cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide Is a Physiological Substrate for Mammalian Peroxidases

We now show that NO serves as a substrate for multiple members of the mammalian peroxidase superfamily under physiological conditions. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil peroxidase, and lactoperoxidase all catalytically consumed NO in the presence of the co-substrate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Near identical rates of NO consumption by the peroxidases were observed in the presenceversus absence of plasma levels of Cl−. Although rates of NO consumption in buffer were accelerated in the presence of a superoxide-generating system, subsequent addition of catalytic levels of a model peroxidase, MPO, to NO-containing solutions resulted in the rapid acceleration of NO consumption. The interaction between NO and compounds I and II of MPO were further investigated during steady-state catalysis by stopped-flow kinetics. NO dramatically influenced the build-up, duration, and decay of steady-state levels of compound II, the rate-limiting intermediate in the classic peroxidase cycle, in both the presence and absence of Cl−. Collectively, these results suggest that peroxidases may function as a catalytic sink for NO at sites of inflammation, influencing its bioavailability. They also support the potential existence of a complex and interdependent relationship between NO levels and the modulation of steady-state catalysis by peroxidases in vivo.
All optical latches using quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier

Abstract The design and performance of two optical latches, the Set–Reset (SR) latch and D-Flip-Flop has been studied. These latches are the building blocks of large optical processors. The latches are built using two optical logic operations NAND and NOT. Both NAND and NOT operations are realized by using Mach–Zhender interferometer (MZI) utilizing semiconductor optical amplifier with quantum dot active region (QD-SOA). Nonlinear dynamics including carrier heating and spectral hole-burning in the QD-SOA are taken into account together with the rate equations in order to realize the all-optical logic operations. Results show that this scheme can realize the functions of Set–Reset latch and D-Flip-Flop at high speeds (∼250 Gb/s). The dependence of the output quality (Q factor) on QD-SOA parameters is also discussed.
Same-shot x-ray Thomson scattering and streaked imaging of radiative shock experiments at Omega

Summary forn only given. We review the experimental design and results from recent radiative shock experiments at the Omega Laser facility. Using a beryllium pusher to drive a shock in excess of 100 km/s in a xenon-filled shock tube creates a system where the density and temperature structure are significantly affected by radiation transport from the shock-heated matter. To measure this system with high accuracy, streaked x-ray radiography and x-ray Thomson scattering diagnostics were employed on each shot. We detail how this diagnostic combination allows for precise interrogation of the different regions of the shock, including the radiation-heated upstream precursor, the radiatively collapsed cooling layer, and the downstream material. Spatially and temporally correlated data from the x-ray streak camera and gated spectrometer is shown, and plans for future iterations of radiative shock experiments are also discussed.
Spatiotemporal query strategies for navigation in dynamic sensor network environments

Autonomous mobile agent navigation is crucial to many mission-critical applications (e.g., search and rescue missions in a disaster area). In this paper, we present how sensor networks may assist probabilistic roadmap methods (PRMs), a class of efficient navigation algorithms particularly suitable for dynamic environments. A key challenge of applying PRM algorithms in dynamic environment is that they require the spatiotemporal sensing of the environment to solve a given navigation problem. To facilitate navigation, we propose a set of query strategies that allow a mobile agent to periodically collect real-time information (e.g., fire conditions) about the environment through a sensor network. Such strategies include local spatiotemporal query (query of spatial neighborhood), global spatiotemporal query (query of all sensors), and border query (query of the border of danger fields). We investigate the impact of different query strategies through simulations under a set of realistic fire conditions. We also evaluate the feasibility of our approach using a real robot and real motes. Our results demonstrate that (1) spatiotemporal queries from a sensor network result in significantly better navigation performance than traditional approaches based on on-board sensors of a robot; (2) the area of local queries represent a tradeoff between communication cost and navigation performance; (3) through in-network processing our border query strategy achieves the best navigation performance at a small fraction of communication cost compared to global spatiotemporal queries.
Low-Temperature Length Change Measurements of Electron-Irradiated Germanium and Silicon

Precision measurements of the change in length of high-purity germanium and silicon were made upon 2-Mev electron irradiation and annealing. Two germanium samples were irradiated at maximum temperatures of 365\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 86\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, respectively. The first sample was irradiated at 33 \ensuremath{\mu}a/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ to an integrated flux of 5.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{19}$ electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The specific length expansion obtained was $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}L}{L}=(6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}12)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}26}$ per 2-Mev electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The 86\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K sample was irradiated at 10 \ensuremath{\mu}a/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ to an integrated flux of 3.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{19}$ electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The specific length expansion was (1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.9)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}25}$ per 2-Mev electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Using the Seitz-Koehler simple theory of displacement (${E}_{d}=30$ ev) and assuming no annealing at the low temperature, we calculate a concentration of displaced pairs equal to 1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ with a corresponding fractional atomic volume change per interstitial-vacancy of ${({f}_{i}+{f}_{v})}_{\mathrm{Ge}}=0.008\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.021$. The silicon sample was initially irradiated at \ensuremath{\sim}50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to an integrated flux of 8.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and further irradiated at \ensuremath{\sim}115\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to a total integrated flux of 7.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{19}$ electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and then annealed to room temperature. The specific length change for both bombardments was $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}L}{L}=(4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}19)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}26}$ per 2-Mev electrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The simple theory (${E}_{d}=28$ ev) predicts a concentration of displaced pairs of 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ with a corresponding volume change per interstitial-vacancy of ${({f}_{i}+{f}_{v})}_{\mathrm{Si}}=0.002\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.011$. These values are much smaller than would be expected from previous results for deuteron and neutron irradiations of germanium. Calculations of defect cluster size distributions for electron, deuteron, and neutron irradiations of germanium are given and combined with the experimental results to indicate that the volume change per defect is nonlinear and increases as the cluster size increases. The samples were not observed to expand within the presumed error. All measurements did, however, yield a small positive value. The values for Ge and Si are very small compared with the large expansions recently observed for electron-irradiated InSb and GaAs.
Cerebral asymmetry for American Sign Language: The effects of moving stimuli

Abstract Previous studies of cerebral asymmetry for the perception of American Sign Language (ASL) have used only static representations of signs; in this study we present moving signs. Congenitally deaf, native ASL signers identified moving signs, static representations of signs, and English words. The stimuli were presented rapidly by motion picture to each visual hemifield. Normally hearing English speakers also identified the English words. Consistent with previous findings, both the deaf and the hearing subjects showed a left-hemisphere advantage to the English words; likewise, the deaf subjects showed a right hemisphere advantage to the statically presented signs. With the moving signs, the deaf showed no lateral asymmetry. The shift from right dominance to a more balanced hemispheric involvement with the change from static to moving signs is consistent with Kimura's position that the left hemisphere predominates in the analysis of skilled motor sequencing (Kimura 1976). The results also indicate that ASL may be more bilaterally represented than is English and that the spatial component of language stimuli can greatly influence lateral asymmetries.
Aerodynamic Performance Enhancement of a NACA 66-206 Airfoil Using Supersonic Channel Airfoil Design

Supersonic channel airfoil design techniques have b een shown to significantly reduce drag in high-speed flows over diamond shaped airfoils by Ruffin and colleagues. The effect of applying these techniques to a NACA 66-206 airfoil is presented. The design domain entails channel heights of 8-16.6% thickness-to-cho rd and speeds from Mach 1.5-3.0. Numerical simulations show an increase in the lift- to-drag ratio for airfoils at Mach 2.5 at a 35,000-ft altitude with a 12% channel height geomet ry showing a benefit of 17.2% at 6-deg angle of attack and a sharp channel leading edge. Wave drag is significantly reduced while viscous forces are slightly increased because of gr eater wetted area. Lift forces compared to clean airfoil solutions were also decreased, due ma inly to the reduction in the length of the lifting surfaces. A tensile yield failure structura l analysis of a typical beam found an 11.4% channel height could be implemented over 50% of the span between two typical ribs. A three dimensional wing was designed with the determined slot geometry and two dimensional flow analyses. An overall increase in L/D of 9% was real ized at Mach 2.5 at a 35,000-ft altitude and 6-deg angle of attack.
Factors influencing the conversion of carotenoids to retinol: bioavailability to bioconversion to bioefficacy.

Vitamin A (retinol) is a necessary nutrient for vision, repoduction, growth, and immune function. Pro-vitamin A carotenoids are an important source, especially in developing countries. While preformed vitamin A is readily availablc from foods, carotenoids are much more difficult to assimilate. A number of factors have been identified that either enhance or hinder the bioavailability of carotenoids. These have been presented in the literature and given the runemonic SLAMENGHI by some researchers. The following factors are summarized; Species of camtenoid, molecular Linkage, Amount in the meal, Matrix properties, Effectors, Nutrient status, Genetics, Host specificity, and Interactions between factors. Identifying which of these are key issues for the general public, and promoting the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables with moderate and high levels of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, are important to vitamin A status and overall good health.
Adventure learning: competitive (Kiasu) attitudes and teamwork

Outdoor experiential activities, commonly referred to as adventure learning (AL), have been useful in improving teamwork. This study shows the impact of AL on teamwork attitudes that are moderated by two competitive attitudes – the first, Kiasu‐positive (an attitude of diligence that directed effort towards work so as to get ahead of others) led to smaller teamwork attitudinal improvements, while the second, Kiasu‐negative (an attitude that is focussed on preventing others from getting ahead of oneself), led to larger teamwork attitudinal improvements. These competitive attitudes were also examined for their relationships with collectivism and pace of work.
A print magazine on any screen: the wired app story

Magazines are a cultural artifact. In the USA alone, there are 189 million individuals who read magazines, and 88% of adults between 18-34 are active magazine readers. Through the portrail of their editors' views, magazines provide a lens into what society is thinking. These views are expressed not only through the words of articles but also through the careful design and layout of each issue. So what would it mean to take this important physical media into the digital world? This case study reports on the design process behind the the digital reading experience developed by Adobe Systems for Wired Magazine.
Improved measurement of microbial activity in deep‐sea sediments at in situ pressure and methane concentration

A robust and convenient method was developed to evaluate rates of microbial activity in gas-charged deepsea sediments at in situ hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and gas concentration. The method used a hydrostatic chamber to maintain high pressures of 50 bar and greater, and a modified Hungate tube and plunger to contain samples. This technique can be easily applied to quantifying rates of microbial processes sensitive to dissolved gas concentration (e.g., sulfate reduction, anaerobic methane oxidation, and methanogenesis) in high pressure, gas-rich environments. Here, the method was used to determine rates of microbial activity in cold seep sediments from the Gulf of Mexico and the California coast. We measured rates of sulfate reduction (SR), anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), and methanogenesis (MOG) using radiotracer techniques. We compared in situ pressure and elevated methane concentration assays to traditional ex situ incubations at 1 bar using recovered (degassed) sediment. Methane concentrations were elevated in ex situ incubations to assess a substrate level effect. Upon the application of pressure, rates of AOM, SR, and MOG increased. AOM and MOG rates were more sensitive to methane addition than SR. Our results show that measuring rates of deep-sea microbial activity at in situ pressure and gas concentrations is essential to quantify carbon flow in these environments accurately.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Plus Motivational Interviewing Improves Outcome for Pediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Preliminary Study

Lack of motivation may negatively impact cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) response for pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Motivational interviewing is a method for interacting with patients in order to decrease their ambivalence and support their self-efficacy in their efforts at behavior change. The authors present a preliminary randomized trial (N = 16) to evaluate the effectiveness of adding motivational interviewing (MI) as an adjunct to CBT. Patients aged 6 to 17 years who were participating in intensive family-based CBT for OCD were randomized to receive either CBT plus MI or CBT plus extra psychoeducation (PE) sessions. After four sessions, the mean Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) score for the CBT plus MI group was significantly lower than for the CBT plus psychoeducation group, t(14) = 2.51, p < .03, Cohen's d = 1.34. In addition, the degree of reduction in CY-BOCS scores was significantly greater, t(14) = 2.14, p = .05, Cohen's d = 1.02, for the CBT plus MI group (mean Delta = 16.75, SD = 9.66) than for the CBT plus psychoeducation group (mean Delta = 8.13, SD = 6.01). This effect decreased over time, and scores at posttreatment were not significantly different. However, participants in the MI group completed treatment on average three sessions earlier than those in the psychoeducation group, providing support for the utility of MI in facilitating rapid improvement and minimizing the burden of treatment for families.
Analysis of proximal tubule salt and water transport in standing droplets.

Abstract A mathematical model has been developed describing solute and water movement in the renal proximal tubule standing droplet experiment. The model explicitly incorporates the constraint of isosmotic reabsorption. Solute asymmetry due to the unequal distribution of protein, bicarbonate and other solutes between plasma and the standing droplet is shown to be one of the major reabsorptive forces; however, the introduction of an additional reabsorptive mechanism into the system equations is required in order to obtain a quantitative fit with experimental observations. The model demonstrates that limiting concentration gradients can be obtained in the absence of active transport and that their magnitudes will vary inversely with the permeability of the poorly permeant solute. Conversely, situations can occur where active transport will not elicit a limiting gradient. Consequently, previous interpretations of the meaning of limiting gradients and their magnitudes need to be reconsidered. The model further predicts that the technique for measuring non-electrolyte permeability using standing droplet experiments is likely to underestimate the true permeability. Finally, it is shown that a previous theoretical model of standing droplets, which does not explicitly include the constraint of isomotic reabsorption, cannot fit experimental data from proximal tubules.
Compatibility of the radiating divertor with high performance plasmas in DIII-D

A radiating divertor approach was successfully applied to high performance 'hybrid' plasmas [M.R. Wade, et al., Proc. 20th IAEA Fusion Energy Conf., Vilamoura, (2004)]. Our technique included: (1) injecting argon near the outer divertor target, (2) enhancing the plasma flow into the inner and outer divertors by a combination of particle pumping and deuterium gas puffing upstream of the divertor targets, and (3) isolating the inner divertor from the outer by a structure in the private flux region. Good hybrid conditions were maintained, as the peak heat flux at the outer divertor target was reduced by a factor of 2.5; the peak heat flux at the inner target decreased by 20%. This difference was caused by a higher concentration of argon at the outer target than at the inner target. Argon accumulation in the main plasma was modest (n{sub AR}/n{sub e} {le}0.004 on axis), although the argon profile was more peaked than the electron profile.
Presenting the Possessive Adjectives in German and the Romance Languages

A simple way of explaining the double agreement of the possessive adjectives in German, French, Spanish and Italian).
Dynamic visualization of signal transduction in living cells: From second messengers to kinases

The study of signal transduction, or the highly regulated series of biochemical events which allow a cell to convert a given stimulus into a functional response, has seen a paradigm shift with a recent explosion in the number of genetically encoded FRET-based biosensors capable of detecting spatial and temporal regulation of various signaling events in living cells. The two classes of biosensors discussed, namely kinase activity and second messenger biosensors, utilize two fluorescent proteins (FP) suitable for FRET and convert a signaling event of interest into a conformational change in the biosensor that can be measured as a change in FRET between the two FPs. Individually, these biosensors have been used to elucidate many complex signal transduction mechanisms in various biological systems. However, it has become increasingly clear that it is often more desirable to study multiple signaling events simultaneously, allowing for precise correlation of the temporal profiles of multiple signaling molecules without the complication of cell to cell variability. With the design of spectrally distinct biosensors and new coimaging strategies, simultaneous imaging of multiple signaling events is not only possible, but has aided in mapping the intricate network of cellular signal transduction cascades. Furthermore, as aberrant signal transduction involving second messengers and kinases is implicated in numerous disease states, it is hopeful that these FRET-based biosensors and coimaging strategies can help to unravel the molecular links between altered signal transduction and certain disease states. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life 61(9): 902–908, 2009
Carbon sequestration: inversion of FACE data and prediction

FACE data is used with a compartmental carbon forest model to obtain information in the form of cumulative distributions and estimates of carbon transfer parameters in the face of uncertainties in initial conditions, flux inputs, and environmental observations. An assessment of the data is conducted to determine its effectiveness in inversion. Predictions are made of future carbon pools sizes based on the joint probability density function obtain from the data and trends of environmental functions. Uncertainty is carried forward into future predictions of pool sizes.
Applications of Infrared Spectroscopy in Petroleum Analysis and Oil Spill Identification

Abstract Each year an estimated 5 to 10 million tons of oil are discharged into the oceans of the world. Eighty percent of this spilled oil remains in the environment, directly poisoning marine life and indirectly threatening the rest of the plant and animal environment.
Development of Laboratory Techniques to Mimic Industrial-Scale Nixtamalization

ABSTRACT A laboratory nixtamalization process was developed to imitate larger scale cooking/steeping conditions. Corn (45 kg) was cooked in a pilot plant gas-fired cook/steep tank and temperature was monitored every 30 sec. Cooling and heating rates were mimicked in the laboratory using a digital temperature programmable hot plate that adjusted grain-water-lime temperature changes at a specified rate. A Response Surface Central Composite Design was used to model pasting and thermal properties of nixtamal and masa as a function of cooking temperature (86–96°C), cooking time (20–40 min), and steeping time (3–11.77 hr). Nixtamal and masa moisture, dry matter loss, nixtamal and masa RVA peak temperature, shear thinning, nixtamal peak viscosity, masa final viscosity, nixtamal and masa DSC enthalpy peak and end temperatures, and nixtamal onset temperature were explained by the same regression terms for results obtained using both processes conditions. The intercept and slopes of the fitted models for the pilot ...
ATP Concentration and Localization of Sites of Epinephrine Induced Renal Artery Constriction.

Summary1. ATP concentration analyses were determined along the renal artery in a series of mongrel dogs that had previous post-epinephrine renal angiographic studies to identify the site of renal artery constriction. 2. Those segments of renal artery which exhibited post-epmephrine constriction were found to have higher ATP concentration than non-constrictive segments.
Rheumatoid arthritis treated with tenidap and piroxicam. Clinical associations with cytokine modulation by tenidap.

Objective. To compare the effects of tenidap and piroxicam on acute-phase protein and cytokine levels in the blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to explore their associations with clinical disease activity. Methods. A double-blind, randomized, crossover trial in 49 patients with active RA compared 6 weeks of treatment with tenidap (120 mg/day) versus 6 weeks of treatment with piroxicam (20 mg/day). Results. Median values for C-reactive protein (CRP), Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly lower after tenidap treatment compared with piroxicam treatment, even in the presence of stable background treatment with prednisone, methotrexate, or prednisone plus methotrexate. The median within-patient treatment differences (after tenidap minus after piroxicam) in the CRP, ESR, SAA, and IL-6 values were –1.7 mg/dl, –10.0 mm/hour, –22.0 μg/ml, and –3.7 pg/ml, respectively, and represent –60.4%, –17.7%, –35.5%, and –26.1% of the respective baseline levels. IL-6 levels were positively correlated with CRP and SAA. Plasma IL-1β was generally below the level of detection. Tumor necrosis factor α levels were similar after tenidap and after piroxicam. Treatment differences for 4 of 7 clinical parameters favored tenidap, but did not reach statistical significance. IL-6, CRP, and ESR were significantly correlated with clinical treatment differences. Tenidap and piroxicam toleration were similar, although tenidap treated patients exhibited a reversible increase in urinary protein excretion. Conclusion. Tenidap was differentiated from piroxicam by lower levels of acute-phase proteins, ESR, and IL-6 after tenidap treatment. These treatment differences were significantly correlated with clincial parameters.
Messung der Unterdiffusion mit dem Rasterelektronenmikroskop

Dimensionsverkleinerung und Erhohung der Packungsdichte fuhren bei MOS-Schaltungen zu Problemen, deren Ursache die laterale Ausdehnung der Diffusionszonen ist. Zu ihrer Losung ist die genaue Kenntnis der Unterdiffusion in Abhangigkeit von anderen technologischen Parametern notwendig. Eine schnelle und genaue Messung dieser Grose gestattet die EBIC-Methode im Rasterelektronenmikroskop.
Immersion calorimetry studies of the interaction of water with silica surfaces

Abstract The objectives of this investigation were (1) to correlate heats of immersion, in water, for several silicas with other of their surface properties and (2) to investigate differences in the character of surface bonds of various silicas. Changes in the heat of immersion with activation temperatures of the silica samples followed known variations in the character of the silanol surface sites that occur on heating. The heat of hydration of siloxane sites on the quasi-amorphous silicas used in this investigation was 16.1 kcal./mole of water. The heat of hydration apparently varies considerably for different silicas, ranging from low values for silica gels to higher values for low-area quartz. Also, the polarity of the surface SiOH groups appears to change for different silicas, increasing in the order: silica gels
Antibodies distinguishing between intact and alkali-hydrolyzed 7-methylguanosine

Abstract Antibodies specific for intact 7-methylguanosine (m7G) were induced in rabbits and mice by immunization with nucleoside-BSA or nucleoside-hemocyanin conjugates. Since m7G undergoes alkali-catalyzed hydrolytic fission of the purine ring, modifications were made in the procedure for conjugation of m7G to proteins. After periodate oxidation, m7G was incubated with protein at pH 9.1 at 4°C for one hour during which the nucleoside was found to be stable. Reduction of the Schiff base was done with t-butylamine borane for 30 minutes, and the conjugated protein was isolated quickly by gel filtration at pH 7.2. Both rabbits and mice produced antibodies that readily distinguished between the intact and hydrolyzed m7G. Antibody specificity depended largely on the presence of an intact 7-substituted imidazole ring and some cross-reaction occurred with 7-methylinosine. A weaker reaction occurred with ribothymidine and thymidine. Mouse antibodies induced by m7G-hemocyanin showed the highest specificity. They also recognized m7G in the isolated mRNA cap structure m7G(5′)ppp(5′)A.
Some methods for reducing propagation-induced phase errors in coherent imaging systems. II. Numerical results

The phase-error mitigation methods are applied to computer-generated one-dimensional (the azimuthal dimension) synthetic-aperture radar images. These images represent a superposition of five point targets of different intensities and locations. Specific realizations of the turbulence-induced phase errors are constructed by the Karhunen–Loeve technique. A specific realization is added to the phase history of the point targets to obtain the phase history of the distorted image. Reasonable reconstructions from the phase histories of the distorted images, using cubic-spline fits based on either the map drift or the mean frequency difference, are obtained when low-frequency phase errors dominate the spectrum. Binary multiplexing and a deterministic method based on the Legendre-series expansion of the phase error also produce good results for the first eight terms of the expansion. The best reconstructions are obtained by using the Wigner–Ville distribution.
AFM Study of the Fluence-Dependent Modification of the Surface of YSZ Due to Argon Ion Irradiation

Yittria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has long been of interest as a promising material for nuclear energy applications. It is the cubic form of zirconium oxide stabilized at room temperature by the addition of yttria. Previous studies of radiation damage in YSZ focused primarily on microstructural changes in the bulk or in the near surface layer whereas irradiation induced changes on the surface received little attention. Here we use atomic force microscopy, AFM, to study the fluence-dependent generation of surface modifications to YSZ due to 150 keV Ar+ ion implantation at fluences from 3×1015 to 1×1017 ions/cm2. The microstructural changes in the near surface region were previously investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling geometry (RBS/C). Further, we investigated implantation in (100), (110), and (111) oriented single crystals of YSZ to explore differences in crystal orientation sensitivity to damage to ion irradiation. At the highest fluence, a dense packing of large round surface hillocks was observed. The ion induced surface modifications revealed by AFM differ slightly from the bulk lattice damage measured by RBS, although both indicate that under these implantation conditions, the (110) oriented crystal shows the most radiation damage resistance. The mean size of the hillocks scaled with concentration of implanted Ar atoms.
Use of Topical Human Amniotic Fluid in the Treatment of Acute Ocular Alkali Injuries in Mice

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of topical human amniotic fluid (HAF) in the treatment of ocular acute alkali burns in mice. Design Experimental study. Methods A chemical burn with 2 μl of sodium hydroxide 0.15 mol/l was created in one eye of 30 mice. The animals were divided into gender- and age-matched groups according to the topical treatment that was administered: group 1 was treated with preterm HAF (n = 10 mice); group 2 was treated with term HAF (n = 10 mice), and group 3 was treated with saline solution (n = 10 mice). Treatment consisted of one drop that was applied to the burned eye five times per day (week one), and three times per day (week two). The epithelial defect was photographed and measured on days two and four. Ocular burn damage was assessed at days two, seven, and 14 after a pre-established classification. On day 14, both eyes of each mouse were enucleated and assessed histopathologically. Results Median epithelial defect (interquartile range [IQR], 25th, 75th percentile) at day four was 9.93% (IQR, 8.57, 11.27) for group 1, 7.30% (IQR, 5.96, 8.97) for group 2, and 18.92% (IQR, 11.71, 27.64) for group 3 ( P P = .009) in group 1 vs 3, −0.134 ( P = .012) in group 2 vs 3, and 0.007 ( P = .88) in group 1 vs 2. On histologic examination saline solution–treated corneas had more inflammatory cells and blood vessels than HAF-treated corneas. Conclusion Topical preterm/term HAF was an effective topical therapy for limiting the damage after acute alkali burns of the eye in this animal model.
Effect of Inserting Paramyxovirus Simian Virus 5 Gene Junctions at the HN/L Gene Junction: Analysis of Accumulation of mRNAs Transcribed from Rescued Viable Viruses

Simian parainfluenza virus 5 (SV5) is a prototype of the Paramyxoviridae family of nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses. The single-stranded RNA genomes of these viruses contain a series of tandemly linked genes separated by intergenic (IG) sequences flanked by gene-end (GE) and gene-start (GS) sequences. The viral RNA polymerase (vRNAP) complex is thought to enter the genome at its 3′ end, and synthesis of mRNAs is thought to occur by a stop-start mechanism in a sequential and polar manner, with transcriptional attenuation occurring primarily at the intergenic regions. As a result, multiple nonoverlapping mRNA species are generated for each single entry of the vRNAP. To investigate the functions of GE, IG, and GS sequences in transcription, we constructed plasmids containing cDNAs of the full-length SV5 genome in which the gene junction sequences (GE, IG, and GS sequences) located between the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and the polymerase (L) genes were replaced with the counterpart sequences from other gene junctions. By using reverse genetics, we recovered viable viruses from each cDNA construct, although their growth characteristics varied. Analysis of the HN and L mRNAs by quantitative RNase protection assay indicated that the ratios of HN to L mRNAs varied over a fourfold range. The alteration of the gene junction sequences also permitted examination of the hypothesized requirement for hexamer nucleotide position of the GS sites. The recovery of infectious viruses with transcription initiation sites that occurred at nucleotide positions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the hexamer suggest that the requirement is nonstringent.
Spectral design considerations for white LED color rendering

White LED spectra for general lighting should be designed for high luminous efficacy as well as good color rendering. Multichip and phosphor-type white LED models were analyzed by simulation of their color characteristics and luminous efficacy of radiation, compared with those of conventional light sources for general lighting. Color rendering characteristics were evaluated based on the CIE Color Rendering Index CRI, examining not only Ra but also the special color rendering indices Ri, as well as on the CIELAB color difference Eab for the 14 color samples defined in CIE 13.3. Several models of three-chip and four-chip white LEDs as well as phosphor-type LEDs are optimized for various parameters, and some guidance is given for designing these white LEDs. The simulation analysis also demonstrated several problems with the current CRI, and the need for improvements is discussed. © 2005
Low-order valid models for dynamic studies of multi-machine power systems

A dynamic equivalent of an external electric power system is estimated from locally measured information. A sensitivity method is used to select the most suitable model for the equivalent external system among several hypotheses. Local system responses, due to an intentional disturbance, are used for the parameter identification of external equivalent model. The estimated dynamic equivalent is verified by comparing the dynamic interacting effects of the original external system with those of the equivalent external system. It is further verified by short-circuit tests.
The frequency of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein-TaqI B2 allele is lower in African Americans than in Caucasians

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester for triglyceride between high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein. The B2 allele of the TaqIB polymorphism located in the first intron of the CETP gene occurs with an allele frequency of about 0.40 in Caucasians and is associated with decreased CETP levels and activity and with higher HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in this racial group. We hypothesized that the higher levels of HDL-C seen in African Americans compared with Caucasians could be in part explained by a higher frequency of the TaqI B2 allele. We determined the distribution of this polymorphism in a total of 395 African Americans and 362 Caucasian ascertained as two independent cohorts: one of healthy volunteers (NORM) and the other of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (CATH). Of the 244 NORM-African Americans studied, 56% were B1B1, 37% B1B2 and 7% B2B2, compared with the 224 NORM-Caucasians of which 33% were B1B1, 45% B1B2 and 22% B2B2. In the CATH-African American group (n=151) 51% were B1B1, 41% B1B2 and 8% B2B2 compared with 35% CATH-Caucasians B1B1, 54% B1B2 and 11% B2B2. The frequency of the B2 allele in the Caucasian subjects in both cohorts was similar to that reported in the literature. The frequency of the B2 allele was significantly lower in African Americans than in Caucasians in the NORM group (0.26 vs 0.44; χ2=36.5, P<0.001) and in the CATH group (0.28 vs 0.38, χ2=4.7, P=0.01). Carriers of the B2 allele had higher HDL-C levels compared with B1B1 subjects in Caucasians (NORM: 57 vs 53 mg/dl, P=0.035; CATH: 47 vs 42 mg/dl, P=0.049) and in CATH-African Americans (48 vs 43 mg/dl, P=0.028), but not in NORM-African Americans (55 vs 54 mg/dl, P=0.494). There were no other significant associations between this polymorphism and other lipids and lipoproteins in the subjects studied. These results suggest that, in contrast to our hypothesis, the B2 allele of the TaqIB polymorphism is less frequent in African Americans compared with Caucasians and that this polymorphism is unlikely to contribute to the higher levels of HDL-C reported in the African American population.
Treating the Parataxic Organization: An Example of Intervention Strategy

This article explores the psychodynamics of language and communication in organizational change efforts. The author presents a case example of an intervention from his consulting work that describes the linkages among dialectic skills, childhood development, unconscious interpersonal and group phenomena, and he consultant's use of language. The author suggests that the participants' adroitness in communicating emotions in a group setting is a crucial factor in organizational change. He attempts to show, in theory and practice, why that is true, what the interventionist/consultant needs to know in this regard, and how positive steps may be taken to facilitate change.
The mass spectra of alkyl phenyl tellurides

The mass spectra of several alkyl phenyl tellurides, C6H5TeR (R = CH3, CD3, C2H5, n-C3H7, i-C3H7 and n-C4H9) have been studied with special emphasis on the fragmentation patterns involving cleavage of the alkyl and aryl tellurium–carbon bonds. Each compound exhibited intense parent ions. The rearrangement ions [C6H6Te]+⋅ and [C6H6]+⋅ were found in the spectra of phenyl ethyl and higher tellurides. Two other rearrangement ions [HTe]+ and [C7H7]+ were observed in the spectrum of each compound. Examination of the mass spectrum of phenyl methyl-d3 telluride demonstrated that the [HTe]+ ions derive hydrogen from the phenyl group.
Reproductive Characteristics in Cockerels Fed a High Level of Iodine

Abstract High levels of iodine (5000 p.p.m. as potassium iodine) in the diet of laying hens have been found to cause a cessation of egg production within one week from the time feeding began (Perdomo et al., 1966). This effect is temporary and egg production returns to normal shortly after iodine feeding is stopped (Arrington et al., 1967; Wilson et al., 1967; Marcilese et al., 1968). Old (18 months of age) birds seem to be affected more severely than young (7 months) birds (Arrington et al., 1967). In addition, Wilson et al. (1968) reported that development of the reproductive system of immature pullets was inhibited if iodine was fed prior to any development. Arrington et al. (1967) reported that the high dietary iodine did not inhibit formation of ova but that the ova were not ovulated.…
Eight weeks of pre- and postexercise whey protein supplementation increases lean body mass and improves performance in Division III collegiate female basketball players

We examined if 8 weeks of whey protein (WP) supplementation improved body composition and performance measures in NCAA Division III female basketball players. Subjects were assigned to consume 24 g WP (n = 8; age, 20 ± 2 years; height, 170 ± 6 cm; weight, 66.0 ± 3.1 kg) or 24 g of maltodextrin (MD) (n = 6; age, 21 ± 3 years; height, 169 ± 6 cm; weight, 68.2 ± 7.6 kg) immediately prior to and following training (4 days/week anaerobic and resistance training) for 8 weeks. Prior to (T1) and 8 weeks following supplementation (T2), subjects underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry body composition assessment as well as performance tests. The WP group gained lean mass from T1 to T2 (+1.4 kg, p = 0.003) whereas the MD group trended to gain lean mass (+0.4 kg, p = 0.095). The WP group also lost fat mass from T1 to T2 (-1.0 kg, p = 0.003) whereas the MD group did not (-0.5 kg, p = 0.41). The WP group presented greater gains in 1-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (+4.9 kg) compared with the MD group (+2.3 kg) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the WP group improved agility from T1 to T2 (p = 0.001) whereas the MD group did not (p = 0.38). Both groups equally increased leg press 1RM, vertical jump, and broad jump performances. This study demonstrates that 8 weeks of WP supplementation improves body composition and select performance variables in previously trained female athletes.
A Vector Geometry–Based Eddy Detection Algorithm and Its Application to a High-Resolution Numerical Model Product and High-Frequency Radar Surface Velocities in the Southern California Bight

Automated eddy detection methods are fundamental tools to analyze eddy activity from the large datasets derived from satellite measurements and numerical model simulations. Existing methods are either based on the distribution of physical parameters usually computed from velocity derivatives or on the geometry of velocity streamlines around minima or maxima of sea level anomaly. A new algorithm was developed based exclusively on the geometry of the velocity vectors. Four constraints characterizing the spatial distribution of the velocity vectors around eddy centers were derived from the general features associated with velocity fields in the presence of eddies. The grid points in the domain for which these four constraints are satisfied are detected as eddy centers. Eddy sizes are computed from closed contours of the streamfunction field, and eddy tracks are retrieved by comparing the distribution of eddy centers at successive time steps. The results were validated against manually derived eddy fields. Two parameters in the algorithm can be modified by the users to optimize its performance. The algorithm is applied to both a high-resolution model product and highfrequency radar surface velocity fields in the Southern California Bight.
The removal of transients from OTH radar signals via wavelets

In skywave radar the removal of transients from the signal is a major objective since they reduce the radar's capability to detect and track targets. It is desirable to extract the transient components from the data without removing any other information. Current techniques only exploit the time localization of such signals. A natural extension would be to incorporate a frequency localization component. Wavelets lend themselves ideally to this task by virtue of their joint time and frequency localization properties. In this paper, we construct a multiresolution wavelet decomposition algorithm for HF radar data and apply two filtering techniques specifically designed to detect and remove lightning and meteor components from the signal. >
Implant sprays: compression of progressive tetrahedral mesh connectivity

Irregular tetrahedral meshes, which are popular in many engineering and scientific applications, often contain a large number of vertices. A mesh of V vertices and T tetrahedra requires 48 V bits or less to store the vertex coordinates, 4/spl middot/T/spl middot/log/sub 2/(V) bits to store the tetrahedra-vertex incidence relations, also called connectivity information, and kV bits to store the k-bit value samples associated with the vertices. Given that T is 5 to 7 times larger than V and that V often exceeds 32/sup 3/, the storage space required for the connectivity is larger than 300 V bits and thus dominates the overall storage cost. Our "implants spray" compression approach introduced in the paper reduces this cost to about 30 V bits or less-a 10:1 compression ratio. Furthermore, implant spray supports the progressive refinement of a crude model through a series of vertex-splits operations.
RFIDGuard: a lightweight privacy and authentication protocol for passive RFID tags

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are cheap, simple devices that can store unique identification information and perform simple computation to keep better inventory of packages. Because of this, they are intended to replace the barcodes for supply chain management in the near future. However, unlike barcodes, these tags have a longer range in which they are allowed to be scanned, subjecting them to unauthorized scanning by malicious readers and to various attacks, including cloning. Therefore, a security protocol for RFID tags is needed to ensure privacy and authentication between each tag and their reader. In order to accomplish this, in this paper, we propose RFIDGuard, a lightweight privacy and authentication protocol for passive RFID tags. This protocol requires little computation and achieves both privacy and authentication simultaneously. The lightweight and secure nature of our RFIDGuard protocol make it particularly suitable for supply chain management. Adaptation of our protocol can be used for other applications as well. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Normalization and centering of array-based heterologous genome hybridization based on divergent control probes

Hybridization of heterologous (non-specific) nucleic acids onto arrays designed for model-organisms has been proposed as a viable genomic resource for estimating sequence variation and gene expression in non-model organisms. However, conventional methods of normalization that assume equivalent distributions (such as quantile normalization) are inappropriate when applied to non-specific (heterologous) hybridization. We propose an algorithm for normalizing and centering intensity data from heterologous hybridization that makes no prior assumptions of distribution, reduces the false appearance of homology, and provides a way for researchers to confirm whether heterologous hybridization is suitable. Data are normalized by adjusting for Gibbs free energy binding, and centered by adjusting for the median of a common set of control probes assumed to be equivalently dissimilar for all species. This procedure was compared to existing approaches and found to be as successful as Loess normalization at detecting sequence variations (deletions) and even more successful than quantile normalization at reducing the accumulation of false positive probe matches between two related nematode species, Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae. Despite the improvements, we still found that probe fluorescence intensity was too poorly correlated with sequence similarity to result in reliable detection of matching probe sequence. Cross-species hybridizations can be a way to adapt genome-enabled tools for closely related non-model organisms, but data must be appropriately normalized and centered in a way that accommodates hybridization of nucleic acids with diverged sequence. For short, 25-mer probes, hybridization intensity alone may be insufficiently correlated with sequence similarity to allow reliable inference of homology at the probe level.