cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes of a New Hybrid Mesh for Incisional Hernia Repair.

ABSTRACT Introduction Consensus on the safety and efficacy of various types of mesh in reconstructing the abdomen has yet to be reached. Hybrid mesh products have been designed to address the need for a cost-effective mesh leveraging the tensile strength of a synthetic mesh while minimizing the prosthetic footprint within the abdominal wall through resorbable materials. In this study we evaluate early clinical outcomes and health related quality of life (HR-QOL) of a new Hybrid mesh, SynecorTM, for Ventral Hernia Repair (VHR). Methods Adult (>18 y old) patients undergoing VHR with SynecorTM mesh by a single surgeon between 2017-2019 with ≥1-y follow-up were identified. We analyzed a composite of postoperative outcomes as well as the incidence of hernia recurrence, readmissions, mortality, and HR-QOL. Results Thirty-five patients were included in our analysis with a median follow up of 2.1 y. The median age and BMI were 54.1 y and 33.2 kg/m2, respectively. The rate of surgical site occurrences was 37.1%, with only one patient (2.9%) requiring surgical intervention. No patients developed a hernia recurrence. Overall HR-QOL improved significantly (preoperative mean 2.5 [SD 0.7] versus postoperative 3.4 [0.4]; P Conclusions Abdominal reinforcement with SynecorTM mesh at the time of VHR results in promising early recurrence rates, an acceptable safety risk profile, and an improvement in overall HR-QOL.
Methodological factors conducting research with incarcerated persons with diabetes

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to describe methodological issues specific to conducting research with incarcerated vulnerable populations who have diabetes. Background Much has been written about the ethical and logistical challenges of conducting research with vulnerable incarcerated populations. However, conducting research with incarcerated persons with diabetes is associated with additional issues related to research design, measurement, sampling and recruitment, and data collection procedures. Method A cross-sectional study examining the relationships of diabetes knowledge, illness representation and self-care behaviors with glycemic control in 124 incarcerated persons was conducted and serves as the basis for describing methodological factors for the conduct of research with an incarcerated population with diabetes. Results Within this incarcerated population with diabetes, sampling bias due to gender inequity, recruitment of participants not using insulin, self-reported vision impairment, and a lack of standardized instruments especially for measuring diabetes self-care were methodological challenges. Clinical factors that serve as potential barriers for study conduct were identified as risk for hypoglycemia due to insulin timing and other activities. Conclusion Conducting research with incarcerated persons diagnosed with diabetes requires attention to a set of methodological concerns above and beyond that of the ethical and legal regulations for protecting the rights of this vulnerable population. To increase opportunities for conducting rigorous as well as facility- and patient-friendly research, researchers need to blend their knowledge of diabetes with an understanding of prison rules and routines.
Thiogalactoside transacetylase. Physical and chemical studies of subunit structure.

Abstract The subunit size of thiogalactoside transacetylase from Escherichia coli ML 308 in 6 m guanidinium chloride measured by sedimentation equilibrium in the ultracentrifuge was found to be 29,700 ± 2,000, about half the molecular weight of the native protein. The two chains were identical by estimation of the number of peptides obtained after treatment with trypsin, BrCN, and with both reagents in succession. Analysis of NH2-terminal amino acids of the peptides produced by BrCN cleavage gave results which agreed with this conclusion, after suitable correction for considerable random cleavage in the solvent, 70% formic acid. The relative molar quantities of two protein products of the lac operon, β-galactosidase and thiogalactoside transacetylase, when calculated in terms of the minimum molecular weights, 135,000 and 32,000, respectively, are normally in the range of 5 to 7:1 for E. coli ML and slightly less for E. coli K-12.
Physical characterization of RF sputtered lithium niobate films

The results of a number of analytical measurements on lithium niobate films deposited on silicon and sapphire substrates of different orientations are reported. It has been determined that high-quality LiNbO/sub 3/ films can be deposited on various substrates through RF sputtering. It has been established that the orientation and crystallinity of the films is dependent on many parameters. The most important of which are the substrate material and its temperature. Optimizing these parameters has shown that it is possible to produce stoichiometric, polycrystalline thin films of LiNbO/sub 3/ on both silicon and sapphire substrates. It has also been shown that the conduction process in these films is most likely the result of Frenkel-Poole hopping. The optical quality of the films indicates that waveguiding and such applications as optical doubling, switching, and modulation are possible using these films. >
Variational Learning in Graphical Models and Neural Networks

Variational methods are becoming increasingly popular for inference and learning in probabilistic models. By providing bounds on quantities of interest, they offer a more controlled approximation framework than techniques such as Laplace’s method, while avoiding the mixing and convergence issues of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, or the possible computational intractability of exact algorithms. In this paper we review the underlying framework of variational methods and discuss example applications involving sigmoid belief networks, Boltzmann machines and feed-forward neural networks.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Attitudes and Current Research Concerning Intimate Partner Violence: Issues for Child Custody

The classification of domestic abuse in to distinct types has, unfortunately, become a divisive issue in the field of family violence and the practice of child custody evaluations. Typologies for t...
Microwave assisted low temperature solid phase crystallization of ferroelectric thin films

Sol-gel-derived ferroelectric thin films of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and PLZT (lead lanthanum zirconate titanate) have been successfully processed using internal heating with microwave energy. Pyrolysis and crystallization of films in the microwave field were fast, and showed good selectivity. The nature of xerogel plays an important role in the pyrolysis and crystallization of these films because of good coupling of the microwaves with these dipole-containing species. The microwave-processed films exhibit respectable dielectric and ferroelectric properties. >
Solar irradiation and atmospheric pollution

This report contains the results from 30-minute observations of UV (0.29 to 0.38 μm) and total solar irradiation, (0.3 to 3.0 μm) made on the rooftop of a medium size building in downtown Cincinnati. The one year data are obtained from a pyranometer and a UV radiometer used in conjunction with integrators and printout devices. UV and total direct solar irradiation data are analyzed in order to detect possible weekly pollution cycles. It is found that the average difference between weekday and Sunday values in Cincinnati is 3.6% and 29.2% for total direct and UV irradiation, respectively. Chi-square tests indicate significance of these differences at the 5% and 0.5% levels. Ratios of UV and total solar irradiation are presented as indices of atmospheric opacity and compared with turbidity coefficients. It is shown that the ratios vary relatively little irrespective of whether the atmosphere seems to be polluted or clean. Apparently the particle size distribution in a polluted atmosphere is no different from that in clean air. It is suggested that the small decrease in the ratio of UV to total solar irradiation for a polluted atmosphere may be due to selective absorption by gaseous pollutants. UV irradiation curves are used to analyze processes leading to fumigation and photochemical smog formation. Calculation of theoretical UV irradiation curves allows the exact assessment of the magnitude of UV attenuation due to pollutants. This attenuation ranges from 30% in clean to over 80% in smoggy atmospheres.
Strategic Release of Information on Friday: Evidence from Earnings Announcements

Do firms time the release of news in response to investor inattention? We consider news about earnings and analyze the reaction of investors to announcements on Friday and on other weekdays. The day of the week for the announcement has two main effects on stock returns. First, the short-term response to Friday earnings announcements is 20 percent smaller than the response on other days of the week. Second, the post-earnings drift is 70 percent larger for Friday announcements. These stylized facts suggest that weekends distract investor attention temporarily. Consistent with this interpretation, trading volume around announcement day increases 20 percent less for Friday than for non-Friday announcements. The empirical evidence supports models of post-earning announcement drift based on underreaction to information due to cognitive constraints. We also show that firms appear to respond to investor distraction by releasing worse announcements on Friday. Friday releases are associated with a 25 percent higher probability of a negative earnings surprise and a 50 basis points lower abnormal stock return. Finally, we document a similar pattern of strategic behavior for political decisions. The US President is 25 percent less likely to sign executive orders or legislation containing good news on Friday.
Electron helicity- andT-invariance

Electron helicity has been studied in the final state in elastic e-d scattering with vector-polarized targets, where the deuteron is described by a nonrelativistic wave function with aD-state included. Also treating the problem relativistically, an additional magnetic form factorG2 which violatedT-invariance is introduced in the deuteron electromagnetic vertex. This produces an asymmetry for the electrons scattered from polarized deuterons which have no preferential direction in the scattering plane. This could provide a test forT-invariance.
Core formation on Mars and differentiated asteroids

Meteorite chronometry based on the 182Hf–182W system can provide powerful constraints on the timing of planetary accretion and differentiation1,2,3,4, although the full potential of this method has yet to be realized. For example, no measurements have been made on the silicate-rich portions of planets and planetesimals other than the Earth and Moon. Here we report tungsten isotope compositions for two eucrites, thought to be derived from asteroid 4 Vesta, and from eight other basaltic achondritic meteorites that are widely considered to be from Mars. The eucrites, which are among the oldest differentiated meteorites, yield exceedingly radiogenic tungsten, indicating rapid accretion, differentiation and core formation on Vesta within the first 5–15 Myr of Solar System history, whereas the range of radiogenic tungsten measurements on the martian meteorites points towards tungsten depletion via melting and core formation within the first 30 Myr of the Solar System. The survival of tungsten isotope heterogeneity in the martian upper mantle implies that no giant impacts or large-scale convective mixing took place since this time. These results contrast with those obtained for the Earth–Moon system2,3 for which accretion and core formation related to giant impacts appears to have continued for at least an additional 20 Myr.
Performance of integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography for mediastinal nodal staging in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/CT is routinely used for mediastinal nodal staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma in centers throughout the world. This modality is the most accurate noninvasive means by which to identify metastatic disease in mediastinal lymph nodes. This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of PET/CT and discusses the clinical applicability of this modality.
Nonlinear dynamics of the brain: emotion and cognition

Experimental investigations of neural system functioning and brain activity are standardly based on the assumption that perceptions, emotions, and cognitive functions can be understood by analyzing steady-state neural processes and static tomographic snapshots. The new approaches discussed in this review are based on the analysis of transient processes and metastable states. Transient dynamics is characterized by two basic properties, structural stability and information sensitivity. The ideas and methods that we discuss provide an explanation for the occurrence of and successive transitions between metastable states observed in experiments, and offer new approaches to behavior analysis. Models of the emotional and cognitive functions of the brain are suggested. The mathematical object that represents the observed transient brain processes in the phase space of the model is a structurally stable heteroclinic channel. The possibility of using the suggested models to construct a quantitative theory of some emotional and cognitive functions is illustrated.
Cholinesterases in the tongue of the potto (Perodicticus potto).

The tongue has three circumvallate papillae, arranged in a triangle ahead of the foramen caecum. Gustatory buds are found only on the walls of the vallate papillae and at the surface of the fungiform papillae. The gustatory cells contain acetylcholinesterase; the sustentacular cells contain no such enzymes. A subepithelial network of nerve fibers, containing acetyl-and butyrylcholinesterases is parallel to the surface of the tongue and extends into the connective tissue cores of all papillae. Numerous pleomorphic end organs are found below all four types of papillae. These abound in acetyl-and butyrylcholinesterases. The dorsal subepithelial blood vessels contain butyrylcholinesterase, and small amounts of acetyl-cholinesterase. The ventral aspect of the tongue has fewer nerve fibers and end organs than the dorsal surface does. The nerve fibers to the serous glands of von Ebner, and particularly those to the mucous glands contain considerable acetylcholinesterase.
1671 PULMONARY ENDOCRINE-LIKE CELLS IN HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE AND BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

Endocrine-like cells (K-cells) are known to be present individually and in groups in the neonatal and fetal lung. These cells contain serotonin and at least one peptide, bombesin; both influence vaso- and bronchomotor tone. Though these cells are found in greatest number during the fetal and newborn period, their response to acute and chronic neontal lung disease is unreported. In control infants (n=28) dying of non-cardiopulmonary causes (1 day to 6 months), bombesin positive cells identified immunohistochemically were localized mainly in the bronchiolar epithelium and showed a gradual decrease in number during the first six months of life. Infants with acute and chronic pulmonary disease (n=26) demonstrated a similar distribution but marked differences in the number of bombesin positive cells when compared to age-matched controls. Infants dying with acute hyaline membrane disease showed a significant decrease (P<.01) in both the number of bombesin positive cells/bronchiole and the number of cells/cm2 of lung tissue. Infants dying with bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed a two-fold or greater increase (P<.01) in the same parameters. Neither the function of these cells nor the effects of bombesin and serotonin on the fetal and newborn lung are well understood, but these data indicate that these cells and their products may play a previously unrecognized role in influencing airway and/or vascular tone under normal and pathological circumstances.
Minimizing negative outcomes associated with potentially harmful lithium levels by means of pharmacist-led educational interventions in an inpatient psychiatric facility

Introduction: Studies examining educational interventions led by pharmacists to minimize negative outcomes associated with elevated and potentially harmful lithium levels in inpatient psychiatric f...
Genetic dissection of familial autoimmune thyroid diseases using whole genome screening

The autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are multifactorial disease which are caused by genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. Various epidemiological and genetic techniques can be employed to study the genetic contribution to disease development. Most epidemiologic data support an important genetic contribution to the development of AITD. The genetic susceptibility to AITD involves several genes with varying effects. Some AITD susceptibility genes are most likely immune modifying genes which increase the susceptibility to autoimmunity in general (e.g. HLA, CTLA-4) while others may be thyroid-specific (e.g. thyroglobulin). These genes probably act in concert to increase the autoimmune reactions in susceptible individuals and direct them towards the thyroid.
Route Preview in Energy Management of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

This brief evaluates the use of terrain, vehicle speed, and trip distance preview to increase the fuel economy of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Access to future information is classified into full, partial, or no future information and for each case an energy management strategy with the potential for a real-time implementation is proposed. With full knowledge of future driving conditions, dynamic programming (DP) provides a best-achievable benchmark. A partial preview level has access to future trip terrain and requires velocity estimation. Equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is deployed as an instantaneous real-time minimization strategy with parameters adjusted by estimated future driving conditions and obtained either from DP or from a backward solution of ECMS. To reduce the requirement for future velocity and detailed terrain information, another partial preview level only assumes known trip distance to the next charging station and elevation changes (if available). In this level, the parameter of the real-time ECMS is estimated based on the remaining trip distance, the battery's state-of-charge, and elevation changes if included. The results are evaluated against cases with no preview. Results from a number of simulation case studies indicate that the fuel economy can be substantially enhanced with only partial preview.
Intrathecal substance P elicits a caudally-directed biting and scratching behavior in mice

Intrathecal injection of substance P in mice elicited a dose-related biting and scratching response. Systemic but not intrathecal morphine sulfate antagonized this response. We interpret these observations to define a novel nociceptive response to intrathecal substance P.
Evaluation of the unstable angina patient in 2005: is there still a role for noninvasive risk stratification?

Current practice, at least in the United States, for atients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome nstable angina or non–ST-elevation myocardial infarcon [MI]) strongly favors an invasive approach in which e first diagnostic procedure is coronary angiography nd management decisions regarding revascularization ersus medical treatment are based on the coronary natomy. An alternative strategy would be to perform a oninvasive evaluation with stress imaging to guide erapeutic management decisions based on provokable chemia. A series of randomized studies have compared n “invasive,” anatomy-guided strategy with a “conserative,” ischemia-guided strategy in these patients. Relts have been mixed, with several studies showing no enefit for the invasive approach or a benefit for the chemia-guided strategy whereas others have shown a enefit for the invasive approach, particularly in the bgroup with higher-risk clinical markers. Recent merican College of Cardiology/American Heart Assoiation guidelines recommend an invasive approach for atients with high-risk indicators such as elevated tropoin levels or ischemic electrocardiographic changes. In atients without such indicators, the guidelines suggest at either an early conservative or invasive approach is asonable. However, the reality is that in the United tates, very few patients are referred for noninvasive valuation as their first diagnostic test when presenting ith unstable angina (Figure 1), even though approxiately 60% to 80% do not have high-risk indicators. his invasive referral pattern is presumably based on an ssumption that patients overall are at high risk for ardiac events and that revascularization will lead to a etter outcome. However, there are several important onsiderations to weigh in making a rational, informed
Evaluation of intersection conditions for two-surface plasticity theory

Abstract The possibilities of intersection of yield and bounding surfaces are examined for a somewhat general framework of two-surface plasticity theory for workhardening materials. In this framework, the concept of image point hardening is generalized and a combination of Prager-type and image point-directed kinematic hardening is admitted. Intersections are undersirable from perspectives of both computational implementation and accordance with experimental results. It is shown that intersections may occur even for commonly employed formulations for certain loading histories. A general inequality is established for avoiding intersection, and constraint relationships between fractions of image point-directed kinematic hardening of the yield and bounding surfaces are subsequently derived for the cases of pure kinematic hardening and combined kinematic-isotropic hardening.
The picosecond kinetics of the spontaneous fluorescence of erythrosin B

Abstract We have measured the rise and decay times of spontaneous fluorescence of erythrosin B in solution with picosecond resolution in a single mode-locked laser shot. The rise of spontaneous followed the integrated intensity of the actinic light pulses and there were no oscillations in the decay curve. The lifetimes were 57 psec in water and 140 psec in methanol.
GAUGE INVARIANCE AND BROKEN SYMMETRIES IN ANYON SUPERFLUIDS

We review aspects of broken symmetry and the nature of long range order in theories of anyons starting with bosons with a statistical interaction. We introduce a novel gauge invariant quantization scheme that allows the identification of local and gauge invariant order parameters. The connection between spin and statistics is reviewed and the consequences of broken symmetries in the anyon representation are discussed. An anyon gas is studied in the Bogoliubov approximation, it is determined that the ground state is a condensate of charge-flux composites with “quasi-long-range order” at zero temperature, a “weak” gap in the spectrum and finite helicity modulus. The system is disordered at nonzero temperatures. The disorder is not caused by Goldstone bosons but by the strong infrared behavior arising from the Coulomb interaction induced by the long-range statistical interaction. The properties of topological vortices in nonrelativistic and in relativistic Landau-Ginzburg theories are studied in detail. We study the physics of the mean-field ansatz and quasi-long range order in a simple exactly soluble relativistic model. This model exhibits a novel phenomenon of charge redistribution to the boundaries and restoration of translational invariance in the infinite volume limit. It also illuminates the physics of quasi-long-range order with a gap in the spectrum, statistical charge polarization by external magnetic fields and the role of “large” gauge transformations.
Stage-by-Stage Dynamic Compression System Modeling for Split Core and Bypass Systems

A method for solving a set of equations for one-dimensional stage-by-stage dynamic compression system modeling was applied to a two-dimensional post-stall model. The model is suitable for capturing the flow during surge in split flow systems such as tuibofans and, possibly, in centrifugal compressors. The modeling requires the solution of a modified form of the Euler equations in axisymmetric form. A robust solution method was facilitated by the use of a special form of upwind flux, flux difference splitting with source terms (FDSS), and implicit time integration. The modeling method was applied to the simulation of a split flow-path fan system and results are presented.Copyright © 1996 by ASME
Conversion of a benign lymphoepithelial salivary gland lesion to lymphocytic lymphoma during dilantin therapy: correlation with dilantin-induced lymphocyte transformation in vitro.

A patient with a classical salivary gland benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLL) that converted to a lymphoblastic lymphoma (LSA) localized to the salivary glands is described. The malignant transformation of the BLL was preceded by Dilantin anticonvulsant therapy, and in vitro tests subsequent to the development of LSA demonstrated positive Dilantin-induced lymphocyte transformation. The lymphoma was treated successfully by local irradiation, chemotherapy, and discontinuation of Dilantin. The case illustrates the “prelymphomatous” nature of BLL in certain patients, as well as the possible potential danger of Drlantin and other lymphoid-stimulating drugs in such patients. The etiologic role of Dilantin in converting BLL to LSA is discussed. Further study of drugs capable of inducing lymphocyte transformation in patients with prelymphomatous disorders is warranted.
Melanistic Coyotes in Northwest Georgia

Abstract Melanism is rare in Canis latrans (Coyote), but we detected the phenotypic trait several times in northwest Georgia. We observed up to 9 melanistic Coyotes during a 9-year period, 2003–2012: 5 from trail-camera photographs, 2 from live-captures during a radio-telemetry study, and 2 from hunter-kills. The ancestry of southeastern Coyotes is unclear, and we suggest that a genetic study including melanistic individuals could increase understanding of the potential influence of C. lupus (Gray Wolf), C. rufus (Red Wolf) and/or C. lupus familiaris (Domestic Dog) on the Coyote's genetic makeup and evolutionary history.
Performance analysis of a novel GPU computation-to-core mapping scheme for robust facet image modeling

Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) are commodity data-parallel coprocessors capable of high performance computation and data throughput. It is well known that the GPUs are ideal implementation platforms for image processing applications. However, the level of efforts and expertise to optimize the application performance is still substantial. This paper investigates the computation-to-core mapping strategies to probe the efficiency and scalability of the robust facet image modeling algorithm on GPUs. Our fine-grained computation-to-core mapping scheme achieves a significant performance gain over the standard pixel-wise mapping scheme. With in-depth performance comparisons across the two different mapping schemes, we analyze the impact of the level of parallelism on the GPU computation and suggest two principles for optimizing future image processing applications on the GPU platform.
Glycerides of Monnina emarginata seed oil.

Abstract The seed oil of Monnina emarginata St. Hill was divided by thin-layer chromatography into fractions of differing polarity. The least polar fraction (63%) contained tri-acid and tetra-acid glycerides in a 1 : 2 mole ratio, as well as the lactone of (S)-13-hydroxy-cis-9, trans-II-octadecadienoic acid [(S)-coriolic acid]. The notable structural feature of the tetra-acid glycerides was a coriolate group with its hydroxyl esteriued by long-chain acids to form estolides † . Two, more polar tetra-acid glycerides and a tri-acid glyceride with a keto acid moiety made up the fraction of intermediate polarity (5% of oil). In these glycerides, the free hydroxyl group of coriolate was esterified by 13-oxo-trans-9-octadecenoic acid or by an additional coriolic acid. The polar tri-acid glycerides contained 13-oxo-trans-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid. The most polar glycerides (25%) were tri-acid glycerides with one coriolate group. Pancreatic lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) was used to determine the distribution of acids esterified to the α- and β-glyceride positions. The oxygenated acids were esterified predominantly (>97%) to α-glyceride positions, whereas C18:1 and C18:1 acids accounted for more than 94% of the groups esterified to β-positions.
Diastereoselective synthesis of deprotectable isoxazolidines

Abstract Isoxazolidines are important synthetic targets due to their ability to act as nucleoside analogs. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrones with alkenes is a powerful approach to the synthesis of isoxazolidines with the potential for control over absolute and relative stereoselectivity. However, removal of the most commonly used protecting groups without cleavage of the N–O bond is a significant challenge. The diastereoselective synthesis of benzhydryl protected isoxazolidines and the reductive cleavage of the benzhydryl protecting group with retention of the isoxazolidine ring are reported.
Transition and heavy metal inhibition of ligand binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from rat brain

Several divalent heavy metals interact with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in neural membranes from rat forebrains in vitro to inhibit the the binding of [3H]3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a potent and specific receptor antagonist. Mercury is the most potent inhibitor with an ID50 value of 10−7 m for the inhibition of the binding of 10−10 m QNB. Several other metals are less effective with ID50 values between 10−5 and 2 × 10−4 m increasing in the following order: iron 10−3 m). Binding inhibition by copper, mercury, and cadmium is competitive, and the inhibition by all the metals can be reversed by decreasing the free metal concentration through dilution or chelation by ethylenediaminetetraacetate, dimercaprol, or penicillamine. The effects of metals on muscarinic binding are largely independent of temperature. Chaotropic anions (100 mm iodide, thiocyanate, trichloroacetate, or nitrate) are similarly without effect on the metal-receptor interaction. The limited effects of sulfhydryl reducing (dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol, and glutathione) and alkylating (N-ethyl maleimide) reagents do not indicate a prominent role for sulfhydryl groups in mediating metal inhibition of muscarinic receptors.
Oil consumption studies in a single-cylinder diesel engine using Solid-film lubricants

Solid-film additives (tungsten disulfide, lead sulfide, and graphite fluoride) were dispersed in a high temperature liquid lubricant, and their performance was evaluated in a single-cylinder diesel engine. Oil consumption and wear of the piston and rings were determined during the tests, and changes in oil properties such as viscosity and total acid number (TAN) were monitored as well. Tungsten disulfide and lead sulfide proved to be effective additives to reduce friction and wear under the operational conditions encountered in the diesel engine. This contrasted with the behaviour of graphite fluoride, which produced high friction and wear. The observed oil consumption correlated with degradation rates of the solid-film additive dispersions as indicated by the TAN, although high abrasion was also observed in the case of graphite fluoride. The use of solid-film additives had no effect on the brake-specific fuel consumption with respect to the reference baseline oil.
Rac–MEKK3–MKK3 scaffolding for p38 MAPK activation during hyperosmotic shock

Sensing the osmolarity of the environment is a critical response for all organisms. Whereas bacteria will migrate away from high osmotic conditions, most eukaryotic cells are not motile and use adaptive metabolic responses for survival. The p38 MAPK pathway is a crucial mediator of survival during cellular stress. We have discovered a novel scaffold protein that binds to actin, the GTPase Rac, and the upstream kinases MEKK3 and MKK3 in the p38 MAPK phospho-relay module. RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrates that MEKK3 and the scaffold protein are required for p38 activation in response to sorbitol-induced hyperosmolarity. FRET identifies a cytoplasmic complex of the MEKK3 scaffold protein that is recruited to dynamic actin structures in response to sorbitol treatment. Through its ability to bind actin, relocalize to Rac-containing membrane ruffles and its obligate requirement for p38 activation in response to sorbitol, we have termed this protein osmosensing scaffold for MEKK3 (OSM). The Rac-OSM-MEKK3-MKK3 complex is the mammalian counterpart of the CDC42-STE50-STE11-Pbs2 complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is required for the regulation of p38 activity.
Word Association of Time-Altered Auditory and Visual Stimuli in Aphasia

A word association test was administered to a group of 32 aphasic adults and to a control group of 32 normal adults similar in age, sex, and education. Word stimuli were balanced according to frequ...
Synthesis of NADP-dependent triosephosphate dehydrogenase independent of illumination in Chlorella variegata.

SYNOPSIS. Growth conditions for Chlorella variegata are described which permit induction of chlorosis in the light and partial development of the chloroplast in the dark. Growth in the light in the presence of Na acetate and NO−3 leads to chlorosis in the light. The presence of a reduced nitrogen source permits chlorophyll synthesis in the light, and, to a lesser extent, in the dark. Synthesis of NADP-dependent triosephosphate dehydrogenase is directly correlated with chlorophyll synthesis and independent of illumination.
Beyond the Career Mystique: "Time In," "Time Out," and "Second Acts"'

The career mystique is the belief that working hard and putting in long hours continuously throughout adulthood is the path to occupational success, personal fulfillment, and a secure retirement. This is a false myth, increasingly irrelevant for most contemporary Americans, given that (1) few employees today have the back up of full-time homemakers, and (2) a competitive, information economy has fostered a global labor market, destroying the implicit contract linking seniority with security. America’s 21st century workforce requires a reconfiguration of “time in” paid work, including opportunities for “time outs,” as well as for “second acts.”
Laboratory Tests with a Mixture of Carbon Disulfide and Carbon Tetrachloride for Quarantine Control of Larvae of Megastigmus Spp. and Cecidomyiidae in Conifer Seeds

In laboratory tests in 1966-70, conifer seeds infested with larvae of Megastigmus spp. or 3 species of Cecidomyiidae were fumigated with carbon disulfide (CS2): carbon tetrachloride, 1:5 by weight (Vertifume®). In 24-hour fumigations at normal atmospheric pressure (NAP) and 21.6-26.7°C larvae of M. strobilobius (Ratzeburg) in seeds of Picea spp. survived after fumigation at a dosage of 32 mg/liter of CS2 in the mixture, while Craneiobia lawsonianae de Meijere on seeds of Chamaecypais lawsoniana (A. Murray) Parlatore survived at 48 mg/liter Larvae of M. chamaecyparidis Kamijo, Craneiobia lawsonianae , and Janetiella siskiyou Felt survived after fumigation with 48 mg/liter of methyl bromide (MB) for 4 hours under reduced pressure of 125 mm mercury at 21.6-26.7°C. J. siskiyou also survived 16 mg/liter of MB for 24 hours at NAP. Effective dosages with the mixture were at or above 54 mg/liter of CS2 for the larvae of all species tested.
The Gender of Constitutional Jurisprudence

The Gender of Constitutional Jurisprudence. Edited by Beverley Baines and Ruth Rubio-Marin. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2004. 356p. $75.00 cloth, $34.99 paper. Comparative law remains a small and relatively isolated area of inquiry. There are two barriers to development of the field. First, with the exception of taxation law and, possibly, divorce, comparative analysis of law is of little use to practicing lawyers. Second, as I discovered in a project on comparative rape law, it is difficult to gain access to the primary data sources, especially outside North America and Western Europe. In addition, there are few opportunities for interdisciplinary study—despite the attention of the Law and Society Association. Those who are not legal scholars need guides to the technical aspects of legal research to make the work of specialists more accessible.
Optical Constants of Silicon in the Region 1 to 10 ev

The reflectance, ${|r(\ensuremath{\lambda})|}^{2}$, of single crystal silicon was measured in the range 1 to 11.3 ev. The phase, $\ensuremath{\theta}(\ensuremath{\lambda})$, was computed from these data using the Kramers-Kronig relation between the real and imaginary parts of the complex function $\mathrm{ln}r=\mathrm{ln}|r|+i\ensuremath{\theta}$. The optical constants, $n$ and $k$, were then determined from the Fresnel reflectivity equation. The real part of the refractive index, $n$, shows a sharp maximum of magnitude 6.9 at 3.3 ev. The extinction coefficient, $k$, shows maxima of magnitude 3.1 at 3.5 ev and 5.1 at 4.3 ev; optical absorption above 3 ev is associated with the onset of strong direct transitions. The results indicate that much useful information, applicable to band structure calculations for both silicon and germanium, could be obtained from limited reflectance studies (2 to 5 ev) on Ge-Si alloys.
Empirical Evaluation of Inhibitory Product, Substrate, and Enzyme Effects During the Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocellulosic Biomass

The cellulose hydrolysis kinetics during batch enzymatic saccharification are typified by a rapid initial rate that subsequently decays, resulting in incomplete conversion. Previous studies suggest that changes associated with the solution, substrate, or enzymes may be responsible. In this work, kinetic experiments were conducted to determine the relative magnitude of these effects. Pretreated corn stover (PCS) was used as a lignocellulosic substrate likely to be found in a commercial saccharification process, while Avicel and Kraft lignin were used to create model substrates. Glucose inhibition was observed by spiking the reaction slurry with glucose during initial-rate experiments. Increasing the glucose concentration from 7 to 48 g/L reduced the cellulose conversion rate by 94%. When product sugars were removed using ultrafiltration with a 10 kDa membrane, the glucose-based conversion increased by 9.5%. Reductions in substrate reactivity with conversion were compared directly by saccharifying PCS and Avicel substrates that had been pre-reacted to different conversions. Reaction of substrate with a pre-conversion of 40% resulted in about 40% reduction in the initial rate of saccharification, relative to fresh substrate with identical cellulose concentration. Overall, glucose inhibition and reduced substrate reactivity appear to be dominant factors, whereas minimal reductions of enzyme activity were observed.
Spectrotemporal modulation sensitivity for hearing-impaired listeners: Dependence on carrier center frequency and the relationship to speech intelligibility

Poor speech understanding in noise by hearing-impaired (HI) listeners is only partly explained by elevated audiometric thresholds. Suprathreshold-processing impairments such as reduced temporal or spectral resolution or temporal fine-structure (TFS) processing ability might also contribute. Although speech contains dynamic combinations of temporal and spectral modulation and TFS content, these capabilities are often treated separately. Modulation-depth detection thresholds for spectrotemporal modulation (STM) applied to octave-band noise were measured for normal-hearing and HI listeners as a function of temporal modulation rate (4–32 Hz), spectral ripple density [0.5–4 cycles/octave (c/o)] and carrier center frequency (500–4000 Hz). STM sensitivity was worse than normal for HI listeners only for a low-frequency carrier (1000 Hz) at low temporal modulation rates (4–12 Hz) and a spectral ripple density of 2 c/o, and for a high-frequency carrier (4000 Hz) at a high spectral ripple density (4 c/o). STM sensitivity for the 4-Hz, 4-c/o condition for a 4000-Hz carrier and for the 4-Hz, 2-c/o condition for a 1000-Hz carrier were correlated with speech-recognition performance in noise after partialling out the audiogram-based speech-intelligibility index. Poor speech-reception and STM-detection performance for HI listeners may be related to a combination of reduced frequency selectivity and a TFS-processing deficit limiting the ability to track spectral-peak movements.
Massive ingestion of kerosene: a study of gastric clearance in primates

SUMMARY 1. Metoclopramide hydrochloride (Maxolon) a potent intestinal clearing agent and powerful anti-emetic, was utilized to promote gastric clearance of kerosene from baboons, experimentally poisoned. 2. When compared to a control group, treated baboons have significantly decreased amounts of kerosene in the stomach 2 h after treatment, ‘full’ stomach/body weight ratios confirming this. 3. The study suggests that metoclopramide, by its gastric clearing and anti-emetic action, may reduce the risk of vomiting, and thus of aspiration pneumonia, in kerosene poisoning.
Modeling the States of Matter in a First-Grade Classroom

ABSTRACT Scientific modeling along with hands-on inquiry can lead to a deeper understanding of scientific concepts among students in upper elementary grades. Even though scientific modeling involves abstract-thinking processes, can students in younger elementary grades successfully participate in scientific modeling? Scientific modeling, like all other aspects of scientific inquiry, has to be developed. This article clearly outlines how students in a first-grade classroom can develop and use scientific models to explain the properties and behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases in a unit on the states of matter.
On the singularities of rational legendre series

A theorem of Nehari connects the singularities of Legendre series in C zwith those of Taylor's series in C t. This paper considers the problem for series whose terms are quotients of products of powers of Legendre polynomials.
The role of inspection in automated manufacturing

Abstract This paper discusses the role of inspection in automated manufacturing. Also presented is an introduction to computerized coordinate measuring machines and their performance, since these constitute the most advanced inspection equipment available to industry today.
Fanning the Flames: Best Practices for Ensuring the Survival of Small German Programs

Small undergraduate German programs can take various forms but can generally be classified as new and emerging or older and well-established programs. In today's academic climate it is necessary that instructors in both types work to enhance their curriculum and extra-curricular offerings as well as strive to prevent burnout and the over involvement, which can actually harm the programs. This article, authored by writers from both types of programs and based on a decade of collaboration with colleagues in small German programs, offers suggestions to newer and established programs and instructors to aid them in staying or becoming vibrant.
Heart Failure Treatment in the Intensive Care Unit in Children

Although pediatric heart failure is generally a chronic, progressive disorder, recovery of ventricular function may occur with some forms of cardiomyopathy. Guidelines for the management of chronic heart failure in adults and children have recently been published by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association. The primary aim of heart failure therapy is to reduce symptoms, preserve long-term ventricular performance, and prolong survival primarily through antagonism of the neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms. Because some medications may be detrimental during an acute decompensation, physicians who manage these patients as inpatients must be knowledgeable about the medications and therapeutic goals of chronic heart failure treatment. Understanding the mechanisms of chronic heart failure may foster improved understanding of the treatment of decompensated heart failure.
Review Essay: The Cult of Personality A Review of Recent Supreme Court Justice Biographies

The Supreme Court has undergone significant changes in personnel in the last few years with the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist and the retirement of Justice O'Connor. As the Court begins a new chapter under Chief Justice Roberts, several biographies of current and former justices have been published. This review essay examines three biographies of justices who played a major role in shaping the Court over the past 25 years. Justice Blackmun joined the Court in the early 1970s and wrote several major opinions, including Roe v. Wade. Justice O'Connor was the first woman on the Court, joining it in the early 1980s, and played a major role as a centrist, “swing” vote in close cases. Justice Thomas joined the Court in the late 1980s, after an incredibly contentious confirmation hearing, and has sought to undo much of the work of the modern Court.
Regulatory Motifs for CREB-binding Protein and Nfe2l2 Transcription Factors in the Upstream Enhancer of the Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 1 Gene

Thermogenesis against cold exposure in mammals occurs in brown adipose tissue (BAT) through mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP1). Expression of the Ucp1 gene is unique in brown adipocytes and is regulated tightly. The 5′-flanking region of the mouse Ucp1 gene contains cis-acting elements including PPRE, TRE, and four half-site cAMP-responsive elements (CRE) with BAT-specific enhancer elements. In the course of analyzing how these half-site CREs are involved in Ucp1 expression, we found that a DNA regulatory element for NF-E2 overlaps CRE2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and competition assays with the CRE2 element indicates that nuclear proteins from BAT, inguinal fat, and retroperitoneal fat tissue interact with the CRE2 motif (CGTCA) in a specific manner. A supershift assay using an antibody against the CRE-binding protein (CREB) shows specific affinity to the complex from CRE2 and nuclear extract of BAT. Additionally, Western blot analysis for phospho-CREB/ATF1 shows an increase in phosphorylation of CREB/ATF1 in HIB-1B cells after norepinephrine treatment. Transient transfection assay using luciferase reporter constructs also indicates that the two half-site CREs are involved in transcriptional regulation of Ucp1 in response to norepinephrine and cAMP. We also show that a second DNA regulatory element for NF-E2 is located upstream of the CRE2 region. This element, which is found in a similar location in the 5′-flanking region of the human and rodent Ucp1 genes, shows specific binding to rat and human NF-E2 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay with nuclear extracts from brown fat. Co-transfections with an Nfe2l2 expression vector and a luciferase reporter construct of the Ucp1enhancer region provide additional evidence that Nfe2l2 is involved in the regulation of Ucp1 by cAMP-mediated signaling.
Water Vapor Sorption and Desorption by Human Callus I: Anomalous Diffusion

The rates of sorption and desorption of water in membranes of varying thickness of excised human callus were determined for several relative vapor pressures and temperatures. Under the conditions studied, the diffusion of water in these membranes was interpreted as non-Fickian in nature. It was concluded that at low water concentration this type of membrane exists in the glassy state. The effect of the relative vapor pressure on the water sorption rates was examined in the context of the free volume theory.