cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modification of natural hydrocolloid as disintegrant in aceclofenac tablet formulation

The purpose of present exploration was to modify kappa (k)-Carrageenan, by crosslinking, and assessed it as a tablet disintegrant to strengthen the solubility of the drug (aceclofenac) in tablet formulation. Modified k-Carrageenan was synthesized by reacting it with epichlorhydrin at heterogenous conditions. The swelling action of the product was investigated in order to optimize reaction circumstances for chemical cross-linking. Best modified k-Carrageenan procured by optimizing the reaction conditions and it was characterized for swelling index, particle size distribution, solubility, viscosity, gel strength and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Influence of modified k-Carrageenan on dissolution profile of therapeutic was also investigated along with other evaluation parameters. Modified k-Carrageenan exhibiting significant swelling index which is comparable to that of superdisintegrants. On comparative investigation as a tablet disintegrant by preparing anhydrous dicalcium phosphate tablet, modified k-Carrageenan showed disintegration time less than 20 seconds. Dissolution of aceclofenac (Class II) tablet formulaion utilizing modified k-Carrageenan was comparable with commercially available superdisintegrants. Faster dissolution of the accommodated drug was achieved with modified k-Carrageenan which was comparable with dissolution of the tablet formulation containing other superdisintegrants. The competent concentration of k-Carrageenan was found to be 5-15% as tablet disintegrant. Modified k-Carrageenan might be encouraging tablet disintegrant in fast dissolving formulations and can be worn in direct compression method. Keywords: k-Carageenan. Epichlorhydrin. Aceclofenac. Crosslinking. Superdisintegrant
Assessment of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Dynamics in Greece and Future Implications

The emergence of West Nile Virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) has contributed to multiple major human outbreaks in Greece since 2010. Studies to date investigating biological and environmental factors that contribute to West Nile Virus (WNV) transmission have resulted in complex statistical models. We sought to examine open publicly available data to ascertain if a predictive risk assessment could be employed for WNV-2 in Greece. Based on accessible data, factors such as precipitation, temperature, and range of avian host species did not yield conclusive outcomes. However, by measuring the average rate of temperature change leading up to peak caseloads, we found a predictive characteristic to the timing of outbreaks. Detailed evolutionary studies revealed possible multiple introductions of WNV-2 in Europe, and that Greece acts through a source-sink inversion model, thereby allowing continued reseeding of WNV transmission each year by overwintering the Culex pipiens mosquito vector. Greece has proven an excellent model in WNV surveillance and has demonstrated the importance of rapid reporting for proper preparedness and response to vector-borne diseases.
Efficacy of universal masking for source control and personal protection from simulated cough and exhaled aerosols in a room

Face masks reduce the spread of infectious respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 by blocking aerosols produced during coughs and exhalations ("source control"). Masks also slow and deflect cough and exhalation airflows, which changes the dispersion of aerosols. Factors such as the directions in which people are facing (orientation) and separation distance also affect aerosol dispersion. However, it is not clear how masking, orientation, and distance interact. We placed a respiratory aerosol simulator ("source") and a breathing simulator ("recipient") in a 3 m x 3 m chamber and measured aerosol concentrations for different combinations of masking, orientation, and separation distance. When the simulators were front-to-front during coughing, masks reduced the 15-minute mean aerosol concentration at the recipient by 92% at 0.9 and 1.8 m separation. When the simulators were side-by-side, masks reduced the concentration by 81% at 0.9 m and 78% at 1.8 m. During breathing, masks reduced the aerosol concentration by 66% when front-to-front and 76% when side-by-side at 0.9 m. Similar results were seen at 1.8 m. When the simulators were unmasked, changing the orientations from front-to-front to side-by-side reduced the cough aerosol concentration by 59% at 0.9 m and 60% at 1.8 m. When both simulators were masked, changing the orientations did not significantly change the concentration at either distance during coughing or breathing. Increasing the distance between the simulators from 0.9 m to 1.8 m during coughing reduced the aerosol concentration by 25% when no masks were worn but had little effect when both simulators were masked. During breathing, when neither simulator was masked, increasing the separation reduced the concentration by 13%, which approached significance, while the change was not significant when both source and recipient were masked. Our results show that universal masking reduces exposure to respiratory aerosol particles regardless of the orientation and separation distance between the source and recipient.
Fetal Growth and Stillbirth

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common clinical manifestation of placental insufficiency. As such, FGR is a risk factor for stillbirth. This association has been demonstrated in numerous studies but is prone to overestimation because of the possibility of prolonged in utero retention before the recognition of the fetal death. Stillbirth risk reduction by optimizing maternal medical conditions and exposures and appropriate antenatal testing and delivery timing are essential to pregnancies affected by FGR. It is important to evaluate stillbirths with FGR with fetal autopsy, placental pathology, genetic testing, and assessment of antiphospholipid antibodies and fetal-maternal hemorrhage.
Clinical outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with combination of nivolumab and cabozantinib (nivo-cabo) in the salvage setting.

e16570Background: The CheckMate 9ER trial showed that the combination of nivolumab and cabozantinib (nivo-cabo) in first line setting for treatment of mRCC was superior to sunitinib in terms of obj...
Intimate Partner Violence Stories of Appalachian Women.

The purpose of this study was to explore past intimate partner violence as it occurred in Appalachian women residing in rural and non-urbanized areas. The methodology was qualitative description. T...
Cell - Vessel Mismatch in Glaucoma: Correlation of Ganglion Cell Layer Soma and Capillary Densities.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) soma density and capillary density in glaucomatous eyes. Methods Six glaucoma subjects with known hemifield defects and 6 age-matched controls were imaged with adaptive optics - optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) at 6 locations: 3 degrees, 6 degrees, and 12 degrees temporal to the fovea above and below the midline. GCL soma density and capillary density were measured at each location. Coefficients of determination (pseudo R2) and slopes between GCL soma and capillary density were determined from mixed-effects regressions and were compared between glaucoma and control subjects, between more and less affected hemifield in subjects with glaucoma, and between subjects with early and moderate glaucoma, both in a local, bivariate model and then a global, multivariable model controlling for eccentricity and soma size. Results The global correlation between GCL soma and capillary density was stronger in control versus subjects with glaucoma (R2 = 0.59 vs. 0.22), less versus more affected hemifields (R2 = 0.55 vs. 0.01), and subjects with early versus moderate glaucoma subjects (R2 = 0.44 vs. 0.18). When controlling for eccentricity and soma size, we noted an inverse soma-capillary density local relationship in subjects with glaucoma (-388 ± 190 cells/mm2 per 1% change in capillary density, P = 0.046) and more affected hemifields (-602 ± 257 cells/mm2 per 1% change in capillary density, P = 0.03). Conclusions An inverted soma-capillary density local relationship in areas affected by glaucoma potentially explains weaker global correlations observed between GCL soma and capillary density, suggesting cell-vessel mismatch is associated with the disease.
The Role of Neighborhood in the Development of Aggression in Urban African American Youth: A Multilevel Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of neighborhood disadvantage and perceptions of neighborhood on the development of aggressive behavior among a sample of urban low-income African American middle school aged youth (mean age = 11.65 years). Results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that youth experienced significant changes in rates of aggression across the three middle school years, and that on average, negative youth perceptions of neighborhood predicted increases in aggression. Both parent and youth perceptions of neighborhood disadvantage trended toward significance as a moderator between objective neighborhood characteristics and aggression. These results are in accordance with past research, which suggests that personal evaluations of the disadvantage of a neighborhood influence child development and behavior. Future studies should examine the role that perceptions play in youth development, as well as in interventions geared towards thwarting youth aggression.
Top-Down Tectonics?

Geophysicists disagree whether Earth's mantle is a single convective cell or whether it is divided into convective layers. In his Perspective, Anderson reviews the evidence and concludes that the case for layered convection is strong. He also argues that plate tectonics may be driving upper mantle convection, rather than the other way around as traditionally believed. Sophisticated convection simulations will be needed to test this hypothesis.
Broad-specificity endoribonucleases and mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli.

Crude extracts from Escherichia coli were screened for any broad-specificity endoribonuclease after the cell proteins were fractionated by size. In a mutant lacking the gene for RNase I (molecular mass, 27,156 Da), the only such activities were also in the size range of 23 to 28 kDa. Fractionation by chromatography on a strong cation-exchange resin revealed only two activities. One of them eluted at a salt concentration expected for RNase M and had the specificity of RNase M. It preferred pyrimidine-adenosine bonds, could not degrade purine homopolymers, and had a molecular mass of approximately 27 kDa (V. J. Cannistraro and D. Kennell, Eur. J. Biochem. 181:363-370, 1989). A second fraction, eluting at a higher salt concentration, was active against any phosphodiester bond but was about 100 times less active than are RNase I and RNase I* (a form of RNase I) in the wild-type cell. On the basis of sizing-gel chromatography, this enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 24 kDa. We call it RNase R (for residual). RNase R is not an abnormal product of the mutant rna gene; a cell carrying many copies of that gene on a plasmid did not synthesize more RNase R. Our search for broad-specificity endoribonucleases was prompted by the expectation that the primary activities for mRNA degradation are expressed by a relatively small number of broad-specificity RNases. If correct, the results suggest that the endoribonucleases for this major metabolic activity reside in the 24- to 28-kDa size range. Endoribonucleases with much greater specificity must have as primary functions the processing of specific RNA molecules at a very limited number of sites as steps in their biosynthesis. In exceptional cases, these endoribonucleases inactivate a specific message that has such a site, and they can also effect total mRNA metabolism indirectly by a global disturbance of the cell physiology. It is suggested that a distinction be made between these processing and degradative activities. Images
Introduction to Queueing Theory

This chapter contains sections titled: Arrivals, Departures, and Queue Occupancy Lossless Queues A Queue Described by an Underlying Markov Chain Stationary Queues Erlang's Blocking Formula for the M/M/K/K Queue Overview of Discrete-Time Queues Problems ]]>
Chapter 14 Drug distribution and “Deep pool effect”

Publisher Summary This chapter describes drug distribution and “deep pool effect.” Distribution half-life and volume of distribution can be determined for a given drug using conventional or stable isotope labeled (SIL) tracer techniques. Serial injections of SIL drug with different labels are administered at predetermined times prior to collection of a single tissue specimen, such as cerebrospinal fluid, liver, or kidney. The tissue concentration of each SIL form of the drug is determined. The requirement for only a single tissue specimen greatly reduces subject morbidity in comparison with the conventional multiple-specimen technique. If a portion of administered drug is distributed into a “deep” peripheral compartment, the drug's actual elimination half-life during the terminal exponential phase of elimination may be longer than determined by a single dose study, or a tracer dose study if the study is not carried out for a sufficient length of time to detect low plasma concentrations of drug at later times after administration. This is referred as the “deep pool effect” and can lead to an overestimation of actual clearance in single dose studies and in tracer dose studies because of factitiously small values for apparent elimination half-life and apparent area under the plasma concentration versus time curve.
Where does it FIT? The roles of fecal testing and colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening.

Although colonoscopy is predominant among the selection of colorectal cancer screening tests, stool testing (particularly fecal immunochemical testing) has also carved out an important niche for itself. Its simplicity and low cost make it ideal for mass population screening both in the United States and abroad, and it is an alternative choice for those reluctant to undergo endoscopy.
Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Aminotransferase in Vivo

Abstract Incorporation of 32Pi into hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (l-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase; EC 2.6.1.5) was observed when the isotope was either administered into rats or added to the medium of cultured Reuber H-35 hepatoma cells. O-[32P]Phosphoserine was identified in aminotransferase subunits isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of immunoprecipitates. Treatment of partially purified 32P-labeled aminotransferase with alkaline phosphatase had no effect on aminotransferase activity assayed in the presence of excess pyridoxal phosphate, but did greatly reduce the amount of phosphate present in the aminotransferase.
Human Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Synthetase DISTRIBUTION, PURIFICATION, AND PROPERTIES

Abstract Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P) synthetase was found to be distributed in all human tissues assayed and has been purified 5100-fold from human erythrocytes. It has an absolute requirement for inorganic phosphate. Magnesium was the most effective divalent cation at both high and low concentrations. No requirement for potassium was found. The pH optimum was 7.2 to 7.4. The isoelectric point was 4.7 ± 0.2. With the usual substrates, ATP and ribose-5-P, the reaction produces equimolar amounts of PP-ribose-P and AMP. Of a number of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides tested as possible substrates, the purified enzyme was active only with ATP and dATP. Ribulose-5-P was 34% as effective a substrate as ribose-5-P, while the enzyme had virtually no activity with other phosphorylated sugars. The Km values for ATP and ribose-5-P were 14 µm and 33 µm, respectively. Crude preparations of the enzyme were stabilized by dithiothreitol while the 5100-fold purified enzyme was inactivated by this compound. The enzyme was stabilized at -70°, 4°, and 60° by saturating concentrations of ATP and magnesium. Phosphate was absolutely required to maintain activity. The reversible association and dissociation of PP-ribose-P synthetase is described. The smallest native form of the enzyme has a molecular weight of 60,000 as estimated from Stokes radius and sedimentation velocity. In the presence of saturating concentrations of ATP and magnesium chloride, the enzyme consistently associates into two heavy forms estimated to have molecular weights of about 1,200,000 and 720,000. Intermediate molecular forms were observed in the presence of ATP or magnesium chloride alone. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis of the enzyme in sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed a single band with a molecular weight of 34,500. It is probable that the aggregated form is the active enzyme and that the enzyme is normally aggregated in the cell. Correlation of this reversible association and dissociation with cooperativity have not yet been documented.
Mitochondrial flash as a novel biomarker of mitochondrial respiration in the heart.

Mitochondrial flash activity is tightly coupled with the electron flow along mitochondrial electron transport chain in intact cardiac myocytes and intact heart. The positive correlation between fla...
Laboratory evaluation of acute upper genital tract infection

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic test characteristics of common tests used to diagnose upper genital tract infection. Methods Subjects included women who either met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's minimal criteria for acute pelvic inflammatory disease or who had other signs of upper genital tract infection (ie, atypical pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, or cervicitis). The subjects were evaluated with a baseline interview, comprehensive laboratory testing, and either an endometrial biopsy or laparoscopy for definitive diagnosis of upper genital tract infection. Patients were considered positive for upper genital tract infection if they had any of the following findings: 1) histologic evidence of acute endometritis or salpingitis, 2) laparoscopic visualization of purulent exudate in the pelvis without another source, or 3) positive testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachotnatis from the endometrium, fallopian tubes, or pelvis. Results One hundred twenty women with adequate endometrial samples were evaluated between August 1993 and September 1995. The median age of the study population was 24 years; 38% were white, 52% were smokers, 81% were insured by Medicaid or were uninsured, and 67% were single. Sensitivities for elevated white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and increased vaginal white blood cells are 57, 70, 71, and 78%, respectively. If any one test is abnormal, the sensitivity is 100% and specificity is 18%. If all four tests are abnormal, sensitivity is 29% and specificity is 95%. Conclusion Testing for increased vaginal white blood cells was found to be the most sensitive laboratory indicator for upper genital tract infection, whereas serum WBC was the most specific. No one diagnostic laboratory test is pathognomonic for upper genital tract infection. Combinations of positive tests can improve diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value, but with a diminution of sensitivity and negative predictive value. Combinations of negative tests can reliably exclude upper genital tract infection.
The Statistical Analysis of Recurrent Events by COOK, R. J. and LAWLESS, J. F.

The Statistical Analysis of Recurrent Events (R. J. Cook and J. F. Lawless) Chiung-Yu Huang and Xianghua Luo Introduction to Empirical Processes and Semiparametric Inference (M. R. Kosorok) Changyong Feng Uncertain Judgements: Eliciting Experts' Probabilities (A. O'Hagan, C. E. Buck, A. Daneshkhah, J. R. Eiser, P. H. Garthwaite, D. J. Jenkinson, J. E. Oakley, and T. Rakow) James M. Dickey Models for Intensive Longitudinal Data (T. A. Walls and J. L. Schafer, editors) Daniel Farewell Quantitative Environmental Risk Analysis for Human Health (R. A. Fjeld, N. A. Eisenberg, and K. L. Compton) Scott M. Bartell Reliable Reasoning: Induction and Statistical Learning Theory (G. Harman and S. Kulkarni) Oliver Schulte Modeling Infectious Diseases in Humans and Animals (M. J. Keeling and P. Rohani) Carol Y. Lin Cluster and Classification Techniques for the Biosciences (A. H. Fielding) Morven Leese Modern Applied U-Statistics (J. Kowalski and X. M. Tu) Jesse Frey Handbook of Statistical Genetics, 3rd edition (D. J. Balding, M. Bishop, and C. Cannings, editors) Karin Bammann, Ronja Foraita, Frauke Gunther Quality of Life: The Assessment, Analysis, and Interpretation of Patient-Reported Outcomes, 2nd edition (P. M. Fayers and D. Machin) Jeff A. Sloan, Amylou Dueck, Rui Qin, Wenting Wu, Pamela J. Atherton, Paul Novotny, Heshan Liu, Kelli N. Burger, Angelina D. Tan, Daniel Szydlo, Victor M. Johnson, Sara J. Felten, Xinghua Zhao, and Brent Diekmann Advanced Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations (S. T. Buckland, D. R. Anderson, K. P. Burnham, J. L. Laake, C. L. Borchers, and L. Thomas) Carl James Schwarz Brief Reports by the Editor The Construction of Optimal Stated Choice Experiments: Theory and Methods (D. J. Street and L. Burgess) Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume 1: Introduction to Experimental Design, 2nd edition (K. Hinkelmann and O. Kempthorne) Introduction to Bayesian Statistics, 2nd edition (W. M. Bolstad) Asymptotic Theory of Statistics and Probability (A. Dasgupta) Bootstrap Methods: A Guide for Practitioners and Researchers, 2nd edition (M. R. Chernick)
Improving measurement of the adenoma detection rate and adenoma per colonoscopy quality metric: the Indiana University experience

Background The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a validated marker of colonoscopy quality. However, the optimal measurement method is unclear. Objective The aims of our study were to (1) define benchmarks for the number of adenomas per screening colonoscopy (APC) quality metric; (2) study the association between ADRs for screening, surveillance, and diagnostic indications; and (3) explore the association of the screening ADR with an overall ADR inclusive of all colonoscopy indications. Design Retrospective study. Setting University hospital and associated ambulatory surgery center endoscopy units. Patients Patients aged ≥50 years who underwent colonoscopy for screening, surveillance, or diagnostic indications by 20 endoscopists between January 1, 1999 and April 30, 2012. Intervention Colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements ADR, APC for screening, surveillance, and diagnostic indications. Results A total of 21,766 colonoscopies were included. The indication was screening in 7434 (34.2%), surveillance in 8338 (38.3%), and diagnostic in 5994 (27.5%). The screening ADRs and APCs were significantly correlated ( R = 0.91; P Limitations External generalizability, retrospective design. Conclusion We propose minimum screening APC detection benchmarks of 0.50 for men and 0.20 for women. ADRs for screening, surveillance, and diagnostic colonoscopy are correlated and can be used to derive a simplified overall ADR inclusive of all colonoscopy indications.
Effects of aggressive and nonaggressive rock songs on projective and structured tests.

ABSTRACT The differences between hostility scores on projective and objective tests as a function of listening to aggressive or nonaggressive rock music were studied. While taking the Thematic Apperception Test (Cards 1, 3BM, 4, 9BM, and 10) and the Buss-Durkee (1957) Hostility Scale, subjects (N = 90) randomly assigned to one of three groups listened to a rock song with (a) nonaggressive music and non-aggressive lyrics, (b) aggressive music and nonaggressive lyrics, or (c) aggressive music and aggressive lyrics. TAT stories were scored for aggressive content according to Hafner and Kaplan's (1960) hostility rating scale. Hostility scores did not differ between groups. The findings are congruent with other investigators' reports that subjects do not pay attention to rock lyrics. Previous findings that music affects the emotional quality of TAT stories and hostility scores on the Buss-Durkee scale were not supported.
The importance of antennal mechanosensilla of Sepedon fuscipennis (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

The styli, often called the aristae, of the antennae of adult Sepedon fuscipennis Loew (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) are shown to possess mechanosensilla, the number and arrangement of which differ between the sexes. It is suggested that the mechanosensilla provide sensory input to the female regarding the touching, or appositioning, of her styli by the male with his forelegs during copulation. Among the Sciomyzidae, S. fuscipennis males are unique in appositioning the antennae of the female during matin g. Large clusters of pollen found on the styli of both sexes suggest that mechanosensilla and chemosensilla also provide sensory information about potential sources of food such as nectar ( i.e. , carbohydrates).
A Radiative Parameterization of Stratocumulus Cloud Fields

A parameterization scheme is presented which allows the calculation of radiative reflected fluxes from a stratocumulus cloud field. The scheme is based upon plane-parallel calculations, such as delta-Eddington, and a simple procedure is outlined by which the plane-parallel fluxes may be transformed to those of the broken cloud case. This parameterization scheme has been tested for optical thicknesses ranging from tau = 3 to 49, solar zenith angles ranging from theta sub 0 = 0 to 72.5 deg, and all values of cloud cover. Plane-parallel calculations become increasingly more accurate as optical depth decreases. This suggests that calculations including broken cloudiness effects such as shadowing are probably unnecessary in thin cirrus or aerosol layers over water.
Investigation of Absolute Photonic Band Gaps in Two-dimensional Dielectric Structures

Abstract We examine the photonic band structure of two-dimensional (2D) arrays of dielectric holes using the coherent microwave transient spectroscopy (COMITS) technique. Such 2D hole arrays are constructed by embedding low-index rods (air) in a dielectric background of higher-index Stycast material (n = 3·60). The dispersion relation for electromagnetic wave propagation in these photonic crystals is directly determined using the phase sensitivity of COMITS. We find that both the square and triangular lattice structures exhibit photonic band gaps that are common to both polarizations for all wave-vectors along major symmetry axes. In addition, the connectivity of the high-index dielectric and the opening of a large gap for propagation with E field perpendicular to the hole cylinders are found to be important criteria for generating a large absolute photonic band gap.
Multiplicity of DNA single-strand breaks produced in pUC18 exposed to the direct effects of ionizing radiation.

Abstract Sharma, K. K. K., Milligan, J. R. and Bernhard, W. A. Multiplicity of DNA Single-Strand Breaks Produced in pUC18 Exposed to the Direct Effects of Ionizing Radiation. Radiat. Res. 170, 156–162 (2008). The transition of plasmid DNA from a supercoiled to an open circle conformation, as detected by gel electrophoresis, affords an extraordinarily sensitive method for detecting single-strand breaks (SSBs), one measure of deoxyribose damage. To determine the yield of SSBs, G(ssb), by this method, it is commonly assumed that Poisson statistics apply such that, on average, one SSB occurs per supercoiled plasmid lost. For the direct effect, at a large enough plasmid size, this assumption may be invalid. In this report, the assumption that one SSB occurs per pUC18 plasmid (2686 bp) is tested by measuring free base release (fbr), which is also a measure of deoxyribose damage in films prepared under controlled relative humidity so as to produce known levels of DNA hydration. The level of DNA hydration, Γ, is ...
The Dilma Effect? Women's Representation under Dilma Rousseff's Presidency

Women are making important strides as presidents in Latin America as of late. This trend became evident in 2006 when Michelle Bachelet gained the Chilean presidency. Cristina Fernandez followed shortly thereafter in Argentina. In 2010, Dilma Rousseff (popularly referred to as “Dilma”) joined this small yet growing group of women when she was elected the first female president of Brazil. Dilma's victory was no surprise since she had the support of the very popular outgoing president Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva. Nevertheless, the fact that Dilma is a woman is noteworthy given that Brazil's political system is overwhelmingly male dominated at all levels of government (Araujo 2010; Bohns 2007; Miguel 2008). Dilma's significance also stems from the fact that, unlike most women national leaders around the world, she occupies a relatively strong presidency, gained office through popular election, and lacked family ties to power (Jalalzai 2013).
Intersecting families with minimum volume

We determine the minimum volume (sum of cardinalities) of an intersecting family of subsets of an n-set, given the size of the family, by solving a simple linear program. From this, we obtain a lower bound on the average size of the sets in an intersecting family. This answers a question of G.O.H. Katona, whose 60th birthday we celebrate with this result.
The importance of the transit peptide and the transported protein for protein import into chloroplasts

We compared the transport in vitro of fusion proteins of neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) with either the transit peptide of the small subunit (SSU) of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase or the transit peptide and the 23 aminoterminal amino acids of the mature small subunit. The results showed that the transit peptide is sufficient for import of NPTII. However, transport of the fusion protein consisting of the transit peptide linked directly to NPTII was very inefficient. In contrast, the fusion protein containing a part of the mature SSU was imported with an efficiency comparable to that of the authentic SSU precursor. We conclude from these results that other features of the precursor protein in addition to the transit peptide are important for transport into chloroplasts. In order to identify functional regions in the transit peptide, we analyzed the transport of mutant fusion proteins. We found that the transport of fusion proteins with large deletions in the aminoterminal, or central part was drastically reduced. In contrast, duplication of a part of the transit peptide led to a marked increase in transport.
Differential Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and Dopamine-2 Receptor Binding in Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar Rats

The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain has been described as an animal model of depressive behavior that consumes significantly greater amounts of alcohol compared to the Wistar (WIS) rat strain. Since the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) type-2 (D2) receptors mediate reward-related behaviors, the present study measured the binding of [125I]-Iodosulpiride to D2 receptors in the brains of WKY versus WIS rats following 24 days of voluntary alcohol or water consumption. Alcohol consuming WKY rats showed a significant increase in D2 receptor binding in several regions of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal systems. In contrast, alcohol consuming WIS rats showed a reduction in D2 receptor binding in DA cell body areas. The differential regulation of D2 receptors by voluntary alcohol consumption in the two rat strains suggests that D2 receptor mediated neurotransmission may be playing a role in the increased alcohol drinking behavior reported in WKY rats.
Anionic Amino Acids near the Pro-α-defensin N Terminus Mediate Inhibition of Bactericidal Activity in Mouse Pro-cryptdin-4

In mouse Paneth cells, α-defensins, termed cryptdins (Crps), are activated by matrix metalloproteinase-7-mediated proteolysis of inactive precursors (pro-Crps) to bactericidal forms. The activating cleavage step at Ser43 ↓ Ile44 in mouse pro-Crp4-(20–92) removes nine acidic amino acids that collectively block the membrane-disruptive behavior of the Crp4 moiety of the proform. This inhibitory mechanism has been investigated further to identify whether specific cluster(s) of electronegative amino acids in pro-Crp4-(20–43) are responsible for blocking bactericidal activity and membrane disruption. To test whether specific cluster(s) of electronegative amino acids in pro-Crp4-(20–43) have specific positional effects that block bactericidal peptide activity and membrane disruption, acidic residues positioned at the distal (Asp20, Asp26, Glu27, and Glu28), mid (Glu32 and Glu33), and proximal (Glu37, Glu38, and Asp39) clusters in pro-Crp4-(20–92) were mutagenized, and variants were assayed for differential effects of mutagenesis on bactericidal peptide activity. Substitution of the mid and proximal Asp and Glu clusters with Gly produced additive effects with respect to the induction of both bactericidal activity and membrane permeabilization of live Escherichia coli ML35 cells. In contrast, substitution of distal Glu and Asp residues with Gly or their deletion resulted in pro-Crp4-(20–92) variants with bactericidal and membrane-disruptive activities equal to or greater than that of fully mature Crp4. These findings support the conclusion that the most distal N-terminal anionic residues of pro-Crp4-(20–92) are primarily responsible for blocking Crp4-mediated membrane disruption in the precursor.
Demonstration of high performance LWIR superlattice focal plane array

The closely lattice-matched material system of InAs, GaSb, and AlSb, commonly referred to as the 6.1A material system, has emerged as a fertile ground for the development of new solid-state devices. The flexibility of the system in simultaneously permitting type-I, type-II staggered, and type-II broken-gap band alignments has been the basis for many novel high-performance heterostructure devices in recent years, including the GaSb/InAs type-II superlattice (SL) infrared (IR) detectors. The antimonides based type-II SLs have a great potential in realizing high performance large format highly uniform IR focal plane arrays (FPAs) at lower cost due to the availability of large area epi-ready GaSb substrates and relatively easy III–V materials growth and processing technology compared to its II–VI counterpart. The research in this area has seen rapid progress and many research groups have demonstrated type-II SL detectors and IR FPAs [1].
Public Opinion and Collective Obligations

This article attempts to identify the general principles that underlie public reasoning about collective obligations and that help explain when political parties can create new obligations or defend existing ones. I use these principles to President Clinton’s unsuccessful attempt to create government health-care plan and attempts by President Bush to privatize Social Security. The success of a party in selling – or defeating – an obligation depends upon what people believe about the competence and capacity of government and the value of autonomy – choices made by each citizen; whether people perceive the obligation as providing floors or establishing ceilings by limiting choice or otherwise restricting opportunities for the better-off; and whether the program is more like insurance or more like welfare. A party’s ability to maintain credibility with voters also depends upon whether party leaders can suppress issues that threaten intra-party elite pacts. When attempts to suppress “taboo” issues like “stem cells” or “black crime” fail, the party loses credibility with its voters and attempts to defend or sell obligations fail.
Spaceborne soil moisture estimation at high resolution: a microwave-optical/IR synergistic approach

An approach is evaluated for the estimation of soil moisture at high resolution using satellite microwave and optical/infrared (IR) data. This approach can be applied to data acquired by the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Sensor Suite (VIIRS) and a Conical Scanning Microwave Imager/Sounder (CMIS), planned for launch in the 2009–2010 time frame under the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). The approach for soil moisture estimation involves two steps. In the first step, a passive microwave remote sensing technique is employed to estimate soil moisture at low resolution (∼25 km). This involves use of a simplified radiative transfer model to invert dual-polarized microwave brightness temperature. In the second step, the microwave-derived low-resolution soil moisture is linked to the scene optical/IR parameters, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), surface albedo, and Land Surface Temperature (LST). The linking is based on the ‘Universal Triangle’ ...
Optical characterization of amorphous silicon hydride films

Abstract The performance of solar cells can be approached from the view of optical limitations (the adsorbed solar photon) or electrical limitations (the collected carriers). In this paper we focus on the optical behavior of a-SiHx films and through these data define the intrinsic optical limitations on the performance of a-SiHx. We present proven techniques for the extraction of the optical constants for thin films of a-SiHx on quartz over the absorption range 10−1–106 cm−1. For the range 104–106 cm−1 we define an optical gap EG from a plot of (αE) 1 2 against E for films of comparable thickness. We show the utility of this parameter for guiding materials research and we discuss its theoretical significance. Below EG we utilized bothoptical and photoconductivity data to establish a sharp exponential edge. For a-SiHx the edge has an activation energy that can be sample dependent and for our films it ranges from 0.05 to 0.10. The device implications of this exponential edge are discussed.
Energy Consumption Optimization of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Water Desalination Subject to Feed Salinity Fluctuation

We study the energy consumption optimization of a reverse osmosis water desalination process producing a constant permeate flow in the presence of feed concentration fluctuation. We propose a time-varying optimal operation strategy that can significantly reduce the specific energy consumption compared to time-invariant process operation. We present both computational and experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimal operation policy.
Axisymmetric Flows in the Boundary Layer of a Maintained Vortex

Abstract The three-dimensional flow in the boundary layer of a tornado-like vortex, with a core region of large vorticity and an outer region of nearly zero vorticity, is obtained by alternatingly solving the two nonlinear boundary-layer equations for the radial and the vertical distributions of the velocities. It is found that in the inner region the flow is of the Ekman-layer type, with an oscillatory distribution of the velocities in the vertical, while in the outer region the flow is of the ordinary boundary-layer type, with the velocity components approaching their respective values asymptotically without oscillation at a large distance from the boundary. This distribution of the radial velocity results in a weak descending motion in the outer region and a relatively strong ascending motion in the inner region with a sharp maximum upward motion occurring inside the radius of the maximum tangential wind where the boundary-layer thickness increases most rapidly outward.
Vesselness based feature extraction for endoscopic image analysis

Distinctive features are crucial to many tasks in computer assisted minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). Most existing methods are difficult to extract distinctive features in MIS images. For better analysis of MIS images, we resort to blood vessels that are abundant and distinctive on the tissue surfaces. Based on vascular branching points, we propose a new type of vascular feature, branching segment. Two novel methods, Vesselness Based Circle Test (VBCT) and Vesselness based Branching Segment Detection (VBSD) are proposed to detect branching points and branching segments respectively. In the experiments, the performance of VBCT and VBSD is evaluated with in vivo images and VBCT is compared with other state-of-the-art feature point detectors. The numerical results verify that branching points and branching segments are highly repeatable under different viewpoints. Moreover, the computational complexity of VBCT and VBSD is linear to the number of pixels. As supplements to other types of feature point detectors, VBCT and VBSD provide researchers new tools for endoscopic image analysis.
Nanoscale Design of Adaptive Tribological Coatings

We report a joint theoretical and experimental study of the tribological properties of gold-yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) based nanocomposite coatings, with a focus on the role of nanocrystalline grain size. Nanocomposites hold great promise for space and ambient applications, on account of their ability to adapt to and exhibit low friction and wear rates in constantly varying environmental conditions. Their internal structure has been the topic of prior literature, but the impact of grain size on tribological performance has heretofore not been considered, and the surface topology has not been reported. As such, we have performed both experimental and theoretical studies, to model the impact of grain size on film stress and wear attributes, and to document surface region grain size distributions through scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements of self-affine fractal scaling properties. Nanocrystalline gold crystal sizes, as determined from STM and x-ray diffraction (XRD) data are consistent with those inferred from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements. Our modeling results associate smaller grain sizes with lower wear rates, consistent with experiments. The findings show promise for nanoscale customization of coatings so as to tailor them at the nanoscale in an application specific manner.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Nanoscale architectural tuning of parylene patch devices to control therapeutic release rates

The advent of therapeutic functionalized implant coatings has significantly impacted the medical device field by enabling prolonged device functionality for enhanced patient treatment. Incorporation of drug release from a stable, biocompatible surface is instrumental in decreasing systemic application of toxic therapeutics and increasing the lifespan of implants by the incorporation of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. In this study, we have developed a parylene C-based device for controlled release of Doxorubicin, an anti-cancer chemotherapy and definitive read-out for preserved drug functionality, and further characterized the parylene deposition condition-dependent tunability of drug release. Drug release is controlled by the deposition of a layer of 20–200 nm thick parylene over the drug layer. This places a porous layer above the Doxorubicin, limiting drug elution based on drug accessibility to solvent and the solvent used. An increase in the thickness of the porous top layer prolongs the elution of active drug from the device from, in the conditions tested, the order of 10 min to the order of 2 d in water and from the order of 10 min to no elution in PBS. Thus, the controlled release of an anti-cancer therapeutic has been achieved via scalably fabricated, parylene C-encapsulated drug delivery devices.
Tubular Packing of Spheres in Biological Fine Structure

The symmetrical arrangements of monomers into such cylindrical structures as microfilaments of actin, flagella of bacteria, microtubules of many organisms, and the protein coats of viruses can be specified by citing the index numbers of two or three sets of contact parastichies, or helical ranks of monomers, as has been done in classical studies of phyllotaxis. This specification has the form k(m, n) or k(m, n, m+n), where m, n, and (m+n) are parastichy numbers specifying screw displacements, and k is the jugacy, or frequency of rotational symmetry. For simple structures, k = 1. This notation has the advantage of terseness and of indicating the basic isometries of these helically symmetrical structures. Theoretical models of the packing of spheres whose centers lie on the surface of a cylinder have been investigated geometrically. Their symmetry properties are discussed. Parameters of these models, such as the angular divergence, α, the longitudinal displacement between successive spheres, h, the radius of the cylinder, and the angles of inclination of the parastichies, have been computed for representative patterns. The ultrastructural symmetry of several biological structures of this sort has been inferred by comparison with these models. Actin, for example, has the symmetry (1, 2), Salmonella flagella, 2(2, 3, 5), the tobacco mosaic virus, (1, 16, 17) and the microtubules of many higher organisms, (6, 7, 13).
Micromechanical Hyperelastic Modeling of Bi-Directional Oriented Axons in Brain White Matter

The white matter of the brain constitutes axonal elements simulating fibrous elements through the extracellular matrix of the brain anatomy. Brain injury caused due to failure of axons under incidents such as falls, accidents and blasts where sudden motion or mechanical loads might impact the brain to cause traumatic brain injury. The axons within the white matter of the brain elongate due to brain injury and hence the axonal fibers fail to retain their original state. This paper deals with the modeling of the brain tissue in the white matter assuming the unidirectional or bi-directional orientations for axons with and without undulation. A unit cell of the representative volume element of the material is composed of extracellular matrix and axons. Micromechanical principals are used with the unit cell under periodic boundary conditions. The material properties of Corona radiata in a porcine brain tissue with bi-directional orientation of axonal fibers within the base matrix will be considered. Hyperelastic material data and behavior will be assumed for the constitutive materials of the unit cell. The unit cell will be exposed to various types of normal and shear loading to examine the load transfer to the axons, and to examine the extent of the axonal stresses and deformation. The results in a multiscale analysis point to the extent of damage as well as to the response of the white matter under impact mechanical loadings or sudden head motions.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Ruthenium chromophores containing terpyridine and a series of polyazine bridging ligands

Abstract A series of monometallic Ru(II) complexes have been synthesized with the general formula [Ru(tpy)(BL)Cl] + and [Ru(tpy)(BL)(py)] 2+ and their spectroscopic, electrochemical and photochemical properties studied (where tpy=2,2′:6′,2″-erpyridine and BL=bridging ligand). The bridging ligands utilized in these complexes were 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp), 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline (dpq) and 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzoquinoxaline (dpb). The lowest energy absorption for all six complexes is assigned as a Ru(dπ)→ BL(π*) transition. This metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition shifts to lower energy when BL is varied from dpp to dpq to dpb. Substitution of the chloride ligand with pyridine leads to a blue shift of this transition. [Ru(tpy)(dpp)Cl] + and all [Ru(tpy)(BL)(py)] 2+ complexes emit in fluid solution at room temperature, in marked contrast to [Ru(tpy) 2 ] 2+ . These complexes are of interest as starting materials for the preparation of multimetallic systems capable of intramolecular electron transfer. Synthetic variation has been made possible by the presence of the coordinated halide, as demonstrated by the pyridine substitution.
A mathematical model of blood-interstitial acid-base balance: application to dilution acidosis and acid-base status.

We developed mathematical models that predict equilibrium distribution of water and electrolytes (proteins and simple ions), metabolites, and other species between plasma and erythrocyte fluids (bl...
Attendance Revisited: A Reply to Borland and Howsen

Abstract Although the points raised by Borland and Howsen (1998) are valid in general, they do not vitiate the results in Lamdin (1996). Clearly, though, the attendance-achievement relationship warrants further examination. Additional regression-based studies with more refined data, as well as controlled experiments, are in order.