cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood oxygen level dependent angiography (BOLDangio) and its potential applications in cancer research.

Clinically, development of anti-angiogenic drugs for cancer therapy is pivotal. Longitudinal monitoring of tumor angiogenesis can help clinicians determine the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) effect has been widely used for functional imaging and tumor oxygenation assessment. In this study, the BOLD effect is investigated under different levels of oxygen inhalation for the development of a novel angiographic MRI technique, Blood Oxygen Level Dependent angiography (BOLDangio). Under short-term (<10 min) generalized hypoxia, which is induced by the inhalation of 8% oxygen, we measure BOLD contrast as high as 25% from vessels at 9.4T using a simple gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequence. This produces high resolution 2D and 3D maps of normal and tumor brain vasculature in less than 10 minutes. Additionally, this technique reliably detects metastatic tumors and tumor induced intracranial hemorrhage. BOLDangio provides a sensitive research tool for MRI of vasculature under normal and pathological conditions. Thus, it may be applied as a simple monitoring technique for measuring the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic drugs in a preclinical environment.
What Determines the Aggregate Dividend-Price Ratio? Earnings Versus Dividends

In an efficient market, prices should vary only if investors change their expectations about cash flows, discount factors, or both. Prior research showed that dividend yield varies mostly due to variation in expected returns, and contains little information about cash flow. This literature concentrates on dividend growth variation as cash flow information. However, according to Miller and Modigliani (1961) with no taxes, given earnings, dividends are strictly a financing decision and should not affect prices. Consistent with the dividend-policy irrelevance hypothesis, this paper shows that variation in expected profitability growth explains as much as 70% of the variation in the dividend yield. Thus, the dividend yield contains information about cash flows in terms of earnings, not dividends. In addition, this paper finds evidence consistent with a permanent shift in the dividend yield in the 90s. Controlling for this permanent shift, the results indicate that the dividend yield has not lost its ability to predict returns.
Constraints Imposed by the Auditory System on the Properties Used to Classify Speech Sounds: Data from Phonology, Acoustics, and Psychoacoustics

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the psychophysical data and acoustic data that shed light on how the peripheral auditory system creates some form of representation of the speech signal. There are two motivations for engaging in this kind of activity. The first is simply to gain an understanding of how speech signals are processed in the peripheral auditory system, so that one can know what aspects of the signal become distinctive or highlighted in an auditory representation, and what aspects become suppressed. A second, and perhaps more fundamental, motivation is to gain some insight into how the constraints imposed by the auditory system shape the inventory of sounds that are used in language, and how the auditory processing imposes a classificatory structure on the sounds - a structure that plays an important role in determining the organization of the phonological component of language. The chapter first considers the kinds of data planned to be used as evidence, and how to interpret these data, before proceeding to discuss specific evidence for peripheral constraints on the auditory representation. One of these kinds of data comes from acoustic measurements on speech sounds, and the other comes from studies of the perception of speech and speech-like sounds.
Deadlock detection and avoidance for a class of manufacturing systems

A method to avoid deadlock for a large class of manufacturing systems is presented. It is shown that deadlock can be avoided if the system satisfies a set of simple linear constraints. Several examples of the approach are presented and results compared to other deadlock avoidance schemes. The examples demonstrate that significantly higher utilization can be obtained using the proposed scheme.
Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid in Cells Infected with LSc Poliovirus at Elevated Temperatures

The synthesis of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was detected within 2 hr after infection with LSc poliovirus at 35 C. This RNA eluted as a single peak with 0.9 m NaCl on methylated albumin celite columns, was sensitive to ribonuclease, precipitated in the presence of 2 m LiCl, and had an S(20) value at 34 +/- 2 in linear sucrose gradients. When cells were infected at 39 to 40 C, there was also early synthesis of RNA. However, 2 hr after infection this synthesis was drastically inhibited. The absence of net RNA synthesis at 39 to 40 C during the late stages of infection was not caused by rapid degradation of newly formed RNA, since the RNA produced between 1 and 2 hr at 39 to 40 C was still present 3.5 hr after infection. There was a 3 log(10) inhibition in the production of infectious virus when p-fluorophenylalanine was present in the medium at a concentration of 25 mug/ml. This concentration of analogue had little effect upon the production of viral polymerase and viral RNA. Virus grown in the presence of analogue at a concentration of 10 mug/ml exhibited increased heat sensitivity compared to control virus. However, viral polymerase exhibited no change in sensitivity to heat or manganese when cells were exposed to 25 mug of p-fluorophenylalanine per ml during infection. p-Fluorophenylalanine had a relatively selective effect on viral capsid protein but did not reverse the inhibition of synthesis of viral RNA at 39 to 40 C.
A Flexible Nozzle for a Small Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The design of a small supersonic wind-tunnel test section (4 by 10 in.) incorporating a flexible nozzle is outlined. The flexible nozzle consists of a high-strength stepped steel plate. Two screw jacks provide an easy means of continuously changing the nozzle's shape according to the aerodynamic requirements. The boundary-layer compensation can also be varied during operation. Pressure surveys, together with schlieren and interferometric analysis of the test section, show the flow to be uniform over the operating range (M = 1.1 to 1.5).
LMI-based model reduction for a vectored-thrust ducted fan

This paper contains the first experimental application of model reduction methods developed for systems represented by a linear fractional transformation (LFT) on a repeated scalar uncertainty structure. These methods provide for reduction of both the state order, and the uncertainty descriptions. LFT models of a vectored-thrust flight control experiment are reduced in order to make controller synthesis feasible. Recent linear parameter varying design techniques are used to synthesize the controllers.
Deinstitutionalization and Quality of Life of Individuals With Intellectual Disability: A Review of the International Literature

The policy of deinstitutionalization was based on the proposition that quality of life (QoL) of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) will improve as a result of being moved from institutions to community-based care settings. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate whether this assumption has become a reality now that the social policy of deinstitutionalization has progressed in many countries across the globe. A total of 15 studies were examined that assessed QoL as an outcome of community living following deinstitutionalization. Results indicated that relocation had a general positive impact on life quality of participants. However, many of the studies found that improvements were most prominent shortly after the move and plateaued after a year. Also, participants continued to have low levels of community integration. There was some evidence that healthcare needs might not be adequately met in the community. The role of service providers was indicated as vital in the continued development of participants' life quality. Common limitations of the studies reviewed included lack of subjective assessments of QoL and limited use of standardized measures of QoL. The authors note that the directions for future research should include examining whether QoL outcomes after deinstitutionalization are affected by level of ID and age of participants. Overall, additional empirical research is needed to identify the factors that are critical in enhancing QoL of participants in community-based care following deinstitutionalization.
An accurate energy consumption model for the physical layer in a wireless mote

Technology solutions involving deployment of large scale, low-power networks comprising battery-operated wireless embedded systems or motes do not favor frequent replacement of batteries. Hence, it is of paramount importance to estimate the energy consumption in wireless motes prior to deployment. The limited accuracy in modeling the energy consumption of motes lead to decrease in the network coverage resulting from unexpected “mote deaths.” With this in mind, the overriding purpose of this paper is to propose an energy consumption model for the physical layer (i.e., the transceiver and the microcontroller) that accurately predicts the operation life of a wireless mote. For a line-of-sight, short-range communication link, it is shown that the operation life of a wireless mote (a MICAz mote, in this paper) estimated by the proposed model is within 2–10% of the actual value.
Kinetic energy density functionals from the Airy gas with an application to the atomization kinetic energies of molecules

We construct and study several semilocal density-functional approximations for the positive Kohn-Sham kinetic energy density. These functionals fit the kinetic energy density of the Airy gas and they can be accurate for integrated kinetic energies of atoms, molecules, jellium clusters, and jellium surfaces. We find that these functionals are the most accurate ones for atomization kinetic energies of molecules and for fragmentation of jellium clusters. We also report that local and semilocal kinetic energy functionals can show ``binding'' when the density of a spin-unrestricted Kohn-Sham calculation is used.
Characterizing Profiles ofk-Families in Additive Macaulay Posets

A subset of a poset is ak-familyif there is no chain consisting ofk+1 of its elements. A subset of a ranked poset consisting ofpi elements of ranki,i=0,1,...,Ris said to haveprofilep0,p1,?,pR. A characterization is given for profiles ofk-families in additive Macaulay posets.
Influence of wettability on petrophysical properties during imbibition in a random dense packing of equal spheres

Abstract Wettability, defined in terms of the value of contact angle of wetting–nonwetting–solid phase interface, is an important feature governing flow and transport processes in porous media. In this work we investigate the influence of wettability on the capillary pressure vs. saturation curve and on relative permeability during imbibition. To describe imbibition, we propose a new way of modeling it, based upon a physically consistent dynamic criterion for the imbibition of an individual pore, originally suggested by Melrose. We illustrate this approach in a simple but physically representative porous medium, the “ideal soil” (a dense random packing of equal spheres). Complete knowledge of the pore space geometry allows making a priori predictions of pore-level processes, without invoking adjustable parameters. This approach allows modeling imbibition for different values of contact angle and different initial conditions (as different drainage endpoints). The simulation yields the pore-level configuration of both fluid phases at each value of saturation. Relative permeabilities are calculated by simulating steady flow through the pore space occupied by each phase. The geometric and topological features of the flow network are directly connected to the geometry of the model rock and distribution of liquid phases in it. The simulated imbibition capillary pressure curves and relative permeability to the wetting phase are very sensitive to the value of contact angle in the whole range of wetting phase saturation. At the same time, relative permeability to the non-wetting phase is not much influenced by the wettability. Predicted capillary pressures and relative permeabilities compare favorably with experimental data for a range of wettabilities, providing strong support for the dynamic imbibition criterion.
Effect of residual monomer on the spectroscopic properties of polythiophenes

The addition of some small molecules can red shift UV-Visible absorption and quench the fluorescence of poly(3-octadecylthiophene).
Developing best practices for API reference documentation: Creating a platform to study how programmers learn new APIs

Software developers use application-programming interface (API) documentation to learn how to use the features of software libraries. How quickly software developers learn to use a library's features determines how quickly they can apply those features in a software application. Recent studies have shown that API documentation is, unfortunately, not always as helpful to software developers as they need it to be. This paper studies the prototype of a tool and a method that are being developed to help technical writers identify the elements of API reference documentation that help software developers complete programming tasks. The tool and method described in this paper use a remote user-assessment platform, which enables researchers and technical writers to study the effect that document design variations have on a large and diverse audience. Such an approach can help technical writers identify new best practices for writing effective API documentation.
The cellular form of the prion protein guides the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neuron-, oligodendrocyte-, and astrocyte-committed lineages.

Prion protein, PrPC, is a glycoprotein that is expressed on the cell surface beginning with the early stages of embryonic stem cell differentiation. Previously, we showed that ectopic expression of PrPC in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) triggered differentiation toward endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal lineages, whereas silencing of PrPC suppressed differentiation toward ectodermal but not endodermal or mesodermal lineages. Considering that PrPC might be involved in controlling the balance between cells of different lineages, the current study was designed to test whether PrPC controls differentiation of hESCs into cells of neuron-, oligodendrocyte-, and astrocyte-committed lineages. PrPC was silenced in hESCs cultured under three sets of conditions that were previously shown to induce hESCs differentiation into predominantly neuron-, oligodendrocyte-, and astrocyte-committed lineages. We found that silencing of PrPC suppressed differentiation toward all three lineages. Similar results were obser...
Technepolitics: who has a stake in the making of an American identity?

Following the lineage of Taller Alacran, the workshop of Puerto Rican maestro Antonio Martorell, the author explores the studio workshop model as an alternative or a supplement to public school arts education models. Arguing that the production of art is a means of making one's ideas or one's community visible and that the inability, whether through education or funds, to create art can silence a person or a community, she questions whether the government is the most appropriate steward of urban public school students' arts education, given its track record of silencing artists with the reduction and removal of funds. The article offers recommendations to education professionals based on the Taller Alacran studio system.
Enhancing the Visualization of Gymnasts

Visualizations under hypnosis enabled nationally ranked Stanford male gymnasts to execute for the first time several complex tricks that they had been working on for over a year. The gymnasts were able to eliminate timing errors in the tricks, to increase flexibility, and, possibly, to concentrate strength. The rationale for the effectiveness of trance visualizations, the induction and deepening strategies used, and the effects are described. Also included is an example of the use of a translator for the induction of a subject with a minimal fluency in English. Implications for further use of hypnosis with athletes are suggested.
Towards absolute calibration of sedimentary paleointensity records

Abstract Using relative paleointensity estimates derived from twelve globally distributed pelagic sediment cores, we assess whether they record a signal consistent with that expected from a dominant geocentric axial dipole. The cores span the Matuyama-Brunhes boundary and we normalize the observations by supposing that at the time the direction reverses the intensity low reflects only the non-axial-dipole contribution to the field. We further assume that this non-axial-dipole contribution to the field is invariant with geographic location. From absolute paleointensity compilations we estimate its size to be about 7.5 μT; this supplies the calibration for the axial dipole signal away from the extreme low in intensity. The data predict the dipole field variation with latitude with similar accuracy to that observed in absolute paleointensity records, and show similar behavior when transformed to virtual axial dipole moments.
Temperature dependent reflection electron diffraction study of In(111) and observation of laser-induced transient surface superheating

Abstract The high temperature behavior of the In(1 1 1) surface is investigated using reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The In(1 1 1) surface remains ordered when heated at a slow rate up to the highest temperature studied, 4 K below the bulk melting point. The surface vacancy density is observed to increase with temperature; however, the average random step terrace width remains unchanged from its value at room temperature. Transient surface superheating of the In(1 1 1) surface by 73±9 K above its bulk melting point is observed using 100-ps laser pulsed heating, which provides a heating rate of ∼10 12 K s −1 . The dependence of the diffraction intensity on temperature gives a surface Debye temperature of 49±10 K. The possibility of surface annealing after laser superheating and melting is also investigated, but no annealing is observed.
Loop energy in DNA

The loop function ƒ(N), representing the statistical weight of N complementary residues in a closed ring, has been determined by analysis of high-resolution melting curves of a series of recombinant homopoly(A · T)N inserts in pBR322 DNA, where 150 > N > 50 base pairs (bp). Loops are found more stable and therefore presumably less elastic than expected for an ideal, freely jointed chain. A value of 97 ± 2 bp is obtained for the empirical orientation-stiffness parameter D in the expression for nonideal chains, ƒ(N) = (N + D)−1.7. The 10% increase in apparent stiffness over that of an ideal chain closely coincides with the extent of residual stacking in the loop. It is thus concluded that the more favorable loop energy, such as expected of smaller loops, is due to the incipient helical orientation of some residues, predisposing the loop to reclosure. A quantitative loop function is essential for the prediction and assignment of domains in DNA.
Methyl 6-bromo-2,3-di­hydro-2-methyl­imidazo­[2,1-b]­oxazole-5-carboxyl­ate

The title novel oxazole derivative, C8H9N2O3Br, is formed by displacement of one of the Br atoms in 5,6-di­bromo-2,3-di­hydro-2-methyl­imidazo­[2,1-b]­oxazole using metalation followed by reaction with methyl­cyano­formate. The cyclic moiety in the mol­ecule is slightly bent from a planar configuration. The shortened distance between the Br atom and oxy­gen of the carbonyl group of a neighboring mol­ecule is the only significant intermolecular interaction.
Probing the Topological Arrangement of the N- and C-Terminal Residues of Bradykinin for Agonist Activity at the B1 Receptor†

The conformational features of H-Lys-Arg-Ado-Ser-Pro-Phe-OH (Ado = 12-aminododecanoic acid), a des-Arg9 analogue of Lys-bradykinin, have been determined by high-resolution NMR in the presence of a zwitterionic lipid environment. The analogue is the most active member of a series of analogues designed to probe the topological arrangement of the N- and C-termini required for agonistic activity at the B1 kinin receptor. A novel computational procedure for the utilization of NOE constraints from cis and trans configurational isomers is illustrated. Only with this computational methodology could the structural features of the N-terminus of the peptide be determined. Using radical-induced relaxation of the 1H NMR signals, we measured the topological orientation of the peptide with respect to the zwitterionic lipid interface. The results indicate that the long, alkyl chain of the Ado amino acid imbeds into the lipid surface. The structural features of the C-terminus of the B1-selective analogue consist of a well...
Dense plasma microfield nonuniformity

Plasma microfield-constrained-average quantities arise in a variety of applications including the ion quadrupole effect, the ion motion problem, and autoionizing processes. We critically compare several methods for computing such quantities in the context of microfield-constrained field gradients, which are used for describing the ion quadrupole effect, a source of spectral line asymmetry. Specifically, we show that one adjustable parameter exponential approximation (APEX)-like theory is divergent and compare existing nearest-neighbor models, APEX, and Monte Carlo results. Moreover, we have performed molecular-dynamics simulations to assess the accuracy of these previous results. Our results indicate that APEX calculations of this particular constrained average are quite accurate except at large field values, which are unimportant for line shapes. Interestingly, nearest-neighbor results are quite accurate for certain field gradients and not for others. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Parallelized CCHE2D flow model with CUDA Fortran on Graphics Processing Units

This paper presents the CCHE2D implicit flow model parallelized using CUDA Fortran programming technique on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). A parallelized implicit Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) solver using Parallel Cyclic Reduction (PCR) algorithm on GPU is developed and tested. This solver outperforms the Strong Implicit Procedure (SIP) solver and its parallel alternatives. Computing accuracy and efficiency of both CPU and GPU versions of models were compared with one experimental case and one field case. It has been demonstrated that the parallelized CCHE2D flow model with CUDA Fortran is capable of accurately predicting steady flow or unsteady flow with a much higher computing efficiency on the GPU.
The plasma jet as a spectroscopic source

Abstract The plasma jet utilizes electromagnetic and thermal pinch effects to form an arc plasma into a flame-like cone of high energy. The plasma produced in the discharge chamber is constricted and carried through a circular opening in the cathode by a stream of fluid such as helium; resulting in a jet of hot partially ionized gas. For application as a spectroscopic excitation source, a plasma jet was designed to operate with moderate currents (15–20 A) from a conventional d.c. arc power supply and to include an atomizer to spray a solution through the anode into the discharge. The source excites spark-lute spectra, indicating a high excitation temperature. Applied to the spectrographic analysis of stainless steel for iron, chromium and nickel, the results exhibited a coefficient of variation of about 2 per cent, including the photometric error. The plasma jet offers promise as a reproducible means of high energy excitation of solutions and of liquids in general.
Formulation and Compaction of Microspheres

AbstractThe factors affecting the tabletability of formulations containing uncoated and/or coated microspheres were discussed by presenting a case study. The size and shape, as well as surface properties of microspherical particles, the type and amount of coating agent, selection of the external additives, and the rate and magnitude of the pressure applied were found to be the most critical factors to be considered in order to obtain and maintain the desired drug release properties of the microspheres. It was found that microcrystalline cellulose was needed in order to produce satisfactory beads in terms of size, shape and surface characteristics. The microsphere formulations, which were found to be highly sensitive to lubrication, were more compressible than their powder forms, but produced much weaker tablets. When coated with Surelease, increasing the amount of coating on the pellets reduced the tensile strength of their compacts. Compaction of the microspheres at high velocities resulted in a decrease...
Change and measurement in applied ergonomics

Implemented change is the raison d'etre of applied industrial human factors. Change is also recognized as a continuing process within industry, where processes such as continuous improvement and business process reengineering are used. Both in the broader industrial context and in ergonomic practice, the change process needs to be measurement driven. This article examines the relationships between the various levels of change in industry, using a control analogy. Measurement processes appropriate at different functional levels are derived, and illustrated with a case study of evaluating a corporate-wide ergonomics program. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Adjacency algorithms for linear octree nodes

Abstract A formula for deriving the rectangular coordinates X, Y and Z from the octal locational code of a linear octree node is introduced. This formula is simpler than those that have previously been proposed1. Algorithms for determining the octal locational code of a face, edge and corner adjacent block to a given linear octree node are proposed. The edge and the corner adjacency algorithms are presented as direction extensions of the eastern, western, front, back, southern and northern neighbour finding procedures. Necessary and sufficient conditions for two octree nodes to be face adjacent in any of the above named directions are formulated in a form of digit tests on their respective locational codes. The face adjacency conditions derived in this paper were later used to select the octal value of the rightmost digit that must be appended or deleted from the locational code of the same size neighbour to identify smaller or larger size neighbours of a selected node in the specified direction. All the adjacency algorithms presented have a computational complexity of O(n), where n is the number of digits that form the locational code of the octree node for which a neighbour is sought.
Toward a more expansive conception of ecological science

There are two competing conceptions of the nature and domain of ecological science in the popular and academic literature, an orthodox conception and a more expansive conception. The orthodox conception conceives ecology as a natural biological science distinct from the human social sciences. The more expansive conception views ecology as a science whose domain properly spans both the natural and social sciences. On the more expansive conception, non-traditional ecological disciplines such as “ecological psychology”, “ecological anthropology” and “ecological economics” may legitimately be regarded as sub-disciplines of ecology, and the practitioners of such disciplines as ecologists. The orthodox-expansionist issue is significant both for the practice of ecology and for the self-identity of the philosophy of ecology. I argue in favour of the expansionist conception of ecology on general conceptual grounds, and by developing the case for one particular non-traditional ecological discipline, ecological psychology.
Ideal and reality in 1930s regional planning: The case of the Tennessee Valley Authority

The Tennessee Valley Authority has been studied as the most important experiment in regional planning in the history of the United States. Many of the agency's administrative procedures, particularly related to planning, were established during the TVA's first decade of existence. The following article details the evolving TVA policy in the 1930s towards the purchase of reservoir land. As the TVA rapidly moved from a policy of outright purchase to one of retaining land in private hands with restrictive easements, it dramatically altered the nature of its regional planning activities. The outcome of this policy change would have important consequences not only for the TVA but also for the history of regional planning in the United States.
The conflict between the London missionary society and the Wesleyan Methodists in 19th century Samoa

point of departure for adventurous Tongan canoes voyaging further north before the white invaders came to Polynesia. To the north-west lay the Lau islands of Eastern Fiji; almost due north, with a stopping point at Niuatoputapu (Keppel's Island), was the route to Samoa. The secure Samoan islet of Manono, in the strait between the islands of Savai'i and Upolu, was a frequent destination for traders and a focal point for gathering Tongans and Samoans.1
Thoracoscopic Repair of Recurrent Bochdalek Diaphragmatic Hernias in Children

Abstract Background: Recurrent herniation is a well-known complication following the initial repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs). The role of minimally invasive surgical techniques in recurrent CDH remains undefined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our early experience with thoracoscopic repair compared with traditional open repair in children with recurrent CDH. Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all recurrent Bochdalek CDH cases (n=24) managed at a single tertiary-care referral center between January 1990 and March 2011. Children who underwent thoracoscopic repair for recurrent CDH were identified, and their data were compared by the unpaired t test and the two-sided Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, with those of children who underwent open repair. Significance was defined as P<.05. Results: Thoracoscopic repair was attempted in 6 (25%) children with recurrent CDH. Four (67%) repairs were successfully completed without conversion to an open procedure. The mean ...
The impact of mood disorders on the delivery and neonatal outcomes of methadone-maintained pregnant patients.

Methadone-maintained pregnant patients with mood disorders have compromised treatment outcomes (1). This study examined the relationship between the presence of mood disorders and delivery and neonatal outcomes. Participants were categorized into two groups: no current mood disorder (n=30) or primary mood disorder (n=38). The mood disorder group reported more serious lifetime and current depression than did the no current mood disorder group. Neonates from mothers with mood disorders had a longer length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit than the no current mood disorder group. Findings emphasize the need to treat mood disorders in methadone-maintained pregnant patients.
A Frequency Domain Robust Stability Theorem for Infinite Dimensional Systems with Parametric Uncertainty

A robust stability theorem of non-Kharitonov type for parametric uncertainty is formulated and proved: A closed loop system depending on a connected set of parameters whose maximum frequency response is bounded is either stable for all the parameters or for none. Realistic illustrative examples are provided.
PSY55 NATIONAL TRENDS IN ANTI-OBESITY MEDICATION USE FROM 2002 TO 2007

1. FLEGAL, K., CARROLL, M., OGDEN, C. & CURTIN, L. 2010. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 19992008. JAMA, 303, 235. 2. CAWHLEY, J, MEYERHOEFER,C. 2010. The medical care costs of obesity: An instrumental variable approach. NBER Working paper no. 16467. 3. FINKELSTEIN, E., TROGDON, J., COHEN, J. & DIETZ, W. 2009. Annual medical spending attributable to obesity: payerand service-specific estimates. Health Affairs, 28, w822. 4. INITIATIVE, N. 2002. The practical guide: identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults, The Institute. LIMITATIONS Absence of a statistically significant change in the anti-obesity medication use might be attributed to the relative stability in the obesity prevalence in the last 10 years.1
Cigarette smoker's lip lesion in psychiatric patients.

A previously unreported lip lesion was evident in about 11% of the population at a neuropsychiatric hospital. The lesions were seen on both lips in 62% of the patients displaying this particular oral lesion. Of the 82 men with the lesion, most were found to have associated finger burns. It is thought that the lesions and the burns are caused by several interacting factors including the type of cigarettes smoked and the type of drugs the patients were receiving.
Damping derivatives of 120 deg conical spacecraft from flights in a low-density environment.

Dynamic stability derivatives of large angle blunted conical spacecraft near transonic speed in simulated Mars environment for various angles of attack
A Refined two-dimensional theory for thick cylindrical shells

Abstract A higher order two-dimensional theory for thick cylindrical shells is presented in this paper. The shell equations given here do not only incorporate the effect of transverse shear deformations but also account for the initial curvature as well as the radial stress. The proposed theory presents a very good approximation for the shell constitutive equations and the nonlinear distributions of the in-plane stresses across the thickness of the shell. The latter is very important in the thick shells analysis. The formulation is based on: 1. (1) assumed out-of-plane stress components which satisfy the given traction boundary conditions: 2. (2) three-dimensional elasticity equations with an integral form of the equilibrium equations: and 3. (3) stress resultants and stress couples acting on the middle surface of the shell, average displacements along the normal at a point on the middle surface, and average rotations of the normal. The proposed shell equations can be conveniently used in the finite element analysis. An application of this theory to the finite element analysis of circular arches is given in this paper. A more convenient form of the proposed shell equations for finite element analysis and its application to cylindrical shells will be presented in a follow-up paper.
Fractures on curved surfaces: A classic problem solved

Sheeting joints—large fractures parallel to a curved rock surface—are common in many locations on Earth, such as the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in California. Explaining how these fractures form has been a classic unsolved problem in geology. Martel solved the problem by reformulating the static equilibrium equations in a curvilinear reference frame. His analysis shows that compression along a curved surface can induce tension perpendicular to the surface, which can cause subsurface cracks to open. He found that the curvature of a rock surface plays a key role in the formation of fractures.
Novel clays: Solid-state synthesis, characterization and cation exchange selectivity

Abstract Several novel swelling mica-type clays have been synthesized by solid-state processes. Synthetic clays of ideal compositions such as Na2Si6Al2Mg6O20F4 · xH2O (Na-2-mica), Na3Si5Al3Mg6O20F4 · xH2O (Na-3-mica) and Na4Si4Al4Mg6O20F4 · xH2O (Na-4-mica) have been prepared and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 27Al and 29Si solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) spectroscopy. Powder XRD showed that all syntheses yielded water swollen micas with c-axis spacing of ∼1.2 nm except in the case of Na-2-mica which also showed a small peak of anhydrous mica phase with a c-axis spacing of 0.96 nm. Solid-state 27Al MASNMR spectroscopy revealed that almost all the Al is present in the tetrahedral environment of the different micas. Solid-state 29Si MASNMR spectroscopy revealed different Si (Al) nearest neighbor environments depending upon the composition of the various micas. Selective cation exchange studies were performed on the various micas using 0.5 N NaCl solution containing 12.9 ppm Sr2+ or 8.12 ppm of La3+. The results showed, for the first time, that Na-3-mica has a high selectivity for the trivalent cation tested. The previously reported high selectivity of these synthetic micas for the divalent cations has been confirmed. These selective cation exchange studies are of relevance in cation separations from drinking and waste waters.
Nickel-Titanium Alloys for Oil-Lubricated Bearing and Mechanical Component Applications

Nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloys are normally associated with applications that exploit their shape memory characteristics. When properly formulated and processed, however, Ni-Ti is dimensionally stable and offers a unique blend of attributes suitable for tribological applications. This paper demonstrates that Ni-Ti alloys are promising candidate structural materials for oil-lubricated rolling and sliding contact applications such as bearings and gears. Ni-Ti alloys offer a broad combination of physical properties that make it unique among bearing materials. Ni-Ti alloys are hard, electrically conductive, highly corrosion resistant, readily machined prior to final heat treatment, non-galling and non-magnetic. No other bearing alloy, metallic or ceramic encompasses all of these attributes. Spiral orbit tribometer (SOT) tests were conducted using 60NiTi balls loaded between rotating 440C disks, lubricated with synthetic oil and tested in a vacuum. Excellent tribological performance (life and friction) was observed and lubricant degradation normally associated with titanium alloys was absent. It is anticipated that the Ni-Ti family of alloys may form the basis of an entirely new class of bearing and component materials.© 2009 ASME
The expected magnitude of simultaneous parity and time violation in nuclear systems

Time (T) and simultaneous parity-time (PT) symmetry violations in the nuclear system generally cause the gamma ray multipole mixing ratios to acquire imaginary components. These complex phases may then be measured experimentally by virtue of the resulting gamma ray distributions. However, the true significance of such experiments may only be assessed once the imaginary mixing ratios have been related theoretically to the coupling constant of some fundamental, symmetry violating, interaction. We discuss, in a quantitative way, the various aspects of this relationship. To illustrate this further we examine the case of the 1189 keV transition in182W. For this transition we predict the experimentally observable\((\overline {E2} , M2)\) mixing ratio to have a parity (P) violating real part of ≅5×10−5 and a PT violating imaginary part of\( \simeq 200\bar g_{PT(1)} \), where\(\bar g_{PT(1)} \) is the strength of the isovector PT violating pion-nucleon coupling. An upper limit to this coupling of ≲3×10−10 may be obtained from the electric dipole moment of the neutron.
Implementing Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) on an Army Installation

With Department of Defense (DOD) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) mandating a migration to IPv6, Army installation Directors of Information Management (DOIMs) are beginning to feel pressured to implement IPv6 on their post networks. Unfortunately, little practical guidance exists to inform the DOIMs the procedures necessary to prepare their networks for IPv6. More is needed than simply enabling IPv6 on local area network (LAN) routers and switches. Many infrastructure components must be upgraded as well, including Domain Name Service (DNS), directory services, security, and network management. Besides the physical hardware and software components, local policies need to be defined for network security and IPv6 addressing, and steps need to be taken to provide training for administrators and registration of IPv6 pilots. This paper summarizes the steps necessary to enable an IPv6 pilot on an Army post. It attempts to address the question, "What is necessary to do today to prepare for an IPv6 application on the post network tomorrow." It will cover the procedures necessary to implement IPv6 on an Army base, including covering current status of commercial product support and Government testing of IPv6 capabilities.
The phospholipids of lamellar body material from fetal rabbit lung tissue in culture. Unusual phosphatidylcholine fatty acid profile

Tissue pieces of rabbit fetal lung, 23 days gestation, were cultured for 7 days in serum-free medium to obtain lamellar body material for phospholipid analysis. Cultures were maintained in culture medium without serum and (1) with no added hormones (control cultures), (2) with thyroxine (1 x 10(-7) M), (3) with cortisol (1 x 10(-7) M) and (4) with thyroxine plus cortisol (1 x 10(-7) M each). The hormonal response was evaluated by measuring the quantity of lamellar body material isolated from the tissue pieces after the 7-day culture period. Compared to control cultures, more lamellar body material was recovered from cultures treated with cortisol (180% of control) and with thyroxine plus cortisol (250% of control). Cultures treated with thyroxine alone yielded the same amount of lamellar body material as the controls. Hormone treatment produced only minor changes in the glycerophospholipid profile of the lamellar body material. A small but significant increase in the percentage of phosphatidylglycerol and a small but significant decrease in phosphatidylinositol were found in lamellar body material from cultures treated with thyroxine and thyroxine plus cortisol. The disaturated phosphatidylcholine content of the lamellar body material from culture was 28% of the total lamellar body phospholipid and was not affected by hormone treatment. This disaturated phosphatidylcholine content was low compared to the disaturated phosphatidylcholine of lamellar body material from adult lung (46%). The low proportion of disaturated phosphatidylcholine was due to the unusual presence of palmitoleic acid (16:1(cis-9)), which was more than one-fourth of the total fatty acid of the lamellar body phosphatidylcholine. It is possible that an abnormal delta 9 fatty acid desaturation activity was expressed in the lung tissue in vitro, which resulted in the high incorporation of the 16:1 fatty acid into lamellar body phosphatidylcholine.
Solids formed in a solvent-refined-coal pilot plant

Abstract Optical and X-ray diffraction methods have been used to study microstructures in a carbonaceous plug. The plug, which was obtained from a feedline in a solvent-refined-coal (SRC) pilot plant, was shown to consist primarily of minerals and semi-coke. The semi-coke formed the matrix phase surrounding the minerals, mineral and coke mixtures, and fusinite. These studies revealed that all the pyrite had been transformed to pyrrhotite which in turn formed shell-like structures surrounding both inorganic and organic constituents. In addition, it was observed that the slurry mixture of coal and solvent oil had been converted to semi-coke.
Treatment of allergic esophagitis with budesonide turbuhaler

Abstract Rationale Eosinophilic esophagitis is an entity characterized by episodes of dysphagia and eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal squamous epithelium on biopsy, with or without food sensitization. Treatment usually involves a combination of food avoidance and systemic corticosteroids, and more recently, use of oral corticosteroid inhalers. We report a case of eosinophilic esophagitis that was responsive to treatment with budesonide inhaler. Methods A seven year old male presented with a two year history of abdominal pain, dysphagia, and choking when eating solid foods. He also had a past medical history of atopic dermatitis and asthma. Allergy skin testing revealed sensitization to multiple foods, although the only food the patient was actively avoiding was peanuts. An open label food challenge with cow's milk was negative. Additional laboratory tests revealed mild peripheral blood eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count 1,100/mm 3 ), peanut RAST of 6.7 IU/mL (Class 4), and an IgE level of 212 IU/mL. A barium swallow showed narrowing in the upper thoracic esophagus. Endoscopy revealed friable mucosa with exudates and a stiff esophagus. Histopathological examination demonstrated eosinophilia with >20 eosinophils/hpf. The patient was treated with budesonide turbuhaler two inhalations BID. Results Budesonide therapy resulted in dramatic improvement in his dysphagia within one week. Repeat endoscopy performed ten weeks later showed improvement in mucosal appearance and motility, and normal histopathology without eosinophilia. A repeat barium swallow was normal. Conclusions This case demonstrates the effectiveness of topical corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in a child.
Brief report: Further evidence for inner speech deficits in autism spectrum disorders.

Recent research indicates that individuals with autism do not effectively use inner speech during the completion of cognitive tasks. We used Articulatory Suppression (AS) to interfere with inner speech during completion of alternate items from the Tower of London (TOL). AS detrimentally affected TOL performance among typically developing (TD) adolescents (n = 25), but did not significantly diminish performance among adolescents with high functioning (IQ > 80) autism spectrum disorders (n = 28). Moreover, the TD group’s TOL performance under AS was indistinguishable from the autism group’s impaired baseline TOL performance. These findings suggest that diminished inner speech usage among individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorders (relative to TD controls) may contribute to executive dysfunction associated with these disorders.
Electron microscopy of the papillary layer of rat incisor enamel organ during enamel maturation

The part of the enamel organ between base of the ameloblasts and basement membrane surrounding the enamel organ (papillary layer) was studied at the enamel maturation stage with the electron microscope. Cells of the papillary layer were found to be rich in mitochondria, free ribosomes, and tonofibrils and showed evidence of micropinocytosis. Broad intercellular spaces filled with microvilli pervaded parts of the papillary layer and formed a direct communication between blood supply of the enamel organ and bases of the ameloblasts. Cytoplasmic processes associated with desmosomes and close cell contacts connected cells across the intercellular spaces. Those parts of the papillary layer facing connective tissue had a well developed basal labyrinth composed of tightly interlocking cell processes. It was suggested that the papillary layer actively participates in events leading to the maturation of enamel.
Granular neural web agents for stock prediction

A granular neural Web-based stock prediction agent is developed using the granular neural network (GNN) that can discover fuzzy rules. Stock data sets are downloaded from www.yahoo.com website. These data sets are inserted into the database tables using a java program. Then, the GNN is trained using sample data for any stock. After learning from the past stock data, the GNN is able to use discover fuzzy rules to make future predictions. After doing simulations with six different stocks (msft, orcl, dow, csco, ibm, km), it is conclusive that the granular neural stock prediction agent is giving less average errors with large amount of past training data and high average errors in case of fewer amounts of past training data. Java Servlets, Java Script and jdbc are used. SQL is used as the back-end database. The performance of the GNN algorithm is compared with the performance of the BP algorithm by training the same set of data and predicting the future stock values. The average error of the GNN is less than that of BP algorithm.