cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface heat transfer and flow properties of vortex arrays induced artificially and from centrifugal instabilities

The paper presents and compares fluid-flow and heat transfer properties from artificially induced vortices in a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer and naturally occurring vortices due to centrifugal instabilities in a curved-channel laminar flow. Pairs and arrays of vortices are artificially induced by placing half-delta wings on the plate surface. With both arrays and pairs of vortices, streamwise velocities and total pressures are high, and surface heat transfer is locally augmented in vortex downwash regions. In contrast to vortices in the arrays vortices in the pairs tend to move in the streamwise direction with significant divergence (when the common flow between pair is toward the wall) or convergence (when the common flow between pair is away from the wall). The vortices in the arrays cause maximum peak-to-peak heat transfer variations of up to 12 percent of local spanwise-averaged values for initial vortex spacings between 1 to 2.5 generator heights.
Elastic moduli of perfectly disordered composite materials

Abstract Using the concept of correlation functions the overall elastic moduli of perfectly disordered composite materials are derived from the local elastic moduli in a rigorous manner. Explicit results which compare well with experiment are obtained for the shear modulus of aggregates of cubic crystallites. The results are close to those derived by the self-consistent method.
Reproductive Toxicology and Teratology of Abused Toluene

Toluene is an organic solvent that is widely used by industry and is ubiquitous in our environment. As a result, exposure to solvents like toluene in work-related settings (i.e., relatively constant, low-level exposures) or through inhalant abuse (i.e., relatively intermittent, high-level exposures) is increasing for many women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that the risk for pregnancy problems, as well as developmental delays and neurobehavioral difficulties, is higher for the children of women who have been exposed to high concentrations of organic solvents during pregnancy than for those who have not. These risks appear to be higher in cases of abuse exposure to solvents such as toluene, particularly in comparison to the risk for teratogenic outcomes with occupational solvent exposure. Despite this, the reproductive toxicology and teratology following abuse of toluene and other inhalants remains under-investigated. This brief review describes the current state of our understanding of the reproductive and teratogenic risk of gestational toluene abuse. The data to date suggest that the high levels of toluene exposure typical with inhalant abuse are more detrimental to fetal development than typical occupational exposure, and preclinical paradigms can be beneficial for investigating the processes and risks of prenatal solvent exposure. While substantial research has been done on the reproductive effects of occupational exposures to organic solvents, more research is needed on the outcomes and mechanisms of exposures typical of inhalant abuse.
Saccharide-RNA recognition in an aminoglycoside antibiotic-RNA aptamer complex

Background: Aminoglycoside antibiotics are known to target ribosomal, retroviral and catalytic RNAs with high affinity and specificity. Recently, in vitro selection experiments have identified RNA aptamers that bind to aminoglycoside antibiotics with nanomolar affinity and stringent specificity, allowing discrimination between closely related family members. There has, to date, been limited structural information on the molecular basis of such saccharide-RNA recognition. Results: We describe a solution-structure determination of the tobramycin-RNA aptamer complex, obtained using NMR and molecular dynamics. The structure gives insight into the molecular features associated with saccharide-RNA recognition. Tobramycin adopts a defined alignment and binds to the RNA major groove centered about a stem-loop junction site. A portion of the bound tobramycin is encapsulated between the floor of the major groove and a looped-out cytosine residue that forms a flap over the binding site in the complex. Conclusions: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and their impact on human health continues to be a major concern in the medical community. Rational modification of existing antibiotics aimed at improving their efficacy requires a molecular view of their receptor-binding sites. We have provided such a molecular view for a member of the aminoglycoside antibiotic family that targets RNA.
Ultrafast-laser Modification of Thermoelectric Sb2Te3 Thin Films

We have modified Sb 2 Te 3 thin film thermoelectric materials by scanning a femtosecond laser across the film surface to create track-like nanostructures. These nanotracks have widths of 50-80 nm and a periodicity of ∼ 130 nm. We show that the nanotrack morphology is highly dependent on laser fluence and scan speed. Moreover, we performed transient thermoreflectance measurements on a laser-irradiated film and found a thermal conductivity reduction of 4.5% in the nanostructured regions compared to that of the unmodified regions. These results suggest the potential use of femtosecond pulsed lasers to create nanostructured thermoelectric materials with improved performance.
Sonography of Traumatic Quadriceps Tendon Tears With Surgical Correlation

Objectives Using surgical correlation as the reference standard, the purpose of this study was to assess the ability of sonography to detect quadriceps tendon tears that require surgical treatment (high-grade partial tears and complete ruptures). Methods Two hundred thirty-nine consecutive sonographic reports of the knee (May 2001 to October 2008) with subsequent surgical correlation were retrospectively reviewed for surgical intervention on the quadriceps tendon. All sonograms were blindly and retrospectively reviewed. Surgical findings were compared with results from the consensus review. Results from the original sonographic reports (nonretrospective interpretation) were also compared with the surgical findings. Results On the retrospective consensus review, the sensitivity (23 of 23), specificity (16 of 16), and accuracy (39 of 39) were 100% for identifying high-grade partial tears or complete ruptures versus a normal quadriceps tendon. For the original, nonretrospective sonographic reports, 22 of 23 high-grade partial tears or complete ruptures (96%) were correctly diagnosed. Conclusions Sonography is an effective tool for identifying quadriceps tendon tears that require surgical treatment (high-grade partial tears and complete ruptures).
The use of sulfur to extract hydrogen from coal

Abstract The world's recoverable coal reserves contain about 3 × 10 10 tons of hydrogen. The reaction of sulfur vapor with medium-volatile bituminous coal produces hydrogen sulfide in yields up to 97% (based on sulfur), and utilizes 70–75% of the hydrogen from the coal. The conversion of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen can be effected through commercially proven processes; several laboratory-scale processes could also be scaled up for future use. The solid by-product of the coal–sulfur reaction meets or exceeds specifications for fixed carbon, ash, and friability of conventional metallurgical coke, though produced at lower temperatures than typical by-product coke ovens. A conceptual process is presented in which sulfur is converted to hydrogen sulfide by reaction with coal, the hydrogen sulfide in turn is converted to the desired hydrogen and to sulfur, and the sulfur is recycled through the reactor. The by-product is a good quality coke, but may also have other applications as a carbon material.
Development and validation of a procedure for the determination of minoxidil in hair-regrowth formulations using two variants of capillary zone electrophoresis.

A high performance capillary electrophoresis method was developed and validated for purity assessment of minoxidil bulk drug and for determination of minoxidil in Rogaine®. The principal use of the method was in analyzing illicit minoxidil-containing hair-regrowth samples. Although validated for Rogaine, the procedure proved equally viable on illicit minoxidil-containing preparations. The developed method fulfilled the goal of providing an orthogonal technique to HPLC for confirmation of the presence of minoxidil in these imitations. The method was validated on two instruments, one utilizing EK injection, the other gravity injection. It is selective for minoxidil, which is separated from known process impurities and the single degradation impurity. Validation figures of merit for linearity/recovery (accuracy) and precision were in accordance with current expectations for method validation.
Organizational adoption of supply chain management system: A multi-theoretic investigation

Abstract Supply chain management (SCM) systems have many benefits to firms, including minimizing the bullwhip effect, maximizing the efficiency of activities, reducing inventories, lowering cycle times, and achieving an acceptable level of quality. The key to realizing the benefits is the sharing of information among members of supply chain network via SCM systems. We survey more than 200 firms and the results show that firms tend to adopt SCM systems if they fit their major business processes and that there is a network externality to adopting such systems. Moreover, the aforementioned two forces interact with each other as the benefits of SCM system will be amplified in the supply chain network as the number of system users increases. Likewise, the problems of SCM system caused by the misfit between SCM system and major business processes will be exacerbated as the number of users in the network increases.
A critical appraisal of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition

Despite the success of abciximab in preventing ischemic events after percutaneous coronary interventions, attempts to develop intravenous, small-molecule glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists and diversify the clinical indications for these agents have produced varied results. The 30-day ischemic event reduction in the percutaneous coronary intervention trials has ranged by over three-fold (16% to 56%) and is greater among the acute coronary syndrome trials. The phase III trials exploring the role of oral glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition have been consistently disappointing, with evolving evidence of increased mortality. Mechanisms contributing to these heterogeneous results may include normal variation in platelet or receptor number, differences in receptor activity, interpatient variation in pharmacological dose-response and the possibility of prothrombotic or nonglycoprotein IIb/IIIa effects. Plausibility of "suboptimal" effect is suggested by several recent studies. Trials investigating the role of intravenous small-molecule IIb/IIIa antagonists highlight the importance of effective dosing. The increase in bleeding and mortality observed in the oral glycoprotein IIb/IIIa studies indicate the consequences of suboptimal dosing on safety on one hand, while raising the possibility of important prothrombotic, counterregulatory or other sudden cardiac events. This article will undertake a review of the relevant platelet biology, discuss the mechanisms that may contribute to suboptimal antiplatelet efficacy with these agents and examine insights from the clinical trials supporting these concepts.
Introduction: Ubuntu for journalism theory and practice

Media ethics is a complicated enterprise of many dimensions. But the future of media ethics depends primarily on theory. All aspects of research and professional practices matter, but the vitality ...
On analysis and modeling of cross-flow membrane filtration of particle suspensions

This study presents an overview and commentary of past investigations on cross-flow membrane filtration analysis. The basic assumptions used in these past investigations are scrutinized and problems concerning the availability and accuracy of relevant data for model applications are examined. Suggestions of future research are also offered as part of the study.
Hypocalcemia in patients with prostate cancer

We report a case of severe hypocalcemia in a patient with prostate cancer and extensive metastatic bone disease. The hypocalcemia in this patient was most likely on the basis of extensive accretion of calcium into the bones. We further studied 112 patients with prostate cancer, 15 of whom were discovered to be hypocalcemic on the basis of serum total calcium measurement. Fourteen of these 15 patients had bone metastases. Serum total calcium, total protein, and albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with bone metastases (n=61) than those without (n=51). Hypocalcemia could be explained on the basis of hypoalbuminemia or renal failure in these patients. Plasma ionized Ca measurements were made in 47 of the total 112 patients. Only one patient with extensive bone metastases was found to be hypocalcemic on the basis of ionized calcium measurement. Therefore, apparent hypocalcemia based on total calcium measurement is common in patients with prostate cancer (14% of all and 23% of those with bone metastases), whereas true hypocalcemia based on ionized calcium determinations is unusual.
BRAF as a potential therapeutic target in melanoma and other malignancies

We apologize to our colleagues for our inability to cite multiple primary references due to space limitations. This work is supported in part by the McCabe Foundation, the Mary L. Smith Charitable Lead Trust, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania Pilot Projects Program, and Grant #IRG-78-002-26 from the American Cancer Society (all to D.A.T.), by the NIH grants CA-25874, CA-47159, CA-76674, and CA-10815 (to M.H.), and by funds from the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute (D.A.T. and B.L.W.).
Recontextualising Positionality: Geographical Research and Academic Fields of Power

The first article of the first issue of Antipode began with a declaration concerning the values ascribed to publication and the nature of academic work in geography. With that thirty-year-old declaration in mind, this essay reflects on aspects of these values as registered in British academic geography. It does so with particular reference to themes that have been raised in a number of recent debates, namely the questions of commodification/marketisation of and reflexivity in geographical research and scholarship.
Quality of life of children with cystic fibrosis.

Objective To review health-related quality of life (QOL) and associated issues and to describe a study investigating "Child Health Questionnaire" (CHQ) scores in relationship to newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) and markers of disease severity. Methods A total of 36 patients from 10-15.5 years old who were enrolled in the screened or control group of the Wisconsin CF Neonatal Screening Project completed the CHQ. Scale scores comprised the dependent variables. Independent variables included study group and measures of disease severity. Analyses included Fisher's exact, 2-sample Wilcoxon, and t tests. Results QOL did not differ significantly between the screened and control groups for any of the scales. None of the comparisons of CHQ scale scores across measures of disease severity were significant in this small sample, but the CHQ and power were limiting. Conclusions Our results did not demonstrate a benefit of CF NBS on QOL; however, the CHQ may not be adequately sensitive to QOL in children with CF with disease severity comparable to our sample. The Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire, a recently validated CF-specific QOL measure for pediatric samples, is likely to provide a more informative evaluation of the effects of CF NBS on patients' QOL.
The application of reverse flow reactors to endothermic reactions

Abstract The concept of the reverse flow reactor traditionally used for mildly exothermic reactions has been extended to endothermic reactions and applied to the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. Periodic alternation of a reactant and a regenerating medium countercurrently over a fixed bed of catalyst in endothermic processes can be shown to result in higher conversions than traditional non-periodic systems. With this configuration several new process parameters are introduced such as total cycle time and the ratio of countercurrent flows. By judicious choice of operating conditions the hottest point of the reactor can be placed at the exit of the reactant stream allowing for much more favourable equilibriums and outlet conversions than if it were the coldest spot in the reactor as is common in steady-state processes. Two types of modeling are utilized. The first employs a technique which assumes that the switching is so rapid that the temperature distribution in the catalyst is in time independent steady-state. This high switching frequency model is compared against a more complicated time dependent dynamic model which traditionally is employed in reverse flow systems. Results for the first model are shown to be the limiting case of the dynamic model with fast switching. The models show significant conversion improvement with respect to existing steady state processes.
Transient analysis of sampled-data control systems

RECENTLY, studies of sampled-data control systems have been published1,2 which furnish exact and approximate expressions for the closed-loop transient response to an arbitrary external disturbance. However, the computations required are exceedingly tedious, even for the simplest type of system. Alternatively, a locus plotted in the frequency domain has been proposed by Linvill,1 to permit studies to be made of closed-loop stability (in accordance with Nyquist's criterion). Here again the computations are tedious. It is further pointed out that the Nyquist plot obtained in this manner applies only at the sampling instants and, as such, the well-known techniques pertaining to relative stability of continuous systems do not readily apply, although absolute stability is well defined by this technique. Consequently, in most practical situations, the designer has found it expedient to resort to analogue computer studies to determine how the transient response depends upon such factors as the sampling frequency or the velocity constant of the proposed system. The purpose of this paper is to furnish a set of dimensionless curves, based upon computer studies, which are of a sufficiently generalized nature to permit approximate design criteria to be established for a wide variety of system transfer functions.
The influence of clinical variables on hospital costs after orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract Background: The burgeoning influence of managed care in transplantation, coupled with a shrinking health-care dollar, has placed most transplant programs under intense pressure to cut costs. We undertook a retrospective cost-identification analysis to determine what clinical variables influenced financial outcomes after orthotopic cadaver liver transplants (OLTx). Methods: Fifty patients receiving 53 transplants between April 1995 and November 1996 were reviewed. Clinical data were obtained from our institution's transplant database, and total costs (not charges) for the transplant admission and the 6 months after transplant were obtained with use of an activity-based cost accounting system (HBOC Trendstar, Atlanta, Ga). Results: The average total cost of second transplants (n = 5) was $97,262 greater than for first transplants (n = 48, P
The influence of state-level economic conditions on presidential elections

Evidence from recent presidential elections indicates that voters behave as if they hold presidents accountable for changes in state-level economic conditions. Given the apparent political payoffs, it is almost a certainty that macroeconomic pump-priming (which affects state-level conditions on average) and certain inter-state redistributive policies would engender support from pragmatic incumbent presidents. The finding that state-level economic conditions can affect voting behavior is particularly relevant to the president already caught in an over-heated macroeconomic environment; for example, because of the peculiarities of the electoral college, Carter might improve his chances for re-election in 1980 by cutting some federal programs in Arizona and Nebraska (strong Ford states) and switching them to Illinois or Texas (closely contested states in 1976). Abolishing the electoral college and permitting popular votes to determine presidential-election outcomes would greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the president's political gains from such state-level redistributive policies. This study's findings also suggest a potentially perverse side-effect from the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) as amended in 1974. By legislatively equalizing the major-parties' presidential campaign spending, FECA has removed the natural fund-raising advantage of the incumbent president — especially Republican incumbent presidents. Removing this advantage could well increase the relative importance of other vote-getting activities — for example, the manipulation of national and state-level economic conditions. The findings for the 1972 election suggest that state-level campaign spending influences state-level voting outcomes. Since FECA has lowered major-party presidential campaign spending — which presumably has had the effect of raising the marginal productivity of campaign spending — the allocation of spending across states may be more important than ever in deciding presidential-election outcomes. Finally, the finding that state-level economic conditions affect voting outcomes raises the possibility that earlier studies which have found voter responses to national-level conditions may actually only be measuring the influence of state-level conditions (on average). Determining to what extent voters respond to national-level economic conditions after controlling for state-level conditions must await further analysis.
The management of cerebral perfusion pressure and intracranial pressure after severe head injury

Neurosurgical intervention attempts to minimize secondary central nervous system injury after severe head injury through the evacuation of mass lesions with subsequent manipulation of cerebral perfusion pressure and intracranial pressure. The normal brain couples blood flow to metabolic demand through autoregulation of the cerebral vasculature. After severe head trauma and its attendant increase in intracranial pressure, marked alterations in cerebral blood flow and perfusion may occur. Currently, intervention is based on maintenance of coronary perfusion pressure and aggressive management of intracranial pressure. Both may be impacted by manipulation of ventilation, systemic blood pressure and volume status, administration of osmotic diuretics, and head elevation. Such therapy in the patient with severe head injury attempts to maintain coronary perfusion pressure and adequate oxygen delivery in a damaged central nervous system with altered hemodynamics and raised intracranial pressure.
Spectrometric mixture analysis: An unexpected wrinkle

The spectrometric analysis of a mixture of two chemically and spectroscopically similar compounds is illustrated for the simultaneous spectrometric determination of caffeine and theobromine, the primary stimulants in coffee and tea, based on their ultraviolet absorbances. Their analysis indicates that such measurements may need an unexpectedly high precision to yield accurate answers, because of an artifact of inverse cancellation, in which a small noise or drift signal is misinterpreted in terms of a concentration difference. The computed sum of the concentrations is not affected.
Complete viral RNA genome sequencing of ultra-low copy samples by sequence-independent amplification

RNA viruses are the causative agents for AIDS, influenza, SARS, and other serious health threats. Development of rapid and broadly applicable methods for complete viral genome sequencing is highly desirable to fully understand all aspects of these infectious agents as well as for surveillance of viral pandemic threats and emerging pathogens. However, traditional viral detection methods rely on prior sequence or antigen knowledge. In this study, we describe sequence-independent amplification for samples containing ultra-low amounts of viral RNA coupled with Illumina sequencing and de novo assembly optimized for viral genomes. With 5 million reads, we capture 96 to 100% of the viral protein coding region of HIV, respiratory syncytial and West Nile viral samples from as little as 100 copies of viral RNA. The methods presented here are scalable to large numbers of samples and capable of generating full or near full length viral genomes from clone and clinical samples with low amounts of viral RNA, without prior sequence information and in the presence of substantial host contamination.
Larval secretions and food odors affect orientation in female Plodia interpunctella

Substrates contaminated by wandering fifth instar larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) elicit oviposition by conspecific female moths, and larval rearing diet enhances oviposition and also induces upwind flight. Two-choice oviposition assays determined that four-day-old gravid female P. interpunctella preferred to lay eggs on dishes containing cornmeal-based rearing diet compared to empty dishes. Pieces of cheesecloth contaminated by fifth instar larvae elicited more oviposition than untreated cheesecloth or dishes with food. The combination of larval contamination and food was preferred over food only or larval contamination only in both two- and four-choice experiments. The factor(s) in larval contamination responsible for eliciting oviposition in female moths was extracted in hexane, confirming that organic semiochemicals are responsible for the effect. The oviposition-eliciting activity of larval contamination was retained on cheesecloth for up to 30 days following treatment with larvae, suggesting the active component(s) is stable and of low relative volatility. In two-choice windtunnel bioassays female moths initiated flight only when rearing food was present in one of the treatments, and they displayed the highest landing responses to a combination of larval contamination and food. Earlier work on P. interpunctella and related pyralid species found that larval contamination due to secretions from the mandibular glands acted as both a spacing pheromone for wandering larvae and as a kairomone for host-seeking parasitoid wasps. The present study suggests that the same or a similar secretion acts as an oviposition-eliciting pheromone for conspecific females.
Nanoscale Reinforced, Polymer Derived Ceramic Matrix Coatings

The goal of this project was to explore and develop a novel class of nanoscale reinforced ceramic coatings for high temperature (600-1000 C) corrosion protection of metallic components in a coal-fired environment. It was focused on developing coatings that are easy to process and low cost. The approach was to use high-yield preceramic polymers loaded with nano-size fillers. The complex interplay of the particles in the polymer, their role in controlling shrinkage and phase evolution during thermal treatment, resulting densification and microstructural evolution, mechanical properties and effectiveness as corrosion protection coatings were investigated. Fe-and Ni-based alloys currently used in coal-fired environments do not possess the requisite corrosion and oxidation resistance for next generation of advanced power systems. One example of this is the power plants that use ultra supercritical steam as the working fluid. The increase in thermal efficiency of the plant and decrease in pollutant emissions are only possible by changing the properties of steam from supercritical to ultra supercritical. However, the conditions, 650 C and 34.5 MPa, are too severe and result in higher rate of corrosion due to higher metal temperatures. Coating the metallic components with ceramics that are resistant to corrosion, oxidation and erosion, is an more » economical and immediate solution to this problem. Good high temperature corrosion protection ceramic coatings for metallic structures must have a set of properties that are difficult to achieve using established processing techniques. The required properties include ease of coating complex shapes, low processing temperatures, thermal expansion match with metallic structures and good mechanical and chemical properties. Nanoscale reinforced composite coatings in which the matrix is derived from preceramic polymers have the potential to meet these requirements. The research was focused on developing suitable material systems and processing techniques for these coatings. In addition, we investigated the effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties and oxidation protection ability of the coatings. Coatings were developed to provide oxidation protection to both ferritic and austentic alloys and Ni-based alloys. The coatings that we developed are based on low viscosity pre-ceramic polymers. Thus they can be easily applied to any shape by using a variety of techniques including dip-coating, spray-coating and painting. The polymers are loaded with a variety of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have two primary roles: control of the final composition and phases (and hence the properties); and control of the shrinkage during thermal decomposition of the polymer. Thus the selection of the nanoparticles was the most critical aspect of this project. Based on the results of the processing studies, the performance of selected coatings in oxidizing conditions (both static and cyclic) was investigated. « less
Patterns of Local-Regional Management Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: Results From ACOSOG Z1071 (Alliance)

Purpose American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1071 was a prospective trial evaluating the false negative rate of sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients with initial node-positive disease. Radiation therapy (RT) decisions were made at the discretion of treating physicians, providing an opportunity to evaluate variability in practice patterns following NAC. Methods and Materials Of 756 patients enrolled from July 2009 to June 2011, 685 met all eligibility requirements. Surgical approach, RT, and radiation field design were analyzed based on presenting clinical and pathologic factors. Results Of 401 node-positive patients, mastectomy was performed in 148 (36.9%), mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in 107 (26.7%), and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in 146 patients (36.4%). Of the 284 pathologically node-negative patients, mastectomy was performed in 84 (29.6%), mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in 69 (24.3%), and BCS in 131 patients (46.1%). Bilateral mastectomy rates were higher in women undergoing reconstruction than in those without (66.5% vs 32.2%, respectively, P P =.002). However, 22% of patients who converted to node-negative still received axillary RT. Post-mastectomy RT was more frequently omitted after reconstruction than mastectomy (23.9% vs 12.1%, respectively, P =.002) and was omitted in 19 of 107 patients (17.8%) with residual node-positive disease in the reconstruction group. Conclusions Most clinically node-positive patients treated with NAC undergoing mastectomy receive RT. RT is less common in patients undergoing reconstruction. There is wide variability in RT fields. These practice patterns conflict with expert recommendations and ongoing trial guidelines. There is a significant need for greater uniformity and guidelines regarding RT following NAC.
Distinct roles for spontaneous and visual activity in remodeling of the retinogeniculate synapse

Sensory experience and spontaneous activity play important roles in development of sensory circuits; however, their relative contributions are unclear. Here, we test the role of different forms of activity on remodeling of the mouse retinogeniculate synapse. We found that the bulk of maturation occurs without patterned sensory activity over 4 days spanning eye opening. During this early developmental period, blockade of spontaneous retinal activity by tetrodotoxin, but not visual deprivation, retarded synaptic strengthening and inhibited pruning of excess retinal afferents. Later in development, synaptic remodeling becomes sensitive to changes in visually evoked activity, but only if there has been previous visual experience. Synaptic strengthening and pruning were disrupted by visual deprivation following 1 week of vision, but not by chronic deprivation from birth. Thus, spontaneous activity is necessary to drive the bulk of synaptic refinement around the time of eye opening, while sensory experience is important for the subsequent maintenance of connections.
Volatility of PuO2 in Nonreducing Atmospheres

The vapor pressure of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) was investigated in the range 1450° to 1775°C in air, argon, and oxygen atmospheres by a transpiration technique. There were strong indications that PuO2 can vaporize congruently or as a suboxide species, depending on the atmosphere. The δH°298 for vaporization in 1 atm of oxygen is approximately 154,000 cal per mole. The estimated standard free energy of formation (δG°f) of gaseous PuO2 is −121,000 + 10.7 T from 1227° to 1827°C.
Using the number needed to treat in clinical practice

The number needed to treat (NNT) is gaining attention as a method of reporting the results of clinical trails with dichotomous outcome measures. The NNT is defined as the number of patients who would need to be treated, on average, with a specific intervention to prevent 1 additional bad outcome or to achieve 1 desirable outcome in a given time period. Because it reports outcomes in terms of patient numbers, it is extremely useful to clinicians for making decisions about the effort expended with a particular intervention to achieve a single positive outcome. This special communication describes the NNT statistic and its utility for choosing clinical interventions.
Bounded robust control of constrained multivariable nonlinear processes

Abstract This work focuses on control of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear processes with uncertain dynamics and actuator constraints. A Lyapunov-based nonlinear controller design approach that accounts explicitly and simultaneously for process nonlinearities, plant-model mismatch, and input constraints, is proposed. Under the assumption that all process states are accessible for measurement, the approach leads to the explicit synthesis of bounded robust multivariable nonlinear state feedback controllers with well-characterized stability and performance properties. The controllers enforce stability and robust asymptotic reference-input tracking in the constrained uncertain closed-loop system and provide, at the same time, an explicit characterization of the region of guaranteed closed-loop stability. When full state measurements are not available, a combination of the state feedback controllers with high-gain state observes and appropriate saturation filters, is employed to synthesize bounded robust multivariable output feedback controllers that require only measurements of the outputs for practical implementation. The resulting output feedback design is shown to inherit the same closed-loop stability and performance properties of the state feedback controllers and, in addition, recover the closed-loop stability region obtained under state feedback, provided that the observer gain is sufficiently large. The developed state and output feedback controllers are applied successfully to non-isothermal chemical reactor examples with uncertainty, input constraints, and incomplete state measurements. Finally, we conclude the paper with a discussion that attempts to put in perspective the proposed Lyapunov-based control approach with respect to the nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) approach and discuss the implications of our results for the practical implementation of MPC, in control of uncertain nonlinear processes with input constraints.
Terahertz Wave Air Photonics: Terahertz Wave Generation and Detection With Laser-Induced Gas Plasma

Ultrabroadband, intense terahertz (THz) waves can be generated and detected using gaseous media as both the THz wave emitter and sensor, with a bandwidth covering the entire “THz gap” and well beyond. We review our most recent experimental and theoretical progress in THz generation, detection, and manipulation in laser-induced gas plasma. In the generation part, emphasis will be on the case with two-color excitation of gaseous media. Potential applications of these novel THz generation and detection techniques will also be discussed and proof-of-principle experiments are demonstrated.
Private Regional Universities as Alternatives to World Class Universities: Achievable Goals for Developing Nations

A predominant discussion in Asian higher education is the identification and value of world class universities. The pressure to develop world class universities is coming from two sectors. First, the governments themselves see a world class university as a critical prerequisite to moving innovation into the economy and thereby moving the economy ahead and also as a source of status and prestige for the country. Second, parents who are keenly aware of the best universities in the world apply pressure to have equally prestigious universities in their native countries. Although world class universities move the frontiers of knowledge ahead, and clearly help their nation by providing a source of scientists and educated professionals via their graduate schools, many students, especially undergraduates, may be better served by regional universities with emphasis on pedagogy at the undergraduate level. The purpose of this article is to propose that regional private universities provide an alternative, not a replacement, to large research universities as a meaningful investment for both the regional economy and the student.
Productive Replication of Ebola Virus Is Regulated by the c-Abl1 Tyrosine Kinase

Ebola virus causes a fulminant infection in humans resulting in diffuse bleeding, vascular instability, hypotensive shock, and often death. Because of its high mortality and ease of transmission from human to human, Ebola virus remains a biological threat for which effective preventive and therapeutic interventions are needed. An understanding of the mechanisms of Ebola virus pathogenesis is critical for developing antiviral therapeutics. Here, we report that productive replication of Ebola virus is modulated by the c-Abl1 tyrosine kinase. Release of Ebola virus–like particles (VLPs) in a cell culture cotransfection system was inhibited by c-Abl1–specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) or by Abl-specific kinase inhibitors and required tyrosine phosphorylation of the Ebola matrix protein VP40. Expression of c-Abl1 stimulated an increase in phosphorylation of tyrosine 13 (Y13) of VP40, and mutation of Y13 to alanine decreased the release of Ebola VLPs. Productive replication of the highly pathogenic Ebola virus Zaire strain was inhibited by c-Abl1–specific siRNAs or by the Abl-family inhibitor nilotinib by up to four orders of magnitude. These data indicate that c-Abl1 regulates budding or release of filoviruses through a mechanism involving phosphorylation of VP40. This step of the virus life cycle therefore may represent a target for antiviral therapy.
Anthrax toxin lethal factor contains a zinc metalloprotease consensus sequence which is required for lethal toxin activity.

Summary Comparison of the anthrax toxin lethal factor (LF) amino acid sequence with sequences in the Swiss protein database revealed short regions of similarity with the consensus zinc-binding site, HEXXH, that is characteristic of metalloproteases. Several protease inhibitors, including bestatin and captopril, prevented intoxication of macrophages by lethal toxin. LF was fully inactivated by site-directed mutagenesis that substituted Ala for either of the residues (H-686 and H-690) implicated in zinc binding. Similarly, LF was inactivated by substitution of Cys for E-687, which is thought to be an essential part of the catalytic site. In contrast, replacement of E-720 and E-721 with Ala had no effect on LF activity. LF bound 65Zn both in solution and on protein blots. The 65Zn binding was reduced for several of the LF mutants. These data suggest that anthrax toxin LF is a zinc metallopeptidase, the catalytic function of which is responsible for the lethal activity observed in cultured cells and in animals.
Analysing a System

In Chapters 6 through 8, we examine the essential steps in object-oriented software development:analysis, design, and implementation. To illustrate the process, we study a relativelysimple example—a piece of software to manage a small library—whose function is limitedto that of lending books to its members, receiving them back, doing the associated operationssuch as querying, registering members, etc., and keeping track of these transactions.In the course of these chapters, we go through the entire process of analysing, designingand implementing this system
Abstract A13: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) induced autophagy serves as an adaptive strategy for retarding mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major by-products of bacterial fermentation of undigested dietary fibers in the large intestine. SCFAs, mostly propionate and butyrate, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells, but clinical trials had mixed results regarding the anti-tumor activities of SCFAs. Herein, we demonstrate that propionate and butyrate induced autophagy in human colon cancer cells to dampen apoptosis whereas inhibition of autophagy potentiated SCFA-induced apoptosis. Colon cancer cells, after propionate treatment, exhibited extensive characteristics of autophagic proteolysis: increased LC3-I to LC3-II conversion, acidic vesicular organelle development, and reduced p62/SQSTM1 expression. Propionate-induced autophagy was associated with decreased mTOR activity and enhanced AMP kinase activity. The elevated AMPKalpha phosphorylation was associated with cellular ATP depletion and overproduction of reactive oxygen species due to mitochondrial dysfunction involving the induction of MPT and loss of membrane potentials. In this context, mitochondria biogenesis was initiated to recover cellular energy homeostasis. Importantly, when autophagy was prevented either pharmacologically (3-MA or chloroquine) or genetically (knockdown of ATG5 or ATG7), the colon cancer cells became sensitized toward propionate induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-7 and caspase-3. The observations indicate that propionate-triggered autophagy serves as an adaptive strategy for retarding mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death, whereas application of an autophagy inhibitor (Chloroquine) is expected to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of SCFAs in inducing colon tumor cell apoptosis. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):A13.
Synthesis, Osteoblast, and Osteoclast Viability of Amorphous and Crystalline Tri-Magnesium Phosphate.

Magnesium phosphate implants may be used for bone void filling applications, potentially replacing traditionally studied bioceramics, which suffer from limited resorption and inferior mechanical properties compared to natural bone. In this study, amorphous and crystalline trimagnesium phosphates were synthesized and characterized utilizing a variety of analytical methods. In vitro solubility and cytotoxicity of the corresponding amorphous and crystalline phosphates were also analyzed. Amorphous magnesium phosphate was shown to be more soluble than the crystalline counterpart in vitro while inducing mineralization of an amorphous phosphate phase mimicking hydroxyapatite-type characteristic morphology on the substrate surface. The rapid mineralization of the amorphous magnesium phosphate was found to promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells in comparison to the crystalline phase. Both magnesium phosphates hindered the differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts. The combined ...
Specialized Science: While specialization in science brings many advantages, it can have serious drawbacks as well

The weight of scientific knowledge pressures those working in specific disciplines to specialize further, following a pattern that resembles the guild system of the Middle Ages. Despite advantages such as efficiency, standard setting, and the potential for greater rigor, however, specialization carries risks of monopoly, monotony, and isolation. Science requires specialized knowledge bases that, inevitably, become too much for any individual scientist to master. Emphasizing microbiology, a field vulnerable to balkanization, we consider specialization and offer measures to mitigate its detrimental effects.
Vitamin-C Inhibition of Agglutinin Production

In a previous paper it was shown that ascorbic acid added to or injected simultaneously with horse serum hastens and augments specific-precipitin production in rabbits. A 10- to 30-fold increase in precipitin-titer is readily produced by optimal doses (about 50 mg) of this enzyme-activator. We have extended the study of the potentiating action of ascorbic acid to other antigens. The present paper summarizes our experimental data with bacterial vaccines and sheep erythrocytes (Forssmann antigen).About 200 two kg rabbits were divided into groups of 6. Each group was injected intravenously with an arbitrary dose of sheep erythrocytes, or of living, heat-killed or formalin-killed suspensions of B. proteus, B. coli or B. typhosus. One minute after each injection, 3 members of each group were given an intravenous injection with 50 mg ascorbic acid dissolved in 1 cc NaCl-solution.Very low antibody-titers were obtained as a result of these single injections. Within the limits of the experimental error ascorbic ac...
Application of multiple fluorescence RT-PCR in pathogenic detection of hand foot and mouth disease

Objective To detect the pathogens of hand,foot and mouth disease( HFMD) by multiple fluorescence RT-PCR.Methods The specimens from suspected severe and mild HFMD cases were detected by multiple fluorescence RT-PCR for enterovirus 71( EV71),Coxsackievirus A16( CVAl6) and the general enterovirus excluding EV71 and CVAl6( EV).Results In 851 specimens from 548 patients,twenty-four cases were found EV positive( untyped),accounting for 4.38%; Two hundred and eighty-five cases were EV71 positive,accounting for 52.01%; One hundred and twenty cases were CoxA16 positive,accounting for 21.90%; the rest were negative.There was no significant difference of the positive rate between the multiple fluorescence RT-PCR and single fluorescence RT-PCR( P 0.05).Conclusion The multiple fluorescence RT-PCR can be used for pathogenic diagnosis of HFMD in normal monitoring and emergency detection,especially in detection of a large samples,which can reduce the costs of supplies and labor.
Probe on the Development of the Central and Western Part of Hainan Province

The article states the features and advantages of the tourism resources of the central and western part of Hainan Province. Tapping the tourism resources in this area will make a great sense of overcoming the weaknesses existing in the tourism product of Hainan. In addition to this, the article analyses the demand market and puts forward some suggestions of developing the tourism industry in this area.