cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An isolated perfused dog lung preparation for the study of cyclic GMP metabolism: effects of sodium nitroprusside and oxygen.

Abstract The intact, isolated perfused dog lung was evaluated as a model for studies directed at defining the role of oxidative modulation of lung cyclic GMP metabolism in pulmonary function. Sodium nitroprusside added to the perfusion blood increased the cyclic GMP content of lung over 4-fold in a dose-dependent manner. Although sodium nitroprusside administration caused changes in lung vascular resistance, these occurred independently of the changes in cyclic GMP. Ventilation of lungs with a high oxygen gas mixture containing 95% O 2 , 5% CO 2 acutely increased the cyclic GMP content of lungs after 15 min from 1.3 ± 0.06 (mean ± S.E.) to 3.4 ± 0.12 pmol cyclic GMP/mg protein. Cyclic GMP levels returned toward control during continued ventilation with the high oxygen concentration. The oxygen-induced elevation of lung cyclic GMP content was not accompanied by changes in lung vascular resistance. The results indicate that the isolated perfused lung may be useful in studies of cyclic GMP, tissue oxidation and pulmonary function.
MDCT for Computerized Volumetry of Pneumothoraces in Pediatric Patients

Rationale and Objectives Our purpose in this study was to develop an automated computer-aided volumetry (CAV) scheme for quantifying pneumothorax in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images for pediatric patients and to investigate the imaging parameters that may affect its accuracy. Materials and Methods Fifty-eight consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 12 ± 6 years) with pneumothorax who underwent MDCT for evaluation were collected retrospectively for this study. All cases were imaged by a 16- or 64-MDCT scanner with weight-based kilovoltage, low-dose tube current, 1.0−1.5 pitch, 0.6−5.0 mm slice thickness, and a B70f (sharp) or B31f (soft) reconstruction kernel. Sixty-three pneumothoraces ≥1 mL were visually identified in the left (n = 30) and right (n = 33) lungs. Each identified pneumothorax was contoured manually on an Amira workstation V4.1.1 (Mercury Computer Systems, Chelmsford, MA) by two radiologists in consensus. The computerized volumes of the pneumothoraces were determined by application of our CAV scheme. The accuracy of our automated CAV scheme was evaluated by comparison between computerized volumetry and manual volumetry, for the total volume of pneumothoraces in the left and right lungs. Results The mean difference between the computerized volumetry and the manual volumetry for all 63 pneumothoraces ≥1 mL was 8.2%. For pneumothoraces ≥10 mL, ≥50 mL, and ≥200 mL, the mean differences were 7.7% (n = 57), 7.3% (n = 33), and 6.4% (n = 13), respectively. The correlation coefficient was 0.99 between the computerized volume and the manual volume of pneumothoraces. Bland-Altman analysis showed that computerized volumetry has a mean difference of -5.1% compared to manual volumetry. For all pneumothoraces ≥10 mL, the mean differences for slice thickness ≤1.25 mm, = 1.5 mm, and = 5.0 mm were 6.1% (n = 28), 3.5% (n = 10), and 12.2% (n = 19), respectively. For the two reconstruction kernels, B70f and B31f, the mean differences were 6.3% (n = 42, B70f) and 11.7% (n = 15, B31f), respectively. Conclusion Our automated CAV scheme provides an accurate measurement of pneumothorax volume in MDCT images of pediatric patients. For accurate volumetric quantification of pneumothorax in children in MDCT images by use of the automated CAV scheme, we recommended reconstruction parameters based on a slice thickness ≤1.5 mm and the reconstruction kernel B70f.
An algebraic model of ethical cognition

Abstract Special representations of standard Boolean functions allow us to model the process of ethical choice, both as a behavioral process and as a structural description of the subjective inner world of the individual, with its categories such as “good,” “evil,” “doubt,” “compromise,” “conflict,” “suffering,” etc. Two different ethical systems based on different rules for the binary contraposition of “good” and “evil” are postulated. Each ethical system corresponds to its own evaluation of the ethical status of various types of individuals. The hypothesis is proposed that in Western culture and in Soviet culture the different ethical systems are normatively realized, and experimental evidence to support this hypothesis is given. Finally, the axioms that are selected for the two systems are shown to follow from a few precisely stated intuitions that have empirical content.
Incorporation of Titanium into Mesoporous Silica Molecular Sieve SBA-15

Mesoporous silica molecular sieve SBA-15 has been synthesized and incorporated with variable amounts of titanium via incipient-wetness impregnation with titanium isopropoxide in ethanol followed by calcination. Characterization by powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron, Raman, and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet spectroscopies has been carried out to understand the chemical nature of the titanium. The results suggest that titanium is present in two distinct chemical forms and that their relative amounts depend on the titanium loading. At low titanium loading of 1 atom % relative to silicon, the titanium ions are monatomically dispersed and the pore size of SBA-15 is not altered. This isolated titanium species reaches a maximum concentration around 6 atom % relative to silicon. At higher titanium loading, titanium dioxide (anatase) is also formed. The materials with significant titanium dioxide formation have reduced pore diameters, which suggests that the titanium dioxide exist...
Respiratory effects of intravenous morphine infusions in neonates, infants, and children after cardiac surgery

We evaluated the respiratory effects of intravenous morphine infusions in 30 patients (2 to 570 days old, mean 155 days) after cardiac surgery. PaCO2 during spontaneous breathing and CO2 response curves during rebreathing were obtained on morphine infusions at drug steady state and during drug washout. Steady state morphine serum levels > 20 ng/mL resulted in hypercarbia (PaCO2 > 55 mm Hg) and depressed CO2 response curve slopes (< 10 mL.min-1.mm Hg ETCO2(-1).kg-1) in 67% and 70% of patients, respectively (P < 0.05, compared to those with levels < 20 ng/mL). During washout, morphine levels more than 15 ng/mL resulted in hypercarbia in 46%, whereas levels less than 15 ng/mL were associated with hypercarbia in 13% (P = 0.025). No age-related differences in respiratory effect were seen in these studies at the same serum morphine level. Careful observation of any patient receiving morphine remains necessary, but neonates and young infants seem to have the same respiratory response to morphine infusions as older infants and children at the same blood level.
Understanding the Characteristics of Non-industrial Private Forest Landowners Who Harvest Trees

Achieving regional and national goals of renewable energy production will depend on sufficient supply of biomass from private forests, the majority of which are controlled by non-industrial private forest landowners (NIPF). Considering the diversity in management objectives and changing demographic dynamics in this ownership group, it is important to understand the characteristics of landowners that may supply woody biomass. This study developed linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and classification tree (CT) models to examine the characteristics and motivation of such NIPF landowners. Thirteen combinations of CT variable selection and split-point selection models were used in conjunction with LDA. The “importance of income” from a woody biomass harvest was the most important factor influencing NIPF landowners’ decisions in supplying woody biomass. Another significant interrelated variable was “farmer or non-farmer” forestland ownership, which was also related with “years of residency”, “availability of a multi-management plan,” and “ownership of multi-tracts of land.” CT models provided higher-level explanatory information when compared with LDA models. Study findings provide useful insight for land managers, wood procurement managers, and policy-makers in identifying the landowner groups with interest in biomass supply, and in understanding the factors influencing their decisions.
Specialty, Political Affiliation, and Perceived Social Responsibility Are Associated with U.S. Physician Reactions to Health Care Reform Legislation.

BACKGROUND Little is known about how U.S. physicians’ political affiliations, specialties, or sense of social responsibility relate to their reactions to health care reform legislation.
A Test of the Refinement Procedure forDetermining the Crystallite OrientationDistribution: Polyethylene Terephthalate

A test of the refinement procedure for improving the crystallite orientation distribution function is presented for a fiber texture sample of polyethylene terephthalate. This is a particularly difficult example because the triclinic unit cell offers no simplification due to symmetry, and the pole figures are sharply peaked. The analysis employed 17 observed pole figures and an additional 29 unobserved pole figures reconstructed from the crystallite orientation distribution function. After three cycles of refinement, in which the maximum value of the coefficient was increased from 6 to 16, the standard deviations, σ q and σ w , of the plane-normal and crystallite orientation distributions were reduced by about a factor of 3. The refined crystallite orientation distribution function indicates that the c -axis tends to align along the fiber axis for this polyethylene terephthalate sample.
Evaluation of murine placental degradation and transfer of [125I]iodo-epidermal growth factor.

Since epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been postulated to play a role in embryonic and fetal growth, a study was undertaken to assess the placental degradation and transfer of maternally administered EGF. Before iodination, mouse EGF was purified to homogeneity by reversed-phase HPLC. Approximately 5 ng [125I]iodo-EGF (-106 cpm) were injected iv into day 10, day 13, or day 17 pregnant CD-I mice; radioactivity in plasma, placentas, and conceptuses was measured up to 2 h after injection. The time course analysis revealed an initial rapid decline in total plasma radioactivity followed by an increase that was maximal by approximately 30 min. Gel filtration (G-15, G-50) chromatography of plasma revealed that by 5 min, radioactivity was associated with free 125I and with material much larger than EGF. No apparent degradation of [125I]iodo-EGF occurred after direct incubation with maternal plasma. Placental radioactivity had an initial phase of decay between 1 and 5 min followed by an increase that became maxim...
Determining to divide: how do cells decide?

A cell's decision to divide must be regulated with the highest fidelity. Otherwise, abnormalities occurring in the replication of genetic material and cytokinesis would be incompatible with life. It has been known for almost a century that cells comprising a population undergo cellular division at extremely variable rates, even though genetically identical cell clones have been examined. Studies with T lymphocytes at the single cell level have revealed that the rate of cellular division is determined by the accumulation of a critical number of ligand-triggered interleukin-2 (IL2) receptors at the cell surface throughout the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Thus, the cell “counts” the number of triggered IL2 receptors, and only decides to divide when the critical number has been attained. This information is then transferred to the cellular interior via intracellular sensors comprised of D-type cyclins, which ultimately determine when the cell surpasses the “Restriction Point” in late G1, and which commits the cell irrevocably to initiate DNA replication. Beyond the R-point, the cell assembles a definite number of macromolecular pre-replication complexes (Pre-RCs) comprised of at least 6 distinct proteins at sites of the origin of replication on DNA. Complete assembly of the Pre-RCs is a prerequisite for their subsequent disassembly, which must occur before the initiation of DNA strand replication, and which occurs asynchronously throughout the S-phase of the cell cycle and only terminates when the entire DNA has been duplicated. Thus, the fidelity of the decision to divide is exquisitely regulated by macromolecular mechanisms initiated at the cell surface and transferred to the cellular interior so that the cell can make the decision in a quantal (all-or-none) fashion. The question before us is how this quantal decision is made at the molecular level. The available data indicate that the assembly and disassembly of a definite number of large multicomponent macromolecular complexes make the quantal decisions. Here, it is postulated that all fundamental cellular decisions, i.e. survival, death, proliferation and differentiation, are regulated in this fashion. It remains to be determined how the cell counts the signals it receives, and what the molecular forces are that dictate the behavior of macromolecular complexes.
Spectrin Motif: Conformation of a mammoth protein

Abstract The crystal structure of the three-helix-bundle spectrin motif provides new insights into the structure of the large proteins that constitute the spectrin superfamily, which includes dystrophin and α -actinin.
Bimolecular Complementation of Paramyxovirus Fusion and Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Proteins Enhances Fusion: Implications for the Mechanism of Fusion Triggering

For paramyxoviruses, entry requires a receptor-binding protein (hemagglutinin-neuraminidase [HN], H, or G) and a fusion protein (F). Like other class I viral fusion proteins, F is expressed as a prefusion metastable protein that undergoes a refolding event to induce fusion. HN binding to its receptor triggers F refolding by an unknown mechanism. HN may serve as a clamp that stabilizes F in its prefusion state until HN binds the target cell (the “clamp model”). Alternatively, HN itself may undergo a conformational change after receptor binding that destabilizes F and causes F to trigger (the “provocateur model”). To examine F-HN interactions by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), the cytoplasmic tails of parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) F and HN were fused to complementary fragments of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Coexpression of the BiFC constructs resulted in fluorescence; however, coexpression with unrelated BiFC constructs also produced fluorescence. The affinity of the two halves of YFP presumably superseded the F-HN interaction. Unexpectedly, coexpression of the BiFC F and HN constructs greatly enhanced fusion in multiple cell types. We hypothesize that the increase in fusion occurs because the BiFC tags bring F and HN together more frequently than occurs in a wild-type (wt) scenario. This implies that normally much of wt F is not associated with wt HN, in conflict with the clamp model for activation. Correspondingly, we show that wt PIV5 fusion occurs in an HN concentration-dependent manner. Also inconsistent with the clamp model are the findings that BiFC F does not adopt a postfusion conformation when expressed in the absence of HN and that HN coexpression does not provide resistance to the heat-induced triggering of F. In support of a provocateur model of F activation, we demonstrate by analysis of the morphology of soluble F trimers that the hyperfusogenic mutation S443P has a destabilizing effect on F.
Energy Scaling Law for Buildings

This paper is an ode to my friend Hendrik. We collaborated on hyperfine interactions from 1962 to 1984, when he was colleague and friend. Since then I have been working on thePhysics of Societal Issues (Springer Verlag, 2003). The paper below models energy use in buildings, which could save considerable energy with well-designed buildings.
New porous biomaterials by replication of echinoderm skeletal microstructures.

AN important aspect of materials science is the development of new porous solids for prosthetic applications, especially for synthetic teeth and bone replacement. To be acceptable, such biomaterials must meet some rather demanding specifications, among which are high strength and compatibility with-body fluids or tissues. The structure of the porous medium is important as the pores must be both interconnected and have the proper size, shape and uniformity to permit ingrowth and attachment of body tissue. The problem lies in attaining the optimum combination of these properties to yield a high strength to weight ratio material, with a microstructure which best facilitates firm attachment of tissue. Ideally these materials should be easily machined or fashioned into particular shapes for different individual implants, and should be relatively inexpensive.
Counter-diffusion of isotopically labeled trichloroethylene in silica gel and geosorbent micropores : Model development

A new model was developed to determine if reduced uptake rates observed during isotope exchange experiments could plausibly be attributed to sterically hindered counter-diffusion in one-dimensional micropores. During exchange experiments, hydrogenated trichloroethylene ({sup 1}HTCE) was displaced with deuterated TCE (DTCE) in the slow-desorbing sites of a silica gel, a groundwater sediment, and a clay and silt fraction. To describe this process, the model accounts for co- and counter-diffusion of TCE isotopes in one-dimensional micropores, where each micropore type is defined by a single codiffusion rate constant and a single counter-diffusion rate constant. For silica gel, isotope exchange was simulated in a single micropore type. For geosorbents, isotope exchange was simulated in a distribution of micropore types characterized by a {gamma} distribution of diffusion rate constants. Simulation results indicate that (1) the proposed model accounts for the mechanisms controlling isotope exchange in the silica gel and the groundwater sediment and (2) the rate of counter-diffusion is up to 6 times slower than the rate of codiffusion. This suggests that steric hindrance between counter-diffusing sorbates can significantly affect mass transfer and, consequently, the transport of chemical mixtures in the subsurface.
Structure of a bacteriochlorophyll-protein from the green photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobium limicola: crystallographic evidence for a trimer.

Abstract Crystals of the bacteriochlorophyll-protein from the green photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobium limicola, previously described by J. M. Olson et al. (1969), have been re-examined by X-ray diffraction. The space group is P63, as reported in the earlier work, but revised cell dimensions, a = b = 112.4 ± 0.4 A , c = 98.4 ± 0.4 A , were obtained, leading to a unit cell volume one third of that reported previously. Correction of this error leads to the conclusion that the bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex must be a trimer consisting of three identical subunits arranged about a crystallographic symmetry axis. Also a new trigonal crystal form of the bacteriochlorophyll-protein has been obtained, and is consistent only with a molecule composed of three identical or near-identical subunits. Models of the molecular packing for both crystal forms are presented. The molecular weight of the bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex, determined from crystal density measurements, is (1.53 ± 0.23) × 105, and the overall molecular dimensions are about 55 A along the trimer axis, and 83 A at right angles to this. There are probably seven bacteriochlorophyll molecules in each subunit.
PHOTOPEAK METHOD FOR THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF GAMMA-RAY SPECTRA FROM SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS

Abstract A method is presented for computer analysis of γ-ray spectra from semiconductor detector systems. We describe a mathematical formalism for the representation of photopeaks and the continua in their vicinity which is applicable to analysis of spectra measured under widely varying conditions. With this formalism the line shape is defined for each peak in the spectrum. The region of data about a single peak or multiple peaks is then fitted with the shape functions and a function representing the background continuum. The line-shape calculations and the fitting are performed by using a least-squares procedure with an iterative gradient minimization method with variable metric. For an automatic analysis an algorithm is developed to search the raw data for statistically significant peaks. The method has been incorporated into a general-purpose Fortran computer program. In addition to searching and fitting single and multiple peaks, the code performs the energy, efficiency, and line-shape calibrations and makes complete statistical and calibration-error estimates. For establishing the goodness of fit for each peak the output also includes numerical and graphical representation of the fit. Optionally, an on-line cathode-ray- tube display system may be used to assure the completeness of the results even with very complex spectra. The code has been used with a variety of spectra from Ge(Li) detectors of varying resolution and active volume. The performance is evaluated with test cases and by comparing the results of complete computer and careful hand analysis of 177mLu and 72As spectra. Applications to spectroscopic measurements and routine data analysis are discussed.
Rule-governed missing information in spoken word recognition: schwa vowel deletion.

Vowel deletion is a phonological process in which an unstressed /∂/ (schwa) vowel is deleted during pronunciation. In Experiment 1, vowel-deleted and vowel-reduced versions of two- and three-syllable words rated for pronunciation acceptability showed reduced acceptability for deleted vowel versions with a greater decrement for two-syllable words. Experiments 2 and 3 used vowel-intact and voweldeleted productions preceded by themselves (repetition prime), their alternative production (variant prime), or a control (unrelated) prime. Lexical decisions to three-syllable vowel-intact and vowel-deleted targets, as well as to two-syllable vowel-intact targets, showed greater priming in the repetition conditions than in the variant conditions. Two-syllable vowel-deleted targets, however, showed comparable repetition and variant priming. The results are discussed in terms of lexical activation and representation of phonological variants. A model is offered in which activation based on similarity triggers utilization of phonological inferences only when required for successful recognition.
Nonelastic interactions of nucleons and pi mesons with complex nuclei at energies below 3 GeV.

Calculation of nonelastic interactions corresponding to continuum-state transitions using the intranuclear-cascade evaporation approach. Spallation yields, energy- and angle-dependent spectra, particle multiplicities, and nonelastic cross sections are calculated for incident nucleons and pi mesons with energies below 3 GeV on complex nuclei. Comparisons with experimental data are made, and, in general, the agreement is good. Discrepancies in these comparisons are discussed with respect to the deficiencies in the model.
Brain stem auditory, pattern-reversal visual, and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials: Latencies in relation to age, sex, and brain and body size

To determine standards of normality for auditory, somatosensory and visual evoked potentials commonly used in the assessment of neurological disease, 8 AEP, 1 VEP and 12 SEP components were recorded to stimulation of left and right ears, eyes, and median nerves in 286 normal subjects ranging in age from 4 to 95 years. Peak and interpeak latencies, and left-right differences in latency, were analyzed as a function of age, sex, and estimates of brain and body size. Major features of the results were: (1) Peak latencies of all components showed statistically significant increases in latency with age except that VEP P100 latency decreased significantly between 4 and 19 years and did not change between 20 and 59 years. (2) In adults the peak latencies of all components were significantly later in males than in females. For AEPs and VEPs these differences were explained by sex differences in brain size, and for adult SEPs were explained by sex differences in arm and shoulder dimensions. No significant sex differences in VEP and SEP latencies were seen in children. (3) Most interpeak latencies showed significant differences in relation to age or sex. (4) Age and sex are useful predictors of latency for nearly all peak and interpeak latencies; in addition, height is a useful predictor of SEP peak latencies. (5) Left-right latency differences showed little age-related, and no sex-related, change. The interlaboratory use of these or other normative data was discussed. It was concluded that these AEP and SEP norms can probably be used in other laboratories if stimulating and recording conditions are similar. However, VEP results are difficult to transfer due to the poorly understood effects of variation in stimulus conditions. Some issues regarding the optimal characterization of norms were also discussed.
Diverse waveform generation using semiconductor lasers for radar and microwave applications

The possibility of using semiconductor lasers to conveniently generate diverse microwave waveforms for radar and microwave applications is studied both numerically and experimentally. Such waveforms are generated from the dynamical states of semiconductor lasers in different perturbation schemes and varying operating conditions. Using an optical injection scheme, broad-band chaotic microwave waveforms and tunable narrow-band harmonic microwaves over a broad frequency range can be generated. Using an optoelectronic feedback scheme, chaotic pulsing, regular pulsing, frequency-locked pulsing, and quasi-periodic pulsing waveforms are generated. These optically generated microwave waveforms can be easily amplified and radiated out using microwave amplifiers and antennas. The power spectra, time series, and autocorrelation traces of such waveforms are studied. The peak-sidelobe level is calculated to quantitatively compare the correlation characteristics of these waveforms. A broad-band chaotic waveform with a clean single-spike /spl delta/-function-like correlation profile useful for radar and other applications that demand unambiguous correlation profile is demonstrated experimentally.
Visualization of multidimensional database

The concept of multidimensional databases has been extensively researched and wildly used in actual database application. It plays an important role in contemporary information technology, but due to the complexity of its inner structure, the database design is a complicated process and users are having a hard time fully understanding and using the database. An effective visualization tool for higher dimensional information system helps database designers and users alike. Most visualization techniques focus on displaying dimensional data using spreadsheets and charts. This may be sufficient for the databases having three or fewer dimensions but for higher dimensions, various combinations of projection operations are needed and a full grasp of total database architecture is very difficult. This study reviews existing visualization techniques for multidimensional database and then proposes an alternate approach to visualize a database of any dimension by adopting the tool proposed by Kiviat for software engineering processes. In this diagramming method, each dimension is represented by one branch of concentric spikes. This paper documents a C++ based visualization tool with extensive use of OpenGL graphics library and GUI functions. Detailed examples of actual databases demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness in visualizing multidimensional databases.
HiTS: A High Throughput Memory Scheduling Scheme to Mitigate Denial-of-Service Attacks in Multi-core Systems

Sharing DRAM memory by multiple cores in a computer system potentially exposes the running threads on cores to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. This issue is usually addressed by memory scheduling schemes that rotate the memory service among threads according to a certain ranking mechanism. These ranking-based schemes, however, often incur many memory banks' row-buffer conflicts which reduce the throughput of DRAM and the entire system. This paper proposes a new ranking-based memory scheduling scheme, called HiTS, to mitigate DoS attacks in multicore systems with the lowest performance degradation. HiTS achieves these by ranking threads according to each thread's memory usage/requirement. HiTS then enforces the ranking in a way that minimum performance overhead would occur and fairness is also balanced. The effectiveness of HiTS is evaluated by simulations with 18 different workloads running on 8- and 16-core machines. The simulation results show up to 15.8% improvements in terms of unfairness reduction and 24.1% in system throughput compared with the best existing scheduling scheme.
Integration and Design of Piezoceramic Elements in Intelligent Structures

The design of induced strain elements (actuators) is a comprehensive issue, involving not only the materials and geometry of the elements, but also the behaviors of the coupled host structures. In particular, the design of the active elements is essentially related to the prediction of induced strain or stress in the elements. A high stress or strain level in the actuators is useful to excite host structures; however, degradation or fatigue damage of the actuators may take place at the same time. This paper presents a dynamic analytical approach for the design and integration of active piezoceramic (PZT) patch elements locally coupled with host structures. Several critical design issues are addressed. These issues include the determination of the actuator dynamic outputs, the prediction of energy conversion efficiency, the estimation of system power requirement, and the limitation of induced alternate peak stress. A coupled electro-mechanical analytical model was developed to reveal the inherent connections among these issues. Both the mechanical stress behavior and the thermal stress characteristics of the PZT patch elements were investigated. A system power consumption-based model was developed to estimate the temperature and thermal stress distribution of the elements. The attention in parametric design was directed to the thickness and location of the elements. A simply-supported thin plate with surface-bonded PZT patches was built and tested to directly measure the induced dynamic strain of the PZT element so that the prediction accuracy and ability of the design model has been validated.
Biomimetic precipitation of uniaxially grown calcium phosphate crystals from full-length human amelogenin sols

Human dental enamel forms over a period of 2 – 4 years by substituting the enamel matrix, a protein gel mostly composed of a single protein, amelogenin with fibrous apatite nanocrystals. Self-assembly of a dense amelogenin matrix is presumed to direct the growth of apatite fibers and their organization into bundles that eventually comprise the mature enamel, the hardest tissue in the mammalian body. This work aims to establish the physicochemical and biochemical conditions for the synthesis of fibrous apatite crystals under the control of a recombinant full-length human amelogenin matrix in combination with a programmable titration system. The growth of apatite substrates was initiated from supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions in the presence of dispersed amelogenin assemblies. It was shown earlier and confirmed in this study that binding of amelogenin onto apatite surfaces presents the first step that leads to substrate-specific crystal growth. In this work, we report enhanced nucleation and growth under conditions at which amelogenin and apatite carry opposite charges and adsorption of the protein onto the apatite seeds is even more favored. Experiments at pH below the isoelectric point of amelogenin showed increased protein binding to apatite and at low Ca/P molar ratios resulted in a change in crystal morphology from plate-like to fibrous and rod-shaped. Concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in the supernatant did not show drastic decreases throughout the titration period, indicating controlled precipitation from the protein suspension metastable with respect to calcium phosphate. It is argued that ameloblasts in the developing enamel may vary the density of the protein matrix at the nano scale by varying local pH, and thus control the interaction between the mineral and protein phases. The biomimetic experimental setting applied in this study has thus proven as convenient for gaining insight into the fundamental nature of the process of amelogenesis.
Why Do Employees Stay? A Qualitative Exploration of Employee Tenure

This study attempted to identify common characteristics of long-term restaurant employees through employee interviews. The results of this study indicated that certain themes emerged that were found to be common in these long-term employees, such as financial need to work and having friends who work. Incorporating these themes into structured interviews could aid managers in better employee selection.
Transcriptional regulation by Foxp3 is associated with direct promoter occupancy and modulation of histone acetylation.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) express Foxp3, a forkhead family member that is necessary and sufficient for Treg lineage choice and function. Ectopic expression of Foxp3 in non-Treg leads to repression of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon γ (IFNγ) genes, gain of suppressor function, and induction of genes such as CD25, GITR, and CTLA-4, but the mode by which Foxp3 enforces this program is unclear. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we have demonstrated that Foxp3 binds to the endogenous IL-2 and IFNγ loci in T cells, but only after T cell receptor stimulation. This activation-induced Foxp3 binding was abrogated by cyclosporin A, suggesting a role for the phosphatase calcineurin in Foxp3 function. We have also shown that binding of Foxp3 to the IL-2 and IFNγ genes induces active deacetylation of histone H3, a process that inhibits chromatin remodeling and opposes gene transcription. Conversely, binding of Foxp3 to the GITR, CD25, and CTLA-4 genes results in increased histone acetylation. These data indicate that Foxp3 may regulate transcription through direct chromatin remodeling and show that Foxp3 function is influenced by signals from the TCR.
Joseph Schumpeter: the long run, and the short

Despite the short-run elements in his work, Schumpeter succeeded in drawing economists back in the other direction. This paper examines Schumpeter’s formal, analytical micro-model of entrepreneurship and innovation, which laid the groundwork for a workable micro-model of the long-run growth process. Schumpeter’s enduring work continues to guide effective policy, though concern for the general welfare permits neither the long run nor the short run to be ignored.
Language Revitalization and Identity in Social Context: A Community-Based Athabascan Language Preservation Project in Western Interior Alaska

This study documents a language planning effort funded by an Administration for Native Americans Grant to the Tanana Chiefs Conference, a regional nonprofit tribal organization. The language revitalization project focuses on western interior Alaska and encompasses five traditional Athabascan languages with few remaining speakers. Project discussions included options for language planning, training activities, and educational program and materials development that would enhance language survival. Three dominant project themes are identified and discussed. They are (1) critique and resistance, (2) self-determination and activism, and (3) collaboration and leadership.
A low rank weighted matrix approximation method for robust estimation of sinusoid parameters

Techniques based on linear prediction (LP) and the singular value decomposition (SVD) for the robust estimation of the parameters of closely spaced exponentially damped sinusoidal signals in additive noise are extended and improved. An iterative method of fitting lower-rank least squares approximations subject to a general choice of weights is used. The method is applied to data sequences consisting of one and two signals with impulsive noise or with missing data samples. >
A Process of Entrapment in and Recovery from an Abusive Relationship

The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of being abused within the context of a significant relationship and to explain how the nature of the relationship influences the choices a woman makes over time. The sample consisted of 30 women who were currently in or who had already left an abusive relationship. A semistructured, open-ended interview was used to obtain data on the duration, frequency, and severity of abuse sustained by women while in abusive relationships. Data were analyzed using constant comparative and domain analyses. An independent analyst determined that codes developed were reliable. A four-phase process describing entrapment in and recovery from an abusive relationship was generated: binding, enduring, disengaging, and recovering are phases through which a woman passes progressively as the meaning she ascribes to her abusive experience, her interactions with her partner, and her self-change. The process is cumulative and multidimensional.
New results in the existence of complex covariance estimates

The problem of generating a positive definite maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of a complex Toeplitz covariance matrix given one N-length data vector is considered. The data vector is assumed to be drawn from a complex Gaussian population with mean zero and covariance sigma /sup 2/I. An upper bound is derived on the measure of the set of such N-length data vectors such that, for one data vector, the ML estimation procedure yields a positive definite solution. These data vectors are denoted as those that do not satisfy the failure condition of the ML estimation procedure, and it is shown that the measure of the set of such data vectors is small and converges to zero as the length of the data vector increases. >
Dual effects of ammonium chloride on purine biosynthesis de novo in ehrlich ascites-tumor cells in vitro

Abstract The effects of NH 4 Cl on the first steps in purine biosynthesis de novo in Ehrlich ascites-tumor cells in vitro have been studied to explore the possibility that a postulated non-enzymatic NH 3 -utilizing reaction for the synthesis of phosphoribosylamine exists in these cells in addition to the glutamine-utilizing phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (ribosylamine-5-phosphate: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyl transferase (glutamate-amidating), EC 2.4.2.14) reaction. The addition of NH 4 Cl to tumor cells stimulated the first reactions in purine biosynthesis de novo . This stimulation was shown to be due to an increased intracellular concentration of glutamine, and was reduced by feedback inhibition to the same extent as was synthesis de novo of purine stimulated by glutamine. NH 4 Cl also inhibited the stimulation of this process usually elicited by glutamine. This inhibition was shown not to be due to non-specific toxicity or to changes in the uptake or metabolism of glutamine by the cells. It is concluded that both the stimulation of purine biosynthesis de novo by NH 4 Cl and its inhibition of glutamine stimulation of this process can be explained on the basis of the interaction of NH 3 or NH 4 + with phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase. No evidence for a non-enzymatic NH 3 -utilizing reaction was obtained, but one may occur under different conditions.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme–Induced Activation of Local Angiotensin Signaling Is Required for Ascending Aortic Aneurysms in Fibulin-4–Deficient Mice

Aortic aneurysms are life-threatening and often associated with defects in connective tissues and mutations in smooth muscle cell (SMC) contractile proteins. Despite recent advances in understanding altered signaling in aneurysms of Marfan syndrome, the underlying mechanisms and options for pharmacological treatment for other forms of aneurysms are still under investigation. We previously showed in mice that deficiency in the fibulin-4 gene in vascular SMCs ( Fbln4 SMKO ) leads to loss of the SMC contractile phenotype, hyperproliferation, and ascending aortic aneurysms. We report that abnormal up-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in SMCs and subsequent activation of angiotensin II (AngII) signaling are involved in the onset of aortic aneurysms in Fbln4 SMKO mice. In this model, aneurysm formation was completely prevented by inhibition of the AngII pathway with losartan or captopril within a narrow therapeutic window during the first month of life, even though the altered mechanical properties of blood vessel walls were not reversed by the pharmacological treatment. The therapeutic effects of losartan in Fbln4 SMKO mice do not require the AngII receptor type 2 (Agtr2) but likely require both type 1a (Agtr1a) and 1b (Agtr1b) receptors. The results indicate that fibulin-4 is a vascular matrix component required for regulation of local angiotensin signaling and development and maintenance of the SMC phenotype.
A generalized family of coefficients of relational agreement for numerical scales

A family of coefficients of relational agreement for numerical scales is proposed. The theory is a generalization to multiple judges of the Zegers and ten Berge theory of association coefficients for two variables and is based on the premise that the choice of a coefficient depends on the scale type of the variables, defined by the class of admissible transformations. Coefficients of relational agreement that denote agreement with respect to empirically meaningful relationships are derived for absolute, ratio, interval, and additive scales. The proposed theory is compared to intraclass correlation, and it is shown that the coefficient of additivity is identical to one measure of intraclass correlation.
Probabilistic load flow analysis for power systems with multi-correlated wind sources

This paper presents a new probabilistic load flow algorithm which takes consideration of multi-correlated wind sources in the power network. The paper first uses linear approximation to obtain the injected power distribution of wind farm by considering cut-in and cut-out wind speed. Then a 5-point discrete distribution is deduced by the point estimation method. Based on the copula method, a bivariate model which can model the correlation between the wind farms is also developed. The spatiotemporal dependencies of two wind farms are analyzed and discussed. In order to model the high dimensional joint distribution, a combination method, which combines all possible bivariate distributions, is introduced to reduce the dimensional of multivariate distribution for the situation of more than two correlated wind farms. The proposed algorithms have been tested using the IEEE118 bus test system. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm can actually capture the probabilistic characteristics of the power systems with multi-correlated wind sources.
Controlling Cu electroplating to prevent sporadic voiding in Cu 3 Sn

One reliability concern, when soldering to a Cu surface finish, is the sporadic mechanical degradation of solder joints due to the formation and growth of voids within the interfacial Cu 3 Sn intermetallic compound (IMC) layer and at its interface with the Cu pad structure. Excess organic impurity incorporation during Cu electroplating has been shown to cause this problem. The level of impurity incorporation is found to depend greatly on interactions between the plating additive chemistry and the plating process parameters. A general picture has been developed, based upon the parabolic adsorption behavior of organic molecules on metal electrodes in aqueous plating solutions as a function of the applied potential. Thus the propensity for voiding, in soldering and subsequent thermal aging, can be manipulated by varying a range of plating parameters. The mechanistic understanding required to devise practical control is outlined. Any remaining research required for the formulation of step-by-step process guidelines is identified.
Contrast ultrasound molecular imaging of inflammation in cardiovascular disease

The cellular immune response plays an important role in almost every major form of cardiovascular disease. The ability to image the key aspects of the immune response in the clinical setting could be used to improve diagnostic information, to provide important prognostic or risk information, and to customize therapy according to disease phenotype. Accordingly, targeted imaging probes for assessing inflammation have been developed for essentially all forms of medical imaging. Molecular imaging of inflammation with contrast ultrasound relies on the detection of targeted microbubble or other gas-filled particle contrast agents. These agents are confined to the vascular space and, hence, have been targeted to either activated leucocytes or endothelial cell adhesion molecules that are upregulated in inflammation and mediate leucocyte recruitment and adhesion. This review focuses on the inflammation-targeting strategies for ultrasound contrast agents and how they have been matched to cardiovascular disease states such as myocardial ischaemia, infarction, atherosclerosis, transplant rejection, and arteriogenesis.
What NeuroQuantology Is Up Against: Deconstruction of a Negative Editorial

An editorial and associated article, which take a rather derisive stance toward neuroquantology, is subjected to the technique of deconstruction. Deconstruction, a proper technique to use against a prevailing paradigm that precludes self-criticism, focuses on “marginalia,” symptoms of textual tension which serve as incisions for discussion. The article following the editorial points at quantum brain dynamics by specifically excluding it from discussion, and without foundation segues to the holomovement of David Bohm. Following these marginal cues a Bohmian dissipative quantum brain dynamics is sketched. This deconstructive response to criticism of quantum brain theory highlights the revolutionary paradigm shift that neuroquantology brings.
Lead, mercury, selenium, and other trace elements in tissues of golden eagles from southwestern Montana, USA.

Lead-based rifle bullets, used in game hunting and recreational shooting, fragment when striking bone and soft tissues. Lead fragments may be ingested by birds scavenging offal piles or nonretrieved carcasses and therefore pose a poisoning risk. We captured and sampled 74 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in southwestern Montana, USA, from 2008 to 2010 to evaluate levels of lead, mercury, selenium, and 13 other trace elements in blood and feathers. Lead was detected in blood of most (97%, n=70) eagles; mean blood level was 0.26 parts per million (ppm). Most eagles (65%) had background levels ( 1.0 ppm) in blood. Lead in blood decreased from winter to spring. Resident eagles had higher lead levels than eagles of unknown residency. Mercury was detected in few eagles, whereas selenium was detected in all, but at a low level (0.36 ppm). Other chemical elements in blood were at low or biologically ...