cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic control of robotic systems in unstructured environments

The US Department of Energy's Office of Technology Development has sponsored the development of generic robotics technologies for application to a wide range of remote systems. Of primary interest is the development of technologies which enable faster, safer, and cheaper cleanup of hazardous waste sites than is possible using conventional human contact or remote manual approaches. The development of model-based sensor-directed robot control approaches supports these goals by developing modular control technologies, which reduce the time and cost of development by allowing reuse of control system software. In addition, the use of computer models improves the safety of remote site cleanup by allowing automated error detection and recovery while reducing the time for technology development. >
“When You Find Out What Digital Humanities Is, Will You Tell Me?”

As digital humanities projects become more common within several disciplines, projects using digital tools in the field of history have unique obstacles to overcome. This academic blog post or “blessay” discusses the differing forms that a digital humanities project in history can take as well as some of the ferment regarding whether history is best-served by being grouped within other fields in the digital humanities.
Transient and steady-state dark current mechanisms in polycrystalline mercuric iodide X-ray imaging detectors

Abstract A theoretical model for describing bias-dependent time transient and steady-state dark current behaviors in polycrystalline mercuric iodide (poly-HgI 2 ) based X-ray image detectors is developed. The model considers carrier injection from the metal electrode, bulk carrier depletion process, and bulk thermal generation current from the mid-gap states. The transient dark current is mainly determined by the initial carrier depletion process. At a very low applied field (less than 0.05 V/μm), the steady-state dark current is almost equal to the bulk thermal generation current. However, the injection current increases sharply with increasing the applied field. The steady-state dark current in poly-HgI 2 detectors at normal operating field (~ 1 V/μm) is mainly controlled by the Schottky emission of electrons from the metal/HgI 2 contact. The fitting of the physics-based model to the experimental results estimates the effective barrier height and interface defect states for injecting electrons from the metal to poly-HgI 2 layer in various poly-HgI 2 detectors.
Grain boundary structural disruption under thermal stress

Abstract The qualitative experimental results presented here support the hypothesis of Read and Shockly that low angle grain boundaries may not be structurally stable under the action of an applied stress. Our results show that, at least in the constrained geometry of a thin foil, low angle grain boundaries may act as sources for lattice dislocations, eventually causing complete disruption of the structural integrity of the grain boundary.
Energy restriction and carcinogenesis

Abstract The effects of restricting calorific intake on tumor development and lifespan are discussed. The extent of calorific restriction necessary to decrease tumor incidence and multiplicity were also investigated. Reduced plasma insulin levels, a consequence of calorific intake restriction could be related to tumor growth inhibition. Vigorous exercise, another way of restricting calorific flux, was also found to inhibit tumor growth. Exercise and restricted calorific intake may lead to longer lifespans.
Transnasal PEG tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer

Background Head and neck cancer (H&NCa) patients have an increased risk of malnutrition and dysphagia because of their malignancy and the adverse events of therapy. Most of these patients require gastrostomies. Four percent to 7% of H&NCa patients are unable to undergo per oral percutaneous gastrostomies. Transnasal endoscopy is an option for gastrostomy placement in selected patients. Objective Clinical, epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of transnasal PEG (t-PEG) placement. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting Tertiary care hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Patients All patients who underwent t-PEG placement. Main Outcome Measurements Epidemiology, adverse events, and outcomes of t-PEG placement. Results Sixteen patients underwent t-PEG placement from January 2010 to May 2013. All patients had H&NCa and 56.3% had metastasis. Indications for the transnasal approach were airway compromise, malignant oropharyngeal obstruction, and trismus, among others. All procedures were successful using a 20F gastrostomy tube, push technique, anesthesiologist-guided propofol sedation, and/or nasotracheal intubation. Of all patients, 68.8% were white and 68.8% were men. Mean age was 54 years, and mean body mass index was 20.87. Two patients had a total of 2 adverse events: poor wound healing and wound site infection. Of all patients, 18.75% had leukopenia, 6.25% neutropenia, and 50% lymphopenia. Mean white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and absolute lymphocyte count were 8.6 × 10 9 /L, 6.57 × 10 9 /L, and .93 × 10 9 /L, respectively. Eleven patients were alive, 2 were lost to follow-up, and 3 had died at the time of review. Limitations Retrospective analysis, small cohort, patient selection bias. Conclusion t-PEG placement is a viable and safe option for H&NCa patients when the standard endoscopic approach is not feasible.
Contrasting rates of nucleotide substitution in the X-linked and Y-linked zinc finger genes.

We have sequenced the entire exon (∼1,180 bp) encoding the zinc finger domain of the X-linked and Y-linked zinc finger genes (ZFX and ZFY, respectively) in the orangutan, the baboon, the squirrel monkey, and the rat; a total of 9,442 by were sequenced. The ratio of the rates of synonymous substitution in the ZFY and ZFX genes is estimated to be 2.1 in primates. This is close to the ratio of 2.3 estimated from primate ZFY and ZFX intron sequences and supports the view that the male-to-female ratio of mutation rate in humans is considerably higher than 1 but not extremely large. The ratio of synonymous substitution rates in ZFY and ZFX is estimated to be 1.3 in the rat lineage but 4.2 in the mouse lineage. The former is close to the estimate (1.4) from introns. The much higher ratio in the mouse lineage (not statistically significant) might have arisen from relaxation of selective constraints. The synonymous divergence between mouse and rat ZFX is considerably lower than that between mouse and rat autosomal genes, agreeing with previous observations and providing some evidence for stronger selective constraints on synonymous changes in X-linked genes than in autosomal genes. At the protein level ZFX has been highly conserved in all placental mammals studied while ZFY has been well conserved in primates and foxes but has evolved rapidly in mice and rats, possibly due to relaxation of functional constraints as a result of the development of X-inactivation of ZFX in rodents. The long persistence of the ZFY-ZFX gene pair in mammals provides some insight into the process of degeneration of Y-linked genes.
Race, Ethnicity, John Henryism, and Depressive Symptoms: The National Survey of American Life Adult Reinterview

We used data from the adult reinterview portion of the National Survey of American Life (Jackson, Torres, et al., 2004) to investigate the relationships of John Henryism Active Coping Scale (James, Hartnett, & Kalsbeek, 1983), Social Dominance, and Stratification Beliefs to depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epi-demiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977). Social Dominance and Stratification Beliefs (American Values) were identified from a factor analysis. The results indicate significant interaction effects for John Henryism and American Values for White Americans and Caribbean Blacks but not for African Americans. We found a strong positive effect between John Henryism and depressive symptoms for Whites with high levels of Stratification Beliefs. For Whites with low Stratification Beliefs, depressive symptoms remained constant as John Henryism increased. Among Caribbean Blacks, John Henryism showed a significant interaction with Social Dominance. Among Caribbean Blacks, there was ...
SU-D-BRCD-06: Measurement of Elekta Electron Energy Spectra Using a Small Magnetic Spectrometer.

Purpose: To demonstrate how a small magnetic spectrometer can measure the energy spectra of seven electron beams on an Elekta Infinity tuned to match beams on a previously commissioned machine. Methods: Energyspectra were determined from measurements of intensity profiles on 6″‐long computed radiographic(CR) strips after deflecting a narrow incident beam using a small (28 lbs.), permanent magnetic spectrometer.CR plateexposures (<1cGy) required special beam reduction techniques and bremsstrahlung shielding. Curves of CR intensity (corrected for non‐ linearity and background) versus position were transformed into energy spectra using the transformation from position (x) on the CR plate to energy (E) based on the Lorentz force law. The effective magnetic field and its effective edge, parameters in the transformation, were obtained by fitting a plot of most probable incident energy (determined from practical range) to the peak position. Results: The calibration curve (E vs. x) fit gave 0.423 Tesla for the effective magnetic field. Most resulting energy spectra were characterized by a single, asymmetric peak with peak position and FWHM increasing monotonically with beam energy. Only the 9‐MeV spectrum was atypical, possibly indicating suboptimal beam tuning. These results compared well with energy spectra independently determined by adjusting each spectrum until the EGSnrc Monte Carlo calculated percent depth‐dose curve agreed well with the corresponding measured curve. Conclusions: Results indicate that this spectrometer and methodology could be useful for measuring energy spectra of clinical electron beams at isocenter. Future work will (1) remove the small effect of the detector response function (due to pinhole size and incident angular spread) from the energy spectra, (2) extract the energy spectra exiting the accelerator from current results, (3) use the spectrometer to compare energy spectra of matched beams among our clinical sites, and (4) modify the spectrometer to utilize radiochromic film.
Early appearance of activated matrix metalloproteinase-9 after focal cerebral ischemia in mice: a possible role in blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

During cerebral ischemia blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a critical event leading to vasogenic edema and secondary brain injury. Gelatinases A and B are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) able to open the BBB. The current study analyzes by zymography the early gelatinases expression and activation during permanent ischemia in mice (n = 15). ProMMP-9 expression was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in ischemic regions compared with corresponding contralateral regions after 2 hours of ischemia (mean 694.7 arbitrary units [AU], SD ± 238.4 versus mean 107.6 AU, SD ± 15.6) and remained elevated until 24 hours (mean 745.7 AU, SD ± 157.4). Moreover, activated MMP-9 was observed 4 hours after the initiation of ischemia. At the same time as the appearance of activated MMP-9, we detected by the Evan's blue extravasation method a clear increase of BBB permeability. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was not modified during permanent ischemia at any time. The ProMMP-2 was significantly (P < 0.05) increased only after 24 hours of permanent ischemia (mean 213.2 AU, SD ± 60.6 versus mean 94.6 AU, SD ± 13.3), and no activated form was observed. The appearance of activated MMP-9 after 4 hours of ischemia in correlation with BBB permeability alterations suggests that MMP-9 may play an active role in early vasogenic edema development after stroke.
Critical heat capacity near the nematic-smectic-A transition in octyloxycyanobiphenyl in the range 1-2000 bar

An ac calorimetric technique has been used to study the nematic---smectic-$A$ ($N\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Sm}A$) and nematic-isotropic ($N\ensuremath{-}I$) transitions in octyloxycyanobiphenyl (8OCB) along a series of isobars between 1 atm and 2 kbar. The excess heat capacity $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}(\mathrm{NA})$ associated with the essentially second-order $N\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Sm}A$ transition is found to diminish rapidly with pressure and is not observed for $pg1.5$ kbar. The variation in $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}(\mathrm{NA})$ with reduced temperature is not consistent with a logarithmic singularity but can be characterized by a critical exponent $\ensuremath{\alpha}={\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$ for all the pressures studied. The excess heat capacity at the $N\ensuremath{-}I$ transition is almost independent of pressure; these data suggest but do not clearly establish quasitricritical behavior. Details of the experimental method and the fitting procedures are given.
A new adaptive importance sampling scheme for reliability calculations

An adaptive importance sampling methodology is proposed to compute the multidimensional integrals encountered in reliability analysis. It is based on a Markov simulation algorithm due to Metropolis et al. (Metropolis, Rosenbluth, Rosenbluth and Teller, Equations of state calculatons by fast computing machines. Journal of Chemical Physics, 1953;21(6): 1087-1092). In the proposed methodology, samples are simulated as the states of a Markov chain and are distributed asymptotically according to the optimal importance sampling density. A kernel sampling density is then constructed from these samples which is used as the sampling density in an importance sampling simulation. The Markov chain samples populate the region of higher probability density in the failure region and so the kernel sampling density approximates the optimal importance sampling density for a large variety of shapes of the failure region. This adaptive feature is insensitive to the probability level to be estimated. A variety of numerical examples demonstrates the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of the methodology.
Photoionization of shallow acceptors in Ge

Abstract We compute the cross section for the transition, induced by the absorption of light, of acceptor bound holes to states in the split-off valence band in Ge. We find good agreement with the available low temperature optical absorption data.
Oral-Movement Abilities and Articulatory Characteristics of Brain-Injured Adults:

We compared the performance of 28 brain-injured adults who displayed articulation problems with that of 28 adults with no history of brain-injury on tests of isolated oral movement and oral-motor s...
Chlorhexidine Effects on Membrane Lipid Domains of Human Buccal Epithelial Cells

The effect of chlorhexidine gluconate on the adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells (BEC) and drug-induced alterations in BEC membrane-lipid packing order were examined. Treatment of BEC with attached yeasts with 0.1 and 0.2% chlorhexidine resulted in significant yeast detachment after 90 and 60 min, respectively. Following pre-treatment of BEC with > 0.1% chlorhexidine, yeast adherence was inhibited by > 80%. In parallel experiments, the fluorescence anisotropy of BEC labeled with fluorescent membrane probes-diphenylhexatriene (DPH) and trimethylammonium DPH-was assessed following exposure to chlorhexidine. The fluorescence anisotropy decreased with increasing concentrations of chlorhexidine, which indicated that the drug decreased epithelial-cell membrane-lipid packing order. Chlorhexidine concentrations that altered epithelial-cell membrane-lipid packing order, particularly in superficial regions, were similar to those drug concentrations required for detachment of adherent yeas...
Requirement of thiols for activation of coronary arterial guanylate cyclase by glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitrite: possible involvement of S-nitrosothiols.

Abstract Glyceryl trinitrate specifically required cysteine, whereas NaNO2 at concentrations less than 10 mM required one of several thiols or ascorbate, to activate soluble guanylate cyclase from bovine coronary artery. However, guanylate cyclase activation by nitroprusside or nitric oxide did not require the addition of thiols or ascorbate. Whereas various thiols enhanced activation by nitropruside, none of the thiols tested enhanced activation by nitric oxide. S-Nitrosocysteine, which is formed when cysteine reacts with either NO2− or nitric oxide, was a potent activator of guanylate cyclase. Similarly, micromolar concentrations of the S-nitroso derivatives of penicillamine, GSH and dithiothreitol, prepared by reacting the thiol with nitric oxide, activated guanylate cyclase. Guanylate cyclase activation by S-nitrosothiols resembled that by nitric oxide and nitroprusside in that activation was inhibited by methemoglobin, ferricyanide and methylene blue. Similarly, guanylate cyclase activation by glyceryl trinitrate plus cysteine, and by NaNO2 plus either a thiol or ascorbate, was inhibited by methemoglobin, ferricyanide and methylene blue. These data suggest that the activation of guanylate cyclase by each of the compounds tested may occur through a common mechanism, perhaps involving nitric oxide. Moreover, these findings suggest that S-nitrosothiols could act as intermediates in the activation of guanylate cyclase by glyceryl trinitrate, NaNO2 and possibly
Stromal spindle cells contain aromatase in human breast tumors.

In situ synthesis of estrogens by breast cancer tissue provides a potential explanation for the high concentrations of estradiol in mammary neoplasms in postmenopausal women. A major metabolic pathway for estrogen biosynthesis is the conversion of androstenedione to estrone via the enzyme aromatase. Biochemical studies have demonstrated aromatase in tumor tissue, but at relatively low and not clearly biologically significant levels. The present study tested the hypothesis that tumor levels of aromatase, albeit low, could be biologically important if present in high concentrations in focal clusters of specific cell types. A pilot study used an immunohistochemical method in frozen sections of fresh breast tumors as an optimal means to detect aromatase. Twelve of 18 tumors contained aromatase-positive cells, some with highly intense staining. A follow-up study then attempted to precisely define the types of cells containing aromatase and correlate the immunohistochemical findings with biochemical aromatase a...
Protoporphyrinogen Destruction by Plant Extracts and Correlation with Tolerance to Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase-Inhibiting Herbicides

Herbicidal damage by photobleaching diphenylether herbicides is the indirect result of inhibition of an enzyme in chlorophyll biosynthesis. The substrate of the inhibited enzyme, protoporphyrinogen, accumulates and is subsequently converted to protoporphyrin, a potent photoactive compound which causes light-dependent membrane damage. In the present study, we report characteristics of a factor in the soluble fraction of leaves which can decompose protoporphyrinogen to nonporphyrin products. This process may be important in protecting plants from herbicide damage, since it would interfere with accumulation of the phototoxic porphyrin, protoporphyrin. We found that this protoporphyrinogen destruction is associated with the protein fraction of the soluble leaf homogenate, suggesting its enzymatic nature. Protoporphyrinogen destruction is stable to mild heat, but is eliminated by boiling. Protoporphyrinogen destruction is present in the soluble leaf homogenate but is not localized within the stromal fraction of the chloroplast. The reductants dithiothreitol and β-mercaptoethanol, but not glutathione, inhibit protoporphyrinogen destruction at high concentrations. In contrast, ascorbic acid markedly inhibits destruction even at low concentrations, suggesting a role for cellular ascorbic acid in protecting protoporphyrinogen from destruction, thereby enhancing herbicide action. Protoporphyrinogen destruction was least active in young cucumber leaves, a plant highly susceptible to herbicides. Higher levels of protoporphyrinogen destruction were found in leaves of broadleaf mustard and radish, two plants exhibiting herbicide tolerance. For cucumber, the extent of destruction increased with the age of the plant. These findings suggest a correlation between increased protoporphyrinogen destruction and herbicide tolerance in some plant species.
Glycosphingolipid expression in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia: common expression of shiga toxin and parvovirus B19 receptors on early myeloblasts.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are complex macromolecules on cell membranes that have been shown to play a role in neutrophil differentiation, activation, phagocytosis, and adhesion to both microorganisms and vascular endothelium. Because GSLs are often cryptic antigens on cell membranes, little is known regarding GSL expression in early myelopoiesis. To study the latter, myeloblasts were collected from patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) who required therapeutic leukocytopheresis for hyperleukocytosis. The neutral GSLs were isolated and identified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), HPTLC immunostaining, gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and fast atom bombardment–mass spectrometry. Like mature peripheral blood neutrophils, myeloblasts expressed glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, and the neolacto-family GSLs, lactotriaosylceramide and neolactotetraosylceramide. Unlike neutrophils and chronic myeloid leukemia, most ANLL samples also expressed the globo-series GSLs, globotriaosylceramide and globotetraosylceramide. Globo GSL expression was strongly associated with a myeloblastic (ANLL M0-M2) and monoblastic phenotype (M5). A weak association was also noted with expression of either lymphoid (P
Biological monitoring of dichloropropene: air concentrations, urinary metabolite, and renal enzyme excretion.

Fifteen applicators of dichloropropene (DCP) were studied for personal air exposure to DCP, excretion of the metabolite of DCP (3CNAC), and excretion of the renal tubular enzyme, N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG). Each was studied for four 6-8 h consecutive intervals following baseline determinations of 3CNAC and NAG excretion. In accord with pilot data, 24-h urinary excretion of 3CNAC (mg) correlated well with exposure product for DCP (min exposed.mg/m3), r = 0.854, p less than .001. A more precise correlation of the air exposure product with urinary excretion of 3CNAC was discerned by using the morning urine after the previous day of exposure (micrograms/mg of creatinine), r = 0.914, p less than .001. Four workers had clinically elevated activity of NAG (greater than 4 mU/mg creatinine) in any of their urine collections after baseline. Nine workers showed greater than 25% increases in NAG excretion when compared to baseline. Dichloropropene air exposure products of greater than 700 mg.min/m3 or excretion of greater than 1.5 mg 3CNAC/d distinguished abnormally high daily excretion of NAG. These data demonstrate a firm positive relationship between air exposure and internal exposure, and a possible subclinical nephrotoxic effect in DCP workers.
Dynamics of an Erbium Mid-IR laser

A room temperature 4.5µm laser is reported in Er: KPb 2 Cl 5 crystals using 0.8µm diode excitation. Long fluorescent lifetimes lead to important ETU and ESA processes. The impact of these excitation channels on laser performance is assessed.
The reaction of germyl ions with ethylene

The reactions of [GeH 3 ] + ions with C 2 H 4 and C 2 D 4 have been studied in a tandem mass spectrometer over a pressure range of 1-20 millitorr and over an energy range of 1-9 eV (LAB). The predominant reaction of an initial [GeC 2 H 7 ] + collision complex is back-reaction to reactants. However, stabilized adduct ions [GeC 2 H 7 ] + and their daughter decomposition products [GeC 2 H 5 ] + are observed in increasing amounts as the pressure of C 2 H 4 is increased. It is proposed that the structures of these product ions are [CH 3 CH 2 GeH 2 ] + and [CH 2 =CHGeH 2 ] + , respectively. The hydrocarbon ions [C 2 H 5 ] + and [C 2 H 3 ] + are observed as products of endothermic reactions of ground electronic state [GeH 3 ] + ions with C 2 H 4 ; these same ions along with [C 2 H 4 ] + and [C 2 H 2 ] + are observed as products of exothermic reactions of an electronically excited state of [GeH 3 ] + present in the ion beam
SDR-O: an orphan short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase localized at mouse chromosome 10/human chromosome 12

Abstract We report cloning a cDNA that encodes a novel short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase, SDR-O, conserved in mouse, human and rat. Human and mouse liver express SDR-O (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase-orphan) mRNA intensely. The mouse embryo expresses SDR-O mRNA as early as day seven. Human SDR-O localizes on chromosome 12; mouse SDR-O localizes on chromosome 10 with CRAD1, CRAD2 and RDH4. SDR-O shares highest amino acid similarity with rat RoDH1 and mouse RDH1 (69–70%), but does not have the retinol and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of either, nor is it active as a 17β- or 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases catalyse the metabolism of ligands that bind with nuclear receptors: the occurrence of ‘orphan’ nuclear receptors may imply existence of ‘orphan’ SDR, suggesting that SDR-O may catalyse the metabolism of another class of nuclear receptor ligand. Alternatively, SDR-O may not have a catalytic function, but may regulate metabolism by binding substrates/products and/or by serving as a regulatory factor.
Identification of two novel polycystic kidney disease-1-like genes in human and mouse genomes.

Abstract Mutations to the prototypical members of the two general classes of polycystins, polycystin-1 encoded by PKD1 and polycystin-2 encoded by PKD2, underlie autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease. Here we report the identification of a pair of genes homologous to PKD1 from both the human and mouse genomes. PKD1L2 and PKD1L3 are located on human chromosome 16q22–q23 and mouse chromosome 8 and are alternatively spliced. The human and mouse forms of PKD1L2 are highly conserved, with each one consisting of 43 exons and ∼ 2,460 codons. PKD1L3 shows regional sequence divergence, with the mouse form having two additional exons and a much larger exon 5. The predicted protein products of PKD1L2 and PKD1L3 contain the combination of GPS and PLAT/LH2 domains that uniquely define them as polycystin-1 family members. They are predicted to have 11 membrane-spanning regions with a large extracellular domain consistent with the proposed receptor function of this protein family. PKD1L2 and PKD1L3 contain strong ion channel signature motifs that suggest their possible function as components of cation channel pores. Polycystin-1-related proteins may not only regulate channels, but may actually be part of the pore-forming unit.
Estimation of the Relative Bioavailability of Inorganic Selenium Sources for Poultry 1. Effect of Time and High Dietary Selenium on Tissue Selenium Uptake

Abstract An experiment was conducted with male broiler-type chicks to study the effect of time and high dietary Se concentration on tissue Se uptake. A basal corn-soybean meal diet (.2 mg/kg Se, DM basis) was supplemented with 0, 3, 6, or 9 mg/kg Se (as-fed basis) as Na2 SeO3 and fed ad libitum for 1, 2, or 3 wk. No toxic effect of Se was observed as expressed by mortality; however, there was a reduction in daily feed intake (P
A new class of lipoxygenase inhibitor. Polyunsaturated fatty acids containing sulfur.

Abstract A series of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids with a sulfur atom substituting for a methylene unit of the chain has been prepared and characterized. The syntheses were accomplished by the Wittig coupling of the ylid derived from the triphenylphosphonium salt of 9-bromononanoic acid with aldehydes containing sulfur. The newly formed double bond had predominately the natural Z geometry even when the starting aldehyde was conjugated with the sulfur atom. The sulfides 13-thia-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid ( 2 ), 13-thia-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid ( 5 ) and 13-thia-9(E), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid ( 6 ) were readily converted into their sulfoxide derivatives by treatment with an equivalent amount of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The structures of the novel compounds were confirmed by the application of ir, uv, 1H-nmr, 13C-nmr, and (as methyl esters) chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Two members of this new family of fatty acids ( 5 and 6 ) were found to inhibit the catalysis of the oxygenation of linoleic acid by soybean type-1 lipoxygenase. The analysis of the kinetic data for compound 5 indicated that the type of inhibition was reversible competitive with an inhibition constant of 30 μM.
An examination of the sensitivity and systematic error of the NASA GEMS Bragg Reflection Polarimeter using Monte-Carlo simulations

The Bragg Reflection Polarimeter (BRP) on the NASA Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer Mission is designed to measure the linear polarization of astrophysical sources in a narrow band centered at about 500 eV. X-rays are focused by Wolter I mirrors through a 4.5 m focal length to a time projection chamber (TPC) polarimeter, sensitive between 2{10 keV. In this optical path lies the BRP multilayer reflector at a nominal 45 degree incidence angle. The reflector reflects soft X-rays to the BRP detector and transmits hard X-rays to the TPC. As the spacecraft rotates about the optical axis, the reflected count rate will vary depending on the polarization of the incident beam. However, false polarization signals may be produced due to misalignments and spacecraft pointing wobble. Monte-Carlo simulations have been carried out, showing that the false modulation is below the statistical uncertainties for the expected focal plane offsets of <~ 2 mm.
Multi-stable periodical devices with variations on the theme of van der pol

Abstract Two classes of nonlinear systems with one degree of freedom, each having several stable limit cycles, are introduced and analyzed. The realization of one of them is presented in the form of a simple compact electronic device. The “Van der Pol structured” equation having a given number of limit cycles with prescribed amplitudes is analytically synthesized in a framework of quasilinear theory. The qualitative structure of the phase space of such systems has dynamical properties similar to certain situations in chemical kinetics, applied physics and biology.
Politics, the Police, and Arresting Policies in Salem, Massachusetts since the Civil War

This paper attempts to explain the wide-spread declines in arrest-levels reported by police departments in the Northeast after the 1870's, using Dahl's thesis that this was the period when businessmen began to dominate politics in many American cities and Wilson's thesis that intense political conflict tends to draw the police into politics and to undermine their effectiveness. The data of this research were drawn from Salem, Massachusetts, and take two forms: statistical accounts of the structure and activities of the Salem police; and historical accounts of the political organization of the town. The results lend strong support to the conclusion that both Dahl's and Wilson's theses are valid, explanations of the decline of the Salem department after the 1870's.
CONSTRAINED SYSTEMS AND GRASSMANNIANS

Abstract We develop a formalism for the construction of the phase space of all constrained hamiltonian systems. This formalism is manifestly covariant and shows how one can understand anomalies as obstructions in this phase space.
Traumatic lumbar hernia: a seat belt injury

A motor vehicle passenger sustained an acute traumatic lumbar hernia caused by an improperly positioned seat belt. Diagnosis was confirmed on computed tomographic scan, and the defect repaired primarily.
Commercial French Radio in the Classroom

ABSTRACT Among the many activities instructors use to help students improve their listening comprehension in French, commercial radio remains a relatively unexplored territory. Canadian radio, being accessible to much of the northern United States, can be exploited and utilized profitably by the imaginative instructor. This article describes several techniques that can be used successfully in high schools and colleges. News, weather, and sports broadcasts, as well as popular songs, provide the major components in a program designed for sharpening the listening comprehension skill.
DESIGN OF A SERIES RESONANT CONVERTER WITH MULTIPLE OUTPUT LOAD

During the last few years, a variety of circuit topologies have been developed for resonant converters. Regarding the European mains voltages push-pull converter topologies should primarily be used because of the lower blocking voltages of the switches in this type of converter. To ensure low dynamic losses of the primary switching devices at high operating voltages, ZVS-control should be adopted. This paper discusses the choice of component values for such a converter as well as the influence of the output load circuit on the behavior of the converter. Further the design of a so-called "resonant transformer" will be presented.
Extension of dynamic matrix control to multiple models

The purpose of the paper is to extend dynamic matrix control (DMC) to handle different operating regimes and to reject parameter disturbances. This is done by two new multiple model predictive control (MMPC) schemes: one based on actual step response tests and the other on a minimal knowledge based first order plus dead time models (FOPDT). Both approaches do not require fundamental modeling. As a benchmark comparison, the two controllers are compared with a nonlinear model predictive controller (NL-MPC) using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) with no initial model/plant mismatch. The application example is the isothermal Van de Vusse reaction, which exhibits challenging input multiplicity. Simulations include disturbances in the feed concentration, kinetic parameters, and additive input and output noise. The two controllers have comparable performance to NL-MPC and in the case of multiple disturbances can outperform NL-MPC.
Experimental Study of Surface Waves Over Anisotropic Solids

Surface waves generally do not penetrate into the interior of a solid and are useful for studying near surface anomalies. For homogeneous material, surface waves travel at a speed in all direction which is related to the speed of compressional and shear body waves. For anisotropic media, the general theory (Synge, 1957) shows that the velocity of propagation of surface waves varied with direction and for some direction may not exist. Confirmation of the theoretical result has not been established. This paper describes experimental measurements of surface and body waves for a homogeneous, isotropic material (Plexiglas ) and a homogeneous anisotropic material (Phenolite). Phenolite (Uren, 1989) has approximately transverse symmetry, similar to a finely layered composite material.
Brownian motion of a system of coupled harmonic oscillators

The dynamics of a system of coupled Langevin oscillators is considered. Convenient algorithms are derived for computing the displacement and velocity time correlation functions of one of the oscillating particles, and generalized Langevin equations for these functions are developed. Illustrative results indicate that this model should be useful in the description of single‐atom librations in globular proteins.
Peroxidase release from rat submandibular salivary acinar cells in vitro.

Abstract Acinar cell aggregates were isolated and then incubated for 60 min with or without isoproterenol, phenylephrine, carbamylcholine, and insulin, and peroxidase activity in the cells and medium assayed. Isoproterenol stimulated the release of 70–80 per cent of total peroxidase activity. Carbamylcholine stimulation resulted in the release of only 15 per cent of this activity; phenylephrine had no effect. Insulin alone failed to stimulate peroxidase secretion, but it potentiated the response of the cells to carbamylcholine.
An integrated approach to occupancy modeling and estimation in commercial buildings

The problem of real-time estimation of occupancy in a commercial building (number of people in various zones at every time instant) is relevant to a number of emerging applications, such as green buildings that achieve high energy efficiency through feedback control. Due to the high deployment cost and large errors that people counting sensors suffer from, measuring occupancy throughout the building accurately from sensors alone is not feasible. Fusing sensor data with model predictions is essential. Due to the highly uncertain nature of occupancy dynamics, modeling and estimation of occupancy is a challenging problem. This paper makes two contributions toward addressing these challenges. We develop an agent-based model to simulate the behavior of all the occupants of a building, and extract reduced-order graphical models from Monte-Carlo simulations of the agent-based model. The agent-based model is validated with sensor data for the special case of one room and one occupant. Noisy measurements from a few sensors are fused with the graphical model predictions using the classical LMV estimator to estimate room-level occupancy in the building. Simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Clinical remediation in a nursing program

Abstract A clinical remediation program was initiated to identify students who are succeeding academically but performing marginally in the clinical setting and to provide one-on-one or one-on-two instruction in the clinical setting to those students in order for them to improve their performance. The advantages of the clinical remediation program are that it (a) provides intensive instruction at the clinical site, (b) allows additional attention for marginal students without compromising educational needs of other students, and (c) provides further evaluation and information to the student and faculty on the student's clinical performance, and (d) increases retention rates without lowering standards of competency.
The Impact of Morphological Variants on a Cladistic Hypothesis With an Example from Myological Data Set

The larger the sample size per operational taxonomic unit (OTU), the higher the probability of identifying the correct character state for that OTU. Large numbers of characters are essential to assure the accuracy and stability of a phylogenetic reconstruction. Both large sample sizes and large numbers of characters are desirable, but given limited time and resources, cladistic analysis often involves a trade-off between the number of specimens one can study per OTU versus the number of characters one has time to discover. For a given data set, what balance of sample size and character number will yield an acceptably small error (the probability that a recognized clade is false) and yet achieve sufficient power (the probability of recognition of a valid clade)
Hydrogen bonding of H2O to the hydroxo ligands of Cp*2Zr(OH)2: implications for proton and oxygen exchange processes. The crystal and molecular structure of the hydrate Cp*2Zr(OH)2 · (H2O)

Abstract The molecular structure of Cp*2Zr(OH)2 · (H2O) (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit of Cp*2Zr(OH)2 · (H2O) consists of a hydrogen-bonded dimeric structure in which two water molecules serve to link two Cp*2Zr(OH)2 moieties together. The hydrogen bonding of H2O to the hydroxo ligands of Cp*2Zr(OH)2, rather than direct coordination of H2O to the zirconium centre, provides support for the mechanisms proposed previously to rationalize the fact that proton exchange between Cp*2Zr(OH)2 and labelled H2O is more facile than that for oxygen exchange.
Stable propagation of the active transcriptional state of an immunoglobulin μ gene requires continuous enhancer function

Abstract Enhancer sequences control the expression of the immunoglobulin μ heavy chain gene. In this study we examined whether the active transcriptional state of the μ gene can be propagated from mother to daughter cells after deletion of its enhancer. A μ gene that contains the enhancer flanked by D and J recombination signals was stably introduced into pre-B cells, resulting in μ gene transcription. Subsequent deletion of the enhancer from the transfected gene by D-to-J joining reproducibly resulted in switching off of μ expression. Moreover, transcriptional inactivation occurred although the μ gene was found to be hypomethylated prior to deletion of the enhancer. We conclude that the enhancer does not confer upon the μ gene "memory" of its active transcriptional state. Thus, the enhancer seems to be required both for establishment and for maintenance of μ gene expression.
Four-photon resonant third harmonic generation

The phenomenon of resonant enhancement of optical third harmonic generation near four-photon resonances is studied with the goal of understanding the nonlinear processes involved and evaluating them as a means of more efficiently generating coherent vacuum ultraviolet light.
Defective sister-chromatid cohesion, aneuploidy and cancer predisposition in a mouse model of type II Rothmund–Thomson syndrome

Type II Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (Type II RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by a congenital skin rash, birth defects of the skeleton, genomic instability and cancer predisposition. It is caused by mutations in the RECQL4 gene and thus represents one of the three cancer-prone genetic diseases that are caused by mutations in a RecQ helicase-encoding gene. Genomic instability has been suspected as a major underlying cause of this disease, and analyses of Type II RTS patient-derived cells demonstrate unusually high frequencies of chromosomal aberrations, suggesting the involvement of chromosomal instability. However, the nature of the instability induced by RECQL4 mutations has not been clearly defined. We created a viable Recql4 mutant mouse model. These mice exhibit a distinctive skin abnormality, birth defects of the skeletal system, genomic instability and increased cancer susceptibility in a sensitized genetic background. Thus, they provide a useful model for studying Type II RTS. In addition, we demonstrate that cells from these mutant mice have high frequencies of premature centromere separation and aneuploidy. Thus, our observations provide evidence for a previously unsuspected role for Recql4 in sister-chromatid cohesion, and suggest that the chromosomal instability may be the underlying cause of cancer predisposition and birth defects in these mutant mice.
A novel intracavitary applicator design for the treatment of deep vaginal fornices: preliminary dose metrics and geometric analysis

Purpose: To investigate the dose distributions associated with a novel balloon sleeve placed over a standard cylinder applicator. Material and methods: A computed tomography (CT) scan of a sleeve balloon shaped to inflate into the vaginal fornices was used to digitize 1-, 3-, and 5-catheter configurations. Point doses for rectum, apex, and fornix were calculated and compared to the values associated with a standard cylinder plan not targeting the vaginal fornices. Inflation of the sleeve balloon in the vaginal fornices and dose coverage with constraints to the rectum, bladder, and sigmoid D 2cc were evaluated. Results: Rectum, apex, and fornix doses were respectively 76%, 119%, and 44% for a standard cylinder; 190%, 310%, and 93% for a 1-catheter configuration; 98%, 109%, and 109% for a 3-catheter configuration; and 91%, 107%, and 96% for the 5-catheter configuration. In a patient analysis, expansion of the sleeve balloon into the vaginal fornices was confirmed. The 5-catheter configurations were associated with best coverage of the fornices and acceptable doses to rectum, bladder, and sigmoid. Conclusions: A 1-catheter configuration cannot be used clinically due to high rectal and apex dose. In theoretical analysis, the 3- and 5-catheter configurations showed > 96% coverage to the vaginal fornices with a clinically acceptable rectal dose. In a treatment simulation in a patient, a 5-catheter configuration showed 90% coverage of the fornices with acceptable doses to the organs at risk. The treatment of deep vaginal fornices results in an increased rectal dose compared to a standard cylinder plan. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2015; 7, DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2015.49017
Literature and Film in Cold War South Korea: Freedom's Frontier

Theodore H. Hughes (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012), xi +271 pp In Literature and Film in Cold War South Korea, Theodore Hughes makes an important contribution to the scholarship of both...
Tariffs In Apparel And Footwear: A Gender Approach

The theory of tariffs is very different from the reality of tariffs. Most of the literature on protectionism is too theoretical and, more importantly, too aggregate. In practice, tariffs greatly differ among products and affect consumers differently based on their income and gender. In this paper we use a gender approach to study US tariffs on selected apparel and footwear products. The scope of this study is to examine whether gender plays a role in evaluating the cost of tariffs on consumers and to suggest policies to end a possible discriminatory conduct.
Induction of anti-glioma natural killer cell response following multiple low-dose intracerebral CpG therapy.

Purpose: Stimulation of toll-like receptor-9 by CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) has been shown to counteract the immunosuppressive microenvironment and to inhibit tumor growth in glioma models. These studies, however, have used high doses of CpG-ODN, which can induce toxicity in a clinical setting. The goal of this study was to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of multiple low-dose intratumoral CpG-ODN in a glioma model. Experimental Design: Mice bearing 4-day-old intracranial GL261 gliomas received a single or multiple (two or four) intratumoral injections of CpG-ODN (3 μg) every 4 days. Tumor growth was measured by bioluminescent imaging, brain histology, and animal survival. Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays were used to assess anti-glioma immune response. Results: Two and four intracranial injections of low-dose CpG-ODN, but not a single injection, eradicated gliomas in 70% of mice. Moreover, surviving animals exhibited durable tumor-free remission (> 3 months) and were protected from intracranial rechallenge with GL261 gliomas, showing the capacity for long-term antitumor immunity. Although most inflammatory cells seemed to increase, activated natural killer (NK) cells (i.e., NK + CD107a + ) were more frequent than CD8 + CD107a + in the brains of rechallenged CpG-ODN–treated animals and showed a stronger in vitro cytotoxicity against GL261 target cells. Leukocyte depletion studies confirmed that NK cells played an important role in the initial CpG-ODN antitumor response, but both CD8 and NK cells were equally important in long-term immunity against gliomas. Conclusions: These findings suggest that multiple low-dose intratumoral injections of CpG-ODN can eradicate intracranial gliomas possibly through mechanisms involving NK-mediated effector function. Clin Cancer Res; 16(13); 3399–408. ©2010 AACR.
Heavy baryons in SU(2) x SU(6).

The spectrum of baryons containing heavy quarks of one flavor is described in terms of representations of the group SU(2){times}SU(6), where the two factor groups refer to spin rotations of the heavy quarks and spin-flavor rotations of the light quarks, respectively. This symmetry has a natural interpretation in the heavy quark limit. We exhibit the decomposition of baryon mass operators under this symmetry and compare to experimental results. We discuss the relation of this analysis to that of large-{ital N}{sub {ital c}} QCD as well as four-flavor SU(8), and indicate the generalization of this work to other properties of heavy baryons. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}