cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of selenium with tissue membranes of ovine and rat tissues.

Rats and lambs were injected with75Se-selenite and the microsomal fraction obtained by differential centrifugation from homogenates of muscle, heart, liver, brain, kidney, and testes. These fractions were subsequently centrifuged on sucrose density gradients from 25 to 45% and the distribution of selenium-75 between the labeled membranes of different densities monitored by scintillation counting. The majority of the selenium-75 was associated with membranes of similar density in muscle, heart, liver, and testes from both rats and lambs. The selenium-75 was distributed between many different density membranes in brain from both lambs and rats. The selenium-75 was associated predominantly with one density membrane from ovine kidney but with several density membranes from rat kidney.
Mary Parker Follett and the Quest for Pragmatic Administration

Beyond simply accepting Mary Parker Follett `s reputation as an innovative administrative theorist, this article scrutinizes both her administrative theories and her supporting ideation for these theories. It finds that she constructed her administrative theory on a mixture of idealism and pragmatism. She vacillated between the two. In her idealist mode she claimed that administration fulfilled the individual. In her pragmatic mode, she stressed organizational problem solving. Follett mistakenly assumed that these claims could be based on two very different, often contradictory, philosophic traditions. The result, then, was an unfounded "organizational imperative" that claimed modern administrative organizations were vital for individual development as well as essential for the survival of liberal democracy.
Transport studies with porous alumina membranes

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing interest in utilizing inorganic membranes, particularly microporous membranes, for numerous biotechnology applications, inorganic catalysis and separation processes. In order to conduct a fundamental study of any membrane process, a well defined membrane system is required. In this paper, results from characterization experiments performed on porous Anotec alumina membranes containing uniform, parallel pores are reported. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine pore density and pore length. Solvent (water) flow measurements and benzoic acid diffusion experiments were used to determine the pore radius. The pore radius values determined from these measurements were in good agreement, indicating the validity of the methods as well as pore radius uniformity. The application of this work for preparing a well defined immobilization membrane system is discussed.
Preventing and Managing Infections in Neutropenic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients: Evidence-Based Review

The number of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs) performed annually is increasing. Although general survival rates have risen since 1990, mortality and morbidity from preventable complications can be improved. As a result, this article will review developments in preventing and managing infections in neutropenic HSCT recipients.
The Effect of Prior EEG ``Coupling'' Upon the Visual Evoked Response

A unique statistical technique is described which appears to measure important interaction processes within the central nervous system (CNS). This statistic, termed ``weighted-average coherence,'' or C?, is derived primarily from parameters generated in cross-spectral frequency analysis. C? has the useful property, however, of summarizing a larger amount of cross-spectral information into a more manageable form. By applying C? analysis to the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG), it has been possible to define unique patterns of interaction, or ``coupling,'' between different brain areas. The total pattern of EEG coupling is taken to define a given state of functional brain organization. Moreover, since C? is sensitive to changes in the EEG, it also reflects something of the dynamic properties of such brain organization.
EXAFS Studies of various sulfonated and carboxylated cadmium ionomers

Four sulfonate ionomers and one carboxylate ionomer, all neutralized with cadmium, were studied using the technique of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The cadmium in all four sulfonate ionomers had essentially identical EXAFS oscillations, which suggests that the influence of the identity of the polymer matrix on the local aggregate structure is minimal. In contrast, the cadmium in the carboxylate ionomer had a substantially different local environment, showing that, as expected, the local environment of the cadmium cation depends on anion type. For the sulfonate ionomers, simulations of the EXAFS oscillations with reasonable fitting parameters using the crystal structure of cadmium methanesulfonate dihydrate fit the experimental patterns very well. This agreement between theory and experiment strongly suggests that the atomic arrangement around the cadmium atom in the ionomer is the same as the arrangement around the cadmium atom in the small-molecule analogue. In the carboxylate ionomer, small but significant differences existed between the experimental pattern and the pattern generated theoretically using atomic positions derived from the small-molecule analogue cadmium acetate dihydrate. The reason for the difference is unclear ; however, if the atomic positions in the ionomer were only slightly different from those in the crystal structure, this could have led to the disagreement between the experimental data and the fit.
Estimating GFR Using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) Creatinine Equation: More Accurate GFR Estimates, Lower CKD Prevalence Estimates, and Better Risk Predictions

Serum creatinine is ordered more than 281 million times annually in the United States (based on the 191,354,358 creatinine tests reported in 1996 and assuming annual growth rate in testing of 3%),1 and recent reports show that more than 70% of laboratories now report estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation.2 Recently, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) developed and validated a new equation, the CKD-EPI creatinine equation, which uses the same variables as the MDRD Study, but is more accurate.3,4 Accuracy of GFR estimating equations is evaluated in comparison to measured GFR. However, as for other diagnostic tests, other criteria are also important in clinical practice and public health, including detecting disease, predicting prognosis, and guiding therapy. In this issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2 articles compare the CKD-EPI equation with the MDRD Study equation for estimating the prevalence of CKD and predicting the risk of subsequent events in the general population.5,6 In this editorial, we comment briefly on these articles and review the accuracy and applications of current GFR estimating equations (Table 1). Table 1 Comparison of 3 GFR Estimating Equations for Creatinine
Conceptual design and modification of freeform surfaces using dual shape representations in augmented reality environments

This paper enables the rapid creation and modification of freeform surfaces inside an augmented reality environment, and focuses on methods for enabling increased flexibility during exploratory, conceptual industrial product design through three-dimensional (3D) sketch-based user input. Specifically, we address the role of multiple shape representations with varying uncertainty levels during 3D conceptual sketching, along with methods to transform between those representations. The main contributions of this work are: (1) the formulation of virtual shape data in multiple, concurrent representations (points and surfaces), and a regression method to transition fluidly back and forth between these representations during design, (2) methods for deforming and exploring the product shape using these multiple representations, and (3) representations of these forms such that designers can explore conceptual designs without the need for detailed surface operations such as trimming or continuity enforcement. Through incorporating these contributions, we introduce techniques that can be incorporated in future computer-aided conceptual design systems. These contributions are demonstrated for freeform surface design, with examples of computer mouse and car seat exterior surfaces.
Analysis of the rates of dietary induced changes in chick kidney arginase activity.

AbstractAn investigation was carried out to determine the turnover rate of dietary induced changes in chick kidney arginase. The enzyme activity in kidney was increased or decreased following addition or removal of certain dietary amino acids to the diet of chicks. Excesses of dietary arginine or lysine caused the kidney arginase to increase to a new steady-state level with a half-time of 2.6 to 3.8 days, whereas when these amino acids were removed from the diet or when AIB was added to the diet, the activity rapidly declined to a much lower level with a shorter half-time of 0.8-1.9 days. The rate constant for degradation was changed from 0.18-0.27 to 0.36-0.90 under these conditions. The results suggest that these dietary amino acids might alter the rate of arginase degradation in chick kidney.
Long-term potentiation and contextual fear conditioning increase neuronal glutamate uptake

Induction and expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in area CA1 of the hippocampus require the coordinated regulation of several cellular processes. We found that LTP in area CA1 was associated with an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent increase in glutamate uptake. The increase in glutamate uptake was inhibited by either removal of Na+ or addition of D,L-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartate. Dihydrokainate (DHK), a specific inhibitor of the glial glutamate transporter GLT-1, did not block the increase in glutamate uptake. LTP was also associated with a translocation of the EAAC1 glutamate transporter from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. Contextual fear conditioning increased the maximum rate (Vmax) of glutamate uptake and membrane expression of EAAC1 in area CA1. These results indicate that regulation of glutamate uptake may be important for maintaining the level of synaptic strength during long-term changes in synaptic efficacy.
Comparison of the logistic and Cox regression models when outcome is determined in all patients after a fixed period of time

This paper presents an evaluation of the logistic and Cox regression models for a prospective study when the outcome is binary and is determined in all patients after a fixed period of time. The similarities and differences between the regression coefficients and test statistics are given for the two-sample case. Extension of results to the multivariate case and under product binomial sampling are discussed. The results are illustrated using data from a clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of a lipid lowering drug on progression of coronary artery disease.
Continuous time programming with nonlinear constraints

Abstract : A class of continous time nonlinear programming problems relating to problems of acquisition, stockpiling and distribution of materials is considered. Nonlinearity appears in both the objective function and the constraints. Necessary and sufficient conditions (Kuhn-Tucker conditions) are established and optimal solutions are characterized in terms of a duality theorem. (Author)
Teacher Knowledge About Reading Fluency and Indicators of Students' Fluency Growth in Reading First Schools

This study examines the role of teacher knowledge about reading fluency in students' fluency growth. Specifically, the effects of teacher knowledge on fluency with nonsense word reading and oral passage reading were examined. Students' vocabulary was also considered as a predictor of fluency development. Results demonstrated that teacher knowledge about reading fluency is a significant predictor of first-grade students' decoding growth and second-grade students' oral reading fluency growth. Effects on third-grade students' reading growth are less pronounced. Implications for future research and professional development practice are discussed.
PDEL—a language for partial differential equations

Conventional computer methods available to solve continuous system problems characterized by partial differential equations are very time-consuming and cumbersome. A convenient, easy to learn and to use, high level problem oriented language to solve and study partial differential equation problems has been designed; a practical translator for the language has also been designed, and a working version of it has been constructed for a significant portion of the language. This Partial Differential Equation Language, PDEL, is outlined, and the highlights of the translator are briefly summarized.
Photographic censusing of the 1982-1983 California condor population

Fin 1982, on signalait 21 individus de cette espece au minimum; les resultats de 83 montrent qu'elle est en train de decliner et pourrait s'eteindre dans 10-20 ans si on ne la protege pas intensivement
Evaluating Data on Corporate Sentencing: How Reliable are the U.S Sentencing Commission's Data?

During a recent study of how 1991 federal sentencing guidelines have affected the penalties that federal courts impose on public corporations, we performed an independent evaluation of the quality of the data on corporate sanctions that the U.S. Sentencing Commission releases to the public. Our initial findings led us to use other, independently-compiled data for our own research. This paper presents the main findings of our evaluation, which focused on the quality of the Commission's 1988-1996 (ICPSR) data on public corporations. First, the Commission's post-Guidelines data on penalties for public corporations appear to be incomplete and non-representative of the underlying case population. For example, the ICPSR post-1991 data appear to exclude a disproportionate number of large fines imposed on public corporations. No similar difficulties in the ICPSR pre-Guidelines (1988-1989) data were found. Shortfalls in the post-Guidelines data on other kinds of defendants, such as individuals, appear to be less marked. Second, the Commission's data are missing variables that may explain a substantial part of the case-by-case variation that occurs in sentencing. The data reveal little about the harm caused by the offense, which is often estimated in court papers. Also missing is information about the identity of the sentencing judge and about the identity of the corporation being sentenced. We review the history of the Commission's efforts to collect data on federal sentencing, highlighting institutional constraints and other factors that appear relevant to the difficulties we have found in the data that the Commission releases to the public.
A brief note on the comparison of two grapho-motor techniques in diagnosing brain damage.

Abstract There were no differences between the Bender-Gestalt and two items from Reitan's Aphasia Screening Test in discriminating 50 organic and 50 non-organic psychiatric patients.
Pitfalls in dermatopathology: when things are not what they seem

By integrating the clinical features of a skin lesion and its histological findings, dermatopathologists are usually able to correctly diagnose most skin disorders. However, situations often arise where clinical appearance and impression from a superficial histopathologic examination are misleading and may direct to a completely erroneous diagnosis. These pitfalls in diagnosis are most significant when they involve various tumors with a malignant potential. In these diseases, a misdiagnosis is likely to have serious medical consequences. It is important to be aware of these specific histological mimickers, because only then may the dermatopathologist be able to detect the subtle changes that lead to a correct diagnosis. Clinical–pathological correlation is also essential. Entities that are prone to misdiagnosis can generally be divided into three categories: skin malignancies that resemble reactive conditions or benign neoplasms; benign conditions that masquerade as malignancies; and tumors that may be mi...
Evaluation of the Oil Fiscal Regime in Russia and Proposals for Reform

Oil revenue plays a central role in Russia's economic development. Thus, the recent decline in oil production and investment, and the possible contribution of the current fiscal regime to these developments, have prompted a reassessment of the oil tax system in Russia. Some important changes have already been made, while others are underway. This paper uses a simulation model to evaluate Russia's current oil fiscal regime. Based on these simulations, the paper proposes ways to make the fiscal regime more supportive of investment, while ensuring an appropriate share of oil sector profits for the government.
Effect of green and black tea supplementation on lipids, lipid oxidation and fibrinogen in the hamster: mechanisms for the epidemiological benefits of tea drinking

There is considerable epidemiological evidence that tea drinking lowers the risk of heart disease. However, the mechanism by which tea can be protective is unknown. Hamsters were fed a normal or high cholesterol diet for 2 weeks and drank green or black tea ad libitum. The plasma lipid profile was significantly improved by both teas compared to controls. Also in vivo lipid oxidation as measured by plasma lipid peroxides and LDL+VLDL oxidizability were significantly decreased by the teas. In the normal fed tea groups fibrinogen was decreased but not in the high cholesterol groups. Green tea was significantly more effective than the black tea. These results show in the hamster model that black and green tea improve the risk factors for heart disease by both hypolipemic and antioxidant mechanisms and possibly a fibrinolytic effect.
The Variation of Track Forecast Difficulty among Tropical Cyclone Basins

Abstract Tropical cyclone track forecast error ranges widely among individual storms, as well as globally. To study its regional variability, structurally identical climatology-and-persistence (CLIPER) track forecast models were constructed for the six major tropical cyclone basins of the world. Developmental errors of the models are compared as forecast difficulty levels (FDLs). The range of FDLs among the basins is >2:1, with the more difficult basins having the more poleward-average storm latitudes.
Growth mechanism for epitaxial graphene on vicinal 6 H -SiC ( 0001 ) surfaces: A scanning tunneling microscopy study

The inability to grow large well-ordered ultra high vacuum (UHV) graphene with a specific number of layers on SiC(0001) is well known. The growth involves several competing processes (Si desorption, carbon diffusion, island nucleation, etc.) and because of the high temperatures, it has not been possible to identify the growth mechanism. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and a vicinal 6H-SiC(0001) sample, we determine that the Si desorption from steps is the main controlling process. Adjacent steps retract with different speeds and the released carbon produces large areas of bilayer graphene with characteristic ``fingers'' emanating from steps. If faster heating rates are used, the different Si desorption rates are avoided and single-layer graphene films extending over many microns are produced.
Cervical biopsy/cytology correlation data can be collected prospectively and shared clinically

Cervical cytology (Cy) and biopsy (Bx) correlation is used by institutions for the evaluation of their cytodiagnostic capabilities as a part of overall laboratory quality improvement (QI). However, the data obtained from correlation are not routinely included in most surgical pathology (SP) reports. Our laboratory's procedure is to include the correlation of the patient's previous (most recent) cytology smear in the surgical pathology report of all/any gynecologic surgical pathology specimens. We reviewed this process for the time period between July 1998-June 1999. Any noncorrelating cases were assigned a correlation review code by the reviewing cytopathologist: major Cy diagnostic error (DE1), minor Cy diagnostic error (DE2), Cy sampling error (Cy SE), or biopsy sampling error (Bx SE). Of 3,486 cases reviewed, 3,229 cases were satisfactory for correlation studies. Concordant results were found in 86.9%. Cy DE1 due to either Cy screening or interpretation errors or both were found in 0.2% (n = 7) of all cases, while Cy DE2 due to the same were found in 1% (n = 32). Bx SE accounted for discrepancies in 6.8% (n = 220) of all cases, while 5.1% (n = 164) of the total cases were discrepancies due to Cy SE. Follow-up Bx was available in 97.2% (n = 214) of the Bx SE, and showed 16.4% (n = 35) to be major discrepancies and 83.6% (n = 179) to be minor discrepancies. Cervical Cy/Bx correlation is useful for the evaluation of a laboratory's QI. It is also useful for the identification of either Cy or Bx SE. While QI data exist as "internal use only" documents, SE data (as part of the CC (correlation comment) included in SP reports) are vital to a specific/given patient. Bx SE was identified in 6.3% of our patients, indicating a possible need for rebiopsy. This type of QI data may be shared clinically, and may direct the management for maximum diagnostic and patient benefit.
The Parent Expectations Survey A Measure of Perceived Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy in early parenting is the confidence that a mother has in her ability to meet the demands of the role of new parent. The Parent Expectations Survey (PES) was developed to measure perceptions of self-efficacy in early parenting. This article traces the development and psychometric testing of the PES. The PES was tested on 82 primiparas at 1 and 3 months postpartum. It demonstrated internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity. Those mothers who had higher self-efficacy early in the transition to parenthood had greater confidence in parenting and less stress 1 year after delivery, thus establishing the predictive validity of the instrument. The PES, both easy to use and to score, may be used by clinicians during the perinatal period to ascertain a mother's early perceptions of self-efficacy in parenting. For those mothers with low self-efficacy, interventions to empower them in that new role may then follow.
Gender-specific alterations in gene expression and loss of liver sexual dimorphism in the long-lived Ames dwarf mice

Genetic mutations that increase lifespan in mice frequently involve alterations in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I signaling pathway. Although several of the effects of GH on gene expression are known to be sex-dependent, an understanding of the gender-specific vs. gender-independent effects of lifespan-extending mutations of the GH/IGF-I axis is currently lacking. The Ames dwarf mice (prop1(df/df)) are GH, prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone deficient and exhibit an increase in mean lifespan of 49% in males and 68% in females. We used oligonucleotide arrays containing over 14,000 genes to study the gender-specific vs. gender-independent effects of the prop1(df) mutation in liver of male and female Ames mice. We identified 381 gender-independent and 110 gender-specific alterations in gene expression produced by the Prop1(df/df) genotype. The gender-specific alterations corresponded to genes with a strong sexual dimorphism in wild-type mice and produced an almost complete loss of sex-specific gene expression in the liver of Ames dwarf mice: out of 123 genes that showed sexual dimorphism in wild-type mice only six maintained a gender difference in mutant mice. However, the Prop1(df/df) genotype did not introduce new sexually dimorphic patterns of gene expression in Ames dwarf mice that were not present in the wild-type animals. The gender-specific alterations accounted for a large fraction of the most significant changes in gene expression in male and female Ames mice livers and affected several metabolic processes, particularly fatty acid metabolism, steroid hormone metabolism, and xenobiotic metabolism.
Thinking about binary trees in an object-oriented world

The Binary Search Tree serves as an important example when teaching data structures. We explore new approaches to understanding the implementation of a Binary Search Tree, using concepts from Object-Oriented Programming and C++. The Binary Search Tree illustrates how adopting a new approach and a new language can lead to a new way of thinking about a familiar problem.
Adaptive IIR filtering using parallel-form realizations

Several parallel-form adaptive IIR (infinite impulse response) filters are presented, including a frequency-domain implementation based on the discrete Fourier transform and a recursive frequency-sampling structure. The performance of the frequency-domain adaptive IIR filter is investigated in a system identification application, which includes an analysis of its modeling capabilities and a discussion of the mean-square-error performance surface. Computer simulation results are presented to illustrate the robust convergence properties of the adaptive algorithm and to demonstrate the stability of the filter. >
Ion-assisted pulsed-laser deposition for the fabrication of Y-Ba-Cu-O multilayer structures using oriented intermediate layers of YSZ and CeO2

One of the most significant recent applications of laser ablation is pulsed laser deposition (PLD), a powerful new technology for fabricating unique thin film compositions and structures. Ion-assisted PLD (IAPLD) enhances the capabilities of this technology by providing oriented thin-film structures on amorphous and randomly-ordered polycrystalline substrates. IAPLD is particularly well-suited for fabricating multilayer thin film structures suitable for high temperature superconducting multi-chip modules. We have fabricated such structures on 5.0 μm SiO 2 dielectric layers using IAPLD yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) layers, obtaining critical current densities as high as 3 x 10 5 A/cm 2 at 77 K. We have also constructed YBCO/IAPLD-YSZ/SiO 2 /YSZ/YBCO/CeO 2 /YSZ and YBCO/IAPLD-YSZ/amorphous-YSZ/YBCO/CeO 2 /YSZ multilayers. In addition, we are working on IAPLD of oriented CeO 2 layers to improve the YBCO critical current densities.
A single center experience with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.

Abstract Background. Few large Western series on cholangiocarcinoma have been reported in the literature. We reviewed 40 consecutive cases of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas referred to a single center. Methods. From 1992 until 2000, 40 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas were evaluated. The charts of all patients were reviewed to evaluate predictors of survival. Survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results. Forty patients were referred for management of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Tumors were located in the distal common duct in 3 (7.5%), mid duct in 5 (12.5%), and at the bifurcation in 32 (80%). Surgical resection was attempted in 32 (80%) patients and was curative in 9 (22.5%), palliative in 11 (27.5%), and diagnostic in 12 (30%). Mean survival for all patients was 21.1 ± 5.1 months and on the basis of tumor stage was 71.4 ± 15.4, 39.7 ± 10.6, 19.2 ± 2.9, 3.9 ± 1.8, and 6.9 ± 1.3 months for stages I, II, III, IVA, and IVB, respectively. Mean survival was 51.1 ± 13.5 months versus 10 ± 1.8 months in those with curative and noncurative resections, respectively. The presence of a portal mass was associated with a reduction in mean survival from 28.4 ± 7.2 months to 6.0 ± 1.9 months. Conclusions. Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remains a dismal disease with only a 22.5% chance of a curative surgical resection, achieving a 5-year survival rate of 44.4%. Only the absence of a portal mass was predictive of a possible curative resection and long-term survival. (Surgery 2001;130:584-92.)
Biophysical Characterization of Betabellin 16D: A β-Sandwich Protein That Forms Narrow Fibrils Which Associate into Broad Ribbons

The betabellin structure is a de novo designed beta-sandwich protein consisting of two 32-residue beta sheets packed against one another by hydrophobic interactions. Betabellin 16S (B16S), a 32-residue peptide chain (HSLTAKIakLTFSIAahTYTCAVakYTAKVSH, where a is DAla, h is DHis, and k is DLys), did not have beta structure in water at pH 6.5. Air oxidation of B16S furnished betabellin 16D (B16D), a 64-residue disulfide-bridged two-chain protein, which also did not fold in water at pH 6.5. However, the extent of beta structure observed for B16D increased with pH and ionic strength of the solution and the B16D concentration as observed by circular dichroism spectropolarimetry. Transmission electron microscopy showed that B16D formed narrow fibrils that associated into broad ribbons in 5.0 mM Mops and 0.25 M NaCl at pH 6.9.
The role of IFN-γ in regulation of IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) expression in lung epithelial cell and peripheral blood mononuclear cell co-cultures

Interferons play a critical role in regulating both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Previous reports have shown increased levels of IFN-γ, IFN-γ-inducing IL-12 and IFN-γ-inducible chemokine IP-10 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study focuses on the regulation of the IP-10 secretion in co-cultures of lung epithelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). No IP-10 secretion was detected in cells cultured alone, whereas a significant increase in IP-10 levels was observed in epithelial cell/PBMC co-cultures. Furthermore, the results show that interactions between lung epithelial cells, lymphocytes and monocytes are needed for basal IP-10 secretion. Interestingly, we have also shown that incubation with IL-12 can induce an IFN-γ independent increase in IP-10 levels in co-cultures. Furthermore, inhibition studies supported the suggestion that different intracellular pathways are responsible of IFN-γ and IL-12 mediated IP-10 secretion. These studies demonstrate a novel diversity in IFN-γ/IL-12 pathways, showing that the IP-10 expression in co-cultures is regulated by multiple factors, such as intercellular interactions in addition to IFN-γ and IL-12 levels. These results may be valuable in designing novel strategies to antagonize IP-10 mediated immunological reactions and chemotactic effects on T cells.
Adsorption of polar solutes on liquid-modified supports

Abstract The experimental technique of mass spectrometric tracer pulse chromatography was used to measure the equilibrium isotherms of acetone with n -hexadecane coated on different chromatographic supports. A model is proposed and shown to be accurate for these systems at three temperatures. The model is based on the assumptions that: (i) total adsorption is simply the sum of the liquid and solid contributions; (ii) these mechanisms operate independently; and (iii) there is no measurable liquid surface adsorption at the temperatures and pressures used in this investigation.
A thermal equivalent circuit for PEM fuel cell temperature control design

A thermal equivalent circuit is presented in this paper for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In order to control a temperature in the fuel cell system, a thermal equivalent circuit model for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and its control algorithms are presented. By defining temperature as a state, the energy balance can be established so that feedback control algorithm can be directly utilized. The details of the design of the thermal equivalent circuit model and its control scheme are provided in the paper. The proposed thermal equivalent circuit model was analyzed through Bode plots. With the help of Bode plot results, the proposed thermal circuit model for PEM fuel cells can be used in designing an appropriate controller.
Scientific results with NIRSPEC on the Keck II Telescope

This invited paper reviews the first scientific results to emerge from NIRSPEC, a new near-IR cryogenic spectrograph for the Keck II 10-meter telescope. In its lowest resolution mode, NIRSPEC is sufficiently sensitive for deep extra- galactic work, as illustrated by observations of a gravitational lense galaxy at a redshift of z equals 2.7. This resolution also provides a powerful tool for a spectroscopic survey of brown dwarfs. The power of NIRSPEC's high- resolution echelle mode is illustrated with studies of star- forming regions, interacting galaxies and the Galactic Center. As well as solar system bodies such as comets and the outer planets. Prospects for use of NIRSPEC with the Keck adaptive optics system are also discussed. NIRSPEC demonstrates that, withe availability of large-format, low- noise array detectors, IR astronomy is now capable of many challenging applications in spectroscopy.
Use of 3 tools to assess nutrition risk in the intensive care unit.

Background: Identifying patients at nutrition risk proves difficult in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to the nature of critical illness. No consensus exists on the most appropriate method to identify these patients. Traditional screens and assessments are often limited due to their subjective nature. The purpose of the quality improvement project was to compare proportions of ICU patients deemed at nutrition risk using 3 different tools. Material and Methods: A convenience sample of 294 patients admitted to the ICU was used. Patients were assessed using the institution’s routine nutrition screening method, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and the NUTrition Risk in Critically ill (NUTRIC) score. Information was collected on demographics, severity of illness, hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), and disposition. Descriptive statistics were used to examine counts/proportions of risk categories; means ± SD were used to summarize demographic and clinical variables. Results: A total of 139 patients ...
Third trimester nonrecurrent fetal loss is associated with factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations.

Objective. To determine the role of factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation in the pathogenesis of unexplained second and third trimester nonrecurrent fetal loss.Materials and methods. One hundred and fourteen women with unexplained nonrecurrent late fetal loss made up the study group, and 106 normal pregnant women with a history of delivery of at least one healthy fetus and no history of late fetal loss made up the control group. The study group was further divided into two subgroups: second (n = 36) and third (n = 78) trimester fetal loss. All women were tested for factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin gene mutations.Results. Twenty-one (18.4%) of the women in the study group and seven (6.6%) of the women in the control group were heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden mutation (OR = 3.19). Eleven (9.6%) of the women in the study group and three (2.8%) of the women in the control group were heterozygous carriers of prothrombin gene mutation (OR = 3.66). In assessing with regard to trimesters, ...
LibQUAL+™ spring 2001 comments: a qualitative analysis using Atlas.ti

Respondents’ comments to the LibQUAL+™ spring 2001 survey were examined to refine the instrument and reduce non‐sampling error. Using qualitative data analysis software, Atlas.ti, respondents’ unsolicited e‐mail messages were analyzed. Results showed that the major problem with the survey was its length, which was due to a combination of factors. This information helped the survey designers in reducing the number of library service quality items from 56 to 25 and in addressing technical problems from the Web‐based survey. An in‐depth discussion of the steps followed in conducting the Atlas.ti analysis will also be discussed.
Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC): Update 1977

The Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) is a service to facilities requiring a means of realtime prediction of the extent of health hazards that may result from a release of radionuclides or other toxic materials. The ARAC system, sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE), consists of a network of serviced facilities and a central facility at the University of California, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL). Since 1973, when the concept was initiated, a joint feasibility study of the ARAC system has been conducted by LLL and the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) and research and development was initiated to implement this service for DOE nuclear facilities. The present system of three sites (LLL, Savannah River Plant and the Rocky Flats Plant) is now being tested and evaluated with the Mound Laboratory scheduled to join the network in the fall of 1977. Plans are presently being formulated to implement the ARAC service for additional DOE sites during the next several years. This article briefly describes the ARAC concept, discusses progress to date and outlines future plans for completing the system's development and operating the service.
Prefrontal representation of stimulus attributes during delay tasks. II. The role of behavioral significance

Abstract Rhesus monkeys were trained to perform two visual discrimination tasks with delayed response. In both tasks, the response depended on the color of the cue, a lighted circle in the center of a panel. Red and green guided one task, yellow and blue the other. In the course of performance, a fifth color (violet), non-relevant and inconsequential, was presented at random in the same location as the cues. All 5 stimuli were of equal brithtness. Many cells in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (sulcus principalis and superior convexity) treated the relevant cues differently than the irrelevant stimulus. In general, cellular reactions to that stimulus were of lesser magnitude than the reactions to the cues. Cell reaction differences as a function of stimulus significance outnumbered and overshadowed differences as a function of cue-color or any other task variable. The results indicate that, during visual delay tasks, units in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex differentiate stimuli by their behavioral significance, as well as by other stimulus attributes, including color. Because the motivational evaluation of sensory stimuli is an integral part of the cognitive processes in delay tasks (together with short-term memory and motor set), these results support the notion that the prefrontal cortex integrates motivational inputs into the structure of behavioral action.
Plasma binding proteins as mediators of corticosteroid action in vertebrates

Stressors elicit a complex but variable suite of endocrine events. Comparative studies of the stress response have focused primarily on the adrenocortical response to stress, in particular the measurement of plasma levels of glucocorticoids. However, a number of other factors contribute to and modify cellular and organismal responses to glucocorticoids. Notably, plasma corticosteroid binding globulins (CBGs) can regulate the general availability of steroid to tissues, and/or direct the delivery of hormones to specific sites. In this paper, we discuss possible functions of CBG and mechanisms of CBG action, review CBG characteristics among vertebrates, and discuss our recent studies indicating that CBG may indeed modulate responses to stressors. For example, in house sparrows, we found that basal and stress-induced concentrations of total corticosteroid (cortisol or corticosterone) (CORT) vary seasonally, but CBG concentrations change proportionally, so that free CORT concentrations appear static year-round. In contrast, in white-crowned sparrows and tree lizards, CBG concentrations change under conditions when total CORT levels do not, resulting in significant changes in circulating free CORT. These differences in free CORT are masked if CBG is not accounted for. We have also found that the binding properties of CBG vary considerably between species and need to be determined empirically. Such studies led to the observation that CBG in several species may also serve as a functional androgen binding protein; this is especially important for birds, because previous studies had concluded that birds lack androgen binding globulins. We propose that consideration of CBG is paramount to understanding the role of glucocorticoids in mediating behavioral and physiological responses to stress.
Experimental Investigation of Surfactant Flooding in Shale Oil Reservoirs: Dynamic Interfacial Tension, Adsorption, and Wettability

The recovery factor of waterflood operations is constrained by formation geology and pore trapping mechanisms. This is particularly important for unconventional reservoirs such as shale oil with ultra-low permeability and porosity. Surfactant flooding can be used in these reservoirs to reduce oil trapping and increase sweep efficiency due to a reduction in interfacial tension and wettability alteration. On the other hand, a major concern with surfactant flooding is the adsorption of surface-active agents on the reservoir rock leading to loss of chemicals. In this study, the behavior of a non-ionic surfactant was investigated in order to enhance oil recovery from a producing shale oil reservoir using reservoir crude oil and rock samples. In the preliminary experiments, phase behavior tests were performed in the presence of reservoir shale rock to monitor micro-emulsion stability. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of this surfactant was determined by both surface tension measurements and spectroscopy. Dynamic interfacial tensions (IFT) and contact angles (CA) of the non-ionic surfactant in brine/oil/shale systems were then measured by the rising/captive bubble technique using a state-of-the-art IFT/CA apparatus at reservoir conditions (6840 psi and 116℃) for different surfactant concentrations (0.005 to 0.5 wt%). The amount of surfactant adsorption from surfactant-brine solutions onto crushed shale rocks were measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy at different surfactant concentrations. The data could be fit to a Langmuir type adsorption isotherm. The adsorption parameters were determined and results were compared and discussed. This work shows that the non-ionic surfactant is able to reduce the reservoir oil-brine IFT from its original value (27 mN/m) down to 15 mN/m while exhibiting minimal adsorption on the shale surface.
Pulmonary Hypertension, Tricuspid Regurgitant Velocity Screening, and the Nitric Oxide Pathway

Chronic pulmonary complications, including pulmonary hypertension (PH), are common in sickle cell disease (SCD), especially in adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA). The underlying pathophysiology is complex and variable, involving multiple biological systems. Recent emphasis has been placed on the pleotropic biological factor nitric oxide (NO). An elevated tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) appears to have limitations in specificity in SCA, but may indicate the presence of PH, a diagnosis confirmed by right heart catheterization. TRV has been used in recent clinical trials to identify or define subjects with PH for enrollment into PH-specific interventions; these include sildenafil, which enhances NO-induced vasorelaxation. Results from a controlled trial show no benefit and an unexpected increase in adverse events, emphasizing the biological complexities of SCA. Management remains principally supportive, includes recognition and treatment of comorbidities, and may incorporate individualized PH-specific strategies (despite recent trials) based on appropriate diagnostic testing. Ultimately, therapy is likely to be multimodal and tailored to the processes identified to be the most contributory in a given individual. Based on the relative prevalence of the conditions, routine screening for asthma in children with SCD and by Doppler echocardiography to measure TRV as an initial screen for PH in adults with SCA may be warranted. Data are limited regarding the clinical utility of screening in other forms of SCD and the pediatric population. This article offers an individual perspective on practical and challenging clinical considerations.
Polarimetric observations of trees at 35 and 94 GHz

Two different kinds of trees were measured with a newly developed polarimetric radar at 35 and 94 GHz. The first was a rhododendron with a planophil leaf orientation distribution and an average leaf area of 40 cm/sup 2/; the second was a spruce blue shiner with a uniform leaf orientation distribution and an average needle length of 1.5 cm. The system is based on the coherent-on-receive technique and is capable of measuring the Mueller matrix directly. The degree of polarization, phase statistics, and polarization signatures are presented. Results show that the degree of polarization is sensitive to the radar frequencies and tree types. >
The African Union Mission in Somalia and Civilian Protection Challenges

Deployed to Mogadishu in March 2007, it was not until late May 2013 that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) adopted a mission-wide protection-of-civilians (PoC) strategy. This article helps explain this long delay by highlighting the multiple PoC challenges faced by the mission. First, it shows how AMISOM’s relevant documents contained a variety of mixed messages on PoC issues. Second, it illustrates some of the ways in which the African Union was hardly an ideal actor to implement a civilian protection agenda because of its limited previous experience with these issues. Third, it analyzes the ways in which AMISOM was itself sometimes a source of civilian harm in Mogadishu. The fourth section examines the remedial policies AMISOM adopted to try and alleviate this problem. The conclusion reflects on the current PoC challenges facing AMISOM and suggests that to be successful the new mission-wide strategy must overcome these material, legal, moral, and doctrinal challenges.
Similarities and differences between physics and economics

In this opening talk, we discuss some of the similarities between work being done by economists, and by physicists seeking to contribute to economics. We also mention some of the dierences in the approaches taken, and justify these dierent approaches by developing the argument that by approaching the same problem from dierent points of view new results might emerge. In particular, we review some recent results, for example the 1nding that there are two new universal scaling models in economics: (i) the 3uctuation of price changes of any stock market is characterized by a PDF which is a simple power law with exponent 4 that extends over 10 2 standard deviations (a factor of 10 8 on the y-axis); (ii) for a wide range of economic organizations, the histogram that shows how size of organization is inversely correlated to 3uc- tuations in size with an exponent ≈ 1=6. Neither of these two new laws has a 1rm theoretical foundation. We also discuss results that are reminiscent of phase transitions in spin systems, where the divergent behavior of the response function at the critical point (zero magnetic 1eld) leads to large 3uctuations. c � 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Lithium Attenuates Nerve Growth Factor–Induced Activation of AP-1 DNA Binding Activity in PC12 Cells

This investigation tested if lithium, the primary therapeutic agent for bipolar mood disorder, modulated activation of the AP-1 transcription factor in PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF), which induces robust responses in these cells. NGF induced large, time-dependent increases in AP-1 DNA binding activity. Pretreatment with 5 mmol/L lithium for 24 h reduced AP-1 induction by NGF by 42%; shorter treatments and lower concentrations of lithium had smaller inhibitory effects on AP-1. This effect of lithium was not limited to AP-1, as it also inhibited NGF-induced cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE) DNA binding activity. In contrast, activation of AP-1 and CRE by forskolin was unaffected by lithium. AP-1 constituent proteins were differentially susceptible to lithium, as cJun was reduced by 55%, cFos was unaffected by lithium, and an intermediate effect was observed with Jun B. These results reveal that lithium modulates the activation of transcription factors in a neuronal cell model, indicating that selective regulation of gene expression may contribute to the long term in vivo effect of lithium.