cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A1 and A2 adenosine receptor regulation of erythropoietin production.

Abstract The effects of adenosine (ADE) and ADE agonists on erythropoietin (Ep) production were determined using percent (%) 59 Fe incorporation in red cells of exhypoxic polycythemic mice. The hemisulfate salt of ADE produced a significant increase in % 59 Fe incorporation in response to hypoxia in concentrations of 400 to 1600 nmol/kg/day (i.v.). 5 1 -N-ethyl-carboxamideadenosine (NECA), a selective A 2 receptor agonist, increased radioiron incorporation in a dose-dependent manner (10–100 nmol/kg/day, i.v.). In contrast. N 6 -cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), a selective A 1 receptor agonist, did not affect radioiron incorporation in concentrations up to 1600 nmol/kg/day (i.v.). Albuterol, a beta 2-adrenergic agonist, enhanced % 59 Fe incorporation in polycythemic mice and low doses of CHA (50 and 100 nmol/kg/day), which were not effective alone on % 59 Fe incorporation in polycythemic mice exposed to hypoxia, inhibited the enhancement in radioiron induced by albuterol (25 and 100 μg/kg/day, i.p.) plus hypoxia. Theophylline (20 and 80 mg/kg/day, i.p.), a well-known antagonist of ADE receptors, blocked the ADE and NECA enhancement in radioiron incorporation at a dose of theophylline alone which produced only a slight enhancement of % 59 Fe incorporation. These results suggest that ADE may both inhibit through A 1 receptor activation and increase via A 2 receptor stimulation the production of Ep.
De minimis risk concepts in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Part 2: Implicit uses in waste management and regulating uranium mines and mills

Technological and regulatory solutions need to be developed to improve distributive justice in nuclear waste management. It is imperative that a balance be achieved between over-regulation and under-regulation. The historical treatment of safety issues is considered with reference to potential doses to a public residing at variable distances from a uranium mill or mill tailings site. Since 1986, NRC decisions as to whether to grant petitions for disposal of low level radioactive waste involve phrases that relate closely to de minimis risk concepts. Establishing a high level waste depository is more problematical, although it should be possible to set up de minimus risk standards. Some of the salient regulatory issues have been described. This paper is Part II of a three part series. Part III examines the setting of safety goals and treating the risk management issues of severe nuclear accidents.
Interest and participation in a college student alcohol intervention study as a function of typical drinking.

Objective: This research explored the relationship between typical alcohol consumption and interest in participating in a brief alcohol intervention study and between typical consumption and actual participation in the study among students recruited to participate in an intervention study. We predicted a curvilinear relationship as a potential explanation for mixed findings from previous examinations of risk status and participation in alcohol intervention research. That is, we expected an inverted U-shaped relationship, with those at the lowest and highest ends of the drinking spectrum expressing the least interest in participation. We expected the same pattern to hold for likelihood of actual participation among study invitees. Method: Self-reported typical consumption and interest in participating in an alcohol intervention study were assessed among 1,115 (59.7% female) college students. A subsample of these students (n = 377) who expressed interest and reported at least one heavy-drinking episode in t...
Comments on the NBS tritiated-water standards and their use

Abstract A panel of consultants of the International Atomic Energy Agency has recommended the adoption of the National Bureau of Standards tritiated-water standard and the half life of 12.43 yr for use in the WMO/IAEA precipitation survey. Factors are given to convert results obtained using a previous standard and half life to the newly recommended standard and half life. The preparation of a new low-level tritiated-water standard with an activity concentration of 1.312 s −1 g −1 is described.
Formation and characterization of (CdZn)S films and (CdZn)S/Cu2s heterojunctions

The present status of (CdZn)S/Cu2S thin film solar cells is reviewed. A new source design has been used to improve the (CdZn)S films. Light reflection loss has been reduced to ∼ 5% by texturing the (CdZn)S surface prior to Cu2S formation. Using 90% transparent grids, current densities over 16 ma/cm2 and open circuit voltages over 0.7 volts have been obtained, with a best power conversion efficiency of 6.29%.
Pre-sintering densification phenomenon of YBa2Cu3O7?y in the presence of non-equilibrium Ba-Cu-O compounds

The dynamic sintering behaviour of YBa2Cu3O7-y containing Ba-Cu-O and other nonequilibrium impurity phases was investigated through dilatometry. It revealed the occurrence of subsidiary shrinkage just prior to the solid-state sintering. Densification tests also showed a rapid increase in the apparent density in the temperature range between 920 and 940 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis and optical microscope observations verified the correlation with the Ba-Cu-O phases. The phenomenon was attributed to the effect of rearrangement densification exerted by the transient liquid from Ba-Cu-O and to the reaction sintering densification when Ba-Cu-O reacts with other phases during heating.
Comparison between holographic and transient-photocurrent measurements of electron mobility in photorefractive Bi12SiO20

We have developed a time-of-flight technique for measuring the mobility of photoexcited charge carriers in certain crystals exhibiting the electro-optic effect. We used this holographic technique to find that the mobility of photoexcited electrons in a previously well-characterized sample of n-type ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{12}$${\mathrm{SiO}}_{20}$ is 0.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{V}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, independent of electric field in our range of observation (\ensuremath{\approxeq}200--2000 V/cm). We also present results of transient photocurrent measurements. When used with our absorption measurement and previously reported values of the quantum efficiency and mobility-lifetime product, they give two independent estimates of electron mobility that are consistent with our directly measured value.
Pediatric gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

Inflammation of the gastric and duodenal mucosa is the end result of an imbalance between mucosal defensive and aggressive factors. The degree of inflammation and imbalance between defensive and aggressive factors can then result in varying degrees of gastritis and/or mucosal ulceration. Gastritis and ulcers of the duodenum or stomach can be classified as primary or secondary. The majority of children with chronic gastritis and ulcers in the stomach or duodenum have secondary inflammation or mucosal ulceration. These secondary ulcers generally occur due to a systemic condition like head trauma or overwhelming sepsis, or as sequelae to drug ingestion (i.e. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents), but secondary gastroduodenal ulcers can also occur in specific disease conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or Crohn's disease. In almost all children with primary duodenal or gastric ulcers mucosal inflammation and, less frequently, ulceration is caused by a spiral shaped, gram-negative, microaerobic rod Helicobacter pylori. Recent epidemiological evidence has linked chronic H. pylori infection with the development of gastric carcinomas.
Variable linear-range subthreshold OTA

BICMOS and CMOS versions of an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with an adjustable linear range that is independent of tail current are presented. The circuit is analysed based on the operation of transistors in weak and strong inversion and the analytical results are compared with the experimental data.
A Glance at the Future of Cultural Competency in Healthcare

Abstract Cultural competency was first articulated in the 1980s to address the issues of discrimination and disparities in the provision of healthcare services. Since then, countless efforts have been made to educate and train a culturally competent healthcare task force. As the current US government unveils its healthcare reform, one might wonder what will be the future of the cultural competency in health care. The question is even more pertinent if the upcoming demographic shift of the US population is added to the picture. The most recent data from the Census Bureau stated that Asians and Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the US population. 1 Therefore the majority of the patients receiving primary and preventive care under the changes with the Affordable Care Act will be among today’s minority groups. So more than ever before, time needs to be spent on analysis and discussion of how these important changes will shape the quality of care that ought to be culturally sensitive as an aspect of delivery of excellent care.
The effect of space radiation of the nervous system

The long-term effects of irradiation by accelerated heavy ions on the structure and function of the nervous system have not been studied extensively. Although the adult brain is relatively resistant to low LET radiation, cellular studies indicate that individual heavy ions can produce serious membrane lesions and multiple chromatin breaks. Capillary hemorrhages may follow high LET particle irradiation of the developing brain as high RBE effects. Evidence has been accumulating that the glial system and blood-brain barrier (BBB) are relatively sensitive to injury by ionizing radiation. While DNA repair is active in neural systems, it may be assumed that a significant portion of this molecular process is misrepair. Since the expression of cell lethality usually requires cell division, and nerve cells have an extremely low rate of division, it is possible that some of the characteristic changes of premature aging may represent a delayed effect of chromatin misrepair in brain. Altered microcirculation, decreased local metabolism, entanglement and reduction in synaptic density, premature loss of neurons, myelin degeneration, and glial proliferation are late signs of such injuries. HZE particles are very efficient in producing carcinogenic cell transformation, reaching a peak for iron particles. The promotion of viral transformation is also efficient up to an energy transfer of approximately 300 keV/micron. The RBE for carcinogenesis in nerve tissues remains unknown. On the basis of available information concerning HZE particle flux in interplanetary space, only general estimates of the magnitude of the effects of long-term spaceflight on some nervous system parameters may be constructed.
Symmetric vertex couplings for all spins and parities

Abstract Interaction Hamiltonians for three particles having arbitrary spins and parities are constructed based on the rather stringent requirement of permutation symmetry. There are only two free parameters in each Hamiltonian: an overall coupling constant and a scaling parameter (identified as the inverse slope of a Regge trajectory). Vertex functions are evaluated in lowest order purturbation theory and their use in formulating Reggeized scattering amplitudes is reviewed. In the particular case of three normal-parity bosons the calculated vertex functions coincide with the vertices extracted from a 6-point dual resonance amplitude. The results presented here may be used, for example, to predict the two-body decay characteristics of resonances and, in a more theoretic vein, to serve as a base upon which to build dual resonance amplitudes for particles of all spins and parities.
Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Arising from Fibrocalcific Pancreatic Diabetes

Fibrocalcific pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a rare form of ketosis-resistant diabetes in the young (15 to 40 years old) of unknown etiology. It has been observed in tropical and subtropical countries with highest incidence in south India, and is believed to have some association with tropical chronic pancreatitis, malnutrition, toxin exposure (e.g., cassava) and SPINK1 mutation. It is associated with a hundredfold increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to the general population
Trypsin, chymotrypsin, and total proteolytic activity of pancreas, pancreatic juice, and intestinal contents from the bovine.

Abstract A procedure was developed for assaying total proteolytic activity, or esterase activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin in bovine pancreas, pancreatic juice, and intestinal contents. Trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen were released from pancreatic tissue by homogenization in 0.15 M NaCl containing 0.1% Triton X-100. The homogenate was centrifuged and diluted to contain 0.3 to 1% tissue. Pancreatic juice was diluted in saline to 0.25 to 0.75 mg protein/ml. Maximum enzyme activity and stability were obtained by activating with a crude enteropeptidase solution containing 0.05 M CaCl2 at 5°C for 2 to 6 hr for chymotrypsinogen and 5 to 7 days for trypsinogen. The normal curvilinear response of enzyme concentration and casein digestion was transformed to a linear process by plotting absorbancy (A) + A 3 2 , using a tyrosine standard at 280 mμ. Rate of BTEE hydrolysis by activated pancreatic juice was 2.2 times greater in 4.7% methanol than in 26%, v/v (BTEE dissolved in 10 or 56% methanol). Interfering substances in intestinal contents which produced an apparent esterase activity, in the absence of enzyme substrates, were attributed to increased turbidity as a result of calcium complexing with certain dietary constituents or bile salts, or both. Addition of CaCl2, (NH4)2SO4, and adjustment of the intestinal contents to pH 8 removed most of the interfering substances from the supernatant, and also augmented trypsin and chymotrypsin activity in most samples.
Self-reported stresses of adolescent rape victims

This paper identifies the self-reported concerns of 122 sexually abused teenagers and compares them with their parents' reactions and the assessments made by pediatric housestaff and trained rape counselors. The predominant rape reaction reported by the teenagers was a fear for their life or safety. Second was embarrassment and self-blame. Physicians and counselors, similar to parents, emphasized anger toward the perpetrator and anxieties about future sexual relations. Physicians and counselors often missed subtle, fantasized fears of bodily damage, which were also common concerns of these teenagers. They also judged parents more often supportive of the victims than did the victims themselves. The data suggest that professionals tend to identify with parental reactions, which do not always coincide with teenager's concerns.
Investigation of the far-field approximation for modeling a transducer's spatial impulse response in photoacoustic computed tomography.

When ultrasonic transducers with large detecting areas and/or compact measurement geometries are employed in photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), the spatial resolution of reconstructed images can be significantly degraded. Our goal in this work is to clarify the domain of validity of the imaging model that mitigates such effects by use of a far-field approximation. Computer-simulation studies are described that demonstrate the far-field-based imaging model is highly accurate for a practical 3D PACT imaging geometry employed in an existing small animal imaging system. For use in special cases where the far-field approximation is violated, an extension of the far-field-based imaging model is proposed that divides the transducer face into a small number of rectangular patches that are each described accurately by use of the far-field approximation.
Induction of avian serum apolipoprotein II and vitellogenin by tamoxifen.

Abstract Apo II and vitellogenin were detected in sera of nonestrogenized roosters by radioimmunoassay. Tamoxifen (30mg/kg) raised basal serum apo II more than 50 fold and vitellogenin more than 15 fold. Serum accumulation of apo II was biphasic in response to increasing doses of tamoxifen. This biphasic response was reflected in the relative rates of hepatic apo II synthesis. The tamoxifen metabolites, hydroxytamoxifen and desmethyltamoxifen, and the triphenylethylene antiestrogen, CI 628, also increased serum apo II. These studies show that the expression of vitellogenin and apo II genes occurs at a basal rate prior to exogenous estrogen treatment. These experiments also demonstrate that the triphenylethylene antiestrogens have agonist activity in the chicken when very sensitive techniques are used to measure estrogen-regulated proteins.
Influence of Iron Oleate Complex Structure on Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Formation

The dependence of iron oxide nanoparticle formation on the structure and thermal properties of Fe oleate complexes has been studied using FTIR, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM. The combination of FTIR, elemental analysis, and DSC allowed us to reveal differences between Fe oleate structures for as-synthesized and postsynthesis treated (drying and extraction with polar solvents) compounds. As-synthesized Fe oleate was found to contain a significant fraction of oleic acid, which works as a modifier altering the decomposition process and as an extra stabilizer during iron oxide nanoparticle formation. The thermal treatment of as-synthesized Fe oleate at 70 °C leads to removal of the crystal hydrate water and dissociation of oleic acid dimers, leading to a more thermally stable iron oleate complex whose final decomposition occurs at about 380 °C. Extraction of...
Tyrosine metabolism during interferon-alpha administration: association with fatigue and CSF dopamine concentrations.

Chronic exposure to interferon (IFN)-alpha, an innate immune cytokine, produces high rates of behavioral disturbances, including depression and fatigue. These effects may be mediated by the actions of IFN-alpha on dopamine (DA) metabolism in the basal ganglia. Diminished conversion of phenylalanine (Phen) to tyrosine (Tyr), the primary amino acid precursor of DA, has been associated with inflammation, and may reflect decreased activity of the enzyme phenylalanine-hydroxylase (PAH). This study investigated the peripheral Phen/Tyr ratio in relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of DA and its metabolites in subjects treated with IFN-alpha plus ribavirin for hepatitis C and controls awaiting IFN-alpha therapy. Plasma Phen/Tyr ratios were significantly increased in IFN-alpha-treated subjects (n=25) compared to controls (n=9), and were negatively correlated with CSF DA (r=−0.59, df=15, p<0.05) and its metabolite, homovanillic acid (r=−0.67, df=15, p<0.01), and positively correlated with fatigue (r=0.44, df=23, p<0.05) in IFN-alpha-treated patients but not controls. Given the role of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in the PAH conversion of Phen to Tyr, CSF concentrations of BH4 and its inactive oxidized form, dihydrobiopterin (BH2), were examined along with CSF interleukin (IL)-6 in a subset of patients. BH2 concentrations were significantly increased in IFN-alpha-treated patients (n=12) compared to controls (n=7), and decreased CSF BH4 concentrations correlated with increased CSF IL-6 (r=−0.57, df=12, p<0.05). These results indicate that IFN-alpha is associated with decreased peripheral conversion of Phen to Tyr, which in turn is associated with reduced DA in the brain as well as fatigue. These alterations may be related to oxidation of BH4 secondary to IFN-alpha-induced activation of a CNS inflammatory response.
15.1-inch touch tactical avionics display

A new avionics prototype has been developed combining a very large high-resolution display area with a touch panel designed for warfighter and civil-aviation use. This paper describes the design challenges as well as the prototype's capability and concept for application in airborne environments.
Novel chemistry for surface engineering in MEMS

It is well recognized that controlling surface forces is one of the key issues in the design, fabrication, and operation of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Since the majority of MEMS devices are made of silicon from surface micromaching, an attractive approach is to use the well-know alkytrichlorsilane self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on oxidized silicon surfaces to control surface enery. While this approach has enjoyed some success in reducing adhesion in model MEMS structures, a major impediment to its implementation in a manufacturing setting is that it is highly irrreproducible and very sensitive to a number of experimental parameters. In this report we present a novel strategy for the efficient assembly of organic monolayers directly onto the silicon surface via Si-O linkages. This is achieved by the reaction between an alcohol functional group and a chlorinated Si surface. The resulting molecular monolayers are thermally and chemically stable and are successfully demonstrated in adhesion reduction in a model MEMS structure, namely, a cantilever beam array (CMA). Polycrystalline beams with length up to 1.5 mm can be released. Major advantages of this new approach for surface control in MEMS include simplicity, reproducibility, and reliability.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ab initio investigation of the structural stability and optical properties of low-density amorphous carbon doped with N, B, and Fe

The addition of iron or boron and/or nitrogen, up to 20 %, to amorphous carbon with a density of about 2.0 gm/cm3 was studied using density functional theory. The bulk cohesive energy decreases with increasing iron, nitrogen, or boron concentration. The decrease is largest for iron and smallest for boron. The trends in the bulk moduli are consistent with the cohesive energies. The optical properties (absorbance and reflectivity) of the samples with nitrogen and/or boron added are very similar to those of the original amorphous carbon. Addition of iron results in larger, energy dependent, changes when compared with either boron or nitrogen. The effect of dopants on low-density amorphous carbon shows some differences with those for higher density amorphous carbon.
Anticonvulsants in bipolar disorder

In recent years, a number of anticonvulsants have been more rigorously investigated for their potential mood-stabilizing properties. They are heterogeneous in their mechanisms of action and in their efficacy in the various mood states in bipolar illness (Table 3). At present, evidence from well-controlled studies supports the role of DIV and CBZ in the treatment of acute mania. DIV seems to have better efficacy than lithium in mixed mania or mania associated with depressive symptoms and is recommended as a first-line pharmacologic option in acutely manic or mixed manic patients. Neither CBZ nor DIV have robust evidence supporting their efficacy in the treatment of acute bipolar depression, although DIV clearly possesses beneficial effects on depressive symptomatology and prophylaxis against depressive episodes during long-term treatment. Results from a large study indicate that LAM has significant efficacy in bipolar depression without the associated risks of cycle acceleration or manic/hypomanic switches. LAM should be considered a primary option in patients with bipolar depression and in bipolar II patients with rapid cycling. DIV is recommended as a first-line option in bipolar I patients with rapid cycling. LAM has proven efficacy in the prophylaxis of bipolar I disorder and should be considered along with lithium or DIV as treatment of choice in the long-term management of bipolar disorder. For the other anticonvulsants, including CBZ and OXC, there is still inadequate evidence of efficacy as monotherapy in the long-term management of bipolar disorder. Even less data exist for other available AEDs, and consensus is growing that someAEDs (eg, GBP) have little or no specific effect in bipolar disorder. Despite the progress made in the past decade, a wider therapeutic armamentarium is critically needed, because a large proportion of bipolar patients do not respond to acute treatments during a manic or depressive episode and have frequent relapse and recurrences during long-term treatment. As additional AEDs become available, rigorously designed and large-scale studies examining AEDs as monotherapy and AEDs in combination therapies versus placebo must be undertaken to assess efficacy and safety more adequately to provide better guidance for the clinician faced with the management of this challenging mood disorder.
Invading the invaders: reproductive and other mechanisms mediating the displacement of zebra mussels by quagga mussels

Dreissenids are invasive bivalves, native to water bodies of the Ponto-Caspian region of southwestern Asia. Following dispersion in Europe in the early nineteenth century, they were accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes region of North America in the 1980s and 1990s. Recently, they were discovered in the southwestern USA. Initially, Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel, ZM) spread more rapidly than Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (quagga mussel, QM); however, QM is becoming predominant in many areas of the Great Lakes and was the first to appear west of the Continental Divide, in Lake Mead. In Europe, as well, ZM was the first species to spread widely in western Europe from its endemic range; however, QM have recently been found in areas previously colonized only by ZM. This article reviews the dynamics of this double dreissenid invasion and considers the question: what mechanisms mediate the displacement of ZM by QM? Despite their similar appearance, QM differ from ZM in temperature and salinity tol...
Issues In Health Reform: How Changes In Eligibility May Move Millions Back And Forth Between Medicaid And Insurance Exchanges

The Affordable Care Act will extend health insurance coverage by both expanding Medicaid eligibility and offering premium subsidies for the purchase of private health insurance through state health...
Chaotic frequency modulation

Chaotic Frequency Modulation (CFM) provides the basis for a nonlinear communications system with (1) good noise suppression and (2) analogue signal encryption for secure communication links. A practical realization for a CFM transmitter employs an autonomous chaotic relaxation oscillator (ACRO) circuit for use as a chaotic voltage controlled oscillator (CVCO). The ACRO is simple to construct, consisting of only two capacitors, one inductor, a bistable nonlinear element, and a modulated current source. The CVCO period (Pk) is a nonlinear function of the current (mk) and the two previous pulse periods. Demodulation requires the use of at least three successive waveform-periods. Experimental and theoretical studies of the CVCO circuit have shown that (1) the ACRO return maps of pulse periods are embedded in three dimensions, (2) chaotic outputs are difficult to decode without prior knowledge of the circuit parameters, and (3) demodulation may be accomplished with a digital signal processor.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the effects of pressure upon rock elasticity

Abstract The theory for the elastic moduli of a “perfectly disordered” aggragate is applied at high pressure. The results and conclusions found previously at zero pressure are found to be generally valid also at high pressure, although uncertainties in the tensor equation of state limit the calculations to moderate pressures only. Numerical results for the mixture MgO+Al 2 O 3 and for the isochemical spinel MgAl 2 O 4 illustrate these points.
Laser and lidar technologies for Earth and planetary remote sensing applications

NASA's Laser Risk Reduction Program, begun in 2002, has achieved many technology advances in only 3.5 years. The recent selection of several lidar proposals for Science and Exploration applications indicates that the LRRP goal of enabling future space-based missions by lowering the technology risk has already begun to be met.
The effects of nitrous oxide on the central endogenous pro-opiomelanocortin system in the rat.

Abstract The hypothesis that nitrous oxide stimulates the central pro-opiomelanocortin system in vivo was explored in this study. A concentration-dependent stimulation of central pro-opiomelanocortin neuropeptides was demonstrated after exposures to variable concentrations of nitrous oxide with oxygen. Rats exposed to 60% and 80% nitrous oxide with oxygen demonstrated an elevation of β-endorphin concentration along the neuraxis involved with analgesia; no similar effect was observed in α-MSH concentration, neither duration of exposure nor acclimation to the enclosed environment altered this stimulation. The discontinuation of nitrous oxide exposure resulted in the diminution of β-endorphin concentration to pre-exposure levels in 15–30 min. With an ACTH 1–39 antisera, a semi-quantitative increase in opiocortin immunoreactivity after exposures to nitrous oxide was demonstrated. In conclusion, the increase in β-endorphin concentration and immunoreactive ACTH 1–39 staining in the cells of origin, areas of fiber projection and terminal fields suggest that nitrous oxide stimulates the central pro-opiomelanocortin system in vivo in the rat.
Extending the region of stable homogeneous micro-combustion through forced unsteady operation

Abstract The concept of a reverse-flow (RF) operation to extend the region of self-sustained homogeneous combustion at the microscale is introduced. In the RF operation, the input and output ports are periodically switched. Thus, the energy stored in the solid structure in one cycle is released to the cold inlet stream in the next cycle, resulting in heat recirculation. Here we demonstrate that a significant increase in the stability limits can be obtained using the RF operation, over the unidirectional steady state operation, for the case of a stoichiometric propane–air mixture. The possibility of using the frequency of flow reversal as a “tuning parameter” to control the amount of heat recirculation is investigated. Finally, the effect of burner size (length, gap width, and plate thickness) on the RF operation is presented. Strong thermal interaction between the fluid and solid phases, which is possible only in microburners, is shown to be critical for the RF operation.
Chemistry and origin of mantle sulfides in spinel peridotite xenoliths from alkaline basaltic lavas, Nógraád-Go¨mo¨r Volcanic Field, northern Hungary and southern Slovakia

Abstract Neogene to Quaternary alkaline basalts from the Nograd-Go¨mo¨r Volcanic Field (NGVF) in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region of northern Hungary and southern Slovakia contain a large number and great variety of sulfide-bearing mantle xenoliths. A previous detailed textural and chemical study of spinel peridotite (Cr-diopside) xenoliths from the NGVF identified multiple mantle processes (i.e., partial melting (s), metasomatism, and entrainment of the peridotite xenoliths into the host lavas ), which might be genetically associated with sulfides and which could account for their variability in texture and chemistry. Eleven spinel peridotite nodules (three protogranular to porphyroclastic, three equigranular, four secondary recrystallized, and one strongly metasomatized xenolith) were selected to characterize the sulfide assemblages. Two types of primary sulfide grains and two types of secondary sulfide grains were identified based on occurrence and distribution. Type-i primary sulfide assemblages are interstitial to mantle silicates, whereas Type-e primary sulfide assemblages are enclosed in mantle silicates. Secondary sulfides are connected either to healed fractures in mantle silicates (Type-f) or to borders of mantle silicates (Type-b). Type-i and Type-e primary sulfide assemblages consist mostly of the phases pentlandite (Pn), chalcopyrite (Cp), monosulfide solid solution (MSS), and violarite (Vi). Type-f and Type-b secondary sulfide grains are indistinguishable mineralogically and chemically from the Type-i and Type-e sulfide assemblages, but can be distinguished based on texture and occurrence. MSS sulfide blebs in the metasomatized xenolith developed their compositions and textures as a result of mantle metasomatism. Sulfides in the protogranular/porphyroclastic, equigranular, and recrystallized xenoliths represent immiscible melts trapped during partial melting event (s) in the mantle. In the less deformed (protogranular/porphyroclastic) xenoliths the Cp + Pn assemblage (either Type-e or Type-i) crystallized from a Cu-Ni-bearing sulfide liquid which was in equilibrium with MSS at high temperature. In addition, an MSS + Cp + Pn assemblage (either Type-e or Type-i) was produced as a result of exsolution of Cp and Pn from the high-temperature MSS during cooling. In the more deformed equigranular and recrystallized xenoliths Pn + MSS or Pn ± Cp ± Po are present. The abundance of sulfide assemblages in individual samples can be correlated to the texture of the xenoliths. The protogranular/porphyroclastic and metasomatized xenoliths show sulfide concentrations up to 0.5 vol%, whereas the other xenoliths have less than 0.02 vol% sulfides. This correlation between sulfide abundance and textural type of host xenolith indicates that the heterogeneous distribution of sulfides within the upper mantle is related, at least in part, to deformation and recrystallization processes.
Dockside Prostitution in South African Ports

Prostitution has been a staple of dockside social life for centuries. In South Africa, it dates from the Dutch East India Company's establishment of a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope. But unlike other prostitution sectors – streets, brothels, agencies – the women of the dockside sex trade in Cape Town and Durban participate in a global traffic of ideas, diseases, DNA, contraband and currency through their ceaseless interactions with foreign sailors. They exploit their knowledge of the seamen's languages and cultures so as to more effectively solicit their marks in a competitive and cosmopolitan environment. Social historians provide passing glimpses of dockside prostitution in their consideration of larger historical themes – Company rule, slavery, British colonial governance, the Mineral Revolution, the Anglo-Boer War and apartheid – but they have yet to treat it as a distinct analytical category through which to view the past. However, popular intellectual trends suggest that research into the dockside sex trade would add new dimensions to the histories of cosmopolitanism, gender, globalization, maritime recreation and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The Effect of Carbon and Thermal Exposure on the Tensile Behavior of Ti-48Al-1V (at%)

Room temperature tensile properties of Ti-47.5Al-1V-0.2C (at%) and Ti-48.2Al-1V-.06C (at%) alloys were measured after thermal exposure at 775°C (in air and vacuum) to evaluate the influence of carbide precipitation and environment. Both alloys possess ≈2% tensile ductility in the unexposed condition. Thermal exposure of fully machined tensile samples consistently reduces the ductility of the 0.2 carbon alloy to ≈0.5%. Exposure of the low carbon (0.06) alloy in vacuum results in no ductility loss, while exposure in air reduces the ductility to 1.3%. Yield strengths are unaffected by thermal exposure and are 450 MPa and 300 MPa for the 0.2 and the low carbon alloys, respectively. The pre-exposure ductility is recovered for tests in which thermally exposed machined tensile samples had ≈10μm of their surfaces removed by polishing. Thermal exposure prior to machining results in no change in tensile behavior. SEM and TEM examination of thermally exposed surfaces show that below the oxide surface layer, a layer close in composition to Ti2Al, having a simple cubic (ao=6.85A) structure is present. Beneath this layer, Ti3AlC carbides are observed in the 0.2 carbon alloy. The density of these carbides is observed to decrease away from the surface. No carbides were observed in the low carbon alloy. Although carbon significantly enhances the yield strength of this alloy it also makes it much more susceptible to embrittlement from thermal exposure.
A computer simulation study of the low‐angle x‐ray scattering obtained from triblock copolymers

Computer programs were developed to produce graphic plots which simulate the lowangle x-ray scattering curves obtained from cast films of triblock copolymers. Models were developed to take account of lattice paracrystallinity, a distribution in size of the scattering elements, various types of lattice packing, and the possibility of more than one type of lattice packing in a loosely bound paracrystal. These studies provide an insight into the possible structure of the macrolattices which have been observed with triblock copolymers.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model to Study Renal Development and Disease: Sexy Cilia

At first glance, worms and kidneys have as little to do with each other as do Caenorhabditis elegans geneticists and practicing medical nephrologists. Sydney Brenner’s choice of C. elegans as a model organism has provided a means for studying the genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry of many human diseases. The Nobel laureate Brenner selected C. elegans because of its small size (approximately 1 mm), rapid free-living life cycle (2 to 3 d from egg to adult), hermaphroditism, large brood size (self-fertilizing hermaphrodites produce approximately 300 offspring and approximately 1000 progeny when mated with males), genetic amenability, transparency, and simple cellular complexity (1000 somatic cells). The constantly expanding C. elegans molecular toolkit includes transgenesis, a completely sequenced genome, green fluorescence protein (GFP) to look at gene expression and protein localization in vivo, primary cell culture, and RNA interference (RNAi) to knockdown gene function. The C. elegans genome project served as a prototype for other sequencing projects (1). Likewise, C. elegans systematic genome-wide approaches culminating in effective, public data archiving at WormBase for C. elegans genome and biology (http://www. wormbase.org) provide an example for high-throughput functional genomics in more complex biologic systems. Forward or classical genetics is aimed at understanding a biologic process and moves from mutant phenotype to gene/protein identification. Reverse genetics starts with the knowledge of gene/protein sequence and moves to function/phenotype. C. elegans is amenable to both approaches, making the worm an attractive model system in which to study your favorite gene (2).
High-resolution measurements of the specific absorption rate produced by small antennas in lossy media

We describe a thermistor-based technique for measurement of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of radio frequency energy from a small antenna in lossy matter with high spatial resolution. The apparatus employs a small thermistor probe, that is moved about the antenna using a computer-controlled positioning system. The antenna is excited by pulses of radio frequency energy, and the SAR is obtained from the measured rate of temperature increase. We present a simplified thermal model to account for heating of the thermistor by the applied electromagnetic energy, which is a major potential artifact in the method. The apparatus is useful for studies of radio frequency ablation of tissue or near-field exposure in models of the body by transmitters.
Holography and defect conformal field theories

We develop both the gravity and field theory sides of the Karch-Randall conjecture that the near-horizon description of a certain D5-D3 brane configuration in string theory, realized as AdS_5 x S^5 bisected by an AdS_4 x S^2 "brane", is dual to N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory in R^4 coupled to an R^3 defect. We propose a complete Lagrangian for the field theory dual, a novel "defect superconformal field theory" wherein a subset of the fields of N=4 SYM interacts with a d=3 SU(N) fundamental hypermultiplet on the defect preserving conformal invariance and 8 supercharges. The Kaluza-Klein reduction of wrapped D5 modes on AdS_4 x S^2 leads to towers of short representations of OSp(4|4), and we construct the map to a set of dual gauge-invariant defect operators O_3 possessing integer conformal dimensions. Gravity calculations of and are given. Spacetime and N-dependence matches expectations from dCFT, while the behavior as functions of λ = g^2 N at strong and weak coupling is generically different. We comment on a class of correlators for which a non-renormalization theorem may still exist. Partial evidence for the conformality of the quantum theory is given, including a complete argument for the special case of a U(1) gauge group. Some weak coupling arguments which illuminate the duality are presented.
An Improved Retractor for Cardiac and Thoracic Operations

Several standard abdominal wall retractors have been modified to improve exposure at the extremes of thoracic and groin incisions and to enhance the efficiency and comfort of the assistant in supplying adequate visibility in these areas.
Broad-band wavelength-tunable, single frequency, and single polarization bismuth oxide-based erbium-doped fiber laser

We demonstrate a broad-band wavelength-tunable Bismuth Oxide-based Erbium-doped fiber (Bi-EDF) laser covering both the conventional wavelength band and the long wavelength band. It features single frequency and single polarization oscillation; the former is obtained by making the cavity length short and incorporating an intracavity narrow-band fiber Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot filter, and the latter is achieved with a sigma laser configuration using nonpolarization maintaining fibers. Tuning over 90 nm (1520-1610 nm) is achieved by utilizing the broad gain bandwidth of Bi-EDF amplifier.
The streaming potential fluctuations in a turbulent pipe flow

Accompanied by a bried theoretical consideration, the results of an experimental study of the streaming potential fluctuations in turbulent pipe flows of distilled water are presented. The dependence of the streaming potential fluctuations on turbulent velocity fluctuations and other parameters as indicated by the theory is determined from the experimental data. Information on the characteristics of turbulent velocity fluctuations in the viscous sublayer near a pipe wall have been inferred from the data.
Injectable Materials for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure: The Promise of Decellularized Matrices

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death, suggesting that new therapies are needed to treat the progression of heart failure post-myocardial infarction. As cardiac tissue has a limited ability to regenerate itself, experimental biomaterial therapies have focused on the replacement of necrotic cardiomyocytes and repair of the damaged extracellular matrix. While acellular and cellular cardiac patches are applied surgically to the epicardial surface of the heart, injectable materials offer the prospective advantage of minimally invasive delivery directly into the myocardium to either replace the damaged extracellular matrix or to act as a scaffold for cell delivery. Cardiac-specific decellularized matrices offer the further advantage of being biomimetic of the native biochemical and structural matrix composition, as well as the potential to be autologous therapies. This review will focus on the requirements of an ideal scaffold for catheter-based delivery as well as highlight the promise of decellularized matrices as injectable materials for cardiac repair.
Cyclosporine Absorption Following Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Blood concentrations of cyclosporine were determined in adult and pediatric patients following orthotopic liver transplantation to quantitate cyclosporine blood clearance and oral absorption. Seventeen bioavailability studies were performed following transplantation surgery in nine children and seven adults. The intravenous cyclosporine study was performed following an average dose of 2.1 mg/kg. The patients were again studied when they received the same intravenous dose plus an oral dose of cyclosporine of 8.6 mg/kg or an oral dose alone. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for cyclosporine using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cyclosporine blood clearance ranged from 29 to 203 mL/min (1.9-21.5 mL/min/kg) in children and from 253 to 680 mL/min (3.2-7.6 mL/min/kg) in adults. The mean cyclosporine clearance value was 9.3 mL/min/kg in the pediatric patients and 5.5 mL/min/kg in the adults. Cyclosporine bioavailability was less than 5% in six studies on five pediatric patients in the immediate postoperative period. The bioavailability varied from 8% to 60% in adult liver transplant patients (mean, 27%). We conclude that: cyclosporine clearance is highly variable between patients, pediatric patients clear the drug more rapidly than adults and therefore need a higher cyclosporine dose on a body weight basis, cyclosporine is poorly and variably absorbed in liver transplant patients, and cyclosporine blood concentration monitoring is essential following orthotopic liver transplantation.
Space-time multiplexing for multi-antenna channels

Space-time multiplexing or linear dispersion coding spreads transmit signals across spacetime dimensions and linearly multiplexes spread signals at the transmitter. It subsumes various linear signaling techniques including Bell Laboratory Layered Space-Time (BLAST) architecture and spacetime block codes. In this paper, we present space-time multiplexing from a signal processing perspective that views design of space-time multiplexing as that of multiple access in space-time dimensions. The structure of symbol space-time spreading codes significantly affects symbol separability and diversity-rate trade-off intrinsic to multi-antenna systems. It is shown that BLAST and space-time block codes represent two extremes. The former separates symbols in spatial dimension to achieve high rate, while the latter uses temporal dimension to construct orthogonal spreading codes with full diversity but with large rate penalty. Efficient exploitation of spatial and temporal dimensions calls for a balance of diversity and rate. We propose such an approach for transmit diversity utilization - layered transmit diversity - that combines spatial and temporal dimensions for symbol separation and is able to operate very close to channel capacity.
Crystalline order on Riemannian manifolds with variable Gaussian curvature and boundary

We investigate the zero temperature structure of a crystalline monolayer constrained to lie on a two-dimensional Riemannian manifold with variable Gaussian curvature and boundary. A full analytical treatment is presented for the case of a paraboloid of revolution. Using the geometrical theory of topological defects in a continuum elastic background we find that the presence of a variable Gaussian curvature, combined with the additional constraint of a boundary, gives rise to a rich variety of phenomena beyond that known for spherical crystals. We also provide a numerical analysis of a system of classical particles interacting via a Coulomb potential on the surface of a paraboloid.
What the Person Brings to the Table Personality, Coping, and Work–Family Conflict

Employees (N = 291) of various industries and companies were surveyed to study how individual factors (coping and personality) affect work–family conflict: strain-based work-to-family conflict (S-WFC), time-based work-to-family conflict (T-WFC), strain-based family-to-work conflict (S-FWC), and time-based family-to-work conflict (T-FWC). As expected, passive coping was related to significantly higher levels of S-WFC, S-FWC, and T-FWC. Unexpectedly, active coping was related to higher levels of S-WFC. As hypothesized, social support coping was negatively related to work–family conflict, but only for T-WFC. Venting was positively related to S-WFC. As predicted, neuroticism was positively related to S-WFC, T-WFC, and S-FWC. Passive coping mediated the positive relationship between neuroticism and S-FWC. Neither internal locus of control nor extraversion was related to work–family conflict. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.