cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in adult outcomes by changes in weight status from adolescence to adulthood: results from Add Health.

Abstract Objective Changes in weight status from adolescence to adulthood may be associated with varying social, vocational, economic, and educational outcomes, which may differ by sex. We studied whether there are differences in adult outcomes by sex for different weight status changes in the transition to adulthood. Methods Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, participants were categorized by weight status from adolescence into adulthood. We examined self-reported outcomes in adulthood for living with parents, being married, being a parent, employment, receipt of public assistance, income, and college graduation by weight groupings (healthy–healthy, healthy–overweight/obese, overweight/obese–overweight/obese, overweight/obese–healthy). The effect of changes in weight status on the adult outcomes was modeled, controlling for sex, age, parental education, and race/ethnicity. Results There were differences by sex for many of the self-reported outcomes, especially educational and economic outcomes. Female subjects who became overweight/obese between adolescence and adulthood or remained so had worse economic and educational findings as adults compared to male subjects. Conclusions Overall, for female subjects, becoming and remaining overweight/obese was associated with worse outcomes, while for male subjects, adolescent obesity was more important than isolated adult obesity. The relationship between obesity and life situations may be more negative for female subjects in the transition to adulthood. The findings emphasize that adolescent obesity, and not just obesity isolated in adulthood, is important for characteristics achieved in adulthood.
The Influence of Gender and Culture on Language Intensity.

This study investigated the influence of communicator gender and cultural ancestry on the selection of intense language for use in persuasive messages. Men and women of Caucasian, Chinese, and Japanese ancestry completed proattitudinal persuasive messages. As predicted, gender and cultural background interacted to influence the intensity of language chosen. Specifically, men of Chinese and Japanese ancestry produced significantly more intense messages than did their female counterparts, while no significant differences were apparent between the messages produced by Caucasian men and women.
Holding others responsible

Theorists have spent considerable time discussing the concept of responsibility. Their discussions, however, have generally focused on the question of who counts as responsible, and for what. But as Gary Watson has noted, “Responsibility is a triadic relationship: an individual (or group) is responsible to others for something” (Watson Agency and answerability: selected essays, 2004, p. 7). Thus, theorizing about responsibility ought to involve theorizing not just about the actor and her conduct, but also about those the actor is responsible to—and specifically about how these people hold the actor responsible for her conduct. In this paper, I give a topology of the terrain of holding others responsible. Over the course of the paper I disambiguate two very broad senses of holding responsible—regarding another as a responsible agent and holding another responsible for a particular piece of conduct. Next, I argue that the latter sense of holding responsible is a genus with two species—what I will call “holding responsible as deep moral appraisal” and “holding responsible as accountability.” Appreciating these distinctions, I argue, sheds considerable light on a number of questions concerning the scope and nature of our practices of holding others responsible. Finally, illuminating these distinct senses of holding responsible and highlighting their features reveals an awkwardness in the most carefully explicated and influential account of holding responsible, namely R. Jay Wallace’s account in Responsibility and the Moral Sentiments.
On four color monochromatic sets with nondecreasing diameter

Let m and r be positive integers. Define f(m,r) to be the least positive integer N such that for every coloring of the integers 1,...,N with r colors there exist monochromatic subsets B"1 and B"2 (not necessarily of the same color), each having m elements, such that (a) max(B"1)-min(B"1)=
Influence of preoperative radiation field on postoperative leak rates in esophageal cancer patients after trimodality therapy.

Introduction: Postoperative morbidities, such as anastomotic leaks, are common after trimodality therapy (chemoradiation followed by surgery) for esophageal cancer. We investigated for factors associated with an increased incidence of anastomotic leaks. Methods: Data from 285 esophageal cancer patients treated from 2000 to 2011 with trimodality therapy were analyzed. Anastomotic location relative to preoperative radiation field was assessed using postoperative computed tomographic imaging. Logistic regression was used to evaluate for factors associated with any or clinically relevant (CR) (≥ grade 2) leaks. Results: Overall anastomotic leak rate was 11% (31 of 285), and CR leak rate was 6% (17 of 285). Multivariable analysis identified body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.17; OR, 1.11, 95% CI, 1.01–1.22), three-field surgery (OR, 10.01; 95% CI, 3.83–26.21; OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.39–16.71), and within radiation field ("in-field") anastomosis (OR, 5.37; 95% CI, 2.21–13.04; OR, 8.63; 95% CI, 2.90–25.65) as independent predictors of both all grade and CR leaks, respectively. While patients with distal esophageal tumors and Ivor-Lewis surgery had the lowest incidence of all grade (6.5%) and CR leaks (4.2%), most of the leaks were associated with the anastomosis constructed within the field of radiation (in-field: 39% and 30% versus out-of-field: 2.6% and 1.0%, respectively, for total and CR leaks, p less than 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions: Esophagogastric anastomosis placed within the preoperative radiation field was a very strong predictor for anastomotic leaks in esophageal cancer patients treated with trimodality therapy, among other factors. Surgical planning should include a critical evaluation of the preoperative radiation fields to ensure proper anastomotic placement after chemoradiation therapy.
Reduction of noise annoyance through manipulation of stressor relevance.

In order to test the merit of considering noise from an informational viewpoint, 30 Ss were randomly assigned to either a high task-involvement (HTI) or low task-involvement (LTI) instruction group and performed pursuit rotor tracking under three conditions of moderate noise stress: task-related noise; task-unrelated noise; and no noise. No performance effects were evidenced. However, HTI Ss reported experiencing greater psychological discomfort under task-unrelated noise as compared with the other two noise conditions. Moreover, comparisons of post-experimental rankings of working condition preference supported this finding.
Inactivation of 5′-nucleotidase in commercial preparations of venom exonuclease (phosphodiesterase)☆

Abstract A commercial preparation of venom exonuclease (venom phosphodiesterase, VPH, Worthington) was incubated at 37°, pH 3.6 for 3 h. The contaminating 5′-nucleotidase activity was reduced by a factor between 100-and 1000-fold, without a loss of exonuclease activity.
Singular Sturm—Liouville problems with nonnegative and indefinite weights

This article is concerned with the oscillatory properties of the eigenfunctions of a class of singular Sturm—Liouville problems—(p y′)′+q y=λw y on (a, b), where the weight functionw vanishes on a subinterval of positive measure, or where the weight functionw changes sign on (a, b).
Multigrid methods in science and engineering

By combining computation from several scales of mesh fineness, multigrid and multilevel methods can improve speed and accuracy in a wide variety of science and engineering applications. The article sketches the history of the techniques, explains the basics, and gives pointers to the literature and current research.
Frequency dependence of average phase shift from human calcaneus in vitro.

If dispersion in a medium is weak and approximately linear with frequency (over the experimental band of frequencies), then it can be shown that the constant term in a polynomial representation of phase shift as a function of frequency can produce errors in measurements of phase-velocity differences in through-transmission, substitution experiments. A method for suppressing the effects of the constant phase shift in the context of the single-wave-model was tested on measurements from 30 cancellous human calcaneus samples in vitro. Without adjustment for constant phase shifts, the estimated phase velocity at 500 kHz was 1516±6 m/s (mean±standard error), and the estimated dispersion was −24±4 m/s MHz (mean±standard error). With adjustment for constant phase shifts, the estimated mean velocity decreased by 4–9 m/s, and the estimated magnitude of mean dispersion decreased by 50%–100%. The average correlation coefficient between the measured attenuation coefficient and frequency was 0.997±0.0026 (mean±standard...
A study of the dynamic properties of the human red blood cell membrane using quasi-elastic light-scattering spectroscopy

A quasi-elastic light-scattering (QELS) microscope spectrometer was used to study the dynamic properties of the membrane/cytoskeleton of individual human red blood cells (RBCs). QELS is a spectroscopic technique that measures intensity fluctuations of laser light scattered from a sample. The intensity fluctuations were analyzed using power spectra and the intensity autocorrelation function, g(2)(tau), which was approximated with a single exponential. The value of the correlation time, Tcorr, was used for comparing results. Motion of the RBC membrane/cytoskeleton was previously identified as the source of the QELS signal from the RBC (R. B. Tishler and F. D. Carlson, 1987. Biophys. J. 51:993–997), and additional data supporting that conclusion are presented. Similar results were obtained from anucleate mammalian RBCs that have structures similar to that of the human RBC, but not for morphologically distinct, nucleated RBCs. The effect of altering the physical properties of the cytoplasm and the membrane/cytoskeleton was also studied. Osmotically increasing the cytoplasmic viscosity led to significant increases in Tcorr. Increasing the membrane cholesterol content and increasing the intracellular calcium content both led to decreased deformability of the human RBC. In both cases, the modified cells with decreased deformability showed an increase in Tcorr, demonstrating that QELS could measure biochemically induced changes of the membrane/cytoskeleton. Physiological changes were measured in studies of age-separated RBC populations which showed that Tcorr was increased in the older, less deformable cells.
A model for the ablation rate of a solid hydrogen pellet in a plasma

It is shown that the ablation of a solid hydrogen pellet subject to a plasma is likely to produce a quasi-steady dense neutral gas cloud. The total integrated density of the cloud is such that the plasma electrons lose essentially all their energy in the cloud. The electron energy flux is degraded by inelastic collisions and elastic backscattering with the neutral molecules, providing local heating and acceleration of the neutral gas. Only a small fraction of the energy flux reaches the surface of the pellet, raising the pellet's surface temperature to a point where the energy flux at the pellet's surface is in balance with the energy lost through vaporization. The vaporization rate, in turn, determines the total integrated neutral gas cloud density. The scaling laws derived from the model indicate that the pellet lifetime varies as: where τp is the lifetime of the pellet and Te, ne, and rp0 are the electron temperature, density of the plasma, and initial pellet radius, respectively. A good agreement is found between this model and the ORMAK pellet injection experiment.
Effect of Amine Surface Coverage on the Co-Adsorption of CO2 and Water: Spectral Deconvolution of Adsorbed Species

Three primary amine materials functionalized onto mesoporous silica with low, medium, and high surface amine coverages are prepared and evaluated for binary CO2/H2O adsorption under dilute conditions. Enhancement of amine efficiency due to humid adsorption is most pronounced for low surface amine coverage materials. In situ FT-IR spectra of adsorbed CO2 on these materials suggest this enhancement may be associated with the formation of bicarbonate species during adsorption on materials with low surface amine coverage, though such species are not observed on high surface coverage materials. On the materials with the lowest amine loading, bicarbonate is observed on longer time scales of adsorption, but only after spectral contributions from rapidly forming alkylammonium carbamate species are removed. This is the first time that direct evidence for bicarbonate formation, which is known to occur in liquid aqueous amine solutions, has been presented for CO2 adsorption on solid amine adsorbents.
The production of microemboli by various blood oxygenators.

substantial body of evidence has shown that extracorporeal blood oxygenators alter blood in some way that eventually A damages the perfused tissue [8, 111. Some authors have suggested that microemboli are responsible, but detecting the presence of microemboli has been difficult [l, 4-7, 121. Recently a detection chamber employing ultrasound has been developed which continuously counts particles in flowing blood which are greater than 50 p [9]. Using this apparatus, a study was made of the relative concentration of microemboli produced by a disc oxygenator, a membrane oxygenator, and two types of disposable bubble oxygenators. The findings are reported here.
Evidence that gene 56 of bacteriophage T4 is a structural gene for deoxycytidine triphosphatase

Abstract Gene 56 of bacteriophage T4 was previously shown to control deoxycytidine triphosphatase (dCTPase), an enzyme known also to dephosphorylate dCDP, dUTP, and dUDP. Whether this control is direct or indirect was not clear. In the present study we examined the heat lability of the dCTPases produced by gene 56 amber mutants in four different amber -suppressor strains. Others have shown that tyrosine and glutamine are inserted at the amber codon by two of these suppressor strains; the other two insert serine. With one mutant, am E51×5, no difference in heat lability from the wild-type enzyme was observed in the enzymes produced by any of the four suppressor strains. With another mutant, am C153×1, a marked increase in heat lability was observed when the suppressor strains were those inserting tyrosine or serine, but not glutamine. These and other observations constitute strong evidence that gene 56 is a structural gene for the enzyme dCTPase.
Survey of oncogene and growth factor/receptor gene expression in cancer cells by intron-differential RNAPCR

Abstract To elucidate the possible roles of proto-oncogenes and growth factors in estrogen-regulated cell proliferation of human breast and gynecologic cancers, we have determined the gene expressions of c-myc, transforming growth factor-alpha and beta 1 (TGF-α, β 1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a number of these cancer cell lines by using an Intron-Differential (ID) RNA PCR method, which differentially identifies the amplified cDNA from PCR products of genomic DNA contaminants. With this method, we demonstrated the expression of these genes, except EGFR, in an estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell line (CAMA-1). Our results show that TGF-α EGF does not function as an autocrine factor in this cell line. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the TGF-α EGFR system participates as a mediator in the estrogen-induced cell proliferation of CAMA-1 cells. The ID RNA PCR method is a rapid, sensitive and specific technique for mRNA phenotyping and will have great clinical utility.
Policy Design and the Acceptability of Environmental Risks: Nuclear Waste Disposal in Canada and the United States

This article examines the controversial process of developing high-level nuclear waste disposal policy in Canada, with some comparison to experience in the United States. It argues that a policy design perspective can assist in understanding the difficult social and political issues associated with waste disposal and the environmental and health risks that it poses. I examine several critical questions related to such an endeavor and link them to long-term goals of building a sustainable society. Success in formulating and implementing a nuclear waste policy in Canada will depend on the nation's capacity to create requisite processes of public participation. Particularly important are those actions that can help the public understand and assess environmental risks, including related ethical and social issues, and build public trust and confidence in the siting processes and the implementing agencies.
Globally convergent direct adaptive control algorithm for multivariable systems with general time-delay structure

A simple adaptive control algorithm is presented which is applicable to multi-variable systems with a general time-delay structure. The proposed algorithm has the advantage that it only requires a priori knowledge of integer-valued parameters (i.e. time delays and order parameters). It is shown that, with probability one, the algorithm will ensure the system inputs and outputs are sample mean-square bounded and the conditional mean-square generalized output tracking error achieves its global minimum possible value for linear feedback control. Some simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the algorithm.
Augmentation of succinylcholine-induced neuromuscular blockade by calcium channel antagonists

Abstract The block of endplate currents (EPCs) by succinylcholine, in frog cutaneous pectoris muscles, is significantly potentiated by certain organic calcium channel antagonists, at concentrations at which the calcium channel antagonists have no effect on EPCs themselves. Succinylcholine alone blocked the current in a dose-dependent manner with an IC 50 =2.7 μ M in voltage-clamped muscle fibers. The ability of succinylcholine to block endplate currents was potentiated by nicardipine (3.5- and 31-fold by 1 and 10 μM, respectively), by bepridil (4.3-fold by 1 μM), and by verapamil (7.7-fold by 10 μM). The dihydropyridine nifedipine (10 μM), did not potentiate the succinylcholine effect. Since the calcium channel antagonists do not affect endplate currents directly at these concentrations, a channel blocking or receptor antagonistic effect of these drugs is not indicated. We therefore suggest that the enhancement of block by succinylcholine may be due to the increased desensitization of the receptor. Furthermore, this enhancement of desensitization may explain the effects of these calcium channel antagonists seen in whole animal studies, where the contractures caused by acetylcholine and succinylcholine, applied systemically, are blocked.
Israel's energy security: the Caspian Sea and the Middle East

The Israeli economy is the most developed in the Middle East. In order to maintain the high standards of living, the Israeli economy needs uninterrupted and secure energy supplies. The country, however, lacks adequate indigenous energy resources. This study examines energy cooperation between Israel and Iran prior to the 1979 Revolution and between Jerusalem and Cairo since the early 1980s. It also analyzes the growing energy partnership between Israel and the Caspian Sea region. It argues that cooperation in energy can enhance strategic cooperation.
Risk of coronary heart disease is associated with triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men

Background Although the physiologic interrelationships between triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are not fully understood, studies typically are adjusted for one when one is examining the role of the other. If the mechanism of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is mediated through the other, then controlling for the second factor may mask the true effect of the first. We investigated the relationship between the combined effect of increased (↑) TG and decreased (↓) HDL-C compared with isolated ↑TG or isolated ↓HDL-C on CHD risk in men and women and compared these TG/HDL-C categories to non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C). Methods Subjects (936 women and 746 men) from the San Luis Valley Study were grouped on the basis of 4 sex-specific NCEP-ATP III cutpoints (↑TG ≥150 mg/dL, and ↓HDL-C, 50 and >40 mg/dL for women and men, respectively). Non-HDL-C was analyzed as a continuous variable. Results Among women, all groups had greater risk of CHD compared with the ↓TG/↑HDL-C reference in univariate analysis: ↓TG/↓HDL-C HR = 2.82 [95% confidence interval 1.12–7.1], ↑TG/↑HDL-C HR = 3.82 [1.50–9.74], ↑TG/↓HDL-C HR=4.32 [1.91–9.80]. The risk remained significant in the ↓TG/↓HDL-C group (HR= 3.27 [1.26–8.50] and marginally significant in other groups in multivariable analysis. Neither ↑TG nor ↓HDL-C was related to CHD risk in men. Non-HDL cholesterol was significantly related to CHD in men but not in women. Conclusions The CHD risk associated with ↓HDL-C in women was >2- to 4-fold elevated depending on TG levels. Non-HDL cholesterol was a significant predictor of CHD in men. Examining the combined effects of risk factors that share physiologic pathways may reveal important associations that can be otherwise obscured. Further dissection of gender specific pathways that affect HDL-C and TG and non-HDL cholesterol are important in understanding CHD risk.
Early and sustained alterations in cerebral metabolism after traumatic brain injury in immature rats.

Abstract Although studies have shown alterations in cerebral metabolism after traumatic brain injury (TBI), clinical data in the developing brain is limited. We hypothesized that post-traumatic metabolic changes occur early (<24 h) and persist for up to 1 week. Immature rats underwent TBI to the left parietal cortex. Brains were removed at 4 h, 24 h, and 7 days after injury, and separated into ipsilateral (injured) and contralateral (control) hemispheres. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained, and spectra were analyzed for N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), lactate (Lac), creatine (Cr), choline, and alanine, with metabolite ratios determined (NAA/Cr, Lac/Cr). There were no metabolic differences at any time in sham controls between cerebral hemispheres. At 4 and 24 h, there was an increase in Lac/Cr, reflecting increased glycolysis and/or decreased oxidative metabolism. At 24 h and 7 days, there was a decrease in NAA/Cr, indicating loss of neuronal integrity. The NAA/Lac ratio was decreased ...
Effective Elastic Moduli of Two-Dimensional Brittle Solids With Interacting Microcracks, Part II: Evolutionary Damage Models

In Part I of this series, basic formulations of stationary micromechanical theory and overall responses are presented for two-dimensional brittle solids with randomly dispersed microcracks. The basic formulations hinge on an ensemble average approach which includes pairwise microcrack interactions. In this paper, statistical micromechanical evolutionary models are proposed to account for “cleavage 1” growth of randomly oriented and located microcracks under microcrack interaction effects. Biaxial tension/compression loadings are also considered to take into account mixed microcrack opening and closure effects. Efficient numerical integration algorithms for the proposed ensemble averaged constitutive equations are subsequently given. Further, uniaxial and biaxial tests are presented to illustrate the proposed models and procedures. Finally, a higher-order microcrack interaction model within the proposed micromechanical framework is discussed.
Thermal conductivity improvement of phase change materials/graphite foam composites

Abstract Effective thermal conductivity of composites of graphite foam infiltrated with phase change materials (PCM) was investigated numerically and experimentally. Graphite foam, as a highly-conductive, highly-porous structure, is an excellent candidate for infiltrating PCM into its pores and forming thermal energy storage composites with improved effective thermal conductivity. For numerical simulation, the graphite structure was modeled as a three-dimensional body-centered cube arrangement of uniform spherical pores, saturated with PCM thus forming a cubic representative elementary volume (REV). Thermal analysis of the developed REV was conducted for unidirectional heat transfer and the total heat flux was determined, which leads to the effective thermal conductivity evaluation. For experimental verification, a sample of graphite foam was infiltrated with PCM. The effective thermal conductivity was evaluated using the direct method of measuring temperature within the sample under fixed heat flux in unidirectional heat transfer. The results indicate a noticeable improvement in the effective thermal conductivity of composites compared to the PCM. Our numerical and experimental results are in agreement and are also consistent with reported experimental results on graphite foam. Moreover, the role of natural convection within the pores is found to be negligible.
Mirfentanil and A-4334: Tritiation at high specific activity.

Abstract Methods are presented to synthesize and characterize [ 3 H] mirfentanil and [ 3 H] A-4334.
Millimeter-Visible Injection Locking and Testing

A Visible-Millimeter Wave mixing system for testing high frequency devices has been set up with all components operating satisfactorily and locked to stabilized cavities. Using this system, mixing has been obtained, with frequency separations ranging to 100 GHz, in a number of GaAs and GaAs/AlGaAs devices. These devices include commercial FETs, state of the art industrial FETs as well as modulation doped HEMT structures and Heterojunction bi-polar transistors.
Doing Things with Texts: Essays in Criticism and Critical Theory

This volume brings together for the first time influential essays and reviews by one of our most important literary critics. Spanning three decades, the essays concern themselves with the most central development themes in recent criticism, from the New Criticism to the much-debated "Newreading" and "New Historicism." Two other essays discuss the emergence of the remarkably influential modern view that a work in the fine arts is an autonomous object, and another offers an extraordinary overview of the history of criticism from Plato and Aristotle to Jacques Derrida and Paul de Man.
Improved technique for human leukocyte cultures

An improved technique for cultivation of peripheral human lymphocytes is presented. The settling of the blood cells is replaced by a wash in Ficoll to remove the polymorphonucleocytes.
Effect of Sympathoinhibition on Exercise Performance in Patients With Heart Failure

Background In patients with heart failure, excessive sympathetic activation during exercise could interfere with exercise performance by impairing arteriolar dilation in working muscle and by adversely altering skeletal muscle metabolic behavior. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of sympathoinhibition with clonidine, a central sympatholytic agent, on skeletal muscle blood flow and metabolism in patients with heart failure. Methods and Results Swan-Ganz and femoral venous catheters were inserted in 20 patients with chronic heart failure and exercise intolerance (peak exercise Vo2=9.3±1.4 [SEM] mL·min−1·kg−1). Central hemodynamic measurements, leg blood flow determined by thermodilution, and systemic and leg metabolic parameters were measured during maximal treadmill exercise before and 2 hours after clonidine 2 μg/kg IV (n=15) or 0.9% normal saline (n=5). During control exercise before the administration of clonidine, leg blood flow increased from 0.3±0.1 to 1.8±0.2 L/min and plasma norepine...
Effect of dipyridamole on myocardial adenosine metabolism and coronary flow in hypoxia and reactive hyperemia in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart.

Abstract The effect of dipyridamole on adenosine metabolism and coronary flow in the hypoxic intact myocardium was studied in normal and hypertrophied isolated perfused guinea pig hearts. The presence of dipyridamole in the normal guinea pig heart resulted in a significant increase in the level of tissue adenosine (67%) with a concomitant increase in coronary flow (85%) and a decrease in the rate of adenosine release (18%) from the myocardium during perfusion with normoxic and hypoxic solutions. Directional changes in hypertrophied hearts were the same as for normal hearts. Tissue levels of adenosine in normal dipyridamole-treated hearts during normoxic perfusion were significantly increased above those of untreated hearts at the peak of reactive hyperemia (× 1.5), after 30 s of aortic occlusion (× 2.3) and during steady state flow (× 2.0). Furthermore, the presence of dipyridamole in normal hearts during reactive hyperemia, produced by 30 s of aortic occlusion, increased the volume and duration of coronary flow by 44% and 75%, respectively. These findings are in accord with the hypothesis that adenosine is a mediator of coronary flow and that dipyridamole potentiates the vasodilator effect of endogenous as well as exogenous adenosine.
Particle simulation of the time‐dependent interaction with the ionosphere of rapidly varying lightning EMP

The interaction with the lower ionosphere of rapidly varying electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) produced by lightning discharges is studied. The nonlinear heating, ionization and optical emission production are modeled using the Monte Carlo technique, which allows for consideration of realistic lightning EMPs with a few μs rise times. Results indicate that the electron distribution function is highly anisotropic during the first few μs of the interaction, but subsequently develops into a near-isotropic quasi-stationary state. The peak optical emissions intensities are found to be highly dependent on the EMP waveform, while the altitude range at which the emissions occur is relatively independent of pulse shape. Results of the particle simulation are used to assess the range of applicability of the quasi-stationary models [Taranenko et al., 1993 ; Inan et al., 1996].
Shell Cross-Linked Knedels: A Synthetic Study of the Factors Affecting the Dimensions and Properties of Amphiphilic Core-Shell Nanospheres

Shell cross-linked knedels (SCK's), nanometer-sized spherical particles that are composed of a core-shell morphology, were prepared by intramicellar polymerization of side chain functionalities along the backbone of the hydrophilic block of amphiphilic polystyrene-b-poly(vinylpyridine) block copolymers organized into micellar assemblies. Control over the size of the SCK's was demonstrated through variation of the chemistry and processing conditions. The solid-state SCK diameters (from atomic force microscopy) ranged from 8 to 30 nm, depending upon the chemical composition and micellization time. The relative amount and nature of hydrophilicity in the amphiphilic block copolymer precursor to the SCK's affects the propensity for aggregation, leading to differences in the aggregation numbers of polymer chains within the micelles and to differences in the dimensions of the SCK's. Therefore, increased lengths of the PS (hydrophobic) block in comparison to the PVP (hydrophilic) block gave larger aggregation num...
The Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation: a Forum for Discussion of Science-Based Strategy and Regulatory Requirements

I am very pleased to let our readers know that the Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation has been selected for coverage in the products and services of Thomson Reuters. Beginning with V.4 (1) 2009, the journal will be indexed and abstracted in Science Citation Index Expanded (also known as SciSearch®) and Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition. The journal should receive its first impact factor during 2012! I offer a sincere thank you to all who have helped us reach this goal, including authors, referees, readers/subscribers, editorial advisory board members, and Springer personnel. I look forward to a successful year for the journal during 2012. In the current issue, readers will find a variety of interesting papers, ranging from a review of analytical methods used in analyzing solid dispersions to a perspective article proposing strategies for verification of design spaces. The issue of defining and verifying design spaces is an important current topic in our industry and one that requires continued discussion. While the present article on design space is published as a science-based strategy paper, the topic will no doubt generate further dialogue regarding the suitability of such approaches for regulatory filing requirements. The Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation is an ideal forum for the publication and discussion of such topics, and I invite our readers to submit research papers, case studies, and perspective articles to continue the exchange of ideas regarding these important issues.
In vitro dissolution of uranyl acetate using different methods

The dissolution rate of a material in the lung is an important parameter in evaluating the risk to humans following accidental inhalation of a substance and is also a parameter that may be useful in characterizing particles for nuclear forensics analysis. Conventional methods of measuring dissolution rates in vitro involve exposing the material or particles to a solvent, such as water, saline, or solutions that simulate lung fluid, and measuring the fraction of material that dissolves with time. A new device for measuring dissolution rates for small samples, especially individual particles, was evaluated that incorporates a regenerated cellulose dialysis membrane fixed to the bottom of a small, 2 mL plastic cup that fits into the top of a 50 mL plastic centrifuge tube. The cup is easily transferred among a series of tubes containing solvent to measure rate of dissolution. The dialysis membrane has a diffusion rating of 20 kDa molecular weight cut off which greatly exceeds the size of the dissolved uranium molecule. The performance of the dialysis cup device was evaluated by measuring the dissolution rate of uranyl acetate in distilled water, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and simulated lung fluid (SLF). These results were compared to the dissolution rate measured using the traditional filter sandwich method in which a sample is sealed between two hydrophilic membranes. Although the majority of uranyl acetate dissolved in SLF within 30 min using the filter sandwich method, most of the uranyl acetate was undissolved in PBS and SLF using the dialysis membrane device. Reactions between the dissolved uranyl acetate, solvent, and the dialysis membrane likely caused the membrane to swell, shrinking the pore size, and thus reducing the transport of dissolved uranium across the membrane. Use of the dialysis cup device for evaluating dissolution rates for uranium-bearing materials in solvents containing a high concentration of salts is therefore not recommended.
Relative base composition of nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive and unique DNA in frog embryos.

Abstract Frog embryo nuclear RNA labeled with undine or guanosine was hybridized to denatured frog or minnow DNA on nitrocellulose filters. Some of the hybrids were treated with RNase and some were untreated. The ratios of RNase-treated/non-RNase-treated filters show that portions of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) transcribed from single-copy DNA are more G-C rich than are the regions transcribed from repetitive DNA. The ratio of the heterologous minnow DNA filter hybridization to the homologous frog DNA hybridization is greater for neurula nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA than for tailbud nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA, thus showing that neurula nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA is more conservative than tailbud nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA. The ratio of the minnow DNA filter hybridization to the frog DNA filter hybridization is greater for the nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA of belly regions of tailbud embryos than for the dorsal axial regions, indicating that the nuclear RNA transcribed from repetitive DNA of the belly regions is more conservative. These data are discussed in relation to the idea that restriction of transcription of A-T rich repetitive DNA sequences plays a role in the progressive emergence of less conservative features during early embryonic development.
Some Further Studies in Combustion Synthesis of the YBa2Cu307–x Superconductor

The combustion synthesis of the YBa2Cu3Oz–x ceramic superconductor was achieved from CuBaO2 and Y2O3 mixtures, using both self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and thermal explosion modes. Particular attention was paid to establishing the mechanism of formation of the YBa2Cu3O3–2 product. Previous studies included effects of BaO2 and Cu particle sizes, along with quenching of reacting pellets. It was shown that the mixture of reactants undergoes a complex sequence of reactions before eventually forming the final product. In the present work, the effect of the Y2O3 particle size has been investigated. The initiation of YBa2Cu3O7–x formation has also been studied by providing a portion of the copper as either Cu2O or CuO. It is shown that the oxidation of Cu to form Cu2O is a necessary step for the reaction to become self-sustaining, but that excessive oxidation to Cu2O inhibits the reaction, leading to partially reacted pellets.
Theoretical studies of laser-stimulated surface processes III: Effect of vibrational energy transfer on desorption

Abstract A theory of desorption induced by an infrared laser is developed. The laser excites a molecule to the first excited level and higher vibrational levels are excited by the intermolecular energy transfer. Once the molecule is excited to the higher levels it might desorb. The theory of this process includes a derivation, from “first principles”, of corresponding master equations. These equations include both usual distribution functions and pair distribution functions. It is shown that a frequency dependence of the yield from the Rth excited level is determined by the Rth degree of the corresponding Lorentzian. This yield is also proportional to Rth degree of the laser field intensity.
Pitfalls and problems in flexible fiberoptic videolaryngoscopy

Summary The flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope is a valuable tool in the examination of laryngeal and supraglottic structure and function. Nevertheless, persistent questions remain about the validity of the perceived image, and a variety of concerns arise relative to the equipment used, the difficult to examine patient, and the difficulty in obtaining measurable objective data. All of these areas are discussed. Distortions of the video image that result from the wideangle lens effect are described. Given an awareness of the distortions that may be present in the fiberoptic video image, it is clear that it is necessary to exercise caution in making judgments of anatomic or physiologic integrity based on fiberoptic information alone.
Synergistic effect of driers on soybean oil-based ceramer coatings

Inorganic-organic hybrid coatings were prepared using blown soybean oil with sol-gel precursors. Three sol-gel precursors, titanium tetra-i-propoxide (TIP), titanium (di-i-propoxide) bis (acetylacetonate) (TIA), and zirconium tetra-n-propoxide (ZrP) were used in conjunction with cobalt, manganese, and zirconium driers. The goal of this study was to investigate if a synergy exists between the drier and sol-gel precursors with respect to the autooxidation process. Various coating properties such as hardness, adhesion, reverse impact resistance, and flexibility were evaluated as a function of sol-gel precursor and drier content. Viscoelastic and tensile properties were also investigated.
A survey of Hp multipliers as related to classical function theory

There are five sections in this survey paper. In section 1, we indicate why multiplier problems are of some interest. In section 2, we discuss the phenomenon that two distinct spaces of functions can have the same multipliers and relate this to a type of reflexivity. In section 3, we give a concise summary of known results on multipliers of Hp and related spaces. In section 4, we consider the problem of effectively describing multipliers instead of simply characterizing multipliers abstractly. The fifth and final section closes with a list of open problems. The paper concentrates on complex analysis techniques for Hp multipliers of functions in the disc and does not attempt to survey the vast developments of Hp multipliers in that have been developed from the point of view of Fourier analysis and which are contained in the 1977 survey paper by R. Coifman and G. Weiss [CW]. For the ease of the reader we collect in Table 1 the notations that will be used without further reminder throughout the rest of this ...
Stress and temperature in subduction shear zones: Tonga and Mariana

Summary. Because there is secondary sea-floor spreading in the Tonga and Mariana subduction systems, the island arcs are separate plates. Horizontal forces on the two sides of the arc must balance, and the maximum force on the back-arc side can be calculated from a lithostatic ridge model. This, in combination with gravity data, allows calculation of the average shear stress in the top 100 km of the subduction shear zone. Stress in Tonga is 220±100 bar, and in the Mariana it is 165±75 bar. These low stresses are probably made possible by a fluid pore pressure almost equal to the least compressive stress. Knowledge of stress allows approximate calculation of temperature in the shear zone by integration of a single differential equation. These temperatures are too low to activate most dehydration reactions in the subducted crust. As it approaches the volcanic line, this crust is at 150–350°C in Tonga and 150–300°C in the Mariana. Shear melting of the crust is ruled out, and conductive melting of the slab by contact with the asthenosphere meets with geochemical objections. Magmas in these systems are probably produced by partial melting of asthenosphere, triggered by a sudden release of water from the slab.
Consequences of skin color and fur properties for solar heat gain and ultraviolet irradiance in two mammals

In animals with fur or feather coats, heat gain from solar radiation is a function of coat optical, structural, and insulative characteristics, as well as skin color and the optical properties of individual hairs or feathers. In this analysis, I explore the roles of these factors in determining solar heat gain in two desert rodents (the Harris antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus harrisi, and the round-tailed ground squirrel, Spermophilus tereticaudus). Both species are characterized by black dorsal skin, though they contrast markedly in their general coat thickness and structure. Results demonstrate that changes in coat structure and hair optics can produce differences of up to 40% in solar heat gain between animals of similar color. This analysis also confirms that the model of Walsberg et al. (1978) accurately predicts radiative heat loads within about 5% in most cases. Simulations using this model indicate that dark skin coloration increases solar heat gain by less than or equal to 5%. However, dark skin significantly reduces ultraviolet transmission to levels about one-sixth of those of the lighter ventral skin.
Linear intensity dependence of a two-photon transition rate.

At low intensities the rate of two-photon transitions in an atom driven by parametrically down-converted light may be linear in intensity. Such a violation of the usual perturbative law arises from strong correlations between pairs of photons.
Thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility of solid nitrogen

The coefficients of linear thermal expansion and of isothermal compressibility have been measured for solid nitrogen in the temperature intervals from 4.2° to 40° K and 8° to 40° K, respectively. Length changes of the sample were detected with a resolution of 10 −9 cm using a dilatometer of the three-terminal capacitor variety contained inside a pressure vessel. Apparatus and experimental technique are described in detail. The thermal expansion and compressibility of α-N2 increase rapidly with increasing temperature above 20° K, and in the former case the length increase is exponential in 1/T above 24° K. A reproducible value for the volume discontinuity at the α-β crystallographic transformation at 35.6° K was obtained only if many hours were taken to effect the transformation. The data are discussed in relation to recent experimental and theoretical information obtained from studies of Raman and infrared spectra, nuclear quadrupole resonance, and specific heat. The anomalous thermal expansion is attributed to excited librational and translational states of large amplitude and appreciable anharmonic content. The adiabatic compressibility calculated from the experimental data agrees well with published values from sound velocity experiments. The Gruneisen parameter of α-N 2 is found to be strongly temperature dependent.
Optimization of parallel reactions in a tubular reactor by feed distribution

The System of isothermal, isobaric, perfect gas reactions with stoichiometric kinetics taking place in a tubular reactor is considered where A3 is desired and A5 undesired. A class of optimum selectivity problems is formulated, and distributed bypass of A1 is investigated. It is shown that there are cases where the performance of the best plug flow reactor can be improved substantially (sometimes by more than 100%) by the bypass of A1, but there are also cases where bypass is fruitless.
Correlates of Correct Condom Use Among High-Risk African American Men Attending an Urban STD Clinic in the South

ABSTRACT The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess prevalence and correlates of correct condom use among high-risk African American men attending a publicly funded sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Men 18 through 29 years of age and newly diagnosed with an STD were further assessed for study eligibility. Of 296 meeting eligibility criteria, 271 agreed to participate, thereby yielding a participation rate of 91.5%. Correct use, assessed by an index, was reported by 38%. Correct use was associated with having sex with three or fewer female sex partners, being in an exclusive relationship, not indicating problems with the fit or feel of condoms, and not being drunk/high while using condoms. The correct use of condoms among young African American men newly diagnosed with an STD may be a function of situational factors. These factors could potentially be addressed in the context of clinic-based behavioral intervention programs.
Capacitation and the acrosome reaction in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) spermatozoa evaluated by the chlortetracycline fluorescence assay

Capacitation and the acrosome reaction in squirrel monkey seminal spermatozoa diluted in Tyrode's medium (TALP) and TC-199 were monitored by a chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence assay. Four CTC patterns, similar to those found in human sperm, were readily characterized by fluorescent staining on the heads of the spermatozoa. The appearance of the capacitated (CP) pattern was dependent on the concentration of the bovine serum albumin. Acrosomal loss was observed in a maximum of 15% of the sperm in the populations studied here. Calcium ionophore A23187 (5 μM to 20μM) induced acrosomal loss in 60–70% of capacitated spermatozoa. However in freshly ejaculated sperm incubated under capacitating conditions or in spermatozoa incubated in Ca+ +-free medium, A23187 failed to induce acrosomal loss. Furthermore, spermatozoa incubated in the presence of seminal plasma or spermatozoa obtained following a 1-hour “swim-up” procedure showed an identical timecourse of appearance of the CP pattern, indicating the lack of effect of seminal plasma on capacitation in the squirrel monkey.