cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The measurement of pressure and level of fill in sealed storage drums

A non-intrusive technique has been developed which will detect an increase in pressure over ambient levels and alert workers of potential danger. Pressurization within the drum can be detected by measuring the frequency at which the drum lid vibrates; the natural frequencies increase as the pressure increases. It is shown that at high levels, the level of fill affects the frequency of the fundamental mode, but affects the higher modes to a much lesser degree. Thus, by measuring the frequencies of the fundamental and the first axisymmetric modes, the effect of fill level can be separated from pressurization. Analytical and experimental results are presented, along with suggestions for implementation.
Differentiation of substrate and non-substrate inhibitors of transport system xc(-): an obligate exchanger of L-glutamate and L-cystine.

Abstract In addition to the well-characterized sodium-dependent excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) present in the mammalian CNS, a chloride-dependent, sodium-independent transporter has also been identified that is capable of mediating the uptake of L-glutamate. Named system x c − , this transporter is an obligate exchanger that normally couples the export of intracellular L-glutamate with the import of extracellular L-cystine. Two cell lines that express high levels of system x c − are used to delineate the pharmacology of the transporter and demonstrate that it is distinct from both the EAATs and EAA ionotropic receptors. Potent competitive inhibitors of system x c − include: L-homocysteate, ibotenate, L-serine-O-sulphate, (RS)-4-bromohomoibotenate, quisqualate, and (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine. A fluorescent-based assay that allows system x c − -mediated exchange of L-glutamate and L-cystine to be followed in real time is used to assess substrate activity. Interestingly, those compounds that proved to be the most potent competitive inhibitors (e.g. L-quisqualate and 4-S-CPG) also proved to be the least active as substrates, suggesting that distinct structural features may control binding and translocation. Lastly, the finding that a number of system x c − inhibitors are also commonly used as probes of excitotoxic pathology (e.g., L-quisqualate, ibotenate and L-homocysteate) raises some interesting questions regarding the mechanisms through which these analogues produce CNS damage.
The Phosphatase Test. A Review of the Literature on its Application for Detecting Irregularities in the Pasteurization of Milk and Dairy Products

Summary It has been shown that the enzyme phosphatase is present in all raw samples of milk, and that its thermal resistance is greater than that of any pathogenic organism which may be present in milk. Due to its inactivation at pasteurizing temperatures generally employed, it adapts itself ideally to detecting irregularities in the pasteurization of milk. The various laboratory tests are of approximately equal value, and will detect variations as follows: 1.0° F. in temperature 5.0 minutes in holding time 0.1 per cent added raw milk to properly pasteurized. The modified field test is almost as sensitive; and increasing the incubation time to 30 minutes will probably make it just as sensitive as any of the laboratory tests. It has the advantage of being able to be run directly in the plant in a very short time. Irregularities can be detected at once, shown to operator, and cause remedied. A photelometer may be used with the laboratory tests for greater accuracy in some cases. The test is very sensitive and precautions listed for each test must be followed closely. The test may be applied to cream, and homogenized milk without modification. For chocolate drinks and various ice creams it is necessary to run controls using buffered water in place of buffered substrate to detect the presence of any interfering substances. For cheese and butter special preparation of the samples are necessary. More work needs to be done with the test on these two products.
Irrigation of Broccoli and Canola with Boron- and Selenium-Laden Effluent

Selenium (Se), boron (B), and salinity contamination of agricultural drainage water is potentially hazardous for water reuse strategies in central California. To demonstrate the feasibility of using plants to extract Se from drainage water, Se accumulation was determined in canola (Brassica napus L.) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) irrigated with drainage effluent in the San Joaquin Valley, California. In the 2-yr field study, both crops were irrigated with a typical drainage water containing Se (150 microg L(-1)), B (5 mg L(-1)), and a sulfate dominated salinity (EC of 7 dS m(-1)). Total dry matter yields were at least 11 Mg ha(-1) for both canola and broccoli, and plant tissue Se concentrations did not exceed 7 mg kg(-1) DM for either crop. Based on the amount of soluble Se applied to crops with drainage water and the estimated amount of soluble Se remaining in soil to a depth of 90 cm at harvest, both canola and broccoli accumulated at least 40% of the estimated soluble Se lost from the soil for both years. Applied Se not accounted for in plant tissue or as soluble Se in the soil was presumably lost by biological volatilization. This study suggests that irrigating two high value crops such as canola and broccoli with Se-laden effluent helps manage Se-laden effluent requiring treatment, and also produces economically viable Se-enriched crops. Future research should focus on managing residual salt and B in the soil for sustaining long time water reuse strategies.
Liquid‐metering device for continuous culture

A device is described for aseptically metering liquids at rates as low as 10 ml./hr. The metering rate is constant, but can be readily changed. The device delivers a measured increment of liquid every 10 sec. The volume added is controlled by electrical contants in an electrolyte tube. The medium does not enter this tube.
Segmentation of urinary bladder in CT urography (CTU) using CLASS

We are developing a computerized system for bladder segmentation on CTU, as a critical component for computer aided diagnosis of bladder cancer. A challenge for bladder segmentation is the presence of regions without contrast (NC) and filled with IV contrast (C). We are developing a Conjoint Level set Analysis and Segmentation System (CLASS) specifically for this application. CLASS performs a series of image processing tasks: preprocessing, initial segmentation, and 3D and 2D level set segmentation and post-processing, designed according to the characteristics of the bladder in CTU. The NC and the C regions of the bladder were segmented separately in CLASS. The final contour is obtained in the post-processing stage by the union of the NC and C contours. Seventy bladders (31 containing lesions, 24 containing wall thickening, and 15 normal) were segmented. The performance of CLASS was assessed by rating the quality of the contours on a 5-point scale (1= "very poor", 3= "fair", 5 = "excellent"). For the 53 partially contrast-filled bladders, the average quality ratings for the 53 NC and 53 C regions were 4.0±0.7 and 4.0±1.0, respectively. 46 NC and 41 C regions were given quality ratings of 4 or above. Only 2 NC and 5 C regions had ratings under 3. The average quality ratings for the remaining 12 completely no contrast (NC) and 5 completely contrast-filled (C) bladder contours were 3.3±1.0 and 3.4±0.5, respectively. After combining the NC and C contours for each of the 70 bladders, 46 had quality ratings of 4 or above. Only 4 had ratings under 3. The average quality rating was 3.8±0.7. The results demonstrate the potential of CLASS for automated segmentation of the bladder.
Concentration and Heat Transfer in Nonlinear Gortler Vortex Flow and the Analogy with Longitudinal Momentum Transfer

The similarity between heat, mass and streamwise-momentum transfer for the nonlinear Gortler vortex problem is pointed out. Quantitative interpretation of enhanced surface heat and mass transfer rates for unity Prandtl and Schmidt numbers are given. The relation between the visualized mushroomlike concentration distribution and the similar streamwise velocity development is also quantitatively interpreted.
The stability of triangular 'droplet' phases on Si(111)

Abstract Using continuum elasticity theory, we investigate the stability of coexisting 7×7 and ‘1×1’ phases on Si(1 1 1) as a function of temperature. We find that of the many possible ‘droplet’ phases, a configuration in which triangular domains meet corner-to-side is the most stable. At fixed separation, the elastic interaction between two domains is minimized in the corner-to-side arrangement. Away from the transition temperature, the size of the domains decreases while the domain spacing diverges.
Trace metals in metalliferous sediments, MANOP Site M: interfacial pore water profiles

We present data showing enrichments of metals Mn, Cu, V, Cr, Cd and Ni and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surficial pore waters, depths < 1 cm, at a metalliferous sediment site in the Pacific. We also present a model of metal release during particulate organic carbon (POC) oxidation and opal dissolution at the sediment-seawater interface. A comparison of measured interfacial metal concentrations with those predicted from the model suggest that Cd, Ni and Cr are released during oxidation of POC at the sediment-seawater interface. However, for V, Cu and Mn additional ‘source(s)’ and/or processes are required to account for the measured interfacial concentrations. For Cu, recycling via interfacial remineralization and release to bottom waters, with subsequent scavenging out of bottom waters by particulates, probably provides the major additional ‘source’. For V, we suggest that, in addition to some contribution from a benthic flux-bottom water scavenging scenario, complexation with DOM at the interface serves as a trap to accumulate V released from particulates in the zone of oxygen reduction. For manganese, we suggest that most of the interfacial pore water content is produced from reduction of sedimentary Mn(IV) by reactions with DOM at the sediment-seawater interface. The calculated benthic flux of manganese as a result of this reaction may account for a large fraction of the particulate manganese rain that is apparently not preserved in the sediment at this site.
Critical behavior of the three-dimensional Ising model: A high-resolution Monte Carlo study.

Using recently developed histogram techniques and an ultrafast multispin coding simulation algorithm, we have investigated the critical behavior of the d=3 simple-cubic Ising model. We have studied lattice sizes ranging from L=8 to 96 using between 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ and 12\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ Monte Carlo steps (complete lattice updates). By accurately measuring the finite-size behavior of several different thermodynamic quantities, we are able to determine the critical properties with a precision comparable to that obtained with Monte Carlo renormalization-group and sophisticated series-expansion techniques. The best estimate of the inverse critical temperature from our analysis is ${\mathit{K}}_{\mathit{c}}$=0.221 659 5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000 002 6. The advantages of the histogram technique are discussed, as are the potential problems that can arise at this level of resolution.
1989: the struggle to create post-cold war Europe

Mary Elise, Sarotte, Princeton, NJ and Oxford, Princeton University Press, 2009, xvi +321 pp Professor Sarotte's vivid account of the events in 1989–90 that brought about the unification of the two...
Theory of high-order harmonic generation from vibrating polyatomic molecules

A quantitative rescattering theory for high-order harmonics generation (HHG) from polyatomic molecules is presented. Comparison with experimental data reveals that structure and dynamics of molecules can be retrieved from the HHG spectra.
Medrn - a Mutual Aid Information Network for Emergency Response

Rapid and slow onset disasters require coordination between emergency responder and public health organizations. During a disaster many organizations are involved in the delivery of emergency services: emergency medical services (EMS), the fire and police departments, hospitals, public health officials, local authorities, etc. Resource planning, logistic coordination, and information sharing among all these units is therefore very important to save lives and reduce costs. To satisfy these needs, through grants from the National Library of Medicine, Semandex Networks is building the Medical Emergency Disaster Response Network (MEDRN). MEDRN uses Semantic Network technology to facilitate the access, dissemination and sharing of information across all parties involved in emergency management. The technology is currently fielded by SPAWAR, the Marine Corps and other Department of Defense (DoD) and non DoD national security agencies.
Theoretical Considerations of Target-Mediated Drug Disposition Models: Simplifications and Approximations

To clarify relationships among various types of target-mediated disposition (TMD) models including the Michaelis-Menten, quasi-steady-state (Qss), and rapid binding models and propose measures for the closeness of some models as approximations to the general TMD model (Mager and Jusko, J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 28(6):507–532, 2001). Based on the classic singular perturbation theory by selecting appropriate scales of time, we derive requirements with which the Michaelis-Menten and Qss models are suitable approximations. Under the Qss assumption we show that other simplifications of the general TMD model can be similarly obtained as the Michaelis-Menten and Qss models. We compare these models by simulations using known application examples. The Michaelis-Menten and Qss models are direct simplifications of the general TMD model and, moreover, suitable approximations if certain specific requirements on the parameters are met. As a first attempt to quantify the closeness of some simplifications to the general TMD model, our work should provide a more rigorous basis for the theoretical and practical research of TMD models, which are important for investigating the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships of many biological compounds.
Modeling the efficiency of top Arab banks: A DEA-neural network approach

This study investigates the efficiency of top Arab banks using two quantitative methodologies: data envelopment analysis and neural networks. The study uses a probabilistic neural network (PNN) and a traditional statistical classification method to model and classify the relative efficiency of top Arab banks. Accuracy indices are used to assess the classification accuracy of the models. Results indicate that the predictive accuracy of NN models is quite similar to that of traditional statistical methods. The study shows that the NN models have a great potential for the classification of banks' relative efficiency due to their robustness and flexibility of modeling algorithms. From a policy perspective, this study highlights the economic importance of encouraging increased efficiency throughout the banking industry in the Arab world.
Short-term treatment with a controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) device and FSH to induce fertile estrus and increase prolificacy in anestrous ewes

Abstract The objectives were to evaluate, in anestrous ewes, the effectiveness of a CIDR-G device (0.3 g progesterone) administered for 5 d to induce estrus; and FSH (Folltropin; 55 mg NIH-FSH-P1 equivalent) in saline: propylene glycol (1:4) 24 h before insert removal (Day 0), to increase ovulation rate and prolificacy. Ewes of mixed breeding were assigned at random to 3 treatments: control (C; n = 125), 5 d progesterone (P5; n = 257) and 5 of progesterone plus FSH (P5F; n = 271). Intact rams were joined at insert removal and ewes were observed every 24 h for 3 d. On Day 14, the ovulation rates of all ewes detected in estrus in the treated groups were determined using transrectal ultrasonography. Rams were removed on Day 26 to 31. Ewes were examined for pregnancy then, and again 20 to 25 d later to detect ewes that conceived to the second service period. Percentage of ewes marked by rams was higher in progesterone-treated (77%) than in C (20%; P
Antiarrhythmic effect of a 5-hydroxytryptamine M-receptor antagonist, ICS 205-930.

Abstract Aselective antagonist for neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors on “C” fibers in the vagus nerve and on sympathetic nerve terminals in the heart has recently been reported by Donatsch et al.1 This agent has been termed ICS 205–930 [Sandoz] and is a (3a-tropanyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester. It has been shown to protect rats from cardiac arrhythmias induced by noradrenaline in combination with halothane2 and against ischemic-induced arrhythmias in an anesthetized rat reperfusion model.3 In vitro studies3 also have demonstrated that ICS 205–930 reduced the maximum rate of increase of phase 0 in Purkinje's fiber action potentials of normal sheep, again suggesting a potential antiarrhythmic effect for this 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonist. This study explores in man the potential for ICS 205–930 to reduce benign or potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias in a controlled clinical setting.
Preservation of failure rate function shape in weighted distributions

This paper deals with the monotonicity properties of the failure rate of weighted distributions in relation to the corresponding properties of the base line distribution. Conditions are developed for the preservation of the monotonicity of the failure rate under weighting in the case of monotonic as well as non-monotonic failure rates. Several examples are provided.
Using Participatory Research to Build an Effective Type 2 Diabetes Intervention: The Process of Advocacy Among Female Hispanic Farmworkers and Their Families in Southeast Idaho

SUMMARY The Formando Nuestro Futuro/Shaping our Future project (herewith, Formando) is a community-based participative research (CBPR) focused on type 2 diabetes. It was conceptualized and designed by a team of university-based researchers and community health workers (promotores). This article describes the process of establishing a CBPR project such as Formando and the most current results from that project. The Formando project is an example of health-focused advocacy with the Mexican agricultural workers in Southeast (SE) Idaho. To date, 172 qualitative interviews on participants' knowledge about type 2 diabetes have been carried out with farmworker women and their families. Biometric data (heights, weights, blood pressures and fasting blood glucoses) were obtained from participants. Fieldnotes, focus group discussions and key informants were used to triangulate findings. Significant quantitative findings include that age was significantly associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) (p <0.001, Spearman Corr...
Structural heterogeneity and dynamics of dyes on TiO2: implications for charge transfer across organic–inorganic interfaces

Charge transfer across organic–inorganic interfaces plays a vital role in many important applications. Dye–semiconductor systems are the prototypical such interface and provide an excellent platform for exploring the underlying molecular-level factors that affect charge transfer dynamics and efficiency. Experiments often show multi-exponential electron injection kinetics from adsorbed dyes to a semiconductor substrate, suggesting the presence of interfacial heterogeneity. Nonetheless, both the diversity of interfacial structures and the associated implications for electronic dynamics are poorly understood. In the present work, we examine the effect of structural heterogeneity and dynamics on charge injection (as measured by dye–semiconductor electronic coupling) from plane wave density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics calculations on model dye–semiconductor systems. We demonstrate that dye binding motif, conformation, solvation, and corresponding thermal fluctuations significantly affect charge injection kinetics. We suggest that the experimentally observed multi-exponential kinetics likely result not only from an intrinsic heterogeneous distribution of electronic coupling strengths, but also from the conformational or solvent dynamics that in turn modulate the coupling strength and/or band alignment.
A [3H]lysine-containing synthetic peptide substrate for human protocollagen lysyl hydroxylase.

Abstract A tridecapeptide containing tritium-labelled lysine and corresponding closely to residues 98 to 110 of the α chain of type I collagen was synthesized by the solid-phase method. Gly-Leu-Hyp-Gly-Nle-[4,5- 3 H]Lys-Gly-His-Arg-Gly-Phe-Ser-Gly was used as a substrate of human protocollagen lysyl hydroxylase (peptidyllysine, 2-oxoglutarate: oxygen 5-oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.11.4) obtained from dermal fibroblasts. L -[4,5- 3 H]Lysine was converted to N α -t- butyloxycarbonyl -N ϵ -o- chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl [ 3 H ] lysine which was incorporated during stepwise synthesis of the peptide. The chemical and radiochemical purities and specific activity of the completed peptide were characterized. A non-radiolabelled analogue of the peptide inhibited the hydroxylation of [ 3 H]lysine-containing protocollagen by human lysyl hydroxylase, indicating that the synthetic peptide interacted with the enzyme. The peptide containing [ 3 H]lysine was a substrate for lysyl hydroxylase and permitted direct measurement of enzyme activity in relatively crude cell extracts by a tritium-release assay. Extracts of cultured fibroblasts from a patient with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VI had activities for tritium release from either the radiolabelled synthetic peptide or from [ 3 H]lysine-containing protocollagen that were only 30% of those from control cells. These data indicate that a stable, well-defined synthetic peptide containing [ 3 H]lysine is a useful substrate for studies of genetically variant lysyl hydroxylase from cultured human cells.
Ectopic Ovary Presenting as Right Upper Quadrant Abdominal Pain in a Premenarchal Patient With a Unicornuate Uterus

Background: The association between unicornuate uterus and undescended ovaries has been reported in the past but is extremely rare. In many cases, the possibility is not considered or recognized and there is a significant delay in diagnosis. Of the mullerian duct anomalies, unicornuate uterus represent approximately 4% of these disorders of lateral fusion of the mullerian ducts. Case: The patient was a 12 year old premenstrual female who presented with onset of right upper quadrant pain and emesis. The patient was hospitalized for 3 days to rule out appendicitis and had resolution of her pain. The GI service after upper GI series with small bowel follow through, endoscopy and colonoscopy diagnosed possible Crohn's disease and patient was started on Pentasa and Zantac with no relief. The patient continued to have recurrent pain in the same location lasting from hours to days with a sporadic pattern of occurrence for the next 13 months. The patient was then rehospitalized for 5 days for severe pain which spontaneously resolved. Two months later the patient had a repeat hospitalization and was seen by pediatric surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed with the findings being absent right adnexa and otherwise normal pelvis. The patient was referred to pediatric gynecology. Ectopic right ovary was suspected as the cause of the pain and a right upper quadrant ultrasound revealed a 2.3 x 1.3 x 1.5 cm structure at the tip of the right liver lobe. Concomitant pelvic ultrasound revealed a normal left ovary and the right ovary was not visualized. The uterus appeared deviated to the left. A CT scan performed revealed a small multiloculated mixed density lesion at the inferior tip of the right liver lobe. Both kidneys were visualized in the normal position. The patient had a presumptive diagnosis of unicornuate uterus associated with a right ectopic ovary with the pain being intermittent torsion. The patient had a repeat laparoscopy with the right ovary noted just beneath the tip of the right liver lobe. Given the history of right upper quadrant pain likely being intermittent torsion, after consultation with the parents, the decision was made to excise the right ovary. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and has remained pain free. Comments: The ovaries have an entirely separate origin from the mullerian system with primordial germ cells invading the primitive gonads on the gonadal ridge, eventually migrating from near the kidney to the true pelvis. If there are no mullerian duct derivatives or kidney on one side, i.e. failure of development of the entire urogenital ridge, including the genital ridge where the ovary forms, then the ovary may be malpositioned, located anywhere from the level of T4 to the pelvic brim. These ectopic locations for ovaries are associated with a 40% chance of associated unicornuate uterus. The failure to visualize either adnexa in a patient with unexplained pain should prompt a search for a potential ectopic location for the ovary.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Online Information Literacy Tutorials for Millennial Undergraduates

This article reports on the findings of a study that evaluated the effectiveness of redesigning online information literacy tutorials in order to meet the learning needs and preferences of Millennial students. Using both quantitative and qualitative measures, this study compared two different online tutorials—a static, HTML-based tutorial and a dynamic, interactive, audio/video tutorial. This study found that, contrary to generalizations made in the library and education literature, Millennial students learned equally well from both tutorials. However, students expressed a much higher level of satisfaction from the tutorial designed to be “Millennial friendly.”
Accuracy of direct gradient sensing by single cells

Many types of cells are able to accurately sense shallow gradients of chemicals across their diameters, allowing the cells to move toward or away from chemical sources. This chemotactic ability relies on the remarkable capacity of cells to infer gradients from particles randomly arriving at cell-surface receptors by diffusion. Whereas the physical limits of concentration sensing by cells have been explored, there is no theory for the physical limits of gradient sensing. Here, we derive such a theory, using as models a perfectly absorbing sphere and a perfectly monitoring sphere, which, respectively, infer gradients from the absorbed surface particle density or the positions of freely diffusing particles inside a spherical volume. We find that the perfectly absorbing sphere is superior to the perfectly monitoring sphere, both for concentration and gradient sensing, because previously observed particles are never remeasured. The superiority of the absorbing sphere helps explain the presence at the surfaces of cells of signal-degrading enzymes, such as PDE for cAMP in Dictyostelium discoideum (Dicty) and BAR1 for mating factor α in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). Quantitatively, our theory compares favorably with recent measurements of Dicty moving up a cAMP gradient, suggesting these cells operate near the physical limits of gradient detection.
Orientations of the principal components of electric field gradients and internal motions in dihydrogen ligands from the 2H T1 NMR relaxation data in solution.

The deuterium spin–lattice relaxation times in (D2) ligands of W, Ru and Os complexes are reviewed and analyzed in terms of the fast internal (D2) motions: free rotation, librations and 180° jumps. The analysis was performed using quadrupolar coupling constant (DQCC) parameters taken from the solid-state 2H NMR spectra and density function theory calculations. It is shown that the calculated DQCC values can be corrected for further use in interpretations of deuterium relaxation times for Ru and Os dihydrogen complexes. The resulting data led to a criterion for using the relaxation data to distinguish fast-spinning dihydrogen ligands. It is shown that the principal components of electric field gradient tensors at D in the dihydrogen ligands are oriented closer to M–D directions Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T-1028A/FPS-85 radar transmitter design

The AN/FPS-85 radar is a large, fixed-position, phased-array radar located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The radar has a peak radiated power of about 32 MW generated by a 72 X 72 matrix of separate transmitter elements that are individually rated for a maximum peak power output of 10 kW. All current amplifier and mixer functions on the existing transmitters are performed by tube devices. Southwest Research Institute is currently under contract by the U.S. Air Force to redesign the transmitter units and supply three operational prototypes. The design goals of the program are to extend the performance envelope by increasing pulse width and duty cycle capabilities, and to increase the reliability of the transmitter by using solid-state components where practical. The transmitter prototype redesign is in an advanced state and has involved the design of pulsed-power modulator circuits, energy storage networks, and custom solid-state and tube cavity amplifiers. An industry search for suitable manufacturers of custom RF amplifier modules has resulted in the conclusion that an all-solid-state design is technically viable; however, the expense of the all-solid-state approach has made a combined solid-state/tube design economically attractive.
Regulation of extracellular potassium in the developing hippocampus

Abstract It has long been felt that one of the reasons that the immature brain has an increased propensity to seize is due to an inability to regulate the extracellular potassium ([K + ] o ). However, the data supporting this hypothesis is controversial. Here, we tested the regulation of [K + ] o in urethane-anesthetized juvenile and adult rats during and after synchronized epileptiform activity induced by 20 Hz stimulus trains to the CA3 region. The regulation of [K + ] o in CA3 was compared to the same measurements in CA1. Across all age groups, there was no difference between CA1 and CA3. There was a slight decrease in the peak level of [K + ] o reached during stimulation only in the youngest age groups tested (PN9–11). There was an age-dependent change in the rate of recovery of [K + ] o from the elevated levels. This recovery was slowest in the PN9–11 age group. In all the animals in the PN9–11 group and 3/7 animals in the PN14–15 group, there was a secondary increase in the [K + ] o during the afterdischarge. This secondary rise was never observed in animals over 15 days of age. These data confirm that there is altered regulation of [K + ] o in the developing brain that takes two forms: (1) the ability to recover from elevated [K + ] o levels, suggesting maturation of regulatory, or uptake, mechanisms; and (2) that which is related to mechanisms of synchronization and initiation of afterdischarges and the level of [K + ] o that is produced during the discharge.
The bound-state resonant tunneling transistor (BSRTT): Fabrication, D.C. I–V characteristics and high-frequency properties

Abstract The output characteristics of resonant tunneling transistors with a charge filled bound state quantum well base obtained by a self-consistent solution of Poisson's and Schrodinger's equations show the effect of coupling between the input and output ports of the device and the effect on the current-voltage characteristics. Using a self-aligned process transistors were fabricated which showed a current gain of 3 and transconductances of 30 mS. The output characteristics do not saturate and this is in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. The charge and potential distributions obtained from the self-consistent calculations are used in a quasi-static analysis of the small signal parameters for a hybrid-π model, and the high-frequency performance of the transistor is analyzed.
Spectral properties of Au–ZnTe plasmonic nanorods

Coupled plasmonic nanoparticles of Au and nanorods of ZnTe are modeled and fabricated. Full-wave simulation is performed to obtain an optimum design for enhanced light absorption and to explain scattering properties of the structure. The fabrication method of such arrays is described. Modeling the spectral properties using equivalent circuit theory is also implemented to provide an intuitive approach regarding the design of optical metamaterials with predetermined properties.
Theoretical analysis of the triplet excited states of difluorosilylene. A density functional study

Abstract We calculated the geometry and vibrational frequencies of the ground 1 A 1 and first excited 3 B 1 states of SiF 2 by local and gradient corrected density functional methods. Further, we have determined the geometry, adiabatic and vertical excitation energies of SiF 2 in 3 A 2 and 3 B 2 states. We have also simulated the vibrational fine structure of the emission and absorption spectrum based on Frank Condon principles between the ground and first triplet and singlet excited states. The results of the calculations is compared to the available experimental and theoretical data.
Transcriptional repression of ER through hMAPK dependent histone deacetylation by class I HDACs

Anti-estrogen therapies are not effective in ER- breast cancers, thus identifying mechanisms underlying lack of ER expression in ER- breast cancers is imperative. We have previously demonstrated that hyperactivation of MAPK (hMAPK) downstream of overexpressed EGFR or overexpression/amplification of Her2 represses ER protein and mRNA expression. Abrogation of hMAPK in ER- breast cancer cell lines and primary cultures causes re-expression of ER and restoration of anti-estrogen responses. This study was performed to identify mechanisms of hMAPK-induced transcriptional repression of ER. We found that ER promoter activity is significantly reduced in the presence of hMAPK signaling, yet did not identify specific promoter sequences responsible for this repression. We performed an epigenetic compound screen in an ER- breast cancer cell line that expresses hMAPK yet does not exhibit ER promoter hypermethylation. A number of HDAC inhibitors were identified and confirmed to modulate ER expression and estrogen signaling in multiple ER- cell lines and tumor samples lacking ER promoter methylation. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HDACs 1, 2, and 3 reversed the mRNA repression in multiple breast cancer cell lines and primary cultures and ER promoter-associated histone acetylation increased following MAPK inhibition. These data implicate histone deacetylation downstream of hMAPK in the observed ER mRNA repression associated with hMAPK. Importantly, histone deacetylation appears to be a common mechanism in the transcriptional repression of ER between ER- breast cancers with or without ER promoter hypermethylation.
The radiolysis of decalin-TBP solutions

Abstract We have investigated the radiolysis of decalin-tributylphosphate (TBP) solution and found a sensitized decomposition of the TBP.
Reducing energy costs in Internet-scale distributed systems using load shifting

Energy costs have become a significant fraction of the operational costs of running large Internet-scale distributed systems (IDS). In this work, we propose a demand-response technique where the system temporarily reduces its energy usage in response to pricing signals from a smart grid. Our proposed demand-response technique involves deferring the load from elastic requests to later time periods in order to reduce the server demand and the current energy usage, and hence, energy costs. We propose an optimal offline algorithm for demand response and evaluate it on production workloads from a commercial content delivery network using realistic electricity pricing models. Our optimal offline algorithm can achieve 12% energy cost savings for time-of-use electricity pricing, even when only 40% of the load is elastic and the service delay is at most 6 hours. The savings increase to 32% under peak-based demand pricing and to 23% under a combination of time-of-use and demand pricing. Further, we show that almost all the energy cost savings can be achieved with no increase in the bandwidth cost of the IDS.
A pilot study of aerobic exercise as an adjunctive treatment for drug dependence

Intervention to increase exercise in drug dependent patients represents a potentially useful yet unexplored strategy for preventing relapse. However, there are currently no established exercise interventions for use with this population. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of aerobic exercise as an adjunct to substance abuse treatment among drug dependent patients. Participants included 16 (31% female, 38.3 years old) drug dependent patients who participated in a 12-week, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention. Participants attended a mean of 8.6 sessions (out of 12). Participants demonstrated a significant increase in percent days abstinent for both alcohol and drugs at the end of treatment, and those who attended at least 75% of the exercise sessions had significantly better substance use outcomes than those who did not. In addition, participants showed a significant increase in their cardiorespiratory fitness by the end of treatment. While preliminary, this study is one of the first to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating aerobic exercise during drug abuse treatment. Future randomized control trials are a necessary next step to test the efficacy of a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention as an adjunct to drug abuse treatment in this patient population.
Adverse-drug-reaction reporting by pharmacy students in a teaching hospital

Purpose. Adverse-drug-reaction (ADR) reporting by pharmacy students in a teaching hospital is described. Summary. Faculty and pharmacy staff collaborated to modify the existing data collection form for suspected ADRs. During the orientation session for each new rotation, pharmacy students received an overview of ADRs, ADR trigger medications, and the hospital’s ADR reporting program. Pharmacy students collected ADR data by prospectively and retrospectively reviewing inpatient charts for suspected ADRs that were identified through various means. The students were responsible for completely and accurately documenting all aspects of the suspected ADRs. At least once a week, patient charts were requested to aid students in their investigation of suspected ADRs. Data from patient cases involving allergy-related ADRs were confirmed and updated in the hospital’s computer system. All documented ADRs were entered into a spreadsheet for the purpose of generating quarterly reports. Report data were analyzed by faculty and students to identify hospitalwide trends in an effort to develop new ADR prevention strategies. Pharmacy student involvement with the ADR process began in January 2006. A total of 310 ADRs were documented for 2006, compared with 42 for 2005, when pharmacy students were not involved in data collection. ADR reports also led to allergy updates for 42 patients. With students collecting and analyzing ADR data, the hospital was able to recognize those medications that commonly caused ADRs and track hospitalwide trends in an effort to target new initiatives to prevent their occurrence. Conclusion. Pharmacy student participation in the ADR reporting program led to a significant increase in the number of ADRs documented.
Extended-gate biosensors achieve fluid stability with no loss in charge sensitivity

The detection of toxic chemicals/biomolecules is of paramount importance for medical applications, environmental monitoring, food and pharmaceutical industries. Among the sensors available, FET based chemical/biosensors promise highly-sensitive, label-free detection for point-of-care applications. Further, compatibility with CMOS technology reduces costs and allows functional integration. Unfortunately, very poor reliability/stability of these sensors in the fluidic environment has been a key roadblock to the commercialization of technology. Fig. 1(a) shows the schematic of a conventional ISFET [1]: The gate oxide of the transistor is directly exposed to the ionic solution. Ions from the solution can penetrate into the gate oxide, causing voltage-dependent hysteresis [2] in the measured IV characteristics. Since, the sensing mechanism relies on the induced change in conductance/threshold voltage; this hysteresis can lead to false positives. Extended-gate FETs (Figs. 1(b) and 1(c)) promise to improve reliability by isolating the sensor (Asensor) from the transducer (Aox), connecting the two by an interconnect (Aint) [3][4]. The theory of pH-sensitivity (AISFET) for a classical ISFET is known from 1970s, however, a theoretical understanding of how the decoupling of sensor-transducer changes the sensitivity of an EGFET (SEGFET) remains unknown. In this paper, we use detailed numerical simulations, compact modeling, and experimental results to conclude that regardless of the interconnect penalty, SEGFET → AISFET with Asensor ≫ Aox.
Induction of rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 by 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl.

Abstract The following evidence suggests that 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl resembles isosafrole as an inducer of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450d in the immature male Wistar rat. First, the major hepatic microsomal polypeptide ( M r = 52,000), intensified after treatment of rats with 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, comigrated in sodium dodecyi sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with cytochrome P-450d (i.e. the major isosafrole-inducible polypeptide) but had an electrophoretic mobility intermediate between cytochrome P-450b ( M r ≈ 51,500) and cytochrome P-450c ( M r = 56,000) (i.e. the major phenobarbital- and 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible polypeptides respectively). Second, when pairs of various xenobiotics were coadministered to rats at doses effecting maximal induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450, the inductive effects of 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl were additive with those of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile but not with those of isosafrole. The inductive effects of phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile and isosafrole were all expressed additively with each other. Third, in contrast to phenobarbital and pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile treatment, treatment of rats with 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, isosafrole or 3-methylcholanthrene failed to increase markedly the proportion of total cytochrome P-450 capable of forming a 446 nm-absorbing complex with metyrapone. Fourth, the in vitro metabolism of isosafrole, catalyzed by hepatic microsomes from rats treated with 2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, isosafrole or 3-methylcholanthrene, produced complexes between ferrous cytochrome P-450 and a methylenedioxyphenyl metabolite, the spectra of which were between 400 and 500 nm and were similar to each other but which were readily distinguishable from the spectra of the product adducts formed during the metabolism of isosafrole by hepatic microsomes from rats treated with corn oil (control), phenobarbital, or pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile.
Plato's Phaedrus and rhetoric

Although Plato consistently criticized the objectionable use of rhetoric in his day, many have interpreted his Phaedrus as a recognition that rhetoric, in its pure form, is a just and honorable thing. This article attempts to refute this thesis by demonstrating that Plato, in writing Phaedrus, unequivocally affirmed his opposition to rhetoric by constructing an unapproachable ideal rhetoric that, by contrast, put real rhetoric in a permanently unwholesome light.
Managing climate change adaptation in forests: a case study from the U.S. Southwest

Summary 1. Forest mortality related to climate change is an increasingly common global phenomenon. We provide a case study of the U.S. Southwest to investigate the interactions among forest restoration treatments that alter stand density, tree growth and drought resistance in trees of different size classes. 2. Using cores taken from five positions in large trees (coarse roots, breast height, base of live crown, midcrown branch and treetop) and breast height in small trees, we investigated how radial growth response to thinning and precipitation availability varied in 72 ponderosa pines Pinus ponderosa Dougl. in northern Arizona. 3. Ten years after thinning, growth of small trees did not respond significantly to thinning, whereas growth of large trees increased following moderate and heaving thinning, and this response was similar across within-tree core sample positions. 4. The intensity of thinning treatment did not significantly affect dry-year growth in small trees. In large trees, dry-year growth after thinning was maintained at pre-thinning levels in moderate and heavy thinning treatments but decreased in the light thinning and control treatments. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our findings indicate that more aggressive thinning treatments used for forest restoration stimulate growth throughout large residual trees from coarse roots to branches and also improve drought resistance, providing a greater resilience to future climate-related stress. These responses to treatment are more pronounced in large trees than small trees. Forest thinning is therefore recommended in systems that are likely to experience increased temperature and decreased precipitation as a result of climate change.
Hematopoiesis sculpted by pathogens: Toll-like receptors and inflammatory mediators directly activate stem cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) repopulate the immune system during normal replenishment as well as under the burden of pathogen stress, but the respective outcomes of differentiation are not the same. Under homeostatic conditions such as those which accompany turnover of immune cell subsets, HSCs appear to co-equally prime genes associated with the major downstream lineages: lymphoid, myeloid, and megakaryocyte/erythroid. Recent studies reveal, however, that during pathogen exposure, hematopoiesis may yield progeny in proportions different than those produced under homeostasis. At least some of these effects may be due to pathogen engagement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on HSCs. HSCs are also responsive to inflammatory cytokines that are produced in response to pathogen burden and are present in the bone marrow microenvironment. Thus, hematopoiesis is not a formulaic process that produces the same, predictable outcome regardless of the specific environmental context. Rather, hematopoiesis represents a dynamic biological system that can be appreciably responsive to environmental factors, an influence that extends to the level of the HSC itself. Knowledge of functional consequences of TLR ligation on HSCs may be therapeutically exploited and applied to treatment of hematopoietic insufficiency in the setting of infection and disease.
Gauge field theoretic solution of a uniformly moving screw dislocation and admissibility of supersonic speeds

The failure of classical elasticity to address dislocation behavior spatially close to its core and (in Lorentz-type fashion) near the speed of sound is well known. In gauge field theory of defects, the latter are not postulated a priori in an ad hoc fashion rather defects such as dislocations arise naturally as a consequence of broken translational symmetry exhibiting solutions that are physically meaningful (e.g., removal of divergence of stress and the natural emergence of a core making redundant the artificial cut-off radius). In the present work we present the gauge field theoretic solution to the problem of a uniformly moving screw dislocation. Apart from the formal derivations, we show that stress divergence at the core of the dislocation is removed at all time and (consistent with atomistic simulations), supersonic states are found to be admissible.
Perforation of toxic megacolon in non-typhoid Salmonella enterocolitis spares young infants and is immune-mediated

Intestinal perforation, a life-threatening complication of toxic megacolon (TM) following non-typhoid Salmonella infection, is relatively uncommon in infants less than 1 year of age. The situation, also found in typhoid fever, appears to be cytokine-mediated. This finding may justify immunotherapy for older children with TM associated with non-typhoid Salmonella infection in order to prevent this complication.