cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flow stress behavior of cast CoCrMo alloy evaluated by high strain rate of compression tests

Abstract The effect of the temperature and strain rate on the flow stress behavior of cast CoCrMo alloy was evaluated by the hot compression test. Results show that the flow stress increases rapidly with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. The flow softening behavior is due to dynamic recrystallization during hot working. The strain to recrystallize increases as the strain rate increases from 10−3 s to 1.0 s−1, and then decreases with increasing strain rate above 1.0 s−1.
Assessment of military population-based psychological resilience programs

ABSTRACTActive duty service members' (ADSMs) seemingly poor adaptability to traumatic stressors is a risk to force health. Enhancing the psychological resilience of ADSMs has become a key focus of Department of Defense (DoD) leaders and the numbers of military programs for enhancing psychological resilience have increased. The purpose of this article is to describe the results of an assessment conducted to determine comprehensiveness of current psychological resilience building programs that target ADSMs. A modified six-step, population-based needs assessment was used to evaluate resilience programs designed to meet the psychological needs of the ADSM population. The assessment results revealed a gap in published literature regarding program outcomes. DoD leaders may benefit from targeted predictive research that assesses program effectiveness outcomes. The necessity of including preventive, evidence-based interventions in new programs, such as positive emotion interventions shown to enhance psychological...
F. Sherwood Rowland: A man of science, vision, integrity, and kindness

A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality.
Self-Evolving Atomistic Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations of Defects in Materials

The recent development of on-the-fly atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo methods has led to an increased amount attention on the methods and their corresponding capabilities and applications. In this review, the framework and current status of Self-Evolving Atomistic Kinetic Monte Carlo (SEAKMC) are discussed. SEAKMC particularly focuses on defect interaction and evolution with atomistic details without assuming potential defect migration/interaction mechanisms and energies. The strength and limitation of using an active volume, the key concept introduced in SEAKMC, are discussed. Potential criteria for characterizing an active volume are discussed and the influence of active volume size on saddle point energies is illustrated. A procedure starting with a small active volume followed by larger active volumes was found to possess higher efficiency. Applications of SEAKMC, ranging from point defect diffusion, to complex interstitial cluster evolution, to helium interaction with tungsten surfaces, are summarized. A comparison of SEAKMC with molecular dynamics and conventional object kinetic Monte Carlo is demonstrated. Overall, SEAKMC is found to be complimentary to conventional molecular dynamics, especially when the harmonic approximation of transition state theory is accurate. However it is capable of reaching longer time scales than molecular dynamics and it can be used to systematically increase the accuracy of other methods such as object kinetic Monte Carlo. The challenges and potential development directions are also outlined.
Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Calculi: Holmium:Yag Laser Ureterolithotripsy Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Purpose: We compared the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopy with intracorporeal holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) for proximal ureteral calculi.Materials and Methods: A total of 67 patients underwent 81 primary procedures, including in situ ESWL with a DoLi 50 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc.) or ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for proximal ureteral calculi.Results: Of the primary procedures 81 involved proximal ureteral calculi, including 35 done for calculi 1 cm. or greater. The initial stone-free rate in patients with calculi 1 cm. or greater was 93% for ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and 50% for in situ ESWL. The efficiency quotient for treating proximal ureteral calculi 1 cm. or greater was calculated as 0.76 for ureteroscopic lithotripsy and 0.43 for ESWL. For proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. the initial stone-free rate was 100% and 8...
Resolving sub-phonon wavelength super lattices using coherent acoustic phonon spectroscopy

We demonstrate that various features of a complex GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure superlattice can be resolved using coherent acoustic phonon spectroscopy (CAP) and that CAP is a viable non-destructive metrological tool in the study of stratified media.
Informational report on an international workshop on the use of the computer in the teaching of secondary school subjects

GNOSIS is a system which makes it very simple for a teacher to produce a computerized lesson. The teacher compiles a lesson containing texts and questions and expected answers to the questions. The teacher can check the student results and adjust the lesson according to the student's achievements, e.g., by prescribing remedial sections for students with difficulties. The teacher can also react in special ways to different expected and unexpected false answers to questions, e.g., by appropriate hints followed by a repetition of the wrongly answered question. Unexpected false answers are saved when a student takes a lesson, and later sent to the teacher to help him improve the lesson. GNOSIS is written in ALGOL for the DEC-system 10 computer, but is probably not too difficult to transfer to another computer which has an ALGOL or preferably a SIMULA compiler.
Cardiopulmonary and gas exchange responses to acute strenuous exercise at 1,270 meters in sickle cell trait.

Abstract The impact of strenuous exercise and environmental hypoxia on sickle cell trait (SCT) remains controversial. To determine if these factors induce cardiopulmonary and gas exchange abnormalities in SCT, healthy, young black male volunteers, 25 with SCT (HbAS) and 16 control subjects (HbAA), were evaluated during incremental and steady-state exercise tests using a cycle ergometer at 1,270 meters and 24°C. Peak incremental exercise values for power (242 ± 7 versus 253 ± 10 watts), oxygen consumption (3.08 ± 0.1 versus 3.26 ± 0.14 liters/minute), heart rate (188 ± 2 versus 189 ± 3 beats/minute), minute ventilation (129 ± 4.6 versus 144 ± 7.7 liters/minute), oxygen pulse (16.4 ± 0.5 versus 17.3 ± 0.8 ml/beat), and respiratory exchange ratio (1.31 ± 0.01 versus 1.33 ± 0.02) revealed no significant differences (p
Differential Effects of AAV.BDNF and AAV.Ntf3 in the Deafened Adult Guinea Pig Ear

Cochlear hair cell loss results in secondary regression of peripheral auditory fibers (PAFs) and loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). The performance of cochlear implants (CI) in rehabilitating hearing depends on survival of SGNs. Here we compare the effects of adeno-associated virus vectors with neurotrophin gene inserts, AAV.BDNF and AAV.Ntf3, on guinea pig ears deafened systemically (kanamycin and furosemide) or locally (neomycin). AAV.BDNF or AAV.Ntf3 was delivered to the guinea pig cochlea one week following deafening and ears were assessed morphologically 3 months later. At that time, neurotrophins levels were not significantly elevated in the cochlear fluids, even though in vitro and shorter term in vivo experiments demonstrate robust elevation of neurotrophins with these viral vectors. Nevertheless, animals receiving these vectors exhibited considerable re-growth of PAFs in the basilar membrane area. In systemically deafened animals there was a negative correlation between the presence of differentiated supporting cells and PAFs, suggesting that supporting cells influence the outcome of neurotrophin over-expression aimed at enhancing the cochlear neural substrate. Counts of SGN in Rosenthal's canal indicate that BDNF was more effective than NT-3 in preserving SGNs. The results demonstrate that a transient elevation in neurotrophin levels can sustain the cochlear neural substrate in the long term.
The role of γδ T lymphocytes in infection

Abstract Many recent studies suggest an involvement of γδ T cells in the immune response to infectious pathogens including viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic parasites. However, it remains unclear whether the responses of γδ T cells are specifically directed against antigens derived from these pathogens or against infection-induced, host-derived ligands.
Behavioral Response of the ParasitoidLariophagus distinguendus(Forst) (Hymenoptera:Pteromalidae) to Extracts from Cocoons ofLasioderma serricorneFab. (Coleoptera Anobiidae) and Their Effects on Subsequent Oviposition Responses

Abstract Antennation and oviposition responses of the parasitoidLariophagus distinguendus(Forst) females to water and organic solvent extracts from cocoons ofLasioderma serricorneFab. were studied in the laboratory. A combination of water and methylene chloride extracts elicited the strongest antennation and probing responses. Responses increased with extract dose. Oviposition onto beetle pupae through artificial cocoons made from cellulose domes was studied as a function of prior experience of the wasps and of the presence of host cocoon extracts on the domes. Wasps that had oviposited into normal cocoons oviposited readily through domes that were treated with the water and methylene chloride extracts of cocoons, but untreated domes were ignored. Inexperienced naive wasps oviposited far less readily than experienced wasps.
Man and climate in the Maya lowlands

A 15-m sedimentary core from Lake Salpeten provides the first complete Holocene sequence for the lowlying Peten District, Guatemala. Today, Lake Salpeten is a brackish, calcium sulfate lake near saturation surrounded by tropical semievergreen forest. The basal pollen record depicts sparse juniper scrub surrounding a lake basin that held ephermal pools and halophytic marshes. The lake rapidly deepened to > 27 m in the early Holocene and may have been meromictic, because nearly 2 m of gypsum “mush” was deposited. Mesic forests were quickly established and persisted until the Maya entered the district 3000 yr ago and caused extensive deforestation. Any climatic information contained in the pollen record of the Maya period is thus masked, but a regional pollen sequence linked to the archaeological record is substantiated because environmental disturbance was pervasive. Local intensification of occupation and population growth are seen as an increased deposition of pollen of agricultural weeds and colluviation into the lake, while the Classic Maya collapse is marked by a temporary decline in Compositae pollen. Effects of perturbations induced by the Maya persist in the pollen and limnetic record 400 yr after the Spanish conquest.
SCIENCE AND SEMANTICS: THE CASE OF VAGUENESS AND SUPERVALUATION*

Abstract: It is widely assumed that the methods and results of science have no place among the data to which our semantics of vague predicates must answer. This despite the fact that it is well known that such prototypical vague predicates as ‘is bald’ play a central role in scientific research (e.g. the research that established Rogaine as a treatment for baldness). I argue here that the assumption is false and costly: in particular, I argue one cannot accept either supervaluationist semantics, or the criticism of that semantics offered by Fodor and Lepore, without having to abandon accepted, and unexceptionable, scientific methodology.
Developmental expression of poly(A) binding protein mRNAs during spermatogenesis in the mouse.

The poly(A) binding protein (PABP), a conserved protein that binds to the 3′ poly(A) tail on mRNAs in eukaryotic cells, has been implicated in the regulation of mRNA stability and translation. Two PABP cDNAs with different sequences were isolated from mouse testis cDNA libraries. The predicted amino acid sequence of one, PABP1, is nearly identical (98.9%) to human liver PABP, while 80% of the amino acids of the second, PABPt, are identical to mouse and human PABPs. Northern blots reveal that there is one major PABP mRNA species in liver, muscle, kidney, and brain, two in spleen, and at least four in testis. The levels of PABP mRNA in testis are 5–10-fold higher than in these somatic tissues, but surprisingly the vast majority of all PABP mRNA size variants sediment more slowly than single ribosome, indicating strong translational repression. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays demonstrate that PABPt mRNAs are abundant only in testis. Northern blots of RNAs purified from highly enriched spermatogenic cells show that the high levels, multiple sizes of PABP mRNAs, and the PABPt mRNA are present in meiotic and early haploid spermatogenic cells, and are sharply reduced in late haploid cells. Comparison of the binding of PABP1 and PABPt to poly(A) Sepharose in vitro revealed subtle differences, even though PABPt contains substitutions for highly conserved aromatic amino acids that are thought to be necessary for binding to poly(A). The existence of two PABP isoforms in mouse spermatogenic cells could influence cytoplasmic gene expression during spermatogenesis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regge models of forward pion and ETA photoproduction

A Regge absorption model is presented which fits all pion and eta photoproduction data for |;t|; < 1, which fits the photoproduction FESR, and uses Regge residues in agreement with all constraints. The model uses poles with NWS zeroes, and uses a black disc form of absorption in which low partial waves was completely absorbed. The absorbed Regge amplitudes show remarkable ϱ − A2 and π − B exchange degeneracy, and agree well with the FESR, which are written for regularized s-channel helicity amplitudes in order to examine their absorption zero structure. We also examine models using a conventional form of absorption, and models in which the poles do not have NWS zeroes. We find that models without NWS zeroes can fit the high energy data, but are unable to fit the sum rules. Since Regge absorption models do not fit the distinctive large-t behaviour of the cross sections, we discuss fixed-pole models as a possible explanation of these data, and show that even in fixed pole models, some Regge cuts are necessary. We present are predictions of the various models for some new experimental quantities which can be measured using simultaneously polarized targets and beams, and suggest a test for A1 exchange.
Improving vaccine risk/benefit communication with an immunization education package: a pilot study.

Introduction.— The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) requires that physicians distribute the appropriate Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) at each immunization visit and discuss the risks/benefits of every vaccine given. In a national study, 31% of pediatricians reported not using the VIS and 56% indicated that time was a barrier to vaccine risk/benefit communication. Parents, however, indicated they want their primary providers to personally tell them about risks/benefits. Objective.— To test the feasibility of an Immunization Education Package (IEP) intervention to improve compliance with the federal mandate and to improve physician/parent vaccine risk/benefit communication. Setting.— Two multiphysician private pediatric practices in Shreveport, La. Design.— A before-after trial with comparison of 130 preintervention and 78 postintervention visits. Research assistants recorded content and duration of immunization discussions during well-baby visits during which immunizations were scheduled. Clinic staffs were masked as to variables recorded. Intervention.— The IEP was a multifaceted intervention, involving a practice-based in-service and distribution and discussion of ready-to-use materials including an exam room poster entitled "7 Questions Parents Need To Ask About Baby Shots." Results.— Patients were 90% white and 96% privately insured. Pre and post results revealed a significant increase in VIS distribution (33% vs 91%, P P P Conclusions.— This IEP was a feasible way to facilitate compliance with the NCVIA. A significant amount of additional information was provided to parents with only a slight increase in time.
Evaluation of a Synthetic Juvenile Hormone Against Two Species of Fly Larvae (Dipt.)1

Larvae of the house fly, Musca domestica L. and the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meig.) were treated with a juvenile hormone analogue Stauffer R-20458 (6, 7-epoxygeranyl (p-ethyl) phenyl ether) at various concentrations. Flies were reared on artificial diets and were tested within 48 hours after ec1osion. A definite dosage-efficiency correlation was observed and abnormalities in addition to death before pupation and emergence was recorded in treated larvae.
Nanoindentation Behavior of Muscovite Subjected to Repeated Loading

A series of repeated loading nanoindentation experiments were performed on muscovite with a sharp indenter tip and loading direction normal to the basal plane, and the maximum load (Fmax⁡) was varied between 0.05 and 2.0 mN to examine the influences of load level on the modes of nanoscale deformation and the resulting estimation of hardness and elastic modulus. A critical maximum load, (Fmax⁡)crit, of about 0.25–0.5 mN marks the material’s completely different responses to repeated loading. If Fmax⁡ (Fmax⁡)crit, dispersed L/U loops characterized by nonrecoverable deformation and randomly occurring pop-ins in the loading section of the loops were observed; moreover, it appears that pop-ins are the major cause for the dispersion of the L/U loops. For the latter case, af...
Risks associated with an elevated amniotic fluid α-fetoprotein level

Two and two-tenths percent of 85,000 consecutive amniotic fluid (AF) samples had alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels greater than or equal to 2.0 MoM. Half measured 2.0-2.4 MoM, and 93% had a normal outcome. Sixty-seven percent of those with higher levels had abnormalities. A positive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) increased the risk from 67% for levels between 2.0 and 2.4 MoM to 99% at greater than or equal to 5.0 MoMs. After a normal ultrasound and chromosome studies, the risk for a fetal abnormality was 1% for AF AFP measuring 2.0-2.4 MoM and 3% for higher levels.
Head circumference and linear growth during the first 3 years in treated congenital hypothyroidism in relation to aetiology and initial biochemical severity.

Summary aims To determine the head circumference and linear growth in children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) during the first 3 years of life in relation to the aetiology of CH and initial biochemical severity of thyroid function. methods We examined the head circumference and linear growth of 125 patients with CH from diagnosis up to 3 years of age. All infants had radionuclide scans prior to treatment. Patients were categorized into athyreosis, ectopia and dyshormonogenesis. Occipito-frontal circumference (OFC) SD, length SD, initial plasma TSH, initial plasma thyroxine (T4) and age of suppression of plasma TSH were compared between the groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors affecting OFC SD at 3 years of age. results There were 125 children in the study: athyreosis (n = 34), ectopia (n = 73) and dyshormonogenesis (n = 18). No difference was found in gestation, birth weight, age of starting L-T4 and initial dose of L-T4 in mcg/kg/day between groups. Confirmatory plasma total T4 at diagnosis was significantly lower for athyreosis when compared with ectopia and dyshormonogenesis. Median values for confirmatory TSH were significantly lower in dyshormonogenesis compared with the other two groups. At diagnosis, OFC were similar in all three groups. Children with athyreosis showed significantly larger OFCs compared with ectopia and dyshormonogenesis from 1 to 3 years. Length SD was within 1 SD of normal population standards at diagnosis and did not differ between the three groups throughout the 3 years. Spearman's correlation for OFC SD at 3 years of age showed a significant negative correlation with initial confirmatory plasma T4 (r = −0·35, P = 0·01). Multivariate analysis for OFC SD at 3 years of age showed confirmatory T4 as the only independent risk factor. conclusion Children with athyreosis showed significantly larger OFC from 1 to 3 years of age compared with ectopia and dyshormonogenesis, independent of linear growth. Our data shows that initial confirmatory T4 at diagnosis is an independent factor influencing head growth in the first 3 years of life.
Scheduling the adjuvant endocrine therapy for early stage breast cancer

Based on the data available through published trial results, we build a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model in order to find an optimal treatment plan for a given HR+ early stage breast cancer patient who is postmenopausal. The objective is to maximize the disease-free survival percentage at the end of the treatment period subject to the constraints on the risk of contralateral breast cancer and the risks of several side effects, including endometrial cancer, thromboembolic events, cardiovascular diseases, bone fractures, hot flushes, and vaginal bleeding. The results of numerical experiments suggest the effectiveness of some of the schedules currently used in practice, as well as suggest some attractive alternative treatment plans.
Absorption and fluorescence in distyrylbenzene nanoaggregates

A theoretical analysis of absorption and fluorescence in p-distyrylbenzene (DSB) nanoaggregates is performed. The model Hamiltonian includes intramolecular electron-vibrational coupling as well as excitonic coupling between molecules in a herringbone lattice. Excellent agreement with experiment is obtained.
The Incidence of Patent Foramen Ovale in 1,000 Consecutive Patients: A Contrast Transesophageal Echocardiography Study

Study objective: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in 10 to 35% of people and has been reported to be an important risk factor for cardioembolic cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) and transient ischemic attacks (TIAS), especially in younger patients. While contrast transthoracic echocardiography has been used to detect PFO, contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has a greater sensitivity. Prior studies reported the incidence of PFO in patients presenting with a CVA or TIA. Design: To determine the incidence of PFO in a more general population, we reviewed 1,000 consecutive TEES performed with contrast and color Doppler for the presence of PFO and other cardioembolic risk factors, including atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), aortic plaque, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and atrial thrombi. While imaging with monoplane or biplane TEE, multiple injections of agitated saline solution were injected during cough or Valsalva maneuver to detect flow through a PFO. Patients: There were 482 male and 518 female patients with mean age of 60 + 17 years (range 11 to 93 years). Results: Patent foramen ovale was found in 9.2% of all patients and, though seen in all age groups divided by decade, the incidence in patients aged 40 to 49 years was greater than those aged 70 to 79 years (12.96% vs 6.15%',, p=0.03). Contrast TEE had a much higher detection rate than color Doppler alone. Importantly, there was no greater incidence of PFO in patients with CVA vs thos~ without CVA, or in male vs female patients. Also, there was a very strong correlation between the presence of ASA and PFO (p<.001). Conclusion: Thus, PFO detected by TEE, frequently seen with ASA, is seen in all age groups and does not in itself present a risk factor for CVA. The association of PFO with peripheral thrombosis and CVA needs further study.
Reconstruction of Brine Compositions of Ancient Evaporites from Their Mineralogy: Application to Chemistry of Ancient Seawater: ABSTRACT

Potash evaporites should house the most legible record of ancient water composition available in the geologic column because such deposits represent the end products of evaporation paths sensitive to small variations in initial major ion ratios. The means of accurately predicting these paths are now available. To reconstruct brine compositions we need to identify the most complete sequence of minerals in the deposit and to match it with an appropriate model path (this will give the basic brine type) and to identify the quantitative mineral abundances in individual sedimentation units within the deposit (these are directly related to the major ion ratios in the parent brine and allow evaluation of brine composition within close limits). Undeniably, there are formidable practical difficulties because evaporites are readily altered on burial. If the primary mineral assemblage can be deciphered petrographically, then the procedure is straightforward. The Permian Zechstein 2 of Stassfurt, Germany, illustrates the approach. The Stassfurt potash sequence follows the equilibrium evaporation path predicted for modern seawater at 25°C. This path is very sensitive to initial brine composition; changes in Mg/K2, Mg/SO4, and Cl/SO4 greater than 10 mole % will produce different paths. So, if the Stassfurt deposit is marine, then Permian seawater composition must have been similar to modern seawater. Just how similar is shown by the following brine composition reconstructed from the quantitati e mineral abundances in meter scale sections of the Stassfurt (mole ratios, modern seawater in parentheses): Na/Ca >= 49.8 (52.3), Na/K<=53.4 (47.6), Na/Cl<=0.95 (0.86), Na/SO4<=17.3 (16.7). This implies that differences in mineralogy or elemental geochemistry (e.g., S isotopes) among Permian and post-Permian evaporites cannot be due to changes in seawater composition. End_of_Article - Last_Page 577------------
Effect of Electrical Double Layer on Electrical Conductivity and Pressure Drop in Pressure-Driven Micro-Channel Flow

The effect of electrical double layer (EDL) on micro-channel flow has been studied widely. Most research focused on flows with typical channel width or pipe diameter much greater than the thickness of EDL (Debye length). In such cases, the influence of EDL on the overall electrical conductivity is small, and a constant bulk electrical conductivity is often used in calculations. In our study of pressure-driven micropipette injection flow, the pipe size is on the same order of magnitude as the Debye length. To elucidate the effect of overlapping EDL the flow inside a micro-channel was analyzed. The governing equations for the flow, the Poisson equation for the electric potential, and the charge continuity equation for the net charge were solved analytically. The effect of overlapping EDL on the electrical conductivity and velocity distribution in the micro-channel and the pressure drop were quantified. The results showed that, the average conductivity of electrolyte solution inside the channel increased significantly, dependent on the channel width. With the modified mean electrical conductivity, the pressure drop for the pressure-driven flow was smaller than that without considering the influence of EDL on conductivity.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Apolipoprotein E acts to increase nitric oxide production in macrophages by stimulating arginine transport

Previous studies have shown that apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a role in immune function by modulating tissue redox balance. Using a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7), we have examined the mechanism by which apoE regulates nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. ApoE potentiates NO production in immune activated RAW cells in combination with lipopolysaccharide or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PIC), agents known to induce expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein. The effect is not observed with apolipoprotein B or heat-inactivated apoE. The combination of PIC plus apoE produced more NO than the level expected from an additive effect of PIC and apoE alone. Furthermore, this increase was observed at submaximal extracellular arginine concentrations, suggesting that apoE altered arginine (substrate) availability. Examination of [(3)H]arginine uptake across the cell membrane demonstrated that arginine uptake was increased by PIC but further increased by PIC plus apoE. Treatment of RAW cells with apoE was associated with an increased apparent V(max) and decreased affinity for arginine as well as a switch in the induction of mRNA for subtypes of cationic amino acid transporters (CAT). Treatment of RAW cells with PIC plus apoE resulted in the loss of detectable CAT1 mRNA and expression of CAT2 mRNA. Regulation of arginine availability is a novel action of apoE on the regulation of macrophage function and the immune response.
Temperature-Induced Leakage from Chilling-Sensitive and Chilling-Resistant Plants

Leakage rates were determined from leaf cells loaded with rubidium and [ 3 H]leucine. There was a differential response between leucine and rubidium leakage depending upon the species used. The rate of leucine leakage shows a small decline below 5 C for two altitudinal variants of Lycopersicon hirsutum Humb. and Bonpl., whereas Lycopersicon esculentum L. showed a marked increase below 5 C. Rubidium showed a marked increase in leakage rate below 10 C with the altitudinal variants, with only a slight increase for the L. esculentum species. A rough relationship existed between rubidium leakage rate at 1 C and the altitude of origin of the L. hirsutum race, the low altitudinal forms having higher leakage rates than the higher altitudinal variants. The L. esculentum lines show a rubidium leakage response similar to that of the high altitude L. hirsutum variants. Higher leakage rates were obtained if the calcium concentration in the medium was less than 1 millimolar and upon addition of metabolic poisons and detergents. The results are consistent with the view that chilling injury causes changes in the membrane and that cell leakage is an early symptom of this change in some species. Some chilling-sensitive species have increased leakage within 1 hour of exposure to chilling temperature.
SASH: Enabling continuous incremental analytic workflows on Hadoop

There is an emerging class of enterprise applications in areas such as log data analysis, information discovery, and social media marketing that involve analytics over large volumes of unstructured and semi-structured data. These applications are leveraging new analytics platforms based on the MapReduce framework and its open source Hadoop implementation. While this trend has engendered work on high-level data analysis languages, NoSQL data stores, workflow engines etc., there has been very little attention to the challenges of deploying analytic workflows into production for continuous operation. In this paper, we argue that an essential platform component for enabling continuous production analytic workflows is an analytics store. We highlight five key requirements that impact the design of such a store: (i) efficient incremental operations, (ii) flexible storage model for hierarchical data, (iii) snapshot support (iv) object-level incremental updates, and (v) support for handling change sets. We describe the design of SASH, a scalable analytics store that we have developed on top of HBase to address these requirements. Using the workload from a production workflow that powers search within IBM's intranet and extranet, we demonstrate orders of magnitude improvement in IO performance using SASH.
Acute myelogenous leukemia with leukemia cutis. Eighteen cases seen between 1969 and 1986

Leukemia cutis was documented by biopsy in 18 of 877 patients (2%) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) seen at Roswell Park Memorial Institute (Buffalo, NY) between 1969 and 1986. French-American-British (FAB) types included four M2, one M3, ten M4, and three M5. Lysozyme was more consistently detectable in skin sections in our cases than Leu-M1, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, or chloroacetate esterase activity. Additional extramedullary sites of involvement were present in 16 patients, including meningeal leukemia in six. Two patients had leukemia cutis preceding bone marrow leukemia. Skin was the initial site of relapse in 11 patients, without marrow relapse, occurring as late as 5.5 years after diagnosis. Most patients in this retrospective series were treated with radiation therapy and/or palliative chemotherapy, and did poorly, with prompt bone marrow relapses and serial skin relapses. Long-term disease-free survival was achieved in the one patient whose skin relapse was treated with whole-body electron-beam radiation therapy in conjunction with reinduction and consolidation chemotherapy. Severe skin toxicity was caused by administration of Adriamycin (doxorubicin) 12 days after electron-beam irradiation in one patient, but was not seen when cytosine arabinoside was administered in doses up to 3 g/m2 in conjunction with radiation therapy. This retrospective review suggests that optimal management of AML involving skin might include whole-body electron-beam irradiation in conjunction with induction or reinduction chemotherapy without anthracyclines, followed by consolidation chemotherapy. Additionally, there should be ongoing surveillance for and treatment of extramedullary disease at other sites, including the meninges.
CdTe solar cells using combined ZnS/CdS window layers

We have fabricated CdTe solar cells on commercial SnO 2 /SnO 2 :F coated soda-lime glass substrates using ZnS/CdS window layers with various thickness combinations. With our standard fabrication method, CdTe solar cells with ZnS/CdS window layers have exhibited efficiencies as high as 12.3% under AM1.5 illumination. However, the efficiencies of the cells with ZnS/CdS window layers are still lower than the reference CdTe cells with CdS window layer (13%). We found that optimizing the thickness combination and heat treatment of the ZnS/CdS window layers prior to CdTe deposition may be a viable approach to optimize the performance of CdTe solar cells with ZnS/CdS window layers.
Impact of protein surface denaturation on droplet flocculation in hexadecane oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by β-lactoglobulin

The influence of globular protein denaturation after adsorption to the surface of hydrocarbon droplets on flocculation in oil-in-water emulsions was examined. n-Hexadecane oil-in-water emulsions (pH 7.0) stabilized by β-lactoglobulin (1-wt % β-Lg) were prepared by high-pressure valve homogenization. NaCl (0−150 mM) was added to these emulsions immediately after homogenization, and the evolution of the mean particle diameter (d) and particle size distribution (PSD) was measured by laser diffraction during storage at 30 °C for 48 h. No change in d or PSD was observed in the absence of added salt, which indicated that these emulsions were stable to flocculation. When 150 mM NaCl was added to emulsions immediately after homogenization, d increased rapidly during the following few hours until it reached a plateau value, while the PSD changed from monomodal to bimodal. Addition of N-ethylmaleimide, a sulfhydryl blocking agent, to the emulsions immediately after homogenization prevented (at 20 mM NaCl) or apprec...
Comparative zinc dynamics in Atlanta metropolitan region stream and street runoff

Zinc, major ion, and other trace metal (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb) concentrations were measured within 172 street and stream runoff samples in the Atlanta metropolitan region and in relatively undeveloped watersheds within the Georgia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Provinces. Peachtree Creek, draining a densely populated area of Atlanta, was the primary sampling location and samples were acquired under a wide range of hydrological conditions. Zinc concentrations within street runoff [median (Zn)urban street runoff=905 µg/l] were significantly greater than zinc concentrations within storm runoff [median (Zn)Peachtree Creek=60 µg/l], which were, in turn, greater than zinc concentrations within non-storm runoff [median (Zn)Peachtree Creek=14 µg/l]. Zinc concentrations were not significantly greater within urban base flow than within non-urban base flow, indicating that the primary source of pollution is "event water" or street runoff. Zinc was the only heavy metal present in greater than "background" concentrations (i.e., >10 µg/l), which is likely the result of automotive pollution that is omnipresent within the study area. Analysis of storm alkalinity dilution trends indicate that simple mixing between polluted street runoff and groundwater cannot account for the zinc concentrations observed within storm and recession flows. A two end member mass balance model suggests that a large proportion of the zinc present in the street runoff is adsorbed and transported on surfaces of the suspended sediment. Adsorption is readily possible at the near neutral pH (~6.5) of turbid storm discharge.
High efficiency, diode pumped Nd:YAG ceramics slab laser with 230 W continuous-wave output power

Diode pumped zig-zag slab lasers are widely adopted for continuous-wave high power or pulsed high energy applications. Recently [J. Eur. Opt. Soc.-Rapid6, 11041 (2011)] we started to investigate a new thin slab format in which pumping radiation input is obtained through the thin lateral faces (edge pumping) and the beam propagation takes place bouncing on these same lateral faces (“edge zig-zag”). We report on the optimized operation of a ceramic Nd:YAG laser, based on this geometry, extracting 230 W at a 43% output power to diode power conversion efficiency. Thorough investigation of the thermal lens effect allows us to analyze the optical cavity and thus to define the main aspects limiting the present laser configuration.
Photolytic carbonyl insertion and solvolysis of 6-[(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]B10H13

Abstract The photolysis of 6-[(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 ]B 10 H 13 in ethereal solvents leads to the formation of icosahedral metallocarboranes of the type (η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe-[η 5 -B 10 H 10 C(Lewis base)], in which the Lewis base is either tetrahydrofuran (THF) or diethyl ether. This is believed to proceed via insertion of one of the carbonyl moieties into the boron cage framework and subsequent solvolysis.
Increased biological hydrogen production with reduced organic loading.

Abstract An experimental matrix consisting of reactor hydraulic retention time (HRT) and glucose loading rate was tested to understand the effect of organic loading on H 2 production in chemostat reactors. In order to vary the glucose loading rate over a range of 0.5–18.9 g/h, the glucose concentration in the feed was varied from 2.5 to 10 g COD/L under conditions where the HRT varied from 1 to 10 h (30 °C, pH=5.5). Decreasing the glucose loading rate over this range increased the hydrogen yield from 1.7 to 2.8 mol-H 2 /mol-glucose. High yields of hydrogen were consistent with a high molar acetate:butyrate ratio of 1.08:1 as more hydrogen is produced with acetate as a product (4 mol-H 2 /mol-acetate) than with butyrate (2 mol-H 2 /mol-butyrate). It was thought that the decrease in yield with organic loading rate resulted from an overall decreased rate of hydrogen production. As the rate of gas production is reduced, H 2 supersaturation in the liquid phase is likely reduced, relieving inhibition due to H 2 . Flocculation was also an important factor in the performance of the reactor. At the 5–10 g COD/L influent glucose concentrations, substantial flocculation was observed particularly as the feeding rate was increased due to a reduction in the HRT from 10 to 2.5 h. At the HRT of 2.5 h, biomass concentrations reached as much as 25 g/L. The flocculant nature of the biomass allowed reactor operation at low HRTs with steady H 2 production and >90% glucose removal. However, when the HRT was reduced to 1 h at a glucose feed concentration of 2.5 g COD/L, there was little flocculation evident resulting in wash-out of the culture. These results suggest that hydrogen yields will be optimized for more dilute feeds and lower organic loading rates than have typically been used in biohydrogen reactor studies.
Thermodynamics of the Na2O−P2O5 system

The activity of Na2O in the melts of the Na2O−P2O5 system has been determined using a high temperature electrochemical cell with a Na2O−WO3 melt at the reference electrode and fused silica as the solid electrolyte as shown below. $$_{Na_2 O - WO_3 melt}^{Pt(s),O_2 (g)} \left| {_{fused silica}^{ Na^ + } } \right|_{Na_2 O - P_2 O_5 melt}^{O_2 (g), Pt(s)} $$ The thermodynamics of the Na2O−P2O5 binary system in the composition range of 50 to 75 mole pet Na2O has been studied. The activities of Na2O and P2O5 in the melt have been carefully analyzed. The free energy of four sodium phosphates has been evaluated with the help of the phase diagram of this system. Based on this study, a solid-state phase transformation for the 3Na2O·P2O5 compound has been suggested at a temperature below 1217 K. The entropy of the transformation is near zero. The enthalpy of transformation is estimated to be 101.51 kJ/mole 3Na2O·P2O5.
Recrystallization of amorphous silicon deposited on ultra thin microcrystalline silicon layers

This study reports on a method to reduce the thermal crystallization time and temperature of amorphous silicon films by initially depositing an ultra thin μc-Si:H seed layer. After rapid thermal annealing (RTA), films were characterized by means of Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, reflection high energy electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and dark and photocurrent. The results show that the microcrystalline particles in the seed layer act as nucleation centers, promoting crystallization of a-Si:H at lower temperatures and at shorter times, compared to a-Si:H films deposited without any seed layer. Additionally, it was found that the seed layer affects the orientation of the crystallized films. The dark current increases abruptly over 4 orders of magnitude in the first 15 second anneal, then decreases as the time increases, and tends to saturate. The photocurrent has an opposite behavior. These transport results can be understood in terms of a change in defect density and band gap shrinkage.
Visualizing novel concepts of cardiovascular calcification

Cardiovascular calcification is currently viewed as an active disease process similar to embryonic bone formation. Cardiovascular calcification mainly affects the aortic valve and arteries and is associated with increased mortality risk. Aortic valve and arterial calcification share similar risk factors, including age, gender, diabetes, chronic renal disease, and smoking. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanism of cardiovascular calcification is unknown. Late-stage cardiovascular calcification can be visualized with conventional imaging modalities such as echocardiography and computed tomography. However, these modalities are limited in their ability to detect the development of early calcification and the progression of calcification until advanced tissue mineralization is apparent. Due to the subsequent late diagnosis of cardiovascular calcification, treatment is usually comprised of invasive interventions such as surgery. The need to understand the process of calcification is therefore warranted and requires new imaging modalities which are able to visualize early cardiovascular calcification. This review focuses on the use of new imaging techniques to visualize novel concepts of cardiovascular calcification.
Observed reflectivity of the western boundary of the equatorial Pacific Ocean

[1] Published claims that the reflectivity of the western boundary of the equatorial Pacific is near 100% are examined by using TOPEX/Poseidon data from October 1992 to February 2000. We perform a Fourier analysis of sea surface height measurements and define the variability consistent with the Rossby wave and Kelvin wave dispersion relationship as the energy of Rossby wave and Kelvin wave, respectively. Basin-scale Rossby waves dominate in the period ranges of 180–250 and 270–450 days. Their largest amplitudes are at 4° and 6°N, respectively. Kelvin waves dominate in distinguishable period ranges of 67–76 and 106–170 days. Because the wavelengths of the Kelvin waves generated from the reflection of low-frequency Rossby waves are much longer than the width of the basin, they cannot be readily differentiated from large-scale forced motions. An upper bound on the reflection coefficient of the Rossby wave is thus estimated as 31% for Rossby waves with periods of 180–250 days. The duration of TOPEX/Poseidon data is too short for studying the reflectivity of the lower-frequency Rossby waves.
Overlayer-support interactions associated with the formation of a chemically modified interface: the nickel ferrocyanide derivatized nickel electrode

La modification par anodisation du ferrocyanure de nickel d'une electrode de nickel est sensible (du point de vue degre de recouvrement) au potentiel de l'electrode et la face cristalline de l'electrode
The Intergenerational Transmission of Welfare Receipt: A Nonparametric Bounds Analysis

Using a nonparametric bounding method and data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I examine the effect that growing up in a household that receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AF...
Pharmacodynamics and causes of dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of flavone-8-acetic acid (LM-975; NSC-347512) in mice.

Flavone acetic acid (FAA) is a novel antitumor agent with broad solid-tumor activity. However, this drug has shown a steep dose-response curve in preclinical trials, with a narrow sublethal window of efficacy. To investigate this threshold behavior, we studied various aspects of FAA pharmacology in mice after i.v. administration. Mice bearing advanced-stage s.c. colon 38 adenocarcinoma were treated at four dose levels (39, 65, 108, and 180 mg/kg), and only the highest dose produced significant antitumor activity, showing a steep dose-response curve. Using an HPLC assay, FAA pharmacokinetics in both plasma and tumors were found to be dose-dependent. As the dose increased, there was a decrease in both total body clearance and volume of distribution at steady state. The increase in tumor area under the curve (AUC) was more pronounced than the corresponding increase in plasma AUC, showing a better tumor exposure to FAA at high doses. The distribution of FAA in normal tissues showed a short-term retention in the liver and kidneys; low concentrations were observed in the heart, spleen, and brain, with some retention in the latter. The highest FAA concentrations were found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, mainly in the duodenum, suggesting an important biliary excretion of the drug. Various possible causes of FAA nonlinear pharmacokinetics were investigated. Serum protein binding was high (79%) and remained constant up to 100 μg/ml, but decreased thereafter at higher FAA concentrations, e.g., 76% at 500 μg/ml and 64% at 1,000 μg/ml. Urinary and biliary clearances were dose-dependent and decreased 5- and 9-fold, from the 39- to the 180-mg/kg dose levels, respectively. A direct assessment of FAA enterohepatic circulation using intercannulated mice showed that 27% of the plasma AUC was accounted for by enterohepatic circulation. FAA acyl glucuronide was identified as the major metabolite in mice and was found to contribute to the nonlinear pharmacokinetics due to its facile hydrolysis under physiological conditions, regenerating FAA. In conclusion, the steep FAA dose-response curve was found to be caused by dose-dependent pharmacokinetics in mice. The nonlinear pharmacokinetics of this drug was attributed to a dose-dependent decrease in both urinary and biliary clearances, concentration-dependent serum protein binding, enterohepatic circulation, and the instability of FAA acyl glucuronide under physiological conditions, forming a futile cycle. The distribution data also suggested possible tissue targets for anticancer efficacy and/or toxicity that could be useful in designing clinical studies.