cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
[Determination of fipronil and its metabolites in eggs using dispersive- solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

Objective To develop a method for determination of fipronil and its metabolites in eggs by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)cleaned with dispersive-solid phase extraction(D-SPE). Methods Orthogonal array design with OA16(4~4) matrices was used to optimize the efficiency of D-SPE. The targets were extracted from samples with acetonitrile, and followed by D-SPE cleanup. The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS/MS, and quantified by internal standard method with matrix correction. Results The calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 1.0-250.0 μg/L. The correlation coefficients were larger than 0.99.The average recoveries spiked in eggs at the levels of 2 μg/kg, 4 μg/kg and 20 μg/kg were between 87.1% and 125.0%(n=6), and the relative standard deviations were less than 10%. The limits of determination were between 0.1 and 0.4 μg/kg, and the limits of quantitation were between 0.3 and 1.2 μg/kg. Conclusion The method possesses low background, high sensitivity. It can be applied to determine the residues of fipronil and its metabolites in eggs.
37 – High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Baroreflexes

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on arterial baroreceptors in healthy humans. Arterial baroreceptors are located in the adventitia of the carotid sinuses and aortic arch. Neurons thought to be baroreceptors appear in histologic sections as complex arborizations. All barosensitive neurons are tethered to surrounding structures; this coupling contributes viscoelastic properties that figure importantly in baroreceptor transduction. Afferent baroreceptor impulses travel over the rapidly conducting myelinated and slowly conducting unmyelinated nerve fibers in the carotid sinus and aortic nerves to the medulla. Arterial baroreceptors sense distortion, not pressure. However, because the degrees of pressure and distortion usually are related closely, baroreceptor transduction is discussed in terms of pressure changes. Arterial baroreceptors are extraordinarily sensitive; they respond to changes of arterial flow that do not provoke measurable changes of pressure. Individual receptors begin firing when some threshold pressure is exceeded, fire in proportion (that is, nearly linearly) to further pressure increases, and reach a saturation level, above which additional increases of pressure do not provoke increases of firing.
Optical imagery of nova remnants

Resolved nebular remnants of classical novae are discussed in terms of size, surface brightness, and shape. A list of 26 known resolved remnants is given. The conditions necessary for visibility of a resolved remnant are discussed. The structure of remnants can be studied at optical wavelengths by direct imaging and by long-slit or otherwise spatially resolved spectroscopy of emission lines. Based on recent spatiokinematic studies, most nebular remnants are prolate in outline, with sub-structure that has been characterized as consisting of “polar blobs” and “equatorial rings”. The mechanism that shapes the remnants is not yet known with certainty. There is room for much additional work in discovering new remnants and in characterizing those that are known.
Harmonic Maps for Bumpy Metrics

Here we give a description on how a harmonic map (from one manifold to another) varies, depending on the deformation of the image manifold. We are particularly interested in the deformations which keep the singularities of harmonic maps. An application is given.
Magnetic field reconnection in cosmic plasmas

A brief review is presented of the concept of magnetic field reconnection or merging. This process occurs whenever an electric field is present along a separator line in the magnetic field. The basic properties of reconnection are discussed in the context of the classical MHD models by Sweet and Parker and by Petschek. Attention is then focussed on reconnection in collision-free plasmas. The energization of charged particles during their interaction with the current layers associated with the reconnection geometry is discussed and the nature of the processes occurring in the so-called diffusion region which surrounds the separator is considered. Finally, comments are made on the nonsteady aspects of reconnection at the earth’s magnetopause.
Reckoning with Pinochet: The Memory Question in Democratic Chile, 1989–2006. Book Three, The Memory Box of Pinochet's Chile – By Steve J. Stern

This is the last of three volumes the author has written on the polarized memories about Augusto Pinochet's Chile. The first two volumes carried the issues and narrative from the coup of 1973 to th...
Performance evaluation for IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed coordination function: Research Articles

The IEEE 802.11e working group aims to enhance the current 802.11 medium access control (MAC) to support integrated data and voice (or video) communications. Till now, a draft of the IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed coordination function (EDCF) has been proposed. In the literature, there is very limited analysis about EDCF since it is a new protocol, and most related work are only confined to simulation or saturation state. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of EDCF by dividing the traffic into two groups, namely real-time packets and non-real-time packets, and use an analytical model to quantify the performance of both IFS priority and contention window (CW) priority in the EDCF. In our analysis, we assume that the traffic arrival is a Poisson process. We provide a queue model for EDCF. Since there are multiple stations contending for one channel in the system, the queue model for EDCF cannot be a regular M/G/1 model. We redefine the service time and the waiting time so that we can still use M/G/1 model in the analysis. To validate the accuracy of our analytical results, we have done extensive simulations and we observed that EDCF does provide service differentiation between different traffic categories. But due to the inherent contention characteristic of carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) MAC protocol, the delay cannot be guaranteed, even for the highest priority traffic. A lot more work needs to be done for the MAC protocol to effectively support service differentiation in the future. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strength reduction of integer division and modulo operations

Integer division, modulo, and remainder operations are expressive and useful operations. They are logical candidates to express complex data accesses such as the wrap-around behavior in queues using ring buffers. In addition, they appear frequently in address computations as a result of compiler optimizations that improve data locality, perform data distribution, or enable parallelization. Experienced application programmers, however, avoid them because they are slow. Furthermore, while advances in both hardware and software have improved the performance of many parts of a program, few are applicable to division and modulo operations. This trend makes these operations increasingly detrimental to program performance. This paper describes a suite of optimizations for eliminating division, modulo, and remainder operations from programs. These techniques are analogous to strength reduction techniques used for multiplications. In addition to some algebraic simplifications, we present a set of optimization techniques that eliminates division and modulo operations that are functions of loop induction variables and loop constants. The optimizations rely on algebra, integer programming, and loop transformations.
Domain wall resonance effects on high-frequency permeability of ferrites

In this paper, domain-wall resonance is analyzed and its influence on permeability contrasted with the effects of single-domain rotation and gyromagnetic resonance.
Monomeric structure of the cardioprotective chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) directs leukocyte migration, stem cell homing, and cancer metastasis through activation of CXCR4, which is also a coreceptor for T-tropic HIV-1. Recently, SDF-1 was shown to play a protective role after myocardial infarction, and the protein is a candidate for development of new anti-ischemic compounds. SDF-1 is monomeric at nanomolar concentrations but binding partners promote self-association at higher concentrations to form a typical CXC chemokine homodimer. Two NMR structures have been reported for the SDF-1 monomer, but only one matches the conformation observed in a series of dimeric crystal structures. In the other model, the C-terminal helix is tilted at an angle incompatible with SDF-1 dimerization. Using a rat heart explant model for ischemia/reperfusion injury, we found that dimeric SDF-1 exerts no cardioprotective effect, suggesting that the active species is monomeric. To resolve the discrepancy between existing models, we solved the NMR structure of the SDF-1 monomer in different solution conditions. Irrespective of pH and buffer composition, the C-terminal helix remains tilted at an angle with no evidence for the perpendicular arrangement. Furthermore, we find that phospholipid bicelles promote dimerization that necessarily shifts the helix to the perpendicular orientation, yielding dipolar couplings that are incompatible with the NOE distance constraints. We conclude that interactions with the alignment medium biased the previous structure, masking flexibility in the helix position that may be essential for the distinct functional properties of the SDF-1 monomer.
Information, Economics of

This article assesses the current status of the economics of information. The focus is on the acquisition of information (search) and the incentives associated with asymmetric information (noncooperative game theory). The evolution of these two areas also is presented along with simple examples. Their evolutions have a similar structure. The formal, abstract development of search is separate from its informal, concrete growth. At critical points the two paths intersect. The unification and illumination generated by these sudden meetings propel the economics of search to higher levels of understanding. In the economics of asymmetric information, game theory comprises the formal trajectory and industrial organization, broadly construed, is the relatively informal path. Econometric methods, devised shortly after an intersection, have exploited the empirical aspects of the new search paradigm. Experimental economics is performing an analogous function in the economics of asymmetric information. The article concludes with predictions regarding future developments.
Succession Decisions in U.S. Family Farm Businesses

Farm transfer or succession by the “next generation” holds a place of central importance in the determination of industry structure and total number of farmers and has profound implications for farm families. The family farm sector relies heavily on intergenerational succession. Succession and retirement are linked and reflective of the life cycles of the farm household and the farm business. A large farm-level data set and a logistic regression model were used to examine the determinants of farm succession decisions in the United States, with special emphasis given to the treatment of endogenous wealth and farm size variables. Results point to the importance of farmer’s age, educational attainment of farm operators, off-farm work by the operator or operator and spouse, expected household wealth, and farm business location on the decision to have succession plans.
Pseudo-amplification and frequency multiplication of acoustic signals using an optical fiber

The authors M. Taalbi and T. K. Ishii have found that when a He-Ne laser light is fed to optically transparent glass rods and optical fibers, where an acoustic wave is applied normal to the light beam, the lightwave is modulated by the acoustic wave. The acoustic signal is generated by a piezoelectric transducer, operating in the audio range, with power levels about 1 mW. The detected light contains the fundamental frequency of the modulation signal, with various degrees of phase-shift, frequency doubling and tripling, depending on the location of observation. The lightwave power transmission coefficients are found maximum near the cross-polarization condition, although the light transmission through the samples become minimum at or near the cross-polarization condition. Also, these coefficients are found to be modulation frequency dependent, with values exceeding one, at near cross-polarization. The authors assume that pseudo-amplification has occurred at the previously stated conditions. Theoretical explanation, and models of the observed phenomena have been developed by the authors.
Animal Models of Lung Injury: Role for Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Stem cells are emerging as a therapeutic modality in various inflammatory disease states. A number of ongoing randomized phase I/II clinical trials are evaluating the effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusion in patients with multiple sclerosis, graft-versus-host disease, Crohn’s disease, and severe chronic myocardial ischemia. MSCs are also being considered as a potential therapy in patients with inflammatory lung diseases. Several studies, including our own, have demonstrated compelling benefits from the administration of MSCs in animal models of lung injury. These studies are leading to growing interest in the therapeutic use of MSCs in inflammatory lung diseases. In this chapter, we describe the use of animal models and how the immunoregulatory effects of MSCs can confer substantial protection in the setting of lung diseases such as acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension. In addition, we identify emerging areas for MSC-based therapies in modulating oxidative stress and in attenuating acute lung injury in the alcoholic host.
Ion Dissociation Methods in Proteomics

This article serves as a review of polypeptide ion dissociation methods in the context of mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis. Given the many tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) instrument types and ion fragmentation approaches presently in use, the proteomic analyst is confronted with numerous methodological considerations in selecting and implementing an ion fragmentation technique for primary structure determination of polypeptides. Because the physical and chemical bases for a given mode of dissociation largely dictate the outcome of an MS/MS experiment, the underlying fundamental principles and the manner of executing each fragmentation approach must inform any subsequent spectral interpretation. Here, we endeavor to encapsulate the current state of the art in peptide and protein ion fragmentation methods, including methods in widespread use for proteomic analysis and maturing but less commonly applied approaches with significant potential in the field of proteomics. A general overview of MS/MS and polypeptide ion fragmentation is followed by a discussion of the fundamental basis for several ion dissociation approaches and how each technique is implemented in various MS/MS hardware configurations. Representative examples from the literature are also highlighted, with emphasis on the unique features and specific strengths of each dissociation method. Finally, several proposed peptide ion fragmentation mechanisms and fragment ion structures are presented. Keywords: proteomics; protein identification; polypeptide fragmentation; tandem mass spectrometry; ion activation; ion dissociation
Flow cytometric assay for direct quantification of neutrophil extracellular traps in blood samples

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to innate immunity as well as numerous diseases processes such as deep vein thrombosis, myocardial ischemia, and autoimmune disease. To date, most knowledge on NETs formation has been gathered via the qualitative microscopic examination of individual neutrophils in vitro, or aggregate structures in vivo. Here we describe a novel flow cytometry (FLOW)-based assay to identify and quantify NETs using antibodies against key NETs constituents, specifically DNA, modified histones, and granular enzymes. This method is applicable to both murine and human samples for the assessment of induced NETs in vitro, or detection of NETosis in vivo in blood samples. This FLOW-based method was validated by comparison with the well-established microscopy assay using two genetic mouse models previously demonstrated to show defective NETosis. It was then used on healthy human neutrophils for detection of ex vivo induced NETs and on blood samples from patients with sepsis for direct assessment of in vivo NET-forming neutrophils. This new methodology allows rapid and robust assessment of several thousand cells per sample and is independent of potential observer-bias, the two main limitations of the microscopic quantification. Using this new technology facilitates the direct detection of in vivo circulating NETs in blood samples and purification of NETting neutrophils by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for further analysis.
Effects of cis-trans viability selection on some two-locus models

Most analyses of two-locus viability models have assumed that the fitness of double heterozygotes are the same whether in the cis or trans configuration. This assumption is unlikely to hold for polymorphic sites within the same locus. We examine the quantitative and qualitative effects of incorporating cis-trans viability differences into a number of deterministic two-locus models. A new result is the finding that two asymmetric equilibria with similar levels of linkage disequilibrium, but different gene frequencies, may arise in quite realistic biological models. The general, and most important, conclusion is that high levels of linkage disequilibrium may be generated by very small selective differences in cis and trans. Polymorphic sites that interact selectively are expected to show high levels of linkage disequilibrium. Conversely, if two polymorphic sites within a gene are found to be in linkage equilibrium, it is likely that one or both are selectively neutral.
Coronary Artery Abnormalities in Children

Although coronary artery abnormalities are somewhat rare in children, they constitute a population at significant risk for morbidity and/or mortality. The expeditious and accurate diagnosis of these lesions is imperative for optimum management. The ability of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography to accurately evaluate coronary artery abnormalities in children will be discussed under three headings: (1) major congenital coronary artery anomalies, (2) coronary artery anomalies associated with specific congenital heart lesions, and (3) acquired coronary artery abnormalities.
Propensity for Helix Formation in the Hydrophobic Peptides K2(LA)x (x = 6, 8, 10, 12) in Monolayer, Bulk, and Lipid-Containing Phases. Infrared and Circular Dichroism Studies

A series of hydrophobic peptides K2(LA)x (x = 6, 8, 10, 12) has been synthesized. IR and CD studies in MeOH solution are reported, along with IR studies of these species in vesicles with 1,2-dipalm...
Reversal of West Nile virus-induced blood-brain barrier disruption and tight junction proteins degradation by matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor

Though compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a pathological hallmark of WNV-associated neurological sequelae, underlying mechanisms are unclear. We characterized the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in WNV-infected human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVE) and human brain cortical astrocytes (HBCA), components of BBB and their role in BBB disruption. Expression of multiple MMPs was significantly induced in WNV-infected HBCA cells. Naive HBMVE cells incubated with the supernatant from WNV-infected HBCA cells demonstrated loss of tight junction proteins, which were rescued in the presence of MMP inhibitor, GM6001. Further, supernatant from WNV-infected HBCA cells compromised the in vitro BBB model integrity. Our data suggest astrocytes as one of the sources of MMP in the brain, which mediates BBB disruption allowing unrestricted entry of immune cells into the brain, thereby contributing to WNV neuropathogenesis. Because of the unavailability of WNV antivirals and vaccines, use of MMP inhibitors as an adjunct therapy to ameliorate WNV disease progression is warranted.
Accuracy of calculated free testosterone differs between equations and depends on gender and SHBG concentration.

Serum free testosterone (fT) concentrations are often calculated, however different equations often yield discrepant results. This study explores the sources of this variability. We compared three established and two new equations that differed only by their testosterone association constants with isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis in two patient groups with different gender distributions. Equation components were examined to determine how they impacted correlation with isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis. Association constants derived for each patient group correlated best with isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis for that group and not the other set. Samples with the poorest correlation between isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis and calculated fT results had significantly higher SHBG concentrations. Regardless of equation, ≥25% of samples showed unacceptable deviation from isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis. Association constants and gender makeup and SHBG concentration of the patient groups used to establish an equation all significantly impact correlation with isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis. Application of many fT equations to wider populations will therefore frequently yield results that differ substantially from isotope dilution equilibrium dialysis.
Minority carrier injection of metal-silicon contacts

Abstract The minority carrier injection ratio from metal-silicon contacts has been measured using a metal-emitter transistor structure. Contacts of four different metals with barrier heights ranging from 0.65 to 0.85 eV on n -type silicon with doping level from 10 14 to 6 × 10 16 cm −3 were examined. This systematic investigation shows that the injection ratio at low current levels is a constant and is determined only by the barrier height of the contact and the doping of the semiconductor, while at high currents it increases with the total current. This result is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Of big birds and bayonets: hybrid Twitter interactivity in the 2012 Presidential debates

The 2012 US Presidential debates were hybrid media events. Millions of viewers ‘dual-screened’ them, simultaneously watching their televisions and commenting on their social media feeds. In doing so, they helped transform verbal gaffes and zingers into debate-defining moments that may have influenced public opinion and media coverage. To examine this phenomenon, we apply network and qualitative textual analyses to a unique data set of over 1.9 million tweets from the first and third presidential debates. We address two questions of networked information flow within the debate-relevant Twittersphere: who was most responsible for spreading the ‘Big Bird’ and ‘horses and bayonets’ memes, and how did they use humour to discuss it? Our results reveal that non-traditional political actors were prominent network hubs in both debates and that humour was widespread in the first debate and among anti-Romney users.
Oral Antihyperglycemic Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Table 3 provides an overview of the oral antihyperglycemic drugs reviewed in this article. A 2011 meta-analysis by Bennett and colleagues found low or insufficient quality of evidence favoring an initial choice of metformin, SUs, glinides, TZDs, or (table see text) DPP-4 inhibitors (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, bromocriptine mesylate, and SGLT2 inhibitors were not included in this meta-analysis) with regard to the outcomes measures of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events and mortality, and incidence of microvascular disease (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) in previously healthy individuals with newly diagnosed T2DM. Likewise, the Bennett and colleagues meta-analysis judged these drugs to be of roughly equal efficacy with regard to reduction of HbA1c (1%–1.6%) from the pretreatment baseline. The ADOPT clinical trial of 3 different and, at the time, popular, oral monotherapies for T2DM provides support for the consensus recommendation of metformin as first-line therapy. The ADOPT trial showed slightly superior HbA1c reduction for rosiglitazone compared with metformin, which was in turn superior to glyburide. However, significant adverse events, including edema, weight gain, and fractures, were more common in the rosiglitazone-treated patients. The implication of this trial is that the combination of low cost, low risk, minimal adverse effects, and efficacy of metformin justifies use of this agent as the cornerstone of oral drug treatment of T2DM. Judicious use of metformin in groups formerly thought to be at high risk for lactic acidosis (ie, those with CHF, chronic kidney disease [eGFR >30 mL/min/1.73 m2], and the elderly) may be associated with mortality benefit rather than increased risk. Secondary and tertiary add-on drug therapy should be individualized based on cost, personal preferences, and overall treatment goals, taking into account the wishes and priorities of the patient.
Effects of dietary fat and enterostatin on dopamine and 5-hydroxytrytamine release from rat striatal slices

Studies have demonstrated defects of DA and 5HT neurotransmission in dietary fat induced obese animals. In the present study, we used a perfusion system to assay the release of DA and 5HT from striatal slices preloaded with [(3)H]-DA or [(3)H]-5HT. The release of both DA and 5HT from striatal slices of rats fed a high fat diet for 10 days, but not 3 days, was reduced when compared to striatal slices taken from rats fed a low fat diet. Enterostatin, an endogenous pentapeptide inhibits dietary fat intake when administered peripherally and centrally in animals. The central mechanism for the action of enterostatin is not yet determined even though several mechanisms have been suggested. We have shown that enterostatin enhanced [(3)H]-DA release, but not [(3)H]-5HT release from striatal slices of rats that had been adapted to high fat diet for 10 days. The enterostatin-induced increase in [(3)H]-DA release was blocked by nomifensine. Enterostatin did not alter [(3)H]-DA or [(3)H]-5HT release from striatal slices of rats adapted to high fat or low fat diet feeding for 3 days. These findings suggest that enterostatin may inhibit dietary fat intake by blocking dopamine reuptake transport to increase central striatal DA release from rats that have acquired diminished dopamine signal after an adaptive period of fat consumption.
Differential scanning calorimetric studies of meat protein-alginate mixtures

Differential scanning calorimetry thermal curves of beef semimembranosus muscle showed peaks at 58, 67 and 78°C. Addition of algin/calcium binder or 5-10% connective tissue increased magnitude of the 58°C peak. For crude myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic and connective tissue proteins thermal destabilization was lowered by 7.5, 23.6 and 8.6°C, respectively, with addition of algin/calcium binder. Destabilization of tendon by the binder from about 67°C to 58°C was similar in magnitude to the shift of the 67-68 and 58°C thermal transitions reported in semimembranosus and probably indicated collagen destabilization. Thermal destabilization by algin/calcium may indicate change in physical state of proteins which could influence texture of algin/calcium restructured meat products.
Inhibition of DNA synthesis in boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis boheman) sterilized by dimilin

Abstract When boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, were treated with dimilin ( N -(4-chlorophenyl)- N′ -(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea), the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid was inhibited in the female, but neither ribonucleic acid nor protein synthesis was affected. Treated males showed a difference in effect in lipoprotein synthesis, whereas no significant difference was demonstrated with females. Testicular growth was inhibited in some of the males. Diminishment of sexual function may therefore result in part from inhibition of biosynthesis of DNA by dimilin.
Equivalent arrhythmic risk in patients recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with patients diagnosed for 9 months or more.

Background The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently expanded coverage for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy for ≥9 months. To investigate the ramifications of these criteria, the ICD registry from Tufts-New England Medical Center was analyzed for arrhythmic events and death in patients with newly diagnosed ( Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the arrhythmic risk in patients with recent vs late diagnosis of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods One hundred thirty-one patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy were divided into two cohorts ( Results In the study group, the mean age was 58.1 ± 15 years and ejection fraction 20.6% ± 8%. In a follow-up period of 25.3 ± 24 months, the 52 patients with a recent diagnosis (1.4 ± 2 months) had no difference in the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias ( P = .49) and malignant ventricular arrhythmias ( P = .16) compared with the 79 patients diagnosed ≥9 months (mean 58.1 ± 39 months). Conclusion Patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy experienced equivalent occurrences of treated and potentially lethal arrhythmias irrespective of diagnosis duration. These findings suggest that the 9-month time qualifier used in the CMS guidelines for ICD reimbursement may not reliably discriminate patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death in this selected population.
Comparison of a Graphical and a Textual Design Language Using Software Quality Metrics

For many years the software engineering community has been attacking the software reliability problem on two fronts. First via design methodologies, languages and tools as a precheck on quality and second by measuring the quality of produced software as a postcheck. This research attempts to unify the approach to creating reliable software by providing the ability to measure the quality of a design prior to its implementation. A comparison of a graphical and a textual design language is presented in an effort to support research findings that the human brain works more effectively in images than in text.
Augmenting a Factorial Experiment When One Factor Is an Uncontrollable Random Variable: A Case Study

Process engineers at an automobile assembly plant wanted to develop a model for on-line process control in an assembly line. During an experiment to estimate the model, an uncontrollable variable was discovered to have a significant effect, but its values in the experiment were not representative of values in actual production. Through this case study, we present design criteria and assess sampling strategies for augmenting a factorial experiment to incorporate an additional factor that was found to be an uncontrollable independent normally distributed random variable. Our results demonstrate the potential improvement in on-line process control when experiments are augmented using these design criteria.
The effect of carbon coating and porosity on early patency of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: An experimental study

Abstract Purpose: Synthetic vascular grafts have never achieved long-term patency comparable to autologous saphenous vein. Changes in graft wall porosity and carbon coating of the luminal surface have both been suggested to improve patency. Methods: Forty-two mongrel dogs, weighing 20 to 30 kg, underwent bilateral aortoiliac grafting with one of three randomly selected grafts: group I, 60 μm carbon-coated, thin-walled expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); group II, 60 μm thin-walled uncoated ePTFE; or group III, regular ePTFE. All grafts were 10 cm long and had an internal diameter of 5 mm. Twenty-one dogs were killed at 60 days and 21 dogs were killed at 120 days. Thus in each group there were 14 60 μm, thin-walled, carbon-coated ePTFE grafts; 14 60 μm, thin-walled, uncoated ePTFE grafts; and 14 regular ePTFE grafts. Results: At 60 days, 12 (85.7%) of 14 group I, 13 (92.3%) of 14 group II, and 9 (64%) of 14 group III grafts were patent. At 120 days, 12 (85.7%) of 14 group I, II (78.6%) of 14 group II, and 6 (42.9%) of 14 group III grafts were patent. The patency of the 60 μm carbon-coated, thin-walled ePTFE at 120 days was significantly improved compared with that of the regular ePTFE ( p ≤ 0.05). The patency of the 60 μm thin-walled uncoated ePTFE was improved relative to conventional ePTFE at 120 days, although this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in patency between 60 μm carbon-coated, thin-walled ePTFE and 60 μm thin-walled uncoated ePTFE. When the results were analyzed simply on the basis of graft porosity, the 60 μm porosity grafts had a significantly improved patency compared to the regular ePTFE at 120 days ( p ≤ 0.05). Histologically, the 60 μm porosity grafts had significantly better tissue ingrowth along their entire length, regardless of the presence or absence of carbon coating. This ingrowth was present at both 60 days and 120 days. Conclusions: Our data suggest that increasing ePTFE graft porosity to 60 μm improves overall patency. However, the addition of carbon lining did not appear to further augment patency. (J. VASC SURG 1993;18:10-5.)
How Television is Changing Our Children

Television is potentially the greatest educational medium since printing was invented and schools were established. At its best it goes almost anywhere in the world to find its subject matter, can provide inspired perfarmers, speakers, and experts in all fields, and uses every dramatic aid. It can deliver both a visual and audible production to every corner of the land. At its worst it presents low values and morals, provides inaccurate models, and wastes time. It has the potential for great good or evil in the lives of children.
Early Childhood Care and Education International Perspectives - Edited by Edward Melhuish and Konstantinos Petrogiannis

Early Childhood Care and Education International Perspectives. Edward Melhuish and Konstantinos Petrogiannis (Eds.). London and New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. 2006. 182 pp. ISBN 0415383684. $135.00 (cloth). ISBN 0415383692. $44.95 (paper). Remember Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn? He grew up a century ago with neither family nor government responsible for his care and development. And that was the general attitude of society at the time. Today, as Edward Melhuish and Konstantinos Petrogiannis make clear from their edited collection of essays, this is an almost impossible contemporary thought. We accept, as do the authors of this timely book, the loose connection between Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services and a nation's economic development. But the major focus of this collection is to provide an international introduction to policies and practices in a number of countries as diverse as India, China, the United States, Israel, and others. For this service alone the essays are a useful way to help practioners expand their knowledge of similarities and differences that exist in the early care of children everywhere. Inevitably, however, we see the kind of invidious comparisons that unexpectedly appear when we weigh the relative progress of different nations. One such example shows when the authors write, "with regard to supply, quality and affordability of ECCE ... the U.S. is far behind a number of other industrialized countries" (p. 2). Nor are the authors averse to providing their own pejorative assessments of some government efforts. For instance, the assessment of Indian ECCE includes the observation that Indians fail "to recognize the crucial role of early childhood care and education for positive child outcomes such as learning, school readiness, nutrition, and health" (p. 144). The clear, though unstressed, consequences of such implied neglect cry out for renewed effort to provide for the disadvantaged, here in the States and globally. Although the list of countryspecific essays is useful, there are some notable exceptions. For example, more attention could be devoted to the needs of Hispanics in the United States, and some mention might have been made of the fact that today 70% of the world's poorest children reside in Africa But, on the whole, Melhuish and Petrogiannis have gathered together essays that prove the worldwide need for an increased governmental involvement in the education and care of children. …
A study on the preparation and performance of polydimethylsiloxane-coated polyetherimide membranes in pervaporation

Separation of acetic acid/water mixtures by pervaporation was attempted by silicone rubber-coated polyetherimide membranes. In particular, the effect of the pore size of the polyetherimide membrane and the condition of silicone rubber coating on the performance of the composite membrane was investigated. It was found that the composite membrane could become either water selective or acetic acid selective, depending on the pore size of the support membrane and the condition of the silicone rubber coating. Thus, the overall performance of the composite membrane can be governed, either by the top coated layer or by the bottom support layer
Photopolymerized thiol-ene systems as shape memory polymers

In this study we introduce the use of thiol-ene photopolymers as shape memory polymer systems. The thiol-ene polymer networks are compared to a commonly utilized acrylic shape memory polymer and shown to have significantly improved properties for two different thiol-ene based polymer formulations. Using thermomechanical and mechanical analysis, we demonstrate that thiol-ene based shape memory polymer systems have comparable thermomechanical properties while also exhibiting a number of advantageous properties due to the thiol-ene polymerization mechanism which results in the formation of a homogeneous polymer network with low shrinkage stress and negligible oxygen inhibition. The resulting thiol-ene shape memory polymer systems are tough and flexible as compared to the acrylic counterparts. The polymers evaluated in this study were engineered to have a glass transition temperature between 30 and 40 °C, exhibited free strain recovery of greater than 96% and constrained stress recovery of 100%. The thiol-ene polymers exhibited excellent shape fixity and a rapid and distinct shape memory actuation response.
Flat electron beams

Electrons from a source in a solenoidal magnetic field emerge from that field with a characteristic angular momentum. This behavior can be used to produce a flat ribbon-like electron beam with zero thickness (to first order). We show that this can be done using a quadrupole triplet and provide analytical expressions for the focal length of each lens. Solutions can be found over a wide range of practical values of the parameters.
More Sites or More Years? Optimal Study Design for Monitoring Fish Response to Watershed Restoration

Abstract Every year in the Pacific Northwest, hundreds of stream restoration projects are implemented at great expense in the hope that they will increase salmonid abundance. Our understanding of how salmonids interact with their freshwater habitat has steadily improved, but we are still a long way from being able to reliably predict population-level effects of individual projects. To determine whether these projects are in fact increasing salmonid abundance, we will need to implement restoration at the watershed scale, monitor the populations after the freshwater portion of their life history is completed, and replicate the experiment across multiple watersheds to produce results that can be generalized. Although there has been some progress in this direction, it has largely consisted of independent efforts at a relatively small scale. In this paper, we use smolt counts of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from streams in western Washington and Oregon, along with approximate restoration and monitoring cos...
Fluorescein Redirects a Ruthenium−Octaarginine Conjugate to the Nucleus

The cellular uptake and localization of a Ru−octaarginine conjugate with and without an appended fluorescein are compared. The inherent luminescence of the Ru(II) dipyridophenazine complex allows observation of its uptake without the addition of a fluorophore. Ru−octaarginine−fluorescein stains the cytosol, nuclei, and nucleoli of HeLa cells under conditions where the Ru−octaarginine conjugate without fluorescein shows only punctate cytoplasmic labeling. At higher concentrations, however, Ru−octaarginine without the fluorescein tag does exhibit cytoplasmic, nuclear, and nucleolar staining. Attaching fluorescein to Ru−octaarginine lowers the threshold concentration required for diffuse cytoplasmic labeling and nuclear entry. Hence, the localization of the fluorophore-bound peptide cannot serve as a proxy for that of the free peptide.
Some interfacial properties of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides

Abstract Surface tension lowering, equilibrium spreading pressure, and insoluble monolayer data are presented for a homologous series (C 8 and C 10 C 19 ) of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides (benzalkonium chlorides) in the presence and absence of excess electrolyte. In the presence of excess electrolyte, the surface tension lowering data adhered to Traube's rule; however, in the absence of electrolyte, significant deviation occurred. Surface pressure-molecular area isotherms were constructed from these surface tension lowering data in the ideal region and were compared in order to study the the effect of the electrolyte on the surface film. An “odd-even” chain length effect was seen in the equilibrium spreading pressures of the longer chain homologs. This is explained in terms of the melting point data. Studies of the monolayers formed at the air-water interface by the longer chain homologs were carried out and a molecular orientation in these monolayers is suggested.
Inhibitory effects of the 5-HT1A agonists, 5-hydroxy- and 5-methoxy-(3-(di-n-propylamino)chroman), on female lordosis behavior

Abstract Sexually receptive, intact, proestrous rats were infused bilaterally into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus with one of several serotonin (5-HT) agonists and with the endogenous ligand, 5-HT. Serotonin (2000 ng) and the 5-HT1A agonists, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin [8-OH-DPAT (200 ng)], 5-methoxy-3-(di-n-propylamino)chroman [5-MEO-DPAC (200–2000 ng)] and 5-hydroxy-3-(N-di-n-propylamino)chroman [5-OH-DPAC (200–2000 ng)] inhibited female lordosis behavior within 10 min of the infusion. The rank order of the effectiveness of these compounds was 8-OH-DPAT > 5-OH-DPAC ⩾ 5-MEO-DPAC > 5-HT. The nonselective 5-HT agonist, 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine [TFMPP (2000 ng)], did not reduce lordosis behavior. In addition to their reduction of lordosis behavior, the 5-HT1A agonists elicited resistive behavior toward the male's attempts to mount. There were minimal effects of the 5-HT1A agonists on either quality of the lordosis reflex or on proceptivity. However, rats pretreated with TFMPP and infused with 8-OH-DPAT 1 hr later, did show a transient suppression of lordosis quality. These results provide further evidence that the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus contains 5-HT1A sites, the activation of which reduces lordosis behavior in regularly cycling, proestrous rats.
Lung Cancer in Women: Differences in Epidemiology, Biology, Histology, and Treatment Outcomes

Lung cancer is a major health problem for both men and women, not only because of the high incidence rate but, more alarming, the high mortality rate. The prevalence of lung cancer in women has been increasing worldwide. In the United States, lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death in women, and this may well be the case in European countries in just a few years. The most important risk factors for the development of lung cancer in both men and women is cigarette smoking. Smoking among women has increased significantly since the 1960s, and, unfortunately, the risk of death from cigarette smoking continues to increase among women. Although epidemiological data remain controversial regarding the increased risk of lung cancer from tobacco exposure in women, there is little controversy surrounding the fact that the biology of lung cancer differs between the sexes. This paper summarizes the explanations for the sex differences in lung cancer, including differences in molecular abnormalities, growth factor receptors, hormonal influences, cytochrome P-450 enzymes, and DNA repair capacity, as well as differences in the histology of lung cancer and treatment outcomes in women.
Pigment epithelium-derived factor decreases outflow facility.

PURPOSE Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) regulates blood-retinal barrier function. As a constituent of aqueous humor, the role of PEDF in conventional outflow function is unknown. The goals of the study were to examine the effects of PEDF on barrier function of cultured Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelia and outflow facility in mouse eyes in situ. METHODS To model the inner wall of SC, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of human SC and porcine angular aqueous plexus (AAP) cells was monitored. To examine an intact conventional outflow pathway, enucleated eyes from culled C57BL/6 mice were perfused with PEDF using a computer-controlled system. Purified PEDF (0.1 and 1 μg/mL) was perfused at four different pressure steps (4, 8, 15, 20 mm Hg), measuring flow to determine outflow facility (slope of flow/pressure relationship). RESULTS Pigment epithelium-derived factor increased TEER of porcine AAP cells in a dose-dependent fashion (0.3-3 μg/mL), and 1 μg/mL recombinant PEDF or conditioned media from pigmented retinal pigment epithelial monolayers stabilized TEER of human SC monolayers over time (0-48 hours). In perfusion experiments, we observed a 43.7% decrease in outflow facility (0.016 vs. 0.029 μL/min/mm Hg, P = 4.5 × 10⁻⁵) in eyes treated with 1 μg/mL PEDF compared to vehicle-perfused controls, and a 19.9% decrease (0.021 vs. 0.027 μL/min/mm Hg, P = 0.003) at 100 ng/mL PEDF. CONCLUSIONS Pigment epithelium-derived factor increased barrier function in both the in vitro and in situ models of the inner wall of SC. Modification of PEDF signaling in SC cells may be therapeutically exploited to increase outflow facility in people with ocular hypertension or decrease outflow facility in those with hypotony.
Enzyme activities in the central nervous system of the epilepsy-prone rat.

Abstract Tyrosine hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase activities were measured in 6 areas of the central nervous system of genetically determined epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR). Monoamine oxidase activity did not differ from control. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was 173% of control in the midbrain of the GEPR group. Kinetic analysis revealed similar Km values for control and GEPR. These findings confirm and extend earlier studies relating seizures in the GEPR to abnormalities in central nervous system monoaminergic function.