cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
El gobierno del cuerpo

Abstract Identified as a carnavalesque space for the subversion of social codes and for the projection of personal anxieties, Baltasar del Alcazar's (1530–1606) joyous poetry is built at the margins of authorized medical discourses. Colloquial in verse and tone, the poem “Cena jocosa” contests corrective and disciplinarian advice contained in its contemporary health guides, proposing a carefree enjoyment of the table. This happens at a time in the history of medicine when dietary choices were endowed with a profound ethical sense, and also at a time in the history of the Spanish empire when the bodily government announced models for state administration and patterns for rhetorical assimilation. This article explores the poem “Cena jocosa” in light of the hygienic discourse of health guides and, by extension, the late medieval regimina principorum and classical symposiac literature, the two poetical traditions that nourished Renaissance health guides.
Arginine: beyond protein

Arginine, a semiessential or conditionally essential amino acid in humans, is one of the most metabolically versatile amino acids and serves as a precursor for the synthesis of urea, nitric oxide, polyamines, proline, glutamate, creatine, and agmatine. Arginine is metabolized through a complex and highly regulated set of pathways that remain incompletely understood at both the whole-body and the cellular levels. Adding to the metabolic complexity is the fact that limited arginine availability can selectively affect the expression of specific genes, most of which are themselves involved in some aspect of arginine metabolism. This overview highlights selected aspects of arginine metabolism, including areas in which our knowledge remains fragmentary and incomplete.
Reconfigured piecewise linear regression tree for multistage manufacturing process control

In a multistage manufacturing process, extensive amounts of observational data are obtained by the measurement of product quality features, process variables, and material properties. These data have temporal and spatial relationships and may have a non-linear data structure. It is a challenging task to model the variation and its propagation using these data and then use the model for feedforward control purposes. This article proposes a methodology for feedforward control that is based on a piecewise linear model. An engineering-driven reconfiguration method for piecewise linear regression trees is proposed. The model complexity is further reduced by merging the leaf nodes with the constraint of the control accuracy requirement. A case study on a multistage wafer manufacturing process is conducted to illustrate the procedure and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Remarks on the Spatial Smoothing Step in Coarray MUSIC

Sparse arrays such as nested and coprime arrays use a technique called spatial smoothing in order to successfully perform MUSIC in the difference-coarray domain. In this paper it is shown that the spatial smoothing step is not necessary in the sense that the effect achieved by that step can be obtained more directly. In particular, with ${\widetilde {\bf R}_{ss}}$ denoting the spatial smoothed matrix with finite snapshots, it is shown here that the noise eigenspace of this matrix can be directly obtained from another matrix $\widetilde {\bf R}$ which is much easier to compute from data.
Significant effect of sediment cohesion on delta morphology

Delta morphology is thought to be controlled by factors such as river discharge, tides and waves. Numerical modelling shows that sediment cohesion also strongly influences the development of a delta’s characteristics. The morphologies of the world’s deltas are thought to be determined by river discharge, tidal range and wave action 1. More recently, sea-level rise 2,3 and human engineering4 have been shown to shape delta evolution. The effects of factors such as sediment type and the overall amount of sediment carried by rivers are considered secondary4,5,6. In particular, the role of sediment cohesion, which is controlled by sediment size and type of vegetation, is unclear. Here we use a numerical flow and transport model7,8,9,10 to show that sediment cohesiveness also strongly influences the morphology of deltas. We find that, holding all other factors constant, highly cohesive sediments form bird’s-foot deltas with rugose shorelines and highly complex floodplains, whereas less cohesive sediments result in fan-like deltas with smooth shorelines and flat floodplains. In our simulations, sediment cohesiveness also controls the number of channels that form within the deltas, and the average angle of bifurcation of those channels. As vegetation generally acts as a cohesive agent, we suggest that deltas that formed before the expansion of land plants in the Devonian period should show fan-like characteristics, a finding consistent with the limited data from the sedimentological record11.
Grain size and hydrogen concentration effects on the ductility return in a refractory alloy

The effects of grain size (in the range 30 to 220 μm) and hydrogen concentration on the ductility return of a hydrogen doped 25 at. pct V-75 at. pct Nb alloy was investigated at low strain rates. Since this alloy has a large terminal hydrogen solubility and since the hydrogen additions were kept low, hydride formation seems not to contribute to the alloy’s embrittlement. It was found that the ductility return is present only for small grain sizes and low hydrogen concentrations. Cracks leading to failure were initiated intergranularly. It appears to be unlikely that the ductility return, if present, is caused by the low diffusivity of hydrogen in that temperature range. A qualitative model is proposed to explain the observations.
Modified sulfur cement encapsulation of mixed waste contaminated incinerator fly ash

Abstract As part of an effort to develop new and innovative materials for solidification/stabilization of mixed wastes generated at Department of Energy facilities, work is currently being performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory to encapsulate incinerator fly ash waste. A process using modified sulfur cement, a thermoplastic material with a melting point of 119°C, is described. Monolithic waste forms containing as much as 55 wt% incinerator fly ash have been formulated with modified sulfur cement, whereas maximum waste loading for this waste in hydraulic cement is 16 wt%. Compressive strength of these waste forms exceeded 27.6 MPa (4,000 psi). Wet chemical and solid phase waste characterization analyses performed on the fly ash revealed high concentrations of soluble metal salts including lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as toxic metals. Leach testing of the fly ash waste according to the EPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) resulted in concentrations of Pb and Cd above allowable limits that define a characteristic hazardous waste. Encapsulation of fly ash (at waste loadings up to 43 wt%) in modified sulfur cement, with a small quantity of sodium sulfide added to enhance retention of soluble metal salts, reduced TCLP leachate concentrations of Pb and Cd well below EPA toxicity characteristic concentration criteria.
A Lumped Parameter Model for Prediction of Temperature in Disk Pair in Dry Friction Contact

In applications involving substantial friction, surface failure is an inevitable phenomenon. Friction induced failure typically involves the generation of considerable heat. Existence of significant frictional force leads to relatively high interface temperature as a result of dynamic nature of flash temperatures at the contact areas. A first step in predicting friction induced failure is to develop an accurate thermomechanical model of the friction system. A thermo-mechanical model is developed in this paper based on a lumped parameter representation of a two-disk brake. A disk is viewed as consisting of three main regions, (1) the surface contact, (2) the friction interface, and (3) the bulk. The lumped parameter model is obtained by dividing a disk into a number of concentric rings and stacked layers. The friction layer contains both the interface and contact elements, each include the equivalent thermal capacitance and conductive resistance. The contact capacitance and resistance are described in terms of the elastic contact interaction between the surfaces of the two disks. Therefore they are obtained using the Greenwood and Williamson model for contact of rough surfaces. Each is described as a statistical summation of the micron-scale interaction of the surfaces. The model is shown to provide accurate prediction of bulk temperature using a dynamometer test on a carbon composite disk pair.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Exploring distributed hash tables in HighEnd computing

Over the last decade, storage systems have experienced a 10-fold increase between their capacity and bandwidth. This gap is predicted to grow faster with exponentially growing concurrency levels, with future exascales delivering millions of nodes and billions of threads of execution. A critical component of future file systems for high-end computing is metadata management. This extended abstract presents ZHT, a zero-hop distributed hash-table, which has been tuned for the specific requirements of high-end computing. The primary goal of ZHT is excellent availability, fault tolerance, high throughput, and low latencies.
Dicer is required for the maintenance of notch signaling and gliogenic competence during mouse retinal development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 19-25 nucleotide RNAs that regulate messenger RNA translation and stability. Recently, we performed a conditional knockout (CKO) of the miRNA-processing enzyme Dicer during mouse retinal development and showed an essential role for miRNAs in the transition of retinal progenitors from an early to a late competence state (Georgi and Reh [2010]: J Neurosci 30:4048-4061). Notably, Dicer CKO progenitors failed to express Ascl1 and generated ganglion cells beyond their normal competence window. Because Ascl1 regulates multiple Notch signaling components, we hypothesized that Notch signaling is downregulated in Dicer CKO retinas. We show here that Notch signaling is severely reduced in Dicer CKO retinas, but that retinal progenitors still retain a low level of Notch signaling. By increasing Notch signaling in Dicer CKO progenitors through constitutive expression of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD), we show that transgenic rescue of Notch signaling has little effect on the competence of retinal progenitors or the enhanced generation of ganglion cells, suggesting that loss of Notch signaling is not a major determinant of these phenotypes. Nevertheless, transgenic NICD expression restored horizontal cells, suggesting an interaction between miRNAs and Notch signaling in the development of this cell type. Furthermore, while NICD overexpression leads to robust glial induction in control retinas, NICD overexpression was insufficient to drive Dicer-null retinal progenitors to a glial fate. Surprisingly, the presence of transgenic NICD expression did not prevent the differentiation of some types of retinal neurons, suggesting that Notch inactivation is not an absolute requirement for the initial stages of neuronal differentiation.
Productivity and the role of college in narrowing the male-female wage differential in the USA in 1980

This study analyses the impact that productivity factors and the particular role of college have upon the inequality in male and female wages using the 1980 1/100 Public Use Sample. The findings herein suggest that whereas both black and white females and black males who entered the labour force in 1975 or later possess productivity characteristics that are superior to their elder counterparts, the productivity characteristics of white males entering the labour force over this period are significantly inferior to those possessed by older white males. Also, in sharp contrast to a voluminous literature that concludes that college widens the wage gap between the sexes, this analysis shows that college played a paramount role among the productivity characteristics in narrowing the gender wage differential in 1980.
Mathematical Model to Compare Egg Production C

A segmented polynomial model was used on several egg production curves in an attempt to analyze the differences between the curves in a more descriptive manner. Production curves from different commercial and experimental genetic lines of layers were used. The parameters of the model include the age and level of peak production, rate of decrease in production after the peak and time between start and peak of production. These and other derived variables were compared between the curves using contrasts. The methodology used allowed an easier interpretation of the curves, and the detection of differences in sexual maturity, uniformity and peak of production. This work validates the segmented polynomial model for use in future research dealing with analysis of egg production curves.
Findings from a survey on the current use of daylight simulations in building design

Abstract This paper presents findings from a web-based survey on the current use of daylight simulations in building design. The survey was administered from December 2nd 2003 to January 19th 2004. One hundred and eighty five individuals from 27 countries completed the survey. The majority of respondents worked in Canada (20%), the United States (20%), and Germany (12%). Most participants were recruited through building simulation mailing lists. Their self-reported professions ranged from energy consultants and engineers (38%) to architects and lighting designers (31%) as well as researchers (23%). They worked predominantly on large and small offices and schools. Ninety one percent of respondents included daylighting aspects in their building design. Those who did not consider daylighting blamed lack of information and unwillingness of clients to pay for this extra service. Among those participants who were considering daylighting 79% used computer simulations. This strong sample bias towards computer simulations reflects that many participants had been recruited through building simulation mailing lists. Participants named tools’ complexity and insufficient program documentation as weaknesses of existing programs. Self-training was the most common training method for daylight simulation tools. Tool usage was significantly higher during design development than during schematic design. Most survey participants used daylighting software for parameter studies and presented the results to their clients as a basis for design decisions. While daylight factor and interior illuminances were the most commonly calculated simulation outputs, shading type and control were the most common design aspects influenced by a daylighting analysis. The use of scale model measurements had rapidly fallen compared to a 1994 survey, whereas, trust in the reliability of daylighting tools has risen. While participants named a total of 42 different daylight simulation programs that they routinely used, over 50% of program selections were for tools that use the RADIANCE simulation engine, revealing the program's predominance within the daylight simulation community.
Thiazide diuretics and selective alpha blockers: Comparison of use in antihypertensive therapy, including possible differences in coronary heart disease risk reduction

The results of several important clinical trials have confirmed the benefits of pharmacologic treatment in patients with hypertension. However, some issues concerning this type of treatment have yet to be resolved. For example, it has not been determined whether there are differences among antihypertensive agents with respect to their effects on mortality and morbidity or whether such effects are independent of the alterations in blood pressure resulting from the use of such agents. Thiazide diuretics, the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs, were the first agents proven to be effective and practical for the widespread treatment of hypertension. Alpha blockers, also commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs, provide equally effective blood pressure control to that of the thiazides, but with a very different metabolic profile. In this article, these drugs are compared for efficacy, side-effect profiles, metabolic effects, and potential for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
The U.S.-Mexico border: a half century of change

Abstract The region surrounding the border between the U.S. and Mexico has been an area of dynamic growth and development during the last fifty years. In this region where the U.S. and Mexico share a common heritage, cultures and languages meet and intertwine. This paper presents a description of trends in population and quality of life indicators: education, housing and poverty, tracing how they have grown and changed over the last half of the 20th century. Census data from 1950 through 2000 indicate that population has grown more rapidly in the border regions than in the nations as a whole. Educational attainment and quality of housing has improved on both sides, but to a greater extent in the Mexican border region. However, despite this growth, poverty rates remain too high with no clear downward trend.
Cardiac Assessment Prior to Vascular Surgery: Is Dipyridamole-Sestamibi Necessary?

Dipyridamole-sestamibi (PMIBI) is recommended prior to vascular surgery in patients with > or = 1 Eagle criteria (Q waves, history of ventricular ectopy, diabetes, advanced age, and/or angina). To review our cardiac morbidity and mortality and the need for preoperative PMIBI, we reviewed 109 consecutive patients with a mean age of 59 years who underwent 145 elective major vascular procedures over a 1-year period. Seventy patients (with a mean of 0.8 Eagle criteria) underwent 92 vascular procedures without preoperative PMIBI and without coronary revascularization. Thirty-one patients (with a mean of 1.1 Eagle criteria) underwent 39 procedures without coronary revascularization following PMIBI, which showed reversible ischemia in seven and a fixed defect in 10; findings were normal in 14. Preoperative coronary bypass or angioplasty was limited to eight patients (14 procedures, mean of 1.6 Eagle criteria) who had unstable angina with (2 patients) or without (6 patients) acute myocardial infarction. There were four perioperative myocardial infarctions (2.8%), seven cardiac events overall (4.8%), and one cardiac death (0.7%). Three (43%) of the seven cardiac events occurred in patients with a normal scan or fixed defect on PMIBI imaging. In the absence of unstable angina, PMIBI had a sensitivity of only 25% and a specificity of 80% for cardiac events. We conclude that among patients without severe cardiac symptoms (1) PMIBI has a very limited ability to identify patients at risk for cardiac complications, and (2) preoperative PMIBI is neither necessary nor cost-effective.
Algorithms for finding steady state probabilities for some special classes of finite state Markov chains

Efficient algorithms for finding steady state probabilities are presented and compared with the Gaussian elimination method for two special classes of finite state Markov chains. One class has block matrix steps and a possible jump of up to k block steps, and the other is a generalization of the class considered by Shanthikumar and Sargent where each element is a matrix.
Bargaining behavior and the tragedy of the anticommons

Abstract To date, most experimental studies of the tragedy of the anticommons treat individuals’ preferences as common knowledge. Here, we conduct experiments in which values are private information. We vary the bargaining institution, the buyer's signaled willingness to pay, and the fraction of sellers whose inputs must be assembled. In our experiments simultaneous bargaining gives the buyer a better tradeoff between the total price paid and the risk of failure than sequential bargaining when all sellers’ inputs are necessary. When two thirds are necessary assembly failure virtually disappears, but simultaneous bargaining still generates lower prices for the buyer.
Renal tubular acidosis: diagnostic work-up, treatment and mechanisms of growth retardation

Astute clinical observations, careful evaluation of laboratory results, together with research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of growth failure in children with the various types of renal tubular acidosis, have led to a more cogent approach to the management of children with renal tubular acidosis. This review examines the different clinical presentations of renal tubular acidosis, the diagnostic workup, the recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of growth failure and current therapeutic modalities.
Quality Properties of Flax Fibers Retted with Enzymes

Flax that has been mechanically treated in an opener-blender to disrupt stem integrity is enzymatically retted with a series of enzyme formulations with different levels of Flaxzyme with or without...
A study of a 63 K radiative cooler for the advanced moisture and temperature sounder

A study was performed of cooling methods for a space-borne, earth observing infrared optical instrument, AMTS. Major requirements on the thermal design are an optics temperature below 200 K, a detector array temperature below 75 K, orbital lifetime of 3 to 5 years, a near polar, sun synchronous orbit with altitude near 800 km. Power dissipation of the detectors is 38 mW, in the optics compartment 1.4 W. Large radiative coolers positioned so as to be shielded from sun, spacecraft and earth result in predicted optics temperature of 156 K and detector temperature of 63 K.
A decomposition approximation for assembly‐disassembly queueing networkswith finite buffer and blocking

The throughputs of assembly and disassembly queueing networks with finite buffer and blocking are difficult to evaluate due to their large state space. In this paper, we present an approximation technique to analyze such a system with Poisson arrivals and exponential service times. It decomposes the system into multiple two‐server queues with unlimited input and an assembly or disassembly station with one buffer. The decomposed individual stations are then aggregated and coupled with their input parameters determined by the solution of a set of nonlinear equations which could be effectively calculated through an iterative algorithm. The results are compared with simulations, and the errors are found to be within 10% in all tested cases.
Antecedents and outcomes of modular production in the Brazilian automobile industry: a grounded theory approach

Our paper focuses on how foreign automobile manufacturers in Brazil have implemented and benefited from strategic modularization. Based on our case studies and in-depth interviews, we developed a theoretical framework to examine the antecedents and outcomes of strategic modularization. Our theoretical framework suggests that strategic modularization may help improve a firm's positional advantage by reducing the cost of managing tacit knowledge. In addition, the adoption of strategic modularization influences the nature of relationships with major suppliers, further blurring the boundaries of the firm.
Kin recognition and larval cannibalism by adult females in specialist predaceous mites

Abstract We investigated kin discrimination of larvae by adult cannibalistic females in two specialist predaceous mite species. In dual choice tests, adult Phytoseiulus persimilis and P. macropilis females discriminated between related and unrelated larvae and preferentially preyed upon the latter. We found little variation among P. persimilis strains. Laboratory-reared, commercially mass-reared and field-collected females showed similar propensities to preferentially consume unrelated larvae. Due to the consistent trend in kin recognition and cannibalism among strains we dismiss that kin recognition was an artefact of rearing conditions. With respect to the production component of kin recognition, our study indicates genetic rather than environmental origin of the recognition label. Potential functional explanations for kin recognition and avoidance of kin cannibalism in the specialist predaceous mites P. persimilis and P. macropilis include epiphenomenon of species recognition, disease transmission and kin-selected behaviour. Because previous studies indicated that P. persimilis and P. macropilis do not discriminate between con- and heterospecific predaceous mites, we suggest that kin-selected behaviour is the most likely explanation. Eating related larvae may decrease the inclusive fitness of the cannibalistic female if there is an alternative way of obtaining nutrients (i.e. eating unrelated larvae). Furthermore, adult females may gain in inclusive fitness by releasing offspring from intraspecific competition for food and space and the potential threat of conspecific predators. Finally, we discuss the potential linkage between the evolution of kin recognition in specialist predaceous mites and the occurrence of aggregations of conspecific individuals.
Method of Calculating Phase Shifts for Spherically Symmetric Potentials

A method of calculating the phase shifts for spherically symmetric nonsingular potential is presented. The radial Schrodinger equation is reduced to a Ricatti's equation which is solved in the form of a continued fraction. Illustrative calculations of S‐wave phase shifts for an attractive exponential potential are made with the first and second approximants of the continued fraction in comparison with the exact and Born phase shifts. For the potential parameter chosen (Z = 2 and 2.6) the agreement with the exact value and the over‐all behavior of the phase shifts as a function of the momentum is reasonably satisfactory in contrast to the Born phase shift. A brief discussion of the possible application of the method and its limitations are given along with a remark on the extension to singular potentials. The convergence of the continued fractions is discussed with an example of an exponential potential in the appendix.
Influence of stress-induced intermediates on gonadotropin gene expression in gonadotrope cells

Despite extensive investigation, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms whereby stress impacts fertility remains elusive. Since the 1930s, when Hans Selye popularized studying adaptations to stress (Selye, 1937), we have learned that compensatory mechanisms involve a complex interplay of neural and hormonal processes that allow various body functions to adjust to stress, in a coordinated manner. In terms of reproduction, the adjustment to a stressor interferes with integrated functioning at multiple levels of regulation--the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, gonads, and neural centers coordinating behavior. Various mediators are postulated to participate in reproductive suppression. These include catecholamines, cytokines, prostaglandins, endogenous opioid peptides, and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This review focuses on one class of mediators, the glucocorticoids, and provides our views on the relevance and mode of action of this inhibitory intermediate within the anterior pituitary gonadotrope, as a potential cellular site whereby glucocorticoids contribute to stress-induced reproductive suppression.
The computation of market equilibria

The market equilibrium problem has a long and distinguished history. In 1874, Walras published the famous "Elements of Pure Economics", where he describes a model for the state of an economic system in terms of demand and supply, and expresses the supply equals demand equilibrium conditions [62]. In 1936, Wald gave the first proof of the existence of an equilibrium for the Walrasian system, albeit under severe restrictions [61]. In 1954, Nobel laureates Arrow and Debreu proved the existence of an equilibrium under milder assumptions [3]. This existence result, along with the two fundamental theorems of welfare are the pillars of modern equilibrium theory. The First Fundamental Theorem of Welfare showed the Pareto optimality of allocations at equilibrium prices, thereby formally expressing Adam Smith's "invisible hand" property of markets and providing important social justification for the theory of equilibrium.
Selective Growth Inhibition of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Graviola Fruit Extract In Vitro and In Vivo Involving Downregulation of EGFR Expression

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an oncogene frequently overexpressed in breast cancer (BC), and its overexpression has been associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance. EGFR is therefore a rational target for BC therapy development. This study demonstrated that a graviola fruit extract (GFE) significantly downregulated EGFR gene expression and inhibited the growth of BC cells and xenografts. GFE selectively inhibited the growth of EGFR-overexpressing human BC (MDA-MB-468) cells (IC(50) = 4.8 μg/ml) but had no effect on nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). GFE significantly downregulated EGFR mRNA expression, arrested cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 cells. In the mouse xenograft model, a 5-wk dietary treatment of GFE (200 mg/kg diet) significantly reduced the protein expression of EGFR, p-EGFR, and p-ERK in MDA-MB-468 tumors by 56%, 54%, and 32.5%, respectively. Overall, dietary GFE inhibited tumor growth, as measured by wet weight, by 32% (P < 0.01). These data showed that dietary GFE induced significant growth inhibition of MDA-MB-468 cells in vitro and in vivo through a mechanism involving the EGFR/ERK signaling pathway, suggesting that GFE may have a protective effect for women against EGFR-overexpressing BC.
Penalized Q-Learning for Dynamic Treatment Regimens

A dynamic treatment regimen incorporates both accrued information and long-term effects of treatment from specially designed clinical trials. As these trials become more and more popular in conjunction with longitudinal data from clinical studies, the development of statistical inference for optimal dynamic treatment regimens is a high priority. In this paper, we propose a new machine learning framework called penalized Q-learning, under which valid statistical inference is established. We also propose a new statistical procedure: individual selection and corresponding methods for incorporating individual selection within penalized Q-learning. Extensive numerical studies are presented which compare the proposed methods with existing methods, under a variety of scenarios, and demonstrate that the proposed approach is both inferentially and computationally superior. It is illustrated with a depression clinical trial study.
Electron-phonon interaction and lattice thermal conductivity

Phonons in a metal have a finite lifetime due to the emission of electron-hole pairs. This process leads to an electron-phonon contribution ${W}_{\mathrm{ep}}^{p}$ to the thermal resistance, which limits the lattice thermal conductivity ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{p}$. We present a summary of the available experimental data on ${W}_{\mathrm{ep}}^{p}$, emphasizing uncertainties and contrasting results from different types of experiments. Methods of obtaining better data are suggested. We show that the available data are in fair agreement with a simple theoretical estimate $\mathrm{lim}(T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}O){W}_{\mathrm{ep}}^{p}{(\frac{T}{{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{D}})}^{2}=0.42 {\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{a}^{\frac{1}{3}}N\ensuremath{\lambda}$(K cm/W), where ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{a}$ is the atomic volume in ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{3}$, $N$ is the Fermi-energy density of states (1 spin) in states/eV, and $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is the electron-phonon mass enhancement. The fact that most of the experimental points fall below this estimate is probably the result of anisotropy and mode dependence of the electron-phonon coupling.
Mucous membrane pemphigoid and pseudopemphigoid

Abstract Purpose To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and pseudopemphigoid. Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants Two hundred eighty consecutive patients referred for the evaluation of possible ocular MMP from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 2001. Methods Information on patients presenting for evaluation of possible MMP was entered prospectively into a database, which was supplemented by a retrospective chart review. Mucous membrane pemphigoid was diagnosed in patients with a compatible clinical picture by the linear deposition of antibodies to the basement membrane zone (BMZ) on direct immunofluorescent analysis of a mucous membrane biopsy specimen or by the presence of circulating autoantibodies to epithelial BMZ. Main outcome measures Demographic and clinical characteristics of MMP and pseudopemphigoid; risk of ocular MMP among patients presenting with extraocular MMP without ocular disease. Results Among patients with ocular MMP, extraocular disease was common (82.4% of patients). The risk of ocular involvement among patients with MMP seen without ocular disease was approximately 5% per year over the first 5 years of follow-up (cumulative risk at 5 years, 22%). Although immunohistologic confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained in all patients, the initial conjunctival biopsy was positive for MMP in 80% of the patients diagnosed with ocular MMP. The most frequent presumed causes of pseudopemphigoid were topical glaucoma medications (28.3%), rosacea blepharoconjunctivitis (20.0%), atopic keratoconjunctivitis (8.3%), and conjunctival lichen planus (8.3%). Conclusions Patients with ocular MMP typically have other systemic manifestations of MMP. Patients who are initially seen with extraocular MMP without ocular involvement are at risk for ocular disease developing. The clinical characteristics of ocular MMP and pseudopemphigoid are similar; therefore, immunohistologic evaluation of biopsied tissue is needed to confirm the diagnosis of MMP.
Interactions of dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel agonists with the human platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor

Abstract The specific interactions at the human platelet thromboxane A 2 /prostaglandin H 2 (TXA 2 /PGH 2 ) receptor by four 1–4 dihydropyridine (DHP) agonists were studied. Using competition equilibrium binding assays with the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor agonist [ 125 I]BOP and the antagonist [ 125 I]PTA-OH, the affinities of racemic BAY K 8644 (BAY), racemic CGP 28392 (CGP) and (+) and (−) SDZ 202–791 (SDZ) for the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor were determined. The rank order potencies for competion were BAY > (−)SDZ > CGP ⩾ (+)SDZ. BAY, CGP and SDZ (stereoselectively) inhibited specific incorporation of the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor photoaffinity probe [ 125 ]PTA Azido into three proteins associated with the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor with M r of 43.39 and 27 kDa as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis autoradiography. Using the fluorescent Ca 2+ probe Fura-2, it was observed that I-BOP failed to stimulate classical divalent cation channels. However, SDZ stereoselectively inhibited the rise in [Ca 2+ ], induced by I-BOP while not affecting that induced by thrombin. Although DHPs specifically and stereoselectively interact with the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor on human platelets, the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor-mediated rise in [Ca 2+ ], is not through stimulation of a classical divalent cation channel.
Introduction: Considering Opportunities

viduals make a difference. The famous and insidious question asked in the United States after the Chinese Communists came to power in 1949 was not "How did this happen?" or "What brought this about?" It was "Who lost China?" In other words, who were the individuals who had formulated the policies and made the decisions that caused events to develop as they did? Initial inquiries into the matter under scored the "lost" part of the question, with its assumption that the success of the Chinese Communists was a defeat for the United States, and by implication a victory for the Soviet Union in the global contest for diplomatic, political, and economic control and influence.1 Equally important, however, was the question's insistence that some one, some American or group of Americans, was responsible for what happened, implying that if only someone else had been in charge, things would have turned out differently. The initial purpose in asking "Who lost China?" was, of course, not so much to find answers as to level accusations. Who could be blamed for what happened? In the parti sanship of the early 1950s, Republicans wanted to charge Democrats. So they did. Almost anyone who had any involvement with America's China policy during the 1940s faced accusation: from President Harry S. Truman, to his secretary of state, Dean Acheson, to members of the Foreign Service like John Paton Davies and John Stewart Service, to former Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall, who also served as secretary of state after having returned from a mission to try and ne gotiate a settlement to the Chinese civil war in 1946. One of the Re publican slogans for the 1952 presidential campaign—K1,C2—related
Studies on the formation of the initiation complex in eukaryotes.

Abstract The initial interaction between a natural messenger RNA and ribosomes in a eukaryotic system was studied. Utilizing a population of 1.0 M KCl-washed ribosomes and isolated myosin mRNA, only the 40S subunits bound mRNA to form initiation complex I. This binding required the presence of initiation factor EF 3 and either GTP or its analogue, GDPCP. When unfractionated initiation factors, tRNA and GTP were added to the reaction mixture, the 60S ribosomal subunit joined with complex I to produce complex II. Complex II could not be demonstrated in the absence of GTP or when GTP was replaced by its analogue, GDPCP.
Human Mycobacterium tuberculosis CD8 T Cell Antigens/Epitopes Identified by a Proteomic Peptide Library

Identification of CD8+ T cell antigens/epitopes expressed by human pathogens with large genomes is especially challenging, yet necessary for vaccine development. Immunity to tuberculosis, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, requires CD8+ T cell immunity, yet the repertoire of CD8 antigens/epitopes remains undefined. We used integrated computational and proteomic approaches to screen 10% of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) proteome for CD8 Mtb antigens. We designed a weighting schema based upon a Multiple Attribute Decision Making:framework to select 10% of the Mtb proteome with a high probability of containing CD8+ T cell epitopes. We created a synthetic peptide library consisting of 15-mers overlapping by 11 aa. Using the interferon-γ ELISPOT assay and Mtb-infected dendritic cells as antigen presenting cells, we screened Mtb-specific CD8+ T cell clones restricted by classical MHC class I molecules (MHC class Ia molecules), that were isolated from Mtb-infected humans, against this library. Three novel CD8 antigens were unambiguously identified: the EsxJ family (Rv1038c, Rv1197, Rv3620c, Rv2347c, Rv1792), PE9 (Rv1088), and PE_PGRS42 (Rv2487c). The epitopes are B5701-restricted EsxJ24–34, B3905-restricted PE953–67, and B3514-restricted PE_PGRS4248–56, respectively. The utility of peptide libraries in identifying unknown epitopes recognized by classically restricted CD8+ T cells was confirmed, which can be applied to other intracellular pathogens with large size genomes. In addition, we identified three novel Mtb epitopes/antigens that may be evaluated for inclusion in vaccines and/or diagnostics for tuberculosis.
Implications of Dietary Oils and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Management of Cutaneous Disorders

• A major proinflammatory metabolite of arachidonic acid, leukotriene B 4 , is known to accumulate in the lesions of psoriasis. Most of this metabolite is biosynthesized by the polymorphonuclear cells that infiltrate into the psoriatic lesions. Epidermal 15-lipoxygenase, on the other hand, metabolizes arachidonic acid into 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-20:4n-6), presumably serving as a negative feedback to inhibit the local generation of leukotriene B 4 -Eicosapentaenoic acid, a major polyunsaturated fatty acid in fish oil, and γ-linolenic acid, a poly-unsaturated fatty acid in certain vegetable oils, are both metabolized by epidermal 15-lipoxygenase into 15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-OH-20:5n-3) and 15-hydroxyeicosatriaenoic acid (15-OH-20:3n-3), respectively. Both of these monohydroxy acids are potent in vitro inhibitors of leukotriene B 4 generation. It seems reasonable, therefore, that adequate dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid or γ-linolenic acid may offer a novel and nontoxic approach to suppressing cutaneous inflammatory disorders. ( Arch Dermatol 1989;125:241-245)
A Comprehensive Review of Phosphorus Removal Technologies and Processes

Phosphorus removal from polluted water is a global concern considering the detrimental environmental effects that excess phosphorus has. Phosphorus can lead to poor water quality and aquatic life loss due to eutrophication when found in excess in aquatic systems. Industry and agriculture are two of the main sources that lead to the accumulation of phosphorus in wastewater. In an attempt to prevent harmful environmental effects of excess phosphorus, several techniques have been designed to remove phosphorus from wastewater. These techniques range from adsorption and precipitation to enhanced biological phosphorus removal and constructed wetlands. Adsorption and precipitation predominantly require the use of different metals in the phosphorus removal process. This article reviews the results found in the last nine years pertaining to phosphorus removal through the use of adsorption and precipitation using different metal-containing compounds. Advances concerning the parameters of enhanced biological phospho...
Two graph searching techniques for boundary finding in white blood cell images

Abstract Two boundary finding algorithms based on a graph searching paradigm are applied to the problem of the accurate visual separation of touching white blood cells. Coded in FORTRANIV for the Nova 840 minicomputer, they produce very good results in modest running time. The algorithms are structured so as to cleanly isolate within a single mathematical function all problem-dependent information concerning the appearance of the boundary. For touching cells, this function takes into account the relatively high contrast in the vicinity of a point on the boundary, the difference in optical density between points in this neighborhood and an optimum derived from a histogram of the image, and the low degree of curvature the boundary is expected to exhibit. In principle, the information used may be quite diverse and adapted to the task at hand. As an example of their versatility, the methods are applied to the problem of finding the longitudinal axis of a chromosome using the geometry of the chromosome outline as a source of information.
Acid phosphatase activity in the development of the cement gland in Xenopus laevis

The properties of acid phosphatase from the cement gland of Xenopus laevis embryos were investigated both biochemically and electrophoretically. The studies were made on excised glands at a preregressing stage (stage 35/36, Nieuwkoop and Faber staging series) and a regressing stage (stage 45). The total activity (amount of p-nitrophenol released/hr/gland) of acid phosphatase increased 1.7-fold while the specific activity (amount of p-nitrophenol released/hr/μg protein) increased 2.8-fold from stage 35/36 to stage 45. There was some indication of a changing pH pattern during regression. Acid phosphatase activity showed a slight peak at pH 4.5 at stage 35/36 but a sharp optimal peak at pH 5.0 at stage 45. Also, there was increased phosphatase activity in both isotonic and hypotonic homogenates, in the absence of Triton X-100, during gland cell regression. Electrophoretic separation of acid phosphatases from cement gland homogenates resolved two isozymes at stage 35/36, and two more forms appeared at stage 45. Both the quantitative and qualitative changes seen during cement gland development suggest a correlation between acid phosphatase activity and gland cell regression.
Effect of ethnicity and treatments on in situ tensile response and morphological changes of human hair characterized by atomic force microscopy

Human hair fibers experience tensile forces during grooming and styling processes. The tensile response of hair is hence of considerable interest to the cosmetics industry. In this study, in situ tensile characterization studies have been carried out in an atomic force microscope (AFM) on different hair under different conditions. A custom-built AFM sample stage allows hair fibers to be loaded in tension. A technique to locate and image the same control area at different strains has been developed to study the changes in morphology that occur with deformation. Virgin Caucasian, Asian and African hair were studied to understand the differences between different ethnic hair types. Also, the tensile response and morphological changes of virgin, chemically damaged and conditioner-treated Caucasian hair after soaking were compared against the corresponding dry tensile response. Finally, virgin, damaged and treated Caucasian hair fibers were subjected to fatigue cycling to simulate combing/detangling, and their tensile response studied.
‘The most disgusting objects of both sexes’: Gender and race in the episodic crime news of the 1830s

Based on an analysis of episodic crime reporting in the New York Herald and the New York Sun of the 1830s, the following article examines the intersections of gender, race, and class in the origins of modern crime news. The role played by intersections among race, gender, and class in US crime news has not always been transparent or straightforward. In the ideologically charged context of crime news, for example, codes for representing black masculinity as criminal grew out of early 19th-century conceptualizations of gender, race, and class that were fundamentally racist and misogynist. Re-examining the early development of US crime news through a lens that encompasses race, gender, and class can tell us much about how various forms of threat construction came to be, as well as shedding light on the hold these forms of threat construction continue to exercise within US crime news and public discourses about crime.
A simple effective flaw model on analyzing the nanofiller agglomeration effect of nanocomposite materials

A special mechanics/material phenomenon involving nanocomposites is the agglomeration of nanofillers at high volume fractions of nanofillers. Numerous experimental investigations on nanocomposites have indicated a significant decrease in mechanical properties, due to the agglomeration of nanofillers. This paper describes a simple effective flaw model to correlate the local mechanical behavior of agglomerated nanoparticles with the change in global strengths of nanocomposites. The estimated bending strength reduction from our model is shown to be similar to experimental results reported by previous researchers. These results can be used as a guide for future nanocomposite design and development. Future nanomaterial manufacturing should be focused on eliminating the largest agglomerates, rather than limiting the nanofiller volume fraction.Meanwhile, by reducing the nanofiller agglomerate size, we expect that a high critical nanofiller volume fraction could be obtained to delay the mechanical property reduction.