cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of structurally efficient graphite-thermoplastic trapezoidal-corrugation sandwich and semisandwich panels

The structural efficiency of compression-loaded trapezoidal-corrugation sandwich and semi-sandwich composite panels is studied to determine their weight savings potential. Sandwich panels with two identical face sheets and a trapezoidal corrugated core between them, and semi-sandwich panels with a corrugation attached to a single skin are considered. An optimization code is used to find the minimum weight designs for critical compressive load levels ranging from 3,000 to 24,000 lb/in. Graphite-thermoplastic panels based on the optimal minimum weight designs were fabricated and tested. A finite-element analysis of several test specimens was also conducted. The results of the optimization study, the finite-element analysis, and the experiments are presented.
Predicting lower lip and chin response to mandibular advancement and genioplasty

Abstract The purposes of this retrospective study were to examine the multidimensional nature of soft tissue changes associated with mandibular advancement and genioplasty and to develop predictive models. Longitudinal lateral cephalograms of 62 nongrowing patients (27 men and 35 women) were taken in centric relation with the lips in repose within 4 weeks before surgery and at least 6 months postoperatively (median postsurgical duration was 11 months). The mandibular incisor and pogonion were advanced surgically approximately 6 mm and 11 mm, respectively. The lower lip lengthened slightly (2.5 ± 3.8 mm), and its surface contour straightened because of thinning at labrale inferior (−2.8 ± 2.0 mm); there was a slight thickening at the labiomental fold (1.0 ± 2.3 mm) and a slight thinning at soft tissue pogonion (−0.8 ± 2.2 mm). Multiple regression models (explaining from 80% to 94% and 66% to 82% of the variation for horizontal and vertical movements, respectively) showed that soft tissue response to advancement surgery depended on pretreatment tissue thickness, horizontal skeletal movement, vertical skeletal movement, and the position of the maxillary incisors. Similar amounts of variation were explained when the models were applied to an independent validation sample of 15 subjects. It was concluded that lower lip and chin response to mandibular advancement and genioplasty is multifactorial but can be accurately and reliably predicted. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2002;122:627-34)
WE‐C‐330A‐04: Effect of Projection Angles Used in Multi‐View Reconstruction (MVR) Using Images From a Microangiographic (MA) Detector and An Image‐Intensifier (II) System

Purpose: The sensitivity of a new 3D Multi‐View Reconstruction (MVR) angiography technique to the projection angles used is evaluated by comparing 3D centerlines calculated from combinations of three projections acquired from two imagingsystems with that from micro‐Cone Beam CT (μCBCT), which is taken as truth. Method and Materials: A 3D centerline of a contrast‐filled carotid vessel phantom was reconstructed from image data acquired using a custom‐made μCBCT system with a microangiographic (MA) detector (45 μm pixels, 4.5 cm field‐of‐view (FOV)). Projection images of the same phantom were also acquired using the MA and an image intensifier (II) detectorsystem (120 μm pixels, 4.5 in FOV) on a C‐arm x‐ray unit. The MVR technique was used to compute 3D centerlines for 12 combinations of projection angles. Each 3D MVR centerline was aligned with the μCBCT “true” 3D centerline using a Procrustes technique, and a root‐mean‐square (RMS) deviation was calculated. Results: The average RMS deviation for the MA‐MVR centerlines is 25 μm with a standard deviation of 3 μm over the 12 different projection‐angle combinations, whereas the average RMS deviation for the II‐MVR centerlines is 41 μm with a standard deviation of 4 μm over these same combinations. The RMS deviation as a percent of the internal vessel diameter, 0.75 mm, is 3.3% for the MA and 5.5% for the II and appears to be independent of view selection. Conclusion: For the MVR technique, the improved resolution of the MA resulted in improved centerline determination compared to the II system. For both detectors, the selection of a particular projection set had little effect on the RMS centerline deviation. The low RMS deviations for both detectors indicate that the MVR technique can provide accurate 3D centerlines. (Partial support from NIH Grants R01‐NS43924, R01‐EB02873, R01‐HL52567, R01‐EB02916, and Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation).
Influence of blend miscibility on the proton conductivity and methanol permeability of polymer electrolyte blends

The influence of miscibility on the transport properties of polymer electrolyte blends composed of a proton conductor and an insulator was investigated. The proton- conductive component in the blends was sulfonated poly(ether ketone ketone) (SPEKK), while the nonconductive component was either poly(ether imide) (PEI) or poly(ether sul- fone) (PES). The phase behavior of PEI-SPEKK blends was strongly influenced by the sulfonation level of the SPEKK. At low sulfonation levels (ion-exchange capacity (IEC) ¼ 0.8 meq/g), the blends were miscible, while at a slightly higher level (IEC ¼ 1.1 meq/g), they were only partially miscible and for IEC � 1.4 meq/g they were effectively immisci- ble over the entire composition range. The PES-SPEKK blends were miscible over the entire range of SPEKK IEC considered in this study (0.8-2.2 meq/g). At high IEC (2.2 meq/g) and at low mass fractions of SPEKK ( 0.5). This behavior was explained by the differences in morphology between these two blend systems. At low IEC of SPEKK (0.8 meq/g), where both PEI-SPEKK and PES- SPEKK blend systems exhibited miscibility, the transport properties were not significantly
Problems of the Upper Atmosphere

The Upper Atmosphere can be examined from many points of view. For example, it can be considered as an aerodynamic, chemical, or electrical medium. This paper tabulates key parameters used in describing various atmospheric models and gives a brief indication of the instrumentation used in their measurement.
Ab Initio Study of XH2+ (X = B, Al, and Ga) Isomers†

Ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd) and CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ levels were carried out to calculate the structure and energetics of isomers of singlet XH2+ (X = B, Al and Ga). Energy comparison shows that although the linear D∞h structure 1a is the global minimum for BH2+, the global minima of AlH2+ and GaH2+ are not of D∞h symmetry 2a and 3a, respectively, but of C2v symmetry 2b and 3b with a 3c-2e bond. The D∞h symmetric 2a and 3a are significantly less stable than 2b and 3b, respectively, by 13.1 and 21.5 kcal/mol. Relative hydride affinities of the cations 1a, 2b, and 3b were also calculated.
Grain growth enhancement of selenide CIGSe nanoparticles to densified films using copper selenides

Three-stage coevaporated Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGSe) solar cells have resulted in the highest efficiency thin-film devices[1]. This success is attributable to copper selenide formation during stage two, promoting grain growth[2]. Herein is the application of secondary copper selenide phases enhancing solar cells made from suspended CIGSe nanoparticles. Larger grains and higher efficiencies result when compared to devices of only CIGSe nanoparticles. Utilizing cupric selenide nanoparticles leads to the production of 4.3% total area power conversion efficiency under AM1.5 simulated radiation. Whereas, in absence of secondary copper selenide phase efficiencies of the CIGSe film is low from poor grain growth.
Getting Green with Solar Subsidies: Evidence from the California Solar Initiative

AbstractSubsidies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy have been widely adopted. We study the California Solar Initiative and find upfront rebates have a large effect on residential solar installations. We exploit variation in rebate rates across electric utilities over time and control for time-varying factors that affect solar adoption. Our preferred estimates suggest increasing rebates from $5,600 to $6,070 would increase installations by 10%. Overall, we predict 53% fewer installations would have occurred without subsidies. Over 20 years, these additional installations reduce carbon dioxide emissions between 2.3 and 3.4 million metric tons and local air pollutants (NOx) by 1,100 to 1,700 metric tons. Of the $440 million in rebates awarded, $121 million were rents to installations that would have occurred absent rebates. We estimate program costs of $0.06 per kilowatt hour and between $130 and $196 per metric ton of carbon dioxide.
A conceptual model for storage and retrieval of short scientific texts

Abstract A conceptual model for integrating short scientific texts is described, which extends classical text storage and retrieval. A brief comparison with related approaches (such as case-based reasoning and classification-based reasoning) is also provided.
Effect of reflective pavements on building energy use

Abstract Optimization of building energy use in an urban area requires understanding of the complex interaction between urban morphology, materials, and climate, which can have unanticipated effects on urban microclimates and building energy use. Reflective pavements reduce urban air temperatures and have been proposed as a mitigation measure for urban heat islands. However, the increased solar reflectivity also transports more solar radiation into (through windows) and onto adjacent buildings possibly increasing building energy use. The effect of albedo changes in the urban canopy floor surface on building thermal loads is investigated using the Temperature of Urban Facets Indoor-Outdoor Building Energy Simulator (TUF-IOBES). A case study for a four storey office building with 1820 m 2 floor area and 47% window to wall ratio in Phoenix, Arizona was conducted. Increasing pavement solar reflectivity from 0.1 to 0.5 increased annual cooling loads up to 11% (33.1 kWh m −2 ). The impacts on annual heating loads and canopy air temperatures were small. The confounding impacts of canopy aspect ratio, building insulation conditions reflective of building age, and window type and size were also quantified. Policymakers should carefully weigh the benefits and local energy use implications of reflective pavements for each site to ensure their optimal application.
Renal osteodystrophy in the first decade of the new millennium: Analysis of 630 bone biopsies in black and white patients

Renal osteodystrophy occurs early during loss of kidney function. There are 26 million American patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and almost all patients with CKD stage 5 have abnormal bone histology. Six hundred and thirty bone biopsies from adult CKD-5 patients on dialysis were evaluated by histomorphometry and analyzed using the turnover (T), mineralization (M), and volume (V) classification. There were racial differences; whites exhibited predominantly low turnover (62%), whereas blacks showed mostly normal or high turnover (68%). A mineralization defect was observed in only 3% of patients. In whites, cancellous bone volume was low, normal, or high in approximately the same number of patients, whereas in blacks, cancellous bone volume was high in two-thirds of the patients. More than 80% of blacks and whites with low cancellous bone volume had thin trabeculae owing to low bone formation. Cortical thickness was low in half the whites, whereas it was normal in three-quarters of blacks. Cortical porosity was high in 50% of whites, whereas three-quarters of blacks had high porosity. In summary, the TMV system gives relevant information. It should be expanded to include the architecture of cancellous and cortical bone. There are racial differences. Low bone volume and low bone turnover are more frequent than heretofore appreciated, whereas mineralization defects nowadays are observed rarely in adults. These findings call for an adjustment of the current therapeutic paradigm that takes into consideration race and risk of low bone volume and turnover. The latter have been shown to be associated with increased vascular calcifications.
Time-domain analysis of optical comb offset frequency variations: phase-only line-by-line shaping approach

We investigate the effect of shifting an optical frequency comb on the resultant time-domain waveform generated via phase-only line-by-line pulse shaping. By considering a particular spectral line-by-line filter, comb shifts, i.e., offset frequency variations, are evaluated in a simple way from the changes in the temporal intensity waveform. Theoretical predictions are confirmed by experimental results. As a practical application, we estimate the magnitude of comb offset frequency fluctuations of a harmonically mode-locked fiber laser from noise in the waveforms measured with a sampling scope.
Islamic Medical and Scientific Ethics Research Project

Abstract Background: In 2009 the proposal to establish an international information resource on Islamic bioethics submitted to Qatar National Research Fund was accepted and awarded a three-year grant. The project was conceived and proposed by two of Georgetown University's research libraries: the Bioethics Research Library (BRL) at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics in Washington D.C. and the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar Library (SFSQL) with the vision to become the world's most comprehensive resource on Islamic bioethics. Building on the valuable experience of these two institutions, the project promises to serve the needs of the local and international community of researchers in the area of bioethics. The project utilizes the best practices gained from work on similar projects on bioethics scholarship in collaboration with renowned institutions in the field such as the National Library of Medicine of the National Institute of Health in the US. Currently the project is in the th...
Digital image processing at EG&G

EG&G, Inc., a leader in the field of photographie data acquisition and analysis for over 25 years, has for the past five years been placing increased emphasis on digital image processing in support of the Field Testing Division of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory under AEC Contract No. AT(29–1)1183. During that time, capabilities that originally involved photogrammetric and radiometrie analysis have been augmented to include two-dimensional Fourier frequency analysis and spatial filtering of images. This article describes some of the image processing equipment at EG&G, along with the results obtained using this equipment, and discusses digital holography in greater detail.
Preparation of uniform colloidal dispersions by chemical reactions in aerosols. I. Spherical particles of titanium dioxide

Abstract Spherical titanium dioxide particles were prepared by hydrolysis of aerosols consisting of liquid titanium(IV) compounds. The droplets of the latter were nucleated with AgCl in a falling film generator and subsequently hydrolyzed in specially designed chambers kept at different temperatures. When titanium(IV) ethoxide was used as starting material, TiO2 spheres of narrow size distribution were obtained with modal diameters ranging between 0.06 and 0.6 μm. The size of the particles could be altered by changing the temperature of the falling film generator, the flow rate of the carrier gas, and the AgCl nuclei concentration. The titanium dioxide particles so prepared were essentially amorphous. Titanium tetrachloride was also used as the liquid aerosol material. Owing to the vapor pressure characteristics of this compound, much higher concentration of the droplets was obtained in the same equipment. However, the titanium dioxide powder, resulting from the hydrolysis of TiCl4 aerosols, consisted of spheres of broader size distributions. The crystallinity of the solid particles could be changed by heating of the solid aerosol stream at different temperatures. The titanium dioxide powders, prepared by the aerosol technique, could be readily dispersed in water. The particle charge was pH dependent and showed an electrophoretic isoelectric point between pH 4.5 and 5.5.
The influence of ecdysterone on gene amplification, DNA synthesis, and puff formation in the salivary gland chromosomes of Rhynchosciara hollaenderi.

Many of the DNA and RNA puffing changes observed in Rhynchosciara during the prepupal period have been induced in younger larvae by injection of ecdysterone. However, the dose of hormone necessary for this induction is high, especially in the large cells of the proximal region of the gland. There are differences in the amplification and puffing response from that observed during normal development. Particular similarities and differences with possible explanations for the differences are discussed. Preceding and during the amplification which occurs at certain chromosomal regions, ecdysterone induces DNA synthesis along the entire chromosome. This induction of general DNA synthesis can occur independently of the amplification process. It appears to be similar in pattern to that occurring normally toward the end of larval life. — The normal prepupal behavior of Rhynchosciara was not induced by injection of ecdysterone into larvae of any age thus far examined.
Techniques for nonlinear least squares and robust regression

Recently, the authors and others have made considerable progress in developing algorithms for solving certain large-residual nonlinear least-squares problems where Gauss-Newton (GN) methods can be expected to perform poorly. These methods take account of the term in the Hessian ignored by the GN methods and use quasi-Newton procedures to update this term explicitly. This paper reviews these new approaches and discusses how they can be modified to give good performance on nonlinear models with robust loss functions where lack of scale invariance causes several new problems to arise.
ASP, The Art and Science of Practice: Getting the R in Contact

Business schools increasingly pressure faculty members to prepare MBA students to immediately contribute to their employers' bottom lines. Many academics have had little or no business experience themselves, and administrators are encouraging them to acquire it to improve their classroom effectiveness. My guidelines to help faculty get involved with the business community concern handling the initial contact with a company, developing a proposal, managing the project, and following up to ensure successful implementation. I seek to help the faculty member get ther in the wordcontact, to convert it intocont ract. I focus on operations management and management science, and my intent is to start a process of sharing ideas that encourages others to add to the set.
Adaptive control of continuous-time linear stochastic systems with discounted cost criterion

In this note, we consider the adaptive control of a linear diffusion process with regard to the discounted cost criterion. We show that the certainty-equivalence type of control, analogous to the one considered by Duncan and Pasik-Duncan (Ref. 1), is asymptotically discount optimal in the sense of Schal (Ref. 2).
Effect of a Vitamin D3 derivative (B3CD) with postulated anti-cancer activity in an ovarian cancer animal model

The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Calcidiol derivative B3CD qualifies as a potential anti-cancer drug in vivo employing an ovarian cancer xenograft model in mice. In addition, the selectivity of B3CD on viability and proliferation of platinum-resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines in comparison to control cell lines was analyzed in vitro. B3CD displayed cell line-specific cytotoxicity screened against a panel of ovarian and other carcinoma cell lines, endothelial and control cells. B3CD, at sub-cytotoxic concentrations, revealed stronger effects on the proliferation of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells vs. primary fibroblasts as determined by BrdU incorporation analysis. Treatment with B3CD at 0.5 µM resulted in highly condensed chromatin and fragmented nuclei in SKOV-3 cells but not in primary fibroblasts. B3CD induced cell death at low drug concentrations (≤0.5 µM) in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells is mediated by the p38 MAPK signaling pathway: B3CD induced p38 MAPK expression and activation in SKOV-3 cells and inhibition of p38 signaling counteracted B3CD induced cell death in vitro. An ovarian cancer cell animal model (human SKOV-3 cell derived xenografts in nude mice) revealed that tumor growth in few B3CD treated mice accelerated while the majority of B3CD treated mice displayed delayed tumor growth or full tumor regression. B3CD possesses anti-ovarian cancer properties in vitro and in vivo. We propose the further development of non-calcemic bromoacetoxy derivatives of vitamin D3 as potential anti-cancer therapeutics.
Towards constructing application-level GPU computation states

Computation state construction is an indispensable step to achieve fault tolerance and computation mobility for scientific applications by saving and restoring the state during program execution. However, there is no effective state construction scheme yet due to the GPU's batch-mode execution manner as the GPU takes on a larger role in high performance computing. The GPU's complex memory hierarchy means the states are scattered in different memory locations that are difficult to fetch. Programs that are running in parallel make the states difficult to construct for each thread. The paper proposes an application-level computation state construction scheme to support GPU programs. A precompiler and run-time support module are developed to construct and save states in the CPU system memory dynamically. Memory blocks are registered, and new data structures are proposed to save and restore the computation states represented by variables and pointers in the GPU. Secondary storage can be utilized for scalability and long-term fault tolerance.
The role of pregnancy hormones in the regulation of Pdx-1 expression.

Abstract During pregnancy, pancreatic β cells undergo changes that are probably due to an increase in the lactogenic hormones prolactin (PRL) and placental lactogen (PL). Since the transcription factor PDX-1 is involved in the regulation of the β cell function and phenotype, we tested the possibility that the effect of PRL on β cells was mediated by PDX-1. Exposure of islet cells to PRL in vitro resulted in increased levels of PDX-1 protein and mRNA and a stimulation of pdx-1 transcription. However, PDX-1 levels in islets exposed in vivo to high concentration of prolactin was similar to controls. In vitro studies suggested that the up-regulation of PDX-1 by PRL was opposed by glucocorticoids (GC) at concentrations similar to those present in pregnant and control female mice. We conclude that, although pdx-1 is a key regulator of β cell specific genes, it does not appear to play a central role in the up-regulation of islet cell function during pregnancy.
Unrecognized severe postoperative hypercapnia: A case of apneic oxygenation

Transcutaneous pulse oximetry is increasingly being used to supplant arterial blood gas measurement as a means to monitor oxygenation. Previous studies have demonstrated that, despite inadequate ventilation, oxygenation can be maintained during delivery of supplemental oxygen by a process known as diffusion respiration. In this setting, severe hypercapnia and acidosis rapidly develop. This case report demonstrates that pulse oximetry is an unreliable means to monitor adequacy of ventilation. A 75-year-old woman in good health suffered a fracture of the right hip that necessitated arthroplasty. During postoperative recovery, she remained unresponsive while receiving 100% oxygen through an endotracheal tube; mechanical ventilation was not used. Pulse oximetry indicated a blood oxygen saturation of 94 to 96%; however, results of blood gas studies 3 1/2 hours postoperatively revealed profound hypercapnia (arterial carbon dioxide tension, 265 mm Hg) and acidosis (pH, 6.65) but confirmed normal oxygen levels (arterial oxygen tension, 213 mm Hg). Assisted ventilation resulted in normalization of the blood gases and an improved level of consciousness. The patient was then transferred to Mayo Clinic Rochester and had an uneventful recovery.
Geometry and Grid/Mesh Generation Issues for CFD and CSM Shape Optimization

This paper discusses geometry and grid generation issues for an automated shape optimization using computational fluid dynamics and computational structural mechanics. Special attention is given to five major steps for shape optimization: shape parameterization, automation of model abstraction, automation of grid generation, calculation of analytical sensitivity, and robust grid deformation.
Inhibition of thymidylate synthetase by showdomycin and its 5′-phosphate

Abstract Thymidylate synthetase of dichloromethotrexate resistant Lactobacillus casei was found to be rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by showdomycin (3-β-D-ribofuranosylmaleimide). Prior treatment of the enzyme with hydroxyethyldisulfide prevented the inhibitory effect of showdomycin. The enzyme could also be protected by its substrate, deoxyuridylate, against inactivation by the antibiotic. Reduction of the 3, 4-double bond by catalytic hydrogenation destroyed the enzyme inhibitory activity of showdomycin. Phosphorylation of its 5′-hydroxyl group greatly enhanced the inhibitory potency of the antibiotic, presumably by conferring substrate-like specificity. These results suggest that the maleimide moiety of showdomycin alkylates a reactive sulfhydryl group at the active site of thymidylate synthetase, and are consistent with a sulfhydryl addition-elimination mechanism of the enzyme catalyzed reaction.
Early nutritional support and outcomes in ELBW infants

Extrauterine growth restriction is a common finding among extremely low birth weight infants at discharge from neonatal intensive care units. It has been associated with significant caloric and protein deficits that accumulate during the hospitalization and with slower growth velocity observed with major neonatal morbidities. Recommendations to provide early nutritional support, both parenteral and enteral, have evolved in response to concern about the impact of poor in-hospital growth on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood. This paper will review the evidence supporting the provision of early nutritional support to extremely preterm infants by examining the outcomes associated with such practices.
Effect of age of cochlear implantation on receptive and expressive spoken language in 3-year-old deaf children

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine age of implantation effects upon spoken language within a relatively large sample of 3-year-old children from a wide variety of oral programs. The data presented represent an interim report on a longitudinal study in progress. Seventy children with cochlear implants were divided into three groups: (group 1) implanted at 7–19 months of age, (group 2) implanted between 19 and 27 months of age, and (group 3) implanted between 28 and 36 months of age. All children were 3.5 years of age (±2 months) at time of data collection. Outcome measures were the child's receptive and expressive language scores as reported by the child's primary teacher or speech therapist on a standardized inventory of spoken language skills that was normed on deaf children. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences among the age of implantation groups on both receptive and expressive measures. In the area of expressive spoken language, the children in groups 1 and 2 scored significantly higher than the children in group 3. In receptive spoken language, the children in group 1 scored significantly higher than the children in group 3. As a point of reference, all children in the study, even those in the group 3, scored significantly higher than profoundly deaf children with hearing aids. These data indicate a significant advantage in spoken language learning when cochlear implantation is undertaken below the age of about 24 months as compared with cochlear implantation later in the third year of life.
Porphyrins in the perienteric fluid of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Abstract Cain G. D. and Bassow F. 1976. Porphyrins in the perienteric fluid of Ascaris lumbricoides. International Journal for Parasitology6: 79–82. Porphyrins in the perienteric fluid of adult female A. lumbricoides were esterified in methanolic H2SO4, extracted in chloroform, separated by thin-layer chromatography, and identified spectrophotometrically before and after conversion to their zinc and copper chelates. Protoporphyrin IX was the major component, comprising 95·4% of the total; the remaining 4·6 % was coproporphyrin III. Uroporphyrin was not detected; no porphyrins were recovered from other worm tissues. Fluid from worms with light and dark colored guts varied in protoporphyrin content from 0·58 to 4·08 nmoles/ml, respectively, but fluid from both groups contained similar molar ratios of protoporphyrin, coproporphyrin and heme.
Sustained clinical response to rituximab in a case of life-threatening overlap subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease

The conventional treatment for the autoimmune bullous skin diseases is broad-spectrum immunosuppressive regimen typically combining systemic corticosteroids with adjuvant immunosuppressive therapeutic agents. Orphan diseases in the pemphigus, pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita groups of clinical disorders are often clinically severe, requiring long-term treatment with such drugs or drug combinations. Rituximab, a chimeric recombinant monoclonal antibody targeting CD20(+) B cells, has recently been suggested to be effective in the treatment of pemphigus with relatively few adverse effects. The clinical value of rituximab in other immune-mediated blistering diseases has been less thoroughly examined. We report a case of a woman who presented initially with the Brunsting-Perry phenotype of cicatricial pemphigoid who subsequently developed severe generalized subepidermal blisters healing with scarring and milia formation thought to be clinically compatible with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, although type VII collagen autoantibodies were never identified. Treatment with a number of conventional systemic agents was unsuccessful and complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-induced cutaneous ulcers and near-fatal gram-negative sepsis. This woman has enjoyed an 18-month complete clinical remission after a single inductive 4-week cycle of intravenous rituximab. This outcome supports the idea that systemic memory B-cell depletion with drugs such as rituximab should be considered for therapeutically refractory subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases in addition to intraepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases. A potential role for the immunologic phenomenon of epitope spreading in the generation of overlapping features of autoimmune blistering diseases, and its contribution to therapeutic refractoriness ("hardening"), is discussed.
Cytologic diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the liver with fine-needle biopsy

We present the cytopathologic findings in seven cases of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver diagnosed by direct "squash" smears made on tissue obtained through image-guided fine-needle biopsy. The diagnosis in each case was confirmed histologically. Utilizing this simple cytologic technique, the morphologic findings in these common hepatic lesions are as accurate and diagnostic as histologic examination.
A new type of citizen: youth, gender, and generation in the Ghanaian Builders Brigade

This article analyzes one key feature of the Convention People's Party's youth policy in postcolonial Ghana: the Ghana Builders Brigade. Founded as a response to rapid urbanization and growing unemployment, the Builders Brigade aimed to create a new productive and modern citizenry by returning the country's young men and women to the land through a network of mechanized work camps and state farms. Remembered as both a locus for party intimidation and indiscipline as well as a source for political and social opportunity, the Brigade emerged as a key site for a generationally-defined and gendered debate over the roles and responsibilities of the country's youth in the first decade of self-rule. Through an interrogation of this debate, this article argues that the Brigade provided a space for its members to explore a socially recognized yet politically conceived notion of adulthood under Kwame Nkrumah's rule.
Viscoelastic Analysis of Adhesively Bonded Joints

In this paper an adhesively bonded lap joint is analyzed by assuming that the adherends are elastic and the adhesive is linearly viscoelastic. After formulating the general problem a specific example for two identical adherends bonded through a three parameter viscoelastic solid adhesive is considered. The standard Laplace transform technique is used to solve the problem. The stress distribution in the adhesive layer is calculated for three different external loads namely, membrane loading, bending, and transverse shear loading. The results indicate that the peak value of the normal stress in the adhesive is not only consistently higher than the corresponding shear stress but also decays slower.
Methodology for designing a computer architecture

To design a computer architecture for a class of computations (algorithms), systematically and in a top-down fashion, a general and uniform methodology should be developed. For a given class, there exists an information structure of the architecture such that efficient performance can be achieved for the given class. The methodology is used to find such an information structure and then, to define the control structure of the architecture at functional level. The control structure itself can be treated as another architecture (with a different computing environment), and therefore, again, its Information Structure and then Control Structure (at a lower level) could be found using the same methodology. This recursive application of the methodology to define and design Information Structures and Control Structures terminates when the Control Structure can be trivially 'hard-wired'. Power of the methodology will lie in its generality, i.e. it could be used to design an architecture for practically any arbitrary computing environment.
Evaluation of an aluminum digestion block for routine total soil phosphorus determination by alkaline hypobromite oxidation

Abstract Total soil P was determined in six soils differing in pH, and in organic matter, total Fe, clay and sand contents. This study was undertaken to determine whether replacement of a sand bath.digestion procedure by an Al‐block digestion procedure affected the efficacy of an alkaline NaOBr method for determining total soil P. An Al digestion block was used for soil oxidation with NaOBr‐NaOH and the results were compared with a sand bath NaOBr method and a HC1O4 method. Temperature variability was very low in the digestion block (S.D.= ±1.4°C) when compared with the sand bath (S.D.= +20.1°C). The digestion block resulted in a greater precision in total P determination when compared to the sand bath (S.D.= ±3.7 vs. ±5.6, respectively). Linear relationships were obtained with the sand bath digestion technique (R2 = 0.981) and with the HC1O4 method (R2 = 0.982). Using an Al digestion block for NaOBr‐NaOH oxidation of soils for total P determination allows for a simple, precise alternative to sand bath di...
The Impact of the Recession on College Students.

This article had three goals: (a) to provide a brief economic review of the relationship between recessionary times, institutional reactions, and the life trajectory of recession-era college students; (b) to discuss the recession-related psychosocial stressors facing today's college students; and (c) to discuss how counseling centers can help students and make resources available to staff and students.
Raman bandshape analysis of the symmetric bending vibration in liquid chloroform

Abstract In order to determine whether accurate rotational diffusion coefficients in liquids may be determined from the bandshapes of isotopically broadened vibrational peaks, we have investigated the isotropic and anisotropic Raman spectra of the ν3(A1), CCl3 symmetric bending, vibration in CHCl3 as a function of temperature in the liquid phase. The spectral lineshapes were fitted by a model containing four Lorentzian/Gaussian summation bands with relative peak intensities equal to the relative abundances of the four isotopic combinations and frequency displacements constrained to values measured in the matrix infrared spectrum. The calculated room temperature perpendicular diffusion coefficient, D⊥ (25°C) = 8.31010 s−1, was within the range of values reported from Raman measurements on the ν1, symmetric carbon-hydrogen stretching, vibration, but was somewhat lower than published results from NMR relaxation time measurements, T1(2D), on CDCl3, and from dielectric relaxation. The activation energy, Ea(D⊥), determined from the ν3 bandshape measurements was 30% higher than the average value from the NMR and dielectric studies. The deviation is believed to result from the sensitivity of this quantity to the fractional Lorentzian character of the fitting functions.
Nostalgic bonding: exploring the role of nostalgia in the consumption experience

The recently awakened awareness of the past has produced a flurry of research directed towards understanding the nostalgic aspects of the human condition, towards investigating the role of nostalgia in the lives of consumers, and towards the application of such knowledge to the design of marketing strategies. With rare exceptions, however, such research has pursued a quantitative survey-based approach to establishing the chronology-related and personality-driven aspects of nostalgia. To explore the nature and types of nostalgic bonding in greater depth, the present study pursues an interpretive approach to understanding the role of nostalgia in the consumption experience. Specifically, it applies a collective approach to subjective personal introspection to draw inferences concerning the key types of nostalgic experience. Copyright © 2003 Henry Stewart Publications.
A study on river discharge and salinity variability in the Middle Atlantic Bight and Long Island Sound

Abstract This study quantitatively characterizes annual, interannual, and decadal variability of Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) river discharges, MAB surface salinities, Long Island Sound (LIS) surface salinities, and LIS salinity stratification via wavelet analysis. Links among rivers, salinities, and standard climate indices are investigated through correlation analysis of the complete data records and low-pass time series (including periods greater than 1.5 years). All rivers and salinities analyzed have strong annual cycles that are distinguishable from random noise. All records have interannual power, but this variability is indistinguishable from the noise background. Some MAB rivers have significant multi-decadal power (near either 18-year or 26-year periods). Correlations are strong among MAB rivers, salinities at different shelf sections, and salinities at LIS stations. Negative correlations between MAB rivers and surface salinities account for a significant part of the observed variance: up to 29% for shelf salinities and 46% for LIS salinities. Shelf and estuary salinities are positively correlated; accounting for at most 61% of the variance. LIS salinity stratification is positively correlated with river discharge (up to 36% of the variance). Interannual variability exhibits similar statistical relationships with higher correlations. Average annual cycles indicate a 1–2-month sequential lag between peak river discharge, minimum estuary salinity, and minimum shelf salinity. Weak but significant correlations indicate a tendency for high discharge, low LIS salinity, and high LIS stratification to coincide with positive intervals of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index.
SV40 virus-induced tumour specific transplantation antigen in cultured mouse cells.

The new transplantation antigen in SV40 transformed cells is found in highest concentration in immunogenic membrane-rich subcellular fractions, and has been solubilized.
The 3D electronic band calculation of nickel by the extended Hu¨ckel method

Abstract An expression for the calculation of 3d electronic band structures of metallic nickel is given in the tight-binding scheme using the extended Hu¨ckel method. An explicit formulation in the nearest neighbor approximation is given and the accuracy of the nearest neighbor approximation is discussed. It is found that when a combination of two Slater wave functions is used for each 3d orbital, and when overlap matrix elements between neighbors are included until convergence is achieved, the resulting 3d band structures and band width agree well with those obtained from ab initio tight-binding calculations. For nickel, this calculation gives a 3d band width of 2.48 eV, a degeneracy temperature of 2.8 × 103 K and a linear, low temperature electronic heat coefficient of 1.9 × 10−3 cal mol−1 deg−2.
Disruption of the Intracellular Sulfhydryl Homeostasis by Cadmium-induced Oxidative Stress Leads to Protein Thiolation and Ubiquitination in Neuronal Cells

Abstract Cadmium is a potent cell poison known to cause oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and/or by changing intracellular glutathione levels and to affect the ubiquitin/ATP-dependent proteolytic pathway. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in cadmium toxicity are still not well understood, especially in neuronal cells. To investigate the relationship between cadmium-induced oxidative stress and the ubiquitin/ATP-dependent pathway, we treated cultures of neuronal cells with different concentrations of the metal ion. In addition to decreases in glutathione levels, we observed marked increases in protein-mixed disulfides (Pr-SSGs) after exposure of HT4 cells (a mouse neuronal cell line) or rat primary mesencephalic cultures to Cd2+. The increases in intracellular levels of Pr-SSGs were concurrent with increases in the levels of ubiquitinated proteins (Ub proteins) when the HT4 cells were subjected to lower (25 μm or less) concentrations of cadmium. However, higher concentrations of cadmium (50 μm), which were toxic, led to increases in Pr-SSGs but inhibited ubiquitination, probably reflecting inhibition of ubiquitinating enzymes. The cadmium-induced changes in Pr-SSGs and Ub proteins were not affected when more than 85% of intracellular glutathione was removed from the cells by the glutathione synthetase inhibitorl-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine. However, the reducing agent dithiothreitol, which prevented the build up of Pr-SSGs in the cell, also blocked the accumulation of Ub proteins induced by cadmium. In addition, dithiothreitol blocked the effects of the higher toxic (50 μm) concentrations of cadmium on cytotoxicity and on glutathione, Pr-SSGs, and Ub proteins. Together, these results strongly suggest that changes in the levels of intracellular Pr-SSGs and ubiquitin-protein conjugates in neuronal cells are responses closely associated with the disruption of intracellular sulfhydryl homeostasis caused by cadmium-mediated oxidative stress.
Aromatic Permeation through Crystalline Molecular Sieve Membranes

The fluxes of aromatic molecules (p-xylene, o-xylene, and benzene) were measured as a function of temperature and feed partial pressure through several molecular sieve membranes (SAPO-5, SAPO-11, and mordenite) and three types of MFI membranes (silicalite-1, ZSM-5, and boron-substituted ZSM-5). Single-file diffusion appeared to control transport through the SAPO and mordenite membranes. Hence, those membranes showed ideal selectivities greater than 1 for benzene over the xylene isomers but no separation selectivities for the mixtures. Surface diffusion and activated gaseous transport were the controlling mechanisms for the MFI membranes. The highest p-xylene/o-xylene selectivities were obtained for a boron-substituted ZSM-5 membrane. At feed partial pressures of 2.1 kPa and at a temperature of 425 K, the best selectivities were 130 (ideal) and 60 (separation). Zeolite pores preferentially permeated p-xylene and took as long as 8 h to reach steady state. Nonzeolite pores preferentially permeated o-xylene a...
Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Monitoring Streambank Retreat: Comparison with Traditional Surveying Techniques

Data concerning streambank retreat (SBR) rates are important for many different engineering applications such as stream restoration and total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. However, measurement of SBR can be time-consuming and is often characterized by large measurement and interpolation errors. These errors propagate into the calculation of sediment budgets for the development of TMDLs, creating uncertainty in source partitioning and overall load estimates. We compared two techniques for measuring SBR: (1) traditional surveying with a total station and (2) terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). An 11-m streambank on Stroubles Creek in Blacksburg, Virgina was surveyed six times over a 2-year period. The average SBR along the entire bank was estimated to be −0.15 m/year with TLS and −0.18 m/year with total station surveying. The resulting differences in median SBR estimates along five distinct cross sections between each of the survey dates ranged from −0.11 to +0.06 m . This error in SBR due to total s...
Antilipolytic Effects of Sulfonylurea Drugs on Induced Lipolysis in Isolated Fat Cells of the Rat1

The effect of tolbutamide and tolazamide on fatty acid and glycerol release in vitro was examined in fat cells isolated from epididymal adipose tissue of fasted rats. Incubations were performed in the absence of glucose. Tolbutamide reduced basal rate of release of both glycerol and fatty acid. Both tolbutamide and tolazamide blocked the lipolytic effect of DLarterenol, ACTH, theophylline and glucagon. Tolbutamide inhibited the lipolytic effect of dexamethasone and growth hormone whether it was added initially or 2 hr after the start of incubation. Anti-insulin serum, demonstrated to inhibit the antilipolytic effect of insulin, did not inhibit the antilipolytic effect of tolbutamide. (Endocrinology 81: 71, 1967)
CFD Analysis of Two-Phase Flow Characteristics in a 90 Degree Elbow

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed for a two-phase air-water flow through a horizontal to vertical 900 elbow with a 12.7 mm pipe diameter. Three different air velocities of 15.24, 30.48, and 45.72 m/sec along with three different water velocities of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 m/sec were used in this study. To analyze the flow behavior in the elbow, pressure and velocity profiles at six different upstream and downstream locations of the elbow were compared. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed for 9 different cases using FLUENT commercial code. A mixture model was used to account for different gas and liquid velocities to solve continuity, momentum and energy equations. CFD analysis results showed a decrease in pressure as fluid leaves the elbow in addition to a larger pressure drop at higher air velocities. No significant change in pressure was observed when water velocity was increased from 0.1 to 1.0 m/sec compared to water velocity change from 1.0 to 10.0 m/sec. The ...