cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The University Economy

Typically, universities catch hell from their students. Students frequently complain about the quality of food; they deplore meaningless general education requirements and criticize professors who are more concerned with their research and professional standing outside the classroom than they are with the quality of their classrooms, and some tire easily of humbling themselves before the lords of the university, the administrators.
The effects of dronabinol during detoxification and the initiation of treatment with extended release naltrexone

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that the cannabinoid system is involved in the maintenance of opioid dependence. We examined whether dronabinol, a cannabinoid receptor type 1 partial agonist, reduces opioid withdrawal and increases retention in treatment with extended release naltrexone (XR-naltrexone). Methods Opioid dependent participants were randomized to receive dronabinol 30 mg/d ( n = 40) or placebo ( n = 20), under double-blind conditions, while they underwent inpatient detoxification and naltrexone induction. Before discharge all participants received an injection of XR-naltrexone, with an additional dose given four weeks later. Dronabinol or placebo was given while inpatient and for 5 weeks afterwards. The primary outcomes were the severity of opioid withdrawal, measured with the Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale, and retention in treatment at the end of the inpatient phase and at the end of the 8-week trial. Results The severity of opioid withdrawal during inpatient phase was lower in the dronabinol group relative to placebo group ( p = 0.006). Rates of successful induction onto XR-naltrexone (dronabinol 66%, placebo 55%) and completion of treatment (dronabinol 35%, placebo 35%) were not significantly different. Post hoc analysis showed that the 32% of participants who smoked marijuana regularly during the outpatient phase had significantly lower ratings of insomnia and anxiety and were more likely to complete the 8-week trial. Conclusion Dronabinol reduced the severity of opiate withdrawal during acute detoxification but had no effect on rates of XR-naltrexone treatment induction and retention. Participants who elected to smoke marijuana during the trial were more likely to complete treatment regardless of treatment group assignment.
Use of Distillers Grains in Beef Cows Grazing Cornstalks–A Demonstration Project

Feed co-products from the ethanol industry are readily available in the state of Iowa and are a high protein and energy product. Cornstalk grazing is utilized by Iowa cow-calf producers each year in the fall according to ISU-IRMSPA records at the rate of 1.9 acres per cow with a grazing period length of approximately 45 days. Extending this cornstalk grazing period would assist producers in lowering their total annual feed cost.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis Due to Metallic Mercury

Two cases of contact dermatitis to metallic (elemental) mercury are reported. The first patient’s apparent cutaneous and mucosal sensitivity to mercury prompted a review of the literature pertaining to the relationship between these two manifestations of sensitivity to mercury.
Temporal management of RFID data

RFID technology can be used to significantly improve the efficiency of business processes by providing the capability of automatic identification and data capture. This technology poses many new challenges on current data management systems. RFID data are time-dependent, dynamically changing, in large volumes, and carry implicit semantics. RFID data management systems need to effectively support such large scale temporal data created by RFID applications. These systems need to have an explicit temporal data model for RFID data to support tracking and monitoring queries. In addition, they need to have an automatic method to transform the primitive observations from RFID readers into derived data used in RFID-enabled applications. In this paper, we present an integrated RFID data management system -- Siemens RFID Middleware -- based on an expressive temporal data model for RFID data. Our system enables semantic RFID data filtering and automatic data transformation based on declarative rules, provides powerful query support of RFID object tracking and monitoring, and can be adapted to different RFID-enabled applications.
Honeybee Blue- and Ultraviolet-Sensitive Opsins: Cloning, Heterologous Expression in Drosophila, and Physiological Characterization

The honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) visual system contains three classes of retinal photoreceptor cells that are maximally sensitive to light at 440 nm (blue), 350 nm (ultraviolet), and 540 nm (green). We performed a PCR-based screen to identify the genes encoding the Apis blue- and ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive opsins. We obtained cDNAs that encode proteins having a high degree of sequence and structural similarity to other invertebrate and vertebrate visual pigments. The Apis blue opsin cDNA encodes a protein of 377 amino acids that is most closely related to other invertebrate visual pigments that are thought to be blue-sensitive. The UV opsin cDNA encodes a protein of 371 amino acids that is most closely related to the UV-sensitive Drosophila Rh3 and Rh4 opsins. To test whether these novel Apis opsin genes encode functional visual pigments and to determine their spectral properties, we expressed them in the R1–6 photoreceptor cells of blind ninaE mutant Drosophila , which lack the major opsin of the fly compound eye. We found that the expression of either the Apis blue- or UV-sensitive opsin in transgenic flies rescued the visual defect of ninaE mutants, indicating that both genes encode functional visual pigments. Spectral sensitivity measurements of these flies demonstrated that the blue and UV visual pigments are maximally sensitive to light at 439 and 353 nm, respectively. These maxima are in excellent agreement with those determined previously by single-cell recordings from Apis photoreceptor cells and provide definitive evidence that the genes described here encode visual pigments having blue and UV sensitivity.
Multiple sclerosis. Observations and reflections--a personal memoir.

Abstract The pathogenesis of MS has become better understood as a result of recent advances in several areas, particularly in epidemiology and neuro-imaging. A number of epidemiologically based conclusions need to be revised, most importantly the putative direct relationship between prevalence and latitude, and the concept that epidemics of MS have occurred in some parts of the world. It is now clear that genetic factors play a much more important role in the genesis of the disease than environmental factors, although the latter cannot be ignored. The existence of a genetic susceptibility, coupled with either protective or enhancing factors, which may be genetic or environmental, is recognized as being most important in individuals of northern European origin. Much evidence suggests that the disease is initiated by a viral illness (or possibly a vaccination) at some time before puberty. This first antigenic challenge results in the development of what is called the “MS trait”, a systemic condition that may never develop into the actual disease and may be observed as well in the unaffected siblings of MS patients. The trait is almost certainly a manifestation of an alteration of the immune system; its most important effect is to render the blood-brain barrier more vulnerable to a variety of agents that will increase its permeability. In order for MS to involve the central nervous system, loss of integrity of the blood-brain barrier is an obligatory step, an observation which has now been amply confirmed by neuroimaging studies. This effect upon the blood-brain barrier appears to be non-specific, since it may result from such diverse causes as a viral infection, a vaccination, or mild trauma. Edema and inflammation follow, but myelinoclasia is not always a consequence; thus plaque formation may not occur and the initial lesion of MS may disappear without leaving a trace. The actual mechanism of myelinoclasia, and the role played in it by lymphocytes, remain unknown. Although the disease does affect the central nervous system, it may remain asymptomatic for a long time after the actual plaque is formed, even for the person's entire life.
Involuntary orienting to sound improves visual perception

To perceive real-world objects and events, we need to integrate several stimulus features belonging to different sensory modalities. Although the neural mechanisms and behavioural consequences of intersensory integration have been extensively studied1,2,3,4, the processes that enable us to pay attention to multimodal objects are still poorly understood. An important question is whether a stimulus in one sensory modality automatically attracts attention to spatially coincident stimuli that appear subsequently in other modalities, thereby enhancing their perceptual salience. The occurrence of an irrelevant sound does facilitate motor responses to a subsequent light appearing nearby5,6,7. However, because participants in previous studies made speeded responses rather than psychophysical judgements, it remains unclear whether involuntary auditory attention actually affects the perceptibility of visual stimuli as opposed to postperceptual decision and response processes. Here we provide psychophysical evidence that a sudden sound improves the detectability of a subsequent flash appearing at the same location. These data show that the involuntary orienting of attention to sound enhances early perceptual processing of visual stimuli.
PU.1 Binds to a Distal Regulatory Element That Is Necessary for B Cell-Specific Expression of CIITA

The transcriptional coactivator CIITA regulates MHC class II genes. In the mouse, CIITA is expressed from three distinct promoters (pI, pIII, and pIV) in a developmental and cell type-specific manner with pIII being responsible for B lymphocyte-specific expression. Although the promoter proximal sequences that regulate CIITA in B cells have been described, nothing is known about additional distal elements that may regulate its expression in B cells. Sequence homology comparisons, DNase I hypersensitivity assays, and histone modification analysis revealed a potential regulatory element located 11 kb upstream of pIII. Deletion of this element, termed hypersensitive site 1 (HSS1), in a bacterial artificial chromosome encoding the entire CIITA locus and surrounding genes, resulted in a complete loss of CIITA expression from the bacterial artificial chromosome following transfection into B cells. HSS1 and pIII displayed open chromatin architecture features in B cell but not in plasma cell lines, which are silenced for CIITA expression. PU.1 was found to bind HSS1 and pIII in B cells but not in plasma cells. Depletion of PU.1 by short hairpin RNA reduced CIITA expression. Chromatin conformation capture assays showed that HSS1 interacted directly with pIII in B cells and that PU.1 was important for this interaction. These results provide evidence that HSS1 is required for B cell-specific expression of CIITA and that HSS1 functions by interacting with pIII, forming a long-distance chromatin loop that is partly mediated through PU.1.
Self-control and responsibility: interfacing gestalt and behavioral frameworks.

The issue of "control" within the therapeutic relationship is fascinating to most psychologists, as evidenced by the now classic debate of Rogers and Skinner 1 on the control of human behavior. Experimentally, we manipulate subjects to test effects of certain variables; therapeutically, we train parents to handle their children; and, recently, researchers have been investigating the efficiency of certain techniques which enable clients to manage their own behavior. The virtue and importance of self-control have been widely cited by numerous writers. London for example, states that: In order to defend individual freedom, it is necessary to enhance the power of individuals. If behavior technology endangers freedom by giving refined powers to controllers, then the anecdote which promotes freedom is to give more refined
Acute psychopharmacological management of the aggressive psychotic patient.

Management of the acutely aggressive psychotic patient is a common task in the psychiatric emergency service. Findings from the Epidemologic Catchment Area study, which investigated the prevalence of mental illness in the United States, suggested that patients with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder are two to 15 times more likely to report violent behavior than people with no mental illness (1). This column briefly reviews the neurobiology of aggression and recent findings about the effects of medication noncompliance among patients with severe mental illness. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of two effective pharmacological interventions for the acute treatment of the aggressive psychotic patient. Neurobiology of aggression The neurobiology of impulsive aggression is the subject of an evolving science that is working toward identifying the medication or combination of medications that will most benefit the violent psychiatric patient (2). Studies using both animal and human models of violent behavior suggest that impulsive aggression involves a complex interaction of neurotransmitter and hormonal activity, societal factors, and individual personality (3,4). Among neurotransmitters, serotonin plays a major inhibitory role in aggressive behavior. Low cerebrospinal fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), a major metabolite of serotonin, are significantly correlated with hyperresponsiveness to aversive stimuli and impulsive aggression but not premeditated violence (3). Dopamine and norepinephrine abnormalities may play a role in a patient’s vulnerability to aggressive episodes. Animal studies indicate that increasing brain dopamine and norepinephrine activity significantly enhances the likelihood that the animal will respond to the environment in an impulsively violent manner (3). Atypical antipsychotic medications, which affect both serotonin and dopamine activity, may have primary antihostility properties that the traditional antipsychotic medications lack (5). Several studies have supported the effectiveness of the atypical antipsychotics in the intermediate to long-term management of the violent and psychotic patient (5). In a double-blind study, clozapine and risperidone, both atypical antipsychotics, were found to have a significantly greater primary antihostility effect than haloperidol and placebo (6).
Allowing macroalgae growth forms to emerge: Use of an agent-based model to understand the growth and spread of macroalgae in Florida coral reefs, with emphasis on Halimeda tuna

The growth patterns of macroalgae in three-dimensional space can provide important information regarding the environments in which they live, and insights into changes that may occur when those environments change due to anthropogenic and/or natural causes. To decipher these patterns and their attendant mechanisms and influencing factors, a spatially explicit model has been developed. The model SPREAD (SPatially-explicit Reef Algae Dynamics), which incorporates the key morphogenetic characteristics of clonality and morphological plasticity, is used to investigate the influences of light, temperature, nutrients and disturbance on the growth and spatial occupancy of dominant macroalgae in the Florida Reef Tract. The model species, Halimeda and Dictyota spp., are modular organisms, with an “individual” being made up of repeating structures. These species can also propagate asexually through clonal fragmentation. These traits lead to potentially indefinite growth and plastic morphology that can respond to environmental conditions in various ways. The growth of an individual is modeled as the iteration of discrete macroalgal modules whose dynamics are affected by the light, temperature, and nutrient regimes. Fragmentation is included as a source of asexual reproduction and/or mortality. Model outputs are the same metrics that are obtained in the field, thus allowing for easy comparison. The performance of SPREAD was tested through sensitivity analysis and comparison with independent field data from four study sites in the Florida Reef Tract. Halimeda tuna was selected for initial model comparisons because the relatively untangled growth form permits detailed characterization in the field. Differences in the growth patterns of H. tuna were observed among these reefs. SPREAD was able to closely reproduce these variations, and indicate the potential importance of light and nutrient variations in producing these patterns.
A nomenclature system for labeling cyclic peptide fragments

A nomenclature system for labeling fragment ions of cyclic peptides is proposed. A fragment ion is labeled with a four-part descriptor for the general formula xnJZ, where x is the designation for the ion (e.g., lower case a or b, as are used for peptide fragments) and n is the number of amino acid residues in the ion. A b ion is the usual acylium ion or isomeric equivalent consisting of n amino-acid residues, and this ion may lose carbon monoxide to form an a ion. The subscripts J and Z are the one-letter (upper-case) codes for the two amino-acid residues connecting the backbone amide or ester bond, J-Z, that can be viewed as broken to form the decomposing linear ion. The symbol J is for the N-terminal amino-acid residue, and Z is that for the C-terminal amino-acid residue that result from the bond cleavage. The nomenclature system is applicable to a wide range of cyclic peptides, including depsipeptides, cyclic peptides containing modified or unusual amino acids, cyclic peptides bearing a linear peptide moiety, and cyclic peptides that are introduced into the gas phase as metal-ion cationized species.
Implementing Presidential Policy Agendas Administratively: A View from the Inside

Drawing on his experience in a variety of positions over 40 years, the author details a wide range of variables that are involved in implementing presidential policy, including (1) the nature, origin, and validity of the presidential policy agendas and how they are communicated; (2) the background, experience, and relationships of the appointee; (3) the internal agency context; and (4) the larger political and social context. The author concludes that the large number of variables makes it very difficult—if not impossible—to produce a coherent, useful set of guidelines for appointees that will have utility across the board. Rather, implementation often requires individually nuanced responses. At the same time, the author concludes that the documented experiences of appointees in similar circumstances can serve as useful reference points for the future.
Hexabromocyclododecane decreases tumor‐cell‐binding capacity and cell‐surface protein expression of human natural killer cells

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a flame retardant that decreases the lytic function of human natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells defend against tumor cells and virally infected cells. Thus, HBCD has the potential to increase cancer incidence and viral infections. NK cells must bind to their targets for lysis to occur. Thus, concentrations of HBCD that decrease lytic function were examined for their ability to alter NK binding to tumor targets. Levels of HBCD that caused a loss of binding function were examined for effects on expression of cell surface proteins needed for binding. NK cells exposed to HBCD for 24 h, 48 h, or 6 days or to HBCD for 1 h followed by 24 h, 48 h, or 6 days in HBCD-free media were examined for binding function and cell surface protein expression. The results indicated that exposure of NK cells to 10 μM HBCD for 24 h (which caused a greater than 90% loss of lytic function) caused a very significant decrease in NK cell binding function (70.9%), and in CD16 and CD56 cell-surface protein expression (57.8%, and 24.6% respectively). NK cells exposed to 10 μM HBCD for 1 h followed by 24 h in HBCD-free media (which caused a 89.3% loss of lytic function) showed decreased binding function (79.2%), and CD 16 expression (48.1%). Results indicate that HBCD exposures decreased binding function as well as cell-surface marker expression in NK cells and that these changes may explain the losses of lytic function induced by certain HBCD exposures.
Amide Cotton Effects of Heparin

Heparin displays the ultraviolet Cotton effects common to amide substituted polysaccharides. These effects are useful for investigating the conformational alterations, which heparin undergoes with changes in pH, or the addition of biogenic amines.
Short-Term Health Outcome Differences Between Robotic and Conventional Radical Prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES To prospectively compare the relevant in-hospital and postdischarge short-term health outcomes in a contemporary group of patients undergoing either robotic or conventional radical prostatectomy. METHODS A total of 117 robotic and 89 conventional radical prostatectomy patients participated in a prospective study evaluating short-term postoperative recovery. A validated short-term health outcomes questionnaire was self-administered at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. All patients were given the same preoperative and postoperative instructions. RESULTS The significant differences in short-term health outcome measures between the two groups were that robotic patients had less mean narcotic use during the first 24 hours of admission (32 versus 52 mg morphine sulfate equivalents, P = 0.001) and a shorter mean length of hospital stay (1.2 versus 1.3 days, P = 0.048). No difference was found between the robotic and conventional radical prostatectomy groups regarding the median time to normal activity, 100% activity, and time to driving (9 and 8, 21 and 28, and 13 and 14 days, respectively). No difference was found in the postdischarge pain levels at 2 and 6 weeks, as reflected in the equivalent time of narcotic use between the two groups (10.6 and 9 days for the robotic and conventional radical prostatectomy groups, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The results of this prospective study have shown that both robotic and conventional radical prostatectomy provide comparable short-term postdischarge recovery, including time to normal and full activity, driving, and postdischarge narcotic use.
Serum Phosphorus and Mortality in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III): Effect Modification by Fasting

Background Serum phosphorus levels have been associated with mortality in some but not all studies. Because dietary intake prior to measurement can affect serum phosphorus levels, we hypothesized that the association between serum phosphorus level and mortality is strongest in those who have fasted longer. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting & Participants Nationally representative sample of 12,984 participants 20 years or older in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Factors Serum phosphorus level, fasting duration (dichotomized as ≥12 or Outcomes All-cause and cardiovascular mortality determined by death certificate data from the National Death Index. Measurements Serum phosphorus measured in a central laboratory and fasting duration recorded as time since food or drink other than water was consumed. Results Individuals fasting 12 or more hours had lower serum phosphorus levels than those fasting less than 12 hours (3.34 vs 3.55mg/dL; P P =0.002). In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, the highest quartile of serum phosphorus was associated with increased mortality in participants fasting 12 or more hours (adjusted HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.38-2.20; reference, lowest quartile) but not in participants fasting less than 12 hours (adjusted HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.89-1.32; P for interaction = 0.002). Relationships were consistent using 8 hours as the fasting cutoff point or cardiovascular mortality as the outcome. Limitations Observational study, lack of fibroblast growth factor 23 or intact parathyroid hormone measurements. Conclusions Fasting but not nonfasting serum phosphorus levels were associated with increased mortality. Risk prognostication based on serum phosphorus may be improved using fasting levels.
Modulating effect of cystamine and unsaturated fatty acids on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase: Relation to cellular oxidative status

Cell surface gamma-glutamyl transpeptidese activity in cultured neoplastic astrocytes was significantly increased upon treatment of the cells with the hepatoprotective disulfide, cystamine. The cystamine effect was sensitive to cycloheximide and could be significantly depressed by exogenous glutathione. Surface gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was also modulated by the presence in the culture medium of the unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Metabolism of the fatty acids via the cyclooxygenase pathway was not a prerequisite for their modulation of the glycoprotein ectoenzyme. Lipoxygenase, however, was found to potentiate the unsaturated fatty acid effect in neoplastic astrocytes. Lipoxygenase is reported to catalyze the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding peroxides. The data indicate an oxidative influence on the control of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity.
How I treat the peripheral T-cell lymphomas

The peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) encompass a heterogeneous group of diseases that have generally been associated with poor prognosis. The most common PTCLs, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK-negative), despite their unique presentations and histologies, are currently treated similarly. Here we discuss our general approach to the treatment of the most common PTCLs. Based on the best data currently available, which include retrospective analyses and phase 2 prospective studies, our approach has involved cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone-based therapy followed by consolidation in first remission with autologous stem cell transplant. This treatment strategy likely improves the outcome for patients compared with historical series; however, progression-free survival rates remain disappointing, ranging from 40% to 50%. This is currently an exciting time in the treatment of PTCL due to the advent of recently approved drugs as well as new targeted agents currently under investigation. In addition, gene expression profiling is allowing for a better understanding of underlying disease biology, improved diagnostic accuracy, and prognostication in PTCL. As a result, over the next few years, we expect a significant shift in our management of these diseases with a move toward more individualized therapy leading to improved outcomes.
A component-based framework for autonomic performance management in a distributed computing environment

Distributed computing systems (DCS) host a wide variety of enterprise applications in dynamic and uncertain operating environments. These applications require stringent reliability, availability, and quality of service (QoS) guarantee to maintain their service level agreements (SLAs). Due to the growing size, increasing complexity, and varying nature of applications hosted in DCS, development of a single autonomic performance management system is difficult to maintain the SLAs of all of these applications. Therefore, a customizable autonomic performance management system is introduced in this paper, by using model-integrated computing methodologies, which allow application domain architects to develop meta-models of each system, various system modules with attributes, their connectivity, constraints, and visualization aspects. Then, domain engineers can define the initial settings of the application, QoS objectives, system components' placement, and interaction among these components in a graphical domain specific modeling environment. This configurable performance management system facilitates reusability of the same components, algorithms, and application performance models in different deployment settings.
Material point method and adaptive meshing applied to fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems

Material point method (MPM) is a powerful tool to handle material large deformation, discontinuities, and material moving interfaces problems where typical finite element methods (FEMs) could be very expensive and frequently fail. Material point method, in essence, is a weak formulation of the Particle-in-cell (PIC) method which has been developed initially for fluid dynamic problems. Recent years have seen extensive development of algorithm and impressive applications of MPM in engineering problems. Compared to its big success in material and structure modeling, the application of MPM to multiphase flows and fluid-structure interactions (FSIs) problems is relative scarce, in particular, the studies of fluid-induced deformation and motion of solids are limited due to their highly computational cost. In this short paper we discuss the computational efficiency by combining MPM with the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) techniques to simulate FSI problems. Several test cases of 2D and 3D fluid-solid coupling flow problems are simulated and analyzed. The comparison with previous simulation results is shown in detail.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Regulation of the initial events in microalgal triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis: hypotheses

Possible scenarios for the regulation of the early events in triacylglycerol accumulation by microalgae are discussed. It is hypothesized that buildup of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) in the cell as a result of nitrogen limitation is involved in the stimulation of the first events in fatty acid synthesis. It is proposed that only cells unable to complete a cell cycle will accumulate lipid.
Choosing a Health Care Provider: A Community Survey of What is Important to Lesbians*:

This article describes a research project conducted by the Lesbian Health Care Project of Western New York (LHCP). This is a report of a community survey of 106 Western New York lesbian and bisexual women; the survey was the first of a four-stage project. This research helps fill a gap in our knowledge about what service users consider to be lesbian-sensitive and what they consider most important in choosing a physical or mental health care provider. Results suggest that a provider of high quality, lesbian-sensitive services is someone who: 1) above all else, is a competent practitioner; 2) is available in emergencies; 3) is economically accessible; 4) has a positive attitude toward a woman's female partner and the lesbian community; and 5) is sensitive to several social issues of concern to lesbians. Practitioners are encouraged to discuss these issues and to articulate to their lesbian clients a positive regard for lesbian communities and their wealth of resources.
Effects of Ultrasound and Strain Rate on Tensile Mechanical Behavior of Thermoplastic Poly Urethane Thin Films

Thermoplastic poly urethane (TPU) is a diblock copolymer which naturally phase segregates into thermodynamically incompatible hard (H) and soft (S) segments. The size of the segments and their spatial distribution can significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of the material. In this paper, we investigated the effect of duration of exposure to ultrasound on the solution prior to film formation on the final film properties. The response variable for the study was primarily mechanical properties of the TPU thin films fabricated via a solution route utilizing tetra hydro furan as a solvent. The times of sonication were varied between 30 min and 90 min, while all films were fabricated at average thickness of 20 ± 5 μm. The mechanical tests have been conducted at two different displacement rates of 5 and 10 mm/min. Our results indicated that (relative to untreated TPU) ultrasound tends not to deteriorate the fracture strength, strain and yet improve the fracture toughness. We attribute these results to subtle events at the H and S segment/domain levels. To further understand these microstructural variations, we conducted differential scanning calorimetry scan tests between 25 °C and 200 °C at 5 °C/min on untested and tested TPU samples of all types. This data showed a delicate sonication time dependent trend and has been interpreted in conjunction with our mechanical test data. Transition temperatures, enthalpies, and specific heat capacities have been computed for these cases.
Measuring the components of regional energy conservation: Residential natural-gas consumption in St. Louis

Abstract We present results of a study of changes in residential natural-gas consumption in the St. Louis region. The Princeton Scorekeeping Method (PRISM) is used for measuring changes in weather-adjusted consumption and for isolating the components of conservation. PRISM also provides a basis for separating changes in the thermal integrity of the housing stock from changes in average indoor temperatures. We decompose savings further by considering demographic variables, fuel substitution, and the composition of internal heat gains. The results show that a substantial fraction of savings can be attributed to changes in weather-independent consumption (30–40% of total savings for St. Louis since 1971), but a considerable fraction of this may be caused by changes in household size. Savings associated with structural improvements to the housing stock, which generally have long-term effects on energy consumption, represent the principal component of savings for St. Louis (about 53%). Savings from behavioral changes that involve lower indoor temperatures and possibly decreased comfort may be readily implemented by households as a first reaction to fuel shortages or sudden price increases, but at least in some areas of the country, they have had little, if any, lasting effect. Over the long term, the principal cause of conservation may be increases in energy prices. For St. Louis, 85% of the change in natural-gas consumption since 1971 can be explained by variations in price alone. The remaining unexplained variation may be correlated with other factors such as changes in energy awareness. The sources of conservation which are identified in analyses of this type are important for developing effective conservation policies.
Sar And Isar Signal Processing

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) are enhanced resolution imaging radar systems. These systems receive coherent radar signal returns from an illuminated scene and use the signal modulation related to terrain reflectivity and relative motion between the scene and the observation platform to form an image of the scene. The extraction, storage, and coherent processing of these modulation terms represent an enormous signal processing task which classically has been performed by optical techniques. The flexibility and reduced cost of modern high performance, high bandwidth digital signal processing systems is the motivation for full DSP based imaging radar systems. In this paper we review the common DSP tasks performed by basic SAR and ISAR imaging radars.
Interaction of uranyl with calcite in the presence of EDTA.

Adsorption of uranyl at the surface of calcite was investigated by using batch sorption experiments and synchrotron X-ray standing wave (XSW) measurements. Aqueous solutions containing 236U(VI) (4.5 × 10-7 to 1.0 × 10-4 M) and EDTA (5.0 × 10-7 to 1.1 × 10-4 M) were reacted for 90 s to 60 min with freshly cleaved calcite (104) surfaces and calcite powders. Surface exchange coefficients, sorption kinetics, and influence of powder surface area/solution volume (SA/V) ratio were investigated by α-counting of 236U. Powder sorption results at SA/V = 870 cm2/mL fit a Freundlich isotherm [log [U]surface (in monolayers) = log K + n log [U]aq (in moles/L)], where K = 1.9 ± 0.5 and n = 0.9 ± 0.1, consistent with uptake of U(VI) by a specific surface reaction where the availability of sorption sites is nonlimiting in the U concentration range measured. Measured U(VI) coverages along this isotherm, based on the calcite (104) surface Ca site density, ranged from 0.04% to 5.4% of a monolayer. Steady state surface coverag...
Current status of clinical applications of thermoluminescence dosimetry in the United States

Abstract Lithium fluoride continues to be the most commonly used phosphor for clinical dose measurements. Solid TL dosimeters have gained wide acceptance. National quality assurance programs using mailed TL dosimeters are an on-going activity. TL dosimetry plays a significant role in dose measurements in radiation therapy and diagnostic radiology.
Mouse egg extracellular coat is a matrix of interconnected filaments possessing a structural repeat

Abstract As the result of a combined biochemical and electron microscopic investigation, hitherto unrecognized structural features of the mouse egg extracellular coat, or zona pellucida, have been revealed. Specimens were prepared for electron microscopy by spraying individually isolated zonae pellucidae onto a substrate and were observed by both rotary shadowing and negative staining techniques. Results of these experiments suggest that the three zona pellucida glycoproteins, ZP1 (200,000 Mr), ZP2 (120,000 Mr and ZP3 (83,000 Mr), are organized into long filaments. Negatively stained zona pellucida filaments resemble “beads-on-a-string”, with each bead (9.5 nm in diameter) located every 17 nm or so (center-to-center distance) along the axis of the filament. The filaments, in turn, appear to be interconnected by one of the three zona pellucida glycoproteins, ZP1, giving rise to a three-dimensional matrix. Proteolysis of ZP1 by chymotrypsin or reduction of intermolecular disulfides of ZP1 by dithiothreitol results in both solubilization of zonae pellucidae and disruption of interconnections between individual zona pellucida filaments. These observations suggest that the zona pellucida, which plays important roles both during and after fertilization of mammalian eggs, is a highly organized extracellular coat in which glycoproteins are assembled into filaments possessing a recognizable structural repeat.
Multicriteria vehicle route-planning using parallel A * search

Abstract Mission Route Planning involves evaluating multiple criteria to select an optimal vehicle route through an environment which may be unfriendly. The problem is NP-Complete for the bicrite- ria case, but reduces to O(n2) if the criteria are combined into a single cost function and the route maintains an optimal substruc- ture. In this application, criteria for distance travelled and radar exposure are combined into a single cost function for route eval- uation. Radar calculations are performed dynamically. A specific parallel A* algorithm performs independent searches through 3-D terrain in order to select optimal routes. An implementation on the Intel Paragon provides fast execution of 4 minutes or less for aircraft vehicle scenarios with 15 radars. Measured performance is generally superior to previous computational experience. Introduction The general Mission Route Planning (MRP) problem is the process of selecting a path for vehicle to move from a start- ing point through friendly or unfriendly terrain to specific destination(s), and return to a safe destination 11, 111. The vehicle moves to and from the destination(s) through three- dimensional space avoiding solid obstacles (terrain), and avoiding unsafe areas or moving through them at increased cost. Path criteria are evaluated in order of importance to the mission, and a route is selected which optimizes the cri-
Incorporating Traditional Knowledge in the Bureau of Land Management's Planning Process in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), like many federal government agencies in the US, has specific handbooks and manuals to provide guidance for preparing, amending, revising, and implementing BLM land use plans. These land use plans (or LUPs in the acronym-heavy world of the federal government) establish the goals and objectives for resource management, and serve as the basis for management actions, on the public lands that are covered by the plan.
The digital pads of the tree frog, Hyla cinerea. II. The mucous glands.

Abstract The mucous glands consist of a single row of cells surrounded by smooth muscle. The cells are attached at their apical and basal regions and only cytoplasmic projections loosely link the lateral aspects of adjacent cells. Material accumulates in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, appears to form into dense granules in the Golgi apparatus, and then before being secreted, undergoes chemical and morphological alterations. Since some glands secrete onto the dorsal epidermis of the digits, the mucous is believed to function as a wetting agent for the skin as well as an aid to climbing.
PhastSystem electrophoresis in β‐octylglucoside containing gels with immunodetection of a nondenatured vesicle‐associated membrane protein

Recombinant vesicle-associated membrane protein (rVAMP), implicated as a participant in membrane exocytosis and fusion (a "SNARE protein"), was subjected to gel electrophoresis in the miniaturized gels of the PhastSystem (Pharmacia) containing the nondenaturing, nonionic detergent beta-octylglucoside (OG), followed by immunodetection of the protein. Three major components of nondenatured rVAMP are detected by Western blotting both in 0.5% OG and in the absence of detergent. Their separation increases with increasing gel concentration above 7%T. Ferguson plot analysis indicates that the three species of VAMP are size isomers (i.e., they differ in size but share a common surface net charge density), the common point of intersection of the plots (mu-point) being a measure of their common free mobility. By the criteria of size and free mobility (related to surface net charge), VAMP components I, II and III in 0.5% OG-containing buffer are indistinguishable from components II, III and IV, respectively, observed in the absence of the detergent. The feasibility of immunodetection of nondenatured rVAMP on gels containing nondenaturing detergents opens up the possibility of gaining biochemical information regarding nondenatured SNARE protein complexes and SNARE proteins linked to membrane fragments.
A mutation in the general membrane trafficking machinery and hydrocephaly

Membrane fusion is required to deliver specific cargo molecules to distinct intracellular compartments, thereby maintaining the functional and structural organization of eukaryotic cells, as well as intercellular communication, which occurs in precisely timed spatial patterns at the plasma membrane. During embryogenesis, exocytosis is harnessed to induce differentiation and morphogenesis, as demonstrated by the work of Hong et al. in this issue of PNAS (1). Later and throughout life, the temporal control of site-specific fusion coordinates the release and processing of short and long-range messages within an organism. The basic membrane fusion process is driven by the assembly of cognate v- and t-SNAREs [soluble N -ethylmalemide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptors] between two lipid bilayers (2, 3). Because SNAREs comprise a protein family with its individual members localized to distinct intracellular compartments, the distribution of cognate v- and t-SNAREs outlines the flow pattern for membrane trafficking (4). Separate SNAREs are largely unfolded, and the energy necessary to merge membranes is provided by the folding of SNAREs into a stable four-helix bundle (with the v-SNARE and t-SNARE contributing one and three helices, respectively) (5, 6). In contrast to viral fusion proteins, which are only required once during the lifetime of a virus (to invade the host cell), SNAREs are continuously recycled for further rounds of cargo transport. Thus after a successful fusion event, the fully assembled, extremely stable SNARE complex, which resides in a single lipid bilayer becomes the substrate for the general SNARE recycling machinery (7). The recycling machinery consists of two cytosolic components: ( i ) NSF, a hexameric …
Linking Cure Process to Adhesive Bulk Strength by Differential Thermal Analysis

Abstract A first order kinetic reaction model is utilized to model the cure process of epoxy adhesive Metlbond 1113. Actual states of full cure corresponding to a spectrum of cure temperature-time schedules are identified using the DTA method. Comparison of these experimental results with the corresponding theoretical predictions reveals that the first order kinetic reaction model provides accurate prediction of full cure when low temperature-long time schedules in close proximity to Tg are used. These cure schedules also result in the highest adhesive bulk tensile strength.
Amazonia: Democracy, Ecology, and Brazilian Military Prerogatives in the 1990s

Continuing control over the political and developmental policies of Amazonia has become perhaps the last best hope of the Brazilian military establishment, which has seen its principal raisons d'etre-the threats traditionally thought to be posed by foreign enemies and internal subversion-disappear in recent years. Alfred Stepan has clarified the unusually high level of "military prerogatives" exercised in the post-1985 Brazilian political system, which relate to a wider theoretical consideration of political and biological diversity and are linked both directly and analogously, particularly in the Amazon region. In this regard, the direction of development policy in the greater Amazon region suggests the relevance of this military "policy prerogative" to the future of civil-military relations in Brazil, and the survival of one of the world's last great wildernesses.
Cognitive Enhancement Drug Use Among Future Physicians: Findings from a Multi-Institutional Census of Medical Students

BACKGROUND Nonmedical use of prescription psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine salts for the purpose of cognitive enhancement is a growing trend, particularly in educational environments. To our knowledge, no recent studies have evaluated the use of these psychostimulants in a medical academic setting.
A study of stall deterrent systems for general aviation aircraft

Stall deterrent concepts for general aviation aircraft have been investigated using simulation studies and flight test experiments. It was found that the simulator was suitable for the development of deterrent system concepts, but the simulator was unacceptable for pilot evaluation of system effectiveness under typical stall/spin accident conditions. A Cessna 319 was outfitted with sensors, servoactuators, and analog control logic necessary to investigate a wide range of stall deterrent systems. It was found that an acoustic stall sensor and an error control law were sufficient for stall deterrence. The pitch intervention control system prevented aircraft stall for all aircraft configurations and pilot inputs. The variable up elevator stop concept was found to be effective for slow decelerations to aircraft stall. The stall deterrent systems were evaluated by four professional pilots and three low time pilots.
Methylphenidate: Established and Expanding Roles in Symptom Management

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant originally used for the treatment of attention-deficit disorder. Methylphenidate inhibits neuronal neurotransmitter transporters involved in the uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine at the level of the synapse. Inhibition of these transmitter transporters leads to increased concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine in the synapse, which results in increasing alertness. The stimulant effect of methylphenidate has been used for the treatment of major depression, poststroke depression, cognitive enhancement in patients with brain tumors, neurodegenerative disorders, HIV disease, fatigue, and as a treatment for delirium and sedation associated with opioid use. Other areas where methylphenidate has been evaluated include gait disorders in the elderly individuals and the treatment of apathy in dementia. Analgesic effects have been demonstrated in preclinical models but true analgesic effects remain to be proven in humans. This article reviews the current use of methylphenidate for symptom management with a critical look at the evidence base for its efficacy in the conditions described.