cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Free-Edge Stress Concentration

Abstract : The paper describes a quasi-three dimensional formulation and associated finite element model for the stress analysis of a symmetric laminate with free-edge reinforcement. Numerical results are presented to show the effect of the reinforcement on the reduction of free-edge stresses. It is observed that the interlaminar normal stresses are reduced considerably more than the interlaminar shear stresses due to the free-edge reinforcement. A proposed method of reducing the intensity of these large stresses is to reinforce the stiffness at the free edge by wrapping a lamina or collection of laminae around the free edge, forming a cap. The cap is intended to reduce the large displacement gradients near the free edge, thereby decreasing the interlaminar stresses and reducing the probability of delamination. Experimental studies indicate that a reinforcing cap is a viable method of maintaining laminate strength 15. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a reinforcing cap on the stress distribution in a symmetric composite laminate under uniform axial extension. Parametric studies are performed by varying the thickness, length, and lamination scheme of the cap. Numerical results are presented for several representative test cases.
ACCELERATION OF RENAL DISEASE IN OBESE SHR BY EXACERBATION OF HYPERTENSION

Summary 1. Obese SHR have lower blood pressures than lean litter-mates on ad libitum diets of standard rat chow and develop spontaneous progressive kidney disease with marked proteinuria, whereas lean SHR have only mild proteinuria. 2. On a high-salt diet, obese SHR show dramatic elevations in blood pressure accompanied by accelerated renal disease and mortality. Lean SHR are also salt sensitive but to a lesser degree. 3. Weight cycling elevates blood pressure in obese SHR to levels comparable to lean SHR littermates. This elevation in blood pressure is accompanied by an exacerbation of kidney disease relative to age-matched controls. 4. Ganglionic blockade reversed the elevation in blood pressure in obese SHR elicited by either high-salt diet or weight cycling. Therefore, excess sympathetic nervous activity contributes to the impact of these hypertensive stimuli, 5. Exacerbation of hypertension accelerates renal disease in obese SHR.
Job Satisfaction in Health Education and the Value Added of Credentialing

Abstract A systematic sample of 504 health educators was chosen to measure job satisfaction in the profession and to investigate whether individual credentialing has affected overall job satisfaction, satisfaction with work, pay, opportunity for promotion, coworkers, and supervision for health educators. Data collected via a mailed instrument (53% response rate) included a demographic and education section; questions regarding employment history; Smith's fob Descriptive Index; and the fob in General Index (JIG) scales. Data analyses showed overall job satisfaction as measured by the JIG. The data indicated satisfaction with co-workers, work, supervision, and pay. However, the sample was dissatisfied with promotion opportunities. There were no differences in overall job satisfaction, satisfaction with pay, work, co-workers, and supervision, between those with the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential and those without CHES. There was a significant difference (p=. 01) in satisfaction with ...
AdX: a model for ad exchanges

Increasingly, display advertisements (ads) on the Internet are sold via marketplaces that bring publishers and advertisers together in real time when an opportunity arises to present an ad to a viewer. In this note, we present the AdX Model for such marketplaces.
CFD modeling of pervaporative mass transfer in the boundary layer

Modeling mass transfer in the liquid boundary layer accounting for concentration polarization in pervaporation (PV) is particularly challenging since there is no practical way of experimentally determining solute concentration at the membrane surface. We have developed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach to describe not only velocity distribution but also concentration profile in the liquid boundary layer of a slit membrane channel. The satisfactoriness of the numerical methodology used in CFD for obtaining concentration profiles were verified using a classic diffusion problem with its known analytical solution. The overall mass transfer coefficients from the numerical study were also compared with those from the experiment.
Large NaI(Tl) crystals as high energy resolution spectrometers in high energy physics and in γ-ray astronomy

The response of 30 in. diameter NaI(Tl) crystal detectors to electrons in the GeV range is described, and experience acquired in the operation of such detectors in physics experiments is summarized.
Multiple Compton Scattering of Low Energy Gamma-Radiation

This paper contains solutions to several problems of multiple Compton scattering of low energy gamma-radiation ($E\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{1}{2}$ Mev). The results have been obtained by an approximate method proposed by Chandrasekhar. The solutions indicate an appreciable broadening of a primary monochromatic spectral distribution after it has passed through relatively small distances in the scattering medium.The results for the forward scattering spectral distributions exhibit small shifts to the violet because of an approximation employed (viz., a Taylor series development). Chandrasekhar proposed that the area of this violet shift be used as a criterion of error. If this is accepted, then the error is less than 15 percent at a distance of $x=1$ and decreases rapidly with increasing $x$. The corresponding results for the backscattering spectral distributions exhibit negative intensities near the source, i.e., for small $x$. Again the area of this negative portion of the spectral distribution curves becomes negligible as $x$ increases. It requires a great deal of graphical integration to plot the results for the backscattering in the plane parallel media over the required range of wavelength shifts which is some 20-30 Compton units. One can exhibit the negative intensities, however, by plotting the results over a range of zero to about 5 Compton units. In the case of a point source in an infinite spherical medium the backscattering spectral distribution was obtained in closed form and Fig. 5 shows the results for two values of $x$. One can see from Fig. 5 that the area of negative intensity becomes negligible as $x$ increases.The method of Chandrasekhar seems to yield qualitatively correct results if one uses only distances $x$ which are greater than about $x=2$. One cannot check the results, however, since one cannot carry out the higher approximations in any practical manner. In brief, if one tries to include either the higher derivatives in the Taylor series or to go to the higher approximations of the Gauss and Radau methods, or both, one is lead to a system of partial differential equations of high order which cannot be solved by any practical method.
Deco: a system for declarative crowdsourcing

Deco is a system that enables declarative crowdsourcing: answering SQL queries posed over data gathered from the crowd as well as existing relational data. Deco implements a novel push-pull hybrid execution model in order to support a flexible data model and a precise query semantics, while coping with the combination of latency, monetary cost, and uncertainty of crowdsourcing. We demonstrate Deco using two crowdsourcing platforms: Amazon Mechanical Turk and an in-house platform, to show how Deco provides a convenient means of collecting and querying crowdsourced data.
An explanation of coexistence of taut planning and hidden reserves in centrally planned economies

Abstract The chronic coexistence of taut planning and hidden reserves in CPEs can be explained by the planner's reliance on the firm's private information and his inability to commit in dynamic planning. A two-period Bayesian game is developed to show that taut planning and hidden reserves coexist in equilibria where the static incentive scheme fails to induce complete revelation. In the absence of commitment, the planner will use the revealed information to revise the plan against the interest of the firm. Therefore, the firm may choose to conceal its productivity by requesting more inputs. This gives rise to hidden reserves. In response, the planner will set the plan tauter by cutting back the allocation to the firm. By so doing, the planner does not only correct the distortion caused by concealment to improve current efficiency, but also squeezes out information to improve future efficiency.
Radiative entropy production - Lost heat into entropy

Heat flow SQ of the First Law of Thermodynamics is expressed in terms of the entropy flow &Q/T) SQ = SIT(QIT)I = ~~(Q/~+(Q~~d~ where T&Q/T) denotes the energy equivalent of the entropy flow, and (Q/T)dT introduces the concept of lost heat into entropy production. Here Q = QK f Q R where superscripts K and R indicate conduction and radiation, respectively. In terms of the lost heat, dimensionless entropy productions on the wall of a thermal boundary layer and in a quenched laminar flame are respectively shown to be l-I, - (1 +qF/q$)Nu,' and IIs - (1 +qR/qK) Pe-* where gR and q" are the one-dimensional fluxes associated with QR and QK, Nu, is a local Nusselt number, and Pe is a Peclet number based on the laminar flame speed at the adiabatic flame temperature. The tangency condition, aPe/aTb = 0, customarily used in the evaluation of minimum quench distance without any physical justification, is shown to correspond to an extremum in entropy production. THE FO~~A~ONS of entropy production go back to Clausius and Kelvin's studies on the irreversible aspects of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Sep- arately, the foundations of gas radiation date back to Rayleigh's studies on the illumination and polar- ization of the sunlit sky. Since then the theories based on these foundations have rapidly grown first by the efforts of natural philosophers followed by astro- physicists, and later by those of applied scientists and engineers. However, the entropy production associ- ated with gas radiation apparently remained un- treated and is the motivation of this study. Here the difference between the enclosure radiation (which neglects media participation) and the gas radiation which involves some optical thickness (or volumetric absorption) should be noted. This study deals only with the entropy production associated with gas radiation. As is well known, the entropy production results from dissipative processes (invol~ng mass, species, momentum and/or heat transfer, electromagnetic or nuclear transport). Less known is the fact that the dissipation may have a diffusive or hysteretic origin, the diffusion being directional and the hysteresis being cyclic. However, except for a few cases (such as strain hardening and the magnetic saturation), the majority of dissipative processes, including the dissipation of radiation, is of diffusive nature. A recent study by Arpaci (l) shows, in terms of the radiative stress obtained from the specular (kinetic) moments of the transfer equation, the diffusive nature of radiation for any optical thickness. Accordingly, the expression to be developed for entropy production is in terms of this stress, and includes also the dissipation result-
1-STEP REMOVAL OF ENCRUSTED RETAINED URETERAL STENTS

ABSTRACTPurpose: Ureteral stents are prone to encrustation, which can create a problem at the time of removal. Reports in the literature describe techniques that require several procedures and anesthetic sessions to effect extraction. We describe our experience with 1-step removal of retained ureteral stents.Materials and Methods: A total of 12 retained calcified ureteral stents in 10 patients were treated between December 1998 and July 2002. The reason for stent placement was nephrolithiasis in 8 patients, ureteral obstruction due to malignancy in 1 and following endopyelotomy in 1. Stents were in place for a mean of 10 months (range 6 to 16). One patient had 2 retained stents in a single ureter. Stents were extracted using a holmium laser. The semirigid ureteroscope and/or flexible ureteroscope was advanced beside the retained ureteral stent and laser was used to fragment stone on and around the stent. The ureteroscope was advanced into the renal pelvis and any stone present was fragmented. The ureteros...
The Ketogenic Diet Revisited: Back to the Future

There has been a recent extraordinary resurgence of interest in the ketogenic diet. Some commentaries in the professional and lay literature have been instructive and informative, others have been less so, and some have been frankly contentious. Books, an informative videotape, a made-for-television movie starring Meryl Streep, and many websites are just some of the current venues that are providing information regarding the diet (1). An unfortunate byproduct of this popularization has been a fruitless dialectic: “Does the ketogenic diet deserve a prominent role in the management of children with refractory epilepsy?” The answer to this question has always been yes. In our view, this is a distracting issue and one that should be put aside, because the diet is a time-tested, effective, and safe method for treatment of intractable childhood epilepsy. Only bromides, discovered in 1857, and phenobarbital, discovered in 1910, can match the 76 years of experience with the ketogenic diet. Numerous centers have documented its efficacy, and clinical reports indicate that at least one-third to two-thirds of patients benefit substantially from the diet (2-5). Results of treatment with few antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can match these statistics. Like AEDs the ketogenic diet has also demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of seizures (6-8). At the Neurological Institute of New York, clinicians have used the conventional long-chain diet as a mainstay for the treatment of drug-resistant childhood epilepsy for >30 years, with good success (9). In the last several years, our dietitians and nutritionists have used a novel and effective approach. The diet is organized into food groups so that substitutions among different foods can be made easily. This makes the diet simpler to use and provides parents with greater flexibility. The broad picture regarding the mechanics and the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet has been clear since 1921. Therefore, we regard
Computer simulation of anisotropic grain growth

The process of anisotropic grain growth driven by anisotropic grain boundary energies is investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. A new model is developed for describing the anisotropy of grain boundary energies. This model divides the microstructure into minimum elements which are labeled by different orientation numbers. The surfaces of each minimum element are associated with surface energies for a given orientation and are determined from a Wulff plot. The grain boundary energy is then calculated from the energies of the two surfaces meeting at the boundary and the binding energy of the grain boundary. The possibility of anisotropic grain growth is explored for different shapes of Wulff plot.
Early Postoperative Enteral Nutrition Improves Peripheral Protein Kinetics in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Undergoing Complete Resection: A Randomized Trial

Background: Patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies are at risk for malnutrition and postoperative morbidity and mortality. We examined the protein kinetic effects of early enteral feeding in this population and compared it with results in patients receiving IV fluid. Methods: Twenty-nine patients undergoing resection of an upper GI tract malignancy were prospectively randomized to either enteral feeding starting on postoperative day (POD) 1 via a jejunostomy tube (FEED, n = 12) or IV fluid (IVF, n = 17). On POD5, all patients underwent a protein metabolic study using [3H]phenylalanine to determine forearm skeletal muscle (nmol phenylalanine/100 g/min) protein net balance. Free fatty acids (FFA, mEq/dL) and insulin levels (mU/mL) were measured. Results: Protein net balance was significantly less negative in the FEED group compared with the IVF group (-1.4 ± 0.8 vs - 5.0 ± 1.4, p < .05). Respiratory quotient was significantly increased in patients receiving enteral feeding (0.85 ± 0.02...
Reactions of Anilines and Benzamides with a 14-Electron Iridium(I) Bis(phosphinite) Complex: N−H Oxidative Addition versus Lewis Base Coordination

Anilines react with (POCOP)Ir(C6H5)(H), 12, (POCOP = 2,6-(OPtBu2)2C6H3) to yield equilibrium mixtures of 12, the Ir(I) σ-complexes (POCOP)Ir(NH2Ar), 13, and the Ir(III) oxidative addition adducts (POCOP)Ir(H)(NHAr), 14. Quantitative studies of these equilibria for a series of anilines were carried out. Anilines possessing electron-withdrawing groups favor the Ir(III) oxidative addition adduct over the Ir(I) sigma complex. Low temperature studies using p-chloroaniline show that the Ir(I) σ-complex is the kinetic product of reaction and is likely the precursor to the Ir(III) oxidative addition adduct. Reductive elimination of complexes 14 in the presence of ethylene led to the corresponding anilines and the ethylene complex (POCOP)Ir(C2H4). Kinetic analysis of these reactions for 14e,f,g bearing electron-withdrawing aryl groups (Ar- = p-CF3C6H4-, C6F5-, 3,5-bis(CF3)C6H3-) shows the rate is independent of ethylene concentration. The ΔG‡ values for these reductive eliminations fall in the range of 21–22 kcal/mol. X-Ray analysis establishes 14f (Ar- = C6F5-) as a square pyramidal complex with the hydride occupying the apical site. Reaction of 12 with benzamides 21a,b yields quantitatively the Ir(III) oxidative addition adducts, (POCOP)Ir(H)(NHC(O)Ar), 22. X-Ray analysis of 22b (Ar- = C6F5-) shows significant interaction of the carbonyl oxygen with Ir in the site trans to hydride. The barrier to reductive elimination of 22a, 29 kcal/mol, is substantially higher than for complexes 14e,f,g.
Phonon superlattice transport

We predict in Si/Ge superlattices a dramatic high-temperature suppression of the perpendicular thermal transport. Total internal reflection confines the superlattice modes and significantly reduces the average group velocity at nonzero in-plane momenta. These consequences of the acoustic mismatch cause at high temperatures an order-of-magnitude reduction in the ratio of superlattice thermal conductivity to phonon relaxation time.
The Botanophila-Epichloë association in cultivated Festuca in Oregon: evidence of simple fungivory

We investigated the Botanophila (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)‐ Epichloe (Ascomycetes: Clavicipitaceae) interaction in cultivated Festuca spp. (fine fescue) in Oregon in western USA. Epichloe spp. are endophytic fungi of grasses in the subfamily Pooideae. They develop a felt-like stroma on the surface of grass culms and a dense mycelium within the culms that typically prevents seed head emergence. As a result, seed yields are suppressed, and hence the disease is known as choke. Studies of Epichloe spp. on wild grasses indicate that the fly‐fungus interaction is an obligatory mutualism. During oviposition, Botanophila transfers Epichloe spermatia between stromata of opposite mating types, and the perithecia that develop after fungal fertilization serve as food for Botanophila larvae. In the current study, we surveyed 19 cultivated fields of Festuca spp. in Oregon, and observed choke caused by Epichloe festucae Leuchtmann, Schardl and Siegl in 10 of these. However, perithecia were observed in only four fields, and on only 1.0 ‐2.6% of stromata. Perithecial development was also low, and rarely covered 50% of the stroma surface. Despite the absence or low frequency of fertilized stromata, Botanophila lobata Collin larvae were present in all choke-infested fields. Infestation levels ranged from 2.5 to 70.7%, based on an examination of 175 ‐200 stromata from each field. Only eight (= 2%) of the 450 stromata with B. lobata had perithecia, and the greater majority of B. lobata larvae completed development and exited from unfertilized stromata. This is the first report of the B. lobata ‐E. festucae association in the USA, and of B. lobata larvae developing successfully on unfertilized Epichloe stromata. The average pupal weight (0.0032 g) did not differ significantly from pupae (0.0030 g) originating from larvae that had developed on fertilized stromata of E. typhina on Dactylis glomerata in a neighboring field. This result indicates that in cultivated fine fescue fields in Oregon , B. lobata forages on E. festucae , but fly development is not dependent on the fertilized stromata of Epichloe .
Targeting ErbB3-mediated stromal-epithelial interactions in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

We sought to investigate the role of ErbB3-mediated signalling on the interaction between pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and carcinoma cells in an effort to disrupt tumourigenic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stromal–epithelial cross-communication. Primary CAF cultures were established from human PDAC surgical specimens. AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cell murine subcutaneous xenografts were developed in the presence and absence of CAF and were subsequently treated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (erlotinib) and ErbB3 inhibitors (MM-121, monoclonal ErbB3 antibody). Cancer-associated fibroblasts were found to secrete neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), which promoted proliferation via phosphorylation of ErbB3 and AKT in AsPC-1 PDAC cells. This signalling cascade was effectively inhibited both in vitro and in vivo by specific ErbB3 blockade with MM-121, with greater degree of tumourigenesis inhibition when combined with erlotinib. The CAF–AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer xenografts reached significantly greater tumour volume than those xenografts lacking CAF and were resistant to the anti-tumour effects of EGFR inhibition with erlotinib. Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived NRG-1 promote PDAC tumourigenesis via ErbB3-AKT signalling and overcomes single-agent EGFR inhibition. Disruption of this stromally mediated tumourigenic mechanism is best obtained through combined EGFR-ErbB3 inhibition with both erlotinib and MM-121. We have identified the NRG-1/ErbB3 axis as an attractive molecular target for the interruption of tumourigenic stromal–epithelial interactions within the PDAC microenvironment.
Improving Silage Preservation and Stability with an Ammonia-Molasses-Mineral Solution,

Abstract Effects of ammonia-molasses-mineral solution on the preservation and stability of chopped whole corn plant (32% dry matter) when ensiled, then removed from the silo and exposed to air in feeding-sized portions were studied. In the first trial 20 cotton bags containing 1 kg each of fresh, treated or control forage were placed in each of two silos per treatment at four layers (elevations). Loss of dry matter for control silage (8.5%) was more than for treated silage (5.7%). The top and bottom layers lost more dry matter than the internal two layers (9.0% versus 5.2%). Loss of crude protein and dry matter was less for the treated silage at the lower layers, but similar to controls at the top level. In the second trial 15 portions of each silage were exposed to air for 24, 48, and 167 h. Temperature of silage during exposure increased fastest and reached a higher maximum in the untreated silage. Mean loss of dry matter was more for the control silage (10.1% versus 6.2%). Crude protein loss was small for both treatments. Control silage pH increased markedly in the first 24 h while pH of treated silage remained more nearly constant during this time. Lactic acid and titratable acidity were more for the treated silage. Both declined with time following exposure to air; however, the silage treatment reduced the rate of decline.
A latchable microvalve using phase change of paraffin wax

This paper presents a novel latchable phase-change microvalve that can potentially be used for flow gating in portable lab-on-a-chip systems where minimal energy consumption is desired. The microvalve innovatively exploits paraffin wax of low melting point, whose solid–liquid phase changes allow the closing and opening of fluid flow through deformable microchannel ceiling. The latchable phase-change actuation scheme can be used in an active valve to shut off and open fluid flow. Valve switching is initiated by melting of paraffin through heating, with an additional pneumatic pressure used for valve switching from open to closed state. Energy consumption is only required during the valve switching. After paraffin solidifies the switched state is subsequently maintained passively without further consumption of energy. The microvalve can be fabricated from PDMS through the multilayer soft lithography technique. Testing results demonstrate that the valve has response times of 60 s for closing and 100 s for opening; when closed, the valve can passively withstand a pressure up to 35 kPa without significant leakage. The relatively slow time response of the proof-of-concept device can be readily improved by integrating on-chip heaters, while the latchability of the microvalve can be improved by optimizing the wax chamber and membrane design. Compared to existing latchable phase-change valves, the thin compliant channel ceiling of the valve separates the fluid channel from the wax chamber. Therefore, the microvalve is free of potential contamination of the fluid by the paraffin wax. In addition, the improved sealing offered by the compliant membrane makes the valve robust and flexible in operation, allowing large ranges of initiation pressure generated from various actuation schemes.
Caudal nuclei of the rat nucleus of the solitary tract differentially innervate respiratory compartments within the ventrolateral medulla.

A substantial array of respiratory, cardiovascular, visceral and somatic afferents are relayed via the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) to the brainstem (and forebrain). Despite some degree of overlap within the NTS, specificity is maintained in central respiratory reflexes driven by second order afferent relay neurons in the NTS. While the topographic arrangement of respiratory-related afferents targeting the NTS has been extensively investigated, their higher order brainstem targets beyond the NTS has only rarely been defined with any precision. Nonetheless, the various brainstem circuits serving blood gas homeostasis and airway protective reflexes must clearly receive a differential innervation from the NTS in order to evoke stimulus appropriate behavioral responses. Accordingly, we have examined the question of which specific NTS nuclei project to particular compartments within the ventral respiratory column (VRC) of the ventrolateral medulla. Our analyses of NTS labeling after retrograde tracer injections in the VRC and the nearby neuronal groups controlling autonomic function indicate a significant distinction between projections to the Botzinger complex and preBotzinger complex compared to the remainder of the VRC. Specifically, the caudomedial NTS, including caudal portions of the medial solitary nucleus and the commissural division of NTS project relatively densely to the region of the retrotrapezoid nucleus and rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus as well as to the rostral ventral respiratory group while avoiding the intervening Botzinger and preBotzinger complexes. Area postrema appears to demonstrate a pattern of projections similar to that of caudal medial and commissural NTS nuclei. Other, less pronounced differential projections of lateral NTS nuclei to the various VRC compartments are additionally noted.
The active site residue Valine 867 in human telomerase reverse transcriptase influences nucleotide incorporation and fidelity

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of human telomerase, contains conserved motifs common to retroviral reverse transcriptases and telomerases. Within the C motif of hTERT is the Leu866-Val867-Asp868-Asp869 tetrapeptide that includes a catalytically essential aspartate dyad. Site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr183 and Met184 residues in HIV-1 RT, residues analogous to Leu866 and Val867, revealed that they are key determinants of nucleotide binding, processivity and fidelity. In this study, we show that substitutions at Val867 lead to significant changes in overall enzyme activity and telomere repeat extension rate, but have little effect on polymerase processivity. All Val867 substitutions examined (Ala, Met, Thr) led to reduced repeat extension rates, ranging from ~20 to 50% of the wild-type rate. Reconstitution of V867M hTERT and telomerase RNAs (TRs) with mutated template sequences revealed the effect on extension rate was associated with a template copying defect specific to template A residues. Furthermore, the Val867 hTERT mutants also displayed increased nucleotide incorporation fidelity, implicating Val867 as a determinant of telomerase fidelity. These findings suggest that by evolving to have a valine at position 867, the wild-type hTERT protein may have partially compromised polymerase fidelity for optimal and rapid repeat synthesis.
Structural transformations as observed by transmission electron microscopy during electrical switching in amorphous Ge-Te

Abstract Structural transformations were induced in thin films of amorphous Ge-Te by an applied voltage while the sample was simultaneously observed by transmission electron microscopy. Low-resistance states consisting of crystalline Te were observed both in an amorphous material and in crystalline GeTe. In situ electron diffraction was used to identity the various phases.
Microsatellite mutations in buccal cells are associated with aging and head and neck carcinoma

Carcinogen exposure from tobacco smoking is the major cause of upper aerodigestive tract cancer, yet heavy smokers only have about a 10% life-time risk of developing one of these cancers. Current technologies allow only limited prediction of cancer risk and there are no approved screening methods applicable to the general population. We developed a method to assess somatic mutational load using small-pool PCR (SP-PCR) and analysed mutations in DNA isolated from cells obtained by mouth rinse. Mutation levels in the hypermutable tetranucleotide marker D7S1482 were analysed in specimens from 25 head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) cases and 31 controls and tested for associations with age, smoking history and cancer status. We found a significant association between mutation frequency and age (P=0.021, Generalized Linear Model (GLM), N=56), but no influence of smoking history. Cases had higher mutation frequencies than controls when corrected for the effects of age, a difference that was statistically significant in the subgroup of 10 HNSCC patients who were treated with surgery only (P=0.017, GLM, N=41). We also present evidence that cancer status is linked to levels of nonunique, and presumably clonally derived, mutations in D7S1482. Insertion mutations were observed in 833 (79%) of 1058 alleles, of which 457 (43%) could be explained by insertion of a single repeat unit; deletion mutations were found in 225 (21%) of tested alleles. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the sensitive detection of single molecule mutations in clinical specimens is feasible by SP-PCR. Our study confirms an earlier report that microsatellite mutations increase with age and is the first to provide evidence that these mutations may be associated with cancer status in individual subjects.
High Affinity Platelet α2-Adrenergic Receptor Density Is Decreased in Older Humans

We have previously found that elderly humans have increased plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and reduced alpha 2-adrenergic receptor-mediated inhibition of platelet membrane adenylyl cyclase activity. One possible mechanism for the latter finding is a decrease of high affinity platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density in the elderly. To test this possibility, we used the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist radioligand [3H]bromoxidine to define platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor high affinity binding sites in 31 young (age 19-31 yr) and 25 older (age 61-75 yr) normal human subjects. Plasma NE levels were higher (1.65 +/- 0.44 vs 1.12 +/- 0.37 nM; p = .0001) and epinephrine (EPI)-mediated adenylyl cyclase inhibition was lower in the older group (40 +/- 2 vs 50 +/- 2% inhibition at 10(-4) M EPI; p = .04). Although total platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density was similar ([3H]yohimbine Bmax: Young: 140 +/- 10 vs Old: 135 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein; p = .71), receptor density for [3H]bromoxidine was significantly lower in the older group (30 +/- 3 vs 42 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein; p = .02). We conclude that there is an age-associated decrease in high affinity platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density in humans which may contribute to the age-associated reduction in receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.
Additional metabolic correlates of l-α-acetylmethadol (LAAM)-induced cellular tolerance and physical dependence: The role of the hepatic microsomal electron transport system

The microsomal cytochromes P-450 and b5 and the enzymes of the hepatic microsomal electron transport system (HMETS) including NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADPH oxidase activities were monitored in male ICR mice (25-30 g) over a six-day period following the repeated oral administration of 7, 14 and 28 mg/kg per day of l-alpha-acetylmethadol hydrochloride (LAAM) or an equivalent volume of water. Cytochrome P-450 and the microsomal enzyme activity of NADPH oxidase were maximally elevated (three- to four-fold above control values) by the third day of LAAM administration (28 mg/kg per day). These elevations not only correlated on a dose and a temporal basis with previously reported microsomal activities including LAAM N-demethylase, but also with the reported development of cellular tolerance and physical dependence following an identical regimen of LAAM. In addition, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome b5 increased in activity and content, respectively, after the repeated administration of this narcotic. However, the enzyme activity was first significantly elevated after only a single dose of LAAM. Thereafter, it showed a pattern of induction similar to that of NADPH oxidase. In contrast, cytochrome b5 was only elevated after the last repeated dose. The significance of these findings is discussed in some detail relative to the generation of the two analgesically active metabolites of LAAM.
416 Effect of dietary protein concentration upon the OCCURRENCE OF HYPONATREMIA IN LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS

Association of hyponatremia (serum Na+ <130 meq/1) with variation of diet protein and electrolyte concentration was studied in 3 groups of 10 newborns (b.wt. <1500 gms, 21 AGA, 9 SGA) with the following protocols: I-SMA 20 kcal/oz (0.65 meq Na+ & 1.5 gm protein/100 ml); II-SMA 20 HP (0.65 meq Na+ & 2.1 gm protein/100ml) and III-SMA 27 kcal/oz (0.85 meq Na+ & 2.1 gm protein/100ml). Patients entered the study at mean 10.3 days and were fed 120-130 kcal/kg/d. Significant persistent hyponatremia did not occur although Group I-3 patients, Group II-5 patients, and Group III- 4 patients had one or more sporadic episodes with peak frequency Groups II & III at the 2nd & 3rd weeks of study. No specific therapy was given for ↓Na+; rate of weight gain from start of study (gm/d) were: I-19.4, II-21.0, III-23.3. Increase of formula protein concentration had no significant effect on the incidence of ↓Na at the volume and calories utilized, weight gain was appropriate in all groups with Na intake of 1.13-1.28 meg/kg/d.
Pediatric abdominal applications of color Doppler ultrasonography.

Summary:Color Doppler ultrasonography (US) is a valuable imaging method because of the important information it provides with respect to organ perfusion, vessel patency, and tumor characterization. In addition, it is a noninvasive technique that does not use ionizing radiation. This review summarize
Current-Voltage Characteristics of Polymer Light-Emitting Diode at Low Voltages

Abstract We argue that the passage of current through a polymer light-emitting diode at low applied voltages U < 10V is dominated by a sequential tunneling of electrons (holes) from a contact into the states of the conduction (valence) band via the chains of localized states in the gap. The current-voltage characteristics I(U), determined by such a mechanism, is predicted to be |1nI|α1/√U.
"Jasón's Indian": Mexican Americans and the Denial of Indigenous Ethnicity in Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima

(2004). 'Jason's Indian': Mexican Americans and the Denial of Indigenous Ethnicity in Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 115-128.
Crystal growth and characterization of 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐3‐acetamidonitrobenzene, a new organic material for nonlinear optics

The linear and nonlinear optical properties have been determined for a new organic nonlinear material 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐3‐acetamidonitrobenzene. Room‐temperature angularly tuned type I phase matching for doubling of 1.064 μm radiation was achieved with a deff =27 pm/V. Favorable crystal growth habits were observed.
The single-configuration approximation in the calculation of the thermodynamic properties of microcrystalline clusters

Abstract The single-configuratio approximation that has been used in previous calculations of the thermodynamic properties of microcrystalline clusters can lead to quite significant errors in calculated values of the thermodynamic functions. The origin of the errors and methods by which they can be minimized are discussed in this note.
The regulation of apoptosis in kidney development: implications for nephron number and pattern?

Apoptosis is essential to remodel developing structures and eliminate superfluous cells in a controlled manner during normal development, and continues to be an important component of tissue remodeling and regeneration during an organism’s lifespan, or as a response to injury. This mini-review will discuss recent studies that have provided insights into the roles of apoptosis in the determination of nephron number and pattern, during normal and abnormal kidney development. The regulation of congenital nephron endowment has implications for risk of chronic kidney disease in later life, whereas abnormalities in nephron pattern are associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (the leading cause of renal disease in children). Tight regulation of apoptosis is required in normal renal morphogenesis, although many questions remain regarding the regulation of apoptosis by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors, in addition to the functional requirement of different components of the apoptotic pathway.
Nutrients and Other Biologically Active Substances in Atmospheric Precipitation

Sources and factors affecting the concentrations of biologically active compounds in atmospheric precipitation are reviewed with primary emphasis on nitrogen and phosphorus. Rainfall concentrations of these constituents are highly variable and accurate flux measurements are correspondingly difficult. High N and P loadings are associated with agricultural activity, especially feed-lot and barnyard operations. Total atmospheric P loadings are in the range 0.01 to 0.10 g/m2-yr while nitrogen loadings generally range from 0.5 to 3.0 g/m2-yr. While these values are generally insufficient to cause lake eutrophication by themselves, the upper ranges approach the critical loading rates. The atmosphere represents a significant component for the total nutrient loadings to many lakes.
Bulemia and anorexia in an advertising context

This paper reports on a survey of college students which was designed to provide insights into associations of advertising with the eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulemia. The study involved measuring self image and ideal self image and relating these measures to the incidence of the eating disorders and to advertising and merchandising measures. Based upon the findings, various tentative recommendations were made to advertisers who desire to assist in containing eating disorders through their efforts in the marketplace.
Physics of multiscale convection in Earth's mantle: Evolution of sublithospheric convection

[1] We investigate the physics of multiscale convection in Earth's mantle, characterized by the coexistence of large-scale mantle circulation associated with plate tectonics and small-scale sublithospheric convection. In part 2 of our study, the temporal and spatial evolution of sublithospheric convection is studied using two-dimensional whole mantle convection models with temperature- and depth-dependent viscosity and an endothermic phase transition. Scaling laws for the breakdown of layered convection as well as the strength of convection are derived as a function of viscosity layering, the phase buoyancy parameter, and the thermal Rayleigh number. Our results suggest that layered convection in the upper mantle is maintained only for a couple of overturns, with plausible mantle values. Furthermore, scaling laws for the onset of convection, the stable Richter rolls, and the breakdown of layered convection are all combined to delineate possible dynamic regimes beneath evolving lithosphere. Beneath long-lived plates, the development of longitudinal convection rolls is suggested to be likely in the upper mantle, as well as its subsequent breakdown to whole mantle-scale convection. This evolutionary path is suggested to be consistent with the seismic structure of the Pacific upper mantle.
Numerical Analysis of Pin -Fin Heat Exchangers with Variable Axial Pitch and Pin Height Ratio

A 3 -D finite element based numerical s imulation was used to model the heat transfer characteristics of a staggered short pin -fin array heat exchanger. Following validation against existing experimental data, the model was used to derive Nusselt number and friction factor trends for heat exchan gers with various axial pitch and H/D (pin height ratio) values. First, axial pitch was varied from 0.75 – 50 mm for S/D (spanwise) and X/D (streamwise) spacing ratios of 1.5 and 2.0, and H/D (height ratio) = 1.0, and Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 2 0,000 based on a suitable hydraulic diameter. Next, H/D was varied from 0.25 to 4.0 for S/D and X/D = 2.0 with axial pitch fixed at 12.7 mm and Reynolds number ranging from 2000 – 64,000. Finally, heat transfer coefficient results were compared to fluid fr iction power results to reveal optimum array configurations. For H/D = 1, reducing axial pitch was more “cost effective” than increasing Reynolds number to enhance heat transfer coefficient. For a given pin spacing and Reynolds number, H/D = 0.25 provided the best performance on wetted area basis. However, when considered on a heat exchanger footprint or face area basis, effective heat transfer coefficient was maximized at H/D = 4.0 especially when streamwise and spanwise pin spacing exceeded 5 pin diameter s. The optimum practical configuration tested was X/D = S/D = 5.0, H/D = 0.25, and X = 6 mm. The results of this study could find application in the design of a shroud enclosed heat exchanger concept being proposed for turbine blade cooling, as well as for heat dissipation in electronic components.
CYP63A2, a Catalytically Versatile Fungal P450 Monooxygenase Capable of Oxidizing Higher-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Alkylphenols, and Alkanes

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are known to oxidize hydrocarbons, albeit with limited substrate specificity across classes of these compounds. Here we report a P450 monooxygenase (CYP63A2) from the model ligninolytic white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium that was found to possess a broad oxidizing capability toward structurally diverse hydrocarbons belonging to mutagenic/carcinogenic fused-ring higher-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW-PAHs), endocrine-disrupting long-chain alkylphenols (APs), and crude oil aliphatic hydrocarbon n-alkanes. A homology-based three-dimensional (3D) model revealed the presence of an extraordinarily large active-site cavity in CYP63A2 compared to the mammalian PAH-oxidizing (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1) and bacterial aliphatic-hydrocarbon-oxidizing (CYP101D and CYP102A1) P450s. This structural feature in conjunction with ligand docking simulations suggested potential versatility of the enzyme. Experimental characterization using recombinantly expressed CYP63A2 revealed its ability to oxidize HMW-PAHs of various ring sizes, including 4 rings (pyrene and fluoranthene), 5 rings [benzo(a)pyrene], and 6 rings [benzo(ghi)perylene], with the highest enzymatic activity being toward the 5-ring PAH followed by the 4-ring and 6-ring PAHs, in that order. Recombinant CYP63A2 activity yielded monohydroxylated PAH metabolites. The enzyme was found to also act as an alkane ω-hydroxylase that oxidized n-alkanes with various chain lengths (C9 to C12 and C15 to C19), as well as alkyl side chains (C3 to C9) in alkylphenols (APs). CYP63A2 showed preferential oxidation of long-chain APs and alkanes. To our knowledge, this is the first P450 identified from any of the biological kingdoms that possesses such broad substrate specificity toward structurally diverse xenobiotics (PAHs, APs, and alkanes), making it a potent enzyme biocatalyst candidate to handle mixed pollution (e.g., crude oil spills).
Extracting halftones from printed documents using texture analysis

Separating halftones from text is an important step in document analysis. We present an algorithm that accurately extracts halftones from other information in printed documents. We treat halftone extraction as a texture-segmentation problem. We show that commonly used halftones, consisting of a pattern of dots, can be viewed as a texture. This texture exhibits a distinct spectral component that can be detected using a properly tuned Gabor filter. The Gabor filter essentially transforms halftones into high-contrast regions that can be easily segmented by thresholding. We propose a filter design procedure and provide experimental results.
A low‐cost, goal‐oriented ‘compact proper orthogonal decomposition’ basis for model reduction of static systems

A novel model reduction technique for static systems is presented. The method is developed using a goal-oriented framework, and it extends the concept of snapshots for proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to include (sensitivity) derivatives of the state with respect to system input parameters. The resulting reduced-order model generates accurate approximations due to its goal-oriented construction and the explicit 'training' of the model for parameter changes. The model is less computationally expensive to construct than typical POD approaches, since efficient multiple right-hand side solvers can be used to compute the sensitivity derivatives. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated on a parameterized aerospace structure problem.
Compression of Weather Charts by the Segmented Lynch-Davisson Code

The Lynch-Davisson (L-D) code is shown to be efficient for compressing line-scanned weather charts wherein each line is divided into equal-length segments, and a separate L-D code is generated for each segment. As the number of segments increases, the L-D code length decreases appreciably, thereby simplifying the encoding and decoding operations. However, the accompanying decrease in the overall compression ratio is relatively small.
Identification of a Critical Intermediate in Galvanic Exchange Reactions by Single-Nanoparticle-Resolved Kinetics†

The realization of common materials transformations in nanocrystalline systems is fostering the development of novel nanostructures and allowing a deep look into the atomistic mechanisms involved. Galvanic corrosion is one such transformation. We studied galvanic replacement within individual metal nanoparticles by using a combination of plasmonic spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Single-nanoparticle reaction trajectories showed that a Ag nanoparticle exposed to Au3+ makes an abrupt transition into a nanocage structure. The transition is limited by a critical structural event, which we identified by electron microscopy to comprise the formation of a nanosized void. Trajectories also revealed a surprisingly strong nonlinearity of the reaction kinetics, which we explain by a model involving the critical coalescence of vacancies into a growing void. The critical void size for galvanic exchange to spontaneously proceed was found to be 20 atomic vacancies.