cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Something Better than the Best”: Industrial Restructuring, George McMurtry and the Creation of the Model Industrial Town of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, 1883-1901

Abstract Evidence based on topographic quadrangles, aerial photographs, soils maps, and extensive fieldwork indicates that the Inner and Outer Port Huron moraines in the northwestern part of Michigan's Southern Peninsula represent a mega-assemblage of related glaciofluvial formations marking successive marginally stagnant glacial termini. Surficial sediments consist of ice-contact stratified drift and proglacial sand and gravel. Diamictons are very limited in extent and usually occur in the form of flow till. Uppermost sediments within the intervening Mancelona Plain show a transition from coarse, poorly sorted proximal deposits dominated by longitudinal bars to distal, fine-textured, well-sorted braided-stream deposits displaying sandy bedforms. Paleocurrent indicators show that meltwater streams first flowed directly away from the ice margin and then turned 90 degrees to the right (southwest) to flow parallel to the sandur's trend. Based on these data, we propose that what were previously mapped as the ...
LANGUAGE AND TRUTH IN HUA-YEN BUDDHISM

It has been observed in contemporary Buddhist studies that new and distinct ways of expressing Buddhist “ultimate truth” and its relation to ordinary truth and experience began to emerge in the Chinese Buddhist tradition in the sixth and seventh centuries A.D. During this period of Chinese history, several systems of Buddhist thought arose that seemed to mitigate the primacy of negative language in references to “ultimate truth” and the predominantly negative evaluation of conventional truth and experience that had dominated the tradition previously. This development has been noticed especially in the Sui/T'ang systems of Buddhist thought, T'ien-t'ai and Hua-yen, as well as in later Ch'an thought and practice.
Bulk metallic glasses for biomedical applications

The selection criteria for biomaterials include the material’s properties and biocompatibility, and the ability to fabricate the desired shapes. Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are relative newcomers in the field of biomaterials but they exhibit an excellent combination of properties and processing capabilities desired for versatile implant applications. To further evaluate the suitability of BMGs for biomedical applications, we analyzed the biological responses they elicited in vitro and in vivo. The BMGs promoted cell adhesion and growth in vitro and induced improved foreign body responses in vivo suggesting their potential use as biomaterials. Because of the BMGs’ flexible chemistry, atomic structure, and surface topography, they offer a unique opportunity to fabricate complex implants and devices with a desirable biological response from a material with superior properties over currently used metallic biomaterials.
Comments on contingency management and conditional cash transfers

This essay discusses research on incentive-based interventions to promote healthy behavior change, contingency management (CM) and conditional cash transfers (CCT). The overarching point of the essay is that CM and CCT are often treated as distinct areas of inquiry when at their core they represent a common approach. Some potential bi-directional benefits of recognizing this commonality are discussed. Distinct intellectual traditions probably account for the separate paths of CM and CCT to date, with the former being rooted in behavioral psychology and the latter in microeconomics. It is concluded that the emerging field of behavioral economics, which is informed by and integrates principles of each of those disciplines, may provide the proper conceptual framework for integrating CM and CCT.
A periodic review production and maintenance model with random demand, deteriorating equipment, and binomial yield

In many environments, product yield is heavily influenced by equipment condition. Despite this fact, previous research has either focused on the issue of maintenance, ignoring the effect of equipment condition on yield, or has focused on the issue of production, omitting the possibility of actively changing the machine state. We formulate a Markov decision process model of a single-stage production system in which demand is random. The product yield has a binomial distribution that depends on the equipment condition, which deteriorates over time. The objective is to choose simultaneously the equipment maintenance schedule as well as the quantity to produce in a way that minimizes the sum of expected production, backorder, and holding costs. After proving some results about the structural properties of the optimal policy, numerical problems are used to compare this method to the typical approach of solving the maintenance and production problems sequentially. The results show that the simultaneous solution provides substantial gains over the sequential approach. In the cases studied, the proposed method resulted in an average cost savings of approximately 18%.
Application of gas-liquid chromatography to phenol oxidase studies

Abstract Extraction with ethyl acetate followed by gas-liquid chromatography on the extract provides a useful analytical method for phenol oxidase studies where it is desired to monitor directly the concentrations of volatile phenolic and catecholic substrates. A packed column with 10% DC-710 on Chromosorb W-AW-DMCS is recommended for such compounds as p -cresol, catechol, and 4-methylcatechol. p -Methoxyphenol is a suitable internal standard to minimize problems in the handling and injection of the extract. Examples of cresolase and catecholase kinetic runs are presented.
Duty cycle-based isolation in linear quadrupole ion traps

Abstract Simulation and matrix methods were used to determine the change in the minimum trapping frequency during duty cycle base waveform manipulation to provide axial trapping. Duty cycle based axial trapping sets both rod sets of a digitally driven linear quadrupole to the same potential thereby nullifying the radial trapping field for a definable interval during the waveform cycle. Turning off the radial trapping field affects the ion motion. Consequently, the ion stability conditions and the secular frequency change with duty cycle during axial trapping. The work presented here demonstrates the change in the ion motion by simulating the ion trajectories under duty cycle base trapping conditions and determining the change in the minimum trapping frequency as a function of the change in duty cycle. The change in the stability conditions with duty cycle was determined by matrix methods. These calculations were used to determine the minimum trapping frequency change with duty cycle and validate the simulations. They were then used to discuss the duty cycle effects and propose methodology for using duty cycle waveform manipulation to perform precise ion isolation. Finally, matrix methods were used to show that ion isolation can be performed concurrently with duty cycle based axial trapping. These results were confirmed by simulation.
A simple model of ice segregation using an analytic function to model heat and soil-water flow

For slowly moving freezing fronts in soil, the heat-transport equation may be approximated by the Laplacian of temperature. Consequently, potential theory may be assumed to apply and the temperature state can be approximated by an analytic function. The movement of freezing fronts may be approximated by a time-stepped solution of the phase-change problem, thus solving directly for heat flow across a freezing or thawing front. Moisture transport may approximated by using an exact solution of the moisture-transport equation assuming quasi-steady-state conditions, appropriate boundary conditions, and an exponential function relating unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (defined within the thawed zones) to pore water pressure (tension). This approach is used to develop a single model of ice segregation (frost-heave) in freezing soils. Applications to published and experimental one-dimension soil column freezing data show promising results.
Novelties in Hedeoma (Labiatae)

Hedeoma pilosum andH. microphyllum are described as new. The former, an endemic of western Texas, is closely related toH. pusillum andH. apiculatum; the latter is intermediate betweenH. costatum andH. nanum. H. oblongifolium var.mexicanum andH. drummondii var.crenulatum are presented as two new varieties, both of which may have originated as hybrids.Hedeoma crenulatum is proposed as a new name to replaceH. montanum (Brade) Epling & Jativa. Three new combinations are made in the genusHesperozygis, and new status is accorded to two species.
Some Implications of Automatic Recognition of Bibliographic Elements.

A theoretical approach to the problem of converting printed bibliographic records to machine readable form is developed based on principles of systems analysis. Experience from several recent projects conducted by the Institute of Library Research, University of California, are used to illustrate how this theoretical approach is currently being tested prior to implementation in a large scale conversion project.
N-Activated β-lactams as versatile reagents for acyl carrier protein labeling

Acyl carrier proteins are critical components of fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis. Their primary function is to shuttle intermediates between active sites via a covalently bound phosphopantetheine arm. Small molecules capable of acylating this prosthetic group will provide a simple and reversible means of introducing novel functionality onto carrier protein domains. A series of N-activated β-lactams are prepared to examine site-specific acylation of the phosphopantetheine-thiol. In general, β-lactams are found to be significantly more reactive than our previously studied β-lactones. Selectivity for the holo over apo-form of acyl carrier proteins is demonstrated indicating that only the phosphopantetheine-thiol is modified. Incorporation of an N-propargyloxycarbonyl group provides an alkyne handle for conjugation to fluorophores and affinity labels. The utility of these groups for mechanistic interrogation of a critical step in polyketide biosynthesis is examined through comparison to traditional probes. In all, we expect the probes described in this study to serve as valuable and versatile tools for mechanistic interrogation.
Low-dose thrombolytic therapy for infrainguinal graft occlusions: an idea whose time has passed?

Abstract Despite the growing enthusiasm for low-dose intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy, the efficacy and risks in specific clinical situations have not been defined. During the past 13 months, 10 infrainguinal bypass graft occlusions occurred in nine patients 2 to 48 months postoperatively and were treated with local infusions of either streptokinase or urokinase. The grafts treated included two saphenous vein femoropopliteal grafts, two expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) femoropopliteal grafts, four saphenous vein femoroanterior tibial grafts, one saphenous vein—PTFE composite femoro—anterior tibial graft, and one saphenous vein—PTFE composite femoroperoneal graft. The graft occlusions occurred 2 to 14 days prior to initiation of treatment. The infusion failed to restore flow completely in seven grafts; and of the three successes, two patients required surgical treatment of complications. All successful recanalizations occurred within 48 hours of the initiation of thrombolytic therapy. Of the seven failures, two patients had viable limbs and were discharged, whereas two required amputation (one above and one below knee). Three patients underwent surgical thrombectomy and revisions that were successful in two and resulted in a below-knee amputation in the other. Despite all precautions, complications occurred in five patients. Low-dose intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy is a poorly efficacious, risky method of infrainguinal graft occlusion management. (J VASC SURG 1985;2:799-805.)
Topographic studies of gangliosides of intact synaptosomes from rat brain cortex.

Gangliosides in the external surface of intact synaptosomes from rat brain cortex have been studied by oxidation of exposed galactose and galactosamine groups with galactose oxidase followed by reduction with labeled sodium borohydride. Purified synaptosomes were labeled, disrupted by osmotic shock, and the particulate components fractionated on diatrizoate to give four synaptosomal membrane fractions (A-D) and a mitochondrial pellet (E). Fractions A and B represent synaptosomal plasma membranes. When intact synaptosomes were labeled, the major portion of the total radioactivity incorporated into ganglioside fraction was found to be in GM13 species. With isolated membrane fractions little selectivity was seen: (1) more label was present compared to intact synaptosomes, and (2) zones corresponding to GM2, GM1, GD1a, GD1b were the major gangliosides labeled. The results confirm the conclusion that membrane fractions A and B are derived from the exposed synaptosome surface and also show that GM1 is the major ganglioside species available for enzyme oxidation at the surface.
Charge-dependent And Isoform-specific Interactions Between ProTxii And T-type Calcium Channels

ProTxII, peptide toxin isolated from the venom of the tarantula Thrixopelma puriens, modifies voltage-dependent activation of both T-type calcium (Ca) channels and voltage-gated sodium (Na) channels. In the presence of ProTxII (5μM) the voltage at half maximal activation (V1/2) of the CaV3.1 isoform is shifted positive (>25mV) and maximum conductance (Gmax) decreases (∼50%). Interestingly, the toxin's effects on this channel were completely precluded in the presence of high extracellular divalent concentrations indicating a role for surface charge-like, electrostatic interactions with the channel. Several mutant toxins in which individual basic residues were neutralized were tested for activity on CaV3.1. Three of these mutants, R13Q, R22A, and K28A, significantly disrupted the ability of the toxin to both shift channel activation and decrease Gmax. Two other mutations: K4Q and K14A, showed minimal or no effect, thus indicating an important yet specific role of charge in ProTxII's interaction with CaV3.1. The gating kinetics of T-type Ca channels varies among the three known isoforms suggesting there might be differences in the gating structures and, therefore, potential gating modifier toxin interaction surfaces as well. In CaV3.3, 5μM ProTxII reduced Gmax by approximately 60%, similar to what was seen for CaV3.1. However, unlike in CaV3.1, this concentration of toxin produced only a minimal shift in voltage dependent activation (2mV). These results suggest significant differences in the extracellular surface of T-type Ca channels across isoforms, particularly in terms of surface charge distribution close to one or more of the channels’ voltage sensors.
Analytically exact correction scheme for signal extraction from noisy magnitude MR signals

An analytically exact method is proposed to extract the signal intensity and the noise variance simultaneously from noisy magnitude MR signals. This method relies on a fixed point formula of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a correction factor. The correction factor, which is a function of SNR, establishes a fundamental link between the variance of the magnitude MR signal and the variance of the underlying Gaussian noise in the two quadrature channels. A more general but very similar method is developed for parallel signal acquisitions with multiple receiver coils. In the context of MR imaging, the proposed method can be carried out on a pixel-by-pixel basis if the mean and the standard deviation of the magnitude signal are available.
Children's education and the intergenerational transmission of inequality: a simulation

Abstract Data from the 1970 Brazilian Census are used to explore the effects of parents' investments in their children's education on the pattern of future income distribution and on the intergenerational transmission of inequality, using a simulation model. Starting from the observation that the number of children in low-income households is greater on average than the number in high-income households, the paper focuses primarily on whether and how child schooling mediates the effect of the negative relation between income per child and household size on shifts in the income distribution toward greater inequality, and on lack of intergenerational mobility. The paper examines the implications of different assumptions regarding increases in the availability of schooling, shifts in the returns to schooling and the role of inherited traits in the determination of future incomes and intergenerational mobility. Cross-section measures of inequality are insensitive to schooling and inherited traits, but these do affect intergenerational mobility.
Relationship of podophyllin to carcinogenesis. A comparison of cytologic and histologic changes induced by podophyllin in the mouse cervix with those induced by 3,4 benzpyrene

Carcinogenic potentialities of podophyllin were investigated by long-term application of 20% podophyllin suspension in mineral oil to mouse cervix of C3H mice. Cytologic and histologic changes induced by podophyllin were compared with changes induced by a proven carcinogen (3,4 benzpyrene). Some forms of podophyllin-induced dysplasia resembled benzpyrene-induced dysplasia. The classical pattern of human carcinoma in situ was seen only in the presence of invasive carcinoma induced by benzpyrene. Variety of lesions resembling radiation effect were induced by podophyllin only. No invasive lesion was encountered with 340 paintings of the cervix with 20% podophyllin in mineral oil. Invasive squamous carcinomas were found after a thread saturated with a 20% podophyllin suspension in mineral oil was inserted in the endocervical canal.
Plasma diffusion in the ionosphere

Magnetic and electric field aligned plasma diffusion in the ionosphere to examine conditions for ambipolar diffusion
Mean transport of mass, heat, salt and nutrients in southern California coastal waters: implications for primary production and nutrient cycling

A close balance is demonstrated between geostrophic convergence, relative to 500 m, and Ekman divergence, in a control volume defined by the modern (1984–1987) CalCOFI surveys of southern California coastal waters. Both the geostrophic and Ekman calculations yield an area mean vertical velocity of about 3.5 × 10−4 cm s−1 upward at the base of the Ekman layer. Cruise-to-cruise and year-to-year variations in geostrophic transport are large and a long time series is required for a good estimate of the mean field. With the mass field balanced by geostrophic and Ekman transport, the resulting oceanic heat flux is equivalent to 68 W m−2 of heat gain by the ocean and is in good agreement with calculations of air-sea heat transfer. Agreement in the heat budget sets a limit on possible errors due to ambiguity in the reference level of the geostrophic velocity field. Mean annual and seasonal fluxes of nutrients, oxygen, chlorophyll a, and salinity are calculated, together with error bars, and are used to estimate primary production as well as rates of air-sea oxygen exchange and net water vapor loss to the atmosphere. The nitrate import, converted to equivalent carbon by means of a Redfield ratio, and including local estimates of nitrogen recycling, yields an estimate of total primary production of roughly 600 mg C m−2 d−1, consistent with direct measurements of carbon uptake. The geostrophic convergence and subsequent upwelling of subsurface nitrate-rich waters is the dominant physical mechanism for nutrient importation, with a much smaller contribution due to alongshore advection of nutrients in the surface layer. It is suggested that some additional measurements would permit the flux calculations to be made with a substantially greater degree of accuracy and that the seasonal and interannual variations of the mass transport field could be determined together with rates of biologically and physically important processes.
Ultrastructural features of diffuse malignant mesotheliomas

The distinction of malignant mesothelioma from tumors metastatic to the serosal membranes can often be made based on the results of histochemical or immunohistochemical studies. However, in some cases, these techniques are inadequate to make a firm diagnosis. In these instances, electron microscopic studies with the observation of a constellation of characteristic ultrastructural findings may permit an unequivocal diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Purification of Lipase: A Review

The review spans a decade of research work ranging from 1989 to 1999, and reviews numerous articles dealing with lipase purification. Different purification techniques and their relation to the source of the enzyme are examined. It has been observed that some proteins tend to be unstable in solution, and pose several problems during separation. Various difficulties encountered during separation, and approaches to solve them are analyzed. Comparison is made with respect to three parameters, namely, specific activity, activity recovery, and purification factor. A one-on-one comparison of a specific purification technique (especially in chromatography) is difficult if not impossible, due to the different kinds of packing used. However, it is possible to classify separation by type such as gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and so on. Since protein purification is normally done in a series of sequential chromatographic steps involving a combination of the above...
Ionic Electroactive Polymer Actuators with Aligned Carbon Nanotube/Nafion Nanocomposite Electrodes

Recent advances in fabricating controlled-morphology vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VA-CNTs) with ultrahigh volume fraction create unique opportunities for markedly improving the electromechanical performance of ionic polymer conductor network composite actuators (IPCNCs). Actuator experiments show that the continuous paths through inter-VA-CNT channels and low electrical conduction resistance due to the continuous CNTs in the composite electrodes of the IPCNC lead to fast ion transport and actuation speed (>10% strain/second). One critical issue in developing advanced actuator materials is how to suppress or eliminate unwanted strains generated under electric stimulation, which reduce the actuation efficiency and also the actuation strains. We observe that the VA-CNTs in the composite electrodes yields non-isotropic elastic modulus that suppresses the unwanted strain and markedly enhances the actuation strain (>8% strain under 4 volts). A transmission line model has been developed to understand the electrical properties of the actuator device.
Dietary sodium deficiency potentiates the effect of prostaglandin E2 on in vitro renin release in the rat

Abstract Using a renal cortical slice system from sodium loaded (SL) or sodium deficient (SD) rats, this study investigated whether the effect of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) on renin release (RR) is mediated by tissue cyclic AMP content (TcAMPc) changes, and if it can be modified by dietary sodium manipulation. At 10 −3 M, PGE 2 significantly stimulated RR and TcAMPc in both SL and SD groups of slices. PGE 2 doses of 10 −9 M and 10 −7 M were ineffective, although RR, but not TcAMPc, was significantly greater in the SD group in response to 10 −7 M PGE 2 than RR in the SL group. Addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (10 −4 M) together with the same three PGE 2 doses maintained the stimulatory effect of 10 −5 M PGE 2 alone on RR and TcAMPc in both groups of slices, and reversed the effect of 10 −7 M PGE 2 alone on RR and TcAMPc in the SD group of slices only. Added by itself, theophylline was ineffective. These data indicate that: 1) PGE 2 can stimulate RR by a direct effect on the juxtaglomerular cells; 2) the RR responses to PGE 2 and theophylline administration are enhanced in the SD state; and 3) the possibility of cAMP mediation of the effect of PGE 2 on RR is discussed.
Evaluation of the First Web-Based Advanced Standing MSW Program

The first completely Web-based advanced standing master of social work program began in 2002, and 32 students had graduated by 2005. This article presents a preliminary evaluation comparing the first two online cohorts with a face-to-face (F2F) cohort of advanced-standing students. Results showed several demographic differences between groups (e.g., online students were older and had more work experience than F2F students). There were few differences on a variety of educational and satisfaction outcomes with the exception of field, where instructors rated online students lower on several sections of the field evaluation measure. The implications for social work education are discussed.
On two-dimensional via assignment for single-row routing

The authors study the via assignment problem when vias are allowed to appear rowwise as well as columnwise. Previously they proved that the problem belongs to the class of NP-hard problems and therefore it is unlikely that polynomial-time algorithms exist for solving the problem. Two heuristics (HEU1 and HEU2) to solve the problem were proposed. HEU1 splits the nets before any routing is done while HEU2 assigns the nets alternately to via rows and via columns. Here they modify HEU2 so that the side of the board to which the nets are assigned first for connection is selected according to a desired ratio of board width to height. >
Potential cognitive radio denial-of-service vulnerabilities and protection countermeasures: a multi-dimensional analysis and assessment

Cognitive radios sense spectrum activity and apply spectrum policies in order to make decisions on when and in what bands they may communicate. These activities go beyond what is done when traditional radios communicate. This paper examines the denial of service vulnerabilities that are opened by these additional activities and explores potential protection remedies that can be applied. An analysis of how vulnerable are victim cognitive radios to potential denial of service attacks is presented along different axis, namely the network architecture employed, the spectrum access technique used and the spectrum awareness model. The goal is to assist cognitive radio designers to incorporate effective security measures now in the early stages of cognitive radio development.
Tunable laser techniques for improving the precision of observational astronomy

Improving the precision of observational astronomy requires not only new telescopes and instrumentation, but also advances in observing protocols, calibrations and data analysis. The Laser Applications Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland has been applying advances in detector metrology and tunable laser calibrations to problems in astronomy since 2007. Using similar measurement techniques, we have addressed a number of seemingly disparate issues: precision flux calibration for broad-band imaging, precision wavelength calibration for high-resolution spectroscopy, and precision PSF mapping for fiber spectrographs of any resolution. In each case, we rely on robust, commercially-available laboratory technology that is readily adapted to use at an observatory. In this paper, we give an overview of these techniques.
Synthesis of the Erythrina Alkaloid 3-Demethoxyerythratidinone. Novel Acid-Induced Rearrangements of Its Precursors

A new strategy for the synthesis of 3-demethoxyerythratidinone has been developed and is based on an extraordinarily facile intramolecular Diels−Alder reaction of a 2-imido-substituted furan. During the course of the synthesis, several novel acid-induced rearrangement reactions were encountered.
Copper-based electrochemical sensor with palladium electrode for cathodic stripping voltammetry of manganese.

In this work, we report on the development of a palladium-based, microfabricated point-of-care electrochemical sensor for the determination of manganese using square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry. Heavy metals require careful monitoring, yet current methods are too complex for a point-of-care system. Voltammetry offers an attractive approach to metal detection on the microscale, but traditional carbon, gold, or platinum electrodes are difficult or expensive to microfabricate, preventing widespread use. Our sensor uses palladium working and auxiliary electrodes and integrates them with a copper-based reference electrode for simple fabrication and compatibility with microfabrication and printed circuit board processing, while maintaining competitive performance in electrochemical detection. Copper electrodes were prepared on glass substrate using a combination of microfabrication procedures followed by electrodeposition of palladium. The disposable sensor system was formed by bonding a poly(dimethylsi...
Modelling breast cancer: one size does not fit all

Breast cancer is not a single disease, but is instead a collection of diseases that have distinct histopathological features, genetic and genomic variability, and diverse prognostic outcomes. Thus, no individual model would be expected to completely recapitulate this complex disease. Here, the models commonly used to investigate breast cancer including cell lines, xenografts and genetically engineered mice, are discussed to help address the question: what is the most powerful way to investigate this heterogeneous disease?
The descriptive epidemiology of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes tumors of the breast.

Background. Malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare fibroepithelial tumors. The epidemiologic features of these malignancies in a defined population have not previously been described. Methods. Incidence data were collected from 1972–1989 by the Cancer Surveillance Program, the population-based cancer registry for Los Angeles County. Results. The average annual age-adjusted incidence rate of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes is 2.1 per 1 million women. Latina whites have a higher risk of this cancer than other racial-ethnic groups. The age-incidence curve shows that risk of cystosarcoma phyllodes peaks in the 45–49-year-old age group, but the age patterns vary by race-ethnicity, with Asian and Latina patients significantly younger, on average, than non-Latina white patients. The incidence rates of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes were substantially higher in the 1980s than in the 1970s, particularly among Latina whites and Asians. For Latina whites, birthplace is a significant predictor of risk. Women born in Mexico and Central and South America are at threefold to fourfold greater risk of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes tumors than Latina whites born in the United States. Conclusions. The epidemiology of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes tumors of the breast is strikingly different from that of the more common histologic types of breast cancer. The high risk in Latina immigrants may offer an important clue as to the cause of this rare tumor.
Validation of a bioanalytical method for the quantification of a therapeutic peptide, ramoplanin, in human dried blood spots using LC-MS/MS

A method has been developed and validated for the quantification of ramoplanin, a 2554 Da peptide antibiotic, in human dried blood spots using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The validation data meet FDA acceptance criteria for bioanalytical assays and cover the quantification of ramoplanin over the range 10–5000 ng/mL. The assay determines ramoplanin at the same lower limit of quantification as conventional liquid sample methods. Dried blood spot analysis provides an approach for quantification of peptide therapeutics and delivers significant benefits for sample collection and handling and also sample cleanup over conventional plasma and serum assays. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AUTOMATED SETUP PLANNING FOR LATHE MACHINING

Abstract The development of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) has advanced to the stage where NC (numerically controlled) codes can be automatically generated for components created using a CAD model; however, there still remains a gap between the CAD/CAM environment and the physical machining processes. A critical aspect of this gap is setup planning, which requires extensive experience and is typically performed manually. To improve the performance of CAD/CAM systems, the task of setup planning needs to be automated. This paper presents an automatic approach to setup planning for components machined on a lathe. The problem of setup planning is formulated as a mathematical problem. Issues taken into consideration include geometry analysis, precedence constraint analysis, kinematic analysis, force analysis, and tolerance analysis. An algorithm is then presented to solve the setup planning problem. An example is also given to show the effectiveness of the algorithm. The mathematical formulation of the setup planning problem is theoretically sound, and the algorithm can deal with a variety of turned components with promising results.
A Sidewall Friction Effect during Soil Consolidation

IN the course of investigating the consolidation properties of a sensitive marine clay, a variety of consolidation test procedures has been used. Some followed normal incremental loading procedure, but with widely varying increment ratios. Other tests employed continuous loading techniques either by straining the specimen at a constant rate or by applying load at a constant rate.
Depressed withdrawn and intrusive mothers’ effects on their fetuses and neonates

Depressed mothers who could be classified as withdrawn or intrusive were compared with nondepressed mothers on their prenatal cortisol and catecholamine levels and on fetal activity and neonatal outcome variables. The data suggested that the withdrawn mothers had lower dopamine levels during pregnancy, and their infants had lower Brazelton scale scores. The infants of withdrawn mothers also had the highest cortisol levels and the lowest dopamine and serotonin levels as well as the most asymmetrical EEG patterns.
Household Travel Surveys in Context-Based Approach for Adjusting ITE Trip Generation Rates in Urban Contexts

With household travel surveys (HTSs) to produce a regional-scale policy model, this research develops a methodology for predicting context-based vehicle-trip reductions applied to ITE's Trip Generation Handbook at a site-level development. This methodology may be used as a supplement to ITE trip generation rates, providing justification to vehicle-trip reductions based on known contextual vehicle mode splits. With the 2006 HTS of the Puget Sound Regional Council, Washington State, non-home-based trip ends were selected, and common built environment measures were extracted. A clustering analysis was then applied to all trip ends to determine clustered groups or contexts. With contexts, sociodemographic characteristics, and trip characteristics as model variables, a binary logistic model was developed to predict the mode split. Mode splits were then calculated for all context types (Type A through Type H) with the use of average built environment, sociodemographic characteristics, and trip characteristics v...
Studies of neutral AlmCn clusters employing a table-top soft x-ray laser

Neutral Al m C n clusters are investigated both experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Single photon ionization through 193 nm, and 46.9 nm lasers is used to detected neutral cluster distributions. Al m C n clusters are generated through laser ablation of a mixture of Al and C powders pressed into a disk. An oscillation of the VIEs of Al m C n clusters is observed in the experiments. The ionization energies of Al m C n clusters change as a function of the numbers of Al and C atoms in the clusters. Theoretical density functional theory and ab initio calculations are carried out to explore the structures, ionization energies, and molecular orbitals of the Al m C n clusters. C=C bonds are favored for the lowest energy structures for Al m C n clusters. Based on calculations of HOMOs (highest occupied molecular orbitals) of Al m C n clusters we find that the ionization energies of these clusters do not simply depend on open or closed shell valence electron configurations, but also depend on the electronic structure details of the clusters. The calculational results provide good and consistent explanations of the experimental observations, and are consistent with them.
Oxygen Saturation of Arterial Blood in Jaundice Complicating Lobar Pneumonia.

Summary(1) Twenty-nine cases of lobar pneumonia were studied with a view to determining any relationship between anoxemia and jaundice in this disease. (2) No obvious relationship could be demonstrated between anoxemia and the presence of jaundice or disturbed liver function as determined by the bilirubin excretion test.
Genome sequences reveal divergence times of malaria parasite lineages

Objective The evolutionary history of human malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) has long been a subject of speculation and controversy. The complete genome sequences of the two most widespread human malaria parasites, P. falciparum and P. vivax, and of the monkey parasite P. knowlesi are now available, together with the draft genomes of the chimpanzee parasite P. reichenowi, three rodent parasites, P. yoelii yoelli, P. berghei and P. chabaudi chabaudi, and one avian parasite, P. gallinaceum.
Ai/learn/rheumatology. a comparative study of computer-assisted instruction for rheumatology

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of AI/ LEARN/Rheumatology, a computer-controlled interactive videodisc system for teaching. Methods. We assessed improvement in knowledge about rheumatic diseases, using a pretest and posttest in a control year and a treatment year. The subjects were medical students and postgraduate trainees taking the rheumatology elective. The control year used traditional lectures and the standard rheumatology curriculum. The treatment year used AI/LEARN/ Rheumatology in place of lectures on rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. Results. The trainees showed significant improvement in knowledge in both the control year and the treatment year (P < 0.0001 for both). The average time spent using AI/LEARN/Rheumatology was similar to the time spent in lectures (3 hours). The number of patient consultations in which trainees participated was lower in the treatment year than in the control year; however, the adjusted posttest scores using the pretest as a covariate tended to be higher in the treatment year (P = 0.10). Analysis of covariance of the adjusted posttest scores for the treatment year only showed that the trainees who spent more time using AI/LEARN/Rheumatology learned more (r = 0.57). Trainees felt that AI/LEARN/Rheumatology was the most helpful educational experience of the elective. Conclusion. AI/LEARN/Rheumatology is an effective means of teaching about the rheumatic diseases. It has many advantages: availability for independent study, effective use of trainee's time, and liberation of faculty time from lectures. Trainees enjoyed using AI/LEARN/Rheumatology.
Assessment of frozen larvae of Callosobruchus maculatus as hosts for rearing Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract The suitability of frozen host larvae for rearing Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), an ectoparasitoid of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and other stored-product insects was investigated. The reproductive potential (number and sex ratio of progeny) of female P. cerealellae was compared on live (fresh) C. maculatus larvae (concealed within cowpea seeds) versus frozen larvae (obtained by freezing infested cowpea seeds at −20 °C for 48 h) which were subsequently thawed and held at ambient conditions (∼25 ± 1 °C, 50 ± 5% RH) for 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h before exposure to female parasitoids. No significant differences were recorded in the numbers and sex ratios of the progeny produced by female P. cerealellae on live larvae compared to frozen host larvae that were thawed and held at ambient conditions for up to 96 h, suggesting that live and frozen larvae of C. maculatus are equally suitable for rearing P. cerealellae. However, the data showed that progeny production on frozen hosts gradually declined with thawing duration and was significantly reduced at the thawing duration of 120 h. When live and frozen host larvae were simultaneously presented together to female P. cerealellae at different exposure periods, relatively greater progeny production was recorded on live hosts than on frozen hosts at 12, 24, and 48 h of exposure. This may suggest preference of female P. cerealellae for live versus frozen host larvae. These results are discussed in relation to the life history strategy and host location behavior of P. cerealellae , and may have practical implications in the development of efficient mass rearing systems for the parasitoid.
Full length article: Weighted polynomial inequalities in the complex plane

We establish weighted L"p,[email protected]?p<~ Bernstein-, Remez-, Nikolskii-, and Marcinkiewicz-type inequalities for algebraic polynomials considered on a quasismooth (in the sense of Lavrentiev) arc in the complex plane.
Facilities for US radioastronomy

An overview of the radio-astronomy field is given, and prospects ready for construction at NASA are presented. A very-long-baseline array consisting of ten 25 m antennas, with a limiting wavelength of 7 mm and an angular resolution at that wavelength of 2 x 10 to the 4th arcsec is discussed. Eighty percent of the phase information will be obtained by closure around the 36 independent triangles, and high quality aperture-synthesis maps will be produced at all wavelengths. The 25 m telescope will be capable of several applications including the discovery of new molecules in our galaxy (in particular, the envelope of the evolved carbon star IRC + 10216), the detection of CO to distances of perhaps 100 million light years, and the understanding of the events which occur as stars are formed from molecular clouds, and as energy is fed back into the molecular gas by new stars. The submillimeter-wave telescope contains the last atmospheric radio windows where astronomical observations can be made from the earth's surface. The need for funding is stressed.
Neural Circuit in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Responsible for Cannabinoid-Mediated Increases in 5-HT Efflux in the Nucleus Accumbens of the Rat Brain.

In vivo microdialysis was used in this study to reveal the role of cannabinoids in regulating serotonin (5-HT) efflux in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). The cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists WIN55212-2 and CP55940 systematically administered to rats caused significant increases in 5-HT efflux in the NAcc but failed to have an effect in the DRN. To reveal mechanisms underlying regionally selective responses, we tested the hypothesis that cannabinoids have both direct and indirect effects on 5-HT efflux, depending on the location of CB1 receptors in the neural circuit between DRN and NAcc. We showed that the direct effect of cannabinoids caused a reduction in 5-HT efflux whereas the indirect effect resulted in an increase. Furthermore, the indirect effect was blocked by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline in the DRN, suggesting that the action is likely due to a presynaptic inhibition on GABAergic activity that exerts a tonic influence on neuronal circuits regulating 5-HT efflux. Involvement of GABAergic neurons was confirmed by measuring changes in GABA efflux. Taken together, our study suggests that cannabinoids may have direct and indirect effects on the 5-HT regulatory circuits, resulting in regionally selective changes of 5-HT efflux in the brain.
Elasto-delayed-elastic simulation of short-term deflection of fresh-water ice covers

Abstract The simulations of short-term, time-dependent, fresh-water ice cover deflections under variable loading conditions have been carried out using a combination of an “Elasto-Delayed Elastic” model for primary or transient creep and Wyman's elastic theory. The calculated results were compared with the load-deflection data of a 0.65 m thick Dows lake ice sheet, for loads up to 35.6 tonnes for durations up to about 3.6 hours. The analyses indicate that elastic and the delayed elastic deformation dominate the short-term deformation process. The results implied that the short term bearing capacity problems of ice covers (such as aircraft landing or vehicles parking) can be handled by the grain-structure sensitive, time- and temperature-dependent elasto-delayed-elastic theory. The major strength of the theory is its ability to estimate parking times based on practical operational criterion such as the available freeboard.
Nonspecific Phospholipase C NPC4 Promotes Responses to Abscisic Acid and Tolerance to Hyperosmotic Stress in Arabidopsis

Diacyglycerol (DAG) is an important class of cellular lipid messengers, but its function in plants remains elusive. Here, we show that knockout of the Arabidopsis thaliana nonspecific phospholipase C (NPC4) results in a decrease in DAG levels and compromises plant response to abscisic acid (ABA) and hyperosmotic stresses. NPC4 hydrolyzes various phospholipids in a calcium-independent manner, producing DAG and a phosphorylated head group. NPC4 knockout (KO) plants display decreased ABA sensitivity in seed germination, root elongation, and stomatal movement and had decreased tolerance to high salinity and water deficiency. Overexpression of NPC4 renders plants more sensitive to ABA and more tolerant to hyperosmotic stress than wild-type plants. Addition of a short-chain DAG or a short-chain phosphatidic acid (PA) restores the ABA response of NPC4-KO to that of the wild type, but the addition of DAG together with a DAG kinase inhibitor does not result in a wild-type phenotype. These data suggest that NPC4-produced DAG is converted to PA and that NPC4 and its derived lipids positively modulate ABA response and promote plant tolerance to drought and salt stresses.
Serum Levels of Cytokines, and Biomarkers for Inflammation and Immune Activation, and HIV-Associated Non-Hodgkin B cell Lymphoma Risk

Background: HIV infection is associated with a marked increase in risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (AIDS-NHL). However, the mechanisms that promote the development of AIDS-NHL are not fully understood. Methods: In this study, serum levels of several cytokines and other molecules associated with immune activation were measured in specimens collected longitudinally during 1 to 5 years preceding AIDS-NHL diagnosis, in 176 AIDS-NHL cases and 176 HIV+ controls from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that serum levels of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLC), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IP-10/CXCL10, neopterin, and TNF-α were elevated in those HIV+ individuals who went on to develop AIDS-NHL. In addition, the fraction of specimens with detectable IL-2 was increased and the fraction with detectable IL-4 was decreased in these subjects. Conclusions: These results suggest that long-term, chronic immune activation, possibly driven by macrophage-produced cytokines, precedes development of NHL in HIV+ individuals. Impact: FLC, IL-6, IL-10, IP-10/CXCL10, neopterin, and TNF-α may serve as biomarkers for AIDS-NHL. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(2); 1–7. ©2013 AACR .