cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Random-walk model studies of the transport and diffusion of pollutants in katabatic flows

The flow and turbulence quantities governing dispersion in katabatic flows vary with both height and downslope distance. This variation cannot be accounted for in conventional plume dispersion models. In this study, three random-walk models of varying complexity are formulated to simulate dispersion in katabatic flows, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The flow and turbulence parameters required by these models are determined from a high-resolution two-dimensional katabatic flow model based on a turbulent kinetic energy closure. Random-walk model calculations have been performed for several values of source height and slope angle to examine the influence of these parameters on dispersion. Finally, we simulated the perfluorocarbon and heavy methane tracer releases for Night 4 of the 1980 ASCOT field study over a nearly two-dimensional slope in Anderson Creek Valley, California. The observed peak concentrations are generally well-predicted. The effects of the pooling of the drainage air could not be taken into account in our katabatic flow model and, consequently, the predicted concentrations decay much more rapidly with time than the observed values.
Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy for detection of water content in two in vitro models of brain edema

Currently, methods for the detection of brain edema in patients or laboratory experiments are invasive or inconvenient for continuous monitoring. We have performed experiments on two models of brain edema to determine the validity of differential near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) as a real-time, low cost and noninvasive method of monitoring brain edema. As a chemical in-vitro model, we prepared serial dilutions of Liposyn III, a fat emulsion, to simulate varying degrees of brain water content. NIR light at two wavelengths (703 nm and 957 nm) was used to assess water content of Liposyn solutions. We demonstrated a strong relation between wavelength specific light interactance and water content, for (n equals 4) serial dilutions from 97.6% to 80.0% water, R2 equals 0.985 plus or minus 0.017. Secondly an in vitro brain tissue model was developed to test the NIR method against wet-to-dry water content measurements. A total brain water content range of from 83.5 to 67.6 water was investigated (n equals 4). Using 695 nm and 957 nm NIR light, a correlation between NIR interactance and brain water content was again obtained, R2 equals 0.957 plus or minus 0.027. Our preliminary results suggest differential NIR spectroscopy may serve as an accurate and useful technique for monitoring surface brain edema in clinical and laboratory settings.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Role of Species Specificity in Failure of Inhibition of Guinea Pig Anaphylactic Sensitization with Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs

THREE years ago Schwarz and Damesheck showed that 6-mercaptopurine could block the formation of antibodies to foreign protein in the rabbit1. This phenomenon has been verified by some, and its existence questioned by others. To understand better the mechanisms involved in the drug-induced antibody blockade, it is necessary to examine those variables which enhance or prevent this blockade of antibody formation. The work reported here gives evidence that the effect of the cancer chemotherapy agents in blocking primary antibody formation depends, at least in part, on the species studied.
FABRICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF CYLINDRICAL IRON SHIELDS FOR MRI SYSTEMS.

AbstractUsing analytic and experimental methods, we have investigated the design, fabrication,and performance of axially symmetric shields which minimize the field perturbation withinthe central bore of an MR magnet. Magnetic resonance shields have been built for 1.9tesla /60 cm bore and 1.5 tesla /100 cm bore superconducting magnets. The 1.9 T system isenclosed by a simple cylindrical shield having a weight of 49,000 pounds. The 1.5 T systemshield is a 100,000 pound tapered thickness cylinder with conic ends. The shields areconstructed from cold rolled steel sections which are welded in place at the magnet site.A low carbon, specially annealed steel with particularly desireable properties of inducedmagnetism has been employed. The 5 gauss line is constrained to a point 4.0 meters to theside of the 1.9 T magnet, 3.0 meters to the side of the 1.5 T magnet and 7.0 meters off theend of both magnets.IntroductionHigh field, large bore magnets used for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy pro-duce magnetic fields which can influence the environment at distances far from the magnet.Within this sphere of influence, which may have a radius greater than 15 meters, ferrousobjects will become intensely magnetized and perturb the normally homogeneous field withinthe magnet. Consequently, many high field MR systems have been installed within large,free -standing buildings of a ferrous -free design which are remote from direct patient carefacilitiesl.Discontinuous asymmetrical iron shields enclosing high field MR magnets have been usedto constrain the magnet sphere of influence2. The return magnetic fields resulting frominduced shield magnetism perturb the uniform field within the magnet and can compromisesystem performance, particularly for spectroscopy applications. Using analytic and experi-mental methods, we have investigated the design, fabrication, and performance of axiallysymmetric shields which minimize the field perturbation within the central bore of the MRmagnet.MethodsWe have designed magnetic resonance shields for two magnetic resonance systems:
Medial Foot Pain in a Runner: A Case Presentation

A 27-year-old runner presented to our sports medicine clinic with 4 months of medial foot pain after an eversion ankle sprain. Initial radiographs were negative for fracture. Her symptoms improved but plateaued after 1 month. She was unable to continue running and noticed a new prominence at her right medial foot. Results of a physical examination showed pes planus, a prominent navicular in her right foot and mild weakness of inversion at the right ankle. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bone edema adjacent to a navicular synchondrosis, which confirmed a diagnosis of type 2 accessory navicular with synchondrosis injury. The patient was treated conservatively with a progressive rehabilitation course.
Piezomodulated reflection spectra of anthracene single crystals

Abstract The first piezomodulation spectra of Frenkel exciton states of a molecular crystal are reported for the (001) face of anthracene from 25 000 cm −1 to 45 000 cm −1 . The piezoreflection spectra show structure at 300 K which may be correlated with that observed in the specular reflection spectra at 2 K. Davydov splittings at 300 K of 165 cm −1 for 0–0 and 50 cm −1 for 0–1 are observed.
An electron microscopic study of a single-cycle infection of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells by infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus.

Abstract Sequential studies were made on Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus. An electron microscopic study showed that immature virus particles measuring 110 nm. in diameter first appeared within the nucleus between 3 and 5·5 h. after infection. The particles consisted of an inner nucleoid, surrounded by 2 concentric shells (the inner shell electron transparent and the outer electron opaque). Between 5·5 and 7 h. after infection, the particles acquired an envelope by budding through the inner lamella of the nuclear membrane. The mature virus was approximately 145 nm. in diameter and consisted of 4 concentric shells alternating in intensity of staining. In a one-step growth experiment, infectious virus first appeared around 4 h. after infection, indicating that immature particles seen within the nucleus at 5·5 h. may have been infectious.
Tungsten Radioisotope Distribution and Stratospheric Transport Processes

Abstract Analysis of radioisotope production data for the 1958 HARDTACK nuclear tests at 11N indicates a main source near 20 km altitude and another source of different radiochemical composition near 30 km altitude. Aircraft and balloon sample measurements confirm this distribution of sources and show features in the poleward and downward transport of the upper source. Radioactive tracers give evidence for mean motion downward into the lower tropical stratosphere accompanying the downward propagation of westerlies in July 1959 and again in September 1963. The apparent equatorward drift of the W185 concentration maximum is explained not by mean motion but by selective erosion of the northern part of the source due to a rapid increase in the intensity of meridional eddy-mixing with latitude in the tropical stratosphere. Evidence is presented suggesting that the poleward transport of the upper source near 30 km proceeds along mixing surfaces sloping downward toward higher latitudes. Other details of the redi...
Robust, multidimensional mesh-motion based on Monge-Kantorovich equidistribution

Mesh-motion (r-refinement) grid adaptivity schemes are attractive due to their potential to minimize the numerical error for a prescribed number of degrees of freedom. However, a key roadblock to a widespread deployment of this class of techniques has been the formulation of robust, reliable mesh-motion governing principles, which (1) guarantee a solution in multiple dimensions (2D and 3D), (2) avoid grid tangling (or folding of the mesh, whereby edges of a grid cell cross somewhere in the domain), and (3) can be solved effectively and efficiently. In this study, we formulate such a mesh-motion governing principle, based on volume equidistribution via Monge-Kantorovich optimization (MK). In earlier publications [1,2], the advantages of this approach with regard to these points have been demonstrated for the time-independent case. In this study, we demonstrate that Monge-Kantorovich equidistribution can in fact be used effectively in a time-stepping context, and delivers an elegant solution to the otherwise pervasive problem of grid tangling in mesh-motion approaches, without resorting to ad hoc time-dependent terms (as in moving-mesh PDEs, or MMPDEs [3,4]). We explore two distinct r-refinement implementations of MK: the direct method, where the current mesh relates to an initial, unchanging mesh, and the sequential method, where the current mesh is related to the previous one in time. We demonstrate that the direct approach is superior with regard to mesh distortion and robustness. The properties of the approach are illustrated with a hyperbolic PDE, the advection of a passive scalar, in 2D and 3D. Velocity flow fields with and without flow shear are considered. Three-dimensional grid, time-step, and nonlinear tolerance convergence studies are presented which demonstrate the optimality of the approach.
Metoprolol Succinate Combination in the Treatment of Hypertension

Metoprolol is a selective beta(1)-adrenergic antagonist extensively used since 1975. Metoprolol has proven its efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease. A recently developed controlled release/ extended-release formulation of metoprolol succinate was designed to provide relatively constant metoprolol plasma concentrations and beta(1)-blockade while retaining the convenience of once daily administration. A 100-mg metoprolol controlled/extended-release tablet contains 95 mg of metoprolol succinate and is considered to have equivalent activity of 100 mg metoprolol tartrate. After ingestion, the tablet disintegrates into individual pellets and each pellet acts as a diffusion cell releasing the drug at a relatively constant rate over a period of approximately 20 hours. The aim of this review was to determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of metoprolol succinate and to apply those properties in combination with other drugs mainly diuretics in the treatment of hypertension.
James J. Bradac as Teacher, Researcher, and Role Model

James J. Bradac's scholarship contributed significantly to several domains of communication research. However, Bradac's legacy to the field also includes a personal element. He influenced the lives of many students and colleagues during a career exceeding 30 years. This article recounts the impact he had on the authors in their roles as students, advisees, and research assistants from 1975 to 1980 when he served on the faculty in the Communication Research Division of the Department of Speech and Dramatic Art at the University of Iowa.
The absolute configuration of the flagellar apparatus in zoospores from two species ofLaminariales (Phaeophyceae

We examined the zoospores produced by the unilocular sporangia ofLaminaria digitata (L.) Lamour. andNereocystis luetkeana Post. & Rupr. by serial sectioning to determine the absolute configuration of their flagellar apparatuses. The basal bodies, which are interconnected by three striated bands, lie parallel to the ventral face of the zoospore, and the posterior basal body always is found to the right of the anterior basal body when the cell is viewed from the ventral face, anterior end up. The four rootlets associated with the basal bodies include a major anterior rootlet of about seven microtubules extending from the anterior basal body along the ventral face towards the apex, a five-membered bypassing rootlet that passes ventral to the basal bodies and is connected to the posterior basal body by a posterior fibrous band, and two short rootlets having a single member each, the minor anterior and posterior rootlets. We consider the configuration observed here to be typical of most phaeophycean motile cells. The flagellar apparatus features suggest a considerable phylogenetic difference between thePhaeophyceae and other classes of chlorophyll c-containing organisms.
Ultrasonic NDE of cast stainless steel

Abstract The microstructure of cast stainless steel can vary considerably, from elastically isotropic with an equiaxial, relatively small grain structure to elastically anistropic with a columnar grain structure to a combination of the two. The ultrasonic inspection of this material may be optimized if the grain structure is known. Shear waves will be more effective with the isotropic material whereas longitudinal waves will be better for the anisotropic material because of beam-focusing effects. In this paper, the results of experiments to characterize the microstructure by use of ultrasonic waves are discussed. It is shown that velocity of sound and beam skewing can be measured accurately enough to characterize cast stainless steel even in thick-walled reactor components. The consequences for field inspections are discussed, along with some results obtained from preservice field tests.
A lod score method for detecting linkage on the X chromosone between a marker locus and a major gene locus for a quantitative

A sequential lod-score method is proposed for detecting linkage on the X chromosome between a marker locus and the locus of a major gene influencing a quantitative trait, The method uses information from sons of doubly heterozygous mothers. The average number of families required to detect linkage is substantially less than that of the fixed sample-size method proposed by Hill.
Mycosis fungoides with large cell transformation: clinicopathological features and prognostic factors.

Summary Large cell transformation of mycosis fungoides (MF-LCT) occurs in 20–50% of advanced MF, and is generally associated with poor prognosis, although some patients have indolent disease. We sought to identify clinicopathological prognostic factors in a large number of patients with MF-LCT. We identified patients with MF-LCT treated between 1991 and 2012 at a referral centre for cutaneous lymphoma. Clinical and pathological records, and histopathological slides were reviewed. Associations of clinicopathological variables with disease-specific survival were analysed. In 51 patients with MF-LCT, factors significantly associated with shorter survival were: age >60 years (25 versus 61 months, p = 0.01), stage lll/IV (25 versus 44 months, p = 0.049), high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; 24 versus 53 months, p = 0.007), absent papillary dermal involvement (8 versus 30 months, p = 0.008); follicular mucin at transformation (24 versus 42 months, p = 0.007); and the absence of fibrosis at transformation (21 versus 42 months, p = 0.03). Patients presenting with transformation at diagnosis had better survival than those who started with a small cell phenotype ( p = 0.02). Age >60 years was independently associated with poorer survival (HR 5.61, 95%CI 1.17-26.8, p = 0.03), and the presence of fibrosis at transformation was independently associated with improved survival (HR 0.30, 95%CI 0.09–0.97, p = 0.045). In patients with MF-LCT, clinical features (age, stage, serum LDH) are important in assessing prognosis. Additional clinical and pathological features identified in this study may also assist in prognostic stratification. Studies of larger cohorts should be performed to validate the prognostic significance of these features.
Collaborative rewiring of the pluripotency network by chromatin and signalling modulating pathways

Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a profound change in cell fate. Here, we show that combining ascorbic acid (AA) and 2i (MAP kinase and GSK inhibitors) increases the efficiency of reprogramming from fibroblasts and synergistically enhances conversion of partially reprogrammed intermediates to the iPSC state. AA and 2i induce differential transcriptional responses, each leading to the activation of specific pluripotency loci. A unique cohort of pluripotency genes including Esrrb require both stimuli for activation. Temporally, AA-dependent histone demethylase effects are important early, whereas Tet enzyme effects are required throughout the conversion. 2i function could partially be replaced by depletion of components of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin growth factor pathways, indicating that they act as barriers to reprogramming. Accordingly, reduction in the levels of the EGF receptor gene contributes to the activation of Esrrb. These results provide insight into the rewiring of the pluripotency network at the late stage of reprogramming.
Mechanical Behavior of Alumina/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanocomposites

Alumina/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites were synthesized using 38 and 17 nm alumina nanoparticles. At an optimum weight fraction, the resulting nanocomposites display a room-temperature brittle-to-ductile transition in uniaxial tension with an increase in the strain-to-failure that averages 40% strain and the appearance of a well-defined yield point in uniaxial tension. Concurrently, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites drops by more than 20 °C. The brittle-to-ductile transition is found to depend on poor interfacial adhesion between polymer and nanoparticle. This allows the nucleation of voids, typically by larger particles (∼100 nm), which subsequently expand during loading. This void formation suppresses craze formation and promotes delocalized shear yielding. In addition, the reduction in Tg shrinks the shear yield envelope, further promoting this type of yield behavior. The brittle-to-ductile phenomenon is found to require both larger particles for void growth a...
The infrared spectrum of the ν1 and ν4 bands of 28SiH3D

Abstract The spectrum of the ν 1 and ν 4 SiH stretching bands of 28 SiH 3 D have been recorded and analyzed. The degenerate stretching mode is at 2188.504 cm −1 , only 1.103 cm −1 above the symmetric stretching mode. Several accidental and essential resonances affect these bands but all have been successfully analyzed by diagnolization of the secular determinant complete through the second order of the transformed Hamiltonian. One accidental resonance leads to a number of forbidden transitions through which a value of the rotational constant A 0 has been obtained.
Economic Structure and the Regulation of Television

I. Economic structure, 425. — II. Underutilization of the ultra high frequencies, 430. — III. Network practices and public policy, 439. — IV. Conclusion, 449.
Effect of cold rolling on the elastic properties of (Al2O3)p-Al composite

Mechanical shaping of an aluminium alloy reinforced with Al2O3 particulates, (Al2O3)p-Al, was carried out by a cold rolling operation. Rolling was performed unidirectionally in a direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction of the composite, until edge cracks formed. Cold rolling was found to cause particulate cracking and interfacial debonding, as wellas the redistribution of (Al2O3)p. These parameters have significant roles in determining the elastic properties of the resultant composite.
Brooding and reflection: Rumination predicts suicidal ideation at 1-year follow-up in a community sample

The cognitive processes underlying suicidal thinking and behavior are not well understood. The present study examined brooding and reflection, two dimensions of rumination, as predictors of suicidal ideation among a community sample of 1134 adults. Participants completed self-report measures of rumination and depression, and a semi-structured clinical interview that included an assessment of suicidal ideation, at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Brooding was more strongly related to degree of ideation at baseline than was reflection. However, both brooding and reflection predicted whether an individual thought about suicide at 1-year follow-up, even after adjusting for baseline suicidal ideation. Symptoms of depression mediated the relationship between brooding and ideation but not that between reflection and ideation. Implications for the nature of thought processes that result in suicidal thinking are discussed.
Fragility of Polymeric Liquids: Correlations between Thermodynamic and Dynamic Properties

The effect of polymer structure on fragility was determined by relating the apparent fragility to the relaxation response, heat capacity, and thermal expansion. For the 14 polymers studied, the fragility estimates based on the relaxation behavior (log aT) correlated well with the thermodynamic estimates of ΔCp/Mo, and Δα. In general, polymers with less sterically hindered repeat unit structures exhibited strong behavior. Polymers with sterically hindered backbones containing oxygen or ringed structures in the backbone were consistently fragile using log aT, ΔCp/Mo, and Δα as measures of fragility. On the other hand, using Cp 1/Cp g as a fragility criterion resulted in very different fragility classifications.
"A Little Too Ironic": The Appropriation and Packaging of Riot Grrrl Politics by Mainstream Female Musicians

(2003). ‘A Little Too Ironic’: The Appropriation and Packaging of Riot Grrrl Politics by Mainstream Female Musicians. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 5-16.
Design and implementation of finite resolution crisp and fuzzy spatial objects

Uncertainty management for geometric data is currently an important problem in spatial databases, image databases, and geographic information systems. Spatial entities do not always have homogeneous interiors and sharply defined boundaries but frequently their interiors and boundaries are partially or totally indeterminate and vague. For an important kind of spatial vagueness called spatial fuzziness this paper provides a conceptual and an implementation model of fuzzy spatial objects that also incorporates fuzzy geometric union, intersection, and difference operations as well as fuzzy topological predicates. In particular, this model is not based on Euclidean space and not on an infinite-precision arithmetic which lead to lacking numerical robustness and to topological inconsistency of implementations on a computer; it rests on a finite, discrete geometric domain called grid partition which takes into account finite-precision number systems available in computers. Last but not least, this paper is a contribution to achieve a uniform treatment of vector and raster data.
The distribution of badly approximable rationals and continuants with bounded digits, II

For fixed n > 1, let Qn(x) = {(a, b) ∈ Z × Z such that 1 ≤ a ≤ b ≤ x, gcd(a, b) = 1, and all digits are ≤ n in the continued fraction expansion of a/b}. An asymptotic estimate for # Qn(x) as x → t8 is established, as is the asymptotic distribution of ab within Qn(x).
Skin necrosis in the presence of paclitaxel and fluorometholone

Paclitaxel (Taxol) can induce full-thickness skin necrosis at sites distant from those of injection. This side effect may be potentiated in the presence of fluorometholone (FML).
A New Species of Sarcocystis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from the Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

Infection with Sarcocystis species is common in herbivores but is rare in bears. Histological sections of 374 black bears (Ursus americanus) from Pennsylvania were examined for sarcocysts. In total, 3 sarcocysts were found in 3 bears, with 1 sarcocyst per section. Sarcocysts from 2 bears were considered a new species, Sarcocystis ursusi. Sarcocysts of S. ursusi n. sp. were microscopic and contained only bradyzoites. By light microscopy, the sarcocyst wall was thin (<0.5 μm thick) and had minute serrations. Ultrastructurally, the serrations on the sarcocyst wall consisted of villar protrusions (Vp) that were mostly 0.5 μm long. The Vp had bundles of electron-dense microtubules that were as wide as long; these microtubules extended deep into the ground substance layer, a feature that distinguished this species from unnamed sarcocysts from black bear. Bradyzoites were 4.8–6.0 μm long. The sarcocyst from the third bear was structurally different from S. ursusi; its sarcocyst wall was approximately 2 μm thick ...
Cockayne Syndrome B protein antagonizes OGG1 in modulating CAG repeat length in vivo

OGG1 and MSH2/MSH3 promote CAG repeat expansion at Huntington's disease (HD) locus in vivo during removal of oxidized bases from DNA. CSB, a transcription-coupled repair (TCR) protein, facilitates repair of some of the same oxidative lesions. In vitro, a knock down CSB results in a reduction of transcription-induced deletions at CAG repeat tract. To test the role of CSB in vivo, we measured intergenerational and somatic expansion of CAG tracts in HD mice lacking CSB, OGG1, or both. We provide evidence that CSB protects CAG repeats from expansion by either active reduction of the tract length during parent-child transmission, or by antagonizing the action of OGG1, which tends to promote expansion in somatic cells. These results raise a possibility that actions of transcription-coupled and base excision repair pathways lead to different outcomes at CAG tracts in vivo.
A novel method for the determination of T-cell proliferative responses in patients with uveitis

Standard proliferation assays using autoantigens such as S-Ag have given erratic responses when studied with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This erratic response is a reflection of the low number of circulating cells in the peripheral blood capable of generating a response as well as the presence of competing cells for the available cytokines in culture. The present study compares the standard proliferation assay with a novel technique in which multiple short-term cell lines are established to S-Ag in medium enriched in helper cytokines. After 12-14 days of culture, these lines were tested for their response to S-Ag. A significant difference was found between patients and controls in the ability to generate responsive cell lines. This translated to a frequency of responsive cells of 0-4 per 10(7) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in normal individuals and 0-200 per 10(7) PBMC in patients. This novel technique may provide a means of determining the number of responsive cells to specific autoantigens in the peripheral blood of patients and the ability to follow the response over time.
IMMUNE RESPONSES IN AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS: EFFECT OF PREDNISONE AND AZATHIOPRINE TREATMENT: CASE REPORT

The role of the immune response in autoimmune hepatitis has not been studied before and after prednisone and azathioprine treatment. Distributions of blood lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD23+, CD16/56+), levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgE, IgA) and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-12, TNFα ) were studied in a child (f/14 y/o) with autoimmune hepatitis before and after prednisone (20 mg/d) and azathioprine (50 mg/d) treatment (nephelometry, UniCAP Total IgE Fluoroenzymeimmunoassay, flow cytometry, cytokine ELISA). Patient was studied for 0-2.5 yrs; treatment was initiated 12 weeks post diagnosis. Numbers of CD4+ T cells increased (50%), while CD19+ and CD23+ cells decreased (>50%) post treatment; other lymphocyte subsets were unaffected by treatment. Serum IgG and IgE levels decreased (>50%) after treatment; serum IgM and IgA were within normal range and were not affected by treatment High levels of IFN-γ (5-23 pg/ml) were initially detected in serum, which decreased after treatment (<0.1 pg/ml). Furthermore, low levels of IL-4 (0.2 pg/mL) were detected before treatment, which were not detected after treatment (<0.1 pg/ml). In contrast, before treatment, IL-12 and TNFα were not detected in serum; however after treatment the levels of IL-12 and TNFα dramatically increased. Prednisone and azathioprine treatment decreased total serum IgG, IgE, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels, and blood CD19+ and CD23+ cells; however serum IL-12, TNFα and blood CD4+ T cells increased with treatment. Understanding immunomodulation in autoimmune hepatitis will provide better insight and mechanisms of this disease and may tailor more effective therapeutic intervention.
Replacement of a thiourea-S with an amidine-NH donor group in a platinum-acridine antitumor compound reduces the metal's reactivity with cysteine sulfur.

The reactivity of two DNA-targeted platinum–acridine conjugates with cysteine sulfur was studied. The conjugate containing an amidine-NH donor group cis to the chloride leaving group showed considerably reduced reactivity with N-acetylcysteine compared to the prototypical derivative containing a thiourea-S linkage. The opposite scenario has been observed previously in reactions with nucleobase nitrogen. Possible consequences of the unique target-selective tuning of the substitution chemistry for the pharmacodynamic properties and biological activity of these agents are discussed.
Broadband and multispectral response of planar antennas for terahertz security screening

A passive, real-time security camera based on ultrawideband planar antennas and superconducting microbolometers has been developed and described in prior publications [1,2]. As built, it provides images that are superpositions of images across the full 0.2–1.2 THz band of the planar antennas. In this work, we combine the superconducting microbolometers with a monochromator based on a frequency-selective surface, developed separately [3], to obtain multispectral images.
Throughput and delay analysis for a new efficient CSMA/CD based protocol

The authors describe a two-channel reservation network with priority access (TCRN/PA) that uses both channels and advance reservation to increase network throughput with shorter delay than carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA-CD). A contention channel (C-channel) carriers the reservation broadcasts while a data channel (D-channel) delivers the transmitted data. Each D-channel transmission is restricted to a limited number of data packets so that no one station dominates the channel. Each station limits the number of unsuccessful attempts to transmit each C-channel request packet to 20. Data packets sent to each station for transmission are ranked according to their arrival time, with older data sent at higher priority. The performance of TCRN/PA is compared with that of CSMA-CD-based networks, such as SRMA and ring and polling networks, for identical system bandwidths and is found to give greater throughput, as well as shorter delay, particularly at high throughputs. >
Calcium influx in skeletal muscle at rest, during activity, and during potassium contracture.

Calcium influx in the sartorius muscle of the frog (Rana pipiens) has been estimated from the rate of entry of Ca45. In the unstimulated preparation it is about equal to what has been reported for squid giant axons, but that per impulse is at least 30 times greater than in nerve fibers. The enhanced twitch when NO-2 replaces Cl- in Ringer's is associated with at least a 60 per cent increase in influx during activity, whereas this anion substitution does not affect the passive influx significantly. Calcium entry during potassium contracture is even more markedly augmented than during electrical stimulation, but only at the beginning of the contracture; thus, when a brief Ca45 exposure precedes excess K+ application, C45 uptake is increased three- to fivefold over the controls not subjected to K+, whereas when C45 and K+ are added together, no measurable increase in Ca45 uptake occurs. These findings are in keeping with the brevity of potassium contracture in "fast (twitch)" fibers such as in sartorius muscle.
Age-related effects on the neural correlates of autobiographical memory retrieval

Older adults recall less episodically rich autobiographical memories (AM), however, the neural basis of this effect is not clear. Using functional MRI, we examined the effects of age during search and elaboration phases of AM retrieval. Our results suggest that the age-related attenuation in the episodic richness of AMs is associated with difficulty in the strategic retrieval processes underlying recovery of information during elaboration. First, age effects on AM activity were more pronounced during elaboration than search, with older adults showing less sustained recruitment of the hippocampus and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) for less episodically rich AMs. Second, there was an age-related reduction in the modulation of top-down coupling of the VLPFC on the hippocampus for episodically rich AMs. In sum, the present study shows that changes in the sustained response and coupling of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) underlie age-related reductions in episodic richness of the personal past.
Molecular analysis of the nerve growth factor inducible ornithine decarboxylase gene in PC12 cells.

In an effort to understand molecular mechanisms by which nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates gene expression, we have isolated a full-length rat cDNA clone encoding ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and utilized this probe to identify and examine the transcriptionally active, NGF inducible ODC gene in rat PC12 cells. This same gene is also responsive to epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and dibutyryl cAMP. Primer extension analysis demonstrates that both basal and NGF induced transcription of the ODC gene utilize the same major transcriptional start site, demonstrating that NGF acts to increase transcriptional activity at the basal start site as opposed to unmasking an alternative, stronger start site. Functional promoter analysis reveals the presence of a constitutive core promoter residing between positions −201 and +390, relative to the start site of transcription. Additional analyses reveal that sequences in the region −7800 to +2257 are insufficient to mediate NGF induced transcriptional activation, demonstrating that at least some of the regulatory sequences necessary for NGF mediated transcriptional induction of the ODC gene must reside at relatively enormous distances from the transcriptional start site. Such a long distance transcriptional regulatory mechanism is unique when compared with other NGF responsive genes that have been similarly analyzed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of three organelle markers for phylogeographic inference in Batrachospermum helminthosum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) from North America

SUMMARY Phylogeographic signal provided by the newly developed 23S plastid rRNA marker (universal plastid amplicon, UPA) and the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene marker (COI) in the freshwater red alga Batrachospermum helminthosum, throughout its range in North America, was investigated. These markers were compared in individuals from a previous study using the cytochrome oxidase 2–3 spacer region (cox2–3), which has yielded the most useful data to date with 13 haplotypes among geographic locations. Five haplotypes were resolved for the UPA, differing by only one to two base pairs (bp), and we conclude that this marker may be more appropriate for studying interspecific variation. In contrast, the COI gene revealed 16 haplotypes, differing from one to 44 base pairs or up to 6.6% sequence variation. The intraspecific variation of COI in this taxon is much greater than that reported thus far for marine red algae (generally <5 bp). The intraspecific variation within B. helminthosum is in accord with levels shown in Batrachospermum macrosporum (48 bp within distant locations in Brazil). The COI gene is comparable to the cox2–3 spacer for phylogeographic studies as the haplotype networks were similar and showed the same geographic patterns. To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of these three regions for phylogeographic research in the red algae.
Systematic and Sustainable Reform in Engineering Education

In our global society, with its increasing technological demands and opportunities, engineering education plays an undeniably significant role. Professional preparation is a core ingredient for cultivating the engineering and technology talent required for economic and industrial success ~ASEE 1994!. According to the highest levels of leadership in the engineering community, however, engineering education has not kept up with the sweeping changes in engineering practices and, instead, continues to prepare students to be engineers for a world one or two generations past ~Wulf 1998!. This raises a question: How can we, as a community, promote systemic change to the educational process by taking advantage of our profession as promoters of discovery, learning, and engagement? The path to success is just beginning to take shape. A national awareness regarding engineering education reform is driving the need to establish the field of engineering education as a scholarly endeavor. The challenge facing engineering education cannot be met by simply modifying an outmoded curriculum. We need fundamental research that also transforms learning and teaching. As the National Research Council stated so well in 2002 ~Shavelson and Towne 2002!, “No one would think of getting to the moon or wiping out a disease without research. Likewise, one cannot expect reform efforts in education to have significant effects without research-based knowledge to guide them.” The National Academy of Engineering has recently become both vocal and proactive in sponsoring new initiatives to support innovative work in engineering education ~Wulf and Fisher 2002!. Couple this with the adoption of Engineering Criteria 2000 by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology ~ABET!, the National Science Foundation’s support for educational research, and publication of The Engineer of 2020 ~NAE 2004!, and the stage has been set to substantively elevate the status of educational research in faculty performance reviews, improve engineering educational research quality by demanding appropriate assessment, attract engineering professors into the field, and increase collaborations between engineering faculty and faculty in other areas including education and psychology, among others.
Beliefs, buses and lotteries: Why rational belief can’t be stably high credence

Until recently, it seemed like no theory about the relationship between rational credence and rational outright belief could reconcile three independently plausible assumptions: that our beliefs should be logically consistent, that our degrees of belief should be probabilistic, and that a rational agent believes something just in case she is sufficiently confident in it. Recently a new formal framework has been proposed that can accommodate these three assumptions, which is known as “the stability theory of belief” or “high probability cores.” In this paper, I examine whether the stability theory of belief can meet two further constraints that have been proposed in the literature: that it is irrational to outright believe lottery propositions, and that it is irrational to hold outright beliefs based on purely statistical evidence. I argue that these two further constraints create a dilemma for a proponent of the stability theory: she must either deny that her theory is meant to give an account of the common epistemic notion of outright belief, or supplement the theory with further constraints on rational belief that render the stability theory explanatorily idle. This result sheds light on the general prospects for a purely formal theory of the relationship between rational credence and belief, i.e. a theory that does not take into account belief content. I argue that it is doubtful that any such theory could properly account for these two constraints, and hence play an important role in characterizing our common epistemic notion of outright belief.
Uterine Epithelial Estrogen Receptor-α Controls Decidualization via a Paracrine Mechanism

Steroid hormone-regulated differentiation of uterine stromal cells, known as decidualization, is essential for embryo implantation. The role of the estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) during this differentiation process is unclear. Development of conditional Esr1-null mice showed that deletion of this gene in both epithelial and stromal compartments of the uterus leads to a complete blockade of decidualization, indicating a critical role of ESR1 during this process. To further elucidate the cell type-specific function of ESR1 in the uterus, we created WE(d/d) mice in which Esr1 is ablated in uterine luminal and glandular epithelia but is retained in the stroma. Uteri of WE(d/d) mice failed to undergo decidualization, indicating that epithelial ESR1 contributes to stromal differentiation via a paracrine mechanism. We noted markedly reduced production of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in WE(d/d) uteri. Supplementation with LIF restored decidualization in WE(d/d) mice. Our study indicated that LIF acts synergistically with progesterone to induce the expression of Indian hedgehog (IHH) in uterine epithelium and its receptor patched homolog 1 in the stroma. IHH then induces the expression of chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II, a transcription factor that promotes stromal differentiation. To address the mechanism by which LIF induces IHH expression, we used mice lacking uterine epithelial signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, a well-known mediator of LIF signaling. Our study revealed that LIF-mediated induction of IHH occurs without the activation of epithelial signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 but uses an alternate pathway involving the activation of the ERK1/2 kinase. Collectively our results provide unique insights into the paracrine mechanisms by which ESR1 directs epithelial-stromal dialogue during pregnancy establishment.
Circulatory dynamics during periodic intracranial hypertension in fetal sheep

The human fetal head is periodically compressed during labor. The resulting increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) may exceed the hydrostatic increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP), thereby decreasing cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). We determined whether the cardiovascular system of near-term fetal sheep is capable of rapidly increasing MAP during periodic increases in ICP. In 12 chronically instrumented fetuses, we produced sinusoidal oscillations in ICP with a maximum of 52 +/- 1 mmHg (baseline MAP) and a minimum of 4 +/- 1 mmHg at a 3-min periodicity by ventricular fluid infusion and withdrawal. Phasic increases in MAP and decreases in electromagnetically determined renal blood flow tracked behind ICP by 0.3-0.5 min. By the sixth cycle, tonic peripheral vasoconstriction that occurred attenuated by the reduction in CPP during subsequent ICP oscillations. By the 10th cycle, plasma catecholamines and vasopressin increased 20-fold. To more closely simulate the pattern during labor, we produced an ICP triangular pulse train with 5-min periodicity and pulse duration of 1.5 min in six other fetuses. The MAP response was nearly out of phase with this more rapid rise of ICP. Thus the phasic component of the fetal pressor response is inadequate for maintaining CPP when ICP is increased to baseline MAP in less than 0.75 min. However, when the ICP pulse duration and frequency are sufficiently high, a tonic pressor response that may be humorally mediated acts to minimize transient cerebral ischemia.
Development of Slickline Logging Tools for Very High-Temperature Applications

Five logging tools were developed for collecting data in the DOE-sponsored Salton Sea Scientific Drilling Project (SSSDP) well. The tools were designed to function at temperatures up to 400/sup 0/C (752/sup 0/F) and were successfully operated in the well at temperatures of 360/sup 0/C (680/sup 0/F). All of the tools - mechanical units for measuring and recording temperature, pressure, and flow rate; an electronic memory tool for measuring and recording temperature and pressure; and a special purpose battery pack for powering a downhole fluid sampler - are designed for slickline operation. In each, selected critical components are placed inside a dewar that provides thermal protection for a limited time. This paper discusses the tools, their development and operation, the results from their use in the SSSDP well, and potential extensions to geothermal and gas well applications.
A two-process model of metacognitive monitoring: Evidence for general accuracy and error factors

Abstract We examined the latent structure of metacognitive monitoring judgments using hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis to compare five competing theoretical models with respect to domain-specific versus domain-general monitoring processes. We expected our results to support a domain-general monitoring model. Of the five models, the domain general monitoring model provided the best fit. In this model, level-1 domain-specific accuracy and error factors for each of the three tests loaded on second-order domain-general accuracy and error factors, which then loaded on a third-order general monitoring factor. This model suggest that metacognitive monitoring consists of two different types of cognitive processes, one that is associated with accurate monitoring judgments, and one that is associated with error in monitoring judgments. We discuss the theoretical and practical instructional implications of our findings.
DESIGN, ANALYSIS AND FABRICATION OF A MESO-SCALE CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR

A gas or vapor compressor is one of the key components of many engineering systems, such as certain designs of vapor compression refrigeration systems, cryo-coolers, air handlers. For meso-scale systems with linear dimensions of a few centimeters, conventional designs do not work efficiently because of rather large relative tolerances, and hence these meso-scale systems require micro-fabricated components for efficient operation. This paper presents a meso-scale centrifugal compressor fabricated by photo-lithographic techniques. A preliminary design based on 1-D flow analysis using air as the working fluid shows that a 50 mm diameter centrifugal compressor with a blade height of 200 μm gives a static pressure ratio of 1.12. In this design, the impeller has 10 full blades and 10 splitter blades. Each blade has the NACA profile 9510 with the maximum camber at 50% of the chord. These impeller blades have exit angles 35 o with exit flow angles of 60 o . A vaned diffuser having 20 equally spaced vanes with the same NACA profile is used to improve compressor efficiency. A 3-D compressible, viscous flow analysis has been done using a commercial finite volume software. The results of this analysis allowed the verification of the flow characteristics inside the meso-scale centrifugal compressor. The compressor has been fabricated using micro-fabrication techniques. The rotor and the stator are made by etching a silicon wafer by using DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) technique. A Pyrex wafer is then bonded to the stator for visual access inside the compressor.