cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased intracellular calcium transients by calmodulin antagonists differentially modulate tumor necrosis factor-α-induced E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression

We investigated the role of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Calmodulin (CaM) antagonists, W-7, trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine, triggered a rise in [Ca(2+)](i) in HUVECs. In the presence of extracellular Ca(2+), thapsigargin pretreatment completely prevented W-7-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i), indicating that increase is attributable to the release of Ca(2+) from internal stores. The increased [Ca(2+)](i) acted as a second messenger to enhance tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced E-selectin and suppress intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression. Preincubation of HUVECs with the Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraaceticacetomethyl ester blocked W-7-mediated effects on E-selectin and ICAM-1. The W-7 effects were paralleled by changes in the respective mRNAs, suggesting regulation at a pretranslational level. These findings indicate that CaM-regulated [Ca(2+)](i) in HUVECs may play an important role in controlling expression of endothelial adhesion molecules involved in atherogenesis.
Performance of a Synthetic-Aperture Mapping Radar System

An ideal synthetic-aperture mapping radar system is postulated. The response of this system is then computed for 1) a point target, 2) locally homogeneous terrain, and 3) terrain of arbitrary reflectivity. Relationships for achievable resolution, swath width, and final map SNR vs the independent parameters of vehicle altitude, terrain scattering coefficient, carrier wavelength, vehicle velocity, and average radiated power are developed. The ideal system considered in this paper can be approximated in practice, for small real-antenna beamwidths, by using large time-bandwidth chirp waveforms and sin x/ x illumination of the real-antenna aperture.
Intravenously administered hypocretin-1 alters brain amino acid release: an in vivo microdialysis study in rats

We have reported that intravenous administration of hypocretin (Hcrt or orexin) reverses the symptoms of narcolepsy in genetically narcoleptic dogs. We have also reported that the onset of symptoms in canine genetic narcolepsy is accompanied by degenerative changes in forebrain regions, particularly the septal nucleus and amygdala. In the present in vivo microdialysis study we have investigated the effect of intravenous administration of Hcrt-1 (orexin-A) to anaesthetized rats on glutamate and GABA release in the amygdala, a region with moderate Hcrt innervation, and in the cerebellar cortex, a region with sparse or no Hcrt innervation. We found that intravenous Hcrt administration caused a marked (> 60 %) and sustained (> 50 min) increase in glutamate release within the amygdala, but no change in release in the cerebellar cortex. We did not detect a significant change in GABA release. When calcium-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid was used as the microdialysis perfusate, Hcrt-1 no longer produced an increase in glutamate release. Hcrt may act via the calcium-dependent regulation of glutamate release in certain nuclei of the central nervous system.
Magnetic-field-induced cellular superflow and periodic texture in a /sup 3/He-A slab

In $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$A$, there is a coupling between ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{V}}}_{s}$ and $\stackrel{^}{l}$ which favors the spontaneous formation of supercurrent rolls and an accompanying nonuniform texture. Applying a weak (strong) magnetic field to a thick (thin) slab of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$A$ can precipitate such a transition. Phase diagrams in these two limits are obtained, which also include the partial effects of a driving superflow.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE

URRENT use of the terms, social organization and social structure, in social science writings indicates uncertainty as to the meaning of either term. Writers alternate in their use of these terms in the same paragraph. This can be confirmed by reference to works on sociological concepts or to writings in the field of social anthropology.' I t is the purpose of this article to suggest more precise definitions of these terms and to propose a method for the systematic analysis of these concepts. The following distinction is suggested for the terms, social organization and social structure: social organization refers to the systems of obligationrelations which exist among and between the groups constituting a given society, while social structure refers to the placement and position of individuals and of groups within that system of obligation-relations.2 It is the contention of this paper that the use of either term in analysis of social phenomena should take place within this dual conceptual framework, and that the difference between these terms is primarily one of approach and emphasis. Thus, a description of the social organization of American society would stress the nature and functioning of obligation-relations as these operate among the various groups constituting this society. On the other hand, an analysis of the social structure of this society would describe the position of the numerous groups in this social order with reference to each other as manifested in the system of familial, economic, political, religious and socialclass obligation-relations which obtains a t any given time.
The use of DSC to study the kinetics of heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation of ice in aqueous systems

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) combined with sample dispersal in the form of an emulsion can be successfully used as a tool for studying kinetics of both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of ice in an aqueous sample. Adding freeze-dried Pseudomona syringae as an ice nucleant into the filtered aqueous system before preparing the emulsion proved to be a method for inducing uniform controllable heterogeneous nucleation. Exotherms associated with the heterogeneous and homogeneous events in scanning occur at characteristic temperatures. The kinetics of both heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation in the same sample have been studied by an isothermal hold procedure. Kinetic analysis of the individual peaks yields consistent kinetic constants. The parameters describing the temperature dependence of the nucleation kinetics are different for the heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation processes. There is a linear relationship between freezing point depression and the reduction of nucleation temperatures associated with sucrose addition.
Topology, Cosmology and Convention

It has been said that it was Reichenbach’s merit to have realized that the conventional aspects of geometry are precisely the metrical aspects of geometry. I disagree. The most suggestive parts of Reichenbach’s work on space and time (1958) are his remarks on the possibility of alternative topologies for physical space. For, if Reichenbach is correct, the topology of space has an intimate connection with both the causal structure of the universe and with the identity of objects in time. We have alternatives for the first just because we have alternatives for the latter two. My intent is to apply Reichenbach’s insights on the relativity of topology, and some of Felix Klein’s work on the connections between local geometry and global geometry, to the subject of relativistic cosmology.
Vacuum carburizing of low carbon steel with methane.

Determination, par une succession d'operations de rectifications et d'analyses, de la teneur en carbone dans les echantillons d'acier cementes dans une atmosphere de methane de 13 a 80 kPa a des temperatures de 1193 a 1313 K. La quantite totale de carbone entree par la surface de chaque echantillon a ete calculee graphiquement a partir des profils de concentrations et la vitesse de cementation a ete evaluee. Un modele mathematique de calcul des profils de concentrations est presente
Down regulation of RhoC by microRNA-138 results in de-activation of FAK, Src and Erk1/2 signaling pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Summary Objective RhoC a pro-metastatic oncogene is constitutively active in many head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. MicroRNA-138 which possesses a documented tumor suppressor function can bind to the 3′UTR of RhoC mRNA and inhibit its activity. We hypothesize that miR-138 can inhibit the function of RhoC and consequently the activation of downstream target molecules involve in the signaling cascade. For this reason we investigated the role of miR-138 in HNSCC. Methods In vitro studies were carried out to evaluate the role of miR-138 in HNSCC cell lines and in primary tumors obtained from HNSCC patients. Real time RT-PCR, Western blot, cell motility, invasion and colony formation assays were performed according to standard procedures. Results Data obtained by G-LISA and real time PCR shows an inverse correlation between RhoC expression and miR-138 in HNSCC cell lines. Additionally, we obtained a similar pattern of RhoC and miR-138 expression in primary tumors from HNSCC patients. Over expression of miR-138 in HNSCC lines showed down regulation of RhoC, as well as a decrease in cell motility, invasion colony and stress fiber formation. Furthermore, a significant down regulation was observed for FAK, Src and Erk1/2 upon miR-138 overexpression. Conclusion These findings strongly suggest that the inhibition of RhoC can be achieved by over expressing miR-138, which further attenuates the downstream signaling cascade leading to cancer progression and survival. Moreover, this study for the first time shows that down regulation of FAK, Src and Erk1/2 by miR-138 overexpression is due to inhibition of RhoC in HNSCC.
Mixed fluid bilayers: Effects of confinement.

A theoretical model for binary mixtures in fluid membranes is developed to study possible modulated phases in confined geometries. It is shown that two-component fluid bilayers can exhibit modulations of both membrane shape and composition when subject to confinement. In particular, lyotropic smectic phases can exhibit a transition to an undulated structure similar to that of the Helfrich-Hurault instability. In the case of binary mixtures, however, the resulting structure is stable. These results are also extended to freely suspended films, for which a transition to a modulated phase is predicted as a function of the film thickness.
Dynamics and Structure of Mesoscale Error Covariance of a Winter Cyclone Estimated through Short-Range Ensemble Forecasts

Abstract Several sets of short-range mesoscale ensemble forecasts generated with different types of initial perturbations are used in this study to investigate the dynamics and structure of mesoscale error covariance in an intensive extratropical cyclogenesis event that occurred on 24–25 January 2000. Consistent with past predictability studies of this event, it is demonstrated that the characteristics and structure of the error growth are determined by the underlying balanced dynamics and the attendant moist convection. The initially uncorrelated errors can grow from small-scale, largely unbalanced perturbations to large-scale, quasi-balanced structured disturbances within 12–24 h. Maximum error growth occurred in the vicinity of upper-level and surface zones with the strongest potential vorticity (PV) gradient over the area of active moist convection. The structure of mesoscale error covariance estimated from these short-term ensemble forecasts is subsequently flow dependent and highly anisotropic, whic...
A comparative assessment of answer quality on four question answering sites

Question answering (QA (2) answer multiplication does not always result in better information; it yields more complete and verifiable answers but does not result in higher accuracy levels; and (3) a Q&A site's popularity does not correlate with its answer quality, on all three measures.
Hitler's Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe The Janushead: Field Marshal Von Manstein, a Reappraisal

In August 1942, Hitler directed all German institutions including the Wehrmacht to assist Himmler in eradicating all resistance in the German occupied areas in the East. The “anti-bandit” campaign ...
A Time and a Place for Standards: History shows how abuses of the standards process have impeded progress.

Over the next decade, we will encounter at least three major opportunities where success will hinge largely on our ability to define appropriate standards. That’s because intelligently crafted standards that surface at just the right time can do much to nurture nascent industries and encourage product development simply by creating a trusted and reliable basis for interoperability. From where I stand, the three specific areas I see as particularly promising are: (1) all telecommunications and computing capabilities that work together to facilitate collaborative work; (2) hybrid computing/home entertainment products providing for the online distribution of audio and/or video content; and (3) wireless sensor and network platforms (the sort that some hope the 802.15.4 and ZigBee Alliance standards will ultimately enable). No doubt there will be others, but for the purposes of this discussion, these should suffice.
Disruption of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis following chronic doxorubicin administration.

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is an anthracycline antibiotic with broad antineoplastic activity. However, the clinical success is limited by the incidence of cumulative cardiomyopathy. In vitro, doxorubicin elicits a cyclosporine A-sensitive release of calcium from cardiac mitochondria. It has been suggested that this leads to mitochondrial calcium cycling and depolarization of membrane potential, which may account for the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and cytotoxicity observed with the drug. Implication of a similar mechanism in the manifestation of clinical doxorubicin toxicity requires evidence for a disruption of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis following chronic in vivo administration. Cardiac mitochondria isolated from doxorubicin-treated rats (2 mg/kg/week, s.c. x 13 weeks) had a lower RCR but no change in ADP/O compared to controls and exhibited an enhanced cyclosporine A-sensitive release of mitochondrial calcium. Associated with this was a calcium-induced depolarization of membrane potential, which was inhibited by either cyclosporine A or ruthenium red suggesting the induction of mitochondrial calcium cycling following chronic doxorubicin treatment. The persistence of these effects on mitochondrial calcium regulation 4-7 days after the last drug treatment is consistent with the cumulative cardiotoxicity associated with doxorubicin therapy. Cardiac mitochondria isolated from rats treated with iminodaunorubicin, a noncardiotoxic analog of doxorubicin, showed no differences from control suggesting that this disruption of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis in vivo may be an important determinant of the cardiomyopathy observed clinically with doxorubicin.
Inhibition by quercetin of thyroid hormone stimulation in vitro of human red blood cell Ca2+-ATPase activity

Human red blood cell membrane Ca2+-ATPase activity is stimulated in vitro by physiological concentrations of thyroid hormone. Quercetin, a flavonoid that inhibits several membrane-linked ATPases, suppressed thyroid hormone action on red cell Ca2+-ATPase activity and also interfered with binding of the hormone by red cell membranes. These effects of quercetin were dose-dependent over a range of concentrations (1-50 microM). In contrast, in the absence of thyroid hormone, quercetin at low concentrations stimulated Ca2+-ATPase activity and at 50 microM inhibited the enzyme. The effects of quercetin at low concentrations (1-10 microM), namely, stimulation of Ca2+-ATPase and inhibition of membrane-binding of thyroid hormone, mimic those of thyroid hormone and are consistent with the thyronine-like structure of quercetin. At high concentrations, quercetin is generally inhibitory of Ca2+-ATPase activity. Chalcone, fisetin, hesperetin and tangeretin are other flavonoids shown to reduce susceptibility of membrane Ca2+-ATPase to hormonal stimulation.
The effects of Hurricane Hugo on suspended-sediment loads, Lago Loiza Basin, Puerto Rico

Runoff generated from large storm events, such as hurricanes, is expected to transport large quantities of suspended sediment. Observations of suspended-sediment loads transported during Hurricane Hugo in the Lago Loiza (Lake Loiza) basin, Puerto Rico, indicate that loads were lower than expected. In the two main tributaries that enter Lago Loiza, Rio Grande de Loiza and Rio Gurabo, 99 600 tonnes of suspended sediment was transported by 58·2 × 106 m3 of runoff in a 48 h period. The storm-average suspended-sediment concentration in the Rio Grande de Loiza for Hurricane Hugo was 2290 mgl−1, the second lowest for the 12 storms that have been monitored at this site. In Rio Gurabo the storm-average suspended-sediment concentration was 1420 mgl−1, the sixth lowest recorded out of 15 monitored storms. In Quebrada Salvatierra, a small tributary to Rio Grande de Loiza, suspended-sediment concentrations were as low as 33 mgl−1 during the peak runoff of 20 m3 s−1. Normally the suspended-sediment concentrations at this discharge are 3000 mgl−1. Hurricane force winds seem to be the most important factor contributing to the lower than expected suspended-sediment loads in the Lago Loiza basin. The high winds caused vegetation and debris to be dislodged and displaced. Debris accumulated on hillslopes and in small channels, blocked bridges and formed debris dams. These dams caused local backwater effects that reduced stream velocities and decreased suspended-sediment loads.
A Facile Method for Monoesterification of α, ω-Dicarboxylic Acids: Application to the Synthesis of Traumatic Acid, A Prostaglandin Synthon

Abstract During the past decade, methyl 7-(5-oxocyclopentenyl)heptanoate (6) has been frequently used as a key intermediate in prostaglandin synthesis.1 Although keto ester 6 can be readily obtained by treatment of traumatic acid (5) with polyphosphoric acid followed by esterification with methanolic hydrochloric acid,2 this approach is not attractive for large-scale synthesis due to the expense of the latter natural product (5). Recently Salomon and Reuter have reported1 an alternate route to synthon 6 based on a starting material derived from aleuritic acid, a major component of shellac.
True to Milankovitch: Glacial Inception in the New Community Climate System Model

The equilibrium solution of a fully coupled general circulation model with present-day orbital forcing is compared to the solution of the same model with the orbital forcing from 115 000 years ago. The difference in snow accumulation between these two simulations has a pattern and a magnitude comparable to the ones inferred from reconstructions for the last glacial inception. This is a major improvement over previous similar studies, and the increased realism is attributed to the higher spatial resolution in the atmospheric model, which allows for a more accurate representation of the orography of northern Canada and Siberia. The analysis of the atmospheric heat budget reveals that, as postulated by Milankovitch’s hypothesis, the only necessary positive feedback is the snow‐albedo feedback, which is initiated by reduced melting of snow and sea ice in the summer. However, this positive feedback is almost fully compensated by an increased meridionalheat transportin theatmosphereandareducedconcentrationoflow Arcticclouds.In contrasttosimilar previous studies, the ocean heat transport remains largely unchanged. This stability of the northern North Atlanticcirculation is explainedby the regulatingeffect of thefreshwaterimportthroughthe NaresStrait and Northwest Passage and the spiciness import by the North Atlantic Current.
Phospholipid acyl chain rotational dynamics are independent of headgroup structure in unilamellar vesicles containing binary mixtures of dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine and dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine

Abstract We have examined relationships between phospholipid headgroup structure and acyl chain dynamics, and their respective roles in modulating the physical properties of biological membranes. Fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy measurements were used to assess structural changes involving the lipid acyl chains in homogeneous populations of small and large unilamellar vesicles containing binary mixtures of dioleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (PC) and dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the liquid-crystalline (L α ) phase. These measurements involve three different fluorescent lipid analogs containing diphenylhexatriene (DPH) linked to either a trimethylamine moiety (i.e., TMA-DPH) or the sn -1 position of monostearoyl-phospholipids containing PC or PE headgroups (i.e., DPH-PC and DPH-PE). The average lifetimes, rotational correlation times, and order parameters associated with DPH-PC and DPH-PE are virtually identical, and are not affected by alterations in the PE content of the membrane. These results suggest that the average cross-sectional areas of the phospholipid acyl chains of DOPE and DOPC relative to the membrane normal are similar in these unilamellar vesicles. Since PC headgroups are larger than those of PE, differences in the relative orientation of the phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine moieties relative to the membrane surface probably function to maintain optimal van der Waals contact interactions between acyl chains. On the other hand, the average lifetime associated with TMA-DPH, whose chromophoric group is near the membrane surface, increases with increasing PE content. The position of TMA-DPH relative to the membrane surface does not change, since the rotational dynamics of TMA-DPH are independent of the PE concentration. Therefore, alterations in the average lifetime of TMA-DPH results from polarity differences near the membrane surface at the level of the glycerol backbone. These results are discussed in terms of how differences in the average conformation of the glycerol backbones or phospholipid headgroups of PE and PC have the potential to regulate membrane function.
Early Enteral Nutrition After Brain Injury by Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrojejunostomy

Twenty-seven patients in a series of 52 patients with severe brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) underwent insertion of intestinal feeding tubes at the bedside. The technique required endoscopy with externalization of gastric and intestinal ports through the abdominal wall. Feedings were begun through the intestinal tube with Vital HN within 4 hours of its insertion with simultaneous gastric decompression via the gastric tube. Tubes were placed 2.3 (range 0-5) days after injury. Full caloric intake (3020 kcal/24 h) was achieved by 6.8 (range 2-8) days after injury to 4.2 (range 2-8) days after placement of the feeding tube. Only 1 patient failed to tolerate feedings immediately after tube insertion. Technical inability to insert the tubes occurred in 3 patients and the intestinal tube migrated into the stomach in 2 patients; diarrhea occurred in only 1 patient. With this technique, it was possible to deliver an average daily intake of 1.2 g/kg of protein in 8-day balance periods beginning at the ti...
Salt- and pyrophosphate-induced structural changes in myofibrils from chicken red and white muscles.

Myofibrils isolated from post-rigor chicken Pectoralis major (PM, white) and Gastrocnemius (Gas, red) muscles were irrigated with various concentrations of NaCl (0.1–1.0 M) with or without 10 mM sodium pyrophosphate at pH 5.5 and 6.0. Structural changes were examined using phase contrast microscopy. PM myofibril samples tended to show more definitive H-zones but obscure Z-lines compared to Gas myofibrils. Significant myofibril swelling, accompanied by a pronounced protein extraction, occurred in 0.5 M NaCl solution. The extent of swelling as well as protein extraction increased with the NaCl concentration up to about 0.8 M. Addition of pyrophosphate facilitated myofibril swelling and reduced the minimal NaCl concentration for swelling to 0.4 M. Without pyrophosphate, protein extraction for both PM and Gas myofibrils occurred along the A-band, sometimes starting from the centre, but when pyrophosphate was added, the extraction began from the ends of the A-band. At pH 5.5, protein extraction was similar for PM and Gas, but at pH 6.0, PM myofibrils were more extractable and their architecture changed more extensively than Gas myofibrils, especially when pyrophosphate was present. The results may explain the different water-imbibing abilities of white and red meat when processed with salt and phosphate. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry
Computer user manuals in print: Do they have a future?

What sort of a role will the printed page play in the computer user manuals of the future? I believe that print does have a future in this area, but not perhaps the future we might have foreseen five years ago. At that time nothing was less controversial than the viability of print as a medium of documentation. That viability is in question now, and to show how the questioning developed I propose to examine its beginnings in the recent past. I shall then go into some detail on how the controversy about print is being maintained at present. Finally, I shall explain how I feel the controversy is likely to be resolved, by making four predictions about the future of computer user manuals, and those whose job it is to produce them.
Sodium Doppler-free collisional line shapes

Mesure de l'excitation resonante a 2 etapes de sodium, en presence de gaz tampons a tres faible pression (He, Ar, Xe et N 2 ). Analyse des resultats pour isoler les effets de l'elargissement des raies et des collisions avec changement de vitesse dans la limite de la collision isolee. A partir de cette analyse, on obtient les variations, en fonction de la vitesse, de plusieurs elargissements de raies
Forearm blood flow response to posture change in the very old: non-invasive measurement by venous occlusion plethysmography.

Little is known about the peripheral vascular response to posture change in very elderly people who are vulnerable to the development of orthostatic hypotension. This is due, in part, to the risks of currently utilized invasive vascular monitoring techniques in the elderly population. We studied the forearm vascular response to active standing in 18 healthy young, 10 healthy old, and 19 impaired elderly subjects, using the non-invasive technique of venous occlusion plethysmography. In six subjects this technique was compared to duplex doppler ultrasonography for the measurement of postural changes in forearm blood flow. Forearm blood flow changes determined by venous occlusion plethysmography were 11% larger than doppler measurements, but the two methods strongly correlated (r = 0.90, P less than .001). Mean forearm vascular resistance increased to a significantly greater extent at 1 minute of standing in young subjects than in both groups of old, although the response was quite variable in all groups. Two healthy elderly (20%) and eight impaired elderly (40%) subjects had unexpected forearm vasodilatation at 1 minute of standing. By 3 minutes, forearm vascular resistance had increased by similar amounts in all three groups of subjects. Five impaired elderly and no healthy young or healthy old subjects had orthostatic hypotension, defined as greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg decline in mean arterial blood pressure at 1 or 3 minutes of standing. Forearm vascular resistance changes did not correlate with blood pressure response to standing. Thus, forearm vascular response to 1 minute of active standing is attenuated in many elderly subjects. This abnormality may impair adaptation to orthostatic stress in advanced age.
The effects of text version and feedback type on memorial representations

Subjects read, sentence by sentence, one of two versions of a text describing a small town. The route version described the town as a driver might encounter it, and the survey version represented the town in spatial terms. Three feedback conditions were used. One group of readers had limited access to a map. The second group could reread a limited number of sentences. The third group read the entire version in paragraph form. There were no differences between conditions in semantic memory, defined as order and number of propositions recalled, or in surface memory, defined as recognition of old/new sentences. However, the sentence feedback proved superior for the route version in inferential (situation) memory, and text feedback was superior for the survey text. This suggests that feedback type that is congruent with the text version is more effective with regard to more complex memorial processes.
Thermally stable organically modified layered silicates based on alkyl imidazolium salts

A series of imidazolium salts having various substituents and functional groups were synthesized and characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Organic modification of natural and synthetic layered silicates involving montmorillonite (MMT), laponite (lap), and synthetic mica (mica) was carried out by ion-exchange reaction. The obtained organo-clays were characterized by FTIR and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. Results indicate that these organically modified clays have much higher thermal stabilities compared to their corresponding imidazolium halides. It was also observed from TGA analysis that thermal stability does not depend on the functional group present at the 3-position of the imidazolium salts. These studies strongly supports premise that the removal of halide is necessary to improve the thermal stability of the organo-clay produced.
Predictors of alternative medicine use by multiple sclerosis patients

Objective: To determine the frequency of alternative medicine use among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and the factors which predict such use. Methods: We examined 20778 MS patients enrolled in ...
Products of symmetric and skew-symmetric Matrices ∗

The class of matrices which can be represented as products of two matrices, each of which is either symmetric or skew-symmetric, is identified. Possible ranks of the factors in such representations of a given matrix are identified as well.
Existence of Wannier-Stark localization

The eigenstates of an electron in an arbitrarily long periodic chain under the influence of an applied electric field are determined. The interaction of the electron with the electric field is divided into two components. The first component has the lattice periodicity and is incorporated into the system's periodic potential. It describes the electric-field-induced alteration of each of the periodic potential wells. The second component, a nonperiodic steplike function, is shown to have vanishing interband matrix elements. Indeed, it produces Wannier-Stark localization with its eigenvalues yielding Wannier-Stark ladders. Thus it is shown that the Wannier-Stark localization survives consideration of multiple electronic energy bands.
Multiple model tracker based on Gaussian mixture reduction for maneuvering targets in clutter

The problem of tracking targets in clutter naturally leads to a Gaussian mixture representation of the probability density function of the target state vector. Research reported previously reveals that a tracker using an integral square error (ISE) based mixture reduction algorithm can provide performance which is significantly better than any other known techniques using similar numbers of mixture components. One useful algorithm architecture for targets exhibiting very different trajectory characteristics over time would replace each Kalman filter within a conventional MMAE or IMM with an ISE-based algorithm that assumes the adequacy of the same particular dynamics model and discretized parameter choice ("mode"). The performance of such algorithms is evaluated, and compared to that of the corresponding MMAE or IMM based on Kalman filters in the same scenario except for being clutter-free.
Condensed-matter physics: The quest for imperfection

The electrical properties of silver chalcogenides are unusually affected by magnetic fields. A simulation suggests how this might arise from tiny imperfections and could facilitate the design of new materials.
Simple estimators for nonparametric panel data models with sample attrition

Abstract This paper considers a multiperiod random effects panel model with attrition of observations over the panel, allowing for flexible regressions, unknown distributions and attrition in one period to be followed by reappearance in a future period. In each time period, the regression in the retained data is additive in the function of interest and a time-varying correction term that depends on the contemporaneous probability of retention in the sample. These retention probabilities themselves depend on a regressor vector that grows with time. In particular, for the t th and ( t + s )th periods, these vectors differ by exactly s terms. The paper gives two-step estimators that correct for attrition bias by including estimates of these retention probabilities, one for each period that experiences attrition. Asymptotic normality for a class of functionals of the model is derived, also including as special cases the linear and partially linear versions of the model.
Magnetic materials for optical recording

Optical digital data storage using magnetic materials offers the combined advantages of magnetic recording and beam addressable technique. Recent progress in this technology is reviewed.
Future hydrogen markets for large-scale hydrogen production systems

Abstract The cost of delivered hydrogen includes production, storage, and distribution. For equal production costs, large users ( > 10 6 m 3 / day ) will favor high-volume centralized hydrogen production technologies to avoid collection costs for hydrogen from widely distributed sources. Potential hydrogen markets were examined to identify and characterize those markets that will favor large-scale hydrogen production technologies. The two high-volume centralized hydrogen production technologies are nuclear energy and fossil energy with carbon dioxide sequestration. The potential markets for these technologies are: (1) production of liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel and jet) including liquid fuels with no net greenhouse gas emissions and (2) peak electricity production. The development of high-volume centralized hydrogen production technologies requires an understanding of the markets to (1) define hydrogen production requirements (purity, pressure, volumes, need for co-product oxygen, etc.); (2) define and develop technologies to use the hydrogen, and (3) create the industrial partnerships to commercialize such technologies.
Molybdenum concentration of alfalfa in kern county, California: 1950 versus 1985

Abstract Greater than 10 mg/kg molybdenum (Mo) concentrations in forage present increasingly challenging management of most classes of livestock. In 1950, 71 alfalfa fields were sampled in Kern County, California, to gain a better understanding of the extent and distribution of high Mo concentrations in forage. Similarly, a large number (82) of the same or nearby fields were resampled in 1985 to evaluate the changes which had occurred in the Mo levels. The number of samples, minimum, maximum and average Mo concentrations were 71, 1.4, 41.7, 10.78 and 82, 0.7, 9.6, 3.57 mg/kg for 1950 and 1985, respectively. Copper (Cu) concentration in 1985 ranged from 6.0 to 19.0 with an average of 10.23 mg/kg. Cu:Mo ratios in 1985 had a low of 1.19 up to 13.71 with an average of 4.25. Forage concentrations of sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) were also determined. Suggested causes for the decline in forage Mo levels are: leaching of soluble salts with irrigation, acidification of soils by nitrogen fert...
Physics of correlated double ionization of atoms in intense laser fields: Quasistatic tunneling limit

We revisit the recollision picture of correlated multiphoton double ionization of atoms in strong laser fields and develop consistent semiclassical model in the tunneling limit. We illustrate the model by applying it to helium and obtain quantitative agreement with recent experiments [B. Walker, E. Mevel, Baorui Yang, P. Breger, J. P. Chambaret, A. Antonetti, L. F. DiMauro, and P. Agostini, Phys. Rev. A 48, R894 (1993); B. Walker, B. Sheehy, L. F. DiMauro, P. Agostini, K. J. Schafer, and K. C. Kulander, Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 1227 (1994)]. Developing the model, we address several problems of general interest, such as the reduction of intense field-assisted electron-ion collision to the field-free one and the total-cross-sections that include all inelastic channels. We describe a set of important physical effects responsible for the surprisingly high yield of doubly charged ions of noble gas atoms. All effects originate from the key role of the Coulomb potential and its interplay with the laser field. In addition to the Coulomb focusing of the oscillating trajectories onto the parent ion, other effects include transient trapping of electrons after tunneling in the vicinity of the parent ion, the creation of high-velocity electrons at all phases of the laser field, and the dominant role of collisional excitation of the parent ion followed by laser-assisted ionization.
Binding of lectins to mitotic chromosomes and interphase nuclear substructures

Abstract We have investigated binding of the lectins wheat germ agglutin (WGA) and concanavalin A (Con-A) to mitotic chromosomes and interphase nuclear substructures using fluorescein and rhodamineconjugated lectins. Standard cytogenetic preparations of human lymphocyte chromosomes were incubated with WGA. Mitotic chromosomes and interphase nuclei are brightly fluorescent. Con-A did not detectably bind chromosomes prepared in this way. Mitotic chromosomes display a distinctive banding pattern with WGA similar to quinacrine banding. We also studied binding to interphase “nuclear scaffolds”, which are prepared by treating isolated Hela cell nuclei with DNAse l and high salt. WGA binds nuclear scaffolds internally while Con-A binds to the periphery. The specific binding of lectins to chromosomal structures derived from these two different methods indicates that glycosides are true chromosomal components and that glycoproteins may have a role in chromosome organization.
Apigenin: A Promising Molecule for Cancer Prevention

Apigenin, a naturally occurring plant flavone, abundantly present in common fruits and vegetables, is recognized as a bioactive flavonoid shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Epidemiologic studies suggest that a diet rich in flavones is related to a decreased risk of certain cancers, particularly cancers of the breast, digestive tract, skin, prostate and certain hematological malignancies. It has been suggested that apigenin may be protective in other diseases that are affected by oxidative process, such as cardiovascular and neurological disorders, although more research needs to be conducted in this regard. Human clinical trials examining the effect of supplementation of apigenin on disease prevention have not been conducted, although there is considerable potential for apigenin to be developed as a cancer chemopreventive agent.
Dual-Mode Metamaterial with Backward and Forward Wave Selectivity

In this paper, a mode selective metamaterial which supports either forward or backward waves within the same frequency bandwidth is presented. The choice between dispersion operations is based on the mode excitation applied to the metamaterial. A demonstration microstrip prototype of this novel dual-mode composite right/left-handed metamaterial is realized and characterized. The metamaterial is right-handed under even-mode excitation and is left-handed under odd-mode excitation in the 1.86 GHz -2.00 GHz frequency range. Circuit simulations with the numerical and experimental results of the dual-mode metamaterial transmission line are performed to demonstrate electromagnetic wave steering and spatial multiplexing at a fixed frequency based on dispersion selectivity.
Quality assurance and quality control in the software development process

Quality has become an important concept in the marketplace recently. Have American workers traditionally produced "garbage"? Have standards for quality ever been defined? The intense competition created by the automobile industry in the last decade has sent an important message home. The importance of producing a quality product has come of age.The quality "spirit" has overflowed from the auto industry into almost all other industries in the United States, with good cause: the weak economy of the previous few years and increased penetration of our marketplace by foreign competitors have proven that nothing can replace a quality product. Quality has its place also in the information systems industry. Quality assurance and quality control exist to check and verify a developer's software product. A good structured system design, plus an aggressive assurance effort, allow information system products to meet customer expectations and approval.This research paper, Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Software Development Process, reviews QA's place in system design, development and test. Different quality control techniques are discussed for the DP environment, and the payoffs and costs of QA are reviewed.The following is the bibliography used in this paper. The author is interested on discussion and suggestions on this topic, and he can be reached at: Andrew E. Yiannakos, IBM Corporation, New York Advanced Education Center, 909 Third Avenue, New York, New York, 10022.
Relationships Among Verbal and Nonverbal Classroom Behaviors.

(1977). Relationships among verbal and nonverbal classroom behaviors. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 16, Nonverbal, pp. 153-161.
Medication Compliance among Discharged Psychiatric Patients

This study was designed to answer the following questions: (1) Among recently discharged psychiatric patients was medication compliance influenced by the locus-of-control orientation held by the pa...
Electron Energy-Loss Near-Edge Structure of Zircon

This work demonstrates that absorption near-edge structures of the O K-edge in zircon are directly related to atom structure, including bond length, bond angle and coordination. Small variations in the structure can induce measurable changes in absorption spectrum.
Operator Performance in Pattern Matching as a Function of Reference Material Structure

Abstract : This report describes the results of two experiments that examine operator accuracies and response times to recognize matches and mismatches between line drawings and photographs. The line drawings used in the experiments were generated by the procedures used in the Land-Attack Multi-sensor Correlation (LMC), which is a targeting system under development at China Lake. The experiments varied the number of pixels in the line drawings, the manner in which the pixels were varied, and the kind of premission experience the operators had with the imagery. In addition, the performance results were used to demonstrate an approach that might be used to set a criterion score for calling out a match by the LMC. Line drawings, Pattern recall, Target recognition, LMC, Pattern recognition, Pattern matching, Reference materials
Shearing interference diagnosis of laser-induced vapor plume

Characterizations of the vapor plume from a LY12 aluminum target irradiated by a focused normal mode pulsed Nd:glass laser beam have been studied by a plate shearing interferometer and high speed photography. The frame photos show that the speeds of the shock wave around the air are approximately treble that of the vapor plume front. At different sections (z), the refractive indexes are calculated with the Abel inversion, the electron density is about 7 X 1017 cm-3, the electron temperature is about 6,700 K by means of the saha equations.
Hematopoietic Akt2 deficiency attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of death and disability in diabetic and obese subjects with insulin resistance. Akt2, a phosphoinositide-dependent serine-threonine protein kinase, is highly express in insulin-responsive tissues; however, its role during the progression of atherosclerosis remains unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the contribution of Akt2 during the progression of atherosclerosis. We found that germ-line Akt2-deficient mice develop similar atherosclerotic plaques as wild-type mice despite higher plasma lipids and glucose levels. It is noteworthy that transplantation of bone marrow cells isolated from Akt2(-/-) mice to Ldlr(-/-) mice results in marked reduction of the progression of atherosclerosis compared with Ldlr(-/-) mice transplanted with wild-type bone marrow cells. In vitro studies indicate that Akt2 is required for macrophage migration in response to proatherogenic cytokines (monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor). Moreover, Akt2(-/-) macrophages accumulate less cholesterol and have an alternative activated or M2-type phenotype when stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines. Together, these results provide evidence that macrophage Akt2 regulates migration, the inflammatory response and cholesterol metabolism and suggest that targeting Akt2 in macrophages might be beneficial for treating atherosclerosis.
Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 by arsenite interferes with repair of oxidative DNA damage.

Arsenic enhances skin tumor formation when combined with other carcinogens, including UV radiation (UVR). In this study we report that low micromolar concentrations of arsenite synergistically increases UVR-induced oxidative DNA damage in human keratinocytes as detected by 8-hydroxyl-2′-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG) formation. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is involved in base excision repair, a process that repairs 8-OHdG lesions. Arsenite suppresses UVR-induced PARP-1 activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of PARP-1 activity by 3-aminobenzamide or small interfering RNA silencing of PARP-1 expression significantly increases UVR-induced 8-OHdG formation, suggesting that inhibition of PARP-1 activity by arsenite contributes to oxidative DNA damage. PARP-1 is a zinc finger protein, and mass spectrometry analysis reveals that arsenite can occupy a synthetic apopeptide representing the first zinc finger of PARP-1 (PARPzf). When the PARPzf peptide is preincubated with Zn(II) followed by incubation with increasing concentrations of arsenite, the ZnPARPzf signal is decreased while the AsPARPzf signal intensity is increased as a function of arsenite dose, suggesting a competition between zinc and arsenite for the same binding site. Addition of Zn(II) abolished arsenite enhancement of UVR-stimulated 8-OHdG generation and restored PARP-1 activity. Our findings demonstrate that arsenite inhibits oxidative DNA damage repair and suggest that interaction of arsenite with the PARP-1 zinc finger domain contributes to the inhibition of PARP-1 activity by arsenite. Arsenite inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is one likely mechanism for the reported co-carcinogenic activities of arsenic in UVR-induced skin carcinogenesis.