cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy levels in 132Xe

Abstract The energy levels in 132 Xe populated by the decay of 132 I have been analysed in the light of recent internal conversion electron and three-crystal pair spectrometer studies. All previous information on the decay of 132 I as well as that on the decay of 132 Cs has also been considered. The energies in keV and the spins and parities of the following excited levels in 132 Xe are observed in the decay of 132 I: 667.8±0.3,2 + ; 1298.1±0.4,2 + ; 1440.7±0.4,4 + ; 1805.9±0.7, (2,3) + ; 1963.7±0.7 (3, 4) + ; 2110.4±0.5, (2–5) + ; 2112.2±0.5 (2–5) + ; 2395.6±0.5, (3–5) + ; 2584.3±0.8, (3 − ); 2658±2, (2, 3); 2762.4±0.5, (3, 4); and 2839.5±0.5, (3) + . Thirty-three transitions have been assigned as depopulating these levels. The states at 667.8, 1298.1, 1440.7 and 1805.9 keV as well as one at 1987.8±2.5 keV are observed in the decay of 132 Cs to 132 Xe.
Can Nonlinear Dynamics Elucidate Mechanisms in Ecology and Epidemiology

Using recently developed methods in nonlinear dynamics, two hypotheses often advanced to account for recurrent outbreaks of childhood diseases such as measles are investigated. The first, maintenance of otherwise damped oscillations by noise, appears incapable of reproducing essential features of the data. The second, cycles and chaos sustained by seasonal variation in contact rates gives qualitative and quantitative agreement between model and observation. It is concluded that nonlinear dynamics offers a methodology which may allow students of ecology and epidemiology to distinguish between competing mechanistic hypotheses.
Radiation Responses of Embryonal and SV40 Transformed Hamster Cells in Culture

The mechanisms of virus-host cell interaction resulting in the transformation of normal cells to neoplastic cells has been examined in several systems. Elegant experiments with the SV40-3T3 mouse fibroblast system reported by Todaro and Green (1) demonstrated that active cell replication and DNA synthesis are required to fix the transforming event between virus and target cell. Stoker (2) observed that the frequency of transformation of polyoma virus was increased among BHK-21 hamster cells which have survived X-irradiation. Exposure of mouse fibroblast cells to radiomimetic thymidine analogues enhanced the efficiency of SV40 transformation fivefold (3). Borek and Sachs observed that 300 R of X-irradiation induced the in vitro transformation of hamster embryo cells when cultured on mouse cell feeder layers (4). Processes associated with cell replication were essential soon after irradiation to fix the transformed state (5). A hereditary and a physiological state of susceptibility to transformation appeare...
Elevated midpregnancy corticotropin-releasing hormone is associated with prenatal, but not postpartum, maternal depression.

Context: Elevated hypothalamic CRH has been implicated in melancholic major depression in nonpregnant individuals, but the role of placental CRH in maternal prenatal and postpartum depression is largely unexplored. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the association of maternal midpregnancy plasma CRH levels with prenatal and postpartum depression. Participants: The study included 800 participants in Project Viva, a pregnancy and childhood cohort. Methods: CRH levels were analyzed from blood samples obtained at mean 27.9 wk gestation (± 1.3 sd; range 24.6–37.4 wk) and were normalized on the logarithmic scale. Depression was assessed with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (range 0–30 points) in midpregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of scoring 13 or more points on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale as indicative of major or minor depression. Results: Seventy (8.8%) and 46 (7.5%) women had prenatal and postpartum depression s...
On the Convergence of a Hyperboloid Approximation Procedure for the Perturbed Euclidean Multifacility Location Problem

For the Euclidean single facility location problem, E. Weiszfeld proposed a simple closed-form iterative algorithm in 1937. Later, numerous authors proved that it is a convergent descent algorithm. In 1973, J. Eyster, J. White and W. Wierwille extended Weiszfeld's idea and proposed a Hyperboloid Approximation Procedure HAP for solving the Euclidean multifacility location problem. They believed, based on considerable computational experience, that the HAP always converges. In 1977, Ostresh proved that the HAP is a descent algorithm under certain conditions. In 1981, Morris proved that a variant of the HAP always converges. However, no convergence proof for the original HAP has ever been given. In this paper, we prove that the HAP is a descent algorithm and that it always converges to the minimizer of the objective function from any initial point.
Cytopathologic findings in an immature cystic teratoma: report of an unusual case.

Teratomas are uncommon, usually benign tumors often found in young women. We describe the cytopathology of an unusual case of a large congenital teratoma in a 6-day-old girl. The patient initially showed signs of abdominal distention and a follow-up ultrasound and computerized-tomography (CT) revealed a cystic mass in the pelvis. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) showed small round blue cells suspicious for a primitive neuronal tumor. Resection of the mass displayed a cystic teratoma with distinct nests of small round blue cells representing immature neuroepithelial and glial tissue. Also noted were admixed mature elements of a cystic teratoma. Cytologic finding of a small round blue cell tumor, therefore, was the immature component of the teratoma. This case illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing teratomas due to their extraordinary diversity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:120–122. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Analysis of Multiple Predecessor Rain Events ahead of Tropical Cyclones Ike and Lowell: 10–15 September 2008

AbstractAn analysis of three predecessor rain events (PREs) that occurred ahead of North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) Ike and east Pacific TC Lowell during 10–15 September 2008 is presented. The three PREs produced all-time daily record rainfall at many locations, including Lubbock, Texas (189.5 mm); Wichita, Kansas (262 mm); and Chicago–O’Hare, Illinois (169 mm), on 11–13 September, respectively.PRE 1 organized over Texas on 10 September with moisture from a stalled frontal boundary and the Bay of Campeche, and matured with moisture from TC Lowell. PRE 2 organized over the Texas Panhandle on 11 September with moisture from the Bay of Campeche, and developed and matured over Kansas and Missouri with moisture from TC Lowell. PRE 3 developed over Texas on 11 September, merged with and absorbed PRE 2 over Kansas and Missouri, and matured as it ingested moisture from TC Ike. All three PREs matured in the equatorward entrance region of an intensifying subtropical jet stream (STJ).Heavy rainfall with the thre...
Primates: Models for red cell transfusion studies—Cryopreservation and survival of transfused red cells in primates

Primates are excellent models for study of blood transfusion in humans. Erythrocytes of chimpanzees, gibbons, baboons, and rhesus monkeys have a half life (T/2) of 14 to 16 days and a life span (T/10) of approximately 50 to 60 days, which is about half of that found in man. Red cells of primates were cryopreserved by freezing using either a droplet method or the low-glycerol rapid-freeze procedure. Thawed cells survive normally when transfused into the same species. Transfusion of incompatible isologous blood in alloimmunized baboons, in the presence of high titer antibodies, showed survival with small volumes to be virtually nil, but with large volumes, a short normal survival period was followed by a "collapse" phenomenon similar to that seen in humans.
Increasing physical activity: a quantitative synthesis

National policy for increasing leisure physical activity in the United States is impeded by a poor understanding of interventions that can be implemented by community and clinical medicine. To clarify the literature in this area, we conducted a quantitative, meta analysis of 127 studies that examined the efficacy of interventions for increasing physical activity among approximately 131,000 subjects in community, worksite, school, home, and health care settings; 445 effects were expressed as a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and examined as they varied according to moderating variables important for community and clinical intervention. The mean effect was moderately large, r = 0.34, approximating three-fourths of a standard deviation or an increase in binomial success rate from 50% to 67%. The estimated population effect weighted by sample size was larger, r = 0.75, approximating 2 standard deviations or increased success to 88%. Contrasts between levels of independent moderating variables indicated that effects weighted by sample size were larger when the interventions: 1) employed the principles of behavior modification, 2) used a mediated delivery, 3) targeted groups, 4) of combined ages, 5) sampled apparently healthy people, or 6) measured active leisure, of 7) low intensity, 8) by observation. Independently of sample size, effects were larger when interventions 1) used behavior modification, 2) employed a preor quasi-experimental design, or 3) were of short duration, regardless of features of the people, setting, or physical activity. Our results show that physical activity can be increased by intervention. The optimal ways for selecting intervention components, settings, and population segments to maintain increases in physical activity and the relative contributions by community and clinical medicine toward successful physical activity intervention require experimental confirmation, warranting accelerated attention in clinical trials.
Performance Indicators as a Foundation of Institutional Autonomy: Implications for Higher Education Institutions in Europe

There has developed moderate discussion in European higher education about the use of performance indicators for both accountability and evaluation purposes. This paper begins by summarizing governmental expectations, institutional objections, and several of the controversies surrounding performance measures. We then report on using performance indicators for both external accountability and strategic planning in a case study of a public research extensive university in the United States, including how the flows of resources and students have changed following the use of institutional performance measures in strategic planning.
Feel the Pressure: E-learning Systems with Haptic Feedback

Involving students in the learning process has been a challenge for educators for many years. Multimodal virtual environments where visual, auditory and haptic stimulus is present may convey information in a more naturalistic fashion since the user manipulates and experiences the environment through multiple sensory channels. We present a novel E-learning system that incorporates a multimodal haptic simulator. The haptic simulator facilitates student understanding of difficult concepts (e.g. physics concepts) and has the potential to augment or replace traditional laboratory instruction with an interactive interface offering enhanced motivation, retention and intellectual stimulation.
Fe and Mn sites in noncrystallographic alloy phases of Al-Mn-Fe and Al-Mn-Fe-Si

We report the results of extended x-ray absorption fine-structure investigations on the Mn and Fe edges of icosahedral ${\mathrm{Al}}_{74}$(${\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.88}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.12}$${)}_{20}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{6}$ and decagonal ${\mathrm{Al}}_{79}$(${\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.88}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.12}$${)}_{21}$. Fe and Mn sites in both alloys are compared directly. No significant difference was found between radial distributions around Mn and Fe atoms in the icosahedral sample. However, the distribution around Mn atoms has a broader distribution than that around Fe atoms in the decagonal phase. Implications of these results are discussed.
Leveraging Raspberry Pi for interactive education

This paper describes our ongoing project whose goal is to combine existing technologies in order to make secondary school curriculum more interactive and practical.
Social and Communicative Interventions and Transition Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities: A Systematic Review

The relationship between social and communicative interventions and transition-related outcomes for secondary-aged youth with disabilities is explored in this systematic review. In all, 30 studies intervening with 316 youth with a broad range of disability labels (both high- and low-incidence disabilities) were reviewed. Subgroup analyses were conducted on original research in these areas: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), conversation skills, decreasing aberrant behavior, and social skills training (SST). Little support was found for AAC and modest support for interventions designed to increase conversation skill acquisition and for SST, and the research in decreasing aberrant behavior was unable to be synthesized because of effect size calculation formula problems. Results are discussed in terms of alignment with extant literature reviews, methodological issues in meta-analysis, recommendations for further research, and practical implications.
Mineralogic Information from a New Airborne Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner

A new six-channel aircraft multispectral scanner has been developed to exploit mineral signature information at wavelengths between 8 and 12 micrometers. Preliminary results show that igneous rock units can be identified from their free silica content, and that carbonate as well as clay-bearing units are readily separable on the digitally processed images.
Properties of some edible carbohydrate polymer coatings for potential use in osmotic dehydration

Abstract A limited number of carbohydrate polymer coating compositions were evaluated for their potential usefulness for improving the osmotic dehydration of foods. A parameter P r , or ‘performance ratio’, defined as (water out)/(solute in) (wt/wt), was found to be a valuable index for comparing literature results of quality judgements of coated and non-coated, osmotically dehydrated foods. Use of a model system with a diffusion cell to obtain P r values partially eliminated the need for conducting large-scale experiments with each food, osmotic agent and coating. Three osmotic agents (69% sucrose, 96% glycerol, 51·6% dextrose) were tested in combination with ten calcium crosslinked polysaccharide ionotropic gel coatings and two coatings produced by evaporation of ethyl cellulose in ethanol. When glycerol was used as an osmotic agent, the highest P r values were obtained with an ethyl cellulose coating. When a calcium ion crosslinked polymer coating was used, the greatest P r values were obtained with 69% sucrose as the osmotic agent and aqueous 3% low-methoxyl pectin solution in the coating.
Methylation of Dietary Flavones Increases Their Metabolic Stability and Chemopreventive Effects

Dietary flavones have promising chemoprotective properties, in particular with regard to cancer, but problems with low oral bioavailability and sometimes unacceptable toxicity have made their use as protective additives to normal diets questionable. However, methylation of free phenolic hydroxyl groups leads to derivatives not susceptible to glucuronic acid or sulfate conjugation, resulting in increased metabolic stability. Methylation also leads to greatly improved transport through biological membranes, such as in intestinal absorption, and much increased oral bioavailability. Recent studies also indicate that methylation results in derivatives with increasing potency to kill cancer cells. They also show high potency towards inhibition of hormone-regulating enzymes, e.g., aromatase, important in the causation of breast cancer. Methylation of the flavones may also result in derivatives with diminished toxic side-effects and improved aqueous solubility. In conclusion, it appears that methylation of dietary flavones as well as of other food products may produce derivatives with much improved health effects.
A New Synthetic Approach to 4(1H)-Pyridone Derivatives. I. 1-Alkyl-3,5-diaryl-4(1H)-pyridones

Abstract Recent developments1–3 in the synthesis of 4(1H)-pyridone derivatives have prompted us to communicate a highly versatile synthesis of this class of heterocycles. Acylation of the styrylamine (I)4 (R1 = C2H5) with a substituted arylacetyl halide (II) in ether at O[ddot]-30[ddot]C in the presence of triethylamine or pyridine gave in 2 to 24 hours the enaminoketone (III) (75%-85% trans-isomer together with 25%-15% cis-isomer based on chemical shift of CH methine proton). Enaminoketone (III) could be readily converted to (IIIa) with aqueous methylamine in ethanol or to the bis-enaminoketone (IV) with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal. The enaminoketone (IIIa) could be cyclized to pyridone (V) by refluxing with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal; alternatively, the bis-enaminoketone (IV) could be cyclized to pyridone (V) by overnight reflux with methylamine hydrochloride in ethanol. yields based on styrylamine were 30%-65%. These transformations are outlined in Scheme 1. As an example, the synt...
Spin blockade at semiconductor/ferromagnet junctions

We study theoretically extraction of spin-polarized electrons at nonmagnetic semiconductor/ferromagnet junctions. The outflow of majority-spin electrons from the semiconductor into the ferromagnet leaves a cloud of minority-spin electrons in the semiconductor region near the junction, forming a local spin-dipole configuration at the semiconductor/ferromagnet interface. This minority-spin cloud can limit the majority-spin current through the junction, creating a pronounced spin blockade at a critical current. We calculate the critical spin-blockade current in both planar and cylindrical geometries and discuss possible experimental tests of our predictions.
Characterization of PH-20 in canine spermatozoa and testis.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize the sperm membrane protein PH-20 in the dog. Canine spermatozoa were extracted with Triton X-100 and the presence of PH-20 was determined by immunoblot with an antibody against recombinant macaque PH-20. The hyaluronidase activity of canine PH-20 was determined with substrate gel electrophoresis based upon digestion of hyaluronic acid (HA) incorporated into the separating gels. Hyaluronidase activity was also quantified using a microplate assay. Sperm extracts were incubated at pH 4 or 7 in wells containing agarose and HA. For immunolabeling of PH-20 on canine sperm membranes, canine sperm were fixed and incubated with R-10 primary antibody, and an anti-rabbit IgG-FITC secondary antibody. Samples were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE and Western blot of detergent-extracted canine sperm revealed a major band at 50 kDa, and three other bands at 42, 124, and >209 kDa. Substrate PAGE revealed translucent bands of hyaluronidase activity of similar size to bovine testicular hyaluronidase. These bands were markedly more pronounced at pH 4 than at pH 7. The microplate assay also demonstrated that hyaluronidase activity was over four times greater at the acidic pH. Immunolabeling of canine spermatozoa demonstrated that PH-20 is localized to the anterior head region and appeared in the Golgi area of round spermatids as detected by the immunohistochemical staining of the testis. This study provides evidence that PH-20 is present on the membrane of canine spermatozoa and in round spermatids. Canine PH-20 exhibits hyaluronidase activity that is markedly more pronounced at acidic pH.
Design of private backbone networks — I: time varying traffic

Abstract Technological advances, special communication needs and potential cost advantages are prompting an increasing number of business to configure private communication networks, bypassing the public networks to varying degrees. In view of the high prices of leasing capacity, this paper develops a model for determining transmission line capacity in private backbone networks, such that multi busy-hour point-to-point circuit requirements can be met at low cost. Recent technology has developed backbone modal elements, such as Networking Multiplexers/Digital Cross Connect Systems, which can be easily reconfigured to reroute traffic so as to take advantage of noncoincidence of demand among communicating node pairs across different busy-hours. A multi-period cost model is formulated. A 3-phase heuristic, based on Benders decomposition, is developed to determine the line capacities jointly with circuit routing to satisfy the time varying circuit requirements at low cost. Computational results on practical sized backbone private networks are shown and solution quality is established by comparison with a lower bound obtained from an LP relaxation of the model.
Effects of constant voltage on time evolution of propagating concentration polarization.

We extend the analytical theory of propagating concentration polarization (CP) to describe and compare the effects of constant-voltage versus constant-current conditions on the transient development of CP enrichment and depletion zones. We support our analysis with computational and experimental results. We find that at constant voltage, enrichment and depletion regions spread as t1/2 as opposed to the previously observed t1 scaling for constant current conditions. At low, constant voltages, the growth and propagation of CP zones can easily be misinterpreted as nonpropagating behavior.
On multiplying large periodic integers. I

Abstract Let z be a positive integer which is obtained as the product of several large integers each with a periodic digit behavior. We investigate the periodic behavior for the leading digits of z and for the least significant digits of z and further study the relations between the two periodic behaviors.
STUDIES IN WOOD DECAY V. PHYSIOLOGICAL SPECIALIZATION IN FOMES PINICOLA FR.

The idea of physiological specialization in the fungi has undergone extensive development during recent years. In fact, a considerable amount of literature on this subject has appeared since about I890, and it has been demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubt that physiological specialization exists in a great number of fungi belonging to widely separated families. The rusts have received particular attention in regard to this point, and many interesting as well as important facts have been brought to light by the work of Eriksson,",2 Dietel,3 Stakman,4 Hungerford,5 and others. Other genera of fungi, as, for example, Erysiphe, Glomerella, Sphaeropsis, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, and many others, have also been investigated, but as far as the writer is able to ascertain little has been done along the line of physiological specialization in the case of wood-destroying fungi. It is true that some work has been done on these forms, but the emphasis has been on the morphological rather than on the physiological aspects of the question. In their general life history, many of the wood-destroying fungi differ from most other fungi in that they may, as a result of a single infection, inhabit a single host plant for a great number of years. For example, Boyce 6 has determined that Polyporus amacrus may vegetate in the trunk of incense cedar (Libocedrus decurrens) for a period of 300 years. If then the character and general properties of the host plant exert any influences on the fungi infecting it tending to produce physiological specialization, strains, or varieties, it would not seem unreasonable to suppose that the chances would be very good for the production of such specialized forms or varieties among the wood-destroying basidiomycetes. 1 Eriksson, J. Ueber die Specialisierung des Parasitismus bei den Getreiderostpilzen. Ber. Deutsch Bot. Ges. I2: 292-331. I894. 2 Eriksson, J. Ueber die Specialisierung des Getreideschwartzrostes in Schweden und anderen Landen.. Centralbl. Bakt. II, 9: 654-658. 1902. 3 Dietel, P. Waren die Rostpilze in fruiheren Zeiten plurivor? Bot. Centralbl. 79: 8I1 13. I899. 4 Stakman, E. C. A study in cereal rusts; physiological races. Minn. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. I38: 1-56. Pls. i-9. 1914. 6 Hungerford, C. W., and Owens, C. E. Specialized varieties of Puccinia glumarum and hosts for variety tritici. Jour. Agr. Res. 25: 363-401. Pls. i-6. 1923. 6 Boyce, J. S. The dry rot of incense cedar. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Plant Ind. Bull. 871: I-58. 1920. I63
The Role of Aminocaproic Acid in Lacrimal Surgery in Dyskeratosis Congenita

A 14-year-old boy with bilateral epiphora since birth had absent lacrimal puncta, oral leukoplakia, agenesis of the nails, cutaneous dyschromia, and pancytopenia, findings noted in the rare syndrome of dyskeratosis congenita. Bilateral conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy was complicated by persistent hemorrhage despite preoperative platelet transfusion. The hemorrhage was controlled by administration of an antifibrinolytic agent, aminocaproic acid. Lacrimal excretory anomalies may be the initial manifestation of a serious systemic disorder, dyskeratosis congenita. Surgical management in this disorder should include appropriate hematologic support.
Monitoring ventricular function at rest and during exercise with a nonimaging nuclear detector

A portable nonimaging device, the nuclear stethoscope, for measuring beat to beat ventricular time-activity curves in normal people and patients with heart disease, both at rest and during exercise, is being developed and evaluated. The latest device has several operating modes that facilitate left ventricular and background localization, measurement of transit times and automatic calculation and display of left ventricular ejection fraction. The correlation coefficient of left ventricular ejection fraction obtained with the device and with a camera-computer system was 0.92 in 35 subjects. During bicycle exercise the ejection fraction in 15 normal persons increased from 44 to 64 percent (P < 0.001), whereas among 12 patients with heart disease it was unchanged in 5 and decreased in 7.
Weak solutions of 2-D Euler equations with initial vorticity in L(log L)

Abstract In this note we prove global in time existence of weak solutions of 2-0 Euler equations for incompressible fluid flows in the whole plane of R 2 when the initial vorticity is in the Zygmund class L (log L ). The solution is constructed by a vanishing viscosity limit of the sequence of solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations with the same initial data. This is a limiting case of the corresponding results of DiPerna and Majda in which global existence of weak solutions was obtained for initial vorticity in L 1 ∩ L p , 1 p
The athlete and heart disease—diagnosis, evaluation & management

The sudden death of a seemingly healthy individual, especially an athletic one, is difficult to comprehend. The Athlete and Heart Disease is the first comprehensive reference to address the problem of cardiovascular disease in athletes, and to assist you in identifying and managing athletic patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. Dr. Richard Williams has assembled an expert group of contributors to discuss the management of specific diseases that cause sudden cardiac death--hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular genetic disorders, the Marfan syndrome, and congenital heart disease. You'll find in-depth information on the genetic problems underlying these syndromes and the molecular biology of cardiac abnormalities in athletes. Also included are chapters on athletics in older adults with cardiovascular disease and on the impact of substance abuse on the heart. Chapters describe the latest diagnostic tools for detecting cardiovascular disease, including genetic techniques, echocardiography, electrocardiography, and head-upright tilt testing. Full consideration is given to the advisability of widespread preparticipation screening, as well as to ethical, economic, and medicolegal concerns. The book also includes a discussion of race and gender considerations in sudden death in the athlete
Delivering on the promise of EBP.

Broad demands for improving healthcare quality underscore the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a solution to achieve safe and effective care. New resources are now in place to hasten delivery on the promise of EBP: the ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation and the Improvement Scie
Numerical Simulation of Deep-Water Convection in the Gulf of Lion

The unsteady-state process of deep-water convection in the Gulf of Lion has been observed and investigated in recent decades. However, the mechanisms of the uncertainty and irregularity of the deep-water convection in this region have not yet been fully understood. In this study, the effects of time variation of the surface buoyancy flux on the formation of the deep-water convection are examined. Numerical simulations using the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®) with the NRL Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) as an oceanic component were conducted for the period from October 1998 to September 2000 to cover two winters, 1998–1999 and 1999–2000, over the Gulf of Lion region. The results show large differences in the deep-water convection between the two winters, even though the total surface heat fluxes during the two winter seasons are similar. The differences are related to the time variation of the surface buoyancy flux that causes large differences in the preconditioning and mixing stages of the convection.
Filter Material Effects on Particle Absorption Optical Properties

Absorption enhancement and shadowing effects were investigated for nigrosin-laden quartz (fibrous), Teflon (matted), and polycarbonate (membrane) filters in inert surroundings at different sample steady-state temperatures and particle mass loadings. Sample absorptivity was determined using a novel laser-heating technique, which is based on perturbing the sample steady-state temperature and monitoring the thermal response during decay back to steady state, along with a model for thermal energy conservation. In addition, transmissivity measurements were carried out to enable determination of the sample absorption coefficient. The results indicated that the isolated-nigrosin absorption coefficient decreased with steady-state temperature and increased with mass loading and filter pore size. Comparing the absorption coefficient for both the isolated nigrosin and nigrosin-laden filters, indicated that absorption enhancement was most significant for the Teflon filters and least significant for the polycarbonate ...
First-principles investigation of the optical properties of crystalline poly(di- n -hexylsilane)

The optical properties of poly(di-n-hexylsilane) are studied by first-principles local-density calculations based on the crystal structure recently determined by x-ray diffraction. The one-dimensional nature of the band, the orbital composition of the states, the charge distribution of the highest-occupied-molecular-orbitals--lowest-unoccupied-molecular-orbitals states on the Si backbone, the effective masses, and the anisotropic optical conductivity are all clearly delineated. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
My association with Frank Harris: An arc of forty‐four years

My collaborations with Frank Harris are reviewed. Besides reminiscing commentary on our long association, I explain the essentials of a recent proposal by Frank and me for a correlated basis set to implement the Molecular Coupled Cluster method I published in 1987. Its use will require the accurate evaluation of integrals over fully correlated Gaussian-type n body functions. This has been achieved for arbitrary n in a pair of publications. A third paper by Frank shows the way to include angular factors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Pharmacokinetic profile of loracarbef

Abstract Loracarbef, the first β-lactam antibiotic of the carbacephem class to undergo clinical evaluation, has been the subject of extensive clinical pharmacology studies. Loracarbef is well absorbed: virtually all of an orally administered dose is excreted in the urine unchanged. Following administration of a 400 mg capsule to adults twice a day for 10 days, no accumulation of drug is noted. In one study in children, following the administration of 15 mg/kg of loracarbef suspension, the mean maximum plasma concentration ( C max ) was 20.3 μg/mL. In adults, the C max following administration of the suspension or solution formulations is higher than that achieved following administration of the capsule formulation, and the time to reach peak concentration ( T max ) is increased when loracarbef is administered as a capsule; however, the area under the curve, plasma half-life, and percentage of oral dose excreted in the urine are comparable among all formulations. The ingestion of food decreases the C max and delays the T max compared with the fasting state. The pharmacokinetic profile of loracarbef in adults is comparable with that in children or the elderly. Because loracarbef is eliminated primarily by the kidney, dosage must be reduced in patients with moderate-to-serve renal insufficiency. Loracarbef achieves middle-ear and interstitial-fluid levels that generally exceed the minimum inhibitory concentrations for common bacterial pathogens. Loracarbef posseses a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with the efficacy and safety profile documented in controlled clinical trials.
Strongly dispersive transient Bragg grating for high harmonics

We create a transient Bragg grating in a high-harmonic generation medium using two counterpropagating pulses. The Bragg grating disperses the harmonics in angle and can diffract a large bandwidth with temporal resolution limited only by the source size.
Cost-efficient processing of MIN/MAX queries over distributed sensors with uncertainty

The rapid development in micro-sensors and wireless networks has made large-scale sensor networks possible. However, the wide deployment of such systems is still hindered by their limited energy which quickly runs out in case of massive communication. In this paper, we study the cost-efficient processing of aggregate queries that are generally communication-intensive. In particular, we focus on MIN/MAX queries that require both identity and value in the answer. We study how to provide an error bound to such answers, and how to design an "optimal" sensor-contact policy that minimizes communication cost in reducing the error to a user-tolerable level.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism modulates the human in vivo metabolism of bradykinin.

Background —Bradykinin is a cardioprotective peptide metabolized by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene determines plasma ACE levels. The D allele is associated with cardiovascular disease, which may relate to enhanced angiotensin II production or to increased bradykinin degradation to the inactive metabolite bradykinin 1–5 (BK1–5). Therefore, we determined the effect of the ACE I/D polymorphism on human bradykinin metabolism in vivo. Methods and Results —Bradykinin (400 ng/min) was infused into the brachial artery of volunteers with ACE I/I, I/D, or D/D genotypes (n=9 each). The bradykinin and BK1–5 levels in forearm venous return were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Plasma ACE activity was highest in those with the D/D genotype (36.8±6.2 U/mL), intermediate in those with the I/D genotype (25.3±3.3 U/mL), and lowest in those with the I/I genotype (20.3±2.3 U/mL; P =0.017 for effect of number of D alleles). Bradykinin concentrations were 726±242, 469±50, and 545±104 fmol/mL in I/I, I/D, and D/D subjects, respectively ( P >0.10). Significant correlations existed between the number of D alleles and BK1–5 concentrations (1113±290, 1520±318, and 1887±388 fmol/mL in the I/I, I/D, and D/D groups, respectively; P =0.027) and the ratio of BK1–5 to bradykinin (1.87±0.35, 3.09±0.40, and 4.31±0.97 in the I/I, I/D, and D/D volunteers, respectively; P =0.010). The venous blood BK1–5:bradykinin ratio correlated with plasma ACE activity ( r 2 =0.16, P =0.039), and total kinin concentration correlated with net tissue plasminogen activator release across the forearm ( r 2 =0.20, P =0.027). Conclusions —The ACE D allele has a significant effect on the in vivo degradation of bradykinin in humans. The ratio of BK1–5:bradykinin may serve as a marker for tissue ACE activity.
Yoked complexes of human choriogonadotropin and the lutropin receptor: evidence that monomeric individual subunits are inactive.

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) contains an α-subunit, common to other members of the glycoprotein hormone family, and a unique β-subunit that determines hormone specificity. It is generally thought that heterodimer formation is obligatory for full hormonal activity, although other studies have indicated that individual subunits and homodimeric hCGβ were capable of low affinity binding to the LH receptor (LHR) and subsequent activation. Previously, we constructed two yoked hormone (hCG)-LHR complexes, where the two hormone subunits and the heptahelical receptor were engineered to form single polypeptide chains, i.e. N-β-α-LHR-C and N-α-β-LHR-C. Expression of both complexes led to constitutive stimulation of cAMP production. In the present study, we investigated whether the human α-subunit and hCGβ can act as functional agonists when covalently attached to or coexpressed with the LH receptor. Our initial results showed that hCGβ, but not α, was able to activate LHR with an increase in intracellular cAMP in ...
Effects of distributed energy resources on conservation voltage reduction (CVR)

Conservation voltage reduction (CVR) is one of the cheapest technologies that can be intelligently leveraged to provide considerable energy savings. The addition of renewables in the form of distributed resources can affect the entire power system, but more importantly, affects the traditional substation control schemes at the distribution level. This paper looks at the effect on energy consumption, peak load reduction, and voltage profile changes caused bu the addition of distributed generation in a distribution feeder using a volt-var control (VVC) technique for CVR with different end-of-line (EOL) measurements. An IEEE 13-node system is used to simulate the various cases. Energy savings and peak load reduction for different simulation scenarios are compared.
The N-terminus of Mcm10 is important for interaction with the 9-1-1 clamp and in resistance to DNA damage

Accurate replication of the genome requires the evolutionarily conserved minichromosome maintenance protein, Mcm10. Although the details of the precise role of Mcm10 in DNA replication are still debated, it interacts with the Mcm2-7 core helicase, the lagging strand polymerase, DNA polymerase-α and the replication clamp, proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Loss of these interactions caused by the depletion of Mcm10 leads to chromosome breakage and cell cycle checkpoint activation. However, whether Mcm10 has an active role in DNA damage prevention is unknown. Here, we present data that establish a novel role of the N-terminus of Mcm10 in resisting DNA damage. We show that Mcm10 interacts with the Mec3 subunit of the 9-1-1 clamp in response to replication stress evoked by UV irradiation or nucleotide shortage. We map the interaction domain with Mec3 within the N-terminal region of Mcm10 and demonstrate that its truncation causes UV light sensitivity. This sensitivity is not further enhanced by a deletion of MEC3, arguing that MCM10 and MEC3 operate in the same pathway. Since Rad53 phosphorylation in response to UV light appears to be normal in N-terminally truncated mcm10 mutants, we propose that Mcm10 may have a role in replication fork restart or DNA repair.
Eye Cancer Incidence in U.S. States and Access to Fluoridated Water

Environmental risk factors for uveal melanomas (cancer of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid) have not been identified. To search for these, we examined the correlation of age-adjusted eye cancer incidence rates, a surrogate for uveal melanoma rates, in U.S. states with group level geographic and demographic factors using multivariate linear regression. Incidence rates for eye cancer were inversely correlated with the percentage of the population receiving fluoridated water; that is, higher rates were found in states with lower prevalences of fluoridation (P = 0.01). Fluoride is known to inhibit the growth of microbial agents that cause choroiditis and choroidal lesions in animals. We speculate that fluoridation protects against choroidal melanoma by inhibiting microbial agents that cause choroiditis and/or choroidal lesions in humans.
Classifying superconductors in a plot of Tc versus Fermi temperature TF

Abstract Using the magnetic field penetration depth λ determined by muon spin relaxation (μSR) measurements, we calculate the Fermi temperature TF of various superconductors. A plot of Tc versus TF shows that high-Tc cuprate, bismuthate (BKBO). organic BEDT, Chevrel phase, K3C60, heavy-fermion, and some other superconductors may belong to a unique group of superconductors characterized by large ratios of T c /T F = 1 10 ∼ 1 100 , which distinguish them from more ordinary BCS superconductors with T c /T F ≤ 1 1000 . Scientific implications of these results are discussed.
IT service management automation - A hybrid methodology to integrate and orchestrate collaborative human centric and automation centric workflows

People, processes, technology and information are the essential building blocks for creating a successful IT infrastructure in today's fast-paced, service-focused marketplace. ITIL which is recognized as the de facto standard for service management is a process based approach. ITIL focuses on a set of integrated processes which run the gamut from highly interactive and dynamic processes such as problem determination to highly repeatable processes such as patch deployment which are best handled in a fully automated, non-interactive fashion. The ability to support and integrate the full spectrum of interactivity for these processes with the appropriate level of automation is crucial for the service provider. Also key is the ability to identify opportunities to increase the level of automation as maturity and technology permit. In this paper, we propose a conceptual methodology for IT service management process automation that leverages the ontological relationships between process artifacts and resource artifacts to develop data aware processes for an effective automated approach to integrate both highly automated and human centric process models. The objective is to develop a systematic approach that addresses the needs of an IT organization in order that highly automated operational processes work in conjunction with collaborative human decision centric processes in order to effectively deliver IT services. In addition, we propose a complexity model to assist in identifying automation opportunities to satisfy the need for continuous efficiency and cost improvement.
The Science Fiction of Technoscience: The Politics of Simulation and a Challenge for New Media Art

This article sketches some of the relationships between the technosciences (primarily biotechnology and biomedicine) and science fiction. Taken as a discursive practice, science fiction constructs ...
All marriages are not maintained equally: Marital type, marital quality, and the use of maintenance behaviors

Although a growing amount of research has shown that married couples enact behaviors that maintain or preserve the relationship, little attention has examined how maintenance strategies are used in different types of marriages. This study investigated differences in the use of maintenance behaviors and in perceptions of marital quality across various marital types and explored the relationship between maintenance behaviors, marital types and key indicators of marital quality. Data collected from 141 married couples indicated that couples differed in the use of maintenance behaviors among various marital types. Further, the relationship between maintenance behaviors and perceptions of the key indicators of marital quality varied depending upon couples’ideological frameworks. The findings allow for a better picture of the use of maintenance behaviors in different types of marriages.
Intravenous Pentagastrin as a Partial Agonist of Gastric Secretion in Man: Evidence in Favor of the Existence of Hormonal Inhibitory Sites

The gastric secretory response to prompt intravenous injection of pentagastrin was investigated in 3 normal subjects and 3 patients with duodenal ulcer. The highest responses to pentagastrin and histamine were correlated. Intravenous pentagastrin in a dose of 0.5 μg per kg could thus achieve the same extent of discrimination between individuals with a 10-fold economy in dosage over subcutaneous pentagastrin. Sensitivity to pentagastrin, expressed in the D50, was higher in patients with duodenal ulcer. Unexpectedly, the highest response to intravenous pentagastrin was only 40% of the peak response to subcutaneous histamine. Accordingly, intravenous pentagastrin acted as a partial agonist with an efficacy of about 0.4. The effect of prompt injection of pentagastrin contrasted with the effect of slow intravenous infusion of pentagastrin, as well as with the effects of gastrin-17 given by either prompt injection or slow infusion. A model is proposed to account for these and related findings in other species. The secretory receptor for gastrin and its analogues is viewed as consisting of two sites: a high affinity stimulatory site and a low affinity inhibitory site. Partial agonism after prompt intravenous injection would result from blood and tissue transients which are successively too high (partially inhibitory) and low (stimulatory). The disparate effects of analogues and the differences between species would be determined by the relative affinities of the two sites. The overflow of stimulant into inhibitory sites would account for the reversal of response at high doses observed in numerous studies.
Psychiatric and neurological reactions to cycloserine in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Early observations on the use of cycloserine have revealed disturbing emotional and neurological side effects attendant upon the administration of thisnew antibioticto a number of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.” 2, 3 Perhaps the most striking of these reactions have been epileptiform seizures, varying from slight tremors to grand mal convulsions. In most of these cases,the convulsions occurred among patientswho had no previous history of epilepsy. Several patients also were reported to have experienced marked changes in mood ranging from depression and somnolence to excitatory reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate further the psychiatric and neurologic reactions of patients to cycloserine. This investigation is part of a broader pilot study on cycloserine therapy being conducted in Veterans Administration hospitals in conjunction with the Veterans AdministrationArmed Forces Study on the Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis. Materials and Methods Thirty men initially were selected for inclusion in the cycloserine therapy program. The criteria for selection of these subjects consisted, in each case, of the presence of a positive sputum smear, the absence of any evidence of epilepsy, renal or hepatic disease,dermatitis,or allergy. The age range of the group was from 29 to 70 years (mean age,46 years). One of the subjects was an American Indian, five were Negroes and the remainder were white. Twenty-three were diagnosed as having far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and seven had moderately advanced disease. Fourteen of the 30 were original treatment cases without previous chemotherapy. The remainder were retreatment cases. At the start of the study, allof the patients received 0.5 gm. of cycloserinetwice each day. Within a few days afterpresentationto the medical therapy board and before cycloserinewas begun, each patientwas seen by the investigators in order to obtain electroencephalographictracings for the waking and sleeping state and a clinical evaluation of the mental and neurological status. Psychological tests were employed to assess the patient’s mood and mental capacity, his adjustment to hospitalization and his attitudes toward cycloserine.