cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis

By the conventional methods of organic synthesis, preparation of peptides containing more than just a few amino acids is an arduous task. Introduction of blocking groups, coupling reactions and deprotection steps entail a large number of operations, such as washing the reaction mixtures neutral after coupling, precipitation or crystallization of intermediates, collecting solid products by filtration or centrifugation followed by drying, etc. Thus, synthesis of peptide chains containing dozens of residues requires an almost heroic effort and proteins, even small ones, can be made by tour de force but certainly not routinely. The need for facilitation of the process was obvious for some time. The stepwise strategy, demonstrated in a novel synthesis of oxytocin (Bodanszky and du Vigneaud 1959) was, because of the repetitiveness of the operations, conducive to experimentation with techniques suitable for mechanization and automation of chain building. Attachment of the (N-blocked) C-terminal residue to an insoluble polymeric support (a “resin”), followed by deprotection and acylation of the exposed amino group with the penultimate residue and continuation of the procedure by similar cycles of deprotection and incorporation, absolve the practitioner from handling filters and separatory funnels, from washing and drying intermediates etc. Excess starting material and reagents, as well as byproducts of the reactions, are eliminated simply by washing the peptidyl polymer with appropriately selected solvents.
Turbulent Boundary Layer Structure: Progress, Status, and Challenges

The current community-wide cooperative study reviewing structure in the turbulent boundary layer has allowed construction of a list of the various forms of structure observed in laboratory experiments and provided a number of detailed features of each structure. The study also has revealed a lack of consensus on three matters: spatial relationships among the forms of structure; temporal relations in creation, evolution and decay of structures; a complete model of the important structure(s).
BH3 profiling can determine dependence on antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members and can predict response to chemotherapeutic agents.

A18 Bcl-2 family member proteins regulate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. These family members can be divided into anti-apoptotic proteins and pro-apoptotic proteins. Pro-apoptotic proteins can be further divided into multi-domain (Bax and Bak) and BH3 only (including Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa,etc.). All Bcl-2 family proteins have at least one BH domain which share sequence homology and are involved in protein interactions. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1) function by binding and sequestering pro-apoptotic proteins. Anti-apoptotic proteins show preferential binding to certain pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins, as determined by fluorescent polarization. For example, Bcl-2 can bind to Bad, whereas Mcl-1 can bind to Noxa. BH3 profiling is a technique that utilizes this distinct binding code in order to determine whether cells are dependent on anti-apoptotic proteins for survival. Peptides that match the BH3 domain sequence of Bcl-2 family proteins are used. When added to isolated mitochondria these BH3 peptides can induce release of cytochrome c, which provides a functional read out for the measurement of dependence on anti-apoptotic proteins. BH3 profiling can distinguish between Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 dependence in primary leukemia from genetically designed mouse models and cell lines, as well as leukemia samples from human patients. In addition, we show that Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 are primed with the pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins Bim and Puma and not Bax or Bak. BH3 profiling can also identify three classes of apoptotic blocks, which are (A) loss of pro-apoptotic BH3 only protein, (B) loss of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak, and (C) overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1). Class A and B blocks would be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents, while a Class C block would be sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. Cells that are Bcl-2 dependent according to BH3 profiling would be sensitive to the Bcl-2 antagonist ABT-737.
The Knife Man: The Extraordinary Life and Times of John Hunter, Father of Modern Surgery, by Wendy Moore

Mr. John Hunter (1728–1793), younger brother of Dr. William Hunter (1718–1783), is one of the most important and certainly one of the most fascinating medical and scientific figures of the eighteen...
Modeling the neurodynamics of a biological neuron using a feedforward artificial neural network

A small artificial neural network was trained to be a state variable systems model of a MacGregor biological point neuron. The network was trained with data obtained by integrating the state equations of motion describing the neurodynamic behavior of the point neuron. The architecture and backpropagation training methods are described, and time histories of the state variables of the point neuron are presented to demonstrate that the artificial neural network correctly models the complex spiking behavior of the biological neuron model. This modeling is demonstrated for several different types of step stimulus signals input to the neuron, and also for a ramp-type stimulus input. This artificial neural network representation of the biological neuron is composed of simple sigmoidal artificial neurons. >
Characterization of Xanthomonas phaseoli Bacteriophages

Ten bacteriophages for Xanthomonas phaseoli were characterized. On the basis of adsorption rates, latent period and burst size, plaque morphology, host range, efficiency of plating, ultrastructure, sensitivity to osmotic shock, streptomycin sensitivity, temperature effects on plating efficiency, and serology, the phages were separated into at least three groups. Some of the phages were infectious for Pseudomonas phaseolicola (four strains) and P. syringae (one strain) in a narrow temperature range. The taxonomic and ecological significance of this finding is discussed.
Terpene Formation in Pine from Mevalonic Acid

RECENT studies have demonstrated that mevalonic acid is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of animal sterols1. Studies of the origin of triterpenes and carotenoids in soya bean and fungi indicate that these compounds may also be formed from acetate through mevalonic acid2. Although the incorporation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into pine terpenes has been demonstrated3, studies on the nature of the pathway by which these compounds originate have not been reported. In the present work, seedlings of Pinus attenuata were found to incorporate acetate-2-14C and mevalonic acid-2-14C into the monoterpenes. The turpentine of this pine is 98 per cent α-pinene4.
Sustainable strategic alignment of actual project portfolio execution: Application and exploratory case study

Although “Vustainability” is most often used to describe environmental and energy issues, this paper asserts that one of the greatest threats to sustainability in any form is the failure of organizational strategies, policies, and initiatives to translate into actual project execution and work results that are consistent with those ideals. This paper discusses this gap between strategic priorities and actual project execution, and considers the concept as well as proposes a measurement of “strategic alignment” that facilitates more sustainable alignment of project portfolio execution. I provide the initial mathematical and practical justification for a simple measure of the degree to which actual project work in a project portfolio “aligns” with strategic priorities. A case study is reported to illustrate the practical utility and elegance of the approach.
Introducing object-oriented analysis and design in lower-level undergraduate courses: a pattern-based approach

This research aims at developing a tool-supported method for introducing Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in undergraduate courses while exposing students to the notion of OO Analysis and Design (OOAD).
Possible roles of 20-hydroxyecdysone in the control of ovary maturation in the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Abstract 20-HE is the predominant ovarian ecdysteroid at the early stage of ovary maturation whereas ecdysone and an apolar ecdysteroid are abundant at the late ovarian cycle. Injection of 20-HE into intermolt adult females does not stimulate ovarian growth but promotes rapid molting. Ovarian polypeptides in the ranges of 210–250 kDA, 120–158 kDA, 97 kDa and 72 kDa are accumulated (or synthesized) during secondary vitellogenesis when the ovary ecdysteroid level is increasing. These substances may be important for maturation of the oocytes. There is no significant effect of 20-HE on total protein synthesis in ovaries of stage I, but 20-HE inhibits total protein synthesis in stage III ovaries in a dose dependent manner. 20-HE stimulates the synthesis of some polypeptides but inhibits the synthesis of others at the early and mid stages of ovary development. This result suggests that 20-HE regulates ovary protein synthesis by controlling the differential expression of ecdysteroid responsive genes.
Innovation, imitation, and growth with cumulative technology

Abstract This paper analyzes the interaction of innovation and imitation in the growth process. Technology is assumed to be cumulative: only leaders can conduct next-round innovation. Outsiders can become leaders by imitation. Our results show that subsidizing imitation may increase the economy-wide rate of technological progress. There are cases where competition and growth exhibit positive correlation. In these cases, promoting imitation enhances not only the static efficiency but also the dynamic performance of the economy.
High-Frequency Plane-Wave Filter Function for a Folded Path

Expressions have been developed for the variance of amplitude and phase of an optical signal propagating over a folded path. A comparison of folded- and straight-path scintillation characteristics indicates that the folded-path scintillations are heavily weighted by larger turbulent scale sizes, and the straight-path scintillations are determined by smaller turbulent sizes. The effects of turbulent scale sizes located at various distances from the laser are examined for both folded and straight paths.
The bag cell egg-laying hormones of Aplysia brasiliana and Aplysia californica are identical.

Abstract Egg laying in the marine molluscan genus Aplysia is elicited by an egg-laying hormone (ELH) which induces ovulation and acts on central neurons to effect egg-laying behavior. ELH, isolated from the A. californica bag cells, and three ELH-related peptides, isolated from the A. californica atrial gland, have been chemically characterized, yet relatively little is known about homologous peptides in other Aplysia species. In these studies, the primary structure of A. brasiliana ELH was determined. Bag cell clusters were extracted in an acidic solution, and the peptides purified by sequential gel filtration and reversed-phase HPLC; ELH was identified by bioassay. Amino acid compositional and sequence analyses demonstrated that the neurohormone was a 36-residue peptide whose sequence was identical to that of A. californica ELH: NH 2 -Ile- Ser-Ile-Asn-Gln-Asp-Leu-Lys-Ala-Ile-Thr-Asp-Met-Leu-Leu-Thr-Glu-Gln-Ile-Arg-Glu-Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr-Leu-Ala- Asp-Leu-Arg-Gln-Arg-Leu-Leu-Glu-Lys-COOH.
Sharp notch fracture strength characterized by critical energy density

Abstract As the order of the stress singularity at a sharp notch tip varies with its vertex angle, the units for the coefficient that represents the amplitude of the local stress field changes accordingly. Only in the limit of a zero notch angle that the coefficient could be directly associated with the energy release concept infracture mechanics owing to the preservation of self-similar crack extension provided that the loads are applied symmetrically across the crack plane. For a finite notch angle, self-similarity would no longer be preserved before and after fracture even for symmetrical loading. The delineation of notch geometry from material behavior is a prerequisite for notch strength characterization and requires a more general consideration. By focusing attention on an element of material ahead of the notch, failure by yielding and/or fracture could be predicted from the stationary values of the volume energy density d W /d V regardless of the order of the notch tip stress singularity. Fracture initiation is associated with the critical value of d W /d V or (d W /d V ) c being characteristics of the material. As the stress singularity increases with decreasing notch angle, the critical applied stress to initiate failure also decreases and the initial ligament of fracture becomes more localized. This effect is much more pronounced for skew-symmetrical loading where the stress singularity becomes diminishingly weak as the half notch angle reaches 60°, a result that is not unexpected. The direction of fracture initiation for in-plane shear load was found to be away from the line that bisects the notch. It varied from ± 74.5° to ± 74.8° and ± 86.2° to ± 85.8° for Poisson's ratios of 0.1 and 0.4, respectively as the half notch angle is increased from 0° (crack) to 60°. The Poisson's ratio had a more appreciable influence on the crack initiation direction than the notch angle. This is in contrast to the maximum normal stress criterion that showed marked changes of the fracture angle with notch angle. The fracture angle decreases from ± 70.5° to ± 52.0° as the half notch angle is increased from 0° to 60°. Numerical solutions are obtained for different notch angles under symmetrical and skew-symmetrical loading. The rate change of volume to surface ratios for elements near the notch tip are compared with those obtained analytically and used as a guide for developing the finite element grid patterns. The distance of the nearest notch tip element in the numerical analysis tends to decrease with decreasing stress singularity. Such a knowledge can benefit the selection of finite element mesh sizes and distribution near sharp notches.
The waterhouse-friderichsen syndrome

Summary 1. There is an increasing number of cases of the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome in the literature in recent years, probably due both to its more accurate recognition and to the increased incidence of meningococcic infections during the past two years. 2. The condition is believed to be the result of fulminating meningococcemia and shock, and the pathologic findings can be explained on the toxic results of the organisms. 3. Present usage of the term, Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, should be confined to those cases exhibiting the fairly typical clinical course as described, and undoubtedly to those patients whose symptomatology was confirmed by autopsy. Care should be taken in the early recognition and differentiation of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome from acute meningococcemia. 4. The present outline of treatment centers on control of the bacteremia and measures aimed to combat shock, with secondary symptomatic and supportive treatment. 5. A series of eight cases seen at The Children's Hospital, Washington, D. C., is summarized and presented. 6. All cases presented in this series were in accordance with the clinical and pathologic findings related in the recent literature.
Maternal child care preferences for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers: the disconnect between policy and preference in the USA

While much research exists looking at parental preferences for child care, much of that research uses child care choice as a proxy for preference. In an effort to examine the types of care mothers prefer if no constraints were placed on their decision, this quantitative study investigated how family demographic factors and family role ideology relate to the types of child care (parental and non-parental forms) mothers prefer ‘in an ideal world’ using a sample of 345 employed mothers of children under 6 years of age in a suburb of a large metropolitan area in the southern USA. Participants completed a questionnaire examining the types of care they viewed as ideal for infants (0–12 months old), toddlers (13–30 months old), and preschoolers (31–72 months old) if no constraints were placed on the decision. Results indicated that the preferences for type of care for mothers in this sample varied according to the child's age, with a large majority of mothers preferring parental care for their children. Ideologi...
Corpulence and Correspondence: President William H. Taft and the Medical Management of Obesity

In 1905, soon-to-be president William Howard Taft hired English diet expert Nathaniel E. Yorke-Davies to treat him for obesity. This article analyzes the letters exchanged as part of his clinical w...
Association between posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and functional outcomes in adolescents followed up longitudinally after injury hospitalization

Objective To assess the association between early posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms and functional and quality-of-life outcomes among injured youth. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Combined pediatric-adult level I trauma center. Participants Randomly sampled adolescent injury survivors aged 12 to 18 years (N = 108) were recruited from surgical inpatient units. Main Exposures Posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptom levels in the days and weeks immediately following injury. We also collected relevant adolescent demographic, injury, and clinical characteristics. Main Outcome Measure Multiple domains of adolescent functional impairment were assessed with the 87-item Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-87) at 2, 5, and 12 months after injury. Results The investigation attained greater than 80% adolescent follow-up at each assessment after injury. Mixed-model regression was used to assess the association between baseline levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms and subsequent functional outcomes longitudinally. High baseline PTSD symptom levels were associated with significant impairments in CHQ-87 Role/Social Behavioral, Role/Social Physical, Bodily Pain, General Behavior, Mental Health, and General Health Perceptions subscales. High baseline depressive symptoms were associated with significant impairments in CHQ-87 Physical Function, Role/Social Emotional, Bodily Pain, Mental Health, Self-esteem, and Family Cohesion subscales. Conclusions Early PTSD and depressive symptoms are associated with a broad spectrum of adolescent functional impairment during the year after physical injury. Coordinated investigative and policy efforts that refine mental health screening and intervention procedures have the potential to improve the functioning and well-being of injured youth treated in the acute care medical setting.
Study of π + π - transitions from Υ(3S)

Abstract We have investigated the transitions ϒ(3S)→π + π − ϒ(1S), ϒ(3S)→π + π − ϒ(2S) and the cascade process ϒ(3S)→ϒ(2S) + X, ϒ(2S)→π + π − ϒ(1S). We have observed these transitions both in the inclusive decay mode and the exclusive decay mode where the daughter ϒ state decays into two leptons. We present results on branching fractions and the properties of the π + π − system. In particular the π + π − invariant-mass spectrum for the decay ϒ(3S)→π + π − ϒ(1S) displays an unexplained form of double peaks. We observe the transition ϒ(3S)→π + π − ϒ(1 ↑ P 1 ) with limited statistical accuracy.
Effect of dantrolene sodium on canine bladder contractility

Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is currently used in the treatment of detrusorstriated sphincter dyssynergia and is thought to act primarily on striated muscle. The effect of this agent on smooth muscle in general is controversial, and its effect on urinary bladder smooth muscle in particular is not known. In an in vitro muscle bath system, dantrolene was found to have no statistically significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholine-induced canine detrusor muscle contractions.
Maximal dendrite size in monolayer systems.

We study the nonequilibrium growth of the liquid-condensed phase of monolayers subject to a pressure-induced phase transition. Because of dipolar electrostatic interactions, the Mullins-Sekerka instability is significantly modified at small wave vectors. We argue that this will have a dramatic effect on possible dendritic growth in these systems, leading to a maximum allowed size for the dendrite tip and a crossover in the velocity versus driving curve at small undercooling.
Amphiphilic Invertible Polyurethanes: Synthesis and Properties

We synthesized and characterized novel amphiphilic invertible polyurethanes (AIPUs) that had both hydrophilic (poly(ethylene glycol), PEG) and hydrophobic (polytetrahydrofuran, PTHF) constituents. ...
Modulation of an RNA-branching deoxyribozyme by a small molecule

We have engineered an RNA-branching deoxyribozyme to respond positively to ATP, resulting in modulated control of ligation activity that may be applicable to sensor and nanotechnology applications.
Second derivatives of the flutter velocity and the optimization of aircraft structures.

Equations for the second partial derivatives of the eigenvalues of the flutter equation along with the equations for finding the second partial derivatives of the flutter velocity of an aircraft structure with respect to the structural parameters are derived. These partial derivatives are used to develop expressions for the step size in a projected gradient search along a constant mass hyperlane. A projected gradient search along with a gradient mass and a gradient velocity search is used to minimize the mass of a box beam which supports a lifting surface.
Radiation-induced transient absorption in single mode optical fibers

Multimode optical fibers have been applied to many data transmission requirements over the last 15 years. Many of these applications have required that the fibers operate in adverse environments, in some cases characterized by intense radiation levels. More recently, single mode fibers and their support technologies have advanced to the point where applications of these fibers are increasing throughout the world. Such single mode fibers offer significantly higher bandwidths than their multimode relatives. Single mode fibers will also be utilized under a range of adverse environmental factors.
IL-21 induces IL-22 production in CD4+ T-cells

The cytokine interleukin-22 maintains the integrity of the colonic epithelium during inflammation. Here, the authors show that IL-21 regulates the production of IL-22 in T cells and this mechanism plays a protective role in a mouse model of colitis.
An explanation for the correlation between the glass transition temperature and the extrapolated divergence of the viscosity in Vogel-Fulcher phenomenology

Abstract The facts that the apparent divergence of extrapolations of the viscosity to below the glass temperature, T g , seems to occur at a temperature, T 0 , a little out of reach of experimental investigation, and that this temperature is often closely related to the temperature at which extrapolations of the “quasi-equilibrium” configurational entropy of the super-cooled liquid vanishes (called the Kauzmann temperature) and that Ehrenfest relations for second order phase transitions often work in the case of the glass transition, are often cited as reasons to suspect that a true phase transition underlies the glass transition. The kinetic nature of the observed glass transition is well established. The applicability of Ehrenfest theorems has recently been shown to be kinetically based. In this article it is shown that the correlation between T 0 and T g is also kinetically grounded, thus removing another reason to consider the existence of an underlying phase transition.
On Assessing the Robustness of Structural Health Monitoring Technologies

As Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) continues to gain popularity, both as an area of research and as a tool for use in industrial applications, the number of technologies associated with SHM will also continue to grow. As a result, the engineer tasked with developing a SHM system is faced with myriad hardware and software technologies from which to choose, often adopting an ad hoc qualitative approach based on physical intuition or past experience to making such decisions, and offering little in the way of justification for a particular decision. The present paper offers a framework that aims to provide the engineer with a qualitative approach for choosing from among a suite of candidate SHM technologies. The framework is outlined for the general case, where a supervised learning approach to SHM is adopted, and is then demonstrated on a problem commonly encountered when developing SHM systems: selection of a damage classifier, where the engineer must select from among a suite of candidate classifiers, the one most appropriate for the task at hand. The data employed for these problems are taken from a preliminary study that examined the feasibility of applying SHM technologies to the RAPid Telescopes for Optical Response observatory network. (Approved for unlimited public release on September 20, 2011, LA-UR 11-05398, Unclassified)
A new beam loss detector for low-energy proton and heavy-ion accelerators

Abstract The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to be constructed at Michigan State University shall deliver a continuous, 400 kW heavy ion beam to the isotope production target. This beam is capable of inflicting serious damage on accelerator components, e.g. superconducting RF accelerating cavities. A Beam Loss Monitoring (BLM) System is essential for detecting beam loss with sufficient sensitivity and promptness to inform the machine protection system (MPS) and operations personnel of impending dangerous losses. Radiation transport simulations reveal shortcomings in the use of ionization chambers for the detection of beam losses in low-energy, heavy-ion accelerators. Radiation cross-talk effects due to the folded geometry of the FRIB LINAC pose further complications to locating specific points of beam loss. We propose a newly developed device, named the Loss Monitor Ring (LMR 1 ), to be implemented upstream of each FRIB cryomodule, as part of the direct loss monitoring system to fulfill the needs of machine protection.
Multiple mRNAs encoding human calmodulin

Abstract In humans, as in rats, four distinct molecular weight species of mRNA encoding calmodulin exist, i.e. 1.6 Kb for L, 1.4 Kb for T2 and 2.5 and 1.0 Kb for T1. They result from the expression of three genes. Each of these mRNAs codes for a calmodulin identical in amino acid sequence. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of these mRNAs, however, differ extensively, and oligonucleotide probes specific to these regions were used in this study. The poly A + mRNA was isolated from human erythroleukemia cells and also from human B cells infected with EBV.
Silica-Metal Core-Shells and Metal Shells Synthesized by Porphyrin-Assisted Photocatalysis

Uniform silica beads modified with a positively charged tin porphyrin (SnT(NMe4Py)P) adsorbed onto their surface are used as photocatalytically active templates to synthesize platinum and palladium shell and core−shell nanostructures. The cationic porphyrin SnT(NMe4Py)P serves a dual function, acting as both a photocatalyst to reduce metal ions and nucleate growth sites and as a surface modifier that promotes binding of platinum metal to the surface of the nanospheres. Hollow platinum nanoshells can then be produced by removing the silica cores using hydrofluoric acid. Magnetic silica−platinum core−shell spheres can also be prepared starting from silica spheres containing magnetite nanoparticles. The silica−porphyrin−platinum nanocomposites contain all the components necessary to produce hydrogen gas via a tin porphyrin-mediated reductive photocatalytic process using a sacrificial electron donor. However, due to instability of the SnT(NMe4Py)P, hydrogen production can only be realized when a degradation-r...
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS: IMPACT OF PRETREATMENT OF ULTRAFINE IRON OXIDE UPON CATALYST STRUCTURE AND SELECTIVITY

ABSTRACT The present study has shown that activation of a high surface area Fe2O3 catalyst in CO in a CSTR using tetralin as solvent results in an activity that is three times that of the material that is activated in H2 or directly in the syngas. Independent of the catalyst activation, similar methane and CO2 selectivities are obtained. This suggests that the active catalytic phase is the same for the three pretreatments. Since the particle size estimated by XRD shows a variation within 30%, the difference among the activities of the differently activated catalysts can be attributed to differences in the concentration of active sites on the catalyst surface rather than the extent of the surface.
Categorizing Affordances for Product Design

To compensate for the inability of the functional descriptions to describe for instance interactions between users and artifacts, the term affordance has been introduced in design methodology by Maier and Fadel. However, some significant details of affordance such as representation, categorization, and application to mechanical design still need to be further studied. Therefore, this paper reviews and compares the use of the term affordance in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), design, psychology, and philosophy. Based on that review, a new categorization scheme of affordances applicable for product design is proposed. The categories including doing and happening Artifact-Artifact Affordances (dAAA and hAAA), doing and happening Artifact-Environment Affordances (dAEA and hAEA), and doing and happening Artifact-User Affordances (dAUA and hAUA) are identified and an initial statistical evaluation is performed to support this proposal. The detailed description of these affordances provides better coverage, more orthogonality, more depth, and could be more usable, eventually meeting the requirements of a taxonomy.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Formulation of a unified constitutive model for clays and sands

This paper presents a new generalized effective stress model, referred to as MIT-S1, which is capable of predicting the rate independent, effective stress–strain–strength behaviour of uncemented soils over a wide range of confining pressures and densities. Freshly deposited sand specimens compressed from different initial formation densities approach a unique condition at high stress levels, referred to as the limiting compression curve (LCC), which is linear in a double logarithmic void ratio, e, mean effective stress space, p′. The model describes irrecoverable, plastic strains which develop throughout first loading using a simple four-parameter elasto-plastic model. The shear stiffness and strength properties of sands in the LCC regime can be normalized by the effective confining pressure and hence can be unified qualitatively, with the well-known behaviour of clays that are normally consolidated from a slurry condition along the virgin consolidation line (VCL). At lower confining pressures, the model characterizes the effects of formation density and fabric on the shear behaviour of sands through a number of key features: (a) void ratio is treated as a separate state variable in the incrementally linearized elasto-plastic formulation: (b) kinematic hardening describing the evolution of anisotropic stress–strain properties: (c) an aperture hardening function controls dilation as a function of ‘formation density’; and (d) the use of a single lemniscate-shaped yield surface with non-associated flow. These features enable the model to describe characteristic transitions from dilative to contractive shear response of sands as the confining pressure increases. This paper summarizes the procedures used to select input parameters for clays and sands, while a companion paper compares model predictions with measured data to illustrate the model capability for describing the shear behaviour of clays and sands. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental survey of the chemical durability of commercial soda-lime-silicate glasses

Abstract We present the results of durability experiments on commercial and experimental soda-lime-silica glasses. Glasses were subjected to a simple, short-duration alkali leaching experiment after which the K and Na concentrations in the leachate were measured. Our results show that Na is preferentially leached over K from the glass. A multiple variable linear regression was applied to the data to produce a predictive durability model based on glass composition. The model shows that, within the range of the tested compositions, only Al 2 O 3 significantly increases durability while Na 2 O and K 2 O decrease durability, with Na 2 O apparently having a greater effect. Our model, together with a previously published model for chemical strengthening, and composition/viscosity models can be used to formulate a durable glass optimized for rapid Na-K ion exchange strengthening. Specifically, our observations indicate that the replacement of K 2 O for Na 2 O in the glass will increase the exchange rate and increase durability.
Pose clustering guided by short interpretation trees

It is common in object recognition algorithms based on viewpoint consistency to find object poses that align many of the object features with features extracted from a search image. Algorithms usually treat these features as having no information other than location. However, in many applications, the features are much more distinctive than this. This distinctiveness can be used to improve recognition with respect to both the search time and the reliability of the recognition. We modify an efficient clustering method for detecting objects using geometry to incorporate short trees that help prune many of the possible matches between object features and image features prior to the more expensive clustering step. The methodology is applied to a problem of computing a spacecraft position with respect to a celestial body by recognizing the configuration of craters visible on the surface.
A method for isolation of coenzyme A products.

Abstract A method is described for the isolation of CoA products from a reaction mixture. The procedure utilizes an initial separation of all CoA compounds from the other nucleotides on Sephadex and a subsequent fractionation of the different CoA forms on DEAE-cellulose.
Event-driven programming for robust software

Events are a better means of managing I/O concurrency in server software than threads: events help avoid bugs caused by the unnecessary CPU concurrency introduced by threads. Event-based programs also tend to have more stable performance under heavy load than threaded programs. We argue that our libasync non-blocking I/O library makes event-based programming convenient and evaluate extensions to the library that allow event-based programs to take advantage of multi-processors. We conclude that events provide all the benefits of threads, with substantially less complexity; the result is more robust software.
Biochemical and toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in immature male and female chickens.

Abstract It has been reported that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced body wasting in mammals is associated with decreased adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glucose transporting (GT) activity with differential sensitivity between genders. This study extends those findings to chickens as an avian model. A significant decrease in body weight gain was demonstrated in immature male and female chickens 10 days after treatment with a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of 10 and 100 μg TCDD/kg. Body weight gain decrease was associated with hepatomegaly and induction of hepatic CYP1A enzymes in both genders. The increase in liver/body weight ratio (48%) and the decreased LPL activity (28%) were significant only in females at 10 μg TCDD/kg. However, the increase in liver/body weight ratio (31%) and the decrease in LPL activity (26%) were significantly demonstrated in males at 100 μg TCDD/kg. Levels of GT were significantly decreased in females (46%) and in males (48%) following treatment with 10 μg TCDD/kg and 100 μg TCDD/kg, respectively. Therefore, in chickens, as in mammals, the TCDD-induced body wasting is accompanied with decreased LPL activity and decreased GT activity and the magnitude of these changes is gender dependent. In contrast to mammals, this study suggests that female chickens are equally, if not more responsive to TCDD toxicity than males.
NFL head coaches as sensegiving change agents

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest that a key role of the professional US NFL head coach is as a sensemaker, sensegiver, and driver of intentional change.Design/methodology/approach – Intentional change theory and sensemaking are used to explore NFL head coaches' roles as sense‐givers of intentional change during their pre‐game and post‐game press conferences.Findings – This paper presents propositions that if substantiated demonstrate that examining professional head coaches' behavior during pre‐ and post‐game press conferences will yield insight into the coaches' skills as sensemakers, sensegivers, and agents of the intentional change process.Research limitations/implications – In addition to this paper being conceptual, not empirical, other limitations exist. There may be gender differences in coaching behavior; however, since there are no female NFL head coaches, gender‐related patterns can not be observed in this context. Since this study only addresses one sport, there may be differen...
Lasers without inversion: A closed lifetime broadened system

We show a model laser system which operates by an electromagnetically induced interference. Provided that an inversion condition for the thermal radiation field is satisfied, the system lases without atomic population inversion in steady state. The system is pumped by incoherent radiation on the transition on which lasing occurs.
Up-regulation of tyrosine kinase (Trka, Trkb) receptor expression and phosphorylation in lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia after chronic spinal cord (T8-T10) injury.

Previous studies have demonstrated changes in urinary bladder neurotrophic factors after bladder dysfunction. We have hypothesized that retrograde transport of neurotrophin(s) from the bladder to lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) may play a role in bladder reflex reorganization after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we determined whether the expression of tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkA, TrkB) is altered in lumbosacral DRG after SCI through immunofluorescence techniques. Complete transection of the spinal cord (T8-T10) was performed in female Wistar rats (120-150 g), and animals were studied 5-6 weeks after SCI. One week before killing, Fast Blue (FB) was injected into the bladder to label bladder afferent cells in the L1, L2, L6, and S1 DRG. After SCI, a significant increase in the number of TrkA-immunoreactive (IR) positive cells was detected in the L6-S1 DRG (L6: 1.9-fold, P < or = 0.01; S1: 1.7-fold, P < or = 0.05) and in the L1 DRG (3.0-fold; P < or = 0.01) but not in the L4-L5 DRG compared with spinal-intact (control) rats. After SCI, a significant increase in the number of TrkB-IR cells was also detected in the L6-S1 DRG (L6: 2.2-fold, P < or = 0.01; S1: 1.5-fold, P < or = 0.05) and in the L1-L2 DRG (L1: 1.5-fold, P < or = 0.01; L2: 1.3-fold, P < or = 0.05) but not in the L4-L5 DRG compared with control rats. After SCI, the percentage of FB-labeled cells expressing TrkA immunoreactivity (approximately 68%) or TrkB immunoreactivity (approximately 65%) in L1 and L6 DRG significantly (P < or = 0.01) increased compared with control (20-30%) DRG. After SCI, the percentage of TrkA-IR cells expressing phosphorylated (p)-Trk immunoreactivity significantly increased (1.5- to 2.3-fold increase) in the L1, L6, and S1 DRG. The percentage of TrkB-IR cells expressing p-Trk immunoreactivity after SCI also increased (1.3-fold increase) in the L1 and L6 DRG. These results demonstrate that (1) TrkA and TrkB immunoreactivity is increased in bladder afferent cells after SCI and (2) TrkA and TrkB receptors are phosphorylated in DRG after SCI. Neuroplasticity of lower urinary tract reflexes after SCI may be mediated by both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 14-Alkoxymorphinans. 17. Highly δ Opioid Receptor Selective 14-Alkoxy-Substituted Indolo- and Benzofuromorphinans

14-Alkoxy analogues of naltrindole and naltriben differently substituted in positions 5 and 17 and at the indole nitrogen (compounds 28-44) have been synthesized in an effort to enhance the delta potency and/or delta selectivity and in order to further elaborate on structure-activity relationships of this class of compounds. Introduction of a 14-alkoxy instead of the 14-hydroxy group present in naltrindole resulted in somewhat lower delta binding affinity, while in many cases (compounds 31, 34, 37, 40, 41, 44, HS 378) the delta receptor selectivity was considerably increased. An ethoxy group in position 14 is superior to other alkoxy groups concerning delta affinity and selectivity (34, 41, 42, 44, HS 378). In [35S]GTP gamma S binding, compounds 34, 41, and HS 378 exhibited about one-tenth the antagonist potency of naltrindole at delta opioid receptors while their delta antagonist selectivity was considerably higher. 17-Methyl-substituted compounds 35 and 44 were found to be pure delta receptor agonists in this test.
Standard deviation of vertical two-point longitudinal velocity differences in the atmospheric boundary layer

Statistical estimates of wind shear in the planetary boundary layer are important in the design of V/STOL aircraft, and for the design of the Space Shuttle. The data analyzed in this study consist of eleven sets of longitudinal turbulent velocity fluctuation time histories digitized at 0.2 sec intervals with approximately 18,000 data points per time history. The longitudinal velocity fluctuations were calculated with horizontal wind and direction data collected at the 18-, 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, and 150-m levels. The data obtained confirm the result that Eulerian time spectra transformed to wave-number spectra with Taylor's frozen eddy hypothesis possess inertial-like behavior at wave-numbers well out of the inertial subrange.
Pelvic wall involvement denotes a poor prognosis in T4 rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: An aggressive surgical approach with en bloc resection of involved structures is often possible with anterior rectal cancers that invade adjacent visceral organs, but is rarely possible in tumors that invade the pelvic wall. However, most staging systems include both situations in the same group of T4 rectal cancers. We performed a retrospective study of patients with stage T4 rectal cancer undergoing surgery to assess the influence of different organ involvement on resectability and survival. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 84 patients with T4 rectal cancer treated at the University of Minnesota and affiliated hospitals over a ten-year period. Forty-seven patients (56 percent) were staged for local invasion on the basis of final pathology, 19 (23 percent) on the basis of operative findings, and 18 (21 percent) on the basis of ultrasound images. Patients were divided into two groups, those with or without pelvic wall involvement. Resectability, local control, and overall survival were compared between groups. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed with Cox proportional and logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (37 percent) had involvement of the pelvic wall, whereas 53 patients (63 percent) had visceral involvement only. All 29 patients with distant metastasis died of their disease. Forty-seven of the 55 patients without distant metastasis underwent tumor resection. Age and pelvic wall involvement were the only two factors independently associated with the probability of resection in logistic regression analysis (P=0.0067 andP=0.037, respectively). The only factor that affected median survival in patients without distant metastasis was tumor resection (49.1 months for resectionvs. 6.1 months for no resection,P=0.017). Patients with visceral involvement had a longer median survival (49.2 months) than those with pelvic wall involvement (13.2 months), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.058). CONCLUSION: Rectal cancers with pelvic and visceral involvement have different rates of resectability and median survival. These differences should be reflected in the TNM classification system.
Irradiation and the Subsequent Solid State Thermal Decomposition of Silver Nitrite

WE have examined the thermal decomposition of solid silver nitrite at 50° C after it has been exposed to γ-radiation from a cobalt-60 source (dose rate at the sample = 1.5 × 104 r./h). The kinetics were followed gravimetrically in vacuo using collections of many well formed single crystals (sample size about 10 mg). The results are shown in Fig. 1. In contrast with results found in decomposition studies of other solids, which have shown either an enhancement of rate or negligible effect following irradiation1, with silver nitrite there is a marked inhibition in the rate of decomposition with the dose of γ-rays. There was no significant loss in weight of the sample during irradiation. The irradiation was performed in vacuo. If the irradiation was carried out in a poor vacuum or at 1 atm. there was no effect on the subsequent thermal decomposition. This finding is of considerable importance because it may apply to the study of radiation damage in other reversible solid state decomposition reactions of the type A(s)→B(s) + C(g).
A COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION MEASUREMENT REPRODUCED: A STATISTICAL COMPARISON OF MSAM1-94 TO MSAM1-92

The goal of the second flight of the medium-scale anisotropy measurement (MSAM1-94) was to confirm the measurement of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) anisotropy made in the first flight (MSAM1-92). The CMBR anisotropy and interstellar dust emission signals from the two flights are compared by forming the sum and difference of those portions of the data with the same pointings on the sky. The difference data are consistent with a null detection, while the summed data show significant signal. We conclude that MSAM1-92 and MSAM1-94 measured the same celestial signal.
Fulfillment of potential, life satisfaction, and competence: Comparing four cohorts of gifted women at midlife.

Descriptive data from 4 studies of midlife gifted women were compared. Cross-cohort comparisons were made on measures of fulfillment of potential, life satisfaction, and self-perceived competence at midlife
Z-line extraction: comparative effects in avian skeletal muscle fiber types.

The fast-twitch glycolytic and fast-twitch oxidative—glycolytic and the slow tonic fibers of the pectoralis and anterior latissimus dorsi muscles of the pigeon were compared for their response to Z-line extraction. The study was made to determine which factors influence both Z-line and M-line extraction and whether a differential stability exists between the fiber types. A high calcium level (1 mM) is neither the most important nor the only factor inducing extraction of the Z-lines. It is more likely that the absence of magnesium or secondarily a high calcium concentration causes the extraction. The slow tonic Z-line is rarely extracted and is much more stable than the fast-twitch Z-lines. Thin filaments are also frequently extracted by the various incubation media. The M-lines require a divalent cation for their stability. These results suggest that the fast and slow Z-lines differ in their constituent proteins, and the presence of two structural components of the Z-line is discussed.
Teacher Burnout: Description and Prescription

(1983). Teacher Burnout: Description and Prescription. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 111-113.