cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of thoracic surgery regionalization on long-term survival after lung cancer resection

Abstract Objective Existing evidence demonstrates some benefit of regionalization on early postoperative outcomes following lung cancer resection, but data regarding the persistence of this effect in long-term mortality are lacking. We investigated whether previously reported improvements in short-term outcomes translated to long-term survival benefit. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing major pulmonary resection (lobectomy, bilobectomy, or pneumonectomy) for cancer within our integrated health care system before (2011-2013; n = 782) and after (2015-2017; n = 845) thoracic surgery regionalization. Overall survival was compared by Kaplan–Meier analysis, and 1- and 3-year mortality was compared by the by χ2 or Fisher exact test. Multivariable Cox regression models evaluated the effect of regionalization on mortality adjusted for relevant factors. Results Kaplan–Meier curves showed that overall survival was better among patients undergoing surgery postregionalization (log-rank test, P Conclusions We found that overall mortality as well as 1- and 3-year mortality for lung cancer resection were lower after thoracic surgery regionalization. The association between regionalization and reduced mortality was significant even after adjusting for other related factors in a multivariable Cox analysis. Notably, surgeon volume, facility volume, surgeon specialty, neoadjuvant treatment, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach did not significantly affect mortality in the adjusted model.
Trikafta therapy alters the CF lung mucus metabolome reshaping microbiome niche space

BackgroundNovel small molecule therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) are showing promising efficacy and becoming more widely available since recent FDA approval. The newest of these is a triple therapy of Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ETI, Trikafta(R)). Little is known about how these drugs will affect polymicrobial lung infections, which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with CF (pwCF). Methodswe analyzed the sputum microbiome and metabolome from pwCF (n=24) before and after ETI therapy using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. ResultsThe lung microbiome diversity, particularly its evenness, was increased (p = 0.044) and the microbiome profiles were different between individuals before and after therapy (PERMANOVA F=1.92, p=0.044). Despite these changes, the microbiomes were more similar within an individual than across the sampled population. There were no specific microbial taxa that were different in abundance before and after therapy, but collectively, the log-ratio of anaerobes to classic CF pathogens significantly decreased. The sputum metabolome also showed changes due to ETI. Beta-diversity increased after therapy (PERMANOVA F=4.22, p=0.022) and was characterized by greater variation across subjects while on treatment. This significant difference in the metabolome was driven by a decrease in peptides, amino acids, and metabolites from the kynurenine pathway. Metabolism of the three small molecules that make up ETI was extensive, including previously uncharacterized structural modifications. ConclusionsThis study shows that ETI therapy affects both the microbiome and metabolome of airway mucus. This effect was stronger on sputum biochemistry, which may reflect changing niche spaces for microbial residency in lung mucus as the drugs effects take hold, which then leads to changing microbiology. FundingThis project was funded by a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Grant R01AI145925
P113 Acceptability and Preferences for Using a Novel Device to Self-Collect Blood Specimens for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Laboratory Monitoring

Home-based PrEP monitoring (HBPM) has the potential to improve PrEP access and retention but is hampered by difficulties collecting blood, which typically involves painful fingersticks that yield insufficient specimen for quantitative syphilis serologies. We evaluated the use of the Tasso OnDemand™, a device that facilitates relatively painless self-collection of enough blood for HIV, creatinine, and quantitative rapid plasma reagin testing. From May 2020 – January 2021, we recruited subjects for two studies of the Tasso device and HBPM preferences. First, we sent invitations to English-speaking clients enrolled in an online messaging platform and receiving PrEP through the Sexual Health Clinic (SHC) in Seattle, WA, asking them to view a Tasso device video and complete a survey. In a second study, we recruited SHC PrEP clients and persons with known/suspected syphilis or living with HIV. After brief instruction in clinic, clients used the Tasso device and completed a survey about their experience. Of 509 clients offered participation online and 46 in clinic, 102 (20%) and 46 (100%), respectively, completed surveys. Most participants were cisgender men (132, 90%) of median age 34 years who identified as non-Hispanic White (78, 52.7%). Thirty-seven (45%) reported a history of syphilis. Given current COVID restrictions, 124 (89.2%) participants were interested in self-collecting PrEP laboratory samples at home. Many felt home sampling kits would increase their likelihood of staying on PrEP (61/135, 45.2%). Of the 46 participants who self-collected blood specimens in clinic, 42 (93.3%) felt the process was easy and 35/36 (97.2%) PrEP-eligible participants felt they could similarly self-collect blood at home. Self-collection of blood specimens using the Tasso device is feasible and acceptable to persons using PrEP. Future studies will assess how often individuals will use this device rather than come to the SHC for PrEP care and the impact of HBPM on PrEP retention.
Multi-Electrode electrotactile Stimulation to Combat Skin Dependency in Machine-to-Human Feedback

The advent of wearable sensing technologies has ushered the need for diversity of techniques to present information to users. This paper presents an electrotactile stimulation hardware and electrode array with the goal of presenting information to the user through the skin. The presented electrotactile stimulation device utilizes a distributed stimulation technique to prevent overloading the skin with electrotactile charges in case of a skin pore breakdown. An experiment was conducted to prove that a six electrode distributed electrotactile stimulation hardware and electrode presented in this paper would prevent skin pore overload in case of a breakdown. The results indicate that the six electrodes are capable of acting independently regardless of the skin resistance they observe.
Poliovirus and Group C Enteroviruses: Knowledge Gaps Relevant to Eradication

Poliovirus eradication is one of the most challenging public health endeavors in modern times (www.polioeradication.org). Social, political, economic & scientific factors have made this goal elusive. When eradication goals were first established in 1988, there was little appreciation of viral RNA recombination, enterovirus species groups and their relevance to eradication. Now, it is clear that RNA recombination between live-attenuated vaccine strains of poliovirus and non-polio group C enteroviruses results in circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) and corresponding outbreaks of paralytic disease, a significant obstacle to eradication. By understanding enterovirus species groups, it becomes clear that poliovirus capsid proteins can be eradicated; however, the remainder of poliovirus RNA genomes will survive indefinitely in other group C enteroviruses. To help address these obstacles to eradication, the Barton lab studies molecular features of 3D pol involved in viral RNA replication and recombination. A dsRNA clamp of 3D pol that holds RNA products of replication as they exit the polymerase plays important roles in the polyadenylation of viral RNA, the fidelity of RNA replication, ribavirin sensitivity and viral RNA recombination. In other experiments, we identified a group C enterovirus RNA involved in the inhibition of ribonuclease L, an antiviral endoribonuclease. The RNase L ciRNA plays important but largely unexplored roles in pathogenesis. Using novel deep sequencing methods, we found that RNase L targets viral RNA encoding neutralizing epitopes of capsid proteins, sparing most other regions of viral RNA. These data suggest an important interplay between neutralizing antibodies, neutralization escape mutations and antiviral endoribonucleases. A better understanding of viral RNA recombination, enterovirus species groups and antiviral endoribonucleases should help achieve and maintain poliovirus eradication.
Social Vulnerability of Guatemalan Courts: An Expanded Conceptualization of Judicial Independence

The growing literature on comparative judicial politics focuses primarily on intragovernmental, interbranch relations. In this paper, I argue for the expansion of this scholarship to include the issue of judicial autonomy from both official and non-official actors. Parsing the difference between judicial independence from other branches of government and individual judicial autonomy from interference from a variety of both official and social actors allows for a clearer understanding of the way that the judiciary operates in weak democracies. This paper suggests a typology of judicial regime types, including liberal, impunity, parliamentary supremacy, and governmental control regime types. Judicial autonomy is argued to be of utmost importance for a democratic rule of law. Special focus is placed on the impunity regime as producing a particular pathology of weak democracy. The case of Guatemala is discussed as an example of an impunity judicial regime in which the autonomy of judges is compromised by widespread crime and where the consequence – impunity for most violent criminals – is dire.
Carrier dynamics in InxGa1-xAs1-yNy by picosecond Raman spectroscopy

Non-equilibrium electron distributions and energy loss rate in a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition-grown In x Ga 1-x As 1-y N y (x=0.03 and y=0.01) epilayer on GaAs substrate have been studied by picosecond Raman spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that for electron density napproximately equals 10 18 cm -3 , electron distributions can be described very well by Fermi-Dirac distributions with electron temperatures substantially higher than the lattice temperature. From the measurement of electron temperature as a function of the pulse width of excitation laser, the energy loss rate in In x Ga 1-x As 1-y N y is estimated to be 64 meV/ps. These experimental results are compared with those of GaAs.
3D object recognition and shape estimation from image contours using B-splines, unwarping techniques and neural network

Recognizing three-dimensional (3D) shape based on cues extracted from object curves, is discussed. For fast recognition it is desirable that the 3D curve representation is inherently simple and invariant to affine and projective transformations, and to have the object recognizer fast and computationally simple. These goals are achieved by adopting a model-based approach using B-splines for curve representation and a backpropagation neural network for text/marking recognition. The object shape was computed from the image curves using stereo imaging, and the object type was identified by recognizing or reading the text/markings on the object based on features that are invariant to the object shape, to rotation, to scaling, and to translation. >
Measurement and characterization of winter precipitation at MASCRAD Snow Field Site

We present our ongoing studies of winter precipitation using multi-angle snowflake camera (MASC), 2D-video disdrometer, computational electromagnetic scattering methods, and state-of-the-art polarimetric radars. The newly built and established MASCRAD (MASC + Radar) Snow Field Site is one of the currently best instrumented and most sophisticated field sites for winter precipitation measurements and analysis in the nation. We present and discuss MASCRAD measurements for the snow event on Nov 15, 2014 in La Salle, Colorado.
Increased in vivo glial activation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Assessed with [11C]-PBR28

Evidence from human post mortem, in vivo and animal model studies implicates the neuroimmune system and activated microglia in the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study aim was to further evaluate in vivo neuroinflammation in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using [11C]-PBR28 positron emission tomography. Ten patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (seven males, three females, 38–68 years) and ten age- and [11C]-PBR28 binding affinity-matched healthy volunteers (six males, four females, 33–65 years) completed a positron emission tomography scan. Standardized uptake values were calculated from 60 to 90 min post-injection and normalized to whole brain mean. Voxel-wise analysis showed increased binding in the motor cortices and corticospinal tracts in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis compared to healthy controls (pFWE < 0.05). Region of interest analysis revealed increased [11C]-PBR28 binding in the precentral gyrus in patients (normalized standardized uptake value = 1.15) compared to controls (1.03, p < 0.05). In patients those values were positively correlated with upper motor neuron burden scores (r = 0.69, p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (r = –0.66, p < 0.05). Increased in vivo glial activation in motor cortices, that correlates with phenotype, complements previous histopathological reports. Further studies will determine the role of [11C]-PBR28 as a marker of treatments that target neuroinflammation.
Dysphoric mood and preference for immediate versus delayed monetary reinforcement

It has been proposed that depression is the product of deficits in self-management skills: self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reinforcement. While interventions based on this theory have shown promise, some of the basic tenets upon which the theory is based lack empirical support. The present experiment tested one such tenet--the claim that depressed individuals select smaller more immediate reinforcers (an impulsive choice) at the expense of larger more delayed reinforcers (a self-control choice). Currently, empirical support for this notion is sparse and contradictory. This study addressed several methodological problems in earlier studies by creating divergent groups based on Beck Depression Inventory scores, employing a task requiring multiple responses and applying a quantitative model to determine reinforcer value. Analyses indicated no systematic difference between participants in the dysphoric and nondysphoric groups in ability to delay reinforcement. Thus, the current results provide no support for the hypothesis that the 36 dysphoric individuals were unable to delay reinforcement relative to the 21 nondysphoric individuals. Because respondents across the sample as a whole showed a self-control preference, however, the data are consistent with findings in the experimental study of choice responding with adult human subjects. Interpretations in terms of sensitivity and pseudosensitivity to the experimental contingencies are explored.
Effect of manganese extraction on oxygen generation and EPR signal II in spinach chloroplasts.

Abstract Removal of endogenous manganese from fresh chloroplasts by incubation with solutions of magnesium ion was found to decrease the efficiency of oxygen generation in the Hill reaction and increase the steady-state amplitude of Signal II. The efficiency of oxygen generation in the Hill reaction was found to be directly proportional to the manganese content of the extracted sample, up to about 67% extraction of the endogenous manganese, whereas the steady-state amplitude of Signal II was found to be inversely proportional to the manganese content of the extracted chloroplast sample. These observations suggest that in freshly prepared chloroplasts all lamellae-bound manganese atoms are equally active in catalyzing oxygen generation, and that Signal II may be due to a radical intermediate generated by the photo-oxidation of an electron carrier between the manganese complex and the chlorophyll molecules of PS II.
Numerical simulation of human orientation perception during lunar landing

Abstract In lunar landing it is necessary to select a suitable landing point and then control a stable descent to the surface. In manned landings, astronauts will play a critical role in monitoring systems and adjusting the descent trajectory through either supervisory control and landing point designations, or by direct manual control. For the astronauts to ensure vehicle performance and safety, they will have to accurately perceive vehicle orientation. A numerical model for human spatial orientation perception was simulated using input motions from lunar landing trajectories to predict the potential for misperceptions. Three representative trajectories were studied: an automated trajectory, a landing point designation trajectory, and a challenging manual control trajectory. These trajectories were studied under three cases with different cues activated in the model to study the importance of vestibular cues, visual cues, and the effect of the descent engine thruster creating dust blowback. The model predicts that spatial misperceptions are likely to occur as a result of the lunar landing motions, particularly with limited or incomplete visual cues. The powered descent acceleration profile creates a somatogravic illusion causing the astronauts to falsely perceive themselves and the vehicle as upright, even when the vehicle has a large pitch or roll angle. When visual pathways were activated within the model these illusions were mostly suppressed. Dust blowback, obscuring the visual scene out the window, was also found to create disorientation. These orientation illusions are likely to interfere with the astronauts' ability to effectively control the vehicle, potentially degrading performance and safety. Therefore suitable countermeasures, including disorientation training and advanced displays, are recommended.
TOPEX/Poseidon enters verification phase

The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite, a joint U.S./France space mission to study the global ocean circulation (see Eos, August 27, 1991, page 369), entered its operational orbit on September 21. In this near-circular orbit, which has an equatorial altitude of 1336 km, the satellite makes 12.8 revolutions a day and lays its ground track in a pattern that repeats every 10 days. The ground-track spacing is 315 km at the equator.
Embedded simulation on a multiprocessor job scheduling system with inspection

This paper first develops architecture for a multiprocessor job scheduling system with an embedded simulation technique. The architecture provides a shell for applications that are characterized by two scheduling policies, a heuristic algorithm policy and a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) policy. These policies are implemented in the simulation model by using the embedded technique. The paper evaluates these two policies using the queue length, waiting time and flow time as the criteria to compare the performance of these two scheduling policies. Next we designed two simulation situations using two different real world applications. The purpose is to examine the performances of multiprocessor systems with and without inspection operations and two different scheduling policies. The two applications, berth allocation for the container terminal operations and production scheduling arrangement in an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) power supply factory, are studied. The final results show that a proper scheduling policy will perform better than the traditional FIFO approach for a multiprocessor system. Our study also provides guidelines on balancing a system with the addition of a final inspection activity.
The Case For Guidance: Testimony Before Congress.

The author, as a member of APGA's Federal Relations Committee, recently presented testimony on counseling and, guidance services before the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education and Welfare and Related Agencies. This testimony, on behalf of APGA and ASCA, concerned fiscal year 1973 appropriations for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title III (ESEA, III)—Counseling, Guidance and Testing. This article is drawn from the author's testimony and is directed toward reporting some of the positive outcomes of counseling and guidance, the dilemma of cutbacks in services, and the need for substantial expansion of fiscal and. personal support for counseling and guidance.
Brain tissue oxygen monitoring: physiologic principles and clinical application

Abstract Traumatic brain injury, stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage remain a significant cause of death and disability. Cerebral ischemia plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of brain injury. Patients with these insults are also at risk for secondary injury from hypoxia and hypotension. The focus of care for these patients is the detection and prevention of secondary insults to the brain. However, standard neuromonitoring is limited to the measurement of intracranial pressure and calculation of cerebral perfusion pressure. Recently, new devices have been developed for the direct monitoring of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism. One of these devices, the brain tissue oxygen monitor, has been gaining acceptance as studies have detailed its ease of use, accuracy, and prognostic value for pathological events. The technical aspects and physiological principles of brain tissue oxygen monitoring are reviewed, and the clinical application of this technology is discussed.
On the relationship between μ-MnAl4.12 and the decagonal Mn–Al phase

Abstract The structure of μ-MnAl4.12 is presented in layers perpendicular to a pseudo fivefold axis. Similarities with 2D Penrose tiling and structures proposed for decagonal Mn–Al are described. Modifications of existing models for the decagonal Mn–Al phase are proposed which take into account the distances between the atoms and the packing principles as displayed in the μ phase.
Parathyroid hormone-stimulated cadmium accumulation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Abstract Although most renal cadmium transport occurs in proximal tubules indirect evidence suggests that distal tubules may also transport this heavy metal. Since the distal nephron is the site at which parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium absorption, we evaluated the effects of PTH on Cd2+ accumulation in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. MDCK cells express a distal-like phenotype including PTH-sensitive adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of calcium transport. MDCK cells were grown to confluence in phenol red-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. PTH increased 109CdCl2 accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 10−11–10−9 m bPTH[1–34]. At 10−9 m , PTH increased Cd2+ accumulation maximally by 205%. The PTH antagonist, bPTH[3–34], failed to augment 109Cd2+ accumulation. The dihydropyridine agonist, Bay k 8644, in the presence of PTH, increased 109Cd2+ uptake by 200% over vehicletreated controls and by ≈ 100% over PTH or Bay k 8644 alone. The apparent Km for Bay k 8644 activation was 1.3 μ m . Bay k 8644-augmented 109Cd2+ uptake was competitively inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine. No voltage dependence of Bay k 8644-amplified 109Cd2+ uptake could be detected. Based on these observations we conclude: (1) MDCK cells accumulate Cd2+; (2) PTH increases Cd2+ uptake into MDCK cells; and (3) Cd2+ entry in kidney epithelial cells is mediated, at least in part, by dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels.
Entropy from extra dimensions

Heating may result from the collapse of the extra compact dimension in Kaluza-Klein cosmologies. This interesting phenomenon was pointed out in a recent letter by Alvarez and Gavela. Here we correct and clarify the physical interpretation of this effect.
Crack initiation and propagation in materials with randomly distributed holes

Abstract We investigate fracture of both elastic-brittle (epoxy) and ductile (aluminum) sheets, each containing circular holes, and subjected to a uniaxial tension. The holes are distributed at random but with a restriction of no overlap and a minimum separation distance. In this study, which includes both numerical and experimental results, we consider a single configuration of holes but several samples and find that crack paths in these perforated sheets are not unique. This illustrates the need for a stochastic fracture mechanics analysis for this class of problems.
Does Aggression Cause a Preference for Viewing Media Violence

Virtually all of the research concerned with media violence has attempted to determine whether the viewing of violence is associated with or causes aggression. Little experimental research has been directed at understanding why persons view media violence. The present research experimentally tested the hypotheses that physical aggression and fantasy aggression would lead to a preference for viewing violence. In Experiment 1, undergraduate men and women were induced to express aggressive, nonaggressive, or no fantasies and were then given an opportunity to select film clips for viewing. The films chosen by men contained more violence than those chosen by women. In addition, aggressive fantasies in males, compared to nonaggressive fantasies, increased the preference for viewing violence. Experiment 2, using only males, replicated the results of the first study and also found that men who were given an opportunity to aggress physically, compared to those who had no such opportunity, were more likely to choose to view films containing violent content. These results provide an additional perspective on the relationship between the observation of violence and the expression of aggression by suggesting that the causal effects are bidirectional: Just as the viewing of violence may increase aggression, so, too, aggressive behavior may increase the preference for viewing violence.
Evidence for inheritance in patients with VACTERL association

VACTERL/VATER association is typically a sporadic disorder. We present data on inheritance in 78 probands with VACTERL association, and show that 9% of probands have a primary relative with at least one component feature of VACTERL association. The prevalence of component features in first-degree relatives is significantly higher than expected in the general population, which has implications for counseling of affected families and for research into possible etiologies.
'Vomiting center' reanalyzed: an electrical stimulation study.

Electrical stimulation of the brainstem of 15 decerebrate cats produced stimulus-bound vomiting in only 4 animals. Vomiting was reproducible in only one cat. Effective stimulating sites were located in the solitary tract and reticular formation. Restricted localization of a vomiting center, stimulation of which evoked readily reproducible results, could not be obtained.
An Analysis of Ultrafiltration during Acute Peritoneal Dialysis in Rats

ABSTRACT Transport into and from the peritoneal cavity is effected through separate membranes. Peritoneal function is the sum of the contributions of these membranes. The peritoneal dialysis membranes are defined as intestinal viscera and mesentery, parietal lining membrane, and liver and diaphragm. The present study was undertaken to determine which of these membranes participate in ultrafiltration during peritoneal dialysis. Studies were performed in rats using a hypertonic (1200 mOsm/L) dialysate solution containing 5.6% glucose, 2.8% amino acid, and electrolytes. Both intact and eviscerated rats were studied. The experiments were repeated in animals whose diaphragms were fibrotic and densely adherent to liver. Preparation of the diaphragm did not impact upon ultrafiltration. Ultrafiltration in controls (54 vs. 56 ml with and without a fibrotic diaphragm respectively) and in eviscerated groups (44 vs. 45 ml with and without a fibrotic diaphragm respectively) were not significantly different. However, controls had significantly more ultrafiltration than did eviscerated animals (p
Visual learning and retention examined with reversible cold lesions of the anterior temporal lobe

Learning and retention of visual discriminations and delayed match-to-sample (DMS) performance were examined in monkeys while cooling the anterior temporal lobe. Four cryodes were bilaterally implanted on the dura overlying the anterior temporal cortex, an anterior pair covered the temporal pole (TP) and a posterior pair covered the anterior inferior temporal cortex (AIT). The visual discriminations were examined under 4 different test combinations of cooling and not cooling the anterior temporal lobe. Learning deficits were produced by cooling either TP or AIT. Once learned, there was no difficulty recalling discriminations under cooling or control conditions for either TP or AIT. There was a deficit during cooling in the recall of discriminations that had been learned prior to cooling TP or AIT. The animals were then trained and tested on a DMS task at a 0-s and 10-s delay. They performed at chance when either TP or AIT was cooled in the 0-s delay. Only TP was cooled at the 10-s delay and it also resulted in chance performance. The cold lesions demonstrated that the anterior temporal cortex, i.e. TP and AIT, has an important role in the processes of learning and, to a lesser extent, retention of visual information. The results also support previous findings regarding the participation of this area in DMS performance. The findings were discussed in relation to the amnesic syndrome.
Computational aspects of trailing vortices

A computer code is developed for the temporal as well as spatial simulations of trailing vortices. A sixth-order compact finite-difference method is used in the cross plane. The axial derivatives are represented either by a Fourier series for temporal simulations (periodic flow) or by a sixth-order compact scheme for spatial simulations. The time-marching scheme is a thirdorder Runge-Kutta method. The code is used to study the nonlinear development of temporal helical instability waves in a trailing vortex. Contours of a passive scalar are used to study the entrainment process that redistributes angular and axial momenta between the core and its surroundings. Such a process leads to quenching of the instability waves in the vortex core. The code is also used to predict the spatial development of mean flow in the wake of a rectangular wing. New treatment of the outflow boundary condition on the pressure is formulated so that a strong streamwise vortex exits the computational domain without distortion.
Human aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 (ALDH3A1): biochemical characterization and immunohistochemical localization in the cornea

ALDH3A1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1) is expressed at high concentrations in the mammalian cornea and it is believed that it protects this vital tissue and the rest of the eye against UV-light-induced damage. The precise biological function(s) and cellular distribution of ALDH3A1 in the corneal tissue remain to be elucidated. Among the hypotheses proposed for ALDH3A1 function in cornea is detoxification of aldehydes formed during UV-induced lipid peroxidation. To investigate in detail the biochemical properties and distribution of this protein in the human cornea, we expressed human ALDH3A1 in Sf9 insect cells using a baculovirus vector and raised monoclonal antibodies against ALDH3A1. Recombinant ALDH3A1 protein was purified to homogeneity with a single-step affinity chromatography method using 5'-AMP-Sepharose 4B. Human ALDH3A1 demonstrated high substrate specificity for medium-chain (6 carbons and more) saturated and unsaturated aldehydes, including 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, which are generated by the peroxidation of cellular lipids. Short-chain aliphatic aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and malondialdehyde, were found to be very poor substrates for human ALDH3A1. In addition, ALDH3A1 metabolized glyceraldehyde poorly and did not metabolize glucose 6-phosphate, 6-phosphoglucono-delta-lactone and 6-phosphogluconate at all, suggesting that this enzyme is not involved in either glycolysis or the pentose phosphate pathway. Immunohistochemistry in human corneas, using the monoclonal antibodies described herein, revealed ALDH3A1 expression in epithelial cells and stromal keratocytes, but not in endothelial cells. Overall, these cumulative findings support the metabolic function of ALDH3A1 as a part of a corneal cellular defence mechanism against oxidative damage caused by aldehydic products of lipid peroxidation. Both recombinant human ALDH3A1 and the highly specific monoclonal antibodies described in the present paper may prove to be useful in probing biological functions of this protein in ocular tissue.
Cosmology of the invisible axion

Abstract We identify a new cosmological problem for models which solve the strong CP puzzle with an invisible axion, unrelated to the domain wall problem. Because the axion is very weakly coupled, the energy density stored in the oscillations of the classical axion field does not dissipate rapidly; it exceeds the critical density needed to close the universe unless fa ⩽ 1012GeV, wherefa is the axion decay constant. If this bound is saturated, axions may comprise the dark matter of the universe.
Supporting Data Uncertainty in Array Databases

Uncertain data management has become crucial to scientific applications. Recently, array databases have gained popularity for scientific data processing due to performance benefits. In this paper, we address uncertain data management in array databases, which may involve both value uncertainty within individual tuples and position uncertainty regarding where a tuple should belong in an array given uncertain dimension attributes. Our work defines the formal semantics of array operations under both value and position uncertainty. To address the new challenge raised by position uncertainty, we propose a suite of storage and evaluation strategies for array operations, with a focus on a new scheme that bounds the overhead of querying by strategically treating tuples with large variances via replication in storage. Results from real datasets show that for common workloads, our best-performing techniques outperform alternative methods based on state-of-the-art indexes by 1.7x to 4.3x for the Subarray operation and 1 to 2 orders of magnitude for Structure-Join, at only a small storage cost.
Two-dimensional numerical simulation of short-gate-length gaAs MESFETs and application to the travelling gunn domain phenomenon

The Boltzmann transport equation is used to derive a set of conservation equations which is capable of describing the electron transport phenomena in a single-valley semiconductor. These conservation equations are averaged over the different valleys of the conduction band to develop another set of equations that can be used to describe accurately the electron transport phenomena in a multi-valley semiconductor, such as GaAs, using the equivalent single-electron gas model whose characteristics are the average weighted characteristics of the constituent gases. The nonstationary effects are included by using energy dependent mobility and electron temperature functions. This program is used to simulate a GaAs MESFET with a 0·5 μm gate length and a 0.2 μm thick active layer. The active layer is doped at 1017 cm−3. A travelling Gunn domain is observed between the gate and the drain. The domain oscillation frequency is much higher than the normal operating frequency of the MESFET. The domain formation's dependence on the gate bias and the active layer thickness are also presented.
Gender differences in ethanol oxidation and injury in the rat stomach.

A significant fraction of orally consumed ethanol is metabolized by the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzyme present in the gastric mucosa. Human studies have shown that this “first pass metabolism” of ethanol correlates quite closely with gastric ADH activity which has been demonstrated to be greater in men than women. The present study was undertaken to determine if gender influences the magnitude of ethanol-induced injury in rat gastric mucosa and whether any differences can be linked to altered levels of ADH activity. Since prostaglandins (PGs) have been shown to markedly attenuate the severity of gastric injury induced by ethanol in the rat stomach, a further goal of this study was to determine whether the efficiency of PG's protective action was in any way influenced by gender. Accordingly, both male and female rats were pretreated subcutaneously with 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (10 μg/kg) or saline 30 minutes prior to administering an oral dose of 50% ethanol in saline or saline alone. They were then sacrificed 5 minutes later. In a portion of animals (n = 6 per group), samples of mucosa from the glandular stomach were obtained and kinetic activity of ADH determined. In another portion of animals (n = 6 per group), gastric tissue samples from the glandular mucosa were examined by light microscopy and the magnitude of mucosal injury quantified. Alcohol-treated females showed significantly (p < 0.05) less superficial and more deep mucosal injury than male counterparts. Further, ADH kinetic activity in female rats was significantly less than that observed in male counterparts of similar weight (83% of males; p < 0.04). Despite these differences in ADH activity, and the magnitude of mucosal injury, the efficiency of protection by PG was equivalent in both sexes and involved primarily the deep epithelium. The results of this study indicate that ethanol damage to the gastric mucosa in female rats is more severe than that in corresponding males, and may be linked to the lower ADH kinetic activity present in female gastric mucosa. Despite these differences in ethanol oxidation and gastric injury, PG's protective action was equally efficatious in both sexes indicating that gender differences in ADH activity were of no importance in mediating this protection.
The electroretinogram during terminal anoxia in humans.

Abstract Persistent electroretinograms (ERG) in the presence of truly isoelectric EEGs were noted in five patients who had experienced cerebral anoxia which led to irreversible coma. Following termination of respiratory support of these patients, the summated ERG in response to light flashes was recorded until it was no longer present. The deterioration of the ERG followed a consistent pattern in each patient. After the initial diminution and subsequent obliteration of the b wave, a negative ERG (remnant negativity) persisted. This in turn disappeared. These events occurred over a period lasting up to 33 min. These findings demonstrate that, as in animals, the neural elements of the human retina which give rise to the ERG are less sensitive to anoxia than is the cerebral cortex.
Overview of Active Flow Control Actuator Development at NASA Langley Research Center

The paper provides an overview of the actuator development work that is currently underway at NASA Langley Research Center in the context of some of the Active Flow Control research being conducted at NASA Langley. The actuator development effort has provided a focused, centralized location for this work within NASA Langley. The multidisciplinary team approach utilized in this effort has allowed input from multiple disciplines on how various actuator challenges can be addressed and has lead to some unique approaches in actuation.
Frequency Swept Measurements of Coherent Diffraction Patterns

Interference fringes arising from multiple reflections can significantly alter the diffraction patterns of diffractive optical elements. One way to reduce interference effects is by time-integrating the diffraction pattern while frequency sweeping the laser source. This method is especially useful when it is not possible to remove the cover glass from the observation camera.
Dynamic relationships among equity flows, equity returns and dividends: Behavior of U.S. investors in China and India

Abstract This research examines the linkages among U.S. equity flows to China and India, their equity returns, and their fundamental variables. We find that positive shocks to U.S. equity flows to China and India elicit an insignificant response to returns. This finding provides evidence that U.S. institutional investors are not a destabilizing influence in these markets. However, positive innovations to dividends in both China and India have a negative impact on returns. We conjecture that the high potential growth rates in these markets make it preferable for companies to retain earnings rather than pay dividends. In India, shocks to dividend yields have a strong negative influence on U.S. equity flows. Our results validate the need to take into account fundamental variables when examining U.S. investor behavior in emerging equity markets.
Effect of reproductive state on circadian periodicity in the rat

Abstract The circadian activity rhythms of adult female rats maintained under a light-dark cycle of 14 hr light, 10 hr dark (LD 14:10) or constant dim illumination (dim LL) were recorded during their 4 or 5 day estrous activity cycles and when they were pseudopregnant. In LD 14:10 both the phase angle difference (ψ), which defines the temporal relationship between the onsets of activity and darkness, and the period (τ) of locomotor activity differed significantly among the days of the 4 and 5 day estrous cycle. Activity-time (α) varied reliably only over the days of the 5 day estrous cycle. The period of the free-running activity rhythm in dim LL also differed significantly among the days of the estrous cycle. In both LD and dim LL the most positive ψ, shortest τ and longest α were observed on the day of estrus. Pseudopregnancy diminished the amplitude and altered the daily pattern of the estrous activity rhythm. We conclude that the periodicity of circadian activity systematically varies as a function of the stage of the estrous cycle and in a manner that cannot be solely explained by corresponding alterations in endogenous estrogen.
Nocturnal orientation by the Asian honey bee, Apis dorsata

Abstract Honey bees have been observed to forage and dance on moonlit nights, but it has never been established whether the moon serves as a reference in orienting nocturnally active bees. The present study, of the Asian honey bee Apis dorsata , suggests that although the moon's illumination is essential for nocturnal flight, the moon itself is ignored for orienting the dances. Rather, bees probably use the sun's position as a reference point for their dances, even though the sun is below the horizon. This ability may involve an extension of the mechanism that honey bees employ to find the sun on overcast days.
Optical imaging and high spatial resolution 21 cm H I observations of the peculiar galaxy NGC 2782 (Arp 215)

We have used the Very Large Array (VLA) B and C Arrays to make 21 cm H I observations of the peculiar galaxy NGC 2782 (Arp 215). These observations are complementary to previously published D Array VLA data, which revealed the presence of a long (5 min to 54 kpc) H I plume near the western side of this galaxy. We have also obtained BVRI H alpha images of the main body of this galaxy using the McDonald Observatory 30 inch telescope. The optical images of this galaxy show a strong stellar tail extending to the east, opposite the H I plume. Within the disk of NGC 2782, unsharp masking of the optical images at all 4 broadband wavelengths reveals three bright 'ripples', separated by approximately 15 sec. The light profiles across these ripples are symmetric, without a sharp outer edge. H alpha is strong at the starburst nucleus and along the northern and western sections of the inner ripple. The new higher resolution H I data show that the atomic gas is very clumpy. We have identified ten H I clumps in the long western plume, with H I masses of approximately 10(exp 8) solar mass, similar to those of dwarf galaxies, and column densities of approximately 10(exp 21) cm(exp -2) over surface areas of approximately 10 kpc(exp 2). No CO (1-0) emission has been detected from this plume, suggesting that it is material stripped from the outer edge of a disk galaxy. The H alpha peaks, in contrast, are generally not coincident with H I peaks. No H I is seen at the tip of the eastern extension. The H I distribution near this structure is ring-like rather than tail-like as in the optical data. We have detected redshifted H I absorption toward the central continuum source, indicating gas infall into the nuclear region. Using a restricted 3-body dynamical model, we have successfully reproduced the basic properties of NGC 2782 with an off-center collision between two galaxies, where a lower mass disk companion (M(sub 2)/M(sub 1) approximately 0.25) collides almost head-on with a larger disk galaxy. In this scenario, the companion becomes the eastern extension, and the long western tail is material pulled out from the larger galaxy. The lack of H I at the tip of the eastern tail may be due to stripping during the collision. Alternative formation scenarios include a merger or interaction between two disk galaxies, where the ripples may be due to a disturbed spiral density wave or galactic winds due to the central starburst.
Long range exciton percolation and superexchange: Energy denominator study on 3B1u naphthalene

Abstract The long-range exciton percolation model is found to describe the lowest triplet exciton superexchange (“tunneling”) migration at low temperature (2 K), in our model alloy system: Binary isotopic mixed naphthalene crystals with dispersed exciton sensors (supertraps) consisting of small concentration of betamethylnaphthalene (−10 −3 mole fraction) or isotopic substituted naphthalene molecules (with lower excitation energies than the partially deuterated naphthalene guest species). While the “host” is C 10 D 8 throughout, the “guest” species in our five experimental systems are: C 10 H 8 , 2-DC 10 H 7 . 1-DC 10 H 7 , 1,2-D 2 C 10 H 6 and 1,4,5,8-D 4 C 10 H 4 . The variation in guest—host (and supertrap—guest) energy denominator in the above systems enables a quantitative test of our physical exciton superechange (tunnelling) migration model. In conjunction with a mathematical long-range percolation model (J. Hoshen, E.M. Monberg and R. Kopelman, unpublished). The experimental monitoring of the exciton migration dynamics consists of refined phosphorescence measurements to our systems, under highly controlled conditions (crystal quality, purity, concentration, temperature and excitation). Using only the known nearest neighbor (interchange-equivalent) exciton exchange interaction, quantitative agreement with the experimental dynamic percolation concentration is achieved, without adjustable parameters, for four of the five investigated systems. The fifth one is known to involve a cooperative percolation—thermalization exciton migration, and is effective in qualitative agreement with the predicted upper limit for the exciton percolation concentration. The nearest-neighbor 3 B 1u excitation exchange interactions, and their square lattice topology, play the dominant role in determining the guest triplet exciton energy transfer and migration. This energy conduction involves an extremely narrow “impurity band”, on the order of 10 to 10 3 Hz, formed by the superexchange (tunneling) exciton interactions resulting from the above mentioned exciton exchange interactions (integrals). The latter are thus confirmed as the major contributors to the 3 B 1u exciton transfer, migration and energy bond (3 × 10 11 Hz) in the ordinary naphthalene crystal. Just below the percolation concentration the “impurity conduction band” further shrinks by one or two orders of magnitude, resulting in a bandwidth of about one hertz or less, and thus practically resulting in the “switching off” of the exciton transport. The tunneling radius is about 30 A or larger, depending on the system, but essentially in the ab plane.
Lithotripter shockwave-induced enhancement of mouse melanoma lung metastasis: dependence on cavitation nucleation.

Purpose: To confirm a previous report of metastasis enhancement by lithotripter shockwaves (LSW) and to test the hypothesis that this effect is attributable to cavitation. Materials and Methods: Th...