cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oceanographic Data Provenance Tracking with the Shore Side Data System

The importance of tracking the provenance of electronic data becomes apparent when data set providers need to also provide metadata describing where the data came from. This need has driven the development of a practical oceanographic data provenance system at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. MBARI's Shore Side Data System is designed to manage data collected, processed, and archived from oceanographic observatories. We describe the provenance tracking aspects of this system and the lessons learned from its implementation in an operational environment.
Capacitance Voltage Characteristics Of Stearic Acid Insulating Films In Mis Devices

Fatty acid films may provide a good substitute as dielectric medium for MIS (metal-insulator-semionductor) technology. This paper discusses capacitance vs voltage (C-V) characteristics of metal/stearic acid/semiconductor devices formed on p-type silicon with thin native silicon dioxide (Si/sub 2/) layers. Variable frequency C-V plots display anomalous frequency dispersion in the negative bias voltage region and a reduction of the dispersion in the positive bias region. This can be attributed to the formation of interface states at the SiO/sub 2//stearic acid insulator boundary. C-V characteristics of MIS samples which have been subjected to thermal stress are also discussed. In these studies we have observed both a voltage and capacitance shift with respect to the unstressed specimens. The observed voltage shift is presumably due to the presence of mobile space charges moving to the SiO/sub 2//stearic acid boundary. The shift in capacitance in the stressed samples may have been caused by annealing of stearic acid films when they undergo thermal stress.
Differences in Cervical Spine Vertebral Center of Rotation Location During Flexion and Extension Movements in Asymptomatic Controls

Abnormal cervical spine motion may occur as the result of injury or degenerative changes in symptomatic patients. Intervertebral range of motion (ROM) is a standard metric used to evaluate abnormal spine motion, but can only describe the amount of motion and not the quality of motion. In addition, significant variability in normal ROM among subjects may minimize the efficacy of this parameter in identifying abnormalities in symptomatic patient groups1. Instead, the instant center of rotation (ICR) has been proposed as a reliable, stable measurement of the quality of vertebral motion through which abnormalities could be explored2.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Self-Healing Resilient Distribution Systems Based on Sectionalization Into Microgrids

This paper proposes a novel comprehensive operation and self-healing strategy for a distribution system with both dispatchable and nondispatchable distributed generators (DGs). In the normal operation mode, the control objective of the system is to minimize the operation costs and maximize the revenues. A rolling-horizon optimization method is used to schedule the outputs of dispatchable DGs based on forecasts. In the self-healing mode, the on-outage portion of the distribution system will be optimally sectionalized into networked self-supplied microgrids (MGs) so as to provide reliable power supply to the maximum loads continuously. The outputs of the dispatchable DGs will be rescheduled accordingly too. In order to take into account the uncertainties of DG outputs and load consumptions, we formulate the problems as a stochastic program. A scenario reduction method is applied to achieve a tradeoff between the accuracy of the solution and the computational burden. A modified IEEE 123-node distribution system is used as a test system. The results of case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Structure and Dynamics of Peptide−Amphiphiles Incorporating Triple-Helical Proteinlike Molecular Architecture†

Organized polymeric assemblies that incorporate bioactive sequences and structures are finding important applications for the study of protein structure-function relationships. We have recently described a heteropolymeric peptide-amphiphile system that forms organized structures in solution and on surfaces. While the overall three-dimensional features of peptide-amphiphiles have been studied previously, the precise environment of specific residues, particularly those within biologically active regions, have not been examined in detail. In the present study, we have used heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and inverse-detected 1H-15N NMR spectroscopy to examine the structure and dynamics of a peptide and peptide-amphiphile that incorporate the alpha1(IV)1263-1277 ([IV-H1]) amino acid sequence from type IV collagen. Three variants of the sequence (Gly-Pro-Hyp)4-[IV-H1]-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)4 were constructed with a single 15N-labeled Gly placed in the middle of the N-terminal (Gly-Pro-Hyp)4 region (residue Gly7), in the middle of the [IV-H1] sequence (residue Gly19), or in the middle of the C-terminal (Gly-Pro-Hyp)4 region (residue Gly34). These peptides were also N-terminally acylated with hexanoic acid to create an analogous series of 15N-labeled peptide-amphiphiles. HSQC spectra indicated that both the peptide and the peptide-amphiphile were in triple-helical conformation at low temperature, supporting prior circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic results. The intensities of the triple-helical cross-peaks were stronger for the peptide-amphiphile, consistent with an enhanced triple-helical thermal stability within the peptide-amphiphile construct compared to that of the peptide alone. Relative relaxation values for the peptide-amphiphile monomeric and trimeric species were consistent with those reported previously for other triple-helical peptides. Relaxation measurements indicated that the triple-helical [IV-H1] region did not appear to be dramatically more flexible than the Gly-Pro-Hyp regions. The angle between Gly N-H bonds and the helix dyad axis, determined from the relaxation data, was within the range expected for triple helices. Overall, the peptide headgroup of the C6-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)4-[IV-H1]-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)4 peptide-amphiphile appears to form a continuous triple helix that behaves similarly, in a dynamic sense, to a triple-helical peptide. The enhanced thermal stability of the peptide-amphiphile compared to the analogous triple-helical peptide, along with the multitude of organized structures formed by lipidlike compounds, suggest that peptide-amphiphiles could be utilized as targeted liposomes, sensors, receptors, or enzymes.
Growth of non-polar (110) and semi-polar (116) AlN and GaN films on the R-plane sapphire

In this paper, we present detailed studies of growth of AlN and GaN films on R-plane sapphire substrates. Contrary to previously reported work that GaN grows with its A-plane (110) parallel to the R-plane (102) of sapphire, our studies indicate that the crystallographic orientation of the III-nitride films grown on such substrates depends strongly on the kinetic conditions of growth of the AlN buffer. Specifically, the group III-rich conditions of growth of AlN buffer lead to nitride films having the (110) planes parallel to the sapphire surface, while growth of the buffer under N rich conditions leads to nitride films with the (116) planes parallel to the sapphire surface. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The mentally disordered criminal offender: A description based on demographic, clinical, and MMPI data

From 340 MMPIs of male forensic state hospital patients, seven disjoint clusters were obtained by an innovative cluster strategy that combined Ward's hierarchical clustering with a partitioning method. The cluster groups differed on racial composition and DSM-III Axis II diagnoses. The lack of differences among the cluster groups on other clinically relevant variables may be due to the choice of measures and the homogeneous nature of the sample. Two-point code frequencies are presented for these 340 profiles. Demographic variables available on 434 subjects suggested considerable similarities between this group and prison populations. The analysis further suggested that factors such as sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis with paranoid features, and a history of criminal activities distinguish these offenders from the benign mentally ill.
Benefit-cost analysis of family planning

Abstract A stochastic model is developed to estimate the expected social costs with and without a family planning program provided to a population. By examining the tradeoffs between the program costs and the costs of unwanted pregnancies, it is possible to estimate the costs and benefits of alternative family planning programs. Several extensions of the basic model are presented which permit the selection of optimal treatment variables for administration of a particular program as well as determining the long range effects of a particular family planning program.
Chronic methamphetamine abuse and corticostriatal deficits revealed by neuroimaging

Despite aggressive efforts to contain it, methamphetamine use disorder continues to be major public health problem; and with generic behavioral therapies still the mainstay of treatment for methamphetamine abuse, rates of attrition and relapse remain high. This review summarizes the findings of structural, molecular, and functional neuroimaging studies of methamphetamine abusers, focusing on cortical and striatal abnormalities and their potential contributions to cognitive and behavioral phenotypes that can serve to promote compulsive drug use. These studies indicate that individuals with a history of chronic methamphetamine abuse often display several signs of corticostriatal dysfunction, including abnormal gray- and white-matter integrity, monoamine neurotransmitter system deficiencies, neuroinflammation, poor neuronal integrity, and aberrant patterns of brain connectivity and function, both when engaged in cognitive tasks and at rest. More importantly, many of these neural abnormalities were found to be linked with certain addiction-related phenotypes that may influence treatment response (e.g., poor self-control, cognitive inflexibility, maladaptive decision-making), raising the possibility that they may represent novel therapeutic targets.
SIZE OF MULTIPLY-CONNECTED UNIVERSE AND COSMIC BACKGROUND RADIATION

A few years ago, we proposed that the spatial topology of the universe can be detected by cosmic background radiation (CBR), because the amplitudes of the spherical harmonic expansion of CBR anisotropy are sensitively dependent on the size of the universe. Recently, this method has been applied to study the size of a T3 universe by using the COBE-DMR data of CBR temperature fluctuation. The new result of the lower limit to the cosmologically spatial size is found to be larger than the old values by a factor of about 5. Therefore, the model of cubic T3 small universe can be ruled out. This paper is a summary of this progress. The significance and remained problems of the spatial topology of the universe have also been discussed.
Examination of the Roles of Action-State Orientation and Goal Orientation in the Goal-Setting and Performance Process.

This investigation examined the roles of action-state orientation and goal orientation in predicting task-specific motivation and performance in an academic context. Results showed that action-state orientation predicted performance independent of goal orientation, cognitive ability, self-efficacy and self-set goals. Goal orientation primarily related to self-efficacy beliefs, which predicted goals and performance. Although action-state orientation and goal orientation were correlated, they had independent relationships with task-specific goal-setting and performance variables.
Distributed nonlinear Kalman filtering with applications to wireless localization

We study the problem of distributed state-space estimation, where a set of nodes are required to estimate the state of a nonlinear state-space system based on their observations. We extend our previous work on distributed Kalman filtering to the nonlinear case, and propose algorithms for Extended and Unscented Kalman filtering. The resulting algorithms are robust to node and link failure, scalable, and fully distributed, in the sense that no fusion center is required, and nodes communicate with their neighbors only. We apply the algorithms to the problem of estimating the position of every node in an ad-hoc network, also known as wireless localization. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Predicting chain conformation and entanglement of polymers from chemical structure

The characteristic ratio C∞ and the entanglement molecular weight Me are two key molecular parameters that control melt viscoelasticity, solid mechanical (brittle/ductile) behavior, and adhesion of polymers. We show that the characteristic ratio C∞ and the entanglement molecular weight Me can be predicted from chemical structure by group additivity with uncertainties usually less than ∼ 7% for C∞ and ∼ 15% for Me, comparable with the accuracies of experimental values.
Simulating SU(3) gauge theory with a realistic quark spectrum: Strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions.

SU(3) gauge theory with a light isodoublet and a heavier strange quark is simulated on a 4 x 8/sup 3/ lattice. A first-order chiral-symmetry--restoring phase transition is found and metastable states are exhibited. The gluon, isodoublet, and strange-quark contributions to the energy density are in the ratio 8:4:1 and each internal energy jumps discontinuously at T/sub c/.
Predictive Value of Amniotic Fluid Index for Oligohydramnios in Patients with Prolonged Pregnancies

The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive values of the amniotic fluid index for measures of perinatal morbidity and for clinical observations consistent with oligohydramnios. We evaluated positive and negative predictive value of the amniotic fluid index for measures of perinatal morbidity and for clinical observations consistent with oligohydramnios at various cutoff values for amniotic fluid index in a cohort of 449 consecutive postdates patients who had a clinician's observation of amniotic fluid quantity and quality recorded at the time of rupture of membranes.Newborn morbidity was a rare event. Clinical observations consistent with oligohydramnios had significant positive and negative predictive values for some measures of newborn morbidity. The last amniotic fluid index performed during antepartum testing had 95% confidence intervals for relative risks for these measures of newborn morbidity that included unity and therefore were not significant. At a cutoff value of 5.0 cm, the po...
An analysis of exhaustion hardening in micron-scale plasticity

Abstract The rate-dependent behavior of micron-scale model planar crystals is investigated using the framework of mechanism-based discrete dislocation plasticity. Long-range interactions between dislocations are accounted for through elasticity. Mechanism-based constitutive rules are used to represent the short-range interactions between dislocations, including dislocation multiplication and dislocation escape at free surfaces. Emphasis is laid on circumstances where the deformed samples are not statistically homogeneous. The calculations show that dimensional constraints selectively set the operating dislocation mechanisms, thus giving rise to the phenomenon of exhaustion hardening whereby the applied strain rate is predominantly accommodated by elastic deformation. When conditions are met for this type of hardening to take place, the calculations reproduce some interesting qualitative features of plastic deformation in microcrystals, such as flow intermittency over coarse time-scales and large values of the flow stress with no significant accumulation of dislocation density. In addition, the applied strain rate is varied down to 0.1 s −1 and is found to affect the rate of exhaustion hardening.
An Innovative Approach to Tourism Market Segmentation Research: An Applied Study

ABSTRACT This study illustrates how categorical survey data, commonly used in statewide tourism studies, can be used to statistically identify viable segments in the market. In using a two-stage analysis (correspondence analysis and K-means clustering), two theoretical concerns are discussed. From an applied perspective, 5 segments were identified in the Wisconsin rural tourism market: attraction enthusiasts, outdoor recreationists, friends and family visitors, special event attendees, and nature sight seers. The study demonstrates that statistically quantifiable market segments can be acquired, using qualitative survey methods, for large-scale (statewide) tourism studies.
Perception of acoustically degraded sentences in bilingual listeners who differ in age of english acquisition.

Purpose The effects of acoustic degradation and context use on sentence perception were evaluated in listeners differing in age of English acquisition. Method Five groups of 8 listeners, native monolingual (NM), native bilingual (NB), and early, late, and very late non-native bilingual (NN-E, NN-L, and NN-VL, respectively), identified target words in 400 Speech-Perception-in-Noise (SPIN) sentences presented in 8 combinations of noise (+6 vs. 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio), reverberation (1.2 vs. 3.6 s reverberation time), and context (high vs. low predictability). Results Separate effects of noise, reverberation, and context were largely level dependent and more significant than their interaction with listeners' age of English acquisition. However, the effect of noise, as well as the combined effect of reverberation and context, was mediated by age of acquisition. NN-VL listeners' performance was significantly compromised in all test conditions. NB, NN-E, and NN-L listeners' use of context, by contrast, devi...
Nonlinear superposition, higher‐order nonlinear equations, and classical linear invariants

We find a class of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, in ρ, of any order m?2 whose solutions are given by the nonlinear superposition law ρ(t) = x(t)r(τ), dτ = μ(t)dt, where dmr/dτm = F(r, r ′,...) and x(t) satisfies a special self‐adjoint linear equation of order m. The coefficients of the self‐adjoint equation in x, which are identical to those of the nonlinear equations in ρ, can be deduced from the well known invariants of the classical theory of linear differential equations.
A mission guided investigation of operational functions and user interface for Mobility Augmenting Jetpack with Integrated CMGs (MAJIC)

As a stepping stone towards eventual human exploration of Mars, NASA plans to explore low-gravity bodies. Since the low-gravity surface environments encountered on such missions would limit the independent mobility of astronauts, an updated version of the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) that offers counter reaction forces and torques during movements and tasks would likely be required. The next-generation maneuvering and stability system proposed by a joint Draper Laboratory-MIT collaboration incorporates control-moment gyroscopes (CMGs) into an extravehicular activity (EVA) Jetpack device currently under development at NASA's Johnson Space Center. This Mobility Augmenting Jetpack with Integrated CMGs (MAJIC) system will offer rigid attitude control not previously required for MMU tasks, which have mainly consisted of satellite capture, satellite repair, and rescue maneuvers. To guide the design of the system, a Concept of Operations for MAJIC is presented, which includes several scenarios that would benefit from the system's stiffer work platform and reduced fuel consumption. These scenarios span a range of work environments and tasks, including asteroid or Martian moon surface sample collection, equipment deployment, International Space Station (ISS) or satellite servicing and repair, rescue maneuvers, and contingency EVA on spacecraft not equipped with built-in EVA handholds. The wide ranging benefits of the system illustrated by each MAJIC mission profile guide the investigation, selection, and evaluation of different control modes and operational functions. User evaluations of an interactive virtual reality (VR) simulation also influenced the operational function investigation. The VR simulation provides real-time position and attitude feedback for various scenarios with the MAJIC system. The results of these user evaluations will guide the jetpack design in order to incorporate performance-enhancing capabilities specific to certain tasks or mission types.
Determination of nanomole levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the same sample.

Abstract A sensitive fluorometric assay for measuring the content of serotonin (5-HT), its precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and its main metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in a single sample has been developed in order to obtain more complete metabolic information on this proposed neurotransmitter or modulator. Sensitivity is at the 1 × 10 −10 mole (20 mμg) level for all three assays. Recoveries are in the range of 65–85% with cross-contamination less than 0.5%. In addition to supplying values for whole brain and brain parts, the method was also used to measure 5-HTP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA content in liver, kidney, whole blood, blood cells, and plasma samples. The method can easily be adapted for use in isotopic studies to yield specific activities.
Action potential suppression, tuning curves and thresholds: Comparison with single fiber data

The collection of compound action potential (AP) threshold curves and their use to define the sensitivity of individual animals are described. Forward masking AP tuning curves (APTC) have also been collected in the chinchilla. Characteristics of APTCs are compared with single fiber frequency-threshold curves (FTC) in the same group of animals. The two sets of data are quite similar when the probe frequency used to collect the APTC is equated with a fiber's characteristic frequency (CF). The major difference is that APTCs are usually broader than FTCs. A paradigm utilizing two maskers in a forward masking situation, developed to study psychophysical unmasking [19,37], has been modified for measuring AP suppression. AP suppression areas are described as similar to single fiber two-tone suppression areas when probe frequency and CF are above 3 kHz. Relationships among single fiber, AP and psychophysical thresholds, tuning curves and suppression areas are discussed.
Evaluation of drought tolerance for Atlas fescue, perennial ryegrass, and their progeny

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) has good turf quality but low drought tolerance. Atlas fescue (Festuca mairei) has exceptional drought tolerance but poor turf quality. Intergeneric hybridization between the two grasses would have the potential to develop a plant combining the important turf traits of perennial ryegrass and the improved drought tolerance of Atlas fescue. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate drought tolerance of progeny from the crossing of perennial ryegrass with Atlas fescue and (2) identify characteristics for screening under drought stress. A total of 19 genotypes were exposed to a 14-week drought treatment. Soil water content, leaf elongation, leaf water content, and leaf water potential were measured weekly, and root length and biomass were recorded after the treatment. Based on the weekly measurements of leaf elongation, leaf water content, and leaf water potential to drought stress, the plants were classified into four groups. Leaf elongation was a sensitive and helpful parameter for screening drought tolerant plants. Three groups were identified with high, moderate, and low drought tolerance based on a decrease in leaf elongation in response to declining soil water content. Some progeny in a high drought tolerant group rated better than the Atlas fescue parent. The results suggested that an improved drought tolerant perennial ryegrass could be developed through intergeneric hybridization by inheriting drought tolerance of Atlas fescue.
Presidential address. Classical is critical: alleviating the burden of parasitic diseases.

Fellow parasitologists, friends, and distinguished guests, Dr. Nappi's introduction reminded me of a gentleman who was driving through the countryside in New England, when he was forced to stop his car for a flock of sheep that was crossing the road. After a long wait, he made a proposition to the sheep herder. "Sir, if I am able to tell you the number of sheep in your flock could I have one?" After a bit of contemplation, the herder agreed, and the traveler told him he had 400 sheep. Amazed, the sheep herder told him to make his choice. Upon carrying his selected animal to his car, the herder made his own proposition. "Sir, if I am able to guess your occupation, can I have my animal back?" Of course this seemed only fair, so the driver agreed. Immediately, the sheep herder said "You, sir, are a molecular biologist." Shocked, the traveler had to know how he could guess his occupation so easily. The herder responded, "You picked up my sheep dog!" Now, this good-hearted jab I just made is not new to ASP presidential addresses, and some of you might remember a story along the same lines told by Dr. Hoogstral many years ago (Hoogstral, 1985). My purpose is not to belittle a field in which I actively work, but rather to provide you with my thoughts on the critical need for a broad perspective of biology in our struggle to alleviate the devastating impact that parasites have on the majority of the world's populations who are less fortunate than us. One of the most interesting and exciting research projects I have been involved with over the years was the discovery and description (Christensen and Calentine, 1983) of a new species of caryophyllid tapeworm, Penarchigetes macrorchis. This was especially fun for me because I was able to go back and spend some time working on this with my coauthor, Robert Calentine, the individual who initiated me into the world of parasitology. Since publication in 1983, my fellow parasitologists' interest in this work was so overwhelming that I received at least 5 or 6 reprint requests. In 1995, my laboratory published an article on restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Plasmodium gallinaceum susceptibility in the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and for this article, my supply of 300 reprints was exhausted in less than a year (Severson et al., 1995). Two weeks ago, I searched both Biological Abstracts and PubMed, with the key subjects of the search being the genera Penarchigetes and Plasmodium. I recovered 5 Penarchigetes and 25,749 Plasmodium references. In the short time since my search, I seriously doubt if more has been published on Penarchigetes, but several hundred Plasmodium articles might well have entered the literature database. Does this mean my tapeworm article is not valuable? Absolutely not, it is good-quality work of which I am very proud. Does this mean work with malaria parasites is more valuable? In the real world,
Response of White Leghorn Chicks Fed Ascorbic Acid and Challenged with Escherichia coli or with Corticosterone

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of dietary ascorbic acid on the growth and immunoresponsiveness of chickens when subjected to particular types of stress. White Leghorn chicks were fed diets containing no supplemental ascorbic acid, and ascorbic-acid diet (330 ppm) for 2 days or for 19 days before challenge. Then, half of the females were inoculated with Escherichia coli; half of the males were challenged with dietary corticosterone (30 ppm) for 12 days; and the remaining chicks were maintained as controls. These chicks, reared under "good" husbandry procedures, did not realize advantages in growth or feed efficiency due to the short- or long-term consumption of diets containing ascorbic acid. Incubation with E. coli resulted in considerably higher heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios 24 h after inoculation, and E. coli-induced mortality was higher for pullets on short-term ascorbic acid than for those on long-term or no ascorbic acid. Dietary corticosterone caused differences in body weight and the relative weights of certain organs, regardless of dietary levels of ascorbic acid. The antibody response to red-blood-cell antigens from sheep was enhanced in unchallenged cockerels (no dietary corticosterone) fed ascorbic acid on a long-term basis, but dietary corticosterone overshadowed the advantageous effects of dietary ascorbic acid. These data showed that the effects of supplemental ascorbic acid on growth and on immunoresponsiveness were related to the quality of the husbandry, length of supplemental feeding, age of the chicks, endogenous-exogenous balance for ascorbic acid, and the relationship with corticosterone.
A method for solving singularly perturbed systems containing singular manifolds

A method of obtaining the asymptotic solution of a singularly perturbed system containing singular manifolds is presented. Some sufficient conditions for the convergence of the solutions to the “stable singular manifolds” are provided. An example from magneto-hydrodynamics, showing interesting properties of the solution, is given.
Combining angiotensin II blockade and renin receptor inhibition results in enhanced antifibrotic effect in experimental nephritis

The limited antifibrotic effect of therapeutic angiotensin blockade, the fact that angiotensin blockade dramatically elevates renin levels, and recent evidence that renin has an angiotensin-independent, receptor-mediated profibrotic action led us to hypothesize that combining renin receptor inhibition and ANG II blockade would increase the antifibrotic effect of angiotensin blockade alone. Using cultured nephritic glomeruli from rats with anti-Thy-1-induced glomerulonephritis, the maximally effective dose of enalaprilate was determined to be 10(-4) M, which reduced mRNAs for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, fibronectin (FN), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) by 49, 65, and 56% and production of TGF-β1 and FN proteins by 60 and 49%, respectively. Disease alone caused 6.8-fold increases in ANG II levels that were reduced 64% with enalaprilate. In contrast, two- and threefold disease-induced increases in renin mRNA and activity were further increased 2- and 3.7-fold with 10(-4) M enalaprilate treatment. Depressing the renin receptor by 80% with small interfering (si) RNA alone reduced fibrotic markers in a manner remarkably similar to enalaprilate alone but had no effect on glomerular renin expression. Enalaprilate and siRNA combination therapy further reduced disease markers. Notably, elevated TGF-β1 and FN production was reduced by 73 and 81%, respectively. These results support the notion of a receptor-mediated profibrotic action of renin, suggest that the limited effectiveness of ANG II blockade may be due, at least in part, to the elevated renin they induce, and support our hypothesis that adding renin receptor inhibitor to ANG II blockade in patients may have therapeutic potential.
Persistence of exponential decay for metastable quantum states at long times

Quantum dynamics predicts that a metastable state should decay exponentially except at very early and very late times. We show through an exactly soluble model that if the decay products can interact weakly with their environment, then the exponential decay regime is prolonged to later times, while the exponential decay constant itself remains essentially unaffected. As the number of environmental degrees of freedom is increased, the asymptotic late-time decay follows higher powers of 1/t and the exponential decay regime is extended without limit.
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the metabolism of primaquine and the identification of a new mammalian metabolite

Abstract Using rats that had been dosed with 20 mg/kg of primaquine diphosphate (11.4 mg/kg free base), it was found that the drug underwent a metabolic oxidative deamination to give 8-(3-carboxy-1-methylpropylamino)-6-methoxyquinoline. The presence of this new mammalian metabolite was verified using high-performance liquid chromatographic, gas chromatographic, and mass spectral methods. A quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of primaquine and the carboxylic acid metabolite in plasma using only 50 μl of whole blood from the rat was developed and the method could be used to detect levels as low as 0.05 μg/ml of the metabolite. Following intravenous administration of the drug, it was found that the plasma levels of primaquine fell very rapidly and after 30 min, the levels of the metabolite were much higher than those of primaquine.
Sarcomas Subsequent to Cranial Irradiation

ABSTRACTTHE DEVELOPMENT OF sarcoma subsequent to cranial irradiation is a rare but serious and potentially fatal event. We describe seven patients who had undergone cranial irradiation (range, 1600–6000 cGy) to treat their primary disease and who developed sarcomas within the irradiated field. The m
Fiber optic fugitive emission dosimeter

Federal regulations require companies to monitor leaks from valves, flanges, and pipes (fugitive emissions) in industrial plants on a regular basis. Honeywell has been conducting research into the use of fiber optic sensors for this purpose. The result ia a low-cost chemical dosimeter that is able to detect a variety of fugitive emissions, including various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) down to a few hundred parts per million (ppm). This sensor uses a fluorescent dye that exhibits spectral shifts when its chemical environment is changed. Greater stability is achieved because a spectral change is monitored and the sensor is not dependent on a single relative intensity measurement. Dyes are integrated into an optically clear polymer and immobilized on the tip of an optical fiber. When an analyte permeates into the polymer, a chemical interaction takes place that changes the dye's environment and therefore its spectral fluorescence. With most chemicals of interest, this is a reversible effect. Using a 'smart signal processor' (SSP), a real-time analysis can be made at a distant location. This paper discusses the details and results of a fiber optic sensor incorporating these concepts.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of the Peroxisome Proliferator, Ammonium Perfluorooctanoate (C8), on Hepatic Aromatase Activity in Adult Male Crl:CD BR (CD) Rats

The incidence of Leydig cell adenomas increases in CD rats fed for 2 years with the hepatic peroxisome proliferator, ammonium perfluorooctanoate (C8). Treatment with C8 increased the serum concentration of estradiol in 2-week gavage studies, and feeding studies at various time points up to 2 years, and was also accompanied by increases in liver weight and hepatic beta-oxidation activity. Since peroxisome proliferators induce both hepatic beta-oxidation and specific cytochrome P450 enzymes, C8 may also induce aromatase (cytochrome P450-19A1), the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase which converts androgens to estrogens. This hypothesis was investigated in the present study. Adult male CD rats were dosed daily by gavage for 14 days with 0, 0.2, 2, 20, or 40 mg C8/kg body wt. An additional group, the pair-fed control, was fed at a rate matched to the daily consumption by the 40 mg C8/kg group. Treatment with C8 produced a dose dependent decrease in body weight, and increases in absolute and relative liver weights, and in the protein yield of hepatic microsomes. These C8-induced changes were associated with a 2-fold increase in the serum concentration of estradiol and up to a 16-fold increase in total hepatic aromatase activity. A significant linear correlation was established between serum estradiol and total hepatic aromatase activity. The absolute weights and the aromatase activity of the testes were not affected by C8. Hepatic peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity and the microsomal concentration of total cytochrome P450 were also increased by C8. A comparison of estimated EC50 values suggested that these parameters may be less sensitive to induction by C8 than hepatic aromatase activity. Co-incubation of control liver microsomes with C8 in the aromatase assay for 2 hr dose dependently reduced the apparent aromatase activity. This inhibition of aromatase in vitro but increase in vivo was further investigated using cultured rat hepatocytes. Decreases in aromatase activity were found after up to 42 hr of treatment with C8, but the enzyme activity was increased almost 2-fold after 66 hr. The results of this study suggest that the increased serum concentration of estradiol produced by C8 in rats is at least partly due to a direct effect on the liver to increase synthesis of estradiol through induction of aromatase cytochrome P450 in the endoplasmic reticulum.
A simple LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) laboratory experiment to introduce undergraduates to calibration functions and atomic spectroscopy

This laboratory experiment introduces students to a different type of atomic spectroscopy: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS uses a laser-generated spark to excite the sample; once excited, the elemental emission is spectrally resolved and detected. The students use LIBS to analyze a series of standard synthetic silicate samples that contained various elements at known concentrations. The students gain valuable experience developing calibration curves to determine sensitivity and detection limits for six elements in these samples. This experiment is applicable to an analytical or instrumental analysis course.
Tertiary Tsondab Sandstone Formation: Preliminary bedform reconstruction and comparison to modern Namib Sand Sea dunes

Abstract The Tertiary Tsondab Sandstone Formation, which underlies much of the present Namib Sand Sea, is a key element in understanding the Cenozoic evolution of the Namib Desert. Outcrops of the aeolian facies of the Tsondab Sandstone at Elim and Diep Rivier consist of two sequences of bioturbated cross-strata separated by likely formation-scale surfaces of stabilisation. Cross-strata consist of scalloped sets about 200 m in width and separated by southeast dipping bounding surfaces. Internally, sets contain reactivation surfaces of probable seasonal origin. The north to south-southeast dipping foresets define crescent shapes with a trough axis trending northeast. Although additional data are needed to define the Tsondab bedform, the outcrop data is best satisfied in computer simulations by north trending, east migrating main bedforms, which had relatively large and slow-moving dunes superimposed upon their eastern flanks and migrated to the north. Foresets dipping to the south to south-southwest at Elim suggest that superimposed dunes also occurred on the western flanks of the main bedform and migrated to the south, but that their record was largely lost with net eastward migration of the main bedform. This preliminary Tsondab model shares attributes such as trend, scale of cross-strata, and presence of scalloped sets with reactivation surfaces with computer models of the modern linear dunes in which large-scale sinuosity migrates alongcrest to the north. Differences emerge in the overall set architecture and the orientation of cross-strata and bounding surfaces, as well as the degree of vegetation that must have characterised Tsondab dunes.
Focused product family design based on the commonality and variety tradeoff

Today's manufacturers in various industries have utilised product families to satisfy their diverse customer needs while maintaining competitive cost structures. However, not so many manufacturers armed with current product family design approaches can fully benefit from the widely sought advantages of product family implementation. In this paper, the Focused Product Family Design Process (FPFDP) is proposed to help manufacturers utilise their limited engineering efforts to develop the achievable component-based product family design concepts in a focused and efficient way, using their own competitive focus and commonality/variety tradeoff analysis. This process uses a matrix design tool, the Attribute-Based Clustering Methodology (ABCM), to establish an efficient starting point in the design process, guiding manufacturers in generating component-based product family design concepts. This process also utilises a graphical evaluation tool, the Product Family Evaluation Graph (PFEG), to evaluate product family design concepts and determine the necessary direction of improvement for concepts – either increase the appropriate commonality or increase the appropriate variety. A set of indices – the Commonality Diversity Index (CDI) for commonality (CDIC) and variety (CDIV), the component-component dependency and the redesign difficulty – and redesign heuristics enable manufacturers to determine which components in each design concept are most in need of improvement to meet their design intent.
Effects of arachidonic acid plus zinc on glucose disposal in genetically diabetic (ob/ob) mice

Aim: The present study is designed to determine whether arachidonic acid (AA) plus zinc improves clinical signs of diabetes in genetically diabetic ob/ob mice. Methods: In the first study, effects of acute administration of AA plus zinc on glucose disposal were determined in ob/ob and lean mice (n = 6 each). In the second study, ob/ob and lean mice were treated with increasing doses of AA plus zinc for 2 weeks (n = 5 each). Postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, three-hour-area-average above fasting glucose concentration (TAFGC), water and food intake, body weight and plasma insulin concentrations were measured. Results: Acute administration of AA plus zinc significantly increased glucose disposal in ob/ob mice. In the second study, postprandial and fasting blood glucose concentrations, TAFGC, and water and food intake in ob/ob mice treated with AA plus zinc for 2 weeks were significantly decreased compared with those in mice given no AA. Plasma insulin concentrations in both lean and ob/ob mice were not changed by AA treatment in drinking water. Conclusions: AA plus zinc in drinking water is effective in decreasing blood glucose levels in obese mice. These results indicate that use of these compounds should be considered as a dietary supplement to control hyperglycaemia in patients with type II diabetes.
The C5a receptor has a key role in immune complex glomerulonephritis in complement factor H–deficient mice

Chronic serum sickness leads to the formation of glomerular immune complexes; however, C57BL/6 mice do not develop glomerulonephritis unless complement factor H (CFH) is absent from the plasma. Here we studied the role for C5a receptor (R) in this setting. The exaggerated humoral immune response in CFH−/− mice was normalized in CFH−/−C5aR−/− double knockout mice, highlighting the C5aR dependence. The CFH knockout mice developed proliferative glomerulonephritis with endocapillary F4/80+ macrophage infiltration, a process reduced in the double knockout mice. There was no interstitial inflammation by histologic criteria or flow cytometry for F4/80+Ly6ChiCCR2hi inflammatory macrophages. There were, however, more interstitial CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in CFH knockout mice with chronic serum sickness, while double knockout mice had greater than 5-fold more Ly6CloCCR2lo anti-inflammatory macrophages compared to the CFH knockout mice. Mice lacking C5aR were significantly protected from functional renal disease as assessed by blood urea nitrogen levels. Thus, IgG- and iC3b-containing immune complexes are not inflammatory in C57BL/6 mice. Yet when these mice lack CFH, sufficient C3b persists in glomeruli to generate C5a and activate C5aR.
Genetic studies of low-abundance human plasma proteins. I. Microheterogeneity of zinc-α2-glycoprotein in biological fluids

A high-resolution isoelectric focusing technique followed by immunoblotting has been utilized to determine the microheterogeneity of zinc-α2-glycoprotein in a large number of plasma samples from U.S. Caucasians, Blacks, and Eskimos. With the exception of one Black individual, all samples were found to contain an invariant multiple-banded pattern which, after desialylation, was reduced to a single band, suggesting that the microheterogeneity observed is due to differences in the sialic acid content of a single protein product. The asialo forms of the variant sample consist of two distinct bands, consistent with the occurrence of a rare genetic variant at the zinc-α2-glycoprotein structural locus. Unfortunately family studies were not feasible. In addition to plasma, the present technique has been applied to detection of zinc-α2-glycoprotein microheterogeneity in amniotic fluid, saliva, and tears. The amniotic fluid patterns is identical to that present in plasma. However, the patterns observed in saliva and tears are different from each other as well as from that in plasma and could be controlled by separate loci.
Representing Refugee Youth in Qualitative Research: Questions of Ethics, Language and Authenticity

This article speaks conceptually and methodologically about the ethics and politics of doing research with newcomer refugee youth and issues of representation. Feminist poststructuralist paradigms across a variety of fields have critically examined notions of experience, agency, and identity to in order to encompass more fluid understandings of how individuals and events are represented in text (Butler & Scott, 1992; Canning, 1994;Scott, 1986;Wolf, 1996). Starting from this theoretical framework, I draw from experiences of conducting research with a group of high school refugee students from the Vietnamese Central Highlands to reflect on how positionality and reflexivity can influence the portraits researchers render of their study participants. I consider the importance of examining the interplay between language and authenticity of representation in qualitative research with refugee English Language Learner (ELL) youth.
Longitudinal Flight Dynamics of Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicles

The multibody flight dynamics of flapping-wing micro air vehicles are inherently complex. Stability analyses and control algorithms are best applied to equations of motion in first-order form. This paper presents a method for approximating the first-order equations of motion for a flapping-wingmicro air vehicle. The first-order equations of motion are derived from a coupled, multibody representation of the system. The first-order equations are analyzed using an approximation method called quarter-cycle averaging. The quarter-cycle averaging method is necessary because the classical averaging techniques are not available. The quarter-cycle approximation method is applied to representations of hovering flight and forward flight. The method enables the calculation of equilibrium points for the averaged system.Forbothflight regimes, the quarter-cycle approximatiomethodprovides anorder ofmagnitude improvement in accuracy when compared to local averaging.
Innovation in personalized medicine: BiDil® as a case study for integrating clinical and policy developments

BiDil® (hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate) represents an interesting application of personalized medicine – the first pharmaceutical specifically approved by a regulatory agency, the US FDA, for an indication in a particular population based on race as a surrogate phenotypic marker, without a companion genomic diagnostic directed at measuring drug responsiveness. The focus of this paper is to use BiDil as a case study of a personalized medicine application and evaluate its clinical and policy-relevant characteristics as an illustrative example of the usefulness of the Evaluation Data for Assessing Personalized Medicine Translation (EDAPT) evidence base.