cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishment and maintenance of friable, embryogenic maize callus and the involvement of L-proline.

Friable, embryogenic maize (Zea mays L.), inbred line A188, callus was established and maintained for more than one year without apparent loss of friability or embryogenic potential. Embryoid development was abundant in these cultures and plants were easily regenerated. Frequencies of friable-callus initiation and somatic-embryoid formation increased linearly with addition to N6 medium (C.C. Chu et al. 1975, Sci. Sin. [Peking] 18, 659–668) of up to 25 mM L-proline. Proline additions up to 9 mM to MS medium (inorganic elements of T. Murashige and F. Skoog 1962, Physiol. Plant. 15, 473–497, plus 0.5 mg 1-1 thiamine hydrochloride and 150 mg 1-1 L-asparagine monohydrate) did not stimulate embryoid formation. A major part of the difference between MS and N6 media could be attributed to their respective inorganic nitrogen components. L-Glutamine was not a satisfactory substitute for L-proline. Of 111 regenerated plants grown to maturity from three independent friable, embryogenic cell lines ranging in age from three to seven months, only four plants were abnormal based on morphology and pollen sterility. Seed was produced by 77% of the regenerated plants.
Shear cell rupture of nematic liquid crystal droplets in viscous fluids

Abstract We model the hydrodynamics of a shear cell experiment with an immiscible nematic liquid crystal droplet in a viscous fluid using an energetic variational approach and phase-field methods [86] . The model includes the coupled system for the flow field for each phase, a phase-field function for the diffuse interface and the orientational director field of the liquid crystal phase. An efficient numerical scheme is implemented for the two-dimensional evolution of the shear cell experiment for this initial data. The same model reduces to an immiscible viscous droplet in a viscous fluid, which we simulate first to compare with other numerical and experimental behavior. Then we simulate drop deformation by varying capillary number (independent of liquid crystal physics), liquid crystal interfacial anchoring energy and Oseen–Frank distortional elastic energy. We show the number of eventual droplets (one to several) and “beads on a string” behavior are tunable with these three physical parameters. All stable droplets possess signature quadrupolar shear and normal stress distributions. The liquid crystal droplets always possess a global surface defect structure, called a boojum, when tangential surface anchoring is imposed. Boojums [79] , [32] consist of degree +1/2 and −1/2 surface defects within a bipolar global orientational structure.
Oligomeric fluorinated additives as surface modifiers for solid polymers

Successful modification of the surface properties of solid polymers was obtained by the adsorption of appropriate partially fluorinated oligomers at polymer/air and polymer/substrate inter faces during the formation of these interfaces. These additives, in concentrations of 0.25 percent, effectively lowered the critical surface tension of wetting, γc, of such polymers as polystyrene, poly(methylmethacrylate), and poly(vinylidene chloride) copolymers by as much as 26 dyn/cm. The obtained low γc values of 14 dyn/cm correspond to surfaces containing closely packed CF3 and CF2 groups. Adhesion of additive-containing polymer films to various substrates was demonstrated to be a function of additive diffusion to the polymer/substrate interface, its subsequent adsorption and molecular orientation at that interface, and the surface energy of the substrate. The fluorinated additive molecules also have the advantage of being sufficiently mobile in the solidified polymer to reach and repair the interfaces.
Viral characteristics of human papillomavirus infection and antioxidant levels as risk factors for cervical dysplasia

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major causal factor of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The potential role of nutrition as an additional, independent risk factor for CIN has not been appropriately addressed in the context of HPV. This case-control study evaluated the etiologic role of HPV in terms of viral type and load and examined the association between CIN and plasma levels of micronutrients adjusting for HPV. Cases (n = 378) with histo-pathologically confirmed CIN and controls (n = 366) with no history of abnormal Pap smears were recruited from colposcopy and gynecology clinics, respectively. Risk of CIN was significantly increased among women who were infected with multiple HPV types (odds ratio [OR] = 21.06), a high viral load (OR = 13.08) and HPV 16 (OR = 62.49). After adjusting for HPV positivity and demographic factors, there was an inverse correlation between plasma alpha-tocopherol and risk of CIN (OR = 0.15). Plasma ascorbic acid was protective at a high level of > or = 0.803 mg/dl (OR = 0.46). CIN was not associated with plasma retinol and beta-carotene levels. The effect of genital HPV infection on CIN development is highly influenced by oncogenic viral type and high viral load. Vitamins C and E may play an independent protective role in development of CIN that needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.
Heat removal of in‐tube viscous flows to air with the assistance of arrays of plate fins Part I: theoretical aspects involving 3‐D, 2‐D and 1‐D models

A detailed comparative study of the heat transfer augmentation of in‐tube flows accounting for an array of equally‐spaced plate fins attached at the outer surface is undertaken. The aim of the paper is to critically examine the thermal response of this kind of finned tubes to three different mathematical models: a complete 3‐D distributed model, a reduced 2‐D distributed/lumped hybrid model and two largely simplified 1‐D lumped models. For the three models tested, the computed results consistently demonstrate that the simplest 1‐D lumped model, with embedded arithmetic spatial‐ and geometric spatial‐means of the angular external convective coefficients provide dependable algebraic estimates of the actual heat transfer provided by the 3‐D distributed model with its indispensable finite‐difference solution. Further, an arithmetic mean of the maximum and minimum heat transfer supplied by the 1‐D lumped model delivered results that match those computed with the 3‐D distributed model. The most important steps of the mathematical derivations have been highlighted. A representative group of thermal performance diagrams is explained with the intent to assist engineers engaged in the thermal design of externally finned tubes of compact heat exchangers and HVAC devices.
Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after traumatic brain injury

A 35-year-old male was the unrestrained driver in a rollover motor vehicle accident from which he was ejected. He was initially comatose, with anisocoria and bilaterally unreactive pupils, absent oculocephalic, corneal, cough and gag reflexes, and no motor response to painful stimulus, but initiating respirations on his own (GCS 3T, FOUR score E0 M0 B0 R1 [1]). Shortly after admission, he developed extensor posturing, elevating his exam to GCS 4T, FOUR score E0 M1 B0 R1. However, his exam did not improve further. Head CT demonstrated small petechial hemorrhages at the gray/white junction, corpus callosum, basal ganglia, and in the interpeduncular cistern, consistent with diffuse axonal injury (Fig. 1). An intracranial pressure monitor was placed, and intracranial pressures were wellcontrolled over the next several days without requiring any interventions. Three days after the accident, the patient developed intermittent episodes of tachycardia with tachypnea, hypertension, fever, profuse sweating, and brisk extensor posturing, consistent with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity [2, 3] (Video in Supplementary material). Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) can occur following traumatic brain injury with axonal shear injury, due to disinhibition of subcortical sympathoexcitatory structures [3]. This may have an early and late onset, and is most frequently seen in younger patients. The classic features of these episodes include at least four of the following: profuse sweating, tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, fever and extensor posturing, and occur transiently without any other cause [4]. PSH has been previously called diencephalic seizures, but EEGs in these patients have always been normal. The typical clinical features were present in our patient, and were never associated with twitches or decrease in responsiveness that may indicate seizures. PSH typically responds most effectively to a combination of opiate agonist and nonselective beta blockade [4, 5]. Bromocriptine and clonidine may also be used, but with less consistent results [4, 5], and gabapentin is gaining more widespread use for long term effectiveness. In our patient, the episodes were initially treated with beta blockade with propranolol, but did not respond. A combination of clonidine and morphine given during acute episodes was most effective in halting them. Gabapentin was started two days later for longer-term control. However, his neurologic exam failed to improve, care was withdrawn at the strong request of the family and he expired soon after extubation. Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity is a common occurrence in catastrophic neurologic injuries leading to persistent vegetative state. These manifestations are often mistaken for rigors or convulsions and are commonly inadequately treated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12028-010-9381-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Clinical implications. A clinician's response to the oral contraceptive thrombosis controversy

The controversy involving new progestin oral contraceptives (OC) began in late 1995, continued through 1996, and started to reach resolution in 1997. The fundamental question is whether OC containing desogestrel and gestodene have a different risk of thrombosis compared with OC containing older progestins. Correcting for preferential prescribing and the healthy user effect leads to the conclusion that all low-dose OC--regardless of progestin type--have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Low-dose OC do not increase the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke in healthy, non-smoking women less than 35 years of age. With effective patient screening for risk factors, the serious side effects of OC can be virtually eliminated.
Arterial thrombosis in scleroderma.

SUMMARY Clinical and pathological observations are presented on five patients with scleroderma who developed Thrombosis of a major vessel. Three died following intestinal infarction or limb gangrene and two had digit or extremity amputations. Severe intimal thickening of major arteries with thrombus formation was noted but no significant abnormality was found in the clotting activity of the blood. Histochemical studies in three cases suggested a reduction of fibrinolytic activity at the site of thrombosis in the diseased vessels. These studies support the view that the vascular system is profoundly altered in scleroderma and may play an important role in some manifestations of the disease.
EFFECT OF ALLERGY AND INFLAMMATION ON EICOSANOID GENE EXPRESSION IN CFTR DEFICIENCY

Background Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a complicating factor in cystic fibrosis (CF), affecting 2–15% of patients. We hypothesized that sensitization/challenge of CFTR−/− mice with an Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) extract will affect eicosanoid pathway gene expression, impacting ABPA and CF.
Studies Toward the Asymmetric Synthesis of the Right Part of the Mycalamides

Described herein is the asymmetric synthesis of a functionalized, trioxadecalin unit that comprises the right-hand part of the mycalamides and related natural products. The synthetic route involves a 16-step sequence that accomplishes the formation of two heterocyclic rings and the generation of five stereocenters. The synthesis commenced with a C2-symmetric starting material, diethyl D-tartrate, and took advantage of a relay of diastereoselective reactions to extend this four-carbon chain and introduce new chiral centers. Subsequent electrophile-mediated cyclization afforded the desired pyran ring, which was then transformed into the desired, functionalized trioxadecalin skeleton.
Hepatic basolateral sodium‐dependent–bile acid transporter expression in two unusual cases of hypercholanemia and in extrahepatic biliary atresia

The recent cloning of a human sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (NTCP) permits analysis of its expression in human liver disease and investigation of potential primary defects in its expression. NTCP from normal human liver (NHL) was first characterized in detail. Northern blotting of RNA from NHL revealed a 1.8-kb NTCP transcript. Western blotting of crude NHL plasma membranes using a carboxyterminal antipeptide antibody showed that NTCP is a 39-kd polypeptide that is N-glycosylated to a final molecular weight of 56 kd. Indirect immunofluorescent analysis of NHL sections indicated that the NTCP protein is expressed on the basolateral surface of hepatocytes. We hypothesized that the clinical phenotype of a defect in NTCP might be hypercholanemia in the relative absence of liver disease. Accordingly, the coding region of the NTCP gene of two children with this phenotype was sequenced after reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) amplification. No primary defects in the deduced NTCP amino acid sequence were found. Despite the extremely high serum bile salt levels (235 and 126 micromol/L) in these two patients, NTCP messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were quantitatively normal, in contrast to the published observations in a rat model of cholestasis secondary to common bile duct ligation. Hepatic steady-state NTCP mRNA levels in a group of 23 pre- and postportoenterostomy biliary atresia patients were inversely related to total bilirubin, indicating that extrahepatic bile duct obstruction leads to down-regulation of NTCP mRNA levels, similar to that observed in rat common bile duct ligation. Therefore the lack of down-regulation in the two patients with hypercholanemia indicates that elevated serum bile salts are not sufficient to down-regulate NTCP expression, these two patients have abnormal responses to hypercholanemia, or these two patients have a defect in a gene other than NTCP that influences hepatic clearance of bile salts.
Metabolic pathways of the wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) endosperm amyloplast revealed by proteomics

By definition, amyloplasts are plastids specialized for starch production. However, a proteomic study of amyloplasts isolated from wheat (Triticum aestivum Butte 86) endosperm at 10 days after anthesis (DPA) detected enzymes from many other metabolic and biosynthetic pathways. To better understand the role of amyloplasts in food production, the data from that study were evaluated in detail and an amyloplast metabolic map was outlined. Analysis of 288 proteins detected in an amyloplast preparation predicted that 178 were amyloplast proteins. Criteria included homology with known plastid proteins, prediction of a plastid transit peptide for the wheat gene product or a close homolog, known plastid location of the pathway, and predicted plastid location for other members of the same pathway. Of these, 135 enzymes were arranged into 18 pathways for carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, nucleic acid and other biosynthetic processes that are critical for grain-fill. Functions of the other proteins are also discussed. The pathways outlined in this paper suggest that amyloplasts play a central role in endosperm metabolism. The interacting effects of genetics and environment on starch and protein production may be mediated in part by regulatory mechanisms within this organelle.
Linear stability of the confined compressible reacting mixing layer

This paper investigates the linear stability of confined mixing layers with special emphasis on the effects of heat release and compressibility. The results show that reflection of supersonic disturbances by the walls makes the confined supersonic mixing layer more unstable than the unconfined free shear layer. Decreasing the distance between the walls makes the flow more unstable. However, subsonic disturbances are relatively unaffected by the walls. Heat release and Mach number hardly change the growth rates of supersonic disturbances. The most unstable supersonic disturbances are two-dimensional in rectangular channel flows, but three-dimensional in partially confined flows. Finally, the reactants are not strongly mixed by supersonic instabilities, which mainly disturb one side of the layer.
Editorial Vision for Sociology of Religion

This, the first issue of Sociology of Religion to appear under my editorship, has been a long time coming. I began preparing for my tenure as editor in the fall of 2004, shortly after I was appointed by the Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) council, and have been receiving manuscripts since September 2005. This long lead time allowed me to initiate a few significant changes to the journal, some obvious-like the new design you see on the cover-and others less so-like the new "Notice to Contributors" and website (www.sorjournal.org). These changes reflect my central aspiration for the journal: that it is seen as a vibrant and professional outlet for the best sociological thinking about religion. Sociology of Religion is a journal with a distinguished history and exciting future. My goal as editor is to build on the former while looking to the latter. Building on the distinguished history of the journal means living up to the high standard set by previous editors. Sociology of Religion has published work by renowned scholars from Ammerman to Wuthnow. Robert Bellah, Niklas Luhmann, Talcott Parsons, and Pitirim Sorokin all published in the pages of this joumal. More recently, articles published in Sociology of Religion have won the ASA Religion Section's Distinguished Article Award (Rhys Williams in 2000) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion's Distinguished Article Award (Matthew Lawson in 2000 and Fred Kniss in 1998). As editor, I feel the weight of the responsibility to live up to this standard. This journal has also been a valuable outlet for well-known scholars just get ting started in their careers. This is true of Nancy Ammerman and Andrew Greeley and James Davison Hunter and Mary Jo Neitz and on and on. Although I am definitely not in their league, it was also true of me. I published the first peer-reviewed article of my career in Sociology of Religion in 1994. So, as editor, I also feel the weight of the responsibility to provide opportunities for younger scholars. Looking to the exciting future for me means being open to work that is on the cutting edge of the field, regardless of its substantive focus, theoretical orien tation, or methodological approach. It means being open to work by people or on topics or from perspectives with which I am unfamiliar. Of course, the backbone of Sociology of Religion will continue to be theoretically-driven, empirically
Truncated Newton-Based Multigrid Algorithm for Centroidal Voronoi Diagram Calculation

In a variety of modern applications there arises a need to tessellate the domain into representative regions, called Voronoi cells. A particular type of such tessellations, called centroidal Voronoi tessellations or CVTs, are in big demand due to their optimality properties important for many applications. The availability of fast and reliable algorithms for their construction is crucial for their successful use in practical settings. This paper introduces a new multigrid algorithm for constructing CVTs that is based on the MG/Opt algorithm that was originally designed to solve large nonlinear optimization problems. Uniform convergence of the new method and its speedup comparing to existing techniques are demonstrated for linear and nonlinear densities for several 1d and 2d problems, and O(k) complexity estimation is provided for a problem with k generators. AMS subject classifications: 15A12; 65F10; 65F15
Parallel simulation of individual-based, physiologically structured population models

A general scheme for parallel simulation of individual-based, structured population models is proposed. Algorithms are developed to simulate such models in a parallel computing environment. The simulation model consists of an individual model and a population model that incorporates the individual dynamics. The individual model is a continuous time representation of organism life history for growth with discrete allocations for reproductive processes. The population model is a continuous time simulation of a nonlinear partial differential equation of extended McKendrick-von Foerster-type. As a prototypical example, we show that a specific individual-based, physiologically structured model for Daphnia populations is well suited for parallelization, and significant speed-ups can be obtained by using efficient algorithms developed along our general scheme. Because the parallel algorithms are applicable to generic structured populations which are the foundation for populations in a more complex community or food-web model, parallel computation appears to be a valuable tool for ecological modeling and simulation.
SU(1,1) Analysis of Dual Resonance Models

The representations of the noncompact group SU(1,1) are discussed with regard to applications to dual resonance models. The Gliozzi operators are constructed from a standard differential representation of SU(1,1). We point out that the delicate limiting procedure appearing in the recent literature has its group-theoretical basis in the fact that SU(1,1), unlike its compact counterpart SU(2), has no nontrivial unitary spin-0 representation. We further note that the vertex appearing in the model effectively transforms as the spin-α0 representation of the continuous class, exceptional interval, of SU(1,1). The N-point dual amplitude then appears as the coupling of N such vertices to the identity. Finally, we discuss the classification of the states in the model under the group. A complete classification in terms of SU(1,1) is shown to break down at α(s)=8 on and below the fourth daughter trajectory.
Concurrent Task Practice Conditions and Transfer

60 girls practiced rotary pursuit with 10-sec. work, 15-sec. rest. 20 transferred to 60 rpm after 20 trials at 45 rpm, 20 transferred from 45 to 60 rpm, and 20 alternated trials. Total time on target was higher for 45 rpm than for 60 rpm and transfer was greater from the slower to the faster speed but over-all group performance was equivalent.
A Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional catalyst from a new mixed ligand.

Covalent attachment of quinine to a salen framework through a racemic linker gave a new mixed ligand in a 1:1 diastereomeric mixture, from which an active Lewis acid−Lewis base (LA*−LB*) bifunctional catalyst derived from Co(II) was discovered by the screening of metal complexes. The remarkable intramolecular bifunctional catalytic activity (1 mol % catalyst loading) of the new catalyst was demonstrated using a proof-of-principle reaction.
Biochemical interactions between blastocyst and endometrium in the large domestic animals

In pigs, the blastocyst begins to elongate from a sphere to a long filamentous thread around day 10.5 of pregnancy. At about this time the endometrium secretes large quantities of protein into the uterine lumen. The synthesis of this material which is believed to be required for nutritional support of the conceptus is under the control of progesterone. The release of secretory protein appears to be triggered by the production of estrogens by the elongating blastocyst. Blastocyst estrogens are also involved in the phenomenon of maternal recognition of pregnancy in swine, and their interaction with the maternal system, by a mechanism as yet unknown, prevents a return to reproductive cyclicity. Maternal recognition of pregnancy in the sheep and cow occurs at around the time of blastocyst elongation. Here estrogens do not appear to be involved, and protein products secreted by the conceptus have been implicated. One product of the sheep, ovine trophoblast protein-1, which is produced only during a brief period (days 13–21) of pregnancy, has been purified. It appears to be a hormone whose target tissue is the uterine endometrium.
Metabolic effects of forskolin in chick chondrocytes

Abstract The effects of forskolin on parameters of energy metabolism and proteoglycan synthesis have been investigated in chick embryo sternal chondrocyte cultures. After 8 h exposure to 100 μM forskolin, ATP levels and oxygen consumption were unaltered. Protein synthesis was unaffected up to 50 μM forskolin and protein degradation was unaffected by forskolin up to 100 μM. In contrast, incorporation of the proteoglycan precursors, 35SO4 and [3H]glucosamine, was more sensitive to forskolin. Inhibition was linear with dose between 10 and 100 μM, reaching 70% at 100 μM. Incorporation of 35SO4 into glycosaminoglycan chains initiated on an artificial β-xyloside acceptor was inhibited in the same manner. cAMP accumulation was maximal at 10 μM forskolin, a concentration which did not alter proteoglycan synthesis. We conclude that a major, acute effect of forskolin in these short-term experiments is inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis in a cAMP-independent manner.
Large scale vertical eddies in the atmosphere and the energy of the mean zonal flow

The zonal eddy stress across horizontal surfaces due to large scale vertical motions was evaluated for two months from data for the northern hemisphere for a number of levels up to 50 mb. From this information and from the corresponding distributions for each of the two months of the mean zonal winds, the rate of transformation of kinetic energy from eddy to mean zonal form was calculated. The two sets of data gave rather small values for the hemisphere which were of opposite sign.
Modulating mtDNA heteroplasmy by mitochondria-targeted restriction endonucleases in a ‘differential multiple cleavage-site’ model

The ability to manipulate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy would provide a powerful tool to treat mitochondrial diseases. Recent studies showed that mitochondria-targeted restriction endonucleases can modify mtDNA heteroplasmy in a predictable and efficient manner if it recognizes a single site in the mutant mtDNA. However, the applicability of such model is limited to mutations that create a novel cleavage site, not present in the wild-type mtDNA. We attempted to extend this approach to a 'differential multiple cleavage site' model, where an mtDNA mutation creates an extra restriction site to the ones normally present in the wild-type mtDNA. Taking advantage of a heteroplasmic mouse model harboring two haplotypes of mtDNA (NZB/BALB) and using adenovirus as a gene vector, we delivered a mitochondria-targeted Scal restriction endonuclease to different mouse tissues. Scal recognizes five sites in the NZB mtDNA but only three in BALB mtDNA. Our results showed that changes in mtDNA heteroplasmy were obtained by the expression of mitochondria-targeted ScaI in both liver, after intravenous injection, and in skeletal muscle, after intramuscular injection. Although mtDNA depletion was an undesirable side effect, our data suggest that under a regulated expression system, mtDNA depletion could be minimized and restriction endonucleases recognizing multiple sites could have a potential for therapeutic use.
A nanoporous silicon membrane electrode assembly for on-chip micro fuel cell applications

Silicon-based fuel cells are under active development for chip-scale electrical power supply. One of the greatest challenges in micro-fuel-cell research is the development of a suitable proton conducting membrane material that is compatible with standard silicon microfabrication technology. In this paper, the use of nanoporous silicon as a novel proton conducting membrane material in a microscale fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is demonstrated. The devices were fabricated by first creating 100-/spl mu/m-thick silicon windows in a standard silicon wafer, anodizing to create pores in the windows, and then painting catalyst layers and insulators onto the porous structures. Using 5 M formic acid and 0.5 M sulfuric acid as the fuel, the fuel cell peak power density reached about 30 mW/cm/sup 2/ at current density level of about 120 mA/cm/sup 2/. These results represent the successful integration of a new class of protonic conductor into a microfabricated silicon fuel cell.
Shock Layer Radiation Modeling and Uncertainty for Mars Entry

A model for simulating nonequilibrium radiation from Mars entry shock layers is presented. A new chemical kinetic rate model is developed that provides good agreement with recent EAST and X2 shock tube radiation measurements. This model includes a CO dissociation rate that is a factor of 13 larger than the rate used widely in previous models. Uncertainties in the proposed rates are assessed along with uncertainties in translational-vibrational relaxation modeling parameters. The stagnation point radiative flux uncertainty due to these flowfield modeling parameter uncertainties is computed to vary from 50 to 200% for a range of free-stream conditions, with densities ranging from 5e-5 to 5e-4 kg/m3 and velocities ranging from of 6.3 to 7.7 km/s. These conditions cover the range of anticipated peak radiative heating conditions for proposed hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerators (HIADs). Modeling parameters for the radiative spectrum are compiled along with a non-Boltzmann rate model for the dominant radiating molecules, CO, CN, and C2. A method for treating non-local absorption in the non-Boltzmann model is developed, which is shown to result in up to a 50% increase in the radiative flux through absorption by the CO 4th Positive band. The sensitivity of the radiative flux to the radiation modeling parameters is presented and the uncertainty for each parameter is assessed. The stagnation point radiative flux uncertainty due to these radiation modeling parameter uncertainties is computed to vary from 18 to 167% for the considered range of free-stream conditions. The total radiative flux uncertainty is computed as the root sum square of the flowfield and radiation parametric uncertainties, which results in total uncertainties ranging from 50 to 260%. The main contributors to these significant uncertainties are the CO dissociation rate and the CO heavy-particle excitation rates. Applying the baseline flowfield and radiation models developed in this work, the radiative heating for the Mars Pathfinder probe is predicted to be nearly 20 W/cm2. In contrast to previous studies, this value is shown to be significant relative to the convective heating.
Multimedia tools in electrical engineering laboratories

In this paper, we will describe a multimedia platform that was developed as a teaching/tutorial tool for undergraduate circuits/electronics laboratories. This tutorial provides students with easy-to-use reference and overview of the materials required for circuits/electronics laboratories in an electrical engineering program. The tutorial is divided into three main separate sections: (1) general knowledge, (2) equipment operations, and (3) actual lab experiments. A PSpice overview section was, also, included to help the students design and analyze circuits and provide them with theoretical values to be used for comparison with actual data measured in the lab. Sound, graphics, digitized images and animations are incorporated to enhance the learning experience.
Classification of periodic and chaotic passive limit cycles for a compass-gait biped with gait asymmetries

In this paper we study the problem of passive walking for a compass-gait biped with gait asymmetries. In particular, we identify and classify bifurcations leading to chaos caused by the gait asymmetries because of unequal leg masses. We present bifurcation diagrams showing step period versus the ratio of leg masses at various walking slopes. The cell mapping method is used to find stable limit cycles as the parameters are varied. It is found that a variety of bifurcation diagrams can be grouped into six stages that consist of three expanding and three contracting stages. The analysis of each stage shows that marginally stable limit cycles exhibit period-doubling, period-remerging, and saddle-node bifurcations. We also show qualitative changes regarding chaos, i.e., generation and extinction of chaos follow cyclic patterns in passive dynamic walking.
A highly latchup-immune 1-&#181;m CMOS technology fabricated with 1-MeV ion implantation and self-aligned TiSi 2

A 1-µm n-well CMOS technology with high latchup immunity is designed, realized, and characterized. Important features in this technology include thin epi substrate, retrograde n-well formed by 1-MeV ion implantation, As-P graded junctions, and self-aligned titanium disilicide. The 1-µm CMOS technology has been characterized by examining the device I-V curves, avalanche-breakdown voltages, subthreshold characteristics, short-channel effect, and sheet resistances. The devices fabricated by using the 1-MeV ion implantation and self-aligned titanium disilicide do not deviate from the conventional devices constructed with the same level of technology. With the As-P double-diffused LDD structure for the n-channel device, the avalanche-breakdown voltage is increased and hot-electron reliability is greatly improved. The titanium disilicide process effectively reduces the sheet resistances of the source-drain and the polysilicon gate to 3 Ω/□ compared with 150 Ω/□ of the unsilicided counterparts. The optimized 1-µm device channel n-well CMOS resulted in a propagation delay time of 150 ps with a power dissipation of 0.3 mW. With the thin epi wafers and the retrograde n-well structure, latchup immunity is found to be greatly improved. Moreover, with the titanium disilicide formation on the source-drain, the latchup holding voltage is found to be extremely high (13 V) with the substrate grounded from the backside of the wafer. If the backside substrate is not grounded, self-aligned disilicide over n+and p+regions are found necessary to ensure high latchup immunity even in the case of thin epi on heavily doped substrate. The degradation of emitter efficiency due to the TiSi 2 is believed to be the dominant factor in raising the holding voltage. Detailed experimental results and discussions are presented.
Gage control of film and sheet-forming processes

A new methodology for gage control of sheet and film processes is presented. A linear process model is developed that is capable of describing many of the interesting features of the process, including a noisy and moving gage sensor, significant process noise, strong coupling between the gage in different lanes, constraints on the actuators, and significant time delay between the actuators and the sensor. An automatic control of this process given this model form is designed. Novel features of the controller are that it can contend with information from a moving sensor and handle hard constraints on the actuators. Control performance and robustness to noise are demonstrated favorably via simulations.
The Body as Touch: Speaking Death and Dying in Queer Theory and Religion

This article examines the possibility of feeling the body’s deadly touch via speech. Beginning with my own experiences as a hospital chaplain, the article explores psychological and political theories of the separation between the ego and the body and the collapse between the two in death. The final two sections examine contrasting theories that seek to bring bodily dissolution to speech. I contrast theorists Lee Edelman and Leo Bersani with the formulations of religious language by Julia Kristeva and Jean-Luc Nancy to examine faith’s ambiguous potential to bring death to speech amidst the realities of dying bodies.
Demonstration of fibrils in the hyaline globules of yolk sac tumor with parietal differentiation in fine-needle aspiration smears

Hyaline globules of the yolk sac tumor (YST) have been described as homogeneous pink intracellular globules and intercellular basement membrane material [Akhtar et al.: Diagn Cytopathol 1990:6:184-192]. In Diff-Quik-stained air-dried smears of a lung fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of YST metastatic from anterior mediastinum, short curvilinear nonbranching fibrils are demonstrated in the metachromatic hyaline substance. The fibril-containing hyaline substance, which presents as intracellular globules as well as extracellular matrix deposits, is a diagnostic clue for YST with parietal differentiation [Ulbright et al.: Am J Surg Pathol 1986; 10:151-164]. The fibrils are not observed in the translucent homogeneous golden yellow hyaline substance in the Papanicolaou preparation. The fibrils are speculated to be the core protein of proteoglycans. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first demonstration of fibrils in the hyaline substance of YST with parietal differentiation.
The Politics of Intercountry Adoption: Explaining Variation in the Legal Requirements of Sub-Saharan African Countries

What determines whether a country has more or less restrictive policies regarding intercountry adoption? Despite the growing importance of intercountry adoption as a political issue, and as an explicitly human face of globalization, there is virtually no systematic empirical work on intercountry adoption. We introduce a measure of the restrictiveness of the adoption laws in Sub-Saharan African countries and test possible explanations for the variations in legal restrictions on intercountry adoption among these countries.
Functioning and disability levels in primary care out-patients with one or more anxiety disorders.

A majority of primary care patients with anxiety disorders have more than one type. All are disabling, but focusing on just one is inadequate because impairment is greater for those who have multiple anxiety disorders.
New Approach for Quantifying Process Feasibility: Convex and 1-D Quasi-Convex Regions

Uncertainities in chemical plants come from numerous sources: internal like fluctu- atedalues of reaction constants and physical properties or external such as quality and flow rates of feedstreams. Accounting for uncertainty inarious stages of plant opera- tions was identified as one of the most important problems in chemical plant design and operations. A new approach proposed describes process's feasible region and a new metric for ealuating process flexibility based on the conex hull that is inscribed within the feasible region and determines itsolume based on Delaunay Triangulation. The two steps inoled are: 1. a series of simple optimization problems are soled to deter- mine points at the boundary of the feasible region; 2. gien the set of points at the boundary of the feasible region, the conex hull inscribed within the feasible region is determined. This is achieed by implementing the Quickhull algorithm, an incremental procedure for ealuating the conex hull, and then by computing a Delaunay Triangula- tion to determine theolume of the conex hull proiding a new metric for process flexibility. This approach not only proides another feasibility measure, but an accurate description of the feasible space of the process. It was applied to 1-D conex problems, and work is in progress to extend it to nonconex systems.
FAK is a Critical Regulator of Neuroblastoma Liver Metastasis

Neuroblastomas express increased levels of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R). However, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in GRP-R-mediated cell signaling in neuroblastoma growth and metastasis are unknown. Here, we report that focal adhesion kinase (FAK), as a critical downstream target of GRP-R, is an important regulator of neuroblastoma tumorigenicity. We found that FAK expression correlates with GRP-R expression in human neuroblastoma sections and cell lines. GRP-R overexpression in SK-N-SH cells increased FAK, integrin α3 and β1 expressions and cell migration. These cells demonstrated flatter cell morphology with broad lamellae, in which intense FAK expression was localized to the leading edges of lamellipodia. Interestingly, FAK activation was, in part, dependent on integrin α3 and β1 expression. Conversely, GRP-R silencing decreased FAK as well as Mycn levels in BE(2)-C cells, which displayed a denser cellular morphology. Importantly, rescue experiments in GRP-R silenced BE(2)-C cells showed FAK overexpression significantly enhanced cell viability and soft agar colony formation; similarly, FAK overexpression in SK-N-SH cells also resulted in increased cell growth. These effects were reversed in FAK silenced BE(2)-C cells in vitro as well as in vivo. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of FAK inhibition in vivo. FAK inhibitor (Y15) suppressed GRP-induced neuroblastoma growth and metastasis. Our results indicate that FAK is a critical downstream regulator of GRP-R, which mediates tumorigenesis and metastasis in neuroblastoma.
Controlling myopia progression in children and adolescents

Myopia is a common disorder, affecting approximately one-third of the US population and over 90% of the population in some East Asian countries. High amounts of myopia are associated with an increased risk of sight-threatening problems, such as retinal detachment, choroidal degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Slowing the progression of myopia could potentially benefit millions of children in the USA. To date, few strategies used for myopia control have proven to be effective. Treatment options such as undercorrection of myopia, gas permeable contact lenses, and bifocal or multifocal spectacles have all been proven to be ineffective for myopia control, although one recent randomized clinical trial using executive top bifocal spectacles on children with progressive myopia has shown to decrease the progression to nearly half of the control subjects. The most effective methods are the use of orthokeratology contact lenses, soft bifocal contact lenses, and topical pharmaceutical agents such as atropine or pirenzepine. Although none of these modalities are US Food and Drug Administration-approved to slow myopia progression, they have been shown to slow the progression by approximately 50% with few risks. Both orthokeratology and soft bifocal contact lenses have shown to slow myopia progression by slightly less than 50% in most studies. Parents and eye care practitioners should work together to determine which modality may be best suited for a particular child. Topical pharmaceutical agents such as anti-muscarinic eye drops typically lead to light sensitivity and poor near vision. The most effective myopia control is provided by atropine, but is rarely prescribed due to the side effects. Pirenzepine provides myopia control with little light sensitivity and few near-vision problems, but it is not yet commercially available as an eye drop or ointment. Several studies have shown that lower concentrations of atropine slow the progression of myopia control with fewer side effects than 1% atropine. While the progression of myopic refractive error is slowed with lower concentration of atropine, the growth of the eye is not, indicating a potentially reversible form of myopia control that may diminish after discontinuation of the eye drops. This review provides an overview of the myopia control information available in the literature and raises questions that remain unanswered, so that eye care practitioners and parents can potentially learn the methods that may ultimately improve a child’s quality of life or lower the risk of sight-threatening complications.
Novel KRIT1/CCM1 mutation in a patient with retinal cavernous hemangioma and cerebral cavernous malformation.

Backround Retinal cavernous hemangiomas are rare vascular anomalies, and can be associated with cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). Distinct mutations have been reported in patients who have both CCMs and retinal cavernous hemangiomas. Methods Fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and genetic testing were performed on a patient with a retinal cavernous hemangioma and a CCM. Results Our patient was heterozygous in the KRIT1/CCM1 gene for a frameshift mutation, c.1088delC. This would be predicted to result in premature protein termination. Discussion We have identified a novel mutation in the KRIT1/CCM1 gene in a patient with both CCM and retinal cavernous hemangioma. We hypothesize that the occurrence of retinal cavernous hemangiomas and CCMs is underlaid by a common mechanism present in the KRIT1/CCM1 gene.
A real-time information system for multivariate statistical process control

Statistical process control (SPC) is widely used in process industries to monitor variations in process attributes. Typically, automatic devices capture a multitude of measurements on process and product characteristics every few seconds. Operators and engineers commonly monitor only a small subset of these. Multivariate SPC has been proposed to fully utilize the available data, however, interpretation of multivariate information is often too complex for most line operators. This paper describes the design and implementation of a real-time multivariate process control system that features a graphical user interface (GUI) and provides useful information for both line operators and engineers. The information system described in this paper should provide large-scale manufacturers with better access to information for identifying opportunities in continuing to improve processes performance and business competitiveness.
Multispectral Remote Sensing and Site-Specific Agriculture: Examples of Current Technology and Future Possibilities

Multispectral data can meet many of the information requirements of site-specific farming. Examples from the literature are presented where multispectral data has been applied to agricultural management problems. Some of the examples are illustrated using remotely sensed estimates of green leaf area index for a cotton field during the 1994 growing season.
Substitution elasticities between GHG-polluting and nonpolluting inputs in agricultural production: A meta-regression

Abstract This paper reports meta-regressions of substitution elasticities between greenhouse gas (GHG) polluting and nonpolluting inputs in agricultural production, which is the main feedstock source for biofuel in the U.S. We treat energy, fertilizer, and manure collectively as the “polluting input” and labor, land, and capital as nonpolluting inputs. We estimate meta-regressions for samples of Morishima substitution elasticities for labor, land, and capital vs. the polluting input. Much of the heterogeneity of Morishima elasticities can be explained by type of primal or dual function, functional form, type and observational level of data, input categories, number of outputs, type of output, time period, and country categories. Each estimated long-run elasticity for the reference case, which is most relevant for assessing GHG emissions through life-cycle analysis, is greater than 1.0 and significantly different from zero. Most predicted long-run elasticities remain significantly different from zero at the data means. These findings imply that life-cycle analysis based on fixed proportion production functions could provide grossly inaccurate measures of GHG of biofuel.