cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STUDIES OF A MARINE GRASS, THALASSIA TESTUDINUM. I. ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE OSMOREGULATORY LEAF CELLS

A B S T R A C T Thalassia testudinum (Turtle Grass), a marine monocot which grows completely submerged, differs from intertidal and other halophytic angiosperms in that it has no specialized saltsecretory glands. Osmoregulation appears to be accomplished by the epidermal leaf cells which have highly invaginated plasmalemmas with numerous mitochondria situated in the interdigitations. The ultrastructure and proposed mode of secretion are similar to that of the salt-marsh monocot Spartina, but differ from that found in dicots. Evidence is presented to show why monocots are the only angiosperms which have adapted to a completely marine environment. OF ALL VASCULAR PLANTS only certain monocotyledons can survive completely submerged in salt water. Both monocots and dicots live in freshwater habitats, and both are found as intertidal species. The most obvious difference between a
Ceramic systems for long‐term delivery of chemicals and biologicals

Evaluation of devices, drugs, and drug delivery systems have been investigated by both in vitro and in vivo procedures. Ceramic drug delivery systems can be used to evaluate chemicals and biologicals by both in vitro and in vivo procedures. The system can also reduce handling of the animals and facilitate long-term evaluations before conducting clinical trials. To date, ceramic systems have been used to deliver aldosterone, androstanedione, beta-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, chymotrypsin, danazol, difluoromeythylornithine, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, gamma globulin, gonadotrophic releasing hormone, gossypol, growth hormone, insulin, methylene blue, pepsin, progesterone, and testosterone. The data obtained suggest that ceramic delivery systems can be used in the near future to treat diseases requiring long-term chronic drug therapy as well as disorders caused by deficiency of certain hormones.
Flame deformation and entrainment associated with an isothermal transverse fuel jet

This paper describes an analytical model of an incompressible, isothermal reacting jet in crossflow. The model represents the flow in the jet cross-section by a counter rotating vortex pair, a flow structure that has been observed to dominate the jet behavior. The reaction surface surrounding the fuel jet is represented as a composite of strained diffusion flames that are stretched and deformed by the vortex pair flow. The results shed new light on the interaction between the vortex pair circulation and flame structure evolution and their relation to the concept of entrainment.
Workforce readiness: A study of university students' fluency with information technology

This study with data collected from a large sample of freshmen in 2001 and a random stratified sample of seniors in 2005 examined students perceived FITness (fluency with Information Technology). In the fall of 2001 freshmen at a medium sized research-one institution completed a survey and in spring 2005 a random sample of graduating seniors completed a similar survey. The surveys measured the student's self-reported proficiency in basic information technology knowledge and skills such as word processing and presentation software as well as more complex applications such as digital audio. We found a significant increase in perception of skills in presentation software and browsers and although both groups reported low skill levels, a significant decrease in perception of skills in database, web animation, programming, desktop publishing, digital video, and video audio. Although one might assume an undergraduate would indicate an increase in information and communication technology skills, this study found that often student's perceptions of ability decline. However this decrease may be due to their increased awareness of the skills needed in the workforce.
STABILITY OF SUPERVISED ADAPTIVE CONTROL

Abstract This paper analyzes a new dual model supervised adaptive control algorithm for stability and robustness. The algorithm addresses infinite drift and parameter bursting by using one model as a supervisor and one as the controller. The main contribution of this paper is the demonstration that the dual model supervised adaptive control algorithm is robust with respect to small model/plant mismatch and bounded disturbances. The theoretical results are based on the Switching Lemma, Lyapunov stability, variance estimation and data normalization.
Temperature dependence of nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation in α − 57 Fe

The resonant forward scattering of synchrotron radiation by $^{57}\mathrm{Fe}$ nuclei was investigated over the temperature range from 9.7 to 1048 K. The temperature dependence of the Lamb-M\"ossbauer factor and the internal magnetic field were determined from the observed time spectra. The data presented here demonstrate the suitability of the synchrotron technique for precise measurements of these quantities. In addition these results demonstrate in a straightforward way the difference between the x-ray Debye-Waller factor and the Lamb-M\"ossbauer factor.
Indexings of subrecursive classes

Abstract A subrecursive indexing is a programming language or Godel numbering for a class of total recursive functions. Several properties of subrecursive indexings, such as effective composition and generation of constant functions, are investigated from an axiomatic point of view. The result is a theory akin to the axiomatic treatment of recursive function theory of Strong and Wagner. Using this formalism, we prove results relating the complexity of uniform simulation, diagonalization, deciding membership, and deciding halting; we give a subrecursive analog of Rice's theorem; we give a characterization of the combinatorial power of subrecursive indexings analogous to the combinatorial completeness of the lambda calculus; finally, we give a characterization the power of diagonalization over subrecursive classes and show that if P≠NP is provable at all, then it is provable by diagonalization.
First Observation of an Identity-Forbidden Transition in Two-Photon Absorption Spectroscopy: I 1 Σ - -X 1 Σ + Transition in CO

An identity-forbidden two-photon transition has been observed for the first time, between the ${I}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${X}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ states in carbon monoxide. Such transitions are dipole allowed only for the absorption of two photons with different frequencies and polarization states. Only $P$ and $R$ rotational branches of the (7-0) band are observed, and the line intensities are maximized for perpendicular photon polarizations. This is the first experimental demonstration of the two-photon electric-dipole selection rule ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$.
Defect-related photoluminescence in Mg-doped GaN nanostructures

Abstract Thin film of GaN:Mg, pyramidal GaN:Mg on GaN, sapphire and AlN substrates were grown in a MOCVD system under same growth conditions and at the same time. In samples with Mg-doped GaN pyramids on GaN:Si template a strong ultraviolet (UVL) band with few phonon replicas dominated at low temperature and was attributed to transitions from shallow donors to shallow Mg acceptor. In samples grown on sapphire and AlN substrates the UVL band appeared as a structureless band with the maximum at about 3.25 eV. There is a possibility that the structureless UVL band and the UVL band with phonon structure have different origin. In addition to the UVL band, the blue luminescence (BL) band peaking at 2.9 eV was observed in samples representing GaN:Mg pyramids on GaN:Si substrate. It is preliminary attributed to transitions from shallow donors to Zn acceptor in GaN:Si substrate.
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay to quantify serum voriconazole.

Abstract Background Voriconazole is an azole antifungal drug indicated for use in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Due to the large intra- and interindividual variation seen in voriconazole pharmacokinetics along with a high probability of drug–drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring is of considerable clinical value. As such, we developed and validated a LC–MS/MS assay to quantify serum voriconazole to improve turnaround time and decrease costs. Methods After protein precipitation with D3-voriconazole (deuterated internal standard) in acetonitrile was performed, samples were separated by gradient elution and injected into the mass spectrometer with a total run-time of 4 min per sample. Multiple reaction monitoring was employed using Q1/Q3 transitions of 350/127 and 350/281 for voriconazole and 353/284 and 353/127 for D3-voriconazole. Results Sample preparation took 30 min for 6 patient samples. The limit of quantitation was 0.1 μg/mL and the linearity ranged from 0.1 μg/mL to 10.0 μg/mL. Extraction recovery was ∼69% and ion suppression ∼13%. Intra- and inter-assay imprecision (%CV) was Conclusions We have developed an accurate, rapid, and sensitive LC–MS/MS assay for quantification of human serum voriconazole. Our assay reduces current specimen volume requirements, decreases result turnaround time, and saves institutional funds.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the Management of Brain Metastases: An Institutional Retrospective Analysis of Survival

Purpose: The objective of this study was to report our experience with stereotactic radiosurgery performed with the Gamma Knife (GK) in the treatment of patients with brain metastases and to compare survival for those treated with radiosurgery alone with survival for those treated with radiosurgery and whole-brain radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Prospectively collected demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment and survival data on 237 patients with intracranial metastases who underwent radiosurgery with the GK between 2003 and 2007 were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to compare survival by demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment. Results: The mean age of the patient population was 56 years. The most common tumor histologies were non-small-cell lung carcinoma (34.2%) and breast cancer (13.9%). The median overall survival time was 8.5 months from the time of treatment. The median survival times for patients with one, two/three, and four or more brain metastases were 8.5, 9.4, and 6.7 months, respectively. Patients aged 65 years or greater and those aged less than 65 years had median survival times of 7.8 and 9 months, respectively (p = 0.008). The Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) at the time of treatment was a significant predictor ofmore » survival: those patients with a KPS of 70 or less had a median survival of 2.9 months compared with 10.3 months (p = 0.034) for those with a KPS of 80 or greater. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients treated with radiosurgery alone and those treated with radiosurgery plus whole-brain radiotherapy. Conclusions: Radiosurgery with the GK is an efficacious treatment modality for brain metastases. A KPS greater than 70, histology of breast cancer, smaller tumor volume, and age less than 65 years were associated with a longer median survival in our study.« less
Agency problems and debt financing: leadership structure effects

In previous research, Friend and Hasbrouck theorized that managerial insiders (officers and directors) have a personal incentive to cause the firm to use less than the optimal amount of debt in its capital structure. They suggested this occurs because officers and directors have a large proportion of their personal wealth invested in the firm in the form of common stock holdings and firm‐specific human capital. This makes managerial insiders reluctant to use the optimal amount of debt financing for the firm because of the additional bankruptcy risk higher levels of debt engender. I test FH’s theory and find evidence that supports it. Specifically, the amount of debt in our sample firms’ capital structures declines as the percentage of the firm’s common stock held by the CEO and other officers and directors increases. A direct relationship is found between blockholder share ownership and our sample firms’ debt/equity ratio. This suggests that monitoring by blockholders is effective in controlling the subop...
BLUE UPCONVERSION WITH EXCITATION INTO TM IONS AT 780 NM IN YB- AND TM-CODOPED FLUORIDE CRYSTALS

Strong blue emissions have been observed in fluoride crystals, such as ${\mathrm{LiYF}}_{4}$, ${\mathrm{BaY}}_{2}$${\mathrm{F}}_{8}$, and ${\mathrm{KYF}}_{4}$, codoped with ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ when excited into the ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ $^{3}$${\mathit{F}}_{4}$ state at \ensuremath{\sim}780 nm. Energy transfer from ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ to ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ ions followed by the transfer from ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ to ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ was demonstrated to be responsible for the upconversion process. A pumping scheme is proposed based on this upconversion mechanism for blue-laser applications using these materials.
Water vapor transport associated with the summertime North American monsoon as depicted by ECMWF analyses

Abstract The origins and transport of water vapor into the semi-arid Sonoran Desert region of southwestern North America are examined for the July–August wet season. Vertically integrated fluxes and flux divergences of water vapor are computed for the 8 summers 1985–1992 from ECMWF mandatory level analyses possessing a spectral resolution of triangular 106 (T106). The ECMWF analyses indicate that transports of water vapor by the time-mean flow dominate the transports by the transient eddies. Most of the moisture at upper levels (above 700 mb) over the Sonoran Desert arrives from over the Gulf of Mexico, while most moisture at low levels (below 700 mb) comes from the northern Gulf of California. There is no indication of moisture entering the Sonoran Desert at low levels directly from the southern Gulf of California or the tropical East Pacific. Water vapor from the tropical East Pacific can enter the region at upper levels after upward transport from low levels along the western slopes of the Sierra Madre...
The lender of last resort and the federal safety net

Under the aegis to the New Deal, the government established a safety net consisting of deposit insurance, a lender of last resort, and regulation. In the postwar period when the inflation rate was low, the economy stable, and the bank failure rate low, the safety net appeared to be an effective instrument to deliver financial stability. In the unstable economy since the 1970s, the functioning of each element of the safety net has been questioned. A reconsideration of the role assigned to each constituent is timely. I begin with a review that brings up to date since 1933, first, the role of regulation, second, deposit insurance, and third, the lender of last resort. Finally, I discuss how each of these might be reshaped in light of the changes since the 1970s.
High-power characteristics of ultrawideband surface-normal photodetectors

We studied ultrafast transport dynamics of ultrawide-band surface-normal p-i-n photodetectors under high illumination and high field using electro-optic sampling techniques. Under reverse bias and high illumination, saturation nonlinearities are dominated by the collapse of the electric field from space charge screening. A transient forward external current is observed with a duration less than 4 ps. The external bias required to compensate these saturation effects increases with increased illumination.
Neuroprotective effects of gonadal steroids on regenerating peripheral motoneurons

In this review, the neuroprotective actions of testosterone on three different populations of injured rat peripheral motoneurons, i.e. facial (FMN), spinal (SMN) and pudendal (PMN), will be discussed. We have extrapolated concepts from the neuroendocrine field regarding the trophic effects of gonadal steroids on target neural tissue to the nerve regeneration field. Exogenous administration of testosterone immediately after nerve injury impacts positively on functional recovery through actions mediated by the androgen receptor. The mechanism by which steroidal enhancement of the regenerative properties of injured motoneurons occurs may involve pre-existing androgen receptors, heat shock proteins, and modulation of the cellular stress response.
On the nature of critical points in leakage regimes of a conductor-backed coplanar strip line

Leaky dominant mode propagation regimes of a conductor-backed coplanar strip line are rigorously analyzed using the concept of critical or equilibrium points from catastrophe and bifurcation theories, in conjunction with a full-wave integral equation solution. The existence of nondegenerate or Morse critical points (MCPs) and degenerate or fold (turning) critical points (FPs) in coupling and leakage regions are associated with the occurrence of improper real and complex (leaky) solutions. The locations and types of critical points determine the stability and instability of the transmission line system with respect to small changes in geometrical parameters. The dispersion behavior of improper real and complex (leaky) solutions are efficiently reproduced in the local neighborhood of MCPs and FPs using a Taylor series expansion about those points. The qualitative and quantitative dynamic behavior of the transmission line modes can be investigated by examining the evolution of nondegenerate and degenerate points versus some structural parameter, such as strip width. The proposed analysis enables the prediction of bifurcation situations and the existence of improper real and complex solutions and gives a complete description of the system's structural behavior.
Functional Characterization of Three GlnB Homologs in the Photosynthetic Bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum: Roles in Sensing Ammonium and Energy Status

The GlnB (PII) protein, the product of glnB, has been characterized previously in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. Here we describe identification of two other PII homologs in this organism, GlnK and GlnJ. Although the sequences of these three homologs are very similar, the molecules have both distinct and overlapping functions in the cell. While GlnB is required for activation of NifA activity in R. rubrum, GlnK and GlnJ do not appear to be involved in this process. In contrast, either GlnB or GlnJ can serve as a critical element in regulation of the reversible ADP ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase catalyzed by the dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyl transferase (DRAT)/dinitrogenase reductase-activating glycohydrolase (DRAG) regulatory system. Similarly, either GlnB or GlnJ is necessary for normal growth on a variety of minimal and rich media, and any of the proteins is sufficient for normal posttranslational regulation of glutamine synthetase. Surprisingly, in their regulation of the DRAT/DRAG system, GlnB and GlnJ appeared to be responsive not only to changes in nitrogen status but also to changes in energy status, revealing a new role for this family of regulators in central metabolic regulation.
Fourier neural networks

A new kind of neuron model that has a Fourier-like in/out function is introduced. The model is discussed in a general theoretical framework and some completeness theorems are presented. Current experimental results show that the new model outperforms, by a large margin both in representational power and convergence speed, the classical mathematical model of neuron based on weighted sum of inputs filtered by a nonlinear function. The new model is also appealing from a neurophysiological point of view because it produces a more realistic representation by considering the inputs as oscillations.
Alcohol expectancies as a mediator of the relation between impulsivity and alcohol consumption in Asian Americans

Past research on alcohol consumption in minority groups has focused on examining differences in the level of drinking. However, research has yet to fully examine racial differences in the factors that might mediate alcohol consumption. The current study sought to test whether alcohol expectancies mediated the relation of impulsivity on alcohol consumption for an Asian American sample. Participants included 57 Asian American and 70 Caucasian undergraduate students. Results showed that positive alcohol expectancies fully mediated the pathway between dimensions of impulsivity and alcohol use for Asian Americans. For Caucasian participants, only impulsivity predicted alcohol use. Future research on alcohol use and abuse by Asian Americans should consider the role of alcohol expectancies in different social contexts.
Phosphoglucomutase Activity in Skeletal Muscles of Vitamin E-Deficient Chicks.

SummaryPhosphoglucomutase activity determined with and without added coenzyme (glucose-1-6-diphosphate) was increased in white muscles of chicks fed a vit. E-deficient diet, but was unaffected in red muscle. Muscle lesions were more extensive in the white muscle. Normally white muscle contains more PGM than red muscle. The coenzyme for PGM is much more plentiful in white chick muscle than in rat or mouse muscle so that direct determination of maximum PGM activity by saturation of the system with added coenzyme is possible, thus eliminating the necessity of extrapolating to infinite coenzyme concentration.
Complexity of Decentralized Control: Special Cases

The worst-case complexity of general decentralized POMDPs, which are equivalent to partially observable stochastic games (POSGs) is very high, both for the cooperative and competitive cases. Some reductions in complexity have been achieved by exploiting independence relations in some models. We show that these results are somewhat limited: when these independence assumptions are relaxed in very small ways, complexity returns to that of the general case.
Examination of the Protein Composition of the Cell Envelope of Escherichia coli by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

An envelope preparation containing the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli was obtained by breaking the cells with a French pressure cell and sedimentating the envelope fraction by ultracentrifugation. This fraction was prepared for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis by dissolving the protein in an acidified N,N′-dimethylformamide, removing lipids by gel filtration in the same organic solvent and removing the solvent by dialysis against aqueous urea solutions. More than 80% of the total protein of the envelope fraction was recovered in soluble form. Electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing gels yielded from 20 to 30 well-resolved bands of protein. One major protein band was observed on the gels. This protein had a molecular weight of 44,000 and accounted for as much as 40% of the total protein of the envelope fraction. A double-labeling technique was used to examine the protein composition of the envelope fraction from cells grown under different sets of conditions which result in large changes in the levels of membrane-bound oxidative enzymes. These changes in growth conditions resulted in only minor alterations in the protein profiles observed on the gels, suggesting that this organism is able to adapt to changes in growth environment with only minor modifications of the major proteins of the cell envelope.
Fetal exposure to gestational diabetes contributes to subsequent adult metabolic syndrome

Obesity and diabetes have become globally epidemic. The cause of this unprecedented rise in obesity is multifactorial, with inactivity, excessive calorie intake, and genetic factors implicated. More recent data indicate that exposure to diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Evidence derived from recent randomized controlled trials indicates that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treatment reduces newborn obesity and therefore may contribute to reducing the global prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Current evidence detailing increases in global prevalence of obesity was reviewed together with data evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of GDM. Development of new protocols for diagnosis and treatment of GDM may reduce population obesity and cardiovascular disease.
First Report of Rust Caused by Puccinia emaculata on Switchgrass in Arkansas

In May 2007, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cv. Alamo and a breeding line, OSU-NSL 2001-1, were planted at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Fayetteville. In August 2008, ...
Payment to Pierre Cauchon for Presiding at the Trial of Jeanne d'Arc

cer's father,' because the accessible document containing the name contained also some definite misstatements; and as it was only a modern copy, we felt bound to wait until we could examine the original and see whether the note was in a fourteenth-century hand or not.2 Sometimes, as in the case of the records concerning Peter Courtenay's leases of the bailiwick of the forests of Somerset (which we have had since 1929), the record contained facts which suggested caution in assuming that Collinson was wrong and that Geoffrey Chaucer must have been appointed forester by Peter Courtenay,3 if by anyone. THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.
Experimental investigation of abrasive flow machining effects on injector nozzle geometries, engine performance, and emissions in a di diesel engine

The effects of the Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process on a direct injection (DI) Diesel engine fuel injector nozzle are studied. Geometry characterization techniques were developed to measure the microscopic variations inside the nozzle before and after the process. This paper also provides empirically-based correlations of the nozzle geometry changes due to the AFM process. The resulting impact of the process on the engine performance and emissions are also assessed with a DI Diesel engine test setup. This study shows that properly AFM-processed injectors can enhance engine performance and improve emissions due to the improved quality of the nozzle characteristics. However, an extended process can also cause enlargement of the nozzle hole as a side effect, which can adversely affect emissions. Emission measurements show the trade-off for the minimum levels as the process proceeds. Since the enlargement of the hole during the AFM process is not avoidable and must be minimized, strict control over the process is required. This control can be enforced by either limiting the AFM processing period, or by properly preparing the initial hole diameter so as to accommodate the inevitable changes in the nozzle geometry.
The Renaissance Art Academies: Implications for Leadership Education Practices and Research

Taking the perspective that leadership education is similar to art education created a bridge connecting the leadership education literature with the large and rich body of literature on art education and art history. A survey of the more prominent Renaissance art academies was employed to illuminate the education practices of that extraordinary time, and then consider whether these practices had application to modern day leadership education. Results directly challenged the efficacy of the skills approach to leadership education, affirmed the importance of the mentoring method, supported the communities of practice method as a powerful tool for leadership education, argued for the idea of a talent for leadership, proposed designing leadership games and simulations that included positive and negative consequences, and stressed the importance of creating college and university based leadership academies.
Simultaneously optimizing two scheduling objectives

Scheduling algorithms are designed to optimize many optimality criteria in a wide variety of scheduling models. To do so is well-motivated and justified, as an algorithm that works well for one scheduling problem/objective may perform poorly on a different scheduling problem/objective. In this abstract, we give very general results about the existence of schedules which simultaneously minimize two criteria. Our results are general in that they apply to almost any scheduling environment, and that they apply to all pairs of metrics in which the first metric is one of maximum flow time, makespan, or maximum lateness and the second metric is one of average flow time, average completion time, average lateness, number of on-time jobs. We will show that for almost all such pairs of metrics there exist schedules which are simultaneously close to optimal for both metrics.
Integrated chemiresistor sensors with preconcentrators for monitoring volatile organic compounds in water.

Chemiresistor microsensors have been developed to provide continuous insitu detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The chemiresistor sensor is packaged in a rugged, waterproof housing that allows the device to detect VOCs in air, soil, and water. Preconcentrators are also being developed to enhance the sensitivity of the chemiresistor sensor. The “micro-hotplate” preconcentrator is placed face-to-face against the array of chemiresistors inside the package. At prescribed intervals, the preconcentrator is heated to desorb VOCs that have accumulated on the sorbent material on the one-micron-thick silicon-nitride membrane. The pulse of higher-than-ambient concentration of VOC vapor is then detected by the adjacent chemiresistors. The plume is allowed to diffuse out of the package through slots adjacent to the preconcentrator. The integrated chemiresistor/preconcentrator sensor has been tested in the laboratory to evaluate the impacts of sorbent materials, fabrication methods, and repeated heating cycles on the longevity and performance of the sensor. Calibration methods have also been developed, and field tests have been initiated.
An antigenic analysis of potato virus X and of its degraded protein. II. Evidence for a conformational change associated with the depolymerization of structural protein.

Abstract The hydrodynamic properties of pyridine-degraded structural protein (D-protein) of potato virus X (PVX) were investigated. Sephadex chromatography and analytical centrifugation revealed that some preparations of D-protein in aqueous buffers contained primarily homogeneous dimeric structural units. Other preparations contained a mixture of monomers and dimers. Electrophoretic analysis gave a monomeric molecular weight of 25,000. D-protein solutions had properties characteristic of denatured globular proteins in solution, i.e., they eluted from Sephadex G-200 earlier than expected for their particular molecular weights, and they possessed high frictional ratios and intrinsic viscosities. Also, the Stokes radius of the depolymerized monomer was nearly twice that of the structural units in intact nucleocapsids. It was concluded that the structural unit undergoes a major change in conformation on depolymerization and that a concomitant formation of new antigenic determinants most probably accounts for the antigenic disparity between D-protein and PVX.
Application of data envelopment analysis for cell performance evaluation and process improvement in cellular manufacturing

This paper proposes a methodology for cell performance evaluation and improvement which considers multiple cell inputs and outputs. A specific technique in data envelopment analysis called 'window analysis', which captures the cell efficiency changes over time, is modified and utilized in the methodology. The evaluation is performed by considering the local part families (manufactured in single cells) and the infrequent parts (manufactured in multiple cells) processed by a cell. A major contribution of this research is in proposing a new 'modified window analysis' technique for cell performance evaluation, and in demonstrating its effectiveness over the 'traditional window analysis'. Another contribution is in using the cross efficiency matrix to identify periods of best cell operating practices which aid management in cell process improvement.
Electrical responses of fish optic tectum to visual stimulation; modification by cooling and conditioning

1. Action potentials were recorded extracellularly from the optic tectum of the fishes Leuciscus, Tinca and Carassius in response to photic stimulation of the contralateral eye. 2. The following sequence of electrical responses was observed: In optic fibers of the tectal surfaces sensory spikes are found and slightly below the surface a slow negative wave in response to either “on” or “off” oft he light. Slightly deeper in the mid-layers of the tectum the negative wave is replaced by a positive wave of long duration and large amplitude. In the deepest layers where cell bodies are located much spontaneity is seen and a large negative wave. The subsurface negative wave precedes the deep negative one. The subsurface negative wave is probably an axo-dendritic synaptic potential, the deep negative one an axo-somatic synaptic potential. The positive wave in the mid-tectum is a current source. 3. If an electrical stimulus follows the light stimulus, the slow waves are enhanced and sometimes a new wave is introduced. 4. The afferent spikes are relatively insensitive to cooling, the deep negative wave is more sensitive than the subsurface one.
Taming death and the consequences of discourse

Healthcare environments have become increasingly complex, especially around the end of life. As they become more complex, organizational members are often pulled in competing directions as they manage to bring order to what otherwise would be a disorderly world. This extensive ethnographic study of a hospice and an emergency department (ED) critically analyzes the nature of discourse and its resulting accomplishments. I use the notion of ‘taming’ to describe the way providers talk about and make sense of their work and work environment, and the consequences it has for their own personal well-being, as well as for care around the end of life. The goal is to elucidate how reclaiming struggle and choice over meaning production is needed for healthcare challenges of the 21st century.
Importance of the renal medullary circulation in the control of sodium excretion and blood pressure

The control of renal medullary perfusion and the impact of alterations in medullary blood flow on renal function have been topics of research interest for almost four decades. Many studies have examined the vascular architecture of the renal medulla, the factors that regulate renal medullary blood flow, and the influence of medullary perfusion on sodium and water excretion and arterial pressure. Despite these studies, there are still a number of important unanswered questions in regard to the control of medullary perfusion and the influence of medullary blood flow on renal excretory function and blood pressure. This review will first address the vascular architecture of the renal medulla and the potential mechanisms whereby medullary perfusion may be regulated. The known extrarenal and local systems that influence the medullary vasculature will then be summarized. Finally, this review will present an overview of the evidence supporting the concept that selective changes in medullary perfusion can have a potent influence on sodium and water excretion with a long-term influence on arterial blood pressure regulation.
Iran Office Automation Company

Set in Iran in January 1995, this case concerns a choice that the owners of a family business must make among several strategic options for future growth and diversification in the face of Iran's deteriorating economy. The case encourages students to go through the various steps of a comprehensive strategic analysis, ranging from the identification of core capabilities and Porter's "Five Competitive Forces" to evaluation of strategic fit and strategic alliances. The case also highlights the importance of strategic fit in the face of new opportunities and limited resources. The narrowness of the presented windows of opportunity creates a sense of urgency that might prompt students to overlook strategic fit and reach premature decisions.
When does a star cluster become a multiple star system? - I. Lifetimes of equal-mass small-N systems

What is the difference between a long-lived unstable (or quasi-stable) multiple star system and a bona fide star cluster? In this paper, we present a possible framework to address this question, by studying the distributions of disruption times for chaotic gravitational encounters as a function of the number of interacting particles. To this end, we perform a series of numerical scattering experiments with the \texttt{FEWBODY} code, to calculate the distributions of disruption times as a function of both the particle number N and the virial coefficient k. The subsequent distributions are fit with a physically-motivated function, consisting of an initial exponential decay followed by a very slowly decreasing tail at long encounter times due to long-lived quasi-stable encounters. We find three primary features characteristic of the calculated distributions of disruption times. These are: (1) the system half-life increases with increasing particle number, (2) the fraction of long-lived quasi-stable encounters increases with increasing particle number and (3) both the system half-life and the fraction of quasi-stable encounters increase with decreasing virial coefficient. We discuss the significance of our results for collisional dynamics, and consider the extrapolation of our results to larger-N systems. We suggest that this could potentially offer a clear and unambiguous distinction between star clusters and (unstable or quasi-stable) multiple star systems. Although we are limited by very small-number statistics, our results tentatively suggest that (for our assumptions) this transition occurs at a critical particle number of order 100.
Probing interfaces between pharmaceutical crystals and polymers by neutron reflectometry.

Pharmaceutical powder engineering often involves forming interfaces between the drug and a suitable polymer. The structure at the interface plays a critical role in the properties and performance of the composite. However, interface structures have not been well understood due to a lack of suitable characterization tool. In this work, we have used ellipsometry and neutron reflectometry to characterize the structure of such interfaces in detail. Ellipsometry provided a quick estimate of the number of layers and their thicknesses, whereas neutron reflectometry provided richer structural information such as density, thickness, roughness, and intermixing of different layers. The combined information allowed us to develop an accurate model about the layered structure and provided information about intermixing of different layer components. Systematic use of these characterization techniques on several model systems suggests that the nature of the polymer had a small effect on the interfacial structure, while t...
NI-61VOLUMETRIC H-1 MR METABOLIC IMAGING FOR DEFINITION OF LESION BURDEN AND PREDICTION OF OUTCOME FOR PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED GBM

Interpretation of the efficacy of novel therapies for patients with GBM with anatomic MR imaging is complicated by pseudo-progression and pseudo-response. The goal of this study was to obtain volumetric H-1 MRSI data with a rapid 3-D PRESS lactate edited EPSI sequence (Tacq = 10 minutes) at pre- and post-RT scans in order to evaluate the biological properties of the lesion and relate them to overall survival (OS). The population comprised 58 patients with newly diagnosed GBM: 35 received radiation (RT), Temozolomide (TMZ) and Enzastaurin (Group 1) and 24 received RT, TMZ, Tarceva and Bevacizumab (Group 2). The T2L and CEL were defined from the anatomic images and the choline to NAA index (CNI) and normalized levels of lactate (nLac) estimated for each voxel from the MRSI data. Age adjusted Cox Proportional Hazards models were applied to assess the association of these parameters OS (P < 0.05 being considered significant). From pre-RT to post-RT, the median volume of the CEL decreased by 49% for Group 1 and by 42% for Group 2. The median volume of the T2L was relatively stable for patients in Group 1 (median 20.9 to 19.5cc) but decreased with follow-up for patients in Group 2 (median 23.8 to 5.5cc). The maximum CNI within the T2L decreased more for Group 1 (median 9.7 to 5.9) than for Group 2 (median 6.4 to 5.2). Levels of nLac within the T2L at pre- and post-RT scans were significantly associated with OS for both Groups. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining rapid, volumetric H-1 MRSI data that provide distinct measures of lesion burden and that are associated with OS. Integration of these metrics into the evaluation of novel therapies is likely to be important for resolving ambiguities associated with anatomic imaging methods.
Effect of Na3VO4 and membrane potential on the structure of sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Two-dimensional crystalline arrays of Ca2+-ATPase molecules develop after treatment of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with Na3VO4 in a Ca2+-free medium. The influence of membrane potential upon the rate of crystallization was studied by ion substitution using oxonol VI and 3,3′-diethyl-2,2′-thiadicarbocyanine (Di−S−C2(5)) to monitor inside positive or inside negative membrane, potentials, respectively. Positive transmembrane potential accelerates the rate of crystallization of Ca2+-ATPase, while negative potential disrupts preformed Ca2+-ATPase crystals, suggesting an influence of transmembrane potential upon the conformation of Ca2+-ATPase.
Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone inhibit estrogen synthesis in human granulosa cells by interfering with androgen binding to aromatase

The effects of rosiglitazone or pioglitazone (thiazolidinediones, TZDs) on estrogen production and aromatase activity in human ovarian cells were examined. Human granulosa cells were incubated in the tissue culture medium supplemented with androstenedione or testosterone, with or without insulin, TZDs, or type 1 17β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) inhibitor. Estrogen concentrations in the conditioned medium, aromatase mRNA and protein expression in the cells and androgen substrate binding to aromatase were measured. With androstenedione as substrate, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone inhibited estrone production by up to 22% (p<0.012) while type 1 17β-HSD inhibitor enhanced this effect of rosiglitazone or pioglitazone by 37% (p<0.001) and by 67% (p<0.001), respectively. With testosterone as substrate, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone inhibited estradiol production by 32% (p<0.001). With 3 H-testosterone as substrate, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone inhibited the 3 H-tritiated water release by the cultured cells by 45% and 35%, respectively, thus directly demonstrating inhibition of aromatase. Rosiglitazone or pioglitazone, however, had no significant effect on aromatase mRNA or protein expression. Rosiglitazone or pioglitazone inhibited 125 I-androstenedione and 125 I-testosterone binding to aromatase by 38% (p<0.001). It was concluded that rosiglitazone or pioglitazone inhibit estrogen synthesis in human granulosa cells by interfering with androgen binding to aromatase.
Assessment of white matter microstructure in stroke patients using NODDI

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is widely used to study changes in white matter following stroke. In various studies employing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) modalities, it has been shown that fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and generalized FA (GFA) can be used as measures of white matter tract integrity in stroke patients. However, these measures may be non-specific, as they do not directly delineate changes in tissue microstructure. Multi-compartment models overcome this limitation by modeling DWI data using a set of indices that are directly related to white matter microstructure. One of these models which is gaining popularity, is neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). This model uses conventional single or multi-shell HARDI data to describe fiber orientation dispersion as well as densities of different tissue types in the imaging voxel. In this paper, we apply for the first time the NODDI model to 4-shell HARDI stroke data. By computing NODDI indices over the entire brain in two stroke patients, and comparing tissue regions in ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres, we demonstrate that NODDI modeling provides specific information on tissue microstructural changes. We also introduce an information theoretic analysis framework to investigate the non-local effects of stroke in the white matter. Our initial results suggest that the NODDI indices might be more specific markers of white matter reorganization following stroke than other measures previously used in studies of stroke recovery.
Are All Thermal Coupling Links between Multicomponent Distillation Columns Useful from an Energy Perspective

Thermal coupling links between multicomponent distillation columns are known to reduce the total heat duty and, therefore, the first-law energy demand of distillation configurations. Most studies on the energy savings of thermally coupled configurations have focused on cases where all thermal coupling links of a configuration have been used. We show that certain types of thermal coupling links of a configuration actually do not contribute to the first-law energy savings. Furthermore, it is often believed that the first-law energy savings due to thermal coupling links always has associated second-law temperature-level costs due to increased utility demand at extreme temperatures. However, we demonstrate that some types of thermal coupling links provide first-law energy savings without exhibiting any second-law temperature-level penalties. Finally, we present heuristics to enable quick identification of such thermal coupling links.
Evaluation of the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program of the Baltimore Student Harm Reduction Coalition

Although historically the majority of overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs have targeted opioid users, states are increasingly passing laws that enable third-party prescriptions of naloxone to individuals who may be able to respond to an overdose, including friends and family members of individuals who use opioids. In this report, we discuss the Baltimore Student Harm Reduction Coalition (BSHRC) OEND program, Maryland's first community-based, state-authorized training program under a new law allowing third-party naloxone prescription. In an 8-month pilot period, 250 free naloxone kits were distributed, and 3 overdose reversals were reported to BSHRC. Trainings were effective in increasing self-efficacy surrounding overdose prevention and response, which appears to persist at up to 12 months following the training.
Critical Legal Studies and the Question of Faith

Critical legal studies (whose students are affectionately dubbed “Crits”) is a somewhat controversial academic movement that questions the normative value of law. This article suggests that the Crits, though controversial, should be praised for their criticism of law because such criticism leads to progress and advancement of the law. Further, the Crits will eventually be driven toward analysis of the confluence of law and religion in their search for the nature of the ultimate reality.