cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dynamical Evolution of Young Open Clusters

Using numerical N-body calculations we have simulated the dynamical evolution of young clusters as they emerge from molecular clouds. Starting with initially virialized systems of stars and gas we follow the evolution of these systems from the time immediately after the stars have formed in a cloud until a time long after all the residual star-forming gas has been dispersed. In the models stellar systems were composed of 50, and in some cases 100, stars and these stars were represented as point masses. The stellar mass function followed a power law with an index of -2.5 and ranged over two decades in mass (Scalo 1978). Gas in the models was represented as an extra term in the gravitational potential function governing stellar motions, and was set to follow a density distribution corresponding to a spherically symmetric Plummer potential function (Plummer 1911). Starting with these initial conditions, stellar motions were then integrated and evolution of each stellar system was followed as gas was dispersed from the vicinity of the stars as a function of time.
Knowledge transfer techniques for dynamic environments

The expense involved in obtaining class labels for data has led to the emergence of semi-supervised learning techniques which try to make use of both the labeled and the unlabeled data to obtain classifiers with better generalization capabilities. Most existing semi-supervised methods assume that the unlabeled data have the same underlying distribution as the training data. However, data acquired for actual problems often suffer from population drift over time or space, and consequently classifiers learned from existing labeled data tend to become obsolete over time or extended geographic areas. In this dissertation, semi-supervised techniques are considered for updating existing classifiers, while allowing for the possibility of population drift in the incoming data. The proposed techniques make use of meta-information that is not explicitly provided by the data to aid in semi-supervision. First, a framework that exploits the contextual information in an existing hierarchical binary classifier is presented to rapidly construct a new classifier for a new but related classification problem. The knowledge transfer technique is augmented with active learning to efficiently update the classifier using far fewer data points than simple semi-supervised methods. The proposed technique is shown to be well-suited for adapting classifiers, even when there is a significant difference between the labeled and unlabeled data. The knowledge transfer approach detailed in this thesis assumes the existence of a pre-defined hierarchy of classes. However, it is possible that several different class hierarchies are defined or obtained for the same domain. A maximum likelihood framework is proposed for integrating available hierarchies into a single ‘master hierarchy’. The taxonomy integration method is shown to result in more natural mappings between existing taxonomies compared to alternative approaches that do not exploit the class hierarchy information. A technique that automatically generates n-ary class hierarchies is also presented. The n-ary trees are shown to better reflect the inter-class relationships and are in general more effective for knowledge transfer than binary trees. Focusing on the domain of hyperspectral data, the efficacy of the new techniques is evaluated for the problem of classifying spatially/temporally varying hyper-spectral images. The empirical results clearly demonstrate the utility of exploiting ‘contextual’ information for the problem of knowledge transfer in dynamic environments.
Role of metastasectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy

Numerous biological pathways are affected in renal cell carcinoma and the introduction of targeted agents has improved the survival of patients with advanced and metastatic disease. Durable and long-lasting cure is rarely achieved, and in select cases, the excision of metastatic deposits has shown to increase survival. Clinical trials of targeted agents are being explored as neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies with the role of metastasectomy evolving in the treatment paradigm. This review examines published reports of metastasectomy and its developing role in the era of targeted therapy. A Medline search was conducted using keywords “metastasectomy,” “renal cell carcinoma,” and “targeted therapy,” and selected articles are discussed by examining prognostic stratification and metastasectomy in major anatomic regions. Most published reports span earlier periods of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and henceforth, discussions are in historical context in this review. Although there is lack of Level 1 evidence, reports have suggested the prognostic value and survival benefit for metastasectomy in lesions that are amenable to complete resection after longer disease-free intervals in carefully selected patients with adequate performance status. Therefore, the role of metastasectomy must be further elucidated in the era of targeted therapy.
Identification of a Benzyladenine Disaccharide Conjugate Produced during Shoot Organogenesis in Petunia Leaf Explants

Prior studies of benzyladenine (BA) metabolism in Petunia hybrida Vilm. leaf explants during shoot organogenesis revealed the presence of an abundant unidentified BA conjugate. The BA conjugate, compound C, made up to 39% of the total pool of BA conjugates in two Petunia lines and was associated with an increased shoot organogenic response when compared with a third Petunia line that did not produce any compound C. Structural analysis of compound C utilizing fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, two methods of carbohydrate analysis, ultraviolet absorption spectra, and Fourier transform infrared spectra identified it as a new cytokinin conjugate, 6-benzylamino-9-[O-gluco-pyranosyl-(1->3)-ribofuranosyl]-purine. Based on our prior biological studies and the similarity of this compound to related cytokinin conjugates, this disaccharide cytokinin conjugate may be part of the interconvertible pool of cytokinins active in Petunia shoot organogenesis.
Recent developments in turbine blade internal cooling.

Abstract: This paper focuses on turbine blade internal cooling. Internal cooling is achieved by passing the coolant through several rib-enhanced serpentine passages inside the blade and extracting the heat from the outside of the blades. Both jet impingement and pin-fin-cooling are also used as a method of internal cooling. In the past number of years there has been considerable progress in turbine blade internal cooling research and this paper is limited to reviewing a few selected publications to reflect recent developments in turbine blade internal cooling.
Non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis: a half century of “advances”

Drugs should be used as adjuncts to non-pharmacological measures In the 1950s and early 60s Sir John Charnley succeeded in developing components for total hip arthroplasty and demonstrated the remarkable success that could be achieved with this procedure in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Charnley’s adaptation of polymethylmethacylate as a fixation interface between the metallic or plastic implant and the bone served as a major advance in the surgical treatment of severe OA.1,2 Development of total knee arthroplasty followed. The materials and surgical techniques have improved steadily so that both of these procedures are associated with a high level of patient satisfaction. Most patients with OA of the hip or knee who undergo total joint arthroplasty experience clinically significant improvement in joint pain, function, and quality of life.3,4 Recommendation of total joint arthroplasty for the patient with OA, however, is tantamount to an acknowledgement of the failure of medical management. The surgical procedure is often performed after the patient has experienced years, or even decades, of pain and disability. Among all the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions promoted for treatment of OA in the half century since Charnley directed his attention to replacement of the arthritic hip, none approximates the effectiveness of arthroplasty. The 1963 edition of the Cecil-Loeb textbook of medicine,5 in discussing the treatment of OA, noted: “Analgesics, particularly salicylates, are useful in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Phenylbutazone is sometimes helpful when salicylates have failed, but the potential toxic reactions rarely justify its use in such a mild disorder. Systemic corticosteroid treatment is not recommended for osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injections of hydrocortisone acetate ... may be helpful for joints which fail to respond to simpler measures.” Despite enormous increases in our understanding of pain mechanisms and of the metabolism, biochemistry, and molecular biology of articular …
Sex-role compatibility of task and of competitor, and fear of success as variables affecting women's performance

This study relates fear of success, masculine/feminine task description, and work conditions to women's performance. Subjects were 120 college women, 18 to 65 years old. Sixty exhibited fear of success (F women) and 60 no fear of success (S women) in stories about a woman in medical school. Half of each group solved anagrams described as masculine, and half solved the same anagrams described as feminine. They competed against a man, against a woman, or worked alone. A 2×2×3 factorial analysis of variance yielded significant interactions for Fear of Success × Task and Fear of Success × Competitor. F women performed best when competing against a woman on a feminine task, and on tasks described as feminine. S women performed best when competing against a man on a masculine task, and on tasks described as masculine. Subjects reported attitudes toward femininity, marriage and family, professional careers, competition, striving, and personal excellence. F women rated a home and family more important, a professional career less important, and themselves less feminine than S women. It is concluded that women perform best on tasks and against competitors who are perceived as compatible with their personal sex-role orientations.
Percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle in human lymphoma determined by flow cytometry. Correlation with labeling index and patient survival

The percentage of cells with S phase DNA content (S cells) was determined by flow cytometry in cell suspensions obtained from 27 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. DNA was measured in ethanol-fixed cells stained with propidium iodide after RNase treatment. Cells from 17 samples were also exposed to [3H]-thymidine and labeling indices were determined. An excellent linear correlation was observed between the percentage of S cells calculated by flow cytometry and the labeling index (r = 0.95). To determine the relationship between the percentage of S cells and the clinical behaviour of the tumors, the survival of the 27 patients was analyzed. None of the patients was undergoing antineoplastic therapy at the time of the study. The patients were separated into 2 groups according to the percentage of S cells calculated by flow cytometry: those with less than 5% S cells and those with higher than 5% S cells. Clinical follow-up ranged from 5 to 20 months. While 7 of 12 patients with tumors containing more than 5% S cells have died of lymphoma (median survival, 9 months), there has been only one death from lymphoma among 15 patients with tumors containing less than 5% S cells. The difference in survival between these two groups is statistically significant (P = 0.01).
Disruption of temporal discrimination and the choose-short effect.

The present experiment examined the effects of several disruptors on temporal discrimination. Pigeons responded under a 0-delay symbolic matching-to-sample procedure in which responses to one key color were reinforced following the presentation of four shorter sample durations, and responses to another key color were reinforced following the presentation of four longer sample durations. Steady-state performance was disrupted by presession feeding, intertrial-interval food, visual distraction, and extinction. All disruptors decreased temporal-discrimination accuracy. Analyses of the fitted cumulative normal functions indicated that decreases in accuracy were produced mainly by decreases in overall stimulus control rather than specific effects on timing. In addition, all disruptors selectively decreased accuracy on long-sample trials—a choose-short effect. This effect is interpreted in terms of decreased attention to the samples under disruption. Current theories of the choose-short effect do not appear to easily account for these results.
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Hydrogen Storage Project: Progress towards meeting hydrogen-powered vehicle requirements

Abstract Hydrogen storage is widely recognized as a critical enabling technology for the successful commercialization and market acceptance of hydrogen powered vehicles. Storing sufficient hydrogen on-board a wide range of vehicle platforms, while meeting all consumer requirements (driving range, cost, safety, performance, etc.), without compromising passenger or cargo space, is a tremendous technical challenge. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with automotive industry partners, established specific technical targets for on-board hydrogen storage systems to focus R&D and to stimulate research on hydrogen storage. In order to achieve these long-term targets, DOE launched a “Grand Challenge” to the scientific community in 2003. Based on a competitively selected portfolio, DOE established a “National Hydrogen Storage Project” in the U.S. for R&D in the areas of advanced metal hydrides, chemical hydrogen storage, carbon-based and high surface area sorbent materials, as well as new materials and concepts. The current status of vehicular hydrogen storage is reviewed and research associated with the National Hydrogen Storage Project is discussed. Future DOE plans through the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) are also presented.
Modelled and experimental fracture results of PZT ceramics

Abstract A two dimensional interacting particle model, derived from molecular dynamics, is used to determine stress distributions and crack formation patterns in PZT ceramic bars subjected to 3 point bending. When applied to homogeneous material, good agreement with Bernoulli-Euler theory derived results was attained. The model was also applied to determine stress distributions in bent ceramic bars containing arrays or ordered flat voids. This demonstrated the potential of the voids to move the maximum tensile stress from external to internal surfaces, away from handling or grinding flaws. The model also predicts “unzipping” by void-to-void cracking. Experimental results verified cases of internal crack origination at enhanced stress levels. Fractographs also showed considerable crack blunting by the voids. This is thought to have contributed to an increase in stored, prefracture elastic strain energy.
The photoneuromime: An artificial visual neuron for dynamic testing of computer-controlled experiments

The photoneuromime is a simple electronic device that produces frequency-modulated pulses resembling neural spike trains in response to light modulation. It simulates the linear behavior of cat retinal ganglion X-cell receptive field centers and was designed for testing computer programs that track sensitivity to patterns generated on a raster-scan CRT. Besides providing a convenient means for testing computer programs and recording apparatus, which previously required the use of a live preparation, the neuromime is also a valuable teaching tool in sensory psychology and neuroscience.
Local dimensionality reduction

In automatic pattern recognition applications, numerous features that describe the classes are obtained in an attempt to ensure accurate classification of unknown observations. These features or dimensions must be reduced to a smaller number before classification schemes can be applied, because classifiers become computationally and analytically unmanageable in high dimensions. Principal components and Fisher’s Linear Discriminant offer global dimensionality reduction within the framework of linear algebra applied to covariance matrices. This report describes local methods that use both mixture models and nearest neighbor calculations to construct local versions of these methods. These new versions for local dimensionality reduction will provide increased classification accuracy in lower dimensions.
Optimal Harvesting in an Age-Structured Predator–Prey Model

We investigate optimal harvesting control in a predator–prey model in which the prey population is represented by a first-order partial differential equation with age-structure and the predator population is represented by an ordinary differential equation in time. The controls are the proportions of the populations to be harvested, and the objective functional represents the profit from harvesting. The existence and uniqueness of the optimal control pair are established.
Attitude, Aptitude, and Testing in the Efficient Mobilization of Military Manpower

Militaries commonly require recruits to pass a test that measures aptitude for military service. In this paper, we show that such tests may also act as a device for screening out low-motivation recruits, even if it is assumed that motivation is not measured by such tests and is not correlated with aptitude.
Quantitative Description of Hydrogen Bonding in Chloride−Water Clusters

We have determined the optimal structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and incremental association enthalpies for the Cl-(H2O)n, n = 1−4, clusters from first principle calculations and analyzed their structural, spectral, and energetic trends with cluster size. We have found that hydrogen bonding among water molecules plays a significant role in determining the optimal configurations as it becomes more competitive with the chloride−water interaction as the cluster grows. The competition between the different hydrogen bonding networks gives rise to more than one isomer for the n = 3 and 4 clusters that exhibit different structural, spectral, and energetic features. Configurations in which there exists less ordering among water molecules are associated with broader, less intense IR bands. In contrast, narrower bands of larger intensity are signatures of more ordered configurations. The most IR active bands correspond to the motion of the hydrogen bonded to the ion H atom along or perpendicular to the ...
Low zinc status in guinea pigs and chicks has no effect on reassembly rate of brain microtubules

Abstract Zinc deficiency in guinea pigs and chicks results in peripheral neuropathy. Slowed reassembly of brain microtubules in zinc deficient rats has been reported, and such a defect might explain the neuropathy. To investigate this possibility, growing guinea pigs, chicks, and rats were fed a low zinc diet ad libitum (− Zn:AL), a control diet restricted (+ Zn:RF) to the intake of the − Zn:AL group, and the control diet ad libitum (+ Zn:AL). When the − Zn:AL guinea pigs and chicks exhibited neuropathy, at approximately 7 wk and 3 wk, respectively, a supernatant fraction of the brain was prepared and microtubule reassembly rates determined. Tubulin concentration and its sulfhydryl content were determined, as was the zinc content of the supernatant fraction. Similar measurements were made on rat brains taken after 3 wk, although the rats did not exhibit neurological signs. The reassembly rates of tubulin from the deficient guinea pigs and chicks were not decreased. That of the − Zn:AL rats was significantly less than that of the + Zn:AL group, but was not different from the + Zn:RF group. The tubulin sulfhydryl concentration was higher in deficient guinea pigs than in controls. There was no correlation between supernatant zinc concentration and the rate of reassembly. Because low zinc status had no effect in the guinea pig and chick, species susceptible to zinc deficiency neuropathy, it was concluded that the observed neuropathy is not the result of deranged properties of tubulin.
Reading Emerson for the structures: The coherence of the essays

Emerson's essays have traditionally been considered incoherent; arguments to the contrary have been weakened by their emphasis on such nebulous structural patterns as dialectic, ascending order, and so forth. But close examination of Emerson's rhetoric and his process of revision from journal to lecture to essay shows that he was an artist of the whole as well as parts. He simultaneously provides and conceals structure.
Evaluation of a new monoclonal antibody reagent for the detection of herpes simplex virus from clinical specimens

Abstract A reformulated fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate-labeled monoclonal antibody typing reagent for herpes simplex virus (HSV) was compared for culture confirmation and typing with a similar commercially available HSV typing stain. There was complete agreement between the two stains in the confirmation of 240 cultures for HSV-50 negative specimens and 190 positive specimens (66 type 1 and 124 type 2). The stains were equivalent in brilliance and clarity for both HSV types, with no cross-reactivity or background staining. In addition, the PathoDx stains were also mixed 1:1 with each other to form a “bivalent” stain. This mixture again identified all 190 positive cultures and 50 negative cultures with fluorescence of equal caliber to each of the individual reagents.
Genetic diversity for lipid content and fatty acid profile in Rice bran

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) bran contains valuable nutritional constituents, which include lipids with health benefits. A germplasm collection consisting of 204 genetically diverse rice accessions was grown under field conditions and evaluated for total oil content and fatty acid (FA) composition. Genotype effects were highly statistically significant for lipid content and FA profile (P<0.001). Environment (year) significantly affected oil content (P<0.05), as well as stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids (all with P<0.01 or lower), but not palmitic acid. The oil content in rice bran varied relatively strongly, ranging from 17.3 to 27.4% (w/w). The major FA in bran oil were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids, which were in the ranges of 13.9–22.1, 35.9–49.2, and 27.3–41.0%, respectively. The ratio of saturated to unsaturated FA (S/U ratio) was highly related to the palmitic acid content (r 2=0.97). Japonica lines were characterized by a low palmitic acid content and S/U ratio, whereas Indica lines showed a high palmitic acid content and a high S/U ratio. The variation found suggests it is possible to select for both oil content and FA profile in rice bran.
Thirteen week toxicity study of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in fischer 344 rats

Abstract Groups of Fischer 344 rats received hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in the diet for up to 13 weeks at doses of 0, 1, 10, 30, 100, 300 or 600 mg/kg/day. Toxicological responses included slight reductions of food intake and body weight gain, hyperreactivity to approach, decreased serum triglyceride levels, marginal leukocytosis and mortality.
Telling Our Stories: Narrative and Framing in the Movement for Same-Sex Marriage

Although framing and narrative are both well-documented discursive features of social movements, the difference between them is often overstated; where frames are treated as logical, authoritative, and abstract, the usefulness of narratives is frequently documented in relation to pre-mobilization phases of movement development such as identity and community building. Drawing on an analysis of Connecticut's Judiciary Committee hearings on same-sex marriage, I challenge this distinction and elucidate the relationship between storytelling and framing, showing how narrative is used to make packages of frames cohesive and compelling. In demonstrating how proponents of the legislation deployed narratives and frames simultaneously, this research contributes to scholarship on the function and configuration of discursive strategies for social movements.
Designing mechanical systems for optimum diagnosability

An analysis and modeling method of the diagnostic characteristics for electro-mechanical systems is presented. Diagnosability analysis is especially relevant given the complexities and functional interdependencies of modern-day systems, since improvements in diagnosability can lead to a reduction of a system’s life-cycle costs. Failure and diagnostic analysis leads to system diagnosability modeling with the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) and component-indication relationship analysis. Methods are then developed for translating the diagnosability model into mathematical methods for computing metrics such as distinguishability and No Fault Found. These methods involve the use of matrices to represent the failure and replacement characteristics of the system. Diagnosability metrics are extracted by matrix multiplication. These metrics are useful when comparing the diagnosability of proposed designs or predicting the life-cycle costs of fault isolation.
The role of context and inference in the comprehension of social action.

Abstract In an application of a paradigm from research on constructive memory, subjects read six sentences describing social actions within one of two alternative contexts. They then received a second set of descriptions that represented either partial reproductions of the original sentences, unrelated sentences, justified inferences, or unjustified inferences, the “justifiability” of these latter sentences being determined by the context in which the action was initially described. Subjects in one condition indicated whether the test sentences were identical to the originals, while in a second condition, they rated the consistency of these items with the earlier descriptions. Judgments of consistency were significantly higher than those for exact wording, although in both conditions subjects rated partial reproductions as being closer to the originals than justified inferences, which were in turn given higher ratings than unjustified and unrelated sentences. Results indicate that subjects represented the inferred, context-specific meanings as well as some of their exact details. As a further control, two additional groups of subjects independently rated the justifiability of justified and unjustified inferences and their similarity in wording to the original sentence stems. The relative influence of these two factors on subjects' rating was found to depend on the type of judgment required of subjects.
Apolipoprotein E4 Potentiates Amyloid β Peptide-induced Lysosomal Leakage and Apoptosis in Neuronal Cells

We assessed the isoform-specific effects of apolipoprotein (apo) E on the response of Neuro-2a cells to the amyloid β peptide (Aβ1–42). As determined by the intracellular staining pattern and the release of β-hexosaminidase into the cytosol, apoE4-transfected cells treated with aggregated Aβ1–42 showed a greater tendency toward lysosomal leakage than neo- or apoE3-transfected cells. Aβ1–42 caused significantly greater cell death and more than 2-fold greater DNA fragmentation in apoE4-secreting than in apoE3-secreting or control cells. H2O2 or staurosporine enhanced cell death and apoptosis in apoE4-transfected cells but not in apoE3-transfected cells. A caspase-9 inhibitor abolished the potentiation of Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis by apoE4. Similar results were obtained with conditioned medium from cells secreting apoE3 or apoE4. Cells preincubated for 4 h with a source of apoE3 or apoE4, followed by removal of apoE from the medium and from the cell surface, still exhibited the isoform-specific response to Aβ1–42, indicating that the potentiation of apoptosis required intracellular apoE, presumably in the endosomes or lysosomes. Studies of phospholipid (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine) bilayer vesicles encapsulating 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein dye showed that apoE4 remodeled and disrupted the phospholipid vesicles to a greater extent than apoE3 or apoE2. In response to Aβ1–42, vesicles containing apoE4 were disrupted to a greater extent than those containing apoE3. These findings are consistent with apoE4 forming a reactive molecular intermediate that avidly binds phospholipid and may insert into the lysosomal membrane, destabilizing it and causing lysosomal leakage and apoptosis in response to Aβ1–42.
Xenon in and at the End of the Tunnel of Bifunctional Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase/Acetyl-CoA Synthase,

A fascinating feature of some bifunctional enzymes is the presence of an internal channel or tunnel to connect the multiple active sites. A channel can allow for a reaction intermediate generated at one active site to be used as a substrate at a second active site, without the need for the intermediate to leave the safety of the protein matrix. One such bifunctional enzyme is carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase from Moorella thermoacetica (mtCODH/ACS). A key player in the global carbon cycle, CODH/ACS uses a Ni−Fe−S center called the C-cluster to reduce carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and uses a second Ni−Fe−S center, called the A-cluster, to assemble acetyl-CoA from a methyl group, coenzyme A, and C-cluster-generated CO. mtCODH/ACS has been proposed to contain one of the longest enzyme channels (138 A long) to allow for intermolecular CO transport. Here, we report a 2.5 A resolution structure of xenon-pressurized mtCODH/ACS and examine the nature of gaseous cavities within this enzyme. We...
A study of seismic response characteristics of structures with friction damping

The effectiveness of introducing Coulomb damping in structures to reduce seismic response is evaluated. Response characteristics of simple one-degree-of-freedom structures with sliding interfaces between the top slab and supporting frame and between the base and foundation are studied and compared. It is shown that, analytically, the top slab sliding system is a special case of the base sliding system. The slab sliding system is seen to offer certain advantages over the base sliding system inasmuch as it provides a more effective reduction in the lateral forces in the supporting frame as well as a better isolation of supported secondary systems, as depicted by a significantly reduced level of floor spectrum response. The analytical ease of predicting the response of the slab sliding system is also demonstrated. The required unobstructed sliding displacements seem to be reasonable except, may be, for flexible systems. The similarities and differences between the hysteretic and slab sliding systems are also highlighted by comparison of their response results.
Comparative aspects of mitochondria isolated from αW, αR, and βR muscle fibers of the chick

Abstract Muscles from the chick, composed primarily of αR, βR, or αW fibers, were compared with regard to whole muscle succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, mitochondrial protein yield, mitochondrial SDH activity, and the ability of isolated mitochondria to oxidize α-glycerol phosphate and β-hydroxybutyrate. Total SDH activity is higher in αR than in βR fibers due primarily to higher specific activity of mitochondrial SDH rather than more mitochondria. Neither type of red fiber can oxidize α-glycerol phosphate, whereas αW fibers exhibit coupled oxidation with this substrate. Apparently this capacity is acquired during transformation of αR to αW fibers. The capacity to perform coupled oxidation with β-hydroxy-butyrate is limited to βR fibers. It is concluded that αR and βR fibers are fundamentally different from each other, and that studies utilizing “red” muscles must account for variable proportions of αR and βR fibers.
The Role of Anticoagulation in a Patient with Atrial Fibrillation and a CHADS2 Score of 1

The CHADS2 score is currently the most widely used stroke risk stratification scheme for identifying patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at low and high risk of stroke, but there is controversy over how to treat those patients whom it identifies as at intermediate risk. This review summarizes current risk scores and discusses additional markers for risk, including echocardiographic parameters, AF subtype, and AF burden, that may provide further insight into thromboembolism risk in patients with indeterminant risk (CHADS2 1).
Potent inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus by phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides without sequence specification.

Abstract We found that 28-mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-oligos) with and without sequence specificity complementary to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genes are potent inhibitors of EBV replication in cell culture. The decrease in the amount of EBV DNA, the activity of intracellular viral DNA polymerase, and virus production were dose dependent, with a 90% inhibitory dose of approximately 0.5 microM. No inhibition of cell growth was observed with the S-oligos at concentrations up to 20 microM. The mechanism of action appears to be the inhibition of EBV DNA synthesis. The reversibility of anti-EBV action is dependent on the dose and duration of drug exposure. S-oligos should be considered a new class of anti-EBV agents.
Improvement of techniques for potato blackspot evaluation and some errors associated with measurements

Potato blackspot is a sub-epidermal blackening of tissue that results when bruising forces rupture cells of susceptible tubers. Degree of blackspot susceptibility is measured by bruising tubers and assessing the amount of discoloration that develops. Since the rate of color development is influenced by temperature, all testing was done at 21 C. Blackspot intensity was evaluated by visual inspection and by use of a photo reflectometer. A high correlation exists between reflectometer measurements and visual observations.
Practice Schedules for Surgical Skills: The Role of Task Characteristics and Proactive Interference on Psychomotor Skills Acquisition

Objective Although break periods during training sessions are desirable, it is unclear what learners should do during these breaks. Some educators recommend that learners abstain from all task-related practice; however, it is possible that switching to an alternate exercise during break periods can also be effective. The construct of proactive interference (PI) posits that new learning is disrupted by prior learning. PI can be "released" when the nature of the task is changed after several practice trials. In this study, we examined the existence of PI in motor learning under 5 training conditions that differed in contrast to a target exercise. Design Preclinical medical students ( n = 75) performed 1 trial of peg transfer as a pretest. Participants were then randomly assigned to 1 of 5 training conditions: mass practice, similar exercise (laparoscopic bean transfer), dissimilar exercise (open suturing), observation, or rest. Participants in the mass practice condition practiced peg transfer in 3 training blocks of 15 minutes, each separated by a 5-minute break. Participants in the other conditions performed 3 training blocks consisting of 15 minutes of peg transfer followed by an interspersed alternate exercise. On completion of 3 training blocks, participants performed 1 additional peg transfer trial as a posttest. Results Despite having trained for the same amount of time on the target task, Analysis of Covariance on posttest scores using pretest scores as the covariate indicated a significant main effect for training condition (p = 0.009). Participants engaging in mass practice performed significantly worse than participants in the dissimilar (p = 0.012), observation (p = 0.022), and rest (p Conclusions When learning a laparoscopic task, a break comprised of dissimilar practice or unrelated activities is effective in releasing PI and improving performance.
Initial validation of atmospheric compensation for a Landsat land surface temperature product

The Landsat series of satellites is the longest set of continuously acquired moderate resolution multispectral satellite imagery collected on a single maintained family of instruments. The data are very attractive because the entire archive has been radiometrically calibrated and characterized so that sensor reaching radiance values are well known. Because of the spatial and temporal coverage provided by Landsat, it is an intriguing candidate for a land surface temperature (LST) product, an important earth system data record for a number of fields including numerical weather prediction, climate research and a number of agricultural applications. Using the Landsat long-wave infrared thermal band, LST can be derived with a well-characterized atmosphere and a known surface emissivity. This work integrates the North America Regional Reanalysis dataset (atmospheric profile data) with ASTER derived emissivity data to perform LST retrievals. This paper emphasizes progress toward atmospheric compensation at each Landsat pixel. Due to differences in temporal and spatial sampling, a number of interpolations are required to compute the radiance due to temperature at each pixel. Radiosonde data and water temperatures derived from buoys are used as ground truth data to explore the error in the final predicted temperature. Preliminary results show consistent errors of less than 1 K in clear atmospheres but higher errors in hotter and more humid atmospheres. Future work will analyze results to predict error in the final retrieved temperatures using atmospheric conditions. The final goal is to report both a predicted LST and a confidence in this value.
The Thermodynamics of Quantum Critical Points

Thermodynamic signatures have been obtained for phase transitions that occur as temperatures approach absolute zero.
Limits of the numerical estimation of the adsorption energy distribution from adsorption isotherm data using the expectation-maximization method

Abstract The limits of the use of the expectation-maximization (EM) method for the study of the heterogeneity of adsorbent surfaces were tested by calculating the adsorption energy distribution of systems having known degrees of heterogeneity. Connecting on-line two different columns allows the simulation of a heterogeneous system. The two columns used were endcapped, C18-bonded silica used as stationary phases and having different degrees of C18 chain coverages (0.42 and 2.03 μ mol/m2). The adsorption constants of phenol measured by frontal analysis (FA) are significantly different on these two columns. On each column, the adsorption behavior was best accounted for by a bi-Langmuir isotherm model, corresponding to a heterogeneous surface with a bimodal energy distribution. The difference between the adsorption energies on the weak adsorption sites of the two columns is 1.5 kJ/mol. The energy difference of their high energy sites is 2.2 kJ/mol. The EM method can readily distinguish between adsorption sites having energies that differ by more than 5 kJ/mol after more than 10 million iterations, but it cannot distinguish between adsorption sites for which this energy difference is less than 2 kJ/mol, even after 100 million iterations. For highly heterogeneous systems, (e.g., those with more than three different types of adsorption sites), the EM program does not converge necessarily towards the actual energy distribution function but toward a simpler one, having fewer adsorption sites that are almost equally spaced in the energy space. This failure of the EM program is related to the fact that, despite the excellent precision of the FA measurements ( 1%), any series of adsorption data can be represented by several distinct AEDs. Thus, the degree of heterogeneity of RPLC adsorbents determined with the EM method might often be minimized, resulting in erroneous values of the isotherm parameters.
Allergic rhinitis augments the response to a bacterial sinus infection in mice: A review of an animal model.

BackgroundSinusitis is a poorly understood disease. Despite the significant morbidity and the enormous cost of treating sinusitis, little progress has been made at improving our understanding of it...
Mass dependence of ultracold three-body collision rates

We show that many aspects of ultracold three-body collisions can be controlled by choosing the mass ratio between the collision partners. In the ultracold regime, the scattering length dependence of the three-body rates can be substantially modified from the equal mass results. We demonstrate that the only nontrivial mass dependence is due solely to Efimov physics. We have determined the mass dependence of the three-body collision rates for all heteronuclear combinations relevant for two-component atomic gases with resonant s-wave interspecies interactions, i.e., three-body systems with two identical bosons or two identical fermions.
A simplified model for analysis and design of asymmetric‐plan buildings

A new simplified model for analysis and design of multistorey buildings is developed. The model is based on a single super-element per building storey capable of representing the elastic and inelastic properties of the storey. This is done by matching the stiffness matrices and ultimate yield surface of the storey with that of the element; this surface relates storey shear and storey torque. For practical convenience, these surfaces are parametrized in terms of seven important physical parameters controlling the seismic response of asymmetric structures. Several numerical studies showed that the accuracy of the super-element model is satisfactory for most design purposes; the errors in peak responses are expected to be less than 20 per cent for most practical structures. Among the important advantages of this simplified model is that the time required in formulating, analysing and interpreting the structural model and its response is at least an order of magnitude smaller than for any conventional 3-D inelastic model. This enables the engineer to try different structural configurations and, thus, produce designs that have the desired seismic behaviour and are cost-effective. Furthermore, it has been shown through a multistorey building example that the super-element model is a powerful tool for conceptual design of a building. In spite of its simplicity, the model uses an accurate representation of the storey-shear and torque surfaces, which enables it to capture the fundamental features controlling the inelastic behaviour of the building
Simulation Tests of Multidelay Observer-Based Compensation Including Feedforward Decoupling

Multidelay compensators are considered with dynamic decoupling. Response results are shown for tests of multidelay predictor control of a simulated (2×2)-interactive process of first order lags with deadtime. The process model originated in the literature as a dynamic model for a binary distillation column. The set-point response results confirm that very good decoupling is achieved under ideal conditions. Such conditions are defined when the model is a perfect match of the process. Also, load response results are shown for cases with and without process parameter changes. For these cases, response comparisons are made between the Smith predictor method and an "observer-based" scheme which incorporates additional controllers applied to the model. Interaction in the disturbance feedback path appears to be beneficial for the cases tested.
Comparative issue definition in public health: West Nile Virus, mad cow disease in blood products, and stem cell research

Abstract Differential issue definition might be expected to be most prevalent in domestic policy such as health care, education and social welfare policy. However, in the context of globalization, there is rising concern that issue definition will become homogenized. A comparative analysis of whether nation-specific issue definition takes place is key to understanding the nature of policy transfer, convergence and divergence. In this article, issue definition of three issues drawn from the continuum of public health challenges is examined: West Nile Virus; the potential for mad cow disease to infect donated blood and blood products; and stem cell research. Our comparative analysis of issue definition revealed heterogeneous experiences of modern public challenges demonstrating both dissonance and difference in national conceptions of risk, science and public health in even the most modern of public health challenges.
Discussion of “Fundamental principles governing the physical control of ground‐water”

The authors of this paper are to be complimented on the work they have done in showing the application of fundamental principles of mathematical physics to the ground-water problem. The writer is in complete sympathy with their viewpoint that better progress would be made in the practical control of ground-water if engineers in the field were aware of the physical laws which govern the movement of water through permeable material. The facts that complete information as to underground conditions can not be secured and that even if such data were available their complexity would be such as to prohibit mathematical analysis are not valid excuses for complete disregard of the type of applications which are presented in this paper. An understanding of the character of flow which would occur under the idealized conditions presupposed in the theoretical treatment can not help assisting the practicing engineer in applying his judgment, as he must, to the particular problems and conditions he meets.
Liposome delivery of NMR contrast agents for improved tissue imaging

Large unilamellar liposomes containing the paramagnetic contrast agent manganese chloride were shown to selectively enhance the intensity of the proton NMR signal from the livers of experimental mice. The kinetics of the observed effect indicate that the liposomes are rapidly removed from the circulation and deposited in high concentration within the liver. This process is known to involve the phagocytic activity of macrophages. These results show that liposomes could provide a useful and efficient vehicle for delivering NMR contrast agents to organs like the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It may also be possible to use liposomes to selectively deliver contrast agents to tissue regions of developing pathology that are rich in macrophage activity. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.