cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain water and ion content during progressive water loading in the newborn puppy.

Speculation: The relative absence of apparent brain volume regulation in response to acute water loads in the newborn in comparison to the adult is due to mechanical factors, namely the more compliant newborn skull. The more compliant skull allows a greater increase in intracranial volume before intracranial pressure values are reached that are critical for pressure-dependent brain volume regulatory processes, e.g. bulk flow loss of brain ecf and CSF via arachnoid villi.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin distribution in nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia, a disorder characterized by regenerative nodules scattered diffusely throughout the liver without associated fibrosis, is most often recognized at autopsy when the entire liver is available for inspection. Diagnosis by needle biopsy is much more subtle. Because alpha-1-antitrypsin expression by hepatocytes in a variety of liver diseases has suggested that it may represent a marker for regenerative or damaged hepatocytes, we elected to study the expression of alpha- 1 -antitrypsin by immunohisto chemical staining of paraffin-embedded tissue of biopsy material as a possible marker of this diagnosis. Seventeen liver biopsy specimens showing histological features consistent with nodular regenerative hyperplasia were selected and compared with 20 biopsy specimens of the liver without such features. Eight of the diseased cases showed periportal granular alpha- 1-antitrypsin staining as opposed to only one of the healthy biopsy specimens (p < 0.01; Fisher exact test). These results indicate that alpha-1-antitrypsin expression is increased in the regenerating compartment (as opposed to the presumably damaged atrophic portion) of the liver in nodular regenerative hyperplasia and suggest that alpha-1-antitrypsin staining may be useful in confirming the diagnosis of the disease by biopsy specimens.
Modeling ductile fracture in metals involving two populations of voids – influence of continuous nucleation of secondary voids upon growth and coalescence of primary voids

This paper is devoted to the study of the influence of the nucleation of small, secondary voids upon the growth and coalescence of large, primary cavities in porous ductile metals. For this purpose, a simple model is considered: a hollow sphere subjected to hydrostatic loading whereby the central hole simulates a large, primary void, and the presence of secondary voids in the surrounding matrix is accounted for by the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman homogenized model for plastic porous materials. Continuous nucleation of small voids in the matrix is described by the straightforward phenomenological formula proposed by Pineau and Joly. Initially, the problem is solved analytically, then numerically when a non-uniform distribution of secondary voids develops in the matrix. These elements are used to define a simplified model in which only a small number of internal parameters describe the growth of primary voids coupled with the nucleation, growth and coalescence of secondary voids. Comparisons between the resul...
Real-time prognosis of ICU physiological data streams

This paper presents a system capable of predicting in real-time the evolution of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) physiological patient data streams. It leverages a state of the art stream computing platform to host analytics capable of making such prognosis in real time. The focus is on online algorithms that do not require a training phase. We use Fading-Memory Polynomial filters [8] on the frequency domain to predict windows of ICU data streams. We report on both the system and the performance of this approach when applied to traces of more than 1500 ICU patients obtained from the MIMIC-II database [1].
Positive Influence of Impact‐Fee in Urban Planning and Development

Policymakers seem to prefer that sellers of buildable land pay development impact fees in the form of lower land prices, or that builders pay those fees in the form of lower profits. Developers ass...
A comparative study of metamorphic InP/InGaAs double heterojunction bipolar transistors with InP and InAIP buffer layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

We present a comparison of material quality and device performance of metamorphic InGaAs/InP heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on GaAs substrates with two different types of buffer layers (direct InP and graded InAlP buffers). The results show that the active layer of InP-MHBT has more than one order of magnitude more defects than that of the InAlP-MHBT. The InAlP-MHBTs show excellent direct current (DC) performance. Low DC current gain and a high base junction ideality factor from the InP-MHBT are possibly due to a large number of electrically active dislocations in the HBT active layers, which is consistent with a large number of defects observed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and rough surface morphology observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Wave‐induced instability of seabed: Mechanism and conditions

Abstract The instability of the seabed constitutes an important consideration in the planning and design of various offshore facilities. The stresses and the pore water pressure in the sediments, induced by the action of waves during a storm, may cause them to fail, leading to seabed instability. In this article the possible mechanism of such failures are discussed and the conditions necessary for them are formulated through simplified analyses. These provide the combinations of wave, site, and sediment parameters likely to cause instability, which may be used to identify potentially unstable sediments in a given offshore region during a storm. The numerical results are presented in convenient graphical form. Some illustrative field studies are also presented.
Sample Handling in the Seed Regulatory Laboratory

(2001). Sample Handling in the Seed Regulatory Laboratory. Journal of New Seeds: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 63-66.
SU-E-T-472: A Multi-Dimensional Measurements Comparison to Analyze a 3D Patient Specific QA Tool

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate a 3D patient specific QA tool using 2D film and 3D Presage dosimetry. Methods: A brain IMRT case was delivered to Delta4, EBT2 film and Presage plastic dosimeter. The film was inserted in the solid water slabs at 7.5cm depth for measurement. The Presage dosimeter was inserted into a head phantom for 3D dose measurement. Delta4's Anatomy software was used to calculate the corresponding dose to the film in solid water slabs and to Presage in the head phantom. The results from Anatomy were compared to both calculated results from Eclipse and measured dose from film and Presage to evaluate its accuracy. Using RIT software, we compared the “Anatomy” dose to the EBT2 film measurement and the film measurement to ECLIPSE calculation. For 3D analysis, DICOM file of “Anatomy” was extracted and imported to CERR software, which was used to compare the Presage dose to both “Anatomy” calculation and ECLIPSE calculation. Gamma criteria of 3% - 3mm and 5% - 5mm was used for comparison. Results: Gamma passing rates of film vs “Anatomy”, “Anatomy” vs ECLIPSE and film vs ECLIPSE were 82.8%, 70.9% and 87.6% respectively when 3% - 3mm criteria is used. When the criteria is changed to 5% - 5mm, the passing rates became 87.8%, 76.3% and 90.8% respectively. For 3D analysis, Anatomy vs ECLIPSE showed gamma passing rate of 86.4% and 93.3% for 3% - 3mm and 5% - 5mm respectively. The rate is 77.0% for Presage vs ECLIPSE analysis. The Anatomy vs ECLIPSE were absolute dose comparison. However, film and Presage analysis were relative comparison Conclusion: The results show higher passing rate in 3D than 2D in “Anatomy” software. This could be due to the higher degrees of freedom in 3D than in 2D for gamma analysis.
Effects of cocaine and GBR-12909 on brain stimulation reward

Abstract Cocaine and GBR-12909, two dopamine reuptake blockers, were administered in a multiple current rate-frequency curve-shift test of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) reward in rats with medial forebrain bundle (MFB) electrodes. Acute injections of cocaine (0, 5, 15, 30 mg/kg, IP) increased ICSS reward at all currents (501, 316, 200 μAmps) as measured by decrease half-maximal frequency threshold. Cocaine also increased operant motor performance but only at the low current. In addition, cocaine increased dynamic interval at the highest dose at all currents. Similar treatment with GBR-12909 (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg, IP) significantly increased ICSS reward (decreased threshold) especially at the medium dose in all currents and had no significant effects on operant motor performance or dynamic interval. The major novel finding of the present study is that the rewarding effects of both drugs was not dependent on the choice of stimulation current, which is discussed as simplifying future psychophysical testing of psychostimulant drugs in the ICSS rate-frequency curve-shift paradigm.
Approximate linear dependence, scaling and operator convergence in the harmonic oscillator problem☆

Abstract The Rayleigh-Ritz variational method is applied to the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator, using three nonorthogonal sets of functions: exponentials, gaussians, and powers times exponentials. Approximate linear dependence, scaling, “successive scaling,” and convergence for energy- and other operators are discussed.
Neuronal damage and functional deficits are ameliorated by inhibition of aquaporin and HIF1α after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Abstract The present study, using a rodent model of closed-head diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI), investigated the role of dysregulated aquaporins (AQP) 4 and 9, as well as hypoxia inducible factor − 1α(HIF-1α) on brain edema formation, neuronal injury, and functional deficits. TBI was induced in adult (400–425 g), male Sprague–Dawley rats using a modified Marmarou's head impact-acceleration device (450 g weight dropped from 2 m height). Animals in each treatment group were administered intravenous anti-AQP4 or -AQP9 antibodies or 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2, an inhibitor of HIF-1α) 30 min after injury. At 24 h post-TBI, animals (n = 6 each group) were sacrificed to examine the extent of brain edema by water content, as well as protein expression of AQP and HIF-1α by Western immune-blotting. At 48-hours post-TBI, neuronal injury (n = 8 each group) was assessed by FluoroJade (FJ) histochemistry. Spatial learning and memory deficits were evaluated by radial arm maze (n = 8 each group) up to 21 days post-TBI. Compared to non-injured controls, significant (p Taken together, the present data supports a causal relation between HIF-AQP mediated cerebral edema, secondary neuronal injury, and tertiary behavioral deficits post-TBI. The data further suggests that upstream modulation of the molecular patho-trajectory effectively ameliorates both neuronal injury and behavioral deficits post-TBI.
An Overview of Passive Optical "Gyros"

An Overview of Passive Optical "Gyros"Shaoul EzekielResearch Laboratory of ElectronicsMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139AbstractA brief and simplified overview of optical gyroscopes is presented with emphasis onrecent developments in passive approaches.Why the Interest in Rotation Sensors?The measurement of rotation is of considerable interest in a number of areas. Forexample, inertial navigation systems as used in aircraft and spacecraft depend criticallyon accurate inertial rotation sensors. The allowable errors in rotation sensor performancedepend on the particular application. Typical requirements for aircraft navigation lie be-tween 0.01 and 0.001 degrees /hour. In terms of earth rotation rate QE = 15 degrees /hourthis becomes 10 -3 to l0 -4 QE. A number of other applications of rotation sensors existsuch as surveying where the accurate determination of azimuth and geodetic latitude isimportant [1]. In this case performance of 10 -6 QE or better is needed. Geophysics appli-cations include the determination of astronomical latitude, and the monitoring of polarmotion caused by wobble, rotation, precession and wandering effects [1]. A highly preciserotation sensor may be used to measure any changes in the length of the day and to detecttorsional oscillations in the earth caused by earthquakes. Finally, ultraprecise sensorsmay find applications in relativity related experiments such as the determination of thepreferred frame, dragging of inertial frames, etc.
MEG Investigation of Low Pressure Silica — Shell model for polarization

We present a two-shell polarization model for the α-quartz and α-cristobalite structures. By allowing for polarization, we correct problems encountered in purely ionic bonding treatments of tetrahedrally coordinated silica phases. The shell model predicts zero pressure structures in very good agreement with experiment using no empirical parameters. The behavior of the shell model α-quartz lattice upon compression shows dramatic improvement over the distorted, rigid lattice given by the ionic model.
Short-circuiting RNA splicing.

Isoginkgetin has been identified as a general inhibitor of pre-mRNA splicing using an in vivo screening assay. This and related inhibitors will not only be useful as tools to decipher the roles of the individual components of the spliceosome but may also serve as therapeutics.
Power and foreign policy

Power is a contested concept, and no one definition suits all purposes. Many analysts of international relations and foreign policy have confused power defined in relational and resource terms. They often use simple command definitions of behavioral power, and neglect the second and third faces of power. In terms of resources, they often have ignored ideational aspects of power resources to accommodate simplified neorealist structural models. This article surveys the usefulness of different definitions and conceptions of power and illustrates how they can produce relatively rich or truncated foreign policy analyses.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A MEMS VISCOUS ROTARY ENGINE POWER SYSTEM (VREPS)

In this paper is presented an analytic, theoretical and numerical study of the Viscous Rotary Engine Power System (VREPS). In addition, a proposed process flow for the fabrication of the VREPS using DRIE of silicon is described. The design premise of the VREPS is to derive mechanical power from the surface viscous shearing forces developed by a pressure driven flow present between a rotating disk or annulus and a stationary housing. The resulting motion of the rotating disk or annulus is converted into electrical power by using an external permanent magnet, embedded nickel-iron magnetic circuits, and an external switched magnetic pole electric generator similar to the design proposed by M. Senesky for the UC Berkeley micro-Wankel Engine [1]. This paper will examine the power output, isentropic efficiency, and operating characteristics of the disk and annular viscous turbines using the lubrication approximation and the Creeping Flow Equations (Stokes Flow). The viscous turbine is optimized for maximum isentropic efficiency using MATLAB numerical optimization routines. Finally, a unique triple-wafer micro-fabrication process for VREPS is presented. The proposed design consists of a 250 μm thick, 3.4 mm OD / 2.4 mm ID annular rotor with embedded magnetic poles and four 10 μm driving channels on each side of the rotor. Electrical power is generated with a switched magnetic pole generator, external permanent magnet, and integrated magnetic circuits. Calculations with water predict an output power of 825 mW at an isentropic efficiency of 25% using a pressure drop of 5 MPa cross the device.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Detection of lymph nodes in pelvic malignancies with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Thirty patients with prostate or bladder cancer underwent CT and MRI for nodal staging. CT detected 189 nodes, and MRI detected 271 nodes. This difference was statistically significant in the external iliac (CT/MRI=73/87 nodes), obturator (CT/MRI=48/75 nodes), and internal iliac (CT/MRI=24/46 nodes) nodal chains. Based on size, the number of nodes detected by CT and MRI were as follows: 1–5 mm, CT/MRI=91/166; 6–10 mm, CT/MRI=91/98; >10 mm, CT/MRI=7/7 nodes. MRI detected significantly more lymph nodes in the size range of 1–5 mm.
Insights from neuroenergetics into the interpretation of functional neuroimaging: an alternative empirical model for studying the brain's support of behavior.

Functional neuroimaging measures quantitative changes in neurophysiological parameters coupled to neuronal activity during observable behavior. These results have usually been interpreted by assuming that mental causation of behavior arises from the simultaneous actions of distinct psychological mechanisms or modules. However, reproducible localization of these modules in the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has been elusive other than for sensory systems. In this paper, we show that neuroenergetic studies using PET, calibrated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electrical recordings do not support the standard approach, which identifies the location of mental modules from changes in brain activity. Of importance in reaching this conclusion is that changes in neuronal activities underlying the fMRI signal are many times smaller than the high ubiquitous, baseline neuronal activity, or e...
Quality of care for acute myocardial infarction in rural and urban US hospitals.

Context Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common and important cause of admission to US rural hospitals, as transport of patients with AMI to urban settings can result in unacceptable delays in care. Purpose To examine the quality of care for patients with AMI in rural hospitals with differing degrees of remoteness from urban centers. Methods This cohort study used data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project (CCP), including 4,085 acute care hospitals (408 remote small rural, 893 small rural, 619 large rural, and 2,165 urban) with 135,759 direct admissions of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older for a confirmed AMI between February 1994 and July 1995. Outcomes included use of aspirin, reperfusion, heparin, and intravenous nitroglycerin during hospitalization; use of beta-blockers, aspirin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors at discharge; avoidance of calcium channel blockers at discharge; and 30-day mortality. Findings Substantial proportions of Medicare beneficiaries in both urban and rural hospitals did not receive the recommended treatments for AMI. Medicare patients in rural hospitals were less likely than urban hospitals' patients to receive aspirin, intravenous nitroglycerin, heparin, and either thrombolytics or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Only ACE inhibitors at discharge was used more for patients in rural hospitals than urban hospitals. Medicare patients in rural hospitals had higher adjusted 30-day post-AMI death rates from all causes than those in urban hospitals (odds ratio for large rural 1.14 [1.10 to 1.18], small rural 1.24 [1.20 to 1.29], remote small rural 1.32 [1.23 to 1.41]). Conclusions Efforts are needed to help hospital medical staffs in both rural and urban areas develop systems to ensure that patients receive recommended treatments for AMI.
Electrical resistance and the time‐dependent oxidation of semicontinuous bismuth films

We report on the electrical resistance and time‐dependent oxidation of thin (≲90 A) semicontinuous bismuth films. An increase in the room temperature sheet resistance with exposure to air is correlated with the growth of insulating Bi2O3 at the surfaces and internal boundaries between bismuth particles. For short oxidation times t, the resistance increases as R⧠ ∝t1/2, consistent with a parabolic oxide growth law. At longer times the resistance follows the classical percolation law R⧠∝‖tc−t‖−μ, where tc is a critical exposure time and μ≂1.3 is a critical exponent for two‐dimensional systems.
Antibiotics in early life alter the murine colonic microbiome and adiposity

Antibiotics administered in low doses have been widely used as growth promoters in the agricultural industry since the 1950s, yet the mechanisms for this effect are unclear. Because antimicrobial agents of different classes and varying activity are effective across several vertebrate species, we proposed that such subtherapeutic administration alters the population structure of the gut microbiome as well as its metabolic capabilities. We generated a model of adiposity by giving subtherapeutic antibiotic therapy to young mice and evaluated changes in the composition and capabilities of the gut microbiome. Administration of subtherapeutic antibiotic therapy increased adiposity in young mice and increased hormone levels related to metabolism. We observed substantial taxonomic changes in the microbiome, changes in copies of key genes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids, increases in colonic short-chain fatty acid levels, and alterations in the regulation of hepatic metabolism of lipids and cholesterol. In this model, we demonstrate the alteration of early-life murine metabolic homeostasis through antibiotic manipulation.
Application of variance reduction techniques for tau-leaping systems to particle filters

We propose several techniques for simulation of the prediction step of particle filters for application to a class of estimation problems. These techniques are based on variance reduction techniques previously proposed for stochastic simulation of tau-leaping processes. Proof of almost sure weak convergence is given for an approach in one dimension, and numerical examples pertaining to building population dynamics are presented in both single and multidimensional tau-leaping cases.
Surgical management of giant pituitary adenomas

Abstract Pituitary tumors whose maximum dimension exceeds 4 cm are defined as giant pituitary adenomas. Such giant pituitary tumors are rare and their management is a formidable and controversial problem. Of the 850 pituitary tumors operated upon during the period between 1995 and 2002 in the authors' Institute, there were 118 ‘hormonally inactive’ giant pituitary tumors. The tumors were divided into four grades, depending on the extensions and the nature of their meningeal coverings. The grades reflected an increasing order of invasiveness of adjacent dural and arachnoidal compartments. Giant pituitary tumors, which remained within the confines of sellar dura and under the diaphragma sellae and did not enter into the compartment of cavernous sinus, were classified as Grade I (54 cases); those which transgressed the medial wall of the cavernous sinus were classified as Grade II (38 cases); those which elevated the dura of the superior wall of the cavernous sinus were classified as Grade III (24 cases); and those with supradiaphragmatic–subarachnoid extension were classified as Grade IV (2 cases). Radical surgery by a transsphenoidal route was seen to be suitable in Grade I–III pituitary tumors. It offered a reasonable opportunity for radical tumor resection and recovery of vision. Biopsy of the tumor followed by radiotherapy could be suitable for Grade IV pituitary tumors.
Urinary Stress Incontinence Among Obese Women: Review of Pathophysiology Therapy

Obesity is a common condition among women in developed countries and has a major impact on stress urinary incontinence. Women suffering from obesity manifest increased intra-abdominal pressures, which adversely stress the pelvic floor and may contribute to the development of urinary incontinence. In addition, obesity may affect the neuromuscular function of the genitourinary tract, thereby also contributing to incontinence. Accordingly, thorough evaluation of obese women must be performed prior to the institution of treatment. Weight loss may relieve urinary incontinence, but definitive therapy via operative procedures is effective even in obese patients and should be recommended with confidence.
Manipulation of plasma uric acid in broiler chicks and its effect on leukocyte oxidative activity

Birds have high metabolic rates, body temperatures, and plasma glucose concentrations yet physiologically age at a rate slower than comparably sized mammals. These studies were designed to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant uric acid protects birds against oxidative stress. Mixed sex broiler chicks (3 wk old) were fed diets supplemented or not with purines (0.6 mol hypoxanthine or inosine). Study 1 consisted of 18 female Cobb x Cobb broilers that were fed purines for 7 days, whereas study 2 consisted of 12 males in a 21-day trial. Study 3 involved 30 mixed sex broilers that were fed 40 or 50 mg allopurinol/kg body mass (BM) for 21 days, a drug that lowers plasma uric acid (PUA). PUA and leukocyte oxidative activity (LOA) were determined weekly for all studies. For study 2, pectoralis major shear force, relative kidney and liver sizes (RKS and RLS), and plasma glucose concentrations were also determined. In study 1, PUA concentration was increased three- and twofold (P < 0.001) in birds fed inosine or hypoxanthine, respectively, compared with control birds. LOA of birds supplemented with inosine was lower (P < 0.05) than that of control or hypoxanthine birds. In study 2, PUA concentrations were increased fivefold (P < 0.001) in birds fed inosine and twofold (P < 0.001) in birds fed hypoxanthine compared with control birds at day 21. RKS (g/kg BM) was greater (P < 0.001) for chicks fed purine diets compared with control chicks. Muscle shear value was lower (P < 0.05) in chicks fed purine diets. PUA concentration was decreased (P < 0.001) in birds consuming allopurinol diets, whereas LOA was increased (P < 0.01) in study 3. These studies show that PUA concentrations can be related to oxidative stress in birds, which can be linked to tissue aging.
Inelastic electron scattering from Ca40 in the giant resonance region

Abstract Matrix elements for the excitation of particle-hole states in Ca40 by inelastic electron scattering are calculated. Electric dipole transitions to T = 1 states are considered, taking into account both transverse and Coulomb contributions. The particle-hole matrix elements are evaluated for a zero-range residual interaction. With the help of angular momentum identities, these matrix elements are expressed in a form involving only two Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, thus eliminating the usual 9-j symbols. Wave functions for the excited states are obtained from the diagonalization of the secular matrix. As functions of momentum transfer, some of the matrix elements for the electro-excitation of the different energy levels exhibit characteristically different behaviour, thus helping to identify these levels in the extended shell model scheme. Varying the parameters of the residual interaction over a reasonable range brings about minor modifications in this behaviour, but the qualitative results do not depend critically on the choice of these parameters. The sum of the contributions from the four energy levels above threshold, as a function of momentum transfer, proves to be extremely insensitive to changes in the parameters of the residual interaction, thus exhibiting the effects of closure.
The Role of Positive Traits and Pain Catastrophizing in Pain Perception

A variety of biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence pain. This article focuses on two distinct, but connected, psychological factors—positive personality traits and pain catastrophizing—and their link with pain perception in healthy and clinical populations. First, we review the protective link between positive personality traits, such as optimism, hope, and self-efficacy, and pain perception. Second, we provide evidence of the well-established relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain perception and other related outcomes. Third, we outline the inverse relationship between positive traits and pain catastrophizing, and offer a model that explains the inverse link between positive traits and pain perception through lower pain catastrophizing. Finally, we discuss clinical practice recommendations based on the aforementioned relationships.
Loads on a Harmonically Oscillating Cylinder

A harmonic motion of a cylinder acts as a forcing source to the near wake. Depending on the amplitude and frequency of this motion, the lift exerted on the cylinder may be synchronized or not synchronized with the frequency of the motion. Here, we numerically investigate the behavior of the wake, particularly the induced forces on the cylinder, at a low Reynolds number when the forcing frequency is varied from half to twice the shedding frequency of the wake. Within the synchronization region, an abrupt change in the wake, reflected in a discontinuity in the lift, leads to two different flow modes. In the first mode, increasing the motion frequency causes the lift to increase; whereas in the second mode, this relation is reversed. We analyzed the behavior outside the synchronization region, where the lift is not synchronized with the motion. Poincare sections, phase portraits, and spectral analysis were used to characterize different behaviors (e.g., period-n, quasi-periodic, and chaos) of the lift and drag. Also, we performed nonstationary analysis in which the cylinder frequency was varied with different rates and observed typical nonstationary responses in which the jumps were eliminated.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The Critical Role of Processing and Morphology in Determining Degradation Rates in Polymer Solar Cells

With rapid increase in the efficiencies of polymer solar cells (PSCs) in the last few years, the issue of device stability is taking center stage in organic photovoltaic research. In this work, the effects of oxygen and light on the degradation of charge-transport properties of the bulk polymer active layer are studied over short timescales. It is shown that although different processing techniques produce similar efficiencies for pristine devices, they result in different degradation rates. This variation in degradation rates is primarily due to slightly different morphology parameters, such as molecular packing or disorder in the film. Investigation reveals that the choice of processing for the devices should consider degradation rates as a critical parameter, not just the efficiencies of the pristine devices. It was found that degradation starts with broadening of the effective density of states due to photo-oxidation. Both transient absorption and charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (CELIV) measurements show increase in disorder in the films with progressive degradation. It is suggested that annealing provides the necessary thermal energy to reduce the trap states by flattening out the energy landscape of the pristine films, improving not only the efficiency, as reported previously, but also slowing the degradation rates.
Perceptions of Preservice Teachers about Participation in Extracurricular Activities: Effects of Simulated and Real Experience

This article investigated how a component of a computerized simulation (Extracurricular Activities) could influence the behavior of early childhood preservice teachers before and after they were in...
Protein and electrolyte changes in experimental cerebral edema.

Analysis of protein and electrolyte data in cryogenic cerebral edema in the rhesus monkey has led to the conclusion that, in the first 24 hours (h) after injury, the edamatous process is not homogenous, but compartmentalized. This involves, first of all, a division into intra- and extracellular compartments. The intracellular compartment is further divided into a compartment containing water, electrolytes, and serum proteins, and a compartment containing only excess sodium. The extracellular compartment is also subdivided into a compartment containing albumin, globulin, and electrolytes, and a compartment containing only albumin and electrolytes. Anatomically, the latter is most likely the pre-existing normal extracellular space.
Distinct Roles for PP1 and PP2A in Phosphorylation of the Retinoblastoma Protein: PP2A REGULATES THE ACTIVITIES OF G1 CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASES *

The function of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) in controlling the G1 to S transition is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation on serine and threonine residues. While the roles of cyclin-dependent kinases in phosphorylating and inactivating pRB have been characterized in detail, the roles of protein phosphatases in regulating the G1/S transition are not as well understood. We used cell-permeable inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A to assess the contributions of these phosphatases in regulating cyclin-dependent kinase activity and pRB phosphorylation. Treating asynchronously growing Balb/c 3T3 cells with PP2A-selective concentrations of either okadaic acid or calyculin A caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in pRB phosphorylation. Okadaic acid and calyculin A had no effect on pRB phosphatase activity even though PP2A was completely inhibited. The decrease in pRB phosphorylation correlated with inhibitor-induced suppression of G1cyclin-dependent kinases including CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6. The inhibitors also caused decreases in the levels of cyclin D2 and cyclin E, and induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. The decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase activities were not dependent on induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors since CDK inhibition still occurred in the presence of actinomycin D or cycloheximide. In contrast, selective inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 with tautomycin inhibited pRB phosphatase activity and maintained pRB in a highly phosphorylated state. The results show that protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A, or 2A-like phosphatases, play distinct roles in regulating pRB function. Protein phosphatase 1 is associated with the direct dephosphorylation of pRB while protein phosphatase 2A is involved in pathways regulating G1cyclin-dependent kinase activity.
Passage of a liquid drop through a liquid—liquid interface

Abstract A liquid drop passing through a liquid—liquid interface (three phase system) is studied in the present work. Behavior of the drops at a pure interface is compared with that an impure interface and also with that of a rigid sphere at a pure liquid—liquid interface. Numeical solutions of the coupled momentum and energy equations are obtained by employing a geometrical model for a spherical drop passing through a pure liquid—liquid interface. Interfacial oscillations, film rupture and circulation inside the drop are considered in the present work. Expressions are developed for the instantaneous drop velocity, the velocity of approach and the film thickness. Velocity profiles in the draining film are also calculated. At very short times the velocity profile is not parabolic and there is a reversal in flow as we approach the interface. At larger times, the velocity profile approaches a parabolic distribution. The present results clearly show that as the drop approaches the interface for drops below the critical size, the interface deforms, becomes unstable and the drop oscillates. Photographic observations of the passage of water drops and rigid spheres through liquid—liquid interfaces reveal that there was no film rupture in the case of a rigid sphere at a pure interface while in the case of a liquid drop at a pure liquid—liquid interface, the film ruptured near its edge, but in the case of liquid drops at an impure interface, the rupture was on the rear hemisphere of the drop.
Laboratory and field studies with a compound chromosome strain of Drosophila melanogaster

A compound third chromosome strain of D. melanogaster was evaluated for population control potential in the laboratory and field. In the laboratory, the compound strain can replace a wild-type strain at release ratios above 4 compounds: 1 wild-type, but the compound strain proved to be ineffective in the field because of an inability to utilize tomatoes for oviposition sites.
Synthesis of Nanocrystalline VO 2 and Its Electrochemical Behavior in Lithium Batteries

Nanocrystalline VO{sub 2} having a metastable shear structure, designated as VO{sub 2}(B), has been synthesized by a simple chemical method. The procedure involves a reduction of aqueous potassium vanadate solution with potassium borohydride around pH 4. The sample has been characterized by x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The metastable VO{sub 2}(B) begins to transform irreversibly to the more stable monoclinic rutile VO{sub 2} around 350 C and the transformation is complete around 500 C. VO{sub 2}(B) exhibits a maximum reversible capacity of about 30 mAh/g in the range 4 to 1 V in lithium cells. A good capacity retention on cycling makes it an attractive cathode for rechargeable lithium cells. In addition, the excellent cyclability without any capacity decline around an intermediate 2.5 V range may become particularly useful for the recently suggested aqueous lithium-ion cells consisting of VO{sub 2}(B) anode and LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} cathode.
Cutaneous Mosaicism: a Molecular and Clinical Review

Physicians have long been intrigued by the distinct patterns created by epidermal nevi and other mosaic cutaneous disorders. Although many of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders remain unrevealed, with the release of the results of the Human Genome Project our knowledge is rapidly increasing. The underlying genetic defects for many of the X-linked and mosaic disorders have recently been identified. Advances in technology, such as the array comparative genomic hybridization, will provide the tools for continued gene discovery and expanded understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying mosaic skin conditions.
Threshold region photoproduction of neutral π mesons off complex nuclei

Photoproduction of ..pi../sup 0/ mesons off targets of /sup 6/Li, /sup 12/C, /sup 28/Si, /sup 40/Ca, natural Cd, and natural Pb was studied using a bremsstrahlung beam with endpoint energies of 140, 145, 150, and 155 MeV. Photoproduction from a liquid hydrogen target was employed as a normalization. The measured yields were found to be in disagreement with published theoretical cross sections for /sup 6/Li(..gamma..,..pi../sup 0/)/sup 6/Li and also in disagreement with a simple schematic model which assumed only coherent contributions from the M/sub 1//sub +/ multipole. The schematic model, however, did approximately predict the relative magnitudes of the yield curves for the energy range 14--20 MeV over threshold.
Characterization of the simian virus 40-specific messenger RNAs isolated from HeLa cells infected with the non-defective adenovirus 2-simian virus 40 hybrid viruses Ad2+ND2 and Ad2+ND4.

Abstract Previous work has shown that cells infected with the non-defective adenovirus 2-simian virus 40 hybrid viruses, Ad2 + ND2 and Ad2 + ND4 synthesize more than one SV40 § large T antigen-related protein. These proteins overlap in amino acid sequence and have their carboxy-terminal sequences in common (Mann et al. , 1977). We have characterized the messenger RNAs coding for these SV40-specific proteins. By translating in vitro SV40-specific mRNA isolated from cells infected with these viruses we have shown that each SV40-specific protein can incorporate 35 S-labeled formyl methionine at its N-terminus donated by [ 35 S]-fmet-tRNA f met , demonstrating that each protein results from a de novo initiation event. Furthermore, analysis of the N-terminal tryptic peptides of these proteins indicates that each protein has a unique N-terminal peptide and therefore a unique initiation site for protein synthesis, with the possible exception of the 74,000 and 95,000 molecular weight proteins, which may have the same N-terminal sequence. Therefore, these proteins cannot be derived by proteolytic cleavage of a large precursor protein. The messenger activities for many of the hybrid virus proteins can be resolved by gel electrophoresis, demonstrating the presence of multiple SV40-specific mRNA species. This result is consistent with the possibility that each SV40-specific protein is coded by a distinct species of RNA.
MYD88 and beyond: novel opportunities for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare disease of the elderly with a median age of 63-68 years at diagnosis. Despite recent progress in biological insights and therapeutics, WM remains clinically challenging to diagnose and is difficult to manage with significant morbidity and lack of established curative therapies. Recently, the use of whole-genome sequencing has helped to identify a highly recurrent somatic mutation, myeloid differentiation factor 88 [MYD88] L265P in WM. This has fueled major interest in the field and as newer evidence accumulates, it is clear that that discovery of MYD88 L265P mutation may represent an important breakthrough in understanding the pathogenesis of WM and lymphoproliferative disorders. Recent scientific work in this field has also guided the identification of new targets such as CXCR4 and PI3K-delta that may have major implications in the future treatment of WM. This review discusses the role of MYD88 L265P mutations as well as targets beyond MYD88 in the setting of pathogenesis and development of future rational therapeutic trials focusing on patients diagnosed with WM.
Fermentation of dietary fibre by human colonic bacteria: disappearance of, short-chain fatty acid production from, and potential water-holding capacity of, various substrates

Several dietary fibre-rich substrates were fermented in vitro with human colonic bacteria obtained from each of three adult male subjects to assess the extent of substrate fermentation, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and the potential effect of fermented residues on faecal bulk. Substrates tested were two varieties of oat hull fibre, gum arabic, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), soy fibre, psyllium, and six blends containing oat fibre, gum arabic, and CMC in various proportions. All substrates contained greater than 900 g/kg of total dietary fibre except for CMC (816 g) and soy fibre (778 g). In vitro organic matter disappearance during fermentation was greatest for gum arabic (69.5%), intermediate for soy fibre (56.4%), and less than 20% for the two oat fibres, CMC, and psyllium. Averaged across substrates, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were produced in the molar proportion of 64:24:12. Potential water-holding capacity (PWHC) of substrates, a measure of faecal bulking potential, was greatest f...
Avian Paternal Care Had Dinosaur Origin

The repeated discovery of adult dinosaurs in close association with egg clutches leads to speculation over the type and extent of care exhibited by these extinct animals for their eggs and young. To assess parental care in Cretaceous troodontid and oviraptorid dinosaurs, we examined clutch volume and the bone histology of brooding adults. In comparison to four archosaur care regressions, the relatively large clutch volumes of Troodon, Oviraptor , and Citipati scale most closely with a bird-paternal care model. Clutch-associated adults lack the maternal and reproductively associated histologic features common to extant archosaurs. Large clutch volumes and a suite of reproductive features shared only with birds favor paternal care, possibly within a polygamous mating system. Paternal care in both troodontids and oviraptorids indicates that this care system evolved before the emergence of birds and represents birds9 ancestral condition. In extant birds and over most adult sizes, paternal and biparental care correspond to the largest and smallest relative clutch volumes, respectively.
Glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia.

ABSTRACT Objective To review the current literature on glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia and provide a strategy for its treatment. Methods We undertook an electronic (MEDLINE) and a library review of the existing pertinent literature published from 1950 to March 2009. Results Glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia is common in patients with and without diabetes. The odds ratio for new-onset diabetes mellitus in patients treated with glucocorticoids ranges from approximately 1.5 to 2.5. Total glucocorticoid dose and duration of therapy are strong predictors of diabetes induction. Other risk factors include age and body mass index. Failure to treat glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia is related to the presumed short duration of administration of glucocorticoid treatment and the emphasis on fasting plasma glucose only. Understanding the pharmacodynamics of glucocorticoids can lead to increased recognition and improved treatment of the condition. Recent demonstrations that even shortterm elevations in blood glucose level may be associated with adverse sequelae argue for greater attention to the condition. Conclusion Glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia is an important clinical finding that, if recognized, can be effectively treated. We propose a relatively simple schema for the proactive management of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia that has been effective and easily adaptable to both the inpatient and the outpatient setting. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:469-474)
The influence of advanced outlines on the free recall of prose

This study examined how the free recall of prose is affected by (1) outlines as advanced organizers, (2) preexperimental familiarity with the material, and (3) text genre, that is, narrative vs. expository prose. College students studied a two-level outline, a one-level outline, or no outline before listening to 400- to 500-word passages that varied in familiarity and narrativity. Subjects later recalled the passages and then generated their own subjective outline of each passage. Overall, the outline manipulation did not significantly influence recall. However, significant negative correlations were found between the amount recalled and the degree of subjective-experimental outline correspondence. These outcomes are discussed in the context of interference theory, a depth-of-processing framework, and an automatic comprehension hypothesis. Whereas familiarity had no significant effect on recall, text genre had a robust effect. Less information was recalled from expository passages than from narrative passages.
Steps Toward Knowledge-Based Machine Translation

This paper considers the possibilities for knowledge-based automatic text translation in the light of recent advances in artificial intelligence. It is argued that competent translation requires some reasonable depth of understanding of the source text, and, in particular, access to detailed contextual information. The following machine translation paradigm is proposed. First, the source text is analyzed and mapped into a language-free conceptual representation. Inference mechanisms then apply contextual world knowledge to augment the representation in various ways, adding information about items that were only implicit in the input text. Finally, a natural-language generator maps appropriate sections of the language-free representation into the target language. We discuss several difficult translation problems from this viewpoint with examples of English-to-Spanish and English-to-Russian translations; and illustrate possible solutions as embodied in a computer understander called SAM, which reads certain kinds of newspaper stories, then summarizes or paraphrases them in a variety of languages.