cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of a sinusoidal wave motion on diffusion from an infinite line source

An investigation of the effect of sinusoidal vertical motion on turbulent diffusion is made. The diffusion models analyzed are i) without vertical motion, ii) with a simple sinusoidal vertical motion of constant amplitude, iii) with a sinusoidal vertical motion of damping amplitude. It is found from this investigation that the presence of undulations in vertical velocity has significantly enhanced the dispersion of pollution. Comparison of effective diffusivity shows an increase by a factor of 3.9 where no damping of undulations occurred, and by a factor of 2.8 where we have a damping of the undulations below the level of the source. This increase in dispersion can largely be explaied by the fact that the undulations have created a dilution in concentration because of the vertical motion and a configuration in which horizontal diffusivity is allowed to have an effect in pulling pollutant away from the axis of maximum concentration. The damping of undulations below the level of the source serves to suppress this configuration which in turn reduces dispersion below the source, an obviously favorable antipollution configuration.
INTERACTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF MERCURY COMPOUNDS IN THE INTESTINE OF FISH‐IMPLICATIONS FOR AQUACULTURE

Aquaculture facilities are often located in the proximity of agricultural, industrial, or urban sources of pollution. Utilization of water downstream from pollution sources is a general concern to aquaculturists. Rivers and coastal waters receive heavy metals from industrial and urban wastes and effluents. In most aquatic animals, the main route of heavy metal entry is via food and drink. In addition to the accumulation of heavy metals in aquatic species, we and others have shown that HgCl2 and CH3HgCl inhibit intestinal absorption of amino acids and sugars. Here we present data to show the generality of this effect among several species. The data also show that HgCl2 is a more potent inhibitor than CH3HgCl. In order to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of mercury, we have examined the movement of 203HgCl2 and CH3203HgCl from the intestinal lumen to the blood using a free swinnning in vivo procedure in the toadfish, Opsanus tau. Intestinal tissue and luminal fluid were analyzed after each incubation period. It was observed that both compounds appear in the tissue fraction within the first hour. CH3HgCl rapidly transfers to the blood, while HgCl2 exhibits a slow but evident transfer. Much of the HgCl2 in the tissue fraction was carried back to the luminal fluid by the mucus, suggesting binding to the luminal surface with little intracellular entry. CH3HgCl mainly moved into the tissue and then the blood with little or none being returned to the luminal fluid bound to mucus. Differences in the site of action of these two compounds was suggested.
CFTR regulates phagosome acidification in macrophages and alters bactericidal activity

Acidification of phagosomes has been proposed to have a key role in the microbicidal function of phagocytes. Here, we show that in alveolar macrophages the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel (CFTR) participates in phagosomal pH control and has bacterial killing capacity. Alveolar macrophages from Cftr-/- mice retained the ability to phagocytose and generate an oxidative burst, but exhibited defective killing of internalized bacteria. Lysosomes from CFTR-null macrophages failed to acidify, although they retained normal fusogenic capacity with nascent phagosomes. We hypothesize that CFTR contributes to lysosomal acidification and that in its absence phagolysosomes acidify poorly, thus providing an environment conducive to bacterial replication.
Impacts of Rising Nitrogen Deposition on N Exports from Forests to Surface Waters in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

In this study, we applied a process-based forest ecosystem model, PnET-CN, to estimate inorganic N (nitrate) loading and retention under chronic increases of atmospheric N deposition in the Chesapeake Bay (CPB) watershed. The results indicated that the average N leaching loss from forested lands in the CPB watershed is 1.23 kg N ha−1 y−1 at current N deposition levels, suggesting approximately 88% of N is retained by forest ecosystems. Total dissolved inorganic N exported from the forested watersheds was 11,617 Mg N yr−1. The predicted rates of the nitrate losses are well validated by the United States Geological Survey–National Water-Quality Assessment data measured from the gauged stations for forested drainages within the CPB watershed, and are also compatible with the field data of N loads associated with forests in the CPB watershed. If N deposition were twice current levels, the retention by forests would drop to 81%. Total N leaching loss to surface waters would then increase more than threefold. A nonlinear increase in N loads from forests under the extreme scenario of atmospheric N deposition shows the symptom of N saturation and an accelerated decline of forest functioning to retain atmospheric N deposition in the CPB watershed with rising levels of nitrogen deposition.
Epidemiology of eclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of eclampsia in relation to several maternal characteristics and exposures, including demographic characteristics, reproductive history, and tobacco use during pregnancy. A case control study was conducted using data for all singleton births from the Washington State birth certificates for 1984–1990. In the check box feature employed by these certificates, eclampsia is listed under maternal conditions. Risk estimates, adjusted for various confounders, were calculated comparing eclampsia among exposed versus unexposed women. The risk of eclampsia was elevated in women without prenatal care, those with weight gain of more than thirty pounds during pregnancy, nulliparous women, and those with chronic hypertension. The association with tobacco smoking were inverse and dose related. Women's race, urban or rural place of residence, history of pre-term births, and anemia were not associated with eclampsia. Our data reaffirm the importance of prenatal care, and provide further evidence of an inverse relationship with prenatal smoking. As eclampsia and pre-eclampsia are important pregnancy complications, further research is needed to explore their possible causes.
Glucuronic acid conjugation of tetrahydrocortisone and p-nitrophenol in the homozygous Gunn rat.

SummaryHepatic microsomes from the homozygous Gunn rat have been tested for their ability to effect the conjugation of THE and p-nitrophenol with glucuronic acid. Para-nitrophenol conjugation was impaired in these animals but THE was not. Neither aglycone inhibited conjugation of the other in normal animals. It is concluded that the glucuronyltransferases active for each of these substrates in the rat are separate entities.
Stoichiometry of a Cl−-translocating ATPase

It has been determined that Mg2+ stimulates phosphorylation while Cl− stimulates dephosphorylation of the chloride pump during its reaction sequence. The Stoichiometry of ATP hydrolyzed to Cl− transported during a single cycle of the reaction sequence was ascertained. Intracellular concentrations of ATP, ADP and inorganic phosphate were determined and, coupled with an estimate of the standard free energy of hydrolysis for ATP, the operant free energy for ATP hydrolysis was calculated. Because the operating free energy of the pump is approximately one-half the energy obtained from the total free energy of ATP hydrolysis, the only possible integral stoichiometries are one or, at the most, two net charges transported per cycle per ATP hydrolyzed.
Response to Hotta: High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with anorexia nervosa in Japan

Dear Editor,We read with interest Dr. Hotta’s letter reporting the highprevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in acohort of Japanese patients with anorexia nervosa. Of note,only 2ofthe63(3%)Japanesepatientsstudiedweretakingamultivitamin supplement containing vitamin D2 [1]. In ourstudy,85%ofpatientsreportedtakingvitaminDsupplements[2]. In addition, our patients’ mean body mass index (BMI)was 18±1.6 kg/m
Achievement goals of traditional and nontraditional aged college students: Using the 3 × 2 achievement goal framework

Abstract In this paper we present the results of a study meant to investigate whether traditional and nontraditional students differ in their achievement goals as described by the 3 × 2 framework of Achievement Goal Theory. A total of 121 traditional and 36 nontraditional students were assessed using the 3 × 2 Achievement Goal Questionnaire. The traditional students endorsed other-approach and other-avoidance goals to a greater degree than nontraditional students. Other-avoidance goals were negatively related to students’ cumulative GPA. We discuss the implications of our findings concerning differences in traditional and nontraditional students’ achievement goals, along with avenues for future research.
SUPERSINGULAR RANK TWO DRINFEL'D MODULES AND ANALOGS OF ATKIN'S ORTHOGONAL POLYNOMIALS

The theory of elliptic curves and modular forms provides a precise relationship between the supersingular j-invariants and the congruences between modular forms. Kaneko and Zagier discuss a surprising generalization of these results in their paper on Atkin orthogonal polynomials. In this paper, we define an analog of the Atkin orthogonal polynomials for rank two Drinfel'd modules.
Epilogue: Social Movements and Political Sociology in the Analysis of Organizations and Markets

? 2008 by Johnson Graduate School, Cornell University. 0001-8392/08/5303-0568/$3.00. In one way or another, I have devoted a good part of my long academic career to studying the interface of social move ments and organizations, sometimes with great impact and sometimes with little. Thus I was very pleased when I learned that ASQ was planning to have a special issue devot ed to examining the interface between social movements and organizations and markets. I was even more pleased when I saw the list of questions that the editors posed as rel evant in their call for papers announcing the special issue (December 2006 ASQ). If all of those questions can be rea sonably answered over the next several decades, the field will be enormously advanced.
Stimulus Control in Pigeons Based on Proprioceptive Stimuli from Floor Inclination

Two groups of pigeons trained to peck a dimly illuminated disc in an otherwise dark experimental chamber with the floor horizontal (0° tilt) or inclined 30° to the left, respectively, show decremental generalization gradients of response rate when the floor inclination is varied from its training position. Discrimination training in which food reinforcement is available under one floor tilt condition but not under another steepens the slope of such gradients. In a secondv experiment, pigeons reinforced for pecking when the floor was tilted 10° or 20° and not reinforced under the alternative condition showed steep gradients with maximal responding displaced from the reinforced stimulus.
A facile and convenient solid-phase procedure for synthesizing nucleoside hydroxamic acids

Abstract The solid-phase synthesis of a nucleoside hydroxamic acid is accomplished by the Pd(0) cross-coupling of 5-iodouridine and an O-linked hydroxylamine alkyne bound to 2-chlorotrityl chloride polystyrene resin.
Gravitropism in Higher Plant Shoots: I. A ROLE FOR ETHYLENE

Two inhibitors of ethylene synthesis, Co(2+) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and two inhibitors of ethylene action, Ag(+) and CO2, are shown to delay the gravitropic response of cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), and castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) stems. Gentle shaking on a mechanical shaker does not inhibit the gravitropic response, but vigorous hand shaking for 120 seconds delays the response somewhat. AVG and Ag(+) further delay the response of mechanically stimulated plants. AVG retards the storage of bending energy but not of stimulus. In gravitropism, graviperception may first stimulate ethylene evolution, which may then influence bending directly, or responses involving ethylene could be more indirect.
Location of receptor-binding region of protective antigen from Bacillus anthracis.

Summary The pag gene, which codes for protective antigen (PA), a common component of the lethal and edema toxins of Bacillus anthracis , was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . Nested deletions of pag were generated into the C-terminus coding region. Recombinant proteins were analyzed by Western blot with either an anti-PA polyclonal antisera or two monoclonal antibodies that neutralized lethal toxin and edema toxin activities by inhibiting the binding of PA to cell receptors. Localization of the receptor binding domain within the C-terminal region of PA was suggested by the inability of the monoclonal antibodies 3B6 and 14B7 to recognize the recombinant proteins expressed by C-terminal deletions of the pag gene.
The Practical Verification System Project

The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe the Practical Verification System (PVS), discuss its current implementation status, and sketch long term development plans. We begin with a review of ideas leading up to the PVS design.
Gq/11-Mediated Signaling and Hypertrophy in Mice with Cardiac-Specific Transgenic Expression of Regulator of G-Protein Signaling 2

Cardiac hypertrophy is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Activation of Gq/11-mediated signaling is required for pressure overload-induced cardiomyocyte (CM) hypertrophy to develop. We previously showed that among Regulators of G protein Signaling, RGS2 selectively inhibits Gq/11 signaling and its hypertrophic effects in isolated CM. In this study, we generated transgenic mice with CM-specific, conditional RGS2 expression (dTG) to investigate whether RGS2 overexpression can be used to attenuate Gq/11-mediated signaling and hypertrophy in vivo. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) induced a comparable rise in ventricular mass and ANF expression and corresponding hemodynamic changes in dTG compared to wild types (WT), regardless of the TAC duration (1-8 wks) and timing of RGS2 expression (from birth or adulthood). Inhibition of endothelin-1-induced Gq/11-mediated phospholipase C β activity in ventricles and atrial appendages indicated functionality of transgenic RGS2. However, the inhibitory effect of transgenic RGS2 on Gq/11-mediated PLCβ activation differed between ventricles and atria: (i) in sham-operated dTG mice the magnitude of the inhibitory effect was less pronounced in ventricles than in atria, and (ii) after TAC, negative regulation of Gq/11 signaling was absent in ventricles but fully preserved in atria. Neither difference could be explained by differences in expression levels, including marked RGS2 downregulation after TAC in left ventricle and atrium. Counter-regulatory changes in other Gq/11-regulating RGS proteins (RGS4, RGS5, RGS6) and random insertion were also excluded as potential causes. Taken together, despite ample evidence for a role of RGS2 in negatively regulating Gq/11 signaling and hypertrophy in CM, CM-specific RGS2 overexpression in transgenic mice in vivo did not lead to attenuate ventricular Gq/11-mediated signaling and hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. Furthermore, our study suggests chamber-specific differences in the regulation of RGS2 functionality and potential future utility of the new transgenic model in mitigating Gq/11 signaling in the atria in vivo.
Experimental Study Of Electromagnetic Missiles

The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate missile-like electromagnetic pulses. More specifically, this is a program to build and test devices capable of launching electromagnetic missiles. I Because a missile-like electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) involves transients with rise times under 100 ps, the measurement of short pulses is essential. The program must measure the EMP accurately enough to confirm the slow decay of the energy and provide the means for improving the design of the EM-missile launcher. After adopting the newly designed transmitting antenna (V-conical antenna) and receiving antenna Pantenna), the entire system is found to work properly up to 10 GHz. The preliminary results show that the energy of an ENV launched from an EM-missile launcher does have the property of slow decay.
Combinatorial approach to the edge delamination test for thin film reliability—adaptability and variability

We have demonstrated the adaptability and variability of a newly developed combinatorial edge delamination test. This was accomplished through studying the effect of substrate surface energy on the adhesion of thin films. In this combinatorial approach, a library (a single specimen) was fabricated with a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film on a silicon substrate. The film has thickness gradient in one direction and the substrate has an orthogonal surface energy gradient. The thickness gradient was produced with a flow coating technique, and the surface energy gradient was controlled by partial oxidation of an alkylsilane layer on a silicon wafer. Applying a constant temperature to the specimen, interfacial debonding events were observed and a distribution of failure was constructed. Our results demonstrate the proposed combinatorial methodology for rapidly and efficiently evaluating the adhesion of general film/substrate systems as a function of many controllable parameters. In addition, this methodology can be used to predict the reliability distributions of the adhesion for practical parameters.
Three Dimensional Monte Carlo Simulation of Isotropic Coarsening of Particles in Liquid Phase

Coarsening of particles during liquid phase sintering is known to be an example of Ostwald ripening. This coarsening process, in a fully wetting system, is simulated in three dimensions with a kinetic Monte Carlo model. The results from the simulation for microstructures, kinetics and particle size distributions are compared to available experimental findings. It is found that the average particle volume increases linearly with time and that the particle size distributions are consistent with those obtained experimentally, as in the W-Ni-Fe and Sn-Pb systems.
Daily fluctuation in excretion of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones by a postmenopausal woman.

The gonadotropin extracts of 24-hr samples of urine of a postmenopausal woman were assayed by a general gonadotropin assay and by assays for follicle stimulating and luteinizing activity. By each of the 3 assay systems it was found that there was a 2-fold fluctuation in the amount of gonadotropin excreted from day to day.
Positive and negative afterimages from brief target gratings

Abstract Threshold luminance levels for the production of negative afterimages from brief target gratings were determined as a function of background luminance and grating frequency. The obtained thresholds were extremely low—typically below the values that would maintain constant space-average luminance between target and background. The implications of these reults for other studies that may have inadvertently produced negative afterimages with their stimulus conditions were noted. As a demonstration, visual persistence estimates from these gratings were determined under conditions that carefully excluded negative afterimages, and clear differences from previously published work were obtained.
The central cholinergic system profile of olanzapine compared with placebo in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective The objective of this analysis was to compare the treatment-emergent central anticholinergic-like adverse events experienced during treatment with olanzapine versus placebo in patients with psychosis and/or agitation due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, changes in cognition were assessed in a subgroup of patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Methods Double-blind data were compared for placebo and three fixed olanzapine dosages (5 mg/day, 10 mg/day, and 15 mg/day) in 206 nursing home-residing patients with AD for five a priori selected central nervous system anticholinergic-like adverse events: confusion, delirium, delusions, hallucinations, abnormal thinking. Mean change from baseline to endpoint on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale—Cognitive (ADAS-Cog) was measured for a subgroup of 43 patients who had mild to moderate cognitive impairment at baseline. Results There were no significant differences in central anticholinergic-like adverse events at any olanzapine dose compared to placebo. Additionally, in the 43-patient subgroup, there were no significant differences in mean change in ADAS-Cog scores between placebo and the three olanzapine dose subgroups. Conclusion Olanzapine did not differ significantly from placebo for any of the five central nervous system anticholinergic events nor on the ADAS-Cog. Olanzapine's initially reported potent in vitro muscarinic receptor affinity is not consistent with this clinical study of central nervous system anticholinergic-like adverse events in patients with AD. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degree of neuromuscular facilitation is correlated with contribution to walking in leg muscles of two species of crab

Despite decades of work on the neuromuscular physiology of crustacean leg muscles, little is known about how physiological differences between these muscles relate to their behavioral usage. We studied a sideways walking shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and a forward walking spider crab, Libinia emarginata, as part of our work to understand the neural control of locomotion. The two species differed significantly in facilitation at neuromuscular junctions for every muscle studied. Further, these differences are correlated exactly with the walking use of the muscles. The forward walking spider crab showed more facilitation in muscles which operate joints having larger ranges of motion in forward walking. Likewise, greater facilitation was seen in muscles more active during sideways walking in the predominantly sideways walking shore crab. These differences even occur between muscles innervated by the same motor neuron, and become more evident with higher stimulus frequency. The increased presynaptic facilitation might allow selective recruitment of fibers innervated by the same motor neuron and aid in temporal filtering.
Cytokinins from growth regulator autonomous callus tissue

Abstract Callus tissue of the monocotyledon, Haworthia mirabilis Haw., was cultured in the absence of exogenous plant growth regulators (cytokinin and auxin). The tissue was extracted with aqueous ethanol and the extract was purified by chromatography and tested with the tobacco callus cell division assay. Cytokinins with chromatographic properties corresponding to those of zeatin and zeatin riboside were detected. Transfer RNA was isolated from the autonomous tissue, hydrolyzed enzymatically and examined for cytokinin activity. Cytokinin-active ribonucleosides with chromatographic properties corresponding to those of zeatin riboside and N 6 -(Δ 2 - isopentenyl ) adenosine were found. This is the first reported analysis of cytokinins from spontaneously autonomous callus from a monocotyledon. Exogenous growth regulators in the culture medium affect the content of free, ethanol-soluble cytokinins in the callus tissue.
Positivism ‘vs’ Postmodernism: Does Epistemology Make a Difference?

Since the 1990s, international relations theory (IR) has supposedly been in the grip of a ‘Third Debate’, this time between positivism and postmodernism. While many have cast doubt as to whether this is in fact the case, and others have argued that it is time to move beyond it, it remains true to say that the issue of positivism vs postpositivism has occupied the minds of a number of academic analysts in recent years. This article takes the more radical position of questioning whether this epistemological debate — if, indeed, one accepts that there is one — has any real import in the sense of influencing the empirical research that IR scholars actually conduct. In short, whether one embraces a positivist or a postmodernist epistemology (for example) has little practical effect upon one's empirical findings. By extension, this argument suggests that the emphasis on the philosophical underpinnings of IR, while not necessarily misconceived in and of itself, has thus far not been central to what IR scholars actually do.
MSH binding in Bomirski amelanotic hamster melanoma cells is stimulated by L-tyrosine.

Bomirski Ab amelanotic melanoma cells have recently been shown to undergo striking phenotypic changes when precursors of the melanogenic pathway, L-tyrosine and L-dopa, are added to the culture medium. The changes include increased tyrosinase activity andde novo synthesis of melanosomes and melanin. L-tyrosine and L-dopa appeared to elicit these responses through separate but overlapping regulatory pathways. Here we show an additional effect of L-tyrosine: stimulation of MSH binding capacity. Cells cultured for 24–48 hours in the presence of 200 μM L-tyrosine display a 3–4 fold increase in their ability to bind125l-β-MSH. L-dopa did not stimulate MSH binding under the same conditions. In control experiments neither L-tyrosine nor L-dopa had any effect on insulin binding. The amelanotic cells respond to MSH with increased dendrite formation, increased tyrosinase activity without melanin production, and decreased growth rate.
CASE 3—2013

INIMALLY INVASIVE cardiac surgery is becoming increasingly and has advantages, but it involves decreased surgical exposure. The authors report a case in which a minimally invasive approach to the aortic valve precluded manual palpation of the left ventricle during administration of antegrade cardioplegia. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed maldistribution of cardioplegia, with the solution entering the left ventricle and, subsequently, left atrium, through incompetent aortic and mitral valves. This led to a change in the surgical plan, successful myocardial protection, and good outcome. CASE REPORT
Multiple mechanisms of meiotic recombination.

In this issue, Cromie et al. (2006) reveal that different meiotic recombination mechanisms predominate in fission yeast and budding yeast. Budding yeast usually form crossover recombinants through double Holliday junctions, whereas fission yeast unexpectedly appear to form crossover recombinants through single junctions.
Analysis of molecular morphology and permeation behavior of polyimide-siloxane molecular composites for their possible coatings application

This study investigates two different molecular composite coatings (MCCs). All the components as well as compositions constituting each MCC were synthesized and characterized employing different analytical techniques. Studies of the surface morphology of the MCCs have shown heterogeneous distribution and phase separation in coatings. Theoretically calculated Gibbs free energy of mixing showed that phase separation in MCCs occurred with the increase in concentration of the minor component in major one. Different types of domain morphologies have been revealed and the probable mechanism of their formation has been detailed. An understanding of the absorption and hence percolation of water molecule through the succeeding layers of MCCs has been developed. Various factors governing the diffusional phenomenon has been studied and correlated with the underlying phase separated microstructures of MCCs.
Some things about Gandhi

This article focuses on Gandhi's things as a point of intersection – a contact zone of divine and market logics, sensory reality, and subaltern and elite routes of access. Gandhi memorials, his autograph, his ashes, an auction, and the special Gandhi edition Montblanc luxury pen evoke the magic that embraces ordinary things, rendering them extraordinary and desirable. Drawing upon episodes from historical and contemporary contexts, this article prolongs the moment of wonder at why Gandhi continues to cast a spell on a culture industry that transcends national, subaltern, and elite boundaries.
25-Hydroxycholesterol Increases Eicosanoids and Alters Morphology in Cultured Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

Abstract —25-Hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) is an oxidized derivative of cholesterol that has been implicated in the early development of arteriosclerosis. Changes in arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation have also been linked to the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis. SMCs undergo “activation” in response to vascular injury by changing phenotypically and by increasing prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) protein levels and eicosanoid release. Activation is thought to be important in atheroma formation and arteriosclerosis progression. 25-OHC induces SMCs to change morphologically, increase PGHS-2, and increase eicosanoid release. Confluent monolayers were treated with 25-OHC (10 μg/mL) or the PGHS-2 inducer interleukin-1β (1 ng/mL) for 18 hours at 37°C. The 18-hour treatment resulted in morphological changes. After uptake of [ 14 C]arachidonic acid, released radiolabeled arachidonic acid products were extracted and chromatographed by both normal and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography systems. 25-OHC–treated cells increased their prostaglandin production, with the major component comigrating with a prostaglandin-E 2 standard. HETEs and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids were not affected. Immunoprecipitation analysis of treated and control cell lysates using anti–PGHS-1 and -2 and anti–α-actin primary antibodies indicated PGHS-2 induction over control and no change in contractile proteins. These changes are consistent with SMC activation, which occurs in vascular injury models. The notion that oxysterols can activate vascular SMCs may be important in ultimately understanding the pathophysiology of atheroma formation.
Preparation and Corrosion Behavior of Bulk Mg 75 Ni 15 Si 10 Amorphous Alloy by Mechanical Alloying and Pulsed Current Sintering

Amorphous Mg 75 Ni 15 Si 10 powders synthesized by mechanical alloying were consolidated into bulk pieces by pulsed current sintering. An investigation was also done on the corrosion behavior of the pieces by measuring the corrosion rate and the polarization curve. 'rhe mechanically alloyed powder was examined by X-ray diffraction and TEM with selected area electron diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The amorphous powder could be made by milling for 2520 ks. However, the powder included Si particles and nano-crystals in addition to the amorphous phase. The composition of the amorphous phase has been determined to be Mg 71.5 Ni 13.5 Si 15.0 by TEM-EDS. The crystallization temperature was 571 K. The bulk alloys sintered at 473 K and 523 K kept the amorphous phase, but Mg crystals grew in the alloy. The sintering density increased with increasing die pressure and reached to at 94% under 500 MPa at 473 K. The real density was calculated to be 2588 kg/m 3 . No corrosion of the bulk amorphous alloy could be observed when exposed to 5 mass%NaCl solution for a period of 86.4 ks (24 h) because of the passive film formed on the surface of the amorphous alloy. It was confirmed by the measurement of the polarizaiton curve in 5 mass%NaCl solution that the corrosion rate of the amorphous alloy was a quarter or one-fifth that of AZ91D alloy.
Clinical model of lifetime cost of treating bladder cancer and associated complications.

Abstract Objectives To estimate the lifetime cost of bladder cancer and the contribution of complications to the total costs. Methods We reviewed the medical records of a retrospective cohort of 208 patients with bladder cancer who registered at our comprehensive cancer center from 1991 to 1999. We multiplied the number of resources used during management of bladder cancer by their unit charges. We converted charges into costs using the Medicare cost-to-charge ratio and inflated these to 2005 U.S. dollars. We estimated future costs by creating two extreme hypothetical scenarios. In the best-case scenario, we assumed patients with superficial disease developed recurrences at the cohort’s mean rate and that patients with muscle-invasive disease were disease free after definitive therapy. Survival was based on the U.S. life expectancy in both cases. In the worst-case scenario, we assumed patients with superficial disease developed muscle-invasive disease and that all patients subsequently died of bladder cancer. Results The average cost of bladder cancer was $65,158 among the cohort patients. Sixty percent of this cost ($39,393) was associated with surveillance and treatment of recurrences, and 30% ($19,811) was attributable to complications. The lifetime cost of bladder cancer was lower for the worst-case scenario ($99,270) than for the best-case scenario ($120,684). However, a greater proportion of the costs were attributable to complications with the worst-case scenario (43%, $42,290) compared with the best (28%, $34,169). Conclusions The management of bladder cancer and its associated complications results in a major economic burden. More cost-effective surveillance strategies and approaches for preventing complications are crucial to minimizing the disease’s clinical and economic consequences.
Efficiency-Optimized Flux-Weakening Control of PMSM Incorporating Speed Regulation

This paper presents an efficiency-optimized flux-weakening control scheme for permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) incorporating speed regulation. It is robust to variations of DC bus voltage and load level with optimized efficiency, especially under light load conditions. The developed speed/flux-weakening controller (SFWC) automatically generates the required demagnetizing current and produces torque component at high speeds based on the d-q current cross-coupling effect. By introducing a voltage constant adaptive to load level, the demagnetizing current can be optimized resulting in less copper losses and higher efficiency. Moreover, the proposed control scheme is able to achieve both flux-weakening and speed regulation simultaneously using only one regulator, in contrast to conventional two-loop (d-q-axis) control methods. Both computer simulation and experimental results are provided to verify its feasibility.
Effect of Vaginal or Systemic Estrogen on Dynamics of Collagen Assembly in the Rat Vaginal Wall

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of systemic and local estrogen treatment on collagen assembly and biomechanical properties of the vaginal wall. Ovariectomized nulliparous rats were treated with estradiol or conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) either systemically, vaginal CEE, or vaginal placebo cream for 4 wk. Low-dose local CEE treatment resulted in increased vaginal epithelial thickness and significant vaginal growth without uterine hyperplasia. Furthermore, vaginal wall distensibility increased without compromise of maximal force at failure. Systemic estradiol resulted in modest increases in collagen type I with no change in collagen type III mRNA. Low-dose vaginal treatment, however, resulted in dramatic increases in both collagen subtypes whereas moderate and high dose local therapies were less effective. Consistent with the mRNA results, low-dose vaginal estrogen resulted in increased total and cross-linked collagen content. The inverse relationship between vaginal dose and collagen expression may be explained in part by progressive downregulation of estrogen receptor-alpha mRNA with increasing estrogen dose. We conclude that, in this menopausal rat model, local estrogen treatment increased total and cross-linked collagen content and markedly stimulated collagen mRNA expression in an inverse dose-effect relationship. High-dose vaginal estrogen resulted in downregulation of estrogen receptor-alpha and loss of estrogen-induced increases in vaginal collagen. These results may have important clinical implications regarding the use of local vaginal estrogen therapy and its role as an adjunctive treatment in women with loss of vaginal support.
Battery longevity in cardiac resynchronization therapy implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Aims Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) deliver high burden ventricular pacing to heart failure patients, which has a significant effect on battery longevity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether battery longevity is comparable for CRT-ICDs from different manufacturers in a contemporary cohort of patients. Methods and results All the CRT-ICDs implanted at our institution from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 were included in this analysis. Baseline demographic and clinical data were collected on all patients using the electronic medical record. Detailed device information was collected on all patients from scanned device printouts obtained during routine follow-up. The primary endpoint was device replacement for battery reaching the elective replacement indicator (ERI). A total of 646 patients (age 69 ± 13 years), implanted with CRT-ICDs (Boston Scientific 173, Medtronic 416, and St Jude Medical 57) were included in this analysis. During 2.7 ± 1.5 years follow-up, 113 (17%) devices had reached ERI (Boston scientific 4%, Medtronic 25%, and St Jude Medical 7%, P < 0.001). The 4-year survival rate of device battery was significantly worse for Medtronic devices compared with devices from other manufacturers (94% for Boston scientific, 67% for Medtronic, and 92% for St Jude Medical, P < 0.001). The difference in battery longevity by manufacturer was independent of pacing burden, lead parameters, and burden of ICD therapy. Conclusion There are significant discrepancies in CRT-ICD battery longevity by manufacturer. These data have important implications on clinical practice and patient outcomes.
TAPHONOMY OF A JUVENILE LAMBEOSAURINE BONEBED FROM THE TWO MEDICINE FORMATION (CAMPANIAN) OF MONTANA, UNITED STATES

The Sun River Bonebed is a monodominant assemblage of late juvenile lambeosaurine elements from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of north-central Montana, United States. Detailed excavation revealed an unusual paleobiologic and depositional signature. Although the bonebed occurs in a succession of beds representing anastomosing stream deposits in a seasonal paleoenvironment, the assemblage consists of a conglomerate of bone and calcareous clasts in a matrix of silty mud and free-floating sand grains. Internally, the bed exhibits normal grading of bone and calcareous clasts, poor sediment sorting, and preferred orientation of elongate elements, all characteristics common to debris flow deposits. The mud-rich matrix, poor sorting, and graded clasts of the bonebed suggest the assemblage was entrained and deposited by a cohesive debris flow, perhaps initiated through entrainment of fine overbank sediment by a seasonal flood. Nearly complete skeletal disarticulation and weathering of some bones indicate a brief period of postmortem exposure prior to debris flow entrainment. Fracture styles suggesting fresh breaks and frequent abrasion may reflect pre-flow trampling or chaotic flow transport. A significant number of elements also exhibit wet rot. The uniformity in taphonomic effects among elements suggests a mass mortality event, a rarity for debris-flow-hosted bonebeds, though the specific cause of death is uncertain. The age class dominance is interpreted to reflect original paleobiology, rather than abiotic postmortem selection, and establishes the Sun River Bonebed as the first bonebed of predominantly late juvenile material, with no adult material, in the Two Medicine Formation.
Bluff Recession Rates and Wave Impact Along the Wisconsin Coast of Lake Superior

ABSTRACT Coastal bluff recession continually threatens homes, roads, and land. In areas where coastal development is increasing, an understanding of variability in bluff recession is critical to coastal management. In this study bluff recession rates and beach and bluff lithology and morphology are characterized at 28 sites along the Wisconsin coastline of Lake Superior. Bluffs are composed of clay, sandy clay, clayey sand, sand, and sandstone, and range from 1.1 to 37.3 m in height. Beach composition at the sites varies from sand to a mix of sand and cobbles, to cobbles and boulders, and beach slopes are between 3 and 14°. Bluff-crest recession rates between 1966 and 1998, measured from aerial photographs, range from 0.07 to 0.57 m/yr. Field measurements of wave runup at the study sites were conducted to verify wave runup estimated from available methods in the literature. An index, cumulative wave impact height (CWIH), which accounts for the frequency, magnitude, and duration of waves impacting the bluf...
Immunohistochemical Demonstration of Phospho-Akt in High Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Whereas the early stage of prostate cancer is marked by excessive proliferation, in advanced stages of the disease, a decreased apoptotic death rate (increased cell survival) also contributes to net tumor growth. Altered regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-regulated cell proliferation and Akt-regulated cell survival pathways are suspected causes. In this study, we wanted to determine: ( a ) whether the degree of Akt activation can be assessed by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin- embedded human prostate cancer biopsies with an antibody to phospho-Akt (Ser473); and ( b ) whether phospho-MAPK/Erk1/2 and phospho-Akt expression are altered in prostate cancer. Experimental design: To examine the activation status of MAPK/Erk1/2 and Akt, archival paraffin-embedded sections from 74 cases of resected prostate cancer were immunostained with antibodies to phospho-MAPK/Erk1/2 (Thr202/ Tyr204) and phospho-Akt (Ser473). Results: The staining intensity for phospho-Akt was significantly greater in Gleason grades 8–10 (92% of such cases staining strongly) compared with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and all other grades of prostate cancer (only 10% of these cases staining strongly; P ≤ 0.001). The staining intensity for phospho-MAPK/Erk, on the other hand, was significantly greater for normal, hyperplastic, and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions but declined with disease progression, reaching its lowest level of expression in high Gleason grades 8–10 ( P Conclusion: The activation state of the cell survival protein Akt can be analyzed in human prostate cancer by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tissue with a phospho-specific Akt (Ser473) antibody. Advanced disease is accompanied by activation of Akt and inactivation of Erk.
Drug contamination of the equine racetrack environment: a preliminary examination

Advances in analytical technology now make it feasible to detect and confirm exceptionally low concentrations (pg to fg/mL) of drugs and their metabolites in equine biological fluids. These new capabilities complicate the regulatory interpretation of drug positives and bring into question the fair application of medication rules. Such approaches and policies are further complicated by the possibility that drug positives may arise from contamination of the equine environment on the backstretch of the race track. This manuscript provides data demonstrating that the general environment of the backstretch in which horses live is contaminated with therapeutic drugs and drugs of human origin. The major contaminants are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as flunixin, phenylbutazone and naproxen, present in the soil in stalls, on stall surfaces, in the dust that circulates and in the lagoon waters that accumulate on the backstretch. The presence of caffeine and cotinine suggest other possible vectors for contamination by humans. Concentrations of these compounds as well as their frequency of occurrence are provided.
Bidirectional coupler optimization in WR 284-type waveguide

In the Advanced Photon Source linac gun test area at Argonne National Laboratory a new S-band ballistic bunch compression (BBC) gun is being tested. It was determined that a WR 284 waveguide bidirectional coupler with a directivity of greater than 30 dB and a coupling of -57 /spl plusmn/ 1 dB was desired for evaluation of waveguide rf power conditions. Numerical simulations were performed using the High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and experimental models were built to determine the optimal dimensions of the bidirectional coupler assembly and the orientation of the loop coupler element. Magnetic and electric fields in the coupler were adjusted by modifying the coupling of the fields as well as the capacitance of the coupling loop.
Interaction of a high-intensity EM field with a low-density plasma

The interaction of a high-intensity EM field with a low-density plasma, including a collisionless plasma and a weakly ionized gas, is considered. The electron velocity distribution function is obtained exactly from a Boltzmann equation in each case without making any small perturbation approximation. The electron velocity distribution function obtained gives rise to significant results for some plasma parameters as functions of the intensity of EM field. It is also shown that conventional results for the small field case can be obtained from the results presented in this paper.
Using WarpPLS in E-collaboration Studies: An Overview of Five Main Analysis Steps

Most relationships between variables describing natural and behavioral phenomena are nonlinear, with U-curve and S-curve relationships being particularly common. Yet, structural equation modeling software tools do not estimate coefficients of association taking nonlinear relationships between latent variables into consideration. This can lead to misleading results, particularly in multivariate and complex phenomena like those related to e-collaboration. One notable exception is WarpPLS available from: warppls.com, a new structural equation modeling software currently available in its first release. The discussion presented in this paper contributes to the literature on e-collaboration research methods by providing a description of the main features of WarpPLS in the context of an e-collaboration study. The focus of this discussion is on the software's features and their use and not on e-collaboration study itself. Particular emphasis is placed on the five steps through which a structural equation modeling analysis is conducted through WarpPLS.
Memory accesses management during high level synthesis

We introduce a new approach to take into account the memory architecture and the memory mapping in behavioral synthesis. We formalize the memory mapping as a set of constraints for the synthesis, and defined a Memory Constraint Graph and an accessibility criterion to be used in the scheduling step. We present a new strategy for implementing signals (ageing vectors). We formalize the maturing process and explain how it may generate memory conflicts over several iterations of the algorithm. The final Compatibility Graph indicates the set of valid mappings for every signal. Several experiments are performed with our HLS tool GAUT. Our scheduling algorithm exhibits a relatively low complexity that permits to tackle complex designs in a reasonable time.
Barriers and facilitators in providing community mental health care to returning veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury and co-occurring mental health symptoms

As Veterans from recent conflicts return from deployments, increasing numbers are seeking care for physical (e.g., history of traumatic brain injury) and mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) symptoms. Data suggest that only about half of recent Veterans are seeking care within the Veterans Health Administration. As such, providers within the community are likely to require additional training to meet the unique needs of these Veterans and their families. Towards this end, meetings were held with administrators and clinicians at Colorado Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) to identify current barriers and facilitators, as they relate to working with Veterans with a history of TBI and co-occurring mental health conditions. On-whole, CMHC employees had limited experience with providing care to the cohort of interest. Additional training will assist with increasing capacity and a web-based toolkit was developed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge ( www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/tbi_toolkit ).