cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A secant-viscosity composite model for the strain-rate sensitivity of nanocrystalline materials

Abstract In order to address the strain-rate sensitivity of nanocrystalline solids, a secant-viscosity composite model is developed in this article. The microgeometry of the composite is taken to consist of the grain-interior phase and the grain-boundary affected zone (GBAZ) as suggested by Schwaiger et al. [Schwaiger, R., Moser, B., Dao, M., Chollacoop, N., Suresh, S., 2003. Some critical experiments on the strain-rate sensitivity of nanocrystalline nickel. Acta Mater. 51, 5159–5172], while the constituent properties are modeled by a unified viscoplastic constitutive law. The drag stress of the grain interior is assumed to follow the Hall–Petch relation, but that of the GBAZ is independent of grain size, d . Then in terms of the secant viscosity of the constituent phases, the strain-rate sensitivity of the nanocrystalline solid is determined with the help of a linear viscous comparison composite and a field-fluctuation approach. To test the applicability of the developed model, it is applied to predict the strain-rate effect of a nanocrystalline Ni, and the grain-size dependence of its stress–strain relations. Our theoretical calculations indicate that the tensile strength of a nanocrystalline Ni with d = 40 nm is about five times that of a microcrystalline one with d = 10 μm under the same strain rate of e ˙ = 3 × 10 - 4 s - 1 , and that the nanocrystalline Ni exhibits a much stronger strain-rate effect. These predictions are found to be consistent with the experimental data of Schwaiger et al. Possible grain-size softening with further grain-size reduction such as reported in molecular dynamic simulations is also demonstrated.
RT07 Understanding advantages and limitations of pre‐clinical studies for dose selection

Objective There are several means whereby dosage schedules for clinical use may be set, some more appropriate and scientific than others! The challenge of the 21st century must be for colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry, those serving registration bodies and academic colleagues to pool their expertise with the objective of designing dosage schedules for clinical use, which are based on the application of sound scientific principles appropriate for each drug class. In this Roundtable Session colleagues of international standing will review (a) pharmacological and other sources of variability in the responses to drugs; (b) the advantages and limitations of pre-clinical studies for dose selection; (c) the roles of population PK and population PK/PD together with Monte Carlo simulations in dosage regimen selection; (d) Bayesian approaches to dosage selection and (e) regulatory guidelines on the type and extent of studies required for selecting dosages. There is no unanimity amongst stakeholders on either the principles or the methods underlying dosage schedule design. Dose titration studies have long been the principal means of fixing doses but PK-PD and population PK-PD studies are now challenging more traditional approaches. The papers and discussion in this Roundtable Session will provide a critical basis for future advances in this crucial area of therapeutic drug usage. Getting the doses right means that the patient will receive maximum benefit, in terms of optimal efficacy with minimal toxicity, and hence correct dosing will contribute enormously to animal welfare.
Effectiveness of a community screening program for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factor identification in young South Asians adults

Abstract Aims Metabolic syndrome has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a community-based screening program in identifying cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young South Asian population. Materials and Methods Between 2006 and 2011, 3314 patients of all ages were recruited as a part of a prospective cohort study investigating cardiovascular risk in South Asians. We analyzed 1537 patients between the ages of 18 and 40. Demographic and baseline characteristics including baseline laboratory markers and blood pressures were obtained at initial visit. Results The total cohort of 1537 patients was 66.5% male, and the mean age was 35 ± 5 years. Among participants who denied a history of hypercholesterolemia, 62% had elevated LDL-C (>100 mg/dL), and 8% had markedly elevated LDL-C (>160 mg/dL). Overall, diabetes was present in 4%, hypertension was present in 12% and hyperlipidemia was present in 46%. Low HDL-C (50% of men, 52% of women) and elevated triglycerides (44% of men, 18% of women) were the most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was present in 14% of men and 8% of women and one-third (30%) of men and one-fifth (19%) of women had at least two component risk factors. Conclusions This is the largest study to date assessing effectiveness of a community based screening program aiming to identify cardiovascular risk in young South Asians. We note significant modifiable risk at a young age. Such community based interventions can be effective at detecting and managing risk factors early in this vulnerable population.
Ribosomal biogenesis induction by high glucose requires activation of upstream binding factor in kidney glomerular epithelial cells

Diabetes promotes protein synthesis to induce kidney hypertrophy and increase renal matrix proteins. Increased capacity for mRNA translation by way of ribosomal biogenesis facilitates sustained sti...
Lanthanum-induced alterations in cellular electrolytes and membrane potential in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

We have investigated the effect of varying La+3 concentrations (0.01 mM to 2.0 mM) on membrane potential and electrolyte composition of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. La+3 concentrations less than 0.02 mM had no effect. Above 0.02 mM, La+3 induced concentration-dependent loss of electrolytes and water from the cells. At 1.0 mM the effect was maximal and resulted in an 87% reduction in cellular K+, 79% in Cl− and 21% in Na+ within 4.8 minutes. The Na+ loss occurred even in the face of an electrochemical potential gradient favoring Na+ entry. La+3 increased the recorded values of membrane potential; the magnitude of the effect was related to the external La+3 concentration, and was maximal at 1.0 mM. Studies using 140La showed that La+3 binds rapidly to the cell surface and does not enter the cells. The amount of La+3 bound to the cells was related to the external La+3 concentration by a sigmoidal curve and was maximal at about 1.0 mM. The bound La+3 could not be displaced by either added La+3 or Ca+2. Agents known to effect the integrity of the cell membrane, such as phospholipase C, neuraminidase, pronase and Hg+2 were tested for their ability to displace bound La+3. Only pronase displaced bound La+3, indicating that La+3 associates with cell protein. It is hypothesized that La+3 rapidly interacts with membrane protein causing alterations in membrane permeability and capacity to actively transport ions.
Semiempirical equation of state for the infinite dilution thermodynamic functions of hydration of nonelectrolytes over wide ranges of temperature and pressure

The recently proposed model [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64 (2000) 495; Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64 (2000) 2779] for correlating the infinite dilution partial molar properties of aqueous nonelectrolytes is briefly outlined. The approach is fundamentally based on the A 12 = V 0 2 /κRT parameter, related to the infinite dilute solute-water direct correlation function integral. The A 12 parameter is considered as a semiempirical function of temperature and density. At supercritical temperatures thermodynamic integrations of this function allow calculation of all thermodynamic functions of hydration (V 0 2 , Δ h G 0 , Δ h H 0 and Δ h C 0 p ) of a solute. An extension to subcritical conditions is done using an auxiliary Δ h C 0 p (T, P r )-function, which describes the temperature course of the heat capacity of hydration of a solute at P r = 28 MPa and subcritical temperatures. The variations of the Δ h C 0 p (T, P r )-function are constrained by known values of Δ h G 0 , Δ h H 0 and Δ h C 0 p at ambient and supercritical conditions. This model, which was used earlier to correlate properties of a few dissolved gases, is successfully employed here to describe V 0 2 , Δ h G 0 . Δ h H 0 and Δ h C 0 p experimental results for a number of aqueous nonelectrolytes, including ones of high polarity (alcohols, amines, acids and amides) and/or large size (hexane and benzene).
A METHOD FOR THE PERMANENT STERILE DRAINAGE OF INTRAABDOMINAL DUCTS, AS APPLIED TO THE COMMON DUCT

The sheath of omentum that forms about a long rubber tube left within the peritoneal cavity provides so efficient a barrier to ascending infection that such a tube can be employed for the permanent drainage of the common duct, whereas a short tube will regularly come away after a few days. A method is described whereby the total bile of a considerable number of dogs has been obtained in a sterile state during periods up to 3 months. Save for some anemia, the animals remained in good health throughout. The method has obvious uses in connection with the collection of other secretions.
The Subjectivity of Happiness

A philosophical tradition dating back to the ancient Greeks conflates happiness with goodness, particularly moral and prudential goodness. Aristotle identified happiness as the highest of all goods, with an implication of living and faring well. A happy person, according to Aristotle, has a life that is both morally and prudentially good, since she has developed the right character traits that dispose her to act ‘‘at the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right aim, and in the right way.’’ Many modern commentators, influenced by Aristotle, continue to defend the connection between happiness and goodness. While few of them identify happiness with virtue, they assume that happiness is intimately connected with living a good life. Seeking to preserve the connection between happiness and goodness, they are led to incorporate various objective, normative constraints into their theories of happiness. We will consider the plausibility of contemporary objectivist theories of happiness. Where subjectivists view being satisfied with one’s life as sufficient for happiness, objectivists impose additional requirements. Viewing happiness as independent of moral and prudential goodness is most plausible and provides greater explanatory power in describing people’s behavior and motivations. The upshot is that happiness is a good, but not the only good.
802.11 networks performance evaluation using OPNET

Wireless Networks based on IEEE 802.11 standard have become very popular and important in today's business world and it is crucial for the companies to make sure their networks perform at the best possible rate. In this paper, we demonstrate a way for evaluating the performance of IEEE 802.11 wireless networks using OPNET Modeler. This paper includes a description of the current trend of the wireless networks, overview of the 802.11 protocols, the network parameters (i.e., measurement units) we used to assess the performance of a particular network, and the steps performed to carry out the simulation with the description of the results. Results of three simulations are presented. The first simulation involves one access point and twelve mobile nodes all generating traffic in 802.11g environment. For the second simulation, 4 nodes have been changed to use 802.11b protocol instead of 802.11g. The third simulation involves 802.11b access point as well as 802.11b clients/nodes to generate traffic to 11b access point. The simulation results show that performance is better when using a pure 802.11g network or a network that uses different access point to support different 802.11 protocols.
Virtual green band for GOES-R

The ABI on GOES-R will provide imagery in two narrow visible bands (red, blue), which is not sufficient to directly produce color (RGB) images. In this paper we present a method to estimate green band from a simulated ABI multi-spectral image. To address this problem we propose to use statistical learning to train and update functions that estimate the value for the 550 nm green channel using the values that will be present in other bands of the ABI as input parameters. One challenge is that in order to exploit as many bands as possible, we cannot use straightforward non-parametric methods such as a look-up tables because the number of entries in look-up tables grows exponentially with the number of input parameters. Other simple approaches such as simple linear regression on the multi-spectral input parameters will not produce satisfactory results due to the underlying non-linearity of the data. For instance, the relationship among different spectra for cloud footprints will be radically different from that of a desert surface. The approach we propose is to use piecewise multi-linear regression on the multi-spectral input to train the green channel predictor. Our predictor is built from the combination of a classifier followed by a multi-linear function. The classifier assigns each pixel to a class based on the array of values from the simulated (or proxy) ABI bands at that pixel. To each class is associated a set of coefficients for a multi-linear predictor for 550 nm green channel to be predicted. Thus, the parameters of the predictor consist of parameters of the classifier, as well as coefficients defining the approximating hyperplane for each class. To determine these classifiers we will use methods based on K-means clustering, as well as multi-variable piecewise linear approximation.
Environmental Racism and the First Nations of Canada: Terrorism at Oka

Etude du phenomene nouveau de racisme environnemental defini comme une forme de discrimination contre les groupes minoritaires et contre les pays du Tiers-Monde, a travers l'environnement. Au Canada, le probleme concerne le peuple aborigene et sa revendication d'un droit d'autogestion au sein de la Constitution, au titre de Premieres Nations. Faisant retour sur les negociations et la violence des evenements d'Oka (Quebec) en ete 1990, l'A. insiste sur la difference canadienne par comparaison avec la situation des minorites aux Etats-Unis : une difference synonyme de violence, repression et terrorisme d'etat contre la culture Mohawk pourtant defendable d'un triple point de vue moral, environnemental et juridique
Concrete fracture prediction using bilinear softening

Abstract A finite element-based cohesive zone model was developed using bilinear softening to predict the monotonic load versus crack mouth opening displacement curve of geometrically similar notched concrete specimens. The softening parameters for concrete material are based on concrete fracture tests, total fracture energy (GF), initial fracture energy (Gf), and tensile strength ( f t ′ ) , which are obtained from a three-point bending configuration. The features of the finite element model are that bulk material elements are used for the uncracked regions of the concrete, and an intrinsic-based traction-opening constitutive relationship for the cracked region. Size effect estimations were made based on the material dependent properties (Gf and f t ′ ) and the size dependent property (GF). Experiments using the three-point bending configuration were completed to verify that the model predicts the peak load and softening behavior of concrete for multiple specimen depths. The fracture parameters, based on the size effect method or the two-parameter fracture model, were found to adequately characterize the bilinear softening model.
Stereoselective covalent binding of anti-benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide to DNA conformation of enantiomer adducts.

Abstract The conformation of adducts derived from the reactions and covalent binding of the (+) and (-) enantiomers of 7β, 8α-dihydroxy-9α, 10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BaPDE) with double-stranded calf thymus DNA in vitro were investigated utilizing the electric linear dichroism technique. The linear dichroism and absorption spectra of the covalent DNA complexes are interpreted in terms of a superposition of two types of binding sites. One of these conformations (site I) is a complex in which the plane of the pyrene residue is close to parallel (within 30°) to the planes of the DNA bases (quasi-intercalation), while the other (site II) is an external binding site; this latter type of adduct is attributed to the covalent binding of anti-BaPDE to the exocyclic amino group of deoxyguanine (N2-dG), while site I adducts are attributed to the 06-deoxyguanine and N6-deoxyadenine adducts identified in the product analysis of P. Brookes and M.R. Osborne (Carcinogenesis (1982) 3, 1223–1226). Si...
The Ethics of Memory Blunting and the Narcissism of Small Differences

At least since 2003, when the US President’s Council on Bioethics published Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, there has been heated debate about the ethics of using pharmacology to reduce the intensity of emotions associated with painful memories. That debate has sometimes been conducted in language that obfuscates as much as it illuminates. I argue that the two sides of the debate actually agree that, in general, it is good to reduce the emotional intensity of memories associated with traumatic events, when (as in the case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) the intensity of those memories is disproportionate to the precipitating traumatic event. Both sides also agree that, in general—not as an ironclad rule—it is bad to reduce the emotional intensity of memories associated with difficult but normal human problems of living, when the intensity of the emotions is proportionate to those problems. Between those two areas of agreement, there is a zone of ambiguity, in which reasonable people, who proceed from different but equally ethical frameworks, may indeed reach different conclusions about the same set of facts. But I will argue that even in the zone of ambiguity, there is more agreement than the language favored by the different frameworks sometimes suggests. Ultimately, I suggest that if we see the extent to which the substantive differences between the two frameworks are smaller than their articulators’ language sometimes suggests, we can engage in a more productive conversation about whether a particular intervention will facilitate or diminish human flourishing.
Pacemaker leads: a simple atraumatic method for replacing pacemaker electrodes

Early dislodgment or malfunction of pacemaker leads can result in significant morbidity and therefore must be corrected promptly. We describe a method of changing pacemaker leads that is atraumatic, maintains central venous access, and eliminates the need for venipuncture. Our technique is simple, highly reproducible, and can be performed with standard operating room instruments.
IDENTIFICATION OF A CYCLIC AMP‐DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE IN THE DINOFLAGELLATE AMPHIDINIUM OPERCULATUM

Cyclic AMP is an important signaling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In eukaryotes, the action of cyclic AMP is mediated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Efforts to identify PKA in dinoflagellates have met with mixed success in previous studies. In Amphidinium operculatum, we have identified the presence of cAMP, and observed cell cycle inhibition by the cAMP pathway inhibitor, isobutyl methylxanthine, suggesting the presence of a eukaryotic cAMP pathway. However, crude lysates of A. operculatum failed to show in vitro kinase activity toward kemptide, a specific substrate of mammalian PKA. This may reflect the presence of unidentified low molecular weight inhibitors, because when cell lysates were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, cAMP dependent kinase activity was identified. The molecular weight of this PKA was 66 kDa, much smaller than bovine PKA (250 kDa), but similar to that reported in the diatom Cylindrotheca (78 kDa). Current work is focusing on characterization of subunit structure of the PKA of A. operculatum, as compared with bovine PKA.
Maize growth: assessing the effects of global warming and CO2 fertilization with crop models

Abstract Projected future climate change scenarios derived from two General Circulation Models (GCMs): Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) and United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO), and two crop models: Crop Estimation through Resources and Environmental Synthesis (CERES), and Erosion/Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC), were considered to assess the climate change impact on the yield and biomass of maize. Climate change scenarios included changes in temperature, precipitation and solar radiation from two GCMs interpolated to 1° × 1° grid cells in the central Piedmont in North Carolina. Changes in mean monthly temperature and precipiation from the GCMs were used to adjust observed daily climate records from 1949–1988. There is convincing evidence that future temperature linked to global warming might be characterized by asymmetric change between daily daytime maxima and daily nighttime minima. Two hypotheses regarding how GCM temperature would alter observational record were examined. The first assumed that daytime and nighttime warming occurs symmetrically, i.e., maximum and minimum temperatures are raised equally. The second hypothesis assumed that nightime minima change is three times greater than daytime maxima change and the change in mean diurnal temperature range is approximately equal to the change in daily mean temperature. For the equal day-night warming scenario, when only the effects of climate change (i.e., changes in temperature, precipitation and solar radiation) were considered, simulations with CERES and EPIC indicated substantial losses in maize grain yield and tolar above ground biomass with both the GCM scenarios. For the asymmetric warming, the reduction in biomass and yield due to climate change was less than that obtained with symmetric warming. Simulated maize yield and biomass with CERES and EPIC increased when only effects due to CO2-fertilization were considered. The inclusion of CO2 fertilization effects with those due to climate change resulted in higher biomass and yield compared to values obtained with effects of climate change alone. When CERES was used with the GFDL scenario, and the effects of CO2 fertilization and the climate change were combined, no difference in simulated yield was found between the two hypotheses; only an 8% difference in aboveground biomass was found when the UKMO scenario was used. When EPIC was used, the differential day-night warming hypothesis resulted in 9–13% less reduction in biomass and yield than did the use of the equal day-night warming hypothesis.
Self-reflecting skew polygons and polytopes in the 4-dimensional hypercube

Abstract : In previous papers the author dealt with certain extremum problems for billiard ball motions in the hypercube gamma sub n of r sub n. Here he studies in greater detail the case when n = 4. The resuls are graphically described. The author also made 3-dimensional models corresponding to these figures out of thin wooden sticks.
Effectiveness of a Passive Subslab Ventilation System in Reducing Radon Concentrations in a Home

The effectiveness of a passive subslab ventilation system in reducing radon concentrations in an occupied home was investigated by measuring radon concentrations and pressure differentials during a 1-year period when a passive subslab ventilation system was being cycled on and off. Radon concentrations in the house were 30% lower during periods when the stack was open to the atmosphere. The effect was most pronounced when the home was unoccupied and during the winter and spring months. Furnace use and wind speed were the best predictors of transient changes in basement radon concentrations, whether the stack was open or closed. Pressure differential measurements show that subslab depressurization occurs when the stack is open during the winter and spring months due to bouyancy-driven air flow up the stack, but not during the summer. Numerical simulations of gas flow and radon transport into the house from the surrounding soil were calibrated to observed pressure differentials and radon concentrations. The model predicts that peak radon concentrations caused by furnace use will be reduced by flow out of the stack. However, the model is unable to account for the reduction in average radon concentrations observed while the stack is open in the winter. 19 refs.,more » 16 figs., 1 tab.« less
Lack of detection of enteroviral rna or bacterial dna in magnetic resonance imaging–directed muscle biopsies from twenty children with active untreated juvenile dermatomyositis

Objective. To investigate for the presence of increased titers of circulating antibody to putative infectious agents and for detectable viral RNA or bacterial DNA in children with active recent-onset juvenile der- matomyositis (DM). Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging–directed muscle biopsies were performed in 20 children with active, untreated, recent-onset juvenile DM and in age-matched children with neurologic disease. Sera were tested for complement-fixing antibody to Coxsack-ievirus B (CVB), influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1 and 3, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, mumps, respiratory syncytial virus, and Reovirus; and by immunofluorescence for IgG antibody to Toxoplasma gondii cytomegalovirus and IgM antibody to Epstein-Barr virus. Muscle from juvenile DM patients and control children, CD-1 Swiss mice with and without CVB1 infection, and viral stock positive for CVB1–6 were tested using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with 5 primer sets, 4 probes (1 Coxsackievirus, 3 Enterovirus), and universal primers for DNA. Results. No increased antibody, viral RNA, or bacterial DNA was present in the juvenile DM patients or the control children. Conclusion. Juvenile DM may be triggered by unidentified agent(s) in the genetically susceptible host.
Property of recombination in polarized hadronic targets

The triple gluon-ladder vertex is shown to project the outgoing gluon in either polarization state with equal probability up to the leading double-ln([ital x])ln([ital Q][sup 2]) approximation. This implies that the [ital Q][sup 2] evolution of [Delta][ital G]([ital x],[ital Q][sup 2]) is free from recombination effects to this level of approximation.
How routine learners can support family coordination

Researchers have detailed the importance of routines in how people live and work, while also cautioning system designers about the importance of people's idiosyncratic behavior patterns and the challenges they would present to learning systems. We wish to take up their challenge, and offer a vision of how simple sensing technology could capture and model idiosyncratic routines, enabling applications to solve many real world problems. To identify how a simple routine learner can demonstrate this in support of family coordination, we conducted six months of nightly interviews with six families, focusing on how they make and execute plans. Our data reveals that only about 40% of events unfold in a routine manner. When deviations do occur, family members often need but do not have access to accurate information about their routines. With about 90% of their content concerning deviations, not routines, families do not rely on calendars to support them during these moments. We discuss how coordination tools, like calendars and reminder systems, would improve coordination and reduce stress when augmented with routine information, and how commercial mobile phones can support the automatic creation of routine models.
The Manhattan Bridge: A Clash of Titans

The Manhattan Bridge is one of the first examples of an urban bridge whose design was impacted by partisan politics and a desire for a more, in the eyes of some, esthetically pleasing suspension bridge. It was the third bridge to be built across the East River and its design resulted in a battle between Leffert L. Buck, his associates R. S. Buck, and O. F. Nichols and Gustav Lindenthal, the Commissioner of Bridges in New York City, appointed after the preliminary design of the bridge had been completed. This paper is about that battle.
Karyotype and Identification of All Homoeologous Chromosomes of Allopolyploid Brassica napus and Its Diploid Progenitors

Investigating recombination of homoeologous chromosomes in allopolyploid species is central to understanding plant breeding and evolution. However, examining chromosome pairing in the allotetraploid Brassica napus has been hampered by the lack of chromosome-specific molecular probes. In this study, we establish the identification of all homoeologous chromosomes of allopolyploid B. napus by using robust molecular cytogenetic karyotypes developed for the progenitor species Brassica rapa (A genome) and Brassica oleracea (C genome). The identification of every chromosome among these three Brassica species utilized genetically mapped bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from B. rapa as probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). With this BAC-FISH data, a second karyotype was developed using two BACs that contained repetitive DNA sequences and the ubiquitous ribosomal and pericentromere repeats. Using this diagnostic probe mix and a BAC that contained a C-genome repeat in two successive hybridizations allowed for routine identification of the corresponding homoeologous chromosomes between the A and C genomes of B. napus. When applied to the B. napus cultivar Stellar, we detected one chromosomal rearrangement relative to the parental karyotypes. This robust novel chromosomal painting technique will have biological applications for the understanding of chromosome pairing, homoeologous recombination, and genome evolution in the genus Brassica and will facilitate new applied breeding technologies that rely upon identification of chromosomes.
HEAT TRANSFER IN RECTANGULAR CHANNELS WITH A SERIES OF NORMALLY IN-LINE POSITIONED PLATES

Periodically fully developed flow and heat transfer were numerically studied for a rectangular channel with normally in-line positioned plates along the axis. The governing equations were solved using a finite volume technique. Consideration was given only to laminar flow with uniform heat flux heating conditions at the channel walls. The independent governing parameters were identified as flow Reynolds number (Re), Prandtl number (Pr), pitch ratio of the plates (L / H), channel blockage ratio (B / H), plate thickness to height ratio (t / B), and the ratio of the thermal conductivity of the plate to the fluid (K). Calculations were made for the following range of independent parameters: Re ≤ 500, 0.7 ≤ Pr ≤ 12, 0.5 ≤ L / H ≤ 5.0, 0.2 ≤ B / H ≤ 0.8, 0.1 ≤ t / B ≤ 0.3, and 8 ≤ K ≤ 80,000. Heat transfer at the channel walls increased with a decrease in L / H; however, for L / H > 5.0, the impact of L / H on heat transfer was found to be minimal. Heat transfer increased with an increase in B / H, but the incr...
Effects of nanoscale defects on critical current density of (Y1−xEux)Ba2Cu3O7−δ thin films

Abstract In pulsed laser deposition of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ films, defect introduction into the films tends to anisotropically improve the pinning along the H || c direction due to the columnar growth mode of the process. In Eu-substituted samples, however, even though an increase in critical current density ( J c ) in the H || c direction was observed for low fields ( H = 0.2 T), the improvement was more notable for the H || ab -plane at both low and higher fields. Herein we present detailed TEM microstructural studies to understand these new trends in J c ( H ), which are markedly different than flux pinning increases achieved with other methods, for example, with nanoparticle additions. Threading dislocations, observed in the Eu-substituted samples along the c -axis, account for J c enhancement with H || c at low field. The enhanced ab -planar pinning in the Eu-substituted samples is attributed to the extensive bending of the {0 0 1} lattice planes throughout the film, and the crystal lattice defects with excess Cu–O planes, that were effective in increasing the J c for H || ab at both low and high fields.
A First Step towards a Generalized Physiological Measurement Framework

Physiological measures are often used to infer the cognitive state of a user in a training or experimental environment. The use of multiple devices can provide increased insight to the user's state. Two key issues when using multiple sensing devices are the need for low-level knowledge of the sensors for interfacing and software design for reuse. In this paper, an integration of real-time eye tracking and arousal measurement within a simulated environment is presented. The system is a preliminary realization of a general framework for integrating physiological measurement devices with live, virtual, and constructive environments and extends previous work integrating arousal and eye tracking. The data are time-stamped in the context of the simulation and can be "replayed" in the simulation for post-hoc analysis. Language: en
Evaluation of Gleason scores by photoacoustic spectral analysis

Ultrasound (US) guided biopsy is the standard procedure for evaluating the presence of prostate cancer (PCa). The biopsied tissues are evaluated by a Gleason scoring system which quantifies the severity of prostate cancer based on the clustering patterns of the cancer cells. The clustering patterns can be visualized by staining the cancer cells with optical contrast enhancing nanoparticles (NPs). This study investigates the feasibility of evaluating the NP stained Gleason patterns using photoacoustic spectrum analysis (PASA), aiming toward achieving minimally invasive prostate biopsy. The experiment on H&E stained human prostate tissue slices demonstrates that this approach is capable of identifying and potentially grading PCa.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-D Overexpression Contributes to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells

The majority of human malignancies are believed to have epithelial origin, and the progression of cancer is often associated with a transient process named epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the loss of epithelial markers and the gain of mesenchymal markers that are typical of "cancer stem-like cells," which results in increased cell invasion and metastasis in vivo. Therefore, it is important to uncover the mechanistic role of factors that may induce EMT in cancer progression. Studies have shown that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling contributes to EMT, and more recently, PDGF-D has been shown to regulate cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis. However, the mechanism by which PDGF-D promotes invasion and metastases and whether it is due to the acquisition of EMT phenotype remain elusive. For this study, we established stably transfected PC3 cells expressing high levels of PDGF-D, which resulted in the significant induction of EMT as shown by changes in cellular morphology concomitant with the loss of E-cadherin and zonula occludens-1 and gain of vimentin. We also found activation of mammalian target of rapamycin and nuclear factor-kappaB, as well as Bcl-2 overexpression, in PDGF-D PC3 cells, which was associated with enhanced adhesive and invasive behaviors. More importantly, PDGF-D-overexpressing PC3 cells showed tumor growth in SCID mice much more rapidly than PC3 cells. These results provided a novel mechanism by which PDGF-D promotes EMT, which in turn increases tumor growth, and these results further suggest that PDGF-D could be a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective alternative to transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

Introduction Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is a safe minimally invasive approach for treatment of pheochromocytoma (PHEO). Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) is an alternative minimally invasive technique; however, there is a lack of data regarding the appropriateness of this approach in patients with PHEO. Methods Our endocrine surgery database was queried to identify patients who underwent LA or PRA for PHEO. Patient and tumor characteristics, as well as operative details and postoperative course were compared between the 2 groups. Results LA or PRA was attempted in 46 patients with PHEO (23 LA, 23 PRA). There were no differences in age, BMI, or tumor size between these groups. PRA was associated with significantly reduced operative times (99 min vs 145 min, P Conclusion LA and PRA are both safe and effective approaches in patients with PHEO. In our experience, PRA results in decreased operative times, blood loss, and postoperative length of stay compared with LA. PRA has become our preferred approach for patients with PHEO.
Radii of the pions and the kaons

The radii of the pions and the kaons are computed with the geometrical model of hadron-hadron collisions using the recently published meson-proton scattering data at 200 GeV.
Automating measurement of subtle changes in articular cartilage from MRI of the knee by combining 3D image registration and segmentation

In osteoarthritis, articular cartilage loses integrity and becomes thinned. This usually occurs at sites which bear weight during normal use. Measurement of such loss from MRI scans, requires precise and reproducible techniques, which can overcome the difficulties of patient repositioning within the scanner. In this study, we combine a previously described technique for segmentation of cartilage from MRI of the knee, with a technique for 3D image registration that matches localized regions of interest at followup and baseline. Two patients, who had recently undergone meniscal surgery, and developed lesions during the 12 month followup period were examined. Image registration matched regions of interest (ROI) between baseline and followup, and changes within the cartilage lesions were estimate to be about a 16% reduction in cartilage volume within each ROI. This was more than 5 times the reproducibility of the measurement, but only represented a change of between 1 and 2% in total femoral cartilage volume. Changes in total cartilage volume may be insensitive for quantifying changes in cartilage morphology. A combined used of automated image segmentation, with 3D image registration could be a useful tool for the precise and sensitive measurement of localized changes in cartilage from MRI of the knee.
The cell programming language

In developmental biology, modeling and simulation play an important role in understanding cellular behavior. This article includes a review of the general models of development that are based on cellular interaction. Inspired by these models, we suggest a simple language, the Cell Programming Language (CPL), to write computer programs to describe this developmental behavior. These programs are an estimate of the minimal information needed to model realistically such developmental systems. Using these programs, it is possible to simulate and visualize cell behavior. We have employed CPL to model the following: aggregation in cellular slime mold in response to a chemotactic agent, cellular segregation and engulfment due to differential adhesion, and precartilage formation in vertebrate limbs. We believe CPL is a useful tool for developing, understanding, and checking biological models.
Stability and behavior of reaginic antibodies: Effects of freezing, thawing, and lyophilizing on skin-sensitizing activity of reaginic sera

Abstract This is one in a series of studies on the behavior and stability of reaginic antibodies subjected to various physical, chemical, and thermal influences. Observations were made on the effect of freezing, thawing, and storing, in the lyophilized state, sera of various ages from a few hours to more than four years. These observations provided a basis for acceptance of the reliability of our entire serum banks used in the successive studies. Both human volunteers and lower primates were employed as recipients for the passive transfer studies. The sera used contain reaginic antibodies for a variety of allergens. Those containing reagin for penicillin were most valuable for quantitation, since challenge at a remote site permitted the presumption of delivery of equal quantities of allergens to all the sensitized sites, thus eliminating the element of trauma and error of measurement, faults inherent in the direct challenge. Results indicate that lyophilization as well as storage of serum at subfreezing temperature preserved the reaginic antibodies equally well for a number of years (perhaps better with lyophilized serum). Repeated freezing and thawing, and even allowing the serum to stand in liquid state for hours to several days, did not significantly alter the reaginic titer, as measured by passive transfer test on the monkey. These results will make more acceptable our succeeding studies and permit our expanding our serum banks for long-range immunological studies with reaginic antibodies.
Does early adolescent sex cause depressive symptoms

A recent study by the Heritage Foundation (Rector, Johnson, & Noyes, 2003) found evidence of a positive relationship between early sexual intercourse and depressive symptoms. This finding has been used to bolster support for funding abstinence only sex education. However, promoting abstinence will only yield mental health benefits if there is a causal link between sexual intercourse and depression. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), I carefully examine the relationship between early teen sex and several measures of depression. Controlling for a wide set of individual level and family level observable characteristics, cross section estimates consistently show a significant positive relationship between early sexual activity for females and three measures of adverse mental health: self reported depression, a belief that one's life is not worth living, and serious thoughts of suicide. However, difference-in-difference estimates reflect no evidence of a significant relationship between early teen sex and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the positive association observed by Rector et al. (2003) can be explained by unmeasured heterogeneity. Thus, promoting abstinence among adolescents is unlikely to alleviate depressive symptoms Language: en
The Purpose of the Materials Characterization Center

The Materials Characterization Center (MCC) at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory is the experimental arm of the Materials Characterization Organization (MCO), which was established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in FY 1980 to ensure high quality characterization and qualification of waste package materials essential to the reliable performance of DOE nuclear waste management programs. The MCC is responsible for publishing key test methods and data in the Nuclear Waste Materials Handbook (DOE/TIC-11400) after the methods and data have been reviewed and approved by the Materials Review Board (MRB), which is the other major operating arm of the MCO. The MCC is carrying out its responsibilities in several ways. It sponsors a continuing series of workshops that address materials characterization test method issues. It supplies well-characterized reference and testing materials for use by the DOE nuclear waste management programs. It develops generic test methods and supports the repository waste package projects in developing selected site-specific test methods and performing confirmatory testing of these methods. When these test methods are approved by the MRB they constitute the formal tests to be used by laboratories to test and qualify materials, evaluate waste package components, and assure compliance with standards and/or specifications for the final product.
Chemical transformations of selenium in living organisms. Improved forms of selenium for cancer prevention

Abstract Compounds having cancer-preventing activity are developed during the metabolism of selenium in plants and animals. Monomethylated forms of selenium appear to be one class of chemopreventive metabolites. Synthetic organoselenium compounds have been used to explore determinants of activity and differentiation from other biological effects of selenium. Triphenyl selenonium chloride, a new type of chemopreventive selenium compound, has been synthesized in radioactive form for use as a tracer to facilitate studies of its mode of action.
Contestation and Conformity: Street and Park Skateboarding in New York City Public Space

By comparing street skating and park skating, this article examines why skateboarders persist in their use of public space even in the face of extensive regulation and the provision of skate parks....
Context-processing deficits in schizotypal personality disorder.

Research suggests that schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) is a part of the spectrum of schizophreniarelated illnesses. This article hypothesizes that a deficit in the representation and maintenance of context is a core cognitive disturbance in schizophrenia and that SPD individuals should demonstrate contextprocessing deficits. To test this hypothesis, the authors administered 3 versions of their AX-CPT task, designed to assess context processing, to 35 healthy controls and 26 individuals with DSM–IV SPD. They also administered working memory and selective attention tasks. SPD individuals displayed context representation deficits similar to those found in schizophrenia but did not show the same additional deficits in context maintenance. Context processing was strongly associated with working memory and selective attention performance in the SPD individuals. A large body of research suggests that the signs and symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) form part of the spectrum of schizophrenia-related illnesses (Siever, Kalus, & Keefe, 1993). A growing number of studies have been examining the types of cognitive deficits displayed by individuals with SPD. If individuals with SPD show cognitive deficits similar to those shown by individuals with schizophrenia, then this provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that SPD is part of the spectrum of schizophrenia-related disorders. In our prior work on schizophrenia (Barch et al., 2001; Braver, Barch, & Cohen, 1999; Braver & Cohen, 1999; Cohen, Barch, Carter, & Servan-Schreiber, 1999; Cohen & Servan-Schreiber, 1992), we have put forth the hypothesis that one of the core cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia is a deficit in the ability to represent and maintain context information, which may contribute to a number of the cognitive abnormalities found in this illness. Further, we have suggested that a disturbance in dopamine function in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a critical neurobiological contributor to context-processing deficits in schizophrenia. Therefore, we hypothesize that if SPD is part of the spectrum of schizophreniarelated illnesses, then individuals with SPD should show deficits in context processing that are similar to those shown by individuals with schizophrenia. The goal of the current study is to test this hypothesis in a sample of individuals with SPD and a sample of healthy controls, using tasks specifically designed to selectively