cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRANSVERSE VIBRATION TECHNIQUE TO IDENTIFY DETERIORATED WOOD FLOOR SYSTEMS

The Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, has been developing nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to identify degradation of wood in structures and the performance characteristics that remain in the structure. This work has focused on using dynamic testing techniques, particularly stress wave and ultrasonic transmission NDE techniques for both laboratory and field investigations.
Visible–near infrared spectra of hydrous carbonates, with implications for the detection of carbonates in hyperspectral data of Mars

Abstract We present visible–near infrared (VNIR, 0.35–5 μm) spectra for a suite of hydrous carbonates that may be relevant to the surface of Mars. This includes VNIR spectra for ikaite, nesquehonite, synthetic monohydrocalcite and lansfordite over the 0.35–2.5 μm range that are new to the literature. The spectral features of the hydrous carbonates are dominated by absorptions at ∼1.0, 1.2, 1.4–1.5, 1.9 and 2.8 μm that are due to overtones and combinations of fundamental water and hydroxyl vibrations. Absorptions due to (CO 3 ) 2 − , Mg-OH, Fe-OH, and/or water are seen at ∼2.3–2.5, 3.4, and 3.9 μm in hydrous Mg and Mg–Fe 3+ carbonates containing hydroxyl groups, but are weaker than in the common anhydrous carbonates. When present in the hydrous carbonates, the positions of the centers of the 2.3 μm and/or 2.5 μm absorptions are often shifted relative to the anhydrous carbonates, which may be diagnostic. Some or all of the (CO 3 ) 2 − absorptions typical of anhydrous carbonates are weak to absent in the hydrous carbonates, and thus this group may be difficult to distinguish from other hydrous minerals like sulfates, phyllosilicates or chlorides in Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) data using standard spectral search parameters for anhydrous carbonates. We present strategies for recognizing hydrous carbonates in CRISM data using combinations of spectral parameters that measure the intensity and shape of the water-related absorptions in these minerals.
Requirement for Hsp90 and a CyP-40-type Cyclophilin in Negative Regulation of the Heat Shock Response

The heat shock response is a highly conserved mechanism that allows cells to withstand a variety of stress conditions. Activation of this response is characterized by increased synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which protect cellular proteins from stress-induced denaturation. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are required for increased expression of HSPs during stress conditions and can be found in complexes containing components of the Hsp90 molecular chaperone machinery, raising the possibility that Hsp90 is involved in regulation of the heat shock response. To test this, we have assessed the effects of mutations that impair activity of the Hsp90 machinery on heat shock related events inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutations that either reduce the level of Hsp90 protein or eliminate Cpr7, a CyP-40-type cyclophilin required for full Hsp90 function, resulted in increased HSF-dependent activities. Genetic tests also revealed that Hsp90 and Cpr7 function synergistically to repress gene expression from HSF-dependent promoters. Conditional loss of Hsp90 activity resulted in both increased HSF-dependent gene expression and acquisition of a thermotolerant phenotype. Our results reveal that Hsp90 and Cpr7 are required for negative regulation of the heat shock response under both stress and nonstress conditions and establish a specific endogenous role for the Hsp90 machinery in S. cerevisiae.
Use of periodate and methylamine for the quantitation of intracellular 5-fluro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the quantitation of [ 3 H]fluorouracil and metabolites in L1210 cells with or without pre-treatment with methotrexate. Ribonucleotide pools were evaluated on a chemically bonded anion-exchange column. Deoxynucleotide pools were determined following periodate and methylamine treatment which eliminated the ribonucleotides (>99.9% complete) and allowed for a rapid quantitation of the acid-soluble 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (FdUMP) pools. FdUMP levels as low as 10 fmol/10 6 cells were detectable by polystyrene anion-exchange chromatography. Confirmation of these FdUMP values was performed by rechromatography on a reversed-phase ion-pair column. The use of periodate and methylamine as a means for the reliable elimination of the ribonucleotides will allow accurate isolation of deoxynucleotides by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Hybrid LES / RANS Simulation of Transverse Sonic Injection into a Mach 2 Flow

A computational study of transverse sonic injection of air and helium into a Mach 1.98 cross-flow is presented. A hybrid large-eddy simulation / Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (LES/RANS) turbulence model is used, with the two-equation Menter baseline (Menter-BSL) closure for the RANS part of the flow and a Smagorinsky-type model for the LES part of the flow. A time-dependent blending function, dependent on modeled turbulence variables, is used to shift the closure from RANS to LES. Turbulent structures are initiated and sustained through the use of a recycling / rescaling technique. Two higher-order discretizations, the Piecewise Parabolic Method (PPM) of Colella and Woodward, and the SONIC-A ENO scheme of Suresh and Huyhn are used in the study. The results using the hybrid model show reasonably good agreement with time-averaged Mie scattering data and with experimental surface pressure distributions, even though the penetration of the jet into the cross-flow is slightly over-predicted. The LES/RANS results are used to examine the validity of commonly-used assumptions of constant Schmidt and Prandtl numbers in the intense mixing zone downstream of the injection location.
Regression estimates of stochastic compartmental parameters using net balance and cumulative flow data

A compartmental network is formulated in which each of N compartments represents a possible behavioral state of a discrete population immigrating from outside sources. The network contains absorbing states (sinks) sufficient to maintain an accounting record of every individual that enters the network. Time dependent distributions of counts of individuals in every compartment are given for the case of random (Poisson) immigration, from which formulae for expected net balances in compartments and expected cumulative flows into compartments are derived. These formulae are used in a regression model from which parameter estimates are obtained for the compartmental model. Model parameters that can be estimated, given data, are: (1) immigration intensities, (2) immigration to individual compartments, (3) emigration intensities from individual compartments, (4) residence time distributions in individual compartments, (5) compartmental transfer probabilities.
Simulating the impact of road construction and forest harvesting on hydrologic response

This paper incorporates a conceptual model of the effect of roads and forest harvesting on hillslope soil moisture and runoff production into a hydroecological modelling system and discusses model results for a range of scenarios for a small catchment in the Western Oregon Cascades, USA. The model is used to explore the implications of road cut depth and road drainage patterns on seasonal hydrologic responses including runoff production, soil moisture and ecological processes such as evapotranspiration. By examining hydrologic response within a seasonal and hillslope context, we illustrate the complex role played by roads in terms of both the spatial and temporal persistence of the effects of an increase in local drainage efficiency associated with particular road segments. Model results are compared with observed outflow responses for a paired catchment study using the test case watershed. (catchment area in UK terminology). Results show the potential for an ecologically significant change in soil moisture in the area downslope from the road. These changes are mediated by the drainage patterns associated with roads, specifically whether road culverts serve to concentrate or to diffuse flow. Field verification of these findings presents an avenue for further research. The modelled effects on seasonal outflow response are less significant but do show clear temporal patterns associated with climate pattern, hillslope drainage organization and road construction. Comparison between modelled and observed outflow response suggests that the model does not yet capture all of the processes involved in assessing the effects of forest road construction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weapon-System Cost Analysis

A method of estimating cost inputs for weapon-systems analyses is discussed. The major characteristics of the method are 1 Total cost concept, which provides for accumulation of “support” as well as “direct” costs to the tactical unit of capability e.g., wing or squadron in the case of the Air Force 2 Distinction between investment and annual operating costs 3 Incremental costing, which provides for taking into account “inheritance value” of existing assets when a new weapon system is phased in to replace an existing one 4 Time phasing of weapon systems and the costs related thereto 5 Emphasis on consistency in costing alternative weapon proposals, which, for purposes of systems analysis, is perhaps more important than striving for a high degree of accuracy. In addition to the application to formal weapon-systems analysis, use of the method as a tool in military planning and programming of future weapon systems is also discussed.
Growth of juvenile red-eared turtles as influenced by gravitational field intensity.

PREVIOUS investigations have shown that, although sufficiently high gravity as simulated by continuous centrifugation can retard growth of certain organisms, a moderate increase in the gravitational field intensity can sometimes slightly enhance growth1–3. A similar pattern is reported here for juvenile red-eared turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans). However, a more dramatic growth enhancement was obtained during moderate centrifugation than had been obtained with other forms.
Bohmian quantum mechanical and classical Lyapunov exponents for kicked rotor

Abstract Using de Broglie–Bohm approach to quantum theory, we show that the kicked rotor at quantum resonance exhibits quantum chaos for the control parameter K above a threshold. Lyapunov exponents are calculated from the method of Benettin et al. for bounded systems for both the quantum and classical kicked rotor. In the chaotic regime we find stability regions for control parameters equal to even and odd multiples of π, but the quantum regions are only remnants of the classical ones.
Analysis and optimization of a latent thermal energy storage system with embedded heat pipes

Abstract Latent thermal energy storage system (LTES) is an integral part of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants for storing sun’s energy during its intermittent diurnal availability in the form of latent heat of a phase change material (PCM). The advantages of an LTES include its isothermal operation and high energy storage density, while the low thermal conductivity of the PCM used in LTES poses a significant disadvantage due to the reduction in the rate at which the PCM can be melted (charging) or solidified (discharging). The present study considers an approach to reducing the thermal resistance of LTES through embedding heat pipes to augment the energy transfer from the heat transfer fluid (HTF) to the PCM. Using a thermal resistance network model of a shell and tube LTES with embedded heat pipes, detailed parametric studies are carried out to assess the influence of the heat pipe and the LTES geometric and operational parameters on the performance of the system during charging and discharging. The physical model is coupled with a numerical optimization method to identify the design and operating parameters of the heat pipe embedded LTES system that maximizes energy transferred, energy transfer rate and effectiveness.
Role of steroids in croup and beta agonists in bronchiolitis

The administration of corticosteroids by various routes in the treatment of croup remains controversial as studies with varying designs and outcome measures have reported conflicting results. However, meta-analysis supports the use of steroids in croup. A dose equivalent to or greater than 100 mg/kg body weight of hydrocortisone, administered orally or parenterally appears to be effective. Nebulized budesonide in a dose of 1,000 micrograms, when dosages are given 30 minutes apart is also effective. The L-epinephrine is as effective as racemic epinephrine and should be used to relieve symptoms with or without steroids. Summarizing the value of beta agonists, for treatment of bronchiolitis is rather challenging. Beta agonists offer significant relief to only a subgroup of infants, with bronchiolitis, albeit, it remains a challenge to identify these infants prospectively. Availability of RSV immune globulin for prevention of RSV disease in highrisk infants and better defining the role of ribavirin for selected patients may offer additional avenues to the treating physician.
Collagen Fiber Structure Correlates With Mechanical Environment in Healing Myocardial Infarcts

Mechanics of healing myocardial infarcts are an important determinant of ventricular function. Large collagen fibers are the major contributors to the mechanical properties of healing scar. It has been suggested that an anisotropic structure, as observed in healing pig scars, may help preserve ventricular function, and that the alignment of collagen fibers could be guided by the regional mechanical environment in the infarct — in pig scars the alignment of collagen fibers was in the direction of greatest stretch [1]. By contrast, in the standard rat model of infarction we found that scars are structurally and mechanically isotropic at all time points in healing [2].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
An optimized estimate of glacial melt from the Ross Ice Shelf using noble gases, stable isotopes, and CFC transient tracers

[1] Isotopes of helium and neon and the H218O/H216O ratio of water are proven proxies for melt from glacial ice beneath floating ice shelves and at ice shelf fronts. Their high concentrations in glacial meltwater, compared to other environmental sources, make them ideal tracers for studies of the pathways of glacial meltwater from its origins into the ocean interior. We combine noble gas and stable isotopes with temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen measurements from three cruises (along the Ross Ice Shelf during the austral summers of 1993–1994 and 1999–2000 and to the Ross Sea in 2000–2001) and use optimal multiparameter analysis to compute the water mass concentration, including glacial meltwater. The distribution of meltwater at the front of the Ross Ice Shelf extended east from 180°W, with the highest concentrations found near 165°W in both 1994 and 2000. The mean meltwater concentration at the ice shelf front was 2.0 ± 0.33‰ in 1994, 2.2 ± 0.36‰ in 2000, and 0.25 ± 0.1‰ in the western Ross Sea in 2001. Water mass concentrations are used to correct for bias in the CFC age, introduced by mixing with CFC-free waters, an effect revealed by comparing CFC age with transit time distribution curves. The water residence time within the ice shelf cavity, using CFCs and the mean meltwater concentration, implies a basal melt rate of 33–50 km3 a−1.
A discrete multicomponent temperature-dependent model for the evaporation of spherical droplets

Abstract A spherically-symmetric model with temperature-dependent properties has been developed to describe the evaporation of droplets of multicomponent liquids that is suitable for use in large-scale simulations of multiphase droplet-laden flows. In this model, the coupled partial differential equations describing heat transfer and mass diffusion within the liquid droplet are approximated by ordinary differential equations. The temperature and concentration profiles within the droplet are described by an algebraic model which accounts for departures from quasi-steady behavior caused by the coupled transient effects of mass diffusion and thermal diffusion. The interfacial conditions and an auxiliary thermodynamic relationship describing phase equilibrium are solved at each instant as a system of nonlinear algebraic equations, which is coupled to the ordinary differential equations describing heat and mass transfer within the droplet. The evaporation of a droplet comprising n discrete components can then be calculated by solving n + 1 ordinary differential equations and, at each time step, 3n + 1 algebraic equations. The results of this model appear to be in very good agreement with partial differential equation solutions for small, low-Lewis-number, two-component droplet evaporation driven by modest temperature differences, and can be computed several hundred times faster.
Molecular dynamics study of transport coefficients for hard‐chain fluids

Equilibrium molecular dynamics is used to simulate fluids containing molecules modeled as chains of tangent hard spheres. A partially vectorized, efficient algorithm based on the Rapaport method has been designed that allows for very long simulation times and permits calculation of transport coefficients for short chain fluids at liquid‐like densities. The self‐diffusion coefficient, shear and longitudinal viscosities, and thermal conductivity are calculated for chains of length 2, 4, 8, and 16 at volume fractions ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 using a mean‐square displacement approach. Results from the velocity autocorrelation functions provide information about chain motion in the bulk phase. Transport properties for the hard‐sphere fluid have also been calculated for systems of 512 particles. Results for chain fluids are compared to results for hard‐spheres and to the corresponding Enskog theory.
Girth of pancake graphs

We consider four families of pancake graphs, which are Cayley graphs, whose vertex sets are either the symmetric group on n objects or the hyperoctahedral group on n objects and whose generating sets are either all reversals or all reversals inverting the first k elements (called prefix reversals). We find that the girth of each family of pancake graphs remains constant after some small threshold value of n.
Research on Impacts of FACTS on Static Voltage Stability Characteristics of AC/DC Power System

Based on the improved Continuation Power Flow algorithm, this paper investigates the impacts of FACTS on static voltage stability characteristics of AC/DC hybrid power system. This paper introduces the steady-state model of different FACTS devices, and the power flow mathematical model is established about AC/DC power system with FACTS devices. The impacts of FACTS devices with various capacities in different locations on static voltage stability are compared and analyzed. The calculation results of a four-machine two regions AC/DC power system show that FACTS are able to improve the voltage stability and the installation of SVC shunt compensation can possess a better effect to improve the system static voltage stability limit than TCSC series compensation.
INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL CONTROL TRAINING PROGRAM

ABSTRACT After viewing the oil spill from the supertanker Metula in 1974 and observing the state of preparedness to deal with oil spills in Chile and other countries, the need for a stronger program was evident. With encouragement from the International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) and others, a training course was developed to complement the IMCO and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) programs which subsequently has been presented on a regional basis in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the West African area, and Brazil. The support the UNEP Regional Seas Program and at the same time ensure that the faculty of the training program has a realistic knowledge of the problems in a given area, a series of reports has been commissioned on the status of oil pollution and oil pollution control in the various regions. The report on the Caribbean has been completed and reports on Southeast Asia and West Africa are in the final stages of preparation. This paper will discuss the format and tech...
Consumption Betas and Backwardation in Commodity Markets

This paper examines the relationship between commodity consumption betas and realized commodity futures contract risk premiums. A linear relationship between risk premiums and consumption betas is developed based on a consumption oriented CAPM. The parameters of this linear model are estimated using fourteen commodities.
How useful is gastroesophageal reflux scintigraphy in suspected childhood aspiration

It has been suggested that gastroesophageal reflux scintigraphy (GRS) might be useful in assisting one in determining therapy for patients suspected of aspirating or becoming apneic second-ary to gastroesophageal reflux. This, however, has not been our experience and in reviewing 23 patients with recurrent pneumonia and/or apnea who had GRS, we were able to detect aspiration in only one. This was especially significant since 13 (59%) of these patients had demonstrable reflux, and of these, eight were treated successfully for suspected aspiration even though none was demonstrated isotopically. To be sure, the demonstration of pulmonary aspiration with GRS had little influence on patient selection and response to therapy. For this reason we feel there is little justification in depending on the GRS for the specific purpose of trying to document pulmonary aspiration in infants and children who are refluxing.
MDCT necrosis quantification in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma response to yttrium 90 radioembolization therapy: comparison of two-dimensional and volumetric techniques.

Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reproducibility and agreement of tumor necrosis quantification performed by two-dimensional and volumetric methods in a cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) radioembolization. Materials and Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients (21 men, 8 women; mean age 66.6 years; age range, 44–90 years) with HCC treated with 90 Y radioembolization that underwent liver multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) were included. Two independent radiologists evaluated the necrosis proportion of the lesions with two-dimensional (2D) measurements according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines, and with a volumetric method using a voxel-by-voxel analysis. Interobserver reproducibility for each method was assessed by using within-subject coefficients of variation (WSCV), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients (LCC). Agreement between both methods was assessed by using the Bland-Altman plot and the paired t -test. Results The volumetric method was more reproducible (WSCV = 27.8%; ICC = 0.914; LCC = 0.909) than the 2D (WSCV = 43.8%; ICC = 0.723; LCC = 0.841). There was a significant difference in the mean calculated necrosis proportions based on 2D and volumetric methods ( P = .0129). Conclusion Voxel-by-voxel quantification of HCC necrosis is a more reproducible method than 2D analysis.
Clinical overview of sorafenib in breast cancer

Breast carcinoma remains the most common malignancy of women around the world, and despite the advances in the early diagnosis and adjuvant treatment of this disease, many women still relapse with metastatic breast cancer. There is therefore an urgent need for the development and testing of novel agents targeting pathways thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Aberrant activation of the Ras/Raf/MAPK/ERK kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade and the VEGF pathway are commonly observed in breast cancer cells leading to malignant cell proliferation, cell growth, prevention of apoptosis, tumor invasion and neo-angiogenesis. Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that inhibits tumor growth and proliferation by interfering with several receptor tyrosine kinases involved in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of malignant breast cancer cells. This article reviews previous experiences and current and future development strategies of sorafenib in breast cancer.
Solute geochemical mass-balances and mineral weathering rates in small watersheds II: Biomass nutrient uptake, more equations in more unknowns, and land use/land cover effects

Abstract Paired watersheds are used to develop a deciduous nutrient uptake stoichiometry. The watersheds are those of the House Rock Run and the Brubaker Run located in the Pennsylvania Appalachian Piedmont, USA. These two watersheds are nearly identical with respect to bedrock, regolith, climate, geomorphology, morphometry, baseflow hydrology, and type and successional stage of forest vegetation. They only differ by the percentage of deciduous forest cover, with House Rock Run having 59% and Brubaker Run having 76%. From differences in their stream chemistries the biomass nutrient uptake stoichiometry of K1.0Mg1.0Ca1.4 was determined. This stoichiometry applies to an aggrading deciduous biomass and differs from those previously used which were derived from net primary production (NPP) data. The difference may reflect that macronutrients in plant tissue may also originate from atmospheric inputs and/or decomposing biomass. Although this stoichiometry may not be applied to all deciduous forest-covered watersheds, it is likely an improvement over a stoichiometry determined from NPP data. Mass-balance calculations of mineral weathering rates often suffer from the number of unknowns exceeding the number of equations. To add equations to the mass-balance matrices two methods are introduced. The first method employs Zr-normalized bulk chemical compositions of bedrock and soil to calculate a mass transfer coefficient for chemical weathering. The second approach uses chemical formulae and modal abundances of primary minerals undergoing complete dissolution during weathering. Both methods allow for calculation of weathering rate constraints without biomass and cation exchange influences. These constraints serve as additional equations in the mass-balance matrix. This study finds that the watershed with the higher percentage of recently abandoned agricultural fields previously used for growing row crops has the higher chemical weathering rate. The higher chemical weathering rate reflects greater runoff resulting from reduced evapotranspiration.
Latina/O Students' Needs:

To better understand Latina/o students' needs in a predominantly White institution of higher education with low Latina/o retention rates, semistructured interviews were completed with 30 Latina/o students. The themes that emerged through qualitative analysis of the interviews were: linguistic and financial barriers; a need for unity; availability of resources; sources of support; and educating ourselves and others about Latinas/os. Recommendations for enhancing the Latina/o student experience include activities to engage Latinas/os in the university life, bilingual support, and extending the curriculum to address Latina/o issues. Other institutions of higher education would benefit from studying local Latina/o students' needs to gain more insight into retention and graduation issues from the perspective of the students.
EPR Studies on the Mono- and Dicobalt(II)-Substituted Forms of the Aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica . Insight into the Catalytic Mechanism of Dinuclear Hydrolases

The structure and function of the prototypical dinuclear hydrolase, namely, the aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (AAP), was probed by EPR spectroscopy of the mono- and dicobalt(II)-substi...
Long time molecular dynamics for enhanced conformational sampling in biomolecular systems

Although molecular dynamics methods are commonly used to drive biomolecular simulations, the technique provides insufficient sampling to impact studies of the 200-300 residue proteins of greatest interest. One severe limitation of molecular dynamics is that the integrators are restricted by resonance phenomena to small time steps $(\ensuremath{\Delta}tl8\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{f}\mathrm{s})$ much slower then the time scales of important structural and solvent rearrangements. Here, a novel set of equations of motion and a reversible, resonance-free, integrator are designed which permit step sizes on the order of 100 fs to be used.
New Sakaguchi reaction. II

Abstract 1. 1. Excellent results were obtained by the addition of potassium hypobromite and alcohol 1 hr after the new Sakaguchi reaction. The second addition of potassium hypobromite completely eliminated color in the blank. 2. 2. The arginine contained in the proteins does not react completely with the Sakaguchi reagent.
Peripheral Retinal Neovascularization and Retinal Vascular Occlusion Associated With Activated Protein C Resistance

Purpose To describe a patient with peripheral retinal neovascularization and vascular occlusion associated with activated protein C resistance. Methods Case report. A 63-year-old woman was examined for acute loss of vision in both eyes. She was noted to have macular edema in both eyes as well as a macular branch vein occlusion in the right eye and a central retinal vein occlusion in the left eye. Peripheral retinal neovascularization was present in both eyes. Result Extensive systemic evaluation disclosed a heterozygous state for the factor V Leiden indicating activated protein C resistance. Conclusion Activated protein C resistance may be associated with peripheral retinal neovascularization.
Assessment of Workflow Redesign in Community Pharmacy

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the effect that workflow enhancements have on dispensing responsibilities and pharmacist–patient interaction in the community pharmacy setting. Design Pre–post comparison. Pre-assessment data were obtained from a multisite observational study. Setting Pharmacy within a regional pharmacy chain. Study Participants 3 pharmacists and 110 patients. Intervention The pharmacy was physically remodeled to enable workflow changes, including defining dispensing responsibilities with an emphasis on patient counseling, providing an additional 6 feet of counter space, upgrading technology, installing a third computer, implementing tools to augment the filling process, and requesting that cashiers rephrase the offer to counsel to encourage patient acceptance. Patients and pharmacists were surveyed about the experiences and beliefs, and pharmacy activities were observed directly. Main Outcome Measures Patient counseling and prescription dispensing activities. Results The number of pharmacists who perceived that they had adequate time to counsel patients increased as a result of the intervention (0 of 3 responding pharmacists before the intervention, compared with 2 of 2 afterward). Patient satisfaction scores both before and after the intervention were predominantly favorable and did not differ significantly. The most relevant change in dispensing activities was pharmacist involvement with data entry into the computer, which decreased from 61% to 10%. Oral counseling offers to patients increased significantly, from 5% to 85%, but counseling rates remained low throughout the study and were not measurably affected by workload. Conclusion Workflow redesign has positively affected the dispensing activities at the study site. Technicians took more responsibility for dispensing tasks. Given the drastic increase in counseling offers but lack of effect on counseling rates, patient behavior and expectations with regard to counseling likely need to change to further improve dynamics in the community pharmacy.
Lipoprotein Lipid Concentrations and Cardiovascular Risk in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Twenty-nine patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 30 normal women had lipoprotein lipid and androgen profiles compared after a 12-h fast. Both PCOS and normal women were evaluated in the proliferative phase of the cycle. PCOS patients had higher serum LH to FSH ratios [2.0 +/- 1.3 (+/- SEM) vs. 0.6 +/- 0.1), higher testosterone (T; 66 +/- 5 vs. 33 +/- 2 ng/ml), higher free T (1.1 +/- 1 vs. 0.4 +/- 0.02 ng/dl), and higher dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (291 +/- 28 vs. 140 +/- 12 micrograms/dl) levels, and lower T-estrogen-binding globulin-binding capacity (1.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.1 micrograms/dl) than normal women (all P less than 0.05). The PCOS patients had higher mean serum triglycerides [122 +/- 11 (+/- SEM) 63 +/- 3 mg/dl] and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (24 +/- 2 vs. 13 +/- 1 mg/dl), but lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (43 +/- 2 vs. 58 +/- 2 mg/dl; P less than 0.05). While PCOS patients were heavier and more sedentary and their diets were higher in saturated fat and lower in fiber (P less than 0.01, respectively), the differences in lipoprotein lipid concentrations could not be attributed to body weight. T-estrogen-binding globulin-binding capacity correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in PCOS patients (r = 0.42; P = 0.025) after adjusting for weight. We conclude that hyperandrogenemia in women may result in a male pattern of lipoprotein lipid concentrations. These findings suggest that PCOS patients may have increased atherogenic potential.
Wave Activity on the Tropical Easterly Jet

Abstract This article examines the question of the existence of waves on the tropical easterly jet (TEJ) over West Africa. The TEJ is a well-known feature of the Asian monsoon and waves on the jet have been implicated in various weather phenomena. Its role in West African meteorology has received little attention. A model simulation of wet and dry years over West Africa predicted wave development on the TEJ. NCEP reanalysis data confirmed the existence of these waves, using case studies in the dry year 1983 and the wet year 1950. Both the simulated and observed waves are of planetary scale, with a period of 5–6 days. Potential vorticity (PV) theory suggests that they develop via interactions between the surface and the TEJ. Overall, the results suggest that interactions between the TEJ and African easterly jet play an important role in the development of wave disturbances over West Africa.
Sources of dissolved and particulate organic material in Loch Vale Watershed, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

The sources of both dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) to an alpine (Sky Pond) and a subalpine lake (The Loch) in Rocky Mountain National Park were explored for four years. The importance of both autochthonous and allochthonous sources of organic matter differ, not only between alpine and subalpine locations, but also seasonally. Overall, autochthonous sources dominate the organic carbon of the alpine lake, while allochthonous sources are a more significant source of organic carbon to the subalpine lake. In the alpine lake, Sky Pond, POC makes up greater than one third of the total organic matter content of the water column, and is related to phytoplankton abundance. Dissolved organic carbon is a product of within-lake activity in Sky Pond except during spring snowmelt and early summer (May–July), when stable carbon isotope ratios suggest a terrestrial source. In the subalpine lake, The Loch, DOC is a much more important constituent of water column organic material than POC, comprising greater than 90% of the spring snowmelt organic matter, and greater than 75% of the organic matter over the rest of the year. Stable carbon isotope ratios and a very strong relation of DOC with soluble Al(tot) indicate DOC concentrations are almost entirely related to flushing of soil water from the surrounding watershed during spring snowmelt. Stable carbon isotope ratios indicate that, for both lakes, phytoplankton is an important source of DOC in the winter, while terrestrial material of plant or microbial origin contributes DOC during snowmelt and summer.
Paper to Plastics: An Interdisciplinary Summer Outreach Project in Sustainability

Paper to Plastics (P2P) is an interdisciplinary program that combines chemistry and biology in a research setting. The goal of this project is 2-fold: to engage students in scientific research and to educate them about sustainability and biodegradable materials. The scientific aim of the project is to recycle unwanted office paper to the useful biodegradable polymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Through this program, students learn firsthand how chemistry and biology interact to form useful materials from waste. Students combine biological techniques, such as enzymatic digestion and fermentation, with chemical techniques, such as distillation and catalysis, to accomplish the conversion of waste paper into PLA. Through this summer program, students ultimately become familiar with diverse laboratory techniques, while learning how their scientific interests can be used to address important social problems.
Dynamic Resource Allocation DAMA Alternatives Study for satellite communications systems

We consider the design of Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) algorithms that efficiently utilize limited RF uplink resources for packet switched military satellite communication networks. In previous work, we designed DAMA algorithms that optimized link layer efficiency and throughput while controlling delay and jitter. In this work we assess the ability of our DAMA algorithm to meet Service Level Agreements (SLA) between the Network Management System and the terminals. We evaluate the ability of four DAMA algorithms to provide terminals Committed Information Rates (CIR) under various system loading conditions. The designs have increasing levels of confidence in the accuracy of the predicted demand. Results show that although traffic demand cannot be predicted precisely, current demand provides insight into future demands and that this information can be used to more efficiently provide CIR guarantees to terminals.
Electrooxidation of Fe, Co, Ni and Cu Metalloporphyrins on Edge‐Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes and Their Electrocatalytic Ability towards the Reduction of Molecular Oxygen in Acidic Media

Edge-plane pyrolytic graphite (EPG) electrodes coated with5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin[H2T3M4HPP] and its FeIII, CoII, NiII and CuII analogs undergo an electrochemical/chemical/electrochemical (ECE) reaction when anodically scanned in 0.5 M H2SO4. The new redox couple formed from this anodic conditioning of the coated electrode is dependent on the pH of the solution. Roughened EPG electrodes coated with the metalloporphyrins show a catalytic shift for the reduction of O2 when compared to the reduction of O2 at a bare EPG electrode. An additional catalytic shift of approximately 100 mV is observed for O2 reduction at an EPG electrode coated with the CoII porphyrin, which has been oxidized in 0.5 M H2SO4. In addition to the added electrocatalysis, approximately 15 % of the O2 reduced at the oxidized CoII porphyrin EPG electrode is converted to H2O as determined by rotating-disk electrode measurements.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Output feedback form of Chua’s circuit and modular adaptive control of chaos using single measurement

Abstract The paper treats the question of the representation of the Chua’s circuit in an output feedback form and then derives an adaptive control system for the control of chaos by a single output (node voltage) feedback. The design is performed under the assumption that all the circuit parameters are unknown, but only the lower bound on the coefficient of virtual control input and its sign are given. Based on the output feedback form of the Chua’s circuit, certain filters are designed for the estimation of the state variables. The derived controller has a modular structure consisting of an input-to-state stabilizing (ISS) control module and a passive parameter identifier. In the closed-loop system, output trajectory control is accomplished and the state vector converges to the equilibrium point. Simulation results are presented which show that the designed control system regulates the node voltage to the reference point and suppresses the chaotic motion using a single node voltage feedback.
Provision of phosphorylatable substrate during hypoxia decreases jejunal barrier function

Abstract OBJECTIVES: There is an emerging consensus that early enteral nutrition benefits the high-risk surgical patient. However, in patients with inadequate gastrointestinal perfusion, food in the intestine may increase the oxygen demand beyond that which can be satisfied by the available delivery, potentially leading to intestinal malfunction. The effect of metabolic substrate on gastrointestinal function during various oxygenation states was investigated. METHODS: Jejunal samples obtained from 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (263 ± Q15 g) were stripped of the muscularis, mounted in modified Ussing chambers, and randomized to be incubated in media equilibrated with one of four gas mixtures (95%, 75%, 50%, and 25% oxygen). After equilibration, fluorescent probes (4400 and 17 200 molecular weight [MW]) were added to the incubation media on the mucosal side. The rate of probe accumulation on the serosal side was determined before and after the addition of one of four substrates to the mucosal medium: mannitol (an osmotic control), glucose (which is transported, phosphorylated, and metabolized), 2-deoxyglucose (a glucose analog that is transported and phosphorylated but not metabolized), or 3- O -methylglucose (a glucose analog that is transported but not phosphorylated or metabolized). RESULTS: Lumenal glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, and 3- O -methylglucose increased permeation of the 4400-MW probe at all oxygen levels, whereas mannitol did not alter permeation in the 95% and 75% oxygen groups. Lumenal glucose increased ( P O -methylglucose did not increase the permeation rate of the 17 200-MW probe until oxygen was lowered to 75% and 50%, respectively. Regardless of substrate treatment, jejunal permeation of the 4400-MW ( P P CONCLUSIONS: These initial results suggest that the provision of lumenal nutrients exacerbates the loss of gastrointestinal barrier function during hypoxia. Although the early provision of nutrients is an important intervention in acutely injured patients, care must be taken to ensure that gastrointestinal perfusion is adequate to allow substrate metabolism and prevent further compromise in gastrointestinal function.
Hematoporphyrin Derivative Photocytotoxicity of Human Glioblastoma in Cell Culture

The parameters of hematoporphyrin-derivative (HpD) photocytotoxicity of human glioma cells in cell culture were studied to determine the optimum wavelength and power density of light, to investigate the influence of tissue oxygenation, and to evaluate the role of singlet oxygen and free radicals in producing cell death. Cell survival curves demonstrated a relative killing efficiency of 12:1 for violet compared to red light. Eighty joules of red light were required to produce 100% cell kill at an HpD concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, a level of HpD that has been quantitated in biopsies from patients receiving HpD photoradiation therapy. No difference in cellular killing efficiency was observed for power densities of red light varying from 10 to 100 mW/cm2. Cytotoxicity was directly related to O2 tension from 12 to 490 torr with a slight but consistent increase in cell kill at O2 tensions from 7 to 12 torr. Cytotoxicity was effectively quenched by beta-carotene, whereas mannitol had no effect, indicating that cytotoxicity is probably mediated via a mechanism involving singlet oxygen. This information may serve as a basis for more effective application of HpD photoradiation therapy and for designing protocols to study the efficacy of such therapy.
Aveksha: a hardware-software approach for non-intrusive tracing and profiling of wireless embedded systems

It is important to get an idea of the events occurring in an embedded wireless node when it is deployed in the field, away from the convenience of an interactive debugger. Such visibility can be useful for post-deployment testing, replay-based debugging, and for performance and energy profiling of various software components. Prior software-based solutions to address this problem have incurred high execution overhead and intrusiveness. The intrusiveness changes the intrinsic timing behavior of the application, thereby reducing the fidelity of the collected profile. Prior hardware-based solutions have involved the use of dedicated ASICs or other tightly coupled changes to the embedded node's processor, which significantly limits their applicability.In this paper, we present Aveksha, a hardware-software approach for achieving the above goals in a non-intrusive manner. Our approach is based on the key insight that most embedded processors have an on-chip debug module (which has traditionally been used for interactive debugging) that provides significant visibility into the internal state of the processor. We design a debug board that interfaces with the on-chip debug module of an embedded node's processor through the JTAG port and provides three modes of event logging and tracing: breakpoint, watchpoint, and program counter polling. Using expressive triggers that the on-chip debug module supports, Aveksha can watch for, and record, a variety of programmable events of interest. A key feature of Aveksha is that the target processor does not have to be stopped during event logging (in the last two of the three modes), subject to a limit on the rate at which logged events occur. Aveksha also performs power monitoring of the embedded wireless node and, importantly, enables power consumption data to be correlated to events of interest.Aveksha is an operating system-agnostic solution. We demonstrate its functionality and performance using three applications running on Telos motes; two in TinyOS and one in Contiki. We show that Aveksha can trace tasks and other generic events at the function and task-level granularity. We also describe how we used Aveksha to find a subtle bug in the TinyOS low power listening protocol.
Analysis of Isomeric Long-Chain Hydroxy Fatty Acids by Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Application to the Diagnosis of Long-Chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Acetyl trimethylaminoethyl ester iodide derivatives have been used to selectively analyze isomeric long-chain hydroxy fatty acids by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The binary derivatives of 2-, 3-, 12- and 16-hydroxypalmitic acids afford remarkably different product ion spectra. Further discrimination between isomers is possible by acylating with pivaloyl chloride. 2- and omega-Hydroxy long-chain fatty acids form pivaloyl esters in quantitative yield whereas other secondary alcohols only partially react. Cotton-based filter paper used for blood collection contains substantial amounts of esterified long-chain hydroxy fatty acids. From the product ion spectra of the acetyl trimethylaminoethyl esters the hydroxydocosanoic and -tetracosanoic acids are >90% omega-hydroxy. All remaining saturated and unsaturated hydroxy acids are >90% 2-hydroxy acids. A method for the quantification of free 3-hydroxypalmitic acid in plasma by ESI-MS/MS for the diagnosis of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD) is described. Median plasma concentrations of 0.43 micromol/L (control, n = 22) and 12.2 micromol/L (LCHAD, n = 3) were obtained from 5 microL plasma samples.