analysis. Revisions in gross national product (GNP) estimates are large in relation to the size of changes that matter to businesses and policy makers; nevertheless, preliminary estimates convey a lot of information about what the revised estimates will show. Errors in GNP estimates can plausibly be either larger or smaller than revisions. The distinction between gathering errors and adjustment errors helps us understand (a) the absence of any measure of the size of GNP errors and (b) the ways in which national-income statisticians go about reducing errors. These ideas suggest several guidelines for improving GNP estimates.
Dual Fluorescence of 9-(N,N-Dimethylamino)anthracene: Effect of Solvent Polarity and Viscosity

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of 9-(N,N-dimethylamino)anthracene (9-DMA) have been studied in a series of organic solvents and water. The induced circular dichroic spectra of 9-DMA were measured in β- and γ-cyclodextrins to locate the position of the 1La and 1Lb transitions in the absorption spectrum. The fluorescence spectra of 9-DMA exhibit dual emission bands in the solvents employed. Absorption and fluorescence excitation spectra of 9-DMA exhibit a local and an underlying charge-transfer band. The effects of temperature, solvent polarity, and viscosity on these spectra have been studied. The steady-state fluorescence polarization spectra were used to examine the transitions involved. The fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of 9-DMA in neat solvents and solvent mixtures have been measured. The pKa value of nitrogen protonation was estimated in aqueous solution. Semiempirical AM1 calculations were performed to calculate energies and dipole moments of various conformers of 9-DMA obtained by t...
Computational complexity : on the geometry of polynomials and a theory of cost: II

This paper deals with traditional algorithms, Newton’s method and a higher order generalization due to Euler. These iterations schemes and their modifications have had a great success in solving nonlinear systems of equations. We give some understanding of this phenomenon by giving estimates of efficiency. The problem we focus on is that of finding a zero of a complex polynomial.
Surface form and the spacing effect.

Deficient processing theories of the spacing effect attribute poor recall of massed-repeated items to a failure to process one or both of the presentations fully. An implication of this approach is that anything that increases the probability that a repetition will receive full processing, or conversely, anything that decreases the probability that the item will be recognized as a repetition, should improve memorability of the item. The present set of experiments tested this prediction by manipulating the surface structure of repeated sentences. On the basis of previous research, it was assumed that memory for surface structure of sentences decays rapidly, and hence can contribute to initial identification of repetitions only at short spacings. Because this manipulation should hinder recognition of repetitions as repetitions, it was expected to induce full processing of massed repetitions, and thus facilitate recall of these items. This prediction was supported. When sentences were repeated verbatim (Experiment 1) or by the same speaker (Experiment 2), the typical spacing effect was obtained. However, when the surface structure or speaker changed at time of repetition, massed repetitions were recalled nearly as well (Experiment 1) or as well (Experiment 2) as their spaced counterparts.
On uniformly convex functions

We introduce a new class of normalized functions regular and univalent in the unit disk. These functions, called uniformly convex functions, are dened by a purely geometric property. We obtain a few theorems about this new class and we point out a number of open problems.
Gain-Scheduled Control for an Automotive Traction PEM Fuel Cell System

To be practical in automotive traction applications, fuel cell systems must provide power output levels of performance that rival that of typical internal combustion engines. In so doing, transient behavior is one of the keys for success of fuel cell systems in vehicles. From a model-based control perspective, regulation of the fuel cell system through transients is critical, where the response of a fuel cell system depends on the air and hydrogen (flow and pressure regulation) and heat and water management. The focus of this paper is on the air/fuel supply subsystem in tracking an optimum variable pressurization and air flow for maximum system efficiency during load transients. The control-oriented model developed for this study considers electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and fluid flow principles for a 13-state, nonlinear model of a pressurized fuel cell system. For control purposes, a model reduction is performed by converting some of the model dynamics to simple algebraic relationships. A single reference input, the power demanded by the user, is utilized to produce a corresponding reference air flow and back-pressure valve opening, after passing through a static calculation and a tabulated map. Because of the complexity of the full nonlinear model (used in simulation as the truth model), where several maps are used rather than functional forms, two different control techniques are examined separately, each using a feedforward component. The first technique uses an observer-based linear optimum control which combines a feed-forward approach based on the steady state plant inverse response, coupled to a multi-variable LQR feedback control. An extension of that approach, for control in the full nonlinear range of operation, leads to the second technique, nonlinear gain-scheduled control.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
MRM Training, Evaluation, and Safety Management

Maintenance resource management (MRM) programs started as training programs aimed at increasing the awareness regarding human performance limitations in the aviation maintenance environment. Since their inception in 1989, MRM programs in the United States have undergone 4 generations of development (Taylor & Patankar, 2001) and are currently morphing themselves yet again toward the 5th generation, one that incorporates a Federal Aviation Administration-approved voluntary error-reporting program such as the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or a generic or internal error-reporting program. This article describes the MRM training, evaluation, and safety management research program as it tracked the evolution of training content as well as the attitudinal, behavioral, and performance changes toward the development of proactive safety management programs.
Bacterial Discitis Caused By Limb Gangrene Requiring Below-Knee Amputation

Two patients presented with disabling back pain and were unable to participate in physical therapy activities after being admitted to an acute rehabilitation center. Both patients had bacterial discitis of the lumbar spine that was apparently caused by infected ischemic limb tissue, ultimately removed at below-knee amputation. The literature describes many cases of bacterial discitis infected from many sources, but not from ischemic limb tissue requiring subsequent amputation. Many such cases may exist, however, and earlier recognition of this condition will enable appropriate treatment before vertebral destruction and/or neurological sequelae.
A species-specific population of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the medial amygdaloid nucleus of the Syrian hamster

The medial amygdaloid nucleus (Me) is part of a neural pathway that regulates sexual behavior in the male Syrian hamster. To characterize the neurochemical content of neurons in this nucleus, brains from colchicine-treated adult male and female hamsters were immunocytochemically labeled using antibodies that recognize the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-fl-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), as well as dopamine; A large population of TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) neurons was observed throughout Me of male and female hamsters, primarily concentrated in the midrostral and caudal portions of the nucleus. The somata were generally small to medium in size and bipolar. Brains from animals that did not receive colehicine contained a limited number of TH-IR neurons in Me as reported previously. The DBH and PNMT antisera did not label any cells in Me of colchicinetreated animals, and the dopamine antiserum labeled neurons in the same location as the caudal group of TH-IR cells. Therefore, these caudal TH-IR neurons are interpreted to be dopaminergic. The rostral group of TH-IR neurons, on the other hand, may be producing only the immediate precursor of dopamine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). The TH-synthesizing neurons in Me of the Syrian hamster appear to be a species-specific group of cells located outside of the previously described catecholaminergic cell groups.
Comparison of four least-squares inversion schemes for studying equivalence in one-dimensional resistivity interpretation

The problem of equivalence in dc resistivity inversion is well known. The ability to invert resistivity data successfully depends on the uniqueness of the model as well as the robustness of the inversion algorithm. To study the problems of model uniqueness and resolution, theoretical data are inverted using variations of a nonlinear least‐squares inversion. It is only through model studies such as this one, where the true solutions are known, that realistic and meaningful comparisons of inversion methods can be undertaken. The data are inverted using three schemes of fixed‐layer thickness where only the resistivity varies, and the results are compared to the variable parameter inversion where both the layer resistivities and thicknesses are allowed to vary. The purpose of fixing the layer thicknesses is to reduce the number of parameters solved for during the inversion process. By doing this, nonuniqueness may be reduced. The fixed‐layer thickness schemes are uniform thickness, geometrical progression of ...