cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jet Velocity Profile of Linear Shaped Charges Based on an Arced Liner Collapse

The jet formation process of linear shaped charges (LSCs) heavily depends on the liner behavior before it collapses. The linear behavior includes the physical shape/deformation, material properties, the projection velocity before impact of the liner, etc. Due to the axially propagating detonation front along the charge, the interaction between the liner and detonation products is one of the important factors that controls the jetting process. In this study, the liner deformation (or arc) caused by the rarefaction is taken into account when analytically calculating the LSC jet velocity based on Birkhoff theory. Based on the formation of an arc in the liner, an analytical calculation of the jet velocity is accomplished in the detonation front, assuming that the entire liner is projecting at the same time. The arc of the LSC liner during projection, which was determined by fitting data generated from hydrocode simulations, allows a non-steady jetting profile. The analytical model described herein is compared...
Biblical Scholarship in Public Discourse

While various scholarly strategies for engaging in or avoiding public discourse are recognized as valid, several factors conspire to induce, even compel, biblical scholars to speak their minds in public. This essay examines the various forums in which biblical scholars enter public discourse and the issues they typically address, both in biblical studies and current affairs. It further assesses the net effect of biblical scholars in shaping public policy. Finally, it focuses on the special challenges and dilemmas biblical scholars face when they engage in public discourse, or decline to do so.
Modeling occupancy dynamics of a rare species, Franklin’s ground squirrel, with limited data: are simple connectivity metrics adequate?

Conservation of populations in fragmented habitats is often based on spatially realistic metapopulation theory, which predicts negative relationships between patch extinction and area and patch colonization and isolation. Cost-distance metrics have been developed to integrate habitat quality into measures of connectivity, and thus may improve predictive power of the area-isolation paradigm. Few studies use empirical data to compare predictive performance of complex cost-distance metrics to simple metrics relying on Euclidean distances. We used 3 years of presence–absence data to examine relative influence of habitat quality, habitat area, and connectivity on occupancy and extinction rates for Poliocitellus franklinii (Franklin’s ground squirrel), a rare grassland species of conservation concern. We calculated connectivity using nearest-neighbor (NN) and incidence function model (IFM) metrics based on Euclidean and cost-distances. Habitat quality, area, and connectivity were all positive predictors for occupancy, but only isolation was a positive predictor of extinction. P. franklinii does not appear to be a tallgrass prairie obligate, but the species distribution is limited by isolation of suitable grassland habitat. A simple NN metric measuring Euclidean distance between a target area and nearest occupied source outperformed IFM (Euclidean and cost-distance) in predicting occupancy and extinction for P. franklinii. Although NN metrics are criticized for considering only the contribution of the source nearest to a target, this simplicity may be acceptable when measuring connectivity for rare species with few occupied habitat patches within dispersal distance.
Death, dying, and immortality: Some contemporary categories

(1964). Death, dying, and immortality: Some contemporary categories. Pacific Philosophy Forum: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 3-45.
Control of a Magnetostrictive-Actuator-Based Micromachining System for Optimal High-Speed Microforming Process

In this paper, the process control of a magnetostrictive-actuator-based microforming system is studied. Microforming has recently become an emerging advanced manufacturing technique for fabricating miniaturized products for applications including medical devices and microelectronics. Particularly, miniaturized desktop microforming systems based on unconventional actuators possess great potential in both high productivity and low cost. Process control of these miniaturized microforming systems, however, is challenging and still at its early stage. The challenge arises from the complicated behaviors of the actuators employed, the switching and the transition involved in the actuation/motion, and the uncertainty of the system dynamics during the entire microforming process. The dynamics and the hysteresis effects of the magnetostrictive actuator can be excited, resulting in positioning errors of the workpiece during both the trajectory tracking and the output transition phases. The rapid tracking-transition switching is also accompanied with substantial variation of the system dynamics. Moreover, the process control is further complicated by the use of multistage actuators and the augmentation of ultrasonic vibrations to the microforming process. In this paper, a control framework integrating iterative learning control and an optimal transition trajectory design along with feedforward–feedback control is proposed to achieve high-speed, high-quality microforming. The efficacy of the proposed control approach is demonstrated through experiments.
Kinetics of nitrosation of thiols by nitric oxide in the presence of oxygen

Nitrosothiols are powerful vasodilators. They act by releasing nitric oxide, which activates the heme protein guanylate cyclase. We have studied the kinetics of nitrosothiol formation of glutathione, cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, human serum albumin, and bovine serum albumin upon reaction with nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of oxygen. These studies have been made at low pH as well as at physiological pH. At pH 7.0, contrary to published reports, nitric oxide by itself does not react with thiols to yield nitrosothiol. However, formation of nitrosothiols is observed in the presence of oxygen. For all thiols studied, the rates of nitrosothiol formation were first order in O2 concentration and second order in NO concentration and at lower concentrations ( RSNO+NO2- + H+. Rate constants for this reaction for glutathione and several other low molecular weight thiols are in the range of 3-1.5 x 10(5) M-1 s-1, and for human and bovine serum albumins 0.3 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 and 0.06 x 10(5) M-1 s-1, respectively. The data further indicate that the reaction rate of the nitrosating species N2O3 with thiols is competitive with its rate of hydrolysis. At physiological concentrations nitrosoglutathione formation represents a significant metabolic fate of N2O3, and at glutathione concentrations of 5 mM or higher almost all of N2O3 formed is consumed in nitrosation of glutathione. Implications of these results for in vivo nitrosation of thiols are discussed.
Complications of silicone stent insertion in patients with expiratory central airway collapse.

Background Silicone stent insertion is an alternative treatment for expiratory central airway collapse. This study evaluates the complications (mucus plugging, migration, and granulation tissue) associated with stenting in patients who failed medical therapy and were not surgical candidates. Methods Chart review from 15 consecutive patients treated by silicone stent insertion was done over a 2-year period. Outcomes included (1) changes in functional class, extent and severity of airway collapse (graded from 1 to 4 by using a multidimensional system), procedure- and stent-related complications at 48 hours after stent insertion; (2) frequency of stent-related complications; and (3) frequency of emergent flexible and rigid bronchoscopy (scheduled or emergent) over the follow-up period. Results Mean functional class and severity and extent of airway collapse significantly improved within 48 hours after treatment (p Conclusions Silicone stent insertion improves functional status immediately after intervention in patients with expiratory central airway collapse, but is associated with a high rate of stent-related complications and need for repeat bronchoscopic interventions.
Topical Ketamine Gel: Possible Role in Treating Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is often resistant to opioids, so other medication classes, such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics, are often used. Central sensitization, or pain ‘wind-up’, may perpetuate chronic neuropathic pain even when ongoing peripheral sensory input is absent. Wind-up is thought to cause allodynia, hyperalgesia, and hyperpathia. Receptors such as NMDA, AMPA, and M-glu have recently been identified for their role in central sensitization or pain ‘wind-up’. Ketamine has been proposed recently for neuropathic pain secondary to its NMDA receptor activity. The current application as a topical gel stems from the theory that ketamine has peripheral action at both opioid and Na+-K+ channels. This case study involved 5 patients from 25 to 70 years old (3 RSD, 1 lumbar radiculopathy, 1 post-herpetic neuralgia). Dose used was determined by site and surface area of involvement and ranged from 0.093 mg/kg to 9.33 mg/kg. All five patients reported significant pain relief at initial application and wished to continue treatment. The average numerical analogue scale (NAS) score preapplication was 8.8. The average 15 minutes post application NAS was 1.6. Patients reported alterations in temperature sensation, feelings of relaxation and decreased tension in the area of application, and pain relief. Reduction in numerical pain scores postapplication of ketamine gel ranged from 53-100% using a 1-10 numerical pain intensity scale. No significant side effects were reported. Ketamine Gel may provide clinicians with a new option in the battle against chronic neuropathic pain. Until further information is available and larger trials can be conducted, we can only recommend this type of therapy for refractory cases in which all primary and secondary options have been exhausted.
Effect of oral administration of pimobendan in cats with heart failure.

Objective—To determine the effect of PO administration of pimobendan on clinical and echocardiographic variables and survival time in cats with heart failure characterized by ventricular systolic dysfunction. Design—Retrospective cohort study. Animals—27 client-owned cats (16 male and 11 female) with heart failure, treated with pimobendan (mean ± SD dosage, 0.26 ± 0.08 mg/kg [0.118 ± 0.036 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h). Procedures—Information on medical history, laboratory results, diagnostic imaging findings, treatments received, and survival time were obtained from medical records of cats that received pimobendan because of cardiac disease. When possible, additional follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews with referring veterinarians and owners. Results—The mean ± SD age of all 27 cats was 8.9 ± 5.2 years. All cats had received several cardiac medications. Types of heart disease represented included unclassified cardiomyopathy (CM; n = 11 [41%]), dilated CM (8 [30%]), arrhythmogenic right ...
Recovered memories of abuse in women with documented child sexual victimization histories

This study provides evidence that some adults who claim to have recovered memories of sexual abuse recall actual events that occurred in childhood. One hundred twenty-nine women with documented histories of sexual victimization in childhood were interviewed and asked about abuse history. Seventeen years following the initial report of the abuse, 80 of the women recalled the victimization. One in 10 women (16% of those who recalled the abuse) reported that at some time in the past they had forgotten about the abuse. Those with a prior period of forgetting—the women with “recovered memories”—were younger at the time of abuse and were less likely to have received support from their mothers than the women who reported that they had always remembered their victimization. The women who had recovered memories and those who had always remembered had the same number of discrepancies when their accounts of the abuse were compared to the reports from the early 1970s.
Some observations on propranolol on platelet aggregation and release

Platelet function was investigated in four normal volunteers, one patient with a mild form of von Willebrand disease, and one with a thrombocytopathy, all taking propranolol. No effect on platelet function attributable to this drug could be demonstrated in any of these subjects. It is suggested that propranolol administered in conventional doses does not impair platelet hemostatic function.
The ornithine aminotransferase gene in gyrate atrophy of the retina: analysis of expression and gross structure of this gene in cultured fibroblasts.

Gyrate atrophy (GA), a degenerative disease of the human chorioretina, is associated with a deficiency of ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) activity, hyperornithinemia, and ornithinuria. We have characterized a cDNA clone for OAT (HLOAT) that was isolated from a cDNA library constructed from mRNA prepared from Hep G2, cells, a human hepatoma cell line. We have used HLOAT and a nearly full length OAT cDNA clone isolated from, a rat liver library (RLOAT) to examine in cultured fibroblasts from individuals with GA and control individuals, the expression of OAT mRNA and the gross structure of the OAT gene. Northern blot analyses of total cellular RNA indicated that 3 of 3 control cell lines and 5 of 6 GA cell lines are capable of expressing an OAT related mRNA of approximately 2100 bases, the size of OAT mRNA. To date, this is the only case of GA in which a complete lack of OAT mRNA has been observed. Southern blot analyses of DNA isolated from these cell lines indicated that the gross structure of the OAT gene is usually not detectably altered in individuals with GA. However, a unique pattern, of restriction fragments was observed upon digestion with Eco RI or Hind III of DNA from the GA cell line that does not express OAT mRNA. These unique Eco RI and Hind III fragments arise from the OAT structural gene and will serve as useful molecular markers that allow this particular defective OAT allele to be identified. When the cellular DNAs were digested with Hinf I and examined with a probe that corresponds to at least a portion of the active site of the enzyme, i. e., the pyridoxal phosphate binding site, identical patterns of fragments were detected in all samples. Therefore, it appears unlikely that the loss of OAT activity associated with these GA cases, 4 of which are pyridoxal phosphate responders, is the result of insertions or deletions in this region of the OAT gene. This study indicates that the lack of OAT enzyme activity associated with GA is the result of a variety of different molecular defects within the OAT gene.
A comparison of demand-valve and bag-valve ventilations in a swine pneumothorax model.

. Objective:Two means of delivering artificial ventilation readily available to out-of-hospita] personnel are the bag-valve (BV) and the empowered demand-valve (OPDV). However, use of the OPDV has been limited because of concerns that it may worsen an underlying pneumothorax. This study compared the changes in size of pneumothorax in swine ventilated with the 2 devices. Methods:Three swine were anesthetized, intubated, and instrumented with a femoral arterial line and a pediatric Swan-Ganz catheter. A chest tube was placed, the chest was opened, and the lung parenchyma was visualized. The lung was disrupted by a single stab with a #10 scalpel; the chest was then sealed; and a pneumothorax was created by injecting 30 mL of air through the chest tube. The animals were ventilated by 12 emergency medical technicians using either BV or OPDV. After 10 minutes of ventilation, the pneumothorax volume was measured. Results:When comparing final pneumothorax volumes after 10 minutes of ventilation with the 2 devices, there was no significant difference (mean ± SD = 40.8 ± 28.2 mL vs 52.3 ± 23.1 mL, p = 0.286). Conclusion:There is no difference in final pneumothorax volumes after OPDV or BV ventilation.
Bequests, inter vivos transfers, and wealth distribution

This paper constructs a heterogeneous agent overlapping generations model with bequests and inter vivos transfers. In the model, households in the same family line behave strategically to determine their consumption, working hours, gifts, and savings. Calibrating the model to the U.S. economy, the paper measures time preference and parental altruism consistent with the economy’s capital-output ratio and the size of intergenerational transfers. The model with intergenerational transfers better explains, although not fully, the wealth distribution of the United States. The paper also analyzes the effects of government policy changes on wealth accumulation, distribution, and social welfare.
Interspinous device versus laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis: a comparative effectiveness study

Abstract Background context Currently no studies directly compare effectiveness between interspinous devices (IDs) and laminectomy in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients. Purpose To compare reoperations, complications, and costs between LSS patients undergoing ID placement versus laminectomy. Study design Retrospective comparative study. Patient sample The MarketScan database (2007–2009) was queried for adults with LSS undergoing ID placement as a primary inpatient procedure. Outcome measures Reoperation rates, complication rates, and costs. Methods Each ID patient was matched with a laminectomy patient using propensity score matching. Reoperations, complications, and costs were analyzed in patients with at least 18 months postoperative follow-up. The authors did not receive funding from any external sources for this study. Results Among 498 inpatients that underwent ID placement between 2007 and 2009; the average age was 73 years. The cumulative reoperation rates after ID at 12 and 18 months were 21% and 23%, respectively. The average inpatient hospitalization lasted 1.6 days with an associated cost of $17,432. Two propensity-matched cohorts of 174 patients that had undergone ID versus laminectomy were analyzed. Longer length of stay was observed in the laminectomy cohort (2.5 days vs. 1.6 days, p Conclusions Twelve-month reoperation rates and index hospitalization costs were significantly higher among patients who underwent ID compared with laminectomy for LSS.
Laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Abstract Background Traditional esophagectomy may be associated with mortality, considerable morbidity, and lengthy recovery. It is often performed in cancer patients who are typically older, have associated comorbidities, and are often malnourished, all factors that increase surgical risk. Minimally invasive esophagectomy has the potential advantages of being a less traumatic procedure with an easier postoperative recovery and fewer wound and pulmonary complications. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy was performed. Assessed parameters included patient demographics and operative data, pathology results, and long-term follow-up of at least 12 months. Results Twenty-two patients underwent laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy; 19 had esophageal cancer. Two patients were operated on for Barrett esophagus, and 1 patient had achalasia. The majority of patients were men (82%), and the mean age was 59 years (range 15 to 74 years); 1 patient (4.5%) was converted to open surgery. The average operative time was 380 minutes (range 285 to 525 minutes), and the average blood loss was 220 mL; only 3 patients required transfusion. The median hospital stay was 8 days (range 5 to 46 days). Postoperative mortality occurred in 1 patient (4.5%), and postoperative complications developed in 6 patients (27.2%). In the 19 cancer patients, the average number of harvested nodes was 14.3 (range 10 to 19). The average follow-up was 30 months (range 12 to 48 months). The overall survival for cancer patients was 61% (11 of 19), and disease-free survival was 39% (7/19). Conclusions Esophagectomy is a major surgery with considerable morbidity and potential mortality. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is a feasible approach that can be safely performed by surgeons with extensive experience in that field. Advantages include less intraoperative blood loss, a smaller incision, and a potentially faster postoperative recovery. In cancer patients, immediate oncologic goals of adequate margins and lymph node dissection can be achieved, and long-term outcome appears to be similar to that found with open approaches.
Recriprocal theorem for concentric compound drops in arbitrary Stokes flows

The Lorentz reciprocal theorem is generalized and applied to the study of the quasisteady motion of a concentric spherical (CS) compound drop at zero Reynolds number. Using this result, the migration velocities of a force-free CS compound drop placed in a general ambient Stokes flow, as well as the forces on each drop when subjected to specified migration velocities, are calculated. The latter constitutes a generalization of Faxen's law to the case of a CS compound drop. Also some earlier results on the thermocapillary migration of such drops (Borhan et al. 1992) are rederived more simply and in greater generality.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Determination of Tumor Grade and Early Response to Temozolomide in a Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Glioma

Purpose: The median survival for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, the most common type of brain tumor, is less than 1 year. Animal glioma models that are more predictive of therapeutic response in human patients than traditional models and that are genetically and histologically accurate are an unmet need. The nestin tv-a (Ntv-a) genetically engineered mouse spontaneously develops glioma when infected with ALV-A expressing platelet-derived growth factor, resulting in autocrine platelet-derived growth factor signaling. Experimental Design: In the Ntv-a genetically engineered mouse model, T2-weighted and T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images were correlated with histology, glioma grade (high or low), and survival. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was therefore used to enroll mice with high-grade gliomas into a second study that tested efficacy of the current standard of care for glioma, temozolomide (100 mg/kg qdx5 i.p., n = 13). Results: The Ntv-a model generated a heterogeneous group of gliomas, some with high-grade growth rate and histologic characteristics and others with characteristics of lower-grade gliomas. We showed that MRI could be used to predict tumor grade and survival. Temozolomide treatment of high-grade tv-a gliomas provided a 14-day growth delay compared with vehicle controls. Diffusion MRI measurement of the apparent diffusion coefficient showed an early decrease in cellularity with temozolomide, similar to that observed in humans. Conclusions: The use of MRI in the Ntv-a model allows determination of glioma grade and survival prediction, distribution of mice with specific tumor types into preclinical trials, and efficacy determination both by tumor growth and early apparent diffusion coefficient response.
On Large Magnetic Reynolds Number Dynamos

Summary Braginskii's dynamo theory of the Earth's magnetic field is reviewed, with particular attention to the relative magnitudes of the symmetric and asymmetric components of the fluid flow. A general approach to the problem of the ordering of the velocity makes it clear that Braginskii's choice is the only one consistent with the physical processes dominant in the Earth's core. A special class of flows, which resemble the Bullard-Gellman dynamo, is studied using Braginskii's approach. By making use of a symmetry property of these velocities, the lengthy algebra usually involved in these studies can be eliminated, and it becomes feasible to examine the higher order terms in the expansion for the mean emf which supports the axially symmetric field. Braginskii proved that, for his ordering of the velocity, this class of flows cannot give dynamo action at large magnetic Reynolds number. It is shown here that by increasing the magnitude of the asymmetric flow relative to that of the differential rotation, this ‘anti-dynamo’ restriction may be removed. The implications for numerical dynamo models are discussed.
Raman Amplification in Multi Mode Fiber: A Method to Reduce Inter-symbol Interference via Mode Selective Gain

We present theoretical and experimental results showing Raman gain in multimode fiber comparable to standard single mode fiber and mode selective amplification that reduces inter-symbol interference. Improvement in MMF link for high-speed data transmission is demonstrated.
Rapid detection and quantification of specific proteins by immunodepletion and microfluidic separation

Conventional immunoblotting techniques are labor intensive, time consuming and rely on the elution of target protein after depletion. Here we describe a new method for detection and quantification of proteins, independent of washing and elution. In this method, the target protein is first captured by immunodepletion with antibody-coated microbeads. In the second step, both the supernatant after immunodepletion and the untreated protein sample are directly analyzed by microfluidic electrophoresis without further processing. Subsequently, the detection and quantification are performed by comparing the electropherograms of these two samples. This method was tested using an Escherichia coli lysate with a FLAG-tagged protein and anti-FLAG magnetic beads. An incubation of as short as one min was sufficient for detectable depletion (66%) by microchip electrophoresis. Longer incubation (up to 60 min) resulted in more depletion of the target band (82%). Our results show that only 19% of the target is recovered after elution from the beads. By eliminating multiple wash and elution steps, our method is faster, less labor intensive, and highly reproducible. The target protein can still be easily identified even in the case of nonspecific binding at low concentrations. This work highlights the advantages of integrating immunodepletion techniques on a microfluidic platform.
Oxidative stress alters renal D1 and AT1 receptor functions and increases blood pressure in old rats

Aging is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and blood pressure (BP). Renal dopamine D1 (D1R) and angiotensin II AT1 (AT1R) receptors maintain sodium homeostasis and BP. We hypothesized...
Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus Subgenomic Replicon Resistance to Cyclosporine In Vitro

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been met with less than satisfactory results due primarily to its resistance to and significant side effects from alpha interferon (IFN-α). New classes of safe and broadly acting treatments are urgently needed. Cyclosporine (CsA), an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drug for organ transplant patients, has recently been shown to be highly effective in suppressing HCV replication through a mechanism that is distinct from the IFN pathway. Here we report the selection and characterization of HCV replicon cells that are resistant to CsA treatment in vitro, taking advantage of our ability to sort live cells that are actively replicating HCV RNA in the presence of drug treatments. This resistance is specific to CsA as the replicon cells most resistant to CsA were still sensitive to IFN-α and a polymerase inhibitor. We demonstrate that the resistant phenotype is not a result of general enhanced replication and, furthermore, that mutations in the coding region of HCV NS5B contribute to the resistance. Interestingly, a point mutation (I432V) isolated from the most resistant replicon was able to rescue a lethal mutation (P540A) in NS5B that disrupts its interaction with its cofactor, cyclophilin B (CypB), even though the I432V mutation is located outside of the reported CypB binding site (amino acids 520 to 591). Our results demonstrate that CsA exerts selective pressure on the HCV genome, leading to the emergence of resistance-conferring mutations in the viral genome despite acting upon a cellular protein.
DUOX-Mediated Signaling Is Not Required for LPS-Induced Neutrophilic Response in the Airways

Oxidant production from DUOX1 has been proposed to lead to neutrophil recruitment into the airways when lung homeostasis is compromised. The objective of this study was to determine whether DUOX-derived hydrogen peroxide is required for LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment, using a functional DUOX knock out mouse model. We found that LPS induced profound neutrophilic lung inflammation in both Duoxa+/+ and Duoxa-/- mice between 3h and 24h. Duoxa-/- mice had significantly higher neutrophil influx 24h after LPS instillation despite similar cytokine levels (KC, MIP-2, or TGF-α) between the two groups. These findings suggest that LPS-TLR-4-induced KC or MIP-2 cytokine induction and subsequent neutrophil recruitment in the airway does not require DUOX-derived hydrogen peroxide from airway epithelium.
Exploring cancer support needs for older African-American men with prostate cancer

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore cancer support and financial issues related to cancer care experienced by African-American men with prostate cancer and to understand whom they relied on for resource issues during diagnosis and treatment.
A transportable fluorescence imagining system for detecting fecal contaminants

Feces are the primary source of many pathogenic organisms that can potentially contaminate agricultural commodities. Feces generally contain chlorophyll a and related compounds due to ingestion of plant materials. Fluorescent responses of these compounds to appropriate excitation can mark the presence of feces on animal carcasses, or on fruits or vegetables. We describe a transportable imaging system for detecting fecal contamination. The primary components of the system are a UV light source, an intensified camera with a six-position filter wheel, and software for controlling the system and automatically analyzing images. To test the system, diluted dairy feces were applied to surfaces of red delicious apples using stencils or a pipette. Comparisons of test results using a definitive set of four red-band filters demonstrated that the contrast between fluorescence responses of treated and untreated apple surfaces decreased with increasing wavelength, and was 25% greater at 668 compared to the best results obtained at 678, 685, or 700nm. Using images acquired at 668nm, automated algorithms based on either threshold or edge detection were 100% successful in detecting stenciled apples and 1:10 dilution spots applied with pipette, which contained approximately 300ng of dry matter. In a separate test, sets of feces-treated apples were washed at hourly intervals and then imaged. The contamination sites could not be detected when the contact time was less than 4h, while 5h of contact was sufficient to establish consistent fluorescence responses in images. Use of a modified system as a teaching tool demonstrated the robustness of the system and promoted public awareness that fecal contamination invisible to the naked eye can easily be detected with appropriate instrumentation. There are many potential uses for this system, including studying the efficacy of apple washing systems.
Parametric Analysis of Horizontal Air and Liquid Earth Loops

Equations and parameter characteristics were examined for both closed and open-earth loops. In this paper analysis and graphs are presented on the heat exchange effectiveness of air and liquid earth loops and how the heat transfer is affected by major parameters such as: pipe diameter, soil thermal conductivity, fluid velocity, and fluid type. The open loop will produce more heat per unit length of pipe while the closed produces more total system heat. However, final loop selection is based on many factors that are both site and system specific.
Aerodynamic control of a delta-wing using MEMS sensors and actuators

The Caltech Micromachining Lab has been developing fluid-mechanics MEMS for many years. What is presented here are two basic devices and their applications for delta-wing control. The first device is a surface shear-stress sensor that is small, sensitive, fast and arrayable. The device has a structure of a polysilicon resistor on a 1.2 /spl mu/m thick silicon-nitride diaphragm (200/spl times/200 /spl mu/m/sup 2/) which is on top of a vacuum cavity. The device has a shear-stress sensitivity of 120 mV/Pa and a constant-temperature bandwidth of 10 kHz at a power of 5 mW. The second device is an electromagnetic flap that is strong, fast and also arrayable. The actuator has a flap structure hinged with silicon-nitride beams and the flap size is either 1/spl times/1 mm/sup 2/ or 2/spl times/2 mm/sup 2/. The actuators can provide an out-of-plane motion with an actuating torque resulting from an on-flap magnetic moment (from permalloy and/or electrical coils) interacting with an external magnetic field. The out-of-plane force from the flap can be as high as 100 /spl mu/N and the flap rotational angle up to 80/spl deg/. In the delta-wing control project, an array of shear-stress sensors are made on a flexible skin and used at the leading edge of the wing to detect flow separation. Then, an array of microactuators are placed right in front of the separation to produce maximum control moments. To date, a rolling moment of 50% that of the lifting torque has been produced using MEMS devices. This result has proven the feasibility of an aircraft controlled by microactuators.
Universal languages and the power of diagonalization

We define and study strong diagonalization and compare it to weak diagonalization, implicit in the work of D. Kozen (1980). Kozen's result shows that virtually every separation can be recast as weak diagonalization. We show that there are classes of languages, which cannot be separated by strong diagonalization and provide evidence that strong diagonalization does not relativize. We also define two kinds of indirect diagonalization and study their power: Since we define strong diagonalization in terms of universal languages, we study their complexity. We distinguish and compare weak and strict universal languages. Finally we analyze some apparently weaker variants of universal languages, which we call pseudouniversal languages, and show that under weak closure conditions they easily yield universal languages.
Rubber-Thermoplastic Compositions. Part VIII. Nitrile Rubber Polyolefin Blends with Technological Compatibilization

Abstract The results of this work suggest a practical route to hot-oil-resistant thermoplastic elastomers based on NBR and a polyolefin resin (such as polypropylene). Although these two types of po...
Reduction of Fading of Fluorescent Reaction Product for Microphotometric Quantitation

Publisher Summary Many researchers have used a variety of techniques to reduce fading of the specimen during excitation. It is not possible to directly compare fading rates obtained by the various methods since fading varies directly with the intensity of the exciting light. With the exception of the use of lasers, most investigators do not have any means of measuring the intensity of the exciting light and, therefore, they do not report a power density flux. Any factors that increase the exposure of fluorescent reaction product (FRP) to excitation energy increase its fading. However, by reducing opportunities for the reaction of FRP with oxygen (by reducing the oxygen concentration, removing water with its dissolved oxygen, the addition of sulfhydryl-containing agents to scavenge oxygen, increasing the conformational stability of FRP so as to reduce its collisions with oxygen), one can reduce fading during excitation. Reduction of fading would significantly improve quantification of FRP on immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy slides. Retarding fading would permit longer scan times on slides without concomitant decreases in fluorescence intensity. Therefore, weakly positive cells could be scanned without the fear of these cells losing their fluorescence and being interpreted as negative. This increased ability to scan without fading would permit the introduction of automated or semiautomated instrumentation which could scan a slide and determine the end point quantitatively.
Knowledge, Thought, and the Case for Dualism

‘Interesting and controversial philosophical positions’, writes Richard Fumerton ‘are virtually always minority positions’ (p. 91). Of course it all turns on what counts as controversial: some posi...
The Emergence of Rule-Based Security Forces: Lessons from Early Modern State-Building Applied to the Afghan Local Police

How do rule-based military and police forces emerge, when force in a particular society has earlier been controlled by informal militias operating through patronage and personal connections? This is a vital question for peace enforcement, state-building, and counterinsurgency operations around the world, yet it has not been systematically studied by scholars. In this paper I begin to examine the literature on state-building in early modern Europe and the Ottoman Empire, to uncover what scholars know about how sovereign security institutions emerged from feudalism. I then apply those conclusions to a pressing current problem: how the United States, its allies and the government of Afghanistan should design the Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative and similar programs, in order to prevent them from spawning a repeat of the warlordism of the 1990s.
Ex vivo cultured megakaryocytes express functional glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptors and are capable of adenovirus-mediated transgene expression.

Investigation of the molecular basis of megakaryocyte (MK) and platelet biology has been limited by an inadequate source of genetically manipulable cells exhibiting physiologic MK and platelet functions. We hypothesized that ex vivo cultured MKs would exhibit agonist inducible glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa activation characteristic of blood platelets and that these cultured MKs would be capable of transgene expression. Microscopic and flow cytometric analyses confirmed that human hematopoietic stem cells cultured in the presence of pegylated recombinant human MK growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) differentiated into morphologic and phenotypic MKs over 2 weeks. Cultured MKs expressed functional GPIIb-IIIa receptors as assessed by agonist inducible soluble fibrinogen and PAC1 binding. The specificity and kinetics of fibrinogen binding to MK GPIIb-IIIa receptors were similar to those described for blood platelets. The reversibility and internalization of ligands bound to MK GPIIb-IIIa also shared similarities with those observed in platelets. Cultured MKs were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding green fluorescence protein (GFP) or β-galactosidase (β-gal). Efficiency of gene transfer increased with increasing multiplicities of infection and incubation time, with 45% of MKs expressing GFP 72 hours after viral infection. Transduced MKs remained capable of agonist induced GPIIb-IIIa activation. Thus, ex vivo cultured MKs (1) express agonist responsive GPIIb-IIIa receptors, (2) are capable of expressing transgenes, and (3) may prove useful for investigation of the molecular basis of MK differentiation and GPIIb-IIIa function.
BENCH-SCALE BIOMASS/COAL COFIRING STUDIES

The threat of increased global warming has subjected the use of fossil fuels to increasing scrutiny in terms of greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. As a result, the use of renewable and sustainable energy resources, such as biomass, for electricity production has become increasingly attractive. The use of dedicated biomass feedstocks for electricity generation could help reduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases because carbon dioxide is consumed during plant growth. The agricultural and wood products industries generate large quantities of biomass residues that could also provide fuel for electricity production. Increasing the use of these waste biomass fuels could alleviate the burdens of waste disposal in the agricultural and wood products industries. One solution to increasing the use of biomass to produce electricity is to build dedicated biomass power plants that use 100% biomass fuel. As of July 1995, there were 360 biomass plants and approximately 1% of the grid connected electricity in the United States was generated from renewables [Cogen, 1995]. The initial capital investment to build new biomass power plants to increase this percentage is high. Another scenario for increasing the use of biomass to produce electricity is to cofire biomass and coal in extant coal-fired power plants. Coal-fired power plants are used to produce most of the electricity in the United States and if biomass were cofired at low percentages in a small number of coal-fired power plants, the use of biomass for power production could dramatically increase. Cofiring biomass and coal can increase the use of sustainable fuels without large capital investments and take advantage of the high efficiencies obtainable in extant coal-fired power plants. Fuel diversity is another advantage of biomass/coal cofiring. Cofiring reduces the need for a constant supply of biomass that would be required in a biomass power plant. Cofiring biomass and coal is therefore a viable way to manage the increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and may also reduce other pollutants from power-generating facilities. Biomass and coal have fundamentally different fuel properties. For instance, biomass is a more volatile fuel than coal and has a higher oxygen content. Coal, on the other hand,
Authorship Trends in the American Journal of Health Education

Abstract Background: Publication is the primary means of contributing to and establishing credibility within the scientific community. Some researchers have reported an increase in the average number of authors per manuscript for some scholarly journals in the past two decades. Whereas author proliferation may be warranted in some cases, other reasons for increasing the overall number of authors per manuscript may have more dubious motives, including gratuitous authorship for embellishing curriculum vitae. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was evidence of authorship proliferation in the American Journal of Health Education during 1996-2006. In addition, other selected authorship information was identified. Methods: A content analysis of original articles published from January 1996 through December 2006 (N=755) was performed. Results: There has not been a statistically significant change in the number of authors per manuscript for the time period studied. Discussion: Althou...
Eosinopenia Produced by ACTH in Patients with Schizophrenia

The contention that adrenal cortical function is deranged in patients with schizophrenia, particularly those with long-standing disease, has been advanced for several years by Pincus, Hoagland, and their associates (1). Using changes in urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, uric acid, blood lymphocytes as indices, they have reported that as few as 20% of schizophrenic subjects respond in normal fashion to the injuection of 25 mg of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone. Despite the demonstration by other investigators of an apparently normal response to ACTH by patients with schizophrenia (2-4) the postulated hypoadrenocorticism in such patients has been used as a rationale for therapy of this disporder with ocrtisone (5). In addition. the schizophrenic subject's response to ACTH has been considred of prognostic significance in terms of the anticipated efficacy of electro convulsive therapy (6). Hence it seemed pertinent to present material on the eosinopenia produced by ACTH‡ in 30 patients with long-s...
Biomass Pyrolysis and Gasification of Varying Particle Sizes in a Fluidized-Bed Reactor

A new 4 in. (102 mm) diameter fluidized-bed reactor has been built and used to study the effect of biomass particle size on the yield of light gas and tar compounds during gasification. Batch experiments were conducted with white oak milled into four sphere sizes with diameters of 6, 13, 18, and 25 mm, at reactor bed temperatures of 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 °C. As expected, the yields of light gas increase with temperature but then reach a plateau above 800 °C. As the particle size increases, a decrease in the formation of light gases, accompanied by an increase in the formation of char, is observed. For larger particle sizes, the commonly used power law dependence of particle devolatilization time with sphere diameter holds true and the transition from heat- and mass-transport control to kinetic control as particle diameter decreases is illustrated. Measurements of the organic compounds present in the syngas are performed using a molecular beam mass spectrometer (MBMS). These measurements indicate tha...
miR-509 suppresses brain metastasis of breast cancer cells by modulating RhoC and TNF-α

The median survival time of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis is less than 6 months, and even a small metastatic lesion often causes severe neurological disabilities. Because of the location of metastatic lesions, a surgical approach is limited and most chemotherapeutic drugs are ineffective owing to the blood brain barrier (BBB). Despite this clinical importance, the molecular basis of the brain metastasis is poorly understood. In this study, we have isolated RNA from samples obtained from primary breast tumors and also from brain metastatic lesions followed by microRNA profiling analysis. Our results revealed that the miR-509 is highly expressed in the primary tumors, whereas the expression of this microRNA is significantly decreased in the brain metastatic lesions. MicroRNA target prediction and the analysis of cytokine array for the cells ectopically expressed with miR-509 demonstrated that this microRNA was capable of modulating the two genes essential for brain invasion, RhoC and TNF-α that affect the invasion of cancer cells and permeability of BBB, respectively. Importantly, high levels of TNF-α and RhoC-induced MMP9 were significantly correlated with brain metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the results of our in vivo experiments indicate that miR-509 significantly suppressed the ability of cancer cells to metastasize to the brain. These findings suggest that miR-509 has a critical role in brain metastasis of breast cancer by modulating the RhoC-TNF-α network and that this miR-509 axis may represent a potential therapeutic target or serve as a prognostic tool for brain metastasis.
Post-Parturitional Heat Responses of Newborn and Adult Guinea Pigs. Data on Parturition.

SummaryNinety-two of 93 newborn females and 121 of 123 newborn males displayed a response when fingered which is similar to the heat response of adult females. The behavior is independent of the post-parturitional heat in the adult and does not depend on the presence of the maternal ovaries. In the adult post-parturitional heat was displayed by a smaller percent of animals and was shorter than normal heat. The preponderance of evidence suggests that post-parturitional heat is induced by factors associated with ovulation in the maternal ovaries. The interval between delivery of the first and last members of a litter was less than 30 minutes in 79 of 80 cases. The time of parturition in 99 animals was distributed about evenly throughout the 24 hours of the day.