cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of viscous and inertial pressure losses in isolated tissue with a simple mathematical model.

Abstract Pressure-flow ( ΔP − Q ) relations were obtained with an isolated canine hindpaw preparation under conditions of steady flow. The perfusion fluids included (a) non-Newtonian suspensions of red cells, and (b) cell-free Newtonian fluids of different viscosities. Flow was considered to be similar in principle to that in a porous medium, with viscous and inertial losses occurring concurrently. The total pressure drop was expressed by the sum of viscous and inertial pressure losses: δP = δP V + δP I , Aƞ a Q + B Q 2 where ηa is the mean apparent viscosity of blood in the tissue. A and B are geometrical parameters and are assumed to be functions only of ΔP. The results show that ηa is a strong function of red cell concentration (hematocrit) as well as flow rate, indicating that the non-Newtonian behavior of blood plays a role in ΔP − Q relations. Inertial losses, heretofore neglected by most workers, were found to be large at low-hematocrits and high-perfusion pressures. A simple mathematical model, considering the vasculature to be a bundle of tortuous circular tubes, allowed calculation of an average vascular diameter and orders of magnitude of shear rate and Reynolds number.
APFIM observations of various forms of HTSC's

Abstract High-temperature superconductor (HTSC) materials are now being prepared in several different forms, including polycrystalline wafers, single-crystals, bi-crystals, thin films and metal-clad wires and ribbons. Atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM) investigations may now be performed with material in each of these starting forms, enabled by the method of sharp-pointed shards (MOSS). Initial experiments are described here, including progress in the structural and local compositional characterization of thin-film YBCO material.
An Experimental Study of the Holdout Problem in a Multilateral Bargaining Game

Abstract : When an economic exchange requires agreement by multiple independent parties, the potential exists for an individual to strategically delay agreement in an attempt to capture a greater share of the surplus created by the exchange. This "holdout problem" is a common feature of the land assembly literature because development frequently requires the assembly of multiple parcels of land. We use experimental methods to examine holdout behavior in a laboratory bargaining game that involves multi-person groups, complementary exchanges, and holdout externalities. The results of six treatments that vary the bargaining institution, number of bargaining periods, and the cost of delay demonstrate that holdout is common across institutions and is, on average, a payoff-improving strategy for responders. Both proposers and responders take a more aggressive initial bargaining stance in multi-period bargaining treatments relative to single-period treatments, but take a less aggressive bargaining stance when delay is costly. Nearly all exchanges eventually occur in our multi-period treatments, leading to higher overall efficiency relative to the single-period treatments, both with and without delay costs.
Neurogliaform and Ivy Cells: A Major Family of nNOS Expressing GABAergic Neurons.

Neurogliaform and Ivy cells are members of an abundant class of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressing GABAergic interneurons found in diverse brain regions. These cells have a defining dense local axonal plexus, and display unique synaptic properties, including a biphasic postsynaptic response with both a slow GABAA component, and a GABAB component, following even a single action potential. The type of transmission displayed by these cells has been termed ‘volume transmission,’ distinct from both tonic and classical synaptic transmission. Electrical connections are also notable in that, unlike other classes, neurogliaform family cells will form gap junctions not only with other neurogliaform cells, but also with members of other GABAergic cell classes. In this review we focus on neurogliaform and Ivy cells throughout the hippocampal formation, where recent studies highlight their role in feedforward inhibition, uncover their ability to display a phenomenon called persistent firing, and reveal their modulation by opioids. The unique properties of this class of cells, their abundance, rich connectivity, and modulation by clinically relevant drugs make them an attractive target for future studies in vivo during different behavioral and pharmacological conditions.
A Query on Eleventh-Century Humor and Folklore

IN an exchange of correspondence between Bishop Leo of Vercelli and Duke William v of Poitiers-Aquitaine in the year 1025, there occur the following curious allusions. Bishop Leo ended a letter with the request that Duke William send 'the marvelous mule' ["mulam mirabilem"] which I have been requesting for six years.' The Duke, in a reply concerned chiefly with affairs of state, remarked that he had been unable to find a 'horned mule' ['mula cornuta'], or even one with three tails ['tres caudas'] or with five feet ['quinque pedes']. He added that he could have sent a carpet ['tapetum'], had he not forgotten the length and breadth desired. The passages are evidently an exchange of banter apropos of the bishop's gift-seeking propensities. The 'marvelous mule' would seem to be derived from some classical or early mediaeval proverb, concerning the origin of which my consultation of authoritative works and scholars in the field reveals no trace. I should welcome any information that the readers of SPECULUM might have concerning 'marvelous mules' or humor of this sort in the Middle Ages.
Gender-dependent immunosuppression following subacute exposure to fumonisin B1.

The effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium lertcillioides, on the immune system are controversial; FB1 exposure causing immunosuppression in poultry, swine, bovine and rodents species and immunostimulation in rodent species. The current study was conducted to examine the effects of FB1 on the immune system of BALB/c mice and to determine if there is sex specificity. Female and male mice (five per group) received five daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of 2.25 mg/kg/day of FB1, on the following day tissues were collected for immunological examinations. FB1 treatment dramatically reduced relative spleen and thymus weights in females, whereas there was no effect on organ weights in males. Exposure to FB1 reduced splenic cellularity and the basal rate of lymphocyte proliferation in females only. In addition, phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P)-induced T-lymphocyte and LPS-induced B-lymphocyte proliferation were reduced in female mice. Splenocytes from female mice exposed to FB1 showed a reduced expression of interleukin-2 mRNA. These changes occurred in the absence of alterations in tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin-1beta mRNA expression. Phenotypic analysis indicated that FB treatment caused a relative increase in the T-lymphocyte population in the spleen of female mice only. In contrast, FB1 dramatically reduced the immature CD4+/CD8+ double positive cell population in the thymus of females. No changes were evident in the thymocyte populations of male mice treated with FB1. The results of this study indicate that FB1 is immunosuppressive in mice; the magnitude of FB1-induced immunosuppression is highly dependent on sex, females being more susceptible than males.
First experimental demonstration of full-duplex communication on a single laser beam

We present the first experimental demonstration of full-duplex communication on a single laser beam. The forward link beam simultaneously transmits the forward link data and serves as the carrier wave for the return link. A fraction of incident forward link beam is modulated and retro-reflected back to the receiver location. The forward link data format must be designed so that it is invisible to the return link’s data detection system. We have named this architecture the “Lightwire. In addition there was no system trade-off required by this architecture. Thus we have demonstrated full-duplex on a single optical beam without any performance penalty. We will present the experimental system and discuss the experimental results.
Two-sex population dynamics in space: effects of gestation time on persistence.

Most single-species population models assume either that one sex dominates the growth dynamics (usually the female), or that the life cycles of the two sexes are identical; however, sexual differences in ontogenetic features can render this assumption invalid. Further, the interaction between sexes is necessarily nonlinear, and the dependence of dynamic behavior on sexual interactions can be complicated. Here we examine a two-sex population model, related to the well-known logistic model, with explicit sexual interactions. The model is bistable and, by the addition of diffusion, admits traveling wave solutions. Dominance of states via this spatial dynamic are examined. A simple condition for neutral dominance is obtained; sexual interactions inhibit the dominance of the nonzero population, making persistence more difficult.
Gal80 Intersectional Regulation of Cell-Type Specific Expression in Vertebrates

Characterization and functional manipulation of specific groups of neurons in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) remains a major hurdle for understanding complex circuitry and functions. In zebrafish, the Gal4/UAS system has permitted expression of transgenes and enhancer trap screens, but is often limited by broad expression domains. We have developed a method for cell-type specific expression using Gal80 inhibition of Gal4-dependent expression. We show that native Gal4 is able to drive strong expression, that Gal80 can inhibit this expression, and that overlapping Gal4 and Gal80 expression can achieve “intersectional” expression in spatially and genetically defined subsets of neurons. We also optimize Gal80 for expression in vertebrates, track Gal80 expression with a co-expressed fluorescent marker, and use a temperature-sensitive allele of Gal80 to temporally regulate its function. These data demonstrate that Gal80 is a powerful addition to the genetic techniques available to map and manipulate neural circuits in zebrafish.
Response function and plasmon dispersion for strongly coupled Coulomb liquids: Two-dimensional electron liquid

We employ the recently established formalism for the calculation of the dielectric response function for strongly coupled Coulomb liquids to obtain the dispersion of the plasmon mode in a two-dimensional one-component plasma in the strong-coupling domain. This formalism is based on the physical picture of particles being quasilocalized at strong coupling. The analytical and numerical calculations are carried out over a range of liquid-state coupling parameters up to \ensuremath{\Gamma}=${\mathit{e}}^{2}$ \ensuremath{\surd}\ensuremath{\pi}n /${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$T=120 and for arbitrary wave numbers. When the slow thermal migration of the quasisites (around which the particles are localized) is neglected, the plasmon dispersion is oscillatory and the oscillations become more pronounced with increasing \ensuremath{\Gamma}. When the coupling is very strong (\ensuremath{\Gamma}=120, e.g.), the distance to the first minimum in \ensuremath{\omega}(k) and the spacing between successive minima approaches ${\mathit{K}}_{0}$=3.3/a, the lattice spacing in the reciprocal lattice. The ``direct'' thermal effects due to the slow migration are represented by a phenomenological modification of the dielectric function. This modification leaves the plasmon dispersion almost entirely unaffected up to ka\ensuremath{\approxeq}1. For kag1, however, changes in the dispersion due to the direct thermal motion are as follows: (i) the dispersion is no longer oscillatory; \ensuremath{\omega}(k) rises from zero to a maximum and then cuts off beyond that at a value k=${\mathit{k}}_{\mathrm{max}}$(\ensuremath{\Gamma}), which approaches an asymptotic limit ${\mathit{k}}_{\mathrm{max}}$(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathit{m}}$) close to ${\mathit{K}}_{0}$ as \ensuremath{\Gamma} approaches ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{\mathit{m}}$=137\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15; (ii) the plasmon frequency is increased especially at the lower coupling values where one expects the thermal motion to play a more significant role; (iii) the dispersion exhibits two branches: the upper branch corresponds to the plasmon mode and the heavily damped lower soundlike branch is already identified in random-phase-approximation calculations.
Normalized doubling algorithms for finite shift-rank processes

Recently, various fast "doubling" procedures have been sketched or developed for the inversion of matrices with low shift-rank, e.g., Toeplitz matrices. The subclass of symmetric positive definite matrices is of particular interest in linear estimation, these matrices having the interpretation of covariances of finite shift-rank processes. This paper describes a doubling procedure for such covariance matrices. The procedure evaluates in O(n log2n) operations, both the inverse of an order n covariance and an associated set of parameters of great importance in linear filtering (the reflection coefficients if the covariance is Toeplitz).
The effect of water, pressure, and strain on Al/Si order-disorder kinetics in feldspar

The disordering kinetics of Al/Si in albite depend on how the samples are dried, and thus on the presence of trace amounts of water. The disordering rate increases with water content and confining pressure. At 10 kb the activation energy is about 67 kcal/mole compared to about 87 kcal/mole for samples disordered in air. Simultaneous plastic deformation increases the disordering rate and the effect is most pronounced below 900° C at 10−6/s. Some albite ordering and microcline disordering experiments show similar kinetic behavior. These results are significant for interpreting the structural state and the high-temperature deformation of feldspars.
Performance Specifications of a 0.15 Tesla Medical Magnetic Resonance Unit

In October 1982, medical magnetic resonance (MMR) clinical trials were initiated using a 0.15 Tesla resistive magnet. Measurement of standard image quality parameters were attempted in the first months following the installation. MMR signal strength is a complex interaction of tissue Tl, T2, spin density, and flow (including diffusion). Further, the operator selectable controls of TE (time to echo), TR (repetition time), and TI (inversion time) all tend to complicate any unique specification of the MMR signal. However, MMR can be approached from a conventional tomographic imaging problem. Image quality in MMR1suffers from partial volume affects and thus spatial resolution including slice thickness must be specified. System noise with MMR differs from all other conventional radiographic imaging modalities in that the sgurce of noise does not include a component that is derived from the statistical nature of the signal. Uniformity of signal response over an imaging volume in MMR is a prerequisite for quality examinations. Failure of the RF coil to provide a uniform secondary magnetic field results in a tip angle of other than the desired value. The spatial dependency of the secondary magnetic field is a function of the coil design.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biomolecular NMR using a microcoil NMR probe--new technique for the chemical shift assignment of aromatic side chains in proteins.

A specially designed microcoil probe for use in biomolecular NMR spectroscopy is presented. The microcoil probe shows a mass-based sensitivity increase of a minimal factor of 7.5, allowing for the first time routine biomolecular NMR spectroscopy with microgram amounts of proteins. In addition, the exceptional radio frequency capabilities of this probe allowed us to record an aliphatic−aromatic HCCH-TOCSY spectrum for the first time. Using this spectrum, the side chains of aliphatic and aromatic amino acids can be completely assigned using only a single experiment. Using the conserved hypothetical protein TM0979 from Thermotoga maritima, we demonstrate the capabilities of this microcoil NMR probe to completely pursue the sequence specific backbone assignment with less than 500 μg of 13C,15N labeled protein.
Heat conduction numbering system for basic geometries

Abstract A numbering system for transient heat conduction solutions is proposed. It builds on previous usage of the descriptions of boundary conditions. One-, two- and three-dimensional geometries are included. Furthermore, a unique numbering system is proposed to describe boundary, interface, and initial conditions. Examples of the use of the notation are given. Advantages of the system are noted.
An Engineering Model for Designing Compact Toxic Waste Incinerators

An engineering model that can be used to obtain predictions of axial distributions of temperature and species concentrations in dump combustors has been formulated and used to study controlled waste (benzene) incineration. The model incorporates mean convection and molecular diffusion in a quasi-one dimensional formulation and uses a stochastic model to approximate the effects of turbulent mixing on the scalar fields. The inputs to the model are extracted from experimental data and results of Large Eddy Simulations (LES). It is shown here that this approach allows the model to be developed without requiring any ad-hoc constants that have to be calibrated or tuned. Comparisons of waste consumption rates and pollutant formation in the dump combustor with experimental data show that the model can capture the experimentally observed trends correctly. Furthermore, the predicted destruction efficiency of benzene and the predicted levels of CO and NO emission show that this model also achieves fairly good quanti...
Acousto-Optic Multichannel Programmable True Time Delay Lines

An acousto-optic multichannel programmable time-delay device using a multichannel Bragg cell is proposed. The key is to illuminate the Bragg cell with a narrow optical beam. Absolute time delays can be changed by varying the distance between the optical beam and the transducer plane, while differential delays across the channels can be obtained by rotating the optical beam about its optical axis. Various ways for embodiment of the concept are given for both discrete and continuous delays. Experimental verification has been carried out with both direct detection and heterodyne detection. Delays ranging from a fraction of a nanosecond to a few microseconds are possible. The delay line device can be used in many broadband applications in communications, radar, and signal processing systems.
“Brothers Gonna Work It Out:” Understanding the Pedagogic Performance of African American Male Teachers Working with African American Male Students

Drawing from ethnographic data, this paper explores how African American male teachers working with African American male students performed their pedagogy. This paper highlights how teachers’ understanding of African American males social and educational needs shaped their pedagogical performance. Interestingly however, teachers’ performance was contingent on the diverse ways they imagined African American males should engage within their social and political worlds. These findings suggest then that African American male teachers’ pedagogic performances were both complex and multifaceted.
Surrounded by standards, there is a simpler view

Large numbers of information technology standards are being developed by a multitude of standards-developing organizations. This article offers a summary view of the complex myriad of U.S. national, regional, and international standards bodies. Also, a classification of standards is suggested which breaks down the large spectrum of standards into functional areas of interoperability. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An Inquiry into the Pay Structure of the New York Yankees: 1919–1941

This paper explores salaries for New York Yankees players during the early 20th century. Thanks to the recent availability of a unique data set, we are able to construct detailed earnings profiles using individual player salaries. Human capital wage estimates suggest that the Yankees’ owners rewarded players on the basis of their contributions to team productivity. Although apparently exploiting their monopsony power, the Yankees’ management set salaries on a systematic, productivity-related, basis. Because of the panel nature of the data, we use fixed-effects regression instead of Ordinary Least Squares regression estimation.
Effects of sex hormones on diet‐induced atrial thrombosis

Male and female Taconic Swiss mice were fed a high-fat (28%), low-protein (8%), hypolipotropic diet. Intact mice and gonadectomized mice, with and without injections of estrone or testosterone phenylacetate were studied. The sex of the animals did not alter the incidence or type of diet-induced cardiovascular lesions. During the 6–12 weeks of feeding thrombi developed in the atrial lumina of 75%–88% of intact and gonadectomized male and female mice. The only prominent decrease in the incidence of such thrombosis was in gonadectomized animals of both sexes receiving estrone where it was reduced to 6%–16%. In castrated males receiving injections of testosterone phenylacetate (Perandren) the incidence of thrombosis was 65%.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Vitamin B12 Deficiency and HIV Infection

The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and several symptoms common to HIV infection overlap. Additionally, persons with HIV infection have frequently been found to have vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, the issue of concern is the prevalence of B12 deficiency in HIV-infected persons. A retrospective study of 63 medical records in a midwestern urban veterans affairs medical center provided the data for this study. Data were collected and analyzed for relationships among B12 levels, certain hematologic components, medications, symptomatology, and immune status. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test demonstrated a significant prevalence of B12 deficiency among persons with HIV disease, and chi-square two-way tables demonstrated significant relationships between B12 deficiency and weight loss and diarrhea. Prevalence of B12 deficiency in persons with HIV infection has been shown to be significant, indicating that B12 deficiency screening in persons with HIV infection may need be done to aid the health care provider in planning the best possible care. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings.
Impact of price-based demand response on market clearing and locational marginal prices

This study quantitatively analyses the impact of price-based demand response (DR) on market clearing and locational marginal prices (LMPs) of power systems using the network-constrained unit commitment (NCUC) model. The price-based DR is formulated via linear price-sensitive demand bidding curves, while considering DR participation levels and energy payback rates. DR is formulated as load shifting as well as load curtailment by adopting different energy payback rates to represent the amount of energy shifted among different hours. The objective is to maximise the system social welfare, which includes the revenue from price-sensitive DR loads minus the energy production costs from generating units. The NCUC problem is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem and solved by the commercial MILP solver. Numerical case studies are performed to analyse the impacts of DR on unit commitment, LMPs, energy production costs and DR load payments. Results indicate that with the current market clearing mechanism which maximises the system social welfare, DR dispatch may augment LMPs by displacing less flexible generating units and/or triggering additional transmission congestions and, in turn, increase DR loads' payments, which will ultimately influence the financial stability of DR providers and the sustainable deployment of DR programs.
Decision Support for Real-Time, Dynamic Decision-Making Tasks

Abstract By definition, dynamic decision making dictates that multiple and interrelated decisions be made in a continuously changing environment. Such decision making is difficult and often taxes individuals’ cognitive resources. Here I investigated ways in which to support decision making in these environments. I evaluated three forms of decision support: outcome feedback, cognitive feedback, and feedforward that incorporated (to varying degrees) common features of learning theories associated with dynamic tasks. Participants in a laboratory experiment performed a real-time, dynamic decision-making task while receiving one of the different types of decision support. During the first 2 days, individuals received one type of decision support, but on the third day they performed the task without this support. Participants who received feedforward improved their performance considerably and continued to exhibit improved performance even after discontinuation of the decision support on the third day. Neither outcome feedback nor cognitive feedback resulted in improved performance. More research is necessary to conclusively identify the best forms of dynamic decision-making support and their durability when transferred to new tasks.
Population-based study of pelvic lymph node positivity in clinically localized prostate cancer: A study comparing African Americans and Whites

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the correlation between race and lymph node metastasis for prostate cancer by analyzing which preoperative parameters may predict lymph node status in both races. Methods. We analyzed a group of patients (552 American white men [AWM] and 423 African-American men [AAM]) who underwent radical prostatectomy plus modified pelvic lymphadenectomy between January 1991 and June 1997. Patients who received neoadjuvant radiation or hormone therapy were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influence of race on lymph node positivity, as well as to correlate the preoperative parameters (serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA], biopsy Gleason score, and clinical stage) with lymph node metastasis for each race separately. Results. The AAM presented with significantly higher preoperative Gleason scores and PSA levels than AWM. However, comparing lymph node status by race, the difference of positivity (41 AWM [7.4%] and 22 AAM [5.2%]) was not statistically significant ( P = 0.16). The percentage of positive nodes was similar in both races for each subset of PSA, Gleason score, and clinical stage. Despite the statistical significance of the three preoperative parameters in univariate analysis, in multivariate analysis only PSA and Gleason score were independent predictors of positive lymph nodes. Conclusions. There is no influence of race on lymph node metastasis, despite AAM presenting with higher preoperative Gleason scores and PSA levels. In multivariate analysis, preoperative Gleason score and PSA were independent factors for positive nodes regardless of race.
Nervous control and spontaneous activity of the chromatophores of a cephalopod, Loligo opalescens.

Abstract 1. 1. The radial muscle fibers of the chromatophores receive only a motor innervation. In those of ventral skin, one motor fiber innervates the muscles of several chromatophores. In the dorsal skin, each motor fiber innervates only part of the muscle complement of a number of chromatophores; a bundle of motor axons innervate the same skin territory, thus permitting stepwise expansion of chromatophores through tetanic contractions of increasing numbers of their muscle fibers. 2. 2. Single nerve impulses cause twitch-like contractions. Above 2/sec summation of individual contractions occurs with transition to a smooth tetanus at frequencies above 12/sec. 3. 3. ACh causes tonic contractions and “pulsations”. 5-Hydroxytryptamine antagonizes spontaneous and ACh-induced tonic contractions. It does not interfere with nerve-induced contractions but augments the rate of shortening and of relaxation. Tetrodotoxin does not interfere with spontaneous tonic contractions but abolishes the effects of nerve stimulation. Banthine blocks the action of motor fibers and of ACh. 4. 4. Spontaneous and ACh-induced tonic contractions are accompanied by local potentials resembling miniature potentials. Spontaneous contractions are preceded by spikes which arise from generator depolarization. Nerve stimulation results only in local junction potentials. This explains why single muscle fibers can be independently activated by motoneurons even though spontaneous contractions may occur nearly simultaneously in many or all muscle fibers of a chromatophore.
Use of specfic retention volumes in the evalution of various types of columns for use in the trace determination of ethylene glycol by gas chromatography

Abstract Various types of column packings were evaluated for use in the gas chromatography determination of ppm concentrations of ethylene glycol in aqueous systems. The columns were evaluated by determining specific retention volumes and observing peak shapes for progressively smaller concentrations of ethylene glycol in water injected on to the column. An increase in the specific retention volume, accompanied by significant peak tailing, was taken to indicate that quantitative analysis would not be feasible below a certain concentration range, because of chemisorptive effects. The most desirable column for quantitative analysis at trace levels (10 ppm or more injected on to the column) was selected on the of comparative evaluation. Acid- washedd and silane-treated diatomaceous supports coated with Carbowax 20M, uncoated porous polymers (Chromosorb 101 and 102), and Chromosorb 102 coated with Carbowax 20M were considered unsatisfactory, Super-Pak 20 M coated with Carbowax 20M was marginally successful, while Chromatosorb 101 coated with Carbowax 20M was clearly the column packing of choice. these results are discussed in terms of column support adsorption effects.
Determination of the specific surface area and the pore size of microporous carbons from adsorption potential distributions

Porous structures of synthetic active carbons were characterized using nitrogen adsorption at 77 K over a wide range of relative pressures (10{sup {minus}7}-0.995), and it was shown that the analysis of adsorption potential distributions (APDs) in many cases allows for estimation of the specific surface area and the average micropore size. The APDs for most of the samples had two peaks, which can be related to the monolayer formation on the micropore surface and to the secondary micropore filling. The minimum between these two peaks was identified as a point of completion of the monolayer, allowing for evaluation of the specific surface area in a good agreement with the calculations made using the advanced DFT Plus software. Assuming the slitlike pore geometry, the obtained specific surface areas were used to calculate average micropore sizes for the synthetic active carbons as well as for commercial high-surface-area porous carbons. The amounts adsorbed per unit surface area (normalized adsorption curves) were calculated for these samples and showed a systematic change with the average micropore size. As the latter increased, the normalized adsorption at low pressures (below ca. 10{sup {minus}3}) gradually decreased and for samples with larger micropores it became more and more similarmore » to the normalized adsorption on a macroporous nongraphitized carbon. In addition, a gradual development of the secondary micropore filling was observed. The position of peaks on APDs was related to the average micropore size providing another simple method of micropore size estimation. The observed changes in the low-pressure adsorption behavior correlate well with those predicted by computer simulations and DFT calculations, but the experimentally observed monolayer-formation and secondary-micropore-filling transitions were smoothed, which can be attributed to the surface and pore-size heterogeneity.« less
CFTR-mediated Cl(-) transport in the acinar and duct cells of rabbit lacrimal gland.

Purpose: We investigated the role that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) may play in Cl− transport in the acinar and ductal epithelial cells of rabbit lacrimal gland (LG).Methods: Primary cultured LG acinar cells were processed for whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recording of Cl− currents by using perfusion media with high and low [Cl−], 10 µM forskolin and 100 µM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), the non-specific Cl− channel blocker 4,4′-disothiocyanostilbene-2, 2′ sulphonic acid (DIDS; 100 µM) and CFTRinh-172 (10 µM), a specific blocker for CFTR. Ex vivo live cell imaging of [Cl−] changes in duct cells was performed on freshly dissected LG duct with a multiphoton confocal laser scanning microscope using a Cl− sensitive fluorescence dye, N-[ethoxycarbonylmethyl]-6-methoxy-quinolinium bromide.Results: Whole-cell patch-clamp studies demonstrated the presence of Cl− current in isolated acinar cells and revealed that this Cl− current was mediated by CFTR channel. Li...
Influence of age on concentric isokinetic torque and passive extensibility variables of the calf muscles of women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of age on concentric isokinetic torque (CIT) and passive extensibility (PE) variables of the calf muscles of healthy women. Ten younger women [31.9 (SD 6.1) years] and ten older women [71.1 (SD 6.6) years] were tested using a KIN-COM 500H dynamometer. The PE was tested by stretching the muscles from relaxed plantarflexion to the maximal dorsiflexion (DF) angle at 5°·s−1 without raw electromyogram (EMG) activity exceeding 0.05 mV. The maximal CIT was tested from the maximal DF angle 60° into plantarflexion at four randomly ordered velocities of 30, 60, 120, and 180°·s−1. Separate analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests showed that the standardized (% body mass) concentric peak and mean torques were lower for the older women for all isokinetic velocities (p < 0.001). The “angular delay” from the onset of concentric activation to peak torque was smaller for the older women at 120 and 180°·s−1 (p < 0.05). Age showed negative relationships (Pearson r) with all standardized peak torques (p ⩽ 0.001) and mean torques (p < 0.001), and the “angular delay” at 120 and 180°·s−1 (p ⩽ 0.05). Independent t-tests showed that the maximal DF angle and the change in the PE angle from an initial angle (defined at 10% of the maximal passive torque) to the maximal DF angle were less for the older women (p < 0.05). Age was negatively related to the maximal DF angle and the change in the PE angle (p < 0.01). The results suggest an age-related decrease in calf muscle CIT, muscle length and PE. The smaller “angular delay” for the older women at 120 and 180°·s−1 indicates that CIT testing at rapid velocities can be used to examine age-related changes in calf muscle contractile properties in relation to rapid velocities of movement.
Stiffness Controlled Piezoelectric Stick-Slip Actuator for Rapid Positioning Applications

Rotary screw-type stick-slip actuators driven by smart materials offer the attractive characteristics of large stroke, fine resolution, high power-off holding force, and relative simplicity to manufacture. However, the actuation speed of current rotary stick-slip actuators limits their applications. The research presented in this study focuses on rapid positioning applications and involves the development of two mechanism designs. Both designs utilize piezoelectric stacks driven by sawtooth waves to provide stick-slip contact between two partially threaded jaws and a 1/4-80 screw. The first mechanism design utilizes two piezoelectric stacks in a push-pull configuration. The motion of the two stacks is coupled through a lever amplification mechanism. The second design uses a single stack to directly drive the jaws without amplification. However, a second stack is oriented perpendicular to the first stack and driven with a triggered square wave. This stack varies the normal and thus frictional force between the jaws and screw, permitting more efficient slipping and sticking of the actuator. This allows for potential increases in both output speed and force. Existing actuators were modeled using both theoretical and finite element analysis techniques. These results were compared with experimental data to validate the models.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Characteristics of a novel serum vitamin-B12-binding protein associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Summary. A novel protein designated as hepatoma B12 binder (HBB), the predominant vitamin-B12-binding protein in the serum of two adolescents with hepatocellular carcinoma, has been characterized. HBB is more acidic and has different electrophoretic mobility and elution behaviour on gel filtration than normal or chronic myeloid leukaemia transcobalamin I. HBB is a member of the family of‘R’type vitamin-B12-binding proteins since it immunologically cross reacts with anti-R antibody and does not deliver vitamin B12 to the cell. HBB is unique in that it is tumour-related, elaborated in enormous quantity and possesses physical characteristics best explained by a different carbohydrate composition from that of transcobalamin I.
Absent and Inverted Qualia Revisited

Les experiences de pensee sur les qualia inverses et absents proposees par Shoemaker ne permettent pas de trancher en defaveur du fonctionnalisme. On ne peut, entre autres, inferer la possibilite d'une inversion inter-subjective des qualia, a partir de la detection d'une inversion intra-subjective, sur la base du comportement observable
Parametric optimization of software defined radio configurations using design of experiments

Cognitive radio (CR) systems incorporate learning and decision making into wireless and networking systems with the goal of improving performance and interoperability. Research has focused on artificial intelligence control and optimization of radio input parameters with little attention placed on identifying initialization parameters of cognitive engines or on testing methods. While CR techniques continue to advance, calibration and testing remain largely stagnant with reliance on ad hoc and highly application specific approaches. Given that cognitive radio will be deployed in a variety of environments with each requiring unique calibration, systematic procedures are needed. An approach founded in design of experiments provides a purposeful framework for performing testing and identification of initialization parameters with an efficient number of test cases. Response surface methodology designs identify representative knowledge of system performance including input parameter significance and quadratic estimation models of output metrics. An example of calibrating transmit-and-receive gain settings on a software-defined radio illustrates the use of the framework.
Combined pelvic ring disruption and acetabular fracture: associated injury patterns in 40 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Combined pelvic ring disruptions and acetabular fractures are thought to be uncommon. Our objectives were to characterize concomitant injury patterns and to compare them with historically observed rates for each injury in isolation. DESIGN: Retrospective review comparing a study group with historical controls. Fracture patterns were compared with our institution's isolated injury patterns and with isolated injury patterns of other published series. SETTING: Level I academic medical center. PATIENTS: Between 1997 and 2001, 854 pelvic ring disruptions and 457 acetabular fractures were evaluated. Forty patients sustained combined injuries. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Fracture patterns, Injury Severity Scores, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Our series of combined injuries included 5% posterior wall fractures. This was significantly different from the 30% incidence of posterior wall fractures among isolated acetabular fractures at our institution (P < 0.006). No posterior column or posterior column with associated posterior wall fractures occurred. Fifty-three percent of the patients sustained anterior-posterior compression pelvic ring injuries, exceeding our center's 19% norm for isolated pelvic ring injuries (P < 0.001). For combined injuries, the mean injury severity score was 27.9 and the overall mortality rate was 13%. Early death occurred in 19% of patients with combined anterior-posterior compression injuries and 6% with lateral compression injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with combined pelvic and acetabular injuries have multiple system injuries and high Injury Severity Scores. Fracture patterns differ from those observed with isolated injuries. Posterior acetabular fractures are uncommon components. Anterior-posterior compression pelvic injuries seem much more frequent in cases of combined injuries than isolated injuries and are associated with high mortality rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Role for Skp in LptD Assembly in Escherichia coli

The periplasmic chaperone Skp has long been implicated in the assembly of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in Escherichia coli. It has been shown to interact with unfolded OMPs, and the simultaneous loss of Skp and the main periplasmic chaperone in E. coli, SurA, results in synthetic lethality. However, a Δskp mutant displays only minor OMP assembly defects, and no OMPs have been shown to require Skp for their assembly. Here, we report a role for Skp in the assembly of the essential OMP LptD. This role may be compensated for by other OMP assembly proteins; in the absence of both Skp and FkpA or Skp and BamB, LptD assembly is impaired. Overexpression of SurA does not restore LptD levels in a Δskp ΔfkpA double mutant, nor does the overexpression of Skp or FkpA restore LptD levels in the ΔsurA mutant, suggesting that Skp acts in concert with SurA to efficiently assemble LptD in E. coli. Other OMPs, including LamB, are less affected in the Δskp ΔfkpA and Δskp bamB::kan double mutants, suggesting that Skp is specifically necessary for the assembly of certain OMPs. Analysis of an OMP with a domain structure similar to that of LptD, FhuA, suggests that common structural features may determine which OMPs require Skp for their assembly.
Protein binding drug displacement interactions: fact or fiction?

A drug displacement interaction is loosely defined as the reduction in extent of plasma protein binding of one drug caused by the presence of another drug. These interactions may be caused by competition between the drugs involved for a common binding site (competitive inhibition) or by the ability of the displacer to alter tertiary conformation of the binding protein (non-competitive inhibition). Regardless of the mechanism, the end result is an increased unbound fraction of the displaced drug. In most early reports of adverse drug interactions that were known to involve binding displacement, observed toxicities were concluded to be a direct result of the displacement. More recently, the role of binding displacement as a cause of clinically important drug interactions has been questioned (0' Arcy & McElnay 1982; McElnay & 0' Arcy 1983; Sellers 1979; Shand et at. 1975). With our present understanding of the influence of plasma protein binding on the distribution and elimination of drugs (Gillette 1973; MacKichan 1984; Shand et at. 1975; Yacobi et at. 1975), we now recognise that the adverse consequences of many interactions that were originally attributed to displacement were in fact caused by the effect of the displacers on the elimination of the displaced drugs. Protein binding displacement interactions are 'clinically important' if they require a temporary or sustained reduction in the daily dose of the displaced drug. This will occur if the displacement results in a temporary or sustained increase in the unbound drug concentration in plasma. The goals of this article are to describe the theoretical effects of displacement on unbound concentrations of drug in plasma, and to review examples of drug displacement interactions for which the mechanisms are known. It is concluded that although drug displacement is common and sometimes predictable, it alone is rarely responsible for observations of adverse drug interactions.
An Academic Library Director's Alphabet

This article offers librarians practical insight into a broad range of job-related conditions that affect the academic library director. It discusses the director's professional relationships with employees, colleagues, superiors, and patrons, and it also addresses the director's responsibilities for the quality of library service.
A Stage Model of Social Movement Co-optation: Community Mediation in the United States

The community mediation movement in the United States arose in the late 1970s as an alternative to a formalized justice system that was perceived to be costly, time consuming, and unresponsive to i...
Integrated multidisciplinary analysis of segmented reflector telescopes

The present multidisciplinary telescope-analysis approach, which encompasses thermal, structural, control and optical considerations, is illustrated for the case of an IR telescope in LEO; attention is given to end-to-end evaluations of the effects of mechanical disturbances and thermal gradients in measures of optical performance. Both geometric ray-tracing and surface-to-surface diffraction approximations are used in the telescope's optical model. Also noted is the role played by NASA-JPL's Integrated Modeling of Advanced Optical Systems computation tool, in view of numerical samples.
A fault-tolerant communication system for the B-Hive generalized hypercube multiprocessor

We describe the implementation of a communication system on the B-HIVE generalized hypercube. B-HIVE has 24 nodes connected in a 2 x 3 x 4 structure. Each node consists of two processors: an application processor (AP) and a communication processor (CP). The communication system runs solely on the CP and presents a simple DMA-like interface to user programs.A fault-tolerant communication system was developed for these reasons: (1) We desired a way to transmit messages reliably over a potentially unreliable communication network, and (2) B-HIVE implements both packet-switched and circuit-switched communications in the same network. At any time many channels may be allocated to a circuit-switched transaction and therefore be unusable for packet-switched routing. Since these channels can be rapidly allocated and then deallocated, we wanted an automatic mechanism for discovering these “failed” routes rather than broadcasting to the entire network each time a link is removed.These requirements mandated a simple protocol for detecting failed links, and updating the necessary routing tables. An algorithm is described that routes messages efficiently in a network where large portions are not functioning, A related issue is broadcasting a message to all nodes in the network. Several different methods of broadcasting are considered, and the routing algorithm is adapted to perform a broadcast. Currently we have implemented a static routing network where routes are only changed in the case of a detected failure. Future research will be directed towards more dynamic routing with load balancing.
Endotracheal tube position in the infant.

The locations of endotracheal tubes were assessed radiographically in 36 of 52 intubated infants during a 11/2 year period. In 18 of the 36 patients for whom there were radiographs, the endotrached tubes were in one of the bronchi. Eleven of these 18 patients developed atelectasis. The effects of head motion and respiration on the position of the tube were also evaluated. Suggestions are given to ensure proper placement of an endotracheal tube and for maintenance of the tube in the trachea.