cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biochemical changes in prostanoids and cerebral expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 during morphine sulfate infusion in the newborn piglet .

To examine the biochemical regulation of morphine sulfate (MS) on prostanoid synthesis, conscious newborn piglets received a bolus dose of 100 μg/kg followed by a continuous infusion dose of 100 μg/kg/h. The control group received equivalent volume bolus and continuous infusion of 5% dextrose. Blood samples were drawn from the femoral artery and sagittal sinus vein before, during and after infusion for measurement of prostanoids. The expression of mRNAs encoding cyclooxygenases (COX)-1 and -2 in the brainstem, thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum of the newborn piglets were also examined. Systemic PGE2 levels declined substantially during and post MS infusion (p < 0.01), whereas sagittal sinus vein PGE2 levels increased following the bolus dose (p < 0.01) and at 4 h of continuous infusion (p < 0.01). MS infusion did not affect systemic 6-ketoPGF1α levels, however, in the cerebral circulation 6-ketoPGF1α levels increased 146% (p < 0.01) following the bolus dose and remained elevated throughout the infusion and post infusion times. Systemic TxB2 levels increased transiently at 4 h (p < 0.01) and sagittal sinus vein TxB2 increased at 0.5 and 1 h (p < 0.01) during continuous infusion. RT-PCR assays revealed a 1.5- (p < 0.001) to 4-fold (p < 0.001) increased expression of COX-1 mRNA in the MS-infused brain samples. In contrast, no differences in COX-2 mRNA were detected between the groups. These data imply that MS may have significant effects on prostanoid synthesis in the newborn. The data further show that the MS-induced prostanoid responses appear to be mediated via COX-1.
Spinal action of dermorphin, an extremely potent opioid peptide from frog skin.

Abstract Studies on the characteristics of spinally administered dermorphin, a novel heptapeptide isolated from the skin of South American Phyllomedusa frogs, indicated that this agent is 3–5000x more active than spinal morphine on the hot plate, tail flick and writhing tests. This agent displays naloxone reversibility and cross tolerance to spinal morphine, and possesses all of the characteristics of a μ opiate receptor agonist.
Controlled synthesis of high molecular weight polyaniline and poly(o-methoxyaniline)

The molecular weight of polyaniline can be substantially increased from that normally obtained (Mw ≈ 53 000) by the oxidative polymerization of aniline with ammonium peroxydisulfate at about 0 to 3 °C up to about 218 000 by the presence of selected dissolved neutral salts. A further increase up to Mw ≈ 385 000 can be obtained by carrying out the polymerization at about −40 °C. Similar results are obtained for the polymerization of o-methoxyaniline to yield a maximum Mw ≈ 221 000 at 0 to 3 °C and Mw ≈ 417 000 at about −40 °C. The results are consistent with a reduction in the rate of the initiation step in solution and an increase in the rate of the chain propagation step at the solid polymer/solution interface caused by Donnan equilibrium effects.
A new look at an old issue: People with mental illness and the law enforcement system

Most research on encounters between persons with mental illness and the law enforcement system has focused on the extent to which persons with mental illness are shifted between the mental health and law enforcement systems. This article focuses instead on the interplay between the mental health and law enforcement systems for a group of persons with severe mental illness who continue to be actively treated by an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. To better understand the connection between these two systems, profiles were constructed for 100 ACT clients, including data about arrests, other contacts with the law enforcement system, and mental health treatment. Results indicate that although the majority of ACT clients had some contact with the law enforcement system, most police encounters and arrests were for minor infractions. Those clients with the most frequent and serious contacts also received more expensive and intensive mental health treatment. Implications for future research and program design are discussed.
An axiomatic characterization of multilattices

The author presents an axiomatic characterization of M. Benado's definition of a multilattice.
Adjuvant therapy for gastric carcinoma patients in the past 15 years: a review of western and oriental trials.

BACKGROUND The early detection of gastric carcinoma is neither feasible nor practiced around the world, except on a limited basis in Japan. Thus, because gastric carcinoma is detected later in most patients throughout the world, those who undergo curative resection still remain at high risk for relapse. Adjuvant therapy therefore has a potentially important place in the treatment of these patients. It has been extensively investigated in the Orient, North America, and Europe. The authors reviewed the results of these trials to determine the current status of adjuvant therapy. METHODS All randomized studies published in the world literature since 1984 were reviewed. These studies were divided into those performed in the West and those performed in Asia and also by the type of therapy investigated (chemotherapy, chemoimmunotherapy, or radiotherapy). These findings were then summarized and tabulated. RESULTS In the process of evaluating the results of these studies, the authors uncovered some marked differences in the methodologies employed. For example, the use of no treatment control is a norm in the West, whereas a treatment control is commonly used in Asia. In addition, there is a greater emphasis on chemoimmunotherapy in Asia than in the West. Furthermore, results of Western studies suggest that postoperative adjuvant therapy is ineffective, whereas the results of the Asian trials do not give a clear indication. Despite this, most Asian patients receive postoperative or perioperative adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative chemotherapy as an adjuvant to potentially curative resection of gastric carcinoma remains investigational despite more than 30 years of investigation in the West. Newer therapeutic combinations or strategies (preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) have the potential to benefit the high risk patients. Cancer 1999;86:1657–68. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Applied Advanced Process Analytics in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing: Challenges and Prospects in Real-time Monitoring and Control

Abstract Abstract Biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes are inherently complex due to their nonlinear bioprocess dynamics, variability in batch operations and manufacturing schedule, raw materials involved, and automatic process control. A typical processed lot generates large amounts of data that need to be analyzed and interpreted for process troubleshooting and continuous improvement purposes in addition to product release. Multivariate Batch Process Modeling, Monitoring and Control approaches in real-time are elaborated by providing industrial examples from the commercial manufacturing processes. Examples and opportunities in cell culture (e.g., bioreactor applications) and purification (e.g., large-scale chromatography) operations are summarized. Impact of Process Analytical Technologies (PAT), soft-sensor development, first principles modeling applications and commercial-scale examples are presented.
Functional analysis of tail domains of Acanthamoeba myosin IC by characterization of truncation and deletion mutants.

Acanthamoeba myosin IC has a single 129-kDa heavy chain and a single 17-kDa light chain. The heavy chain comprises a 75-kDa catalytic head domain with an ATP-sensitive F-actin-binding site, a 3-kDa neck domain, which binds a single 17-kDa light chain, and a 50-kDa tail domain, which binds F-actin in the presence or absence of ATP. The actin-activated MgATPase activity of myosin IC exhibits triphasic actin dependence, apparently as a consequence of the two actin-binding sites, and is regulated by phosphorylation of Ser-329 in the head. The 50-kDa tail consists of a basic domain, a glycine/proline/alanine-rich (GPA) domain, and aSrc homology 3 (SH3) domain, often referred to as tail homology (TH)-1, -2, and -3 domains, respectively. The SH3 domain divides the TH-3 domain into GPA-1 and GPA-2. To define the functions of the tail domains more precisely, we determined the properties of expressed wild type and six mutant myosins, an SH3 deletion mutant and five mutants truncated at the C terminus of the SH3, GPA-2, TH-1, neck and head domains, respectively. We found that both the TH-1 and GPA-2 domains bind F-actin in the presence of ATP. Only the mutants that retained an actin-binding site in the tail exhibited triphasic actin-dependent MgATPase activity, in agreement with the F-actin-cross-linking model, but truncation reduced the MgATPase activity at both low and high actin concentrations. Deletion of the SH3 domain had no effect. Also, none of the tail domains, including the SH3 domain, affected either the K m orV max for the phosphorylation of Ser-329 by myosin I heavy chain kinase.
Mammalian Ryk Is a Wnt Coreceptor Required for Stimulation of Neurite Outgrowth

The Ryk receptor belongs to the atypical receptor tyrosine kinase family. It is a new member of the family of Wnt receptor proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the Ryk receptor functions remain unknown. Here, we report that mammalian Ryk, unlike the Drosophila Ryk homolog Derailed, functions as a coreceptor along with Frizzled for Wnt ligands. Ryk also binds to Dishevelled, through which it activates the canonical Wnt pathway, providing a link between Wnt and Dishevelled. Transgenic mice expressing Ryk siRNA exhibit defects in axon guidance, and Ryk is required for neurite outgrowth induced by Wnt-3a and in the activation of T cell factor (TCF) induced by Wnt-1. Thus, Ryk appears to play a crucial role in Wnt-mediated signaling.
ATP-dependent remodeling and acetylation as regulators of chromatin fluidity.

It has become widely accepted that modification of nucleosome structure is an important regulatory mechanism. The hypothesis that the acetylation of histones is involved in regulation was first formed over thirty years ago by Allfrey and colleagues (Allfrey et al. 1964). Subsequent genetic studies suggested that complexes that utilize ATP hydrolysis to alter chromatin structure might also play a regulatory role. In the past 5 years, numerous ATP-dependent remodeling complexes, acetyltransferases, and acetyltransferase complexes have been isolated and characterized. With the identification of these complexes, it is now possible to examine how these complexes modulate gene expression, and how the action of these complexes can be coordinated. The two major classes of chromatin modifying complexes that have been characterized differ in whether or not they use covalent modification to alter chromatin structure (recent reviews include Felsenfeld et al. 1996; Hartzog and Winston 1997; Tsukiyama and Wu 1997; Gregory and Horz 1998; Imhof and Wolffe 1998; Kadonaga 1998; Kuo and Allis 1998; Mizzen and Allis 1998; Pollard and Peterson 1998; Varga-Weisz and Becker 1998; Workman and Kingston 1998). The first class consists of histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and deacetylase complexes, which, respectively, add and remove acetyl groups from the amino termini of the four core histones; increased acetylation is usually (but not always) associated with activation of gene expression, whereas decreased acetylation is associated with repression of gene expression. The second class consists of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, which alter chromatin structure by changing the location or conformation of the nucleosome. These structural changes are accomplished without covalent modification, and can be involved in either activation or repression. In addition to these two major classes of complexes, there are also other recently identified complexes such as FACT, DRIP/ARC, and SPT4/SPT5 that help the transcription machinery contend with nucleosome structure (Hartzog et al. 1998; LeRoy et al. 1998; Orphanides et al. 1998; Wada et al. 1998; Naar et al. 1999; Rachez et al. 1999). The mode of action of these other complexes is not yet understood. This review focuses on ATP-dependent remodeling complexes and how these complexes interact with acetylation complexes to regulate gene expression.
Anion treatment (F− or SO 4 2− ) of AlPO4−Al2O3 (25 wt.% Al2O3) catalysts. III. Anion effect on surface basic properties

The effect of both anion type and loading on the amount and strength of basic sites of a series of AlPO4−Al2O3 (APAl-P, 25 wt.% Al2O3) modified with F− or SO42− ions (1–3 wt.%) was studied. Surface basicity was measured by studying the adsorption of acidic molecules [benzoic acid (BA, pKa=4.2) and phenol (PH, pKa=9.9)], from cyclohexane solutions. The data obtained follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the monolayer coverage at equilibrium (at 298 K), Xm, is assumed as the amount of basic sites corresponding to the specific pKa of the acid probe used. The amount of basic sites of anion-treated APAl-P catalysts is lower than that of the unmodified one, and on increasing the anion loading, the basicity of the catalysts gradually decreases. Furthermore, the decrease in surface basicity by anion loading is more accentuated in the case of fluoride ion and, thus, the number of strongest basic sites (measured vs. PH) sharply decreases.
Reliability and Validity of the SE-HEPA Examining Physical Activity– and Healthy Eating–Specific Self-Efficacy Among a Sample of Preadolescents

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity measure (SE-HEPA) for preadolescents. Method. The reliability of the measure was examined to determine if the internal consistency of the measure was adequate (i.e., αs > .70). Next, in an effort to determine if a two-factor model was a better fit than a one-factor model, as hypothesized, an exploratory factor analysis in a confirmatory factor analysis framework was used to determine model fit. Additionally, the criterion-related validity of the measure was evaluated by conducting correlational analyses to determine if SE-HEPA scores were associated with preadolescent body mass index. Results. Consistent with the hypotheses, Cronbach’s alphas indicated good reliability for the measure (i.e., αs > .70) and factor analyses indicated the two-factor model provided a better fit than the one-factor model. Additionally, correlations revealed a significant relationship betw...
993-44 The Ventricular Response in Atrial Fibrillation is Not Chaotic

In nonlinear dynamics, chaos refers to a system that is aperiodic but deterministic (nonrandom). Although the ventricular response during atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly described as chaotic, it has yet to be demonstrated that this represents chaos in the mathematical sense. A defining characteristic of chaotic systems is sensitive dependence on initial conditions; i.e. similar sequences evolve similarly in the near future, but then diverge exponentially. We developed a nonlinear predictive forecasting algorithm to search for evidence of short-term predictability and sensitive dependence on initial conditions in recordings of 2000 ectopy-and artifact-free RR intervals obtained during routine activity in 5 pts with AF. The algorithm: 1) uses the technique of lags to reconstruct phase spaces with embedding dimensions from 3 to 10,2) the 3 nearest neighbors of a given trajectory are used to predict the evolution of the trajectory from 1 to 10 intervals into the future and 3) the correlation coefficient between predicted and actual evolution is computed for all RR intervals in the time series. The results were compared to test sequences from linear oscillators with high and low signal-noise ratios and a system with chaotic dynamics (the logistic map). Distinct from each of the test sets, the ventricular response in AF was only weakly predictable at all time scales, and did not exhibit sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Conclusion The irregular ventricular response during AF is not governed by a low-dimensional chaotic attractor. Download : Download high-res image (91KB) Download : Download full-size image
Decentralizing the economic dispatch problem using a two-level incremental cost consensus algorithm in a smart grid environment

In a smart grid, effective distributed control algorithms could be embedded in distributed controllers to properly allocate electrical power among connected buses autonomously. By selecting the incremental cost of each generation unit as the consensus variable, the Incremental Cost Consensus (ICC) algorithm can solve the economic dispatch problem in a distributed manner instead of using conventional centralized approaches. In this paper, we further decrease the requirement of the communication network by using an average consensus algorithm to acquire the system power mismatch information. The mathematical formulation of the algorithms is also presented in this paper. In addition, the results of several case studies are presented to show the convergence rate of the ICC algorithm and the comparison between the previous ICC and the new two-level ICC algorithm.
8-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)NAD: A New Affinity Label for NAD-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase

8-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (8-BDB-TNAD), a new reactive NAD analog, was synthesized by coupling 8-thio-AMP with NMN, followed by condensation with 1,4-dibromobutanedione. Incubation of 160 microM 8-BDB-TNAD with the allosteric pig heart NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase causes time-dependent inactivation to a limit of 25% residual activity concomitant with incorporation of approximately 1 mol reagent/mol average subunit. In addition to binding sites for NAD and NADH, this enzyme has been shown to have regulatory sites for NADPH and for ADP (R. S. Ehrlich and R. F. Colman 1982, J. Biol. Chem. 257, 4769-4774). Marked protection against enzyme inactivation by 8-BDB-TNAD and incorporation is provided by the regulatory nucleotides NADPH or ADP, while NAD and NADH are less effective. The rate constant for inactivation shows a nonlinear dependence on 8-BDB-TNAD concentration which can be ascribed to reversible formation of an enzyme-reagent complex (KI = 83 microM) prior to an irreversible reaction (kmax = 0.0625 min-1). Analysis of the kinetic properties and binding characteristics of modified enzyme indicates that this enzyme retains the ability to bind ADP, but does not bind NADPH. Thus, 8-BDB-TNAD reacts at or near the allosteric NADPH site of pig heart NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase.
Consummatory behavior as a function of deprivation level of the rat

The present investigation studied the relationship between strength of hunger drive and eating behavior. The experiment reexamined the usefulness of the Hullian concept of drive as opposed to an alternative position of stimulus generalization. Thirty-eight female albino rats were trained at 23 h of food deprivation and then tested at different deprivation intervals. Significant findings, showing an increase in eating behavior up to training level and a decrease thereafter, clearly support an associative interpretation of stimulus generalization as opposed to a strict drive position. Results are discussed in terms of the “associative” theory of Estes (1958). Alternative mechanisms are suggested in terms of digestive mechanisms and cyclical functions in the rat.
Using multifocal plane microscopy to reveal novel trafficking processes in the recycling pathway

A major outstanding issue in cell biology is the lack of understanding of the contribution of tubulovesicular transport carriers (TCs) to intracellular trafficking pathways within 3D cellular environments. This is primarily due to the challenges associated with the use of microscopy techniques to track these highly motile, small compartments. In the present study we have used multifocal plane microscopy with localized photoactivation to overcome these limitations. Using this approach, we have characterized individual components constituting the recycling pathway of the receptor FcRn. Specifically, several different pathways followed by TCs that intersect with larger, relatively static sorting endosomes have been defined. These pathways include a novel ‘looping’ process in which TCs leave and return to the same sorting endosome. Significantly, TCs with different itineraries can be identified by associations with distinct complements of Rab GTPases, APPL1 and SNX4. These studies provide a framework for further analyses of the recycling pathway.
Segregation or Use of Separate Milking Units for Cows Infected with Staphylococcus aureus: Effects on Prevalence of Infection and Bulk Tank Somatic Cell Count

Dairy herds (n = 76) with an initial prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus IMI ≥10% were included in this study. Criteria were that herds did not change teat dipping or dry cow treatment practices, did not segregate cows that were positive for S. aureus at the initial visit, and did not cull >50% of cows found to be positive on the initial visit. During a follow-up period (6 to 24 mo), segregation or separate milking of cows that were positive for S. aureus reduced prevalence from 29.5 to 16.3% and bulk tank SCC from 600,000 to 345,000/ml. Prevalence of S. aureus mastitis was unchanged for herds that did not segregate cows with S. aureus, 22.5 to 20.2%, and the reduction in SCC from 698,000 to 484,000 for nonsegregated herds was also smaller. Segregation of cows that were known to be positive for S. aureus is an effective mastitis control practice.
A floating-body dynamic supply boosting technique for low-voltage sram in nanoscale PD/SOI CMOS technologies

This paper presents a novel dynamic supply boosting technique for low voltage SRAMs at/beyond 65 nm PD/SOI technologies. For the first time the technique exploits the capacitive coupling effect in a floating-body PD/SOI device to dynamically boost the virtual array supply voltage during Read operation, thus improving the Read performance, Read/half-select stability, and Vmin. This enables significant reduction of the standby cell power and circuit active power in a single supply methodology. The performance and parametric yield improvements in the presence of variability are analyzed/validated using precise and fast Monte Carlo statistical circuit simulations with mixture importance sampling. Fabricated column-based 65nm PD/SOI SRAM circuits are confirmed with simulations and physical analysis and are shown to operate at 0.4 V. to 0.5V.
The Effects of Storage Temperature on the Growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Organoleptic Properties in Oysters

During harvesting and storage, microbial pathogens and natural spoilage flora may grow, negatively affecting the composition and texture of oysters and posing a potential health threat to susceptible consumers. A solution to these problems would mitigate associated damaging effects on the seafood industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of storage temperature on growth of Vibrios as well as other microbial, sensory and textural characteristics of post-harvest shellstock Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Oysters harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, during summer months (June, July, and August, 2010) were subjected to three storage temperatures (5, 10, and 20oC) over a 10 day period. At selected time intervals (0, 1, 3, 7, 10 days) two separate samples of 6 oysters each were homogenated and analyzed for pH, halophilic plate counts (HPC), total Vibrios, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). Oyster meats shucked after storage were also organoleptically evaluated (acceptability, appearance, and odor). Texture analysis was performed using a texture analyzer on meats shucked from oysters held under the same conditions. The pH of the oyster homogenates showed no consistent pattern with storage time and temperature. The HPC (4.5 to 9.4log CFU/g) were highest on day 7 at 20C while olfactory acceptance reduced with time and increasing storage temperatures. The Vp counts increased over time from 3.5 to7.5 log MPN/g by day10. Loss of freshness as judged by appearance and odor was significant over time (p
The influence of intramedullary fixation on figure-of-eight wiring for surgical neck fractures of the proximal humerus: A biomechanical comparison

The resistance to torsional load was measured in a human cadaver model of a surgical neck fracture. Ten fresh-frozen human cadaver shoulders were thawed, dissected free of soft tissue attachments, and analyzed with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to establish bone mineral density. Osteotomies were fixed with figure-of-eight wire alone and figure-of-eight wire supplemented with intramedullary Enders rods. Intramedullary Enders rods improved the mean maximum load by 1.5 times (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between mean maximum load and bone mineral density.
Hypomorphic variant of the slow allele of C3 associated with hypocomplementemia and hematuria

Abstract This report describes the first instance of a hypomorphic variant ( C3 ∗s ) of the most common C3 allele, C3 Slow, which was detected in a four-year-old Caucasian boy with hematuria. Analysis of C3 phenotypes, as determined by agarose electrophoresis, showed a hypomorphic C3 Slow in the patient and a maternal aunt. Serum C3 concentration was significantly reduced in the patient and his mother (610 and 750 μg/ml; normal ± 1 SD=1,240 ± 240 μg/ml) and was at the lower limits of normal in the affected aunt (770 μg/ml). The mother's phenotype was C3 S (? Ss) and she was the presumed carrier, since the father (C3 FS) had neither an abnormal C3 S band nor a low C3 concentration (980 μg/ml). Total hemolytic complement was significantly reduced only in the patient (19 units/ml; normal=38 ± 16). Hypomorphic C3 variants should be considered in the evaluation of decreased serum C3 levels.
Designing games for learning: insights from conversations with designers

This paper presents insights about design practices that can lead to effective and fun games for learning, gleaned from interviews with experienced game developers. We based our approach on Schon's notion of practitioners evolving shared 'appreciation systems' for discussing and critiquing work, and aimed to gather and share some of game designers' 'appreciation system' for games and learning. The resulting insights provide valuable pointers to other designers in the CHI community crafting game-like experiences.
Absence of a substrate state for 3He in a 3He-4He bulk mixture in proximity to a strong-binding surface.

NMR measurements of the magnetization and relaxation time ${\mathit{T}}_{1}$ for very dilute bulk solutions of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ in $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ in the presence of a large Nuclepore surface show the $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ to be three dimensional. In the temperature range 27\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}500 mK, there is no evidence for the two-dimensional $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ substrate state for this system predicted by Pavloff and Treiner.
Hadamard-encoded sub-slice fMRI for reduced signal dropout

T2⁎-weighted blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging is adversely affected by susceptibility-induced field gradients in brain regions adjoining air interfaces that cause image distortion and signal dropout. Reducing slice thickness diminishes signal dropout but is accompanied by reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This study proposes simultaneous excitation of subslices with total width equal to the desired slice thickness, employing alternating Hadamard-encoded radiofrequency pulses coupled with incoherent addition of the subslices to achieve reduction of through-plane dephasing with minimal SNR loss but at the expense of a reduction in temporal resolution. Using a sensory task and hypercapnic challenge with breathholding (BH), results with two subslices per slice and a twofold reduction in temporal resolution show improved activation relative to a conventional acquisition. Average (eight subjects) T-scores in the BH task increased by 16% (P<.0003), and activation extent increased by 12% (not significant). In frontal brain regions, significant improvements in BH activation extent (11.4%, P<.05) and T-scores (18%, P<.0002) were demonstrated. Higher temporal resolution can be achieved by tradeoff of SNR.
Warranty Prediction During Product Development: Developing an Event Generation Engine

In 2010, high tech industries including computer makers, peripherals manufacturers, and medical equipment manufacturers spent a total of $8 billion on warranty. Reducing warranty costs improves the manufacturer’s profit and helps to reduce the overall cost of the product. An often cited principle is that approximately 80% of the eventual product cost is ‘locked in’ during the very early stages of product development; however, traditional methods of warranty analysis are not well suited to predict the warranty costs during these early stages. Thus, product development personnel need better tools to make good predictions about the warranty costs so that they can make better decisions to reduce those costs earlier in product development. In order to address this gap, previous research defined a warranty prediction framework, which at its core was a warranty event generation engine integrating the disparate data sources available early in the product development process. The objective of this work was to create an event generation model, which would give the probability of occurrence for a warranty event given the length of time of service for the system. The model developed in this work used three data sources: namely, field data, product development data, and engineering judgment data from our industrial partner. The datasets were then combined using a two-stage numerical Bayes method to predict the probability of occurrence of an event. Various test cases were created by using the different datasets as priors and likelihoods. The results were then compared to an actual field data set to understand how well the model performed. It was found that the model performed well and was able to produce a bounded solution. The paper closes by listing out the future research agenda to create a tool for product development professionals that will help them predict warranty costs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Selective growth and characterization of doped polycrystalline diamond thin films

Abstract A process is described to selectively grow B- and P-doped polycrystalline diamond thin films on bare and oxidized silicon substrates by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition using a gas mixture of CH 4 and H 2 . The resistivity of as-grown B-doped films is decreased by three to four orders of magnitude from the resistivity of undoped films (∼ 10 3 ω cm). The resistivity of undoped films is increased by three to four orders of magnitude when annealed in nitrogen ambient at ∼425 °C for a few hours. The electrical conductivity of B-doped films is measured as a function of temperature. Doped films are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Furthermore, attempts have been made to dope diamond with phosphorus, which resulted in an increase in resistivity of the films.
Robust, high-fidelity coding technique based on entropy-biased ANN codebooks

We investigate the use of a Differential Vector Quantizer (DVQ) architecture for the coding of digital images. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is used to develop entropy-biased codebooks which yield substantial data compression while retaining insensitivity to transmission channel errors. Two methods are presented for variable bit-rate coding using the described DVQ algorithm. In the first method, both the encoder and the decoder have multiple codebooks of different sizes. In the second, variable bit-rates are achieved by encoding using subsets of one fixed codebook. We compare the performance of these approaches under conditions of error-free and error-prone channels.
Peripheral auditory input to the midbrain limbic area and related structures

The effect of peripherally applied auditory stimulation on unit activity in midbrain limbic and related regions was investigated in the freely behaving rat. Two pure tones (1 and 10 kHz) and a noise generated by the discharge of a solenoid were used as stimuli presented randomly with 1 min mean interval between presentations. Computer-aided analysis of unit activity indicated that (1) a high proportion of neurons in the limbic midbrain region give excitatory responses to the three stimuli; (2) a majority of the responses have short latencies, especially in the dorsal raphe nucleus; (3) frequency and physical properties of the stimuli seemed not crucial for eliciting responsiveness; (4) habituation to repeated presentation of stimuli was not characteristic of the excitatory responses in the limbic midbrain region. These results are discussed in the light of possible functions of this region.
The epidemiology of cytomegalovirus infection among patients with burns.

To determine the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections among patients with burns, we prospectively studied 120 burn patients admitted to the University of Iowa Burn Center over a two-and-one-half year period. At the time of their admission, 44% of the patients had serologic evidence of prior CMV infection. Among 44 seropositive patients, 23 (52%) had four-fold or greater rises in CMV antibody titers. These patients had more severe burns (mean body surface area burn [BSAB] 26.8%) than those who did not exhibit titer rises (mean BSAB 16.2%, p = .04). Among 43 seronegative patients observed for at least 65 days after discharge from the center, eight (18.6%) seroconverted. Patients who seroconverted had longer hospital stays (p = .03), trends toward more severe burns (p = .08) and a younger age (p = .15) than patients who remained seronegative. Despite frequent serologic evidence of CMV infection, CMV did not contribute, either directly or indirectly, to the morbidity or mortality of burns in these patients.
Sensitivity of populations of visual cortical cells to variable period stimulation.

THE hypothesis has been advanced that pictorial information is processed by the mammalian visual system as distinct frames of data1–3. Bearing in mind the mechanics of physical image processing systems, it is apparent that the number of frames which can be processed each second is not without limit. The purpose of this investigation was to answer several questions: (1) How many frames can the mammalian visual system process in one second ? (2) If finite, is the rate fixed or variable ? (3) If fixed, what is the rate ? (4) If variable, what is the “processing time” for one frame ?
Ordinal optimisation and simulation

Simulation plays a vital role in designing and analysing stochastic systems, particularly, in comparing alternative system designs with a view to optimise system performance. Using simulation to analyse complex systems, however, can be both prohibitively expensive and time consuming. Efficiency is a key concern for the application of simulation to optimisation problems. Ordinal optimisation has emerged as an effective approach to significantly improve efficiency of simulation and optimisation. Ordinal optimisation for simulation problems achieves an exponential convergence rate. There are already several success stories of ordinal optimisation. This paper introduces the idea of ordinal optimisation, and reports some recent advances in this research. It also gives details of an extension of ordinal optimisation to a class of resource application problems.
Topological kinks in p 2n field theories: a variational approach

Abstract The σ expansion and the linear σ expansion are analytical perturbation techniques that enable one to find approximate analytic solutions to nonlinear problems. These expansions, augmented by new variational strategies, often yield excellent results already in first order. We study in this paper the static kinks in scalar field theories with V[φ] = - 1 2 m 2 φ 2 + gφ 2n using these techniques. We find excellent agreement between the lowest order variational approximation in both methods and the exact answer. We also estimate the energy of the first excited quantum state by considering small oscillations about the kink motion and using our variational wave functions and a shape parameter ansatz for the first excited state wave function.
Ultraviolet Photochemistry of Diacetylene: The Metastable C4H2* Reaction with Ethene, Propene, and Propyne

The chemistry of the triplet metastable state of diacetylene (C4H2*) with ethene, propene, and propyne in nitrogen and helium buffers is studied in a reaction tube attached to a pulsed nozzle. An ultraviolet photoexcitation laser counterpropagates the molecular expansion through a short reaction tube, exciting the C4H2 1Δu ← 1∑g+ 210610 and 610 transitions at 231.5 and 243.1 nm, respectively. Efficient intersystem crossing forms the metstable triplet state from which reaction occurs. The short length of the tube (8 mm) serves to quench the reaction after 10−30 μs so that primary products and not polymer are formed. Upon exiting the reaction tube, the photochemical products are soft ionized with 118 nm vacuum ultraviolet light and mass-analyzed in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The primary products in the reactions with ethene (C6H4, C6H5), propene (C5H5, C5H6, C6H4, and C7H6), and propyne (C5H3, C5H4, C6H2, and C7H4) are consistent with poly-yne, enyne, and cumulene products. Percent product y...
Utilization of organic nitrogen compounds by yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces.

Yeasts belonging to 27 species ofSaccharomyces were tested for their ability to used-amino acids,l-lysine and various amines and amides as nitrogen source. Most yeasts capable of growing onl-lysine or amines could utilized-amino acids.Saccharomyces (sensu strictu) have a very limited ability to grow on the organic nitrogen compounds tested. However, there is no obvious relationship between the utilization of these compounds and the proposed divisions of the genusSaccharomyces.
A mixed-integer nonlinear program for the optimal design and dispatch of distributed generation systems

Maturing distributed generation (DG) technologies have promoted interest in alternative sources of energy for commercial building applications due to their potential to supply on-site heat and power at a lower cost and emissions rate compared to centralized generation. Accordingly, we present an optimization model that determines the mix, capacity, and operational schedule of DG technologies that minimize economic and environmental costs subject to the heat and power demands of a building and to the performance characteristics of the technologies. The technologies available to design the system include lead-acid batteries, photovoltaic cells, solid oxide fuel cells, heat exchangers, and a hot water storage tank. Modeling the acquisition and operation of discrete technologies requires integer restrictions, and modeling the variable electric efficiency of the fuel cells and the variable temperature of the tank water introduces nonlinear equality constraints. Thus, our optimization model is a nonconvex, mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. Given the difficulties associated with solving large, nonconvex MINLPs to global optimality, we present convex underestimation and linearization techniques to bound and solve the problem. The solutions provided by our techniques are close to those provided by existing MINLP solvers for small problem instances. However, our methodology offers the possibility to solve large problem instances that exceed the capacity of existing solvers and that are critical to the real-world application of the model.
Release of the export adapter, Nmd3p, from the 60S ribosomal subunit requires Rpl10p and the cytoplasmic GTPase Lsg1p

In eukaryotes, nuclear export of the large (60S) ribosomal subunit requires the adapter protein Nmd3p to provide the nuclear export signal. Here, we show that in yeast release of Nmd3p from 60S subunits in the cytoplasm requires the ribosomal protein Rpl10p and the G-protein, Lsg1p. Mutations in LSG1 or RPL10 blocked Nmd3-GFP shuttling into the nucleus and export of pre-60S subunits from the nucleus. Overexpression of NMD3 alleviated the export defect, indicating that the block in 60S export in lsg1 and rpl10 mutants results indirectly from failing to recycle Nmd3p. The defect in Nmd3p recycling and the block in 60S export in both lsg1 and rpl10 mutants was also suppressed by mutant Nmd3 proteins that showed reduced binding to 60S subunits in vitro. We propose that the correct loading of Rpl10p into 60S subunits is required for the release of Nmd3p from subunits by Lsg1p. These results suggest a coupling between recycling the 60S export adapter and activation of 60S subunits for translation.
Quantification of and correction for left ventricular systolic long-axis shortening by magnetic resonance tissue tagging and slice isolation.

BACKGROUNDMeasurement of regional left ventricular (LV) function is predicted on the ability to compare equivalent LV segments at different time points during the cardiac cycle. Standard techniques of short-axis acquisition in two-dimensional echocardiography, cine computed tomography, and standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquire images from a fixed plane and fail to compensate for through-plane motion. The shortening of the left ventricle along its long axis during systole results in planar images of two different levels of the ventricle, leading to error in any derived functional measurements. LV systolic long-axis motion was measured in 19 normal volunteers using MRI.METHODS AND RESULTSWith a selective radio frequency (RF) tissue-tagging technique, three short-axis planes were labeled at end diastole and standard spin-echo images were acquired at end systole in the two- and four-chamber orientations. Persistence of the tags through systole allowed visualization of the intersecting short-axis t...
Electrochemical reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid. mechanism and analytical applications

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid has been studied at the dropping mercury electrode (DME) and the pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE). At the DME the single polarographic reduction wave observed at pH 6–11 involves a direct 4e—2H + reduction of the carbon-halogen bond to give hydurilic acid and chloride. The state of hydration or ionization of the 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid has no effect on the electrochemical reaction. At the PGE, 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid shows two voltammetric peaks. Peak I c , observed between pH 5 and 7, arises from an overall 4e—2H + reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid via a mechanism that involves initial electron attack at a carbonyl group alpha to a carbon-halogen bond with simultaneous elimination of chloride ion. The peak II c process involves an initial 2e—1H + reduction of a partially hydrated form of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid with only one unhydrated halocarbonyl moiety available for reaction. Attack is again via the carbonyl group with simultaneous elimination of chloride and formation of 5-chlorohydurilic acid. A chemical dehydration step then occurs with a rate constant of ca. 0.24 s −1 at pH 8.2, with formation of a further reducible halocarbonyl group. This is again reduced in an overall 2e—2H + reaction to give hydurilic acid and chloride ion. The peak II c process hence proceeds via an ECE mechanism. The different mechanisms observed for reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid at mercury and pyrolytic graphite electrodes are unusual. Analytical methods have been developed for the polarographic determination of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid via its reduction wave at the DME, and for the voltammetric determination of hydurilic acid via its first oxidation peak at the PGE.
Frequency of the cystic fibrosis 3199del6 mutation in individuals heterozygous for I148T.

Purpose: To determine the carrier frequency of the 3199del6 cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation in individuals heterozygous for I148T in a large-scale CF testing population. Methods: DNA samples from 439 consecutive I148T-heterozygous individuals were screened for the 3199del6 mutation using a laboratory-developed test. Results: Genotyping revealed four samples heterozygous for the 3199del6 mutation (0.9%). The four samples positive for 3199del6 had an IVS 8 genotype of 7T/9T. The 3199del6 mutation was not observed after genotyping of 348 random, anonymous samples. Conclusion: The 3199del6 mutation occurs in 0.9% of individuals positive for the I148T mutation and < 0.07% of chromosomes that are wild type for the ACMG panel mutations.
On subharmonic solutions of hamiltonian systems

Abstract : Some existence results for T periodic solutions of (0.1) were presented in (1) for superquadratic Hamiltonian systems using finite dimensional minimax arguments together with estimates suitable to pass to a limit. An improved existence mechanism was introduced in (2) and applied to some of the super-quadratic problems of (1) as well as to several subquadratic cases. It will show here that these problems possess not only one T periodic solutions z sub 1 but infinitely many distinct subharmonic solutions z sub k. A word of caution must be entered at this point. Although z sub k has period kT, it may not be the case that z sub k has minimal (i.e. primitive) period kT. Indeed simple examples show that there may be an upper bound on the minimal period of z sub k.
Basicranial morphology and ontogeny of the extinct giant lemur Megaladapis

The extinct Holocene giant lemurs of Madagascar—Magaladapis, Palaeopropithecus, and Archaeoindris—possess a suite of basicranial features not found in any other lemuriforms: (1) ectotympanic not “free,” (2) external acoustic canal elongated, (3) tympanic floors not swollen, and (4) reduced internal carotid and stapedial arteries. According to some authors, the first three traits are strongly convergent on morphological conditions in catarrhine primates. Study of juvenile and adult stages of Megaladapis indicates that the actual degree of convergence, from an ontogentic perspective, is rather slight. Giant lemurs, as a consequence of their massive body size, exhibit more exaggerated versions of traits characteristic of all members of infraorder Lemuriformes. (1) Although the ectotympanic is expanded and fused to the bulla, fusion results from complete obliteration of the recessus dehiscence; anthropoids have a different ectotympanic-petrosal relationship and never exhibit a recessus dehiscence. (2) Although the external acoustic canal is elongated, its exterior portion is formed by the petrosal, and not by the ectotympanic as in anthropoids. (3) The volume of the middle ear is negatively allometric with respect to body size; in the absence of specific sorts of auditory specialization, mammals having the projected body sizes of the giant lemurs would be expected to have relatively small tympanic cavities, and therefore to lack prominent bullae. (4) The internal carotid systems of palaeopropithecines and Megaladapis are absolutely and relatively reduced; to compensate for this, these lemurs apparently relied on the vertebrobasilar system for most of their cerebro-orbital supply, and on divisions of the external carotid for meningeal supply. It is important to note that the basicrania of giant lemurs display the same essential combination of traits that serve to distinguish lemurs from other euprimates (e.g., aphaneric ectotympanic, importance of the vertebrobasilar system, entry point of internal carotid stem into middle ear). This implies that the ontogenetic basis for these features is not easily modified and provides a justification for the heavy weight traditionally placed upon this region by paleoprimatologists.