cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One-year outcomes from a prospective, randomized, eye-to-eye comparison of wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized LASIK in myopes.

Objective To compare wavefront (WF)-guided and WF-optimized LASIK in myopes. Design Prospective, randomized, eye-to-eye study. Participants A total of 72 eyes of 36 participants with myopia with or without astigmatism. Methods Participants were randomized to receive WF-guided or WF-optimized LASIK with the WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform (Alcon, Inc., Huenberg, Switzerland). LASIK flaps were created using the 150-kHz IntraLase iFS (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA). Evaluations included measurement of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), Main Outcome Measures Safety, efficacy, predictability, refractive error, UDVA, CDVA, contrast sensitivity, and higher-order aberrations (HOAs). Results The frequency with which the WF-guided and WF-optimized groups achieved postoperative UDVA of ≥20/16 or ≥20/20 and the frequency with which the groups lost 1 or 2 or more lines or maintained their preoperative CDVA were not statistically different from each other (all P > 0.05). The frequency with which the WF-guided group attained a refractive error within ±0.25 diopters of emmetropia was higher than in the WF-optimized group (67.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 50.4–84.8 vs. 41.2%, 95% CI, 23.2–59.2; P = 0.03). The WF-guided group's mean UDVA was better than the WF-optimized group's UDVA by approximately 1 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study line (−0.17±0.11 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR], slightly 20/16; P = 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in contrast sensitivity, astigmatism, coma, or higher-order root mean square error between the groups (all P > 0.05), but the WF-guided group had less trefoil compared with the WF-optimized group (0.14±0.07 vs. 0.20±0.09; P P > 0.05). Conclusions Wavefront-guided and WF-optimized LASIK using the Alcon WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform provide similar results in myopic patients; however, the WF-guided approach may yield small gains in visual acuity, predictability, and HOAs. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Towards therapy using RNA interference.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules are short sequences of double-stranded RNA 19–27 bp in length, which suppress expression of target genes by inducing the breakdown of the cognate mRNA through mechanisms that are still being elucidated. siRNA molecules can be chemically synthesized or prepared through digestion of larger double-stranded RNA molecules using recombinant dicer or RNAase III enzyme. siRNA molecules can also be encoded by plasmid or virus vectors or expressed in transgenic animals. Design of siRNA sequences that efficiently suppress target genes can sometimes be challenging, although digestion of large double-standed RNA species with recombinant dicer or RNAase III may remove the necessity for testing multiple candidate siRNA. Exogenous siRNA can suppress translation for varying amounts of time depending on the half-life of the protein targeted. Vector-mediated approaches may improve duration but their use can be limited by the permanency and efficiency of transduction. Potential therapeutic targets for siRNA include viral and non-viral pathogens, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, septic shock and macular degeneration. Suppression of expression via siRNA is also an extremely useful research tool for ascertaining gene function. Looking ahead to clinical applications, it will be important to know the consequences of inadvertent suppression of non-targeted sequences. If safety can be established, siRNA has the potential to significantly impact the field of molecular medicine.
Numerical semigroups whose fractions are of maximal embedding dimension

Each saturated (resp., Arf) numerical semigroup S has the property that each of its fractions \(\frac{S}{k}\) is saturated (resp., Arf), but the property of being of maximal embedding dimension (MED) is not stable under formation of fractions. If S is a numerical semigroup, then S is MED (resp., Arf; resp., saturated) if and only if, for each 2≤k∈ℕ, \(S = \frac{T}{k}\) for infinitely many MED (resp., Arf; resp., saturated) numerical semigroups T. Let \(\mathcal{A}\) (resp., \(\mathcal{F}\)) be the class of Arf numerical semigroups (resp., of numerical semigroups each of whose fractions is of maximal embedding dimension). Then there exists an infinite strictly ascending chain \(\mathcal{A} =\mathcal{C}_{1} \subset\mathcal{C}_{2} \subset\mathcal{C}_{3}\subset \,\cdots\, \subset\mathcal{F}\), where, like \(\mathcal{A}\) and \(\mathcal{F}\), each \(\mathcal{C}_{n}\) is stable under the formation of fractions.
Relative quantification of long chain branching in essentially linear polyethylenes

Abstract The aim of this work is to describe a method whereby low levels of long chain branching, LCB, can be quantified on a relative basis for whole, unfractionated, and essentially linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymers. The method is based on a well established, relatively fast and robust experiment, namely the measurement of the linear viscoelastic properties by a single, isothermal, small amplitude oscillatory shear experiment. The analysis of the data is predicated on the use of the so-called van Gurp–Palmen plots (the phase angle, δ (=tan −1 ( G ″/ G ′)), plotted against the absolute value of the dynamic complex modulus, |G∗| = ( G ′ 2 +G ″ 2 ) 1/2 ). From this plot, the value of δ at | G ∗| = 10 kPa is recorded, and it is demonstrated that the amount of LCB inversely correlates with such value of the phase angle, δ . Depending on the desired frequency range, the experiment duration varies between 15 and 60 min rendering this technique well suited for high throughput parallel testing. Its applicability is critically examined with a wide variety of commercial ethylene/α-olefin copolymers. Moreover, we have improved on the long chain branching index (LCBI) proposed by Shroff and Mavridis [Shroff RN, Mavridis H. Long-chain-branching index for essentially linear polyethylenes. Macromolecules 1999;32:8454–64] by basing it on data of truly linear polyethylenes (hydrogenated anionically synthesized polybutadienes) instead of apparently linear commercial polyethylenes.
Pesticide contamination of private well water, a growing rural health concern

The Iowa Statewide Rural Well Water Survey (SWRL) was conducted between April 1988 and June 1989. SWRL was designed to provide a statistically valid assessment of the proportion of private rural wells and rural Iowa residents affected by various environmental contaminants. The survey was a systematic sample, stratified by rural population density. Approximately 14% of wells had detections of pesticides: 16 pesticide compounds (mostly herbicides) were detected, including 11 parent compounds and 5 environmental metabolites; 16 pesticides (mostly insecticides) were not detected. Atrazine and its metabolites were found in 8% of wells. Multiple residues were detected in all regions of the state. The mean concentrations were generally <1 μg/L. Lifetime Health Advisory Levels (HALs) were exceeded in 1.2% of private, rural wells in Iowa. Detailed evaluations of these sites indicate 25% are caused by point source contamination (spill and back-siphoning), while the majority, 62.5%, appear to be nonpoint sources related to normal agricultural practices. Statistical analyses show significant associations between many water quality parameters tested during SWRL, but the associations are not strong predictors based on state-wide data. By far the most significant factor explaining water quality variations is well depth.
Characterization of a ΣΔ-based CMOS monolithic detector

This paper is a progress report of the design and characterization of a monolithic CMOS detector with an on-chip ΣΔ ADC. A brief description of the design and operation is given. Backside processing steps to allow for backside illumination are summarized. Current characterization results are given for pre- and post-thinned detectors. Characterization results include measurements of: gain photodiode capacitance, dark current, linearity, well depth, relative quantum efficiency, and read noise. Lastly, a detector re-design is described; and initial measurements of its photodiode capacitance and read noise are presented.
Analysis of Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes in the Mouse Cochlea by Means of the Polymerase Chain Reaction

: Total RNA was extracted with guanidine thiocyanate from the cochleas of 16-day-old CBAJ mice. The mRNA was purified from the total RNA using oligo-dT cellulose, and the mRNA was treated with DNase to degrade genomic DNA. After reverse transcription, resulting cDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers specific for the nucleotide sequences m1-m5, representing subtypes of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. PCR products corresponding to subtypes m1, m3, and m5, but not to m2 and m4, were amplified. These results suggest that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of these odd-numbered subtypes are expressed in the mammalian cochlea.
Declarative fence insertion

Previous work has shown how to insert fences that enforce sequential consistency. However, for many concurrent algorithms, sequential consistency is unnecessarily strong and can lead to high execution overhead. The reason is that, often, correctness relies on the execution order of a few specific pairs of instructions. Algorithm designers can declare those execution orders and thereby enable memory-model-independent reasoning about correctness and also ease implementation of algorithms on multiple platforms. The literature has examples of such reasoning, while tool support for enforcing the orders has been lacking until now. In this paper we present a declarative approach to specify and enforce execution orders. Our fence insertion algorithm first identifies the execution orders that a given memory model enforces automatically, and then inserts fences that enforce the rest. Our benchmarks include three off-the-shelf transactional memory algorithms written in C/C++ for which we specify suitable execution orders. For those benchmarks, our experiments with the x86 and ARMv7 memory models show that our tool inserts fences that are competitive with those inserted by the original authors. Our tool is the first to insert fences into transactional memory algorithms and it solves the long-standing problem of how to easily port such algorithms to a novel memory model.
Second-Line Chemotherapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Recent Data with Pemetrexed

Platinum-based chemotherapy offers a modest survival advantage over best supportive care (BSC) in chemotherapy-naive patients with a good performance status and advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on 2 landmark studies that reported improved survival times and quality of life when comparing docetaxel with ifosfamide, vinorelbine, or BSC alone, docetaxel at 75 mg/m(2) given once every 3 weeks has been the standard of care as second-line chemotherapy since 2000. Docetaxel given at this dose and schedule resulted in significant hematologic toxicity, with many patients at risk for neutropenic fever. Pemetrexed is a novel multitargeted antifolate agent with single-agent activity in first- and second-line treatment of NSCLC. A phase III study in 571 patients comparing pemetrexed with docetaxel demonstrated clinically equivalent therapeutic outcomes in second-line treatment of patients with recurrent NSCLC; however, patients on the pemetrexed arm had a more favorable hematologic toxicity profile, with fewer episodes of neutropenia, neutropenic fever, and infections and less use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Based on these data, pemetrexed is a reasonable second-line chemotherapy option for patients with recurrent, advanced NSCLC.
Clinical considerations for the allied professional: Programming issues in cardiac resynchronization therapy

grammed? Answer: The basic premise in CRT programming is to maintain a wide range of atrial-synchronous biventricular pacing: low base rate in patients without sinus node dysfunction, high upper tracking rate per age-based predicted heart rate, and optimal AV interval in VDD or DDD mode. 2. Can AV delay be optimized empirically? Answer: Sensed AV (S-AV) delay averaging 100 ms may be optimal in the majority of patients but should be confirmed with subjective clinical response. Paced AV (P-AV) delay is programmed 30 ms longer than S-AV delay. If intrinsic intraatrial delay or latency (stimulus-to-P) is noted, P-AV delay is increased so that the P wave is not truncated and atrial depolarization is completed at the onset of ventricular activation. 1 Various formulas are used in approximating optimal AV delay based on intrinsic ECG intervals, e.g., optimal S-AV PR (ms) 0.50 (if QRS 150 ms) or PR (ms) 0.70 (if QRS 150 ms). 2,3 3. What are objective measures of AV optimization? Answer: The measures used in clinical trials include Doppler echocardiography for the Ritter method using mitral velocity, aortic velocity-time integral (VTI), and stroke
High resolution electronic spectroscopy of the A 2Σ− − X 2Π1/2 transition of PtN

The (2,0) vibrational band of the A 2Σ− − X 2Π1/2 transition of platinum nitride, PtN, was recorded at Doppler-limited resolution using intracavity laser absorption spectroscopy (ILS) and at sub-Doppler resolution using molecular beam laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. Isotopologue structure for 194PtN, 195PtN, and 196PtN, magnetic hyperfine splitting due to 195Pt (I = ½), and nuclear quadrupole splitting due to 14N (I = 1) were observed in the spectrum. Molecular constants for the ground and excited states are derived. The hyperfine interactions are used to illuminate the nature of the A 2Σ− excited electronic state.
In-situ scanning electron microscope studies of crack growth in an aluminum metal-matrix composite

Edge-notched specimens of a cast and extruded Al alloy-based, alumina particulate-reinforced composite in the annealed condition were tested in situ in a SEM apparatus equipped with a deformation stage permitting the direct observation of crack growth phenomena. Fracture in this composite is seen to proceed by initiation of microcracks ahead of the macrocrack; as deformation proceeds, the microcracks lengthen, and crack propagation occurs when the region of intense plastic straining becomes comparable to the macrocrack-microcrack distance. The sequence is then repeated.
Neutralization of human parvovirus B19 by plasma and intravenous immunoglobulins.

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a highly prevalent pathogen, and plasma pools for manufacturing of plasma-derived products have been shown to contain antibodies against B19V (B19V immunoglobulin G [IgG]). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The megakaryoblastic cell line UT7/Epo-S1 can be infected with B19V Genotype 1 and as demonstrated here by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of B19V-specific mRNA, also with the more recently discovered Genotype 2. Based on B19V RT-PCR analysis of infected UT7/Epo-S1 cells, an infectivity assay was established and implemented for a B19V neutralization assay. To investigate the role of B19V neutralization in relation to B19V IgG titers, more than 1000 manufacturing plasma pools were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma pools were found to contain a mean B19V IgG titer of 33 9 IU per mL, with the lowest titer at 11 IU per mL. These 11 IU per mL B19V IgG neutralized 4.6 log B19V Genotype 1 and greater than 3.9 log Genotype 2 infectivity. Accordingly, a 10 percent intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) product prepared from such pools was found to contain an even higher B19V neutralization capacity. CONCLUSION: A high capacity of B19V Genotypes 1 and 2 neutralization was demonstrated in plasma pools for fractionation, an inherent feature based on the constantly high titer of B19V IgG in these pools. The neutralizing activity of B19V IgG was shown to be maintained in the 10 percent IVIG product tested.
Papular mucinosis with myopathy, arthritis, and eosinophilia. A histopathologic study

A patient with biopsy-proven papular mucinosis, plus the characteristic IgG lambda light chain paraproteinemia, also developed a severe proximal myopathy, seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis, and marked eosinophilia. Muscle enzymes were elevated, EMG was compatible with polymositis, and muscle biopsy revealed an atypical necrotizing vacuolar myopathy. Synovial biopsy revealed an inflammatory synovitis with Class II synovial fluid. No mucin deposition was detectable in muscle or synovium. During 7 years of observation, corticosteroids and various immunosuppressive agents were successively administered with little benefit. Recently, weekly intravenous methotrexate and low-dose oral corticosteroids have resulted in clinical and laboratory improvement. It is suggested that the pathology in papular mucinosis may include serious rheumatic manifestations in addition to the cutaneous involvement.
Sealed Ignitron Rectifiers for Urban Transit Power Supply

Today, the mercury arc rectifier has virtually superseded the older forms of conversion equipment for supplying power to trolley coach and street railway transit systems. The present trend when selecting a rectifier rated 1,000 kw or less is to choose the sealed ignitron type. The sealed ignitron rectifier is metal-enclosed, which makes possible a unit substation type of equipment when it is combined with metal-enclosed switchgear. This gives increased safety to personnel and a reduction in installation cost. A number of substation arrangements are possible, including installation of part or even all of the equipment outdoors in weatherproof enclosures, thus reducing building costs. Operating experience with close to 4,000 sealed ignitron tubes has demonstrated that they can be expected to have an average life of alt least six years. Their 1-minute rating of 200 per cent load is more than adequate to handle an urban transit load composed of a number of small increments, where diversity serves to reduce the magnitude of peak swings. In keeping with the smaller equipment ratings possible with sealed ignitrons, light-duty switchgear has been introduced having the necessary current and interrupting ratings at lower initial cost. The high reliability of rectifiers makes it possible in many cases to install a single-unit substation where before two smaller conversion units would have been used. Operators are beginning to recognize this and to take advantage of the savings this accomplishes.
SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF CERTAIN TERVALENT LANTHANIDES WITH OXINE IN THE PRESENCE OP 4,4'-DI-(5-NONYL)-2-2'-BIPYRIDINE

ABSTRACT Extraction behavior of certain tervalent lanthanides with chloroform solutions which contain 8-quinolinol (oxine), (HQ) and 4,4'-di(5-nonyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (DNBP) was studied. The stoichiometry, extraction constants and separation factors were determined. Yb, Ho, Eu and Pr are extracted as mixed adduct compounds, LnQ3·HQ·DNBP, whereas La is extracted as a simple compound, LaQ3. A difference between DNBP and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) is the number of neutral oxine molecules In the extracted species. In oxine-phen systems, the extracted species is LnQ3·2HQ·phen. This difference may be due to the steric effect of the nonyl-groups in DNBP.
Tim O'Brien's Quang Ngai

(2004). Tim O'Brien's Quang Ngai. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 57-62.
Bayesian Recognition of Local 3-D Shape by Approximating Image Intensity Functions with Quadric Polynomials

The recognition in image data of viewed patches of spheres, cylinders, and planes in the 3-D world is discussed as a first step to complex object recognition or complex object location and orientation estimation. Accordingly, an image is partitioned into small square windows, each of which is a view of a piece of a sphere, or of a cylinder, or of a plane. Windows are processed in parallel for recognition of content. New concepts and techniques include approximations of the image within a window by 2-D quadric polynomials where each approximation is constrained by one of the hypotheses that the 3-D surface shape seen is either planar, cylindrical, or spherical; a recognizer based upon these approximations to determine whether the object patch viewed is a piece of a sphere, or a piece of a cylinder, or a piece of a plane; lowpass filtering of the image by the approximation. The shape recognition is computationally simple, and for large windows is approximately Bayesian minimum-probability-of-error recognition. These classifications are useful for many purposes. One such purpose is to enable a following processor to use an appropriate estimator to estimate shape, and orientation and location parameters for the 3-D surface seen within a window.
The calculation of thin film parameters from spectroscopic ellipsometry data

Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) has proven to be a very powerful diagnostic for thin film characterization, but the results of SE experiments must first be compared with calculations to determine thin film parameters such as film thickness and optical functions. This process requires 4 steps: (1) The quantities measured must be specified and the equivalent calculated parameters identified. (2) The film structure must be modeled, where the number of films is specified and certain characteristics of each layer specified, such as whether or not the film is isotropic or anisotropic, homogeneous or graded. (3) The optical functions of each layer must be specified or parameterized. (4) The data must be compared with the calculated spectra, where a quantifiable figure of merit is used for the comparison. The last step is particularly important because without it, no {open_quotes}goodness of fit{close_quotes} parameter is calculated and one does not know whether or not the calculated spectrum fits the data.
Observation of bulk and edge magnetoplasmons in a two-dimensional electron fluid.

Two-dimensional magnetoplasmons are studied in a classical gas of electrons bound to a liquid-helium surface. A new and unpredicted resonant mode has been observed. The density and magnetic field dependences of this new mode differ strikingly from normal magnetoplasmons. These new resonant modes are interpreted as edge magnetoplasmons of the two-dimensional charge sheet.
Static noise margin and power dissipation analysis of various SRAM topologies

In this paper we analyze and compare 8 different SRAM cell topologies that are suitable for low power embedded memory design in terms of power consumption, area, static noise margin (SNM) and read and write delays, which are the basic parameters affecting the performance of an SRAM cell. The circuit simulation and analysis were carried out using HSPICE for 45 nm technology node. The SNM of each cell is examined analytically using SLL (Seevinck, List and Lohstroh) method. Throughout the design and analysis VDD is kept at 1.2V. For the determination of Read and Write Margin of SRAM cells, the cell ratio is kept at 3 and the pull up ratio is kept at 2 throughout the design. Our results will enable memory circuit designers to choose the appropriate SRAM cell for the required SNM and power consumption.
Lack of involvement of reactive oxygen species in the bactericidal activity ofCrassostrea virginicahaemocytes in contrast toMorone saxatilisphagocytes

Abstract As part of ongoing efforts to determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in eastern oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) immune reactions, the contribution of ROS to bactericidal activity was evaluated. By using striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) macrophages as a positive comparative model, it was shown previously that the ROS-generating capability of eastern oyster haemocytes is comparatively low and may be unable to exceed bacterial antioxidant capability. The current study tested the hypothesis that eastern oyster haemocytes do not rely on ROS-dependent bactericidal mechanisms by evaluating the ability of haemocytes to kill the non-pathogenic bacteria Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens in the presence and absence of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Striped bass macrophages again served as a positive comparative model. The inhibition of zymosan-stimulated ROS production by eastern oyster haemocytes and striped bass macrophages by the inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) suggests that an NADPH oxidase-like activity is associated with these phagocytes. The eastern oyster haemocytes were considerably more sensitive to the effect of DPI on ROS generation than were the striped bass macrophages: elimination of superoxide production by the oyster and fish phagocytes occurred at 0·5 μm and 5·0 μm DPI, respectively. DPI at these respective concentrations did not affect phagocytic capability. A DPI concentration of 5·0 μm resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the ability of striped bass macrophages to kill B. megaterium and completely abolished bactericidal activity towards P. fluorescens . A contribution of ROS to the bactericidal activity of oyster haemocytes was not evident, as 0·5 μm DPI did not affect the killing of B. megaterium and reduced bactericidal activity towards P. fluorescens by only 4%. Although significant stimulation of striped bass macrophage ROS production occurred in response to the test bacteria, exposure of oyster haemocytes to the bacteria did not result in enhanced ROS production. These data suggest that, in contrast to striped bass macrophages, eastern oyster haemocytes do not rely on ROS-dependent bacterial killing mechanisms. This conclusion does not preclude the possibility of alternative (e.g., regulatory) functions of phagocyte-generated ROS in eastern oyster and striped bass immunology.
Simulated climate change effects on ice and snow covers on lakes in a temperate region

Abstract A simulation model for ice and snow covers is applied to dimictic and polymictic lakes of the temperate zone to project the effects of possible climate warming on ice and snow covers. The winter cover model is associated with a deterministic, one-dimensional water temperature model. The lake parameters required as model input are surface area ( A S ), maximum depth ( H max ), summer and Secchi depth as a measure of radiation attenuation and trophic state. The model is driven by daily weather data. The model has been validated with extensive data. Standard errors between simulated and measured values are 0.12 m for ice thicknesses, 0.07 m for snow covers and less than 6 days for ice formation dates. The model is applied to simulate effects of projected climate change on winter ice and snow covers on different types of lakes in Minnesota. Lake depth and latitude are shown to have the strongest influence on freeze-over dates. Lake morphometry causes variations of up to 6 days in the mean value of ice-in dates. The trophic state and shape of a lake have little effect on ice-out date, but latitude is important. The projected climate change due to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (2 × CO 2 ) is obtained from the output of the Canadian Climate Center Global Circulation Model (CCC GCM) and the Goddard Institute of Space Studies at Columbia University (GISS GCM). The 2 × CO 2 climate delays the ice formation by as much as 20 days, reduces maximum ice and snow thicknesses by 50%, and shortens the ice cover period by up to 60 days. These changes would eliminate fish winterkill in most shallow lakes, but would endanger snowmobiles and ice fishermen. To illustrate the effect of projected climate change on winter ice/snow cover characteristics, separate graphs are presented for values simulated with inputs of past climate conditions (1961–1979) and with a projected 2 × CO 2 climate scenario. Independent variables used on these plots are a lake geometry ratio A S 0.25 H max and Secchi depth. The lake geometry ratio measures the susceptibility of a lake to stratification.
Determination of Oxygen Solubility in Liquid Foods Using a Dissolved Oxygen Electrode

A rapid method for determining oxygen solubility in foods was introduced. Fructose, glucose, sucrose, orange juice, apple juice, grape juice, grapefruit juice, lemonade, and tomato juice had similar oxygen solubilities at comparable °Brix readings. The equation: In [ppm O2] = 2.63 − 0.0179 (°Brix) − 0.0190 (°C) estimated to within 5% the oxygen solubility of sugar solutions and fruit juices at temperatures between 4°C and 40°C. At likely food concentrations, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and NaCl reduced oxygen solubility by less than 10%. Tests for component interactions were also conducted. There was no measurable synergism or antagonism between fructose, glucose, and sucrose with or without organic acids.
The replacement decision: Getting it right

Abstract Replacing assets is one of the most important and frequently made decisions in business. A review of the finance literature shows that treatment of this subject diverges widely. More importantly, the net present value decision model most often described discounts only the differences between cash flows and terminal (salvage) values of the replace and do-not-replace alternatives. It tacitly assumes that the risk and inflation factors associated with these values are the same. As a result, for reasons that are counterintuitive in part, it may select the wrong alternative. Through use of a case example, this article demonstrates why the currently popular approach presents difficulties. Further, it provides a model designed to overcome the problems by making each alternative's cash flow and terminal value visible, and assigning appropriate risk and inflation discount factors to each.
Built-In Generation of Functional Broadside Tests Using a Fixed Hardware Structure

Functional broadside tests are two-pattern scan-based tests that avoid overtesting by ensuring that a circuit traverses only reachable states during the functional clock cycles of a test. In addition, the power dissipation during the fast functional clock cycles of functional broadside tests does not exceed that possible during functional operation. On-chip test generation has the added advantage that it reduces test data volume and facilitates at-speed test application. This paper shows that on-chip generation of functional broadside tests can be done using a simple and fixed hardware structure, with a small number of parameters that need to be tailored to a given circuit, and can achieve high transition fault coverage for testable circuits. With the proposed on-chip test generation method, the circuit is used for generating reachable states during test application. This alleviates the need to compute reachable states offline.
US Wine Imports and Foreign Investment Opportunities

Demand for US wine imports, import planning process. Nerlovian adjustment model, short and long run elasticities, forecast The increase in wine imports, poses questions about a possible trend, and its implications for future investment opportunities of US wine companies in other wine producing countries. This article presents a model to explain the demand for wine imports in the US. Using econometric procedures we estimate coefficients of the major explanatory factors such as relative wine import prices, exchange rates, real per capita income, wine production capacity, and population. The model is used to forecast likely wine import volumes from 2003 to 2012. Even under conservative assumptions about trends of those explanatory variables we predict an important increase in US wine imports.
Examination of Expert and Novice Teachers' Constructivist-Oriented Teaching Practices Using a Movement Approach to Elementary Physical Education

The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of expert and novice teachers' constructivist-oriented teaching practices while using a movement approach to teach elementary physical education. Three expert and three novice teachers' constructivist-oriented teaching practices (18 lessons, 3 each) were evaluated using the Educational Games Observation Rubric (EGOR), a rubric specifically designed and validated for this study. Data sources included transcripts of two formal interviews with each teacher, transcripts of the 18 videotaped lessons, and coding from the EGOR. The expert teachers were more likely than the novice teachers to facilitate students' self-regulation and critical thinking about movement quality, to link new learning to students' prior knowledge and emerging relevance, and to guide students' social interaction. As with the expert teachers, the novice teachers encouraged students to engage in, elaborate on, and share ideas about movement variety tasks.
A dependent pathway of cytoplasmic polyadenylation reactions linked to cell cycle control by c-mos and CDK1 activation.

Abstract During oocyte maturation and early development, mRNAs receive poly(A) in the cytoplasm at distinct times relative to one another and to the cell cycle. These cytoplasmic polyadenylation reactions do not occur during oogenesis, but begin during oocyte maturation and continue throughout early development. In this report, we focus on the link between cytoplasmic polyadenylation and control of the cell cycle during meiotic maturation. Activation of maturation promoting factor, a complex of CDK1 and cyclin, is required for maturation and dependent on c-mos protein kinase. We demonstrate here that two classes of polyadenylation exist during oocyte maturation, defined by their dependence of c-mos and CDK1 protein kinases. Polyadenylation of the first class of mRNAs (class I) is independent of c-mos and CDK1 kinase activities, whereas polyadenylation of the second class (class II) requires both of these activities. Class I polyadenylation, through its effects on c-mos mRNA, is required for class II polyadenylation. cis-acting elements responsible for this distinction reside in the 3'-untranslated region, upstream of the polyadenylation signal AAUAAA. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) are sufficient to specify class I polyadenylation, and subtle changes in the CPE can substantially, though not entirely, shift an RNA from class I to class II. Activation of class I polyadenylation events is independent of hyperphosphorylation of CPE-binding protein or poly(A) polymerase, and requires cellular protein synthesis. The two classes of polyadenylation and of mRNA define a dependent pathway, in which polyadenylation of certain mRNAs requires the prior polyadenylation of another. We propose that this provides one method of regulating the temporal order of polyadenylation events, and links polyadenylation to the control of the meiotic cell cycle.
Dantrolene effects on neuromuscular function in cat soleus muscle

Abstract Dantrolene sodium (DS) was investigated for its effects on cat soleus muscle contractile properties and motor nerve terminal activity in particular. DS, 0.1–1.5 mg/kg i.v., caused a dose-dependent depression of indirectly elicited contractile strength which was more pronounced at lower frequencies of stimulation. Maximum tetanic strength at frequencies of 10–400 Hz was depressed to a lesser degree than contractile responses evoked by lower frequencies of stimulation; the twitch/tetanus contraction ratios were reduced with increasing dose, primarily because of diminished twitch. DS was without effect on motor nerve terminals as evidenced by normal post-tetanic repetition in the nerves following DS administration. Post-tetanic potentiation became relatively larger in amplitude as contractile strength was diminished. These data suggest that DS depresses neuromuscular function at a site other than the neural apparatus at the neuromuscular junction.
Saturday night retinopathy.

Abstract A case of unilateral ischemic retinopathy leading to permanent blindness in association with unilateral peroneal palsy involving the same side is described. The retinopathy and neuropathy occurred in a setting of heavy alcohol consumption followed by stupor; hence the use of the term “Saturday Night Retinopathy” appears appropriate. The similarity of this syndrome to that observed during face mask anesthesia or anesthesia during neurosurgical procedures utilizing a head rest and inadvertently producing increased orbital pressure, is striking. The spontaneous occurrence of this syndrome outside a hospital setting is unusual. The presence of massive retinal edema indicative of retinal anoxia and the absent ERG signal suggest partial or complete collapse of the ophthalmic artery secondary to orbital pressure as the major underlying mechanism of the retinal ischemia.
Properties of a Carbon Negative Electrode in Completely Inorganic Thin Film Li-Ion Batteries with a LiCoO2 Positive Electrode

Completely inorganic thin film lithium ion battery cells have been prepared by vapor deposition processes (vacuum evaporation and sputtering). The negative and positive electrodes were films of disordered carbon and lithium cobalt oxide, respectively. The results of battery charging/discharging and other measurements (e.g., in-situ lithium chemical diffusion constant measurements for the carbon films) indicate that disordered carbon films have a relatively high reversible charge capacity, (> 160 mC/cm{sup 2}-{mu}m, and possibly higher than 360 mC/cm{sup 2}-{mu}m, or > 296 and possibly 667 mAh/g, respectively, assuming the measured film density of 1.5g/cm{sup 3}), and a lithium chemical diffusion constant at room temperature {approximately}10{sup -9} cm{sup 2}/s. These results suggest that disordered carbon films should be good substitutes for metallic lithium in thin film rechargeable batteries.
Academic and administrative computing: what's the difference?

History of Support Services at TCNJ Until recently, the administrative departments at The College of New Jersey had always been treated as the younger, less deserving sibling in The College family. The academic departments always received the newest computers and networking upgrades while the administrative departments were allocated the "hand-me-downs." Academic departments have traditionally enjoyed the benefits of multiple support specialists, yet it wasn't until three years ago that a technical support person was assigned to assist the administrative departments.This paradigm began to change back in 1997 when our Information Technology department began a slow but steady shift towards a more ubiquitous technical support model. A number of fundamental changes in policy were implemented in hopes of better serving the technical needs of the campus.The largest and most sweeping change in our operation was the creation of two separate support structures - Instructional Technology Services and the Departmental Applications Development team.
Integrin and matrix metalloproteinase expression in human carotid plaque.

Background Neointimal thickening is the major cause of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting. The biologic behavior of these lesions is regulated by the interaction between smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells (ECs), and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Although the contribution of the cellular components of neointimal lesions has been extensively studied, the role of the ECM proteins in lesion remodeling is less well defined. Methods We examined primary and restenotic carotid endarterectomy specimens to determine their cellular morphology. Tissue was also preserved for protein extraction for Western immunoblotting and mRNA for RT-PCR and cDNA microarray analysis. Results All primary lesions demonstrated the features of complex atherosclerotic plaque. Restenotic lesions were composed of SMCs embedded in ECM. Microarray analysis demonstrated altered expression of 13 of 96 genes. Eight genes were increased more than 3-fold and five genes were decreased more than 3-fold in primary plaque compared with restenotic lesions. RT-PCR confirmed α2-, α6-, and β3-integrin gene expression in reference tissue, primary plaque, and restenotic lesions, with the greatest expression in primary plaque. Primary plaque demonstrated increased protein expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1). By zymography, pro-MMP-2, pro-MMP-9 levels, and MMP-2 activity were also increased in primary plaque compared with reference and restenotic tissues. Conclusions The decreased integrin expression and protease activity in restenotic lesions versus primary carotid plaques suggests that the neointimal lesions were in a quiescent phase. These alterations in protein expression and protease activity demonstrate the importance of proteinase/inhibitor imbalance in regulating plaque remodeling.
Ceramic composites with three-dimensional architectures designed to produce a threshold strength-I. Processing

A processing method was developed to produce a composite architecture that consisted of polyhedra of one material separated from one another by thin layers of a second material. The materials used for this study were selected so that the material separating the polyhedra would develop large compressive stresses during cooling because of differential thermal contraction. This architecture was developed to determine if it could be used to produce a ceramic composite that exhibited an isotropic threshold strength; a threshold strength has been previously demonstrated for periodic laminates containing thin layers in residual compression. To produce the current architecture, spherical alumina agglomerates were produced by suspending aqueous slurry droplets in an upward flow of a hygroscopic liquid; during the suspension period, the water was absorbed from the droplets, thereby consolidating the particles within an agglomerate. The agglomerates were then coated with thin layers of mullite-alumina using methods commonly employed in the pharmaceutical processing industry. The coated agglomerates were then consolidated into compacts by a two-step process in which the agglomerates were first uniaxially pressed at low pressure and then isopressed at high pressure. The uniaxial consolidation introduced a small degree of anisotropy into the composite architecture. Edge-cracking was observed for compressive layers containing 55 vol% mullite, thereby confirming that the appropriate compressive stresses were developed within the architecture.
Activation of a prophage-encoded tyrosine kinase by a heterologous infecting phage results in a self-inflicted abortive infection.

Summary Bacteria in their struggle for survival have evolved or acquired defences against attacking phage. However, phage often contribute to this defence through mechanisms in which a prophage protects the bacterial population from attack by another, often unrelated, phage. The 933W prophage, which carries Shiga toxin genes that enhance pathogenicity of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli strain O157:H7, also carries the stk gene encoding a eukaryotic-like tyrosine kinase that excludes (aborts) infection by phage HK97. This exclusion requires the kinase activity of Stk. Little, if any, protein tyrosine phosphorylation can be detected in a 933W lysogen prior to infection with HK97, while extensive Stk-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation is evident following infection. This includes autophosphorylation that stabilizes Stk protein from degradation. Although increased levels of Stk are found following HK97 infection, these higher levels are not necessary or sufficient for exclusion or protein phosphorylation. An HK97 open reading frame, orf41, is necessary for exclusion and Stk kinase activity. We hypothesize that interaction with gp41 stimulates Stk kinase activity. Exclusion of HK97 appears to be specific since other phages tested, λ, φ80, H-19B, λ-P22dis and T4rII, were not excluded. Infection of the 933W lysogen with a non-excluded phage fails to induce Stk-determined phosphorylation.
A frequency-method of evaluating ground-water levels

Water-levels in wells, which are utilized by the hydrologist as a measure of ground-water storage, customarily are measured in terms of distance below a convenient measuring point and expressed with reference to a fixed datum. Datum-planes or surfaces of several types have been used—each serving some particular purpose advantageously. These include: “Planes” of regional extent, such as mean sea-level; irregular surfaces defining a particular hydrologic condition, such as low-water level (if known) or the water-level on some particular date; and local reference-planes at each observation-well, such as a horizontal plane through the measuring point or at the average height of the land-surface. Recently the Geological Survey has considered the standard use of a land-surface datum, precisely defined for each observation-well. This procedure has the practical advantage that the water-levels can be recorded in final form as soon as the initial measurement is made, without leveling to establish a regional datum or waiting to accumulate sufficient data for defining a particular hydrologic condition.
Labor Location and Agricultural Land Use in Jilin, China

Conventional agricultural land-use theory overlooks labor location and its effects on land use. This paper argues that in labor-intensive commercial agriculture where labor concentrates in large labor centers (villages), the distance from the labor center is more important than the distance from market in determining land use and land rent and is important at both the microscale and larger scales. Both qualitative observations and quantitative field level land-use research in Jilin, China, support this approach. A new model is developed to incorporate labor location into the conventional land-use model. It regards agriculture as an industry using localized gross inputs.
Modeling and Characterization of Uncertainty for Optimization of Groundwater Remediation at the Umatilla Chemical Depot

Management of groundwater contamination is a very cost-intensive proposition filled with conflicting objectives and substantial uncertainty. A critical source of this uncertainty in groundwater problems comes from the data for the conductivity values for the aquifer on which the flow and transport of the contaminant is dependent. For a remediation solution to be reliable in practice it is important that it is robust over the error in modeling data. This paper presents our efforts to model the uncertainty for the Umatilla Chemical Depot site at Oregon, a difficult task given that the scarcity of available data precludes use of stochastic hydraulic conductivity generation techniques. The installation’s modeling team has divided the site into conductivity zones. We use the results from various pumping tests to establish plausible ranges for the hydraulic conductivity value in each zone. Realizations for each zone are then generated randomly from these ranges. The hydraulic head conditions resulting from each realization are then compared with measured head conditions. To incorporate spatial as well as quantitative differences in the comparison, the first moments of the hydraulic head scenarios are also compared. Unrealistic realizations are eliminated and the remaining realizations are ranked based on the moment values. The ranked realizations will be used for efficient sampling using Latin Hypercube Sampling within the framework of an advanced stochastic multi-objective genetic algorithm to obtain robust, reliable and optimal solutions.