cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of the mechanism determined by isothermal methods to errors in α

Abstract The effects of errors in α on the mechanism of a solid state reaction giving the best fit to isothermal (α, t ) data were investigated. Errors were introduced into part or all of each data set for first-order and A2 processes. In general, the errors required to produce a change in the indicated rate law were similar in magnitude to those required to produce a change in mechanism by the Reich and Stivala procedure for nonisothermal data. In some cases, errors in α as small as + 0.010 can result in a different rate law giving a better fit to the data.
Modulation of vasopressin actions on human platelets by plasma adenosine and theophylline: gender differences.

SUMMARY Freshly drawn blood samples from seven female and seven male healthy donors were used. Arginine8-vasopressin (AVP) effects on platelet aggregation and serotonin (5-HT) release were examined in adenosine-depleted platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and PRP containing normal amounts of plasma adenosine. No significant differences in the plasma adenosine levels were noted between female (208 ± 90 nM) and male (239 ± 85 nM) subjects, but significant differences in AVP-induced platelet aggregation and 5-HT release were noted between female and male subjects. In adenosine-depleted PRP, platelets from most female donors could be aggregated irreversibly at low levels of AVP (18 mU/ml, or 42 nM), whereas platelets from most male donors responded poorly and caused only reversible aggregation at much higher AVP levels (108–720 mU/ml PRP or 252–1,680 nM). In contrast, in PRP containing normal amounts of adenosine, AVP response to induce platelet aggregation was much weaker, demonstrating that adenosine acts as a natural modulator of AVP actions. Theophylline and a relatively selective A2 antagonist DMPX (3,7-dimethyl-l-propargylxanthine) attenuate the plasma adenosine effects causing potentiation in AVP activity on platelet aggregation. These studies suggest that agents that can increase plasma adenosine levels (e.g., inhibitors of nucleoside transport and adenosine deaminase), or adenosine receptor antagonists, may have potential therapeutic uses in modulation of AVP actions in the body. Furthermore, the human platelet serves as a suitable pharmacologie model to study interactions between biologically produced adenosine and AVP.
Cortical refractoriness to N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid (NMA) stimulation in the lactating rat : recovery after pup removal and blockade of progesterone receptors

Abstract We have previously reported that lactating rats, unlike cycling rats, are refractory to N -methyl- d,l -aspartic acid (NMA), but not kainate, in terms of behavioral responses and activation of cFos expression in the neocortex and hippocampus. To study the factors involved in the suppression of cortical activation in lactating rats in response to NMA, we examined the effects of removing either the suckling stimulus and/or progesterone. The degree of cFos expression was used as a marker for cortical activation. Whereas control suckled animals exhibited little or no cFos activation in the piriform cortex in response to NMA, cycling rats showed a high degree of activation. Blockade of the effects of progesterone or removal of the pups for 24 h, resulted in a moderate level of cFos intensity in response to NMA. Total recovery was observed only in animals who had their pups removed for 24 h and the effects of progesterone were blockad. In general, similar results were obtained in the hippocampus except that the total recovery of hippocampal activation took longer than the cortex. Thus, the deficits in cortical activation depend on the presence of both the suckling stimulus and progesterone. However, progesteron alone cannot induced these cortical deficits since pregnant rats showed no deficits in cortical activation in response to NMA when compared to cycling rats. Therefore, the suckling stimulus is required for the inhibition of NMDA-receptor mediated activation of the cortex and hippocampus. The effects of progesterone appear to act synergistically with the effects of suckling.
Studies on the effect of exercise on cardiovascular function. III. Cardiovascular response to exercise in patients with healed myocardial infarction.

Attempts to follow changes in blood pressure induced by exercise, using indirect sphygmomanometry, have yielded conflicting results. In the following study, blood pressure measurements were made at rest (standing), during a standard treadmill work load, and during a six-minute recovery period, using a direct method and a suitably damped recording system. It was found that during exercise systolic pressure rises and that diastolic pressure falls, the net result being very little change in the mean pressure. In some subjects there is a secondary rise in all three items between 10 and 30 seconds after cessation of exercise. Changes in pulse rate during exercise and recovery are also discussed.
A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO TREATING A GRIEVING 2 1/2-YEAR-OLD

The importance of the mother-child relationship in the first years of life has been documented by numerous studies in recent years, notably the contributions of Bowlby (1969) ; Hartmann et al. (1946); and Heinicke and Westheimer (1965). Theory and practice indicate that with the gratification of instinctual libidinal drives, the young child develops satisfactory object relationships which promote his readiness to make a transition from one developmental stage to the next until he has achieved, in adulthood, the kind of development which permits mature object love. This kind of maturity comes from an accrued sense of identity or self-love. If loss occurs after the achievement of a positive self-identity, the adult can accept with less trauma the separation from a significant love object. As Modell (1968) emphasized, one must be a loving parent to oneself before one can accept separateness. For the young child, involved in the process of becoming or already attached to the mother or other caring person, the interruption of these ties by death or separation can produce developmental disturbances. The severity of. the disturbance is dependent on the preloss stage of psychological development achieved by the child (of which age is naturally a factor), the length of separation, the manner in which the loss is handled, and the availability of other maternal, nurturing persons with whom the child can form substitute attachments. The child, like the adult, when faced with separation of the
Task values and ability beliefs as predictors of high school literacy choices: A developmental analysis.

This study examines how competence beliefs and task values predict high school achievement choices related to literacy. Students' task beliefs (self-concept of ability, intrinsic value, and importance) about reading in the 4th grade and English in the 10th grade were tracked over time. Task beliefs, school performance, and gender were used to predict students' (a) time per week spent reading for pleasure in 10th grade, (b) number of language arts courses per year of high school, and (c) reading relatedness of 12th-grade career aspirations. Results indicated that ability beliefs positively predicted all 3 outcomes, importance predicted career aspirations and course choices, and intrinsic value predicted leisure time reading and high school courses. Gender differences were also discussed.
Human neutrophil-derived elastase induces airway smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract Neutrophils and their derived elastase are abundant in chronic inflammatory responses of asthma. This study aimed to investigate the mitogenic effect of elastase on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and the implicated signal transduction pathway. Near confluent cultured human ASM cells were treated with human neutrophil elastase (HNE, 0.01 to 0.5 μg/ml) or vehicle for 24 hours with or without extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (PD98059, 30 μM), p38 kinase inhibitor (SB203580, 10 μM) or elastase inhibitor II (100 μg/ml). The ASM cell numbers were counted by a hemocytometer and DNA synthesis was assessed by flowcytometry. Western blots analysis for the expression of ERK, p38 and cyclin D1 was determined. HNE dose-dependently increased ASM cell numbers and the percentage of cells entering S-phase of cell cycle. This response was abolished by neutrophil elastase inhibitors and attenuated by PD98059, but not SB203580. HNE increased ERK phosphorylation and cyclin D 1 expression. Pretreatment with PD98059 significantly inhibited elastase-induced cyclin D1 activity. The increased ASM cellular gap and cell shape change by proteolytic activity of HNE may be contributory to ERK activation and therefore cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that HNE is mitogenic for ASM cells by increasing cyclin D1 activity through ERK signaling pathway.
Chemical and Instrumental Methods of Flavor Analysis

Abstract Recent advances in separation, physical measurement equipment, and manipulation techniques have made it possible to obtain information in flavor investigations which were very difficult to study previously. Capacity and resolution of gas-chromatography columns have been improved. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry have been combined to give information for identification purposes with submicrogram quantities. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies are now possible with submilligram quantities of purified material. Raman spectra are also obtainable with submilligram quantities to supplement infrared spectral data. Thus, chemical structure determinations can now be made with only submilligram quantities with good certainty.
Women's Stories, Discourse, and “the Power of Feelings” in China: A Case from a Muslim Neighborhood

Abstract In this essay I investigate the interplay of personal, cultural, and official meanings in a brief autobiographical narrative told to me by a 79 year-old Chinese Muslim (Hui) woman from the old Muslim district of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province (China). Ethnographers of China have investigated the role that state discourse plays in Chinese citizens' historical narratives. Official discourse is said to constitute Chinese citizens' subjectivity and Chinese citizens' use of official language is said to promote statist agendas. Little attention has been paid to the ways that individual sentiment affects Chinese citizens' use of government discourse or cultural conventions. By comparing this woman's recollections to official narratives about women's lives and the accounts of other Chinese citizens, and by contextualizing her story in her biographical circumstances, I show that her use of state discourse and other cultural symbols are animated by personal emotional meanings catalyzed by her intimate personal ...
Structural dynamics of muscle protein phosphorylation

We have used site-directed spectroscopic probes to detect structural changes, motions, and interactions due to phosphorylation of proteins involved in the regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation. Protein crystal structures provide static snapshots that provide clues to the conformations that are sampled dynamically by proteins in the cellular environment. Our site-directed spectroscopic experiments, combined with computational simulations, extend these studies into functional assemblies in solution, and reveal details of protein regions that are too dynamic or disordered for crystallographic approaches. Here, we discuss phosphorylation-mediated structural transitions in the smooth muscle myosin regulatory light chain, the striated muscle accessory protein myosin binding protein-C, and the cardiac membrane Ca2+ pump modulator phospholamban. In each of these systems, phosphorylation near the N terminus of the regulatory protein relieves an inhibitory interaction between the phosphoprotein and its regulatory target. Several additional unifying themes emerge from our studies: (a) The effect of phosphorylation is not to change the affinity of the phosphoprotein for its regulated binding partner, but to change the structure of the bound complex without dissociation. (b) Phosphorylation induces transitions between order and dynamic disorder. (c) Structural states are only loosely coupled to phosphorylation; i.e., complete phosphorylation induces dramatic functional effects with only a partial shift in the equilibrium between ordered and disordered structural states. These studies, which offer atomic-resolution insight into the structural and functional dynamics of these phosphoproteins, were inspired in part by the ground-breaking work in this field by Michael and Kate Barany.
Effect of antibiotics on mortality from internal radiation.

SummaryStreptomycin and penicillin in combination proved effective in reducing the mortality of rats given lethal doses of radioactive phosphorus. Morbidity was also reduced and survival time prolonged.
Carrier-wave telephony over power lines: Early history [History of Communications]

In this column we discuss the early history of power line voice communication, beginning in 1918 and continuing until the early 1930s. We note that these developments were based on the 1910 demonstration by Major George Squier of the United States Army Signal Corps of his "wired wireless" technique for transmitting multiple telephone channels over one pair of wires. Power companies world-wide picked up on this carrier-wave telephony technique for use over power lines, with electrical manufacturing companies such as GE and Westinghouse in the United States and Telefunken in Germany, among others, then developing a variety of systems for this purpose. By 1930, the technique had reached a period of maturity, with 1000 systems installed throughout Europe and the United States.
The Making of a Trinitarian Theologian: The Holy Spirit in Charles Wesley's Sermons

This article contends that, from 1738 to 1742, Charles Wesley developed a robust account of the work of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, by integrating his reflections on pneumatology into his wider theology, he evolved from a largely binitarian to a decidedly trinitarian understanding of salvation. While the article focuses primarily on the emergence of a strong pneumatology in Charles Wesley's undisputed sermons, it also provides occasional sideways glances at similar themes in his hymns and poetry.
Multilinear techniques in pólya enumeration theory

A finite dimensional multilinear algebraic point of view is adopted to study the theory of enumeration under a group action. The classical results of Polya, deBruijn, and others are presented. These results are extended in various ways. These extensions include the study of patterns with prescribed symmetry or with prescribed boundary conditions. The non-discrete nature of the underlying multilinear structure is utilized to present several models for the random generation of patterns.
Alcohol consumption and the risk of borderline and invasive ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective To examine the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is associated with the risk of ovarian cancer by conducting a population-based, case–control study in Hawaii and Los Angeles, California. Methods In-person interviews were obtained from 558 women with ovarian cancer and 607 population controls regarding lifetime alcohol consumption and other factors that may be related to the development of ovarian cancer. Results We found no overall association of alcohol drinking with the odds ratios (OR) for ovarian cancer. However, current alcohol drinkers, but not former drinkers, had a significantly lower OR for ovarian cancer compared with never drinkers (OR 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50, 0.96). Odds ratios for ovarian cancer associated with the current consumption of beer, wine, and spirits were also reduced, but were only significant for wine drinkers. Among current wine drinkers, women who drank red wine had a significantly reduced OR for ovarian cancer compared with never drinkers (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39, 0.94). The inverse association of current alcohol drinking with the OR for ovarian cancer was restricted to invasive tumors, especially the endometrioid cell type. The number of glasses of alcohol consumed on a weekly basis was inversely related to the OR for invasive ovarian cancer ( P = .009): Current drinkers consuming 14 or more drinks per week had an OR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.19, 0.70) compared with never drinkers. A significantly increased risk of borderline serous tumors was associated with the use of spirits (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.46, 4.85). The risk for borderline mucinous tumors was also significantly elevated for former wine drinkers. Conclusion These findings suggest that the association of alcohol consumption with the OR for ovarian cancer may vary by alcohol type, tumor invasiveness, and histology.
Kinetic parameter estimation using a closed-form expression via integration by parts

Dynamic emission computed tomographic imaging with compartment modeling can quantify in vivo physiologic processes, eliciting more information regarding underlying molecular disease processes than is obtained from static imaging. However, estimation of kinetic rate parameters for multi-compartment models can be computationally demanding and problematic due to local minima. A number of techniques for kinetic parameter estimation have been studied and are in use today, generally offering a tradeoff between computation time, robustness of fit and flexibility with differing sets of assumptions. This paper presents a means to eliminate all differential operations by using the integration-by-parts method to provide closed-form formulas, so that the mathematical model is less sensitive to data sampling and noise. A family of closed-form formulas are obtained. Computer simulations show that the proposed method is robust without having to specify the initial condition.
A base for a mobile programming system

An algorithm for a macro processor which has been used as the base of an implementation, by bootstrapping, of processors for programming languages is described. This algorithm can be easily implemented on contemporary computing machines. Experience with programming languages whose implementation is based on this algorithm indicates that such a language can be transferred to a new machine in less than one man-week without using the old machine.
Shortwave radiation climatonomy

Functional relations are discussed which express absorbing and scattering processes of shortwave radiation in the atmosphere. A simplified model is derived in which only overall intensities (integrated over the spectral band of insolation) are considered. Balance requirements are established which relate “top albedo” to effective absorption in the air and by the ground, both as fractions of extra-atmospheric irradiance. Measurements of diffuse radiation from the sky, in addition to global radiation, are used to specify scattering versus absorption components of aerosol attenuation for clear-sky conditions with known liquid water content and Rayleigh scattering. Data from three continental locations are selected which are representative of clear-sky attenuation over a desert (La Joya, Peru), an open prairie (O'Neill, Nebraska), and an industrialized urban area (Kew, England). The ratio of absorption to scattering shows significant systematic variation, city aerosol being more efficient as absorber, desert aerosol more as a scatterer. Effects are calculated which result from a systematic variation of (1) surface albedo, (2) liquid water content, (3) aerosol, and (4) cloud cover. Among other results it is demonstrated how top albedo (measurable nowadays from orbiting or synchronous satellites) will react to changes in surface albedo and aerosol scattering. It is also shown numerically, how cloud effects on global radiation are modified by the existing turbidity conditions in the cloudless air. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1969.tb00433.x
Respiratory kinematics in classical (opera) singers.

Anteroposterior diameter changes of the rib cage and abdomen were recorded during respiratory, speaking, and singing activities in six adult male subjects, all baritones with extensive classical si...
Smoking and immunomodulators do not influence the response or duration of response to infliximab in Crohn's disease

Objective: Clinical predictors for infliximab response are still unknown. Identifying predictors of response to infliximab in Crohn's disease may improve our selection of patients. Methods: Two hundred patients with luminal (61%) or fistulous (39%) Crohn's disease and at least 6 months of follow-up following a total of 416 infliximab infusions were evaluated. Clinical response and duration of response were the primary endpoints. Results: Patients with fistulous disease had a higher response rate (83% versus 70%, P = 0.044) and a significantly longer duration of response compared with patients with luminal disease (17.4 versus 10.1 wks, P = 0.017). For luminal disease, nonsmokers and smokers had similar response rates (74% versus 64%, P = 0.5) and similar durations of response (9.4 wks versus 8.4 wks P = 0.6) while patients taking concurrent immunomodulators had similar response rates compared with those not taking immunomodulators (74% versus 71%, P = 0.9) and similar durations of response (10.4 wks versus 10.6 wks, P = 0.9). For fistulous disease, response rates (89% versus 83%P = 0.9) and duration of response (16.9 wks versus 10.1 wks, P = 0.10) were similar between nonsmokers and smokers and concurrent immunomodulators had no effect on response (89% versus 86%, P = 0.9) or duration of response (19.8 wks versus 15.4 wks, P = 0.46). Multivariable analysis confirmed that neither smoking, corticosteroids, immunomodulator therapy, gender, age, age of disease onset, disease duration, nor luminal disease location significantly influenced response or duration of response. Conclusions: Patients with fistulous disease had a higher response rate and a significantly longer duration of response compared with patients with luminal disease. However, among patients with luminal or fistulous disease, neither smoking nor immunomodulators had any effect on response or duration of response.
A bonded provisional fixed prosthesis to be worn after implant surgery.

Summary The procedure described provides an esthetic means for inserting a provisional fixed restoration immediately after implant placement surgery. When this procedure is used, it is not necessary to prepare the abutment teeth adjacent to the surgical site for subsequent fixed restorations. This provisional restorative procedure may also be used immediately after extraction of teeth, when abutment tooth preparation is not desired or possible, or after stage II implant surgery when healing caps are inserted.
Spectral studies of the ferritin core and related iron(III) polymers

Abstract Electronic absorption and Mossbauer spectral data have been evaluated for the iron(III) oxy-hydroxy-phosphate core of the iron storage protein ferritin and two model compounds isolated from hydrolyzed iron(III) nitrate solutions. The two model compounds are shown to contain, exclusively, octahedral iron(III) coordination units of the type [Fe(III)O6]. The spectral results indicate substantial octahedral iron(III) coordination for the ferritin core, but do not rule out the presence of other structures, including tetrahedral, for some of the metal centers.
Self-interest and public funding of education

Abstract The objective of this paper is to study whether publicly funded education can emerge as a political and economic equilibrium in an overlapping generations economy in which selfish agents vote for public funding of education. The presence of complementarities between capital and labor in the production function implies that, by improving the skills of next period’s workers, public funding of education increases the return on capital. As a result, savers will support a publicly financed education system in order to enhance their future income. A version of the model calibrated using U.S. data generates large shares of GNP allocated to education. Hence the non-altruistic incentive to support public education is quantitatively important.
CALIFORNIA OIL SPILL DISPERSANT PLAN-ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH COOPERATION

ABSTRACT The use of dispersants in marine waters off California requires detailed foresight and planning. In an effort to expedite a decision to use dispersants and reduce first strike response tim...
The Inverse of Power

This article explores anthropology, power, and political engagement first by examining Eric Wolf's approach to power. His concern with structural power challenges our understanding of power as involving imposition and unequal outcomes. It then moves on to consider how ethnographers identify power, from overt conflicts to subtle hegemonies. Although the various ethnographic strategies are insightful, the full extent of structural power does not and cannot emerge directly from empirical material. It requires, in addition, comparisons to other possible states of affairs arising from the theories and values of the social analyst. They function as the inverse of power, illustrating its presence and workings by contrasts. These `counterpart ideals' are ever-present in anthropology and other social sciences, yet we rarely talk about them openly or acknowledge their role in our analysis. One cannot identify a single true or foundational counterpart ideal, yet we can have an open dialogue about them, grounded in r...
Distinct age-matched serum biomarker profiles in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Immunological functions decline with age. Because MS/SzS predominately affects the elderly, it is important to distinguish age-related from cancer-specific changes. Also, MF and SzS are malignancies of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, further compromising an immune state of the patients. The objectives of this study were to distinguish disease-specific immunological deterioration by performing comparative age-matched Luminex multiplex assessment of 34 serum biomarkers between patients with MF/SzS, HIV-infected individuals and normal controls. Controlling for age, expression level appears to significantly differ between patients with MF/SzS and controls for the following biomarkers: G-CSF, IL-5, MIP-1β, TNF-α, VEGF, EOTAXIN, IL-8, IL-12, IL-2R, IP10, MCP-1, MIG, TNFR1 and TNFR2 (P < 0.05), while others showed normal age-related changes. Interestingly, cluster analysis placed MF/SzS profiles closer to HIV. This further underscores an immunologically compromised state of patients with MF/SzS and suggests its potential self-perpetuating role in disease progression.
Fatal Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Hemorrhagic Pneumonia: A Unique Infectious Syndrome Complicating Acute Leukemia

Abstract Opportunistic infections are a leading cause of death in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia. Bacterial infections in this population are common, and virulent Gram-negative organisms pose an ever-growing threat because of the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, prolonged myelosuppression, and protracted hospitalizations. Recently, a characteristic infectious syndrome of fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia attributed to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was described in cytopenic patients with acute leukemia who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. We report another fatal case and review the literature on this recently described infectious syndrome.
Predicting polymer melt behavior near the inception of wall slip in oscillatory shear

Abstract Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments on molten high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conducted by Hatzikiriakos and Dealy have shown that the shear stress response is highly unstable above a critical shear stress amplitude of σc = 0.09 MPa. The contour of this critical stress amplitude on a Pipkin diagram is termed the slip isopleth. For stresses well below the slip isopleth, transient network theory has been shown to describe the LAOS behavior of this material accurately. However, the slip isopleth predicted by this theory is well below the measured isopleth. This discrepancy suggests that there could be a region on a Pipkin plot, where wall slip can occur, without giving rise to unstable stresses.
New insights into the evolution of the relaxin–LGR signaling system

Recent studies have characterized two orphan G-protein-coupled receptors, LGR7 and LGR8, as relaxin receptors. Although these studies have revealed the signaling mechanisms of relaxin and related peptides, the finding that there are more relaxin family peptides than there are coevolved receptors has confounded our understanding of the physiological role of LGR signaling. Phylogenetic analysis of LGRs and coevolved relaxin family peptides from different metazoans suggests that, whereas the number of relaxin receptors remained constant during vertebrate evolution, the ancestor gene for relaxin duplicated multiple times in a vertebrate branch-specific manner. Therefore, relaxin family peptides from different branches of vertebrates might have adapted to distinct physiological roles via a limited number of genes encoding receptors. Illustration of the evolution of this unique group of signaling molecules provides an opportunity to reveal not only the physiological processes regulated by relaxin family peptides that have been characterized biochemically, but also the signaling of orphan ligands in the relaxin family of genes.
Semiconductor innovation into the next decade

Semiconductor innovation through a new paradigm of 3D×3D System Scaling can carry the industry into the next decade. Besides the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data analytics, we can imagine a bionic age emerging with digitally-enhanced or semiconductor-augmented vision, hearing, limbs, and many other capabilities, such as cognitive computing, universal translators, and brain wave interfaces/communications. It is important to leverage the silicon platform and be part of a symbiotic ecosystem, such as TSMC's Grand Alliance and OIP platform, to enjoy the benefits of the economies of scale and collective innovation power.
Transient Thermal Analysis of Spin-Flash Dryer Agitating Blade

The working condition of the spin-flash dryer agitating blade is complex, and influencing factors of the blade strength are quite more. In order to research its mechanical properties under the condition of transient high temperature, the analysis of thermal structure coupling field was performed. By the analysis of thermal stress and thermal deformation, the agitating blade would be designed well.
Eucannabinolide and other constituents of Schkuhria virgata

Abstract Isolation of eucannabinolide, its 3-isovaleroyl analog and pectolinarigenin from Schkuhria virgata (La Llave et Lex.) DC. is reported. The identity of eucannabinolide, which exhibits in vivo antileukemic activity, with ‘hiyodorilactone A’, ‘20-hydroxychromolaenide’ and ‘schkuhrin I’ is discussed.
SPE/SPME–GC/MS approach for measuring musk compounds in serum and breast milk

Musks can be used to provide distinctive odor or scent in many personal care products. Musk compounds have received growing attention in recent years by environmental scientists and regulatory agencies because of their increasing production volume and widespread environmental presence. A combined separation approach using solid phase extraction (SPE) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) coupled to detection by gas chromatography mass spectrometry was developed for measuring four polycyclic musk compounds (Galactoside, Tonalide, Muskene, Celestolide) in serum and milk. The SPE and SPME separation steps were fully automated and required minimal sample handling. The method, which requires only 1 mL serum or breast milk to achieve limits of detection of 0.03-0.3 ng/mL, is applicable in biomonitoring studies for human internal dose measurement of polycyclic musk compounds.
Cellular organization and peritrophic membrane formation in the cardia (Proventriculus) of Drosophila melanogaster

The peritrophic membrane of Drosophila melanogaster consists of four layers, each associated with a specific region of the folded epithelial lining of the cardia. The epithelium is adapted to produce this multilaminar peritrophic membrane by bringing together several regions of foregut and midgut, each characterized by a distinctively differentiated cell type. The very thin, electron-dense inner layer of the peritrophic membrane originates adjacent to the cuticular surface of the stomadeal valve and so appears to require some contribution by the underlying foregut cells. These foregut cells are characterized by dense concentrations of glycogen, extensive arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and pleated apical plasma membranes. The second and thickest layer of the peritrophic membrane coalesces from amorphous, periodic acid-Schiff-positive material between the microvilli of midgut cells in the neck of the valve. The third layer of the peritrophic membrane is composed of fine electron-dense granules associated with the tall midgut cells of the outer cardia wall. These columnar cells are characterized by cytoplasm filled with extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous Golgi bodies and by an apical projection filled with secretory vesicles and covered by microvilli. The fourth, outer layer of the peritrophic membrane originates over the brush border of the cuboidal midgut cells, which connect the cardia with the ventriculus.
Spatio-temporal channel estimation techniques for multiple access spread spectrum systems with antenna arrays

A major advantage of spread-spectrum communication systems is their ability to exploit the multipath structure of the received signal. A standard RAKE receiver estimates the time delay, attenuation, and angle of arrival of each path and uses a maximum-ratio combiner to recombine different path signals. Antenna array structures were proposed to mitigate the effects of multipath by separating the paths in both time and spatial domains. New techniques for estimating the spatio-temporal characteristics of the channel for coherent direct-sequence spread-spectrum systems are proposed. The simulation results present the performance of such a multichannel estimator.
The Dissociation Constants of Some 1,5,5‐Trisubstituted Barbituric Acids

The pKa, values of 15 N-substituted 5,5-diethylbarbituric acids containing phenyl, benzyl and benzoyl moieties have been determined. The qualitative and quantitative effects of substitution at the N-1 atom on the pKa, value are discussed. Die Dissoziationskonstanten einiger 1,5,5-trisubstituierter Barbitursauren Die pKa, Werte von 15 N-substitutierten 5,5-Diethylbarbitursauren mit Phenyl-, Benzyl- und Benzoylgruppen wurden bestimmt. Die qualitativen und quantitativen Effekte der Substituenten am Stickstoffatom auf die,pKa Werte werden diskutiert.
Non‐Hydrazine Solutions in Processing CuIn(S,Se)2 Photovoltaic Devices from Hydrazinium Precursors

We report an approach for the fabrication of CuIn(S,Se)2-based photovoltaic devices from hydrazinium precursors in non-hydrazine solvents, specifically a ethanolamine/dimethyl sulfoxide (EA/DMSO) mixture. For the first time, both Cu hydrazinium precursor and Cu-In hydrazinium precursor are found with good solubility in non-hydrazine solvents, producing molecular-level blending of metal precursors. Sulfur loss in Cu hydrazinium precursor is compensated for by either introduction of excessive S/Se or the formation of S/Se-bridged Cu-In compounds. The success of dissolving Cu-In hydrazinium precursor is ascribed to the coordinated S group and strong intramolecular interaction within non-hydrazine solvents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman characterization indicate the formation of the CuIn(S,Se)2 phase after annealing. Through introducing different amounts of excess S/Se, the ratio between CuInS2 and CuInSe2, as well as the morphology of the resulted CuIn(S,Se)2 film can be controlled. Optimized devices exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 3.8% with a CISS absorber layer of only around 300 nm thickness, which is comparable to N2H4-based devices of similar thickness.
The Canine Papillomavirus and Gamma HPV E7 Proteins Use an Alternative Domain to Bind and Destabilize the Retinoblastoma Protein

The high-risk HPV E6 and E7 proteins cooperate to immortalize primary human cervical cells and the E7 protein can independently transform fibroblasts in vitro, primarily due to its ability to associate with and degrade the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, pRb. The binding of E7 to pRb is mediated by a conserved Leu-X-Cys-X-Glu (LXCXE) motif in the conserved region 2 (CR2) of E7 and this domain is both necessary and sufficient for E7/pRb association. In the current study, we report that the E7 protein of the malignancy-associated canine papillomavirus type 2 encodes an E7 protein that has serine substituted for cysteine in the LXCXE motif. In HPV, this substitution in E7 abrogates pRb binding and degradation. However, despite variation at this critical site, the canine papillomavirus E7 protein still bound and degraded pRb. Even complete deletion of the LXSXE domain of canine E7 failed to interfere with binding to pRb in vitro and in vivo. Rather, the dominant binding site for pRb mapped to the C-terminal domain of canine E7. Finally, while the CR1 and CR2 domains of HPV E7 are sufficient for degradation of pRb, the C-terminal region of canine E7 was also required for pRb degradation. Screening of HPV genome sequences revealed that the LXSXE motif of the canine E7 protein was also present in the gamma HPVs and we demonstrate that the gamma HPV-4 E7 protein also binds pRb in a similar way. It appears, therefore, that the type 2 canine PV and gamma-type HPVs not only share similar properties with respect to tissue specificity and association with immunosuppression, but also the mechanism by which their E7 proteins interact with pRb.
Multispectral Imaging Of Burn Wounds

This research program successfully developed a real-time video imaging system (the Imaging Burn Depth Indicator, or IBDI) which can discriminate areas of burn wounds expected to heal in three weeks or less from the day of injury from those areas not expected to heal in that time period. The analysis can be performed on or about the third day post-burn on debrided burn wounds. Early evaluation of burn healing probability is a crucial factor in the decision to tangentially excise the burn wound. The IBDI measures the reflectivity of the burn wound in the red, green, and near infrared wavelength bands, which data correlate with burn healing probability. The instrument uses an algorithm established in an earlier study to translate the optical data into burn healing probabilities. The IBDI produces two types of images: a true-color image of the burn and a false-color image of the burn. The false-color image consists of up to four colors, each of which indicates a distinct range of probability that the area of the burn so colored will heal within 21 days. Over 100 burn wound sites were studied. Burn sites were evaluated on day three post-burn by our instrument and by the attending physician. Of 55 sites considered to be of intermediate depth, the IBDI predicted the healing outcome accurately in 84% of the cases. By comparison, the predictions of burn surgeons supervising the care of these patients were accurate in 62% of the cases.
Process Development and Circuit Design Interactions in VLSI Yield Improvement

Success in VLSI manufacturing requires accelerated yield learning and higher steady-state yields than ever before on state-of-the-art monolithic VLSI systems. These requirements, coupled with increasing system complexity and accelerated product introduction, are extremely difficult to satisfy simultaneously. Historically, emphasis in design has been placed on system complexity and new product introduction. Recently, growing attention has been paid to yield and manufacturability issues during the design phase. There is a perceived need to incorporate yield and manufacturability concerns into design optimization.
A flexible framework for deriving assertions from electronic medical records.

Objective This paper describes natural-language-processing techniques for two tasks: identification of medical concepts in clinical text, and classification of assertions, which indicate the existence, absence, or uncertainty of a medical problem. Because so many resources are available for processing clinical texts, there is interest in developing a framework in which features derived from these resources can be optimally selected for the two tasks of interest. Materials and methods The authors used two machine-learning (ML) classifiers: support vector machines (SVMs) and conditional random fields (CRFs). Because SVMs and CRFs can operate on a large set of features extracted from both clinical texts and external resources, the authors address the following research question: Which features need to be selected for obtaining optimal results? To this end, the authors devise feature-selection techniques which greatly reduce the amount of manual experimentation and improve performance. Results The authors evaluated their approaches on the 2010 i2b2/VA challenge data. Concept extraction achieves 79.59 micro F-measure. Assertion classification achieves 93.94 micro F-measure. Discussion Approaching medical concept extraction and assertion classification through ML-based techniques has the advantage of easily adapting to new data sets and new medical informatics tasks. However, ML-based techniques perform best when optimal features are selected. By devising promising feature-selection techniques, the authors obtain results that outperform the current state of the art. Conclusion This paper presents two ML-based approaches for processing language in the clinical texts evaluated in the 2010 i2b2/VA challenge. By using novel feature-selection methods, the techniques presented in this paper are unique among the i2b2 participants.
Shipping to streaming: is this shift green?

Streaming movies over the Internet has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to mailing DVDs to a customer. In this paper we investigate the environmental- and energy-related impacts of these two methods of movie content delivery. We compare the total energy consumed and the carbon footprint impact of these two delivery methods and find that the non-energy optimized streaming of a movie through the Internet consumes approximately 78% of the energy needed to ship a movie, but has a carbon footprint that is approximately 100% higher. However, by taking advantage of recently proposed "greening of IT" techniques in the research literature for the serving and transmission of the movie, we find that the energy consumption and carbon footprint of streaming can be reduced to approximately 30% and 65% respectively of that of shipping. We also consider how this tradeoff may change in the future.
Family, School, Country of Birth and Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being

This study compares foreign-born adolescents’ psychological well-being with that of their native-born peers, and explores whether supports from family and school can contribute to the psychological well-being of this unique age group. Using the California Health Interview Survey's Adolescent Questionnaire 2003, this study finds that the additional risk factors stemming from the stresses of migration, resettlement, and assimilation do not necessarily lessen foreign-born adolescents’ sense of psychological well-being. Foreign-born adolescents’ unique family environment, life experiences, and/or cultural norms have a protective effect on them and support their development. Social services and interventions therefore should focus on strengthening immigrant families, building strong ties between families and schools, and developing cultural programs geared to the various immigrant groups.
Atlantoaxial subluxation as an early manifestation in an adolescent with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis: a case report and review of the literature

Atlantoaxial instability has been described as a manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis (juvenile and adult onset), reactive arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis; however, it has rarely been reported as an early manifestation of these disorders. We present this case report to increase awareness of the condition in the hope that earlier recognition of this disease may prevent further serious injury. We report the case of a 17-year-old Hispanic adolescent woman who was initially diagnosed with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis due to peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, a positive human leukocyte antigen B27 result, and inflammatory spinal pain lasting two months. Our patient experienced persistent and worsening occipitocervical pain and signs of myelopathy three months after diagnosis; consequently, we found atlantoaxial instability along with cervical spine bone erosion and pannus formation. She was treated surgically with a C1-2 posterior instrumented fusion and at six weeks post-operatively was started on tumor necrosis factor α blockade. Her occipitocervical symptoms subsided following surgery and initiation of immunomodulation. Our report serves to emphasize to pediatric and adult general practitioners, pediatricians, internists, family physicians, pediatric and adult rheumatologists and spine surgeons that atlantoaxial subluxation may be an early manifestation of spondyloarthritis, and that the condition is treatable by surgical intervention and immunomodulation.
Comparison of Online and Onsite Bioinformatics Instruction for a Fully Online Bioinformatics Master’s Program

The completely online Master of Science in Bioinformatics program differs from the onsite program only in the mode of content delivery. Analysis of student satisfaction indicates no statistically significant difference between most online and onsite student responses, however, online and onsite students do differ significantly in their responses to a few questions on the course evaluation queries. Analysis of student exam performance using three assessments indicates that there was no significant difference in grades earned by students in online and onsite courses. These results suggest that our model for online bioinformatics education provides students with a rigorous course of study that is comparable to onsite course instruction and possibly provides a more rigorous course load and more opportunities for participation.
Field research in operations and supply chain management

Abstract This article highlights the contribution of field research to the generation of operations and supply chain management theory. We summarize the papers included in this special issue while emphasizing the value of research that offers rich descriptions of operating practices. The specific articles included in this volume illustrate how field based observations and a deep understanding of the operating phenomenon can benefit both the development of theory and the advancement of management practice.
Continuum-kinetic-microscopic model of lung clearance due to core-annular fluid entrainment

The human lung is protected against aspirated infectious and toxic agents by a thin liquid layer lining the interior of the airways. This airway surface liquid is a bilayer composed of a viscoelastic mucus layer supported by a fluid film known as the periciliary liquid. The viscoelastic behavior of the mucus layer is principally due to long-chain polymers known as mucins. The airway surface liquid is cleared from the lung by ciliary transport, surface tension gradients, and airflow shear forces. This work presents a multiscale model of the effect of airflow shear forces, as exerted by tidal breathing and cough, upon clearance. The composition of the mucus layer is complex and variable in time. To avoid the restrictions imposed by adopting a viscoelastic flow model of limited validity, a multiscale computational model is introduced in which the continuum-level properties of the airway surface liquid are determined by microscopic simulation of long-chain polymers. A bridge between microscopic and continuum levels is constructed through a kinetic-level probability density function describing polymer chain configurations. The overall multiscale framework is especially suited to biological problems due to the flexibility afforded in specifying microscopic constituents, and examining the effects of various constituents upon overall mucus transport at the continuum scale.