cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safety of therapeutic options for treating asthma in pregnancy

Introduction: Pregnancy may be complicated by new onset or preexisting asthma. Asthma is one of the most common potentially serious medical problems to complicate pregnancy, and it may adversely affect both maternal quality of life and perinatal outcomes. Optimal management of asthma during pregnancy is thus important for both mother and baby.Areas covered: This article reviews the recognition and management of asthma during pregnancy, paying close attention to the general principles of asthma medication use during pregnancy. Further, the article reviews the safety of asthma medications commonly used during pregnancy. In this article, the most pertinent recent publications are reported. Electronic databases, such as PUBMED, were searched for terms pregnan* or perinat* or obstet* and asthma or wheeze and treatment.Expert opinion: Because pregnant women are generally excluded from clinical trials, there is a lack of adequate safety information for most medications taken during pregnancy. One of the most imp...
Patterns of Substance Abuse Treatment Seeking Following Cocaine-Related Emergency Department Visits

Chest pain is the most common medical complaint among cocaine-using emergency department (ED) patients. Correlates of substance abuse treatment seeking were examined using 3-month post-discharge surveys from 170 ED patients admitted with cocaine-related chest pain. Four treatment categories were specified as the dependent variable in an ordered logistic regression: no treatment (74.7%), informal treatment only (7.1%), formal treatment only (5.9%), and both formal and informal treatment (12.4%). The following variables were found to be positively associated with a higher treatment category: frequency of cocaine use (OR = 1.07, CI95 = 1.01–1.15, p = 0.03), global severity index (OR = 2.26, CI95 = 1.04–4.90, p = 0.04), number of endorsed stigma barriers (OR = 4.40, CI95 = 1.41–13.78, p = 0.01), interpersonal consequences (OR = 1.41, CI95 = 1.01–1.88, p = 0.02), and pre-baseline informal treatment (OR = 6.69, CI95 = 1.58–28.36, p = 0.01). Physical consequences were found to be negatively associated with a higher treatment category (OR = 0.63, CI95 = 0.47–0.85, p < 0.01). ED visits for cocaine-related chest pain represent missed opportunities to link patients to substance abuse treatment, and interventions are needed to motivate patients to seek care.
Bone Marrow as a Source of Endothelial Cells for Natural and Iatrogenic Vascular Repair

Postnatal neovascularization has previously been considered synonymous with angiogenesis, but the finding that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may home to sites of neovascularization and there differentiate into endothelial cells (ECs) is consistent with "vasculogenesis," through which the primordial vascular network is established in the embryo. Our findings suggest that growth and development of new blood vessels in the adult are not restricted to angiogenesis but encompass vasculogenesis as well, although the proportional contributions remain to be clarified. Likewise, augmented or retarded neovascularization probably involves enhancement or impariment of the vasculogenesis process.
In vivo testing of an Enterococcus faecalis efaA mutant and use of efaA homologs for species identification

Disruption of the previously described efaA (from Enterococcus faecalis antigen A) gene was generated in E. faecalis strain OG1RF and loss of an ∼37-kDa immunoreactive band from the mutant was demonstrated in Western blots. In a mouse peritonitis model, mice infected with the efaAfs (fs=from Enterococcus faecalis) mutant showed more prolonged survival than mice infected with the parent strain OG1RF. These results suggest that efaAfs encodes a function important for infection of mice by enterococci. An efaA-like gene was also identified in E. faecium DNA libraries and its deduced amino acid sequence showed 73% similarity to EfaA of E. faecalis and 42–63% similarities to a group of streptococcal virulence and adhesion associated proteins that are components of ATP-binding cassette transport systems. Intragenic probes representing efaAfs, recAfs, efaAfm (fm=from E. faecium) and gyrAfm were tested for their ability to identify E. faecalis and E. faecium using colony lysates of 133 enterococci and one Streptococcus sp. Probes of E. faecium and E. faecalis origin hybridized to all isolates of E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively, regardless of their clinical source but not to any of 29 other enterococci. These results suggest that the use of gene probes may prove helpful in identification of isolates of E. faecium and E. faecalis.
Two-parameter families of strange attractors.

Periodically driven two-dimensional nonlinear oscillators can generate strange attractors that are periodic. These attractors are mapped in a locally 1-1 way to entire families of strange attractors that are indexed by a pair of relatively prime integers (n1,n2), with n1⩾1. The integers are introduced by imposing periodic boundary conditions on the entire strange attractor rather than individual trajectories in the attractor. The torsion and energy integrals for members of this two parameter family of locally identical strange attractors depend smoothly on these integers.
Conceptual design of a next-generation, fully reusable manned launch system

The conceptual design of a rocket-powered, two-stage fully reusable launch vehicle has been performed as a part of the Advanced Manned Launch System (AMLS) study at the NASA Langley Research Center. The main goals of the AMLS study are to provide routine, low-cost manned access to space. Technologies and system approaches have been studied that would contribute to significant reductions in operating costs relative to current systems. System and operational characteristics of the two-stage fully reusable vehicle are presented, and the various tools and methods used in the design process are summarized. The results of a series of trade studies performed to examine the effect of varying major vehicle parameters on the reference two-stage fully reusable vehicle are also summarized.
Analysis and modeling of phase contrast radiography of gradient density laser targets

Abstract Laser experiments, such as those planned at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and the Omega facility, use small targets with the goal of studying high-energy density physics and inertial confinement fusion. One particular application is a target with layers whose density changes in a carefully designed gradient (from 0.2 to 1.2 g/cm 3 ) for use in isentropic compression experiments (ICE). We are nondestructively determining the density of these layers using two X-ray microscopes. Because of the many interfaces that comprise the layers, a plethora of X-ray phase contrast fringes appear in the images, leading to many radiographic and tomographic artifacts which compromise the ability to infer the density of the layer. In this paper, we describe how we are attacking this problem with a variety of radiographic standards and through radiographic simulation using the HADES radiographic simulation code.
A reconsideration of the theory of capture cross-sections for ion/molecule reactions and a total energy and angular momentum conserved average charge—dipole interaction theory (teams)

Abstract Five capture-collision approaches commonly used to treat ion/molecule reactions, including Langevin theory (LT), the locked-dipole approximation (LD), Barker—Ridge theory (BR), the average dipole orientation theory (ADO), and the angular momentum conserved ADO theory (AADO), are examined in detail. Various inconsistencies are found in the theoretical developments of all but the first of these. Within the framework of an average ion-dipole interact potential, the principal developments of these theories are generalized and reformulated to account properly for the conservation of both total energy total angular momentum. This general approach, termed TEAMS, removes all obvious shortcomings in the existing capture collision theories, but retains t usual averaging process employed to obtain the averaged ion—dipole potential. Numerical predictions of the capture rate constants for all the above-m models are compared for the collision pair H + and HCN over a wide range of initial conditions. The results of these computations serve to elucidate the dependence of capture collision rates on the dipole rotational temperature and the relative collisional energy of the interacting pair. The theoretical validity and the practical applicability of the theories in making comparisons with experim measured reaction rate constants are also discussed.
Innovar Treatment for Meniere's Disease

Patients with intractable vertigo due to clinical Meniere's disease were offered treatment with Innovar, a neurolept analgesic. The patients were from a single clinical practice, had failed conventional dietary and medical treatment and were eligible on clinical grounds for endolymphatic sac surgery. After a follow-up of 2-8 years, 58% of patients had long-lasting relief of vertigo. Hearing was not affected. Risk factors for a favorable response were male gender, fluctuating hearing, and early stage of the disorder. Innovar is a safe, cost-effective second-line therapy for patients with Meniere's disease who have failed conventional first-line medical therapy.
Image Morphing : A Survey

Image morphing has received much attention in recent years. It has proven to be a powerful tool for visual effects in film and television, enabling the fluid transformation of one digital image into another. This paper surveys the growth of this field and describes recent advances in image morphing in terms of feature specification, warp generation methods, and transition control. These areas relate to the ease of use and quality of results. We describe the role of radial basis functions, thin plate splines, energy minimization, and multilevel free-form deformations in advancing the state-of-the-art in image morphing. Recent work on a generalized framework for morphing among multiple images is described.
Psychophysiological and MMPI Personality Assessment of Headaches: An Integrative Approach

Multiple psychophysiological measures and personality assessment techniques were combined to facilitate the diagnosis of headache type and improve upon existing methodology. Twenty-four migraine, 24 chronic tension headache patients, and 24 normal age- and gender-matched controls were assessed with bilateral measures of frontalis and occipitalis EMG and blood volume pulse. All subjects completed the MMPI. Results suggest that headache subjects could be differentiated on baseline heart rates and MMPI scales 1,2,3, and 7. Only one physiological measure served as an index of psychological distress, suggesting issues of an interaction between psychophysiological and personality variables, as well as the chronicity of the headache.
Visual conventions for system design using Ada 9X: representing asynchronous transfer of control

System design is often accomplished in team meetings in which diagmma am used to explain proposals and explore possibtities. Buhr (1984) advocates the use of a standard set of notations for time-based software system~ Buhr (1990) makes the point that all engineering disciplines with the possible exeeption of software design use well-defined conventions for visualizing solutions. Buhr has created a system design notation that is closely linked to the concepts of Ada 83. This paper proposes extensions to Buhr’s notation to allow for the representation of asynchronous tmnsfer of control.
Alternative splicing, gene duplication and connectivity in the genetic interaction network of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans.

We examined the relationship between gene duplication, alternative splicing, and connectedness in a predicted genetic interaction network using published data from the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Similar to previous results from mammals, genes belonging to families with only one member (“singletons”) were significantly more likely to lack alternative splicing than were members of large multi-gene families. Genes belonging to multi-gene families lacking alternative splicing tended to have higher connectedness in the genetic interaction network than did genes in families that included one or more alternatively spliced members. Moreover, alternatively spliced genes were significantly more likely to interact with other alternatively spliced genes. These results support the hypothesis that certain key proteins with high degrees of network connectedness are subject to selection opposing the occurrence of alternatively spliced forms.
Effect of 16-Hour Duty Periods on Patient Care and Resident Education

OBJECTIVE To measure the effect of duty periods no longer than 16 hours on patient care and resident education. PATIENTS AND METHODS As part of our Educational Innovations Project, we piloted a novel resident schedule for an inpatient service that eliminated shifts longer than 16 hours without increased staffing or decreased patient admissions on 2 gastroenterology services from August 29 to November 27, 2009. Patient care variables were obtained through medical record review. Resident well-being and educational variables were collected by weekly surveys, end of rotation evaluations, and an electronic card-swipe system. RESULTS Patient care metrics, including 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission rate, and length of stay, were unchanged for the 196 patient care episodes in the 5-week intervention month compared with the 274 episodes in the 8 weeks of control months. However, residents felt less prepared to manage cross-cover of patients ( P =.006). There was a nonsignificant trend toward decreased perception of quality of education and balance of personal and professional life during the intervention month. Residents reported working fewer weekly hours overall during the intervention (64.3 vs 68.9 hours; P =.40), but they had significantly more episodes with fewer than 10 hours off between shifts (24 vs 2 episodes; P =.004). CONCLUSION Inpatient hospital services can be staffed with residents working shifts less than 16 hours without additional residents. However, cross-cover of care, quality of education, and time off between shifts may be adversely affected.
The role of mobile protons in negative ion CID of oligosaccharides

Carbohydrates of all classes consist of glycoform mixtures built on common core units. Determination of compositions and structures of such mixtures relies heavily on tandem mass spectrometric data. Analysis of native glycans is often necessary for samples available in very low quantities and for sulfated glycan classes. Negative tandem mass spectrometry (MS) provides useful product ion profiles for neutral oligosaccharides and is preferred for acidic classes. In previous work from this laboratory, site-specific influences of sialylation on product ion profiles in the negative mode were elucidated. The present results show how the interplay of two other acidic groups, uronic acids and sulfates, determines product ion patterns for chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharides. Unsulfated chondroitin oligosaccharides dissociate to form C-type ions almost exclusively. Chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharides produce abundant B- and Y-type ions from glycosidic bond cleavage with C- and Z-types in low abundances. These observations are explained in terms of competing proton transfer reactions that occur during the collisional heating process. Mechanisms for product ion formation are proposed based on tandem mass spectra and the abundances of product ions as a function of collision energy.
The origin of the acidic and basic rocks of the Tichka Massif, Morocco, based on rare earth elements

The Tichka Massif is one of many late-Paleozoic massifs emplaced in northwestern Africa. It consists of granitic pods surrounded by a complex assemblage of dioritic and gabbroic rocks. Previous workers have suggested an independent origin for the granitic and gabbroic rocks and this study evaluates this suggestion using REE data.
Checkout Methods for Space Vehicle Subsystems

This paper describes some of the present methods and future trends for checking operation of space vehicle subsystems. The limitations of many presently used checkout methods are emphasized. Some degree of imagination is used in describing conceivable future checkout methods; these represent a culmination of technical advances developed to date and an extrapolation of these advances into the future.
Purified cytoplasmic DNA from HeLa cells: Resistance to inhibition by hydroxyurea

Abstract Cytoplasmic DNA has been prepared from HeLa cells using detergent for cell fractionation. The DNA is mostly circular by the CsCl-Ethidium buoyant density shift criterion. The labeling of cytoplasmic DNA appears relatively resistant to inhibition by hydroxyurea.
Relationship between volume status and blood pressure during chronic hemodialysis

Relationship between volume status and blood pressure during chronic hemodialysis. Background The relationship between volume status and blood pressure (BP) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients remains incompletely understood. Specifically, the effect of interdialytic fluid accumulation (or intradialytic fluid removal) on BP is controversial. Methods We determined the association of the intradialytic decrease in body weight (as an indicator of interdialytic fluid gain) and the intradialytic decrease in plasma volume (as an indicator of postdialysis volume status) with predialysis and postdialysis BP in a cross-sectional analysis of a subset of patients ( N = 468) from the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study. Fifty-five percent of patients were female, 62% were black, 43% were diabetic and 72% were prescribed antihypertensive medications. Dry weight was defined as the postdialysis body weight below which the patient developed symptomatic hypotension or muscle cramps in the absence of edema. The intradialytic decrease in plasma volume was calculated from predialysis and postdialysis total plasma protein concentrations and was expressed as a percentage of the plasma volume at the beginning of HD. Results Predialysis systolic and diastolic BP values were 153.1 ± 24.7 (mean ± SD) and 81.7 ± 14.8mm Hg, respectively; postdialysis systolic and diastolic BP values were 136.6 ± 22.7 and 73.9 ± 13.6mm Hg, respectively. As a result of HD, body weight was reduced by 3.1 ± 1.3kg and plasma volume was contracted by 10.1 ± 9.5%. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that eachkg reduction in body weight during HD was associated with a 2.95mm Hg ( P = 0.004) and a 1.65mm Hg ( P = NS) higher predialysis and postdialysis systolic BP, respectively. In contrast, each 5% greater contraction of plasma volume during HD was associated with a 1.50mm Hg ( P = 0.026) and a 2.56mm Hg ( P Conclusions HD treatment generally reduces BP, and these reductions in BP are associated with intradialytic decreases in both body weight and plasma volume. The absolute predialysis and postdialysis BP levels are influenced differently by acute intradialytic decreases in body weight and acute intradialytic decreases in plasma volume; these parameters provide different information regarding volume status and may be dissociated from each other. Therefore, evaluation of volume status in chronic HD patients requires, at minimum, assessments of both interdialytic fluid accumulation (or the intradialytic decrease in body weight) and postdialysis volume overload.
Multimodality image registration quality assurance for conformal three-dimensional treatment planning

Abstract Purpose: We present a quality assurance methodology to determine the accuracy of multimodality image registration and fusion for the purpose of conformal three-dimensional and intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment planning. Registration and fusion accuracy between any combination of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and positron emission computed tomography (PET) imaging studies can be evaluated. Methods and Materials: A commercial anthropomorphic head phantom filled with water and containing CT, MR, and PET visible targets was modified to evaluate the accuracy of multimodality image registration and fusion software. For MR and PET imaging, the water inside the phantom was doped with CuNO3 and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), respectively. Targets consisting of plastic spheres and pins were distributed throughout the cranium section of the phantom. Each target sphere had a conical-shaped bore with its apex at the center of the sphere. The pins had a conical extension or indentation at the free end. The contours of the spheres, sphere centers, and pin tips were used as anatomic landmark models for image registration, which was performed using affine coordinate-transformation tools provided in a commercial multimodality image registration/fusion software package. Four sets of phantom image studies were obtained: primary CT, secondary CT with different phantom immobilization, MR, and PET study. A novel CT, MR, and PET external fiducial marking system was also tested. Results: The registration of CT/CT, CT/MR, and CT/PET images allowed correlation of anatomic landmarks to within 2 mm, verifying the accuracy of the registration software and spatial fidelity of the four multimodality image sets. Conclusions: This straightforward phantom-based quality assurance of the image registration and fusion process can be used in a routine clinical setting or for providing a working image set for development of the image registration and fusion process and new software.
Crystal structures of two plasmid copy control related RNA duplexes: An 18 base pair duplex at 1.20 A resolution and a 19 base pair duplex at 1.55 A resolution.

The structures of two RNA duplexes, whose sequences correspond to portions of the ColE1 plasmid copy control RNA I and RNA II, have been determined. Crystals containing the 18mers 5‘-CA CCGUUGGUAGCGGUGC-3‘ and 5‘-CACCGCUACCAACGGUGC-3‘ diffract to 1.20 A resolution while those containing the 19mers 5‘-GCACCGUUGGUAGCGGUGC-3‘ and 5‘-GCACCGCUACCAACGGUGC-3‘ diffract to 1.55 A resolution. Both duplexes are standard A form, with Watson−Crick base pairing throughout. Use of anisotropic atomic displacement factors in refinement of the 1.20 A structure dramatically improved refinement statistics, resulting in a final Rfree of 15.0% and a crystallographic R-factor of 11.6%. Perhaps surprisingly, these crystals of the 18 base pair RNA exhibit a 36-fold static disorder, resulting in a structure with a single sugar−phosphate backbone conformation and an averaged base composition at each residue. Since the sugar−phosphate backbone structure is identical in the 36 different nucleotides that are superimposed, there can be...
Roles of xanthophyll carotenoids in protection against photoinhibition and oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002

Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 is a robust, genetically tractable cyanobacterium that produces six different xanthophyll carotenoids (zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, myxoxanthophyll (myxol-2'-fucoside), echinenone, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, and synechoxanthin) and tolerates many environmental stresses, including high light intensities. Targeted mutations were introduced to block the branches of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway leading to specific xanthophylls, and a mutant lacking all xanthophylls was constructed. Some of the mutants showed severe growth defects at high light intensities, and multi-locus mutants had somewhat lower chlorophyll contents and lower photosystem I levels. The results suggested that xanthophylls, particularly zeaxanthin and echinenone, might play regulatory roles in thylakoid biogenesis. Measurements of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species in the mutants showed that all xanthophylls participate in preventing ROS/RNS accumulation and that a mutant lacking all xanthophylls accumulated very high levels of ROS/RNS. Results from transcription profiling showed that mRNA levels for most genes encoding the enzymes of carotenogenesis are significantly more abundant after exposure to high light. These studies indicated that all xanthophylls contribute to protection against photo-oxidative stress.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEONATAL MENINGITIS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY 1975

One hundred ninety-two of 194 L.A. County hospitals were enrolled in the Meningitis Surveillance Program in 1975. Sixty-nine cases of neonatal meningitis were identified from bacteriology laboratory reports and medical records at each hospital. Criteria for case inclusion were age ≤56 days and a positive CSF culture or a CSF cell count >500 WBC with >50% PMNs, not related to CSF hemorrhage. Etiologic organisms included: Group B Strep, 28; Listeria, 9; Gram negative enterics, 9; strep Not B, 6; Others, 6; and Purulent unknown, 11. The cumulative percent of cases by age was as follows: 0-7d, 36%; 0-14d, 57%; 0-28d, 80%; and 0-42d, 91%. Mean ages for the major pathogens were: Group B Strep, 18d; Listeria, 7d; and Enterics, 9d. The total incidence of neonatal meningitis was 63.7/100,000 live births. The incidence was significantly higher in Blacks (139.3) and Spanish surnamed (69.1) than in Caucasians (32.7). The incidence was highest in Blacks for all etiologic types except Enterics, in which it was highest in Spanish-surnamed. Prematurity was a significant predisposing factor, present in 25% of Blacks and Spanish-surnamed and 42% of Caucasians. Serious complications occurred in 16(23%) patients and included convulsions (13%), psychomotor retardation (10%), hydrocephalus (4%), and paresis (3%). Complications were significantly more frequent with Group B Strep (35%) than with other etiologic organisms (12%). Forty-three patients (62%) made a full recovery; ten (14%) died.
A microfluidically-tuned dual-band slot antenna

A reconfigurable dual-band slot antenna with the capability of independently controlling each band is proposed. The tuning method is based on employing the reactive loading effect of a fluid metal placed on top of each slot antenna. Digital frequency tuning is achieved by using different configurations of four empty and filled channels. This way a 4-bit reconfigurable antenna is achieved in which each resonant frequency of the dual-band response can be controlled separately. Realization of the tunable antenna using common PCB technologies and PDMS structure is demonstrated. The implemented prototype antenna is measured and tuning ranges of 2.2-3.3 GHz and 4.15-5.4 GHz are achieved for the first and second bands, respectively.
Integration of layered chondrocyte-seeded alginate hydrogel scaffolds.

Abstract Motivated by the necessity to engineer appropriately stratified cartilage, the shear mechanics of layered, bovine chondrocyte-seeded 20 mg/mL alginate scaffolds were investigated and related to the structure and biochemical composition. Chondrocyte-seeded alginate scaffolds were exposed to a calcium-chelating solution, layered, crosslinked in CaCl 2 , and cultured for 10 weeks. The shear mechanical properties of the layered gels were statistically similar to those of the non-layered controls. Shear modulus of layered gels increased by approximately six-fold while toughness and shear strength increased by more than two-fold during the culture period. Hydroxyproline content in both layered gels and controls had statistically significant increases after 6 weeks. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of controls increased throughout culture while GAG content in layered gels leveled off after 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin histological staining showed tissue growth at the interface over the first 4 weeks. Shear mechanical properties in the engineered tissues showed significant correlations to hydroxyproline content. Dependence of interfacial mechanical properties on hydroxyproline content was most evident for layered gels when compared to controls, especially for toughness and shear strength. Additionally, interfacial properties showed almost no dependence on GAG content. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of creating stratified engineered tissues through layering and that collagen deposition is necessary for interfacial integrity.
Atmospheric oxidation mechanism of p-xylene: a density functional theory study.

We report an investigation of the mechanistic features of OH-initiated oxidation reactions of p-xylene using density function theory (DFT). Reaction energies for the formation of the aromatic intermediate radicals have been obtained to determine their relative stability and reversibility, and their activation barriers have been analyzed to assess the energetically favorable pathways to propagate the p-xylene oxidation. OH addition is predicted to occur dominantly at the ortho position, with branching ratios of 0.8 and 0.2 for ortho and ipso additions, respectively, and the calculated overall rate constant is in agreement with available experimental studies. Under atmospheric conditions, the p-xylene peroxy radicals arising from initial OH and subsequent O2 additions to the ring are shown to cyclize to form bicyclic radicals, rather than to react with NO to lead to ozone formation. With relatively low barriers, isomerization of the p-xylene bicyclic radicals to more stable epoxide radicals likely occurs, c...
Influence of shock-shock interactions on the blunt body flow field at hypersonic flight speeds

The effect of shock impingement on the blunt leading edge of the inlet cowl of a scramjet engine is investigated numerically. The impinging shock is caused by the vehicle forebody. The interaction of this forebody shock with the cowl leading edge shock results in a very complex flowfield containing local regions of high pressure and intense heating. In the present investigation, this complex flowfield is calculated by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations using a finite-volume flux splitting technique due to Van Leer. Results are also obtained for the downstream effects into the inlet of the leading edge shock-shock interactions. Results of the present numerical investigation are compared with available experimental results.
Paleobotany: some aspects of non-flowering and flowering plant evolution

lSummary DiJcher, D. L.: Paleobotany: some aspects of non-tlowering and tlowering plant evolullon. ­ Taxon 50: 697-711. 2001. - ISSN 0040-0262. When an examinallon of some aspects of the evolution of vascular land plants IS made across broad sweeps of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Tertiary lime, three basIC pauerns occur In unrelated groups in vascular land plant evolullon: Independent evolution of similar morphologIes. nearly contemporaneous evolution of Similar structures and strategies. and repeated evolution of similar features or slfategies at different times. Examples are given In non-tloweflng plants and also in the evolution of angiosperms. A database is presented to illustrate the presence of angiosperms In the JurassiclLower Cretaceous fossil record and the dlvcrsity and abundance of organs recovered from these early angIosperms. Thcse dat.a are presented as working documents with the anticipation that they may grow Into a major database for intcrested scholars world-WIde.
Coherent coupling of CW laser oscillators using intracavity four-wave mixing

A theoretical study of frequency locking laser oscillators using an intracavity four-wave interaction is discussed. An experimental demonstration that successfully locked two CW dye lasers using this concept was performed, along with intracavity four-wave mixing studies, with sodium vapor serving as the nonlinear (mixing) element. >
Isolation of brefeldin A

1. A chromatographic method for the isolation of brefeldin A (BFA) from the culture medium of Penicillium brefeldianis has been developed. BFA is adsorbed on a reversed-phase (C18) silica, desorbed by methanol, and the crystalline BFA precipitated from the concentrated aqueous solution. The yield of crystalline BFA is 121 mg/l of culture medium from a sample containing 204 mg/l determined by analytical HPLC. 2. The detection limit of BFA is 50 ng by analytical HPLC and BFA in the mother liquor of crystallization is recovered by preparative HPLC.
LEARNING STYLES OF PHYSIOLOGY STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Student learning may be classified according to the sensory modalities by which one prefers to take in information. One such classification scheme uses the VARK instrument, which categorizes learni...
Sophorolipids and their derivatives are lethal against human pancreatic cancer cells.

Introduction We have previously demonstrated that sophorolipids, a class of easily chemoenzymatically modifiable glycolipids, possess anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo . Since glycolipids have been shown to have anticancer activity, we investigated the effects of sophorolipids and their derivatives against pancreatic cancer. Materials and methods Human pancreatic carcinoma cells were treated with increasing concentrations of sophorolipid natural mixture or select derivatives (ethyl ester, methyl ester, ethyl ester monoacetate, ethyl ester diacetate, acidic sophorolipid [AS], lactonic sophorolipid diacetate [LSD]) for 24 h and assessed for cell necrosis (cytotoxicity – lactate dehydrogenase release). Controls consisted of cells treated with media or vehicle alone and sophorolipid treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results Sophorolipids demonstrated anticancer activity against human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Natural mixture mediated consistent cytotoxicity at all doses tested (20 ± 4%). However, methyl ester derivative mediated much greater levels of cytotoxicity (63 ± 5%) compared with other derivatives (ethyl ester diacetate, 36 ± 6%, ethyl ester monoacetate, 18 ± 7%; P Conclusions These results suggest that sophorolipids and select derivatives may be effective in treating human pancreatic cancer. Furthermore select derivatives may use different mechanisms toward this end. The ability to chemoenzymatically modify sophorolipids can provide effective lead compounds toward the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
A Unified Model for Concurrent Debugging

Events are occurence instance of actions. The thesis of this paper is that the use of "actions", instead of events, greatly simplifies the problem of concurrent debugging.
Reconstructionism as Radical Philosophy of Education: A Reappraisal

(1977). Reconstructionism as Radical Philosophy of Education: A Reappraisal. The Educational Forum: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 67-76.
Adrenergic Regulation of Protein Synthesis in Rat Submandibular Salivary Gland Cells

Abstract Epinephrine, a mixed α- and β-adrenergic agonist, modulated new protein synthesis in dispersed rat submandibular cells. Both adrenoreceptors separately could increase protein synthesis after cells were exposed to [ 14 C]-leucine for 10 min and then with 1 mM unlabelled leucine for 10–30 min. The extent of response was dependent on the concentration of epinephrine to which cells were exposed. Alteration in the sequence of exposure of cells to tracer and agonist changed the direction of agonist response.
Toward consistency checking of natural language temporal requirements

We discuss the problem of identifying inconsistencies in temporal requirements expressed as natural language text. We propose a partially automated approach that aims to minimize analysts' workload and improve accuracy. As one of the ingredients of the approach, we introduce a formal language to represent temporal requirements precisely and unambiguously. We call this language Temporal Action Language (TAL).
Critical comparison of metallized and mediator-based carbon paste glucose biosensors

The performance of metallized carbon oxidase-based biosensors is critically compared with that of mediator-based enzyme electrodes. Dimethyl ferrocene and rhodium metal centers are used as model mediator and catalyst, respectively, in connection to carbon-paste electrode transducers and assays of glucose. The rhodium-containing bioelectrode displays enhanced selectivity (particularly improved discrimination against ascorbic acid), lower sensitivity, faster response time, greater oxygen dependence, and similar detection limit in comparison to the mediated electrode. In addition to assessing the relative merits of both strategies, the data offer useful insights into the behavior of these ‘first’- and ‘second-generation’ oxidase amperometric electrodes.
Observational evidence of new current sheets trailing coronal mass ejections

[1] Field line reconnection in the wake of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is a fundamental aspect of some magnetically driven eruptive flare/CME models, e.g., the standard reconnection model [cf. Svestka and Cliver, 1992]. This model features a growing hot loop arcade beneath a rising X-type neutral point that is connected to the retreating CME. In models invoking reconnection the rising CME and neutral point are connected by a stretched current sheet. Two recent models, Lin and Forbes [2000] and Linker et al. [2003], predict that an extended, long-lived current sheet must be formed for any physically plausible reconnection rate. Lin and Forbes derive estimates for heights or lengths of current sheets and the energy input as functions of time. In a previous observational study of SMM CMEs observed from 1984–1989 having candidate magnetic disconnection features, primarily transient concave-outward bright regions following the CME leading edge, we found that about half were followed by coaxial, bright rays suggestive of newly formed current sheets. The rays appeared relatively suddenly several hours after the main CME had left the field of view. In this paper we present the results of analysis of these structures, including their heights and lengths, widths, alignments, and motions, all as functions of time, and show that they are consistent with the existence of current sheets lasting for several hours and extending more than five solar radii into the outer corona.
Harmonic analysis for nonlinear characteristics

Harmonic analysis may be carried out for nonlinear devices by the use of a set of polynomial functions applied directly to the nonlinear characteristic instead of by the more conventional use of trigonometric functions. Higher accuracy may sometimes be achieved in point-by-point calculations. A special method of representation shows how the form of the nonlinear characteristic affects its response. A method is presented for using measurements of amplitudes to obtain analytical expressions for the nonlinear function.
Piezoresistive encoders for ratcheting actuation systems

Abstract This paper introduces piezoresistive encoders that can provide information on the performance of ratcheting actuation systems, and may be useful in future applications that require position determination. One unique feature of the encoders is that they gain their piezoresistance from the bulk properties of polycrystalline silicon without additional fabrication steps. In this study, two encoders are considered: a parallel-guiding encoder in an on-chip Wheatstone bridge, and a piezoresistive microdisplacement transducer (PMT) encoder in an on-chip Wheatstone bridge. In tests, the encoders each generated measurable signals, with the PMT encoder providing the best sensitivity. The PMT encoder operated at actuation frequencies up to 920 Hz and produced a signal between 2 V and 3.2 V (applied gain of 1000). The PMT encoder produced unique signals corresponding to distinct ideal and non-ideal behaviors of a ratchet wheel actuation system.
Low-Noise, Wide-Band, Current-Pulse Preamplifiers for Neutron Counters

An improved, low-noise, wide-band current preamplifier was developed for use with a fission counter having a 100-nsec electron collection time. The signal-to-noise ratio of the preamplifier and its insensitivity to component parameter variations and temperature changes exceed that of any commercially available unit. A differential version was developed to exploit the balanced configuration of the counter. A 20% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio was obtained with good common-mode rejection from 50 kHz to 30 MHz.
Temperature dependence of carbon nanofiber resistance

Transport properties under current stress are examined for a carbon nanofiber (CNF) on an insulating substrate between tungsten-deposited gold electrodes. The temperature dependence of CNF resistance is determined based on our previously reported heat transport model. The measured devices exhibit a thermal activation behavior, suggesting transport in a disordered medium. The extracted activation energies fall within the 22-35 meV range.
Predictive modeling of grain refinement during multi-pass cold rolling

Abstract Recently, grain refinement and grain misorientation have been experimentally studied for various materials with ultra-fine grained microstructures, which are achieved by the multi-pass cold rolling process. In this paper, a numerical framework is developed to model the evolution of grain size and grain misorientation based on a dislocation density-based material model. Novel finite element models embedded with the dislocation density-based material subroutine are developed to model the plastic deformation and microstructural evolution during the multi-pass cold rolling process. The multi-pass cold rolling processes of commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and aluminum (AA 1200) are simulated in order to assess the validity of the numerical solution through comparison with experiments. The dislocation density-based material models are developed for CP Ti and AA 1200, which reproduce the observed material constitutive mechanical behavior under various strains, strain rates and temperatures occurring in the cold rolling process. It is shown that the developed model captures the essential features of the material mechanical behaviors and predicts a minimum grain size of below 100 nm after five-pass cold rolling of CP Ti with equivalent strains up to 2.07 and the average incidental dislocation boundary (IDB) misorientation angle increased to 4.6° after six-pass cold rolling of AA 1200 with equivalent strains accumulated to 5.77.
From Heat Transfer Principles to Shape and Structure in Nature: Constructal Theory

This lecture reviews a relatively recent body of heat transfer work that bases on a deterministic (constructal) principle the occurrence of geometric form in systems with internal flows. The same principle of global optimization subject to constraints allow us to anticipate the natural (animate and inanimate) flow architectures that surround us. The lecture starts with the example of the optimal spatial distribution of material (e.g., heat exchanger equipment) in power plants. Similarly, void space can be allocated optimally to construct flow channels in the volume occupied by a heat generating system. The lecture continues with the optimization of the path for heat flow between a volume and one point. When the heat flow can choose between at least two paths, low conductivity versus high conductivity, the optimal flow structure for minimal global resistance in steady flow is a tree. Nearly the same tree is deduced by minimizing the time of discharge in the flow from a volume to one point. Analogous tree-shaped flows are constructed in pure fluid flows, and in flow through a heterogeneous porous medium. The optimization of trees that combine heat transfer and fluid flow is illustrated by means of two-dimensional trees of plate fins
Balloon angioplasty results in increased segmental coronary distensibiliy: A likely mechanism of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that the increase in lumen area induced by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is secondary to a change in lesion (segmental) distensibility. Background. Despite the widespread use of coronary angioplasty, the precise mechanism (or mechanisms) of lumen area improvement remains poorly understood. Methods. Quantitative coronary angiography was used to measure the minimal (contrast agent filled) balloon diameters at 1 to 5 atm, inclusive, during the first and final balloon inflations in 24 lesions successfully treated with coronary angioplasty. To rule out possible confounding effects due to changes in balloon material distensibility during repeated inflations, five control balloons were studied ex vivo. In parallel, intravascular ultrasound imaging was utilized to compare the segmental distensibility (change in lumen area during the cardiac cycle) of eight disease-free and seven mildly diseased coronary segments and seven segments after successful balloon angioplasty. Results. Minimal balloon diameters increased significantly between the first and final inflations (46%, 33%, 26%, 14% and 10% at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 atm, respectively, all p < 0.0001), demonstrating an increase in arterial distensibility after successful coronary angioplasty. No significant changes in balloon diameters were observed during sequential initial inflations at 1 and 2 atm (n = 5). Minimal increases in Balloon diameters were observed during repeated balloon inflations in the ex vivo studies (4.9 ± 1% [mean ± SEM]). A distensibility index, derived from the intravascular ultrasound data, was not different between the balloon-dilated and the normal segments but was significantly lower in mildly diseased sites (14.7 ± 2.2 vs. 12.9 ± 1.2 vs. 6.9 ± 1.9, respectively, p < 0.05) despite a smaller plaque area (7.3 ± 1 vs. 11.3 ± 1 mm2, proximal/nondilated vs. dilated segments, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Coronary distensibility is significantly impaired in atherosclerotically diseased coronary segments and increases significantly after balloon angioplasty. This increase in segmental coronary compliance after coronary angioplasty may create a larger lumen area by allowing the vessel to distend in response to normal intraarterial pressure.
Scattering of sharply focused beams by arbitrarily shaped dielectric particles: an exact solution

By expanding the incident focused beam field in terms of its plane wave spectrum and by using the technique we developed earlier to treat the problem of the scattering of plane waves by arbitrarily shaped dielectric obstacles, we have been successful in solving the problem of the scattering of sharply focused beams by arbitrarily shaped dielectric particles. It was found that the presence of the curvature of the incident wave front and the nonuniformity of the incident wave intensity affect greatly the scattering characteristics.
Computer Identification of Infrared Spectra by Correlation-Based File Searching,

Abstract A new method for the computerized search and identification of infrared spectra has been developed and evaluated. Based on cross-correlation, the search system utilizes all spectral information in a digitized spectrum when it attempts to match an unknown spectrum to one in a small library of known spectra. To evaluate a spectral match, the search program calculates the cross-correlation function between the unknown and known (library) spectra which indicates their degree of similarity and allows library spectra to be ranked in order of probability of match to the unknown spectrum. In this study, several small infrared spectral libraries of structurally similar compounds were searched under conditions which examined the sensitivity of the search method to chemical and instrumental variations. Because the correlation technique is slower than conventional file-searching methods, it will probably find greatest use in the search of small collections of similar spectra or as a match-ranking procedure following preliminary selection by a faster search method.
Hydrogen bonds involving sulfur atoms in proteins

Intrachain hydrogen bonds are a hallmark of globular proteins. Traditionally, these involve oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The electronic structure of sulfur is compatible with hydrogen bond formation as well. We surveyed a set of 85 high-resolution protein structures in order to evaluate the prevalence and geometry of sulfur-containing hydrogen bonds. This information should be of interest to experimentalists and theoreticians interested in protein structure and protein engineering.