cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat flow during the laser transformation hardening of cylindrical bodies

A heat flow model was developed for the laser transformation hardening of cylindrical bodies. Three different cases of surface hardening were considered,i.e., the surface of a solid cylinder, the outer surface of a hollow cylinder, and the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. The thermal responses of the workpiece in these three different cases were compared and discussed. The validity of the model was verified with experimental results obtained on 4140 steel. The effects of operating conditions on heat flow and the surface hardening of the workpiece were discussed. These operating conditions are the travel speed of the workpiece, the power input, the width of the laser beam on the surface of the workpiece, and the cooling of the workpiece. In order to provide general heat flow information, calculated results based on dimensionless variables were presented.
Stratosphere‐troposphere exchange at the subtropical jet: Contribution to the tropospheric ozone budget at midlatitudes

The interannual variability of the springtime maximum in free tropospheric ozone above Colorado is examined using 5-1/2 years (1993-1998) of Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) data. Year-to-year differences of up to 20% in the monthly mean mixing ratios are shown to be correlated with changes in the 200 hPa wind speed over the eastern Pacific that are associated with the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This correlation is attributed to variations in the intensity of stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) associated with the mean transverse circulation at the subtropical jet exit over the eastern Pacific.
Actomyosin changes in muscles with altered function.

Abstract Actomyosin isolated from plantaris muscles 12 weeks after synergistic soleus and gastroenemius muscles were removed showed a significant decrease in ATPase and superprecipitation activities. No changes were noted in actomyosin activity in the tibialis anterior muscle 12 weeks after removal of muscles from the posterior compartment. This study suggests that the slowing of contraction in muscles in which the pattern of activity has been changed to one of increased work without alteration in innervation is due in part to changes in the actomyosin contractile protein, whereas no changes in actomyosin were noted when the work load of a muscle was decreased.
Carcass yield traits of kids from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goat breeds semi-intensively managed on humid subtropical pasture

Bucklings (n = 275) from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goats were slaughtered at 7 mo of age (4 mo postweaning) to evaluate genetic effects on carcass yield. Breed of sire did not affect (P > 0.05) live, carcass, and primal weights. Conversely, breed of dam was a consistently significant source of variation for carcass weight traits. Kiko dams produced kids with heavier (P 0.05) from Boer or Kiko. Subjective conformation scores for muscularity were affected (P 0.05) by breeds of sire or dam. Direct effects of Boer were negative for carcass weight, dressing percent, and shoulder weight and positive for proportional leg weight. Direct effects of Kiko were positive for carcass weight and shoulder weight and negative for proportional leg weight. Direct effects of Spanish did not differ (P > 0.10) from 0 for any trait tested. Heterosis levels were similar among breed pairings. Heterosis was substantial (P ≤ 0.05) for live, carcass, and primal weights (5 to 9%) but not for dressing percent, proportional boneless meat yield, or primal weight proportions (<2%). Significant genetic variation was observed among goat breeds for carcass yield traits. Dam breed was more influential than sire breed. Boer germplasm was not superior to Kiko or Spanish germplasm for carcass yield when semi-intensively managed on humid, subtropical pasture. Results emphasize the importance of comparative breed evaluations to provide industry with reliable information on carcass yield among goat genotypes.
Ion-selective microelectrodes and diffusion measurements as tools to explore the brain cell microenvironment

The construction and application of liquid-membrane ion-selective microelectrodes (ISM) are described. Recommendations are provided for the selection of appropriate cocktails containing neutral carriers to form the liquid membrane to sense K+, Ca2+, H+ and Na+. The use of charged carriers to sense Cl- and the cation tetramethylammonium (TMA+) is discussed. A detailed protocol is given for constructing double-barreled electrodes (ion-sensor and reference barrel) with tips of 1 micron diameter or more for extracellular ion measurements. The primary results obtained with ISMs in the brain cell microenvironment are briefly surveyed. The theoretical basis for measuring diffusion properties of extracellular space is described. Such measurements enable the estimation of volume fraction (proportion of tissue that is extracellular space) and tortuosity (hindrance of diffusion due to cellular obstructions). A method is given for using TMA+ ISMs in combination with iontophoresis or pressure ejection of TMA+ from a nearby micropipette to measure diffusion properties.
A technique for determining relative transition moments from stretched film spectra

Abstract A method is presented for removing ambiguities inherent in determining relative transition moment directions by the stretched film technique.
Monoacylglycerol Metabolism in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells: EVIDENCE FOR METABOLIC COMPARTMENTATION AND HYDROLYSIS *

Free fatty acids (FFA) andsn-2-monoacylglycerol (MG), the two major hydrolysis products of dietary triacylglycerol (TG), are absorbed from the lumen into polarized enterocytes that line the small intestine. Intensive studies regarding FFA metabolism in the intestine have been published; however, little is known regarding the metabolism of MG. In these studies, we examined the metabolism of sn-2-monoolein (sn-2–18:1) by human intestinal Caco-2 cells. To mimic the physiological presentation of MG to the enterocyte, the metabolism of [3H]sn-2-monoolein was examined by adding taurocholate-mixed sn-2–18:1 and albumin-boundsn-2–18:1 at the apical (AP) and basolateral (BL) surfaces of the Caco-2 cell, respectively. The results demonstrate that moresn-2–18:1 was incorporated into TG from AP taurocholate-mixed sn-2–18:1, whereas more phospholipid was synthesized from BL albumin-bound sn-2–18:1. The TG:phospholipid ratio was ∼5-fold higher for AP relative to BL MG incubation. Qualitatively similar results were observed for bovine serum albumin-bound MG added at the apical surface. It was also found that substantial sn-2–18:1 radioactivity was recovered in the FFA fraction, suggesting that sn-2–18:1 may be directly hydrolyzed within the Caco-2. We therefore used reverse transcription-PCR with primers designed from the murine MG lipase (MGL) gene, and detected the presence of MG lipase mRNA in Caco-2. The human MGL gene was cloned and found to be 83% identical to the murine MGL, and identical to a previously described lysophospholipase-like protein. Northern blot analysis showed the expression of MGL throughout Caco-2 differentiation. Thus, MG metabolism in Caco-2 cells may include not only well established anabolic processes, but also catabolic processes. Further, the observed polarity of MG metabolism suggests that, as for fatty acids, separate precursor and/or product pools of lipid may exist in the intestinal enterocyte.
Liquid argon calorimeter design study using the CALOR89 code system

Abstract The CALOR89 code system, already in wide use, is further validated against the recently available data for a test module of the calorimeter of the D0 detector, made of uranium absorbers and liquid argon. The experimental data considered include energy containment as a function of depth, the electron and pion resolutions, and the compensation ratios at 25 and 100 GeV/ c . The code system is then used to predict the performance of a Pb-LAr test module under construction and to test the expected performance improvement of a second Pb-LAr module with steel-cladded Pb absorbers. It is found that with a fixed total absorber thickness of 12 mm and LAr thickness of 4 mm, varying the thickness of the steel cladding has minor effects on the compensation ratios. However, for 20 GeV/ c incident electrons and 0.5-mm steel cladding, there is a significant improvement in energy resolution.
Axicon as a retroreflector in open-path Fourier transform infrared spectrometry

Ray-tracing analysis of a particular reflecting axicon, a right circular cone, for use as a retroreflector in active open-path Fourier- transform IR (OP/FT-IR) spectrometry, and the results of testing a 0.305-m aperture right circular cone using a commercial active OP/FT-IR spectrometer are presented. The ray-tracing model is based on the op- tical characteristics of a commercial single-telescope monostatic OP/ FT-IR spectrometer and models the off-axis behavior normally encoun- tered under practical field conditions during field use. Of practical concern are the trends for the diameter of the beam reflected from the retroreflector as a function of the path length between spectrometer and retroreflector and misalignment of the retroreflector with respect to the transmitted beam. Construction and the results of field-testing two smaller epoxy-composite axicons replicated from the 0.305-m master are presented. © 2003 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Kinetic energy dynamics in forced, homogeneous, and axisymmetric stably stratified turbulence

Direct numerical simulations with up to 4096×4096×2048 grid points are used to study the dynamics of kinetic energy in forced, homogeneous, and axisymmetric stably stratified flow with unit Prandtl number. No mean shear or internal waves are introduced into the flows, forcing represents persistent large horizontal motions with a small amount of noise, and turbulence develops in response. Three different stratification levels result in buoyancy Reynolds numbers ranging from 11 to 230, and multiple cross-checks for consistency in various dimensionless ratios show that the flows are consistent with theory for strong stratification. The balance equations for the horizontal and vertical contributions to kinetic energy are examined in terms of two-dimensional spectra. Downscale cascades of horizontal energy are evident at both the horizontal and the vertical, as is upscale transfer of energy at large horizontal scales but small vertical scales. Vertical energy also cascades down scale in both directions, so the...
The development of strategic memory: A modified microgenetic assessment of utilization deficiencies

Abstract Second-, third-, and fourth-grade children performed a multitrial sort-recall task, using different sets of stimulus items on each trial. Children were classified as utilizationally deficient if measures of sorting and/or clustering were initially below chance but increased over trials without a corresponding increase in recall. Children were classified as quasiutilizationally deficient if initial levels of strategy use were greater than expected by chance and increased over trials without concomitant increases in recall. More second and third graders were classified as utilizationally deficient than fourth graders, who were more likely to be classified as quasiutilizationally deficient than the younger children. Levels of recall and clustering were higher for second- and third-grade utilizationally deficient than for nonutilizationally deficient children, with this pattern being reversed for the fourth graders. Strategy classification was not predicted by measures of intelligence or metamemory. The results were discussed in terms of Miller's (1990) model of strategy development.
Modified two‐sided normal tolerance intervals for batch acceptance of dose uniformity

We consider modified tolerance intervals for assessing content (dose) uniformity from one- and two-stage designs. This work was motivated by a proposal from the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation and Science (IPAC-RS) to modify tolerance intervals to reduce their known conservatism away from the centre of the acceptance interval. IPAC-RS's original proposal suffers from anti-conservatism, but we find this is due to the choice of constants, not the form of the acceptance rule. We propose an alternative basis for choosing the constants in the acceptance rules and compare attained levels to those of other choices, including revised constants proposed by IPAC-RS. These alternate choices of the constants lead to modified tolerance intervals that are either conservative at the sample sizes for which they were chosen or may have slight anti-conservatism, within the limits of the simulations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualization of surface figure by the use of Zernike polynomials

Commercial software in modern interferometers used in optical testing frequently fit the wave-front or surface-figure error to Zernike polynomials; typically 37 coefficients are provided. We provide visual representations of these data in a form that may help optical fabricators decide how to improve their process or how to optimize system assembly.
Significant association of BDNF haplotypes in European-American male smokers but not in European-American female or African-American smokers.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission in the brain, both of which are involved in the reward system of addiction. The BDNF gene is located in a genomic region on chromosome 11p where we and others have found ‘significant’ linkage to nicotine dependence (ND). We tested the potential role of variants within BDNF in vulnerability to ND, which was assessed by Smoking Quantity (SQ), the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI), and the Fagerstrom Test for ND (FTND). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BDNF were analyzed in an extensively phenotyped cohort of 602 nuclear families with smokers and non-smokers of African-American (AA) or European-American (EA) ancestry. Individual SNP analysis revealed that two SNPs in the pooled male and three SNPs in the EA male samples were significantly associated with at least one adjusted ND measure. However, none of these associations remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Haplotype analysis of rs6484320-rs988748-rs2030324-rs7934165 revealed that a major T–C–T–G haplotype was significantly associated, even after Bonferroni correction, with the three ND measures in the pooled and EA male samples (maximum Z = 3.00, P = 0.002 and maximum Z = 3.13, P = 0.0009 for SQ, respectively). No significant association of a major haplotype with ND was found in the AA or EA female smokers. The significant association of BDNF variants with ND implies that this gene plays a role in the etiology of ND in EAs and that its involvement is gender specific. BDNF may warrant further investigation in ND. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distribution of electronic mail over the broad-band party-line communications network

Cable television (CATV) is unique in that it is the only wire, besides telephone, with potential access to 80 million customers. Many new services have been proposed to utilize this access-from meter reading to transmission of an entire book in seconds. The author postulates that electronic mail is the market CATV should pursue and describes the market potential, a system design in some detail, and an estimate of the costs involved. An intriguing result of this analysis is the possibility of sending mail electronically for only 10 cents a letter.
The Power of Older Women and Men in Egyptian and Tunisian Families

We adapt resource theory to compare involvement in family decisions by older women and men in the more patriarchal setting of Egypt and the more egalitarian setting of Tunisia. Data from the World Health Organization Collaborative Study on Social and Health Aspects of Aging are analyzed. In Egypt, women participate less often than men in most decisions, whereas participation is more gender equitable in Tunisia. Increasing age and declining health are negatively associated with participation in daily and life course decisions, particularly for Egyptian women. Although women participate less often than men in life course decisions in Egypt, involvement is more frequent among widows and those owning their homes. Future research should examine the relationship of resources, support, and the family power of older adults across normative contexts.
Clinical and Microbiologic Analysis of a Hospital's Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Isolates Over a 2-Year Period

Study Objective. To evaluate the microbiologic and clinical outcomes of patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates over a 2-year period. Design. Retrospective analysis. Setting. Tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients. Twenty-one patients with cultures of confirmed ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Klebsiella oxytoca. Measurements and Main Results. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of piperacillin-tazobactam, cefotetan, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin (nitrofurantoin for urinary isolates only) of confirmed ESBL producers at our institution were determined, as well as clinical outcomes of patients with ESBL-producing isolates. Microbiologic and medical records were reviewed for patient sex and age, antimicrobial susceptibilities, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical and microbiologic outcomes. From January 2000-December 2001, 31 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers (6 E. coli, 11 K. pneumoniae, and 14 K. oxytoca). A statistically significant increase occurred over the 2-year period from 9 (0.6%) of 1414 isolates in 2000 to 22 (1.8%) of 1218 isolates in 2001 (p=0.0055). All isolates were susceptible to carbapenems, and more than 88% were susceptible to amikacin, cefotetan, or nitrofurantoin. Less than 70% of isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, fluoroquinolones, piperacillin-tazobactam, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. All patients treated with a carbapenem experienced clinical cure. Piperacillin-tazobactam alone and in combination resulted in an overall clinical cure rate of 55%, with a 50% cure rate for isolates susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam. All patients in whom antibiotic therapy failed had been treated with piperacillin-tazobactam or cefepime, either alone or in combination with a fluoroquinolone. Conclusion. Carbapenems remain the treatment of choice for ESBL-producing pathogens. Piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime should not be routinely administered for the treatment of these organisms.
Computer-aided quantification of focal cartilage lesions using MRI: accuracy and initial arthroscopic comparison.

Summary Objective The purpose of the study was to validate a Gradient Peak Method (GPM) by evaluating its accuracy and consistency at different magnetic field strengths. The GPM using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was previously proposed to quantitatively assess the morphology of focal cartilage lesions, and its feasibility was demonstrated. Methods GPM quantifies the morphologic properties of cartilage lesions based on their three-dimensional geometry. Twenty-two conical and cylindrical lesions were surgically created on fresh porcine knees, and the results obtained by GPM were compared with manually measured lesion dimensions. Another 15 focal lesions of various shapes were created and scanned, and the quantification results were compared at 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla. Additionally, cartilage lesions in three patients were scanned, quantified by GPM, and compared with arthroscopic visualization and measurements. Results The average absolute errors of GPM (depth: ≤0.4mm; diameter: ≤1.4mm) were within twice the in-plane resolution in depth estimates and within the slice thickness in diameter estimates. Analysis also suggested that the quantifications of GPM using 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla data were not statistically different. Moreover, the GPM results were shown to be consistent with the lesion measurements obtained arthroscopically. Conclusions The GPM using MRI provides estimates of lesion thickness, depth, diameter, and area. With this validation, the method can be potentially used as an auxiliary tool to help radiologists and physicians assess cartilage lesions quantitatively and monitor disease progression.
Fitness of Races 0 and 1 of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae.

Sullivan, M. J., Melton, T. A., and Shew, H. D. 2005. Fitness of races 0 and 1 of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae. Plant Dis. 89:1220-1228. Deployment of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) varieties with complete resistance to race 0 of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae has led to a rapid increase in the field populations of race 1 in North Carolina. In a field study, population levels of race 1 decreased relative to race 0 when cultivars with partial resistance to both races were planted, suggesting that race 1 isolates were less fit than race 0 isolates. Experiments were conducted to quantify differences in aggressiveness and survivability of the two races. Tobacco varieties with low, moderate, or high levels of partial resistance were inoculated with 60 pathogen isolates, and symptom development was monitored for 3 weeks. Race 0 isolates were more aggressive than race 1 isolates on cultivars with moderate or high levels of partial resistance; incubation periods were shorter and root rot severity was greater with race 0 isolates. Isolates of race 1, however, caused greater stunting of plants with moderate and high levels of partial resistance than race 0 isolates. Field microplots were infested with either a single race or an equal mixture of each race. Soil samples were collected at the end of two growing seasons and again the following spring. Pathogen populations declined from 40 to 80% during winter months, but population declines for race 0 were lower than for race 1 in each treatment over each winter. Race shifts from race 1 to race 0 that were observed in the presence of cultivars with partial resistance appear to be primarily the result of differences in aggressiveness of the races, with a possible minor effect of enhanced overwintering survival of race 0 compared with race 1.
"Out of our crisis": the lack of long-term relationships in the provision of managed care.

During the thirty-year period between 1965 and 1995, national healthcare expenditures rose significantly to a point where it became an untenable situation for any payer class: patient, employer, or government. Although managed care was offered as a conceptual framework for providing an opportunity for improving the health of the population while limiting the growth in expenditures, significant concern remained regarding the perceived quality of care and the underlying incentive structures. The author examines current healthcare incentive structures and proposes a structural model associated with long-term contracting to allow managed care to attain its intended objectives of enhanced quality and cost containment.
Hypoxic constriction of porcine distal pulmonary arteries: endothelium and endothelin dependence

To determine the role of endothelium in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), we measured vasomotor responses to hypoxia in isolated seventh-generation porcine pulmonary arteries < 300 μm in di...
Cell viability assessment: toward content-rich platforms

Importance of the field: Monitoring cell viability in vitro is critical in many areas of biomedical research, and the ultimate goal in drug discovery is the ability to predict the in vivo toxicolog...
Current Concepts in Reoperative Cardiac Surgery

This article summarizes techniques used in reoperative cardiac surgery, outlines a risk-stratified approach to operative planning, and reviews the literature on outcomes after reoperative valvular and coronary surgery.
MicroRNAs and Heart Failure Diagnosis MiR-acle or MiR-age?

See related article, pages 1035–1039 Heart disease is the greatest noninfectious health hazard ever to confront the human race. It is the leading cause of death in industrialized nations, and, accordingly, it is responsible for a huge economic burden to society. It is estimated that 5 million Americans have heart failure (HF), a syndrome with mortality of approximately 50% at 5 years.1 Now, evidence indicates that the epidemic of HF is extending to the developing world. The road to advances in the treatment of HF is littered with failures, and many new means of diagnosing and tracking disease progression have disappointed. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel mechanisms, markers, and therapeutic targets in HF pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are among the most exciting areas in medicine and science today. MicroRNAs are endogenous, highly conserved, ≈22-nucleotide-long noncoding RNAs that regulate the stability and subsequent translation of nascent mRNA transcripts. Generally, miRs inhibit protein translation and/or promote mRNA degradation by base-pairing with 3′ untranslated regions within a transcript. MicroRNAs were first discovered in 1993 in Caenorhabditis elegans and are known to be critical to early vertebrate development and in an increasing number of basic molecular processes. Over the last few years, miRs have emerged as important mechanisms in human disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.2–6 Now, there is burgeoning interest in testing whether miRs could serve as markers for disease progression or prognostication. Indeed, in the cancer literature, strategies are emerging to use miR profiles for diagnosis and risk stratification. Currently, miR profiling is being evaluated in prostate cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, breast cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, malignant mesothelioma, and other tumors.2,7–10 Most clinical studies to date on miRs have relied on tissue-based measurement of miR abundances, but miRs are …
Demographic Differences of Black-Capped Vireos in 2 Habitat Types in Central Texas

To understand the effects of habitat selection, we analyzed differences in abundance, age structure, and nesting success of black-capped vireos (Vireo atricapilla) in 2 early successional habitat types found on Fort Hood, a 87,890-ha Military Reservation in central Texas, USA. These habitats were 1) large areas of continuously shrubby vegetation (both natural and mechanically made), referred to as shrubland habitat, and 2) anthropogenically created small patches of shrubby vegetation centered on one or several large trees, known locally as donut habitat. The objectives of our study were to determine whether there were differences in abundance, age structure, and daily nest survival in these 2 habitat types and to determine whether donut habitat is high- or low-quality habitat. Donut habitat had a lower abundance of vireos (half as many as shrubland/point count) and a higher percentage of second-year males, suggesting donut habitat was lower-quality habitat than shrubland. Analyses of daily nest survival indicated that habitat, nest height, and year were all important variables. Nests initiated in 2004, located in shrubland habitats, and higher from the ground were more likely to succeed. Our study provided evidence that habitat is a limiting factor for this federally endangered species. Because habitat is limiting, wildlife biologists at Fort Hood should focus on managing higher quality, contiguous shrubland habitat. Wildlife biologists should also continue to monitor areas of donut habitat to determine whether they represent potential population sinks.
Lunar dynamics and observational coordinate systems

The state of the art in lunar dynamics studies is summarized by a partial review of papers presented at a recent COSPAR meeting. The following general conclusions are made from the papers: (1) a comprehensive system of fundamental lunar craters is now feasible. Its coordinates can be determined by combining spacecraft, laser, and radar data. The quality of this system is well in par with those of systems based on earth-based observations. (2) Progress toward very high-precision ephemeris measurements has been very impressive, with fitting errors reduced to a few meters. Physical libration modeling techniques, a major obstacle to further improvement, are in the process of refinement. The lunar figure and planetary attraction were found to influence librations. (3) A combination of new techniques and revolutionized old techniques has a potential for achieving a still higher precision in lunar dynamics studies.
Selenium speciation in enriched and natural samples by HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS with perfluorinated carboxylic acid ion-pairing agents

Selenium-enriched plants, such as hyperaccumulative phytoremediation plants (Astragalus praleongus, 517 μg g−1 Se, and Brassica juncea, 138 μg g−1 Se in dry sample), yeast (1200, 1922 and 2100, μg g−1 Se in dry sample), ramp (Allium tricoccum, 48, 77, 230, 252, 405 and 524 μg g−1 Se in dry sample), onion (Allium cepa, 96 and 140 μg g−1 Se in dry sample) and garlic (Allium sativum, 68, 112, 135, 296, 1355 μg g−1 Se in dry sample) were analyzed by HPLC-ICP-MS for their selenium content and speciation after hot water and enzymatic extractions. Reference samples with natural selenium levels, such as onion and garlic controls, cooking garlic powder, baking yeast powder and a commercial garlic supplement were also analyzed. Selected samples were also examined by HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS. HPLC was mostly carried out with 0.1% heptafluorobutanoic acid (HFBA) as ion-pairing agent in 1 + 99 v/v methanol–water solution, but 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 1 + 99 v/v methanol–water solution was also utilized to permit chromatography for compounds that did not elute with HFBA. More than 75% of the total eluting selenium compounds, based upon element specific detection, were identified from retention time data and standard spiking experiments, and between 60 and 85% of compounds were identified by MS, with up to 25% of the total eluting molecular selenium species being unidentified as yet. Limits of quantification (LOQ, defined as the concentration giving an S/N of 10) for HPLC-ICP-MS were in the range 2–50 ng mL−1 Se in the injected extracts for the selenium-enriched samples and 2–10 ng mL−1 Se for the natural selenium level samples. LOQ values for HPLC-ESI-MS were ca. 100 times higher than those measured by HPLC-ICP-MS.
Vibrational Spectroscopic Characterization of Hematite, Maghemite, and Magnetite Thin Films Produced by Vapor Deposition

Thin films of three iron oxide polymorphs, hematite, maghemite, and magnetite, were produced on KBr substrates using a conventional electron beam deposition technique coupled with thermal annealing. This method allowed for iron oxide thin films free from chemical precursor contaminants. The films were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman microspectroscopy, and ellipsometry. These spectroscopic techniques allowed for a clear assignment of the phase of the iron oxide polymorph films produced along with an examination of the degree of crystallinity possessed by the films. The films produced were uniform in phase and exhibited decreasing crystallinity as the thickness increased from 40 to 250 nm.
SYSTEMATICS OF THE AFRO-MACARONESIAN SPIDER GENUS SANCUS (ARANEAE, TETRAGNATHIDAE)

Abstract We review the systematics of the tetragnathid spider genus Sancus Tullgren, hitherto known from a single species from Kilimanjaro. The type species Sancus bilineatus Tullgren is redescribed and diagnosed from the only other known species, S. acoreensis (Wunderlich) new combination. Leucognatha Wunderlich is a junior synonym of Sancus, which thus eliminates two monotypic tetragnathid genera. A phylogenetic analysis of 15 tetragnathid and eight outgroup genera confirms the monophyly of Sancus and places it precisely in Tetragnathidae. We discuss the phylogenetic relationships among tetragnathid genera and the peculiar biogeography of Sancus, now known from east African mountains (Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya) and from the Azores in the northeastern Atlantic.
Coherence and Control of Quantum Registers Based on Electronic Spin in a Nuclear Spin Bath

We consider a protocol for the control of few-qubit registers comprising one electronic spin embedded in a nuclear spin bath. We show how to isolate a few proximal nuclear spins from the rest of the bath and use them as building blocks for a potentially scalable quantum information processor. We describe how coherent control techniques based on magnetic resonance methods can be adapted to these solid-state spin systems, to provide not only efficient, high fidelity manipulation but also decoupling from the spin bath. As an example, we analyze feasible performances and practical limitations in the realistic setting of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
θ-Defensin RTD-1 improves insulin action and normalizes plasma glucose and FFA levels in diet-induced obese rats

Inflammation is implicated in metabolic abnormalities in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because θ-defensins have anti-inflammatory activities, we tested whether RTD-1, a θ-defensin, improves metaboli...
Information properties of order statistics and spacings

We explore properties of the entropy, Kullback-Leibler information, and mutual information for order statistics. The probability integral transformation plays a pivotal role in developing our results. We provide bounds for the entropy of order statistics and some results that relate entropy ordering of order statistics to other well-known orderings of random variables. We show that the discrimination information between order statistics and data distribution, the discrimination information among the order statistics, and the mutual information between order statistics are all distribution free and are computable using the distributions of the order statistics of the samples from the uniform distribution. We also discuss information properties of spacings for uniform and exponential samples and provide a large sample distribution-free result on the entropy of spacings. The results show interesting symmetries of information orderings among order statistics.
Performance improvement of 3-D position-sensitive pixellated HgI 2 detectors when cooled from room temperature to 10 °C

An experiment to measure the performance of 3-D position-sensitive pixellated HgI 2 crystals cooled below room temperature was carried out using a new ASIC from GammaMedica-Ideas. This ASIC is capable of reading out the digitized pre-amplifier signal waveforms of 121 pixels and the cathode. A significant improvement in energy resolution from 1.48% FWHM at 662keV for the whole detector to 1.09% FWHM is observed on a 18×18×11mm3 crystal at −4800V cathode bias when the ambient temperature is lowered from 70°F to 50°F (about 10°C). This resolution improvement is partly due to electronic noise reduction in the readout system. However, analysis of the pre-amplifier waveforms showed that changes in crystal properties played a more important role. A correlation between total electron trapping and energy resolution was identified. However, the amount of trapping was found irrelevant to crystal performance. Instead, the non-uniformity of charge collection, namely non-uniformity of the material defects, was believed to be the main contributor to crystal performance.
THEORY OF SIMILAR FOLDING OF THE FIRST AND SECOND KIND

It is shown that in the initial phase there are two basic types of similar folding of multi-layered structures, referred to here as folding of the first and second kind, depending on the prevalence of over-all flexure or shear. A simple theory brings to light the underlying mechanics and the controlling parameters which govern these two types of folding and the transition from one to the other. The dominant wave length obtained in folding of the second kind is the same as derived previously (Biot, 1961) assuming the incompetent layers to act as lubricants. In folding of the first kind the system behaves approximately as a single layer (Biot, 1957; 1961). The same theory solves at the same time the problem of folding of a single anisotropic layer.
Effect of Acute Simultaneous Food and Water Deprivation upon Bar-Pressing Behavior

Twelve rats were allowed to press two levers, one for food, the other for water, while simultaneously deprived of these substances from 0 to 120 hr. The two levers were equated physically and delivered comparable percentages of the normal daily intake of food or water. Thirst and hunger drives appear to be of equal strength near 72 hr. simultaneous deprivation.
Human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stromal cells attenuate contact hypersensitivity via prostaglandin E2-dependent mechanisms

The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated in several autoimmune/inflammatory disease models, but their contribution to the mitigation of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) remains unclear. Here, we report a new immunological approach using human gingiva-derived MSCs (GMSCs) to desensitize and suppress CHS and the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that systemic infusion of GMSCs before the sensitization and challenge phase dramatically suppress CHS, manifested as a decreased infiltration of dendritic cells (DCs), CD8(+) T cells, T(H)-17 and mast cells (MCs), a suppression of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, and a reciprocal increased infiltration of regulatory T cells and expression of IL-10 at the regional lymph nodes and the allergic contact areas. The GMSC-mediated immunosuppressive effects and mitigation of CHS were significantly abrogated on pretreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases. Under coculture condition of direct cell-cell contact or via transwell system, GMSCs were capable of direct suppression of differentiation of DCs and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated activation of MCs, whereas the inhibitory effects were attenuated by indomethacin. Mechanistically, GMSC-induced blockage of de novo synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by MCs is mediated partly by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha/prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) feedback axis. These results demonstrate that GMSCs are capable of desensitizing allergic contact dermatitis via PGE(2)-dependent mechanisms.
Virulent and Avirulent Strains of Francisella tularensis Prevent Acidification and Maturation of Their Phagosomes and Escape into the Cytoplasm in Human Macrophages

Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia, is an intracellular pathogen, but little is known about the compartment in which it resides in human macrophages. We have examined the interaction of a recent virulent clinical isolate of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis and the live vaccine strain with human macrophages by immunoelectron and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. We assessed the maturation of the F. tularensis phagosome by examining its acquisition of the lysosome-associated membrane glycoproteins (LAMPs) CD63 and LAMP1 and the acid hydrolase cathepsin D. Two to four hours after infection, vacuoles containing live F. tularensis cells acquired abundant staining for LAMPs but little or no staining for cathepsin D. However, after 4 h, the colocalization of LAMPs with live F. tularensis organisms declined dramatically. In contrast, vacuoles containing formalin-killed bacteria exhibited intense staining for all of these late endosomal/lysosomal markers at all time points examined (1 to 16 h). We examined the pH of the vacuoles 3 to 4 h after infection by quantitative immunogold staining and by fluorescence staining for lysosomotropic agents. Whereas phagosomes containing killed bacteria stained intensely for these agents, indicating a marked acidification of the phagosomes (pH 5.5), phagosomes containing live F. tularensis did not concentrate these markers and thus were not appreciably acidified (pH 6.7). An ultrastructural analysis of the F. tularensis compartment revealed that during the first 4 h after uptake, the majority of F. tularensis bacteria reside within phagosomes with identifiable membranes. The cytoplasmic side of the membranes of ∼50% of these phagosomes was coated with densely staining fibrils of ∼30 nm in length. In many cases, these coated phagosomal membranes appeared to bud, vesiculate, and fragment. By 8 h after infection, the majority of live F. tularensis bacteria lacked any ultrastructurally discernible membrane separating them from the host cell cytoplasm. These results indicate that F. tularensis initially enters a nonacidified phagosome with LAMPs but without cathepsin D and that the phagosomal membrane subsequently becomes morphologically disrupted, allowing the bacteria to gain direct access to the macrophagic cytoplasm. The capacity of F. tularensis to alter the maturation of its phagosome and to enter the cytoplasm is likely an important element of its capacity to parasitize macrophages and has major implications for vaccine development.
Testing descriptive hypotheses regarding sex differences in the development of conduct problems and delinquency

Accurate descriptions of sex differences in the development of childhood conduct problems and adolescent delinquency will inform theories of their causes in fundamentally important ways. Using data on 4,572 offspring of a national sample of women, we tested descriptive hypotheses regarding sex differences. As predicted, the magnitude of sex differences varied with age, suggesting that multiple processes differentially influence levels of these behaviors in females and males across development. During childhood, boys scored lower on measures of cognitive ability and exhibited lower sociability and compliance and greater hyperactivity, oppositional behavior, and conduct problems. Most of these variables were associated with childhood conduct problems and adolescent delinquency equally in females and males, but maternal delinquency and early childhood sociability were correlated more strongly with childhood conduct problems in males and childhood compliance predicted adolescent delinquency more strongly in females. Both sexes exhibited both childhood-onset and adolescent-onset trajectories of delinquency. Although more males followed a childhood-onset trajectory, there were few sex differences in the early childhood risk correlates of either delinquency trajectory.
Preparation of Na2S from Na2SO4 Using CO

Na2SO4 solution that was obtained from ZnSO4 solution after Zn2+ precipitation using Na2CO3 was used as raw material. The Na2SO4·7H2O crystallization was obtained through cooling the Na2SO4 solution, and then the solution was cycled. The Na2SO4·7H2O was dried and then put into a porcelain boat located in a roaster. When the reaction between Na2SO4 and CO ended, the Na2S was obtained. The influences of reaction temperature, reaction time and material thickness on the conversion rate were discussed. The appropriate reaction conditions were reaction temperature 675°C, reaction time 120min and material thickness less than 4cm.
The Dual Effects of Third-party Information on Market Competition

This paper considers the impact of third-party information in a market where consumers do not have perfect observations of product attributes. The information has dual effects on consumers: 1) it makes consumers better informed of product attributes; and 2) it makes consumers more confident of their information about product attributes. We show that while both effects increase overall consumer willingness-to-pay, they have opposite impacts on market competition for certain categories of products. Our results indicate the necessity to distinguish the two effects in academic research and business practices.
Think Pascal

In the power Industry, computers are widely used in many areas such as planning and operations. The Issues of system security and reliability have prompted many utilities to have modern control centers where a computer is the main component. Concomitantly, declining hardware costs ( and increasing computing power ) have led the engineer to have his own desk-top computer or work-station. However, the programming language used by the power industry remained the same over the last three decades. In this paper, we highlight the changes in information processing related to the power industry and present the relative suitabilities of FORTRAN and PASCAL. Further, the capabilities of PASCAL are illustrated by relevant examples in various power engineering fields. We also show how structured languages like PASCAL can improve our thinking processes by proposing an efficient modification related to sparsity programming. Finally, we intend to focus attention of power industry on the programming language ADA for future adoption.
Cardiovascular disease in renal failure: risk assessment, screening, treatment.

Half of ESRD deaths are due to cardiovascular disease. Some strategies for identifying and treating high-risk patients.
Evaluation on Monitoring Results of School Health in Haizhu District of Guangzhou from 2004 to 2008

[Objectives]To evaluate the hygienic status and development trend of primary and middle schools in Haizhu district of Guangzhou,and provide scientific basis for improving the teaching environment and health condition.[Methods]The health monitoring results of primary and middle schools in Haizhu district of Guangzhou from 2004 to 2007 were synthetically evaluated and statistically analyzed.[Results]The total eligible rate of school health was 95.90% in 5 years.The eligible rate of CO2 density(9.64%)and glass land ratio(93.17%)were high,the eligible rate of tables and chairs(13.42% and 14.74%),reflection coefficient of back wall(29.18%)and noise(45.94%)were low.There were significant differences in the total eligible rate of glass land ratio,lighting coefficient,reflection coefficient of back wall,reflection coefficient of black boards,tables and chairs among years(χ2=23.361,24.247,503.640,441.231,24.806,25.861;P0.05),and these indexes of each year changed without regularity.The eligible rate of per capital classroom area,glass land ratio,lighting coefficient and reflection coefficient of black boards in middle schools were higher than those in primary schools significantly(χ2=54.38,13.47,32.88,101.43;P0.05).The eligible rate of toilets reached 68.55%.The total eligible rate of noise in reading room of middle schools(50.19%)was low,and it increased year by year(χ2=32.296,P0.05).From 2006 to 2008,the average of total score was 88.38,the scores of microclimate,drinking water,toilets,per capital classroom area,black boards were high,and the scores of tables and chairs,noise were lower than eligible score.[Conclusion]The general status of school health in this district was good,but the eligible rate of tables and chairs,noise were low.The effective measures for hygienic problems of primary and middle schools should be adopted to ensure health of students.