cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A process for estimating cost/benefits of future air transportation system operational concepts based on 4D navigation

The aviation community worldwide has been working for sometime to define a vision of the future air transportation system. The overall progress thus far has been primarily at a conceptual stage. This paper integrates a number of operational concepts into a realizable vision for the National Airspace System (NAS). A process is defined to help develop future operational scenarios based on the makeup of year 2020 fleet mix and aircraft avionics capabilities, considering non-scheduled on-demand, charter, travel club, fractional and short-haul intra-city operations. A majority of aircraft are projected to be able to fly via 4D navigation and to assume a larger share of the responsibility for maintaining separation. This would require significant investment in avionics and the automation of the ground system and infrastructure. Cost/benefits analysis is a key portion of the process. Example results are presented to illustrate return on investment over time as more and more aircraft are equipped with enhanced avionics. The operational benefits of 4D navigation operations are derived from reduced air and ground delays determined from the NAS-wide simulation of future operations. The example presented compared the life cycle costs of air/ground enhancements as function of aircraft equipage to ascertain that the overall benefits outweigh the implementation costs over time. The process is based on a number of operational assumptions and likely air/ground system enhancements beyond the currently planned enhancements over next 10 years. The evaluation process presented in the paper can be used to help understand the benefits and limitations of the future operational concepts, and intends to help define an ideal, but realistic vision of the future air transportation system for guiding research cost effectively.
Biogenesis of mammalian mitochondria in the renoprival kidney: I. Amino acid incorporation and respiratory activity

Abstract Changes in the yield of mitochondrial protein, in the incorporation of leucine into mitochondrial proteins, and in the respiratory activity of isolated mitochondria were determined in the remaining kidney (renoprival kidney) of the rat during the first 72 hr postmononephrectomy. At 24, 48, and 72 hr the yield of mitochondrial protein isolated from the renoprival kidney increased 13, 23, and 34%, respectively, whereas renal mass increased 9, 14, and 19%. Incorporation of [ 3 H]-leucine in vivo into total mitochondrial protein was increased 96 and 130% over control at 12 and 24 hr, respectively. Incorporation of leucine in vitro by mitochondria was increased 27% over control at 24 hr; chloroamphenicol, but not cycloheximide, inhibited the in vitro incorporation. At 24 hr, the rate of O 2 consumption (state 3) was decreased, but P O ratios, respiratory control values, and glutamic and succinic dehydrogenase activities were unaltered. The content of pyridine nucleotide, cytochromes a , a 3 , and c was decreased at this time; these activities approached normal values by 72 hr. The results suggest that during the 24 and 48 hr postmononephrectomy there is an increase in mitochondrial protein and specific changes in mitochondrial function which may be indicative of a proliferation of mitochondria in the renoprival kidney. This system should be valuable in investigating the events involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in mammalian cells.
Partially Polarized Waves

This chapter contains sections titled: Representation of the Fields Representation of Partially Polarized Waves Reception of Partially Polarized Waves References Problems ]]>
The effects of ethical climates on organizational commitment: A two-study analysis

Although organizational commitment continues to interest researchers because of its positive effects on organizations, we know relatively little about the effects of the ethical context on organizational commitment. As such, we contribute to the organizational commitment field by assessing the effects of ethical climates (Victor and Cullen, 1987, 1988) on organizational commitment. We hypothesized that an ethical climate of benevolence has a positive relationship with organizational commitment while egoistic climate is negatively related to commitment. Results supported our propositions for both a benevolent climate and an egoistic climate. We also hypothesized that a principled climate is positively related to organizational commitment for professional workers but has no relationships for nonprofessional workers. Results supported this hypothesis.
Anticipation and returns in event studies

When an event is anticipated, the event-firm's stock return around the announcement of the event may have an inconsistent sign: a positive sign around negative news, or vice versa. We attempt to quantify the frequency of this problem, first with a brief mathematical model and simulation, then with empirical tests. These empirical tests employ data on analysts' upgrades, and use exogenous changes in the information environment surrounding analysts' upgrades to estimate the effect of anticipation on the sign of the abnormal return on announcement. We find that more than 10% of returns can have inconsistent signs, even with low levels of anticipation. Our results suggest that researchers should be cognizant of how anticipation can affect abnormal returns, and we offer a survey of the literature which suggests ways to adjust event-study applications to account for anticipation.
Über die intramolekulare Excimerfluoreszenz von 1,3-bisarylpropan-Derivaten†

Das Fluoreszenzspektrum von Biscarbazolylpropan (BCP) weist eine konzentrationsunabhangige Excimerbande auf. Die Quantenausbeute der Monomerfluoreszenz ist nur etwa halb so gros wie bei Carbazolderivaten, die keine intramolekularen Excimere bilden konnen. Monomer- und Excimerfluoreszenz von BCP werden durch Sauerstoff unterschiedlich geloscht. Die quantitative Auswertung der Loschexperimente zeigt, das eine Dissoziation von Excimeren in angeregte Monomere auftritt. Die Geschwindigkeitskonstante der Excimerbildung ist bei BCP wegen der Grose der Substituenten kleiner (108 s−1) als bei Diphenylpropan (109s−1). The fluorescence spectrum of biscarbazolylpropane (BCP) shows a concentration independent excimer band. The quantum efficiency of monomer fluorescence is decreased to about one half of the quantum efficiency of carbazole derivatives which are unable to form intramolecular excimers. Monomer and excimer fluorescence of BCP are quenched by oxygene to a different degree. Quantitative evaluation of the quenching experiments show that dissociation of excimers into excited monomers occurs. The rate constant of excimer formation is smaller for BCP (108 s−1) as compared to diphenylpropane (109 s−1), owing to the bulky substituents.
Apolipoprotein B Binding Domains: Evidence That They Are Cell-Penetrating Peptides That Efficiently Deliver Antigenic Peptide for Cross-Presentation of Cytotoxic T Cells

Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are a good source of cholesterol, which is important in cellular homeostasis and production of steroids. Apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB-100), the sole protein component of LDL, is known to bind to cell surface LDL receptor (LDLR) or cell surface-bound proteoglycans and to be internalized into cells. We found that APCs, consisting of macrophages and dendritic cells, upregulate LDLR on culture in vitro without obvious stimulation. In contrast, T cell populations only upregulate LDLR on activation. Thus, we strategized that tagging immunogens to ApoB-100 might be a useful means to target Ag to APCs. We generated fusion proteins consisting of receptor binding sites in ApoB-100, coupled to OVA peptide (ApoB-OVA), as Ag delivery vehicles and demonstrated that this novel delivery method successfully cross-presented OVA peptides in eliciting CTL responses. Surprisingly, internalization of ApoB-OVA peptide occurred via cell surface proteoglycans rather than LDLRs, consistent with evidence that structural elements of ApoB-100 indicate it to have cell-penetrating peptide properties. Finally, we used this strategy to assess therapeutic vaccination in a tumor setting. OVA-expressing EL-4 tumors grew progressively in mice immunized with ApoB-100 alone but regressed in mice immunized with ApoB-OVA fusion protein, coinciding with development of OVA-specific CTLs. Thus, to our knowledge, this is the first article to describe the cell-penetrating properties of a conserved human origin cell penetrating peptide that may be harnessed as a novel vaccination strategy as well as a therapeutics delivery device.
Versatile High-Sensitivity High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography/Fourier Transform Infrared (HPLC/FTIR) Interface With Elimination Of Organic Or Aqueous Solvents

In previous papers on HPLC/FT-IR from Ohio University, we have stressed the substantial reduction in detection limits that can be achieved if the mobile phase is completely removed from the solute prior to the measurement of the infrared spectrum of each solute (or "HPLC peak"). The most effective way of achieving this end which we have described to date1, 2; has been to concentrate the solution eluting from the chromatograph by differential evaporation, and to deposit each peak onto a hollow cup containing KCl powder. After a final solvent elimination step, the diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectrum of each peak is measured, with the operation of the entire HPLC/FT-IR interface being controlled by a microcomputer.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
PRODUCTION OF FREE INDOLE BY SOME AROIDS

SUMMARY The production of free indole by several arum lily species (Araceae) was studied. The compound was identified by paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography in several solvent systems, colour reactions with various reagents, enzymatic conversion to tryptophan, UV absorption spectrum, and formation of a complex with polynitrofluorenone. The presence of indole is restricted to certain floral parts and is correlated with the flowering sequence of these plants. In general, indole is present for not more than one day during the flowering cycle. In the case of Sauromatum guttatum Schott, production of indole by the appendix starts on the eve of flowering between 6 and 8 p.m. and ends about 24 hours later. At the peak of the metabolic flare-up period, about 0.3 µmoles indole is present per gram fresh tissue. There is a close connection between the indole cycle and the production of heat and stench in the respiratory flare-up. Some of the indole formed is released as a constituent of the stench.
Oxygen uptake and citric acid production by Candida lipolytica Y 1095.

The rates of oxygen uptake and oxygen transfer during cell growth and citric acid production by Candida lipolytica Y 1095 were determined. The maximum cell growth rate, 1.43 g cell/L · h, and volumetric oxygen uptake rate, 343 mg O2/L · h, occurred approximately 21 to 22 h after inoculation. At the time of maximum oxygen uptake, the biomass concentration was 1.3% w/v and the specific oxygen uptake rate was slightly greater than 26 mg O2/g cell · h. The specific oxygen uptake rate decreased to approximately 3 mg O2/g cell · h by the end of the growth phase. During citric acid production, as the concentration of dissolved oxygen was increased from 20% to 80% saturation, the specific oxygen uptake and specific citric acid productivity (mg citric acid/g cell · h) increased by 160% and 71%, respectively, at a biomass concentration of 3% w/v. At a biomass concentration of 5% w/v, the specific oxygen uptake and specific citric acid productivity increased by 230% and 82%, respectively, over the same range of dissolved oxygen concentrations. The effect of dissolved oxygen on citric acid yields and productivities was also determined. Citric acid yields appeared to be independent of dissolved oxygen concentration during the initial production phase; however, volumetric productivity (g citric acid/L · h) increased sharply with an increase in dissolved oxygen. During the second or subsequent production phase, citric acid yields increased by approximately 50%, but productivities decreased by roughly the same percentage due to a loss of cell viability under prolonged nitrogen-deficient conditions. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Emergenet: robust, rapidly deployable cellular networks

Cellular phone networks are often paralyzed after a disaster, as damage to fixed infrastructure, loss of power, and increased demand degrade coverage and quality of service. To ensure disaster victims and first responders have access to reliable local and global communication, we propose EmergeNet, a portable, rapidly deployable, small-scale cellular network. In this article, we describe EmergeNet, which addresses the challenges of emergency and disaster areas. EmergeNet provides free voice calling and text messaging within a disaster area, and enables users of unmodified GSM handsets to communicate with the outside world using the Skype VoIP network. We evaluate EmergeNet's ability to provide robust service despite high load, limited bandwidth, and software or hardware failures. EmergeNet is uniquely well suited to providing reliable, fairly allocated voice and text communication in emergency and disaster scenarios.
Alloying effect on atomic strengthening of binary Ir solid solutions: a first-principles study

Density functional theory calculations have been performed to systematically study the alloying effect on the atomic strengthening of Ir binary solid solutions. The Mayer bond orders (BOs) were calculated for alloying additions in Ir with 3d, 4d and 5d elements in the periodic table. The trend of the BOs as a function of alloying additions was examined, and then used to assess the alloying effect on Young's moduli of the materials. It was found that the 5d refractory metals Ta, W and Re increase the BOs significantly and thus could enhance the Young's moduli and hardness. The underlying mechanism for this alloying effect is related to the Mayer total valence electrons of the alloying elements.
Toward state-space models for biological populations

Abstract A generalized model for the population of a developmental stage in an organism's life cycle is developed as a component for a dynamic model of a population. The formulation of the developmental stage component combines biological functions with the structural requisites of state-space theory to produce a realistic quantitative model description. The state variables and behavioral features of the developmental stage component model are formulated for living organisms in general, and are applicable to almost all species populations. Biological research results from the literature are used to determine quantitative formulations of the physiological functions needed to describe the system behavior of the developmental stage component. Several simulation runs are presented which verify the realism of the model behavior.
Hormone Ontogeny in the Ovine Fetus and Neonatal Lamb. XX. Effect of Age, Breeding Season, and Twinning on the Growth Hormone (GH) Response to GH-Releasing Factor: Evidence for a Homeostatic Role of Fetal GH*

The ovine GH (oGH) response to GRF (1-44 amide) was evaluated in 74 chronically catheterized fetal and neonatal lambs. After a 1-h control period, GRF was administered iv, and the oGH response was studied during the next 60 min. The following variables were analyzed: GRF dose, fetal or neonatal age, breeding season, and singleton or multiple pregnancy. One and 10 micrograms/kg GRF elicited a similar oGH response, which was greater (P less than 0.001) than the response to 0.1 microgram/kg GRF. GRF-stimulated oGH release was strikingly age dependent. The mean peak incremental oGH response in fetuses of 89-122 days gestation (294 +/- 55 ng/ml) was higher (P less than 0.05) than that in fetuses of 127-145 days gestation (136 +/- 19 ng/ml); the fetal response was much greater (P less than 0.005) than the mean peak increment in neonatal lambs (46 +/- 7 ng/ml). A remarkable difference in basal and GRF-induced oGH secretion was observed in both fetuses and lambs of ewes bred in the normal breeding season (on-season) and those bred out of season (off-season). In the neonatal lamb, the mean basal oGH concentration was higher (P less than 0.005) in the on-season (12 +/- 2 ng/ml) than in the off-season (7 +/- 0.5 ng/ml) neonatal lambs, as was the mean peak incremental oGH response to GRF (70 +/- 12 vs. 33 +/- 7 ng/ml; P less than 0.01). In contrast, in singleton, late gestational fetuses (127-145 days), the mean basal oGH concentration was lower (P less than 0.03) in the on-season (74 +/- 9 ng/ml) than in the off-season (124 +/- 18 ng/ml) fetuses, as was the mean peak incremental oGH response to GRF (136 +/- 9 vs. 292 +/- 41 ng/ml; P less than 0.005). Further, compared to the on-season, late gestational singletons, on-season twin fetuses had higher (P less than 0.0001) basal oGH levels (199 +/- 19 ng/ml) and peak incremental oGH responses (248 +/- 11 ng/ml). Moreover, off-season twin fetuses had the highest basal GH concentrations and the most striking increment in GH concentration after GRF treatment of any of the groups. The strikingly age-dependent pattern of the GRF-induced oGH response in fetal and neonatal lambs is compatible with the concept that the inhibitory influences or their effects on the somatotrope increase gradually during late gestation and sharply at birth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Subsurface Oxygen Formation on Pt(100): Experiments and Modeling

Abstract Spatially resolved techniques, such as photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) and ellipsomicroscopy for surface imaging (EMSI), have been particularly useful in the investigation of pattern formation during CO oxidation on platinum catalysts. One surprising result of these studies has been the discovery of subsurface oxygen on Pt(1 0 0). The formation of subsurface oxygen has been reported previously on Pt(1 0 0) during CO oxidation at low pressures ( −4 Torr). This communication reports the formation of subsurface oxygen at intermediate pressures (∼0.1 Torr). These observations show that subsurface oxygen plays a role in catalytic CO oxidation and pattern formation, which has implications for catalysts operated at higher pressures. New microkinetic models of CO oxidation that incorporate subsurface oxygen are discussed. Results of these models are qualitatively similar to experimental observations of subsurface oxygen, confirming the importance of this species in the reaction dynamics.
Network location theory and contingency planning

A brief survey of results in network location theory is first presented. Then, a systems view of contingency planning is described. Finally, some results in location theory are re-examined and it is shown that they are motivated by contingency planning considerations. Some new issues and problems in location theory are described, which, if properly tackled, will have a substantial impact on contingency planning in transportation.
Activation of bovine peripheral blood γδ T cells for cell division and IFN-γ production

Bovine peripheral blood gammadelta T cells have been evaluated for effector function (IFN-gamma production) and clonal expansion in a variety of systems including following activation by mitogens, IL-12, and stimulation, through the T cell receptor (TCR) with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), a cell-bound molecule and a soluble antigenic extract. To evaluate cell division, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) loading of cells and flow cytometric analysis were used, while IFN-gamma production was evaluated by intracytoplasmic staining. It was found that bovine gammadelta T cells produced IFN-gamma and clonally expanded when stimulated through the TCR/CD3 complex by a cell-associated autologous molecule on monocyte, by bacterial components following in vivo sensitization of gammadelta T cells with a leptospira vaccine or by anti-CD3 mAb. In addition, gammadelta T cells were activated efficiently for effector function but not clonal expansion by culturing with IL-12. In contrast, stimulation by Con A or PMA/ionomycin induced efficient replication but only low level IFN-gamma production which was not enhanced by the presence of IL-12. In several systems the amount of IFN-gamma produced per cell by gammadelta T cells was less than that produced by CD4 T cells in the same cultures.
Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Effects on Potato Yield, Tuber Quality, and Nitrogen Uptake

Irrigation and N management are perhaps the most important aspects of successful potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in central Minnesota. With rising concern about current irrigation and N management practices and ground water quality, a two-year study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of alternative irrigation and N management practices on potato yield, tuber quality, and N uptake. The treatments were different irrigation schemes (sprinkler and drip), irrigation triggers (70 and 40% of available water [AW] remaining), drip tape placements (surface or buried at 25 cm), N sources (urea, turkey manure, sulfur-coated urea [SCU]), and timings of inorganic N fertilizer application. Rainfall in the area was less in 1994 (260 mm) than in 1995 (380 mm). As a result, irrigation applications in 1994 were greater than in 1995. Drip irrigation amounts were less than half of that applied by sprinkler irrigation treatments in both years. Except for the buried drip with fertigation (43.0 and 27.8 Mg ha -1 in 1994 and 1995) and the control (36.5 and 13.3 Mg ha -1 in 1994 and 1995), total tuber yields were similar regardless of irrigation and N source treatment. The turkey manure treatments in 1994 had significantly higher marketable tuber yields than the control, averaging 48.3 Mg ha -1 for both years. Total N uptake in 1994 was nearly 100% of that applied, while in 1995 it accounted for only 60% of the application. Lower N uptake was observed for the control (85.3 and 30.2 kg N ha -1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively), SCU (165.2 and 111.3 kg N ha -1 in 1994 and 1995), and BDF (157.2 and 80.1 kg N ha -1 in 1994 and 1995) treatments. The results showed that the use of unconventional N sources such as turkey manure and SCU are viable alternatives for potato production, provided they are managed properly.
Improving the predictable assembly of service-oriented architectures

Object technology's development and wide adoption has improved software applications' modularity, extensibility, and reusability. An approach that's complementary to OO software reuse entails using "Web services and service-oriented architectures". We propose an intermediate approach to Web service specification. Our technique integrates the use of regular expressions in WSDL specifications to constrain the format of argument and return values to and from Web services. This approach provides the basis for automating the generation of both client- and server-side checking wrappers. The service-oriented paradigm is founded on an assumption of well-specified and well-understood contracts that isn't realized in practice. Our approach extends the WSDL specification language with support for argument- and return-format specification brings us one step closer to realizing the assumptions on which the paradigm is based. This work is important in reducing the adoption barriers that have slowed the acceptance of Web services and SOAs. This is especially important as we closer to realizing the vision of ubiquitous computing that promises transparent integration of widely distributed services.
Estimation of proportions and ratios from line transect data

If the population of interest in a line transect survey consists of distinct sub-populations, or classes, line transect data can be used to estimate the proportion of the population in each class, or the ratio of the number of individuals in one class to another class. However, if the various classes have unequal overall detectability then the observed ratio or proportion is biased and should be adjusted. Estimators for the desired proportions and ratios are proposed and studied, and procedures for examining the equal detectability hypotheses are discussed.
Aggressiveness in the cockroach Periplaneta americana (Orthoptera, Blattidae).

Aggressiveness in Periplaneta americana was studied with an emphasis on fighting techniques and on the releasing and motivational factors which affect aggressiveness. A higher incidence and greater intensity of fighting occurs in male-male encounters as compared to fighting between females or between males and females. The level of aggressiveness and in some cases the incidence of fighting is enhanced by the presence of sex pheromone, disturbance by light, and environmental situations generating defense of territory. To a certain extent, specific individuals are more aggressive than others, and most dominent individuals are males, but observed hierarchies are less than permanent.
Teaching Ethics and Social Responsibility: An Evaluation of Undergraduate Business Education at the Discipline Level

Organizations and society at large recognize that ethically and socially responsible behavior plays a crucial role in good business practices. This realization has led employers to expect and deman...
Direct force wall shear measurements in pressure-driven three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers

Unique, simultaneous direct measurements of the magnitude and direction of the local wall shear stress in a pressure-driven three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer are presented. The flow is also described with an oil streak wall flow pattern, a map of the wall shear stress-wall pressure gradient orientations, a comparison of the wall shear stress directions relative to the directions of the nearest wall velocity as measured with a typical, small boundary layer directionally sensitive claw probe, as well as limiting wall streamline directions from the oil streak patterns, and a comparison of the freestream streamlines and the wall flow streamlines. A review of corrections for direct force sensing shear meters for two-dimensional flows is presented with a brief discussion of their applicability to three-dimensional devices.
Organic compounds in radiation fogs in Davis (California)

Abstract New stainless steel active fogwater collectors were designed and used in Davis (CA, USA) to collect fogwater for the speciation of organic matter. Organic compounds in fog samples were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Numerous organic compounds, including various alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkanoic acids, have been identified in the fogwater samples. Higher molecular weight (MW) compounds are preferentially associated with an insoluble phase inside the fog drops, whereas lower molecular weight and more polar compounds are found predominantly in the dissolved phase. Concentrations in the dissolved phase were sometimes much higher than estimated by the compounds' aqueous solubilities.
Habitat selection and survival of mule deer : Tradeoffs associated with migration

We examined tradeoffs related to migration in a population of mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) in southern California from 1989 to 1991. All male deer that we radiocollared were migratory, whereas females exhibited a mixed strategy with both migrant and resident individuals. Increased movements of deer were associated with decreased temperatures and increased weekly precipitation. No differences within seasons in the sizes of home ranges occurred for either migrant or resident deer. The size of home ranges of deer, however, was smaller in summer than in winter. Sizes of home ranges were associated positively with proximity to human development and to the amount of avoided (use was less than availability) habitat in the home range. Deer avoided human developments in all seasons. Further, males and resident females used areas farther from water in summer than expected by chance, whereas migratory females selected areas nearer to water. In summer, migratory females selected meadows, riparian habitats, and pine forests, whereas resident females avoided riparian habitats and used pine forests less than did migratory females. Migratory males used habitats in a way similar to migratory females, although they avoided meadows and riparian areas. Clear tradeoffs existed for deer in montane southern California about whether they migrated. Migratory females were farther from human disturbance and used habitats of high quality more often than did nonmigratory conspecifics. Nonetheless, deer were at increased risk of predation during migration and, in years of low precipitation (low snow), had higher rates of mortality than did resident deer. Thus, in areas with extremely variable precipitation and snow cover, a mixed strategy for migration can be maintained in populations of mule deer.
A GIS-based methodology for identifying sustainability conflict areas in mine design – a case study from a surface coal mine in the USA

Through proper design, coal mining operations can contribute to the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The regulatory and permitting programmes for coal mining in the United States, which often focus on several largely environmental parameters, are barriers to holistic consideration of these three sustainability pillars. Some changes in the current US regulatory framework may be necessary to allow for systematic consideration of economic, environmental and social factors in order to achieve more sustainable development of mineral and energy resources. In the quest towards more sustainable mining activities, it has been suggested that mine design may be optimised in the context of sustainability using a systems engineering approach that simultaneously considers economic, environmental and social factors. The use of geographic information system (GIS) tools may aid in this approach by allowing for spatial analyses of various resources (e.g. mineral values, water resources...
Beta-Carotene Antioxidant Use During Radiation Therapy and Prostate Cancer Outcome in the Physicians' Health Study

Purpose The safety of antioxidant supplementation during radiation therapy (RT) for cancer is controversial. Antioxidants could potentially counteract the pro-oxidant effects of RT and compromise therapeutic efficacy. We performed a prospective study nested within the Physicians' Health Study (PHS) randomized trial to determine if supplemental antioxidant use during RT for prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer death or metastases. Methods and Materials PHS participants (383) received RT for prostate cancer while randomized to receive beta-carotene (50 mg on alternate days) or placebo. The primary endpoint was time from RT to lethal prostate cancer, defined as prostate cancer death or bone metastases. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival probabilities and the log-rank test to compare groups. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the effect of beta-carotene compared with that of placebo during RT. Results With a median follow-up of 10.5 years, there was no significant difference between risk of lethal prostate cancer with the use of beta-carotene during RT compared with that of placebo (hazard ratio=0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42–1.24; p = 0.24). After we adjusted for age at RT, prostate-specific antigen serum level, Gleason score, and clinical stage, the difference remained nonsignificant. The 10-year freedom from lethal prostate cancer was 92% (95% CI, 87–95%) in the beta-carotene group and 89% (95% CI, 84–93%) in the placebo group. Conclusion The use of supplemental antioxidant beta-carotene during RT was not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer death or metastases. This study suggests a lack of harm from supplemental beta-carotene during RT for prostate cancer.
Thermal diffusivity in thin films measured by noncontact single-ended pulsed-laser-induced thermal radiometry

A pulsed nitrogen laser is used to induce a sharp thermal gradient in a thin film, and the infrared thermal radiation from the irradiated region is monitored from the same side as the excitation beam (i.e., single-ended detection). We show that the profile of this pulsed photothermal radiometry signal can be analyzed to provide the thermal diffusivity or thickness of the sample as well as information on subsurface modifications or the degree of thermal contact with a substrate. We present data for several important classes of film, including metal, polymer, and paper (e.g., in currency) and show the important features of the present technique for thin-film characterization, namely, nondestructive, fast, and remote sensing.
Soft tissue defects in Weber-Christian disease

Abstract Attention is directed toward lesions of fatty liquefaction seen in Weber-Christian disease. Resection of such lesions leaves tissue defects which warrant closure by accepted plastic surgical methods.
The effect of iron doping on the adsorption of methanol on TiO2 probed by sum frequency generation

Abstract Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy along with the molecular probe, methanol, has been used to investigate the surface chemistry of TiO2. Methanol on TiO2 has two adsorption modes: a molecular physisorption mode and a dissociative chemisorption mode. Doping TiO2 with iron leads to quenching of the dissociative adsorption. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of iron-doped TiO2 particles (particle size > 100 nm) compared to the same particles leached with water show that at least some of the iron is located on the surface. Particles are also characterized with UV–visible spectroscopy.
Extravasation of Iodinated Contrast Medium During CT: Self-Assessment Module

The educational objectives for this self-assessment module on the extravasation of iodinated contrast medium are for the participant to exercise, self-assess, and improve his or her understanding of the frequency, appearance, recognition, and management of extravasation of iodinated contrast medium during contrast-enhanced CT.
Altered protein hypothesis of mammalian ageing processes-II. Discrimination ratio of methionine vs ethionine in the synthesis of ribosomal protein and RNA of C57BL/6J mouse liver.

Abstract A general method to measure the substrate specificity of either a single or a series of enzymatically catalyzed reactions is described. This measurement is calculated as a discrimination ratio and is determined by four time dependent functions describing the ratio of incorporation rate of normal to analogue amino acids into specific proteins. Discrimination ratios for the synthesis of ribosomal proteins as a function of molecular weight and for the transmethylation of ribosomal RNA are determined as a function of age in female C57BL/6J mouse liver. Methionine and ethionine are used as the normal and analogue amino acid pair. Different ribosomal proteins from the same age animal had different discrimination ratios, generally increasing with increasing molecular weight (from 20 at 11,000 daltons to 150 at 52,000 daltons). A general decrease in discrimination ratio was found of age (115 to 594 days), ranging from 10 to 50%—depending on the molecular weight of the ribosomal protein. Transmethylation of ribosomal RNA also showed a slight decrease in discrimination ratio over the same age interval. These results are compared to amino acid analogue studies using in vitro aged human tissue culture cells.
Cellular sequence of tracheal repair in sheep after smoke inhalation injury.

The cellular repair process of injured tracheal epithelium is described for sheep after exposure to toxic smoke containing high concentrations of acrolein. Fourteen fasted 3–4-year-old ewes had a portion of their cervical trachea exposed to cotton smoke for 20 min and then were sacrificed at various time intervals ranging from 1 to 22 days after exposure. Within 1 day of injury, columnar epithelium sloughed intact from the trachea with a concomitant reduction of nearly 35% in the basal cell population. At 2 days of recovery, the cellularity of the epithelium had increased and mitotic figures were observed in some tracheal epithelial and gland cells. By 8 days, undifferentiated hyperplastic cells increased to 30/100 µm, differentiated nonciliated columnar cells first appeared, and the basal cell population returned to a normal count of 13 cells/100µm. Thirteen days after exposure, the undifferentiated hyperplastic cell population had declined to 7 cells/100/ µm, nonciliated columnar cells were at control values, and some ciliated cells were identified. At 18 and 22 days, epithelium was normal in appearance and the count was 13 cells/100µm. Data suggest that because the columnar epithelium sloughs intact with the cilia remaining active, toxic smoke may affect their attachment to the basal lamina. Furthermore, the regeneration process involves differentiation of hyperplastic cells in which they elongate down to the basal lamina, thus re-establishing the integrity of tall, epithelium in the sheep trachea.
Human albumin preserves islet mass and function better than whole serum during pretransplantation islet culture.

Abstract Objective Human islet transplant protocols frequently include a brief period of islet culture before transplantation. Some investigators have suggested that medium supplementation with human serum might quench collagenase activity and provide better culture conditions when compared with human albumin. We studied the effect of whole serum on islet count, islet equivalence, insulin secretion, and DNA content in human islets. Methods Adult human islets isolated from a single pancreas with purity >50% were cultured in identical 150 islet equivalent samples at 37°C using CMRL 1066–based islet medium (Mediatech) supplemented with either 0.5% human albumin or 10% human AB serum. Prior to culture and after 3 days, islets were assessed in vitro using dithizone staining (n = 4), insulin release after static glucose stimulation (n = 8), and DNA content (n = 8). Results After 3 days, islet mass (defined by the number of islets and islet equivalents counted after dithizone staining) was better preserved in islets cultured in 0.5% human albumin. Although the stimulation index and total DNA content were similar between groups, islets cultured in human albumin demonstrated greater absolute insulin secretion ( p = .02) and insulin secretion per cell ( p = .02). Conclusions When used to supplement CMRL 1066–based islet culture medium, human albumin preserves islet mass and secretory capacity better than whole human serum. Human serum offers no advantage in islet preservation or function.
Spatial Methods to Study Local Racial Residential Segregation and Infant Health in Detroit, Michigan

Over the last several decades, blacks in the United States have experienced substantial health disadvantages compared to other racial and ethnic groups. These disadvantages have been observed for i...
ENSO Influence on Intraseasonal Extreme Rainfall and Temperature Frequencies in the Contiguous United States: Observations and Model Results.

Abstract The signature of ENSO in the wintertime frequencies of heavy precipitation and temperature extremes is derived from both observations and atmospheric general circulation model output for the contiguous United States. ENSO signals in the frequency of occurrence of heavy rainfall are found in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, central Rockies, and the general area of the Mississippi–Ohio River valleys. Strong, nonlinear signals in extreme warm temperature frequencies are found in the southern and eastern United States. Extreme cold temperature frequencies are found to be less sensitive to ENSO forcing than extreme warm temperature frequencies. Observed ENSO signals in extreme temperature frequencies are not simply manifestations of shifts in mean seasonal temperature. These signals in the wintertime frequency of extreme rainfall and temperature events appear strong enough to be useful in long-range regional statistical prediction. Comparisons of observational and model results show that the model climate i...
Signal processing with optically-inspired algorithms

We introduce holographic (optically inspired) algorithms, which are suited for implementation on massively parallel, locally interconnected arrays of nanoscale devices. This computing method is inspired by optical signal processing, but it neither relies on optical wave propagation nor optical hardware. We describe implementations on digital semiconductor circuitry and on magnetoelectronic devices.
Systematic Atomic Number Effects in Complexes Exhibiting Ligand Luminescence. III. Ion Pair Complexes of Rhodamine B1

Abstract Excited state rate constants have been obtained for complexes of rhodamine B and tetrachloroanions of the group IIIA metals. The results were analyzed by comparison with a heavy atom effect model. Other interaction mechanisms were discussed as well as the suitability of this system for time resolved fluorescence analysis.
CHONDROCYTE TRANSPLANTATION TO ARTICULAR CARTILAGE EXPLANTS IN VITRO

The transplantation of chondrocytes has shown promise for augmenting the repair of defects in articular cartilage. This in vitro study examined the efficiency of the transplantation of bovine chondrocytes onto articular cartilage disks and the ability of the transplanted chondrocytes to subsequently synthesize and deposit proteoglycan. The radiolabeling of chondrocyte cultures with [3H]thymidine, followed by 4 days of chase incubation, resulted in the incorporation of 98% of the radiolabel into DNA (as assessed by susceptibility to DNase). At the end of the culture period, the [3H]DNA was stable, with a half-life of radioactivity loss into the medium of 73 days. With use of radiolabeled chondrocytes for quantitation, the efficiency of transplantation onto a cartilage substrate was 93 +/- 4% for seeding densities of as much as 650,000 cells per cm2 and a seeding duration of 1 hour. These findings were confirmed both by tracking cells stained with 5-chlormethylfluorescein diacetate and by quantitating DNA. During the 16 hours after seeding onto a cartilage substrate (in which the endogenous cells had been lysed by lyophilization), the transplanted cells synthesized sulfated proteoglycan in direct proportion to the number of cells seeded. Most (83%) of the newly synthesized proteoglycan was released into the medium rather than retained within the layer of transplanted cells and the recipient cartilage substrate. Comparative studies with lyophilized-rehydrated or live cartilage as the recipient substrate indicated a similar efficiency of chondrocyte seeding and proteoglycan synthesis by the seeded chondrocytes. The transplanted cells retained the chondrocyte phenotype, as judged by a high proportion of the [35S]macromolecules being in the form of aggrecan that was capable of aggregating with hyaluronan and link protein, as well as by immunostaining within and around the transplanted cells for type-II, but not type-I, collagen. These results indicate that the number of chondrocytes transplanted onto a cut cartilage surface greatly affects the level of matrix synthesis; this in turn may affect repair.
237: Type-2 diabetes mellitus: does prenatal care affect outcomes?

Objective: To determine if prenatal care affects adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Study design: This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnant wo...
B K in staggered chiral perturbation theory

We calculate the kaon B parameter, B{sub K}, to next-to-leading order in staggered chiral perturbation theory. We find expressions for partially quenched QCD with three sea quarks, quenched QCD, and full QCD with m{sub u}=m{sub d}{ne}m{sub s}. We extend the usual power counting to include the effects of using perturbative (rather than nonperturbative) matching factors. Taste breaking enters through the O(a{sup 2}) terms in the effective action, through O(a{sup 2}) terms from the discretization of operators, and through the truncation of matching factors. These effects cause mixing with several additional operators, complicating the chiral and continuum extrapolations. In addition to the staggered expressions, we present B{sub K} at next-to-leading order in continuum PQ{chi}PT for N{sub f}=3 sea quarks with m{sub u}=m{sub d}{ne}m{sub s}.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Targeting Interleukin-1 in Heart Disease”

We welcomed the correspondence by Dr Takahashi regarding the functions of NLRP3. In our article,1 we had focused on interleukin-1, and, as such, we mainly discussed the inflammasome-dependent NLRP3 functions, but we fully agree with the concept that NLRP3 has inflammasome-independent functions. How important the inflammasome-independent functions of NLRP3 are in heart disease is unclear. To summarize, the NLRP3 is one of the sensors involved in the macromolecular assembly that leads to caspase-1 activation …
Selection criteria for analysis and design CASE tools

Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) has been receiving increasing attention because of its potential for substantial productivity improvement of software development. Selecting CASE tools best suited to organizations needs can be a challenge because of wide variations among CASE features, completeness, terminology, and usage characteristics. This paper presents specific performance criteria of CASE tools and ranks them as required versus "nice to have." It is based on an in depth investigation of several packages.
Achieving competitive capabilities in e-services

Abstract What implications does the Internet have for service operations strategy? How can business performance of e-service companies be improved in today's knowledge-based economy? These research questions are the subject of this paper. We propose a model that links the e-service company's knowledge-based competencies with their competitive capabilities. Drawing from the current literature, our analysis suggests that services that strategically build a portfolio of knowledge-based competencies, namely human capital, structural capital, and absorptive capacity have more operations-based options, than their counterparts who are less apt to invest. We assume that the combinative capabilities of service quality, delivery, flexibility, and cost are determined by the investment in intellectual capital. Arguably, with the advent of the Internet, different operating models (e.g., bricks-and-mortar, clicks-and-mortar, or pure dot-com) have different strategic imperatives in terms of knowledge-based competencies. Thus, the new e-operations paradigm can be viewed as a configuration of knowledge-based competencies and capabilities.
Cable Drawn Drainage Plough for Land Reclamation in Unconsolidated Phosphate Clay Sediments

Abstract By the year 2000, over 120 000 ha in Florida will have been surface-mined for phosphates. Nearly 60% of the mined land consists of clay settling ponds. This clay is a very fertile soil but with low load-bearing strength and with extreme drainage problems. In order rapidly to restore these mined lands to agricultural production, surface ditches are needed to drain ponded water. The construction of these surface ditches with conventional earthmoving equipment is impossible because the clay is still fluid to a depth of several metres. A proposal was made to pull a ditching plough across ponds with a cable and double winch apparatus. An economical pair of winches were assembled by modifying farm tractors to spool the cable. A boat-shaped, drainage plough designed for this system was fabricated and made water-tight so that it would float. A double mouldboard plough bottom was attached with a hinged mount to one end, allowing the depth of cut to be adjusted. Ditch excavating was only attempted while the plough was being pulled outward from the drainage outlet and the 1·2m wide channel was swept clean when it was rapidly returned. This mode of operation was followed to avoid the possibility of the plough becoming stuck in the channel. Under typical operating conditions, the system has been able to excavate at a rate of nearly 2·0 m 3 /min and form ditches up to 600 m in length.