cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USING AN ULTRASOUND ELASTICITY MICROSCOPE TO MAP THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRAIN IN A PORCINE CORNEA

An ultrasound elasticity microscope was used to map 3-D strain volume in an ex vivo porcine cornea to illustrate its ability to measure the mechanical properties of this tissue. Mechanical properties of the cornea play an important role in its function and, therefore, also in ophthalmic diseases such as kerataconus and corneal ectasia. The ultrasound elasticity microscope combines a tightly focused high-frequency transducer with confocal scanning to produce high-quality speckle over the entire volume of tissue. This system and the analysis were able to generate volume maps of compressional strain in all three directions for porcine corneal tissue, more information than any previous study has reported. Strain volume maps indicated features of the cornea and mechanical behavior as expected. These results constitute a step toward better understanding of corneal mechanics and better treatment of corneal diseases.
Optimal Path Planning for Robotic Insertion of Steerable Electrode Arrays in Cochlear Implant Surgery

This paper presents an optimal path planning method of steerable electrode arrays for robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery. In this paper, the authors present a novel design of steerable electrode arrays that can actively bend at the tip. An embedded strand in the electrode array provides an active steering degrees-of-freedom (DoF). This paper addresses the calibration of the steerable electrode array and the optimal path planning for inserting it into planar and three-dimensional scala tympani models. The goal of the path planning is to minimize the intracochlear forces that the electrode array applies on the walls of the scala tympani during insertion. This problem is solved by designing insertion path planning algorithms that provide best fit between the shape of the electrode array and the curved scala tympani during insertion. Optimality measures that account for shape discrepancies between the steerable electrode array and the scala tympani are used to solve for the optimal path planning of the robot. Different arrangements of DoF and insertion speed force feedback (ISFF) are simulated and experimentally validated in this paper. A quality of insertion metric describing the gap between the steerable electrode array and the scala tympani model is presented and its correspondence to the insertion force is shown. The results of using 1DoF, 2DoF, and 4DoF electrode array insertion setups are compared. The 1DoF insertion setup uses nonsteerable electrode arrays. The 2DoF insertion setup uses single axis insertion with steerable electrode arrays. The 4DoF insertion setup allows full control of the insertion depth and the approach angle of the electrode with respect to the cochlea while using steerable electrode arrays. It is shown that using steerable electrode arrays significantly reduces the maximal insertion force (59.6% or more) and effectively prevents buckling of the electrode array. The 4DoF insertion setup further reduces the maximal electrode insertion forces. The results of using ISFF for steerable electrodes show a slight decrease in the insertion forces in contrast to a slight increase for nonsteerable electrodes. These results show that further research is required in order to determine the optimal ISFF control law and its effectiveness in reducing electrode insertion forces.
Increased expression of human luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor mRNA in human endometrial cancer.

Fifty randomly selected endometrial tissue samples were used in this study to determine the existence of LH/hCG receptor. Of these, 6 were matched samples of cancerous and surrounding morphologically normal tissues from the same individuals. Conventional RT-PCR, nested RT-PCR, and relative real-time PCR (TaqMan) methods were used to measure the gene expression on the RNA levels. The results show, (1) Real-time PCR can detect LH/hCG receptor expression in all the RNA samples analyzed when conventional RT-PCR only demonstrates the expression of LH/hCG receptor in 17% of the tested samples. (2) Absolute quantitation of LH/hCG receptor by real-time PCR shows higher expression in cancer tissue. This finding was confirmed by the six matched samples. It suggests that LH/hCG receptor gene expresses in endometrium at very low levels and real-time PCR is the best method to detect the expression. Quantitative real-time PCR also reveals increased expressions of LH/hCG receptor in endometrial cancerous tissues compared with surrounding microscopically normal tissues.
Nonequilibrium viscosity of glass

Since glass is a nonequilibrium material, its properties depend on both composition and thermal history. While most prior studies have focused on equilibrium liquid viscosity, an accurate description of nonequilibrium viscosity is essential for understanding the low temperature dynamics of glass. Departure from equilibrium occurs as a glass-forming system is cooled through the glass transition range. The glass transition involves a continuous breakdown of ergodicity as the system gradually becomes trapped in a subset of the available configurational phase space. At very low temperatures a glass is perfectly nonergodic (or ``isostructural''), and the viscosity is described well by an Arrhenius form. However, the behavior of viscosity during the glass transition range itself is not yet understood. In this paper, we address the problem of glass viscosity using the enthalpy landscape model of Mauro and Loucks [Phys. Rev. B 76, 174202 (2007)] for selenium, an elemental glass former. To study a wide range of thermal histories, we compute nonequilibrium viscosity with cooling rates from ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ to ${10}^{12}\text{ }\text{K}/\text{s}$. Based on these detailed landscape calculations, we propose a simplified phenomenological model capturing the essential physics of glass viscosity. The phenomenological model incorporates an ergodicity parameter that accounts for the continuous breakdown of ergodicity at the glass transition. We show a direct relationship between the nonequilibrium viscosity parameters and the fragility of the supercooled liquid. The nonequilibrium viscosity model is validated against experimental measurements of Corning EAGLE XG™ glass. The measurements are performed using a specially designed beam-bending apparatus capable of accurate nonequilibrium viscosity measurements up to ${10}^{16}\text{ }\text{Pa}\text{ }\text{s}$. Using a common set of parameters, the phenomenological model provides an accurate description of EAGLE XG™ viscosity over the full range of measured temperatures and fictive temperatures.
Synthesis of germanium nanoclusters with irreversibly attached functional groups: Acetals, alcohols, esters, and polymers

Germanium nanoclusters of average diameter 4 nm were prepared with covalently bound termination groups. Chloride-terminated nanoclusters were reacted with a Grignard reagent to form acetal-containing surface-terminated nanoclusters. Treatment with acid yielded hydroxyl-containing surface-terminated nanoclusters, and treatment with an acid bromide and base yielded an ester-containing surface-terminated nanocluster. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to graft polymer chains from the surfaces of the nanoparticles to yield hybrid nanostructures. Changes of the termination group in the nanoclusters did not alter the photophysics of the original nanoclusters, a result that is consistent with a stable nanocluster surface. The nanoclusters were characterized by HRTEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), NMR, FTIR, UV−vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Cytotoxic properties of eosinophil granule major basic protein for tumor cells.

Background: Eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) mediates many eosinophil–associated immune functions and it adheres eosinophils to parasite targets. Methods: We compared the toxicities of MBP and melittin to K562 and HL–60 cells using five cytotoxicity methods. Results: Trypan blue staining, propidium iodide/ CellTracker™Green staining and incorporation of 14C–leucine assays indicated that MBP damages most cells by 1 h. In contrast, 51Cr and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays indicated that MBP damages most cells only at 20 h. All five methods indicated that melittin damages nearly all cells by 1 h. To resolve these discrepancies, the procedures were modified. Without cell transfer, dye staining methods showed that MBP produces very little cytotoxicity at 4 h. 51Cr and LDH assays, modified to mimic cell transfer, showed increased cytotoxicities at 4 h. The 14C–leucine assay modified by solubilization of cells with SDS and by trichloroacetic acid precipitation showed increased recovery of labeled protein and, thus, lower cytotoxicity, about 50%, at 4 h. Conclusion: Overall, MBP’s ability to cause molecular and cellular adhesion confounds cytotoxicity measurements. A modified 14C–leucine assay overcame MBP’s adhesiveness and provided an accurate measure of cytotoxicity.
Low-Lying Energy Spectrum of a One-Dimensional Disordered System

The energy spectrum of a particle in the presence of random fixed finite-ranged repulsive potentials is investigated at low energy. The resulting asymptotically exact density of states is derived. It exhibits an exponential dependence on energy. This result is shown to be equivalent, for the case of $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function potentials, to that of Frisch and Lloyd (1960) in the limit of low energy.
Altitudinal zonation of Plecoptera in a Rocky Mountain Stream 1

Abstract Thirty‐three species of Plecoptera in 8 families were collected from rubble riffles in a Colorado stream, from alpine tundra to the plains. Maximum diversity (19 species) occurred in middle reaches. Only two species occupied the alpine tundra stream (3414 m a.s.1.); four were collected at the plains location (1544 m a.s.1.). Mean density was lowest at the plains site (54 nymphs per m2) with maxima in the montane (527 per m2) and foothills (448 per m2) limnological zones. Although some species were restricted to middle (e.g., Paraleuctra occidentalis, Cultus pilatus) or lower (e.g., Claassenia sabulosa, Skwala parallela) reaches, none were restricted to the plains or headwater sites. The two stoneflies occurring in the alpine tundra (Zapada oregonensis and Megarcys signala) were among the most euryzonal species. The few stoneflies collected at the plains location primarily represent marginal populations of foothills species near the lower limits of their altitudinal distributions. The observed alt...
Automated shape classification of buried objects with low frequency multistatic sonar

In this paper a novel and simple technique is presented that exploits multi-platform sonar capabilities for automated target shape classification. This technique is based on the relation between the target beampattern and the size and shape of the object. The performance are evaluated in terms of mean square error of the size estimator and probability of correct classification. This technique is shown to offer improved performance and lower computational load and physical constraints compared to the imaging-based classification techniques.
Medieval Exegesis and the Origin of Hermeneutics

Dilthey, in his famous essay, ‘Die Enstehung der Hermeneutik’, first published in 1900, taught us that Matthias Flacius Illyricus, the mid sixteenth-century Lutheran theologian, was the author of the first significant treatise on hermeneutics. Conceding a classic Protestant opinion once articulated by Flacius, he consigned medieval interpretation to what must have seemed a justified oblivion: he simply ignored the period between Origen and John Calvin. Calvin, Flacius, and especially Friedrich Schleiermacher were the main contributors to the rediscovery of the interpretive force of history and language, which Dilthey surely felt was best appreciated by his own philosophy of culture. Hans-Georg Gadamer later tried to show that Dilthey himself was weak on language and misinformed about history, falling prey to the movement that Gadamer opprobriously called ‘historicism’. Gadamer's own view of the development of hermeneutics—with its subjection of historical knowledge to ‘our own present horizon of understanding’, its accent on language, and its debt to Martin Heidegger—shifted the chronology of hermeneutics even closer to the present According to Gadamer, the ‘hermeneutic problem’ was specifically created by the alienation of exegesis and understanding from ‘application’, the importance of which was discovered only by Romantic philosophy and best redressed with the help of a language-obsessed philosophy of being. But as was the case for Dilthey, the crucial moment in the development of hermeneutics remained the discovery of the role of language in ‘meaning’, in the broadest sense, so that texts could only be understood in the grand context of a philosophy of life or, in Gadamerian terms, in the context of a philosophy that functioned as present interpretation.
Circulating Adiponectin in Preterm Infants Fed Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA)-Supplemented Formula—A Randomized Controlled Study

Circulating Adiponectin in Preterm Infants Fed Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA)-Supplemented Formula—A Randomized Controlled Study
SPIRITUALITY AND FAMILY THERAPY: SPIRITAL BELIEFS, MYTHS, AND METAPHORS*

The field of marriage and family therapy is evolving toward theoretical and practical models with an ecosystemic focus which encourage an awareness of different levels of system interaction yet therapists have rarely been encouraged to explore the spiritual dimension of their clients' lives, even though doing so may enrich the understanding of the metaphors and meanings which inform their existence and perhaps, their problems. This paper challenges therapists to consider the spiritual belief systems of their clients which have contributed to the development or maintenance of the presenting problem. The authors present case examples and specific suggestions for clinical practice.
Abiotic and Biotic Compression of Municipal Solid Waste

AbstractThis study focused on quantifying relative contributions of abiotic and biotic compression of municipal solid waste (MSW). Abiotic mechanisms include immediate compression, mechanical creep, and moisture-induced waste softening. The biotic mechanism is decomposition of the MSW organic fraction, which when coupled with mechanical creep, yields biocompression. Three 610-mm-diameter laboratory compression experiments were conducted for 1,150 days under the following conditions: (1) waste with no liquid addition (dry), (2) liquid addition spiked with biocide (abiotic), and (3) leachate recirculation (biotic). Immediate compression strain was similar in all three tests (24–27%). Mechanical creep, moisture-induced softening, and biocompression were compared via time-dependent compression ratios (Cα′). Moisture-induced softening occurred in both the abiotic and biotic cells in response to liquid addition and leachate recirculation. Moisture-induced softening accelerated the accumulation of mechanical cre...
Prediction of thickening time of well cements from Blaine air permeability

Abstract The following measurements were made on API Class A, G, and H cements: thickening time, compositional analysis in terms of oxide and potential phase concentrations, Blaine fineness, and particle size distribution from which a surface area could be calculated. Regression analysis showed that ∼80 % of the variation in the thickening time measurements of Class G and H cements could be explained by either the calculated surface area, mass percentage of particles having an effective diameter less than 3 μm, or Blaine fineness. Multiple regression analysis using compositional variables did not significantly improve the ability to predict thickening time from the easily measured Blaine data. The relatively low standard error of the regression estimate suggested that Blaine fineness should be considered as an addition to other API specification tests for Class G and H well cements. The API thickening time specification test of 90 to 120 min corresponds to a Blaine fineness of 297 to 246 m2/kg using the regression equation developed for Class H cements.
Design and Simulation of VHDL based ARP Cache

In order to working together with ARP module in TCP/IP stack and making sure the high speed of ARP module, in this paper, with hardware language VHDL we re-code the cache portion of ARP protocol. According to the functional requirements of ARP cache by system, we re-code it in Xilinx ISE7.ll intergration environment, and in the meantime we did the simulation test in ModelSim. The simulation test results indicate that the re-designed ARP cache drops down a lot of cost both in space and time. The success of re-design of ARP cache with VHDL, will improve a lot of ARP working efficiency and as results to improve the whole system working speed of TCP/IP stack.
Elastic properties and yield stress of fetal membranes

This is a presentation of a biomechanics project from almost 30 years ago, that, despite the long delay, is both relevant today and may be interesting from a historical perspective. Premature rupture of the amniotic sac membranes enclosing the fetus is, as yet, a not fully understood process, but may related to the mechanical properties of those membranes. The late biomechanics pioneer Tom McMahon and I developed a method for testing the yield stress of fetal membranes and found it to be homogeneous throughout individual samples. The method was: 1. insensitive to initial stretch, 2. avoided damaging contact with the membrane during stress-testing, and 3. modeled the mechanical properties using a power-law relationship. Because the clinical samples were from normal deliveries, clinical correlation remains as an unfinished aim of this project.
Sleep problems in adolescence. A study of senior high school students in Greece.

The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep habits and sleep-related problems in high school adolescent students in Greece through the Athens Insomnia Scale and to assess the relation of these problems to demographic and other variables. The Athens Insomnia Scale 5-item version (AIS-5) was administered to 713 adolescent senior high school students in the Greater Athens Area. Data such as age, sex, school records, and time spent per week in school-related and extracurricular activities were collected. The sample’s mean sleep duration was 7.5 h, mean bedtime 00.20 a.m. and wake-up time 7.15 a.m. Total sleep time was not affected by gender, but was influenced by time spent in various activities. Sleep complaints were related to delayed sleep, onset latency and insufficient total duration of sleep. Of the respondents, 30% estimated that their sleep onset latency was markedly delayed and 30% reported that their total sleep time was markedly insufficient. Girls complained more than boys, while correlations showed that students with lower academic performance and those in second grade were more likely to have higher AIS-5 scores. The results show that the sleep time of high school students is dependent on practical matters such as school schedule and other activities, while sleep complaints are related to female gender, bad school performance as well as to the second grade. The difference between actual sleep time and sleep complaints should be considered when studying the sleep of adolescents.
Spinodal Decomposition for the Cahn–Hilliard Equation in Higher Dimensions.¶Part I: Probability and Wavelength Estimate

This paper is the first in a series of two papers addressing the phenomenon of spinodal decomposition for the Cahn–Hilliard equation where , is a bounded domain with sufficiently smooth boundary, and f is cubic-like, for example f(u) =u−u 3. We will present the main ideas of our approach and explain in what way our method differs from known results in one space dimension due to Grant [26]. Furthermore, we derive certain probability and wavelength estimates. The probability estimate is needed to understand why in a neighborhood of a homogeneous equilibrium u 0≡μ of the Cahn–Hilliard equation, with mass μ in the spinodal region, a strongly unstable manifold has dominating effects. This is demonstrated for the linearized equation, but will be essential for the nonlinear setting in the second paper [37] as well. Moreover, we introduce the notion of a characteristic wavelength for the strongly unstable directions.
Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years traveling to a country of high or intermediate endemicity, United States, 2015

Abstract Background Since 1996, hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) has been recommended for adults at increased risk for infection including travelers to high or intermediate hepatitis A endemic countries. In 2009, travel outside the United States and Canada was the most common exposure nationally reported for persons with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Objective To assess HepA vaccination coverage among adults 18–49 years traveling to a country of high or intermediate endemicity in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), to determine self-reported HepA vaccination coverage (≥1 dose) and series completion (≥2 dose) among persons 18–49 years who traveled, since 1995, to a country of high or intermediate HAV endemicity. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal analyses were conducted to identify factors independently associated with HepA vaccine receipt. Results In 2010, approximately 36.6% of adults 18–49 years reported traveling to high or intermediate hepatitis A endemic countries; among this group unadjusted HepA vaccination coverage was 26.6% compared to 12.7% among non-travelers (P-values Conclusions Although travel to a country of high or intermediate hepatitis A endemicity was associated with higher likelihood of HepA vaccination in 2010 among adults 18–49 years, self-reported HepA vaccination coverage was low among adult travelers to these areas. Healthcare providers should ask their patients’ upcoming travel plans and recommend and offer travel related vaccinations to their patients.
Are Past Normative Behaviors Predictive of Future Behavioral Intentions

We acknowledge the limitations in measures of moral reasoning and pursue an alternative technique by investigating past behaviors as they relate to present behavioral intentions. Our purpose is to evaluate the merits of patterned normative behavior for predicting present and future, morally relevant outcomes. Participants (N = 177) completed a policy capturing experimental design responding to questions that orthogonally varied the situational nature of the decision context. Results indicate that past normative behaviors are significantly and directly related to ethical behavioral intentions. Moreover, they moderate the relationships between situational factors and intended outcomes as well as moral reasoning and intended outcomes.
Use of Pentoxifylline Therapy for Patients with AIDS-Related Wasting: Pilot Study

Severe weight loss is a common manifestation of advanced infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. The level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), an inducer of cachexia in laboratory animals, is elevated in the serum of some patients with AIDS. In a pilot study, five patients with unexplained AIDS-related wasting were treated with pentoxifylline, a known suppressor of TNF-alpha production. Three of the five patients had elevated baseline serum levels of TNF-alpha, and these three patients did not have significant weight gain after 4-8 weeks of pentoxifylline therapy despite the reduction of serum TNF-alpha levels. The remaining two patients, who did not have elevated serum levels of TNF-alpha, continued to lose weight and developed extensive bacterial pneumonia within 3 weeks of starting pentoxifylline therapy. Thus, therapy with pentoxifylline did not clearly benefit the patients with AIDS-related wasting in this uncontrolled pilot study; indeed, it might have been harmful for a subgroup of these patients.
Complex green citizenship and the necessity of judgement

The term ‘green citizenship’ is used with respect to a wide range of competing conceptions of political action toward environmental goals. But different conceptions in fact address different environmental and institutional circumstances. Green citizenship should thus be understood as complex, and should be conceived as the ability to judge what forms of political activity are called for, given the details of context. The theory of green citizenship therefore ought to provide and explain exemplary cases of the exercise of green political judgement.
Factors affecting the accuracy of multicomponent kinetic-spectrophotometric determinations based on multivariate calibration methods

The influence of experimental variables on the accuracy of multicomponent kinetic-spectrophotometric determinations using multivariate calibration techniques is reported. Kinetic and spectral angles are introduced and shown to be good descriptors of the quantity of analytical information present in kinetic-spectrophotometric data. The components of these descriptor angles are described. The effects of instrumental noise and rate constant fluctuation are contrasted. An equilibrium spectrophotometric determination of gallium(III) and nickel(II) is compared to a kinetic determination and a kinetic-spectrophotometric determination. The effect of changing experimental variables (e.g., pH and wavelength range) is discussed, and conclusions are drawn.
Separation of Disparalona leei (Chien, 1970) in North America from D. rostrata (Koch, 1841) in Europe (Cladocera, Chydoridae)

The cladoceran taxon from Mississippi that Chien (1970) described as Alonella leei, and which subsequently was considered by Frey (1974) to be closely related to Disparalona rostrata (Koch, 1841) in Europe and possibly a synonym of it, is here established as a new species of Disparalona. It differs from D. rostrata in a number of consistent features including the lack of any tooth on the shell, a marked reduction in setulation along the posterior margin of the shell, a marked reduction in setulation laterally and ventrally on the female and male postabdomens, and the presence of two basal spines on the male postabdominal claw versus none in D. rostrata. Besides, the male postabdomens of the two species are markedly different in shape and armament. These characters and many more are treated by detailed descriptions and illustrations. A number of other characters shared by these two species may eventually be found to be diagnostic of the genus, including: (1) the sharply angled ecdysial line, (2) the ephippial egg being surrounded by a foamy mass secreted into the broodpouch, and (3) three IDL setae in the female but only two plus a special non-homologous seta in the male. The extensive sweeper seta in the filter comb of trunklimb III, which Fryer (1968) considered distinctive in establishing the genus Disparalona, is much less distinctive than believed. The members of this pair of species are restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, D. leei occurring in eastern North America, D. rostrata in Eurasia, but with populations in eastern Asia probably being from a different species.
Structure of Full-Length HIV-1 CA: A Model for the Mature Capsid Lattice

The capsids of mature retroviruses perform the essential function of organizing the viral genome for efficient replication. These capsids are modeled as fullerene structures composed of closed hexameric arrays of the viral CA protein, but a high-resolution structure of the lattice has remained elusive. A three-dimensional map of two-dimensional crystals of the R18L mutant of HIV-1 CA was derived by electron cryocrystallography. The docking of high-resolution domain structures into the map yielded the first unambiguous model for full-length HIV-1 CA. Three important protein-protein assembly interfaces are required for capsid formation. Each CA hexamer is composed of an inner ring of six N-terminal domains and an outer ring of C-terminal domains that form dimeric linkers connecting neighboring hexamers. Interactions between the two domains of CA further stabilize the hexamer and provide a structural explanation for the mechanism of action of known HIV-1 assembly inhibitors.
Respiratory arrest following retrobulbar anesthesia.

Abstract Respiratory arrest is a serious complication of retrobulbar anesthesia. We have prospectively followed 3123 retrobulbar injections to determine the incidence of respiratory arrest and identify possible risk factors. Injections contained either 2% or 4% lidocaine with 0.75% bupivacaine (Marcaine™) in a 50:50 mixture by volume (total 10 cc.) to which a 1 ml ampule of hyaluronidase (150 NF units) was added. Use of 4% lidocaine gave a significantly higher incidence of respiratory arrest than 2% lidocaine (0.79% vs. 0.09%; P = 0.003, Fisher's exact test). Serum levels of lidocaine and bupivacaine of patients who arrested were not elevated significantly compared to 20 control patients. All levels were well below accepted levels of toxicity. Thus, 4% lidocaine increases the risk of respiratory arrest. These results suggest the mechanism is not direct intravascular or central nervous system injection.
Collision dynamical information from pressure broadening measurements: Application to carbon monoxide

Self‐ and helium‐broadened carbon monoxide linewidths have been inverted to obtain state‐to‐state rate constants using the energy corrected sudden scaling formalism. Selected rotation–rotation and rotation‐translation rate constants are discussed as a function of vibrational and rotational levels for the CO–CO and He–CO systems. We find that there is no dependence of the collision dynamics upon the vibrational state of the collision partners up to v=3. In addition, relaxation in both these systems is found to be dominated by rotation‐translation collisions. However they are qualitatively different in their dynamical characteristics and result in signficantly varied state‐to‐state rate constants. An analysis of the effect of collision partners in the CO–X (X=CO, He, Ne, Ar, Xe, H2) system is presented. Comparisons are made with the available data in the literature.
Practical Design Process for Flowlines With Lateral Buckling

In the past decade, lateral buckling has received growing attention in flowline design. Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) have led to publications of design guidelines, such as the SAFEBUCK design guideline and DNV recommended practice F110. Safe design of flowlines with lateral buckling involves complex considerations. Inadequate or late recognition of such complexities often results in major impacts on project execution. Experience gained in recent projects allowed us to improve the design process and design methods with incorporation of practical considerations. This paper presents three key aspects in developing robust flowline design with lateral buckling issues: 1) understand and reduce uncertainties in design basis for lateral buckling assessment, including operating conditions, characterization of geotechnical properties and flowline installation; 2) determine flowline-soil interactions with incorporation of field observations and engineering judgment; 3) manage impacts of lateral buckling through all project phases. This paper shares several key engineering considerations successfully used in recent flowline projects in deep waters where the seabed soil is characterized as soft clay. First, calculation of flowline embedment based on remolded shear strength instead of undrained shear strength eliminates the need to guess the embedment dynamic amplification factor. This approach is based on cyclic degradation of the soil shear strength and field observations. Second, a simple engineering model of axial resistance is proposed. The axial resistance is a cumulative behavior and hence only the average undrained shear strength is used for the calculation. Third, a robust engineering solution takes alignment in establishing quality design basis, engineering judgment to avoid unrealistic design load combinations, and trade-off among lateral buckling design effort, flowline construction and installation, and qualification of flowline capacities. And last, early recognition of lateral buckling issues and development of mitigation strategies are keys to project solutions. This paper also suggests that lateral buckling is very complex in reality and requires more investigations.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Towards improved gene delivery: Flip of cationic lipids in highly polarized liposomes

Hyperpolarization of cationic liposomes improves their stability in the presence of human serum albumin.
Nomads and their trade partners: historical context and trade relations in southwest Iran, 1840–1975

Fredrik Barth's classic work on Basseris (1961) demonstrated the importance of Iranian pastoral nomads' exchanges with the settled world. In this article I examine historical variations in the nature of exchange relationships and the political and economic context in which these were embedded. I argue that the “friendly” relations described by Barth were an anomaly associated with the Pahlavi dynasty's destruction of tribal elites, and I demonstrate that tribespeople have a long history of actively contesting unfavorable conditions of trade.
Modeling of pilot stripper results for CO2 capture by aqueous piperazine

Abstract Two campaigns were run with concentrated PZ at the University of Texas at Austin pilot plant for CO2 capture. One campaign used a simple stripper, and the next used an innovative 2-stage flash skid. Both campaigns were analyzed for their approach to equilibrium in the respective heater process units. The total pressure measurements from nearly all runs from both campaigns matched the total pressure prediction by the equilibrium model within 5%. The energy efficiency with the 2-stage flash was low due to heat loss and a high approach temperature in the heat exchanger. The lowest heat duties for the simple stripper and 2-stage flash were 128 and 170 kJ/mol CO2, respectively. The 2-stage flash campaign demonstrated significantly higher hot side temperature approaches on the main heat exchanger, which increased the sensible heat requirement. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the heat duty of a representative case from the campaign could be reduced to 143 kJ/mol CO2 with a hot side approach of 10 °C.
Distribution and speciation of arsenic in natural waters and some marine algae

Seawater samples off Southern California and various terrestrial waters of the United States were analyzed for four arsenic species: arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid. Generally, arsenate is dominant, but in the waters of the photic zone the other species are found in significant concentrations. A positive correlation is evident between the concentrations of arsenite and the methylated arsenicals and indicators of primary productivity, e.g. chlorophyll concentration and 14C-uptake. This indicates that the speciation of arsenic in natural waters is significantly influenced by biological activity. In the waters below the euphotic zone, arsenate concentrations increase with depth, suggesting regeneration from biological material. No evidence of anthropogenic contributions to the total arsenic concentrations was found in the water near a Los Angeles sewage outlet, but the high productivities in this area resulted in drastic changes in species distribution. Some marine macro-algae were analyzed for inorganic arsenic and methylated arsenicals. Large variations of inorganic arsenic concentrations and significant concentrations of the methylated species were found.
Pleistocene glaciation of volcano Ajusco, central Mexico, and comparison with the standard Mexican glacial sequence

Three Pleistocene glaciations and two Holocene Neoglacial advances occurred on volcano Ajusco in central Mexico. Lateral moraines of the oldest glaciation, the Marques, above 3250 m are made of light-gray indurated till and are extensively modified by erosion. Below 3200 m the till is dark red, decomposed, and buried beneath volcanic colluvium and tephra. Very strongly to strongly developed soil profiles (Inceptisols) have formed in the Marques till and in overlying colluvia and tephra. Large sharp-crested moraines of the second glaciation, the Santo Tomas, above 3300 m are composed of pale-brown firm till and are somewhat eroded by gullies. Below 3250 m the till is light reddish brown, cemented, and weathered. Less-strongly developed soil profiles (Inceptisols) have formed in the Santo Tomas till and in overlying colluvia and tephra. Narrow-crested moraines of yellowish-brown loose till of the third glaciation, the Albergue, are uneroded. Weakly developed soil profiles (Inceptisols) in the Albergue till have black ash in the upper horizon. Two small Neoglacial moraines of yellowish-brown bouldery till on the cirque floor of the largest valley support weakly developed soil profiles with only A and Cox horizons and no ash in the upper soil horizons. Radiocarbon dating of organic matter of the B horizons developed in tills, volcanic ash, and colluvial volcanic sand includes ages for both the soil-organic residue and the humic-acid fraction, with differences from 140 to 660 yr. The dating provides minimum ages of about 27,000 yr for the Marques glaciation and about 25,000 yr for the Santo Tomas glaciation. Dates for the overlying tephra indicate a complex volcanic history for at least another 15,000 yr. Comparison of the Ajusco glacial sequence with that on Iztaccihuatl to the east suggests that the Marques and Santo Tomas glaciations may be equivalent to the Diamantes glaciation First and Second advances, the Albergue to the Alcalican glaciations, and the Neoglacial to the Ayolotepito advances.
Functional D1 and D5 dopamine receptors are expressed in the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, and paraventricular nuclei of primates

In rodents, D1 dopamine receptors are expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and are believed to play important roles in regulating circadian rhythms. It is not currently known if the primate circadian system can be influenced by dopaminergic agents, which have broad clinical use. To determine if dopamine receptors can potentially influence primate circadian function, we examined the expression of D1 dopamine receptors in the anterior hypothalamus of ring-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrema), baboons (Papio sp.), and humans. Because D5 dopamine receptors also stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity, D5 dopamine receptor expression was studied as well. We used [125I]SCH 23982, which binds to D1 and D5 dopamine receptors, and labeling of the suprachiasmatic (SCN), supraoptic (SON), and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei was detectable in each species. In situ hybridization studies revealed differential expression of D1 and D5 dopamine receptor mRNA in the hypothalamus. D1 dopamine receptor mRNA was expressed in the SCN, SON, and PVN. By contrast, D5 dopamine receptor mRNA was expressed only in the SON and PVN of baboons and humans. Injection of the D1/D5 dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393 at night increased the uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose in the SCN, SON, and PVN of newborn baboons. By contrast, c-fos mRNA expression was induced in the SON and PVN, but not in the SCN. These data show that D1 and D5 dopamine receptors are present in the hypothalamus of primates and show that activation of these receptors acutely influences SCN, SON, and PVN activity. Synapse 26:1–10, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Physicochemical properties and blood compatibility of acylated chitosan nanoparticles

Abstract Chitosan was N-acylated with butanoic, hexanoic and benzoic anhydride under homogeneous conditions in the presence of methanol. The degree of substitution of N-acyl chitosans was determined by 1H-NMR. The N-acyl chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by the addition of tripolyphosphate anions. Freeze-dried N-acyl chitosan nanoparticles were then analyzed for particles size, zeta potential, and blood compatibility. The N-acyl chitosan nanoparticles were in the range of 200–360 nm and positively charged (10–20 mV) in a saline solution after freeze-drying. It was found that long and bulky acyl groups hinder hydrogen bonding and prevent aggregation. Hemolysis and thromboelastography showed that the N-acyl chitosan nanoparticles were blood compatible.
Prediction and Prevention of Recurrent Spontaneous Preterm Birth

Rates of preterm birth have continued to rise despite intensive research efforts over the last several decades. A woman who has a spontaneous preterm birth is at high risk for a subsequent preterm birth. Studies have identified clinical, sonographic, and biochemical markers that help to identify the women at highest risk. Determining cervical length and measuring cervicovaginal fibronectin have been proposed as useful tools for evaluating women at risk of preterm birth and may identify those who might benefit from a timely course of antenatal corticosteroids, but effective interventions to prevent preterm birth remain elusive. In the prevention of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth, recent trials have confirmed the use of progesterone beginning in the second trimester as an effective intervention. Optimal management of women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth includes a thorough review of the obstetric, medical, and social history, with attention to potentially reversible causes of preterm birth (eg, smoking cessation, acute infections, strenuous activities), accurate ultrasound dating, consideration of progesterone therapy beginning at 16-20 weeks of gestation, and close surveillance during the pregnancy for evolving findings. Results from the ongoing trials of cerclage as an interventional therapy and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation as a preventive therapy will provide additional knowledge for the optimal management of these high-risk women.
Hunter Holmes McGuire and the Coffee Pot Spout Procedure

Purpose: Hunter Holmes McGuire (1835 to 1900) was a Confederate surgeon who made a unique contribution to urology.Materials and Methods: Articles and lectures published by Doctor McGuire were reviewed pertaining to his experience treating diseases of the bladder and prostate.Results: Treatment of the enlarged prostate toward the end of the 19th century was unsatisfactory and morbid. Doctor McGuire devised a new procedure he called the artificial urethra, in essence creating the first continent cutaneous vesicostomy, by which patients could void with good control.Conclusions: Dr. Hunter McGuire is remembered for his unique contributions to medicine, surgery and urology.
The social support appraisals (SS‐A) scale: Studies of reliability and validity

Presentaion d'une echelle d'evaluation subjective du soutien social, de SS-A. Les donnees obtenues sur des echantillons universitaires et communautaires ont permis de demontrer sa validite et sa fiabilite
The Use of Methotrexate, Colchicine, and Other Immunomodulatory Drugs in the Treatment of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an immunologically mediated disease in which activated T lymphocytes attack and destroy epithelial cells in the small intralobular bile ducts of genetically susceptible patients. This article reviews the results of treatment of PBC with immunomodulatory agents. Results with drugs such as glucocorticoids, azathioprine, and chlorambucil have been disappointing because of either limited efficacy (azathioprine), toxicity (chlorambucil), or both (glucocorticoids). Colchicine improved tests of liver function in three prospective studies and was associated with improved survival for up to 4 years. However, survival benefits were lost at 8 years. Colchicine appears to slow the rate of progression of PBC but not to stop it. Preliminary results suggest that colchicine may have synergistic effects if used together with ursodeoxycholic acid, particularly in patients who are only partially responsive to ursodeoxycholic acid. Results with cyclosporine have been disappointing because of limited efficacy and predictable toxicity. The modest improvement in tests of liver function and survival are counterbalanced by the development of hypertension in some and worsening renal function in most. There is little beneficial effect on symptoms or histology. Results with methotrexate are promising. There are improvements in symptoms and tests of liver function that are equal to those seen with ursodeoxycholic acid and significant improvement in liver histology. Some patients, particularly those with striking inflammation and granulomas in portal triads, appear to have achieved sustained remission while on methotrexate. The effects of methotrexate are additive to those of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients whose blood tests have responded only partially to ursodeoxycholic acid. The most effective treatment of PBC will most likely use a combination of drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid, colchicine, and methotrexate.
An A3-subtype adenosine receptor is highly expressed in rat vascular smooth muscle cells : Its role in attenuating adenosine-induced increase in cAMP

Abstract Adenosine analogs are known to induce changes in the steady-state concentration of cAMP via binding to adenylyl cyclase-inhibitory or -stimulatory adenosine receptors. Although adenosine has been found to increase cAMP in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), we found by the polymerase chain reaction of reverse-transcribed RNA and subsequently by Northern blot analysis that rat VSMC express high levels of an A3-subtype adenosine receptor cDNA which encodes an adenylyl cyclase-inhibitory adenosine receptor. The A3-specific agonist,N6-(3-iodobenzyl) adenosine-5′-N-mehylcarboxamide (IB-MECA) indeed decreases cAMP levels in VSMC cultured in the presence of forskolin. Antisense oligomers to the A3 adenosine receptor significantly reduce the level of this receptor in VSMC and potentiate endogenous adenosine- or 5′-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine-induced increases in cAMP and of the proto-oncogene c-fos.Abrogating the expression of the A3 adenosine receptor also largely abolishes IB-MECA-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The level of A3 adenosine receptor mRNA and the extent of changes in cAMP in response to IB-MECA were lower in cultures of VSMC derived from adult rats, compared to VSMC from neonatal rats. The expression of a functional A3 adenosine receptor was also confirmed in preparations of isolated aortas. Our findings thus indicate that: (a) the A3-type receptor is a functional inhibitory adenosine receptor in VSMC; and (b) the regulation of expression of the A3 receptor is critical in determining effects of adenosine on the steady-state concentration of cAMP.
Evidence for a specific function for histidine residues in transaldolase.

Abstract Experiments carried out with crystalline transaldolase from Candida utilis suggest that histidine residues play a specific role in initiating the cleavage reaction. The dihydroxyacetone complex, formed from fructose 6-phosphate and enzyme in the presence of tritium-labeled water, was found to contain tritium, approaching one equivalent per mole of enzyme. This tritium exchanged very slowly with water. It was quantitatively recovered in the C-3 position of β-glyceryllysine when the complex was reduced with sodium borohydride. It was also recovered in the C-3 position of dihydroxyacetone when this was released by heating the complex to 75 °. 3 On the other hand, in the complex itself, the proton appeared to be associated with an essential histidine residue. The following evidence for such a functional histidine residue was obtained: (1) Loss of enzyme activity during photooxidation in the presence of rose Bengal was correlated with the loss of one of the two histidine residues in the protein. (2) In contrast to the free enzyme, the Schiff base intermediate was not sensitive to photooxidation at pH 7.9, indicating that in the complex the histidine residue is protonated. It is proposed that the essential histidine residue acts as a base catalyst which accepts the proton from the C-4 hydroxyl group during the dealdolization reaction.