cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of novel primary cells from the human distal outflow pathway.

Ocular hypertension occurs due to increased resistance to aqueous humor removal through the conventional outflow pathway. Unlike the proximal region of the conventional outflow pathway, the distal region has not been well studied, mostly due to lack of model systems. Here we describe isolation and characterization of human primary vascular distal outflow pathway (VDOP) cells from the distal region of the conventional outflow pathway. Tissue from the distal region was isolated from human corneo-scleral rims, digested with collagenase type I (100 U/ml) and placed on gelatin coated plates to allow cellular growth in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (low glucose) containing fetal bovine serum and antibiotic/antimycotic. VDOP cells showed consistent proliferation for up to 7 passages, retained endothelial-like nature of the parent tissues and showed a unique marker phenotype of Lectin+VEGFR2-CD34-NG2- that was distinct from neighboring trabecular meshwork (Lectin+VEGFR2-CD34-NG2+) and Schlemm’s canal (Lectin+VEGFR2+CD34+NG2+) cells. Dexamethasone treated VDOP cells did not express myocilin and did not form cross-linked actin networks, in contrast to trabecular meshwork cells. These data show that VDOP cells are unique to the distal outflow region and can be used as a viable in vitro model system to understand the biology of the distal outflow pathway and intraocular pressure regulation.
On the Trade-off between Output SNR and Secret Key Generation Rate in Switch-and-Stay Combining

Switch-and-Stay Combining (SSC) is a widely used switched diversity technique that reduces receiver complexity and provides improvement in fading conditions. Until now, the main objective of SSC, was to provide favorable decoding performance. Current work proposes to augment this objective with the main goal of Wireless Physical Layer Security (WPLS) - fast and secure key generation. In a typical practical scenario for consumer electronics, where only one of the two participants employs switched diversity in the form of SSC, we consider a communication protocol where one correspondent always sends a request, while another responds. We show that under this assumption manipulating a switching threshold has a tremendous effect on the upper bound of Key Generation Rate (KGR). Thus, KGR improvement can reach up to 12%. More importantly, we show that maximizing the output SNR does not lead to the highest KGR, meaning that optimizing for both requires resolving a trade-off. If KGR is of priority, the loss in output SNR is approximately 0.4 dB.
Factors Affecting the Operation of the Air Traffic Controllers in Form of the SHELL Model. A Study at the Phuket Air Traffic Control Center, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited.

This research aims to finding Factors affecting the operation of air traffic controllers in the form of SHELL Model. A study at The Phuket Air Traffic Control Center, The Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited is combined between a survey and quantities research. The research was carried out using a questionnaire to collect data from air traffic controllers who working at Phuket International Airport. The data were analyzed by using percentage, means, standard deviation and inferential statistics t-test, F-test. The study indicated that The Air Traffic Controller who operating at Phuket International Airport. There was a significant level of opinions on the factors affecting the operation in the form of SHELL Model., the level of Liveware - Solfware was high, the level of Liveware - Hardware was high, the level of Liveware - Environment was middle and the level of Liveware - Liveware was high. The recommendations of staffs to provide additional comments on the administrator, the management policy, number of staffs and modern facilities that supports the operations.
High-temperature and abrasion-resistant metal-insulator-metal metamaterials

Abstract Selective solar absorbers with high performance are the key to concentrated solar power systems. Optical metamaterials are emerging as a promising strategy to enhance selective photon absorption, however, the high-temperat-ure stability (>500◦C) remains as one of the main challenges for practical applications. Here, a multilayered metamaterial system (Al2O3/W/SiO2/W) based on metal-insulator-metal Fabry-Perot resonance effect has been demonstrated with high solar absorptance over 92%, low thermal emittance loss below 6% (100◦C blackbody), and significant high-temperature thermal stability: it has been proved that the optical performance remains 94% after 1-hour thermal annealing under ambient environment up to 500◦C, and 94% after 96-hour thermal cycle test at 400◦C. Outdoor tests demonstrate that a peak temperature rise (193.5◦C) can be achieved with unconcentrated solar irradiance and surface abrasion resistance test yields that selective solar absorbers have a robust resistance to abrasion attack for engineering applications.
On Smartphone Indispensability: A Country-level Exploratory Study

To understand a pervasive but seldom examined phenomenon that people become heavily dependent on their smartphone, this exploratory study introduces a new concept, smartphone indispensability, defined as the intensive psychological dependency on smartphones due to the absolute necessary and primary role of smartphones in ones’ daily life. Observing that the smartphone indispensability is heterogeneously distributed across country, we argue that this heterogeneity results from a particular country-specific variable, national happiness. By integrating public and proprietary data on global smartphone usage and country characteristics, we use countryand time-fixed effects model and instrumental variable analysis to empirically explore the causal effect of national happiness on the average smartphone indispensability of the population in a country. We also investigate the effect of national happiness on mobile consumption and the mediating role of smartphone indispensability in this relationship. Potential theoretical, managerial and political implications are discussed.
Synapses Here and Not Everywhere

Local degradation of synaptic proteins determines which neuronal connections persist and which are eliminated during development.
Effects of parameter variations on timing characteristics of clocked registers

Violations in the timing constraints of a clocked register can cause a synchronous system to malfunction. The effects of parameter variations on the timing characteristics of registers that determine the timing constraints are investigated in this paper. The sensitivity of the setup time and data propagation delay on parameter variations is demonstrated for three different register designs that represent different tradeoff choices between performance and power dissipation. The robustness of each register design under variations in power supply voltage, temperature, and gate oxide thickness is discussed
An incremental approach to unit testing during maintenance

An incremental testing system to aid in unit testing during the maintenance stage is described. Based on data-flow testing, the system is designed for use in a programming environment; it shares common information and techniques with tools typically found in programming environments. In response to a change in a module, the incremental tester reuses the analysis and test cases from the previous testing session. The analysis is incrementally updated to determine areas of the program that must be retested. From the updates, the tester determines which test cases must be rerun, which may be eliminated, and whether the test cases are sufficient for the changed program. >
DC-free (d, k) constrained low density parity check (LDPC) codes

Recently, turbo codes and low-density parity check (LDPC) codes with iterative soft decoding have been heavily investigated as potential candidates for low-SNR, high-density data storage systems. However, relatively less attention has been devoted to the investigation of (d, k) run-length limited (RLL) constrained LDPC codes, although run-length constraints are generally employed in data storage channels due to channel nonlinearities and timing recovery issues. In this paper, we propose an extended bit insertion technique to construct DC-free (d, k) constrained LDPC codes. As an example of the proposed method, we construct a DC-free (1,7) LDPC code, and report its performance in an optical storage channel.
Stickelberger elements and modular parametrizations of elliptic curves

In the present paper we shall give evidence to support the claim (Conjecture I below and (1.3)) that every elliptic curve A/o which can be parametrized by modular functions admits a canonical modular parametrization whose properties can be related to intrinsic properties of A. In particular, we will see how such a parametrizat ion can be used to prove some rather pleasant integrality properties of Stickelberger elements ad p-adic L-functions attached to A. In addition, if Conjecture I is true then we can give an intrinsic characterization of the isomorphism class of a special elliptic curve in the Q-isogeny class of A distinguished by modular considerations. For most of the paper we have opted for the concrete approach and defined modular parametrizations in terms of X I (N) (Definition 1.1). However, to justify our view of these parametrizations as being canonical, we begin here with a more intrinsic definition. Recall that Shimura ([19], Chap. 6; see w 1 of this paper) has defined a compatible system of canonical models of modular curves {Xs, SeS~}, where 5 p is a certain collection of open subgroups of the group GL(2, Az) over the finite adeles A I of Q. We define the adelic upper half-plane to be the pro-variety )~=lL_m Xs and give )~ the Q-structure induced by the s field of modular functions whose q-expansions at the 0-cusp have coefficients in Q. A modular parametrization of A is a Q-morphism ~: ) ( ~ A which sends
Effects of nicotine on the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis (HPA) and immune function: Introduction to the sixth Nicotine Round Table Satellite, American Society of Addiction Medicine Nicotine Dependence Meeting, November 15,1997

This meeting was the sixth consecutive Nicotine Round Table Satellite Meeting which was held in Washington, DC, on 15 November, 1996; previous meetings are presented in Table I. The overall objective of these meetings was to bring together scientists and clinicians as a means of developing a dialogue concerning the basic mechanisms of nicotine action and the effects of nicotine on the whole organism. The specific topic of this meeting was chosen because of the potent effects of nicotine on the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis (HPA), and newer concepts indicating that the immune system and the HPA are connected via a variety of neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter elements. Whereas the HPA appears to play a unique role in adapting to internal and external stressors, the immune system appears to act as a forward scout which provides information important to the HPA. This Satellite Meeting evaluated the effects of nicotine from three points of view: (1) the effects of nicotine on HPA function; (2) the effects of the HPA on the pharmacological effects of nicotine; and (3) the effects of nicotine on immune function. This specific presentation will provide an overview of the findings of the meeting and will discuss several of the overriding issues in this area of nicotine research.
Changes in Adipose Tissue Composition in Malnourished Patients Before and After Liver Transplantation: A Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Gas-Liquid Chromatography Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the fatty acid profile of adipose tissue in malnourished patients with chronic liver disease before and after liver transplantation using carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C MRS), a noninvasive, in vivo technique. Twenty-two patients with histologically proven cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation were evaluated before and eight weeks after transplantation. An equal number of healthy, matched controls were also evaluated. Body weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-upper arm circumference were determined. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for blood count, biochemical profile, lipid concentrations, glucose levels, liver function tests, and coagulation. Patients were nutritionally assessed using objective and clinical indicators. 13C MR spectra were obtained from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the thigh from all subjects. In addition, adipose tissue samples were obtained from 11 of the liver transplant recipients (all with c...
Association of nucleotides with homoionic clays

The binding of nucleotides to homoionic clays is studied as a possible mechanism for the concentration and catalysis of biological or prebiotic materials on the prebiotic earth. Samples of radioactively labeled adenosine and thymidine nucleotides were mixed in solutions with bentonite, kaolinite or Dowex-50 particles in which all exchangeable sites were occupied by Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu or Zn ions. The binding of nucleotides to homoionic clays is observed, with adenosine nucleotides favored over thymidine, bentonite as the best absorber, and greater binding to clays homoionic in transition metal ions. Results indicate that the oligomerization of nucleotides may be possible by this mechanism, however difficulties in nucleotide variability and base pairing may arise due to the observed preference for purines at the adsorption sites.
Satisficing Solutions to Infeasible Set Partitions

A mathematical model to identify satisficing solutions to infeasible set partitions is introduced. The set-partitioning model has been of interest to the location analyst, since it is the basis of a number of spatial problems. This model incorporates the concept of natural slack in a way that permits the decisionmaker to approximate a spatial partition from one of two satisficing directions. One direction identifies the solution which guarantees full demand coverage while minimizing partition overlap. The other identifies the solution which maintains strict partition integrity while minimizing total demand not included in a partition. The first approach yields a set-covering solution and the second yields a set-packing solution. Consequently, the relationships among set covering, set packing, and set partitioning are demonstrated for infeasible spatial partitions. Additionally, a sample problem is presented to illustrate these relationships and the potential of the formulation for use in multiobjective lo...
Ukraine within the USSR: An Economic Perspective, 1928/29–1932 and 1959–1980

The economic status of a country may be analyzed and measured in terms of a number of different attributes and components. The present study focuses on capital formation (i.e. generation of new wealth in the form of capital) because capital formation is a major and comprehensive determinant of the economy's growth. The ability of an economy to generate sufficient new capital is the foundation of its strength and vitality; only to a limited extent may domestic capital formation be supplemented by foreign funds.
Enhanced DNA sensing via catalytic aggregation of gold nanoparticles

A catalytic colorimetric detection scheme that incorporates a DNA-based hybridization chain reaction into gold nanoparticles was designed and tested. While direct aggregation forms an inter-particle linkage from only one target DNA strand, catalytic aggregation forms multiple linkages from a single target DNA strand. Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with thiol-modified DNA strands capable of undergoing hybridization chain reactions. The changes in their absorption spectra were measured at different times and target concentrations and compared against direct aggregation. Catalytic aggregation showed a multifold increase in sensitivity at low target concentrations when compared to direct aggregation. Gel electrophoresis was performed to compare DNA hybridization reactions in catalytic and direct aggregation schemes, and the product formation was confirmed in the catalytic aggregation scheme at low levels of target concentrations. The catalytic aggregation scheme also showed high target specificity. This application of a DNA reaction network to gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric detection enables highly-sensitive, field-deployable, colorimetric readout systems capable of detecting a variety of biomolecules.
Cystine Growth Inhibition Through Molecular Mimicry: a New Paradigm for the Prevention of Crystal Diseases

Cystinuria is a genetic disease marked by recurrent kidney stone formation, usually at a young age. It frequently leads to chronic kidney disease. Treatment options for cystinuria have been limited despite comprehensive understanding of its genetic pathophysiology. Currently available therapies suffer from either poor clinical adherence to the regimen or potentially serious adverse effects. Recently, we employed atomic force miscopy (AFM) to identify l-cystine dimethylester (CDME) as an effective molecular imposter of l-cystine, capable of inhibiting crystal growth in vitro. More recently, we demonstrated CDME’s efficacy in inhibiting l-cystine crystal growth in vivo utilizing a murine model of cystinuria. The application of AFM to discover inhibitors of crystal growth through structural mimicry suggests a novel approach to preventing and treating crystal diseases.
Enhanced heat exchanger design for hydrogen storage using high-pressure metal hydride – Part 2. Experimental results

Abstract Hydrogen storage systems utilizing high-pressure metal hydrides (HPMHs) require a highly effective heat exchanger to remove the large amounts of heat released once the hydrogen is charged into the system. Aside from removing the heat, the heat exchanger must be able to accomplish this task in an acceptably short period of time. A near-term target for this ‘fill-time’ is less than 5 min. In this two-part study, a new class of heat exchangers is proposed for automobile hydrogen storage systems. The first part discussed the design methodology and a 2-D computational model that was constructed to explore the thermal and kinetic behavior of the metal hydride. This paper discusses the experimental setup and testing of a prototype heat exchanger using Ti 1.1 CrMn as HPMH storage material. Tests were performed to examine the influence of pressurization profile, coolant flow rate and coolant temperature on metal hydride temperature and reaction rate. The experimental data are compared with predictions of the 2-D model to validate the model, calculate reaction progress and determine fill time. The prototype heat exchanger successfully achieved a fill time of 4 min 40 s with a combination of fast pressurization and low coolant temperature. A parameter termed non-dimensional conductance ( NDC ) is shown to be an effective tool in designing HPMH heat exchangers and estimating fill times achievable with a particular design.
Weighted Trace Inequalities for Fractional Integrals and Applications to Semilinear Equations

We show that the two-weight trace inequality for the Riesz potentials Iα, ||Iαf||Lp(w) ≤ C|| f||Lp(v), holds if Iαw ∈ Lp′loc (σ) and Iα[(Iαw)p′ σ] ≤ CIαw a.e. Here w and v are non-negative weight functions on Rn, and σ = v1-p′. The converse is also also true under some mild restrictions on w and v. We also consider more general inequalities for measures which are not necessarily absolutely continuous with respect to Lebesgue measure. In contrast to the known characterizations of the trace inequality, this "pointwise" condition is stated explicitly in terms of potentials of w and σ, rather than measures of some subsets of Rn. Applications to the problem of the existence of positive solutions for the semilinear elliptic equation −Δu = σ(x) uq + w(x) (1 < q < ∈) on Rn are given.
Co-stimulation and modulation of the ensuing immune response.

Abstract As a consequence of the central role of dendritic cells (DC) in stimulating primary immune responses any bias in the response introduced by the DC has the potential for having a long-term effect on immunity. Examination and analysis of ruminant afferent lymph dendritic cells derived by cannulation allows studies on the properties of ex vivo DC that is not possible in humans and rodents and information can be derived from ruminants that has implications of generic relevance. Previous studies have identified two major populations of DC in afferent lymph draining the skin of cattle that differ in their capacity to stimulate CD4 and CD8 T cells. Differences in expression of cytokine transcripts have now been shown for the two types of DC. The CD11a + /SIRPα − population synthesised more IL-12, whilst the CD11a − /SIRPα + population produced more IL-10. This is likely to affect the bias of the immune response following presentation of antigen to T cells by one DC sub-population or the other. An inability to synthesise IL-1α was the reason for the failure of the CD11a + /SIRPα − DC to stimulate CD8 T cells. This property would potentially affect the induction of CD8 responses. Expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD40 appeared similar for both DC populations and not to relate to differences in function. A further examination of the SIRPα molecule on DC indicated that on cross-linking it was tyrosine phosphorylated and that it recruited the SHP-2 protein phosphatase. Associated with this was a blocking of TNFα secretion on exposure to LPS. The interaction of SIRPα with its ligand CD47 on T cells appeared to be an early event in the stimulation of T cells as binding of the ligand was reduced on activated T cells. CD26 was identified as another molecule expressed by the SIRPα − DC sub-population. This is reported to have an enzymatic activity on certain chemokines that could result in the promotion of a Th1 bias. A model is proposed that takes these observations into account in which SIRPα − DC would be expected to promote a Th1 biased response and the SIRPα + DC a more balanced one.
Studies on air-borne infection in a hospital ward

Summary Experiments have been reported on the prevention of air-borne infectionin white mice, conducted in a large hospital ward (14,000 cubic feet) subdivided into sixteen separate cubicles. Groups of animals were placed in some of the locations, while cultures of the hemolytic streptococcus of Lancefield's Group C or of the virus of influenza A were atomized in one of the cubicles. Both organisms spread rapidly throughout the air of the ward. Ultraviolet irradiation and propylene glycol vapor were compared in their effectiveness as disinfectants of the air. With heavy concentrations of air-borne streptococci (more than 3,000 cells per cubic foot of air) most of the control mice died from streptococcal pneumonia and septicemia, while propylene glycol vapor protected them completely and ultraviolet irradiation failed to prevent death only in the cubicle containing the atomizer. With low concentrations of the streptococcus (200 to 500 organisms per cubic foot of air), all mice survived and cultures taken from the lungs on the eighth or tenth day failed to reveal the streptococcus. However, it could be shown in other experiments that a carrier state had been induced in the animals exposed under control conditions, and not in those protected by ultraviolet light barriers. This was demonstrated by inoculation of the virus of influenza A eight to ten days after exposure to the air-borne streptococcus. All mice died from influenza, but only those belonging to the control group now showed hemolytic streptococci in cultures taken from the lungs. Instillation of sterile broth only occasionally activated the streptococcus in the carrier. Ultraviolet irradiation and propylene glycol vapor were similarlyeffective in preventing the air-borne infection with the virus of influenza A. While all control mice succumbed to the disease, propylene glycol vapor protected the animals completely against death and only a few lesions were noted in animals from the cubicle containing the atomizer. More lesions and several deaths were observed in the same cubicle when the air was irradiated by ultraviolet lights, and pulmonary involvement was noted also in other locations close to the atomizer, under the same conditions. These results indicate that both ultraviolet light and propylene glycolvapor are effective disinfectants of the air. Their application will depend upon the individual problems and the location to be disinfected. It must be re-emphasized that only infection by droplet nuclei has been studied. Flugge droplet and possibly dust-borne infections may require different means of control.
Transport in lateral surface superlattices

A numerical Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to find the velocity and energy as a function of the electric field for a surface superlattice structure. The energy is found to saturate at the half-filled-band energy, while the velocity displays a negative differential conductivity. The scattering rates included in the Monte Carlo routine have Van Hove singularities arising from the electron density of states. This singularity is removed by including a self-energy correction to the electron Green's function. The simulations indicate that the negative differential conductivity is due to Bloch oscillations of the electrons.
The Biological Buffer, Bicarbonate/CO2, Potentiates H2O2-Mediated Inactivation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

Hydrogen peroxide is a cell signaling agent that inactivates protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) via oxidation of their catalytic cysteine residue. PTPs are inactivated rapidly during H2O2-mediate...
UV degradation study of rubber by ESCA and Auger image

Abstract The accelerated degradation of commercial SBR tread used in heavy vehicles has been examined by a combination of surface analytical techniques, photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies. The thin slices of the rubber were subjected to UV irradiation >350 nm wavelength for a period up to a month in air. Subsequent examination of the surface revealed that oxygen had been incorporated into the structure of the elastomer to form carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups. The concentrations of the oxygen containing species increased linearly with exposure time. The Auger microscopic imaging of the surface showed that large aggregations of rubber additives, such as ZnS and ZnO, were found to scatter across the surface. A poor dispersion of the rubber additives and the inclusions of foreign particles might be one of the factors affecting the deterioration.
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Older Adults

Age-associated physiologic changes predispose older adults to develop heart failure, even when left ventricular ejection fraction is normal or near normal. Heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction is particularly common in older hypertensive women, and hypertension plays a key role in its pathophysiology. In contrast with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction, the treatment of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction has a limited empiric basis, although some basic principles are useful. Ongoing studies provide hope of improving care of these patients.
Higher order bilateral filters and their properties

Bilateral filtering 1, 2 has proven to be a powerful tool for adaptive denoising purposes. Unlike conventional filters, the bilateral filter defines the closeness of two pixels not only based on geometric distance but also based on radiometric (graylevel) distance. In this paper, to further improve the performance and find new applications, we make contact with a classic non-parametric image reconstruction technique called kernel regression, 3 which is based on local Taylor expansions of the regression function. We extend and generalize the kernel regression method and show that bilateral filtering is a special case of this new class of adaptive image reconstruction techniques, considering a specific choice for weighting kernels and zeroth order Taylor approximation. We show improvements over the classic bilateral filtering can be achieved by using higher order local approximations of the signal.
Hemodialysis Prognostic Nutrition Index as a Predictor for Morbidity and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients and Its Correlation to Adequacy of Dialysis

Abstract Objective: Prospectively examine the use of a hemodialysis prognostic nutrition index (HD-PNI) as a predictor for morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients and its correlation to adequacy of dialysis. Design: Prospective randomized collaborative study group. Setting: There were 211 chronic hemodialysis centers; 202 from 43 United States, 9 from Canada. Patients: There were 1527 hemodialysis patients undergoing treatment a minimum of 3 months and at least 18 years of age. Sample mirrored United States Renal Data system data for age, sex, race, and etiology of renal failure. Interventions: None; routinely collected demographic, biochemical, and clinical data for 8-month baseline and 3-month predictive phases. Methods: HD-PNI calculated from baseline data as linear mathematical equation using level of serum albumin, level of serum creatinine, and number of days and times hospitalized; HD-PNI risk defined as ≥0.8. Adequacy of dialysis calculated as urea reduction ratio (URR) from baseline data; adequacy risk defined as URR of ≤65%. Main outcome measures: Number of times and days hospitalized, mortality. Results: For this research, 1167 patients completed the study (76%) with 360 (24%) dropped due to death, incomplete data, transfer, or change in modality. Patients completing study with HD-PNI risk (n = 208, 18%) compared with patients who had no HD-PNI risk (n = 959, 82%) were hospitalized more often (57.2% v 28.5%, P v 4.6%, P v 2.5%, P Conclusions: Use of HD-PNI is an effective screening tool to identify hemodialysis patients at risk for morbidity and mortality. No correlation was found between URR and HD-PNI.
Classification of topologically chiral molecules

Graphs are partitioned into six classes from the perspective of chirality, depending on whether they are topologically achiral, whether there is at least one topologically achiral embedding, whether there is at least one rigidly achiral embedding, and whether there is at least one rigidly achiral presentation. Three of these classes are well represented by a variety of chemical structures: topologically chiral molecular graphs with no topologically achiral embeddings, topologically chiral molecular graphs with at least one rigidly achiral embedding, and topologically achiral molecular graphs with at least one rigidly achiral presentation. Known representatives of these three classes are described. Various meanings associated with the concepts “molecular graph” and “intrinsic chirality” are critically discussed. Previous arrangements of molecular graphs and molecules in a hierarchical order, ranging from the most to the least chiral, are interpreted in terms of the graph's and molecule's “chiral persistence”.
Quantum-dot physics for applications in semiconductor lasers and quantum optics

This talk discusses theory developments for describing changes in many-body carrier-interaction processes arising from 3-dimensional quantum confinement. The improvements are necessary for investigating quantum-dot-laser performance at underlying-physics level and developing non-classical-light sources for quantum-information technologies.
Paradoxical Regulation of Short Promoter Human Renin Transgene by Angiotensin II

We previously reported the generation of transgenic mice containing the entire human renin gene with a 900-bp promoter. To determine whether all the required elements for angiotensin II-mediated suppression of human renin are present in these mice, angiotensin II was chronically infused by means of osmotic minipump at both low and high doses, 200 and 1000 ng/kg per minute, respectively. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff, and kidney renin mRNA levels were quantitated using ribonuclease protection assays. Blood pressure was unchanged in mice receiving either vehicle or low-dose angiotensin II infusion but was increased by approximately 40 mm Hg with the higher dose of angiotensin II. Mouse renin mRNA decreased by >60% during both pressor and nonpressor angiotensin II infusion. Human renin mRNA was not suppressed by nonpressor angiotensin II and was paradoxically increased 1.9-fold by pressor angiotensin II. The lack of upregulation during nonpressor angiotensin II suggested that the increase might be pressure-mediated. To test this, the angiotensin II-induced increase in blood pressure was prevented by coadministration of the vasodilator, hydralazine (15 mg/kg per day). Hydralazine alone decreased blood pressure (-27+/-3 mm Hg) and increased mouse renin mRNA 2.4-fold. Human renin mRNA was unresponsive to this vasodilator-induced fall in pressure and despite the normalization of blood pressure by hydralazine, high-dose angiotensin II still caused a 2.1-fold increase in human renin mRNA. Thus, the first 900 bp of the human renin promoter does not contain all the elements required for appropriate angiotensin II-mediated suppression of human renin mRNA.
Personnel safety and foliage residue in an orchard spray program using azinphosmethyl and captan.

Residue levels of azinphosmethyl and captan were determined from blotter paper patches attached to the clothing of personnel participating in an orchard spray program. Average exposure of 1.74 mg/man/hr for azinphosmethyl and 1.94 mg/man/hr for captan were extrapolated from mean residue values obtained from analyzing the patches. Azinphosmethyl residue found on apple and peach foliage had been reduced by 69% by the tenth day post-application, while captan residue had been reduced 50% for the same period. There was no evidence of a buildup of either azinphosmethyl or captan on treated foliage as the season progressed.
Participative methodology for public system planning

Abstract Public system planning requires greater participation by the public. But, the complexities of planning work strongly against public understanding and participation. New methodology is needed that can deal with complexity, yet be communicable to the public. Participative methodology has to be founded in graphics, for there is no other medium that can simultaneously involve many complex relations, while displaying these relations for effective scrutiny by a diverse audience. Several graphic methods are discussed, along with specific tools for graphic portrayal that have been designed with the communication requirements in mind. These tools lend themselves to computer manipulation and development, which helps establish a coupling between scientific and engineering approaches to problems and effective displays for public comprehension.
Enhancement of Mechanics Education by Means of Photoelasticity and Finite Element Method

The goal of this project is to enhance mechanics education by incorporating experiments using photoelastic stress analysis and finite element analysis within the existing curricula. Specific instructional objectives for students are to: (a) increase conceptual understanding of stress distribution through photoelastic and finite element based visualization, (b) gain experience with photoelasticity and finite elements including their advantages/limitations, and (c) appreciate the synergism between experimental and numerical methods of stress analysis.At UOP, one transmission polariscope set, one reflection polariscope set, and accompanying accessories have been purchased and installed for students' use. This equipment has also been used for in-class demonstrations and motivational presentations to high school students. Additional apparatus have been made in-house and/or purchased by departments at UOP and USAFA. All mechanical engineering students at UOP have benefited from this project. Several experiments...
The III–V Alloy p–n Diode Laser and LED Ultimate Lamp

In this paper, an account is presented of the semiconductor, because of the energy gap bipolar with electron (e) and hole (h) conductivity, becoming ingeniously with little or no technology (Bardeen and Brattain, Dec. 1947) the transistor, a triode (at first just a germanium “base” crystal and a point contact “emitter” and “collector”), a low impedance “emitter” minority carrier input (IE) into a (the) vital central “base” active region, the base supporting along with essential recombination current IB (IB > 0) carrier transport to a higher impedance “collector” output IC ( IE+IB+IC=0, IC/IE=α ~ 0.9), hence gain, thus revealing at last that a current (IB) can increase the electron-hole (e-h) population, and as a further consequence, yield band-to-band (ke=kh) excess carrier recombination radiation (light). The transistor established (1947) a basis for the study of the light-emitting diode (LED). The path to an “ultimate lamp,” the p-n diode laser and LED, is described from semiconductor, to energy gap, e-h bipolarity, transistor, the p-n transition, excess carriers, e-h recombination, direct gap (ke=kh) crystal, autocatalytic e-h/photon interaction, spectral narrowing, stimulated recombination (laser), need for resonator (cavity Q, how?), direct-gap (ke=kh) III-V alloy, visible spectrum III-V alloy, III-V alloy gap change (ΔEg), quantum-well (QW) e-h recombination, stimulated emission solving the problem of photon extraction ( → 100% quantum efficiency), the p-n diode “ultimate lamp,” return to the 1947 triode, to the transistor, and the base importance informing the realization of a QW-base transistor laser.
An ultrastructural difference between the outer and inner membrane of the middle piece mitochondria in rat spermatozoa.

The outer membrane of the midpiece mitochondria in rat spermatozoa appears as a five-layered structure about 100 A thick after double fixation with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide. The membrane consists of three dense layers, approximately 20 A thick each, separated by two light layers. The middle dense layer is located somewhat closer to the inner than to the outer surface of the membrane, giving the membrane an assymmetric appearance. In contrast, the inner mitochondrial membrane exhibits the conventional triple-layered symmetrical structure usually seen in mitochondrial membrane and is about 60 A thick.
Medication toxicity among patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective To determine the role of medication toxicity in the discontinuation of antirheumatic treatment among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to compare the toxicity of different medications. Methods In a prospective longitudinal study of 241 patients with AS, we examined the duration of treatment and discontinuations due to side effects of new courses of sulfasalazine, methotrexate, ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, diclofenac, piroxicam, nabumetone, and celecoxib. Results Of the 241 patients, 167 reported having a new treatment course of either sulfasalazine (n = 49), methotrexate (n = 19), ibuprofen (n = 105), naproxen (n = 57), indomethacin (n = 50), diclofenac (n = 38), piroxicam (n = 34), nabumetone (n = 27), or celecoxib (n = 25), for a total of 404 new treatment courses. Side effects were reported in 6.7% (ibuprofen) to 47.3% (methotrexate) of the courses. Between 2% (ibuprofen) and 23.5% (piroxicam) of courses were discontinued due to toxicity. For each medication, the duration of treatment was most often limited by factors other than toxicity. The time to drug discontinuation for any reason and the time to discontinuation due to toxicity did not differ between sulfasalazine and methotrexate. The time to drug discontinuation for any reason did not differ among nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but discontinuations due to toxicity occurred earlier with piroxicam than with other NSAIDs. Conclusion Although medication toxicity is common among patients with AS, it is an uncommon cause of discontinuation of antirheumatic treatment.
Impact of the duration of platelet storage in critically ill trauma patients.

Background:There is increasing evidence that the duration of red blood cell (RBC) storage negatively impacts outcomes. Data regarding prolonged storage of other blood components, however, are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the duration of platelet storage affects trauma patient o
Sonic Logging In Deviated Boreholes of an Anisotropic Formation: Laboratory Study

Deepwater field development requires drilling of deviated or horizontal wells. Most formations encountered can be highly anisotropic and Pand S-wave velocities vary with propagation directions. Sonic logs acquired in these wells need to be corrected before they can be applied in formation evaluation and seismic applications. In this study, we make use of a laboratory model made of an approximate transversely isotropic Phenolite to study acoustic logging in deviated wells. We drill holes at various deviations relative to the symmetry axis in the Phenolite block. Then we perform monopole and dipole sonic measurements in these holes and extract the qP, qSV, SH, and Stoneley wave velocities using the slowness-time domain semblance method. The velocities measured using monopole and dipole loggings vary with borehole deviations. We also measure the qP, qSV, and SH wave velocities using body waves at the same angles as the well deviations. We then compute the theoretical qP, qSV, SH, and Stoneley wave velocities based on an equivalent transverse isotropic model of the Phenolite. We find the qP, qSV , and SH wave velocities obtained using the body wave measurement and acoustic logging method agree with the theoretical predictions. The Stoneley wave velocities predicted by the theory also agree reasonably well with the logging measurements.
Investigation of the functional role of aldose 1-epimerase in engineered cellobiose utilization

Functional expression of a cellodextrin transporter and an intracellular β-glucosidase from Neurospora crassa in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables simultaneous co-fermentation of cellobiose and non-glucose sugars such as xylose. Here we investigate the functional role of aldose 1-epimerase (AEP) in engineered cellobiose utilization. One AEP (Gal10) and two putative AEPs (Yhr210c and Ynr071c sharing 50.6% and 51.0% amino acid identity with Gal10, respectively) were selected. Deletion of GAL10 led to complete loss of both AEP activity and cell growth on cellobiose, while GAL10 complementation restored the AEP activity and cell growth. In addition, deletion of YHR210C or YNR071C resulted in improved cellobiose utilization. These results suggest that the intracellular mutarotation of β-glucose to α-glucose might be a rate controlling step and Gal10 play a crucial role in cellobiose fermentation by engineered S. cerevisiae.
Strategies to improve pediatric disaster surge response: potential mortality reduction and tradeoffs.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the potential for disaster mortality reduction with two surge response strategies: 1) control distribution of disaster victims to avoid hospital overcrowding near the scene, and 2) expand capacity by altering standards of care to only "essential" interventions. DESIGN: Quantitative model of hospital mortality. SETTING: New York City pediatric intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit pediatric hospital capacity and population. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mortality was calculated for a hypothetical sudden disaster, of unspecified mechanism, assuming 500 children per million population need hospitalization, including 30% severely ill/injured warranting pediatric intensive care unit care, with high (76%) predisaster hospital occupancy. Triage rules accommodated patients at lower levels of care if capacity was exhausted. Specified higher relative mortality risks were assumed with reduced levels of care. In a pessimistic baseline scenario, hospitals near the disaster scene, considered to have 20% of regional capacity, were overcrowded with 80% of the surge patients. Exhausted capacity at overcrowded hospitals near the scene would account for most of the 45 deaths. Unused capacity would remain at remote facilities. If regional surge distribution were controlled to avoid overcrowding near the scene, then mortality would be reduced by 11%. However, limited pediatric intensive care unit capacity would still require triage of many severe patients to non-intensive care unit care. Instead, if altered standards of care quadrupled pediatric intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit capacity, then mortality would fall 24% below baseline. Strategies 1 and 2 in combination would improve mortality 47% below baseline. If standards of care were altered prematurely, preventable deaths would occur. However, additional simulations varying surge size, patient severity, and predisaster occupancy numbers found that mortality tradeoffs would generally favor altering care for individuals to improve population outcomes within the range of federal planning targets (500 new patients/million population). CONCLUSION: Quantitative simulations suggest that response strategies controlling patient distribution and expanding capacity by altering standards of care may lower mortality rates in large disasters. Language: en
Excretion of hypusine by children and by patients with familial hyperlysinemia.

Extract: Three children with familial hyperlysinemia were found to excrete, respectively, 1,934 nmol/24 hr, 730 nmol/24 hr, and 1,121 nmol/24 hr hypusine and 16.1 mmol/24 hr, 7.0 mmol/24 hr, and 16.6 mmol/24 hr lysine. Ten juvenile control subjects excreted 35–253 nmol/24 hr (mean 156 nmol/24 hr) hypusine and 0.2–1.5 mmol/24 hr (mean 0.7 mmol/24 hr) lysine. Three infant control subjects were found to excrete 156 nmol/24 hr, 60 nmol/24 hr, and 77 nmol/24 hr hypusine. Serum levels of hypusine for subjects with hyperlysinemia were normal (less than 20 nmol/100 ml). Speculation: Patients with familial hyperlysinemia excrete both hypusine and lysine at levels 7–10 times higher than those observed for control subjects, while serum levels of hypusine in patients with hyperlysinemia are not elevated. These findings suggest that hypusine may be an endometabolite of lysine and not further metabolized or utilized.
The Legal Implications of Workplace Smoking Policies

Smoking in the workplace has become a difficult and complex legal issue. Both smoking and nonsmoking employees have used various legal bases in their attempts to enforce their rights. An analysis of the reported legal decisions indicates that the trend is in favor of limiting the rights of smokers. As nonsmokers become more aggressive in their demands for a smoke-free environment, it will become increasingly important for employers to be well apprised of the legal implications associated with smoking in the workplace.
Advances in flux balance analysis

Abstract Biology is going through a paradigm shift from reductionist to holistic, systems-based approaches. The complete genome sequence for a number of organisms is available and the analysis of genome sequence data is proving very useful. Thus, genome sequencing projects and bioinformatic analyses are leading to a complete ‘parts catalog’ of the molecular components in many organisms. The next challenge will be to reconstruct and simulate overall cellular functions based on the extensive reductionist information. Recent advances have been made in the area of flux balance analysis, a mathematical modeling approach often utilized by metabolic engineers to quantitatively simulate microbial metabolism.
199Hg chemical shifts of organomercury compounds by fourier transform NMR

Abstract Natural abundance 199 Hg spectra of several organomercury carboxylates and organomercury chlorides are reported. Both series of compounds show quite large solvent effects on the mercury shifts, as well as exhibiting substantial substituent effects.