cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Assimilation of Elements Ingested by Marine Copepods

The efficiency with which a variety of ingested elements (Ag, Am, C, Cd, P, S, Se, and Zn) were assimilated in marine calanoid copepods fed uniformly radiolabeled diatoms ranged from 0.9% for Am to 97.1% for Se. Assimilation efficiencies were directly related to the cytoplasmic content of the diatoms. This relation indicates that the animals obtained nearly all their nutrition from this source. The results suggest that these zooplankton, which have short gut residence times, have developed a gut lining and digestive strategy that provides for assimilation of only soluble material. Because the fraction of total cellular protein in the cytoplasm of the diatoms increased markedly with culture age, copepods feeding on senescent cells should obtain more protein than those feeding on rapidly dividing cells. Elements that are appreciably incorporated into algal cytoplasm and assimilated in zooplankton should be recycled in surface waters and have longer oceanic residence times than elements bound to cell surfaces.
Strong interactions of morphologically complex cracks

Abstract Previous works on crack morphology have focused on such cracks as a kinked crack, a branched crack, and an inclined array of identical branched cracks. In this paper, the strong interactions between two cracks in two-dimensional solids under remote tension are investigated. Three morphological types are considered: kinks, branches and zigzags. The method of analysis follows the singular integral equation approach in which the deviations from the main cracks are modeled by distributions of dislocations. Investigations are made on the dependence of the stress intensity factors on the asymmetry of the crack configuration, the crack separation, and the shape of the cracks. The results show that (i) strong interactions can have significant effects on the mode mixity of the stress intensity factors, (ii) a small asymmetry of the crack configuration can cause significant changes to the stress intensity factors, and (iii) zigzag cracks with rectangular steps reduce the stress intensity factors more efficiently than those with triangular or trapezoidal steps.
A developmental study of constitutive heterochromatin in Microtus agrestis.

In the vole, Microtus agrestis, the constitutive heterochromatin is largely restricted to the giant sex chromosomes but varies in its degree of condensation in various cell types. In the cleavage embryos and fibroblasts it formed one or two long and extended heterochromatic fibers, in hepatocytes it formed two large and diffuse masses and in neurons, spermatogonia and oogonia it formed two large and compact masses. The basic patterns of all differentiated cells were essentially unchanged throughout development.—At all stages of development and in cells of all types, mitotic nuclei displayed two large heteropycnotic chromosomes in prophase and persistent condensation in telophase. Apposition and delayed separation of chromatids of the giant chromosomes was also observed in metaphase and anaphase, respectively. During the first meiotic prophase of spermatocytes and oocytes, the giant chromosomes were also heteropycnotic.—The results strongly suggest that constitutive heterochromatin is localized in the same chromosomes throughout development and represents a specific entity.
Neurocognitive Functioning in Children and Adolescents at the Time of Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis: Associations With Glycemic Control 1 Year After Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE To determine whether impairments in neurocognitive functioning are detectable at type 1 diabetes diagnosis and associated with subsequent glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Children/adolescents ( N = 147) aged 5–18 years completed neuropsychological testing during their inpatient hospitalization for new-onset type 1 diabetes. Test scores were compared with normative data using one-sample Student t tests. Children with onset before 8 years of age were compared with children aged 9–18 years using ANOVA, and associations between neurocognitive performance at diagnosis and glycemic control 1 year postdiagnosis were examined using regression analyses. RESULTS Children with type 1 diabetes performed significantly below expectations on most neurocognitive measures ( P values 1 SD), visuomotor integration (0.7 SD), and phonemic fluency (0.8 SD). High incidence of impairment (scores less than second percentile) was evident on all tasks except digit span. Dominant-hand psychomotor speed was significantly associated with poor glycemic control (A1C ≥9.5% [80 mmol/mol]; P = 0.032) 1 year postdiagnosis, controlling for race/ethnicity, sex, and reading ability. Impaired psychomotor speed was associated with a 0.77% increase in mean A1C (8.4 mmol/mol). CONCLUSIONS Deficits were evident in neurocognitive functioning within days of diabetes diagnosis that were associated with diabetes outcomes over 1 year postdiagnosis. Impairment was most apparent in psychomotor speed, consistent with research implicating damage to posterior white matter tracts and associated gray matter regions in type 1 diabetes. Psychomotor impairment may be an early marker for a broader neurobehavioral vulnerability that has implications for long-term diabetes management.
TH‐C‐330A‐03: Does Display Bit‐Depth Influence Observer Performance?

Purpose: The display a radiologist reads images from represents a crucial link in the information chain. There has been much debate recently on what bit‐depth is necessary for optimal reading. Greater bit depth permits more gray levels to be displayed initially, possibly obviating the need for the observer to window/level the image during viewing. This project compared an 8‐bit with 11‐bit LCD display in terms of observer performance. Method and Materials: Two Totoku LCD displays (3 Mpixel, grayscale) were used that were identical in every way except for the bit‐depth. One was 8‐bit and the other 11‐bit. Max luminance was set to 500 cd/m2 and min luminance was set to 0.6 cd/m2. The displays were DICOM calibrated and room lights were set to the average display luminance with an image displayed. A set of 100 DR chest images, half with nodules and half without, were shown to 6 radiologists in a counter‐balanced Receiver Operating Characteristic study. They reported whether a nodule was absent or present and rated heir confidence. Results: Performance (ROC Az values) was essentially equivalent for the two bit‐depth displays. There were no significant differences in viewing time or how often the readers used the window/level functions. Conclusion: For chest images with nodules it appears that having greater than 8‐bit depth does not significantly enhance observer performance. It is not clear whether the results would be the same with different types of images or lesions. Conflict of Interest: Totoku provided the displays, software and funds to reimburse the radiologist observers.
Vacancies as a constitutive element for the design of nanocluster-strengthened ferritic steels

The existence of nanoclusters that are thermo- dynamically stable at elevated temperatures is truly intri- guing because of its scientific implications and potential applications. Highly stable nanoclusters have been observed by atom probe tomography in iron-based alloys at temperatures close to 1400°C (0.92Tm) that appear to defy the stability constraints of artificially created nano- structured materials. The ~4-nm-diameter Ti-, Y- and O- enriched nanoclusters are identified in the new form of a highly defective material state with vacancies as the criti- cal alloying component and with (Ti + Y):O ratio differ- ent from the stable TiO2 and Y2Ti2O7 oxides. Vacancies play an indispensable role in enhancing the oxygen solu- bility and increasing the oxygen binding energy in the presence of Ti and Y, resulting in the stabilization of coherent nanoclusters. Atom probe tomography charac- terizations and theoretical predictions indicate that vacan- cies can be exploited for the first time as a nanoscale constituent to design materials with far superior high tem- perature properties.
Oxidation and Hot Corrosion of Some Advanced Superalloys at 1300 to 2000°F (704 to 1093°C)

Abstract The cyclic oxidation resistance and the hot corrosion resistance of three single-crystal nickel-base superalloys and DS Mar M 200 are compared. The comparison is made by using burner rig oxidation tests at 2000°F (1093°C) and tube-furnace oxidation and hot-corrosion tests at 2000°F (1093°C), 1650°F (900°C) and 1300°F (704°C). The rig tests and the tube-furnace tests produce similiar results with the single-crystal alloys being more oxidation resistant than DS Mar M 200. A significant difference between the hot corrosion resistance of these alloys was not observed. All four alloys were extremely susceptible to hot corrosion induced by a liquid deposit.
Selective inhibition of cytochrome P-450 in rat testicular microsomes: Effect of cobalt-protoporphyrin on progesterone metabolism

Abstract Cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP) administration to adult male rats results in a profound reduction in hepatic cytochrome P -450 concentration and activity, and decreased plasma concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH). The metabolism of progesterone by rat testicular microsomes isolated 48 h after treatment in vivo with CoPP was compared to that in microsomes from control rats. The conversion of progesterone to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and 4-androstenedione, which is NADPH-dependent, was reduced by approximately 40% in testicular microsomes following treatment with CoPP (50 μmol/kg body weight) and this inhibition was dose-dependent. The concentration of cytochrome P -450 in testicular microsomes and the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin de-ethylase (a cytochrome P -450 dependent function) were also reduced following treatment with CoPP in contrast to two other functional assays of cytochrome P -450, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and ethylmorphine demethylase, which were unaffected by treatment with CoPP. Thus, the profound effect of CoPP on androgen homeostasis has been extended to include decreased testicular synthesis of 4-androstenedione in addition to increased hepatic metabolism of testosterone, attenuated pituitary LH release in response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and failure of testicular response to LH.
Exploring Ancient Landscapes Under Lake Huron Using Cultural Algorithms

The L-CAPS system is a functional interface for learning group behavior using Cultural Algorithms in the land bridge simulation example. It enables the Cultural Algorithms process to implicitly communicate with, modify and evaluate, autonomous game agents restricted to an external virtual world. The L-CAPS system is described and used to learn the group behavior of caribou herds in the virtual world.
Long-Term Survival of Transplanted Basal Forebrain Cells Followingin VitroPropagation with Fibroblast Growth Factor-2

The intracerebral transplantation of freshly dissected fetal tissue containing cholinergic neurons of the developing basal forebrain has been reported to reverse lesion-induced or age-related cognitive deficits in animal models of cholinergic neuronal degeneration. Grafts of cultured fetal neurons, however, have generally shown poor cellular survival and limited therapeutic benefit. We tested the hypothesis that recent advances in the identification of growth factors that promote the survival and propagation of fetal precursor cells in vitro would improve the long-term survival of cultured neurons following intracerebral implantation. Dissociated cells from gestational Day 14 rodent basal forebrain were grown in chemically defined media supplemented with 20 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor. Two weeks postplating, numerous cells were present in the cultures and showed immunoreactive labeling for a variety of markers, including glutamic acid decarboxylase, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilament proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein and, occasionally, choline acetyltransferase. To determine if cultured basal forebrain cells would survive intracerebral implantation, the cells were implanted homotypically into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis. To enhance the potential for graft survival in vivo, cells were also implanted into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis following an ibotenic acid lesion and into the denervated frontal cortex. Animals sacrificed between 2 weeks and 7 months following transplantation showed good and comparable graft survival in all sites. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that representative populations of cells observed in vitro survived for prolonged periods in vivo, even in sites distal from their normal cellular targets. Thus, neuronal populations expanded in vitro can successfully survive and maintain cellular phenotypes post-transplantation. These results suggest a potential for isolating and growing specific neuronal populations in vitro for intracerebral transplantation.
Genetic engineering to enhance the selectivity of protein separations

The ability to recover and purify natural and recombinant proteins, and the costs of doing so remain a major task in introducing the potential products of biotechnology. The bases for separation range from specific binding onto tailored reagents to solubility and partitioning behavior governed by a mixed bag of size, charge, and hydrophobicity. In most cases, a combination of methods is used in sequence, and improvements in the selectivity at an early stage can enhance the effectiveness of subsequent (and usually more costly) steps. Genetic engineering provides a means of improving the selectivity within the context of existing separation methods.
Argininosuccinate synthetase activity in cultured human lymphocytes

The activity of argininosuccinate synthetase (E.C. 6.3.4.5), a urea cycle enzyme, was measured in cultured human lymphocytes using a new radioactive assay. Control cells had a maximum specific activity of 15.7±8.7 nmoles per hour per milligram of protein and an apparent K m for citrulline of 2 × 10−4 m, whereas cells derived from a patient with citrullinemia had no detectable activity. A nutritional variant, selected out of the citrullinemic lymphocyte population by ability to grow in citrulline, had a maximum specific activity of 10.7±3.8 nmoles/hr/mg and an apparent K m for citrulline of 2 × 10−2 m. These measurements confirm the observation that citrullinemia is associated with a defect in argininosuccinate synthetase activity and provide further evidence that citrullinemia is expressed in cultured lymphocytes. The emergence of a nutritional variant with a partial defect in argininosuccinate synthetase enzyme suggests that this citrullinemic patient has a heterogeneous population of cells, some totally defective and others only partially defective in argininosuccinate synthetase. The new activity assay is described in detail.
Building Ethical Capital: Perceptions of Ethical Climate in the Public Sector

This article examines influences on public servant perceptions of ethical climate in the public sector. The array of beneficial outcomes produced by perceptions of a positive ethical climate, the existence of government programs aimed at improving ethical climate, and implications for government accountability and trustworthiness all argue for a better understanding of the sources of these perceptions. Empirical analyses of survey responses from employees of the U.S. federal executive branch show that individuals in leadership positions perceive the ethical climate more positively. Conversely, work tenure tends to worsen perceived ethical climate, although supervisory status attenuates this negative effect. Ethics training, interaction with ethics officials, and perceived knowledge about ethics topics consistently influence perceptions of ethical climate and advice-seeking behavior in a positive way. A set of results related to advice-seeking behavior serves to reinforce the important role of ethics officials.
BNF-1, a novel gene encoding a putative extracellular matrix protein, is overexpressed in tumor tissues.

Abstract In an effort to identify novel genes relevant to tumor angiogenesis, we compared the genes expressed in a matched pair composed of vascularized breast tumor and its adjacent normal tissue obtained from the same cancer patient. Using differential display, we identified a cDNA fragment that was reproducibly upregulated in vascularized breast tumor. Up-regulation of this gene fragment in vascularized breast tumor was further verified by semi-quantitative PCR on the same RNA pair using gene-specific primers. The cDNA encoding the full-length ORF of that gene was then cloned by both 3′ and 5′ RACE. Sequence analysis showed that this gene encodes an ORF of 1353 bp having a hydrophobic N-terminal signal sequence and a cleavage site. We named this novel gene BNF-1 (breast tumor novel factor 1). The mature protein of this gene contains cysteine-rich repeats that are a specific feature of several extracellular matrix proteins including thrombospondin-1, thrombospondin-2, pro-collagen type 1, and von Willebrand Factor 1. PCR analysis of BNF-1 expression in a variety of human adult normal tissues revealed that BNF-1 is expressed predominantly in liver, heart, prostate, testis, and ovary. To further study the expression pattern of this novel gene in tumor tissues, we extended our analysis to additional matched pairs of tumor tissues obtained from breast, lung, and colon cancer patients. We show here that BNF-1 is over-expressed not only in breast tumors but also in lung and colon tumors.
Large-Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph Measurements of the Energetics of Coronal Mass Ejections

We examine the energetics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with data from the large-angle spectro- metric coronagraphs (LASCO) on SOHO. The LASCO observations provide fairly direct measurements of the mass, velocity, and dimensions of CMEs. Using these basic measurements, we determine the potential and kinetic energies and their evolution for several CMEs that exhibit —ux-rope morphologies. Assuming —ux conservation, we use observations of the magnetic —ux in a variety of magnetic clouds near the Earth to determine the magnetic —ux and magnetic energy in CMEs near the Sun. We —nd that the potential and kinetic energies increase at the expense of the magnetic energy as the CME moves out, keeping the total energy roughly constant. This demonstrates that —ux-rope CMEs are magnetically driven. Furthermore, since their total energy is constant, the —ux-rope parts of the CMEs can be con- sidered a closed system above D2 R _ . Subject headings: solar-terrestrial relationsSun: activitySun: coronaSun: magnetic —elds
Place and political behaviour: the geography of Scottish nationalism

Abstract Students of new political movements and electoral sociology have paid limited attention to local and regional variations in levels of support. This reflects a tendency to view social structures as ‘national’ and monolithic and to ignore the historical process through which political identities emerge from the contexts provided by local territorial-cultural settings, In this paper electoral data are used as the basis for geographical analysis of support for the Scottish National Party. Although this political party claims a nationwide mandate in Scotland, preliminary analysis suggests a distinctive pattern of support within the country that can be explained by the evolution of place-related political identities.
Simulating the climatic effects of nuclear war

The climatic effects of a hypothetical large nuclear war have been simulated by an increasingly comprehensive series of global numerical models. Short-term climatic effects are now found to be less severe than predicted by early studies but the chronic long-term atmospheric effects remain potentially serious. The sum of all indirect effects could exceed those of blast and radioactivity.
Application of cyclic voltammetry to investigate enhanced catalytic current generation by biofilm-modified anodes of Geobacter sulfurreducens strain DL1 vs. variant strain KN400

A biofilm of Geobacter sulfurreducens will grow on an anode surface and catalyze the generation of an electrical current by oxidizing acetate and utilizing the anode as its metabolic terminal electron acceptor. Here we report qualitative analysis of cyclic voltammetry of anodes modified with biofilms of G. sulfurreducens strains DL1 and KN400 to predict possible rate-limiting steps in current generation. Strain KN400 generates approximately 2 to 8-fold greater current than strain DL1 depending upon the electrode material, enabling comparative electrochemical analysis to study the mechanism of current generation. This analysis is based on our recently reported electrochemical model for biofilm-catalyzed current generation expanded here to a five step model; Step 1 is mass transport of acetate, carbon dioxide and protons into and out of the biofilm, Step 2 is microbial turnover of acetate to carbon dioxide and protons, Step 3 is the non-concerted, 1-electron reduction of 8 equivalents of electron transfer (ET) mediator, Step 4 is extracellular electron transfer (EET) through the biofilm to the electrode surface, and Step 5 is the reversible oxidation of reduced mediator by the electrode. Five idealized voltammetric current vs. potential dependencies (voltammograms) are derived, one for when each step in the model is assumed to limit catalytic current. Comparison to experimental voltammetry of DL1 and KN400 biofilm-modified anodes suggests that for both strains, the microbial oxidation of acetate (Step 2) is fast compared to microbial reduction of ET mediator (Step 3), and either Step 3 or EET through the biofilm (Step 4) limits catalytic current generation. The possible limitation of catalytic current by Step 4 is consistent with proton concentration gradients observed within these biofilms and finite thicknesses achieved by these biofilms. The model presented here has been universally designed for application to biofilms other than G. sulfurreducens and could serve as a platform for future quantitative voltammetric analysis of non-corrosive anode and cathode reactions catalyzed by microorganisms.
Dysregulation of the stress response in asthmatic children

The stress system co-ordinates the adaptive responses of the organism to stressors of any kind. Inappropriate responsiveness may account for increased susceptibility to a variety of disorders, including asthma. Accumulated evidence from animal models suggests that exogenously applied stress enhances airway reactivity and increases allergen-induced airway inflammation. This is in agreement with the clinical observation that stressful life events increase the risk of a new asthma attack. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by specific cytokines increases the release of cortisol, which in turn feeds back and suppresses the immune reaction. Data from animal models suggest that inability to increase glucocorticoid production in response to stress is associated with increased airway inflammation with mechanical dysfunction of the lungs. Recently, a growing body of evidence shows that asthmatic subjects who are not treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are likely to have an attenuated activity and/or responsiveness of their HPA axis. In line with this concept, most asthmatic children demonstrate improved HPA axis responsiveness on conventional doses of ICS, as their airway inflammation subsides. Few patients may experience further deterioration of adrenal function, a phenomenon which may be genetically determined.
THE DIELECTRIC STRENGTH OF PORCELAIN: THE INFLUENCE OF POROSITY*

This work utilized the samples used by Monack, Shardlow, and Warnsley in previous experiments.1 Between cones 7 and 10, the dielectric strength was found to be inversely proportional to the per cent apparent porosity. Between cones 10 and 15 the dielectric strength increased gradually while the apparent porosity remained essentially zero. No relation existed between dielectric strength and total porosity (open and closed pores). Overfiring does not seem to decrease the dielectric strength unless a definite vesicular structure is developed.
Polarimetric radar measurements of a forested area near Mt. Shasta

The authors present the results of an experiment using the NASA/JPL DC-8 AIRSAR (aircraft synthetic-aperture radar) over a coniferous forest near Mt. Shasta (California) in 1989. Calibration devices were deployed in clearings and under the forest canopy and passes at 20 degrees , 40 degrees , and 55 degrees incidence angles were made with the AIRSAR. A total of eight images at differing incidence angles have been processed and calibrated. The multipolarization multifrequency data were examined, and it was found that the C-band cross section averaged over like and cross polarizations is the best parameter for distinguishing between two stands with differing forest biomass. The average cross section at P- and L-bands is useful only for smaller incidence angles. Parameters describing the polarization behavior of the scattering were primarily useful in identifying the dominant scattering mechanisms for forest backscatter. >
Stage of process inventories in the durables sector

Macroeconomists have ignored analyzing the behavior of work-in-progress inventories (WI) and materials inventories (MI) (collectively, input stocks), even though they dominate finished goods inventories in generating output fluctuations. This article suggests a conceptual framework rooted in a schematic description of a typical production process that explains the nature of the relationship between WI and MI as well as between them and unfilled orders. A disaggregated, empirical study of the U.S. durables sector suggests that both WI and MI stocks are shaped by unfilled orders and that the structure and strengths of the influences on each depend on the length of the production period.
Electric-field induced alignment of nanoparticle-coated channels in thin-film polymer membranes

Microscopic phase separation in immiscible polymer melts can be significantly altered by the presence of dispersed nanoparticles and externally applied electric fields. Inducing order or directionality to the resulting microstructure can lead to novel materials with efficient synthesis. Here, the coupled morphology of an immiscible binary polymer blend with dispersed nanoparticles in a thin-film geometry is investigated under the influence of an applied electric field using a unique mesoscale computational approach. For asymmetric binary blends (e.g., 70–30), the resulting microstructure consists of columnar channels of the B-phase perpendicular to the major plane of the film (aligned with the electric field), with the particles segregated along the channel interfaces. The simulations reveal the variability of the average channel diameter and the interfacial arrangement of the particles. The high density of exposed particles makes these structures viable candidates for catalytically active porous membranes or macromolecular manipulation devices.
A Graphic Approach To The Analysis Of Perturbed Optical Systems

An analytical approach to determining the effects of tilts and decenters on an optical design has been developed. The work has been guided by the desire to provide rapid insight into the cause-and-effect relationship between a component perturbation and the degradation in some measure of image quality. This is done by providing a graphical display of the properties of aberration fields under the influence of tilt and decenter perturbations, and contour plots of the change in the RMS wavefront error or change in RMS spot size over the entire field.
Equilibrium and Stopped-flow Kinetic Studies of Interaction between T7 RNA Polymerase and Its Promoters Measured by Protein and 2-Aminopurine Fluorescence Changes *

Abstract The mechanism of bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase binding to its promoter DNA was investigated using stopped-flow and equilibrium methods. To measure the kinetics of protein-DNA interactions in real time, changes in tryptophan fluorescence in the polymerase and 2-aminopurine (2-AP) fluorescence in the promoter DNA upon binary complex formation were used as probes. The protein fluorescence changes measured conformational changes in the polymerase whereas the fluorescence changes of 2-AP base, substituted in place of dA in the initiation region (−4 to +4), measured structural changes in the promoter DNA, such as DNA melting. The kinetic studies, carried out in the absence of the initiating nucleotide, are consistent with a two-step DNA binding mechanism, where the RNA polymerase forms an initial weak EDa complex rapidly with an equilibrium association constant K1. The EDa complex then undergoes a conformational change to EDb, wherein RNA polymerase is specifically and tightly bound to the promoter DNA. Both the polymerase and the promoter DNA may undergo structural changes during this isomerization step. The isomerization of EDa to EDb is a fast step relative to the rate of transcription initiation and its rate does not limit transcription initiation. To understand how T7 RNA polymerase modulates its transcriptional efficiency at various promoters at the level of DNA binding, comparative studies with two natural T7 promoters, Φ10 and Φ3.8, were conducted. The results indicate that kinetics, the bimolecular rate constant of DNA binding, kon (K1k2), and the dissociation rate constant, koff (k−2), and thermodynamics, the equilibrium constants of the two steps (K1 and k2/k−2) both play a role in modulating the transcriptional efficiency at the level of DNA binding. Thus, the 2-fold lower kon, the 4-fold higher koff, and the 2-5-fold weaker equilibrium interactions together make Φ3.8 a weaker promoter relative to Φ10.
Optical diagnostics of an atmospheric pressure diamond-depositing DC plasma reactor

Abstract Emission and absorption spectroscopy measurements of an atmospheric pressure DC plasma during diamond growth were performed to examine the chemical, thermodynamic and ionizational state of the plasma in the freestream and inside the thin boundary layer. In the freestream, the concentrations of C 2 , CH and e − were found to be much higher than their equilibrium values. In the boundary layer, the concentration of C 2 falls sharply, whereas CH peak falls gradually. The temperature profile of the thermal boundary layer was also measured and was found to be in good agreement with the predictions of a detailed computational model.
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase modulation of allergic immune responses.

Induction of immunologic tolerance is highly desirable in the treatment and prevention of allergy and other immune disease states in which the immune response to foreign or self antigens has become overactive. Indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme classically known for its role in the tryptophan degradation pathway, has recently emerged as an important immunomodulator of T-cell function and inducer of tolerance. The induced expression of IDO by dendritic cells may suppress T-cell responses and promote tolerance either through direct effects on T cells (mediated by tryptophan depletion or tryptophan metabolites) or through effects of IDO on the dendritic cell. In addition to the potential role of IDO in promoting tolerance in pregnancy, transplantation, and autoimmunity, its role in modulating allergic responses has more recently been investigated, raising the possibility that IDO and its metabolites may be novel targets for immunomodulation in allergy and asthma.
The formation of voids in palladium, metal by the introduction and removal of interstitial hydrogen

Abstract It is shown that voids are created in palladium by the introduction (H-to-Pd, atomic ratio 0·68) and subsequent removal (50°C) of interstitial hydrogen. At a given low pressure the dehydrogenated palladium sorbs more hydrogen than the original palladium sample. The quantities of this additionally sobbed hydrogen are too large to be attributed to the accessible surface area. Further evidence is cited to show that it corresponds to hydrogen chemisorbed onto the surface of voids.
Balancing Act: A Work in Progress Notes

Received March 26, 2006; revised August 1, 2006; accepted September 21, 2006. Dr. Fox is Director of Graduate Medical Education Programming, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Address correspondence to Dr. Fox, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 West Roosevelt Road, Mailroom 155, Chicago, IL 60608; foxg@uic.edu (e-mail). Copyright 2007 Academic Psychiatry It is 7 p.m. on a Friday night. I am sitting alone in my office, in a darkened building devoid of any other employees except for the janitor. Everyone else has had the good sense to go home. My 12-year-old son, home alone after school, called me at 4 p.m., very upset about a personal matter. I feel awful for not being there with him. My 17-year-old daughter is out with friends. There is no dinner in the house (or in my office), and my husband arrived at home 10 minutes ago. A resident just left my office, having asked if I would offer him a tutorial. (He is young and single and has no family waiting for him.) I missed my exercise classes this week due to my work schedule and am crabby, yearning to get away from the computer andmove. I left home this morning before my children awoke. I have been in meetings nonstop, seeing patients, doing an internal review of the neurosurgery program, and supervising students, all of which I enjoyed. I am collecting reams of paper off my desk to bring home so I can write reports over the weekend as well as work on two manuscripts that are past due. I decide to scanmy 200-plus e-mails for emergencies before leaving. An e-mail from Academic Psychiatry extends an invitation to me to submit a manuscript on the topic of workfamily balance. I stare at the invitation and begin to laugh hysterically. I quickly calculate my four response options. 1) I decline, on the grounds that I have lost any semblance of work-family balance and am therefore unqualified to comment. 2) I accept, because this topic is my passion, and my personal rule is to say yes to requests in my areas of academic interest and research. 3) I decline, because I am overcommitted and the only way to achieve work-family balance is to say no. 4) I interpret the invitation as a message from the cosmos that my life is out of control and I need to rebalance it yet again. I choose 2) and 4).
Problem solving strategies for open information systems

Open information systems based on the open intelligent information systems architecture require appropriate strategies for problem solving. The problem solving strategies are the inferencing and control strategies that should exist in a knowledge-based type environment. The paper outlines the necessary strategies. The proposed strategies essentially augment the existing problem solving strategies, such as backward chaining, forward chaining and mixed chaining. The strategies are implemented in Prolog, and demonstrated using a prototype case.
Explantation of a Foldable Silicone Intraocular Lens

Purpose We used a novel technique for explanting an improperly oriented silicone intraocular lens. Methods The elastomeric property of silicone was used to deform the optic and remove the intraocular lens in one piece. Results We explanted a flexible intraocular lens without compromising the integrity of the original wound, posterior lens capsule, or corneal endothelium. Conclusions The technique offers a superior means of intraocular lens explantation while retaining the benefits of small-incision cataract surgery.
Diagnosis. I. Symptom nonindependence in mathematical models for diagnosis.

Abstract The consequences of the simplifying assumption of independence of symptoms are examined by considering a data base of cardiovascular disease patients. A mathematical model based on Bahadur's expansion ( 16 ) is used for quantification of nonindependence. It is shown that small symptom dependencies are sufficient to cause a substantial increase over the minimum misclassification rate. Incorporation of symptom interactions by use of Fisher's linear discriminant function, optimum tree dependence models ( 21 ), and Bahadur's expansion is also discussed.
Effects of eyelid closure and disposable and silicone hydrogel extended contact lens wear on rabbit corneal epithelial proliferation.

PURPOSE To examine the rabbit corneal epithelial cell proliferation rate after extended wear of disposable or silicone hydrogel contact lenses or prolonged eyelid closure. METHODS One randomly chosen eye of 40 New Zealand White rabbits was assigned to silicone hydrogel contact lens wear (n = 15, SH), disposable hydrogel contact lens wear (n = 6, DH), eyelid suturing (n = 15, SUT), or no intervention (n = 4). Contralateral eyes served as the control. After 24 hours or 1 week of lens wear, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intravenously to label dividing corneal epithelial cells, and animals were killed 24 hours after injection. Corneas were stained with monoclonal anti-BrdU antibody and FITC-conjugated secondary antibody. A series of continuous digital images of the wholemounted epithelium were collected from the superior to inferior limbus, and the number of BrdU-labeled cell pairs was counted. RESULTS SH, DH, and SUT caused a significant decrease in BrdU-labeled pairs of cells over the entire corneal epithelium at day 2 compared with the number in contralateral control eyes (P < 0.001). One week of SUT or SH caused a significant increase centrally in BrdU-labeled cells (P < 0.01). BrdU labeling at the limbus in all groups was not significantly different from the control. Unexpectedly, the proliferation rate of the control corneas was also significantly affected by contralateral lens wear and suturing. CONCLUSIONS Short-term overnight SH, DH, and SUT all significantly suppressed the cell proliferation rate in the rabbit corneal epithelium. However, adaptation, with central hyperproliferation of cells, appeared to occur at 8 days. The effects of lens wear and eyelid suturing on the cell proliferation rate in contralateral control eyes suggests a central mechanism that regulates corneal epithelial proliferation.
On a theory for large elastic deformation of shells of revolution including torsion and thick-shell effects

Abstract This paper presents a set of equations governing the behavior of elastic shells of revolution undergoing large axisymmetric deformations. The approximate theory includes torsion, transverse shear deformation, and transverse normal stress and strain but neglects body forces. Within the limits of large membrane and moderately large bending and transverse shear strains, a two-dimensional strain-energy density function is developed for a general incompressible, hyperelastic shell material.
Metastability, pattern formation, and the discovery of quasicrystals: the 2002 Bower Award for Achievement in Science. Presented to John Werner Cahn ☆

The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, awarded the 2002 Bower Award for Achievement in Science to John Werner Cahn for his research in the field of materials science. Over the past four and a half decades, Cahn's ideas have vitally affected every area of the field and have strongly influenced statistical physics as well. In particular, Cahn's invention of the Cahn-Hilliard equation has been path breaking, as has his contribution to quasicrystallography.
Administration's Proposed NSF Budget Includes a 5.5% Increase for Geosciences

The fiscal year (FY) 2014 proposed federal budget for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is $7.63 billion, 7.3% above the FY 2012 actual amount. NSF acting director Cora Marrett said the budget reflects the administration's recognition of NSF and the importance of funding basic research. “We are pleased about where we stand and hope that Congress will be just as pleased with the budget proposal and will help move things forward,” she said during a meeting of the NSF Advisory Committee for Geosciences on 11 April. Budget comparisons are to FY 2012 because the 2013 appropriations were enacted at the end of March, less than 2 weeks before President Barack Obama sent the proposed budget to Congress.
The anaesthetic management of upper femoral fracture

Summary Patients presenting with upper femoral fracture are usually elderly and therefore a significant proportion will have co-existent disease. The insult of a fracture and its subsequent repair pose demands upon the physiological reserve that some of this high risk patient population will be unable to meet without invasively monitored therapy. This is reflected in the high mortality rate for this procedure. The application of evidence-based practice will increase the proportion of this population able to survive the physiological insult and improve their recovery and length of stay. This evidence base encompasses practice specific to hip fracture patients and to high risk patients in general. Much of this evidence base is applied already but the application of all of the evidence in a ‘care bundle' approach should lead to significant improvements in outcome. Initially this may appear costly in terms of manpower and resources, but the longer term improvements and subsequent increased independence of patients mean that overall this approach is cost effective as well as best medical practice.
A Mechanistic Understanding of the Role of Feedforward Inhibition in the Mammalian Sound Localization Circuitry

Feedforward inhibition sharpens the precision of neurons throughout ascending auditory pathways, including the binaural neurons of the medial superior olive (MSO). However, the biophysical influence of inhibition is poorly understood, particularly at higher frequencies at which the relative phase of inhibition and excitation becomes ambiguous. Here, we show in gerbil MSO principal cells in vitro that feedforward inhibition precedes direct excitation, providing a concurrent hyperpolarization and conductance shunt during EPSP summation. We show with dual-patch recordings and dynamic clamp that both the linearity and temporal fidelity of synaptic integration is improved by reducing Kv1 potassium channel conductance during inhibition, which counters membrane shunting even at high frequencies at which IPSPs sum. The reduction of peak excitation by preceding inhibition lowers spike probability, narrowing but not shifting the window for detecting binaural coincidence. The interplay between inhibition and potassium conductances thus improves the consistency and resolution of ITD coding across different frequencies.
Damage in edge cracking of rolled metal slabs

Abstract Materials get damaged under shear deformations. Edge cracking is one of the most serious damage to the metal rolling industry, which is caused by the shear damage process and the evolution of anisotropy. To investigate the physics of the edge cracking process, simulations of a shear deformation for an orthotropic plastic material are performed. To perform the simulation, this paper proposes an elasto-aniso-plastic constitutive model that takes into account the evolution of the orthotropic axes by using a bases rotation formula, which is based upon the slip process in the plastic deformation. It is found through the shear simulation that the void can grow in shear deformations due to the evolution of anisotropy and that stress triaxiality in shear deformations of (induced) anisotropic metals can develop as high as in the uniaxial tension deformation of isotropic materials, which increases void volume. This echoes the same physics found through a crystal plasticity based damage model that porosity evolves due to the grain-to-grain interaction. The evolution of stress components, stress triaxiality and the direction of the orthotropic axes in shear deformations are discussed.
Study of the η ′ Meson from the Reaction K − p → Λ η ′ at 2.18 GeV/ c

We present new data on the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ meson based on 1414 ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ events obtained from a 1 100 000-picture exposure of the BNL 31-inch hydrogen bubble chamber to a 2.18-GeV/c ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam. We have measured the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mass, width, and branching ratios. We find that the very-forward-produced ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mesons have anisotropic angular distributions with respect to the incident ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam, suggesting that possibly ${J}^{\mathrm{PC}}={2}^{\ensuremath{-}+}$; however, the standard Dalitz-plot analyses favor ${J}^{\mathrm{PC}}={0}^{\ensuremath{-}+}$ over ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}+}$.
SPACE: sharing pattern-based directory coherence for multicore scalability

An important challenge in multicore processors is the maintenance of cache coherence in a scalable manner. Directory-based protocols save bandwidth and achieve scalability by associating information about sharer cores with every cache block. As the number of cores and cache sizes increase, the directory itself adds significant area and energy overheads.In this paper, we propose SPACE, a directory design based on recognizing and representing the subset of sharing patterns present in an application. SPACE takes advantage of the observation that many memory locations in an application are accessed by the same set of processors, resulting in a few sharing patterns that occur frequently. The sharing pattern of a cache block is the bit vector representing the processors that share the block. SPACE decouples the sharing pattern from each cache block and holds them in a separate directory table. Multiple cache lines that have the same sharing pattern point to a common entry in the directory table. In addition, when the table capacity is exceeded, patterns that are similar to each other are dynamically collated into a single entry.Our results show that overall, SPACE is within 2% of the performance of a conventional directory. When compared to coarse vector directories, dynamically collating similar patterns eliminates more false sharers. Our experimentation also reveals that a small directory table (256-512 entries) can handle the access patterns in many applications, with the SPACE directory table size being O(P) and requiring a pointer per cache line whose size is O(log2P). Specifically, SPACE requires E44% of the area of a conventional directory at 16 processors and 25% at 32 processors.
Application of planar motion segmentation for scene text extraction

This paper explores an approach for extracting scene text from a sequence of images with relative motion between the camera and the scene. It is assumed that the scene text lies on planar surfaces, whereas the other features are likely to be at random depths or undergoing independent motion. The motion model parameters of these planar surfaces are estimated using gradient based methods, and multiple motion segmentation. The equations of the planar surfaces, as well as the camera motion parameters are extracted by combining the motion models of multiple planar surfaces. This approach is expected to improve the reliability and robustness of the estimates, which are used to perform perspective correction on the individual surfaces. Perspective correction can lead to improvement in OCR performance. This work can be useful for detecting road signs and bill-boards from a moving vehicle.
Synthesis of a mGluR5 antagonist using [11C]copper(I) cyanide

5-(2-Phenylethynyl)pyridine-3-[11C]carbonitrile ([11C]LY2232645), a metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5) antagonist, was synthesized by a no-carrier-added nucleophilic halogen displacement with [11C]copper(I) cyanide. The average radiochemical yield was 2.5%, and the average specific activity was 1365 mCi/µmol at end-of-synthesis. The total time of synthesis, purification, and formulation was 26 min. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.