cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the relative skin sensitization potency of siloranes and bis-GMA using the local lymph node assay and QSAR predicted potency.

Siloranes are silicon and oxirane (epoxy) containing monomers used for new dental composite development. The siloranes 3,4-epoxycyclohexylethyl-cyclopolymethylsiloxane (Tet-Sil) and bis-3,4-epoxycyclohexylethyl-phenyl-methylsilane (Ph-Sil) have in common cycloaliphatic epoxy moieties. The epoxy group is of concern in their biocompatibility since most epoxy compounds are known skin sensitizers. The objective of this study was to determine the in vivo skin sensitization potency of the siloranes in the local lymph node assay. A comparison was made with well-known chemical allergens, bis-GMA and DNCB. Female mice (CBA/CaJ) were exposed topically (dorsum of both ears) to several doses of acetone:olive oil in the ratio of 4:1 v/v. Doses were defined by a predictive structure-activity model (QSAR) for contact sensitization. Lymph node cell (LNC) proliferation was measured on the sixth day by incorporation of radioactive thymidine into DNA of lymph node cells. The effective concentration (EC3) that produced a 3-fold stimulation in LNC proliferation relative to controls was extrapolated from dose-response curves. DNCB was a strong sensitizer (EC3 = 0.06%). The EC3 values of Ph-Sil and bis-GMA were 19% and 45%, respectively, making these weak contact sensitizers. Tet-Sil did not increase lymph node proliferation when compared with controls. In contrast to Tet-Sil, the unpolymerized monomers Ph-Sil and bis-GMA have the capacity to induce LNC proliferation, characteristic of a T-cell mediated skin contact sensitization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Cytogenetic effects of 2-methoxyethanol and its metabolite, methoxyacetaldehyde, in mammalian cells in vitro.

Abstract Glycol ethers such as 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) are reproductive toxins. The genotoxicity of 2-ME, especially its metabolites: methoxyacetaldehyde (MALD) and methoxyacetic acid (MAA), is not adequately investigated yet. We have shown previously that MALD induced mutation in the bacterial gpt gene which is inserted in an autosome of CHO-AS52 cell line but not in the hprt gene on the X chromosome of CHO-K1-BH4 cell line. These data suggest that MALD induces major deletion-type mutation. If this prediction is correct we would expect to observe that MALD is an efficient inducer of chromosome aberrations in both CHO cell lines. We have conducted a cytogenetic study using both CHO cell lines and human lymphocytes to investigate this phenomenon. Our results show that human lymphocytes treated with 10–30 mM MALD for 1 h or 0.05–0.5 mM MALD for 24 h induced significant dose-dependent increase of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) ( p p
A comparison of ultrasound image simulations with FOCUS and field II

To achieve significant improvements in both nearfield accuracy and memory efficiency in diagnostic ultrasound simulations, B-mode imaging simulations are performed with FOCUS. Improved nearfield accuracy and memory usage is achieved in FOCUS by combining the fast nearfield method with time-space decomposition to avoid the aliasing problems caused by the impulse response. The RF signals for pulse-echo imaging with FOCUS are calculated with the square root of the input signal. The transient pressure contributions are evaluated at a point scatterer by applying the square root signal to both the transmit and receive apertures, respectively, and the pulse-echo signal is then given by the convolution. An analytically equivalent result is calculated in Field II by the convolving the second derivative of the input signal with the impulse responses for the transmit and receive apertures. B-mode simulation results are compared for a 128 element linear array with 64 active elements over the aperture and focusing at 60 mm. The results show that Field II requires a sampling frequency of fs = 500MHz to achieve a normalized error of 0.91%, whereas FOCUS achieves a smaller error of 0.78% with a sampling frequency of 35MHz.
One Hundred Plus Years of Wintertime Climate Variability in the Eastern United States

Abstract Interannual anomalies of climate variability in the eastern United States for the past 100+ yr have been studied for their spatial EOF structure, long-term changes, and the covariability with several climate indices: the Southern Oscillation index (SOI), North Pacific index (NPI), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. Especially for air temperature, wintertime (December–February) variability is much more pronounced than summertime (June–August). The leading principal component (PC) of wintertime air temperature, which explains 70% of the interannual variance, is significantly correlated with the NAO, while the leading PC of wintertime precipitation correlates with the SOI. The spatial structure of the leading EOFs have a similar spatial character when compared to the correlation between the data and the climate indices, suggesting that the EOFs can be thought of as proxies for mapping the effects of climate indices upon the eastern United States. The effects of the SOI and NPI are generall...
Modeling of a membrane-based absorption heat pump

Abstract In this paper, a membrane heat pump is proposed and analyzed. Fundamentally, the proposed heat pump consists of an aqueous CaCl 2 solution flow separated from a water flow by a vapor-permeable membrane. The low activity of the solution results in a net flux of water vapor across the membrane, which heats the solution stream and cools the water stream. This mechanism upgrades water-side low-temperature heat to solution-side high-temperature heat, creating a “temperature lift.” The modeling results show that using two membranes and an air gap instead of a single membrane increases the temperature lift by 185%. The model predicts temperature lifts for the air-gap design of 24, 16, and 6 °C for inlet temperatures of 55, 35, and 15 °C, respectively. Membranes with lower thermal conductivities and higher porosities improve the performance of single-membrane designs while thinner membranes improve the performance of air-gap designs. This device can be used with a solar heating system which already uses concentrated salt solutions for liquid-desiccant cooling.
Kansas Academy of Science position on teaching evolution in public schools

The Kansas Academy of Sciences, like all scientific organizations, continues to be deeply concerned about an assault against the teaching of science in public schools, particularly the principles of biological evolution. Several years ago Kansas became a national lighting rod of controversy when the State Board of Education voted to approve science standards that deemphasized the teaching of evolution. The whole debate continues to rear its ugly head across the nation.
Effect of fire weather, fuel age and topography on patterns of remnant vegetation following a large fire event in southern California, USA

Large fire events in southern California have burned thousands of hectares over the past decade. Landscape pattern and natural system processes are shaped by these large conflagrations, thereby influencing the ecological structure and functioning of the region. Unburned vegetation remnants can be used to assess general fuel consumption and to provide valuable information regarding fire behaviour, weather effects and post-fire regeneration. For this study, post-fire unburned vegetation was mapped at a very fine spatial resolution based on semi-automatic classification of airborne large-format multispectral image data and compared across different fire environment zones within the 2003 Cedar Fire burn perimeter. Landscape metrics were used to characterise unburned vegetation patches for a section of the Cedar Fire affected by Santa Ana weather conditions and for a section of the fire that burned under non-Santa Ana weather conditions. Maps of remnant vegetation and associated landscape metrics were compared across these two sections and within shrubland community type, topography and age-class strata using inferential statistics. Key findings reveal more unburned vegetation in larger, rounder patches in the non-Santa Ana section. Pre-fire stand age greater than 6 years showed little effect on the amount or pattern of unburned vegetation within the Santa Ana section.
O2- and α-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Tyrosyl Radical Formation in TauD, an α-Keto Acid-Dependent Non-Heme Iron Dioxygenase†

Taurine/α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase (TauD), a non-heme mononuclear Fe(II) oxygenase, liberates sulfite from taurine in a reaction that requires the oxidative decarboxylation of α-ketoglutarate (αKG). The lilac-colored αKG-Fe(II)TauD complex (λmax = 530 nm; e530 = 140 M-1·cm-1) reacts with O2 in the absence of added taurine to generate a transient yellow species (λmax = 408 nm, minimum of 1600 M-1·cm-1), with apparent first-order rate constants for formation and decay of ∼0.25 s-1 and ∼0.5 min-1, that transforms to yield a greenish brown chromophore (λmax = 550 nm, 700 M-1·cm-1). The latter feature exhibits resonance Raman vibrations consistent with an Fe(III) catecholate species presumed to arise from enzymatic self-hydroxylation of a tyrosine residue. Significantly, 18O labeling studies reveal that the added oxygen atom derives from solvent rather than from O2. The transient yellow species, identified as a tyrosyl radical on the basis of EPR studies, is formed after αKG decomposition. Substitution of two...
The Role of Adhesion and Costimulation Molecules in Graft-versus-Host Disease

A cascade of signaling events directs and regulates the trafficking, homing and activation of T lymphocytes after allogeneic transplantation. These adhesion receptors include selectins, integrins and adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Tissue-specific homing receptors direct the tissue-specific trafficking of T lymphocytes. When T cells encounter their antigen(s) presented by MHC molecules on APC, the antigen-specific signal mediated through the T-cell receptor (TCR) needs to be accompanied by additional costimulatory signals for complete T-cell activation to occur. The costimulatory signal determines the outcome of the first signal generated through the TCR, leading to either complete activation, partial activation or to a long-lasting state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. Complete activation of T cells results in IL-2R (CD25) receptor expression, IL-2 production and T-cell proliferation.
Mechanisms and therapy of silent myocardial ischemia and the effect of transdermal nitroglycerin

Studies of the mechanisms and characteristics of ischemic heart disease have increasingly documented evidence of myocardial ischemia in the absence of symptoms. Recent work using objective criteria of ischemic events has confirmed that angina pectoris or its equivalents need not accompany true myocardial ischemia, and this appears to be quite common. The impact of these findings on prognosis awaits further study, but preliminary data suggest an improved prognosis for persons in whom coronary artery disease remains asymptomatic compared with symptomatic patients. Further, reduction of silent ischemic events with nitrate therapy may be associated with a more benign subsequent course. Preliminary trials show a reduction of the number, duration and magnitude of silent ischemic events by transdermal nitroglycerin. Ongoing technical innovations in monitoring systems should allow more complete characterization of this syndrome and lead to definition of medical therapy for it.
A data-intensive approach to mechanistic elucidation applied to chiral anion catalysis

Knowledge of chemical reaction mechanisms can facilitate catalyst optimization, but extracting that knowledge from a complex system is often challenging. Here, we present a data-intensive method for deriving and then predictively applying a mechanistic model of an enantioselective organic reaction. As a validating case study, we selected an intramolecular dehydrogenative C-N coupling reaction, catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acid derivatives, in which catalyst-substrate association involves weak, noncovalent interactions. Little was previously understood regarding the structural origin of enantioselectivity in this system. Catalyst and substrate substituent effects were probed by means of systematic physical organic trend analysis. Plausible interactions between the substrate and catalyst that govern enantioselectivity were identified and supported experimentally, indicating that such an approach can afford an efficient means of leveraging mechanistic insight so as to optimize catalyst design.
A Multiple Angle Method for THz Time-Domain Material Characterization

A multiple angle technique for Terahertz (THz) time-domain material characterization is described. In order to extract the properties of a material system, the technique utilizes the relations between a signal transmitted through a reference material at normal incidence and signals transmitted through the material system at different oblique angles of incidence. The material system may be composed of multiple dielectric layers. The extracted properties of the material system can include not only dielectric properties but also layer thickness. The method presented in this paper contributes to the available library of material characterization tools in the literature in that it provides the capability to carry out single and multiple dielectric layer material system characterization simultaneous with layer thickness extraction. Previous techniques that can characterize both constitutive parameters and layer thicknesses using THz time-domain signals have been scarce. The extraction procedure is simplified to solving a system of equations using a root finding algorithm. The data collection procedure and manipulation is uncomplicated. The method background theory, measurement procedure, forward solution from calculated and measured signals, inverse problem solution from calculated and measured signals, and current method limitations are presented.
Experimental determination and modeling of volumetric optical properties

Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability of the optical properties of a particular water mass has important applications in biological and physical oceanography. As a step towards acquiring the capability to measure the variation in inherent water properties in three dimensions, an underwater optical imaging technique based on the volumetric reconstruction of serially acquired image planes was used to experimentally determine the spatial microstructure of phytoplankton distributions. Volume fluorescence, (beta) (phi) (90 degree(s), 450 nm, 685 nm), and scattering, (beta) (90 degree(s), 450 nm), images were acquired and processed for three-dimensional distribution analysis. In support of the experimental imaging equipment design and to verify applicability of the technique over a wide range of oceanic parameters, computer modeling of this serial sectioning technique was accomplished. Image plane intensity calculations implemented in the model accounted for wavelength specific differential variations in attenuation over the light propagation paths. Modeling and experimental results indicate that the underwater optical serial sectioning technique is practical for in-situ determination of cubic meter volume fluorescence and scattering functions of phytoplankton distributions with chlorophyll (alpha) concentrations as low as 0.1 mg Chl (alpha) /m3.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Atomization experiments in a coaxial coflowing Mach 1.5 flow

Extensive flow visualization using schlieren/shadowgraph, flash photography and short duration (ns) laser imaging, and drop size measurements are reported in this work. The supersonic nozzle operating conditions ranged from an overexpanded to highly underexpanded mode. A phenomenon of the liquid jet expanding into a bubblelike formation as it interacts with the first set of waves is explained. Photographic evidence indicated the presence of a primary region enclosed by the first shock cell where the primary breakup occurred, a secondary region enclosing the bubblelike formation, and a third subsonic region further downstream. Atomization seemed to be initiated by the growth of three-dimennional structures on the liquid surface
Development of a Hybrid RANS/LES Method for Compressible Mixing Layer Simulations

Nicholas J. GeorgiadisGlenn Research Center, Cleveland, OhioJ. Iwan D. Alexander and Eli ReshotkoCase Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OhioPrepared for the39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibitsponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and AstronauticsReno, Nevada, January 8-11, 2001National Aeronautics andSpace AdministrationGlenn Research Center
Traumatic injury induces interleukin-6 production by human astrocytes.

The brain is being evaluated as a de novo source of cytokines. Because recent evidence indicates that interleukin-6 (IL-6) may influence blood-brain barrier function and vascular permeability, we have sought to determine whether mechanical injury can directly induce in situ cerebral IL-6 production. Adult human astrocyte cultures were subjected to mechanical injury by the in vitro method of fluid percussion barotrauma, developed in our laboratory. Serial supernatant samples were collected for 8 h and evaluated for IL-6 activity using a proliferation assay employing the dependent B cell hybridoma cell line, B9. At optimum injury, the IL-6 level became significantly (P<0.0001, analysis of variance) elevated from baseline 2 h after trauma and continued to increase over the observation period. Our study shows that following mechanical injury human astrocytes produce IL-6, which may contribute to post-traumatic cerebrovascular dysfunction. Elucidating the precise role of intracerebral cytokines is essential to our understanding of the mechanism responsible for post-traumatic cerebrovascular dysfunction.
Medullary fibrosarcoma of bone

show a mild sex preference for men, tend to be clustered towards the end of long bones but may be found almost anywhere in the axial and appendicular skeleton. They are similar to soft tissue fibrosarcomas in their clinical presenta- tion but are more lethal, having a 5-year survival of
In Grignard reagent formation from cyclopropyl bromide in diethyl ether, trapping by DCPH is consistent with diffusing cyclopropyl radical intermediates.

For reactions of magnesium with cyclopropyl bromide in diethyl ether, added DCPH decreases the yield of cyclopropylmagnesium bromide by as much as 75%, while solvent-derived products disappear and ...
Electrodissolution of 304 stainless steel in neutral electrolytes for surface decontamination applications

Abstract Brightening of 304 stainless steel in concentrated electrolytes of Na 2 SO 4 , Li 2 SO 4 , NaNO 3 , LiNO 3 , NH 4 NO 3 , and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 was studied. It is observed that the current efficiency and quality of the surface depend on the electrolyte concentration, ions present in the electrolyte and the operating current density. While sulfate electrolytes etch the electrodes, oxidizing electrolytes generally yield brightened surfaces. Surface brightening is achieved at the lowest current density in LiNO 3 /Na 2 Cr 2 O 7 composite electrolyte at a pH of 5.2. The results are explained on the basis of salt film formation near the specimen surface.
Children's Emotional Experience: Relations Among Expression, Self-Report, and Understanding

This study assessed the influence of social evaluation on children's emotional experience and understanding. Sixty-six younger and older children (M ages = 7.12 and 12.06 years) were videotaped as they played a game, during which they received mild positive or negative feedback from another child of the same age and gender. Children's emotion report and understanding of their emotional responses were obtained in a postgame interview. Feedback valence influenced children's emotion expression, self-report, and their understanding of emotion. Girls displayed more positive and negative emotion than boys in response to social feedback and were also more accurate in reporting their initial facial expression
Inverse Temperature-Dependent Pathway of Cellulose Decrystallization in Trifluoroacetic Acid

An unusual inverse temperature-dependent pathway was observed during cellulose decrystallization in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Decreasing the TFA treatment temperature accelerated the cellulose decrystallization process. It took only 100 min to completely decrystallize cellulose at 0 °C in TFA, a result not achieved in 48 h at 25 °C in the same medium. There was neither cellulose esterification nor a change of cellulose macrofibril morphology by TFA treatment at 0 °C. Our IR data suggest that TFA molecules are present as cyclic dimers when they penetrate into crystalline cellulose regions, transforming crystalline cellulose to amorphous cellulose. On the other hand, the rate of TFA penetration into the cellulose matrix was greatly retarded at higher temperatures where monomeric TFA prevails. At elevated temperatures, esterification of TFA monomers on the external surface of crystalline cellulose, agglomeration of cellulose macrofibrils, as well as water released from the esterification reaction, inhibit ...
Biological features of genetic immunization.

Genetic immunization (a.k.a. DNA-based immunization) shows promise at least as a convenient method to test and discover new vaccines and may be an efficient vaccine delivery system. However, relatively little is known about the parameters affecting its effectiveness, let alone its basic underlying biological mechanisms. Here we report on investigations of some of the factors that determine the quantity and quality of the immune response with genetic immunization. We find that for non-toxic proteins the antibody response correlates well with the level of expression as does the cellular response to a certain level. The augmentation of the immune response by co-introduction of a cytokine gene as a genetic adjuvant is also responsive to the expression level of the antigen. The immune response is inversely correlated to the age of the mice and at least part of this effect is through level of expression of the antigen. Gene gun administration of the transgene to the skin has the advantage over muscle injection in that ca 100-fold less DNA is required for the same level of expression and the injections are more reproducible in effect. Finally, the apparent differences in Th2 (gun) vs Th1 (muscle) responses between the two modes can at least partly be accounted for by differences in the amount of plasmid DNA typically administered.
A RanBP1 mutation which does not visibly affect nuclear import may reveal additional functions of the ran GTPase system.

Ran, a nuclear GTPase, and a number of interacting proteins, including regulators RanGEF1 and RanGAP1, are involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport. We have identified a new temperature-sensitive mutation in budding yeast YRB1 gene, which encodes Ran-binding protein-1 (RanBP1). In contrast to other yrb1 alleles, the new mutation (yrb1-21) does not cause visible defects in import of nuclear proteins Npl3p, histone H2B, or beta-galactosidase fused to a nuclear localization signal. We hypothesize that the inviability of mutant cells at the restrictive temperature is caused by an additional essential function of RanBP1 other than nuclear import. This function may be revealed by the terminal phenotypes of yrb1-21, which include failure of the mitotic spindles to properly align along the mother-bud axis and accumulation of cells in late mitosis or G1 phase of the cell cycle. These features are shared, in part, by a mutation in RanGEF1, but not in RanGAP1. The yrb1-21 allele suppresses a RanGEF1 mutation, indicating that RanGEF1 and RanBP1 may be involved in the same essential function.
Orexin, cardio-respiratory function, and hypertension.

In this review we focus on the role of orexin in cardio-respiratory functions and its potential link to hypertension. 1) Orexin, cardiovascular function and hypertension. In normal rats, central administration of orexin can induce significant increases in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), which can be blocked by orexin receptor antagonists. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), antagonizing orexin receptors can significantly lower blood pressure under anesthetized or conscious conditions. 2) Orexin, respiratory function and central chemoreception. The prepro-orexin knockout mouse has a significantly attenuated ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex, and in normal rats, central application of orexin stimulates breathing while blocking orexin receptors decreases the ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex. Interestingly, SHRs have a significantly increased ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex relative to normotensive WKY rats and blocking both orexin receptors can normalize this exaggerated response. 3) Orexin, central chemoreception and hypertension. SHRs have higher ABP and SNA along with an enhanced ventilatory CO2 chemoreflex. Treating SHRs by blocking both orexin receptors with oral administration of an antagonist, almorexant (Almxt) can normalize the CO2 chemoreflex and significantly lower ABP and SNA. We interpret these results to suggest that the orexin system participates in the pathogenesis and maintenance of high blood pressure in SHRs, and the central chemoreflex may be a causal link to the increased SNA and ABP in SHRs. Modulation of the orexin system could be a potential target in treating some forms of hypertension.
Ashtabula's third “P. R.” election

Ashtabula, Ohio, was the pioneer city in the adoption of the Hare plan of proportional representation for its municipal elections. This year's test was embarrassed by the presence of ten other old-style ballots…. The story of Kalamazoo's second election under P. R. is promised for early issue.
Generalized vaccinia and probable induced thiamine deficiency in a congenitally hypothyroid child

Summary An example of generalized vaccinia in a congenitally hypothyroid child isreported. A virus was isolated from one of the patient's lesions. Animal experimentrevealed the immunizing properties of this virus to be identical to those of vaccinia virus. The administration of thiamine chloride promptly relieved marked irritabilityattributed to thiamine deficiency induced by overdosage with desiccated thyroid. The administration of B complex vitamins had no appreciable effect onrecurrent attacks of mild fever which accompanied thyroid therapy. These supplementary vitamins and a voracious appetite also failed to prevent welght loss during the first four months of thyroid therapy.
Fatigue Damage From High Mode Number Vortex-Induced Vibration

This paper presents results from two field experiments using long flexible cylinders, suspended vertically from surface vessels. The experiments were designed to investigate vortex-induced vibration (VIV) at higher than tenth mode in uniform and sheared flows. The results of both experiments revealed significant vibration energy at the expected Strouhal frequency (referred to in this paper as the fundamental frequency) and also at two and three times the Strouhal frequency. Although higher harmonics have been reported before, this was the first time that the contribution to fatigue damage, resulting from the third harmonic, could be estimated with some certainty. This was enabled by the direct measurement of closely spaced strain gauges in one of the experiments. In some circumstances the largest RMS stress and fatigue damage due to VIV are caused by these higher harmonics. The total fatigue damage rate including the third harmonic is shown to be up to forty times greater than the damage rate due to the vibration at the fundamental vortex-shedding frequency alone. This dramatic increase in damage rate due to the third harmonic appears to be associated with a narrow range of reduced velocities in regions of the pipe associated with significant flow-induced excitation.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Heteroepitaxial diamond film growth: the a-plane sapphire-iridium system

Abstract A substrate system with suitable physical and chemical properties is a necessary component for achieving large-scale heteroepitaxial diamond growth. We have developed a two-stage process to produce (001) diamond films using a-plane (1120) α-Al 2 O 3 (sapphire) as a substrate. Epitaxial (001) iridium films are first grown on terraced, vicinal a-plane sapphire by ultra-high vacuum electron-beam evaporation at 950 °C. The epitaxial relationship, Ir(100)‖Al 2 O 3 (1120) with Ir[011]‖Al 2 O 3 [1100], was determined by analysis of X-ray and electron backscattering diffraction. For a 300-nm thickness of Ir, a (200) rocking curve yielded a linewidth of 0.2°. After transfer to a CVD system, a diamond film was grown on the Ir layer by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition using methane and hydrogen. A key step in the process is the initial exposure of the epitaxial Ir to a d.c.-biased plasma that leads to uniform coverage of the surface by a dense array of diamond crystallites prior to growth. A subsequent growth step for approximately 60 min yields a continuous and highly homogenous (001) diamond film over areas more than 50 mm 2 . The epitaxial relationship between diamond and the Ir substrate is diamond(001)‖Ir(001) with diamond[100]‖Ir[100]. The films have also been characterized by AFM, SEM, TEM, and Raman. As a result of the superior thermomechanical properties of sapphire, this heteroepitaxial system may enable wafer-size heteroepitaxial diamond growth in the near future.
Statistical validation of parametric approximations to the master equation

A number of analytical and Monte Carlo sampling algorithms have been proposed to provide approximate solutions to the master equation. Unfortunately, to maintain accuracy and computational efficiency, most algorithms require specification of well-chosen parameter values. We have recently developed a rigorous statistical hypothesis testing framework that is capable of determining the validity of a given approximation scheme with a specific choice for the parameter values. In this paper, we extend this technique to address the “multiple-testing” problem, in which a set of parameter values is tested simultaneously. This allows for effective tuning of approximation algorithms and for empirically studying the range of validity of a given approximation method.
Phaedra's Defixio: Scripting Sophrosune in Euripides' Hippolytus

While readers of Euripides' Hippolytus have long regarded Phaedra's deltos as a mechanism of punitive revenge, I argue here that the tablet models itself on a judicial curse ( defixio ) and that its main function is to ensure victory for Phaedra in the upcoming “trial” over her reputation. In support of my thesis I examine three interrelated phenomena: first, Hippolytus' infamous assertion that his tongue swore an oath while his mind remains unsworn (612); second, Phaedra's status as a biaiothanatos ; and third, Phaedra's claim that Hippolytus “will learn sophrosune ” (731), a speech act that, I conclude, anticipates the silencing effect on Hippolytus of Phaedra's death and her writing.
Environmental stimulation promotes recovery from haloperidol-induced extinction of open field behavior in rats.

Rats receiving 0.1 mg/kg haloperidol showed a progressive decline in their rate of spontaneous motor activity in an open field environment, suggesting that incentive motivational properties of stimuli in the experimental situation may be blunted by neuroleptic treatment. After removal for a short time-out in the home cage they were re-tested in this, or a novel stimulus environment, for a second observation session. Under novel (but not familiar) stimulus conditions haloperidol-treated rats showed an enhancement of spontaneous activity, similar to that observed in vehicletreated animals, and exceeded their previous low rates of crossing and rearing responses. As drug conditions were similar for the two haloperidol groups, it is likely that neuroleptic-induced effects on spontaneous motor behavior are sensitive to the stimulus complexity of the environmental situation.
Incidental experiences of regulatory fit and the processing of persuasive appeals.

This article examines how the subjective experiences of “feeling right” from regulatory fit and of “feeling wrong” from regulatory non-fit influence the way people process persuasive messages. Across three studies, incidental experiences of regulatory fit increased reliance on source expertise and decreased resistance to counterpersuasion, whereas incidental experiences of regulatory non-fit increased reliance on argument strength and increased resistance to counterpersuasion. These results suggest that incidental fit and non-fit experiences can produce, respectively, more superficial or more thorough processing of persuasive messages. The mechanisms underlying these effects, and the conditions under which they should and should not be expected, are discussed.
Linear fractional programming and duality

This paper presents a dual of a general linear fractional functionals programming problem. Dual is shown to be a linear programming problem. Along with other duality theorems, complementary slackness theorem is also proved. A simple numerical example illustrates the result.
Quantifying object salience by equating distractor effects.

Abstract It is commonly believed that objects viewed in certain contexts may be more or less salient. Measurements of salience have usually relied on asking observers “How much does this object stand out against the background?”. In this study, we measured the salience of objects by assessing the distraction they produce for subjects searching for a different, pre-specified target. Distraction was measured through response times, but changes in response times were not assumed to be a linear measure of distracting potency. The analysis rested on measuring the effects of varying disparities—in size, luminance, and both—between a target object, a key distractor, and other background items. Our results indicate: (1) object salience defined by luminance or size disparity is determined by the ratio between its defining feature value and the corresponding feature value of background items; this finding is congenial to Weber’s law for discrimination thresholds. (2) If we define salience as the logarithm of a feature value ratio, then salience increases approximately as fast due to increase in area as due to increase in luminance. (3) The sum of salience arising from object-background disparity in both size and luminance is larger than their vector sum (orthogonal vectors), but smaller than their scalar sum.
A Bayesian computer vision system for modeling human interactions

We describe a real-time computer vision and machine learning system for modeling and recognizing human behaviors in a visual surveillance task. The system deals in particularly with detecting when interactions between people occur and classifying the type of interaction. Examples of interesting interaction behaviors include following another person, altering one's path to meet another, and so forth. Our system combines top-down with bottom-up information in a closed feedback loop, with both components employing a statistical Bayesian approach. We propose and compare two different state-based learning architectures, namely, HMMs and CHMMs for modeling behaviors and interactions. Finally, a synthetic "Alife-style" training system is used to develop flexible prior models for recognizing human interactions. We demonstrate the ability to use these a priori models to accurately classify real human behaviors and interactions with no additional tuning or training.
Melatonin cytotoxicity in human leukemia cells: relation with its pro‐oxidant effect

Melatonin has a variety of functions in human physiology and is involved in a number of pathological events including neoplastic processes. The tissue protective actions of melatonin are attributed to its antioxidant activity though, under certain conditions, melatonin might also exert oxidant effects, particularly in cancer cells. This study evaluated the effects of 10(-5) and 10(-3) m concentrations of melatonin on human leukemia cells. Moderate cytotoxic effects of melatonin at 10(-3) m concentrations were observed in CMK, Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells which was associated with significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Melatonin treatment was not associated with significant cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells, although the generation of ROS was significantly increased. K562 and Daudi cells did not appear to be effected by melatonin treatment. Cellular membrane lipid peroxidation was not influenced by melatonin with the exception of CMK cells. Cell cycle kinetics were not affected in melatonin-treated samples, again with the exception of CMK cells which showed increased apoptosis. Melatonin, therefore, induces the production of ROS that may be associated with cytotoxicity depending on the concentration of melatonin in some leukemia cells and does not appear to stimulate leukemia cell growth. These pro-oxidant actions of melatonin may assist in limiting leukemic cell growth.
Improving Schools through Networks: A New Approach to Urban School Reform:

Research suggests that decentralized management reforms have produced changes in classroom practice and higher student achievement in some schools. However, many schools simply do not have the capacity to improve on their own. A few school districts are experimenting with a new approach to school reform—school networks—that relies on collaboration between schools. This article draws on data from an evaluation of the Annenberg Challenge in Los Angeles, a reform effort that experimented with school networks as a vehicle for improving schools. As a theoretical framework, the authors applied Lawler's (1991) high-involvement model, which suggests that in order for an organization's improvement efforts to be successful, resources must be decentralized, and stakeholders must be actively collaborating on the reform process. The authors found that when school networks created structures that decentralized power and distributed organizational resources throughout the network, they also enhanced school capacity for ...
Tracing Recharge from Sinking Streams over Spatial Dimensions of Kilometers in a Karst Aquifer

Stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen were used to trace the sources of recharge from sinking streams to wells and springs several kilometers downgradient in the karst Madison aquifer near Rapid City, South Dakota. Temporal sampling of streamflow above the swallets identified a distinct isotopic signature that was used to define the spatial dimensions of recharge to the aquifer. When more than one sinking stream was determined to be recharging a well or spring, the proportions were approximated using a two-component mixing model. From the isotopic analysis, it is possible to link sinking stream recharge to individual wells or springs in the Rapid City area and illustrate there is significant lateral movement of ground water across surface drainage basins. These results emphasize that well-head protection strategies developed for carbonate aquifers that provide industrial and municipal water supplies need to consider lateral movement of ground-water flow from adjacent surface drainage basins.
A simple methodology to assess endolysosomal protease activity involved in antigen processing in human primary cells

Background Endolysosomes play a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of the cell. They are made of a complex set of proteins that degrade lipids, proteins and sugars. Studies involving endolysosome contribution to cellular functions such as MHC class I and II epitope production have used recombinant endolysosomal proteins, knockout mice that lack one of the enzymes or purified organelles from human tissue. Each of these approaches has some caveats in analyzing endolysosomal enzyme functions.
Spinal injection of TNF-α-activated astrocytes produces persistent pain symptom mechanical allodynia by releasing monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

Accumulating evidence suggests that spinal astrocytes play an important role in the genesis of persistent pain, by increasing the activity of spinal cord nociceptive neurons, i.e., central sensitization. However, direct evidence of whether activation of astrocytes is sufficient to induce chronic pain symptoms is lacking. We investigated whether and how spinal injection of activated astrocytes could produce mechanical allodynia, a cardinal feature of chronic pain, in naive mice. Spinal (intrathecal) injection of astrocytes, which were prepared from cerebral cortexes of neonatal mice and briefly stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), induced a substantial decrease in paw withdrawal thresholds, indicating the development of mechanical allodynia. This allodynia was prevented when the astrocyte cultures were pretreated with a peptide inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), D-JNKI-1. Of note a short exposure of astrocytes to TNF-α for 15 min dramatically increased the expression and release of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), even 3 h after TNF-α withdrawal, in a JNK-dependent manner. In parallel, intrathecal administration of TNF-α induced MCP-1 expression in spinal cord astrocytes. In particular, mechanical allodynia induced by TNF-α-activated astrocytes was reversed by a MCP-1 neutralizing antibody. Finally, pretreatment of astrocytes with MCP-1 siRNA attenuated astrocytes-induced mechanical allodynia. Taken together, our results suggest that activated astrocytes are sufficient to produce persistent pain symptom in naive mice by releasing MCP-1.
An architecture and an algorithm for fully digital correction of monolithic pipelined ADCs

Accurate trimming of the analog circuitry in analog/digital converters beyond 12 b is difficult. An alternative approach allows a margin of errors on all analog components and compensates for it in the digital domain. This paper describes such a method for pipelined or cyclic converters. Unlike in sigma-delta converters, no over-sampling is required. A powerful identification algorithm determines a limited number of digital coefficients, that linearize the response. No external measurement hardware is needed. Based on the known performance of state-of-the-art analog blocks, linearity of 16 b at multi-MHz sampling rates seems achievable. >
Music practice and participation for psychological well-being: A review of how music influences positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment

In “Flourish,” Martin Seligman maintained that the elements of well-being consist of “PERMA: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.” Although the question of what constitutes human flourishing or psychological well-being has remained a topic of continued debate among scholars, it has recently been argued in the literature that a paradigmatic or prototypical case of human psychological well-being would largely manifest most or all of the aforementioned PERMA factors. Further, in “A Neuroscientific Perspective on Music Therapy,” Stefan Koelsch also suggested that “Music therapy can have effects that improve the psychological and physiological health of individuals,” so it seems plausible that engaging in practices of music can positively contribute to one living a more optimally flourishing life with greater psychological well-being. However, recent studies on music practice and participation have not yet been reviewed and integrated under the PERMA framework from positive...
Headache as a Risk Factor in Atherosclerosis-Related Diseases

A group of 350 migraineurs (87 male, 263 female) and 300 controls without migraine (104 male, 196 female) were questioned about occurrence, in parents, of the atherosclerosis-related diseases (ASRD) of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HBP), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke as well as about recurrent severe headache (RSHA). Occurrence of DM, HBP, MI and stroke was compared for mothers and fathers of migraine vs. those of control subjects and no significant differences were found. The mothers and fathers were pooled and resegregated by presence or absence of RSHA and then occurrence of DM, HBP, MI and stroke again compared. For mothers there was increased occurrence of stroke and DM in the RSHA group but the differences were not significant. For RSHA fathers there was increased incidence of MI (p less than .10) and HBP (p less than .01). Aggregate occurrence of all ASRD was evaluated for RSHA vs. no-RSHA parents. ASRD occurred more frequently in the RSHA than in the no-RSHA parents (p less than .05). Breakdown by age showed that this occurred at all ages in men (p less than .05) but in women the difference was significant only under age 60 (p less than .05). This study suggests that RSHA, which is primarily migraine, may be a risk factor or a marker for occurrence of ASRD.
Teaching graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) how to teach

From 1992 to 1998, an Engineering Concepts course was taught to first year students at the University of Virginia (UVa). In that time, enrolments increased from 250 students to over 500 each fall. As the course grew, we employed a team of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) to provide individual and small group learning experiences. Over 50 students served as GTAs during the life of the course. They varied greatly in communication skills and teaching effectiveness. From 1994 to 1998, we compiled data on all aspects of this course, including ratings for individual faculty and GTAs. What makes a successful GTA? Why do some students fail to perform well? We reflect on our experiences with these graduate students and their contributions to this course. We also report the results of surveys of their students. There were some surprises, faculty members cannot always predict who will do well and who will fail as teachers. The issues raised by the undergraduate students in evaluating their GTAs are not always what we expect.
Decreased Perivascular Fibrosis but Not Cardiac Hypertrophy in ROCK1+/− Haploinsufficient Mice

Background— Rho GTPase and its downstream target, Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), have been implicated in diverse cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy. However, pharmacological inhibitors of ROCK are not entirely specific, nor can they discriminate between the ROCK isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2. To determine the specific role of ROCK1 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, we generated ROCK1+/− haploinsufficient mice and determined whether cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling are decreased in these mice. Methods and Results— Litters of ROCK1−/− mice on C57Bl/6 background were markedly underrepresented, suggesting lethality in utero or postnatally. ROCK1+/− mice, however, are viable and fertile with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities. Basal blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac dimension and function in ROCK1+/− mice were similar to those in wild-type (WT) littermates. Infusion of angiotensin II (400 ng · kg−1 · min−1 for 28 days) or treatment with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (1 mg/mL in ...