cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Accretion Processes on Tiran Strait Sill by Evaporation-Driven Current Dynamics: ABSTRACT

The Strait of Tiran (~ 4.5 km, 2.8 mi, wide), linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, is characterized by 4 small, shallow carbonate platforms separated from the Sinai coast by the deep (^approx 280-m, 920-ft) Enterprise passage and from the Saudi Arabia coast by the shallow (^approx 75-m, 250-ft) Grafton passage. Intense evaporation (3.5-5.0 m/yr, 11.5-16.5 ft/yr) in the interior basin of the Gulf of Aqaba suggests the presence in the strait of an inverse stratified flow, similar to the Strait of Gibraltar. As no direct observations of currents existed, 12 current meters were deployed for 5 weeks across the 2 deep passages in winter 1982. Other physical data included salinity-temperature-depth (STD) transects and wind and tide measurements. The deeper Enterprise passage shows a remarkably steady, strongly developed 2-layered flow structure, with upper layer net inflows of 30-40 cm/sec (12-16 in./sec) and lower layer net outflows of 55-60 cm/sec (22-24 in./sec); the shallow Grafton passage is completely in the upper layer, with net flows of 30-40 cm/sec (12-16 in./sec) directed northerly into the Gulf against the wind. High-resolution seismic profiles, side-scan sonar data, echo-sounder profiles, and direct observations of the bottom indicate morphological responses in sill geometry and sedimentation patterns that reflect controlling dynamics. For example, morphological features associated with the shallow sill channels are controlled by the upper-layer gulfward flow. Current and salinity data in the deep passage suggest outflow-oriented features that are as yet unconfirmed by seismic profiles. Bottom samples suggest that sill accretion is accomplished primarily by the buildup of coralline algae, as well as stabilization of coarse bottom sediments by both organic and inorganic cements. Another striking feature is the occurrence of large and numerous patch reefs on the windward (northern) slope of th shallow platform margins. Storm wave forces on the platform front apparently dislodge carbonate blocks that function as substrates for thriving patch reefs. These processes are likely characteristics of entrances to tectonic troughs in early stages of ocean-basin formation. End_of_Article - Last_Page 511------------
Temperature changes associated with adiabatic decompression in geological processes.

Joule-Thomson coefficients of crystals indicate that temperatures may increase during irreversible adiabatic release of pressure. Isenthalpic decompression provides a mechanism for “self-heating” in igneous and metamorphic processes.
Executable architecture for the first digitized division

The C4ISR Architecture Framework, Version 2.0, provides the basis for all Department of Defense commands, services and agencies to describe their Information System architectures. The majority of the C4ISR products currently being developed provide static information for operational, system, and technical views of an information system. The C4ISR Framework also provides for dynamic or behavioral information in the form of rules models, state transition descriptions, and event/trace descriptions. However, because of a lack of tools and process to develop this dynamic information, these products are rarely developed. This paper presents the results of an ongoing effort, in support of the Army's Digitization architecture development, to remedy this situation. The effort is focused on developing a process that builds on the Army's First Digitized Division (FDD) Operational Architecture (OA) activity models. The process includes development of an executable OA based on mission threads captured in a commercial business-process modeling tool, Professional Bonapart. The mission threads are automatically converted into use-cases for importation into RoseRT. These use-cases provide the basis for developing the System Architecture (SA) in RoseRT, which simulates the architecture and automatically generates event/trace descriptions as UML sequence diagrams. Execution of the OA and SA models results in a set of operational and performance metrics that can be used to validate the architectures as well as producing graphical representations of C4ISR behavioral products. This paper will present the results of applying the process to the development of executable architectures to elements of the Army's First Digitized Division.
Particle-image velocimetry measurement in the exhaust of a solid rocket motor

Successful particle-image velocimetry (PIV) measurements have been demonstrated in the exhaust plume of a small solid rocket motor. Background irradiance, high velocities reaching 630 m/s, temperatures exceeding 3000 K and lack of control over the seeding inside the plume make this flow field one of the more challenging environments for the application of the PIV technique. It is shown that the particulates ejected along with the exhaust gases are well suited as PIV marker particles, although nonuniform spatial distribution causes substantial loss of vectors. In the region investigated, the axial mean velocity profiles exhibit self-similarity despite the compressible, nonisothermal, multiphase nature of the flow.
Nature of long-range order in the vortex lattice of high-T c superconductors

Recent neutron data on the disappearance of long-range order in the vortex lattice of BSCCO at fields of order 1 kGauss is interpreted in terms of the results of a monte carlo simulation of the thermodynamics of the vortex lattice in a pure system. We show that the neutron data is consistent with a disorder-driven phase transition from a vortex crystal at low fields to a vortex glass at higher fields.
Aged Heterogeneity: Fact or Fiction? The Fate of Diversity in Gerontological Research

Studies examining age-related changes typically report findings as age-based generalizations that neglect the phenomenon of variability in gerontological research. This paper examines the degree of attention given in 185 studies to individual differences and the empirical patterns of variability reported in those studies that present measures of dispersion. Measures of dispersion were reported in 43% of the gerontological studies reviewed and in 24% of the developmental studies. Overall, a majority of all gerontological studies presenting data reported increases in variability with increasing age (65%). This pattern was more pronounced in longitudinal studies than in cross-sectional ones.
Effects of aureomycin and vitamin B12 used separately as feed supplements on resistance of chickens to Ascaridia galli (Schrank).

Abstract 1. 1. A total of 512 non-sexed White Rock chicks was divided into eight groups and all were fed an all-plant-protein basal diet. The ration for six of the groups was supplemented with aureomycin or vitamin B 12 , or a combination of both. Half of the chicks in each of the four diet groups were fed 100 ± 10 embryonated eggs of A. galli in order to investigate the effects of the supplements in the diet on this fowl ascarid. 2. 2. The highest mortality rate and incidence of infection occurred among the chicks fed only the basal ration, whereas, there were no deaths and a much lower incidence of infection among the chicks fed the supplemented basal ration. 3. 3. The simultaneous use of aureomycin and vitamin B 12 significantly stimulated the growth of the chicks regardless of whether they were parasitized. However, in order to aid in obtaining additional growth responses from feeds fortified with these supplements, ascarids must be controlled. 4. 4. Very small differences in feed efficiencies of the various diets was noted. There was some indication that ascariasis decreased the feed efficiency of the ration supplemented with a combination of aureomycin-vitamin B 12 . 5. 5. Whereas aureomycin and/or vitamin B 12 reduced the numbers of ascarids in the chicks, the aureomycin restricted the rate of growth of the ascarids and vitamin B 12 stimulated their growth. When these supplements were used together their effects on the growth of the worms was nullified.
A routine infant schedule versus an older infant/toddler schedule for Neisseria meningitidis vaccination: what do experience and reason tell us?

Response to: Pelton SI, Gilmet GP. Expanding prevention of invasive meningococcal disease. Expert Rev. Vaccines 8(6), 717–727 (2009) [1].Prior to universal infant immunization programs that focused...
Solvent extraction and quantification of capsaicinoids from Capsicum chinense

Abstract Capsaicinoid extraction from peppers is typically performed using organic solvents, however, the extraction efficiencies can vary with peppers, their parts and pre-extraction processing. In the absence of in depth information on capsaicinoid extraction from habanero peppers, this work was undertaken to examine the processing parameters for solvent extraction of capsaicinoids from whole habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense) and their various parts. The effects of solvent type (ethanol, acetone and acetonitrile), pepper part(s) (seeds, shells), tissue preparation (freeze and oven drying), and time on capsaicinoid recovery (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) were evaluated. Across all solvents, capsaicin yields were on average 16, 5 and 8 mg/g dry pepper part for seeds, shells and whole peppers, respectively. Dihydrocapsaicin yield ranged from 0.65 to 9.17 mg/g dry pepper depending on interaction between parts and preparation. Overall, higher yields of capsacinoids were obtained from oven-dried peppers using acetone as the solvent.
Phenotype of disease in three patients with identical mutations in methylmalonyl CoA mutase

We have previously identified a mutation in the gene for methylmalonyl CoA mutase in a patient with the mut- phenotype of methylmalonic aciduria. This mutation (G717V) interferes with the binding of the deoxyadenosylcobalamin cofactor to the apoenzyme producing a mutant holoenzyme that is defective, but not completely inactive, in vitro. This report describes the clinical phenotype associated with this mutation in the original patient and two additional patients who are homozygous for this allele. All three patients presented in the first years of life with multiple episodes of life-threatening organic acidosis and hyperammonemia. None had evidence of disease in the perinatal period, and all three have low-normal intelligence. These three children exhibit a distinctive phenotype of disease that is intermediate between the fulminant and benign forms of methylmalonic aciduria. These data suggest that this phenotype is the specific consequence of the G717V mutation, and that the degree of residual enzyme activity associated with the G717V mutation is close to the threshold required in vivo for maintaining metabolic homeostasis.
Rates of beta-oxidation of fatty acids of various chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation in highly purified peroxisomes isolated from rat liver.

Abstract Highly purified peroxisomes were obtained from the liver of untreated rats, and rates of peroxisomal beta-oxidation were measured using fatty acyl-CoAs differing in chain length and degree of unsaturation. A 20–24-fold purification of peroxisomes, indicated by the specific activities of the marker enzymes catalase and urate oxidase, respectively, was obtained from crude liver homogenate using differential centrifugation techniques followed by a 30% Nycodenz gradient separation. The use of a 30% Nycodenz gradient in the final step of purification was extremely effective (e.g. 5.5-fold reduction) in removing lysosomal contamination. The rate of peroxisomal beta-oxidation with lauroyl-CoA (C12:0) as substrate was the highest of all fatty acyl-CoAs tested. Butyryl-CoA (C4:0) was not oxidized by purified peroxisomes. In general, as chain length of the fatty acyl-CoAs increased above 12 carbons, the rates of beta-oxidation decreased.
A Coordination Polymer of Nickel(II) Based on a Pentadentate N, S, and O Donor Ligand.

The synthesis, structural characterization, and electrochemical properties of a Ni(II) complex derived from the template reaction of N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane nickel(II), Ni-1, with ICH(2)CO(2)Na are described. Blue N-(3-thiabutyl)-N'-(3-thiapentanoate)-1,5-diazacyclooctanenickel(II)iodide, [(tbtp-daco)Ni][I], [5]I, contains Ni(II) in an octahedral environment with N(2)S(2)O(2) donor atoms; one oxygen is from an adjacent [(tbtp-daco)Ni] ion and has the same distance to Ni(II) as the intramolecular oxygen, resulting in a coordination polymer. Complex [5]I.H(2)O, C(13)H(27)N(2)O(3)S(2)NiI, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 10.898(3), b = 18.103(5), c = 19.020(5), and Z = 8. The extent to which the polymer is retained in solution is counterion dependent, which influences redox properties (accessibility of Ni(I) and Ni(III)).
Dicyandiamide as a nitrification inhibitor in crop production in the southeastern USA

Abstract The yield response to N with and without the use of the nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), was determined on the field crops, sweet corn, cotton, wheat, and grain sorghum; and on the vegetable crops, bell peppers, potato, and tomato, on a large number of different soils in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Virginia. In general, DCD inhibited nitrification for several weeks but inhibiting nitrate formation was not often reflected in crop yield response to N. Increase in yield resulting from DCD use were found for sweet corn in Florida, grain sorghum in Alabama, and potato in one of two years in Florida. Results with cotton were erratic, sometimes resulting in increased, sometimes in decreased, yields. Use of DCD for wheat production in the Southeast did not prove to be advantageous. Generally when DCD use benefitted yields, this occurred at the lower N rates, indicating that preventing loss of N at the lower end of the response curve resulted in a measurable positive effect. ...
New Kingdom of the Saints: Religious Art of New Mexico 1780-1907

Foreword The History and Culture of Colonial New Mexico Santero and Santo: Art and Religion Pedro Antonio Presquis and the Santero of the Delicate Crucifixes Early Santos and the Laguna Santero Antonio Molleno and Followers Jose Aragon and Followers The Master of the Lattice-Work Cross and the Santero of the Mountain Village Crucifixes Bultos of the Trinity, the Dolorosa Styule of Bultos, and Bultos of Job The A J Santero The School of the Quill Pen Santero The Santo Nino Santero Jose Rafael Aragon and Followers The Arroyo Hondo Santero Jose de Gracia Gonzales and Anonymous Santeros Late and Penitente Santeros Jose Benito Ortega Index.
Helium-oxygen mixtures in airway obstruction due to thyroid carcinoma.

The management of a patient with severe airway obstruction secondary to a thyroid mass is reported. When breathing room air the patient appeared in severe respiratory distress but when inspiring 22 per cent oxygen in helium she reported almost instantaneous relief and there was a marked decrease in respiratory rate, and increase in tidal volume and arterial oxygen tension. This improvement was to be expected because in situations where turbulent flow predominates a decrease in the density of inspired gases will result in an increase inflow rates. Contrary to established dogma a marked improvement was sustained when the patient was breathing 50per cent oxygen in helium. The concentraton of oxygen in helium was adjusted to obtain subjective relief for the patient in conjunction with adequate oxygenation.
Effects of chronic alcohol administration on lactational performance in the rat

Abstract Lactating rats, with litters adjusted to eight pups on day 2, were implanted with an atrial catheter on day 3 of lactation. Alcohol in doses of 0.0, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg BW was infused from day 5 to 12. The blood alcohol levels (BALs) achieved following infusion of the initial doses were maintained for 4 hours daily by infusion. To control for the reduced food intake in alcohol administered groups, rats receiving alcohol doses of 0.0 and 1.0 g/kg BW were pairfed to 2.0 g/kg BW alcohol group. For infusion, combinations of 50% dextrose, 30% alcohol in saline, and saline solutions were used for 0.0 and 1.0 g/kg BW alcohol groups whereas the 2.0 g/kg BW alcohol group received 30% alcohol in saline thereby equilizing the calorie intake of the three experimental groups. On day 12, pups were separated from the dams at 0800 h, a catheter extension was attached at 0900 h and baseline blood samples for prolactin level were taken at 1000 h. Following infusion of initial alcohol doses, samples were taken for BALs. Additional samples for BALs were removed 2 h after continuing the infusion. At the end of 4-h infusion, blood samples were taken for alcohol and postinfusion prolactin levels. In groups designed to study the suckling-induced prolactin release, pups were weighed and returned to the dams. Subsequent blood samples were taken 30 min after initiation of suckling. In nonsuckled groups, blood samples were obtained at corresponding time periods. BALs were determined by head space gas chromatography and plasma prolactin by a double antibody radioimmunoassay. Suckling latency and milk consumption during the 30 min of suckling were measured. Dams' and litter weights were determined on days 2, 5, and 12 of lactation. Infusion of alcohol for 8 days from day 5 to 12 of lactation did not affect maternal body weight. However, litters nursed by dams receiving 2.0 g/kg BW alcohol weighed less on day 12 compared to all other groups. Suckling latencies did not differ among groups. Milk consumed during the 30 min of suckling was lower for the alcohol administered groups. The inhibitory effect on milk consumption was greater for the 2.0 g/kg BW group than in the 1.0 g/kg BW alcohol group. Alcohol infusion did not affect the basal prolactin, whereas, the higher dose (2.0 8/kg BW) inhibited suckling-induced prolactin release. Collectively, data from the present study demonstrate that chronic alcohol administration to lactating rats adversely affects lactation as indicated by its effect on milk yield, litter growth and suckling-induced prolactin release.
Distributions of (C-13)O emission in the disks of late-type spiral galaxies

In studies of molecular clouds in external galaxies, the distribution of (C-12)O emissivity as a function of radius in a galaxy has been employed to infer the surface density of molecular hydrogen with galactocentric radius. In principle, observations of more optically thin molecular species, such as (C-13)O, can be used as an alternative tracer of the mass of molecular hydrogen in a galaxy. Since the (C-13)O lines have a much lower opacity than the saturated, nearly thermalized (C-12)O lines, their intensity variations as a function of galactocentric radius are more readily interpreted in terms of gas density variations. The first strip maps of the (C-13)O distributions in six spiral galaxies are presented, and the (C-13)O and (C-12)O radial distributions are compared. Attention is given to the reliability of H2 masses and H2 distributions derived from (C-12)O data.
GOES-R Ground Segment operational concepts

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are jointly developing the next-generation series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), known as the GOES-R Series. 12 The GOES-R Ground Segment (GS) will be developed and delivered to NOAA as an integrated system comprised of satellite command and control, product generation and distribution, and comprehensive enterprise management capabilities. In addition, a new GOES backup facility known as the Remote Backup (RBU) is being developed to support GOES-R failover scenarios and continuity of operations (COOP) activities. Since NOAA GOES ground systems have traditionally been developed as separate pieces by multiple organizations, this new paradigm will result in new operational concepts for NOAA's Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO).
Targeting Aromatase and Estrogen Signaling in Human Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer has become increasingly common in women, and gender differences in the physiology and pathogenesis of the disease have suggested a role for estrogens. In the lung recent data have shown local production of estrogens from androgens via the action of aromatase enzyme and higher levels of estrogen in tumor tissue as compared with surrounding normal lung tissue. High levels of aromatase expression are also maintained in metastases as compared with primary tumors. Consistent with these findings, clinical studies suggest that aromatase expression may be a useful predictive biomarker for prognosis in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung malignancy. Low levels of aromatase associate with a higher probability of long-term survival in older women with early stage NSCLC. Treatment of lung NSCLC xenografts in vivo with an aromatase inhibitor (exemestane) alone or combined with standard cisplatin chemotherapy elicits a significant reduction in tumor progression as compared to paired controls. Further, lung cancer progression is also governed by complex interactions between estrogen and growth factor signaling pathways to stimulate the growth of NSCLC as well as tumor-associated angiogenesis. We find that combination therapy with the multitargeted growth factor receptor inhibitor vandetanib and the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant inhibit tumor growth more effectively than either treatment administered alone. Thus, incorporation of antiestrogen treatment strategies in standard antitumor therapies for NSCLC may contribute to improved patient outcome, an approach that deserves to be tested in clinical trials.
Pion-induced Drell-Yan processes and the flavor-dependent EMC effect

Pion-induced Drell-Yan processes are proposed as a promising tool with which to measure the flavor dependence of the European Muon Collaboration (EMC) effect, that is, the flavor-dependent modification of quark distributions in the nuclear medium. Existing pionic Drell-Yan data are compared with calculations using a recent model for nuclear quark distributions that incorporates flavor-dependent nuclear effects. While no firm conclusions can yet be drawn, we find that existing Drell-Yan data likely imply a flavor dependence of the EMC effect. We demonstrate that pion-induced Drell-Yan experiments on nuclear targets can access new aspects of the EMC effect not probed in deep inelastic scattering and can therefore provide important new constrains on the nuclear quark distributions. Predictions for possible future pion-induced Drell-Yan experiments are also presented.
Low-frequency electromagnetic (eddy-current) holography for imaging in conductors.

Typical eddy-current system test data consist of the values of the system’s probe impedance. The wave theory that links the phase response of the eddy-current probe impedance to the defect location relative to the probe is presented. The technique of phase multiplying the diffraction-limited hologram generated from the probe impedance is discussed. The effects and limitations of this technique are illustrated with a mathematical model of the eddy-current probe. Experimental data are presented that confirm the theoretical analysis and illustrate the ability to focus eddy-current holographic data by using backward wave propagation.
Embryonic exposure to lead: comparison of immune and cellular responses in unchallenged and virally stressed chickens.

Lead, a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, has been shown to modulate various functions of the immune system and decrease host resistance to infectious disease. However, limited information is available concerning the direct effects of lead on the host immune response to an infectious agent after developmental exposure. The current study utilized chickens to examine the effect of embryonic lead exposure on immune and cellular responses during viral challenge. Sublethal doses of lead were introduced into fertilized Cornell K Strain White Leghorn chicken eggs via the air sac at day 5 or day 12 of embryonic development (designated as E5 and E12, respectively). Four-week-old female chickens were inoculated with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain M41. Antibody titer to IBV, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response against bovine serum albumin (BSA), the absolute number and percentage of leukocyte subpopulations, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-like cytokine production by splenocytes were evaluated at 5–6 weeks of age. While antibody response to IBV in juvenile chicks was unaffected by the in ovo lead exposure, IFN-γ-like cytokine production by splenocytes was significantly depressed following lead exposure at both developmental stages. In contrast with this pattern, the DTH response against BSA was unaffected following E5 exposure, but was significantly decreased after E12 exposure to lead. These changes were similar to those previously reported in chickens not exposed to IBV. While lead exposure at E5 induced significant changes in the percentage of circulating heterophils at 1 day postinfection (dpi), lead did not cause any change in relative leukocyte counts after E12 exposure. At 7 dpi, E5 lead exposure resulted in decreased absolute number and percentage of circulating lymphocytes, while total leukocyte counts, and the absolute number and percentage of circulating monocytes and heterophils were significantly reduced in E12 lead-exposed chickens. These results suggest that low-level exposure to lead has a direct effect on the developing chicken immune system, which is evident even during a postnatal infection. Furthermore, some of the changes were observed only when chicks were stressed by the viral infection. It appears that lead exposure during different stages of embryonic development is likely to result in different immunotoxic outcomes in juveniles.
Functional Skill Learning in Men With Traumatic Brain Injury

The number of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) having persistent deficits that compromise their ability to perform everyday skills is increasing. Previous occupation-based studies indicate that computer-based skills using repetitive practice may be a viable option for retraining. We investigated the effects of different practice schedules on skill learning in 6 men with TBI. Participants with significant impairments in processing and fine motor control practiced 3 tasks using a random (n = 3) or a blocked (n = 3) ordered practice schedule. Practice occurred for 55 min/day for 13 days with retention and transfer trials taking place 2 weeks after training. Both groups showed a significant increase in performance during skill acquisition and maintained this performance. Only the random-practice group, however, was able to transfer this learning to another task. The findings provide evidence that people with TBI can improve their everyday skills with randomly structured practice.
UNIFORM CONVERGENCE WITH RATES OF GENERAL SINGULAR OPERATORS

George A. Anastassiou and Razvan A. MezeiThe University of MemphisDepartment of Mathematical Sciences,Memphis, TN 38152, U.S.A.ganastss@memphis.edu, rmezei@memphis.eduABSTRACTIn this article we study the approximation properties of general singular integral oper-ators over the real line. We establish their convergence to the unit operator with rates.The estimates are mostly sharp and they are pointwise or uniform. The establishedinequalities involve the higher order modulus of smoothness. We apply this theory tothe trigonometric singular operators.RESUMENEn este art´iculo estudiamos propiedades de aproximaci´on de operadores integralessingulares generales sobre la recta real. Establecemos su convergencia al operadorunidad con las tasas correspondientes. Las estimaciones son mayormente ajustadasy son tanto puntuales como uniformes. Las desigualdades encontradas involucran elm´odulo de suavidad de alto orden. Aplicamos esta teor´ia a los operadores singularestrigonom´etricos.Keywords and Phrases: Best constant, general singular integral, trigonometric singular integral,modulus of smoothness, sharp inequality.2010 AMS Mathematics Subject Classiﬁcation: 26A15, 41A17, 41A35.
Bioavailability and stability issues in understanding the cancer preventive effects of tea polyphenols

The cancer preventive activities of tea (Camellia sinensis) have received a great deal of attention from researchers and the general public. The inhibition of carcinogenesis by tea and tea polyphenols has been demonstrated in different animal models of skin, lung, intestinal and other cancer types by many investigators. Numerous mechanisms for the cancer preventive activity have been proposed based on studies of human cancer cell lines without considering the bioavailability of tea polyphenols. The proposed inhibition of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, aberrant arachidonic acid metabolism, nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) mediated transcription, growth factor-mediated signaling, and other activities could lead to the inhibition of tumor cell growth or induction of apoptosis as well as the inhibition of angiogenesis. In many cases, however, the concentrations of tea polyphenols required to observe these biological effects in vitro exceed the concentrations achievable in blood and tissues by 10- to 100-fold. In addition, in vitro studies are complicated by the fact that tea polyphenols are not stable and reactive oxygen species are generated under most cell culture conditions. It is not clear whether these reactions occur in vivo. From the bioavailability and stability viewpoints, we herein discuss the relevance of in vitro observations to the mechanisms of the cancer preventive activities of tea polyphenols in vivo. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
The effects of amrinone and calcium chloride on pulmonary vasculature and biventricular function in ethchlorvynol-induced lung injury in sheep.

The effects of amrinone and CaCl2 on pulmonary vasculature and biventricular function in sheep with acute lung injury (ALI) were studied. Seven sheep were ventilated with a tidal volume of 10-12 ml.kg-1 with end-tidal CO2 of 40 +/- 5 mmHg (5.3 +/- 0.7 kPa) after acute lung injury was induced with up to 30 mg kg-1 of ethchlorvynol (ECV). Biventricular function and hemodynamic profiles were estimated with a rapid computerized thermodilution method and modified pulmonary artery catheters after acute lung injury, following a loading dose (1 mg kg-1) and maintenance dose (5 micrograms kg-1 min-1) of amrinone and after a bolus dose of CaCl2 (20 mg kg-1). ECV successfully induced acute lung damage in sheep, causing significant increases in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI). Amrinone reversed the unfavorable changes induced by ECV, significantly reducing PAP, PVRI and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). CaCl2, however, reversed the effect of amrinone and increased PAP, PVRI, and LVEDV but decreased left ventricular ejection fraction.
Reduced expression of integrin αvβ8 is associated with brain arteriovenous malformation pathogenesis.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are a rare but potentially devastating hemorrhagic disease. Transforming growth factor-β signaling is required for proper vessel development, and defective transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling has been implicated in BAVM pathogenesis. We hypothesized that expression of the transforming growth factor-β activating integrin, αvβ8, is reduced in BAVMs and that decreased β8 expression leads to defective neoangiogenesis. We determined that β8 protein expression in perivascular astrocytes was reduced in human BAVM lesional tissue compared with controls and that the angiogenic response to focal vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation in adult mouse brains with local Cre-mediated deletion of itgb8 and smad4 led to vascular dysplasia in newly formed blood vessels. In addition, common genetic variants in ITGB8 were associated with BAVM susceptibility, and ITGB8 genotypes associated with increased risk of BAVMs correlated with decreased β8 immunostaining in BAVM tissue. These three lines of evidence from human studies and a mouse model suggest that reduced expression of integrin β8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic BAVMs.
Nonlinear analysis of an actuated seafloor-mounted carpet for a high-performance wave energy extraction

It is known that muddy seafloors can extract significant energy from overpassing surface waves via engaging them in strong interaction processes. If a synthetic seabed can respond to the action of surface gravity waves similar to the mud response, then it too can take out a lot of energy from surface waves. Analysis of the performance of a mud-resembling seabed carpet in harvesting ocean wave energy is the subject of this article. Specifically, and on the basis of the field measurements and observations of properties/responses of seafloor mud, we focus our attention on an artificial viscoelastic seabed carpet composed of (vertically acting) linear springs and generators. We show that the system of sea/synthetic-carpet admits two propagating wave solutions: the surface mode and the bottom mode. The damping of a surface-mode wave is proportional to its wavelength and hence is classic. However, the damping of a bottom-mode wave is larger for shorter waves, and is in general stronger than that of the surface-mode wave. To address the effect of (high-order) nonlinear interactions as well as to investigate the performance of our proposed carpet of wave energy conversion (CWEC) against a spectrum of waves, we formulate a direct simulation scheme based on a high-order spectral method. We show, by taking high-order nonlinear interactions into account, that the CWEC efficiency can be significantly higher for steeper waves. We further show that the bandwidth of high performance of the CWEC is broad, it yields minimal wave reflections and its theoretical efficiency asymptotically approaches unity within a finite and (relatively) short extent of deployment.
Community Action to Alleviate Suffering from Racism: The Role of Religion and Caring Capital in Small City USA

Racism engenders deep suffering by individuals and their communities, thereby depreciating quality of life in profound ways. This chapter tells the story of one small city in Middle America. Toward the end of the twentieth century, Bluffton’s (In compliance with University of St. Thomas Institutional Review Board #C08-003-1, “Bluffton” is the name given to this small city in the upper Midwestern United States.) black citizens and their families suffered through cross-burnings and rocks thrown through the windows of their homes, as well as a rally organized by the Ku Klux Klan. A mixed-methods community study of Bluffton found religious culture and caring capital at the center of a cohesive effort on the part of civic and religious leaders, especially Catholic Sisters, (also known as “nuns,”) to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for Bluffton’s citizens. While today the same city faces more recent challenges related to immigration, Bluffton offers lessons on a community that “works” in alleviating suffering and improving the quality of life while creating a good society for all her citizens.
Repeated amphetamine treatment induces neurite outgrowth and enhanced amphetamine-stimulated dopamine release in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) via a protein kinase C- and mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent mechanism.

Repeated intermittent treatment with amphetamine (AMPH) induces both neurite outgrowth and enhanced AMPH-stimulated dopamine (DA) release in PC12 cells. We investigated the role of protein kinases in the induction of these AMPHmediated events by using inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) or protein kinase A (PKA). PKC inhibitors chelerythrine (100 nM and 300 nM), Ro31-8220 (300 nM) and the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor, PD98059 (30 lM) inhibited the ability of AMPH to elicit both neurite outgrowth and the enhanced AMPH-stimulated DA release. The direct-acting PKC activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 250 nM) mimicked the ability of AMPH to elicit neurite outgrowth and enhanced DA release. On the contrary, a selective PKA inhibitor, 100 lM Rp-8-Br-cAMPS, blocked only the development of AMPH-stimulated DA release but not the neurite outgrowth. Treatment of the cells with acute AMPH elicited an increase in the activity of PKC and MAP kinase but not PKA. These results demonstrated that AMPH-induced increases in MAP kinase and PKC are important for induction of both the enhancement in transporter-mediated DA release and neurite outgrowth but PKA was only required for the enhancement in AMPH-stimulated DA release. Therefore the mechanisms by which AMPH induces neurite outgrowth and the enhancement in AMPH-stimulated DA release can be differentiated.
On The Privacy Of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a model for providing on-demand access to computing service via the Internet. In this instance, the Internet is the transport mechanism between a client and a server located somewhere in cyberspace, as compared to having computer applications residing on an “on premises” computer. Adoption of cloud computing practically eliminates two ongoing problems in IT service provisioning: the upfront costs of acquiring computational resources and the time delay of building and deploying software applications. The technology is not without a downside, which in this case is the privacy of business and personal information. This paper provides a conspectus of the major issues in cloud computing privacy and should be regarded as an introductory paper on this important topic.
Implicit enumeration of structural changes in circuit optimization

We describe an implicit technique for enumerating structural choices in circuit optimization. The restructuring technique relies on the symbolic statements of functional decomposition which explores behavioral equivalence of circuit signals through rewiring and resubstitution. Using rigid, yet practical, formulation a rich variety of restructuring candidates is computed symbolically and applied incrementally to produce circuit changes with predictable structural effects. The restructuring technique is used to obtain much improved delays of the already optimized circuits along with their area savings. It is also applied to analyze benefits of optimizing circuit topology at the early steps of synthesis targeting its routability.
Blood and Rumen Changes in Cows in Early Stages of Ketosis

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine blood and rumen changes in cows in the early stages of ketosis. Blood sugars and plasma triglycerides were significantly depressed, whereas plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and blood ketones were significantly elevated during this stage of ketosis. There was no apparent abnormality in total concentration of ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) or the percentages of the various VFA's, at this stage of ketosis. In a more advanced stage of ketosis, the total concentration was depressed, whereas the percentage of acetate was increased and propionate depressed. It appears that the ruminal changes in advanced ketosis were due to reduced feed intake and were not a causetive factor in ketosis. An evaluation of the relationships between the blood components in early ketosis suggested that the level of blood sugars was the controlling factor mediating other blood changes.
In Vivo Humoral Immune Responses to Isolated Pneumococcal Polysaccharides Are Dependent on the Presence of Associated TLR Ligands

We determined whether T cell-independent Ig isotype responses to isolated pneumococcal polysaccharides (PPS) required TLR signaling in vivo. IgG anti-PPS responses to PPS3, PPS14, and C-polysaccharide (C-PS) were virtually undetectable in TLR2−/− mice, whereas specific IgM induction was variably reduced compared with wild-type mice. All PPS-containing preparations induced IL-6 and TNF-α from wild-type, but not TLR2−/−, macrophages. TLR2 activity was distinct from that of PPS, in that it was phenol extractable. Immunization of wild-type mice with phenol-extracted PPS14 also resulted in a marked reduction in the IgG, although not the IgM-anti-PPS14, response compared with untreated PPS14. The commercial 23-valent PPS vaccine, Pneumovax-23 also contained TLR ligands (TLR2 and TLR4), which were absolutely critical for the IgG-inducing activity of the vaccine in mice. Finally, the commercial pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevnar, contained a TLR2 ligand(s) that substantially enhanced both the primary and secondary anti-PPS responses in mice, especially the type 1 IgG isotypes. These data strongly suggest the absolute need for a distinct, TLR-dependent second signal for inducing in vivo IgG T cell-independent humoral immune responses to isolated pneumococcal polysaccharide Ags and highlight the potential importance of previously unappreciated copurified and/or contaminating TLR ligands in PPS vaccine preparations.
Temperature dependence of carrier lifetimes in InN

Time-resolved pump-probe transmission measurements were used to determine the temperature dependence of carrier lifetime for InN epilayers with unintentionally doped levels from 10 18 to 10 19 cm -3 . The observed decay time at 20 K is well explained by a dominating radiative interband recombination, while at room temperature it is attributed to a defect related nonradiative recombination channel. The temperature dependence of the radiative lifetime is deduced from the measurements of both differential transmission decay time and PL intensity. For the best quality sample, we find the radiative lifetime increases proportionally to T 3/2 , as theory predicts when a k-selection rule holds, which suggests that the radiative band-to-band transition accounts for the observed infrared photoluminescence over the entire temperature.
Sequential sequence estimation for ISI channels with convolutionally coded input sequence

Sequential sequence estimation for communications channels with convolutionally coded input sequence and suffering from intersymbol interference (ISI) is proposed. The receiver structure, which consists of a whitened matched filter and a vector sequential decoder, and a metric, which is critical for the vector sequential algorithm, are derived. >
A review of liver masses in pregnancy and a proposed algorithm for their diagnosis and management

Abstract Background Liver masses in pregnancy are rare; some behave aggressively while others remain indolent. The paucity of case series has hindered the development of a defined approach to their diagnosis and management. This paper presents an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of hepatic hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, liver cell adenomas and hepatocellular carcinoma associated with pregnancy based on our own experience and literature review. Data sources A Medline search from 1966 to present was performed. Seven additional illustrative cases from our institution are included. Twenty pregnancies with hepatic hemangiomas, 37 with focal nodular hyperplasias, 26 with liver cell adenomas and 33 with hepatocellular carcinomas were identified. Conclusions Gestational hepatic hemangiomas and focal nodular hyperplasia behave indolently and can be observed. Liver cell adenomas often require surgery, but small, asymptomatic lesions may be carefully observed. Meticulous observation postpartum is mandatory. As pregnancy impacts survival in hepatocellular carcinoma, resection maybe indicated.
Development and Maintenance Mechanism for the Semiannual Oscillation of the North Pacific Upper-Level Circulation

AbstractThe north–south semiannual oscillation (SAO) of the North Pacific jet stream, part of the atmospheric SAO in the Northern Hemisphere, can be well depicted by the semiannual component of the monthly-mean eddy streamfunction. Expressed by the semiannual eddy streamfunction budget, the dynamic processes develop and maintain the SAO, including the adjustment between vorticity advection and convergence of vorticity flux of the monthly-mean mode and the convergence of transient vorticity flux. An empirical orthogonal function analysis of these dynamic processes shows an east–west elongated cyclonic (anticyclonic) cell of the semiannual eddy streamfunction anomaly, which appears in January and July (October and April) south of the Siberia–Alaska landmass. The maximum (minimum) adjustment processes by the monthly-mean mode and the maximum (minimum) feedback impact of transient activity on the SAO occur in December and June (September and March), a month ahead of the maximum (minimum) north–south SAO of th...
Bifurcated Mechanical Behavior of Deformed Periodic Porous Solids

The transformation of periodic microporous structures fabricated by interference lithography followed by their freezing below glass transition is described. Periodic porous microstructures subjected to internal compressive stresses can undergo sudden structural transformation at a critical strain. The pattern transformation of collapsed pores is caused by the stresses originated during the polymerization of acrylic acid (rubbery component) inside of cylindrical pores and the subsequent solvent evaporation in the organized microporous structure. By confining the polymerization of acrylic acid to localized porous areas complex microscopic periodic structures can be obtained. The control over the mechanical instabilities in periodic porous solids at a sub-micron scale demonstrated here suggests the potential mechanical tunability of photonic, transport, adhesive, and phononic properties of such periodic porous solids.
Evaluation by MRA of aortic dilation late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Abstract Objectives This study evaluated predictors for aortic dilation (AD) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Background AD is common in patients with rTOF and may result in increased morbidity and mortality. There are no guidelines for evaluation of AD for rTOF patients. Methods All adults with rTOF who previously underwent MRA had retrospective aortic measurements at the sinuses of Valsalva (SoV) and ascending aorta (AsAo). Rate of change in diameter was determined in patients with multiple MRAs. Chart review identified risk factors for AD. Univariate and multivariate analyses tested predictors of AD. Results Of the 87 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 12 (14%) had AD. At baseline, mean diameter was 3.6±0.6cm and 3.1±0.6cm at the SoV and AsAo, respectively. The AsAo was larger than the SoV in 17%. Predictors of AD included male gender, age, right aortic arch, pregnancy, older age at complete repair, smoking, and systemic hypertension. Serial studies were available in 55 patients; the rate of growth was slow: 0.4±0.9mm/year (SoV) and 0.1±0.8mm/year (AsAo). Conclusions AD is common in rTOF at the SoV and AsAo. Transthoracic echocardiography, which does not always image the AsAo as well as MRA, may not image AD in rTOF in cases in which the AsAo is dilated. Although several risk factors correlate with AD in rTOF, the rate of aortic growth is slow, suggesting that rTOF patients may not require frequent aortic imaging.
Managing Product Variety Through Postponement: Concept and Applications

Product variety has been on the increase for the last several years. Firms are striving to identify effective operational strategies to deal with the growth in product variety. Postponement can be a powerful strategy for managing product variety. In this paper, we introduce concepts related to postponement, discuss successful industrial applications and identify key enablers and factors influencing the successful implementation of postponement.