cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mechanism of radiation-induced creatinuria.

SummarySynthesis of creatine in X-irradiated, creatinuric rats was determined from the balance of creatine retained in the body and creatine and creatinine excreted in the urine. The rate of release of creatine from the muscle of irradiated rats was determined in irradiated rats which were injected with labeled creatine several days before exposure. The C14 activity of urinary creatine and creatinine reflecting the specific activity of “free” and muscle creatine, respectively, was determined before and after exposure. No alterations in rate of creatine synthesis or in its release from muscle were observed after irradiation. In agreement with previous studies, it was therefore concluded that radiation-induced creatinuria results from a failure of the muscle to utilize creatine synthesized at a normal rate.
On the possibility of simultaneously recording from two cells with a single microelectrode in the hippocampal slice.

Abstract Unusual cellular elements have been recorded intracellulary in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice. The elements appear, by all electrophysiological criteria except one, to be glia. However, unlike glia, they can fire action potentials. We suggests that these recordings represent cases of artifactual coupling of two cells by a recording microelectrode. The results have implications for the interpretation of dye injection experiments in the hippocampal CA1 region.
Dairy Products Industry in 2006

The complexi ty of American society is not likely to diminish during the next 25 yr. Many related factors such as economical, political, and social conditions are expected to become more complicated. The scientific revolution will continue, and most industries should anticipate major changes. Some will experience drastic changes, and all will be fraught with challenge. Business will operate in an increasing complexity of external and internal conditions. Computers and automation will continue to take over manual routine operations. Analysis of all aspects of past conditions of the food industry provides a basis for forecasting changes anticipated during the next 25 yr. Some experts are predicting a food crisis by the year 2000. This is not likely to happen unless a severe drought occurs in major food producing countries. A continued rapid populat ion increase in underdeveloped countries is expected and will contribute to the seriousness of low food production periods in the world. World population (6, 10) is estimated to be 6.5 to 7 billion in the year 2000. Eighty percent of the increase will be in the developing countries. Contributing factors will be birth rate, food supply, control of diseases, and longer life span. Developed nations will provide more technical aid and financial assistance to developing countries. Although much progress will occur to reduce starvation, it will continue in poor countries until birth control is highly effective, which will require more than 25 yr in those nations. No new major source of food is anticipated. Inflation in many countries will cause a substantial escalation in food costs. The
Disordered Discourse in Schizophrenia Described by the Structure Building Framework

This article reviews the phenomena of disordered discourse often manifested in schizophrenia. It argues that the Structure Building Framework, a model of the general cognitive processes and mechanisms underlying discourse, can be used to account for these phenomena. According to the Structure Building Framework, the goal of comprehension is to build coherent mental representations or structures. Building a mental structure involves several component subprocesses: laying a foundation, mapping relevant information onto that foundation, and shifting to initiate a new substructure. Building a mental structure also involves at least two general cognitive mechanisms: enhancement of relevant activation and suppression of irrelevant or inappropriate activation. We suggest that schizophrenics who exhibit verbose disordered discourse have inefficient suppression mechanisms, are impaired in laying a foundation, and tend to shift too often. We also speculate that schizophrenics who exhibit impoverished disordered discourse have inefficient enhancement mechanisms and are impaired with the cognitive process of mapping.
Synthesis and Coordination of the Motion of Multiple Flapping Foils for Control of a Biorobotic AUV

This paper presents an innovative control system for a new experimental vehicle, named BAUV, that achieves efficient maneuvering through the exploitation of unsteady hydrodynamics. BAUV swims by coordinating the motion of six biology-inspired high-lift foils attached to its rigid cylindrical hull. We use experimental data to analyze hydrodynamic forces and moments produced by a single foil as a function of its motion parameters. Given this analysis, we describe a method for synthesizing and coordinating the sinusoidal motion of all six foils to produce any desired resultant mean force and moment vectors on the vehicle. The mathematics behind the resulting algorithm is simple and effective, yielding compact and efficient implementation code. The solution method also considers and accommodates the physical constraints inherent in the foil actuators. We present experimental results that demonstrate the solution method and the vehicle's resulting high maneuverability.
Hyperthermal vapor deposition of copper: athermal and biased diffusion effects

Abstract The kinetic energy of an adatom during its impact with a growth surface significantly affects the morphology and microstructure of vapor-deposited films and coatings. Atomic-scale reconstruction processes including ‘athermal’ and ‘biased’ diffusion are in part responsible. A three-dimensional molecular dynamics method has been used to characterize the extent of these diffusional processes following hyperthermal adatom impacts. Athermal diffusion was shown to result from a significant transient increase in effective temperature near the impact site due to the partitioning of the latent heat of condensation and the adatom's incident kinetic energy amongst the vibrational modes of the lattice. The diffusion induced by this mechanism was found to be more or less independent of the substrate temperature. Simulations of oblique hyperthermal deposition indicated that adatoms can overcome surface potential-energy barriers without thermal activation and sometimes skip large distances over the substrate surface. This results in significant forward-directed biased diffusion. The dependence of the transient heating (responsible for athermal diffusion) and the biased diffusion distance upon the adatom's incident energy and angle have been determined for the {100}, {110} and {111} surfaces of copper and fitted to simple relations that are convenient for use in atomistic deposition models.
Sensitivity of Tropical West Pacific Oceanic Squall Lines to Tropospheric Wind and Moisture Profiles

Abstract Two-dimensional experiments using the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble model are performed in order to examine the influence of environmental profiles of wind and humidity on the dynamical and microphysical structure of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over the tropical oceans. The initial environments used in this study are derived from the results of a cluster analysis of the TOGA COARE sounding data. The model data are analyzed with methods and measurements similar to those used in observational studies. Experiments to test the sensitivity of MCSs to the thermodynamic profile focus on the role of humidity in the free troposphere. In the experiments, a constant amount of relative humidity is added to every level above the boundary layer. As humidity is increased, model storms transition from weak, unsteady systems with little precipitation to strong, upshear-tilted systems with copious rainfall. This behavior is hypothesized to be the result of the entrainment of environmental air into the updraft c...
Exciton-polariton bottleneck and the thermalization of polariton luminescence in CdS and CdSe.

The decay in time of polariton luminescence (PL) excited by picosecond laser pulses in CdS and CdSe has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. The time dependence of the PL is measured with a time-resolved photon counting system with subnanosecond resolution. The decays of the PL are found to be approximately single exponentials at low (l2 K) and high (g20 K) temperatures. At intermediate temperatures the decays are better approximated by a sum of two exponentials. These experimental results are found to be well reproduced by theoretical calculations based on a two-branch polariton model. Pekar's additional boundary condition is adopted in calculating the time-resolved PL spectra. A comparison between theory and experiment enabled the polariton bottleneck to be identified. Furthermore, it is shown that at finite temperatures the polariton bottleneck enables a quasithermal equilibrium to be established among polaritons.
Activation by levcromakalim and metabolic inhibition of glibenclamide-sensitive K channels in smooth muscle cells of pig proximal urethra

1. The effects of levcromakalim (BRL 38227) on ionic currents recorded from pig proximal urethra were investigated by use of tension measurement and patch clamp techniques (conventional whole-cell configuration, nystatin perforated patch, and cell-attached configuration). 2. Levcromakalim (1 microM) caused a relaxation in the resting tone. This levcromakalim-induced relaxation was inhibited by the pretreatment with 1 microM glibenclamide. 3. The resting membrane potential recorded from single cells in current-clamp mode was-36.1 +/- 4.4 mV (n = 5). 4. Levcromakalim induced a concentration-dependent hyperpolarization with a maximum (at > or = 10 microM) close to the theoretical equilibrium potential of potassium (EK). The membrane hyperpolarization caused by 1 microM levcromakalim (24.7 +/- 5.8 mV, n = 4) was abolished by 1 microM glibenclamide. 5. Levcromakalim (100 microM) caused an outward K current in whole-cell recordings which was unaffected by iberiotoxin (300 nM) but abolished by glibenclamide (10 microM). 6. In cell-attached patches, levcromakalim activated a 43 pS K channel which was inhibited by the application of glibenclamide. 7. The metabolic poison, cyanide (CN), also activated a 43 pS K channel which was suppressed by the application of 10 microM glibenclamide. 8. These results indicate that levcromakalim and metabolic inhibition activate the same 43 pS K channel in pig proximal urethra. The resultant urethral hyperpolarization might reduce the usefulness of K channel openers in the treatment of detrusor instability, but be of value in treating outflow obstruction.
The Effect of Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Microstructure and Permeability of Freeze-Cast Alumina

This study examined the effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the microstructure and permeability of freeze-cast porous alumina. The PVA addition was shown to have a significant effect on the pore size, with the trends in microstructure morphology and scale being qualitatively consistent with the effects of PVA addition on constitutional supercooling. The measured Darcian permeabilities were between 10−10 m2 and 10−12 m2. The permeability decreased as the PVA content increased and a significant fraction of the flow could be attributed to inertial effects.
Telomerase inhibition and telomere erosion: a two-pronged strategy in cancer therapy

Abstract Inhibition of telomerase activity in cancerous cells is a very potent factor in the abrogation of cellular immortalization. However, targeting telomerase alone is not sufficient to elicit cell death because tumor cells can acquire the ability to lengthen their telomeres independently of telomerase activity, in a process referred to as alternative lengthening of telomeres. In this article, we suggest that a biphasic approach, by both eroding intrinsic levels of telomeres and inhibiting telomerase activity, would result in a synergistic beneficial effect that could be used in cancer therapy.
Tratamiento del prolapso de la cúpula vaginal mediante sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica asistida por robot

La sacrocolpopexia transabdominal constituye una excelente opcion terapeutica definitiva en las pacientes que presentan un prolapso de la cupula vaginal, con tasas de exito a largo plazo del 93-99%. Sin embargo, se trata de una intervencion transabdominal y se asocia a una morbilidad elevada en comparacion con las reparaciones transvaginales. Este articulo describe una nueva tecnica poco invasiva de reparacion del prolapso de la cupula vaginal y presenta la experiencia inicial de los autores al respecto. La tecnica quirurgica incluye la introduccion de cinco trocares laparoscopicos: tres para el robot Da Vinci y dos para el ayudante. A continuacion se fija una malla de polipropileno al promontorio sacro y al vertice vaginal con suturas de politetrafluoroetileno. Al final de la intervencion, el material de la malla se recubre con el peritoneo. Se presenta tambien la experiencia inicial con esta tecnica. El analisis se centra en las complicaciones, la continencia urinaria, la satisfaccion global y la morbilidad. En el transcurso de los dos ultimos anos, 25 pacientes se han sometido a una sacrocolpopexia laparoscopica asistida por robot en el instituto de los autores, motivada por un prolapso sintomatico de la cupula vaginal. Diez mujeres de un grupo de 25 (40%) se sometieron a un tratamiento de incontinencia concomitante. El seguimiento medio fue de 5,1 meses (1-12) y el promedio de edad, de 66 anos (47-82). La duracion quirurgica total fue de 3,2 horas (2,25-4,75). En una paciente, fue necesaria una conversion por razones anatomicas. Todas las pacientes excepto una regresaron a su domicilio tras una noche de hospitalizacion; una paciente fue dada de alta dos dias despues de la operacion. Las complicaciones consistieron en infecciones leves en el punto de introduccion de los trocares en dos pacientes, que se curaron mediante antibioticoterapia oral. Una paciente desarrollo un rectocele recidivante de grado 3, sin signos de cistocele ni de enterocele. Los autores de este articulo presentan una nueva tecnica robotizada de reparacion del prolapso de la cupula vaginal, que asocia las ventajas de la sacrocolpopexia abierta a la baja morbilidad y al mejor resultado estetico de la cirugia laparoscopica. Se asocia a una hospitalizacion breve, a bajas tasas de complicaciones y de conversion, asi como a una satisfaccion elevada de las pacientes. Aunque la experiencia preliminar sea alentadora, son necesarios datos a largo plazo para confirmar estos resultados y determinar la durabilidad de esta reparacion.
Modeling the dynamics of nutrient limited consumer populations using constant elasticity production functions

Abstract The marginal rate of technical substitution is a well-defined and important concept in economic production theory. It describes the ability of a firm to maintain levels of production while substituting one factor of production for another. Ecological stoichiometry has considered a similar problem—how organismal production is affected when incoming nutrients are not available in ideal proportions. However, the dominant models of analysis have assumed homeostatic nutrient ratios on the part of consumers. This is equivalent to fixed-factor production in economics with no substitutability. This work demonstrates how models of production from economic theory that incorporate factor substitutability provide a more realistic representation of consumer production under nutrient limitation. I demonstrate how economic analysis tools can be used to assess nutrient limited production. I also describe the changes in individual and systems dynamics as the ability to substitute carbon for another nutrient increases. In particular, substitution is shown to promote ecosystem resilience by broadening the threshold element ratio at which a nutrient becomes limiting.
Using a Passive Acoustic Survey to Identify Spotted Seatrout Spawning Sites and Associated Habitat in Tampa Bay, Florida

Abstract The spatial distribution of spawning activity can affect the reproductive success of certain fishes, and locating the key areas is critical to accurately assessing and managing their populations. We determined estuarine spawning locations for spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus during the 2004 summer spawning season in Tampa Bay, Florida, using a passive acoustic survey. Sound production was evaluated at each of 754 randomly selected stations for the number of individuals calling and ranged from 1-2 individuals to large aggregations. Spawning was identified by large aggregation sounds and was detected at 8% of the selected stations. There was seasonal variability in spawning, as spawning areas were inconsistently used throughout the season. Spatially, spawning occurred in all regions of the bay except for the Hillsborough Bay region. Most spawning took place in lower Tampa Bay and the eastern portion of the middle bay. Spawning occurred most frequently near the shoreline in areas of relatively h...
Rigorous physical modeling of a materials-based frequency doubling lithography process

Double patterning (DP) lithography appears to be a likely patterning technology for 32 nm node manufacturing. Litho-Litho-Etch DP may offer lower cost-of-ownership than Litho-Etch-Litho-Etch DP methods, but uses novel materials and processes that have not been fully characterized. In this work, one LLE approach (negative resist processed over a positive resist image) is studied; the results are used to develop a rigorous physical model that describes the process behavior. Experimental observations suggest that processing during the second lithographic pass influences the resist features produced by the first pass. A prototype simulator has been developed which can model the behavior of the first resist through the entire double patterning process. The model can also predict the response of the second lithographic pass by accounting for the optical and physical-chemical interactions with the first pass features. After validating the simulation predictions with experimental results, a modeling study investigates the interactions between the two passes as a function of alignment error. The study shows that for materials with similar refractive indices (Dn l 0.1, Dk a 0) optical effects are small and interactions between the passes are dominated by the boundary conditions, even if the materials are inert to each other.
The Mechanism of the Low-Temperature Oxidation of Coal by O2: Observation and Separation of Simultaneous Reactions Using In Situ FT-IR Difference Spectroscopy:

Coal is complex, predominantly organic-containing porous solid which is important both as an energy and a chemical source material. The physical and chemical properties of most coals are extremely sensitive to air oxidation. There is no generally accepted mechanism for the oxidation process, in spite of past interest. Using in situ FT-IR difference spectroscopy of 0.4 μm thin sections of coal, we have examined the mechanism of the low-temperature oxidation of Illinois No. 6 bituminous coal by O2. The overall oxidation with O2 is found to be comprised of three separate chemical reactions. Two of the reactions involve O2 addition to reactive species in the coal. One is predominant at temperatures close to or slightly above room temperature and apparently involves the reversible binding of O2 to a free radical site, followed by reaction. The other oxidation is predominant by 100°C and proceeds by the formation and subsequent decomposition of hydroperoxides. The third reaction is a thermolysis which is important at temperatures between 25°C and 100°C and is competitive with the lower-temperature oxidation. It results in a partial decarbonylation and decarboxylation of the coal. Since three separate reactions contribute to the overall oxidation, the chemical and physical changes resulting from oxidation are dependent upon the oxidation conditions. Control of experimental conditions is critical in order for one to obtain reproducible results. Some of the possible implications of these results on the technologically important process of spontaneous ignition of coal are discussed. Results of previous oxidation studies are discussed in view of the present results. The large variations reported in oxidation studies are likely to be the consequence of ill-defined or poorly controlled experiments. We interpret the correlation between the present study and number of other studies to indicate that oxidation chemistry is the same in most coals, with the principal differences between coals being due to the different relative proportions of the reactive species in the starting coal.
3D exploitation of 2D ground-level & aerial imagery

Working with 2.3K+ digital images shot around MIT, we form a SIFT graph which imposes an initial topological ordering upon the quasi-random set of input urban photos. We next employ iterative bundle adjustment algorithms developed by Snavely et al to recover the MIT photos' geometrical structure. After georegistering the 2.3K+ images to an aerial ladar map, we plot recovered camera geolocations on a Google Map and conduct virtual tours through the 3D field of 2D urban photos. Similar computer vision techniques are applied to video footage collected over a rural scene by an aerial glider. 1.5K video frames are reconstructed and georegistered via the UAV's GPS track. We demonstrate how several difficult aerial video exploitation problems become tractable when a geometry-based analysis approach is adopted.
Incubation and relaxation time for dislocation motion

Die Theorie quasistatischer Versetzungen ist in befriedigender Weise ausgebaut worden. Eine Anzahl von Unstimmigkeiten besteht jedoch in der Ansicht, wie Versetzungen auf dynamische Lasten reagieren. Insbesondere ergeben sich Schwierigkeiten bei der Berechnung von Versetzungsgeschwindigkeiten bei starker dynamischer Belastung. Die quasistatische Theorie sagt grosse Geschwindigkeiten voraus, wahrend tatsachlich nur kleine Geschwindigkeiten gemessen werden. Beobachtungen uber das Verhalten von Bruchen bei stossartiger Belastung lassen auf eine typische Inkubationszeit schliessen, bei der das Bruchverhalten aufhort, von der Belastungsgeschwindigkeit abhangig zu sein. Diese Inkubationszeit ist typisch von der Ordnung 10−7 sec. Da plastische Bruche durch Bewegung und Anhaufung von Versetzungen verursacht werden, liegt der Schluss nahe, dass auch Versetzungen «immobil» werden, wenn die Stossdauer geringer wird als die typische Inkubationszeit. Mit dieser Auffassung lassen sich eine Reihe von Erscheinungen erklaren, die nach der klassischen Theorie zu falschen Resultaten fuhren. Insbesondere wird gezeigt, dass das Viskositatsverhalten von Versetzungen nicht-newtonsch ist, was zu ganz anderen Ergebnissen fuhrt, als wenn newtonsches Verhalten postuliert wird.
Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil/diazeniumdiolate conjugates

5-Fluorouracil/diazeniumdiolate conjugates were first synthesized, and showed greater cytotoxicities than 5-fluorouracil for DU 145 human prostate and HeLa cancer cells.
The impact of spatial structure on viral genomic diversity generated during adaptation to thermal stress.

Background Most clinical and natural microbial communities live and evolve in spatially structured environments. When changes in environmental conditions trigger evolutionary responses, spatial structure can impact the types of adaptive response and the extent to which they spread. In particular, localized competition in a spatial landscape can lead to the emergence of a larger number of different adaptive trajectories than would be found in well-mixed populations. Our goal was to determine how two levels of spatial structure affect genomic diversity in a population and how this diversity is manifested spatially. Methodology/Principal Findings We serially transferred bacteriophage populations growing at high temperatures (40°C) on agar plates for 550 generations at two levels of spatial structure. The level of spatial structure was determined by whether the physical locations of the phage subsamples were preserved or disrupted at each passage to fresh bacterial host populations. When spatial structure of the phage populations was preserved, there was significantly greater diversity on a global scale with restricted and patchy distribution. When spatial structure was disrupted with passaging to fresh hosts, beneficial mutants were spread across the entire plate. This resulted in reduced diversity, possibly due to clonal interference as the most fit mutants entered into competition on a global scale. Almost all substitutions present at the end of the adaptation in the populations with disrupted spatial structure were also present in the populations with structure preserved. Conclusions/Significance Our results are consistent with the patchy nature of the spread of adaptive mutants in a spatial landscape. Spatial structure enhances diversity and slows fixation of beneficial mutants. This added diversity could be beneficial in fluctuating environments. We also connect observed substitutions and their effects on fitness to aspects of phage biology, and we provide evidence that some substitutions exclude each other.
The inhibition of pineal arylalkylamine n-acetyltransferase by glutamic acid and its analogues.

Abstract Previous studies from this laboratory have identified in bovine pineal gland a glutamate receptor site with a dissociation equilibrium constant ( K D ) value of 0.534 μM and a receptor density ( B max ) value of 4.84 pmol/mg protein. This pH- and temperature-dependent binding site showed stereospecificity, was activated by Ca 2+ and displayed affinity for both glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists. The role of this glutamate receptor site was investigated by studying the effects of select glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists and of γ-aminobutyric acid on the basal- and on the norepinephrine-stimulated activity of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase in rat pineal glands that were incubated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium at 37°C for 20 min in an atmosphere of 5% CO 2 /95% O 2 . l -Glutamate, l -aspartate and glutamate receptor agonists such as γ-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propinonic acid and quisqualate were all also potent inhibitors of norepinephrine-induced stimulation of N-acetyltransferase. On the other hand, the known glutamate receptor antagonists such as d -glutamylaminomethylsulphonic acid and γ- d -glutamyltaurine stimulated the basal activity of N-acetyltransferase. Evidence of a high concentration of glutamic acid, the presence of glutamate receptors and the inhibition by glutamate receptor agonists of pineal N-acetyltransferase compel one to speculate that, in addition to its well-known metabolic roles, glutamate may modulate in an unknown fashion the activity of melatonin synthesizing enzyme, and the functions of mammalian pineal glands.
Effects of refractive index on near-infrared tomography of the breast

Near infrared (NIR) optical tomography is an imaging technique in which internal images of optical properties are reconstructed with the boundary measurements of light propagation through the medium. Recent advances in instrumentation and theory have led to the use of this method for the detection and characterization of tumors within the female breast tissue. Most image reconstruction approaches have used the diffusion approximation and have assumed that the refractive index of the breast is constant, with a bulk value of approximately 1.4. We have applied a previously reported modified diffusion approximation, in which the refractive index for different tissues can be modeled. The model was used to generate NIR data from a realistic breast geometry containing a localized anomaly. Using this simulated data, we have reconstructed optical images, both with and without correct knowledge of the refractive-index distribution to show that the modified diffusion approximation can accurately recover the anomaly given a priori knowledge of refractive index. But using a reconstruction algorithm without the use of correct a priori information regarding the refractive-index distribution is shown as recovering the anomaly but with a degraded quality, depending on the degree of refractive index mismatch. The results suggest that provided the refractive index of breast tissue is approximately 1.3-1.4, their exclusion will have minimal effect on the reconstructed images.
TU-A-BRB-02: Temporal Signal Stability of KCl:Eu2+ Storage Phosphor Dosimeters

Purpose: It is known that the PSL (photo‐stimulated luminescence) signal fades with time after x‐ray irradiation and eventually reaches a plateau. The purpose of this work is to determine whether x‐ray generatedelectrons stored in non‐dosimetric shallow traps can be liberated prior to dose readout. If so, we would achieve a rapid signal stabilization so the wait time could be shortened to, for example, one hour or less. Methods: Pellet‐style KCl: Eu2+ dosimeters were fabricated in‐house for this study. PSL signal stability after x‐ray irradiation was studied by interfering with a thermal annealing and optical annealing with near infra‐red light, respectively prior to dosimetric readout. Results: Without optical annealing, PSL faded with time at a rate of 13.6%/hr for the first 2 hrs and 6%/hr for the next 3 hrs after irradiation and eventually reached a fading rate of about 0.5%/hr after 12 hrs. PSL intensity decreased with increasing NIR optical annealing time; however, there was only marginal improvement in the PSL stabilization rate, indicating that the shallow electron traps that are responsible for the fast‐fading for the first few hours were not efficiently emptied. 15‐minute thermal annealing treatments at either 60 or 70°C stabilized the PSL to a slow decay rate of approximately 0.4%/hr over a time period of 24 hrs post irradiation. Moreover, 90% of PSL sensitivity can be retained. More stable PSL signal, 0.18%/hr and 0.08%/hr decay rate for 90 and 120°C thermal annealing, respectively, can be achieved at the expense of PSL sensitivity. Conclusions: Thermal annealing immediately after x‐ray irradiation is an effective way to remove electrons stored in the shallow traps. This study is expected to guide the future design of storage phosphor dosimeter readers, which could incorporate a thermal annealing pre‐read cycle. As a Result, a long wait time would be avoided.
Who Serves the Self From the Seat of Power? Predicting Self-Interested Leader Behavior

Why do some leaders use their position of power to amass personal prestige and resources, and others to benefit the group or society as a whole? This paper synthesizes new, cross-disciplinary research demonstrating that self-serving (versus group-serving) behavior by leaders and powerholders is predictable rather than mysterious. I demonstrate a clear pattern of specific dispositional and situational factors that predict leaders’ self-interested actions: (a) a distinct set of personality characteristics (e.g., low Agreeableness), values (e.g., self-enhancement values or low moral identity), and a sense of independence from others (e.g., individualism or an independent self- construal) and (b) threats to the leader’s power, either of internal (e.g., self-doubts) or external (e.g., positional instability) origin. These ideas have important implications for both our basic understanding of when power corrupts and for organizational efforts to identify candidates for leadership who will enhance group performan...
Phospho-specific Smad3 signaling: Impact on breast oncogenesis

Members of the TGFβ superfamily are known to exert a myriad of physiologic and pathologic growth controlling influences on mammary development and oncogenesis. In epithelial cells, TGFβ signaling inhibits cell growth through cytostatic and pro-apoptotic activities but can also induce cancer cell EMT and, thus, has a dichotomous role in breast cancer biology. Mechanisms governing this switch are the subject of active investigation. Smad3 is a critical intracellular mediator of TGFβ signaling regulated through phosphorylation by the TGFβ receptor complex at the C terminus. Smad3 is also a substrate for several other kinases that phosphorylate additional sites within the Smad protein. This discovery has expanded the understanding of the significance and complexity of TGFβ signaling through Smads. This review highlights recent advances revealing the critical role of phospho-specific Smad3 in malignancy and illustrates the potential prognostic and therapeutic impact of Smad3 phospho-isoforms in breast cancer.
Timing of antibiotic administration and infectious morbidity following cesarean delivery: incorporating policy change into workflow.

Purpose To evaluate the success of a multidisciplinary approach to policy change regarding timing of antibiotic administration for the prevention of surgical-site infection after cesarean delivery.
Articulating Babel: An approach to cultural evolution

Abstract After an initial discussion of the character of interdisciplinary linkages between complex disciplines, I consider an area with confluences of many diverse disciplines—the study of cultural evolution. This must embrace not only the traditional biological sciences, but also the multiple often warring disciplines of the human sciences. This interdisciplinary articulation is in its early stages compared, e.g., to that of evolutionary biology or evolutionary developmental biology, and I try to lay out major axes along which its articulation should plausibly occur, given the relevant causal processes acting at different levels. One cannot have an adequate account of cultural evolution without recognizing a central role for cognitive and social development (since culture is cumulatively acquired by individuals through the life-cycle) and the social and cultural organizations and institutions and artifactual tools and infrastructure that support and structure these developmental processes. These induce a population structure that mediates the transmission, expression, and elaboration of culture, and in particular the different ways in which they scaffold learning and the development and articulation of complex skills. I consider how these elements should articulate the disciplines that tend to focus separately on them. Intentions and the market are not explicitly included in this account, and I consider ways in which these perspectives might enter.
An intrinsic CRF signaling system within the optic tectum.

Abstract Previous work indicates that CRF administration inhibits visually guided feeding in amphibians. We used the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis to examine the hypothesis that CRF acts as a neurotransmitter in the optic tectum, the major brain area integrating the visual and premotor pathways regulating visually guided feeding in anurans. Reverse transcriptase PCR revealed that cells in the optic tectum express mRNA for CRF and the CRF R1 receptor but not the CRF R2 receptor. Radioligand binding studies indicated that specific binding of [ 125 I]-Tyr-oCRF to tectal cell membranes can be displaced by the CRF R1 antagonists antalarmin or NBI-27914. CRF increased the expression of mRNA encoding regulator of G-protein signaling 2 ( rgs 2) in tectal explants and this effect was blocked by antalarmin. CRF had no effect on basal glutamate or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) secretion but inhibited secretion of norepinephrine from tectal explants, an effect that completely blocked by antalarmin. Using a homologous radioimmunoassay we determined that CRF release from tectal explants in vitro was potassium- and calcium-dependent. Basal and depolarization-induced CRF secretion was greater from optic tectum than hypothalamus/thalamus, telencephalon, or brainstem. We concluded that the optic tectum possesses a CRF signaling system that may be involved in modulating communication between sensory and motor pathways involved in food intake.
Methane production from anaerobic soil amended with rice straw and nitrogen fertilizers

Laboratory experiments were conducted on the effects of rice straw application and N fertilization on methane (CH4) production from a flooded Louisiana, USA, rice soil incubated under anaerobic conditions. Rice straw application significantly increased CH4 production; CH4 production increased in proportion to the application rate. Urea fertilization also enhanced CH4 production. The maximum production rate was 17% higher, and occurred 1 week earlier, than that of soil samples which did not receive urea, possibly due to the increase in soil pH following urea hydrolysis. The increase in soil pH following urea hydrolysis may have stimulated CH4-generating bacteria by providing more optimal soil pH conditions or contributed to the drop in redox potential (Eh). The significant decrease in both the production rate and the total amount of CH4 by application of NH4NO3 was associated with increases in soil Eh after addition of this oxidant. Addition of 300 mg. kg−1 NO 3 - -N increased soil Eh by 220 mV and almost completely inhibited CH4 production. However, this inhibitory effect was short-termed. Soon after the applied NO 3 - -N was reduced through denitrification, CH4 production increased. When (NH4)2SO4 was applied, the inhibition of CH4 production was not associated with an increase in soil Eh which did not change significantly. A direct inhibitory effect of sulphate on methanogenesis might have been more important.
Patterning Nanoparticles into Rings by “2-D Pickering Emulsions”

We present a simple method for the two-dimensional self-assembly of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) into well-defined rings at the air/water interface, through the formation of “2-D Pickering emulsions”. Surfactant molecules assemble at the air/water interface into islands that are subsequently surrounded by adsorption of QDs from the aqueous subphase. The QD rings emanating from this process range from ∼100 nm to several micrometers in diameter, as characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning eectron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The deposition and alignment of QD rings onto large areas (cm2) were demonstrated by dip-coating onto a substrate. This simple method produces rings of QDs without the need for any templating or fabrication steps.
Modeling of extrinsic defects in silica fibers using Vickers identification

Vickers indentation has been used to introduce controlled flaws in fused silica optical fiber in order to model the behavior of 'weak' defects encountered in practice. Novel techniques are used in order to conveniently examine indentations over a broad range of residual strength; these include the use of flat fiber which facilitates specimen alignment during indentation and subsequent strength measurement in bending. The strength of indented silica fiber measured in pH 7 buffer reveals a bimodal behavior at the threshold for radial crack formation which is related to the 'pop-in' of radial cracks after indentation or during strength testing. An unusually low value of the stress corrosion parameter for subthreshold indentations of n approximately equals 11 is observed in pH 7 buffer. This suggests that under some conditions the usual assumption of n approximately equals 20 may lead to an overestimation of fiber reliability.
A supply-demand model based scalable energy management system for improved energy utilization efficiency

Harvesting energy from the environment can play an important role in reducing the dependency of an electronic system to primary energy sources (i.e. AC power or battery). For reliable and efficient energy harvesting while assuring best user experience, it is important to manage, route and match the harvested energy with the demand of various energy sources. In the most general case, multiple different energy sources can be used to provide energy to multiple different energy users. In this work, we propose a scalable rule-based energy management system for managing the acquisition, mixing, delivery and storage of energy for arbitrary collection of energy sources and users, which are characterized with different energy generation and consumption parameters. The system uses economics inspired supply-demand model for efficiently managing energy distribution between a set of energy sources and users. The energy allocation procedure tries to maximize the energy utilization efficiency of the sources while satisfying the demand of the users in order of their associated priorities, without starving an already allocated user. Simulation results for example scenarios show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for improving the energy utilization and lifetime of the energy sources.
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: unraveling the role of gut hormonal and pancreatic endocrine dysfunction.

Background Profound hypoglycemia occurs rarely as a late complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). We investigated the role of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) in four subjects who developed recurrent neuro-glycopenia 2 to 3 y after RYGB. Methods A standardized test meal (STM) was administered to all four subjects. A 2 h hyperglycemic clamp with GLP-1 infusion during the second hour was performed in one subject, before, during a 4 wk trial of octreotide (Oc), and after 85% distal pancreatectomy. After cessation of both glucose and GLP-1 infusion at the end of the 2 h clamp, blood glucose levels were monitored for 30 min. Responses were compared with a control group (five subjects 12 mo status post-RYGB without hypoglycemic symptoms). Results During STM, both GLP-1 and insulin levels were elevated 3- to 4-fold in all subjects, and plasma glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) levels were elevated 2-fold. Insulin responses to hyperglycemia ± GLP-1 infusion in one subject were comparable to controls, but after cessation of glucose infusion, glucose levels fell to 40 mg/dL. During Oc, the GLP-1 and insulin responses to STM were reduced (>50%). During the clamp, insulin response to hyperglycemia alone was reduced, but remained unchanged during GLP-1. Glucagon levels during hyperglycemia alone were suppressed and further suppressed after the addition of GLP-1. With the substantial drop in glucose during the 30 min follow-up, glucagon levels failed to rise. Due to persistent symptoms, one subject underwent 85% distal pancreatectomy; postoperatively, the subject remained asymptomatic (blood glucose: 119-220 mg/dL), but a repeat STM showed persistence of elevated levels of GLP-1. Histologically enlarged islets, and β-cell clusters scattered throughout the acinar parenchyma were seen, as well as β-cells present within pancreatic duct epithelium. An increase in pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 protein (PDX-1) expression was observed in the subject compared with control pancreatic tissue. Conclusions A persistent exaggerated hypersecretion of GLP-1, which has been shown to be insulinotropic, insulinomimetic, and glucagonostatic, is the likely cause of post-RYGB hypoglycemia. The hypertrophy and ectopic location of β-cells is likely due to overexpression of the islet cell transcription factor, PDX-1, caused by prolonged hypersecretion of GLP-1.
Knowledge of folic acid and counseling practices among Ohio community pharmacists

Objective: To determine knowledge of folic acid use for neural tube defect (NTD) prevention and counseling practices among community pharmacists registered in Ohio.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a random sample (n=500) of community pharmacists registered with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and practicing in Ohio. A survey previously used by researchers to assess folic acid knowledge and practices among samples of other healthcare provider groups in the United States was adapted with permission for this study. The final tool consisted of 28 questions evaluating the knowledge, counseling practices, and demographics of respondents. The cover letter did not reveal the emphasis on folic acid, and surveys were completed anonymously. The university institutional review board deemed the study exempt.Results: Of the 122 pharmacists who completed the survey, 116 (95.1%) knew that folic acid prevents some birth defects. Twenty-eight (22.9%) responded that they “always” or “usually” discuss multivitamins with women of childbearing potential, and 19 (15.6%) responded that they “always” or “usually” discuss folic acid supplements. Some gaps in knowledge specific to folic acid were revealed. While 63.1% of pharmacists selected the recommended dose of folic acid intake for most women of childbearing potential, 13.1% could identify the dose recommended for women who have had a previous NTD-affected pregnancy. Respondents identified continuing education programs, pharmacy journals/magazines, and the Internet as preferred avenues to obtain additional information about folic acid and NTD.Conclusion: This study represents the first systematic evaluation of folic acid knowledge and counseling practices among a sample of pharmacists in the United States. As highly accessible healthcare professionals, community pharmacists can fulfill a vital public health role by counseling women of childbearing potential about folic acid intake. Educational materials may be beneficial in augmenting knowledge of folic acid and facilitating patient education.
GPIB compliance testing in a large test and measurement company

This paper describes experiences in applying GPIB and IEEE 488.2 compliance testing to a variety of product groups within a large test and measurement organization. It covers compliance test development, hardware and software considerations, and actual experiences with enforcement. >
Chlorine Absorption in Sulfite Solutions

Abstract The rate of chlorine (5 to 300 ppm Cl2) absorption into aqueous sulfite/bisulfite (0 to 10 mM S(IV)) was measured using a stirred‐cell reactor and a wetted‐wall column at pH 4.7 and 5.7. Chlorine absorption was modeled using the theory of mass transfer with fast reaction. Chlorine reacts quickly with S(IV) to form chloride and sulfate near the gas/liquid interface. The rate constant for the reaction of chlorine with S(IV) at 25°C was determined to be 1.1 × 109 L/mol‐s. The enhancement of the succinate buffer on the chlorine hydrolysis rate was quantified. The addition of sodium chloride (NaCl) did not affect the rate of Cl2 absorption in S(IV). Oxygen did not affect the rate of chlorine absorption or catalyze S(IV) oxidation. These results are relevant in the simultaneous removal of chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and elemental mercury from flue gas and may also be applicable to scrubber design for removal of chlorine in the pulp and paper and other industries.