cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near infrared probes for biochemical, cellular, and whole animal analysis of disease processes

The study of disease processes requires a number of tools for detection of proteins and biomarkers in cell and animal based assays. Near infrared (NIR) technologies offer the advantage of high signal without interference from background producing factors such as tissues, blood, or plastics. NIR fluorescence quenching biochemical assays employing a novel NIR quencher are homogeneous and sensitive. NIR-based immunocytochemical assays offer a means of quantitatively evaluating cell signaling pathways. The technology can be extended to the development of targeted molecular imaging agents for disease analysis in animal models. We describe here model assays for each of these categories. A fluorescence quenching caspase-3 assay was developed employing a novel, broadly applicable quencher dye suitable for use with both visible and NIR dye chemistries. An NIR cell based assay is described for assessment of phosphorylation of p53 in response to a cellular stimulus. Finally, we describe the development and application of a targeted NIR optical imaging agent for monitoring tumor growth in whole animals. The NIR biochemical and cell based assays are robust with Z' factors greater than 0.7. The use of an IRDye (R) 800CW-labeled cyclic RGD peptide is presented as a model for development and application of targeted imaging agents. NIR technologies are compatible with the complete spectrum of assay needs for disease analysis and therapeutic development.
Evaluation of a sexually transmitted diseases training program

To determine whether attendance at a sexually transmitted disease (STD) training course produces an immediate and/or sustained gain in knowledge and to assess whether practitioners who might benefit most from such training could be identified easily, 55 practitioners were given one or more standardized written examinations before, immediately after, and four to 15 months after attendance at one of eight intensive one- or two-week training sessions. All practitioners (nine physicians and 46 physician extenders) increased their clinical knowledge of STDs, and most retained this knowledge over a four- to 15-month follow-up period (P less than 0.001). Practitioners with the lowest scores before the course had the least professional training, graduated from professional schools prior to 1965, had less than two years of work experience in STDs, and examined the fewest patients per day (P = 0.028). A lower precourse score was predictive of significant improvement on the postcourse test (P less than 0.001). Our results show that attendance at an STD training course produces both an immediate and a sustained gain in knowledge and indicates that precourse test scores and practitioner characteristics can be useful in identification of practitioners most in need of and most likely to benefit from STD clinical training.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces paradoxus coexist in a natural woodland site in North America and display different levels of reproductive isolation from European conspecifics

We report the isolation of multiple strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces paradoxus from a natural woodland site in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, using enrichment culturing in a medium containing 7.6% (v/v) ethanol. The method was applied to bark and flux material collected from broad-leaved trees (mostly Quercus spp.) and to associated soils. Many candidate wild strains of Saccharomyces were isolated using this method, most of them from soils associated with oaks. Matings to genetically marked tester strains of S. cerevisiae and S. paradoxus identified roughly equal numbers of these two species within this collection. The S. paradoxus isolates showed significant partial reproductive isolation from a conspecific European strain, whereas the S. cerevisiae isolates did not. Variability in both chromosome size and Ty1 element hybridization profiles was observed within both populations at this site. We discuss the relevance of our data to current debates concerning whether S. cerevisiae is a wild species or a domesticated species.
Dynamic and site-specific impact of ventricular pacing on left ventricular ejection fraction

Background Some studies suggest that right ventricular (RV) pacing has an adverse impact on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), particularly in subjects with preexisting left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and that direct LV pacing may be relatively protective. Interactions between pacing site and LVEF remain unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relative impact of RV and LV pacing on LVEF by serial study during a period in which LV dysfunction, induced by tachypacing, was introduced and then resolved. Methods In each of five dogs, RV, LV, and simultaneous RV and LV (BiV) pacing modes were compared to native ventricular activation (1) prior to tachypacing (baseline), (2) weekly during a 5-week continuous tachypacing period, and (3) weekly during a 3-week post-tachypacing recovery period. At each evaluation, LVEF and LV contraction synchrony were assessed during each pacing mode. Results The decrease in LVEF during the tachypacing period was more pronounced during RV pacing than during native activation or LV or BiV pacing. The magnitude of this effect correlated with a diminishment in LV contraction synchrony that was not observed during native activation or LV or BiV pacing. During the post-tachypacing period, gradual reversal of these changes toward baseline was observed. Conclusion Compared to native activation, RV pacing worsens LVEF in a manner proportional to the severity of preexisting LV dysfunction, attributable to reduced LV contraction synchrony. In comparison, both LV and BiV pacing preserve LVEF and contraction synchrony.
Cardiodepressive effects of mercurial diuretics; cardioprotective value of BAL, ascorbic acid and thiamin.

SummaryMercuhydrin uniformly caused conduction delays in the A-V node and ventricles of the isolated rabbit heart. Electrical systole (Q-T interval) was likewise prolonged, and failure of A-V conduction (dropped beats) produced at lower than usual rates of stimulation-all at doses above 36 mg of mercury/kg of heart weight. Rapid cardiac asystole resulted from doses above 75 mg of mercury/kg of heart weight. Preliminary BAL, ascorbic acid, and thiamin, in descending order of efficacy, raised the blocking and cardiolethal dosages of mercuhydrin, and the same drugs administered following the mercurial compound partially reversed the cardiac effects measured. Theophylline ethylene diamine and epinephrine exhibited lesser cardio-protective activity. Magnesium sulphate and niacin had none.
Imaging the proliferative status of tumors with PET

The development of radiotracers for imaging solid tumors has recently focused on measuring a tumor's proliferative status. Two different strategies have emerged: (1) radiolabeled DNA precursors that measure DNA synthesis; and (2) radiotracers that label the sigma-2 receptor, a putative biomarker of proliferation. This paper provides a brief description of these two different methods of imaging tumor proliferation that are currently being developed in the field of positron emission tomography (PET).
Sanction experience and sanction behavior: an analysis of Chinese perception and behavior on economic sanctions

This paper seeks to explore the interrelationship between a country's sanction experience, perception, and behavior. The analysis focuses on the case of China, which is one of very few countries that have not only undergone a number of significant economic sanctions but also have experience of imposing economic sanctions upon others. All historical cases of major economic sanctions against China, as well as cases of Chinese economic sanctions against other countries, are examined. A comparison between China's sanction experience and sanction behavior points to a connection between the two: all strategic sanctions in history against China failed, and correspondingly, China rarely employed strategic sanctions against others. In parallel, most tactical sanctions against China were successful, and coincidentally, China has been much more open to using or threatening to use tactical sanctions in its own practice. The findings of this analysis offer an opportunity for Western policy practitioners to reconsider ...
Performance-based outcomes following lumbar discectomy in professional athletes in the National Football League.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE To determine the performance-based outcomes in National Football League (NFL) athletes after discectomy for a lumbar disc herniation (LDH). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Long-term outcomes following surgical treatment in elite athletes in the NFL are unknown. Postoperative outcomes may be significantly different from the general population due to the exceptional physical demands imposed by the sport. METHODS National Football League players diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation were identified using information from press releases, team injury reports, and newspaper archives. Demographic, treatment, and performance data based on vital statistics to each position were recorded for each player over the length of his career. Using a modification of a previously published scoring system (Carey et al, Am J Sports Med 2006;34:1911-7) based on game statistics, a "Performance Score" was calculated for each player both before and after diagnosis of LDH. RESULTS A total of 137 National Football League players were identified as having an LDH necessitating treatment. Ninety-six players underwent surgical treatment with a lumbar discectomy, and 34 athletes were treated nonoperatively. Seventy-eight percent of athletes treated surgically for an LDH returned to play in at least 1 NFL game. Players treated surgically played in statistically more games post-treatment (36) than those treated nonoperatively (20) (P < 0.002). There was no significant difference between the Performance Score preoperatively and postoperatively over the length of the players' careers. Age at diagnosis, body mass index, Pro Bowl appearances, and position played did not significantly affect outcome. CONCLUSION The data in this study suggests that even though a lumbar discectomy has career-threatening implications, a large percentage of NFL athletes return to play at competitive levels. Despite the general opinion of many NFL general managers, players who are able to complete the rigorous rehabilitation required to return to play after lumbar discectomy can expect excellent performance-based outcomes after surgery.
Safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of high doses of adjunctive daily left prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant depression in a clinical setting.

Objective:Daily left prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of depression and offers an alternative to traditional approaches. This approval was based on a study using 3000 stimuli per day (15,000
Modeling of coaxial powder flow for the laser direct deposition process

Abstract The supplying powder jet conditions in a direct deposition process greatly influence the quality and property of deposition products. Coaxial powder flow provides the means of precise deposition due to its omnidirectional nature in a direct deposition process. In this paper, a comprehensive numerical model is presented to predict the whole process of coaxial powder flow, including the particle stream flow in and after the nozzle and laser–particle interaction process. By solving the coupled momentum transfer equations between the particle and gas phase while incorporating particle temperature evolution, the dynamic and thermal behavior of multi-particles in the stream is completely modeled. Calculated and measured results are well matched. The model is capable of predicting the powder stream structure and multi-particle phase change process with liquid fraction evolution throughout the entire process while considering the particle morphology and size distribution in real powder samples.
FOAM BUBBLE SIZE MEASURED USING IMAGE ANALYSIS BEFORE AND AFTER PASSAGE THROUGH A POROUS MEDIUM

ABSTRACT This work examines the flow of foams through porous materials by characterizing the foam bubble sizes before and after injection through a porous medium. Foam cell sizes are measured using an image analysis system and software developed in our laboratory. Glass mats are used as the porous medium, and foam is forced to flow through a mat at a specified porosity under a constant driving pressure. Results indicated that the size of the bubbles exiting the porous mat was independent of the bubble size of the foam entering the mat and dependent on the average pore size of the medium. Results are also presented which demonstrate the effect of foam quality on the bubble size.
Subsurface Salinity Balance in the South China Sea

Abstract The South China Sea (SCS) is often treated as a semienclosed water body, with the Luzon Strait as its only connection to the Pacific Ocean. A branch of the Kuroshio flows northwestward across the Luzon Strait to enter the SCS, carrying North Pacific Tropical Water (NPTW) into the basin. Using the subsurface salinity maximum as a tracer for NPTW, the authors show how important three secondary straits—the Taiwan Strait to the north and the Karimata and Mindoro Straits to the south—are to the NPTW intrusion at the Luzon Strait. The authors demonstrate that the SCS cannot reach an equilibrium state that is consistent with the observed subsurface salinity distribution unless all of the following components are in place: the Kuroshio, transports through the three secondary straits, downward mixing of freshwater, horizontal mixing induced by mesoscale eddies, and forcing by the local monsoonal winds.
Coupled-bunch instability in a circular accelerator and possible cures: Longitudinal-phase-space simulation

Coupled-bunch instabilities in a circular machine are effectively simulated using a longitudinal-phase-space tracking code (ESm-smcapsE). Two damping schemes based on intrabunch (Landau cavity) and bunch-to-bunch synchrotron tune spread are also examined. Some comparison of the tune spread induced via these schemes (as a measure of introduced Landau damping) is done in both cases. Finally, a simulation of active damping of the coupled-bunch instability through radial-position feedback is explored as another possible cure.
Effect of macropore tortuosity and morphology on preferential flow through saturated soil: A Lattice Boltzmann study

Abstract Unlike micropores where water moves upward or downward based on hydraulic gradient, in macropores, water flows predominantly downward due to the gravity. Therefore, models based on capillary flow are not capable of simulating macropore flow. There are attempts to model the macropore flow using two domains, one for capillary flow and another one for macropores. These models use Richard’s equation for capillary flow and Poiseuille’s law for macropores in which the macropore is approximated to be cylindrical or planar. This study quantifies the magnitudes of the errors induced by this assumption. Influence of macropore shapes and tortuosity was quantified by using a 3D Lattice Boltzmann model, which is capable of simulating fluid flow in micropores as well as macropores of cracked clays. Artificial macropores of constant sectional area and volume, but different shapes were generated in 3D and the influence of macropore shapes, shape related parameters, and tortuosity were systematically investigated. Macropore flow rate decreases with different shapes compared to cylindrical macropores and increase in aspect ratio of sectional shape leads to decrease in macropore flow rate. The maximum effect of bends/turnings along the tortuous macropore was about 25% on overall decrease of flow rate due to tortuosity. However, more detailed study is required on the influence of bends on macropore flow rate. The macropore flow rate reduces by about 70% for tortuosity of 1.41. A prediction equation is verified to predict the flow rate of different shapes and tortuous macropores based on straight cylindrical macropore using aspect ratio and tortuosity factor.
Regulation of neurotensin content in adrenal medullary cells: comparison of PC12 cells to normal rat chromaffin cells in vitro.

Abstract Radioimmunoassay studies of cultures of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells have shown progressive increments in content and release of neurotensin in response to combinations of dexamethasone, nerve growth factor, activators of adenylate cyclase and lithium. We have studied the distribution of immunoreactive neurotensin by immunocytochemistry in cultures of PC12 cells and normal rat chromaffin cells, with two objectives: (i) to determine how changes measured by radiommunoassay in extracts of PC12 cell populations are manifested at the level of individual cells and (ii) to determine whether normal chromaffin cells respond to combinations of agents similarly to PC12 cells. Staining for immunoreactive neurotensin is not identifiable in PC12 cells maintained in control medium or with any of the medium supplements alone. Approximately 3% of cells are stained after maintenance with dexamethasone plus nerve growth factor, versus 17% with dexamethasone plus nerve growth factor plus forskolin, and 33% with all four agents. This heterogeneity does not appear to result from clonal diversity, or to be cell cycle-dependent. Individual PC12 cells recruited to produce neurotensin in response to particular signals may, however, have passed a critical stage of differentiation toward a chromaffin cell, rather than neuronal, phenotype before exposure to those signals. Staining for immunoreactive neurotensin is observed in up to 18% of normal chromaffin cells maintained with dexamethasone plus nerve growth factor, up to 45% with dexamethasone plus nerve growth factor plus forskolin, and up to 54% with all four agents. Proportions of cells stained under the various culture conditions are established before birth and in fetal cultures staining is confined for the most part to cells which do not undergo neuronal differentiation. Our findings suggest that the origin of phenotypic heterogeneity both in the developing adrenal medulla and in adrenal medullary tumor cell populations might involve an interaction of stochastic processes and programmed heritable traits.
Possible ethical issues and their impact on the firm: Perceptions held by public accountants

The accounting profession is concerned with the ethical beliefs of its members. To this end, the authors surveyed public accountants, questioning them about the AICPA's “Code of Professional Conduct” and their perceptions of how potentially unethical behaviors impact the firm. The paper focuses on respondents' perceptions of the impact on the firm's practice, image and degree of concern. Public accountants appear to agree with the AICPA's “Code of Professional Ethics”. Their mean responses indicate they believe the Code components are important and extremely important. Some Code components were significantly more important than others, especially demonstrating professionalism and maintaining independence while performing independent audits. Gender, role and organizational level all had significant effects on the importance of the Code. Males, non-auditors and upper management all expressed stronger beliefs in the importance of the overall Code and its components. Significant differences exist in respondents' perceptions of how twelve potential ethical dilemmas impact the firm. Statistically significant differences were found in the way these behaviors harm the firm's business. Similarly, statistically significant differences exist in the degree that the firm's image is tarnished if its members engage in these behaviors and in the extent of the firm's concern about the implications of these behaviors. Not only do the various behaviors impact the firm differently, but the materiality of the behavior or the direction of the behavior result in significant differences in the extent the firm is impacted. Settling technical issues in the client's favor in response to client pressure, failing to correct known omissions and failing to correct known errors had greater impact on the firm when the technical issues, omissions and errors were material than when they were immaterial. Accountants perceived that giving unfair performance appraisals marred the firm's business more than receiving unfair performance appraisals did. Over reporting expenses on expense sheets had larger effects on the firm's business, image and level of concern. Over reporting hours had a stronger impact on the firm's image and level of concern, but under reporting hours had more of an impact on the firm's ability to transact business.
Perihepatic lymph node assessment in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for malignancy.

Resection remains the most effective therapy for selected patients with primary and secondary hepatic malignancy. In general, metastatic disease to extrahepatic sites is associated with poor survival and has been a contraindication to hepatic resection. In particular, regional metastases to perihepatic lymph nodes are a significant negative prognostic factor for both primary1–3 and secondary hepatic malignancies.4–8 On the other hand, selected patients with limited regional nodal disease may benefit from resection.7 Furthermore, as improvements in systemic chemotherapy continue to evolve, particularly for metastatic colorectal cancer, regional lymph node status may not necessarily be used to determine resectability but rather to select patients for optimal postresection chemotherapeutic therapies.9 The reported rate of perihepatic lymph node positivity in patients undergoing hepatic resection varies by histology,10 ranging from 10.6%7 to 28%5 in patients with hepatic colorectal metastases, 27%3 to 45%11 for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and approximately 5% for hepatocellular carcinoma.12 Many of these studies include patients with obvious nodal involvement. Clearly, some patients have microscopic disease that is beyond detection by conventional radiographic imaging or even direct palpation. As a result, some authors have advocated routine lymph node sampling or lymphadenectomy for all patients undergoing hepatic resection.10,13 Although it has been suggested that occult metastasis to perihepatic lymph nodes is relatively common in patients with malignant liver disease, the incidence of truly occult disease is difficult to determine. Furthermore, there is currently no consensus regarding the optimal method of preoperative or intraoperative assessment of perihepatic lymph nodes in patients undergoing resection for hepatic malignancy. The present study investigates and compares the relative value of preoperative imaging (CT and PET) and intraoperative assessment of perihepatic lymph nodes, and particularly aims to determine the incidence of metastatic involvement that is clinically and radiographically undetectable.
Cutting fluid performance in fine grinding

Abstract The cluster overcut fly grinding (COFG) technique in which a small patch of grains is used to grind a surface instead of using the entire wheel face was considered as a means for evaluating grinding fluids in terms of reduction in adhesion and wheel wear. The rate of wear was found to be similar for the COFG and complete wheel cases for a variety of grinding combinations provided that the undeformed chip thickness was maintained constant and an adjustment was made for the difference in the amount of material removed per grain in the two cases. At a normal wheel speed (6300 ft min −1 (32 m −1 s)) Al 2 O 3 was found to give less wear than SiC when grinding AISI-SAE T15 tool steel and an undiluted grinding oil was found to be the most effective of the fluids tested. However, when titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V was ground at normal speed, SiC was found to give the best results using an extreme pressure grinding oil water solution of concentration 10 wt.%.
A Phased‐in approach to greenhouse‐gas‐induced climatic change

To address this concern, it will be helpful to describe the motivation, objective, approach, and scope of our Nature study. One of us, Schlesinger, was an invited participant at the White House Conference on Science and Economics Research Related to Global Change, held in Washington, D.C., April 17–18, 1990. At this conference two opposing policy positions were espoused, neither of which appeared to have been based on a scientific evaluation of the global warming issue. This motivated our study to assess the urgency of this issue. Our approach was to use our simplified climate/ocean model, which we employed in projections for the IPCC report on global warming to the year 2100 [Houghton et al., 1990], to determine how much of the potential reduction in future global warming would be lost if the initiation of a 20-year transition from the emission rate of the IPCC “business-as-usual” scenario A to the emission rate of any other IPCC scenario (B, C, D) was deferred by 10 years. Our findings were that 5% of the potential reduction, at most, would be lost by such a 10-year deferral, regardless of the temperature sensitivity of the climate system to a CO2 doubling (ΔT2x) , within the 0.5–4.5° range we considered. This result indicates to us that the urgency of the global warming issue is not as great as some have thought, and suggests that we have some time to improve our understanding of the issue to enhance our ability to respond appropriately
Tests of models of cloudwater deposition to forest canopies using artificial and living collectors

Mechanistic cloud deposition models are very useful in the routine quantification of cloudwater deposition to forest canopies. In order to test, in a natural field situation, several assumptions in these models, a passive string cloudwater collector, a small artificial tree, and a living Norway spruce were exposed to cloudwater on a raised platform at the summit (elevation, 1686 m) of Whitetop Mountain, Virginia over a 5 month period. Cloudwater collection rates by these three collectors were used to examine relationships between these rates and measured values for two important meteorological variables in the models, liquid water content and wind speed, the product of which is the horizontal cloudwater flux. Collection rates for all three collectors were predicted moderately well by horizontal cloudwater flux (R2 ranged from 0.54 to 0.73; p<0.0001) across all hours of observation, but were least strongly related when liquid water content was low, probably because of various measurement uncertainties under this condition. For all three collectors, simple linear regressions using the horizontal water flux to predict collection rates were not appreciably improved by inclusion of a cloudwater collection efficiency term or by conversion to binomial or curvilinear models. Cloudwater collection efficiency for all three collectors was related to the logarithm of horizontal water flux, as predicted by the models, only when this relationship was analyzed within individual cloud events. Between individual cloud events, collection efficiency varied across a wide range (0.12–0.50 for the spruce tree), with efficiencies much higher during events of short duration. Cloudwater collection efficiency was often lower than predicted by cloud deposition models, possibly because the models use wind speed measurements which do not take into account reductions in wind speed occurring within needle clusters on branches. Collection rates for all three collectors correlated highly with each other (R2 ranged from 0.72 to 0.88; p<0.0001), as well as with a mature red spruce canopy. It was concluded that either the string collector or an artificial tree such as the one used in this study would serve as a good surrogate collector for living spruce tree crowns.
Assessing the dynamic secure region for an all-electric ship model

Dynamic security is an important factor in survivability of all-electric ships. On the other hand, region-based security assessment methods are efficient for online applications. In this paper, a deterministic method is presented to assess Dynamic Secure Region (DSR) in all-electric ships. In this method, MATLAB and DSATools™, a dynamic security assessment software package, are linked together to assess security of a wide range of ship working points and determine the dynamically secure operating region. To illustrate how this approach works, it was used to assess the DSR of a notional all-electric ship model. In this study, about 6,000 working points were simulated for 58 contingencies and their security was assessed regarding 4 security criteria. The results showed that a probabilistic security assessment method may be more effective for such a power system.
English-Japanese example-based machine translation using abstract linguistic representations

This presentation describes an example-based English-Japanese machine translation system in which an abstract linguistic representation layer is used to extract and store bilingual translation knowledge, transfer patterns between languages, and generate output strings. Abstraction permits structural neutralizations that facilitate learning of translation examples across languages with radically different surface structure characteristics, and allows MT development to proceed within a largely language-independent NLP architecture. Comparative evaluation indicates that after training in a domain the English-Japanese system is statistically indistinguishable from a non-customized commercially available MT system in the same domain.
Monitoring Pavement Condition Using "Smart Dust" Under Surge Time Synchronization

This paper is a continuation of the authors' previous effort (presented at SPIE 2006) of developing a "Smart Dust" (Mica2 Motes)-based wireless sensor network to detect hazardous roadway surface conditions. New developments reported herein focus on a series of investigations into the performance of "Smart Dust" wireless network. A series of pseudo-outdoor and road tests are conducted in this study. The network is fairly small with a large transmitting range between each Mote, compared with the published work on applying the same product. Surge Time Synchronization is explored in the specific application to allow each Mote to "wake up" periodically at a predefined time interval. In addition, a fairly simplistic pattern classification algorithm is embedded into the Motes to create the smart wireless sensing application. Many performance metrics of the adopted "Smart Dust" wireless sensor network with a small size and large transmitting range are revealed in this study through a series of data processing efforts. Results are presented to examine (1) network connectivity, (2) packet delivery performance, (3) initial connection time, (4) error rate, (5) battery life, and (6) other network routing properties such as the parent time histories for each Mote. These results and analysis form a database for future efforts to better understand the performance of and the collected results from "Smart Dust".
Characterization of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in human airway epithelium.

Nitric oxide is an important mediator of inflammatory responses in the lung and a key regulator of pulmonary vascular and bronchomotor tone. We have shown that the inducible nitric oxide synthase (...
Higher Alcohols from Synthesis Gas Using Carbon-Supported Doped Molybdenum-Based Catalysts

A series of carbon-supported molybdenum-based catalysts was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. The materials, when promoted with potassium and additionally with cobalt, were screened for the selective production of mixed higher-molecular-weight alcohols from syngas. The effects of the catalyst preparation parameters (Mo precursor, Mo loading, doping levels of K and Co, and calcination) and of the reaction conditions (temperature and space velocity) were studied. The screening procedure consisted of ramping the temperature steadily from 200 to 400 °C and back again. Adding K results in a maximum in the space−time yield (STY) of total alcohols and the ratio of higher alcohols to methanol. Increasing the reaction temperature results in a monotonic increase in the STY of hydrocarbons, a monotonic decrease in the selectivity toward alcohols, and a maximum in the STY of alcohols. Increasing the space velocity increases the STY and selectivity to alcohols while decreasing the STY of hydrocarbons. Increa...
Early and late VEPs for reading stimuli are altered by common binocular misalignments

Effects of mild binocular anomalies on early and late evoked response complexes to word stimuli were examined in visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded over occipital cortex, Wernicke's area, and its right side homolog in university students with (fixation disparity group) and without (normal group) fixation disparity. Stimuli were monocularly or binocularly viewed words of a paragraph presented individually for 100 ms, one per second, and a binocular control condition without linguistic content. An early complex (P125-N170) recorded at Oz and a late complex (N170-late P) recorded from the t4emporoparietal placements were analyzed. The early complex as not influenced by linguistic content. Binocular stimuli generally resulted in larger early and late VEP amplitudes than did monocular stimuli except that the fixation disparity group had no binocular amplitude enhancement at Oz. Left hemisphere amplitude was greater than right for all conditions, more so for words than for nonlinguistic stimuli. For words, the left hemisphere advantage was significant only for the normal group. Relationships between basic visual processing and language processing in relation to early and late complexes are considered from several perspectives.
Effect of internal stress fields on the perforation response of dual-wall structures under hypervelocity impact

Abstract Traditional perforation-resistant wall design for long-duration spacecraft consists of a ‘bumper’ that is placed at a small distance away from the main ‘pressure wall’ of a spacecraft compartment or module. This concept has been studied extensively in the last four decades as a means of reducing the perforation threat of hypervelocity projectiles such as meteoroids and orbital debris. If a dual-wall systems is employed on an earth-orbiting spacecraft, then a biaxial stress field will be induced within the pressure wall of the dual-wall system due to the pressurization of the spacecraft. Unfortunately, little or no attempt has been made to include the effects of this low-level internal stress field in the study ofthe perforation resistance of dual-wall structural systems. This paper presents the results of an experimental study in which aluminum dual-wall structures were tested under a variety of high-speed impact conditions in an attempt to quantify the effect of an internal pressure wall stress field on perforation resistance. A test-by-test comparative analysis of the damage sustained by similar dual-wall systems with stressed and unstressed pressure wall plates under similar impact loading conditions revealed that the internal pressure wall stress field had a negligible effect on the ballistic limit of the dual-wall structures considered. However, the internal stress field did have a significant effect on the extent of the damage sustained by the pressure wall.
Transesophageal Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Myocardial Ischemia in Morbidly Obese Subjects

Background The evaluation of chest pain or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in morbidly obese subjects is limited by the inability of routine diagnostic techniques to adequately image these individuals. Morbidly obese subjects are therefore often inadequately treated or inappropriately treated for presumed CAD. Methods and results We prospectively evaluated 23 morbidly obese patients with chest pain using transesophageal dobutamine stress echocardiography (TE-DSE). The mean (± SD) weight was 164 ± 8 kg (range, 118 to 215 kg). We identified nine patients with abnormal TE-DSE findings. Five of these patients subsequently had cardiac catheterization with confirmation of CAD in the regions identified by TE-DSE. Over a follow-up period of 18 ± 6 months, three cardiac events (non-Q-wave myocardial infarction) occurred in the same group, including two patients without confirmatory cardiac catheterization data. Thus, seven of nine patients with positive results of TE-DSE had objective confirmatory evidence of CAD. No cardiac events were observed in the group with normal TE-DSE over the same follow-up period. Conclusion TE-DSE is a safe and potentially useful technique for the evaluation of suspected CAD in morbidly obese subjects.
Why is lawsonite eclogite so rare? Metamorphism and preservation of lawsonite eclogite, Sivrihisar, Turkey

A rare occurrence of lawsonite eclogite crops out in a belt of high-pressure rocks in the Sivrihisar Massif, Turkey. Although lawsonite eclogite is predicted to be common at depths of ∼45–300 km in subduction zones, lawsonite seldom survives exhumation. In the Sivrihisar Massif, lawsonite eclogite occurs as 5-cm-long to 3.5-m-long pods in lawsonite blueschist and blueschist facies quartzite and marble. We have identified >70 eclogite pods within an ∼14 km 2 area; most of them are lawsonite bearing. Phase diagrams calculated for Sivrihisar eclogite bulk compositions indicate metamorphic conditions of 21– 24 kbar, ∼422–580 °C. High-pressure minerals (omphacite, lawsonite) are synkinematic with respect to the main fabric, and therefore preserve chemical and structural features of high-pressure subduction metamorphism. The presence of both pristine and retrogressed lawsonite eclogite within meters of each other suggests that lawsonite eclogite preservation is related to rapid exhumation and other factors. For example, the effects of exhumation-related deformation ± fluid infiltration may locally overprint some rocks, producing clinozoisite and/or epidote, whereas rocks that escape these effects retain primary lawsonite.
Diff/Wave-MAS2D: a simulation platform for measurement and actuation scheduling in distributed parameter systems with mobile actuators and sensors

This paper presents a simulation platform called Diff/Wave-MAS2D we have developed for measurement scheduling and distributed controls in distributed parameter systems with networked moving sensors and moving actuators. The background information for this simulation platform is introduced and the main features of the software packages are discussed. Two illustrative simulation examples (diffusion control and wave equation control) are demonstrated to show some of the capabilities and unique features of this simulation platform.
The N-acylation-phosphodiesterase pathway and cell signalling

Abstract Long-chain N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) elicit a variety of biological and pharmacological effects, Anandamide (20:4n-6 NAE) and other polyunsaturated NAEs bind to the cannabinoid receptor and may thus serve as highly specific lipid mediators of cell signalling. NAEs can be formed by phospholipase D-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids or by direct condensation of ethanolamine and fatty acid, So far, most of the latter biosynthetic activity has been shown to be the reverse reaction of the NAE amidohydrolase that catalyzes NAE degradation. Thus, increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that the N-acylation-phosphodiesterase pathway yields not only saturated-monounsaturated NAEs, but polyunsaturated ones, including anandamide, as well.
Relative entropy and the multivariable multidimensional moment problem

Entropy-like functionals on operator algebras have been studied since the pioneering work of von Neumann, Umegaki, Lindblad, and Lieb. The best known are the von Neumann entropy |(rho):=-trace(rhologrho) and a generalization of the Kullback- Leibler distance S(rhoparsigma):=trace(rhologrho-rhologsigma), referred to as quantum relative entropy and used to quantify distance between states of a quantum system. The purpose of this paper is to explore | and S as regularizing functionals in seeking solutions to multivariable and multidimensional moment problems. It will be shown that extrema can be effectively constructed via a suitable homotopy. The homotopy approach leads naturally to a further generalization and a description of all the solutions to such moment problems. This is accomplished by a renormalization of a Riemannian metric induced by entropy functionals. As an application, we discuss the inverse problem of describing power spectra which are consistent with second-order statistics, which has been the main motivation behind the present work
Decomposition of a Multi-Period Media Scheduling Model in Terms of Single Period Equivalents

This paper develops a method for choosing advertising media plans for the next T-periods in order to maximize net discounted profits. Using the discrete maximum principle of Optimal Control Theory, it is shown that under certain conditions a T-period media model can be decomposed into a sequence of T one-period models together with the determination of the corresponding carry-over effects using an iterative procedure. The single period models with their objective functions modified to include the carry-over effects can be solved by conventional methods. Although the conditions for decomposition are not always satisfied, the heuristic solution procedure defined by the decomposition approach has been found to give close to optimal solutions in randomly generated test problems. The solutions obtained in these tests are usually better than the corresponding solutions obtained by the Little and Lodish type of heuristic applied to the present model. Finally, the T-period model is specialized to derive a steady-state formulation of an infinite horizon media planning problem.
Refining the level for anticipated hepatotoxicity in acetaminophen poisoning

Abstract Treatment of an acetaminophen overdose with N-acetyl cysteine usually is based on the position of the 4-h acetaminophen (APAP) level on the Rumack-Matthew nomogram; however, there is disagreement on the level at which clinically relevant hepatotoxicity occurs. A retrospective review of all acute adult formulation APAP exposures reported to our poison center between 1986 and 1993 was performed and cases corresponding to the “possible risk or toxicity” range on the nomogram were identified. Our current poison center protocol for APAP poisoning does not recommend treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in low-risk patients if the 4-h serum APAP level or the extrapolated equivalent falls within the possible toxicity range on the nomogram. Seventeen cases met the inclusion criteria for the study and received no NAC; six additional patients met inclusion criteria but received one or two doses of NAC before therapy was discontinued. No patients in either group demonstrated clinical evidence of hepatotoxicity. This pilot study suggests that patients with no risk factors and APAP levels in the “possible risk” range may not require NAC therapy.
Predicting late normal tissue responses

Abstract One goal of radiation research is to predict, in an individual patient, the response of the cancer and relevant normal tissues to a course of radiotherapy and to use such information in adjusting the individual's risk-benefit ratio. There are four potential types of predictors of radiation response: physical dose, biological dose, risk factors and realtime assays. Biological dose, which is derived from physical dose and tissue radiobiology, is likely to be the most useful predictor for late normal tissue injury, although risk factors are also important. For any real-time assay to be useful in predicting ultimate response to a conventional regimen, for example, of 30 fractions, it must be both accurate and precise, especially if used after only one dose fraction. No sufficiently accurate such assays exist and, in any event, they are less critical for normal tissues than for tumors, because normal tissues are less heterogenous in their cellular composition and radiation responses than tumors. In order to apply recent concepts in biological dosimetry to late normal tissue responses, it is important to determine “tolerance” doses of human tissues more accurately; to understand and quantify the volume effect; and to determine isoeffect relationships for all tissues at doses per fraction less than 2 Gy.
Probabilistic counter updates for predictor hysteresis and stratification

Hardware counters are a fundamental building block of modern high-performance processors. This paper explores two applications of probabilistic counter updates, in which the output of a pseudo-random number generator decides whether to perform a counter increment or decrement. First, we discuss a probabilistic implementation of counter hysteresis, whereby previously proposed branch confidence and criticality predictors can be reduced in size by factors of 2 and 3, respectively, with negligible impact on performance. Second, we build a frequency stratifier by making increment and decrement probabilities functions of the current counter value. The stratifier enables a 4-bit counter to classify an instruction's Likelihood of Criticality with sufficient accuracy to closely approximate the performance of an unbounded precision classifier. Because probabilistic updates are both simple and effective, we believe these ideas hold great promise for immediate use by industry, perhaps enabling the use of structures such as branch confidence predictors which may have previously been viewed as too expensive given their functionality.
INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL POTASSIUM ON THE SYNTHESIS AND DEPOSITION OF MATRIX COMPONENTS BY CHONDROCYTES IN VITRO

The effect of a high external potassium concentration on the synthesis and deposition of matrix components by chondrocytes in cell culture was determined. There is a twofold increase in the amount of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate accumulated by chondrocytes grown in medium containing a high potassium concentration. There is also a comparable increase in the production of other sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) including heparan sulfate and uncharacterized glycoprotein components. The twofold greater accumulation of GAG in the high potassium medium is primarily the result of a decrease in their rate of degradation. In spite of this increased accumulation of GAG, the cells in high potassium fail to elaborate appreciable quantities of visible matrix, although they do retain the typical chondrocytic polygonal morphology. Although most of the products are secreted into the culture medium in the high potassium environment, the cell layer retains the same amount of glycosaminoglycan as the control cultures. The inability of chondrocytes grown in high potassium to elaborate the typical hyaline cartilage matrix is not a consequence of an impairment in collagen synthesis, since there is no difference in the total amount of collagen synthesized by high potassium or control cultures. There is, however, a slight increase in the proportion of collagen that is secreted into the medium by chondrocytes in high potassium. Synthesis of the predominant cartilage matrix molecules is not sufficient in itself to ensure that these molecules will be assembled into a hyaline matrix.