cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of vertical multijunction solar cells using a distributed circuit model

Abstract Vertical multijunction (VMJ) solar cells have generated considerable interest due to their improved performance in terms of conversion efficiency and radiation tolerance compared to the conventional planar solar cells. Fabrication of VMJ cells with junction density of 2000 junctions/cm is now possible using advanced fabrication technologies. This work describes an analysis of some of the VMJ cell structures now being fabricated—especially the ones that combine the enhanced red response and radiation tolerance of the VMJ concept and blue response of conventional planar cells. A distributed equivalent circuit model is used for analysis of complicated junction configurations—which otherwise would be very cumbersome using conventional carrier transport equations. The VMJ cell structures were analyzed to study their device characteristics and their sensitivity to various material and fabrication parameters such as epitaxial layer resistivity and carrier lifetimes. The results show that the conversion efficiency is higher than conventional devices due to efficient carrier collection with a superior radiation tolerance. The cells, however, degrade more rapidly compared to planar cells at higher radiation levels determined by the structural parameters.
Physics and computation

Computing processes are ultimately abstractions of physical processes; thus, a comprehensive theory of computation must reflect in a stylized way aspects of the underlying physical world. On the other hand, physics itself may draw fresh insights and productive methodological tools from looking at the world as an ongoing computation. The terminformation mechanics seems appropriate for this unified approach to physics and computation.
Dr. Deming Comes to Class

This article describes how some of the principles of the Deming management method were used to improve two courses: an MBA elective (Entrepreneurship) and an undergraduate requirement (Business Pol...
Limiting conditions for conjugation in Tetrahymena: Cellular development and factor active in conjugation

Conjugation in Tetrahymena thermophila is a three component system requiring starved cells of two complementary mating types and an extracellular macromolecular factor active in conjugation (FAC). Because the rate of cell pairing is related to the concentration of FAC in the extracellular medium, an assay for FAC was developed using standard test cells. The rate of release of FAC into the medium was measured in cells transferred from growth medium. It was found that a) FAC production is rapid, being detectable within 15 min after shift down; b) within 1 hr, sufficient FAC is released by the cells to support near maximal pairing activity among test cells; and c) cycloheximide completely blocks release of FAC. It was further demonstrated that addition of high-titer FAC to freshly shifted down cells did not shorten the delay period before conjugation. Therefore, the starvation period is a time during which a) FAC is released into the medium, and b) cells develop receptivity to mating interactions, with the latter being rate-limiting for conjugation. FAC is produced by sexually immature cells, by cells in growth medium, and by cells starving in high ionic strength buffer, but not by nonmating amicronucleate cells of T. pyriformis. Cell interactions during mating are modulated by FAC, but only among developmentally receptive cells.
What Determines Buyer‐Seller Relationship Quality? An Investigation from the Buyer's Perspective

SUMMARY In today's environment, businesses are increasingly dependent on the relationships they have with their suppliers and are demanding that they adhere to high standards. It is increasingly important that buyers have strong relationships with their suppliers to stay ahead of competition. The establishment, development, and maintenance of relationships between exchange partners is crucial to achieving success (Morgan and Hunt 1994). The goal of this research is to further investigate the nature of buyer-seller relationships from the buyer's perspective and to address the question — what determines the quality of buyer-seller relationships? Many factors may contribute to the quality of a buyer-seller relationship. Quality may depend on the nature of the organizations involved, the individuals in the organizations, and the nature of the situation. This study considers two main sets of variables, interpersonal and aspects of the relationship. Interpersonal variables describe the characteristics of individual company representatives, while aspects of the relationship variables describe the situations buyers and sellers face. A unique aspect of this study is that it considers the role both of individuals and of the organizations they represent.
Electro-thermal modeling of multifinger AlGaN/GaN HEMT device operation including thermal substrate effects.

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) device operation was modeled from the sub-micrometer scale to the substrate using a combination of an electro-thermal device model for the active device with realistic power dissipation within the device and a coupled three dimensional thermal model to account for the substrate. Temperatures for various points within a device were determined as a function of biasing conditions, substrate thickness and temperature, number of fingers, and gate length and pitch. As an example, we have used our model to show that life test results of industry-relevant devices can be significantly affected by the exact testing technique used.
Yoga training application in overweight control of seniors with arthritis/osteoarthritis

The subject of the paper is oriented on problems of senior revitalization and joints healing. The study reports the application and evaluation of an interventional yoga program for seniors with overweight in arthritis or osteoarthritis combination. The aim of the study is to accomplish significant changes in overweight reduce, pain reduce and selfconcept optimization of participants after the yoga training. The experimental group (ES) was conducted from 58 persons from senior homes in the region of South Bohemia in Czech Republic. The control group (CS) was conducted from 54 persons from senior homes in the region of South Bohemia in Czech Republic. All the probands were disabled seniors with diagnosis of overweight with arthritis or osteoarthritis. ES and CS were compared before and after intervention movement program in somatic and psychological tests, e.g. BMI, measuring of diameters of 10 skin folds with callipers, self-perception gamut, and list of open sentences. In ES a significant discrepancy between input and check out BMI was perceptible. Significant positive changes in the reduction of diameters of 10 skin folds were recorded in female and male of ES after the yoga intervention. Psychological analyses after intervention movement program document shift from anxiety to state fair, from depressive moods to vitality, from fatigue to force and energy, from confusion and uncertainties to self–respect and self-esteem. The intervention program was running in three months cycles in several groups. Whole experiment was completed in one year.
A detailed experimental and kinetic modeling study of n-decane oxidation at elevated pressures

Abstract The oxidation of n -decane/oxygen/nitrogen is studied at stoichiometric conditions of 1000 ppm fuel in the Princeton variable pressure flow reactor at temperatures of 520–830 K and pressures of 8 and 12.5 atm. The overall oxidative reactivity of n -decane is observed in detail to show low temperature, negative temperature coefficient (NTC) and hot ignition regimes. Detailed temporal speciation studies are performed at reactor initial temperatures of 533 K and 740 K at 12.5 atm pressure and 830 K at 8 atm pressure. Significant amounts of large olefins are produced at 830 K, at conditions of transition from NTC to hot ignition behavior. The predictions using available chemical kinetic models for n -decane oxidation are compared against each other and the experiments. Only the kinetic models of Westbrook et al., Ranzi et al., and Biet et al. capture the NTC behavior exhibited by n -decane. However, each of these models yields varying disparities in the mechanistic predictions of major intermediate species, including ethylene and formaldehyde. Analyses of the Westbrook et al. model are compared with the new data. The predicted double-peaked species yield of ethylene, a behavior not found for the other models or in the experimental observations results from deficiencies in the C 2 chemistry. Mechanistic validation information about fuel oxidation chemistry is also provided by the measurement of various larger carbon number alkene isomers at 830 K and 8 atm. The modeling analysis suggests that in addition to n -alkyl beta-scission chemistry, alkyl peroxy radical chemistry contributes significantly to the formation of these alkenes. Specific reaction pathways and rate constants which affect the computation of these observations are discussed.
Commentary on “the effect of values on scientific and clinical judgment in behavior therapy”

Evans' article (1997) on the role of values in behavior therapy is both an inspirational reflection of the past and a mandate for the future of behavior therapy. This commentary notes some of the similarities and differences between behavior therapists trained in the 1960's and 1970's, and join with Evans in stressing the importance of values in behavior therapy. It is suggested that value-based considerations pertain not only to Evans' examples of severely disturbed populations, but also to pediatric and, more generally, child clinical therapies and to preventive as well as remediative interventions.
CXCR4-SDF-1 signalling, locomotion, chemotaxis and adhesion.

Chemokines, small pro-inflammatory chemoattractant cytokines, that bind to specific G-protein-coupled seven-span transmembrane receptors present on plasma membranes of target cells are the major regulators of cell trafficking. In addition some chemokines have been reported to modulate cell survival and growth. Moreover, compelling evidence is accumulating that cancer cells may employ several mechanisms involving chemokine–chemokine receptor axes during their metastasis that also regulate the trafficking of normal cells. Of all the chemokines, stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), an α-chemokine that binds to G-protein-coupled CXCR4, plays an important and unique role in the regulation of stem/progenitor cell trafficking. First, SDF-1 regulates the trafficking of CXCR4+ haemato/lymphopoietic cells, their homing/retention in major haemato/lymphopoietic organs and accumulation of CXCR4+ immune cells in tissues affected by inflammation. Second, CXCR4 plays an essential role in the trafficking of other tissue/organ specific stem/progenitor cells expressing CXCR4 on their surface, e.g., during embryo/organogenesis and tissue/organ regeneration. Third, since CXCR4 is expressed on several tumour cells, these CXCR4 positive tumour cells may metastasize to the organs that secrete/express SDF-1 (e.g., bones, lymph nodes, lung and liver). SDF-1 exerts pleiotropic effects regulating processes essential to tumour metastasis such as locomotion of malignant cells, their chemoattraction and adhesion, as well as plays an important role in tumour vascularization. This implies that new therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking the SDF-1–CXCR4 axis could have important applications in the clinic by modulating the trafficking of haemato/lymphopoietic cells and inhibiting the metastatic behaviour of tumour cells as well. In this review, we focus on a role of the SDF-1–CXCR4 axis in regulating the metastatic behaviour of tumour cells and discuss the molecular mechanisms that are essential to this process.
Stigma experienced by people using mental health services in San Diego County

This paper describes how individuals struggling with severe mental illness experience stigma along multiple dimensions including their experiences of discrimination by others, their unwillingness to disclose information about their mental health, and their internalization or rejection of the negative and positive aspects of having mental health problems. This cross-sectional study employs descriptive analyses and linear regression to assess the relationship between demographics, mental health diagnoses and self-reported stigma among people receiving mental health services in a large and ethnically diverse county public mental health system (n = 1,237) in 2009. We used the King Stigma Scale to measure three factors related to stigma: discrimination, disclosure, and positive aspects of mental illness. Most people (89.7 %) reported experiencing some discrimination from having mental health problems. Regression analyses revealed that younger people in treatment experienced more stigma related to mental health problems. Women reported experiencing more stigma than men, but men were less likely to endorse the potentially positive aspects of facing mental health challenges than women. Although people with mood disorders reported more discomfort with disclosing mental illness than people with schizophrenia, they did not report experiencing more discrimination than people with schizophrenia. Study findings suggest that the multidimensional experiences of stigma differ as a function of age, gender, and diagnosis. Importantly, these findings should inform anti-stigma efforts by describing different potential treatment barriers due to experiences of stigma among people using mental health services, especially among younger people and women who may be more susceptible to stigma.
Comparison of Measured and AASHTO LRFD-Predicted Residual Prestress Forces, Shear and Flexural Capacities of High-Strength Prestressed-Concrete Bridge Girders

AbstractThis paper describes a case study to quantify the behavior of precast, prestressed-concrete bridge girders made with high-strength concrete. As part of the case study, four bridge girders made with 77.2-MPa (11.2-ksi) concrete were salvaged from a decommissioned bridge in Orem, Utah. Each girder was subjected to a flexural cracking test to determine a prestress loss of 22% after approximately 7 years of service life. Once the prestress losses were quantified, a flexural capacity test was performed on one girder. Shear capacity tests were performed at various distances from the support on the remaining three girders. The measured prestress losses and various capacities were compared with estimated values calculated according to procedures in current bridge specifications. The predicted flexural capacity was found to be 7.3% conservative compared with the measured capacity. The measured shear capacities were all within 12% conservative compared with the AASHTO shear procedures. In addition to the ph...
Are lemurs’ low basal metabolic rates an adaptation to Madagascar’s unpredictable climate?

It has been argued for nearly two decades that lemurs’ low basal metabolic rate (BMR) by comparison to other primates is an adaptation to Madagascar’s unpredictable climate. However, data from two recently published studies show that it is not just lemurs, but all strepsirrhines (the Suborder to which lemurs belong), that have low metabolic rates by comparison to other primates. Therefore, the better comparison to substantiate the argument is one with other strepsirrhines, not with all other primates. Data from the two studies do not allow the conclusion that lemurs’ BMR is lower than that of other strepsirrhines.
A framework to support multiple query optimization for complex mining tasks

With an increasing use of data mining tools and techniques, we envision that a Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining System (KDDMS) will have to support and optimize for the following scenarios: 1) Sequence of Queries: A user may analyze one or more datasets by issuing a sequence of related complex mining queries, and 2) Multiple Simultaneous Queries: Several users may be analyzing a set of datasets concurrently, and may issue related complex queries.This paper presents a systematic mechanism to optimize for the above cases, targetting the class of mining queries involving frequent pattern mining on one or multiple datasets. We present a system architecture and propose new algorithms for this purpose. We show the design of a knowledgeable cache which can store the past query results from queries on multiple datasets. We present algorithms which enable the use of the results stored in such a cache to further optimize multiple queries.We have implemented and evaluated our system with both real and synthetic datasets. Our experimental results show that our techniques can achieve a speedup of up to a factor of 9, compared with the systems which do not support caching or optimize for multiple queries.
Theoretical studies on the diazacyclopentadienylidenes: An analysis of aromatic versus nonaromatic systems and singlet versus triplet reactivity

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on the various electronic states of 2,3- (6), 2,4- (7), 2,5- (8), and 3,4-diazacyclopentadienylidene (9) at the fully geometry optimized 6–31G* level, with single point calculations being carried out at the MP2/6–31G* level. The calculated geometries are interpreted in terms of the degree of occupancy and the nature of the π and σ-nonbonded MO's. At the 6–31G* level the five π-electron, π,σ-triplet states were calculated to be considerably lower in energy. At the MP2/6–31G* level, however, with 7 the six π-electron singlet state is calculated to lie only slightly above the five π-electron triplet (0.4 kcal mole−1), whereas with 8 and 9 the aromatic six π-electron singlet states are calculated to be lower in energy (9.0 and 8.1 kcal mole−1). With 3 and 9 the aromatic six π-electron σ-triplet states lie only 3.6 and 5.5 kcal mole−1 above the lowest energy states. It is concluded that, in general, the energy gained by having an electron in a lower energy σ-type MO instead of a higher energy π MO effectively offsets the energy gained by having an aromatic π system. The results are discussed in terms of the observed chemistry of 6–9 and their substituted systems.
Effect of growth hormone on sulfate Tm, urea clearance and fasting blood glucose.

SummaryGrowth hormone increased filtration rate, renal plasma flow, and urea clearance in 4 normal dogs, and sulfate Tm in 3 of these dogs, within 3 days. In 3 of the 4 dogs the fasting blood glucose concentration was elevated. Urea excretion (in short clearance periods) was decreased, but owing to the increased urea clearance, the plasma urea concentration decreased relatively more than urea excretion.
Quantitative amino acid requirements of the red-banded leaf roller, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract The quantitative pattern of amino acids found in the carcass of 1-day-old pupae of Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker) was shown to support maximum larval growth of this insect when reared axenically on chemically defined diets. Larval growth on diets containing the amino acid mixture after carcass analysis at 3 per cent dietary level was comparable to growth on intact protein diets and a synthetic diet containing dehydrated plants used for mass rearing of the insect. Feeding tests on graded levels of the indispensable amino acids showed that the amino pattern after carcass analysis may be improved. However, larval growth rates on the modified amino acid mixture was not significantly faster than growth on the carcass amino acid mixture. Good larval growth and survival were obtained on a poorly balanced amino acid mixture only if the total dietary concentration was near optimum (3 per cent level). Feeding tests showed that on a poorly balanced amino acid mixture, dispensable as well as indispensable amino acids must be considered in determining quantitative amino acid requirements for larval growth. The relative order of protein quality for larval growth was: egg albumen > soybean > casein. The nutritive value of each protein was greatly improved by supplying limiting amino acids and/or increasing total nitrogen intake by supplying excessive non-essential amino acid nitrogen.
Exact solutions for selective-excitation pulses

Abstract Inverse scattering is used to solve the general problem of finding an applied RF field to produce a desired selective-excitation profile. The formalism is used to calculate the exact, closed-form solutions to the waveforms which produce a collection of refocusing slice profiles, the limit of which is a rectangular section. It is seen that this solution is also effective at producing a waveform which is effective as an excitation pulse or an inversion pulse.
Isolation, characterization, and physical properties of protein antifreezes from the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus.

Abstract 1. 1. Three proteins with an unusual ability to depress the freezing point of water have been purified from the blood serum of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus . 2. 2. The amino acid compositions of these proteins are essentially the same and consist of large amounts of alanine, threonine and aspartic acid. 3. 3. The flounder protein antifreeze is quite different compositionally from the glycoprotein antifreeze previously isolated from antarctic nototheniid fishes. Therefore it seems that macromolecular antifreeze solutes have evolved independently in fishes at least twice.
TSH subunit gene promoters from a murine α-subunit producing tumor function normally

Abstract The murine thyrotropic MGH101A tumor is characterized by absent thyrotropin (TSH) β gene expression and altered thyroid hormone (T3) regulation of the α-subunit. Comparison of the promoter structures of both α and TSHβ subunit genes from MGH101A with the promoter in expressing TtT-97 thyrotropes revealed no detectable differences. Transfection of the TSHβ promoter from MGH101A linked to luciferase showed minimal expression in primary or cloned MGH101A cells, or L-cells. However, a 6- to 10-fold increase in expression was exhibited in transfected thyrotropes. For the α gene, promoter activity was highest in thyrotropes and in cloned MGH101A cells, 5-fold lower in MGH101A tumors, and 10-fold lower in L-cells. Both promoters were not substantially affected by T3 treatment in MGH101A cells. In thyrotropes, promoter activity was inhibited 62.5% and 57.7% by 10 nM T3 treatment for the TSHβ and α genes, respectively. DNase I protection showed that factors from TtT-97 but not from MGH101A cells interacted with regions in the TSHβ promoter, while nuclear extracts from each tumor demonstrated at least one protein-DNA interaction with the α-subunit promoter. These studies suggest that the molecular defects in the MGH101A tumor are related to the absence of trans-acting factors and are not a result of altered primary gene structure.
Supercapacitance behavior of porous oxide layer grown on 302 type stainless steel substrate

Abstract Nano-porous oxide layers on the surface of 302-type stainless steel were synthesized by galvanostatic anodization process carried out at two current densities, 7 and 15 mA cm−2 for the time periods of 15 and 30 min. A relatively thinner (∼300 nm) and compact oxide layer formed when anodization was performed at a current density of 7 mA cm−2. However, with increase in anodization current density, the oxide layer not only grew thicker but also changed in morphology. It was found to be about 0.7 and 1.2 μm after 15 and 30 minutes of anodization at 15 mA cm−2, respectively. The XRD analysis of the oxide layer suggested the formation of hematite ((Fe, Cr)2O3) and spinel ((Ni, Cr, Fe)3O4) phases. The cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge studies (1 M Li2SO4) suggested that the nature of the capacitance of the anodized stainless steel electrodes were of predominantly electric double layer (EDL) type together with some pseudocapacitance like behavior. The specific capacitance obtained was higher for the sample anodized at higher current density (15 mA cm−2) than that of the sample anodized at lower current density (7 mA cm−2). The results were also complimented by electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis.
New, potent cocaine analogs: ligand binding and transport studies in rat striatum

Abstract Two potent cocaine analogs have been developed that have the highest known affinities for the cocaine binding site in rat striatum. Both 3β-(4-chlorophenyl)- (RTI-COC-31) and 3β-(4-methylphenyl)-tropane-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (RTI-COC-32) compete for [3H]WIN 35,428 and [3H]mazindol binding with a IC50 that is 100 times more potent than that of (−) cocaine. Additionally, these compounds inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake with a similar, high potency. These results may lead to the development of high affinity probes for the cocaine binding site.
Effect of shear, compaction and nesting on permeability of the orthogonal plain-weave fabric preforms

Permeability of fabric preforms and its changes due to various modes of the fabric distortion or deformation as well due to fabric layers shifting and compacting is one of the key factors controlling infiltration of the preforms with resin within the common polymer-matrix composite liquid-molding fabrication processes. While direct measurements of the fabric permeability generally yield the most reliable results, a large number of the fabric architectures used and numerous deformation and layers rearrangement modes necessitates the development and the use of computational models for the prediction of preform permeability. One such model, the so-called lubrication model, is adapted in the present work to study the effect of the mold walls, the compaction pressure, the fabric-tows shearing and the fabric layers shifting on permeability of the preforms based on orthogonal balanced plain-weave fabrics. The model predictions are compared with their respective experimental counterparts available in the literature and a reasonably good agreement is found between the corresponding sets of results.
The internet and the American economic association: a set of proposals

The Internet poses numerous short- and long-term opportunities and challenges for almost all the operations of the American Economic Association (AEA). This article examines these challenges and proposes various actions. In general terms, the AEA should first adapt its operations to maintain a constant level of service to its members in this changing environment. Second, the AEA charter calls for the "encouragement of perfect freedom of economic discussion," and the cost-reducing promise of the Internet and associated computer technologies brings us closer to this goal, but their full potential requires their adoption by the AEA. Finally, the AEA is uniquely positioned as a large, capable nonprofit to implement these new services.
Investigation on enantiomeric separations of fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl amino acids and peptides by high-performance liquid chromatography using native cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases.

Abstract A systematic study was carried out to investigate enantiomeric separations of fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC) amino acids and their peptides. Twenty amino acids were derivatized by 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) and its analogues, FMOC-glycyl-Cl and FMOC-β-alanyl-Cl. All derivatives were chromatographed on native β- and γ-cyclodextrin columns using acetonitrile as the main mobile phase component. The results indicated that glycyl and β-alanyl groups between FMOC and amino acid moieties enhanced chiral selectivities of amino acid derivatives. The addition of modifiers, triethylamine, acetic acid and methanol, into the mobile phase caused alterations in retention, enantiorecognition and elution order. The structures of amino acids and the type of chiral stationary phase employed exhibited significant impacts on chiral resolutions. It is also found that the number and position of glycyl moieties affect the retentions and enantioselectivities of FMOC derivatized glycyl containing peptides.
Spermidine affects the transcriptome responses to high temperature stress in ripening tomato fruit

Objective High temperature adversely affects quality and yield of tomato fruit. Polyamine can alleviate heat injury in plants. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of polyamine and high temperature on transcriptional profiles in ripening tomato fruit.
The outside-in technique for arthroscopic meniscal repair

The outside-in technique of arthroscopic repair is an effective technique for addressing the majority of reparable meniscal tears. It has additional application in performing meniscal transplants and applying fibrin clot to meniscal repairs. The ability to precisely control needle placement provides the advantage of protecting neurovascular structures that are frequently in close proximity. A particular disadvantage of this technique, however, is the difficulty in placing sutures perpendicular to tears located in the far posterior horns of the menisci. Attention should be paid to the vulnerable neurovascular structures both medially and laterally, and the leg should be appropriately positioned to minimize the risk of injury while passing needles and tying sutures over the capsule. When possible, vertically oriented sutures are preferred to evenly coapt the meniscus to the capsule. The addition of fibrin clot should be considered for radial split or isolated tears, and instructions for rehabilitation and weight-bearing should be individualized based on tear type, location, and vascularity.
Onboard Planning of Collision Avoidance Maneuvers Using Robust Optimization

As the amount of space debris accumulates, and as more future missions involve multiple close-orbiting spacecraft, the risk of collision is becoming a more prominent concern in both mission design and operations. The recent collision between the Iridium and inactive COSMOS spacecraft has shown demonstrated this growing problem, with NORAD already tracking over 200 pieces of new debris in just the rst few weeks since the event. Spacecraft with the capability to detect potential collisions, then plan and enact avoidance maneuvers can successfully mitigate this risk. A particular challenge with avoiding space debris is the large degree of uncertainty in the relative state of the objects. In this paper, we present a practical method for the onboard planning of collision avoidance maneuvers. The relative orbit dynamics are modeled as a discrete, linear time-varying system that models both circular and eccentric orbits. Minimum-fuel avoidance maneuvers are planned by using a robust linear programming (LP) technique. The original non-linear, non-convex avoidance constraints are transformed into a time-varying sequence of linear constraints, and the navigation uncertainty is applied in a worst-case sense. The resulting maneuver can be solved eciently as an LP with no integer constraints, and can guarantee collision avoidance with respect to bounded navigation uncertainty.
Bacteriostatic effects of hyaluronic acid

Background: This investigation is one of a series of projects seeking to ascertain whether hyaluronic acid (HA) is therapeutically effective in tissue regeneration procedures. The rationale for these investigations is to test the hypothesis that HA can serve as a bioabsorbable carrier for other substrates as well as itself actively promote the regeneration of tissue. Methods: In this paper, we report on the bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties of 3 molecular weight formulations of recombinant HA (low, 141 kD; medium, 757 kD; and high, 1,300 kD) on selected oral and non-oral microorganisms in the planktonic phase. Three concentrations of each HA formulation were screened, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/ml, using a standard broth culture assay. Results: Recombinant HA exerted varied bacteriostatic effects on all the bacterial strains tested depending on its molecular weight (MW) and concentration. The high concentrations of the medium MW HA had the greatest bacteriostatic effect, particularly on the Actinobacil...
Immunological monitoring in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Parameters of cell-mediated immune function were determined in 76 patients with end-stage renal disease. Lymphocyte subpopulations (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, OKIal, OKM1, OKT9, OKT10), natural killer (NK)-cell activity (percentage51Cr release from K562 targets), and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity were measured and correlated with other variables. The results indicate that (1) uremic patients have a significant diminution in the OKT4-lymphocyte subpopulation and OKT4/OKT8 (helper/suppressor) ratio compared to normal controls; (2 blood transfusions do not induce significant alterations in the helper/suppressor-cell ratio; (3) uremic patients have a significant increase in OKM1 cells compared to normal controls; (4) the majority of uremic patients in this series developed delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity responses to recall antigens and could be de novo sensitized to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB); (5) skin-test reactivity could not be correlated with total circulating T cells or levels of any lymphocyte subpopulations; and (6) NK-cell activity in uremic patients is not significantly different from that in normal controls. These results highlight the varying levels and function of different lymphocyte subsets in patients with end-stage renal disease when they are treated with chronic maintenance hemodialysis.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in survivors of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death without inducible arrhythmias

Abstract Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in survivors of sudden cardiac death in whom no ventricular arrhythmias can be induced with programmed electrical stimulation. Background. Survivors of sudden cardiac death in whom ventricular arrhythmias cannot be induced with programmed electrical stimulation remain at risk for recurrence of serious arrhythmias. Optimal protection to prevent sudden death in these patients is uncertain. This study compares survival in the subset of survivors of sudden cardiac death with that of patients treated with or without an ICD. Methods. A retrospective study was performed on 194 consecutive survivors of primary sudden death who had Results. There were no significant differences between the two groups in presenting rhythm, number of prior myocardial infarctions or use of antiarrhythmic agents. Patients treated with an ICD were younger (55 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 11 years, p = 0.03) and had a lesser incidence of coronary artery disease (48% vs. 63%. p = 0.04) and a lower ejection fraction (0.43 ± 0.16 vs. 0.48 ± 0.18, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between the groups in the use of revascularization procedures or antiarrhythmic agents after the sudden cardiac death. Patients treated with an ICD had an improvement in sudden cardiac death-free survival (p = 0.04) but the overall survival rate did not differ from that of the patients not so treated (p = 0.91). A mullivariate regression analysis that adjusted for the observed differences between the groups did not alter these results. Conclusions. Survivors of sudden cardiac death in whom no arrhythmias could be induced with programmed electrical stimlulation remained at risk for arrhythmia recurrence. Although the proportion of deaths attributed to arrhythmias was lower in the patients treated with an ICD, this therapy did not significantly improve overall survival.
Genetic polymorphism and cancer susceptibility: Evidence concerning acetyltransferases and cancer of the urinary bladder

Acetyltransferase enzymes expressed in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues are products of an acetyltransferase gene locus. Acetylation capacity is regulated by simple autosomal Mendelian inheritance of two codominant alleles at this locus. Human slow acetylators are predisposed to bladder cancer from arylamine chemicals. The role of the bladder in arylamine metabolism and of bladder acetyltransferases in the etiology of bladder cancer is not fully understood, but the acetylator genotype-dependent expression of arylamine N-acetyltransferase and N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase in bladder cytosol may contribute towards the genetic predisposition of human slow acetylators to arylamine-induced bladder cancer.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of non-Hodgkin lymphoma for use in expression microarray analysis.

BACKGROUND The majority of patients with lymphoma undergo a single biopsy for diagnosis, and there are few opportunities to acquire posttreatment material. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure, and acquiring routine posttreatment material would require minimal effort and provide needed material for gene expression profiling. METHODS Ex vivo FNA biopsies were performed using a standard clinical technique with 21-gauge, 22-gauge, 23-gauge, and 25-gauge needles for 8 lymph node specimens and were collected in either RNA stabilization reagent (RNAlater) or Trizol. Eight patients with known or suspected Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) underwent interoperative (in vivo) FNA biopsies based on the best technique derived from the ex vivo aspirates. RNA derived from the in vivo FNA biopsies and the matched, snap-frozen surgical lymph node biopsy remnant was used for gene expression analysis with proprietary U133A chips. RESULTS The results confirmed the authors' experience, that RNA isolated from FNA biopsies of lymph nodes collected in Trizol is superior both quantitatively and qualitatively to RNA collected in RNAlater. Gene expression profiles of NHL derived from in vivo FNA biopsies and matched, frozen surgical specimens showed good overall correlation. CONCLUSIONS High-throughput gene expression analysis in patients with NHL derived from material acquired by FNA biopsy is a feasible approach to developing a platform for real-time analysis of treatment responses in this group of patients. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2006; © 2006 American Cancer Society.
The utility of splenectomy as rescue treatment for severe acute antibody mediated rejection

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after desensitization for a positive crossmatch (+XM) live donor renal transplant can be severe and result in sudden onset oliguria and loss of the allograft. Attempts to rescue these kidneys using plasmapheresis (PP) and IVIg may be ineffective due to the magnitude of antibody burden that must be controlled to prevent renal thrombosis or cortical necrosis. We review our experience using splenectomy combined with PP/IVIg as rescue therapy for patients experiencing an acute deterioration in renal function and a rise in donor-specific antibody within the first posttransplant week after desensitization for a +XM. Five patients underwent immediate splenectomy followed by PP/IVIg and had return of allograft function within 48 h of the procedure. Emergent splenectomy followed by PP/IVIg may be an effective treatment for reversing severe AMR.
Etiologic theories of Alzheimer's disease:

A variety of theories about the cause or origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been proposed. Some of these theories are based on a particular research finding, such as abnormal protein formation or aluminum accumulation. Others are based on possible imbalances in brain function (calcium disruption, for example), and some are based on analogies to other diseases such as infectious disorders. Still other theories are based on general systemic conditions such as immune function and nutrition, and some are simply based on speculation. Evidence has been found for separate classifications or subgroups of AD that could imply separate causes. There have also been various genetic explanations for the familial category of AD.This review summarizes the various theories suggested for AD with the reason sfor their proposal, the evidence for or against them, and their current status. Appraisals have been carnied out from the perspective that identification of the primary cause of AD could be crucial to the discovery...
An investigation of Gf-Gc theory in the older adult population: joint factor analysis of the Woodcock-Johnson-Revised and the Detroit Test of Learning Aptitude-Adult.

Researchers and clinicians are increasingly interested in the structure of intelligence among older adults. A joint factor analysis was conducted for 27 subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery–Revised and the Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude–Adult for a sample of 50 persons ranging in age from 55 to 84 years (M = 65.16 yr.). The results provide evidence for the latent factors specified by Gf-Gc theory in older adults, indicate which Gf-Gc factors are measured by subtests of the two batteries, and illustrate the necessity of cross-battery assessment to identify the full complement of Gf-Gc factors.
Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 21. The effect of the backbone composition on the products evolved upon rapid thermolysis of linear nitramines

Abstract High-rate thermolysis data for two primary linear nitramines and three secondary linear nitramines are compared to evaluate the effect of differences in the composition of the backbone on evolved gas products .The primary nitramines retain the NN bonds but undergo CN bond fission, while the secondary nitramines exhibit much more NN bond fission. The NCH 2 N backbone unit in nitramines is less thermally stable than the N(CH 2 ) 2 N unit. A comparison of a compositionally similar cyclic and acyclic nitramine pair leads to the conclusion that cyclization hardly influences the thermolysis products or their relative concentrations.
Prevalence of troponin-T elevation during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

To determine the prevalence of myocardial ischemia before out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA), we determined the prevalence of elevated cardiac troponin-T levels in subjects at the time of OOHCA. Plasma was collected from 63 subjects during resuscitation. Troponin levels were elevated (> or =0.03 ng/ml) in 25 subjects (39.7%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 29% to 52%). Increasing age was associated with elevated troponin (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17). Elevated troponin levels did not reliably predict short-term outcome. Because troponin increases hours after the onset of ischemia, these data reveal that about 40% of OOHCA cases can undergo intervention before collapse.
HCN synthesis from CH4 and NH3 on clean Rh

Abstract A reaction chamber attached to a UHV surface analysis system is used to study kinetics of HCN synthesis on polycrystalline Rh for temperatures between 500 and 1600 K with CH4 and NH3 pressures between 0.05 and 10 Torr. AES is used to show that the surface is clean before reaction, and AES and TPD are used to examine surface residues after reaction. The rate of HCN production attains a maximum near a 1:1 reactant mixture, and exceeds 1018 molecules/cm2 sec at high temperatures. The selectivity (fraction of NH3 reacting to form HCN) is greater than 90% at high temperatures at a total pressure of 1 Torr. The rate of HCN production is proportional to PCH4, and N2 formation is strongly inhibited by CH4. Examination of rhodium foils by SEM after reaction shows that the surface is faceted into predominantly (100) planes, and grain boundaries are pitted. Reaction is shown to occur by NH3 or its fragments reacting with surface carbon layers because approximately one monolayer of carbon is found on the reactive surface while multilayers of carbon create a totally unreactive surface. This carbon also explains why the NH3 decomposition reaction is suppressed compared to that on clean Rh. A model in which surface carbon is a reactant which also blocks reaction sites is shown to give a quantitative fit to rates of HCN and N2 production. The high reaction probability of CH4 (~10−2) is surprising because of its low surface reactivity on Rh. It is argued that the surface reaction between NH3 and CH4 fragments is the major reaction under industrial HCN synthesis conditions and that no homogeneous processes are necessary to explain high yields of HCN.
Strain-selective effects of corticosterone on locomotor sensitization to cocaine and on levels of tyrosine hydroxylase and glucocorticoid receptor in the ventral tegmental area

We have studied biochemical and behavioral effects of chronic corticosterone administration in two inbred rat stains (Fischer 344 and Lewis), known to differ in their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and in their behavioral responses to drugs of abuse. First, we studied corticosterone regulation of phosphoproteins in the ventral tegmental area of sham- and corticosterone-treated Fischer and Lewis rats, by means of back-phosphorylation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis. Corticosterone administration upregulated tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and decreased glial-fibrillary acidic protein phosphorylation state in the ventral tegmental area of Fischer rats only, with no changes seen in Lewis rats. We also studied corticosterone effects on locomotor sensitization to cocaine, a behavior known to be regulated by the ventral tegmental area. In Fischer rats, chronic corticosterone pretreatment resulted in development of cocaine sensitization, which was absent in sham-pretreated Fischer rats. In contrast, Lewis rats developed cocaine sensitization either with or without corticosterone pretreatment. Thus, both biochemical and behavioral effects of corticosterone observed in Fischer rats were absent in Lewis rats. We next studied the possibility that certain transcription factors, thought to play a role in tyrosine hydroxylase expression, could be involved in these strain-selective effects of corticosterone. Corticosterone treatment decreased levels of glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in the ventral tegmental area of Lewis rats, but not of Fischer rats. In addition, drug-naive Fischer rats showed higher ventral tegmental area levels of immunoreactivity of cyclic AMP response element binding protein than Lewis rats, with no effect of corticosterone observed in either strain. These findings suggest that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis modulation of responses to drugs of abuse is a genetically determined characteristic seen in Fischer rats, but absent in Lewis rats. We propose that corticosterone administration down-regulates the glucocorticoid receptor in the ventral tegmental area of Lewis rats, and thereby prevents other adaptations to corticosterone treatment, while in the ventral tegmental area of Fischer rats the lack of glucocorticoid receptor down-regulation and the high basal levels of cyclic AMP response element binding protein could facilitate the transcriptional, biochemical and behavioral actions of glucocorticoids.
Daylighting design via Monte Carlo with a corresponding scientific visualization

A brief history of Monte Carlo methods is presented, with emphasis on uses in engineering. An overview of daylighting design is then presented, exploring both quantity and quality of light. Various strategies for achieving effectively daylit enclosures are examined, with heavy emphasis upon computation. Monte Carlo methods are the only ones which are sufficiently robust to handle specular surfaces and properties which vary with incident angle (such as for glass). A general purpose computer code, DAY3D, is developed and applied to the calculation of luminous intensities in general enclosures. Due to the requirement for huge computing resources, an architectural study of photon tracing on a Cray Y/MP and a CM-2 is performed, illustrating the promise of a small CM-2 architecture for this problem. Various strategies for visualizing both field results and the discrete Monte Carlo processes are explored.