cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists for the treatment of migraine.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the characterization of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists for the therapeutic application in the treatment of migraine. CGRP had been identified as a vasoactive neuropeptide that is largely expressed in sensory neurons. The plasma levels of CGRP are elevated during migraine and successful treatment with a triptan return it to basal levels. This observation, along with other evidence, suggests that CGRP receptor antagonists might be useful in antimigraine drugs. CGRP is widely distributed in the peripheral and central nervous system and exhibits a wide range of biological effects on tissues, the most pronounced being vasodilation. The discovery of small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists has generally begun with weak, micromolar high-throughput screening (HTS) lead being optimized to potent antagonists such as BIBN4096BS and MK-0974. Lead optimization of the weakly active benzodiazepinone spirohydantoin focused on improving the functional CGRP receptor antagonism, first in cell culture with added human serum and then in vivo in a noninvasive rhesus monkey pharmacodynamic (PD) model using topical capsaicin-induced dermal vasodilation(CIDV).
Radioimmunoassay for Cyclic Nucleotides I. PREPARATION OF ANTIBODIES AND IODINATED CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDES

Abstract Sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays have been developed for cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP), cyclic inosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cIMP), and cyclic uridine 3',5'-monophosphate (cUMP). These assays are based upon competition of the cyclic nucleotide with isotopically labeled cyclic nucleotide derivatives for binding sites on specific antibody. Antibodies to the cyclic nucleotides were obtained by immunizing rabbits with an antigen prepared by conjugating the 2'-O-succinyl derivative of the cyclic nucleotide with protein (human serum albumin or keyhole limpet hemocyanin). High specific activity derivatives of the cyclic nucleotides (g150 Ci per mmole) were prepared by iodinating (125I) the tyrosine methyl ester derivative of the succinylated cyclic nucleotide. Free and antibody bound 125I-labeled cyclic nucleotides were separated by either the "second antibody" precipitation technique or (NH4)2SO4 fractionation. Binding equilibrium was reached in 24 hours, but sensitive and reproducible assays were obtained after 4 to 6 hours of incubation. The sensitivity and assay range for the various radioimmunoassays are (picomoles per tube): cAMP, 0.01 to 2; cGMP, 0.01 to 1.0; cIMP, 0.12 to 10.0; and cUMP, 0.1 to 10.0. Structurally related purine and pyrimidine nucleotides and nucleosides exhibited ≤0.005% competitive binding in all immunoassays except cIMP which showed 0.35% competitive binding in the cGMP assay, cGMP 1% in the cIMP assay, and cIMP 1% in the cUMP assay.
Client Interests and a Lawyer's Duty to Expedite Litigation: Does Model Rule 3.2 Impose Any Independent Obligations?

Rule 3.2 of the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct ("Model Rules") requires lawyers to "make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client," while other rules impose complementary obligations. How far does this duty to expedite litigation extend? Is the client's interest an absolute defense to the charge of failing to expedite litigation, or are there some client interests that do not justify a lawyer's use of delaying tactics?
Cloud and Precipitation Microphysics: Principles and Parameterizations

1. Introduction 2. Foundations of microphysical parameterizations 3. Cloud droplet and cloud ice crystal nucleation 4. Saturation adjustment 5. Vapor diffusion growth of liquid water drops 6. Vapor diffusion growth of ice water crystals 7. Collection growth theory and parameterization 8. Drop breakup theory and parameterizations 9. Autoconversions and conversions 10. Hail growth theory and parameterization 11. Melting theory and parameterization 12. Microphysical parameterization problems and solutions 13. Model dynamics and finite differences Index.
Degrees of Belief, Random Worlds, and Maximum Entropy

Consider a doctor with a knowledge base KB consisting of first-order information (such as "All patients with hepatitis have jaundice"), statistical information (such as "80have hepatitis"), and default information (such as "patients with pneumonia typically have fever"). The doctor may want to make decisions regarding a particular patient, using the KB in some principled way. To do this, it is often useful for the doctor to assign a numerical "degree of belief" to measure the strength of her belief in a given statement A. I focus on one principled method for doing so. The method, called the random worlds method, is a natural one: For any given domain size N, we can look at the proportion of models satisfying A among models of size N satisfying KB. If we don't know the domain size N, but know that it is large, we can approximate the degree of belief in A given KB by taking the limit of this fraction as N goes to infinity. In many cases that arise in practice, the answers we get using this method can be shown to match heuristic assumptions made in many standard AI systems. I also show that when the language is restricted to unary predicates (for example, symptoms and diseases, but not relations such as "Taller than"), the answer provided by the random worlds method can often be computed using maximum entropy. On the other hand, if the language includes binary predicates, all connections to maximum entropy seem to disappear. Moreover, almost all the questions one might want to ask can be shown to be highly undecidable. I conclude with some general discussion of the problem of finding reasonable methods to do inductive reasoning of the sort considered here, and the relevance of these ideas to data mining and knowledge discovery. The talk covers joint work with Fahiem Bacchus, Adam Grove and Daphne Koller [1,2].
Understanding Engineering Relational and Knowledge Structures for Facilitation of Collaboration and Global Development

The theme of the ASME 2014 Congress has been stated as “Engineering for Global Development”, and emphasizes the need for engineering collaboration for facing the complex challenges extant in the developing world for critical infrastructure, clean water, and so on. Yet there exists little awareness of how to structure design communities to create the knowledge, and the design solutions, for developing countries or global problems. And there is not even a general theory on how to create such design communities that can effectively come to terms with the immense problems facing the globe, as population expands, CO2 in the atmosphere goes up, and the challenges presented by climate change come home to roost on basic human need.In this paper, the author presents an attempt at the creation of a neurogenic, empathy-based emergent model for creating such communities linking Clare Graves’ and Don Beck’s Spiral Dynamics, empathy development, and Conway’s Law. Coupled with work done previously by Andrew Kahneman, this paper will explain how to create larger design community structures based on empathetic development of design engineers, that will yield both the individuals, as well as the communities based on self-similar principles, that have the temporal and spatial awarenesses necessary to deal with these problems. Additionally, the author will discuss how such relational development will affect the physical structure of design solutions (such as concentrated, hierarchical, or distributed) by integrating this theory with Conway’s Law, which states that the structure of a given product will be a reflection of the organizational structure that created it.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Practical Human-Machine Identification over Insecure Channels

Human-machine identification is an important problem in cryptography that has applications in network access, electronic commerce, and smart-card design. It is a hard problem largely because human users have a very limited capacity in memorizing secrets and in performing protocols. Therefore, in addition to the requirement that a human-machine identification scheme must be provably secure, the scheme has to be practical in the sense that it must be feasible for a human user to participate. In this paper, we develop a new scheme for this problem. Our scheme improves upon some of the previously proposed human-machine identification schemes. We present a vigorous security analysis of our scheme. We also present some attacks to show previously proposed schemes could be vulnerable.
X-ray observations and the properties of active galactic nuclei

X‐ray observations and the properties of Active Galactic Nuclei are re ed and the requirements for 21st century observations are discussed. To obtain the data necessary to directly study evolution, determine redshifts, study accretion disks and determine characteristic timescales of variability requires del E about 100 ev, a collecting at E about 6 kev of ≳ 3000 cm(2), a broad energy range of 0.1–10 kev, good spatial resolution (<10‘) and the capacity for long observations (e.g., a non‐low earth orbit). (AIP)
Topical nitroglycerin and lidocaine to dilate the radial artery prior to transradial cardiac catheterization: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial: The PRE-DILATE Study

Background/objectives Transradial access (TRA) is being increasingly used for both diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Use of TRA offers many advantages: decreased bleeding, vascular complications, reduced length of hospital stay, and reduced cost. However, the small size of the radial artery limits the size of the equipment that can be used via this approach. We sought to determine whether pre-procedural administration of topical nitroglycerin and lidocaine increases the size of the radial artery. Methods Patients undergoing transradial cardiac catheterization were randomized in a double-blind fashion to a topical combination of nitroglycerin+lidocaine or placebo ointment. The primary endpoint was change in radial artery size. Secondary endpoints included radial artery spasm and radial artery patency. Results 86 patients were enrolled (43 allocated to treatment group and 43 to placebo group). Patients underwent ultrasound of the radial artery at baseline and before the catheterization. Complications were rare: one hematoma (placebo group) and one radial artery occlusion (placebo group). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar. The baseline radial artery cross-sectional area (CSA) was similar in both groups (4.95 ± 0.24 mm(2) in placebo group and 5.14 ± 0.34 mm(2) in the treatment group). However, the final CSA decreased to 4.66 ± 0.25 mm(2) in the placebo group and increased to 5.78 ± 0.38 mm(2) in the treatment group (p=0.02), which corresponded to a decrease in CSA by -5.6 ± 2.1% and an increase in CSA by 16.5 ± 4.2% (p Conclusions Pre-procedural administration of topical mixture of nitroglycerin+lidocaine increases the size of the radial artery in patients undergoing transradial cardiac catheterization. Clinicaltrialsgov identifier NCT01155167.
The structure of hepatitis B surface antigen and its antigenic sites.

Hepatitis B virus infects about 200 million people worldwide yearly. The consequences of the infection range from mild, self-limiting hepatitis with full recovery and immunity to chronic infection with liver disease of varying severity, including fulminant hepatitis and death. Alternatively, individuals may become healthy carriers of the virus and thus serve as a reservoir of infection. In addition, all chronic carriers of the virus are also at risk for development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma later in life. Efforts to combat this disease on a global scale require an inexpensive vaccine. Studies of the hepatitis B viral coat protein (HBsAg) have permitted the development of two generations of vaccine to date, and detailed structural studies of its antigenic sites may eventually allow the development of a completely synthetic (and therefore inexpensive) vaccine in the future.
The use of stream flow routing for direct channel precipitation with isotopically-based hydrograph separations: the role of new water in stormflow generation

Abstract Understanding the pathways by which event water contributes to stream stormflow provides insight into stormflow generation mechanisms. We analyze the impact of storm size on the relative contribution of event water to stormflow by using natural variations in the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation and stream water to separate multiple stormflow hydrographs from a single fourth-order, 1212 ha catchment. We extend previous isotope-based hydrograph separations by independently accounting for the contribution of event water via direct channel precipitation to the stream hydrograph. The direct channel precipitation contribution is determined using a numerical model of stream flow routing though the catchment, taking precipitation and digital elevation data as input variables. For the range of storm sizes sampled, having recurrence intervals ranging from less than a week to ∼4 months, essentially all the event water in stream stormflow can be attributed to direct channel precipitation. Event water not directly falling on the stream channel indirectly contributes to stormflow by increasing the subsurface discharge of pre-event water to the stream. Neither the hydrograph separation data, field observations during the precipitation events, nor experimental observations of flow in a large-scale natural soil column extracted from the watershed are consistent with macropore flow or groundwater ridging as the primary mechanism responsible for increasing subsurface discharge. Results from a series of artificial rain experiments using the unsaturated natural soil column are consistent with a preferential kinematic flow model and indicate that the discharge of pre-event water to the stream during a storm event may be controlled by kinematic flow processes within the watershed soils.
Universal centrality and collision energy trends for v 2 measurements from 2D angular correlations

We have measured the p t -integrated quadrupole component of two-particle azimuth correlations (related to quantity v 2, denoted in this case by v 2{2D}) via two-dimensional (2D) angular autocorrelations on (η,φ) for unidentified hadrons in Au-Au collisions at 62 and 200 GeV. The 2D autocorrelation provides a method to remove non-quadrupole contributions to v 2 (conventionally termed “nonflow”) under the assumption that such processes produce significant dependence on pair-wise relative η within the detector acceptance. We hypothesize, based on empirical observations, that non-quadrupole contributions are dominated by minijets or minimum-bias jets. Using the optical Glauber eccentricity model for initial-state geometry we find simple and accurate universal energy and centrality trends for the quadrupole component. Centrality trends are determined only by the initial state (impact parameter b and center-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{\mathit{NN}}}$ ). There is no apparent dependence on evolving system dynamics (e.g., equation of state or number of secondary collisions). Our measurements of the quadrupole and non-quadrupole components have implications for the contributions to v 2. They suggest that the main source of the difference between v 2{2} and v 2{4} (or v 2{2D}) is measured properties of minijets.
Motion Compensated Reconstructions of Calcified Coronary Plaques in Cardiac CT

In order to obtain motion-compensated reconstructions of calcified coronary plaques in cardiac CT, the dynamic trajectory of the plaque must be known rather accurately. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the dynamic trajectories of a plaque extracted from reconstructions provided by a previously developed tracking algorithm can be used for obtaining motion-compensated reconstructions of this plaque. A single projection dataset of the modified FORBILD phantom containing a calcified plaque undergoing continuous periodic motion was acquired with a gantry rotation time of 0.4 s and a heart rate of 90 bpm. Three sets of phase-correlated 4D ROI images centered on the calcified plaque (labeled G1, G2, and G3) were obtained from this dataset by varying the numbers of data segments used for cardiac gating (N = 1, 2, 3) during the reconstruction steps of the tracking algorithm. Dynamic trajectories from each of these datasets were calculated from edge-based segmentations of these datasets. When compared to the true trajectory (labeled T), root-mean-square (RMS) values of position for trajectories G1, G2, and G3 were 1.473 mm, 1.166 mm, and 0.736 mm, respectively. Trajectories G1, G2, G3, and T then were used to obtain motion-compensated reconstructions MC1, MC2, MC3, and MCT, respectively, at 6.25 ms time intervals over 2 cardiac cycles. The areas (number of pixels) of the plaque then were measured at all time intervals for each set of reconstructions. When compared against areas obtained for MCT, RMS values of areas for reconstructions MC1, MC2, and MC3 were 26.888, 12.384, and 4.837, respectively. On visual inspection, MC3 also exhibited the least motion artifacts at most time intervals.
Potentiometric Determination of Stabilities of Cobalt(II) Complexes of Polyamine Schiff Bases and Their Dioxygen Adducts

SALCOMINE, Ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)cobalt(II) and 3FSALCOPHEN, o-phenylenebis(3-flourosalicylideneiminatocobalt(II) combine with dioxygen to form adducts in the presence of 4-methylpyridine
DVB-RCS integration with the DISN OSS to provide Situational Awareness and an end-to-end NetOps solution

With the continued evolution of technology in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), the need for effective Situational Awareness (SA) and efficient Command & Control (C2) becomes increasingly important for successful mission planning, management, and execution. The Digital Video Broadcast - Return Channel Satellite (DVB-RCS) NetOps vision for remote management and monitoring aims to provide visibility and Situational Awareness to required communities of interest as well as the ability to view and configure all the operational layers DVB-RCS, including the devices and technology, operations and management, and missions and objectives.
Flow Field Measurement of Mixing Driven by Buoyancy

Mixing driven by buoyancy-induced flows inside a cavity consists of stretching and folding of an interface. Measurement of the flow field using particle imaging velocimetry shows that during stretching the flow field has a single elliptic point, thus dominated by a single vortex. However, global bifurcation that results in folding introduces a hyperbolic point whereby the flow field degenerates to multiple vortex interactions. The short-lived coherent structure observed during mixing which results in the Rayleigh- Taylor morphology is attributed to vortex interactions. The mixing characteristics of non-homogeneous fluids driven by buoyancy are important towards understanding transport phenomenon in a microgravity environment. Mixing consists of stretching and folding of an interface due to a flow field whose intensity depends on the body force. For miscible liquids, the characteristic of the flow field determines whether mass transport is governed by diffusion or bulk stirring which induces mixing. For technologically important processes, transport of mass is governed by the coupling of the body force to scalar gradients such as concentration and or temperature' 2 3 . In order to lend insight into these classes of problems we consider a model experimental system to study mixing driven by buoyancy-induced flows. The characteristics of mixing is addressed from detail measurements of the flow field using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV), and its corresponding interface dynamics using image processing techniques.
Thermodynamics of dT-dT base pair mismatching in linear DNA duplexes and three-arm DNA junctions

We have used a combination of magnetic-suspension densimetry and calorimetry to derive complete thermodynamic profiles, including volume changes, for the formation of linear DNA duplexes and three-arm branched DNA junctions, from their component strands, with and without dT−dT mismatches. The formation of each type of complex at 20 °C is accompanied by a favorable free energy, with a favorable enthalpy term partially compensated by an unfavorable entropy. Formation is associated also with net uptake of water molecules. Using the formation of the fully-paired linear duplex or three-arm junction as reference states, we can establish a thermodynamic cycle in which the contribution of the single-strand species cancels. From this cycle, we determine that substitution of dA for dT has a differential free energy of ΔΔG° of +2.4 kcal mol-1 for mismatched duplex and +2.0 kcal mol-1 (on the average) for the mismatched junction. These unfavorable differential free energies result from an unfavorable enthalpy, partia...
The emerin-binding transcription factor Lmo7 is regulated by association with p130Cas at focal adhesions

Loss of function mutations in the nuclear inner membrane protein, emerin, cause X-linked Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (X-EDMD). X-EDMD is characterized by contractures of major tendons, skeletal muscle weakening and wasting, and cardiac conduction system defects. The transcription factor Lmo7 regulates muscle- and heart-relevant genes and is inhibited by binding to emerin, suggesting Lmo7 misregulation contributes to EDMD disease. Lmo7 associates with cell adhesions and shuttles between the plasma membrane and nucleus, but the regulation and biological consequences of this dual localization were unknown. We report endogenous Lmo7 also associates with focal adhesions in cells, and both co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with p130Cas, a key signaling component of focal adhesions. Lmo7 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity increased significantly in p130Cas-null MEFs, suggesting Lmo7 is negatively regulated by p130Cas-dependent association with focal adhesions. These results support EDMD models in which Lmo7 is a downstream mediator of integrin-dependent signaling that allows tendon cells and muscles to adapt to and withstand mechanical stress.
XAFS and Thermal Averaging

XAFS measures ρ(τ), the distribution of the magnitude τ of the relative vector displacement τ between a center probe atom and its neighbors. The related ρ(τ) of the distribution of the vector distance between the probe atom and its neighbors defines a pair potential V(τ) which is thermally averaged over the position of all of the other atoms in the material being investigated. It is shown that there are subtle differences between ρ(τ) and ρ(τ) which lead to a new correction term to XAFS measurements necessary to obtain the correct thermal expansion of interatomic distances. Besides measuring ρ(τ), XAFS allows the determination of both ρ(τ) and V(τ) which include σ⊥ 2 in addition to the usual σ z 2 , the mean squared vibrational disorder perpendicular and along the line between the average position of the pair of atoms, respectively.
Focusing flexural Lamb waves by designing elastic metamaterials bonded on a plate

In this paper, a method to focus flexural Lamb waves to a local area by mounting elastic metamaterials (EMMs) on the surface of the plate is proposed. The EMM consists of silicon rubber and lead connected in series bonded vertically on an aluminum plate. A simplified effective mass-“spring”-mass model is used to study the EMM plate. The frequency-dependent effective mass density of the EMM plate is determined with the aid of the numerically based effective medium method. By making use of the low locally resonant frequency of the EMM plate, the EMM plate is carefully designed with different dimensions to attain high effective mass densities. The effective mass density can be assumed to dominate the change of wave velocity and propagation direction in the EMM plate. An effective mass density profile is then employed along the transverse direction of wave propagation to achieve focusing. Finally, numerical simulation with finite element method (FEM) is utilized to investigate the focusing phenomenon of the A 0 mode Lamb waves at 30 kHz and the out-of-plane displacement response beyond the EMM region. Numerical simulation results have shown that focusing the low frequency A 0 mode Lamb waves using EMMs is feasible. The focusing may have potential applications in structural health monitoring by manipulating Lamb waves through controlling and focusing Lamb waves to any arbitrary location of the plate with amplified displacement and yet largely retained five-peaked toneburst waveform.
Observed changes in the diurnal dewpoint cycles across North America

We analyzed the record of hourly dewpoint data from 92 climatological stations in North America. The data were centered with respect to sunrise and sunset and divided into four geographic regions of approximately equal area in an attempt to uncover regional trends. Few statistically significant regional trends in mean dewpoint temperatures were found. However, the within-day variations were very well behaved and consistent across regions. They showed a relative decline in dewpoints in the late afternoon at most stations, and small declines just after sunrise. The results are consistent with urbanization signals described by Oke [1987]. An observed rise in midday dewpoint, followed by a fall in late afternoon, indicates some regional enhancement of convection, which may in part be from the urban effect, but other causes are possible. Our dewpoint changes are somewhat consistent with precipitation changes that have described by other researchers.
PDF modeling of lean premixed combustion using in situ tabulated chemistry

Abstract The velocity–composition probability density function (pdf) model coupled with a k -ϵ-based mean flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to describe the turbulent fluid flow, heat transfer, chemistry, and their interactions in a bluff-body, lean, premixed, methane–air combustor. Measured data [1, 2] including velocity, temperature, and chemical species concentrations were used to evaluate the model. The chemistry calculations were performed with an in situ look-up tabulation method [3] . A reduced, 5-step chemical mechanism [4] for describing fuel oxidation, CO, and NO chemistry was used in the model. NO formation from thermal, N 2 O-intermediate, and prompt pathways was included in the 5-step mechanism. An axisymmetric, unstructured grid was used for solving the Eulerian, mean flow equations and the vertices were used to store mean statistics for solving the Lagrangian, fluid particle equations. Predicted velocity and composition mean statistics were compared to measurements in the bluff-body combustor for a lean equivalence ratio of 0.59. The predictions of major species matched measured and calculated equilibrium values in the recirculation zone. Comparisons of mean CO throughout the combustor were always within an order of magnitude and showed marked improvements over past predictions. Maximum discrepancies between measured and predicted NO concentrations were between 5 and 7 ppm (∼50%). The accessed composition space in this turbulent combustion simulation represented the values of species mole fraction and enthalpy for each fluid particle at each time step and was found to lie in a relatively small, uniquely shaped region that was dictated by the mixing, reaction, and heat transfer in the combustor. This accessed composition region was obtained in situ and required about 35 megabytes of storage once a steady state was reached. This memory requirement was more than three orders of magnitude less than would be needed in a standard, a priori table. The in situ tabulation approach allowed for technically correct and efficient chemical kinetic calculations using the 5-step mechanism in this pdf-method-based, multidimensional combustor model.
Magnetic Observations over Eskers in Michigan

Magnetic observations, taken over two eskers and their adjacent till plains, indicate that a distinct variation in magnetic intensity exists between ice-laid and fluvioglacial material. The variation corresponds to differences in concentration of magnetic minerals, which is in turn attributed to the mode of transportation of these materials.
Mechanism of smell: Electrochemistry, receptors and cell signaling

Abstract This report presents in four main parts a novel approach based on electrochemistry, receptors and cell signaling. In Part A, there is limited correlation between dipole moments (DMs), associated electrostatic fields (EFs), and odor. For Part B, binding of the odorant to the receptor results in interaction of the ligand EF with those of the protein receptor, resulting in alteration. Part C addresses passage of the message by the altered EF to the olfactory neurons. Part D represents the final step in which the electrical signal is converted to perceived odor in the cerebral olfactory cortex.
A clinical analysis of pseudopapilledema. II. Visual field defects.

• Goldmann perimetry was performed on patients with pseudopapilledema. The cases were subdivided into those with ophthalmoscopically visible hyaline bodies (HB), (group 1) and those without (group 2). In group 1, 37 of 52 eyes (71%) demonstrated field abnormalities, including enlargement of the blind spot (68%) and various nerve fiber bundle defects (70%); inferior nasal defects were the single most frequent defect. In group 2, ten of 47 eyes (21%) showed only enlarged blind spots and two fields were generally constricted. No nerve fiber bundle defects were found in this group. It is noted that field defects related to other ocular or intracranial diseases may be found in patients with intrapapillary HBs.
Nonlinear molecular photonics and controlled laser transmission through a nonlinear fiber array

We have performed a critical analysis of optical limiting materials exhibiting the two typical absorption mechanisms of reverse saturable absorption (RSA) and two-photon absorption (TPA). The limiting characteristics of beam propagation in nonlinear liquids that exhibit RSA and TPA are discussed, and guidelines for materials and parameter optimization that will result in practical large dynamic range devices are given.
Classification of compact complex homogeneous manifolds with pseudo-kählerian structures

Abstract In this paper, we apply a modification theorem for a compact homogeneous solvmanifold to compact complex homogeneous manifolds with pseudo-kahlerian structures. We are able to classify these manifolds as certain products of projective rational homogeneous spaces, tori, simple and double reduced primitive pseudo-kahler spaces.
Generalized Markov models of infectious disease spread: A novel framework for developing dynamic health policies

We propose a class of mathematical models for the transmission of infectious diseases in large populations. This class of models, which generalizes the existing discrete-time Markov chain models of infectious diseases, is compatible with efficient dynamic optimization techniques to assist real-time selection and modification of public health interventions in response to evolving epidemiological situations and changing availability of information and medical resources. While retaining the strength of existing classes of mathematical models in their ability to represent the within-host natural history of disease and between-host transmission dynamics, the proposed models possess two advantages over previous models: (1) these models can be used to generate optimal dynamic health policies for controlling spreads of infectious diseases, and (2) these models are able to approximate the spread of the disease in relatively large populations with a limited state space size and computation time.
Managing and measuring performance of large femtocell networks

Large femtocell networks with upwards of one million units must be managed differently from macro cell networks with a few tens of thousands of base stations. This paper describes a network performance system that is helping to manage several large femtocell networks. It incorporates parallel processing, rule based artificial intelligence, large scale automated data analysis, and information theoretic data mining. The next generation of automatic femtocell network management system is also discussed.
NEURONS UNDERGO APOPTOSIS IN ANIMAL AND CELL CULTURE MODELS OF DIABETES

Recent clinical trials indicate that the severity of diabetic neuropathy is correlated with the level of patient glycemic control. In the current study, hyperglycemia induces apoptotic changes in dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells in vivo both in streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats and in rats made acutely hyperglycemic with infused glucose. Typical apoptotic nuclear and cytoplasmic changes are observed. In addition mitochondrial changes recently reported to occur as part of the apoptotic cascade, such as ballooning of mitochondria and disruption of the internal cristae, are seen in diabetic dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells. Similar changes have been reported in neurons in the presence of oxidative stress. In order to study the neurotoxic effects of high glucose we developed an in vitro model using rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. In dorsal root ganglion cultured in defined medium, addition of moderate glucose levels results in neurite degeneration and apoptosis. These changes are coupled with activation of caspase-3, dependent on the concentration of glucose. The apoptotic changes observed in vitro are similar to those observed in vivo. In contrast, addition of IGF-I, even at physiological concentrations, prevents activation of caspase-3 and neuronal apoptosis in vitro. We suggest that oxidative stress may promote the mitochondrial changes in diabetic animals and lead to activation of programmed cell death caspase pathways. These results imply a new pathogenetic mechanism for diabetic sensory neuropathy.
Effects of 17β-estradiol on blood-brain barrier disruption during focal cerebral ischemia in younger and older rats

This study was performed to compare the effects of 17beta-estradiol on blood-brain barrier disruption in focal cerebral ischemia between younger and older rats. Younger (three-month-old) and older (24-month-old) ovariectomized female Fischer 344 rats were studied. In one half of each age group, a 500 microg 17beta-estradiol 21-day release pellet and in another half, a vehicle pellet was implanted 21 days before the experiments. One hour after middle cerebral artery occlusion, the transfer coefficient (Ki) of 14C-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and the volume of 3H-dextran distribution were determined to examine the degree of blood-brain barrier disruption. In all four groups, the Ki in the ischemic cortex was higher than in the corresponding contralateral cortex. There was no significant difference in the Ki in both cortices among the groups. The volume of dextran distribution of the ischemic cortex was only greater than in the corresponding contralateral cortex in the older 17beta-estradiol-treated group, and the volume of that group was greater than the younger 17beta-estradiol-treated group (4.00 +/- 1.29 VS. 2.13 +/- 0.88 ml/100 g). After analyzing the difference in Ki between the ischemic cortex and the contralateral cortex in each animal, the difference was significantly greater in the older 17beta-estradiol-treated rats than the older vehicle-treated rats (3.40 +/- 2.10 VS. 1.26 +/- 1.44 microl/g/min). In the younger rats, however, 17beta-estradiol did not significantly affect the difference. Our data showed that 17beta-estradiol treatment failed to attenuate the BBB disruption in the cerebral ischemic cortex in the older or younger Fischer 344 rats. However, our data also suggest the possibility that 17beta-estradiol could aggravate the BBB disruption in older rats.
The Economics of Global Food Security

This article outlines a food security synthesis: that food insecurity traces to poverty, that poverty must be addressed by economic development, and that economic development flows from application of the standard model that is now mainstream economics. Food-insecure countries do not follow the standard model; their policies for agriculture and other sectors deter development. Reasons lie in institutions such as government and in attitudes. The economics of food security is straightforward. The challenge of food security for our time is for economists to work with others regarding socioinstitutional changes essential for proven policies and practices to supply adequate diets.
Scanning Activity Gravimetric Analysis

We introduce a new technique -- scanning activity gravimetric analysis (SAGA)for investigating phase transitions in semicrystalline polymers. Isothermal growth and dissolution of polymer crystallites within picogram to milligram samples are manifested by mass changes in response to changes in the activity of sorbed solvent vapor. Single charged particles are levitated and weighed in an electrostatic field, providing access to highly supersaturated states. Phase transitions are inferred from simultaneous sorption and light scattering measurements. Analogous to differential scanning calorimetry, scanning solvent activity up and down exposes broad transitions between the semicrystalline solid state and the dissolved state, which are influenced by sample history. We demonstrate repeated dissolution and crystallization of an 11 ng sample of poly(ethylene oxide) by controlling the activity of sorbed water vapor and observe self-nucleation of crystallites from partially and fully solvated states.
Chemical determination of synthetic estrogens I. Basic data on the nitrosophenol reaction

A method is described for the identification and quantitative determination of diethylstilbestrol, hexestrol, dienestrol, benzestrol, and Meprane which depends on the formation of the corresponding o-nitrosophenols. The absorption of the alkaline quinoid forms of these derivatives in solution is a linear function of the concentration.
Reproductive biology of skates, Bathyraja(Ishiyama), along the eastern Bering Sea continental slope

Eight Bathyraja skate species, Bathyraja aleutica, Bathyraja interrupta, Bathyraja lindbergi, Bathyraja maculata, Bathyraja minispinosa, Bathyraja parmifera, Bathyraja taranetzi and Bathyraja trachura, collected along the eastern Bering Sea continental slope were examined for reproductive features. The sex ratio for six of eight Bathyraja skate species studied was c. 1:1 with males dominating for B. interrupta and B. parmifera. Five of eight species examined, B. aleutica, B. lindbergi, B. parmifera, B. taranetzi and B. trachura approximately equalled or exceeded the maximum reported total length, L T . Maximum LT for three species (B. interrupts, B. minispinosa and B. parmifera) revealed that the largest individuals were males and that in three other species (B. lindbergi, B. maculata and B. trachura) both females and males grew to approximately the same size. Both females and males matured at approximately the same LT for seven of eight species. Only female B. aleutica matured at a much larger size than males. All species matured within a narrow size range following a protracted juvenile stage and once mature these skates appeared to grow very little. First maturity for all species occurred at >80% of their maximum L T . The number of oocytes did not significantly differ between the left and right ovary for any species. The total number of mature oocytes increased with LT for six of eight species examined. The number of oocytes for one species, B. aleutica, increased in number until 145 cm LT, then declined in those individuals greater in length. The egg cases of all species are described, of which four (B. lindbergi, B. parmifera, B. taranetzi and B. trachura) have never been previously reported. Evidence is presented that suggest skates may be limited to as little as one and as many as 13 spawning seasons, depending on the species, and that senescence may occur in older individuals.
Notes on the Life History of the Striped Blister Beetle in Southern Louisiana

The life history of Epicauta lemniscata Fab. (order Coleoptera, family Meloidae) is given for southern Louisiana.
Desorption isotherms of DyFe3 hydrides

Abstract Desorption isotherms for the DyFe 3 -H system were obtained at 0 °C and 20 °C. The isotherms are analyzed in terms of a theory of multiplateau hydrogen absorption recently published by the author. Changes observed in the isotherms in successive absorption-desorption cycles are described.
Jena: a semantic Web toolkit

HP Labs developed the Jena toolkit to make it easier to develop applications that use the semantic Web information model and languages. Jena is a Java application programming interface that is available as an open-source download from www.hpl.hp.com/semweb/jena-top.html.
Autogenous augmentation mammaplasty with microsurgical tissue transfer.

The Mentor study found reoperation rates of breast augmentation procedures of 25% at 7 years. The benefits of autogenous tissue that have been learned from breast reconstruction can also be applied to breast augmentation. Autologous tissue has a decreased rate of infection, and treatment consists primarily of antibiotics. Avoiding the use of implants eliminates capsular contracture. Autogenous flaps allow replacement of the breast with skin and fibrofatty tissue, thereby replacing like with like. Microsurgical flaps have additional benefits by providing adequate tissue from multiple sites while minimizing donor site morbidity. The most common flaps used are the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap (SIEA) and perforator flaps, including the deep inferior epigastric artery flap (DIEP), superior gluteal artery flap (SGAP), and inferior gluteal artery flap (IGAP). Microsurgical techniques provide a large volume of tissue with decreased donor morbidity and are therefore an excellent choice for augmentation.
A simple method to estimate the ratio of the second pole to the gain-bandwidth product of matched operational amplifiers

A simple method is proposed for estimating the ratio of the second pole to the gain-bandwidth product of matched operational amplifiers (OAs). This ratio is an important parameter in deciding the stability of composite OA-based circuits. The theoretical analysis of the method is presented, and experimental results are given. >
The Effects of Pipe Geometry on Fluid Flow in a Muon Collider Particle Production System

Liquid mercury has been investigated as a potential high-Z target for the production of muon particles for the Muon Collider project. This paper investigates the dynamics of mercury flow in a design of the target delivery system, with the objective of determining pipe configurations that yield weak turbulence intensities at the exit of the pipe. Eight curved pipe geometries with various half-bend angles and with/without nozzles in the exit region are studied. A theoretical analysis is carried out for steady laminar incompressible flow, whereby the terms representing the curvature effects are examined. Subsequent simulations of the turbulent flow regime in the pipes are based on a realizable k-ɛ Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations approach. The effects of half-bend angles and the presence of a nozzle on the momentum thickness and turbulence intensity at the exit plane of the curved pipe are discussed, as are the implications for the target delivery pipe designs.
Potential influence of iodine-containing compounds on the chemistry of the troposphere in the polar spring. I. Ozone depletion

Abstract Simulations of atomic mercury depletion episodes in the polar spring are now based largely on Br 2 and Br-atom initiated chemistry. Chlorine is believed to contribute little to the observed depletion. The role, if any, that the presence of iodine compounds play in Hg-atom depletion is unknown at present. The theoretically predicted instability of the HgI species suggests that I-atom reactions with mercury may be an unimportant loss process. However, iodine atoms react rapidly with ozone to develop IO radicals that interact with BrO radicals to enhance Br- and I-atom concentrations, so an indirect influence of iodine compounds on Hg removal might be expected. Computer simulations are described in this study that test this hypothesis using the homogeneous portion of the chemistry of the mercury depletion in the troposphere. Conditions are chosen equivalent to the 1300–1400 h on a clear day (17 March) at the location of Barrow, Alaska (Atmos. Environ. 37 (2003) 4467). Small amounts of reactive trace gases, representative of the Arctic spring, are present initially with typical background levels of Hg (0.24 ppt) and 50 ppb of O 3 . The simulations show that gaseous atomic mercury depletion in typical Br 2 and BrCl mixtures can be enhanced significantly by the presence of small amounts of iodine-containing compounds (I 2 , CH 2 I 2 , CH 2 IBr, CH 2 ICl, IBr, and ICl). The major initial product of the possible mercury reactions is HgBr. The subsequent coupling reactions of this species with Br, BrO, Cl, ClO, I, IO, and OH radicals are expected to lead to a variety of reactive gaseous mercury-containing products.
Atomic ordering and structural transformation in the V-Co-Ni ternary alloys

The transformation behavior of the close-packed ordered nine-layered hexagonal structure (κ phase) existing in the V-Co-Ni ternary alloys was investigated by various metallurgical methods. Both neutron and X-ray diffraction indicate that atomic ordering and structural transformation take place separately. The isothermal aging at subcritical temperatures resulted first in the formation of cubic long-range-ordered α' from the fcc α matrix and subsequently transformation of the α' to hexagonal κ. The α' to κ transformation proceeds by nucleation and growth; however, both mode and morphology of transition vary with reaction temperature. These observation have been discussed in terms of the temperature dependence of nucleation and growth processes. The structural transformation produces massive substructures, which harden the alloy substantially.
Soft tissue response in the rabbit larynx following implantation of Lactosorb (PLA/PGA copolymer) prosthesis for medialization laryngoplasty

Summary This project is designed to provide initial data regarding the use of polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid (PLA/PGA) copolymer ("LactoSorb" [Walter Lorenz Corp]), an alloplastic, resorbable material, as a prosthesis in an animal model of vocal fold medialization. Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were utilized for left medialization laryngoplasty with LactoSorb implants after undergoing left recurrent laryngeal nerve section. At 1, 3, 6, and 9 months, the rabbits were sacrificed and their larynges were evaluated both grossly and histologically for tissue response to, and resorption characteristics of the implant, tissue cellularity, maintenance of vocal fold medialization, and airway patency. Additionally, 4 rabbits were used as controls, implanted with silicone rubber medialization implants, and sacrificed at 9 months for comparison. One rabbit underwent no surgery and was likewise used as a control. Grossly, no airway obstruction was noted, and no extrusions of the implants occurred. The LactoSorb implant maintained medialization in each group of sacrificed rabbits. Histologic findings revealed a very discrete, fibrous capsule around the implant in the 1- and 3-month rabbits, and the LactoSorb was still grossly visible. At 6 months, the thin fibrous capsule partially remained; at 9 months, the capsule was no longer evident, and the implant was no longer grossly visible. Endoscopic findings at the time of sacrifice in those rabbits implanted with silicone rubber included grossly patent airways with maintenance of medialization. In the rabbits implanted with silicone rubber, the histologic findings are similar to those described elsewhere. 1 LactoSorb, because of its intermittent resorption rate, could offer an ideal alternative to currently utilized temporary, or resorbable, materials, and as such will hopefully prove an invaluable tool in the laryngologist's treatment planning and surgical repair of the patient with a paralyzed vocal fold.