cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ozone in remote areas of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Abstract Ozone (O3) data are sparse for remote, non-urban mountain areas of the western U.S. Ozone was monitored 2007–2011 at high elevation sites in national forests in Colorado and northeastern Utah using a portable battery-powered O3 monitor. The data suggest that many of these remote locations already have O3 concentrations that would contribute to exceedance of the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for O3 and most could exceed a proposed more stringent secondary standard. There were significant year-to-year differences in O3 concentration. Ozone was primarily in the mid-concentration range, rarely exceeding 100 ppb or dropping below 30 ppb. The small diel changes in concentration indicate mixing ratios of NOx, VOCs, and O3 that favor stable O3 concentrations. The large number of mid-level O3 concentrations contributed to high W126 O3 values, the metric proposed as a possible new secondary standard. Higher O3 concentrations in springtime and at night suggest that stratospheric intrusion may be contributing to ambient O3 at these sites. Highest nighttime O3 concentrations occurred at the highest elevations, while daytime O3 concentrations did not have a relationship with elevation. These factors favor O3 concentrations at many of our remote locations that may exceed the O3 NAAQS, and suggest that exceedances are likely to occur at other western rural locations.
Quantum shift of the optical absorption edge in ultra thin amorphous hydrogenated germanium layers

Abstract The optical absorption coefficient in ultra thin (∼10A) a-Ge:H layers deposited on a-Si:H layers, was determined by in-situ reflectivity measurements. The decrease in the absorption coefficient in the ultra thin a-Ge:H layers, compared to that of thick films, is explained by an upward shift in the conduction band edge due to quantum confinement of electrons with effective mass of 0.4 m o .
The Regulation of Ovine Placental Steroid 17α-Hydroxylase and Aromatase by Glucocorticoid

Parturition in the pregnant sheep is preceded by an abrupt alteration in placental steroid metabolism causing a shift from progesterone to estrogen production. This change is believed to be a consequence of the prepartum rise in cortisol in the fetal circulation and involves increases in activities of the enzymes steroid 17α-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-45017α), steroid C-17,20-lyase, and possibly aromatase. We have investigated the activity levels of aromatase and 17α-hydroxylase in placental microsomes in late pregnancy and dexamethasone-induced labor. Over the gestational period of 118–140 days basal levels of placental aromatase were relatively constant [mean value (±SD) of 5.6 ±1.6 pmol min−1 mg microsomal protein−1(n = 10)]. Steroid 17α-hydroxylase activity was undetectable [<0.5 pmol min−1 mg microsomal protein−1 (n = 7)]. In six animals in labor induced with infusion of dexamethasone into the fetus, placental aromatase activity had a mean value of 14.0 ± 2.5 pmol min−1 mg protein−1; placental steroid...
Alumina/Epoxy Interpenetrating Phase Composite Coatings: I, Processing and Microstructural Development

Interpenetrating phase composite (IPC) coatings consisting of continuously connected Al2O3 and epoxy phases were fabricated. The ceramic phase was prepared by depositing an aqueous dispersion of Al2O3 (0.3 μm) containing orthophosphoric acid, H3PO4, (1–9.6 wt%, solid basis) and heating to create phosphate bonds between particles. The resulting ceramic coating was porous, which allowed the infiltration and curing of a second-phase epoxy resin. The effect of dispersion composition and thermal processing conditions on the phosphate bonding and ceramic microstructure was investigated. Reaction between Al2O3 and H3PO4 generated an aluminum phosphate layer on particle surfaces and between particles; this bonding phase was initially amorphous, but partially crystallized upon heating to 500°C. Flexural modulus measurements verified the formation of bonds between particles. The coating porosity (and hence epoxy content in the final IPC coating) decreased from ∼50% to 30% with increased H3PO4 loading. The addition of aluminum chloride, AlCl3, enhanced bonding at low temperatures but did not change the porosity. Diffuse reflectance FTIR showed that a combination of UV and thermal curing steps was necessary for complete curing of the infiltrated epoxy phase. Al2O3/epoxy IPC coatings prepared by this method can range in thickness from 1 to 100 μm and have potential applications in wear resistance.
Fiber optics that fly

The need for autonomous systems to work under unanticipated conditions requires the use of smart sensors. High resolution systems develop tremendous computational loads. Inspiration from animal vision systems can guide us in developing preprocessing approaches implementable in real time with high resolution and deduced computational load. Given a high quality optical path and a 2D array of photodetectors, the resolution of a digital image is determined by the density of photodetectors sampling the image. In order to reconstruct an image, resolution is limited by the distance between adjacent detectors. However, animal eyes resolve images 10-100 times better than either the acceptance angle of a single photodetector or the center-to-center distance between neighboring photodetectors. A new model of the fly's visual system emulates this improved performance, offering a different approach to subpixel resolution. That an animal without a cortex is capable of this performance suggests that high level computation is not involved. The model takes advantage of a photoreceptor cell's internal structure for capturing light. This organelle is a waveguide. Neurocircuitry exploits the waveguide's optical nonlinearities, namely in the shoulder region of its gaussian sensitivity-profile, to extract high resolution information from the visual scene. The receptive fields of optically disparate inputs overlap in space. Photoreceptor input is continuous rather than discretely sampled. The output of the integrating module is a signal proportional to the position of the target within the detector array. For tracking a point source, resolution is 10 times better than the detector spacing. For locating absolute position and orientation of an edge, the model performs similarly. Analog processing is used throughout. Each element is an independent processor of local luminance. Information processing is in real time with continuous update. This processing principle will be reproduced in an analog integrated circuit using photodiodes and fiber optic waveguides as the nonlinear light sensing devices, current mirrors and opamp circuits for the processing. The outputs of this circuit will go to other artificial neural networks for further processing.
The histocompatibility system and human disease

Summary The histocompatibility system and its associations with human diseases have been described. Although these associations remain unexplained, they represent an important step forward in the search for basic causes and mechanisms of diseases. Further studies may lead to better classifications of diseases and to an increased understanding of basic biologic processes, of etiologies of many important diseases, and of relationships between genetic and environmental susceptibility to disease. However, at the present time histocompatibility studies have little value as diagnostic or prognostic tests in clinical medicine, aside from their obvious usefulness in matching tissue donors to recipients.
Protein phosphatase 5 protects neurons against amyloid-β toxicity

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is thought to promote neuronal cell loss in Alzheimer’s disease, in part through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine phosphatase which has been implicated in several cell stress response pathways and shown to inactivate MAPK pathways through key dephosphorylation events. Therefore, we examined whether PP5 protects dissociated embryonic rat cortical neurons in vitro from cell death evoked by Aβ. As predicted, neurons in which PP5 expression was decreased by small-interfering RNA treatment were more susceptible to Aβ toxicity. In contrast, over-expression of PP5, but not the inactive mutant, PP5(H304Q), prevented MAPK phosphorylation and neurotoxicity induced by Aβ. PP5 also prevented cell death caused by direct treatment with H2O2, but did not prevent Aβ-induced production of ROS. Thus, the neuroprotective effect of PP5 requires its phosphatase activity and lies downstream of Aβ-induced generation of ROS. In summary, our data indicate that PP5 plays a pivotal neuroprotective role against cell death induced by Aβ and oxidative stress. Consequently, PP5 might be an effective therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in which oxidative stress is implicated.
A framework for using games for behavioral analysis of autistic children

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) draws increasing awareness nowadays. The children with autism suffer different degrees of impairment, but there is, still, no efficient medical detection nor cure methods. It is very urgent and important to develop suitable therapeutic methods to help them make progress in a positive progress. This paper proposes a multimodal integrated system concept for autistic children to enable them to play serious games non-intrusively while the reactions are recorded by Microsoft Kinect color and depth camera, and the emotions are analyzed. The adaptive system provides evaluation for serious game-based therapy sessions, as well as the potential directions of further treatment. Main components of the framework and integration approach are described in the paper. There are also the suggestions of verification and validation for the outcomes of the software.
Latitudinal dependency in dust devil activity on Mars

[1] There are more dust devils (dd; inferred from dust devil tracks, or ddt) in the southern hemisphere than in the north. Ddt suggest that the dd season starts in late spring (Ls = 60° and 240°, northern and southern hemispheres, respectively) and continues through the summer into mid fall (Ls = 210° and 30°, northern and southern hemispheres, respectively). However, the ddt density in the southern hemisphere averages ∼0.6 ddt/km2, while the northern hemisphere averages ∼0.06 ddt/km2, or an order of magnitude less. This is attributed to the observation that in southern summer the surface receives 40% more solar energy for atmospheric motion and dd formation than the surface in the northern summer, due to the eccentricity of Mars' orbit.
Randomized, prospective double-blind trial of metoclopramide and placebo for gastroesophageal reflux in infants

The effect of metoclopramide on gastroesophageal reflux was studied in 30 infants less than 1 year of age. Gastroesophageal reflux was documented in all infants by extended pH monitoring before enrollment in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive metoclopramide 0.1 mg/kg or placebo four times a day, ½ hour before feeding for 1 week, followed by the alternate regimen for 1 week. The infants were reevaluated with extended pH monitoring and scintigraphy after 4 to 7 days of each treatment. A symptom score was derived by determining the average number of occurrences of all symptoms recorded daily by parents on a symptom checklist during pretreatment, placebo, and metoclopramide treatment periods. There was a difference between pretreatment evaluation and placebo periods with respect to daily symptom scores ( p p p =0.05). We conclude that metoclopramide in the dosage 0.1 mg/kg four times daily reduces reflux in infants and may be useful for infants with poor weight gain and other serious complications of gastroesophageal reflux.
The Construction of a Firm's Governance Structure in a Setting of Uncertainty

Why does the firm look the way it does? Why does it have the structures it has? In particular, what is the function of the board of directors? Many papers have tried, and failed, to link the board's structure to the performance of the firm. Might the board have an alternative rationale for existence? In this paper, I explore the possibility of the board being used as a signaling device. The management, having information about the state of the world the investor does not, constructs a signal (the board of directors) to promote efficiency in an uncertain world. The construction of the board signals the state of the world to the investor, reducing the uncertainty, and thereby attracting necessary capital to the firm. I then examine the size of the signal with respect to other key firm characteristics. I find that the size of the signal diminishes as investors become more concentrated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serotonin-immunoreactive nerve fibers of the rat pituitary: effects of anticatecholamine and antiserotonin drugs on staining patterns

Serotonin-immunoreactive (5-HT-IR) nerve fibers observed in the pars nervosa of the rat pituitary gland were examined after treatment of animals with antiserotonergic or anti-catecholaminergic drugs.p-Chlorophenylalanine, (PCPA), an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis, eliminated staining in both areas of the pituitary gland.p-Chloroamphetamine (PCA), a serotonin neurotoxin, did not produce a significant change in 5-HT-IR from control tissue. Unexpectedly, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a catecholamine neurotoxin, eliminated 5-HT staining in the pars intermedia, but not in the pars nervosa. These observations suggest that 5-HT present in fibers innervating the intermediates and neural lobes is synthesized in axons locally, or is taken up into fibers from extrinsic sources. In addition, catecholamines and 5-HT may co-exist in nerve terminals of both lobes of the pituitary gland.
The effects of acceleration on the mechanical impedance response of a primate model exposed to sinusoidal vibration.

Criteria for developing active and passive isolation mechanisms for reducing the effects of whole-body vibration exposure rely on a thorough understanding of the stiffness, damping, and resonance behaviors of the human or human surrogate body. Three Rhesus monkeys were exposed to seated whole-body sinusoidal vibration between 3 and 20 Hz at 0.69 and 3.47 msec−2 rms (0.1 and 0.5 g peak) accelerations. The mechanical impedance magnitude and phase were calculated as the ratio and phase relation between the transmitted force and input velocity, respectively, at the seat. The resultant profiles showed a significant decrease in the primary resonance frequency with increasing acceleration. At the lower acceleration level, a second lower impedance peak was observed at approximately 5 Hz. A three-mass, two degree-of-freedom model, which included upper torso and leg representation, was used to determine the mechanical parameters that best described the measured responses. The mean stiffness coefficients and the mean undamped natural frequencies associated with the upper torso and leg subsystems showed a significant decrease with increases in the acceleration level. The results of this study strongly suggested that nonlinear stiffness properties were responsible for the observed differences in the biodynamic response of the Rhesus monkey with acceleration level.
Fracture behavior of as-cast pearlitic nodular iron

Abstract The fatigue crack propagation and fracture toughness behavior of an ASTM A536, as-cast, pearlitic nodular iron with a bull's-eye structure was studied. The material had an ultimate strength of 76 ksi, a yield strength of 59 ksi, and an elongation of 1.6%. Fracture toughness tests were conducted on compact tension specimens with thicknesses of 0.30, 0.50, 0.70, and 1.00 inches. The conditional fracture toughness, KQ, was found to be insensitive to the specimen thickness in the above range and to have a value of approximately 30 ksi-in1/2. The dependence of the fatigue crack growth rate, da/dN, on the stress intensity factor, δK, was determined for stress ratios of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7. At the same °K level, the da/dN rates were higher for the higher stress ratios. The parameters, C and n, of the Paris equation, da/dN=C(δK)n were determined for each stress ratio. Near-threshold tests were also conduced for the stress ratio of 0.1. The threshold stress intensity factor, δKTH, was found to be in the range of 6.3 to 7.7 ksi-in1/2. A statistical model was used to calculate the agreement of the results of two duplicate fatigue crack growth tests.
Magnetic capping layer induced spin reorientation: Co on Fe/Cu(100)

A spin reorientation phase transformation can occur either by a continuous process, such as spin canting, or by an abrupt spin rotation. We investigate the spin reorientation of ultrathin Fe/Cu(100) films induced by Co capping layers using the magneto-optical Kerr effect. The spin axis reorients from the perpendicular to the in-plane direction when the amount of Co exceeds some critical value. Experimental evidence indicates that this transformation involves the formation of multidomains. In the transition thickness regime, we observed that the perpendicular and the in-plane remanent magnetization are complementary, and attribute this to the presence of an inhomogeneous anisotropy field.
Salmonella mediastinal abscess

Salmonella is a rare cause of a mediastinal infection. This report describes the 14-year natural history of a mediastinal mass with eventual abscess formation. Computed tomography provided excellent visualization, and surgical drainage afforded prompt diagnosis and treatment.
On the implementation of 3D Galerkin boundary integral equations

In this article, a reverse contribution technique is proposed to accelerate the construction of the dense influence matrices associated with a Galerkin approximation of hypersingular boundary integral equations of mixed-type in potential theory. In addition, a general-purpose sparse preconditioner for boundary element methods has also been developed to successfully deal with ill-conditioned linear systems arising from the discretization of mixed boundary-value problems on non-smooth surfaces. The proposed preconditioner, which originates from the precorrected-FFT method, is sparse, easy to generate and apply in a Krylov subspace iterative solution of discretized boundary integral equations. Moreover, an approximate inverse of the preconditioner is implicitly built by employing an incomplete LU factorization. Numerical experiments involving mixed boundary-value problems for the Laplace equation are included to illustrate the performance and validity of the proposed techniques.
Perioperative Risk Factors for Major Complications in Pediatric Surgery: A Study in Surgical Risk Assessment for Children

Background There are numerous studies in the adult literature correlating comorbidities and pre- and intraoperative parameters with postoperative outcomes. However, there is a paucity of similar data in the pediatric population. Our goal was to elucidate which pre- and intraoperative patient characteristics in children undergoing surgery are associated with an increased risk of major complication within 30 days. Study Design We identified 108 children who underwent surgery at our institution between June 2005 and May 2007 and had major complication or death within 30 days of surgery. Forty-two preoperative patient characteristics and 22 intraoperative variables were evaluated. The severity of the complications was graded based on the Clavien classification system, with major complications grade III or greater. We randomly selected 723 controls who had undergone surgery within a 3-month date range of the original cohort, but did not develop complications. Statistical significance was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Most complications were cardiovascular, occurred 1 to 3 days after surgery, and were classified as grade IIIB. We identified 5 independent risk factors on multivariate analysis: ≤36 weeks of gestation, American Society of Anesthesiologists score >3, undergoing a cardiovascular or neurosurgical procedure, and receiving an intraoperative albumin transfusion. Three scoring systems (overall, preoperative, and intraoperative complication score) were developed to provide objective risk stratification. Conclusions We found 5 patient-specific parameters that were independent risk factors for major complications or death after pediatric surgery. Future prospective studies will help to fully stratify risk and guide interventions to improve postoperative outcomes.
Homologous genes, aggression, and animal models

I previously proposed that identified and mapped genes with effects on 1 or more types of aggression in mice may be used as behavioral, biological, or genic models for 1 or more types of human aggression. Currently, there is some evidence for effects of 11 genes on at least 1 type of mouse aggression. These are Ar, CamK2a, Enk, Estr, Hlr, Htrlb, Maoa, Nosl, Sry, Sts, and Tgfa. Because there are homologous genes in the human genome, these genes and their effects on different types of aggression are considered as a prologue to exploring their use as animal models of human aggression. Then, the use of such genetic variants as animal models will be considered at the behavioral level for impulsive aggression, at the biological level for the effects of serotonin on impulsive aggression, and at the genic level for the effects of a monoamine oxidase A variant on impulsive aggression.
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF ACANTHAMOEBA S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE SYNTHETASE GENE

We have isolated and characterized a cDNA (cDNA1) from an Acanthamoeba cDNA library encoding the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase (ATP: L-methionine S-adenosyltransferase; EC 2.5.1.6). The nucleotide sequence exhibits about 61-73% overall similarity to the corresponding gene of other organisms. The cDNA displays extreme codon bias with a preference for C or G in the third position. A putative initiation site and an ATP-binding site are identified. An amino acid content of 388 and a molecular mass of about 44,000 Daltons are deduced for the enzyme. Putative phosphorylation sites which might be involved in regulation of the enzyme are revealed. The cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and the identity of the protein product confirmed by Western blotting analysis. Northern analyses of the expression of the Acanthamoeba SAM synthetase gene during development revealed a pronounced reduction in the level of transcripts as amoebae converted to cysts.
Several, few and many

Abstract The proper analysis of several , few , and many involves the hypothesis that each is a modifier of a usually unpronounced counterpart of the noun number . In the case of few and many , there is close link to overt phrases like a small number or a large number. Several is more complex and arguably involves a hidden comparative structure. The relation between these elements and numerals is also discussed.
Determination of ligand conformation in reduced [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from cysteine β-proton hyperfine couplings

The isotropic hyperfine couplings of cysteine β-protons in iron-sulfur clusters of proteins provide information about the structure and conformation of the clusters if their magnetic resonance peaks can be resolved and assigned. The application of two-dimensional ESEEM (HYSCORE) spectroscopy to the reduced [2Fe-2S] cluster in ferredoxin from red marine algae Porfira umbilicalis is described. After deuterium substitution of the exchangeable protons, highly-resolved, orientationally-selected HYSCORE spectra show cross-peaks from strongly coupled, nonexchangeable protons. When cross-peaks from all the HYSCORE spectra are linearized and transformed to a common nuclear Zeeman frequency, they fall along five straight lines. Four of these sets of peaks are assigned to β-protons of the cysteine ligands. The isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine couplings for these protons are extracted from the slopes and intercepts of these lines. Two rescaling procedures are examined for the conversion of the experimentally measured isotropic couplings from different irons in [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters. The couplings from P. umbilicalis appear to fit the same empirical dependence on Fe-S-C-H dihedral angle as do the couplings from a [4Fe-4S] model cluster. A method to assign protons for proteins of unknown structure is proposed that yields the correct assignment as derived from the crystal structure of the highly homologous protein from Spirulina platensis. The conformations of the cysteines in the reduced protein, derived without any adjustable parameters from this procedure and the empirical functions, are consistent with those reported for the latest refinement of the crystal structure of the oxidized protein.
Cost effectiveness of pelvic sonogram in the emergency room: Endovaginal vs. transabdominal examination

Ultrasound evaluation of the female pelvis is a valuable tool to diagnose pelvic pathology accurately and rapidly in the emergency room patient. Institutions differ concerning which imaging approach—transabdominal or endovaginal sonography—should be performed first, and when it is appropriate to continue to the other modality. The aim of this randomized and prospective study was to determine the most cost-effective imaging approach to pelvic sonography, without sacrificing diagnostic yield. The results of 120 patient encounters utilizing both imaging methods were as follows. Our study showed that 74% of examinations first performed transabdominally required additional endovaginal evaluation, whereas only 9% of initial examinations by endovaginal sonography required transabdominal examination. Thus, we demonstrated that the total time and expenditure of imaging decreased while we maintained high diagnostic accuracy. We recommend that all female emergency patients being evaluated for pelvic pathology, except those with a palpable pelvic mass or with a bladder that is already full, or those in the second or third trimester or pregnancy, undergo imaging initially by endovaginal sonography and that transabdominal evaluation be used as a complementary examination.
Implantation of the common cavity malformation may prevent meningitis

AbstractObjectives and importanceChildren with certain congenital malformations of the inner ear, including those with a common cavity defect, have a higher incidence of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and resulting meningitis. However, they may also benefit from cochlear implantation. We suggest that surgical management may be possible that both prevents meningitis and provides hearing rehabilitation during the same procedure.Clinical presentationA 2-year-old girl with bilateral common cavity defects who had previously undergone cochlear implantation developed contralateral CSF leak resulting in meningitis.InterventionAfter resolution of the infection, cochlear implantation was performed at the same time as definitive CSF leak repair. Simultaneous cochlear implantation and repair of the CSF leak successfully decreased the chance of recurrent meningitis in this case. She has been deriving hearing benefit from the bilateral implants.ConclusionThis case suggests a role for cochlear implantation t...
Management of the Cardiovascular Subsystem after Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Identification of normal convalescence after cardiac surgery is important in order to minimize unnecessary interventions. Close and accurate surveillance of patients early after operation is necessary to identify abnormal convalescence in patients with suboptimal cardiac performance. Vigorous treatment can often yield gratifying results. The details of decision-making and intervention are discussed.
Mathematical model for the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in Mexican-style sausage.

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in chorizos (Mexican-style sausages) was modeled in relation to initial water activity (a w0 ) and storage conditions using the Weibull cumulative distribution function. Twenty survival curves were generated from chorizos formulated at a w0 = 0.85-0.97 then stored under four temperature (T) and air inflow velocity (F) conditions. The Weibull model parameters (α and β) were determined for every curve. Predicted survival curves agreed with experimental curves with R 2 = 0.945-0.992. Regression models (R 2 = 0.981-0.984) were developed to relate a and β to operating conditions. The times to one- and two-log reduction in count (t 1D and t 2D ) were derived from the Weibull model in terms of a and β. A parametric study revealed that L. monocytogenes survival was most sensitive to a w0 between 0.90 and 0.95. The inactivation of L. monocytogenes could be maximized with higher T and lower a w0 ; however, F did not significantly influence survival.
Ancestor Worship in Japan: Dependence and the Resolution of Grief

Ancestor worship in Japan is ritual, supported by a sophisticated theory, by which the living manage their bonds with the dead. Differing cultural values on autonomy/dependence create differences in interpersonal bonds, thus different dynamics in breaking and continuing bonds after death. This article defines ancestor worship and places in its historical/political context, discusses autonomy and dependence as cultural values in terms of expressions and resolutions of grief, and describes ancestor worship as processes similar to the resolution of grief in the modern West.
Determinants of participation in home energy audit/loan programs: Discrete choice model results

Abstract Discrete choice models are developed for decisions to participate in home energy audit and loan programs. A nested logit model of joint audit and loan decisions is also estimated. The results suggest that attitudinal variables concerning the information value and convenience of audits are the best predictors of the audit choice. A belief that conservation retrofits improve home value is the best predictor of the loan choice. The nested logit model results show that audit and loan choices are independent; this is probably due to a low level of awareness about loan availability.
Structure of modified ε-polylysine micelles and their application in improving cellular antioxidant activity of curcuminoids.

The micelle structure of octenyl succinic anhydride modified e-polylysine (M-EPL), an anti-microbial surfactant prepared from natural peptide e-polylysine in aqueous solution has been studied using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Our results revealed that M-EPLs formed spherical micelles with individual size of 24–26 A in aqueous solution which could further aggregate to form a larger dimension with averaged radius of 268–308 A. Furthermore, M-EPL micelle was able to encapsulate curcuminoids, a group of poorly-soluble bioactive compounds from turmeric with poor oral bioavailability, and improve their water solubility. Three loading methods, including solvent evaporation, dialysis, and high-speed homogenization were compared. The results indicated that the dialysis method generated the highest loading capacity and curcuminoids water solubility. The micelle encapsulation was confirmed as there were no free curcuminoid crystals detected in the differential scanning calorimetry analysis. It was also demonstrated that M-EPL encapsulation stabilized curcuminoids against hydrolysis at pH 7.4 and the encapsulated curcuminoids showed elevated cellular antioxidant activity compared with free curcuminoids. This work suggested that M-EPL could be used as new biopolymer micelles for delivering poorly soluble drugs/phytochemicals and improving their bioactivities.
Anodization of Vanadium

A study was made of the relationship between ion current migrating through anodic oxide films on vanadium and the electrostatic field across the dielectric over a potential range of some 100V utilizing the open‐circuit transient method. The results show that the relationship between the formation current density, , and the formation potential, , is of the form exp , where and are parameters resulting from analysis. was found to be a linear function of the formation voltage. The quantity, θ, was found to be essentially equal to zero, a result which departs from results previously reported for other metals, for example tantalum, iron, and bismuth.
A theory of low-frequency combustion instability in solid rocket motors

A theoretical investigation of low-frequency combustion instability is conducted where the mechanism of instability is the lag of burning-rate response to pi essure disturbances near the propellant surface due to the temperature gradient just below the surface and its interaction with lag in exhausting the chamber due to nozzle flow The pei iod of low-frequency chamber fluctuations is considered large compared to any time lags in the gas-phase burning process The burning-rate perturbations and pressure perturbations are related through a closed-loop feedback system analysis The burning-rate fluctuations cause pressure fluctuations through the chamber transfer function These pressure fluctuations are, in turn, fed back to the burning-rate fluctuations thiough the combustion transfer function Expressions are derived for the two transfer functions, and an instability criterion is developed by the application of Cauchy's theorem, resulting in the correlation of the critical pressure for a given propellant and chamber characteristic length L* The results are compared with experimental data obtained at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Stimulation of angiogenesis by canine parathyroid tissue

Background. Autotransplanted parathyroid tissue is capable of inducing neovascularization in vivo, restoring calcium homeostasis with regulatory control. The mechanism of parathyroid-induced neovascularization remain to be determined. Using an unique three-dimensional in vitro model, we tested the ability of parathyroid tissue to stimulate angiogenesis. Methods. Healthy 1 mm 3 fragments of normal canine parathyroid tissue were cocultured with freshly isolated microvessels that were embedded in a collagen I gel. After 7 days the gels were stained with G s -1 lectin, a specific marker for rat endothelium. With image analysis the microvessel density (as the percentage of area) was determined. Results. A significant increase in mean microvessel density (20.90% ± 1.28 versus 16.51% ± 1.66%) was seen with parathyroid coculture compared with control (n = 17, p < 0.05). There was no difference in microvessel density between controls and microvessels exposed to increasing concentrations of parathyroid hormone or calcium. The density of seeded microvessels influenced the effect of parathyroid stimulation of angiogenesis. The effect was apparent only at low seeding densities. Conclusions, We conclude that parathyroid tissue intrinsically stimulates angiogenesis in vitro by a secreted product, independent of calcium or parathyroid hormone.
Efficiency Optimization in Digitally Controlled Flyback DC–DC Converters Over Wide Ranges of Operating Conditions

This paper presents an approach to efficiency optimization in digitally controlled flyback dc-dc converters over wide ranges of operating conditions. Efficiency is characterized and optimized based on power loss modeling and multivariable nonlinear constrained optimization over power-stage and controller parameters. A valley switching technique is adopted to reduce MOSFET turn-on switching loss in discontinuous conduction mode. An optimization procedure is formulated to minimize power loss weighted over a range of operating points, under a cost constraint. A lookup table-based digital controller is applied to achieve on-line efficiency optimization by programming switching frequencies and operating modes based on the efficiency optimization processes. The proposed on-line efficiency optimization approach is verified by experimental results on a low cost 65 W flyback dc-dc prototype.
Comparison of the solubility in supercritical fluids of the polycyclic ether antibiotics: Lasalocid, monensin, narasin, and salinomycin☆

Abstract Solubility measurements for the polycyclic ethers (lasalocid, monensin, narasin, and salinomycin) were determined as sodium salts in pure CO2 and with CO2 modified with methanol and water at temperatures of 60–80 °C and 140–400 bar using an SFE instrument with a recirculating-loop fluid system. Wide variations in solubility within this antibiotic class were observed. Narasin and salinomycin were found to have almost identical solubilities in supercritical CO2, 1.35 × 10−3 mol/L (80 °C and 390 bar) while monensin was much lower in solubility, 2.34 × 10−4 mol/L (80 °C and 390 bar). Lasalocid showed no measurable solubility under similar experimental conditions. Similar differences were observed when solubilities were determined in CO2 modified with methanol and water. These variations in measured solubilities were attributed, in part, to dissimilarities among the conformations of the polycyclic ether/cation complexes in solution.
What’s New in Primary Malignant Musculoskeletal Tumors

Malignant musculoskeletal tumors are infrequent and have relatively aggressive clinical courses. Systemic spread is common in higher grade tumors, and much of the basic research reviewed herein focuses on developing new systemic therapies to help prevent and treat metastatic disease. The clinical research reviewed here focuses on outcomes after local and systemic treatment of the tumors. We have added a section of reconstructive aspects of musculoskeletal oncology, which focuses on technical and mechanical issues. Chondrosarcoma has no characteristic molecular alteration, and thus a target for therapy is more challenging. ### Basic Science Work on the genetics of chondrosarcoma revealed mutations in the gene for type-II collagen (COL2A1) in 37% of the forty-nine cases studied. Further confirmation of previous reports on the presence of frequent mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 were also reported1. Another study reported the usefulness of IDH1 mutations in distinguishing chondrosarcoma from chondroblastic osteosarcoma, as the former had a mutation in IDH1 in 61% of patients whereas the latter had no mutations in IDH12. The bone morphogenetic protein pathway is active in central chondrosarcomas and the activity-correlated grade. This is the first time that the expression of this pathway was shown to correlate with grade3. Inhibitors of this pathway are available for early clinical trials. The transcription factor ETV5 has been linked to the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in chondrosarcoma. It appears that ETV5 induces the expression of MMP-2, which degrades the surrounding matrix and thus allows chondrosarcoma cells to grow4. MMPs in cartilage tumors have been discussed as therapeutic targets for many years. ### Clinical Research Local recurrence of chondrosarcoma continues to be a focus of interest. Lin et al. reported the rate of survival after local recurrence as well as the rate of repeat local recurrences in patients with chondrosarcoma …
Response rates of cation-sensitive glass electrodes

Abstract A re-evaluation of the response of cation-sensitive glass electrodes to rapid concentration changes indicates typical response times in the 1.5–4.0 sec range and suggests that such electrodes might be used for continuous analyses or for reaction rate studies.
Radial-anisotropy nanogranular thin-film magnetic material for toroidal inductors

Thin-film nanogranular magnetic materials are attractive for micro-fabricated very-high-frequency power magnetics, but their anisotropy makes them difficult to use in toroidal geometries. A method to deposit magnetic materials with the radial anisotropy required for high-performance toroidal inductors is introduced in this paper. The radial anisotropy is induced during sputter deposition of Co-Zr-O thin films by an applied radial magnetic field. A magnetic field orientation fixture which consists of two magnets and iron components is designed to create a radial field predominantly parallel to the substrate plane. Initial prototype toroidal cores with 8-mm inside diameter, 16-mm outside diameter, and thickness of 6 μm have been fabricated. Hysteresis measurements along the radial direction (easy axis) and the circumferential direction (hard axis) of deposited samples show the desired anisotropy orientation. Small-signal measurements show that the fabricated toroidal core has flat relative permeability near 60 to several hundred megahertz, and reaches a quality factor higher than 100 in the range of tens of megahertz.
Transcription of the Contiguous sigB, dtxR, and galE Genes in Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Evidence for Multiple Transcripts and Regulation by Environmental Factors

The iron-dependent transcriptional regulator DtxR from Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the prototype for a family of metal-dependent regulators found in diverse bacterial species. The structure of DtxR and its action as a repressor have been extensively characterized, but little is known about expression of dtxR. In the current study, we investigated transcription of dtxR as well as the sigB and galE genes located immediately upstream and downstream from dtxR, respectively. We identified two promoters that determine transcription of dtxR. The first, located upstream of sigB, appears to be controlled by an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor. The second, located in the intergenic region between sigB and dtxR, is similar to promoters used by the primary vegetative sigma factors in other actinomycete species. Using quantitative real-time assays, we demonstrated that the number of transcripts initiated upstream from sigB is affected by several environmental factors. In contrast, the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate was the only factor tested that conclusively affects the number of transcripts initiated in the sigB-dtxR intergenic region. Additionally, we provided evidence for the existence of transcripts that contain sigB, dtxR, and galE. Our studies provide the first quantitative transcriptional analysis of a gene encoding a DtxR family regulator and give new insights into transcriptional regulation in C. diphtheriae.
Background synaptic activity as a switch between dynamical states in a network

A bright red light may trigger a sudden motor action in a driver crossing an intersection: stepping at once on the brakes. The same red light, however, may be entirely inconsequential if it appears, say, inside a movie theater. Clearly, context determines whether a particular stimulus will trigger a motor response, but what is the neural correlate of this? How does the nervous system enable or disable whole networks so that they are responsive or not to a given sensory signal? Using theoretical models and computer simulations, I show that networks of neurons have a built-in capacity to switch between two types of dynamic state: one in which activity is low and approximately equal for all units, and another in which different activity distributions are possible and may even change dynamically. This property allows whole circuits to be turned on or off by weak, unstructured inputs. These results are illustrated using networks of integrate-and-fire neurons with diverse architectures. In agreement with the analytic calculations, a uniform background input may determine whether a random network has one or two stable firing levels; it may give rise to randomly alternating firing episodes in a circuit with reciprocal inhibition; and it may regulate the capacity of a center-surround circuit to produce either self-sustained activity or traveling waves. Thus, the functional properties of a network may be drastically modified by a simple, weak signal. This mechanism works as long as the network is able to exhibit stable firing states, or attractors.
Harvesting traffic-induced vibrations for structural health monitoring of bridges

This paper discusses the development and testing of a renewable energy source for powering wireless sensors used to monitor the structural health of bridges. Traditional power cables or battery replacement are excessively expensive or infeasible in this type of application. An inertial power generator has been developed that can harvest traffic-induced bridge vibrations. Vibrations on bridges have very low acceleration (0.1‐0.5 m s −2 ), low frequency (2‐30 Hz), and they are non-periodic. A novel parametric frequency-increased generator (PFIG) is developed to address these challenges. The fabricated device can generate a peak power of 57 μW and an average power of 2.3 μW from an input acceleration of 0.54 m s −2 at only 2 Hz. The generator is capable of operating over an unprecedentedly large acceleration (0.54‐9.8 m s −2 ) and frequency range (up to 30 Hz) without any modifications or tuning. Its performance was tested along the length of a suspension bridge and it generated 0.5‐0.75 μW of average power without manipulation during installation or tuning at each bridge location. A preliminary power conversion system has also been developed. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
MENETRIER'S DISEASE IN CHILDREN: Report of a Case and Review of the Pediatric Literature

A case of Menetrier's disease (giant hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa) in a 2-day-old infant is presented. The lesion was primarily confined to the gastric antrum. It resulted in outlet obstruction and necessitated partial gastrectomy. The pertinent literature is critically evaluated, and probably only 2 of the 9 previously reported cases of Menetrier's disease in children qualify fully.
Wanted: More Nails for the Hammer — An Investigation Into the Application of Human Computation

Researchers studying human computation and crowdsourcing know it as a useful tool for solving data analysis problems. Outside of this community, however, we ask the question ‘how many people with data analysis problems know how to use human computation and crowdsourcing?’ In this paper, we observe trends in academic papers on the topic of human computation and crowdsourcing, conduct a survey, and examine the growth of the human computation and crowdsourcing market by researching recent market reports in order to test the hypothesis that human computation and crowdsourcing is not a widely used tool despite its usefulness for problem solving.
Design and testing of a high power, ultra-high vacuum, dual-directional coupler for the Advanced Photon Source (APS) linear accelerator

Leaks and cracks have developed in the vacuum windows of the linac WR 284 waveguide directional couplers. In the existing coupler design the vacuum window is brazed to the waveguide. Replacement of a cracked window requires the removal of the component from the waveguide system resulting in a loss of vacuum in the waveguide. A new design has been developed and a prototype tested that utilizes bolted-in vacuum windows and allows for easier replacement of the windows in the system, while still providing suitable radio-frequency specifications.
Recombinant human activin-A promotes proliferation of human luteinized preovulatory granulosa cells in vitro.

Ovarian granulosa cells synthesize and secrete activin, a member of the transforminggrowth factorbeta (TGF-β) peptide family, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. We examined the growth-promoting activity of human recombinant activin-A on human luteinized preovulatory granulosa cells obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Activin-A induced proliferation of granulosa cells on day 5 of culture in a dosedependent manner. Maximal effects were seen at concentrations ≥ 100 ng/mL with an ED50 of 15 ng/mL. We suggest that activin-A is able to modulate growth of ovarian granulosa cells.