cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variable forgetting factors in Kalman filtering

Kodak Signature Color Proofing System is a machine that tests the color texture of a picture for separation of its components into magenta, cian, yellow and black. Actually the first three determine the color and the black component determines the brightness. We make an intuitive judgement on the color components at each pixel and feed the corresponding instructions to the machine. The machine then produces a print. If the print agrees with the original picture then the input information is stored away and is later transferred to the appropriate media where the picture is to appear in print (magazine, newspaper, book, etc.). If the print does not agree satisfactorily with the original picture then additional adjustments need to be made in determining the separation. The actual printing of the test prints is accomplished with toner fluid of the four colors mentioned above by application of electric field around the “printing station” within the machine. New toner is added typically after every 50 prints. The entire process must be assured of a high degree of consistency. It is inevitable however that there will be random variations in the moving parts of the machine, in the start-up conditions, and in the consistency of the toner. The goal of the manufacturer of the machine and of the machine operator is to minimize these variabilities.
Seeking Genomic Knowledge: The Case for Clinical Restraint.

Genome sequencing technology provides new and promising tests for clinical practice, including whole genome sequencing, which measures an individual’s complete DNA sequence, and whole exome sequencing, which measures the DNA for all genes coding for proteins. These technologies make it possible to test for multiple genes in a single test, which increases the efficiency of genetic testing. However, they can also produce large amounts of information that cannot be interpreted or is of limited clinical utility. This additional information could be distracting for patients and clinicians, and contribute to unnecessary healthcare costs. The potential for genomic sequencing to improve care will be context-dependent, varying for different patients and clinical settings. This Article argues that a disciplined approach is needed, incorporating research to assess when and how genomic information can improve clinical outcomes, practice guidelines that direct optimal uses of genomic sequencing, and efforts to limit the production of genomic information unrelated to the clinical needs of the patient. Without this approach, genomic testing could add to current unsustainable healthcare costs and prove unaffordable in the long run.
Cell Cycle-Related Protein Kinases and T Cell Death

Programmed cell death (PCD), or apoptosis, involves the activation of a specific suicide program within a cell. PCD is responsible for such diverse activities as the elimination of cells during normal embryological development and determination of the immune receptor repertoire (1–9). Even though PCD was first experimentally defined over twenty years ago, very little is known about the molecular events involved in this process. Emerging data indicate that there are multiple ways by which apoptosis can be triggered in various cell types. It is not yet known whether these triggers share a common pathway, or multiple pathways that share one or more components. Several genes have been cloned from C. elegans that are clearly involved in PCD during development (ced genes), but many of their functions have been inferred by analysis of the predicted protein structure and by genetic disruptions (8). Recent work has revealed the function of at least two ced genes. The ced-3 gene is the C. elegans homologue of the mammalian interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (ICE), and encodes a cysteine protease (10). ced-9 encodes the C. elegans homologue of the bcl-2 gene product (11). From these studies it is apparent that certain aspects of PCD have been well conserved evolutionarily.
Feedback-Based Interference Management in Ultra-Dense Networks via Parallel Dynamic Cell Selection and Link Scheduling

We present a method for parallel dynamic cell selection and link scheduling in order to simultaneously activate a subset of non- interfering transmitter-receiver links to manage the interference in an ultra-dense network setting. We show how we can utilize a practical feedback method for periodic reporting of channel state information measured at the users back to the network to enable implementing our interference management scheme. Through simulation results, we demonstrate the superiority of our proposed interference management scheme over several benchmark schemes in terms of sum-rate and network coverage.
Synthesis and Properties of Soluble Fused Thiophene Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Polymers with Tunable Molecular Weight

It is challenging to realize both a fully conjugated rigid polymer backbone and high molecular weight at the same time. Previously, we reported a DPP-FT4 polymer with molecular weight up to 30 kDa. A new design and synthesis was required to overcome this limitation. Here, we report the successful synthesis of a conjugated semiconducting polymer with tunable molecular weight over a wide range. Through molecular design and synthesis control, our new polymer can be selectively prepared with number-averaged molecular weight (Mn) ranging from approximately 20 to 100 kDa, realizing both high molecular weight and high solubility at the same time. Four polymers within this range were investigated, with particular emphasis on Mn of 50 kDa (P2) and 97 kDa (P4). The relationships between molecular weight and polymer properties, molecular packing, and electrical behavior are explored in detail. All the polymers in this series are fully soluble in nonchlorinated solvents at room temperature, which is promising for lar...
The role of X-box binding protein 1 in the hepatic response to refeeding in mice.

Refeeding mice after a prolonged fast is a potent stimulus of hepatic lipogenesis, but is also associated with induction of the hepatic unfolded protein response (UPR). The X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1), a key regulator of the adaptive UPR, transcriptionally activates hepatic lipogenesis genes. We therefore determined whether hepatic Xbp1 mediates the hepatic lipogenic response to refeeding. Mice bearing a hepatocyte-specific deletion of Xbp1 and littermate controls were fasted overnight, followed by refeeding for up to 6 h. Among control mice, refeeding induced hepatic expression of activated Xbp1 and, as expected, induced hepatic expression of genes controlling de novo lipogenesis of fatty acids. Unexpectedly, deletion of hepatic Xbp1 allowed for normal induction of hepatic lipogenesis genes, yet impaired translation of SREBP1c and its targets in response to refeeding. Impaired protein translation was associated with enhanced postprandial activation of the global translational arrest protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, among mice lacking hepatic Xbp1. Deletion of hepatic Xbp1 prevented postprandial induction of genes regulating protein folding and processing and shifted the pattern of postprandial UPR activation to favor proapoptotic signals. We conclude that activation of hepatic Xbp1 in the postprandial states serves the dual roles of restoring postprandial hepatic lipogenesis and proteostasis.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Ca- and Mg-Double Salt Crystalline Materials Using Insoluble Alkaline Earth Metal Bearing Minerals

Sustainable, liquid-assisted grinding—mechanochemical synthesis—of crucial nutrient containing compounds, namely, Ca- and Mg-struvites (CaNH4PO4·H2O and MgNH4PO4·6H2O) and complex double salts (Ca(NH4)2(HPO4)2·H2O dimorph B, Mg(NH4)2(HPO4)2·4H2O dimorph A), was performed. These compounds were synthesized using solid crystalline monoammonium phosphate (NH4H2PO4, MAP) and low solubility common calcium and magnesium minerals, such as hydroxides, carbonates, and oxides. Powder X-ray diffraction showed single crystalline phase materials. Properties of the synthesized compounds were studied by thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), Raman spectroscopy, and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS). TGA results showed that Ca-struvite was the most thermally robust, followed by Ca- and Mg-complex double salts and Mg-struvite. The decomposition of samples with release of NH3 was marked by peaks in the DSC profiles at 190 °C for both complex double salts and a broad DSC shoulder at 186 °C was obs...
Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Paper-Based Devices for the Detection of Acetaminophen and Phenacetin in an Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory

Reported herein is a multidisciplinary experiment for senior-level undergraduate teaching laboratories in the synthesis of the analytes acetaminophen and phenacetin; the fabrication of paper-based devices, using eyeliner, acrylic spray paint, or wax-printing, for sensing of those analytes; and the use of the newly fabricated devices for successful qualitative and quantitative analyte detection. This experiment includes elements of organic, analytical, and materials chemistry, as well as device engineering, and provides a strong pedagogical experience for the undergraduate student participants. The experiment was tested over two years in the Advanced Organic Laboratory, and 90% of students over the two years successfully completed all experimental objectives. The modular nature of the reported experiments and inexpensive costs of materials and instrumentation significantly enhance the practical applicability of this experiment and the likelihood of widespread adaptation.
Predicting Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay Among Patients With Sepsis-Induced Hypotension.

Background Sepsis risk stratification tools typically predict mortality, although stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) of 24 hours or longer may be more clinically relevant for emergency department disposition. Objective To explore predictors of ICU stay of 24 hours or longer among infected, hypotensive emergency department patients. Methods A secondary analysis of 2 prospective, observational studies of adult patients with severe sepsis or an infection with a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg in 3 urban, academic emergency departments was performed. Patients with hypotension and infection were included. Patients with emergency department intubation, vasopressor administration, and/or death were excluded. The primary outcome was ICU stay of 24 hours or longer or death in less than 24 hours. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict ICU stay of 24 hours or longer. Results Of 233 patients, 108 (46.4%) had ICU stays of 24 hours or longer. History of heart failure (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5-8.3), bicarbonate level less than 20 mEq/L (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8), respiratory rate greater than 20/min (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.7), and creatinine level greater than 2.0 mg/dL (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.9-6.7) were independent predictors of ICU stay of 24 hours or longer (area under curve, 0.74). The presence of 1 of these factors predicted ICU stay of 24 hours or longer (area under curve, 0.74) with 82.4% sensitivity and 49.6% specificity. Conclusions These exploratory results show that heart failure, bicarbonate level of less than 20 mEq/L, tachypnea, or creatinine level greater than 2.0 mg/dL increases the likelihood of an ICU stay of 24 hours or longer among infected, hypotensive emergency department patients.
Lower limb joint-specific contributions to standing postural sway in persons with unilateral lower limb loss.

Abstract Background Individuals with lower limb loss are at an increased risk for falls, likely due to impaired balance control. Standing balance is typically explained by double- or single-inverted pendulum models of the hip and/or ankle, neglecting the knee joint. However, recent work suggests knee joint motion contributes toward stabilizing center-of-mass kinematics during standing balance. Research Question To what extent do hip, knee, and ankle joint motions contribute to postural sway in standing among individuals with lower limb loss? Methods Forty-two individuals (25 m/17f) with unilateral lower limb loss (30 transtibial, 12 transfemoral) stood quietly with eyes open and eyes closed, for 30 s each, while wearing accelerometers on the pelvis, thigh, shank, and foot. Triaxial inertial measurement units were transformed to inertial anterior-posterior components and sway parameters were computed: ellipse area, root-mean-square, and jerk. A state-space model with a Kalman filter calculated hip, knee, and ankle joint flexion-extension angles and ranges of motion. Multiple linear regression predicted postural sway parameters from intact limb joint ranges of motion, with BMI as a covariate (p Results With eyes open, intact limb hip flexion predicted larger sway ellipse area, whereas hip flexion and knee extension predicted larger sway root-mean-square, and hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion predicted larger sway jerk. With eyes closed, intact limb hip flexion remained the predictor of sway ellipse area; no other joint motions influenced sway parameters in this condition. Significance Hip, knee, and ankle motions influence postural sway during standing balance among individuals with lower limb loss. Specifically, increasing intact-side hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion motion increased postural sway. With vision removed, a re-weighting of lower limb joint sensory mechanisms may control postural sway, such that increasing sway may be regulated by proximal coordination strategies and vestibular responses, with implications for fall risk.
Prolongation of SMAP to Spatiotemporally Seamless Coverage of Continental U.S. Using a Deep Learning Neural Network

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission has delivered valuable sensing of surface soil moisture since 2015. However, it has a short time span and irregular revisit schedules. Utilizing a state-of-the-art time series deep learning neural network, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), we created a system that predicts SMAP level-3 moisture product with atmospheric forcings, model-simulated moisture, and static physiographic attributes as inputs. The system removes most of the bias with model simulations and improves predicted moisture climatology, achieving small test root-mean-square errors ( 0.87 for over 75% of Continental United States, including the forested southeast. As the first application of LSTM in hydrology, we show the proposed network avoids overfitting and is robust for both temporal and spatial extrapolation tests. LSTM generalizes well across regions with distinct climates and environmental settings. With high fidelity to SMAP, LSTM shows great potential for hindcasting, data assimilation, and weather forecasting.
How has Philosophical Applied Ethics Progressed in the Past Fifty Years

Applied ethics is relatively new on the philosophical scene, having grown out of the various civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the student demand that college courses be relevant. Even today, there are those who think that there are no philosophically interesting practical ethical questions, and that applied ethics is not a branch of philosophy at all. This article rejects that view, both because some of the most interesting and respectable philosophers in the world have worked in applied ethics and because applied ethics has been the source of many difficult conceptual questions in theoretical ethics and even metaphysics. These include the grounds for moral status, human identity, how to conceive rights in general and the right to life in particular, the question whether existence itself can be a harm (the nonidentity problem), and the nature of moral principles.
The reaction between phosphorus trifluorideborane and ammonia: The synthesis of triamidophosphorus-borane,(NH2)3PBH3☆

Abstract The reaction of unstable phosphorus trifluoride-borane and ammonia yields the new, stable compound, (H2N)3PBH3. A formal analogy between BH3 and O is developed, and evidence is presented to indicate that the BP bond is not broken during the ammonolysis of F3PBH3.
Design, Calibration, and Testing of an Automated Near-Infrared Liquid-Crystal Polarimetric Imaging System for Discrimination of Lung Cancer Cells

A newly developed tissue diagnostic method, based on label-free near-infrared (NIR) polarimetric reflectance imaging for the classification of histopathological samples of lung cancer cells, is presented. The design, calibration, and testing of an automated NIR polarimetric imaging system, with emphasis on lung cancer detection, are put forward in detail. The described electro-optical imaging polarimeter system exhibits high degree of accuracy and repeatability. The outcome of this paper indicates that the operational design principles of the NIR polarimetric system may be proved extremely useful in discrimination of label-free normal and lung cancer cell samples as well as differentiation of different lung cancer cells and stages in vitro .
Conformational analysis of the glycosaminoglycans. II. Bond-angle studies, torsional potential, and steric map for the beta-D-(1leads to 3) linkage.

Abstract The geometry of the glycosidic valence-bond angle for both the β- d (1→4) and β- d -(1→3) linkages has been investigated by using CNDO and PCILO molecular-orbital techniques on model compounds. In each case, the glycosidic valence-bond angle of minimum energy was about 111°, corresponding to the value observed in ether analogs. A secondary energy-minimum was found near 116°, which is the value experimentally observed for saccharides. It was concluded that long-range intra-and/or inter-molecular interactions are responsible for overall preference for the 116° value of the valence-bond angle. The force constants predicted from the shapes of the 116° bond-angle minima gave poor agreement with the experimental values found for ethers and employed in normal coordinate analyses of saccharides. The results did suggest that the β- d -(1→3) bond angle should be 115.6°, which is smaller than the corresponding β- d -(1→4) bond angle. An intrinsic torsional potential-function and general steric map were also determined for the torsion-angle rotations of the β- d -(1→3) linkage.
A thin-wall, low-z pressure vessel

A thin-wall vessel has been constructed for use as a container for a pressurized gas target in a nuclear experiment. The objective of the design of the container was to combine high strength with low energy loss for the passage of highly ionizing particles. Target containers, constructed from a graphite-fiber reinforced epoxy composite, had a wall thickness of 20 mg/cm2 and yielded at an average pressure of 3400 kPa.
Gross income of gastroenterologists in the initial five years of their practice: academic vs non-academic? Males vs females?

Gross income of gastroenterologists in the initial five years of their practice: academic vs non-academic? Males vs females?
A Greek cross dodecaphenylene: sparteine-mediated asymmetric synthesis of chiral D2-symmetric π-conjugated tetra-o-phenylenes

Abstract The asymmetric synthesis of a chiral, nonracemic π-conjugated system with D2 point group of symmetry, dodecaphenylene 4 is described. In the key step, (−)-sparteine- and Cu(II)-mediated oxidation of 2,2′-dilithio-1,1′-biaryls in ether gives the corresponding dimers, tetra-o-phenylenes, in 80% isolated yields and 50–60% ee's. X-Ray crystallography confirms the structure of rac-4 and its molecular shape of a Greek cross. The torsional angles between the benzene rings in the tetra-o-phenylene core of rac-4 are in the 56.5–71.0° range. However, CD and UV spectra of 4 in CH2Cl2 are consistent with significant conjugation between the four terphenyl moieties.
Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina arising in a background of atypical adenosis.

Background. Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina is rare, with only nine cases published to date. The authors report what they believe to be the first case of primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina arising in a setting of atypical adenosis. Methods. The tumor was studied by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results. Intracytoplasmic electron-dense neurosecretory type granules were seen, and immunohistochemical demonstration of chromogranin A was documented. Conclusions. These features were found to be similar to small cell carcinomas arising elsewhere in the female genital tract (i.e., cevix, endometrium, ovary, and vulva).
Mate location strategies of gypsy moths in dense populations.

In high-density populations, the male gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) “appetitive” flight is primarily vertical and within 1–50 cm of tree boles. Preceding location of a female, males land on trees or occasionally tree foliage and walk while wing-fanning. In high-density populations females may mate before calling, often prior to wing expansion or hardening. Additional matings may occur before any or full deposition of egg masses. Virgin females are not coy, whether their wings are unexpanded, or hardened and held rooflike, or whether they are calling or not. They generally mate with the first willing male and do not exercise sexual selection by an acceptance or rejection reaction. The mating structure in dense populations would seem to reduce selective pressure for female emission of and direct male anemotactic flight to attractant pheromone. A low proportion of males “search” appropriate objects, especially tree trunks, in the walking-wing-fanning state. Such males often are successful in locating virgin females before calling commences. This male strategy presumably would not be successful in low population densities.
The non-canonical CTD of RNAP-II is essential for productive RNA synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei.

The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit (RPB1) of RNA polymerase II (RNAP-II) is essential for gene expression in metazoa and yeast. The canonical CTD is characterized by heptapeptide repeats. Differential phosphorylation of canonical CTD orchestrates transcriptional and co-transcriptional maturation of mRNA and snRNA. Many organisms, including trypanosomes, lack a canonical CTD. In these organisms, the CTD is called a non-canonical CTD or pseudo-CTD (ΨCTD. In the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, the ΨCTD is ∼285 amino acids long, rich in serines and prolines, and phosphorylated. We report that T. brucei RNAP-II lacking the entire ΨCTD or containing only a 95-amino-acid-long ΨCTD failed to support cell viability. In contrast, RNAP-II with a 186-amino-acid-long ΨCTD maintained cellular growth. RNAP-II with ΨCTD truncations resulted in abortive initiation of transcription. These data establish that non-canonical CTDs play an important role in gene expression.
A Novel Fiber Chemical Sensor Using Inner-Product Multimode Fiber Speckle Fields

Although multimode fiber has a large space-bandwidth product (roughly equal to the number of modes), transmitting spatial signals by using a fiber is rather difficult. Conventional sensing schemes for fiber chemical sensors are based on the intensity and/or spectroscopic absorption or emission of fiber evanescent field of multimode fiber. However, the transmission of spatial signal has not been exploited in the field of chemical sensing. In our research, a novel chemical sensing method that employs the spatial information of a multimode fiber was investigated. When a laser beam is launched into a multimode fiber, the exit light field produces a complicated speckle pattern caused by the modal interference of the fiber. It is difficult to recover the transmitted information from the speckle field. However, the fiber speckle field can be used for fiber sensing with an inner product method. Our analysis and experiments have shown that the fiber specklegram sensor is very sensitive to chemical environment change.
Radial Capillary Array Electrophoresis Microplate and Scanner for High-Performance Nucleic Acid Analysis

The design, fabrication, and operation of a radial capillary array electrophoresis microplate and scanner for high-throughput DNA analysis is presented. The microplate consists of a central common anode reservoir coupled to 96 separate microfabricated separation channels connected to sample injectors on the perimeter of the 10-cm-diameter wafer. Detection is accomplished by a laser-excited rotary confocal scanner with four color detection channels. Loading of 96 samples in parallel is achieved using a pressurized capillary array system. High-quality separations of 96 pBR322 restriction digest samples are achieved in <120 s with the microplate system. The practical utility and multicolor detection capability is demonstrated by analyzing 96 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) alleles in parallel using a noncovalent 2-color staining method. This work establishes the feasibility of performing high-throughput genotyping separations with capillary array electrophoresis microplates.
Activity-dependent structural changes during neuronal development

Activity during the early postnatal period can have a pronounced effect on the structure of neurons in the central nervous system. Recent studies in the cat visual system and in the vertebrate and invertebrate neuromuscular system, have provided new insights into the cellular and molecular features of this process.
The value of hydroxyurea in assessing repair synthesis of DNA in HeLa cells.

Abstract A simplified assay for quantitating repair replication in HeLa cells was utilized which employed hydroxyurea (HU) for the purpose of selectively suppressing normal, semi-conservative replication. With semiconservative replication inhibited, DNA synthesis by UV-irradiated cells (as measured by the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine) was shown to be a nearly exclusive product of repair synthesis (> 80%). Thus, the highly selective action of HU affords the opportunity of quantitating repair replication merely by assessing the rate of incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA. Several classes of chemical compounds were studied (monofunctional alkylating agents, organochlorine insecticides, an organomercurial and N -hydroxy compounds) to ascertain whether they initiated repair synthesis in non-irradiated cells or inhibited the repair process once it had been initiated by UV-irradiation. In those cases where initiation of repair synthesis was observed, attempts were made to confirm the result by isopycnic density gradient analysis in CsCl. Two monofunctional alkylating agents (methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) were confirmed to initiate repair synthesis while the other three classes of compounds studied proved to be negative. However, both N -hydroxy compounds tested ( N -hydroxycyclohexylamine (HCHA) and hydroxylamine) gave falsely positive results in the simplified assay. Additional studies indicated that this artifact arose as a consequence of the N -hydroxy compounds interfering with the action of HU; i.e. , the ability of HU to inhibit normal replication. None of the compounds tested exerted a marked inhibitory effect upon repair synthesis in UV-irradiated cells.
Pattern Recognition With Undersampled Holograms

A joint Fourier transform image correlator (JFTC) that can recover the correlation signals from an undersampled interference intensity displayed on an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (SLM) at the Fourier plane is described. The implementation of a space invariant JFTC using an electrically addressed SLM at the Fourier plane requires fine sampling of the Fourier transforms' interference intensity to resolve the fringe pattern. However, with the limited space-bandwidth product (SBWP) of the SLM, only the low spatial frequencies of the input spectrum can be recorded and displayed. This can result in the loss of the fine details of the input images which can degrade the performance of the system. Here, we show that given a defined field that contains the correlation functions, the correlation signals can be formed without fine sampling of the spatial carrier frequency term and without significant losses in the fine details of the input images. The correlation functions can be recovered from the undersampled interference intensity according to the criterion for sampling of bandpass signals given that the field that contains the correlation signals is known. Space invariant multiple object detection is possible within the defined correlation field. The proposed technique is suitable for bipolar JFTC that have one-pixel auto-correlation bandwidth and very small cross-correlation sidelobes.
Analysis of Soybean Seed Lipoxygenases

Colorimetric assays for the three lipoxygenase isozymes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed have been reported; however, they were not designed to analyze large numbers of samples. The objective of this study was to modify the assays to enable large-scale analysis. The information presented is based on the analysis of thousands of samples over several years for development of lipoxygenase-free soybean cultivars. The most significant change to the original procedure was the use of seed chips instead of homogenized soy flour, which has made possible large-scale analysis of seed samples with minimal resources. Other modifications to the original procedures and practical considerations with the use of the modified assays are discussed. Detailed descriptions of the assays are provided to facilitate their use by other researchers.
Electric fields caused by blood flow modulate vascular endothelial electrophysiology and nitric oxide production.

Endothelial cells are exposed to a ubiquitous, yet unexamined electrical force caused by blood flow: the electrokinetic vascular streaming potential (EVSP). In this study, the hypothesis that extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields parameterized by the EVSP have significant biological effects on endothelial cell properties was studied by measuring membrane potential and nitric oxide production under ELF stimulation between 0 and 2 Hz and 0-6.67 V/m. Using membrane potential and nitric oxide sensitive fluorescent dyes, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in culture were studied in the presence and absence of EVSP-modeled electric fields. The transmembrane potential of BAECs was shown to depolarize between 1 and 7 mV with a strong dependency on both the magnitude and frequency of the isolated ELF field. The findings also support a field interaction with a frequency-dependent tuning curve. The ELF field complexly modulates the nitric oxide response to adenosine triphosphate stimulation with potentiation seen with up to a sevenfold increase. This potentiation was also frequency and magnitude dependent. An early logarithmic phase of NO production is enhanced in a field strength-dependent manner, but the ELF field does not modify a later exponential phase. This study shows that using electric fields on the order of those generated by blood flow influences the essential biology of endothelial cells. The inclusion of ELF electric fields in the paradigm of vascular biology may create novel opportunities for advancing both the understanding and therapies for treatment of vascular diseases.
Solid state coordination chemistry of the copper(II)/bisterpy/vanadate system: The structures of [Cu2(bisterpy)V4O12]·2H2O and [Cu2(bisterpy)V4F2O11] (bisterpy = 2,2′:4′,4′′:2′′,2′′′-quarter-pyridyl, 6′,6′′-di-2-pyridine)

Abstract Hydrothermal methods were exploited in the preparation of bimetallic organic–inorganic hybrid materials of the metal-bisterpy/vanadate class. [Cu2(bisterpy)V4O12]·2H2O exhibits a two-dimensional structure constructed from {Cu2V4O12}n chains linked through bisterpy ligands. The isomorphous materials [M2(bisterpy)V4F2O11] (M = Cu, Zn) are also two-dimensional. In these cases, {M2V4F2O11}n chains are linked through bisterpy ligands to generate the two-dimensional network.
Use of a Straight, Side-Hole Delivery Sheath for Improved Delivery of Amplatzer ASD Occluder

The Amplatzer ASD occluder may be difficult to position in some patients with a large atrial septal defect (ASD) or deficiency of one or more atrial septal rims. We developed a method to modify a Mullins transseptal sheath to enhance delivery. The resulting sheath is straight and has an exit orifice essential in the side of the distal portion of the sheath-a straight, side-hole (SSH) delivery sheath. We have used this modified delivery sheath in 140 successive patients with excellent results. The techniques of sheath modification and delivery of the device using the modified sheath are described. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The acidity of uracil and uracil analogs in the gas phase: four surprisingly acidic sites and biological implications

The gas phase acidities of a series of uracil derivatives (1-methyluracil, 3-methyluracil, 6-methyluracil, 5,6-dimethyluracil, and 1,3-dimethyluracil) have been bracketed to provide an understanding of the intrinsic reactivity of uracil. The experiments indicate that in the gas phase, uracil has four sites more acidic than water. Among the uracil analogs, the N1-H sites have ΔHacid values of 331–333 kcal mol−1; the acidity of the N3 sites fall between 347–352 kcal mol−1. The vinylic C6 in 1-methyluracil and 3-methyluracil brackets to 363 kcal mol−1, and 369 kcal mol−1 in 1,3-dimethyluracil; the C5 of 1,3-dimethyluracil brackets to 384 kcal mol−1. Calculations conducted at B3LYP/6-31+G* are in agreement with the experimental values. The bracketing of several of these sites involved utilization of an FTMS protocol to measure the less acidic site in a molecule that has more than one acidic site, establishing the generality of this method. In molecules with multiple acidic sites, only the two most acidic sites were bracketable, which is attributable to a kinetic effect. The measured acidities are in direct contrast to in solution, where the two most acidic sites of uracil (N1 and N3) are indifferentiable. The vinylic C6 site is also particularly acidic, compared to acrolein and pyridine. The biological implications of these results, particularly with respect to enzymes for which uracil is a substrate, are discussed.
What is cyclomorphosis

1. The history of the term cyclomorphosis and of research investigating the phenomenon it describes are reviewed briefly. 2. Several distinct definitions of this term appear in the limnological literature. Some of these definitions are consistent with earlier studies; others are not and are very restrictive and reliant upon extensive laboratory analysis. 3. We argue for the adoption of a broad definition of cyclomorphosis that is consistent with the majority of previous studies and practical to apply to the field populations it attempts to describe. 4. We also urge all researchers investigating this phenomenon to provide their working definition of this term in their reports in order to avoid terminological confusion.
Characterization of Complex Thermal Barrier Deposits Pore Microstructures by a Combination of Imaging, Scattering, and Intrusion Techniques

Complexity, wide size ranges, and anisotropy are attributes that can describe porous microstructures of thermally sprayed deposits, which present especially difficult challenges for characterization techniques. A number of different methods have been utilized and found to be useful while having significant limitations. Therefore, scientists and engineers need to understand the advantages, limitations, and disadvantages of each technique. This very short review attempts to present a wide range of characterization tools—from frequently employed optical and scanning electron imaging techniques, through intrusion porosimetry, to lesser-used x-ray and neutron imaging and scattering techniques. It will be shown that no technique in itself is sufficient and that a properly selected combination of techniques is necessary to get a sufficiently complex characterization method. A really powerful and capable characterization protocol may need to combine fast and accessible (“in-house”) tools with sparingly applied advanced scattering and imaging techniques. Such a combination of techniques can then be utilized to research the processing-microstructure-properties relationships as well as to provide sufficient data for development of successful models.
Ideal vitamin C intake.

Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, Building 10 Room 4D52, MSC1372, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health,Bethesda, MD 20892-1372, USA1. IntroductionTo determine ideal vitamin C intake, it is necessary to know the relationship between vitamin C dosesand resulting concentrations in plasma and tissues. Biochemical outcomes can be predicted based onfunctions of the vitamin within the concentrationranges measured in subjects at different doses. Clinicaloutcomes can be characterized in relation to the measured vitamin concentrations. Recommendationsfor ideal vitamin C intake can be guided by these speciﬁc criteria [1]:– Biochemical function in relation to concentration– Dietary availability– Dose and steady-state concentrations for plasma– Dose and steady-state concentrations for tissues– Bioavailability– Urine excretion: threshold, fractional excretion– Adverse effects and toxicity– Beneﬁcial effects, observations in populations– Prevention of deﬁciencyHere we summarize dose concentration data for plasma in healthy young male subjects [2].2. MethodsStudy design and details were previously described [2–4]. Brieﬂy, seven healthy male subjects ages19–26werehospitalizedfor4–6monthsonametabolicward. Throughouthospitalizationtheyconsumeda diet containing less than 5 mg of vitamin C daily [3]. Deﬁciencies of other nutrients were preventedby supplementation. When plasma vitamin C concentrations achieved nadir
Effective business writing

A prerequisite to effective writing is logical thinking. Often the act of writing forces the organization of one's thoughts. Effective writing involves consciousness of the purpose of a message, awareness of the reader's needs and interests, evaluation of available information (quantity and quality), and attention to the order of presentation. First drafts should never be accepted; review and revision should be standard procedure.
Results to be expected from resistivity‐measurements

The work described in this paper was all done in connection with dam-site investigations and was not directly connected with hydrology. However, geophysics is coming to have a place in hydrologic investigations, and these results may throw some light on what can be accomplished by resistivity-measurements. We have found that,for many questions not involving exact determinations of depth, resistivity- measurements give conclusive answers. Ordinarily a reliable answer can be expected to the question of the existence of a buried channel if the covering is composed of unconsolidated material with a resistivity differing from that of the rock. For example, topographic surveys were made at two alternative dam-sites on a river about four miles apart. Examination of the surface-geology indicated that a channel burled under glacial debris possibly existed at each site, but resistivity-measurements proved that such a channel existed at one site and not at the other. On the other hand, at another site the geologist suspected there might be an old channel on a steep side hill. Geophysical measurements showed a depth of overburden of 46 feet and showed that if a deeper channel exists it must be narrow; but they did not show positively that no such channel exists. Probably a careful survey with a large number of lines would have given a more definite answer, but the rough topography interfered with the resistivity-work, and time and money were not available for a detailed survey. After completion of the geophysical work, the geologist located some outcrops which led him to conclude that no old channel exists at this site. At two other dam-sites in Oregon resistivity-measurements showed that there were no burled channels.
Addressing the discontinuity of students’ and teachers’ diversity: a preliminary study of preservice teachers’ beliefs and perceived skills

Abstract The authors of the present investigation provide baseline data regarding preservice teachers’ beliefs about addressing the needs of students whose backgrounds and abilities differ from their own. These data provide the guidance for subsequent in-depth longitudinal investigations about the ways in which preservice teachers’ beliefs inform their classroom behaviors toward the aforementioned students, as well as suggestions for teacher educators about program improvements.
A new contribution to brain convolution: progenitor cell logistics during cortex development.

New work identifies a neurogenic progenitor population in the developing human and ferret cortex that may have contributed substantially to the evolution of cortical expansion and folding in higher mammals.
Interpreting Dual Variables for Optimization with Nonmonetary Objectives

An approach to the interpretation of dual variables for mathematical programs with nonmonetary objectives is described. The approach is general, and in particular may be applied to problems of goal programming, expected utility maximization, intertemporal utility maximization and risk minimization subject to minimum income constraints. The technique is designed to transform shadow prices, expressed in marginal increases in the objective per unit of resource, into easily interpreted units, such as dollars per unit of resource.
Microscopic origin of the light-induced defects in hydrogenated nitrogen-rich amorphous silicon nitride films

The electron photo-excitation from the K − state and its subsequent trapping by K + state is probably at the origin of the silicon dangling bonds (K 0 ) formation during broad-band UV illumination of the N-rich amorphous silicon nitride films. Because the photo-excited electron will move towards the metal electrode the positive charge is expected to accumulate near the nitride-silicon interface with illumination time. Our data also suggest that the N-H group may be at the origin of the nitrogen dangling bonds creation in N-rich films.
Rapid Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Monodisperse Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides with Immobilized Enzyme Reactors

We describe the chemoenzymatic synthesis of a variety of monodisperse hyaluronan (beta 4-glucuronic acid-beta 3-N-acetylglucosamine (HA)) oligosaccharides. Potential medical applications for HA oligosaccharides (approximately 10-20 sugars in length) include killing cancerous tumors and enhancing wound vascularization. Previously, the lack of defined oligosaccharides has limited the exploration of these sugars as components of new therapeutics. The Pasteurella multocida HA synthase, pmHAS, a polymerizing enzyme that normally elongates HA chains rapidly (approximately 1-100 sugars/s), was converted by mutagenesis into two single-action glycosyltransferases (glucuronic acid transferase and N-acetylglucosamine transferase). The two resulting enzymes were purified and immobilized individually onto solid supports. The two types of enzyme reactors were used in an alternating fashion to produce extremely pure sugar polymers of a single length (up to HA20) in a controlled, stepwise fashion without purification of the intermediates. These molecules are the longest, non-block, monodisperse synthetic oligosaccharides hitherto reported. This technology platform is also amenable to the synthesis of medicant-tagged or radioactive oligosaccharides for biomedical testing. Furthermore, these experiments with immobilized mutant enzymes prove both that pmHAS-catalyzed polymerization is non-processive and that a monomer of enzyme is the functional catalytic unit.
Processing and mechanical properties of a silicon carbide platelet/alumina matrix composite

Abstract This paper presents an integrated study of the processing and mechanical properties of a SiC platelet/alumina composites. The major goal was to investigate the potential application of plate-like particles in toughening ceramic matrices. In the processing part of the study, the microstructures were found to possess preferred platelet orientation, with the platelets tending to lie parallel to each other after hot-pressing. In the mechanical property part of the study, Young's modulus, fracture toughness, flexural strength, and R-curve behavior were measured as a function of platelet content. It was determined that the preferred orientation did not lead to significant elastic anisotropy but it did lead to toughness anisotropy. Indeed the platelets led to a decrease in fracture toughness for crack propagating parallel to the platelet faces. In addition, it was found that the platelets also led to a strength decrease compared to the alumina. The optimum properties were a Young's modulus of 421 GPa, fracture toughness of 7·1 MPa√m, and a flexural strength of 480 MPa at SiC volume fraction of 0·3. Overall, it was concluded that with controlled processing SiC platelets are strong candidates for reinforcing ceramic matrices but that further development is needed.
Performance evaluation of the IBM RISC System/6000: comparison of an optimized scalar processor with two vector processors

RISC System/6000 computers are workstations with a reduced instruction set processor recently developed by IBM. This report details the performance of the 6000-series computers as measured using a set of portable, standard-Fortran, computationally-intensive benchmark codes that represent the scientific workload at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. On all but three of our benchmark codes, the 40-ns RISC System was able to perform as well as a single Convex C-240 processor, a vector processor that also has a 40-ns clock cycle, and on these same codes, it performed as well as the FPS-500, a vector processor with a 30-ns clock cycle.
Retirement patterns and plans of radiologists.

OBJECTIVE. The objectives of our study were to describe radiologists' recent retirement plans and patterns and to assess whether changes in radiologists' retirement patterns over the period of 1995-2003 explain the recent easing of the radiologist shortage.MATERIALS AND METHODS. We present detailed information from 2003 about the planned retirement age of radiologists, their labor force participation late in their careers, and their actual retirement pattern based on data from the American College of Radiology's (ACR) 2003 Survey of Radiologists. To analyze changes over time, we compare these data with information from the ACR's 1995 and 2000 Surveys of Radiologists. Multivariate regression analysis was also used to identify the effects of radiologist and practice characteristics on radiologists' retirement plans.RESULTS. The percentage of radiologists fully retired and the average retirement age were the same in 1995 and 2003. Overall, labor force participation rates were decreasing over the period 1995-...
Orientation effects on natural convection/radiation heat transfer from pin-fin arrays

Abstract The heat transfer characteristics of highly populated pin-fin arrays have been investigated for three different orientations in the gravity field: (1) horizontal fins and vertical baseplate, (2) vertical fins and horizontal downfacing baseplate, and (3) vertical fins and horizontal upfacing baseplate. Experiments were performed in air to measure the combined natural convection and radiation heat transfer, and the radiation was determined analytically. Parametric variations were also made of the number of fins and of the baseplate-to-ambient temperature difference. In general, among the three orientations, the vertical upfacing fin array yielded the highest heat transfer rates, followed by the horizontal fin array and the vertical downfacing fin array. With an increase in the number of fins for fixed values of the other parameters, the heat transfer rate increased at first, attained a maximum, and then decreased, thereby defining an optimal fin population. The fractional contributions of radiation to the combined-mode heat transfer were generally in the 25–40% range, with the larger contributions occurring at the smaller baseplate-to-ambient temperature differences. Comparison of the pin-fin results with those for plate fins tends to encourage the use of pin fins.