cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vacuum and cryotechniques in space research

There are three types of installation in space research laboratories in which vacuum and low temperature are concerned. These are: 1. 1. Space simulation chambers used to investigate the thermal balance of the satellite (solar simulation testing). 2. 2. Vacuum-temperature chambers in which the satellite or its component parts can be tested in the working condition for reliability under extreme temperatures (thermal-vacuum testing). 3. 3. Special installations for the study of particular phenomena or for the development of components. Only the first two types of installation are dealt with in this article. The two installation types can also be combined. In these installations, the test object is situated under vacuum in a chamber which is closed by a thermal wall. For the solar simulation testing, the thermal wall is cooled to a temperature of between 80 K and 100 K by means of LN2, in order to simulate the cold ambient conditions applying in space. A temperature range of from 100 to 370 K is covered during thermal-vacuum testing. The construction of a thermal wall is explained, together with the various systems of obtaining and maintaining definite temperatures. using LN2 and GN2. In the first generation of installations, simulation of the vacuum applying in space was obtained in the USA by a combination of 20 K cryopumps and diffusion pumps, whereas in Europe only diffusion pumps were used. During the past few years, new projects in space research have shown the provision of an ultra-clean vacuum in space simulation chambers to be an urgent necessity. Thus the original conception of a vacuum pump system has been changed in favour of the following combination of pumps: 1. 1. Titanium sublimation pump with LN2-cooled getter surface, 2. 2. Sputter-ion pump and/or turbomolecular pump, 3. 3. 20 K cryopump. Installations built in the USA during recent years have used 20 K cryopumps as the main element providing the pumping action, whereas in the new installations in Europe, this function sublimation pump. The developments described are illustrated by means of examples, in particular by the IABG 4 m infrared space simulation and thermal-vacuum chamber in Ottobrunn, near Munich. This plant was completed a short time ago for use in connection with the research work on the Helios sun probe.
The role of vibronic interactions on intramolecular and intermolecular electron transfer in π-conjugated oligomers

The importance of electron-vibrational coupling for intermolecular and intramolecular electron-transfer processes is discussed on the basis of first-principles correlated quantum-mechanical calculations and of a dynamic vibronic approach. The methodology is illustrated for examples selected from some of our recent work. In all instances, the theoretical results are thoroughly compared to experimental data.
An evaluation of bicalutamide in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Abstract Although prostate cancer is traditionally considered a disease of old age, improved diagnostic techniques have resulted in early diagnosis, and many men are now treated while still physically and sexually active. Current therapies for prostate cancer often include medical or surgical castration, which cause adverse effects on physical and sexual function; therefore, greater attention has been focused on quality of life. The nonsteroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide is an effective agent with a favorable tolerability profile and, in some settings, represents an alternative to castration. Mature survival data reveal that bicalutamide monotherapy provides survival benefits for untreated locally advanced disease that do not differ significantly from those of castration and maintains better physical capacity and sexual interest. Recent data from a prospective randomized trial demonstrate that bicalutamide given as immediate therapy, either alone or as adjuvant to therapy of curative intent, significantly reduces the risk of objective disease progression in patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. Antiandrogens are also used in combination with castration, a treatment known as combined androgen blockade (CAB), for advanced disease. A randomized trial demonstrated that CAB with bicalutamide is associated with similar survival outcome to CAB with flutamide and is better tolerated. Current evidence demonstrates that bicalutamide currently has a favorable risk–benefit ratio in several stages of prostate cancer and that the role of bicalutamide will be further defined by ongoing studies.
Role-based access management for ad-hoc collaborative sharing

Under scientific collaborations, resource sharing tends to be highly dynamic and often ad hoc. The dynamic characteristics and sharing patterns of ad-hoc collaborative sharing impose a need for comprehensive and flexible approaches to reflect and cope with the unique access control requirements associated with the ad-hoc collaboration. In this paper, we propose a role-based access management framework to enable secure resource sharing,especially focusing on the digital information sharing in the heterogeneous scientific collaboration environments.Our framework incorporates role-based approach to address distributed access control, delegation and dissemination control involved in the resource sharing within such environments. A set of XACML-based policy schemas is proposed to specify policies on our framework. To demonstrate the feasibility of our framework, we design and implement a proof-of-concept prototype system called ShareEnabler, which is based on a peer-to-peer information sharing toolkit developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Coordination solids derived from Cp*M(CN)3- (M = Rh, Ir).

Solutions of Rh{sub 2}(OAc){sub 4} and Et{sub 4}N[Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}] react to afford crystals of the one-dimensional coordination solid {l_brace}Et{sub 4}N[Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}][Rh{sub 2}(OAc){sub 4}]{r_brace}. This reaction is reversed by coordinating solvents such as MeCN. The structure of the polymer consists of helical anionic chains containing Rh{sub 2}(OAc){sub 4} units linked via two of the three CN ligands of Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}{sup {minus}}. Use of the more Lewis acidic Rh{sub 2}(O{sub 2}CCF{sub 3}){sub 4} in place of Rh{sub 2}(OAc){sub 4} gave purple {l_brace}(Et{sub 4}N){sub 2}[Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}]{sub 2}[Rh{sub 2}(O{sub 2}CCF{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sub 3}{r_brace}, whose insolubility is attributed to stronger Rh-NC bonds as well as the presence of cross-linking. The species {l_brace}[Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}][Ni(en){sub n}](PF{sub 6}){r_brace} (n = 2, 3) crystallized from an aqueous solution of Et{sub 4}N[Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}] and [Ni(en){sub 3}](PF{sub 6}){sub 2}; {l_brace}[Cp*Rh(CN){sub 3}][Ni(en){sub 2}](PF{sub 6}){r_brace} consists of helical chains based on cis-Ni(en){sub 2}{sup 2+} units. Aqueous solutions of Et{sub 4}N[Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}] and AgNO{sub 3} afforded the colorless solid Ag[Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}]. Recrystallization of this polymer from pyridine gave the hemipyridine adduct {l_brace}Ag[Ag(py)][Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}]{sub 2}{r_brace}. The {sup 13}C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning NMR spectrum of the pyridine derivative reveals two distinct Cp* groups, while in the pyridine-free precursor, the Cp*'s appear equivalent. The solid-state structure ofmore » {l_brace}Ag[Ag(py)][Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}]{sub 2}{r_brace} reveals a three-dimensional coordination polymer consisting of chains of Cp*Ir(CN){sub 3}{sup {minus}} units linked to alternating Ag{sup +} and Ag(py){sup +} units. The network structure arises by the linking of these helices through the third cyanide group on each Ir center.« less
Microscopic distorted wave theory of inelastic scattering

An exact microscopic distorted wave theory of inelastic scattering is formulated which contains the physical picture usually associated with distorted wave approximations without the usual redundancy. This formulation encompasses the inelastic scattering of two fragments, elementary or composit (both with or without the full complexity of interfragment Pauli symmetries). The fact that these considerations need not be based upon elementary potential interactions is an indication of the generality of the approach and supports its applicability to inelastic meson scattering. This theory also maintains a description of inelastic scattering which is a natural extension of the description of elastic scattering and it provides a general basis for obtaining truncation models with an explicit distorted wave structure. This distorted wave impulse approximation is presented as an example of a particular truncation/approximation encompassed by this theory and the nature of the distorted waves is explicated.
Step arounds for common pitfalls when valuing resources used versus resources produced

The value of a program can be understood as referring not only to outcomes, but also to how those outcomes compare to the types and amounts of resources expended to produce the outcomes. Major potential mistakes and biases inassessing the worth of resources consumed, as well as the value of outcomes produced, are explored. Most of these occur when the evaluation is limited in contexts examined or perspectives adopted. In particular, it is noted that the price of a resource often is context-dependent, and may not describe the value of a resourcefrom important perspectives. Also, the monetary value of outcomes as inferred from earned income, and from avoided human service expenditures, may not reflectoutcome value from key perspectives, possibly exacerbating discrimination according to gender, ethnicity, and age. Solutions for these problems are recommended. More complete and detailed information on resources consumed and outcomesproduced also may facilitate systematic optimization of program value, if theevaluation includes the amounts and types of resources used by those program activities that change the participant processes that lead to desired program outcomes. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Visual Motor Behavior Rehearsal. The Basic Technique

Abstract Research has shown that cognitive and other psychological skills can increase the effectiveness of athletes. One systematic training program that takes advantage of these factors is visual motor behavior rehearsal. In this article, the origin of visual motor behavior rehearsal is delineated and the first detailed description of the training program is presented. Administration, case examples, and the efficacy of the program are discussed.
COMPLETE CONVERGENCE FOR SUMS OF MAXIMAL ORDER STATISTICS FROM A TRIANGULAR ARRAY

Consider independent and identically distributed random variables {X,X nj ,1≤j≤n,n≥1} with probability density f(x)=px −p−1 I(x≥1), where p>0. Let X nk be the k th largest order statistic from the n th row {X n1,X n2,…,X nn }. We establish Strong Laws of the form for all e>0 and particular nonsummable sequences {c N , N≥1}, where L≠0.
Follow-up in classroom behavior modification: Survey and discussion

Abstract A survey of several behavior modification journals showed that only 28% of the studies conducted in educational settings reported any follow-up data. Of those studies including follow-up data, 86% reported that therapeutic gains were completely or partially maintained. Follow-up was more often reported and was longer when the subject was an individual or small group than when an entire class served as the subject. More follow-up data were based on direct observation than on anecdotal verbal reports, but the follow-up period was longer when verbal reports were obtained than when direct observation was used. A greater percentage of studies published prior to 1971 than of those published since 1971 included follow-up data. Problems in the methodology and design of follow-up research are discussed.
Weakly coupled molecular photonic wires: synthesis and excited-state energy-transfer dynamics.

Molecular photonic wires, which absorb light and undergo excited-state energy transfer, are of interest as biomimetic models for photosynthetic light-harvesting systems and as molecular devices with potential applications in materials chemistry. We describe the stepwise synthesis of four molecular photonic wires. Each wire consists of an input unit, transmission element, and output unit. The input unit consists of a boron-dipyrrin dye or a perylene-monoimide dye (linked either at the N-imide or the C9 position); the transmission element consists of one or three zinc porphyrins affording short or long wires, respectively; and the output unit consists of a free base (Fb) porphyrin. The components in the arrays are joined in a linear architecture via diarylethyne linkers (an ethynylphenyl linker is attached to the C9-linked perylene). The wires have been examined by static absorption, static fluorescence, and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy. Each wire (with the exception of the C9-linked perylene wire)...
December: National Closed‐Captioned Television Month

With the start of a new decade in 1980, the public witnessed the arrival of a significant new technology, closed‐captioned television. The culmination of nearly a decade of research and development, closed‐captioned television opened up a new world for the hearing‐impaired. Closed captioning provides a line of on‐screen, written messages co‐ordinated with the sound of the television program. These captions are “closed” in that they are visible only to viewers who have specially designed adapters, known as decoders, to make the words appear on the screen. More than just subtitles, captioning transcribes narration and sound effects as well as dialog. At last, over sixteen million hearing‐impaired individuals in the United States can read what they cannot hear on television.
Robust stability of multidimensional difference equations with shift-variant coefficients

This paper addresses the asymptotic stability of multidimensional systems represented by first hyperquadrant causal linear difference equations whose coefficients are shift-varying. The results extend previous 1-D results, and include the derivation of a fixed region of stability in the parameter space, as well as a sequence of shift-variant parameter regions. In the case of a fixed parameter region, the largest stable hyperdiamond centered at the origin will be obtained. For the shift-variant case, it will be shown that the instantaneous stable parameter region always includes this hyperdiamond.
Cure process model of organic matrix composites in the presence of vapor release

A model is presented for the curing process of organic matrix composites when significant amounts of vapor are released during the cure. The results of the model provide the temperature, degree of cure, and the total amount of vapor mass released as functions of position and time. Procedures are described for measuring the param eters required in the calculations.
An agricultural drought risk‐assessment model for corn and soybeans

An agricultural drought risk-assessment model was developed for Nebraska, USA, for corn and soybeans on the basis of variables derived from the standardized precipitation index and crop-specific drought index using multivariate techniques. This model can be used to assess real-time agricultural drought risk for specific crops at critical times before and during the growing season by retaining previous, and adding current, weather information as the crops pass through the various development stages. This model will be helpful to decision makers, ranging from agricultural producers to policy makers and from local to national levels. The results of the model validation using three different datasets show that the risk-assessment accuracy improves as the crop develops. At the end of April, before corn is planted, the average assessment accuracy rate of drought risks on final yield is 60%. At the beginning of July, when corn is at the vegetative stage, the average assessment accuracy rate reaches 76%. In late July, when corn is at the ovule stage, the rate increases to 85%. The rates are 89% in the second half of August and the end of September, when corn is at the reproduction and ripening stages respectively. The model assessment accuracy for soybeans is lower than that for corn at the same growth stages because weather has less impact on soybeans than on corn. A reliable assessment, with 80% assessment accuracy rate, begins at mid-August, when soybeans are at pod formation stage. In early September and October, when soybeans are at pod fill and ripening stages respectively, the model is able to assess risks on soybean yield with 83% and 81% accuracy rates respectively. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
When All Else Fails: International Adjudication of Human Rights Abuse Claims, 1976–1999

Although interest in the consolidation and expansion of the international human rights regime has grown in recent years, little attention is accorded to the formal procedures that allow individuals aggrieved by states to appeal directly to an international audience. Using data for 82 countries between 1976 and 1999, this article examines the political and cultural factors that produce cross-national variation in the propensity of individuals to file allegations of human rights abuse with the Human Rights Committee. Negative binomial and event history analyses indicate that the number and rate of human rights abuse claims (1) increase as a country's human rights practices worsen; (2) decline as domestic "opportunity structures" become available; and (3) increase with the cultural empowerment of individuals.
Pineal region tumors: simultaneous endoscopic third ventriculostomy and tumor biopsy.

Objective Advances in neuroendoscopy have accommodated the development of intraventricular techniques that enhance the management of multiple disease processes. Tumors of the pineal region are amenable to endoscopic management in that they are accessible through the third ventricle and commonly cause hydrocephalus that can be alleviated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). We describe the indications for and procedure of simultaneous ETV and biopsy of pineal region tumors, as well as the clinical features favoring different approaches to this procedure. Methods The current literature on endoscopic management of pineal region tumors and the senior author's clinic experience with current techniques are reviewed. Results Simultaneous tumor biopsy with ETV following initial evaluation with tumor markers and imaging can be accomplished using a single or dual entry approach. The choice of approach is dependent on multiple clinical factors including massa intermedia size, goals of surgery, degree of hydrocephalus, and the relationship between the tumor and massa intermedia. Conclusions Simultaneous ETV and tumor biopsy is a valuable technique that can be used to manage hydrocephalus and establish diagnosis in patients with newly diagnosed pineal region tumors, potentially avoiding traditional craniotomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. It is favored as an early step in the management of patients with marker-negative tumors.
A modified Marton-type electron interferometer

It is shown that the original Marton-type electron interferometer is based on the Fresnel diffraction of two coherent beams by a crystal. The modified Marton-type electron interferometer presented here is based on the Fraunhofer diffraction. The advantages of the proposed interferometer are given in the text along with a simplified sketch of the major components.
A Computerized Stroop Task to Assess Cancer-Related Cognitive Biases

Biases in processing information related to sources of stress have widely been demonstrated with the use of Stroop emotional color word tasks. One study reported such biases among women with histories of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (FH+) who were given a Stroop cancer word task. This study aimed to replicate and extend these findings with a computerized version of the task. Response latencies and errors were recorded during administration of the task to FH+ and FH– women. A cancer list and 5 comparison lists were administered. Results indicated that FH+ women exhibited longer response latencies for cancer words than did FH– women (p < 0.04), providing further support for cognitive biases in FH+ women. Confirming the psychometric properties of the task, lists exhibited high reliability for both latency (αs 0.96–0.98) and error rate (αs 0.61–0.79). In sum, results support the favorable psychometrics and predictive validity of the Stroop cancer word task.
Skeletal muscle ventricles in circulation: Decreased incidence of rupture

Background. Skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) are muscular pumping chambers constructed for cardiac assist. Skeletal muscle ventricles can be connected to the circulation in a variety of configurations for both left and right heart assist; when connected to the aorta and stimulated to contract during diastole they function in a similar fashion as an intraaortic balloon pump. Methods. Skeletal muscle ventricles were constructed in 18 dogs using the left latissimus dorsi muscle. In 10 of these dogs (group 1), the inner surface of the SMV was lined with autogenous pericardium obtained at the time of construction of the SMV. For the remaining 8, the SMVs were lined by fibrous tissue that forms in reaction to the synthetic mandrel around which the latissimus muscle is wrapped. After the muscle were electrically conditioned to a fatigue-resistant state, the mandrels were removed from the SMVs and the SMVs were connected to the descending thoracic aorta with a specially constructed base cap and two polytetrafluoroethylene conduits. Results. Initial hemodynamic recordings revealed that the mean diastolic blood pressure increased by 24.7% in group 1 and by 29.8% in group 2. Diastolic augmentation was well maintained over time; augmentation in surviving group 1 animals was 30.0% after 18 months of pumping continuously in circulation. Long-term survival was greater in the dogs whose SMVs were constructed using an inner pericardial lining. At 90 days in circulation, 60% of the dogs in group 1 were alive with functioning SMVs, whereas only 13% of the dogs in group 2 were alive. The incidence of SMV rupture in the fibrous-lined SMVs was 63%, whereas the incidence in the pericardial-lined SMVs was 0%. No evidence of thromboembolism occurred in either group. Conclusions. Lining the inner surface of an SMV with pericardium appears to provide structural integrity, which helps to prevent the complication of SMV rupture in this model of cardiac assist.
Reflected Ultrasound in the Assessment of Mitral Valve Disease

An ultrasound beam directed into a medium of uniform acoustical impedance will travel in a straight line, but a portion of the waves will be reflected at the interface of a medium of different acoustical impedance. A time-distance curve of motion has been obtained from the heart by recording the echoes returned to a send-receive ultrasound transducer applied in the third, fourth, or fifth left interspace. A characteristic curve having two anterior peaks during each cardiac cycle was obtained in the 25 normal patients studied. One peak follows the P wave of the electrocardiogram and is not seen in atrial fibrillation. The other peak of motion toward the anterior chest is followed by rapid regression posteriorly during ventricular diastole. The velocity of the motion was 85 to 160 mm./sec. in normal subjects. In contrast, the records from 90 patients with mitral stenosis demonstrated a distinctive, abnormal pattern having a plateautype configuration with a velocity of posterior motion of only 2 to 35 mm./se...
The Contribution of CLC-1 and Kir Channels to the Resting Electrical Properties of Skeletal Muscle Fibers from Normal and Myotonic Mice

The membrane resistance (Rm) of mammalian skeletal muscle fibers at rest has been typically assumed to be dominated by the chloride conductance (gCl). We have demonstrated, in fibers internally equilibrated with 70 mM Cl, bathed in TEA-Cl (145mM), and voltage-clamped at −20mV, that the majority of the Cl currents (ICl; ∼1mA/cm2) are contributed by 9-ACA-sensitive chloride (ClC-1) channels expressed in the transverse tubular system (TTS) membranes. Likewise, in fibers internally equilibrated with 150mM K, bathed with 150mM KMeSO4, and clamped at 0mV, the majority of the K-currents arise from inward rectifier K (KIR; ∼1mA/cm2) channels in the TTS. Here we address the question: what are the relative contributions of gCl and gKIR to Rm in intact fibers bathed in Tyrode (4mM K and 155mM Cl; RP∼-90mV)? Short fibers isolated from flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscles were impaled with 2 microelectrodes and stimulated with step current pulses (ΔI<30nA; 400ms) eliciting small voltage responses (ΔV<15mV). Rm and Cm were calculated by fitting ΔV traces to the solution of equations for a short cylindrical cable (Hodgkin & Nakajima, JPhysiol. 221:105-120.1972). For fibers of adult control mice, Rm in Tyrode is 721±52 cm2 (n=7); this value increased to 1,672±116 cm2 (n=5) by blocking gKIR with 10mM Rb (or 1mM Ba), and to 1,804±190 cm2 (n=5) by blocking gCl with 1mM 9-ACA. The results demonstrate that, unlike commonly assumed, gCl and gKIR represent approximately 58% and 42% (respectively) of the blockable resting conductances in fibers of normal mice. In contrast, similar analysis in fibers of young HSALR mice, which have ∼80% reduction in ClC-1 expression, gCl and gKIR contributions represent approximately 23% and 77%, respectively. Supported by NIH grants AR047664, AR041802, and AR054816.
Metabolism and disposition of ritodrine in a pregnant baboon

Relatively little is known about the detailed metabolism of ritodrine. The aim of this study was to examine ritodrine metabolism and pharmacokinetics in the maternal and fetal baboon. A fetal-maternal model was made with use of Papio anubis at 144 days of gestation. Tritiated ritodrine was injected as an intravenous bolus into the mother. Maternal and fetal blood samples, amniotic fluid, and maternal urine were collected at time intervals. Samples were analyzed by a combination of high-pressure liquid chromatography and radiochromatography. Conjugated metabolites were recovered and characterized by cleavage studies with use of beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase. The distribution half-life of ritodrine in the mother was 6 minutes and the elimination half-life was 61 minutes. Metabolites were found in both fetal serum and amniotic fluid. The concentrations of ritodrine and its metabolites in fetal serum were at or above the concentrations in maternal serum at 2 hours after maternal intravenous injection. The principal metabolite identified was the sulfate conjugate. The fetus appears to accumulate metabolites. These data indicate that ritodrine crosses the placenta and, in the baboon, achieves levels in the fetus equal to or higher than those in the mother.
New insights into genetics of Fuchs dystrophy

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common, familial trait. Several genes have been associated with the disease, including LOXHD1, SLC4A11, TCF4, ZEB-1 and COL8A2 which has been identified as a cause of an early-onset Fuchs-like disease. The evidence for these genetic associations will be reviewed and new data will be shared. To date, the most sensitive biomarker for FECD is an intronic TGC trinucleotide expansion in the TCF4 gene which is present in the majority of FECD cases and in a small proportion of normal control subjects. Within families, this tricnucleotide expansion tends to segregate with the disease phenotype. The biology of trinucleotide expansion diseases and possible mechanisms by which TGC expansion may conribute to FECD will be presented. A brief discussion of recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of FECD, such as the unfolded protein response and oxidative stress, will also be presented in order to highlight the challenges in linking the implicated causative genes with the biochemical pathways involved in the disease.
Human infrastructure & human activity detection

Prior to committing personnel to investigate a building or suspicious site such as a cave, it is imperative to determine the importance and current danger of the site. To this end, sensors on a robotic platform can interrogate the site prior to sending in personnel. This paper investigates methods to exploit multiple sensor modalities in order to automatically 1) detect human presence, and 2) detect human infrastructure and recent human activity. The paper describes 10 experimental scenarios to support these two tasks, demonstrates what type of inference each modality can make, and shows how to fuse the information from all sensors. Experimental results are also provided for the detection of the presence of humans.
Depletion of cytosolic or mitochondrial thioredoxin increases CYP2E1-induced oxidative stress via an ASK-1–JNK1 pathway in HepG2 cells

Abstract Thioredoxin is an important reducing molecule in biological systems. Increasing CYP2E1 activity induces oxidative stress and cell toxicity. However, whether thioredoxin protects cells against CYP2E1-induced oxidative stress and toxicity is unknown. SiRNA were used to knockdown either cytosolic (TRX-1) or mitochondrial thioredoxin (TRX-2) in HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) or without expressing CYP2E1 (C34 cells). Cell viability decreased 40–60% in E47 but not C34 cells with 80–90% knockdown of either TRX-1 or TRX-2. Depletion of either thioredoxin also potentiated the toxicity produced either by a glutathione synthesis inhibitor or by TNFα in E47 cells. Generation of reactive oxygen species and 4-HNE protein adducts increased in E47 but not C34 cells with either thioredoxin knockdown. GSH was decreased and adding GSH completely blocked E47 cell death induced by either thioredoxin knockdown. Lowering TRX-1 or TRX-2 in E47 cells caused an early activation of ASK-1, followed by phosphorylation of JNK1 after 48 h of siRNA treatment. A JNK inhibitor caused a partial recovery of E47 cell viability after thioredoxin knockdown. In conclusion, knockdown of TRX-1 or TRX-2 sensitizes cells to CYP2E1-induced oxidant stress partially via ASK-1 and JNK1 signaling pathways. Both TRX-1 and TRX-2 are important for defense against CYP2E1-induced oxidative stress.
Depressive symptoms and interpersonal needs as mediators of forgiveness and suicidal behavior among rural primary care patients

Abstract Background Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, and rates of suicide are higher in rural than urban areas. As proposed by the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide, thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness are risk factors for suicidal behavior, although protective individual-level characteristics such as forgiveness, may indirectly affect suicidal behavior by decreasing the deleterious effect of thwarted interpersonal needs. Method A sample of uninsured adults recruited from a rural primary clinic ( N =101) completed the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality; Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised; Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire; and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Parallel and serial multivariable mediation analyses were conducted to test for direct and indirect effects of forgiveness on suicidal behavior. Results In parallel mediation, covarying depressive symptoms, forgiveness of self had an indirect effect on suicidal behavior, through perceived burdensomeness. Inclusion of depressive symptoms as a mediator revealed an indirect effect of forgiveness of self and others on suicidal behavior via depression, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness in a serial mediation model. Limitation A longitudinal study, with an equal representation of males and diverse populations is needed to replicate our findings. Discussion Our findings have implications for the role health providers can play in addressing suicide with rural patients. Promoting forgiveness, may, in turn affect interpersonal functioning and decrease risk for suicidal behavior.
Color measurements for pearlescent coatings

This article describes recent developments at the National Institution of Standards and Technology in the colorimetric characterization of pearlescent coatings. The goal of this research is to develop a measurement protocol for the accurate color characterization of these coatings using an understanding of their scattering mechanism as a guide. A large ensemble of bi-directional reflectance measurements on a series of pearl interference pigmented coatings show general trends in the color variations with illumination and viewing angles. These measurements were used to define a set of geometries (illumination angles of 15°, 45°, and 65° and aspecular angles of 15°, 35°, 45°, 70°, and 85°) to characterize the angle dependent color travel observed in these coatings. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 29, 38–42, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10210
Diversity and distribution of extra-floral nectaries in the cerrado savanna vegetation of Brazil.

Aim. Throughout evolutionary history, plants and animals have evolved alongside one another. This is especially apparent when considering mutualistic relationships such as between plants with extra-floral nectaries (EFNs, glands on leaves or stems that secrete nectar) and the ants that visit them. Ants are attracted by the nectar and then protect the plant against destructive herbivores. The distribution of these plants is of particular interest, because it can provide insights into the evolutionary history of this unique trait and the plants that possess it. In this study, we investigated factors driving the distribution of woody plants with EFNs in the cerrado vegetation of Brazil. Location. Brazil Methods. We used a database detailing the incidence of 849 plant species at 367 cerrado sites throughout Brazil. We determined which species possessed EFNs and mapped their distributions. We tested for correlations between the proportion of EFN species at each site and (i) three environmental variables (mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and the precipitation in the driest quarter of the year), (ii) a broad soil classification, and (iii) the total species diversity of each site. Results. We found a wide range in the proportion of EFN species at any one site (0–57%). However, whilst low diversity sites had wide variation in the number of EFN species, high diversity sites all had few EFN species. The proportion of EFN species was positively correlated with absolute latitude and negatively correlated with longitude. When accounting for total species diversity, the proportion of EFN species per site was negatively correlated with precipitation in the driest quarter of the year and positively correlated with temperature range. Main Conclusions. These results suggest either that herbivore pressure may be lower in drier sites, or that ants are not as dominant in these locations, or that plant lineages at these sites were unable to evolve EFNs.
Distributed pinwheel scheduling with end-to-end timing constraints

Algorithms for allocating resources and scheduling tasks are important to the success of many real-time systems with end-to-end performance requirements. In this paper, an end-to-end scheduling model based on the pinwheel scheduling algorithms is presented for distributed real-time systems. We discuss how tasks on different nodes may be transformed to have harmonic periods. We also present algorithms to adjust the phases between schedules on neighboring nodes so that the overall end-to-end delay is reduced. Using the pinwheel approach, schedules on different nodes are closely synchronized and more static. However, for many real-time systems, this practical approach may provide a more predictable performance and a shorter end-to-end delay.
Finite Amplitude Convection Through a Phase Boundary

Summary A finite amplitude, numerical model of convective motions through a phase boundary is studied. The phase change is assumed to occur over a finite vertical transition zone in the fluid and thus a continuously stratified model is considered. The motions are driven by horizontal temperature gradients on the boundaries or super-critical vertical stratification. In the case of Rayleigh instability, the numerical results reproduce the neutral curve previously obtained in the analytic solution of the linearized problem. When the parameters of the problem are chosen to simulate the olivine-spinel transition in the upper mantle, the following results are obtained: (1) the vertical scale of motion is the entire depth of the fluid; (2) the horizontal scale is not significantly changed from the case of a single phase fluid; (3) the amplitude of the motion is not significantly changed, due to buoyancy changes at the phase boundary being offset by corresponding sources and sinks of latent heat; and (4) the phase boundary varies in depth by as much as 30 km when the vertical velocities are of the order of 10–1 cm yr–1.
Principal component analysis based development of Norris-Landzberg acceleration factors and Goldmann Constants for leadfree electronics

Goldmann Constants and Norris-Landzberg acceleration factors for lead-free solders have been developed based on principal component regression models (PCR) for reliability prediction and part selection of area-array packaging architectures under thermo-mechanical loads. Models have been developed in conjunction with Stepwise Regression Methods for identification of the main effects. Package architectures studied include, BGA packages mounted on copper-core and no-core printed circuit assemblies in harsh environments. The models have been developed based on thermo-mechanical reliability data acquired on copper-core and no-core assemblies in four different thermal cycling conditions. Packages with Sn3Ag0.5Cu solder alloy interconnects have been examined. The models have been developed based on perturbation of accelerated test thermo-mechanical failure data. Data has been gathered on nine different thermal cycle conditions with SAC305 alloys. The thermal cycle conditions differ in temperature range, dwell times, maximum temperature and minimum temperature to enable development of constants needed for the life prediction and assessment of acceleration factors. Goldmann Constants and the Norris-Landzberg acceleration factors have been benchmarked against previously published values. In addition, model predictions have been validated against validation data-sets which have not been used for model development. Convergence of statistical models with experimental data has been demonstrated using a single factor design of experiment study for individual factors including temperature cycle magnitude, relative coefficient of thermal expansion, and diagonal length of the chip. The predicted and measured acceleration factors have also been computed and correlated. Good correlations have been achieved for parameters examined. Previously, the feasibility of using multiple linear regression models for reliability prediction has been demonstrated for flex-substrate BGA packages [Lall 2004, 2005], flip-chip packages [Lall 2005] and ceramic BGA packages [Lall 2007]. The presented methodology is valuable in the development of fatigue damage constants for the application specific accelerated test data-sets and provides a method to develop institutional learning based on prior accelerated test data.
Temperature and Mold Size Effects on Physical and Mechanical Properties of a Polyurethane Foam

Rigid polyurethane foams are used as thermal or vibration insulators and energy absorption material, and are often molded directly in place, where a smooth, thin skin forms between the mold and the cellular structure. Density gradients and the presence of a skin are known to affect the mechanical properties of the foam. We investigate the effect of processing temperature (25, 40, 65, and 85 C) and mold size (aluminum cylinders with diameters of 29, 41, and 51mm) on the average density and density gradients (radial and vertical) of a free-rise, water blown, rigid polyurethane foam system, and measure the effects on compressive modulus of elasticity and collapse stress. In general, both average density and radial density gradients decrease with increasing processing temperature and larger mold sizes. A reduction in average foam density corresponds with decreases in the elastic modulus and compressive strength. These mechanical properties are compared to reference samples extracted from very large batches of...
Power changes in infant EEG frequency bands during a spatial working memory task

Developmental psychophysiologists working with infants have no commonly accepted frequency definitions of EEG waves or rhythms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the task-related power changes in three infant EEG frequency bands during the performance of a spatial working memory task by 8-month-old infants. EEG data were divided into three frequency bands: 3-5 Hz, 6-9 Hz, and 10-12 Hz. Although all three frequency bands showed some level of discrimination of baseline from task and among different processing stages of cognitive activity, only the 6-9 Hz band consistently exhibited these capabilities and distinguished the correct from incorrect responses. These data may form the foundation for defining EEG frequency bands that are appropriate for use with infant research participants and for understanding the function of these frequencies during cognitive activity.
Reflective array method for analysis and design of weighted DART transducers and filters

The DART (Distributed Acoustic Reflection Transducer) is well established as a primary technology for SAW I.F. filters, particularly for mobile phones. The transducer incorporates internal reflections, with reflection centres displaced almost ideally from transduction centres. Good directivity is obtainable, and filters based on this technology can have simultaneously low insertion loss and good multiple-transit suppression. Weighting can be applied to both transduction and reflection distributions in order to control the response, giving for example low sidelobes and sharp skirts. The Reflective Array Model (RAM) was earlier shown to be effective for analysis of uniform DART's. Here, it is shown that the RAM can also be applied when the DART has withdrawal-weighted transduction and reflection distributions. A DART such as this can be treated as a sequence of elementary units, some giving transduction and some giving reflection, and these can be cascaded to give the transducer P-matrix. The DART can also be analysed with the transduction and reflection functions taken as analogue functions, to be withdrawal-weighted later. This is convenient for design purposes because many designs can be assessed without the need for withdrawal weighting. In recent filter designs the triple-transit signal is deliberately exploited, resonant SPUDT's (R-SPUDT's) are used, and the design is carefully optimised. These factors have enabled the physical size to be reduce substantially, and important factor for mobile phone applications.
Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy for Ischemic Stroke

Thrombolytic and antithrombotic agents form the cornerstone of stroke treatment and prevention. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activation (rt-PA) improves the outcome in patients treated within 3 hours of stroke onset. The risk-benefit ratio is narrow because of an increased risk for bleeding, but studies do not support a higher risk in the geriatric population. Emerging trials are directed at extending the therapeutic window and identifying agents that could provide better safety profiles. Large randomized trials have also highlighted the effectiveness and safety of early and continuous antiplatelet therapy in reducing atherothrombotic stroke recurrence. Aspirin has become the antiplatelet treatment standard against which several other antiplatelet agents have been shown to be more effective. The prevention of cardioembolic stroke is best accomplished with oral anticoagulation, barring any contraindications.
Behavioral Causes of the Bullwhip Effect and the Observed Value of Inventory Information

The tendency of orders to increase in variability as one moves up a supply chain is commonly known as the bullwhip effect. We study this phenomenon from a behavioral perspective in the context of a simple, serial, supply chain subject to information lags and stochastic demand. We conduct two experiments on two different sets of participants. In the first, we find the bullwhip effect still exists when normal operational causes (e.g., batching, price fluctuations, demand estimation, etc.) are removed. The persistence of the bullwhip effect is explained to some extent by evidence that decision makers consistently underweight the supply line when making order decisions. In the second experiment, we find that the bullwhip, and the underlying tendency of underweighting, remains when information on inventory levels is shared. However, we observe that inventory information helps somewhat to alleviate the bullwhip effect by helping upstream chain members better anticipate and prepare for fluctuations in inventory needs downstream. These experimental results support the theoretically suggested notion that upstream chain members stand to gain the most from information-sharing initiatives.
A general method for multi-port active network reduction and realization

This paper presents a novel compact modeling technique for linear(ized) active analog circuits. The new method is based on a recently proposed general s-domain hierarchical modeling and analysis method. In this work, based on the characteristics of analog circuits, we propose a constrained linear least square based method to optimize the order reduced admittance matrices with respect to both magnitude and phase responses up to the given frequency range. Theoretically we show that the hierarchical reduction does not change the reciprocity property of the linear circuit. For analog active circuits, which typically are non-reciprocal, so do the order-reduced circuit admittance matrices after hierarchical reduction. We propose a novel general multi-port, non-reciprocal network realization method. The resulting modeling algorithm can take in the SPICE netlists of active circuits and generate high-fidelity compact macro models of the active circuits with easily controlled model accuracy and complexity. The experimental results on two low-pass active filters demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
3-D analysis of the playback signal in perpendicular recording for an off-centered GMR element

The playback signal characteristics in perpendicular recording are analyzed using three-dimensional geometry. Analytical expressions are deduced for both the width of the pulse and the asymptotic value taken by the signal when the sensor is far away from the transition.
Monoallelic Expression of Olfactory Receptors

The sense of smell collects vital information about the environment by detecting a multitude of chemical odorants. Breadth and sensitivity are provided by a huge number of chemosensory receptor proteins, including more than 1,400 olfactory receptors (ORs). Organizing the sensory information generated by these receptors so that it can be processed and evaluated by the central nervous system is a major challenge. This challenge is overcome by monogenic and monoallelic expression of OR genes. The single OR expressed by each olfactory sensory neuron determines the neuron's odor sensitivity and the axonal connections it will make to downstream neurons in the olfactory bulb. The expression of a single OR per neuron is accomplished by coupling a slow chromatin-mediated activation process to a fast negative-feedback signal that prevents activation of additional ORs. Singular OR activation is likely orchestrated by a network of interchromosomal enhancer interactions and large-scale changes in nuclear architecture.