cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 10-Gb/s receiver with a continuous-time linear equalizer and 1-tap decision-feedback equalizer

This paper presents a wireline receiver design of CMOS I/O at 10-Gb/s data rate. A power efficient continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) and 1-tap lookahead decision feedback equalizer (DFE) are designed and implemented in a 45 nm CMOS technology. The DFE employs a sampler including a current injection section that makes no use of summer as a separated block. In addition, cascode structure increases kick-back noise immunity and reduces power consumption by 11%. The PLL used in the proposed receiver drives 5 GHz clock frequency with 12.62 ps pk-pk jitter. The core receiver circuit consumes 14.3 mW at a 1.1 V supply voltage when processing 10 Gb/s data rate with 15 dB of channel loss at Nyquist frequency.
Anthropometric measurements, job strain, and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in female medical sonographersf.

Objective Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to explore the relationship between anthropometric measurements, job strain and work organization factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms/occupational injuries in medical sonographers. Methods A cross-sectional survey of twenty-six female sonographers at a tertiary medical center completed a standardized symptom questionnaire and underwent anthropometric measurement. First aid events and OSHA reportable injuries were abstracted from employee health records. Results 96% of subjects reported some type of musculoskeletal symptoms within the past year, with shoulders (73%), low back (69%) and wrist/hand symptoms (54%) reported most often. PCA identified seven domains among the predictive variables: physical size, job strain, time on job, abdominal girth, work pace/variability, movement during study, and time spent standing. The magnitude and direction of effect for predicting musculoskeletal symptoms varied by symptom location. Abdominal girth was consistently associated with increased likelihood of reporting symptoms. Conclusion Sonographers work in a high demand/low control environment. Future studies of sonographers may need to include measures of both physical size and job strain. Reducing risk factors for one anatomical location may increase the risk at another location in this population.
Analysis Of Wind Power Integration With Power System Planning

Clusters and arrays of wind turbine generators (WTG) can be used to produce large-scale electric power which potentially presents an attractive alternative to electric utilities for meeting their load demands. This also means, substantial savings of conventional fuel and capacity. To bring about a conventional capacity displacement, wind power must itself have firm capacity. Two wind power models are developed to compute the amount of wind power from wind turbines in different configurations. The impact of placing multiple WTGs in clusters to get higher power levels are investigated. The advantages evolving out of site dispersal are also examined. In general terms, arrays of wind farms produce some firm capacity because of the diversity of wind at the dispersed sites. Methods for determining capacity credits earned for each scenario are presented in detail using a utility reliability model. The analysis is extended to include the competition against conventional expansion plants.
Synthesis of 1-Naphthol via Oxidation of Potassium 1-Naphthyltrifluoroborate

Potassium 1-Naphthyltrifluoroborate 1-Naphthol 1-Naphthaleneboronic acid Potassium hydrogen fluoride Keywords: 1-Naphthol; Oxidation; Potassium 1-naphthyltrifluoroborate; Safety; Waste disposal; Organotrifluoroborates; Oxone
Practice of Management Science---Patient States and the Technology Matrix

This paper describes the procedure used to estimate transition probabilities from a combination of expert judgment and empirical evidence using a Bayesian model. The matrix of transition probabilities called the Technology Matrix represents the Markovian process by which changes in states Patient States occur in the target population subsequent to receiving a specified treatment Service Package. The overall model in which the Technology Matrix is embedded is described briefly. The data collection process and limitations on data are outlined and the Bayesian procedure is developed. Results obtained from initial observations are used to illustrate the procedure.
Identification and estimation of parameters defining a class of hybrid systems

Abstract In this paper, we consider the problem of parameter estimation in an air brake system. In an air brake system, the pressure of air in the brake chamber and the displacement of the pushrod and their derivatives form a set of states that characterize the system. The position of a valve or mass flow rate of air is an input and the pressure is the measured variable or the output. The pressure acting on the pushrod of the brake chamber causes motion, and the mode in which the system operates depends on the displacement of the pushrod. The mode-dependent nature of the system is a result of different sets of spring compliances associated with the piston in different ranges of its displacement. The mode to mode transition in the air brake system is governed by a parameter which is the clearance between the brake pads and the drum. The clearance between the brake pads and the drum can vary due to a variety of factors — for example, brake pad wear or brake fade. In these applications, characterizing the transition from one mode to another requires a lot of constitutive assumptions, and it can be difficult to calibrate the parameters associated with the constitutive assumptions. We therefore treat the air brake system as a system in which the parameter governing the transition from one mode to another (clearance between the brake pads and the drum) is not known exactly. Clearly, this parameter dictates the time delay and lag between the command and delivery of the brake torque at the wheels and affects the stopping distance of the vehicles considerably. The problem of identification considered in this paper is as follows. Suppose that the pressure of the fluid were to be measured and that the motion of the piston is not measured. Is it possible to estimate the final displacement of the piston without knowing the parameters that govern the system to transition from one mode to another?
HI-RISE and beyond: directions for expert systems in design

Abstract This paper commences with a brief introduction to expert systems and then describes the HI-RISE expert system for structural design in terms of scope, problem solving strategy, knowledge representation and implementation. It then discusses the potential for developing an expert system capable of innovative design and describes the possibility of developing a generic expert system framework appropriate for any structural design problem.
Infant lower extremity tunneled picc placement and confirmation of catheter tip position using only ultrasound guidance: description of a novel technique

Purpose To describe a new technique of lower extremity PICC insertion under ultrasound guidance in infants. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of 11 pediatric patients (7 male and 4 female) who underwent lower extremity PICC lines placed by this technique. Under ultrasound guidance, from a tunneled medial thigh approach just above knee, a 21-gauge micropuncture needle was advanced into the common femoral vein. An 0.018” wire was threaded under ultrasound guidance to the lower cavoatrial junction using the liver as a window to visualize the wire. The needle was exchanged over the wire for a peel-away sheath and a 3 or 4 Fr power PICC line was cut to appropriate length. The final tip position was assessed by ultrasound using the liver as a window to ensure appropriate position below the cavoatrial junction and the PICC line was secured to skin. The technical success and complications were assessed. Results All 11 patients had technically successful placement of a lower extremity tunneled PICC line under ultrasound guidance. One patient required a radiograph at the bed side after PICC placement as there was suboptimal ultrasound visualization of the tip of the catheter below the cavoatrial junction. The median age of the patients was 12 days and weight was 3.36 Kg. Ten line placements were performed at the bedside in the NICU and one placement was in the interventional radiology suite. PICC placement was for TPN in four patients and long term medication administration in seven patients. A 3 Fr single lumen catheter was used in ten patients and a 4 Fr double lumen catheter was placed in one patient. There were no complications. Conclusion This method is a safe and technically feasible option for tunneled line placement in small infants. It avoids unnecessary radiation to localize the guidewire and catheter position. Time consuming intra-procedural digital radiographs used for assessing guidewire/catheter position and length during bedside placement are eliminated. The catheter can be used immediately, without a post procedure radiograph. The line placement can be performed at the bedside in infants not stable enough to tolerate transport to the interventional radiology suite.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis with retrobulbar mass and hemiplegia.

The clinical course and investigations of a three year old child who developed cavernous sinus thrombosis are presented, and the problems in the diagnosis and management highlighted. The peculiar features of this case were the presence of a retrobulbar mass and hemiplegia.
Short-time-scale (year) variations of petroleum fluids from the U.S. Gulf Coast

Abstract Evolving short-term (less than 5 yr) compositional changes in hydrocarbon charge from some Eugene Island Block 330 (EI-330) wells are demonstrated. Storage, analytical, and production artifacts are shown to be minimal. In some wells, compositions remain constant from 1985 to 1993, whereas in others in the same reservoir, significant changes are observed. In some cases, temporal variability is greater than spatial variability. Maximum temporal change is strongest for specific compounds: toluene and C 6 to C 9 normal alkanes, but is also observed to a lesser extent for higher-molecular-weight components (up to n -C 32 ). Principal coordinate analysis shows the highest degree of overall temporal compositional change over an 8-yr period in the shallowest wells where there is also evidence of biodegradation. Small temporal compositional changes are also observed in two deeper wells that are below the thermal window favorable for biodegradation. An exception is an unusual oil, where a very large increase in toluene, as well as smaller changes in a number of n -alkanes, was observed in 1993. The δ 13 C compound-specific isotopic signature of toluene, in addition to several other C 7 -C 8 compounds in this oil, yields convincing evidence that it is related to the same family as other EI-330 oils and unlikely to be due to a drilling or laboratory contaminant. Minor isotopic differences in other C 7 compounds (1.5‰) are consistent with extensive gas washing of this oil. The short-term compositional changes in EI-330 oils are attributed to gas washing, which causes overprinting of biodegraded oils with light n -alkanes in shallower GA and HB reservoirs where oils are currently being biodegraded in situ. Patterns of smaller changes in heavier compounds in both shallower and deeper wells are also consistent with this interpretation.
Hydrodynamic limit for particle systems with nonconstant speed parameter

We establish the hydrodynamic limit for a class of particle systems on ℤ d with nonconstant speed parameter, assuming that the speed parameter is continuously differentiable in the spatial variable. If the particle system is on the one-dimensional latticeℤ and totally asymmetric, we derive the hydrodynamic equation for continuous speed parameters. We obtain nontrivial upper and lower bounds when either the speed parameter is discontinuous or there is a blockage at a fixed site.
A fast chemoenzymatic synthesis of [11C]-N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate as a potential PET tracer for proliferating cells

Abstract Introduction Thymidylate synthase and folate receptors are well-developed targets of cancer therapy. Discovery of a simple and fast method for the conversion of 11 CH 3 Ito[ 11 C]-formaldehyde ( 11 CH 2 O) encouraged us to label the co-factor of this enzyme. Preliminary studies conducted on cell lines have demonstrated a preferential uptake of [11- 14 C]-( R )- N 5 , N 10 -methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate ( 14 CH 2 H 4 folate) by cancerous cell vs. normal cells from the same organ (Saeed M., Sheff D. and Kohen A. Novel positron emission tomography tracer distinguishes normal from cancerous cells . J Biol Chem 2011;286:33872–33878), pointing out 11 CH 2 H 4 folate as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for cancer imaging. Herein we report the synthesis of 11 CH 2 H 4 folate, which may serve as a potential PET tracer. Methods In a remotely controlled module, methyl iodide ( 11 CH 3 I) was bubbled into a reaction vial containing trimethylamine N -oxide in N,N -Dimethylformamide (DMF) and heated to 70°C for 2 min. Formaldehyde ( 11 CH 2 O) formed after the completion of reaction was then mixed with a solution of freshly prepared tetrahydrofolate (H 4 folate) by using a fast chemoenzymatic approach to accomplish synthesis of 11 CH 2 H 4 folate. Purification of the product was carried out by loading the crude reaction mixture on a SAX cartridge, washing with water to remove unbound impurities and finally eluting with a saline solution. Results The synthesis and purification of 11 CH 2 H 4 folate were completed within 5 min. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the product after SAX purification indicates that more than 90% of the radioactivity that was retained on the SAX cartridge was in 11 CH 2 H 4 folate, with minor ( 11 CH 2 O. Conclusion We present a fast (∼5 min) synthesis and purification of 11 CH 2 H 4 folate as a potential PET tracer. The final product is received in physiologically compatible buffer (100 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0 containing 500 mM NaCl) and ready for use in vivo.
Normal metal, ohmic contacts to high-temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films suitable for multichip modules

Normal metal, ohmic contacts to high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) materials will be used to form via structures between HTSC interconnect levels, and also, substrate bonding pads in a superconducting multichip module (SMCM). Specific contact resistivities below 10 -8 Ω cm 2 will be required for such contacts to control signal attenuation and local contact heating of the LN 2 -cooled SMCM. Previous work on normal metal/superconducting contacts has not focused on metallization schemes which will be stable during subsequent high-temperature processing. Metal contacts of gold, silver, and palladium were formed on superconducting thin films of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ via evaporation and sputtering through a shadow mask followed by annealing in various ambients and at several temperatures. Palladium contacts oxidized readily during anneal, and sputtered gold contacts required additional processing and exhibited higher specific contact resistivities. The best contacts were obtained by a controlled-cooling oxygen anneal of evaporated gold or silver, as indicated by normal-state specific contact resistivities of 3 X 10 -5 Ω cm 2 and 4 X 10 -5 Ω cm 2 , respectively. This work differs from previously published results by describing contacts which required no extensive preparation of the HTSC surface and were stable to 700°C, indicating these contacts would be compatible with subsequent high-temperature processing of the additional HTSC layers required in a multi-level SMCM.
The reaction of 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis (thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II) with thiols

Abstract The copper complex, 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II), slowly oxidizes thiol groups. Under conditions of excess thiol, the reaction leads to the dissociation of CuKTS. On the basis of pH and concentration studies of the rate of reaction, mechanisms are proposed for the reaction of CuKTS with mono- and dithiols. The rates of reaction of CuKTS with coenzyme A and dihydrolipoate have been measured. These results are discussed terms of proposed sites of the antitumor activity of CuKTS.
Ordered mesoporous carbon-titania composites and their enhanced photocatalytic properties

Abstract A series of ordered mesoporous titania–carbon composites was synthesized by self-assembly of carbon and titania precursors in the presence of Pluronic F127 block copolymer as a template under acidic conditions. Resorcinol and formaldehyde were used as carbon precursors and titanium isopropoxide was employed as titania precursor. Pluronic F127 [poly(ethylene oxide) – poly(propylene oxide) – poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer] was employed as a soft template. The controlled polymerization of phenolic resin precursors and condensation of titania precursor in hydrophilic domains of the block copolymer template followed by carbonization resulted in ordered mesoporous titania–carbon composites. These composites possessed uniform ordered cylindrical mesopores (7–8 nm) created by thermal decomposition of the soft template, crystalline titania particles (anatase phase, 7–8 nm) embedded in the carbon matrix, and high percentage of titania (up to 48%). N 2 adsorption analysis showed that the aforementioned composites exhibited large surface area (close to reaching 600 m 2 /g) and enhanced photocatalytic activity toward photodegradation of rhodomine B due to the presence of titania nanoparticles uniformly dispersed in the carbon mesostructure.
Creep and stress relaxation in bilayer Au/Si microcantilevers

We examine creep of thin film Au on curved bimaterial Au/Si microcantilevers. Time-dependent inelastic strains in the Au film lead to gradual changes in the microcantilever curvature over time. Curvature-temperature-time experiments are used to examine the effects of hold temperature and maximum annealing temperature on the inelastic response of the Au films. Experiments reveal inelastic strains in the Au films due to creep, recovery, and microstructural coarsening. At moderate hold temperatures, 30 °C < T < 175 °C, inelasticity in the Au films is observed to be a competition between creep and recovery. Creep strains are driven by tensile stresses in the film and serve to decrease the microcantilever curvature towards the equilibrium curvature of the underlying Si beam. Strains due to recovery of the metastable Au cause contraction of the film and the development of intrinsic tensile film stresses. The recovery leads to "anomalous’ changes in microcantilever curvature since the curvature gradually increases or decreases away from the equilibrium curvature of the underlying Si. The inelastic behavior of the Au film is shown to depend on annealing temperature through changes in initial film stress after thermo-elastic cooling and degree of recovery.
Influence of aeration on hydrophobic organic contaminant distribution and diffusive flux in estuarine sediments.

Dredging operations, resuspension events during storms, and bioturbation alter the oxic state of estuarine sediments and induce changes in the composition of dissolved and particle-associated natural organic matter. These changes may alter the distribution of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) in sediments and their diffusive flux across the sediment-water interface. In this study, the impact of aerating anoxic sediments on the distribution and diffusive flux of a model HOC, 2,2',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TeCB), was investigated. Anoxic estuarine sediments collected from three sites along a salinity gradient were used to determine site-specific apparent sorption coefficients for porewater dissolved organic carbon (Kpwdoc) and sediment organic carbon (Koc) under anoxic and oxic conditions. A two-compartment sediment flux model was employed to examine the diffusive flux of TeCB under both oxic states. Aeration of anoxic porewaters resulted in significant decreases in porewater dissolved organic matter (DOMpw) aromaticity as indicated by declines in molar absorptivity at 254 nm (p 0.10). The impact of aeration on TeCB distribution and diffusive flux appeared to be site-specific. Aeration of anoxic sediments induced a significant 1.4 log unit reduction in Kpwdoc at the lowest ionic strength site (p 0.10). The sediment displaying the drop in Kpwdoc also exhibited a significant 0.4 log unit drop in Koc (p 0.10). No significant change in diffusive flux was observed for two sites (p > 0.10), while a significant 89-110 mg m(-2) yr(-1) increase in diffusive flux was observed at the low ionic strength site (p < 0.10). This latter result represented approximately a doubling in diffusive flux. In the systems studied, facilitation of TeCB transport across the sediment-water interface by organic colloids did not appear important.
Plasma membrane expansion: a neuron's Herculean task

The formation of axons and dendrites and maintenance of the neuron's vastly expanded surface require the continuous addition of new membrane. This is achieved by membrane synthesis through the secretory pathway followed by regulated vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane, typically in the distal neurite. However, it is far from simple: multiple distinct membrane carriers are used to target specific membrane domains, dendrites seem to operate semi-autonomously from the rest of the neuron, and exocytosis for membrane expansion is different from that for release of synaptic vesicles. Current knowledge of this process and its implications for neuronal development, function and repair are reviewed.
Experimental histoplasmosis in the white rat.

SummaryThe yeast cell phase of Histoplasma capsulatum, when injected intravenously in suitable numbers, has been shown to yield a consistently reproducible fatal infection in the rat. The necessity for standardizing the inoculum on the basis of the number of viable organisms, rather than the absolute number of organisms, is emphasized.
Lysozyme as diffusion tracer for measuring aqueous solution viscosity.

Abstract Measuring tracer diffusion provides a convenient approach for monitoring local changes in solution viscosity or for determining viscosity changes in response to multiple solution parameters including pH, temperature, salt concentrations or salt types. One common limitation of tracer diffusion in biologically relevant saline solutions is the loss of colloidal stability and aggregation of the tracer particles with increasing ionic strength. Using dynamic light scattering to measure tracer diffusion, we compared the performance of two different types of tracer particles, polystyrene nanobeads vs. the small protein lysozyme, for viscosity measurements of saline solutions. Polystyrene beads provide reliable values for water viscosity, but begin flocculating at ionic strengths exceeding about 100 mM. Using lysozyme, in contrast, we could map out viscosity changes of saline solutions for a variety of different salts, for salt concentrations up to 1 M, over a wide range of pH values, and over the temperature range most relevant for biological systems (5–40 °C). Due to its inherently high structural and colloidal stability, lysozyme provides a convenient and reliable tracer particle for all these measurements, and its use can be readily extended to other optical approaches towards localized measurements of tracer diffusion such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.
Properties of SiC, Si3N4 and SiO2 ceramic powders produced by vibration ball milling

Abstract SiC, Si3N4 and SiO2 powders were ground by a vibration ball mill, the pot and balls of which were made of Si3N4 ceramics, in a purified methanol medium. The mean particle diameters of SiC and SiO2 powders were ca. 0.1 μm and thus ultrafine particles were manufactured. The increasing rate of specific surface area by fine grinding was largest on SiO2 powders, and the rate decreased gradually with an increase in grinding time. The specific surface area of Si3N4 powders increased proportionally with an increase in grinding time. The grindability was obtained in the following order: SiO2 > SiC > Si3N4. The ground SiC powders showed a large lattice strain and little fragmentation of crystallites. The strain and the crystallite size of ground Si3N4 powders were moderate.
Stochastic cell loading to minimize nT subject to maximum acceptable probability of tardiness

Abstract In this paper, stochastic cell loading problem is addressed. The problem is observed in labor-intensive manufacturing cells where operation times and hence in-cell times are probabilistic due to continuous operator involvement throughout the manufacturing processes. The objective is to minimize the number of tardy jobs subject to maximum acceptable probability of tardiness (risk level). A job is called “tardy” if the probability of tardiness is greater than the risk level otherwise it is called early. The risk level is used as a preferred scheduling risk that will be taken by operations planner. A stochastic non-linear mathematical model is developed. Normally distributed processing times and deterministic due dates are used in the experimentation. Various experiments are carried out to study the impacts of risk level, problem size and operation time variance on the optimal schedule. Proposed stochastic approach lets scheduler to sequence the jobs subject to an acceptable risk level. As the risk level increased, the number of jobs included in the schedule increased as well. Similarly, as the risk level increased, the probability of tardiness also increased especially for the jobs that are scheduled in the later positions. Unlike the deterministic model, the results of proposed approach are sensitive to the change in operation time variance. It is recommended to work with the safest schedule (0% risk), when the operation time variance is significantly high.
Heart rate variability measured early in patients with evolving acute coronary syndrome and 1-year outcomes of rehospitalization and mortality.

( HR ￻3.8; 95% CI ￻1.5‐10.1; P￻0.007) and troponin �0.3 ng/mL (HR ￻4.0; 95% CI ￻1.3‐12.1; P￻0.016) revealed that each contributed independently in predicting mortality. Nonlinear HRV variables were significant predictors of both outcomes. Conclusion: HRV measured close to the ACS onset may assist in risk stratification. HRV cut-points may provide additional, incremental prognostic information to established assessment guidelines, and may be worthy of additional study.
The complexity of numerical methods for elliptic partial differential equations

Abstract We consider three Ritz-Galerkin procedures with Hermite bicubic, bicubic spline and linear triangular elements for approximating the solution of self-adjoint elliptic partial differential equations and a collocation with Hermite bicubics method for general linear elliptic equations defined on general two dimensional domains with mixed boundary conditions. We systematically evaluate these methods by applying them to a sample set of problems while measuring various performance criteria. The test data suggest that collocation is the most efficient method for general use.
Structural Implications of an Offset Early Cretaceous Shoreline in Northern California

Recognition of a nonmarine to marine transition in sedimentary rocks at Glade Creek and Big Bar in the southern Klamath Mountains permits reconstruction of the approximate position of a north-trending Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) shoreline. At the southern end of the Klamath Mountains, the shoreline is displaced 60 mi or more to the east by a west-northwest-trending fault zone. South of this fault zone the shoreline is buried at a much lower level beneath late Cenozoic rocks in the Great Valley. This large displacement probably is the result of differential movement along a system of left-lateral tear faults in the upper plate of the Coast Range thrust. The westward bulge of the Klamath arc also may have resulted from this faulting, as the amount and direction of the bulge is comparable with the displacement of the Valanginian shoreline. Basal clastic strata at both Glade Creek and Big Bar contain abundant fresh-water or brackish-water clams, many of which consist of unabraded paired valves. These are conformably overlain by Valanginian marine strata containing Buchia crassicollis solida. The position of the Valanginian shoreline beneath the Great Valley cannot be directly observed because it is buried by thick late Cenozoic deposits. However, its approximate westernmost limit must lie between the outcrop belt of marine strata on the west side of the valley and drill holes to basement on the east side, in which equivalent strata are absent. Franciscan rocks containing Valanginian fossils occur 10 mi southwest of Glade Creek, but these are deep-water marine eugeosynclinal rocks that were deposited far to the west of the shoreline. The deformation responsible for the displacement of the Valanginian shoreline and juxtaposition of the Franciscan rocks and Klamath Mountain basement rocks involved eastward under-thrusting of the Franciscan beneath the Coast Range thrust contemporaneous with differential movement along tear faults within the upper plate.
Lipoxygenation of Arachidonic Acid by Subcellular Preparations from Murine Keratinocytes

In these studies, we examined the possibility that cell-free preparations from murine keratinocytes possess 5-lipoxygenase activity in addition to the well-established cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid (AA) in these cells. Our data demonstrated that the high-speed (105,000 g) supernatant preparations of the murine keratinocytes metabolized [14C]AA into labeled lipoxygenase products. Portions of these radioactive metabolites cochromatographed and comigrated with 12-HETE (a marker for 12-lipoxygenase pathway) and with authentic LTB4 (a marker for 5-lipoxygenase pathway) on silicic acid column chromatography and by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in two solvent systems respectively. Identity of the novel 14C which comigrated with LTB4 on both TLC and column chromatography was verified further by cochromatography of the free acid with authentic LTB4 on a reverse phase (RP) and the methyl esters on a straight phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Incubation of the cell-free preparations with [14C]AA in the presence of ETYA, NDGA (inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways) as well as with 15-HETE (an inhibitor of lipoxygenase pathway) resulted in decreased formation of [14C] 12-HETE and the [14C]LTB4-like metabolite. On the contrary, incubations of the cell-free extracts with [14C] AA in the presence of indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) resulted in increased biosynthesis of the labeled lipoxygenase metabolites. These data indicate the existence of enzymes in soluble fraction of murine keratinocyte which can catalyze the transformation of [14C] AA into products of both the 12- and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.
Personal Retirement Accounts & the American Welfare State: A Study of Income Volatility and Socioeconomic Status as Correlates of PRA Support

Based on a sample (n = 6,407) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort, this study found a sizable majority (69.1%) of support to replace a portion of Social Security with Private Retirement Accounts. Logistic regression analysis showed that SES was a robust predictor of PRA support, particularly for upper class vs. lower class respondents. Findings suggested that there may be less support for a major pillar of welfare state social provisioning, despite successful Congressional attempts to block related legislation to date, especially since the opinions of more affluent persons tend to have greater resonance with policymakers than those of lower income individuals.
Cerebral vasculitis in coccidioidal meningitis

Cerebral vasculitis producing focal central nervous system manifestations was observed in 2 patients with meningitis due to Coccidioides immitis. Cerebral angiography demonstrated the characteristic changes of arteritis, including irregular narrowing of arteries at the base of the brain in 1 patient and occlusion of a middle cerebral artery branch in the other. Pathological examination of the brain in the latter patient revealed extensive basilar meningitis along with prominent vasculitis and organisms. One patient responENd to intrathecal and intravenous amphotericin B treatment combined with a ventriculopleural shunt, the other died despite amphotericin B therapy.
Optical and electrical properties of quantum wells with electrically tunable two-dimensional electron density by selective contacts

Abstract We report on photoluminescence and absorption measurements in type-I hetero n-i-p-i structures. The electron density in the pseudomorphic InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells is tunable between zero and more then 5 · 1012 cm-2. This electrical tuning of the subband filling is achieved by a variable voltage applied between selective n-and p-contacts fabricated by epitaxial shadow mask MBE. One of the advantages of having selective contacts to the n- and p-layers is to get reliable information about the electron density, independent of measured absorption and luminescence spectra. This allows a more rigorous analysis of the data on bandgap renormalization, bandfilling and k∥-conservation. Moreover, the experiments can be performed at low optical power and low carrier temperatures. In the present investigation a bandgap renormalization of -20 meV and a bandfilling induced shift of the absorption edge as large as +50 meV was observed for a sheet electron density of 5 · 1012 cm-2.
Monte Carlo study of the surface special transition in the XY model in three dimensions.

Using extensive Monte Carlo simulations we studied the behavior of L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}D films containing classical spins interacting via nearest-neighbor XY interaction. Applying finite-size-scaling analysis and the cumulant method to determine the position of the surface transition boundary, we locate the multicritical point and extract appropriate critical exponents. We present evidence that the surface transition is of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type.
Evaluation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) for assessment of large-scale meteorological drought

Abstract This study analyzes the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) precipitation products for assessment of meteorological drought. Two versions of the TMPA research datasets (3B42V6 and 3B42V7) and one real-time dataset (3B42RTV7) are considered. The TMPA datasets are evaluated against a merged precipitation product which is estimated by merging four non-TMPA global satellite-gauge based datasets (non-TMPA merged). Comparisons are made over global land areas between 50° S and 50° N at monthly and 0.25° spatial resolution from 2000 to 2009 (ten years). All the TMPA precipitation datasets show similar spatial patterns; however quantitatively they disagree considerably, especially over tropical regions. 3B42V7 and 3B42RTV7 show the lowest and highest differences with the non-TMPA merged product, respectively. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at various time scales (1 month to 12 months) is calculated for each dataset for detecting drought events, with drought defined as when monthly SPI 0.8) for the 2007 southeastern US drought and the lowest ( Our results show that major differences among datasets are found over many sparse gauge density regions which suggests that the skill of the datasets primarily depends on the differential performance of the respective processing algorithms in different geographic and climatic regions, density of the underlying rain-gauge station networks and the quality of the input data used from non-gauge data sources. Even though the 3B42V7 product performs the best, the 3B42V6 product also performs reasonably well during our study period and domain. The 3B42RTV7 real-time data perform the worst and are not comparable with the two TMPA research products, due to lack of corrections from gauge observations. Therefore, caution should be applied when using this product for real-time monitoring of the drought conditions. Our evaluation of the TMPA research products indicates that they can provide useful information for drought monitoring and as input to hydrological modeling applications for assessment of land surface conditions.
An Examination of the Oxidation of Elemental Mercury in the Presence of Halide Surfaces

Recent field investigations in polar regions, and over the ocean, have suggested that elemental mercury (Hg0) can be photochemically oxidized in the presence of reactive halogen species that are formed in the presence of salt particles, typically through a reactive catalytic cycle involving ozone destruction. Furthermore, these studies have suggested that the Hg0 oxidation reaction involves the reaction with reactive bromine species such as Br, BrO, and Br2. To investigate these reactions in more detail, we performed experiments using a quartz reactive chamber so that the oxidation of Hg0, and the formation of ionic Hg products, could be examined in detail under different reaction scenarios, but at realistic levels of Hg. To examine if the reactions were enhanced by the presence of deliquescent salt surfaces, as has been postulated to be the case for the formation of reactive halogens, one surface of the cell was coated with either NaCl or NaBr for some experiments. In addition to laboratory experiments with a Xenon lamp, outdoor experiments under natural light were also conducted. The results of these studies showed that oxidation of Hg0 did not occur in the dark, except in the presence of a deliquescent NaBr salt surface. The rate of oxidation was slow in the absence of salt surfaces, and in the absence of low wavelength light (<324 nm). In the presence of NaCl surfaces, oxidation rates were at least two orders of magnitude faster, but the rate was further increased in the presence of NaBr, by a further factor of 25. With outdoor light, while the rates of oxidation were lower, the results were similar overall. The results are discussed in terms of the reactions occurring and the mechanisms of Hg0 oxidation. Finally, the implications of these reactions to the overall global Hg cycle are discussed.
Student-Centered Service and Support: A Case Study of the University of Arizona Libraries’ Information Commons

ABSTRACT The University Libraries’ Information Commons opened its doors on January 2, 2002. Its mission is to create an inviting out-of-classroom environment for learning, growth, and enrichment through student-focused research assistance, outreach to all students, and innovative instructional services. This case study details the history of the Information Commons at the University of Arizona, the planning strategy, available services and high-tech equipment, partnerships with other campus units, staffing, lessons learned, challenges, policies, and assessment mechanisms.
Novel Photosynthetic Reaction Center Chromophore Configuration

The Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction center mutant M204IQ appears to assemble without the bacteriochlorophyll BL, which serves as the electron acceptor or mediator of the primary charge separation reaction. Evidence supporting this conclusion to date includes the pigment ratio, low temperature absorption spectrum, steady-state fluorescence and absence of appreciable P+QA- formation. If correct, this novel configuration of chromophores will enable many questions about the initial light driven electron transfer in RCs to be probed.∗∗supported by NSF Biophysics Program∗∗
A method for assessing mitochondrial bioenergetics in whole white adipose tissues

Obesity is a primary risk factor for numerous metabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although classically viewed as a storage organ, the field of white adipose tissue biology is expanding to include the consideration of the tissue as an endocrine organ and major contributor to overall metabolism. Given its role in energy production, the mitochondrion has long been a focus of study in metabolic dysfunction and a link between the organelle and white adipose tissue function is likely. Herein, we present a novel method for assessing mitochondrial bioenergetics from whole white adipose tissue. This method requires minimal manipulation of tissue, and eliminates the need for cell isolation and culture. Additionally, this method overcomes some of the limitations to working with transformed and/or isolated primary cells and allows for results to be obtained more expediently. In addition to the novel method, we present a comprehensive statistical analysis of bioenergetic data as well as guidelines for outlier analysis.
Evidence of EGR1 as a differentially expressed gene among proliferative skin diseases

Hyperproliferative epidermal disorders range from benign hyperplasias such as psoriasis to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the two most common cancers in the US. While they all arise from the epidermis, these diseases differ dramatically in biological behavior and their underlying gene expression patterns have not been compared. We thus examined mRNA transcript levels in these disorders to identify and further characterize differentially expressed genes. Transcript expression patterns distinguish these disorders and identify EGR1, among other genes, whose epidermal expression is decreased in BCC and SCC but is elevated in psoriasis. Egr-1 inhibits growth of benign and malignant epidermal cells in vitro and appears to suppress both Cdc25A expression and Cdk2 dephosphorylation. These data indicate that gene expression profiling can differentiate epidermal hyperproliferative diseases and suggest that Egr-1 may play a role in preventing uncontrolled epidermal growth.
600 BILE SALT STIMULATED LIPASE IN PRETERM HUMAN MILK, ITS ROLE IN NEONATAL FAT DIGESTION

Term human milk contains a lipase which hydrolyzes milk lipid in the infant's intestine after activation by bile salts. Since this lipase (BSSL) could play an important role in fat digestion in preterm infants (by compensating for low pancreatic lipase), we have measured its activity-(hydrolysis of tri-3H olein, expressed as μmol free fatty acid (FFA) released/ml milk/min)-in milk collected for 3 months from 47 women who delivered after 26-36 wks of pregnancy (P). Since this lipase also has bile salt stimulated esterase (BSSE) activity, we have compared the ontogeny of BSSL and BSSE-hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate. The data show: 1. BSSL activity did not change with length of gestation or lactation, suggesting that the fat in preterm milk can be extensively hydrolyzed by its endogenous BSSL. 2. BSSE activity was higher in preterm milk and colostrum and decreased thereafter suggesting that esterolytic activity develops earlier than lipolytic activity. 3. Storage at 4° leads to progressive loss for its bile salt requirement, suggesting that BSSE might be associated with breast milk jaundice.(NIH grants HD10823 and AM26641)
Management of acute renal failure in the pediatric patient: Hemofiltration versus hemodialysis

Abstract Although outcome data for acute renal failure (ARF) in the adult population (analyzed by etiology of ARF, severity of illness, and modality of treatment) are readily available, few similar data exist for the pediatric population. Pediatric survival rate data vary widely, based upon era of analysis, age and size of child, and cause of ARF. Few comparative data are available that address impact by modality chosen to treat ARF. Comparison of 122 children who were treated by hemodialysis (HD; n=58) versus hemofiltration (HF; n=64) reveals a combined survival rate of 65%. Survival by modality was higher for HD (83%) than for HF (48%). The major diagnosis treated with HF was sepsis (2964; 45%), with a survival rate of 31%, whereas the major diagnosis treated with HD (2758; 46%) was primary renal failure, with a survival rate of 96%. Seventy-one percent of children undergoing HF required pressor support for hypotension, whereas only 24% of those receiving HD needed pressor support (P
Parental depression, parenting and family adjustment, and child effortful control: Explaining externalizing behaviors for preschool children.

Contributions of symptoms of parental depression, marital/family adjustment, parents' coercive (physical restraint, criticism, directives) and instructional behaviors (cognitive guidance, i.e., explanations of goals/strategies, suggestions regarding strategies for completing tasks), and children's effortful control to preschool children's externalizing behavior problems were investigated. It was hypothesized that children's higher levels of effortful control serve a protective function, leading to lower levels of child conduct difficulties despite parental/familial risk factors. Higher levels of depressive symptoms, coercion, and cognitive guidance, along with lower levels of child effortful control, were associated with higher levels of child externalizing behaviors. Differences in hierarchical regression models were observed for data obtained from mothers and fathers, with maternal coercive behavior and cognitive guidance serving as statistically significant predictors of children's externalizing behavior and reports of marital/family adjustment predicting child externalizing problems described by fathers. These parental/family factors, along with child effortful control, should be considered in understanding the development of behavior problems in early childhood, and could be addressed within school or community-based interventions.
Effectiveness of 1 α-hydroxyvitamin D3 in children with renal osteodystrophy associated with hemodialysis

Two children who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis were treated with 1 to 4 μg/day of 1 α-hydroxyvitamin D 3 for 500 to 700 days, respectively. Sequential parathyroid hormone levels and radiologic evaluations showed considerable improvement in one patient. The second patient initially responded with healing of the bone disease. Subsequent deterioration may be related either to medical noncompliance and/or interference by diphenylhydantoin in the subsequent hepatic 25-hydroxylation of 1 α-OH-D 3 .
Imaging Evaluation of Kidney Transplant Recipients

Renal transplantation is nowadays accepted as the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, despite progress in immunosuppression and surgical techniques, various complications still can occur. Complications vary from vascular disorders and urologic diseases to parenchymal and immunologically related complications. The clinician evaluating the recipient with graft dysfunction has the option of choosing among a variety of imaging modalities including ultrasonography, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to start or continue the diagnostic work-up. In this article, we discuss the evaluation of the kidney transplant recipient using these imaging procedures, emphasizing the clinical diagnostic utility and role of each modality.
Housing Linkage: Will It Play A Role In The 1990s?

Affordable housing is a serious problem in many American cities. This paper discusses some of the findings of a 1989 housing linkage study that was intended to provide policy options to Florida local governments. The study examined 15 linkage programs in US cities. The issues of community characteristics as they relate to linkage programs and essential ingredients for successful programs are considered. Economic and legal impacts are outlined and important court decisions are citied.