cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulating and tissue endothelin immunoreactivity in hypercholesterolemic pigs.

BACKGROUNDHypercholesterolemia is characterized by a coronary vasoconstrictive response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. This abnormality may be due to reduced synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and/or enhanced synthesis and release of an endothelium-derived contracting factor. Endothelin is an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor and mitogenic peptide that is present in normal plasma, and its circulating concentrations are elevated in disease states that are characterized by abnormal endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine. The current studies were designed to test the hypotheses that experimental hypercholesterolemia results in elevation of plasma and tissue endothelin immunoreactivity and that the abnormal acetylcholine-evoked coronary vasoconstriction in the hypercholesterolemic animals is associated with further elevation of plasma endothelin.METHODS AND RESULTSPlasma concentrations and molecular forms of endothelin immunoreactivity were determined follow...
Determination of Elemental Composition of NBS SRM Coals Via Automated Neutron Activation Analysis

An automated multidetector system for instrumental thermal neutron activation of geological and environmental materials was used for the measurement of up to 34 elements in six National Bureau of Standards Standard Reference Material coal samples. Good agreement was achieved with NBS certified and literature consensus values.
Stick-slip of Lightly Loaded Limestone

Abstract The phenomenon of stick-slip of a limestone tested in d direct shear at constant rate of strain under normal loads of 0·75–20·00 kg/cm2 and temperatures from 30 to 200°C was investigated. Stick-slip was found to depend upon the temperature, normal load and previous frictional history of the rock. Stick-slip could always be induced from smooth slip by raising the temperature. Temperatures above that required to induce stick-slip result in larger slips, longer sticks and higher shear load relaxations. At normal loads above 3·00 kg/cm2, stick-slip began at 30°. Accumulation of debris has the same effect as lightening normal load, allowing smooth slip below 100°C. Smooth slip below this temperature is attributed to adsorbed water. The dependence of stick-slip upon temperature and reaction to the creation or introduction of debris led to the conclusion that stick-slip of limestone is a result of asperity to asperity bonding.
Overview of Adjuvant Systemic Therapy in Early Stage Breast Cancer

The benefits of adjuvant systemic therapy in reducing risk of distant relapse from breast cancer have been recognized for several decades. The intent of adjuvant therapy is to eliminate the occult micrometastatic breast cancer burden before it progresses into clinically apparent disease. Successful delivery of effective adjuvant systemic therapy as a complement to surgical management of breast cancer has contributed to the steady declines in breast cancer mortality observed internationally over the past 2 decades. Ongoing clinical and translational research in breast cancer seeks to improve the efficacy of systemic agents for use in the conventional postoperative (adjuvant) setting.
Evolution of the courtship display of Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Melittobia, a polyphagous pupal parasitoid of many solitary bees and wasps, has a complex courtship display, the evolutionary history of which is poorly understood. The current phylogeny of this genus suggests the complexity of the courtship has increased over time. We test this hypothesis using Bayesian and Maximum likelihood techniques to construct a molecular phylogeny of Melittobia-the first for this genus using modern techniques--using two intergenic regions (Internal Transcribed Spacer regions 1 and 2) and Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (CO1), and reconstruct the ancestral state of each major node in the phylogeny for five behaviors coincidental to major shifts in display complexity. We show that species-groups identified solely on behavioral characters are reliable, although the relationships among groups are different than those previously hypothesized. We also show that behaviors traditionally used in the courtship studies do not support a hypothesis of increasing display complexity over time.
The Movement Assessment of Infants (MAI) as a predictor of two-year neurodevelopmental outcome for infants born at term who are at social risk.

PURPOSE This prospective longitudinal study was designed to evaluate whether the four-month Movement Assessment of Infants (MAI), predicted two-year cognitive and motor developmental status measured by the Mental (MDI) and Psychomotor (PDI) Scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). METHODS The subjects were 134 infants born at term who were considered at developmental risk due to biological and social risk factors. Different masked examiners assessed the infants at each age. RESULTS Infants' average MAI total risk scores (MAI TRS) at four months were negatively correlated with their BSID MDI scores (r = -0.23, p = 0.007) but not PDI scores at two years. Infants classified as high risk on the MAI (TRS >13) were approximately three times more likely than infants with a lower risk MAI classification (TRS 84) at two years, with 76% negative and 50% positive predictive values. CONCLUSION The MAI appears to be valid for use with infants born at term who are at risk of developmental delay and may be a useful tool to help clinicians make decisions about intervention services.
Sexually dimorphic expression of hypothalamic estrogen receptors α and β and Kiss1 in neonatal male and female rats.

Release of gonadotropins in adult rodents is sex specific and dependent upon kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons. This crucial pathway within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is profoundly influenced by neonatal estrogens, which induce a male-like phenotype. Classically, estrogen activity is mediated via the estrogen receptors a and β (ERα and ERβ), but the relative roles each plays in organizing the sex-specific ontogeny of kisspeptin signaling pathways remain unresolved. Thus, the present study used in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) to map the temporal and sexually dimorphic neonatal mRNA expression profiles of ERα, ERβ, and Kiss1 in the anterioventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), medial preoptic area (MPOA), ventromedial nucleus (VMN), and arcuate nucleus (ARC), all regions critical for kisspeptin regulation of gonadotropin secretion. In general, females had higher levels of ERα, in all regions examined, a sex difference that persisted until postnatal day (PND) 19 except in the ARC. Males had significantly more ERβ expression in the AVPV at birth, but this sex difference was lost and then re-emerged on PND 19, with females having more than males. VMN ERβ levels were higher in females until PND 19. Kiss1 was not detectable until PND 11 in the anterior hypo-thalamus, but expression levels were equivalent at birth in the ARC. By PND 2, ARC ERα and Kiss1 levels were abundant, sexually dimorphic (higher in females), and, respectively, showed a U- and a bell-shaped pattern with age. Sex differences in ARC Kiss1 expression provide evidence that Kiss1 may play a role in the sexual dimorphic organization of the neonatal brain. These detailed profiles of neonatal Kiss1 and ERs mRNA levels will help elucidate the relative roles each plays in the sex-specific, estrogen-dependent organization of gonadotropin signaling pathways.
High-sensitivity amino acid analysis: methodology for the determination of amino acid compositions with less than 100 picomoles of peptides.

Abstract Highly sensitive methodology is described for the determination of amino acid compositions of picomole quantities of peptides using an automated fluorescence amino acid analyzer with o-phthalaldehyde as the detection agent. All commonly occurring amino acids, including cystine, proline, and tryptophan, can be quantitated. High sensitivity is primarily achieved by using simple procedures which effectively and reliably reduce the level of interfering contamination present in buffers and reagents or introduced during sample handling. Accurate and reproducible amino acid compositions are obtained with 50 pmol or less peptide.
Automatic verification of asynchronous circuits using temporal logic

A method is presented for automatically verifying asynchronous sequential circuits using temporal logic specifications. The method takes a circuit desctibed in terms of Boolean gates and Muller elements, and derves a state graph that summaries all possible circuit executions resulting from any set of finite delays on the outputs of the components. The correct behaviour of the circuit is expressed in CTL, a temporal logic. This specification is checked against the state graph using a model checker program. Using this method, a timing error in a published arbiter design is discovered. A corrected arbiter is given and verified
The Comparative Roles of Connected and Disconnected Trajectories in the Evaluation of the Semiclassical Coherent-State Propagator

Abstract The semiclassical approximation of the coherent-state propagator developed by Klauder and subsequently modified by Adachi is applied to the quartic oscillator. This approximation involves classical trajectories which must satisfy complex boundary conditions. It is found that these complex classical trajectories fall into two broad categories basically characterized by the descriptive titles "continuously connected" and "disconnected" given to the two different types. The continuously connected type is found to always contribute in the evaluation of the semiclassical propagator while the disconnected type will only contribute under specific conditions.
The Role of Parenting in Alcohol and Tobacco Use Among Latino Adolescents

Parents can impact adolescent substance use, but it is unclear which substances are most affected. This study compared associations between parenting behaviors and alcohol and tobacco use to see if parenting was equally related to both behaviors. Alcohol and tobacco use data were collected from 252 Latino adolescents living along the San Diego–Tijuana border. Logistic regression was used to test parenting behaviors' impact. Parenting was protective against alcohol use but not related to tobacco use. Substance-using peers affected both alcohol and tobacco use. Alcohol prevention efforts among Latino adolescents should target parenting behaviors.
A High Power Density Electric Machine Element

A direct current homopolar machine with liquid metal contacts can achieve high power density and efficiency. The analysis of a simple model of such a machine shows that a power density of several horsepower per pound at 90 percent efficiency is possible. The results of a design study of an experimental 280-pound 250- horsepower homopolar automotive transmission showed a 90 percent efficiency over a useful operating range. Problems arising during testing limited the efficiency to 75 percent.
Improving Chemical Production Processes by Selective By-Product Removal in a Pervaporation Membrane Reactor

Esters have applications as flavoring agents, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Esterification and transesterification are convenient means to synthesize esters. Frequently, a large excess of one of the reactants is mandatory to obtain good yields for these equilibrium driven reactions. Selective removal of the reaction by-product allows for an increased yield. In this paper, the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol and the transesterification of methyl benzoate with n-butanol were studied in pervaporation membrane reactors equipped with perfluorinated composite membranes. A 95% yield of ethyl oleate was reached within 60 hours and the conversion of methyl benzoate increased from 52% to 77%.
Eastward Submarine Canyon and the Shaping of the Blake Nose

Eastward Canyon has formed along the north side of the Blake nose (30°10′ N., 76°30′ W.) and is part of the east edge of the Blake Plateau which lies off the southeast coast of the United States. The canyon has a length of about 40 mi and a maximum depth of about 500 m from the crest of the north side. The south wall of the canyon coincides with the north wall of the Blake nose and has a relief of over 2,000 m. The erosional processes which formed the canyon and which maintain the sharp declivity at the base of the escarpment have in effect eroded and shaped the Blake nose. Oolitic calcarenite with Early Cretaceous algae from the base of the Blake nose suggest it formed as a prograding sedimentary feature in a shallow-water environment, and may have extended much farther to the east before being eroded. Eastward Canyon has no extension onto the Blake Plateau and no river counterpart on land and therefore must have been formed by the deep western boundary undercurrent flowing south along the Blake Escarpment. The currents might gain considerable strength as they are deflected around the Blake nose. The extension of stratigraphic reflectors and JOIDES drill core dates from the Blake Outer Ridge suggest that present aspects of the canyon are largely Pleistocene in age. The lower end of the canyon merges into the Blake-Bahama abyssal plain at about 5,030 m, which implies that the solution of carbonate sediment is an important factor in erosion. Similar erosional processes may be important in maintaining the axis of maximum depth close to the Blake-Bahama escarpment farther to the south.
Establishing Stereometric Co-Ordinates In Humans For Surfacing, Registering And Coloring Display

Microenvironments which can be sampled using clinical imaging devices have distinct physical chemical characteris-tics. Clinical diagnostic procedures have, for some time, exploited these characteristics to highlight relations, con-tinuity of structure, and coloration in tissue samples. As demonstrated by our experience with decision support systems for polysomnography, rather simple inferential engines can recognize the same sorts of characteristics which have been exploited in pathologic procedures to assign properties to voxels in a clinical image.
The majority principle in Islamic legal and political thought

This article studies the concepts of ijmā, al‐sawād al‐a am, jumhūr, al‐tarjī bi‐al‐kathra and legal maxims al‐qawaid al‐fiqhiyya at some length and relates them to the majority principle. These concepts represent a rich field of legal rules, principles and opinions, and the study has found that most—if not all—of them could strengthen the case for the legitimization of the majority principle in Islamic political thought and decision‐making processes. The article also considers Islamic political thought in relation to popular sovereignty, equality, popular consultation and the adoption of majority decisions by all the participants in political processes. While it is by no means conclusive, the article clearly favors the adoption of the majority principle—alongside other principles validated in Islam—in shūratic processes in an Islamic state.
Effects of Histone Acetylation by Piccolo NuA4 on the Structure of a Nucleosome and the Interactions between Two Nucleosomes

We characterized the effect of histone acetylation on the structure of a nucleosome and the interactions between two nucleosomes. In this study, nucleosomes reconstituted with the Selex “Widom 601” sequence were acetylated with the Piccolo NuA4 complex, which acetylates mainly H4 N-terminal tail lysine residues and some H2A/H3 N-terminal tail lysine residues. Upon the acetylation, we observed directional unwrapping of nucleosomal DNA that accompanies topology change of the DNA. Interactions between two nucleosomes in solution were also monitored to discover multiple transient dinucleosomal states that can be categorized to short-lived and long-lived (∼1 s) states. The formation of dinucleosomes is strongly Mg2+-dependent, and unacetylated nucleosomes favor the formation of long-lived dinucleosomes 4-fold as much as the acetylated ones. These results suggest that the acetylation of histones by Piccolo NuA4 disturbs not only the structure of a nucleosome but also the interactions between two nucleosomes. Lastly, we suggest a structural model for a stable dinucleosomal state where the two nucleosomes are separated by ∼2 nm face-to-face and rotated by 34° with respect to each other.
Axial strain sensitivity of single-mode optical fibers (exact solution)

Axial strain may be determined by monitoring the phase shift of a single mode optical fiber. Whenever an optical fiber is under stress, the optical path length, the index of refraction, and the propagation constants of each fiber mode change. In consequence, the phase term, (beta) (Zeta) , is also modified. In this paper, a relationship for the phase shift, due to axial strain, of the hybrid modes HE1n and EH1n is presented using the exact field solution. This relation is applied to single mode fibers in order to determine phase sensitivity characteristics.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Neuronal protective and rescue effects of deprenyl against MPP+ dopaminergic toxicity.

Intranigral infusion of 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+, 2.1–16.8 nmol) dose-dependently injured nigral neurons as reflected by reduced dopamine levels in the ipsilateral striatum four days after the infusion of this toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Coadministration of deprenyl (4.2 nmol) with MPP+ into the substantia nigra protected against MPP+-induced moderate (20–50%) but not severe (over 70%) nigral injury as reflected in striatal dopamine reductions. However, supplementary treatment with deprenyl (0.25 mg/kg, s.c., twice daily for 4 days) after intranigral infusion of MPP+ significantly rescued nigral neurons from more severe damage caused by a higher MPP+ does (8.4 nmol) manifested by a lesser striatal dopamine decrease (−31%) compared to the non-deprenyl treated group (−70%). Thus, in addition to the blockade of bioactivation of MPTP, deprenyl can protect and/or rescue nigral neurons from MPP+-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. These in vivo data add further evidence to suggest that deprenyl, a putative and clinically unproven neuroprotective agent, may be of value in slowing the progressive nigral degeneration in “early” Parkinson's disease, but may prove to be less so in its terminal stages.
Kinetic parameters of rubidium transport pathways are normal in cystic fibrosis red cells.

ABSTRACT: The abnormalities in ion transport in cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory and sweat duct epithelia have prompted studies of ion permeability in CF red blood cells (RBC) although previous reports have been contradictory. In this study, the kinetic characteristics of the three major cation transport systems in RBC were evaluated by measuring rubidium (Rb) uptake at various external Rb concentrations. The maximal velocity and affinity for external Rb (K1/2) of the NaK pump were normal in CF RBC, as were the maximal velocity and Km for Rb of the NaK cotransport system. Residual (ouabain and bumetanide insensitive) Rb uptake, and steady state RBC Na and K contents were also normal. These data indicate the NaK pump and cotransport system do not exhibit primary or secondary perturbations in CF RBC, and suggest that the noncarrier-mediated membrane permeability to cations is also normal in these cells.
An improved microelectrode resistance meter.

Abstract A device is described for measuring the resistance of micropipette electrodes. The useful range of electrode resistances that it can measure is 100 kΩ to 1 GΩ. It is more convenient to use than previously described or commercially available meters, especially for very high-resistance electrodes. Resistance of even the finest microelectrodes can be measured accurately while their tips are inserted by hand into a test solution. This eliminates the need for special holders, speeding and simplifying the screening of large numbers of electrodes. Test solutions are stored in interchangeable reservoirs, making it easy to characterize the resistance of an electrode in solutions of different resistivity. Test solutions can also be capped and removed when not in use to prevent evaporation. To protect very high-resistance electrodes from damage during measurement, the measuring current is low (only 300 pA on the highest resistance range) and the test voltage across the electrode is limited to ± 1 V.
Information science and scientists in 2001

Technological innovations will lead to changes in the ways we acquire, transmit and use information, and thence to behavioral changes in individuals. Future changes will be marked by complex interactions among basic technologies, new communications media and new distribution concepts. These will affect the ways people are educated, perform their jobs, and carry out day-to-day activities.By the beginning of the next century we can expect: (1) a diminution of the importance of the printed word in favour of electronically distributed magnetic recordings; (2) a lessen ing of human effort in deciding what information to record and how; rather we will tend to record nearly everything and postpone until retrieval time the intellectual work of decid ing what is important; (3) a smaller number of information depositories and a larger number of service institutions; (4) the disappearance of the scholarly journal as a bound, tang ible entity, in favour of the 'journal' as a collection of inde pendently published art...
The Image Orthicon in Spectroscopy

Use of the image orthicon tube as a detector in spectroscopy provides rapid response at controlled instants and, for short exposure times, greater light sensitivity than the photographic plate. The application of the orthicon spectrograph to the study of transient or rapidly varying light sources is discussed.
The seduction of common sense: how the Right has framed the debate on America's schools

by Kevin K. Kumashiro, New York, Teachers College Press, 2008, 111 pp., US$16.95 (paperback), ISBN 978‐0‐8077‐4868‐8 On May 11, 2010, the conservative Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, signed into l...
Incipient cross-stream liquid jet atomization at high altitude and velocity

Liquid jets aerodynamic atomization at orifice exit in reentry vehicle into gaseous crossflow, investigating critical Weber number variation with Knudsen number
A Euclidean Area Theorem via Isotropic Projection

We obtain a generalization of a property of the arbelos first stated as Proposition 4 in the Book of Lemmas by Archimedes, circa 250 BC. The new theorem relates the areas of a chain of four consecutively tangent circles to the area of a circle orthogonal to, and with a diameter tangent to, two of the original circles. The proof of the theorem uses isotropic projection of the 3-dimensional affine Minkowski space onto an embedded Euclidean plane. Proposition 14 of the Book of Lemmas (the Lemma of the Salinon) is then derived from the generalization.
31P NMR spectroscopy of phorbol‐myristate‐acetate stimulated polymorphonuclear human leukocytes

High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of cellular suspensions and tissues has been applied in the study of various metabolic activities under physiologic conditions. In particular 31P NMR has been used to monitor intracellular pH and directly measure various phosphorous metabolites as a function of selected cellular activities [l-3]. The data herein reported are the first employing NMR to study the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte, a circulating blood phagocyte which serves in the initial cellular defense against invading microorganisms. The PMN leukocyte manifests a complex respiratory burst when activated by phagocytosable particles or by the soluble agonist, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) [4]. The respiratory burst of the PMN leukocyte is characterized as cyanide-insensitive to distinguish mitochondrial respiration from the activation of a flavin-dependent NADPH-oxidase, which reduces molecular oxygen to superoxide (O;), and accounts for the principal enzymatic activity of the respiratory burst [ ‘51. Reduction products of the consumed oxygen are utilized in various microbicidal mechanisms. 31P NMR spectroscopy was employed to measure directly the cellular ATP pool, the pyridine nucleotide @LAD(H)) concentrations, and monitor pH fluctuation as a consequence of PMA and zymosan activation of the human PMN leukocyte respiratory burst. This first report of NMR spectroscopy applied to leukocytes demonstrates the ease and utility of direct measurement for study of the metabolism of various phosphorous compounds.
Laparoscopy in morbidly obese patients.

Abstract Study Objective. To assess the safety and efficacy of different insufflation methods in morbidly obese women undergoing laparoscopy. Design. Retrospective analysis of 13 years' experience (Canadian Task Force classification 11-2). Setting. University-affiliated hospital. Patients. One hundred thirty-eight morbidly obese women (weight >250 lbs, body mass index >36). The heaviest patient weighed 400 lbs and had a body mass index of 66. Intervention. Laparoscopic tubal sterilizations and diagnostic laparoscopies performed on an outpatient basis by residents under faculty supervision. Measurements and Main Results. Of 138 patients, 36 underwent standard transumbilical insufflation with 5 failures, 83 had transuterine insufflation with 3 failures, 12 had subcostal insufflation with 1 failure, and 7 had open laparoscopy with 2 failures Conclusion. The insufflation failure rate was significantly high for transumbilical insufflation and open laparoscopy, and not for transuterine or subcostal insufflation. Morbid obesity was not a contraindication to laparoscopy.
The interrelationships of processing treatments and oxidation-reduction systems as factors affecting the keeping quality of dry whole milk.

Summary High-temperature-short-time treatments (90 to 96° C. for 60 to 80 sec.) are superior to 30 min. at 76.7 to 96° C. for preheating fluid milk for drying purposes. The short-time preheating results in lower oxidation-reduction potentials, less oxidation of ascorbic acid and greater retention of iodosobenzoate and thiamine disulfide-reducing substances in both the fluid and dry product. Furthermore, dry whole milk prepared with the short-time preheating exhibits better resistance to oxidation during storage. The removal of oxygen from the system previous to a 30-min. heat treatment at 85° C. results in lower Eh values, better retention of thiamine disulfide-, acid ferricyanide- and iodosobenzoate-reducing substances than if the heating is done in air or in equilibrium with oxygen. There is a close relationship between the content of thiamine disulfide-reducing substances and the resistance of dry whole milk to oxidation during storage in air if HTST preheating is used. The initial redox potential, the content of ascorbic acid, acid ferricyanide- (AFRS), thiamine disulfide- (TDRS) or iodosobenzoate-reducing substances (IBRS) used individually are not reliable indices of the resistance of dry whole milk to oxidation. The estimation of both the IBRS and TDRS contents of fresh samples may be of value in estimating the storage life of dry whole milk.
Incidence of Placement and Removal or Revision of Transvaginal Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence in the Ambulatory Setting before and after the 2011 Food and Drug Administration Notification

Abstract Introduction In July 2011 the FDA issued a notification stating that serious complications associated with surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse are not rare. This statement did not include any conclusions on mesh for stress urinary incontinence. The notification was reported widely in the popular media and public opinion appeared to turn against transvaginal mesh of all types not specific to pelvic organ prolapse. We evaluated changes in practice that occurred after the notification. Methods We used the California, South Carolina, Illinois and Maryland SASD to determine the incidence of transvaginal mesh implantation procedures for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence as well as the incidence of mesh revision or removal procedures for these indications. Results A total of 20,323 mesh related procedures were performed for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in 2011. The total number of transvaginal mesh implantations for prolapse decreased from early to late 2011. The total number of revision or removal procedures increased by 49.1% and 15% for prolapse mesh and slings, respectively. There was an increase in revision or removal procedures for slings as well as for all mesh (each p Conclusions The FDA notification was associated with increased revision or removal procedures for mesh placed for stress urinary incontinence despite the notification warning only against mesh for pelvic organ prolapse. Patients may rely on popular media for medical knowledge. Better patient education may help patients make choices regarding surgery in accordance with the FDA notification.
Influence of processing and curing conditions on beads coated with an aqueous dispersion of cellulose acetate phthalate.

Abstract The influence of fluidized-bed processing conditions, as well as curing parameters with and without humidity, on drug release from beads coated with cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) aqueous dispersion was investigated. Theophylline beads prepared by extrusion–spheronization were coated with diethyl phthalate (DEP)-plasticized CAP dispersion (Aquacoat ® CPD) using a Strea-1 fluidized-bed coater. The parameters investigated were plasticizer level, outlet temperature, spray rate during coating application and fluidizing air velocities using a half-factorial design. The processing temperature during coating applications was identified as a critical factor among the variables investigated. The release rate significantly decreased when the beads were coated at 36°C compared to those coated at 48°C ( P
Mass of the Scalar Nonet

We calculate the mass of the scalar (${J}^{P}={0}^{+}$) nonet using finite-energy sum rules. The same results are obtained upon using the Veneziano model. Our results are $\ensuremath{\sigma}({I}^{G}={0}^{+}, 770 \mathrm{MeV})$, singlet ${{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{0}}^{+}({I}^{G}={0}^{+}, 1020 \mathrm{MeV})$; $\ensuremath{\delta}({I}^{G}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}}, 930 \mathrm{MeV})$ and $\ensuremath{\kappa}(I=\frac{1}{2}, 1090 \mathrm{MeV})$. These results are in good agreement with their phenomenologically inferred values.
A remark on convergence of test functions

In this note it is shown in the most frequently encountered spaces of test functions in the theory of generalized functions that the customary definitions of convergence are equivalent to apparently much weaker definitions. For example, in the space g the condition of uniform convergence of the functions together with all derivatives (which appears in the definition of convergence) is equivalent to the condition of pointwise convergence of the functions alone. Thus verification of convergence is simplified somewhat.
Effect of high-velocity oxygen-fuel thermal spraying on the physical and mechanical properties of type 316 stainless steel

Data on the microstructural, physical, and mechanical characteristics of high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF)-sprayed type 316 stainless steel coatings are presented and compared with properties of wrought 316 stainless steel. Coatings were prepared at three different spray particle velocities; coating characteristics are presented as a function of velocity. The coatings had relatively low porosity and oxide contents and were significantly harder than annealed, wrought 316 stainless steel. The hardness difference is primarily attributed to high dislocation densities resulting from peening imparted by high-velocity spray particles. The coating hardness increased with increasing spray particle velocity, reflecting increased peening effects. The elastic modulus of the coatings was essentially identical to wrought material. The mean coefficient of thermal expansion of as-sprayed coatings was lower than wrought material, but the expansion of annealed coatings matched the wrought behavior.
Introductory science and mathematics education for 21st-Century biologists.

Galileo wrote that “the book of nature is written in the language of mathematics”; his quantitative approach to understanding the natural world arguably marks the beginning of modern science. Nearly 400 years later, the fragmented teaching of science in our universities still leaves biology outside the quantitative and mathematical culture that has come to define the physical sciences and engineering. This strikes us as particularly inopportune at a time when opportunities for quantitative thinking about biological systems are exploding. We propose that a way out of this dilemma is a unified introductory science curriculum that fully incorporates mathematics and quantitative thinking.
CARBON SEQUESTRATION ON MINED LANDS SUPPORTING ABANDONED GRASSLANDS: SOIL ORGANIC CARBON ACCUMULATION AND DISTRIBUTION 1

Reclaimed surface coal mines in the eastern United States are commonly revegetated with grasses and legumes. The productivity and carbon sequestration potential of the vegetation varies with the condition and nature of the mined site and soil. This study was conducted to determine the distribution pattern of soil carbon stock on 9 mined grasslands reclaimed after the passage of SMCRA in 1977. Mine soil samples of the surface and the subsurface overburden material were collected to approximately 2m depth and chemical and physical soil properties were determined on the less-than-2mm fine sample fraction. Results are presented for the vertical distribution of soil organic carbon concentration (SOC_Cwt%), fine earth (<2mm particle size) fraction (Finesvol%), coal-derived carbon concentration (Coal_Cwt%), and the bulk density of the fine earth fraction (BDfines, g cm -3 ) down the mine soil profile. The SOC_Cwt% ranged between 0.0 and 0.767% and the Coal_Cwt% ranged between 0.0294 and 4.53% among all samples. The R 2 of the soil organic carbon content (SOC) predictions (g C m -2 ) was estimated at 60.6% and the shape of the prediction model resembled that of an exponential function. The results for a hypothetical scenario indicated that at an assumed cost of $24 per 1cm thick spoil layer across 1 hectare of homogenous project area, labeled as cost of SOC analysis within the soil profile, and $97.4 per Mg of elemental C, labeled as C credits for the analyzed SOC the maximum cost effective sampling depth was 48cm. One third of the total sequestered SOC was located beyond the cost-effective sampling depth for this experiment based on these sample analyses.
Sea-Level Variation During the Holocene Deduced from the Morphologic and Stratigraphic Evolution of Morgan Peninsula, Alabama, U.S.A.

Abstract Recent Gulf of Mexico shoreline studies interpret middle to late Holocene sea level as falling from a level above present elevation or stable at present elevation; however, the architecture of Morgan Peninsula, Alabama, does not support this. Morgan Peninsula is a beach-ridge strandplain composed of two obliquely aligned Holocene beach-ridge sets. Ground-penetrating radar profiles discriminate between parallel, even to wavy reflectors of the eolian dune environment and the underlying seaward-dipping, complex sigmoidal-oblique reflectors of the foreshore and upper-shoreface environment. The contact between foreshore and eolian facies in beach ridges can be used as a sea-level indicator. The average elevation of this contact in Morgan Peninsula rises throughout shoreline accretion, which occurred throughout the last 5.4 ka, suggesting that there was continual sea-level rise during this time. Morgan Peninsula is a useful modern analog to ancient shoreface–shelf parasequences and demonstrates the significant internal complexities that can exist in these deposits. Erosional discontinuities imaged in the Holocene foreshore–upper shoreface environment are laterally continuous, extend to elevations above mean sea level, and correlate to beach ridges and the transition between beach-ridge sets. An increase in the wave regime or fluctuations in sediment supply appear to be likely mechanisms for forming erosional discontinuities below beach ridges. The erosional surface separating beach-ridge sets may have formed by increased storm activity and associated barrier breaching, or a reconfiguration of the Mobile Bay tidal-delta complex superimposed on a gradual rate of sea-level rise. This boundary is recognized by a change in beach-ridge orientation at the surface and an increase in the aggradational component of shoreline accretion.
Practical aspects of 1 H transverse paramagnetic relaxation enhancement measurements on macromolecules

The use of (1)H transverse paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) has seen a resurgence in recent years as method for providing long-range distance information for structural studies and as a probe of large amplitude motions and lowly populated transient intermediates in macromolecular association. In this paper we discuss various practical aspects pertaining to accurate measurement of PRE (1)H transverse relaxation rates (Gamma(2)). We first show that accurate Gamma(2) rates can be obtained from a two time-point measurement without requiring any fitting procedures or complicated error estimations, and no additional accuracy is achieved from multiple time-point measurements recorded in the same experiment time. Optimal setting of the two time-points that minimize experimental errors is also discussed. Next we show that the simplistic single time-point measurement that has been commonly used in the literature, can substantially underestimate the true value of Gamma(2), unless a relatively long repetition delay is employed. We then examine the field dependence of Gamma(2), and show that Gamma(2) exhibits only a very weak field dependence at high magnetic fields typically employed in macromolecular studies. The theoretical basis for this observation is discussed. Finally, we investigate the impact of contamination of the paramagnetic sample by trace amounts (5%) of the corresponding diamagnetic species on the accuracy of Gamma(2) measurements. Errors in Gamma(2) introduced by such diamagnetic contamination are potentially sizeable, but can be significantly reduced by using a relatively short time interval for the two time-point Gamma(2) measurement.
Democracy and the Logic of Political Survival

Democracy is a central concept in political science. Scholars have linked it to patterns of war and peace, alliance formation, conflict escalation, success in war, political stability, economic development, and improvements in a wide array of social indicators. These claims are subject to challenge, but the existence of a substantial literature on each of them underlines the importance of the questions. What, however, is the mechanism by which democracy generates these benefits? Is it a matter of norms, behavior, or institutions? Although democracy is a key concept, there is no consensus regarding its theoretical underpinnings. It is for these reasons that the appearance of The Logic of Political Survival (Bueno de Mesquita et al. 2003) was hailed as a breakthrough. The book provides a simple explanation for the effects of democratic institutions: democratic leaders face different incentives than autocrats because democracies have different reselection institutions. The selectorate theory holds that political power depends upon satisfying a winning coalition (W) of the relevant selectorate (S). As the size of the winning coalition increases, leaders shift public policy from providing private benefits to supporters to providing public goods to the masses. Coalitions are most loyal when W is small relative to S .A s the ratioW/S increases, defection becomes less risky, and leaders must spend more to keep their coalitions satisfied.
Automated Fast-Track Reconfiguration of Group Communication Systems

We present formal techniques for improving the performance of modular communication systems. For common sequences of operations we identify a fast-path through a stack of communication protocols and reconfigure the system's code accordingly. Our techniques are implemented by tactics and theorems of the NuPRL proof development system and have been used successfully for the reconfiguration of application systems built with the Ensemble group communication toolkit.
Sepsis‐induced SOCS‐3 expression is immunologically restricted to phagocytes

We have shown that immune cells from septic mice exhibit a suppressed response to exogenous stimuli in vitro. The suppressors of the cytokine signaling (SOCS) family are proteins that block intracellular signaling and can be induced by inflammatory mediators. Therefore, we hypothesized that SOCS-3 is up-regulated in immune cells in response to a septic challenge induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice were subjected to CLP or sham-CLP, and 2-48 h later, the blood, thymus, spleen, lung, and peritoneal leukocytes were harvested and examined. SOCS-3 was undetectable in thymocytes or blood leukocytes. In contrast, SOCS-3 was up-regulated in the spleen, lung, and peritoneal leukocytes in a time-dependent manner. Further examination revealed that only the macrophages and neutrophils expressed SOCS-3. These data suggest that cytokines and bacterial toxins present during sepsis have the ability to suppress the cytokine and/or lipopolysaccharide response and the function of immune cells by up-regulating SOCS-3.
Use and misuse of biomarker tests in ″Environmental conditions”

In the diagnostic evaluation of suspected building-related illness, one generally must thoroughly evaluate the following: (1) workplace or office industrial hygiene measures; (2) material safety data sheets on products or agents used in that particular building; (3) medical records of all persons who claim to have building-related illness; (4) the type and incidence of symptoms, which is usually evaluated by conducting epidemiologic surveys; and (5) current health status of allegedly affected persons, which is evaluated by obtaining a history and performing a physical examination and routine laboratory tests. Depending on the findings gained in these diagnostic evaluations, one may also want to perform psychiatric or neuropsychologic evaluations, a personality test evaluation, and certain laboratory tests, such as complete allergy testing by in vitro or in vivo (skin) tests, selected skin testing with a suspected environmental or occupational allergen, or, where indicated, challenge testing with the suspected offending allergen. These measures would appear to be reasonable when performed by teams of investigators who are selected depending on the situation. Among these investigators would be internists, allergists, pulmonologists, toxicologists, environmental engineers, industrial hygienists, psychologists, and others. Nonetheless, there has been a recent tendency to suspect, without objective evidence and on the basis of belief only, that chemicals or related agents existing in trace amounts in special environmental settings such as buildings, offices, or factories may damage the immune system in humans. Suppression of the immune system would theoretically result in an increased incidence of infections or a decrease in immune tumor surveilance mechanisms. Activation of the immune system by a putative offending environmental agent could theoretically result in autoantibody formation and autoimmune disease or some other form of hyper-
Hydration status substantially affects chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency assessments

We sought to determine the effect of hydration on the criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), a proposed hypothesis for the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Sixteen subjects (11 MS and 5 controls) were asked to fast overnight. The following morning, 2 CCSVI ultrasound examinations were performed: 1 in the mildly dehydrated state, and another 30–45 minutes after rehydrating with 1.5 L of Gatorade. Seven subjects fulfilled CCSVI criteria in the dehydrated state. Of these, 5 (71%) no longer fulfilled CCSVI criteria after rehydration. One additional subject met CCSVI criteria only after rehydration. Hydration status has a substantial effect on CCSVI criteria, suggesting that the sonographic findings of CCSVI may represent a physiologic rather than pathologic state.
CityFlyer: Progress toward autonomous MAV navigation and 3D mapping

This video demonstrates the progress of the CityFlyer project. The goal of the project is to develop an autonomous quadrotor helicopter capable of autonomous flight in indoor and outdoor 3D environments such as hallways, stairwells, forests, caves and tunnels. Currently we are focused on developing 3D mapping and navigation capabilities for indoor environments. This video shows our 6 Degree of Freedom pose estimation system, a novel 3D map structure called Multi Volume Occupancy Grids, and the development of a groundstation.
An analysis of alternative classification schemes for medical atlas mapping.

Abstract Most national disease; atlases adopt a classification scheme based on either the percentile distribution of rates or on the national mean. Although these schemes have a direct interpretation, they are based on the univariate statistical distribution of rates and not on their spatial distribution, and distort the underlying spatial autocorrelation in the data. If the purpose of the maps is to represent spatial patterns, alternative classification schemes might be more appropriate. This research proposes an alternative classification method that maximises spatial similarity among contiguous units in the same class interval. The method has been illustrated using selected data from the German Cancer Atlas published in 1984.
A case of pulmonary sequestration mimicking mediastinal mass detected by prenatal ultrasonography

Pulmonary sequestration is a developmental anomaly of broncho-pulmonary foregut with nonfunctioning parenchymal tissue, which usually supplied by systemic circulation. Pulmonary sequestration is detected by ultrasonography as a homogeneous echogenic mass and also by Doppler blood flow from systemic circulation to the mass. Pulmonary sequestration is classified into intralobar type and extralobar type. Extralobar type accounts for only 15~25% of the cases and it is subdivided into intrathoracic forms, which are most commonly found and extrathoracic type, which includes intraabdominal, retroperitoneal, or mediastinal masses. We report a rare case of prenatal detection of mediastinal mass with a brief review of literatures, which was confirmed to be a pulmonary sequestration by surgical mass excision after birth.